May 1, 2026

. KOLKATA: Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on multiple Kolkata addresses linked to political consultancy I-PAC escalated into an extraordinary stand-off between the central agency and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday as the latter shadowed the search teams all day, got police to “verify their credentials”, took away files and storage devices, and claimed that their brief was to “snatch” Trinamool Congress’s poll strategy and prospective candidates’ list. “Amit Shah has sent ED… Is this ED’s work? The nasty and naughty home minister, who cannot protect the country, is trying to take away our party papers to win the election. What will happen if I raid the BJP office?” Mamata said. ED said it is investigating the Prashant Kishor-founded I-PAC, whose official website mentions both Trinamool and the Bengal govt as clients, in a 2020 money laundering case linked to a coal scam. On Thursday, ED searched I-PAC’s office in the tech hub of Sector V in Salt Lake and the central Kolkata home of its director Pratik Jain. “Proceedings were being conducted in a peaceful and professional manner till the arrival of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee along with a large number of police officials,” the ED complaint says.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 MediaVideosBJP Targets Mamata Banerjee Over ED Raid At I-PAC, Alleges Evidence TamperingFrom Op Sindoor To Venezuela: How Chinese Air Defence And Radar Systems Continue To Fail NationsDipu Das Lynching: Bangladesh Police Arrest Man Who Incited Mob As Attacks Against Hindus ContinueFrance Ditches Global South, Collective West As Jaishankar Warns Europe Of Changing World Order’Naughty, Nasty HM’: Mamata Slams Amit Shah After ED Raids TMC Leader Amid SIR RowPM Modi Launches ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’, Recalls Centuries-Old Resolve Behind Temple’s Revival“US Using Tariffs To Pressure India” Sareen Slams Trump Over Russia Sanction BillDonald Trump Pulls US Out Of India-Led Solar Alliance In Sweeping Exit From 66 Global AgenciesNew CCTV Footage Raises Questions Over Planning Behind Turkman Gate Clashes During Midnight DriveMinor Shooter Accuses National Coach Of Sexual Assault, NRAI Suspends Him Pending Police Inquiry123PhotostoriesBirthday Special: Farhan Akhtar’s movies to watch on OTTFarhan Akhtar’s social media moments with wife and kids10 smart and comforting sooji dishes to enjoy for breakfastExclusive: Viraj Bahl on the public admiration he’s been getting due to Shark Tank India; says ‘I still feel embarrassed when people ask me for selfies’‘Toxic’: Kiara Advani, Nayanthara to Rukmini Vasanth: Meet the leading ladies of Yash’s highly anticipated comeback filmHow to make comforting Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi at home10 most democratic countries in the world12 banana desserts enjoyed around the world’The Office’ to ‘Modern Family’: Best sitcoms to watch on PeacockCute Indian pet names for babies born in January 2026123Hot PicksMinneapolis Woman ShootMaharashtra civic pollsGold rate todayUAE citizenshipCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingCandace OwensTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceBrandon TatumQuinn HutsonRic Flair Net Worth in 2025Rashee RiceMarshon Lattimore ArrestAnthony EdwardsStefon Diggs

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. KOLKATA: Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on multiple Kolkata addresses linked to political consultancy I-PAC escalated into an extraordinary stand-off between the central agency and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday as the latter shadowed the search teams all day, got police to “verify their credentials”, took away files and storage devices, and claimed that their brief was to “snatch” Trinamool Congress’s poll strategy and prospective candidates’ list. “Amit Shah has sent ED… Is this ED’s work? The nasty and naughty home minister, who cannot protect the country, is trying to take away our party papers to win the election. What will happen if I raid the BJP office?” Mamata said. ED said it is investigating the Prashant Kishor-founded I-PAC, whose official website mentions both Trinamool and the Bengal govt as clients, in a 2020 money laundering case linked to a coal scam. On Thursday, ED searched I-PAC’s office in the tech hub of Sector V in Salt Lake and the central Kolkata home of its director Pratik Jain. “Proceedings were being conducted in a peaceful and professional manner till the arrival of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee along with a large number of police officials,” the ED complaint says.