Video: Cop Chased, Punched, Dragged From His Bike By Mob In Telangana

A Circle Inspector of police was attacked by a mob in Khammam reserve forest area when a police team went to control a law and order situation near Chandrapalem village in Sattupalem mandal in Telangana on Sunday.

A group of local villagers went and claimed a saline patch for cultivation when another group of non-locals made a counter-claim.

As tensions rose and clashes broke out between the two groups, a team of 10-15 policemen as well as forest officers arrived on the scene.

Why the specific officer was targeted is not yet clear.

A video showed a group of them dragging down the recently-appointed cop, dressed in civilian clothes, from his bike and pummeling him with fists as another cop tries to pull him away.

The clip further shows the tribals going after him even as uniformed cops try and save the Circle Inspector.

A senior officer, who requested not to be quoted, said they are investigating why only the Circle Inspector was targeted and whether it was a conspiracy.

In November 2022, a forest officer Chalamala Srinivas Rao was attacked and killed using sticks and knives by tribals. The then Chief Minister KCR had announced Rs 50 lakh compensation for the family of the victims.

Two men involved in the murder of forest range officer Chalamala Srinivasa Rao were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Principal District and Sessions Judge Patil Vasanth in August 2023.

The incident had taken place on the outskirts of Errabolu Guthikonda village of Chandrugonda mandal on November 22, 2022.

The court found the accused, Madakam Tula and Podium Nanga, belonging to the Goti Koya community, guilty under Sections 302 (murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) of the Indian Penal Code. The court imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on the offenders.

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Man Arrested For Bomb Hoax Call To Blow Up 2 Mumbai Railway Stations

A 35-year-old man was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly called up the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar police control room saying bombs had been planted at Dadar and Kalyan railway stations and explosions would be triggered, which turned out to be a hoax, an official said.

The phone call was received at around 5 AM, following which police swung into action. The call was traced to Nallasopara in Palghar district, which falls under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), as per a release issued by the police.

Within hours of receiving the call, police caught Vikas Shukla from Nallasopara, it said.

"He was arrested after it was confirmed that the bomb threat was a hoax call. A case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code," police said.

Further investigation is underway.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: Pak Sailors' "India Zindabad" Chant After Rescue By Indian Navy

As many as 23 Pakistani nationals rescued by the Indian Navy from Somali pirates after a daring operation in the Arabian Sea on March 29 thanked India and raised slogans of 'India Zindabad'.

The Indian Navy's specialist team had protected them from nine armed pirates, and completed sanitization and seaworthiness checks of fishing vessel Al-Kambar.

The Pakistani crew of the rescued Iranian flagged fishing vessel could be seen raising "India Zindabad" slogans in the Arabian Sea after they were rescued from the pirates.

#WATCH | The crew comprising 23 Pakistani nationals thanked the Indian Navy and raise 'India Zindabad' slogans after the Indian Navy's specialist team protected them from nine armed pirates, and completed sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of FV Al-Kambar.

The crew were… https://t.co/AREXZTtqiR pic.twitter.com/0QE4B7GfSe

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2024

Based on the inputs on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel late evening on March 28, two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel.

The FV at the time of incident was approximately 90 Nm south-west of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. The hijacked FV was intercepted on March 29.

The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities, according to the statement.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi Maximum Temperature At 35.2 Degree Celsius, Air Quality "Moderate"

Delhi on Saturday recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The minimum temperature in the city was 21.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average, it said.

The humidity oscillated between 64 per cent and 39 per cent.

The weather office has forecast a partly cloudy sky with gusty winds on Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 35 and 20 degrees Celsius, it said.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded in the "moderate" category with a reading of 182 at 6 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Delhi recorded its warmest day this year on Wednesday, with a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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5 Facts About Hockey Legend Dilip Tirkey, The BJD Candidate In Sundargarh

The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has fielded Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey from the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat in Odisha. The former Indian hockey captain will lock horns with senior BJP leader Jual Oram, a five-time parliamentarian from Sundargarh.

Here are five key facts about Dilip Tirkey:

1. Born on November 25, 1977, in Sundargarh, Dilip Tirkey is the son of Regina Tirkey and Vincent Tirkey, a former hockey player. Mr Tirkey made his debut for the India back in 1995 and was part of the squad that won the gold at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. He also represented the country in the Olympics thrice – Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).

2. Under his captaincy, the Indian hockey team won a silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games, a gold in the 2003 Afro-Asian Games and the 2003 Asia Cup in Malaysia. He represented India in as many as 412 matches.

3. After being honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2002, Dilip Tirkey received Padma Shri in 2004. He announced his retirement from hockey in 2010 and joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). In 2012, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha where he represented his home state until 2018.

4. In 2022, he was appointed the Hockey India President. In December 2023, he received an honorary PhD in Sports Science from Sri Sri University in Cuttack for his contributions to the field of sports.

5. Dilip Tirkey made his electoral debut back in 2014. A decade ago, Jual Oram defeated the hockey legend by over 18,000 votes. 

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Top INDIA Bloc Leaders To Attend AAP's Delhi Rally On Sunday

Top INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav among others will attend a 'maharally' to be held by the AAP at the Ramlila Maidan on March 31, senior party leader Gopal Rai said on Friday.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has received the permission of the authorities concerned to hold the rally for an attendance of more than 20,000 people. It is being held in the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, he said.

The call on whether Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will address the 'Maharally' will be taken later, Mr Rai said.

Other prominent political leaders and members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) like TMC's Derek O'Brien, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, NC's Farooq Abdullah and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren of JMM will also attend the rally, he said.

Kalpana Soren, the wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, who is currently in jail, will also attend the rally, he said.

The party leaders said they are also in touch with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who may join the rally.

According to the party's senior leadership, they are planning a show of strength at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, from where they may launch a massive campaign against the ruling BJP government for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Rai said after Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, the party has held multiple protests across Delhi. They noticed two kinds of law and order on road -- the Delhi police easily gives permissions to hold protests to the BJP but the opposition is not allowed for that, he said, and added that all this is happening when the model code of conduct of the Election Commission is in force.

The AAP finally managed to get the permission to hold the rally. It has also given some undertakings to the Delhi Police, the sources said.

The AAP has made a three-tier plan to motivate the people to come to the rally. First the meetings were held at the Vidhan Sabha level, then all the 2600 polling stations level and now a door-to-door campaign has started.

"We are going door-to-door to distribute invitation letters and urging people to come to Ramlila Maidan and raise their voices peacefully against democracy and dictatorship," he said.

Mr Rai claimed that ever since the BJP government at the Centre and the prime minister arrested the popularly elected chief minister of Delhi, there has been grave anger among the people. He said the people from every class and profession, students, youths and members of RWAs are expected to come in the rally.

On Thursday, Mr Kejriwal alleged in a Delhi court that the BJP government has given bail by taking Rs 60 crore from the same businessman on whose statements he has been jailed. Therefore, today there is significant anger among the people. Entire Delhi is going to gather in Ramlila Maidan at 10 am on March 31 against this "dictatorship", Mr Rai said.

A party leader said the theme of the party will be "tanashahi hatao, desh bachao" (save the country by abolishing dictatorship).

The AAP is expecting that all major leaders of the INDIA bloc will participate in the rally.

"To make the mega rally successful and to ensure the participation of as many people as possible, the Aam Aadmi Party has initiated the campaign of distributing invitation letters," a party statement said.

A party leader accused the BJP government of forcing them to indulge in law and order situation, so that they could get an opportunity to impose president's rule in Delhi.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Red-Headed Vulture With Satellite Ring Tied To Leg Released In Sky

A red-headed vulture, a scavenger and predatory bird was released into the open sky with a satellite ring tied to its leg in the Chilla range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, a forest official said on Thursday.

"Every organism in the ecosystem has a role to play in maintaining its balance," Saket Badola, the reserve's Director, who released the bird on Wednesday, said.

The satellite ring will track the bird's movements and areas frequented by it, locations or tree species it prefers to make its nest in, and the ambience it selects for breeding, Badola said.

