New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Delhi Police on Wednesday told a court here that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the "prima facie accusations" were true against Delhi riots larger conspiracy case accused Salim Malik, Athar Khan and former MLA Tahir Hussain.

The submissions were made before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai who was hearing the bail applications of the three accused.

All three accused had filed their bail applications after the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the same case, contending that they are facing similar charges and seeking parity.

During the arguments, the special public prosecutor (SPP) opposed the bail of all three accused, saying that prima facie accusations show that they were involved with the main conspirators in the case.

“Bail applications of Salim Malik and Athar Khan were dismissed by the predecessor court and the high court. Salim had also withdrawn his bail application filed in the Supreme Court, while Hussain had withdrawn his bail application from the trial court,” he informed the court.

Athar Khan, Salim Malik and Tahir Hussain were charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) over their alleged involvement in the 2020 riots.

The SPP contended that the offence against the three accused attracted UAPA Section 43D (5) as there were reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against them was prima facie true.

“Prima facie accusations show their involvement with the main conspirators in the case. The nature of the petitions is kind of a review petition. This is not maintainable in court,” he said.

The court is likely to pass an order on the bail applications of all three accused on Thursday.

According to the Section 43D (5) in the UAPA, the accused person shall not be released on bail or on his own bond if the court, on a perusal of the case diary or the report made under section 173 of the Code, is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such person is prima facie true.

Athar Khan, a former call centre employee, has been accused of being one of the main organisers of the protest at Chand Bagh in northeast Delhi and allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches there.

According to the Delhi Police Special Cell, Athar Khan allegedly participated in secret meetings, in which he said that the "time has come to burn Delhi" and coordinated the destruction of CCTV cameras.

Salim Malik was also among the 11 alleged organisers and speakers of the anti-CAA/NRC meeting.

The alleged organisers are Mohammed Saleem Khan, Salim Malik, Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Shahnawaz, Furkan, Mohammed Ayub, Mohammed Yunus, Tabassum, Mohammed Ayaz and his brother Khalid.

On January 5, the Supreme Court granted bail to five accused -- Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad -- in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The top court, however, denied relief to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, saying all the accused in the case did not stand on the same footing.

There was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA, a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said while denying bail to the two former Jawaharlal Nehru University students.

Of the 20 accused named in the case, two are still absconding and the remaining 18 applied for bail in the past.

Out of the 18, seven are still in prison, including Khalid, Imam, Athar Khan, Salim Malik, former AAP MLA Tahir Hussain, Tasleem Ahmed, and Khalid Saifi. PTI SKM SKM KVK

KVK

Shimla, Jan 28 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Police has secured the first position in the country for average response time under the Emergency Response Support System or ERSS-112, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari said the achievement is a reflection of the professional competence, commitment and excellent teamwork of the ERSS-112 teams working across the state, along with the officers and staff at all the police stations.

“Despite extremely challenging geographical conditions and limited resources, Himachal Pradesh Police has outperformed all other states and Union territories in providing swift emergency assistance to people. This achievement demonstrates that challenges can be overcome by a disciplined working system, effective use of technology, and strong field-level monitoring,” the DGP said.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the police force and said that despite challenging mountainous terrains, long travel distances and limited resources, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the best performer in emergency response, which is a matter of pride for all Himachalis.

“The state government is committed to strengthening police modernisation, technology-driven policing and citizen-centric governance to further enhance public safety services,” Sukhu said.

The chief minister also appreciated the consistent efforts of the ERSS-112 teams, police stations and field officers for their disciplined working procedures, effective use of technology and strong field-level supervision, which played key roles in improving response times. PTI COR ARI

Jabalpur, Jan 28 (PTI) The first two T-72 tanks overhauled under a pilot project by Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), a unit of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), were flagged off on Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustainment (MGS), flagged off the two tanks.

To meet the increased requirement of battle tank overhauling for the Indian Army, AVNL selected VFJ, one of its production units, to expand the existing overhaul facilities at Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), a unit of AVNL, an official release said.

As part of this capacity expansion initiative, VFJ was approved to undertake pilot overhaul of tanks in 2025.

VFJ has successfully completed the overhaul as per the technical specifications and quality standards set by the Indian Army, demonstrating its capability and readiness to meet the Army's operational requirements, the release said.

Sanjay Dwivedi, CMD,AVNL, congratulated VFJ on successfully completing the overhaul within the stipulated timeframe and reiterated his commitment as the head of AVNL that AVNL and VFJ will continue to ensure the overhaul of tanks with full efficiency, the release said.

The chief guest of the ceremony, Lieutenant General Aujla, congratulated the entire AVNL and VFJ team.

"This was a very challenging task and by completing it on time, you have demonstrated your capability. In future also you will get a big task of overhauling tanks and I am sure that you will be able to complete it successfully," he said. PTI COR MAS KRK

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Traffic restrictions and diversions will be in force at several locations in New Delhi on Thursday in connection with the Beating Retreat ceremony and illumination events at and around Vijay Chowk, the traffic police said.

According to the advisory, restrictions will be enforced from 2 pm to 9.30 pm on January 29 to facilitate the Beating Retreat ceremony and illumination of Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block and Parliament House as part of the Republic Day celebrations.

Vijay Chowk will remain closed for general traffic during the period. Traffic will not be allowed on Rafi Marg between the Sunehri Masjid roundabout and the Krishi Bhawan roundabout, and on Raisina Road from the Krishi Bhawan roundabout towards Vijay Chowk.

Movement of vehicles beyond the Dara Shikoh Road roundabout, Krishna Menon Marg roundabout, and Sunehri Masjid roundabout towards Vijay Chowk will also remain restricted. Kartavya Path between Vijay Chowk and the C Hexagon will remain closed for general public traffic.

General motorists have been advised to take alternate routes, including Ring Road, Vande Mataram Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa T-Point, Safdarjung Road via Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road and Minto Road.

The advisory further informed that DTC and other city buses will be diverted from their normal routes between 2 pm and 9.30 pm to facilitate movement of spectators and avoid congestion in the area.

Parking facilities will be available for visitors attending the illumination at Vijay Chowk behind the water channels between Rafi Marg and the C Hexagon after 7 pm, it added.

The traffic police urged commuters to plan their journeys, avoid the affected stretches and follow directions issued by personnel deployed on duty. PTI SGV SGV MPL

MPL

Sivasagar/North Lakhimpur (Assam), Jan 28 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday alleged that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi does not have any responsibility towards the state and asserted that the opposition has no stand on any issue ahead of the Assembly elections.

"He (Gogoi) comes like a tourist. He does not have any responsibility towards Assam. He has been announcing to make a greater Assam. What is the primary condition of making a greater Assam?" he told reporters on the sidelines of official programmes.

Gogoi is a Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat constituency and is also the Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha.

"He (Gogoi) should first make his children Assamese. How can he even pronounce the word greater Assam when his own children are not Assamese?" Sarma said.

The BJP leader has been continuously criticising the Assam Congress president over the citizenship of Gogoi's wife and two children, saying that three out of four in the family are British citizens.

Carrying on with the tirade, Sarma said, "Who will live in his (Gogoi's) greater Assam? Only the Miyas will live. That is why nobody should pay any attention to this man's statements and I don't think we should discuss him seriously."

'Miya' is originally a pejorative term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam and the non-Bengali speaking people generally identify them as Bangladeshi immigrants. In recent years, activists from the community have started adopting this term as a gesture of defiance.

"Gaurav Gogoi would not be able to tell the names of the constituencies from Tinsukia to Golaghat. The Upper Assam as we understand, there are not 50 seats," Sarma said while reacting to the Congress leader's claim that the opposition will win 50 seats in the coming Assembly polls.

The Assam Assembly elections to 126 constituencies are likely to take place in March-April this year.

Asked about Gogoi's criticism of Sarma as "Hindu Jinnah", the CM said, "Jinnah is from Pakistan. Why does he bring in items from Pakistan, he could have given examples from other places also. There are people in India too. I cannot comment on an example from Pakistan as I have never visited that country."

The Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Gogoi over his wife's alleged connection with Pakistan's spy agency ISI. They even claim that the Congress leader has "direct links" with the neighbouring nation.

Talking about the upcoming assembly elections, Sarma said: "I don't think the opposition or Congress have any stand on any issue. Only one community supports Congress. I don't think the opposition will have any specific impact this time."

"I have so far attended 80 meetings. I can understand the people's pulse. This time, the Congress will have a very bad situation," he added.

Sarma also criticised leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia and Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, and said that they will have no influence during the forthcoming polls. PTI TR TR MNB

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) India will lower duty on European apples to 20 per cent under the trade pact, but the imports would be capped at 50,000 tonnes per year and subject to a minimum import price of Rs 80 per kg, thereby fully protecting domestic farmers, an official said on Wednesday.

At present, India's import duty on apples is 50 per cent. The commodity is a politically-sensitive subject for major apple-growing regions such as Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the India-EU free trade agreement, the 50,000-tonne cap will be increased to one lakh tonnes over 10 years.

The two sides on Tuesday announced the conclusion of the negotiations. It is expected to be signed and implemented this year itself.

"This means that the EU (European Union) apples will continue to face a minimum effective landed cost of around Rs 96 per kg. This preserves domestic price stability and safeguards domestic farmers' incomes, while supporting the strong market position of locally produced apples," the official said.

The official added that all the necessary measures are there in the FTA to protect the interests of domestic apple growers.

India's apple imports were about 5 lakh tonnes in 2024, with 25.7 per cent coming from Iran, 22.5 per cent from Turkiye and around 8 per cent from Afghanistan. The EU accounts for 11.3 per cent of the shipments.

The duty concessions will help diversion of imports from Iran and Turkiye.

"These imports are expected to be largely on the cost of existing imports and may replace some current sources without significantly increasing overall apple imports," the official added.

Under the pact, Indian apples too will get duty concessions in the EU market.

The duties will be reduced to zero by the EU over five to seven years, a move which would open a premium segment for Indian apple producers.

"We have secured market access reciprocally," the commerce ministry official said, adding that the concession on apples is a measured, reciprocal, and balanced trade outcome that safeguards livelihoods, preserves price stability and enables new opportunities for our apple growers. PTI RR HVA

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against a key accused in Bihar for his alleged involvement in collecting levy from business establishments for providing logistical support to a banned Naxal outfit.

Lakshman Paswan has been named in the chargesheet filed before a NIA special court in Patna, officials said.

He faces charges of active involvement in the collection of levy from business establishments for providing logistical support to the CPI (Maoist), a statement issued by the probe agency said.

Paswan was also allegedly engaged in organising meetings for inciting and coercing people into joining the terror outfit, according to the NIA's investigation.

The accused's activities were aimed at strengthening and re-energising the banned organisation in the Magadh region, the NIA has established through a meticulous probe.

The fifth accused to be chargesheeted in the case, Paswan was arrested by the NIA from Lutua in Bihar's Gaya district in August 2025.

The NIA had initially chargesheeted top Naxal leaders Pramod Mishra (politburo member) and Anil Yadav (sub-zonal commander) in February 2024, followed by two supplementary chargesheets against Binod Mishra and Rakesh Kumar alias Bihari Paswan in September 2024 and February 2025 respectively. All four were previously arrested by the NIA.

The Bihar Police had initially filed a case against Pramod Mishra and Yadav in August 2023, following a search operation at Binod Mishra's house, where they were holding a meeting to further their CPI (Maoist) revival agenda.

The NIA, which had subsequently taken over the case from the state police on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is currently investigating the role of Paswan's associates and the other co-accused in the case. PTI AKV RC

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash, saying she was indulging in "petty politics" when one should stand by the bereaved family of the NCP leader.

"She has lost humanity," Biplab Deb, the BJP co-incharge for elections in West Bengal, told PTI Videos.

Demanding an apex court-monitored probe into the death of Ajit Pawar, Banerjee has alleged that "all other agencies" have been "completely compromised". Claiming that truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms, the TMC supremo said only a probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court would be credible.

Ajit Pawar (66) died in an air crash near the Baramati airport in Maharashtra's Pune district on Wednesday morning. He had taken off from Mumbai in the morning to address four rallies in the day in the district for the February 5 zilla parishad elections.

Reacting to Banerjee’s remarks, Deb, a former chief minister of Tripura, said, "This is not the time to do politics, but to stand by the bereaved family members of Pawar."

Ajit Pawar’s family, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, have not said "anything like that", the BJP leader said, adding, "They have not indulged in such petty politics."

The Maharashtra deputy CM's uncle and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, has asserted that the plane crash was an accident and "should not be politicised".

Deb said Banerjee should be "ashamed" of the things happening in her own state.

"In her state, several labourers lost their lives due to a fire. She didn’t even call their families, forget about her visiting them," he told PTI Videos in the Parliament House complex. "She has lost her humanity," the BJP leader charged.

Lashing out at the TMC supremo, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said, "Instead of making insensitive remarks on the unfortunate demise of Pawar, Banerjee must focus on ensuring justice and timely relief for the fire victims' families in West Bengal."

The fire, which broke out in two adjacent godowns in Kolkata's Nazirabad area in the early hours of January 26 and raged for over 24 hours, has claimed at least eight lives.

Flaying Banerjee, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia accused her of trying to mislead people, and demanded she stop indulging in such type of politics.

"Her remarks that came today are completely misleading and politically motivated. I request Mamata Banerjee to stop misleading people by making such statements," he told PTI Videos.

"She should first think about her state where law and order has completely deteriorated. No Sanatani is safe there (in West Bengal)," the BJP MP from Assam's Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency, charged. PTI PK ACB PK NSD

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Agartala, Jan 28 (PTI) Tripura, which has become a "preferred investment destination" in the Northeast, has grounded Rs 5,000 crore investment in multiple sectors during the past one year, said an official on Wednesday.

The state has drawn a bunch of investment proposals amounting to Rs 19,600 crore from the Raising Northeast Business Summit and Tripura Investors' Conclave in 2025.

"Out of this (Rs 19,600 crore), investment amounting to Rs 5,000 crore has been grounded in the state till now," Industries & Commerce department secretary Kirtan Gitte said in a press conference.

He said the state expects to receive investment amounting to Rs 9,000 crore, or around 40 per cent of the total investment proposals, by the next couple of months, which appears to be a good feedback from the investors as the national average of actual investment stands around 20/30 per cent.

Gitte said the government reviews the investment proposals committed during the business summit or conclave and actual investment on the ground on a monthly basis.

"Impressed by the feedback, the government is contemplating organising another investment conclave after the budget session of the assembly," he said.

The official said the government has already introduced subsidies in sectors such as transport and solar energy to attract investment.

"Earlier, there was no provision of transport subsidy to assist the industries. Besides, subsidy has also been introduced for setting up solar-based industries in the state. These issues were not highlighted in the previous business summits," he said.

