Deputy conservator of forest, Kota, Jairam Pandey confirmed his staff was informed Tuesday night about the crocodile but said it disappeared into the drains. 

A 40-second video clip of the three and a half-feet crocodile shot by passersby on his mobile shows the reptile crossing the Commerce College near the Sabji Mandi in Kota. 

Passersby, including those on vehicles, stopped in their tracks as the crocodile crossed the road and vanished from sight. 

The city being located on the bank of Chambal river, which has a Gharial sanctuary, crocodiles occasionally enter nearby residential areas. 

Flooding in a rainy brook in Sajidhra area could have brought the crocodile into the city, locals said, adding that such a sight was usual in Kota as it is on the bank of a river. 

Kota witnesses an average of 50-60 crocodile sightings per year in residential localities, with 57 incidents reported last year in the city, Kota deputy conservator of forest Pandey said. 

Rescue teams stay on alert mode round the clock and rush to the spot when they receive any reports of crocodile sightings, he added. 

According to forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts, rivers, brooks and ponds tend to overflow during the monsoon, flushing crocodiles into residential areas. 

They have been rescued several times in the past, he said, adding that usually baby crocodiles are seen in city areas after floods. -- PTI

More details are awaited.   

Earlier on August 16, 2022, Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD leader and brother of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, took oath as a minister in the Bihar cabinet. -- ANI                            

Nikah halala deals with the process in which a Muslim woman, who wants to re-marry her husband after divorce, has to first marry another person and get a divorce from him after the consummation. 

"We are investigating the claims made by the woman. An FIR will be lodged and appropriate action will be taken," additional superintendent of police Nepal Singh said. 

The woman alleged, in her complaint, that her husband gave her triple talaq two years into their marriage after demanding a dowry of Rs 1 lakh. 

He forced her to follow nikah halala with her brother-in-law and then remarried her. 

She claimed she went through the same trauma in 2020 and on July 4 this year, she was yet again given triple talaq. 

When her parents intervened, her husband reiterated his demand of nikah halala and threatened them with dire consequences. -- PTI

According to the officials, the incident took place while the coaches were being connected to the train. 

Railway staff are conducting operations for coaches to get back on the tracks. 

Earlier on June 21, a goods train derailed at Vizianagaram railway station in Andhra Pradesh. 

According to railway officials, the incident happened while moving from the loop track to the main track. 

The railway officials had said that the goods train was carrying an empty container box and the incident happened while the goods train was in a loop line and a single tyre of the goods train had derailed. 

Though no injury or major damage was reported in the derailment, the incident disrupted the movement of trains on the section for several hours. -- ANI

"The action has been initiated after the honourable adjudicating authority for PMLA confirmed the provisional attachment of (these) properties vide order dated June 1, 2023," the federal agency said in a statement. 

The ED had attached Sai Resort NX, constructed over the land located at Gut no: 446, Murud in Ratnagiri's Dapoli, in January. 

Parab (58) is a Shiv Sena leader from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the party. He had earlier denied his association with the resort. 

Parab is a three-time Shiv Sena legislator in the Maharashtra legislative council, the Upper House of the legislature, and has held the transport and parliamentary affairs portfolios in the state. 

The money-laundering case stems from a complaint filed by the Union environment and forest ministry against Anil Dattatray Parab Sai Resort, Sea Conch Resort and some others for alleged violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, apart from a linked state police FIR against the former minister and others for "deceiving and causing loss to the government of Maharashtra".

If true, it would mark Prigozhin's first public appearance since he and his mercenaries organised an armed rebellion in Russia last month. 

In a video, which was reposted on Prigozhin's account after being posted on pro-Wagner Telegram channels on Wednesday, features a man who looks and sounds like Prigozhin, saying, "Welcome guys! I am happy to greet you all. Welcome to the Belarusian land! We fought with dignity! We have done a lot for Russia." 

In the video, a fighter appears to address the Wagner leader as "Yevgeny Viktorovich," which is Prigozhin's first name and patronymic. The metadata on file suggests that the video was likely created on Wednesday at dawn, and it appears unedited. 

CNN cannot determine with certainty that the speaker is Prigozhin or when the video was shot because it is blurry and shot in poor light. The clip is being geolocated by CNN. 

The Wagner leader appeared to reiterate in the video his previous criticisms of the planning and conduct of military actions in Ukraine by the Russian ministry of defence. 

Prigozhin said, "What is happening now at the front is a disgrace in which we do not need to participate. We need to wait for the moment when we can prove ourselves fully." 

He added, "Therefore a decision was taken for us to station here in Belarus for some time. I am sure that during this time we will make the Belarusian army second greatest in the world. And if needed, we will defend them if it comes to it." 

"I want to ask everyone to really pay attention to the fact that Belarusians welcomed us not only as heroes, but also as brothers," said Prigozhin.

LK Verma, chief public relations officer of Konkan Railway, said that water level was above the danger mark on the Vashishthi (also spelled as Vashishti) railway bridge, and hence train services were stopped as a precautionary measure around 3 pm. 

Operations were resumed after an hour, he said. 

The Kochuveli-Indore Express was the only train that was halted at Chiplun station (255 km south of Mumbai) during this period, Verma added. 

