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Probe Into Mafia Atiq Ahmed's Murder Reveals Continued Uncovering of Benami Properties

Lucknow: A year has passed since the tragic murder of mafia kingpins Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf. Prior to their demise, the police had been actively confiscating unlawfully acquired properties and benami assets under the Gangster Act. However, recent revelations indicate ongoing exposure of benami properties, with land purchases allegedly made in the names of Dalits. Prayagraj Police has reached out to the Delhi-based Special Task Force (STF) of the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department to seize these concealed assets. Prayagraj Police previously uncovered assets worth over Rs 12 crore registered under the name of Hublal, seizing them under the Gangster Act. Further investigations uncovered similar schemes under the guise of other Dalit individuals in Gangapar and Yamunapar. Substantial assets were discovered under the name of Shyamji Saroj, leading authorities to another benami property registered under the name of Shyamjeet. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nagar Deepak Bhukar stated that the ED's STF is probing these benami properties, with reports submitted to both the ED and Income Tax authorities. Earlier, the Prayagraj branch of the Enforcement Directorate had initiated legal action against Atiq and his associates under the Money Laundering Act, attaching properties worth millions. Following Atiq's demise, the ED seized 11 of his bank accounts. In April 2023, prior to his murder, the ED conducted raids on 15 locations associated with Atiq Ahmed's financial backers. The raids targeted properties belonging to various individuals, including builder Sanjeev Aggarwal, Amitdeep Motors owner Deepak Bhargava, builder Kali in Kareli, Mohsin, CA Sabih Ahmed, advocate Khan Hanif Saulat, Khalid Zafar, Sitaram Shukla in Lukerganj, former MLA Asif Jafri in Kareli, and Wadud Ahmed in Kaushambi. During these investigations, property documents exceeding Rs 100 crore were seized, along with foreign currency, diamonds, and gold jewelry. In subsequent actions, the office of builder Amit Goyal and the residence of builder Atul were raided, yielding crucial documents. To escalate legal proceedings, the case was transferred from Prayagraj to the Delhi STF of the ED for further investigation. Drone Surveillance Reveals Stones on Rooftops Ahead of Ram Navami BJP Releases Second List of Candidates for Punjab Lok Sabha Polls AAP Announces Star Campaigners for Lok Sabha Polls in Gujarat

News Track 16 Apr 2024 5:11 pm

Video: Alert Railway Cop Saves Elderly Man From Coming Under Train In UP

It was a miraculous escape for an elderly man who was trying to re-board a train at the Prayagraj railway station in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

NDTV 16 Apr 2024 4:39 pm

UP: RPF cop saves man from coming under train at Prayagraj railway station

At Prayagraj junction, Assistant Sub Inspector Sanjay Kumar Rawat's quick actions saved SS Shekhawat from a potential accident, showcasing the vital role of RPF personnel in ensuring passenger safety. The incident underscores the importance of caution during train boarding.

The Times of India 16 Apr 2024 12:32 pm

42-year-old man held for raping his six-year-old niece in UP's Fatehpur

42-year-old man held for raping his six-year-old niece in UP's Fatehpur A 42-year-old man has been arrested in Fatehpur district here for allegedly raping his six-year-old niece, police said on Tuesday. SHO Bechelal Prasad said the girl was sleeping alone on the terrace of her home when the accused reached there from his adjacent house and allegedly raped her. The incident took place in the Chandpur police station area on Saturday night, he added. A case was registered on Sunday on the basis of the complaint filed by the girl's mother and the accused was arrested on Monday, the SHO said. Prasad said the girl suffered excessive bleeding in the incident and is undergoing treatment at a government hospital, where her condition is improving. The girl's father was arrested by the Jehanabad police in a rape case two months ago and is currently lodged in a jail, the police said.

devdiscourse 16 Apr 2024 12:25 pm

PM Modi Sends Warm Wishes for Ashtami Puja during Navratri 2024

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared heartfelt greetings for Ashtami Puja on the auspicious occasion of Navratri 2024. Posting on social media, the PM expressed his wishes, saying, Warmest greetings to all my fellow citizens celebrating Maha Ashtami Puja. May Goddess Durga in her form as Maa Mahagauri bring joy, peace, and prosperity to everyone's lives. Devotees Flock to Temples on Ashtami Thousands of devotees gathered at the Maya Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Ashtami. Many also participated in the ritual of taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and offered prayers in Prayagraj on the same day. Significance of Chaitra Navratri Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, holds special importance for Hindus as it marks a nine-day celebration during the spring season. On the eighth day, known as Ashtami, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, depicted with four hands, holding a trident and a drum, riding a bull. Timing of Ashtami Puja The Ashtami Tithi for Ashtami Puja commenced at 12:11 on April 15, 2024, and concluded at 13:23 on April 16, 2024, according to Drik Panchang. Description of Maa Mahagauri Goddess Mahagauri, symbolizing purity and tranquility, is portrayed with a radiant complexion like the moon, draped in white attire, riding a bull. She is known by the names Shwetambardhara and Vrisharudha due to her association with the color white and her mount, the bull, respectively. Navratri Celebrations This year's Navratri festival, spanning from April 9 to April 17, involves the worship of Maa Durga and her nine manifestations, known as the Navadurgas. The festival concludes on Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Ram, marking the end of the nine-day celebration. Rituals During Chaitra Navratri During Chaitra Navratri, devotees observe fasting and offer prayers to Goddess Durga. Ghatasthapana, the invocation of Goddess Shakti, is a significant ritual performed during this period. Navratri also emphasizes serenity and peacefulness through the worship of Maha Gauri Mata. PM Modi's Campaign Trail: BJP's Push in Kerala Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections PM Narendra Modi Pays Tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar on Birth Anniversary

News Track 16 Apr 2024 10:11 am

Atiq Ahmads two sons are now history-sheeters

Prayagraj: The police have listed slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmeds sons, Mohammad Umar and Ali Ahmed as history-sheeters with the Khuldabad police station of Prayagraj district in Uttar Pradesh. This is exactly a year after Atiq, along with his younger brother Ashraf, was allegedly shot dead by three assailants inside the campus of a hospital under 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 .

