May 18, 2026
Apr 23, 2026, 08:41 IST

Apr 23, 2026, 08:41 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: A visibly shaken Rishabh Pant laid bare his frustration after his side’s dramatic batting collapse, admitting he had “no answers” following a crushing 40-run defeat in their IPL 2026 clash.Chasing a modest 160, Lucknow Super Giants folded for just 119, undone by a surface that offered movement and a disciplined bowling effort from…

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‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ title track was recreated in 48 hours, says composer; ‘Varun Dhawan was in studio for 2 nights’

‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ title track was recreated in 48 hours, says composer; ‘Varun Dhawan was in studio for 2 nights’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The title track of David Dhawan’s upcoming film ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’, starring Varun Dhawan, was recreated and recorded in a remarkable 48 hours, just 10 days before the teaser went live. Music-composer duo Javed-Mohsin have now shared the fascinating story behind the making of the song. David Dhawan’s Brief: Mass Appeal With…

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Pentagon shake-up continues: US navy secretary John Phelan steps down abruptly amid war with Iran

Pentagon shake-up continues: US navy secretary John Phelan steps down abruptly amid war with Iran

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

US Navy secretary John Phelan has stepped down with immediate effect, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday, marking the first departure of a military service chief during Donald Trump’s second term and the latest in a series of leadership changes at the department of defense.Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the move, saying Phelan was “departing the…

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. NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant on Wednesday said that it would be difficult for the judiciary to bring in social reforms, and added that governments were better equipped to enact laws in response to genuine demands from people.This remark came when senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench of the CJI, Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A G Masih, P B Varale, R Mahadevan, and J Bagchi that a devotee’s personal faith and belief were non-justiciable and that even the government, in the name of social reform, could not impinge on the religious rights of a denomination or community.“Social reforms and religious reforms come with people’s will and desire, to which the government responds (by bringing legislation). But it is very difficult for the court to act on such issues (social or religious reforms). Courts can adjudicate the validity of a social reform legislation by testing whether it intrudes into the faith or religious beliefs of devotees.”The significant observation acknowledging the court’s limitations in playing social reformer came on the seventh day of the hearing on the fundamental rights versus faith issue.The bench continued to express its reservations and doubts over the judicial oversight of religious issues. Justice Kumar asked, “Can the courts adjudicate a dispute over a religious practice between two groups within the same denomination or a temple? What could be the juridical basis for a constitutional court while entertaining a writ petition or a PIL to decide whether one type of religious practice is more desirable?” Justice Sundresh said it appeared that apart from three constitutionally specified grounds — public order, morality and health — there was no other ground, even the violation of fundamental rights, to restrict a person’s right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate a religion.Appearing for the general secretary of Sabarimala Karma Samiti, senior advocate C A Sundaram said the constitutional or legal views of the court were immaterial to the devotees’ conscientiously and genuinely held religious beliefs and practices to worship God, which is protected as a fundamental right under Article 25.Faulting the 2018 judgment for wrongly applying the equality and non-discrimination test to the religious custom at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Sundaram said that the right to equality applied to government employment and could not be a tool to strike down a long-standing religious custom intrinsically connected to people’s belief and faith about the attributes of the deity.Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said the judiciary should adopt a hands-off approach towards religious matters.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across Australia123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant on Wednesday said that it would be difficult for the judiciary to bring in social reforms, and added that governments were better equipped to enact laws in response to genuine demands from people.This remark came when senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench of the CJI, Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A G Masih, P B Varale, R Mahadevan, and J Bagchi that a devotee’s personal faith and belief were non-justiciable and that even the government, in the name of social reform, could not impinge on the religious rights of a denomination or community.“Social reforms and religious reforms come with people’s will and desire, to which the government responds (by bringing legislation). But it is very difficult for the court to act on such issues (social or religious reforms). Courts can adjudicate the validity of a social reform legislation by testing whether it intrudes into the faith or religious beliefs of devotees.”The significant observation acknowledging the court’s limitations in playing social reformer came on the seventh day of the hearing on the fundamental rights versus faith issue.The bench continued to express its reservations and doubts over the judicial oversight of religious issues. Justice Kumar asked, “Can the courts adjudicate a dispute over a religious practice between two groups within the same denomination or a temple? What could be the juridical basis for a constitutional court while entertaining a writ petition or a PIL to decide whether one type of religious practice is more desirable?” Justice Sundresh said it appeared that apart from three constitutionally specified grounds — public order, morality and health — there was no other ground, even the violation of fundamental rights, to restrict a person’s right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate a religion.Appearing for the general secretary of Sabarimala Karma Samiti, senior advocate C A Sundaram said the constitutional or legal views of the court were immaterial to the devotees’ conscientiously and genuinely held religious beliefs and practices to worship God, which is protected as a fundamental right under Article 25.Faulting the 2018 judgment for wrongly applying the equality and non-discrimination test to the religious custom at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Sundaram said that the right to equality applied to government employment and could not be a tool to strike down a long-standing religious custom intrinsically connected to people’s belief and faith about the attributes of the deity.Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said the judiciary should adopt a hands-off approach towards religious matters.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across Australia123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant on Wednesday said that it would be difficult for the judiciary to bring in social reforms, and added that governments were better equipped to enact laws in response to genuine demands from people.This remark came when senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench…

