Mysterious Death of Elderly Woman in Asansol Leads to Police Custody of Son and Daughter-in-Law
Asansol, August 20: A suspicious death of an elderly woman occurred in Asansol, West Bengal, on Wednesday. The police have taken her younger son and daughter-in-law into custody for questioning amid suspicions of murder. The incident took place in the Kalipahari area of the Asansol South police station jurisdiction. The deceased has been identified as ... Read more Mysterious Death of Elderly Woman in Asansol Leads to Police Custody of Son and Daughter-in-Law
Tragic Hotel Fire in Kolkata: A Result of Negligence, Claims Chief Minister
Kolkata, August 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari sharply criticized the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee following a tragic hotel fire on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata. The incident has claimed the lives of nine individuals so far. In a social media post on Wednesday, the Chief Minister attributed this ... Read more Tragic Hotel Fire in Kolkata: A Result of Negligence, Claims Chief Minister
KOZYNAP Accelerates Retail Expansion with Fully Customized Sleep Solutions
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 19: Building on its rapidly expanding retail and hospitality presence, KOZYNAP, one of East India's fastest emerging mattress brands, is now entering its next phase of growth, strengthening its manufacturing ecosystem while expanding its footprint across India and preparing to enter newer international markets.
Fire Brigade HQ 40m Away, Response Takes 1 Min But Alls Lost Before Help Arrives
On First Job, JKhand Teen Only Staffer To Die In Hotel Fire
Dhaka calling Kolkata: Phone calls from home wake up Bangladeshi guests to news of tragedy
Bengal cabinet moves to unlock land for industrial units
State drops after-hours census duty orderfor school teachers
WBSSC, WBBSE seek SC extension for teacher recruitment
Greater Logistics Efficiency: PM Modi On New Railway, Highway Projects
PM Modi said a major boost has been given to railway infrastructure and connectivity across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Rs 2 lakh aid given to kin of 5 killed in
Shillong, Aug 19:The State government on Wednesday handed over Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each to the families of five Meghalaya residents who died in a hotel fire near Tarapith Temple in West Bengal. The cheques were given by Border Areas Development Minister Brening A. Sangma at the victims residence in Dalu, West Garo Hills, in [] The post Rs 2 lakh aid given to kin of 5 killed inWest Bengal hotel fire first appeared on Highland Post .
5-member fire audit panel, SIT formed
Malda hospital worker alleges rape by supervisor
Court issues arrest warrant against Mahua Moitra
The minister said the government was investing in integrated civic systems and modern infrastructure.
CM distributes IPPL aid to Haldia fire victims
West Bengal Hotel Fire: Official Suspended for Safety Clearance After Tragic Incident
Kolkata, August 19: An official from the fire department has been suspended following a tragic fire incident at the Bideshini hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum district, which resulted in the deaths of nine people. Fire Station Officer Abhay Chaudhary had granted clearance to the hotels fire fighting system after conducting an inspection. In response to this ... Read more West Bengal Hotel Fire: Official Suspended for Safety Clearance After Tragic Incident
Massive fire at Kolkata hotel: 9 people, including 5 Bangladeshi nationals, killed
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered the formation of a five-member special investigation team (SIT) immediately to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into this incident
Centre clears 9,450 crore for 410-km rail projects across four states
Four multitracking projects across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will add nearly 410 km to the railway network and ease congestion
Bengaluru bye bye: Bangladeshi journalists final post emerges after Kolkata fire kills family
No Respect For Court: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech Case
A West Bengal court has issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for allegedly failing to comply with repeated summons in a hate speech case. The case relates to remarks she made at a news conference in Nadia in August 2025 while discussing infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border. The 3rd Judicial Magistrate at Krishnanagar directed that the warrants execution report be submitted on August 28. The court noted Moitras repeated non-compliance with summons and her lawyers statement that she would not appear, citing fears of heckling outside the court. Moitra has maintained that her remarks were figurative and denied any intention to encourage violence.
