Shams Iqbal, a Trinamool leader from Garden Reach and a close associate of former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, was arrested following allegations that he extorted Rs 70 lakh from a local businessman.

Iqbal, who represented Ward No. 134, had reportedly shared the stage with Hakim at several public meetings in the past.

According to the complaint filed by Mohammad Shadab at the Garden Reach police station, the accused and his associates began extorting money from him in June 2023, allegedly telling him that payment was necessary to run his business smoothly in the area.

The complainant alleged that a total of Rs 70 lakh was forcibly taken from him, and that he was threatened with death along with his family if he failed to comply.

He further claimed that the extortion continued repeatedly, including demands made at gunpoint. Due to fear, he did not approach the police earlier.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Iqbal and his associates, including Mohammad Faraz and Feroz Qureshi. Police said the accused were influential in the area.

Iqbal was arrested late on Sunday night and will be produced before a city court on Monday. Police are likely to seek custody for further questioning.

Cases under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including extortion and criminal intimidation, have been filed against him. Charges under the Arms Act have also been invoked.

With this arrest, around 13 former Trinamool councillors of KMC have been held on charges including extortion and molestation since the change of government in the state.

Police said more complainants are now coming forward, alleging they had previously remained silent out of fear.

Meanwhile, the KMC civic board is currently being run by an administrator following the resignation of Mayor Firhad Hakim, pending fresh elections.

The two SUVs collided head-on near the railway crossing while travelling from opposite directions late Sunday night.

The impact of the collision was so severe that both vehicles were badly mangled, leaving passengers trapped inside and causing panic and chaos at the scene.

The deceased have been identified as Rishabh Kumar (26), son of Lalan Paswan of Pokharia Ward No. 37; Sunny Kumar (24), son of Baiju Sharma; and Himanshu Kumar (22), son of Chikku Sah alias Rajan of Ward No. 36.

Police and local residents said that six friends from Pokharia had set out late at night in a Scorpio to visit Simaria for a holy dip in the Ganga River.

As their vehicle approached Angrezi Dhala, it collided violently with another Scorpio coming from the opposite direction.

The high-speed impact left both vehicles severely damaged.

The sound of the collision and cries for help drew local residents to the spot, who immediately launched rescue efforts.

Residents nearby rushed to the accident site and helped pull the injured occupants from the wrecked vehicles.

All the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, with eight of them undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

The deceased Rishabh Kumar was pursuing his B.A. Part 1 studies at SBS College and was the youngest among three brothers.

Sunny Kumar was the third among four brothers in his family.

The tragedy has deeply affected the Pokharia locality. The victims were associated with a wedding procession, and what had begun as a festive occasion turned into an atmosphere of mourning within moments.

Heart-rending scenes unfolded at the homes of the deceased as family members broke down upon receiving the news.

After receiving information about the incident, Singhaul police reached the spot, seized both damaged vehicles, and initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Authorities are examining whether overspeeding, poor visibility, or other factors contributed to the fatal collision.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and high-speed driving, particularly during late-night travel, as Begusarai mourns the loss of three young lives.

Addressing the concluding session of the three-day National Conference on 'Operationalising NEP 2020: Integrating Indian Knowledge Systems', organised by the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal at the Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, Bhagwat narrated how a man who had travelled to Ayodhya intending to steal from Kar Sevaks eventually abandoned his criminal activities after witnessing their dedication.

Sharing the incident, Bhagwat said that after the first Kar Seva, when he was serving as a Pracharak for a district, he visited a tehsil to interact with local workers and learn about their experiences during the movement.

"After the first Kar Seva, I was a Pracharak for a district and visited a location in a tehsil. The first Kar Seva had concluded, and people had returned. While I was enquiring about everyone's experiences, the activists suggested I meet someone. They took me to a puncture repairman sitting by the roadside outside a temple," Bhagwat said.

He recalled asking the activists why they wanted him to meet the man, following which they narrated his background.

"They replied, 'This gentleman is currently a puncture repairman, but he used to be a pickpocket. When he saw the crowd of Kar Sevaks on the train, he thought it was a great opportunity to ply his trade, so he joined them. He had even taken all his tools along'," Bhagwat said.

"But after reaching there, he immersed those tools in the Saryu River, took a holy dip, and returned. He met us and explained, 'I was a pickpocket and went there to pick pockets, but after having darshan of Ram Lalla, I decided I would not commit this sin anymore. Please help me find some small job so I can earn a living'," Bhagwat recounted.

He said the transformation had taken place without anyone delivering lectures or formally introducing the man to the ideology or activities of the RSS.

"However, a transformation came over him. He witnessed the Kar Sevaks, devotees who had walked up to 150 kilometres, risked their lives in the struggle, and even made the ultimate sacrifice -- and the atmosphere deeply affected him, bringing about a change," he added.

He also narrated another incident involving an RSS worker, whom he described as having initially believed that one should first establish a successful career before dedicating oneself to national service.

According to Bhagwat, the worker had been sent to Allahabad to oversee organisational arrangements. About a month later, when they met again, the volunteer informed him that he had symbolically immersed his personal ambitions at the Triveni Sangam.

"He explained, 'I immersed the desire I had harboured -- the urge to build my career first. I let go of that ambition there. Now, I will do the work (for the cause) first, and build my own life only when I have the time.’ He has continued to live by that principle ever since. What caused this transformation? It was the atmosphere created by the conduct of so many people that brought about this change," Bhagwat said.

Emphasising the importance of determination and clarity of purpose, he said individuals can achieve even goals that initially appear impossible if they remain focussed on their objective.

"Even unachievable things can be achieved. No one thought Ram Temple would be built, but it was built; when the Emergency was imposed, most people thought that democracy had ended and dictatorship would prevail in the country, but it was removed; no one thought that Article 370 would be removed, but it was," Bhagwat said.

Concluding his address, he urged people to adopt a spirit of unwavering commitment towards their goals.

"People should think -- We have to do it, no matter what, that is my life goal," he added.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 22,124 people have been affected in Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar districts.

Dhemaji remains the worst-affected district, where 15,483 people are reeling under floodwaters after continuous rainfall inundated vast stretches of the area.

Officials said floodwaters have submerged 96 villages across the affected districts and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, affecting standing crops and disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

The ASDMA flood bulletin stated that the Disang River in Sivasagar district is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat, triggering concerns over further inundation in low-lying areas if rainfall continues.

The floods have also impacted livestock, with 48,199 animals affected during the ongoing deluge, officials said.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and erosion caused the partial collapse of a railway bridge over the Simen River in Dhemaji district, disrupting train movement in the region.

According to the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), more than 110 mm of rainfall in and around Dhemaji triggered severe flooding and riverbank erosion near the bridge.

As a precautionary measure, railway authorities suspended train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations until further notice. Railway officials said the bridge, originally built in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, had remained structurally sound. However, continuous rainfall washed away a substantial portion of the riverbank, destabilising one of the bridge's piers.

Authorities are closely monitoring the flood situation as rainfall continues across several parts of Assam and adjoining Arunachal Pradesh, while district administrations have been asked to remain on alert and take necessary precautionary measures to deal with any further deterioration in the situation.

The controversy erupted after the institute's hall was rented out for a two-day study camp of the BJP's Kattakkada Assembly constituency committee on June 27 and 28.

The camp, inaugurated by BJP state vice-president and former IPS officer R. Sreelekha, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress workers, who questioned how a party institution established to promote Congress ideology could be made available for a BJP programme.

Following strong protests from the rank and file, the KPCC General Secretary has formally sought an explanation from those managing the institute.

Party sources said the leadership wants to ascertain whether the decision was taken without its approval and whether there had been any procedural lapse.

