The Air India Flight AI-171 disaster occurred on June 12 last year when the London Gatwick-bound aircraft crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off.

The accident claimed nearly 260 lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years.

During an interaction with IANS, Hetal Prajapati said that she had married Mahesh Kalawadia just about three months before the tragic plane crash.

She complained of not receiving adequate help from the Union government post the tragedy.

"The government only keeps consoling us that they will provide medical support or financial support, but nothing of that sort has taken place. I was told to be career-oriented but so far, I have not received a response on any of the emails," she said.

Prajapati added that the past year has been extremely difficult for her.

"I had an accident in January leading to spinal fracture, because of this I am on bedrest for six months," she added.

The victim's wife underlined that in any such aviation accident, the concerned company and authorities have to respond within a year.

"But today is June 11, and still we have not received any information on the black box data or about any mistake on part of the Boeing company," she said.

She, however, added that the family has received a total of Rs 1.75 crore as compensation.

Prajapati appealed the Union government to release information regarding the black box data.

"We should also get the required information from Boeing company," she added.

She said that their advocate, who is based abroad, has been properly explaining the legalities of the case to the family.

"We don't have much knowledge about airlines but he is a specialist in aviation matters so we are getting to know about a lot of things like the probable reasons which might have caused the incident," she added.

The Air India Flight AI-171 disaster occurred on June 12 last year when the London Gatwick-bound aircraft crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off.

The accident claimed nearly 260 lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years.

During an interaction with IANS, Hetal Prajapati said that she had married Mahesh Kalawadia just about three months before the tragic plane crash.

She complained of not receiving adequate help from the Union government post the tragedy.

"The government only keeps consoling us that they will provide medical support or financial support, but nothing of that sort has taken place. I was told to be career-oriented but so far, I have not received a response on any of the emails," she said.

Prajapati added that the past year has been extremely difficult for her.

"I had an accident in January leading to spinal fracture, because of this I am on bedrest for six months," she added.

The victim's wife underlined that in any such aviation accident, the concerned company and authorities have to respond within a year.

"But today is June 11, and still we have not received any information on the black box data or about any mistake on part of the Boeing company," she said.

She, however, added that the family has received a total of Rs 1.75 crore as compensation.

Prajapati appealed the Union government to release information regarding the black box data.

"We should also get the required information from Boeing company," she added.

She said that their advocate, who is based abroad, has been properly explaining the legalities of the case to the family.

"We don't have much knowledge about airlines but he is a specialist in aviation matters so we are getting to know about a lot of things like the probable reasons which might have caused the incident," she added.

The Tata Group airline said that there is "absolutely no deadline or pressure" on anyone to accept its final settlement offer.

Gujarat's former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's daughter had alleged that the airline was exerting pressure on the families of the crash victims to sign legal waivers for getting compensation. The former Chief Minister of Gujarat was among the 260 victims who were killed in the crash, which took place merely seconds after the plane's take-off from the Ahmedabad airport.

In a statement issued in response to concerns raised by some families, Air India said relatives are free to wait for the official investigation findings before deciding whether to accept compensation.

With most of the interim payments having been disbursed, Air India has begun the process for final compensation and is engaging with families. Families or individuals have absolutely no deadline or pressure to accept our offer within a set timeframe, the statement said.

The airline also said that the wording in its Receipt, Discharge & Indemnity (RDI) document is intended only to ensure that compensation settlements remain final and to protect the airline from future claims, not to shield manufacturers or other third parties from potential legal liability.

Air India said in a statement that it has provided an interim payment of Rs 25 lakh (21,000 GBP) each to the families of the deceased to help address immediate financial needs.

Interim compensation has been paid to families of 96 per cent of the deceased. The remaining cases are primarily those where documentation is incomplete or where there are ongoing family disputes. Also, 94 per cent of those who were injured on the ground have either got one time full and final compensation or interim compensation, based on the nature of injury incurred and any loss of livelihood. The remaining individuals collected a form from the helpdesk after the crash, but have since not submitted it, the airline said.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran had announced ex gratia financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for families of all the deceased as part of Tata Group’s philanthropic commitments - a measure that goes beyond legal compensation requirements. Ex gratia payments of Rs 1 crore have been disbursed to 91 per cent of the families of the deceased, with the remaining cases primarily constituting situations in which documentation is incomplete or where families have declined to accept payment, the statement added.

The attachment was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on June 10, 2026, an ED statement issued on Thursday said.

The action stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Bhopal, against Jain under Section 13(2), read with Section 13(1)(b), of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The CBI case pertains to Jain allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, it said.

The ED's investigation revealed that during the check period from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, Anil Kumar Jain amassed assets worth Rs 3.01 crore â€" approximately 481 per cent in excess of his known lawful income.

A major portion of these assets came from unexplained cash deposits totalling Rs 2.35 crore made into bank accounts held by Jain and his family members.

Jain claimed these deposits resulted from the sale of immovable properties but failed to produce any supporting evidence or documentation.

Further investigation showed that these cash deposits were converted into fixed deposits (FDs), generating additional proceeds of crime. The ED also identified fixed deposits worth Rs 0.66 crore amassed as part of the disproportionate assets. Jain could not provide any credible explanation, justified source or documentary proof for the origin of these funds, the agency said.

The investigation under the PMLA further exposed Jain’s alleged connivance with hawala operators, including a chartered accountant, to legitimise his illicit income. This was allegedly attempted through the purported sale of immovable properties to M/s Excellent Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd., identified as a shell entity with no genuine business activity.

Jain claimed to have received cash consideration from the company’s directors, including Akhilesh Choudhary, who reportedly acted as a dummy director.

To prevent the concealment, transfer or disposal of these assets, the ED has provisionally attached fixed deposits worth Rs 3.01 crore, treating them as direct proceeds of crime under the provisions of the PMLA. The attached properties will be secured for eventual confiscation proceedings.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chandigarh Zonal Office, arrested Naresh Kumar, the then superintendent in the office of Director, Development and Panchayat, on Wednesday, the official said in a statement.

Investigation conducted so far revealed embezzlement of public funds amounting to Rs 645 Crore from the bank accounts of Haryana Government, Chandigarh UT Administration and two private schools based in Chandigarh and Panchkula maintained with IDFC first Bank.

Vikram Wadhwa is one of the main accused who, in connivance with Ribhav Rishi, Abhay Kumar, bank officials and government officials, embezzled government funds, said the federal probe agency.

Naresh Kumar allegedly received funds directly from the Swastik Desh Project, a shell entity through which government money was siphoned off, the ED said.

It was revealed during investigation that besides receiving government funds directly in his bank accounts, Naresh Kumar also acted as a key middleman in the diversion of funds and played active role in acquisition and concealment of Proceeds of Crime generated in cash, the ED said.

Naresh Kumar has been instrumental in generation, layering and concealment of Proceeds of Crime and he received Proceeds of Crime amounting to Rs 1.20 crore in bank accounts of himself and his family member, the ED said.

