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Fadnavis Orders SIT Probe into Woman Doctors Death
The doctor, hailing from Beed district of central Maharashtra, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan on October 23
Mumbai hostage case: Rohit Aryas last rites performed in Pune
PUNE: The last rites of Rohit Arya, who was shot dead by the Mumbai police after taking 19 people hostage, were carried out in Pune in the early hours of Saturday. The 50-year-old had held 17 children, aged between 10 and 12, hostage at a studio in Mumbais Powai area on Thursday. Police successfully rescued the children along with two adults after a three-hour standoff, which ended with Aryas death. Mumbai hostage case: Rohit Arya, a victim of red tapism; Maharashtra govt failed to pay project consultant fee Following a post-mortem at Mumbais JJ Hospital, his body was transported to Pune. The funeral rites were conducted in the presence of Aryas wife, son, and other close family members. According to police sources, Arya had been living away from Pune for some time and, in recent years, had limited contact with his family. Preliminary reports indicate that he had previously claimed dues were pending for a project undertaken for the Maharashtra Education Department and had staged a protest in Pune to claim the payment. Mumbai hostage crisis: How a filmmakers staged protest spiralled into tragedy
Its sad when NRIs are attacked abroad for giving the world an accurate glimpse of what were like
Farmers woes, voters list discrepancies, promises forgotten the list of what could hit the Mahayuti at the ballot box is growing. The ruling dispensation has only a few months to fix what ails it
Corporal punishment has no place in society
A senior police officer said that a notice had been issued to the teacher under the due provisions of law, and she would be called in for questioning
TNTA hits 100: A century of champions
Tennis was introduced to India by the British as a pastime. Now, the country has become a hub for producing generations of world-class players and anchoring top international games. After Maharashtra and Haryana, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) has contributed to this glory for a century now. To celebrate this milestone, on Tuesday evening, as the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) stepped into its centenary year, the air inside the hall of ITC Grand Chola was thick with memory, pride, promise, new programmes, and unexplored passages. In 1926, Madras United Club, South Indian Athletic Association, and Madras Cricket Club together formed the Madras Provincial Lawn Tennis Association, which was renamed TNTA. Four years later, former player Ramanathan Krishnans father, TK Ramanathan, made a generous donation. Those days, practice sessions happened in the daylight, and we couldnt practice once the natural light faded out because there was no provision to set up tube lights at these courts. It was my father who gave up his land, and we lived in a rented apartment, with a tennis court with tube lights, says Ramanathan Krishnan. Then, in 1946, came the first stadium in the city, the Egmore Tennis Stadium. With efforts by the then corporation commissioner of Madras, JPL Shenoy, the Egmore playground was converted into a stadium with three tennis courts and concrete galleries that could seat around a thousand people. Ramanathan Krishnan and Vijay Amritraj celebrate TNTAs 100 years Another milestone in the tennis history from the state was Ramanathan playing the Davis Cup in 1962, inspiring many youngsters and players, including Vijay Amritraj, a retired tennis player and commentator, who reached the tournaments finals in 1974 and 1987. At the event, Vijay, the president of the association, addressed the audience with words that resonate with both history and hope. Theres a long history of tennis in the state...Each of the administrators who have come in has tried to increase and conduct more tournaments...we arguably run the most number of tournaments in any state in the country, he says of the growth of the sports in the districts. The centenary evening opened with a specially curated video chronicling TNTAs journey from its early tournaments like the Water Memorial and South India Championships to the international spotlight of the ATP and WTA events. The montage was a reminder that the citys well-kept fields were the start of what has become one of Indias most reliable and trustworthy tennis ecosystems. This was followed by the launch of a coffee table book, A Century of Championing Tennis in Tamil Nadu. The evening drew to a close with a fashion show featuring players of the Chennai Open. TNTAs legacy cannot be summed up in a commemorative evening. From the days of the iconic Davis Cup runs to the return of international tournaments on home soil, TNTA has been built on a strong community of past players paving way for the upcoming ones. Former tennis player, Somdev Devvarman, says, There are many people whove contributed, and a lot of the former players have remained in the system. The community has been incredibly active for a very long time. An active community and an active federation are generally a good combination. Tennis legend Ramanathan Krishnan at a match at Wimbledon in the 1960s Somdev, who grew up on Chennais courts, describes the city as the cradle of Indian tennis. Theres a lot of history and heritage, and Ive lived it. Theres a reason that the best players in India have always come out of Chennai. Despite not having played with the association, he shares how the federation helped him. After watching late night matches at the Gold Flake Open (renamed as Tata Open in 2002 and again as Chennai open in 