150 Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants Deported from Jammu and Kashmir to West Bengal
150 illegal Bangladeshi migrants have been deported from Jammu and Kashmir to West Bengal for repatriation. 150 Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants Deported from Jammu and Kashmir to West Bengal
Minister announces plan for textile hub in Bengal
Amit Shah will not attend Mahalaya event
Behala Flying Club revival hope after ministers push for flight training institute
Uruguay Match Ticket Price Nosedives From Rs 749 To Rs 199
Chief Minister to hand job letters to 5,000 new cops on Oct 11
Season of confusion returns for those on the ground
ED conducts searches in Kolkata to probe Rs 1,109 crore bank fraud
Govt doubles financial aid for unmarried girls in college from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000
Bankshall lawyers strike work over assault, egg attack
112 helpline to cut down on police response time
Lawyers blockade, SFI stir bring C & N Kolkata traffic to a standstill
Let Milan contest: SC adjourns bail nix plea hearing to day after bypoll
Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Criticizes Land Jihad Amid Push for Uniform Civil Code
Chhattisgarhs Deputy CM Vijay Sharma addresses land jihad concerns while advocating for the Uniform Civil Code in West Bengal. Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Criticizes Land Jihad Amid Push for Uniform Civil Code
Rejinagar bypoll: Babri rhetoric fades, development takes centre stage
Right-wing outfits attacking institutions in Bengal: Neha Bora
Kolkata: AISA national president Neha Bora on Monday, October 5, alleged that right-wing organisations like the RSS and BJP were carrying out attacks on campuses of premier educational institutes in West Bengal, threatening democratic and secular views. Bora was speaking at a seminar organised by the SFI at Jadavpur University (JU) here. Repeated attacks are 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 .
Bengal must resist SIR, defend democratic rights: Neha Bora
SRFTI Assures Student Safety After Clashes With Protesters in Kolkata
ED busts Rs 1,000-crore betel nut smuggling syndicate across Northeast
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 5 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it has unearthed a well-organised, multi-layered syndicate allegedly involved in smuggling foreign-origin areca nut into India through the India-Myanmar border and laundering the proceeds, with bank credits exceeding Rs 1,000 crore identified in accounts linked to the network. According to officials, the EDs Guwahati Zonal Office conducted searches on October 1 at 16 premises in Guwahati, Siliguri, Bagdogra, Phansidewa and Cooch Behar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The investigation was launched based on 11 FIRs registered by the Assam Police and West Bengal Police under various sections of the IPC/BNS and the NDPS Act against persons allegedly involved in smuggling, transporting and selling Indonesian, Thai and Burmese-origin areca nut. According to the ED, the consignments were brought into Mizoram through Myanmar and then transported to West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states using forged GST invoices, e-way bills and transport documents. The agency said dried areca nut was ferried across the Tiau River at Zokhawthar in small lots, bypassing the Land Customs Station. Agents on the Myanmar side allegedly sold the consignments to front firms in India. These firms were allegedly registered in the names of local residents of Champhai who had no real stake in the business. The GST registrations and bank accounts were allegedly controlled by persons based in Silchar, Assam. From Silchar, the consignments were allegedly moved to godowns around Guwahati, where they were re-bagged and re-documented before being transported through the Siliguri corridor to consuming states. The ED said the operation involved Bikaner Assam Roadlines India Ltd and associated concerns allegedly controlled by Sushil Daga. Their bank accounts showed credits of several hundred crores from areca nut traders. The agency also alleged that protection money was collected from transporters to ensure safe passage of smuggled consignments. Searches at the premises of DNG Biotech Pvt Ltd, Jai Karni Tradings Pvt Ltd, Purvottar Agro Pvt Ltd, N R Associates and others led to the seizure of approximately Rs 95 lakh in unaccounted cash, digital devices, property and investment documents and bank records. Fixed deposits worth approximately Rs 85 lakh were also frozen. Further investigation is underway.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari to perform Campa Cola factory's bhumipujan on Oct 26
Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to perform the bhumipujan for Campa Cola's factory in Haringhata on October 26. Additionally, he will inaugurate HPL Adperma's acetone plant in Haldia on October 14. Reliance Industries owns Campa Cola and is scaling it up following recent meetings. HPL Adperma has invested Rs 6,000 crore to establish the acetone facility on India's east coast.
BJP Plans Month-Long Celebrations for Modis 25 Years in Public Life
BJP West Bengal chief Samik Bhattacharya outlines month-long events celebrating PM Modis 25 years in public service, amid protests by the India Block. BJP Plans Month-Long Celebrations for Modis 25 Years in Public Life
Mamata Banerjees 2021 leg injury row: Dont dig too deep, Suvendu Adhikari Warns
Stone crushers: NGT flags Bengal data mismatch, seeks report
Eight decades on, Khulna woman traces roots to Krishnanagar
150 illegally staying Bangladeshis deported from J-K
Jammu and Kashmir has begun the deportation process for Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying illegally in the region, with 150 individuals already shifted to West Bengal. This action follows a survey identifying around 600 illegal immigrants and coincides with the Union Home Ministry's High-Level Committee on Demographic Change (HLCDC) investigating illegal immigration across India.
