Another BLO dies in UP allegedly due to SIR work pressure, fifth death in less than a week
Another booth-level officer (BLO) has lost his life allegedly due to work pressure linked to the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in UP, taking the death toll to five in less than a week. 40-year-old Kamlakant Sharma, a resident of the Brahmanpuri area in Hathras district's Sikandra Rao died on Tuesday morning after he collapsed at his residence. Sharma was serving as an assistant teacher at the Composite School, Navli Lalpur, while also handling duties as a BLO. According to family members, Sharma suddenly felt dizzy while drinking tea after coming down from the upper floor of his house and collapsed. He was rushed for treatment but died on the way. His body has been sent for a post-mortem. Sharma's son, Vinayak, said his father had been distressed for several days due to the workload related to BLO duties, reported PTI. He came downstairs around 7 am to have tea and suddenly fainted. He passed away while being taken to the hospital, he said. On November 30, a 46-year-old Dalit school teacher, Sarvesh Kumar, was found hanging in his home in Moradabad district. He was assigned the duty of a BLO on October 7. Reportedly, it was his first time working as a BLO. In his suicide note, Kumar confessed to feeling suffocated and said there was not enough time for the job he had been given. In a video that surfaced hours after his death, Kumar is seen fighting back tears as he asks for forgiveness to his family for taking the extreme step. I have not been able to sleep for 20 days. If I had time, I would have finished this work. I have four little daughters. Please forgive me. I am going far away from your world, Kumar said. On November 29, a woman BLO died of cardiac arrest in the Bijnor district. Shobharani, according to her husband, was a diabetes patient. She was posted as the BLO of booth number 97 in Mohalla Badwan, Dhampur area. On November 26, Sarvesh Kumar Gangwar, a BLO and primary teacher from Karmachari Nagar in Bareilly, collapsed inside the school while on duty. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. Gangwar's family alleged that immense work pressure due to the ongoing SIR cost him his life, reported The Hindu. On November 25, Vipin Yadav, a resident of Gonda district who worked as an assistant teacher and BLO, was found dead. Yadav's family alleged he was under extreme work pressure during the SIR exercise and was asked to cut the names of a particular caste group. Amid widespread criticism over the rising deaths of BLOs and other issues, the Election Commission on Sunday extended the deadline for completing the SIR by a week. However, opposition parties have pointed out that the extension might not reduce the work pressure on the BLOs as one week is ot sufficient to complete the job. (With inputs from PTI) INTERVIEW | 1 extra week not enough, BLOs scramble to meet deadline
Disha Patani's Sister Flags Ambulance Delay, Helps Victims After Highway Crash In UP | Video
Disha Patani's sister, Khushboo Patani, highlighted delayed ambulance response after six members of a family were killed in an accident on the Moradabad-Rampur highway.
Govt Says 15 Airports Under UDAN Scheme Are Temporarily Non-Operational
At present, fifteen airports, namely Pathankot, Pakyong, Kushinagar, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Moradabad, Bhavnagar, Ambikapur, Rourkela, Ludhiana, Datia, Kalaburagi and Shimla are temporarily non-operational under the UDAN scheme: Murlidhar Mohol
'Wanted To Live But....': Moradabad BLO's Last Video Before Dying By Suicide Surfaces
Sarvesh Kumar, an assistant teacher at a government school, died by suicide on Sunday, November 30 at his residence in Moradabad.
I Want To Live...: UP Poll Official's (BLO) Video Before Death By Suicide
A day after a 46-year-old teacher working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead at his home in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, a video of what could be his last message to his family has emerged.
Six of family killed as bus rams tempo in UP's Moradabad
MORADBAD: Six members of a family, including two children, were killed and five others seriously injured on Sunday when a tempo carrying them was hit by a speeding roadways bus in Katghar area of this district, police said. The accident took place at Zero Point near Rafatpur underpass when the victims were on their way to attend a wedding in Rafatpur, they said. According to police, the bus rammed the tempo from behind. The deceased were identified as Mati alias Sanju (30), Suman (30), Seema (35), Aarti (20), Aman (15) and Ananya (12), residents of Abdullahpur in Kundarki police station area, officials said. The five injured- Karan Singh, Rani, Jhalak, Anshu and Anushka, are in critical condition and undergoing intensive treatment at the district hospital, they added. Additional SP (City) Kunwar Ranvijay Singh said police rushed to the spot after receiving information and sent the injured to the district hospital. Following the collision, traffic was disrupted which was later restored after removal of the damaged vehicles, he added.
