Congress dilemma in Upper House

NEW DELHI: Still reeling from its devastating performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress now faces a critical test of biannual Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for early next year. With the partys Assembly seats shrinking in several key states and alliance leverage weakening, it may struggle to retain its influence in the Upper House. Elections for 75 seats in the Rajya Sabha are scheduled across April, June, and November 2026. While the BJP-led NDA is expected to make net gains, the elections may present an uphill task for the Congress with its weakened MLA base and rising internal dissent. The elections will see seats vacated across multiple states, including Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, among others. Although Congress may lose some seats, it is likely to retain as many as nine seatsthree from Karnataka, two from Telangana, one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. With some seasoned leaders set to exit, the elections are viewed as crucial by many. Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026. While Kharge, whose term from Karnataka ends on June 25, 2026, is expected to be renominated for another term, says party sources. Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (LoP) as well. While veteran leaders may push for renomination, arguing that experienced voices are needed in the Upper House, a section of leaders also root for fielding fresh faces to revive the partys prospects in Parliament and state units. Although the official candidate selection process is months away, the sources say that some names are already doing the rounds. While Congress is expected to hold ground in Karnataka and Telangana, it risks losing seats in states where its footprint has shrunk. The partys hopes also hinge on coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra, where shifting alliances and fragmented mandates could influence the outcome Meanwhile, regional allies within the INDIA bloc will also play a critical role in negotiating seat-sharing arrangements, making strategic alliances more crucial than ever. Maharashtra will see seven seats vacant in April 2026, with Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale completing their terms. Congress is entering these elections with limited leverage. The Bihar election has reduced its bargaining power among the allies, said a senior party leader. Success will depend not just on numbers, but on negotiation skills and candidate selection. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA, buoyed by strong Assembly numbers in key states, is expected to leverage its dominance to gain additional Rajya Sabha seats, further squeezing Congress. Kharge, Singhvi among those completing terms this year Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026.

No live-in: All-caste khap makes parental consent must for love marriages

LUCKNOW: An all-caste Sarv Khap Panchayat in Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, unanimously passed 11 resolutions against what it called the prevalent social evils, including opposition to live-in relationships and homosexuality and making parental consent for love marriage mandatory. The panchayat also recommended ending traditional 13-day death feast. Notably, it set up a committee to enforce the decisions, with the next meeting scheduled for 2035. Organised in Sorum village of Shahpur Nagar panchayat area on Tuesday, it saw former Union minister Sanjeev Balyan and present Uttar Pradesh minister Kapil Dev Agarwal among the prominent attendees that attracted around 15,000 people. The khap, which witnessed the participation of khap chaudharis and thumbedars of around 36 communities, along with farmers and common people, held three-day deliberations on what the organisers called social evils, traditions, and vices spreading in the society. Participants came from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The chaudhary of the Balyan Khap and Bharatiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait and national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also attended the event. Budhana MLA Rajpal Balyan and Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik also participated in it. Its leaders decided that an all-caste panchayat should be held once in a decade to address social evils. What the Sarv Khap Panchayat resolved Ban on death feasts, female feticide, and dowry system Initiative for de-addiction Opposition to live-in relationships, homosexuality Parental consent for love marriage Girl child education Environmental, cow protection

New department to connect global Rajasthani diaspora with States progress

The department would lay down a policy framework to extend the benefits of the governments schemes to NRRs and strengthen their relations with the State, Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said

BLO on SIR duty dies of cardiac arrest in Rajasthan

Police said the cause of Bairwas death would be revealed after post-mortem

Ranji Trophy: Gujarat And Saurashtra Emerge Victorious, Rinku And Dhull Hit Centuries In Draws

Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: Gujarat and Saurashtra registered outright wins on the last day of 2025/26 Ranji Trophy round five, while India left-handed batter Rinku Singh and Yash Dhull struck big centuries in drawn encounters for Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, respectively. At Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun, Gujarat defeated Uttarakhand by 146 runs, with Vishal Jayswal claiming four wickets and Siddharth Desai picking three scalps. Aarav Mahajan top-scored for Uttarakhand in the second innings with 60, but despite a promising start, the middle order faltered and crashed to a loss. Saurashtra defeated Goa by an innings and 47 runs in their Ranji Trophy fixture at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C in Rajkot. Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut was named Player of the Match for finishing with a match haul of nine wickets two scalps in the first innings and seven wickets in the second innings to dismiss Goa for 180 after enforcing the follow-on. At Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground, Coimbatore, Rinku hit a commanding 176 to steer Uttar Pradesh to getting three points via a crucial first-innings lead over Tamil Nadu in their Elite Group A clash. Resuming from his overnight score of 98, Rinku got his ninth first-class century in the morning session before converting it into a 247-ball effort laced with 17 fours and six sixes. He also stitched vital partnerships with Shivam Sharma (53) and Kartik Yadav (59) to keep UP in contention for taking the lead. Though he eventually fell to P Vidyuth in the 143rd over, Aaqib Khan and Kunal Tyagi held their nerve to secure a slender but valuable five-run lead that gave them three points. After UP were bowled out for 460, TN made 103/2, but got only one point. While B. Sachin was out after reaching his fifty, N. Jagadeesan was dismissed for 44. Their dismissals made the way for both teams to shake hands and settle for a draw. With the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy coming up, TN will now have M. Venkataramana taking over as head coach from M. Senthilnathan. At Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Rajsamand, skipper Dhull stood tall for Delhi after being made to follow on by Rajasthan. Dhull hit a majestic 189 off 242 balls, laced with 27 fours and two sixes, as he helped Delhi to stave off an innings defeat and escape with one point. At Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, Assam produced a gritty rearguard effort to deny Bengal six points in their Group C clash by batting out 120.4 overs to secure a draw. Despite making 200 in the first innings, Assam showed remarkable resistance, with Denish Das (73), Sumit Ghadigaonkar (48), and Sibsankar Roy (52) hitting crucial knocks while Abdul Kuraishi remained unbeaten on 23 off 68 deliveries in the final session, as Assams last batting pair survived 44 balls. At Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Rajsamand, skipper Dhull stood tall for Delhi after being made to follow on by Rajasthan. Dhull hit a majestic 189 off 242 balls, laced with 27 fours and two sixes, as he helped Delhi to stave off an innings defeat and escape with one point. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The resistance denied Kerala their first win of the season, with last years runners-up collecting three points from the drawn encounter. Sachin Baby and B. Aparajith struck centuries in a 176-run partnership that led to Kerala declaring at 314/5. Kerala looked on course for a win, but Pandey and Kartikeya ensured MP survived being bowled out by reaching 167/8 in 69 overs. Article Source: IANS

Could Rajasthan Royals Offer Jadeja the Captaincy?- Anil Kumble

Experts think CSK must rebuild their entire squad

Katrina, Vickys photos with baby flood social media: Are they real?

Hyderabad: Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal are one of Bollywoods most loved celebrity couples. Their relationship has always attracted attention for its simplicity, grace, and warmth. After dating quietly for a year, the couple tied the knot in a beautiful and intimate wedding ceremony on December 9, 2021 in Rajasthan. On November 7, 2025, Katrina 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 .

IPL Is Now One Of The Biggest Leagues In The World Across All Sports: Graeme Smith

Indian Premier League: Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain currently serving as SA20 League commissioner, has hailed the growth of Indian Premier League (IPL), saying that the ten-team tournament is now one of the biggest leagues in the world across all sports. In 29 IPL games, Smith amassed 739 runs, including hitting four fifties. Apart from turning out for Pune Warriors in the 2011 season, Smith played for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) under the legendary Shane Warne during the first three seasons of the IPL, including winning the trophy in the inaugural season in 2008. I think a lot of people forget the early years of the IPL. There were many things that had to go well for the league to grow the way it did. The IPL is now one of the biggest leagues in the world across all sports. In our first three seasons, we have seen strong growth in many areas at SA20 and hopefully that will continue, said Smith during the SA20 India Day event. In 29 IPL games, Smith amassed 739 runs, including hitting four fifties. Apart from turning out for Pune Warriors in the 2011 season, Smith played for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) under the legendary Shane Warne during the first three seasons of the IPL, including winning the trophy in the inaugural season in 2008. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score When I think back to 2008, the first season of the IPL when I played for Rajasthan Royals, and then look at how the generation of Indian talent has grown, it shows what a strong local base can do. That is what we want to see at SA20 as well, along with world-class players, he added. Article Source: IANS

Donald Trump's Son Likely To Visit India For High-Profile Wedding In Udaipur

US President Donald Trump's businessman son, Donald Trump Jr, is likely to visit India over the weekend. Trump Jr is expected to attend a high-profile destination wedding of an Indian American couple in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

Not Just NIA, But Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab And Rajasthan Police Also Waiting For Anmol Bishnoi

Anmol Bishnoi, the international gangster will undergo a lengthy legal process upon his arrival in India.

IPL: Kumble questions Jadeja trade as CSK brace for biggest rebuild in years

The recent trade of Ravindra Jadeja from Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan Royals has stirred the pot in the IPL. Experts such as Anil Kumble and Saba Karim have expressed concerns that CSK is entering a period of significant reinvention, highlighting the urgent need to enhance their batting and bowling capabilities.

