According to the Local Crime Branch (Zone-7), the accused, identified as Sultan alias Manoj Kumar, a resident of Fatehwadi area in Ahmedabad, was apprehended on Thursday evening during a special drive launched ahead of the annual Rath Yatra to trace absconding offenders and strengthen preventive policing.

"The city police commissioner and the joint commissioner of police had directed a coordinated operation to locate wanted and convicted offenders, particularly those involved in serious crimes, to help maintain law and order and ensure public safety during the festival," officials said.

Acting on these instructions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma instructed police stations and the LCB to prepare a special action plan using human Intelligence and technical inputs to trace absconding accused.

The breakthrough came while Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela and his team were patrolling the Zone-7 area.

Police said Head Constables Nashrullakhan and Mahendrasinh, along with Police Constable Irfan, received specific Intelligence that led to the arrest of the accused, who had allegedly fled from the court of the Seventh Additional District and Sessions Judge in Ahmedabad (Rural), after being sentenced.

The accused faces conviction under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(N), 419 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 4, 5(L), 6 and 8 of the POCSO Act and Sections 3(2), 3(5-A) and 3(2)(5) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The arrest follows other recent efforts by Gujarat police to track down fugitives. Earlier this week, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested a life convict in the 1992 Radhika Gymkhana massacre case who had allegedly remained on the run for nearly seven years after jumping parole.

Last month, authorities also launched a manhunt after a convict serving sentences in murder and POCSO cases escaped from Sabarmati Central Jail before being traced.

The case stemmed from a formal complaint filed by Shri Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.

All the eight accused, namely Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu were associated with the counting of cash and valuables received as donations. They were allegedly caught embezzling valuables on camera.

Here are details of the 8 accused, held over the donation row:

Ram Shankar Yadav

Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav is the key accused in alleged theft at the Ram Temple. His alleged links with Ram Temple Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai shot him into the limelight and added fuel to the controversy.

He is said to be a former driver of Champat Rai. Startling charges were made against him, with many claiming that he diverted temple funds to the tune of Rs 50 crore for building a lavish home.

Sources claimed that he enjoyed excess freedom in handling cash and chadhava, owing to his proximity with members of the Trust. He is believed to have kept the keys of donation boxes with him and acting arbitrarily, thus allowing siphoning of funds meant for Lord Ram. He repeatedly denied any role in cash counting, but his close association with Champat Rai also brought the latter under the scanner, with many gunning for him.

Rama Shankar Mishra

Rama Shankar Mishra is also among those who were engaged in counting of donations. He has been charged with hatching a conspiracy to siphon off temple funds. He allegedly got his son and son-in-law involved in the cash counting work.

Lavkush Mishra

Lavkush Mishra is the son-in-law of Rama Shankar Mishra. According to reports, a stash of cash was recovered from his house, when the investigation into alleged misappropriation began, some days ago. He is believed to be the key link in embezzling the temple offerings and disposing the stolen cash, offerings to safe location.

Anukalp Mishra

Anukalp Mishra is the son of Rama Shankar Mishra, one of the accused. He along with his father and brother-in-law Lavkush Mishra conspired to loot the valuables. He is also said to be connected with Trustee Anil Mishra.

Avinash Shukla

Avinash Shukla is one of the attendants of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, whose association with the accused has been established. According to NDTV report, Rs 5 lakh was recovered from his account. He is believed to be a key link in siphoning off funds.

Manish Yadav

Manish Yadav, nephew of Tinnu Yadav came under police lens after stolen money was recovered from his house as well. He was also involved in the donation counting process.

Subhash Shrivastava is a former bank employee. He was the supervisor of cash-counting staff at the temple and allegedly acted as a key pivot in embezzling the donations.

Karunesh Pandey, also behind bars, is said to have manipulated the receipts of donations to cover-up the wrongdoings.

Notably, the State Bank of India was authorised to count cash, offerings and valuables at the temple.

The states that are in focus are Assam and West Bengal.

The official said that the JMB feels that this is the right time to re-activate modules of the IMK as there is a major drive against illegal immigration.

The JMB through the IMK wants to exploit the issue and launch terror attacks on these two states.

The activities of the IMK have witnessed a steady rise on social media. They are spreading falsehoods against the illegal immigration issue and would seek to recruit those who have been asked to return to Bangladesh.

Officials say that many IMK recruiters have been moved closer to the border areas to tap into the illegal immigrants. They are in the process of setting up recruitment and radicalisation camps, the official also said.

The IMK has gone back to its old slogan: Radicalisation, Recruitment and Bayath (oath). Officials say that the IMK would not be acting alone when it comes to recruitments and radicalisation. They are seeking the help of some operatives from the Al-Qaeda and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).

When asked about the threat assessment, an official said that the plan is at a very nascent stage. The IMK and the JMB do not want to rush into any operation immediately.

However they are actively laying the groundwork for a major operation. Currently the border vigil is extremely high and hence any operation that they attempt now is bound to fail.

The idea is to build up a strong team of illegal immigrants. These persons are their best bet as they have lived in states such as West Bengal and Assam for a long time.

It would be easier dealing with these persons when it comes to logistics. Moreover, due to their long stint in these states, they would not have been coached about locations and other related issues, an official said.

While the IMK is primarily looking at illegal immigrants as potential recruits for their operations, there is also a heavy emphasis on getting Indians on board.

For this they have been identifying Indian members through channels that propagate Jihad.

Once identified, they are provided material that would pave the way for radicalisation. After they join, they are asked to take oath.

An official said that in addition to the illegal immigrants having local recruits, too, is very important for the IMK.

Using illegal immigrants immediately would pose a bit of a challenge. Moreover they are just being recruited and would require time before they are ready to undertake a terror attack.

Sending them into India at this moment would be harder owing to high security along the border areas of India and Bangladesh, the official said.

Given the situation, the Indian recruits would come in handy as they are already present in the country. Officials say that while the current focus of the IMK is entirely on West Bengal and Assam, in the near future they would look to expand into Tripura too.

An official said that the JMB would increasingly use the IMK for activities in West Bengal and across the northeast. The IMK was formed by the JMB with the specific intention of making it an India-centric terror outfit.

According to official orders issued by the Home Department's Prison Division, Sudarshan Prasad Singh has been placed under suspension pending a departmental inquiry.

The suspension order cites several serious allegations against the jail official, including failure to register an FIR after the recovery of cannabis inside the jail, allowing meetings between inmates and outsiders without proper authorisation, violating jail security protocols, misbehavior with prison staff and alleged assault and mistreatment of inmates.

During the suspension period, Sudarshan Prasad Singh's headquarters have been designated as Khudiram Bose Central Jail in Muzaffarpur.

The case originated from an incident on June 16, when jail authorities conducted a search operation inside one of the prison wards.

During the search, cannabis was allegedly recovered from an inmate identified as Ramesh Yadav, also known as Suman Yadav.

According to departmental reports, the Jail Superintendent directed the Deputy Superintendent to lodge an FIR against the inmate.

However, it is alleged that Sudarshan Prasad Singh failed to comply with the instruction and did not register the case. Officials treated this alleged refusal as a serious lapse in duty.

The Home Department's report further said that the officer permitted relatives and outsiders to meet prisoners inside his office without following established prison procedures.

According to the allegations, several visitors were allowed entry without mandatory security checks, and their details were allegedly not recorded in the jail's visitor register.

