Four from West Bengal held with 71 kg ganja in Keralam
They were arrested in a joint operation at the Palakkad railway station; last week, six Odisha natives were arrested with 53.453 kg of ganja at Olavakkode
West Bengal AAR says actual-cost electricity recovery not liable to GST
Authority says electricity charges recovered without any markup or profit, including for HVAC and common areas, can be excluded from the value of maintenance services
'No.1 TMC Extortionist Arrested' Bengal CM Lauds Police Action Against Sumit Roy | Watch
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjees personal assistant Sumit Roy has been arrested by the West Bengal CID in connection with an alleged Salboni land grab case. The arrest came after the Supreme Court refused Roys anticipatory bail plea and vacated its earlier order staying his arrest. Roy was arrested from the TMC office at 121, Kalighat Road, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also alleged that Roy collected money on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee. The CID probe into the alleged Jhargram land scam remains ongoing.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Leaders across the political spectrum, particularly the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Thursday urged the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government to ensure strict punishment for those raising slogans like Kashmir Mange Azadi within the prestigious Jadavpur University (JU) campus. This comes a day after CM Adhikari said that anti-national forces and those insulting saffron will be uprooted from the soil of the state, after leading a rally to protest against anti-national slogans and graffiti on the varsity campus. Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said: I appeal to Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ji to immediately identify such people and ensure strict punishment for them. JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak backed CM Adhikari's remarks, saying: Such people don't deserve to stay in Bengal. University is the temple of education and if such kind of politics takes place there, strict action should be taken against those indulging in such acts. BJP leader and Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal added: There is nothing new. From the beginning itself, there have been such kind of people at the university who indulge in politics that goes against the mainstream in Bengal and the country. The entire country knows that there are some people in JNU and in Jadavpur who keep carrying out such incidents. Congress MP Akhilesh Singh also said: BJP itself has its government there so it should take steps against such acts. Who has stopped them from doing so? Asserting that Jadavpur holds a very high position in terms of merit and is one of the best educational institutions in Bengal, Trinamool Congress MLA, Kunal Ghosh said: There are people who sang 'Vande Mataram' there. However, not everyone thinks the same way, and we are also against those who are saying 'Kashmir demands freedom', this is an anti-India slogan. However, he added: Completely opposing campus politics is also wrong. Jadavpur University had been in the headlines last month over clashes between activists of the CPI(M)'s student wing, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The confrontation triggered protests by both student groups and led to further unrest on the campus. Subsequently, the BJP organised a protest meeting outside Jadavpur University, which was addressed by CM Adhikari.
School holiday tomorrow: In anticipation of the BRICS Summit, Delhi schools will be closed on September 11, 2026. Weather-related closures may also affect schools in Uttarakhand and Bihar. Meanwhile, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh are keeping a vigilant eye on weather conditions. Schools in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are generally expected to remain open; therefore, parents should verify their local school's status before sending kids to classes.
West Bengal Begins Survey Of Behala Airport To Assess Resumption Of Flight Services
A viral X post details a Bihar couple's search for their two missing sons. The parents disguised themselves as beggars and traveled across several Indian states. They left their jobs and normal lives to search for the children for months. The elder son was reportedly found in Bikaner, Rajasthan, after following clues. The younger son was later located in Howrah, West Bengal, reuniting the family.
Abhishek Banerjees Aide Sumit Roy Arrested Following Supreme Court Ruling
Sumit Roy, aide to West Bengal MP Abhishek Banerjee, arrested after Supreme Court lifts protective order amid land scam investigation. Abhishek Banerjees Aide Sumit Roy Arrested Following Supreme Court Ruling
CBI raids Eastern Coalfields employees house, office in Bengal; son detained, documents seized
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The son of an Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) employee was detained, and several documents were seized during raids conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at his residence and office in West Bengal following complaints of bribery and irregularities against him, agency officials said on Thursday. The CBI sleuths conducted simultaneous searches at the residence and office of the ECL employee, Sankarman Harijan, in Pandabeswar, West Burdwan district, late on Wednesday night. Harijan is an employee of South Shyamala Colliery, which falls under the Pandabeswar police station limits. He was reportedly not present when the CBI team reached his residence. His son, Pankaj Harijan, was detained for questioning during the operation. The CBI recovered several documents from the employees residence and the local ECL office as part of its investigation into alleged bribery and irregularities involving workers at the colliery. According to sources, the case relates to a complaint by a colliery worker who had sought light duty because of a physical illness. Harijan allegedly demanded money from the worker, claiming that he could arrange the change in duty in exchange for a bribe. Following the complaint, the central agency initiated a probe to verify the allegations and collect evidence. The CBI subsequently carried out simultaneous searches at Harijans residence and his office at South Shyamala Colliery. The searches continued for several hours as investigators examined documents and other material available at both locations. However, Harijan was not found during the operation. His son was taken into custody for questioning as investigators sought to gather information about the alleged transactions and the employees activities. A local resident said the CBI team conducted a detailed search of the house and examined various documents. The resident added that since Harijan was absent, his son was taken away by the investigators for questioning. The CBI is now examining the documents seized during the raids to determine whether Harijan was allegedly involved in other instances of accepting bribes in exchange for arranging work-related benefits for employees. Investigators are also looking into whether other ECL officials or employees were involved in the alleged arrangement. The agency is questioning Pankaj Harijan and analysing the recovered documents as part of its ongoing investigation.