The bird was released under a programme being conducted jointly by the forest department personnel and an NGO, he said.

Due to the use of banned chemicals like diclofenac, birds of prey and scavengers have been under constant threat for the last several years and their numbers have declined.

Therefore, there is a great need for scientific research and study on birds of raptor class, said Badola. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"You Keep Our Courts Strong": Bar Association In Letter To Chief Justice

The All Manipur Bar Association has written to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud highlighting the need to speak out against "underhanded attacks" on the judiciary.

The bar association in the letter said it is extremely concerned about recent trends where vested interest groups are trying to defame the courts with "frivolous logic" and "stale political agendas".

"This heated interest group operates in various ways. They create false narratives of a supposed 'better past' and 'golden period' of the courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present," the bar association said in the letter to Chief Justice Chandrachud.

"These are nothing but intentional statements made to embarrass the courts for certain gains... Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric," the bar association said in the letter dated March 26.

The bar association requested the Chief Justice of India to take strong steps to protect the courts from such "attacks".

"... They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices. These aren't just criticisms; they are direct attacks meant to damage the public's trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws," the bar association said.

"As people who work to uphold the law, we think it is time to stand up for our courts. We need to speak out against these underhanded attacks, making sure our courts stay strong as pillars of our democracy, untouched by these calculated attacks," the bar association said in the letter signed by All Manipur Bar Association president Puyam Tomcha Meetei.

Chief Justice Chandrachud in an interview to NDTV on March 20 had said the Supreme Court is always there for citizens of India, "irrespective of wealth, social status, caste, religion, or gender or who is in power", and "no case is too small for the highest court of the land".

"Sometimes I get emails in the middle of the night. Once there was a woman who needed medical termination of a pregnancy... my staff contacted me and we constituted a Bench the next day," the Chief Justice had said, giving an example.

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Normalcy In Ties With China Will Only Be Achieved If...: S Jaishankar

Normalcy in bilateral ties with China will only be achieved based on the traditional deployment of troops and will be the prerequisite for the relationship with Beijing in the future, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

"My first duty to Indians is to secure the border. I can never compromise on that," S Jaishankar said responding to a question on the current state of India's relations with China in his interaction with the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur.

He said every country wants "good relations with its neighbours". "Who doesn't? But every relationship has to be founded on some basis. We're still negotiating with the Chinese. I talk to my counterpart. We meet from time to time. Our military commanders negotiate with each other. But we are very clear that we had an agreement. There is a Line of Actual Control. We have a tradition of not bringing troops to that line. Both of us have bases some distance away, which is our traditional deployment place. And we want that normalcy," he said.

"So that normalcy that returns to where we are in terms of the troop deployment will be the basis for the relationship going forward. And we've been very, very honest with the Chinese about it," he said.

He said that in the case of China, the relationship has been difficult for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the two sides have a boundary dispute.

"But despite the boundary dispute over the many years, we built up a substantial relationship because we agreed that while we will negotiate the boundary dispute, both of us will agree that we will not bring soldiers in large numbers to the boundary. And we will never have a situation where there'll be violence and bloodshed on the contrary," he said.

So this understanding which started in the late 1980s, actually was reflected in several agreements. And those agreements gave the relationship stability based on which in other areas, the relationship went forward, he said.

"Now, unfortunately, for reasons still not clear to us, these agreements were broken in 2020. And we had violence and bloodshed on the border," Jaishankar said.

Ties between India and China nose-dived significantly following the deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in more than four decades.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Public Places Often Show Pre Existing Social Inequalities: Chief Justice

Asserting that public spaces often reflect pre-existing social inequalities in society, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday said creation of new infrastructure is not only good for lawyers and judges, but it is also intended to reach out to the broader cross-section of our society.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, in his address after laying the foundation stone for new Telangana High Court building in Hyderabad, also said creation of infrastructure plays a significant role in the mainstreaming of communities and groups in society who have been traditionally excluded from the judicial process.

"We must all remember that public spaces often reflect pre-existing social inequalities in our society. Our infrastructure sometimes reflects subtle signs of exclusion, such as lack of washrooms for women, which I referred to earlier, ramps for the disabled or differently- abled, creches and lactating rooms for young mothers," he said.

The CJI said though India is a fast growing economy and market, today there is an internet-divide in the country even now as not everyone has access to the internet and not every lawyer has access to a smartphone and not every citizen has a laptop.

He said conspicuous absence of disabled-friendly parking spots convey that courts are not meant for persons with disabilities or they must overcome additional hurdles to gain access to justice. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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3 Punjab AAP MLAs Claim They Were Offered Crores To Join BJP

Soon after AAP's lone Lok Sabha MP from Punjab and an MLA joined the BJP on Wednesday, three AAP legislators from the state claimed that they received calls offering them money to join the BJP.

The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the BJP had "again started Operation Lotus" in Punjab and was trying to break Arvind Kejriwal's party. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the allegations.

AAP legislator from Jalalabad Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy claimed that he received a call from one Sewak Singh from an international number on Tuesday with an offer to join the BJP.

Mr Kamboj told reporters that he asked the MLA to join the BJP and said, "'We will give Rs 20-25 crore'. I said I do not need it." Similar claims were made by Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh and Ludhiana South legislator Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina.

They asserted that they would not leave the party.

Mr Kamboj alleged that the BJP was scared of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP. "Where they fail to win people's mandate, they try to buy MLAs, MP and other AAP leaders at any cost," he charged.

"Arvind Kejriwal is the leader who fought against corruption in politics and always did politics of work. But false cases have been registered and many AAP leaders have been sent to jail without any proof," he said.

They are trying to break the Aam Aadmi Party, he claimed.

"If they want to do horse trading, what is the need for an election system in the country? Punjab is a revolutionary state. After Delhi, the people of Punjab elected change.

"They can try all they want" but they won't be able to buy the ideology of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, said Mr Kamboj.

Ludhiana South legislator Chhina too claimed she got a call from one Sewak Singh. It was a call from an international number, she said.

He told me to join the BJP, she alleged.

Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh said he got a call on Tuesday and the person said he was calling from Delhi. "He asked me to join the BJP and offered Rs 45 crore," alleged Amandeep Singh.

The Aam Aadmi Party levelled the allegations on a day its lone Lok Sabha member Sushil Kumar Rinku joined the BJP along with party MLA Sheetal Angural, dealing a blow to the party already facing a crisis following the arrest of its leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Mr Rinku, the MP from Jalandhar in Punjab, and Angural, who was elected to the state Assembly from Jalandhar West, joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and its national general secretary Vinod Tawde.

The parliamentarian had quit the Congress to join AAP last year to fight the bypoll to the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat.

The BJP is likely to field him in the Lok Sabha polls as the party has been inducting a number of influential leaders of different parties in Punjab to emerge as a strong force in the state with 13 constituencies.

Three-term Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu from Punjab joined the BJP on Tuesday and asserted that people have made up their mind to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power again.

Mr Bittu is the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh who was assassinated in a terror attack while still in office.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Arvind Kejriwal's Wife Reaches Probe Agency Office To Meet Him

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, reached the office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Tuesday evening to meet the AAP chief.

The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday remanded Mr Kejriwal to six days of ED custody in the money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam case till March 28, following his arrest on March 21.

Earlier on Saturday, March 23, Sunita Kejriwal met CM Kejriwal at the ED's office.

Meanwhile, the BJP has been demanding that Mr Kejriwal relinquish the chief minister's post after his arrest in connection with the liquor policy case. However, the AAP has maintained that he will run the government from ED custody.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that CM Kejriwal has issued a second order from the ED custody, asking him to address the shortage of medicines and diagnostic tests at mohalla clinics and hospitals in the national capital.

Mr Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped.

While Mr Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED's chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair.

Nair was among the first people to be arrested by the CBI in the case, in 2022. Subsequently, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the case.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Court Appoints Committee To Look Into Preservation Of Great Indian Bustard

The Supreme Court has recently appointed an expert committee to look into the preservation of the Great Indian Bustard which is "non-negotiable" and "need for sustainable development in the context of meeting the international commitments of the country towards promoting renewable sources of energy".