Border security top focus of Shahs 3-day Siliguri visit
ISI-linked spy ring probe: STF makes 4th arrest
Cabinet approves railway multitracking projects in four States at 9,450 crore
Expected to be completed by 2030-31, the projects are spread across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and will increase track capacity by about 410 km
Bengal court issues arrest warrant against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in hate speech case
Kolkata, Aug 19 (IANS) A court in West Bengals Krishnanagar issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a case of controversial comments regarding the Indian Army on Wednesday. It is alleged that Mahua did not appear in court despite being summoned several times in this case. That is why an arrest []
Railway projects worth 9,450 crore approved across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
The projects are expected to ease congestion, improve passenger and freight connectivity, and expand rail capacity across key eastern and southern corridors.
Cabinet approves 4 multitracking projects across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved four Railway Ministry projects costing about Rs 9,450 crore. The projects encompass a cumulative length of 410 km across Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to four-lane standard, at an estimated cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore.It holds significant strategic and economic relevance because it integrates with Bihar's expanding National Highway network.
Kolkata hotel fire: Nine killed, SIT formed to probe blaze
A Kolkata hotel fire on Mirza Ghalib Street killed nine people, including a child, and saw around 60 others rescued. Kolkata Police has formed an SIT to probe the blaze, while the West Bengal government plans checks on hotel permits and fire licences
It was like a horror movie: Kolkata hotel fire survivors recount night of terror
West Bengal poised for industrial expansion with cluster-led strategy: PHDCCI
A new industry report highlights manufacturing clusters, export infrastructure and sector-focused investments as key drivers of future growth.
Another hotel fire kills nine in India as Kolkata blaze sparks safety probe
A FIRE at a hotel in Kolkata killed nine people, including a child, on Wednesday, marking another deadly hotel blaze in India within days as authorities investigated possible safety failures. Nine people were killed, including a child, in the fire that broke out early on Wednesday, Anuj Sharma, the fire services director of West Bengal state, told AFP. Thick smoke enveloped the hotel. Some victims were found in the bathrooms. Delhi hotel fire kills at least 21 people Preliminary information suggested an air conditioner at the budget Shika Inn hotel may have exploded and caused the fire, Sharma said. A forensic team was deployed to examine the scene after firefighters brought the blaze under control. Police said 60 guests were staying at the hotel. Media reports said six people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Firefighters used ladders to enter the building through windows and rescue people trapped inside. The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors, a police officer was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. Some victims were likely Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, said Santosh Pathak, a member of West Bengal's ruling party. Fire at training centre in India's Lucknow kills at least 15 We are trying to confirm the nationality of the victims, he told reporters. The Indian Express newspaper, quoting police sources, said three of the dead were from Bangladesh. Atiyar Rehman, a guest from Satkhira in Bangladesh, told the English-language daily that the hotel had no fire safety system. We woke up struggling to breathe in the smoke. We somehow managed to escape, Rehman said. Ten critically ill patients die in hospital fire in Odisha West Bengal's fire minister, Kaushik Chaudhary, said police were probing possible safety lapses at the hotel. On Monday, eight people died in a hotel fire in Tarapith, while building fires remain common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations. Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely pained by the loss of life. (With inputs from agencies)
Three Arrested in Indore for Supplying SIM Cards in Cyber Fraud Case
Indore, August 19: In a significant breakthrough, Indore police have arrested three individuals linked to a cyber fraud case involving approximately 8.5 million, which occurred in Maharashtra and West Bengal. This operation, dubbed Operation Fast 2.0, was executed based on information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The state cyber cell had compiled a ... Read more Three Arrested in Indore for Supplying SIM Cards in Cyber Fraud Case
Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious Questions
A massive hotel fire in Kolkatas Mirza Ghalib Street has killed at least nine people and injured six others. Around 80 people were rescued from the five-storey building, while dense smoke made the rescue operation difficult. Officials said the deceased were reportedly Bangladeshi citizens visiting Kolkata for medical treatment. West Bengal Fire Minister Kaushik Chowdhury raised concerns over alleged safety and construction violations, while a short circuit is being considered as a possible cause. Meanwhile, another hotel fire in Birbhums Tarapith killed eight people, taking the two-day toll to at least 17.
