Tuesday, March 24

State

After Hanumangarh, Bundi Farmers Set to Mount Fresh Challenge to Bhajanlal Government; Major Demands Placed
Politics, Rajasthan, State

After Hanumangarh, Bundi Farmers Set to Mount Fresh Challenge to Bhajanlal Government; Major Demands Placed

Even as the controversy over the ethanol factory in Hanumangarh continues to simmer, the Bhajanlal-led Rajasthan government is facing another major challenge from the farming community—this time from Bundi district. Farmers of the Hadoti region have announced a large-scale Mahapanchayat on December 28, raising long-pending demands and warning of an intensified agitation if their issues remain unaddressed. The Mahapanchayat will be held at the Ada Gela Balaji Temple in Keshoraipatan, focusing primarily on the revival of the Keshoraipatan Sugar Mill, which has remained closed for the past 22 years. Farmers argue that the prolonged shutdown has pushed the region into economic distress and mounting debt. Key Demands of the Farmers The farmers have outlined several major demands, inclu...
Bihar: Major Theft at Renowned Thawe Durga Temple in Gopalganj, Gold Crown and Silver Canopy Stolen
Bihar, State

Bihar: Major Theft at Renowned Thawe Durga Temple in Gopalganj, Gold Crown and Silver Canopy Stolen

In a shocking incident that has sent waves of anger and concern among devotees, a major theft has been reported at the famous Thawe Durga Temple in Gopalganj district of Bihar. Unknown miscreants allegedly broke into the temple late on Wednesday night and decamped with the sacred gold crown of the deity, a silver canopy, and gold ornaments worth several lakhs of rupees. According to police officials, two masked thieves scaled the boundary wall of the temple premises around 11:30 pm amid dense fog and near-zero visibility. Using a gas cutter, they broke open the lock of the sanctum sanctorum and carried out the theft within minutes before fleeing the scene by jumping back over the wall. Police Investigation Underway Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Avadhesh Kumar Dixit reached th...
Mathura: Death Toll in Yamuna Expressway Horror Crash Rises to 19; DNA Tests Ordered for Identification
State, Uttar Pradesh

Mathura: Death Toll in Yamuna Expressway Horror Crash Rises to 19; DNA Tests Ordered for Identification

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: The death toll in the devastating multi-vehicle accident on the Yamuna Expressway has risen to 19, sending shockwaves across the country. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday near milestone 127 under the Baldev police station limits, where dense fog severely reduced visibility, triggering a massive pile-up followed by a raging fire. According to officials, at least seven private buses, one Uttar Pradesh Roadways bus, and three cars collided in quick succession due to poor visibility. The impact was so intense that several vehicles caught fire instantly, turning the expressway into an inferno. Passengers Burnt Alive, Over 100 Injured Officials confirmed that 12 passengers were burnt alive as flames engulfed the vehicles, while others su...
₹100-Crore Maharana Pratap Tourism Circuit Faces Opposition from His Descendant; Vishvaraj Singh Mewar Flags Heritage Concerns
Rajasthan, State

₹100-Crore Maharana Pratap Tourism Circuit Faces Opposition from His Descendant; Vishvaraj Singh Mewar Flags Heritage Concerns

Udaipur, Rajasthan: The Bhajanlal-led Rajasthan government’s ambitious ₹100-crore Maharana Pratap Tourism Circuit has landed in controversy after strong objections were raised by BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, a direct descendant of the legendary Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap. Vishvaraj Singh Mewar has cautioned that the proposed ultra-modern constructions and multiple museums under the project could dilute the spiritual, historical, and cultural legacy of Maharana Pratap and the Mewar region. Concerns Over Ultra-Modern Construction The tourism circuit, announced by Finance and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari in the February 2024 interim budget, aims to develop key sites associated with Maharana Pratap’s life — from his birthplace Kumbhalgarh to the battlefield of Haldighati. The pr...
Abandoned by Husband, She Worked as a Domestic Help and Gave Birth Alone — A Mother’s Heartbreaking Story Moves an Entire Hospital
State, Uttar Pradesh

Abandoned by Husband, She Worked as a Domestic Help and Gave Birth Alone — A Mother’s Heartbreaking Story Moves an Entire Hospital

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: A deeply moving story of abandonment, resilience, and maternal love has emerged from Gorakhpur, leaving doctors, nurses, and hospital staff in tears. A young woman, abandoned by her husband while pregnant, survived by working as a domestic help and eventually gave birth to a baby boy alone, far from home. The woman, a native of Darbhanga district in Bihar, was married just a year ago through an arranged marriage. Initially, her married life was peaceful. About five months ago, her husband took her to Delhi. There, while she was four months pregnant, he suddenly disappeared, later calling her once only to say that he would never return and that she should “find her own way.” He then switched off his phone permanently. Struggle for SurvivalWith no family suppo...
Validity of Appointments of 69,649 Bihar Teachers Under Scrutiny Amid Missing Files
Bihar, State