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Oil prices today: Crude edges lower after sharp gains as Iran–US tensions keep markets on edge

Oil prices today: Crude edges lower after sharp gains as Iran–US tensions keep markets on edge

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Oil prices slipped slightly on Thursday after strong gains in the previous session, as investors weighed stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States and ongoing restrictions on key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures fell 15 cents to $101.76 a barrel, after crossing the $100 mark for the first time…

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. NEW DELHI: India will never bow to any form of terror, and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed, PM Modi posted on X on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday. The United States and Israel, among several countries, also honoured the memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with India on the occasion.”Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve,” Modi said.Home minister Amit Shah said the pain of the loss of Indian lives remains in the heart of every person. “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it,” he said.J&K CM Omar Abdullah posted on X, “One year on, we remain united against terror and against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering & innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again. We also remain in eternal solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones a year ago…”US: Stand with India in the fight against terrorThe Army issued a stern warning to perpetrators of terrorism on the occasion, asserting that when the “boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive”. In a post on X, it said, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always… India Stands United.”US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said in a post on X, “On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honour their memory as we mourn with their families. The US stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism.”Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “On behalf of the state of Israel, on one year of the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief,” he said on X.“Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability,” he added.The French embassy, in a statement, said France, together with the EU and its other member states, remembered the victims of the tragedy. “France reaffirms its steadfast commitment to our shared fight against terrorism.”Ambassador of Japan Ono Keiichi said, “Japan condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands in solidarity with India — in our shared resolve to combat terrorism and commitment to peace…”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across Australia123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. NEW DELHI: India will never bow to any form of terror, and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed, PM Modi posted on X on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday. The United States and Israel, among several countries, also honoured the memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with India on the occasion.”Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve,” Modi said.Home minister Amit Shah said the pain of the loss of Indian lives remains in the heart of every person. “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it,” he said.J&K CM Omar Abdullah posted on X, “One year on, we remain united against terror and against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering & innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again. We also remain in eternal solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones a year ago…”US: Stand with India in the fight against terrorThe Army issued a stern warning to perpetrators of terrorism on the occasion, asserting that when the “boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive”. In a post on X, it said, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always… India Stands United.”US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said in a post on X, “On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honour their memory as we mourn with their families. The US stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism.”Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “On behalf of the state of Israel, on one year of the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief,” he said on X.“Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability,” he added.The French embassy, in a statement, said France, together with the EU and its other member states, remembered the victims of the tragedy. “France reaffirms its steadfast commitment to our shared fight against terrorism.”Ambassador of Japan Ono Keiichi said, “Japan condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands in solidarity with India — in our shared resolve to combat terrorism and commitment to peace…”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across Australia123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: India will never bow to any form of terror, and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed, PM Modi posted on X on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday. The United States and Israel, among several countries, also honoured the memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with India…

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‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 6: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 127 crore globally; takes lead over ‘Dhurandhar 2’

‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collection Day 6: Akshay Kumar’s film crosses Rs 127 crore globally; takes lead over ‘Dhurandhar 2’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’ has been doing well at the box office since its release in theaters. The movie crossed the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide in just four days of its release. While the horror comedy witnessed a dip on its first weekday, it still raked in a significant number at the box office….

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EVM NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical can be put on the candidate button of the ballot unit,” EC told presiding officers. While EVM buttons masked with tape, etc., prevent voters from making an informed choice, buttons laced with colour or perfume, when pressed, leave a trail on the voter’s finger, making it easy for party supporters and anti-social elements backed by the party to detect the candidate they may have voted for, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot.EC sources told TOI on Wednesday that in the event of such malpractices — commonly reported during the previous polls in West Bengal — coming to light, the commission shall treat them as tampering with or interfering with the EVM, which is an electoral offence.“The Election Commission will not hesitate in initiating criminal action in such cases, by ordering the registration of an FIR, and also order a repoll in the polling station concerned,” said an official.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