Third BLO dies in Rajasthan, family blames excessive work pressure
Days after a BLO died by suicide in Jaipur, the suspicious death of another Booth Level Officer has shaken Rajasthan. A young BLO in his early 40s from Dholpur district has died under suspicious circumstances, and his family has alleged that excessive work pressure led to his death. Anuj Garg (42), the BLO of Part Number 158 of the Gaushala sector in Dholpur city, collapsed in Pratap Vihar Colony on Saturday night while uploading Special Intensive Review (SIR) forms. The incident occurred in the Pratap Vihar Colony of the Nihalganj area in Dholpur. The deceased's sister, Vandana Garg, claimed that he had been under immense pressure due to SIR work and had been working until 2 am every night. On the night of the incident, around 1 am, Anuj was uploading voter-related form data when his health suddenly deteriorated. He asked for tea, but before he could drink even a sip, he fell unconscious, she said. The family immediately took him to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead. According to them, the excessive workload caused severe mental stress, which led to the sudden deterioration in his health. According to Anujs colleagues, he had completed more than 80% of the SIR work allotted to him and was striving to reach 100%. Due to this, he was continuously under mental and physical stress. Anuj Garg was posted as a teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, Bara. He was appointed in 2012. He leaves behind his wife Sangeeta, two sons, Harshit Garg (9) and Devansh (2). Experts say the pressure of work on more than 5.32 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are knocking on the doors of over 510 million voters in 12 states across the country, is intensifying each day. Politics over this issue is also heating up in the country after over two dozen deaths in 25 days, which includes three BLOs in Rajasthan. SIR: BLO dies by suicide in UP's Moradabad, final note blames work pressure
SIR: BLO dies by suicide in UP's Moradabad, final note blames work pressure
MORADABAD: A 46-year-old booth-level officer (BLO) hanged himself in the storage room of his home here in Baheri village because of work pressure, police said on Sunday. Sarvesh Singh was an assistant teacher and was posted in a school in Bhagatpur Tanda village. He was assigned the duty of a BLO on October 7. It was his first time working as a BLO. According to police, around 4 am, Sarvesh's wife Babli found that her husband had hanged himself. In a suicide note Sarvesh confessed to feeling suffocated and said there was not enough time for the job he had been given. BLO Sarvesh Singh has committed suicide and has left behind a suicide note stating that the he is unable to cope with the burden of BLO duty. His body has been sent for post-mortem, Circle Officer (Thakurdwara) Ashish Pratap Singh said. Besides his wife, the couple's four daughters survive him. A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in several states, including Uttar Pradesh. The behemoth exercise seems to have taken a toll on many government workers roped in to weed out inaccuracies and prepare voter lists with only genuine voters. On Saturday, a 42-year-old BLO engaged in the SIR collapsed at his home in Rajasthan's Dholpur and died. Anuj Garg collapsed late Saturday night while uploading voter data. His family alleged he had been working under extreme pressure, police said. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Mohammad Azharuddin: From risky flicks to political twist
He is complicated. A man who soared high from scratch acquiring in the process legions of fans but then, like a tragic Greek hero, crashed only to be derided by the same people who had once feted him. As the great Telugu poet Sri Sri so eloquently summed up the ways of the worldWhen I leap to the sky with fire they exclaim amazed and when I fall down with blood splashing, the same turn ruthless. Though the poet sang so in a different context, it might apply to Mohammad Azharuddin, the favourite child of controversies and a flawed hero. For an impartial observer, the former Indian cricket team skipper acquitted in the match-fixing scandal appears to be on a quest to redeem himself or restore his honour. While others, convinced of his culpability, see more ambition in him. One thing is for sure. Hes not given up. By his own admission, his political career began not by his own choice but with the persuasion of well-wishers. Nonetheless, politics is a different playground where one has to bat through a tricky pitch and negotiate with Machiavellian characters. Azhars world famous almost divine wristy flick wowed cricket fans worldwide but on this landscape, voters are conscious yet cynical guided more by every day struggles, cynicism and ideologies in an increasingly polarized environment. To his credit, Azhar did get a good start after he joined the Congress in 2009 and got elected from Moradabad as an MP. It hasnt been a smooth ride thereafter though. He lost in Rajasthan in 2014, failed to get a ticket in 2018 assembly elections and couldnt notch up a win in 2023 either. In between, his younger sons untimely death dealt him a personal blow. Born into a devout family, Azhar has a different facet, other than what people see. He is unafraid to assert his strong belief in the Almighty and saints who have shown the