In addition, huge amounts of cash generated from embezzled fund have also been delivered to him, said the statement.

Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at six premises in connection with the ongoing investigation into the over Rs 600 crore misappropriation fraud involving IDFC First Bank/AU Finance Bank, officials said.

The searches pertained to the siphoning of the government funds in eight departments of the Haryana government and two of Chandigarh, that is, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and CREST Chandigarh.

The officials said that these search operations were carried out at the premises located in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Delhi-NCR, which include the residential premises of senior public servants of Haryana Cadre and Vipam Consultancy and its Director, in connection with irregularities committed and regarding receipt of proceeds of crime.

Chandigarh, June 11 (IANS) A 26-year-old male gym operator was shot dead at close range by two motorcycle-borne assailants in Haryana’s Hansi town on Thursday, police said.

The victim, Kapil, was conducting an outdoor warm-up session for trainees when the crime occurred.

The attackers fled the scene immediately after firing at least 10 bullets at him.

Kapil, who sustained gunshot wounds to the head and back, was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead.

Police officials said the motive behind the incident was still unclear. The crime was captured on CCTV cameras, and the footage and forensic evidence are being examined as authorities work to identify the suspects and establish the motive behind the killing.

Belonging to a village in Jind and the only son of his parents, Kapil had married Shikha just days ago. As per the police, it was an inter-caste marriage. However, his family has denied that there was any objection to the marriage.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Headquarters, Vinod Shankar, said Kapil had recently shifted his gym to the new site. Police are investigating to establish the motive behind the crime, he said.

A video of the crime showed two men, wearing caps and masks, arriving at the spot on a motorbike. The pillion rider, who had a backpack, got off the bike and opened fire. The first few bullets hit Kapil in the head and upper body, and he collapsed. The attacker kept firing before speeding away on the motorbike.

At least six people, who were exercising with Kapil on the staircase, witnessed the incident. Shikha, who was doing a warming-up exercise near the crime spot, also got pellet injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Hisar.

Teams from the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) and forensic units were investigating the crime.

Speaking to IANS, Khan Sir's counsel advocate Arvind Kumar Mahuar said: "Hearing has taken place on the bail application of the security guards after which the Magistrate has reserved its order and will be pronounced tomorrow."

Earlier, a Patna court had granted interim relief to Khan Sir by staying his arrest in connection with the recent coaching centre firing case.

The District Judge's court pronounced its order on Tuesday after reserving its verdict on Khan Sir's anticipatory bail plea following a hearing on Monday.

While the court has not yet granted anticipatory bail, it has directed the police not to take any coercive or punitive action against him until further proceedings.

The court has also sought the case diary and details of Khan Sir's criminal history from the investigating agency. The matter will now be heard again on June 30.

Seeking the case diary and the accused's criminal record is a routine judicial procedure while considering an anticipatory bail application.

Although the bail plea remains pending, the stay on arrest has provided major relief to Khan Sir, who had been facing the possibility of immediate police action.

An FIR was registered against Khan Sir, his two arrested security guards and other unidentified persons in connection with the June 2 disturbance at a coaching institute in Patna's Kadamkuan area.

Police sources said that during questioning, the two arrested bodyguards allegedly told investigators that they fired their .315-bore rifles on the instructions of Faisal Khan.

Following the incident, police also arrested Roshan Anand, the owner of Gyan Bindu Coaching Institute, and sent him to judicial custody.

Anand's bail plea was earlier denied by a Patna court.

The deceased has been identified as Tasleem, who lived with his family in Loni's Ashiyana City and worked at a salon. His family members alleged that the victim was killed due to an old rivalry.

According to a complaint filed by the victim's father at the Loni Police Station, some youths called Tasleem out of the house around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The accused allegedly took him near a shrine ('mazar') in Malik City, where they first assaulted and then stabbed him multiple times.

The deceased's family members said that Tasleem sustained more than seven stab wounds.

Upon receiving information about the incident, relatives rushed to the spot and found him lying in a critically injured condition. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The news of the youth's death plunged the family into grief.

The family has named four individuals in the complaint and accused them of murder.

The police have registered a case and are conducting raids to arrest the accused.

Loni Assistant Commissioner of Police, Siddharth Gautam, said: "An FIR in the case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Teams have been formed to nab the accused."

The police official added that the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

He also said that the case is being investigated from all angles, and the accused will be arrested soon.

The victim's family has reportedly claimed that Tasleem's brother had also been murdered in the past, further strengthening the suspicion of an old enmity. Police are examining this angle as part of the investigation.

Observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, the apex human rights body has issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The NHRC said the report is expected to include the status of the health of the injured workers and details regarding the payment of ex gratia compensation to them as well as to the next of kin of the deceased workers.

According to the media report, the incident occurred on Monday in the steel melting shop of the plant when a ladle carrying around 150 tonnes of liquid steel at a temperature of about 1,600 degrees Celsius suddenly exploded.

Reportedly, the explosion caused molten steel to spill across the shop floor, resulting in severe burn injuries to workers present at the site.

The workers' union has alleged that the management ignored prescribed safety protocols, leading to the fatal accident.

The death toll in the incident has risen to nine after an injured contract worker, identified as Pydiraju, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Officials said five injured workers continue to undergo treatment at two hospitals, with one of them reported to have suffered critical burn injuries.

Following a visit to the accident site, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh each and a job in the plant for a family member of every worker who lost his life in the accident. He also announced Rs 10 lakh compensation each for workers undergoing treatment in intensive care units.

The Deputy Chief Minister further said that permanent employees' families would receive benefits amounting to Rs 1.72 crore under retirement-related provisions, while contract workers' families would receive Rs 45.75 lakh. He added that the plant management would bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured workers and that a three-member committee from the Bokaro Steel Plant would conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.

YSRCP President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded an additional ex gratia of Rs 1 crore for the families of those killed in the accident, over and above the compensation and statutory benefits already announced. He also sought employment for a family member of each deceased worker and called for a resolution in the state Assembly opposing the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Jagan Mohan Reddy, who visited the injured workers at a hospital, said the compensation package being highlighted by the government largely comprised insurance and other benefits due to employees and urged the state government to provide additional humanitarian assistance to the affected families.

Medicinal drugs worth Rs. 5.51 lakh, stocked for sale at the unlicensed premises, were seized during the raid, a DCA release said.

Officials of the DCA, acting on credible information regarding the illegal sale of medicines, raided the medical shop in Choppadandi village, Choppadandi Mandal in Karimnagar district, on Wednesday.

Mallarapu Akhil was running a medical shop at the said premises illegally, without a drug license.

During the raid, DCA officers detected the unauthorised stocking of a large quantity of medicines for sale. A total of 28 varieties of medicines, including in vitro diagnostic test kits, antibiotics, IV fluids, analgesics, and other drugs, were found stocked for sale at the premises and seized.

