KolkatasLaw College Vice Principal resigns after 23-hour studentprotest over attendance
Vice Principal says she was targeted and forced to resign; ABVP calls it a win,purifiesthe VPs room with Ganga Jal
The humble flyswatter is disappearing, and our gadgets may be making us less handy
A simple encounter with Kolkata youngsters reveals how everyday tools such as the humble flyswatter are disappearing as technology replaces physical effort. From electric bug zappers to robot vacuums and pre-chopped food, convenience is steadily reshaping daily habits, raising a larger question: are modern gadgets making us increasingly dependent on electricity?
91st All India Railway Athletics Championship Kicks Off in Kolkata
The 91st All India Railway Athletics Championship commenced in Kolkata, featuring 24 teams and around 500 athletes competing across various events. 91st All India Railway Athletics Championship Kicks Off in Kolkata
West Bengal, Japan explore new trade, air connectivity and cultural partnerships
Kolkata will host an Indo-Japan cultural festival and exchange in 2027 as India and Japan mark 75 years of friendship. A Japanese delegation led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayano Kunimitsu also discussed trade, direct air connectivity, renewable energy and a business-friendly environment with West Bengal officials during its Kolkata visit.
Veggie Prices Head North In Kol As Rain Inundates Crop Fields
US envoy hails PM Modis focus on Northeast development, invites attention to Manipur tourism
Digital Desk | Imphal, Sep 11 (IANS) US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis focus on the development of Northeast India was a positive step for a diverse country like India, during his separate meetings with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh here. Gor, who is on a visit to Manipur, called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and later met the Chief Minister at the CM Secretariat in Mantripukhri, officials said. During his meeting with CM Khemchand Singh, the US Ambassador described Manipur as a stunning place with remarkable natural beauty and enquired about the number of tourists visiting the state, a senior official of the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said. Gor said he was happy that Prime Minister Modi was focusing on the development of Northeast India, which, he noted, was particularly important for a diverse country like India. The Ambassador also said there was a special bond between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, beyond the normal relationship between a Prime Minister and a President, adding that Trump personally cherished the relationship. Khemchand Singh invited the US Ambassador to the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival 2026 and highlighted tourism and other allied sectors as potential areas for development in the state. The Chief Minister said India was a mini world and Manipur a mini India, noting that the state was home to 36 communities. The ten-day Manipur Sangai Festival will be held from November 21 to 30 with the theme Destination Manipur. The festival will showcase and promote the state's art and culture, handloom, handicrafts and fine arts, indigenous sports, cuisine and music, besides eco-tourism and adventure sports. Participation of various states, foreign traders and cultural troupes is expected at the festival. Fashion shows and music programmes will also form part of the event. The US Ambassador was accompanied by US Consul General in Kolkata Kathy Giles-Diaz, while the Chief Minister was accompanied by state officials led by Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur. The visiting US envoys meetings with the Governor and Chief Minister come amid efforts by the state government to promote Manipur as a tourism destination and explore opportunities for development in tourism and allied sectors.
Food items clear test, eatery applies for reopening
Protests shut banks, more pain in store for customers
Ganesh Puja gains ground across Kol and beyond, idolmakers see 15% rise in orders
UAPA, terror-case prisoners kin appeal for phone access
Bengal: Congress announces candidates for Rejinagar, Nandigram bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Friday announced the names of the party candidates for the forthcoming bypolls for Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal next month. AICC issued a press statement on Friday night claiming that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the proposals for the candidature of Mohd Abdullahil Kafi from Rejinagar and Milan Pradhan from Nandigram for the upcoming by-elections for these two constituencies next month. The bypolls for these two constituencies will be conducted on October 6 that is just before the forthcoming Durga Puja festival in the state. The counting of votes and poll results will be declared on October 9. The date before which the elections will have to be concluded is October 11. In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was elected from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly Constituencies in South Kolkata. At Bhabanipur, Adhikari defeated his predecessor and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of more than 15,000 votes. Adhikari retained the Bhabanipur constituency, thus necessitating bypolls for Nandigram. On the other hand, former Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir contested and was elected as an Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) candidate from both Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, both in Murshidabad district. Later, Kabir decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating bypolls for the Rejinagar seat. Since 2021, Nandigram, because of Suvendu Adhikari, has been a virtual fortress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Therefore, political observers are not in two minds about the results of the by-elections there. However, political observers say that because of the demography of Rejinagar, this particular Assembly constituency will be quite tough to win for the BJP. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress, which is now divided into three factions, also does not seem to have much poll prospects from Rejinagar this time. Rather, CPI-M and Congress can view the opportunity for increasing their tally in the West Bengal Assembly constituency by one seat. The Rejinagar bypolls might also give some indication about where the minority votes in the state might shift to in the coming days, a Kolkata-based political observer said.
