Forged letter in councillors name found at Aadhaar Centre in Bhayli
Mines department team attacked near Godhra during illegal sand mining probe
Police probing video of aid from Tandalja to Palestine
Baroda kids to represent India at World Mind Sports Championship
VMC engineer booked for demanding Rs 1.5L bribe
Gujarats son-in-law awarded Shaurya Chakra
Eight bootleggers booked under GJCTOC in Vadodara
Congress alleges scam in NREGA in Panchmahal too
Milking it dry: Amul tastes success in making bioethanol from whey
Amul has successfully trialed bioethanol production from cheese whey, a byproduct of cheese and paneer manufacturing. This breakthrough allows the dairy giant to convert waste into fuel. With promising results from the trial, Amul plans to invest Rs 70 crore in a bioethanol plant with a 50,000-liter daily capacity, creating a new revenue stream for its farmers.
Rooted in purpose: Engineer walks away from job, joins IFoS
VMC begins preparations for PMs roadshow
2 officials pulled up for irregularities in Panchmahal
Congress alleges larger scam in NREGA, Nal Se Jal schemes
Principal found not guilty of rape-murder
SPUs startup council relaunches IPR course
Accident averted as Gujarat Mail damages track change point near Vadodara - Hindustan Times
Accident averted as Gujarat Mail damages track change point near Vadodara Hindustan Times
Barodian turns personal struggle into social mission
Gotri garba market faces civic action over land encroachment
MSU revises temporary faculty salaries by Rs 1,500, sparks discontent
Khabad says Congress targeting him over NREGA scam
Indias first bullet train corridor hits 300 km viaduct milestone
MNREGA scam: Ministers son remanded in police custody for four days
Cybercriminal breaks into jailed bootleggers house to open bank accounts
Villagers complaint gave whiff of scam in Oct last year
Nigerian cyberfraud kingpin arrested for duping businessman of Rs 1.25cr
AHMEDABAD : In a significant development in the Dahod MGNREGA scam investigation, police have arrested Kiran Khabad, the younger son of Gujarat Panchayat Raj Minister Bachu Khabad, further tightening the net around the influential Khabad family. This early morning arrest took place just hours after his elder brother, Balwant Khabad, was taken into custody on Saturday, signalling an intensifying crackdown. Kiran was apprehended on the Vadodara-Halol highway and swiftly brought to the police station. Speaking to the media, Dahod DySP Jagdish Bhandari stated firmly, Seven people have been arrested so far in connection with the MGNREGA scam. Some are in judicial custody, others on remand. Today, five more were arrested during a statewide operation. He added, Among those arrested are Kiran Khabad, proprietor of the agency; APO Dilip Chauhan; former TDO R.K. Rathwa; and Parth Bariya, also linked to the agency. Bhavesh Rathod has also been detained. The investigation is intensifying. The massive Rs 71 crore MGNREGA scam has rocked Gujarats rural development machinery. With the arrest of Kiran Khabad son of the State Panchayat and Agriculture Minister the case has reached a new level. Kiran had been absconding, even as his elder brother Balwant Khabad, also a son of the minister, was arrested earlier on 17 May, directly linking both siblings to the high-profile fraud. Rs 71 crore MGNREGA scam uncovered in Gujarat; ministers son arrested, another absconding The scam, centred in Gujarats Dahod district, revealed deep-rooted corruption in the Dhanpur and Devgadh Baria talukas. Between 2021 and 2025, villages such as Kuva, Redhana, and Simamoi were falsely listed as sites of completed public works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), while on the ground, little to no work had been done only forged reports and diverted payments. As investigators delved deeper, they uncovered a sophisticated racket involving 35 material suppliers 28 from Devgadh Baria and seven from Dhanpur, who allegedly submitted fake claims in collusion with local officials. This nexus created a phantom infrastructure network, where roads, bunds, and other development projects existed solely on paper. At the heart of the scandal was the systematic siphoning of funds meant for tribal employment, laundered through fabricated certificates and forged invoices. Authorities soon traced the money trail to firms linked to Minister Bachu Khabads sons Raj Construction and Raj Traders operated by Balwant and Kiran Khabad, both of whom had earlier sought anticipatory bail as the case closed in on them. The fraud came to light after B.M. Patel, Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), flagged glaring discrepancies in project execution. A subsequent audit exposed missing records, fictitious worksites, and rampant document forgery. Senior bureaucrats are alleged to have turned a blind eye, allowing the scheme to proliferate across multiple layers of governance. In response, the District Development Officer (DDO) halted all MGNREGA-related payments. Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted as the scale of the fraud widened. So far, fake bills amounting to Rs 60.90 crore in Devgadh Baria and Rs 10.10 crore in Dhanpur have been identified part of a larger Rs 160-crore scam still under investigation, with more talukas now coming under scrutiny.