Validity of Appointments of 69,649 Bihar Teachers Under Scrutiny Amid Missing Files

Sitamarhi, Bihar: The appointments of nearly 70,000 teachers recruited in Bihar between 2006 and 2015 are now under scrutiny as the monitoring department reports that crucial personnel files are missing. The absence of these records has raised doubts over the legitimacy of their appointments, with authorities stating that the positions of teachers whose files cannot be located cannot be considered valid until verification is complete. High Court-Ordered InvestigationFollowing a directive from the Patna High Court, the Bihar Monitoring Department has been conducting a statewide investigation into teacher appointments. Hundreds of fraudulent teachers have already been identified, FIRs filed, and dismissals carried out. However, records for 69,649 teachers are still unavailable, preventing...
Administrative Blunder in Maheshwar Panchayat Election: Notification Issued for Wrong Ward; Two Officials Suspended
State, Uttar Pradesh

Administrative Blunder in Maheshwar Panchayat Election: Notification Issued for Wrong Ward; Two Officials Suspended

Khargone, Madhya Pradesh: A serious administrative lapse has emerged in the Maheshwar Janpad Panchayat election process. Instead of issuing the election notification for Ward No. 7, the notification was mistakenly released for Ward No. 9. Following the error, two officials have been suspended, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been issued a show-cause notice. A corrected election notification for the vacant ward will be issued shortly. Vacancy Following Member’s DemiseAccording to Akash Singh, CEO of Zila Panchayat Khargone, the seat in Ward No. 7 became vacant after the demise of member Mohan Makwale. As per regulations, a by-election was scheduled to fill this vacant seat. The BlunderDue to negligence on the part of the staff and officials of Maheshwar Janpad Panchayat, inf...
Kankipadu Creta-Scooter Collision in Andhra Pradesh Leaves Pedestrian Injured; Viral Video Sparks Social Media Debate
Andhra Pradesh, State

Kankipadu Creta-Scooter Collision in Andhra Pradesh Leaves Pedestrian Injured; Viral Video Sparks Social Media Debate

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh: A high-speed Hyundai Creta collided violently with a scooter in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, on 16 December, leaving multiple people injured and sparking a heated debate on social media. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the severity of the crash, including a pedestrian who was also hit in the chaos. The video circulated widely online, with some users incorrectly claiming the accident took place in Ahmedabad. Authorities have clarified that the collision occurred in Kankipadu, Krishna district. Details of the CrashAccording to reports, the Creta was traveling at excessive speed when it struck the scooter, causing severe damage to the front of the car. The scooter, carrying two people, lost control after the collision, and a pedestrian standing...
Bahraich Serial Rapist Avinash Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Fourth Case; Earlier Three Cases Also Resulted in Life Terms
State, Uttar Pradesh

Bahraich Serial Rapist Avinash Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Fourth Case; Earlier Three Cases Also Resulted in Life Terms

Bahraich: In a significant verdict, the Bahraich court has awarded life imprisonment to serial rapist Avinash Pandey, also known as “Simple,” in his fourth case involving the sexual assault of a five-year-old girl. The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge and Special POCSO Judge Arvind Kumar Gautam, also imposed a fine of ₹2.4 lakh on the accused. This is the fourth case in which Avinash Pandey has been sentenced to life imprisonment. In one of the previous cases, the court directed that he remain behind bars for the rest of his life. In total, he has been fined ₹7.8 lakh across all four cases. Swift Justice in a Heinous CrimeThe latest crime occurred on the night of 2 July 2025, around 3 AM, when the five-year-old girl, belonging to a Dalit family, was asleep in her cou...
Bihar Panchayat Elections 2026: State Election Commission Confirms Fresh Reservation of Seats
Bihar, State

Bihar Panchayat Elections 2026: State Election Commission Confirms Fresh Reservation of Seats

Ahead of the 2026 three-tier Panchayat elections in Bihar, the State Election Commission (SEC) has clarified confusion circulating on social media regarding the reservation of seats. The commission confirmed that reservations for Panchayat positions will be freshly determined for the upcoming elections, dispelling rumors about the continuation of previous allocations. Clarifying the Confusion The joint Election Commissioner of Bihar stated that misinformation about the Panchayat elections, including the mode of voting—whether by ballot paper or EVM—and the reservation of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad positions, has been widely circulated. To address this, the SEC issued an official statement confirming that reservations for all posts will be finalized anew. E...