West Bengal Government to Audit Hotels Following Kolkata Fire Incident
Kolkata, August 19: The West Bengal government has decided to conduct an audit of all hotels and lodges in Kolkata following a recent fire incident. State Fire Services Minister Kaushik Choudhury announced this decision on Wednesday. Minister Choudhury stated that he had a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the matter. It was ... Read more West Bengal Government to Audit Hotels Following Kolkata Fire Incident
Bengal STF arrests third associate in suspected ISI case
West Bengal Police STF has arrested Zafar Sams alias Sunny, the third alleged local associate of Pakistani national Wahab Alam, who was arrested earlier this month over suspected links with Pakistans ISI
West Bengal govt seeks custodial interrogation of Abhishek Banerjee's aide in land-grabbing case
West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court that Sumit Roy is not cooperating with the probe. The court had previously stayed Roy's arrest in the Salboni land-grabbing case. Roy's anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Calcutta High Court earlier this month. The state government requested the withdrawal of protection from arrest for the personal assistant.
3 months in Bengal opposition, TMC split tests Mamata: Rebuild or fade
Three months into its second stint in opposition after 15 years in power, the TMC faces a question that could determine the shape of West Bengal politics for years to come: can Mamata Banerjee rebuild a party no longer united behind her, or will its electoral defeat permanently fracture Bengal's principal opposition formation. Three competing centres now shape the crisis -- the Mamata Banerjee camp, the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction and 20 Lok Sabha MPs who have moved to the NCPI and extended support to the NDA. The battle has reached the Election Commission, with rival factions staking claims to the organisation, while the parliamentary rupture has sharply reduced TMC's Lok Sabha presence. For Mamata, the immediate challenge is not to recreate the TMC but to build a party capable of functioning without government and political protection that came with 15 years in office. The crisis has moved beyond defections to a battle over the TMC's organisation, elected representatives
Kolkata fire deaths caused by asphyxia, not burns: Minister
A devastating fire in a central Kolkata building resulted in nine deaths, primarily due to asphyxia, and the rescue of around 80 people. West Bengal minister Kaushik Chowdhury highlighted the quick response of the Fire Brigade but raised concerns about safety norms, lack of windows, and the proliferation of cramped hotels within the building. An investigation committee will be formed, and fire audits will be conducted across all hotels in the state.
The top court, on August 6, had stayed the arrest of Sumit Roy in connection with the land-grabbing case. It, however, directed him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
Kolkata hotel fire: Nine died of suffocation, initial findings show
Nine people, including two women and a child, died in a fire at a hotel building on Mirza Ghalib Street in Central Kolkata early Wednesday. Initial findings by police and the West Bengal Fire Services Department suggest the victims died from suffocation rather than burn injuries, with thick smoke and narrow exits hampering evacuation
100 days of BJP Government in West Bengal | Balancing trust and mistrust
The BJP government in West Bengal has to usher in real bhorosa (trust) not only by driving the bhoy (fear) of misrule of the previous government out but by taking everyone along
Short circuit, ventilation failures, narrow exits: Inside Kolkata hotel fire that killed 9
West Bengal: Katapol underpass in Hooghly waterlogged due to lack of drainage, commuters face risks
HOOGHLY: Lack of a proper drainage system has led to prolonged waterlogging at the Katapol underpass in Serampore, causing inconvenience to commuters and posing a serious risk to residents. A resident, Amit Shaw, highlighted the difficulties faced by people in the area due to the prolonged waterlogging. Speaking to ANI, he said, Water remains logged []
At least 9 killed, six injured in massive fire at hotel in Kolkata
At least nine people died, and six were injured in a fire at a hotel on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata early on Wednesday night, police said. Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze that erupted around 1.45 am. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel reached the spot for the rescue operation. The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital. The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared, a police officer told PTI. Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is underway, he added. West Bengal Fire Department headquarters is located close to the hotel building.
At least nine dead in massive Kolkata hotel fire
Kolkata, Aug 19: At least nine people died, and six were injured in a fire at a hotel on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata early on Wednesday night, police said. Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze that erupted around 1.45 am. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel reached the spot for the rescue operation. The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital. The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared, a police officer told PTI. Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is underway, he added. West Bengal Fire Department headquarters is located close to the hotel building.