They Need To Move Beyond Their Ageing Stars: Anil Kumble On CSK Trading Out Ravindra Jadeja

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Anil Kumble discussed Chennai Super Kings' strategy behind trading Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals and expressed his surprise at their decision while also questioning if the all-rounder would be given the captaincy at his new franchise. Speaking on the IPL Retention Show on JioStar, Kumble talked about how CSKs rebuilding strategy after Jadejas departure, saying, CSK will likely build their batting core around captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube in the top six. They need to move beyond their ageing stars, as shown by the trade move of Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals. Their bowling needs strengthening after releasing Pathirana. Nathan Ellis becomes crucial as their overseas fast bowler, with Noor Ahmed as the wrist spinner. They still require an Indian spinner to replace Jadeja and more Indian fast bowlers alongside Khaleel Ahmed. Another overseas fast bowler would also help balance their attack, he added. Kumble also shared that he was happy to see Ruturaj Gaikwad back at the helm after missing the previous edition of the tournament, and suggested he continue as the opening batter to provide the team with the required stability. It's great to see Ruturaj Gaikwad back as captain of the Chennai Super Kings after his injury last season. My clear advice to him is to open the batting himself. While they have Sanju Samson and the promising Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj is best suited as an opener for CSK. His leadership and batting at the top will provide the stability the team needs, Kumble said. Kumble discussed Ravindra Jadeja's transfer to the Rajasthan Royals and the team's potential for considering him as a captaincy candidate, stating, Jadeja returning to Rajasthan Royals is a big move. Generally, CSK doesn't let go of their players, especially someone of Jadeja's quality who has had a long relationship with them. I was surprised they let him go. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson coming to CSK is certainly a great move for them. Interestingly, Jadeja has also taken a pay cut from 18 crore to 14 crore. The big question is about captaincy - could Rajasthan offer it to Jadeja? They need to find a new captain. They have several options - Riyan Parag led them in a couple of matches last season, Yashasvi Jaiswal has always harbored captaincy dreams, young Dhruv Jurel has the right temperament, and there's overseas option Sam Curran. So Ravindra Jadeja becomes another interesting possibility for their leadership role. CSKs decision to release Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra, along with trading Jadeja to RR, indicates a significant team rebuild for the upcoming IPL auction. Former cricketer Saba Karim also discussed CSKs retention approach and expressed shock at the five-time champions releasing their ace pacer Matheesha Pathirana. I was very surprised by CSK's move to release Pathirana. They invested heavily in him, mentored him, and he delivered for them many times. He plays in global T20 leagues and has a good experience of bowling against top batters. Though he didn't end last season strongly, he's a young talent they could have worked with more. Releasing Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra was expected after their poor season, but now CSK must rebuild their entire squad and playing eleven since all three released players were regulars in their team, Karim said. CSKs decision to release Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra, along with trading Jadeja to RR, indicates a significant team rebuild for the upcoming IPL auction. Former cricketer Saba Karim also discussed CSKs retention approach and expressed shock at the five-time champions releasing their ace pacer Matheesha Pathirana. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Sharing his thoughts what the team needs to look into heading into the auction, Karim stated, Their top order is sorted to some extent. What they actually need now is to invest heavily in good spin attacking options who can take wickets. Except for Noor Ahmad, I don't see anybody in the squad for that role. With Nathan Ellis in the lineup, it's more important for them to sort their spin combination, especially on Chennai's surfaces. And as Anil (Kumble) said, maybe another seam bowler who can pick up wickets would complete the squad. Article Source: IANS

Haryana, Himachal, Rajasthan infringing upon Punjabs rights at NZC meet: CM Mann

BJPs defeat in Anta bypoll foments dissent with questions over campaign strategy

Seven-time BJP MLA and a veteran leader of the Hadoti region in south-eastern Rajasthan, Pratap Singh Singhvi, has blamed former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and the party leadership for the loss

SC seeks Rajasthan government's reply on plea challenging anti-conversion law

JAIPUR: In a significant move, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government on the controversial Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order after hearing the petition filed by the Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society and sought a response from the Rajasthan government within four weeks. The law, which, according to the government, is intended to curb alleged illegal religious conversions in the state, came into effect in October this year. In its petition, the Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society stated that the law is constitutionally flawed and contradicted existing SC judgments. It also asserted that the state legislature exceeded its authority in enacting the law. The law contains several stringent and problematic provisions, including the clause stating that if a mass conversion is carried out on a property, the premises will be liable to demolition and confiscation by the administration. The legislation also explicitly includes marriage conducted for religious conversion within the definition of illegal conversion. If an individual marries another by offering false promises, allurements or misleading information with the intent to convert them --regardless of whether the intent arose before or after the marriage-- it constitutes a punishable offence under the law. Such marriages can also be declared void by the court, a clause that has been linked to cases branded as love jihad. The law makes all related offences non-bailable, significantly increasing the difficulty of obtaining bail. Even voluntary conversion now requires a lengthy process of prior state approval: an application must be filed with the District Collector or ADM 90 days in advance, followed by a public notice displayed at their office. Objections can be filed within two months, and the conversion is permitted only after the objections are heard and resolved. The law prescribes severe penalties for violations. Illegal conversion is punishable with 7 to 14 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Conversion of vulnerable individuals --such as minors, women, disabled persons, and SC/ST individuals-- attracts 10 to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Mass conversions carry a minimum sentence of 20 years, which may extend to life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. Using foreign or illegal funding for conversion results in 10 to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20 lakh. Even failing to inform the Collector about a conversion carries 7 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Repeat offenders face life imprisonment and heavy fines.

Supreme Court expresses concern over cases of missing children, terms it 'serious'

NEW DELHI: Voicing serious concern over a news report that claimed that in every eight minutes, a child goes missing in the country, the Supreme Court -- while hearing a petition filed by an NGO -- on Tuesday termed it as serious issue. I have read in a newspaper that every eight minutes, a child goes missing in the country. I don't know if this is true or not. But this is a serious issue, Justice B V Nagarathna, who was heading the two-judge bench, observed orally on Tuesday. The apex court comprising Justice R Mahadevan -- besides Justice Nagarathna --made it clear during the hearing that the adoption process in the country is complicated and thereby it asked the Centre to make it simpler and to streamline the mechanism for an effective one. The adoption process is rigorous, it is bound to be flouted and people go for illegal means to have children, observed the top court. It passed these observations, after hearing a plea filed by the NGO Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan, which had moved the SC and highlighted that unresolved cases of kidnapping or missing children besides the actions required to be taken on the basis of information available with the Khoya/Paya portal monitored by the government of India. The petition filed in the apex court stressed that five cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh last year in which minor boys and girls were kidnapped and trafficked through a network of middlemen to states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. During the course of the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, senior law officer appearing for the Centre, sought six weeks time for appointing a nodal officer to handle cases of missing children. Hearing this, the Apex Court, however, refused to grant six weeks and asked the ASG to complete the process by December 9. Earlier on October 14, the bench had directed the Union government to instruct all States and Union territories to depute a nodal officer to handle cases of missing children and to provide their names and contact details for publication on the Mission Vatsalya portal operated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It had directed that whenever a complaint regarding a missing child is received on the portal, the information should be simultaneously shared with the respective nodal officers. The Apex Court had earlier asked the Centre to create a dedicated online portal under the aegis of the home ministry to trace missing children and investigate such cases.

JeM planning Delhi-like blast in J&K: Intelligence sources

NEW DELHI: Latest intelligence inputs have suggested that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is planning a recent Delhi and 2019-Pulwama-like high-intensity Vehicle-Bound IED (VB-IED) blast in Kashmir Valley, sources said on Tuesday. In the view of the alert, an advisory has been sent to the J&K police and the civil administration to keep high vigil across the Union Territory, as JeM operatives, who have acquired the skill of exploding bombs in a moving car, which they used in the recent Delhis Red Fort blast and also during Pulwama terror attack against a CFPF convoy in 2019. Sharing details of a highly classified intelligence input, which has been sent to all the security formations in Jammu & Kashmir, sources said that the JeM is suspected of planning another VB-IED blast in the UT, particularly in South Kashmir. They said that the latest input is in continuity with earlier alerts, which had suggested that elements from across the western borders with active support from Pakistans ISI have been preparing coordinated attacks in Delhi, Jammu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya, and Gujarat. Security apparatus are of the view that the prevailing situation demanded immediate and intense vigilance, particularly with respect to abandoned or unfamiliar vehicles, which have been repeatedly linked to the attack methodology witnessed in the recent blast. Personnel deployed at Nakas (checkpoints) and Road Opening Parties (ROPs) have been instructed to treat such vehicles with maximum suspicion, the sources said, adding that instructions have been passed on to seniors to brief their personnel to keep maximum vigil, particularly with regard to abandoned items or suspicious vehicles in their respective jurisdictions. They said that the leadership in the J&K security architecture has also been asked to ensure increased vigil during the movement of forces in the UT to avoid any Pulwama-like incident. A VB-IED-type blast is basically executed using a moving vehicle, and Kashmir had seen such an incident in the past, when in 2019 terrorists hit an explosive-laden Maruti EECO car into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in a convoy in Pulwama, killing 40 jawans. In Delhi too, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the Red Fort Blast case, has termed it a VB-IED attack. Notably, the heightened alert follows a major breakthrough by the NIA in its probe into the Delhi blast, which killed 13 people and injured several. In a detailed press release issued on November 16, the NIA confirmed that the explosion was triggered using a vehicle-bound IED and announced the arrest of Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Samboora, Pampore (J&K), who allegedly conspired with the suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi. Senior security officials confirmed that the NIAs revelation that the Red Fort blast was a VB-IED-type attack has further reinforced our ongoing threat profile, especially the intelligence pointing to JeMs plans for a similar strike in in Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Punjab CM Mann secures deferral on key state issues at Northern Zonal Council meeting

