Congress used tribals for political benefits, branded their habitations 'red corridor': PM
Bhubaneswar, Jun 20 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of deliberately keeping tribal communities underdeveloped and branding their regions as "red corridor" for political gains.
Addressing a public meeting to mark the first anniversary of Odisha's BJP government, Modi said the saffron party has fulfilled the long-awaited demands of the people as the four gates of Puri Jagannath temple and its 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) have been reopened.
"The party which ruled India for decades had neglected the tribal community and used them merely for political benefits," he said in an apparent reference to the Congress.
He alleged that tribal-dominated regions were "intentionally left backward" during the previous regimes.
"Over 125 tribal-dominated districts in the country were affected by Maoists for years. These areas were given a bad name like 'red corridor'. Most of these districts were declared backward, and the then governments did not take the responsibility to develop them," Modi said.
On the other hand, Modi said that his government since some years has freed the tribal society from violence and showed them the path to development.
"The BJP government took stern action against those spreading violence and at the same time ensured uninterrupted development in tribal areas," he said, adding that it has given dividends for which the Naxal violence is grossly contained.
"The Naxal violence is now confined to 20 districts in the country. The pace at which the actions are being taken against the Naxalites, the tribal community will soon get rid of violence. Naxalism will be eradicated from the country and this is Modi's guarantee," the Prime Minister said, adding that the BJP government's priority is to fulfil the dreams of tribals, ease their lives and giving them new opportunities in life.
Stating that the Centre is spending more than Rs 1 lakh crore for tribal development, the Prime Minister said that the Union government has launched two major schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, named after the tribal icon Birsa Munda.
He said developmental works are being carried out in more than 60,000 tribal villages, including those in Odisha. The tribal villages are being provided with roads, electricity, drinking water and other facilities. As many as 40 residential schools for tribal students are under construction.
Prime Minister Modi noted that President Droupadi Murmu's guidance was the inspiration for launching of the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Referring to the fishing community, the Prime Minister announced that the central government is setting up a special fund of Rs 25,000 crore, which will greatly benefit those living along Odisha’s coastline and generate opportunities for the youth.
He said that for the first time, a major nationwide scheme -- PM Matsya Sampada Yojana -- has been formulated for the welfare of fishermen. The fishermen are now receiving the benefit of the Kisan Credit Card facility as well, he said.
Modi, who completed first year of his third term in office on June 9, said that obstructing developmental projects and indulging in corruption, were the "model" of the previous Congress governments.
However, the entire country has been witnessing the development model of the BJP, he said.
"The BJP has formed governments in many states for the first time following which a new era of socio-economic development has started," Modi said citing examples of Assam and Tripura.
He said that the situation was worse in Assam for decades when the northeastern state was witnessing violence, terrorism and instability.
However, now under the BJP rule, Assam is racing ahead in development. Similarly, the situation in Tripura, which was ruled by Left parties for decades, has also changed. There is no violence or corruption in Tripura and the state has been on the path of progress.
The PM said that Odisha too had been grappling with numerous challenges for decades when the poor and farmers were not getting their due rights as corruption and red-tapism were dominant, and infrastructure across the state was in a dire condition.
"Such challenges had become the unfortunate reality of Odisha. Over the past year, the BJP government has worked with full resolve to address these issues and this has been possible due to double-engine government (BJP government in both state and Centre). The double-engine government has given double benefit to Odisha," Modi said.
"Today is a very special day. The first BJP government in Odisha has successfully completed one year. This anniversary is not just of the government, it is the anniversary of the establishment of good governance," he said and dedicated the achievement to the "public service and public trust".
He emphasised that the BJP government in Odisha has focused entirely on serving the people and building their confidence.
"The government has completed one year with good governance and public services," he said. PTI AAM BBM MNB BDC AAM ACD
Israel hasn't threatened any country with annihilation unlike Iran, says Ambassador Reuven Azar
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Nuclear powers around the world, while possessing significant military might, do not pose the same threat as Iran does due to their lack of aggressive policies and extreme ideologies, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said on Friday.
He also called on Iran to abandon its nuclear program and said "Israel hasn't threatened any country with annihilation."
Speaking to PTI Videos, Azar said, "We have stated that Israel will not be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East."
He emphasized that the situation is fundamentally different when it comes to Iran, a "regime that has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction".
"We must be cautious with countries that have radical ideologies, especially those that deceive the international community repeatedly," Azar said.
He also expressed gratitude to the US for its support but emphasized that Israel is committed to defending itself independently.
He stressed that Israel's actions are rooted in self-defence.
"We are a democracy, and we go to war, unfortunately, only when we are threatened, and in this case, we are threatened with our own existence. We had no choice, and this is a consensus in Israel. It comes from all the parties that we have to take action because we want to survive," he added.
Azar asserted that Tel Aviv has definitive evidence that Iran's nuclear program posed a grave and immediate threat to Israel's security.
"We acted at almost the last moment we had in order to foil and remove Iran's plan for the extermination of our state," he said.
He claimed that Iran has been working for over three decades to build a strategy that could potentially destroy Israel.
While many find this hard to believe, he said, the evidence is clear.
"First and the most dangerous track is the nuclear track because this regime that has sworn to destroy Israel, has stated that, multiple times, was actually acquiring the means to have weapons of mass destruction. So, they have deceived the international community and the IAEA for many years and only last week, ten days ago, the IAEA issued a report saying that Iran is in a situation of non- compliance of the safeguard agreement of the NPT," he said.
According to Azar, Iran's high-level uranium enrichment was unjustified by any peaceful, civilian nuclear programme and pointed directly to the weaponization of their nuclear materials.
"We couldn't allow a country that has sworn to destroy us to acquire these capabilities," Azar said, adding. "That is why we took action against their nuclear programme."
In addition to its nuclear pursuits, Azar said Iran's "ballistic missile programme is the second major threat".
Over the years, Iran has developed an arsenal of thousands of ballistic missiles, capable of launching an unprecedented number of warheads, he claimed.
Azar said that the Iranian missile program could potentially lead to the production of 20,000 ballistic missiles within six years, each carrying the destructive power equivalent to a nuclear bomb, he further claimed.
The White House on Thursday said Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in "a couple of weeks" once given the go-ahead from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
However on March 25, US President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran was not moving towards building nuclear weapons. Azar said Israel is "grateful to the US because it has given us the assistance that we need, first of all, to defend ourselves by ourselves".
He, however, said his country's principle has been - "Israel defends itself, and we do not expect others to fight our wars."
He made it clear that while Israel values American support, both military and moral, the country does not expect the US to take on a fighting role.
"We are not requesting others to come to our defence. We are defending ourselves," he added.
"Whatever the United States decides to do, and President Trump decides to do, is going to be according to American interests and American national interests," Azar said.
The White House on Thursday said Trump will decide whether or not the US gets directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict within the next two weeks.
On whether Israel has found it easier to work with Trump's current administration compared to the previous one of Joe Biden, Azar said that their world view was more aligned with the current administration.
"We've been working with all administrations because the US is not only the biggest ally of Israel, but it's really our friend, and we share values and we share interests. And sometimes, you know, this doesn't mean that we will agree on everything. There were administrations which found it harder to see things eye to eye. "Sometimes we had differences. So even by the administration that we, you know, had differences, we still enjoyed very generous assistance for which we are very grateful. I think that with the Trump administration, our world view is more in alignment, especially when it comes to dealing with elements like the Iranians."
Israel and Iran entered into an open military conflict when Israel, on June 13, launched a major attack with air strikes, setting off explosions in Tehran following which Iran retaliated. PTI SHJ ZMN
Iran expects India to condemn Israeli military actions against it
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Iran expects India and other like-minded nations to condemn Israeli "military aggression" against it as such actions are "breach" of international law, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Friday.
Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, also hoped that Pakistan would not do anything that will harm Iran's interest.
His response on Pakistan came when asked at a media briefing about Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday.
There is speculation that Washington was looking at using Pakistani military bases in case it decides to launch attacks on Tehran.
Hosseini also said that India is a leader of the Global South and Iran expects New Delhi to condemn the Israeli actions of "breaching" international law by attacking a sovereign country.
"We believe every country including India should condemn it (Israeli military actions), not because of their relations with Iran but because these actions are in breach of global norms," he said.
Israel and Iran have fired hundreds of missiles and drones at each other's cities as well as military facilities since the hostilities began over a week ago.
Asked if Iran was considering shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian diplomat did not give a direct reply and said several options are on the table.
Nearly 30 per cent of the world's daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the International Energy Agency, even a brief disruption of passage through the strait will have a significant impact on oil markets.
"We have many things on the table, but it doesn't mean that we are going to do it now. It depends on the situation and how the other players want to go," Hosseini said.
"If they want to solve the problem, definitely some of these things will be put aside," he added.
Asked about possible impact of the hostilities with Israel on Iran's Chabahar port, the Iranian diplomat only said that any further escalation of tensions could have far-reaching implications for the flow of energy and other commodities.
"It is not just a matter of Chabahar, it's a matter of the whole region. If it escalates, it will definitely affect many things, definitely the flow of oil, shipments and commodities which are going through these channels will be affected," Hosseini said.
"Because of this, those countries who will be affected, it is better for them to think and to start stopping this aggression, to avoid any kind of negative effects on the economy of the region, which will definitely spread out to the whole world," he said. PTI MPB ZMN
Classroom construction 'graft' case: Sisodia questioned for over three hours by ACB
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia was on Friday questioned for over three hours by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for the first time in an alleged graft case related to the construction of classrooms in government schools in the city, officials said.
The ACB had summoned AAP leaders Sisodia and Satyendar Jain over alleged graft in the construction of classrooms in government schools.
Jain appeared before the agency on June 6.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities involving the construction of classrooms and school buildings in Delhi government schools at highly inflated costs.
In a statement, Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, ACB, said Sisodia appeared before the agency at 11 am.
"Sisodia was examined in the presence of an independent 'Panch' witness, and his responses were recorded regarding various facts and circumstances related to the case. Following the completion of today's examination, he left the ACB office at 2.30 pm," Verma said, adding further investigation in the matter is underway.
According to sources, Sisodia was given a written questionnaire containing more than 35 questions.
"He was co-operative and answered all questions but most of the answers were vague. He passed the buck to the officials of the concerned department. We have already questioned more than 25 witnesses and question more in the coming days. Further summons will be issued on the basis of examining responses of the witnesses, Sisodia and Jain," a source said.
The questioning comes after an FIR was registered by the ACB on April 30 based on allegations of financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of over 12,000 classrooms or semi-permanent structures in Delhi government schools.
Before his scheduled appearance before the ACB, Sisodia termed the case "politically motivated" and an attempt to divert attention from crucial issues.
"BJP is driven by political motives and is making fake allegations. We built excellent schools. The BJP government is poor in management of schools. There is waterlogging in Delhi and power cuts are happening. BJP is trying to divert attention from crucial issues. Even BJP workers do not know what the government is up to," Sisodia charged.
The AAP leader asserted that nothing will come out of this case.
"Nothing has been found against us in any other case. I will put forth the facts in this case before ACB. This is a politically motivated case. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari had levelled allegations against me in this matter and I had filed a defamation case against him. He is out on bail in the defamation case," he told reporters.
Sisodia was earlier supposed to appear before the ACB on June 9 but his counsel informed the agency that he had some "pre-planned" engagements and skipped the summons.
"BJP only plays the game of lodging FIRs. I work (for people), " he said, when asked about skipping the earlier summons.
Former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Atishi also slammed the BJP, alleging a decade-long political vendetta involving over 200 false cases against party leaders.
At a press conference, she said, "In the last 10 years, BJP's ED, CBI, IT and Delhi police have filed more than 200 false cases against AAP leaders, but till date not even a single rupee has been recovered."
Atishi cited the Supreme Court's remarks calling central investigative agencies "caged parrots" during AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's bail hearing as proof of political misuse of institutions.PTI SLB SSJ NB
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Operation Sindoor proves India safe under Modi's leadership: Majhi
Bhubaneswar, Jun 20 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said that Operation Sindoor proves India is safe under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Majhi was addressing a function organised to celebrate the first anniversary of Odisha's maiden BJP government.
Showering praises on PM Modi, who was also present on the dais, Majhi said, "Earlier people used to say – 'Modi hai to mumkin hai' (it is possible if Modi is there) but today, the entire country is saying 'Modi hai to desh surakshit hai' (the country is safe when Modi is at the helm)."
Majhi said Operation Sindoor is not just an army operation against terrorists, but a hope for the mothers, sisters and daughters of India.
"With Operation Sindoor, a new India has emerged, which will not bow down under any circumstances. This new India will write its own destiny," the chief minister said.
Stating that India is reaching new heights of development under Modi's leadership, Majhi said that in the last 11 years, every section of the society has progressed.
"Today, India has become the fourth-largest economy in the world, and is soon going to become USD 5 trillion economy. Extreme poverty in the country has come down from 27.1 per cent to 5.3 per cent. This proves that under your leadership, the country is changing and is moving forward on the path of development at a rapid pace," he said.
He said Odisha is also making progress and the state's initiatives are modelled keeping in mind the four categories mentioned by Modi – the poor, the farmers, women and youth.
He wished President Droupadi Murmu on her birthday.
Majhi said the Odisha government has secured an investment proposal of Rs 17 lakh crore in just two days after Modi's call to the industries during a conclave held earlier this year.
"This was possible only because of the trust of the industrial world in you (Modi)," Majhi added. PTI AAM AAM ACD
EXCLUSIVE: He can score 10,000 runs for India: Jaiswal's childhood coach on his ton at Leeds
Congress MLA in Karnataka alleges bribery in allotment of houses
Tejashwi Yadav calls PM Modi 'pickpocket', says public funds being used to arrange BJP rallies
Congress used tribals for political benefits, kept them underdeveloped: PM Modi in Odisha
UK celebrates International Day of Yoga with special message from King Charles
London, Jun 21 (PTI) Hundreds of people have gathered at an iconic square on the Strand in London to join in a series of expert-led asanas and breathing techniques to mark International Day of Yoga (IDY), organised by the High Commission of India in London.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami opened the proceedings celebrating the 10th anniversary of Yoga Day on a sunny Friday evening by reading out a special message from King Charles III.
The 76-year-old monarch, known for his affinity for Yoga, said this annual celebration "promoted the global principles of unity, compassion and wellbeing".
“The theme of this year's day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations,” read the King's message from Buckingham Palace.
“Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga provide an opportunity to celebrate a practice and philosophy that means so much to so many. Year on year, Yoga is increasing in popularity across the United Kingdom, with millions of people in our country reaping its benefits.
"Yoga is a powerful means of enabling anyone to improve their physical and mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing and togetherness within communities,” he said.
Doraiswami reflected on how it's been over a decade since the United Nations adopted a resolution put forward as an idea in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a “hugely popular” initiative with support from all partner nations.
“Yoga is something that speaks to a universal language, the idea of the commonality of the human experience, the idea that we all, no matter where we come from, how we look, how we pray, what we speak, our bodies need the same forms of healing,” said the High Commissioner.
This year’s programme was organised in partnership with King’s College London, whose campus is near India House.
“King’s College London shares the values of community, wellness, inner calm and everything that Yoga represents,” said Graham Lord, Senior Vice-President for Health and Life Sciences, King’s College London.
“This is the first of many partnerships we will have with the High Commission and also represents the partnership between the United Kingdom and India, who as you know signed a Free Trade Agreement very recently. It’s wonderful for us to be building an even stronger relationship. It’s lovely to see that we have brought this event closer to the High Commission and that we are using our wonderful shared space together,” he said.
Opening with a ‘Drums of India’ musical segment by the Bhavan UK, the gathering was led through Surya Namaskar followed by an introduction to Iyengar Yoga. Experts from Heartfulness UK, Art of Living and Isha Foundation then went on to take the audience through breathing techniques and mindfulness practices.
The event concluded with ‘Samagam’, a harmonious Yoga and dance performance.
International Day of Yoga is marked annually around the world on June 21, with the High Commission of India in London organising a major public event in celebration. PTI AK SCY
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'Can't express what it feels like to be back home': Indian students return from Iran under Operation Sindhu
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) "The Indian government has done a lot for us, I can't express what peace you feel when you reach your own country," said an Indian national, after landing in Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, late Friday night.
The returnee, who had gone to Iran on a pilgrimage, was among 290 Indians evacuated under the government's 'Operation Sindhu' amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
The flight brought back mostly students from Jammu and Kashmir, along with others from Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and West Bengal. As they arrived at the airport, chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' echoed through the terminal. Some evacuees were seen hugging each other, overwhelmed by the relief of being home.
One of the returning students, an MBBS scholar at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, described the experience as "a journey full of struggles," but credited the Indian Embassy and the government for their timely intervention. "Our parents were extremely worried. The help we received from our embassy was immense," the student said.