The Siasat Daily 16 Apr 2024 9:25 am

A smartwatch that tracks health info, alerts doc & kin

The Times of India 16 Apr 2024 4:55 am

If you go to Banaras then definitely visit these places

Banaras, also known as Varanasi, is a city with a rich tapestry of spirituality, history, and culture. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Banaras holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its narrow winding lanes, bustling ghats, and ancient temples draw millions of visitors each year, seeking solace, enlightenment, and a glimpse into India's rich cultural heritage. If you're planning a journey to this mystical city, here are some places you absolutely must include in your itinerary. 1. Assi Ghat: Where Serenity Meets Spirituality Assi Ghat, located at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Assi, is one of the most peaceful and picturesque ghats in Banaras. It is believed to be the spot where the legendary sage Agastya meditated. At Assi Ghat, visitors can witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, a ritual of offering prayers to the river Ganges, performed every evening against the backdrop of flickering oil lamps and rhythmic chants. 2. Dashashwamedh Ghat: A Spectacle of Rituals Dashashwamedh Ghat is perhaps the most famous and bustling ghat in Banaras. Legend has it that Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha sacrifice here, hence the name. Every evening, the Dashashwamedh Ghat comes alive with the vibrant Ganga Aarti ceremony, a spectacle not to be missed. Devotees and tourists gather to witness priests offering prayers to the river Ganges, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums and the chanting of hymns. 3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Heart of Banaras Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the holiest temples in India. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away all sins and grants moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The temple's towering spire, adorned with intricate carvings, dominates the Banaras skyline. Inside the temple complex, visitors can witness the sacred Jyotirlinga, the symbol of Lord Shiva's cosmic energy. 4. Sarnath: A Pilgrimage to Enlightenment Sarnath, located just a few kilometers away from Banaras, is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It is here that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, after attaining enlightenment. The Dhamek Stupa, erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, marks the spot where the sermon was delivered. Visitors to Sarnath can explore ancient Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and the Archaeological Museum, which houses a rich collection of Buddhist artifacts. 5. Manikarnika Ghat: Witnessing the Cycle of Life and Death Manikarnika Ghat, often referred to as the burning ghat, is one of the oldest and most sacred cremation grounds in Banaras. According to Hindu belief, cremation at Manikarnika Ghat ensures liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Visitors to the ghat can witness funeral pyres burning continuously, accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras. Despite its somber atmosphere, Manikarnika Ghat offers a profound insight into the Hindu philosophy of life and death. 6. Ramnagar Fort: A Glimpse into Royal Legacy Ramnagar Fort, situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges, is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Built in the 18th century by the Maharaja of Banaras, the fort served as the residence of the royal family. Today, it houses a museum that showcases a vast collection of vintage cars, royal artifacts, and weaponry. The fort's scenic location offers panoramic views of the river Ganges and the Banaras skyline. 7. Banaras Hindu University (BHU): A Hub of Education and Culture Banaras Hindu University (BHU), founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916, is one of the premier educational institutions in India. Spread across a sprawling campus, BHU is a melting pot of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and artistic heritage. The university's iconic clock tower, majestic buildings, and lush green lawns attract students and scholars from all over the world. BHU's Sankat Mochan Temple and Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum are also popular attractions among visitors. 8. Tulsi Manas Temple: Where Poetry and Devotion Converge Tulsi Manas Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama and is located near the famous Durga Temple in Banaras. Built-in the 20th century, the temple is renowned for its exquisite marble carvings depicting scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The walls of the temple are adorned with verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the epic poem composed by the saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas. Visitors to Tulsi Manas Temple can immerse themselves in the divine atmosphere and seek blessings for prosperity and happiness. 9. Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum: Unraveling the City's Artistic Heritage Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, located within the premises of Banaras Hindu University, is a treasure trove of art, culture, and history. The museum houses a vast collection of sculptures, paintings, textiles, and archaeological artifacts dating back to ancient times. Highlights of the museum include the iconic Bharat Mata statue, depicting Mother India, and the exquisite collection of miniature paintings from the Mughal and Rajput schools. A visit to Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum offers a fascinating journey through the artistic heritage of Banaras and India. 10. Durga Temple (Durga Kund Mandir): A Symbol of Divine Feminine Power Durga Temple, also known as Durga Kund Mandir, is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga and is located near the famous Tulsi Manas Temple. The temple's striking red-colored facade and intricate architecture attract devotees and tourists alike. Inside the temple complex, visitors can admire the idol of Goddess Durga, adorned with traditional ornaments and embellishments. The temple is particularly crowded during the Navaratri festival, a nine-night celebration dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. 11. Chunar Fort: Reliving the Glorious Past Chunar Fort, located near the town of Chunar in Uttar Pradesh, is a historic fortification that dates back to the 11th century. Built by Maharaja Vikramaditya of the Gupta Empire, the fort has witnessed centuries of battles and conquests. It is said that the Mughal emperor Babur captured the fort in 1526, laying the foundation for the Mughal rule in India. Today, Chunar Fort stands as a silent sentinel overlooking the river Ganges, offering visitors a glimpse into India's glorious past. 12. Alamgir Mosque: An Architectural Marvel Alamgir Mosque, also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera, is a magnificent mosque located near the Panchganga Ghat in Banaras. Built by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, the mosque is an exquisite example of Mughal architecture. Its imposing domes, intricate carvings, and ornate minarets reflect the grandeur of the Mughal era. The mosque's strategic location offers panoramic views of the river Ganges and the Banaras skyline, making it a popular spot for photographers and history enthusiasts. 13. Banaras Silk Saree Emporiums: Indulge in Exquisite Weaves Banaras is renowned for its exquisite silk sarees, known as Banarasi sarees, which are adorned with intricate zari work and fine craftsmanship. Visitors to the city can explore a plethora of silk saree emporiums and handloom workshops, where skilled artisans weave magic into yards of silk. From traditional designs to contemporary patterns, Banaras offers a wide range of options for saree connoisseurs. Shopping for Banarasi sarees is not just a retail experience; it's a journey into the rich textile heritage of India. 14. Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple): A Marvel of Nepalese Architecture Nepali Temple, also known as Kathwala Temple, is a hidden gem tucked away in the lanes of Banaras. Built-in the 19th century by the King of Nepal, the temple is a fine example of Nepalese architecture. Its intricately carved wooden facade, adorned with mythical creatures and deities, reflects the cultural influence of Nepal in Banaras. Visitors to the Nepali Temple can marvel at its exquisite craftsmanship and serene ambience, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 15. Banaras Ghats: A Melange of Colors and Rituals The ghats of Banaras are perhaps its most iconic feature, offering a glimpse into the daily life, rituals, and traditions of the city. From the crack of dawn to late at night, the ghats buzz with activity as devotees perform rituals, pilgrims take holy dips in the river Ganges, and boatmen ferry passengers across the sacred waters. Each ghat has its own unique charm and significance, whether it's the serene tranquility of Assi Ghat or the vibrant energy of Dashashwamedh Ghat. Exploring the ghats of Banaras is an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. 16. Annapurna Temple: Feeding the Devotees, Nourishing the Soul Annapurna Temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment. Located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the temple is known for its free food distribution (prasadam) to devotees and pilgrims. Every day, thousands of devotees gather at the temple to partake in the divine feast, which is served with utmost devotion and hospitality. The Annapurna Temple exemplifies the spirit of seva (selfless service) and community bonding that is ingrained in the culture of Banaras. 17. Banaras Hindu University Botanical Garden: Nature's Retreat Banaras Hindu University Botanical Garden is a tranquil oasis nestled within the bustling campus of BHU. Spread across acres of lush greenery, the botanical garden is home to a diverse collection of plant species, including rare medicinal herbs, aromatic plants, and exotic flowers. Visitors can take leisurely strolls along the winding pathways, admire the vibrant blooms, and reconnect with nature amidst the urban chaos. The botanical garden also serves as a research hub for botanists and environmentalists, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in the region. 18. Tibetan Temple (Dhamek Stupa): Tranquility Amidst Chaos The Tibetan Temple, also known as the Dhamek Stupa, is a serene sanctuary located in Sarnath, near Banaras. Built-in the 5th century BCE by Emperor Ashoka, the stupa is a symbol of peace and enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. Its massive dome, adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions, houses relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples. The Tibetan Temple complex also includes monasteries, meditation halls, and prayer wheels, creating a tranquil atmosphere conducive to introspection and meditation. 19. Triveni Sangam: Confluence of Rivers and Faiths Triveni Sangam, located in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), is a sacred confluence where the rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati meet. It is believed that bathing at the Triveni Sangam during auspicious occasions like Kumbh Mela cleanses one's sins and bestows blessings. The sangam is dotted with temporary pontoon bridges and colorful tents during the Kumbh Mela, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists from across the globe. A visit to Triveni Sangam is a spiritual journey that transcends religious boundaries and celebrates the unity of humanity. 20. Bharat Mata Mandir: Saluting the Spirit of Mother India Bharat Mata Mandir, located in the heart of Banaras, is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. Unlike traditional temples dedicated to deities, Bharat Mata Mandir pays homage to the spirit of patriotism and national unity. The temple houses a giant relief map of India carved out of marble, depicting the country's diverse landscapes, historical landmarks, and cultural heritage. Visitors to Bharat Mata Mandir can offer their respects to the motherland and reflect on the unity in diversity that defines India. Exploring Banaras: A Journey of Discovery Banaras is not just a city; it's an experience that transcends time and space. Each of its ghats, temples, and alleyways tells a story, weaving together the threads of spirituality, history, and tradition. Whether you're seeking enlightenment, cultural immersion, or simply the joy of exploration, Banaras has something to offer to every traveler. So pack your bags, embark on a journey of discovery, and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Banaras. Electric version of this popular SUV is coming, will run 500km on full charge! Who bought the first car in India? MG Hector 'Blackstorm' edition started reaching dealerships, got many major changes

News Track 16 Apr 2024 1:56 am

A year after Atiqs killing, motive remains unclear

Prayagraj: Exactly a year ago on this day, former MP and mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three assailants while they were being taken for medical examination. A year later, the mystery regarding the motive behind the killing remains unsolved. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to investigate the murders 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 .

The Siasat Daily 15 Apr 2024 10:45 am

Auto-lifter held in Kaushambi, 6 bikes, one car recovered

The Times of India 15 Apr 2024 5:07 am

Saints, seers appeal followers to vote on May 25

The Times of India 15 Apr 2024 5:03 am

Awareness campaign on fire safety

The Times of India 15 Apr 2024 4:48 am

Summer travel kit for cops on election duty

The Times of India 15 Apr 2024 4:44 am

PRSU holds admit cards of over 13,000 students

The Times of India 14 Apr 2024 4:28 am

Rajesh Khare, Anchal Ojha take top HCBA posts

The Times of India 14 Apr 2024 4:19 am

Digital smart classroom in 48 govt schools soon

The Times of India 14 Apr 2024 4:15 am

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri has started from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this, there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming into the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelry fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of the 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar Pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of the Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmada. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Her mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that, the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple, the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and the Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Vardhaman The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in the Ketugram area of the district. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place, the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple, and Kumari Temple are situated in this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place, devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain in Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is called Sugandha. Another name for this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh fell in Jayantiya Pargana in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati fell. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of the Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason, this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Her mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: PTI, Social media)

