The deceased were identified as V. Aravind, 30, his wife A. Janani, 28, who was eight months pregnant, and the car driver, P. Veera, 40.

Aravind and Janani were residents of Karuthi Veeranpatti near Usilampatti in Madurai district, while Veera hailed from Nethaji Nagar in Usilampatti.

The injured were the couple’s two-year-old daughter, A. Vaveera, and P. Pandithurai, 32, of Kalaivanar Street in Aravakurichi. Both were rushed to a hospital and are undergoing treatment.

According to police, Aravind, Janani and their daughter were returning to their native place in Madurai district from Bengaluru after a visit in a car driven by Veera on the Karurâ€"Dindigul National Highway.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. near the Esanatham Cross Cut Road junction. Preliminary investigations revealed that a motorcycle ridden by Pandithurai was moving ahead of the car when he allegedly attempted a sudden right turn across the highway. In an effort to avoid colliding with the two-wheeler, the car driver reportedly swerved sharply to the left. However, he lost control of the vehicle, which crashed at high speed into a stationary van parked on the roadside.

The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the front portion of the car completely mangled.

Aravind, Janani and Veera suffered fatal injuries and died on the spot. The couple’s young daughter and the motorcyclist sustained grievous injuries.

Upon receiving information, a team from the Aravakurichi police station rushed to the accident site and launched rescue operations.

The injured were pulled out of the wreckage and transported to a government hospital for emergency treatment.

Police later recovered the bodies of the deceased and sent them for a postmortem examination. The accident caused brief traffic disruptions on the busy national highway before normal movement was restored. A case has been registered, and further investigations are underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the fatal crash.

This is the first-of-its-kind project undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), involving the development of a large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated BESS support on defence land, the statement said.

NTPC Limited is implementing the project through a competitive bid process to realise the most optimal energy pricing and savings for defence establishments.

The project, to be implemented in close coordination with the Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) (IHQ) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), represents a convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability, highlighting the commitment of the Ministry of Defence to leverage its assets in support of national development goals while safeguarding strategic interests, as per the statement.

The ministry, NTPC, the IHQ, and DGDE will work in close coordination to ensure the timely implementation of the project. Upon completion, the Sitapur Solar Power Project is expected to emerge as one of the country's most significant renewable energy projects established on defence land and a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage projects in the defence sector, the statement said.

The initiative reflects the government’s commitment towards clean energy, sustainability and the reduction of dependence on conventional energy sources. Besides strengthening long-term energy security for the defence forces, the project is expected to substantially reduce expenditure incurred on procurement of conventional grid power for defence establishments, resulting in significant savings to the government exchequer over the life cycle of the project, the statement added.

According to the officials, the fire erupted at the D24 building in GK-1 Enclave, likely due to an AC short circuit.

The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that they received the information about the fire at 11.36 a.m., after which two fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

After tireless efforts, the fire was brought under control. "No casualties were reported during the incident, and everyone was safely evacuated," an official added.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are underway.

Further details are awaited.

This comes just days after a massive fire at a B&B in Delhi's Malviya Nagar claimed 22 lives, including 13 foreigners, and injured dozens of others.

Following this, police registered a case under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, negligence endangering human life, causing grievous hurt through negligence, damage to property, and negligent conduct related to fire safety.

So far, police have arrested the hotel's owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, and cook, Keshav Negi. Additionally, the hotel's manager, Jai Mishra, surrendered in the court on Monday.

The officials said that the hotel only had permission to operate six rooms; however, it was operating on over 20.

Additionally, the hotel had reportedly been operating for seven to eight years without obtaining a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Fire Service, officials said.

Investigation into the tragic fire is continuing, and further details are awaited.

Meanwhile, the Delhi authorities have initiated a broader crackdown on safety violations across the city.

Moreover, forensic examinations are underway. Investigators have reportedly gathered evidence. The current focus is also on determining whether negligence, regulatory violations, or other factors contributed to the deadly fire.

The approaching system is likely to bring thunderstorms, gusty winds, and rainfall to several parts of the state, offering some relief from the intense heat. However, before that, Rajasthan is set to witness contrasting weather conditions on Tuesday, with the IMD issuing alerts for both thunderstorms and heatwave conditions.

Most parts of Rajasthan experienced intense heat and high humidity on Monday, with temperatures continuing to rise despite the ongoing pre-monsoon season.

Adding to the evolving weather pattern, a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to become active from June 11, bringing another spell of thunderstorms and rainfall to several parts of Rajasthan. Most parts of the state experienced intense heat and high humidity on Monday.

Despite the ongoing pre-monsoon season, temperatures continued to rise across Rajasthan. According to weather officials, the state's highest maximum temperature was recorded at 45.6 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar. At this mark, Sri Ganganagar emerged not only as the hottest city in Rajasthan but also the hottest city in the country on Monday.

Sangaria in Hanumangarh district registered the highest minimum temperature at 35.3 degrees Celsius, while the lowest minimum temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in Sirohi. Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner recorded maximum temperatures ranging between 44 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Department, clear skies prevailed across most parts of Rajasthan during the day, leading to a sharp rise in temperatures.

The soaring temperatures, coupled with high humidity levels, made weather conditions particularly uncomfortable for residents.

During the past 24 hours, light rainfall was recorded at isolated places in eastern Rajasthan, while western Rajasthan remained largely dry. Heatwave and warm night conditions were reported at one or two locations in the western region of the state.

Weather experts have predicted that most areas of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions will continue to witness mainly clear weather over the next two to three days. As a result, daytime temperatures may rise by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, increasing the likelihood of heatwave conditions at several places. Authorities have advised residents to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat and take necessary precautions during peak daytime hours.

For now, Rajasthan faces a mixed weather scenario, with scorching heat affecting some regions while others may experience rain and thunderstorms as the state gradually moves towards the monsoon season

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.

After the court order, Khan Sir's counsel, Advocate Arvind Kumar Mahuar, told IANS that Khan Sir is now free to move around wherever he wants as the court has given him protection from the arrest.

The case stems from an incident that occurred on the night of June 2, when unidentified individuals allegedly attacked Khan Global Studies, the coaching institute run by Khan Sir in Patna.

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

The controversy intensified after a video surfaced showing two security guards allegedly firing shots into the air outside the coaching institute during the attack.

The police subsequently arrested both guards and lodged a case against them. Later, Khan Sir was also named in the case.