"After our engineers inspected the bridge and declared it safe, train operations resumed on the route,' he said. 

Overnight heavy downpour caused several rivers in the coastal Konkan region to swell on Wednesday morning, prompting evacuation of people in some areas. -- PTI

Following this, the Maharashtra disaster management authority has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the above districts.

Foxconn Industrial Internet, is a leading global total solution provider for smart manufacturing and industrial internet, according to its website. 

FII chief executive officer Brand Cheng accompanied by senior company officials discussed the 'investment opportunities' in Tamil Nadu, sources said. 

Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa, chief secretary Shiv Das Meena were also present on the occasion. 

The meeting of FII officials with the Tamil Nadu government assumes significance as recently the delegation called on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about its proposal to invest Rs 8,800 crore manufacturing plant in the neighbouring state. 

Foxconn, a major iPhone assembler for Apple, has proposed to set up a Rs 8,800 crore supplementary plant to that of the unit at Devanahalli Information Technology Investment Region in Karnataka, the state's large and medium industries minister M B Patil had said on Monday. -- PTI

Foxconn Industrial Internet, is a leading global total solution provider for smart manufacturing and industrial internet, according to its website. 

FII chief executive officer Brand Cheng accompanied by senior company officials discussed the 'investment opportunities' in Tamil Nadu, sources said. 

Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa, chief secretary Shiv Das Meena were also present on the occasion. 

The meeting of FII officials with the Tamil Nadu government assumes significance as recently the delegation called on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about its proposal to invest Rs 8,800 crore manufacturing plant in the neighbouring state. 

Foxconn, a major iPhone assembler for Apple, has proposed to set up a Rs 8,800 crore supplementary plant to that of the unit at Devanahalli Information Technology Investment Region in Karnataka, the state's large and medium industries minister M B Patil had said on Monday. -- PTI

Kathua deputy commissioner Rakesh Minhas ordered an immediate ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000 to the kin of the deceased. 

"We have eight confirmed deaths in rain-related incidents. The administration is keeping a close watch on the flood-like situation developing in the district," Minhas said. 

Expressing condolences over the loss of lives, he said an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 to those injured was sanctioned. 

Braving incessant rains, rescuers comprising police, Army, SDRF and locals worked for hours together to retrieve the bodies of five members of two families from the debris of their houses at Surjan village, he said. 

A police official identified the deceased as Zareena Begum (40), her two sons Shahbaz Ahmad (14) and Arbaz (2), Nazia Tabassum (14) and her brother Mohd Asif (12). 

At Sitti village, 13-year-old Ajay Singh came under a landslide near his house, while the body of Naseema Begum (55) was also recovered after she came under a landslide near her house at Drangal-Mandote, the official said. 

Sham Lal (50) also died after coming under the debris of a landslide at Bhuldi Nallah near Daggar while he was trying to clear a water passage to avoid damage to his house, he said, adding Lal's body was recovered and handed over to his family. -- PTI

Seema (30) and her Indian partner Sachin Meena (22) were questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad on Monday and Tuesday. 

They were first arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were granted bail by a court on July 7. 

When asked if Seema could be a Pakistan spy, Uttar Pradesh special director general of police Prashant Kumar said nothing could be said so early. 

"The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said. 

In her media interactions since her bail, Seema has been saying she entered India though the Nepal border and travelled to Noida in a bus to be with Sachin whom she met online. 

Asked whether the entry of a Pakistani citizen in India through the Nepal border was a security lapse, Kumar said, "This is not so. Our border (with Nepal) is porus. No passport is needed there. Nothing is written on anyone's face." 

Kumar also said no team is being sent to Nepal to probe how she entered India. -- PTI

It is time for 'Manipur ki Baat' instead of 'Mann ki Baat', he said in a tweet, a day before the beginning of the Monsoon Session. 

O'Brien's remarks come on a day when a five-member TMC delegation landed in Imphal to take stock of the situation in the strife-torn state. 

"PM Narendra Modi, please come to Parliament and speak in both Houses. Enough of Mann ki Baat. Time for Manipur ki Baat. Or will you stay away Mr PM and disrupt the full Monsoon Session," O'Brien, who is part of the delegation, said on Twitter. 

Sources said Manipur was discussed in detail during the opposition meet in Bengaluru and it was decided to corner the government on the issue during the Monsoon Session. 

Since May 3, more than 140 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence in Manipur. -- PTI

Counters serving these meals would be placed on platforms aligning with the general coaches, according to an order issued by the Railway Board. 

The meals have been divided into two categories. 

The type one includes seven 'pooris' with dry 'aaloo' and pickle for a price of Rs 20. 

The type two meal would cost Rs 50 and offer passengers something from an assortment of South Indian food such as rice, rajma, chhole, khichdi kulche, bhature, pao-bhaji and masala dosa. 

The Railway Board has issued instructions to officials concerned to make provision of economy meals and affordable packaged drinking water to be served through counters to be placed at platform near GS coaches. 

GS coaches refers to the general seating coach. It is a second class unreserved coach. 

Normally every train including mail/express trains have atleast two GS coaches one near the locomotive and one at the end of the train. 