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra passed the order observing while dealing with a matter relating to protecting the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).

The court has sought a report from the committee by July and listed the matter for the second week of August 2024.

"We are of the view that it will be appropriate if an expert committee is appointed so as to balance both the need for the preservation of the GIB, which is non-negotiable and the need for sustainable development, more particularly, in the context of meeting the international commitments of the country towards promoting renewable sources of energy," the court in its March 21 order stated.

During the course of the hearing, the Court has underscored the importance of taking proactive measures to protect the GIB.

"There is no dispute in regard to the fact that the GIB is seriously endangered as a species. At the same time, it has emerged in the course of the hearing that there is no adequate basis to impose a general prohibition in regard to the installation of transmission lines in an area as wide as over 88,000 square kilometres," the court order read.

The committee includes the Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun; Hari Shankar Singh, Member, the National Board for Wildlife; Niranjan Kumar Vasu, Ex-Principal Chief Conservator of Forest; B Majumdar, former Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Maharashtra; and Devesh Gadhavi, Deputy Director, The Corbett Foundation, among others.

The committee will determine the scope, feasibility and extent of overhead and underground electric lines in the area identified as priority area in the reports of the Wild Life Institute of India in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The committee will also look into the need for adopting conservation and protection measures for the GIB, as well as other fauna specific to the topography and desert features and identify the measures to be adopted in the priority areas to ensure the long-term survival of the GIB.

It will also look into the identification of suitable alternatives in the context of sustainable development in the matter of laying long future power lines, which should balance the protection of conservation and the protection of the Great Indian Bustard together with the arrangement of power lines in a manner that would facilitate the fulfilment of the international commitments made by India for developing renewable sources of energy.

"The injunction which has been imposed in the order dated April 19, 2021, in respect of the area described as the potential area shall accordingly stand relaxed subject to the condition that the Expert Committee appointed by this Court may lay down suitable parameters covering both the priority and potential areas," the court said.

The Committee shall be at liberty to impose any additional measures, both in regard to the priority and potential areas, if it considers it appropriate, including considering the efficacy and suitability of installing bird diverters on existing and future power lines, the court clarified.

Earlier, a three-judge bench had directed the concerned authorities to convert the overhead cables into underground powerlines.

The court's order had come on a plea seeking to protect two species of birds, including the Great Indian Bustard.

According to the petition, the existence of overhead power lines is stated to have become a hazard due to which the said species of birds in collision are getting killed.

According to the petitioners, overhead power lines are the biggest threat to the survival of the GIBs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Minister Ashwani Choubey Among 3 Sitting MPs Dropped By BJP In Bihar

The BJP on Sunday announced its candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, dropping three sitting MPs, including Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.

According to the list released by the party in New Delhi, Mr Choubey, who was elected from Buxar for the second consecutive term in 2019, was replaced by Mithilesh Tiwari, a senior BJP leader and a former MLA.

The party also dropped its incumbent MPs Chedi Pawasan and Ajay Kumar Nishad from Sasaram and Muzaffarpur constituencies respectively.

The BJP fielded former MLA Shivesh Ram for Sasaram, while Raj Bhushan Nishad, a greenhorn in the Lok Sabha polls, will contest the Muzaffarpur seat on a party ticket.

Vivek Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Nawada, where the BJP would be contesting this time, instead of its ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

All the remaining 14 candidates are sitting MPs, who will seek re-election from their respective seats.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Asom Gana Parishad Given 1 Seat With Winning Chance": Himanta Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the BJP has kept its assurance of giving at least one Lok Sabha seat with 'winning chance' to its alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) so that the regional party has representation in the lower House once again after 15 years.

He also said the BJP will lend complete support in ensuring victory of candidates belonging to its allies, while also exhorting the partners to give similar backing to its nominees.

The BJP, which leads a five-party coalition government in the state, is contesting in 11 seats, leaving two seats for AGP and one for United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), out of 14 seats in the state.

Two other allies, Ganashakti and Rabha Joutha Mancha, are not fielding candidates in the Parliamentary elections.

Addressing a meeting of party workers at AGP headquarters here, Mr Sarma said, "We had assured the AGP during talks on seat sharing that it will be given at least one seat with winning chance. We were aware that the AGP did not have an MP in the Lok Sabha since 2009."

The AGP is contesting in Barpeta and Dhubri constituencies, which have incumbent MPs from the opposition Congress and AIUDF respectively.

Though the chief minister did not specify the constituency with AGP's higher winning possibility at the meeting, he has stated previously that Dhubri is the only seat in the state that the ruling alliance may not bag.

"To win Barpeta and Dhubri, the AGP workers have to take upon themselves a special responsibility. The BJP leaders will also contribute their best as per strategy drawn out to help the candidates there," Mr Sarma said.

While assuring complete support from BJP leaders and workers to AGP and UPPL candidates, he also urged the AGP to return the gesture and ensure that its party machinery works for the allies in the other constituencies.

Claiming that the atmosphere nationwide was conducive for a third successive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Sarma said, "Every election is fought in a different context and background. This time, the election is on development, progress, on establishing Bharat as a 'vishwa guru' and Assam as among top states of the country." Earlier in the day, the chief minister had attended a meeting with BJP workers of the Barpeta constituency in Bongaigaon, and another with BJP, AGP and UPPL members in Kokrajhar. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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2 Pose As Anti-Terror Agency Officials To Kidnap Woman For Ransom, Arrested

Police in Nagpur foiled a web series-inspired kidnapping attempt by two persons allegedly posing as National Investigation Agency (NIA) personnel, an official said on Saturday.

Accused Swapnil Dilip Maraskolhe (24) and Chetna (23) approached the woman victim on March 20 while she was on her way home on a two-wheeler, showed a fake NIA notice and brandished a pistol, the Rana Pratap Nagar police station official said.

"They took the woman to their rented accommodation in Mahajanwadi area in Hingna and confined her after tying her hands and legs. Her family got a ransom call of Rs 30 lakh, following which they alerted police," he said.

"On Friday, she managed to call her parents while in captivity. Based on her mobile phone signals, police raided the place and rescued her. Chetna and Maraskolhe were arrested soon after," he said.

A probe has revealed Maraskolhe had a debt of Rs 3 lakh and thought up this plan after watching a web series and communicated with the victim in Bhojpuri using Google Translate, he added.

The duo was charged for kidnapping, robbery and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, the official said, adding they have been remanded in police custody till March 27.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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50-Year-Old UP Man Sentenced To Life In Jail For Raping Infant

A special court in UP's Bahraich sentenced a 50-year-old man to life in prison for raping an infant. The Additional District Judge (POCSO) Varun Mohit Nigam also imposed a fine of Rs 1.29 lakh on the convict.

The man, Bhondu Rehman, raped the one-year-old girl who belonged to the Scheduled Caste, Special District Government Advocate (POCSO Act) Sant Pratap Singh said.

On February 17, the man took the girl out on some pretext. When she did not return home for a while, the family started looking for her. Soon, they found Bhondu in a mustard field with the infant who was bleeding.

After seeing the family, Bhondu ran leaving the girl, Mr Singh said.

A case was registered under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for rape, and the POCSO Act.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Security Stepped Up Outside Arvind Kejriwal's Home Amid Arrest Buzz

Security was tightened around Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the city's Civil Lines area this evening and personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the CRPF, and the Delhi Police have been deployed as Enforcement Directorate officials reached there in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

"The deployment has been made in anticipation of a gathering of AAP workers near his residence," a police officer said.

The move came as the ED sought additional security measures in view of the possible protests, sources said.

Barricades have been put up on the lane leading to Mr Kejriwal's official residence in north Delhi and additional police personnel have been deployed there, officials said.

Officers of the rank of assistant commissioner of police have also been deployed near the Chief Minister's home, they said.

According to ED officials, the agency team went to Mr Kejriwal's residence to serve him a summons, hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from coercive action in the case.