Disciplinary action is likely once the explanation is examined.

The institute's officials, however, have defended their decision, maintaining that the hall is routinely rented out to various organisations irrespective of political affiliation.

According to them, the BJP booking was processed in line with the institute's established practice of hiring out its facilities.

The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies was established during the tenure of the present Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala as KPCC president to serve as the Congress party's official centre for research, policy formulation and political education.

Modelled on the CPI(M)'s EMS Academy, the institute has traditionally hosted Congress leadership meetings, training camps, seminars and strategy sessions.

It was also the venue for the semi-cadre training programme introduced by former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran and key deliberations on the formation of Congress Unit Committees.

The institute's chairperson is always the sitting KPCC president, with the post currently held by Sunny Joseph.

However, party insiders allege that organisational affairs and affiliated institutions have received inadequate oversight after the KPCC chief assumed ministerial responsibilities.

The CPI(M) has also joined the issue and said this was one of the examples "where there is a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Congress".

Acting on a complaint lodged by her father, police have arrested the main accused, identified as Arman, while further investigation into the allegations is underway, officials said.

The incident was reported from the Rawatpur police station area, where the victim alleged that she had first come into contact with Arman at Kargil Park in the Motijheel area. According to her statement, the two had become acquainted before the alleged incident took place.

The girl alleged that Arman later asked her to meet him near the Namak Factory intersection. When she reached the location, she claimed that he, along with two associates, took her in a car to Motijheel before allegedly shifting her to a house located in a Muslim-majority locality, where she was kept against her will.

According to the complaint, the victim alleged that she was repeatedly pressured to recite the 'Kalma', the Islamic declaration of faith, as part of an attempt to force her to convert to Islam.

She further alleged that when she refused to comply, she was assaulted and branded with hot tongs. The girl also claimed that she was pressured to consume beef and was threatened with dire consequences if she continued to resist.

The victim alleged that she was forced to sign certain documents during her confinement. She further claimed that she was threatened with being sent to Saudi Arabia and that the accused also warned of causing harm to her entire family if she disclosed the incident.

Confirming the registration of the case, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dilip Kumar Singh said the police received information regarding the incident on June 27 and initiated legal proceedings based on the complaint submitted by the victim's family.

"On June 27, information was received under Rawatpur police station limits that a minor girl had been taken away by a person from another community and was being pressured to convert her religion. Several other allegations have been made. The family members have filed a complaint against the accused. Investigation is underway," ACP Singh said.

Police said the main accused, Arman, has been taken into custody.

Officials added that all allegations made by the victim are being thoroughly examined as part of the investigation.

Police said statements are being recorded and other evidence is being collected to ascertain the sequence of events and verify the claims made in the complaint.

Further details are awaited.

When the matter was mentioned before a Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu, the PIL litigant pressed for an urgent listing, saying the allegations raised in the plea were "very serious" and expressing apprehensions over the manner in which the state government was dealing with the matter.

Questioning the urgency, the Justice Sundresh-led Bench asked, "What's the urgency?" before directing that the plea be listed immediately after the court reopens post-summer vacation.

The writ petition, filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami in his personal capacity, seeks directions for the preservation of records and evidence relating to donations made at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple and greater transparency in the administration of temple offerings.

According to the plea, offerings made to a deity in a public temple constitute "sacred trust property" vesting in the deity as a juristic person, and persons handling such offerings are fiduciaries bound by duties of transparency, accountability and preservation.

The petition has sought immediate preservation of "all evidence, records, CCTV footage, and digital logs relating to donations and offerings at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya".

The PIL has also urged the apex court to direct the formulation of minimum constitutional safeguards for the transparent handling of public temple donations and offerings in temples of national importance.

Referring to recent developments, the plea said the cause of action arose in June 2026 when public reports and the constitution of an SIT by the Uttar Pradesh government revealed allegations of irregularities, misappropriation and mishandling of donations and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.

The petition clarified that it was confined to the secular administration of donations and did not seek interference in religious rituals, customs or denominational matters.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing criminal investigation, police on Sunday recovered jewellery and documents from the house of one of the accused after conducting searches at the residences of all eight persons arrested in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donations and offerings at the Ram Mandir.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after a preliminary SIT report flagged multiple irregularities.

The accused were remanded to judicial custody till June 29, with police stating that further action would depend on interrogation and CCTV-based evidence.

--IANS

pds/dpb

The contrast with India is sharpest among the import-dependent economies that slid from price pressure into physical shortage.

Sri Lanka, still recovering from its 2022 collapse, reintroduced mandatory petrol rationing within a fortnight and moved the public sector to a four-day week, its registration portal crashing as millions rushed to sign up.

Pakistan closed schools, shortened the working week and played its cricket behind closed doors to keep traffic down.

Myanmar combined odd-even driving with QR-code rationing, Bangladesh posted troops at its oil depots, and Ethiopia routed fuel to security forces and essential industry, suspending distribution altogether in Tigray.

The wealthier importers avoided rationing by leaning on their reserves and their budgets. Japan ran down its strategic stock and subsidised the pump, South Korea capped prices for the first time in thirty years, and across the European Union, 22 of its 27 members had together spent over nine billion euros on relief by mid-April, with Germany cutting its fuel tax and Hungary releasing reserves that were soon reported running low.

Even oil producers were not spared at the pump -- the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw diesel rise about 85 per cent and Nigeria's citizens squeezed by transport costs despite the windfall to its exporters.

Where the market was left to clear the rise was steep, diesel up about 80 per cent in New Zealand, petrol up a fifth in the United Kingdom and California past five dollars a gallon.

The International Energy Agency's largest-ever coordinated release, about four days of world demand, signalled how grave the supply position was judged to be.

"India did none of this. It declared no emergency, rationed no household, shortened no working week, closed no school and ordered no driving ban. The only curbs it applied were on commercial and bulk LPG and on the export of diesel and aviation fuel, and these were to protect the domestic household, allocation rather than rationing," according to Petroleum Ministry.

After an initial scare on cooking gas, the household cylinder kept arriving. Retail pumps stayed open, and the rise at the pump was the smallest of any major economy.

India was then among the first to unwind its measures, the commercial and bulk LPG restrictions lifted by June 25. The contrast is the clearest measure of the dividend of a decade of energy-security investment and of strategic autonomy in practice, according to the ministry.

According to information, the accident occurred near Hama Tiraha around 12:30 A.M, when Kripal Sen (around 50), a resident of Khop village in Chhatarpur district, and his son Kunti Sen were returning home after attending an invitation ceremony.

Police sources said the duo sustained serious injuries after their motorcycle was hit by an unidentified Bolero vehicle. Despite being injured, Kripal Sen reportedly informed his family about the incident. Following the alert, relatives rushed to the spot and shifted both injured persons to the district hospital in a private vehicle.

Doctors provided initial treatment at the district hospital and later referred them to a private hospital due to their critical condition. However, both father and son succumbed to their injuries during treatment on the way.

The incident triggered grief in the district hospital premises, where a large number of villagers and family members gathered after learning about the deaths. The family has alleged that even several hours after the incident, police had not been able to trace the unidentified vehicle or its driver.

Police have initiated proceedings and sent both bodies for post-mortem at the district hospital mortuary. Officials said that efforts are underway to identify and trace the unknown Bolero vehicle, and further investigation is in progress.

Earlier this week, a tragic road accident on the Delhiâ€"Mumbai Expressway in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district left four people dead and two others critically injured after a speeding car rammed into a truck from behind, officials said.

According to police, the incident occurred early on Thursday morning when a car carrying six passengers, reportedly from Maharashtra, collided with a moving truck on the high-speed corridor. The impact of the crash was severe, leaving the vehicle badly damaged and causing multiple fatalities on the spot.