Anyone with a General/Unreserverd ticket bought from counter can travel in those compartments. -- PTI

Responding to "mothers' protest" call by Khwairamband Ima Keithel joint coordinating committee for peace, women in large numbers hit the streets across the valley demanding implementation of NRC, immediate convening of the assembly session, maintaining territorial integrity of the state and objection to a separate administration. 

Despite curfew and presence of state police and RAF personnel, women at Singjamei, Wangkhei and Sagolband in Imphal joined the protests. 

Sit-in protests were also held at Nambol in Bishnupur district and parts of Thoubal district. 

Earlier in the day, the Manipur government cancelled the daily curfew relaxation in the five valley districts in view of the protest call. -- PTI

An Army officer was killed while three soldiers were injured in a fire incident in the Siachen glacier in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.

The incident took place at the Siachen glacier at around 3 am on Wednesday, the officials said.

They said four Army personnel suffered injuries in the incident.

While the Army's Regimental Medical Officer, Captain Anshuman Singh, succumbed to serious burn injuries, three other personnel suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns, the officials said.

The injured have been safely air evacuated for further treatment, and their condition is stated to be stable, they added.  -- PTI

The Centre is selling tomatoes to people at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 a kg in Delhi-NCR and some other key cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). 

The all-India average retail prices of tomatoes is ruling at nearly 120 per kg, although the key kitchen item is selling as high as Rs 245 per kg at some places. 

In the national capital, the rate has come down to Rs 120 per kg. 

"The department of consumer affairs has directed NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at retail price of Rs 70 per kg rate from July 20, 2023 in view of the declining trend in tomato prices," an official statement said. 

The tomatoes procured by NCCF and NAFED had been retailed, initially, at Rs 90 per kg and then reduced to Rs 80 per kg from July 16 2023, it added. 

"The reduction to Rs 70 per kg will further benefit the consumers," the statement said.

The 10 MLAs are Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, V Sunil Kumar, R Ashoka, Araga Jnanendra (all former ministers), D Vedavyasa Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, A Umanath Kotian, Arvind Bellad and Y Bharath Shetty. 

The assembly session began on July 3 and is slated to end on July 21. 

The speaker's action came after the house witnessed chaotic scenes as some members of the BJP tore copies of bills and agenda and threw them at the chair, as they were upset over the speaker's decision to conduct the proceedings of the house without giving a lunch break. 

This was amid the BJP's protest against the Congress government for allegedly "misusing" IAS officers for opposition leaders' meeting in the past two days. 

The speaker said, "I am naming them (the 10 MLAs) because of their indecent and disrespectful conduct," following which Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the house responds to his "anguish". 

"I am presenting this proposal...I request you that on this day under section 348 of the Karnataka Assembly Rules of Procedure, these members should be suspended from the Karnataka assembly till the rest of the session for their indecent and disrespectful conduct, and should be barred from entering the House," Patil said. 

The speaker said, "With extreme anguish I am putting this motion to vote."  

Based on the voice vote, the 10 members were suspended from the assembly.

Mumbai and neighbouring areas have been receiving heavy rainfall for the last two days. The downpour affected the vehicular movement as well as local train services mainly on central and harbour lines -- which are used by lakhs of people to reach home.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rejects speculation that he is unhappy with opposition conclave in Bangalore.

Earlier, Janata Dal-United president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', who accompanied Kumar on the trip to Bengaluru, strongly denied reports of the latter's displeasure with the way things went at the opposition meet.

Talking to reporters in Patna, Lalan described as 'dushprachar' (canard) of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym 'INDIA' and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition.

"This is all dushprachar and rumour mongering on the part of the NDA led by the country's honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition meet," said Lalan.

About the speculation around Nitish Kumar being made the convener, the JD-U chief said, "This was not on the agenda of yesterday's meeting. It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai."  -- PTI

An internal mail was shared with employees in which the cash-strapped logistics firm, previously backed by Google and Reliance Retail, has stated that the remaining salary for June and July would be paid with the August salary payout, in the first week of September, sources said. 

The company did not immediately comment on the development. 

Dunzo had previously delayed salaries of half of its 1000-strong workforce till July 20, impacting their top management the most. 

In April this year, the company had raised USD 75 million (around Rs 616 crore) and also fired about 400 employees in the first half of this year as part of cost-cutting measures.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case linked to the post-Godhra riots.

The SC said since a charge sheet has already been filed in the case against Teesta Setalvad, no custodial interrogation was necessary.

While granting bail to her, SC also directs Teesta not to influence witnesses in the case.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the brutal murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district earlier this month.

  

Opposition BJP and a section of Jain community had demand for a CBI probe.

"As the case is sensitive and following public requests the investigation into this case will be transferred to CID," Siddaramaiah said, making a statement in the Legislative Assembly and sharing details of the incident and probe so far.

Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj from Nandi Parvat Ashram at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk was allegedly murdered and his body dumped in a borewell pit at Khatakbhavi village in Raibag taluk.

Police have arrested Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath in connection with the case.

The Opposition BJP had staged protests both inside and outside the Assembly demanding a CBI probe into the murder, and had also petitioned the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in this regard.