Haldia to revamp feedstock mix after Mideast war hit supplies, executive says
In response to disruptions from the Middle East conflict, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd is set to broaden its feedstock sourcing strategies. Currently reliant on 50% local supply and 50% from the Middle East, HPL plans to enhance its processing abilities by using condensate and up to 30% LPG at its West Bengal facility next year.
Rs 200 crore CSR racket: ED seizes Rs 21 lakh after searches at 8 locations in 4 states
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 5 (IANS) The ED seized Rs 21 lakh and digital evidence during searches at eight locations across Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Delhi-NCR in money laundering cases linked to alleged bogus Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donations worth Rs 200 crore, an official said on Monday. The searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office-I, on October 1, 2026, have prima facie revealed a network of charitable trusts, trustees, CSR agents, middlemen and equipment suppliers involved in the diversion and recycling of CSR funds, the ED said in a statement. The searches were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the case of Dharmendra Kumar Chandraveer Singh and others relating to an alleged bogus CSR donation racket, the statement said. During the searches, cash amounting to Rs 21 lakh was seized. Various incriminating documents and digital devices were also found and seized during the search proceedings, it said. The ED investigation was initiated under PMLA based on an FIR registered at Juhu Police Station against Dharmendra Kumar Chandraveer Singh for offences under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961, the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including offences corresponding to Sections 420, 467, 471 and 475 of the IPC, which are scheduled offences under the PMLA. Investigation revealed that Dharmendra Kumar Chandraveer Singh, despite not possessing any recognised medical qualification or registration with the Medical Council and having studied only up to Class XII, allegedly represented himself as a doctor and used the title Doctor for nearly three decades, the ED said. Capitalising on such representation and the credentials associated with the title of Doctor, he established and operated a network of charitable trusts and entities engaged seemingly in healthcare-focused CSR activities, through which substantial CSR funds were mobilised from PSUs and private corporates, the ED said. At least 40 PSUs and Public Sector Banks across the country have provided CSR donations to the trusts operated by the accused, the ED said. Several projects were only partially executed or not executed in proportion to the funds received, while vendor bills were inflated and excess funds routed through bogus or shell entities. Kickbacks and commissions were allegedly paid to intermediaries facilitating the CSR funding, the ED said. Investigation revealed that the trusts were projected as vehicles for funding the procurement of high-end medical machinery and equipment for hospitals and healthcare institutions, the ED said. When such institutions cited a lack of funds for procurement of the required equipment, they were connected with public representatives of the concerned area, who in turn issued recommendations for funding of such projects specifically through the trusts operated by Singh, the statement said. Enquiries have revealed that PSUs made CSR donations to these trusts primarily on the strength of such recommendations received from public representatives or their staff, it said. Investigation revealed that CSR contributions from private entities were returned substantially in cash to the contributors after deduction of a small commission, it said. Searches revealed a network of CSR agents and intermediaries who channelled CSR funds to the trusts, which were thereafter routed through shell entities controlled by market operators. Most of these entities have also been flagged in multiple GST fraud investigations, it said. The CSR mechanism was utilised as a conduit for conversion of accounted funds into unaccounted cash. CSR funds amounting to Rs 200 crore have been routed through the above mechanism, the ED said.
Bengal: Union minister assures push for direct Kolkata-Europe flights
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Monday said that his Ministry would shortly begin discussions with different airline companies to facilitate the introduction of direct flights connecting Kolkata with various European cities. Naidu was in Kolkata on Monday for the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the West Bengal government for the development of four new airports in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari requested Naidu to initiate the process for starting direct flights connecting Kolkata with various European cities, including London. Naidu assured the Chief Minister that the Ministry would shortly begin talks with different airline companies on the matter. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu also said that the Ministry's target was to establish a total of eight new airports in West Bengal, for four of which the MoUs were signed on Monday. The Union government will fully cooperate with the state government in this matter. The work of new airport development will be carried out in coordination between the Centre and the state. Attention will be paid to runway renovation and terminal buildings. The Central Government will look after the technical aspects of the airports, Naidu said. The four new regional airports for which the MoUs were signed on Monday will be located at Chharra in Purulia district, Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Hasimara Civil Enclave in Alipurduar district, and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district. Hasimara and Kalaikunda are also important bases of the Indian Air Force. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the development of the four new airports would further improve air connectivity infrastructure in the state. It is learnt that, under the Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Union government, the state government will be responsible for providing the necessary land, connecting roads, power supply, water supply and basic security as per the agreement. The Union government, on the other hand, will create the core airport infrastructure. On the occasion of signing the MoUs, CM Adhikari also requested Naidu to establish a pilot training institute in West Bengal.