DCA officers collected the samples for analysis. Further investigation shall be carried out, and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.

The DCA said that wholesalers/dealers who supply medicines to such unlicensed shops, which are stocking and selling drugs without a drug license, are also punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and stringent action shall be taken against such wholesalers/dealers. Wholesalers/dealers shall mandatorily ensure that the recipient entities hold a valid drug license before supplying medicines to them.

DCA issues drug licenses for the stocking and selling of medicines in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Stocking drugs for sale without a drug license is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years.

The DCA advised people to avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed sources and never to buy medicines from unregulated websites or other online platforms. Purchasing medicines from such sources significantly increases the risk to public health, as they are unregulated. It is advisable to purchase medicines only from licensed medical shops, which typically display their drug licenses, issued by the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, conspicuously in a prominent place that is easily visible to the public, it added.

The extradition was secured through cooperation between the governments of India and Georgia.

Garg, who belongs to Naraingarh town in Ambala district, was the leader of the Vainket Garg Gang, comprising 53 members.

"The gang has been involved in murder, targeted killings, attempt to murder, extortion, organised crime and illegal use of firearms across Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Panchkula and Chandigarh," the STF added.

Garg is a proclaimed offender and a hardened criminal involved in 34 criminal cases registered in Haryana and Chandigarh.

Prior to fleeing India, 23 criminal cases had already been registered against him.

Even after escaping abroad, he continued to operate his criminal network through gang associates, resulting in 11 additional criminal cases involving murder, attempt to murder, extortion, organised crime and Arms Act violations.

Major criminal incidents attributed to the gang include the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Harbilas Singh Rajjumajra in Naraingarh and multiple extortion-related firing incidents in Ambala and Yamunanagar districts.

Investigation conducted by STF Haryana revealed that Garg fled India on December 10, 2024, from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to the United Arab Emirates and subsequently travelled to Georgia on January 26, 2025.

During investigation, it was found that he had fraudulently obtained Passport No C5605892 by using a false residential address at Apartment number-1502, Tower number-5 at Pyramid Urban Homes 67 in Gurugram's Sector-67.

To facilitate his return to India, STF Haryana initiated multiple legal and international measures, including issuance of Look Out Circulars (LOCs), an Interpol Red Corner Notice, declaration of the accused as a proclaimed offender and procurement of six open-dated arrest warrants through competent courts.

Subsequently, information regarding the presence of the fugitive in Georgia was received through international law enforcement channels, leading to the initiation of extradition proceedings.

The extradition was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the National Central Bureau (NCB), the Embassy of India in Georgia, and the Embassy of India in Kazakhstan.

The deceased child has been identified as Daksha, the second son of Prashanth and Suchitra. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Heranjalu village of Chantara in Brahmavar taluk.

According to the police, Suchitra was on her way to a school to drop off her six-year-old elder son. She was holding the elder child's hand and carrying Daksha on her shoulder. While Daksha was asleep on her shoulder, a coconut suddenly fell from a tree and struck him on the head, causing severe injuries.

The child was immediately rushed to a hospital in Manipal with the help of local residents. However, despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries.

The untimely death of the toddler has left the entire village in grief, with residents mourning the tragic loss. The Brahmavar Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.

It may be recalled that in the first week of June, a 3-year-old boy tragically died after he climbed into a parked car’s boot while playing, got locked inside, and suffocated. The incident was reported from Tonasanahalli (S) village of Shahabad taluk in Kalaburagi district.

The deceased, Basavaprabhu, was the only son of Kottureshwara Swami. The pontiff has two daughters. The child, while playing with other children, went into the boot of the car parked in front of the house. Later, the door was locked accidentally. The family members searched for the child for a few hours. Later, they searched the car and its boot after getting suspicious and found the boy dead inside due to suffocation.

A 2.5-year-old boy in the Byadarahalli area of Bengaluru drowned after falling into an uncovered water sump while his father was washing a car in March, 2026.

In February 2026, a 2-year-old boy riding in the front of his parents' two-wheeler fell off due to a bad stretch of road in Mahadevapura and was fatally run over by a car.

A 3-year-old girl died when traffic police aggressively stopped the motorcycle her parents were using to rush her to the hospital, causing her to fall and be run over by a tempo.

Simdega (Jharkhand), June 11 (IANS) At least five people, including a couple and their three children, were killed and four others were seriously injured in a horrific road accident in Jharkhand’s Simdega district on Thursday, officials said.

The incident occurred near Agharma on the Gumla-Simdega road under Kolebira police station limits, when a Scorpio vehicle went out of control and crashed. A total of nine people were travelling in the vehicle.

According to reports, the passengers were on their way from Lohardaga to Lasia to attend a family function when the driver lost control near Agharma, leading to the accident.

The impact of the crash was severe, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.

Panic gripped the spot following the accident. Local residents rushed to the site and initiated rescue efforts. They helped evacuate the injured from the vehicle. With police assistance, all the injured were later shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Preliminary information suggests that the deceased included a husband, his wife and their three children, while four others sustained serious injuries.

However, officials said that detailed information regarding the identities of the victims and the exact death toll was yet to be officially confirmed at the time of the writing of this report.

Police and administrative officials reached the spot soon after receiving information and supervised relief and rescue operations. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

Meanwhile, Simdega MLA Bhushan Bara and Zila Parishad member Josima Khakha also visited the accident site, reviewed the relief work, and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Bara has urged the administration to provide compensation and other government assistance to the victims’ families as per norms.

Local residents alleged that despite being informed, the ambulance did not reach the spot on time, causing delays in providing immediate medical aid to the injured.

The police have also recovered 30.045 kg of heroin from their possession

Those arrested have been identified as Gautam (24), Kabir, alias Kaku (22), Sameer, alias Sabarwal (18), Gurpreet Singh, alias Keeda (18), and two juveniles. Accused Kabir has a criminal background and was previously involved in a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case registered at the police station in Chheharta.

Apart from recovering the drug consignment, police teams have also recovered their motorcycle, which they were using for the smuggling of narcotics.

DGP Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were linked to a Dubai-based smuggler who was facilitating the supply of heroin consignments from across the border. Acting on his directions, the accused were retrieving the consignments from designated locations and further distributing them to various recipients across the state.

The DGP said further investigation is underway to identify other associates involved in the network and trace the financial trail to uncover possible hawala connections.

Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (Amritsar) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that acting on specific intelligence, police teams apprehended accused Gautam along with his two juvenile accomplices and recovered 30.045 kg heroin from their possession.

On the disclosure of accused Gautam, three more accused -- Kabir, Sameer and Gurpreet Singh -- were arrested, he said.

The Police Commissioner said that the probe has revealed that the Dubai-based smuggler is the mastermind of this drug trafficking module and has been wanted in three major NDPS cases, including the 42 kg heroin recovery case and the 10 kg ICE recovery case.

