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Ram Vilas Vedanti Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former BJP MP dies in Rewa after heart attack
Vedanti was the executive president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and had been elected to the Lok Sabha from Pratapgarh and Machhali Shahar in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh earlier
Medical Education Reform Stays Stalled, says SC-appointed Oversight Secy
Just four states, three in South and Uttar Pradesh, command the largest pie in Indias medical education
Nehru Made Kashmir Issue Controversial, India Got Extremism, Separatism From There: Adityanath
Lucknow, Dec 15: Uttar Pradesh Chief Yogi Adityanath on Monday blamed Jawaharlal Nehru for the extremism and separatism emanating from Kashmir, and alleged that the first prime minister of India made the issue so controversial that it continues to sting the country even now. Addressing an event on the 75th death anniversary of the countrys first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he referred to the integration of over 560 princely states into the Union of India and pointed to Junagadh [] The post Nehru Made Kashmir Issue Controversial, India Got Extremism, Separatism From There: Adityanath appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
At 5:30 am, visibility at Palam was around 100 metres since 4:30 am but decreased further to 50 metres due to thick fog, with westerly winds blowing at 5-7 kmph. Both Safdarjung and Palam in Delhi reported visibility of 50 metres, while Hindon in west Uttar Pradesh recorded zero visibility.
Elevation above caste & dynasty politics: BJPs new UP chief takes over
LUCKNOW: Union Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was on Sunday appointed as the president of the BJPs Uttar Pradesh unit, ending months of speculation over who would secure the coveted position. Chaudhury extended his gratitude to the party leadership on the occasion, saying, Only in the BJP can an ordinary party worker like me be elevated to role of leadership like this. The decision is guided neither by dynastic politics nor caste politics. The announcement was made in the presence of CM Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Union Minister Piyush Goyal and party national general secretary Vinod Tawde were also present. A seven-time Lok Sabha MP from Maharajganj, Chaudhary is the fourth Kurmi leader to lead the party in the states history. Chaudhary had filed his nomination papers for the post on Saturday. The 61-year-old is also a prominent OBC leader from Gorakhpur, the stronghold of UP CM Yogi Adityanath in eastern Uttar Pradesh. His name was proposed by the CM himself. The partys decision to name him as the state unit chief seems to have been shaped by the its electoral setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the OBC voter base drifted away from it. Chaudhurys election was finalised reportedly keeping in mind the partys electoral strategy for the Assembly elections slated for early 2027 as well as the three-tier panchayat polls due in the middle of next year. Chaudhary assured party workers that they are of prime importance for him. I will fight for you and will become adamant for your rights. I will always be available to listen to you as karyakarta (worker), karyakram (events), karyalaya (office) and kosh (treasury) all these four factors are significant for any organisation, he said.
Insider track: PMs engagement style
PMs engagement style Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent dinner for NDA MPs at his former official residence offered a few telling moments about his approach to engagement. One scene that set tongues wagging featured the Prime Minister walking alongside a Cabinet minister, his hand briefly resting on the ministers shoulder. Such gestures from Modi are rare, which is why they rarely go unnoticed. A cautious NDA MP said it hinted at a level of comfort or trust, adding that the ministers visible role in the recent Bihar Assembly elections may have registered. Throughout the evening, Modi worked the room, greeting MPs, asking after families, and exchanging pleasantries. Veterans recalled a similar shoulder-touch moment with Yogi Adityanath during an earlier campaign. With the BJP set to pick a new national president after finalising its Uttar Pradesh state chief, party insiders say the Prime Minister is quietly assessing leadership strengths through understated, personal methods. Rahuls cake walk wins smiles Amid the grind of the ongoing Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi added a warm, personal touch during the birthday celebration of his mother and CPP leader Sonia Gandhi. Rushing to his office in the Old Parliament House for the cake-cutting, Gandhi suddenly made a U-turn and headed towards Makar Dwar instead. Much to the surprise of those watching, he walked straight up to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, took him by the hand, and escorted him along with Dimple Yadav and other SP MPs to the celebration. Asked later about the cake, Akhilesh smiled and said it was tasty. Moments later, Gandhi was seen taking DMK MP Kanimozhi along for a slice. The gesture did not go unnoticed. Quiet pitch for Chinese tech hands Big players in the solar energy sector are knocking on the governments doors, seeking visa clearances for Chinese technical experts. With approvals moving at