The Supreme Court on September 10, 2026 rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Sumit Roy in the Salboni land scam case where West Bengal govt land was allegedly sold and the sale proceeds deposited in the partys account
Bengal assembly passes Bill enabling inter-university transfer of teaching, non-teaching staffers
The West Bengal Assembly approved a bill allowing staff transfers between state universities. This new legislation empowers the government to move teaching and non-teaching employees as needed. Experienced professors will be sent to newly established institutions to guide their development. The bill aims to balance university autonomy with government accountability.
Operation Anweshan: Odisha Police Rescues 101 Missing Children Across 17 States
The Crime Against Women & Children Wing of Odisha Police, in collaboration with the Women & Child Development Department, conducted Operation Anweshan from August28 to September8, 2026, to trace and rescue missing Odia children from other states. Seventeen dedicated teams were deployed to 17 destination states, including West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. The [] The post Operation Anweshan: Odisha Police Rescues 101 Missing Children Across 17 States appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
West Bengal CID detained Sumit Roy, personal assistant to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. This detention occurred soon after the Supreme Court refused his anticipatory bail plea. Roy was taken from Banerjee's Kalighat residence in connection with a land scam. The Supreme Court also vacated its earlier order which had stayed his arrest. Roy had been summoned multiple times previously regarding the illegal land sale.
West Bengal CM defends 'godman who sought to avoid meat during Durga Puja
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directs Kolkata Police Commissioner to arrest those who burnt photographs of the religious preacher outside Bhawanipore police station
Special Arrangements for Pilgrims at Tarapith Temple on Kaushiki Amavasya, Says CM Suvendu
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announces special measures for pilgrims at Tarapith Temple during Kaushiki Amavasya celebrations. Special Arrangements for Pilgrims at Tarapith Temple on Kaushiki Amavasya, Says CM Suvendu
Cambridge Goddess: How Durga idol found permanent home at Cambridge University museum
West Bengal by-elections to test Trinamool rival groups claim over party symbol
By-elections on Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats in West Bengal are scheduled on October 6
West Bengal sports department seeks Eden Gardens booking confirmation for Durga Puja events
The News Mill
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) A crucial education-related bill will be moved and passed in the West Bengal Assembly at a single-day special session on Thursday. The West Bengal Universities & Colleges Administration & Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2026 is aimed at implementing the one state, one education policy in the state. The bill was cleared by the state cabinet. After it is moved and passed in the House, it will be sent to the office of Governor R.N. Ravi for consent, following which it will become an Act. Explaining the major proposals in the bill, an official from the state higher education department said it will specify the guidelines related to the transfers of teachers and non-teaching staff in different state-run universities. The bill proposes to transfer those who have taught for a long time in old state-run universities in Kolkata or other big cities to new universities henceforth. This policy is also effective for educational workers attached to different state-run universities, said a state higher education department official. Academicians in the state feel this proposal can create major controversies in the state's academic circles. The state-run universities are basically autonomous bodies. Hence, teachers, officials or education workers of the state-run universities are not directly state government employees. So naturally, questions are being raised whether this transfer will be by mutual consent or whether teachers and education workers will be transferred at the will of the government. However, all these things will be clarified only after the bill is moved and passed on the floor of the Assembly, said a professor of Jadavpur University, who did not wish to be named. Another important proposal in the bill is to bring Aliah University under the West Bengal Higher Education Department, the official said. Till now, the Aliah University had been under the jurisdiction of the West Bengal Minority Affairs & Madrasah Education Department. The Aliah University Act was passed in the West Bengal Assembly during the late Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front regime in 2007. It came into effect from April 5, 2008. The administration has claimed that the bill aims at bringing a balanced distribution of human resources as the reason for this move. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has claimed that the state's old and traditional universities have teachers and administrative staff with long-standing experience which needs to be utilised. There is a need to utilise that experience in the new universities. If skilled professors and staff go to the new institutions, the quality of teaching, research and administrative infrastructure there will improve rapidly. This initiative is being taken to maintain the overall balance of higher education, the Chief Minister said.
