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UP forms SIT to crack Rs 425-crore codeine cough syrup smuggling racket
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced the formation of a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to dismantle an organised racket involving the illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup for narcotic abuse. The smuggling case came to light around 20 days ago when a truck loaded with codeine-based cough syrup was seized in Sonbhadra. Speaking to the media, FSDA Secretary Roshan Jacob, accompanied by Principal Secretary Sanjay Prasad and DGP Rajeev Krishna, said the SIT had been formed to investigate the case. Three accused have been arrested so far. Jacob said misleading information was being circulated on social media. Police have taken action. A truck of cough syrup was caught in Sonbhadra some 20 days ago and based on that evidence, a second truck was recovered in Ranchi, she said. She clarified that the UP case has no connection with a similar case reported in Madhya Pradesh. She said the investigation had been expanded to 300 drug dealers to trace the main supply channels. We want to reach the big traders, not the small retailers, Jacob added. UP DGP Rajeev Krishna said that using cough syrup for any purpose other than its normal medical use amounted to a legal offence. Several pieces of evidence have been found in the last two months. FSDA has registered 128 FIRs across 28 districts, including 38 in Varanasi, 16 in Jaunpur, eight in Kanpur, six in Ghazipur and four each in Lakhimpur Kheri and Lucknow, he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who holds the health portfolio, said in Jaunpur that strict action would be taken against the guilty irrespective of their social standing. The DGP added that 279 medical stores were inspected, and many were found to be non-existent. Others had serious anomalies in sale and purchase records. It reflects that the firms were selling cough syrup in an organised manner as an intoxicant, not a medicine. The drug was being supplied from Lucknow, Lakhimpur, Bahraich, Varanasi, Ghaziabad and even Nepal to Bangladesh, he said. In a parallel crackdown, the SIT constituted by the Varanasi Police Commissionerate to probe the smuggling racket run by Shubham Jaiswal of Varanasi arrested two close associates of the kingpin. The racket was operated through his firm, Shelly Traders. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai along with his associates Gaurav Jaiswal and Varun Singh on November 5. His father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, was arrested at Kolkata airport on November 30 while attempting to fly to Dubai. The two accused arrested on Monday, Vishal Jaiswal and Badal Arya, revealed key details during interrogation. They allegedly earned large sums by setting up shell firms, receiving Rs 25,00030,000 per consignment. The SIT also uncovered suspicious transactions worth Rs 425 crore linked to Shubham Jaiswal over the past two years. DCP Gaurav Basbal said Shubham Jaiswal had left India and look-out circulars were being issued. A Red Corner Notice would also be sought through Interpol. The arrested duo told interrogators that CA Devesh Jaiswal had full access to Shubhams bank accounts. They said they had conducted business worth around Rs 7 crore with him within a year. One of the accused, Badal Arya, claimed Devesh Jaiswal helped him open his firm. The other accused, Vishal Jaiswal of Hukumganj, also said Devesh Jaiswal helped him open a firm named Hariom Pharma. I would place orders but the syrup never came to my shop. I used to get Rs 20,00030,000 in cash, he said. SIT chief ADCP Kashi Zone Saravanan T said two more suspects were being questioned and their documents were being scrutinised.
Despite the buzz, Priyanka Chopras Rs 30-crore Varanasi commitment and global priorities leave little room for anything new
Mahesh Babu charging 150 crore for 'Varanasi'?
Superstar Mahesh Babu's upcoming film Varanasi, directed by SS Rajamouli, is generating immense excitement in the film industry.
