May 9, 2026

NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has for the first time tracked the cases of cruelty against animals and compiled the data, noting registration of 9,039 cases and arrest of 10,312 persons in the country in 2024.Maharashtra recorded highest number (2,356) of such cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,346), Uttar Pradesh (1,121), Gujarat (526) and Tamil Nadu (457).The data tracks animal cruelty cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ranging from FIR registration and investigation to filing of chargesheet and court disposal. It gives India its first national-level statistical picture of how animal cruelty offences are handled by the system.The report shows the police disposed of nearly 77% (6,969) of the total cases with 2,070 cases, approximately 23%, pending investigation at year-end in 2024.The bureau also separately records 8,660 cases of animal theft, valued at Rs 48.8 crore, with a recovery rate of nearly 45%, exceeding the national average for property crimes.”The formal recording of crimes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the NCRB is a significant step toward transparency and data driven governance. While many cases still go unreported, moving from anecdotes to hard data allows us to clearly see how the system is functioning,” said the animal welfare activist, Gauri Maulekhi.She told TOI that the dataset provides a valuable roadmap to examine the entire criminal justice chain, from police responsiveness to judicial resolution. “Overall, this is a major step in the right direction for our legal system and a strong foundation for future progress,” said Maulekhi.At the trial stage, the data reflects a high conviction rate of more than 80%, rising to nearly 94% in metropolitan areas, demonstrating that cases which reach conclusion are largely supported by evidence. At the same time, over 82% of cases remain pending for trial before courts, pointing to significant delays in judicial disposal.Calling the NCRB’s move a “historic step”, Shreemoyee Chakraborty from the People For Animals said, “This is a step in the right direction by the govt and marks an important shift in how animal cruelty is recognised within India’s criminal justice system.”About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?10 best UNESCO spa towns of Europe where people visit for wellness and healing123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has for the first time tracked the cases of cruelty against animals and compiled the data, noting registration of 9,039 cases and arrest of 10,312 persons in the country in 2024.Maharashtra recorded highest number (2,356) of such cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,346), Uttar Pradesh (1,121), Gujarat (526) and Tamil Nadu (457).The data tracks animal cruelty cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ranging from FIR registration and investigation to filing of chargesheet and court disposal. It gives India its first national-level statistical picture of how animal cruelty offences are handled by the system.The report shows the police disposed of nearly 77% (6,969) of the total cases with 2,070 cases, approximately 23%, pending investigation at year-end in 2024.The bureau also separately records 8,660 cases of animal theft, valued at Rs 48.8 crore, with a recovery rate of nearly 45%, exceeding the national average for property crimes.”The formal recording of crimes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the NCRB is a significant step toward transparency and data driven governance. While many cases still go unreported, moving from anecdotes to hard data allows us to clearly see how the system is functioning,” said the animal welfare activist, Gauri Maulekhi.She told TOI that the dataset provides a valuable roadmap to examine the entire criminal justice chain, from police responsiveness to judicial resolution. “Overall, this is a major step in the right direction for our legal system and a strong foundation for future progress,” said Maulekhi.At the trial stage, the data reflects a high conviction rate of more than 80%, rising to nearly 94% in metropolitan areas, demonstrating that cases which reach conclusion are largely supported by evidence. At the same time, over 82% of cases remain pending for trial before courts, pointing to significant delays in judicial disposal.Calling the NCRB’s move a “historic step”, Shreemoyee Chakraborty from the People For Animals said, “This is a step in the right direction by the govt and marks an important shift in how animal cruelty is recognised within India’s criminal justice system.”About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?10 best UNESCO spa towns of Europe where people visit for wellness and healing123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak


In a 1st, NCRB tracks cases of cruelty against animals: 10,312 arrested in 2024

NEW DELHI: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has for the first time tracked the cases of cruelty against animals and compiled the data, noting registration of 9,039 cases and arrest of 10,312 persons in the country in 2024.Maharashtra recorded highest number (2,356) of such cases followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,346), Uttar Pradesh (1,121), Gujarat (526) and Tamil Nadu (457).The data tracks animal cruelty cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ranging from FIR registration and investigation to filing of chargesheet and court disposal. It gives India its first national-level statistical picture of how animal cruelty offences are handled by the system.The report shows the police disposed of nearly 77% (6,969) of the total cases with 2,070 cases, approximately 23%, pending investigation at year-end in 2024.The bureau also separately records 8,660 cases of animal theft, valued at Rs 48.8 crore, with a recovery rate of nearly 45%, exceeding the national average for property crimes.“The formal recording of crimes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the NCRB is a significant step toward transparency and data driven governance. While many cases still go unreported, moving from anecdotes to hard data allows us to clearly see how the system is functioning,” said the animal welfare activist, Gauri Maulekhi.She told TOI that the dataset provides a valuable roadmap to examine the entire criminal justice chain, from police responsiveness to judicial resolution. “Overall, this is a major step in the right direction for our legal system and a strong foundation for future progress,” said Maulekhi.At the trial stage, the data reflects a high conviction rate of more than 80%, rising to nearly 94% in metropolitan areas, demonstrating that cases which reach conclusion are largely supported by evidence. At the same time, over 82% of cases remain pending for trial before courts, pointing to significant delays in judicial disposal.Calling the NCRB’s move a “historic step”, Shreemoyee Chakraborty from the People For Animals said, “This is a step in the right direction by the govt and marks an important shift in how animal cruelty is recognised within India’s criminal justice system.”