2005), conducted by TNTA, he practiced what he saw. It was just plenty of learning right in front of our eyes, he says. The association also shaped former national champion and member of the national selection committee, Sai Jayalakshmy Jayarams game. She recalls, TNTA brought a huge improvement in my game...I won the junior nationals in 1995. That was definitely a big change, a step up in my game, that set the stage for the future. For the next generation, the associations centenary isnt just a marker of the past, but a signpost for the future. Its quite amazing that one association has been working tirelessly for improving tennis in the state as well as helping out grassroot-level players to come up from nothing, she says, adding that TNTAs programme called Next Level helps the juniors in the state, with travel and training expenses besides coaching. The way ahead is most important. Vijay says they aim to give them (local talent) more opportunities, create more tournaments, and create a better environment for them to play. The focus now lies as much on coaching and mentorship as on competitions. Vijay reflects, The competition is an inherent part of any sport, and therefore, it is the conduct of tournaments that brings people together, and gives the exposure to the player, the sponsor, the organiser, to excel, and provide enjoyment and thrill to the spectator. Even after a hundred years, Tamil Nadus tryst with tennis continues to stay rooted in the same passion.
Kids gagged, hands tied for hours for hostage scene shoot
Powai hostage crisis: Rohit Aarrya doused premises with petrol & rubber solution, says FIR
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Congress questions circumstances around Rohit Aarryas death, alleges cover-up
Maharashtra Minister Seeks Report On Projects Done By Arya, Who Took 17 Children Hostage
Officials informed that Aryas company had been selected in 2022 and 2023 to lead Project Let's Change, an urban sanitation drive. The initiative included 59 lakh students being deputed as swachhata (cleanliness) monitors.
Maharashtra to examine hostage-taker Rohit Arya's dealings with education deptartment
Maharashtra's education minister, Dada Bhuse, has demanded a thorough investigation into the dealings of Rohit Arya's company with the state's educational framework. This urgent request follows the horrific hostage crisis that unfolded in a Mumbai studio, resulting in Arya's death at the hands of law enforcement.
Assistants catering request at tea stall brought auditioners
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Russia has deployed 170,000 troops for push in Donetsk region: Zelenskyy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently claimed that Russian forces are making significant advances on the battlefield, though their progress has been slow and costly in troops and armour
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Mating Season Turns Risky For Migrating Tigers In Adilabad
During the previous mating season, a male tiger nicknamed Johny entered Adilabad, roamed widely, and later returned to Maharashtra, where it killed two people before being captured and placed in the Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) at Chandrapur.
Mumbai: Special MCOCA court acquits four accused in decade old chain snatching case
Mumbai: Kalyan woman dies by suicide after jumping from building terrace
MUMBAI: Rohit Arya, who was killed in a police encounter for holding children hostage, was a victim of the Maharashtra governments red tapism. Rohit Arya worked with the Maharashtra governments education department project, known as Swachata Monitor. The state government was supposed to pay him Rs two crore as project consultant fees, but it failed despite his several peaceful protests. He even went on hunger strike and protested in front of erstwhile education minister Deepak Kesarkars bungalow, where he fainted and was taken into an ambulance. Despite these efforts, his dues were not paid. Shiv Sena MLA and former education minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed the contribution of Rohit Arya, but said that his method of demanding the dues amount was wrong. He said the safety of the children was equally important; therefore, the police killed him in an encounter. Mumbai hostage crisis: How a filmmakers staged protest spiralled into tragedy Mumbai police rescue 17 children and two adults held hostage in two-hour rescue operation We were ready to pay the money to Rohit Arya, but we came to know that he had collected the money from the students. Therefore, we asked him to return the collected money from the students, only then the state government would pay his dues. But he failed to do and his method of holding children hostage was not good; therefore, he lost his life. We had already made the budget provision to pay his and other people's dues who work with thestate government on various projects. Unfortunately, he took the wrong step, Kesarkar said. NCP SP MLA and former minister Jitendra Awhad said that, like Rohit Arya, several contractors worked for the state government and are running from pillar to post to get their money for their work. It is unfortunate that the contractors were forced to do kidnapping of the children to raise their unpaid dues. We did not support the method of Rohit Arya for kidnapping the children to raise his unpaid dues. Still, thestategovernment is also equally responsible for this unfortunate incident and the death of Rohit Arya, Awhad said. He further said that the female doctor in Satara raised her voice, but she became a victim of the system and killed herself, while Rohit Arya was killed in a police encounter. Both got killed by the system, the NCP SP leader said.