The injured passengers were rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition, while emergency teams and local police reached the spot soon after receiving information. The deceased were sent for post-mortem examination after formal procedures.

The Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, was passed by the Assembly on April 13, and the Governor's assent came within a week.

Ahead of meeting the lawmakers, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj told the media that after bypassing the Akal Takht and Sikh institutions, the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sataar Act, enacted in 2008, was amended and unanimously passed.

"The government has come in between the Guru and the Sikh by passing this Act," he said.

Slamming the government over an anti-sacrilege law, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia said, "When this Act was being formulated, the Jathedar Sahab of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had issued explicit directives and an edict.

He ordered that if any Bill or Act regarding the matter of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj is to be created, "it must be drafted only after obtaining the approval of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, other Sikh institutions, and the entire Guru Nanak Naam Leva Sangat (the global Sikh congregation), so that nothing is left out."

Earlier, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs located on the premises of the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, June 15, directed all Sikh lawmakers and the Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, comprising nine Sikh ministers, to appear before it on June 29 for hurting the sentiments and interests of the 'panth' (community) by passing the new sacrilege law.

However, five non-Sikh ministers -- Sanjeev Arora, Aman Arora, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Mahinder Bhagat -- and other non-Sikh legislators have been asked to submit a written explanation over bringing the amended law.

The anti-sacrilege Bill, which proposed amendments to the original Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act-2008 to provide for stringent punishments, was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha by the Chief Minister during a special one-day session on April 13 to deter incidents of sacrilege and uphold the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.

It was passed unanimously with support from members of the ruling AAP and opposition parties, including Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after over three hours of deliberations.

Chief Minister Mann on Sunday reaffirmed that the Akal Takht is the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh community and said that all ministers, MLAs and the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha will appear before it on Monday to present the government's position with humility.

Declaring that every directive of the Akal Takht Sahib is paramount and will be obeyed in true letter and spirit, the Chief Minister said the government would also submit details of the fake video featuring his impersonator.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Opposition parties are trying to gain political mileage by giving the issue a religious colour, and asserted that politics and religion must never be mixed, while urging the Maharashtra government not to interfere in Sikh religious affairs.

Former state BJP president Sunil Jakhar has called upon the AAP legislators to listen to their inner conscience and present the truth before appearing at the Akal Takht.

In a social media post, Jakhar said the MLAs were at a defining moment where they must decide whether to stand with their Guru or with what he described as an "arrogant Chief Minister". He expressed hope that they would not become "offenders against the Panth" by supporting someone who was declared 'Panth Dokhi' by the Akal Takhat Sahib.

After the Hathras visit, the Chief Minister will reach Agra, where he will chair a meeting at the Commissioner's Auditorium to review pending Public Works Department projects in the Agra division and discuss the action plan for new projects. He will also conduct a detailed review of district-level development works and the law and order situation.

After returning from Agra, the Chief Minister will chair a review meeting of the State Transformation Commission in Lucknow in the evening.

Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked, "It is a matter of pride that the electronics products for which India earlier imported goods worth Rs 40,000 crore will now be manufactured in India itself, and Jewar will become its major centre. After semiconductors, Jewar is now set to become a major hub for electronics manufacturing as well. In the coming years, several major projects in the electronics sector will be established in Uttar Pradesh, making the state one of the country's leading manufacturing centres."

Referring to the bullet train project, the Railway Minister stated, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the bullet train in the last Budget. This train will run from Delhi to Siliguri in West Bengal via Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna. The journey from Delhi to Lucknow will take just 2 hours 10 minutes, while the distance from Jewar to Lucknow will be covered in only 1 hour 40 minutes. You will comfortably reach Lucknow while having tea or coffee and engaging in conversation during the journey. The Prime Minister's dream is to transform the entire transport network. Better connectivity will further accelerate industrial development in the state."

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Choudhary stated, "The presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath makes this Bhoomi Pujan ceremony much more than a formal event. It is proof that the resolve to make Uttar Pradesh an Uttam Pradesh is being translated into reality. Until a few years ago, Uttar Pradesh was grappling with numerous challenges, but today the state is rapidly progressing in industrial development, technological advancement and attracting investments. Under Modi Ji's leadership, India has emerged as a reliable and capable manufacturing partner for the world, and Uttar Pradesh has become a major centre of this confidence."

He further added, with Modi Ji's vision and Yogi Ji's capable leadership, political stability, transparent policies, skilled youth and strong infrastructure have placed Uttar Pradesh on the path to becoming a natural hub in the global supply chain for electronics and semiconductors."

He expressed confidence that under the leadership of CM Yogi, the state would scale new heights of development and become the state making the greatest contribution to the resolve of Viksit Bharat.

On this occasion, representatives from the industry described Uttar Pradesh as one of the country's most reliable industrial investment destinations. Jasbir Singh, Executive Chairman and CEO of Amber Enterprises, stated, "This is not merely a Bhoomi Pujan but a historic occasion to lay the strong foundation for India's next generation of electronics and manufacturing. This initiative is an important step towards realising Prime Minister Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat."

Expressing gratitude to CM Yogi, the Uttar Pradesh Government and YEIDA, Jasbir Singh shared an experience. He stated, "When I was handed the land allotment letter at the Chief Minister's Office in Lucknow at 7 pm, the Korean representative accompanying me asked whether the government in Uttar Pradesh works even on Sundays. When I shared this with the Chief Minister, he smiled and said, 'This is the new Uttar Pradesh. It does not look at the day. It only works to move forward and achieve progress'."

On this occasion, Korea Circuits CEO Yang Ho Cho stated, "This is the first time I am speaking in an Indian language." Thanking the Central Government and the Uttar Pradesh Government, he remarked, "It is only because of the Chief Minister's leadership and the incredible support of his team that this day has become possible. We are grateful for the warmth and sense of welcome extended to us. This partnership between Korea Circuits and Amber is truly special, bringing together South Korea's advanced technology and India's strong manufacturing capability. This plant will manufacture advanced HDI PCBs, which will be used in mobile phones, IT products and memory modules."

He also invited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Union Ministers to visit South Korea and inspect the manufacturing facilities there.

According to Mumbai police sources, 39-year-old Fayaz Premji, a Pune resident who was arrested on June 27 near Rahmatabad graveyard, allegedly intended to poison thousands of people by distributing capsules laced with zinc phosphide, a toxic compound commonly used as rat poison. Officials claim the accused confessed during questioning that he wanted to kill around 15,000 people.

The investigation has revealed that Premji allegedly rented a room in Mumbai's Dongri area, where he established a makeshift facility to prepare the capsules. Police said he ordered nearly 50 kg of zinc phosphide and around 30,000 empty capsules online before spending days filling them individually with the poisonous substance. Each capsule reportedly contained about one gram of zinc phosphide.

During searches, investigators recovered approximately 15,000 poison-filled capsules along with additional quantities of the toxic chemical. According to police, the accused had planned to prepare a total of 30,000 capsules before distributing them among devotees participating in the Muharram procession.

Investigators have also found that Premji allegedly used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool on his mobile phone to study the effects of consuming zinc phosphide in different quantities. His mobile phone has now been sent for forensic examination, while cyber experts are analysing his Internet searches, digital communications, and browsing history to reconstruct the planning behind the alleged conspiracy.

Police are also trying to establish how the accused procured such a large quantity of zinc phosphide and the route through which the chemical was delivered. Officials from Mumbai Police, assisted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and central agencies, are examining financial transactions, mobile records, and digital contacts to determine whether Premji acted alone or had support from others.

