Patna, May 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Students affiliated with the All India Students Association (AISA) staged a major protest during the annual Senate meeting at Patna University (PU).

Amid rising tension on the campus, protesting students on Saturday climbed onto the university gates and raised slogans against the Bihar administration.

In response to the situation, a heavy police deployment was made around the university premises.

During the demonstration, students shouted slogans including "stop police repression" and "PU belongs to us—to you—not to anyone's father", alleging that the university administration was attempting to suppress student voices.

A protesting student, Saba Afreen, claimed that students had come to meet the Vice-Chancellor Ajay Kumar Singh regarding their demands, but the university administration closed the gates and called the police.

She alleged that protesting students were being prevented from entering their own university campus.

Protesters demanded that adequate provisions be made in the Senate budget to address student welfare and ensure basic facilities on campus.

Students also opposed recent fee hikes and raised concerns over alleged police action within the university premises.

According to the protesters, police personnel frequently enter the campus late at night and allegedly intimidate and mistreat students.

Meanwhile, the Senate meeting convened by the university administration is scheduled to discuss and present the university's budget for the financial year 2026–27.

The Senate is also expected to approve decisions taken earlier by the Academic Council.

Key agenda items include proposals for introducing new employment-oriented and skill-based courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

According to university sources, discussions will focus on launching skill-oriented curricula alongside existing three-year and four-year undergraduate degree programs, as well as introducing job-oriented courses parallel to conventional two-year postgraduate programs.

The feasibility of offering some of these courses through online mode is also expected to be discussed during the meeting.

In addition, the Senate agenda reportedly includes a proposal from the Sainik Kalyan Board to introduce an undergraduate course in Human Resource Management specifically designed for ex-servicemen.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, May 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Rukmini Vasanth, who had gained national attention for her role in the film "Kantara Chapter-2", has reacted after artificial intelligence (AI)-generated bikini photos and videos falsely claiming to feature her went viral on the social media.

The actress on Saturday clarified that the content is fake and urged people not to misuse AI for harmful activities.

Taking to her Instagram account, Rukmini Vasanth said that she and her team had come across manipulated images circulating online in her name.

"My team and I have come across certain AI-generated images being circulated online claiming to be me. I want to state clearly that these images are entirely fake and fabricated. The creation and circulation of such manipulated content is deeply irresponsible and a serious violation of privacy," she added.

The actress also said that legal and cybercrime action was being initiated against those responsible for creating and spreading the fake content.

"We are taking this matter seriously and initiating the necessary legal and cybercrime action against those involved in creating and spreading these images. Requesting everyone to refrain from sharing or engaging with such content," she added.

Speaking to the media during a private event in Bengaluru, Rukmini Vasanth revealed that she had already filed a complaint with the cyber police and expressed confidence that authorities would take strict action.

"AI should be used for good purposes and not for harmful activities. Not just actresses, but many other women are also facing problems because of this. I believe the police will take action in this matter," she said.

The actress reiterated that the viral video was not her and warned of legal action against those involved in circulating the fake videos.

She also appealed to the public not to share such fabricated content on social media.

"I have already filed a complaint with the cyber police regarding the photos going viral on social media. The police will take appropriate action. AI should be used for good purposes and not for harmful activities. Not just actresses, but many other women are also facing problems because of this. I believe the police will take action in this matter," she reiterated.

Source: IANS

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Patna, May 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tension gripped Nauranga-Jalalpur village under the Panchmahla Police Station area in Bihar's Patna district after a dispute linked to a social media post allegedly escalated into firing during a village council meeting.

According to an official on Saturday, the conflict originated from a social media post made by Mukesh Kumar, who is said to be the current Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) President and a representative of the village sarpanch in Nauranga-Jalalpur village.

The post, related to an earlier incident, allegedly enraged members of another group in the village.

To resolve the dispute and restore peace, a Panchayat meeting was convened on Saturday.

However, during the discussions, an argument between the two sides intensified, following which allegations emerged that several rounds of firing were carried out at the spot.

The gunfire triggered panic and chaos among villagers attending the meeting, leading to a stampede-like situation.

No injuries have been officially confirmed so far.

Police authorities have not yet formally verified the exact number of rounds fired or identified the individuals responsible for the firing.

However, security has been tightened in the area amid rising tension.

Following information about the incident, police teams from Panchmahla police station, along with personnel from nearby stations, reached the village and launched an investigation.

According to sources, raids are currently being conducted at the residences and suspected hideouts of two local youths, who are being questioned in connection with the case.

Police officials said efforts are underway to identify all those involved and restore normalcy in the village.

Nauranga-Jalalpur village is considered sensitive in Patna following a firing incident that took place on January 23, 2025, when Janata Dal-United MLA Anant Singh and the Sonu-Monu gang were involved in an exchange for firing of more than 200 rounds of gunshots.

Nauranga-Jalalpur is a native village of Sonu-Monu, and Anant Singh went there to release a house allegedly captured by the Sonu-Monu gang.

On January 24, 2025, Anant Singh surrendered before the Barh Sub-Divisional Court. He has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days and is currently lodged in the Beur jail.

Sonu Singh and Monu Singh were also arrested in connection with that case.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, May 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that a major consignment of banned Codeine Phosphate syrup worth around Rs 2.1 crore was seized by the Cachar Police as part of the state government's ongoing anti-drug operations.

Sharing the development on Saturday on social media platform X, the Chief Minister added that the seizure was made after police acted on reliable intelligence inputs and intercepted a truck in Cachar district.

"Update on #AssamAgainstDrugs. Based on reliable inputs, a truck was intercepted by @cacharpolice leading to the recovery of Rs 2.1 crore worth of banned Codeine Phosphate Syrup. One individual has been arrested. Our efforts to dismantle the drugs network will continue," CM Sarma said.

According to police sources, the truck was intercepted during a special operation carried out by the Cachar Police in southern Assam.

During the search operation, a huge quantity of banned cough syrup bottles containing Codeine Phosphate was recovered from the vehicle.

Police said that one person was arrested in connection with the case, while further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the consignment.

Officials suspect that the narcotic substances were being transported through Assam as part of an interstate drug trafficking network.

The seizure is the latest in a series of anti-narcotics operations launched across Assam over the past few years under the state government's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal narcotics trade.

The Assam government has repeatedly said that the fight against drugs remains one of its top priorities, with law enforcement agencies conducting regular operations in border districts and key transit routes.

Chief Minister Sarma has often asserted that the state administration would continue strict action against drug peddlers and organised trafficking networks to make Assam drug-free.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Telangana High Court advocate was allegedly killed by unidentified assailants who hit him with a speeding SUV in Hyderabad on Saturday in what police suspect to be a targeted attack.

The incident occurred in the Masab Tank area in the heart of the city.

According to the police, advocate Khaja Moizuddin was getting into his car near his residence when a speeding Scorpio SUV allegedly rammed him from behind.

The vehicle sped away after the impact, throwing the advocate onto the road and leaving him grievously injured.

He was rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The case was initially suspected to be a hit-and-run incident. However, following a complaint lodged by the family and scrutiny of CCTV footage, police are now treating it as a murder case with suspected links to ongoing disputes over Waqf land.

Moizuddin was a senior advocate who had been practising in the High Court and City Civil Court for nearly 35 years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rakshitha Krishna Murthy told the media that the preliminary investigation pointed towards the possible involvement of persons linked to disputes over Waqf lands in Malakpet and other areas of Hyderabad.

The family of Moizuddin named two persons allegedly connected to legal battles being handled by him relating to alleged encroachments on Waqf land.

Police have formed special teams to trace the SUV allegedly used in the crime and identify as well as apprehend the accused.

Moizuddin’s son Farhan, who is also an advocate, told the media that his father had received threats from two individuals allegedly involved in encroachment of Waqf lands.

Farhan claimed that his father had been attacked five times in the past.

He further alleged that one of the two individuals suspected to be involved in the murder had visited his father’s office a few months ago and issued a “last warning” regarding the legal cases being handled by him.

The Telangana High Court Advocates’ Association condemned the killing and demanded that the Director General of Police and the Hyderabad Police Commissioner constitute a special team to trace the culprits at the earliest and ensure that they are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the murder of Moizuddin.

He demanded the arrest of the “main mastermind and assailants” behind the killing of “this brave advocate”.

“We stand with his son Advocate Farhan and the family,” Owaisi posted on X.

Owaisi also visited Moizuddin’s residence to offer condolences and console the bereaved family members.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) With temperatures soaring in different parts of the country, Dr. Anubhuti Rana, associate professor from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, said that heatwave is a serious situation for pregnant women. She urged the expectant mothers to take special precautions during the prevailing weather conditions.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Rana said: "Pregnancy is anyway a special condition for women where there is an increased demand for the mother and the baby."

