August 7, 2026

2026

‘Nobody rescued yet’: Several feared missing in landslip at New Zealand campsite; minister calls it ‘war-zone’

‘Nobody rescued yet’: Several feared missing in landslip at New Zealand campsite; minister calls it ‘war-zone’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Several people, including a young girl, are missing after a landslide struck a popular camping site at the base of Mauao, Mount Maunganui, in New Zealand’s North Island on Thursday morning, triggering a major emergency response.The slip occurred around 9.30 am (local time) at the Beachside Holiday Park, about 230 km south-east of Auckland, sweeping…

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Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks head to an SIR hearing centre especially set up for them in Kolkata Monks and nuns may have renounced all trappings of worldly life — and many of them do not vote — but they, too, are being called for SIR (Special Intensive Revision) hearings, mainly for listing their spiritual gurus’ names under the ‘name of parent’ column in the electoral records.Taking cognisance of the inconvenience faced by monastic orders, the Election Commission (EC) has directed district election officers (DEOs) to conduct hearings at ashrams and religious institutions, instead of asking monks to travel to designated centres. In cases where supporting documents are unavailable, the DEO — who is the district magistrate — has been authorised to act as a quasi-judicial authority and clear voter applications.The issue surfaced after several monks received hearing notices due to address and identity mismatch, caused by years of transfers between ashrams. Eighty-two-year-old Swami Muktikamananda, adhyaksha of the century-old Gadadhar Ashram (Ramakrishna Math) in Bhowanipur, south Kolkata, said his voter ID card and Aadhaar were linked to a Ramakrishna Math in Bankura (more than 200km from Kolkata), where he had stayed for an extended period. “I was initially asked to attend a hearing in Bankura, but after intervention by electoral officials, I submitted my enumeration form in Bhowanipur itself,” he said.Last Wednesday, around 90 monks attended a special SIR camp organised at Belur Math, with hearings held at the Abhedananda Convention Centre. Participants included residents of the Belur headquarters as well as monks from centres such as the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in Narendrapur. While monks of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission do not vote, they seek inclusion in electoral rolls to avoid complications in visa applications and administrative work.Monks from Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) and Iskcon, many of whom do vote, have also received SIR notices. Swami Mahadevananda of BSS said several monks had listed founder Acharya Swami Pranavananda’s name as their parent, triggering document mismatches. General secretary Dilip Maharaj said monks without passports attended a special hearing on Jan 20 at the Ballygunge headquarters.Iskcon spokesperson Radharamn Das said monks who had earlier voted in Kolkata had been asked to submit fresh documents from their native places across India and abroad.Avoiding elephant routesVoters in Jhargram and West Midnapore — in Bengal’s Jangalmahal, about 150km from Kolkata — have, over the years, learnt how to coexist with elephants. It’s a sort of mutual respect, born out of a certain wariness — and a tacit understanding: “Stay out of my hair, and I’ll stay out of yours.”During the SIR, regular elephant movement has coincided with a sudden rise in human movement — residents with voter detail anomalies are having to travel far and wide to arrive at hearing centres, a highly unsafe exercise. And, so, the poll body said yes when the two district administrations wanted to set up multiple hearing centres, located near human settlements, across six assembly constituencies. Similar arrangements are also being planned in elephant-heavy pockets of North Bengal.In West Midnapore, voters from select Jangalmahal villages will attend hearings at the Pirakata Community Hall, under the jurisdiction of Salboni police station. Salboni BDO Ruman Mondal said residents of villages such as Kalsibhanga, Satpati, Kalaimuri, Garmal, Lalgaria and Bhimpur were directed to appear at the new centre from Jan 15. Medinipur Sadar subdivisional officer Madhumita Mukherjee said it was a deliberate decision to choose the additional centres based on how close they were to villages, so that hearings could be conducted based on real-time elephant movement.