a crawl, executives say project timelines are beginning to fray. Industry insiders point out that many specialised engineering skills needed for large-scale solar installations remain concentrated among Chinese professionals, leaving firms with few short-term alternatives. As delays start to translate into higher costs, companies have stepped up their engagement, though carefully and out of the public eye. Sources say representations are being made through established channels, with a sense of urgency but little noise. For now, the file remains open, and the industry is watching closely to see which way the Centre leans. Bengal needs a different playbook Another round of digital brainstorming for West Bengal recently brought BJP IT Cell members to Bengaluru. Though the meeting stayed off the radar, it drew social media managers from across the country. The consensus was clear: what worked in Bihar may not work in Bengal. While issues like Vande Mataram are being pushed politically to counter Mamata Banerjee and the Congress, the social media team is searching for something extra. A Bengal-based manager admitted that the Special Intensive Revision has failed to gain traction. With presentations due before the Prime Minister and Amit Shah by the month-end, pressure is mounting. A strategist close to the PMO quipped that Bengalis, who eat a lot of fish, have sharper minds and are not easily persuaded, while language barriers pose a challenge for BJP leaders from the Hindi-speaking belt. Fever or not, Shah takes the floor A bout of fever failed to keep Amit Shah away from the thick of parliamentary battle during the Lok Sabha discussion on electoral reforms. Despite being unwell, the senior BJP leader chose to take on the Opposition head-on, delivering a forceful response on the SIR issue. NDA MPs later remarked, half-jokingly, that his intervention shifted the mood of the House and preceded the Opposition walkout. Point by point, Shah countered allegations of vote manipulation. Sources said he had been advised to rest but remained determined to speak, with his temperature reportedly rising to 102 degrees. MIB overdrive on govt outreach The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appears to be firmly in overdrive when it comes to the governments publicity and outreach efforts. Officials say communication plans and event schedules circulated by the MIB are sometimes acted upon even before other ministries are fully looped in. Officers from the ministry are said to be seeking quick inputs and clearances from communication wings elsewhere, often within timelines of 24 hours or less. One information officer summed it up with a wry smile, invoking the phrase Muddai sust, gawaah chust. The suggestion: while principal departments may move at a measured pace, the publicity machinery is already several steps ahead.
The Yamuna International Airport Private Limited has taken a significant step towards addressing this issue by signing contracts with transport corporations. Read here to know details.
Right strategy may be a turning point for LSG in IPL auction
ED to quiz all accused in cough syrup racket, probe links between syndicates
Mumbai former top cop shares deep secrets of the underworld
Govt, org to work with renewed energy for states devpt: Yogi
Karyakarta the real asset of party; here to play role, not rule
SIR drive left Mamata flustered: Min
Union minister Pankaj Chaudhary takes over as president of UP BJP
'Blue Chip' Ponzi kingpin cons Dubai royal of millions
Metaphor Litfest: Truth is often buried under layers of fear and power
Police to step up hunt for illegal immigrants in Kashi
Cinema of 80s hyphenated past and future
World stunned by BJPs organisations strength
Schools told to start cyber safety training
Translation opens door to foreign lit
Man accused of shooting at dancer held, kin also booked
SGPGIMS unveils roadmap to turn into a quaternary healthcare centre
Increase critical care beds to 100: DyCM to SGPGI
Begum Hazrat Mahal played akey role in freedom movement
Celebration of words, wit enthral Lucknowites
Parshwanath Jayanti: Ban on sale of meat, non-veg food in Kashi today
Break language barrier, education minister urges new generation at KTS programme
Two killed, 1 injured as van crashes into tree in Azamgarh
History sheeter with Rs25K bounty arrested
KTS 4.0: 7th TN delegation offers prayers at KVT
Medicine agency owner arrested in codeine cough syrup racket
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday challenged the BJP to prove its strength by winning a fair election conducted through ballot papers, alleging that the poll process has been deliberately made suspicious to undermine peoples voting rights. Addressing the Congresss Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, she claimed the BJP could not win elections without the backing of the Election Commission (EC), accusing the ruling party of benefiting from alleged vote theft. Priyanka Gandhi said the country would not forget the names of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, asserting that they would one day have to answer how they conspired to take away citizens right to vote, regardless of any attempts to shield them. I challenge -- the BJP should contest a fair election on the ballot paper once. They will never be able to win and the BJP also knows this fact, Priyanka Gandhi said. She alleged that the chief election commissioner and the two