Kalam Times 12 Apr 2024 3:49 pm

Mastermind in UP police recruitment paper leak case arrested from Jewar

LUCKNOW: In a major breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of UP Police nabbed Ravi Atri, 38, the mastermind of the police constable recruitment paper leak, on Wednesday. He was arrested from Jewar in Gautam Budhh Nagar. A native of Gautam Budh Nagar and based in Delhi before going underground following a probe into the police recruitment paper leak, Atri happens to be the 401st accused arrested so far in connection with the paper leak racket. UP Police Recruitment Board had held an examination to recruit 60,000 constables on February 17 and 18 where over 48 lakh candidates had appeared. Later, the government cancelled the tests and ordered re-examination following the paper leak. While the re-examination will be done in next 6 months, a manhunt was launched for those behind the fiasco. Atri was on the run ever since. An intensive investigation unfolded across various states including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana and districts of UP including Varanasi, Jhansi, Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Hathras, Noida, and Ballia. A total of 12 cases have been registered in connection with the scandal. Additional DG, law and order, Amitabh Yash, said that efforts of STF Field Unit Meerut tracked Atri and arrested him. During interrogation, Atri said that after passing the Intermediate examination from Shriram Inter College, Thora, Gautam Budh Nagar, in 2006, the accused went to Allen Coaching Centre, Kota, Rajasthan for medical preparation where he came in contact with the examination mafia in 2007. He then started appearing as a solver in various competitive examinations. After passing the HPMT examination in the year 2012, he got admission in PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana and passed the third year in 2018 but did not appear in the fourth-year examination. Prior to it, he was nabbed by Daryaganj Crime Branch, Delhi in the paper leak case of NEET PG exam in the year 2012 and went to jail. He was also incarcerated the same year after Shahbad Dairy police station, Delhi arrested him for getting the paper of SBI exam out. In 2015, the AIPMT paper was out. The STF said that now Delhi police constable Vikram Pahal, Goldy, Guniya, Dawood, Neetu, Monu Dhakla, Anurag and Ankit Mishra were wanted in connection with the case. Held for getting paper of SBI exam out Prior to it, he was nabbed by Daryaganj Crime Branch, Delhi in the paper leak case of NEET PG exam in the year 2012 and went to jail. He was also incarcerated the same year after Shahbad Dairy police station, Delhi arrested him for getting the paper of SBI exam out.

The New Indian Express 11 Apr 2024 10:23 am

Another pet dog of Atiq Ahmed dies

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 5:15 am

Variety of dates dominate city markets

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 5:14 am

Road to airport wont have any electric poles

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 5:06 am

Simplifying maths with hacks used by ethnic groups

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 5:04 am

Cops seize illegal weapons, criminal held

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 4:57 am

294 new transformers installed in urban areas

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 4:54 am

Discussion on mental health at AU

The Times of India 11 Apr 2024 4:52 am

No compromise in POCSO case: Allahabad HC

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has held that criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cannot be quashed on the basis of a compromise between the accused and the prosecutrix-victim. Dismissing a petition filed by one Sanjeev Kumar, an accused under the POCSO Act, Justice Samit Gopal observed: Once the 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 .

The Siasat Daily 10 Apr 2024 7:25 am

Govt releases over 250 crore for underprivileged kids edu

The Times of India 10 Apr 2024 4:37 am

BJP yet to announce names for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh

Several factors are at play with the BJP looking for new candidates in some constituencies, while at the same time, trying to keep caste equations in its favour, in several other seats. These 12 constituencies also include Balia, Ghazipur, Machhlishahr which borders Prime Minister Narendra's seat Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Kaiserganj, Firozabad, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Deoria, Kaushambi, and Phulpur.

The Economic Times 9 Apr 2024 11:56 pm

Travel tips: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri is starting from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming in the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelery fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmata. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Here mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Ket of Bardhaman district The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in Ugram area. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called as Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple and Kumari Temple are situated at this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain of Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, mother is called Sugandha. Another name of this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh had fallen in Jayantiya Pargana in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati had fallen. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Here mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: Soical media)

Kalam Times 8 Apr 2024 6:51 pm

Solar Eclipse:Devotees Gather at Ganga's Banks for Auspicious Somvati Amavasya of 2024

Thousands of devotees congregated on the banks of the River Ganga in Prayagraj to commemorate the auspicious occasion of Somvati Amavasya on Monday. Somvati Amavasya holds profound significance in Hinduism, being a day when devotees engage in bathing, charity, worship, and rituals to honor their ancestors. It's believed that these acts lead to the accumulation of merit. Devotees arrived to take a sacred dip in the River Ganga, perform rituals, make donations, and offer prayers for the peace of their ancestors. Rituals such as tarpan (offering oblations to ancestors), charity, and the pursuit of merit are considered crucial on this auspicious day. Somvati Amavasya is dedicated to the worship of ancestors, aimed at remedying 'Pitru Dosha', a negative astrological condition believed to affect individuals when certain planetary alignments occur. On this day, people engage in various practices such as havan (ritual fire offerings), yajna (sacrificial fire rituals), charity, feeding animals, and reciting mantras. Monday marked the first Somvati Amavasya of 2024, with devotees fervently offering prayers to their ancestors to alleviate 'Pitru Dosha'. The devotees expressed their joy in participating in the baths, worship, and rituals on the banks of the Ganga on this auspicious day, as they sought to honor their ancestors and accrue merit. Google Marks Total Solar Eclipse with Special Animation: Here's How to Watch Live FAQ: Is There Solar Eclipse in INDIA on 8th April? Solar Eclipse Showdown: Brace Yourself for the April 8 Celestial Showstopper!

News Track 8 Apr 2024 12:11 pm

Now get square shaped water melons this summer

Prayagraj: A new hybrid and export variety of watermelon and melon Saraswati is all set to hit UP markets this summer. This variety of watermelons and melons is not only smaller in size but also in a square shape, using a hybrid variety of seeds. Also ReadSurats paan masala dosa sparks social media debate: Yay 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 .

The Siasat Daily 8 Apr 2024 9:58 am

RPF's Crackdown on Stone-Pelting: Passenger Safety Paramount

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Railway Protection Force (RPF) has taken a stern stance against stone-pelting incidents targeting trains, aiming to ensure the safety of passengers. Commandant Ashutosh Pandey of Lucknow RPF has initiated the formation of special teams in collaboration with all police stations within the division to apprehend stone-pelters. Recent incidents, such as the pelting of stones at the Shatabdi Express traveling from Lucknow between Amethi and Chilbila, have prompted proactive measures. Passengers promptly alerted authorities about these incidents, prompting swift action. In response to escalating incidents of stone-pelting on various trains, RPF Commandant Ashutosh Pandey has mobilized teams across all police stations within the Lucknow division. These teams, operating incognito, will diligently search for and apprehend stone-pelters, while also keeping a vigilant eye on individuals loitering near railway tracks. RPF Inspector Anil Kumar highlighted the persistent monitoring of individuals engaging in anarchic activities, particularly targeting trains with stone pelting. Notably, incidents of stone pelting were reported on the Gorakhpur-Prayagraj Vande Bharat train on March 18, resulting in damage to the exterior glass of the train. Prompt action was taken as passengers promptly reported the incident to the RPF, leading to the initiation of an investigation by the authorities. While the incident caused no casualties, it underscored the need for heightened vigilance and prompt response to ensure the safety and security of passengers. Despite the challenges posed by such incidents, railway authorities remain committed to ensuring the smooth and safe operation of train services in Uttar Pradesh. Migrant Worker from Arunachal Pradesh Beaten to Death by Mob in Kerala's Ernakulam City PM Modi Criticizes Mallikarjun Kharge's Remarks on Jammu and Kashmir's Relevance Cars coming in less than 10 lakhs, will get safety with 6 airbags

News Track 7 Apr 2024 5:11 pm

News18 Afternoon Digest: Modi In 3 States Today; PM's Big Push To Madhavi Latha & Other Top Stories

We are also covering: Bahubalis Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed Dead, UPs Ghazipur, Prayagraj to See 1st Free & Fair Poll in 40 Years, and top stories

News18 7 Apr 2024 1:28 pm

UP: Neither wife nor son, Brij Bhushan firm on Kaiserganj poll arena

LUCKNOW : While the suspense over a dozen seats of Uttar Pradesh, including Kaiserganj, continues as the BJP is yet to announce its candidates, the sitting tainted MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is believed to be adamant about contesting from Kaiserganj himself. Notably, Singh has been facing legal proceedings in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of female wrestlers while being the president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). He was removed from the post following prolonged protests by the wrestlers in New Delhi last year. As per sources, owing to the taint, while the ruling party had given him the options of fielding the candidate of his choice either his wife Ketaki Singh or son Prateek Bhushan Singh from Kaiserganj, even after several rounds of talks, the sitting MP does not seem to be ready to budge and is pushing for his own candidature. However, the final call will be of the central leadership of the BJP. Not only the central leadership but also the state unit of BJP feels that facing the allegations of sexual exploitation of female wrestlers, Singhs candidature would give ammunition to the Opposition to target the ruling alliance in the field. The BJP insiders claim that the state unit of the party has already sent its report to the central leadership regarding the 12 seats on which the candidates have to be announced. It is expected that the list for these 12 seats will be released before April 10. Of the 12 seats, including Rae Bareli, Deoria, Kaiserganj, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Phulpur, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Bhadohi and Machhlishahar, on which the candidates are yet to be announced, BJP had lost three Mainpuri, Rae Bareli and Ghazipur winning the rest nine in the 2019 elections. According to party sources, the nine sitting MPs may be changed in the ensuing elections. The BJP is also waiting for the Congress to announce its candidate in Rae Bareli. The party will assess the situation and then move ahead with its choice of candidates, which include MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh, who had contested against Sonia Gandhi in 2019.

