July 23, 2026

December 2025

. NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the sanctioned positions on pollution control boards and committees across the country remain vacant even as most major cities are reeling under the impact of air pollution, reveals the answer to a recent question in Parliament.The answers to other questions this year show that this has been the case over the last five years. Also, utilisation of funds under the National Clean Air Programme has been particularly poor in the Capital and satellite cities.A question answered in the ongoing session revealed that apart from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are 28 state pollution control boards (SPCBs) and 8 pollution control committees (PCCs) that work in the UTs and the NCT of Delhi. Together, their sanctioned strength for scientific and technical posts is 6,932, of which 3,161 or 45.6% were vacant. The vacancy was 16.3% in CPCB as of Nov, 43.8% in PCCs and 47.6% in the SPCBs as of Aug..As for all posts, an answer in March this year showed that of the 11,562 sanctioned positions in the SPCBs and PCCs, there were 5,671 or over 49% vacancies. Vacancies have ranged from 44% to 51% over the last five years.According to the March answer, 12 of the 28 SPCBs had over 50% vacancy. Sikkim topped the list with 100% vacancy and was followed by Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, both lacking more than 70% staff. Kerala was the only large state where the vacancy was less than 10%. The vacancy was 9.3% in Goa, while Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland had no vacancies.Among PCCs, the vacancy was 44.5% in Delhi, while it was 69% in Ladakh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Lakshadweep had zero vacancies, while only 11.1% of the sanctioned strength of Chandigarh was vacant. We are yet to get a response from the environment ministry on why there are so many vacancies. As and when we do, the story will be updated online.Data from 44 urban agglomerations (UAs) shows that Noida, Delhi and Faridabad were at the bottom of the list when it came to fund utilisation under the National Clean Air Programme. A parliamentary question answered in March showed that of the Rs 42 crore released to the national capital, only 32% was utilised. The proportion was 11.1% for Noida and 39% for Faridabad. In comparison, Surat utilised all of the funds alloted and Chennai 99%, while Kolkata utilised 87%.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123PhotostoriesDhurandhar, Chhaava, Mom; Challenging roles played by Akshaye Khanna5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diary123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJaylen Warren InjuryAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantLeBron JamesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidDylan HollowayLebron JamesAdam FoxBam Adebayo

. NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the sanctioned positions on pollution control boards and committees across the country remain vacant even as most major cities are reeling under the impact of air pollution, reveals the answer to a recent question in Parliament.The answers to other questions this year show that this has been the case over the last five years. Also, utilisation of funds under the National Clean Air Programme has been particularly poor in the Capital and satellite cities.A question answered in the ongoing session revealed that apart from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are 28 state pollution control boards (SPCBs) and 8 pollution control committees (PCCs) that work in the UTs and the NCT of Delhi. Together, their sanctioned strength for scientific and technical posts is 6,932, of which 3,161 or 45.6% were vacant. The vacancy was 16.3% in CPCB as of Nov, 43.8% in PCCs and 47.6% in the SPCBs as of Aug..As for all posts, an answer in March this year showed that of the 11,562 sanctioned positions in the SPCBs and PCCs, there were 5,671 or over 49% vacancies. Vacancies have ranged from 44% to 51% over the last five years.According to the March answer, 12 of the 28 SPCBs had over 50% vacancy. Sikkim topped the list with 100% vacancy and was followed by Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, both lacking more than 70% staff. Kerala was the only large state where the vacancy was less than 10%. The vacancy was 9.3% in Goa, while Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland had no vacancies.Among PCCs, the vacancy was 44.5% in Delhi, while it was 69% in Ladakh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Lakshadweep had zero vacancies, while only 11.1% of the sanctioned strength of Chandigarh was vacant. We are yet to get a response from the environment ministry on why there are so many vacancies. As and when we do, the story will be updated online.Data from 44 urban agglomerations (UAs) shows that Noida, Delhi and Faridabad were at the bottom of the list when it came to fund utilisation under the National Clean Air Programme. A parliamentary question answered in March showed that of the Rs 42 crore released to the national capital, only 32% was utilised. The proportion was 11.1% for Noida and 39% for Faridabad. In comparison, Surat utilised all of the funds alloted and Chennai 99%, while Kolkata utilised 87%.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123PhotostoriesDhurandhar, Chhaava, Mom; Challenging roles played by Akshaye Khanna5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diary123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJaylen Warren InjuryAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantLeBron JamesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidDylan HollowayLebron JamesAdam FoxBam Adebayo