The ED team informed the staff at the Chief Minister's residence that it has a search warrant, they said.

The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Karnataka Student Thrashed For Talking To Hindu Girl, Case Filed: Police

In yet another incident of moral policing in Karnataka, a student was allegedly thrashed for talking to a Hindu girl in the Yadgir district, police said on Wednesday.  

The incident took place on March 18 when he was returning home from college. 

He told the police that he was conversing with a girl from the Hindu community over the phone when a group of nine people attacked him near the Gogi Mohalla.

He said that they confined him in a room for five hours and assaulted him. The student said they brandished a knife and threatened to kill him. 

The police have filed a case and further investigation is underway.

Earlier in January, an inter-faith couple in Karnataka's Haveri was subjected to harassment and threats by a group of nine individuals.

The incident took place just days after six men barged into the room of a lodge and assaulted a couple for the 'crime' of being together despite following different faiths.

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AAP's Sanjay Singh Takes Oath As Rajya Sabha MP For 2nd Term

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday administered the oath of office to jailed Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh after his re-election to the Upper House from Delhi for a second term.

He was administered the oath in Dhankhar's office in Parliament House in the presence of his mother and father, wife, and son and daughter.

Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh and secretary general P C Mody and AAP MPs Sanjiv Arora, Sandeep Pathak and N D Gupta were also present at the oath-taking ceremony.

"Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar administered oath to re-elected Member of Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh ji, in Parliament House today," the vice president's office said in a post on X while sharing pictures of the oath-taking.

Sanjay Singh, who is lodged in Tihar jail, was brought under a security cover on the order of a local court.

"The Jail Superintendent concerned is directed to ensure that the accused is taken to Parliament on 19.03.2024 under adequate security for the purpose of making and subscribing of oath as a Member and after the oath, he is also brought back to the jail safely," the judge said in his order.

sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy and is currently in judicial custody.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Why Maharashtra's Verdict Will Be Unpredictable: NDTV's Battleground

The battle for Maharashtra will not be simple and the state, with the largest number of seats after Uttar Pradesh, will definitely play a key role in who controls Delhi. In all the elections except the ones of 1977 and 1989, the party that has won more seats in Maharashtra went on to form the government at the Centre. Maharashtra has 48 seats and it is tough to say which way the state would go, concluded a panel of experts at NDTV this evening.

The factors that are expected to affect the election in the state are multiple including caste, the swing of the minority vote and the unrest among farmers, the panelists said. But at this point, it would also depend on what the BJP and the Opposition choose to focus on.

Psephologist and educationist Sandeep Shastri -- one of the panelists on "Battleground" anchored by NDTV Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia -- said: "If the campaign is focussed on the BJP, it might change certain things. And what the MVA will focus on -- on Uddhav Thackeray or on Sharad Pawar -- that would also be a deciding factor".

Senior journalist Rohit Chandavarkar said Maharashtra is already a developed state when it comes to industry.

"So, jobs are not a big issue here. It might be an issue in UP but not here. Someone might have to leave their village but they will find a job 100 km away. Price rise is also not much of an issue here... Which is why caste is a big factor here, the Opposition is also using the unrest in farmers," he said.

What is also expected to affect the election -- in the state as well as the rest of the country -- is the Narendra Modi factor.

Political strategist and commentator Amitabh Tiwari felt that it could be the only factor that can keep the UPA and the NDA apart. "In 2019, one out of three voters voted on the Modi factor. The difference between INDIA and NDA could just be this factor this year," he said.

"A major change has happened in BJP strategy after 2019. The PM and the party have focussed on Modi guarantees. This time the votes on the Modi factor might increase," added Mr Shastri.

"The image of Rahul Gandhi is improving but Prime Minister Modi is miles ahead in terms of leadership," said scholar and social scientist, Dr Maneesha Priyam.

"Voting is an emotional decision and not a rational one. But no election can be called a done deal because of these three reasons: There are many late deciders in India, 25 per cent vote on the names of candidates, 69 per cent are floating voters and they are the kingmakers. Which is why in Maharashtra, it's going to be unpredictable," said Mr Tiwari.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra is up against the combined strength of the BJP, the Shiv Sena faction of Eknath Sinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.

The alliance had been trying to draw in Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, which is known to have considerable support among Dalits. But the indecision in some key areas has upset Mr Ambedkar, who wants the MVA to make a decision.

The rough template for MVA seat sharing is that the Congress gets close to 18 of the state's 48 seats, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena 18-20 seats and the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party 8-10 seats. But the big fight is over nine seats including Kolhapur, Sangli, Hingoli, Jalna, Ramtek and a few seats in Mumbai, on which a decision is pending.

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"PM's Andhra Arrival Like Bhagirath Bringing Ganga To Earth": Pawan Kalyan

Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday for his visit to the state of Andhra Pradesh, drawing a parallel between PM Modi's arrival and the mythological tale of King Bhagiratha bringing the River Ganga to Earth for his ancestors' salvation.

A day after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi reached Andhra Pradesh and addressed a public rally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan at Chilakaluripet town in Palnadu district.

The NDA rally, named "Prajagalam," marks the first NDA election meeting in Andhra Pradesh in the run-up to the simultaneous Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha polls scheduled for May 13.

"PM Narendra Modi's arrival in Andhra Pradesh resembles how Bhagiratha brought Ganga to Earth. Modi has come here to support us and save us from undemocratic rule," Pawan Kalyan said while addressing the rally.

"In 2014, with the blessings of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara, the NDA saw victory. In 2024, with the blessings of Vijayawada's goddess Kanaka Durga Devi, the NDA will form the government. Under PM Modi's leadership, the country is growing. Modi has introduced digital payments. However, YSRCP is not interested in digital payments," he said.

"CM Jagan is a businessman who has looted sand and earned money through liquor. Once again, PM Modi will assume power thrice," he added.

Labelling a serious allegation on the ruling government, the JSP Chief said, "Andhra Pradesh has become the capital of Ganja in the country. Andhra Pradesh turned into the new drug capital of the country."

BJP has allied with TDP and Jana Sena Party to contest the Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh jointly.

As per their seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP will contest six Lok Sabha and 10 assembly seats, while the TDP will fight for 17 parliamentary and 144 state seats. Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena has been given two Lok Sabha seats and 21 assembly seats.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Sinking Ship": BJP's Shivraj Chouhan Attacks Congress

Former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a scathing attack on the Congress party on Sunday, stating that the party is neither left with an army nor a leader. Shivraj  Chouhan asserted that the Congress, once a formidable force in Indian politics, now resembles a 'sinking ship without direction and vision.'

Addressing a press conference in state capital Bhopal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "On one hand, the BJP is a shining star, and on the other hand, the Congress is a sinking ship. Neither does the party have a way nor a vision, that is why their condition is depleting."

Exuding confidence in the BJP's victory in the upcoming elections, Shivraj Chouhan stated, "Ab ki baar 400 paar" is not a BJP slogan, but rather an announcement of the public."

Taking a dig at Congress' leadership, Shivraj Chouhan said, "Rahul Gandhi is such a captain who doesn't know what needs to be done in the party. When election preparations need to be done, he goes for a yatra. When a yatra needs to be done, he goes for a vacation outside the country, and after losing the elections, he keeps on blaming the EVM."

"After witnessing this state of the Congress party, wise leaders are quitting the Congress one by one. The confidence of the supreme leader of the party, Sonia Gandhi, has been completely shattered. She is not contesting the elections and has rather made a backdoor entry through the Rajya Sabha," Shivraj Chouhan said.

"If we look at history, the Congress has almost lost fifty elections after 2014," Chouhan said.

Taking a dig at the INDIA alliance, Shivraj Chouhan quoted a Shayari, "Hum to doobe hain sanam, tumko bhi le dubenge."

"Leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav, who have joined the Congress, won't be spared too," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Poll Dates And Some Poetry

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar used a verse on Saturday to take a dig at the critics of electronic voting machines (EVMs), saying the poll authority is often at the receiving end of "unfulfilled desires".