The probe has further revealed that Premji allegedly persuaded several volunteers to distribute the capsules during the religious procession by falsely claiming they were vitamin supplements, immunity boosters, or painkillers. The volunteers were reportedly unaware of the capsules' contents.

At least 11 people are believed to have consumed the capsules before falling ill. Victims, including Salman Syed and Ali Abbas, told investigators they were informed that the capsules would improve immunity. Soon after consuming them, they began vomiting and were rushed to hospital. Police said all those affected are now out of danger.

According to investigators, Premji is a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) graduate who operates a painting business in Pune's Viman Nagar. Police have recorded the statement of his father, while his mother and sister are reported to be residing in Iran.

Officials are also looking into his travel history, which shows that he made several visits to Middle Eastern countries between 2019 and 2025, including 19 trips over the past year. Investigators are examining whether these travels have any connection with the ongoing case.

During searches at his Pune residence, police reportedly found a large number of rats, leading investigators to suspect that the accused was familiar with zinc phosphide because of its use as a rodent poison.

Police sources further said that Premji told investigators he had become deeply frustrated with life after personal setbacks, including the breakdown of his marriage.

According to information received from police, Fayaz Premji was abandoned by his wife and he had made the entire world his enemy in his mind.

Police stated that during the preliminary investigation, the accused claimed that he wanted to take revenge on everyone in the world... as if everyone had done this to him together.

They are also examining whether he had any history of psychiatric treatment or underlying mental health issues.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Kapil Dev Agarwal, stated, "The primary objective of the Yogi Government is to ensure that no youth in the state is deprived of skills. Through 'Project Praveen', we are strengthening students of government secondary schools in technical and vocational fields along with traditional education. Under this scheme, training will be imparted in important sectors such as IT (IT-ITeS), Healthcare, Electronics, Apparel, Beauty and Wellness, and Agriculture. To maintain the quality of training, a maximum limit of 35 trainees has been fixed for each batch. This will enable students to receive practical and hands-on knowledge in a better manner. This year, an ambitious target has been set to provide skill training to a total of 36,103 trainees across the state under Project Praveen."

The responsibility has been entrusted to empanelled training providers in government schools across various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Agra, Bareilly, Azamgarh, Lalitpur, Varanasi, Rampur, Shahjahanpur, Jalaun and Sonbhadra. The major sectors include IT-ITeS, Healthcare, Apparel, Electronics, Beauty and Wellness, Management, Green Jobs and Agriculture. The maximum duration of the course will be 300 hours.

According to the directions issued by Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission Director Pulkit Khare, all training providers will have to strictly adhere to the prescribed timeline. The training providers must complete the process of setting up centres, registration and batch formation, and commence classes by July 15, 2026, under all circumstances.

Within 07 working days of the commencement of the batch, study material must be distributed to all students, and photographs of the distribution must be uploaded on the Mission portal. If any training provider fails to commence work on time or if any complaint is received at the district level, strict legal action will be taken against the provider as per the rules.

According to figures available till June 24, 2026, a total of 1,60,121 domestic PNG connections have been issued across the state's 43 gas distribution areas. Against the target of 16,23,163 connections set for the financial year 2026-27, an achievement of 9.86 percent has been recorded so far. The government aims to connect lakhs of new households to piped natural gas during the year, thereby expanding the reach of clean energy.

The state government believes that PNG is not just a gas connection but an important step towards making people's lives safer, more convenient and pollution-free. With piped gas, consumers do not need to refill gas cylinders repeatedly, receive an uninterrupted gas supply, and also benefit from modern safety systems in case of leakage.

According to the report, gas distribution companies have made rapid progress in several districts in line with their targets. The connection drive is continuing in many districts, including Prayagraj, Meerut, Lucknow, Moradabad, Mathura, Gorakhpur, Firozabad, Muzaffarnagar, Varanasi, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Auraiya, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Shahjahanpur. Various companies, including IOC-Adani Gas, Torrent Gas, Green Gas Limited, GAIL Gas, GAIL India, IGL and HPCL, are expanding their networks and connecting new consumers in their respective areas.

Promoting the use of natural gas is also aimed at protecting the environment under the Yogi Government's initiative. Piped Natural Gas is considered cleaner than conventional fuels, helping reduce carbon emissions and improving air quality in urban areas. At the same time, it is playing an important role in providing domestic consumers with safe, affordable and uninterrupted fuel.

In the coming months, the state government is working to further expand the gas pipeline network, connect new cities and colonies, and extend PNG facilities to more families. Officials said that regular reviews and monitoring are being carried out with all gas distribution companies to ensure that the target is achieved within the stipulated timeline.

The campaign to promote clean energy is being seen as an important step towards strengthening Uttar Pradesh's position among states with modern energy infrastructure. The Yogi Government aims to provide safe, convenient and environment-friendly energy to as many citizens as possible, giving a fresh boost to sustainable development in the state.

In line with this policy, the appointments of ARPs (Academic Resource Persons), District Coordinators (NIPUN), State Resource Group (SRG) members, ECCE Educators and Special Teachers have been taken forward in mission mode. In most districts, the selection process has reached the final stage, while appointments in several categories have already been completed, strengthening the academic support system up to the school level.

This is enabling the state to move rapidly towards implementing the objectives of the National Education Policy-2020, NIPUN Bharat Mission and Early Childhood Care and Education at the grassroots level.

To ensure quality teaching in schools, the government has made the ARP system a key pillar of education reforms. ARPs will no longer remain limited to inspections. They will also provide academic support to teachers, improve classroom teaching, analyse learning levels and offer continuous academic guidance to schools. According to the current progress, Varanasi has achieved 100% ARP availability and secured the first position in the state.

Deoria and Hathras have achieved 98% availability, Basti and Kaushambi 95%, Aligarh and Siddharthnagar 94%, and Kushinagar 93%, placing them among the leading districts. At the same time, vacancies are being filled rapidly in most districts, continuously strengthening the academic support system of schools.

To ensure foundational literacy and numeracy, the government is rapidly completing the appointments of District Coordinators (NIPUN). The selection process has been completed in 39 districts, while interviews, document verification, financial evaluation and other administrative processes are in the final stage in the remaining districts.

Through these officers, the implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission, teacher training, data-based monitoring, assessment of learning outcomes and effective monitoring of academic programmes will gain fresh momentum.

To strengthen teacher training, academic innovation and academic leadership at the state level, the SRG system is also being expanded rapidly. At present, the process of filling vacant SRG posts is underway on priority. Alongside this, the availability of Special Teachers is being ensured to further strengthen inclusive education so that quality education reaches every student equally, including children with disabilities.

In line with the New Education Policy-2020, the appointments of ECCE Educators are also progressing rapidly to strengthen foundational education. In the first phase, a large number of educators have already assumed charge in several districts, while appointments have been completed in many districts during the second phase. In the remaining districts, technical evaluation, issuance of work orders, document verification, preparation of merit lists, advertisement and tender processes are progressing rapidly.

This will strengthen academic coordination between Anganwadi centres and schools and ensure that children receive a quality learning environment from the early stages of education.

The Yogi Government is advancing education reforms not as a short-term programme but as a long-term institutional transformation. The extensive deployment of ARPs, NIPUN District Coordinators, SRGs, ECCE Educators and Special Teachers will strengthen academic leadership in schools, enhance teachers' capacities, ensure regular monitoring of learning outcomes and develop an accountable academic system at every level.

Through strong human resources, data-based monitoring, continuous training and a results-oriented work culture, Uttar Pradesh is moving rapidly towards achieving comprehensive improvement in the quality of government schools.

According to officials, nearly six fire engines were deployed immediately after the fire department received the alert. Firefighters launched an intensive operation to contain the flames and prevent the blaze from spreading to other parts of the building.

Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been triggered by an explosion in an air-conditioner unit. However, the exact cause will be established only after a detailed investigation.

Rescue teams carried out searches across the affected floor, and initial reports indicated that no residents were trapped inside the building. Fire personnel continued cooling operations while ensuring the safety of occupants.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed senior officials to oversee relief and rescue efforts on priority. He instructed the administration to reach the site without delay, closely monitor the situation, and ensure that emergency operations are carried out efficiently.

The Chief Minister also ordered officials to make adequate medical arrangements for anyone injured in the incident and stressed the need for vigilance at every level until the operation is completed.

The Noida fire comes amid a series of recent fire incidents in residential complexes. Earlier this month, fires were reported from two residential buildings in Noida, one in Sector 74 and another in Sector 52.

In a separate incident on Monday morning, a fire also broke out in a four-storey residential building in Delhi's Keshav Puram area. Fire department personnel rescued three people trapped on the terrace, including two women and a man. Officials confirmed that all three were brought to safety without sustaining any injuries.

John C. Coffee, Adolf A. Berle Professor of Law at the prestigious Columbia Law School and one of America's foremost authorities on securities law and corporate litigation, said Judge Nicholas Garaufis may require prosecutors to justify their decision, but cannot substitute the court's judgment for that of the executive branch.

"Generally, under our Constitution, prosecutorial discretion is seen as an exclusively executive power, which belongs ultimately to the President, as head of the executive branch," Coffee told IANS.

"Although the Court may be able to ask for a justification, it cannot reverse the prosecutor's decision, which belongs under our constitutional allocation of powers, to the executive branch. The court's decision is unusual and cannot be extended to permit substantive review by the court on the prosecutors' decision to dismiss," he noted.

Coffee's assessment comes days after Judge Garaufis directed the Justice Department to provide detailed reasons and supporting facts for its request to dismiss, with prejudice, the indictment against Adani and seven co-defendants.

In a five-page order, the judge said the government's brief motion failed to provide sufficient information for the court to exercise its responsibilities under Rule 48(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

The Justice Department had stated only that it had reviewed the case and decided, in its prosecutorial discretion, not to devote further resources to pursuing the criminal charges.

Former US Attorney Barbara McQuade said the judge's request was uncommon but well within the court's authority to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.

"I'm not familiar with this case, but it is unusual for a judge to question the reasons for dismissal," McQuade told IANS.

"Most often, because the government party that brought the case, if they want to dismiss it, typically approves without inquiry."

She added that judges may seek further explanation to ensure the Justice Department is not misusing its authority.

"However, it is reasonable for a judge to make further inquiry to ensure that the Justice Department is not abusing its power, by, for example, repeatedly filing and dismissing charges against the same individual."

McQuade noted that while the court cannot compel prosecutors to continue the case, it retains limited procedural authority.

"The judge cannot force trust you to go forward with a case, but they can decide whether the dismissal should be brought with or without prejudice, controlling whether the charges can be brought again."

Renowned Indian senior advocate and former Solicitor General Harish Salve described the judge's order as a routine procedural requirement rather than a substantive challenge to the Justice Department's decision.

"In every court in the world, whenever a case is filed in the court, the case becomes, as they say, property of the court," Salve told IANS.

"So, when you even tell the court, please dismiss a court, they say, ' Why? So, the government will file its reasons... So, it's a standard thing and nothing to read into it. The rule requires the judge to see the reason and then dismiss the case," he noted.

Asked whether Judge Garaufis could refuse the government's request, Salve replied: "It's a formality. If they refuse to give him reasons, he'll say, give me reasons. Once they give the reason... he'll say, okay... It's not for the judge to second-guess them."

Salve also dismissed suggestions that the latest order would trigger a prolonged legal battle. "There's no need for an appeal. There is a very small procedural order. The Adani group has nothing to do with it. This is between the prosecutor and the judge," he said.

Paul Rosenzweig, a former federal prosecutor and national security lawyer, agreed that the Justice Department is ultimately likely to prevail, although he characterised Judge Garaufis' order as more significant than an ordinary procedural step.

"Well, in the end, all the judges that have faced this question have decided that they really don't have the discretion to refuse the department's request to dismiss the case," Rosenzweig told IANS.

"The prosecutorial authority in America is vested in the executive branch, vested in the Department of Justice, and you can't force the Department of Justice to prosecute a case that doesn't want to prosecute. So, in the long run, the case will be dismissed, I think," said Rosenzweig.

Rosenzweig said the proceedings could conclude within weeks if the court accepts the Justice Department's explanation, but may take longer if Judge Garaufis appoints an independent lawyer to examine the government's reasons before ruling.

Judge Garaufis has directed the Justice Department to submit its detailed explanation no later than July 13.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York in October 2024 and unsealed the following month, accused the senior Adani Group officials and six others of participating in an alleged scheme involving bribery, securities fraud and obstruction of justice in connection with solar energy projects in India. All defendants have denied wrongdoing.

Last month, the US Department of Justice permanently dropped all criminal charges against the Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, in an alleged securities and wire fraud case.

"The Department of Justice has reviewed this case and has decided, in its prosecutorial discretion, not to devote further resources to these criminal charges against individual defendants," the Justice Department said.

The court then ordered that the indictment against Adani and others "be dismissed with prejudice".

In the police complaint filed by a local Bharatiya Janata Party activist, Sanjit Jana, it has been alleged that since getting elected as an MLA from Sankrail in 2021 for the first time, she started accumulating huge wealth through unfair means, like extortion, and has purchased huge property in the name of her husband and daughter.

However, as per the police complaint, she did not refer to those assets and properties registered in the name of her husband, Amit Paul, and daughter in the election affidavit for the recently concluded West Bengal assembly polls in 2026.

Priya Paul got elected this time as well from Sankrail, defeating the BJP's Barnali Dhali by a margin of over 16,000 votes.

"The current MLA from Sankrail had accumulated crores of rupees of property in the last five years, exercising political and administrative influence as the MLA for the previous ruling party. But the MLA and her husband came from a humble financial background. They did not own many assets before she became a legislator of the previous ruling party. The movable and immovable properties of her family increased exponentially during the last five years. But all these were not mentioned in her last election affidavit. Hence, I have filed a police complaint against her on this count. The police have assured me a proper investigation into the matter," said the complainant.

At the time the report was filed, there was no reaction either from the accused MLA or from any member of her family. There has not been any reaction from either of the two factions within Trinamool Congress, one with continued allegiance to Mamata Banerjee and the other united under the leadership of expelled party legislator, Ritabrata Banerjee.

In a strongly-worded statement issued on Monday, Ashoka alleged that the Congress government's "appeasement politics" has reached a stage where it is threatening the very existence of farmers. He claimed that reports indicating Waqf references being entered in Column 11 of Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC) documents have triggered widespread concern among lakhs of farmers.

Calling it "not merely a matter of record alteration, but a question of ownership, livelihood and the future of farmers," Ashoka demanded an immediate explanation from the state government.

According to the BJP leader, more than 1.80 lakh RTCs have already been marked with Waqf-related entries, while the process is reportedly being extended to nearly three lakh land records. He further claimed that farmers in all 31 districts of Karnataka could potentially be affected.

Ashoka cited district-wise figures to underline what he described as the seriousness of the issue.

According to him, Karwar accounts for around 73,000 RTCs, followed by Mangaluru with 48,000, Shivamogga with 38,000, Bengaluru South with 18,000, Kalaburagi with 17,000 and Bagalkote with another 17,000 RTCs carrying such references.