election commissioners are attacking India's democracy. For the first time in history, the entire opposition is stating that they don't trust the EC and the polls are not being conducted properly. From announcement of polls, voters list, model code of conduct, campaign, polling, counting, EVMs and results, every step has been made suspicious by them (election commissioners), Priyanka Gandhi. She alleged that all constitutional institutions had been forced to bend before the government. Referring to Rahul Gandhis yatra in Bihar, Priyanka Gandhi said it was undertaken to protest alleged attempts by the BJP to cut voters names from electoral rolls to influence the outcome. She claimed a similar exercise was now underway in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that nearly three crore names had been removed. Questioning the role of the Election Commission, she asked how useful it had become for the BJP. Urging supporters not to be disheartened over the partys loss in Bihar, she alleged that the country was increasingly witnessing elections being won by the BJP through chori (theft). Rahul Gandhi showed in press conferences evidence (of vote chori) from Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Bihar, 65 lakh votes were cut, and even if you set aside this evidence, during the model code of conduct in Bihar, they sent Rs 10,000 in people's bank accounts with the EC looking the other way. If this is not vote theft, then what is? she said. The BJP has no answer to these questions and is aware that the people are angry with them, Priyanka Gandhi said. Look at them (the BJP), they look rattled. I look at them in Parliament, their self-confidence is down, they are unable to look us in the eye because people have lost faith in their government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, she said. This government has failed on every front and the Rupee is now 90 against the US dollar, she said. When the rupee used to be 60 against the dollar, then who was crying on the streets? Narendra Modi ji was making comments regularly; what happened now? Exports are going down and imports are getting expensive. Their foreign policy has failed, he (Modi) walks holding hands with US President Donald Trump and presidents of other countries but when the time comes, none stand with our country, she said. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the policy of the government is to hand over the country's resources o Adani and Ambani. The youth of the country is grappling with price rise, unemployment, paper leaks, and there is no one to help them, she said. Whatever was constructed in 75 years, they are attempting to destroy it, she alleged. Priyanka Gandhi urged the people to focus on protecting their right to vote, claiming that it is being taken away. It is our duty to protect the Constitution and your voting rights.... we will keep fighting and never bow down, she said. Priyanka Gandhi also said that Indians must rise when the country's institutions are being rampled upon. She said it is important to understand the value of the vote. When the freedom struggle was on, the slogan used to be 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Jawaharlal Nehru ji told the people to tell him 'what is Bharat Mata' and then explained that it is its natural resources, mountains, rivers, farms, but it is also the 'Bharat ki janta' who are all part of Bharat Mata, the Congress leader said. This spirit made the Constitution and gave people the right to vote to elect a government. This thinking and spirit made institutions to strengthen democracy -- the judiciary, media, Parliament, political parties, opposition parties, ruling party members, EC, were all made to protect people's interests, she said. When we see these institutions trampled upon, all Indians should rise. They should realise that the attack on these institutions is an attack on them. Today, the judiciary is under pressure, the media is owned by Adani or Ambani. In the previous elections, chief ministers were put in jail, our bank accounts were shut, and baseless allegations were made. Those who could not bear it, joined them, and their washing machines washed away the charges against them, she said. Referring to the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi said when Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of 'vote chori' and SIR, the ruling side got rattled and then sought a debate on Vande Mataram. We kept debating as to 'the national song belongs to whom' and how it came about; and the big issues of unemployment, price rise, paper leak, they could not muster the courage to debate them, she said. (With inputs from PTI)
New Uttar Pradesh BJP chief has internal and external challenges before next Assembly battle
Pankaj Chaudharys affable persona, OBC identity, Poorvanchali location, and general acceptability to both party workers and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to address several challenges within the partys State unit
UP: 2 killed, 1 injured as van hits tree on AzamgarhGhazipur road
A tragic road accident on the Azamgarh-Ghazipur road claimed two lives and left one youth critically injured when their van collided with a roadside tree. The victims, returning with a blanket consignment for their garment shops, were residents of Ghazipur. The severe impact completely shattered the vehicle, with authorities suspecting overspeeding as the cause.