"Heatwave can cause exhaustion and dehydration, which affects both the mother and the foetus," she added.

Advising special care for pregnant women during the heatwave, she said: "They should drink a lot of water, coconut water and 'shikanji'. Take frequent rests and eat good, fresh food."

She also advised the intake of salt and lemon with water during this weather.

Moreover, Dr. Rana mentioned that pregnant women should absolutely refrain from venturing out during peak sunlight hours i.e. from 12 to 4 p.m.

She added: "At home pregnant women should opt for soft and loose clothes, amid this ongoing heatwave."

The doctor said that such precautions are manageable.

Previously, Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Additional Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, said that cases of dehydration and heatstroke tend to rise sharply whenever temperatures increase.

He warned that dehydration can progress to heat stroke, commonly known as 'loo lagna', and in severe situations, patients may even lose consciousness.

Dr. Neeraj Nishchal, Professor in the Department of Medicine, said plain water alone may not be sufficient during extreme heat conditions because the body loses salts through sweating.

"It is important to understand that drinking only plain water is not enough, because during extreme heat, the body loses not just water but also salt through sweating. Therefore, ORS solutions or electrolytes are considered more beneficial," he added.

Meanwhile, Gujarat also has been witnessing intense heat, with temperatures reaching 43.3 degrees Celsius in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Surendranagar witnessed maximum temperature at 43.8 degrees Celsius.

The Weather department said temperatures are likely to remain steady over the next week, though light to moderate rain may occur in some isolated districts.

"There is a forecast of rain in isolated places of Gujarat and Saurashtra," a Weather department official said.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Narcotics Control Bureau arrested two drug traffickers and recovered 702 kg Ganja while busting a major interstate trafficking network in Gondia, Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday.

The 702 kg Ganja was concealed in 100 packets among grocery cargo items, including detergent, toothpaste & hair dye, was recovered and seized, the official said in a statement.

The seized contraband was sourced from Odisha & destined for multiple Maharashtra-based drug syndicates operating in Nagpur, Gondia, Pune and Mumbai.

Earlier in a separate case, the NCB secured jail terms in a Mumbai court for five drug traffickers, including the kingpin, in a synthetic drug trafficking case. The convicts were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 years to one year, said a statement.

The Special NDPS Court in Thane sentenced the kingpin Mohammed Arif Yaqoob Bhujwala, a resident of Mumbai's Chinchbunder, to 15 years' imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh, the NCB's Mumbai Zonal Unit said.

Parvez Khan alias "Chinku Pathan" and Mohammed Salman Khan, both residents of Chinchbunder, along with Vikrant Jain, a resident of Bhiwandi in Thane, were awarded five years' imprisonment each and fined Rs 50,000 each, the NCB added.

Haris Faizullah Khan, resident of Bandra West in Mumbai, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 10,000, it said.

The NCB investigation led to freezing of two movable and three immovable properties worth more than Rs 1.5 crore belonging to Parvez Khan alias Chinku Pathan.

Financial investigation against kingpin Mohd. Arif Bhujwala resulted in seizure and confirmation of drug sale proceeds in cash, eight movable properties, and four immovable properties collectively valued at more than Rs 5 crore, the NCB added.

The case originated on January 20, 2021, when officers of NCB Mumbai, acting on precise intelligence, conducted a search operation at Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai and apprehended a known history-sheeter and drug trafficker, Parvez Naserullah Khan.

During the operation, the NCB officers recovered 52.2 grams of Mephedrone (MD) from his possession.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Union Education Ministry on Saturday flagged off a group of 56 students participating in the Sakura Science Programme 2026 in Japan, an official said on Saturday.

From May 24 to 30, 56 school students and four supervisors from India will visit Japan as part of the Sakura Science Programme, alongside participants from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, an official of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) said.

The flag-off ceremony, held at NCERT in New Delhi, was attended by Archana Sharma Awasthi, DoSEL Additional Secretary; Dinesh Prasad Saklani, NCERT Director; and A. Srija, DoSEL Economic Advisor.

The 56 students (24 boys and 32 girls) in the group are from government schools across 15 states and Union Territories, namely Assam, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.

The participants are recipients of scholarships under the National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) scheme of the Union government, a statement said.

To broaden intellectual horizons and foster scientific exploration among young learners, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has been implementing the 'Japan Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science', also known as the 'Sakura Science Programme', since 2014.

India has been participating in the programme since April 2016.

"Under the programme, students are invited to Japan for one week to experience the country's advanced science and technology ecosystem and its rich cultural heritage. So far, 674 students, along with 96 supervisors, have visited Japan under this programme. The most recent batch visited Japan in August 2025," the statement said.

The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, emphasises that learning should be "holistic, integrated, enjoyable and engaging".

It further envisages experiential learning as a standard pedagogy across all stages of education, with emphasis on exploring relationships among different subjects.

In this context, educational visits and exposure trips to places of historical, cultural, social, scientific and technological importance play a significant role in enriching students' learning experiences.

Japan, known for its technological advancements and rich cultural heritage, offers students valuable opportunities to explore innovative practices and gain global exposure.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court has taken suo motu (on its own motion) cognisance of the high-profile suspected dowry death of model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home in Bhopal, amid allegations of institutional bias and procedural lapses in the investigation.

As per details uploaded on the website of the apex court, the matter has been registered as “In Re: Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Girl at Her Matrimonial Home”.

The suo motu case, registered on Saturday as SMW (Crl.) No. 4/2026, is slated to be heard on May 25 by a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi.

The development comes amid mounting controversy surrounding the death of Twisha Sharma, who was found hanging at her matrimonial home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal on May 12.

Her family has alleged dowry harassment, procedural lapses in the initial probe, delay in registration of FIR, inconsistencies in the post-mortem examination, and possible tampering with evidence.

The Madhya Pradesh government has already recommended a CBI investigation into the matter following public outrage and demands from the victim’s family for an independent probe.

Meanwhile, Twisha Sharma’s husband Samarth Singh, the prime accused in the case, was sent to seven days of police remand by a Bhopal district court after being brought to the city from Jabalpur under tight security.

In another significant development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court earlier directed that a second post-mortem examination of Twisha Sharma’s body be conducted by a medical team to be constituted by the Director of AIIMS Delhi.

The state government had also approached the High Court seeking cancellation of the interim bail granted to Twisha Sharma’s mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired judicial officer, citing alleged non-cooperation and apprehensions regarding possible compromise of evidence.

Twisha Sharma’s family has consistently maintained that she was subjected to mental and physical harassment over dowry-related demands and has sought a fast-track trial along with a court-monitored investigation.

On the other hand Giribala Singh has questioned the manner in which the investigation was being conducted and alleged that the police were working under pressure.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The National Commission for Women (NCW) sought a report within seven days from the Delhi Police Commissioner over the alleged abduction, gang-rape, and forced religious conversion of a Dalit woman in Jamia Nagar, an official said on Saturday.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the alleged incident.

The survivor had alleged that she was held captive for several days and subjected to repeated sexual assault by multiple individuals.

Rahatkar wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing immediate, stringent, and time-bound action in the matter. The Commission also sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.

The ATR has been sought on the FIR registered in the matter, provisions invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and SC/ST Act, arrest of all accused persons, medical and forensic examination conducted, recording of the survivor's statement before the Magistrate, and measures taken to ensure her safety, confidentiality, protection, counselling, and rehabilitation, said a statement.

The Commission stated that allegations involving gang-rape, caste-based violence, and forced religious coercion are extremely grave in nature and must be investigated with utmost sensitivity, objectivity, and urgency.

The NCW condemned the incident and stated that crimes against women involving sexual violence, coercion, and intimidation are unacceptable and must invite the strictest action under law.

In a separate matter, the NCW took suo motu cognizance of "deeply disturbing" media reports regarding an alleged acid attack and extreme domestic cruelty against a woman in Pune.

The case involves a man who allegedly poured floor-cleaning acid on his wife's private parts over suspicion of an extramarital affair, confined her inside the house for several days, and denied her medical treatment, according to the Commission.

Rahatkar wrote to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, "directing immediate, stringent, and time-bound action in the matter".

The Commission also sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A team of four senior doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi arrived in Bhopal on Saturday night to conduct a second post-mortem examination of actor-model Twisha Sharma.

The second autopsy will be conducted at AIIMS Bhopal on Sunday following directions issued by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The High Court had accepted a petition filed by Twisha’s father seeking a fresh post-mortem examination by an independent medical board from AIIMS-Delhi.