The New Indian Express 6 Apr 2024 7:44 am

Important matters heard by Supreme Court on April 5

Important matters heard by Supreme Court on April 5 Important matters heard by the Supreme Court on Friday, April 5: * In a relief to academic-activist Shoma Kanti Sen, arrested in June 2018 in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, the SC granted her bail while taking cognisance of the ''composite effect'' of the delay in framing charges coupled with her prolonged detention. * In a breather to about 17 lakh madarsa students, the SC stayed an order of the Allahabad High Court that scrapped the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 calling it ''unconstitutional'' and violative of the principle of secularism. * SC asked the Delhi government's Principal Secretary (Finance) to release funds to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and made the utility, responsible for supplying potable water to the national capital, a party to a plea filed by the ruling AAP dispensation alleging non-release of money. * SC dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to bring the mortal remains of an India-born Pakistani Sufi saint, who died in Bangladesh in 2022, for re-burial in Prayagraj to honour his wish. * SC said it may quash a money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, saying there were no proceeds of crime. * SC said it will hear on April 8 the plea of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy challenging the Madras High Court order for his trial in a corruption case. * Anil Masih, the returning officer for the Chandigarh mayoral election whose result was overturned by the SC in February, tendered an unconditional apology to the apex court for his conduct. * SC refused to entertain a plea seeking implementation of the 2012 recommendations of the Election Commission regarding the cooling-off period to prevent public servants from contesting polls immediately after retirement or resignation. * SC allowed a petition of the Centre and transferred to itself pleas, challenging the imposition of 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax on e-gaming firms, from nine high courts for an authoritative pronouncement. * SC sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea by MLA Abbas Ansari, who is lodged in jail, seeking permission to attend fatiha or special prayers on April 10 following the death of his father Mukhtar Ansari. *The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to a person who along with Rajendra Bihari Lal, vice chancellor of Uttar Pradesh's Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), was facing probe in a criminal case pertaining to alleged illegal religious conversions. *Terming ''teaching'' of the witnesses in a criminal case inside a police station as ''shocking'', the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police to conduct an enquiry and initiate action against the erring officials.

devdiscourse 5 Apr 2024 10:32 pm

Tainted Brijbhushan 'adamant' on contesting from Kaiserganj but BJP top brass may not oblige

LUCKNOW: While the suspense over the BJP candidates in a dozen seats in Uttar Pradesh continues, the sitting MP from Kaiserganj Brijbhushan Sharan Singh is believed to be adamant at contesting from there again. It may be recalled that Brijbhushan Sharan Singh has been facing legal proceedings in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of female wrestlers while being the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). He was removed from the post following a prolonged protest by the wrestlers in New Delhi last year. Sources said that owing to the taint, the ruling party had given him the option of fielding the candidate of his choice -- either his wife Ketaki Singh or son Prateek Bhushan Singh -- from Kaiserganj, but even after several rounds of talks, the sitting MP does not seem to be ready to budge and is pushing for his own candidature. However, the final call will be of the central leadership of the BJP. Not only the central leadership but the state unit of the BJP also feels that following the allegations of sexual exploitation of female wrestlers, the candidature of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh would give ammo to the opposition to target the ruling alliance. BJP insiders claim that the state unit of the party has already sent its report to the central leadership regarding the 12 seats for which the candidates have to be announced. BSP treads cautiously, fields Muslim candidate against Rajnath, OBC against Dimple Yadav Of the 12 seats -- Rae Bareli, Deoria, Kaiserganj, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Phulpur, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Bhadohi and Machhlishahar -- the BJP had lost three -- Mainpuri, Rae Bareli and Ghazipur -- winning the remaining nine in the previous general elections in 2019. As per party sources, the nine sitting MPs may be changed in the ensuing elections by the party central leadership. The BJP is waiting for the Congress to announce its candidate in Rae Bareli to assess the situation and then move ahead with its choice which includes MLC and Yogi minister Dinesh Pratap Singh who had contested against Sonia Gandhi in the 2019 battle. The other name that may be considered is that of Manoj Pandey, the SP turncoat, or a surprise candidate imported from outside Rae Bareli. Similarly, in Ballia, Virendra Singh Mast may be sent to some other seat. Rita Bahuguna Joshi had already announced her retirement from electoral politics during the 2022 UP Assembly elections when she was seeking a ticket for her son Mayank who later joined the SP. In Bhadohi, the party may consider the candidature of Congress turncoat and former MP Rajesh Pandey, while the candidate for Ghazipur would be decided in consultation with J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha who had lost the last election to BSP candidate Afzal Ansari now contesting from the SP. 2024 LS Polls: SP Caught in bind yet again, this time in Badaun over Shivpal's candidature

The New Indian Express 5 Apr 2024 7:12 pm

SC rejects plea for bringing mortal remains of India-born Pak Sufi saint from Bangladesh

SC rejects plea for bringing mortal remains of India-born Pak Sufi saint from Bangladesh The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to bring the mortal remains of an India-born Pakistani Sufi saint, who died in Bangladesh in 2022, for re-burial in Prayagraj to honour his wish. The plea referred to the will executed by Hazrat Shah Muhammad Abdul Muqtadir Shah Masood Ahmad, a former native of Allahabad, now Prayagraj, who acquired Pakistani citizenship in 1992, that his mortal remains be interred at the Dargah in the Uttar Pradesh city which he presided over. ''He was a Pakistani citizen. How can you expect the Union of India to bring his mortal remains for re-burial in India. There is no such right whose enforcement can be sought,'' the top court said while rejecting the plea filed by Dargah Hazrat Mulla Syed of Prayagraj. ''We also have to go by the principles of enforcement of constitutional rights,'' the bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, adding had he been an Indian citizen the plea would have been taken note of. The counsel, who appeared for the Dargah, said Ahmad had no family in Pakistan and, moreover, the Sufi saint was the Sajjada Nasheen of the shrine. In Sufi tradition, a Sajjada Nasheen is a successor of a Sufi saint who presides over a shrine. The bench made it clear that there is no constitutionally enforceable right to seek transportation of the Sufi saint's mortal remains as he was a Pakistani citizen. ''He was elected as the Sajjada Nasheen of the shrine at Dargah Hazrat Mulla Syed Mohammad Shah in 2008 in Prayagraj. He executed his will in 2021 expressing a desire to be buried in the shrine. He died in Dhaka where he was buried. There are difficulties in entertaining such a petition. ''Hazrat Shah was a Pakistani citizen and had no constitutional right... the practical difficulties related to exhumation. As a matter of first principle, it would not be right for this court to direct the transportation of the mortal remains of a citizen of a foreign state to India,'' the bench said.

devdiscourse 5 Apr 2024 3:10 pm

Records of BTech/MTech students on ABC ID

The Times of India 5 Apr 2024 5:42 am

Mathura matter beyond remit of Waqf tribunal

The Times of India 5 Apr 2024 5:41 am

Shahi Idgah case: Mosque matter beyond remit of Waqf tribunal, says Hindu side

Prayagraj: The Hindu side on Thursday countered in the Allahabad High Court the Shahi Idgah committees argument that the maintainability of the suit seeking removal of the mosque must be heard by a Waqf tribunal, saying that matter is beyond the ambit of the tribunal. Ajay Kumar Singh appearing on behalf of the Hindu side 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 .

