July 4, 2026

November 2025

FMCG sector: Sales growth slows in September quarter as GST changes hit volumes; rural markets outpace cities again

FMCG sector: Sales growth slows in September quarter as GST changes hit volumes; rural markets outpace cities again

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Sales growth in India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector eased in the September quarter, with volume growth slipping to 5.4 per cent due to disruptions linked to GST rate changes, even as value growth rose to 12.9 per cent, according to data from NielsenIQ. The report said rural markets continued to expand faster than urban…

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UAE introduces needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine; quick and painless protection for ages 2 to 49 | World News

UAE introduces needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine; quick and painless protection for ages 2 to 49 | World News

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

UAE launches new nasal flu vaccine for residents / AI-Generated Image Great news for anyone who dreads needles! The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has officially rolled out the country’s first-ever influenza vaccine delivered as a nasal spray, marking a major step forward in expanding safe and easy immunisation options. This new, needle-free…

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Bengal BJP assures Hindus and Muslims face no fear regarding voter list deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Opposition parties, including TMC and SP, question the SIR, alleging it’s a ‘silent, invisible rigging’ by the Election Commission at BJP’s behest, while BJP dismisses these claims as ‘cry of the losers’. NEW DELHI: ‘As long as BJP is there, no Indian Hindu and Indian Muslim have to fear about their name being stripped off from the voter list,’ a confident Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya signs off when asked by TOI Online about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. His assurance comes at a time when senior members of the INDIA alliance have questioned the SIR process, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav repeating the charge even on Bihar election result day. In a sharply worded post on X, Akhilesh said the opposition has understood EC’s ‘khel’ with SIR and will not allow it to be repeated in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.In Bengal, the ruling TMC remains on alert over the roll clean-up even as legal challenges are mounted against it in the Supreme Court. With enumeration forms almost fully distributed, all eyes are now on the draft rolls due on December 9, to be published after about 80,000 Block Level Officers (BLOs) finish collecting forms from over 7.6 crore voters and upload them to the EC app by December 4.SIR is the EC’s exercise to clean up electoral rolls ahead of next year’s assembly polls. The BJP predicts SIR will delete at least one crore ‘illegals’ from the voter list; the TMC has issued a battle cry to ensure no genuine voter is excluded, with chief minister Mamata Banerjee calling it ‘silent, invisible rigging’ by the EC at the behest of the BJP.’Cry of the losers’When quizzed about Akhilesh’s claim and the broader Congress campaign around ‘Vote Chori’, Samik Bhattacharya was categorical in rejecting it, dubbing it the ‘cry of the losers’. TMC, too, is hesitant to dismiss the Bihar election results as entirely the handiwork of SIR. Speaking to TOI Online, TMC spokesperson Dr Riju Datta said that once elections are over, there is little point crying over them. Hence, he says, the party has hit the ground running, setting up ‘Banglar vote raksha’ camps in all blocks across the state and deploying workers to help voters fill in forms and assemble documents. According to Riju, Abhishek Banerjee will now undertake a whirlwind statewide tour from 25th November to keep the cadre energised for the final stretch. TMC spokesperson also reminds that before Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of ‘vote chori’, Mamata had already highlighted discrepancies and manipulation in electoral rolls. Bengal has around 22 lakh migrants who are working in other states. TMC is ensuring that all those workers and their families get their enumeration form filled, says Samirul Islam, MP and Chairman of Migrant Workers Welfare Board, when contacted by TOI Online.In the enumeration form, voters must provide details as they appear in the electoral roll of the last SIR in 2002. If a voter was not on that roll, they must provide similar details for an immediate relative who featured in it, or establish eligibility with any one of eleven document types the EC has listed.However, not all are convinced. ‘We are poor. From where will we get the documents? Our names weren’t there in 2002.’ You hear this on suburban trains to Kolkata, from domestic workers riding in from neighbouring South 24 Parganas. Many say their families, including their forefathers, have never stepped outside Bengal, let alone migrated from another country. And then there are people who have migrated to India in the last few decades and don’t have proper documentation.Points of contentionAccording to Riju, as much as half the population of Matuas and Rajbanshis, two of the largest SC communities in Bengal, do not have proper paperwork and may find their names missing from the December 9 rolls. He dubs SIR a backdoor NRC and says the legal cell under MP Kalyan Banerjee is geared up to help all those whose names are likely to be deleted in the draft rolls. While TMC dubs CAA a ‘jumla’, BJP offers it as a solution for those who may not have proper documentation after migrating to India. TMC has also challenged the constitutional legality of SIR, with an appeal currently pending in the Supreme Court, and has objected to 2002 as the cut-off year, arguing that 2009 delimitation has completely altered ward and assembly structures.Another flashpoint is EC’s move to use Aadhaar data to weed out dead voters. Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal has gone on record saying UIDAI has already informed them of records of 32-34 lakh people who are deceased and had Aadhaar, and another 13-14 lakh dead individuals who did not have Aadhaar. EC has said this data will be matched with SIR forms to find discrepancies.TMC has strongly objected to this cross-verification. Riju Dutta points out that UIDAI had earlier informed Parliament it does not maintain any state-wise, year-wise or reason-wise data on Aadhaar deactivation. So was the UIDAI telling the truth then or is it factually correct now? That, he says, is the core question.Meanwhile, leader of the opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari has submitted a list of 13 lakh names which the BJP believes should be struck off the rolls. He has repeatedly claimed SIR will weed out ‘Muslim infiltrators’ from Bangladesh who, he alleges, are a dedicated vote bank of the ruling party in Bengal. TMC counters this by asking why the Election Commission has not provided any religion-wise break-up of people whose names were deleted in SIR in the neighbouring state. Incidentally, in Bihar, 7.89 crore voters were whittled down to 7.42 crore after completion of SIR.’Diversionary tactics’The Bengal BJP for now seems unfazed by any possible fallout. According to Samik Bhattacharya, Mamata Banerjee is on her way out and raising the SIR issue is merely a diversionary tactic to deflect the heat her party is facing from ED, CBI and other probe agencies. While acknowledging that the party has not been able to provide block-level agents in all booths of Bengal, Samik sounds confident that the saffron outfit is doing enough to help people complete the formalities.The Supreme Court, in its latest hearing in the SIR case, has wondered why Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are opposing SIR. Samik refers to that observation and challenges TMC to knock on SC’s door to get its grievance heard.For the Election Commission, Bihar’s experience, with polls completed after SIR and zero appeals against the final voter rolls as claimed by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, is already being cited as proof that the model works. In Bengal, officials say the revision is proceeding smoothly. The real action, though, will begin once the draft rolls are out on December 9. TMC’s ‘Silent Invisible Rigging’ slogan, BJP’s diversionary line and the EC’s faith in its template will all meet the test of lived reality: who finds their name on the list, and who does not, just before a crucial assembly election.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAfter Delhi Blast, Jaishankar Tells SCO Nations India Has Right To Defend Its People Against TerrorPiyush Goyal Calls India A Stability Anchor Amid Global Flux And Says The Coming 2 Years Are Pivotal‘We Made No Crime’ Prashant Kishor Admits Failure, Takes Full Responsibility for Bihar VerdictSheikh Hasina’s Close Aide Raises Terror Flag: Pak-based Terror Groups Being Welcomed in BangladeshMecca–Medina Tragedy: 45 Killed as Azharuddin Rushes to Assist Telangana FamiliesED Cracks Down On ‘White-Collar Terror Module’, Conducts 25 Raids Linked To Al-Falah UniversityUN Rejects ICT Verdict on Sheikh Hasina’s Death Penalty, But Backs Justice For Bangladesh VictimsPM Modi Reveals Why NDA Swept Bihar, Says Emotional Mode And 24×7 Development Win Elections In IndiaCalm And Radical: Dr Umar’s Pre-Blast Video Exposes Educated New Face Of Terror Behind Delhi Attack”Justice at Last”: Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Penalty; Victims Welcome Verdict123Photostories10 foods that are an essential part of wedding traditionsWhy Delhi’s 500-km road repair mission could be a turning point in pollution control10 animals whose names start with the letter P!Nayanthara’s ultimate comeback: 5 times ‘Lady Superstar’ proved critics wrongMassive Infosys IT campus rising in Noida—how this project could transform city’s futureKidney stones: Doctor shares 5 facts one should know before the pain strikesAfter years of protests, why Bengaluru’s Panathur–Balagere road fix still leaves commuters frustratedWant longer-looking legs? Try these Dua Lipa–inspired fashion movesIs Bengaluru’s Tumakuru Metro proposal a planning blunder? Experts warn of cost and chaos8 iconic Hanuman temples to visit as per different life problems you are facing123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodaySheikh Hasina VerdictBihar Government FormationGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingDak Prescott FianceBomb Threat TodayCeeDee LambDenver Nuggets vs chicago bullsKike HernndezDetroit Tigers WifeAuston MatthewsGiannis AntetokounmpoWWE Survivor SeriesWho is Ella Hakkinen