IIT-Madras brings innovation-based Tamil learning model Vidyashakti to Kashi
Youth Cong chief, workers held for anti-SIR protest
TN delegates immerse in Kashi culture, explore Subramaniam Bharatis legacy
UP govt flags detention centre for illegal immigrants in Gkp
On run for three moths, cop surrenders in wife murder case
Youth shot dead in Azamgarh; land dispute suspected motive
Move to name Bengal masjid after Babur ploy of wicked people: AIM
Woman, daughter consume poison in Mirzapur, both dead
Varanasi police launch week-long drive to check Bangladeshi, Rohingya settlers
VARANASI: Varanasi Police have launched a week-long special verification drive to identify Bangladeshis, Rohingyas and other illegal immigrants living in the district. The campaign, which began on Saturday, involves checks on makeshift settlements and roadside vendors across the city, officials said on Sunday. DCP (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal said police teams are verifying the identities and documents of individuals found in hutment clusters and informal work areas. Those staying without valid papers will face legal action, he added. All station house officers have formed special teams to conduct intensive checks in their areas. Additional DCP (Gomti Zone) Vaibhav Bangar supervised a verification operation in Koirajpur on Saturday, where teams recorded photographs and personal details of suspected individuals. The drive is underway across all police station limits under the Varanasi Police Commissionerate.
Smart City Innovation Award for Kashis unique 3D project
Trusted man killed women to loot cash, gold
CM to open new govt ITI in Piprauli on Dec 9
KTS delegates explore south Indian art legacy & shared cultural heritage
TN writers receive grand welcome
SP MLC flags errors in voter rgn
IIT-BHU records 1k job offers in 5 days
Woman attacked by BF for refusing to convert for marriage
5 get life term for murder of biz rival
Coach sodomises minors with lure of selection, arrested
Discover Yourself Workshop Transforming Hearts & Minds
522nd DYS Workshop | St. Al-Haneef Educational Centre (Campus Hall), Chandauli Varanasi 78 November 2025 | For Teachers The Discover Yourself Workshop, conducted by Sadathullah Khan, brought a life-changing experience to the teachers. Through interactive sessions, spiritual reflection, and practical guidance, participants learned how to break free from negative thoughts, let go of ego, [] The post Discover Yourself Workshop Transforming Hearts & Minds first appeared on .
Ram temple construction re-established legacy that led to lasting peace: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, dubbed the construction of Ram temple on Ram Janmabhoomi premises in the temple town as the biggest achievement which re-established a virasat (legacy) in the country, leading to a lasting peace. He felt it was the biggest victory of Indian democracy and a stepping stone for investment, taking the States development trajectory upward. The UP CM was speaking at an event on Saturday, which, coincidentally, was the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Notably, the Supreme Court of India had settled the vexed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue on November 9, 2019, by passing a unanimous order to allow the temple at the spot where Lord Ram had taken birth and making the provision of five-acre land for the Muslim side for a mosque at an alternative location within the periphery of Ayodhya. Vande Mataram rendition to be mandatory in all UP schools: Yogi On being asked about one thing that could be called a masterstroke of his tenure, Yogi said that though it was difficult to shortlist, he cited the construction of the Ram Temple after a wait of 500 years as one of the most iconic moments of his career. When Yogi was asked if issues like Kashi (Varanasi) and Mathura would be next on the agenda after the completion of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the UP CM said: We will reach there as well. The question referred to disputed structures of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi (Kashi) and the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura. He also expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court, which, based on the evidence, delivered an order in 2019 allowing the construction of the Ram Temple and the verdict was received by all communities with peace. Political Islam undermined Sanatan, says UP CM Yogi; warns against purchase of halal products Elaborating on the investment growth, Yogi said his government had ensured a riot-free state, adding that a peaceful atmosphere with proper law and order in place was the first prerequisite for investment to come in. Today, being December 6, would have seen a curfew-like situation in UP. But its all peaceful. That is our achievement, added the UP CM. Claiming that the countrys most populous State was no longer one district, one mafia, but had transformed and was living up to the 'one district, one product,' 'one district, one medical college' philosophy. He also underlined improved connectivity, both air and surface, citing the example of the new airport set to be functional in Noida's Jewar. We will inaugurate it within the next two months, he said. The Jewar International Airport, Asias biggest such facility, is being built to handle 12 million passengers annually in its first phase, and will be expanded later to handle up to 120 million passengers by 2050.