The Ministry of External Affairs launched 'Operation Sindhu' last week to bring back Indian nationals stranded amid worsening conflict and air travel disruptions in the Middle East. On Thursday, 110 students had already arrived via Armenia and Doha.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa), MEA, confirmed the arrival of the third evacuation flight and said, "Out of the 290 Indians who landed today, 190 are from Jammu and Kashmir. It's a matter of happiness that Iran opened its airspace to facilitate this operation. It reflects the strong ties between India and Iran."
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, which coordinated closely with the authorities, issued a statement saying, "Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely support. This is a great relief for families who had been anxiously waiting."
Two more evacuation flights are expected to land later today, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Overall, nearly 1,000 Indian nationals are being brought home under the ongoing effort.
Iran's decision to allow use of its airspace played a critical role in making the mission possible, officials said. Students and pilgrims were first moved from Tehran to Mashhad, where Iranian airline flights arranged in coordination with Indian authorities began ferrying them home. PTI MHS SCY
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Chopra beats Weber to win Paris Diamond League title
Paris, Jun 20 (PTI) Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra won his first Diamond League title in two years as he upstaged Julian Weber of Germany after back-to-back second place finishes here on Friday.
The 27-year-old Chopra won the title with his first round throw of 88.16m in a star-studded field having five competitors in the 90m club. His second throw measured 85.10m and he then fouled his next three attempts before recording 82.89m in his sixth and final effort.
Weber was second with his opening throw of 87.88m, while Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil was third with his third round attempt of 86.62m. Chopra had breached the 90m mark in the Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 16 with a throw of 90.23m for a second place finish. Weber had won the title in Doha with his last round throw of 91.06m.
The 31-year-old Weber had also beaten Chopra at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet on May 23 in Poland where both performed below their best under chilly and overcast conditions. Weber had produced 86.12m while Chopra could only come up 84.14m to finish second.
Chopra had won his last DL title in Lausanne in June 2023 with a throw of 87.66m. Since then till Friday, he has finished second in six DL meetings.
This was Chopra's first win in the Paris leg of the prestigious DL series. He last competed in the Paris DL in 2017 as a junior world champion and finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m.
The two-time Olympic medallist Indian began the 2025 season with a title in an invitational meet at Potchefstroom, South Africa, which was a minor -- category F -- event with a throw of 84.52m.
On June 24, Chopra will compete at the Golden Spike athletics meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic. After that, the reigning world champion will feature in the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru, a World Athletics category A event which he is hosting. PTI PDS SCY
Man fires shot in air during altercation in Delhi's Old Mustafabad
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A man fired a shot in the air in northeast Delhi's Old Mustafabad area after a minor altercation broke out between a biryani shop owner and three unidentified men, an official said on Saturday.
The incident took place around 9.20 pm on Friday in Gali No. 3 of Old Mustafabad area and was reported at Dayalpur police station, he said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the complainant, who runs a biryani shop, was approached by three men on a motorcycle. The trio first went to a neighbouring confectionery shop before getting into an argument with the complainant over a trivial matter, a senior police officer said.
"In the midst of the argument, one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and fired a shot in the air to intimidate. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident," the officer said.
After receiving a PCR call, a police team rushed to the spot and secured the area. The crime team was called in to examine the scene and collect forensic evidence, officials said.
A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered and multiple teams have been constituted to trace and apprehend the accused, police added.
Efforts are underway to scan CCTV footage in the vicinity and identify the suspects, an official said. PTI SSJ NB
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All my centuries are special, Gill and I were trying to bat session by session: Jaiswal
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal was overjoyed after making his maiden hundred in England, and the Indian opener gave a slice of credit to skipper Shubman Gill for maintaining a calm atmosphere at the other end during their partnership.
Jaiswal and Gill, who also made an unbeaten century, added 129 runs for the third wicket stand to take India to 221 from a shaky 92 for two after the first session.
India navigated through the second session without losing a wicket.
"Whenever I make a century, wherever it is, I enjoy it. I love it as all my centuries are special. But of course, there are some special moments…first (century in England)," Jaiswal said in the post-day press meet.
The left-hander also threw light into how he and Gill took their alliance forward.
"We were speaking a lot in the middle and we were trying to take it session by session and try and get as many runs as possible.
"There was an amazing camaraderie between us. It was amazing to bat with him (Gill) and the way he batted, calm and composed, I enjoyed it a lot and it was helping me," he added.
The ton on Friday was his third three-figure mark in overseas tours after fetching centuries in the West Indies and Australia. So what was his personal strategy during his hundred?
"The strategy was to put away the bad balls, time and place the shots well. I was just thinking about handling the situation, where the England team was keeping fielders or in which areas they were bowling.
"I was just trying to bat accordingly. I was batting as per the needs of the team," he said.
Jaiswal, similar to many of his teammates, came into the Leeds Test without too much practice in red-ball cricket, courtesy the two-month IPL season.
But the 23-year-old said switching the formats mentally was important for him.
"Challenges will always be there in cricket, just that it will be different in different stages. I was trying to trust my process and mindset and was trying to express myself.
"To switch mentally is very important as in how you think or in which environment you are in. It helps you to enjoy the game when you are playing under pressure,” he noted.
However, Jaiswal admitted that the practice games for India A against the England Lions and the intra-squad match against the senior side was helpful in understanding the local conditions.
"I was getting cramps on both hands. Our preparations were good while playing for India A and at Beckenham (intra-squad). We were discussing about playing a long innings after getting a start.
"We got a lot of inputs from Gautam sir. So, it was nice to come to such a nice ground and perform," he added. PTI UNG APA
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Goswami community women write letters with blood to UP CM, PM against trust to run Banke Bihari temple
Mathura (UP), Jun 20 (PTI) Women from the Goswami community in Mathura have written letters with blood to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against a proposed corridor surrounding the Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan and the formation of a trust to manage the affairs of the temple, sources said. Hundreds of Goswami community members on Friday protested against the construction of the proposed corridor and the formation of the trust by locking their shops and houses.
Former BJP district president Madhu Sharma, who reached the protest site, criticised Mathura MP Hema Malini and the administration over the issue.
“I curse such a woman MP under whose watch women have to write letters with blood to express their pain,” Sharma said, as she appealed to Chief Minister Adityanath to find a solution to the issue.
Priests and local residents of Vrindavan are protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to form a trust to manage the affairs of the Banke Bihari temple.
The priests, who are primarily from the Goswami sect, have managed the temple affairs for generations. They view the move as an attempt to encroach upon their traditional rights. PTI COR CDN ARI
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Operation Sindhu: 290 Indian students return from Iran, land in Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A flight from Mashhad, Iran, carrying 290 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, landed at the Delhi Airport late Friday.
The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from the Middle Eastern country as hostilities escalate between Israel and Iran.
Two more flights are scheduled to arrive later in the night, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, around 3 am, bringing home around 1,000 Indian nationals.
"Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support. A great relief for families who had been anxiously awaiting their return," the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said in a statement.
In a special gesture, Iran opened its airspace to facilitate India's evacuation efforts.
Students were earlier moved to Mashhad from Tehran, and the flights operated by an Iranian airline were coordinated by Indian authorities.
The evacuation follows days of aerial bombardments and retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel.
On Thursday, 110 Indian students were evacuated via Armenia and Doha before reaching Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs launched Operation Sindhu last week. PTI MHS VN
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Congress favours Hindi, but English opens new avenues: Ashok Gehlot
Jaipur, Jun 20 (PTI) Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said Congress is in favour of Hindi but English opens new avenues in the world for everyone.
Gehlot’s comments came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah's reported remarks on English.
"Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi and all of us are also in favour of Hindi but English is an international language which opens new avenues in the world for everyone," Gehlot said in a post on X.
"Home Minister Shah and many people of BJP-RSS are against English although the people of the country know that the children of most of the Union ministers are studying abroad and they confuse the people here," the Congress leader said.
During childhood, we also used to oppose English but it has become the need of the hour, so we also changed our 'approach', he said.
Today, in the era of computers, internet, Artificial Intelligence, the young generation can be completely successful in life through English, Gehlot said.
The previous Congress government in Rajasthan established about 3700 Mahatma Gandhi English medium schools to promote education in English among the poor and middle class and rural areas. Due to this decision, about 6.50 lakh students started receiving education in English, he said.
The Congress leader added, "The BJP government in the state tried to close these English medium schools but could not take such a step due to their popularity among the public." PTI AG NB
'Can't express what it feels like to be back home': Indian students return from Iran under Operation Sindhu
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) "The Indian government has done a lot for us, I can't express what peace you feel when you reach your own country," said an Indian national, after landing in Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, late Friday night.
The returnee, who had gone to Iran on a pilgrimage, was among 290 Indians evacuated under the government's 'Operation Sindhu' amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
The flight brought back mostly students from Jammu and Kashmir, along with others from Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and West Bengal. As they arrived at the airport, chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' echoed through the terminal. Some evacuees were seen hugging each other, overwhelmed by the relief of being home.
One of the returning students, an MBBS scholar at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, described the experience as "a journey full of struggles," but credited the Indian Embassy and the government for their timely intervention. "Our parents were extremely worried. The help we received from our embassy was immense," the student said.
The Ministry of External Affairs launched 'Operation Sindhu' last week to bring back Indian nationals stranded amid worsening conflict and air travel disruptions in the Middle East. On Thursday, 110 students had already arrived via Armenia and Doha.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa), MEA, confirmed the arrival of the third evacuation flight and said, "Out of the 290 Indians who landed today, 190 are from Jammu and Kashmir. It's a matter of happiness that Iran opened its airspace to facilitate this operation. It reflects the strong ties between India and Iran."
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, which coordinated closely with the authorities, issued a statement saying, "Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely support. This is a great relief for families who had been anxiously waiting."
Two more evacuation flights are expected to land later today, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Overall, nearly 1,000 Indian nationals are being brought home under the ongoing effort.
Iran's decision to allow use of its airspace played a critical role in making the mission possible, officials said. Students and pilgrims were first moved from Tehran to Mashhad, where Iranian airline flights arranged in coordination with Indian authorities began ferrying them home. PTI MHS SCY
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Goswami community women write letters with blood to UP CM, PM against trust to run Banke Bihari temple
Mathura (UP), Jun 20 (PTI) Women from the Goswami community in Mathura have written letters with blood to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against a proposed corridor surrounding the Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan and the formation of a trust to manage the affairs of the temple, sources said. Hundreds of Goswami community members on Friday protested against the construction of the proposed corridor and the formation of the trust by locking their shops and houses.
Former BJP district president Madhu Sharma, who reached the protest site, criticised Mathura MP Hema Malini and the administration over the issue.
“I curse such a woman MP under whose watch women have to write letters with blood to express their pain,” Sharma said, as she appealed to Chief Minister Adityanath to find a solution to the issue.
Priests and local residents of Vrindavan are protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to form a trust to manage the affairs of the Banke Bihari temple.
The priests, who are primarily from the Goswami sect, have managed the temple affairs for generations. They view the move as an attempt to encroach upon their traditional rights. PTI COR CDN ARI
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Operation Sindhu: 290 Indian students return from Iran, land in Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A flight from Mashhad, Iran, carrying 290 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, landed at the Delhi Airport late Friday.
The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from the Middle Eastern country as hostilities escalate between Israel and Iran.
Two more flights are scheduled to arrive later in the night, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, around 3 am, bringing home around 1,000 Indian nationals.
"Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support. A great relief for families who had been anxiously awaiting their return," the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said in a statement.
In a special gesture, Iran opened its airspace to facilitate India's evacuation efforts.
Students were earlier moved to Mashhad from Tehran, and the flights operated by an Iranian airline were coordinated by Indian authorities.
The evacuation follows days of aerial bombardments and retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel.
On Thursday, 110 Indian students were evacuated via Armenia and Doha before reaching Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs launched Operation Sindhu last week. PTI MHS VN
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J-K administration fully ready to ferry students returning from Iran back home: Official
Srinagar, Jun 20 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir government is fully prepared to help students returning from Iran reach their homes with a fleet of deluxe buses pressed into service to pick them up from their arrival points, an official said on Friday.
The responsibility for organising and overseeing the transit has been entrusted to minister Satish Sharma, he said.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Transport Satish Sharma has been entrusted with the task of overseeing the entire transit operation, he said.
The J-K administration facilitated the travel of the first batch of students from Iran arriving in India in super deluxe buses, the spokesperson said.
The returnees were received at locations in Jammu and Srinagar by the government's transport department, he said.
Super deluxe buses of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) have been stationed at the arrival points to receive them, he said.
Sharma said, "These students are our pride and future. It's our moral duty to ensure they feel welcomed, cared for and supported. As per Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's directions, we are arranging adequate transport facilities for them."
The minister added, "I have instructed the RTC to be on standby for any logistical support needed by our returning residents and students."
The spokesperson said the government is coordinating with the Resident Commission Office in Delhi, airport authorities and the local administration to perform the transit. PTI SSB VN
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Fugitive wanted in 12-year-old fake currency case extradited by UAE
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) A fugitive with a 12-year-old Interpol red notice against him and wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a fake currency racket was extradited by the UAE on Friday in an operation coordinated by the CBI, officials said.
Moideenabba Ummer Beary, wanted by the NIA's Kochi unit, was brought to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Dubai by flight No. AI-920 on Friday after the completion of extradition proceedings in the UAE on Thursday, they said.
"The subject was earlier geo-located in UAE through close follow up by the CBI through Interpol with NCB-Abu Dhabi," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.
Beary was wanted by the NIA in a case of counterfeiting Indian currency notes, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
He was arrested in the UAE in 2015 and since then his extradition proceedings were going on.
He allegedly procured high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) in Dubai and transported the same to Bengaluru through Sharjah.
"The CBI got the Red Notice published against the subject on December 30, 2013, through Interpol on the request of NIA. The accused subject was arrested in the UAE and an extradition request was sent to the UAE through MHA and MEA," the spokesperson said.
The NIA said that soon after the recovery of FICNs from four different locations in Kasaragod district in Kerala, it secured the revocation of Baery's passport and a red corner notice was also issued.
"In 2015, the absconding accused was located and arrested by the UAE authorities, following which an extradition request was sent to that country by the NIA. On completion of the process, the UAE authorities extradited the accused on June 19," the NIA said in a statement.
NIA investigations into the case revealed that Beary, a native of Karnataka's Udupi district, conspired with the co-accused to procure high-quality FICNs with a face value of Rs 31 lakh from the UAE, it said.
"The FICNs were trafficked into India by another accused, Usman, by flight through Bengaluru. The accused then circulated the FICNs in and around Kasaragod district," the statement said.
The NIA has so far chargesheeted six accused, including Beary, in the cases under various sections of IPC, it said. PTI ABS AKV ARI
Classroom construction 'graft' case: Sisodia questioned for over three hours by ACB
Read MoreUP cabinet approves 'green policy' to drive ecological turnaround
Lucknow, Jun 20 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a policy aimed at promoting sustainable and eco-friendly growth in urban local bodies by setting up parks and gardens and using eco-friendly materials.
The Urban Green Policy was proposed by the Urban Development Department and will be conducted in three phases.
Under the initiative, a 'Green City Monitoring System' will be developed to evaluate and award 'Green Star' ratings to cities based on their environmental efforts and green infrastructure.
To reduce the impact of climate change in urban areas, the development of vertical gardens, rooftop gardens, and Miyawaki forests will be promoted.
It will be implemented through a three-level approach, beginning with the city, then neighbourhood, and finally at the building level, the statement read.
At the city level, dense mini-forests will be created using the Miyawaki method, making green spaces grow quickly. At the building level, new constructions will be required to meet green building standards, focusing on eco-friendly materials, energy-saving technologies, and green roofs.
In the first phase, 2025-2027, the policy focus will be on smart cities and major metro areas.
In the second phase, 2027-2030, it will include cities with a population of over one lakh, while the third phase, after 2030, will cover all municipalities and nagar panchayats. PTI CDN VN
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CBI books ex-officials of TCE, JNPT in Rs 800 cr irregularities in ship channel dredging work
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and two dredging companies over alleged irregularities worth over Rs 800 crore in the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai, officials said.
The agency took the action after a three-year-long preliminary inquiry to look into the allegations of inflated estimates, throttling of competition to favour international bidders, extension of undue favours to contractors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations.
In its FIR, the CBI has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
After the FIR was registered on Wednesday, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the residence of Madabhavi, Bose and offices of private companies.
The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said.
The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement.
No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies.
"The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired," the CBI said in the FIR.
The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to Rs 365.90 crore for phase-I and Rs 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging.
The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships.
TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution.
TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged.
The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV).
