August 19, 2026

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

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
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


Nepal: Break Agniveer hiring deadlock, Gorkha veterans press Balen government

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.

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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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NEW DELHI: Even before former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal could challenge his conviction and the 10-year imprisonment awarded by the Goa bench of Bombay HC in a sexual assault case, Goa govt Tuesday filed an appeal in Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment, arguing that he got away lightly given the gravity of the offence.Goa govt’s appeal said the woman was his employee and friend’s daughter, and Tejpal misused his position of authority to commit the offences when she was performing her duties at an event organised by him in his capacity as employer.The state contested the HC’s decision to direct the two 10-year sentences to run concurrently because the crime was committed 13 years ago and the woman and the convict had moved on with their lives. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Passage of time cannot operate to the benefit of the offender or become a premium for the delay in the administration of justice, particularly at the cost of the victim,” govt said.”The sentence imposed does not adequately reflect the gravity of the offences or the aggravating circumstances found proved… The HC itself found that Tejpal occupied a position of ‘dominance, control, trust and authority’ over the victim,” the state said, adding, “The manner in which the victim was treated during the trial is another aggravating circumstance which deserved due consideration at the stage of sentencing.”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: Even before former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal could challenge his conviction and the 10-year imprisonment awarded by the Goa bench of Bombay HC in a sexual assault case, Goa govt Tuesday filed an appeal in Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment, arguing that he got away lightly given the gravity of the offence.Goa govt’s appeal said the woman was his employee and friend’s daughter, and Tejpal misused his position of authority to commit the offences when she was performing her duties at an event organised by him in his capacity as employer.The state contested the HC’s decision to direct the two 10-year sentences to run concurrently because the crime was committed 13 years ago and the woman and the convict had moved on with their lives. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Passage of time cannot operate to the benefit of the offender or become a premium for the delay in the administration of justice, particularly at the cost of the victim,” govt said.”The sentence imposed does not adequately reflect the gravity of the offences or the aggravating circumstances found proved… The HC itself found that Tejpal occupied a position of ‘dominance, control, trust and authority’ over the victim,” the state said, adding, “The manner in which the victim was treated during the trial is another aggravating circumstance which deserved due consideration at the stage of sentencing.”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

Vamsikrishna 0
NEW DELHI: Electricity consumption at public charging stations (PCS) jumped by over 72% in 2025-26, indicating a steady rise in the use of electric vehicles – private and commercial – as India’s automotive sector shifts towards cleaner energy.Data compiled by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) showed that 848 million units (MU) of electricity were consumed by public chargers in FY25, which increased to 1,460 MU in FY26. Over 74% of the electricity was consumed at heavy-duty public chargers used by electric buses, trucks, high-capacity passenger coaches and commercial fleet vehicles, while light and medium personal and commercial e-vehicles consumed 26%. In FY25, heavy-duty and medium and light vehicles accounted for 70% and 30% of electricity consumption, respectively.The data, however, is not comprehensive as it does not include electricity consumed by public chargers in all north-eastern states, as well as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the UTs of Puducherry, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. CEA said power distribution companies in those states and UTs did not provide the relevant information.CEA said information on PCS was required to assess progress in the development of a reliable EV charging ecosystem, ensure energy security and reduce emission intensity, to make necessary policy interventions.”The data on energy consumption in these EV charging stations is also important for the purpose of load forecasting, distribution system planning and integrated resource planning in the country,” the report stated.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPublic chargers in Maharashtra consumed nearly 378 MU, or 26% of India’s total energy consumption at PCS, followed by Delhi (359 MU), Karnataka (213 MU) and Telangana (111 MU).With govt pushing for adoption of EVs to foster a cleaner environment and achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2070, total EV sales in India crossed 2.5 million units in 2025, marking a robust 24.6% year-on-year growth and accounting for nearly 8.5% of all new vehicle registrations, driven by strong growth in the two-wheeler, three-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.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

