Bengal govt approves employment scheme for families of poll violence victims
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) The West Bengal government has initiated administrative processes to provide state government jobs to family members of individuals who lost their lives in political and election-related violence in the state over the last 25 years, a government official confirmed on Friday. The policy decision, approved by the state cabinet, covers families of victims killed during Panchayat, Municipal, Assembly, and Lok Sabha election clashes across the past two and a half decades. Officials stated that the recruitment initiative will be executed without considering political affiliations, making family members of deceased supporters or workers from any political party eligible, provided they fulfil specified administrative criteria. To navigate legal complexities arising from historic incidents dating back up to 25 years, the state government conducted prior consultations with legal experts and secured formal concurrence from the Law Department before finalising the policy framework. Preparations for implementation are being led directly by district administrations. During a virtual conference held on Thursday, primarily convened to discuss census readiness, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal briefed District Magistrates across the state on the policy and instructed them to begin identifying eligible families and preparing preliminary documentation. Given the operational challenge of tracing beneficiaries and establishing cause-of-death links to past electoral violence, the administration will rely heavily on official police records, historical case files, and official death documentation to verify claims. The state government plans to issue a formal notification detailing specific eligibility criteria, including age limits, required educational qualifications, and designated job roles, alongside public media advertisements inviting formal applications. Submitted applications will undergo multi-tier verification by local police stations, district administrative authorities, and legal scrutinizers. Upon successful verification of claims, government employment will be formally extended to one designated member of the victim's family.
Digital Desk | Kalyani/Kozhikode, Oct 30 (IANS) Mohammedan SC will begin their Indian Football League (IFL) 202627 campaign against last seasons runners-up Shillong Lajong FC, while debutants Samaleswari SC will take on two-time champions Gokulam Kerala FC in a double-header on Saturday. The match between Mohammedan SC and Shillong Lajong FC will be played at the Kalyani Football Stadium, while later in the evening, Gokulam Kerala FC will host Samaleswari SC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode. Mohammedan SC will begin their new season in a competition they know well. The Black Panthers last played in it in 202324, when they were crowned champions and earned promotion. They return with a familiar face in the dugout and a squad built on continuity. Head Coach Saheed Ramon, who previously took charge of the club in 201920, has kept faith with a group of players who have played together in the Calcutta Football League this season, including captain Mahitosh Roy, Fardin Ali Molla, Israfil Dewan and Hira Mondal. Speaking ahead of the match, Assistant Coach Sudhir Mishra said, Even though we havent had a long preparation window, the squad is focused, and we will try to play good football. Our target for tomorrows match is clear; we want to fight for all three points and start the campaign on a positive note. Roy believes that familiarity will carry the side through a short pre-season, stating, We last played a competitive fixture on September 19, and despite the break and the challenges in between, everyone is in good condition to play. This group has been playing together as a team for a long time, so our chemistry is strong, and we dont have any difficulties. We are motivated to show what we can do on the pitch tomorrow, the midfielder added. Shillong Lajong FC arrive in Naihati as one of the sides to watch this season. Last season, Head Coach Birendra Thapa guided an all-Indian squad to a historic runners-up finish on 28 points, one behind champions Diamond Harbour FC. Lajong ended the campaign in style with a 3-0 win over the champions in their final match. Phrangki Buam scored in that win. It was his eighth goal of the season, and he was later named the leagues Most Valuable Player. He returns as Lajongs leading attacking threat, alongside Everbrightson Sana, who opened the scoring that day. The Meghalaya side have also added overseas experience to their core, including Brazilian defender Arthur Pangaro and fellow Brazilian Jota. Both featured in the Durand Cup, where Jota helped create the opening goal for Sana in a 2-0 win over Nongkseh. Speaking ahead of the match, Head Coach Birendra Thapa said, The preparation has been solid. We have been waiting for this moment since the Durand Cup. Finally, the league is starting, and the boys are thoroughly prepared and ready to get going. Assessing the opposition, Thapa said: Mohammedan is a quality side. Even without foreigners, their all-Indian lineup features players with serious pedigree like Lalremsanga, Samad Ali Mallick, Nikhil Deka and Mahitosh Roy. It is going to be a tough contest, but our target is unequivocal: we have travelled here to take all three points. Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong reflected the mood in the camp, stating, The dressing room is happy and in high spirits. Everyone is ready, motivated and excited for our first match tomorrow. Focus on Gokulam For Gokulam Kerala FC, Saturday is a chance to draw a line under one of the most testing campaigns in the clubs history. Last season, the Malabarians went through three head coaches. They finished the league phase ninth with two wins from nine matches and were drawn into the relegation round. Their survival came down to the final night. Gokulam went into their last match on May 12 bottom of the relegation group on nine points, one behind Namdhari SC, who needed only a draw to stay up. At the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad, Trijoy Savio Dias reacted first to a loose ball in the eighth minute of added time. The 1-0 win kept Gokulam in the league and sent Namdhari down. Goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil acknowledged the need for a new beginning, stating, Last season did not go well for us in many aspects, and we want to make a fresh start. Ultimately, it is not about any individual; it is about the team, the backing from the management, and how well we execute the coachs plan. The summer has brought change on a large scale. Brazilian Head Coach Carlos Eduardo Parreira, who was appointed in July, has coached in Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia and has worked with Brazils youth national sides. He has a reshaped squad to work with. Brazilian forward Crislan, 34, arrives with 73 goals in 294 career appearances across six countries. Ghanaian striker Denny Antwi returns to Kozhikode, where he scored 11 goals in 15 league matches during the 202021 title-winning season. Midfielder Lalchungnunga Chhangte joins from Sreenidi Deccan FC. Speaking ahead of the match, Head Coach Carlos Eduardo Parreira said, The tournament in Sikkim was really important because it was an official competition that gave our players real match time to get fit and showed the quality of our squad. Over the past few weeks, we have fine-tuned things based on what we saw in Sikkim, and now we are ready for our opening match. Parreira stressed the importance of a winning start, with five consecutive away matches to follow. It is vital to start well in this league. We cannot afford to drop points at home, especially with a very tough sequence of five consecutive away games coming up right after this, he said. Our big ambition is to be the champions of this league, and tomorrow it is time to go out, do our best and bring home all three points. Gokulam are not underestimating the debutants. We have been following them closely and tracking the players they have signed. We know they are putting together a good plan and taking this league very seriously, so we are prepared to face a very strong opponent tomorrow, Parreira said. Shibinraj echoed his coach, adding, On paper they may look like a new team in the league, but the squad they have assembled already carries solid experience across the I-League and top domestic divisions. We are not treating them as newcomers; they are an experienced side, we respect them, and we will go all out for the three points. Samaleswari SC will play their first-ever Indian Football League match on Saturday. It is a significant step for a club founded in Sambalpur, Odisha, in 2006, which will host its home matches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela this season. Speaking ahead of the match, Head Coach Abdul Azim Siddique said, It is a great pleasure and a historic moment for Samaleswari Sporting and for Odisha to be a part of the IFL for the first time. Our pre-season was excellent because we confirmed our participation early and prepared very well. The boys are disciplined and dedicated, and 10 players in our squad are from Odisha. Siddiques side have already shown they are not daunted by a big occasion. During their debut Durand Cup campaign, they beat Mohammedan SC 3-2 in Kolkata on August 2. Captain Basit Ahmed Bhat opened the scoring that evening with a near-post finish from a corner. Assessing the opposition, Siddique said, Gokulam Kerala is a legendary club that has won the I-League twice. Their preparation has been good; they have a fantastic coaching staff and some excellent international players. We are not talking too much about the game; we are professional, and we will see what we can do best in the next 90 minutes. The Samaleswari coach also welcomed the prospect of a big crowd in Kozhikode, stating, We dont want to tackle the crowd pressure; in fact, we want more fans so our players can perform in front of them. While thousands of Gokulam fans will come, we also hope the Odia community living in Kerala will turn up in good numbers to support us. Samaleswaris Roshan Panna added, We have practised very well during the pre-season, and we are ready for tomorrows game. With Mohammedan SC and Shillong Lajong FC both eager to make an early statement, Gokulam Kerala FC beginning a new era, and Samaleswari SC set to make history, Saturdays double-header promises a compelling start to the weekend.