Police registered an FIR against Khan Sir under provisions related to attempted murder and the Arms Act. Since the registration of the case, he had reportedly remained out of the police's reach.

Law enforcement officials had visited his coaching institute in an attempt to apprehend him, but he was not found there.

The accused have been identified as Nizam, who is said to be the General Secretary of the Mangaluru Youth Congress, and his associate Jitesh. According to police, the duo allegedly targeted a prominent businessman and used private obscene photographs and videos to blackmail him.

Police said Jitesh first came into contact with the victim in 2024 and allegedly trapped him before threatening to expose the private content to his wife. Initially, he allegedly demanded Rs 35 lakh, following which the businessman paid the amount through a cheque out of fear of reputational damage.

As the extortion demands continued, the victim reportedly approached Nizam seeking assistance. However, investigators allege that Nizam instead joined hands with Jitesh and became part of the extortion network.

Police further said the accused devised a fabricated suicide narrative to pressure the victim. Nizam allegedly informed the businessman in May 2024 that Jitesh had died by suicide and that a note naming the victim had been recovered. To make the claim appear credible, the accused allegedly circulated photographs purportedly showing Jitesh’s death and funeral rites, while threatening to implicate the businessman in a criminal case.

Fearing legal trouble and social humiliation, the businessman allegedly continued making payments over time. Police said the total amount extorted from him reached Rs 2.77 crore between 2024 and 2026.

The case came to light in June 2026 after the businessman allegedly spotted Jitesh alive in Mangaluru. Shocked by the discovery that the person he believed to be dead was still alive, he approached the Urva Police Station and filed a complaint.

Based on the complaint, police arrested both accused and launched further investigation to verify the full extent of the alleged extortion racket and whether others were involved.

Meanwhile, photographs of Nizam with several political leaders from Mangaluru and across Karnataka have surfaced on social media following his arrest, triggering political discussions online.

--IANS

mka/dpb

Bodies of Bhanu Kumar, Ramana and Appala Raju have been identified at King George Hospital (KGH). Authorities were making arrangements to transport the mortal remains of these workers to their respective hometowns.

Bodies of all eight deceased were brought to the KGH mortuary. As most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition, Hospital Superintendent Dr Vani said that DNA tests will be conducted to identify the deceased.

She said DNA samples will be collected and sent to a laboratory in Vijayawada.

Eight persons were killed and six others injured after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday.

The accident occurred when a large quantity of molten steel leaked following the explosion of the ladle carrying steel at a very high temperature.

According to officials, molten iron was extremely hot at about 1,500 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, state ministers Nara Lokesh and Anitha consoled the families of the victims at KGH. They assured all support to the families.

The state ministers were accompanied by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, MP Bharat and others.

State Labour Minister Vasamshetti Subhash called on the injured at KIMS Icon Hospital.

Earlier, Union Minister for Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy visited the accident site at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He also visited the hospital to console the families of the deceased and called on the injured.

The Central minister described the accident as extremely tragic and announced Rs 25 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased and an assistance of Rs 10 lakh to each injured.

Kumaraswamy interacted with the affected family members, enquired about their well-being, and assured them of all possible support.

He directed the authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured. "In this difficult hour, we stand firmly with the affected families. Praying for the speedy recovery of all those undergoing treatment," he said.

He also assured assistance for employment to eligible members of the families of the deceased workers and education of the children of the deceased. The entire medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the factory.

The Central minister ordered an independent investigation to find out the exact cause of the incident. He was accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Home Minister Anitha, TDP State President Palla Srinivasa and MP Bharat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured through the PM National Relief Fund.

Official sources said the raids were underway in Delhi-Noida (NCR) and Punjab's Ludhiana and Jalandhar in a case linked to Arora's firm Hampton Sky Realty.

Likewise, the ED also conducted a raid on the premises of Municipal Corporation contractor Amit Bajaj in Jalandhar. Amit and his elder brother Inderjit Bajaj have been major contractors for the Municipal Corporation and other government departments in Punjab and other states, including Gujarat.

Last month, Industries Minister Arora was arrested by the ED, and he's in judicial custody. Later, he moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, saying his arrest on the face of it was "arbitrary, mechanical, without jurisdiction, and in violation of the mandatory safeguards guaranteed under Articles 14, 21 and 22 of the Constitution of India".

Arora was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from his official residence here on May 9 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002.

Seeking his immediate release from "illegal and unconstitutional custody of the Directorate of Enforcement", he sought directions for staying the "impugned arrest" and setting aside consequential remand.

Earlier, the searches on May 9 were carried out in Arora's premises in Chandigarh and Delhi-NCR. In 2024, Arora, the legislator from Ludhiana (West), had faced the ED's raids in a money laundering case related to the alleged conversion of industrial land for residential projects. At that time, he was a Rajya Sabha MP.

Hours after Arora's arrest, Hampton Sky Realty Ltd (formerly Ritesh Properties and Industries) had denied all allegations and asserted full compliance with applicable laws in its mobile-phone export operations.

In a statement, the company said it entered the mobile-phone export business in May 2023, describing it as a government thrust area under the 'Make in India' and Production-Linked Incentive schemes, noting strong growth in India's mobile-phone exports in recent years.

The company said "this factual position alone disposes of any allegation of 'round-tripping' or 'bogus exports'. It added, "nothing has been retained offshore, kept in any concealed account or routed back to any individual or entity."

"The company is the victim of the alleged supplier-side fraud," it added.

Officials said the blaze was brought under control after nearly an hour of firefighting, and no casualties were reported.

According to fire department officials, information about the fire was received at around 7:30 a.m., following which fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot.

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Rahul Pal said, "Today, at around 7:30 a.m., information was received at Sahibabad Fire Station about a fire at a factory where tyre rubber processing work was being carried out. Immediately, two fire tenders from Sahibabad Fire Station…fire was found to have engulfed the factory…"

As the intensity of the fire became clear, additional firefighting units were deployed.

A total of four fire tenders worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby industrial units. Firefighters managed to bring the situation under control after nearly an hour of operations.

Authorities said an assessment of the damage is being carried out, while the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries or loss of life have been reported.

The latest incident comes amid heightened focus on fire safety in Ghaziabad.

Earlier, the fire department launched a drive against hotels and guest houses that were found violating fire safety norms.

Over the past two days, notices were served to 10 establishments after inspections revealed deficiencies in compliance with mandatory fire-safety requirements.