Congress names candidates for Nandigram, Rejinagar assembly bypolls
Promoters complaint leads to netas arrest
Decomposed body found in Sarsuna Jheel
HC grants bail to AJUP chief Humayun Kabir in hate speech case
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has granted anticipatory bail to AJUP chief Humayun Kabir, observing that the ingredients of BNS Section 152, which deals with acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, were not made out against him even prima facie. Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta, while granting the relief on Thursday, September 10, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Baruipur blast sparks bomb storage claims
Truncated metro service tomorrow
Durga Puja bookstalls are branded as ones selling Marxist, progressive books: CPM
EC hearing on TMC name-symbol today, to meet both camps back-to-back
Tripura tea makes European debut with 15.31-MT export consignment
Digital Desk | Agartala, Sep 11 (IANS) Tripura tea on Friday made its debut in the European market with the dispatch of a 15.31-metric-tonne consignment, the largest-ever single outbound tea shipment handled by the Tripura Tea Development Corporation Limited (TTDCL), officials said. The high-quality tea consignment, weighing 15,310 kg, was formally dispatched from the Central Tea Processing Factory (CTPF) at Durgabari in West Tripura for export to European countries via Kolkata. Industries and Commerce Secretary Kiran Gitte, TTDCL Chairman Samir Ranjan Ghosh and Managing Director Rajesh Kumar Das flagged off the tea consignment on Friday. Ghosh said the shipment marked a significant milestone in the state's efforts to take Tripura tea beyond geographical boundaries and gain access to wider international markets. The consignment is almost twice the corporation's previous largest outbound shipment of 8,200 kg sent to the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre earlier this year, reflecting the growing commercial potential of Tripura's tea sector. The development is expected to create new opportunities for local tea producers and strengthen the state's position in the international tea market, he said. According to Ghosh, the state government is also working to establish an Agartala Tea Auction Centre to improve marketing and price realisation for tea growers and manufacturers. The proposed auction centre is expected to bring tea growers, manufacturers, brokers, buyers, warehouses and other stakeholders onto a common technology-driven platform. Electronic bidding and wider participation are envisaged to facilitate competitive price discovery and expand market access for Tripura-produced tea. According to TTDCL officials, the auction centre could also reduce expenses related to freight, warehousing, sampling, handling and other logistics, with estimated savings of around Rs 6-10 per kg. For decades, Tripura has had considerable potential as a tea-producing state, but challenges relating to marketing, branding, logistics, price realisation and access to larger markets have remained. The government now aims to develop the state's tea sector beyond production and establish Tripura as a major tea-trading hub in the Northeast, which could help attract investment and generate employment while strengthening the supporting infrastructure and commercial ecosystem. Meanwhile, Tripureswari tea is also being distributed through local ration shops, helping increase access to the state's tea products. Currently, Tripura has 54 sprawling tea gardens, including a few run by the state-owned TTDC and the Tripura Cooperative Society, as well as privately owned estates. Around 2,800 small tea growers contribute nearly 30 per cent of the state's total tea production, which stands at about 90 lakh kilograms annually. More than 60 per cent of this production is presently sold through auction markets outside the state. Tripura is also set to have its own tea auction centre by next year, a move expected to give a major impetus to the state's beverages industry.
India repatriates 47 Bangladeshis via Petrapole border
91st All India Railway Athletics Championship gets underway in Kolkata
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) The 91st All India Railway Athletics Championship 2026 got underway at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Ground in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Friday, September 11, 2026. The championship is being organised by the Eastern Railway Sports Association (ERSA) for the second consecutive year under the auspices of the Sports Promotion Board. The three-day-long tournament was declared open by Gitika Pandey, general manager, ER, in the presence of Neeraj Verma, principal chief operations manager, ER and president, ERSA, and other top officials. Twenty-four teams from various zonal railways, production units and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) are participating in the championship. There will be nearly 500 athletes for the various track and field events, officials said. Pandey, in her opening address, highlighted the importance of sportspersons' spirit. Participation in a true sportsperson-like manner is more important than winning, she said. She also appreciated the efforts put in by the ERSA in organising such a pan-India event. The general manager also handed over the medals to the winners of the 1,500-metre race (men), which was among the first events to be held. Several top sportspersons and coaches were present during the inaugural ceremony. They included Arjuna Awardees Joseph Abraham, Jitendra Kumar, J J Shobha, Pappu Yadav, Soma Biswas and Saraswati Saha. Padma Shri recipient and Arjuna Awardee L Bombayla Devi was also one of those present. So was Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award winner Mohammad Ali Qamar. Olympians Sanjay Ray and Bhawana Jat also attended the event. Apart from the 1,500-metre races, events such as marathon, javelin throw, High jump, discus throw, relay, shot put, hurdles, hammer throw, decathlon and heptathlon are among the events to be held till September 13 for both men and women. Indian Railways has always patronised sports, and several of our athletes and other sportspersons have won honours for the country at international events. Some among these athletes are also likely to leave for the Asian Games in Japan later this month. This tournament will be good practice for them. ERSA will leave no stone unturned to make the championship a success, an official said.