Gehlot demands CEC's resignation, urges PM Modi and HM Shah to intervene
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 5 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. Reacting to the ongoing controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Courts observations on petitions challenging decisions taken during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Gehlot said the credibility and impartiality of the poll body have come under serious scrutiny. The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission and the Centre on petitions challenging the manner in which decisions were allegedly taken, while declining to pass an interim order suspending the CEC. The Court said it would examine the matter after receiving responses from the concerned authorities. Gehlot said that the Election Commission of India had historically earned credibility not only within the country but internationally, with other countries seeking its guidance and cooperation in conducting elections. He alleged that the Commissions functioning under Gyanesh Kumar had raised serious questions about its impartiality. Referring to allegations raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding irregularities in the electoral process, Gehlot said such concerns had been raised earlier but, according to him, were not given adequate attention. He also criticised the manner in which the Chief Election Commissioner addressed the opposition during a press conference, saying the head of the countrys electoral body should maintain respect towards all political parties. Gehlot said the Supreme Courts proceedings had further intensified questions surrounding the functioning of the Election Commission. He referred to the Courts observation that decisions of the Commission are required to be taken unanimously or by majority, and to its clarification that it had not approved any modified version of Form 6. He said that in light of the developments, the only thing left now is his resignation. Gehlot questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were not intervening in the matter. He said that the Centre should ensure Kumars resignation so that the controversy could be brought to an end and the ruling and opposition parties could focus on their respective responsibilities. Gehlot also criticised what he described as the governments silence on the issue and said that the credibility of the electoral system was too important to be allowed to remain under a cloud of controversy. Gehlot further raised concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its implications for voters. He questioned what message India was sending to the international community at a time when concerns were being raised over the electoral system. He alleged that large numbers of names had been removed from electoral rolls and expressed particular concern over the situation in West Bengal. The SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission have become the subject of multiple legal challenges. Gehlot also referred to an earlier observation during the Supreme Court proceedings that voters who were unable to vote could vote in the next election. He said that, irrespective of the context in which such an observation was made, he considered the message concerning voters who may be excluded from the electoral rolls to be problematic. He argued that every eligible citizens right to participate in the electoral process must be protected and said that the present situation had reached a critical point.
British Airways BA295 Drops 28,000 Feet Over Ireland, Declares Emergency
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have started moving Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying illegally in the Union Territory as part of a deportation drive. On Monday, 150 such people were shifted to West Bengal, officials said. The administration, assisted by
TMC Panchayat Leader Arrested in Job Fraud Case in West Bengal
A former TMC panchayat leader was arrested for allegedly defrauding job seekers in West Bengal, following complaints to the Chief Minister. TMC Panchayat Leader Arrested in Job Fraud Case in West Bengal
School Holiday Tomorrow: On October 6, 2026, schools across India are set to remain operational barring any weather-induced interruptions. Regions such as Uttarakhand, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha will likely function as usual. However, Bihar may face localized shutdowns due to thunderstorms, requiring confirmation from local authorities. Parents are encouraged to check official communications and weather forecasts for the latest updates on school operations.
EC replaces Nandigram police chief day before bypoll
The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.
West Bengal BLOs Seek Security for Voter Registration Campaign
Booth Level Officers in West Bengal request security during the upcoming voter registration campaign amid safety concerns. West Bengal BLOs Seek Security for Voter Registration Campaign
WBUHS Assistant Professor Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) Recruitment 2026 for 5 posts of Assistant Professor. Candidates with Post Graduate Can Apply Online. The last date to apply online is 15-10-2026. The candidate shall apply online through WBUHS official website.
Mustard Oil, Marigolds and Misht
The two traditions differ in flavour structure. West Bengal cooking broadly leans towards restrained sweetness, with sugar and jaggery used to balance the dish, while East Bengal cooking is generally more spice-forward.
West Bengal Bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar To Test BJP, Opposition Strength
First electoral test since BJP ended TMCs 15-year Rule To Also Gauge Opposition Battle
Kolkata High Court Orders Enhanced Security for University Students in West Bengal
The Kolkata High Court mandates West Bengal to improve security measures for university students amid rising campus incidents. Kolkata High Court Orders Enhanced Security for University Students in West Bengal
Bengal BLOs seek security cover for fresh voter enrolment drive after SIR exercise
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) An association of the booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal has written to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Neelam Meena seeking security cover during the upcoming door-to-door exercise to enroll new voters and re-enroll eligible voters whose names were deleted in the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in the state before the assembly elections held earlier this year. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s instructions, the BLOs will have to go door to door to re-enroll the names of the eligible voters who have been excluded and start the process of registering the names of new eligible voters. After this instruction, a section of BLOs in West Bengal have expressed apprehension of being targeted or attacked by the voters deleted during the SIR process. These BLOs have also identified eight sensitive districts where the apprehension of attacks is maximum. The eight districts identified by the BLO association as most sensitive are North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur and Kolkata. While only certain pockets of Kolkata and Hooghly have been flagged as vulnerable, the remaining six districts have been categorised as fully sensitive. In the letter, the association pointed out that although the BLOs had no role to play in the omission of names during the SIR exercise, they are the most vulnerable targets from a section of deleted voters. We are apprehending security threats door-to-door. Hence, we have written to the Chief Electoral Officer demanding security cover for the BLOs during the exercise. We have demanded that security personnel or necessary forces be provided with each BLO, said association secretary, Swapan Mondal. The concerns have been heightened by memories of an incident in April this year when judicial officers involved in the SIR adjudication process were allegedly attacked and held hostage for several hours at Mothabari in Malda district. If the judicial officers can be harassed in such a manner, what will be the guarantee that our security will also not be compromised during the fresh enrolment process? questioned a BLO, who refused to be named.