"Adhoori hasrato ka iljam har bar hum par lagana thik nahi, wafa khud se nahi hoti, khata EVM ki kehte ho, aur baad mein jab parinam aata hai toh uspe qayam bhi nahi rehte," Mr Kumar said, announcing the seven-phase Lok Sabha election.

The couplet, which Mr Kumar said he thought of on Friday night, means it is not proper to blame the Election Commission for unfulfilled desires when one has not done his or her job properly.

He said this to buttress the point that even ruling parties have lost elections when EVMs were used for polling.

Apparently anticipating a vitriolic poll campaign, the CEC also urged political parties and leaders to refrain from abusing and vilifying their rivals.

He quoted a couplet from Bashir Badr: "Dushmani jam ke karo, lekin yeh gunjaish rahe, jab kabhi hum dost ho jaye toh sharminda na ho (You can be sworn enemies, but let there be scope for not being ashamed when you become friends)," he said, adding that these days, there are many cases of foes turning friends again.

The CEC also quoted a couplet of Rahim: "Rahiman dhaga prem ka, mat todo chatkay, toote pe phir na jude, jude gaath pari jaaye." It broadly means that the threads of love, once broken, cannot be healed and even if they are repaired, the creases still remain.

On the prevalence of fake news during elections, Mr Kumar urged the voters not to share such unverified information.

"Jhooth ke bazaar mein raunak to bahut hai, goya bulbule jaisi turant hi fat jati hai ... pakad bhi loge to kya hasil hoga siwaye dhokhe ke," he said.

Loosely translated, the couplet reads that the world of lies is attractive but short-lived, even if you achieve it, what will you get except betrayal? 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Karnataka BJP Leader KS Eshwarappa Says Will Contest As Independent Candidate

Senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa on Friday announced that he will contest as an independent candidate from the Shimoga seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, blaming party veteran and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa for his son KE Kantesh being denied a ticket for the Haveri constituency.

However, he claimed that this was a fight to save the party and its ideology and to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister once again.

"I will contest as your independent candidate from the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency," Eshwarappa said, announcing his banner of revolt against BJP, at a meeting convened by his supporters.

"The party may issue notice to me or expel me. In case I win within two months, I'm confident that my supporters will join me at the feet of my mother -- the BJP," he added.

Yediyurappa's son and sitting MP B Y Raghavendra is the party candidate from Shimoga, where Congress has fielded former Chief Minister S Bangarappa's daughter Geetha Shivarajkumar, wife of Kannada film star Shivarajkumar and daughter-in-law of thespian late Dr Rajkumar.

The 75-year-old former Deputy Chief Minister reiterated his allegation that Yediyurappa, a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board and Central Election Committee, had assured a ticket for his son and promised to campaign for his victory, but had now "cheated" him.

Eshwarappa said that Yediyurappa had ensured a ticket for Bommai and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, but "not for his son".

BJP has fielded former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from the Haveri seat.

Eshwarappa claimed that Kantesh had prepared himself to contest from Haveri after taking Yediyurappa's consent. "If Kantesh had contested Haveri he would have surely won," he said.

He alleged that BJP's state unit is in the clutches of the Yediyurappa family, with one son as MP and the other son B Y Vijayendra as MLA and state president. He questioned if the Congress' culture of dynastic politics had crept into the Karnataka BJP.

Eshwarappa, who is a former state BJP president, also accused Yediyurappa of sidelining those who espoused the cause of Hindutva like Nalin Kumar Kateel, Pratap Simha, C T Ravi and D V Sadananda Gowda. Incidentally, Kateel, Simha and Gowda--all sitting MPs-- have been denied tickets for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Eshwarappa, Yediyurappa and the late HN Ananth Kumar are widely credited for building the BJP in Karnataka from the grassroots.

Pointing out that he has served the party for over 40 years, Eshwarappa said that he would never quit the party in his life, but was taking a decision to save the ideology and principles of the party.

However, Eshwarappa repeatedly stressed that he is not opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Even if my life goes, I will not go against Narendra Modi. If my heart is opened there will be Lord Rama on one side, and Modi on the other." He called on his supporters to unite and work together to ensure his victory so that the issues in the party are noticed by the national leadership which would help "save the BJP from one family" and ensure that "justice is done to lakhs of workers and Hindutva activists".

Eshwarappa also said that he was taking this position not just because his son had been denied the ticket. "I want the organisation to survive, the party should not go into the clutches of one family," he said. He also claimed that Yediyurappa's recent assurance of making Kantesh an MLC was a lie.

Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, in response to these developments, Yediyurappa said, "We will convince Eshwarappa. He should be with us, he is our senior leader. I'm confident that everything will be fine." Ahead of the Assembly polls last year, Eshwarappa opted out of the contest and requested the party's central leadership to not field him from any constituency as he wished to retire from electoral politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had then dialled Eshwarappa and spoken to him over a video call to express appreciation for his move to retire from politics as per the instructions of the party.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Sandeshkhali Women Meet President Murmu, Demand Central Forces Deployment

Six women from West Bengal's Sandeshkhali met President Droupadi Murmu here on Friday and demanded that central security force personnel be deployed in the area for the protection of women.

Addressing the media shortly after meeting the President, one of the women who has travelled with her toddler said she fears for her life when she returns home.

"I don't know what will happen when I return, we have been threatened that if we speak there will be repercussions," she said in an emotional tone.

She even collapsed after the press briefing.

Another woman said they have demanded deployment of central forces in Sandeshkhali to ensure their protection.

According to her, the President said that she is looking into the issue seriously.

The six women demanded justice in their memorandum to the President.

They came here with some RSS members and social activist Parth Biswas who called the situation in Sandeshkhali "very dire".

"Sheikh Shahjahan's modus operandi was to grab land of the poor people, then inundate it with salt water so that the land turns infertile and then use it for pisciculture," Biswas, who also heads NGO Center for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Support and Research, said.

He said 11 women from Sandeshkhali reached out to his organisation and six out of them have travelled to Delhi.

These six women would be holding a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and Biswas called on the Dalit leaders to join the protest.

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district has been tense with a large number of women in the locality accusing TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion.

Sheikh, who had been absconding since January 5 when a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam, was arrested in the last week of February.

 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"I'm In Heaven": Murder Accused Hosts Social Media Live From UP Jail

A purported video of a murder accused lodged in Bareilly Central Jail hosting a live video on a social media platform has surfaced and a probe has been ordered into the matter, police said on Thursday.

Action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the investigation, they said.

Asif is accused of shooting a public works department (PWD) contractor Rakesh Yadav (34) to death on December 2, 2019, in the Sadar Bazar Police Station area of Shahjahanpur.

Another accused Rahul Chaudhury was also accused of having killed Yadav and the duo are currently lodged in Bareilly Central Jail.

A video of a murder accused lodged in prison went viral on social media, Deputy Inspector General (Prison) Kuntal Kishore said.

In the 2-minute-long video, Asif is heard saying, "I am in heaven and enjoying it." On seeing the video on social media, the victim's brother met District Magistrate Umesh Pratap Singh on Thursday and gave him a complaint letter.

He said in the letter that the murder accused were getting special facilities in the jail. He said that the two accused had been hired from Meerut to kill his brother.

DIG Kishore told PTI over the phone that he had seen the video. "A probe in the matter is underway. After investigation, legal action will be taken against whoever is found guilty," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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PM Modi Holds Talks With Bhutanese Counterpart On Ways To Strengthen Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held extensive talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay focusing on ways to further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The talks took place hours after Mr Tobgay began a five-day visit to India, his first foreign trip after assuming the charge of the top office in January.

Mr Tobgay was received at the airport in the national capital by Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

"The visit of @PMBhutan is in keeping with the exemplary ties of friendship between India & Bhutan," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending cooperation in the field of energy efficiency.

The Cabinet also cleared the signing of an agreement between Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for cooperation in the area of food safety.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said Mr Tobgay's visit will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in the "unique partnership" and to discuss ways to expand the "enduring" ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.

Mr Tobgay's visit to India came against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for India's security interests.