The Siasat Daily 4 Apr 2024 7:25 pm

Key accused in UP police paper leak held in Noida

LUCKNOW: Around a-month-and-a-half after the alleged paper leak scam in the Uttar Pradesh police constable recruitment exam, the Special Task Force (STF) of UP police has apprehended prime accused Rajeev Nayan Mishra (32), a native of Prayagraj and based in Bhopal from Noida on Wednesday. The UP STF, probing the paper leak scam in one of the largest recruitment drives in the country, traced Mishra after investigations revealed he was involved in unlocking the box containing question papers at a Ahmedabad warehouse. He had sought assistance from Bihar-based doctor Shubham Mandal to accomplish the task. Moreover, Mishra also allegedly bribed the transport company staff to facilitate the theft of the question papers, said the UP STF sources. Accompanied by his associates, Mishra, the alleged kingpin of the paper leak racket, distributed the question papers to approximately 300 candidates gathered at Shiv Mahashakti Resort in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, two days before the exam on February 15. These candidates, predominantly from Bihar, UP, and MP, each paid `4 lakh to Mishra for early access to the exam papers, STF officials disclosed. Rajeev Mishra, who holds a BTech in civil engineering from a private college in Bhopal, met Ravi Atri, another alleged mastermind, four years ago. However, Ravi Atri, Goldy, Vikram Pahal, and their associates remain at large, stated STF. So far, the UP STF have arrested a total of 399 individuals in connection with the UP police constable exam paper leak. The state government cancelled the examination held offline in four sessions on February 17-18, following which the STF was tasked with investigating the matter. According to Additional DG (Law and Order), Amitabh Yash, Rajeev was previously arrested in connection with the 2022 TET paper leak and the 2023 National Health Mission Contractual Staff Nurse recruitment exam paper leak. During interrogation, Mishra disclosed his involvement in such shady activities since his college days. He was involved in extorting money for college admissions in Bhopal. Further investigations revealed Mishras association with Dr Sharad Patel, a key figure in the UP police constable paper leaking racket, who collaborated with Ravi Atri of Gautam Buddha Nagar. With Atris assistance, Mishra conducted coaching sessions where leaked exam papers were distributed among candidates. Moreover, Mishra also named Monu Gurjar, Rajneesh Ranjan, Monu Pandit, Gaurav, and Pramod Pathak, as his associates involved in rigging competitive examinations for lure of lucre. Previously arrested in similar paper leaks According to Additional DG (Law and Order), Amitabh Yash, Rajeev was previously arrested in connection with the 2022 TET paper leak and the 2023 National Health Mission Contractual Staff Nurse recruitment exam paper leak. Further investigation revealed Mishras association with Dr Sharad Patel, a key figure in the UP police constable paper leaking racket, who collaborated with Ravi Atri of Gautam Buddha Nagar. Mishra conducted coaching sessions where leaked exam papers were given to candidates.

The New Indian Express 4 Apr 2024 7:42 am

Ropeway and Digital Kumbh Museum to get ready for Maha Kumbh

LUCKNOW, April 3 : With an aim to make Maha Kumbh, to be organised in Prayagraj next year an unforgettable experience for the devotees and tourists, the Uttar Pradesh government was giving a formal shape to several development projects. Official sources said that while the renovation of the Hanuman temple premises is underway, the ropeway project is set to start soon and construction of Digital Kumbh Museum is proposed. Several major works are proposed at the Sangam site to enhance [] The post Ropeway and Digital Kumbh Museum to get ready for Maha Kumbh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 4 Apr 2024 5:30 am

RSS promotes concept of family time to strengthen ties

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:21 am

Fire breaks out at 2 places in city

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:21 am

Criminal injured in police encounter

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:20 am

83% voter turnout in HCBA poll

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:20 am

BJP workers connect with PM through NaMo app

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:19 am

5 temples to get facade lights

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:19 am

2 held with illegal ganja worth 10L

The Times of India 4 Apr 2024 5:19 am

UP police exam paper leak: Main accused held in Noida

LUCKNOW: Around one and a half month after the paper leak scam of Police Constable recruitment examination, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) apprehended the main accused Rajeev Nayan Mishra (32), who hails from Prayagraj and based in Bhopal, from Noida on Wednesday. The UP STF, probing the paper leak scam of the one of the biggest recruitment drives carried out by any state government, traced Mishra following the investigations revealing his involvement in unlocking the box containing question papers at a warehouse in Ahmedabad. He had sought assistance from Bihar-based doctor Shubham Mandal to accomplish the task. Moreover, Mishra allegedly also bribed the transport company staff to facilitate the theft of the question papers, said the UP STF sources. Accompanied by his associates, Mishra, the kingpin of the racket involved in paper leaks, distributed the question papers to approximately 300 candidates gathered at Shiv Mahashakti Resort in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, two days before the exam on February 15. These candidates, predominantly from Bihar, UP, and MP, each paid Rs 4 lakh to Mishra for early access to the exam papers, STF officials disclosed. Rajeev Mishra, who holds a BTech in civil engineering from a private college in Bhopal, met Ravi Atri, another mastermind of the racket, four years ago. However, key figures like Ravi Atri, Goldy, Vikram Pahal, and their associates remain elusive, stated the STF. So far, the UP STF have arrested 399 individuals in connection with the UP police constable examination paper leak. The state government cancelled the examination held offline in four sessions on February 17-18, following which the STF was tasked with investigating the matter. It was a recruitment drive held by UP Police Recruitment Board to fill over 60,000 posts of constables in UP police and over 48 lakh aspirants had appeared in the examination. UP Police exam paper leak: Gurugram resort owner held over nexus with racket According to Additional DG, Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, Mishra was previously arrested in connection with the 2022 TET paper leak and the 2023 National Health Mission Contractual Staff Nurse recruitment exam paper leak. During interrogation, Mishra disclosed his involvement in such shady activities since his college days. He recounted collaborating with Subhash Prakash and Atul Vats, fellow students from Madhubani, Bihar, in extorting money for college admissions in Bhopal. Their fraudulent practices later extended to recruitment scams. Further investigations revealed Mishra's association with Dr Sharad Patel, a key figure in the UP police constable paper leaking racket, who collaborated with Ravi Atri of Gautam Buddha Nagar. With Atri's assistance, Mishra conducted coaching sessions where leaked exam papers were tutored to candidates. Moreover, Mishra also named Monu Gurjar, Rajneesh Ranjan, Monu Pandit, Gaurav, and Pramod Pathak, as his associates involved in rigging competitive examinations for lure of lucre. Paper leak case: UP govt removes state police recruitment board chairperson

The New Indian Express 3 Apr 2024 9:12 pm

Man linked to MP's NHM scam arrested for UP police recruitment paper leak: STF

Man linked to MP's NHM scam arrested for UP police recruitment paper leak: STF A man accused in the National Health Mission (NHM) staff recruitment exam scam in Madhya Pradesh has been arrested from Greater Noida for alleged involvement in the Uttar Pradesh police constable recruitment exam paper leak, police said on Wednesday. Rajiv Nayan Mishra was held by the Noida unit of the Special Task Force (STF) of UP police, they said. ''On the basis of an informer's tip-off, the main accused who leaked the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam paper, was arrested from Pari Chowk on Tuesday evening,'' a senior officer of the UP STF said. ''Mishra, who hails from Prayagraj but is currently settled in Bhopal, was wanted for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy in connection with a paper leak FIR lodged at Kankarkheda police station in Meerut district of UP,'' the officer said. During investigation it came to light that apart from Gurguram, Mishra had also got the paper read with his gang at a resort in Rewa district of MP, the premier probe agency said. In the past, he has been jailed in Gwalior in the NHM (National Health Mission) scam and in Kaushambi in the UP TET paper leak case, the STF added. The state government had on December 23 last year notified the recruitment of 60,244 police constables. The exam was held in February 2024, but after reports of widespread frauds in the UP Police constable recruitment examination, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced its cancellation and ordered a retest within six months.

devdiscourse 3 Apr 2024 11:48 am

Seven killed as auto collides with dumper in Chitrakoot

Seven passengers died in an auto-rickshaw collision with a dumper, leading to one critically injured. The incident at Kotwali Karvi police station caused casualties, with fatalities while en route to Prayagraj for treatment.

The Times of India 3 Apr 2024 10:28 am

MNNIT to restart admission in MSW from new session

The Times of India 3 Apr 2024 5:10 am

Unaided schools will not be made UPPSC exam centres

The Times of India 3 Apr 2024 5:10 am

Cops unearth illegal arms unit in Pgarh, one arrested

The Times of India 3 Apr 2024 5:09 am

Road crash leaves seven dead in UP

Road crash leaves seven dead in UP Seven people died and one was seriously injured when a speeding truck rammed into their autorickshaw here on Tuesday, police said. While five people died on the spot, two succumbed to their injuries during treatment in hospital, police said. Chakrapani Tripathi, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Chitrakoot, said the speeding truck hit the autorickshaw, which was going to Ramghat from Karvi railway station, near Kapsethi village on Amanpur road in the Karvi Kotwali area. The deceased were identified as Anirudh (30), Atar Singh (50) and Akhilesh Singh (22) of Kannauj district, Dharmendra Soni (30) and Nidhi Soni (19) of Hamirpur district, Nirbhay (20) of Chirakoot, and autorickshaw driver Suraj Balmiki (20), he said. The injured is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Prayagraj, he added. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident, leaving behind his vehicle. Efforts are being made to trace him, the SHO said.

devdiscourse 2 Apr 2024 11:14 pm

UP Police announce reward on Atiq Ahmeds sister & sister-in-law

Prayagraj: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday announced a reward on mafia don Atiq Ahmeds sister Ayesha Noori and Zainab Fatima, wife of his brother Ashraf. The Prayagraj Commissionerate Police placed the reward of Rs 25,000 each on both of them. Both of them are accused in the Umesh Pal murder case that took place 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 .