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the BJP-led Centre had agreed to defer as many as 11 agenda items related to the state, which were part of the deliberations during the meeting of the North Zonal Council (NZC) in Faridabad on Monday. Speaking to reporters, CM Mann said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered a status quo on most of the issues related to Punjab. The issue about staff appointment in the administration and institutions of Chandigarh has been referred to the NZC standing committee, he added. Mann criticised the NZC members including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh for attempting to infringe the rights of the states. He said that it is unfortunate that Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh are unnecessarily mounting pressure on Punjab. The Punjab CM alleged that the leadership of these states have made a mockery of the platform by making unjust demands seeking a share in the resources of the state and even its rivers. He said that in the NZC meeting, all the member states put forth their views, and as the head of the state, he also presented the case of Punjab. Out of a total 28 agenda items, 11 were related to Punjab, and for the first time, due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, all of them were deferred, he said. Those who are making a fuss over river waters must understand one thing, a real-time assessment of the availability of river waters should be made, for which the presence of water must be reviewed, Mann said. Mann quipped that Haryana has made a very strange demand --that Punjab should be restrained from constructing mini hydel projects on the Bhakra Main Line (BML) on the grounds that it would hamper the flow of water. He said it was surprising that the naive leadership of Haryana was indulging in such baseless tantrums far removed from facts. He added that issues related to the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) can be resolved only through the Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL), which would ensure the judicious use of Yamuna water. Punjab, he stressed, has no surplus water to divert through the SYL, and no scientific calculation has ever been carried out regarding water availability. Mann categorically reiterated that Punjab has no spare water to share with any state --there is no question about it, he said. In the wake of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, he said there is now a significant opportunity to resolve long-pending water-related issues concerning the states represented at the meeting. There is a possibility, he added, of linking the Chenab river with the Ravi and Beas rivers, over which dams already regulate downstream water flow. He said that linking the Chenab with the Ravi and Beas would allow the surplus water inflow to be used productively by downstream states, including Punjab, for both power generation and irrigation. The additional water, he said, would also help Punjab bridge its water shortfall, particularly in the border areas. On the issue of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Mann said he had strongly opposed the proposal to appoint a whole-time member in the BBMB from Rajasthan, arguing that the board was constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and concerns only the successor states of Punjab and Haryana. Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are already represented as ex officio members, he said, and creating additional whole-time posts would only increase expenditure --most of which is borne by Punjab-- without serving any useful purpose. Mann said he had also forcefully reiterated Punjabs longstanding demand for the transfer of Chandigarh to the state, noting that after the reorganisation of Punjab, the Indira Gandhi Agreement of 1970 clearly stated that the capital project area of Chandigarh will, as a whole, go to Punjab, reflecting an explicit commitment from the Centre. The Rajiv-Longowal Accord, signed on July 24, 1985, he added, reaffirmed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab. On maintaining the 60:40 ratio in the intake of service personnel from Punjab and Haryana in the functioning of the UT of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that preserving the status quo was essential. He expressed concern that IAS and PCS officers from Punjab were being excluded from key positions in the Chandigarh administration. Posts in departments such as Excise, Education, Finance and Health, he said, were now being opened to cadres like the UT cadre (DANICS), thereby undermining Punjabs role in the effective functioning of the UT administration. He said Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had unilaterally withdrawn their colleges from Panjab University in 1973 and 1975 respectively, set up their own universities, and stopped funding Panjab University altogether. He said Punjab alone had supported and nurtured the university for 50 years, and questioned why Haryana now wanted to affiliate its colleges with Panjab University when they have been affiliated for decades with Kurukshetra University, an A+ NAAC-accredited institution. Mann reiterated that there should be no change in the status of Panjab University, adding that Panjab University is our university, and we will continue to support and fund it in the future as well.

ECI working on 'sinister design' to 'destroy' democracy, Opposition parties through SIR: Congress

The SIR is underway in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep

EC working on 'sinister design' to 'destroy' democracy, Opposition parties through SIR: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of working on a sinister design to destroy democracy and opposition parties through the SIR exercise, and vowed to take to the streets by holding a protest rally at Ramleela Maidan here in the first week of December. Upping the ante over its 'vote chori' pitch, the Congress said the poll body's conduct during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has been deeply disappointing as the exercise is aimed at deleting targeted votes and demanded that it must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow. AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal told reporters after the meeting that the Election Commission's motive is to destroy democracy and opposition parties, which has never happened in history. We are going to the streets. During the first week of December, the Congress party is organising a massive rally in Ramleela Maidan with lakhs of people attending it, he told reporters, adding that the Congress will expose the Election Commission by organising the protest event. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who chaired a meeting with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) where the SIR is underway, alleged that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the exercise of the electoral rolls process for vote chori. Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretaries participated in a review meeting with state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway. The states and UTs are Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. Phase-II of the SIR exercise began on November 4 with the enumeration stage and will continue till December 4. The Congress party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral rolls, Kharge said on X after he chaired the meeting. We held a comprehensive strategy review with AICC General Secretaries, AICC In-Charges, PCCs, CLPs, and AICC Secretaries from the states/UTs where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is underway. The Congress Party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the pic.twitter.com/cVcjyaJGEo Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 18, 2025 At a time when public confidence in democratic institutions is already strained, the Election Commission's conduct during the SIR process has been deeply disappointing, he said. It must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow and it remembers its Constitutional oath and allegiance to the people of India, not to any ruling party, Kharge said. We firmly believe that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote chori. And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence, the Congress chief said. Our workers, BLOs, and District/City/Block Presidents will therefore remain relentlessly vigilant. We will expose every attempt, however subtle, to delete genuine voters or insert bogus ones, Kharge said. The Congress will not allow democratic safeguards to be eroded by partisan misuse of institutions, he asserted. Venugopal said while purification of electoral rolls is an undeniably necessary objective, it must be carried out in a bona fide manner. The ECI's conduct thus far has been to further the BJP's 'vote chori' agenda, setting aside its Constitutional obligation of impartiality. We will relentlessly fight against their attempts to manipulate voter rolls through unfair deletions or the insertion of bogus voters to create space for the BJP to carry out its nefarious activities, he said on X. It is our democracy at stake, and we will stand up to every attempt - big or small - that threatens our Constitutional framework, Venugopal asserted. After the meeting, he said that the general feeling of the Pradesh Congress Committees was that the Election Commission was purposefully trying to delete votes of some sections of the society. The design of the SIR itself is to delete targeted votes. This is what we experienced in Bihar also and now they are going to start it in 12 states, he said, adding that they announced on Monday a different 'Special Revision' for Assam. This is a sinister attempt by the Election Commission to destroy democracy in this country. It is completely unethical and completely undemocratic, he alleged. Noting that the revision of the voter list normally takes place during elections for a longer time, but it is now done within one month. Due to this, several suicides by BLOs are taking place because of pressure, he claimed, adding that they are being pressured by EC officials to complete this exercise within one month. In Kerala, he said, the BLOs have been asked to submit the final list of the SIR on December 9, the day the first phase of local body elections will be held. He said even though the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution for postponing the SIR exercise, the state's chief electoral officer asked the EC to defer the exercise, saying this is not the right time to conduct it, and all political parties except the BJP made the same demand, but the EC is not listening. It is very clear that they are working only on behalf of the BJP and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. It is quite surprising, he claimed. Congress leader Pawan Khera also said the party's rally at Ramleela Maidan against the SIR exercise will expose the 'mal-intention' and politicisation of the EC. The SIR is to delete names and not add new names of voters, he asserted.

PM-Kisan Scheme: PM Modi to release 21st instalment for farmers nationwide on 19th November

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 21st instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme on November 19. Rajasthan farmers will receive Rs 1,332 crore for 66.62 lakh beneficiaries. Across India, nearly nine crore farmers will get Rs 18,000 crore. The state government also provides additional aid through the Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

Inland port to be developed at Rajasthan's Jalore

Rajasthan will develop an inland port in Jalore district, directly linking the state to the Arabian Sea via Gujarat's Kandla Port. This Rs 10,000 crore project, supported by the Centre, will utilize a 262-km waterway to boost trade, industrial development, and logistics. The initiative aims to facilitate cargo movement and is expected to create over 50,000 employment opportunities.

Your Boy Is Finally Home, Dilli: DC Shares Welcome Post For Nitish Rana

Indian Premier League: Delhi Capitals franchise shared a welcoming post for Nitish Rana, whom they traded from Rajasthan Royals for Donovan Ferreira ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. Rana began his professional career in 2013 when he made his List A debut for Delhi against Assam during the 2012-13 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He had played age-group and domestic cricket for Delhi until 2022. A couple of years later, in 2015, he made his first-class debut for Delhi against Vidarbha in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season. In his debut first-class season, he amassed 557 runs to end as Delhis top run scorer. 10 years later your boy is finally home, Dilli, DC shared on X with a video, in which Rana said, Log usually bolte hai ki Dilli wale... jab dekho ladayi jhagda hi karte rehte hai... Par ye koi nahi bolta ki sabse jyada pyaar bhi Dilli wale hi karte hai. Aur Dilli se jyada pyaar mujse koi nahi karta. See you soon, Dilli. In 2016, Rana made his Indian Premier League debut but had limited opportunities that season. He had a breakthrough year in IPL 2017, scoring 333 runs and playing a key role in Mumbai Indians' title win campaign. However, he was released by the Mumbai franchise before the 2018 Indian Premier League auction. The Kolkata franchise showed faith in him and signed him for the 2018 season. He was released before the 2022 mega auction but re-signed for INR 8 crore, scoring 361 runs at a strike rate of 143.82. However, he was released by the Mumbai franchise before the 2018 Indian Premier League auction. The Kolkata franchise showed faith in him and signed him for the 2018 season. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score With Iyer returning to lead the side in 2024, Rana's campaign was marred by a finger injury, which sidelined him for 10 consecutive matches. He managed only a couple of appearances in what turned out to be a title-winning season for Kolkata. Ahead of the 2025 auction, Kolkata decided to release him, and Rajasthan secured his services for Rs 4.20 crore. Article Source: IANS

Vikram Bhatt reacts to FIR accusing him of Rs 30 crore fraud

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has now reacted to the FIR filed against him in Rajasthan, accusing him Rs 30 crore fraud related to a film project, saying the police are being misled. The police are currently investigating the matter

Vikram Bhatt is in BIG trouble, booked in Rs 30 crore fraud case by..., filmmaker reacts to FIR lodged on him: 'Rajasthan police is being misled'

Vikram Bhatt has been accused of fraud by Dr Ajay Murdia for producing movies and documentaries in memory of his late wife. Still, the filmmaker failed to deliver the promise and stopped production after the debacle of their first film, Tumko Meri Kasam.