Operating from Dubai, he was luring young individuals, including juveniles, with monetary incentives and using them to retrieve, transport and distribute drug consignments on his behalf, Bhullar added.

The incident took place in the afternoon when the tanker, moving downhill on the bridge, allegedly lost control due to brake failure. Panic spread among commuters as the tanker hurtled towards traffic before colliding with several cars and motorcycles.

"The preliminary investigation suggests the accident was caused by brake failure. The tanker hit three to four cars and two motorcycles on the bridge," a senior official from the local police station said.

Eyewitnesses said the driver attempted to steer the tanker towards the footpath after realising that the brakes had failed. The vehicle came to a halt after hitting the pavement, preventing further damage.

"Had the driver not turned the tanker towards the footpath, many more vehicles could have been hit. The situation could have been much worse," an eyewitness told reporters at the scene.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Soon after the collision, angry locals gathered at the spot and vandalised the tanker. Police reached the site and brought the situation under control.

"The driver fled the scene immediately after the accident. We have registered a case and efforts are on to trace him," the police official said.

The impact of the collision left a few cars and two motorcycles damaged. The front portions of several vehicles were crushed, and broken glass was scattered across the road, disrupting traffic for nearly an hour.

Residents alleged that a poorly maintained vehicle was being operated on city roads.

"A vehicle in such condition should not have been allowed to run. It put many lives at risk," a local resident said.

Police said the tanker has been seized and will be sent for a mechanical inspection to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh enhanced compensation payable to the family of a woman who died in a road accident in Haryana in 2001, raising it from Rs 8.43 lakh to Rs 62.77 lakh, and laid down guidelines for assessing compensation in cases involving homemakers.

Allowing an appeal filed by the legal heirs of the deceased woman, the apex court held that the contribution of a homemaker extends far beyond conventional monetary measures and has long been undervalued in compensation jurisprudence.

Observing that the role of a homemaker is foundational to families and society, the top court remarked: "The 'homemakers', to put it directly, actually are the 'nation builders' and they ought to be recognised as such."

The case arose from a motor accident on November 25, 2001, in which a woman lost her life while travelling from Sirsa to Fatehabad. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal had awarded Rs 2.42 lakh in compensation in 2003, which was later enhanced by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to Rs 8.43 lakh in December 2024.

Still dissatisfied, the claimants approached the Supreme Court seeking further enhancement.

In its order, the Justice Karol-led Bench recorded that assessing the contribution of homemakers solely through notional income figures often results in inadequate compensation.

"To measure the contributions of a homemaker and mother... in strictly monetary terms is a task of considerable difficulty," the apex court said.

Noting that compensation calculations based on historically low notional income figures "grossly undervalue" the role of homemakers, the apex court introduced a new compensation head called "loss of domestic care".

Under the judgment, a composite sum of Rs 30,000 per month will be treated as the basic minimum monthly income of a homemaker for compensation purposes, where she has no independent monetary earnings. The amount will be revised upward by 10 per cent every three years.

"This amount of Rs 30,000, i.e., loss of domestic care, is to be taken as a 'stand-in' (basic minimum monthly income) for monthly income in those cases where the homemaker does not have an input into the house, in strictly conventional, monetary terms," the Supreme Court held.

Applying the principle to the present case, the apex court recalculated compensation by treating Rs 30,000 as the deceased homemaker's monthly contribution and enhanced the total compensation payable to Rs 62.77 lakh.

Apart from the issue of compensation, the judgment expressed concern over delays in the disposal of motor accident claims. Examining over a hundred motor accident compensation appeals decided by the Supreme Court, the Justice Karol-led Bench found that the average pendency in High Courts was approximately eight years, while claims remained pending before tribunals for about six years on average.

"The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to state the obvious, is a beneficial legislation aimed at providing just and fair compensation. Both of these salutary values are denuded by long pendency," the apex court said.

The bench requested Chief Justices of all High Courts to prioritise listing long-pending motor accident claim appeals and consider increasing the number of benches handling such matters where necessary. It also directed that claim petitions should be accompanied by relevant documents such as proof of age, income records, disability certificates, and medical bills to minimise delays caused by repeated adjournments.

A copy of the judgment has been directed to be sent to all High Courts for compliance and circulation among Motor Accident Claims Tribunals.

--IANS

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The incident occurred at the ATS Picturesque Reprieve project in Sector 152 under the Knowledge Park police station limits.

The workers were engaged in shuttering work on Tower-23 when they fell from a height after their safety belts reportedly snapped.

Both men sustained critical injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead during treatment.

The deceased have been identified as Raisul Haq (24), son of Badiur Jamal, and Abdul Samad (45), son of Sadat Rahman. Both were residents of West Bengal and were working as labourers at the construction sites in Greater Noida.

Police officials reached the spot soon after receiving information and inspected the site. A probe has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.

They said initial findings suggest that the accident was triggered by the failure of safety belts, though all angles are being examined.

The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.

Police said an FIR would be registered under relevant sections based on the complaint filed by the families of the deceased, and the entire matter would be investigated from all angles.

The incident has raised concerns over safety standards at construction sites, particularly regarding the quality and regular inspection of protective gear used by workers at high-rise projects.

Other construction workers working at the site have alleged that adequate safety measures were not in place, which led to the accident that claimed the lives of the two workers.

This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Just a few months ago, two labourers were killed after scaffolding collapsed from a construction site in Sector-142, Noida.

According to the advisory issued by the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Home Ministry, cyber fraudsters are increasingly leveraging advanced AI tools to generate realistic digital impersonations capable of deceiving authentication systems.

"These technologies may be exploited to bypass facial authentication, liveness verification, Video-KYC, account recovery, and unauthorised access to financial and digital services. Fraudsters may attempt to gain unauthorised access to accounts by using facial recordings obtained through deceptive video calls, fake online job interviews or social engineering tactics," the advisory read.

Elaborating on the pattern observed in such cybercrimes, the NCTAU outlined a multi-stage modus operandi employed by fraudsters. The process often begins with an initial approach through social media networks, messaging platforms, job portals, dating applications, or direct phone calls.

Once communication is established, attackers move to the next phase by gathering facial data. The advisory noted that facial information may already be available through publicly accessible online content. In many cases, however, victims are persuaded to perform specific facial actions such as looking directly at a screen, turning their heads, blinking repeatedly, or speaking on camera.

The collected recordings are then processed using AI-powered deepfake technologies. Through these tools, cybercriminals can create highly realistic digital replicas that mimic a person's facial expressions, eye movements, gestures, and even their voice.

The advisory warned that if systems lack adequate deepfake detection capabilities, these fabricated identities may be used to bypass facial authentication and liveness verification checks.

Authorities further cautioned that the misuse of such AI-generated content could facilitate fraudulent Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes. By successfully defeating identity verification safeguards adopted by financial institutions, fraudsters may be able to create, activate or operate financial accounts for illegal purposes.

