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The Delhi Police Special Cell in its First Information Report (FIR) against NewsClick alleged the existence of a “larger criminal conspiracy” involving Chinese telecom companies, Xiaomi and Vivo, and pointed out the news website’s “spirited defence of legal cases” against these firms. From “attempts to tinker” with the northern borders to discrediting the Indian government’s fight against COVID-19, the FIR registered on 17 August against NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha underlines several allegations. As per The Telegraph report, besides 73-year-old Purkayastha, the Delhi Police have named activist Gautam Navlakha and American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham as the “accused” under Sections 13 (unlawful activities), 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy) and 22C (offences by companies) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA. Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Co

The last date to exchange Rs 2,000 notes at the bank is today following which the currency will not be accepted for transactions. After October 7, Rs 2,000 notes can only be exchanged at the 19 RBI Issue Offices with a cash deposit limit of Rs 20,000 note maximum per transaction. “Such exchange or credit shall be subject to relevant RBI, Government regulations, submission of valid identity documents and due diligence as deemed fit by RBI,” a statement by RBI read. The notes will, however, continue to remain in legal tender even after the passage of the deadline. The RBI started printing Rs 2,000 notes in November 2016 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation and withdrew the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes that were in circulation at that time. Here’s all you need to know: The public can deposit Rs 2,000 notes into their bank accounts or exchange them for notes of other denominations at any bank branch. The RBI has also advised b

The cricket World Cup has come to India. It doesn’t feel like it though. The frenzy is missing (thus far) and so are fans from stadiums as we saw in the opening game at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. But far off the field, there is no dearth of drama. There have been arrests galore – a journalist and a politician – in two separate cases. A betting racket is unravelling with Bollywood at the centre of it. And cricketer Shikhar Dhawan got a divorce. (Yes, we’ll explain why that piqued our interest.) The poll season is coming and politicians are making their moves. The Bihar caste survey results were out. That angered the BJP but might just favour Nitish Kumar. But will this be enough to take on the Mighty Modi in 2024? We analyse . The other big but heartbreaking news came from Sikkim. Flash floods are causing massive devastation in the mountain state amid a rising death toll with hundreds still missing. We took a deep dive into the Sikkim disaster, the big betting scandal, and

The Delhi police on Friday conducted a raid and seized the laptop and phone of Malayali journalist and former NewsClick employee Anusha Paul from her residence near Kodumon. After a three-member team of the Delhi Police recorded her statement and confiscated her electronic devices, Paul told the media that she was questioned about her association with NewsClick and the CPI(M). She said the questions ranged from whether she reported on farmers’ protest, anti-NRC-CAA protests, or about the Covid-19 management of the Union government. “This is a witch-hunt to threaten the organisation and its employees who used to raise voice against the Narendra Modi government and the RSS,” Paul said. Paul was staying in Kerala for the treatment of a close family member. She told the media that the Delhi Police asked her whether she knows the Delhi state secretary of the CPI(M), K M Tiwari. “Of course, I know him. I told them that. He is the state secretary of the CPI(M). I am a CPI(M) worker. I a

The death toll in the Sikkim flash flood has mounted to 26, including seven army personnel, as the number of missing people went up to 142. The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has affected over 25,000 people, damaged more than 1,200 houses and washed away 13 bridges, bringing the picturesque Himalayan state to its knees. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the family of those who died in the flash floods. He also announced immediate assistance worth Rs 2,000 to people who are taking shelter in relief camps. So far, 2,413 people have been rescued from different areas and 6,875 people are taking shelter in 22 relief camps set up across the state, most of which have been cut off from the rest of the country. Bodies of seven Army personnel were recovered from different areas downstream of Teesta River. Meanwhile, bad weather in the northeastern state is hampering search and rescue operation