The report stated that senior officials had verbally cautioned him on multiple occasions, but the alleged practices continued.

The departmental findings also mention complaints from jail personnel.

Staff members reportedly alleged that the officer used abusive language and became aggressive when prison guards attempted to enforce security rules.

Additionally, allegations have been made that he physically assaulted inmates without justification.

These accusations will now be examined during the departmental inquiry.

The Home Department has initiated a detailed departmental investigation into all the allegations.

If the charges are substantiated during the inquiry, the officer could face further disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.

Responding to opposition leaders questioning why Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai was not named in the FIR, Alok Kumar said the investigation was not restricted to those specifically named and that all individuals connected to the case would be examined.

Alok Kumar said, "What does that accomplish? They are not outside the investigation; they will also be investigated. I mentioned the issue of 'small fish' and 'big fish'. The names in the FIR are based on the SIT report. But I am repeating this for the sake of the viewers -- 'and other persons' are included. Because of that, neither Champat nor Anil are outside the scope of this investigation, nor is there any such intention."

Speaking on the FIR registered in the alleged donation embezzlement case, the VHP chief said it was a natural outcome of the preliminary inquiry conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had identified certain individuals in its report.

Alok Kumar said, "It was a logical course. When these allegations started being made, the Trust told the government -- the Uttar Pradesh government -- to form an SIT. The SIT conducted a primary investigation. It has identified these people in its report and named them. Therefore, an FIR was filed, but not only against them. It is written there, as ...'and other unidentified persons'. Therefore, the investigation that will take place will be comprehensive. It will be against them, and also against those who are being accused."

"Regarding the talk of 'small fish' and 'big fish,' no fish is free from investigation. No one is being saved. We expect the police to investigate everyone. Senior officers should investigate, and it should be done within a time-bound limit, so that a decision can be reached quickly, and the process of sending these people to jail can be expedited," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested all eight accused in the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case, within hours of registering the first FIR linked to the alleged misappropriation of donations offered by devotees at the Ayodhya temple. The FIR followed a preliminary inquiry by the SIT constituted by the state government.

Earlier on Thursday, Alok Kumar had said an FIR should be registered immediately in the matter, stressing that any diversion of offerings made to Lord Ram's temple amounts to an injury to the faith of the Hindu community.

Speaking to IANS, Kumar described the matter as "sad and unfortunate" and urged swift legal action following reports of alleged irregularities.

Four persons were killed and nine others injured when a Multi-Utility Vehicle rammed into a stationary lorry in Palnadu district early Friday.

The accident occurred near Macherla Nagaravanam when the vehicle hit the lorry parked by the roadside. Four people died on the spot, while nine others were injured. Police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Government Hospital at Macherla.

Rescue workers had a tough time extricating the bodies from the mangled remains of the vehicle.

A total of 13 people, including the driver, were travelling in the MUV. The victims belonged to the same family from Hyderabad. They were on their way to Pamuru to attend the funeral of their relative.

The deceased have been identified as Kadiri Venkateshwarlu, Kadiri Sharada, Pidugu Sharada and Satyanarayana.

Macherla police registered a case and took up an investigation. The police were trying to ascertain if overspeeding led to the crash or the driver had dozed off.

In another accident in Annamayya district, three persons were killed, and six were injured in a collision between a car and an auto-rickshaw. The victims, belonging to the same family, were returning home in an auto-rickshaw after attending a local festival. The deceased were identified as Mubarak, Mehreen Bi and Wahid.

The injured were admitted to a government hospital.

Meanwhile, a lorry driver was burnt alive in another accident in Anantapur district late Thursday night.

The accident occurred near Budagavi in Uravakonda Mandal. A granite lorry caught fire after it lost control, rammed into a tree, and overturned.

The vehicle caught fire, trapping the lorry driver in the cabin. He was burnt alive while the cleaner managed to escape.

In Hyderabad, two people were killed in a collision between a motorbike and a scooty. The accident occurred on the AMB Flyover in the Kondapur area when the scooty was coming in the wrong direction.

The deceased were identified as Srikanth and Vithal, who were riding the scooty. The man riding the bike sustained minor injuries.

According to police sources, elaborate preparations have been made for the crime scene recreation, although the exact date and time have been kept confidential for security and investigative reasons.

Investigators said the reconstruction aims to determine how the alleged murder was carried out by the accused, Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary. During the exercise, police will attempt to establish the positions of Ketan, Siya and Chetan at the time of the incident, identify the point from which Ketan was allegedly pushed, and assess the trajectory and distance of his fall into the ravine. A dummy body will be used during the reconstruction.

As there were no eyewitnesses to the incident, the investigation is largely based on circumstantial evidence. Police are, therefore, examining every aspect of the case and collecting information about the events that took place before and after the alleged murder.

So far, statements of seven individuals have been recorded in connection with the case.

Among those questioned is Neeraj, an employee at Chetan's shop, who was detained and interrogated for more than 24 hours. However, police have not found any evidence suggesting his direct involvement in the crime.

According to investigators, Neeraj admitted that Chetan had used his mobile phone on the day of the incident, but claimed he had no knowledge of Chetan's alleged intentions. Police are now considering making Neeraj a key witness because Chetan allegedly left his own mobile phone behind and used Neeraj's phone to communicate with Siya on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, Siya Goyal's parents have publicly stated that if their daughter is found guilty by a court, she should receive the strictest punishment under the law. They also made an emotional remark, saying she should be pushed from the same spot from where Ketan Agarwal allegedly fell to his death. The legal process in the case is currently underway.

Police have alleged that Siya and Chetan pushed 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal from Lohagad Fort in Maharashtra's Sahyadri range, resulting in his death. The incident was initially reported as an accidental fall during a trek before the investigation took a different turn.

According to police, in her statement, Siya claimed that Ketan had told her that his family was influential and financially powerful, and that she would not be able to back out of the marriage even if she tried to run away. These claims, however, remain subject to judicial scrutiny and the ongoing legal proceedings.

Investigators further said Siya had allegedly made several attempts to bring Ketan to Lohagad Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated around 3,300 feet above sea level. The couple first visited the fort on May 31. On June 4, Siya allegedly insisted on another visit, but Ketan's mother did not permit it. Police claim that during another visit on June 14, Siya allegedly attempted to push Ketan off a cliff.

According to the investigation, Ketan managed to save himself by holding on to a bush. When he questioned Siya about the incident, she allegedly claimed that she had seen a snake and had pushed him in an attempt to protect him.

Police said Ketan was eventually killed during another visit to the fort on June 18.

Siya's mother, however, has claimed that her daughter did not wish to go trekking and that it was Ketan's idea. She further alleged that Ketan's mother persuaded Siya to accompany him.

Police said Siya met Chetan at a business meeting last year, and the two allegedly entered into a relationship in November 2025 while preparations for Siya's marriage to Ketan were underway. Siya owned a bakery, while Chetan operated a dry fruit business. Ketan was the Director and Chief Marketing Officer of his family's real estate firm, Success Group.

In the list of 15 deceased persons as provided by the city police, 13 persons have been identified; the bodies of two other males have been declared as unknown.

The last person to have died was Mannu Kumar, a 19-year-old youth hailing from Munger in Bihar. He was under treatment at the state-run S.S.K.M Medical College & Hospital in South Kolkata after being rescued from under the debris. However, he died this morning, confirmed an official of the city police.

All the 15 persons who have been declared dead in the matter are male.