Hours after joining BJP, actor Koel Mallick files RS nomination
Kolkata: Bengali film actor Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, on Monday, October 5, submitted her nomination as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the partys state president, Samik Bhattacharya. She joined the BJP at its state headquarters here hours 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 .
India reaches 84% of 2037 cold-storage target; single commodity uses three-fourths of it
Approximately three-quarters of this capacity is used for potatoes, while more than half is concentrated in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
'Form 6 modification not approved by us', say SC; seeks EC's response
New Delhi, Oct 5: The Supreme Court on Monday said that it has not approved any modifications to Form 6 being used by the Election Commission (EC) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in various states. Form 6 is an application through which an eligible person seeks inclusion in the electoral roll. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said, Any modification to Form 6 has not been approved by us. Let's be clear. When records are produced, we would like to see who has modified it. The bench was hearing a PIL filed in wake of a recent Indian Express report, which claimed that two of the three Election Commissioners had objected to decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including changes to Form 6 relating to the applicant's ancestry and a link to previous SIR. The bench told senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for petitioner Shailendra Mani Tripathi, who has challenged the decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly made by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar without the concurrence of his two colleagues, that the prayers in his PIL appear to be jumbled up. During the hearing on Tripathi's PIL, Guruswamy said there were no infirmities in the petitioner's PIL and raised concerns over changes made to Form 6, which is used by eligible citizens to apply for inclusion of their names in electoral rolls. The EC issued a press release on September 26 suggesting that the Supreme Court had upheld the Form 6 declaration in the May 2026 judgment relating to Bihar SIR. The bench issued notice on Tripathi's plea and tagged the matter with another PIL filed by Patna resident Rakesh Kumar Singh on the issue. Tripathi's plea, filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, has alleged that the CEC's actions violate the statutory requirement of collective decision-making. The plea also seeks initiation of criminal proceedings against the CEC and other officials for breach of official duty. Divested of any statutory or constitutional immunity, the Chief Election Commissioner remains directly accountable under the law -- subject to police investigation, evidence gathering, and regular trial proceedings as an ordinary accused, the plea states. Tripathi cited the provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, particularly Section 18, which provides for decision-making by the EC and says that where there is a difference of opinion, the view of the majority prevails. One of the main issues the plea raises is the alteration of Form 6, which the people use to register as voters. It alleges that the requirement relating to ancestral details and link with the previous SIR was introduced through the election panel's software without the statutory amendment required under the electoral rules. According to the petition, the two election commissioners other than Kumar objected to the change and asserted that the prescribed form could not be altered without following the statutory procedure. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction declaring all decisions, guidelines, directives, and software modifications initiated, approved, or implemented under CEC Gyanesh Kumar without full commission concurrence or contrary to the majority opinion of the Election Commissioners as unconstitutional, ultra vires, and void ab initio, the plea says. Concerns over the handling of electoral roll revisions in Goa and West Bengal were also mentioned in the plea, which alleged that the software lacked the feature to restore 97 eligible electors in Goa despite directions for their verification. In West Bengal, the petitioner claimed that more than 16.10 lakh appeals were filed in the EC's name against voters whose names were restored by judicial officers. The other two election commissioners and the West Bengal chief electoral officer were not aware of these appeals, nor did they authorise them, the plea claims.
Four airports planned for West Bengal with completion deadline set for 2028 under UDAN programme
BJP announces 8 names for RS election, drops Hardeep Puri
The BJP has announced eight candidates, including minister Dharam Pal Singh, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. These elections, scheduled for October 16, will fill 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with several prominent members retiring.
Panic Erupts in West Bengal Coal Mine After Sudden Influx of Water, Two Injured
A sudden water influx in a West Bengal coal mine caused panic among workers, injuring two. Local residents also reported tremors and loud noises. Panic Erupts in West Bengal Coal Mine After Sudden Influx of Water, Two Injured
West Bengal to get four new airports in next two years: K Rammohan Naidu
The airports will come up at Charra, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Hasimara as the Centre expands air connectivity under UDAN
Four new airports to come up in West Bengal in two years: K Rammohan Naidu
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced the development of four new airports in West Bengal. These new airports will be located in Charra, Kalaikunda, Balurghat, and Hasimara. Naidu indicated there is a need for a second airport in Kolkata to meet demand. The UDAN scheme will see an investment of Rs 29,000 crore in the state over ten years.