Assam: Rousing response to ESM job fair in Dibrugarh
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) An Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Job Fair was organised at Dibrugarh in Assam on Friday by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DoESW), Ministry of Defence. The initiative aimed to facilitate meaningful employment opportunities for veterans and connect industry with the experience, skills and leadership of trained Armed Forces personnel transitioning into civilian careers. There was enthusiastic participation from over 434 Ex-Servicemen and 32 leading companies, including multinationals. They offered more than 350 vacancies across diverse sectors. The job fair was inaugurated by Maj Gen Vishal Pathania, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 41 Sub Area, along with Maj Gen SBK Singh, DG DGR, and Brig Saumya Banerjee. Col P K Ghosh (Retd), director, Jalan Industries and Gp Capt Mohanto Panging (Retd) were present as the guests of honour from the corporate side. The senior officers interacted with participating Ex-Servicemen and corporate representatives, gaining insights into emerging employment opportunities, industry expectations and the skills required in the civilian workforce. The interactions highlighted the value of military experience, leadership, discipline and professional expertise in meeting the evolving requirements of the corporate sector, an official said. Among the prominent recruiters at the event were Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd, Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd, Innovision Ltd, Jalan Industries Ltd, Oil India Ltd, ICICI Bank, Dibrugarh University, udChalo, and others. The event provided a common platform for Ex-Servicemen to showcase their technical, managerial, administrative and leadership capabilities, while enabling employers to connect with a skilled, disciplined and experienced talent pool. The initiative reinforced DGRs commitment to facilitating meaningful second-career opportunities for veterans and supporting their transition into the civilian workforce, the official said. DGR continues to facilitate the resettlement of retiring and retired Armed Forces personnel through employment facilitation, skill development, entrepreneurship and industry engagement. Under the guidance of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, such initiatives reaffirm the governments commitment to enabling veterans to transition into meaningful civilian careers with dignity, purpose and continued service to the nation, officials said. DGR encourages corporate organisations and industry associations to strengthen their engagement with Ex-Servicemen and leverage their proven leadership, integrity, discipline and professional expertise. Greater industry participation can help unlock new career pathways for veterans while enabling employers to benefit from this valuable talent pool, the official added. While their training during their military careers provides them with leadership skills, integrity and discipline, officers are now encouraged by the Armed Forces to pursue advanced courses like management and public relations before they retire. This adds to their professional expertise. With a greater number of officers retiring while still in their working ages, such interactions with industry are crucial for their induction in the corporate sector. Companies have acknowledged the value of ESMs within the organisation.
IISER Kolkata Recruitment 2026
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata) has invited online applications for 2 vacancies, including Librarian and Deputy Librarian posts. Applications can be submitted at iiserkolnt.samarth.edu.in from 10 October 2026 to 31 October 2026.
ISL: Punjab FC strive to continue unbeaten run as they face Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Punjab FC will strive to maintain their unbeaten run and continue the upward momentum as they face heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their fourth match of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM. Punjab FC is currently in second place in the table with seven points from three matches (two wins and a draw), while Mohun Bagan is fifth with six points (two wins and a loss) from the same number of matches. Punjab FC will be riding high on confidence from their thrilling 3-2 win against Churchill Brothers SC in their last fixture in Goa, with Sanathoi Singh finding the winner in the 95th minute of the game, while Mohun Bagan scraped out a 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC in Kolkata with Manvir Singh scoring the winner in the 85th minute. Pavlos Dermitzakis has used his squad efficiently this season, making tactical substitutions at the right moments of the game, which has e...
Bengal: Two arrested for killing man over extramarital affair in Asansol
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) West Bengal Police on Friday arrested two accused for beating a man to death over an alleged extramarital affair. The deceased was identified as Ashok Kumar Singh alias Vicky. According to his family members, Vickys family lives in Delhi. The young man is married and has two minor children. Occasionally, he used to live in a quarter in the Hindustan Cables area in the Rupnarayanpur outpost area of Salanpur in Asansol. According to locals, there was unrest over Vicky's 'intimacy' with a married woman in the area. On Thursday evening, Vicky went to the house of a man named Montu Yadav. Some people claimed that Vicky was having an extramarital affair with Montu's wife. Montu left work and went home after getting the news that Vicky had gone to their house. After reaching home, there was an argument and a fight between the two. Allegedly, Montu locked Vicky in his house with some acquaintances and beat him severely. The victim's father claimed that his son was beaten up on a false charge and in a planned manner. That is why he lost his life, claimed the father. According to the police, Vicky was rescued by locals in a bloody state. He was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. As Vicky's physical condition started deteriorating, the doctors advised him to be shifted to Asansol District Hospital. However, the young man died on the way to the hospital. Based on the complaint lodged by Vicky's family, the police arrested two people on charges of murder. The names of the arrested are Surendra Yadav and Deepak Yadav. They are known to Montu. The police of Rupnarayanpur outpost have started searching for the remaining accused. The police produced the two arrested people in the Asansol court today and took them into custody. The woman with whom Vicky allegedly had a romantic relationship has also been detained by the police for the sake of investigation.
ISL: Punjab FC Look To Maintain Unbeaten Run As They Face Heavyweights Mohun Bagan
Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis: Punjab FC will strive to maintain their unbeaten run and continue the upward momentum as they face heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their fourth match of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Saturday. Punjab are currently in second place in the table with seven points from three matches, while Mohun Bagan is fifth with six points from the same number of matches. Punjab will be riding high on confidence from their thrilling 3-2 win against Churchill Brothers SC in their last fixture in Goa, with Sanathoi Singh finding the winner in the 95th minute of the game, while Mohun Bagan scraped out a 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC in Kolkata with Manvir Singh scoring the winner in the 85th minute. Pavlos Dermitzakis has used his squad efficiently this season, making tactical substitutions at the right moments of the game which has ensured Punjab stretch oppositions in the final minutes. All three matches of The Shers have been decided in the final minutes of the game with Raphael Messi Bouli scoring the winner against Odisha in the first match, Gurkirat Singh scoring the equaliser against Mumbai and Sanathoi scoring the winner against Churchill Brothers. On facing Mohun Bagan, Head Coach Dermitzakis said, We know that tomorrow's game is a difficult and demanding one against a strong team and one of the biggest clubs in the country. We have prepared in the best way possible, and like all our games, we are going to compete for a positive result and continue our good start to the season. The Greek tactician will be up against his fellow countryman and former Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilimperis, who led the team for two seasons. While asked about facing Panos, Dermitzakis said, Panos is a coach who did great work over the last two seasons in Punjab, and I am sure he is going to do the same at Mohun Bagan. I am happy to face him tomorrow because he is a good friend of mine, but on the touchline, each coach will be looking out only for what is best for their own team. Both teams have already faced each other in the semi-finals of the IFA Shield where Mohun Bagan prevailed on penalties after both sides remained goalless after 120 minutes. Punjab FC has never won against Mohun Bagan in the ISL with the Kolkata side winning all their previous encounters. Captain Nikhil Prabhu spoke about the importance of squad depth, The coach has been very straightforward that everyone has their own responsibility. More than just the starting XI, the players coming off the bench are equally important for us. We have experienced players who speak constantly with the youngsters to help them grow and develop. Dermitzakis was also concerned about the defensive issues that the side faced in the previous matches, conceding four goals. The fact that we conceded goals in our previous games is certainly something that bothers us, but it is something we are actively working on in training. We don't play alone; the opponents play too, and they try to put us in trouble. That is how football works, he added. Nikhil Prabhu who has shifted back to being a centre back this season said about the defensive problems of the team, There were some minor mistakes from my side in the last game but I have worked that out with the coaching staff and rectified the same. I started my career as a centre-back, and then my position was shifted to a defensive midfielder. I really enjoy playing in the midfield, but I am always ready to step up and help the team in whichever way I can. We've analyzed our recent mistakes, worked on them in training, and we are completely ready for this game. The meeting between the two Greek tacticians adds another layer to an important fixture, with former Punjab FC head coach Dilimperis now leading the opposition. However, Dermitzakis and his players will be focused on extending their unbeaten run and maintaining their position near the top of the table. The meeting between the two Greek tacticians adds another layer to an important fixture, with former Punjab FC head coach Dilimperis now leading the opposition. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
We Come In Again As Underdogs, Says MI's New Batting Coach Robin Uthappa