Meanwhile, the city police have released a list of 18 individuals who are currently receiving treatment at S.S.K.M. hospital. Among the injured, 17 are male, and one is female. According to a city police officer, the condition of two of the injured individuals is critical.

Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police on the under-construction warehouse roof collapse at Taratala on Wednesday has revealed that a combination of two factors -- the use of poor quality construction material and adopting a flawed casting pattern -- prompted that mishap, which has already claimed 15 lives.

On Thursday, the Kolkata Police said they were unable to ascertain the exact number of workers present at the under-construction warehouse in Taratala at the time of the collapse, as no attendance record had been maintained by the managers.

According to the police, there was no workers' register at the warehouse and, therefore, there is no accurate count of how many people might still be trapped under the rubble.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari informed the West Bengal Assembly that the said construction was sanctioned by the former Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and ex-West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister, Firhad Hakim.

According to CM Adhikari, the sanction for the construction plan of the warehouse was granted on January 17 and bore the signatures of Hakim and the concerned KMC engineers who examined the plan.

The case was registered on the complaint of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following the recommendation made in the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said the government is taking appropriate action and those found guilty will face consequences.

Ram Kripal Yadav said, "If theft has taken place, it is unfortunate. The administration is taking action on the matter. Those found to be involved have been arrested, and anyone else found to be involved will also face action. The government's response is appropriate and necessary."

JD(U) spokesperson, Neeraj Kumar also supported strict legal action in the matter, stressing that misuse of public devotion and religious offerings cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Neeraj Kumar said, "…If someone commits a crime, they will go to jail. Devotees have made financial contributions and offered their service in the name of Lord Ram. If anyone misappropriates those funds, it cannot be justified under any circumstances…"

Meanwhile, Congress MP Jebi Mather sharply criticised the handling of the case, alleging delays and possible protection of those involved, while also raising concerns over the investigation.

Jebi Mather said, "It is a shock that even Ram Mandir is being looted, but the double-engine government is also trying to protect all those who have done it. The speed at which things are happening, it is very slow and it looks like somebody wants somebody to be protected; even SIT is in question. So this is again hurting the emotions, sentiments of not just one religion, but all those who respect every religion."

The FIR in the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case has triggered a political debate, with ruling party leaders defending the government's response and Opposition leaders questioning the pace and transparency of the investigation.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested all eight accused in the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case, within hours of registering the first FIR linked to the alleged misappropriation of donations offered by devotees at the Ayodhya temple.

According to the CBI, the case was registered on June 25, based on a complaint filed by an employee of a private company. It was alleged that the bank manager demanded illegal gratification of Rs 7,000 per loan file to process and clear around 19 solar panel loan applications.

The complainant alleged that after negotiations, the accused agreed to accept a total bribe of Rs 52,000 to clear the 19 loan files, which had already been sanctioned by the bank.

Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught the accused manager red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting a part payment of the bribe amounting to Rs 30,000 from the complainant.

The accused was arrested on June 25 and is scheduled to be produced before the competent court in Ghaziabad on Friday. Further investigation into the case is underway.

Earlier on June 25, the CBI held a coordination meeting with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Chief Vigilance Officers of public sector banks, IDBI Bank and Life Insurance Corporation of India here on Thursday on measures to expedite investigations into bank fraud cases, according to an official statement.

The meeting was attended by the Department of Financial Services Secretary Sanjay Lohiya, the CBI Additional Directors A.Y.V. Krishna and N. Venu Gopal, Joint Directors of the CBI and DFS Joint Secretaries Shalini Pandit, Ashish Madhaorao More and Manoj Muttathil Ayyappan, along with other officials.

"During the day-long meeting, several issues, including previous approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, awaited documents, bank fraud complaints, one-time settlement (OTS) issues, recent court judgments and issues related to mule accounts were discussed and deliberated upon," the CBI statement said.

According to a statement issued by the Special Cell on Friday, Shabir Ali was wanted in a 2025 MCOCA case being investigated by the Special Cell. Nine members of his organised crime syndicate have already been arrested in connection with the same case.

The arrest was made by a team of the Special Cell's NDR unit led by Inspectors Alok Kumar Maurya and Nitu Kumar under the supervision of ACP Ashish Kumar.

Police said that, acting on intelligence gathered through credible human sources and technical surveillance, the team apprehended Shabir Ali from the Shambhu Border in Haryana on June 14 and subsequently brought him to Delhi for further legal proceedings.

During the operation, police recovered one XUV and a scooty from the accused.

According to the Special Cell, Shabir Ali alias Shabir Chaudhary heads the Shabir Chaudhary-Hashim Baba-Anwar Chacha organised crime syndicate. The gang is allegedly active in the Trans-Yamuna and North-East Delhi regions, including Seelampur, Bhajanpura, Maujpur, Shahdara and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Police alleged that members of the syndicate have been involved in several cases of extortion, murder, attempt to murder, land grabbing and other serious offences. Investigators also claimed that some members of the gang have been operating from abroad, particularly from Nepal and Dubai.

The Special Cell said it has taken a series of actions against the syndicate in recent months. In one such case, registered as FIR No. 08/2026 under the Arms Act at the Special Cell Police Station, alleged sharpshooter, Sohail alias Alam alias Tohid, was arrested on the intervening night of January 10 and 11. Police recovered one pistol and three live cartridges from his possession.

In another operation linked to FIR No. 303/2025 under the Arms Act, police arrested two alleged gang associates -- Jasim alias Aalu and Jahangir alias Ikka -- on December 11, 2025. Four pistols and 14 live cartridges were allegedly recovered during that operation.

Police said Shabir Ali is a native of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh and allegedly entered the criminal world in the mid-1990s through his association with Haji Afzaal of Seelampur. He allegedly became involved in several incidents of firing, murder and gang rivalry across North-East Delhi and the National Capital Region.

According to the police, following the murder of his brother Shamim Ahmed in 2008, Shabir intensified his criminal activities. During his incarceration in previous cases, he allegedly came into contact with several hardened criminals, including Hashim Baba and Anwar Khan alias Chacha, strengthening the organised crime network.

Police said Shabir Ali has previously been arrested in several criminal cases, including one under the MCOCA, and has been involved in 14 criminal cases relating to murder, attempt to murder, extortion and other serious offences. He is also wanted in FIR No. 629/2024, which is being investigated by the Special Cell and is facing a non-bailable warrant issued by a Delhi court in connection with an Arms Act case registered at Bhajanpura Police Station in 2022.

According to the Special Cell, key members of the organised crime syndicate, including Hashim Baba, Anwar Khan alias Chacha, Zoya Khan, Sameer alias Baba, Salim Ahmed alias Salim Pistol, Harsh Pal Singh alias Rubal and Illiyas, are currently lodged in jail under the MCOCA case.

Kochi, June 26 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its investigation into the alleged CMRL-Exalogic ‘masappadi’ (monthly payment) case to examine whether Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. received undue favours from the erstwhile LDF government, even as it subjected T. Veena, daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, to more than 10 hours of questioning in Kochi a day earlier.

The agency is learnt to be examining whether the monthly payments allegedly made by CMRL to Veena's IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, were linked to benefits or concessions extended to the company by the state government during the first Pinarayi Vijayan administration.

Investigators reportedly suspect irregularities in the consultancy agreement between Exalogic and CMRL and are probing whether it formed part of a larger quid pro quo arrangement.