UP: High alert, patrolling intensified in Varanasi on Babri Masjid demolition anniversary
Varanasi police are on high alert today. This is due to the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Special operations are underway. Police are patrolling various areas. Security has been increased at crowded public places. Checking drives are being held. Plainclothes personnel are monitoring dense localities. Security forces are deployed on rooftops in sensitive areas.
Varanasi police deploy new-generation drones for Kashi Tamil Sangamam security
Uttar Pradesh: Security heightened in Mathura on Babri Masjid demolition anniversary
Mathura is on high alert today, the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition. Security forces are conducting thorough checks and maintaining a strong presence. The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque area is a high-security zone. Authorities are monitoring social media and have restricted movement for some individuals. Similar security measures are in place in Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Indigo crisis: cancellations leave passengers high and Dry
CHENNAI: Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Chennai International Airport on Friday after IndiGo cancelled all its flights departing from the T1 terminal, triggering confusion, frayed tempers and soaring travel costs. Crowds, many sleepless, hungry and dehydrated, gathered outside IndiGos counters. According to officials, all services to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad scheduled before 6 pm were cancelled. With seats scarce on other carriers, fares surged dramatically, in some cases more than fivefold, leaving many stranded both physically and financially. The prices are astronomical between Rs 35,000 and Rs 50,000 for a ticket to Mumbai, said Prabhans, a traveller from Delhi who had flown to Chennai for a US visa interview. Travelling without luggage as per consulate rules, he found his return flight cancelled. I tried to book other airlines, but dynamic pricing pushed fares beyond Rs 35,000, he added. Fares on competing carriers climbed steadily. A SpiceJet ticket to Mumbai crossed Rs 50,000, while Bengaluru-bound trips touched Rs 25,000. Hyderabad-bound fares approached Rs 50,000. Several airline counters were closed early, displaying full signs. For some, the disruption had more severe consequences. Acharya (70), travelling with his family, lost his flight to Bengaluru, and missed his connecting Qantas service to Sydney. Now we have to wait four days before we can even think of travelling, he said. Nearby, Shirundu Mazumdar and his wife, Seema, sat huddled against a wall after a medical trip to Chennai. Their flight to Bagdogra was cancelled after their bags had been checked in. We left home at 6 am and only found out here. There are no arrangements, not even water, Seema said. Among those affected was Reeta Kumari (55) from Varanasi, returning from a pilgrimage to Madurai. She discovered her onward flights to Bengaluru and Varanasi had been cancelled only after landing. A group of 50 students from a Hyderabad on a field trip to Puducherry sat on the floor under the supervision of a teacher. We were not informed that the flight was cancelled, their teacher said. (With inputs from B Anbuselvan @ Chennai)
Intl conference on composite materials
From yoga mats to book covers, kids steal the show at KTS 4.0
Ex-nagar panchayat chairman, brother booked for rape
Fire in BHUs cyber library, no casualty
Importance of soil health in agri discussed
Over 26 crore visit KV Dham in four years since inauguration
Accused wanted in robbery case nabbed after encounter
Jaunpurs new world-class synthetic track to welcome athletes around NY
Codeine syrup scam: Dad of kingpin sent to jail, four more firms booked
Play to grow: CM urges youth to get associated with sports
KTS 4.0: 2nd delegation arrives, visits KVD
Cattle smuggler nabbed in Ballia
India moving towards vision of Atmanirbhar, Viksit Bharat: CM
MPSP founders week parade showcases Indias diversity
Patriotism lies in honest work, public welfare
Complete projects on time or face action: DC warns agencies
DM instructs spl care, timely completion of SIR work
IndiGo to introduce wide-body aircraft on Vijayawada-Hyderabad route: MP
The IndiGo official assures that direct services from Vijayawada to Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi and Goa will be introduced after completing route mapping
Man gets 33 months in jail for spreading rumours in Azamgarh
An AvatarVaranasi Collaboration on the Cards?