Kolkata Knight Riders: Mumbai Indians will go into the next IPL season as underdogs who must win back the trust of their fans, said the franchises newly appointed batting coach Robin Uthappa. On Friday, Uthappa was named the new batting coach of the franchise and will join the backroom staff headed by Kieron Pollard. And today, we find ourselves back in that similar situation right now where the trust of the fans need to be earned again. We come in again as underdogs. Its been one full cycle, and were back to where we started again, which is nice, Uthappa said in a video released by the franchise on Friday. Uthappa was part of Mumbais squad in the first season of the IPL in 2008, where he scored 320 runs from 14 matches at an average of 35.55 and a strike rate of 114.69. He has watched the franchise grow from a side still finding its feet into one of the most successful teams in the league with five titles. Would have loved to be a longer part of the playing journey, but Ive seen Mumbai go through earning the trust and the faith of the fans, to becoming champions, and then winning consistently and becoming one of the best franchises in the world, from a winning perspective, he added. Uthappa went on to turn out for five more IPL franchises and won the title with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and Chennai Super Kings in 2021, and finished with 4,952 runs from 205 IPL matches. He said beginning his coaching career at the franchise that gave him his first IPL break was something meant to happen. I am just genuinely happy to be back. Thrilled about this and delighted to have this opportunity to work with this special set of cricketers and this franchise. Incredible, and it just feels like destiny, to be honest. As in, I started my IPL career with Mumbai Indians and I start my IPL coaching career with Mumbai Indians, which seems like destiny to me. He recalled finding out about his auction pick while on national duty overseas, and the thrill of being in the same team with Sachin Tendulkar. So back in 2008, when I got into the franchise, I remember we were in Australia, playing the CB Series in Australia when the auctions happened, and I knew that I was going to be playing with my hero, Sachin Tendulkar, and with Paaji over here. So for me, that was really exciting feeling, because everyone was finding their feet in that first season, and including the franchises and players and teams, and the IPL itself. We had, I would say, a fairly decent season, could have been better. We had injuries, and Paaji (Sachin Tendulkar) missed a big part of that tournament, and then Bhajjupa (Harbhajan Singh) captained as well, and Sanath (Sanath Jayasuriya) played really well, Polly (Shaun Pollock) played really well. For the climb back, especially with MI not winning an IPL title after 2020, Uthappa has set his sights on making MI as feared on the road as they are when playing at the Wankhede Stadium. Were a force to reckon with at home. I want to take that same emotion, that same energy to every venue away from home. My goal would be, or my vision would be to make sure that that sense of intimidation that teams feel when they come to Mumbai Indians, to the Paltan. I want them to feel that same intimidation when we go away from home as well. And to be able to be on the same side of the Mumbai Indians fans. On the same side of the Paltan. So Im looking forward to playing a part in that journey of earning the fans trust back and making sure that this underdog journey will be one to be remembered. Uthappa also said much of his work would be with the domestic players in the squad. The confidence to express yourself with freedom is what I would love to or empower domestic cricketers with, and help them get clarity. Thats one of the most important aspects that young cricketers, perhaps maybe because of my own experience, Im saying this, that young cricketers need at this point in time: clarity of what they want to do, how they want to do it, and what is the process by which theyre going to achieve those aspects. Youre also emotionally investing in their own journey, and then youre rooting for them. You want them to do well. And so when they do well, it feels like personal achievement. I remember when one of the lads I was working with and mentoring got picked up in the Indian Test squad, it felt like I got selected. Uthappa also said much of his work would be with the domestic players in the squad. The confidence to express yourself with freedom is what I would love to or empower domestic cricketers with, and help them get clarity. Thats one of the most important aspects that young cricketers, perhaps maybe because of my own experience, Im saying this, that young cricketers need at this point in time: clarity of what they want to do, how they want to do it, and what is the process by which theyre going to achieve those aspects. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Nagaland: US Consul Noah Hogan meets Kohima DC ahead of Hornbill Festival
Dimapur: Consul at the Consulate General of the United States of America in Kolkata, Noah Hogan, paid a courtesy visit to Nagalands Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem. During the visit on Wednesday, Hogan briefed Buchem on the planned visit of the US Ambassador to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival, an official report said on [] The post Nagaland: US Consul Noah Hogan meets Kohima DC ahead of Hornbill Festival appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Office supply in Bengaluru, Hyderabad jumps 2-fold to 30.45 million sq ft in Jan-Sep: JLL
The top seven cities are Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata
Ircon Recruitment 2026: 37 Manager/Electrical Posts Open for Applications from November 19
Kolkata, October 30: Ircon International Limited has announced a significant opportunity for job seekers looking to work in the organization. The company has released an official notification on Ircon Recruitment 2026: 37 Manager/Electrical Posts Open for Applications from November 19
Fire Breaks Out on 28th Floor of South City Complex in Kolkata
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Kolkata Police Constable Exam Date 2026: Final Written Examination Scheduled for November 29
The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (WBPRB) has released the schedule for the final written examination for Kolkata Police Constable and Lady Constable recruitment 2026. As per the board's notification, the examination will take place on November 29, 2026 (Sunday), between
ED Conducts Raids in West Bengal Over
The Enforcement Directorate has launched raids in Kolkata and surrounding areas linked to a 280 crore bank fraud involving a power project. ED Conducts Raids in West Bengal Over 280 Crore Bank Fraud Case
India Post Kolkata Recruitment 2026: Apply for Skilled Artisan Positions
The India Post MMS Kolkata has announced recruitment for 19 Skilled Artisan positions, inviting offline applications from interested candidates. The application process begins on October 29, 2026, and will close on November 30, 2026. This opportunity is open to candidates with relevant trade qualifications, and there is no application fee. The selection process includes scrutiny of applications followed by a competitive trade test. For more details on eligibility, application procedures, and important dates, read the full article.
India Post Skilled Artisan Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 19 Posts
India Post Skilled Artisan Recruitment 2026 notification was released on October 29, 2026, announcing 19 vacancies at Mail Motor Services, Kolkata. Eligible candidates can apply offline through Speed Post until November 30, 2026.
Sai Satya Vijay: On Wednesday evening, Sai Satya Vijay sat alone in a hotel room in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, with his eyes firmly fixed on the WPL auction happening in Kochi for next years season. His niece, Uma Kashvi, was in another hotel across town, with her teammates for the Under-19 Challenger Trophy, set to begin at the Luhnu Cricket Ground on Friday. Back home in Bengaluru, Kashvi's parents Vijitha and Praveen Kumar were watching the same auction feed. When Kashvis name came up, number 68 on the auction list, Delhi Capitals opened the bidding at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. No other franchise bid against them, as at 15 years and 202 days, Kashvi became the youngest player ever signed at a WPL auction and surpassed Haryana batter Deeya Yadav, who set the record last year at 16. I cried for like two, three minutes. It was a moment you were waiting for, Vijay told IANS in a free-wheeling conversation. Kashvis record signing shows how far down the search for talent in Indian womens cricket now reaches. Her journey to that record-breaking WPL deal is the story of a village firmly behind her: a family that split its home in two, parents who stepped down the corporate ladder, and an uncle who gave his niece the cricketing life he never had. Vijay grew up in Andhra Pradesh and played district-level cricket that, he says, cannot be even counted. There was no infrastructure and no support system. He fought his parents to keep playing, but eventually gave up to go into the IT world. The game, though, never left him. Every April 24, he cuts a cake for Sachin Tendulkars birthday and visit a temple wearing new clothes, a ritual he followed for a long time. He has kept photographs of all 100 of the legendary batters international centuries. I cant say I am a fan. I am a devotee of Sachin Tendulkar, he said. He helped raise Kashvi, born on April 9, 2011, a week after Tendulkar finally laid his hands on the ODI World Cup trophy at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Vijay observed that Kashvi was a sporty child who grasped things quickly, whether in classroom or on the field. In 2019, he took her to an academy near the family home when she was seven and a half years. A young kid does not have the strength to hit fours and sixes, so he and another coach worked on two things: fitness and technique. