Uttarakhand

The case of journalist Pankaj Mishra’s death in Uttarakhand has taken a new turn. An FIR has been registered against his colleague, Amit Sehgal, on charges of assault. Following dissatisfaction with the initial post-mortem report, a second post-mortem is being conducted today by a panel of doctors. According to the complaint filed by the deceased journalist’s brother, Arvind Mishra of Alambagh, Lucknow, the Dehradun police registered a case under IPC Sections 103, 304, 333, and 352 against Amit Sehgal. Alleged Brutal Assault:Arvind Mishra alleges that on the night of December 15, Amit Sehgal, along with another individual, went to Pankaj Mishra’s rented residence in the Jakhan area of Dehradun. There, they allegedly assaulted Pankaj with the intent to kill, striking him on the chest ...

Dehradun’s SCERT campus at Nanur Kheda witnessed a proud moment on Monday as Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off a group of 240 meritorious students for an extensive Bharat Darshan Educational Tour. The initiative aims to offer the state’s top-performing Class 10 students a firsthand experience of India’s scientific achievements, cultural heritage, technological progress, and historical legacy. This year’s tour marks an expansion of the initiative, which began in 2024–25 with 156 students. Students to Visit India’s Premier Space and Research Centres Under this programme, the selected students will visit some of India’s most prestigious scientific and space institutions, including: ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota U.R. Rao Satellite Centr...

Uttarkashi: A unique environmental protest unfolded in Uttarkashi where activists, environmentalists, and citizens from across the country gathered to tie ‘Raksha Sutra’ on trees. This symbolic act aims to protect thousands of trees marked to be cut for the Char Dham All-Weather Road widening project. Participants from Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other states assembled near Harsil under the ‘Himalaya Hai Toh Hum Hain’ campaign. They performed rituals, offered prayers to deodar trees, and tied sacred threads around their trunks, pledging to safeguard them from felling. Over 6,000 Trees Marked for Cutting Local groups revealed that more than 6,000 trees, many of them decades old, have been identified for removal as part of the widening project. This public movement began aft...

Champawat (Uttarakhand): A devastating accident took place on the Lohaghat–Ghat National Highway in Champawat district, where a Bolero carrying wedding guests plunged into a deep gorge near Bagdhara late Wednesday night. The mishap claimed five lives, while five others sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred around 2:30 AM when the vehicle, part of a wedding procession returning after the bride’s bidai, lost control at the sharp Bagdhara bend. According to eyewitnesses and members of the wedding party, the driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, which may have led to the fatal loss of control. Local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue the injured from the gorge. The victims were immediately taken to Lohaghat Sub-District Hospital, where a team led b...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a historic decision, the Uttarakhand government has officially renamed the state’s Raj Bhavans in Dehradun and Nainital as ‘Lok Bhavan’. The change comes following approval from Lieutenant Governor (Retd.) Gurmeet Singh and in accordance with a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, dated 25 November 2025. The official notification, released by Raj Bhavan Secretary Ravinath Raman, clarified that the two Raj Bhavans will henceforth be known as Dehradun Lok Bhavan and Nainital Lok Bhavan. Dehradun Raj Bhavan: A Post-Statehood EstablishmentFollowing the formation of Uttarakhand on 9 November 2000 as India’s 27th state, the Dehradun Raj Bhavan was initially set up temporarily at Bijapur House on New Cantt Road. Later, the Circuit House ...

Haridwar, Uttarakhand: In a significant move ahead of the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027, the Juna Akhara has expelled Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Prabodhanand Giri for raising questions over the event and making statements against the government. The action was announced through a letter issued by Mahant Mohan Bharti, the International President of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. The Akhara stated that the action was taken due to the monks’ unwarranted criticism of the state government and administration, including questioning the Akhara representatives’ meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the Ardh Kumbh arrangements. Akhara Stands for Tradition and DisciplineMahant Mohan Bharti emphasized that the Akhara system is ...

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: Social worker Krishna Pandey, popularly known as “Azad”, was recently honored with the Yashwant Rao Kelkar Youth Award 2025 by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the national convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Dehradun. Hailing from Khajurgawa village, Campierganj police station area, Gorakhpur, Krishna Pandey was recognized for his outstanding contributions to social causes, including rehabilitation of mentally ill individuals, drug de-addiction programs, and helping the homeless and marginalized. On returning to Gorakhpur, Azad was warmly welcomed by supporters and well-wishers. Reflecting on the award, he said:"I do not work for awards or recognition. Serving society, especially those left behind by the mainstrea...

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Wildlife enthusiasts in Uttarakhand received distressing news on Monday as an elephant calf was killed after being hit by a train at the Rajaji National Park Tiger Reserve. The incident occurred between Raywala and Motichur railway stations, leaving rail traffic disrupted for several hours. According to reports, the Havrah Express collided with an approximately 8-year-old male elephant calf while passing through the forested area of the Haridwar range. The impact was so severe that the calf got trapped under the train’s engine, resulting in instant death. Rail Traffic Disrupted for Three HoursThe railway line remained blocked for nearly three hours as the train crew and authorities worked to remove the calf from beneath the engine. Witnesses reported that a he...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand is expected to enjoy pleasant weather today, with no major changes anticipated on 3 December. However, starting 4 December, conditions are likely to shift, with snowfall and rain forecasted in higher altitudes, potentially causing a drop in temperatures. Weather officials report that while the difference between day and night temperatures has widened, overall temperatures remain stable, resulting in a dry cold that is discomforting residents. Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 25°C, up by 1°C, and a minimum of 7.8°C, down by 1°C on Monday. Meteorologists note that bright sunshine since October has contributed to the temperature variations, with nights remaining relatively cold. In response to the chill, local authorities have taken preven...