Veena, who appeared before the ED for a second round of questioning on Thursday after being issued a fresh summons following the Kerala High Court's nod for further investigation, arrived at the agency's Kochi office around 9.30 a.m., accompanied by her husband, Kerala Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas.

She was questioned for over 10 hours and is likely to be summoned again.

The latest interrogation came after the ED secured 134 annexures to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) charge sheet from the Company Court in Kochi.

CMRL's objections to handing over the documents were rejected by the court, enabling investigators to rely on the records during questioning.

Sources said ED officials sought clarifications not only on Exalogic's financial dealings with CMRL but also on allegations that the company received favours from the then state government while Pinarayi Vijayan was Chief Minister.

Veena is understood to have maintained that there was nothing irregular about the contract awarded to Exalogic, but the agency has yet to accept her explanation.

The case stems from findings of the Income Tax Settlement Commission that CMRL paid Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic between 2017 and 2020 as consultancy charges despite allegedly receiving no corresponding IT services.

Based on these findings, the SFIO initiated an investigation into the transactions, following which the ED registered a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During the first round of questioning, Veena was asked to explain the services rendered by Exalogic and produce supporting documents.

The ED had also inspected her HDFC Bank locker as part of the probe.

With the questioning of CMRL officials already completed, the agency is now expected to intensify its investigation into the financial trail and the alleged links between the payments and decisions taken by the then state government.

Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Chief Minister said the menace of drugs poses a serious threat to society and stressed that the government has been working consistently to dismantle drug networks operating in the state.

"Today, we mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a subject which our government is working on very closely with a relentless crackdown against drugs," CM Sarma said in a post on social media platform X.

The Chief Minister asserted that protecting the younger generation from the harmful effects of substance abuse remains one of the government's top priorities.

"We remain committed to preserve the future of our youth and save them from this social destruction," he added.

The Assam government has launched an aggressive anti-drug campaign over the past few years, with law enforcement agencies carrying out regular operations across the state.

Hundreds of drug traffickers have been arrested and large quantities of narcotic substances, including heroin, methamphetamine tablets, ganja and other contraband, have been seized in coordinated drives by the Assam Police and other security agencies.

The state government has said that Assam's geographical location, sharing international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh, while also serving as a gateway to the Northeast, makes it vulnerable to drug trafficking networks originating from the notorious "Golden Triangle" region. Consequently, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, combining strict enforcement measures with awareness campaigns and rehabilitation initiatives.

The observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 aims to strengthen global action and cooperation towards achieving a world free of drug abuse.

The day also seeks to raise awareness about the devastating impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families and communities while encouraging governments and civil society to work together in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, Sandeep Gill, said the probe team is working to ensure that all findings are legally sustainable and independently corroborated.

Sandeep Gill said, "A confession made before the police is not admissible in court. Therefore, we have to independently establish our evidence. We must corroborate the evidence and present it in a logical and legally sustainable manner. Our team is currently working on that. Whatever information we are receiving from the accused, relatives, and also circumstantial evidence, based on what we are proceeding forward…"

The case, which initially appeared to be an accident, has now taken the shape of a premeditated murder investigation. According to police inputs, Ketan Agarwal's fiancée, Siya Goyal and her alleged partner, Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, are suspected of having conspired in advance to eliminate him during a trip and project his death as an accidental fall from the fort.

Investigators are also examining CCTV footage accessed by NDTV, which reportedly shows Siya Goyal meeting Chaudhary at a cafe in Pune on June 18, where the alleged plan was discussed.

Ketan Agarwal, son of a prominent Pune-based businessman, had been engaged to Siya Goyal in February this year. Both families were preparing for a lavish wedding scheduled for November, which was expected to include high-profile arrangements.

Following the incident at Lohagad Fort, a security guard said he rushed to the spot after hearing screams and was told by Siya Goyal that "someone fell off the fort". The guard, Dheeraj Jadhav, said he immediately informed police and also heard her shouting "Help, help".

Police have confirmed that both Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are currently in custody. The investigation is ongoing, with officials stating that forensic analysis, CCTV footage, and circumstantial evidence are being used to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the motive behind the crime.

According to an official press release issued by the NIA on Friday, the accused have been charged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A), 1967, in a chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court in Guwahati, Assam.

The agency said in its press release, "The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against 11 accused persons in connection with a terror conspiracy orchestrated by an offshoot of the proscribed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorist organisation."

It further stated, "The accused have been charged under various BNS, 2023 and the UA(P) Act, 1967 in the chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court in Guwahati (Assam)."

NIA investigations revealed the active involvement of the accused in a conspiracy linked to 'Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK)' -- described as a manifestation of JMB, to expand the outfit's extremist ideology in West Bengal and the northeastern states, including Assam and Tripura. The conspiracy allegedly involved radicalisation of vulnerable youth, promotion of extremist propaganda, and expansion of the group's network in India.

According to the agency, senior JMB member Imam Mahmud Habibullah had established IMK to advance the banned outfit's agenda in India.

The press release added, "NIA investigations had further revealed that the 11 chargesheeted accused had conspired to grow the presence of IMK/JBM in India through clandestine meetings, religious indoctrination programmes, circulation of extremist literature, and use of digital platforms for anti-India propaganda. They were promoting allegiance to the leadership of IMK/JMB."

The agency further identified two key accused: Nasimuddin, who allegedly spearheaded IMK activities in Assam, and Jagir Mia, who was said to be leading the outfit's operations in Tripura.

During the investigation, the NIA said it uncovered incriminating documents, electronic devices, and digital records used to build the case against the accused.

The case, registered as RC-01/2026/NIA/GUW, remains under investigation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds and cloudy skies across Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India over the coming week. The monsoon is steadily progressing towards Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, raising hopes of respite from the prevailing heat and humidity.

According to the IMD, light rainfall is likely over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan between June 25 and July 1. Rain alerts have also been issued for western Uttar Pradesh, including Noida and Ghaziabad, for June 26 and again between June 29 and July 1. In eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal), light to moderate rainfall is expected from June 26 to June 29.

The weather office has also issued rain alerts for Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir during the last week of June.

The southwest monsoon is expected to strengthen further across the country over the next seven days, bringing widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain to several regions between June 25 and July 1.

The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Northwest India throughout the week. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to receive intermittent rainfall, with isolated heavy showers likely on June 25 and 26.

Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness a prolonged wet spell, with heavy rainfall forecast from June 26 to June 30. Punjab is also expected to see increased rainfall activity towards the latter part of the week, with isolated heavy showers likely on June 27 and 28.

Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are likely to experience widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy showers forecast on June 29 and 30. Similar weather conditions are expected in Uttar Pradesh, where rainfall activity is likely to intensify from June 27 onwards, with isolated heavy rain predicted through July 1.

Despite the IMD issuing a yellow alert on Thursday morning and later upgrading it to an orange alert, Delhi witnessed only scattered rainfall. The city's "feels-like" temperature touched 44.1 degrees Celsius at 5:30 p.m., even though the actual temperature stood at 38 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature for the day was recorded at 38.8 degrees Celsius despite rainfall and strong winds on Wednesday.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 39 degrees Celsius and 41 degrees Celsius until the end of the week.

Rainfall remained limited on Thursday, with only two IMD observatories recording precipitation till 5:30 p.m. Ayanagar received 9.2 mm of rainfall, while Pitampura recorded 1 mm. Safdarjung, the city's primary weather station, did not record any rainfall during that period.