1,100 from Bengal to embark on Somnath pilgrimage
State asks school recruitment bodies to arrange for in-service teachers TET
HC pulls up KMC over 42 illegal constructions, orders CBI probe
Calcutta High Court Reduces Life Term to 11 Years in 2012 Assault Case
CM announces plans to take Gangasagar Mela international
Suvendu Adhikari announces proposed DRDO project at Bengal's Junput
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the premium agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in the Ministry of Defence, is all set to set up a mega project in the state. Speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister added that Junput in his native East Midnapore district had been identified as the venue for the DRDO project. However, Chief Minister Adhikari refused to divulge further details of the project. All I can say right now is that a mega DRDO project is coming up at Junput soon. I will speak in detail in the matter at a later stage, the Chief Minister said at the sidelines of the inauguration of the outlet of a clothing store chain at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. During the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments, mega investment proposals in East Midnapore district could not be fructified because of the politically backed local opposition. During the late Budhhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front government, the proposed nuclear power project could not be fructified because of the local resistance, which was orchestrated by Trinamool Congress, as the then principal opposition party in the state. Again in 2024, during the Trinamool Congress government, an ongoing DRDO project at Junput had to be stopped midway because of the combined opposition from Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress -- the Trinamool Congress' trade union wing, and an association of the local fishermen. Meanwhile, speaking at the inauguration of the clothing store, CM Adhikari also said that although the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government is keen about attracting big ticket investments for improving the state's economy as well as to ensure higher employment generation, the backgrounds of the interested investors will be checked first before they are allowed to make investments in the state. We will undergo a background credibility check of the interest investors, specially whether they had in prior involvement in money laundering activities and whether there are pending cases registered by the central investigating agencies against them. The bank guarantee factor will also be checked, the Chief Minister added.
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 11 (IANS) Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi holds nearly a 40 per cent stake in a gold mining company in Congo, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday alleged that bribe money linked to PWD contracts was used to acquire foreign assets and seized Rs 3.3 crore in unaccounted cash during searches at premises linked to him and his aides. The official statement released in this regard said, The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Bengaluru Zonal Office has conducted searches at 21 premises linked to Karnataka Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi and his close aides in connection with an investigation into alleged undisclosed overseas investments, cross-border business links and financial irregularities. The ED also claimed that Satish Jarkiholi had acquired nearly 40 per cent stakes in Congo-based Magnitude Star SARL, a company engaged in gold mining. Documents relating to several other foreign entities owning mining assets in Africa were also found and seized during the searches, according to the central probe agency. The searches were carried out on September 9 and 10 at four locations covering Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and Kolkata under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), the ED said. According to the central agency, the premises searched included those linked to Chikkodi MP and Jarkiholi's daughter Priyanka Jarkiholi, his son Rahul Jarkiholi and his brother-in-law Y.D. Manjunath. Properties belonging to several close aides of the Minister, including his Officer on Special Duty and Personal Assistant Malagouda Patil, Raju Daragshetti, Vittal Parasannavar and Girish Sonwalkar, were also searched. The ED also searched the offices and residences of officials and owners of private company Bharat Vanijya Eastern Private Ltd (BVEPL). The agency alleged that the company had paid a huge bribe to secure a tender from the PWD department and that the money was allegedly used for acquiring foreign assets. The searches also focused on the overseas business interests of the Jarkiholi family. The ED said it found that family members, including Priyanka Jarkiholi, Rahul Jarkiholi and Mahadevi Manjunath, who is the wife of Y.D. Manjunath, had acquired shareholdings in multiple foreign entities. These entities include Eldorado Mining Resources in Congo and Nava Aurum Mining Ltd in Zambia, among others, the central agency said. The searches covered the Minister's residences in Gokak and Dollars Colony in Bengaluru, as well as his office-cum-residence on Crescent Road in the city. Properties in Gokak and Belagavi were also searched. During the operation, the ED said it seized unaccounted Indian currency amounting to Rs 3.3 crore. Foreign currencies, including US dollars and euros, valued at around Rs 15 lakh were also found and seized, the ED added. The central agency said that evidence gathered during the searches indicated that substantial investments and expenses had allegedly been made in cash in an entity in Congo through unauthorised channels, raising suspected violations under FEMA. The searches also allegedly unearthed evidence relating to irregularities in the PWD department. The ED said it recovered several incriminating documents and digital devices containing information relating to the alleged collection of bribe money from contractors, including BVEPL. According to the central agency, such evidence was found in the entities and accounts of various influential persons, including accounts of an entity allegedly controlled and managed by Y.D. Manjunath, who is the brother-in-law of Satish Jarkiholi. The ED said the search action was aimed at investigating the alleged flow of funds between domestic entities and overseas assets and examining possible violations of foreign exchange regulations. Further investigation into the alleged overseas investments, PWD-related financial irregularities, suspected bribe payments and foreign exchange violations is under progress, the central agency added.