Ranchi Diary | Desi Magur is the state fish of Jharkhand

In a move aimed at protecting local aquatic life, the Jharkhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has officially declared Desi Magur (Clarias magur) as the State Fish. The decision is in line with the recommendations from ICARNational Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICARNBFGR), which identified the Clarias magur as an emblematic species deserving of state recognition. Native to Jharkhands rivers, ponds, and wetlands, the hardy, air-breathing catfish is expected to help promote sustainable aquaculture. Man impersonates Soren to call Karnataka Dy CM The Chief Ministers Office in Jharkhand has filed an FIR after an unidentified man, who posed as Chief Minister Hemant Soren and called Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his wife on November 15, around 9.50 pm. The complaint, filed by CMs personal secretary Jai Prasad, states that the same number had previously been used to harass former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The CMO has condemned the act as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the CMs image and mislead VIPs. Congress talent hunt for spokespersons in state The Jharkhand Congress is set to begin a state-wide talent hunt to recruit spokespersons at the state and regional levels. The partys National Media Talent Hunt initiative looks to find people who are committed to the partys ideals, understand the Constitution well, are politically aware, and can communicate effectively. For the exercise, the state has been divided into seven zonesPalamu, Kolhan; Deoghar-Dumka-Jamtara; Sahibganj-Godda-Pakur; Ramgarh-Chatra-Koderma-Hazaribagh; Bokaro-Dhanbad-Giridih; and South Chotanagpur. Mukesh Ranjan Our correspondent in Jharkhand mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com

V. Srinivas takes charge as Rajasthan Chief Secretary

Along with the Chief Secretarys post, Mr. Srinivas will hold the additional charge of chairman of the Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited and the States Principal Resident Commissioner in New Delhi

Rajasthan law against conversion: SC seeks government's stand

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and Rajasthan government regarding a plea challenging the state's anti-conversion law. Filed by 'The Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society', the petition argues the law unfairly targets minority communities and creates a chilling effect. The court will hear the case alongside similar petitions against other states' laws.

Delhi CM targets Punjab over stubble burning; air quality continues to be very poor

The Delhi CMO said that Ms. Gupta said that states like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have shown positive progress in crop-residue management in recent years, but the volume of smoke coming from Punjab remains significantly high

Body of MBBS student found dead in Russia brought back to Rajasthan; family suspects foul play

JAIPUR: Ending an agonizing 11-day wait for the family, the body of Ajit Chaudhary, an MBBS student from Laxmangarh in Rajasthan's Alwar district, arrived in India from Russia on Monday morning. A medical board conducted a re-postmortem soon after the body reached Alwar, and the funeral was finally conducted. Ajits body arrived at Delhi airport at around 4:05 AM and was taken to Alwar District Hospital by 9 AM. Although a post-mortem had already been conducted in Russia, the family requested another examination. For this, a group of doctors was formed. Ajits father, Dharm Singh, a farmer, said his son was studying MBBS at Bashkir State Medical University in Russia and was in his third year. The family last spoke to him on 19 October, after which he suddenly went untraceable. A friend had called him, after which he disappeared. Later, we were told that Ajits clothes and shoes were found on the riverbank. His body was found 18 days later on November 6, Dharm Singh said. The grieving father further added, His mother was dying waiting for her son. Alleging negligence by both the administration and the government, Ajit's family bid him a tearful farewell and reiterated their demand for an impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death. Ajits uncle, Bhom Singh, expressed strong suspicion regarding the circumstances. He questioned why another student, Jeet Kasana, informed the family of the disappearance when the college had the familys contact details. He also raised doubts about why the body was found without clothes, saying, Why would someone committing suicide remove his clothes? He added that Ajit had asked for money shortly before 19 October and had reportedly argued with another student. We dont believe our son committed suicide; we suspect it is murder, he said. The family has already spent around Rs 29 lakh on Ajits education. Ajit had travelled to Russia in October last year to pursue MBBS at Bashkir State University in the Ufa region. His family had arranged the funds for his education by selling three acres of agricultural land. Since recieving the news about his death, Ajit's family had been struggling to bring the body home. Frustrated by the delay, relatives and locals last week staged a shutdown in Laxmangarh, demanding swift action from the government to expedite the repatriation.

Largest population of Asiatic caracals in recent years rediscovered in Rajasthan

Once widespread across Indias grasslands, the caracal had nearly vanished from public consciousness. The rediscovery not only reaffirms the caracals presence in Thar Desert but also highlights the urgent need to protect its fragile habitat from imminent threats, such as large-scale solar projects

'Special revision' of electoral rolls to commence in poll-bound Assam soon

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in Assam which is expected to go to elections in March or April next year. The Commission has directed a Special Revision u/s 21 of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1950 with reference to 01.01.2026 as the qualifying date in the State of Assam, the Commission instructed Assams Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The SR stands between the annual special summary revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, officials said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was away in London on Monday, posted on X, The Govt of Assam welcomes the Election Commission of Indias decision to undertake a Special Revision of the electoral roll with 01.01.2026 as the qualifying date. He was confident the exercise would help ensure clean, updated and accurate electoral rolls for all eligible citizens. Assam will extend full cooperation to the @ECISVEEP to complete the revision in a transparent and time-bound manner, he further wrote. The ECI said Electoral Registration Officer of each Assembly segment would be responsible for ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out while at the same time, no ineligible person is included in the electoral roll. Any person is entitled to be an elector and on application to be registered in the electoral roll for that constituency if that person is a citizen of India, not less than 18 years of age as on 01.02.2020, ordinary resident of the constituency, not disqualified under any law, and not of unsound mind, the ECI instructions to the Assam CEO read. The Commission had last month ordered the SIR for 12 states and Union Territories Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to elections in 2026. As Assam is also going to polls next year, its exclusions from the SIR raised questions. However, the ECI clarified that separate provisions of the Citizenship Act apply in Assam where the Supreme Court-monitored exercise to verify citizenship was about to be concluded.

Watch: Indian student found dead in Russia: Family demands probe

A 22-year-old Indian MBBS student from Rajasthan, missing since October 19, was found dead near the White River in Ufa, Russia. His body has been brought back to Alwar after a post-mortem. The family, who had sold farmland for his education, suspects foul play and has urged the Indian government for a thorough investigation and urgent action.

CM Omar Abdullah Highlights J&Ks Development Vision At 32nd Northern Zonal Council Meeting

FARIDABAD, Nov 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today attended the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held in Faridabad, Haryana. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. The Northern Zonal Council comprises the States and Union Territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh. Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the launch of Mission YUVA, the governments focused push on strengthening the [] The post CM Omar Abdullah Highlights J&Ks Development Vision At 32nd Northern Zonal Council Meeting appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Top Court Slams Rajasthan For Failing To Control Jojari River's Pollution

The Supreme Court slammed the Rajasthan authorities for their failure to control pollution in the Jojari River, saying the suffering that has been caused to two million people was unbelievable.

Anil Ambani failed to appear before ED in money laundering case

NEW DELHI: For the second time, Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation case, the agency said on Monday. Ambani had requested the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to record his statement through virtual means after the agency issued a summons for Foreign Exchange Management Act violation for Friday. ED had rejected Ambanis offer and issued him a fresh summons for Monday. The probe pertains to misappropriation of funds linked to Rs 556-crore road project connecting Jaipur and Reengus in Rajasthan. The agency suspects that funds worth about Rs 100 crore were sent abroad via the hawala route. The matter is 15 years old, dates to 2010, and concerns issues associated with a road contractor. The JR Toll Road has been fully completed and, from 2021 onwards, has been with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for over past four years. Anil Ambani is not a member of the Board of Reliance Infrastructure. He served the company for about fifteen years, from April 2007 to March 2022, only as a non-executive director, and was never involved in day-to-day management of the company, the company said in a statement. Earlier, the agency had recorded the statements of various persons, including some alleged hawala dealers, after which they decided to summon Ambani.

India-UK military exercise 'Ajeya Warrior-25' begins in Rajasthan

Conducted under a United Nations mandate, the bilateral exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environment.

Tata Power Renewable Energy commissions NHPC's 300 MW solar project

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd has successfully commissioned NHPC's 300 MW solar power project. This large-scale solar facility is located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The entire power generated from this project will be supplied to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited. TPREL acted as the EPC contractor for this significant renewable energy development.

School Assembly News Headlines for 18th November: Top national, international, sports and business update

India and the US are nearing a trade deal. A cold wave is expected in Odisha. The Supreme Court has criticized Rajasthan for river pollution. Anil Ambani has again skipped an ED summons. Russia hopes for a Putin-Trump summit. Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death. Pakistan's bank is restricting dollar cash.