The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities had recently written to the Chief Minister asking him to entrust the investigation into the murder to a very senior officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to "unearth the conspiracy" and arrest the "real criminals". -- PTI 

Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday met his former ally and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the first time after the NCP leader joined the Eknath Shinde government. 

            

Thackeray, a member of the state legislative council, attended the house proceedings for a brief period. It was also his first visit to the legislature after deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, his one-time party colleague, joined the Shinde-led rival Shiv Sena. 

          

"I asked him to do good work for the state and people," Thackeray said after meeting Pawar, who is also the finance minister, at his office. 

          

The former chief minister noted that he had worked with Pawar in his cabinet and knew his style of functioning. Pawar was Thackeray's deputy in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government. 

"I am confident that people of the state will get aid because he has the keys to the treasury," Thackeray added.

Earlier this month, Ajit Pawar and eight other Nationalist Congress Party MLAs joined the Shinde government, virtually splitting the party founded by Sharad Pawar. -- PTI 

The mortal remains of Kerala's two-time Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who died in Bengaluru on Tuesday, will be laid to rest at a special tomb on an exclusive area of his village church in Kottayam, where priests are buried.

   

As preparations are on in full swing for his funeral on Thursday, a special tomb is being built for Chandy in an exclusive area on the church premises instead of his family vault in the cemetery.

The authorities of the St George Orthodox Church, popularly known as "Puthuppally Palli" in local parlance, have decided to change their decades-old practice of burying dead laymen in the church cemetery or in their family vaults there for the Congress stalwart.

The church committee decided to change the practice as a mark of respect for "Kunjoonju", as he was known among his villagers and admirers.

Church vicar Varghese Varghese said the decision was taken considering the immense contributions given by Chandy to the parish and to the church in these decades.

"The decision was taken to lay him to rest on the church ground where the remains of the late priests were buried, considering his virtues and the contributions he made to the parish and the church," he said.

As per the common practice, the mortal remains of an ordinary believer are being buried in the cemetery and those of priests in an exclusive area located north or south of the church, he said.

"The tomb for Chandy is being readied adjacent to that of the priests. The general feeling of the parish is that his tomb will remain a permanent memorial on the church premises," the priest said.

Recalling Chandy's contributions to the parish, he said the former chief minister is one of the persons who have contributed the most to its modernisation and development.

Since his younger days, Chandy had been very much active in the youth movement, Sunday school activities and prayer meetings in the church, and it had paved the way for his growth as a public activist, MLA, minister, and the Chief Minister of the state, the vicar added. 

Bidding adieu to the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, the mortal remains of  Chandy -- who died in Bengaluru a day ago -- was taken to Kottayam, the stronghold of the Congress stalwart, on Wednesday morning.  

His body was taken to Kottayam by road in a specially modified low-floor bus covered in garlands and pictures of Chandy and packed with party leaders and workers.  

Arrangements have been made at the Thirunakkara Ground in Kottayam for the public to pay homage to Chandy and thereafter, his body will be shifted to his home in Puthuppally.  

The Maharashtra legislative assembly on Wednesday was adjourned following a noisy protest by BJP MLAs over a remark about `Vande Mataram' by Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi. 

  

While raising the issue of a riot in the Sambhajinagar district, Azmi said chanting the slogan 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him.

"Some people say that if one has to live in India, `Vande Mataram' must be chanted. We can not do it. We believe only in one god, he said.

A ruckus followed as BJP MLAs took a strong exception to the statement. 

Speaker Rahul Narwekar appealed the legislators to calm down. "Azmi's comments are irrelevant to the topic. He should focus on the issue listed for the discussion," Narwekar said.

But the protest continued and the Speaker adjourned the house for ten minutes. -- PTI  

"Out of the 3.06 crore ITRs filed till 18th July, 2023, 2.81 crore ITRs have been e-verified i.e. more than 91 per cent ITRs filed have been e-verified! Out of the e-verified ITRs, more than 1.50 crore ITRs have already been processed," the I-T department tweeted. 

The 3 crore-milestone in income tax return (ITR) filing has been reached 7 days earlier this year. -- PTI  

Overnight heavy downpours have caused several rivers in Maharashtra's Konkan region to swell and trigger flood-like situations, prompting authorities to relocate people in a few towns and villages to safer areas, said officials on Wednesday.

 

With more rains expected in coastal Maharashtra in the next couple of days, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed officials to relocate people in several parts of Chiplun town of Ratnagiri district due to the rising level of Vashisthi river.

Of the six major rivers in Raigad district, Savitri and Patalganaga were flowing above the danger mark, said officials. The water levels in Kundalika and Amba rivers have reached the alert mark, while Gadhi and Ulhas were flowing close to the alert mark in the morning, as per the district administrations.

Due to torrential showers, the water from Patalganga river has entered Aapta and Rasayani. In Mahad too, water from Savitri has inundated low-lying areas.

In Ratnagiri district, Jagbudi and Vashisthi have turned ferocious due to heavy rains. Vashishti was flowing above the alert mark and waterlogging was reported in some low-lying areas along the river, officials said.

Deputy CM Pawar held a review meeting here in Mumbai and later discussed the situation with Ratnagiri district collector M Devender Singh. Pawar asked Singh to relocate people living near the Vashishti river as a precautionary measure. 