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, the IMD retained the yellow alert and forecast very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms during Thursday night and Friday morning.

The weather office has predicted light rain, thunderstorms and strong winds over the next six days, except on Sunday. A marginal drop in temperature is expected from Monday, with the maximum temperature likely to settle between 35 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius by July 1.

The earlier PP in the case, Subedi Sanyal, has been replaced by Bivas Chattopadhyay, a public prosecutor with a sustained track record of ensuring speedy conviction of the accused in such cases.

An insider from the state secretariat of Nabanna said that Chattopadhyay has been given charge of prosecution in the case following the request of the victim's mother, Sabina Iyasmin Sheikh.

"In fact, she had requested the previous Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, a number of times to appoint Bivas Chattopadhyay as the PP in the case. She had also given a written request on this count to the previous Chief Minister. But for some reason or another, her request was not honoured," the state government official said.

However, he added that earlier this week, Sheikh met the new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari and pleaded for speedy justice in the case. "During the meeting with the Chief Minister, the victim's mother reiterated her plea for changing the erstwhile PP with Bivas Chattopadhyay. The Chief Minister agreed, gave the necessary instruction, and finally Chattopadhyay has been given the charge of prosecution in the case," the state government official said.

Tamanna's mother expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Adhikari, first for ensuring the arrest of five long-absconding accused persons in the case immediately after she met him and also for accepting her plea for appointing Chattopadhyay as the PP.

To recall, the minor girl from Kaliganj in Nadia district, who belonged to a family of CPI(M) supporters, was killed in a blast on June 23 last year.

On that day, the result of the bypoll to the Kaliganj Assembly Constituency had been announced, which marked a landslide victory for the then Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed.

Some Trinamool Congress activists reportedly hurled crude bombs at the residence of the minor girl during a victory procession, killing Tamanna Khatun on the spot.

Tamanna's mother, Sabina Iyasmin Sheikh, contested as a CPI(M) candidate from Kaliganj in the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly polls, but was defeated by Trinamool Congress' Alifa Ahmed, who was elected for the second consecutive term.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, the encounter took place near a tubewell close to the Khandrawali Culvert under the jurisdiction of Kandhla Police Station during a joint operation carried out by teams from Adarsh Mandi and Kandhla police stations.

The deceased accused has been identified as Mehtab, son of Manjura alias Baichen, a resident of Mohalla Alakala in Kairana town of Shamli district. Police said he was a history-sheeter with a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest and was wanted in several criminal cases.

The police action stemmed from a robbery and attempted murder reported at around 3 a.m. on Friday. According to officials, Narendra, son of Baru and a resident of Village Hathi Karauda under Babri Police Station, was travelling on a motorcycle along with his brother Nareshpal to irrigate their fields in Jalalpur village, which falls under the Adarsh Mandi Police Station limits.

When they reached the Jalalpur Cut on the Muzaffarnagar Highway, two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly intercepted them. Brandishing a country-made pistol, the accused allegedly robbed the brothers of their motorcycle keys, an Oppo mobile phone and Rs 180 in cash. When the victims resisted, the accused allegedly opened fire at them with the intention to kill before fleeing the spot.

Following the incident, an FIR (No. 150/2026) was registered at Adarsh Mandi Police Station under Sections 309(6) and 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against two unidentified accused.

During intensified checking operations across the district, police received information about the suspects' movement. Acting on the tip-off, teams from Adarsh Mandi and Kandhla police stations launched a joint operation near the tubewell by Khandrawali Culvert.

According to police, the accused opened fire on the police party, prompting retaliatory firing in self-defence. During the exchange of fire, Mehtab sustained bullet injuries, while Sub-Inspector Deepchand of Adarsh Mandi Police Station was also hit by a bullet.

The injured accused and the police officer were taken to the District Combined Hospital in Shamli. Doctors declared Mehtab dead during treatment, while Sub-Inspector Deepchand is currently undergoing treatment.

Police said Mahtab's associate managed to flee the scene by taking advantage of the darkness and the standing crops in the area. A search operation has been launched to trace and arrest the absconding accused.

During the operation, police recovered the allegedly looted mobile phone, Rs 180 in cash, the bike key taken from the victims, and the motorcycle without a registration number that was allegedly used in the crime. Police also seized a 9mm pistol with six live cartridges, a carbine with seven live cartridges, and eight spent 9mm cartridge casings.

According to police records, Mehtab had 33 criminal cases registered against him in Shamli and Saharanpur districts, involving charges of robbery, dacoity, murder and extortion. He was listed as a history-sheeter at Kairana Police Station under History Sheet No. 349-A.

Police said Mehtab was also wanted in connection with a robbery that took place on March 1, in which an assistant manager of Thanabhawan Sugar Mill and a Haryana Police woman constable were allegedly robbed in Lisadh village under Kotwali Shamli Police Station. A reward of Rs 50,000 had been announced for his arrest by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Saharanpur Range.

Legal proceedings in connection with the encounter are underway.

Speaking on the Ketan Agarwal murder case, Siya's father, Praveen Goyal, expressed grief over the death of the young man and said the loss was unimaginable for Ketan's family.

Praveen Goyal said, "What happened is a very sad incident. I still can't believe it. They have lost their son. I had so much love for him. I was so attached to him, as if I had started considering myself his son. Such a loving, talented, good boy, today we have lost him. As a father, I would say they lost their son; there's no bigger sorrow than this. A few days back, they celebrated Siya's birthday and dreamt of a better life ahead…"

Siya Goyal's mother, Pooja Goyal, also expressed shock over the incident and said justice should prevail irrespective of who is found responsible.

Pooja Goyal said, "When I heard about this incident, I was deeply shocked. I kept wondering how something like this could have happened. The grief Ketan's family is experiencing today is immense, but I feel even greater pain because two families have been devastated. Ketan was such a good person. If anyone is found guilty in this case, they should receive the strictest possible punishment, even if it is my daughter."

"If my daughter is found guilty, then the person responsible should be thrown from the very place from which Ketan fell," she said.

After Ketan Agarwal fell to his death from Lohagad Fort near Pune, which was later revealed to be an alleged murder, a security guard at the historic site revealed that the victim's fiancée and an accused in the case, Siya Goyal, was shouting for help and said that "someone fell off the fort".

Along with Siya, her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, is also an accused in the case. Both of them are currently in police custody.

The security guard said that he responded to screams, spoke directly with Ketan's fiancée, Siya Goyal, and alerted police without delay.

"I came running after hearing screams. I asked Siya Goyal what happened, and she said that 'someone has fallen off the fort'. I immediately informed the police," Dheeraj Jadhav said.

He added that Siya Goyal was screaming, "Help, help".

He mentioned that the fort has a 24-hour security presence, with a police station nearby, although network issues in the area can sometimes affect communications.

Responding to questions about what he initially witnessed, the security guard said he was in his duty area when he heard screams from a distance and consequently ran towards the spot.

Speaking at the eighth edition of the 'Sujal Gram Samvad' on Thursday, Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), stressed on ensuring the proper and timely delivery of potable piped water to rural households, prevention of water wastage and stressed the importance of regular water-quality testing.

Soan also highlighted that the drinking-water systems being created are intended to serve communities for the next 25â€"30 years, an official statement said.