140+ all day: Faster and fitter Shivam Mavi ready for IPL return | Exclusive
After three injury-hit years away from the IPL, Shivam Mavi feels reborn. Having fixed action-related side-flexion issues, the 27-year-old has played consistently for Uttar Pradesh across formats, clocking 140+ consistently.
Uttar Pradesh: Union MoS Pankaj Chaudhary elected as BJP's state president
In a significant turn of events, Pankaj Chaudhary ascends to the role of the new Uttar Pradesh BJP President, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal officially passing the baton. Goyal commended the partys commitment to democratic values and acknowledged the relentless efforts of grassroots volunteers in driving its growth.
Seven-Time MP, OBC Leader Pankaj Chaudhary Elected President Of Uttar Pradesh BJP
BJP leader Pankaj Chaudhary was elected unopposed as the president of the party's Uttar Pradesh unit as he was the only one to submit nomination papers within the stipulated time
A BJP worker, Munna Bahadur Singh, received a grand welcome after being released on bail in an alleged assault case involving a Dalit power official. Supporters greeted him enthusiastically following his release granted by the Allahabad High Court. Singh was arrested for allegedly attacking an engineer with shoes.
Gucci Bags, Rado Watches: ED Raid At Lavish Mansion Of Ex-UP Cop In Cough Syrup Case
The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Alok Pratap Singh, who had been dismissed from service for the second time in 2019, on December 2.
FIR against seminary officials in Uttar Pradesh for failing to report stay of foreigner
Mr. Sarip stayed in the seminary from November 30 to December 2. He had reportedly come to visit another Filipino student, Mohammed Yasir, says Hasanganj police station Sub-Inspector
A viral video of a dismissed Uttar Pradesh constable's opulent Lucknow residence has stunned social media users. Alok Pratap Singh, arrested for his alleged role in a codeine-based cough syrup smuggling network, reportedly invested in the illicit trade, earning substantial profits far exceeding his official salary. The lavish home has ignited debate on corruption within law enforcement.
Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board is hiring 41,424 Home Guards. Applications are open from November 18 to December 17, 2025. Candidates need to be 10th pass and between 18 and 30 years old. The selection process includes written tests, physical efficiency tests, and document verification. This is a significant opportunity for aspiring Home Guards across Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh tops country in digital registration of Waqf properties on 'UMEED' portal
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs on June 6, 2025, directed all States to ensure online registration of Waqf properties on the UMEED portal by December 5, 2025
Rural women better employed than urban: Study
BENGALURU: Karnatakas rural women are better employed in comparison to those in urban areas and men in both areas proportionately, said a report from the Reserve Bank of India. The report, Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2024-25, released on Friday, said the unemployment rate of women in rural areas was nine per 1,000 in 202324 and 13 in 202223. The unemployment ratio of men in the same periods were 25 and 17, respectively. The overall unemployment rate in Karnatakas rural area was recorded as 19 during 202324, and 15 during 202223. This is lower than the national average of 25 and 24, respectively. In the case of urban areas, the unemployment rate of women during 202324 was 44 and during 202223, it was 51. The RBI report also noted that the urban male unemployment rate in 202324 fiscal was 41 and in 202223, it was 38. The overall unemployment rate in urban areas in 202324 and in 202223 it was 42. The all India unemployment rate in 202324 was 51 and in 202223, it was 54. A finance expert in the state government said, There is unemployment in Karnataka. But compared to other states and India, it is less. The rise in rural womens employment rate is a positive indication, but worrisome when the urban statistics are noted. The overall rural unemployment rates in Goa, Madhya Pradesh and even Jharkhand are even lower. Karnataka also ranked fourth in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) size. The report said Karnatakas GSDP (at current prices) for the year 202425 was Rs 28,83,903.23 crore. In 202324, it was Rs 25,57,241.35 crore. The state ranks second in the overall GSDP growth with 12.8% for the fiscal 202425, after Tamil Nadu (16%). Uttar Pradesh is slightly behind Karnataka with 12.7%, and Maharashtra trails with 11.7%. The GSDP growth rate of Gujarat is recorded as 10.2%. An official in the finance department, seeking anonymity, said, while other states fared better under the overall urban employment category, Karnatakas population should also be accounted for. The reason for the drop in male employment in rural areas also needs to be studied, the official said. FKCCI chairperson Uma Reddy said womens employment in rural areas increased because of the agricultural sector and self employment. The rural entrepreneurship training programmes also appear to be beneficial. In the case of urban areas, a larger push for the women workforce is needed to control the attrition rate. Reddy said the overall unemployment rate of the state is worrying. The report is only till 202324. But an analysis of 202425 and 202526 is needed for a clearer picture. The reasons cannot be fully ascertained yet, but some indicators include technological interventions, drop in investments and the tariff issue, she said.