SC slams Rajasthan over Jojari River pollution; says suffering of 2 million people is 'unbelievable'

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Rajasthan authorities for their failure to control pollution in the Jojari River, saying the suffering that has been caused to two million people was unbelievable. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a suo motu case concerning contamination of the Jojari River water. The harsh reality that is going on at the spot is alarming, the bench said, adding, The suffering which has been caused to the people is unbelievable. It was observed that the common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) were bypassed and effluent was directly discharged into the river. That is what is happening. Why should we exonerate the municipal bodies, the bench asked the counsel appearing for the authorities. What has happened is under the nose and with the connivance of all the officers concerned, Justice Mehta said. The state's counsel said he has filed a status report in the matter. The bench said the report virtually vindicates what was observed in the order passed in the matter. It said there was a failure on the part of the state in controlling the pollution due to which two million people were suffering. The state's counsel said it has been decided that the municipal councils of Pali and Balotra, the Jodhpur Nagar Nigam and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd (RIICO) will not pursue their appeals in respect of positive directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT in February 2022 passed the order in a matter relating to pollution caused in three rivers -- Luni, Bandi and Jojari. The appeals filed by RIICO and these civic bodies were also listed for hearing before the apex court. The state's counsel said after the top court took suo motu cognisance of the matter, he advised the state authorities that they should not proceed with the appeals challenging the NGT order. He, however, said the top court should keep the matter pending with respect to the remarks made by the NGT against the authorities, and also the cost imposed. The state's counsel said the apex court may see the progress made in the matter. The bench took the state's status report on record and said it would pass an order in the matter on November 21. While hearing the matter on November 7, the top court asked the state to apprise it whether the RIICO and the three civic bodies want to continue with their respective appeals against the NGT's February 2022 order. The state's counsel had said the NGT order directed the RIICO to pay environmental compensation of Rs 2 crore. The apex court said last month that pending appeals against the NGT order in the matter relating to pollution in the Jojari River should be heard together with the suo motu case over contamination of the river water. The bench passed the order in the suo motu case titled In Re: 2 million lives at risk, contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan. On September 16, the top court took suo motu cognisance of discharge of industrial waste, primarily from textile and other factories, into the river, and said it was affecting hundreds of villages. Due to this, the bench said, the drinking water was not safe for humans as well as animals, and this was affecting their health and other ecosystems there.

JKSA flags collective suspicion of Kashmiri students post Delhi car blast; seeks PM intervention

NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday alleged that Kashmiri students across several northern states are facing profiling, eviction and intimidation in the aftermath of the Red Fort blast in Delhi, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly intervene to call off the vilification of the community. Addressing a press conference here, JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said a particular community is being targeted after the attack, claiming that Kashmiri students are being harassed in universities and localities in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. Kashmiri students believe in India's democracy and in the mainstream, not in terrorism. But they are being profiled and vilified by authorities and local people across states. Many landlords have asked Kashmiri tenants to vacate their rooms, forcing several students to return home out of fear, Khuehami said. He added that the association had o objection to any investigation into the blast, but demanded that the Centre ensure the safety of Kashmiri students and prevent collective suspicion. We request the Prime Minister to make a public statement. Kashmiris are as much a part of this country as any other citizen, he said. The JKSA also condemned the blast outside the Red Fort in the strongest words and sought a fair investigation and strict action against the culprits. The car explosion near Red Fort on November 10, which killed 13 people , has triggered a sweeping, multi-agency investigation involving the Delhi Police Special Cell, NIA and Crime Branch. Three people, including two doctors from Haryana's Al Falah University, have been detained as part of the probe. Police have also registered two separate FIRs against Al Falah University under cheating and forgery charges following regulatory violations flagged by the UGC and NAAC. A police team visited the university's Okhla office on Saturday to gather details of individuals under scrutiny. Officials said the detained doctors , Mohammad and Mustakim, were known to Dr Umar Nabi, the driver of the car that exploded, and were allegedly in touch with Dr Muzammil Ganaie, arrested earlier in a suspected white-collar terror module case . Their statements are being examined to assess their possible role in the broader conspiracy. Investigators are also probing the role of a Faridabad-based man accused of illegally selling fertilisers, as evidence suggests the module pooled around Rs 26 lakh to acquire explosive materials, including NPK fertiliser. Since the blast, police have checked more than 500 people from Jammu and Kashmir in Faridabad alone as part of heightened security measures, according to officials. The NIA is now probing the wider conspiracy after the initial UAPA FIR was transferred to the agency. Delhi police summons Al Falah University chairman in terror module, forgery probes

Contamination of Jojari River: Supreme Court slams Rajasthan authorities for failing to control pollution

The Supreme Court has criticised Rajasthan authorities for their inaction on Jojari River pollution. Two million people are suffering due to contaminated water. The court noted that effluent treatment plants are bypassed, and waste is discharged directly into the river.

Fuel thieves at Mahajan range in Rajasthan's Bikaner could be shot, army issues strict warning

JAIPUR: Amid rising incidents of petrol and diesel theft from army vehicles, the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner district has issued a strict warning that those caught stealing fuel from military vehicles could be shot. The orderan unusually severe stepcomes after several large-scale thefts were reported over the past few days, triggering serious security concerns. According to officials, armed security has been increased at night to monitor suspicious movement around the range. Local accountability has been fixed for any incident, and the use of weapons has been permitted if necessary. The directive was issued after villagers were named in previous theft cases, putting both army units and local police on alert. In a letter circulated to nearby villages and police stations, the Range Commandant stated: Sentries deployed at night will be armed. They may use their weapons in the event of an untoward incident. Sarpanches are requested to inform their village residents. If an incident occurs, the individual will be held responsible; the Mahajan Field Firing Range will not be accountable. Army officials believe that some individuals sneak in during the night and siphon fuel from parked trucks and other military vehicles. Officers said this is likely the first time the Army has formally mentioned the use of firearms against alleged fuel thieves. Villages placed on special alert The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Ajay Grewal, ADM Commandant of the Mahajan Field Firing Range. Villages around the North, East, West, and South Campsincluding Mahajan, Lunkaransar, Chhatargarh, and Rajiasarhave been placed on a special security alert. Sarpanches have been instructed to caution residents and report suspicious activities immediately. The army has also ordered Panchayat-level awareness drives, warning that village representatives will be held personally responsible if thefts continue. Villagers say the order has become a major talking point and people have begun keeping vigil at night. Written notices have been sent to Mahajan, Lunkaransar, Chhatargarh, and Rajiasar police stations, directing them to increase patrolling and surveillance. Mahajan Police Station Officer Ramkesh Meena said, We received the letter and have formed a special team. Pamphlets are being distributed in every village to inform the public. Lunkaransar police officials confirmed that joint patrolling around the range has already begun. Police suspect the thefts are carried out under the cover of darkness, with fuel being siphoned from army vehicles. The Mahajan Field Firing Range is one of the Indian Armys largest and most sensitive training grounds. Repeated fuel theftsamounting to dozens of litres in the past monthhave begun disrupting training operations. Lieutenant Colonel Grewal said, Our priority is the security of the range. This can only be ensured with local cooperation.

Supreme Court to hear challenge to Rajasthans anti-Conversion law

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a challenge to several provisions of Rajasthans Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought a response from the state government after petitioners questioned the constitutionality of the law, particularly the parts that allow authorities to confiscate [] The post Supreme Court to hear challenge to Rajasthans anti-Conversion law appeared first on India Legal .

Kumar Sangakkara reappointed as Rajasthan Royals' head coach

In an exciting turnaround for the Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara has been reinstated as the head coach for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League season. After his successful tenure as Director of Cricket, Sangakkara steps into the head coach role following the departure of Rahul Dravid, who left due to a thorough evaluation of the teams recent performance.

Former Sri Lanka captain replaces Rahul Dravid as Rajasthan Royals head coach for IPL 2026, his name is...

Rajasthan Royals announced Kumar Sangakkara, their Director of Cricket, will double as head coach for IPL 2026. Read here to know more

RR reboot: Sangakkara back as head coach, replaces Dravid after tough season

Rajasthan Royals have appointed Kumar Sangakkara as their head coach for IPL 2026, alongside his Director of Cricket role. This move follows a disappointing 2025 season under Rahul Dravid. Sangakkara, who previously led the team to the 2022 final, aims to bring stability and renewed competitiveness with a strengthened coaching staff.

Uttarakhand Police bust cybergang swindling victims of Rs 3.37 crore

NAINITAL: Uttarakhand Police have arrested four members of a major interstate cybercrime network for allegedly hacking into people's phones and transferring money from their bank accounts. The gang allegedly used to send links on social media to gain access to victims' phones. All transactions were made to mule accounts to keep their identities hidden, police said on Sunday. According to a preliminary probe, transactions of Rs 3.37 crore have been found to be suspicious. Tallital police intercepted a car at Bhediyapakhad mod in Do Gaon on Saturday during a checking drive conducted by Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra and Deputy Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar. Police said the four occupants of the car were found suspicious, and a thorough search revealed 11 phones, nine SIM cards, several Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, QR codes, and several debit and credit cards. During interrogation, they revealed that they sent APK files via social media to access victims' phones. After hacking the devices, they transferred money to various mule accounts. Police said that a QR code was linked to a bank account related to a case in Delhi. Shubham Gupta from Alwar, Rajasthan; Piyush Goyal from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh; Rishabh Kumar from Ghaziabad, UP and Mohit Rathi from Gurugram, Haryana have been arrested. Several high-end smartphones and a car used by the accused have also been confiscated.