1 blocking order every 68 seconds: Govt takedowns of online content surge
Government directions to restrict online content witnessed a dramatic surge between March and July this year, with nearly 1.95 lakh blocking orders sent to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, according to data accessed by The Indian Express. The figures mean that, on average, one blocking order was issued every 68 seconds, or nearly 1,275 orders every day. The sharp rise assumes significance as the period coincided with the students protests against examination leaks at Delhis Jantar Mantar, which began in June and continued until July 25. Instagram received the largest share, with nearly one lakh blocking orders, accounting for more than half of the total. Facebook received around 80,000 orders, while YouTube received nearly 15,000, reports Indian Express. Together, the two Meta-owned platforms: Instagram and Facebook accounted for roughly nine out of every 10 orders issued to the three companies. The orders, many of which were issued through the Home Ministrys Sahyog portal, can cover hundreds of individual posts, pieces of content or accounts. The scale of the increase becomes clearer when compared with the previous year. RTI records obtained by The Indian Express showed that between October 2024 and October 2025, only 2,312 blocking orders were sent to 19 online platforms through Sahyog, an average of about six orders a day. A senior government official told the Indian Express newspaper that a considerable share of the latest orders were issued during the student protests as they gathered momentum, particularly on Instagram. The report said Meta has integrated its API (Application Programming Interface) with the Sahyog portal to meet the governments requirement of removing flagged content within three hours. Under the system, content identified through government directions uploaded on the portal can be automatically removed from Meta platforms without a separate human review by the company. Digital rights activists have raised concerns over the arrangement, arguing that automated takedowns could leave little room for platforms to examine whether a particular government direction meets legal requirements. Apar Gupta, advocate and founder-director of the Delhi-based Internet Freedom Foundation, said an automated system could turn a conditional legal obligation into automatic compliance. He questioned whether anyone at the platform checks the authority issuing an order, its legal basis or the reasons cited for the takedown. According to information shared by users on social media, the restrictions appeared to affect several posts supporting the students protests, criticism of the governments ethanol fuel-blending policy and content relating to the West Bengal Assembly elections, besides deepfakes and other material. The surge in takedown orders also comes against the backdrop of tighter government rules. In February, the IT Ministry amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, reducing the compliance window for certain government-directed takedowns from the earlier 24-36 hours to just 2-3 hours. With India having more than 600 million social media users, the growing scale of government takedown requests has opened a wider debate over online regulation, freedom of expression and the safeguards needed before content is removed.
Kolkata High Court Issues Interim Stay on Verification of Caste Certificates in West Bengal
Kolkata, August 19: The Calcutta High Court has ordered an interim stay on a recent notification from the West Bengal government regarding the verification of caste certificates issued in the state. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Tapa Brata Chakraborty and Justice Atarup Banerjee, stated that the stay on the governments notification, issued on ... Read more Kolkata High Court Issues Interim Stay on Verification of Caste Certificates in West Bengal
Kolkata High Court Expresses Discontent Over Appointment of School Teachers for Census Work
Kolkata, August 19: The Kolkata High Court expressed its dissatisfaction on Tuesday regarding the appointment of school teachers for census work in West Bengal. Justice Krishna Rao, presiding over a single-judge bench, questioned whether the central government consulted the state government before deciding to appoint school teachers for this task. Earlier, the Kolkata High Court ... Read more Kolkata High Court Expresses Discontent Over Appointment of School Teachers for Census Work
West Bengal Minister Accuses TMC of Corruption in Tea Gardens
Kolkata, August 19: West Bengals Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh has recently alleged that during the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime, numerous tea garden lands in North Bengal were sold illegally. He claims that the proceeds from these unlawful sales were funneled into the TMC party fund. Ghosh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Siliguri, made ... Read more West Bengal Minister Accuses TMC of Corruption in Tea Gardens
Ritabrata provisional LoP, appointment valid for 2 months: Calcutta HC