path to spiritual enlightenment. It keeps me grounded, he says, and every controversy he has run into one too many has only strengthened his belief in Him. One might naturally wonder why does he run into controversies in the first place? His detractors have some seriously nasty things to say. Take for instance, the Hyderabad Cricket Association scandal. His stint as HCA president brought him charges of misappropriation of funds just ahead of polls in 2023. Sympathisers point at the deep-rooted rivalries and politics in HCA to defend him. So, the Damocles Sword of suspicion of whether he is guilty has been hanging over him since the turn of the century. That is his life, one of highs and lows. Each can make up their own mind about him. He, however, remains unfazed, notwithstanding humiliations and accusations. It requires infinite patience to stand his ground, a quality he says he acquired in cricket where one cannot score a six every ball. A combination of cricketing skills and spiritual beliefs seem to guide him in keeping his emotions in check to survive and take everything in his stride. Call it fate or continuing tests, Azhar is always stalked by some drama. Recently, he finally reached a high point in his political career, becoming a cabinet minister in the Revanth Reddy Government in Telangana. Its the result of a mix of circumstances and political expediency, a controversial flick from Reddy. The other minority candidate under consideration just made a wrong move inviting the wrath of the high command. Prior to this, Azhar was nominated to the Legislative Council under the Governors quota. And, with the bypoll in Jubilee Hills assembly constituency slated on November 11 turning into a litmus test for the Revanth government, and with no minority leader in the cabinet, Azhar was just at the right place at the right time. The Congress believes he could pull in substantial number of Muslim voters to the party in the stiff fight to wrest the seat from the opposition BRS. Whatever be the bypoll outcome, for Azhar its a new high in politics. Will it last? His council membership is yet to be approved by the Governor which again hinges on an ongoing legal battle over similar nominations made earlier by the BRS government. If his candidature is cleared, he will remain the minister. If not? Whatever will be, will be. Allahs Will prevails, quips Azhar. It leaves one wondering if Azhar is destinys child, not of controversies.
From US to UAE, how a Moradabad sibling duo is quietly building a global neo-luxury craft brand
A brother-sister duo from Moradabad, Kirti and Yash Verma, are bringing Indian luxury to global homes. Their brand, Brick Brown, offers premium handcrafted products. They ship to markets like the US and UAE. This venture highlights a new wave of Indian entrepreneurs blending heritage skills with modern needs. Brick Brown focuses on slow, consistent growth.
Relief for Samajwadi Party as HC sets aside local administrations order to vacate Moradabad bungalow
LUCKNOW: In a major relief to the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Allahabad High Court has set aside the Moradabad administrations order to vacate the Civil Lines bungalow number 4, associated with the party for over three decades. The division bench, comprising Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Satya Veer Singh, passed the order on Tuesday after hearing the petition filed by SP leaders. The court observed that the administrations move to reclaim the bungalow was not legally valid, terming it a malicious and arbitrary action. The bungalow, located in Moradabads posh Civil Lines area, was allotted to SP patriarch late Mulayam Singh Yadav 31 years ago. Recently, District Magistrate Anuj Singh had cancelled the allotment and issued a 30-day notice to the party to vacate the property. Earlier this month, the local administration even attempted to take possession of the bungalow with police deployment. SP workers then requested time until October 10 to vacate the premises. In response, Samajwadi Party district president Jaiveer Yadav filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court. On October 9, the court had issued an interim stay order directing both parties to maintain the status quo till October 28. Following the final hearing, the High Court quashed the administrations eviction notice and upheld the SPs right to continue using the premises. The state government had argued that the bungalow was being used for political activities, violating the terms of allotment. However, the court dismissed this reasoning, stating that the SPs use of the property was within legal limits and the administrations action was unjustified. Bungalow No. 4, spread over 953.71 square meter in Civil Lines, lies opposite the Police Training College (PTC-2) in Moradabads high-security VIP area. It stands on nazul land, owned by the state government and managed by the Moradabad Municipal Corporation. The bungalow includes four rooms, a large lawn, parking space, and open grounds. A Samajwadi Party district office board is displayed outside the premises. After the courts decision, the SP will retain possession of the bungalow. The High Courts order brings a temporary end to the long-standing dispute between the Moradabad district administration and Samajwadi Party over the property that has served as a key political base since the 1990s.