"Panchayats must therefore focus on source sustainability and protection, timely operation and maintenance, prevention of water wastage, and strengthening local capacities for repairs and monitoring," Soan said.

He mentioned that, since 2019, India has prioritised household piped water, and today more than six lakh villages are being covered under JJM, which is an achievement made possible by active participation of Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and local operators (Nal Jal Mitras).

The eighth edition of Sujal Gram Samvad featured villageâ€'level interactions across five Gram Panchayat headquartered villages.

The Samvad recorded more than 3,000 participants attending the virtual interaction, reflecting strong engagement from communities and officials alike.

Soan encouraged continued efforts to accelerate such best practices and bring more Panchayats on board, so that similar models of transparency, community engagement and accountability can be replicated at gram panchayat level.

He highlighted that the Jal Seva Aankalan is a fact-finding exercise intended to identify service gaps for corrective action.

If issues remain unaddressed today, they will become far more serious in future, so to address this he urged the District Collectors to convene regular District Water and Sanitation Mission meetings and devote focused time each month to review water and sanitation matters.

The Samvad started by setting the context and sharing objective by Y.K. Singh, NJJM Director.

He said that the Samvad aims to listen to village communities, understand their experiences and learn local practices on Operation and Maintenance, and source sustenance.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on disaster management at the Vidhana Soudha, Parameshwara on Thursday reviewed the preparedness measures already undertaken by various departments and held detailed discussions on rainfall deficiency, drinking water availability, fodder supply for livestock and other drought-related concerns.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that global climate variations linked to a possible Super El Nino could significantly affect rainfall patterns across the state, leading to water scarcity and drought conditions in several regions.

He stressed the need for advance planning to minimise the impact on people and agriculture.

Parameshwara instructed officials to prepare district-wise action plans focusing on drinking water supply, fodder availability for livestock, agricultural management and water conservation measures.

He also directed that all Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats be issued necessary guidelines to ensure preparedness at the district level.

He emphasised the importance of continuously monitoring reservoir storage levels, groundwater conditions and water consumption patterns to enable timely intervention wherever required.

"The government must be fully prepared to respond to any natural disaster or drought situation. All concerned departments should work in close coordination and take swift action to ensure that the public does not face hardship," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also directed officials to expedite permissions for drilling borewells to meet drinking water requirements.

He said there should be no delays in granting approvals and instructed departments to work closely with the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department to address local needs effectively.

During the meeting, officials briefed Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara on the prevailing water situation across the state.

According to the data presented, 122 taluks are currently facing drinking water shortages.

Water is being supplied through tankers to 139 villages, while 789 private borewells have been hired to augment supply. In addition, drinking water is being provided from private borewells in 669 villages.

Officials told the meeting that efforts were underway to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply and mitigate the impact of any worsening drought conditions in the coming months.

Senior IAS officials, including Manoj Kumar Meena and Mullai Muhilan, were present at the meeting.

The searches, conducted on Thursday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are linked to the alleged tampering of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets in one of Tamil Nadu's biggest recruitment scandals.

The money laundering investigation stems from a Tamil Nadu Police FIR registered in 2017 after complaints alleged large-scale manipulation of examination records.

According to the ED, investigators found that scanned OMR answer sheets were digitally altered after the examination, resulting in inflated scores for select candidates.

Authorities allege that an additional set of 385 secondary OMR sheets bearing the names of the same candidates was prepared to facilitate the fraud.

As a result, 262 ineligible candidates were shown as qualified for appointment as Polytechnic lecturers before the irregularities came to light through public complaints, prompting cancellation of the results and a fresh evaluation.

The Tamil Nadu Police subsequently filed charge sheets in 2021 and again in October 2023.

According to the ED, the conspiracy was allegedly masterminded by V. Subramanian along with his associate Suresh Paul, assisted by technical personnel from M/s Datatec.

Investigators claim the accused operated through a network of agents and middlemen who approached candidates willing to pay between Rs 14 lakh and Rs 16 lakh in cash for guaranteed selection.

The illegally collected money was allegedly routed through mule bank accounts, proxy firms, including Trust Enterprises, Wisdom Enterprises and Suriyam Enterprises, as well as accounts belonging to relatives and associates, before being invested in real estate and jewellery to conceal its origin.

During the latest searches, the ED seized records allegedly detailing cash collections made by agents, carbon copies of OMR sheets relating to various government recruitment examinations, educational certificates belonging to candidates, and several digital storage devices believed to contain crucial evidence.

Officials also recovered cash amounting to Rs.13.18 lakh, froze 56 bank accounts and two Demat accounts, and seized documents relating to 36 immovable properties.

The properties have an estimated government guideline value of Rs.9.67 crore, while their market value is believed to exceed Rs 20 crore.

The ED said the searches were aimed at tracing the proceeds of crime generated through the alleged recruitment scam.

Further investigation is continuing to identify the complete money trail and establish the role of all those involved in the alleged conspiracy.

The searches, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are linked to the alleged tampering of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets in one of Tamil Nadu's biggest recruitment scandals.

The money laundering investigation stems from a Tamil Nadu Police FIR registered in 2017 after complaints alleged large-scale manipulation of examination records.

According to the ED, investigators found that scanned OMR answer sheets were digitally altered after the examination, resulting in inflated scores for select candidates.

Authorities allege that an additional set of 385 secondary OMR sheets bearing the names of the same candidates was prepared to facilitate the fraud.

As a result, 262 ineligible candidates were shown as qualified for appointment as Polytechnic lecturers before the irregularities came to light through public complaints, prompting cancellation of the results and a fresh evaluation.

The Tamil Nadu Police subsequently filed charge sheets in 2021 and again in October 2023.

According to the ED, the conspiracy was allegedly masterminded by V. Subramanian along with his associate Suresh Paul, assisted by technical personnel from M/s Datatec.

Investigators claim the accused operated through a network of agents and middlemen who approached candidates willing to pay between Rs 14 lakh and Rs 16 lakh in cash for guaranteed selection.

The illegally collected money was allegedly routed through mule bank accounts, proxy firms, including Trust Enterprises, Wisdom Enterprises and Suriyam Enterprises, as well as accounts belonging to relatives and associates, before being invested in real estate and jewellery to conceal its origin.

During the latest searches, the ED seized records allegedly detailing cash collections made by agents, carbon copies of OMR sheets relating to various government recruitment examinations, educational certificates belonging to candidates, and several digital storage devices believed to contain crucial evidence.

Officials also recovered cash amounting to Rs.13.18 lakh, froze 56 bank accounts and two Demat accounts, and seized documents relating to 36 immovable properties.

The properties have an estimated government guideline value of Rs.9.67 crore, while their market value is believed to exceed Rs 20 crore.

The ED said the searches were aimed at tracing the proceeds of crime generated through the alleged recruitment scam.

Further investigation is continuing to identify the complete money trail and establish the role of all those involved in the alleged conspiracy.

The figures were released ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, with senior state officials highlighting the results of anti-narcotics operations carried out across Gujarat during the period.

Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik said the state government's "zero tolerance" policy towards drug trafficking had been rigorously implemented on the ground.

"More than 3,700 cases related to the trafficking and trade of narcotic substances had been registered during the past five years, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of 5,346 accused persons," he said.

Malik said police had seized more than 1.36 lakh kilograms of drugs valued at over Rs 13,600 crore through a series of strategic operations.

He added that the action had "broken the backbone of international drug smuggling networks".