Maize farmers fail to recover cost as prices plummet amid ethanol rush

NEW DELHI: CONTRARY to the governments claim of transforming farmers from food providers to energy providers, Indias ethanol production, particularly from maize farmers, is creating a crisis situation for farmers. The price of maize has dropped to nearly half of the fixed minimum support price (MSP), while the production cost of ethanol remains significantly higher than the established base price. Ramapal Jat, president of the farmers organisation Kisan Mahapanchayat, highlighted the difficulties faced by maize farmers in the country. He explained that the price of maize has plummeted due to speculation regarding cheaper imports from the US, allowing ethanol manufacturers to profit significantly. The market price of maize has dropped to around Rs 900, which is well below both the MSP and the production cost, he stated. The government has set the MSP for maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal. One of Indias largest maize markets, the Nasrullaganj maize mandi in Madhya Pradesh, reported a price of Rs 1,121 per quintal, while Nahargadh mandi in Rajasthan recorded Rs 1,100 per quintal. In Bihar, which is the third-largest producer of maize after Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, the price reported was as low as Rs 900 per quintal. However, the governments estimated production cost for a quintal of maize is Rs 1,952. The benefits of ethanol production are being directly transferred to 779 industries, leaving farmers at the mercy of the market, Jat said. In the current market season of 202526, the government has announced plans to procure 1,048 crore litres of ethanol for blending with petrol in an 80:20 ratio, known as E20. Over 72% of this ethanol will be sourced from maize, while the remainder will come from sugar. Currently, India produces 422.81 lakh tonnes of maize across 120.17 lakh hectares, which accounts for three per cent of global production, while the US contributes 35 per cent of the total output. There are widespread market speculations that similar to cotton, India may permit the import of cheap maize from the US, contributing to the price drop. Industries are taking advantage of the low prices to produce cheaper ethanol from maize and sell it to the government, Jat remarked. According to calculations by Kisan Mahapanchayat, the price of ethanol would be Rs 54.52 per litre based on a maximum maize price of Rs 1,821 per quintal. Caught in the Maze Price Crash Maize has come down to Rs 1,121 per quintal in Nasrullaganj maize mandi in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 1,100 per quintal in Nahargadh mandi in Rajasthan, and as low as Rs 900 per quintal in Bihar Elusive MSP The government has set MSP for maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal, which is not realised in most mandis Cost Mismatch Officials estimate the production cost for a quintal of maize at Rs 1,952 Robust Production The country produces 422.81 lakh tonnes of maize across 120.17 lakh hectares

Shah to chair N-Z Council meet today

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday chair the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Haryanas Faridabad, where issues like education, health, electricity, speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children, among others, are likely to be discussed. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Northern Zonal Council comprises the States and Union Territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh. Chief Ministers, [] The post Shah to chair N-Z Council meet today appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Why Sanju Samson left Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026? Franchise owner makes big revelation

Why did Sanju Samson leave Rajasthan Royals after 14 years? Franchise owner Manoj Badale reveals that Samson felt emotionally and physically drained after the 2025 season, prompting him to ask for a move. His IPL 2026 trade marks the end of an era for RR's longest-serving player.

Home Minister Amit Shah to chair Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad on November 17

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council at Faridabad in Haryana on Monday. The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, with the Government of Haryana hosting it. The Northern Zonal Council consists of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh. Chief ministers, lieutenant governors, senior officials from the central and state governments and Union territories shall participate in the meeting. Education, health, electricity, and speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children are likely to be discussed. The council will also discuss issues of national importance, including the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts, providing brick-and-mortar banking facilities in the designated area of every village, implementation of the Emergency Response Support System, etc. Issues of common interest on the regional level shall also be discussed. The Northern Zonal Council is among the five zonal councils established under sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. Issues proposed by the States are presented to the permanent committee of the concerned Zonal Council for discussion initially. Following consideration by the permanent committee, issues are later presented to the Zonal Council meeting for deliberation. Despite the role of the zonal councils being advisory, it serves as a forum to resolve and aid progress over issues and disputes between the Centre, member states and Union territories. It also plays a vital role in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation across various fields. In the last 11 years, a total of 63 meetings of the various zonal councils and their permanent committees have been held.

Aakash Chopra questions Ravindra Jadeja's pay cut in trade to Rajasthan Royals from CSK

Aakash Chopra expressed surprise at Ravindra Jadeja's move to the Rajasthan Royals and taking a pay cut. Here's what he said.

Rajasthan: Six killed, 14 injured as tempo carrying pilgrims collides with trailer

JAIPUR, Nov 16: Six people were killed, and 14 others injured when a tempo carrying pilgrims collided with a trailer loaded with grain sacks on the Jodhpur-Balesar stretch of National Highway 125 early Sunday, police said. The accident took place near the Khari Beri village in the Jodhpur district. The tempo, carrying around 20 pilgrims from Gujarats Banaskantha and Dhansura areas and heading to Ramdeora, was hit by the speeding trailer coming from the opposite direction, Balesar SHO Moolsingh [] The post Rajasthan: Six killed, 14 injured as tempo carrying pilgrims collides with trailer appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'Emotionally drained': RR owner explains the real reason behind Sanju Samsons trade

Sanju Samson's decade-long Rajasthan Royals journey concludes in a high-profile IPL trade to Chennai Super Kings for INR 18 crore. Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move to RR in a swap deal. Royals owner Manoj Badale revealed Samson's emotional exhaustion and desire for a new chapter after a challenging season, dismissing claims of team chaos.

Why Did Sanju Samson Leave Rajasthan Royals? Franchise Owner Reveals

Rajasthan Royals owner revealed that Sanju Samson first put in a request to leave the franchise towards the end of the IPL 2025 season.

Rajasthan Royals likely to hand Ravindra Jadeja the captaincy for IPL 2026

Ravindra Jadeja returns to Rajasthan Royals after 17 years, traded from CSK for Sanju Samson. This homecoming, following his 2008 debut under Shane Warne, fills a crucial void for the Royals. Jadeja is also a strong contender for captaincy, with an announcement expected soon.

Direct engagement ensures market linkages for rural producers in Rajasthan

Several leading companies signed letters of intent (LoIs) at an event in Udaipur over the weekend, expressing readiness for large-scale procurement from SHG enterprises

Bhopal Diary: Even in death, woman saves lives of three

Political rehabilitation of 2 turncoat politicians Former forest minister Ramnivas Rawat may soon head one of the independent state boards. BJP sources say the first list of the long-awaited appointments of heads to independent corporations-boards is likely after Bihar poll results. Six times former Congress MLA, Rawat, had joined the BJP during 2024 Lok Sabha polls and was later made the forest minister. He, however, suffered a shock defeat as BJP candidate in the November 2024 Assembly bypoll from Vijaypur (Sheopur) and resigned as minister. Since then, he has been in oblivion. Another ex-minister, Imarti Devi, who lost two successive polls as BJP candidate is likely to head a board or corporation. Even in death, woman saves lives of three A 38-year-old brain dead female advocate Abhijita Rathore saved the lives of 3 critically ill patients in Indore recently. The High Court lawyer was declared brain dead by doctors last month at a private hospital following severe lung infection leading to brain damage. Overcoming the grief, her family decided to donate her liver, the kidneys, cornea and skin. The two kidneys saved lives of two male patients aged 27 and 50, while the liver was successfully transplanted into a 25-year-old woman. The skin preserved now in the skin bank holds the promise of reactivating lives of burn patients in future. Films, politics dominate Ujjains donkey fair Film and politics seemed to have their influence at the recent donkey fair in Ujjain. At the famous annual fair where around 500 donkeys were on sale, names written on their back to identify them included Tejashwi, Owaisi, Pushpa, Aishwarya, Salman, Shahrukh and Jacqueline to attract the buyers attention, those associated with the organisers said. While the donkeys were on sale for prices ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 15,000, small horses were priced at Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. The small horses and donkeys were brought to the fair for sale from various parts of MP and neighbouring Rajasthan and Maharashtra. anuraag singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com

17-day-old infant killed in alleged human sacrifice in Jodhpur; four women detained

JAIPUR: A horrifying case of the alleged human sacrifice of a 17-day-old infant has emerged from Jodhpur, where four women, reportedly the childs aunts, have been accused of killing the newborn. A disturbing video circulating on social media shows a woman holding the baby in her lap while chanting, as several others sit nearby, seemingly participating in what appears to be a tantric ritual. According to reports, Suman, a resident of Sansiyon Ki Dhani Gujrawas, had returned to her parents home for the delivery about a month and a half ago. Her husband, Poonamram, said she gave birth to their son, identified as Pratyuksh, 17 days ago. On Friday night, while Suman was in the bathroom, her four sisters allegedly killed the infant. The childs father alleged that his sisters-in-law, frustrated at not being able to marry, killed the baby due to superstitious beliefs. He claimed the women first broke the infants limbs, then trampled and strangled him, even pulling out his hair. Recalling the moment he learned of his sons death, the father said: My wife informed me at 3:30 a.m. She said, My sisters have killed your child. At first, I thought the child may have fallen during a fight. Later, I learned they had broken his hands and legs and suffocated him. The accused aunts were jealous of their sister, who already had two children and was settled in her family. All four are unmarried. The father has demanded strict action against the accused. Police have detained all four women for questioning and are investigating the case from the perspective of witchcraft and alleged human sacrifice. The incident has once again raised concerns about rising cases of infant killings in Rajasthan. Recently, the state was shocked by another case in Churu, where a woman allegedly strangled her newborn just two hours after birth. To prevent anyone from hearing the babys cries, the child was first suffocated and then strangled. The crime came to light following the newborns postmortem report, after which the womans elder sister filed a murder case at Kotwali police station.

Nominations invited for Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awards

4 Women Were Desperate To Get Married. So They Killed Nephew In Ritual

In what appears to be a ritualistic murder, four women trampled their 16-day-old nephew to death with their feet in Rajasthan's Jodhpur because they believed that it would help them finally get married.

Rajasthan Police Constable Result 2025 Out; Physical Tests From November 30

Rajasthan Police Constable Result 2025: Candidates shortlisted in the written exam will now appear for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).

'When its time...': Sanju Samson shares first reaction after shock move from RR to CSK before IPL 2026

Sanju Samson has finally reacted after his stunning switch from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026. The former RR captain shared his first words after the blockbuster move, leaving fans emotional and excited about his new journey in the iconic yellow jersey.

CSK confirms tough call: Jadeja and Curran out, Sanju Samson joins in major IPL trade

Chennai Super Kings has traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals for captain Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026. This difficult decision aims to address CSK's need for a reliable Indian top-order batsman and begin rebuilding for the future. Samson's experience and leadership are seen as crucial for CSK's long-term competitiveness.

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals trades Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in place of Jadeja and Curran

It was reported earlier that the Jadeja-Samson trade virtually sealed. The formal announcement came hours before the deadline for submitting retentions

IPL Retention 2026: Ravindra Jadeja makes stunning comeback to Rajasthan Royals after 12 seasons at CSK

In a significant IPL trade, Ravindra Jadeja returns to Rajasthan Royals, his inaugural team, while Sanju Samson dons the Chennai Super Kings yellow. Jadeja, a seasoned all-rounder, moves from CSK for 14 crore after a storied 12-season tenure. This high-profile swap, ahead of the 2026 season, marks a major shift for both star players and their franchises.