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the sanctioned positions on pollution control boards and committees across the country remain vacant even as most major cities are reeling under the impact of air pollution, reveals the answer to a recent question in Parliament.The answers to other questions this year show that this has been the case over…

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From Rajesh Khanna to Shah Rukh Khan: Bollywood superstars who went viral long before the internet existed | Hindi Movie News

From Rajesh Khanna to Shah Rukh Khan: Bollywood superstars who went viral long before the internet existed | Hindi Movie News

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Much before memes, hashtags and algorithm-driven fame, Bollywood created its own kind of virality. Stardom travelled through cinema halls, magazines, radio shows, television appearances and sheer word of mouth. Fan hysteria wasn’t measured in likes but in crowds, letters, rituals and imitation. These stars didn’t just act in films — they became cultural moments. From…

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Saumya Tandon at 41: How simple food habits, not dieting, keep her fit and calm |

Saumya Tandon at 41: How simple food habits, not dieting, keep her fit and calm |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

In a candid revelation, 41-year-old actress Saumya Tandon shares her approach to wellness, emphasizing that true fitness stems from nurturing small, sustainable habits rather than drastic dieting fads. She champions gut health by adding healthy habits and makes it a point to distribute her protein intake evenly throughout the day. At 41, actor Saumya Tandon…

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Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and other Indian American leaders call for gun safety after Brown University shooting | World News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Indian American political leaders have called for stronger gun safety measures following a deadly shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two people dead and eight others injured. The attack took place on 14 December and prompted widespread condemnation and renewed debate over gun violence in the US.California Representative Ro Khanna described…

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. . New Delhi: The draft electoral rolls for five states/Union territories – West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry and Lakshadweep – undergoing phase 2 of special intensive revision (SIR) are set to be published Tuesday, with sources indicating likely deletions in the range of 7.5-8.5% for all except Lakshadweep, where they may be barely 2.5%.While West Bengal appears set to have around 58 lakh electors removed on account of being dead, permanently shifted, untraceable or registered at multiple places, sources said the number of notices likely to be issued to electors found to have submitted their enumeration form with discrepancies, including not specifying their link to the electoral roll from the last SIR, “may be far, far more than 58 lakh”. These discrepancies, by now assessed by booth level officers, are on account of the change in SIR rule that did away with the need for the elector to submit documentation at the enumeration stage, to establish their eligibility for enrolment.Depending on how many of those issued notices can satisfy electoral registration officers of their eligibility with requisite documentation proving their citizenship, the EC will reach the ultimate number of electors to be excluded from the final roll. Sources said the number of dead, shifted, duplicate and untraceable electors identified for deletion in Goa, with a total electorate of 11.8 lakh, may be around a lakh (around 8.5%). In Rajasthan again, 7.5-8% of the total 5.46 crore electors may be removed. Lakshadweep will see the lowest percentage of electors (2.5% of its 57,813 electorate) being struck off the roll.Officials said the large number of entries of dead, duplicate and shifted voters could be due to a 2010 amendment in Representation of the People Act, which disallowed any amendment or deletion of a roll entry without proper verification. Though the manner of this verification was to be prescribed in the following rules, this was never done. “This is why the dead, shifted and multiple entries have remained in the roll, creating scope for bogus voting,” said an official.EC sources told TOI once the draft roll is published, each collector will share its printed and soft copy with the district-level functionaries of parties. The draft roll will also be uploaded on the district election officer’s website. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123Photostories5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diaryWhat is binge eating disorder and how to fix it?123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJaylen Warren InjuryAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantLeBron JamesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidDylan HollowayLebron JamesAdam FoxBam Adebayo