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 MediaVideosBJP Targets Mamata Banerjee Over ED Raid At I-PAC, Alleges Evidence TamperingFrom Op Sindoor To Venezuela: How Chinese Air Defence And Radar Systems Continue To Fail NationsDipu Das Lynching: Bangladesh Police Arrest Man Who Incited Mob As Attacks Against Hindus ContinueFrance Ditches Global South, Collective West As Jaishankar Warns Europe Of Changing World Order’Naughty, Nasty HM’: Mamata Slams Amit Shah After ED Raids TMC Leader Amid SIR RowPM Modi Launches ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’, Recalls Centuries-Old Resolve Behind Temple’s Revival“US Using Tariffs To Pressure India” Sareen Slams Trump Over Russia Sanction BillDonald Trump Pulls US Out Of India-Led Solar Alliance In Sweeping Exit From 66 Global AgenciesNew CCTV Footage Raises Questions Over Planning Behind Turkman Gate Clashes During Midnight DriveMinor Shooter Accuses National Coach Of Sexual Assault, NRAI Suspends Him Pending Police Inquiry123PhotostoriesBirthday Special: Farhan Akhtar’s movies to watch on OTTFarhan Akhtar’s social media moments with wife and kids10 smart and comforting sooji dishes to enjoy for breakfastExclusive: Viraj Bahl on the public admiration he’s been getting due to Shark Tank India; says ‘I still feel embarrassed when people ask me for selfies’‘Toxic’: Kiara Advani, Nayanthara to Rukmini Vasanth: Meet the leading ladies of Yash’s highly anticipated comeback filmHow to make comforting Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi at home10 most democratic countries in the world12 banana desserts enjoyed around the world’The Office’ to ‘Modern Family’: Best sitcoms to watch on PeacockCute Indian pet names for babies born in January 2026123Hot PicksMinneapolis Woman ShootMaharashtra civic pollsGold rate todayUAE citizenshipCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingCandace OwensTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceBrandon TatumQuinn HutsonRic Flair Net Worth in 2025Rashee RiceMarshon Lattimore ArrestAnthony EdwardsStefon Diggs


Raid drama in Kolkata as Didi tails ED on I-PAC trail, cries vendetta

KOLKATA: Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on multiple Kolkata addresses linked to political consultancy I-PAC escalated into an extraordinary stand-off between the central agency and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday as the latter shadowed the search teams all day, got police to “verify their credentials”, took away files and storage devices, and claimed that their brief was to “snatch” Trinamool Congress’s poll strategy and prospective candidates’ list. “Amit Shah has sent ED… Is this ED’s work? The nasty and naughty home minister, who cannot protect the country, is trying to take away our party papers to win the election. What will happen if I raid the BJP office?” Mamata said. ED said it is investigating the Prashant Kishor-founded I-PAC, whose official website mentions both Trinamool and the Bengal govt as clients, in a 2020 money laundering case linked to a coal scam. On Thursday, ED searched I-PAC’s office in the tech hub of Sector V in Salt Lake and the central Kolkata home of its director Pratik Jain. “Proceedings were being conducted in a peaceful and professional manner till the arrival of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee along with a large number of police officials,” the ED complaint says.



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NEW DELHI: For the second successive year, Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, organised by ministry of external affairs in coordination with Chinese govt, will take place from June to Aug 2026. The Yatra had been reopened by China last year amid signs of improvement in bilateral ties, following completion of the troop disengagement process in eastern Ladakh.This year, 10 batches, each consisting of 50 yatris, are scheduled to travel through Uttarakhand, crossing over at Lipulekh Pass; and another 10 batches, each consisting of 50 yatris, will travel through Sikkim state and cross over at Nathu La.The yatris will be selected from among applicants through a computer-generated, and gender-balanced selection process, MEA said. “Applicants may register on the site and submit their applications,” MEA added.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

NEW DELHI: For the second successive year, Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, organised by ministry of external affairs in coordination with Chinese govt, will take place from June to Aug 2026. The Yatra had been reopened by China last year amid signs of improvement in bilateral ties, following completion of the troop disengagement process in eastern Ladakh.This year, 10 batches, each consisting of 50 yatris, are scheduled to travel through Uttarakhand, crossing over at Lipulekh Pass; and another 10 batches, each consisting of 50 yatris, will travel through Sikkim state and cross over at Nathu La.The yatris will be selected from among applicants through a computer-generated, and gender-balanced selection process, MEA said. “Applicants may register on the site and submit their applications,” MEA added.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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DHAKA: Bangladesh on Thursday summoned acting Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and protested the remarks made by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and stressed avoiding comments that might hurt bilateral ties.Director General (South Asia) Ishrat Jahan conveyed Dhaka’s position to the acting Indian high commissioner during a meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs (MoFA). Bangladesh described the remarks as disparaging to Bangladesh-India relations and expressed its displeasure to India, said a diplomatic source. The MoFA, however, did not issue any official statement.Sarma on April 26 said 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in Assam and pushed back to Bangladesh.“Rude people don’t understand soft language. We continuously remind ourselves of this prophetic line when we expel infiltrators from Assam who don’t leave themselves. For instance, these 20 illegal Bangladeshis who were PUSHED BACK last night,” Sarma said in a post on X, according to Indian media reports.Bangladesh stressed that public statements capable of straining ties between the two neighbours are counterproductive, and highlighted the importance of exercising restraint when addressing sensitive bilateral issues.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