Massive blaze breaks out in Moradabad hotel, one dead
A devastating fire engulfed a restaurant at Moradabad's Clarks Inn Hotel, escalating rapidly after multiple gas cylinder explosions. Firefighters heroically rescued 16 individuals, including women and children, along with a dog. Tragically, one person was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, while others are reported stable. The blaze's origin remains under investigation.
Ease of travel: Civil aviation ministry firms up winter schedule of all airlines
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Friday announced the winter schedule of all scheduled domestic airlines that will come into effect from October 26. A total of 26,495 flight departures per week across 126 airports in the country have been approved by the ministry. Indigo has been allotted the maximum departures of 15,014, while Air India and Vistara combinedly will be responsible for 4,277 departures. This marks an improvement of 5.85% over the winter schedule of 2024. An official release from the Civil Aviation Ministry said that when compared with the summer schedule, the winter schedule will have 1,000 additional departures. There are 26,495 departures per week which have been finalised to/from 126 airports as per Winter Schedule (WS) S25 compared to 25,610 departures per week from 129 airports in the Summer Schedule 2025. This schedule will be in place till March 28, 2026. The new airports which will make their debut this winter are Amravati, Hissar, Purnia and Rupsi. The airports that have been suspended from operations are those in Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, Bhavnagar, Ludhiana, Pakyong and Shravasti. The Winter Schedule 2025 of the scheduled domestic airlines has been finalised after the slot conference meeting held in September. The final slots clearances have been received from respective airport operators, it added. Indigo will have a 6.05% growth over its summer schedule while Spicejet will have a 26.45% increase. Star Air with 538 departures will have a 6.53% growth. Air India will have a dip of 0.77% while Air India Express will go down by 6.04% dip. FlyBig will have the maximum impact with a 67.05% negative growth in departures with just 58 flight departures while Fly91 will have a 59.35% dip. Akasa Air s departures will go down by 5.69%.
Moradabad madrassa seeks virginity certificate from 13-year-old girl student, sparks controversy
LUCKNOW: In Moradabad, a madrassa management has been facing the heat for allegedly demanding a virginity certificate from a seventh-grade girl student. The father of the student claimed that the management of the institution threatened to expel the student and issue a transfer certificate if she did not comply. The police sources claimed that a probe was on into the matter after receiving a complaint from the student's family. However, police sources said that after submitting the first complaint, the victims family members had not been engaging in the probe. As per the sources, the victim is from Chandigarh and is pursuing studies at Jamia Asanul Banat Girls College (Madrassa) located in the Pakbara area of Moradabad city. The complaint against the madrassa management was made to the police by the student's father on October 14. The student's family told police that the madrassa management had defamed their daughter's character. The aggrieved father demanded an investigation into the matter by the police and that strict action should be taken against the institutions management. When the family approached the madrassa to get the student promoted to 8th class, the management asked them to submit the girl's virginity certificate. Hurt by the incident, the family returned home with the child. After this, the child's father, Mohammad Yusuf, a resident of Chandigarh, released a video saying: I live in Chandigarh. The school has put a condition of a medical examination for my daughter. They also took Rs 500 in the name of giving a TC (Transfer Certificate). Yusuf said in the video that he had admitted his daughter to the institution in 2024, but now the school administration had refused to give her admission for the next class. Mohammad Yusuf said that his wife had gone to Allahabad to meet her sick mother for some time. Meanwhile, due to domestic issues, he had called his daughter to Chandigarh for a few days. Later, when the wife took the daughter back to school, the madrassa management said that, as per information they received, Yusuf used to behave inappropriately with his daughter. On this basis, the school refused to readmit his daughter. Victims father said that when his wife asked for the Transfer Certificate (TC) the management charged Rs 500 to fill out the TC form. Yusuf said that even after submitting the form, the madrassa management had been delaying the issuance of TC since August 21, hampering the prospects of the victim in other schools, as without a TC, no school admits the new student. SP City Ran Vijay Singh confirmed that the police had received a complaint against the madrassa in Lodhipur in the Pakbara police station area. A person from Chandigarh has complained that the madrasa management made objectionable comments about the character of his daughter, who studies in the madrasa, said the SP. We are investigating the matter. Action will be taken in the case according to whatever facts emerge in the investigation, he added.