According to Gitte, steps have been taken to acquire more land at Bodhjungnagar industrial estate in West Tripura district in order to accommodate more units because the existing areas fall short for new industry. PTI PS NN

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Opposition members on Wednesday protested against the VB-G RAM G Act during President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Parliament drawing strong condemnation from the government with Union minister J P Nadda demanding that they apologise for their conduct.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that the opposition members embarrassed the country with their conduct and also insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr B R Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, Bhupen Hazarika, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by raising slogans during the president's address which paid tributes to them, remembering their contributions.

"The way these people undermined the dignity of Parliament is highly condemnable. No amount of condemnation is enough. They should apologise to Parliament and the country," Nadda said.

Members of the Congress and its allies in the opposition briefly raised slogans against the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, demanding its rollback as soon as President Murmu began her address to the joint session of Parliament.

As the president referred to the VB-G RAM G Act and began speaking about provisions in her address, opposition members, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, rose from their seats and began protesting.

President Murmu paused for a moment during her address as the opposition began raising slogans, demanding the rollback of the VB-G RAM G Act.

Reacting sharply to the opposition protest, Nadda said, "The Budget session of Parliament began today with the address by President Droupadi Murmu. But, the way the leaders of the Congress and opposition parties habitually violated parliamentary decorum was utterly reprehensible and cannot be condemned enough."

"In her address, when the president was mentioning the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and paying tributes to the immortal scholar Bankim Babu remembering his works, the anarchic Congress and the 'INDI Alliance' created a ruckus and started shouting slogans," the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha added in a video message.

Nadda also slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying it was "surprising" that the party members participated in the opposition uproar when the president was paying tributes to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, remembering his contributions.

Slamming the opposition, Rijiju told reporters in the Parliament House complex, "The country is ashamed of what the opposition members did during the president's address to the joint sitting of Parliament. The country will never forgive the Congress and its allies in the opposition for this."

In her address, the president was paying tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr B R Ambedkar Birsa Munda, Bhupen Hazarika, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and exhorting the country to take inspiration from them, the parliamentary affairs minister said.

But the opposition members resorted to raising slogans and insulting them, he charged.

"Just imagine if any responsible Member of Parliament (MP) can ever behave in such a manner," Rijiju said.

The country will never forgive the opposition parties for the kind of politics they indulged in during the president's address, he said.

"At least Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi ji should have told opposition MPs not to insult Vande Mataram undermining the honour of our great freedom fighters. Instead they both were also standing and disturbing the President's speech," Rijiju said in a post on X later. PTI PK PK KSS

KSS

FGN15: US-INDIA-EU-DEAL

****India comes out on top on this: Trump administration on Delhi's trade deal with EU

New York: India came out on “top” in the trade deal with the European Union and is going to have a heyday with this, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in the first reaction from the Trump administration on the free trade agreement.****

FGN40: LANKA-WICKREMESINGHE

****Wickremesinghe to face indictment in March, Lankan court told

Colombo: Sri Lanka's former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, facing corruption charges, is to be indicted in March after completion of investigation, a court in Colombo was informed on Wednesday.****

FGN43: SINGAPORE-NIPAH

****Singapore to screen travellers from Nipah virus break areas

Singapore: Singapore will conduct temperature screening for travellers arriving on flights from areas where Nipah virus outbreak has been reported, including India, the government said Wednesday.****

FGN42: LANKA-IMF

****IMF's extended fund facility in Sri Lanka's post-Ditwah recovery to continue

Colombo: The IMF’s current Sri Lanka bail out would continue with no changes despite the economic impact due to widespread devastation after Cyclone Ditwah, a delegation of the global lender told President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday.****

FGN25: US-TEXAS-H1B-INDIANS

****Texas halts H-1B visas at state universities, agencies; to affect Indians

Houston (US): Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to immediately halt new H-1B visa petitions, tightening hiring rules at taxpayer-funded institutions, a step likely to impact Indian professionals.****

FGN28: UK-CHINA-STARMER

****UK PM Keir Starmer takes ‘China matters’ message on first Beijing visit

London: “Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.**** PTI

SCY

Moscow, Jan 28 (PTI) India and Russia are holding technical discussions to explore the possibility of the joint production of the 5th-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet in India, a top Russian aerospace official claimed on Wednesday.

There was no response from the Indian side on his claim.

"Today, we are in the advanced stage of technical negotiations on this contract. Such contracts, given our experience, determine the trajectory of our cooperation for several decades to come,” CEO of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Vadim Badekha told Russian reporters on the sidelines of the Wings India air show at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.

Russia has put on static display its latest regional transport aircraft - the Ilyushin Il-114-300 and the Sukhoi SJ-100.

Badekha claimed that the parties are also discussing "the licensed production of the Su-57 fighters in India at the facilities currently used to produce the Su-30 aircraft, and the maximum use of Indian industry and Indian systems in this aircraft."

"Therefore, the contract requires extensive, in-depth study. It is currently in the advanced stage of technical consultations,” Badekha was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.

Earlier, the CEO of the state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, announced that the company was offering New Delhi the supply of the latest fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets, as well as the organisation of their production in India and assistance in developing its own indigenous AMCA stealth fighter, the state-run RIA Novosti reported. 

Meanwhile, the private Interfax agency reported about the signing of an agreement between UAC and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the production of Superjet-100 regional jets in India. 

"The document formalises the agreement that HAL will assist UAC in the Superjet type certification/validation process in India. HAL will also be granted a license to manufacture and sell the SJ-100, including components, parts, and spare parts necessary for the repair and maintenance of this aircraft," Interfax reported.

UAC, in turn, will assist HAL in organising and re-tooling its production facilities for SJ-100 production through consulting, design services, and specialist engagement. The roadmap, timeframe, project financial indicators, and detailed workforce allocation are expected to be reflected in the master agreement.

In October, UAC and HAL signed a memorandum of understanding for the production of Superjets in India. UAC expects not only to localise the production of "components, units, and systems for our aircraft," but also to supply them to Russia, according to Badekha. 

"This is a huge opportunity for us to expand our cooperation and reduce the cost of our aircraft. And, accordingly, to create a truly new level of cooperation in the aviation industry," Badekha underscored.

The so-called Import-Independent Superjet-100 version being offered to India will feature all Russian components, including specially designed PD-8 engines, and is not prone to Western sanctions.

Until 2022, Russia mass-produced Superjets, developed through international cooperation. However, the project was halted due to Western sanctions. PTI VS ZH

ZH

Peshawar, Jan 28 (PTI) Two children were critically injured in a landmine explosion on Wednesday in northwestern Pakistan, police said.

The incident occurred in the Patnai hilly area on the outskirts of Wana tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan.

The children were playing in the area and accidentally stepped on a suspicious, polish-like container, which turned out to be an explosive device, said Asghar Ali Shah, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Wana.

Both children were immediately shifted to DHQ Hospital, Wana. The condition of one child is stable, while the other has been referred to Dera Ismail Khan for further treatment, he said.

The incident has caused panic in the area, and a large number of residents gathered at the site.

In the last 15 years, hundreds of landmine explosions have been reported in different parts of South Waziristan. These explosions have claimed the lives of dozens of innocent children and left hundreds injured.

Separately, a man was killed in an IED blast in Bajaur district on Wednesday.

A team of police personnel rushed to the spot and launched a search operation for the terrorists involved in the incident.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast. PTI AYZ ZH

ZH

Kathmandu, Jan 28 (PTI) Nepal's finance minister on Wednesday said removing the country from FATF's grey list is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including the government, and called for coordinated efforts to complete the required reforms within a year.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a global intergovernmental money-laundering and terror-funding watchdog.

Addressing a programme here to mark the National Anti-Money Laundering Day, themed 'Money Laundering Prevention: Transparency and Fiscal Discipline', Rameshore Prasad Khanal underscored the need to lay a concrete foundation for Nepal's exit from the FATF list by implementing all necessary reform measures.

Khanal said the government's economic reform initiatives are not driven by pressure from the international community but aimed at building corruption-free institutions, promoting transparency and ensuring good governance to strengthen the national economy.

Asserting that initiatives to prevent money laundering do not impose additional economic burdens or unnecessary costs on the country, he said it is the shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including the government, to work towards lifting Nepal from the FATF list.

Countries placed on the FATF grey list are subject to increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing frameworks.

Apart from Nepal, some of India’s other neighbours, including Bangladesh and Myanmar, are also under FATF’s increased monitoring.

Arguing that the lower-than-expected inflow of foreign investment is due to a lack of confidence in Nepal's financial system, Khanal underlined the need to create an investment-friendly environment through reforms.

Expressing hope that the reform process would be completed by the end of 2026, he also called for greater effectiveness in investigation, prosecution, and action in money laundering cases.

Also speaking at the programme, law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Anil Kumar Sinha said Nepal must address global legal policy and institutional challenges to ensure financial integrity and good governance.

He described the current situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for self-reflection and further reform, adding that an action plan had been formulated to remove the country from the grey list within the next year and must be implemented through collective efforts from all sectors.

Director-General of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation Gajendra Kumar Thakur said eliminating money laundering is not the responsibility of a single agency and requires collective efforts by all stakeholders.

He emphasised the need for legal reforms, updating legislation, strengthening cooperation among investigation agencies, expanding international coordination, developing an integrated information-sharing system and monitoring the digital economy to address the issue effectively. PTI SBP SCY SCY

Singapore, Jan 28 (PTI) Singapore will conduct temperature screening for travellers arriving on flights from areas where Nipah virus outbreak has been reported, including India, the government said Wednesday.

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) is “closely monitoring the outbreak of Nipah virus infection (NiV) in West Bengal, India. This is the seventh Nipah virus outbreak in India since 2001,” said the agency in a release.

This is one of six measures that will be implemented in the country as part of its initial response to the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, it said.

In New Delhi, citing reports received from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday, said only two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus disease have been reported from West Bengal from December last year till date.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), meanwhile, will step up surveillance of newly arrived migrant workers from South Asia and engage MOM primary care providers to increase vigilance, according to a report by the Channel News Asia.

In addition to the temperature screening, Singapore will also require medical practitioners and laboratories to notify CDA immediately of all confirmed and suspected cases of the virus.

The CDA has also alerted hospitals and emergency departments to be vigilant for Nipah virus infections in patients with compatible symptoms and recent travel history to West Bengal, the agency said.

Health advisories will also be disseminated to travellers at points of entry to Singapore. They will instruct inbound travellers to seek medical attention if they are unwell after travel, and provide outbound travellers with health precautions they can take.

The CDA will also reach out to their counterparts in South Asia to better understand the situation.

“Work is ongoing to establish a global platform for countries to report genome sequencing of detected cases,” CDA added.

Sharing CDA's media release in a Facebook post, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said: “We need to be on alert all the time, as deadly outbreaks will happen from time to time, in different parts of the world.

“The key thing we need to watch out for in such outbreaks is sustained human-to-human transmission. If transmission is only between animals to humans, or human to human in a very close setting after contacting human fluids, there is much less worry because the virus will not spread far and wide, like SARS or COVID-19,” the Channel quoted Minister Ong as saying. PTI GS NPK

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Colombo, Jan 28 (PTI) The IMF’s current Sri Lanka bail out would continue with no changes despite the economic impact due to widespread devastation after Cyclone Ditwah, a delegation of the global lender told President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday.

The representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who are in Sri Lanka to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah that left over 600 dead in late November, met with Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat, the President's Media Division (PMD) said here.

The IMF conveyed that Sri Lanka is currently moving in the right economic direction despite facing a severe disaster situation, Dissanayake’s office said, adding, “the IMF representatives stated that there would be no changes to the agreement relating to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme being implemented with Sri Lanka.”

The discussions relating to the release of the sixth tranche under the programme would resume in March, it added.

Sri Lanka is to receive around USD 330 million as the sixth tranche of the USD 2.9 billion bail out for four years entered by the government in March 2023.

Despite the completion of its fifth review in December, the tranche was delayed until February in view of Sri Lanka seeking 200 million dollars outside the EFF. It was part of the island nation's international appeal for aid in wake of the trail of destruction left by Cyclone Ditwah.

In the country’s deadliest disaster since the 2004 tsunami, more than 600 people died in rains, floods and landslides as Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on November 26.

An initial assessment had estimated that floodwaters inundated nearly 20 per cent of the country's land area, exposing approximately 2.3 million people.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the government had said USD 6-7 billion would be required to fund the recovery effort.

Sri Lanka's parliament was on December 18 told that LKR 500 billion would be additionally needed to restore livelihoods of those affected due to the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.

The IMF delegation that arrived here on January 22 travelled to observe first-hand the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and met with communities affected by its impact.

The IMF representatives also pointed out that the strong fiscal discipline maintained by the Dissanayake government over the past year had been a key factor. “They noted that the Government’s ability to present a supplementary estimate of LKR 500 billion was made possible by a surplus in the Treasury, describing this as a highly commendable development.”

Dissanayake noted that the disaster had most severely affected poor rural communities, with rural infrastructure and livelihoods suffering extensive damage. He stated that, accordingly, LKR 500 billion had been allocated to protect rural livelihoods and restore income-generating activities.

Both parties agreed to continue implementing the Extended Fund Facility programme without making any changes to the existing agreement.

In December, the IMF had approved an emergency funding of USD 206 million under its rapid finance instrument to help Sri Lanka “address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.”

The 48-month EFF deal with the IMF signed in March 2023 prompted Sri Lanka to carry out hard reforms in welfare-based governance. It was signed after Sri Lanka plunged into an unprecedented economic meltdown with its first-ever sovereign default in April 2022. PTI CORR NPK

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Colombo, Jan 28 (PTI) Sri Lanka's former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, facing corruption charges, is to be indicted in March after completion of investigation, a court in Colombo was informed on Wednesday.

Wickremesinghe, who made a court appearance, faces charges that he had misappropriated state funds to the tune of LKR 16.6 million for travelling to the UK in 2023 to attend the convocation of his wife Prof Maithri Wickremesinghe at a British university.

He was arrested late August and granted bail two days later.

During Wednesday's proceedings at the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court, the prosecution reported the progress of the case as on date and said that the former President, who would be 77 this year, would be charged in March upon completion of the investigation.

Wickremesinghe has claimed the visit was part of his official functions as the president of Sri Lanka due to an official invitation and attended his wife’s convocation while in transit on his return journey.

On Wednesday, Wickremesinghe's secretary Saman Ekanayake from the Sri Lanka Administration Service, was remanded till February 11 for aiding and abetting the former president in the alleged misappropriation.

Ekanayake held the position of presidential secretary, the top civil service position, during Wickremesinghe’s presidency between July 2022 and September 2024. PTI CORR NPK

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Islamabad, Jan 28 (PTI) Over 762,000 Pakistanis left the country last year, becoming part of the pool that is helping the cash-strapped nation to economically stay afloat, amid a steep decline in foreign direct investment and exports, a media report said on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment registered 762,499 workers who left Pakistan in 2025, according to the monthly outlook report by the Ministry of Finance, showing an increase of over 5 per cent or nearly 37,000 more people who left the motherland in search of better job opportunities, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Citing the Finance Ministry, the newspaper said that in December 2025 alone the bureau registered 76,207 workers who left Pakistan, marking an 18.7 per cent surge on an annual basis.