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KOLKATA: Investigation into the murder of Bengal CM-designate Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath has expanded to include possible involvement of contract killers from other states, including UP and Odisha.This came even as sleuths focused on Montu Mondal, a man who was travelling in the SUV in which Rath was shot dead and his driver Buddhadeb Bera suffered multiple bullet wounds. Montu, earlier identified as ‘Mintu’, escaped after ducking between seats. Police are banking on Montu, reported to be in trauma, for crucial clues.Sources said a team of investigators left for UP after stumbling upon a call from that state to the owner of a Nissan Micra car, who lives in Matigara, near Siliguri. The call came in response to an ad the owner had posted on a portal to sell his car, police sources said.A silver-coloured Micra that had blocked Rath’s car before bike-borne assailants fired at him had the same registration number as the Matigara car. This Micra was abandoned on the spot and later seized. Cops said footage from CCTVs showed a red hatchback, too, had trailed Rath’s SUV. This remains untraced.Sources said seven to eight people could be involved in the murder. Seven people were questioned and over a dozen detained till late Friday. “No fingerprints or forensic evidence could be recovered from the victim’s vehicle, strengthening suspicion about professional assassins. People with a clear knowledge of the roads in the area have been involved in the planning,” said an officer.One of the two bikes used by the assassins was found near Barasat station late Thursday. “The killers might have fled by train. Alternatively, they might have kept the bike near the station to mislead investigators,” a police source said. The other bike was found near Kolkata airport early Thursday.As the probe intensified, the gaze turned to survivor Montu (33). “Montu acted as Rath’s assistant and even drove his SUV at times. Montu never sat in the front or middle of the SUV. Files were kept in the middle seat. He sat on the rear left side and went unnoticed by the shooters,” said Jhantu, Montu’s brother and lawyer.(Inputs from Amar Kar)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

KOLKATA: Investigation into the murder of Bengal CM-designate Suvendu Adhikari’s aide Chandranath Rath has expanded to include possible involvement of contract killers from other states, including UP and Odisha.This came even as sleuths focused on Montu Mondal, a man who was travelling in the SUV in which Rath was shot dead and his driver Buddhadeb Bera suffered multiple bullet wounds. Montu, earlier identified as ‘Mintu’, escaped after ducking between seats. Police are banking on Montu, reported to be in trauma, for crucial clues.Sources said a team of investigators left for UP after stumbling upon a call from that state to the owner of a Nissan Micra car, who lives in Matigara, near Siliguri. The call came in response to an ad the owner had posted on a portal to sell his car, police sources said.A silver-coloured Micra that had blocked Rath’s car before bike-borne assailants fired at him had the same registration number as the Matigara car. This Micra was abandoned on the spot and later seized. Cops said footage from CCTVs showed a red hatchback, too, had trailed Rath’s SUV. This remains untraced.Sources said seven to eight people could be involved in the murder. Seven people were questioned and over a dozen detained till late Friday. “No fingerprints or forensic evidence could be recovered from the victim’s vehicle, strengthening suspicion about professional assassins. People with a clear knowledge of the roads in the area have been involved in the planning,” said an officer.One of the two bikes used by the assassins was found near Barasat station late Thursday. “The killers might have fled by train. Alternatively, they might have kept the bike near the station to mislead investigators,” a police source said. The other bike was found near Kolkata airport early Thursday.As the probe intensified, the gaze turned to survivor Montu (33). “Montu acted as Rath’s assistant and even drove his SUV at times. Montu never sat in the front or middle of the SUV. Files were kept in the middle seat. He sat on the rear left side and went unnoticed by the shooters,” said Jhantu, Montu’s brother and lawyer.(Inputs from Amar Kar)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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KOCHI/NEW DELHI: Congress leadership has summoned for discussions the key contenders for the post of Kerala CM, with insiders viewing the selection process as a toss-up between “intra-party support” and “public sentiment” relating to two aspirants.Sources said leader of the opposition VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and KC Venugopal, besides state chief Sunny Joseph, will hold talks with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. They said a decision on who would head the Kerala govt will be taken by Sunday.The process moved to Delhi after AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik – who held a meeting with state legislators a day earlier – submitted their report to Kharge on Friday. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, met Kharge and shared his feedback on the issue as well as on the political situation in the state.According to sources, over 80% of MLAs have named Venugopal as their preferred choice for the top post. It has given a leg up to the AICC general secretary, who is also a close aide of Rahul.But, they said, the party will have to factor in the “public sentiment” about the netas before making a decision. In their view, Satheesan has strong support among people who view him as the bulwark that steered the Congress-led UDF ship against the Left Front govt over five years.Besides, Congress would also have to factor in that Venugopal as CM will result in two bypolls – the parliamentary seat he would vacate and the assembly seat he would contest.Amid the uncertainty, another political formula is also being actively discussed within Congress circles.According to sources, there are indications that despite commanding majority support in the CLP (Congress legislature party), Venugopal could step aside in favour of Chennithala, citing his experience. The move is reportedly being explored by the Venugopal and Chennithala camps in an apparent attempt to prevent Satheesan from consolidating support for the top post. They believe that Satheesan will be forced to accept this.AICC observers are understood to have informed the high command that the political situation in Kerala remains sensitive, and a quick decision has to be taken. They also pitched for factoring in the allies’ views.Another issue for consideration is if Rahul can release Venugopal from the post of AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation, where he has emerged over the past few years as Rahul’s pointsperson for party issues. Besides, he also runs the Congress management in Parliament and coordination with allies of the INDIA bloc. Venugopal’s salience is also evident from the fact that he is the chairman of key parliamentary panel – Public Accounts Committee – that is usually held by the leader of the opposition.Party brass would like to convince the contenders to accept the final choice, as it would not want any dissonance among disappointed netas to dampen the euphoria of UDF’s massive victory.About the AuthorRajiv GRajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the *Best Reporter Award* by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

KOCHI/NEW DELHI: Congress leadership has summoned for discussions the key contenders for the post of Kerala CM, with insiders viewing the selection process as a toss-up between “intra-party support” and “public sentiment” relating to two aspirants.Sources said leader of the opposition VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and KC Venugopal, besides state chief Sunny Joseph, will hold talks with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. They said a decision on who would head the Kerala govt will be taken by Sunday.The process moved to Delhi after AICC observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik – who held a meeting with state legislators a day earlier – submitted their report to Kharge on Friday. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, met Kharge and shared his feedback on the issue as well as on the political situation in the state.According to sources, over 80% of MLAs have named Venugopal as their preferred choice for the top post. It has given a leg up to the AICC general secretary, who is also a close aide of Rahul.But, they said, the party will have to factor in the “public sentiment” about the netas before making a decision. In their view, Satheesan has strong support among people who view him as the bulwark that steered the Congress-led UDF ship against the Left Front govt over five years.Besides, Congress would also have to factor in that Venugopal as CM will result in two bypolls – the parliamentary seat he would vacate and the assembly seat he would contest.Amid the uncertainty, another political formula is also being actively discussed within Congress circles.According to sources, there are indications that despite commanding majority support in the CLP (Congress legislature party), Venugopal could step aside in favour of Chennithala, citing his experience. The move is reportedly being explored by the Venugopal and Chennithala camps in an apparent attempt to prevent Satheesan from consolidating support for the top post. They believe that Satheesan will be forced to accept this.AICC observers are understood to have informed the high command that the political situation in Kerala remains sensitive, and a quick decision has to be taken. They also pitched for factoring in the allies’ views.Another issue for consideration is if Rahul can release Venugopal from the post of AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation, where he has emerged over the past few years as Rahul’s pointsperson for party issues. Besides, he also runs the Congress management in Parliament and coordination with allies