“Ten additional centres have been set up in the district, including a consolidated venue catering to villages from two assembly constituencies in elephant corridors,” said Bijin Krishna, the DM of West Midnapore. In Jhargram, special hearing centres have been established at 10 high schools across the Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram and Binpur constituencies. The DM, Akanksha Bhaskar, said the measures were taken in the interest of public safety.Where work is proofIn the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur, employment records issued by tea gardens and cinchona plantations are valid proofs of identity and residence for workers and their families.Labourers in tea and cinchona estates — many of whom have lived in makeshift quarters for generations — have struggled to produce conventional documents, such as land records or formal proof of address. As a result, during SIR hearings, they have been unable to come up with those documents, leading to fears of disenfranchisement. Plantation employment records are routinely maintained by garden authorities, and now that they have been recognised by the commission as a bona fide voter eligibility document, it’s come as immense relief for workers.Netas across the political spectrum welcomed the move, but while BJP MP Jayanta Roy called it an “excellent step”, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP, Prakash Chik Baraik, said the move ought to have been taken long ago, and that the delay had caused unnecessary panic.Special sessions for vulnerable tribal groups & sex workersMembers of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) have welcomed EC’s decision to conduct doorstep verification, amid concerns over document availability and identity mismatch.In Totopara, home to the Toto community (the state’s smallest PVTG) in North Bengal’s Alipurduar, residents said the move has eased anxieties over land and identity records. “Many families do not have land khatiyans, while migrant workers lack links to ancestral property. We were worried, but the EC has taken extra care,” said Bakul Toto, secretary of the Toto Kalyan Samiti. Similar issues have surfaced among the Birhor and Lodha Shabar communities. Around 300 Birhors live in south Bengal’s Purulia district — across Balarampur, Baghmundi and Jhalda-I blocks, with 181 adults listed in the 2024 Lok Sabha electoral rolls. In forest-dependent areas, many Birhor families now reside in permanent houses provided by the state, but discrepancies in records have triggered SIR hearings.Lodha Shabar members — spread across West Midnapore and Jhargram — are also receiving notices. The community comprises over 1 lakh people across nearly 17,000 families. District administrations had flagged concerns over whether members possessed sufficient documentation, following which the EC, on Dec 31 last year, instructed DEOs to conduct physical verification.In West Midnapore, Lodha Shabar residents have been attending hearings at block development offices. In the Keshiary block, multiple villagers were summoned despite having submitted details during the enumeration. “We produced voter ID, Aadhaar and family details at the hearing,” said Basanti Dandapat of Lengamara village.West Bengal Lodha Shabar Development Board chairman Balai Naik said teams were visiting villages to reassure residents. “There is no need to panic. In cases of spelling errors or linkage issues, officials will verify details on the ground,” he said.Similar “special public hearings” have been ordered for sex workers as well, as many of them lack identity proof.Officials said district election officers have been instructed to hear such cases separately and adopt a facilitative approach, recognising that many sex workers have been disconnected from their families for decades or do not know their parents’ names.For 55-year-old Baby Khatun, who has lived in Sonagachi, Kolkata’s largest red light district, since she arrived there at the age of 10, the hearing notice triggered panic. “I only remember that my family lived in Kidderpore. I don’t know my parents’ names,” she said. With no immediate relatives, she listed her landlord as her guardian. “How can I produce a family tree? I don’t even know their names. I’m afraid my name will be deleted,” she said.Rekha Das, another sex worker, has a voter and Aadhaar cards but faced difficulty enrolling her son, a first-time voter, because the form requires the name of a blood relative from the mother’s side. “I have documents, but no family records,” she said.EC officials said the concerns were genuine and assured no eligible voter would be struck off the rolls solely for lack of documents, stressing that SIR was aimed at inclusion, not exclusion.