CFO Rahul Pal had said that teams were conducting inspections of hotels, guest houses and similar establishments to verify fire safety clearances and adherence to statutory norms.

More than 50 hotels and guest houses were inspected during the drive.

The enforcement action followed directions from the state fire directorate after a devastating fire in Delhi's Hauz Rani area claimed at least 22 lives.

In another recent incident in April, a fire broke out in a residential housing society in Ghaziabad. The blaze originated in a ninth-floor flat where construction work was underway.

Fire officials had managed to control the fire completely, and no injuries were reported in that incident as well.

A case has been registered against her under Sections 204 and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

According to police, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mahesh Shinde, attached to Lashkar Police Station, had visited Dr Ashfaq Sayed's Sanjeevan Skin Clinic, located opposite Victory Theatre in Pune's Camp area, for personal medical treatment at around 10 a.m. on June 6.

While waiting at the clinic, he noticed a young woman dressed in khaki trousers and a police-style jacket.

A short while later, the woman removed her jacket and approached the reception counter to register for treatment. At that point, Shinde's attention was drawn to several irregularities in her attire. He observed discrepancies in the insignia, nameplate and other symbols displayed on the uniform.

Police said the lanyard, nameplate, and the blue ribbon issued to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence had been affixed incorrectly. The woman was also carrying a police cap and a khaki-coloured baton, which further raised suspicion.

Suspecting that something was amiss, ASI Shinde questioned the woman about her posting. She claimed that she was attached to Baner Police Station and had come to the clinic after completing a night shift.

However, her responses and overall demeanour reportedly appeared inconsistent, prompting Shinde to alert officials at Lashkar Police Station.

Acting on the information, female police personnel Pooja Pund and Asra Bansode reached the clinic and escorted the woman to Lashkar Police Station for further questioning.

During the inquiry, the woman was identified as Samina Asif Inamdar, also known as Samina Ayu Pathan, a resident of Mhalunge in Pune. Police said that during questioning, Samina admitted that she had long aspired to become a police officer but had failed to qualify for recruitment into the force.

According to investigators, she subsequently got a police-style uniform stitched and even posed for photographs while wearing it. She allegedly confessed that she had visited the clinic dressed in the uniform in the hope of receiving priority treatment and securing an early appointment with the doctor.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Bhajibhakare said that the woman works for a private organisation.

He added that police became suspicious after observing her conduct at the clinic and later confirmed that she was not a serving police officer despite moving around in public while wearing a Police Sub-Inspector's uniform.

Bhajibhakare further stated that preliminary investigations revealed that Samina had another police-style uniform stitched as well.

Police are now examining her background and trying to determine whether she used the uniform solely to gain preferential treatment or whether there were other motives behind her actions.

Investigators are also attempting to ascertain whether she had previously posed as a police officer at other locations or used the uniform to obtain any undue advantage.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

The Noida Zone Police mentioned that 501 people were identified and legal action was taken against them. During the operation, action was taken under Section 292 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The operation was carried out under the direction of Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh and was supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Noida Saad Miya Khan, and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Manisha Singh supervised the campaign.

Earlier on June 7, officials said that legal action was taken against 366 people for public drinking.

The Central Noida Zone police identified and took legal action against 366 violators.

According to police officials, the drive was carried out under the direction of Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh and supervised by DCP (Central Noida) Shailendra Kumar Singh.

Action was taken under Section 292 of the BNS against 366 individuals found drinking in public areas. Police stated that consuming alcohol in public can disrupt law and order and disturb public peace; therefore, such incidents are being closely monitored.

The Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissionerate has clarified that this drive against public drinking will continue. The police have appealed to citizens to adhere to regulations in public spaces and cooperate in maintaining law and order.

Officials stated that such enforcement actions would continue to ensure peace in the city and provide a safe environment for the general public.

Earlier on January 6, 125 individuals were arrested during a special operation carried out in different parts of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The crackdown was jointly conducted by police teams from the Sector-63 and Ecotech-3 police stations with the objective of curbing substance abuse in public spaces, maintaining law and order, and ensuring a safer environment for residents and visitors.

According to police officials, the operation was carried out across several public locations, including markets, roads, parks and other crowded areas where people were found consuming alcohol and intoxicants in violation of the law.

During the special drive, the Sector-63 police station took legal action against 72 individuals who were allegedly found consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances in public places.

Similarly, the Ecotech-3 police station initiated action against 53 people for similar violations.

As a result of the coordinated operation, a total of 125 individuals faced legal proceedings across the jurisdictions of the two police stations.

According to police, on June 5, information was received regarding an injured man who had been admitted to Dr Hedgewar Hospital with stab injuries. The victim was identified as Krishan Kumar.

A police team immediately reached the hospital and attempted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, due to the severity of his injuries, Krishan Kumar was unable to provide any details regarding the attack or identify the assailant. Subsequently, he left the hospital without informing the medical staff and declined to pursue legal action when contacted by the police.

On June 6, police received fresh information from GTB Hospital that Krishan Kumar had succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Following his death, the matter was treated as a murder case, and an intensive investigation was launched.

Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, a dedicated team was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Raj Kumar, SHO of Gandhi Nagar Police Station. The team included Inspector Robin Singh, Investigation Officer, SI Vikas Kumar, Head Constable Rahul Chaudhary and Head Constable Aman Bansal. The investigation was conducted under the close supervision of ACP Gandhi Nagar, Manasvi Vashistha, and the overall supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara District.

During the inquiry, investigators traced the deceased's workplace to a garment factory located in Raghuwarpura-II, Gandhi Nagar. Police interrogated the factory owner and several workers associated with the establishment.

During questioning, eyewitnesses revealed that a quarrel had broken out among workers consuming liquor inside the factory on the night of June 4. The altercation allegedly turned violent when one of the workers, identified as Arwaz, attacked another worker known as Tiger and subsequently stabbed Krishan Kumar with a pair of scissors before fleeing the scene.

Investigators found that the injuries inflicted during the attack ultimately led to Krishan Kumar's death.

Based on eyewitness statements and other evidence collected during the inquiry, a case was registered at Gandhi Nagar Police Station under FIR No. 216/2026 under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on June 7.

Following the registration of the FIR, the police launched an intensive search operation to trace the accused. Investigators examined CCTV footage from multiple locations, verified suspects, and extensively used technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs to track the movements of the accused.