Akhilesh says SP continues to be part of INDIA bloc
HYDERABAD: Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday affirmed that his party continues to be part of the INDIA bloc. His statement assumes significance as Uttar Pradesh is set to go to the Assembly polls in less than two years. He was speaking to the media after attending the VISION INDIA: Plan, Develop & Ascent summit here in the city. He underlined the need to anchor artificial intelligence (AI) policy in the constitutional values of equality and social justice, arguing that technology must serve as an instrument of inclusive and egalitarian development rather than deepen existing divides. He said the Constitution teaches equality and equal justice, and these principles must guide the governments approach to emerging technologies. Social justice should translate into equal justice. AI policies must ensure that opportunities created by technology reach everyone, including rural India, he said, adding that the BJP would be defeated with the help of AI. The VISION INDIA initiative, which describes itself as a nationwide series of summits and conferences, aims to plan Indias future by identifying sectoral challenges and opportunities. Recalling that laptops were distributed during the SP governments tenure to widen access to technology, Akhilesh Yadav stressed the need to bridge the digital divide. He called for a unified national policy to ensure that the benefits of AI in agriculture, medicine, urban planning and governance reach the grassroots. Farmers can benefit from satellite mapping and data-driven advisories on water usage. If credible data is available, governments can frame better policies, he said. He also pitched for building a strong start-up ecosystem and said inputs from such platforms would be taken into account while shaping future programmes for a New India. However, he cautioned against the misuse of AI, noting that cyber fraud has emerged as a major challenge and that deepfake videos are increasingly being mistaken for truth, with serious political and social consequences.
Man gets 20-yr RI for raping minor, forcing her to abort
Officials of Nadwa booked for harbouring foreign student illegally
Shiv Barat, tribute to women power as KVD 4th anniv event concludes
ODOP, Lakhpati Didi schemes help boost women-led enterprises
Low profile Pankaj Chaudhary aligns with BJPs preference for organisational leaders
ED seizes designer bags from cough syrup kingpin's house
SP committed to bridging digital divide: Akhilesh
ED issues final summons to cough syrupracket kingpin; red corner notice next
Khattars take on smart prepaid meter shows UPPCL move illegal: UPRVUP
Four years jail to ex-principal of KV in bribery case
Hosp does robotic Whipple surgery on 67-yr-old
IIT-K drives up start-up ecosystem with govt support
HC notice to Raja Bhaiya, stays defamation case against wife
Info dept staff urged to adapt to changing times, combat fake news
3 killed, 5 injured as dumper rams auto in Unnao
UPRERA orders Gr Noida builder to pay delay interest to buyers
BJP banks on Chaudhary to woo back Kurmis, bolster coordination with govt
Ayodhya airport steps up fog preparedness
UP govt pushes for economic prosperity of farmers through procurement, direct payments
Man hangs self from highway signage on Varanasi-Kolkata NH in Chandauli
1 student killed, as bike crashes with tree at BHU
Political parties asked to verify ASD voters during SIR review
Man held for murder, alleges woman was coercing him for sex
Why Pankaj Chaudhary got top party job In BJP's UP reset
The Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed Pankaj Chaudhary as its Uttar Pradesh unit chief, a move signalling a strategic intent for caste consolidation and organizational rebuilding. Chaudhary's leadership aims to strengthen the party's position for the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections.