After Bihar, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot late on Friday announced that the state would conduct a caste survey. The issue was discussed at a core committee meeting of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) held at the party’s war room in Jaipur. The meeting in Jaipur was attended by Congress in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa, CM Gehlot, RPCC president Govind Singh Dotasra among other leaders. Following the meeting, Gehlot said, “The Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste survey like the one held in Bihar.” #WATCH | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same…Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept… pic.twitter.com/LZqUraBhg9 — ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) October 6, 2023 He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s concept of caste survey and participation

It is now almost certain. There remains no hope of waking up the Chandrayaan-3’s moon lander and rover, an eminent space scientist said on Friday, signalling a possible end to India’s third lunar mission. Space Commission member and former ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar, who was actively associated with the mission, told news agency PTI: “No, no, there won’t be any more hope of reviving. Now, if it should have happened, it should have happened by now. There is (now) no chance at all.” The ISRO said on September 22 — after a new lunar day began — efforts have been made to establish communication with solar-powered Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to ascertain their wake-up condition. As of now, no signals have been received from them. Efforts to establish contact will continue, it had said then. With the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India scripted history on August 23 becoming the first country to touch down near the lunar south pole; and the fourth in the world to achieve soft-landing on th

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned three associates of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. Vivek Tyagi, Sarvesh Mishra and Kanwarbir Singh have been issued summons and Sarvesh Mishra is expected to appear before the ED today. ED will question all these three persons in front of Sanjay Singh who is in ED custody till October 10. Singh was arrested by the ED in connection with a money laundering investigation in the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy case. The arrest came hours after raids were carried out by the central agency at Singh’s residence today (4 October). The probe agency has alleged that Sarvesh, an associate of Sanjay Singh, has received Rs 2 crore on two occasions on behalf of Singh at the latter’s residence. Vijay Tyagi, the personal assistant of Sanjay Singh was offered a stake in the business interest of accused Amit Arora’s firm Aralias Hospitality. ED will confront them and interro

Ranbir Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Kapil Sharma, Hina Khan, Shraddha Kapoor. This isn’t the cast of a new ensemble Bollywood film, but the names of those celebs who have summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to the Mahadev betting app case. Ranbir has been summoned to the ED office in Raipur today (6 October). Even Shraddha is expected to appear before the ED on Friday. It was reported earlier that the Kapoor scion had asked for two weeks’ time before appearing in front of the agency. However, there’s no clarification if the authorities had granted his request. As the case widens, and more celebs come under the scanner – the officials are looking at summoning even more of B-Town folk – we take a closer look at what is the Mahadev betting app case and how celebs are connected to it. The Mahadev betting app scandal Before we dive into Bollywood’s link to the case, let’s understand what the matter is all about. According to investigating officials, the gaming app, call

A man sentenced to life imprisonment in Kerala has been granted parole by the High Court for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. The Kerala High Court observed that the convict has the right to live a dignified life. The court has directed the prison DGP to grant parole of at least 15 days to the convict serving his sentence in Viyyur. The Jail DGP has also been directed to take action within two weeks. “They have the right to live with dignity like any citizen. The petitioner submitted the letter from the hospital authorities, as part of her request to grant parole to her husband. Earlier, she approached the concerned authorities to grant parole for three months, but to no avail. Then they approached the High Court. At the same time, the government lawyer was of the view that parole cannot be granted,” Justice PV Kunhikrishnan said. “It is submitted that for effective treatment, the petitioner’s husband’s presence along with the petitioner for three months is highly necessary

Flash flood in Sikkim has claimed the lives of at least 19 people, including six soldiers, while 103 people still remain missing. Over 3,000 tourists are reportedly stranded in the northeastern state. So far, 2,500 people have been evacuated and another 6,000 have been moved to relief camps. Defence officials have said that as the search for the missing Indian Army personnel continues, the Indian Army is constantly providing assistance to the affected people in terms of food, and medical aid and extending communication facilities to civilians and tourists stranded in North Sikkim. #WATCH | Sikkim flash floods | Search for the missing Indian Army personnel continues. Meanwhile, Indian Army is providing assistance in terms of food, medical aid and extending communication facilities to civilians and tourists stranded in North Sikkim: PRO Defence, Guwahati… https://t.co/ackHKFuVGU pic.twitter.com/6zspsZzCW6 — ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2023 The search operations for the missing army p