Suvendu Eats Fish At Kali Temple, BJP Says Non-Veg Row Over
Suvendu Adhikari eats traditional fish bhog at Kolkatas Kalighat Temple as BJP leaders signal an end to the row over non-vegetarian food.
Analysis: In BJP's 'Go It Alone' Strategy In Bengal, A Test Of Strength, Identity
The BJP leadership has made one thing clear: in the upcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation election, which will now have 209 seats, the party will fight alone. The BJP has decided to follow an Ekla Chalo policy in the civic elections.
AIFF SGM Set For October 4 To Advance Electoral Process
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has scheduled a Special General Body Meeting (SGM) for October 4 in Kolkata. The primary agenda includes appointing an electoral officer from the Sports Ministry's panel and passing a resolution to conduct elections for its executive committee. Additionally, the SGM will elect sportspersons of outstanding merit to the federation's general body, with current executive committee members not holding voting rights.
Artist Shipra Bhattacharya brings five decades of her work to Chennais Lalit Kala Akademi
From desire and the female body to protest, war and a changing natural world, the Kolkata artist looks back at nearly five decades of making images out of what she finds difficult to put into words.
The filmmaker told The Hindu that it is deeply concerning that a film which strives to examine both history and the present with close, meticulous attention has met with such a fate
Kolkata High Court Sends Mamata Banerjees Shrirampur Meeting Case Back for Review
The Kolkata High Court has returned the case regarding Mamata Banerjees Shrirampur meeting to a single-judge bench for further review. Kolkata High Court Sends Mamata Banerjees Shrirampur Meeting Case Back for Review
Dhruv Singh, Subha Mita Karmakar Lead West Bengal Charge
West Bengal's Dhruv Singh, Anish Halder, Subha Mita Karmakar, and other young talents have advanced in the All India Sub-Junior (Under-13) Ranking Badminton Tournament held in Kolkata, showcasing strong performances against competitors from across 28 states and five union territories. The tournament features a significant prize purse, encouraging young badminton players.
Piston Raises USD 15 Million to Scale the Infrastructure Layer for Logistics Commerce
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 11: Piston, a cardless payments platform that connects commercial fleets and gas stations, today announced it has raised USD 15 million in Series A funding. FPV Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investors Spark Capital and Pear VC. The financing brings Piston's total capital raised to USD 22.5 million.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) The uncertainty surrounding the Trinamool Congress's proposed public meeting at Sreerampore in West Bengal's Hooghly district, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the principal speaker, continued on Friday after a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court referred the matter back to the single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya for an early decision. The meeting was originally scheduled for Friday. On Thursday, Justice Bhattacharyya's bench had granted conditional permission for the event but declined to allow a rally following the meeting. However, the programme could not go ahead as planned after the state government approached a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, seeking clarification on a particular portion of the single-judge bench's order. The state government argued that the police administration had little role in the matter because the owner of the ground selected by the Trinamool Congress for the event had objected to its use for a political programme. It further contended that the private property is generally used for religious functions, leaving the administration unable to override the owner's objections. After hearing the matter on Friday, the Division Bench sent the case back to the single-judge bench and directed it to dispose of the matter at the earliest. The Bench observed that the final decision should be taken after hearing the landowner's objections to the use of the venue for a political gathering. The Division Bench requested Justice Bhattacharyya to hear the review application on September 18 and pass orders by September 25. Since the Assembly elections, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee has largely confined her political activities to Kolkata. The Sreerampore event was expected to be her first major political programme in a district outside the state capital after the elections.