Brinda Karat urges President's intervention as UP govt moves to withdraw Dadri lynching case
NEW DELHI: Senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention against the permission granted to withdraw charges in the 2015 lynching of Dadri resident Mohammad Akhlaq. In her letter, Karat described the Uttar Pradesh governments decision as a wholly illegal and unjust attempt to subvert the processes of justice, noting that the main witness had already given evidence in the case. She recalled that following nationwide outrage over the brutal murder, the government had assured that those responsible would be punished. On September 18, 2015, a mob gathered outside Akhlaqs home in Bisada village in Dadri after an announcement from the local temple alleged that he had slaughtered a cow and stored its meat in the fridge. The mob, led by Vishal Rana, son of a local BJP leader, and his cousin Shivam, dragged Akhlaq and his son Danish from their home and assaulted them until they fell unconscious. Akhlaq died at a Noida hospital, while Danish survived after undergoing major surgery for severe head injuries. With the Governors permission the UP government has filed an affidavit in the District Court Greater Noida to withdraw the case. I regret that I am forced to write to you on this matter, but since the Governor has been appointed by you and is answerable to you, I felt it in the interests of justice to inform you of the facts and to request your urgent intervention, Karat said. She added that she has been in touch with the victims family since the beginning and is aware of their suffering, courage, and belief that justice would be served. I write to you, with the hope that you will intervene and direct the Governor to withdraw the permission given. The matter is urgent as the government affidavit approved by the Governor which was to be discussed in the Court yesterday (on Friday) was postponed on the request of the prosecution, Karat wrote. Karat further criticised the decision, saying it was aimed not at meeting the ends of justice but at subverting the judicial process, calling it a blatant misuse of CrPC 321. The point however is, if the government is taking such a politically motivated step to withdraw a case of murder, attempt to murder and mob lynching, should not the Governor counsel the government against such a step? Is it not the duty of the Governor to uphold the constitution and the rule of law? If such a case is withdrawn what will be left of the processes of justice? she asked. She also highlighted that the charge sheet had already been filed and that in 2022, the direct witness, the victims daughter, gave evidence, naming and identifying all the accused. At such a time, the UP government has taken a decision to withdraw the case on utterly indefensible grounds such as lathis were used not guns, there was no personal animosity with the victim, continuing the case will lead to communal disharmony and so on. All this time the prosecution has delayed the case, not giving notice to the witnesses to appear and today the delay is being made grounds to withdraw the case, Karat added.
Bahraich wild animal attack: Infant snatched by wolf; forest team tracks, shoots animal
A one-year-old girl was tragically snatched from her home by a wolf in Bahraich's Jaruwa-2 village. The child was later found dead, and the wolf was shot by forest officials. This incident follows a series of alarming wolf attacks in the district, prompting increased surveillance and safety advisories for residents.
Brinda Karat writes to President seeking intervention in Dadri lynching case
The CPI(M) leader said that the Uttar Pradesh government, with the Governors consent, is attempting to withdraw the prosecution in a manner that subverts the entire judicial process
ED summons codeine smuggling kingpin Shubham Jaiswal; warns of NBW, Interpol notice
LUCKNOW: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Lucknow Zone unit has issued a final summons to Shubham Jaiswal, identified as the kingpin of a codeine cough syrup smuggling racket, warning him that failure to appear on Monday will prompt the agency to seek a non-bailable warrant (NBW) and initiate proceedings for a Red Corner Notice against him through Interpol. Notably, Jaiswal has already been served two summons by the ED but has so far failed to appear to record his statements in connection with the smuggling racket. The ED issued the warning a day after the Allahabad High Court granted interim protection on Friday to Jaiswal and his father Bhola Prasad Jaiswal from arrest until December 17. The father-son duo is accused of running a massive cross-border narcotics racket in Uttar Pradesh. However, the HC relief could not be extended to Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, who remains lodged in Sonbhadra jail in connection with other criminal cases. He was recently arrested at Ranchi airport while allegedly trying to flee the country. Shubham Jaiswal, along with his accomplices, has already fled the country and is believed to be in Dubai. ED sources said Shubham Jaiswal was named in a UP police FIR and is one of the accused in a PMLA case lodged by the agency based on 24 FIRs filed over the past year by UP Police, STF, and FSDA. These cases relate to large-scale seizures of illegal, adulterated, or mislabelled codeine syrups, the arrest of carriers, forged stock records, and suspicious financial activities by pharmaceutical and transport firms. The FIRs cover districts including Lucknow, Chandauli, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Kanpur Nagar, Jaunpur, Bahraich, Bhadohi, and Ghazipur, pointing to a widespread and structured criminal network. According to sources, Shubham Jaiswal allegedly created fake GST invoices, manipulated stock registers, employed unregistered transporters handling pharma cargo, routed interstate cash movements through informal channels, engaged in unlicensed bottling, and ran suspected illegal manufacturing units. These findings are an offence under PMLA and is an organised financial crime, said a senior official. The ED has also written to UP Police seeking complete case files and bank details of all 67 accused, and has begun examining bank accounts, GST filings, ITRs, property registries, and digital ledgers. The agency is mapping transporters, warehouses, distributors, and interstate logistics, and is scrutinising suspected shell firms used to route profits. Sources said preliminary probes have revealed diversion of pharmaceutical stock, illegal manufacturing, smuggling routes, and laundering of profits, with the investigation still underway.