Around five months back, Bhutan's then Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

A Chinese readout on the talks said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for New Delhi's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.

In August last year, China and Bhutan agreed to expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement a "three-step roadmap to resolve their festering boundary dispute.

In October 2021, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on the "three-step roadmap" to expedite negotiations to resolve their boundary dispute.

The signing of the pact came four years after the Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it.

The India-China stand-off in the Doklam plateau in 2017 even triggered fears of larger conflict between the two neighbours. Bhutan had said the area belonged to it and India supported the Bhutanese claim.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Transfer Of 2 Delhi High Court Judges

The Supreme Court collegium on Wednesday recommended the transfer of two Delhi High Court judges to Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.

The five-member collegium headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud transferred Justice V Kameswar Rao to the Karnataka High Court after he requested for a shift to any other court.

"By a communication dated March 4, 2024, Justice V Kameswar Rao, Judge, High Court of Delhi, has requested for transfer to any other High Court. Acceding to his request, the Collegium resolves to recommend that Justice V Kameswar Rao be transferred, in the interest of better administration of justice, to the High Court of Karnataka," the collegium, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose said in its resolution.

The collegium also recommended the transfer of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva to the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

"By a communication dated March 3, 2024, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Judge, High Court of Delhi, has expressed willingness to be transferred to any Court. Acceding to his request, the Collegium resolves to recommend that Mr Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva be transferred, in the interest of better administration of justice, to the High Court of Madhya Pradesh," the resolution said.

If the recommendation for the transfer of the two judges is accepted by the Centre, the strength of judges in the Delhi High Court will come down to 40. The High Court has a sanctioned strength of 60 judges including 15 additional judges. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra Given Six-Month Extension

The government on Tuesday granted a six-month extension in service tenure of Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who was scheduled to retire at the end of next month, according to an official order.

The decision was taken by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Kwatra, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, took charge as the foreign secretary on April 30, 2022.

According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in service of Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra (IFS:1988) as Foreign Secretary for a period of six months beyond 30.04.2024 i.e. up to 31.10.2024 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, in public interest, in terms of provisions of FR 56 (d)." 

Under the Fundamental Rule (FR) 56 (d), the government can give extension in service to the defence secretary, foreign secretary, home secretary, Intelligence Bureau director, RAW chief, CBI director, Enforcement Directorate chief, for such period or periods as it may deem proper on a case-to-case basis.

Mr Kwatra, a career diplomat with over 34 years of experience, served as the Ambassador of India to France from August 2017 to February 2020, before diplomatic posting to Nepal.

He also held the position of a Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for two years between October 2015 and August 2017.

Mr Kwatra headed the policy planning and research division of the Ministry of External Affairs between July 2013 and October 2015 and later served as the head of the Americas Division in the Foreign Ministry where he dealt with India's relations with the United States and Canada.

He served as Minister (Commerce) in the Embassy of India, Washington from May 2010 till July 2013.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Lok Sabha 2024: Jamui's Turbulent Political Landscape And NOTA Influence

As the Lok Sabha elections loom closer, the political landscape of Jamui constituency in Bihar paints a picture of intrigue and complexity. Situated amidst historical significance and cultural heritage, the Jamui Lok Sabha constituency holds a unique blend of tradition and modern-day politics.

Jamui KYC

Historical Reverence and Religious Significance

Jamui, formerly known as Jambhyagram, is steeped in history dating back to the era of the Mahabharata. Its association with Jainism, particularly as a place where Lord Mahavir is believed to have attained divine knowledge, adds to its religious prominence. The constituency, spanning across six assembly constituencies, encompasses a significant portion of forested land, contributing to its natural allure.

Jamui MP

Political Dynamics and Ongoing Turmoil

The constituency, currently represented by two-time MP Chirag Paswan, finds itself embroiled in political turmoil. Paswan, the scion of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) founded by his late father Ram Vilas Paswan, faced an unexpected twist as he was ousted from the party by his uncle, Pashupati Paras, shortly before the Bihar Assembly Elections in 2020. This internal rift within the LJP has added a layer of uncertainty to the electoral landscape of Jamui.

Jamui Turnout

Electoral Trends and Voter Demographics

With a predominantly rural electorate comprising 90% of the total, Jamui presents a unique demographic profile. Scheduled Castes (SC) constitute a significant portion, accounting for 17.09% of the population, while Scheduled Tribes (ST) make up 3.45%. The religious demographics reflect a Hindu majority of 85%, followed by a Muslim minority of 10%.

Jamui Trivia

NOTA Influence and Assembly Representation

The None of the Above (NOTA) option has emerged as a notable factor in previous elections, signalling voter discontent. In both 2019 and 2014, NOTA garnered significant votes, highlighting the electorate's demand for better representation. The constituency's representation in the assembly further diversifies with a mix of political affiliations, including independents and parties like Janata Dal United (JDU), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM).

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"All Is Fine If...": Minister Jabs Opposition Over EVMs, Poll Officials

In a swipe at the Opposition's criticism over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the parties only have a problem when they lose. His remarks come a day after the Congress said it was "concerned" over Election Commissioner Arun Goel's resignation.

The Congress alleged that there is absolutely "no transparency" in how a constitutional institution like the Election Commission has been functioning and how the government "pressures" it.

Arun Goel resigned on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections schedule. His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired next February.

The opposition parties make statements and raise questions on EVMs and the functioning of the Election Commission only when they "lose", Mr Thakur said.

All is fine if they win and nothing is fine if they lose, the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister said.

In the past, Congress and other opposition parties expressed concerns regarding EVMs used in polls.

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PM Holds Roadshow In Varanasi, Offers Prayers At Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Arriving here days after being made BJP nominee for Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the third time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a rousing reception at the Varanasi airport on Saturday.

BJP workers and locals lined up on the roads outside the airport from where PM Modi began a 28-km long roadshow during which he also stopped at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/1Ors42a6JQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, senior party leaders and office bearers were present at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Babatpur to welcome the prime minister.

Prayed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Har Har Mahadev! pic.twitter.com/sDeJIDioYF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024

BJP regional chief Dilip Patel said that Varanasi district and metropolitan unit made elaborate arrangements for Modi's visit.

The locals, including women and children, showered flowers on the prime minister during the roadshow amid playing of drums, he said.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Atulanand School located in Gilat Bazaar and Kabir Chaura, among other places on the route of the roadshow, Patel said.

Patel said the prime minister will make a night halt at the BLW Guest House here. On the second day of his visit on Sunday, he will leave for Azamgarh from Bareka helipad at around 10 am.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Centre Says Probe On In Spanish Tourist's Gang-Rape Case, Several Arrested

Days after a woman from Spain was allegedly gang raped in Jharkhand, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the matter is "under investigation" and several people have been arrested.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query on the case at his weekly media briefing here.

The tourist from Spain was allegedly gang raped in Jharkhand's Dumka district, police had said on March 2.

"As you know, the matter is under investigation. Several people have been arrested," Jaiswal told reporters.

In his response, the spokesperson also said, "And, you would have also see that the High Court of Jharkhand, suo motu has taken action on this particular matter." Some reports refer to the act of cognisance by the court.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BJP MLA From Bengal's Matua Belt Mukut Mani Adhikari Joins Trinamool

In a jolt to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Mukut Mani Adhikari, a BJP MLA from the Matua belt in Bengal's Nadia district, joined the Trinamool Congress today and participated in a rally in Kolkata.

Mr Adhikari, who represents the Ranaghat Dakshin constituency for the BJP, expressed his dissatisfaction with the party's decision to field sitting MP Jagganath Sarkar again from Ranaghat.

"I think the TMC is the only platform where you can work for the masses. So I have decided to join them," he said.

During a TMC rally in Kolkata, Mr Adhikari was spotted walking alongside Abhishek Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, further solidifying his move to the ruling party.

"BJP4Bengal leader and MLA Mukutmani Adhikari joined our party and marched in our rally on the eve of #InternationalWomensDay. When BJP leaders leave their anti-women party and extend support, you know that you are on the right side of history. Standing tall for women's rights through thick and thin!" Trinamool posted on X.