To counter these evolving threats, the NCTAU has recommended several security measures for institutions as well as individuals. The advisory stated that customer onboarding systems, including those operated by fintech firms, should incorporate robust mechanisms capable of detecting deepfakes and other forms of synthetically generated content.

"Locking your biometric profile is the strongest defence against this type of remote identity theft," the advisory stated.

In addition, individuals have been advised to closely monitor email notifications and alerts for any unauthorised login attempts or suspicious authentication activities that may indicate an attempt to misuse their identity.

The advisory emphasised that any signs of financial fraud or identity theft should be reported immediately. Citizens have been encouraged to document incidents through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and provide relevant information, including the fraudster’s contact details and any video links involved in the scam.

The NCTAU also warned users to remain vigilant about sudden disruptions in mobile network services, noting that such incidents could indicate a fraudulent SIM swap attack.

Issuing a broader caution, the advisory clarified that it has been released to raise awareness about emerging AI-enabled identity fraud techniques. It added that references to identity verification systems and authentication processes are based on observed threat trends and "do not imply vulnerabilities or compromise of any specific organisation, platform, or service."

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sandeep Sain, a second-layer account holder from Karnal, Haryana; Parikshit, a first-layer account holder from Hisar, Haryana; and Sachin Jhakkar, a resident of Sikar, Rajasthan, who allegedly provided bank accounts to facilitate the movement of the cheated funds.

According to police, the case came to light on July 14, 2025, when a complaint was received from a government employee serving with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and residing in New Delhi. The complainant reported that he had been contacted through WhatsApp by persons claiming to represent a work-from-home company engaged in property rental ratings and leasing-related tasks.

The fraudsters subsequently added him to a Telegram group, where he was provided training and instructed to register on multiple websites. Initially, the complainant received small profits after completing assigned tasks and depositing money. This helped the fraudsters gain his trust and confidence.

As the interaction progressed, the accused allegedly persuaded the victim to invest larger sums by introducing various schemes such as "charter leases", "bonus tasks", and other lucrative investment opportunities promising substantial returns. Believing the claims made by the fraudsters, the complainant transferred money on several occasions.

However, when he attempted to withdraw the amount shown in his online account, the fraudsters demanded an additional payment equivalent to 50 per cent of the displayed balance as a withdrawal penalty. By that time, the victim had already transferred approximately Rs 15,74,452. Despite repeated requests, no withdrawal was permitted, and none of the money was returned. Realising that he had been duped, the complainant approached the police.

Based on the complaint, an e-FIR No. 00005/2025 was registered at Cyber Police Station, Central District, and an investigation was initiated.

Considering the seriousness of the offence and the organised nature of the cyber fraud network, a dedicated police team comprising Sub Inspector Kapil, Head Constable Manoj, HC Sunil, and Constable Anuj was formed under the close supervision of SHO Cyber Police Station Inspector Yograj Dalal and the overall supervision of ACP Operations Padam Singh Rana.

During the investigation, the team undertook extensive technical surveillance, analysed digital evidence, examined financial transaction trails, and conducted field enquiries to identify the accused and trace their locations.

On June 5, police teams conducted raids and search operations in and around Hisar, Haryana, in an attempt to apprehend accused Parikshit, who was identified as a first-layer account holder involved in the fraud. However, despite sustained efforts, he could not be traced at that stage.

Acting on specific technical inputs and surveillance-based intelligence, the police team later moved to Salwan village in Karnal district, Haryana, where accused Sandeep Sain was successfully traced, identified, and apprehended on June 7.

Further technical analysis and disclosures made by Sandeep Sain during interrogation led investigators to Bannu Enclave in Pitampura, Delhi. Based on these leads, accused Sachin Jhakkar was traced and arrested on June 8.

Continuing the investigation and acting upon additional leads developed during the course of inquiry, the police team ultimately succeeded in tracing and arresting Parikshit on June 9.

Police said that sustained interrogation established the role of all three accused in facilitating the movement and layering of the fraud proceeds.

Investigators found that Parikshit acted as the first-layer account holder, receiving the proceeds of cyber fraud directly into his account. Sandeep Sain functioned as the second-layer account holder and assisted in transferring the fraudulently obtained funds further through the network. Meanwhile, Sachin Jhakkar allegedly supplied bank accounts to associates for routing and dispersing the cheated amount.

During the operation, police recovered three mobile phones that were allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

The accused come from diverse backgrounds. Sandeep Sain works as a barber, while Parikshit is a student who also undertakes part-time private employment. Sachin Jhakkar is likewise a student and is engaged in part-time private work.

Police officials stated that further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other members of the cyber fraud syndicate and to uncover the complete network involved in the scam.

Issuing a public advisory, Delhi Police urged citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited work-from-home offers received through WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media platforms that promise high returns for simple tasks. The police also advised the public never to transfer money to unknown individuals or online platforms on the assurance of guaranteed profits and to verify the authenticity of any investment opportunity before making payments.

Citizens who become victims of cyber fraud have been advised to immediately report the matter through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, or the nearest police station.

Organised as part of the Kerala Police Cyber Security Conference CoCon 2026, the official website of Hackup 2026 was launched, and registrations for the hackathon were inaugurated at the Police Headquarters by State Police Chief Ravada Chandrashekhar on Thursday.

The initiative aims to bring together students, researchers, startups, innovators and cybersecurity experts from across the country to create advanced technology solutions for modern policing challenges.

Launching the programme, Chandrashekhar said cybercrimes were becoming increasingly sophisticated, with organised criminal networks, financial frauds, crimes against children and artificial intelligence-driven offences creating new challenges for investigators.

He said law enforcement agencies were facing difficulties in extracting meaningful intelligence from the massive volume of digital evidence generated during investigations.

Collaborative platforms like Hackup, he added, could help bridge the gap between technology and policing.

The theme of Hackup 2026 is "Agentic AI for Investigations: From Evidence to Intelligence".

The hackathon seeks to develop artificial intelligence-based tools that can help investigative agencies analyse digital evidence, identify patterns and convert information into actionable intelligence.

The event also saw the launch of the Kerala Police Cyberdome website, along with the unveiling of the official Hackup 2026 trailer and promotional materials.

Senior police officials, including DGP and Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Manoj Abraham, ADGP (Police Headquarters) and IGP Cyber Operations-in-charge S. Sreejith, ADGP (Law and Order) H. Venkitesh, and ADGP (AP Battalion) Dhinendra Kashyap attended the programme.

Representatives of leading educational institutions partnering in the multi-city hackathon and technology collaborators from different parts of India also participated online.

The Kerala Police have invited students, researchers, startups, cybersecurity professionals and technology enthusiasts nationwide to register and contribute innovative AI-powered solutions aimed at improving cyber investigations, strengthening digital policing and enhancing child protection in the digital age.