First look of Rajamouli-Mahesh Babu-PCJ action movie could be released alongside Cameron film
PM, CM hail 19-yr-old for performing Dandakram Parayan after 200 years
Yogi extends fin aid to Dalit family
Murder accused, seven cattle smugglers held in encounters
Codeine syrup scam: Kingpins dad blames it on son, their CA
Sanatan Dharma stands for human welfare
Yogi pushes for error-free electoral rolls
30 new criminal gangs operating on Mukhtars turf in Ghazipur: Cops
Min launches rooftop gardening drive in Gkp
Natl meet on Drug Discovery & Translational Healthcare
446 passengers fined for traveling without ticket
Mahakavi Bharatis poetry discussed at BHU
Man, 24, killed as service gun goes off by accident
Students learn Tamil language and culture at spl KTS session
TN students visit Hanuman ghat, temples
System outage disrupts check-in at several airports; flights delayed
Check-in systems at various airports faced issues on Wednesday morning due to a system outage, according to a source. The source added that some flights have been delayed due to the issues. Microsoft Windows reports major service outages globally. IT services/ check in systems at airports are impacted, as per a message for the passengers at the Varanasi airport. According to the message, airlines have implemented manual check-in and boarding procedures. At least four airlines -- IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express -- have been affected, it said. There were no immediate comments from Microsoft or from the airlines. Some domestic airlines are currently experiencing operational challenges, which may lead to delays or schedule challenges. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience, DIAL said in a post on X at 7.40 am. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained.
A violent clash erupted at Banaras Hindu University after a car hit a hostel inmate, leading to brick-batting between students and the proctorial board. Heavy police and PAC forces were deployed to control the situation, which resulted in minor injuries to several individuals. The role of a previously apprehended student is under investigation.
No barrier among languages, vested interests creating one: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
VARANASI: In a veiled dig at Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said a few friends in Tamil Nadu want to create a division based on language due to their parochial political interests. Speaking at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0 in Varanasi, inaugurated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Pradhan, without naming Stalin, said, With utmost politeness, every year I write to the honourable CM of Tamil Nadu to come here for the inauguration of the Sangamam. You can see how my young friends from TN are celebrating civilisation, which has no boundary. Emphasising that Kashi Tamil Sangam has become a public movement, Pradhan said the people of TN have started eagerly waiting for the new edition of KTS every year. The spiritual and cultural aspects the song, food, textile, agriculture, knowledge exchange are integral part of the language. Centuries ago, people from Rameswaram visited Kashi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically said that like Sanskrit, Tamil, too, is a primary language of human civilisation. There was no barrier of language. Vested interests create barriers between them, Pradhan said. Great Bharathiyar came to Kasi and learnt Sanskrit, Hindi and great Bharatiya Bashas from the holy poets of this land and went back to Tamil Nadu. Rishi Agasthiyar went from Himalaya and became a pioneer of Siddha medicine and Tamil grammar. You cant create artificial barrier and divisions. You may succeed in politics but you cannot divide the society. My young friends in Tamil Nadu are eagerly waiting when IIT Madras will be launching its new portal for KTS, Pradhan said. Speaking on the occasion, Adityanath said, KTS has opened a new door for cultural, economic, and social participation in North India. It is going to realise the vision of the PM of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Key programmes in the Sangamam include Tamil Karkalam (Tamil teaching in Varanasi schools), Tamil Karpom (Tamil learning tours for 300 students from Kashi), and the Sage Agastya Vehicle Expedition (tracing the civilisational route from Tenkasi to Kashi). The event will conclude at Rameswaram. TN Governor RN Ravi, and Puducherry Lt Governor K Kailashnathan were among those who spoke.