Mumbai: DRI bust drug racket, seize cocaine worth Rs 20 crore; 5 including 3 women arrested
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday wished Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut a speedy recovery, shortly after the latter announced that he was stepping away from public life for a while due to a serious health issue. Praying for your speedy recovery and good health, Sanjay Raut Ji, Modi posted on X. Acknowledging the gesture, Raut replied in Hindi, Respected Prime Minister Ji, thank you! My family is grateful to you! Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra! Earlier on Friday, Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP and one of the most prominent faces of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena, informed his followers on X that his health had suddenly worsened and that he was currently undergoing treatment. You have all loved and trusted me. But I have developed serious health issues and am undergoing treatment. I will come out of this, he wrote, expressing hope to regain good health by next year. As per medical advice, I have been asked not to step out or mingle in public. ! https://t.co/jQOqgw2foc Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) October 31, 2025 Raut was expected to participate in an Opposition protest against the Election Commission on November 1, but his temporary withdrawal from public engagements has prompted concern. His break comes at a politically sensitive time, as Maharashtra gears up for a series of crucial local body elections, municipal council polls anticipated in mid-November, Zilla Parishad elections in December, and the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls likely in January. The BMC, which the undivided Shiv Sena controlled for over two decades, remains the most crucial political and symbolic battleground for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction following the 2022 party split. As a key strategist and one of the most vocal voices defending Thackeray, Rauts absence in the run-up to these polls will be keenly felt within the party. Raut, known for his relentless and often sharp criticism of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-led central government, expressed confidence that he would recover fully soon and return to public life with renewed vigour.
Maharashtra MP, Shiv Sena leaders barred from entering Belagavi
The action follows a reported plan to carry out a black day protest by Marathi groups
FM`s Bhutan visit cancelled due to inclement weather at Paro
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Mumbai hostage crisis: How a filmmakers staged protest spiralled into tragedy
A quiet Thursday afternoon in Mumbais Powai turned tense when screams and frantic gestures from a group of children inside a film studio alerted locals. Within minutes, police had sealed off the area. By evening, 17 children and two adults were rescued, and the man who had held them hostage was dead. Rohit Arya, a 50-year-old filmmaker and social campaigner, was shot during a rescue operation inside R A Studio after he pointed an airgun at police officers trying to free the hostages. What had begun as a supposed audition for a web series ended as a three-hour standoff and a fatal confrontation. A film shoot that never was According to investigators, Arya had invited the children, aged 10 to 12, for what he claimed was an audition for a new show. His long-time videographer, Rohan Aher, said Arya had told his team they were shooting a hostage situation involving children without revealing that it would turn into a real one. On Thursday, Arya locked the studio doors after the children arrived, poured flammable rubber solution on the floor, and set it alight. When Aher tried to stop him, Arya aimed an airgun at him and ordered him to leave. Aher escaped and alerted those outside. Within minutes, police and fire brigade teams reached the spot. What police found inside revealed meticulous preparation. Arya had installed motion detection sensors on the doors and windows, turned all CCTVs in one direction, and locked every exit from inside. These measures made entry nearly impossible and allowed him to control the space completely. Officers later discovered the sensors only when they entered through the bathroom window, the same route used to launch the rescue. He had turned the studio into a trap, an officer said. Every move was calculated to delay entry. Police negotiators spoke to Arya for nearly two hours, urging him to release the hostages. Meanwhile, a team of three officers crawled through the bathroom passage after the fire brigade broke the glass window. When they entered the hall, Arya turned his airgun towards them and fired. Police returned fire in self-defence, striking him in the chest. He was rushed to a hospital but declared dead on arrival. The motive: Protest turned deadly Investigators say Aryas act was not driven by money or terrorism but by grievance. A video recovered from the scene showed him declaring: I am not a terrorist. I have taken the