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said Gujarat Police's sustained operations had significantly disrupted trafficking routes. "Today, mafias involved in the drug trade are afraid to transport their consignments to other states through Gujarat," he said.

The state has also introduced measures to strengthen anti-drug enforcement.

Gujarat became the first state in the country to implement a formal "Drug Reward Policy", under which police personnel who expose major drug networks and seize large quantities of narcotics, as well as citizens and informants who provide credible intelligence, receive financial incentives.

In addition, the government has adopted a policy of granting "out-of-turn promotions" to police personnel who risk their lives while exposing international drug rackets.

Officials said Gujarat has also developed an artificial intelligence-based software system named 'NARIT' for profiling offenders and tracking criminal networks.

According to the police, the software analyses criminal records, financial transactions, international links and digital connections to support investigations and strengthen cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

As part of its anti-narcotics strategy, the state has established an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to target international supply chains and trafficking networks.

Local police stations have also been authorised to register and directly investigate narcotics cases, a responsibility previously handled primarily by specialised units such as the ATS and SOG.

Efforts are also underway to create dedicated anti-narcotics cells in every district to curb the spread of drugs in urban and rural areas, including remote villages.

Police data show that 315 narcotics cases were registered in Gujarat in 2020. In the first five months of 2026 alone, 584 cases have already been registered.

Officials said the increase reflected stronger surveillance and enforcement rather than a rise in drug activity. Sanghavi said the campaign was not limited to law enforcement.

"This fight is not limited to arresting criminals; it is also about safely rescuing the youth of the state who have fallen into the trap of addiction," he said.

He said the government had strengthened and modernised de-addiction centres and was providing counselling and medical treatment to help affected individuals return to mainstream society.

"The woman attempted to move from one platform to the other by crossing the tracks during peak morning hours, when the frequency of trains was at its highest. Fortunately, she was spotted by alert station staff and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel before coming in contact with the electrified third railway," a Metro Railway official said on Thursday.

Power to the third rail was immediately switched off, and the woman was removed from the tracks. She was then taken to the station master's cabin and questioned. She was finally let off with a warning.

The incident led to service disruptions as power to the third rails was first switched off and then switched back on after the tracks were vacated. Metro trains draw power from an electrified third rail that runs parallel to the tracks.

The rakes have specialised Third Rail Current Collectors (TRCCs) through which electricity enters the system.

The official said that the third rail carries a very high voltage of 750 Volts DC. If a person comes in contact with it, s/he will get electrocuted, with little chance of survival. Movement of unauthorised people on the tracks is totally prohibited. The official urged passengers not to step down on the tracks from the platforms.

While there have been several suicide attempts in the Kolkata Metro's Blue Line, the oldest link that has no platform screen doors, this is probably the first occasion when a person has got down on the tracks to cross over to another platform.

To do so, the woman would have to cross two electrified third rails. Even a slight miscalculation could have resulted in disaster. It would also have disrupted services along a long stretch of the network.

While most underground stations in the network have "island" platforms, with tracks running on either side, elevated stations or ground-level stations have dedicated Up and Down platforms. However, there are underpasses connecting these platforms.

The official added that passenger safety is paramount and that passengers should never get down on the tracks. They should use underpasses and safe passenger crossovers while switching platforms in the Metro network.

If a passenger enters the wrong platform, s/he should inform the on-duty staff, who will help them get to the correct platform.

A team of officials conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the facility and observed discrepancies, prompting the government to order a thorough examination of the findings.

"Any irregularity established during the inquiry shall invite strict action. Every hospital in Delhi is duty-bound to serve patients with responsibility and integrity, and there can be no compromise with a patient's right to timely and dignified care," the Chief Minister's office said in a statement.

The inspection follows a complaint lodged during the 'CM Jan Sunwai' programme, a public grievance redressal initiative launched by the Delhi government in February 2026 to provide citizens with a platform to raise concerns regarding government services and civic amenities .

The portal and mobile application allow residents to register complaints with various departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority, and Delhi Police, on a single platform.

The Chief Minister has previously emphasised that such public hearings are not mere formalities but meaningful mechanisms for understanding people's expectations and addressing them effectively.

She has directed officials to ensure time-bound resolution of grievances and has been actively involved in personally hearing residents' complaints, particularly from her Shalimar Bagh constituency.

Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, has been at the centre of a long-standing legal battle regarding alleged medical negligence in a high-profile case dating back to 2017.

The Delhi High Court recently ordered a fresh inquiry into the qualifications of two doctors associated with the hospital after a child suffered severe and irreversible brain damage during treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit .

The Delhi Medical Council had previously barred the two doctors from identifying themselves as neonatologists or super-specialists, pending an inquiry into their credentials.

The latest government inspection indicates heightened scrutiny of private healthcare facilities in the national capital, aligning with the Chief Minister's stated vision of making Delhi "the most developed health centre in the country," where every citizen has access to convenient medical services.

The inspection team's findings will be thoroughly examined, and the government has warned of strict action if any irregularities are found.

The Chief Minister has been a vocal advocate for patient rights and quality healthcare, having earlier stated that the government remains committed to ensuring prompt and transparent redressal of citizens' issues.

The victim, identified as Raghunath alias Sarju Khewar (38), a resident of Bhari village, was found dead on June 21. Following the recovery of the body, Chitrangi Police registered a murder case and launched an investigation.

After examining evidence from the crime scene and questioning several suspects, police arrested the victim's wife, Ramkali (30), her alleged lover, Neeraj Kumar Shah (23), and his associate, Suraj Singh Gond (22).

According to police, the murder was the result of a conspiracy allegedly hatched by Ramkali and Neeraj, who were in a relationship and wanted to remove Raghunath from their lives.

After cracking the case, SDOP Rahul Sanyam told local reporters on Thursday that the investigation revealed that Ramkali had developed a relationship with Neeraj while her husband was working in Gujarat.

"The accused considered the victim an obstacle to their relationship. They jointly planned the murder and executed it after learning that Raghunath was returning to the village," Sanyam said.

Police said Raghunath had returned from Gujarat on June 19 and was travelling to his in-laws' village to attend a family wedding. After being informed of his arrival, the accused allegedly put their plan into action.

As part of the conspiracy, Neeraj and Suraj allegedly called Raghunath to a roadside location on the pretext of consuming alcohol. Once there, they allegedly attacked him with a stone, causing fatal head injuries.

"The victim was lured to an isolated spot near the highway. He was killed by a blow to the head and his body was later dumped behind a roadside boulder in an attempt to conceal the crime," Sanyam said.

Police said materials allegedly used in the commission of the crime had been recovered on the basis of information provided by the accused during interrogation.

All three accused were produced before a local court following their arrest. Further investigation into the case is underway, police added.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had carried out extensive searches across Karnataka in connection with an alleged systemic corruption case involving State Excise Department officials, including a close relative of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the Bengaluru Zonal Office of the ED conducted searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on June 24 at 14 locations across Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi.

The raids were conducted based on allegations of large-scale corruption within the Excise Department and the alleged accumulation of disproportionate assets by government officials.

The key individuals covered during the searches included Excise Department officials Jagdish Nayak, K.M. Thammanna and Y.D. Manjunath. The agency also searched premises linked to their family members, business partners and close associates. Manjunath is the brother-in-law of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi.

The ED statement said: "The state excise department is running like an organized syndicate network of public officials, their associates and private individuals for collection of bribes; the network works like a well-oiled machine which runs on corruption money generated by various excise shops which pay a fixed monthly bribe to field officers.