The Siasat Daily 2 Apr 2024 1:50 pm

Trader murder case: Assailant held in Pgarh

The Times of India 2 Apr 2024 5:14 am

BBOSE recognised as equivalent to UP Board exams

The Times of India 2 Apr 2024 5:13 am

Raju Pal murder: Absconding convict surrenders in court

The Times of India 2 Apr 2024 5:13 am

6 get life for murder of BSP MLA plotted by Atiq, brother

A Lucknow CBI court convicted seven individuals for the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in Prayagraj. Six convicts received life sentences and fines, while the seventh awaits sentencing. The murder, orchestrated by gangsters Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, stemmed from a political rivalry. Raju Pal's wife seeks harsher penalties.

The Times of India 30 Mar 2024 3:14 am

BSP MLA Raju Pal murder: Special CBI court sentences 6 to life imprisonment

BSP MLA Raju Pal murder: Special CBI court sentences 6 to life imprisonment A special CBI court in Lucknow on Friday convicted seven people in the killing of the then BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, a case in which murdered gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad was also an accused, and sentenced six of them to life imprisonment, officials said. The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime accused Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, and Gulful alias Rafiq were abated after their death, they said. Special CBI Judge Kavita Mishra held Ranjeet Pal, Abid, Farhan Ahmad, Israr Ahmad, Javed, Gulhasan, and Abdul Kavi guilty in the case for criminal conspiracy and murder among other serious charges. Barring Israr Ahmad who remained absent during the hearing, all were sentenced to life imprisonment along with a total fine of Rs 11.65 lakh. ''During the argument on quantum of punishment, accused Israr Ahmad remained absent, therefore, the Ld. Court issued NBW against him and quantum of sentence pertaining to him was deferred to the time of his presence before the court,'' the CBI spokesperson said here. Accused Farhan Ahmad was additionally held guilty under the Arms Act, he said. Raju Pal, the then MLA from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, and his two associates -- Devi Din Pal and Sandeep Yadav -- were gunned down on January 25, 2005 at 3 PM in Dhoomanganj area, as a result of political rivalry with Atiq Ahmad's brother Ashraf, whom he had defeated in the 2004 bypoll to the Prayagraj West seat. Pal's vehicle was stopped by seven to eight gang members led by Ashraf Ahmad near Amit Deep Maruti Agency where he was gunned down. The BSP leader had lost the election to the seat to Atiq Ahmad in 2002 but when the latter vacated it after being elected to the Lok Sabha, Pal defeated Ashraf in the bypoll. ''It was also alleged that the murder was committed at the behest of Atiq Ahmad, then Member of Lok Sabha. UP Police had filed a charge sheet in the case. Later on, the case was transferred to CB-CID, UP, which filed three supplementary charge sheets,'' the spokesperson said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case in 2016 on the orders of the Supreme Court and taken over probe of the FIR earlier registered at Dhoomanganj police station. ''The Apex Court also directed CBI to conduct a de novo investigation in the case and also directed that the trial court shall conclude trial expeditiously,'' the spokesperson said. The court had framed the charges on October 20, 2022 against nine accused, he said. Raju Pal's wife Pooja Pal welcomed the court's judgment but said they should have been sentenced to death. ''I am satisfied with the court's decision. But these accused should have been given the death sentence because an MLA was murdered in broad daylight,'' she told PTI over phone from Lucknow. She said along with her husband, two other people were murdered. ''This crime is so heinous that the culprits should have been given the death sentence,'' Pooja Pal said. On April 15 last year, Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in a sensational on-camera shooting when assailants opened fire on them near a medical college in Prayagraj while they were in police custody. The shooting was caught on camera as mediapersons were following the duo being escorted to the hospital by the police for a medical checkup. At least two people were seen firing from close range at Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf who fell to the ground, while police personnel overpowered the attackers.

devdiscourse 29 Mar 2024 10:30 pm

Oppn parties raise questions over Mukhtar Ansari's death, magisterial probe ordered

Oppn parties raise questions over Mukhtar Ansari's death, magisterial probe ordered A magisterial inquiry was ordered Friday as opposition parties raised questions over the death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, amid allegations by his family that he died due to slow poisoning in Banda jail. A panel of doctors conducted a post-mortem at Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda, amid a security alert across several districts in Uttar Pradesh. A long convoy of vehicles left the city in the evening with Ansaris body for his home district Ghazipur. It included 24 police vehicles, two others carrying family members and the ambulance with the body of the former legislator. Banda Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bhagwan Das Gupta ordered the statutory magisterial probe, appointing Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Garima Singh as the investigating officer. She has been asked to submit the probe report within a month. Opposition parties are, however, demanding a CBI probe, or an inquiry that involves the higher judiciary. The BJP slammed them saying they have the habit of emotionally exploiting every issue to spoil communal harmony. Ansari was brought to the Durgavati hospital from the district jail in ''an unconscious state'' at 8.25 pm on Thursday, and died there due to cardiac arrest, a medical bulletin had earlier said. A team of nine doctors attended on him. Soon after the death, prohibitory orders banning large gatherings were clamped across the state. The UP Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in strength in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts. Earlier, on Tuesday, Ansari was admitted at the same hospital when he complained of abdominal pains, and was sent back to the prison after 14 hours. His brother Afzal Ansari, who is also the Ghazipur MP, had made the poisoning charge then as well. The allegations has been denied by the authorities. In the evening, Ansaris body was headed for Mohammadabad Yusufpur township in Ghazipur district. Police were on alert in districts that fall on the 400-km Banda-Ghazipur route, which runs through Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj and Varanasi. The burial at the family cemetery, where a grave was dug during the day for Ansari, was expected to take place Friday night or Saturday morning depending on how late the body arrived. Shops in Mohammadabad remained closed during the day and many people gathered outside the Ansari family home. Gulab Ram, a former Ghazipur unit chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, told PTI Videos that ''people are heartbroken''. Ansaris son Umar Ansari had arrived at the Banda hospital past midnight Thursday. ''We got the news of his death only through the media. We will demand a high-level inquiry and do whatever we have to do through the court. We have full confidence in the court,'' he told reporters, levelling the poisoning charge again. He also wrote to the Banda district magistrate, alleging that his father was killed in a planned manner and demanding that the postmortem be performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi. ''We have no faith of getting justice from the administration and the doctors' team of Banda,'' his letter said. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded a probe under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said there should be an independent inquiry into the death. Mayawati, whose BSP fielded him in Lok Sabha polls twice, said on X, ''The persistent apprehension and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari's family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that true facts of his death are be revealed.'' Bhim Army founder Chandra Shekhar Aazad demanded a CBI investigation, saying Ansari has in the past expressed apprehension that he would be murdered. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such incidents. Ansari had over 60 criminal cases pending against him. In 2005, he and his family were accused of murdering BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai. Former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi targeted opposition parties parties over their remarks. Krishnanand Rai's wife Alka Rai described Ansaris death as ''divine justice''.

devdiscourse 29 Mar 2024 9:12 pm

Special CBI court convicts seven people in former BSP MLA Raju Pal's murder case

LUCKNOW: A special CBI court in Lucknow on Friday convicted seven people in the killing of former BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, a case in which murdered gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad was also an accused, officials said. The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime accused Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, and Gulbul alias Rafiq were abated after their death, they said. Raju Pal, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, was gunned down on January 25, 2005, as a result of political rivalry with Atiq Ahmad's brother Ashraf, whom he had defeated in the 2004 bypoll to the Prayagraj West seat. The BSP leader had lost the election to the seat to Atiq Ahmad in 2002 but when the latter vacated it after being elected to the Lok Sabha, Pal defeated Ashraf in the bypoll. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had taken over the probe into the case in 2016. The Special Judge CBI, Lucknow, held Ranjeet Pal, Abid, Farhan Ahmad, Israr Ahmad, Javed, Gulhasan, and Abdul Kavi guilty in the case for criminal conspiracy and murder among other serious charges. Accused Farhan Ahmad was additionally held guilty under the Indian Arms Act. Raju Pal's wife Pooja Pal welcomed the court's judgment but said they should have been sentenced to death. I am satisfied with the court's decision. But these accused should have been given death sentence because an MLA was murdered in broad daylight, she told PTI over phone from Lucknow. She said along with her husband, two other people were murdered. This crime is so heinous that the culprits should have been given the death sentence, Pooja Pal said. On April 15 last year, Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in a sensational on-camera shooting when assailants opened fire on them near a medical college in Prayagraj while in police custody. The shooting was caught on camera as mediapersons were following the duo being escorted to the hospital by the police for a medical checkup. At least two people were seen firing from close range at Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf who fell to the ground, while police personnel overpowered the attackers. 'How can someone just come and shoot? Someone is complicit', says SCon Atiq, his brother's killing

The New Indian Express 29 Mar 2024 3:18 pm

Shutters down in Mukhtar Ansari's native place Ghazipur; people wait for body to arrive