ECI replaces Nandigram inspector-in-charge a day before high-stakes bypoll
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the immediate replacement of the inspector-in-charge (IC) of Nandigram Police Station in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, a day before the constituency votes in the Assembly bypoll on Tuesday. Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was serving as the IC of Nandigram Police Station, has been replaced by Debasish Sarkar, who was the IC of the traffic control room in East Midnapore district. In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Commission directed that the transfer be implemented immediately and a compliance report be submitted to it by Monday evening. The ECI did not disclose the reason for the sudden change. The timing of Mishras removal, just a day before polling, has also drawn attention. The bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district will be held on Tuesday, with counting scheduled for October 9. The two constituencies will witness extensive security arrangements, with 71 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed for the elections. Of the 71 CAPF companies, 37 will be deployed in Nandigram and 34 in Rejinagar. A total of 15,119 state police personnel will also be deployed across the two constituencies, according to election authorities. Nearly 24 per cent of polling booths in both constituencies have been identified as sensitive, with 323 such booths in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar. The Nandigram bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who had won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in this years Assembly elections, chose to retain Bhabanipur and vacated the Nandigram seat. The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, mother of slain Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath, as its Nandigram candidate. Chandranath Rath was killed in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on May 6. The Congress candidate is Milan Pradhan, who returned to campaigning after securing interim bail from the Calcutta High Court in connection with cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram agitation. The Rejinagar bypoll was necessitated after AJUP leader Humayun Kabir, who won both Rejinagar and Naoda, chose to retain Naoda. --ANS
Turtle doves, Cicada bugs, migratory birds arrive to announce Kashmirs golden yellow autumn
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 5 (IANS) Turtle doves picking fallen grain from Paddy fields, Cicada chirping on willow trees and the cackle of migratory birds in the night sky, these are all indications that Kashmirs golden yellow season of plentyautumn has arrived. Farmers have gathered their Paddy crop and apples are being picked by the orchardists, grapes, Nadrus (Lotus stems)', Sweet Chestnuts and vegetables are aplenty in the markets. The sky is now a clear blue and the fear of cloudbursts, thunderstorms, hail etc is over. People love to bask in the early sunshine although the days are still hot. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.2 degree Celsius on Sunday, marking the city's second-highest October temperature on record. This exceptional reading, driven by an unprecedented autumn heatwave, surpassed the previous October high of 31.1 degree Celsius set 18 years ago on October 2, 2008. Despite the day heat, mornings and evenings are getting cold as locals wear a layer of warm clothes in the evenings. The turtle doves have come down from the mountains to feed on fallen grain in the harvested Paddy fields. They have to gain enough weight before they brave their flight to the plains to ward off the winter cold. Cicada bugs are chirping on willow trees as their natural camouflage makes them absolutely indistinguishable from their surroundings. The cackle of migratory birds in the night sky announces the first flight of these avian visitors to the Valley. Thousands of these birds including bar-headed geese, mallards, Pochards, shovelers, Pintails, Wigeons, Sheldrake ducks, teals etc spend their winters in the water bodies of Kashmir to ward off the extreme cold of their summer homes in Russian Siberia, China, Japan, Philippines and Eastern Europe. The hardy goatherds called the Bakarwals are now moving down from the highland meadows of the Valley with their families. They are going with their flocks of sheep, goats, watch dogs and load carrying horses to their homes in warmer Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua and Reasi districts of Jammu division. The life of the Bakarwals is an enduring lesson in bearing hardships to graze their flocks in the meadows during the summer months. The Bakarwals move lock, stock and barrel to the meadows during the summer months. Women carrying infants wrapped in a loose cloth around their back, utensils, clothes, bedding etc are loaded on the horses as the long journey to the plains starts for these families. The diet of these families is a dieticians prescription for keeping oneself fit. They take milk, cheese, ghee in plenty as they lead an active, hardworking life. It is rare to see an obese Bakarwal male or female. They are lean sturdy souls although signs of some sedentary life and economic prosperity are showing in the protruding bellies of the elders left behind to tend for homes during the summer months. Hundreds of labourers belonging to Bihar, West Bengal, UP and other states working as brick layers, masons, carpenters, electricians and labourers in orchards and Paddy fields have started moving down to their homes as the bitter winter cold becomes difficult for them to bear. Days have started ending early and beginning late as markets, streets and workplaces start closing after the sunset. Vegetable markets are full of locally grown turnips, spinach, tomatoes, brinjals, potatoes, etc. Interestingly, despite the availability of these local vegetables, their rates are higher than those brought in from outside the Valley, a paradox difficult to decipher for the common Kashmiri. The leaves of the majestic Chinar trees have started turning yellow from deep green. These leaves then turn into brilliant shades of yellow, amber, gold, orange, and a striking blood-red before falling in the winter. The water in rivers, mountain streams and springs is crystal clear as far off mountain tops acquire a tinge of white due to early snowfall. For the nature loving tourists and locals, autumn is the best time to see Kashmir in all its natural glory and brilliance.