- Tamaghna Banerjee, Sujoy Khanra, Pinak Priya Bhattacharya, Sudipto Das, Poulami Roy Banerjee & Tanuja Singh DeoEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123PhotostoriesFrom mantis to hippo: 5 animals that eat their own speciesFrom India to Paris, 10 baby names inspired by countries’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks head to an SIR hearing centre especially set up for them in Kolkata Monks and nuns may have renounced all trappings of worldly life — and many of them do not vote — but they, too, are being called for SIR (Special Intensive Revision) hearings, mainly for listing their spiritual gurus’ names under the ‘name of parent’ column in the electoral records.Taking cognisance of the inconvenience faced by monastic orders, the Election Commission (EC) has directed district election officers (DEOs) to conduct hearings at ashrams and religious institutions, instead of asking monks to travel to designated centres. In cases where supporting documents are unavailable, the DEO — who is the district magistrate — has been authorised to act as a quasi-judicial authority and clear voter applications.The issue surfaced after several monks received hearing notices due to address and identity mismatch, caused by years of transfers between ashrams. Eighty-two-year-old Swami Muktikamananda, adhyaksha of the century-old Gadadhar Ashram (Ramakrishna Math) in Bhowanipur, south Kolkata, said his voter ID card and Aadhaar were linked to a Ramakrishna Math in Bankura (more than 200km from Kolkata), where he had stayed for an extended period. “I was initially asked to attend a hearing in Bankura, but after intervention by electoral officials, I submitted my enumeration form in Bhowanipur itself,” he said.Last Wednesday, around 90 monks attended a special SIR camp organised at Belur Math, with hearings held at the Abhedananda Convention Centre. Participants included residents of the Belur headquarters as well as monks from centres such as the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in Narendrapur. While monks of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission do not vote, they seek inclusion in electoral rolls to avoid complications in visa applications and administrative work.Monks from Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) and Iskcon, many of whom do vote, have also received SIR notices. Swami Mahadevananda of BSS said several monks had listed founder Acharya Swami Pranavananda’s name as their parent, triggering document mismatches. General secretary Dilip Maharaj said monks without passports attended a special hearing on Jan 20 at the Ballygunge headquarters.Iskcon spokesperson Radharamn Das said monks who had earlier voted in Kolkata had been asked to submit fresh documents from their native places across India and abroad.Avoiding elephant routesVoters in Jhargram and West Midnapore — in Bengal’s Jangalmahal, about 150km from Kolkata — have, over the years, learnt how to coexist with elephants. It’s a sort of mutual respect, born out of a certain wariness — and a tacit understanding: “Stay out of my hair, and I’ll stay out of yours.”During the SIR, regular elephant movement has coincided with a sudden rise in human movement — residents with voter detail anomalies are having to travel far and wide to arrive at hearing centres, a highly unsafe exercise. And, so, the poll body said yes when the two district administrations wanted to set up multiple hearing centres, located near human settlements, across six assembly constituencies. Similar arrangements are also being planned in elephant-heavy pockets of North Bengal.In West Midnapore, voters from select Jangalmahal villages will attend hearings at the Pirakata Community Hall, under the jurisdiction of Salboni police station. Salboni BDO Ruman Mondal said residents of villages such as Kalsibhanga, Satpati, Kalaimuri, Garmal, Lalgaria and Bhimpur were directed to appear at the new centre from Jan 15. Medinipur Sadar subdivisional officer Madhumita Mukherjee said it was a deliberate decision to choose the additional centres based on how close they were to villages, so that hearings could be conducted based on real-time elephant movement.