PM Modi To Inaugurate 5 Redeveloped Railway Stations In Vadodara On May 22
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate five newly redeveloped railway stations under the Western Railways Vadodara division on May 22.
PM to inaugurate 5 railway stations of Vadodara railway division
BPL set to ignite city with thrilling T20 action from June 15
Behind the glitz: The hidden burden of baraat light carriers
Man arrested for operating fake bank accounts used in cyber frauds
Baroda chapter of ICMAI gets its first chairwoman
Guj panchayat ministers son held in 71cr NREGA scam
Crores down the drain as new social housing schemes crumble across cities
MSU declares all its final year UG results within 30 days
Benches, seats reserved for soldiers at stations
Sonography machine sealed in Petlad for alleged fetal sex determination
Ragpickers play silent yet vital role in Vishwamitri rejuvenation project
Man arrested for house break-in, cyberfraud
Canadian scholars study rare manuscripts at MSU Oriental Institute
Registrar orders probe into milk co-ops payments to dead people
Another fake birth certificate detected at VMCs Aadhaar centre
Vadodara women smash health woes with badminton
Chhota Udepur girl who was mistakenly failed passes with first class
Transwoman files second FIR against ex-partner, cites abuse
Uncle arrested for raping five-year-old girl
Dead people being paid for milk in Vadodara cooperative scam?
AHMEDABAD: A 35-year-old disabled man was thrown off a moving train near Jamnagar after confronting two intruders who has unlawfully entered a coach reserved for disabled passengers. The victim, identified as Hitesh Mistry of Vadodara, was returning home from Porbandar on Tuesday night, accompanied by a disabled friend with the Saurashtra Express. According to Jamnagar railway police, the altercation unfolded between Porbandar and Jamnagar when the duo, identified as Haji Ayyub Kachhiya and Saddam Kasam, entered the specially designated coach. When Mistry objected to their presence, a heated argument broke out. The confrontation quickly escalated as the accused reportedly assaulted Mistry and, moments later, pushed him off the moving train before it reached Hapa station. As the violence erupted, Mistry's friend, also a disabled passenger, got down at Jamnagar station to seek help. However, unable to find a police official before the train resumed its journey, he was forced to re-board another compartment. Upon reaching Hapa, he rushed back to the special coach only to find Mistry and the two men missing. Alarmed, he alerted railway police at Hapa and filed a formal complaint. A few hours later, on Wednesday morning, Mistrys body was found under the Gulabnagar railway over-bridge near Jamnagar city. While the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, authorities acted swiftly. By Thursday, police had arrested Haji Ayyub Kachhiya. Inspector Bharti Vegda confirmed the sequence of events and described the assault as brutal. A case was registered at Jamnagar Railway Police Station yesterday. As per the complaint, a disabled person was travelling on the Saurashtra Express when, between Porbandar and Jamnagar, two men entered the special coach, said investigating officer Bharti Vegda. When Mistry objected, they got into a quarrel with him, assaulted him, and pushed him off the moving train, which led to his death. She said, One of the accused, Haji Ayyub Kachhiya, was arrested immediately at Hapa station, while the second accused, Saddam Kasam, initially fled but was caught within a few hours of the case being registered. Both are currently in police custody and further investigation is underway, she added. The incident has sparked outrage, raising urgent concerns over the safety of disabled passengers on long-distance trains.