Through sustained efforts and meticulous investigation, the police team successfully apprehended Arwaz, a 27-year-old resident of Delhi's Sangam Vihar, from the Uttam Nagar area within eight hours of the FIR being registered.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime. At his instance, police recovered a blood-stained pair of scissors believed to be the weapon used in the murder, along with blood-stained clothes worn during the commission of the offence.

Verification of the accused's criminal antecedents revealed his previous involvement in a serious criminal case during his juvenile years.

Records show that he had been booked in FIR No. 02/2019 under Section 307 of the IPC at Sangam Vihar Police Station.

Police officials said the prompt arrest of the accused, recovery of the weapon of offence, seizure of crucial evidence and collection of CCTV footage played a key role in solving the case.

Further investigation is underway.

The recovered contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 10 crore in the illegal market.

The seizure was made in a coordinated operation carried out by the Crime Branch and the West Zone Police, which intercepted a truck allegedly being used to transport the narcotic substance.

According to officials, the consignment was intended for distribution in Kanpur and several neighbouring districts.

Police described the operation as a significant success in their ongoing campaign against narcotics trafficking.

During the raid, officers recovered the entire consignment and took into custody members of the alleged smuggling network involved in transporting and distributing the contraband.

Investigators are now examining the supply chain and attempting to determine the origin of the seized ganja, as well as identifying other individuals who may be linked to the trafficking network.

Officials believe the recovered consignment was part of a larger distribution operation spanning multiple districts.

The latest seizure comes only days after another major breakthrough by law enforcement agencies in Uttar Pradesh.

In a joint operation conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Deoria district, authorities dismantled a major ganja trafficking network.

During that operation, officials seized 406.8 kilograms of ganja and arrested four individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking activities.

The Kanpur seizure also follows another major anti-drug action carried out earlier this week under the Uttar Pradesh Police's ongoing anti-narcotics campaign known as "Operation Dahan".

As part of that initiative, approximately 13 quintals, or 1,300 kilograms, of ganja with an estimated value of Rs 6.50 crore were destroyed at a brick kiln by a joint team of Handia Police and the Narcotics Task Force.

The destruction was carried out in the presence of a high-level committee after completion of the required legal formalities.

Officials said "Operation Dahan" is being conducted across the state under the direction of the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, to target narcotics networks and ensure the destruction of seized illegal substances after due legal process.

The incident took place in Revasi Dhanushi Tola (Ward No. 1) under the Riga police station area late Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Puja Devi (28), wife of Sikandar Sahani, her daughter Shivani (5), and her three sons -- Rajkumar (7), Veerbhadr Kumar (2), and one-month-old Laigar Kumar.

According to local residents, the family was asleep in their kutcha house, which stood beside an old Peepal tree.

At around 11.30 p.m., strong winds and heavy rain struck the area, uprooting the tree.

The tree fell directly onto the house, causing the structure to collapse completely and trapping all five occupants beneath the debris. All of them died on the spot.

After receiving information about the incident, officials, including the Sadar SDPO, the Block Development Officer (BDO), and personnel from Riga police station, reached the site.

Local villagers joined rescue teams in removing the debris.

The district administration has initiated the process of providing compensation and other government assistance to the affected family as per existing norms.

The tragedy comes amid worsening weather conditions across Bihar as the southwest monsoon approaches the state.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is expected to enter Bihar between June 10 and June 15.

On Monday evening, severe storms and rain also caused widespread disruption in the Bagaha region of West Champaran district.

Strong winds uprooted trees, damaged houses, and blocked several major roads.

A large tree fell near Banjariya Chowk on the Ramnagar-Bakhri main road, resulting in a massive traffic jam that left thousands of commuters stranded for hours.

Numerous trees also fell along the Ramnagar-Lauriya and Ramnagar-Narkatiaganj routes, disrupting transportation.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued weather alerts for several districts of Bihar.

A yellow alert was issued for West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger, Jamui, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj.

These districts are expected to witness thunderstorms, lightning, and winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph.

The department has also issued an orange alert for Wednesday for the same districts, warning of stronger winds of 50-60 kmph, lightning activity, and heavy rainfall.

The Kosi-Seemanchal region is likely to receive particularly heavy rain during this period.

Weather officials have advised residents to remain alert, avoid taking shelter under trees during storms, and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities.

She has been directed to appear before the agency on Friday for questioning. Alongside her, summonses have also been served on eight officials of CMRL, as part of a broader probe into alleged financial irregularities.

According to officials, the move follows a recent high-level review in Kochi, where ED Director Rahul Navin reportedly instructed investigators to expedite the case.

The directive came after the High Court Division Bench permitted further continuation of proceedings, giving the agency greater procedural clarity to move ahead.

In parallel developments, the ED has begun steps to proceed with the potential confiscation of Rs 18.36 crore lying in 242 frozen bank accounts.

One of these accounts is reportedly linked to Veena Vijayan.

Funds in other accounts, including those held with HDFC Bank, may also come under the scope of seizure proceedings, subject to approval from the Adjudicating Authority in the coming days.

The agency is also examining electronic evidence and banking records seized during recent raids.

Prior to the scheduled questioning, the ED is considering inspection of Veena Vijayan’s bank lockers as part of its preparatory steps.

The case centres on allegations that CMRL made payments to Exalogic Solutions, a company associated with Veena Vijayan, for services that were allegedly not rendered.

In a related development, a court handling company law matters in Kochi has directed that key documents from the SFIO charge sheet be handed over to the ED, strengthening the agency’s access to extensive records.

A total of 134 documents spread across 54 volumes, including contracts, bank statements, and income tax records, are expected to be transferred to the agency.

Apart from Veena Vijayan, entities such as Exalogic, CMRL, and associated individuals, including Sasidharan Kartha, remain under the scope of investigation.

The ED maintains that its probe is focused on establishing the flow of funds and verifying the nature of services linked to the transactions.

Kolkata, June 9 (IANS) All focus in the political circles in West Bengal will be on the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata on Tuesday, with the main question being whether Trinamool Congress’ general secretary and the party’s Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, will ultimately appear there and face interrogation in the signature mismatch case.

The case was filed after complaints were made by some Trinamool MLAs alleging that signatures of several legislators were forged on official documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly.

Legal circles believe that since this is the third consecutive summons served to Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and in case he stays away this time also, the CID will be prompted to act against him.

However, legal circles point out that there is also a legal shield in this matter in his favour, which is the scheduled hearing on Wednesday before a single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court on his petition challenging the CID summons and seeking interim protection against coercive police action, including arrest.

