India

Nitin Gadkari Takes Legal Route Over Online Claims Linking Him to E20 Fuel Policy

Nitin Gadkari Takes Legal Route Over Online Claims Linking Him to E20 Fuel Policy

Mumbai/New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has approached the Bombay High Court seeking action over what he describes as a campaign involving allegedly false and manipulated online content connecting him and his family with the government's E20 ethanol-blended petrol initiative. The legal move comes after a prolonged social media debate surrounding the fuel policy, with Gadkari alleging that artificial intelligence-generated videos, altered clips and misleading posts have been circulated to create a false narrative about his role in the programme. The minister's petition has named Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google and certain unidentified persons…
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Reports Suggest Shehzad Poonawalla Has Resigned From BJP; Official Confirmation Awaited

Reports Suggest Shehzad Poonawalla Has Resigned From BJP; Official Confirmation Awaited

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Reports emerging from political circles indicate that BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has stepped down from the Bharatiya Janata Party, though the development has not yet been officially confirmed by the party or by Poonawalla himself. Sources said the resignation was reportedly submitted to the BJP leadership on Thursday evening. However, no details have been disclosed regarding the circumstances or reasons behind the reported move. Adding to the speculation, Poonawalla has revised the profile descriptions across his social media platforms, removing references to his role in the BJP. His updated bio now identifies him as a…
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Hyderabad Police File FIR Against Meta India Head, Social Media Handles Over Alleged Offensive Posts on PM Modi

Hyderabad Police File FIR Against Meta India Head, Social Media Handles Over Alleged Offensive Posts on PM Modi

Hyderabad (Rajeev Sharma): The Cyber Crime Wing of Hyderabad Police has registered a criminal case against the India head of Meta Platforms and the operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegations that objectionable and manipulated content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi was circulated on social media during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) agitation over the NEET paper leak. The FIR was registered following a complaint submitted by T. Saikiran Goud, a member of the BJP Telangana social media team. According to the complaint, Goud noticed multiple reels and posts on Facebook and Instagram on July…
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Family of Injured Delhi Police Officer Shares Account of Jantar Mantar Protest Violence

Family of Injured Delhi Police Officer Shares Account of Jantar Mantar Protest Violence

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Relatives of Delhi Police personnel who sustained injuries during the recent protest at Jantar Mantar addressed the media on Thursday, describing the physical and emotional impact of the violence on their families. Among those who spoke was the daughter of a Delhi Police sub-inspector, who recounted the circumstances surrounding her father's injuries while he was deployed to maintain law and order at the protest site. According to her, the officer had been stationed on the front line near the barricades as thousands of demonstrators gathered at Jantar Mantar. She said he had previously expressed concern that…
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Parliament Passes Bill Making Insult to ‘Vande Mataram’ a Punishable Offence

Parliament Passes Bill Making Insult to ‘Vande Mataram’ a Punishable Offence

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Parliament officially approved the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Thursday, elevating the national song Vande Mataram to a legal status on par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The Lok Sabha cleared the legislation via a voice vote amid persistent disruptions and sloganeering from the Opposition, one day after the bill received approval in the Rajya Sabha. Once the bill receives assent from President Droupadi Murmu, any intentional act of preventing the singing of Vande Mataram or causing disturbances during its performance will become a criminal offence. Under the provisions…
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Parliament Enacts Stricter Anti-Paper Leak Legislation to Safeguard Examination Integrity

Parliament Enacts Stricter Anti-Paper Leak Legislation to Safeguard Examination Integrity

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Parliament officially granted approval on Thursday to the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing severe criminal and financial penalties to combat systemic malpractice in public examinations. The legislation was passed in the Rajya Sabha via a voice vote, following its approval in the Lok Sabha a day earlier, despite a walkout by Opposition members. The newly enacted law aims to serve as a strong deterrent against the paper leaks that have frequently disrupted academic calendars and impacted student futures. Under the provisions of the amendment, individuals found guilty of leaking question papers…
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Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Student Protesters Amid NEET-UG 2026 Controversy

Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Student Protesters Amid NEET-UG 2026 Controversy

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an interim directive to all states, strictly prohibiting any coercive action against students who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests regarding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. These demonstrations, which centered on demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have reignited a significant legal discussion regarding the finality of First Information Reports. While the court's order provides necessary temporary relief for the protesters, it does not function as a cancellation of the existing criminal records. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, an FIR serves as the…
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India Condemns Attacks on Black Sea Shipping Following High-Level Talks with Ukraine

India Condemns Attacks on Black Sea Shipping Following High-Level Talks with Ukraine

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on Thursday to address the intensifying security crisis in the Black Sea. The discussion focused on the safety of international commercial shipping and the welfare of Indian seafarers, who have increasingly been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. Minister Jaishankar issued a firm condemnation during the exchange, declaring that attacks on commercial vessels by any party are absolutely unacceptable and reiterating New Delhi's stance advocating for dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward. The diplomatic outreach follows…
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Path of Devotion Made Easier: Vrindavan Parikrama Marg to Get a Rs 100 Crore Facelift

Path of Devotion Made Easier: Vrindavan Parikrama Marg to Get a Rs 100 Crore Facelift

Vrindavan (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): A major initiative is underway to bring significant relief to the millions of devotees visiting the sacred town of Lord Krishna. To address growing crowds and traffic congestion, a comprehensive development plan valued at approximately ₹100 crore has been drafted to modernize and streamline the Vrindavan Parikrama Marg. The initiative aims to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience by offering safer, smoother, and more accessible routes while fully preserving the spiritual sanctity of Vrindavan. Every year, Vrindavan draws millions of pilgrims from across India and around the globe. Heavy footfall at renowned spiritual landmarks such as the…
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US Court Sentences Indian National Mitul Patel in Staged Robbery and Visa Fraud Scheme

US Court Sentences Indian National Mitul Patel in Staged Robbery and Visa Fraud Scheme

Boston (Rajeev Sharma): A United States District Court judge in Boston sentenced 40-year-old Indian national Mitul Patel to one day in prison, a 1,000 USD fine, and ordered his removal from the country after he pleaded guilty to visa fraud and conspiracy charges. Patel, a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts, admitted to participating in a widespread scheme to stage fake armed robberies at convenience stores and fast-food outlets to illegally secure non-immigrant visas. According to court filings and charging documents, the fraudulent operation began in March 2023 under the direction of co-conspirator Rambhai Patel. The group carried out staged armed robberies…
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