The CBI inquiry also showed violation of a number of guidelines related to fixation of rates for dredging different type of rocks, delay in project, false claim of Rs 348 crore by the contractor without actual performance of work, excess payment of Rs 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey by using a less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among others. PTI ABS ARI
Delhi: Railway worker's family gets Rs 1-crore cheque after accidental death
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Northern Railway on Friday handed over a Rs 1-crore cheque to the family of an employee who died in an accident earlier in the year.
"Sushil Lal, a loco pilot working in Moradabad Division of Northern Railway, passed away on March 11, 2025, in an accident," Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway (NR), said.
"The General Manager of NR Shri Ashok Kumar Verma handed over a cheque of Rs one crore to Lal's wife as accident insurance amount in addition to the settlement payment, ex-gratia amount by the Personnel Department of the Railways," he added.
According to Upadhyay, Verma had in January approved a special salary package scheme to provide a special insurance security cover to the workers' kin in case of an accidental death.
"Undoubtedly, life cannot be compensated, but financial help for the future of the family will be of great help. This initiative reflects the commitment of the Railways towards the welfare of railway employees," Upadhyay said. PTI JP VN
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Cameras at Delhi pumps detect 4.9 lakh 'overaged' vehicles, 25 lakh without PUCC
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Around 30 lakh out of 3.6 crore vehicles checked through a new system installed at fuel stations in Delhi were found without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), leading to fines worth Rs 168 crore, officials said on Friday.
Of the total, 4.9 lakh were overage or end-of-life (EOL) vehicles -- diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years -- which are highly polluting.
Following directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), 500 out of 520 fuel stations in Delhi have installed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
These cameras will help stop the sale of fuel to overage vehicles from July 1 by detecting them. Once identified, the system will alert the command centre and enforcement teams from the traffic and transport departments, who may then take action, including impounding the vehicles.
"The installation of cameras began in December. Since then, 3.6 crore vehicles have been screened. Among them, 4.9 lakh were EOL vehicles, and 25.92 lakh were running without valid PUCCs. This led to fines worth Rs 168 crore," Virinder Sharma, Member (Technical), CAQM, said.
The system will be extended to five high-vehicle-density districts near Delhi – Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat – starting November 1. Camera installation in these areas will be completed by October 31.
CAQM officials made it clear that the rule applies to all EOL vehicles, regardless of where they are registered in India.
"Our directions do not say that only vehicles registered in Delhi will be denied fuel. Vehicles from outside Delhi-NCR also operate here and add to pollution. Some Delhi residents are registering vehicles in other states to avoid rules, and this must be discouraged," Sharma said.
He added that EOL buses from any part of India will also be tracked through this system. Separate guidelines will be issued to limit their movement in Delhi-NCR.
To support enforcement, 100 teams made up of traffic and transport officials have been formed. Fuel stations found breaking the rules will face strict action under the law, Sharma said.
CAQM stated that Delhi alone has 62 lakh EOL vehicles, including 41 lakh two-wheelers.
The total number of EOL vehicles in the entire NCR is around 44 lakh, with most located in the five high-density districts mentioned earlier.
The ANPR system is connected to the national VAHAN database, which helps identify overage vehicles and also those without valid pollution certificates. Fuel stations are required to refuse fuel to such vehicles from the dates specified.
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Death of horses at Jabalpur farm: MP HC seeks detailed report from collector by Jun 25
Jabalpur, Jun 20 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the Jabalpur district collector to file a report by June 25 on the condition of horses kept in a farm in Raipura village.
Three horses had died at the farm in the last few days, while eight had died in May reportedly due to heat.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf directed the district collector to file a report with regard to the physical condition of each of the horses along with a report on the environment in which they have been kept as well as availability of food, water and shelter.
The collector shall also file a status report with regard to the horses that have died and the reasons for their death, the bench said.
The court issued the direction while hearing of a petition filed by Jabalpur-based animal activist Simran Issar alleging that one Sachin Tiwari brought 49 horses from HithaNet India Private Limited in Telangana capital Hyderabad and had kept them without documents pertaining to ownership, vaccination, medical history etc.
"Sachin Tiwari has been made respondent in the petition for illegally transporting horses from Hyderabad to Jabalpur in violation of provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act. Sachin Tiwari is associated with Suresh Paladugu of HithaNet India Private Limited," the petitioner's counsel Umesh Tripathi told PTI.
HithaNet India Private Limited started an online horse racing betting venture exclusively for Philippines that it ran from Hyderabad Race Club under the title of UnThose Matchup Racing in October 2023, Tripathi said.
Jabalpur collector Deepak Saxena had told reporters on June 19 that a committee had been formed under the chairmanship of the district panchayat chief executive officer to find out whether proper care was being taken of horses. PTI COR LAL BNM
UK celebrates International Day of Yoga with special message from King Charles
London, Jun 21 (PTI) Hundreds of people have gathered at an iconic square on the Strand in London to join in a series of expert-led asanas and breathing techniques to mark International Day of Yoga (IDY), organised by the High Commission of India in London.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami opened the proceedings celebrating the 10th anniversary of Yoga Day on a sunny Friday evening by reading out a special message from King Charles III.
The 76-year-old monarch, known for his affinity for Yoga, said this annual celebration "promoted the global principles of unity, compassion and wellbeing".
“The theme of this year's day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations,” read the King's message from Buckingham Palace.
“Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga provide an opportunity to celebrate a practice and philosophy that means so much to so many. Year on year, Yoga is increasing in popularity across the United Kingdom, with millions of people in our country reaping its benefits.
"Yoga is a powerful means of enabling anyone to improve their physical and mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing and togetherness within communities,” he said.
Doraiswami reflected on how it's been over a decade since the United Nations adopted a resolution put forward as an idea in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a “hugely popular” initiative with support from all partner nations.
“Yoga is something that speaks to a universal language, the idea of the commonality of the human experience, the idea that we all, no matter where we come from, how we look, how we pray, what we speak, our bodies need the same forms of healing,” said the High Commissioner.
This year’s programme was organised in partnership with King’s College London, whose campus is near India House.
“King’s College London shares the values of community, wellness, inner calm and everything that Yoga represents,” said Graham Lord, Senior Vice-President for Health and Life Sciences, King’s College London.
“This is the first of many partnerships we will have with the High Commission and also represents the partnership between the United Kingdom and India, who as you know signed a Free Trade Agreement very recently. It’s wonderful for us to be building an even stronger relationship. It’s lovely to see that we have brought this event closer to the High Commission and that we are using our wonderful shared space together,” he said.
Opening with a ‘Drums of India’ musical segment by the Bhavan UK, the gathering was led through Surya Namaskar followed by an introduction to Iyengar Yoga. Experts from Heartfulness UK, Art of Living and Isha Foundation then went on to take the audience through breathing techniques and mindfulness practices.
The event concluded with ‘Samagam’, a harmonious Yoga and dance performance.
International Day of Yoga is marked annually around the world on June 21, with the High Commission of India in London organising a major public event in celebration. PTI AK SCY
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Chopra beats Weber to win Paris Diamond League title
Paris, Jun 20 (PTI) Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra won his first Diamond League title in two years as he upstaged Julian Weber of Germany after back-to-back second place finishes here on Friday.
The 27-year-old Chopra won the title with his first round throw of 88.16m in a star-studded field having five competitors in the 90m club. His second throw measured 85.10m and he then fouled his next three attempts before recording 82.89m in his sixth and final effort.
Weber was second with his opening throw of 87.88m, while Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil was third with his third round attempt of 86.62m. Chopra had breached the 90m mark in the Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 16 with a throw of 90.23m for a second place finish. Weber had won the title in Doha with his last round throw of 91.06m.
The 31-year-old Weber had also beaten Chopra at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet on May 23 in Poland where both performed below their best under chilly and overcast conditions. Weber had produced 86.12m while Chopra could only come up 84.14m to finish second.
Chopra had won his last DL title in Lausanne in June 2023 with a throw of 87.66m. Since then till Friday, he has finished second in six DL meetings.
This was Chopra's first win in the Paris leg of the prestigious DL series. He last competed in the Paris DL in 2017 as a junior world champion and finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m.
The two-time Olympic medallist Indian began the 2025 season with a title in an invitational meet at Potchefstroom, South Africa, which was a minor -- category F -- event with a throw of 84.52m.
On June 24, Chopra will compete at the Golden Spike athletics meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic. After that, the reigning world champion will feature in the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru, a World Athletics category A event which he is hosting. PTI PDS SCY
All my centuries are special, Gill and I were trying to bat session by session: Jaiswal
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal was overjoyed after making his maiden hundred in England, and the Indian opener gave a slice of credit to skipper Shubman Gill for maintaining a calm atmosphere at the other end during their partnership.
Jaiswal and Gill, who also made an unbeaten century, added 129 runs for the third wicket stand to take India to 221 from a shaky 92 for two after the first session.
India navigated through the second session without losing a wicket.
"Whenever I make a century, wherever it is, I enjoy it. I love it as all my centuries are special. But of course, there are some special moments…first (century in England)," Jaiswal said in the post-day press meet.
The left-hander also threw light into how he and Gill took their alliance forward.
"We were speaking a lot in the middle and we were trying to take it session by session and try and get as many runs as possible.
"There was an amazing camaraderie between us. It was amazing to bat with him (Gill) and the way he batted, calm and composed, I enjoyed it a lot and it was helping me," he added.
The ton on Friday was his third three-figure mark in overseas tours after fetching centuries in the West Indies and Australia. So what was his personal strategy during his hundred?
"The strategy was to put away the bad balls, time and place the shots well. I was just thinking about handling the situation, where the England team was keeping fielders or in which areas they were bowling.
"I was just trying to bat accordingly. I was batting as per the needs of the team," he said.
Jaiswal, similar to many of his teammates, came into the Leeds Test without too much practice in red-ball cricket, courtesy the two-month IPL season.
But the 23-year-old said switching the formats mentally was important for him.
"Challenges will always be there in cricket, just that it will be different in different stages. I was trying to trust my process and mindset and was trying to express myself.
"To switch mentally is very important as in how you think or in which environment you are in. It helps you to enjoy the game when you are playing under pressure,” he noted.
However, Jaiswal admitted that the practice games for India A against the England Lions and the intra-squad match against the senior side was helpful in understanding the local conditions.
"I was getting cramps on both hands. Our preparations were good while playing for India A and at Beckenham (intra-squad). We were discussing about playing a long innings after getting a start.
"We got a lot of inputs from Gautam sir. So, it was nice to come to such a nice ground and perform," he added. PTI UNG APA
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Russia advancing long-term economic cooperation plans with India, other key partners: Putin
Moscow, Jun 20 (PTI) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Moscow's action plan for long-term cooperation till 2030 with India should be finalised shortly.
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum’s plenary session, Putin announced that Moscow is advancing long-term economic cooperation plans with its key partners, including India.
“Let me remind you that we agreed to prepare long-term cooperation plans with key partners," Putin said while emphasising that "action plans, including those with countries like India, should be completed shortly."
“We have already set a goal to boost oil and gas exports. To achieve this, we will develop relations with partners, remove trade barriers, explore new market niches, build infrastructure, and deepen investment cooperation,” he said.
The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025 often dubbed as 'Russian Davos' this year has the theme “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.”
Putin denied that China and Russia are forming a new multipolar world order.
“A new world order is emerging naturally, like the rising sun. There’s no way to halt it, our role is to formalise this process and facilitate it, ensuring it develops in a more balanced way that aligns with the interests of the vast majority of nations,” Putin said.
India at the SPIEF was represented by the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Vaishnaw, who is also the minister for Information and Broadcasting, delivered keynote addresses at two significant sessions.
Speaking at a session 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence', he highlighted India’s advancements in AI and its vision for ethical and inclusive technological growth.
While addressing the India-Russia Business Forum, he emphasised the deepening economic ties between the two countries and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Vaishnaw had several meetings with Russian Federal Ministers, leading industrialists, technology leaders, and investors.
These discussions focused on enhancing India-Russia cooperation in critical sectors including Logistics & Transportation, Infrastructure Development, Railway Modernisation, Information Technology & Artificial Intelligence.
These engagements underscored "India’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with Russia, particularly in technology-driven and infrastructure domains, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and global digital transformation,” a press release from the Embassy of India in Moscow said.
His visit marks a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding India-Russia relationship, paving the way for mutual growth and innovation, it added. PTI VS RD ZH RD
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Centurions Gill, Jaiswal take India to 359/3 on Day 1 of 1st Test against England
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Captain Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal's hundreds steered India to 359 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against England here on Friday.
Jaiswal (101) brought up his fifth Test hundred right before tea, reaching the milestone in 144 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Gill (127 not out), meanwhile, reached his century in the final session of the day, marking a memorable start to his captaincy tenure.
With the ton, Gill joins an elite group of Indians -- Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli -- who scored centuries in their first Test as captain.
Jaiswal and Gill stitched together a crucial 129-run stand for the third wicket after India lost KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0) in quick succession just before the lunch break.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant was batting on 65, giving Gill company when stumps were called.
For England, skipper Ben Stokes (2/43) took two wickets.
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India: 359 for 3 in 85 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Shubman Gill 127 not out, Rishabh Pant 65 not out; Ben Stokes 2/43, Brydon Carse 1/70). PTI APA PDS
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India's Senthilkumar signs off with bronze medal at Asian Squash C'ships
Kuching (Malaysia), Jun 20 (PTI) India's Velavan Senthilkumar signed off with a bronze medal after losing to second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan of Hong Kong in the men's singles semifinal at the Asian Squash Championships here on Friday.
The Indian, ranked 45th in the men's singles chart, went down 1-3 (9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 6-11) to the world number 41 Lau in a marathon 65-minute last four clash.
Both the losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze at the continental showpiece.
This was Senthilkumar's second consecutive medal at the continental event. He had clinched a silver in the 2023 edition.
With his loss, India's campaign also came to an end in the individual contest.
India's teenage sensation Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will be in contention in the doubles contest scheduled to begin next week. PTI APA PDS
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Nepal authorities lift restrictions on organising protests in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Jun 20 (PTI) Nepal authorities have lifted the restrictions imposed on organising protests in most parts of the national capital, according to an official notice.
The order issued on May 31 prohibiting sit-ins, hunger strikes, protests, public gatherings and demonstrations within the Ring Road areas of Kathmandu has been withdrawn effective from June 19, said the notice issued by the Kathmandu District Administrative Office on Thursday.
The pro-monarchy protesters, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the establishment of a Hindu state in Nepal, were organising protest programmes before the restrictions were imposed.
The protests were disrupting business activities and transportation services, the local administration had said.
Pro-monarchist groups, including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah, had earlier said they would continue the protest until the monarchy was restored.
However, they have withdrawn protest programmes due to the onset of the monsoon in Nepal. PTI SBP RD ZH RD
Pakistan PM Sharif reaffirms his willingness to talk with India on all issues
Islamabad, Jun 20 (PTI) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to talk with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade and counter-terrorism.
He conveyed this during a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement posted by the state-run Pakistan Television on X.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to US President Donald Trump, it said. He praised the President for his bold leadership and appreciated Secretary Rubio's proactive diplomacy that "played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan and India to arrive at a ceasefire understanding".
Sharif said that President Trump's positive statements about Pakistan are most encouraging for a durable peace in South Asia, which can only be made possible by initiating meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India.
“In this context, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness for talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade and counter-terrorism,” the state-run PTV said.
India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.
The situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel crisis, was also discussed, where the Prime Minister emphasized the need to find a peaceful resolution to this grave crisis, through dialogue and diplomacy.
He said Pakistan is ready to play a constructive role in any effort for peace in the current situation, which is deeply worrying, not only for the region but for the entire world.
While recalling President Trump's focus on trade, Sharif said Pakistan and the US need to work together to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, energy, mining, rare earth metals, and IT.
On security and counter-terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism from the entire country, particularly the threat from militant groups.
Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and assured Pakistan of full cooperation by the United States in countering all such threats, the channel said.
He also appreciated Pakistan's resolve to uphold the ceasefire understanding with India, as well as its sustained efforts for peace in the region. PTI SH ZH
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Kenya's ex-PM says he was disappointed when Adani deal to expand JKI airport collapsed
Nairobi, Jun 20 (PTI) Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga has said that he was disappointed when the Adani deal to expand and manage the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) collapsed, according to a media report on Friday.
Odinga, while speaking on the second day of the National Executive Retreat in Karen in Nairobi, also said that the deal was politicised, resulting in its cancellation, The Star newspaper reported.
"I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract that was very unfortunate,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said should the deal have proceeded, it would have elevated Nairobi into a regional economic hub.
He said that the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded during his tenure as the Prime Minister but was later on cancelled after the grand coalition government left office.