IPL 2026: Sanju Samson joins Chennai Super Kings, Ravindra Jadeja moves to Rajasthan Royals after...

IPL 2026: Sanju Samson joins Chennai Super Kings, Ravindra Jadeja moves to Rajasthan Royals after 14 years

Rajasthan Police constable result 2025 declared: Direct link to download here

The Rajasthan Police Recruitment Board has released the district-wise Constable recruitment results on police.rajasthan.gov.in, allowing candidates to check their qualifying status and prepare for the next stage. Those shortlisted will appear for the PET and PST from November 30 to December 7, followed by document verification before the final merit list is prepared for constable appointments.

Bypoll double blow to NC in J&K, Congress wins Anta in BJP-ruled Raj

NEW DELHI: Ruling parties on Friday suffered defeats in four of the eight seats where Assembly bypolls were held on November 11, with the Congress bagging one seat in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and PDP handing the National Conference its first defeat in Budgam. The BJP won the Nagrota seat in J&K and Mizorams main Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) retained Dampa seat with its candidate R Lalthangliana defeating Vanlalsailova of the Zoram Peoples Movement by 562 votes. In Nagrota, BJPs Devyani Rana defeated J&K National Panthers Party candidate Harsh Dev Singh by 24,647 votes. Opposition PDPs Aga Syed Muntazir won the Budgam bypoll, defeating NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood by 4,478 votes. The bypoll was necessitated after CM Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and chose family bastion Ganderbal after winning from both in assembly elections last year. In Anta, Pramod Jain Bhaya of Congress defeated BJPs Morpal Suman by 15,612 votes. The bypoll was necessitated after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal case. AAP retained the Tarn Taran seat in Punjab, with its candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeating SAD nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by 12,091 votes. JMM candidate Somesh Chandra Soren beat his nearest rival Babulal Soren of BJP in Ghatshila by-election in Jharkhand by over 38,500 votes. Somesh is the son of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren, whose death necessitated the bypoll. In Odishas Nuapada, BJPs Jay Dholakia beat Ghasi Ram Majhi of the Congress by 83,748 votes. V Naveen Yadav of Congress won Jubilee Hills seat defeating BRS nominee Maganti Sunitha by 24,729 votes.

Inter-state liquor smuggling: Police arrest 3 masterminds

Panaji: The crime branch police probing the inter-state spurious liquor smuggling racket has arrested the alleged masterminds, Kursingh Rajput (42), Bharat Singh Rathore (25), both natives of Rajasthan, and Munaf Shaikh (42), a native of Sawantwadi, Maharashtra. Last week, the police had busted the racket, which led to the arrest of four labourers and seizure []

BJP Gets Mixed Luck in 8 Assembly Bypolls

In BJP-ruled Rajasthan, the Congress bagged the Anta seat as Pramod Jain `Bhaya defeated BJPs Morpal Suman. The bypoll was necessitated after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal case

NC loses stronghold in J&K; Congress, BJP win two seats each in bypolls to eight Assembly constituencies

IN J&K, the PDP wrests Budgam in central Kashmir from the NC. The BJP wins Nagrota in J&K and Nuapada in Odisha. The Congress bags Anta in Rajasthan and Jubilee Hills in Telangana. Opposition Mizo National Front retains Dampa in Mizoram. The AAP retains Tarn Taran in Punjab and the JMM retains Ghatshila in Jharkhand

Congress blames SIR, vote chori after worst performance in Bihar since 2010

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot asks why the Election Commission let the Bihar government continue cash transfers while the model code of conduct was in force; Congress MP Manickam Tagore blames SIR for disenfranchising 65 lakh voters

Congress stuns BJP in Anta bypoll as Pramod Jain Bhaya secures fourth Assembly entry

JAIPUR: In a major setback for the ruling BJP in Rajasthan, the Anta Assembly by-election delivered a decisive victory to veteran Congress leader Pramod Jain Bhaya, who has now entered the Assembly for the fourth time. Bhaya secured 69,462 votes, defeating BJP candidate Morpal Suman, who received 53,868 votes. Independent candidate Naresh Meena finished a close third with 53,740 votes. The result is being widely viewed as a morale booster for the Congress as the party looks ahead to the 2028 Assembly elections. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot congratulated Bhaya and used the occasion to criticise the BJP government. In a social media post, he wrote, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all voters for giving Congress victory in the Anta by-election and extend my heartfelt congratulations to newly elected MLA Pramod Jain Bhaya. Congress leaders claimed that the mandate reaffirms public confidence in the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The outcome has also been interpreted as a major setback for Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, as Anta is considered one of Rajes key influence areas. Adding to the significance, her son and JhalawarBaran MP Dushyant Singh served as the election observer, and Anta falls within his Lok Sabha constituency. Both Bhajanlal and Raje had collectively campaigned for the partys candidate, Morpal Suman. The by-election was seen as a major test for the states BJP government. Treating it as a prestige battle, the BJP fielded its top leadership, including CM Sharma, former CM Raje and several senior leaders, but the campaign strategy failed to deliver. Morpal Suman, considered a close associate of Raje, could not secure a win. The BJPs delay in announcing its candidate had brought speculation that the contest might be smoother for the party. However, the final verdict proved otherwise, triggering internal questions within the BJP about strategy, timing and leadership messaging. The counting process spanned 20 rounds, at the end of which Bhaya emerged victorious with a margin of 15,594 votes. State Congress president Madan Rathod admitted the party faces larger organisational challenges, saying, As the state president, I have the biggest responsibility, so I take responsibility for this defeat. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham accused the Congress of influencing voters through money power, appeasement, and inducements. Independent candidate Naresh Meena, who attracted significant attention during the campaign, once again failed to convert momentum into victory. His displeasure was evident soon after the results. Meena received support from RLP chief and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal, independent MLA Rajendra Gudha and AAPs Sanjay Singh, prompting expectations that this contest could strengthen the Third Front in Rajasthan. Instead, the outcome has weakened such prospects. Anta went to a by-election for the first time after BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena lost his seat following his conviction in a criminal case. Although the BJP formed the government in 2023, Kanwarlal Meena had not been inducted into the Cabinet. The constituency recorded an impressive 80.21% voter turnout. Of the 2,28,264 registered voters, 1,83,099 cast their ballots 96,141 men, 86,955 women and three voters from the others category. The outcome is being widely viewed as a morale booster for the Congress as it looks ahead to the 2028 Assembly elections.

Rajasthan: Congresss Pramod Jain Bhaya wins Anta bypoll

Jaipur: Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya won the Anta assembly bypoll in Rajasthan with 69,571 votes, defeating his nearest rival and BJP nominee Morpal Suman by a margin of 15,612 votes, according to the Election Commission. Suman got 53,959 votes, beating Independent candidate and Congress rebel Naresh Meena, who was initially in second place, by 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 .

Indian armed forces conduct Tri-Services exercise Trishul 2025

India conducted Tri-Services Exercise Trishul 2025, led by the Navy with the Army and Air Force, showcasing large-scale multi-domain operations across Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Arabian Sea. The drill focused on joint readiness, interoperability, ISR, EW, cyber warfare and indigenous systems

Bypolls: BJP Retains Nagrota Seat, MNF Wins Dampa

Congress candidates were leading in the Jubilee Hills assembly constituency in Telangana and Anta assembly constituency in Rajasthan's Baran district, the trends available for the November 11 bypolls showed.

EC colluded with BJP in Bihar; cash payments continued despite model code, alleges Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR: Accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling party in Bihar, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday claimed that cash and benefits -- including Rs 10,000 to women -- were distributed to voters despite the model code of conduct being in force in the then poll-bound state. The former chief minister of Rajasthan termed the trends of the Bihar assembly election results disappointing and said pension payments and cash transfers continued unabated during the campaign period. The assembly results are disappointing. It seems to me that the payments of Rs 10,000 to women were continuing even when the election campaign was on; such a thing never happens, Gehlot told reporters here. He said that during the assembly elections in Rajasthan in 2023, the distribution of mobile phones under a scheme and pension disbursements were immediately halted the moment the code came into effect. In Bihar, the Election Commission remained a mute spectator. Why did it not stop this? It did not intervene at all, he alleged. When you do not ensure fair elections, when booth capturing or dishonesty takes place, and the Election Commission takes no action, that is vote theft. There was clear collusion with the ruling party, Gehlot said. He claimed that the BJP had amassed money power, which posed a threat to democracy, adding that the country needs Congress and its ideology. Speaking about the Anta bypoll , Gehlot said that the Congress candidate was heading towards a victory.