of the INDIA bloc. Venugopal’s salience is also evident from the fact that he is the chairman of key parliamentary panel – Public Accounts Committee – that is usually held by the leader of the opposition.Party brass would like to convince the contenders to accept the final choice, as it would not want any dissonance among disappointed netas to dampen the euphoria of UDF’s massive victory.About the AuthorRajiv GRajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the *Best Reporter Award* by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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KOLKATA: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday framed BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal not merely as a political win but as a decisive shift tied to national security as he addressed newly elected party MLAs.”Friends, this victory is not merely about BJP’s expansion or ideology. Nor is it about forming a BJP-NDA govt in the 21st state. The biggest importance of this victory is that it plugs one of the biggest holes in India’s national security. BJP promises people of Bengal that the country will identify and remove every infiltrator from India,” Shah said at the meeting in Kolkata.The home minister accused the vanquished TMC of “institutionalising political violence, encouraging the criminalisation of politics” and weakening the state’s administrative machinery through its 15 years in govt. “In a BJP govt, neither will administration be politicised nor will politics be criminalised.”Shah then moved to highlight BJP’s vast footprint. “From Gangotri to Gangasagar, there are now BJP govts. We began this journey in the 1950s with the ideology of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. In 2026, his own party is governing his homeland. We must seek his blessings,” he said.Quoting from Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, ‘Chitto Jetha Bhayshunyo’ (Where the mind is without fear), Shah declared that the change of guard marks the beginning of an era where “the road to a fearless Bengal has widened”. He exhorted BJP workers to fulfil the dream of “Sonar Bangla”, saying their govt will dismantle Bengal’s entrenched “syndicate raj, cut-money politics” and the dominance of local strongmen.Underscoring the victory’s magnitude, Shah pointed out that the new BJP MLAs had won by an average margin of 28,000 votes, with TMC drawing a blank in nine districts.He struck a conciliatory note towards the end of his address, appealing to all political parties to abjure violence and ensure peace and democratic functioning in the state. “Wherever BJP has formed govts, we have ensured violence-free elections. It is now our responsibility to ensure Bengal, too, witnesses elections free from violence and rigging,” Shah said.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

KOLKATA: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday framed BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal not merely as a political win but as a decisive shift tied to national security as he addressed newly elected party MLAs.”Friends, this victory is not merely about BJP’s expansion or ideology. Nor is it about forming a BJP-NDA govt in the 21st state. The biggest importance of this victory is that it plugs one of the biggest holes in India’s national security. BJP promises people of Bengal that the country will identify and remove every infiltrator from India,” Shah said at the meeting in Kolkata.The home minister accused the vanquished TMC of “institutionalising political violence, encouraging the criminalisation of politics” and weakening the state’s administrative machinery through its 15 years in govt. “In a BJP govt, neither will administration be politicised nor will politics be criminalised.”Shah then moved to highlight BJP’s vast footprint. “From Gangotri to Gangasagar, there are now BJP govts. We began this journey in the 1950s with the ideology of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. In 2026, his own party is governing his homeland. We must seek his blessings,” he said.Quoting from Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, ‘Chitto Jetha Bhayshunyo’ (Where the mind is without fear), Shah declared that the change of guard marks the beginning of an era where “the road to a fearless Bengal has widened”. He exhorted BJP workers to fulfil the dream of “Sonar Bangla”, saying their govt will dismantle Bengal’s entrenched “syndicate raj, cut-money politics” and the dominance of local strongmen.Underscoring the victory’s magnitude, Shah pointed out that the new BJP MLAs had won by an average margin of 28,000 votes, with TMC drawing a blank in nine districts.He struck a conciliatory note towards the end of his address, appealing to all political parties to abjure violence and ensure peace and democratic functioning in the state. “Wherever BJP has formed govts, we have ensured violence-free elections. It is now our responsibility to ensure Bengal, too, witnesses elections free from violence and rigging,” Shah said.