In Ratnagiri district, at least 20 families were shifted to safer locations. At Mirjoli Juwad village, 65 members of 19 families were evacuated, said officials. A swollen Vashisthi had caused havoc two years ago, killing many people and causing widespread property damage.

The civic body and district administration in Khed and Chiplun are keeping a close watch on the situation. The civic bodies have kept boats ready to evacuate people if necessary, officials said.

Heavy rains and rising water levels of rivers have prompted authorities to declare holidays for schools and colleges in Khed and Chiplun tehsil of Ratnagiri district for two days, they said. 

Meanwhile, traffic in Parshuram Ghat was normal, while landslides were reported in Ambenali and Kumbharli ghats and efforts were on to clear the debris, said an official. Traffic is being slowly restored in Kumbharli ghat, he said. 

A Konkan railway spokesperson said that the trains on the corridor were running normally as of 11 am. 

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it has deployed 12 teams across Maharashtra - 5 teams in Mumbai, and one team each in Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur Sangli, Nagpur and Thane districts.

An NDRF officer said that they had pre-positioned one team each in Chiplun, Palghar and Mahad due to a heavy rain alert. -- PTI

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that her party will go it alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as in assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

 

In a statement, Mayawati said the BSP was open to tie-ups with regional parties in Punjab and Haryana, provided they have no truck with the ruling NDA alliance or the newly formed opposition coalition 'INDIA'.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister slammed the NDA as well as the newly formed opposition coalition, alleging neither of them was favourable to the Dalits and the oppressed classes.

While the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA alliance were strengthening themselves, the BSP too was holding closed-door meetings of party workers across the country, Mayawati said.

She said the oppressed classes has to support the BSP as the Congress adopted a "casteist mindset and ignored their demands".

"Had the Congress kept aside its casteist and capitalist mindset, worked towards the welfare of the poor and the oppressed and listened to B R Ambedkar, the need to form the BSP would not have arisen," Mayawati said. -- PTI

A case has been registered against an unidentified person for allegedly threatening senior Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala on a WhatsApp call, police said on Wednesday. 

 

The INLD leader's personal assistant lodged a complaint in this regard at Jind police station on Tuesday, they said.

"The complainant alleged that the INLD leader was threatened on a WhatsApp call on Tuesday. The call, received by his personal assistant, was from an international number," Jind Sadar SHO Sanjay Kumar said.

"A case has been lodged under Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code against the unknown accused," he said.

When asked about the nature of the threat, Kumar said, "The matter is being investigated. The call was made from an international number."

Abhay Chautala, the MLA from Ellenabad, is the younger son of INLD chief and former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala. He is currently on a "Parivartan Padyatra" in the state.

He said on Wednesday that someone must be troubled by the padyatra, leading to the threat call. 

The lawmaker added that he does not have any dispute with anyone, neither does he care about such threats.

Last year, five Haryana MLAs allegedly received threat calls. The matter was handed over to the Special Task Force for investigation. Later, seven people were arrested for allegedly threatening and making extortion calls to the MLAs. -- PTI

The Union Health Ministry has further eased COVID-19 guidelines for international visitors, dropping the earlier requirement for RT-PCR based testing of a random two per cent subset of international travellers.

 

The guidelines have been eased after taking note of the prevalent coronavirus situation and the significant achievements made in the vaccination coverage across the globe.

The new guidelines shall come into effect from midnight of July 20. 

However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures to be followed by airlines as well as international travellers in context of Covid shall continue to apply, the ministry said. -- PTI  

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital. 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that a three-judge bench will hear a batch of petitions pertaining to criminalisation of marital rape after constitution benches conclude hearing some listed pleas.

   

"We have to resolve the matters concerning marital rape, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra said when senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned the matter for hearing.

"My case deals with the child sexual abuse case, the senior lawyer said.

The CJI said these matters are to be heard by a three-judge bench and these will be listed up for hearing after the five-judge constitution benches conclude hearing some of the listed cases.

Presently, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by the CJI is hearing pleas relating to regimes on grant of driving license for different kind of vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act.

The petitions relating to abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which had provided special status to erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, are also scheduled for the hearing.

The top court on March 22 had fixed the petitions on marital rape for hearing on May 9.

 Prior to this, the top court on January 16 had sought the Centre's response on the petitions pertaining to criminalisation of marital rape and the IPC provision which provides protection to a husband against prosecution for forcible sexual intercourse if the wife is an adult.

The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had said the issue has legal as well as social implications and the government would like to file its response to the petitions.

One of pleas has been filed in relation to the Delhi High Court's split verdict of May 11, 2022 on the issue. -- PTI

Five people who were radicalised to carry out terror attacks have been arrested by the Central Crime Branch with firearms and ammunition along with 12 mobile phones confiscated from them, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Wednesday.

Seven pistols, 45 live cartridges, a bunch of walkie-talkies, and some daggers were seized from the terror suspects, the police officer said. A huge consignment of explosives were also retrieved from their possession.

"The Central Crime Branch has succeeded in busting the anti-social forces and foiled their nefarious designs. They were arrested after raiding a place under Hebbal police station limits," Dayananda told reporters.