This shift is not an isolated incident. Mr Adhikari is the eighth MLA to switch to the TMC since the announcement of the assembly poll results in May 2021.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, highlighted allegations of domestic violence against Mr Adhikari, painting him as an ironic choice for a TMC rally celebrating International Women's Day.

"Look who is walking in the TMC Procession alongside Bhaipo, to observe International Women's Day !!! Mukutmani Adhikari - Ranaghat South MLA. He was accused of domestic violence by his wife. The FIR was filed by his wife on the 11th day of their marriage. Certainly qualifies as the 'poster boy' of TMC's rally to honour women," he posted on X.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Shankudeb Panda attributed Mr Adhikari's departure to his aspirations for a Lok Sabha ticket from the Ranaghat parliamentary constituency.

Ranaghat holds significance due to its large Matua community representation, similar to the Bongaon area in North 24 Parganas district.

The Matua community's cohesive voting behaviour has made them a crucial voting bloc, especially regarding the BJP's stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Following the BJP's defeat in the 2021 assembly polls, the state unit has been striving to maintain party unity, especially after several prominent figures, including Babul Supriyo and Arjun Singh, as well as seven legislators, switched allegiance to the TMC.

Despite initial success with 77 seats, the BJP's tally was reduced to 75 after losing two seats in the bypolls.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Ex Mayawati Party MP Gets 7 Years In Jail In 2020 Kidnapping Case

An MP/MLA court here on Wednesday sentenced former MP Dhananjay Singh to seven years of imprisonment in a 2020 kidnapping and extortion case.

Presently with the Janata Dal (United), Dhananjay Singh was reportedly preparing to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur. But the conviction now makes him ineligible under the Representation of the People Act to contest election.

Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Kumar Tripathi, who held Dhananjay Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram guilty in the case of kidnapping of Namami Gange project manager Abhinav Singhal on Tuesday, also imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 on each of them, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Satish Pandey said.

Satish Pandey said that Muzaffarnagar resident Abhinav Singhal had filed a case against Dhananjay Singh and his partner Vikram on May 10, 2020, at Line Bazar police station under IPC sections of kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy and others.

According to the FIR, Vikram, along with two associates, kidnapped Abhinav Singhal and took him to the residence of Dhananjay Singh where the former MP came with a pistol and abused him and pressured him to supply low quality material. On refusal, he threatened Abhinav Singhal and demanded extortion, it was alleged.

The former MP was arrested in this case and later got bail from the Allahabad High Court.

The district government counsel said that on the basis of CCTV footage, call details record, WhatsApp messages and statements of witnesses, the crime was proved against the accused.

As soon as the sentence was pronounced, hundreds of Dhananjay Singh's supporters gathered in the court premises got dejected.

Dhananjay Singh had plans to contest on the Jaunpur Lok Sabha seat on NDA constituent JD-U ticket. However, after the BJP declared former Maharashtra home minister Kripashankar Singh as its candidate from that seat, he got disappointed.

The former MP was reportedly trying to get a ticket from the Samajwadi Party.

Dhananjay Singh, who served as the member of Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014 as a Bahujan Samaj Party member, is described as 'Purvanchal Bahubali'.

In 2011, BSP president Mayawati expelled him from the party on charges of anti-party activities.

Recently, Dhananjay Singh had, through a post on 'X', indicated his plans of contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur seat.

He had won elections for the first time in 2002 from the Rari Assembly seat as an independent candidate. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Police Negligence Helps Murder Accused Escape in Mumbai

A case of police negligence has landed members of Mumbai's police force in the dock. The man who escaped. Bipul Sikari, was accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy, whose body was found on Monday. The parents have now refused to cremate the body, demanding that the killer be caught first.

12-year-old Sandeep Yadav, living in Wadala Shanti Nagar, Mumbai, had gone missing on January 28.

After a long search and scanning of CCTVs in the area, the family and their neighbors caught one Bipul Sikari, who, they alleged, was involved in the kidnapping.

The family has claimed their son had said he was going to visit his uncle. In a CCTV from the area, Bipul Sikari was seen making Sandeep sit in a taxi. When he returned home late that evening, the locals caught him.

The accused was beaten up and taken him to the Wadala Truck Terminus Police Station.

The boy's family has alleged that after seeing the man was injured, the police made the locals sit outside. The accused was asked to wash up and come back for questioning.

But the man took the opportunity to escape and has been on the run since.

A senior officer said the officer responsible is being investigated and action will be taken. A search is on for the man in neighbouring states.

On Monday, the boy's body was found in the bushes of Wadala. The decapitated body is badly decomposed, the police said.

The family, however, has refused conduct cremation till the accused is caught.

Bipul Sikari lived near the family in a rented accommodation. Locals said he had come to stay there a few months ago. The police said the man is already an accused in another murder case.

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Delhi Army Hospital Conducts Life-Saving Cardiac Procedure For 8-Year-Old

An eight-year-old boy from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramullah has received a new lease of life after undergoing a challenging life-saving cardiac procedure at an Army hospital here, officials said on Tuesday.

The pediatric cardiology team of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), "in an extraordinary medical achievement, successfully performed a high-risk transcatheter (non-surgical) lifesaving cardiac procedure" at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Delhi Cantonment, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The procedure was performed on "an eight-year-old civilian boy from Baramullah, Jammu and Kashmir, who had a critical narrowing of the aorta (blood channel supplying pure blood to all the parts of the body) resulting in compromised blood supply to few vital organs of the body as well as the reduced function of the heart".

This complex procedure was done through a small nick in the groin and involved implantation of a large stent, it said.

It was an "extremely life-threatening" complicated procedure. However, it went off uneventfully and the child was discharged in just three days post-procedure without even a scar on the body, the statement said.

Under 'Operation Sadbhavna' in Jammu and Kashmir, the boy was brought to this centre by Indian Army's Dagger Division, as his family was incapable of affording his treatment, it said.

"With the collaborative efforts of Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi, Chinaar Corps/Dagger Division, J&K and Indrani Balan Foundation, Pune, the boy will now lead to a normal life in the future," the ministry said.

The expertise of performing such a complex procedure is available only at a few centres in the country, including Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi, it added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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PM Modi Visits Ramakrishna Mission Monk At Kolkata Hospital

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday evening, visited an ailing monk of the Ramakrishna Mission.

PM Modi will address a public rally at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district, where Sandeshkhali is situated, and inaugurate the country's first underwater Metro section between Howrah Maidan and Kolkata's Esplanade on Wednesday.

Upon his arrival in the city, he went to Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan where Ramakrishna Math and Mission president Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj is undergoing treatment, and inquired about his health.

"Upon reaching Kolkata, went to hospital and enquired about the health of the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj," PM Modi said in a post on his official X handle.

Upon reaching Kolkata, went to the hospital and enquired about the health of the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj.

We are all praying for his good health and quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/2jammDbWsH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024

"We are all praying for his good health and quick recovery," he added.

The 95-year-old monk, who is the 16th president of RKM, has been hospitalised for more than a month due to age-related ailments, sources said.

PM Modi, who has strong ties with the Mission and its monks, had earlier visited its headquarters in Belur area of Howrah.

After visiting the ailing monk, the PM went to Raj Bhavan, where he will stay the night, a senior state BJP leader said.

On Wednesday morning, he will inaugurate the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro's East-West Metro corridor, a part of which runs under the Hooghly River.

The PM will also inaugurate the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and the Taratala-Majerhat Metro sections, besides other projects.

Later in the afternoon, he will head to Barasat to address a public rally.

State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said the "tortured women" of Sandeshkhali, which has been rocked by protests over allegations of sexual abuse of women by TMC leaders, will be present at the rally venue.

"It is still not known whether the victims of Sandeshkhali will meet the prime minister or not," he said.

Last week, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said that if the "tortured women" express their willingness to meet the prime minister, the party will facilitate a meeting.

The prime minister's rally will take place two days before International Women's Day.