children only for the sake of dialogue. Police believe he staged the hostage situation to protest against alleged unpaid dues from a government-linked cleanliness project under the education department. Instead of ending his life in frustration, he planned this drama to attract attention, an official said. The hostages,17 children and two adults, were confined for more than three hours. Some reports suggested Arya offered them pizza and soft drinks to keep them calm. All were safely rescued and handed over to their parents after medical checks. Items including two airguns, petrol, lighters, and a rubber solution were recovered from the studio. The Crime Branch has taken over the probe, and the seized materials have been sent for forensic examination. Rohan Aher, Aryas videographer of ten years, was one of the first to realise something was wrong. He said Arya had asked him a day earlier to bring petrol and firecrackers for the shoot, but he refused because children were involved. On Thursday, Arya barred him from entering the upper floor of the studio and soon began pouring flammable solution. When I protested, he pointed an airgun at me and told me to leave, Aher said. He then locked all the doors. I broke a glass window with a hammer to help the children escape, but he sprayed pepper spray into my eyes and I fell down the stairs. Despite his injuries, Aher helped a senior woman inside get out before police arrived. He had lost control completely, Aher said. I thought he would hurt himself, not the children. I still cant believe it turned into something this tragic. Arya had previously worked on social awareness campaigns like Swachhta Monitor and Lets Change , often describing himself as a filmmaker with a mission. But according to those who knew him, he had grown increasingly disillusioned over unpaid government projects and lack of recognition, he had even staged protests, reportedly to get his funds released . Education Minister Dada Bhuse said on Friday that he has sought a report on Aryas work with the School Education Department. Aryas company, Apsara Media Entertainment Network, had implemented the Swachhta Monitor initiative, a cleanliness awareness programme involving nearly 64,000 schools and 59 lakh students across Maharashtra. According to the department, Aryas firm was paid Rs 9.9 lakh for the first phase in 2023, and a second phase worth Rs 2 crore was approved under the Majhi Shala Sundar Shala campaign. However, the projects effectiveness was questioned, and the new proposal of Rs 2.41 crore that Arya submitted remained pending. Officials said Arya later began collecting registration fees from schools through a portal, prompting the department to seek an explanation. Since he failed to respond, no further payment or approval was granted. Former education minister Deepak Kesarkar also claimed he had personally assisted Arya financially after the latter complained of unpaid dues. (With inputs from ENS and PTI)
After Maharashtra CM Fadnavis announces timeline for farm loan waiver, farmers withdraw protest
Farmers protesting for a farm loan waiver have withdrawn their agitation in Nagpur after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a timeline for its implementation. Fadnavis, who was earlier reluctant to announce the farm loan waiver, said the state government is committed to it, adding that it will be done in the next eight months. The CM said the state government has constituted a committee led by Pravin Pardeshi, retired IAS and chief executive of think tank MITRA, with the responsibility of preparing the detailed timeline and execution for the farm loan waiver in the state. The state government constituted a committee that will decide the norms for farm loan waiver, and based on that, the scheme will be executed in the state. Once the committee submits the report, within the next three months, it will be implemented. The committee will also suggest short and long-term measures to alleviate the hardship and address the financial distress in the agriculture sector, Fadnavis said. Bacchu Kadu, a former minister who was spearheading the protest, said they are happy that the state government has given a timeline to execute the farm loan waiver. He said that earlier the state government was not giving any date and not even an assurance. Now, we've got the date. We will keep track of it and ensure that the state government executes its given promise of farm loan waiver. We have decided to give time to the state government so that they will not get any excuse later. Besides, we want this scheme to be implemented properly, benefiting as many farmers as possible, Kadu said. On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray slammed Fadnavis for not implementing the farm loan waiver immediately. He said farmers are forced to wait for eight months for the loan waiver. Farmers are already in distress, so they need immediate financial relief. But the state government is more interested in giving date after date, like courts. This will push them to the doorstep of death, he said.