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Kashvis days began at 5:30am with fitness work, before leaving for school. Evenings were group sessions of learning the nuances of the game and about 30 overs of side-arm throwdowns from Vijay with semi-soft balls. She used to get one body blow per day, for sure, he said. Her mother found the daily bruises hard to look at, but Kashvi came home happy anyway. When the pandemic shut schools, Vijay used the empty nets of an academy to sharpen Kashvis technique. The pull shot became her signature stroke. I used to tell her, you are a female Rohit Sharma same pull shot, he said. With few girls matches around, Kashvi played with older boys. At nine, she usually batted at number 11, bowled two overs in a 50-over game and fielded or kept wicket. Most of her first 100 matches went that way. The break came through Shantha Rangaswamy, Indias first womens Test captain, who brought Kashvi into the India Nippon Cup, where each side mixed four India internationals with local players. At nine, Kashvi shared a dressing room with Veda Krishnamurthy, Jemimah Rodrigues, her WPL skipper at DC, Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil. Arjun Dev, now her coach at NICE Academy in Bengaluru, recalled wanting to know about the child who took Shreyankas place in the playing eleven. I was obviously livid. What is an eight- or nine-year-old doing, firstly playing in this tournament and then taking Shreys spot? he recalled to IANS. Then he watched her play and felt she was indeed very talented. Everyone knew that she had the talent, she had the skill. Kashvi won the Young Talent Award in that competition and Vijay says, ex-India skipper Mithali Raj walked beside her until she left the ground and passed on top about how to grow as a player. Jemimah took to Kashvi, then a bubbly child, and in later years spent a few minutes giving her advice whenever they met. As a nine-year-old kid, she was good enough to play in the seniors category. But then BCCI rules said anyone below 13 cannot be a part of it, said Shantha. Vijay says Shantha let Kashvi play senior zonal probables matches at nine but would not select her. He recalls her saying, I cannot put her into the senior team, even though she has the skill, because of the age. It will backfire. Former India player Veda Krishnamurthy also picked Kashvi as wicketkeeper for her club side, and Vijay says the nine-year-old made an unbeaten 185 in a senior league match. At 12, she struck an unbeaten 217 in a junior inter-school tournament in Bengaluru. But Vijay feared for Kashvi going behind the stumps. When MS Dhoni came, there were a lot of wicketkeepers who lost their careers, he said. He then taught her off-spin. It meant she would be more involved in the game, and became an all-rounder who can be a keeper when asked. Kashvis career rests on a careful division of labour between Vijay and her parents. Her mother, Vijitha, a senior manager who has spent more than 17 years at a multinational firm, turned down promotions requiring more travel. Her father, Praveen Kumar, who studied for a masters degree in the USA, left salaried work about five years ago to start his own company so he could be available. Vijay stepped down a position and now works a few hours a day as a consultant. As Kashvi approached adolescence, Vijay requested Vijitha to travel with her for matches. A day after her birthday, Kashvi got her first period at a ground, dressed in whites for a red-ball match. Vijitha quickly went out and bought sanitary pads. There was no washroom, so Kashvi changed behind some bushes, then played and scored runs. From that day, Vijitha has majorly worked from the grounds and attending meetings online via Microsoft Teams, including on the day Kashvi made her India Under-19 debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai earlier this year. For two and a half years, the family has lived apart. Their home is in Bellandur, in Bengalurus south-east region, while NICE Academy is near the Kempegowda airport. Vijay and Kashvi live near the academy, and her parents visit at weekends. It is very, very tough. As a family, you dont stay together, said Vijay. Moving out was not an option for her parents. We are not from a rich family background. We need to work for our bread, he said. They have not had a holiday in three years. Their only trips are temple pilgrimages. Vijay, who is unmarried, says he does not plan to marry. For me, Kash is priority number one. School, too, has bent around the game. In Class eight, Kashvi attended for 21 days. The school agreed she would come only for exams. She now studies through open schooling and is due to sit her Class 10 exams in March, though tournaments have left little time for books. When the auction news spread, Vijithas managers in the US told her to take two days off and celebrate. At a time when industry layoffs are aplenty due to pivot towards AI, Vijay said, that support matters. Kashvi joined NICE at 13 and Dev now counts her among his closest friends. For a 15-year-old, the maturity level that she shows is unbelievable. She also understands my jokes very quickly. He says there is little to fix technically. The work is about belief. I think she undervalues her talent and ability a little bit. Our job has honestly been to push her out of her comfort zone. He had long urged her to bowl her off-spin with a more attacking field, five fielders on the leg side instead of four. She kept saying she was not ready. At an Under-19 game, she was still using the safer setting. In the next match, she switched. She was so happy and said, Yeah, I could bowl with it, said Dev. Dev saw a captain early. Under her leadership, her club side won all 11 tournaments it entered. She has always been our first-choice captain, he said, adding he would pick her ahead of senior players because it makes my life easy. She has captained Karnatakas Under-15 side and led Bengaluru Blasters in the Maharani Trophy, the states womens T20 competition, and scored 48 off 42 balls against Mysore Warriors in the 2025 edition. In the 2025/26 Under-15 One-Day Trophy, she was the leading run-scorer, with 516 runs at an average of 172, including three centuries. Against Manipur in Kolkata in January, she hit an unbeaten 158 off 66 balls, with 23 fours and seven sixes, as Karnataka won by 275 runs. She also played in Karnatakas Under-19 T20 side and in the one-day team that reached the semifinals, before getting India Under-19 call-up against Sri Lanka in June and July. She took four wickets in three T20s and two in two one-day games. On October 22, in the Under-19 T20 quarterfinal against Vidarbha, she took 3-18 as Karnataka defended 140 to win by six runs, and was named player of the match. Vijay has deliberately not rushed her. Last season, with continuous cricket leaving her with wrist pain, he was wary of an early senior debut. If you jump the guns and try to take a faster, steep step, and if you fail there, the fall will be very bad, he said. Dev is blunter. After the Under-19 tournament, he gave her a dressing-down, wanting quicker scoring and more intent from the start. Its just not good enough, he recalled telling her. Is she ready to set the WPL on fire, provided she is not picked for next years U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal? I dont know. Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell. If she doesnt (become a remarkable cricketer), then the failure is on us as much. She has the raw material (to be one). Dev stated that Kashvis WPL signing left everyone surprised. After Kashvis signing was sealed, Shreyanka was the first to call Vijay, who was in tears. Jemimah texted him welcome home with a blue heart and a red heart, the franchises colours. Years earlier, she had sent Kashvi a birthday video hoping they would one day share Indias colours. Later, on a call with Kashvi, she teased the Bengaluru teenager: Are you sad that you did not go to RCB? She also told her DCs scouts had been following her for some time. Vijay had hoped for Delhi because of how it has groomed young players such as Niki Prasad and Sree Charani mentally, physically, as well as your game-wise. Shantha calls Kashvi a batting all-rounder with great fielding ability. I have seen her take one catch and it looked like she was floating in the air, she said. Shanthas one worry is fitness as Kashvi grows. Otherwise, she says, for her age, she is too mature, and I think she has a very sane head on her shoulders. Shantha also has a message for cricket fans eager to see Kashvi in action. People who havent watched her, please hold your breath. I can assure you she will be the talk of the town in the days and years to come. Vijay says Kashvi models herself on all-rounders such as Ashleigh Gardner and Hayley Matthews to become a player the depends on with bat and ball for winning games. Shanthas one worry is fitness as Kashvi grows. Otherwise, she says, for her age, she is too mature, and I think she has a very sane head on her shoulders. Shantha also has a message for cricket fans eager to see Kashvi in action. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
ED raids four places in Bengal in Rs 280 crore bank fraud case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate on Friday was conducting search operations at multiple locations in West Bengal, in a bank fraud case worth Rs 280 crore. It is alleged that money from a power plant in Jharkhand was laundered to Kolkata. ED had taken note of a chartered accountant in the Lake Town area in north Kolkata for allegedly opening shell companies and committing corruption worth crores of rupees. Besides Kolkata, the raid is also underway in Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Asansol in West Burdwan district and in Howrah. ED officials entered the house of Sudipto Ghosh, a resident of Shibtala Street in Uttarpara, this morning. The ED investigation team was accompanied by central forces personnel. Sudipto Ghosh is a chartered accountant by profession. The family is being questioned, and their house is being searched. Ghosh, however, has said that he has no connection with the corruption case. The investigators have taken permission for the probe, and he is cooperating with the central investigation agency. ED officials have also raided the house of Chartered Accountant (CA) Ashok Sarathi in the elite Avni Oxford (Phase 1) housing complex in Lake Town. A vigorous search operation and interrogation were being conducted there since morning under the strict guard of the central forces. According to sources in the investigating agency, the search is being conducted on charges of embezzlement and money laundering of money taken from the bank in the name of building a power project or power plant in Jharkhand. The name of the main private company under investigation is Kohinoor Power Private Limited (KPPL). The CA is accused of taking a loan from the bank on the pretext of setting up a 66 MW power plant in Jharkhand. The amount of this loan taken from the bank consortium was about Rs 280 crore. It has been alleged that the money taken in the name of building a power plant was not used for the project but was embezzled through a web of shell companies. The officials believe that chartered accountant Ashok Sarathi has a major role in this financial scam. Currently, in addition to questioning the chartered accountant inside the residence, the ED officials are searching for digital documents, bank accounts and various suspicious papers. It remains to be seen what other information comes to light at the end of the investigation. According to the ED, the investigation was initiated on the basis of the complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) before the Ld. 2nd Special Court, Kolkata, in respect of the affairs of Kohinoor Power Private Limited (KPPL) and others. An investigation into the affairs of the company was ordered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) pursuant to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) forwarding a list of companies in respect of which the Resolution Professional (RP) had filed applications before the NCLT concerning avoidance transactions.
