A stepwell, or baoli, was unearthed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, near a Shiv-Hanuman temple. The Archaeological Survey of India made the discovery. The baoli is about 400 square meters and has four chambers. Some levels have marble flooring. Excavation is ongoing to uncover the structure, believed to be over 150 years old.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath linked increased investment proposals to improved law and order. The opposition Samajwadi Party countered this claim. The SP cited recent crimes as evidence of a deteriorating security situation. They accused the government of fostering an environment of lawlessness. This disagreement highlights the political tension surrounding governance in Uttar Pradesh.

Tensions flared in Rae Bareli as Hindu group Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad publicly condemned Rahul Gandhi's alleged involvement in a parliamentary scuffle. Posters accusing the MP of assaulting elderly BJP members lined the streets, sparking a war of words between the Congress and BJP. Congress dismissed the accusations as baseless, attributing them to BJP's frustration over Gandhi's rising popularity.

Bahraich police arrested a 24-year-old Nepalese man for trafficking a 15-year-old girl from Achham, Nepal, on December 19-20. This marks the first such arrest of a Nepalese citizen at the border, deviating from the previous practice of handing over cases to Nepalese authorities. The girl is at a One Stop Centre, and her family has been contacted.

The Ram temple project in Ayodhya has been awarded the British Safety Council's 'Sword of Honour' for its exceptional safety standards. The construction, managed by L&T with Tata Consulting Engineers' support, also earned the National Safety Council's Golden Trophy.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) surveyed the Kalki Vishnu temple and other shrines and wells in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following the recent discovery of a Shiv-Hanuman temple during an anti-encroachment drive. The ASI team spent hours inspecting nearly two dozen sites, including a newly found temple, and will submit a report to the district administration.