Madhya Pradesh

Former Madhya Pradesh minister Deepak Joshi tied the knot at the age of 63, marrying 43-year-old former Congress state secretary Pallavi Raj Saxena. The wedding, held on December 4, recently came to public attention when photos and videos were shared on social media, igniting widespread discussion and controversy. Pallavi Raj Saxena posted pictures and videos of the ceremony, including traditional rituals, outings, and celebrations with family. In one video, she humorously comments on Joshi’s frugality while walking to a temple, saying, “Father, look at your son-in-law; he’s so stingy.” Another clip shows Joshi applying sindoor to Pallavi’s hairline, performing traditional wedding rituals, and participating in dance celebrations with family members. Haldi ceremony pictures were also sha...

DATIA: Datia District Collector Swapnil Wankhede displayed an uncompromising stance when a large group of patwaris (village-level revenue officers) attempted to pressure the administration at the collectorate office. The patwaris had gathered to protest the suspension of one of their colleagues. However, the collector firmly warned them against such tactics, stating, “I will not bow down. God is with me, and so is Maa (Divine Mother).” No Tolerance for Pressure on AdministrationCollector Wankhede made it clear that attempts to influence the administration through political support or mass gatherings would not be tolerated. Addressing the crowd, he said, “Do you think I will yield just because 60–70 people stand here? Absolutely not. If representatives want to discuss any matter, three t...

BHOPAL: This New Year, residents of Bhopal can celebrate without worrying about legal restrictions on alcohol at private gatherings. The Excise Department of Madhya Pradesh has introduced a special one-day license allowing citizens to convert their homes into a legal “bar” for just ₹500. One-Day License for Private PartiesAccording to the new guidelines issued by Assistant Excise Commissioner Virendra Singh Dhakad, individuals can now host parties on rooftops, drawing rooms, or private spaces without fear of raids by police or excise authorities. The initiative also provides a clear framework for larger events at gardens, restaurants, or hotels, where gatherings range from 500 to 5,000 people. In such cases, license fees vary from ₹25,000 to ₹2 lakh depending on crowd size. Simple an...

Bhopal: A shocking case of administrative malpractice has surfaced in Saunsar, Madhya Pradesh, where a landowner with 17 acres of fertile land was falsely classified as a worker to avail benefits under the Sambal Scheme. Following the revelation, the Labour Secretary has directed strict action against the negligent officials involved. ‘Rich Worker’ Scandal Under the Sambal Scheme, only those with less than 1 hectare (≈2.5 acres) of land are eligible for government assistance. However, Ramshankar Gavnekar, a resident of Saunsar, managed to register as a landless worker despite owning 17 acres. The deception escalated when he lodged a complaint on the CM Helpline to claim ₹2 lakh in government aid following the death of Sanju Gavnekar, assuming pressure tactics would force the administ...

A heated scene unfolded at the Datia Collectorate on Wednesday when District Collector Swapnil Wankhede strongly reprimanded a group of patwaris who arrived in large numbers to protest the suspension of one of their colleagues. The Collector made it clear that group pressure, political influence, or show of strength would not be tolerated. Collector Loses Temper Over “Mob Pressure” According to officials, 60–70 patwaris gathered at the Collectorate to meet the Collector following the suspension of a patwari. Seeing them arrive in a group, Collector Wankhede reacted sharply and expressed his displeasure in unequivocal terms. “I will not bow down. Do not think that gathering in large numbers will put pressure on me. That will not happen. God is with me, and justice is with me,” the ...

A heart-wrenching road accident claimed the lives of three young men in Madhya Pradesh’s Maihar district late Wednesday night, when their speeding motorcycle rammed into a stationary tractor-trolley parked on the roadside. All three victims died on the spot, bringing grief and shock to their families and village. Returning Home After a Day’s Hard Labour According to police, the deceased were returning home after a long day of manual labour in Rewa. The accident occurred near the Gujra Toll Plaza, close to an Indian Gas Agency, under the jurisdiction of Mukundpur police outpost. The three youths were riding on a single motorcycle and were on their way to their native village Jamuna when the tragedy struck. Poor Visibility Turns Fatal Preliminary investigation suggests that th...

“My son survived, but he returned to me without his eyesight,” says 36-year-old Tikku Yadavvanshi, his voice breaking as tears roll down his cheeks. For 116 agonizing days, his five-year-old son fought a battle between life and death after consuming a toxic cough syrup. The child lived—but at a devastating cost that has changed his family’s life forever. The incident is part of the chilling cough syrup tragedy that shook Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara and Betul districts, claiming the lives of 26 children. Tikku’s son is among the few survivors. Today, however, the child cannot see and struggles to walk, requiring constant care and supervision. A Life Saved, but Permanently Scarred The tragedy unfolded in Parasia town of Chhindwara district. After being prescribed the cough syrup, th...

Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh: In a dramatic protest during a government program under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rajgarh MP Rodmal Nagar reportedly touched the feet of officials who arrived late, expressing his frustration over the delay. The incident, which has gone viral on social media, occurred at a water supply event in Kundibeh village. Delay Sparks MP’s ProtestMP Rodmal Nagar and MLA Amarsingh Yadav arrived at the event on time, but senior officials from the Jal Jeevan Mission, including Additional Secretary Kamal Kishore Som, Managing Director of Jal Nigam KVS Chaudhary, and other administrative personnel, arrived late. The delay of approximately one and a half hours angered the MP, who descended from the stage and touched the officials’ feet to convey his displeasure. Speaking to th...

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Security agencies have uncovered a major nexus between illegal timber operations in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh and terror financing. Investigations reveal that profits from large-scale deforestation are being channeled to support extremist networks across several states. The racket, operated by Mohan Tahir from Godhra, Gujarat, has allegedly generated around ₹200 crore over the past three years through illegal felling and trade of Khair wood, valued at nearly ₹700 crore in the market. To store the timber, a secret depot under the name “Shalimar Enterprises” was established on private land in Malwai village, Alirajpur district, managed by Arif Ali Makrani. The case first came to light in June 2024 when a truck carrying illegally sourced timber from Alirajpu...

Indore: A three-year-old girl in Indore, Anika, is battling a rare and life-threatening disease—Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-2. Her treatment requires an expensive injection costing nearly ₹9 crore. In a desperate bid for help, Anika’s parents approached the Collector’s office during a public hearing and made an emotional appeal to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. A Family’s Desperate AppealDuring the hearing, Anika’s parents explained that they have managed to raise approximately ₹3 crore with the support of society, charitable institutions, and citizens. However, they still face a daunting shortfall of ₹6 crore. They urged the CM to help mobilize support from women registered under the state’s Laadli Bahna Scheme, suggesting that even a contribution of ₹6 per woman could signific...