Bengal BJP assures Hindus and Muslims face no fear regarding voter list deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Opposition parties, including TMC and SP, question the SIR, alleging it’s a ‘silent, invisible rigging’ by the Election Commission at BJP’s behest, while BJP dismisses these claims as ‘cry of the losers’. NEW DELHI: ‘As long as BJP is there, no Indian Hindu and Indian Muslim have to fear about their name being stripped off from the voter list,’ a confident Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya signs off when asked by TOI Online about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. His assurance comes at a time when senior members of the INDIA alliance have questioned the SIR process, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav repeating the charge even on Bihar election result day. In a sharply worded post on X, Akhilesh said the opposition has understood EC’s ‘khel’ with SIR and will not allow it to be repeated in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.In Bengal, the ruling TMC remains on alert over the roll clean-up even as legal challenges are mounted against it in the Supreme Court. With enumeration forms almost fully distributed, all eyes are now on the draft rolls due on December 9, to be published after about 80,000 Block Level Officers (BLOs) finish collecting forms from over 7.6 crore voters and upload them to the EC app by December 4.SIR is the EC’s exercise to clean up electoral rolls ahead of next year’s assembly polls. The BJP predicts SIR will delete at least one crore ‘illegals’ from the voter list; the TMC has issued a battle cry to ensure no genuine voter is excluded, with chief minister Mamata Banerjee calling it ‘silent, invisible rigging’ by the EC at the behest of the BJP.’Cry of the losers’When quizzed about Akhilesh’s claim and the broader Congress campaign around ‘Vote Chori’, Samik Bhattacharya was categorical in rejecting it, dubbing it the ‘cry of the losers’. TMC, too, is hesitant to dismiss the Bihar election results as entirely the handiwork of SIR. Speaking to TOI Online, TMC spokesperson Dr Riju Datta said that once elections are over, there is little point crying over them. Hence, he says, the party has hit the ground running, setting up ‘Banglar vote raksha’ camps in all blocks across the state and deploying workers to help voters fill in forms and assemble documents. According to Riju, Abhishek Banerjee will now undertake a whirlwind statewide tour from 25th November to keep the cadre energised for the final stretch. TMC spokesperson also reminds that before Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of ‘vote chori’, Mamata had already highlighted discrepancies and manipulation in electoral rolls. Bengal has around 22 lakh migrants who are working in other states. TMC is ensuring that all those workers and their families get their enumeration form filled, says Samirul Islam, MP and Chairman of Migrant Workers Welfare Board, when contacted by TOI Online.In the enumeration form, voters must provide details as they appear in the electoral roll of the last SIR in 2002. If a voter was not on that roll, they must provide similar details for an immediate relative who featured in it, or establish eligibility with any one of eleven document types the EC has listed.However, not all are convinced. ‘We are poor. From where will we get the documents? Our names weren’t there in 2002.’ You hear this on suburban trains to Kolkata, from domestic workers riding in from neighbouring South 24 Parganas. Many say their families, including their forefathers, have never stepped outside Bengal, let alone migrated from another country. And then there are people who have migrated to India in the last few decades and don’t have proper documentation.Points of contentionAccording to Riju, as much as half the population of Matuas and Rajbanshis, two of the largest SC communities in Bengal, do not have proper paperwork and may find their names missing from the December 9 rolls. He dubs SIR a backdoor NRC and says the legal cell under MP Kalyan Banerjee is geared up to help all those whose names are likely to be deleted in the draft rolls. While TMC dubs CAA a ‘jumla’, BJP offers it as a solution for those who may not have proper documentation after migrating to India. TMC has also challenged the constitutional legality of SIR, with an appeal currently pending in the Supreme Court, and has objected to 2002 as the cut-off year, arguing that 2009 delimitation has completely altered ward and assembly structures.Another flashpoint is EC’s move to use Aadhaar data to weed out dead voters. Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal has gone on record saying UIDAI has already informed them of records of 32-34 lakh people who are deceased and had Aadhaar, and another 13-14 lakh dead individuals who did not have Aadhaar. EC has said this data will be matched with SIR forms to find discrepancies.TMC has strongly objected to this cross-verification. Riju Dutta points out that UIDAI had earlier informed Parliament it does not maintain any state-wise, year-wise or reason-wise data on Aadhaar deactivation. So was the UIDAI telling the truth then or is it factually correct now? That, he says, is the core question.Meanwhile, leader of the opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari has submitted a list of 13 lakh names which the BJP believes should be struck off the rolls. He has repeatedly claimed SIR will weed out ‘Muslim infiltrators’ from Bangladesh who, he alleges, are a dedicated vote bank of the ruling party in Bengal. TMC counters this by asking why the Election Commission has not provided any religion-wise break-up of people whose names were deleted in SIR in the neighbouring state. Incidentally, in Bihar, 7.89 crore voters were whittled down to 7.42 crore after completion of SIR.’Diversionary tactics’The Bengal BJP for now seems unfazed by any possible fallout. According to Samik Bhattacharya, Mamata Banerjee is on her way out and raising the SIR issue is merely a diversionary tactic to deflect the heat her party is facing from ED, CBI and other probe agencies. While acknowledging that the party has not been able to provide block-level agents in all booths of Bengal, Samik sounds confident that the saffron outfit is doing enough to help people complete the formalities.The Supreme Court, in its latest hearing in the SIR case, has wondered why Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are opposing SIR. Samik refers to that observation and challenges TMC to knock on SC’s door to get its grievance heard.For the Election Commission, Bihar’s experience, with polls completed after SIR and zero appeals against the final voter rolls as claimed by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, is already being cited as proof that the model works. In Bengal, officials say the revision is proceeding smoothly. The real action, though, will begin once the draft rolls are out on December 9. TMC’s ‘Silent Invisible Rigging’ slogan, BJP’s diversionary line and the EC’s faith in its template will all meet the test of lived reality: who finds their name on the list, and who does not, just before a crucial assembly election.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAfter Delhi Blast, Jaishankar Tells SCO Nations India Has Right To Defend Its People Against TerrorPiyush Goyal Calls India A Stability Anchor Amid Global Flux And Says The Coming 2 Years Are Pivotal‘We Made No Crime’ Prashant Kishor Admits Failure, Takes Full Responsibility for Bihar VerdictSheikh Hasina’s Close Aide Raises Terror Flag: Pak-based Terror Groups Being Welcomed in BangladeshMecca–Medina Tragedy: 45 Killed as Azharuddin Rushes to Assist Telangana FamiliesED Cracks Down On ‘White-Collar Terror Module’, Conducts 25 Raids Linked To Al-Falah UniversityUN Rejects ICT Verdict on Sheikh Hasina’s Death Penalty, But Backs Justice For Bangladesh VictimsPM Modi Reveals Why NDA Swept Bihar, Says Emotional Mode And 24×7 Development Win Elections In IndiaCalm And Radical: Dr Umar’s Pre-Blast Video Exposes Educated New Face Of Terror Behind Delhi Attack”Justice at Last”: Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Penalty; Victims Welcome Verdict123Photostories10 foods that are an essential part of wedding traditionsWhy Delhi’s 500-km road repair mission could be a turning point in pollution control10 animals whose names start with the letter P!Nayanthara’s ultimate comeback: 5 times ‘Lady Superstar’ proved critics wrongMassive Infosys IT campus rising in Noida—how this project could transform city’s futureKidney stones: Doctor shares 5 facts one should know before the pain strikesAfter years of protests, why Bengaluru’s Panathur–Balagere road fix still leaves commuters frustratedWant longer-looking legs? Try these Dua Lipa–inspired fashion movesIs Bengaluru’s Tumakuru Metro proposal a planning blunder? Experts warn of cost and chaos8 iconic Hanuman temples to visit as per different life problems you are facing123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodaySheikh Hasina VerdictBihar Government FormationGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingDak Prescott FianceBomb Threat TodayCeeDee LambDenver Nuggets vs chicago bullsKike HernndezDetroit Tigers WifeAuston MatthewsGiannis AntetokounmpoWWE Survivor SeriesWho is Ella Hakkinen