Sources told IANS that the medical team from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology would also speak to Twisha’s parents and brother regarding their objections to the first post-mortem report prepared at AIIMS Bhopal on May 13.

The doctors are also expected to visit Twisha’s matrimonial home in Bhopal as part of the forensic investigation.

Meanwhile, a Bhopal court on Saturday sent Samarth Singh, husband of Twisha Sharma and the main accused in the alleged dowry death case, to seven days of police remand till May 29.

Samarth was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Anudita Gupta by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Bhopal Police.

He was taken into custody from the Jabalpur district court premises on Friday after attempting to surrender there.

The court also directed that Samarth’s passport be seized, following which his lawyer submitted the passport before the court.

A lawyer by profession, Samarth is the son of former judge Giribala Singh.

He had been missing since May 15 after Katara Hills Police registered a dowry death and harassment case against him and his mother in connection with Twisha’s death.

Bhopal Police had announced a reward for information leading to his arrest and had also issued a lookout circular against him.

While Giribala Singh had earlier secured anticipatory bail, Samarth’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a lower court.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Students’ organisation Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) on Saturday condemned the alleged discrimination against students of Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (SOL) by the administration of Shyam Lal College.

The organisation demanded a written public apology from the college principal and sought action against the institution’s authorities.

KYS Delhi State Committee member Bhim Kumar said in a statement that the administration of Delhi University’s Shyam Lal College was recently found charging SOL students for storing their bags and mobile phones outside the college, which had been designated as an examination centre.

According to Bhim Kumar, when students arrived for their semester-end examinations at Shyam Lal College, they found a banner outside the college gate mentioning charges for depositing bags and mobile phones.

“It should be noted that the charge for keeping a bag and mobile phone was Rs 10 each. Not only were students being charged for this facility, but the college administration also categorically denied responsibility in case any item was lost,” he said.

He said examination centres are expected to provide storage facilities for bags and belongings of examinees across the country, including in Delhi University.

“It is the duty of the administration of any examination centre to ensure that students are provided this facility. For regular students, DU ensures such facilities. However, in the case of SOL students, this reflects blatant discrimination,” he alleged.

He further claimed that the incident highlighted discrimination against students coming from marginalised sections of society.

Moreover, he alleged that this was not the first instance of SOL students facing such treatment and described it as a continuation of what he termed the university’s longstanding practice of “educational apartheid”, where lakhs of students were allegedly discriminated against despite being enrolled in the same university.

Citing previous examples, Bhim Kumar claimed that in January 2024, SOL B.Com first-semester students were made to write examinations in makeshift tents at Motilal Nehru College and Aurobindo College during winter conditions.

Similarly, in May last year, they were allegedly made to write examinations in the basement parking area of a university building in North Campus.

He further alleged that in March this year, SOL students were barred from participating in a Job Mela programme organised by the Delhi University administration.

Similarly, in 2019, SOL students were allegedly barred from participating in a logo-designing competition conducted by the Women’s Studies Development Centre.

“From being made to sit in under-construction basements and tents during examinations to abrupt changes in examination schedules and being forced to stand in queues for study materials, SOL students have repeatedly faced apathy and discrimination,” he alleged while criticising the university administration and Shyam Lal College.

The organisation reiterated its demand for a written public apology from the college principal and action against the college authorities by Delhi University.

KYS also demanded that the university ensure that no such incident occurs with SOL students during examinations in future.

The organisation said it would continue its wider campaign against inequality and discrimination in Delhi University and other higher educational institutions.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Western Railway (WR) administration on Saturday successfully completed a major anti-encroachment drive near the Bandra railway station, completely flattening all illegal structures and shanties in the Garib Nagar area of Mumbai's Bandra East.

Following the five-day intensive operation, debris clearance work commenced on Saturday.

According to the Railway officials, while unauthorised structures were completely razed, the ground floors of around 100 authorised houses in the locality were left untouched to ensure safety, though upper illegal floors of these buildings were demolished.

The five-day mega demolition drive was not entirely peaceful.

Violence erupted when the demolition of a local religious structure began, prompting angry residents to pelt stones at the authorities to halt the process.

To bring the situation under control and disperse the rioting mob, the police resorted to a cane-charge. Several police personnel and locals sustained injuries during the clash. However, due to a heavy security blanket and strict police deployment, further escalation was prevented.

Aside from this single incident of stone-pelting, the rest of the demolition process was carried out smoothly.

"Western Railway has achieved 100 per cent completion in this demolition drive against unauthorised structures. Work to remove the resulting debris has already begun. Furthermore, to ensure that this land is not encroached upon again, the construction of a protective boundary wall has been initiated and will be completed soon," Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Western Railway, said.

With the vast stretch of land now cleared, the Bandra station area has visibly opened up, making commuting significantly easier for passengers.

Western Railway is now planning a major overhaul of the precinct to boost passenger comfort.

"Plans are being drawn up to introduce passenger-centric amenities in the Bandra area soon. A new layout will be designed to ensure smooth entry and exit points, making the commuter experience hassle-free. The new infrastructure will be developed keeping the dynamic needs and requirements of the passengers in mind," a senior Western Railway official said.

The cleared land in Bandra holds immense strategic importance for the railway administration.

The removal of these long-standing encroachments has unlocked vital space for future infrastructure expansion and the introduction of additional train services. As one of the busiest railway corridors in the country, this section has proposed plans to augment passenger capacity.

Senior Railway officials noted that the availability of this land will now facilitate the introduction of additional long-distance trains, the creation of dedicated corridors for specific train operations, and a significant improvement in the punctuality of local suburban trains.

A Railway official also said that the reclaimed land is vital for multiple mega-railway projects aiming to ease Mumbai's severe commuter congestion. This land clears the path to expand the fifth and sixth railway lines on the Santacruz–Mumbai Central corridor.

Rebuilding these railway lines allows the Railways to completely separate local suburban trains from long-distance outstation trains. This will immediately improve the punctuality of local trains.

The Railway official added that the cleared area will facilitate a better connection between the Bandra suburban station and the Bandra Terminus, allowing the Railways to run up to 50 new originating long-distance trains.

The cleared bottleneck will improve general access toward the nearby Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which is currently seeing massive upgrades, including the upcoming Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train station.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on Saturday ordered a departmental probe against Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Avik Dey, whose name had surfaced both in connection with the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August 2024 and the multi-crore financial irregularities case linked to the institution.

Dey, considered a close confidant of former R.G. Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, was also arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the financial irregularities case related to the medical college.

Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the reopening of files linked to the R.G. Kar cases and suspended three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers -- former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and former Deputy Commissioners Abhishek Gupta and Indira Mukherjee -- over alleged lapses in the initial investigation conducted by Kolkata Police before the probe was handed over to the CBI following an order of the Calcutta High Court.

CM Adhikari also clarified that the fresh investigation into the R.G. Kar cases would continue parallel to the ongoing CBI probe.

Now, with the R.G. Kar files being reopened by the state administration, the Governor on Saturday ordered a departmental probe against Dr Avik Dey.

Incidentally, as per the Chief Minister’s announcement, departmental proceedings are also being conducted against the three suspended IPS officers.

It is learnt that multiple allegations have surfaced against Dr Dey, including allegations of promoting a so-called “threat culture” in different medical institutions in the state through his close associates and allegedly pursuing postgraduate training under the service quota illegally, among others.

Dey is currently serving as a radiologist at Burdwan Medical College in East Burdwan district.

During the R.G. Kar controversy, his name had surfaced in allegations relating to the alleged operation of “threat culture” in different medical colleges across the state.

He was also accused of reaching the crime scene in the R.G. Kar rape and murder case despite having no official role there. Questions were raised regarding the timing and reasons behind his presence at the spot during the early hours after the victim’s body was discovered.

The controversy deepened further after suspended Deputy Commissioner Indira Mukherjee, during a press conference in 2024, described Dey as a “fingerprint expert” of the detective department.

Source: IANS

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Srinagar, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced summer vacation for schools in Jammu division due to the prevailing heatwave conditions in the region, officials said.

Sakina Itoo, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister on social media platform X said, "Keeping in view the prevailing weather conditions, summer vacations for schools falling under Summer Zone of Jammu Division shall commence with effect from June 1 for Primary Classes and with effect from June 8 for students of Classes 6 to 12. Wishing all students a safe and enjoyable vacation."

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Monday issued a heatwave advisory for people as temperatures in the city are likely to soar up to 45 degrees Celsius, prompting authorities to urge people, particularly elderly citizens and children, to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement during peak daytime hours.