Congress leader arrested for protesting against Baba Bageshwars remarks in Kolkata
Kolkata Police said the acts by the protesters amounted to an insult to the religious sentiments of a particular community and posed a threat to public order with the potential to incite social disharmony.
Congress leader arrested for protesting against Baba Bageshwars remarks in Kolkata
Kolkata Police said the acts by the protesters amounted to an insult to the religious sentiments of a particular community and posed a threat to public order with the potential to incite social disharmony.
'As A Bengali...': Suvendu Eats Fish Bhog At Kalighat Amid Row Over Bageshwar Babas Non-Veg Remark
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kolkatas Kalighat Temple on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya and offered prayers to Goddess Kali. He offered hibiscus garlands and a red Banarasi sari, washed the deitys feet and performed aarti before having the temples prasad. The offering included fried fish, fish head and basanti pulao. His decision to partake in the non-vegetarian prasad comes amid a controversy over remarks by Bageshwar Dham Peethadhishwar Dhirendra Krishna Garg, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, who criticised Bengalis for eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Garg had made the comments during a gathering in Howrah. The remarks triggered a political debate, with BJP leaders attempting to counter the criticism. Adhikaris temple visit and meal have since drawn attention.
Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari offers prayers at Kalighat temple, eats traditional fish bhog | VIDEO
West Bengal Chief Minister SuvenduAdhikari visited the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya and offered prayers to Maa Kali on Thursday. A special puja was organised at the temple, where the...
Suvendu Adhikari eyes Ambani meeting, BRICS dinner as West Bengal steps up investment push
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will attend a BRICS Summit dinner and meet Mukesh Ambani. He will also inaugurate the Adani Group's new hospital project near Kolkata. The state government is actively seeking major corporate investments for development. A defence project at Junput is also being pursued by the government. The completed Haldia Petrochemicals expansion is ready for inauguration soon.
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across metro cities on September 11
Three Arrested in West Bengal for Extortion Allegations
Three individuals, including a former vice-chairman, were arrested in Kolkata for extortion following a complaint by a real estate promoter. Three Arrested in West Bengal for Extortion Allegations
CM Suvendu Adhikari prays at Kalighat temple, has fish-basanti pulao prasad, sends a message
RG Kar rape & murder case: CBI to focus on statements of four doctors who had last meal with victim
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation's next progress report on the R.G. Kar case to be submitted next week, will mainly focus on the findings of the central investigation agency based on the statements given by four colleagues of the victim lady doctor who had dinner with her on the same night she was raped and murdered. The body of the victim was recovered from a seminar room within the premises of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in North Kolkata on the morning of August 9, 2024, and later it was proved that she was raped and murdered on the intervening night of August 8 and August 9. Sources aware of the development said that the new Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI is giving special emphasis on the statements given by these four colleagues of the victim, since they were among the last five people to see the victim alive, the fifth one being of course the sole convict in the case so far, Sanjay Roy. Sources said that the members of the new SIT are also cross-examining whether the statements given by the four colleagues of the victim are in sync with what they stated during their interrogation by the members of the previous SIT of the CBI or if there are variations in their statements. Sources said that these four colleagues have informed the new SIT members that on the night of August 8, 2024, all four of them as well as the victim were on night duty at the chest OPD of R.G. Kar. He had also claimed that all of them had dinner together at around 10:30 p.m. and ate the food ordered by the victim through a food delivery App. They also informed the CBI that they were together till after midnight watching the Olympics games. As per their versions, after watching the games, the victim had fallen asleep on a mattress of the same room where they had dinner. Two others went to the study room; one went to the rooms allotted to the medical interns and another one went to the ward for his night duty. The doctor who went to the ward for night duty was the one to spot the victims body at 9.30 a.m. on August 9.
