August 19, 2026

In this image posted on Aug. 12, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, in New Delhi. NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump’s post appreciating India’s mandatory elector identification system followed an Aug 12 meeting between chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor at Nirvachan Sadan. Kumar apprised the latter that electoral photo identity cards had been issued by EC to nearly 1 billion electors and that the turnout in recent Indian polls was higher than that in major democracies of the world.The query by Kumar that Trump cited in his post had figured in the discussions, which were part of an exercise by CEC to take forward the spirit of Delhi Declaration 2026.TOI learned that Gor was curious about various aspects of Indian elections. Kumar explained how polls were held under the scrutiny of all political parties, represented by booth level agents during the preparation of the electoral roll, polling agents during voting and counting agents on counting day. According to EC officials, electoral rolls are prepared for each of the 1.2 million polling booths by booth level officers who are employees of state govt.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKumar cited the high turnout, particularly in the last round of assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, to highlight the popular perception in their favour.Officials said the recent polls witnessed a turnout of 93.7% in Bengal, 91.2% in Puducherry, 86.3% in Assam, 86% in TN and 79.5% in Kerala. The Bengal turnout was higher than that recorded in 25 of the world’s leading democracies, including Australia, Belgium, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, France, US, UK and Japan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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In this image posted on Aug. 12, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, in New Delhi. NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump’s post appreciating India’s mandatory elector identification system followed an Aug 12 meeting between chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor at Nirvachan Sadan. Kumar apprised the latter that electoral photo identity cards had been issued by EC to nearly 1 billion electors and that the turnout in recent Indian polls was higher than that in major democracies of the world.The query by Kumar that Trump cited in his post had figured in the discussions, which were part of an exercise by CEC to take forward the spirit of Delhi Declaration 2026.TOI learned that Gor was curious about various aspects of Indian elections. Kumar explained how polls were held under the scrutiny of all political parties, represented by booth level agents during the preparation of the electoral roll, polling agents during voting and counting agents on counting day. According to EC officials, electoral rolls are prepared for each of the 1.2 million polling booths by booth level officers who are employees of state govt.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKumar cited the high turnout, particularly in the last round of assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, to highlight the popular perception in their favour.Officials said the recent polls witnessed a turnout of 93.7% in Bengal, 91.2% in Puducherry, 86.3% in Assam, 86% in TN and 79.5% in Kerala. The Bengal turnout was higher than that recorded in 25 of the world’s leading democracies, including Australia, Belgium, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, France, US, UK and Japan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir


Trump's voter ID praise follows Gyanesh Kumar - Sergio Gor meet
In this image posted on Aug. 12, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump’s post appreciating India’s mandatory elector identification system followed an Aug 12 meeting between chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor at Nirvachan Sadan. Kumar apprised the latter that electoral photo identity cards had been issued by EC to nearly 1 billion electors and that the turnout in recent Indian polls was higher than that in major democracies of the world.The query by Kumar that Trump cited in his post had figured in the discussions, which were part of an exercise by CEC to take forward the spirit of Delhi Declaration 2026.TOI learned that Gor was curious about various aspects of Indian elections. Kumar explained how polls were held under the scrutiny of all political parties, represented by booth level agents during the preparation of the electoral roll, polling agents during voting and counting agents on counting day. According to EC officials, electoral rolls are prepared for each of the 1.2 million polling booths by booth level officers who are employees of state govt.