“We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of disagreements. When we got to Adani, they (the political rivals) brought politics and the contract was cancelled," he said.
“If that is not done, Nairobi will just become dormant. Look at Addis Ababa, they are going and now putting up a new big airport and it's going to be the hub around,” he added.
Under the proposed airport deal worth nearly USD 2 billion, the conglomerate was to add a second runway at JKIA and upgrade the passenger terminal. It was also to operate it on a 30-year lease.
Odinga said if the airport construction is done, it has the potential to become Africa’s top airline. PTI ZH ZH
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Indian Embassy in Nepal organises Yoga demonstration at Lumbini
Kathmandu, Jun 20 (PTI) Indian Embassy in Nepal on Friday organised a grand yoga demonstration at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, on the eve of International Yoga Day, June 21.
"Embassy of India in collaboration with Lumbini Trust organised a yoga demonstration at the iconic Prince Siddhartha statue and Maya Devi Temple, in Lumbini Sanskritik area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site," Indian embassy here posted on X.
Governor of Lumbini Province Krishna Bahadur Gharti and Minister for Youth and Sports of Nepal Teju Lal Chaudhary attended the event as chief guests, the embassy added.
"More than 500 yoga enthusiasts attended the event, which is organized annually as part of the International Day of Yoga celebrations," it said.
While speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava stressed that the ancient practice of Yoga has grown into a global movement after the United Nations’ declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga at the initiative of India.
Indian Embassy, in association with the Pokhara Metropolitan City, also organised a mega Yoga demonstration at the Pokhara Stadium. PTI SBP RD RD
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Jaiswal, Gill take India to 215/2 at tea on Day 1 of 1st Test against England
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 100 not out and Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 58 took India to 215 for 2 at tea on the first day of the opening Test against England here on Friday.
Jaiswal struck 16 fours and a six to complete his ton off 144 balls, while Gill made the most of ideal batting conditions to make 58 off 74 balls. The two have put on 123 runs for the unbroken third wicket stand.
India had earlier lost two wickets in quick succession towards the end of the first session, with KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0) falling just before the lunch break.
Rahul (42) and Jaiswal had put on a strong 91-run stand for the opening wicket as they batted nearly for the entirety of the first session.
Brief Scores:
India: 215 for 2 in 51 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 100 not out, KL Rahul 42, Shubman Gill 58 not out; Brydon Carse 1/58, Ben Stokes 1/22). PTI DDV PDS
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Russia advancing long-term economic cooperation plans with India, other key partners: Putin
Moscow, Jun 20 (PTI) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Moscow's action plan for long-term cooperation till 2030 with India should be finalised shortly.
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum’s plenary session, Putin announced that Moscow is advancing long-term economic cooperation plans with its key partners, including India.
“Let me remind you that we agreed to prepare long-term cooperation plans with key partners," Putin said while emphasising that "action plans, including those with countries like India, should be completed shortly."
“We have already set a goal to boost oil and gas exports. To achieve this, we will develop relations with partners, remove trade barriers, explore new market niches, build infrastructure, and deepen investment cooperation,” he said.
The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025 often dubbed as 'Russian Davos' this year has the theme “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.”
Putin denied that China and Russia are forming a new multipolar world order.
“A new world order is emerging naturally, like the rising sun. There’s no way to halt it, our role is to formalise this process and facilitate it, ensuring it develops in a more balanced way that aligns with the interests of the vast majority of nations,” Putin said.
India at the SPIEF was represented by the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Vaishnaw, who is also the minister for Information and Broadcasting, delivered keynote addresses at two significant sessions.
Speaking at a session 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence', he highlighted India’s advancements in AI and its vision for ethical and inclusive technological growth.
While addressing the India-Russia Business Forum, he emphasised the deepening economic ties between the two countries and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Vaishnaw had several meetings with Russian Federal Ministers, leading industrialists, technology leaders, and investors.
These discussions focused on enhancing India-Russia cooperation in critical sectors including Logistics & Transportation, Infrastructure Development, Railway Modernisation, Information Technology & Artificial Intelligence.
These engagements underscored "India’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with Russia, particularly in technology-driven and infrastructure domains, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and global digital transformation,” a press release from the Embassy of India in Moscow said.
His visit marks a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding India-Russia relationship, paving the way for mutual growth and innovation, it added. PTI VS RD ZH RD
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CBI books ex-officials of TCE, JNPT in Rs 800 cr irregularities in ship channel dredging work
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and two dredging companies over alleged irregularities worth over Rs 800 crore in the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai, officials said.
The agency took the action after a three-year-long preliminary inquiry to look into the allegations of inflated estimates, throttling of competition to favour international bidders, extension of undue favours to contractors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations.
In its FIR, the CBI has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
After the FIR was registered on Wednesday, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the residence of Madabhavi, Bose and offices of private companies.
The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said.
The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement.
No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies.
"The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired," the CBI said in the FIR.
The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to Rs 365.90 crore for phase-I and Rs 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging.
The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships.
TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution.
TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged.
The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV).
The CBI inquiry also showed violation of a number of guidelines related to fixation of rates for dredging different type of rocks, delay in project, false claim of Rs 348 crore by the contractor without actual performance of work, excess payment of Rs 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey by using a less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among others. PTI ABS ARI
CBI books ex-officials of TCE, JNPT in Rs 800 cr irregularities in dredging work in Mumbai
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and two dredging companies over alleged irregularities worth over Rs 800 crore in a project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai, officials said. The agency took the action after a three-year-long preliminary inquiry to look into the allegations of inflated estimates, throttling of competition to favour international bidders, extension of undue favours to contractors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations.
In its FIR, the CBI has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil, Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies.
"The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-l of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-ll of the project) was also inquired," the CBI said in the FIR.
The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to Rs 365.90 crore for phase-I and Rs 438 crore for phase-ll to JNPT due to over-dredging.
The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships.
TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution.
TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the work, the FIR alleged.
The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the JV by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV).
In addition, the CBI inquiry also showed violation of a number of guidelines related to fixation of rates for dredging different type of rocks, delay in project, false claim of Rs 348 crore by the contractor, without actual performance of work, excess payment of Rs 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey by using a less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among others. PTI ABS ARI
360 ONE sells 12 pc stake in Northern Arc Capital for Rs 382 cr
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Vanguard group buys 1.1 pc stake in Vishal Mega Mart for Rs 655 cr
Read MoreNoida Airport partners Anlon Tech for first indigenously built runway rubber removal machine
Noida, Jun 20 (PTI) Noida International Airport on Friday said it has partnered with Anlon Technology Solutions to deploy India's first indigenously built runway rubber removal machine (RRM).
The Cleanjet RRM is a domestically manufactured solution for critical airport operations. Built on a robust Eicher Pro 6028 chassis, this innovative machine is designed to ensure the highest standards of runway safety and efficiency at Noida International Airport, according to a statement.
The machine efficiently removes rubber deposits, paint markings, and oil spills from runways, taxiways, and aprons. It uses ultra-high-pressure water jets, making the entire process 100 per cent chemical-free. This ensures a safe and skid-free surface for aircraft operations without harming the environment or airport pavement, it added.
Constructed on the Eicher Pro 6028 platform, this machine is powered by a Bharat Stage-VI-compliant diesel engine, ensuring robust performance. An auxiliary CAT C9.3B engine and a powerful Hammelmann high-pressure pump deliver precise and damage-free cleaning.
Designed for rapid and effective cleaning, the Cleanjet RRM can clear 800 to 1,100 square metres per hour. With large 8,000-litre tanks for fresh water and debris, it can operate continuously for over 4 hours, minimising downtime during critical maintenance windows, Noida International Airport said.
An intelligent built-in suction system collects all wastewater, rubber particles, paint flakes, and oil spills directly at the nozzle. This leaves the runway surface dry and ready for immediate use, eliminating the need for additional cleanup, it added.
Multiple cameras and a 12-inch display provide real-time monitoring and record operational footage for up to a month, enhancing safety and accountability.
The machine is designed for quick response and capable of vacating the runway swiftly in emergencies without needing to dismantle components. Its user-friendly, modular design allows the cleaning head to be easily raised, lowered, or detached for simplified transport and storage, the statement said.
This partnership underscores Noida International Airport's commitment to adopting cutting-edge, sustainable technologies to enhance operational excellence and safety. PTI CORR
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K Paul Thomas elected chairman of Sa-Dhan
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) ESAF Small Finance Bank MD and CEO K Paul Thomas has been elected as chairman of Sa-Dhan, an RBI recognized self-regulatory organisation (SRO) and an association of microfinance and impact finance institutions.
The decision was taken at the annual general meeting which saw participation of about 100 members, Sa-Dhan said in a statement on Friday.
Consequent to the election of the new members, Sa-Dhan Board reconstituted with Paul Thomas as the chairperson; Sadaf Sayeed, MD & CEO, Muthoot Microfin; and Mukul Jaiswal, MD Cashphor, as co-chairs; and Vivekananda Salimath, Chair IDF, as Treasurer, it said.
The board after its constitutions decided on encouraging innovation and newer product in microfinance space with a view to see the present crisis is addressed with long term solutions, Sa-Dhan executive director and CEO Jiji Mammen said.
"As a self-regulatory organisation, Sa-Dhan will usher in an era of innovation in financial inclusion through micro-financing. The goal of Sa-Dhan is to develop, promote and support eco-systems of impact financing institutions, which enable inclusive growth, equity, gender and sustainable development in the society. The board of Sa-Dhan will work to attain its objectives," Thomas said.
The meeting approved the financial statements of Sa-Dhan for financial year 2024-25 and approved the budget for 2025-26 fiscal. PTI DP HVA
No obstacle will remain in NSE IPO: Pandey
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Friday affirmed that no obstacle will remain for the country's largest stock bourse NSE to go ahead with its initial public offer (IPO).
Asked whether the much-delayed IPO will happen before Diwali, the chief of the capital markets regulator declined to share any timeline.
"There is no obstacle that will remain in case of NSE IPO," he said, speaking at the FE CFO Awards here.
Pandey reiterated that the Sebi is fine with the ownership of clearing corporation by the stock bourses, and added that the ownership is "not an obstacle" in the run up to the IPO.
Pandey explained that every country has its own models when it comes to ownership of clearing corporations, pointing out that brokers own it in the US, while they sit as separate entities in India.
The career bureaucrat-turned-regulator, who assumed office in March, said NSE is in the process of settling some legal processes, which will entail paying some amounts and withdrawal of some cases at present.
He, however, did not elaborate on the exact nature of the settlements and the payments which need to be done.
Sebi is not pushing the 'T+0' settlement period right now, given the complexities involved in its especially with regard to the foreign investors' play, he said, suggesting that it will continue to be a optional facility.
We must aim to take the total number of domestic investors to 400 million in the next five years from the present 130 million unique investors in the capital market.
Citing his discussions with foreign investors both in India and abroad, Pandey said tax issues are not a deterrent for them but it is other factors which influence the bets.
"Overall, our markets are stable, our domestic investors, domestic flows are good, capable of handling the volatility, our volatility, which was also increased post tariff like rest of the world, but it was not as high as in some other countries, those exchanges and certainly it is well within our manageable limit," he said.
Earlier, Pandey also spoke about the need to regulate less in order to spur economic growth.
He said chief financial officers play a critical role in ensuring the financial integrity and accountability of listed companies and added that timely, accurate and reliable financial information is owed to them.
"The market looks to you for credibility. Investors depend on your disclosures. Regulatory bodies rely on your adherence," he said.
The Sebi chief said nobody can guarantee that egregious behaviour will not be there, and spoke about the recent experience with the Gensol case in this context, asserting that the findings in the matter should not make one veer away from the agenda of ease of regulations. PTI AA HVA
Biocon completes raising Rs 4,500 cr via QIP
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Biocon Ltd on Friday said it has completed raising of Rs 4,500 crore through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP).
The company has successfully issued over 13.63 crore equity shares of face value Rs 5 each to eligible qualified institutional buyers at the issue price of Rs 330 per equity share, including a premium of Rs 325 per share, Biocon Ltd said in a regulatory filing.
The QIP, which was opened from June 16-19 2025, witnessed robust investor interest from a diverse group of domestic and international investors, underscoring strong confidence in Biocon's growth prospects, it added.
"The strong response to our QIP reflects deep investor conviction in Biocon's differentiated strategy and consistent execution," Biocon Ltd CEO and Managing Director Siddharth Mittal said.
He further said, "This capital raise further strengthens our balance sheet, enabling us to invest in innovation, expand global access to lifesaving biopharmaceuticals, and advance our purpose of delivering affordable healthcare solutions that address pressing health inequities worldwide."
This is the first equity fundraise done by Biocon since its IPO in 2004.
Biocon said the proceeds from the QIP will be utilised for purchase of outstanding optionally convertible debentures issued by its subsidiary, Biocon Biologics Limited, from Goldman Sachs India AIF Scheme - 1 and Goldman Sachs India Alternative Investment Trust AIF Scheme - 2.
The capital raised will also be used for repayment, pre-payment or redemption, in full or in part, of certain outstanding financial instruments issued and borrowings availed by the company, and/or meeting other financial commitments, besides general corporate purposes. PTI RKL SHW
BSNL forays into 5G fixed wireless service
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) State-owned telecom firm BSNL has forayed into 5G fixed wireless service to provide home broadband service with its launch in Hyderabad, the company said on Friday.
At present, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have been providing 5G Fixed Wireless Service (FWA) by using their 5G spectrum.
"Quantum 5G FWA demonstrates how Indian engineers can create world-class connectivity. It is the first SIM-less, 100 per cent home grown customised 5G FWA for BSNL. Today is only a soft launch - many more cities and feature upgrades will follow," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director A Robert J Ravi said.
The service was launched on June 18.
According to the details shared by BSNL, the company will expand the pilot project in Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Vishakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior and Chandigarh by September 2025.
The company is initially charging Rs 999 for a 100 megabit per second (mbps) plan and Rs 1,499 for a 300 mbps plan.
Through 5G FWA, telecom operators install a modem outside the subscriber's premise and transmit signals from their nearest base station for wireless broadband service.
The technology does not require optical fibre for connection. PTI PRS
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Nippon India MF, BlackRock, Societe Generale, others buy 10 pc stake in Sai Life for Rs 1,505 cr
Read More'Fire' ending changed because of young Farhan Akhtar: Shabana Azmi on the 1996 movie
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who recently met "Fire" director Deepa Mehta and Nandita Das, her co-star in the movie, said not many know that the film's ending was changed after a suggestion from Farhan Akhtar.
The same sex drama, which was controversial movie at the time of its release, is now considered a seminal work in the depiction of LGBTQ stories in Indian cinema.
"The #Fire trio! 25 years later … The film continues to be a point of reference all over the world. Few know that it had a different ending. It was young @faroutakhtar who advised that the ending should be changed to what is finally kept," Azmi wrote in the caption of her picture with Mehta and Das on Instagram.
The film faced protests and many hurdles in its release for its depiction of a lesbian relationship between Das' Sita and Azmi's Radha. Both caught in loveless marriages, develop a romantic and emotional bond. The movie ends with both coming to terms with the societal disapproval to live a life of togetherness.
The 74-year-old actor said the film was initially supposed to be shot in Hindi but ended up having dialogues in English.
"Also it was originally to be shot in Hindi but the dialogue didn't ring true. So literally 2 days before the shooting #Deepa Mehta decided to keep the original English greatly approved by producer #Bobby Bedi. Thank god the actors were bilingual and could rise to the challenge."
"Fire" was released on November 5, 1998, in India, but faced several protests during its release and though the film wasn't completely banned, it was withdrawn from the theatres and re-released later in February 1999.
It was the first film of Mehta's "Elements" trilogy, which included "Earth" (1998) and "Water" (2005). PTI ATR BK
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Lauren Gottlieb marries Tobias Jones: It was the most beautiful day of our lives
Los Angeles, Jun 20 (PTI) Actor Lauren Gottlieb married her long-time boyfriend Tobias Jones, in an intimate wedding ceremony in Italy.
Gottlieb, who is best known for featuring in the "ABCD" film series, opted for an off-shoulder white gown adorned with intricate floral embroidery for her big day.
Jones chose a black formal suit.
The "Ambarsariya" actor shared a series of pictures from the wedding on her Instagram handle on Friday. The actor said it took place on June 11.
"Mr. & Mrs. Jones. 11.06.2025 On a Tuscan hilltop, with our hearts wide open, we promised each other forever. We've always felt this love was out there. A once-in-a-lifetime kind of love," she wrote in the caption.
"And when we found it, and it felt like coming home. Marrying each other was the most beautiful day of our lives. It was joy. It was peace. It was everything we've ever dreamt of," she added.