FAMILY BONDING MORE PRECIOUS THAN MONEY
Dahod police quizzing master counterfeiter
Jewel thief arrested by crime branch
Man held for false claims of Pakistani funding against businessman
MSU professor to go to Japan as research fellow
Rainwater harvesting project begins at MSU
Patels killing was plotted a month ago: Police
Panic attacks surge amid India-Pakistan tensions
VMC demolition teams raze illegal constructions across city
CBSE results: Girls shine with nine in citys Top 10
Mining department clerk caught accepting bribe of Rs 2L
Ahmedabad Diary | BJP MP criticises party district leadership
Fresh unrest gripped BJP in Gujarats Bharuch after Member of Parliament P Mansukh Vasava slammed the party over the appointment of Jhagdiya and Valia taluka office-bearers. Taking to social media, Vasava accused the leadership of favouring Congress defectors while ignoring loyal workers and social equations, stoking anger among cadres. District BJP chief Prakash Modi admitted that the party MPs and MLAs failed to come together, exposing widening internal cracks. MLA brings humour to serious meeting Vadodaras Manjalpur MLA Yogesh Patel recently convened a meeting with ward councillors and office-bearers to review grant-funded developmental works. The meeting focused on expediting pending BJP projects and finalising new proposals. As councillors detailed grant allocations, Patel quipped, If you are writing details of my account, submit yours too, sparking laughter across the room. Patels banter underlined a strategic urgency beneath the humour. 14 booked for posts hurting Armys morale As part of its crackdown against anti-national elements in the state during Operation Sindoor, the Gujarat Police booked 14 people for posting negative, demoralizing content on social media. Acting on instructions from MoS for Home Harsh Sanghvi and state police chief Vikas Sahay, the Intelligence ranch and Social Media Monitoring Unit identified posts spreading false information, rumours, and jeopardising army morale. Cases were registered immediately. Dilip Singh Kshatriya Our correspondent in Gujarat dilipsingh@newindianexpress.com
Four more arrested for provocative social media messages
66-year-old recovers after complex double bypass surgery
Missing mans body found, friend held
Bootleggers held under GujCTOC sent to police custody for 7 days
VMC discusses Mandvi restoration with heritage experts
In Space-Starved Cities Of Gujarat, Urban Cricket Is Finding New Life Through Compact Venues That Bring Together Colleagues, Friends And Families After Sunset. Innovative Entrepreneurs Have Been Fuelling The Trend By Transforming Vacant Plots Into Inclusive Box Cricket Arenas For Community Building And Recreation
Mobile workstation to put end to street cobblers misery
Toy trains driver not at fault in Sayajibaug accident: Police
Missing mans car found in Mahi river, blood traces raise suspicions
India-Pak border tensions cast shadow over Amarnath Yatra; bookings dip sharply
Brave 300 rebuilt Bhuj runway in just 72 hours in 1971
4-year-old killed in toy train accident at Kamatibaug
Col Sofiya Qureshi left PhD, teaching to join Army
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a Vadodara native, who quit her PhD and teaching career to join the Indian Army, featured prominently in the briefing about Operation Sindoor, a military strike against terror targets in Pakistan and PoK. Her family in Vadodara expressed immense pride in her achievements, highlighting her dedication to the nation. Her father, Tajuddin Qureshi, emphasized their family's commitment to patriotism and their Indian identity.
Col Sofiya Qureshis leadership during Indias Operation Sindoor has drawn admiration across the countrybut for her family in Vadodara, it's a deeply personal moment of pride. Her journey from academia to the Army reflects a legacy of patriotism rooted in generations. As she stood beside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during the national briefing, her family beamed with emotion.