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

NEW DELHI: ‘As long as BJP is there, no Indian Hindu and Indian Muslim have to fear about their name being stripped off from the voter list,’ a confident Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya signs off when asked by TOI Online about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. His assurance…

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India-US trade deal: Goyal signals ‘good news’ soon once ‘fair’ pact reached; farmers, fishermen and small industry in focus

India-US trade deal: Goyal signals ‘good news’ soon once ‘fair’ pact reached; farmers, fishermen and small industry in focus

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday signalled that the proposed India–US trade pact might soon reach a conclusion, once a balanced pact is finalised. The minister said, “When the deal will become fair, equitable and balanced, you will hear good news.”Speaking at the Indo-US Economic Summit organised by the Indo-American chamber of commerce,…

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RRB Group D CBT city slip out on 19 Nov; exam schedule revised, check official notice here

RRB Group D CBT city slip out on 19 Nov; exam schedule revised, check official notice here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

RRB Group D CBT: The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have issued an official notification for candidates appearing in the RRB Group D CBT. The notice provides information about the revised tentative exam schedule, city intimation slips, e-call letters, and helpdesk support. Candidates are advised to check the official RRB websites for the latest updates to…

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Anupam Kher and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane share ‘scary’ in-flight moment as airplane touches ground and takes off again: ‘Shudh Hindi words came out’

Anupam Kher and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane share ‘scary’ in-flight moment as airplane touches ground and takes off again: ‘Shudh Hindi words came out’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Bollywood star Anupam Kher had an unexpected and frightening moment on his flight from Delhi to Mumbai. What began as a pleasant journey with cricketer Ajinkya Rahane suddenly turned into an experience he says he will remember for a long time. The ‘Saaransh’ actor later shared a video on X (Twitter), revealing that their plane…

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Which vitamin deficiency can cause migraine attacks: Understanding the link and tips to manage |

Which vitamin deficiency can cause migraine attacks: Understanding the link and tips to manage |

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Migraines are a widespread and often debilitating condition that can interfere with work, social life and overall well-being. While many people rely on medication to manage symptoms, not everyone tolerates the side effects, and some prefer to explore more natural approaches. Nutrient deficiencies caused by dietary habits, lifestyle patterns and underlying health factors may contribute…

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Copycat …, says Elon Musk on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos taking over as CEO of AI startup

Copycat …, says Elon Musk on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos taking over as CEO of AI startup

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is returning into a formal leadership role more than four years after leaving Amazon. The billionaire will serve as co-chief executive (co-CEO) of Project Prometheus, a new AI company that has secured $6.2 billion in funding, partly from Bezos himself, according to The New York Times. This marks Bezos’s first operational…