Out of the total, 530,000 people went to Saudi Arabia in search of a good future. From unskilled to highly qualified and highly-skilled people are leaving Pakistan amid prolonged periods of low economic growth and heightened periods of political instability.

The money sent by overseas Pakistanis is now the single largest source of non-debt-creating foreign inflows that are keeping the country afloat. During the first half of this fiscal year, Pakistani workers sent USD 19.7 billion in remittances, up by 11 per cent, the paper said.

The government is getting around USD 40 billion annually from these workers without providing any support to them. Compared to this, the entire state machinery is focused on enhancing exports and foreign direct investment, but is failing, it said.

The foreign remittances were 23 times more than the USD 808 million foreign direct investment that Pakistan received during the first half of this fiscal year. It was USD 4.2 billion higher than the USD 15.5 billion worth of exports during this period.

Despite making efforts on multiple fronts, the FDI decreased nearly 44 per cent during the first half of this fiscal year. The Finance Ministry said that the foreign direct investment dipped from USD 1.4 billion to merely USD 808 million during the July-December period of this fiscal year.

Pakistan's inconsistent economic policies, high taxes and energy prices and unrealistically higher interest rates are keeping the foreign investors away. The authorities are still struggling to resolve inter-provincial issues that are also hampering foreign investment, according to the paper. PTI SH  ZH

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London, Jan 28 (PTI) “Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.

Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK’s “clear-eyed and realistic” approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while “maintaining guardrails” when it comes to the country’s national security.

The Labour Party government is keen to highlight its re-engagement with China with this first visit in eight years, coming close on the heels of a ministerial go-ahead for its controversial new “mega embassy” in London.

“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” Starmer said in a pre-visit statement.

“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.

“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad,” he said.

The UK PM is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.

Accompanied by a delegation of leading UK-based businesses, including Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover, sporting institutions, museums and theatre groups, Starmer is expected to push for access in areas such as the financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences.

“However, he will be clear that we will not trade economic cooperation for our national security. He will raise the areas where we disagree with China – being clear that we will always defend our national security and where viewpoints differ, frank and open dialogue is of vital importance,” Downing Street said.

Describing China as the world’s second largest economy, a crucial player in global supply chains and a growing military power, the UK said it is important to engage with its third-largest trading partner which supports 3,70,000 British jobs.

“We want to see trade flourish between us. From financial services to advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition, the UK’s strengths increasingly align with the rapidly evolving Chinese economy,” said Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary travelling with Starmer.

“The first duty of government is security, and we protect ourselves best through active engagement and pragmatic cooperation, not by shutting the door,” he said.

The visit follows the 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) that the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) claimed secured 600 million pounds in immediate benefits and the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018.

“The UK’s world-leading financial services sector is a cornerstone of our economy. With deep and liquid markets, and the FTSE hitting all-time highs, there are real opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with China which supports jobs for working people and growth for businesses across Britain,” said Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, also part of the ministerial delegation.

The Opposition Conservatives have criticised Starmer’s approach to China, amid human rights concerns and espionage fears. “Starmer has already surrendered to the Chinese Communist Party over their plan for a spy-hub super embassy in the heart of our capital,” said shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel.

“The evidence is overwhelming that China poses a serious threat to our national security and it is clear Starmer is going to China without any leverage. He lacks the backbone to stand up for Britain and is bending over backwards to appease Beijing,” she said.

Following his trip to China, Starmer is set to travel to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reinforce the UK-Japan partnership, said to be worth over 100 billion pounds and supporting 2,00,000 UK jobs. PTI AK NPK

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Islamabad, Jan 28 (PTI) Pakistan’s planning minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said that mineral exports from the country could reach between USD 6-8 billion annually within this decade by value addition rather than focusing on raw extraction.

Iqbal was addressing the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum in Islamabad, reported state-run Radio Pakistan.

“Our objective is to move decisively beyond extraction,” he said, while emphasising that Pakistan seeks to develop mineral processing plants, smelters and refining facilities and mineral-based industrial clusters linked with Special Economic Zones.

The Planning Minister said the transformation of Pakistan's mineral economy cannot happen without strategic partners, and China's role is central in this regard.

He said the future of Pakistan-China mineral cooperation lies in co-creating value through technology, innovation, human capital development and long-term partnerships. 

“With China as a trusted partner, we can convert mineral wealth into industrial strength, export competitiveness and shared prosperity,” he said.

Iqbal said Pakistan wants joint ventures that serve not only domestic demands but also regional and global markets. He reaffirmed that the security and safety of Chinese nationals and investments remain a top national priority.

He also mentioned that the second phase of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is about translating connectivity into productivity and productivity into exports, jobs and sustainable growth.

He hoped the second phase of CPEC would help Pakistan upgrade and modernise its agriculture, industries, technological capacity and human resource potential so that it can become a model of export-led growth. PTI SH RD

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London, Jan 28 (PTI) A 57-year-old Indian-origin man appeared in a UK court on Wednesday charged with the murder of a woman at a home in Ilford, east London.

Dalip Chadha was arrested at the scene at Applegarth Drive in Ilford in the early hours of Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said. The victim, believed to be his wife, is yet to be formally identified.

“At around 04:00hrs on Tuesday, 27 January, officers were called to an address in Applegarth Drive. Upon arrival, they found a woman dead at the property,” the Met Police said in a statement.

“Formal identification has yet to take place, but the victim is believed to be 58-year-old Vanessa Puntney-Chadha. Her next-of-kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“Dalip Chadha, 57, of Applegarth Drive, was arrested at the scene. He will appear before Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 January, charged with murder,” the police said.

The force said its investigation remains ongoing and has appealed for any information that would assist their enquiries in the murder case. PTI AK NPK

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Hyderabad, Jan 28 (PTI) Chemicals giant BASF on Wednesday said it plans to open a global Digital Hub here in the first quarter of 2026.

The proposed Digital Hub in Hyderabad would strengthen BASF's existing global Digital Hub network in Europe (Ludwigshafen and Madrid) and Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur), the company said in a release.

Digital Hubs are centers of digital expertise that deliver standardized, digital services at scale to BASF's businesses worldwide, it said.

"With this next step in value creation in BASF's back-end organization, we ensure digital service delivery on competitive terms," said Dirk Elvermann, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Digital Officer, BASF SE.

Observing that Hyderabad offers all the attributes of a state-of-the-art Digital Hub with global reach, Elvermann said seamless cooperation between the new Digital Hub in India and existing global Digital Hubs, and excellent service delivery to businesses are the top priorities for the company.

The company seeks to standardize and focus the digital portfolio on areas that generate the greatest value for BASF's core businesses, which will be accompanied by structural changes, it said.

"Overall, the division Global Digital Services aims to significantly reduce its global workforce by 2030. This includes

positions in Ludwigshafen. Furthermore, Global Digital Services plans to reduce the overall number of sites at which digital specialists are located," the release said.

All measures will be implemented in a socially responsible manner and in compliance with existing co-determination rights (a system wherein managers and workers are involved in making important decisions), it said.

The release further said preparations for opening the Digital Hub in Hyderabad are underway. Hiring and operational activities under the new Indian legal entity, "BASF Digital Solutions Private Limited" would begin immediately, it said.

"I am pleased that we can launch the hub so quickly and ramp it up sustainably," said Dietrich Spandau, President of Global Digital Services.

Head of BASF Group Companies in India, Alexander Gerding said the Digital Hub in Hyderabad becomes part of BASF’s long-standing and successful presence in India with existing manufacturing and research and development activities in the country. PTI VVK SJR VVK SA

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) India and the European Union have agreed to discuss the issue of the "maturation" period in the whisky sector in a working group formed under the free trade agreement, an issue of key interest to domestic alcoholic beverage makers, an official said on Wednesday.

Domestic players have stated that the EU should remove the condition of maturation for a minimum of three years for Indian whiskies since it is scientifically established that in warm and tropical Indian conditions, whisky ages 3-3.5 times faster than in Europe.

Indian whiskies should be allowed to be sold in the EU as whiskies irrespective of whether they are made from malt, grain spirits or molasses-based spirits, and they should accept Indian recipes as India accepts European or British recipes for whisky, according to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC).

The commerce ministry official said a working group has been formed on wines and spirits under the agreement.

"In the group, we will also be discussing issues around maturity because maturation period is an issue between different geographies. India's maturation period is shorter and the EU's maturation period for spirits is longer. So we will be working on that," the official said.

The working group will exchange information, knowledge and best practices.

India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). It is expected to be signed and implemented this year itself.

At present, alcoholic beverages in India attract import duty of 150 per cent.

European wines are set to enter the Indian market at lower prices under the trade agreement as India will provide import duty concessions.

Currently, wines constitute less than 1 per cent of alcoholic beverages market in India.

As per the pact, India has given gradual and selective duty reduction on wines.

There will be no duty cut on wines priced below 2.5 euros with an aim to protect domestic wine producers and grape farmers in regions like Maharashtra (Nashik) and Karnataka.

For wines priced between 2.5 euros and 10 euros, the duty will be reduced to 30 per cent in seven years. For those priced above 10 euros, the duty will be cut to 20 per cent.

"It ensures the domestic sector sufficient time to expand, innovate, and enhance global competitiveness," the official said.

Further under the pact, Indian wine will enjoy preferential market access, with customs duties reduced from up to 32 euros/hectoliter (equal to about 100 litres) to zero, either at entry into force or phased out over 3-7 years after the implementation of the pact. PTI RR TRB

Chennai, Jan 28 (PTI) FIT 3PL Warehousing Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd, has acquired Hyderabad-based Swamy and Sons 3PL for Rs 88 crore to strengthen its presence in the FMCG supply logistics segment.

The acquisition is aimed at enhancing TVS Supply Chain Solutions' operating footprint and execution capabilities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a senior company official said on Wednesday.

The deal, executed through FIT 3PL Warehousing Pvt Ltd, was completed at an enterprise value of Rs 88 crore and will be funded through internal accruals.

In FY2025, Swamy and Sons 3PL reported revenue of Rs 207 crore with a profit before tax margin of 3.2 per cent.

Commenting on the acquisition, K Sukumar, CEO–India, Middle East and Africa, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said it was a strategic step to further strengthen the company’s high-performance supply chain platform in India.

"Swamy and Sons 3PL's deep expertise in FMCG supply chains, strong geographic reach, and market leadership in Andhra and Telangana will enhance our ability to serve large customers," Sukumar said in a statement.

He added that the acquisition positions TVS Supply Chain Solutions among the top warehousing-focused third-party logistics providers in India and marks a significant milestone for its India operations, strengthening its role as a key solutions provider in the FMCG segment.

Swamy and Sons promoter Arun Swamy said the acquisition was a major development for the company, which has been serving customers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for over 35 years.

"Becoming part of TVS Supply Chain Solutions provides our customers and employees with the scale, systems and governance of a leading global supply chain organisation, while enabling us to expand into new geographies and power the next phase of growth," he said.

Following the acquisition, Arun Swamy will continue to lead Swamy and Sons 3PL and oversee a smooth ownership transition, while driving customer retention and business growth, the company said. PTI VIJ SSK VIJ SSK SA

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India will reassess in about three months to figure out what will be the sustainable level of demand after the euphoria of the GST rate cut is over, a senior company official said on Wednesday.

When GST 2.0 was announced in September last year, the company had projected a 7 per cent volume growth.

The company, which exports its electric vehicle to Europe, sees a big positive in the India-EU FTA and believes that the trade deal allows the country to participate in the global arena, Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer Rahul Bharti told analysts in an earnings call.

"Short term, of course, we are constrained by supply, and we are struggling to meet demand as much as possible. We have a healthy order book, our share within the SUV segment is growing, so it's all positive.

"Having said that, the query remains in our mind, what is the sustainable level of demand after the euphoria (of GST rate cut) is over," Bharti said.

The company had ended the third quarter with a very low network inventory of just about three to four days, along with a healthy order book of around 1.75 lakh vehicles, he added.

Responding to a query on the long-term demand outlook, Bharti said, "Quarter four seems to be good and we need to look beyond".

The company had projected an initial figure of about 7 per cent growth volume growth on a sustainable level, Bharti said, adding that "we will make an assessment in about three months of what is the sustainable level of demand in the next year and in the next few years".

The company said that owing to the GST reform, there was a sharp recovery in the Indian car market, primarily led by the small car segment. It achieved its highest-ever quarterly domestic sales of 5,64,669 units compared to 4,66,993 units in Q3 of the previous year, an increase of 97,676 units.

"Out of this increase, the small car segment in the 18 per cent GST bracket accounted for 68,328 units," it added.

When asked about the India-EU FTA, Bharti said, "The details that have come out seem to be quite positive. From whatever we have heard, the opening up has been done only above 15,000 euro CIF price, which translates to something like Rs 25 lakh in India".

"I believe the government would have been extremely calibrated and sensitive to the domestic industry, while making India participate in the global arena, which is a big positive."

Asserting that Maruti Suzuki India has "always supported liberalisation and opening up trade, particularly as it gives us the opportunity to export", Bharti said.

"We put our money where our mouth is, and we are exporting EVs to Europe, so we welcome the FTA."

While noting that the specific clauses regarding EV exports are not yet known, Bharti said, "...but sooner or later, it should be positive for India".

He said till December 2025, the company has exported over 13,000 units of electric SUV eVITARA to 29 different countries, for which it has plan ship to over 100 countries. PTI RKL BAL

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Sula Vineyards, India's largest wine company, on Wednesday said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement adequately safeguards the interests of the domestic wine industry.

The key concerns of the domestic wine industry have been addressed with the establishment of a minimum import price (MIP) of 2.5 euro per 750 ml bottle, Sula Vineyards said in a statement.

While final details of the revised India-EU FTA relating to wine are yet to be formally notified, it "believes this framework delivers a balanced outcome, as it protects over 90 per cent of Indian wines, which retail at MRPs below Rs 1,500 per bottle, while also supporting the long-term expansion of the domestic wine market".

Further, drawing parallels with the India-Australia FTA, where duty reductions were implemented gradually over a decade, Sula said it expects a similar phased approach for European wines in which first duty reduction to 75 per cent was expected after one year.

It will "gradually taper to 20 per cent for premium wines and 30 per cent for mid-priced wines over a 7-10 year period," the Maharashtra-based company said.

India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the conclusion and finalisation of negotiations for a free trade agreement. The agreement is expected to be signed later this year and may come into force from early next year. The talks were concluded after 18 years. The negotiations started in 2007.

Under the agreement, India will be giving duty concessions to the wines of the EU in line with what it has agreed for Australia and New Zealand, but with slightly lower thresholds.