Gujarats pride, nations hero: Vadodaras Sophia Qureshi becomes face of Operation Sindoor
AHMEDABAD: Early this morning (7 May 2025), the Indian Air Force struck nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor , killing several militants. The Indian Army confirmed the operation's success in a press conference, where two women officers, including Gujarats own Colonel Sophia Qureshi, briefed the media. Colonel Qureshi, who hails from Vadodara, has emerged as a source of pride for her home state, with her former department at M.S. Universitys Science Faculty celebrating the moment by distributing sweets. Born in Vadodara, Colonel Sophia Qureshi is making waves as a distinguished officer in the Indian Army. A graduate of the University of Baroda, she completed her B.Sc. (19921995) and M.Sc. in Biochemistry (19951997) from the M.S. Science Faculty. To honour her achievements, faculty members recently celebrated by sharing sweets. Her family also held a press conference, recounting her journey marked by dedication and sacrifice. My grandfather served in the Indian Army, my father served in the Army, and Sophia continued that legacy, said her brother, Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi. She studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya, completed her graduation and PhD coursework at MS University in Vadodara, and even worked as an assistant lecturer, he added. Qureshi further revealed, My other sister, Saina Qureshi, was also passionate about joining the Army but couldnt qualify due to her low weight. Reflecting on a turning point in Sophias life, he said, While pursuing her PhD, Sophia saw the Indian Armys Short Service Commission advertisement offering temporary commissions to women. Despite having just a year left to complete her PhD, she chose to leave it behind and join the Army to serve the nation. He added that the family's dedication to the forces continues: My daughter is also preparing to join the Army. Sophias father, Tajuddin Qureshi, expressed deep pride in his daughters achievements. We are proud Indians first, before being Hindus or Muslims, he said. My daughter always dreamed of serving the nation, and today, it feels like she has fulfilled that dream. Currently serving as a Colonel, Qureshi commands the team India sent for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission and has been selected as one of its key trainers. Her peacekeeping journey began in 2006 with the United Nations Congo Peace Mission, and over the last six years, she has played a pivotal role in Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs). According to reports, Qureshi, who is married to a Major in the Mechanised Infantry, has a son. Although she had enrolled for a PhD before joining the Army, her service has since become her true calling. Reports say Colonel Sophia Qureshi made history by leading a 40-member Indian Army contingent at 'Force 18', a joint military exercise involving 18 nations in Pune. She also stood out as the only woman military officer representing India at the multinational event.
Gujarat: 14 Killed In Rain-Related Incidents; IMD Forecasts Thunderstorms For Next Few Days
As many as 168 out of 253 talukas in the state received unseasonal rains in the last 24 hours, with Kheda, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Vadodara districts getting 25 to 40 mm rains.
VMC Apprentice Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has released an official notification for the recruitment of Apprentice posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official VMC website. The last date to submit the application form is 20-05-2025.
14 killed in Gujarat as thunderstorms batter state
At least 14 people have died in rain-related incidents as thunderstorms, strong winds and dust storms battered several parts of Gujarat, India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds of up to 50-60 kmph across the state for the next few days. Strong winds uprooted trees, hoardings, and pillars, and parts of houses collapsed in several districts, leaving many injured. The deaths were reported in Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Dahod, Aravalli and Vadodara districts of Gujarat on Monday and Sunday. The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall in isolated parts of Banaskantha, Kutch, Sabarkantha, Aravalli and Anand districts in the next three days.
1,283 kg beef seized on Vadodara-bound train; FIR against two over banned meat transport
Gujarat police seized 1,283 kg of beef from the Golden Temple Express at Vadodara station, en route from Amritsar to Mumbai. The illegal meat was discovered in the parcel van, leading to an FIR against the sender, Vijay Singh, and receiver, Jafar Shabir. Authorities are investigating the case under animal cruelty laws following forensic confirmation.