The suspects were radicalised by T Nazeer, who is an accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case, and another accused living abroad.

The suspects are accused of murder, robbery, smuggling of red sanders and other crimes. They were in touch with the other terror accused who was in jail.

Nazeer has links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, the police commissioner said.

He added that Nazeer's gang members were planning on carrying out "destructive activities".

The five suspects were caught near a place of worship in Kanakanagar area of Sultanpalya locality in the city while planning a major conspiracy, sources said.

Another kingpin, who is holed up abroad, was accused of killing his business rival Noor Ahmed in 2017, the police officer said. In that case, 21 people were arrested, Dayananda said.

The five suspects were among the 21 persons arrested in connection with that murder case, sources said. -- PTI 

The Congress on Wednesday hit back at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who took a swipe at the opposition coalition with his remarks that the British had named the country India, saying he should tell that to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave names such as 'Skill India', 'Start-up India' and 'Digital India' for programmes in the country.

 

Taking a dig at opposition parties over the name of their coalition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Sarma on Tuesday claimed that the British had named the country India and the fight should be to free the nation from "colonial legacies".

Hitting back at Sarma, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi,  gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmes."

"He's (Modi) asked CMs of different states to work together as 'Team India'. He even made an appeal to Vote India!" Ramesh said on Twitter.

"But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance), he (Sarma) throws a fit and says use of India reflects 'colonial mentality'! He should go tell that to his Boss," the Congress leader said.

Ramesh also shared an old video of Modi in which he is seen appealing to voters to "vote for India".

In a tweet, Sarma had said, "Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies.

Noting that the forefathers had fought for 'Bharat', he said, "We will continue to work for Bharat."

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed the INDIA grouping to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".  

The Mumbai Police have started an inquiry in connection with a purported video of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya that showed him in a compromising position, an official said on Wednesday. 

 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said in the state legislative council that a thorough probe will be conducted into the matter.

In a letter to Fadnavis, who is also the home minister, former MP Somaiya had questioned the authenticity of the video and sought an inquiry.

The Mumbai crime branch is conducting an inquiry into the matter, a senior police official said.

It was also seek the help of cyber and technical experts to check the authenticity of the video, he said.

The video was posted by Marathi news channel Lokshahi.  

The Manipur government has removed the daily curfew relaxation in the five valley districts from 5am to 6pm and clamped full curfew in view of a rally on Wednesday.  

 

The government's decision comes after Kwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace, which represents the womenfolk of the main market in Imphal town, appealed to all to make the "Mothers' Protest" rally a roaring success.  

The committee's co-convenor, K Dhaneshori, urged all mothers in every locality to come out from their homes between 11 am and 1 pm and raise slogans demanding rejection of separate administration, implementation of NRC and immediate convening of an emergency assembly session.  

She also appealed to all to support the protest against the continuing violence in the state.  

Security measures have been intensified in capital Imphal town as well.  

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, police have detained 30 persons for their alleged involvement in the attack on IGP (Zone 2) K Kabib and his escort on Monday night at Kwakeithel in Imphal West district during which his vehicle was torched.  -- PTI 

Security forces on Wednesday foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing two terrorists, the Army said. 

 

"In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army and J&K Police, an infiltration bid was foiled today morning by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara," Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a tweet.

It said two terrorists were eliminated while four AK rifles and six hand grenades were among the war-like stores recovered from the scene of the gun battle.

The Army said the operation was still in progress. -- PTI

Supermodel Gigi Hadid was arrested and fined after Customs & Border Control agents found marijuana in her luggage in the Cayman Islands last week.

 

The model, who has yet to address the arrest, shared a series of photos on Instagram Tuesday with the caption: "All's well that ends well".

A representative for Hadid said in a statement to entertainment outlet E! News that she was travelling with marijuana "purchased legally in NYC with a medical license".

"It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island," the representative added in the statement.

According to local outlet Cayman Marl Road, Hadid and a friend were arrested on July 10 at the Owen Roberts International Airport on "suspicion of Importation of Ganja and Importation of Utensils used for the consumption of Ganja" after their bags were searched by officials while being processed through customs.

"The quantities were relatively small and were seemingly for personal consumption," the report further stated.

Hadid, 28, and her friend were taken to the Prisoner Detention Centre and eventually released on bail after they were fined USD 1,000.

No additional charges were registered and there is reportedly no conviction recorded on record, the publication said. -- PTI 

On Tuesday, the two-day meeting of 26 like-minded parties in Karnataka's Bengaluru concluded with the opposition parties agreeing to come up under one name -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA. 

Taking note of this, the head of BJP Maharashtra social media-legal and advisory department, Dubey, said that this has not only shown a lack of originality but also appears to be using the name of our nation as a mere tool to gain power. 

In his letter to ECI on Tuesday, Advocate Dubey said, "I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern and discomfort regarding the recent renaming of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This action has caused widespread dissatisfaction and is viewed as a deliberate attempt to exploit the name of our nation for political aspirations, which I believe is a disrespect to the country and its citizens." 