15-year-old mentally challenged girl raped and murdered in Uttarakhand's Kashipur, five arrested
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand police on Friday arrested five accused, including two women allegedlly involved in the rape and murder of a 15-year-old mentally challenged girl in Kashipur of Udham Singh Nagar district. According to the police, the accused persons abducted the minor girl from Kashipur on September 10 and allegedly moved her to several locations, including Bijnor and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. When the victim insisted on returning home, they allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual assault. Overcomed by fear of exposure, the men eventually strangled her to death before dumping the body in a field. The mutilated body of the victim was found on September 22 in Moradabads Kanth area. Speaking to TNIE , Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manikant Mishra said, Following a complaint lodged by the victims mother at Kunda police station on September 29, a case was registered and investigation began. Officials further revealed that the accused had also threatened the victims mother, warning of a heavy fine if she reported the case. This intimidation is believed to have caused significant delays in lodging the complaint, hindering the early progress of the investigation. Kunda Station House Officer (SHO) Ravi Saini disclosed crucial details, pointing to a carefully planned conspiracy. All the accused lived in the same building, though in separate rooms. The victims mother, who works at a private company, was unaware of their plans. Initially, the accused confined the girl at the house of a woman named Sheila in Kashipur. Later, she was moved to Bijnor and Gajraula. Police have since arrested the suspects and are carrying out intensive interrogations to uncover further details of the crime.
16-Year-Old Bajrang Dal Worker Shot Dead Over Instagram Post In UP's Moradabad
A 16-year-old Bajrang Dal worker was allegedly shot dead over a social media post in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, police said on Tuesday.
UP on an unstoppable path of growth under CM Yogi Adityanath: Industry Minister Piyush Goyal
LUCKNOW: The third edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS-2025) concluded on Monday with a grand closing ceremony in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, as the chief guest on the final day. While congratulating the Uttar Pradesh government on the event's resounding success, the Union Minister said that UPITS reflected the economic, industrial, and cultural potential not only of the state but of India as a whole. He urged a collective commitment to promote indigenous products, encourage entrepreneurship, and realize the vision of a Viksit India by 2047. Highlighting transformation in Uttar Pradesh over the past eight years, the Union Minister attributed it to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decisive governance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying the state was now on an unstoppable growth trajectory. He emphasised that a secure business environment and robust infrastructure had made Uttar Pradesh emerge as the preferred destination for investors. The Minister highlighted UPITS 2025 as unique in its inclusivity, bringing together ministers, government officials, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startup founders. When all stakeholders come together, it creates the perfect synergy, which is the true secret behind Uttar Pradeshs development journey, remarked the union minister. Referring to GST Savings Festival which commenced from September 22, the minister noted that the reduction in taxes on everyday items was a significant gift for consumers during Navratri. He described September 22nd as a historic milestonethe largest reform since independence, the impact of which would be felt for decades. He said that India now stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world and would soon become the third-largest, with substantial foreign exchange reserves. Goyal added that Indian passports are now symbols of respect and trust, and that developed nations worldwide are eager to establish free-trade agreements with India. Referring to the situation in Uttar Pradesh prior to 2017, Goyal stated that the state was in the grip of an atmosphere of fear and crime. Traders felt unsafe, half of Noida's projects remained incomplete, and many factories had shut down. However, the scenario transformed after Yogi government came to power. Law and order were strengthened, investor confidence returned, and a new era of inclusive development began when the people of Uttar Pradesh voted the BJP to power in 2017 with a two-thirds majority. Goyal highlighted that Uttar Pradesh was the first state to establish a separate Ministry for Export Promotion. The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has expanded to over 750 districts nationwide, with more than 1,200 products gaining global recognition. Today, whether visited by the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Union Minister, or foreign Ambassador, ODOP products are proudly presented as gifts, boosting the morale of entrepreneurs, he stated. Referring to Unity Malls, envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, Goyal said these malls were being developed in every state. In Uttar Pradesh, three malls would be established in Lucknow, Agra, and Varanasi, showcasing ODOP products from all 75 districts of the state and across India. Those malls would serve as platforms for women entrepreneurs and young people, opening up new avenues of opportunity. Emphasising Prime Minister Modi's definition of Swadeshi, Goyal urged citizens to pledge to purchase indigenous products wherever possible. He explained that Swadeshi represents goods made with the blood and sweat of Indian people, produced on Indian soil. While companies, investments, and technology can come from abroad, production and employment should remain in India. Goyal said that UPITS had provided a vast platform, giving Uttar Pradeshs products global recognition. From glassware from Firozabad, brass work from Moradabad, Banarasi sarees, Lucknow chikankari, to Agras leather products, the event has showcased the states craftsmanship to the world. He emphasised that UPITS is not just an exhibition but a living example of Uttar Pradeshs new industrial policy, and that the recent reduction in GST rates will further boost local consumption, benefiting all participants.