It was a key demand for the EU.

The official said Indian wine, too, will get market access in the EU, which can cater to the demands of the growing Indian diaspora. The EU will eliminate duties for Indian wine.

"Overall, we believe the agreement adequately safeguards the interests of the Indian wine industry," said Sula. PTI KRH TRB

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) India will lower duty on European apples to 20 per cent under the trade pact, but the imports would be capped at 50,000 tonnes per year and subject to a minimum import price of Rs 80 per kg, thereby fully protecting domestic farmers, an official said on Wednesday.

At present, India's import duty on apples is 50 per cent. The commodity is a politically-sensitive subject for major apple-growing regions such as Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the India-EU free trade agreement, the 50,000-tonne cap will be increased to one lakh tonnes over 10 years.

The two sides on Tuesday announced the conclusion of the negotiations. It is expected to be signed and implemented this year itself.

"This means that the EU (European Union) apples will continue to face a minimum effective landed cost of around Rs 96 per kg. This preserves domestic price stability and safeguards domestic farmers' incomes, while supporting the strong market position of locally produced apples," the official said.

The official added that all the necessary measures are there in the FTA to protect the interests of domestic apple growers.

India's apple imports were about 5 lakh tonnes in 2024, with 25.7 per cent coming from Iran, 22.5 per cent from Turkiye and around 8 per cent from Afghanistan. The EU accounts for 11.3 per cent of the shipments.

The duty concessions will help diversion of imports from Iran and Turkiye.

"These imports are expected to be largely on the cost of existing imports and may replace some current sources without significantly increasing overall apple imports," the official added.

Under the pact, Indian apples too will get duty concessions in the EU market.

The duties will be reduced to zero by the EU over five to seven years, a move which would open a premium segment for Indian apple producers.

"We have secured market access reciprocally," the commerce ministry official said, adding that the concession on apples is a measured, reciprocal, and balanced trade outcome that safeguards livelihoods, preserves price stability and enables new opportunities for our apple growers. PTI RR HVA

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Star Health and Allied Insurance Company on Wednesday reported a 40 per cent decline in net profit at Rs 128 crore for the third quarter ended December 2025.

The standalone health insurer had earned a profit of Rs 215 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal.

During the quarter, gross written premium improved to Rs 4,624 crore as against Rs 3,796 crore in the same quarter a year ago, Star Health said in a regulatory filing.

Total income also rose to Rs 4,445 crore in the quarter under review from Rs 4,001 crore in October-December FY25.

However, net income from investment declined to Rs 192 crore as against Rs 200 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

Total expenses increased to Rs 4,375 crore as compared to Rs 3,849 crore in the third quarter of the previous fiscal.

The company's solvency ratio declined to 214 per cent as on December 31, 2025, from 222 per cent at the end of the third quarter of the previous year.

As per the regulatory requirement, life insurer should maintain solvency margin of 150 per cent. PTI DP DP ANU

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Agartala, Jan 28 (PTI) Tripura, which has become a "preferred investment destination" in the Northeast, has grounded Rs 5,000 crore investment in multiple sectors during the past one year, said an official on Wednesday.

The state has drawn a bunch of investment proposals amounting to Rs 19,600 crore from the Raising Northeast Business Summit and Tripura Investors' Conclave in 2025.

"Out of this (Rs 19,600 crore), investment amounting to Rs 5,000 crore has been grounded in the state till now," Industries & Commerce department secretary Kirtan Gitte said in a press conference.

He said the state expects to receive investment amounting to Rs 9,000 crore, or around 40 per cent of the total investment proposals, by the next couple of months, which appears to be a good feedback from the investors as the national average of actual investment stands around 20/30 per cent.

Gitte said the government reviews the investment proposals committed during the business summit or conclave and actual investment on the ground on a monthly basis.

"Impressed by the feedback, the government is contemplating organising another investment conclave after the budget session of the assembly," he said.

The official said the government has already introduced subsidies in sectors such as transport and solar energy to attract investment.

"Earlier, there was no provision of transport subsidy to assist the industries. Besides, subsidy has also been introduced for setting up solar-based industries in the state. These issues were not highlighted in the previous business summits," he said.

According to Gitte, steps have been taken to acquire more land at Bodhjungnagar industrial estate in West Tripura district in order to accommodate more units because the existing areas fall short for new industry. PTI PS NN

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Realty firm Lodha Developers Ltd on Wednesday reported a 1 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 956.9 crore in the third quarter of this fiscal year.

Its net profit stood at Rs 944.4 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income rose to Rs 4,775.4 crore in the October-December period of 2025-26 fiscal from Rs 4,146.6 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding year, according to a regulatory filing.

Commenting on the results, Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO of Lodha Developers, said, "Our third quarter pre-sales performance underlines the strong appeal of our product and brand."

For the first nine months of this fiscal year, he said the company has recorded its pre-sales.

"We have crossed the Rs 5,000 mark in quarterly sales for the first time, a significant milestone in our journey. We believe that government and central bank's strategic and timely policy interventions like GST rationalisation, interest rate cut, etc. would provide support for India's economy," said Lodha.

The tailwinds of low mortgage rates, rising household incomes and improving affordability would help in boosting housing demand, he added.

"We entered Delhi-NCR during the December quarter as part of our disciplined growth strategy. NCR, being the 2nd largest residential market in India after Mumbai, we would now be serving the top 4 housing markets in India, which are about 80 per cent of housing sales by value," Lodha said.

Mumbai-based Lodha Developers Ltd is one of the leading real estate companies in the country.

The company has developed more than 100 million square feet of area so far. PTI MJH HVA

Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has reached the Baramati crash site to launch a forensic probe into the VSR Venture's Learjet 45 aircraft accident that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday, a senior official has said.

"The investigation team has reached the (crash) site. They are on the work," the AAIB official told PTI.

The official, however, declined to share further details.

Earlier in the day, AAIB, which has the mandate to investigate all accidents and serious incidents/incidents involving aircraft with a gross weight of 2,250 kg or turbojet aircraft, was handed the probe into the crash.

Five people, including Pawar, his personal security officer and attendant, as well as two cockpit crew, pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak, were killed when the 16-year-old mid-size-business jet made the second attempt to land after doing a go around on Wednesday morning.

The aircraft, bearing registration VT-SSK, was being operated by the Delhi-based non-scheduled operator VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd.

The crew was advised to descend in visual meteorological conditions at the pilot's discretion, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in its statement.

At that time, the winds were calm, and visibility was around 3,000 metres, it said.

Baramati airfield does not have an instrumental landing system - a precision radio navigation system that provides short-range guidance to an aircraft, allowing it to approach a runway at night, during bad weather and poor visibility. PTI IAS BAL

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The upcoming Union Budget should look at rationalisation of duties on EVs, greater support for localising EV technology and sustained support for multiple green pathways in the automotive segment, according to industry leaders.

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 on February 1.

"Looking ahead, we anticipate that the forthcoming Union Budget will foster the next phase of development by prioritising impactful reforms aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business, deepening manufacturing localisation, and advancing workforce skills in line with rapid technological advancements," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs and Governance - Vikram Gulati said in a statement.

Furthermore, the company urged the government to maintain its focus on infrastructure development and continue its sustained support for multiple green energy pathways to achieve India's long-term goals of energy security and net-zero emissions, he added.

JSW MG Motor India MD Anurag Mehrotra said the automaker anticipates enablers for continued investment in infrastructure, as the logistics industry continues to contribute significantly to the GDP.

"On the electric mobility front, we expect the government to further strengthen consumer-led incentives and schemes to accelerate EV adoption. Rationalisation of duties on EV components would be a welcome move, along with greater support for localisation of EV manufacturing," he added.

While the charging network has expanded, there is still considerable progress to be made, Mehrotra stated.

"We would greatly appreciate strong fiscal support for the expansion of charging infrastructure," he added.

JK Tyre & Industries Chairman & Managing Director Raghupati Singhania said that for the automotive and tyre sectors, policy continuity that enhances affordability and supports rural incomes can sustain demand and create strong multiplier effects across the economy.

"A forward-looking, investment-led Budget will play a key role in accelerating India's manufacturing growth and reinforcing investor confidence," he added.

Singhania said the tyre maker is optimistic about a renewed emphasis on meaningful ease of doing business, particularly through faster approvals and more streamlined regulatory processes that can unlock private investment.

Continued focus on quality infrastructure and logistics will be critical in strengthening India's cost competitiveness and manufacturing efficiency, he added.

"In the context of evolving global trade challenges, policy measures that support exports and deepen India's integration into global supply chains will be increasingly important," Singhania stated. PTI MSS HVA

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Cinema is a uniquely powerful medium to build empathy and dismantle prejudice, Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), said during her speech at the 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth.

Addressing a gathering of policymakers, diplomats, filmmakers, educators, and young audiences, Nanda said cinema can play a powerful role when children see protagonists with disabilities portrayed not as objects of pity or inspiration, but as fully realised human beings.

"Inclusion is not a matter of charity or compassion; it is a matter of rights," she said.

Echoing the festival's global spirit, Kimmo Ladevirta, Ambassador of Finland, spoke of cinema’s ability to bridge distances between countries and cultures.

He introduced a selection of Finnish short films and a children’s fantasy feature, including the big screen showcase of animated film "Moomins" for the first time at SIFFCY. The cartoons are celebrating their 80th anniversary.

Marje Luup, Ambassador of Estonia, said SIFFCY played a major role in children’s cinema landscape in India and is a vital international platform for nurturing creativity and cultural exchange.

Emphasising this year’s focus on inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and equity, Luup shared that Estonia is participating with six short films made by children, including works by Ukrainian refugee children currently living in Estonia.

Santanu Mishra, Chairman, SIFFCY, and Co-founder of Smile Foundation, said that childhood is a decisive phase where empathy and social awareness take root, and cinema serves as a gentle yet powerful medium to shape more compassionate worldviews.

Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY, and President, CIFEJ UNICEF (2025–27), added that the film gala creates a shared cultural space where young audiences engage with diverse stories reflecting global realities and aspirations.

SIFFCY, an initiative of Smile Foundation, will run till Wednesday to February 3. The non-ticketed event will showcase 150 films from more than 35 countries with a special focus on Poland and The Netherlands.

The festival is organised in partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and the Delegation of the European Union to India. PTI BK BK RB

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Pawan Kalyan were among the prominent personalities from the world of cinema who expressed shock and grief following the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash.

Pawar (66) and four others were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning.

In a post on X, Akshay Kumar offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

"Shocked and sad to hear about the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar ji. Heartfelt condolences to his family," wrote Akshay.

Ajay posted, "Shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Hon. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and all those affected by this immense loss."

Telugu star Kalyan, who is also the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, said he was “deeply shocked” and praised Pawar’s dedicated public service.

"His dedicated public service and immense contributions towards the welfare and development of the people of Maharashtra will always be remembered, and his enduring commitment to the people will continue to be held with respect.

"I express my profound condolences on his passing and extend my deepest sympathies to his family members, admirers, and party cadre during this moment of immense grief," he posted on X.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher said, "Deeply shocked and Saddened by the tragic passing of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dada. Whenever I met him he was very gentle and kind! My thoughts are with his family."

Actor-politician Smriti Irani also took to social media to convey her condolences.

"Shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Shri Ajit Pawar Ji in the tragic aircraft crash. His service to the people and years of political stewardship will be remembered with respect. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," she said.

Sanjay Dutt shared a photo of the late leader on Instagram Stories and called Pawar “one of the most dynamic leaders” with a “lasting impact”.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh was among the first to pay tributes to the late politician. He said Pawar’s death leaves “an irreplaceable void” and remembered personal kindness extended to him.

Actor Kangana Ranaut, who was en route to Parliament when she heard the news, appeared visibly shaken.

"That’s horrible news, and I’m so sorry because we are always in a rush to come here early…. there are no words to express. But I will align my emotions a little and then give a statement,” she told reporters outside Parliament. PTI RB RB BK

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur will serve as a jury member for the main competition at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

The jury will be headed by acclaimed German filmmaker Wim Wenders and also includes Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham, South Korean star Bae Doona, American writer-director Reinaldo Marcus Green, Japanese filmmaker Hikari and Polish producer Ewa Puszczynska.

The jury is responsible for deciding the festival’s top honours, including the Golden Bear for Best Film, which is awarded to the film’s producers, and several Silver Bear awards — the Grand Jury Prize, Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Leading Performance, Best Supporting Performance, Best Screenplay and Outstanding Artistic Contribution.

Dungarpur founded production banner Dungarpur Films in 2001 and has created several award-winning commercials and documentaries over the past two decades.

His debut documentary "Celluloid Man" (2012), a portrait of film archivist P K Nair, won two National Film Awards and was screened at over 50 international film festivals. He followed it up with "The Immortals" (2015), which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and went on to win the Special Jury Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival.

In 2014, Dungarpur established the Film Heritage Foundation, the only non-governmental organisation in India dedicated to the preservation of the country’s film heritage.

The foundation has since earned international recognition for its work in film restoration and archival preservation.

At the film gala, which will run from February 12 to 22, Dungarpur will also be presenting a 4K restored version of author and activist Arundhati Roy's cult 1989 movie "In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones".

The film will be screened in the Berlinale Classics section, with Roy and director Pradip Krishen set to attend the premiere along with Dungarpur.

Dungarpur was also responsible for Wenders India tour of several cities last year.

The festival organisers also announced juries for its sidebar events -- Perspectives, Documentary, Generation, and Shorts sections.

Shaunak Sen, the director of Oscar-nominated documentary "All That Breathes", is part of the documentary jury along with filmmaker Lemohang Mosese and film scholar B Ruby Rich. PTI RB

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Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) Arijit Singh's shock decision to step away from playback singing has brought renewed focus on his now-past feud with superstar Salman Khan, which began when the musician was still finding his footing in Hindi cinema and reportedly led to the actor dropping the singer’s songs from his films.

It was a controversy that dominated headlines for years and is now being revisited by many fans of the singer, who has sung the patriotic number ""Maatrubhumi" for Khan's new film "Battle of Galwan".

The relationship between the rising singer and the well-established superstar first drew public attention following an on-stage exchange at an awards ceremony in 2014, which later snowballed into what was perceived as a professional fallout.

Singh, who started his playback singer career with the "Murder 2" track "Phir Mohabbat", rose to overnight fame with "Tum Hi Ho" from the 2013 musical blockbuster "Aashiqui 2", followed by equally popular tracks like "Mast Magan", "Muskurane", "Humdard" and "Aaj Phir".

During an awards function that year, Khan, who was hosting the event, invited Singh on stage to receive the best playback singer (male) award for "Tum Hi Ho".

Singh went on stage, dressed casually in a shirt and flip-flops, to receive the award and looked visibly tired.

“So gaye the?” (Did you fall asleep?), Khan asked the newcomer to which Singh replied, “Aap logon ne sula diya” (You people bored me to sleep).