DHAKA: Bangladesh on Thursday summoned acting Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and protested the remarks made by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and stressed avoiding comments that might hurt bilateral ties.Director General (South Asia) Ishrat Jahan conveyed Dhaka’s position to the acting Indian high commissioner during a meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs (MoFA). Bangladesh described the remarks as disparaging to Bangladesh-India relations and expressed its displeasure to India, said a diplomatic source. The MoFA, however, did not issue any official statement.Sarma on April 26 said 20 foreign nationals were apprehended in Assam and pushed back to Bangladesh.“Rude people don’t understand soft language. We continuously remind ourselves of this prophetic line when we expel infiltrators from Assam who don’t leave themselves. For instance, these 20 illegal Bangladeshis who were PUSHED BACK last night,” Sarma said in a post on X, according to Indian media reports.Bangladesh stressed that public statements capable of straining ties between the two neighbours are counterproductive, and highlighted the importance of exercising restraint when addressing sensitive bilateral issues.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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Security personnel on patrol in Raiganj ahead of Bengal poll results NEW DELHI: Even before counting takes place, the Election Commission is preparing for the post-results scenario in West Bengal by retaining around 70,000 central forces personnel in the state for continued vigil, particularly in pockets with a history of post-poll violence, and initiating strict action against any attempts to target political rivals.As part of security arrangements to prevent a repeat of the 2021 post-poll violence — which, as per the then DGP’s report sent to an NHRC inquiry committee, had seen 1,934 incidents including murder, sexual assault, arson and grievous hurt — control rooms are to be set up at the EC’s headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, and the office of the Bengal chief electoral officer to monitor the situation on counting day, May 4, and direct immediate action in case of any untoward incident.Forces still stationed in Bengal will keep strict vigil in vulnerable pockets that witnessed violence in 2021, and anyone found to be involved in any attempt at violence will face strict action as per law.As per the 2021 NHRC inquiry report, there was organised, widespread and targeted violence based on political affiliation across multiple districts in the months following counting. The 1,934 incidents of post-poll violence included murder (29), sexual assault (12), grievous hurt (391), arson/vandalism (940) and intimidation (562). Though 9,304 persons were accused, only 1,345 were arrested. The NHRC probe found that FIRs were not registered in 60% of complaints.In a recent PIL filed in the Supreme Court, a plea was made to direct the constitution of a high-level monitoring committee under a retired judge to oversee the functioning of law and order machinery in Bengal. It further sought that the state government be told to maintain law and order and take necessary steps, including deployment of adequate central forces personnel in vulnerable areas.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 MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

Security personnel on patrol in Raiganj ahead of Bengal poll results NEW DELHI: Even before counting takes place, the Election Commission is preparing for the post-results scenario in West Bengal by retaining around 70,000 central forces personnel in the state for continued vigil, particularly in pockets with a history of post-poll violence, and initiating strict action against any attempts to target political rivals.As part of security arrangements to prevent a repeat of the 2021 post-poll violence — which, as per the then DGP’s report sent to an NHRC inquiry committee, had seen 1,934 incidents including murder, sexual assault, arson and grievous hurt — control rooms are to be set up at the EC’s headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, and the office of the Bengal chief electoral officer to monitor the situation on counting day, May 4, and direct immediate action in case of any untoward incident.Forces still stationed in Bengal will keep strict vigil in vulnerable pockets that witnessed violence in 2021, and anyone found to be involved in any attempt at violence will face strict action as per law.As per the 2021 NHRC inquiry report, there was organised, widespread and targeted violence based on political affiliation across multiple districts in the months following counting. The 1,934 incidents of post-poll violence included murder (29), sexual assault (12), grievous hurt (391), arson/vandalism (940) and intimidation (562). Though 9,304 persons were accused, only 1,345 were arrested. The NHRC probe found that FIRs were not registered in 60% of complaints.In a recent PIL filed in the Supreme Court, a plea was made to direct the constitution of a high-level monitoring committee under a retired judge to oversee the functioning of law and order machinery in Bengal. It further sought that the state government be told to maintain law and order and take necessary steps, including deployment of adequate central forces personnel in vulnerable areas.