Delhi Police busts interstate arms racket, cartridge factory unearthed in UP; three held
NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police has busted an illegal arms and ammunition racket operating in the national capital region and unearthed a cartridge manufacturing factory linked to it in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Wednesday. Three men -- Fazil (50), Jameer (57), and Illiyas (65) -- have been arrested in the case. Two semi-automatic pistols, five single-shot pistols and 210 live cartridges were recovered from their possession during an operation on Monday. The police also busted an arms factory in Moradabad, seizing a lathe machine, grinding machine, cartridge-making equipment, 257 empty cartridges, 354 bullet leads, 350 empty shells, gunpowder, solid brass rods, and other incriminating material. The raw material could have been used to produce nearly 1,000 cartridges, an officer said. The operation was carried out by a team on September 22, after police received specific inputs that Fazil, an illicit arms supplier, would deliver weapons near Ghazipur flyover in Delhi. A trap was laid and Fazil was apprehended at the spot. A search led to the recovery of four single-shot pistols and 166 live cartridges, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said. Following his interrogation, police raided Rampur the next day and arrested Jameer, recovering 20 more live cartridges from him. Jameer, in turn, revealed that he had sourced the ammunition from Illiyas, a resident of Moradabad. The team then conducted another raid in Moradabad, apprehending Illiyas and recovering two semi-automatic pistols and one single-shot pistol from his possession. During questioning, Illiyas disclosed the existence of a covert ammunition-making unit operating out of a house near his residence. A raid at the location, carried out with the assistance of local police, led to the seizure of large quantities of raw material and equipment used to manufacture cartridges, said the DCP. Police said Fazil, a farmer from Moradabad, came into contact with Jameer around five to six years ago through relatives and began supplying arms in Delhi-NCR. Jameer, who studied till class five before taking up menial jobs, allegedly entered illegal arms trade after meeting Illiyas. Since then, he acted as a conduit between suppliers and buyers. The alleged mastermind, Illiyas, 65, hails from a family traditionally engaged in brass utensil manufacturing. He learned ammunition-making techniques from locals and turned to the illegal trade nearly two decades ago, he added. He was first arrested in 2022 in connection with an Arms Act case in Moradabad's Mugalpura area and has since been implicated in multiple cases, including charges under the Gangster Act and attempt to murder. Further investigation is underway to trace the wider network they were part of and establish possible links with criminal gangs operating in Delhi-NCR.