Shutters down in Mukhtar Ansari's native place Ghazipur; people wait for body to arrive Shops remained closed on Friday in Mohammadabad Yusufpur township in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, the native place of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari who died of a cardiac arrest a day before. Ansari's body will be brought to his native place for the last rites during the day. A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. People were seen waiting for the arrival of body of the five-time MLA, who was rushed to a hospital from the Banda jail on Thursday after his health condition deteriorated. Ansari died at the hospital during treatment. A grave has been dug at the Ansari family's burial ground in Kali Bagh for the last rites, Circle Officer (CO) Atar Singh and Pawan Kumar Upadhyaya, an inspector attached to the Mohammadabad police station, said. They said Ansari's family members have informed them that the last rites will be performed on Friday if the body reaches here by 10 pm. Otherwise, the last rites would be performed on Saturday morning. Ansari's post-mortem is being conducted in Banda, which is about 400 km from here. The convoy carrying his body would pass through Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj and Varanasi districts, before arriving in Ghazipur. Ansari's lawyer Naseem Haider said the body is likely to reach Ghazipur late at night. Ansari's son Umar wrote a letter to the Banda district magistrate, alleging that his father was killed in a planned manner and demanding that the post-mortem be performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. ''We have no faith of getting justice from the administration and doctors' team of Banda,'' Umar Ansari wrote in the letter. Ansari's political rivals have, however, reacted sharply to his death, saying ''as you sow, so shall you reap'' and that justice has been delivered. People started gathering at Ansari's residence in Mohammadabad Yusufpur since the morning. Gulab Ram, the former Ghazipur unit chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), told PTI Videos that ''people are heartbroken''. ''Shops are closed. He (Ansari) used to be with people in their happiness and sorrow,'' Ram said. The councillor of ward number 25, Lohatia Sanjeev Kumar Gihar, told reporters that ''the market is closed not because of anyone's advice but due to our sympathies with the Ansari family''. Anand Rai, the nephew of Mohammadabad's former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai, who was killed in 2005, told reporters that ''der hai andher nahin (this is god's justice)''. In 2005, Ansari and his family members were named as accused in the killing of Krishnanand Rai. Security personnel have been put on alert in Mau, an official said, adding that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in Mau, Ghazipur, Ballia and the surrounding areas. According to the news received from Bhadohi, security arrangements have been tightened along the national highway as Ansari's body will be taken through this route. Circle officer (CO), Traffic Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Pandey said the convoy carrying the body will pass through densely-populated areas along the highway and security personnel in large numbers have been deployed to prevent any kind of disturbance. The administration is in full alert in Ballia, the district adjacent to Ghazipur. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said all administrative officers have been instructed to remain alert. Additional Superintendent of Police Durga Prasad Tiwari said all police officers have been asked to take rounds of the area. Meanwhile in Badaun, Shivpal Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party's (SP) nominee from the Badaun seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, said the court should take cognisance of Ansari's death in ''suspicious'' circumstances. Yadav said he has good relations with Ansari's family. Ansari's family had fought for the country's freedom, the SP leader said, adding that the court should take suo-motu cognisance of his death.

devdiscourse 29 Mar 2024 2:49 pm

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Raju Pal, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, was gunned down on January 25, 2005, as a result of political rivalry with Atiq Ahmad's brother Ashraf, whom he had defeated in the 2004 bypoll to the Prayagraj West seat.

The Economic Times 29 Mar 2024 1:54 pm

End of an Era in Purvanchal as Bahubalis Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed Die Within A Year

For decades, under political patronage, Ahmed and Ansari ran their fiefdom in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, stretching from Ghazipur to Prayagraj, and were accused of high-profile killings

News18 29 Mar 2024 9:16 am

Congress okays list of 14 candidates

NEW DELHI : The Congress on Wednesday announced candidates for 14 Lok Sabha seats including four seats in Uttar Pradesh. The party has fielded Dolly Sharma from Ghaziabad and Shivam Valmiki from Bulandshahr. Nakul Dubey is partys nominee from Sitapur and Virendra Chaudhary will contest from Maharajganj. Chaudhary is MLA from Pharenda assembly segment under Maharajganj. Dubey, a lawyer by profession, was a minister in Mayawatis cabinet. Sharma unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election from the same seat. In Jharkhand, Kalcharan Munda is pitted against Union minister Arjun Munda in Khunti (reserved). Sukhdeo Bhagat and Jai Prakashbhai Patel are Congress candidates from Lohardaga (reserved) and Hazaribagh. The list released late evening also comprises names of candidates for three parliamentary seats in Madhya Pradesh Guna, Damoh and Vidisha. Rao Yadvendra Singh is fielded from Guna and Tarvar Singh Lodhi from Damoh. Pratap Bhanu Sharma has been nominated from Vidisha. In Telangana, Athram Suguna is Congress candidate from Adilabad (reserved). The candidatures for four seats in the state were announced including Tatiparthi Jeevan Reddy (Nizamabad), Neelam Madhu (Medak) and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy (Bhongir). It is learnt that the top leadership of the Congress had finalised candidature for 18 Lok Sabha seats on Wednesday, including six constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. The names were approved in the Central Election Committee meeting that was held in the partys headquarters to deliberate over candidates in Telangana, Goa, Jharkhand and UP. However, no discussion took place on two crucial seats Amethi and Raebareli. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary KC Venugopal and the members of its CEC including senior leaders Ambika Soni, Madhusudan Mistry, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Salman Khurshid, were present. The Congress has already announced candidates for nine seats in the state. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajai Rai said there was no discussion on Amethi and Raebareli. We had conveyed our views on these seats (Amethi and Rae Bareli) the last time. It is up to the leadership now to take a decision, he said. It is being speculated that besides Wayanad in Kerala, Rahul Gandhi may also contest from Amethi, a seat he represented earlier. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be fielded from Rae Bareli, a seat that was previously held by her mother and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Both the seats are considered strongholds of the Gandhi family and the local units of the Congress have demanded that the two scions of the family should contest. According to party insiders, names for Prayagraj and Mathura were also cleared. The Congress is in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh and is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The CEC first discussed candidatures for seats in Goa and thereafter Jharkhand and Telangana. And UP seats were taken up in the last. After the meeting, Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said that the Congress would contest on 14 seats in the state. The leadership will take a decision soon (on candidates list) and you will be informed about it. We have fixed the number that we will fight on 14 seats. The INDIA bloc will fight on 14 seats and will fight with full force. Congress in-charge for Jharkhand, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, added, We had detailed discussions on many seats of Jharkhand... Our appeal to our workers, leaders and the people who support us is that if you also want to overthrow this government then come, support, and vote for us. The CEC panel will meet again on March 31.

The New Indian Express 28 Mar 2024 8:21 am

Congress releases eight list of 14 candidates, fields Rao Yadvendra Singh against Scindia

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday announced candidatures for 14 Lok Sabha seats, including four constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. The party has fielded Dolly Sharma from Ghaziabad and Shivam Valmiki from Bulandshahr. Nakul Dubey is the party's nominee from Sitapur, and Virendra Chaudhary will contest from Maharajganj. Chaudhary is an MLA from the Pharenda assembly segment under Maharajganj. Dubey, a lawyer by profession, was a minister in Mayawatis cabinet. Sharma unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election from the same seat. In Jharkhand, Kalcharan Munda has been pitted against union minister Arjun Munda in Khunti (reserved). Sukhdeo Bhagat and Jai Prakashbhai Patel are Congress candidates from Lohardaga (reserved) and Hazaribagh. @kharge ' ' , 2024 pic.twitter.com/gaX0tHHxUO Congress (@INCIndia) March 27, 2024 The list released late evening also comprises names of candidates for three parliamentary constituencies in Madhya PradeshGuna, Damoh, and Vidisha. Rao Yadvendra Singh is from Guna, and Tarvar Singh Lodhi has been given a ticket from Damoh. Pratap Bhanu Sharma has been nominated from Vidisha. In Telangana, Athram Suguna is the Congress candidate from Adilabad (reserved). The candidatures for four seats in the state were announced, including Tatiparthi Jeevan Reddy (Nizamabad), Neelam Madhu (Medak), and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy (Bhongir). It is learned that the top leadership of the Congress finalized the candidature for 18 Lok Sabha seats on Wednesday, including six constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. The names were approved in the Central Election Committee meeting held at the partys headquarters to deliberate over candidates in Telangana, Goa, Jharkhand, and UP. However, no discussion took place on two crucial seatsAmethi and Raebareli. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary KC Venugopal, and the members of its CEC, including senior leaders Ambika Soni, Madhusudan Mistry, Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Salman Khurshid, were present at the meeting. Congress announces first list of 34 candidates for Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls The Congress has already announced candidates for nine seats in the state. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajai Rai said there was no discussion on Amethi and Raebareli. We had conveyed our views on these seats (Amethi and Rae Bareli) the last time. It is up to the leadership now to take a decision, he said. It is being speculated that besides Wayanad in Kerala, Rahul Gandhi may also contest from Amethi, a seat he represented earlier. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be fielded from Rae Bareli, a seat that was previously held by her mother and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Both seats are considered strongholds of the Gandhi family, and the local units of the Congress have demanded that the two scions of the family should contest. According to party insiders, names for Prayagraj and Mathura were also cleared. The Congress is in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh and is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The CEC first discussed candidatures for seats in Goa and thereafter Jharkhand and Telangana. And UP seats were taken up last. After the meeting, Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur said that the Congress would contest on 14 seats in the state. The leadership will take a decision soon (on the candidates' list), and you will be informed about it. We have fixed the number of seats we will contest, which is 14. The INDIA bloc will fight on 14 seats and will fight with full force. Congress in-charge for Jharkhand, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, added, We had detailed discussions on many seats of Jharkhand... Our appeal to our workers, leaders, and the people who support us is that if you also want to overthrow this government, then come, support, and vote for us. There was a buzz in the party corridor that it might announce the names for four seats in Jharkhand, including Ranchi, Lohardaga, Khunti, and Hazaribagh, after the CEC meeting. The panel will meet again on March 31st. AICC General Secretary (Org.) Shri @kcvenugopalmp addressed a preparatory meeting of Delhi and Haryana leaders for the 'Maha Rally,' scheduled on 31st March 2024 at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi. In a united voice, we challenge the freezing of INC's bank accounts, as well as the pic.twitter.com/crLANVz7aH Congress (@INCIndia) March 27, 2024 Earlier in the day, Venugopal addressed a preparatory meeting of Delhi and Haryana leaders for the grand rally being organized to protest against the arrest of chief ministers of Delhi and Jharkhand, Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, by the Enforcement Directorate and the freezing of the partys bank accounts. The rally is scheduled for March 31st at Ramlila Maidan. The meeting was attended by the general Secretaries Incharge of Haryana and Delhi, Deepak Babaria, and the leadership of both states.