West Bengal assembly bypolls: BJP forms 263-member state executive committee
The West Bengal BJP has formed a 263-member state executive committee. This committee will assign organizational responsibilities to senior leaders for upcoming by-elections. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will oversee the Tamluk organizational district, including Nandigram. Union ministers and state ministers have also received specific organizational charges. The committee formation follows a year-long delay after the state president took charge.
Bengal Chief Minister Vows to Root Out Anti-National Forces and Insult to Saffron
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pledges to eliminate anti-national elements and disrespect towards saffron during a rally in Kolkata. Bengal Chief Minister Vows to Root Out Anti-National Forces and Insult to Saffron
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had submitted its chargesheet in the 2023 Ram Navami violence in Hooghly district of West Bengal, probe agency officials said. In the chargesheet filed on Wednesday, NIA had named Shakir Ali, the husband of former and two-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Arambagh Assembly constituency in Hooghly district, as the mastermind behind the violence. Sources aware of the development said that in the chargesheet NIA had claimed that Shakir Ali and his aides planned the unrest over the Ram Navami processions in the district for political gains. The NIA sleuths arrested Shakir Ali in the Ram Navami violence case in June this year. He was the councilor of Ward number 4 of Rishara Municipality in Hooghly district. Before arresting him, NIA officials searched his house for several hours. Shakir is currently out on bail. In the chargesheet submitted by the NIA a total of 43 people has been named as accused. Of them, 20 were arrested by the state police and two were arrested by the NIA. Apart from this, 21 more are on the list of accused by the National Investigation Agency. All of them, including Shakir, are currently out on bail. In the chargesheet, NIA had claimed that that the police had recovered many swords in relation to the Ram Navami violence. In addition, as per the chargesheet, a large quantity of explosives and gunpowder were also recovered from the residence of another accused in the case, Kamran Qureshi, who was arrested by the NIA sleuths. It may be noted that Rishra in Hooghly district witnessed unrest in 2023 during the Ram Navami procession. At that time, panic spread in the area due to bomb attacks, vandalism and arson. The lives of ordinary residents practically came to a standstill. The situation had reached such a point that the administration had to impose a virtual curfew for a few days to maintain law and order.
Wont tolerate slur on saffron, CM warns Jadavpur rally
Will uproot forces raising anti-national slogans, says West Bengal CM
Adhikari leads Gerua Samman Yatra from Golpark to Jadavpur attended by hundreds of saints and seers dressed in saffron
Dont stigmatise kids, spot early signs to offer suitable mental health support
Proposal sought for Rs 407 crore Balagarh port project on PPP model
Minister Indranil Khan, AAI, state officials visit Behala Flying Club
Do not see any need to change our Durga Puja, say organisers
Too many checks: Private schools look to form platform for talks with govt
Fire dept knocks on mall doors for safety audit
Purna Das Baul visits Janatar Darbar over land dispute
Mishti-makers chase 14-day race
Bengal assembly speaker Rathindra Bose to visit South Africa, US, UK
Uphill food test task: Three labs, 2,758 samples, 14 days
Many Kolkata restos take to social media to assure patrons
Label items, bin stock older than 3 days: Resto bodies
Rectify, appeal, will inspect and lift ban, KMC tells jittery eateries
1k hotels inspected, only 50 appeal for reopening
Cops hunt for more parking spaces near Durga Puja pandals
Buses can now park on roads at night for Rs 700 per month
KMDA to engage agency for College Street heritage book district plan
Hazarika home: Assam CM writes to Bengal CM
Soon, state SOP for underage pregnancy
West Bengal Government Seeks Eden Gardens Booking for Durga Puja Celebrations
The West Bengal government is arranging Eden Gardens for Durga Puja festivities from September 25 to October 15, 2026. West Bengal Government Seeks Eden Gardens Booking for Durga Puja Celebrations
BJP state panel: Suvendu to look over Tamluk
Manipur Secures BC Roy Trophy by Defeating West Bengal in Junior Boys National Football Championship
Manipur triumphs over West Bengal 3-1, retaining the BC Roy Trophy in the Junior Boys National Football Championship in Bengaluru. Manipur Secures BC Roy Trophy by Defeating West Bengal in Junior Boys National Football Championship
JU attendance dips, classes cancelled, some go online on CM rally day
ECI to meet both Trinamool factions on Sep 12, decision on name & symbol may be resolved
