Uttar Pradesh

Greater Noida: A district court in Surajpur, Greater Noida has delivered a landmark judgment in a case where two men allegedly gang-raped a young woman by luring her with a fake job offer. The Special SC/ST Judge found property dealers Rajeev Gupta and Pradeep Mittal guilty and sentenced them to 20 years imprisonment each. In addition, Gupta was fined ₹2.95 lakh and Mittal ₹2 lakh, of which 80% will be awarded to the victim. The case, originally registered in 2020, has reached its verdict after five years. Case Background The case dates back to April 2017, when the victim, seeking employment, visited a commercial building in Sector-64, Noida. There she met Rajeev Gupta, who claimed to need a computer operator and collected her resume. A few days later, he offered her a monthly salary...

BSP supremo and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati expressed deep concern over the rising communal violence against Hindu minorities in neighboring Bangladesh, following the brutal murder of a Dalit youth. She termed the nationwide outrage in India over this incident as natural and justified. In a detailed post on social media platform X, Mayawati highlighted that the ongoing attacks on the life, property, and religious freedoms of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are alarming not just for India but for the international community as well. Referring to the recent killing of the Dalit youth, she stated that citizens taking to the streets in protest was an expected response. Call for Proactive Government Measures Mayawati urged the Indian government to take immediate cogn...

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised serious concerns regarding the implementation of the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) in its latest audit report, which was tabled in the state assembly on Wednesday. The report highlights gaps in beneficiary selection, payment disbursal, and physical verification of houses under the scheme. Survey and Beneficiary Selection According to the report, a survey to identify eligible beneficiaries was conducted in July 2017, and the report was published in March 2024. Out of 33.64 lakh identified beneficiaries, only 22.29 lakh names were included in the official waiting list for the scheme. Payments to Ineligible or Already Completed Houses The audit revealed that between 2017 and 2023, 11,031 beneficiaries ...

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: A shocking incident at R K Veg Biryani in Ghaziabad has left locals in an uproar after a bone was found in a veg biryani pack. The mishap occurred when Anil Sharma ordered biryani for his family from the shop near Neelam Factory, Arya Nagar Industrial Area, Loni Border. Upon reaching home and starting the meal, the women in the family discovered a piece of bone mixed with the rice. Immediate Action by Police The incident quickly drew attention, prompting police intervention. ACP Gyan Prakash Rai confirmed that a case has been registered, and the shop owner, Rashid, has been taken into custody. Rashid has admitted to the mistake. Customer Complaint and Shop Owner’s Response Following the discovery, Anil Sharma returned to the shop to confront the owner ...

Questions have been raised across political and administrative circles regarding the appointment of former Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar as the Chairman of the Education Service Selection Commission. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has now addressed these concerns in the state assembly. Prashant Kumar, a trusted officer in CM Yogi’s tenure, had previously been appointed as UP DGP beyond conventional norms. Following his retirement, speculation about his return to a position of influence persisted. His recent appointment as head of the Education Service Selection Commission has now confirmed his re-entry into administrative power. CM Yogi emphasized that the move aims to curb widespread malpractice in recruitment processes. “Just as our government broke the backbone of mafia element...

In a shocking revelation of police misconduct in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a court has ordered the registration of an FIR against 12 police personnel for allegedly staging a fake encounter to claim the arrest of a man already in jail. The case dates back to April 25, 2022, when milk vendor Durvesh was reportedly robbed of ₹1 lakh. Police initially claimed that Omveer and Rishipal were arrested in connection with the robbery during an encounter. However, it was later revealed that Omveer had been incarcerated in Badaun jail from April 11 to May 12, 2022, making his alleged arrest in the robbery case impossible. During the court proceedings, it was found that police had conspired to present a staged encounter on July 7, 2022, and falsely reported the recovery of 19 motorcycles to implica...

LUCKNOW: What was once a foul-smelling garbage heap in the Ghaela area along IIM Road in Lucknow has now been transformed into a sprawling national inspiration site. On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the “Rashtra Prerna Sthal” in the Uttar Pradesh capital to mark the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During the event, Modi will unveil bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and tour a state-of-the-art museum. From Dump to LandmarkThe 65-acre site, developed at a cost of approximately ₹230 crore, was once infamous as a garbage dump, emitting stench and spreading filth across the area. The site’s degradation also polluted the Gomti River and rendered the surrounding soi...

VRINDAVAN, MATHURA: Every year, during Christmas and New Year, millions of devotees flock to Vrindavan to seek the blessings of Lord Banke Bihari. The massive crowds often lead to long delays and difficulty in completing darshan. To ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of devotees, the Vrindavan administration has implemented special traffic arrangements for the festive season. Traffic Restrictions in Key Areas All heavy and commercial vehicles are prohibited from Chhatikara to Kaswa Vrindavan. Beyond the multi-level parking on the Chhatikara–Vrindavan route, no vehicles will be allowed. Heavy vehicles, large and small buses are completely banned from Vaishnodevi Parking towards Vrindavan. From Rukmani Bihar Golchakkar to Vrindavan, all heavy and commercial vehicles ar...

LUCKNOW: Across India, today marks the remembrance of Maharaja Bijli Pasi, a legendary 12th-century warrior and a symbol of Dalit pride. Renowned for his courage, leadership, and unwavering self-respect, Maharaja Bijli Pasi ruled over large parts of the Awadh region, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. He is celebrated not only as a valiant king but also as a champion of the Pasai community and the broader Dalit society. Independent Rule in AwadhHistorical accounts suggest that Maharaja Bijli Pasi reigned over Bijnorgarh in the latter half of the 12th century, approximately from 1148 to 1184. At a time when the region held significant political and military importance, he asserted his independence and expanded his kingdom without submitting to any major contem...