At least seven people were killed and nearly 50 injured after a massive fire broke out at a building in Mumbai’s Goregaon on Friday. Till now, out of a total of 46 people injured in the fire, 7 of them have lost their lives and 39 are under treatment in HBT and Cooper Hospital, said Mumbai Police. from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/7Lyr3ig FP Staff

Heaping praise on India, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Indian leadership is “self-directed” and led by the country’s national interests, according to Reuters. Speaking at an event, Putin alleged that the West is trying to cast everyone “who is not ready to blindly follow these Western elites as the enemy”. “At a certain point in time, they tried to do the same with India. Now they are flirting, of course. We all understand this very well. We feel and see the situation in Asia. Everything is clear. I want to say that the Indian leadership is self-directed. It is led by the national interests. I think that those attempts make no sense. But, they continue. They are trying to cast Arabs as the enemy. They are trying to be careful, but overall, that’s what it all boils down to,” Putin said. The Russian President said countries such as India, Brazil and South Africa deserve more representation in the UN Security Council and added that the UN should be reformed but gra

The Dean and doctors of the Delivery Department of Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in the Nanded district which witnessed the deaths of 31 patients in 48 hours have been charged with ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ by the Maharashtra police. The dean, Shyam Wakode, has been booked for the death of an infant and his mother after their kin registered a complaint in this regard. At least 31 people died in the government-run Medical College and Hospital, reportedly due to an alleged scarcity of medicines. A total of 24 patients, including newborns, were reported dead between September 30 and October 1 while seven more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Relatives of the deceased patients have alleged that the deaths were caused by to shortage of medicines. Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the deaths and a committee of doctors will be formed to conduct the pro

Taking potshots at AAP after a third leader of the party, Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the party has a “nature of committing scams openly.” “As per media sources, the incriminating documents procured from the house of Sanjay Singh will incriminate someone who is at the top in the hierarchy of AAP,” Patra said during a press conference in Odisha. VIDEO | “As per media sources, the incriminating documents procured from the house of Sanjay Singh will incriminate someone who is at the top in the hierarchy of AAP,” says BJP leader @sambitswaraj on the arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh by ED while speaking at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/3zeP1lJwwa — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2023 Singh was arrested on Wednesday evening after the anti-money laundering body conducted searches at his residence over the Delhi liquor policy scam. Patra further said, “When a don of corruption is c

“It’s distressing.” “It’s deeply concerning.” “Pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected.” These were just some of the reactions after the state of Sikkim saw catastrophic flooding caused by the heavy rain and the glacial lake Lhonak overflowing. The tragedy has led to the deaths of 14 people with 102 others, including 22 army personnel, reported missing. “So far, 10 bodies have been recovered from different locations. At least 82 more are missing and 22 people are injured, some of them seriously,” Sikkim’s Chief Secretary V B Pathak told Reuters news agency late Wednesday evening. As the northeastern state of Sikkim and neighbouring areas – West Bengal is also affected – contend with the after effects of the flooding, we take a closer look at what caused the floods and why were they so severe. Devastation and destruction Torrential flooding in the area occurred after a cloudburst took place over the Lhonak glacial lake in the state’s north. According to the India

Fourteen people have died so far and 102 people are still missing in the flash floods that occurred in Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday. According to the state government, more than 3,000 tourists are feared to be stranded in different parts of the state. 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam. People are reportedly missing from Chungthang in Mangan district, and Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district. Meanwhile, the Indian Army started three helplines for families of missing people in Sikkim including its own soldiers. The Indian Army has started three helplines for families of missing people in Sikkim including its own soldiers. The numbers are given below: Army Helpline No for North Sikkim – 8750887741 Army Helpline for East Sikkim – 8756991895 Army Helpline for missing soldiers -… pic.twitter.com/JBkhrcgVPo — ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 According the Sikkim Chief Secret