KTS will open doors for cultural, economicand social participation in N India: Yogi
Kashi-TN bond: Exhibition highlights iconic figures and reforms
IndiGo flights face nationwide delays, cancellations; passengers report long waits
NEW DELHI: Recurring delays of Indigo flights across the country by five to seven hours throughout the day and the absence of information on the exact departure time caused much agony to passengers on Tuesday. Five flights were cancelled while thousands of passengers suffered due to the delays on account of multiple reasons. Many of them highlighted their plight and reached out to the Civil Aviation Ministry and the aviation regulator through social media. Indigo flights from Mumbai to Ahmedabad (6E 2347), Vadodara (6E 5126); Vadodara to Delhi (6E 6662) and Delhi to Vadodara (6E 5066) as well as Vadodara to Mumbai (6E 6087) were cancelled. Indigo did not respond to repeated queries on the cancellations. An Indigo source conceded there were delays. Elaborating on the reasons, the source attributed it to operational reasons, delay in the arrival of incoming flights which subsequently delayed the outgoing one and bad weather were among the reasons cited by him. He ruled out the A320 software upgradation and stated that it had been completed by Sunday and was not connected with the delays on Tuesday. Flyer Seerat Garewal posted on X: Had the worst experience with Indigo today. Flight from Delhi to Bombay was at 12.45 pm, then got delayed to 2.20 pm, then 4.20 pm, then 5 pm and finally took off at 5.30 pm. No food, no compensation and on top of that they did not even inform about the inconvenience. Asmita Mukherjee, travelling with an infant said, Flight no 6e 6273 was first delayed for one and half hours, then delayed by 15 more minutes. Now they are saying the flight is delayed indefinitely. I am travelling with an infant. Whats the issue? DGCA, can you please intervene? Another flyer was put off with the lack of information and rude behaviour of the Indigo staff. Indigo, I was scheduled to travel by flight 6E 6768 and got delayed multiple times. The original departure for 9.15 pm has been scheduled for 5.20 am. The staff behaviour is absolutely horrible. So rude. Not ready to help at allneed help. Avinash Kumar had to take a flight from Varanasi to Surat with a layover at Delhi. In a series of tweets, he said, I had a flight from Varanasi to Surat via Delhi today, Dec 2. After waiting for 7.5 hrs and continuous flight delay, you inform me that it will be delayed further for another 6 hrs. I am stuck here with no support from Indigo staff. 13:30 hrs halt at an airport where I dont even reside. He demanded a refund for his flight. Indigo had a standardised apology and a delay attributed to operational reasons to most of the complaints.
PM Modis KTS becoming public movement: Min
Revolver Rani booked as video of celebratory firing goes viral
BLW shows cutting-edge locodesigns to Mozambique Rlys
IIT-BHU job fair begins with Rs1.6cr package
Two women beaten to death by spouses; 1 held
Varanasi police open old case against fugitive codeine syrup smuggling kingpin
KTS delegates get rousing welcome amidst chants, beats
Who is Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe? 19-Year-Old Vedic Scholar whom PM Modi praised for...
Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe, a 19-year-old Vedic scholar from Varanasi, has successfully completed the Dandakrama Parayanam, a challenging recitation of 2000 mantras in Shukla Yajurveda in 50 days without interruption. PM Modi praised him for his remarkable achievement.
Buzz: SS Rajamouli rejects Rs 650 crore offer from Netflix?
Hyderabad: Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli are coming together for Varanasi, a pan-world film made on a stunning Rs.1,200 to Rs. 1,500 crore budget. The movie features Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in key roles, and filming is progressing at high speed. The project has already generated huge global attention. Varanasi OTT Deal Buzz According 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 .
Railways operating 7 special trains from TN to Varanasi for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0: Ministry
Indian Railways is running seven special trains connecting Kanyakumari, Chennai, and Coimbatore to Varanasi. These services facilitate participation in Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0. The initiative strengthens cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Special return services from Varanasi are also arranged. The event promotes linguistic and cultural exchanges.
Efforts on to end traffic chaos at Cantt stn
Tamil devotees joinaarti at Kedar Ghat
Job Mahakumbh 25 to be aboon for Purvanchal youth
Intl cricket stadium, ropeway to be ready by end of March
Criminal held after Ghazipur encounter
Missing boys body found dumped in gunny bag
A multidisciplinary approach will address complexities of HIV
Major fire guts cloth store in Gorakhpurs Golghar market
2 BTech students held for shooting friend
Scholars chart roadmap for Viksit Bharat at BHU
Varanasi ranks third in UP health dashboard
KTS guests to get a warm welcome at KV Dham