The advisory came amid intensifying summer conditions in the winter capital Kashmir, with authorities warning that prolonged exposure to heat could trigger dehydration, exhaustion and heat-related illnesses.

Officials added that the civic body has already deployed water sprinkling vehicles in several parts of the city to spray water on roads and reduce surface temperatures in an effort to provide temporary relief to commuters and pedestrians.

The JMC urged people to remain hydrated throughout the day and avoid stepping outdoors between late morning and afternoon hours unless absolutely necessary.

The civic body advised people to wear light cotton clothing, use umbrellas or head coverings while venturing outside, and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Authorities also asked people to keep homes properly ventilated and consume sufficient fluids, including water and other hydrating drinks, to prevent dehydration during extreme heat conditions.

Special caution has been issued for children, elderly citizens and people suffering from health complications, with officials advising families not to allow vulnerable persons to remain outdoors for extended periods during the daytime.

The JMC also warned residents against leaving children or elderly persons inside parked vehicles, saying that enclosed vehicles can become dangerously hot within minutes under prevailing weather conditions.

Officials said field workers and sanitation staff operating in outdoor conditions have also been instructed to take precautionary measures, including regular hydration breaks.

Data issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar showed that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was 1.5 degrees below normal for this time of the season.

Maximum temperature in Jammu was 39.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which is 1.5 degrees above normal.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ): India’s fuel supply management has remained stable despite global disruptions, said former Chairman of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and former Director (HR) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Raj Kumar Dubey on Saturday.

Speaking with IANS, Dubey said, “Supply management has been exemplary, otherwise you would have faced shortages like several other countries. But India never faced any shortages in terms of fuel, petrol and diesel. LPG is an area of concern.”

Referring to the financial impact of global crude price movements, he said the projected under-recovery is around Rs 30,000 crore per month.

“Crude prices have risen 35 to 40 per cent and may increase further. Naturally, this has to reflect in petroleum products. Across the world, most countries have raised prices ranging from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, so it is up to policymakers to decide the extent of increase required,” he said.

He added that many countries have already adjusted fuel prices.

“The government has done an exemplary job in this situation because it was initially seen as a temporary phenomenon. Whenever such temporary spikes happen, we don’t want ordinary people to be affected,” he told IANS.

Comparing international trends, Dubey noted that even in the United States, the largest producer of crude oil, petrol and diesel prices have gone up.

Since more than 85 per cent of India’s crude is imported, he said India has done a “wonderful job” in managing the situation.

Earlier in May, leading state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) — HPCL, IOCL and BPCL — had assured customers that petrol, diesel and LPG supplies remain stable across the country, while urging people not to rely on rumours or unverified social media messages regarding fuel shortages.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday that Rajasthan has immense potential to become a major hub for electronics manufacturing, highlighting the Centre's push to expand the sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Addressing industry representatives, investors and experts during a dialogue on the electronics and semiconductor sectors at the Chief Minister's Office in Jaipur, Union Minister Vaishnaw noted that India is rapidly advancing in electronics manufacturing and urged investors to confidently establish units in Rajasthan.

He said the Centre has paved the way for 450 factories in the electronics sector over the past two years.

Under the Electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), approvals for 75 factories have been granted within a year, while the Union Cabinet has also increased budgetary support for the scheme.

Union Minister Vaishnaw assured investors that the Centre and the state government would provide full support to promote the sector and noted that electronics manufacturing would generate large-scale employment opportunities.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who attended the event alongside the Union Minister Vaishnaw, said India has joined the select group of nations capable of indigenous semiconductor production.

He highlighted that the India Semiconductor Mission is moving ahead at a rapid pace with an incentive package exceeding Rs 76,000 crore.

The Chief Minister said semiconductor chips have become crucial across sectors ranging from telecom and consumer electronics to defence and space technology.

He added that the future would belong to nations and states developing strong semiconductor capabilities.

Chief Minister Sharma said Rajasthan's first semiconductor cluster was inaugurated this month in Bhiwadi. Spread across 50 acres, the facility is expected to manufacture nearly six crore chips annually and has already attracted investment proposals worth more than Rs 1,200 crore from 20 companies.

Highlighting Rajasthan's advantages, the Chief Minister added that the state's "Triple-S Factor" -- Silica, Skill and Solar -- would emerge as a key strength for the semiconductor industry.

He said the Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy and Rajasthan Industrial Development Policy have been introduced to create a robust ecosystem, offering special incentives for semiconductor, data centre and defence manufacturing projects.

Under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024, industries are receiving financial and infrastructure support, including additional capital subsidies for projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission and interest subvention of up to five per cent on term loans.

The Chief Minister announced that work has begun to develop the Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar Industrial Area (JPMIA) and the Kakani region as the "Silicon Valley of Rajasthan".

According to CM Sharma, the region is being developed as an integrated industrial ecosystem for chip design, electronics manufacturing and system development.

He noted that Rajasthan's connectivity through the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and proximity to industrial hubs such as Bhiwadi, Neemrana and Kotputli provide strong logistics and supply-chain advantages.

He added that the state's Single Window Clearance System has been strengthened, enabling digital and time-bound approvals, including land allotment and project clearances.

Inviting investors to Rajasthan, CM Sharma said the state aims to build a $350-billion economy, with electronics and semiconductors expected to play a leading role.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said semiconductors have become the foundation of global economic strength and digital self-reliance.

He said the India Semiconductor Mission is progressing in "mission mode" and Rajasthan is among the most suitable states for such investments.

Minister Rathore added that the state government is offering electricity duty exemptions, stamp duty relief, capital subsidies, interest subvention and green initiative reimbursements for semiconductor-related projects, including OSAT and ATMP facilities.

"Customised incentive packages are also available for investments exceeding Rs 500 crore, while land allotment procedures have been made more transparent and efficient," he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Despite public assertions of a no-limits strategic partnership, Russia-China trade has shown signs of slowing after years of strong post-2022 expansion, even as political ties between Moscow and Beijing remain close, a report has said.

A report by The Moscow Times highlighted that during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to China, both sides emphasised deepening cooperation and robust economic engagement.

However, trade figures indicate emerging constraints in the bilateral economic relationship, it said.

China has become Russia’s key trade partner following Moscow’s rupture with Western economies in 2022, replacing Europe as a major buyer of Russian energy and supplier of manufactured goods.

Total trade, however, declined 7 per cent in 2025 to $227.6 billion, marking the first annual contraction since 2020.

Russian exports to China fell 3.9 per cent to $124.8 billion, while Chinese exports to Russia dropped 10.4 per cent to $103.3 billion.

The decline was broad-based, with Russian oil exports to China falling 20 per cent, petroleum products down 33 per cent, and coal shipments declining 27 per cent.

Chinese exports of passenger cars to Russia dropped 44 per cent, while truck exports fell 67 per cent. Telecom equipment and computer shipments also recorded sharp declines.

The report attributed the slowdown to lower global oil prices, China’s diversification of energy imports, and Moscow’s push for localisation of manufacturing, particularly in the automobile sector.

It cautioned that the recovery may not signal sustained momentum, pointing to structural limits in the relationship, including China’s diversified energy strategy and Russia’s heavy dependence on energy exports.

“China was seeking to diversify energy imports rather than become too dependent on Russia, while the Russian market itself was nearing saturation for Chinese industrial goods,” the report said.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has become active again in the multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal, has issued summons to an inspector-rank officer of West Bengal Police and five coal traders for questioning.

The police officer summoned by the ED is Monoranjan Mondal, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Budbud Police Station under the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate in West Burdwan district.

Earlier, during the previous Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal, Mondal had been summoned several times by the ED for questioning. However, he allegedly did not respond to the summons and avoided appearing at the agency’s Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

Now, with the new regime in place in West Bengal, the ED has issued Mondal a fresh interrogation notice. It remains to be seen whether he responds to the summons this time.

The coal traders summoned by the ED along with Mondal are Krishna Kayal, Ritesh Lokesh Singh, Yudhisthir Ghosh and Narendra Kharka.

Sources aware of the development said 12 other coal traders in West Burdwan district are also under the ED scanner.

In its subsequent chargesheets related to the coal smuggling case in West Bengal, the ED repeatedly claimed that the smuggling operations were carried out through a close nexus involving coal traders, officers of central forces, officials of Coal India Limited subsidiary Eastern Coalfields Limited and a section of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for security at public sector coal mines.

Earlier, the ED had also informed a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata about huge amounts allegedly being credited to Mondal’s bank accounts within a short span of time.