EVM NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical can be put on the candidate button of the ballot unit,” EC told presiding officers. While EVM buttons masked with tape, etc., prevent voters from making an informed choice, buttons laced with colour or perfume, when pressed, leave a trail on the voter’s finger, making it easy for party supporters and anti-social elements backed by the party to detect the candidate they may have voted for, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot.EC sources told TOI on Wednesday that in the event of such malpractices — commonly reported during the previous polls in West Bengal — coming to light, the commission shall treat them as tampering with or interfering with the EVM, which is an electoral offence.“The Election Commission will not hesitate in initiating criminal action in such cases, by ordering the registration of an FIR, and also order a repoll in the polling station concerned,” said an official.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Election Commission has instructed presiding officers of all polling stations in West Bengal to check electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ensure that all candidate buttons on them are clearly visible to the voter, with not a single button covered with tape, glue or any other material.“No colour, ink, perfume or any other chemical…

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Ajith Kumar arrives in style to cast his vote; Fans gather in large numbers to greet the ‘Good Bad Ugly’ actor

Ajith Kumar arrives in style to cast his vote; Fans gather in large numbers to greet the ‘Good Bad Ugly’ actor

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Ajith Kumar has once again shown his commitment as a responsible citizen by casting his vote early in Chennai. The actor, who returned from Belgium just a day before, made sure to be present for polling day. Despite his busy schedule and international commitments, he arrived at the polling booth in Thiruvanmiyur early in the…

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Actor Nusrat Jahan (File Photo) KOLKATA: Actress and former Trinamool Congress LS MP Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case in which investors in a housing scheme were allegedly defrauded, and was questioned for about eight hours.Asked why she was called as she emerged out of the ED office along with her husband, Yash Dasgupta, she said, “You should find out.”The case pertains to an alleged fraud by a company, which had reportedly duped more than 400 senior citizens of Rs 24 crore in 2014-15. The company had reportedly promised 1,000 sq ft flats to them, but failed to deliver the flats or return their money.Nusrat had earlier claimed she had quit the company. In 2023, the Enforcement Directorate had questioned the former Lok Sabha MP in the case.Meanwhile, in the alleged civic recruitment scam, ED has asked state ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh to appear before it on Friday. While Bose is contesting the assembly election from Bidhannagar, Ghosh is in the fray from Madhyamgram, both going to the polls on April 29. ED had sent a summons to them earlier, but they reportedly did not appear.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Actor Nusrat Jahan (File Photo) KOLKATA: Actress and former Trinamool Congress LS MP Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case in which investors in a housing scheme were allegedly defrauded, and was questioned for about eight hours.Asked why she was called as she emerged out of the ED office along with her husband, Yash Dasgupta, she said, “You should find out.”The case pertains to an alleged fraud by a company, which had reportedly duped more than 400 senior citizens of Rs 24 crore in 2014-15. The company had reportedly promised 1,000 sq ft flats to them, but failed to deliver the flats or return their money.Nusrat had earlier claimed she had quit the company. In 2023, the Enforcement Directorate had questioned the former Lok Sabha MP in the case.Meanwhile, in the alleged civic recruitment scam, ED has asked state ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh to appear before it on Friday. While Bose is contesting the assembly election from Bidhannagar, Ghosh is in the fray from Madhyamgram, both going to the polls on April 29. ED had sent a summons to them earlier, but they reportedly did not appear.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by SadhguruAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

Actor Nusrat Jahan (File Photo) KOLKATA: Actress and former Trinamool Congress LS MP Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case in which investors in a housing scheme were allegedly defrauded, and was questioned for about eight hours.Asked why she was called as she emerged out of the ED…

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. CHENNAI: With campaigning prohibited during the silence period before polls, all parties went quiet on Wednesday. However, in the absence of an effective curbing mechanism by EC, canvassing on social media continued. Digital campaigns with candidates’ visuals kept popping up on netizens’ Instagram, WhatsApp and X feeds, seeking votes.Under Sections 126, 126A and 135C of Representation of People Act, 1951, all poll-related activities intended or likely to influence or affect the results of an election — such as holding public meetings, giving speeches, etc. — are banned during the silence period. Violations may lead to imprisonment up to six months, a fine, or both.If candidates or parties are found canvassing from their official handles, the candidate will receive a warning first. If the offence is serious, they will be barred from campaigning. This, however, failed to deter parties from using their IT cell or fan accounts to trend videos with Tamil songs and hashtags. In some cases, a few creators made independent reels, using candidates’ voices to seek votes.V Sridhar, additional chief electoral officer, ECI TN, said the agency was monitoring all official handles of candidates and parties. “It’s a task to monitor private and individual handles. In such cases, we take action if we get complaints. We have already written to the social media platform to take down content. We will release these details after polling, as officials are busy conducting polls,” he said.EC has an IT team that monitors the videos, but the mechanism of reporting them to the nodal officer of the web platform and taking them down takes at least one day, officials said, reducing impact of curbing content.About the AuthorOmjasvin M DOmjasvin M D is a Principal Correspondent with The Times of India, currently reporting from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat after starting his career as a civic reporter. He has broken impactful investigations from the toilet scam, parking scam to the expose on shadow councillors that pushed accountability and reform in the city. His work blends storytelling, data journalism, investigation and developmental reporting. He also does video stories, expanding his journalism into multimedia storytelling. At heart, he is driven by one goal: to uncover the truth and make governance more transparent for the people it serves.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of readingCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate3 mantras to chant everyday that are believed to bring peace, prosperity and divine protectionExclusive: President Droupadi Murmu hosted South Korean President with royal Rajasthani feastMukul Chadda, Mallika Sarabhai, Smriti Kalra: Meet the IIM graduates who swapped corporate suits for movie scripts123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