IPL 2027: Mumbai Indians Appoint Uthappa, McClenaghan, T Dilip, Kulkarni To Coaching Staff
Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday announced a revamped coaching group for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, appointing former India batter Robin Uthappa as batting coach, Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach, T. Dilip as fielding coach and Dhawal Kulkarni as development bowling coach under new head coach Kieron Pollard. The appointments follow Pollards elevation to head coach after Jayawardenes departure. Pollard, whose association with Mumbai Indians spans 16 years, will lead the revamped coaching group as the franchise prepares for IPL 2027. Earlier on Thursday, the franchise announced that bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey, along with fielding coach Carl Hopkinson, would be leaving the mens team setup. The new group combines familiar faces from Mumbai Indians playing history with coaching experience at the international level, as the franchise looks to build its support staff ahead of the upcoming season. Uthappa, a member of Indias victorious squad at the inaugural ICC Mens T20 World Cup in 2007, returns to the franchise where he played during the inaugural IPL season in 2008. The former India batter featured for six franchises during his IPL career, scoring 4,411 runs in 177 matches at a strike rate of 130.50, including 24 half-centuries. He won the Orange Cap in 2014 after scoring 660 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), helping them secure the title that season. He also won the IPL with Chennai Super Kings in 2021 before retiring from the league in September 2022. McClenaghan, meanwhile, reunites with the Mumbai Indians after representing the franchise between 2015 and 2020. The New Zealand pacer was part of four IPL-winning campaigns with MI, in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, and will now take charge of the teams bowling unit. Dilip joins the franchise after a successful stint with the India mens team. He was part of the coaching setup during Indias triumphs at the 2024 and 2026 ICC Mens T20 World Cups and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His appointment is expected to strengthen the teams fielding standards and preparation. McClenaghan, meanwhile, reunites with the Mumbai Indians after representing the franchise between 2015 and 2020. The New Zealand pacer was part of four IPL-winning campaigns with MI, in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, and will now take charge of the teams bowling unit. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Kolkata Police Constable Final Exam Date 2026 Out: Check Examination Scheme
The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board has announced the Kolkata Police Constable 2026 final written tentative exam date, the exam is set to be conducted on November 29, 2026 from 12 noon to 1 pm
After Arnab rain, Met tracks another bay system
QR scan snags slow DigiYatra entry, leave flyers waiting at Airport gates
Fire dept nod mandatory for Phanush release on Diwali, Kali Puja & Chhath
Man chases, hits estranged wifes bike with car in New Town
Youth forces women into porn shoots, arrested
Cops given free hand to act in crimes against women, says Suvendu
Man threatens woman with acid attack in Gariahat parking row
Businessman killed in bike accident in Dum Dum, rider flees
BTech student, male friend feign kidnap, extort Rs 1.5 cr from doctor father
Sarsuna victims ashamed, scared to step out of home
Young footballers shine at inter-school tourney
Pandals miss dismantling deadline in Kolkata as well
Rights Body Seeks Report In Two Weeks
HC: Oldest surviving bldgs are citys pride, all must ensure their protection
Centre approves Rs 430cr for dredging at Kolkata, Haldia ports
Shocked to hear about attack on JU, freedom from violence is a right that we all share: Amartya Sen
State will review HS sem system: Min
Stabilty cert must for Kali Puja pandals
MBBS exam change: CCTV, frisking of students back
SRFTI students union writes to VC on cop presence, intimidation
Alert sounded in Alipurduar after Bhutan lake outburst
West Bengal bars new teachers from contesting elections
The move, aimed to improve quality of education in State-run and aided schools, has sparked criticism from several teachers associations
Bengal: Revenue Inspector arrested in Aushgram bribery case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Investigators from the West Bengal Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a state government revenue inspector on Wednesday evening for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 to issue an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate in East Burdwan district, an official confirmed on Thursday. The accused official, posted at the Land and Land Reforms Office in Aushgram, was apprehended during a trap operation following persistent complaints from residents regarding illicit extortion and bribery at the office. According to ACB officials, the agency launched an investigation after receiving a specific complaint detailing that the revenue inspector had demanded Rs 4,000 as a bribe to process an official EWS certificate. Acting on the complaint, a special team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau laid a trap at the Aushgram Land and Land Reforms Office on Wednesday evening. ACB officers executed a sudden raid on the premises and caught the official red-handed at the exact moment he accepted the bribe money from the complainant. The surprise raid caused brief commotion across the government facility. The ACB has initiated formal legal proceedings under specific sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the arrested employee. Investigators are currently probing whether other officials or network links within the department are involved in similar corrupt practices. Underlining its zero-tolerance stance against public sector extortion, the ACB issued a statement affirming that strict enforcement measures will be intensified across state departments to ensure transparent, bribe-free government service delivery for citizens.
Five of the six cities recorded AQI readings in the moderate category, while Kolkata was the only city with a satisfactory reading. Check the full city-wise breakdown.
Bengal: NHRC seeks report on human rights violation in Sarsuna incident
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, questioning the role of law enforcement personnel in making three arrested suspects walk barefoot with ropes tied around their waists in public. The rights panel has sought a detailed report from the police chief within two weeks regarding the incident, which occurred in the Sarsuna area of South Kolkata. In its notice, the NHRC asked the Kolkata Police Commissioner to verify the accuracy of the published reports and specify under which provisions of law the accused were subjected to such treatment in custody. The commission emphasised that if the allegations against the police officers are substantiated, it constitutes a grave violation of human rights. The controversy stems from an incident that began on Sunday, October 26, when an 18-year-old youth visited Sarsuna alongside his 19-year-old friend to meet his underage girlfriend. After a friend of the girl's uncle allegedly witnessed the youth kissing the minor, the situation escalated rapidly. Members of the girls family allegedly detained the two youths at their residence for an extended period, subjecting them to harassment, before summoning the boyfriends father to the location. The girl's family then allegedly held the three individuals at gunpoint, forced them to strip, and paraded them for approximately 50 meters on the public road outside the house. Following a complaint, officers from the Sarsuna Police Station arrested three individualsthe minor girl's father, her uncle, and a family friend. However, the police faced severe criticism the following day when officers brought the three accused back to the neighbourhood to reconstruct the crime scene. The suspects were reportedly made to walk roughly 100 meters through the locality clad only in shorts, barefoot, and bound with ropes around their waists, triggering the human rights body's intervention.
Invariz partners with IEM Kolkata to launch AI centre of excellence
ICG rescues 20 seamen from stranded ship off Andhra coast
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) In a swift Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) operation off the Andhra Pradesh Coast, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 20 crew members from the bulk carrier MV Sigma Pearl. The 179.90 metre long ship ran aground off Antravedi in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab and sent out an SOS. On receiving an alert, ICG Ship Sujay and a helicopter executed a high-risk operation, managing to rescue all 20 crew members from the ship. The rescue operation took place in extremely bad weather. According to officials, the ship ran aground due to high seas and strong winds that lashed the Andhra coast as the Very Severe Cyclone made landfall early on Wednesday. The master of the vessel requested support after efforts to release the vessel failed. Preemptive measures, coastal monitoring, and Disaster Relief Team (DRT) deployment along the Andhra Pradesh coast ensured zero loss of life at sea, the ICG said. The MV Sigma Pearl was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag. It is a bulk carrier with a deadweight of 32,688 tonnes. It had sailed from Visakhapatnam on October 27, 2026, and marine tracking sites show its destination as For Orders. This means that the ship had no specific destination after departing Visakhapatnam. It was on the lookout for cargo and moving towards an area where there is a demand for bulk carriers. The condition of the ship is being ascertained. While it may not be carrying any cargo, it would have furnace oil in its tank and may also be carrying marine diesel. Authorities are in touch with the ship's management and owners to arrange for its salvage, an official said. The ICG has taken several measures even as Cyclone Arnab approached the coastline. Fishermen were directed to stay away from the sea, and there was constant monitoring to check for stragglers or stranded vessels. On October 29, 2026, a Coast Guard helicopter also carried out rescue operations in flooded areas of Odisha. A few weeks ago, the ICG helped a ship that was capsizing off the Paradip port. The ship was boarded, water was pumped out from its holds, and necessary repairs were carried out before it was taken under tow to Paradip. While saving lives at sea is crucial, the ICG also maintains close watch on oil spills and other pollution. It is the nodal agency to combat marine pollution in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Calcutta HC declines to intervene in case against KMC delimitation
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to intervene in a case challenging the delimitation of wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), which is scheduled to go for polls by the year-end. As per the draft delimitation proposal, the number wards under the KMC are slated to be increased to 209 from the current figure of 144. A petition was filed at the Calcutta High Court earlier this month challenging the basis of the delimitation proposals, where the petitioner claimed that the delimitation exercise was not conducted as per the prescribed rules. The matter came up for hearing on Thursday at the bench of Justice Hiranmaya Bhattacharya and at the end of the hearing his bench refused to intervene in the matter for the time being. However, Justice Bhattacharya did not reject the petition altogether and instead directed both the West Bengal government and petitioners to file their respective affidavits in the matter. As per the court's order on Thursday, the state government should file its affidavit in the matter within the next four weeks, and the petitioner will file its counter affidavit in the matter within two weeks from the time the state government will file its affidavit. The matter will come up for hearing again after six weeks following which the court will receive affidavits from both the parties. The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including that of KMC is likely in December this year. Before that, complications arose over the ward realignment. Many thought that the impasse would be resolved after Thursday's hearing. Now with the court refusing to intervene in the matter for now, the decision on ward realignment remains in place. The petition challenging the delimitation had claimed that reasonable adjustments were not made in the redrawing of ward boundaries and factors like population, geographical location and administrative consistency of the wards were not properly considered in the delimitation process. The petitioner also questioned the rationale behind the delimitation.