The New Indian Express 27 Mar 2024 11:47 pm

Flower power at this exhibition in Prayagraj

A three-day fruit, vegetable and flower exhibition was organised at the Chandrashekhar Azad National Park in Prayagraj, recently.

The Times of India 27 Mar 2024 2:26 pm

4 detained over fire at Umesh Pals house in UPs Prayagraj

Prayagraj: Police on Tuesday detained four people including a neighbour of slain advocate Umesh Pal over a complaint of fire at the rear portion of Pals house here, officials said on Tuesday. The complaint was lodged by Pals nephew Rohit Pal who said that a fire has erupted on a garbage dump in the rear 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 .

The Siasat Daily 26 Mar 2024 11:56 pm

4 detained over fire at Umesh Pal's house in UP's Prayagraj

Prayagraj, Mar 26 (PTI) Police on Tuesday detained four people including a neighbour of slain advocate Umesh Pal over a complaint of fire at the rear portion of Pal's house here, officials said on Tuesday. The complaint was lodged by Pal's nephew Rohit Pal who said that a fire has erupted on a garbage dump in the rear portion of their house located in Dhoomanganj police station area. In a video statement, DCP Deepak Bhuker said, Today, Rohit Pal, the nephew of Umesh Pal, said that a fire has erupted in the rear portion of their house where some animals were kept. Acting on this, a team from Dhoomanganj police station reached the spot. Primary investigation suggested that someone had thrown an inflammable material on a garbage dump in the rear portion of the house, the DCP said. As Rohit Pal suspected the hands of his neighbour Sanjay Patel in the act, Patel and three other persons have been detained, Bhuker said. However, he said that there was no incident of any bomb being hurled, as reported in a section of the media. Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case, was shot dead at his residence here on February 24, 2023. PTI NAV KVK KVK Disclaimer: This article is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Deccan Chronicle team

Deccan Chronicle 26 Mar 2024 11:46 pm

Holi Specials: Indian Railways Unveils Festive Train Schedule

In preparation for the busy Holi festival on March 25, Indian Railways hasrolled out around 540 special train services to accommodate the surge in passengers. These additional trains will link major cities like Mumbai, Patna, Gaya, Katra, Varanasi, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Pune, and Ambala. Notably, there will be more departures from New Delhi to meet the increased demand. The Ministry of Railways has outlined that these extra trains will cover important national routes such as Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur-Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati-Ranchi, New Delhi-Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jaipur-Bandra Terminus, Pune-Danapur, Durg-Patna, and Barauni-Surat. This year, compared to last year, there will be 219 additional services to ensure passengers can travel conveniently. Railway officials have also mentioned the deployment of extra security units to manage crowds effectively. Special Trains Schedule for Holi 2024 Here's a rundown of some special trains announced for Holi 2024: New Delhi - Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Express (04033) running on March 22nd and 29th. Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan - New Delhi Express (04034) operating on March 23rd and 30th. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - New Delhi Reserved Express (04075) available on March 24th and 31st. New Delhi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Reserved Express (04076) running on March 25th and April 1st. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Varanasi (01654) operating on March 24th and 31st. Varanasi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (01653) available on March 26th and April 2nd. Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan - Subedarganj Special (04141) running on March 25th and April 1st. Subedarganj - Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Special (04142) operating on March 26th and April 2nd. Amritsar - Gorakhpur Express (05005) available on March 20th and 27th. Gorakhpur - Amritsar Express (05006) running on March 21st and 28th. Amritsar - Chhapra Express (05049) operating on March 22nd and 29th. Chhapra - Amritsar Express (05050) available on March 23rd and 30th. Additional Trains for Holi 2024 In addition to the listed trains, extra services include: Weekly specials from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Mumbai to various destinations. Weekly superfast specials from Pune to multiple destinations. Special services from New Delhi to Udhampur and Varanasi. Special services for Vaishno Devi pilgrims from New Delhi. Trains from Delhi to Varanasi operational three days a week. A weekly special train from Katra to Varanasi. A special train from Howrah to Banaras on March 23rd. Booking and Safety Measures for Holi 2024 Passengers can book tickets from reservation counters at railway stations or through the official IRCTC website to obtain e-tickets from home. To ensure traveler safety, additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been stationed at key stations. Officers are also on standby at significant stations to ensure smooth train operations. Regular announcements regarding train arrivals, departures, and platform numbers will be made to assist passengers effectively. Lunar Eclipse and HOLI 2024: A Unique Celestial Coincidence

News Track 25 Mar 2024 11:10 am

UP: Temples of Prayagraj celebrate Phoolwali Holi on Narasimha Jayanti

The News Mill

The News Mill 24 Mar 2024 4:27 pm

Navy's Chief Visits Eastern Naval Command, What's on Agenda?

Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, along with Kala Hari Kumar, President of the Naval Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), undertook a significant three-day journey to the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam from March 21 to March 23, as per the Ministry of Defence. During the visit, Admiral R. Hari Kumar engaged in various activities within the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam. These activities included observing naval operations at sea during the Chief of Naval Staff's Day at Sea. He interacted with officers and sailors aboard ships and aircraft of the Eastern Naval Command, as stated in a Ministry of Defence release. Moreover, as part of his farewell visit, Admiral R. Hari Kumar had candid discussions with naval officers and sailors of the ENC at the Samudrika Auditorium. This unique event, Connect with CNS, aimed to understand challenges and issues at the grassroots level. Prior to that, he also interacted with Defence Civilian personnel at the Meghadri Auditorium in Naval Dockyard. As part of the visit, Admiral R. Hari Kumar inaugurated the 'Veeram' accommodation block, which can house 492 Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel at Naushakti Nagar, Visakhapatnam, on March 21, 2024. Admiral R. Hari Kumar also awarded on-the-spot unit citations to INS Sumitra for its successful conduct of anti-piracy operations in the Central Arabian Sea. The ship apprehended 11 Somali pirates and rescued 17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani nationals from hijacked fishing vessels Iman and Al Naeemi. The operations were swiftly carried out using the ship's integral firepower, an indigenous ALH helicopter, and the Indian Navy's special operations team. During the visit, Admiral R. Hari Kumar presided over the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NGIF/INBA and the Navy Foundation. These meetings facilitated fruitful discussions and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the welfare and motivation of naval personnel. As the President of the Navy Foundation, the CNS also chaired the 31st AGM and GCM for Navy Foundation at Visakhapatnam on March 21. The event was coordinated by Naval Headquarters/ DESA. Officers from NHQ, HQENC, and PCDA attended and interacted with veterans. PCDA (P) Prayagraj addressed concerns regarding e-PPOs and SPARSH. The pension advisory desk provided consultation and support to all personnel. During the event, the Chief of the Naval Staff reassured attendees that all concerns of the veterans' community would be addressed promptly. In addition to Admiral R. Hari Kumar's visit, an event called Samanvay, a formal discussion between office-bearers/ representatives of Navy Foundation (NF) Chapters and Veteran Sailors Forum (VSF) Charters, was held on March 22, 2024, at the Swarnajyoti Conference Hall in Visakhapatnam under the Chairmanship of CPS. India to Prosecute 35 Somali Pirates Captured on Hijacked Ship Ministry of Defence Commences Upgrade of 25 Dornier Aircraft with HAL Contract Worth Rs 2,890 Crore Indian Navy Saves Crew of Bangladesh Cargo Ship Hijacked Near Somalia

News Track 23 Mar 2024 1:10 pm