Delhi Police bust pan-India cyber fraud racket run by Dubai-based kingpin
According to the police, the syndicate ran fake firms and opened multiple current accounts to launder money defrauded from victims across at least 12 states. The accused earned a commission of Rs 1.5 lakh for every bank account opened to facilitate the racket, the police said in a statement
No proof of violence: Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha tell SC in 2020 Delhi riots case
NEW DELHI: Claiming innocence in the 2020 Delhi riots case, student activists and former JNU students Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and Gulfisha Fatima on Friday told the Supreme Court that there was no evidence linking them to violence and denied the conspiracy charges levelled against them in the 2020 Delhi riots case. There are 751 FIRs. I am charged in one, and if its a conspiracy, its a bit surprising. There is no proof of violence against me, Khalid told the bench of the top court headed by Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N V Anjaria. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khalid, said that on 26 dates, the matter could not be taken up due to paucity of time in the trial court, while on 59 dates, the matter could not be reached due to the unavailability of the Special Public Prosecutor. Questioning how his client could be charged in the case when he was not even present in Delhi when the riots took place, Sibal said there was no recovery of weapons or incriminating material linking Khalid to any act of violence. There is no allegation of Khalid raising any funds for violence or making appeals for violence. The only overt act alleged against Khalid is a speech which he gave in Amaravati in Maharashtra on February 17, argued Sibal, while seeking bail for his client. The court on Friday adjourned the matter till Monday, November 3, to hear further arguments from other co-accused, including Meeran Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shifa Ur Rehman, as well as from the Delhi Police. The police had arrested Khalid, Imam and Fatima in the larger conspiracy case linked to the Delhi riots, charging them under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and with criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Fatima, submitted that she has been in custody for over five years and five months since April 11, 2020. He pointed out that while the chargesheet was filed on September 16, 2020, supplementary chargesheets have continued to be filed every year. The larger issue is, can filing chargesheets be generated indefinitely? he asked. Questioning the slow pace of the proceedings, Singhvi remarked, Why has the trial not commenced yet? Fatima is the only woman in custody in the case now, as the other women have already got bail. If you get bail after six or seven years, what is the point? 2020 Delhi riots case: Accused involved in 'deliberate attempt to destabilise State,' police claims in affidavit He further pointed out that the charges were yet to be framed, and more than 800 witnesses were listed. This is a distortion of the criminal justice system. The concept of liberty is that you dont keep me in jail without trial, Singhvi contended. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Imam, argued that till last year the police kept filing supplementary chargesheets until September 2024, meaning the investigation continued for at least four years. He said this clearly showed that there was no delay on the part of the accused, at least until 2024. He questioned how Imam could be held liable for conspiracy when he had been in custody since January 25, 2020, in connection with other cases, nearly a month before the Delhi riots took place. Imam is also not an accused in any of the other riot cases. In the other cases for alleged inflammatory speeches, he has been given bail and is in jail only because of this case, Dave said. On September 6, the former JNU student Imam had moved the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea. He sought bail in the larger conspiracy case under the UAPA in relation to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots case. Similarly, former JNU student Umar Khalid had approached the Supreme Court on September 10 challenging the Delhi High Courts order rejecting his bail plea under the UAPA in the case related to the alleged criminal conspiracy in the February 2020 riots in the national capital. According to the prosecution, the Delhi Police had booked Imam under the stringent UAPA. On January 28, 2020, he was arrested by the Delhi Polices Crime Branch from Bihars Jehanabad in a sedition case for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. The riots took place in February 2020 following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). According to the Delhi Police, the riots resulted in the death of 53 persons and injuries to hundreds. The prosecution alleged that Imam had hatched a larger criminal conspiracy to cause multiple riots. The FIR in this case was registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police under various provisions of the IPC and the UAPA. Imam was booked in multiple FIRs across several states, mostly under sedition and UAPA charges. Besides Delhi, he faces FIRs in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Imam was granted bail by the Delhi High Court last year in connection with the alleged speeches he gave at Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. In sedition cases registered in Aligarh and Guwahati, he was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in 2021 and by the Gauhati High Court in 2020, respectively. He was also booked in FIRs in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. 2020 riots case: Delhi HC rejects petition to reconstruct Jafrabad case diary The Delhi High Court had, on September 2, rejected the bail pleas of nine persons, including Khalid and Imam, in the case, saying conspiratorial violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens couldnt be allowed. The High Court had also rejected the bail pleas of other accused, including Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima and Shadab Ahmed. Social activist and former JNU student Khalid has been in jail since his arrest by the Delhi Police on September 14, 2020, for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots case. He was booked under the stringent UAPA for his alleged role in the larger conspiracy behind the riots. He has denied the charges and claimed innocence in the case. Khalid had earlier approached the top court challenging an October 2022 Delhi High Court verdict that had denied him bail. Since then, he has remained in jail and has never been granted bail, despite repeated appeals and efforts before various courts. He had initially sought bail in the Delhi High Court on the grounds that he neither had any criminal role in the violence in the citys North-East area nor any conspiratorial connect with other accused in the case. The Delhi Police had opposed his bail plea in the High Court. The police had also arrested Imam, activist Khalid Saifi, JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, Jamia Coordination Committee member Safoora Zargar, former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and several others under the stringent law in connection with the case. According to the prosecution, the violence had erupted following protests against the CAA and NRC, leaving 53 people dead and over 700 injured. Khalid was charge-sheeted in the case along with other accused persons.