Brinda Karat Urges President to Intervene in Akhlaq Lynching Case
SRINAGAR: Senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat has written to President of India Droupadi Murmu seeking her urgent intervention in the case related to the mob lynching of Md Akhlaq in Uttar Pradeshs Bisahada village in September 2015, alleging that the state government is attempting to subvert the judicial process by []
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has urged President Murmu to intervene against the Uttar Pradesh government's move to withdraw charges in the 2015 Dadri mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq. Karat termed the governor's approval of the withdrawal a politically motivated attempt to subvert justice, questioning the governor's constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law.
NEW DELHI: Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding her intervention in the Uttar Pradesh government's move to withdraw charges against the accused in the 2015 mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq. In a letter to the President, Karat called it a politically motivated step by the government, and also questioned the role of the governor. I write to draw your urgent attention to the role of the Uttar Pradesh governor in the matter of the mob lynching case of Md Akhlaq, which occurred in September 2015. The Governor has given written permission to the UP government to go ahead in its wholly illegal and unjust attempt to subvert the processes of justice and to withdraw the entire case even though the main witness has already given evidence, Karat said. She said the government has filed an affidavit in the Greater Noida district court to withdraw the case, with the governor's permission. I regret that I am forced to write to you on this matter, but since the governor has been appointed by you and is answerable to you, I felt it in the interests of justice to inform you of the facts and to request your urgent intervention, she said. On September 18, 2015, a mob gathered outside Akhlaq's home in the Bisada village in Dadri after an announcement from the local temple alleged that he had slaughtered a cow and stored its meat in the fridge. The mob --led by Vishal Rana, son of a local BJP leader, and cousin Shivam-- dragged Akhlaq and his son Danish out of their home and assaulted them until they fell unconscious. While Akhlaq died at a Noida hospital, Danish survived after suffering severe head injuries and undergoing major surgery. Even today, Danish has not fully recovered and carries the impact of the grievous wounds inflicted on him, Karat said. The CPI(M) leader said the daughter of the victim gave evidence and named and identified all the accused. In other words, evidence against the accused has been presented and recorded in the court. The case is going on, and two other direct witnesses are to give their statements, she said. At such a time, the UP government has taken a decision to withdraw the case on utterly indefensible grounds, such as lathis were used, not guns, there was no personal animosity with the victim, continuing the case will lead to communal disharmony and so on, the letter read. Karat alleged that the case has been delayed by the prosecution -- by not giving notice to the witnesses to appear -- and now the delay has been cited as the grounds to withdraw the case. This is motivated not to meet the ends of justice but to subvert the entire judicial process, she said. Calling it a politically motivated step by the Uttar Pradesh government, she questioned, Should the governor not counsel the government against such a step? Is it not the duty of the governor to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law? If such a case is withdrawn, what will be left of the processes of justice? Will this not then apply to all cases of mob lynching that lathis were used, not guns, that there is no personal animosity, that harmony requires that such cases be withdrawn? she asked. Karat expressed hope that the President would intervene and direct the governor to withdraw the permission given. The matter is urgent as the government affidavit approved by the governor, which was to be discussed in the court yesterday (December 12) was postponed on the request of the prosecution, she added.
Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary sole candidate in fray for UP BJP chief: Sources
Pankaj Chaudhary has filed his nomination for the Uttar Pradesh BJP chief post. He is the sole candidate, paving the way for an unopposed election. This move is seen as strategic ahead of upcoming panchayat and 2027 assembly elections. Chaudhary, a seven-time MP from the Kurmi community, is considered a key figure.