"While I understand that political parties have the right to choose their names and develop their strategies for electoral success, it is crucial that they do so without undermining the dignity and integrity of our nation. By associating their political agenda directly with the name of our country, the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has not only shown a lack of originality but also appears to be using the name of our nation as a mere tool to gain power," he added. 

The BJP leader went on to add that, in future if the party wins, people would say 'INDIA has won,' but if the party loses, then people would say 'INDIA has lost'. 

This promotes a sense of national insult," he said."It implies that the outcomes of the election are tantamount to the victory or loss of the entire nation, disregarding the diverse views, aspirations, and democratic rights of individual citizens. Such a sweeping statement not only undermines the pluralistic nature of our democracy but also attempts to manipulate public sentiment for political gain," the letter stated. 

"I kindly request the Election Commission of India to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that political parties adhere to ethical standards when choosing their names and formulating slogans. It is imperative that the sanctity of our nation's name is upheld, and political parties are discouraged from exploiting it for their personal political agendas," it added.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty continued their dream run on Wednesday, reaching record high levels in early trade, driven by foreign fund inflows and optimism in the US markets.

   

Buying in index majors Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank also helped the markets maintain their winning momentum.

Rallying for the fifth day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 293.59 points to reach its new all-time intra-day peak of 67,088.73 in early trade. The NSE Nifty gained 80.3 points to hit record intra-day high of 19,829.55.

From the Sensex pack, NTPC, IndusInd Bank, Infosys, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank were the biggest gainers.

IndusInd Bank quoted nearly 2 per cent higher after the company on Tuesday reported 30 per cent jump in consolidated net profit for April-June at Rs 2,124.50 crore, helped by core income growth and lower bad loan provisions.

Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Asian Paints, Tata Consultancy Services, Bharti Airtel and Nestle were among the laggards.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their buying activity on Tuesday as they bought equities worth Rs 2,115.84 crore, according to exchange data.

"The market continues to be resilient, supported by favourable global set-up and sustained FII inflows. It is important to understand that the ongoing global market rally is primarily driven by the strength of the US economy, which is, so far, showing no signs of recession that the markets had feared and discounted in 2022," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Two persons including a suspected agent and recruiter of Pakistan's spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) have been arrested in Mumbai in a joint operation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and its Uttar Pradesh counterpart, an official said.

Acting on specific intelligence, the Juhu unit of the ATS along with an Uttar Pradesh ATS team raided a place in Jogeshwari area of Mumbai on Sunday and apprehended the duo, he said.

The accused were identified as Arman Sayyad (62) and Mohammed Salman Siddhiqui (24).

Sayyad, an alleged ISI agent, had recruited Mohammed Salman and both allegedly helped another suspected ISI agent Mohamad Raees, the official said.

Raees, a native of Gonda, was arrested by the UP ATS for allegedly supplying information about Indian military establishments to his handlers in Pakistan. The arrests in Jogeshwari area followed his arrest.

Sayyad and Siddhiqui were handed over to the UP ATS officials on Monday after producing them before a local court, the official said. -- PTI 

Even as the soaring prices of tomatoes are burning a hole in the common man's pocket, a farmer from Pune in Maharashtra has become a millionaire by selling his bountiful yield of the key kitchen staple for Rs three crore in just over a month while overcoming various challenges.

Farmer Ishwar Gaykar (36), from Pachghar village in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, had faced a difficult decision of dumping a large quantity of harvested tomatoes in May this year due to low prices. 

Undeterred by the setback, he continued to exhibit unwavering determination and work tirelessly on his 12-acre farm to cultivate tomatoes. 

Now, amid the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes, Gaykar's hard work has paid off handsomely, transforming him into a millionaire as he claimed to have earned Rs three crore through the sale of his crop yield between June 11 and July 18.

Talking to PTI, Gaykar said during the period, he sold 18,000 crates of tomatoes (each crate comprising 20 kg of tomatoes) at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) at Narayangaon in Junnar tehsil for Rs three crore.

He aims to earn another Rs 50 lakh by selling the remainder of the produce, which is roughly 4,000 crates. 

The total input cost of cultivation, including transportation, was Rs 40 lakh, he said.

"I have an 18-acre farm where I cultivate tomatoes on 12 acres. I have sold 18,000 crates since June 11 and have so far earned Rs 3 crore," said Gaykar.

On June 11, he fetched a price of Rs 770 per crate (Rs 37 to Rs 38 per kg), and on July 18, he sold tomatoes at Rs 2,200 per crate (Rs 110 per kg ).

Gaykar, who is now happy to earn handsome dividends on the produce, recalled how he had to dump a large quantity of harvested tomatoes just two months back due to low prices. 

"This is the best of times for the tomato growers, but we have witnessed worst times also. In the month of May, I grew tomatoes on one-acre land, but had to throw away large quantities of the produce as the prices were very low. I had thrown the produce away as the per crate rate was just Rs 50, which means Rs 2.50 per kg," he said.

Gaykar also said that in 2021, he incurred losses worth Rs 15 lakh to Rs 16 lakh and last year also he just earned a narrow profit margin.

"When I was throwing the tomatoes in May this year, this yield on the 12-acre land was under cultivation. Undeterred by the setback, I kept up my resilience and commitment towards farming and continued spending on the cultivation of tomatoes," he said.