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NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Union govt to solve the tragic mystery of Capt Ashish Kumar, who went missing after a missile attack on his ship, MT Skylight, in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1.He was presumed dead after bones were found in the burnt-out captain’s cabin. But DNA tests later showed that the remains were not his.His wife Anshu Kumari petitioned SC, claiming that the DNA test and medical evidence invalidate the presumption of his death.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesShe said, “The survival and captivity of Kumar are strongly evidenced by ransom calls received by the petitioner on March 4, three days after the incident, from international numbers (including UAE and Pakistan) demanding Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, WhatsApp messages were delivered in Kumar’s phone hours after the vessel was destroyed.”Captain’s wife claims lack of proper probeHis WhatsApp profile was manually deleted on March 31, said Captain Ashish Kumar’s wife“These electronic footprints strongly suggest the physical operation of his device post-incident. Despite these glaring indicators of life and extortion, Union govt has failed to initiate a specialised investigation or utilise diplomatic channels to trace the missing citizen,” she complained.A bench led by CJI Surya Kant asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta to inquire about Kumar’s whereabouts and file a status report. The SG said he would respond by Monday.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Union govt to solve the tragic mystery of Capt Ashish Kumar, who went missing after a missile attack on his ship, MT Skylight, in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1.He was presumed dead after bones were found in the burnt-out captain’s cabin. But DNA tests later showed that the remains were not his.His wife Anshu Kumari petitioned SC, claiming that the DNA test and medical evidence invalidate the presumption of his death.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesShe said, “The survival and captivity of Kumar are strongly evidenced by ransom calls received by the petitioner on March 4, three days after the incident, from international numbers (including UAE and Pakistan) demanding Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, WhatsApp messages were delivered in Kumar’s phone hours after the vessel was destroyed.”Captain’s wife claims lack of proper probeHis WhatsApp profile was manually deleted on March 31, said Captain Ashish Kumar’s wife“These electronic footprints strongly suggest the physical operation of his device post-incident. Despite these glaring indicators of life and extortion, Union govt has failed to initiate a specialised investigation or utilise diplomatic channels to trace the missing citizen,” she complained.A bench led by CJI Surya Kant asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta to inquire about Kumar’s whereabouts and file a status report. The SG said he would respond by Monday.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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NEW DELHI: Following incidents of newly built highway stretches developing cracks, potholes, premature failures, rutting and other deficien-cies, govt is looking at the option of carrying out trial runs on highways for a longer per-iod before they are officially inaugurated. That is, normal traffic may be allowed on the stretches for two-three mon-ths to identify deficiencies before the formal launch, reports Dipak Dash.Officials said trial runs on highways are carried out only after all work and safety audits have been completed. TOI has learnt that the idea was discussed during a meeting to review progress in the Delhi-Mumbai expre-ssway project last week, whi-ch road transport minister Nitin Gadkari chairedInstances of extended trial run in past too: OfficialsOfficials said there have been instances in the past of extended trial run on stretches, including on sections of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway and the tunnel on Dwarka Expressway, before they were inaugurated.“An extended trial run is good considering that settlement of any section, rutting or drainage problem can be identified and fixed… particularly during monsoon season…” said an official.In most cases, tolling on highway stretches commences only after their official inauguration.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to contract conditions, contractors are bound to rectify all deficiencies within the defect liability period. Officials said Gadkari had directed officials from NHAI, contractors and consultants involved in projects to improve the quality of construction as any deficiencies deprive people of the promised facility.There have been instances of both national and state highways developing major deficiencies within weeks after their inauguration by PM, central ministers and CMs. The latest such instances pertained to Lucknow-Kanpur and Dehradun expressways. While in a couple of cases, NHAI has calculated the toll amount “zero” for the affected stretches, in the case of Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, tolling has been suspended for the entire corridor.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