The villagers also managed to free the suspect from police custody, taking advantage of the situation.

The incident occurred in the Ahilyapur police station area when police, acting on a tip-off, raided Chiksoria village to arrest a wanted cybercrime accused, identified as Churaman Mandal.

Led by Cyber police station in charge Rameshwar Bhagat, the team reached the village and took the accused into custody. However, as they were putting him into a police vehicle, a large number of villagers and the accused's relatives gathered at the spot and began protesting against the police action.

The situation soon turned violent as the crowd surrounded the police team and attacked them with sticks and stones. Taking advantage of the prevailing chaos, the villagers managed to free Mandal from police custody, after which he fled the scene.

Several policemen sustained injuries in the attack, and the police vehicle was also damaged.

On receiving information, senior officers, including the Gandey Inspector, along with additional forces from nearby police stations, rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional security has been deployed in the area.

Bhagat said the police had acted on specific information about the accused's presence in the village. "We had arrested him, but the crowd surrounded us and resorted to stone-pelting. We somehow managed to retreat, though the vehicle was damaged," he said.

Police said a separate FIR would be registered at Ahilyapur police station in connection with the violent incident.

Officials added that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in attacking the police team, obstructing official duty, freeing the accused and damaging government property.

Police said raids are underway to arrest the absconding accused and those involved in the attack.

The UNC, the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, called the shutdown from 6 a.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12 in protest against the killing of six villagers who were abducted by armed groups belonging to different tribal communities on May 13.

Their mutilated bodies were recovered on Wednesday from a forested area near Kharam Vaiphei village, a predominantly Kuki-Zo tribal settlement in the Saitu-Gamphazol Sub-division of Kangpokpi district.

According to police officials, shops and markets remained closed throughout the day, while government and private offices, educational institutions and financial establishments also suspended operations. Private vehicles and passenger transport largely stayed off the roads as the shutdown affected routine activities across the region.

The UNC urged citizens to observe the shutdown peacefully and stand in solidarity with the Naga community until justice is delivered to the victims and their families.

The tribal body also announced that the mortal remains of the six Naga hostages would not be received until its four-point charter of demands is addressed and justice is ensured by both the Manipur government and the Centre.

Among its key demands are the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups and the immediate arrest and prosecution of all Kuki National Front cadres allegedly involved in the abduction of 18 Naga civilians, including two pastors, from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 and the subsequent killing of six of them.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen -- who belongs to the Thadou tribe, which forms part of the broader Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, and several individuals and more than a dozen organisations have strongly condemned the killings.

The Manipur Chief Minister had earlier stated that the cases relating to the abduction of the six Naga villagers, along with the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district on May 13, had already been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed probe.

The recovery of the bodies of the six Naga civilians came just hours after 14 hostages belonging to the Kuki community were released on Tuesday (June 9) following nearly four weeks in captivity.

According to police officials, the 14 Kuki villagers were handed over to a police station in Senapati district on Tuesday (June 10) by the UNC and the Naga People's Organisation (NPO).

At least 50 people belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities were allegedly held hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the violent incidents of May 13, during which three church leaders were killed and four others were injured in Kangpokpi district. Around 30 individuals from both communities were released on May 14 and May 15 following sustained efforts by authorities, community leaders, and several civil society organisations.

Various organisations representing both the Naga and Kuki communities had since been staging protests and demanding the safe rescue of the abducted persons -- six Nagas and 14 members of the Kuki community.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Manipur Police on Thursday said that, in view of recent developments, intelligence inputs indicated that armed cadres were planning attacks on isolated villages in the hill districts. Acting on these inputs, security forces launched a joint operation in the Horei Kaphung Hills (Lower Leishan Ridge) area of Ukhrul district.

"During the operation, approximately a dozen armed cadres were spotted on top of the hills. While some of them fled, eight cadres were detained, disarmed, and later let off with a stern warning not to venture into the hills or carry weapons, as such activities are prohibited," the statement said. According to the police, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from unauthorised bunkers located on the hilltop.

The statement added that security forces remain committed to continuing operations aimed at safeguarding all affected communities and vulnerable villages across the region.

Three accused persons have been arrested in the case, and significant digital evidence, along with electronic devices, has been recovered.

A complaint was received from a victim who was cheated of Rs 20,328 on the pretext of booking travel services through fake websites, namely irctc-helicopter.com and irctc-heliyatra.com. These websites were designed to resemble genuine travel booking portals to deceive users.

Based on the complaint, FIR No. 30/2026 dated May 21, under Sections 318(4), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), was registered at PS Cyber South District, and an investigation was initiated.

A dedicated team comprising SI Ashish, Head Constables Praveen, Vikas, and Vinod, Constables Praveen Joon and Sultan, conducted the investigation under the leadership of SHO/Cyber South, Inspector Hansraj Swami, and under the overall supervision of Additional DCP (Operations), South District, Arvind Kumar.

During the investigation, police carried out a detailed analysis of the money trail, bank account details, domain registration records, Gmail accounts, IP logs, and technical data obtained from service providers such as Hostinger and Google.

The analysis led to the identification of individuals operating the fake websites and associated digital advertisements. Based on technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs, accused Omprakash Kumar and Rohit Kumar were arrested from Bihar's Nalanda.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed the involvement of co-accused Shreyansh Tiwari alias Shivam, who was identified as the developer and manager of the fake websites. He was subsequently arrested from Greater Noida.

Investigations revealed that the accused were running fake travel booking portals and promoting them through paid advertisements on Meta (Facebook), targeting individuals searching for travel-related services online. Their digital network has been linked to approximately 30 NCRP complaints registered across various states and Union Territories, involving a total cheating amount of nearly Rs 10 lakh. The involvement of another associate, Anurag, a resident of Nalanda, is also under verification.

The accused created fake travel booking websites that closely resembled legitimate platforms and promoted them through paid social media advertisements. Victims searching online for travel bookings were redirected to these fraudulent websites and were induced to make payments for bookings.

After the initial payment, victims were further pressured to make additional transfers on the pretext of processing refunds, confirming bookings, registration charges, or other fabricated reasons. The cheated funds were routed through mule bank accounts and various digital payment channels to conceal the money trail.

During the operation, police recovered several incriminating items from the possession of the accused, including eight mobile phones, two laptops, and a 10th-generation iPad. Officials also seized multiple ATM and debit cards allegedly used in the commission of cyber fraud. In addition, Rs 20,328 was marked as a lien in a bank account linked to the case. Investigators further recovered substantial digital evidence and electronic records connected to the fraudulent activities, which are being examined as part of the ongoing probe.

Of the arrested accused, Omprakash Kumar has a previous involvement in a criminal case, as per FIR No. 06/2022 registered under Sections 420/34 of the IPC at PS Cyber North-West Delhi. Rohit Kumar has no previous criminal involvement reported so far, nor does the third accused, Tiwari, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur.

