May 1, 2026

NAGPUR/CHANDRAPUR: The Maharashtra govt has set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the Chandrapur kidney racket after allegations surfaced that farmers were coerced by illegal moneylenders into selling their kidneys to repay debts. The case triggered statewide concern on exploitative lending practices and possible international organ trafficking links. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said CM Devendra Fadnavis took “serious cognisance” of the case involving a farmer from Nagbhid, Roshan Kule, in Chandrapur district who alleged that harassment by private moneylenders forced him to sell his kidney in Cambodia. “The CM constituted an SIT to probe this deeply disturbing incident. Action was already initiated against those involved in illegal money lending, and the concerned moneylenders were arrested,” he said, adding “stricter action will follow and no guilty person will be spared.”As the probe gathered pace, another case of alleged financial exploitation emerged from Brahmapuri, highlighting what police described as the expanding footprint of illegal money lending in the district. A private firm employee complained that after borrowing Rs 8.5 lakh, he was allegedly forced to repay Rs 31.42 lakh, pledging gold, liquidating investments and mortgaging his house. Police registered a case against moneylender Laxman Urkude under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act. Urkude is also an accused in the Kule case.Earlier, the farmer Roshan Kule of Minthur village borrowed Rs1 lakh, but the amount allegedly ballooned to several lakhs due to usurious interest. He was subsequently taken to Cambodia, where one of his kidneys was removed through an illegal transplant, and later sent to Laos on the pretext of employment. “This case involves exploitation of vulnerable farmers and points to a larger organised network,” Bawankule said.Chandrapur police formed the SIT led by additional superintendent of police, Ishwar Katkade, with senior officers from local crime branch and cyber police included in the team.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHindu Lynching Sparks Outrage: Shashi Tharoor Warns On Mob Rule, Priyanka Blasts Modi Govt SilenceEx-PM Imran Khan And Bushra Bibi Jailed For 17 Years In Toshakhana Gift Jewellery Case’There Is Only One Modi’: Jaishankar Says Leaders Define Nations, Not Ministers Or IndividualsMore Complicated Than Ever: Jaishankar Flags US, China, Russia, Europe As India Faces Harder ChoicesPM Modi Says BJP Correcting Congress Mistakes As Assam Gets New Airport And Northeast PushKabul Chooses India For Medicines As Afghan Minister Admits Pakistan Ties Have Deteriorated BadlySonia Gandhi Criticises PM Modi Over VB-G RAM G Bill And MGNREGA Rollback’Maha Jungle Raj in Bengal, Mamata Shielding Infiltrators’: PM Modi Blasts TMC in Virtual RallyPiyush Goyal Says Congress Policies Suppressed Enterprise And Capped India’s Growth For Decades’Global Order Has Changed Forever, No Single Nation Can Dominate All Issues’: Says EAM Jaishankar123PhotostoriesTea Time Snack: How to make zero-sugar Banana Chocolate Oatmeal CookiesBharti Singh turned emotional as her water bag broke before delivery; shared, “Mujhe Bahot Darr Lag Raha Hai”8 Foods that can help manage blood sugar levels in Diabetes10 best destinations near Delhi/NCR to plan your last-minute New Year getawayFrom Sunil Grover to Rupali Ganguly: This is what your favorite TV actors did before getting limelightBlurred vision or eye strain? These signs mean you need an eye check-up12 food combinations that can slow down parents’ agingWinter Snack: How to make Dhokla in a pressure cooker8 Stoic life lessons from “Meditations” by Marcus AureliusNot just cold or cough: Doctor shares common triggers that can cause a sore throat123Hot PicksTom BradyEpstein files releasedTim SaunderGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsWho is Nicole LundersJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthMatthew StaffordWalker Buehlers WifeSibley ScolesAssam Rajdani Express TragedyUS Strikes