ANC geared up to host maiden BIMSTEC maritime security exercise
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has geared up for the first edition of the BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise that will start at Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) on October 30, 2026. Assets from partner navies - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand - will participate in the exercise. Bhutan and Nepal will also send representatives as these landlocked nations are heavily dependent on the Bay of Bengal for EXIM trade. The exercise will be held from October 30 to November 2. It will unfold in two phases. A harbour phase of professional exchanges and planning will build trust and understanding, and a sea phase will sharpen interoperability on the water. Together they turn a common vision for a safe, secure and stable Bay into coordinated action at sea, the ANC has said. The goals of the exercise are to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA), build operational coordination across the Bay of Bengal, strengthen regional security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and responses to cross-border maritime crimes as well as marine pollution due to oil and hazardous material spills. Over the years, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic regional organisation. Member states share the vision of a free, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region (IOR). They also pursue the goal of a prosperous, resilient and open Bay of Bengal Region under the BIMSTEC Charter and the Bangkok BIMSTEC Vision 2030. The crisis in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, has highlighted how the established right of transit passage, enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is being violated. States bordering straits shall not hamper transit passage, and there shall be no suspension of transit passage, Article 44 of UNCLOS says. The Bay of Bengal connects South Asia to Southeast Asia, and a large share of global energy and trade flows through it. BIMSTEC serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, with five members from South Asia Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and two from Southeast Asia Myanmar and Thailand. BIMSTEC nations have naturally attached high priority to maritime cooperation given the Bay of Bengals centrality to the organisation. They have taken initiatives to strengthen maritime connectivity through the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation that was signed at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025. Maritime security cooperation has focused on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Oil Pollution Response, and related areas. The BIMSTEC Expert Group on Maritime Security Cooperation has finalised guidelines for maritime law enforcement agencies to ensure effective coordination during interactions at sea. Under the MDA, there is a proposal to conclude the BIMSTEC White Shipping Agreement. India will soon present a draft for the consideration of the member states. Recognising the severe economic and environmental consequences of marine oil spills, BIMSTEC has finalised guidelines for a coordinated regional oil spill response. Proposed initiatives include the development of a regional contingency plan, standardised emergency procedures, joint pollution response exercises, and capacity-building programmes to enhance preparedness. Regarding HADR in the maritime domain, the Expert Group on Maritime Security has finalised BIMSTEC guidelines on the maritime component of HADR. The Bay of Bengal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A Plan of Action on Comprehensive Disaster Management has been finalised. Four editions of the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise have been held to strengthen joint operational capabilities. India has also proposed establishing a BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre to serve as a focal point for coordinating regional HADR operations. BIMSTEC has also been pursuing collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to enhance disaster response and resilience in the Bay of Bengal region. The Bay of Bengal binds our region's security, trade and prosperity. The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise brings partner navies and agencies together at Sri Vijaya Puram. Together, we chart the course for collective maritime wellbeing, the ANC has said.
Slain BJP councillors father alleges death threats
Bengal: DGMA and MRC discuss initiatives for more sustainable maritime development
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Marine Research Centre (MRC) presented its Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) platform during an online meeting with the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA). The meeting was chaired by Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Maritime Administration, to review the progress of collaborative initiatives under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DGMA and the MRC, and discuss the way forward. According to the DGMA, the discussions covered key areas of cooperation, including Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) Management, Biofouling Management, Sediment Management and MSP. It also proposed initiatives relating to maritime capacity building, stakeholder outreach and coastal community engagement. URN management deals with reducing sound energy emitted by ships and offshore activities to protect marine ecosystems, navigation, and communication for marine life. Countries around the world are taking measures to reduce the sound for the well-being of marine life. Some ports also offer discounts to ships that are quieter. The MRC's MSP platform has potential applications in predictive modelling, marine environmental assessment and informed planning of maritime activities. Opportunities to advance the proposed collaborative initiatives by leveraging technical expertise, innovative technologies and synergies with ongoing maritime sustainability and coastal management programmes were also explored during the meeting. According to the MRC, Marine Spatial Planning is a comprehensive, science-based approach to managing marine and freshwater resources. It integrates ecological, economic, and social considerations to optimise the sustainable use of ocean spaces, ensuring that human activities and natural ecosystems coexist in a balanced manner. By systematically allocating marine areas for various uses, MSP enhances maritime security, supports environmental conservation, and facilitates economic activities. It plays a crucial role in addressing geopolitical and sustainability challenges, particularly in regions like the Indian Ocean, the Centre has said. It has highlighted developments in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that have turned it into a key arena for geopolitical and geo-strategic interactions in the 21st century. Nations both within and outside the region are deploying strategic assets there. Marine Spatial Planning is crucial for governing and managing challenges and opportunities in marine and freshwater systems. By mapping resources accurately, addressing security and sustainability concerns, and deploying policy and technology interventions, MSP enables efficient exploitation of these vast systems, the MRC has said. The DGMA has said that the engagement reflects its continued commitment towards promoting technology-driven solutions, strengthening marine environmental management and fostering collaborative initiatives for sustainable maritime development.
NHRC flags human rights concerns over parading of three persons in south Kolkata
The three persons, arrested for allegedly forcing a teenage boy, his father, and a friend to walk naked at Sarsuna in south Kolkata after the boy was caught kissing his girlfriend, were paraded through the area shirtless and in shorts by police
Kolkata Police Seize 110 Kilograms of Illegal Firecrackers Ahead of Kali Puja, One Arrested
Kolkata police have confiscated 110 kg of illegal firecrackers and arrested a 19-year-old ahead of the Kali Puja festival. Kolkata Police Seize 110 Kilograms of Illegal Firecrackers Ahead of Kali Puja, One Arrested
SMP Kolkata Senior Assistant Secretary Recruitment 2026
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata) has invited offline applications for 2 Senior Assistant Secretary posts. Applications can be submitted till 30 October 2026. For complete details, candidates can visit smportkolkata.shipping.gov.in.