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 MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo NEW DELHI: Taking exception to AIIMS-Delhi repeatedly seeking reconsideration of its order for termination of a 15-year-old’s 30-week pregnancy, citing health hazards for her and the foetus, Supreme Court on Thursday said govt must respect a citizen’s autonomy of choice as a minor can’t be burdened with motherhood and life-long stigma.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi repeatedly laid emphasis on the State giving primacy to personal and bodily autonomy of citizens, and told AIIMS to explain the pros and cons of termination of pregnancy to the parents of the girl, who got pregnant while in a relationship with a 17-year-old boy.Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, made an impassioned and emotional plea, saying termination is impossible at this state and it would have to be a premature delivery, which would create future reproductive complications for the girl, while the baby would be born with several deformities, requiring prolonged neonatal intensive care. If it can be deferred by four weeks, it would be a normal delivery, and the child would be healthy, coupled with little risk to the pregnant girl, said AIIMS professors Aparna Sharma (gynaecology) and Ramesh Agarwal (paediatrics). They said the state would take care of the baby and chances of adoption of a normal child would be higher.”Identity of the girl and baby would be kept confidential. This foeticide will be harmful both to mother and baby,” Bhati said.CJI Kant understood the ethical dilemma faced by the doctors, but remained firm that the choice the parents of the minor make, after they have been informed about possible future complications, should take precedence. SC said it would not entertain the curative petition by AIIMS, which also failed to persuade a bench led by Justice B V Nagarathna to review its decision for termination of the pregnancy.Docs can’t become masters of the will of people, says Supreme CourtAdditional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, hati argued that in the case of a normal delivery, “the identity of the girl and the baby would be kept confidential”. She added that “this feticide will be harmful both to mother and baby”.Bhati’s attempt to persist with persuasion a drew sharp reaction from Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who said, “Give respect to the citizen’s choice. Share your data and let them choose. If they choose to preserve a life, which we understand is at an advanced stage, so be it. If they choose that the ignominy and pain, which includes mental health, is to be cured by termination of the pregnancy, so be it. Please don’t press your curative petition. If at all a curative is to be filed, it should be by the parents, not AIIMS.” Expressing irritation that the doctors had taken upon themselves to decide what will be the best course, Justice Bagchi said, “What is your ‘parens patriae’ approach? Your ‘parens patriae’ approach now is ‘I will choose for my citizens, rather than have an informed choice from the citizens.”Parens patriae refers to the State or a court having a paternal and protective role over its citizens.“Medical personnel, because of their specialised knowledge, cannot become masters of the will of people. The people will decide. Doctors can’t decide for patients…,” he said.When Bhati attempted to explain the medical complications, Justice Bagchi said, “Let us not make it a fight between the State and citizen. You are portraying it as such. Go back and counsel the parents about the intricacies involved in the exercise and the harm that could entail to the 15-year-old and tell them to make an informed choice.”“As soon as the State comes in, it creates an adversarial climate, which is not good,” the SC judge said, adding that “as in the cases of surgical interventions, after the consequences are spelt out, it is for the patient to make a decision and that decision is respected. We will respect that decision.”CJI Surya Kant said, “We are sorry we cannot do anything. It’s a fight between a fetus and a child. The child (a 15-year-old girl) must survive and lead a dignified life. She cannot be forced to bear a child. We appreciate the predicament of the doctors because of professional and medical ethics. But let the termination bring solace to the child and bail her out of a life-long scar and stigma.”“What is the reality? Can she be made a mother at the age of 15 years? We must decide what is less painful and stigmatic between termination of pregnancy and making the 15-year-old a mother. We understand the pain the doctors are expressing,” CJI Kant added.