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
NAGPUR/CHANDRAPUR: The Maharashtra govt has set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the Chandrapur kidney racket after allegations surfaced that farmers were coerced by illegal moneylenders into selling their kidneys to repay debts. The case triggered statewide concern on exploitative lending practices and possible international organ trafficking links. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said CM Devendra Fadnavis took “serious cognisance” of the case involving a farmer from Nagbhid, Roshan Kule, in Chandrapur district who alleged that harassment by private moneylenders forced him to sell his kidney in Cambodia. “The CM constituted an SIT to probe this deeply disturbing incident. Action was already initiated against those involved in illegal money lending, and the concerned moneylenders were arrested,” he said, adding “stricter action will follow and no guilty person will be spared.”As the probe gathered pace, another case of alleged financial exploitation emerged from Brahmapuri, highlighting what police described as the expanding footprint of illegal money lending in the district. A private firm employee complained that after borrowing Rs 8.5 lakh, he was allegedly forced to repay Rs 31.42 lakh, pledging gold, liquidating investments and mortgaging his house. Police registered a case against moneylender Laxman Urkude under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act. Urkude is also an accused in the Kule case.Earlier, the farmer Roshan Kule of Minthur village borrowed Rs1 lakh, but the amount allegedly ballooned to several lakhs due to usurious interest. He was subsequently taken to Cambodia, where one of his kidneys was removed through an illegal transplant, and later sent to Laos on the pretext of employment. “This case involves exploitation of vulnerable farmers and points to a larger organised network,” Bawankule said.Chandrapur police formed the SIT led by additional superintendent of police, Ishwar Katkade, with senior officers from local crime branch and cyber police included in the team.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHindu Lynching Sparks Outrage: Shashi Tharoor Warns On Mob Rule, Priyanka Blasts Modi Govt SilenceEx-PM Imran Khan And Bushra Bibi Jailed For 17 Years In Toshakhana Gift Jewellery Case’There Is Only One Modi’: Jaishankar Says Leaders Define Nations, Not Ministers Or IndividualsMore Complicated Than Ever: Jaishankar Flags US, China, Russia, Europe As India Faces Harder ChoicesPM Modi Says BJP Correcting Congress Mistakes As Assam Gets New Airport And Northeast PushKabul Chooses India For Medicines As Afghan Minister Admits Pakistan Ties Have Deteriorated BadlySonia Gandhi Criticises PM Modi Over VB-G RAM G Bill And MGNREGA Rollback’Maha Jungle Raj in Bengal, Mamata Shielding Infiltrators’: PM Modi Blasts TMC in Virtual RallyPiyush Goyal Says Congress Policies Suppressed Enterprise And Capped India’s Growth For Decades’Global Order Has Changed Forever, No Single Nation Can Dominate All Issues’: Says EAM Jaishankar123PhotostoriesTea Time Snack: How to make zero-sugar Banana Chocolate Oatmeal CookiesBharti Singh turned emotional as her water bag broke before delivery; shared, “Mujhe Bahot Darr Lag Raha Hai”8 Foods that can help manage blood sugar levels in Diabetes10 best destinations near Delhi/NCR to plan your last-minute New Year getawayFrom Sunil Grover to Rupali Ganguly: This is what your favorite TV actors did before getting limelightBlurred vision or eye strain? These signs mean you need an eye check-up12 food combinations that can slow down parents’ agingWinter Snack: How to make Dhokla in a pressure cooker8 Stoic life lessons from “Meditations” by Marcus AureliusNot just cold or cough: Doctor shares common triggers that can cause a sore throat123Hot PicksTom BradyEpstein files releasedTim SaunderGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsWho is Nicole LundersJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthMatthew StaffordWalker Buehlers WifeSibley ScolesAssam Rajdani Express TragedyUS Strikes


Maharashtra CM orders SIT probe in Chandrapur kidney racket case

NAGPUR/CHANDRAPUR: The Maharashtra govt has set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the Chandrapur kidney racket after allegations surfaced that farmers were coerced by illegal moneylenders into selling their kidneys to repay debts. The case triggered statewide concern on exploitative lending practices and possible international organ trafficking links. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said CM Devendra Fadnavis took “serious cognisance” of the case involving a farmer from Nagbhid, Roshan Kule, in Chandrapur district who alleged that harassment by private moneylenders forced him to sell his kidney in Cambodia. “The CM constituted an SIT to probe this deeply disturbing incident. Action was already initiated against those involved in illegal money lending, and the concerned moneylenders were arrested,” he said, adding “stricter action will follow and no guilty person will be spared.”As the probe gathered pace, another case of alleged financial exploitation emerged from Brahmapuri, highlighting what police described as the expanding footprint of illegal money lending in the district. A private firm employee complained that after borrowing Rs 8.5 lakh, he was allegedly forced to repay Rs 31.42 lakh, pledging gold, liquidating investments and mortgaging his house. Police registered a case against moneylender Laxman Urkude under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act. Urkude is also an accused in the Kule case.Earlier, the farmer Roshan Kule of Minthur village borrowed Rs1 lakh, but the amount allegedly ballooned to several lakhs due to usurious interest. He was subsequently taken to Cambodia, where one of his kidneys was removed through an illegal transplant, and later sent to Laos on the pretext of employment. “This case involves exploitation of vulnerable farmers and points to a larger organised network,” Bawankule said.Chandrapur police formed the SIT led by additional superintendent of police, Ishwar Katkade, with senior officers from local crime branch and cyber police included in the team.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