Last week, PM Modi addressed two rallies in West Bengal, one each at Arambagh in Hooghly district and Krishnanagar in Nadia district.

He had launched a no-holds-barred attack against the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government over "atrocities on women" in Sandeshkhali and said that the entire country is seething with anger over the issue, and called upon people to ensure her party's defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ex Mayawati Party MP Dhananjay Singh Convicted In Kidnapping Case

A local court here on Tuesday held former MP Dhananjay Singh and one other guilty of kidnapping 'Namami Gange' project manager Abhinav Singhal, demanding extortion, abusing and threatening him.

Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Kumar Tripathi, after hearing both the factions, held Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram guilty in the matter. The punishment will be decided on Wednesday.

Both Dhananjay Singh and his associate have been sent to judicial custody.

Giving details of the case, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Satish Pandey said that Muzaffarnagar resident Abhinav Singhal had filed a case against Dhananjay Singh and his partner Vikram on May 10, 2020, at Linebazar police station under sections of kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy and others.

It was alleged that Vikram, along with two associates, kidnapped Singhal and took him to the residence of the former MP where Dhananjay Singh came with a pistol and abused him and pressurised him to supply low quality material. On refusal, he threatened and demanded extortion, it was alleged.

The former MP was arrested in this case and later got bail from the Allahabad High Court, Pandey said.

Dhananjay Singh, who served as the Member of Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014 as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member, is described as 'Purvanchal Bahubali'.

In 2011, BSP president Mayawati had expelled him from the party on charges of anti-party activities.

Presently with the Janata Dal (United), Dhananjay Singh had recently through a post on 'X' indicated his plans of contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur seat.

He had won the election for the first time in 2002 from the Rari Assembly seat as an independent candidate.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Dentist Poisons Teen Daughters, Then Dies By Suicide In Jharkhand: Police

A 40-year-old dental surgeon died by suicide after poisoning his two minor daughters in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Monday afternoon, police said.

The exact cause has not yet been established, but family feud is suspected to be a reason, a police officer said.

Raj Kumar fatally slit his wrist veins after poisoning his two daughters, identified as Anvi Raj (8) and Adhya Raj (5), to death in Bishnu Puri locality under Hazaribag Sadar police station, the officer said.

Raj Kumar's clinic was situated in the busy Nawabganj locality of Hazaribag town.

Raj Kumar's wife Chandani Devi (35), along with her three children, including their three-year-old son Ranjeet, had gone to her parents' place to attend a family function when the doctor arrived there in Kumhartoli area of the town, police said.

According to the relatives of the victim, the doctor picked up his two daughters on his scooter under the pretext of purchasing gifts for them as they had performed well in their school examinations, the results of which were declared on Monday.

However, he took them to their residence and broke open the door as the keys were with his wife. He then forced his two daughters to consume poison and slit his wrist veins with a sharp weapon, police said.

All three were rushed to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College, Hazaribag, after local residents informed family members and police.

However, they all succumbed soon after admission to the hospital, police added.

SP Arvind Kumar Singh confirmed it was a case of murder-suicide.

The SP said he has directed police, including the SDPO (HQ), to probe the incident. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Each Rajasthan BJP Candidate Will Win By Over 5 Lakh Votes: Chief Minister

The BJP won all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan for two consecutive times and each party candidate will go to Parliament with a margin of five lakh votes this time, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said.

60% of the tickets for the Lok Sabha elections have been finalised and the remaining tickets will be decided upon soon, he said.

Mr Sharma, addressing an event to mark the departure of LED raths for the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Patra', said the party is sending LED raths to collect suggestions from people for the party's election manifesto. A similar move was carried out ahead of the latest assembly election in the state, he said.

"Just as we had prepared a 'sankalp patra' (manifesto) by taking suggestions from the general public for the assembly election, and we are trying to fulfil those promises, we are sending raths now for the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

The BJP has become the biggest party not just in the country but in the world because of the hard work of its workers, he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by listening to the workers, is working through villages, booths, and mandals and fulfilling the needs of the people," he said.

BJP State President CP Joshi said the party is in the process of preparing a manifesto based on suggestions of the common people.

After the event, the Chief Minister participated in the party's core committee meeting where the upcoming Lok Sabha polls were discussed.

Besides him and CP Joshi, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, current Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, former party state president Satish Poonia, and party leader Rajendra Rathod were present in the meeting.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Jayant Chaudhary's Rashtriya Lok Dal Formally Joins BJP-Led NDA Alliance

On a day that the BJP released its first list of 195 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, the National Democratic Alliance led by the party also got a boost with Jayant Chaudhary's Rashtriya Lok Dal formally joining the bloc. The Uttar Pradesh-based party was a part of the opposition INDIA alliance and had been indicating for some time now that the switch was likely to happen. 

Posting photos of Mr Chaudhary meeting him and Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda said in Hindi on X, “I met RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary in the presence of Amit Shah. I heartily welcome his decision to join the NDA family. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, you will make an important contribution to the journey towards a developed India and the development of Uttar Pradesh. Ab ki baar NDA 400 paar.” 

Rumours that an alliance between the BJP and the RLD was in the works had been doing the rounds for a while and had got credence when the Bharat Ratna was announced for Mr Chaudhary's grandfather and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on February 9. The RLD chief had welcomed the honour, writing, "Dil jeet liya mera (They have won my heart).

When reporters had asked him if he was going to ally with the BJP, Mr Chaudhary had said, "Is there anything left? How can I refuse?"

Three days later, he had indicated that the deal with the BJP had been sealed and a formal announcement could be expected soon. On questions that people in his party were not happy with the decision, the RLD chief had said he had made it only after speaking to everyone and in the interest of the people of Uttar Pradesh. 

Poll Impact

The RLD is the second party to leave the INDIA bloc, after the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United. And while the party and its leader may not have the same profile as the JDU and Mr Kumar, its exit will be a setback for the opposition because it is a player in the all-important state of Uttar Pradesh.

Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP had won 62 in 2019 - which was nine lower than it had got in 2014 - but still managed to get to a tally of 303 nationally. This time around, the BJP is targeting winning 370 on its own and 400 for the NDA. The RLD, which enjoys support among the Jats, can play a role in getting it closer to that figure.

In its first list of 195 candidates issued on Saturday, the BJP has named 51 from Uttar Pradesh. It has been speculated that the RLD will contest two Lok Sabha seats and get two ministerial berths in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet. 

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Failure Of Police Intelligence Evident: Karnataka BJP Chief On Cafe Blast

Targeting the Congress administration following the explosion at the city's popular eatery Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday, Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra said the government's "callousness" and the failure of police intelligence is evident in this incident.

The BJP state chief accused the government of downplaying such crimes and said it "is pushing the state into this chaos, making it a safe haven for antisocial elements.

"Deeply troubled to hear about the blast at Rameswaram Cafe in Bangalore. Praying for a swift recovery of all the injured in the incident. State govt should order a detailed enquiry and spare no efforts in apprehending the perpetrators," Vijayendra posted on social media platform X.

Vijayendra said the failure of police intelligence is also evident in this incident.

"We strongly urge the police to conduct a thorough probe and eradicate these elements from the core without yielding to any political pressures," he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka claimed that the bomb blast at Rameshwaram Cafe was yet another glaring example of the "deteriorating law and order situation" in Karnataka ever since the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government came to power in the state.

"Wherever the Congress comes to power, the terrorists and anti-national elements feel emboldened because of its policy of unabashed and unbridled appeasement," he alleged.

"The Congress government should first ensure 'guarantee' of safety and security to the people of Karnataka," he said, taking a dig at the government's 'poll guarantees' of welfare schemes.

Earlier in the day Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the incident should not be politicised and everyone should cooperate, as he assured that strict action would be taken against those involved.

Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to give a free hand to the police and investigating agencies to conduct the probe and give clear answers to people of Bengaluru about the incident.

"At first, they tried the narrative of cylinder blast. Now, they are trying the narrative of business rivalry. Why can't the Congress government allow the investigation agencies to do their job? Why preempt? Why prompt? Vote Bank compulsions?" he posted on X.

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