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned attempt to divide society communally, not a spontaneous protest. He argued accused activists are responsible for trial delays. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court directed police to update on riot investigations, noting petitions have been pending for six years without pursuing alternate legal remedies. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam NEW DEHI: During a Supreme Court hearing on bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “There was an attempt to divide society on communal lines, it was not merely an agitation against CAA,”Tushar Mehta told the top courtStrenuously”First of all, that myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well designed, well crafted, well orchestrated, pre-planned riot. That will emerge from the evidence collected,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria.”Sharjeel Imam says it’s his heartfelt wish for ‘chakka jaam’ for every city where Muslims reside. Not just in Delhi,” Mehta submitted.The solicitor general said a narrative is being built on social media that something very serious is going on with young people. However, the accused themselves are responsible for the delay in trial.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for Delhi police, is currently arguing and the hearing is under way.Khalid, Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Rehman were booked under the anti-terror law and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the police to update it on the status of investigations into the 2020 Delhi riots.A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain issued the direction while hearing a batch of petitions related to the February 2020 violence, including pleas seeking FIRs against several political leaders for alleged hate speeches. The bench noted orally that the petitions have remained pending for six years despite the availability of an alternate legal remedy that the petitioners had not pursued.During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners highlighted the deaths that occurred during the riots. The bench responded that FIRs had already been registered and the police were conducting investigations, leaving “nothing” to be addressed in the existing petitions.The petitioner’s lawyer, however, alleged that the police were not conducting a fair probe and urged the court to order an independent investigation.To this, the bench said: “You challenge it before the magistrate. The magistrate will supervise. These are questions of facts. We cannot entertain questions of facts in writ petitions. You can give that evidence to the magistrate, who will look into it and pass orders. The high court cannot do this.”Reiterating that the petitioners had not availed the appropriate legal route for six years, the court remarked: “These petitions are pending for so long for no good reason. FIRs have been registered and the police are investigating.”The bench listed the matter for November 21 and asked Delhi Police counsel to submit the current status of the investigation and the number of FIRs filed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPiyush Goyal Calls India A Stability Anchor Amid Global Flux And Says The Coming 2 Years Are Pivotal‘We Made No Crime’ Prashant Kishor Admits Failure, Takes Full Responsibility for Bihar VerdictSheikh Hasina’s Close Aide Raises Terror Flag: Pak-based Terror Groups Being Welcomed in BangladeshMecca–Medina Tragedy: 45 Killed as Azharuddin Rushes to Assist Telangana FamiliesED Cracks Down On ‘White-Collar Terror Module’, Conducts 25 Raids Linked To Al-Falah UniversityUN Rejects ICT Verdict on Sheikh Hasina’s Death Penalty, But Backs Justice For Bangladesh VictimsPM Modi Reveals Why NDA Swept Bihar, Says Emotional Mode And 24×7 Development Win Elections In IndiaCalm And Radical: Dr Umar’s Pre-Blast Video Exposes Educated New Face Of Terror Behind Delhi Attack”Justice at Last”: Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Penalty; Victims Welcome VerdictJaishankar, Russian FM Lavrov Hold Key Talks in Moscow Ahead of Putin’s India Visit ‘In 3 Weeks’123PhotostoriesWhy Delhi’s 500-km road repair mission could be a turning point in pollution control10 animals whose names start with the letter P!Nayanthara’s ultimate comeback: 5 times ‘Lady Superstar’ proved critics wrongMassive Infosys IT campus rising in Noida—how this project could transform city’s futureKidney stones: Doctor shares 5 facts one should know before the pain strikesAfter years of protests, why Bengaluru’s Panathur–Balagere road fix still leaves commuters frustratedWant longer-looking legs? Try these Dua Lipa–inspired fashion movesIs Bengaluru’s Tumakuru Metro proposal a planning blunder? Experts warn of cost and chaos8 iconic Hanuman temples to visit as per different life problems you are facing5 style lessons to learn from Mickey Mouse as he turns 97123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodaySheikh Hasina VerdictBihar Government FormationGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingDak Prescott FianceBomb Threat TodayCeeDee LambDenver Nuggets vs chicago bullsKike HernndezDetroit Tigers WifeAuston MatthewsGiannis AntetokounmpoWWE Survivor SeriesWho is Ella Hakkinen