We halted ‘Op Sindoor’ on our own terms, prepared for long battle: Rajnath Singh NEW DELHI:Recalling an old mantra ‘Bhay bin hoye na preet’ (there can be no love without fear), defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, “Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil. A powerful deterrence is essential for peace and stability in international relations.”Ahead of the May 7 Op Sindoor anniversary, the defence minister, during ANI National Security Summit here, called Pakistan the epicentre of international terrorism and stressed that there is a need to uproot the ideological and political roots of terrorism. “Terrorism emanates from a distorted mindset. Attempts are made to justify it by giving it a religious colour or linking it to a violent ideology. It is a stain on all of humanity. Today, India is known worldwide for IT, that is, Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the hub of another IT, International Terrorism,” he said.Rajnath’s hard-hitting statement has come at a time when Pakistan, which is a hub of terror outfits like LeT and JeM, is trying to play a peacemaker in the US-Iran talks. “Op Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil. The operation was a concrete manifestation of deterrence,” he said.“Op Sindoor may have been completed in just 72 hours, but I want to clarify, the preparations behind it were very lengthy. Op Sindoor is still on. And we are fully prepared to fight a long war if necessary. Our surge capacity, our storage capacity, the credibility of our indigenous weapons— all of these have become part of our deterrence today,” he said, adding the operation displayed India’s tri-service military prowess and synergy.Stressing the role of AI across various domains, he said, “Sudarshan air defence system is a massive project that serves as a prime example of the exemplary application of AI. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and big data science, our defence forces have formulated a roadmap to bolster their capabilities in response to emerging AI-based challenges. This strategy will prove instrumental in making them even more adaptable and responsive in the future.On his recent visit to Germany, Rajnath said major companies across Europe are keen to collaborate with our private defence firms and PSUs, terming it as a testament to India’s growing credibility.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

We halted ‘Op Sindoor’ on our own terms, prepared for long battle: Rajnath Singh NEW DELHI:Recalling an old mantra ‘Bhay bin hoye na preet’ (there can be no love without fear), defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, “Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil. A powerful deterrence is essential for peace and stability in international relations.”Ahead of the May 7 Op Sindoor anniversary, the defence minister, during ANI National Security Summit here, called Pakistan the epicentre of international terrorism and stressed that there is a need to uproot the ideological and political roots of terrorism. “Terrorism emanates from a distorted mindset. Attempts are made to justify it by giving it a religious colour or linking it to a violent ideology. It is a stain on all of humanity. Today, India is known worldwide for IT, that is, Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the hub of another IT, International Terrorism,” he said.Rajnath’s hard-hitting statement has come at a time when Pakistan, which is a hub of terror outfits like LeT and JeM, is trying to play a peacemaker in the US-Iran talks. “Op Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil. The operation was a concrete manifestation of deterrence,” he said.“Op Sindoor may have been completed in just 72 hours, but I want to clarify, the preparations behind it were very lengthy. Op Sindoor is still on. And we are fully prepared to fight a long war if necessary. Our surge capacity, our storage capacity, the credibility of our indigenous weapons— all of these have become part of our deterrence today,” he said, adding the operation displayed India’s tri-service military prowess and synergy.Stressing the role of AI across various domains, he said, “Sudarshan air defence system is a massive project that serves as a prime example of the exemplary application of AI. By leveraging AI, machine learning, and big data science, our defence forces have formulated a roadmap to bolster their capabilities in response to emerging AI-based challenges. This strategy will prove instrumental in making them even more adaptable and responsive in the future.On his recent visit to Germany, Rajnath said major companies across Europe are keen to collaborate with our private defence firms and PSUs, terming it as a testament to India’s growing credibility.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