Rajasthan: Congress candidate leads in Anta bypolls

Independent candidate Naresh Meena was trailing, while the BJP candidate, Morpal Saman, was in the third position; the counting will be held in 20 rounds, according to officials

Assembly bypolls: Congress widens lead in Jubilee Hills; BJP dominates Nuapada in early bypoll trends

Early trends from bypolls across seven states on Friday pointed to tight contests, heavy security deployment and brisk counting across multiple Assembly seats. Jubilee Hills bypoll Over in Telanganas Jubilee Hills, after completion of four rounds of counting, Congress candidate Naveen Kumar Yadav is leading by 9,147 votes over BRS Maganti Sunitha. With 48.49% turnout, counting is spread across 10 rounds, while BJPs Lankala Deepak Reddy trails far behind. Nuapada bypoll In Nuapada, counting began under a three-tier security arrangement. After completion of 4 out of 26 rounds, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia has secured 18,903 votes, extending his lead to a massive 12,815 votes. Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi is currently in second position with 6,088 votes, closely followed by BJDs Snehangini Chhuria, who has polled 5,320 votes so far. The high-stakes bypoll recorded an impressive 83.45% turnout, the highest among all eight seats that went to polls on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. Nagrota bypoll In Jammus Nagrota, the BJP appeared to gain early momentum with Devyani Rana moving ahead of NCs Shamim Begum and JKNPPs Harsh Dev Singh. The seat, which recorded over 75% turnout, went to polls following the death of former MLA Devender Singh Rana, Devyanis father. Counting is underway at Government Polytechnic College under tight security. Tarn Taran bypoll In Punjabs Tarn Taran, the Shiromani Akali Dal registered an early advantage, with its nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa leading AAPs Harmeet Singh Sandhu by 374 votes after three rounds. The constituency saw 60.95% polling and went to bypolls following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Counting is underway at the International College of Nursing, Piddi. Ghatshila bypoll The Ghatshila contest in Jharkhand unfolded with JMMs Somesh Chandra Soren seizing a lead of 2,164 votes over JLKMs Ramdas Murmu after the first round. The tribal belt seat recorded 74.63% turnout and fell vacant after the death of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren. Twenty rounds of counting are scheduled. Anta bypoll In Rajasthans Anta, the Congress gained the upper hand early on, as its candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya moved 614 votes ahead of Independent candidate Naresh Meena after two rounds. The seat polled 80.21% and has 15 contenders, with counting planned over 20 rounds. Dampa bypoll Meanwhile in Mizorams Dampa, counting opened at 8 am with postal ballots being tallied first. The constituency, which saw a strong 83.07% turnout, is witnessing a five-way contest involving ZPM, MNF, Congress, BJP and PC candidates. Five rounds of counting are scheduled. (With inputs from PTI, Express News Service)

Congress widens lead in Jubilee Hills; BJP dominates Nuapada in early bypoll trends

Early trends from bypolls across seven states on Friday pointed to tight contests, heavy security deployment and brisk counting across multiple Assembly seats. Jubilee Hills bypoll Over in Telanganas Jubilee Hills, after completion of four rounds of counting, Congress candidate Naveen Kumar Yadav is leading by 9,147 votes over BRS Maganti Sunitha. With 48.49% turnout, counting is spread across 10 rounds, while BJPs Lankala Deepak Reddy trails far behind. Nuapada bypoll In Nuapada, counting began under a three-tier security arrangement. After completion of 4 out of 26 rounds, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia has secured 18,903 votes, extending his lead to a massive 12,815 votes. Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi is currently in second position with 6,088 votes, closely followed by BJDs Snehangini Chhuria, who has polled 5,320 votes so far. The high-stakes bypoll recorded an impressive 83.45% turnout, the highest among all eight seats that went to polls on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. Nagrota bypoll In Jammus Nagrota, the BJP appeared to gain early momentum with Devyani Rana moving ahead of NCs Shamim Begum and JKNPPs Harsh Dev Singh. The seat, which recorded over 75% turnout, went to polls following the death of former MLA Devender Singh Rana, Devyanis father. Counting is underway at Government Polytechnic College under tight security. Tarn Taran bypoll In Punjabs Tarn Taran, the Shiromani Akali Dal registered an early advantage, with its nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa leading AAPs Harmeet Singh Sandhu by 374 votes after three rounds. The constituency saw 60.95% polling and went to bypolls following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Counting is underway at the International College of Nursing, Piddi. Ghatshila bypoll The Ghatshila contest in Jharkhand unfolded with JMMs Somesh Chandra Soren seizing a lead of 2,164 votes over JLKMs Ramdas Murmu after the first round. The tribal belt seat recorded 74.63% turnout and fell vacant after the death of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren. Twenty rounds of counting are scheduled. Anta bypoll In Rajasthans Anta, the Congress gained the upper hand early on, as its candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya moved 614 votes ahead of Independent candidate Naresh Meena after two rounds. The seat polled 80.21% and has 15 contenders, with counting planned over 20 rounds. Dampa bypoll Meanwhile in Mizorams Dampa, counting opened at 8 am with postal ballots being tallied first. The constituency, which saw a strong 83.07% turnout, is witnessing a five-way contest involving ZPM, MNF, Congress, BJP and PC candidates. Five rounds of counting are scheduled. (With inputs from PTI, Express News Service)

Rajasthans Anta bypoll results: Congress candidate leads

Independent candidate Naresh Meena was trailing, while the BJP candidate, Morpal Saman, was in the third position

Assembly Bypoll Result 2025 Live: Check who is winning by-elections of Jubilee Hills, Budgam, Nagrota, Anta, Ghatshila, Tarn Taran, nuapada

Counting is underway for assembly bypolls across eight constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Mizoram. The results are expected to shape internal and external political dynamics as parties gear up for upcoming state and local elections, with local issues and candidate selection proving crucial.

Belagavi police bust international VoIP scam targeting US citizens

BELAGAVI: In a major breakthrough, Belagavi police on Thursday busted an international online fraud racket that had duped hundreds of US citizens over the past seven months. The well-organised call centre, operating secretly from Kumar Hall, off Bauxite Road in Belagavi city, was running a sophisticated Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) scam to siphon off money from unsuspecting Americans. Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse revealed the operators had collected sensitive information, including bank details and residential addresses of several US citizens. Using advanced software and fake identities, the accused lured victims into sharing financial data before extorting money through intimidation and deceit. Acting on intelligence inputs, a special police team raided the call centre at midnight Wednesday, seized 37 laptops and 37 mobile phones, and arrested 33 individuals on the spot. All the accused hailed from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with one suspect reportedly from Nepal. During preliminary interrogation, police found the gang used 11 pre-written scripts to cheat clients, tailoring each to manipulate or threaten them. They would inform a US resident that he had placed an order for an expensive gadget, such as an iPhone. The victim would deny it, and be directed to another number which was actually controlled by the fraudsters. Once connected, the scammers gained access to key personal and banking details, said Commissioner Borse. Some members impersonated officials of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), convincing victims that their phone numbers and email accounts had been hacked or misused elsewhere. The victims, believing the narrative, often revealed sensitive data or made panic payments. The racket employed multiple digital camouflage techniques and Urban VPN to hide their IP addresses, and VoIP technology to make and receive calls that appeared to originate from foreign locations, though operating from Belagavi. The group also used sophisticated software to manage real-time communication, Borse said. Most of the international calls were handled by operators from Gujarat and West Bengal. Two more suspects are expected to be arrested soon. The seized laptops and phones will undergo forensic imaging and analysis to trace the money trail and identify victims, police said. Preliminary findings show the call centre employees were paid Rs 18,000 to Rs 45,000 per month, besides incentives and performance bonuses. Borse said multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked and investigations are on to determine the extent of the scam and whether international collaborators were involved.

Rajasthan Bars Govt Medical College Heads From Private Practice

Rajasthan bars principals and superintendents in government medical colleges from private practice, sets new eligibility rules per National Medical Commission.

Anta bypoll Result 2025 Live: BJP's Morpal Suman vs Congress's Pramod Jain Bhaya, check who is winning the by election?

Vote counting for the Anta assembly bypoll in Rajasthan is underway. The election commission is conducting the counting under tight security and CCTV surveillance. This bypoll was necessitated after the disqualification of a BJP MLA. Fifteen candidates contested the election. The ruling BJP had previously won five out of seven assembly bypolls held last year.

Anandpal encounter: Revision court rules police acted in self-defence

JAIPUR: The Jodhpur District and Sessions (Revision) Court on Thursday overturned the ACJM (CBI Cases) court's order that had initiated murder charges against seven police officers, including Churu SP Rahul Barhat in the infamous Anandpal Singh encounter case. The court observed that the officers were performing their duty and that the encounter took place in self-defence. It further noted that deceased gangster Anandpal Singh fired first using an automatic weapon, seriously injuring a member of the police team. In its order, the court relied on the findings of the CBIs scientific and forensic investigation, which confirmed that Anandpal himself opened fire and that Commando Sohan Singh was injured by his bullet. The court held that the magistrate had ignored this crucial fact while taking cognizance of murder charges. Senior advocates Vineet Jain, Rahul Chaudhary, and Umeshkant Vyas represented the police in the review petition, arguing that the officers acted strictly within the line of duty. The court agreed, noting that the allegations made years later by Anandpals family lacked evidence and were contradicted by the CBI report. The incident dates back to June 24, 2017, when police surrounded Anandpal Singh at a farmhouse in Malasar village, Churu district. Anandpal, Rajasthans most wanted criminal at the time, was facing multiple cases of murder, robbery, and extortion. Acting on leads from his arrested brother Rupinder Pal Singh and associate Devendra Singh, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) teams tracked him down to the farmhouse. Police officials stated that Anandpal was asked to surrender but instead opened indiscriminate fire with an AK-47. In the ensuing exchange, Anandpal was killed, while Commando Sohan Singh and then-Inspector Suryaveer Singh Rathore sustained serious injuries. Anandpals family had long claimed that the encounter was fake, alleging he was killed after surrendering. In July 2024, the ACJM court had taken cognizance of murder and ordered the registration of a case against seven police officers, including then Churu SP Rahul Barhat, DSP Vidya Prakash, and other SOG and RAC personnel. However, the revision court noted that firing took place from both sides and that holding only the police accountable was beyond the facts. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the court remarked that policemen who risk their lives in the line of duty should not face prosecution without conclusive evidence. Anandpals family is reportedly considering an appeal before the High Court.

Rajasthan Shocker: Camel Crashes Into Car, Smashes Through Roof Runs Away After Being Freed with JCB Help (VIDEO)

In a bizarre accident in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a camel crashed into a car, got trapped inside for two hours, and ran away after being rescued with the help of a JCB. The driver was seriously injured in the collision.

Camel Gets Trapped After Head-On Collision With Car In Rajasthan, Rescued

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred when a stray camel suddenly appeared on the road, leaving the driver with no time to react