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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NEW DELHI: A governor has no option but to invite the single largest party or a post-poll alliance to form govt after elections and cannot inquire into how the majority support was garnered by the single largest party or the alliance – Supreme Court’s constitution benches have ruled consistently, from the landmark S R Bommai judgment in 1994 to Rameshwar Prasad in 2006. The Rameshwar Prasad judgment, had castigated UPA govt for dissolving the Bihar assembly and imposing President’s rule on a report from then governor Buta Singh that there was no pre-poll alliance between JDU and BJP and their coming together smacked of horse-trading in MLAs.Quoting the Bommai judgment, the majority in the 2006 ruling had said, “The action which results in preventing a political party from staking claim to form a govt after an election on such fanciful assumptions, if allowed to stand, would be destructive of the democratic fabric.” If fanciful claims of horse-trading are taken as the basis to deny the party exhibiting majority support of MLAs to stake claim to form a govt, then “it may also be a handle to reject post-poll alignments and realignments on grounds of the same being unethical, plunging the country or the state to another election,” SC had said.SC had said, “If, after polls, two or more parties come together, it may be difficult to deny their claim of majority on the stated grounds of such illegality. “These are the aspects better left to be determined by the political parties which, of course, must set healthy and ethical standards for themselves, but, in any case, the ultimate judgment has to be left to the electorate and the legislature comprising also of members of the opposition.”Laying emphasis on the floor test that must be faced by the party or coalition staking claim to form govt, SC had struck down President’s rule in Bihar and said, “Ultimately, majority shall have to be proved on the floor of the House.”In the Bommai case, a bench had cautioned against misuse of gubernatorial powers to dismiss elected govts or dissolve a duly elected assembly and said, “The very enormity of this power undoing the will of the people of a state by dismissing the duly constituted govt and dissolving the duly elected legislative assembly must itself act as a warning against its frequent use or misuse, as the case may be. Every misuse of this power has its consequences which may not be evident immediately but surface in a vicious form a few years later…” End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

NEW DELHI: A governor has no option but to invite the single largest party or a post-poll alliance to form govt after elections and cannot inquire into how the majority support was garnered by the single largest party or the alliance – Supreme Court’s constitution benches have ruled consistently, from the landmark S R Bommai judgment in 1994 to Rameshwar Prasad in 2006. The Rameshwar Prasad judgment, had castigated UPA govt for dissolving the Bihar assembly and imposing President’s rule on a report from then governor Buta Singh that there was no pre-poll alliance between JDU and BJP and their coming together smacked of horse-trading in MLAs.Quoting the Bommai judgment, the majority in the 2006 ruling had said, “The action which results in preventing a political party from staking claim to form a govt after an election on such fanciful assumptions, if allowed to stand, would be destructive of the democratic fabric.” If fanciful claims of horse-trading are taken as the basis to deny the party exhibiting majority support of MLAs to stake claim to form a govt, then “it may also be a handle to reject post-poll alignments and realignments on grounds of the same being unethical, plunging the country or the state to another election,” SC had said.SC had said, “If, after polls, two or more parties come together, it may be difficult to deny their claim of majority on the stated grounds of such illegality. “These are the aspects better left to be determined by the political parties which, of course, must set healthy and ethical standards for themselves, but, in any case, the ultimate judgment has to be left to the electorate and the legislature comprising also of members of the opposition.”Laying emphasis on the floor test that must be faced by the party or coalition staking claim to form govt, SC had struck down President’s rule in Bihar and said, “Ultimately, majority shall have to be proved on the floor of the House.”In the Bommai case, a bench had cautioned against misuse of gubernatorial powers to dismiss elected govts or dissolve a duly elected assembly and said, “The very enormity of this power undoing the will of the people of a state by dismissing the duly constituted govt and dissolving the duly elected legislative assembly must itself act as a warning against its frequent use or misuse, as the case may be. Every misuse of this power has its consequences which may not be evident immediately but surface in a vicious form a few years later…” End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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