Vamsikrishna 0
FIR over ‘separatist’ content day after Iltija shares Geelani’s vid on Urdu SRINAGAR: A day after PDP’s Iltija Mufti posted on X a video featuring late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani speaking about Urdu, J&K Police on Thursday registered an FIR over the circulation of content “promoting separatist ideology”.The FIR was registered at Cyber PS against “certain individuals” was prompted by credible inputs about “circulation and dissemination of content across digital and social media platforms, promoting separatist ideology and propagating false information, with an intent to incite unlawful activities prejudicial to the peace, sovereignty and integrity of India”, a police statement said.On Wednesday, Iltija posted the video, stating that she “may not concur with Geelani Sahab’s ideology but this old video of him stressing on the importance of Urdu very well makes sense in addition to other reasons. Worth a watch”. In the video, Geelani was heard saying that the youth were being deprived of the Urdu language. He said Urdu carries the region’s religious literature and a substantial body of religious literature “across India, Pakistan and J&K” has been preserved in it. He said being deprived of Urdu means being cut off from this literature. Geelani urged people to learn Urdu, claiming that efforts were underway to undermine the language.Geelani died in September 2021.A senior police officer said the matter came to their notice after the video shared by Iltija was amplified online.“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the circulation of such content is a deliberate attempt to propagate separatist and secessionist narratives through digital platforms. Such activities have the potential to incite public disaffection, disturb public order, and undermine national integration,” the statement said.Prima facie, the information discloses the commission of cognisable offences punishable under various sections of BNS, police said. The statement advised people to refrain from “creating, sharing, or circulating such unlawful content on social media and digital platforms”, warning of strict action against violators.A senior officer said it was an open FIR and more names would be added as the probe proceeds.On Tuesday, Iltija had taken to the streets to protest govt’s proposed move to remove Urdu as a mandatory language from J&K Revenue Service Recruitment Rules, calling it an attack on the region’s linguistic heritage.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

FIR over ‘separatist’ content day after Iltija shares Geelani’s vid on Urdu SRINAGAR: A day after PDP’s Iltija Mufti posted on X a video featuring late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani speaking about Urdu, J&K Police on Thursday registered an FIR over the circulation of content “promoting separatist ideology”.The FIR was registered at Cyber PS against “certain individuals” was prompted by credible inputs about “circulation and dissemination of content across digital and social media platforms, promoting separatist ideology and propagating false information, with an intent to incite unlawful activities prejudicial to the peace, sovereignty and integrity of India”, a police statement said.On Wednesday, Iltija posted the video, stating that she “may not concur with Geelani Sahab’s ideology but this old video of him stressing on the importance of Urdu very well makes sense in addition to other reasons. Worth a watch”. In the video, Geelani was heard saying that the youth were being deprived of the Urdu language. He said Urdu carries the region’s religious literature and a substantial body of religious literature “across India, Pakistan and J&K” has been preserved in it. He said being deprived of Urdu means being cut off from this literature. Geelani urged people to learn Urdu, claiming that efforts were underway to undermine the language.Geelani died in September 2021.A senior police officer said the matter came to their notice after the video shared by Iltija was amplified online.“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the circulation of such content is a deliberate attempt to propagate separatist and secessionist narratives through digital platforms. Such activities have the potential to incite public disaffection, disturb public order, and undermine national integration,” the statement said.Prima facie, the information discloses the commission of cognisable offences punishable under various sections of BNS, police said. The statement advised people to refrain from “creating, sharing, or circulating such unlawful content on social media and digital platforms”, warning of strict action against violators.A senior officer said it was an open FIR and more names would be added as the probe proceeds.On Tuesday, Iltija had taken to the streets to protest govt’s proposed move to remove Urdu as a mandatory language from J&K Revenue Service Recruitment Rules, calling it an attack on the region’s linguistic heritage.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

Vamsikrishna 0
Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express JAMMU: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Thursday flagged off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar, marking the first direct rail link between the two cities. PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated the broader Katra–Kashmir service last year. Regular operations will begin May 2, with two pairs of trains running six days a week.The train will stop at Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar, covering 267km in about five hours—significantly faster than the usual eight to nine hours by road. With expanded capacity from 8 to 20 coaches, each train can carry around 1,400 passengers, improving accessibility and convenience.J&K CM Omar Abdullah described the project as “transformative,” noting its impact on connectivity, industry, and long-standing public aspirations. He highlighted that the rail link would enhance both passenger travel and freight movement, including cement, food supplies, vehicles, and local produce.Vaishnaw emphasised the train’s ability to operate in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -10°C and heavy snowfall, thanks to advanced design and passenger-friendly features. He also outlined future plans to expand rail connectivity to the Poonch-Rajouri region and extend the line to Uri, with projects currently in planning stages.Additional infrastructure upgrades, including line doubling and capacity enhancements, are underway. The redevelopment of Jammu Tawi station is progressing, while doubling of the Jalandhar–Jammu section is complete, and work continues on the Qazigund–Baramulla stretch.These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on weather-prone road transport, boost investment, create jobs, and strengthen economic integration in the region.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