Gottlieb and Jones dated for several years before announcing their engagement in August 2023. The duo shared the news in a social media post. PTI ATR ATR
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Important to have both success and criticism: Diana Penty on 'Chhaava'
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) Actor Diana Penty, who played a Mughal princess in "Chhaava", a film that was a box office hit but also received backlash for its depiction of certain historical events, says it is important to have both success and criticism for artists to grow.
The action drama, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj -- played by Vicky Kaushal -- became the highest-grossing Hindi film this year by earning over Rs. 600 crores at the box office in India after its release in February.
"I think that's the case with all films where everybody has mixed opinions, some like it, some don’t, to each their own. Like, I might not walk into a theatre and like the film that I'm watching, but that doesn't mean that it's not a good film or that it won't find its audience.
"It's important to have both sides so that actors or makers can do better the next time or change certain things. Every time I watch a film that I've done before, I'm like, I could have done that better. I'm a huge critic of my work,” Penty, whose latest work is “Detective Sherdill”, told PTI in an interview.
In “Chhaava”, the 39-year-old actor played the role of Zinat-un-Nissa Begum, the second daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb.
Penty said there were people who liked her portrayal and then there were some who didn't.
"But for me, what I liked about this character was that I had very little to say, and that gave me another challenge. There was so much power in the silences, and that's not easy to do. There are a lot of internal emotional thoughts and feelings that you want to show without words. It is not something I had done before. So, I looked at the positive side of it,” Penty, who has garnered praise for her work in films like “Cocktail”, “Happy Bhag Jayegi”, and “Parmanu”, said.
The actor said she feels blessed to be part of a movie like “Chhaava”, which brought historical narratives to contemporary audiences.
“It was an interesting script from the point of view of just telling our history. We had learned it in high school, which was being represented on screen. It was something that I had to be part of. Working with Maddock, with whom I started my journey, is special, and I wanted to work with Laxman (Utekar, director), sir," she said.
Penty has a slew of interesting projects in the pipeline, including web series “Daring Partners”, with Tamannaah Bhatia and Nakuul Mehta and a thriller drama film “Section 84”, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur and Abhishek Banerjee.
The actor is most excited about her collaboration with Bachchan on “Section 84” and described the experience of working with him as “incredible.”
“It truly was a masterclass watching him in action. It was one of those films where, because you were opposite such a fine actor, your performance automatically improved. Like, being in that moment and just reacting to the person in front of you, and when he is that person, it just gives you so much more to play with and watch the way he brings nuances, and it's just so real."
“Detective Sherdill” is produced by Ali Abbas Zafar and Himanshu Mehra, and directed by debutant Ravi Chhabriya. It was released on Friday on ZEE5.
The film also features Diljit Dosanjh, Banita Sandhu, Sumeet Vyas, and Chunky Pandey among others. PTI KKP
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Carla Gugino joins Lou Taylor Pucci in 'Winthrop'
Los Angeles, Jun 20 (PTI) Hollywood actor Carla Gugino, best known for the "Spy Kids" franchise and "San Andreas", is set to star alongside Lou Taylor Pucci in "Winthrop".
Based on the cult podcast "Knifepoint Horror" and the fan-favorite episode “The Lockbox” by writer, creator, and narrator Soren Narnia, the upcoming film is slated to begin its production in Vancouver this summer, according to the entertainment news outlet Deadline.
It revolves around Gugino's character, who puts her life on the line to protect her troubled, enigmatic cousin, Winthrop (Pucci), after he gets targeted and hunted by a powerful supernatural force.
Daniel Stamm will direct the horror feature from the script by Justin Yoffe.
The film is produced by Kearie Peak under the production banner Peak Pictures and Capstone Studios.
Gugino will next feature in "The Adventures of Cliff Booth" alongside Brad Pitt. The film is a spin-off of Quentin Tararantino’s "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood".
It is directed by David Fincher. PTI ATR ATR
Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Son of Sardaar 2' to hit big screen on July 25
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Varun Dhawan celebrates 10 years of ‘ABCD 2’: So many memories
Read More'Sitaare Zameen Par' a word-of-mouth film, will appeal to family audiences:trade experts
Mumbai, Jun 19 (PTI) Aamir Khan-starrer “Sitaare Zameen Par” may collect somewhere between Rs. 11 to 15 crore on the opening day but more than star power, word-of-mouth will determine its fate, according to theatre owners and trade experts.
The upcoming film, billed as a spiritual sequel to “Taare Zameen Par”, focused on themes of inclusivity and empowerment. Aamir takes on the role of a basketball coach who mentors ten differently-abled individuals.
Mumbai-based exhibitor and distributor Rajesh Thadani said word-of-mouth will determine good box office results for “Sitaare Zameen Par” over the weekend.
“Since it’s Aamir Khan and the subject is different, there are hopes that it will do well. I’ve great hope for the film, it should do anywhere between Rs. 10 to 15 crore. If the word-of-mouth is good, then box office collection should improve, and it should touch Rs. 50 crores in three days. The film is emotional and it will cater to family audiences, children and specially-abled children,” Thadani told PTI.
The buzz is not like any other Aamir Khan film, which usually takes a big opening, said trade expert Taran Adarsh.
“It is a word-of-mouth film. If the audience reacts well on day one, then the film will have good numbers in the coming days. As of now, it looks like a single-digit opening for the movie,” Adarsh told PTI.
Distributor-exhibitor Akshay Rathi, who owns theatres in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, said the movie will appeal to urban audiences more.
“The buzz around the film is good because Aamir Khan is one of the true-blue superstars that we’ve in our country. This film seems to be an urban film, and it will appeal largely to the urban multiplex audience... I don’t think it’s a film that will chase a ballistic opening,” Rathi told PTI.
“Dependence on superstars for box office numbers ceases to exist, and we’ve seen that with films like ‘Stree 2’, ‘Chhaava’. However, given the subject and the appeal of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, it can become a dark horse and keep running for a long time,” he said.
“Sitaare Zameen Par” is a remake of the 2018 Spanish film “Campeones”, and its success led to the Hollywood adaptation titled “Champions”, with Woody Harrelson in the lead role.
Raj Bansal, a prominent film distributor and director of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, said that since most people have not seen the original film, this could work to the advantage of Khan.
“The film is a remake, but 90 per cent of the people have not watched the original film. So, there is a curiosity to watch the film. It is not a regular mass cinema film. It is meant for the family-class audience,” Bansal told PTI.
Khan’s decision to prioritise theatrical release over immediate OTT availability has also been a topic of discussion among industry veterans.
Bansal applauded Khan’s decision and said this move will lure the audience to theatres.
“The film will be a game-changer for Indian cinema because Aamir Khan has decided not to release the film on OTT. I’ve been an advocate of the same thing because the audience is aware that the film will be available on OTT after a few weeks, hence they don’t come to the theatre to watch it,” he said.
In addition to Aamir, the movie stars Genelia Deshmukh and ten newcomers, including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, all of whom are specially-abled.
Directed by RS Prasanna, “Sitaare Zameen Par” is set to release on Friday. PTI KKP
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MAI applauds Aamir Khan’s theatrical-only release of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’
Mumbai, Jun 19 (PTI) The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Thursday lauded superstar Aamir Khan for his decision to release his upcoming film “Sitaare Zameen Par” exclusively in cinemas, calling it a visionary and resolute move that reinforces confidence in the theatrical format.
The film, a follow-up to Aamir’s 2007 critically-acclaimed movie “Taare Zameen Par”, is set to release across theatres on June 20.
MAI, which represents over 11 cinema chains, operating more than 500 multiplexes and 2,500 screens across India, said Khan’s commitment to the big screen sends a powerful message that “cinemas remain the premier destination for community-driven, immersive storytelling”.
“Aamir Khan has always been a filmmaker who puts the audience first. His decision to bring ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ exclusively to cinemas is a significant show of confidence in theatres and the shared magic of the moviegoing experience. Indian exhibitors thank Aamir Khan for standing by theatres.
“As we continue to welcome audiences with renewed energy and world-class films, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ will remain a shining example of cinema’s resilience and its irreplaceable magic,” Kamal Gianchandani, President of MAI, said.
Devang Sampat, CEO of Cinepolis India, said the decision was more than a film release — it was a message of “unwavering belief” in the medium.
“Aamir Khan has always been a filmmaker who creates for the theatrical experience. His decision to back cinemas with ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ is a significant moment for all of us.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Aamir Khan Productions for boldly standing by cinemas. ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ is exactly the kind of film that brings people to theatres, thoughtful, moving, and made for a collective experience,” Sampat said.
"Sitaare Zameen Par", directed by R. S. Prasanna, features Aamir as Gulshan, an assistant coach of major basketball team. After being fired from his job, he is ordered to either go to jail or do 90 days of community service as the coach of a team of specially-abled basketball players.
In addition to Aamir, the movie stars Genelia Deshmukh and ten newcomers, including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, all of whom are specially-abled. PTI RB RB BK
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"Together" director Michael Shanks responds to idea theft accusation
Los Angeles, Jun 19 (PTI) Director Michael Shanks, the director of Dave Franco and Alison Brie-starrer "Together", says the accusations that he stole the idea of the movie is "deeply upsetting but entirely untrue".
The Australian writer-director made his debut with the body horror movie, which was sold to Neon for USD 17 million at Sundance.
Last month Shanks and the actors were accused in a lawsuit of stealing the idea from indie film “Better Half.”
In a statement, shared by Neon on X, Shanks said the film is inspired by his life experiences be it his 16-year-old relationship with his partner, his failed aspirations as a musician and losing his father at a young age.
“To have this called into question is not only deeply upsetting but entirely untrue... To now be accused of stealing this story — one so deeply based on my own lived experience, one I’ve developed over the course of several years — is devastating and has taken a heavy toll,” he said in a statement.
"Together" is set to be released in theatres on July 30.
The lawsuit alleges that both Franco and Larson were pitched "Better Half" but their agent turned it down. PTI BK BK
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Sony Pictures Classics acquires James Vanderbilt's Nazi thriller 'Nuremberg'
New York, Jun 19 (PTI) Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American and worldwide airline rights to James Vanderbilt’s "Nuremberg", starring Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon.
Written and directed by Vanderbilt and produced by Walden Media, Bluestone Entertainment and Mythology Entertainment, the film is a thrilling drama set in post-war Germany based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai.
"Nuremberg" chronicles the true story of the eponymous trials held by the Allies against the defeated Nazi regime. The film centres on American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Malek), who is tasked with determining whether Nazi prisoners are fit to stand trial for their war crimes and finds himself in a complex battle of wits with Hermann Goring (Crowe), Hitler’s right-hand man.
The film will be released in theatres in the US on November 7, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Trials, according to a press release.
"Nuremberg" also features Richard E. Grant, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Lydia Peckham, Wrenn Schmidt, Lotte Verbeek and Andreas Pietschmann.
“I am beyond thrilled to be reuniting with Michael and Tom and the whole Sony Pictures Classics team, who ten years ago took a chance on me as a first-time director, and whose legacy of championing great films makes them an incredible partner,” said Vanderbilt.
“'Nuremberg' explores the fragile boundary between justice and vengeance in the aftermath of unimaginable atrocity. As we approach the 80th anniversary of this unprecedented moment in history, this story feels more urgent than ever, and I can’t wait for audiences to see it on the big screen.”
“Written and directed by James Vanderbilt, 'Nuremberg' is a major work, a riveting subject, even more relevant today, that will speak to audiences of all ages. Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Rami Malek, and Leo Woodall are all at their career best here. 'Nuremberg' will be a standout in theatres this Fall,” added Sony Pictures Classics.
Vanderbilt previously wrote and directed Cate Blanchett-starrer "Truth" and wrote the much-acclaimed "Zodiac" for filmmaker David Fincher. PTI BK
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Nat Geo unveils new docu-series 'Underdogs' with Ryan Reynolds as narrator
Mumbai, Jun 19 (PTI) Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has turned narrator for "Underdogs", an unconventional natural history docu-series from National Geographic.
The docu-series, which premieres on Thursday at 8 pm, celebrates the lesser-known creatures of the animal kingdom, highlighting their bizarre mating strategies, surprising superpowers, and dubious parenting tactics, a press release said.
“Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true—mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don’t think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours,” Reynolds said in a statement.
“We’re so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can’t wait for everyone to see,” he added.
Produced by Reynolds’ Maximum Effort in partnership with Wildstar Films, the five-part series aims to engage audiences with its witty narration, immersive visuals, and offbeat natural storytelling.
The original soundtrack, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, was released on June 13 and is now streaming across all major platforms.
“Underdogs” is executive produced by Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, Dan Rees, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Ashley Fox and others.
The series is distributed in India by JioStar, a joint venture between Reliance and The Walt Disney Company. PTI RB
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Chopra beats Weber to win Paris Diamond League title
Paris, Jun 20 (PTI) Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra won his first Diamond League title in two years as he upstaged Julian Weber of Germany after back-to-back second place finishes here on Friday.
The 27-year-old Chopra won the title with his first round throw of 88.16m in a star-studded field having five competitors in the 90m club. His second throw measured 85.10m and he then fouled his next three attempts before recording 82.89m in his sixth and final effort.
Weber was second with his opening throw of 87.88m, while Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil was third with his third round attempt of 86.62m. Chopra had breached the 90m mark in the Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 16 with a throw of 90.23m for a second place finish. Weber had won the title in Doha with his last round throw of 91.06m.
The 31-year-old Weber had also beaten Chopra at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet on May 23 in Poland where both performed below their best under chilly and overcast conditions. Weber had produced 86.12m while Chopra could only come up 84.14m to finish second.
Chopra had won his last DL title in Lausanne in June 2023 with a throw of 87.66m. Since then till Friday, he has finished second in six DL meetings.
This was Chopra's first win in the Paris leg of the prestigious DL series. He last competed in the Paris DL in 2017 as a junior world champion and finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m.
The two-time Olympic medallist Indian began the 2025 season with a title in an invitational meet at Potchefstroom, South Africa, which was a minor -- category F -- event with a throw of 84.52m.
On June 24, Chopra will compete at the Golden Spike athletics meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic. After that, the reigning world champion will feature in the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru, a World Athletics category A event which he is hosting. PTI PDS SCY
All my centuries are special, Gill and I were trying to bat session by session: Jaiswal
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal was overjoyed after making his maiden hundred in England, and the Indian opener gave a slice of credit to skipper Shubman Gill for maintaining a calm atmosphere at the other end during their partnership.
Jaiswal and Gill, who also made an unbeaten century, added 129 runs for the third wicket stand to take India to 221 from a shaky 92 for two after the first session.
India navigated through the second session without losing a wicket.
"Whenever I make a century, wherever it is, I enjoy it. I love it as all my centuries are special. But of course, there are some special moments…first (century in England)," Jaiswal said in the post-day press meet.
The left-hander also threw light into how he and Gill took their alliance forward.
"We were speaking a lot in the middle and we were trying to take it session by session and try and get as many runs as possible.
"There was an amazing camaraderie between us. It was amazing to bat with him (Gill) and the way he batted, calm and composed, I enjoyed it a lot and it was helping me," he added.
The ton on Friday was his third three-figure mark in overseas tours after fetching centuries in the West Indies and Australia. So what was his personal strategy during his hundred?
"The strategy was to put away the bad balls, time and place the shots well. I was just thinking about handling the situation, where the England team was keeping fielders or in which areas they were bowling.
"I was just trying to bat accordingly. I was batting as per the needs of the team," he said.
Jaiswal, similar to many of his teammates, came into the Leeds Test without too much practice in red-ball cricket, courtesy the two-month IPL season.
But the 23-year-old said switching the formats mentally was important for him.
"Challenges will always be there in cricket, just that it will be different in different stages. I was trying to trust my process and mindset and was trying to express myself.
"To switch mentally is very important as in how you think or in which environment you are in. It helps you to enjoy the game when you are playing under pressure,” he noted.
However, Jaiswal admitted that the practice games for India A against the England Lions and the intra-squad match against the senior side was helpful in understanding the local conditions.
"I was getting cramps on both hands. Our preparations were good while playing for India A and at Beckenham (intra-squad). We were discussing about playing a long innings after getting a start.
"We got a lot of inputs from Gautam sir. So, it was nice to come to such a nice ground and perform," he added. PTI UNG APA
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India vs England 1st Test: Day 1 scoreboard
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Scoreboard on day one of the first Test between India and England here on Friday.
India 1st innings:
Yashasvi Jaiswal b Stokes 101
KL Rahul c Root b Carse 42
B Sai Sudharsan c Smith b Stokes 0
Shubman Gill not out 127
Rishabh Pant not out 65
Extras: (B-1, LB-10, NB-7, P-5) 24
Total: (For 3 wickets in 85 Overs) 359
Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-92, 3-221.