The exchange reportedly did not sit well with Salman, and what followed was years of reported coldness from the superstar.

The singer's songs were allegedly removed from Khan's three movies -- "Kick (2014), "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" (2015), and "Sultan" (2016).

For "Sultan", Singh had crooned the track "Jag Ghoomeya" but it was replaced by a version that was sung by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Afterwards, Singh shared — and later deleted — a post on social media, where he apologised to Khan.

"This is the last way I thought I would speak to you. I have been trying to text you call you and do everything possible to tell you that you are mistaken about the fact that I insulted you. I never did. That night in the show it was the wrong time and wrong aura. Nevertheless you felt insulted.

"And I understood and I felt extremely sorry about it as me and my family have been your fan since long. I tried to explain so many times but you never got it. I apologized but you never got it. How many times I sent you apology texts you also know," he wrote.

He requested Khan to not remove the song from "Sultan".

"You want anyone else to sing this song. absolutely fine but keep a version at least," he wrote.

Signs of a thaw in their relationship became evident in 2023 when he reunited with Khan for Manish Sharma’s spy thriller "Tiger 3" produced by Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films.

Singh lent his voice to the romantic track "Ruaan" and the end-credits dance number "Leke Prabhu Ka Naam", both of which were prominently promoted by the actor.

Khan had thoroughly maintained a silence on the feud but finally addressed it during an episode of "Bigg Boss 19" last year.

“Arijit aur main bahut acche dost hai. Jo misunderstanding thi, meri side se thi. Uske baad usne gaane bhi kiye mere liye. Tiger me kiya tha, ab Galwan me kar raha hai. (Arijit and I are very good friends. The misunderstanding that happened was on my side. After that, he even sang songs for me. He sang in 'Tiger', and now he’s singing in 'Galwan')," Khan said on the show. PTI RB RB BK

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Actor Neena Gupta, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Armaan Malik on Wednesday hailed Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from playback singing as brave and deeply personal, even as they acknowledged that Hindi cinema will feel the absence of one of its most defining voices of the last decade.

Singh, who has dominated film music for over a decade with hits such as “Tum Hi Ho”, “Channa Mereya” and “Kesariya”, announced on Tuesday night that he will not be taking any new assignments as a playback singer. He, however, clarified that he will continue to make music independently and complete existing film commitments.

Gupta said she was initially taken aback by the announcement but soon came to admire the singer’s brave decision to explore new musical paths.

"Initially, I was very surprised but then I thought it was a very brave decision on his part. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut... He said he wants to learn more about music, which is a great thing. I'm very impressed by him,” Gupta told PTI.

“We are going to miss him and his songs, but maybe he will come up with something else, so kudos to him," she added.

Ghoshal commented on Singh's post on Instagram, saying that she believes it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the singer's life.

"I am truly excited to hear, listen and experience what this genius churns out!! I can never call this the end of an era. An artist of his calibre can never be defined by the traditional means and medium and be boxed in to fit in the set formula. Time to soar higher my dear Arijit," she wrote.

Singer Sona Mohapatra said, "Stepping away from playback singing feels less like an exit and more like an arrival into freedom, authorship, and possibility.

"I'm sure the reasons are deeply personal and entirely valid. What matters is the choice. None of his predecessors even imagined this path: stepping aside to make space. For himself first, to explore, to create, to sing his own songs on his own terms.

And yes, whether intended or not, this will create space for newer voices who today remain 'scratch singers' on demos... for songs they'll never be allowed to sing," she said.

Malik expressed gratitude for Singh's body of work, writing on social media, “Love and respect, always. Thank you for giving your everything to the craft!”

Veteran playback singer Udit Narayan said Singh had achieved everything at the highest level in a relatively short span of time.

“From awards, recognition, fame, money and stage adulation, he has seen it all at its peak. It is his decision if he wishes to retire, but he will not leave music,” Narayan told the Indian Express newspaper.

Lyricist and singer Swanand Kirkire described the development as a major loss for film music.

“If that’s true, it’s going to be a big-big loss for the Indian film music industry. Hope he changes his mind,” he told channel India TV.

Singer Chinmayi Sripada recalled meeting Singh early in his career during a recording session for composer Pritam, even before “Tum Hi Ho” made him a household name.

“Nothing had changed even after he became the most in-demand singer. He is one of my favourite musicians, singers, and one of the finest, spiritually evolved human beings I have come across,” she wrote on X, calling his future plans “nothing short of divine”. PTI RB BK BK

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Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) Sunny Deol-starrer "Border 2" raked in Rs 23.31 crore on day five, pushing its net domestic box office collection past the Rs 200-crore mark, the makers said on Wednesday.

A sequel to Deol's 1997 blockbuster "Border", the movie released in theatres on January 23. It is backed by T-Series and J P Films.

In a press note, the makers said the film has so far grossed Rs 216.79 crore at the box office.

"‘Border 2’ has achieved a sensational new milestone, breaching the coveted Rs 200 plus crore mark at the Indian box office in just five days of release.

"After a massive long weekend, the film has held up remarkably well on its first working day, adding a strong Rs 23.31 crore in net box office collection (NBOC) on day five and taking its total collection to a thunderous Rs 216.79 crore NBOC," the note read.

According to the makers, "Border 2" collected Rs 32.10 crore on its opening day, followed by Rs 40.59 crore on day two, Rs 57.20 crore on day three and Rs 63.59 crore on day four.

"Border 2" also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty.

While the 1997 film was based on the events of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, "Border 2" is also set against the backdrop of the same conflict.

The movie reportedly didn't find a release in six Gulf nations -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- due its alleged anti-Pakistan narrative. A response from the makers is awaited.

It is the second Indian film in recent times to be denied clearance for theatrical release in the Gulf countries after director Aditya Dhar’s spy action movie "Dhurandhar".

"Border 2" is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. It also features Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana in pivotal roles. PTI RB RB

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Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) Actor Paramvir Cheema, who rose to prominence with his critically-acclaimed performances in “Black Warrant” and “Chamak”, says as an outsider it was a conscious decision to build his presence first on OTT before stepping into the world of movies.

After appearing in a string of series such as “Kaleerein”, “Jeet Ki Zid”, “Half CA”, Cheema first gained recognition with “Chamak” and “Tabbar”, but it was Vikramaditya Motwane’s web-series “Black Warrant” that turned out to be his breakout performance.

He made his Hindi film debut with Aanand L Rai’s romance-drama, “Tere Ishq Mein”, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in the lead. His latest release was “Border 2”, which has turned out to be a major hit in theatres.

“I'm not from the industry; I’m an outsider. I don't have anyone from my family in the industry. So, I’ve to work a little harder to create a mark for myself in the hearts and minds of people.

"When I first worked on OTT, people started appreciating me. So, an audience base was built from there, and eventually I got confidence that, ‘People like me’. It made me feel that people are interested in watching (good) content, unlike earlier times where they would watch film (of only) stars,” Cheema told PTI in an interview.

The Jalandhar-born actor said that he was initially interested in acting, regardless of the platform. However, he soon recognised the potential of cinema.

“For me, acting is all about giving my best performance. Gradually, I understood the reach of films, and that you can become a star by doing films. This is what my manager used to tell me,” Cheema recalled.

“I knew that not many people will go to the theatre to watch my films, and I didn’t want to start out with a flop film. Hence, I build an audience (base),” he said.

In “Border 2,” Cheema portrays the character Subedar Nishaan Singh. The film, a sequel to the 1997 film of the same name, features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, and others.

“Doing a film with Sunny sir, Varun bhai, Diljit bhai, this is such a big cast, and if I’m able to stand out and create a mark for myself, then there’s nothing better I could ask for. I’m doing a Punjabi film as a lead (hero) with Sonam (Bajwa). I’m taking one small step at a time (in films),” the actor said.

Interestingly, “Border 2” was going to be Cheema’s Hindi cinema debut but Aanand L Rai’s “Tere Ishq Mein”, in which he plays Sanon's husband, was released first.

"I'm fortunate enough that in both the films, I got to work with some great people. Like, in 'Tere Ishq Mein' with Anand sir, Dhanush, and Kriti, and ‘Border 2’ the name itself is enough as everyone knows about the film.”

Cheema was one of the actors who had auditioned to play the title role in Imtiaz Ali's "Amar Singh Chamkila" but the role eventually was essayed by Diljit Dosanjh, and at the same time, he was offered to play the lead in the SonyLIV acclaimed series, “Chamak”, and he choose the latter.

Cheema said, he “regrets” missing out on the opportunity of being directed by Ali.

“With regards to ‘Chamkila’, I don't regret that I didn't do the film but the thing that I feel more is that I wanted to work with Imtiaz sir. When I did ‘Chamak’, I thought it was a good show and it was fun.

"When I saw it (‘Chamkila’), I don't think I would have been able to give the performance that Diljit (Dosanjh) gave because he gave such a good performance and he is also a singer. But yes, I regret that I missed out on working with Imtiaz sir.”

Cheema will next be seen in Prime Video series, “The Pyramid Scheme”, alongside Ranvir Shorey and Shekhar Suman, and in Punjabi film, “Pitt Siyapa” with Sonam Bajwa. PTI KKP

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Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) Calling Arijit Singh as one of her favourite musicians and a spiritually evolved human being, Chinmayi Sripada said the "Channa Mereya" singer's next step after his retirement from playback singing would be nothing short of divine.

Arijit, 38, who is one of the most popular musicians today, shocked fans, the music and film fraternity by announcing his decision to step away from playback singing.

He said his decision to retire from playback does not mean that he will stop making music. He will just do it independently.

Sripada said she first met Arijit when they recorded a song for music composer Pritam and impressed by his voice, she remembers telling him why he was not ruling the Bollywood.

"'Tum Hi Ho' hadn't released then. I worked with him a few times after he became the most in demand singer and nothing had changed. He is one of my favourite musicians, singers, and over all, one of the finest, and I daresay, spiritually evolved human beings I have come across.

"I always felt he is someone who worked and operated from a higher calling; whatever he has planned for himself as a musician would be nothing short of divine (sic)," Sripada said in a post on X.

Arijit started out as a contestant on reality show “Fame Gurukul” in 2005 and made his playback debut in 2011 with “Phir Mohabbat” from the Emraan Hashmi-starrer "Murder 2".

He broke into the big league with the soulful hit “Tum Hi Ho” from “Aashiqui 2” in 2013. The success of the song made him a household name.

After that, he quickly became the voice of many moods, be it love, heartbreak or happiness. He went on to deliver a string of chartbusters such as “Channa Mereya”, “Agar Tum Saath Ho”, “Raabta”, “Kesariya”, “Gerua”, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” and "Chaleya". PTI BK

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Raipur, Jan 27 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday launched the trailer of Hindi film 'Godaan', which highlights spiritual, scientific and economic significance of cows in India, and announced the movie, scheduled for release next week, will be made tax-free in the state.

The Chief Minister also unveiled the film's poster and released a song titled 'Gau Mata ke pranon ko bacha lo deshvasiyon' (save cows citizens) at the trailer launch event held at his official residence here.

Speaking on the occasion, Sai said the state government was firmly committed to the protection and promotion of 'Gaumata' (mother cow), which holds immense economic and scientific importance and is also revered in the country.

He said 'Godaan', slated to hit cinemas across India on February 6, would be granted entertainment tax-free status in Chhattisgarh.

Sai said through this first-of-its-kind film centred on 'Gaumata', people would gain a deeper understanding of the importance of cows.

The CM highlighted initiatives undertaken by his government for cattle welfare in the state.

Fodder grant for cows housed in 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) has been increased from Rs 20 to Rs 35 per animal, while financial assistance to them has been enhanced to Rs 25 lakh, he note.

The state government has also been setting up 'Godhams' to ensure proper care and management of stray cattle, the CM added.

Organic manure produced from cow dung forms the backbone of organic farming, he said, adding that the 2.90-hour-long film would effectively convey the message of cattle conservation.

Cinema is a powerful medium capable of reaching a wide audience and spreading positive messages, he noted.

'Godaan' has been produced and directed by Vinod Chaudhary. PTI TKP RSY

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Bangladesh government has approved its shooters to travel to India for next month's Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships, days after refusing to send its national cricket team to the country to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup due to security concerns.

While the T20 showpiece will be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, the shooting event will take place at the Dr Karni Singh Range here from February 2 to 14, with 17 countries sending more than 300 shooters.

Bangladesh will field two rifle shooters, who will compete in a total of three events.

There had been speculation that after Bangladesh pulled out of the global T20 cricket tournament, its shooting team might also withdraw over "security concerns". However, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) told PTI on Wednesday that the players from the neighbouring country is set to compete.

"So far there is no news that the Bangladesh team is not coming. Their team is coming, no doubt about it," said NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia.

"We at NRAI are in regular touch with them (Bangladesh federation officials). The Ministry of External Affairs has given its clearance and we have forwarded it to the (Indian) embassy for visa process," added Bhatia.

Bangladesh will be represented by 21-year-old women's rifle shooter Arefin Shaira and 26-year-old Olympian Md Robiul Islam. The two 10m air rifle shooters will compete in the individual events before teaming up for the mixed team competition.

A report in Dhaka's Daily Sun on Wednesday stated that the Bangladesh government had approved the shooting team's tour of India.

"The Youth and Sports Ministry issued the official government order (GO) on Wednesday, clearing the team to compete in the championship scheduled to take place from February 2 to 14. The decision comes despite Bangladesh cancelling the national cricket team's tour of India for the T20 World Cup earlier due to security concerns," the report said.

According to the report, Bangladesh government believes the shooting championship will "not pose significant security risks, as the competition is set to be held indoors at a secured venue (Karni Singh Range)".

The uncertainty had arisen after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to let its team travel to India for the World Cup, citing security concerns in the wake of Mustafizur Rahman's ouster from the Indian Premier League.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) then confirmed that Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the global competition, saying the "difficult decision" was taken since it was not feasible to meet BCB's request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka so close to the tournament.

The ICC maintained that there was no verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, officials or supporters in India and it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule. PTI AM AM AH

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The I-League, the country's second-tier football competition, will be restructured and rechristened as Indian Football League (IFL), with the clubs becoming majority stakeholders in the venture from the upcoming season beginning February 21.

A decision to rechristen the I-League was taken during a meeting of the club representatives and All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials on Wednesday. It was later announced during a press conference here.

The AIFF's Executive Committee is yet to approve the decision though it is just a formality.

"We have decided in today's meeting that the I-League will be restructured and rechristened as Indian Football League. It is a landmark decision, though it will need the approval from the AIFF Executive Committee," said Shillong Lajong owner Larsing Ming at the press conference.

"We are making a fresh start of the league. The clubs themselves will majorly involve in running the league just like it is done in other top leagues of the world like the English Premier League."

The announcement came in the backdrop of a crisis in Indian football after the AIFF and its previous commercial partner FSDL failed to renew the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) beyond December 8 last year.