Last week, Abhishek Banerjee approached the Calcutta High Court with the petition, which also pleaded for a fast-track hearing in the matter. Although the single-judge vacation bench of Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das admitted his petition, she rejected the plea for a fast-track hearing and fixed June 10 as the date of the first hearing.

In the first notice served on May 30, Abhishek Banerjee was asked to appear for interrogation at the CID headquarters on June 1. However, on June 1, he sent a communique to the CID seeking 15 days to appear, citing medical issues after being assaulted at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district on the afternoon of May 30.

The CID then served a second notice asking him to appear for interrogation by noon on June 8.

However, on June 8, Abhishek Banerjee was in New Delhi with Mamata Banerjee attending the INDIA bloc meeting, and he sought more time to appear for interrogation.

Again, on the afternoon of June 8, the CID served him the third notice asking him to appear at its headquarters by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Chennai, June 9 (IANS) In a major effort to strengthen security and curb criminal activities at one of the city’s busiest transport hubs, the Chennai City Police have intensified surveillance measures at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu by deploying drones and conducting round-the-clock CCTV monitoring as part of a special anti-crime and anti-drug operation.

The initiative, launched under the directions of Chennai Commissioner of Police A. Amalraj, aims to deter offences such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking and other unlawful activities that frequently target crowded public spaces.

Police officials said special teams carried out extensive inspections across the sprawling bus terminus and surrounding areas during night hours, focusing on locations that are often vulnerable to criminal activity.

Officers questioned and searched individuals found loitering under suspicious circumstances as part of preventive policing measures designed to enhance passenger safety.

A key feature of the operation was the use of drone technology. Police personnel trained in drone surveillance monitored passenger movement and activities across the bus stand and adjoining areas from the air, enabling officers to identify suspicious behaviour and respond quickly to potential threats.

Simultaneously, dedicated teams closely monitored footage from the extensive network of CCTV cameras installed at the terminus.

Investigators reviewed recordings from multiple locations to identify persons behaving suspiciously, gather intelligence and track movements within the complex.

According to police sources, at least 15 individuals were detained for questioning during a single day of the operation in Koyambedu. After verification and inquiry, they were released after providing written undertakings to maintain lawful conduct.

Officials said the surveillance-driven operation is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent criminal elements from exploiting crowded transport facilities.

CMBT, one of the largest bus terminals in South India, serves as a crucial transportation hub connecting Chennai with districts across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The terminus handles more than one lakh passengers on an average day, while footfall surges to between three and four lakh passengers during weekends, holidays and festival seasons.

Police authorities indicated that similar technology-driven surveillance operations would continue in the coming weeks, with a focus on maintaining public order, preventing crime and ensuring a secure travel environment for the thousands of passengers who pass through the facility every day.

The accused has been identified as Amir, also known by the aliases Saleem and Tillan. The 34-year-old is a resident of Vijay Park in Delhi's Maujpur area and has links with jailed gangster Hasim Baba, according to police.

The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the high-profile double murder that took place on October 31, 2024, during Diwali celebrations in Shahdara.

The incident had shocked the city after property dealer Akash Sharma, aged 40, and his 16-year-old nephew Rishabh Sharma were shot dead outside their residence in Bihari Colony under the Farsh Bazar area of Shahdara while celebrating the festival with family members. Akash Sharma's 10-year-old son, Krish, was also critically injured in the attack.

The entire sequence of events was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the locality. Following the incident, police registered a case at Farsh Bazar Police Station against unidentified assailants and launched an extensive investigation to identify those involved.

Investigators later determined that two attackers had arrived on a scooter. According to police findings, one of the assailants touched Akash Sharma's feet as a diversionary tactic before both men allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the victims. The attack left two people dead and a child seriously injured.

During the course of the investigation, police identified a monetary dispute as the primary motive behind the killings. According to investigators, a 17-year-old juvenile, who was reportedly a distant relative and former associate of Akash Sharma, had lent him Rs 70,000. Police alleged that when Sharma failed to repay the amount and stopped responding to calls, the juvenile arranged for a professional shooter to carry out the attack.

The alleged shooter was later identified as Anil alias Sonu Matka, a known criminal with a history of serious offences, including a murder case and involvement in a major Rs 1.5-crore robbery in Karol Bagh. Police also claimed that he maintained links with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hasim Baba criminal network. The juvenile suspect was apprehended shortly after the murders.

The latest breakthrough came on Monday when police received information regarding the whereabouts of another accused in the case, Amir.

Acting on the tip-off, a special police team was formed to trace and apprehend him. The team included Inspector Man Singh, Inspector Sunder Gautam, Sub-Inspectors Manish and Bharat Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Naresh, Head Constables Ramjas, Manoj, Ravish, Kapil and Sumit Yadav, along with Constables Sonu, Faizan, Deepak and Woman Constable Indu.

Based on information from a secret informant, the police team laid a trap near the Metro Depot in Delhi's Shastri Park area.

Officials said the operation culminated late Monday night when the police team intercepted the suspect at around 10:48 p.m.

"On seeing himself surrounded by a police party, the accused person wiped out his pistol and opened fire, targeting the police party. Then HC Manoj fired in self-defence, targeting the legs of the accused person," police officials said.

According to investigators, Amir allegedly attempted to resist arrest by opening fire on the police team. In the retaliatory action, he sustained a gunshot injury to the leg and was subsequently overpowered by the raiding team.

After being brought under control, Amir was taken into custody, and legal proceedings were initiated against him.

Police confirmed that he has now been formally arrested in connection with the case.

Authorities are also probing Amir's alleged links with organised criminal networks and his specific role in the conspiracy behind the double murder.

Further details are awaited as investigators continue to question the accused and gather additional evidence related to the case.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi and the National Capital Region are likely to witness spells of very light to light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph on June 11 and 12.

Until then, heatwave conditions are expected to persist across the region. The national capital is forecast to record maximum temperatures between 42 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius under mainly clear skies. Strong surface winds of 20-30 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 40 kmph during the day, are also expected. Similar heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over Haryana, Punjab, West Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh through June 11.

A fresh western disturbance is expected to affect northwest India from June 11, bringing thunderstorms, gusty winds and light to moderate rainfall to several areas later in the week. The change in weather is expected to provide temporary relief from the prevailing heat.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi and the NCR during the last week of June, according to the latest monsoon progression forecast issued by the IMD. The weather department has indicated that the monsoon could arrive in Delhi, along with neighbouring cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad, between June 25 and June 30.