Tripura inaugurates first Tea Auction Centre to boost marketing, ensure better prices for growers
Digital Desk | Agartala, Oct 29 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the states first tea auction centre in Agartala, making it the second state in the Northeast after Assam, and the fifth in the country, to have such a facility. The Tripura Tea Development Corporation Limited (TTDCL) Chairman, Samir Ranjan Ghosh, said the tea auction centre aims to strengthen the marketing network for Tripura tea, reduce transportation costs and the time required to sell tea consignments, and help growers secure competitive prices for their produce. State Industries and Commerce Minister Santan Chakma attended the inauguration ceremony, held at the Pandit Nehru Complex in Gurkhabasti, on the outskirts of Agartala city. The foundation stone for the tea auction centre was laid in March 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the states tea industry and improve marketing facilities for local producers. According to Ghosh, Tripura currently has 54 large tea gardens and around 2,800 small tea growers, collectively producing approximately 9 million to 10 million kg of tea annually. He said the state had so far depended on auction centres outside Tripura to market a substantial portion of its tea production, with nearly 60 per cent of the produce being sold through external auction facilities. The establishment of the new centre is expected to provide tea producers with more direct access to buyers, improve marketing opportunities for small tea growers and reduce the time required to sell tea consignments, he said. The TTDCL chairman said that selling a tea consignment currently takes around 44 days, but the corporation expects the new auction facility to reduce the time by approximately 40 per cent. To ensure the successful operation of the centre, the corporation has held several rounds of discussions with buyers and brokerage firms in Kolkata and Guwahati to encourage their participation in the Agartala tea auctions, Ghosh said. Several reputed brokerage firms and buyers from different parts of the country have already expressed interest in participating in the auctions, he added. The participation of buyers and brokers will be crucial to ensuring competitive bidding, strengthening market linkages and expanding the reach of Tripura tea, which has traditionally depended on external trading centres for a significant share of its sales. The new facility is also expected to improve coordination between tea producers, traders and buyers, while providing a more accessible platform for marketing locally produced tea. However, the long-term effectiveness of the auction centre will depend on sustained buyer participation, competitive bidding and the extent to which reductions in marketing time and transportation costs translate into better returns for tea growers. TTDCL Managing Director Rajesh Kumar Das, who was also present at the inauguration ceremony, described the occasion as a defining moment for the state's tea industry and its stakeholders, including growers, manufacturers, bought-leaf factory operators, tea estate owners, workers and traders. The Agartala Tea Auction Centre has been established with one clear purpose, to place the tea stakeholders of the state at the centre of a transparent, efficient and rewarding marketing system, Das said. At present, a major portion of Tripura's tea is transported to auction markets in Guwahati and West Bengal for sale, resulting in additional transportation expenses and higher marketing costs for producers. The establishment of an auction centre within the state is expected to facilitate better coordination between sellers and buyers, reduce transportation expenses and improve price realisation for tea producers and others associated with the sector. Tripura's 54 tea gardens include estates operated by the state-owned Tripura Tea Development Corporation Limited, the Tripura Cooperative Society and private owners. Alongside these large tea estates, around 2,800 small tea growers play a significant role in the state's tea industry, contributing nearly 30 per cent of its total tea production, which stands at approximately 90 lakh kg annually. More than 60 per cent of the state's tea production is currently marketed through auction centres outside Tripura, highlighting the importance of developing an effective local auction system. With the inauguration of the Agartala Tea Auction Centre, the state is seeking to strengthen its tea marketing infrastructure, reduce dependence on external auction markets and create better opportunities for growers to obtain competitive prices for their produce. The initiative is expected to provide a major boost to Tripura's tea industry by bringing key marketing activities closer to producers and creating a more efficient trading environment within the state.
It only takes one rumour: How a small trigger can lead to a deadly stampede
On October 17, a tragic stampede in Kolkata claimed 19 lives during the Durga Puja celebrations. The incident was caused by overcrowding, panic, and a misleading announcement about structural failure. Experts emphasize the importance of effective crowd management to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Investigators are examining various factors contributing to the disaster, including narrow exits and inadequate safety measures.
I-PAC raid row: SC reserves order on ED plea for CBI probe against Mamata Banerjee
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and registration of an FIR against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police officials over alleged interference in search operations at the office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in Kolkata. A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria reserved its order on the limited question of whether the matter should be referred to the CBI or left to the newly elected West Bengal government to decide on the investigation. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, argued that with a change in the government in West Bengal, there was no longer any impediment to a state-level decision on transferring the investigation to the CBI. He questioned the need for a judicial direction, submitting that the state government was competent to refer the matter to the Central agency on its own. The Justice Mishra-led Bench also questioned why the West Bengal government could not refer the matter to the CBI in the changed circumstances, observing that the situation prevailing at the time the ED approached the top court might no longer exist. However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, opposed leaving the matter to the state government, arguing that such a course could invite allegations of mala fide action. ASG Raju submitted that the matter involved allegations against not only the former Chief Minister but also senior police officers, making it necessary to ensure an independent and fair investigation. He further argued that since cross-cases were involved, the investigation should be entrusted to a single agency to ensure that both sides of the dispute were examined together. The Centres law officer maintained that an independent investigation was necessary to address concerns about the fairness of the probe and prevent allegations of collusion between the ED and the state government. The Justice Mishra-led Bench observed that Sibal's argument was that the state government could itself transfer the case to the CBI, without requiring an order from the Supreme Court. Responding to the submissions, Raju said the ED had approached the apex court seeking an independent investigation and that leaving the decision to the state government could give rise to further controversy over the manner in which the case was handled. The arguments concluded with the Supreme Court reserving its order on the limited issue. The matter arises from search operations conducted by the ED on January 8 at the I-PAC office and the residence of its co-founder, Pratik Jain, in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal smuggling scam. The federal anti-money laundering agency has claimed that Banerjee, accompanied by police personnel and senior officials, entered the premises while the searches were underway and interfered with the investigation. The ED has sought registration of FIRs against Banerjee, the then West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, among others, besides seeking transfer of the probe to the CBI. Banerjee has denied the allegations, maintaining that she visited the premises to retrieve confidential and proprietary data belonging to the Trinamool Congress, which she claimed was linked to the party's electoral strategy. On January 15, the Supreme Court stayed FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officials in connection with the searches and directed the preservation of CCTV footage and other digital records relating to the premises. Earlier, the apex court had orally observed that alleged interference by a sitting Chief Minister in an ongoing investigation could put democracy in peril.
Kolkata Police seize 110 kg of banned firecrackers ahead of Kali Puja, youth held
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Kolkata Police have seized around 110 kg of banned firecrackers from an abandoned building in north Kolkata and arrested a 19-year-old youth ahead of Kali Puja, a senior police officer said on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off from secret sources, a team from Burrabazar police station raided the building at 1 NS Road in the early hours of Thursday and recovered the illegal fireworks. The arrested youth has been identified as Mohammad Taufiq, 19. The police have registered a suo motu case against him for allegedly storing firecrackers without the required licence or permit. Additional Commissioner of Kolkata Police's Detective Department, Kunal Agarwal, said the police were making continuous efforts to prevent the entry of illegal firecrackers into the city. According to the police, a team led by sub-inspector Uttam Kumar Halder was conducting patrol and search operations in the NS Road area at around 1.45 am when it searched the abandoned building. The officers found approximately 110 kg of banned fireworks packed in four large cardboard boxes. The entire consignment was seized, and Taufiq was arrested on the spot before being taken to Burrabazar police station. Preliminary investigations suggest the firecrackers had been stored in the building without any government licence or permit. Their presence in the densely populated commercial locality raised concerns over the risk of a possible accident, police said. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. Investigators are now trying to establish the source of the seized firecrackers and determine whether other people were involved in their storage and distribution. The police are also examining whether the consignment was linked to a larger illegal fireworks network operating in the city. With Kali Puja approaching, the Kolkata Police are expected to intensify checks and raids to curb the storage and sale of prohibited firecrackers and prevent safety hazards during the festive season.
Former Bengal minister Indranil Sen booked under seven BNS sections in Durga Puja pass scam
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Kolkata Police have registered a case under seven sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against former West Bengal minister and singer-turned-politician Indranil Sen, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours. A senior city police official said the charges include Section 316 (criminal breach of trust), Sections 336(2) and 336(3) (forgery and forgery for cheating), Section 338 (forgery of valuable security and other specified documents), Section 318 (cheating), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), and Section 340(2) (using a forged document or electronic record as genuine). According to preliminary findings, financial irregularities involving several crores of rupees allegedly took place between 2022 and 2025 in the name of UNESCO and Durga Puja celebrations through Mass Art Society, a corporate entity owned by Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, police sources said. Investigators have also found indications that the former minister allegedly withdrew substantial sums from various organisations in the name of UNESCO by using his influence, the sources added. Our sleuths are currently examining other angles in this massive financial forgery, including the floating and use of shell companies to divert funds, a city police official said. After his arrest on Wednesday evening, Sen was taken to the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar in central Kolkata, where investigators questioned him on the basis of documents seized during the probe. The interrogation continued until late at night. Police sources claimed that Sen repeatedly attempted to evade uncomfortable questions or gave inconsistent answers during questioning. The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation, and their veracity is yet to be established. The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam involving passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours. The city police arrested Sen after he emerged from the ED's Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon. He had undergone prolonged questioning by officials of the central agency in connection with the case. Investigators are examining the alleged financial transactions, the role of organisations involved and the possible use of shell companies to route funds. The probe is also seeking to establish how the alleged irregularities were carried out and whether other individuals or entities were involved.