ED Kolkata searches AMR-linked premises in Hyderabad in SREI case
Trinamool leader, two aides arrested in Bengal on charges of extortion
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS) The West Bengal Police on Friday arrested Barun Natta alias Bonku, the former vice-chairman of Dum Dum Municipality in North 24 Parganas district, and two of his close associates on charges of extortion. The other two arrested persons are Nayanashis Das alias Jhony and Sumanta Ghosh alias Laltu. Nayanashis is the son of Parna Das, former Trinamool Congress councillor of ward number 3 of Dum Dum Municipality. The three arrested will be produced before the Barrackpore court later in the day, police sources said. It is learnt that a written complaint was filed at Dum Dum police station on Thursday evening accusing the three arrested persons of extortion and cheating. The complaint was filed by a real estate promoter, Sujoy Majumder. An investigation was started on the basis of that complaint. After that, the three, including Natta, were arrested from their respective houses. A case was registered against the arrested trio under multiple sections, including extortion and cheating. Sources from the state police also informed that, for the sake of investigation, a petition will be filed before the court seeking the custody of the arrested trio for 10 days. We want to investigate the extent of the involvement of the three arrested persons in the extortion and whether other persons were also involved in the matter. We are also probing the extent of financial involvement in the matter and also how the money was extorted, said a state police officer. It is learnt that Sujoy Majumdar, the real estate promoter, on whose complaint the trio was arrested, also registered a complaint with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the latter's weekly public programme to hear public grievances. The three were arrested a couple of days after the complaint was registered with the Chief Minister. The local people from the Dum Dum Municipality area claimed that the complaints of extortion against Natta were nothing new. While his main targets were the real estate promoters, even common people, including the local vendors and small shop-owners, were not spared by him and his associates, said a resident of Dum Dum.
Bengal govt. to hostDurga Puja eventat Eden Gardens, PM Modi may join: Suvendu Adhikari
The CM also said that they will light diyas across Kolkata and light up the major buildings in the city as part of the PMs birthday celebrations on September 17
ED Raids Mining Firm in Hyderabad over Kolkata Case
The raids followed after a case was booked against the company in Kolkata
Saket Mohta of Merlin Group expressed his delight at joining hands with cricket icon Yuvraj Singh for the second time
Gold and silver prices today, 11 September: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
CM prays at Kalighat temple, has fish-basanti pulao prasad
Bill to let Bengal govt transfer profs across 31 state univs passed
Goa hotelier, Kolkata businessmans son held in online share-trading fraud
Carrier Helps Flyer Delayed By Traffic Board Bluru Plane
Kol Gets 3 More Flights To Cambodia, Singapore, China
Elderly couple charred to death at home
Three thrash couple after rash driving protest at Ballygunge
Trader loses Rs 1.4 lakh to sextortion, digi arrest
Why fight over puja? Calcutta High Court tells warring Bagbazar Sarbojanin committee factions
2 arrested for attempting to breach chief minister Suvendu Adhikaris convoy on VIP Road
Arrest those who set fire to pictures of Baba outside Bhowanipore PS, orders CM
BJP show-causes South 24 Pgns district president
Suspension-closure row after KMC cracks whip on eateries during food safety drive
Bengals 'Nadharer Bhela screens at first film festival in land of shikaras
Another low pressure forms, Kolkata to get scattered rain
Banks cant freeze accounts merely on mule allegation: Calcutta High Court
Extortion row: Rs 30,000 demand for North Dum Dum BJP camp
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF), after conducting a 10-hour search operation since early Thursday morning, recovered foreign birth certificates, SIM cards with foreign phone numbers and firearms from a house resided by members of transgender community in Jalpaiguri town of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district. The police have arrested head of the transgender community Pipasa Haldar, who was accused of sheltering foreign nationals (transgenders) by contacting them abroad. Jalpaiguri Additional Superintendent of Police, Shrinivas MP, said, Based on information from confidential sources, BSF and police conducted a joint operation today. Pipasa Haldar alias Pipasa Hijra, a resident of Wakarganj Uttar Raykatpara in Jalpaiguri's Ward number 2, has been arrested. Two country-made guns, three live cartridges, two empty magazines, and a birth certificate issued by the Bangladesh government have been recovered from her. We have registered a case under the relevant sections and started an investigation. It is reported that the contact details of the accused have been found with transgenders from multiple countries. Police and the BSF raided that house in North Raykatpara of Jalpaiguri town since early Thursday morning. Two guns, three rounds of bullets, and two empty magazines were recovered from that house. A Bangladeshi SIM card and a birth certificate from the neighbouring country were also recovered during the search. Pipasa Hijra, also known as Pipasa Haldar, was then arrested. However, she denied all the allegations. Accused Pipasa Haldar said, They brought me to the police station. They searched our house and found nothing. They didn't find any firearms. They told us that they had information from above. They wanted to see our house. I showed them the house. If they had searched and found anything, they would have shown it to us. They are government employees, law enforcement officers. The law will take its course. On Thursday, a search operation was started at Haldar's house in North Raykatpara of Jalpaiguri, along with BSF officers, BSF Intelligence Branch, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Kotwali police. The search lasted for ten hours. Manasa Puja is held every year in the name of Jalpaiguri Brihannala Society. Since 2015, Pipasa Hijra has been dominating North Raykatpara by renting a house. The number of transgenders has gradually increased in this area. Later, Pipasa Hijra bought land one after another and built luxurious houses. At present, 40 to 50 transgenders live together there.