Several other parts of northern India are also expected to receive seasonal rainfall during the same period as the monsoon continues its northward advance.

For Tuesday, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations in Kerala and Karnataka, while very heavy rain is expected over Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.

Widespread rainfall is also likely across Konkan and Goa, Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Authorities have warned of the possibility of waterlogging, localised flooding and travel disruptions in vulnerable areas.

The southwest monsoon, which normally sets in over Kerala around June 1, arrived this year on June 4, three days later than usual. Since then, it has advanced further into more parts of the Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Conditions remain favourable for its further advance into central and eastern India, including Odisha, West Bengal and the remaining northeastern states over the next two to three days.

Following its expected arrival in Delhi, the monsoon is forecast to continue advancing across northwestern India, covering Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

For comparison, the monsoon reached Delhi on June 29 in 2025, two days later than the city's normal onset date of June 27, based on long-term climatological data from 1961 to 2019.

The main charges against Dutta are involvement in corruption, extortion and rampant threatening of people in his locality.

Sources aware of the development said that Dutta, currently a councillor of ward number 31 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, was arrested following a written complaint filed by a businessman based in Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, which also falls within the jurisdiction of the Bidhannagar City Police.

Apart from that, there were several other complaints in the past about his involvement in corruption, extortion and hooliganism in his locality.

Following the complaint filed by the businessman, the cops of Bidhannagar North Police Station raided Dutta’s residence at Raigachi area in Rajarhat after midnight on Monday

Later, he was arrested from his house. According to sources, Dutta was arrested early this morning after a long interrogation at his residence.

Dutta, a two-time Trinamool Congress legislator from Rajarhat-Newtown Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas from 2011 to 2021, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls.

In 2021, he contested as a BJP candidate from Bidhannagar Assembly constituency in the same district and was defeated by three-time former Trinamool Congress legislator and former West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose.

Incidentally, Bose is also in judicial custody, and officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him last month on charges of involvement in the multi-crore cash-for-municipalities’ job case in the state.

After the 2021 Assembly election, the Trinamool Congress returned to power in West Bengal for a third consecutive term; Dutta left the BJP and joined the ruling party.

In the recently concluded Assembly polls, which marked the end of the 15-year-long Trinamool Congress regime in the state, Dutta had contested from Barasat Assembly constituency in the same district and was defeated.

Sources from the Bidhannagar City Police said that Dutta will first be taken for medical examination and subsequently presented at a district court in North 24 Parganas. The public prosecutor will seek his judicial custody.

According to police, the incident took place in Lucknow's Para area on Monday when the two girls, who had arrived from Charbagh and were on their way to take an examination in Raebareli, allegedly became victims of the accused auto driver's actions.

Providing details of the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kamlesh Dixit said the two students had begun their journey from their home district and were heading towards the examination centre when the incident occurred.

"Two girls from the district were going to appear for an examination in Raebareli. They boarded a train from Charbagh and then took an auto-rickshaw to reach the roadways bus stand. Instead of taking them to the bus stand, the auto driver took them to a deserted place in the Para area. There, he harassed and assaulted them," Dixit said.

Police said the accused allegedly diverted the route and drove the passengers to an isolated location rather than their intended destination. The girls reportedly raised an alarm after the alleged harassment, prompting the accused to flee from the scene.

"After that, police reached the location and registered an FIR at the police station and ensured the girls were safely sent for their examination," the DCP said.

Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and began efforts to identify and trace the suspect.

Officials examined CCTV footage from nearby areas and gathered technical evidence to determine the accused's identity and movements.

According to the police, the accused was identified as Hasim, a resident of Hardoi who had been living in a rented accommodation under the Para police station limits and was working as an auto-rickshaw driver in Lucknow.

Police teams subsequently tracked the suspect and located him near Munnu Khera Pulia. Officials said that when they attempted to apprehend him, he allegedly tried to escape and opened fire on the police team.

"We traced him and found him near Munnu Khera puliya. He tried to run, and we tried to stop him. He fired at the police, so the officials also retaliated. During this, he got shot in the leg. He has been arrested and sent to the hospital for treatment," the officer added.

Police said further legal proceedings are being carried out in connection with the case.

Officials also revealed that Hasim has a previous criminal record. According to police, he had earlier been arrested in 2024 in connection with a rape case.

Police said the accused is now in custody and that the investigation into the matter is continuing.

According to the weather department, an upper-air trough extending from coastal Karnataka to coastal Andhra Pradesh is currently prevailing at an altitude between 3.1 km and 4.5 km above mean sea level.

The atmospheric system is expected to enhance rainfall activity over parts of Tamil Nadu during the day.

The RMC has predicted heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph at isolated places in the hilly regions of Tirunelveli district, as well as in the districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Kanniyakumari, Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode. In addition, moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely at isolated locations in Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.

Weather officials have advised residents in these areas to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during periods of intense rainfall and lightning.

While rain-bearing conditions are expected in several districts, the weather department has also highlighted the persistence of hot and humid conditions across parts of the state. Maximum temperatures at a few locations are likely to remain up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal.

The combination of elevated temperatures and high moisture content in the atmosphere could lead to heat-related discomfort, particularly during the afternoon hours.

The forecast comes a day after several parts of Tamil Nadu recorded intense heat. On Monday, temperatures crossed 37.7 degrees Celsius at nine weather stations across the state.

Chennai’s Meenambakkam recorded the highest temperature at around 39.4 degrees Celsius, underscoring the continuing influence of summer heat despite the onset of rain-bearing weather systems.

Meteorologists noted that such conditions are typical during the seasonal transition period when localised thunderstorms occur alongside high daytime temperatures.

Authorities have advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and take necessary precautions during thunderstorms and strong winds.

The weather department continued to monitor evolving atmospheric conditions and has urged people to follow official forecasts and advisories for updates.

A police official identified the victim as Chunjanglung Panmei, a resident of the area who also served as a village guard.

He was killed inside a forest in the mountainous Kangpokpi district.

According to officials, Panmei had gone into the forest to collect firewood for domestic use when the incident occurred.

After gunshots were heard from the area, villagers from nearby settlements, along with security personnel, rushed to the forest in search of Panmei, the police official said.

His body was later recovered from the forest with multiple bullet injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head.