. . New Delhi: The draft electoral rolls for five states/Union territories – West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry and Lakshadweep – undergoing phase 2 of special intensive revision (SIR) are set to be published Tuesday, with sources indicating likely deletions in the range of 7.5-8.5% for all except Lakshadweep, where they may be barely 2.5%.While West Bengal appears set to have around 58 lakh electors removed on account of being dead, permanently shifted, untraceable or registered at multiple places, sources said the number of notices likely to be issued to electors found to have submitted their enumeration form with discrepancies, including not specifying their link to the electoral roll from the last SIR, “may be far, far more than 58 lakh”. These discrepancies, by now assessed by booth level officers, are on account of the change in SIR rule that did away with the need for the elector to submit documentation at the enumeration stage, to establish their eligibility for enrolment.Depending on how many of those issued notices can satisfy electoral registration officers of their eligibility with requisite documentation proving their citizenship, the EC will reach the ultimate number of electors to be excluded from the final roll. Sources said the number of dead, shifted, duplicate and untraceable electors identified for deletion in Goa, with a total electorate of 11.8 lakh, may be around a lakh (around 8.5%). In Rajasthan again, 7.5-8% of the total 5.46 crore electors may be removed. Lakshadweep will see the lowest percentage of electors (2.5% of its 57,813 electorate) being struck off the roll.Officials said the large number of entries of dead, duplicate and shifted voters could be due to a 2010 amendment in Representation of the People Act, which disallowed any amendment or deletion of a roll entry without proper verification. Though the manner of this verification was to be prescribed in the following rules, this was never done. “This is why the dead, shifted and multiple entries have remained in the roll, creating scope for bogus voting,” said an official.EC sources told TOI once the draft roll is published, each collector will share its printed and soft copy with the district-level functionaries of parties. The draft roll will also be uploaded on the district election officer’s website. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123Photostories5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diaryWhat is binge eating disorder and how to fix it?123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJaylen Warren InjuryAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantLeBron JamesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidDylan HollowayLebron JamesAdam FoxBam Adebayo

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

New Delhi: The draft electoral rolls for five states/Union territories – West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry and Lakshadweep – undergoing phase 2 of special intensive revision (SIR) are set to be published Tuesday, with sources indicating likely deletions in the range of 7.5-8.5% for all except Lakshadweep, where they may be barely 2.5%.While West Bengal…

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‘Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli’s wedding was a covert operation almost, nobody had any hint,’ says Karan Johar as he opened up on the impact it had on people and the trend it started

‘Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli’s wedding was a covert operation almost, nobody had any hint,’ says Karan Johar as he opened up on the impact it had on people and the trend it started

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Years before intimate destination weddings became the gold standard across India, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli managed something few thought possible. The couple got married in Italy in December 2017, with total secrecy no leaks, no media frenzy, and no advance rumours. The wedding caught fans and the industry completely off guard, and eight years…

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‘They want to kill Americans’: Trump to label fentanyl ‘weapon of mass destruction’; blames US adversaries for trafficking

‘They want to kill Americans’: Trump to label fentanyl ‘weapon of mass destruction’; blames US adversaries for trafficking

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

US President Donald Trump announced Monday (local time) his plan to classify fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” to strengthen his campaign against drug smuggling.Trump made this announcement in the Oval Office while presenting medals to US troops who patrolled the US-Mexican border.“There’s no doubt that America’s adversaries are trafficking fentanyl into the United…

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H-1B row: MAGA senator slams 20 blue states for blocking Trump’s visa crackdown: ‘What are we doing…’

H-1B row: MAGA senator slams 20 blue states for blocking Trump’s visa crackdown: ‘What are we doing…’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Republican senator Eric Schmitt took to social media to slam the Democratic states that are trying to block the Trump administration’s H1-B crackdown.In a lengthy post on X, Schmitt described how each Blue state is using the visa programme for certain reasons and hence trying to block the GOP crackdown.The MAGA senator said: “20 Democrat…