Addressing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ashoka said that if the reports are incorrect, the government should immediately place the facts before the people. However, if such entries have indeed been made in farmers' RTCs, he said the government must answer why farmers are being pushed into uncertainty over their own land.

Questioning the government's intentions, Ashoka asked whether farmers would now face difficulties in selling their land, obtaining bank loans or exercising ownership rights due to these entries. He also accused the Congress government of prioritising appeasement politics over the welfare of farmers.

"The farmer feeds the nation. Making the same farmer stand before government offices to prove ownership of his own land will invite the curse of the annadata," he said.

Demanding immediate intervention, the Leader of Opposition urged the state government to halt the entire process, review all Waqf-related entries made in RTCs and release a White Paper detailing the issue before the public.

"As far as farmers' land is concerned, there can be no compromise. If anyone casts an eye on the land belonging to farmers, the people of Karnataka will give a fitting reply," Ashoka asserted.

The Waqf land issue has triggered widespread political controversy in Karnataka in recent years, with the BJP repeatedly alleging that farmers' lands were being claimed under Waqf records, while the Congress government has maintained that no farmer's ownership rights would be affected and that any discrepancies would be examined in accordance with the law. Ashoka's latest remarks have once again brought the contentious issue back to the centre of Karnataka's political scenario.

"States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were once notorious for mass cheating and government-sponsored copying. Maharashtra has gone a step further. This new trade of government-sponsored 'paper leaks' is running in full swing. What else can one expect from those who plunder the donation boxes of the Ram Mandir?" the party said in an editorial in 'Saamana'.

Launching a scathing editorial in the party's mouthpiece, the SS(UBT) claimed that Maharashtra has emerged as the primary epicentre of the current mockery of education and students' futures in the country. With Devendra Fadnavis serving as the Home Minister, this ruinous state of affairs seems to be a trivial matter in his eyes. The roots of last month's NEET paper leak were traced back to Maharashtra, and now, the TET paper has been leaked. This is a public degradation of Maharashtra's educational apparatus, it said.

"This is not just an isolated incident; it is a dark chronicle of the failure and corruption of the ruling Mahayuti government. It reflects a monstrous labyrinth born out of corruption and a sheer betrayal of the younger generation's future. Such incidents, which tarnish the prestige of Maharashtra, are happening repeatedly. The state that historically laid the foundation for education and social reform in India is now being forced to witness its daily decline. It is as if progressive Maharashtra is being systematically dismantled," said the editorial.

The editorial further stated that in today's political climate, 'paper leaks' have become as normalised as the defection of MLAs and MPs. "Defecting legislators reportedly receive 50 crores each, while paper leaks destroy the futures of millions of youth. Given the gravity of the situation, Maharashtra's Education Minister has no right to remain in his post for even a single day," it argued.

Furthermore, the editorial remarked that CM Devendra Fadnavis has failed adequately in his capacity as the Home Minister. "The Home Department is being heavily utilised for political gains and to benefit the BJP. Maharashtra desperately needs a full-time Home Minister. If Fadnavis cannot do justice to the portfolio, he should voluntarily step down; but one wonders if such political morality is left among Maharashtra's ruling elite," said the editorial.

According to the editorial, half of the state's police force is currently deployed to guard defected MLAs and MPs. "The Home Minister seemingly considers the security of political turncoats far more important than the security of examination papers. The authorities have rendered students so helpless and vulnerable that they are left with no recourse. They are treated as if they can be easily crushed and disregarded. Consequently, even when TET exam papers are leaked, and exams are cancelled, these candidates can do nothing but sigh in despair," commented the editorial.

The Thackeray camp said that the TET is not just an ordinary exam; it is the fundamental stepping stone to becoming a qualified teacher. Yet, scams and malpractices have plagued the very selection process of educators who are supposed to shape the future generation. This serves as shocking evidence of how terribly Maharashtra's future has fallen into the hands of organised mafias.

The editorial alleged that this is a "well-entrenched racket consisting of the paper leak mafia, intermediary brokers, and corrupt officials".

"Such papers cannot leak 24 hours before an exam and circulate freely on social media without strong backing from the ruling dispensation. The chain behind the NEET paper leak shares links with the BJP, and those responsible for the TET leak belong to the same political ecosystem. The government now merely buys time under the pretext of conducting an 'investigation," it said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena said that the gang involved in the NEET case was active across Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, and Nashik, while Bhiwandi has emerged at the centre of the TET scam.

"Can Home Minister Fadnavis answer why cases of paper leaks are repeatedly concentrated in Maharashtra?" it asked.

"This is not merely an administrative failure; it is a calculated conspiracy to steal the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of the youth. While Prime Minister Modi sells new dreams to the younger generation during his foreign travels, the political machinery remains more invested in engineered political defections than in safeguarding the nation's academic integrity," noted the Thackeray camp.

The editorial claimed that the entire education system of Maharashtra stands deeply compromised. "Despite the scale of these offences, the lack of accountability ensures that the illicit trade of paper leaks operates without fear," it said.

"Maharashtra has, unfortunately, outpaced states historically criticised for mass cheating, establishing a systemic crisis of institutionalised leaks. When those at the helm fail to protect basic institutional integrity, the youth are left to pay the ultimate price," it concluded.

According to sources, the 20-year-old prime accused, Siya Goyal, made a phone call to her alleged lover and co-accused, Chetan Chaudhary, just 34 minutes before Agarwal was allegedly pushed off a cliff. Investigators believe the conversation could have been the final coordination before the crime was executed.

The revelation follows a detailed forensic examination of the mobile phones seized from both accused. Police sources said the final phone call has emerged as one of the strongest pieces of digital evidence collected so far and is being closely examined by the Pune Rural Police's technical surveillance team.

According to NDTV, investigators suspect that during the conversation, Goyal informed Chaudhary of her exact location at a viewpoint inside Lohagad Fort and confirmed that no other visitors were present nearby, allowing the alleged plan to proceed without interruption.

The probe has also revealed that the accused allegedly deleted months of WhatsApp messages, Instagram chats, and voice notes in an attempt to erase any evidence linking them to the murder plot. Cyber experts are now working to retrieve the deleted data through forensic tools.

Police are reportedly comparing the recovered digital records with location history, call detail records (CDRs), and internet IP logs to build a comprehensive timeline. The evidence is expected to play a significant role in supporting charges of premeditated murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the investigation, Agarwal was allegedly killed on June 18 after Goyal, who was engaged to marry him in November, reportedly decided she no longer wanted to continue with the relationship. Chaudhary has also been named as a co-accused in the case.

During questioning, Goyal's brother told investigators that she first met Chaudhary at one of his cricket matches. The two later reconnected through a mutual friend and gradually developed a close relationship.

Police sources further claim that the alleged murder conspiracy was finalised by the end of May. Investigators also suspect that an earlier attempt to kill Agarwal was made on June 14, when Goyal allegedly tried to push him off the same cliff. However, he reportedly survived after grabbing onto a bush. To explain the incident, Goyal allegedly claimed that she had accidentally pushed him while reacting to a snake.

Four days later, investigators allege, the accused made a second attempt. This time, Chaudhary allegedly followed the couple to Lohagad Fort to ensure that Agarwal would not escape.

According to sources, Chetan Chaudhary, had asked Siya to wait for at least three years for them to get married as he wanted to settle in his career. But Siya's wedding to Ketan had already been arranged and scheduled for November. The two then pushed Ketan into a valley at the Lohagad Fort near Maharashtra's Pune as a part of the conspiracy that let them "buy time", sources said.

While Siya's marriage might not have been discussed for the next few years due to the family's mourning, and she would have had the opportunity to live independently, Chetan would have focused on his career.