"I took good care of the produce even in the scorching May heat. Due to the high temperatures, tomato cultivation in other parts took a beating, but farmers like me benefitted as we continued to work hard," he said.

Another farmer Raju Mahale, who earned more than Rs 20 lakh by selling 2,500 crates in the current season, said he was also jittery about tomato cultivation after May as the per acre input cost was around Rs 3.5 lakh. But, he went ahead with the cultivation, receiving good dividends now.

The All Reserved Categories Joint Action Committee (ARCJAC), an apex body representing tribal communities, has issued a stern warning that it will stage protests on the streets if a bill proposing reservation for Paharis is introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament.

Speaking on behalf of the ARCJAC, advocate Anwar Choudhary expressed strong opposition to the bill, claiming that it is illegal and unconstitutional.

He contended that Paharis do not meet the criteria for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and emphasised that the bill should not even be discussed but dropped entirely.

Another advocate, Mohammad Azam, raised the issue of population dynamics, asserting that the Paharis have a larger population than the Gujjars.

He warned the government that if the bill is pursued, the ruling BJP would face defeat in every Assembly seat in the Jammu region.

Advocate Mohammad Ayoub Choudhary sent a strong message to the government, emphasising that the Gujjars and Bakerwals, the third-largest community in Jammu and Kashmir, would not allow their rights to be taken away and given to upper-caste individuals.

He warned that they have the potential to influence the electoral outcome in 60 Assembly seats and cautioned that controlling the situation would become difficult if people took to the streets.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in October last year that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in favour of reservation for Paharis and that the quota would be implemented in the near future.

"Justice Sharma has recommended Scheduled Tribe status for Paharis. Prime Minister Modi is going to implement the recommendation," Shah had said while addressing a mega rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri. -- PTI

The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi breached the danger mark again on Wednesday morning, less than 12 hours after it dropped below the threshold, amid rains in the national capital and the upper reaches of the river.

The Central Water Commission's data showed the water level reached 205.48 metres at 8 am. It is expected to rise to 205.72 metres by 6 pm.

The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage saw a marginal rise on Tuesday afternoon, oscillating between 50,000 and 60,000 cusecs.

It dropped to around 39,000 cusecs by 7 am on Wednesday. One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh until July 22 and moderate showers in Delhi on Wednesday.

The water level in the river had dropped below the danger mark of 205.33 metres by 8 pm on Tuesday, after flowing above the threshold for eight days. It receded to 205.22 metres at 5 am on Wednesday before it started rising again.

The increase in the water level could slow down the rehabilitation of affected families in the inundated low-lying areas of the capital and they may have to stay longer in relief camps.

It could also impact the water supply, which became normal only on Tuesday after being affected for four to five days due to the inundation of a pump house at Wazirabad. 

The pump house supplies raw water to Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla water treatment plants, which together account for around 25 per cent of the city's supply.

The Okhla water treatment plant began operating on Friday, Chandrawal on Sunday and Wazirabad on Tuesday.

On Tuesday evening, a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) official said, "There is a shortage of only 10-12 million gallons of water per day (MGD) due to inundation of some tube wells in the river floodplains at Palla."

The DJB extracts around 30 MGD from tubewells installed in the Palla floodplains. 

The river had been receding gradually after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 metres on Thursday. It saw a marginal increase in the water level on Monday before it started dropping again.

Parts of the city have been grappling with waterlogging and flooding issues for over a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 per cent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days.  -- PTI

A day after the opposition parties announced the name for their alliance 'INDIA', they finalised "Jeetega Bharat" as the combine's tagline, setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign.  

 

The Hindi tagline means "India will win" and is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, sources said.

According to them, during the meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, several leaders felt that the word "Bharat" should feature in the name of the alliance.

"It was decided that it would feature in the tagline," a senior leader said.

Several leaders stressed that coinage of the tagline was a result of a joint effort by several leaders. -- PTI 

Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who entered India illegally in May and is staying with her partner in Noida, was picked up Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad and questioned for over nine hours, a second day of quizzing by the agency.

A local police official said Haider's Indian partner Sachin Meena, his father Netrapal Singh were also taken for questioning.

They were picked up from their residence in Rabupura area of Greater Noida around 8.30 am and brought to the ATS's unit office in Noida around 10 am, where the questioning continued till late evening, the official said.

Haider, Meena and Singh left the ATS office around 8.15 pm. There was no comment from any ATS official and it was not clear whether they would be questioned again.

The cross-border couple was first interrogated by the UP ATS on Monday at its office in Noida and was allowed to go home about 10.30 pm.

Haider (30) and Meena (22) were first arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were granted bail by a court on July 7.

Explaining the questioning process of the UP ATS, an agency officer on Monday told PTI that the couple 'may or may not be arrested' after the interrogation, depending on the outcome of the inquiry in the sensitive matter that pertains to national security.

The local police is separately investigating the case lodged under the Foreigners Act and is yet to file a chargesheet.

Seema entered India along with her four children in a bus from Nepal in May to live with Sachin.

The couple, who claims to have gotten married in Nepal earlier this year, had first got in touch in 2019 over online game PUBG.  -- PTI