NEW DELHI: Following incidents of newly built highway stretches developing cracks, potholes, premature failures, rutting and other deficien-cies, govt is looking at the option of carrying out trial runs on highways for a longer per-iod before they are officially inaugurated. That is, normal traffic may be allowed on the stretches for two-three mon-ths to identify deficiencies before the formal launch, reports Dipak Dash.Officials said trial runs on highways are carried out only after all work and safety audits have been completed. TOI has learnt that the idea was discussed during a meeting to review progress in the Delhi-Mumbai expre-ssway project last week, whi-ch road transport minister Nitin Gadkari chairedInstances of extended trial run in past too: OfficialsOfficials said there have been instances in the past of extended trial run on stretches, including on sections of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway and the tunnel on Dwarka Expressway, before they were inaugurated.“An extended trial run is good considering that settlement of any section, rutting or drainage problem can be identified and fixed… particularly during monsoon season…” said an official.In most cases, tolling on highway stretches commences only after their official inauguration.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to contract conditions, contractors are bound to rectify all deficiencies within the defect liability period. Officials said Gadkari had directed officials from NHAI, contractors and consultants involved in projects to improve the quality of construction as any deficiencies deprive people of the promised facility.There have been instances of both national and state highways developing major deficiencies within weeks after their inauguration by PM, central ministers and CMs. The latest such instances pertained to Lucknow-Kanpur and Dehradun expressways. While in a couple of cases, NHAI has calculated the toll amount “zero” for the affected stretches, in the case of Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, tolling has been suspended for the entire corridor.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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Calls for Nepal to allow its citizens to join the Indian Army under its Agnipath scheme have grown louder ahead of Army chief General Dhiraj Seth’s scheduled participation in an ex-servicemen rally for Gorkha veterans in Pokhara Wednesday, bringing the stalled recruitment issue back into focus during his three-day visit.Days before Gen Seth’s arrival, hundreds of former Indian Army personnel, their families, and Gorkha aspirants marched in Pokhara, urging Nepal PM Balen Shah to allow recruitment under Agnipath. They submitted a memorandum to Shah and home minister Sudan Gurung.The deadlock has remained an unresolved backdrop to Gen Seth’s visit, though official accounts of his talks with Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel have made no mention of the issue. Gen Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by President Ramchandra Paudel Monday. Gen Seth met Shah in Kathmandu Tuesday, but Agnipath found no public mention in the official statement.Colonel Krishna Bahadur Khatri (retd) told TOI from Kathmandu that Nepal’s stand had “deprived its youths of an opportunity still seen by many Gorkha families as far better than low-paid employment overseas”.Captain Rudra Thapa (retd) said the freeze had pushed many young men towards low-paid, physically demanding jobs in the Gulf and other countries when they could have earned a far income through military service. “If they were allowed to join Indian Army as Agniveers, they could have earned around Nepalese Rs 45-50 lakh, including benefits, in four years,” Thapa said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”If govt does not allow recruitment into foreign armies, it must be able to provide employment at home.”India introduced Agnipath in June 2022, under which recruits serve for four years and up to 25% may later be absorbed into regular service. Nepal declined to allow recruitment under the new terms, arguing that the four-year contractual model marked a departure from the long-term service and pension arrangement that underpinned the 1947 tripartite agreement. No Nepal-domiciled Gorkhas have been recruited since.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

Calls for Nepal to allow its citizens to join the Indian Army under its Agnipath scheme have grown louder ahead of Army chief General Dhiraj Seth’s scheduled participation in an ex-servicemen rally for Gorkha veterans in Pokhara Wednesday, bringing the stalled recruitment issue back into focus during his three-day visit.Days before Gen Seth’s arrival, hundreds of former Indian Army personnel, their families, and Gorkha aspirants marched in Pokhara, urging Nepal PM Balen Shah to allow recruitment under Agnipath. They submitted a memorandum to Shah and home minister Sudan Gurung.The deadlock has remained an unresolved backdrop to Gen Seth’s visit, though official accounts of his talks with Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel have made no mention of the issue. Gen Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by President Ramchandra Paudel Monday. Gen Seth met Shah in Kathmandu Tuesday, but Agnipath found no public mention in the official statement.Colonel Krishna Bahadur Khatri (retd) told TOI from Kathmandu that Nepal’s stand had “deprived its youths of an opportunity still seen by many Gorkha families as far better than low-paid employment overseas”.Captain Rudra Thapa (retd) said the freeze had pushed many young men towards low-paid, physically demanding jobs in the Gulf and other countries when they could have earned a far income through military service. “If they were allowed to join Indian Army as Agniveers, they could have earned around Nepalese Rs 45-50 lakh, including benefits, in four years,” Thapa said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”If govt does not allow recruitment into foreign armies, it must be able to provide employment at home.”India introduced Agnipath in June 2022, under which recruits serve for four years and up to 25% may later be absorbed into regular service. Nepal declined to allow recruitment under the new terms, arguing that the four-year contractual model marked a departure from the long-term service and pension arrangement that underpinned the 1947 tripartite agreement. No Nepal-domiciled Gorkhas have been recruited since.