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. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ganesh Chavan (35), the district head of a private finance firm, allegedly burnt a drunk man alive in a car in Latur to claim a Rs 1 crore term insurance payout and wipe out mounting debts, police said on Monday.The meticulously planned crime was aimed at ensuring the insurance benefit reached his family and his liabilities got wiped out. Within 24 hours of the crime, the Latur police tracked the accused on Monday using technical analysis and a lead linked to a woman with whom he had an affair.Superintendent of police Amol Tambe said the accused was under financial stress, with loans totalling Rs 97 lakh taken to buy flats in Mumbai and Latur. “The burden was aggravated by high personal expenses by his wife and the woman he was involved with. He believed that if he was declared dead, the Rs 1 crore term insurance would clear the liabilities. This belief led to a cold-blooded murder,” Tambe said.The case came to light after the police received a Dial 112 call around 12.30am on Sunday reporting a car on fire on the Ausa-Vanvada Road. Fire tenders extinguished the blaze and the police found a burnt human skeleton inside the vehicle. An accidental death was initially registered and DNA samples were preserved for identification.The car was found to be registered in the name of a relative but was regularly used by Chavan. When contacted, Chavan’s wife told the police that he left home around 10pm on Saturday, claiming he was going to hand over a laptop to a friend, and had not returned. Relatives later identified a metal kada from the remains and believed the body was Chavan’s. The police agreed to hand over the remains to the family on the condition that they should bury them instead of burning them.However, inconsistencies during the probe raised suspicion that he was alive. The postmortem of the skeleton was conducted at the spot.”After arresting Chavan, he revealed that 50-year-old Govind Yadav, who was heavily under the influence of liquor, sought a lift from him. The accused gave him a lift and later stopped at a dhaba and bought chicken. Chavan drove towards the isolated Vanvada road, assessing the surroundings while Yadav ate a little and fell asleep in the car,” said local crime branch inspector Sudhakar Bavkar.The police said Chavan then dragged Yadav to the driver’s seat, fastened the seat belt tightly, and placed matchsticks and plastic bags on the seat. He poured petrol inside the car, left the fuel tank cap open to accelerate the blaze, splashed petrol outside, and set the vehicle on fire before fleeing on foot.Sub-divisional police officer Kumar Chaudhary said evidence showed the victim was alive when the car was set ablaze. “The victim was burnt alive while intoxicated, and was unable to resist. Positioning him in the driver’s seat was meant to pass off the death as that of the accused,” he said.Chavan escaped to Kolhapur and then to Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg district. As doubts mounted, the local crime branch joined the probe. LCB inspector Sudhakar Bavkar said phone analysis, travel data, and financial trails exposed the deception. “Surveillance of a woman with whom the accused had an extra-marital affair provided a vital lead to trace him to Sindhudurg on Monday,” Bavkar said.Ausa police station inspector R K Dambale said Chavan admitted that he had planned either suicide or murder to trigger the insurance claim. The police said forensic confirmation was underway.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123Photostories5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! Oh My God’, ‘Prem Rog’: Bollywood movies that sparked social change and redefined mainstream storytelling5 pet fish that change colour and why it happens6 Traditional egg curries from different parts of the countryAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s love story: From being close friends to getting remarried in EuropeUttarakhand Govt announces snow leopard tour to boost winter tourism; 5 other Indian spots to see the Big CatMrunal Thakur’s colourful Paithani saree is a bold love letter to Maharashtrian cultureFrom ethnic glam to chic streetwear: ‘Bigg Boss 19’ fame Farrhana Bhatt’s fashion diaryWhat is binge eating disorder and how to fix it?123Hot PicksBondi beach attackCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJaylen Warren InjuryAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantLeBron JamesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidDylan HollowayLebron JamesAdam FoxBam Adebayo

. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ganesh Chavan (35), the district head of a private finance firm, allegedly burnt a drunk man alive in a car in Latur to claim a Rs 1 crore term insurance payout and wipe out mounting debts, police said on Monday.The meticulously planned crime was aimed at ensuring the insurance benefit reached his family and his liabilities got wiped out. Within 24 hours of the crime, the Latur police tracked the accused on Monday using technical analysis and a lead linked to a woman with whom he had an affair.Superintendent of police Amol Tambe said the accused was under financial stress, with loans totalling Rs 97 lakh taken to buy flats in Mumbai and Latur. “The burden was aggravated by high personal expenses by his wife and the woman he was involved with. He believed that if he was declared dead, the Rs 1 crore term insurance would clear the liabilities. This belief led to a cold-blooded murder,” Tambe said.The case came to light after the police received a Dial 112 call around 12.30am on Sunday reporting a car on fire on the Ausa-Vanvada Road. Fire tenders extinguished the blaze and the police found a burnt human skeleton inside the vehicle. An accidental death was initially registered and DNA samples were preserved for identification.The car was found to be registered in the name of a relative but was regularly used by Chavan. When contacted, Chavan’s wife told the police that he left home around 10pm on Saturday, claiming he was going to hand over a laptop to a friend, and had not returned. Relatives later identified a metal kada from the remains and believed the body was Chavan’s. The police agreed to hand over the remains to the family on the condition that they should bury them instead of burning them.However, inconsistencies during the probe raised suspicion that he was alive. The postmortem of the skeleton was conducted at the spot.”After arresting Chavan, he revealed that 50-year-old Govind Yadav, who was heavily under the influence of liquor, sought a lift from him. The accused gave him a lift and later stopped at a dhaba and bought chicken. Chavan drove towards the isolated Vanvada road, assessing the surroundings while Yadav ate a little and fell asleep in the car,” said local crime branch inspector Sudhakar Bavkar.The police said Chavan then dragged Yadav to the driver’s seat, fastened the seat belt tightly, and placed matchsticks and plastic bags on the seat. He poured petrol inside the car, left the fuel tank cap open to accelerate the blaze, splashed petrol outside, and set the vehicle on fire before fleeing on foot.Sub-divisional police officer Kumar Chaudhary said evidence showed the victim was alive when the car was set ablaze. “The victim was burnt alive while intoxicated, and was unable to resist. Positioning him in the driver’s seat was meant to pass off the death as that of the accused,” he said.Chavan escaped to Kolhapur and then to Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg district. As doubts mounted, the local crime branch joined the probe. LCB inspector Sudhakar Bavkar said phone analysis, travel data, and financial trails exposed the deception. “Surveillance of a woman with whom the accused had an extra-marital affair provided a vital lead to trace him to Sindhudurg on Monday,” Bavkar said.Ausa police station inspector R K Dambale said Chavan admitted that he had planned either suicide or murder to trigger the insurance claim. The police said forensic confirmation was underway.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation SindoorPM Modi Arrives In Jordan, Receives Warm Welcome By Indian Diaspora In AmmanUS Starts Mandatory Social Media Checks For H-1B Visas Leaving Indian Professionals Most ExposedBJP’s Succession Script Repeats: Why Nitin Nabin Is Working President, And Not Nadda’s ReplacementEnd Of MGNREGA? What VB–G Ram G Means For Rural Workers, Farmers And Viksit Bharat PlanFrom Missiles To Torpedoes, DRDO Outlines India’s Big Defence Push For Near-Term Battlefield EdgePM Modi Begins Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman Tour To Boost Ancient Ties, Expand India’s Global South RoleIndian Diaspora Members Prepare Cultural Performances Ahead Of PM Modi’s Jordan VisitFrom Power Cuts To 500 GW Grid, India Emerges As Global Data Centre Hub Under Modi: Piyush GoyalCong’s ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogan Sparks Uproar, NDA Seeks Apology As Parliament Grinds To Halt123Photostories5 adorable pink animals stealing the wildlife spotlight5 beautiful Romeo and Juliet quotes that will steal your hearts‘Damini’, ‘OMG! 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Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ganesh Chavan (35), the district head of a private finance firm, allegedly burnt a drunk man alive in a car in Latur to claim a Rs 1 crore term insurance payout and wipe out mounting debts, police said on Monday.The meticulously planned crime was aimed at ensuring the insurance benefit reached his family…

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Raj Kapoor battled depression during Prithviraj Kapoor’s cancer; was broke after Mera Naam Joker; ‘He was abusing Jesus’ photo; was Hindu but believed in all religions,’ says family friend

Raj Kapoor battled depression during Prithviraj Kapoor’s cancer; was broke after Mera Naam Joker; ‘He was abusing Jesus’ photo; was Hindu but believed in all religions,’ says family friend

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Raj Kapoor is called ‘The Showman’ and rightly so, because the kind of movies he made and also starred in, were far from what anyone had ever seen. He broke stereotypes and took risks. Of course, his risks didn’t always pay off but he bounced back and how. After his dream project, ‘Mera Naam Joker’…

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Watch: FBI shares surveillance video of far-left terror group plotting New Year’s Eve attack in Los Angeles

Watch: FBI shares surveillance video of far-left terror group plotting New Year’s Eve attack in Los Angeles

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

FBI foiled a suspected New Year’s Eve terror plot in California, releasing surveillance footage of the extremists just before their arrest.Four alleged members of a far-left pro-Palestinian anti-government group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front were apprehended last week while travelling east of Los Angeles to test improvised explosive devices (IEDs), officials said. The group…

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