The investigation also revealed that Siya and Chetan had begun plotting Ketan's murder as early as February this year.

This will end a three-decade-long deadlock. According to official sources, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini will formalise the agreement after officials from both states finalised the framework during a marathon meeting held on Sunday.

CMO officials on Monday confirmed that Bhajanlal Sharma departed from Jaipur for Delhi at 8:30 a.m. "A ceremony to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction and implementation of the Yamuna Water Project will be held at Kartavya Bhawan-3, New Delhi.

The Yamuna Water Project will provide irrigation and drinking water to three districts in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region -- Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu. "The MoA signing ceremony will take place in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from the Central government as well as the governments of Rajasthan and Haryana," the officials added.

The breakthrough came during a two-hour meeting at Bikaner House in New Delhi, attended by senior officials from both states. Representing Rajasthan were Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Additional Chief Secretary Abhay Kumar, and Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Bhuvan Bhaskar. Haryana was represented by Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Agarwal and Chief Engineer Virendra Singh, while Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi joined via video conferencing.

Under the agreed framework, Haryana will draw water from several designated locations, including 10 cusecs from Danoda Kalan, 80 cusecs from Sarsaud Distributary near Nayagaon, 70 cusecs from Hindwan on Chaudhary Minor, 20 cusecs from Pattan on Sarsana Minor, two cusecs from Sega Narar, 43 cusecs from Peoda near Kaithal and 41.83 cusecs from Chandna-Manas Road near Kaithal. In addition, Haryana will have access to another designated intake point and will be permitted to draw water from one of the three reservoirs at Hashyawas as required.

The project will transport water from the Hathnikund Barrage to the Hashyawas reservoir in Churu district through a hybrid pipeline system. Since Rajgarh in Churu lies nearly 110 metres below Hathnikund, water will flow naturally through gravity for much of the route. Pumping stations will also be installed to ensure an uninterrupted supply during periods of low water flow. Instead of constituting a joint management board, both states have agreed to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement, operate, and maintain the project. The structure and operational framework of the SPV will be finalised in due course.

The Rajasthan government will bear the project's financial burden, while efforts will also be made to secure financial assistance from the Central government.

Officials said that once completed, the same pipeline network will also facilitate the transportation of Rajasthan's allocated water from the future Kishau, Lakhwar, and Renukaji projects.

Although Haryana had proposed revisiting water allocations in view of changing requirements since the 1994 agreement, both states have agreed to implement the original pact for now. Under the agreement, Rajasthan will receive 1,917 cusecs of the Yamuna water.

To facilitate the supply, three pipelines, each measuring 3.6 metres in diameter, will be laid from Hathnikund to Hashyawas. The proposed pipeline will pass through five Haryana districts, including Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Hisar.

Following formal approval of the agreement, land acquisition along the pipeline corridor will begin. Construction work will commence after tenders are floated and work orders are issued. The required financial resources will also be mobilised as the project moves into the execution phase.

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) The controversy surrounding irregularities in Ram Mandir donations intensified on Monday after President of the All India Imam Association, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, said that the "plunder of faith" is more dangerous than looting money.

Maulana Sajid Rashidi, while speaking on the Ram Mandir donation row, referred to past allegations and questioned the functioning of those associated with the temple trust.

He claimed that earlier organisations linked to the movement had also faced corruption allegations and said some individuals were sidelined in the process of forming the present structure.

Speaking to IANS, Rashidi alleged, "The Vishwa Hindu Parishad had also faced allegations of a Rs 1,400 crore scam at the time of the Rath Yatra, and Champat Rai's name was linked to those allegations. Some people say that those who had actually fought for the Ram Temple movement were sidelined, a new trust was formed, and Champat Rai was made as the director."

He further said that several Hindu religious leaders and members of the VHP had defended Champat Rai, citing statements comparing his character to purity under scrutiny. Referring to one such remark, he said, "Sadhvi Rithambara has said that even sandalwood trees can have snakes coiled around them, implying that Champat Rai is an upright and honest person."

Rashidi also questioned the transparency of financial handling in the temple trust, stating, "If a theft takes place in my own house, I would be held responsible. When not even a leaf could move there without Champat Rai's approval, how could a theft worth thousands of crores take place without his knowledge?"

He further alleged procedural irregularities, saying, "They say the cameras stopped working, there were mistakes while counting the money, and errors occurred while transporting it from one place to another." Concluding his remarks, he said, "They say Babur came and looted the country, but he did it only once. These people, however, have disrespected people's faith. This is a plunder of faith, which is far more dangerous than the looting of money."

In a separate statement, CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby called for restraint over religious disputes and urged focus on corruption allegations instead of escalating temple-related controversies.

He said, "We should not be quarrelling about Krishna Janmabhoomi or Rama Janmabhoomi. Those who are devoted to Ram, Krishna or any other God, Jesus Christ or Allah, Bhagawan Buddha, see they should have the freedom to worship all that."

However, he also alleged wrongdoing in the administration of the Ram temple trust, stating, "Now the key issue is in Ayodhya from Ram temple, lot of looting is taking place and this is being done by those who are heading the committee. Those people are from BJP and RSS."

He further questioned accountability, saying, "So, Yogi Adityanath should explain to people whether he is able to catch hold of all the looters or the actual looters are being protected and only some people are being made scapegoats. This is what he has to explain…"

These statements come amid heightened political sensitivity over the Ram Mandir issue and ongoing debates surrounding transparency and governance of religious institutions.

According to an official, Pankaj Kumar Rai was returning from a wedding ceremony in a neighbouring village along with his brother, Manish Kumar Rai, late Sunday night.

Near Methwalia Chowk, unidentified assailants riding three motorcycles allegedly intercepted them and opened indiscriminate fire.

Pankaj sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died on the spot, while his brother Manish suffered a bullet injury near his ear.

Both injured men were rushed to the hospital by local residents.

Doctors declared Pankaj dead, while Manish was referred to PMCH in Patna due to his critical condition.

On Monday morning, angry villagers and family members staged a road blockade with Pankaj’s body on the Chhapra-Patna main road.

Protesters demanded immediate arrests and questioned the role of the police in providing security to a witness in a sensitive criminal case.

The blockade caused long traffic jams on both sides of the highway.

The family alleges that the murder is directly connected to the 2024 killing of lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son, advocate Sunil Kumar Rai.

The father and son were allegedly shot dead on June 12, 2024, while they were travelling to court in connection with a land dispute.

According to relatives, Pankaj Kumar Rai and his father Ramdev Rai were important witnesses in that case, and Pankaj was scheduled to testify in court.

The family suspects that the murder was carried out to influence or eliminate a crucial witness.

Senior police officials, including ASP (Sadar) Rampukar Singh, reached the hospital after receiving information about the incident.

Police teams conducted raids at several locations linked to the suspect.

Authorities have detained two individuals for questioning, and raids are continuing to apprehend other suspects.

However, police officials have not yet officially confirmed the motive behind the murder and stated that all possible angles, including personal enmity, the previous double murder case, and other disputes, are being investigated.

Addressing the SP chief as "Raja Babu", Rajbhar alleged that one section of Yadav's supporters was "oiling their sticks" while another was "sharpening their knives and swords".

In the post, Rajbhar wrote, "Listen up, 'Raja Babu' alias Akhilesh Yadav ji! I know that one section of your supporters is oiling their sticks, while another is sharpening their knives and swords. We know that for the past nearly 10 years, you've been sitting there with resentment against us in your heart."

The minister further alleged that the SP was hoping for a return to power in Uttar Pradesh so that, according to him, its "goons-thugs-mafia, wearing red caps, take over the police stations".