Mondal was also accused by the ED of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

In March this year, ED officials conducted raid and search operations at Mondal’s residence in Durgapur in West Burdwan district.

Source: IANS

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Dhaka, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The failure of rape trials in Bangladesh reflects a broader systemic collapse across the entire judicial chain rather than a single flaw. From the filing of the initial complaint to the final stages of cross-examination, the survivor often confronts institutional incompetence and political interference, a report has detailed.

The horrific discovery of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old minor girl, Ramisa, in Dhaka's Pallabi area has once again laid bare a troubling reality, according to a report in Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star.

Her decapitated body was found inside a neighbour's flat — “a site of unimaginable horror where her shoes remained neatly placed outside the door while a life was snuffed out within.”

This comes amid another recent disturbing incident in Netrokona district, where an 11-year-old child was reportedly subjected to a brutal sexual assault, leaving her seven months pregnant.

“These incidents, alongside the older cases of Madhabdi and Sitakunda and many others, prove that the legal system remains a graveyard for rape complaints. These cases follow a predictable and tragic cycle. We see initial horror and outcry, a promise of swift action, and, eventually, years of delay or the case's total disappearance,” the report said, highlighting several incidents of sexual abuse across Bangladesh.

“The fundamental problem lies in the disconnect between paper laws and courtroom practice. While the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act promises quick resolutions, the reality is a backlog so immense that it effectively functions as a denial of justice. Thousands of cases have remained unresolved for more than 5 years,” it added.

The report noted that despite a sharp rise in reported cases of sexual violence, Bangladesh continues to record an abysmally low conviction rate. It added that the judicial system is burdened by a massive backlog that effectively amounts to a denial of justice.

Citing official data from the High Court, the report said that by December 2025, 30,365 cases had been pending in the system for more than 5 years.

Additionally, Dhaka-based rights group Ain o Salish Kendra documented at least 56 girls under the age of 12 who were raped in the first four months of 2026, including 16 children below six years.

The Rape Law Reform Coalition, a group of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, estimated a judicial backlog of over 10 lakh pending cases, with 10,000 rape cases remaining unresolved for over five years. In 2025 alone, the police recorded 7,068 rape cases across Bangladesh, affecting 5,171 adult and 1,897 child victims.

“This data reflects a systemic failure to deliver verdicts, forcing survivors to navigate a process that often feels designed to defeat them,” The report stated.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A major coordinated cybercrime investigation in Gujarat has led to the arrest of 13 accused allegedly linked to a cyber fraud network involving transactions worth over Rs 631.86 crore through mule bank accounts, shell companies and multi-state operations, officials said on Saturday.

The action was carried out under ‘Operation Mule Hunt 2.0’ by the Cyber Centre of Excellence following directives from senior police officials amid a rise in cybercrime cases across the country.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajdeepsinh Jhala said the operation was launched on the basis of technical analysis and human intelligence inputs and executed simultaneously across Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch and Rajkot.

He said four separate FIRs had been registered over the last four days, leading to the arrest of 13 accused.

“The teams acted in a coordinated manner based on technical and human intelligence inputs under supervision, leading to simultaneous arrests across multiple districts,” SP Jhala said.

According to the police, verification of 45 bank accounts linked to the accused through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) revealed 982 cyber fraud complaints registered across India, with more than 200 FIRs lodged in different states.

The total fraudulent transactions linked to the network are estimated to be worth more than Rs 631.86 crore.

Police said one group allegedly operated through a structured setup using a firm named ‘Saurath Overseas’, under which mule bank accounts were opened to route illicit funds.

Investigators stated that Madhavji Kotadiya, in coordination with Vimal Jada, allegedly used breached databases sourced from Telegram channels and other online platforms to obtain banking customer IDs and mobile numbers, which were then allegedly used to target victims with fake credit card offers.

“Vimal Jada is accused of contacting victims using social engineering techniques, obtaining OTPs from them and subsequently changing bank account passwords to gain unauthorised access. Once access was secured, the funds were allegedly withdrawn and transferred into mule accounts operated by the network,” SP Jhala told IANS.

A separate syndicate based in Ahmedabad and Surat allegedly used firms including ‘SNB Aqua Shipping Private Limited’, ‘Zeppelin Overseas Shipping Private Limited’ and ‘DKG Creation and Technologies Gujarat’ as fronts to open mule bank accounts.

Police said these entities were used to route cyber fraud proceeds and launder money in exchange for commissions.

During raids, details of multiple bank accounts and official records were recovered.

Another module allegedly operated from Vadodara and Bharuch, where individuals used accounts opened under names such as ‘Air Conditioning Hub’ and ‘Works Global’.

According to the police, these accounts were allegedly used to transfer and circulate cybercrime proceeds in exchange for commission payments.

Officials said preliminary interrogation revealed that members of the network earned commissions ranging from four per cent to eight per cent for facilitating fraudulent transactions.

The accused are believed to include mule account holders, handlers and coordinators involved in transferring funds through multiple layers.

Police further stated that the network was linked to several categories of cybercrime, including online financial fraud, internet banking fraud, UPI scams, investment fraud and deposit-related fraud.

Analysis of NCCRP data revealed that complaints were registered across multiple states, including Gujarat (77), Maharashtra (137), Karnataka (126), Uttar Pradesh (87), Tamil Nadu (83), Telangana (64), Delhi (53), Rajasthan (47), West Bengal (46), Haryana (38), Kerala (37), Andhra Pradesh (24), Bihar (23), Madhya Pradesh (19), Odisha (16), Jammu and Kashmir (12), Jharkhand (12), Punjab (12), Chhattisgarh (10), Assam (8), Goa (7), Himachal Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5), Puducherry (3), Meghalaya (2), Arunachal Pradesh (1), Tripura (1) and Sikkim (1), taking the total number of complaints nationwide to 982.

Among those arrested from Ahmedabad and Surat were Manish Lodha (39), Ankit Lodha (28), Naveen Vaishnav, Mohit Nahar, Madhavji Kotadiya, Nayan Italia, Nimesh Jetani and Vimal Jada.

From Vadodara and Bharuch, Arbaz Pirzada, Faizan Sodagar, Kasifali Sheikh and Mohammad Memon were arrested, while Hardik Sarvaiya was arrested from Rajkot.

Police said the seized material included 28 mobile phones, 39 cheque books linked to different bank accounts, one passbook, two laptops, 12 ATM/debit cards and four stamps belonging to multiple firms, including SNB Aqua Shipping Private Limited, Zeppelin Overseas Shipping Private Limited and DKG Creation and Technologies.

SP Jhala noted that the investigation had revealed a structured cybercrime ecosystem operating through fake firms and mule accounts to conceal illegal proceeds.

“Further investigation is underway to trace the flow of funds and identify remaining associates involved in the network,” he added.

Authorities reiterated that citizens should never share bank account details or OTPs with anyone.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A packed courtroom, intense public scrutiny and a visibly calm demeanour marked the appearance of the accused Samarth Singh before the Court of Judicial Magistrate Anudita Gupta in Bhopal on Saturday, where he was sent to seven days of police remand in connection with the alleged suicide case of his wife Twisha Sharma.

Samarth was brought to the Magistrate court amid heavy police security, and as he stood in the dock, all eyes in the courtroom remained fixed on him, closely observing his expressions and conduct during the proceedings.

Despite the gravity of the allegations and mounting public attention surrounding the case, he appeared calm and composed throughout the hearing. He was seen interacting normally with his lawyers and showed no visible signs of nervousness or fear.

Notably, unlike his appearance before the Jabalpur District Court on Friday -- where he had covered his face with a mask and cap while surrendering -- Samarth appeared in the Bhopal court without concealing his face.

Twisha's brother Major Harshit Sharma, who was also present during the proceedings at very close distance, later claimed that Samarth displayed no remorse over his wife's death.

"I have not spoken to Samarth, nor did I express any desire to do so. However, there was absolutely no remorse visible on his face regarding his wife's death. There was no sign of grief over his wife's demise on his face when he appeared in court," Major Harshit Sharma said.

Harshit also added that the coming week would be critical after the court granted police seven days' custody of Samarth Singh.

"The court has remanded Samarth to custody for seven days; consequently, this coming week will be extremely crucial. We hope that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes over the case as soon as possible and initiates its investigation," he said talking to IANS.

Reiterating family of Twisha Sharma's demand for a CBI probe, Harshit alleged that the police had delayed action in the matter.

"Our only hope lies with the CBI, which is why we have been repeatedly demanding their intervention. Had the police done their job properly, it would not have taken this long to arrest Samarth," he added.