Further investigation is in progress to identify additional associates and dismantle the complete network behind the fraud.

The special 'Helmet Drive', held from May 1 to May 31 under the instructions of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, was launched with the stated aim of improving road safety, reducing fatalities in traffic accidents and encouraging greater compliance with traffic regulations.

One of the notable aspects of the campaign was the action taken against government personnel.

Traffic police were deployed at the entrances of government offices during the drive, leading to enforcement action against 5,123 government officers and employees found violating helmet rules.

Authorities collected fines totalling Rs 16.58 lakh from those officials and staff members. Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik said the campaign was intended to promote road safety rather than generate revenue through penalties.

“Collecting fines is not the objective of Gujarat Police. Our aim is to ensure the safety of every citizen of Gujarat. Vehicle riders and pillion passengers should wear helmets, and motorists should wear seat belts, not because of fear of the police or to avoid fines, but for the happiness and well-being of their families," he said.

He said road safety was a shared responsibility and appealed to citizens across the state to follow traffic rules strictly and act as responsible road users.

Malik noted that investigations into numerous road accidents have shown that lives were saved because riders were wearing helmets at the time of impact.

He said there were also many instances in which families were left regretting the absence of basic safety precautions after fatal crashes.

“Road safety is not only the responsibility of the police but a collective responsibility of all of us. I appeal to all citizens of the state to strictly follow traffic rules and become responsible citizens," he added.

The police chief also highlighted awareness-based initiatives undertaken alongside enforcement measures.

In some campaigns, traffic police have opted to educate violators by presenting them with roses or helmets and explaining the importance of protective gear, rather than immediately imposing penalties.

Officials said the month-long drive reinforced the principle that traffic laws apply equally to all road users, including government employees and public officials.

The State Traffic Branch reported that the campaign covered motorists across Gujarat and combined enforcement with public awareness efforts aimed at increasing helmet use and improving overall road safety.

The Air India Flight AI-171 disaster occurred on June 12 last year when the London Gatwick-bound aircraft crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off. The accident claimed nearly 260 lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years.

Speaking to IANS ahead of the crash's first anniversary, Anil Patel said that the families deserve clarity about the circumstances that led to the disaster.

"I request the government to make public whatever report is available as soon as possible. We need to know how this tragedy happened," he said.

Recalling the immense personal loss he has endured, Patel described the loneliness that has followed the deaths of his son and daughter-in-law.

"I am alone now. Ours was a small family. My daughter is married and lives with her husband's family. My son and daughter-in-law were my entire support system," he said.

Patel fondly remembered the daily conversations he shared with his son. "He would call me every night, whether it was 9 p.m., 10 p.m., or even 11 p.m., and tell me about everything he had done during the day. My daughter-in-law also cared for me deeply. Their absence has left a void that can never be filled," he added.

Meanwhile, Air India has maintained that it is following established industry norms in the compensation process for the victims' families. The airline recently responded to allegations that it was pressuring families to accept compensation settlements within a specific timeframe. Air India denied the claims, stating that no family was being coerced into accepting its compensation package.

The clarification was made in a letter addressed to Radhika Mishra, daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was among those killed in the Boeing 787 crash. The aircraft went down shortly after take-off, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members, along with additional casualties on the ground.

As the anniversary nears, relatives of the victims are preparing to gather in remembrance. Around 150 bereaved families approached local authorities on June 9 seeking assistance for a memorial programme at the crash site in Meghaninagar on June 12.

In a letter dated June 8, Kuldip Ishrani, representing the affected families, requested police support for the event, which is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Family members and relatives are expected to assemble at the site to observe a period of silence, participate in a candlelight prayer, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives.

The letter stated that approximately 150 relatives of the deceased would attend the gathering to honour the memory of their loved ones and mark one year since the tragedy that forever changed their lives.

For many families, the memorial will not only be an occasion to remember those they lost but also a reminder of their continuing search for answers and accountability.

The arrest was made after the Central agency conducted searches at multiple locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as part of the investigation into the liquor transportation scam linked to the alleged liquor scam during YSR Congress Party rule.

The ED officials conducted searches at premises linked to Raj Kesireddy, a former advisor to former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and other accused at 10 places in Hyderabad, sources said.

The agency conducted searches at the residence of Raj Kesireddy in Nanakramguda and the premises linked to six other accused at other places in the Rs 349 crore liquor transport scam.

Searches were also conducted at the residences and other premises of former civil supplies minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao, his son Karmuri Sunil Kumar, former managing director of AP State Beverages Corporation Limited, Vasudeva Reddy, and his relative Narasimha Reddy.

Raj Kesireddy was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andhra Pradesh CID in 2025. The Andhra Pradesh High Court on April 7, 2026, granted him bail.

There are allegations that hundreds of crores changed hands in the liquor scam. The Central agency reportedly found that funds were diverted through hawala and money laundering channels.

In April, the ED conducted searches at the houses, offices and other premises of YSR Congress Party leader and former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Raj Kesireddy, Bharati Cements director Balaji Govindappa, Krishna Mohan and Dhanunjaya Reddy in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Tirupati.

The Central agency is investigating on the basis of a report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

In March, the ED attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 441.63 crore belonging to Kesireddy Rajasekhara Reddy, his family members and related entities; Booneti Chanakya and his related entities; relatives and entities of Donthireddy Vasudeva Reddy; and other persons and entities under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The Central agency initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by the CID, Andhra Pradesh, on the complaint of the Principal Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, for loss to the Government exchequer to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore.

According to the ED, its investigations revealed that physical cash kickbacks were collected and stored at multiple locations in Hyderabad, from where they were subsequently moved, distributed, or disposed of by designated cash handlers of the syndicate.

The ED investigation had revealed a money trail of Rs 1048.45 crore in kickbacks. Numerous distilleries were forced to provide these payments in various forms, including cash and gold, as well as through the control and operation of certain distilleries by the liquor syndicate. Additionally, financial benefits were obtained from the transportation of liquor.

The involvement of children in activities considered anti-national has become increasingly common in recent years. "It is a deliberate strategy aimed at evading scrutiny and action by law enforcement agencies," an official said.

The use of children during a Nagar Kirtan procession in Canada on June 7 has drawn attention from security agencies. An official said there is nothing inherently wrong with children participating in a procession of religious or cultural significance. However, in this event, girls estimated to be between six and ten years of age appeared to be wearing outfits resembling suicide vests, raising serious concerns.

The main theme of the procession was revenge for Operation Bluster. There was also a tableau of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi being shot. Further, posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the caption 'most wanted' were also on display. Children were made to take off their shoes and beat a cutout of PM Modi as well. The Indian Tricolour was allegedly insulted during the procession, with a national flag tied to a vehicle and dragged along the road.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the deployment of children in such protests serves multiple purposes. According to the official, pro-Khalistan groups seek to expose children to their ideology at a very young age, to foster long-term support for the movement.