Rajbhar also targeted the SP's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) campaign, claiming that its supporters were spreading provocative slogans. "After that, your people launch PDA campaigns across the entire state - 'PDA: The Ahir Will Beat You', 'The Minority Will Beat You' and KDA - 'KDA: The Ahir Will Cut You', 'The Minority Will Cut You'," he alleged in the post.

He went on to claim that members of several Bahujan communities, including Pal, Prajapati, Bind, Kevat, Mallah, Rajbhar, Nishad, Manjhi, Darji, Teli, Loniya, Fakir and Banjara, would be the "softest targets" if the SP returned to power. He further alleged that SP supporters would loot homes, seize land, incite riots and commit atrocities against women from these communities. These allegations were made in the post and have not been independently verified.

Rajbhar also claimed that SP supporters had been waiting for an opportunity to take over the homes and agricultural land of members of these communities. "Every day, they're checking the value of our houses and fields to seize them. Your supporters are the ones going around saying just give them one chance. Then they'll show you," he wrote.

Concluding his post with an appeal to voters, Rajbhar said, "We, the people of the Bahujan communities, will absolutely not give you the chance to get our homes looted, our lands seized, or our loved ones murdered. You lost in seventeen, got thrashed in twenty-two, and now in twenty-seven, we'll wipe out the SP. Mark my words and write it down."

The Samajwadi Party had not issued an immediate response to Rajbhar's remarks at the time of filing this report.

According to the RMC, an atmospheric circulation persists at an altitude of about 1.5 km above mean sea level, extending from Karnataka to the Kanyakumari Sea.

Under its influence, one or two places in the hill areas of Coimbatore district, besides the Nilgiris, Dindigul and Theni districts, are likely to receive heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

The weather system is also expected to bring moderate rainfall to several other districts across Tamil Nadu. These include Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet and Vellore in the northern region, as well as Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Namakkal, Erode, Salem and Madurai districts.

Meteorologists said the prevailing atmospheric conditions remain favourable for widespread rain activity, with scattered showers expected in many parts of the state throughout the day.

The RMC has further predicted that heavy rainfall is likely to continue on Tuesday in the hill areas of Coimbatore district and the Nilgiris, while rain activity in other districts is expected to remain light to moderate.

In Chennai, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy with moderate rainfall likely at a few places during the day. The city is forecast to record a maximum temperature of around 39 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 28 degrees.

The weather department has advised residents, particularly those in hilly and low-lying areas, to remain vigilant as heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds could cause localised disruptions. Authorities have also urged motorists to exercise caution while driving during periods of intense rainfall due to the possibility of waterlogging and reduced visibility.

Officials said local administrations have been asked to closely monitor weather developments and remain prepared to respond to any rain-related emergencies. Disaster response teams are on alert in vulnerable areas, while people living near rivers, streams and landslide-prone hill slopes have been advised to follow official weather updates and safety advisories.

The School Education Department has integrated the student parliament initiative into the existing programme from the current academic year, enabling students to experience the electoral process through campaigns, manifestos, voting and the formation of a student cabinet.

The initiative comes at a time when concerns have been raised over the limited exposure of young people to democratic institutions and electoral practices.

Officials believe the exercise will help students understand the importance of elections, leadership, accountability and collective decision-making from an early age.

Under the programme, every government school will continue to have five student houses -- Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal and Palai. Each house will have a House Captain and a Student Minister. While House Captains will be selected either through a draw of lots or by a show of hands, Student Ministers will be elected through a formal voting process.

The selection of House Captains is scheduled to be completed by July 3. Candidates contesting for the post of Student Minister will campaign on July 6, presenting election manifestos detailing the activities and initiatives they plan to undertake if elected.

Eligibility to contest has been restricted to students of Class 5 in primary schools, Class 8 in middle schools, Class 9 in high schools and Class 11 in higher secondary schools.

Polling will be held on July 7, with students from all classes casting separate ballots to elect one Student Minister for each of the five houses.

The elected representatives will eventually head five key portfolios -- Education, Student Welfare and Safety, Information and Communication, Environment and Climate Action, and Health, Hygiene and Sanitation.

These ministries will be allotted through a draw of lots among the five elected Student Ministers.

To ensure gender representation, co-educational schools have been directed to appoint House Captains and Student Ministers of opposite genders within each house. If a House Captain is a boy, the corresponding Student Minister must be a girl, and vice versa.

The newly elected student leaders will take their oath of office on July 10. Each house will also have its own flag, badges for House Captains and Student Ministers, a scoreboard to track points earned in competitions and school activities, and a designated teacher coordinator to guide and monitor the functioning of the student parliament.

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) A massive search and rescue operation is underway after a man allegedly jumped into the Yamuna River from the Delhi–Noida Direct (DND) Flyway in the early hours of Monday, prompting an immediate response from the Delhi Fire Services, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, officials said.

According to officials, the Delhi Fire Services received information about the incident at around 1 a.m. after a caller reported that a man travelling on a scooter had allegedly jumped into the river from the flyover.

When emergency teams reached the spot, they found the man's scooter parked on the flyway. His clothes and mobile phone were also recovered from the location, raising concerns that he had entered the river.

The missing individual has been identified as Ankit Sharma, a resident of Delhi's Preet Vihar.

According to preliminary information, Sharma was engaged in the business of buying and selling vehicles.

Soon after the alert, rescue teams launched an extensive search operation in the Yamuna.

Personnel from the Delhi Fire Services, along with divers from the National Disaster Response Force, have been combing the river in an effort to trace the missing man.

Speaking to IANS, NDRF Inspector Praful Kumar said the force received information about the incident through the control room during the early hours of Monday and immediately mobilised its rescue personnel.

"We received information about the incident through the control room at around 3:25 a.m., and local police informed us that this happened at around 2:30 a.m. As soon as we got the alert, our battalion in Dwarka mobilised immediately for the rescue and reached the spot at around 4 a.m.," Kumar said.

Providing an update on the operation, he said rescue personnel have been carrying out an intensive search in the river since their arrival at the site.

"The search operations have been underway since then. Our divers are searching for the man in every direction," Kumar added.

Officials said the missing man's family members have also reached the spot and are present during the ongoing rescue operation.

Authorities are continuing the search with the assistance of specialised divers and emergency response teams.

No trace of the missing man had been found at the time of filing this report.

Further details are awaited.

However, uncertainty prevails over whether the proposed Bill related to the Uniform Civil Code in West Bengal will be tabled or Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will make an announcement for the formation of a committee headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to finalise the blueprint of the proposed UCC Bill.

Although neither of the two possibilities has been officially confirmed by Assembly authorities or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sources aware of the development said the second possibility is more likely to come true. And, in all probability, the former apex court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (retired) might be approached to head the committee to be set up for this purpose.

After the Chief Minister arrived in the Assembly on Thursday afternoon (June 25), discussions started that the Uniform Civil Code Bill could be presented on the floor of the House on Monday. Even in his speech in the first half of the Assembly session that day, the Chief Minister had advocated for the Uniform Civil Code Bill. Later that night, he repeated the same words in a party programme.

After the Chief Minister's remarks, the BJP’s legislative party in the House started preparations to present this bill. However, no clear explanation was received from the ruling camp's parliamentary party team about whether it will be presented on Monday.

The BJP’s legislative party, after the Chief Minister's announcement, has set aside an hour for discussion on the Uniform Civil Code Bill. For now, the ruling party has decided that the Chief Minister will be the only speaker in favour of this bill, and later, the names of more BJP speakers may be added.

According to sources from the Assembly Secretariat, although the BJP legislative party has made such preparations, the business schedule prepared for Monday includes the other four bills. It does not mention the Uniform Civil Code Bill. As a result, there is confusion about what exactly the government wants to do with this Bill.