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI), which had already consented to meet a five-member delegation of the ebel but majority faction in Trinamool Congress led by the party's expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee on September 12, had now also given the consent to meet the original but minority faction of the party led by the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the same venue in New Delhi on the same day. While the time fixed for the meeting with the Ritabrata-led faction is 11 a.m. on September 12, the time allotted for the Mamata Banerjee-led faction is 12 noon on the same day. The venue of the meeting with both the factions of Trinamool Congress is India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIDEM) in New Delhi. Although in the communications to both the factions of Trinamool Congress, the Commission had not specified the agenda of the meetings, however, ECI insiders said that the discussions will be in relation to the arguments of both the delegations in favour of their claims for the party name and symbol. In the communications to both the factions, the ECI Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal had sought the names of the members of the delegations of both the factions as well as their vehicle numbers for necessary arrangements. It is learnt that the Commission will decide on the fate of the party name and symbol only after hearing both the factions. In the letter, Mohal had Ritabrata Banerjee to intimate the names of the members of delegation along with their vehicle details to ECI for making necessary arrangements. In the letter, ECI had specified that the number of delegation members will be five. The letter from ECI Secretary on Wednesday is in response to a previous communication sent to the Commission from the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction seeking appointment. However, Commission insiders said that the decision will be made surely before September 16, which is the last date for filing nominations for the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. Political observers say that the ECI has two options amid the forthcoming bypolls for these two constituencies. The first option is allotting the official 'grassroots' symbol to any of the two rival Trinamool Congress factions. In that case, the faction to whom the symbol will be allotted will be able to contest the bypolls with that official symbol. The second option is not allotting the symbol to any of the factions for the time being before a final decision in the matter is taken. In that case, neither of two factions will be able to contest the bypolls with that official symbol, a city-based observer noted.
JU acting registrar, finance officer removed
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved eight railway projects costing over twenty thousand crore rupees. These projects will increase line capacity and enhance operational efficiency for Indian Railways. Multi-tracking proposals aim to streamline operations and alleviate existing network congestion. The approved projects will boost connectivity to tourist destinations and key commodity routes. These initiatives are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Lightning strikes kill 2 in Jalpaiguri
Tarapith readies for Kaushiki Amabasya with 200 firemen, robot fire tenders, 4,000 cops
Probe ordered into Jalpaiguri school headmaster assault
Six from Tripura arrested for murdering West Bengal native near Coimbatore
The body was found in a shallow pit with one arm sticking out; police say altercation over liquor led to the killing
14 injured in attacks by stray horses in East Burdwan
Dr. Vivek Pathak, Founder Director, NIPS Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9: Never go for shortcuts. It was perhaps the simplest message Chef Nimish Bhatia gave
Left (File pic) Sundeep Bhutoria; Right PIB Picture: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Education, Jayant Chaudhary at the International Literacy Day in Delhi Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9:
Tamanna murder: Charges framed against 24
Threat to Sundarbans: Barclays faces complaint in UK over link to power project
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari led a procession in south Kolkata on Wednesday. He asserted that those raising 'Kashmir wants freedom' slogans would be uprooted. The 'Gerua Samman Yatra' began at Golpark and concluded near Jadavpur University. Monks and seers joined the procession, chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' and carrying saffron flags. This march aimed to protect the dignity of the saffron colour and its associated values.
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge sworn in as 45th Calcutta HC Chief Justice
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9: The weight of the Indian schoolchild's bag - a subject that social and cultural activist Sundeep Bhutoria has pressed with the Union Ministry of Education through the past week - was raised from the national stage on 8 September, when Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Education, spoke about the School Bag Policy, 2020, at the International Literacy Day celebration in New Delhi. The Minister's office also posted a short video on X and thanked Shri Bhutoria for highlighting this important matter.
West Bengal: KMC Suspends Licences Of 40 Restaurants
The KMC has suspended the licences of 40 eateries and sweet shops for two weeks after a city-wide safety drive.