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned attempt to divide society communally, not a spontaneous protest. He argued accused activists are responsible for trial delays. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court directed police to update on riot investigations, noting petitions have been pending for six years without pursuing alternate legal remedies. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam NEW DEHI: During a Supreme Court hearing on bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “There was an attempt to divide society on communal lines, it was not merely an agitation against CAA,”Tushar Mehta told the top courtStrenuously”First of all, that myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well designed, well crafted, well orchestrated, pre-planned riot. That will emerge from the evidence collected,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria.”Sharjeel Imam says it’s his heartfelt wish for ‘chakka jaam’ for every city where Muslims reside. Not just in Delhi,” Mehta submitted.The solicitor general said a narrative is being built on social media that something very serious is going on with young people. However, the accused themselves are responsible for the delay in trial.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for Delhi police, is currently arguing and the hearing is under way.Khalid, Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Rehman were booked under the anti-terror law and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the police to update it on the status of investigations into the 2020 Delhi riots.A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain issued the direction while hearing a batch of petitions related to the February 2020 violence, including pleas seeking FIRs against several political leaders for alleged hate speeches. The bench noted orally that the petitions have remained pending for six years despite the availability of an alternate legal remedy that the petitioners had not pursued.During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners highlighted the deaths that occurred during the riots. The bench responded that FIRs had already been registered and the police were conducting investigations, leaving “nothing” to be addressed in the existing petitions.The petitioner’s lawyer, however, alleged that the police were not conducting a fair probe and urged the court to order an independent investigation.To this, the bench said: “You challenge it before the magistrate. The magistrate will supervise. These are questions of facts. We cannot entertain questions of facts in writ petitions. You can give that evidence to the magistrate, who will look into it and pass orders. The high court cannot do this.”Reiterating that the petitioners had not availed the appropriate legal route for six years, the court remarked: “These petitions are pending for so long for no good reason. FIRs have been registered and the police are investigating.”The bench listed the matter for November 21 and asked Delhi Police counsel to submit the current status of the investigation and the number of FIRs filed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPiyush Goyal Calls India A Stability Anchor Amid Global Flux And Says The Coming 2 Years Are Pivotal‘We Made No Crime’ Prashant Kishor Admits Failure, Takes Full Responsibility for Bihar VerdictSheikh Hasina’s Close Aide Raises Terror Flag: Pak-based Terror Groups Being Welcomed in BangladeshMecca–Medina Tragedy: 45 Killed as Azharuddin Rushes to Assist Telangana FamiliesED Cracks Down On ‘White-Collar Terror Module’, Conducts 25 Raids Linked To Al-Falah UniversityUN Rejects ICT Verdict on Sheikh Hasina’s Death Penalty, But Backs Justice For Bangladesh VictimsPM Modi Reveals Why NDA Swept Bihar, Says Emotional Mode And 24×7 Development Win Elections In IndiaCalm And Radical: Dr Umar’s Pre-Blast Video Exposes Educated New Face Of Terror Behind Delhi Attack”Justice at Last”: Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Penalty; Victims Welcome VerdictJaishankar, Russian FM Lavrov Hold Key Talks in Moscow Ahead of Putin’s India Visit ‘In 3 Weeks’123PhotostoriesWhy Delhi’s 500-km road repair mission could be a turning point in pollution control10 animals whose names start with the letter P!Nayanthara’s ultimate comeback: 5 times ‘Lady Superstar’ proved critics wrongMassive Infosys IT campus rising in Noida—how this project could transform city’s futureKidney stones: Doctor shares 5 facts one should know before the pain strikesAfter years of protests, why Bengaluru’s Panathur–Balagere road fix still leaves commuters frustratedWant longer-looking legs? 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Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam NEW DEHI: During a Supreme Court hearing on bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “There was an attempt to divide society on communal lines, it was not merely an agitation against CAA,”Tushar Mehta told the top courtStrenuously“First of all, that myth to be busted….

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Updated: Nov 18, 2025, 15:29 IST

Updated: Nov 18, 2025, 15:29 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Pakistan’s Babar Azam reacts after his fifty runs during the second one day international cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo) Pakistan batter Babar Azam was fined on Tuesday by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the ICC code of conduct during the third match…

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IB MTS recruitment 2025 notification out for 362 posts: Check eligibility, age limit and salary details here

IB MTS recruitment 2025 notification out for 362 posts: Check eligibility, age limit and salary details here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Intelligence Bureau MTS 2025 recruitment open for 362 vacancies: application steps, eligibility and allowances IB MTS recruitment 2025: The Intelligence Bureau (IB), functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has released the official notification for IB MTS recruitment 2025. The recruitment is aimed at filling 362 vacancies for the post of Multi-Tasking Staff (General)…

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Do you sleep with lights on? Harvard study warns of hidden health threats that could damage your heart and brain |

Do you sleep with lights on? Harvard study warns of hidden health threats that could damage your heart and brain |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Exposure to artificial light in the evening might be more harmful to your health than previously even understood, according to the new Harvard University research. This highlights the direct link between nighttime light exposure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. As reported, even the small amounts of light at night could have significantly caused long-term…

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‘Varanasi’: Priyanka Chopra tops Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt as India’s highest-paid actress |

‘Varanasi’: Priyanka Chopra tops Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt as India’s highest-paid actress |

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Priyanka Chopra is making a grand comeback to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’, co-starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Reportedly charging Rs 30 crore for her role as Mandakini, she becomes India’s highest-paid actress. Following the success of ‘RRR’, Rajamouli’s ambitious collaboration promises a major cinematic spectacle. Priyanka Chopra is gearing up to return…

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