Bowling: Chris Woakes 19-2-89-0, Brydon Carse 16-5-70-1, Josh Tongue 16-0-75-0, Ben Stokes 13-1-43-2, Shoaib Bashir 21-4-66-0. PTI APA
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Future stars rise: Ton-up Gill, Jaiswal lead India to 359/3 on Day 1
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill announced their readiness to carry India's batting into the post Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma era, striking marvellous hundreds to guide the visitors to a dominant 359 for three against a faltering England on the first day of the opening Test here on Friday.
Gill (127 batting) and Jaiswal (101, 159b) shared a 129-run partnership for a determined third wicket alliance that carried India to 221 from a slightly wobbly 92 for two after KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0) were dismissed in quick succession.
Rishabh Pant (65 batting) was keeping vigil with Gill at close.
But there was an underlying significance to the centuries of Jaiswal and Gill other than giving India a head-start on the first day of the newly-minted five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
This Indian batting line-up is a tad thin on experience after the recent retirements of former skippers Kohli and Rohit, who played at the pivotal No. 4 and opening slots in their illustrious careers.
Both Jaiswal and Gill are not newcomers to the unforgiving Test arena, but there has been this widespread anxiety over how the 'New Gen' India stars would step into the big shoes of their predecessors.
But the portends are quite bright, if the day's innings by Jaiswal and Gill are anything to go by.
Jaiswal was the first to reach the three-figure mark, the fifth in his flourishing career, off 144 balls and Gill reached his own landmark off 140 balls in the final passage of the day, heralding the start of a new era in Indian cricket.
But the way they reached that point was entirely different. Jaiswal eschewed his natural flair as the first session offered its own share of assistance to the English bowlers in the shape of movement and carry.
However, it was an altogether different matter that the home bowlers were not prudent enough to exploit that offering, and later the pitch eased up considerably.
But a flaccid track and a fangless England attack without James Anderson or Stuart Broad could not take the sheen out of the knocks of Jaiswal and Gill.
It was not a typical Jaiswal innings where he simply flayed the bowlers around, but he showed admirable self-restraint, particularly outside the off-stump.
The left-hander was dismissed in that channel a couple of times while playing for India A against the England Lions in the recent tour matches, but here the 23-year-old did not repeat his mistakes.
Jaiswal began the morning session with a gorgeous drive through mid-off off pacer Chris Woakes, and he only grew in confidence from there.
Perhaps, the only time he showed his aggressive mindset was when the left-hander carted pacer Josh Tongue for a six and then later hammered him for two consecutive fours to reach 99.
It was Jaiswal's first innings in England, and he made it memorable, making a hundred soon after scampering for a single despite suffering some cramps on his hands.
He celebrated with gusto too — a roar and leap into the Headingley sky. England could not be blamed for imagining the Indian batter repeating his 712-run effort he managed last year during a home series.
If Jaiswal’s innings was more about adaptation, Gill’s knock was all about following his natural batting doctrine, which has its fundamentals in timing and elegance.
The right-hander played shots with minimum follow-through through on-side and with a flourish on the off-side.
The 25-year-old's languid grace wowed the crowd when he essayed an off-drive off Chris Woakes and followed it up with a dreamy clip off the pads for a four as currently England's second most experienced Test bowler went for nearly five runs an over across the first two sessions.
Once he went past the fifty off just 56 balls, Gill slowed down a touch, and nerves grew once he went past 90.
There was a cheeky uppish shot through the gully of Tongue and a full-stretched dive saved him from a potentially close run out.
But Gill did not want to let go of the opportunity to score a hundred in his first innings as India's Test captain.
He brought up that mark with a sumptuous boundary off Tongue, getting a standing ovation from everyone.
Gill also joined a very exclusive club of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Virat Kohli as the Indian batters with hundreds on their captaincy debut.
However, the blooming alliance ended when the giant-hearted England skipper Ben Stokes produced a peach to rattle the stumps of Jaiswal immediately after tea.
Gill carried on nevertheless in the company of his adventurous deputy Pant, who in the process of making his 16th Test fifty completed 3000 runs in the format.
Gill and Pant added 138 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket stand, and it has the potential to produce more sparkling moments on Day 2. PTI UNG APA
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Centurions Gill, Jaiswal take India to 359/3 on Day 1 of 1st Test against England
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Captain Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal's hundreds steered India to 359 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against England here on Friday.
Jaiswal (101) brought up his fifth Test hundred right before tea, reaching the milestone in 144 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Gill (127 not out), meanwhile, reached his century in the final session of the day, marking a memorable start to his captaincy tenure.
With the ton, Gill joins an elite group of Indians -- Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli -- who scored centuries in their first Test as captain.
Jaiswal and Gill stitched together a crucial 129-run stand for the third wicket after India lost KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0) in quick succession just before the lunch break.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant was batting on 65, giving Gill company when stumps were called.
For England, skipper Ben Stokes (2/43) took two wickets.
Brief Scores:
India: 359 for 3 in 85 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Shubman Gill 127 not out, Rishabh Pant 65 not out; Ben Stokes 2/43, Brydon Carse 1/70). PTI APA PDS
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India's Senthilkumar signs off with bronze medal at Asian Squash C'ships
Kuching (Malaysia), Jun 20 (PTI) India's Velavan Senthilkumar signed off with a bronze medal after losing to second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan of Hong Kong in the men's singles semifinal at the Asian Squash Championships here on Friday.
The Indian, ranked 45th in the men's singles chart, went down 1-3 (9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 6-11) to the world number 41 Lau in a marathon 65-minute last four clash.
Both the losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze at the continental showpiece.
This was Senthilkumar's second consecutive medal at the continental event. He had clinched a silver in the 2023 edition.
With his loss, India's campaign also came to an end in the individual contest.
India's teenage sensation Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will be in contention in the doubles contest scheduled to begin next week. PTI APA PDS
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Bhutia tears into AIFF leadership, president Chaubey hits back
Kolkata, Jun 20 (PTI) Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday made a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) leadership, calling the current administration under president Kalyan Chaubey a "circus" riddled with all-round mismanagement.
Chaubey hit back through an official statement, dismissing the allegations as “baseless” and accusing Bhutia of “deliberately distorting the image of AIFF”.
In a no-holds-barred press conference here, Bhutia said Indian football has been experiencing one of the worst phases in recent history -- both in performance and credibility -- under the stewardship of Chaubey.
“The AIFF today is a circus. And when you put jokers in those positions, it’s bound to become a circus,” Bhutia said, pointing to the federation’s inability to resolve the I-League championship impasse between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers.
The fate of the I-League title hinges on a Court of Arbitration for Sport's verdict on the appeal filed by Inter Kashi against a decision of the AIFF's Appeals Committee.
“They (AIFF) should have made a clear decision when the controversy erupted. Instead, they let the league continue in confusion. Clubs were treated unfairly. It’s embarrassing for Indian football,” said Bhutia.
Bhutia repeated his earlier criticism of Chaubey’s decision to withdraw India’s bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, leaving Saudi Arabia the sole candidate in the fray.
"Why did we suddenly withdraw our 2027 AFC Asian Cup bid and agree to host the Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia instead? This has to be investigated by someone neutral,” said Bhutia, alleging "financial misuse" by the AIFF president.
Chaubey has now expressed India's interest in bidding for the 2031 edition of the AFC Asian Cup.
“When we had the best chance, we gave it away. Now we’re looking at 2031 where seven countries, including World Cup-qualified Uzbekistan, are interested. It makes no sense,” said the legendary striker.
Dismissing Bhutia's allegations, Chaubey said, “As a member of the (AIFF) Executive Committee, Mr. Bhutia has access to appropriate and empowered platforms to express his views.
“However, since his defeat in September 2022 (AIFF president's election), he has consistently and deliberately made baseless allegations and presented a distorted image of the AIFF. These actions tarnish the federation’s reputation and Indian football internationally.”
Chaubey invited Bhutia to the upcoming AIFF Executive Committee meeting on July 2, saying he can raise his concerns and suggestions there.
“He is most welcome to present any constructive proposals, which will be duly deliberated upon in the spirit of transparency, collaboration, and collective development of Indian football,” Chaubey said in an AIFF statement. PTI
'Not interested in contesting AIFF elections if there's govt interference'
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Bhutia, who lost a lopsided election for the AIFF president against Chaubey in 2022, said he's not keen on contesting polls again if there is interference from the government.
"If there is interference from the government and other various things, then I don't think I would want to get into fighting an election for the AIFF president.
"But yes, if everybody feels that I can do a job, I am okay with it... If somebody is going to sincerely do good for Indian football, I am more than happy to support."
On whether sports and politics can mix, he said: "Ideally, it’s not bad. We’ve seen politicians like Mr (Priyaranjan) Das Munshi and Praful Patel do a decent job. But because of Kalyan, now all sportspersons are being tagged badly."
Bhutia further criticised Manolo Marquez’s earlier dual role (both FC Goa and India coach) and highlighted the lack of planning and clarity on the part of the AIFF.
"We should have sat with Manolo Marquez and asked him to choose -- either FC Goa or India. Or wait for six months. There was no plan. No meeting of the technical committee.
"I don’t mind Indian coaches, but for grassroots and long-term development, we need experts from Portugal, Spain... Those who’ve worked in academy systems."
He also took potshots at AIFF's handling of the negotiations with Indian Super League organisers FSDL regarding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) which ends in December. PTI TAP PDS PDS
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Engineer surprised by Kuldeep's omission from 1st Test, says he should be playing all matches
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Former wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer expressed surprise at Kuldeep Yadav's omission from the opening Test against England, calling the India spinner a "trump card" who should be used in all five games of the series.
India opted for a pace-heavy attack with four quicks and a sole spinner in veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the series opener at Headingley in Leeds.
"I would have liked Kuldeep Yadav to be in the playing XI. He is your trump card alongside (Jasprit) Bumrah, I would have picked him," Engineer told PTI on Friday, the first day of the opening Test.
"Since he is a quality bowler England batters would find it difficult to play him. So, I would play him in all five games," he added.
The 87-year-old, who featured in 46 Tests for India between 1961 and 1975, also threw his weight behind new Test captain Shubman Gill, backing the 25-year-old to come good despite his modest batting record in SENA countries.
"A few people have written Shubman off saying he hasn't got runs in England or he can't get runs in England because of his technique, but I beg to disagree, he is a class player."
He was particularly impressed with Gill's leadership during the 2025 IPL season, where the opener led Gujarat Titans to the Eliminator.
"Shubman has got this captaincy after the IPL. He captained his team pretty well in the IPL. I thought he showed calmness and made the right decisions-bowling changes, and fielding changes.
"So, let's give him a chance and an opportunity because I think he'll do well. I have confidence that he's a level-headed young man and willing to listen to senior players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant the vice-captain, or certainly Jasprit Bumrah. So, I think he'll do well. Let's back him," he said.
Engineer also lauded Yashasvi Jaiswal, who struck a fluent 101 off 159 balls on the opening day, setting the tone for India in the series.
"Credit to Yashasvi Jaiswal for batting patiently despite a painful rib injury from a short ball. He played his shots correctly and batted superbly."
Reflecting on England's bowling performance, the former cricketer felt India should exploit the home side's weak spin attack.
"England lack quality spinners. Young Bashir, despite a decent Test record, isn't great and can concede runs. Our batsmen excel against off-spin, so they'll capitalise on him," he said.
Engineer added that while the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin has undeniably left a void in the Indian Test setup, it also paves the way for the next generation to step up.
"A player of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin's calibre will undoubtedly be missed, but this creates great opportunities for youngsters like Sai Sudharsan.
"I'm confident we'll see more of Sai in Test cricket, despite his unfortunate dismissal today," added Engineer, referring to the debutant’s four-ball duck. PTI BS APA UNG
Ishan Kishan signs short-team deal with Nottinghamshire
Read MoreShashank, Aditya star as Howrah Warriors climb to top of points table
Kolkata, Jun 20 (PTI) Adamas Howrah Warriors climbed from fourth spot to top of the points table after a 10-run victory over Sobisco Smashers Malda in the Bengal Pro T20 League Season 2 at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.
With three wins from five games, Howrah currently have seven points while Malda go down one place to fourth with 5 points from as many games.
Put into bat, Howrah Warriors posted a challenging 161/7 in 20 overs. Shashank Singh (56 off 47), Aditya Purohit (41 off 22), and Jayveer (28 off 27) were the star batters.
Mukesh Kumar, who returned after his India A assignment in England, was the pick of the Malda bowlers bagging 3 for 41.
Chasing the target, Sobisco Smashers Malda fell short, scoring 151/6 in 20 overs. Akhil (31 off 25), Writtick Chatterjee (28 off 25) impressed with the bat.
For Howrah, Sujit Kumar Yadav bagged 2 for 19 while Saksham Sharma, Debangshu Pakhira, Rohit and Aamir Gani claimed one wicket each.
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Mita Paul continued her rich form in the corresponding women's league, smashing a brilliant 80 off 63 balls to power Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers to a comfortable 33-run victory over Rashmi Medinipur Wizards in the women’s competition at the JU, 2nd Campus, Salt Lake.
Mita, who was awarded the player-of-the-match for her superb knock, struck 14 boundaries. With the ball, Priti Mahata was outstanding, bagging 4 for 25 for Kolkata Tigers.
Put into bat, Kolkata Tigers posted a challenging 153/4 in 20 overs. Besides Mita, Parna Paul scored a fine 46 off 41.
For Medinipur, Preyosree Pandey bagged 2/33.
In reply, Wizards fell short, scoring 120/7 in 20 overs. Sasthi Mondal top-scored with an unbeaten 58 off 48 balls. PTI TAP UNG
Jaiswal's sparkling hundred, Gill's fifty take India to 215/2 at tea on Day 1
Leeds, Jun 20 (PTI) Yashasvi Jaiswal made a characterful hundred and skipper Shubman Gill crafted a graceful fifty as India punished a lacklustre England to reach a formidable 215 for two at tea on the first day of the opening Test of the five-match series here on Friday.
They were as different as chalk and cheese, but both Gill (58 not out) and Jaiswal (100 not out) found immense success with their respective methods during an unbroken 123-run alliance for the third wicket.
Jaiswal brought up his 5th hundred in Test cricket off 144 balls and Gill his eighth half-century off 56 deliveries in his first outing as India Test captain, underlining the different route they travelled on the day.
England might see this innings as an ominous early sign from Jaiswal that he might just replicate that 712-run series against them in India last year.
It was not a typical Jaiswal innings where he simply flayed the bowlers around, but he showed admirable self-restraint, particularly outside the off-stump.
The left-hander was dismissed in that channel a couple of times while playing for India A against the England Lions in the recent tour matches, but here the 23-year-old did not repeat his mistakes.
He was also copiously assisted by the England bowlers, who struggled to discover the right line and length on a flaccid track. Their profligacy meant that the Indian batters received ample scoring opportunities.
Even amidst his restrained avatar, Jaiswal brought some cracking shots off the shelf such as a crisp off-drive off pacer Josh Tongue or a carved six off the same bowler.
Gill, on the other hand, did not waver much from his normal batting doctrine, playing shots with minimum follow-through through on-side and with a flourish on the off-side.
The 25-year-old's languid grace wowed the crowd when he essayed an off-drive off Chris Woakes and followed it up with a dreamy clip off the pads for a four as currently England's second most experienced bowler went for nearly five runs an over across the first two sessions.
Jaiswal soon fetched his hundred with a scampered single off Brydon Carse, after hammering him for successive boundaries through point and cover, and celebrated with a roar and leap into the air.
Earlier, openers KL Rahul (42) and Jaiswal helped India make a confident start to a long tour, stitching together 91 runs that enabled India to blunt the England new ball attack on a largely sunny day, but not without its own share of assistance for bowlers in the shape of movement and carry.
But not tough enough for the Indian batters to negotiate.
Jaiswal began the morning with a gorgeous drive through mid-off off Woakes, and Rahul played a series of exquisite drives through covers off Carse and Tongue as the first session produced an astounding 16 fours.
Rahul, who got his opening slot back after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, was his usual sturdy self, showing fine judgment and technical nous, until he fatally decided to play a loose drive off Carse for Joe Root to take a catch at slip.
Root (209) is now just one catch away from equalling former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid's record of 210 catches in Test cricket.
Debutant B Sai Sudharsan lasted all but four balls returning to the pavilion without opening his account but those were just minor irritants on an otherwise impeccable day. PTI UNG APA
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Man fires shot in air during altercation in Delhi's Old Mustafabad
New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) A man fired a shot in the air in northeast Delhi's Old Mustafabad area after a minor altercation broke out between a biryani shop owner and three unidentified men, an official said on Saturday.