"The money is also generated during renewal/shifting of licenses and also during issuing of fresh licenses. The bribe so collected is centrally pooled and distributed with the help of intermediaries and associates, who maintain an account of money received and paid in an unofficial cash book, which has been seized from one premise.

"The illegal gratification, which constitutes proceeds of crime, is further used by the individual officers for personal consumption, investment in properties and business activities.

"One unique modus operandi of money laundering detected during the investigation has revealed that most of the officers of the Excise Department have obtained liquor licences in the names of their family members and entities controlled by them and are illegally running liquor businesses.

"The income generated from these businesses is projected as having been generated from legitimate businesses, thus integrating the proceeds of crime into the regular economy.

"During the search proceedings, incriminating evidence in the form of digital devices, a bribe distribution cash book, property documents and other materials have been seized from different premises. The search operations resulted in the seizure of proceeds of crime in the form of cash amounting to approximately Rs 5.5 crore and gold jewellery valued at Rs 7.8 crore, along with foreign currency worth Rs 3.3 lakh, from the premises of Y.D. Manjunath, his driver, family members and associates.

"Therefore, the total proceeds of crime seized in this case so far amount to Rs 13.3 crore."

During the operation, ED officials reportedly recovered and seized several incriminating materials, including digital devices, property-related documents and a cash book allegedly detailing the distribution of bribes.

The agency stated that it had seized cash amounting to approximately Rs 5.5 crore, gold jewellery valued at around Rs 7.8 crore and foreign currency worth about Rs 3.3 lakh. The total value of the assets and valuables seized during the searches is estimated at approximately Rs 13.3 crore.

The ED said the recovered documents and digital evidence were being examined as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged money laundering activities linked to corruption in the Excise Department.

Officials indicated that further investigation was underway to trace the proceeds of crime, identify additional beneficiaries and determine the extent of the alleged corruption network.

No arrests have been announced so far, and the investigation remains in progress.

According to the statement, the raids were conducted at 14 premises across Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi in Karnataka. The investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Karnataka Excise Department alleging the collection of illegal gratification for processing and issuing various excise licences and the subsequent use of those funds for personal enrichment.

The information contained in the FIR was further supported by verifiable complaints and documents received by the ED regarding alleged money laundering activities involving the acquisition of movable and immovable properties, benami transactions and investments in businesses through family members and associates by the accused public servants.

Further investigation is in progress.

Bengaluru, June 25 (IANS) The daughter arrested in connection with the shocking triple murder in Bengaluru has reportedly told investigators that she killed her mother because she felt she had been treated "like a prisoner" for years, police said on Thursday. Meanwhile, police have intensified their search for her live-in partner, Kenneth, who remains absconding.

The case pertains to the murders of 55-year-old software professional Somasundar, his wife Muthulakshmi (48), and their younger daughter, Supriya (20), a college student. The three were allegedly killed by their elder daughter, Shwetha, and her boyfriend, Kenneth, at an apartment in Seegehalli under the K.R. Puram police station limits in east Bengaluru on Monday.

During interrogation, Shwetha reportedly claimed that she had harboured resentment towards her mother for several years. She alleged that Muthulakshmi had been extremely strict with her from her school days through college and had denied her personal freedom. Investigators said Shwetha also attempted to take sole responsibility for the murders, claiming that Kenneth had no role in the crime.

However, police suspect that both Shwetha and Kenneth were involved in the killings, citing evidence from the crime scene and the nature of the injuries sustained by the victims.

A special police team arrested Shwetha at Puducherry Railway Station after an extensive manhunt. According to investigators, the accused duo attempted to evade arrest by switching off their mobile phones immediately after fleeing Bengaluru. They also avoided using ATM cards or digital payment methods in an effort to remain untraceable.

With limited digital evidence available, police relied heavily on CCTV footage from highways and toll plazas. Investigators tracked the movements of the accused and found that they had travelled towards Tamil Nadu on a motorcycle. Police teams were subsequently deployed to Tiruchirappalli and Puducherry.

Officials said the pair travelled nearly 300 kilometres before their motorcycle reportedly broke down near Puducherry. While they were allegedly planning their next move, police teams tracking their movements gathered intelligence and arrested Shwetha. Kenneth, however, managed to evade capture and remains on the run.

According to investigators, the sequence of events began on Sunday when Muthulakshmi visited Shwetha's residence. Police said arguments reportedly broke out between the mother and daughter, and Muthulakshmi stayed at the house overnight.

Investigators suspect that at around 1.30 p.m. on Monday, Shwetha and Kenneth murdered Muthulakshmi. They allegedly planned to shift her body to Kenneth's rented residence in the HAL area but abandoned the idea for fear of being noticed.

Later that evening, when repeated phone calls to Muthulakshmi went unanswered, Somasundar and Supriya arrived at the apartment. Police believe Supriya was stabbed to death shortly after entering the house, while Somasundar was attacked and killed moments later.

The accused allegedly fled the scene before police arrived. Investigators later traced them to Kenneth's rented house in Gururaja Layout in the HAL area, where they are suspected of cleaning bloodstains from their bodies before leaving on a motorcycle.

Police have formed a special investigation team and are examining the case from multiple angles, including the motive behind the murders, the relationship between the accused, financial transactions, and the collection of forensic and circumstantial evidence. The search for Kenneth is continuing.

Under the scheme, Rs 50 crore has been allocated to social forestry nurseries across Gujarat to produce high-quality planting material.

The initiative focuses on developing local species using the 'Tall Seedling' method, under which saplings are grown to a height of around six to eight feet before being distributed for plantation.

Officials say the approach is aimed at improving survival rates and ensuring stronger growth after transplantation.

Farmers have reported practical benefits from the government nurseries, particularly in terms of cost and post-plantation support.

Raju Patel, a farmer, said government nurseries offer an economical alternative to private sources.

"If plants are taken from private nurseries, they are expensive, whereas here they are available at a lower cost. Also, if any guidance is required later, that is also provided," he added.

Another farmer, Tulsidas Patel, who visited the Rajbhavan nursery to collect Phalsa plants, said he had earlier sourced plants from the same nursery that are now yielding results.

"Four years ago also I had taken falsa plants from here, which are now bearing fruit and generating good income. It does not require much effort and gives good production," he added.

According to the Forest Department, the plantation drive is being implemented across various stakeholder groups, including farmers, rural women, tribal communities, self-help groups and general citizens, as part of a broader effort to expand participation in afforestation activities.

State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the current phase of the programme is being implemented at a huge scale.

"The Forest Department has brought a new scheme this year to make 'Green Gujarat'. Under this scheme, nearly one crore plants prepared in nurseries are being planted, with heights of 8 to 12 feet. The survival rate of these plants is 80 to 90 per cent. Earlier also such experiments were conducted, but this time it is being implemented on a large scale, which will increase the green cover of the state," he added.

Officials said that 423 nurseries across the state are involved in developing planting material under the programme.

The annual target is to raise around one crore plants, with a focus on improving quality and survival outcomes rather than only increasing numbers.

The initiative is part of the state's broader social forestry efforts aimed at expanding tree cover beyond traditional forest areas and promoting plantation activity in rural and semi-urban regions.

Alongside environmental objectives, authorities also expect the programme to generate local-level employment linked to nursery management, plantation and maintenance activities.