Magnitude 5.1 earthquake reported in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Indranil Sens financial links with private event management entities also under scanner
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Besides the alleged involvement of former West Bengal Minister, Indranil Sen, in an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, Kolkata Police is also probing the financial links of a corporate entity owned by Sens wife Madhucchanda Sen, with a couple of event management entities when the singer-turned-politician was serving as the Minister of State for Information & Cultural Affairs. Insiders from the city police said that during Sens tenure as minister, an event management tender on behalf of the department worth Rs 53.46 crore was granted to an event management entity GIDI Creation. The administration, according to city police, then overlooked complaints that the tender was granted to that event management entity just because the firm, which did not have sufficient experience in the related field, was owned by a childhood friend of Sen. Later, as per information gathered by the Investigating Officers in the matter, GIDI Creation outsourced the work, for which the tender was granted to another event management entity Third Line Creation, which is completely inoperative now. At that point in time, GIDI Creations had transferred an amount of Rs 50.31 crore to the accounts of Third Line Creation. Subsequently, substantial funds were transferred to the Madhucchanda Sen-owned entity Mass Art Society, through which the UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja passes were sold. At the same time, city police insiders said, the accounts of two other entities namely ISCAPE and Myra, both owned by close relatives of Sen, are also under the scanner of the Investigating Officers. Both the Kolkata Police and Enforcement Directorate (ED) had been conducting parallel investigations in the alleged UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja passes scam. In fact, the cops of Kolkata Police arrested Sen after he came out of EDs Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon after facing a marathon interrogation by the central agency officials in the matter. Sen will be presented at a lower court in Kolkata later on Thursday and the Public Prosecutor will seek his police custody for further interrogation. The police are trying to track other beneficiaries in the alleged scam.
Rain, crowd surge led to fatal Kolkata pandal stampede: Cops
The preliminary findings of the Kolkata Police probe into the tragic Durga Puja pandal stampede that claimed 19 lives, highlight critical lapses in crowd management and communication.
Kolkata Police Constable Mains Exam Date 2026 Out - Check Written Exam Schedule PDF
WBPRB has announced the Kolkata Police Constable and Lady Constable final written exam (Mains) for 29 November 2026, 12 noon to 1 PM. Check the tentative date, 3,734 posts, exam pattern, selection process, admit card status and official links.
Todays Gold Rate in India October 29: Gold prices up in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices remain steady across metro cities on October 29
Former Minister Indraneel Sen Arrested in Kolkata Over Durga Puja Pass Scam
Indraneel Sen, former West Bengal minister, arrested in connection with a Durga Puja pass scam; further inquiries expected in court. Former Minister Indraneel Sen Arrested in Kolkata Over Durga Puja Pass Scam
Rain lashes Bengal as Cyclone Arnab turns into depression
Kolkata: Rain and squally winds lashed parts of West Bengal on Thursday, October 29, as the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab weakened into a depression and lay centred over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression is likely to weaken to a well-marked low pressure by Thursday 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 .
'Dangerous for democracy,' Kiren Rijiju hits out at Naseeruddin Shah over 'Dimagi Naxal' boast
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly rebuked veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah over latter boasting himself as 'proud Dimagi Naxal'. Rijiju also called him extremely harmful to India's democracy. The matter pertains to Naseeruddin Shah launching a scathing attack on the government, sharing a video of himself talking to the camera as he flaunted his badge of Dimagi Naxal, a term coined by Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day address in August. Taking to X, Rijiju slammed the actor and said, I thought Naseeruddin Shah was just an ordinary actor. I used to respect & like him. I never knew that he was a dangerous urban Dimagi Naxal! I discovered his true character far too late. He is extremely harmful to India's democracy. In the video, Shah said, I say with pride, I am a Dimagi Naxal. Apart from Dimagi Naxal, I don't know what other titles the chowkidar has given to people like me, anti-national, tukde-tukde gang and what not. If there is any tukde-tukde gang in this country, then it is this illegitimate government. I want to ask this government a question. What else will you do to break the courage of our country's youth, to destroy the education system, and to put our democracy at risk? How much will you do? How far will you go? he said. First Jawaharlal Nehru University, then Satyajit Ray Film Institute, and now Jamia Millia. The atrocities that are being done on students will be remembered. Everything will be remembered, the actor added. The actor's statement comes after his earlier statement during the political row at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). The actor has accused the BJP of political retaliation against dissenters and urged citizens to support the students. For the uninitiated, the political row at Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) erupted after clashes on September 27, 2026, between students and members of the RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during a campus event. Subsequent protests and alleged attacks intensified tensions. Students demanded Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera's resignation, accusing the administration of failing to protect them. The institute later suspended 6 students over alleged misconduct, a decision the students' union challenged. Actor Naseeruddin Shah and filmmakers Payal Kapadia and Anand Patwardhan backed the protesters. The BJP criticised the veteran actor's remarks, while the administration alleged that outside forces had politicised the agitation.
Oregon city declares October Bengali Heritage and Cultural Month during first Durga Puja celebration
CPI(M) to legally challenge govt's move to bar would-be teachers in Bengal from contesting polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The CPI(M) leadership has decided to challenge any move by the West Bengal government to bar teachers recruited henceforth in the state-run schools from contesting any election for panchayats, municipal bodies, Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. The challenge by the CPI(M) leadership comes amid an announcement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday, saying that a new clause will be introduced in the recruitment rules of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) barring would-be teachers from contesting polls. A proposal on this count was cleared at a meeting of the state cabinet on Wednesday. However, the Chief Minister, at the same time, made it clear that the clause will not be applicable to those serving teachers who are already elected public representatives. Reacting to the Chief Ministers announcement on this count, former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate, Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, said once this proposal is formally implemented in the recruitment rules of the WBSSC, he will take up the matter legally. It will not be easy to suppress the democratic rights of the common people. Any attempt to do this will be opposed legally, said Bhattacharya, also the former Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). He also said that the decision to bar teachers from contesting the polls is unconstitutional. So let the decision be officially implemented. I will take up the matter at the Calcutta High Court, said Bhattacharya. Even a section of the service teachers has opposed the idea and claimed that they do not subscribe to the Chief Ministers argument that the move to bar would-be teachers from contesting polls is aimed at depoliticising the education sector. Had the Chief Minister been serious about depoliticising the sector, he would have removed political persons from different education-related committees. But that did not happen. The laws and regulations related to education in West Bengal do not prevent schoolteachers from engaging in active politics. If this decision is implemented without changing that law, there will be obstacles from the legal angle, said a headmaster of a state-run higher secondary school, who refused to be named.
Kolkata Police say women crowded the exit gate of the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal to escape the rain, triggering a stampede that killed 19 people. The probe is examining crowd management lapses.
Women attending a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata reportedly crowded the exit gate to protect their outfits and makeup from sudden rain, triggering a crush that killed 19 people, according to preliminary findings cited by a police officer on Thursday.
Arrested ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen to be produced in court today
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen, who has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, will be presented at a lower court on Thursday, and the public prosecutor will seek his police custody for further interrogation. He was arrested on Wednesday evening. An insider from the city police said that first he will be taken for medical examination from the Kolkata Police headquarters, and thereafter he will be presented at the city court. A detailed interrogation of the former state minister is necessary to know about other beneficiaries not just in the fake Durga Puja pass scam, but also in other cases of financial irregularities where he got involved during his tenure as a member of the state cabinet during the previous regime. Hence, the public prosecutor will seek his custody, said an insider of the city police associated with the investigation against Sen. In fact, immediately after his arrest, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari gave a subtle hint when he said that other influential persons who were beneficiaries in the alleged scams in which Sen had been accused would not be spared. The CM also indirectly targeted his predecessor and the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, without directly naming the latter. Sen made his fortune taking advantage of his ministerial position and using his proximity to the former West Bengal Chief Minister. Sen and the former Chief Minister used to sing duets in government programmes. Surely, Sen is not the only one in the previous cabinet who had made his fortune using the ministerial position. The share surely had reached the higher levels. They will not be spared either. Just wait and watch, CM Adhikari said, reacting to Sens arrest. Kolkata Police and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were conducting parallel probes into the alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam. Sen was arrested on Wednesday evening as he came out of the EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata after facing a marathon interrogation in the matter. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Sen-owned Octave Records. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the companys accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made as royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the state government to investigate alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen. The commission is examining alleged multi-crore irregularities in the tendering process of the states Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where Sen had served as Minister of State. The inquiry is separate from the money laundering investigation being conducted by the ED
Gold prices extended their decline on October 29, with Comex gold slipping to $4,051 per ounce in early trade. In India, 24K gold stood at Rs 1,44,000 per 10 grams, while silver was priced at Rs 1,94,990 per kg.
RG Kar Case: Ex-Panihati civic chief sent to 2-day CBI custody
Kolkata: A court in Kolkata on Wednesday, October 28, remanded former chairman of Panihati Municipality, Somnath Dey, to two days of CBI custody in connection with alleged tampering of evidence in the RG Kar rape-murder case, a senior official of the central agency said. The Sealdah Court granted the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) plea 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 .
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