The incident took place around 9.20 pm on Friday in Gali No. 3 of Old Mustafabad area and was reported at Dayalpur police station, he said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the complainant, who runs a biryani shop, was approached by three men on a motorcycle. The trio first went to a neighbouring confectionery shop before getting into an argument with the complainant over a trivial matter, a senior police officer said.
"In the midst of the argument, one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and fired a shot in the air to intimidate. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident," the officer said.
After receiving a PCR call, a police team rushed to the spot and secured the area. The crime team was called in to examine the scene and collect forensic evidence, officials said.
A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered and multiple teams have been constituted to trace and apprehend the accused, police added.
Efforts are underway to scan CCTV footage in the vicinity and identify the suspects, an official said. PTI SSJ NB
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Gangster carrying Rs 1 lakh bounty killed in encounter with UP STF
Lucknow, Jun 20 (PTI) A gangster carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head was killed in an encounter with the Noida Unit of Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Bulandshahr on Saturday, officials said.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said, "The criminal has been identified as Vinod Gaderia. He was critically injured during the exchange of fire and rushed to the hospital for treatment, where he succumbed."
Gaderia had been wanted since 2024 in over six cases of dacoity in Muzaffarnagar.
"Gaderia has been a prominent figure in the criminal underworld since 2006, with more than 40 cases of dacoity, murder with dacoity, and robbery registered against him in districts including Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Baghpat," added the officer.
The police said Gaderia had been sentenced to seven years in a 2012 case by a court in Muzaffarnagar. PTI CDN NB
Interfaith love: 'Anti-crime' group calls for rally in Paonta Sahib
Nahan (HP), Jun 20 (PTI) An "anti-crime" collective here on Friday called for a rally against the administration in connection with the elopement of a Hindu woman with a Muslim man, and the role of police in dealing with a protest over it.
The 'Beti Bachao Nyay Yatra' will be taken out on June 24 from Paonta Sahib to Nahan.
Nathuram Chauhan, a member of the Anti-Corruption and Crime Control Force, and who called for the rally, demanded a probe by a special investigation team under the oversight of a retired judge.
Chauhan, who spoke to reporters in Paonta Sahib town, raised questions about the police's role since the disappearance of the couple and in the violence, stone pelting, etc, during a protest march on June 13 in the city's Majra area.
It has been alleged that on June 4, a 19-year-old native of Kiratpur village eloped with an 18-year-old Hindu woman from a village under the Mazra Police Station jurisdiction.
The family of the woman has since filed a complaint and accused police of inaction in the matter.
More than ten people, including police, were injured in stone pelting on June 13 when a few Hindu right outfits demonstrated against the elopement, and entered Kiratpur village.
Police resorted to a lathicharge to rein in the crowd, and subsequently arrested four people in connection with the incident.
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajiv Bindal and the party's MLA from Paonta, Sukhram Chaudhary, both booked for attempted murder, have since secured interim relief.
On Wednesday, the BJP held an Akrosh Rally in Paonta decrying the police action against its leaders. PTI COR BPL VN
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Woman Naxalite carrying Rs 8 lakh reward gunned down by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker
Kanker, Jun 20 (PTI) A woman Naxalite with a bounty of Rs 8 lakh was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Friday morning, a police official said.
The gunfight broke out on a forested hill under Chhotebethiya police station limits when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, Kanker Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela told PTI.
The operation was launched between Amatola and Kalpar villages based on inputs about the presence of ultras of the banned Maoist movement on the other side of the Kotri river, he said.
The body of a woman Naxalite clad in 'uniform' along with one .303 rifle, seven round of ammunition, one indigenous BGL (barrel grenade launcher), one walkie-talkie set, two mobile chargers and batteries, Maoist literature and documents, medicines and a large quantity of daily utility items were recovered from the spot, he said.
"Preliminary identification suggests the deceased Naxal cadre is Shanti alias Deve, a native of Gundem in Bijapur district. Shanti was earlier active in Gobra Area Committee of the Maoists in Gariaband district. Later she became active in North Bastar Division and was associated with People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) company numbers 5 and 7," he said.
She carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, the official said, adding that a search operation was underway in the nearby jungles to locate and apprehend other Maoist cadres who might have fled from the spot during the exchange of fire.
With the latest action, 212 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 195 were eliminated in the Bastar division, which includes districts of Bijapur, Bastar, Kanker, Konadagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma, and Dantewada.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P warned cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) to shun violence and join the mainstream or else face the consequences.
"The roots of Maoist violence are steadily weakening in the Dandakaranya region, which covers parts of Bastar region in south Chhattisgarh. The security forces have been working with full commitment and courage to restore peace and ensure public safety in the region," he said.
"Establishing a fear-free environment in the region is our top priority. The government's surrender and rehabilitation policy remains open for any Maoist cadre willing to renounce violence and join the mainstream," the IG asserted. PTI TKP NR BNM
Punjab Police intensifies vehicle checking at inter-state borders to catch drug, liquor smugglers
Chandigarh, Jun 20 (PTI) The Punjab Police on Friday carried out a special operation at 10 inter-state border districts aimed at checking all the vehicles entering or exiting the state to keep a tab on drug traffickers and illegal liquor smugglers.
During the operation, conducted simultaneously in 10 districts from 6 am to 2 pm, all the SSPs of border districts were directed to organise joint 'naka' (check) operations at strategic places and mobilise a maximum number of manpower.
Sharing details, Special DGP (law and order) Arpit Shukla said that well-coordinated strong 'nakas' involving over 900 police personnel were set up under the supervision of Inspectors/DSPs at least 93 entry and exit points of 10 districts, which share boundaries with four border states and UT Chandigarh.
The 10 inter-state border districts were Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Rupanagar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda.
According to an official statement, Shukla said that as many as 3,180 vehicles entering or exiting the state were checked, of which 367 were challaned and seven were impounded during the operation.
Apart from this, police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on day 111 of the ongoing anti-drugs "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign, and conducted raids at 505 locations on Friday.
During the raids, 127 drug smugglers were arrested after registration of 98 FIRs across the state.
With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 18,372 within 111 days, the statement said.
Shukla that the Friday's raids have resulted in recovery of 4.2 kg heroin, 3 kg opium, 118 kg poppy husk and Rs 11,170 drug money from the possession of arrested smugglers.
He informed that over 200 police teams, comprising over 1,500 police personnel, under the supervision of 101 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 543 suspicious persons during the day long operation.
He said that Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy and such operations will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state. PTI SUN NB
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Faridabad: In-laws kill, bury woman's body in front of house over dowry; whole family booked
Faridabad, Jun 20 (PTI) A woman was allegedly killed and buried in front of her house by her in-laws, who managed to keep the secret, and the body, hidden for almost two months by reporting her missing.
The woman, Tannu Kumar, a native of Shikohabad in Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh, had married Arun Singh of Roshan Nagar area here two years ago.
Her father, Hakim, alleged that police refused to listen to his complaint even after he raised suspicion about the freshly covered pit, which he witnessed when he visited his brother-in-law's house.
Police have booked at Palla Police Station four of the in-laws' family – Bhoop Singh, originally from UP's Mainpuri, his wife Sonia, son Arun Singh, and daughter Kajal.
An informed source said Bhoop Singh and Arun Singh have been taken into police custody and are being interrogated.
According to police, on April 23, Arun Singh and his father called for an earthmover and used it to have a 10-foot deep pit dug in the street in front of their house.
The next day, they asked a mason to fill the hole.
Two days later, they approached police to report Tannu missing, and even branded her as mentally challenged.
Hakim alleged that his daughter was harassed by her in-laws over dowry, to the extent, she had to stay at her paternal home for a year after marriage. She returned to Faridabad after the intervention of a panchayat, but the matter was far from being resolved.
He said that after he was informed about her daughter going missing, he visited Bhoop Singh's house with his other daughter, Preeti, and knew they were lying when he saw the pit outside the home.
He alleged that he made several rounds of the local police station but in vain, as they refused to investigate the matter. They took it up only a week ago.
The pit was dug Friday morning before Naib Tehsildar Jaswant Singh, and Tannu's body was exhumed.
A Faridabad Police spokesperson said raids are being made to nab the other family members.
Police handed over Tannu's body to her kin after a post-mortem at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital. PTI COR VN
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Gurugram: 7 foreign nationals, Mizoram native held for drug trafficking
Gurugram, Jun 20 (PTI) Eight people, including seven foreign nationals, were arrested in Gurugram for drug trafficking and narcotics worth Rs 1 crore seized from their possession, police said on Friday.
A team of Gururgam police’s crime unit on June 16 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Nepal national Bimal Pahadi, from Sector 39, they said, adding that 1.60 kg of Sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine were recovered from him.
An FIR was registered against him at Sadar police station and he was taken on a four-day police remand after being produced in a city court.
During interrogation, Bimal revealed the names of his seven accomplices, including a woman, who provided him drugs, they said.
Subsequently, all the seven -- six Nigerian nationals and a Mizoram native -- were arrested on Wednesday night and Thursday, the police said.
Those arrested have been identified as Nigerian nationals Ugochukmv John alias David, Nnajiofor Peter Nmaemeka, Henry Onuchukwu, Ojukwa Ifenya, Friday Tobias Chikwu, Okolie Romanus and Mizoram native Lal Kothari, they said.
According to the police, 1.60 kg of sulfa, over 3 kgs of cocaine were recovered from the accused. The seized narcotics are worth about Rs 1 crore. Besides, Rs 7500 cash, 42 mobile phones, Nigerian passports, three electronic scales, and other evidence have also been recovered.
Except Okolie Romanus, none of the other foreign nationals had valid documents to stay in India, due to which sections of the Foreigners Act were also added to the FIR, they said.
"During interrogation, it came to the fore that Ugochukwu John already has cases registered against him in Delhi while Henry Onuchukwu is booked in several cases in Himachal Pradesh under NDPS Act,” a spokesperson from the Gurugram police said.
“Due to this, it is suspected that these accused were involved in illegal drug trafficking for a long time. We are questioning Bimal while others were sent into judicial custody,” the spokesperson said. PTI COR NB
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Octogenarian cheated of Rs 1.19 cr with promise of high returns in share trading
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) An 83-year-old man was duped of Rs 1.19 crore by unidentified persons who promised him attractive returns in share trading, a Mumbai police official said on Friday.
The victim, who stays in Shivaji Park in Dadar, was cheated between May 2 and 28 after he came across an investment-related advertisement on social media on March 10 this year, the official said.
"After clicking on a link in the advertisement, he was added to a Whatsapp group. On May 2, he got a call from one Vinita Patodia, who promised him high returns on share investments. He invested Rs 1.19 crore in a virtual account opened by the accused. It even showed profit of Rs 15.39, which he was, however, unable to withdraw," the official said.
"The woman who had contacted him sought 10 per cent commission in advance. Following a conversation with a friend, the man approached police. A case was registered against two unidentified persons at Central Region cyber police station," he said.
Efforts are on to nab the accused, the official added. PTI DC BNM
Gurugram: 7 foreign nationals, Mizoram native held for drug trafficking
Gurugram, Jun 20 (PTI) Eight people, including seven foreign nationals, were arrested in Gurugram for drug trafficking and narcotics worth Rs 1 crore seized from their possession, police said on Friday.
A team of Gururgam police’s crime unit on June 16 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Nepal national Bimal Pahadi, from Sector 39, they said, adding that 1.60 kg of Sulpha and 116 grams of cocaine were recovered from him.
An FIR was registered against him at Sadar police station and he was taken on a four-day police remand after being produced in a city court.
During interrogation, Bimal revealed the names of his seven accomplices, including a woman, who provided him drugs, they said.
Subsequently, all the seven -- six Nigerian nationals and a Mizoram native -- were arrested on Wednesday night and Thursday, the police said.
Those arrested have been identified as Nigerian nationals Ugochukmv John alias David, Nnajiofor Peter Nmaemeka, Henry Onuchukwu, Ojukwa Ifenya, Friday Tobias Chikwu, Okolie Romanus and Mizoram native Lal Kothari, they said.
Except Okolie Romanus, none of the other foreign nationals had valid documents to stay in India, due to which sections of the Foreigners Act were also added to the FIR, they said.
"During interrogation, it came to the fore that Ugochukwu John already has cases registered against him in Delhi while Henry Onuchukwu is booked in several cases in Himachal Pradesh under NDPS Act,” a spokesperson from the Gurugram police said.
“Due to this, it is suspected that these accused were involved in illegal drug trafficking for a long time. We are questioning Bimal while others were sent into judicial custody,” the spokesperson said. PTI COR NB
PWD executive engineer, CSPDCL junior engineer held by Chhattisgarh ACB for bribery
Raipur, Jun 20 (PTI) A PWD executive engineer and a Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited junior engineer were arrested for alleged bribery in Mungeli and Bastar districts, an Anti Corruption Bureau official said on Friday.
He identified the accused as Ajay Kumar Temburne, posted as executive engineer, Public Works Department (Electrical/Mechanical), Jagdalpur circle in Bastar district, and Krishna Kumar Gupta, a CSPDCL junior engineer posted in Lormi in Mungeli.
"Temburne sought Rs 2 lakh from a registered contractor for releasing his pending bills of electrification works. Gupta demanded Rs 15,000 from a person caught having an illegal residential power connection. The two were held during ACB traps and charged under Prevention of Corruption Act," the official added. PTI COR BNM
Man booked for sexually exploiting doctor he met on dating app, forcing her to undergo abortion
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) A man was booked for allegedly sexually exploiting a doctor he met on a dating app, forcing her to undergo an abortion and also threatening to circulate her private photographs on social media, a Mumbai police official said on Friday.
The 28-year-old complainant works in an Andheri-based hospital while the accused is a 27-year-old resident of Dongri in south Mumbai, the MIDC police station official added.
"As per the complainant, she joined a dating app in 2023, where she came in contact with the accused. They engaged in consensual sex, during which the accused took her intimate photographs. In February this year, he forced her to undergo an abortion," the official said.
"The accused later started avoiding the woman doctor, who found out he had got engaged to someone else. After realising that she had been cheated on the pretext of marriage, the woman got an FIR registered on Thursday. No arrests have been made. Further probe is underway," the official informed.
The man has been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for forcing abortion without consent, criminal intimidation and other offences, he added. PTI ZA BNM
Death of horses at Jabalpur farm: MP HC seeks detailed report from collector by Jun 25
Jabalpur, Jun 20 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the Jabalpur district collector to file a report by June 25 on the condition of horses kept in a farm in Raipura village.
Three horses had died at the farm in the last few days, while eight had died in May reportedly due to heat.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf directed the district collector to file a report with regard to the physical condition of each of the horses along with a report on the environment in which they have been kept as well as availability of food, water and shelter.
The collector shall also file a status report with regard to the horses that have died and the reasons for their death, the bench said.
The court issued the direction while hearing of a petition filed by Jabalpur-based animal activist Simran Issar alleging that one Sachin Tiwari brought 49 horses from HithaNet India Private Limited in Telangana capital Hyderabad and had kept them without documents pertaining to ownership, vaccination, medical history etc.
"Sachin Tiwari has been made respondent in the petition for illegally transporting horses from Hyderabad to Jabalpur in violation of provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act. Sachin Tiwari is associated with Suresh Paladugu of HithaNet India Private Limited," the petitioner's counsel Umesh Tripathi told PTI.
HithaNet India Private Limited started an online horse racing betting venture exclusively for Philippines that it ran from Hyderabad Race Club under the title of UnThose Matchup Racing in October 2023, Tripathi said.
Jabalpur collector Deepak Saxena had told reporters on June 19 that a committee had been formed under the chairmanship of the district panchayat chief executive officer to find out whether proper care was being taken of horses. PTI COR LAL BNM
HC directs Assam govt to reinstate 52 officials dismissed in APSC's cash for jobs scam
Guwahati, Jun 20 (PTI) The Gauhati High Court on Friday directed the Assam government to reinstate 52 of the 57 dismissed civil, police and allied service officials of 2013 and 2014 batch who were involved in the cash for jobs scam in the Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).
A Division Bench, comprising Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Malashri Nandi, heard a batch of writ appeals and directed that the dismissed officials, who had completed the probation period, be reinstated within a period of 50 days.
The appellants had challenged the earlier judgement passed by a single judge upholding their dismissal from service.
The high court also allowed the state government to not assign them any duties for the next 30 days and to conduct any departmental inquiries if required.
The officers will also not be eligible for any salaries or dues during the period they remained dismissed.
The APSC's cash-for-jobs scam came to light in 2016 and during investigations by the Assam police, 70 people, including its former chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and 57 civil service officials, were arrested. PTI COR DG DG RG
MP HC commutes death penalty of man convicted of raping 4-year-old girl
Jabalpur, Jun 20 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has commuted the death penalty of a man convicted of the rape of a four-year-old girl to 25 years' rigorous imprisonment, considering that he was uneducated and came from a poor tribal family.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him in its order passed on Thursday.
