Monday, March 30

State

Delhi: Identities of Two Victims Still Unknown in Tigri Extension Footwear Shop Fire
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi: Identities of Two Victims Still Unknown in Tigri Extension Footwear Shop Fire

New Delhi: The tragic fire that broke out at a footwear shop in Tigri Extension on Saturday evening claimed the lives of four people. The shop owner, Satyendra alias Jimmy, and several members of his family were fortunately away from home at the time, narrowly escaping the blaze. Anita’s children, aged 11 and 15, were also attending tuition classes when the incident occurred. Two Victims Yet to Be IdentifiedWhile Anita’s sister, Mamta, survived after suffering severe burns and is undergoing treatment in hospital, the identities of two of the deceased victims remain unknown. Police suspect they were customers who had come to view footwear. It is believed that the victims may have been residents of the nearby area. Fire Investigation and Safety MeasuresThe ground floor of the building ...
Who is Shahzad Bhatti – The Gangster Eyeing Lawrence Bishnoi’s Blood
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Who is Shahzad Bhatti – The Gangster Eyeing Lawrence Bishnoi’s Blood

New Delhi: Shahzad Bhatti, a notorious gangster from Balochistan, Pakistan, once a close aide of the infamous Farooq Khokhar gang, is now reportedly operating an international terror and criminal module from Dubai with ISI support. Intelligence sources monitoring his activities say Bhatti is following a path similar to Dawood Ibrahim, aiming to establish an underworld network and instill fear. Modus Operandi and IntentBhatti’s operations include hawala transactions, contract killings, threats, weapons trafficking, and spreading terror via social media. With backing from the ISI, his current focus is to strengthen influence among Indian gangsters and recruit youth through online platforms. Past Ties with Lawrence BishnoiBorn in Pakistan, Shahzad Bhatti was once considered a close ally...
Delhi: Young Man Crushed to Death by Mercedes While Helping Family; One Dead, Two Injured
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi: Young Man Crushed to Death by Mercedes While Helping Family; One Dead, Two Injured

New Delhi: In a tragic incident late Saturday night, a Mercedes car ran over three people in Vasant Kunj North, resulting in the death of Rohit, who had moved to Delhi 10 months ago to support his family. Two others were injured in the accident. Rohit, hailing from Chamoli, Uttarakhand, came to Delhi with dreams in his eyes, determined to assist his father, Yashwant Bisht, a small-scale farmer. With limited resources and responsibilities including a younger brother, Chandan, and a sister, Rohit took up a job as a chef at Paul Restaurant in Ambience Mall, earning ₹15,000–17,000 per month. After meeting his daily expenses and rent, he sent the remainder home to support his family. Family in ShockSpeaking through tears, Rohit’s uncle, Balwant, said, “Rohit left home to help his family, ...
Congress MP Moves Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha, Demands Halt to SIR Process
DELHI (national capital territory), Politics, State

Congress MP Moves Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha, Demands Halt to SIR Process

New Delhi: On the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Monday, demanding the immediate suspension of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in 12 states and Union Territories. Tagore described the process as an “unprecedented crisis” and raised serious concerns over its implementation. Allegations Against Election CommissionIn his notice, Tagore criticized the Election Commission for implementing the SIR process unilaterally, without consultation with teachers, state authorities, or consideration for public difficulties. He alleged that the process was sudden, coercive, and highly stressful for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), forcing them to work day and night. Several BLOs reportedly co...
Delhi to Receive Additional 113.5 MGD Raw Water from Himachal via Haryana
DELHI (national capital territory), Politics, State

Delhi to Receive Additional 113.5 MGD Raw Water from Himachal via Haryana

New Delhi: Delhi is set to receive an additional 113.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw water from Himachal Pradesh, which could help bridge the city’s current shortfall of 250 MGD. The decision comes after long-standing delays in operationalizing water-sharing agreements with neighboring states. Discussions at Yamuna Review MeetingAccording to Delhi government sources, the matter was discussed at the recent Yamuna Review Committee meeting. Himachal Pradesh has agreed, as per previous agreements, to release 113.5 MGD of water for Delhi’s use. Officials noted that technical formalities are nearly complete, and water supply to the capital is expected soon. Delhi’s Current Water ScenarioDelhi currently receives approximately 1,000 MGD of water against a demand of 1,250 MGD, leaving ...
Delhi: Man Shot Dead in Aya Nagar Amid Rising Tensions
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi: Man Shot Dead in Aya Nagar Amid Rising Tensions