1,283 Kg of Beef Seized from Train in Vadodara, Two Booked
Meat parcels sent from Amritsar confirmed as beef by forensic lab; hunt on for accused
Vadodara tragedy haunts Gujarat CMs event as mourning mothers thrown out for demanding answers
AHMEDABAD: At a grand ceremony in Gujarats Vadodaras Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hall, where new development projects worth Rs 1,156 crore were launched, a dramatic protest erupted, drawing statewide attention. As Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and top officials presided over the event, two grieving mothers, who lost their children in the Harni boat tragedy, stood up mid-program to demand justice. In a shocking turn of events, police officers forcibly removed the two mothers from the venue in an apparent attempt to silence their protest. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel dismissed their appeal, accusing them of acting with a pre-planned agenda. The event saw the presence of the Chief Minister, MLAs, the Municipal Commissioner, the Collector, senior office-bearers, and a large gathering of party workers. Taking the stage, Chief Minister Patel praised the momentum of progress under the Modi government, declaring, Development has gained unprecedented speed in Vadodara. The poor have been given houses. However, the program took a dramatic turn when two women dressed in saffron sarees, Sarla Shinde and Sandhya Nizama, rose from the packed audience and interrupted Patels speech. No development has happened here! the women shouted. The houses built are lying vacant for 10 years. We have not been allotted homes, and we have not even received justice yet! they protested, drawing immediate attention and momentarily halting the proceedings. As tensions flared during the event, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attempted to defuse the situation, urging, Please meet me peacefully after the program. However, Sandhya Nizama shot back, First give me my explanation, sir! The exchange grew sharper as the Chief Minister responded, You have come with a special agenda. Undeterred, Sarla Shinde countered, No one is even allowing us to meet you, sir. Trying to regain control of the situation, Patel insisted, Please sit down now. But Sarla pressed further, saying, We have been trying for one and a half years to meet you, sir! The Chief Minister, visibly irked, reiterated, I will meet you. Come together. You have come with a special agenda. I will arrange for a meeting today. Despite the assurance, both women continued to protest, insisting, No one is letting us meet. As the back-and-forth escalated, security personnel forcibly intervened, making the two women sit down and restoring order to the event. After the heated exchange, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel resumed his address, presenting the government's achievements to the crowd for barely three minutes. As soon as his speech ended, Sarla Shinde and Sandhya Nizama stood up again, reigniting tensions inside the hall. Nearby police officers, including female personnel, quickly moved in, ordering the women to remain silent. Moments later, both Sarla and Sandhya were forcibly escorted out of the venue, bringing the disruption to an abrupt close. According to sources, the Chief Minister met the protesting women after the program ended. Kalpesh Nizama, husband of Sandhya Nizama and father of the deceased Vishwa Nizama, lashed out at the authorities, saying, My wife has been detained. Are we criminals just because we lost our children? Slamming the government, he added, They have come to inaugurate houses that have been vacant for 10 years. The Vishwamitri project, which was stalled for 30 years, drowned Vadodara and wasted crores. Now, when the project is finally done, we are being put under house arrest. Are we terrorists? Are we criminals? Calling out the police action, Nizama said, Such disgraceful behaviour by the police is unacceptable. On the afternoon of January 18, 2024, tragedy struck at Vadodaras Harni Lake when a boat carrying young students from New Sunrise School capsized during a school trip. In a matter of minutes, 12 children and two teachers drowned, leaving 14 dead in a disaster that sent shockwaves across Gujarat.
23-year-old Surat teacher who eloped with 13-year-old student found 5 months preganant
AHMEDABAD: The case of a 23-year-old private tutor from Surat, Gujarat, who eloped with her 13-year-old student and was later found five months pregnant, has sent shockwaves across the country, raising urgent concerns about child safety in informal education settings. The scandal deepened after a medical examination revealed the womans pregnancy, and she claimed that the minor is the father, prompting authorities to order an immediate DNA test. The ordeal began on the afternoon of 25 April, when the teacher, previously a trusted figure in the boys life, vanished with the child in broad daylight, triggering panic and a swift search operation. CCTV footage from their residential society captured the teacher leaving with the boy, a sling bag over her shoulder, indicating premeditation. The teacher had been tutoring the boy for the past three years, and for the last year, he had become her only private student, a closeness that dangerously escalated over time. Police investigations revealed that the alleged sexual abuse took place at the tutors residence and later at a hotel in Vadodara while the pair was on the run. Before fleeing to Surat, the 13-year-old reportedly handed over a few of his clothes to the woman, who later purchased additional items for their escape. Surat teacher abducts 11-year-old student, caught 390 kilometres away after four-day manhunt The pair travelled across several cities-including Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, and Vrindavan-before being apprehended near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border after a four-day manhunt. Surat Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhagirath Gadhvi told The New Indian Express, A medical examination has revealed that the woman is five months pregnant. She has claimed that the minor is the father of the child. Based on her statement, we have ordered DNA testing. During questioning, both individuals admitted to having engaged in a physical relationship over several months. A formal case has been registered against the woman under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for kidnapping a minor, alongside serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexual exploitation. Senior officials have called the incident a grave breach of trust and power, warning of urgent gaps in protections across both formal and informal education spaces. Legal experts have also flagged the glaring ignorance around grooming tactics used by adults in positions of influence. The case remains under intense investigation, with further legal action pending the results of the court-ordered DNA test.