UPITS 2025 set to showcase confluence of investment, innovation, and culture of Uttar Pradesh
LUCKNOW: The third edition of the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) is set to take off at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida on Thursday. Scheduled from September 25 to 29, the mega event will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and will present Uttar Pradeshs industrial, agricultural, cultural, and innovation strengths on a global stage. More than just a platform for trade and investment, UPITS 2025 aims at creating a future-ready ecosystem for youth, entrepreneurs, and international delegates, while celebrating the states diverse identity through the confluence of craft, culture, and cuisine. The inaugural edition of the trade show in 2023 featured 1,914 exhibitors and 400 foreign buyers. The second edition expanded to 2,122 exhibitors, 350 foreign buyers, and five lakh visitors, generating export orders worth over Rs 2,200 crore and direct sales of Rs 40 crore. With more than double the growth in just two editions, the upcoming third edition is expected to attract over 2,500 exhibitors, 500 foreign buyers, and more than half a million visitors, reinforcing its status as a global platform for business and investment. A major highlight will be the One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion in Hall No. 9, featuring 343 stalls dedicated to the signature products of each district. From Bhadohi carpets and Firozabad glasswork to Moradabad metalware and Saharanpur woodcraft, these displays will showcase the journey of Uttar Pradeshs craftsmanship from local to global. The pavilion will also create opportunities for networking, business collaborations, and partnerships involving startups, designers, and international buyers. Russia will participate in the tradeshow as the partner country. On September 26, the RussiaIndia Business Dialogue will bring together policymakers, industrialists, financial institutions, insurance firms, and academia from both nations. This dialogue will not only strengthen economic cooperation but also pave the way for technological partnerships, joint ventures, and new business opportunities in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The IT and Electronics Department will present a live demonstration of an AI model in a sprawling 200-square-meter pavilion. Designed with modern amenities, including a curved LED wall, smart video displays, a VIP lounge, and a dedicated startup zone, the pavilion will highlight cutting-edge technological innovations and reflect how the Yogi government has positioned Uttar Pradesh as a rising hub of enterprise, innovation, and digital excellence. Under the master exhibition layout, Halls 1 to 8 and 15 will serve as centres for B2B activities, while Halls 9, 10, and 12 will focus on B2C interactions, and Halls 11 and 14 will host both B2B and B2C activities. The ground floor will feature exhibits from UPSIDA, Invest UP, GNIDA, YEIDA, Civil Aviation, the Russia Pavilion, IT/ITES, Electrical-Electronics, Tourism, Clean Mission, ODOP, Agriculture, Dairy, Textiles, and Logistics. The second floor will serve as the venue for inaugurations, B2B meetings, knowledge sessions, showcases of renewable energy, defence manufacturing, health, education, and culture. There will be 25 food stalls dedicated to the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh on the Swad Uttar Pradesh theme. Visitors will be able to savour traditional delicacies such as Moradabadi dal, Banarasi paan and lassi, Panchhi petha, Jain shikanji, Mathura peda, and Khurjas khurchan. Under CM Yuva scheme, Hall No. 18A will host 150 innovative stalls featuring franchise-based ventures, technology-driven business models, agritech, healthtech, and startup ideas. On September 27, MoUs will be signed with 27 premier educational institutions. Bankers and industry leaders will extend financial and strategic support. CM Yuva Fellows from all 75 districts will also showcase local brands, amplified by a digital campaign and the platform conclave.cmyuva.org.in to connect youth with opportunities. Beyond business, UPITS 2025 will celebrate the cultural ethos of Uttar Pradesh. Visitors will be treated with performances of Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Bundeli, and Tharu folk traditions, along with soulful Sufi music, graceful Kathak performances and light music sessions. Star artistes, including Dinesh Lal Nirahua, Padmashree Malini Awasthi, and Pratibha Singh Baghel will add grandeur to the evenings.
SITAPUR: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Azam Khan was on Tuesday released on bail from the Sitapur jail here after nearly two years of incarceration. Dressed in his trademark white kurta-pyjama paired with a black waistcoat, Khan drove past the jail premises in a private vehicle, not interacting with a host of reporters who tried to get his comment. Khan's elder son, Adeeb, accompanied by hundreds of party workers, gathered outside the Sitapur district jail since morning to receive him. Several SP leaders, including national secretary and former MLA Anup Gupta, Moradabad MP Ruchi Vira and district president Chatrapati Yadav, were also present outside the jail to welcome Khan. Speaking to reporters earlier, Adeeb said, Azam Khan is the hero of the day. I am here with all his supporters to welcome him. I have nothing more to say. Whatever has to be said, my father will say after coming out of jail. SP leader Ruchi Vira said the party would celebrate this day as he day of victory of justice. We had faith in the judiciary and will continue to have it. No other politician has been harassed as much as he (Azam Khan) has been, she told PTI Videos, ahead of Khan's release. Meanwhile, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Sitapur to prevent any untoward incident, officials said, even as a large number of supporters managed to reach near the jail with their vehicles, causing traffic congestion. Sitapur traffic police issued challans to several vehicles that had gathered in violation of restrictions. There was chaos and rush despite Section 163 being in force. Vehicles were not allowed to come close to the jail, but they somehow managed to reach there. Action had to be taken to avoid further complications, City Circle Officer Vinayak Bhosle said earlier in the day.