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedDo you do eye makeup daily? Doctor-approved tips you really shouldn’t ignoreFrom opening up about the pain of her 7 failed IVF attempts, past miscarriage to announcing their pregnancy via surrogacy, Sambhavna Seth and Avinash Dwivedi reveal their heartfelt journey123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo NEW DELHI: Taking exception to AIIMS-Delhi repeatedly seeking reconsideration of its order for termination of a 15-year-old’s 30-week pregnancy, citing health hazards for her and the foetus, Supreme Court on Thursday said govt must respect a citizen’s autonomy of choice as a minor can’t be burdened with motherhood and life-long stigma.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi repeatedly laid emphasis on the State giving primacy to personal and bodily autonomy of citizens, and told AIIMS to explain the pros and cons of termination of pregnancy to the parents of the girl, who got pregnant while in a relationship with a 17-year-old boy.Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, made an impassioned and emotional plea, saying termination is impossible at this state and it would have to be a premature delivery, which would create future reproductive complications for the girl, while the baby would be born with several deformities, requiring prolonged neonatal intensive care. If it can be deferred by four weeks, it would be a normal delivery, and the child would be healthy, coupled with little risk to the pregnant girl, said AIIMS professors Aparna Sharma (gynaecology) and Ramesh Agarwal (paediatrics). They said the state would take care of the baby and chances of adoption of a normal child would be higher.”Identity of the girl and baby would be kept confidential. This foeticide will be harmful both to mother and baby,” Bhati said.CJI Kant understood the ethical dilemma faced by the doctors, but remained firm that the choice the parents of the minor make, after they have been informed about possible future complications, should take precedence. SC said it would not entertain the curative petition by AIIMS, which also failed to persuade a bench led by Justice B V Nagarathna to review its decision for termination of the pregnancy.Docs can’t become masters of the will of people, says Supreme CourtAdditional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, hati argued that in the case of a normal delivery, “the identity of the girl and the baby would be kept confidential”. She added that “this feticide will be harmful both to mother and baby”.Bhati’s attempt to persist with persuasion a drew sharp reaction from Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who said, “Give respect to the citizen’s choice. Share your data and let them choose. If they choose to preserve a life, which we understand is at an advanced stage, so be it. If they choose that the ignominy and pain, which includes mental health, is to be cured by termination of the pregnancy, so be it. Please don’t press your curative petition. If at all a curative is to be filed, it should be by the parents, not AIIMS.” Expressing irritation that the doctors had taken upon themselves to decide what will be the best course, Justice Bagchi said, “What is your ‘parens patriae’ approach? Your ‘parens patriae’ approach now is ‘I will choose for my citizens, rather than have an informed choice from the citizens.”Parens patriae refers to the State or a court having a paternal and protective role over its citizens.“Medical personnel, because of their specialised knowledge, cannot become masters of the will of people. The people will decide. Doctors can’t decide for patients…,” he said.When Bhati attempted to explain the medical complications, Justice Bagchi said, “Let us not make it a fight between the State and citizen. You are portraying it as such. Go back and counsel the parents about the intricacies involved in the exercise and the harm that could entail to the 15-year-old and tell them to make an informed choice.”“As soon as the State comes in, it creates an adversarial climate, which is not good,” the SC judge said, adding that “as in the cases of surgical interventions, after the consequences are spelt out, it is for the patient to make a decision and that decision is respected. We will respect that decision.”CJI Surya Kant said, “We are sorry we cannot do anything. It’s a fight between a fetus and a child. The child (a 15-year-old girl) must survive and lead a dignified life. She cannot be forced to bear a child. We appreciate the predicament of the doctors because of professional and medical ethics. But let the termination bring solace to the child and bail her out of a life-long scar and stigma.”“What is the reality? Can she be made a mother at the age of 15 years? We must decide what is less painful and stigmatic between termination of pregnancy and making the 15-year-old a mother. We understand the pain the doctors are expressing,” CJI Kant added.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedDo you do eye makeup daily? Doctor-approved tips you really shouldn’t ignoreFrom opening up about the pain of her 7 failed IVF attempts, past miscarriage to announcing their pregnancy via surrogacy, Sambhavna Seth and Avinash Dwivedi reveal their heartfelt journey123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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