Amul Hikes Milk Prices By Rs 2 Per Litre Across All Variants In India
Prices of Amul milk across all variants in the country will be raised by Rs 2 per litre with effect from May 1 (Thursday), the marketing federation which owns the popular dairy brand announced on Wednesday.
BJP reshuffle in Gujarat paused amid Pahalgam fallout; but district-level presidents announced
AHMEDABAD: Amid nationwide outrage over the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, political developments in Gujarat have slowed, with the BJPs long-anticipated state-level shake-up now caught in a cloud of uncertainty. Despite this pause, the party made an unexpected move on Tuesday by announcing new district-level presidents, signalling selective progress in its internal restructuring. Delhi has become the epicentre of high-level political activity, as pressure mounts on Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident. In Gujarat, however, all eyes remain on two major questions: who will be the next BJP state president, and when will the long-delayed cabinet expansion take place? Over the past fortnight, speculation surged after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 21 April. A day later, BJP state chief C.R. Patil held a closed-door meeting with Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, further fuelling rumours of imminent changes. The BJP was reportedly considering a young OBC leader for the state presidents post, but sources now say the terror attack has shifted the narrative. Despite the expiration of Patils term, he is expected to remain in his role until political conditions stabilise. Plans to expand the Gujarat cabinet, with ministerial berths for ex-Congress members who switched to the BJP, have also been put on hold indefinitely. Given the current national climate, the cabinet expansion will not proceed anytime soon, said a party source. In a move that caught many by surprise, the BJP announced new district-level appointments on Tuesday. New presidents were named for Ahmedabad city, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Porbandar and Vadodara, indicating that while state-level decisions remain in limbo, the party is not shying away from recalibrating local leadership. The swift succession of high-level meetings in Delhi has kept Gujarats political circles on edge. For now, the BJPs larger reshuffle remains on standbyits course altered by national developments beyond the states borders.
Crackdown on illegal Bangladeshis intensifies across Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: Surat police on Monday found 85 of 136 detained Bangladeshis living in Gujarat and also seized bogus Aadhaar and election cards. Many have entered India through agents charging Rs 10,000 Rs 15,000. Meanwhile, Vadodara police continued their third day of action, grilling over 250 suspects in Navayard. A special Crime Branch team has launched a parallel probe in Surat. Simultaneously, illegal power connections were snapped in Ahmedabads Chandola Lake area home to 143 Bangladeshis, now facing deportation. Adding to the sweep, 10 Bangladeshis were held in Morbi and 29 more in Bharuch, tightening the noose statewide. Tightening the net, a West Bengal IB team landed in Surat on Monday to join forces with Central IB and interrogate suspects, sources confirmed. The move comes after massive combing operations by Surat City Police across Varachha, Pune, and Saroli areas in Zone 1, where over 1,000 individuals including Bengali leaders were screened. During the sweep, 49 suspects were flagged 10 from Varachha and 39 from Pune based on document verification. However, after cross-checking with hometown records, all were released, even as the combing and search drive presses on. Surat Rural SP Hitesh Joysar told the media, So far, 245 suspected Bangladeshis have been detained and intensively interrogated by the Surat Rural Police. Of these, around 60 have been confirmed as Bangladeshi nationals. Deportation proceedings will be initiated after a thorough investigation. Police sources said. The arrested women were involved in casual labour and prostitution. They initially entered through West Bengal and later moved to Surat, where they created bogus documents. Most of them have been found to be in contact with Bangladesh. Those residing illegally will be deported. Vadodara police intensified their search operations for the third straight day, identifying 14 Bangladeshi nationals 9 by city police and 5 by railway authorities. Deportation proceedings are underway as per legal protocols. Meanwhile, 70 suspects are currently being grilled. In Ahmedabad, the crackdown has unearthed 143 Bangladeshis so far. Authorities have released 200 individuals after thorough verification, while 590 were found in possession of valid passports. Alarmingly, investigations revealed that some detainees had been deported up to three times. Officials also discovered that several individuals carried documents from Uttar Pradesh, yet could not even speak Hindi, raising serious questions about the authenticity of their papers.