HC stays Bengal govt order on review of all TMC-era caste certs
Bengal govt to move judicial panel over tea-garden land scam
Asish Banerjee death case: Police to probe unknown threats, TRDA irregularities
Man loses Rs 95K to AI voice scam
BJP man in cop net for assault, extortion
ASI arrested on kidnap & rape charges
Fire on second floor ATC bldg terrace, no impact on flight ops
PM scheme for mothers from Oct: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari
JUTA writes to higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay on promotions
Strict attendance by professors a must, says higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay
Calcutta HC rejects PIL on loudspeaker order
1 dead, 26 rescued as 2 dilapidated buildings collapse in north Kolkata
CJP forced to change meeting venue, pushes for better edu infra in Bengal
Traffic slows down as potholes show up after rain
Why Centre not consulting state: Calcutta High Court on govt school teachers census duty
Record no. of vacant seats at JU & CU after WBJEE centralised counselling
EKW at 25: A Ramsar site in need of rescue
DH Road widening on cards after inspection by MLA, cops, PWD
IIT-Kgp launches Rs 1,000-cr campus modernisation drive on Platinum Jubilee
Bengal plans tea tourism circuit in Hills
Tricolour rakhis to liven up Raksha Bandhan
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India holds public finance workshop for 100 West Bengal MLAs
Around 100 West Bengal MLAs attended an ICAI workshop on public financial management and legislative oversight. The session focused on state budgets, government accounting, fiscal responsibility, sustainable financial management and transparency in public spending.
West Bengal to bring tiger back to Buxa, plant 10 crore trees
West Bengal plans to release a tiger into Buxa Tiger Reserve on October 2 as part of efforts to revive the big-cat population in North Bengal under NTCA guidelines. The state also plans to plant three crore mangroves in the Sunderbans between September and December and aims to plant 10 crore trees across West Bengal this year.
Weather Update: Heavy rain alert in UP, MP and Jharkhand, cyclonic system activated
Weather Update: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned in its weather bulletin released on August 18 that heavy rains will be seen in many states of the country in the next 24 to 48 hours. Due to the impact of the depression on the northern parts of Jharkhand and adjacent Gangetic West Bengal, the weather [] The post Weather Update: Heavy rain alert in UP, MP and Jharkhand, cyclonic system activated first appeared on informalnewz .
Queries rise for Ayushman admissions
Bengal health min launches drive against child marriage, bats for two-child policy
Bengal police reject CJP claim over Bankura death
The West Bengal police rejected claims that a Bankura man died following a rutal physical assault on the father of a CJP activist, saying he had sustained only a minor injury during an alleged attack at his residence and later died after being admitted to hospital following severe blood pressure fluctuations.
L&T Finance eyes Bengal expansion with 26 new gold-loan locations
L&T Finance plans to add twenty-six new locations by March twenty twenty-seven. This expansion aims to deepen its presence in West Bengal's gold-credit market. The company currently operates twenty-eight locations and has a portfolio of Rs one hundred sixty-five crore. West Bengal's gold-loan market is estimated at Rs forty-seven thousand crore. New RBI guidelines aim to create a level playing field for lenders.
New 'boss' scam to dupe corporate employees busted
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a oss scam and utilizing a Cybercrime as a Service model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
10th day of quizzing for Abhisheks PA Sumit Roy
Saugata Roy faces BJP protest at airport
West Bengal Tourism Minister seeks probe into tea garden land sale, usage during TMC regime
West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh has alleged that land belonging to several North Bengal tea gardens was illegally transferred and sold during the previous Trinamool Congress government, with the proceeds allegedly diverted to the party fund for elections.
15 hotels sealed in Tarapith fire safety crackdown
Ritabrata Banerjee Remains Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Amid Legal Dispute
Kolkata, August 18: Ritabrata Banerjee, a former Trinamool Congress MLA expelled from the party, will continue to serve as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The Calcutta High Courts division bench has referred a petition challenging Banerjees appointment back to a single bench. Justices Shampa Sarkar and Ajay Kumar Gupta declined ... Read more Ritabrata Banerjee Remains Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Amid Legal Dispute
L&T Finance plans 500 branches a year to expand gold loan portfolio
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari said the initial budgetary allocation of 36,000 crore would not be sufficient for the cash transfer scheme given the growing number of beneficiaries