“Ten additional centres have been set up in the district, including a consolidated venue catering to villages from two assembly constituencies in elephant corridors,” said Bijin Krishna, the DM of West Midnapore. In Jhargram, special hearing centres have been established at 10 high schools across the Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram and Binpur constituencies. The DM, Akanksha Bhaskar, said the measures were taken in the interest of public safety.Where work is proofIn the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur, employment records issued by tea gardens and cinchona plantations are valid proofs of identity and residence for workers and their families.Labourers in tea and cinchona estates — many of whom have lived in makeshift quarters for generations — have struggled to produce conventional documents, such as land records or formal proof of address. As a result, during SIR hearings, they have been unable to come up with those documents, leading to fears of disenfranchisement. Plantation employment records are routinely maintained by garden authorities, and now that they have been recognised by the commission as a bona fide voter eligibility document, it’s come as immense relief for workers.Netas across the political spectrum welcomed the move, but while BJP MP Jayanta Roy called it an “excellent step”, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP, Prakash Chik Baraik, said the move ought to have been taken long ago, and that the delay had caused unnecessary panic.Special sessions for vulnerable tribal groups & sex workersMembers of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) have welcomed EC’s decision to conduct doorstep verification, amid concerns over document availability and identity mismatch.In Totopara, home to the Toto community (the state’s smallest PVTG) in North Bengal’s Alipurduar, residents said the move has eased anxieties over land and identity records. “Many families do not have land khatiyans, while migrant workers lack links to ancestral property. We were worried, but the EC has taken extra care,” said Bakul Toto, secretary of the Toto Kalyan Samiti. Similar issues have surfaced among the Birhor and Lodha Shabar communities. Around 300 Birhors live in south Bengal’s Purulia district — across Balarampur, Baghmundi and Jhalda-I blocks, with 181 adults listed in the 2024 Lok Sabha electoral rolls. In forest-dependent areas, many Birhor families now reside in permanent houses provided by the state, but discrepancies in records have triggered SIR hearings.Lodha Shabar members — spread across West Midnapore and Jhargram — are also receiving notices. The community comprises over 1 lakh people across nearly 17,000 families. District administrations had flagged concerns over whether members possessed sufficient documentation, following which the EC, on Dec 31 last year, instructed DEOs to conduct physical verification.In West Midnapore, Lodha Shabar residents have been attending hearings at block development offices. In the Keshiary block, multiple villagers were summoned despite having submitted details during the enumeration. “We produced voter ID, Aadhaar and family details at the hearing,” said Basanti Dandapat of Lengamara village.West Bengal Lodha Shabar Development Board chairman Balai Naik said teams were visiting villages to reassure residents. “There is no need to panic. In cases of spelling errors or linkage issues, officials will verify details on the ground,” he said.Similar “special public hearings” have been ordered for sex workers as well, as many of them lack identity proof.Officials said district election officers have been instructed to hear such cases separately and adopt a facilitative approach, recognising that many sex workers have been disconnected from their families for decades or do not know their parents’ names.For 55-year-old Baby Khatun, who has lived in Sonagachi, Kolkata’s largest red light district, since she arrived there at the age of 10, the hearing notice triggered panic. “I only remember that my family lived in Kidderpore. I don’t know my parents’ names,” she said. With no immediate relatives, she listed her landlord as her guardian. “How can I produce a family tree? I don’t even know their names. I’m afraid my name will be deleted,” she said.Rekha Das, another sex worker, has a voter and Aadhaar cards but faced difficulty enrolling her son, a first-time voter, because the form requires the name of a blood relative from the mother’s side. “I have documents, but no family records,” she said.EC officials said the concerns were genuine and assured no eligible voter would be struck off the rolls solely for lack of documents, stressing that SIR was aimed at inclusion, not exclusion.- Tamaghna Banerjee, Sujoy Khanra, Pinak Priya Bhattacharya, Sudipto Das, Poulami Roy Banerjee & Tanuja Singh DeoEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123PhotostoriesFrom mantis to hippo: 5 animals that eat their own speciesFrom India to Paris, 10 baby names inspired by countries’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks head to an SIR hearing centre especially set up for them in Kolkata Monks and nuns may have renounced all trappings of worldly life — and many of them do not vote — but they, too, are being called for SIR (Special Intensive Revision) hearings, mainly for listing their spiritual gurus’…