UP man held for cow slaughter; police threaten half encounter as family resist arrest
The family of a 33-year-old Muslim man has accused Uttar Pradesh police of forcibly arresting him on allegations of cow slaughter on Friday, September 19, threatening the family with half encounter. Allah Meher Qureshi alias Majid, a resident of Khanpur village in Moradabad district, works in the buffalo dairy industry. On Friday, the Mundha Pandey 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 .
'Never Imagined...': Moradabad Village Mourns As Six Labourers Die In Uttarakhand Cloudburst
The incident unfolded on Tuesday morning, when 14 labourers 12 from Moradabad and two from Sambhal were extracting sand from the riverbed near Vikas Nagar, Dehradun district.
12-Year-Old Boy Takes Own Life After Mother Scolds Him In UP: Cops
A 12-year-old boy allegedly took his own life in the Manpur area of Moradabad district after being scolded by his mother, police said on Sunday.
UP Woman Suffering From Postpartum Psychosis Places Newborn In Freezer, Goes To Sleep
The incident in Moradabad's Karula locality has sparked widespread concern, emphasizing the critical need to monitor and support women's mental health following childbirth
3 special trains ferry passengers
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 31: Rail traffic in Jammu Division continued to remain suspended for the sixth consecutive day even as authorities run three special trains from Jammu Railway Station on Sunday carrying over 1,500 passengers to their onward destinations. These trains were 04674 (Jammu-New Delhi via Kathua, PTKC) , 04676 (Jammu-MAS Chennai via New Delhi) and 03152 (Jammu-Kolkata via Moradabad, Lucknow, Banaras). According to an official spokesperson, the Kolkata-bound special train carried about 450500 passengers from Jammu at 2 [] The post 3 special trains ferry passengers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Moradabad Police tell Muslim wedding band owners to drop Hindu names after complaint
Moradabad police advised Muslim band owners to rename their businesses, avoiding Hindu-linked names after a complaint alleged religious insensitivity. While not legally enforced, owners agreed, fearing business loss from revealing their religious identity, especially given that Hindu weddings constitute a significant portion of their clientele. This directive follows similar controversies regarding Muslim-owned businesses using Hindu names.
Muslim band owners asked not to use Hindu deities names in UP's Moradabad
LUCKNOW: After state government's move to push Muslim restaurateurs to put their names on their establishments in order to stop them from using Hindu names, a new controversy has erupted, especially in western UP, over the wedding bands run by Muslims but named after Hindu Gods and Goddesses in Moradabad district. As per sources, Shaby Sharma, a lawyer, registered a complaint on the chief minister's portal on July 9 claiming that around 15 to 20 Muslim band operators in the district were running their businesses under the names of Hindu deities. Taking note of the complaint, the district police swung into action and Moradabad SP (City) Kumar Ranvijay Singh summoned several band operators, most of them Muslims, and instructed them to not name their bands after Hindu deities. The band owners agreed, said the police sources. According to police, the complainant argued that this practice was hurting religious sentiments. On Tuesday, they were summoned and directed to remove such names. All of them agreed to comply, Singh said. However, there is nothing illegal in a Muslim band owner naming his band after a Hindu God. Meanwhile, the complainant said that the band industry in Moradabad was largely dominated by Muslims, yet many of these establishments operate under Hindu names, including those of gods and goddesses. This is an attempt to distort identity. The CM himself has called for action against such practices, he claimed. I had submitted a formal complaint on the CM portal, and now the police have taken action. This is not discrimination, it is legal action. Moradabad has over 500 wedding bands in operation. No band operator immediately objected to the complaint and the police order. However, local sources claimed that many Muslim wedding band operators run under a Hindu name for various reasons, like naming it after their mentors who had been Hindus to carry their legacy forward. However, many band owners have sought time from the district administration for compliance with the latest order as they have advance bookings in the old name. Earlier, a similar controversy had erupted during the Kanwar Yatra, when several dhabas and restaurants run by Muslims were found to be using Hindu names.