The top-tier Indian Super League (ISL), organised by FSDL, and the I-League were paused only to restart after the intervention of the sports ministry.

The ISL is set to begin on February 14, a week before the I-League (Indian Football League).

The country's top-tier league was originally called National Football League (NFL) which ran from 1996 to 2007 when it was re-branded as I-League. The ISL started in 2014 and it became the top-tier league. The I-League became the country's second tier competition.

Diamond Harbour of West Bengal and Chanmari FC of Mizoram were promoted from the I-League 2024-25, making it an 11club affair for a truncated 2025-26 season.

There is a big question mark on whether Goa's Churchill Brothers would compete this season or not. They were initially announced as last edition I-League champions and promoted to the ISL.

But the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) later ruled that Inter Kashi were the champions, and the Varanasi-based club was subsequently promoted to the ISL. Churchill had knocked the doors of the Delhi HC against the AIFF, and the case is still pending.

"We are not sure of one club but it is more or less certain that 10 clubs will take part this season. Eight clubs have 100 per cent agreed. The other two also more or less agreed just after we (eight clubs) took a collective decision this morning," Ming added.

The 10 clubs are Diamond Harbour, Chanmari FC, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala, Rajasthan United, Dempo SC, Namdhari FC, Shillong Lajong, Sreenidi Deccan and Aizawl FC.

How many clubs will ultimately participate will be known after February 2, which is the deadline for the clubs to pay their share of the total cost of running the 2025-26 season.

The total cost of the league for 2025-26 has been pegged at Rs 3.25 crore, out of which the clubs will have to contribute 60 per cent or around Rs 2 crore, which means each club's share will be around Rs 20 lakh.

The AIFF's share is set to be 40 per cent (30% + 10%), as the commercial partner which is to contribute 30 per cent is unlikely to be roped in before the start of the league.

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The league will have Governing Council and Management Committee for the first time. The Governing Council will be a larger body which will be the final decision making body, while the Management Committee will be a smaller one to look after day-to-day affairs.

"The GC will have one representative each from all the participating clubs, plus three representatives from the AIFF, three from the commercial partners (whenever they come in) and two experts from outside," AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said.

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A total of 80 matches will be played if 11 clubs participate but it will be less than 70 if only 10 take part.

All the clubs will play in a single round robin league in home and away format. Some matches of a club will be at home and some away.

In the second phase, the clubs will be divided in two groups -- the top six in one and the remaining five in the other (considering participation of 11 clubs).

The top six from the first stage will again play in a single round robin format and the club which gets the highest point in the second phase will be declared the winners. In the second phase, the clubs will carry forward the points they have garnered in the first phase.

The club which was ranked higher in the first phase will get to play at home against a lower-ranked side in the second phase.

The bottom two finishers in the second group of five clubs after a single round robin format will be relegated to I-League 2. PTI PDS PDS AH

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Margao (Goa), Jan 28 (PTI) The India U17 men's team will be playing two friendly matches against Tajikistan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday, the teams for which were announced by head coach Bibiano Fernandes on Wednesday.

India head coach Bibiano has named a 25-member squad for the two matches, which will be played behind closed doors.

The Blue Colts have been training in Goa since the start of the year to prepare for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026.

India qualified for the tournament for the 10th time in history after finishing above Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, and Chinese Taipei in the qualifiers held in Ahmedabad in November last year.

India will know their group stage opponents after the draw on February 12.

Tajikistan automatically made it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup by virtue of qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2025.

India U17 men's squad for Tajikistan friendlies in Goa:

Goalkeepers: Alok Nishad, Manashjyoti Baruah, Rajrup Sarkar.

Defenders: Abhishek Kumar Mondal, Ankur Rajbhar, Indra Rana Magar, Korou Meitei Konthoujam, Lawmsangzuala, Md Aimaan Bin, Moosa Ashiq Sofi, Shubham Poonia.

Midfielders: Dallalmuon Gangte, Denny Singh Wangkhem, Diamond Singh Thokchom, Mukundo Singh Ningthoujam, Nitishkumar Meitei Yengkhom.

Forwards: Aazim Parveez Najar, Adil Aman A, Azlaan Shah Kh, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Heeranganba Seram, Lesvin Rebelo, Rahan Ahmed, Washington Singh Ngangom, Yuvraj Kadam. PTI AH AH BS

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Kathmandu, Jan 28 (PTI) Bangladesh and the Netherlands on Wednesday booked two of the four available spots at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 as the Super Six stage of the Qualifier got underway here.

The Netherlands will play in their first ever T20 World Cup after quick scoring saw them to victory over the USA by DLS method.

Bangladesh beat Thailand by 39 runs as Sobhana Mostary top-scored with 59, while Kathryn Bryce delivered with bat and ball to see Scotland defeat Ireland by the same margin.

The Netherlands make history

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Quick scoring from the Netherlands powered them to a 21-run win via the DLS method over USA to confirm their place at the Women's T20 World Cup which will be held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.

Having won the toss, USA scored steadily as Gargi Bhogle's 36 and Isani Vaghela's 32 not out anchored their innings.

However, once Bhogle departed at 71 for three, Vaghela was unable to find a strong partner as Hannah Landheer took three for 30 to see USA finish on 129 for seven from their 20 overs.

The Netherlands got their chase off to a fast start as Heather Siegers hit three sixes en route to 28 from just 12 balls.

Her fellow opener Phebe Molkenboer kept up the charge, making 46 not out from 43 balls before rain brought an early close to proceedings as the Netherlands triumphed having made 90 for two in 12 overs.

Century stand sets up Bangladesh

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Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana's century stand helped Bangladesh to a 39-run victory over Thailand to book their place at a seventh successive T20 World Cup.

Opener Juairiya and Sobhana rallied Bangladesh from 12 for two having been put into bat, as Juairiya made 56 from 45 balls, crunching three fours and four sixes.

Sobhana fell nine balls after her opening partner, having made 59 from 42 balls, with nine fours, before the lower order wobbled with at least one wicket in every over from the 16th onwards.

Thailand were set 166 to win but Suwanan Khiaoto was bowled first ball by Marufa Akter before Natthakan Chantham (46) added 67 for the second wicket with Nannapat Koncharoenkai (29). PTI BS SSC

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Sports Ministry on Wednesday directed the national federations to desist from "unauthorised use" of the State Emblem and the insignia of the ministry as well as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on their stationary and digital platforms, warning that violations would lead to suspension of recognition.

It is not unusual to find the logos of SAI and the ministry on the websites of national federations, mostly at the bottom of the home page to indicate affiliation. Even their stationary is adorned with these logos and the ministry's insignia features the State Emblem.

"It was observed that certain NSFs are using official government logos and emblems on their letterheads, websites, visiting cards, and other communication materials, thereby creating an incorrect impression of being a direct part of the Government of India or SAI.

"Such usage is unauthorised and contrary to the provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011," the ministry stated.

The ministry has warned that any violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously and may result in appropriate action under existing guidelines and applicable laws, "including suspension of recognition or stoppage of financial assistance."

India's State Emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka which is preserved in the Sarnath Museum.

The profile of the Lion Capital shows three lions mounted on an abacus with a Dharma Chakra in the centre, a bull on the right and a galloping horse on the left, and outlines of Dharma Chakras on the extreme right and left.

As per the existing law governing its usage, only the central government can authorise its usage in cases where official affiliation is implied.

The ministry has clarified that while NSFs are recognised by the government and are eligible for financial assistance, it does not entitle them to use the name, emblem, or logos of the Government of India, the ministry, or SAI.

"NSFs may only make a textual reference to their recognition by the ministry, without using official logos or insignia," the government asserted.

The directive to NSFs states that the government and SAI logos may be used strictly for "event-specific publicity materials, such as banners, backdrops, advertisements, signage, or mementos".

This too is permitted only in cases where financial assistance has been provided or formal recognition has been extended to the event.

"...all NSFs have also been directed to immediately remove unauthorised logos from physical and digital platforms and ensure that their affiliation with the Government of India or SAI is not misrepresented in any manner."

The Presidents and Secretaries General of NSFs have been instructed to ensure compliance not only at the national level but also by their affiliated state and union territory units. PTI PM PM AH

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Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) India's No.1 women's singles player Sahaja Yamalapalli was on Wednesday awarded a wild card entry into the main draw of the Mumbai Open -- a WTA 125k series event, starting February 2.

Sahaja played a key role in India's second-placed finish in the Asia-Oceania Group 1 stage of the Billie Jean King Cup in Pune and was also part of the team during the play-offs held in Bengaluru.

"I am extremely grateful to MSLTA for giving me the wild card. Playing a WTA event at home is always truly special and it means a lot to me. I am going to try and play my heart out in every match and give my 100%," said Sahaja.

"The aim is to go deep in the tournament but the most important thing for me is to show growth as a player and take confidence into the season."

She had exited in the Round of 32 after a 3–6 6–4 1–6 defeat to Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee in previous edition.

Reflected on her performance last year, she said , "I've made a few changes to my game since the last edition, especially in my serve and I've seen a massive improvement as a result."

"I've also worked on being tactically disciplined, being consistent under pressure and deciding when to play aggressively. I am really looking forward to showcasing this growth in the upcoming edition of the L&T Mumbai Open."

"The L&T Mumbai Open is extremely important for us since it gives us rare and valuable exposure to top level competition without the challenges of constant travel and expenses. It is also an inspiration to many young players to see that our country is doing a lot for us players and this pushes us to give our best." PTI APS SSC

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Visakhapatnam, Jan 28 (PTI) India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International here on Wednesday.

India made one change with Arshdeep Singh featuring in place of Ishan Kishan, who has picked up a niggle, while Zak Foulkes replaced Kyle Jamieson in the New Zealand playing XI.

India lead the five-match series 3-0.

Teams:

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (w), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah. PTI

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Cricketer-turned broadcaster Ian Smith remains surprised about New Zealand's watershed 3-0 Test series win in India in late 2024 and put down their recent red ball struggles at home to Indian batters' diminishing ability against spin.

Left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santer were the architects of the famous Test series triumph in India, ending the hosts' unbeaten run of 12 years. On the batting front, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young outdid their more accomplished counterparts.

More recently, South Africa blanked the "mighty" India in their own backyard in a two-Test series with off-spinner Simon Harmer wreaking havoc, exposing the frailties of Indian batters on turning tracks.

Speaking to PTI, Smith called the Test series win for New Zealand in 2024 and even the ODI success earlier this month as remarkable achievements.

"It's a remarkable achievement. It was also a bit of a surprise to me (the Test series win over India. I didn't think they'd do that. Some of our key players play a lot more here now than they used to. I think they've got a different attitude to playing spin.

"When we've come here in the past, spin has tied us in knots. They've had very good spinners. And you've still got very good spinners. It's just that I think the modern day players, because of their attitude towards spin, are a lot more aggressive, become a lot more effective."

But it was the performance of the spinners that landed the knockout punch on India. The high-profile batting line crumbled against the left-arm spin of Santner and Patel on turning tracks.

Smith said Indian batters' spin play has gone down but it is difficult to pinpoint the root cause considering the depth of talent at the team's disposal.

"It looks as if it has (gone down). If you look at the numbers, I'm sure they play it well. Whether they've lost confidence, whether they're doubting themselves, which would surprise me because it's not something I'd be used to," said the former New Zealand wicket-keeper batter.

Trend of NZ cricketers declining central contracts won't stop

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Smith is okay with the likes of Kane Williamson and Trent Boult opting out of New Zealand central contracts to make more money in T20 leagues around the world but not when a cricketer like Finn Allen in his 20s declines the national contract.

"But it's not going to stop. I don't see it stopping. Particularly in New Zealand because we don't have a lucrative T20 competition. Our players make nothing out of our T20 competition. Our Super Smash provides no income. They are looking at putting together a new competition.

"If that eventuates and the money is what they say it might be, some of these players might stay at home a bit longer. But you can't blame them. The only thing that concerns me is they're going at such a young age.

"When you get to Williamson's and Conway's and those guys in their mid to late 30s, I don't blame them. Take the money and you've deserved it. But when you're going in their mid-20s, that's a worry," Smith added. PTI BS BS AH

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.

Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.

"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.

"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."

Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.

"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."

India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.

Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.

"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.

"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."

Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.

"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.

"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."

The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.

"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."

Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.

"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.

"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.

"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. PTI AH AM AH AM

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New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) As many as 55 coaches were on Wednesday awarded diplomas at the conclusion of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) 'B' Coaches Course, an initiative aimed at strengthening India's coaching ecosystem in the sport of shooting.

Led by Vesa Nissinen, Director, ISSF Academy and President of the Finnish Shooting Federation, the course brought together a diverse faculty of international and Indian experts, offering multi-disciplinary learning experience.

"The program focused on advancing professional coaching practices, extending well beyond technical instruction to include athlete management, physical preparation, and long-term performance development," said the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which conducted the five-day course under its education programme.

The instructional team featured among others two-time Olympian rifle shooter Sanjeev Rajput, who led sessions on rifle shooting techniques.

Italy's Davide Secondi, the serving national coach of Saudi Arabia, delivered instruction in shotgun shooting techniques.

"With 55 newly-certified coaches, we are adding quality and depth to the system, which will directly impact athlete development in the years to come," said NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh. PTI AM SSC

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Barwani (MP), Jan 28 (PTI) Police on Wednesday detained a 17-year-old relative of a seven-year-old girl in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh for allegedly raping her and killing her by throwing her into a canal, a police official said.

Superintendent of Police Jagdish Dawar told reporters that the body of the child was recovered from the Indira Sagar Canal on January 26, following information from residents of a village in the Rajpur police station area of the district.

He said the post-mortem report concluded severe injuries to the girl’s private parts and attributed her death to drowning.

Dawar said a 17-year-old boy, a close relative of the girl, has been detained in connection with the rape-murder.

The teenager told the police that he kidnapped the girl from her home on the night of January 25 while her family members were asleep, took her to a nearby canal and raped her, according to the official.

When the girl started screaming during the sexual assault, the minor boy allegedly threw her into the canal, with the intention of killing her. The child drowned in the water body, the official said.

The detained minor will be produced in a juvenile court.

A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation is underway, he added. PTI COR HWP MAS NR

Rajnandgaon/Ambikapur, Jan 28 (PTI) Three district courts in Chhattisgarh received bomb threats via anonymous emails on Wednesday, prompting police to evacuate the premises and conduct thorough searches, officials said.

Earlier, on January 8, similar bomb threat emails were received by the district courts of Rajnandgaon, Durg and Bilaspur. After searches, those threats were found to be hoaxes.

On Wednesday, the threat emails were sent to the official email IDs of the Rajnandgaon, Ambikapur (headquarters of Surguja district) and Jagdalpur (headquarters of Bastar district) courts, following which police and administration were on high alert, the officials said.