Female Indian pangolin rescued from wire mesh in Maharashtra`s Karad
Upon receiving information about the pangolin, Honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate immediately informed senior forest officials and, along with Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) member Ajay Mahadik, rushed to the spot to conduct the rescue operation
Telangana, Maharashtra Ministers discuss strengthening cultural and film industry ties
According to a government resolution of the School Education department dated January 25, 2024, Rohit Arya was the director of Project Let's Change, which ran the Swachhta Monitor initiative from July 20 to October 2, 2023
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla assumes charge as Eastern Naval Command chief
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla has taken over as the new Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Navys Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, succeeding Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar. A 1989-batch officer, Bhalla has held key naval and diplomatic positions in his 36-year career
`Sardar Patel wanted to unite entire Kashmir with India, Nehru did not allow it`
Addressing a gathering after the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade here on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, Modi said infiltration was disrupting the demographic balance of India, which has decided to have a decisive fight against it
Rajasthan HC evacuated after bomb threat email; police begins probe
The email, which also contained political and sensitive remarks about the Tamil Nadu government and rape cases involving minors, warned authorities to evacuate the building immediately or face serious consequences
`Run for Unity` held in Marathwada to mark Sardar Patel`s birth anniversary
Superintendent of Police Amol Tambe, who joined the event in Latur, said, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel laid the foundation of Indias unity by integrating the nation. Inspired by his vision, every citizen should strive to preserve the countrys unity and integrity, which would be the true tribute to him
MP: One killed, several injured as bus overturns in Barwani
The bus carrying 56 passengers from Indore and Dhar districts overturned near Baigur village, about 80 km from the district headquarters, around 8 am, an official said
Lawyers cant be summoned by investigating officers without SP nod, rules SC
The top court also set aside the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to two senior lawyers, Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal, and said they infringed the fundamental rights of the accused who hired them
NIA court rejects Satish Mothkuri bail plea in Mansukh Hiran murder and Antilia bomb scare case
A special NIA court has denied bail to Satish Mothkuri in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case. The court found Mothkuri was the actual assailant who smothered Hiran to death. The judge noted the accused's role in the murder and the delay in trial. Mothkuri was arrested in 2021.
Narayana Health crosses borders, acquires UKs Practice Plus Group Hospitals
Narayana Health has acquired UK-based Practice Plus Group Hospitals, marking its first expansion into the British market. This strategic move aims to extend Narayana Health's philosophy of affordable, world-class care globally. The acquisition positions the Indian healthcare giant among the top three providers by revenue and integrates Practice Plus Group into its innovative operational ecosystem.
2 Days Before Mumbai Hostage Crisis, Rohit Arya's 'Film' Message To Actor
A day after Mumbai filmmaker Rohit Arya was shot dead by police - he held 19 people, including 17 children, hostage and demanded Rs 2.4 crore in 'dues' from the Maharashtra government - actor Ruchita Jadhav revealed a disturbing sequence of events.