New Delhi: The quiet of Sunday morning in Aya Nagar was shattered by the sound of gunfire as masked assailants in a car murdered 55-year-old Ratan Lohia, who was on his way to a local dairy. The incident, reportedly stemming from a long-standing family feud, has triggered tension in the area, prompting police to heighten security. Details of the ShootingAccording to DCP Ankit Chauhan, police received a distress call at around 6:25 AM reporting shots fired in the Aya Nagar area. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ratan’s lifeless body riddled with bullets. The attackers reportedly fired 60–70 rounds before fleeing the scene. Sources indicate that this murder is connected to a previous killing six months ago at CDR Chowk, Chhatarpur, where Ratan’s son Deepak, currently in jail, allegedl...
Delhi-Narela Industrial Area: Car Hits Tree, One Woman Dead, Five Injured
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi-Narela Industrial Area: Car Hits Tree, One Woman Dead, Five Injured

New Delhi: In the early hours of Sunday, a high-speed car crashed into a tree near Narela Industrial Area, leaving one woman dead and five others injured. All occupants of the vehicle were reportedly returning home after attending an event. Details of the AccidentAccording to Outer North DCP Hareeshwar Swami, the police received a call at approximately 5:14 AM reporting the accident near Ghoga Crossing on Narela-Bawana Road. On reaching the site, officers found a Haryana-registered Froxx car collided with a roadside tree. Eyewitness Sanjeev informed the police immediately after witnessing the crash. All occupants were rushed to the hospital, where the woman, identified as Jyoti from Kundli, Sonipat, was declared dead. The other injured are undergoing treatment at Saroj Hospital, Pita...
Delhi-NCR Air Quality Records Best Improvement in 8 Years; Relief for Residents
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi-NCR Air Quality Records Best Improvement in 8 Years; Relief for Residents

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR has witnessed the most significant improvement in air quality in the past eight years, excluding the COVID-19 lockdown period. From January to November 2025, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 187, marking a notable decline compared to previous years. According to official data, the number of severely polluted days has also decreased. Only three days this year saw AQI crossing 400, compared to 11 days in 2024, 12 days in 2023, and 17 days in 2021. Moreover, no day in 2025 recorded AQI above 450. Decline in Particulate Matter LevelsThe average PM2.5 level in Delhi was 85 µg/m³, the lowest since 2018 and comparable to 2020 levels. By comparison, PM2.5 levels were 98 in 2024, 90 in 2023, 95 in 2021, and 103 in 2018. The PM10 average also dropped to 183 µg/...
Patna Street Vendors Must Follow New Timings from Today or Face Penalty
Bihar, State

Patna Street Vendors Must Follow New Timings from Today or Face Penalty

Patna: In a major move to reduce traffic congestion and curb encroachments, the district administration of Patna has announced a new schedule for fruit and vegetable vendors across the city. Effective 1st December 2025, street vendors will be allowed to sell their goods only between 5 AM to 8 AM and 8 PM to 10 PM in designated areas. Vendors failing to comply with the timings will be subject to fines. Order from Divisional CommissionerActing on directives from Divisional Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar, Patna DM Tyagarajan S.M. and SSP Kartikey Sharma have issued strict orders and formed nine special teams to clear encroachments in priority areas. This multi-agency campaign will be implemented across six zones of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC)—Nutan Rajdhani, Patliputra, Kankarba...
Bihar: Childcare Leave Policy Yet to Be Implemented for Women University Teachers
Bihar, State

Bihar: Childcare Leave Policy Yet to Be Implemented for Women University Teachers

Patna: Despite the NDA government in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, being popular for its women-centric policies, hundreds of female professors in colleges and universities across the state have been struggling for the past 10 years to have the Childcare Leave (CCL) policy implemented. Central Government ProvisionThe childcare leave policy, notified in the Central Government Gazette in 2015, provides female government employees, including school teachers, up to 730 days (two years) of leave to care for children under 18 years of age. At the same time, maternity leave was extended to 180 days for female employees. Women can avail both maternity leave and childcare leave for up to two children during their service. UGC Guidelines for Higher EducationThe University Grants Co...