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‘Touched, hugged, thanked’: Air India staffer groped South Korean woman during frisking at Bengaluru airport; arrested

‘Touched, hugged, thanked’: Air India staffer groped South Korean woman during frisking at Bengaluru airport; arrested

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

BENGALURU: A 32-year-old businesswoman from South Korea accused an airline ground-handling staff member of sexual harassment at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here Monday. In the name of “manual frisking”, the accused allegedly touched her inappropriately, hugged her and thanked her.The woman, who arrived in India on a tourist visa in November, was returning to her…

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‘Go back to your country’: 8-year-old Texas boy’s tearful video after anti-immigrant bullying goes viral | World News

‘Go back to your country’: 8-year-old Texas boy’s tearful video after anti-immigrant bullying goes viral | World News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

A video of an eight-year-old boy breaking down in tears as he describes the anti-immigrant harassment he faced while playing football has gone viral online, prompting debate about bullying and the language children absorb from those around them.The clip, shared by CBS News on January 21, shows the boy, identified as Max, speaking to his…

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NEW DELHI: Taking exception to Bengal govt’s decision to unilaterally exonerate Baruipur Purba assembly constituency assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) Tathagata Mondal and impose only a minor penalty against Moyna AC AERO Sudipta Das — despite clear instructions by Election Commission (dated 05.08.2025) to suspend and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them — EC Wednesday asked the state chief secretary to get the competent authority to submit to the commission a written explanation for the “procedural lapse”.The explanation — sought by 5pm on Jan 24 — must detail the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the commission’s instructions, which had mandated that disciplinary authorities shall consult EC before closing or finalising any matter arising out of disciplinary proceedings initiated on the poll panel’s recommendation.“Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration,” EC said in the letter sent to the state chief secretary.As part of the explanation sought by EC, the competent authority has been asked to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file notings and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken in respect of four officials, namely Tathagata Mondal, Debottam Dutta Choudhury, Biplab Sarkar and Sudipta Das.The commission had directed the state govt to suspend and initiate suitable disciplinary proceedings against the EROs/AEROs concerned and lodge FIRs against the erring officials, including the contractual data entry operator, under Section 32 of the RP Act, 1950, read with the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Information Technology Act, 2000. Sources said they were allegedly disposing of applications for inclusion in the electoral roll without proper verification or allowing a window for filing claims and objections.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 MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123Photostories’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balance123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

NEW DELHI: Taking exception to Bengal govt’s decision to unilaterally exonerate Baruipur Purba assembly constituency assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) Tathagata Mondal and impose only a minor penalty against Moyna AC AERO Sudipta Das — despite clear instructions by Election Commission (dated 05.08.2025) to suspend and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them — EC Wednesday asked the state chief secretary to get the competent authority to submit to the commission a written explanation for the “procedural lapse”.The explanation — sought by 5pm on Jan 24 — must detail the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the commission’s instructions, which had mandated that disciplinary authorities shall consult EC before closing or finalising any matter arising out of disciplinary proceedings initiated on the poll panel’s recommendation.“Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration,” EC said in the letter sent to the state chief secretary.As part of the explanation sought by EC, the competent authority has been asked to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file notings and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken in respect of four officials, namely Tathagata Mondal, Debottam Dutta Choudhury, Biplab Sarkar and Sudipta Das.The commission had directed the state govt to suspend and initiate suitable disciplinary proceedings against the EROs/AEROs concerned and lodge FIRs against the erring officials, including the contractual data entry operator, under Section 32 of the RP Act, 1950, read with the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Information Technology Act, 2000. Sources said they were allegedly disposing of applications for inclusion in the electoral roll without proper verification or allowing a window for filing claims and objections.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 MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123Photostories’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balance123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Taking exception to Bengal govt’s decision to unilaterally exonerate Baruipur Purba assembly constituency assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) Tathagata Mondal and impose only a minor penalty against Moyna AC AERO Sudipta Das — despite clear instructions by Election Commission (dated 05.08.2025) to suspend and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them — EC Wednesday asked…

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Outward remittances fall to two-year low in Nov

Outward remittances fall to two-year low in Nov

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

MUMBAI: Outward remittances by resident Indians under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme fell in Nov 2025 to a two-year low partly because of a dip in education-related travel and also because of seasonality.Total outflows slipped to $1,937.2 million from $2,364.5 million in Oct, an ~18% sequential drop, and edged below $1,946.4 million in Nov 2024. The…

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Conservative group sues LA schools, says desegregation policy discriminates against white students

Conservative group sues LA schools, says desegregation policy discriminates against white students

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

A conservative advocacy group has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a long-standing Los Angeles school district policy designed to address the effects of segregation, arguing that the approach now discriminates against white students, according to the Associated Press.The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the 1776 Project Foundation, targets a Los Angeles Unified School District policy that…

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‘Parasakthi’ box office collections day 12: Sivakarthikeyan film slows down more; Total crosses Rs 50 crore

‘Parasakthi’ box office collections day 12: Sivakarthikeyan film slows down more; Total crosses Rs 50 crore

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

‘Parasakthi’ has crossed the Rs 50 crore mark in its 12-day theatrical run, though collections have seen a slowdown. The film earned approximately Rs 26 lakhs on its twelfth day, with Tamil occupancy around 13.11 percent. Actor Sivakarthikeyan, who also stars in the film, shared his producer philosophy and discussed his upcoming project, ‘Thaai Kizhavi’….