272 Pakistan nationals left India through Attari-Wagah border in past two days
NEW DELHI: Around 272 Pakistani nationals have left India in the past two days through the Attari-Wagah border point, and a few hundred more are expected to exit on Sunday when the deadline for the 12 categories of short-term visa holders of the neighbouring nation ends, an official said. As many as 629 Indians, including 13 diplomats and officials, have returned from Pakistan through the international border crossing located in Punjab. The 'Leave India' notice to the Pakistani nationals was issued by the government after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The deadline for exiting India for those holding SAARC visas was April 26. For those carrying medical visas, the deadline is April 29. The 12 categories of visas whose holders have to leave India by Sunday are - visa on arrival, business, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourist, pilgrim and group pilgrim. However, those having long-term and diplomatic or official visas were exempted from the 'Leave-India' order. According to officials, 191 Pakistani nationals left India through the Attari-Wagah border on April 25 and 81 more exited on April 26. As many as 287 Indians crossed into India from Pakistan On April 25, and altogether 342 Indians, including 13 diplomats and officials, returned from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border on April 26, officials said. Some of the Pakistanis might have left India through airports too, they said, pointing out that since India does not have direct air connectivity with Pakistan, they might have left for other countries. Officials said the highest number of Pakistanis with short-term visas were staying in Maharashtra. Their number was pegged at around 1,000, they said. The state's minister Yogesh Kadam on Saturday said the 1,000 Pakistani nationals with short-term visas have been asked to leave India. Around 5,050 Pakistani citizens have been living in Maharashtra and most of them are on long-term visas. Of these, around 2,450 were in Nagpur, 1,100 in Thane, 390 in Jalgaon, 290 in Navi Mumbai, 290 in Pimpri Chinchwad, 120 in Amravati and 15 in Mumbai, officials said. Interestingly, 107 Pakistani nationals, who were staying in Maharashtra were, untraceable, according to officials. Pakistani women married to Indians stranded at Attari-Wagah border amid visa row In the southern state of Telangana, police chief Jitender cited official records to say that as many as 208 Pakistani nationals were staying in the state, mostly in Hyderabad. Among them, 156 hold long-term visas, 13 short-term visas and 39 were with the travel document for medical and business purposes. There were 104 Pakistani nationals in the southern coastal state of Kerala, of whom 99 were on long-term visas. The remaining five, who were on either tourist or medical visas, have left the country. Central India's Madhya Pradesh had around 228 visiting Pakistani nationals, many of whom have left the country already, officials said. On the other hand, around 12 Pakistanis have been identified in Odisha and all of them have been asked to follow the deadline set for them to leave the country. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said three Pakistani nationals, who were in the state on short-term visas, have been asked to leave. Seven Pakistanis were in Gujarat on short-term visas -- five in Ahmedabad and one each in Bharuch and Vadodara. They have either left India or are leaving by Sunday, officials said. EXPLAINER | Pulwama to Pahalgam: Making Pakistan pay Besides, 438 Pakistani nationals are in the western state on long-term visas and they include Hindus who have applied for Indian citizenship. In the north, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said on Saturday that the process of sending back all categories of Pakistani citizens visiting the state who have been ordered to leave India has been completed. One Pakistani national is still in the state and he will depart for Pakistan on April 30, the DGP said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called up the chief ministers of all states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country. After Shah's telephonic conversations with the chief ministers, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the chief secretaries and asked them to ensure that all Pakistani nationals whose visas were revoked must leave India by the deadline fixed. The already strained relations between India and Pakistan nosedived further after the Pahalgam terror attack, with New Delhi announcing a raft of retaliatory steps, including the cancellation of visas, and Islamabad hitting back with a string of tit-for-tat measures. 130 nuclear warheads, missiles targeted at India: Pak minister Hanif Abbasi makes open threat