Though both Samarth Singh and Harshit Sharma remained present inside the same courtroom during the hearing, there was neither any conversation nor eye contact between them, IANS said.

The courtroom was crowded mainly with lawyers, many of whom knew Samarth personally as he practiced as a criminal defence lawyer at the Bhopal District Court. His prominence within the legal circles of Bhopal was further reinforced by the stature of his mother, Giribala Singh, who served in the same judicial institution in several capacities ranging from Magistrate to Principal District Judge before retiring in February 2023.

Giribala Singh has also been named a co-accused in the case related to Twisha Sharma's death.

Samarth Singh was arrested on Friday after surrendering before a court in Jabalpur, nearly 10 days after he allegedly went missing following Twisha Sharma's death, a case that has triggered widespread public attention across Madhya Pradesh.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian government has managed the impact of global crude oil volatility effectively, maintaining stable fuel availability supported by strong refining capacity and supply systems that have ensured uninterrupted access to petrol and diesel, according to KPMG International’s Global Head for Energy, Natural Resources and Chemicals (ENRC), Anish De.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, De said recent fuel price increases in India reflect the lag between global crude oil movements and domestic retail adjustments, while stressing that supply conditions remain steady across the country.

“There has been a roughly Rs 5 per litre increase in petrol and diesel prices, which is significantly lower compared to the nearly 70 per cent rise in crude oil prices globally,” De said.

He added that further price adjustments cannot be ruled out if crude prices remain elevated.

“If oil continues to stay high, there is every possibility of further hikes,” he said.

“Approximately 25 per cent of the losses would have been covered through recent price increases. Around 75 per cent is still being borne by the companies,” he said, pointing to continued under-recovery in fuel pricing.

However, he emphasised that India does not face any fuel shortage concerns at either the wholesale or retail level.

“There is no shortage of crude availability in global markets, and India has sufficient refining capacity. Supply is not an issue,” he said.

Responding to reports of fuel outages at some retail outlets, De clarified that he was not aware of specific cases and said such details are best addressed by oil companies.

“I don’t monitor those operational specifics,” he said.

On the broader pricing dynamics, he noted that fuel price changes typically follow global crude movements with a delay, leading to temporary cost absorption by companies.

“The recent hikes came several weeks after crude prices increased. There is still a significant gap in cost recovery,” he said.

Asked about the impact of geopolitical tensions in West Asia and potential rollback of fuel prices if global crude moderates, De said pricing decisions remain with companies.

“These are decisions for companies to take. My view is that a lot of pent-up recovery is still pending,” he said.

On taxation and policy, De said bringing natural gas under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework should be a priority before extending it to petrol and diesel.

“In my view, natural gas should be brought under GST as soon as possible. Petrol and diesel can follow later,” he said.

He further stressed that India’s fuel supply system remains robust, supported by strong refining infrastructure and adequate global crude availability, ensuring stability even in a volatile international environment.

Source: IANS

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Rome, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pakistan’s education crisis exposes a deep governance failure, where official claims of combating extremism are undermined by allowing school materials and public narratives that reinforce the ideology sustaining it. For years, the education system in the country has remained a major concern among human rights advocates, minority representatives and education reformers, a report had detailed.

Europe’s stance on human rights appears inconsistent when it overlooks the ideological formation of future generations in Pakistan, a major beneficiary of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) under the European Union, Dimitra Staikou, a Greek lawyer, writer, and journalist, wrote in EU Today.

She highlighted that the criticism goes beyond Pakistan’s underfunded schools, uneven access to education or poor learning outcomes -- pointing to curriculum content that continues to reinforce a narrow definition of national identity linked to religious conformity and suspicion of those outside the dominant narrative.

“That matters beyond Pakistan’s borders. For the European Union, Pakistan is not a distant or marginal case. It is a beneficiary of preferential trade access under the EU’s GSP+ scheme, which is formally linked to the implementation of international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance. The content of Pakistani classrooms, therefore, has a direct bearing on how Europe assesses Pakistan’s long-term direction, its treatment of minorities and its willingness to confront extremism at its roots,” Staikou stated.

“At the centre of the concern is the role of education in shaping civic identity. In a healthy system, schools should encourage critical thinking, social mobility and coexistence. In Pakistan, critics argue that the opposite too often occurs. Textbooks and classroom materials have been accused of presenting religious minorities as peripheral to the national story, framing India as a permanent enemy, and merging patriotism with religious orthodoxy,” she added.

According to the expert, the outcome is not simply poor education, but the reproduction of a worldview in which diversity is viewed with suspicion and conformity is framed as a civic virtue.

Staikou stressed that this is a serious challenge in Pakistan, which is already grappling with sectarian violence, attacks on minorities, blasphemy-related abuses and the persistent influence of extremist networks.

Emphasising that Europe should not treat extremist ideological narrative in Pakistan as a remote South Asian debate, Staikou said, “Radicalisation today travels through digital networks, diaspora communities, encrypted platforms and informal ideological ecosystems. Narratives of grievance, exclusion and religious confrontation do not remain within national borders. They circulate, adapt and find audiences among vulnerable individuals far from the places where they first emerge.”

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A team of four senior doctors from the Forensic Medicine Department of AIIMS Delhi is scheduled to arrive in Bhopal on Saturday evening aboard a state-chartered aircraft to conduct a second autopsy on the body of a 33-year-old woman, currently preserved at the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary.

The second autopsy will be conducted on Sunday morning.

In a significant development in the mysterious death case involving actress and model Twisha Sharma, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed a fresh autopsy by an expert medical board.

"We received the order and a request from Madhya Pradesh government officials to conduct the post-mortem examination on Sunday morning. Dr Sudhir Gupta, Chief of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, constituted a medical board comprising four senior doctors from AIIMS Delhi, with the approval of the Director, to conduct the autopsy,” AIIMS Delhi said.

“The team, along with the latest instruments, will fly at 6 p.m. today on a state-chartered aircraft,” the statement added.

Following a formal request from the Madhya Pradesh government, a team of four experienced doctors was constituted for the examination.

Equipped with modern forensic instruments, the medical board will conduct a detailed examination and submit its findings to Dr Gupta, who will prepare the final report.

The second autopsy is expected to provide crucial clarity in the high-profile case that has drawn widespread public attention.

The development comes amid rapid progress in the investigation.

Twisha Sharma's husband, Samarth Singh, who had been absconding, withdrew his anticipatory bail plea before his arrest.

He was arrested and brought to Bhopal early on Saturday morning, reaching Katara Hills police station at around 2 a.m.

Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the police had secured a seven-day remand of Singh for detailed questioning.

In another twist, Samarth Singh's mother, Giribala Singh, a former judge and Chairperson of the Bhopal Consumer Court, has been served a notice seeking cancellation of her bail over alleged non-cooperation with the police investigation.

Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, was found hanging at her in-laws' residence in the upscale Katara Hills area of Bhopal on May 12.

The case has witnessed sharp contradictions in the narratives presented by both sides.

While the in-laws have claimed that Twisha was suffering from drug addiction, her family has alleged continuous harassment over dowry demands, which they claim led to her death.

The initial post-mortem examination had left several questions unanswered, prompting the High Court's intervention for a fresh examination by a neutral and expert medical board.

The arrival of the AIIMS Delhi team is being seen as a major step towards ensuring transparency and scientific rigour in the investigation.

Police officials expressed hope that the second autopsy, coupled with the ongoing interrogation of the arrested husband, would help uncover the truth behind the circumstances surrounding Twisha Sharma's death.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The cousin of alleged dowry death victim Twisha Sharma, on Saturday, claimed that her husband Samarth Singh who had "surrendered" a day before, did not display any emotions during court hearings in the case. However, the victim's cousin said that Singh's seven-day remand has given a "ray of hope" for justice.

Interacting with IANS, Twisha's cousin Ashish Sharma said: "We have usually seen that when a person dies, there is a sense of mourning not only within the deceased's family but even among the neighbours. Here, his conduct clearly reflects that he did not have any connection with her. I have even heard others discussing this in the court premises."

A day after the Madhya Pradesh government announced a CBI inquiry into the case, he added: "Even now the accused's family has not stopped using its influence. I believe CBI will carry out an impartial investigation to unmask the culprits."

Ashish Sharma asserted that the case needs to set a precedent that abuse of power against justice leads to dire consequences.

On the second post-mortem being allowed after 11 days, he said: "I think, maybe, many evidences might have got altered."

While clarifying that Samarth Singh being taken into custody is not the objective of the family, Ashish Sharma said: "It has given us a ray of hope. Since yesterday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been completely impartial, and has followed the expected rule of law. These are very encouraging activities for us to regain our faith."