A division bench of Justices Vivek Agarwal and Devnarayan Mishra acknowledged that the appellant (name not disclosed by the court) committed a "brutal act" as he raped a child and later throttled her before leaving her for dead.
At the same time, the bench noted that "he is an uneducated youth of 20 years of age and belongs to the tribal community... his parents never tried to give him education and not properly take care of him, therefore he has left his house and was self bread earner and living and working in a Dhaba (restaurant)."
The atmosphere in a Dhaba could not be conducive to a good upbringing, the court said.
Hence, the court commuted his death sentence for the offence punishable under section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act to rigorous imprisonment of 25 years.
The special POCSO court in Khandwa district had sentenced the man to death on April 21, 2023.
As per the prosecution, he abducted the girl from her hut on the night of October 30-31, 2022, and raped her. The girl was found in a mango orchard in an unconscious state. PTI COR LAL KRK
Delhi HC rejects pre-arrest bail plea of ex-cop accused of running drug syndicate
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected the pre-arrest bail plea of a Delhi Police personnel who has been dismissed from service for allegedly being the mastermind of a drug syndicate.
The vacation bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh, which was hearing the anticipatory bail application of former sub-inspector Naresh Kumar, rejected the plea and sought a status report from the Delhi Police by July 8.
Kumar has been evading arrest for around a year and a half and his termination order was issued on March 20.
Kumar, who was posted at the Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Cell of the Delhi Police's Crime Branch, is accused of running a narcotics syndicate.
The case came to light when one of the arrested gang members allegedly revealed that Kumar was the mastermind and main conspirator behind a drug syndicate, where the former sub-inspector procured marijuana from Odisha and northeastern states, stored the contraband in two houses in the national capital and later, sold it to customers. PTI MNR RC
Rs 600 cr financial fraud case: Pre-arrest bail pleas of four directors of realty firm rejected
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) A sessions court in Mumbai on Friday denied anticipatory bail to four directors of Ecstasy Realty Private Limited in a Rs 600 crore financial fraud case.
Additional sessions judge NG Shukla rejected the pre-arrest bail pleas of Pulin Bole, Shivani Verma, Shobit Rajan and Pranav Bajaj. The reasoned order was not made available as yet.
The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) had registered an FIR against Ecstasy Realty and its directors based on a complaint by Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (EARCL).
As per the FIR, Rs 600 crore raised via secured Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) for a residential project was fraudulently siphoned off through layered transactions, benefiting promoters and related entities.
The accused sought pre-arrest bail claiming they were innocent and contending that the FIR was registered with "the sole intention to harass and humiliate" them.
No correct allegations are contained in the FIR, their pleas claimed.
The FIR has been lodged after an "inexplicable and unjustifiable" delay for the alleged offence committed between March 2018 to March 2023, which suggests the allegations against them are an afterthought and have been falsely fabricated to implicate them, the plea added.
The court, however, rejected their pleas. PTI AVI BNM
Jharkhand HC reserves order in bail plea of former minister Alamgir Alam
Ranchi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Jharkhand High Court on Friday reserved its order in a petition filed by former minister Alamgir Alam seeking bail pursuant to his arrest in the alleged tender scam by the Enforcement Directorate.
Alam, a four-time MLA from Pakur from the Congress has been in custody since May 15 last year after the ED had started investigations into the former minister's involvement in facilitating tenders.
The case was heard by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, who after having heard the arguments of Alam and the ED, reserved the order.
Alam, formerly a cabinet minister, resigned from his office of Rural Development Ministry after the department's chief engineer Virendra Ram was arrested by the ED for his alleged involvement in money laundering.
Investigation revealed that Alam had allegedly provided tenders to selected companies and received commissions for facilitating tenders.
The investigation culminated in raids being conducted by the ED on the properties of Ram in Delhi, Jamshedpur, Patna and Ranchi.
Similarly, raids were also conducted on the premises of other engineers of the department including the residence of Sanjeev Lal, the personal secretary of Alamgir Alam.
In the course of the raids conducted by the ED, Sanjeev Lal's servant Jahangir Alam's house was also scanned. The raid in Jahangir Alam's house revealed possession of Rs 32 crore in cash.
The investigating authorities then alleged the former minister's involvement in accumulating huge amounts of cash and stashing it in the house of his employees.
Alamgir Alam was called for investigation by the ED and was then taken into custody for his alleged involvement in money laundering in the tender scam. PTI CORR NAM ACD
Delhi court sets aside acquittal, convicts man in cheating case
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) A Delhi court has quashed an order acquitting a man accused of cheating, forgery and falsification of accounts.
Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan was hearing the state's appeal against the February 2023 order of a magisterial court acquitting one Harish Chandra
Defence Colony Police Station booked Chandra under Sections 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 477A (falsification of accounts), among other provisions of IPC in 2016.
On June 3, the court observed no contradiction in the testimonies of witnesses and the case of the prosecution had been proved beyond reasonable doubts.
"The testimonies of the witnesses recorded in the present matter, the expert evidence placed on record and the documents relied upon by the prosecution substantiate that the accused while being the employee with Indica Tour and Travels and having the control of foreign currency exchange of the aforesaid company, acting in the fraudulent manner altered, falsified the books of accounts and cash memos of the complainant company," the order read.
Chandra was observed to have misused the company's "valuable security" and made false entries to defraud the company aside from causing wrongful loss.
"Judgment of the trial court acquitting the accused stands set aside. The present appeal filed by the state stands allowed, and the accused or respondent Harish Chandra stands convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 468, 471, 477A of the IPC," the court held. PTI MNR AMK
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'Middleman' held in Mithi river desilting scam seeks bail from Mumbai court
Mumbai, Jun 20 (PTI) An alleged middleman arrested in a Rs 65 crore scam linked to award of contract for desilting the Mithi river in Mumbai has moved a bail application before a sessions court here.
On Friday, the bail plea of the accused, Ketan Kadam, came up for hearing before Additional Sessions Judge N G Shukla, who adjourned the matter to June 27 after seeking a reply from the prosecution.
This is the second attempt by the accused to seek bail in the case in which Bollywood actor Dino Morea has been questioned multiple times by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing money laundering angle in the scam, and also the Mumbai police.
Earlier, a magistrate's court had rejected Kadam's plea, saying the possibility of him causing "hurdles in the investigation cannot be ruled out".
The Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has filed a case against 13 persons, including contractors and civic officials, for an alleged Rs 65 crore scam related to the desilting of the Mithi River, which flows through the metropolis and also acts as a stormwater drainage channel.
Kadam and another alleged middleman, Jay Joshi, were arrested by the EOW in connection with the case. Joshi was released on bail earlier this month by the sessions court.
The police have alleged that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials tailored the tender for the desilting contract to benefit a particular supplier of machinery needed for the work.
Further, the contractors generated fraudulent bills for transporting sludge out of Mumbai. The civic body suffered a loss of more than Rs 65.54 crore due to the entire scam, police have stated.
The ED on June 6 conducted searches at more than 15 locations in Mumbai, and Kochi in Kerala, including the premises of Dino Morea in Bandra (West), those linked to his brother Santino, some BMC officials, and contractors among others, official sources earlier said.
The ED case stems from an EOW FIR filed in May against 13 persons, including contractors and civic officials, related to tenders awarded from 2017-2023 for desilting of the Mithi river. PTI AVI RSY
Delhi consumer panel upholds verdict indicting Dr Lal Pathlabs for wrong report
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a finding on Dr Lal Pathlabs being deficient in service and ordering it pay compensation to a patient over a wrong lab report.
The state consumer commission's president Sangita Dhingra Sehgal and judicial member Pinki were hearing the lab's appeal against the August 2014 order of a district forum indicting the lab for a wrong test report and ordering Rs 3.5 lakh compensation.
In its order on May 26, the commission said, "When a patient's urea levels are reported at more than ten times the normal range, triggering emergency hospitalisation and profound distress, the laboratory cannot retreat behind semantic arguments about its limited role in the diagnostic chain. Moreover, the appellant's (Lal Pathlabs) attempt to shift blame onto prescribing physicians or the Respondent's medical history holds no ground."
It said if the tests carried out by a laboratory are defective and erroneous, the diagnosis by a doctor will be incorrect, resulting in improper treatment and the "medicines prescribed based on a wrong test report and diagnosis may lead to fatal results for the patient".
"When multiple test reports from different laboratories show consistent results that differ significantly from one laboratory’s findings, it creates a strong presumption of deficiency in service by the outlier laboratory," the commission added.
Rejecting the lab’s argument that the results were due to a particular drug consumed by the complainant, the commission said, "Even if it is assumed that the respondent (complainant) was taking Spirex tablets, we find it implausible that there could be such astronomical difference in patient’s test reports pertaining to creatine and urea."
It also rejected the lab’s argument that the complainant did not agree to their request for re-collecting the sample, saying the report depicted the values of various important health indicators to be so high that any person having ordinary prudence would be perturbed by such results.
"The respondent was under no obligation to get the tests redone. He got another test done from 3 labs, viz. Max Health Care, Dr Dangs Laboratory and Super Religare Laboratories Ltd, all of which depicted his parameters to be within the normal range," the commission said.
The medical expenses incurred by the patient, in the panel's opinion, were directly attributable to the lab’s erroneous report, which falsely indicated life-threatening conditions and necessitated emergency hospitalisation.
The commission noted the discharge summary from Max Hospital "explicitly" linking the patient's admission there to the "erroneous outside lab report".
"Being misdiagnosed with life-threatening conditions and undergoing unnecessary hospitalisation constitutes severe psychological trauma. The mental agony and physical suffering cannot be understated."
The panel found the direction for compensation "just and reasonable".
"We concur with the district commission’s finding that the appellant failed to maintain the standard of reasonable care expected in pathological testing, thus amounting to a deficiency in service," it held. PTI MNR MNR AMK
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Madras HC stays ED proceedings against film producer, bizman
Chennai, Jun 20 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Friday stayed all further proceedings, pursuant to the Enforcement Directorate's authorisation to conduct search and seizure, against film producer Akash Baskaran and businessman Vikram Ravindran in the alleged Rs 1,000 crore TASMAC money laundering case.
A division bench comprising Justices M S Ramesh and V Lakshminarayanan granted the interim stay on the petitions filed by Baskaran and Vikram, challenging the action of the ED.
Senior counsels Vijay Narayanan and Abudukumar submitted that the petitioners have no involvement with the TASMAC operations at all and in the alleged 41 FIRs lodged by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for the scheduled offences, no independent allegation or predicate offence has been registered against the petitioners and therefore questioned the validity of the invocation of Section 17 of the PMLA.
In its order, the bench said since the petitioners had totally denied any involvement relating to the scheduled offences, it had called upon the Special Public Prosecutor to produce before it the materials forming the basis of information in their possession, which has led them to believe that the petitioners had committed an act, which constitutes money laundering or is in possession of any proceeds of crime, records or property, in a sealed cover, through an interim order dated June 13, 2025.
On June 17, the SPP produced a sealed cover along with an undated and unsigned brief explanation note along with supporting materials, claiming it to be the information they possess about the petitioners, which led them to initiate the search operations, the bench added.
The bench said the brief explanation note, however, also does not relate to the information or materials which the Directorate claims to have in possession in their earlier notes on "reason to believe" produced on June 17. Neither does this brief explanation note disclose any information in the possession of the Directorate, which authorises them to conduct the search and seizure operations in the petitioners premises, the bench added.
The bench said when it indicated to Additional Solicitor General S V Raju that whatever the information/materials they had produced before it in the sealed cover had no nexus to their original claims of being in possession of incriminating information, he submitted that the 41 FIRs, relating to the scheduled offences registered against the TASMAC officials, were the information in their possession, which authorises them to conduct the search and seizure operation.
"When we expressed to the Additional Solicitor General that we do not approve his claim in this regard, the Additional Solicitor General submitted that they had already directed the respondent (ED) to de-seal the petitioner's premises (Vikram). His statement is hereby recorded. The Additional Solicitor General sought four weeks time to file a counter affidavit before us," the bench added.
The bench said, "On a prima facie view, we find that the Authorisation No.96/2025, dated May 15,2025 and the consequential sealing of the petitioner's premises by the respondent, is wholly without authority or jurisdiction, since no incriminating information or material was in their possession on May 15, 2025 when the respondent had authorised for search and seizure operations and on May 16, 2025 when the respondent had sealed the petitioner's premises".
The bench said it consciously refrained from describing the alleged material or information claimed to be in the possession of the ED for obvious reasons. However, it would suffice to state that the so-called information produced by the Directorate before it has absolutely no semblance of an information, which may have led them to believe that the petitioner may be involved in the offence of money laundering.
"In the light of the above observations, there shall be an order of interim stay of all further proceedings, pursuant to the respondent's Authorization No.96/2025 dated May, 15,.2025, pending disposal of this Writ Petition", the bench added.
The bench said there shall be a further interim order to the ED to return all the seized properties of the petitioners, pursuant to the search and seizure operations conducted on May 16, pending final disposal of this Writ Petition. The petitioners shall not tamper or alienate the digital devices that has been returned to him/to be returned to him, pending final disposal of this writ petition.
The bench posted to July 16, for further hearing of the case. PTI COR KH
'Targeting hits root of independence': SC bar bodies deplore ED summons to senior lawyers
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Supreme Court bar bodies SCBA and the SCAORA have condemned the ED notices to senior advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal for their legal advice to clients, saying the “disturbing trend” hit the very foundation of legal profession.
The anti-money laundering agency, however, withdrew its summons issued to the senior counsel.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) headed by senior advocate Vikas Singh and the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) presided by advocate Vipin Nair took exception to the summons in their official communication.
“The issuance of such illegal notices and summons to the senior advocates and to the advocate-on-record reflect a disturbing trend, striking at the very foundations of the legal profession and undermining the independence of the Bar which is a core pillar of India's Constitutional democracу,” the SCBA's statement issued through its secretary Pragya Baghel said.
The SCBA continued, “Independent judiciary and independent bar are the backbone of the democracy and if advocates or senior advocates are targeted in such manner then it is hitting the independence of the legal profession in its root.”
Nair wrote to Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on the "deeply disquieting development" having "serious ramifications for the independence of the legal profession and the foundational principle of lawyer-client confidentiality".
He wrote the letter following ED summons to Venugopal.
"It has come to our notice that senior advocate Pratap Venugopal, has received on June 19, summons dated June 18, by ED under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its investigation into the Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) granted by M/s Care Health Insurance Ltd for a purported legal opinion rendered by senior advocate Arvind Datar, wherein Pratap Venugopal, was the advocate-on-record, supporting the grant of stock options to former Religare enterprises chairperson Rashmi Saluja," he said.
Section 50 of the PMLA deals with "powers of authorities regarding summons, production of documents and to give evidence, etc."
Venugopal, the letter said, was directed to appear before the ED on June 24.
"It would be imperative to mention that a similar notice was earlier issued by the ED to senior advocate Arvind Data, albeit withdrawn subsequently," Nair added.
Venugopal was said to be a widely respected member of the legal fraternity with an "impeccable" sincerity and professional commitment.
"These actions, by the ED, we believe, amount to an impermissible transgression of the sacrosanct lawyer-client privilege, and pose a serious threat to the autonomy and fearless functioning of advocates. Such unwarranted and coercive measures against senior members of the bar for discharge of professional duties set a dangerous precedent, potentially resulting in a chilling effect across the legal community," the letter underscored.
The SCAORA said a lawyer's role to offer legal advice was privileged and protected, and the interference of investigative agencies into this relationship without just cause and contrary to established legal norms, struck at the heart of the rule of law.
Such interventions could dissuade advocates from rendering honest, independent opinions in the discharge of their duties, the bar body said.
The SCAORA letter, as a result, urged the CJI to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and examine the issue of "the legality and propriety of such summons issued to legal professionals for opinions rendered in good faith".
The other issues the CJI could examine were about safeguarding "the constitutional and professional protections afforded to advocates" and laying down "appropriate guidelines to prevent any further erosion of lawyer-client privilege and uphold the independence of the bar", the letter added.
In a similar action previously, the ED summoned Datar in the same case.
On Friday, the SCBA expressed its concerns in a statement, which read, “Every person has a right for a legal representation and thus, advocates cannot be targeted for rendering his assistance and giving legal opinion.”
Even otherwise, advocates cannot be summoned for rendering professional advice in view of Section 132 of Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) of 2023 which deals with professional privilege, it added.
“Advocates are officers of the court, and their role is integral to the fair and impartial administration of justice. The manner in which the Enforcement Directorate has sought to summon respected members of our Bar reflects an illegal, perverse and intimidatory use of state power,” the SCBA said. PTI SJK MNR NES SJK AMK
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