Gujarat sets swift deportation in motion for 438 Pakistani nationals
AHMEDABAD: In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Ministry has swiftly acted, directing the cancellation of all visas linked to Pakistan. Home Minister Amit Shah, following a crucial meeting with officials, ordered all Chief Ministers on Friday to expel Pakistani nationals from their states without delay. This decisive action underscores the government's firm stance against foreign threats. The Home Department has disclosed that 438 Pakistani citizens are currently residing in Gujarat on long-term visas, with Ahmedabad hosting the highest number77followed by Surat with 44 and Kutch with 50. Additionally, 7 individuals hold short-term visas: 5 in Ahmedabad and 1 each in Bharuch and Vadodara. A major operation has now been launched to deport all Pakistani nationals residing in Gujarat, ensuring the swift execution of this order. Reports confirm the presence of 29 Pakistani nationals in Gandhinagar district, with further details emerging about individuals residing in Gandhinagar city, Kalol, Mansa, and Dehgam. In response to the Home Ministrys directive, the state government has mobilized teams, including ATS and SOG, to act swiftly. These teams are tasked with ensuring the departure of all Pakistani nationals within the mandated time frame, with the Home Department mandating their immediate expulsion from India. In a related development, a 71-year-old woman from Bharuch, Shahida Bibi, who held a short-term visa, has been deported to Pakistan. She is set to be repatriated via the Attari border, marking another step in the government's crackdown on foreign nationals. Amit Shah tells CMs to identify Pakistani nationals, ensure their immediate return Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home Affairs, stated during a visit to the ongoing Vishwamitri Project in Vadodara, The Indian government is taking strict action against Pakistan. All Pakistanis who entered India on any type of visa must leave within the prescribed deadline. There will be no compromise on this. He added, Instructions have been issued in the districts to ensure compliance, though we are also ensuring that Hindu refugees from Pakistan face no harassment. Amit Shah calls meeting to discuss future action on Indus Waters Treaty abeyance
Railways facilitates journey of stranded tourists amidst rush from Jammu, Katra
JAMMU: In a proactive move to aid stranded tourists, the Indian Railways undertook significant operations from Katra and Jammu stations, ensuring smooth onward journeys towards New Delhi and beyond via special unreserved trains till late Thursday night, officials said. Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav flagged off special tourist trains from Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the railways' commitment to passenger welfare. The train, which had an occupancy rate of approximately 67 per cent, carried around 580 reserved passengers and an additional 180 unreserved passengers, they said. The second special train departing from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK), accommodated approximately 200 passengers from the Jammu region, with meticulous food and catering arrangements managed by IRCTC, they said. Responding to escalating demand, an additional third AC coach with 72 berths was swiftly attached to the train to alleviate the eastbound rush. Similarly, an extra coach is slated for attachment to train, bolstering capacity to cater to stranded passengers late at night, they added. Highlighting the railways' responsiveness, they said a group of 23 passengers bound for Vadodara and 45 passengers headed to New Delhi were seamlessly accommodated in respective trains, ensuring their onward journey amid logistical challenges. Furthermore, a total of 120 stranded passengers were accommodated across multiple trains, reflecting the railways' concerted efforts to address passenger needs during the summer rush, they added. In a bid to further streamline passenger services, additional special train services have been announced from Jammu and Katra stations. The Northern Railway operated the first unreserved special train from Katra to New Delhi on Wednesday for tourists who wanted to cut short their trip to Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday. The Indian Railways flung into action after reports suggested that several tourists at various places in Jammu wanted to return to their respective cities in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Railway officials said help desks have been opened at Jammu Tawi and Katra stations to assist passengers with train timings and services.