Tripura VC polls: BJP skips over 57% seats despite hill alliances
Calcutta HC extends interim bail by a month for CPI-M leader arrested in Baruipur violence case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday extended the interim bail period for Cooomunist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Md. Lahek Ali, who was arrested in July this year by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police in connection with the massive unrest at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas over the rape and murder of a girl. Lahek was granted interim bail till September 10 by the single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on September 2 on grounds of the serious medical conditions of his mother. On that day, Justice Ghosh directed the West Bengal Police to submit to his bench on September 9 the video footage regarding Lahek's public statements instigating violence over the rape and murder of the minor. The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday afternoon at Justice Ghosh's bench and the state police failed to submit to the court the necessary video footage in the matter. During the hearing in the matter on Wednesday, the Public Prosecutor Kallol Mandal, told the court that it had not yet been possible to bring the pen drive containing the video footage of the day of the incident from the police station. Thereafter, the public prosecutor sought more time from the court in the matter. Following the submission of the public prosecutor, Justice Ghosh extended the interim bail period for Lahek by more than a month till October 12. The next hearing on the matter will be on held on October 10. Tension broke out in Baruipur in July this year over the rape and murder of a minor girl. The local people resorted to major ruckus in the area and lynched a local youth suspecting him of being involved in the crime. Later, the lynched youth turned out to be innocent. Ali, the CPI-M's South 24 Parganas district committee member, was accused by the police of being one of the principal masterminds behind instigating and mobilising people to take the law into their own hands. The police registered 26 cases against him. Finally, on the night of July 12, he was arrested at his residence. The CPI-M leadership, however, described his arrest as a reflection of 'political vendetta'. The Suryapur area of Baruipur witnessed widespread unrest after the body of the minor girl was recovered on July 5. Since the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has visited Baruipur twice. Besides, assuring strict punishment for those accused in the alleged rape and murder of the minor, the Chief Minister also warned of action against those accused of inciting violence during the protests. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the unrest. Allegations that Lahek had incited violence had been raised from the outset, following which police arrested him. Pravas Mondal, one of the key accused in the crime of rape and murder, was killed in a police encounter after he tried to escape by snatching the firearm of an on-duty police officer.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing concern over the detention of Bengali speaking workers on the suspicion of being Bangladeshis in Chhattisgarh and other states. In an X post, the former Baharampur MP said, Written to Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji expressing grave concern over reports of arbitrary profiling & detention of Bengali-speaking Indian workers as alleged Bangladeshis in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur & other states. The Congress leader said that those who have been detained have valid government ID cards, thus proving their Indian nationality. As per media reports, those detainedincluding women, domestic workers & impoverished labourersallegedly hold valid Voter IDs & Aadhaar cards. Despite these reports, they are being subjected to custodial harassment without proper verification, separating families & violating constitutional rights. The senior Congress leader demanded the intervention of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in this regard to stop this detention. Bengali is India's second most-spoken language (9.72+ crore speakers) & an official language under the 8th Schedule. @MHAIndia must urgently intervene, halt arbitrary detentions, and establish strict protocols against linguistic profiling, Chowdhury said. He concluded by saying, If the State considers the Bengali language itself a threat, let a resolution be brought to Parliament to remove Bengali from the 8th Schedule. As long as Bengali remains constitutionally protected, no citizen should be forced to prove their patriotism for speaking their mother tongue. It may be noted that Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam also raised the same issue and demanded the intervention of West Bengal government and Chhattisgarh Police in this regard. He also demanded the immediate release of the detained workers and stop the harassment of Bengali speaking workers from West Bengal in others states. It was learnt that the migrant labourers who have been detained in Chhattisgarh hail from Murshidabad district's Suti Police Station area. They were working in Bilaspur district as hawkers and labourers.
Land grab probe: Custodial interrogation of Abhishek Banerjees PA needed, West Bengal tells SC
The Supreme Court is hearing Mr. Roy's plea challenging a August 3 order of the Calcutta High Court denying him pre-arrest bail in the Salboni case
BJP received Rs 1472.8 cr, spent Rs 160 cr on 3 state polls: EC
The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) central headquarters received a total of Rs 1,472.8 crore ahead of the last round of assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission (EC). The inflow pushed the partys closing balance to Rs 7,627.2 crore by the time 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 .
Temporary closure notices issued to 919 hotels, guest houses over safety violations in Kolkata
As many as 919 hotels and guest houses in Kolkata have been served temporary closure notices for failing to meet mandatory fire safety requirements, officials said. The action follows an extensive inspection drive launched after a deadly guest house fire exposed serious safety concerns in the city. Joint inspection teams comprising officials from the West Bengal Fire Services, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police have so far examined around 960 hotels and guest houses across Kolkata. Of these, only 41 establishments were found to have complied with the required fire safety measures, while the remaining 919 were issued notices directing them to temporarily shut operations until they meet the prescribed safety standards, officials said.