Legal notice sent to 3 doctors over ex-Bengal CM Banerjees medical reports being made public
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) Arka Kumar Nag, counsel of former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, sent a legal notice to three top doctors attached to state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital and state-run Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, both in South Kolkata, over a particular medical report of the former Chief Minister being made public in violation of patient-doctor confidentiality. The notice was sent to the S.S.K.M. Director, Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay, Bangur Institutes Medical Superintendent & Vice-Principal (MSVP), Dr. Pijush Kumar Roy, and the Head of the Department of Neurology at Bangur Institute, Dr Atanu Biswas. In the notice, a copy of which is available with the IANS, the counsel of Mamata Banerjee had stated that incomplete and biased details of the medical issues have been published on the basis of the reports that have been made public. In the two-page notice sent through email, Nag had also raised the question on whether Mamata Banerjees permission was sought before making the report public, in violation of patient-doctor confidentiality. In the notice, Nag had claimed that if this information was leaked without his client's permission or without following the due legal process, appropriate action should be initiated against the officials concerned. The legal notice was served amid an explosive allegation made by the current West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday, accusing his predecessor of making a false claim of her leg being fractured during the poll campaign at Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district for the 2021 state polls. While speaking to media persons in this matter on Saturday afternoon, CM Adhikari also allegedly quoted a radiodiagnosis report from the Bangur Institute of Neurosciences dated March 11, 2021, which said that there was no sign of fracture in the limb of the former Chief Minister during that period. He also said that a separate investigation in the matter will also be initiated; once the results of the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, scheduled on Tuesday, are declared on October 9. However, Trinamool Congress legislator from Beleghata Assembly Constituency in North Kolkata, Kunal Ghosh, a prominent face of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, challenged the authenticity of the report and indirectly said that the radiodiagnosis report might have been doctored. Ghosh, a journalist-turned-politician, said that since the current dispensation in West Bengal is run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questions were bound to arise regarding the authenticity of the report. Ghosh also made a social media post claiming that it was not the practice of doctors or institutions to ever reveal anyone's personal medical information. Two days after Kunal Ghosh's post, on Monday, Mamata Banerjee's counsel served a legal notice to the three doctors over the former Chief Minister's alleged medical records being made public. In the legal notice, the three doctors have been questioned whether any medical documents of the former Chief Minister were given to the current Chief Minister and if 'yes' then whether the authorities concerned had followed proper legal procedures before doing that. Mamata Banerjee's counsel had stated that if the entire matter was done without following the legal process, action should be initiated against the officials concerned. In the notice he had also asked the doctors to ensure that Mamata' Banerjees medical confidentiality should not be violated and misleading information should not be circulated in future. To recall, in 2021, Mamata Banerjee contested as Trinamool Congress candidate from Nandigram and was defeated by Adhikari by a margin of little less than 2,000 votes. Later, she got elected in a bypoll from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata and retained her chair as the West Bengal Chief Minister for the third consecutive term. Mamata Banerjee was reportedly injured while campaigning for the 2021 Assembly elections in Nandigram. At that time, she campaigned for the elections with a plaster on her leg after being wheelchair bound.
Indian Navy Sailor Honeytrapped in Pakistan-Linked Defence Leak Case
An Indian Navy sailor was allegedly honeytrapped by a Pakistani intelligence operative and arrested in Coimbatore for reportedly sharing sensitive defence information. The case has once again exposed the dangerous use of social media and personal relationships as tools of espionage. The sailor, identified as 31-year-old Pradeep Mukherjee, is reportedly from West Bengal and joined [] The post Indian Navy Sailor Honeytrapped in Pakistan-Linked Defence Leak Case appeared first on Tfipost.com .
A major political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after the alleged leak of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's medical records . Legal action has been initiated over the alleged unauthorised disclosure of the former Chief Minister's private medical records and confidential documents related to her treatment, as her lawyer has sent a legal notice directly to the SSKM Hospital management and several officials of the state Health Department.
Lawyers, CPI(M) supportersofficeface attackin West Bengal; Mamata calls attacks unacceptable
Legal professionals and politicians condemn repeated attacks on advocates in the State
Lawyers, CPI(M) supportersofficeface attackin West Bengal; Mamata calls attacks unacceptable
Legal professionals and politicians condemn repeated attacks on advocates in the State
West Bengal To Implement UCC Within 6 Months, Says CM Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari has promised to implement a Uniform Civil Code in Bengal within six months, followed by stricter laws on religious conversion.
Bengali Actor Koel Mallick Joins BJP Day After Rajya Sabha Nomination
Bengali actor Koel Mallick joins BJP and prepares to contest Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal.
Ex-TMC Rajya Sabha MP Koyel Mallick joins BJP
Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman has raised alarms about democracy's integrity due to unauthorized voter removals. He highlighted that around 90 lakh voters in West Bengal have been disenfranchised, with many unable to appeal against their deletions. Nariman criticized the Election Commission's appointment process and its functioning, suggesting the need for reform. Concerns about disenfranchisement were echoed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasizing its arbitrary nature.