NEW DELHI: Electricity consumption at public charging stations (PCS) jumped by over 72% in 2025-26, indicating a steady rise in the use of electric vehicles – private and commercial – as India’s automotive sector shifts towards cleaner energy.Data compiled by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) showed that 848 million units (MU) of electricity were consumed by public chargers in FY25, which increased to 1,460 MU in FY26. Over 74% of the electricity was consumed at heavy-duty public chargers used by electric buses, trucks, high-capacity passenger coaches and commercial fleet vehicles, while light and medium personal and commercial e-vehicles consumed 26%. In FY25, heavy-duty and medium and light vehicles accounted for 70% and 30% of electricity consumption, respectively.The data, however, is not comprehensive as it does not include electricity consumed by public chargers in all north-eastern states, as well as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the UTs of Puducherry, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. CEA said power distribution companies in those states and UTs did not provide the relevant information.CEA said information on PCS was required to assess progress in the development of a reliable EV charging ecosystem, ensure energy security and reduce emission intensity, to make necessary policy interventions.”The data on energy consumption in these EV charging stations is also important for the purpose of load forecasting, distribution system planning and integrated resource planning in the country,” the report stated.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPublic chargers in Maharashtra consumed nearly 378 MU, or 26% of India’s total energy consumption at PCS, followed by Delhi (359 MU), Karnataka (213 MU) and Telangana (111 MU).With govt pushing for adoption of EVs to foster a cleaner environment and achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2070, total EV sales in India crossed 2.5 million units in 2025, marking a robust 24.6% year-on-year growth and accounting for nearly 8.5% of all new vehicle registrations, driven by strong growth in the two-wheeler, three-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.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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The controversy was triggered by Sonia Gandhi’s gestures at Congress’ I-Day event. BJP has said that singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram was an integral feature of the freedom struggle until Congress gave in to pressure from those aligned with Muslim League and curtailed it to just two stanzas NEW DELHI: Congress and BJP tussled over Vande Mataram Tuesday with the opposition party’s president Mallikarjun Kharge defiantly declaring Congress would restrict to only two stanzas of the national song despite a just-passed law requiring all its six stanzas to be rendered, and BJP hitting back by saying the party which curtailed the song because of Muslim hardliners should stop claiming to be the “sole custodian of freedom movement”.”I sang Vande Mataram that Gandhi, Nehru and Patel sang, the song that Vajpayee sang as PM and that he (Narendra Modi) himself sang as CM and as PM till now. If this is a crime, then he has been doing this crime for 18 years. If this is a crime, then file a case against Gandhi, Nehru and Patel,” Kharge said.BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram were an integral feature of the freedom struggle until Congress gave in to pressure from those with Muslim League’s divisive mindset and curtailed it to just two stanzas. “The same mindset is on display now. Congress is abandoning its own traditions due to vote bank politics,” Prasad added.Kharge’s remarks came in the wake of BJP’s objections to his rendition of the song in Goa. Earlier, MP Sonia Gandhi’s gestures during Congress’s Independence Day function also triggered accusations that she objected to the singing of the song beyond initial two paragraphs.The song has become a source of controversy since a Union home ministry notification issued in Feb mandated the song’s six stanzas as the official version to mark 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram.In Parliament’s monsoon session, the House passed Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which made singing of all six stanzas mandatory and provided for punishment for non-compliance and disrespect. Muslims have objected to the singing of the song beyond the two stanzas because they consider the rest of it to be idolatrous.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSlamming BJP, Kharge underlined Congress had passed a resolution about national songs “before they (BJP netas) were born”, a reference to post-independence identification of Jana Gana Mana as national anthem and Vande Mataram as national song, and their official versions. “Will BJP decide what is the national song? If there is a new govt tomorrow, will it decide the national song? We did what has been going on for 90 years,” he said.Talking to reporters, Prasad said it was the first president and head of Constituent Assembly Rajendra Prasad who was instrumental in getting Vande Mataram declared national song. “He was also a Congressman,” he said.Sources said the Congress Working Committee meeting on Wednesday will clear the party’s stand on the song.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 controversy was triggered by Sonia Gandhi’s gestures at Congress’ I-Day event. BJP has said that singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram was an integral feature of the freedom struggle until Congress gave in to pressure from those aligned with Muslim League and curtailed it to just two stanzas NEW DELHI: Congress and BJP tussled over Vande Mataram Tuesday with the opposition party’s president Mallikarjun Kharge defiantly declaring Congress would restrict to only two stanzas of the national song despite a just-passed law requiring all its six stanzas to be rendered, and BJP hitting back by saying the party which curtailed the song because of Muslim hardliners should stop claiming to be the “sole custodian of freedom movement”.”I sang Vande Mataram that Gandhi, Nehru and Patel sang, the song that Vajpayee sang as PM and that he (Narendra Modi) himself sang as CM and as PM till now. If this is a crime, then he has been doing this crime for 18 years. If this is a crime, then file a case against Gandhi, Nehru and Patel,” Kharge said.BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram were an integral feature of the freedom struggle until Congress gave in to pressure from those with Muslim League’s divisive mindset and curtailed it to just two stanzas. “The same mindset is on display now. Congress is abandoning its own traditions due to vote bank politics,” Prasad added.Kharge’s remarks came in the wake of BJP’s objections to his rendition of the song in Goa. Earlier, MP Sonia Gandhi’s gestures during Congress’s Independence Day function also triggered accusations that she objected to the singing of the song beyond initial two paragraphs.The song has become a source of controversy since a Union home ministry notification issued in Feb mandated the song’s six stanzas as the official version to mark 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram.In Parliament’s monsoon session, the House passed Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which made singing of all six stanzas mandatory and provided for punishment for non-compliance and disrespect. Muslims have objected to the singing of the song beyond the two stanzas because they consider the rest of it to be idolatrous.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSlamming BJP, Kharge underlined Congress had passed a resolution about national songs “before they (BJP netas) were born”, a reference to post-independence identification of Jana Gana Mana as national anthem and Vande Mataram as national song, and their official versions. “Will BJP decide what is the national song? If there is a new govt tomorrow, will it decide the national song? We did what has been going on for 90 years,” he said.Talking to reporters, Prasad said it was the first president and head of Constituent Assembly Rajendra Prasad who was instrumental in getting Vande Mataram declared national song. “He was also a Congressman,” he said.Sources said the Congress Working Committee meeting on Wednesday will clear the party’s stand on the song.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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