Justice RV Ghuge sworn in as Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, formally taking charge as the head of one of the countrys oldest High Courts. West Bengal Governor R N Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Ghuge at a ceremony held in Court Room 1, the [] The post Justice RV Ghuge sworn in as Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court appeared first on India Legal .
Bengal health department issues stricter guidelines on patients referrals
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sept 9 (IANS): West Bengal health department has made patients referral rules stricter for state-run medical entities, in an attempt to eliminate the age-old menace of referring even the most critical patients coming for admissions to other hospitals. Insiders from the state health department said that after reviewing the critical care units of all the state-run medical establishments, the department had issued a set of fresh guidelines as regards to patients referrals. The first and most important guideline is that no state-run medical establishment should immediately refer any critical patients to other hospitals. The medical establishment concerned should first stabilize the condition of the critical patient and then only refer that patient to any other hospital and that too if absolutely necessary, said a state health department official. The second important guideline on patients referral, according to the official, is the detailed procedure for referral on a case-to-case basis. Before referring a critical patient elsewhere, the critical care unit of the hospital should inform the deputy superintendent or the assistant superintendent of the hospital about the referral decision. The deputy superintendent or the assistant superintendent will then contact the integrated control room at Swasthya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters in Kolkata. It should be ensured that there is a critical care bed at the place where the referral is being made, the health department official. At the same time, he said, such referrals should be restricted in extreme emergency cases where the patients family insist on such referrals. According to him, besides eliminating the age-old disease of unnecessary referrals, the new guidelines will also ensure maximum utilization of critical care units in all state-run medical establishments in the state. Recently, the state health department reviewed its Critical Care Management Information System (CCMIS), where details of all the critical care units in all state-run medical establishments need to be uploaded. Following the review of the portal, it came to the notice of the state health department that the existing critical care unit infrastructure in many state-rune medical establishments were not utilized up to the optimum level. In such a situation, the state health department official said, the new and stricter referral guidelines had been issued. Guidelines have also been set for the critical care units in all state-run medical establishments. Review meetings will have to be held every week to review the condition of the critical care units of all medical establishments. Each critical care unit or intensive care unit will have a specialist doctor with a postgraduate degree, said the department officials. At the same time, he added that there had been frequent cases of infection spreading from critical care units. The health department has set specific 'guidelines' to prevent it, where the infection control nurse of each hospital has been instructed to regularly monitor the infection control status in CCUs.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin to visit Bengal on Sep 15; focus on party revamp, civic poll strategy
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to reach West Bengal for a two-day visit next week with a packed organisation schedule, party sources confirmed on Wednesday. He is scheduled to arrive in the state on September 15. He will hold several organisational meetings with the state party leadership. He will be accompanied by the party's all-India general secretary (organisation), B.L. Santhosh. From the formation of a new state committee to the necessary reshuffle in the organisation, several issues are likely to be discussed in the meetings, said a state committee member of the BJP. He also said that during the two-day visit, both Nabin and Santhosh are expected to give guidelines for ensuring coordination between the partys organisation and the state government. It is learnt that while the BJPs organisational strength in the districts has improved substantially since the party came to power in the state following the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, several organisational lapses in the state have also come to the notice of the partys state and central leadership. Questions have already started surfacing over the role of a section of the grassroots-level party leaders and workers. Apart from allegations of corruption, there have been reports of conflicts also emerging between new and old party workers in several pockets. These issues may also be discussed in the meetings chaired by Nabin later this month, said the partys state committee member. At the same time, the state committee member said the issue of finalising party strategy for the forthcoming crucial elections later this year for a number of urban civic bodies, including municipal corporations and municipalities, might also be discussed during Nabins visit. The state BJP is very serious about the urban civic body polls especially that for Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation. The party has started planning its strategy for these elections. Our state leadership is constantly giving messages for building up better organisational coordination among the party's grassroots leaders and workers. Now our national president is also expected to give a message on this count, said the state committee member.