A Hindu marriage is not valid without ‘Saptapadi’ ceremony and other rituals, the Allahabad High Court observed, quashing the proceedings of a case where a man alleged that his estranged wife had solemnized second marriage without divorcing him. The word ‘Saptapadi’ or ‘saat pheras’ translates from Sanskrit to ‘seven steps’. The bride and groom take seven full circles, walking clockwise around the agni, representing the seven principles and promises they make to each other; each step is referred to as a ‘phere’. Allowing a petition filed by Smriti Singh, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh observed, It is well settled that the word ‘solemnize’ means, in connection with a marriage, to celebrate the marriage with proper ceremonies and in due form. Unless the marriage is celebrated or performed with proper ceremonies and due form, it cannot be said to be solemnized.” If the marriage is not a valid marriage, according to the law applicable to the parties, it is not a marriage in the eyes of law.

The Income Tax Department on Thursday initiated searches at over 40 premises of DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan in Chennai. #WATCH | Income Tax Department is conducting searches at over 40 premises of DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan in Tamil Nadu. Visuals from T. Nagar in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/krpahphbjK — ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 According to  PTI , the searches are being conducted at multiple locations including some educational institutions. Jagathrakshakan represents Arakkonam in the Lok Sabha. He was also a member of the Manmohan Singh Cabinet during the UPA-II government and held important portfolios including those of I&B renewable energy and commerce & industry. In 2020, the Enforcement Directorate seized properties worth more than Rs 89 crore for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The agency had accused Jagathrakshakan and his son Sundeep Aanand of buying 90 lakh shares of a Singapore-based company called Silver Park International Pte

According to police, on Wednesday night, terrorists opened fire in the Waniham neighbourhood of the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, injuring one person. “Terrorists fired upon one person namely Sahil Bashir Dar son of Bashir Ah Dar resident of Wanihama in Anantnag district. The injured person is being shifted to hospital for treatment. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The area has been sealed off since the shooting happened, they claimed. More information is awaited. In the meantime, two terrorists were killed in a clash with security personnel in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. From the scene of the encounter, the bodies of the terrorists who were slain are being removed. “2 terrorists killed. Bodies of the killed terrorists are being retrieved from the site of the encounter. The cordon & search operation is still in progress. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Police Zone said in a post on X. O

The Bharatiya Janata Party, on Wednesday, took a swipe at Arivnd Kerjriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party and said “AAP means ‘Aur Adhik Paap’. The comments came amid the raids carried out by Enforcement Directorate at MP Sanjay Singh’s residence in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. In a video message on X, formerly Twitter, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said: “AAP means ‘Aur Adhik Paap’ and the ‘paap’ (sin) of liquor scam is coming out day-by-day.” “Today we are seeing that instead of giving a report card on liquor scam that has taken under the Arvind Kejriwal’s watch and patronage, they are playing the victimhood card,” the BJP spokesperson said. “Mr Arvind Kejriwal had said that they (AAP members) are ‘Kattar Imandar’ (extremely honest) that they have done no corruption then why Manish Sisodia and Vijay Nair are still in jail? Why have they not been given relief?” asked Poonawalla. He further said, “Today, when two approv

The new Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are all set to be rolled out in 2024. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared images of ‘Concept train – Vande Bharat (sleeper version)’ on X formerly Twitter. Concept train – Vande Bharat (sleeper version) Coming soon… early 2024 pic.twitter.com/OPuGzB4pAk — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 3, 2023 Features of the new Vande Bharat  The ‘Concept Train’ is designed to provide a faster and enhanced travelling experience to passengers. The sleeper coaches will be equipped with features like wider berths, brighter interiors, spacious toilets and a mini pantry. Each Vande Bharat sleeper train will achieve a speed of 160 km per hour. The trains will have 16 bogies and will carry approximately 887 passengers. The Indian Railways has planned to introduce 400 Vande Bharat trains (Sleeper version) of three different technologies. The indigeneous semi light speed train has been seen as a symbol of  a progressive and self-reliant India.

NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and its Human Resources (HR) head Amit Chakravarty have been arrested by the Delhi Police and sent to 7 days of police remand. Raids were carried out since Tuesday morning at the homes and offices of journalists, authors, academics, contributors and a satirist associated with the news portal NewsClick. Police said it was conducting its probe into a case filed under the anti-terror law UAPA, alleging that the portal was receiving money to fuel pro-China propaganda in India. A total of 46 “suspects”, including nine women, were asked questions about the Delhi communal riots and the CAA agitation of 2019-20, the farmers’ protest of 2020-21 and whether they used encrypted messaging applications such as Signal on their phones. Before quizzing them, their phones, laptops, and electronic devices were seized for further examination, Deputy Commissioner of Police (PRO) Suman Nalwa said. The Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids on

As many as 23 Army Personnel have gone missing in Sikkim after the state witnessed flash floods in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley that were triggered by a sudden cloud burst. With search operations currently underway, authorities have reported that some Army vehicles have been submerged in the flash flood. #WATCH | Sikkim: A flood-like situation arose in Singtam after a cloud burst. (Video source: Central Water Commission) pic.twitter.com/00xJ0QX3ye — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023 According to defence officials, water released from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream. This is a developing story. Refresh for more updates. from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/fJLSoU8 FP Staff

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raided Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh’s residence in Delhi today. The raids are said to be in connection with the liquor policy scam. #WATCH | Visuals from outside AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh’s residence ED raids underway at the residence of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh pic.twitter.com/k6FRDjY12S — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023 Delhi former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is lodged in jail in connection with the same liquor police scam. The former Delhi deputy CM and excise minister was first arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the scam. He resigned from the Delhi Cabinet on February 28. from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/sJ2X5tZ FP Staff

The Indian Air Force is in the process of finalising a Rs 1.15 lakh crore deal to procure an additional batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft besides upgrading 84 Sukhoi-30MKI jets at a cost of Rs 60,000 crore, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Tuesday. In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF. With the additional 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets, the total number of indigenously-developed aircraft being procured by the IAF would go up to 180. Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, the Chief of Air Staff also said that 84 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets will be upgraded at a cost of a little over Rs 60,000 crore. The defence ministry is also looking at signing a contract with the HAL next year to procure a total of 156 light combat helicopters (LCH) out of which 66 will be for the IAF. The IAF now operates 1

An intense encounter between security forces and militants is underway in the forests of Kalakot in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. #WATCH | A joint operation by the Indian Army and J&K Police was launched in the area of Kalakote after specific intelligence about the movement of some unidentified individuals was received by J&K Police. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/IK3mk07sc2 — ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2023 Two army personnel have been injured in the ongoing encounter. According to local media reports, citing police officials, the wounded soldiers have been hospitalised and are in stable condition. “Technology is being used to monitor the terrorists. Presently, intense operations are under progress,” Jammu-based Defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel was quoted as saying by a Hindustan Times report. “Following successful operations in the same area on 13 September, due to continual flow of intelligence, area domination and constant pressure on

Seven more patients, including four children, have lost their lives in a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded after 24 people died yesterday in 24 hours. The total death count has now risen to 31 in the past 48 hours in the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital. Among those who died, 16 were infants or children. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra cabinet will discuss the Nanded Hospital deaths in a meeting today. The cabinet may decide on forming an inquiry committee over the incident. Minister of Medical Education of Maharashtra, Hasan Mushrif said, “We will carry out a thorough investigation. I have briefed Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis regarding the same. I will visit the hospital and a committee of doctors will be formed.” #WATCH | Mumbai | On the death of 24 patients in Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in Nanded, Minister of Medical Education of Maharashtra, Hasan Mushrif says “We will carry out a thorough investigation. I have