PM Modi to interact with children cured of heart ailments in Chhattisgarh
PM Narendra Modi will visit Chhattisgarh on November 1 to mark 25 years of the states formation. He will inaugurate major projects, unveil Atal Bihari Vajpayees statue, interact with children, and launch several rural development initiatives across the state
Maharashtras move to regulate jaggery industry draws mixed response
The government seeks to introduce transparency, discipline, and accountability to the sector, similar to the cooperative sugar factory model
In my personal opinion, RSS should be banned: Mallikarjun Kharge
Kharge also hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he attacked the party on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel`s birth anniversary, and cited Patel`s remarks criticising the RSS following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948
Marathi actress Ruchita Jadhav narrowly escaped a hostage situation after cancelling a meeting with Rohit Aarrya, the man who later held children and others captive. Aarrya, a self-styled filmmaker, was shot dead by police after a three-hour standoff. He had previously sought payment for a school cleanliness project.
Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse is seeking a detailed report on projects executed by Rohit Aarrya, who was killed by police after a hostage crisis. Aarrya had claimed pending dues from the education department for a Swachhta Monitor initiative, which involved collecting money from schools. Former minister Deepak Kesarkar also confirmed Aarrya's complaints about unpaid dues.
Robbers open fire in Boisar jewellery shop, abandon weapon while fleeing
The attempted robbery took place around 11:30 am at a shop in the Ganesh Nagar area. The assailants fired two rounds, but fortunately, no one was injured. In their haste to escape, the robbers left their weapon behind, a Boisar police station official confirmed
A Maharashtra minister has requested a report on the work of Rohit Arya, who held children hostage before being killed. Arya had claimed pending dues from the education department for a cleanliness initiative involving schools and students. The department had previously taken objection to his methods. The initiative saw widespread participation from schools and students across the state.
Amit Shah to inaugurate CO-OP Kumbh 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan on November 10
Organised by the National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies (NAFCUB), the two-day event marks the International Year of Cooperatives and aims to foster dialogue on the future of the cooperative banking sector in India and abroad
Bihar elections 2025: NDA releases their manifesto for state assembly polls
Two days after the INDIA bloc unveiled its manifesto, the NDA released its 69-page Bihar election manifesto promising 1 crore jobs, 7 international airports, metro services in 4 more cities, and free education from KG to PG. The alliance also pledged Rs 2,000 monthly aid for SC students
Bangladeshi National In India Jailed For 8 Years In Rape Case
A sessions court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a Bangladeshi national to eight years in prison after holding him guilty in a rape case.
Slight improvement in Delhi air quality, pollution still in poor range
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an AQI of 268, categorised as `poor`, as of 8 am on Friday; yesterday, at the same time, the city`s air quality was in the `very poor` category, as the AQI recorded at 8 am was 352.
Spitting in Varanasi to attract fine up to Rs 1000 under new sanitation rules
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has enforced strict fines under the Uttar Pradesh Solid Waste Management and Sanitation Rules 2021. Spitting will now attract a fine of Rs 250, while littering or spitting from vehicles will cost Rs 1000. Dumping waste in open areas or water bodies could result in penalties up to Rs 750
US grants India six-month exemption from sanctions on Irans Chabahar port
The US has granted India a six-month exemption from sanctions on Irans Chabahar port, the MEA said. The decision follows talks between both nations after the earlier one-month relief expired. India, a key partner in Chabahars development, aims to use the port to strengthen regional trade and connectivity with Iran and Central Asia
Trump hosts Halloween bash with superheroes, lookalikes amid shutdown
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted a festive Halloween celebration at the White House, welcoming hundreds of costumed guests, from superheroes to dinosaurs. The couple handed out candy on the South Lawn, surrounded by pumpkins and fall dcor, as part of the annual Halloween tradition
Late-night scuffle between two groups at Delhis Chanakyapuri club; FIR filed
A late-night altercation broke out during a ring ceremony at a popular club in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, leading to an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Complainant Mohit Lamba alleged that a group of men abused and assaulted him and his friend after a verbal spat. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation
Punjab: Retired DSP opens fire at AAP leader during wedding
A wedding in Agampur village, Anandpur Sahib, turned violent when retired Chandigarh Police DSP Dilsher Singh Chandel allegedly shot AAP leader Nitin Nanda. The victim suffered a head injury and is in critical condition at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Police have registered an attempt-to-murder case and launched a manhunt for the absconding accused
A social entrepreneur, Rohit Aarrya, held 17 children and others hostage in a Mumbai studio after feeling betrayed by the government over his civic initiative. The standoff ended in a police shootout, with Aarrya dead and the hostages rescued. His actions stemmed from a perceived lack of accountability and stolen ideas.