Two arrested over lynching of man in West Bengal's Howrah on theft suspicion
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) The West Bengal Police have arrested two people in connection with the alleged lynching of a man on suspicion of theft and an attempt to move his body to another location, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. The incident took place in the Liluah area of Howrah district late Tuesday night. The arrests were made in the early hours of Wednesday. According to the police, the deceased was identified as Rajkumar Chauhan, 43, a resident of Uttarpara in neighbouring Hooghly district. The police said Chauhan allegedly entered a factory in an area adjacent to the Liluah police station on Tuesday night. Local residents claimed that he had entered the factory with the intention of stealing and was allegedly caught inside the premises. He was then allegedly assaulted by a group of people. The police suspect that Chauhan died as a result of the severe attack on him. According to the police, an attempt was subsequently made to move the body to another location, allegedly to conceal the crime. After receiving information about the incident, officers from Liluah police station reached the spot and began an investigation. Following a preliminary inquiry, police arrested two youths, identified as Shubhjit Patel and Sumit Paswan, in connection with the incident. Howrah City Police Commissioner Akhilesh Chaturvedi also visited the spot. Speaking to media persons, Chaturvedi said a murder case had been registered against the accused. Two people have already been arrested. The reason behind the incident is being investigated, he said. A forensic team is expected to visit the site to collect further evidence. The body has been sent for an autopsy. The police said the exact circumstances surrounding Chauhan's death would become clearer after the forensic examination and autopsy reports are received. The incident created tension in the locality. Residents alleged that thefts from factory premises in Howrah and Hooghly districts are common, with equipment and other materials frequently reported missing. However, locals said such an alleged lynching on suspicion of theft was unprecedented in the Liluah area. They demanded strict action against all those involved in the violence.
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge takes oath as 45th Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge took the oath as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court during a formal ceremony held on the court premises here on Wednesday. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Ghuge in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, and senior members of the state cabinet. Former and serving judges of various High Courts also attended the oath-taking ceremony. The appointment fills the permanent vacancy created after the retirement of former Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, during which Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty managed the judicial duties of the High Court. There was a demand for the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice for the Calcutta High Court. In the meantime, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, made recommendations in this regard. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended his elevation as the permanent Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on August 6, and his appointment was cleared by the government on September 5. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on X Handle that the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice, has given his consent to Justice Ghuges appointment as the new Calcutta High Court Chief Justice under the powers granted by the Indian Constitution. Justice Ghuge started his legal career as an advocate in 1990. He has appeared in more than 2,000 cases, a majority of them representing labour unions. Over the years, he has also represented several industrial organisations and multinational companies. He also served as a contributory professor for the PG LL.M course at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) from 2005 to 2008. Justice Ghuge had also served as secretary of the Bar Association of Industrial Lawyers, Aurangabad for five years, as well as its president from July 2010 to December 2011. His judicial career began in June 2013, with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court. He became a permanent judge there in March 2016. He was appointed the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in June 2026.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will lead a 'Gerua Sanman Yatra' (saffron pride walk) in South Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon to protest against anti-national slogans and graffiti on the Jadavpur University (JU) campus. Adhikari has repeatedly said he is determined to curb what he describes as anti-national activities on the university campus. He has also blamed the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments in West Bengal for allegedly allowing forces with such mindsets to flourish within JU. The Chief Minister had last month participated in a programme at the university on Raksha Bandhan, where around 10,000 people sang the full version of Vande Mataram. He will now lead another major public rally focusing on the same issue. The Gerua Sanman Yatra is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. from Golpark Crossing in South Kolkata and conclude at the 8B Bus Stand Crossing, near the JU campus. Adhikari is expected to lead the procession throughout its route. As part of the arrangements, Raja Subodh Chandra Mallick Road will be temporarily closed to traffic during the procession. The JU authorities have also decided to keep four of the universitys main gates closed from 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Gate No. 1 will remain open for the entry and exit of students, faculty members, and other university staff. The university authorities have not stated the specific reason for closing the gates. However, the decision is widely seen as a precautionary measure amid apprehensions of possible disturbances inside or outside the campus during the rally. The Kolkata Police have also put in place extensive security arrangements, both to protect the Chief Minister and to prevent any untoward incident during the procession. Tension had escalated at JU last month following a general body meeting, with clashes breaking out between activists of the CPI(M)s student wing, the Students Federation of India (SFI), and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The confrontation triggered protests by both student groups and led to further unrest on the campus. Subsequently, the BJP organised a protest meeting outside the university, which was addressed by Adhikari.
'Not my wife, daughter': Bengal man kills 2, chops bodies, packs them in sacks, dumps in river
Bageshwar Baba faces police complaint in Kolkata over remarks on Bengali identity and food habits
A Congress leader filed a police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri for his remarks. Shastri's comments on Bengali identity and food practices have caused controversy. He questioned the consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja celebrations. West Bengal BJP leaders and ministers stated meat and fish are part of Bengali culture. The Congress leader demanded an apology and police action against Shastri.