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express JAMMU: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Thursday flagged off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar, marking the first direct rail link between the two cities. PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated the broader Katra–Kashmir service last year. Regular operations will begin May 2, with two pairs of trains running six days a week.The train will stop at Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Banihal, and Srinagar, covering 267km in about five hours—significantly faster than the usual eight to nine hours by road. With expanded capacity from 8 to 20 coaches, each train can carry around 1,400 passengers, improving accessibility and convenience.J&K CM Omar Abdullah described the project as “transformative,” noting its impact on connectivity, industry, and long-standing public aspirations. He highlighted that the rail link would enhance both passenger travel and freight movement, including cement, food supplies, vehicles, and local produce.Vaishnaw emphasised the train’s ability to operate in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -10°C and heavy snowfall, thanks to advanced design and passenger-friendly features. He also outlined future plans to expand rail connectivity to the Poonch-Rajouri region and extend the line to Uri, with projects currently in planning stages.Additional infrastructure upgrades, including line doubling and capacity enhancements, are underway. The redevelopment of Jammu Tawi station is progressing, while doubling of the Jalandhar–Jammu section is complete, and work continues on the Qazigund–Baramulla stretch.These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on weather-prone road transport, boost investment, create jobs, and strengthen economic integration in the region.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

Vamsikrishna 0
Mamata Banerjee raises EVM concerns, vows ‘life and death’ fight before counting NEW DELHI: With just a few days left for counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday night visited the Bhabanipur strong room in Kolkata, raising concerns over alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs).Banerjee, who is contesting against Suvendu Adhikari, claimed her party had received reports of “manipulation” in several parts of the state. “There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place… When I saw the CCTV on TV, I thought I should also go and see it,” she said.She further alleged obstruction by Central forces during her visit. “Initially, the Central Forces wouldn’t let me enter. But according to our election rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed up to the sealed room,” she added.‘Will fight life and death’Accusing the Election Commission of India of bias, Banerjee said, “Our agent has been arrested; there has been so much one-sidedness. Even after that, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the counting, then we will fight life and death together.”At the same time, she appealed for calm, urging citizens to maintain peace during the sensitive period, while asserting that “Victory is Certain.”The Trinamool Congress also issued a sharp political message, stating that “every act of wrongdoing” and “heavy-handed tactic” by the BJP and Central forces would be answered through the democratic process.Most exit polls have projected a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, potentially ending the TMC’s 15-year rule.Chanakya Strategies estimated the BJP could win 150–160 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the TMC may secure 30–40 seats.Record voter turnoutThe elections witnessed historic participation, with West Bengal recording its highest turnout since independence. As per the Election Commission, Phase II polling stood at 91.66%, while Phase I recorded 93.19%, taking the combined turnout to 92.47%.Female voters led participation at 92.28%, slightly ahead of male voters at 91.07%, reflecting broad-based engagement despite political tensions during polling, including disputes over security deployment.Counting of votes is scheduled for 4th May, with both camps gearing up for a closely watched result.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”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 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

Mamata Banerjee raises EVM concerns, vows ‘life and death’ fight before counting NEW DELHI: With just a few days left for counting in the West Bengal Assembly elections, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday night visited the Bhabanipur strong room in Kolkata, raising concerns over alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs).Banerjee, who is contesting against Suvendu Adhikari, claimed her party had received reports of “manipulation” in several parts of the state. “There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place… When I saw the CCTV on TV, I thought I should also go and see it,” she said.She further alleged obstruction by Central forces during her visit. “Initially, the Central Forces wouldn’t let me enter. But according to our election rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed up to the sealed room,” she added.‘Will fight life and death’Accusing the Election Commission of India of bias, Banerjee said, “Our agent has been arrested; there has been so much one-sidedness. Even after that, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the counting, then we will fight life and death together.”At the same time, she appealed for calm, urging citizens to maintain peace during the sensitive period, while asserting that “Victory is Certain.”The Trinamool Congress also issued a sharp political message, stating that “every act of wrongdoing” and “heavy-handed tactic” by the BJP and Central forces would be answered through the democratic process.Most exit polls have projected a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, potentially ending the TMC’s 15-year rule.Chanakya Strategies estimated the BJP could win 150–160 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the TMC may secure 30–40 seats.Record voter turnoutThe elections witnessed historic participation, with West Bengal recording its highest turnout since independence. As per the Election Commission, Phase II polling stood at 91.66%, while Phase I recorded 93.19%, taking the combined turnout to 92.47%.Female voters led participation at 92.28%, slightly ahead of male voters at 91.07%, reflecting broad-based engagement despite political tensions during polling, including disputes over security deployment.Counting of votes is scheduled for 4th May, with both camps gearing up for a closely watched result.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”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 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

Vamsikrishna 0