An email from an unidentified sender threatening to blow up the Rajnandgaon district court was received at around 10 am. Soon after, police teams, along with bomb disposal and dog squads, rushed to the spot and the court premises were evacuated as a precautionary measure, a police official said.

Similar threat emails were also received by the Ambikapur and Jagdalpur district courts, triggering immediate security responses and intensive search operations at both locations, officials said.

A senior police official in Bastar said no suspicious object, bomb, explosive or any dangerous material was found during the search of the Jagdalpur court premises.

An investigation was underway to trace the source of the emails, the police added. PTI COR TKP GK

Satna (MP), Jan 28 (PTI) A man and his minor son were killed when a speeding truck hit their motorcycle in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district, police said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred on Tuesday night near Matehna village under the Kolgawan police station limits, and the truck driver was later arrested, they said.

The victims were returning home from a farm on their motorcycle when the speeding truck hit their vehicle from the rear side between Kripalpur and Matehna.

The duo got crushed under the wheels of the truck and died on the spot, Kolgawan police station in-charge Sudip Soni said.

The deceased have been identified as Shankhdhar Kewat (35) and his 11-year-old son Siddharth Kewat, residents of Tedhgawan.

"The truck has been seized and its driver has been arrested. A case has been registered and action is being taken," Soni said.

Angry villagers blocked the road for some time after the accident and prevented the police from picking up the bodies.

Later, after persuasion by senior officials, the villagers and family members agreed to the post-mortem.

After the autopsy, the bodies were handed over to their families. PTI COR BNS MAS GK

Pune, Jan 28 (PTI) Unidentified individuals allegedly broke into the house of a defence employee in Pune and fled with gold jewellery valued at Rs 4.4 lakh while the family was out watching a movie, police said.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the house located on the campus of a defence institute in the Dapodi area here.

"Unidentified thieves broke the house latch, entered the premises and stole gold jewellery of Rs 4.4 lakh," an official from Dapodi police station said on Tuesday.

The theft came to light after the family returned home.

The police have registered a case and are conducting a probe into it, the official said. PTI SPK GK

Kolkata, Jan 27 (PTI) Kolkata Police arrested a man from Pune in connection with an online hotel booking fraud in which unsuspecting customers were cheated by fake websites of reputed hotels across the country, an officer said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as 41-year-old Huzaifa Shabbir Darbar, was arrested on January 27 from his office in Pune following a raid conducted jointly with the local police, he said.

The accused and his associates allegedly created multiple fake hotel booking websites and induced people to make payments under the false pretext of room reservations, the officer said.

"As many as 83 victims were cheated of a cumulative amount of Rs 13.6 lakh," he said.

A case was registered on July 18 at the Cyber Police Station in Kolkata, under various sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, based on a complaint lodged by a police officer, he said.

"We found that one of the victims, a Kolkata resident, had attempted to book a hotel room in Puri through a website that appeared genuine. He was initially asked to make a nominal payment of Re one to verify the booking and was later persuaded to transfer additional amounts through UPI on the pretext of transaction failures," he said.

After the full payment was made, no booking confirmation was provided, and all subsequent calls went unanswered, the officer said, adding that the victim later reported the matter on the national cybercrime helpline and his local police station.

Notices were issued to banks and domain service providers during the probe, which revealed that the fake website was hosted on an overseas domain platform. Further technical analysis led investigators to an email ID and mobile number allegedly used by the accused, he added.

Based on the findings, a raid was conducted at the accused's residence and office in Pune after obtaining court permission. "During interrogation, the accused admitted his involvement," the officer said.

Several digital devices, including a mobile phone, a laptop and a pen drive containing electronic data, were seized during the search, police said.

The arrest was made on the basis of a warrant issued by a Kolkata court, and all legal procedures were followed, including informing the accused and his family about the grounds of arrest, the officer added.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the role of others involved in the racket. PTI SCH RG

Mumbai, Jan 27 (PTI) Forest department officials were pelted with stones during an anti-encroachment awareness drive in Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a protected forest in Borivali, following which police filed a case against 25 to 30 persons, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident, in which nobody was injured, took place on Monday afternoon when a team of forest officials entered the national park to conduct an awareness campaign regarding the removal of illegal encroachments, following the Bombay High Court's order.

The crowd allegedly turned aggressive, shouted slogans and began throwing stones at the officials. The windows of a government vehicle were also damaged in the attack, he said.

As the forest officials attempted to leave the area in their official vehicle, the mob allegedly chased them and continued to hurl stones, the official said. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Based on a complaint lodged by forest guard Mangesh Shinde (51), posted at the SGNP, the police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

No arrests have been made so far, and further investigation is underway, the official added.

Meanwhile, state Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday told reporters in Mumbai that some tribal residents have encroached on forest land.

Those living in tribal settlements or padas (hamlets) are set to be rehabilitated on over 90 acres of land, where ground-plus-one houses will be constructed, while others will receive homes through MHADA schemes, he said.

Efforts will be made to ensure their livelihood remains unaffected, Naik said.

"The high court has directed that people who have already been allotted homes are still residing in their previous, older houses. The court has taken this matter seriously," he said.

The minister assured that officials have been instructed to implement the plan without causing any injustice.

When asked about allegations that some people were not rehabilitated and that officials attempted to remove their old houses, Naik condemned the stone-pelting incident, calling it inappropriate.

"People should have exercised restraint as the government belongs to people, not just MLAs," he said.

Naik said he discussed the issues with other leaders, and assured them that they would work towards resolving the concerns. PTI ZA ND NP

Ratlam (MP), Jan 27 (PTI) In the wake of a controversy surrounding the social boycott of couples for their love marriages in a village in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district, police on Tuesday took restrictive action against six local residents, legally binding them to maintain peace, an official said.

Residents of Pancheva village, around 50 kilometres from the district headquarters, announced a social boycott of couples who elope for marriage. A video related to the issue also went viral on social media.

The diktat was issued on January 23.

A video showed a man announcing that young men and women who elope and marry for love, as well as their families, will be socially boycotted and not invited to any event. Even those helping such persons will face the same action.

Talking to reporters, Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Kumar said that based on the video of the announcement of the diktat, six persons from the village have been 'bound over' (legally binding a person to maintain good conduct or not disturb the peace).

"The application of a victim family from Pancheva has been forwarded to the police officers of the concerned area, and instructions have been given for legal action," he said.

The SP said that with the support of the Social Justice Department, dialogues are being held with the residents of Pancheva village to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

The police administration swung into action after the video of the diktat went viral on social media.

The video also announced several social sanctions, including denying employment to young men and women who elope and marry for love in Pancheva village and denying them the supply of milk and other daily necessities. PTI COR HWP MAS NP

Mumbai, Jan 27 (PTI) Police on Tuesday arrested a couple for allegedly uploading obscene videos of a 29-year-old woman on pornographic websites after forcibly videographing her, an official said here.

Six other persons are wanted in the case, he said.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sonu Gupta and his wife Sonia, the official of Samta Nagar police station said.

"The accused forcibly recorded the obscene videos of the woman and later uploaded them on various pornographic platforms without her consent. The ordeal took place in August last year," he said.

Based on the victim's statement, the police filed an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act on Monday.

Efforts were underway to nab six other accused, the official said. PTI ZA NP

Bhadrak, Jan 27 (PTI) A man allegedly died by suicide after his daughter was assaulted, humiliated, and publicly tortured by some villagers in Odisha's Bhadrak district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at Chaddia in Chandabali block under Bansada police station limits on Sunday. The police identified the deceased as Lambodar Tarai (55).

Police said Lakshmipriya, the daughter of the deceased, has lodged a complaint that Lambodar consumed poison on Sunday night and died.

According to the complaint, Lambodar took the extreme step after being unable to bear the continued harassment and public humiliation inflicted upon his daughter.

Tensions escalated when members of local self-help groups allegedly assaulted Lakshmipriya, accusing her of selling illicit liquor despite the villagers in a meeting held on December 24 last year collectively resolved that no one would be allowed to sell alcohol in the village, the police said.

She was allegedly dragged to the village square, where she was subjected to physical and mental torture, they said.

A 'kangaroo court' set up by the villagers allegedly imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on her. She reportedly managed to pay only Rs 10,000, the complaint said.

Lakshmipriya alleged that she was abused with obscene language and continued to face public harassment.

Unable to cope with the relentless humiliation and torture meted out to his daughter, her father consumed poison. He was immediately admitted to Chandbali hospital, where the doctor declared him dead.

Bhadrak ASP Arup Abhishek Behera said one person was arrested in this connection, and the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Chandbali, has been directed to investigate the case.

Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation, he said. PTI COR BBM BBM RG

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Two brothers were injured following a quarrel with two men riding a scooter in northeast Delhi's Seelampur area, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on January 26, they said, adding that police received information regarding the incident at 5.14 pm.

A team rushed to the spot, but by the time they reached there, the injured had already been taken to JPC Hospital and were later referred to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital for further treatment, the police said.

During preliminary enquiry, it emerged that one of the siblings was crossing the road in front of a bakery when they got into an argument with two people who were on a scooter, they said.

The altercation escalated, leading to injuries to both siblings, they said.

The police have registered a case at Seelampur police station and teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend the accused. Further probe is underway, they added. PTI SSJ SSJ NB

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Vadodara, Jan 27 (PTI) Former India cricketer Jacob Martin rammed into three parked cars while driving his luxury SUV allegedly under the influence of alcohol in Vadodara district in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said.

Hours after the accident, Martin (53), who played 10 ODIs for India, was placed under arrest, they said.

Martin, a Baroda batsman, was driving his luxury SUV near Punit Nagar Society in the Akota area at around 2.30 am when he lost control of the vehicle due to intoxication and crashed into three cars parked outside a house, damaging them, officials at the Akota Police Station told PTI.

Based on a complaint by the owner of the damaged cars, a case was registered against the former cricketer under BNS sections related to rash and drunk driving, police said.

The police have confiscated Martin's MG Hector car.

Notably, the former captain of the Baroda Ranji Trophy team was arrested by the Delhi Police in 2011 on charges of human trafficking. PTI KVM PD RSY

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Delhi Police on Wednesday told a court here that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the "prima facie accusations" were true against Delhi riots larger conspiracy case accused Salim Malik, Athar Khan and former MLA Tahir Hussain.

The submissions were made before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai who was hearing the bail applications of the three accused.

All three accused had filed their bail applications after the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the same case, contending that they are facing similar charges and seeking parity.

During the arguments, the special public prosecutor (SPP) opposed the bail of all three accused, saying that prima facie accusations show that they were involved with the main conspirators in the case.

“Bail applications of Salim Malik and Athar Khan were dismissed by the predecessor court and the high court. Salim had also withdrawn his bail application filed in the Supreme Court, while Hussain had withdrawn his bail application from the trial court,” he informed the court.

Athar Khan, Salim Malik and Tahir Hussain were charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) over their alleged involvement in the 2020 riots.

The SPP contended that the offence against the three accused attracted UAPA Section 43D (5) as there were reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against them was prima facie true.

“Prima facie accusations show their involvement with the main conspirators in the case. The nature of the petitions is kind of a review petition. This is not maintainable in court,” he said.

The court is likely to pass an order on the bail applications of all three accused on Thursday.

According to the Section 43D (5) in the UAPA, the accused person shall not be released on bail or on his own bond if the court, on a perusal of the case diary or the report made under section 173 of the Code, is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such person is prima facie true.

Athar Khan, a former call centre employee, has been accused of being one of the main organisers of the protest at Chand Bagh in northeast Delhi and allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches there.

According to the Delhi Police Special Cell, Athar Khan allegedly participated in secret meetings, in which he said that the "time has come to burn Delhi" and coordinated the destruction of CCTV cameras.

Salim Malik was also among the 11 alleged organisers and speakers of the anti-CAA/NRC meeting.

The alleged organisers are Mohammed Saleem Khan, Salim Malik, Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Shahnawaz, Furkan, Mohammed Ayub, Mohammed Yunus, Tabassum, Mohammed Ayaz and his brother Khalid.

On January 5, the Supreme Court granted bail to five accused -- Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad -- in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The top court, however, denied relief to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, saying all the accused in the case did not stand on the same footing.

There was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA, a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said while denying bail to the two former Jawaharlal Nehru University students.

Of the 20 accused named in the case, two are still absconding and the remaining 18 applied for bail in the past.

Out of the 18, seven are still in prison, including Khalid, Imam, Athar Khan, Salim Malik, former AAP MLA Tahir Hussain, Tasleem Ahmed, and Khalid Saifi. PTI SKM SKM KVK

KVK

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) A Delhi court has acquitted five men accused of murdering a milk supplier in Hari Nagar in 2012, holding that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the evidence, including CCTV footage and witness testimony, suffered from serious infirmities.

Additional Sessions Judge Pooja Talwar acquitted Sushil Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Ram Kishan, Kushal Pal Singh and Languria in the case registered under sections 302 (murder), 396 (dacoity with murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC.

“The prosecution has not been able to establish a chain of evidence so complete as to establish that it was only the accused persons and nobody else who could have murdered the victim,” the court observed in the judgment dated January 27.

According to the prosecution, Ashok, who supplied milk in the Manak Vihar area, was found dead in his rented house on July 4, 2012, with an electric wire wrapped around his neck.

The prosecution alleged that Vipin, a co-villager of the deceased, along with the other accused, murdered Ashok after demanding money from him and fled with his mobile phone and around Rs 1.5 lakh in cash.

The court noted that while several witnesses claimed to have identified the accused from the footage obtained from the CCTV cameras installed in the locality, their testimonies were inconsistent and unreliable.

“This court had to be itself convinced that the persons visible in the footage were none other than the accused persons. However, from the footage or the photographs brought on record, it cannot be held that the persons visible in the footage were the accused persons only,” the court said.

“There is no denying the fact that a life has been lost, but only in the quest to search for the perpetrator, any person connected with the deceased in some manner cannot be held guilty,” it added.

On the alleged recoveries, including blood-stained clothes of Vipin and other articles, the court noted that even though the blood on the clothes matched the deceased as per the forensic report, the discrepancies in witness testimonies regarding the same aroused suspicion.

The court also noted the defence counsel's argument that such evidence could be planted was not far-fetched.

“Not only is the place of recovery not covered under the ambit of Section 27 of Evidence Act but the discrepancies in testimonies of recovery witnesses about the clothes and shoes being smeared with blood also appear to be suspicious," it observed.

Addressing the motive for the crime as presented by the prosecution, the court noted that neither the deceased's mobile phone nor the Rs 1.5 lakh stolen from him could be recovered from the accused persons. PTI MDB ARI

Mumbai, Jan 28 (PTI) A court on Wednesday refused bail to BEST bus driver Santosh Sawant, involved in an accident that claimed four lives last month in Bhandup area.

Additional sessions judge Ajay Vitthal Gujarathi rejected Sawant's plea. The reasoned order was not available yet.