Bengal bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar voting on Tuesday under heavy security cover
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) The bypolls to the Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and the Rejinagar Assembly seat in Murshidabad district in West Bengal will be held on Tuesday under an unprecedented security cover. A total of 71 companies will be deployed for the bypolls to the two Assembly constituencies -- 37 in Nandigram and the remaining 34 in Rejinagar. In addition,15119 state police personnel will be deployed -- 819 in Rejinagara and the remaining 700 in Nandigram. It is learnt that almost 24 per cent of the total booths in each of the two constituencies are sensitive booths -- 323 in Nandigram, and 315 in Rejinagar. There will be Central forces personnel in all the polling booths as well as in the quick response team formations. There will also be 100 per cent web-casting in all the polling booths in these two constituencies, said an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The bypolls will be held on Tuesday, and the results will be announced on October 9. Nandigram is all set to witness a four-cornered contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress and the CPI. The BJP candidate from Nandigram is Hasirani Ratth, the mother of the Late Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvednu Adhikari, who was assassinated at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on May 6. The former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Mamata All Indian Trinamool Congress is not in the election fray at Nandigram this time, as its candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination at the last moment. In the Assembly polls earlier this year, Suvendu Adhikari was elected simultaneously from Nandigram and Bhabanipur in South Kolkata. However, he decided to retain Bhabanipur, thus necessitating bypolls for Nandigram. Rejinagar is all set to witness a six-cornered contest this time involving BJP, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), Congress, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, Democratic Trinamool Congress, CPI(M) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP). In the Assembly polls, the AJUP candidate Humayun Kabir won both the Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly seats in Murshidabad district. Later, he chose to retain Naoda, thus necessitating a bypoll for Rejinagar.
BJP nominates Koel Mallick for West Bengal Rajya Sabha by-election
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Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick joins BJP, day after party fields her for Rajya Sabha polls
Koyel Mallick, a Bengali film actor, officially joined the BJP and was nominated for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. She previously served as a TMC Rajya Sabha MP before resigning this July. The BJP's West Bengal general secretary welcomed her and expressed hopes for her nomination filing. Mallick stated it would be an honor to serve in the Upper House of Parliament.
Koel Mallick officially joins BJP day after Rajya Sabha nomination, says 'blessed and delighted'
Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and Bengali film actor Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as actress Koel Mallick, on Monday (October 5) officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata, a day after the party nominated her as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in West Bengal.
Tamil Nadu, Assam, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam are heading for bypolls. Heres all you need to know.
West Bengal bypolls: Nandigram and Rejinagar key candidates, past trends and more
West Bengals October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will see BJP take on Congress in Nandigram and TMC in Rejinagar in an intense poll contest
West Bengal bypolls: Nandigram and Rejinagar key candidates, past trends and more
West Bengals October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will see BJP take on Congress in Nandigram and TMC in Rejinagar in an intense poll contest
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh Advocates for Timely Implementation of UCC Amid Opposition Protests
Dilip Ghosh asserts the implementation of the UCC will happen at the right time, criticizing opposition protests as unfounded. West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh Advocates for Timely Implementation of UCC Amid Opposition Protests
Noida 'sex pest' held at Kolkata hotel after Brazil match
SC to hear petitions against CEC Gyanesh Kumar today
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Monday challenging whether Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar can single-handedly exercise powers constitutionally designated for the entire multi-member poll panel. As per the cause list published on the official website of the apex court, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is slated to take up the matter. The matter was mentioned before the CJI earlier on September 29 by senior advocate Vikas Singh, following which the CJI said: List it next week. The plea seeks enforcement of the collective decision-making framework governing the ECI and a writ in the nature of quo warranto concerning the authority under which the CEC has reportedly acted in the name of the poll panel. The petition contends that Article 324 of the Constitution vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Commission and not in an individual Chief Election Commissioner. It further relies on Section 18 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which provides for collective decision-making, with matters on which there is no unanimity to be decided by majority. The plea has relied upon contemporaneous written communications and file notings attributed to Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who allegedly recorded at least 14 objections between October 2025 and August 2026 concerning decisions and steps allegedly taken in the name of the ECI without their approval. The objections, as detailed in the petition, relate to communications and orders allegedly issued without the poll body's approval, the absence of agendas before and minutes after meetings, foreign travel undertaken without approval, changes to Form 6, access to the electoral roll database and filing of appeals before tribunals in West Bengal. The plea also refers to concerns reportedly raised by the two Election Commissioners over the gradual centralisation of the electoral roll database, and changes in the work allocation of the poll body's IT establishment. The petitioner has sought a declaration that powers vested in the ECI under Article 324 cannot be exercised or represented as an act of the poll body except in accordance with the constitutional and statutory framework governing the Commission. The plea also seeks declaratory and mandatory directions to ensure compliance with the collective decision-making framework, besides production and preservation of relevant records concerning the disputed decisions. Meanwhile, the ECI has maintained that the reported differences between the Commissioners do not amount to an institutional upture and that internal objections and written notes are established mechanisms in a multi-member constitutional body.
Democracy in peril as voters illegally ousted: Ex-SC judge Nariman
Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman expressed concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission in India. He highlighted the issue of illegal removal of voters from electoral lists, especially in West Bengal. Nariman noted that 90 lakh voters were disenfranchised, with many not having access to justice. He emphasized the need for reform in the appointment process of election commissioners to ensure fairness.