. CHENNAI: With campaigning prohibited during the silence period before polls, all parties went quiet on Wednesday. However, in the absence of an effective curbing mechanism by EC, canvassing on social media continued. Digital campaigns with candidates’ visuals kept popping up on netizens’ Instagram, WhatsApp and X feeds, seeking votes.Under Sections 126, 126A and 135C of Representation of People Act, 1951, all poll-related activities intended or likely to influence or affect the results of an election — such as holding public meetings, giving speeches, etc. — are banned during the silence period. Violations may lead to imprisonment up to six months, a fine, or both.If candidates or parties are found canvassing from their official handles, the candidate will receive a warning first. If the offence is serious, they will be barred from campaigning. This, however, failed to deter parties from using their IT cell or fan accounts to trend videos with Tamil songs and hashtags. In some cases, a few creators made independent reels, using candidates’ voices to seek votes.V Sridhar, additional chief electoral officer, ECI TN, said the agency was monitoring all official handles of candidates and parties. “It’s a task to monitor private and individual handles. In such cases, we take action if we get complaints. We have already written to the social media platform to take down content. We will release these details after polling, as officials are busy conducting polls,” he said.EC has an IT team that monitors the videos, but the mechanism of reporting them to the nodal officer of the web platform and taking them down takes at least one day, officials said, reducing impact of curbing content.About the AuthorOmjasvin M DOmjasvin M D is a Principal Correspondent with The Times of India, currently reporting from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat after starting his career as a civic reporter. He has broken impactful investigations from the toilet scam, parking scam to the expose on shadow councillors that pushed accountability and reform in the city. His work blends storytelling, data journalism, investigation and developmental reporting. He also does video stories, expanding his journalism into multimedia storytelling. At heart, he is driven by one goal: to uncover the truth and make governance more transparent for the people it serves.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength‘Dot, Dot, Dot’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan On Pahalgam Attack AnniversaryFrom US To Israel: Global Leaders Mark One Year Of Pahalgam Terror AttackPappu Yadav Defies NCW Notice, Doubles Down on Remarks Amid Massive Political Row123PhotostoriesWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of readingCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightAre you killing your Bougainvillea with kindness? Here are 4 things you really need to knowGenelia Deshmukh proves she believes in tradition in the sea of trends with her soft pink Nauvari saree momentANZAC Day 2026: What’s open and closed across AustraliaOTT Releases This Week (April 23–27): ‘If Wishes Could Kill’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘Band Melam’, ‘Apex’ lead the slate3 mantras to chant everyday that are believed to bring peace, prosperity and divine protectionExclusive: President Droupadi Murmu hosted South Korean President with royal Rajasthani feastMukul Chadda, Mallika Sarabhai, Smriti Kalra: Meet the IIM graduates who swapped corporate suits for movie scripts123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

CHENNAI: With campaigning prohibited during the silence period before polls, all parties went quiet on Wednesday. However, in the absence of an effective curbing mechanism by EC, canvassing on social media continued. Digital campaigns with candidates’ visuals kept popping up on netizens’ Instagram, WhatsApp and X feeds, seeking votes.Under Sections 126, 126A and 135C of…

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Youngest and fastest! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, breaks two major IPL records

Youngest and fastest! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, breaks two major IPL records

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: A subdued outing with the bat could not stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from scripting history as the teenage sensation rewrote the record books during Rajasthan Royals’ 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Wednesday.The 15-year-old opener managed just 8 off 11 balls in a low-scoring contest at the…

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Michael Jackson biopic: Colman Domingo reacts to ‘whitewashing’ of child abuse claims; says ‘It’s an intimate portrait of who..’

Michael Jackson biopic: Colman Domingo reacts to ‘whitewashing’ of child abuse claims; says ‘It’s an intimate portrait of who..’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The Michael Jackson biopic titled ‘Michael’ is ready to hit the big screens on Friday. Chronicling the making of the late legendary musical artist Michael Jackson, the biopic made headlines right from the word go, unfortunately, not always for the right reasons. For instance, recently, the movie found itself in hot water for claims of…

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