An Olectra Greentech-made electric bus of the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) ran over pedestrians standing at a bus stop near Bhandup (West) railway station on December 29, killing four people and injuring 12 others.

Sawant (52), who was driving the bus, was arrested by Bhandup Police. A case was registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act for alleged rash and negligent driving.

Sawant, in his bail plea, claimed that he was trying to save an auto-rickshaw and pedestrians who suddenly came in front of the bus, causing him to lose control. There was no criminal intent, the plea said.

Police, however, contended that the bus was being driven recklessly and at high speed. PTI AVI KRK

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Bar Council of Delhi on Wednesday issued instructions to guide voters for its elections scheduled in February.

In December last year, the apex lawyers' body -- Bar Council of India (BCI) -- had notified that the elections would be held on February 20, 21 and 22 in accordance with the provisions contained in the Advocates Act 1961.

The instructions said that voting was to be conducted for 23 seats by a “single transferable preference vote.”

It said the voting mark should be so placed clearly and beyond doubt and that "if the mark is so placed as to make it doubtful to which candidate the vote has been given, that vote will be invalid."

The instructions said that voters would not sign the voting paper nor place any mark by which they could be identified.

It said, “A voter voting in person shall put the voting paper after voting into the ballot box. Voter voting by post is not applicable.”

According to the list attached to the instructions, 221 advocates have submitted their nominations for the posts.

New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) secretary Tarun Rana said according to the directions of the Supreme Court, which mandated reserving 30 per cent of the seats for women, seven seats have been reserved for women.

“Five women will be elected for the 23 seats, while two more will be co-opted,” he said. PTI MNR RHL

Bengaluru, Jan 28 (PTI) In a big relief to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Special Court for Public Representatives on Wednesday accepted the closure report by the Lokayukta police giving a clean chit to him and his wife in the MUDA land allotment case.

Along with them, the court also gave relief to Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and the original land owner J Devaraj.

The court was hearing the petition by activist Snehamayi Krishna in the MUDA land allotment case challenging the "B Report" (closure report) filed by the Lokayukta police.

The court allowed further investigation to continue against other accused persons and fixed the next hearing for February 9.

The Special Court headed by judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat passed the order. The complainant was present in person as also the Special Public Prosecutor of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Karnataka Lokayukta.

"The B Report filed by the Investigating Officer against accused-1 Siddaramaiah, accused-2 B M Parvathi (the CM's wife), accused-3 Mallikarjuna Swamy and accused-4 J Devaraj, is hereby accepted," the court said in its order.

The court, however, made it clear that the probe was not entirely closed, noting that "the further investigation being conducted by the Investigating Officer against other accused persons shall continue and he shall file the Final Report on completion of investigation."

The judge also rejected the complainant's plea seeking contempt of court proceedings against the Investigating Officer.

On the role of the central agency, the court said, "it is held that the Directorate of Enforcement are having right to intervene in the case as aggrieved persons for limited extent."

The court further directed administrative compliance, ordering: "Office is hereby directed to return the CD files and also the draft copy of the Final Report kept in the sealed cover to the concerned Investigating Officer on proper identification.”

For further proceedings, the matter has been posted for filing of the final report on February 9.

Lokayukta Police in February last year had given a clean chit to Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, and two other accused in connection with the case, stating that allegations against them have not been proven due to lack of evidence.

Siddaramaiah, his wife, Swamy and Devaraj -- from whom Swamy had purchased a land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others were named in the FIR registered by the Lokayukta police on September 27, 2024 on the directions of the court.

In the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, it is alleged that 14 compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the authority.

MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where it developed a residential layout, purportedly aided by Siddaramaiah's political influence.

Under the controversial scheme, MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land to the land losers in lieu of undeveloped land acquired from them for forming residential layouts.

It was also alleged that Parvathi had no legal title over the 3.16 acres of land at survey number 464 of Kesare village, Kasaba Hobli of Mysuru Taluk. PTI GMS GMS SA

Azamgarh (UP), Jan 28 (PTI) A court here on Wednesday sentenced five members of a family to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 61,500 each in a murder case, while acquitting one accused for the lack of evidence.

District and Sessions Judge Jai Prakash Pandey pronounced the verdict after completion of the trial.

According to the prosecution, the case stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between complainant Rajesh Kumar and accused Rajkumar, both residents of Baroda Khurd village under the Jahanaganj police station area.

On January 3, 2023, Rajkumar and his three sons -- Deepak alias Amit, Manish alias Dampi and Satish alias Pampi -- along with his wife Asha and a relative Alka, allegedly entered Rajesh's house in the morning armed with sticks and an axe.

The attackers allegedly assaulted Rajesh, his wife Kaushalya, a relative, Rakesh, and Rakesh's wife Babita.

Kaushalya died on the spot due to injuries sustained in the attack.

After the investigation, police filed a chargesheet against all the accused.

During the trial, the prosecution examined eight witnesses.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court convicted Rajkumar, his three sons and his wife Asha, awarding them life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 61,500 each.

Alka was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. PTI COR ABN PRK PRK

PRK

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea seeking direction to the Centre and the Election Commission to extend the postal ballot facility to student voters, especially electors enrolled in educational institutions outside their home constituencies.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria issued notice to the Centre and the EC after senior advocate K Parameshwar contended that a person under preventive detention is allowed to cast his vote through postal ballot but a student voter is not allowed to do so.

The bench sought the response of the Centre and the EC in four weeks on the plea filed by 24-year-old Jayasudhagar J of Tamil Nadu National Law University.

Parameshwar submitted that under section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a holiday is declared in public offices on the day of polling but university students do not get leave.

The plea, filed through advocate Jose Abraham, urged the court to issue directions to the respondents to extend the postal ballot voting facility to student voters, especially electors enrolled in educational institutions outside their home constituencies and to create an effective mechanism enabling them to exercise their right to vote.

"Students, despite being a sizable and distinct class of electors who face genuine and unavoidable practical impediments in travelling to their home constituencies on polling day, are not recognised as a separate category eligible for any alternative voting mechanism. The present legal framework, therefore, effectively disables them from exercising the constitutional right to vote," it said.

The plea further said that this omission is arbitrary and violative of Article 14, the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(l)(a), and the right to life and dignity under Article 21.

"Under the Representation of People Act 1951, employees are granted paid leave under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and specific classes such as service voters and persons on election duty are granted postal ballot facilities under Section 60 read with Rule 18 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, but students are unjustifiably excluded without any intelligible differentia or rational nexus.

"This categorical exclusion, which operates solely on account of their status as students despite their fundamental rights being equally implicated, is arbitrary and unconstitutional," the plea said.

It prayed before the court to direct the respondents to broaden the scope of postal voting to include students, thereby ensuring that the voices of young voters, first-time electors, and future leaders of the nation are not silenced but meaningfully enabled to participate in the democratic process.

The plea further sought a direction to the respondents to frame guidelines or make amendments in the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, to incorporate provisions ensuring that students are not deprived of their right to vote either by lack of leave or by denial of postal voting facility.

Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 specifies the special procedure for voting by postal ballot by certain classes of people and governed under Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.

Under Rule 18 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, the following categories of voters are eligible to vote by postal ballot: special voters (such as the President, Vice-President, Governors, Union Cabinet Ministers, etc.), service voters (members of the armed forces, armed police serving outside their state, and government employees posted abroad), voters on election duty (polling staff, security personnel, etc.), electors under preventive detention, and any persons notified by the Election Commission in consultation with the government.

The plea said that according to the EC's notification dated February 8, 2024, there are about 1.84 crore voters in the age group of 18 to 19 years, most of them being first-time voters (students).

It said in addition, there are around 19.74 crore voters in the age group of 20 to 29 years, which also include a large number of students studying in colleges and universities for their UG, PG, and PhD courses.

"This shows that students and young people together make up a very large part of the voting population in our country. If this important section of society is ignored, and no steps are taken to provide them a leave or a holiday on the day of polling or a postal voting opportunity many of them will not be able to cast their votes. As a result, their participation in the election process becomes very limited," the plea said. PTI MNL ZMN

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the bail plea of UAE-based businessman booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly funding the unrest in the Kashmir valley.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the plea of Naval Kishore Kapoor and sought its response.

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that he has been in custody for over seven years, and the allegation of terror financing is also not corroborated.

He submitted that, as per the prosecution, Kapoor had given some money to Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali for furthering secessionist and terrorist activities in the valley but that money was used to settle loans of scheduled banks.

Kapoor has challenged the Delhi High Court's order issued last year dismissing his plea in the case.

The high court had said that the prosecution had prima facie established that the accused aided and assisted Watali in bringing foreign money into India for furthering secessionist and terrorist activities in the valley.

It had rejected the plea of Kapoor against a 2019 order of the trial court denying him bail.

After framing of charges, the high court had said that the rigours under UAPA mandating the refusal of bail if allegations against an accused were prima facie true were stricter.

The HC refused to accept Kapoor's reliance on his right to a speedy trial to get bail and said the trial was fast-tracked and taken up twice or thrice a week.

It had said that the credibility and admissibility of documents was not to be tested at the present stage and considering Kapoor lived in Dubai, there was a "likelihood of him fleeing from the clutches of law" aside from tampering with the evidence.

Pursuant to a case registered in 2017, the NIA claimed that its probe revealed that secessionists had entered into a criminal conspiracy to instigate the general public to resort to violence and create a surcharged atmosphere for the propagation of their agenda in the valley.

Kapoor was arrested in July 2018.

The accused persons, including Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, allegedly engineered arson and other unlawful activities, such as stone pelting, through the funding received from various organisations.

The secessionists, the NIA claimed, were primarily dependent on the hawala networks and conduits for bringing money from the offshore locations to India to fulfil and fuel anti-India activities in the Kashmir valley.

Kapoor was chargesheeted in January 2019 for conspiracy charges under the IPC and terror funding under the UAPA. PTI MNL AMJ

AMJ

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Additions and deletions are part of the electoral roll revision exercise undertaken by the Election Commission, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday, as it resumed final hearing on a batch of 19 petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

On the admissibility of Aadhaar card as one of the proofs, the top court categorically said that the possibility of forgery cannot be a ground to reject the 12-digit biometric identifier.

Observing that even passports are processed through private agencies performing public duties, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “If a document is recognised by statute, it cannot be discarded merely because a private entity is involved in its issuance.”

When senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, alleged mass deletions of names from the voter list, the CJI said, “Additions and deletions are part of the electoral roll revision exercise.”

In their rejoinder submissions, the petitioners questioned the transparency, timing and legal basis of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The bench heard rejoinder submissions from senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Prashant Bhushan, Vijay Hansaria and petitioner-in-person, Yogendra Yadav.

The court had commenced final arguments in the matter on August 12 last year, when it observed that inclusion or exclusion of names in electoral rolls falls within the constitutional remit of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The ECI has defended the SIR exercise, maintaining that Aadhaar and voter identity cards cannot be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.

Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, arguing in favour of the exercise, submitted that Aadhaar cannot be relied upon for determining citizenship, noting that under the Aadhaar Act, even foreign nationals residing in India for 182 days are eligible for enrolment and that the statute expressly clarifies that Aadhaar does not confer citizenship or domicile.

Justice Bagchi countered that the possibility of forgery cannot be a ground to reject Aadhaar alone, observing that even passports are processed through private agencies performing public duties.

Hansaria maintained that no petitioner had sought the inclusion of Aadhaar as proof of citizenship and argued that the court could not issue a mandamus without such a prayer.

Sibal argued that while the poll panel has plenary powers under Article 324 to conduct elections, the determination of citizenship lies exclusively with the Union government under the Citizenship Act.

“Who decides if I am a citizen of India? It is the Government of India, not the Election Commission,” Sibal said, relying on Articles 325 and 326 of the Constitution.

He also contended that electoral registration officers (EROs) cannot effectively decide citizenship while processing objections or deletions under Form 7.

Justice Bagchi observed that exclusion from electoral rolls does not amount to loss of citizenship per se, but Sibal responded that the practical effect of such exclusions was disenfranchisement without due adjudication by the competent authority.

Sibal stressed the “enormity” of the SIR exercise, claiming that nearly 1.82 crore voters were subjected to scrutiny without any data showing large-scale illegal migration in Bihar, where the exercise was carried out last year ahead of the Assembly elections.

“How many illegal migrants were actually found? Not one,” Sibal said, arguing that mass deletions close to elections could undermine democratic participation.

While the bench noted that deletions are inherent to roll correction, Sibal countered that annual revisions already exist and that a wholesale special revision required strong justification supported by data.

“This is not an ordinary administrative decision. This judgment will decide the future course of democracy in India,” Sibal said.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioner Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an NGO, argued that once a person is included in the electoral roll, valuable constitutional rights accrue, including the right to vote.

He said the SIR in Bihar effectively created a 2003 cut-off, shifting the burden of proof onto voters added after that year, many of whom had already voted in multiple elections.

“A constitutional right has been taken away without amending the Constitution or the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, and without framing rules or issuing orders under Article 324,” he said.

Yogendra Yadav, political activist and one of the petitioners, submitted that the poll panel had not disputed the data or methodology he had placed before the court.

He said global standards for electoral rolls require completeness, equity and accuracy, and claimed that the SIR led to a sharp decline in the electoral population ratio in Bihar, pointing to “structural design defects” rather than accidental errors.

The poll panel has consistently maintained that ensuring only citizens are included in electoral rolls is its constitutional duty, and that Aadhaar can at best be used to prevent duplication, not to establish citizenship.

It has denied allegations of political motive, stating that deletions occurred across party lines.

The hearing is expected to conclude on Thursday. PTI SJK ARI

New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted a juvenile of teh charge of murder in a 2017 case where a 38-year-old undertrial was shot dead near the Rohini court complex here, saying the case against him was proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Sahrawat was hearing the case against the child in conflict with the law (CCL) or juvenile against whom a chargesheet was filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 302 (murder) and Arms Act provisions.

Special Public Prosecutor Aditya Kumar said Rajesh alias Kala, who was lodged in a Haryana jail, was being brought to the Rohini district court here on April 29, 2017, when he was shot dead by the CCL outside the court complex. The juvenile was apprehended on the spot.

In its 41-page order, the court said three police officials, who were eyewitnesses to the incident, had supported the prosecution's case and according to their testimonies, the juvenile was nabbed with a country-made pistol.

It said the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) report corroborated the prosecution's case as it verified that the spherical lead (which fatally pierced the victim's body) found from the spot was fired from the country-made pistol seized from the CCL.

The court said the testimonies and the FSL report had proved the case against the juvenile beyond any reasonable doubt.

"It is a proven fact that the death of deceased Rajesh has been caused by the CCL by firing a gunshot upon the deceased. The said gunshot has been fired from a very close range and it shows the intention of the CCL to commit the murder of the deceased," it said.

The court found the juvenile guilty of possessing and using prohibited arms or ammunition under the Arms Act.

The arguments on sentencing will be heard on a later date. PTI MNR RC