He also added: "When CBI arrests the culprits and those who have been harassing us, that would be considered as justice."

Twisha Sharma’s brother, Major Harshit Sharma, asserted: "I will be satisfied only when we get final justice."

"The CBI should intervene during the seven-day remand of Samarth Singh and take over the investigation," he told IANS.

The victim's brother-in-law, Saurabh Sharma emphasised that the family has full faith on the CBI .

"We have to trust the CBI. From the first day, a lot of things have been taking place. There was a lot of influence from their (Samarth Singh's) side," he said.

He highlighted that since the victim's husband was absconding, no statements could be taken from him.

"Now we hope that the police will interrogate him (Samarth Singh) and bring the facts to light," he said.

About Samarth Singh being sent on seven-day remand, Saurabh Sharma termed it as a "positive sign" and that things are going in their way.

"We cannot bring the girl (Twisha Sharma), but at least we can stand up for her and bring justice," he said.

Source: IANS

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Coimbatore, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The incident of a 10-year-old girl being kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered near Sulur in Coimbatore district has shaken the entire state of Tamil Nadu, police said on Saturday.

The police have arrested two accused in the incident within 24 hours.

The girl, who lived with her parents in a village near Sulur, had gone to a nearby shop on Thursday evening but did not return home.

When the girl could not be found even after a long time, the worried parents searched the surrounding areas and filed a complaint at the Sulur police station.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case and started an extensive investigation.

Meanwhile, the body of a girl was found in the bushes on the banks of the Kannampalayam pond near Sulur on Thursday night.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the girl was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, murdered and dumped here.

Speaking to the media about the incident, Inspector General of Police (Western Region) R.V. Ramya Bharathi said that immediate action was taken after receiving the complaint.

Five special investigation teams were formed after registering the case.

As part of the investigation, the accused were identified after examining about 250 CCTV footage.

During the police investigation, the main accused was identified as Karthi (33), a native of Nagapattinam. He lived in Pallapalayam near Coimbatore and had separated from his wife.

The police said that Karthi was a daily wage earner and was known to the girl's family and lived nearby.

The police also arrested his accomplice, 30-year-old Mohanraj.

The investigating officers said that both were daily wage earners.

While the police were trying to catch Karthi, the police said that he tried to escape by jumping from the top floor of the building where he was hiding and in the process, he broke his leg and hand. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Coimbatore government hospital.

The police said that a full post-mortem report is awaited and strict action will be taken against the accused under the POCSO Act.

The authorities have also said that steps have been taken to ensure government assistance to the affected family.

The police said that the culprits were arrested quickly and a charge sheet will be filed soon.

Source: IANS

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Washington/New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, emphasised that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply, the US State Department has detailed.

"The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The Secretary emphasised that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply. The two officials reflected upon recent bilateral achievements, including significant investments that advance the President and Prime Minister's 'Mission 500' to double trade by 2030," read a statement issued by Tommy Pigott, spokesperson of the US State Department.

According to the spokesperson, Secretary Rubio underscored the strategic importance of the US-India partnership which remains rooted in shared democratic values, profound economic and commercial opportunity, and the strong personal ties between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.

"In New Delhi, I met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to underscore the importance of the US-India relationship. We discussed the situation in the Middle East and US-India partnership in energy, securing critical supply chains, and collaboration on emerging technologies. I was pleased to invite Prime Minister Modi to the White House on behalf of the President," Rubio posted on X after the meeting.

The visiting Secretary also extended an invitation, on behalf of President Trump, to Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House.

"The Secretary and Prime Minister agreed to deepen trade and defence cooperation and accelerate collaboration on critical and emerging technologies," Pigott mentioned.

Rubio also shared his appreciation for India hosting the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and looked forward to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region alongside Australia, India, and Japan.

The US Secretary of State called on Prime Minister Modi soon after his arrival in New Delhi. After the meeting, PM Modi said that both countries will continue to work closely for the global good.

"Happy to receive the US Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio. We discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security. India and the United States will continue to work closely for the global good," PM Modi wrote on X.

The PMO stated the visiting US Secretary of State briefed PM Modi on the sustained progress in bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties.

"Secretary Rubio shared US perspective on various regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia. Prime Minister reaffirmed India's consistent support for peace efforts and reiterated the call for peaceful resolution of the conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy," read a statement issued by the PMO following the meeting.

"Prime Minister requested Secretary Rubio to convey his warm greetings to President Trump and said that he looked forward to their continued exchanges," it added.

Taking to X, US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor stated that, during the meeting, both sides had a "productive discussion" on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across various sectors.

He also mentioned that India remains a "vital partner" to the United States.

"Great to join Secretary Rubio for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We had a productive discussion on ways to deepen US-India cooperation across security, trade, and critical technologies - areas that strengthen both our nations and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. India is a vital partner to the United States!" Gor posted on X.

"News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future!", he added in another post.

Earlier in the day, Rubio arrived in Kolkata, kicking off his four-day visit to India. He was welcomed by Ambassador Gor at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

Accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio, the US Secretary of State visited Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.

Rubio's India itinerary, scheduled from May 23 to 26 and also covering Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, is being viewed as diplomatically significant because of planned energy discussions with India and meetings involving ministers from the Quad nations.

India is set to host the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on May 26. At the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will also be arriving in India to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting along with Rubio.

Ahead of his visit to India, Rubio said that Washington wants to expand energy ties with New Delhi and deepen coordination through the Quad, while describing India as a "great ally" and "great partner" amid global supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Saturday that Rubio's visit will add further strength to India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) India and Boeing on Saturday held discussions on strengthening cooperation in aviation and aerospace manufacturing, focusing on opportunities in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), skilling, supply chain development, innovation and expanding India’s role as a global manufacturing and engineering hub under the Make in India initiative.

Taking to the social media platform X, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, said that the deliberations took place between him and a delegation led by Jeff Shockey, Executive Vice President, Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy at Boeing.

"Held constructive discussions with Jeff Shockey, Executive Vice President, Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy at Boeing, and the accompanying delegation on advancing India-US cooperation in aviation and aerospace manufacturing," he wrote.

The talks underscored efforts to deepen India-US collaboration in the aviation sector and enhance India’s position in the global aerospace value chain.

"Deliberations focused on MRO opportunities, skilling, supply chains, innovation and India’s growing role as a trusted global manufacturing & engineering hub under the Make in India vision," according to him.

Earlier in May, the United States approved two possible Foreign Military Sales to India worth a combined $428.2 million, covering sustainment support for Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers.

The proposed assistance includes ancillary items, spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot capability and broader logistics and program support. The principal contractor for the package is BAE Systems.

In a separate notification, Washington approved a $198.2 million deal linked to AH-64E Apache helicopters. The package includes sustainment support services, engineering and technical assistance, logistics support, training, technical data and publications. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been named as principal contractors for the Apache-related support.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) State-owned energy services provider NTPC Limited on Saturday reported a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full financial year ended March 31, 2026, driven by operational gains, capacity additions and improved efficiencies.

The public sector company reported a 75 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth in profit after tax (PAT) in the January-March quarter to Rs 8,747 crore from Rs 4,987 crore reported in the third quarter of FY2026.

For the full financial year, standalone PAT increased 18 per cent to Rs 23,162 crore, compared to Rs 19,649 crore in FY25.

On a consolidated basis, NTPC’s net profit for FY26 rose 15 per cent to Rs 27,546 crore from Rs 23,953 crore in the previous financial year.

Moreover, the company’s total income for Q4 FY26 stood at Rs 44,030 crore, registering a 6 per cent growth compared to the previous quarter.

According to the company, the profit growth was primarily driven by gains from capacity additions, operational efficiencies, lower finance costs and revisions in deferred tax and regulatory deferred account balances.

The company said the strong performance was supported by a 29 per cent increase in profit contribution from joint ventures, which rose to Rs 2,864 crore during FY26.

In addition, the company’s subsidiaries contributed significantly, reporting a combined profit of Rs 3,312 crore during the financial year.

Group PAT for Q4 FY26 surged nearly 90 per cent to Rs 10,615 crore from Rs 5,597 crore reported in the preceding quarter.

NTPC’s coal-based power stations continued to outperform industry benchmarks, with the company recording a Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 72.04 per cent during FY26, compared to the national average coal PLF of 63.20 per cent.

Apart from the earnings, the company’s Board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 3 per equity share for FY26.