MoS Pankaj Chaudhary likely to be new UP BJP chief; CM, nine other leaders propose his name
LUCKNOW: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to get its party chief for the Uttar Pradesh unit on Sunday. The nomination process for the election of the new state chief took place at the BJP headquarters in the state capital here on Saturday afternoon, with Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary leading the race. Chaudhary filed his papers, and his name was proposed by 10 senior BJP leaders, including UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to sources, Chaudhary is almost certain to get elected unopposed, as no other leader has filed nomination papers. However, a day ahead of the nomination process, BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh arrived in Lucknow and met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. An organisational meeting was also held at CMs residence on Friday night. Amid intense political activity, Union Minister Piyush Goel, appointed as the election officer by the party, arrived in Lucknow on Saturday along with central election observer Vinod Tawde, and Pankaj Chaudhary who is believed to be a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. While Pankaj Chaudhary was being considered as the front-runner for the post of UP BJP chief, the arrival of former Union Minister Sadhvi Nirajan Jyoti at the party office on Saturday morning added to the buzz of voting, as she is also being considered as a candidate. Moreover, the name of Union Minister BL Verma had also been doing the rounds for the post. The party chief was supposed to be elected in January 2025, but was delayed due to assembly elections in Maharashtra and Bihar. According to party leaders, Piyush Goyal will complete the election process on Sunday. BJP sources said that the party had zeroed in on an OBC face in Pankaj Chaudhary to lead the state. Chaudhary, a seven-time BJP MP from the Maharajganj Lok Sabha constituency of eastern Uttar Pradesh, is regarded as one of the party's cadre. He started his political career in Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation. In 2024, he defeated Congress candidate Virendra Chaudhary by a margin of over 35,000 votes to enter the Union Cabinet. A prominent OBC Kurmi leader, Chaudhury filed his nomination on Saturday in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with several senior party leaders and central representatives. Hailing from Gorakhpur, Chaudhary is being seen as a choice by the party to counter the oppositions PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) narrative, while also consolidating OBC support ahead of the panchayat elections next year and the 2027 Assembly polls. Chaudhury has been a member of the Union Cabinet since 2021. If elected as the Uttar Pradesh BJP president, he would become the fourth Kurmi leader to head the party in the state, following Swatantra Dev Singh, Vinay Katiyar, and Om Prakash Singh. He is set to replace Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, a Jat leader from Moradabad.
UP: Three killed, 5 injured as truck collides head-on with auto-rickshaw in Unnao
A tragic accident occurred in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday morning. A truck collided head-on with an auto-rickshaw near Makur village. The collision was severe, resulting in the destruction of the auto-rickshaw. Three people died instantly at the scene. Five others sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital. The truck driver fled the scene.
Indian evacuations from Middle East: 5,945 citizens rescued in three years; 1,474 belonged to UP
Over 5,900 Indians were brought home from the Middle East in three years due to safety concerns, including Operation Ajay in Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed 1,474 evacuees hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The government also repatriated mortal remains of 45 Indians from Kuwait. No fresh evacuations are currently anticipated.
A Bahraich court handed down the death penalty to the main accused in a communal violence murder case, citing the Manusmriti to justify severe punishment. The judge described the killing of a 22-year-old man as extreme barbarity involving demonic torture. The verdict emphasized that fear of punishment is crucial for maintaining social order and public trust in the justice system.
Hyderabad: SIR is NRC in disguise, says Akhilesh Yadav
Hyderabad: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on the SIR of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that it was NRC in disguise and part of a larger conspiracy to remove voters opposed to the BJP. Yadav, who is in Hyderabad to attend the Vision India AI Summit on Saturday, 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 .
UP NEET UG counselling 2025 has entered its fifth round for Bachelor of Dental Surgery admissions. The Directorate of Medical Education Uttar Pradesh has published the merit list on upneet.gov.in. Candidates can now fill their choices for dental colleges. A security deposit is required for seat allotment. Document verification will take place at nodal centres.
The initiative, taken by MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar, has been given the green light by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The bypass will connect the toll plaza near Gajraula to the highway, providing a smoother journey for commuters.
'I Am Strongly Standing Behind You': Why PM Modi Said This To Uttar Pradesh BJP MPs
The Prime Minister advised the MPs to focus strongly on the ground, connect with people, and interact more with beneficiaries of government schemes
Bahraich violence verdict: Court cites Manusmriti, justifies death penalty
ED raids in 3 states in1Kcr syrup racket