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Mid-air medical emergency: 72-year-old passenger collapses on IndiGo flight; dies after landing at Nagpur

Mid-air medical emergency: 72-year-old passenger collapses on IndiGo flight; dies after landing at Nagpur

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NAGPUR: A 72-year-old male passenger on an Indigo Airlines flight from Ghaziabad to Chennai collapsed mid-air and was declared brought dead at Nagpur after the aircraft made an emergency landing here.The passenger, a resident of Chennai, felt uneasy in the flight and was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on board by a doctor, who was on…

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‘I left Democratic Party because of their hostility towards God’: DNI Tulsi Gabbard blasts anti-ICE protest inside Minnesota church | World News

‘I left Democratic Party because of their hostility towards God’: DNI Tulsi Gabbard blasts anti-ICE protest inside Minnesota church | World News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has condemned an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, saying the incident reflects what she described as growing hostility towards religion in US politics. In a post on X, Gabbard said one of the main reasons she left the Democratic Party…

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NEW DELHI: Rani Kapur, the mother of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, approached the Delhi high court Wednesday seeking cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust, which holds a stake in the automotive component manufacturer Sona Comstar.Her plea alleges the trust was established and operated without her knowledge or informed consent, effectively excluding her from beneficial ownership of assets that belonged to her. The suit says the events in question took place at a time when she was medically unwell after suffering a stroke and was dependent on her son to handle her personal and financial matters.According to Rani Kapur, her late son was either manipulated into taking part in the alleged arrangement or allowed himself to be used as a channel for carrying it out. She claims that, based on the assurances given to her, she believed her estate was secure, even as transactions were allegedly executed that later deprived her of ownership rights. The suit alleges she was asked to sign several documents without being informed about their contents or legal implications, and on some occasions was made to sign blank papers. These actions, she alleges, were carried out in coordination with Priya Kapur and other defendants, who are accused of concealing the true nature and effect of the RK Family Trust.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123Photostories’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balance123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

NEW DELHI: Rani Kapur, the mother of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, approached the Delhi high court Wednesday seeking cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust, which holds a stake in the automotive component manufacturer Sona Comstar.Her plea alleges the trust was established and operated without her knowledge or informed consent, effectively excluding her from beneficial ownership of assets that belonged to her. The suit says the events in question took place at a time when she was medically unwell after suffering a stroke and was dependent on her son to handle her personal and financial matters.According to Rani Kapur, her late son was either manipulated into taking part in the alleged arrangement or allowed himself to be used as a channel for carrying it out. She claims that, based on the assurances given to her, she believed her estate was secure, even as transactions were allegedly executed that later deprived her of ownership rights. The suit alleges she was asked to sign several documents without being informed about their contents or legal implications, and on some occasions was made to sign blank papers. These actions, she alleges, were carried out in coordination with Priya Kapur and other defendants, who are accused of concealing the true nature and effect of the RK Family Trust.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123Photostories’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balance123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Rani Kapur, the mother of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, approached the Delhi high court Wednesday seeking cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust, which holds a stake in the automotive component manufacturer Sona Comstar.Her plea alleges the trust was established and operated without her knowledge or informed consent, effectively excluding her from…

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Sensex swings 1.3k pts, ends below 82k

Sensex swings 1.3k pts, ends below 82k

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MUMBAI: Dalal Street witnessed extreme volatility on Wednesday with the sensex rallying from more than 1,000 points down to over 300 points up within a couple of hours. The index finally settled 271 points down at 81,910 points, its first close below the 82,000 mark since Oct 8 last year.Geopolitical and global economic factors were…

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