CBSE 2026 Board Exam final date sheet released, exams to begin from February 17
The CBSE has released the 2026 date sheet for Class 10 and 12 board exams, scheduled to begin on February 17. For the first time, a tentative schedule was issued months in advance. As per NEP-2020, Class 10 students will have two exam opportunities yearly, with the first attempt mandatory and the second optional for improvement
Delhi police oppose bail of Umar Khalid, others in Supreme Court
The Delhi police opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others in the 2020 Delhi riots case, alleging they conspired to destabilise the country through a regime change operation disguised as a protest. The police claimed to have strong evidence of their role in inciting communal violence
NASA fixes James Webb Telescope from Earth using AI, restores full clarity
Pakistans army killed 18 terrorists in two separate counterterrorism operations in Balochistans Quetta and Kech districts. Fourteen militants were eliminated in the Chiltan mountain range and four in Buleda. Security forces also recovered weapons and explosives during the operations, which continued to clear the area
Pakistan army kills 18 terrorists in Balochistan operations
Pakistans army killed 18 terrorists in two separate counterterrorism operations in Balochistans Quetta and Kech districts. Fourteen militants were eliminated in the Chiltan mountain range and four in Buleda. Security forces also recovered weapons and explosives during the operations, which continued to clear the area
Russia fires 650 drones on Ukraine, causes blackouts
Russia fired over 650 drones and 50 missiles targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing power outages nationwide and killing two people. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as energy terror ahead of winter, while NATO aircraft in Poland were scrambled as a precaution amid escalating tensions
NASA and Lockheed Martin test quiet supersonic jet X-59 over California desert
NASA and Lockheed Martin successfully conducted the first test flight of the X-59, a quiet supersonic jet designed to reduce the sonic boom to a gentle thump. The flight over California marks a major step toward faster, quieter commercial air travel that could one day cut coast-to-coast flight times in half in the United States
Maharashtra govt to decide on farm loan waiver by June 30
Speaking after a meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai with representatives of protesting farmers, Fadnavis said that a committee has been formed to make recommendations on the loan waiver
Palestinian militants return remains of two Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire h
Palestinian militants in Gaza handed over two coffins with the remains of Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, bringing the total recovered to 17 since the ceasefire began on October 10. Despite overnight Israeli strikes in Khan Younis that injured at least 40 people, the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas continues to hold
Trump administration limits student loan forgiveness for nonprofits
The Trump administration has finalized new rules giving the Education Department power to exclude nonprofits from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if their work has a substantial illegal purpose. Critics say the move targets groups aiding immigrants and transgender youth, turning loan relief into a political tool
Hyderabad: 78-year-old Hyderabad pensioner loses Rs 51 lakh in digital arrest
A 78-year-old retired government employee from Hyderabad was duped of Rs 51 lakh in a digital arrest scam. A fraudster posing as a Mumbai Crime Branch ACP accused him of money laundering and forced him to transfer funds. Police have launched an investigation after the victim reported the cybercrime
Afghanistan and Paki hold peace talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkiye and Qatar
High-level delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan held peace talks in Istanbul from October 2530, mediated by Turkiye and Qatar. The discussions aimed to solidify the ceasefire agreed in Doha and establish monitoring mechanisms for lasting peace, though key security concerns between the two nations remain unresolved
Mumbai scare: Powai studio hostage timeline How police saved children from captor Rohit Aarrya
A tense hostage situation in Powai concluded with police fatally shooting Rohit Aarrya after he held children captive during auditions. Negotiations failed, prompting officers to fire in self-defense. The children were safely rescued, and Aarrya's motives are under investigation, with possible links to past political grievances.
From Andheri to Powai: Moments when Mumbai was held hostage; how lone gunmen plunged city into fear
Mumbai experienced a tense hostage situation involving 17 children and two adults at a studio. This rare event echoes past crises, including a 2010 incident where a teenager was killed. Police successfully rescued the hostages, with the perpetrator dying from a bullet injury during the operation.