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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The dismissal of the present writ petition must not be understood as foreclosing future scrutiny. Constitutional interpretation is organic and must remain responsive, both to the evolution of constitutional doctrine and to advances in scientific knowledge NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to replace the present mechanism of execution by hanging with alternatives like the lethal injection.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said there was no scientific material to back the claim that hanging as a mode of execution was physically painful and physiologically traumatic in comparison to other methods, and refused to pass any directive on a petition filed by senior advocate Rishi Malhotra. The court left it to the Centre to take a call on the issue in future if needed.”The available material does not establish that lethal injection has any added advantage over hanging as a mode of execution of a death sentence. Hence, the argument advanced by the petitioner that lethal injection is a better and more humane mode of execution of the death sentence is totally unconvincing,” the bench said.SC said there had not been a single instance of a botched execution in India under the existing statutory framework, but there had been numerous botched ones in US, where lethal injection has been adopted in several states.”Before parting, we clarify that the dismissal of the present writ petition must not be understood as foreclosing future constitutional scrutiny, should compelling scientific, medical or empirical evidence emerge demonstrating that the factual and scientific basis on which the decision in Deena (supra) proceeded has been materially displaced by subsequent developments. Constitutional interpretation is organic and must remain responsive, both to the evolution of constitutional doctrine and to advances in scientific knowledge,” bench said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIt added that its judgment shall not prevent Centre from undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing method of execution through an expert body comprising specialists in law, forensic medicine, neuroscience, penology and allied disciplines, with a view to examining whether any alternative method of execution better serves the constitutional objective of minimising unnecessary pain while preserving the dignity of the condemned prisoner.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

The dismissal of the present writ petition must not be understood as foreclosing future scrutiny. Constitutional interpretation is organic and must remain responsive, both to the evolution of constitutional doctrine and to advances in scientific knowledge NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to replace the present mechanism of execution by hanging with alternatives like the lethal injection.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said there was no scientific material to back the claim that hanging as a mode of execution was physically painful and physiologically traumatic in comparison to other methods, and refused to pass any directive on a petition filed by senior advocate Rishi Malhotra. The court left it to the Centre to take a call on the issue in future if needed.”The available material does not establish that lethal injection has any added advantage over hanging as a mode of execution of a death sentence. Hence, the argument advanced by the petitioner that lethal injection is a better and more humane mode of execution of the death sentence is totally unconvincing,” the bench said.SC said there had not been a single instance of a botched execution in India under the existing statutory framework, but there had been numerous botched ones in US, where lethal injection has been adopted in several states.”Before parting, we clarify that the dismissal of the present writ petition must not be understood as foreclosing future constitutional scrutiny, should compelling scientific, medical or empirical evidence emerge demonstrating that the factual and scientific basis on which the decision in Deena (supra) proceeded has been materially displaced by subsequent developments. Constitutional interpretation is organic and must remain responsive, both to the evolution of constitutional doctrine and to advances in scientific knowledge,” bench said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIt added that its judgment shall not prevent Centre from undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing method of execution through an expert body comprising specialists in law, forensic medicine, neuroscience, penology and allied disciplines, with a view to examining whether any alternative method of execution better serves the constitutional objective of minimising unnecessary pain while preserving the dignity of the condemned prisoner.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In Tears123PhotostoriesExclusive – Rubina Dilaik on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, staying away from daughters and Abhinav Shukla’s support: ‘Cried over the phone, wondering if I made the wrong decision’Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just reopened the timeless beauty files with these unseen Cannes 2026 gown photosYour liver may be struggling without pain: 7 warning signs you can spot in your eyes, skin and urine10 baby girl names drawn from ancient texts and mythologies associated with wisdomOptical illusion personality test: Elephant or village? What you see first reveals a hidden side of your personalityTravel vlogger Shenaz Treasury gets a vampire facial: Know its benefits, risks, and cost in India?‘Kantara’ star Rishab Shetty wore a black kurta and silk dhoti with a Gandaberunda motif, for a look fullof regal drama at Melbourne9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and more123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledSatyendar JainSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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