Shares of NTPC on Friday ended on a flat note at Rs 388.65 apiece on the NSE. The PSU stock touched a 52-week high of Rs 414.40 and a 52-week low of Rs 315.55 on the exchange.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Claiming that timely intervention by the Narendra Modi government helped Kerala's small business sector withstand global economic shocks, State BJP Pesident Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Saturday that more than 5.5 lakh MSMEs in the state benefited from the Centre's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), with guaranteed credit support of more than Rs 8,405 crore extended to enterprises across the state.

Chandrasekhar said the scheme played a crucial role in protecting businesses, jobs and investments during periods of international uncertainty, including the recent turbulence linked to the West Asia crisis.

He described the programme as a key example of how the Narendra Modi government responded quickly to support entrepreneurs facing circumstances beyond their control.

Highlighting the case of a Thiruvananthapuram-based cyber forensics startup, Chandrasekhar said that the private firm had received vital support through the scheme at a time when business conditions were affected by instability in the Middle East.

"I was happy to hear from Shyam of the Thiruvananthapuram-based cyber forensics startup. He shared how ECLGS support through SBI provided critical relief during a difficult period. He specifically requested that his gratitude be conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the State BJP President added.

The BJP leader noted that Kerala's economy remains closely tied to the Gulf region through remittances, trade, tourism and business activity, making the state particularly vulnerable to developments in West Asia.

According to him, schemes such as ECLGS helped enterprises manage working capital pressures, sustain operations, and retain jobs during uncertain times.

"When governments stand behind entrepreneurs, banks gain confidence to lend and businesses gain confidence to invest. That is how resilient economies are built," Chandrasekhar said, while stressing that support to MSMEs was not merely about credit flow but also about safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring economic confidence.

He also urged eligible MSMEs and startups in Kerala to make greater use of Central government schemes aimed at promoting innovation, expansion and employment generation, saying easier access to credit could help businesses recover faster and create new opportunities in a challenging global environment.

Source: IANS

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Beijing, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said on Saturday that he and his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao had a brief exchange on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Suzhou, eastern China, local media reported.

This exchange marks the first ministerial contact between the two nations since their latest diplomatic dispute flared up last year.

The ties between China and Japan deteriorated since last November when Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese Prime Minister, suggested in parliament that in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, Japan could deploy its defence forces.

Iwao Horii, Senior Vice Foreign Minister, who attended the forum together with Akazawa, also met with Wang separately, Japan’s leading Kyodo News Agency reported.

During their meeting, Horii asked China to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China, he told the reporters.

This comes after a knife attack in Shanghai on two Japanese men and one Chinese woman, who were injured at a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai on Tuesday.

Since the escalation of tensions between the two nations regarding Takaichi’s remarks, Tokyo has maintained that it stays open for dialogue with Beijing and hopes to arrange a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Takaichi during an APEC summit in November to improve strained relations, noted the report.

Akazawa stressed that "The Japanese government policy of seeking strategic and mutually beneficial ties with China remains unchanged."

China has increased pressure on Japan with tighter export control on dual-use items, which include rare earths, after the escalation, the report highlighted.

It added that after the conclusion of the APEC session, Akazawa called for the removal of export control measures on rare earths as they could "severely impact global supply chains," and are not in line with international practices.

Taiwan, which is also a member of the APEC, sent Yang Jen-ni, its trade representative to the forum, but neither Akazawa nor Horii had any contact with the representative, according to the Japanese officials.

–IANS

ksk/as

Source: IANS

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Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) In fresh trouble for jailed Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Khan, an Uttar Pradesh court on Saturday enhanced the sentence of the former MP from seven years to 10 years and raised the penalty imposed on his son from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3.5 lakh in the latter's dual PAN card case.

The Special MP-MLA Court in Rampur also enhanced the penalty imposed on Azam Khan from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, a lawyer said.

The court decision came in connection with the prosecution's appeal seeking sentence enhancement for the father-son duo serving seven years' imprisonment for the offence of Abdullah Khan possessing two PAN cards with different dates of birth (DOB), the lawyer added.

The former MP and his son were sentenced to seven years' jail each on November 17, 2025, after holding Abdullah Khan guilty of getting a second PAN card made with a wrong date of birth to increase his age on record, making him eligible to contest election.

Earlier, Azam Khan's appeal against his sentencing was dismissed by a court on April 20 this year while the decision on the prosecution's appeal seeking sentence enhancement was delivered on Saturday, the lawyer said.

The case was registered in Civil Lines police station in Rampur on a fraud, forgery and criminal conspiracy complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Akash Kumar Saxena on December 6, 2019.

He alleged that one of Abdullah's PAN cards recorded his DOB as January 1, 1993, and the other mentioned September 30, 1990.

After the court decision on Saturday, Saxena said, "This is a historic verdict, enhancing the sentence on an appeal. This is a rare case in which an appeal to increase a convict's sentence has been accepted by court."

Earlier, during the trial, the prosecution succeeded in proving in court that Abdullah Khan, a former MLA, indulged in forgery to qualify for contesting an election and Azam Khan was part of the larger conspiracy.

The prosecution said that Abdullah was underage and did not meet the requirement for a minimum age to contest an election. To increase his age in records, he used a fake DOB and got a second PAN card made.

At the time of the court judgment on November 17 last year, Azam Khan had barely stepped out of jail in another matter.

Complainant Saxena alleged that forged documents were used to prepare the PAN cards that were used for electoral purposes and filing income tax documents.

Source: IANS

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Ranchi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) With Jharkhand reeling under an intense heat wave, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday directed district administrations and government officials across the state to ensure the uninterrupted availability of drinking water for the public.

The Chief Minister instructed Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers, Circle Officers, Block Development Officers, Panchayat representatives and all government offices to make adequate arrangements for drinking water at public places and outside government establishments.

"In view of the continuously rising heat and heatwave conditions in Jharkhand, all officials must ensure proper arrangements for drinking water for the general public and prominently display information regarding the facilities so that pedestrians and other citizens can get relief," Soren said in a post on social media platform X.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to immediately address water scarcity issues in affected areas by deploying water tankers, repairing defunct hand pumps, and putting in place alternative arrangements wherever required.

"At the same time, all Deputy Commissioners shall ensure that wherever there is a water crisis, immediate water supply through tankers, repair of hand pumps, and other alternative arrangements are made," he said.

Emphasising the need for a humane and prompt administrative response during the extreme weather conditions, Soren said no village, hamlet or locality should suffer due to a shortage of drinking water.

"No village, hamlet or neighbourhood should face hardship due to shortage of drinking water -- this is our collective responsibility. During this period of intense heat, the administration must work with complete sensitivity, promptness and a humane approach. Public interest is paramount," he added.

Jharkhand has been witnessing severe heat wave conditions over the past few days, with temperatures hovering above 40 degrees Celsius in several districts.

The state government has issued heat wave warnings for at least six districts, while many areas have recorded temperatures nearly four degrees above normal.

According to weather forecasts, some relief is likely towards the end of the month, with light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds expected across parts of the state between May 26 and 29.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) India has moved a significant step closer towards long-term energy self-sufficiency after its indigenously developed 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieved criticality -- a stage at which a nuclear reactor attains a controlled and self-sustaining chain reaction for the first time, a report said.

According to an analysis by Business Report, the milestone marks India’s entry into an elite group of nations possessing advanced fast breeder reactor technology, with Russia being the only other country operating commercial fast breeder reactors.

The achievement is being viewed as a major breakthrough in India’s three-stage nuclear power programme envisioned by nuclear scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha, often regarded as the architect of the country’s nuclear strategy, it said.

The PFBR has been designed to generate more fuel than it consumes by using plutonium-based fuel and breeding additional fissile material, thereby strengthening India’s long-term energy security prospects.

In addition, the reactor’s criticality signals India’s transition into the second stage of its nuclear programme.

In the first stage, natural uranium is used as fuel in nuclear reactors, producing plutonium as a by-product.

The second stage involves using this plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), according to the report.

The Kalpakkam reactor is expected to play a key role in developing Uranium-233 from thorium, paving the way for the third stage of the programme where India aims to utilise its vast thorium reserves for large-scale power generation.

Moreover, India possesses some of the world’s largest thorium reserves, while its uranium resources remain relatively limited.

The report highlighted that thorium-based energy generation could potentially meet the country’s power needs for several hundred years.

The development is also expected to support India’s clean energy transition and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As of now, the country's nuclear power generation capacity stands at 8.78 GW, contributing nearly 3 per cent of the country’s electricity output.

With indigenous 700 MW reactors and upcoming international collaborations involving 1,000 MW reactors, India’s installed nuclear capacity is projected to rise to 22.38 GW by 2031-32, according to the report.

Source: IANS

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