Bengal: CBI arrests ECL worker in West Burdwan on charges of taking bribe
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested an Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) worker from Pandabeswar in West Bengals West Burdwan district on charges of taking a bribe. The arrested man was produced before the special CBI court in Asansol on Thursday. The judge ordered his 14-day jail custody. According to the central investigation agency, the arrested person's name is Shankarlal Harijan. He lives in the South Shyamala Colliery area of the Pandabeswar Assembly constituency. He was actively associated with the Trinamool Congress-affiliated ECL workers' organisation. A three-member CBI team raided the South Shyamala Colliery on Wednesday night. At first, he was not found in his home. He had disappeared. The CBI officers detained his son Pankaj Harijan and questioned him about his father. Later, they caught Shankar red-handed at that time. Allegedly, he was taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 by promising to transfer a worker. The worker was unable to work inside the mine due to illness. The search began immediately after Shankarlal was caught. CBI officials raided everywhere from the colliery office to his house. Sources claimed that the search operation continued throughout the night. Several important documents and files were seized from the house. A section of ECL workers claimed that the leader had been taking money for a long time in the name of providing special benefits at work. It is initially believed that this operation was based on that allegation. CBI officers said that the seized documents are being examined. Investigators are also investigating whether a bigger ring is active behind the scenes. According to the central investigation agency, a colliery worker had applied for light duty due to his physical illness. Allegedly, using that opportunity, Sankarlal Harijan demanded a bribe from the sick worker in the name of arranging work. As soon as the matter came to light, the central intelligence agency launched an investigation. To verify the truth of the complaint and collect evidence, raids were conducted simultaneously at two places - Sankarlal Harijan's residence and the local ECL office. The officers are probing whether there are any other dishonest transactions, like taking bribes in exchange for providing work opportunities and whether any other senior officer of ECL was involved in this illegal practice.
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Bengal Assembly passes Bill enabling inter-university transfer of teachers, staff
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The West Bengal Universities & Colleges Administration & Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at implementing the state's One State, One Education policy through inter-university transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff, was passed by voice vote in a special one-day session of the West Bengal Assembly on Thursday. The Bill, which was cleared by the state Cabinet on September 8, introduces a new provision in Section 14A of the 2017 Act, allowing the transfer of teaching and non-teaching personnel between universities across the state. It was tabled in the House by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhya, a journalist-turned-politician. Participating in the debate, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the measure would particularly benefit newly established universities by enabling them to draw on the experience and expertise of faculty members from older institutions in Kolkata and other districts. Their experience will be crucial in strengthening academic infrastructure, upgrading curricula and improving teaching standards. The objective is to transform these new universities into centres of excellence, the Chief Minister said. He also criticised Left-leaning sections of the academic community, particularly members of the Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA), saying the state government intended to utilise their expertise in developing universities located in backward and marginalised regions. The government has records of their activities. If they possess so much knowledge and intellectual capability, they should help strengthen the newly established universities and improve educational standards there, CM Adhikari said. The Chief Minister further warned that teachers unwilling to comply with government guidelines and service rules were free to resign and pursue political activities full-time. Those who would be having problems in abiding by the service rules are welcome to quit. Let them quit their jobs and become full-timers of the political party they are affiliated to, the Chief Minister said.