J&K medical interns end 8-day strike
Srinagar, Sep 8:Eight days after launching their strike over the long-pending demand for enhancement of their stipend, the J&K medical interns today agreed to resume duties after government assurance that the issue would be fixed within 30 days.On August 31, the MBBS interns from across J&K Government Medical Colleges had intensified their agitation over the long-pending demand for revision of their stipend. They protested in the form of sit-ins, exhibited banners and placards and spoke about how their stipend was too low to meet basic needs. The agitation entered a hunger-strike phase as they pressed the government to issue a written order for stipend enhancement.According to the record note of meetings held on September 4 and September 8 (mentioned in official document as September 9) between Health and Medical Education Minister SakeenaItoo and a delegation of medical interns, the government has decided that the matter will be finalized within a period of 30 days on the basis of recommendations of the Stipend Enhancement Constituted, and keeping in view the legitimate interests and concerns of the medical interns. The note has stated that the medical interns have agreed to call off the strike and resume their duties, in the larger interest of patientcare and safeguard their academic and professional interests.The meetings, the official note issued from the Personal Section of the Health Minister, have said, were attended by representatives of the medical interns, including the Principal of Government Medical College Srinagar and the Deputy Director Planning representing the Director Health Services Kashmir. The delegation raised concerns over the existing stipend structure and pressed for a suitable revision. It had also cited the nature of their duties, workload and responsibilities in the healthcare system.The note states that during the deliberations, the Minister assured the interns that their concerns were receiving due consideration. They were informed that the formation of the committee itself was a proof of the seriousness of the government to examine the issue comprehensively. The agitation had raised concerns over its impact on routine hospital services and patient care.The demand for enhancement of the stipend of medical and dental interns has been pending for seven years in J&K. The interns have repeatedly been seeking a revision in view of the nature of their duties, long working hours and the responsibilities they shoulder in government hospitals.The monthly payment has remained unchanged at Rs 12,300 despite repeated representations and protests. The issue had, reached the government level in 2023, when the Health and Medical Education Department constituted a committee under Government Order No 538-JK(HME) of 2023, dated June 27, 2023. The committee was tasked to examine enhancement of the stipend.It subsequently recommended increasing the stipend to Rs 25,000 a month. The recommendation remained unimplemented for years. This year in February, the government told the Legislative Assembly that the proposal was under consideration of the Finance Department. The Health Minister has many a times reiterated that the file for revision of stipend has been pending with the Finance Department.The agitation on Monday drew intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said the issue should be resolved at the earliest. He made it clear that the decision of stipend enhancement rested with the Health Department. The CM said the prolonged dispute was affecting the interns work and internship and was not in anyones interest. Its sad. The matter shouldnt have come to this. This is a matter of the Health Department. Until the department takes a decision, no other department can do anything, he said.The disparity with other states has been a key point of contention J&K MBBS interns. J&K currently pays Rs 12,300 a month while interns in several states receive Rs 25,000 or more. It is Rs 44,319 in Odisha, Rs 43,099 in West Bengal and Rs 35,000 in Assam.
Assam Seeks West Bengals Help to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home
Assams Chief Minister requests West Bengals support to acquire and preserve Bhupen Hazarikas iconic residence in Kolkata. Assam Seeks West Bengals Help to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home
40 restaurants, sweet shops shut in Kolkata over safety norms
SC settles 3-decade-old shareholding dispute in favour of Peerless
Organisers, caterers pray to Devi: Clear puja food cloud ASAP
Water jets, workers at ghats: KMC mulls crane alternatives
All in a day: Sundarbans tiger attack victim, Hooghly deceased set to save multiple lives
Dhirendra Shastri on Bengal politicians' radar for 'Pakhandi', 'Ganda Khana' comment
Controversy erupted in West Bengal over remarks by Bageshwar Dham priest Dhirendra Shastri, who allegedly called Bengalis pakhandis over non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Congress leaders filed police complaints seeking action, while BJP leaders defended Bengals tradition of eating fish and meat, particularly goat meat, during the festival.
Assam Government Seeks Support to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home in Kolkata
Assams Chief Minister requests West Bengals help to preserve Bhupen Hazarikas home, a site of significant cultural heritage. Assam Government Seeks Support to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home in Kolkata
Calcutta High Court allows advocate to retrieve briefs
Licence suspension: Restaurants stare at business loss ahead of festive season