"The children are being encouraged to develop anti-India sentiments early in life so that, as they grow older, they become active participants and supporters of the Khalistan cause," the official claimed.

Basically, these extremist elements want to create a next generation of Khalistanis, the official said. These elements also want to send out a clear message to the security agencies that, for the sake of their cause, they are ready to go to any length, including involving minor children, particularly those between six and ten years of age, said the official.

Another official said that placing children at the forefront of protests makes it far more difficult for law enforcement agencies to respond effectively. According to the official, if a demonstration turns violent, officers would first have to ensure the safety and removal of the children before taking action against the protesters involved in the unrest.

The use of children and juveniles is a typical ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) strategy, and we all know that the Khalistanis are the puppets of the Pakistan spy agency," another official said.

The ISI recruits young people in Pakistan and trains them to become terrorists. They know that the people of that age are very impressionable and hence brainwashing and radicalising them is easier. If children from the age of 8 or 10 are brainwashed and radicalised until they turn 18, then they become hardened criminals, the official said.

The Khalistani extremist elements are trying to replicate the same strategy and hence this pattern shift, officials say.

"There are concerns that such tactics could eventually be replicated in Punjab, as part of a broader strategy aimed at shaping and reinforcing a particular narrative," the official said.

The official said that the Khalistan elements are gradually trying to move away from the referendums they used to hold earlier. Canada and the United Kingdom are working closely with India to solve this problem. This has made it hard for them to operate openly. Instead, they are propagating for a separate Khalistan nation under the garb of religious and cultural events.

The Indian security agencies say that similar tactics could be used in Punjab, and hence, close monitoring would be essential.

Disguising the Khalistan cause, while also trying to make a point, is a safe way of doing things, the agencies say. With the ISI pushing hard for the revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab, extra caution must be exercised, and a close watch should be kept on religious and cultural events and also the use of children as a cover, an official said.

The CBI, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Haryana Police, brought back Garg on Thursday, officials said.

Garg, a known gangster, was wanted in several cases registered by the Haryana Police for offences relating to murder, attempt to murder, extortion, organised crime and use of illegal firearms, according to the CBI.

"The subject was arrested during the course of investigation; however, after being granted bail by the Court, he absconded and fled from India to evade legal proceedings," officials said.

Investigators said that at the request of the Haryana Police, NCB-New Delhi got a Red Notice published against Garg through INTERPOL channels.

"After the subject was geo-located and arrested by the Georgian authorities, an extradition request was submitted to them. Following due legal process, the Georgian authorities granted the extradition of the subject to India, the CBI said.

In coordination with the local authorities, the Haryana Police's escort team visited Georgia, where they took the accused into custody. The Haryana Police team, along with Garg, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday.

"The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels," officials said.

Investigators further mentioned that over 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in the last few years through coordination between different agencies.

The CBI also said that it has successfully secured the deportation of Red Notice subject Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand to India.

According to the officials, Kale was wanted in connection with cybercrime fraud, in which victims were lured with the offer of online part-time jobs. They were asked to make certain deposits as monetary investments and were later defrauded.

Investigators said that the accused used to operate a network of cyber financial criminals by involving various unsuspecting persons in the scam.

The police investigations have revealed horrifying details of brutality against the child by the accused persons.

According to police, Vennila was allegedly murdered by her mother, Priyanka P., and her lover, Mohan J. Mahaningappa, who reportedly believed the child was coming in the way of their relationship and privacy.

The incident was initially reported on March 25 at a villa in Seegehalli under the limits of the Kadugodi police station. At the time, an unnatural death case was registered, and an investigation was launched. However, suspicions raised by the child's father, Praveen Basappa, prompted a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Police investigations have revealed that Mohan allegedly assaulted Vennila after she asked for a different flavour of ice cream. He is accused of punching the child in the abdomen with a closed fist. Unable to bear the pain, the child began crying loudly. Investigators allege that Mohan then strangled her to death.

Police further claimed that after the murder, Priyanka and Mohan spent nearly 12 hours with the child's body and drove around the city in their car before reporting the death.

According to the complaint filed by Praveen, he and Priyanka were married in 2007 and have two daughters. He alleged that Priyanka rekindled a relationship with her college friend Mohan in late 2025 and later began living with him in Bengaluru after seeking a divorce.

While their elder daughter continued to stay with Praveen in Davanagere, Vennila was living with Priyanka. Police sources said Mohan had also left his wife and children for Priyanka and had purchased the villa where Priyanka and Vennila were residing.

Investigators believe Vennila was frequently subjected to abuse, as Mohan reportedly considered her an obstacle to his relationship with Priyanka. Both accused are alleged to have mistreated the child on multiple occasions.

Praveen stated in his complaint that he received information about Vennila's death from Priyanka's brother on March 25. When he sought details about the incident, Priyanka allegedly gave contradictory explanations. On one occasion, she claimed the child had eaten biryani the previous night. On another, she said Vennila had been given ice cream and was later left sleeping inside an air-conditioned car while she and Mohan attended a birthday celebration.

Suspicious of the varying accounts, Praveen obtained the post-mortem report and shared it with a relative, a paediatric specialist based in the United Kingdom. The doctor reportedly expressed concerns about the circumstances of the death, prompting Praveen to approach the police with allegations that his daughter may have been assaulted and suffocated.

In his complaint, Praveen further alleged that Priyanka and Mohan planned to start a new life together and were exploring options to have a child through IVF. He claimed that Vennila had become an obstacle to their plans and accused the pair of murdering her and attempting to destroy evidence.

Following the complaint and subsequent investigation, the police registered a murder case against Priyanka and Mohan. Investigators are awaiting the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report and other expert opinions. Further investigation is in progress.

The deportation process was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Embassy of India in Bangkok.

According to the officials, Kale is wanted in connection with cybercrime fraud, in which victims were lured by the offer of online part-time jobs. They were asked to make certain deposits as monetary investments and were later defrauded.

Investigators said that the accused used to operate a network of cyber financial criminals by involving various unsuspecting persons in the scam. "He used to lure individuals by promising interest/commission in exchange for allowing the use of their bank accounts for the transfer of illicit funds and subsequently utilised such accounts to cheat multiple innocent victims," the officials said.

"The subject also allegedly instructed co-accused persons to arrange mobile phones and procure fake SIM cards to facilitate the commission of offences," the CBI officials added.

Based on the Interpol Red Notice, the accused was located in Thailand. He was detained by the Thai Authorities on May 24 in Bangkok. Following due legal proceedings and close coordination between Indian and Thai authorities, the accused was successfully deported to India.

Officials announced that a Red Corner Notice for Kale was issued in May. He was successfully located, apprehended, and returned to India within about 20 days of the notice.

On Thursday, the accused arrived at Mumbai Airport, where he was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police's Cyber Cell.

"The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels," officials said.

Investigators said that over 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in the last few years through coordination between different agencies.