India Bowling Coach Morkels Arrival Delayed By Visa Issues, Physio Jain Likely On His Way Out
Arun Jaitley Stadium: The arrival of India's bowling coach Morne Morkel in New Delhi has been delayed due to visa issues, though hes expected to link up with the team very soon ahead of their T20Is against Afghanistan, sources told IANS. South Africa-based Morkel's absence during a preparatory session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday did raise eyebrows, but sources said it was only due to visa-related issues. Morne had visa issues, but he should be here soon once it's solved, sources told this news agency. Meanwhile, it is understood that physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain is on his way out of the national setup, having remained absent from the squad's training session in the national capital. About Kamlesh, it's yet to be known when he will be here, further said the sources. Another source familiar with chatter around Chennai-based Jains future with the Indian team said, He will leave the team shortly. Before joining the Indian team in June 2022, Jain previously served as the head physiotherapist after starting in an assistant role for three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2012 to 2022. He also worked with Bengal senior mens domestic team from September 2011 to March 2017. Sources have also indicated that he could potentially return to working for an IPL franchise, including a possible reunion with KKR. With Jain set to vacate his position, the BCCI is expected to begin the process of finding his replacement shortly. The expected exit of Jain comes after fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate ended their respective stints with the national side after the tour of England. Since then, ten Doeschate moved back to Knight Riders Sports as Head of Cricket Strategy, where hes in charge of player recruitment and squad planning, as well as serving in assistant coaching roles in the CPL, ILT20, and MLC. He also worked with Bengal senior mens domestic team from September 2011 to March 2017. Sources have also indicated that he could potentially return to working for an IPL franchise, including a possible reunion with KKR. With Jain set to vacate his position, the BCCI is expected to begin the process of finding his replacement shortly. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The first T20I is slated to happen as per the original schedule on Sunday, after the DDCA stated via X on Thursday that there was no change in the date. The clarification came after reports suggested that the opening game could be rescheduled owing to security arrangements for the high-profile BRICS summit in the national capital. Article Source: IANS
CBI Raids Eastern Coalfields Employees Home Over Bribery Allegations
The CBI conducted raids at the home and office of an Eastern Coalfields employee in Kolkata over bribery allegations. CBI Raids Eastern Coalfields Employees Home Over Bribery Allegations
BSF, cops raid house belonging to transgender community member in north Bengal's Jalpaiguri
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and police officers conducted raids in a section of the Jalpaiguri municipality area where members of the transgender community reside in north Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday. According to the police, about 30 to 50 transgenders have been living in Uttara Rayakatpara area of Ward No. 2 in Jalpaiguri Town for the past seven to eight years. On Thursday morning, BSF personnel and police officers suddenly came with a large force and surrounded their houses. Some personnel were deployed on the roofs of three houses belonging to the community and one of the houses was searched. According to the allegations, members of the transgender community have built a few properties there in a matter of few years. The police and BSF are investigating whether there are Bangladeshi citizens in this house and whether there were illegal firearms. The area around the house was also searched. It is known that many people have been coming and going to this house for a long time. Recently, the community had organised a big event centering around Manasa Puja. All in all, their activities seem suspicious, according to the police. Inspector-in-Charge of Jalpaiguri's Kotwali Police Station, Mouman Chakraborty said, The BSF has come to the house on the basis of information received through sources. We have also been called. The BSF is conducting a search after receiving information about illegal activity in their house. Meanwhile, Jalpaiguri Additional Superintendent of Police, Shrinivas MP, said that the search was going on and everything would be revealed later. Regarding the search since Thursday morning, a transgender community member said, Police and BSF personnel have come since morning. The search is still going on. They have not told us why they have come. They have taken our fingerprints. They are taking count here and they are asking how many of us are here. We do not have any Bangladeshis here. We all have papers. There is no incident of getting firearms. The incident has created a lot of excitement in the area as there is no previous instance of this transgender community coming under the scanner of the police.
CBI raids Eastern Coalfields employees house, office in Bengal; son detained, documents seized
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The son of an Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) employee was detained, and several documents were seized during raids conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at his residence and office in West Bengal following complaints of bribery and irregularities against him, agency officials said on Thursday. The CBI sleuths conducted simultaneous searches at the residence and office of the ECL employee, Sankarman Harijan, in Pandabeswar, West Burdwan district, late on Wednesday night. Harijan is an employee of South Shyamala Colliery, which falls under the Pandabeswar police station limits. He was reportedly not present when the CBI team reached his residence. His son, Pankaj Harijan, was detained for questioning during the operation. The CBI recovered several documents from the employees residence and the local ECL office as part of its investigation into alleged bribery and irregularities involving workers at the colliery. According to sources, the case relates to a complaint by a colliery worker who had sought light duty because of a physical illness. Harijan allegedly demanded money from the worker, claiming that he could arrange the change in duty in exchange for a bribe. Following the complaint, the central agency initiated a probe to verify the allegations and collect evidence. The CBI subsequently carried out simultaneous searches at Harijans residence and his office at South Shyamala Colliery. The searches continued for several hours as investigators examined documents and other material available at both locations. However, Harijan was not found during the operation. His son was taken into custody for questioning as investigators sought to gather information about the alleged transactions and the employees activities. A local resident said the CBI team conducted a detailed search of the house and examined various documents. The resident added that since Harijan was absent, his son was taken away by the investigators for questioning. The CBI is now examining the documents seized during the raids to determine whether Harijan was allegedly involved in other instances of accepting bribes in exchange for arranging work-related benefits for employees. Investigators are also looking into whether other ECL officials or employees were involved in the alleged arrangement. The agency is questioning Pankaj Harijan and analysing the recovered documents as part of its ongoing investigation.