The village is located near Loibol Khullen, where three civilians, including a woman, were killed by unidentified gunmen on June 5, further heightening concerns over security in the region.

Meanwhile, the Naga People's Organisation (NPO) claimed that Panmei had been serving as a volunteer village guard and described the killing as a "cold-blooded murder".

In a statement, the NPO alleged that Panmei was not targeted for any wrongdoing but was killed solely because of his Naga identity.

The organisation urged the authorities concerned to immediately initiate a thorough and time-bound investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

Another local Naga body, the Pongringlong Youth Club, also strongly condemned the killing and demanded swift action against the perpetrators.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed profound anguish over the killing of Chunjanglung Panmei and strongly condemned the incident.

In a statement, the Chief Minister termed the killing a heinous and cowardly act of violence against an innocent civilian.

He said that the Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were conducting operations to trace and apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice under the rule of law.

Singh also assured that all possible support and assistance from the state government would be extended to the bereaved family during this difficult time.

Appealing for calm, the Chief Minister urged all communities to maintain peace and harmony, refrain from falling prey to provocations aimed at disturbing the atmosphere, and cooperate with the authorities in maintaining law and order across the state.

The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.

"Saddened by the mishap at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest. The local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," reads a post of the Prime Minister's Office.

"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PMO wrote.

Eight workers died, and six others were injured after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday.

The accident occurred when a large quantity of molten steel leaked following the explosion of the ladle, which was carrying steel at a very high temperature.

The disaster occurred when molten steel was being lifted at the SMS-2 and STC-3 heat facility of the steel plant around 4.15 p.m.

According to officials, molten iron was extremely hot at about 1,500 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the Visakha Steel Plant accident with Chief Secretary Sai Prasad, state government officials, and the Visakhapatnam District Collector.

District Collector briefed the Chief Minister on the accident, the medical care being provided to the injured, and the current situation.

The Chief Minister was informed that eight people died in the accident and, among the six injured, two are in critical condition.

It was revealed that the deceased included five permanent employees and three contract workers.

CM Chandrababu directed officials to ensure the injured receive advanced medical treatment.

He also spoke over the phone with Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy regarding the incident. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to provide support to the affected families.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed deep shock over the accident.

According to a statement from his office, upon learning of the incident, he gathered details from the Visakhapatnam District Collector and the City Police Commissioner. He inquired about the ongoing relief operations at the steel plant and directed officials to coordinate their efforts effectively.

The Deputy CM also instructed that the injured receive the best possible medical care. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the coalition government would stand by them in every possible way.

Pawan Kalyan will visit Visakhapatnam on Tuesday to console the affected families.

According to an official statement, the CBS, an indigenous public warning system launched by the Government of India on May 2 this year, has become fully operational in Assam through ASDMA. The system was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Officials said the technology enables authorities to send instant, geo-targeted emergency alerts to all mobile phones within a specific area, ensuring rapid dissemination of critical information during disasters and emergencies.

The system was made available for implementation nationwide, including in Assam, following a nationwide test conducted on May 2. However, states where the Model Code of Conduct was in force, including Assam, were excluded from the exercise.

With the election process now over, the state government is set to roll out the system as per the directives of the Government of India.

ASDMA officials said citizens may receive emergency alerts on their mobile devices during the implementation phase. These alerts, designed to warn people about impending disasters, are highly sensitive and trigger a loud alarm and notification sound for around 30 seconds on mobile handsets.

The alerts will be issued only by authorised government agencies during genuine emergencies such as severe storms, heavy rainfall, lightning, cyclones, floods, flash floods, gas leaks, and other disaster situations. Notifications will appear as pop-up messages with a distinctive tone and vibration, and supported devices will also read the message aloud.

Officials urged the public not to panic upon receiving such alerts and requested that citizens remain calm, as the messages are part of an official disaster warning mechanism aimed at saving lives and minimising risks.

They added that the CBS is more reliable than conventional SMS-based alerts as it remains effective even during network congestion.

The system can reach all users in a targeted area, including roaming subscribers, and supports multiple languages across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.

It is learnt that the Bangladeshi nationals were stopped when they attempted to cross the border fencing and return to Bangladesh over the past two days.

It has also been alleged that the 10 Bangladeshi nationals were prevented from entering their country by BGB personnel.

After waiting for two days at the zero line amid sun and rain, the Border Security Force (BSF) brought them to Kotwali Police Station on Monday. The police later shifted them to the holding centre at the Jalpaiguri Regional Training Centre.

A group of 10 Bangladeshi nationals had been stranded at Joypur Zero Point beyond the border fence along the India-Bangladesh border.

Despite being Bangladeshi citizens, they were allegedly not allowed to enter Bangladesh.

On Monday morning, the BSF detained the Bangladeshi nationals from the border area.

The 10 people, including members of two families, were brought to the holding centre.

The detained Bangladeshi nationals are Mohammad Abdul Salam (38), his wife Yasmin (30), and their son Mohammad Irfan Islam (6), residents of Benapole in Jessore district of Bangladesh.

Among the others, Mehendi Hasan (31) is a resident of Kushtia district.

Also among those detained are four persons from Kanopalli in Chittagong. They are Shamsul Alam (46), his wife Taslima Akhtar (30), their son Mohammad Sahin (10), and daughter Sahima Akhtar (10).

In addition, Usman, a resident of Satkhira district, and Mohammad Munna, a resident of Khulna district, were also brought to the holding centre by the BSF's 39 Battalion under the Radhabari-Siliguri sector.

According to Kotwali Police Station officials, the 10 Bangladeshi nationals will remain at the holding centre for the time being and will be sent back to Bangladesh in accordance with legal procedures.

Citizens from different districts of Bangladesh had allegedly entered India illegally and were residing in different parts of the country.

After the recent change of government in West Bengal, the new government adopted a strict stance against illegal infiltrators.

Since then, there has reportedly been an increase in the number of Bangladeshi nationals seeking to return home.

However, some of them allegedly faced obstacles from the BGB while attempting to return.

The BSF had earlier escorted these Bangladeshi nationals to the Berubari border for their return to Bangladesh.

However, personnel of the BGB's 56 Battalion, which is responsible for the border area in Bangladesh's Panchagarh district, allegedly prevented them from entering the country.

Berubari Gram Panchayat Deputy Chief Dilip Kumar Das said: "We want the Central and state governments to take the initiative to send illegal Bangladeshis back to Bangladesh. But the Bangladesh government does not want its citizens to return. After being stranded at Zero Point for two days, the BSF has brought them to the holding centre. We want them to be sent back to their country."