Another Government Official Arrested in Birbhum Mining Corruption Case
A government official linked to the corruption case involving stone quarry owner Tulu Mandal has been arrested in Birbhum, West Bengal. Another Government Official Arrested in Birbhum Mining Corruption Case
Great Calcutta Killings essay topic in Lok Bhavan competition
BJP fields Dinesh Arya from Uttarakhand, Koel Mallick from West Bengal for RS polls
To counter Congress's allegations, the BJP has nominated Dinesh Arya, a candidate from Haldwani, for the Rajya Sabha seat in Uttarakhand, targeting Dalit voters. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the party has announced the selection of actress Rukmini Mallick following her exit from TMC. These nominations reveal BJP's tactical efforts to strengthen its position in regional politics before the elections.
Kolkata Pockets Get Rain With Lightning Strikes, More Likely On Tues & Wed
Rain Plays Spoilsport A Day Before KMCs Road Repair Deadline
Kumartuli Struggles To Keep Idols Safe From Sharp Showers
Kolkata restos & bars make most of football-puja shopping crowd combo
After Brazil bout hype, Kolkata lukewarm to Uruguay showdown
Pension plans, CM health scheme top KMC camp queries
BJP MLA, min spar over dengue spread
Chaos erupts in Kolkata's SRFTI as right-wing group procession turns violent
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) was in turmoil again on Sunday after members of the Hindutva organisation 'Hindu Jagran Manch' tried to break through the gate of this educational institution in the Panchasayar area of Kolkata. Since the gate was closed, members of the organisation started protesting from outside. It is alleged that bricks and stones were hurled at the students who had gathered inside the campus. Counter-allegations have been made against the students for throwing bricks and stones. On September 27, SRFTI was in turmoil over a programme organised by an organisation linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Allegations of assault on students protesting against this programme were made against members of the Sangh's organisation 'Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat or ABGP (West Bengal)'. The Hindu Jagran Manch had called for a protest programme on Sunday in protest of September 27 incident. The police were also ready as they barricaded the SRFTI campus. However, the procession that started from Ajay Nagar broke the barricades and moved forward. Before that, the police had closed all the gates to enter the campus. The members of the Hindu Jagran Manch who came in a procession kept shaking the gate. They demanded that the police open the gate. The students also gathered at some distance from the gate. According to the members of the Hindu Jagran Manch, on September 27, students at the SRFTI had stepped on and tore the pictures of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda. The members of the organisation said that this procession was in protest of that. I will explain to the students what the power of the nationalists is. Stones and bricks continued to be hurled amid the sloganeering by the students and the members of the Hindu Jagran Manch. The students alleged that the posters of BR Ambedkar hung on the gate were torn. As soon as the members of the Hindu Jagran Mancha reached the gate, they started fighting with the police. The police dragged some of them away. Some members of the Hindu Jagran Manch expressed their anger against the police over this. After the unrest continued for quite some time, the situation has now come under control. Police are still deployed outside the SRFTI gate.
Gaj Utsav Promotes Elephant Conservation, Reaches 426 in Jhargram, Purulia
Thackeray brothers lead Mumbai march against CEC over SIR; FIR registered against organisers
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray led a joint protest march toward the BMC headquarters on Sunday, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raising questions over the poll panel's functioning. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have registered an offence at Azad Maidan Police Station against the organisers of a joint protest march. Uddhav Thackeray said the protest was aimed at opposing what he described as an attack on voters' rights and democracy. We are standing here today to overthrow the dictator, he said. He claimed that the names of 13 crore people had been deleted from electoral rolls across the country and alleged that voters had also been excluded in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. I have a question over the process of appointment of the Election Commissioners.
West Bengal CM Targets Mamata Banerjee Over 2021 Foot Injury Claims
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari criticizes Mamata Banerjees claims about her 2021 injury during a rally in Nandigram. West Bengal CM Targets Mamata Banerjee Over 2021 Foot Injury Claims
West Bengal UCC, 'Love Jihad' Laws In 6 Months? Suvendu Adhikari Outlines BJP Govt's Plans
Adhikari said the state would follow the examples of Uttarakhand and Gujarat in implementing the UCC.
Campaign ends for high-stakes bypolls in three States, one U.T.
The bypolls set to take place on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) will be held in five Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, as well as in one Lok Sabha seat in Assam; the votes will be counted on Friday
Body of mom who drowned saving son found
Ex-BLRO held in Birbhum DCR case
MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT) organisers booked over unauthorised protest rally in South Mumbai
Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the organisers of the joint morcha led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday. The case was filed at Azad Maidan Police Station after the protest march was held without mandatory police clearance and allegedly in violation of prohibitory orders in force in South Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray led a joint protest march toward the BMC headquarters against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Uddhav Thackeray said the protest was aimed at opposing what he described as an attack on voters' rights and democracy. We are standing here today to overthrow the dictator, he said. He claimed that the names of 13 crore people had been deleted from electoral rolls across the country and alleged that voters had also been excluded in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Does the Home Ministry have the power to cancel a person's citizenship rights? The...
CM leads BJP Nandigram push on last campaign day, eyes minority votes