A police statement said that Srinagar Police had attached immovable properties worth approximately Rs 4 crore belonging to the two accused under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to the statement, Police Station Sangam attached properties worth around Rs 3 crore belonging to Gulam Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar, in connection with FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act.

The attached assets include a residential house, land and commercial shops.

Police said the investigation established that the properties had allegedly been acquired through proceeds generated from narcotics trafficking.

In a separate action, Police Station Nowhatta attached a residential property worth approximately Rs 1 crore belonging to Mohammad Shafi Sheikh, son of Late Mohammad Subhan Sheikh, in connection with FIR No. 09/2018 under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act.

Police said the property was identified as an allegedly illegally acquired asset generated through drug trafficking activities.

The attachments were carried out under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act to prevent the concealment, transfer or disposal of properties derived from the illicit narcotics trade, the statement said.

The 100-day-long Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan was inaugurated on April 6 by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The Lieutenant Governor has said that, in addition to the punishment prescribed under law against drug smugglers, drug peddlers and drug traders, cancellation of Aadhaar cards, driving licences and passports, along with the attachment of properties created through proceeds from the drug trade, are additional punitive measures against such criminals.

The Lieutenant Governor has sought complete participation in the anti-drug campaign from society so that the next generation can be saved from the menace of substance abuse.

The initiative, by Saanjh Punjab, Eco Sewa, Kendriya Sikh Sabha, and Gurudwara Sahib in Patiala, in coordination with local authorities, aims to provide accessible spaces where people can rest, cool down, access drinking water, and seek temporary relief from high temperatures.

Organisers hope the model will encourage greater collaboration between communities, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and government agencies to strengthen resilience to extreme heat.

As part of the initiative, the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar, Eco Sewa, and Saanjh Punjab jointly inaugurated a Heat Wave Shelter at Sadar Chowk in Amritsar. The shelter was inaugurated by Yogesh Arora, Medical Officer of Health (MOH). Constructed using an eco-friendly bamboo structure with bamboo screening, the shelter provides shade for pedestrians and commuters.

A heatwave shelter has also been set up by the Gram Panchayat of Jagdev Kalan in Amritsar district. Members from Eco Sewa present included Nidhi Sindhwani, Minakshi Khanna, Ridhi Khanna, Samriti Kapoor, Manik Chhina, Jasmine Gill, Harveen, and Deepti Khanna.

Additional cooling and resting spaces have been established at the office of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Sector 28 in Chandigarh. These facilities provide shaded seating and drinking water for workers, commuters, and members of the public.

Similar spaces have also been created at Gurdwara Parmeshwar Dwar in Shekhupur, Patiala, with additional cooling zones planned for Patiala and Amritsar in the coming weeks.

Saanjh Punjab, a citizens’ network of individuals and organisations working on agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability across Punjab, has been facilitating collaboration among community groups and institutions involved in the initiative.

Gurpreet Singh of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said the Sikh tradition places great emphasis on ‘seva’ and caring for humanity. He noted that as heatwaves become more severe, providing drinking water, shade, and a place to rest is a practical way to protect people’s health and dignity.

Echoing similar sentiments, Nidhi Sindhwani of Eco Sewa said environmental action should directly benefit people. She explained that heat shelters, tree cover, and public cooling spaces are simple interventions that can make cities more livable while helping communities adapt to rising temperatures.

Gurpreet Kaur of Clean Air Punjab added that extreme heat is one of the most significant climate risks people in Punjab are facing. She said community cooling zones are a low-cost, high-impact measure that can help reduce heat stress and protect vulnerable populations.

According to official figures released up to 8 p.m. on June 6, those detained include 161 men, 323 women, and 125 children.

The largest number of arrests was recorded in Ahmedabad City, where 207 people were detained, followed by Surat City with 120, Ahmedabad Rural with 64, Bharuch district with 61, and Kheda district with 22.

The remaining arrests were made in various other districts across Gujarat.

The latest figures mark a significant increase in detentions under the operation. Statewide arrests had reached 362 by June 3, before rising to 501 and then 568 in subsequent phases of the drive as police expanded verification and search operations across multiple districts.

Authorities have said the exercise is continuing and further checks are underway.

Last week, Operation Delta Hunt was launched as a coordinated statewide crackdown involving district police units, crime branch personnel, cyber cells, and special operations groups.

Officials have said the operation relies on technical surveillance, telecom analysis, human intelligence, and document verification to identify foreign nationals allegedly residing in the state without valid authorisation.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi had earlier stated that the operation was planned over several days and covered all parts of Gujarat.

He said investigations were also being conducted into the backgrounds of thousands of individuals identified during the verification exercise and that action would be taken against persons found to have facilitated illegal settlement, employment, or accommodation without the required verification procedures.

Police have reported that many of those detained during the operation were working in the informal labour sector, with concentrations found in major urban centres including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Bharuch.

Authorities said verification and legal procedures are continuing in accordance with applicable laws, while investigations are examining possible networks involved in facilitating illegal entry, documentation, residence, and employment.

The operation forms part of a broader state-level effort to identify undocumented foreign nationals and strengthen enforcement against illegal immigration, with police teams continuing searches and verification drives in areas flagged through intelligence inputs.

.On Monday, reports have come from several parts of the state about damages caused to buildings, homes and properties due to the vagaries of the weather.

A red alert has been declared for Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Tuesday, with the IMD forecasting the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

The Weather Department had also issued an orange alert for Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod on June 8, and Malappuram and Wayanad on June 9, indicating the possibility of isolated very heavy rainfall.

The IMD classifies rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm in 24 hours as very heavy rainfall.

Several districts have been placed under a yellow alert over the five-day period.

On June 8, the alert covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Wayanad.

On June 9, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad are under the yellow alert.

On June 10 and 11, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod will remain under alert.

On June 12, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall.

The IMD has warned that the prevailing weather conditions could bring thunderstorms accompanied by heavy showers, with the possibility of sudden intense rainfall over short durations.

Authorities have cautioned that extremely heavy rain may trigger flash floods, landslides and mudslides, particularly in hilly regions.

Urban areas and low-lying locations may witness waterlogging if heavy showers continue.

With the possibility of rapid changes in weather conditions, the public and government agencies have been advised to maintain vigilance and take necessary precautions in vulnerable areas.