August 31, 2026
Ireland’s ancient rainforest vanished after thousands of years of human activity. Now nearly 30,000 trees are being planted to bring it back

Ireland’s ancient rainforest vanished after thousands of years of human activity. Now nearly 30,000 trees are being planted to bring it back

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

Almost 30,000 young native trees have been planted at Lenamore Wood in Northern Ireland, marking the beginning of a restoration project that could take a century to mature. Oak, alder and rowan now cover parts of the 41-acre site near Gortin, though the future woodland is still difficult to picture. The trees remain small, sheltered…

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Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas wish Joe Jonas on his 37th birthday; drop pictures from Pokémon-themed celebration: ‘Gotta catch ’em all’

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas wish Joe Jonas on his 37th birthday; drop pictures from Pokémon-themed celebration: ‘Gotta catch ’em all’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas wish Joe Jonas on his 37th birthday; drop pictures Joe Jonas rang in his 37th birthday with a Pokémon-themed celebration, and family members Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas made sure to mark the occasion on social media. While Priyanka shared a candid moment from the party, Nick posted a glimpse…

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India cooks up LPG safety net: Govt fixes refinery-wise output targets; Reliance gets biggest quota

India cooks up LPG safety net: Govt fixes refinery-wise output targets; Reliance gets biggest quota

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Govt fixes refinery-wise output targets, Reliance gets biggest quota India, for the first time, has set production targets for individual public and private-sector refineries and upstream companies as it looks to build a stronger domestic supply system after the Middle East chaos disrupted imports.In an order issued earlier this week, the petroleum and natural gas…

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University of Chicago honours former CEA Krishnamurthy V Subramanian with top alumni award

University of Chicago honours former CEA Krishnamurthy V Subramanian with top alumni award

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The University of Chicago on Friday said it has conferred its prestigious Alumni Award for Professional Achievement to India’s former chief economic adviser Krishnamurthy V Subramanian.Subramanian is the first Indian economist to receive the honour since its inception in 1941, placing him in an elite global cohort that includes Nobel laureates and intellectual giants such…

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‘Eko’ box office collections day 11: Sandeep Pradeep’s mystery drama mints Rs 90 lakhs; Momentum stays strong

‘Eko’ box office collections day 11: Sandeep Pradeep’s mystery drama mints Rs 90 lakhs; Momentum stays strong

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Sandeep Pradeep’s mystery drama ‘Eko’ continues its strong box office run, earning Rs 78 lakhs net on its eleventh day. The film has amassed Rs 21.15 crores in India and Rs 28.75 crores globally, with overseas collections proving a significant contributor. Despite a formulaic climax, the movie maintains audience interest. Sandeep Pradeep’s mystery drama ‘Eko’…

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‘Double tap’: How terrorists are trapping Pakistan’s security personnel

‘Double tap’: How terrorists are trapping Pakistan’s security personnel

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The latest assault came on Sunday, when a suicide bomber struck outside a police station in Swat’s Kabal town during an anti-terror rally Pakistan’s security forces are increasingly facing a deadly challenge as militant groups adopt a “double tap” strategy that turns rescue missions into ambushes. The tactic, analysed by Pakistani newspaper Dawn, involves an…

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RRC NCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 ends today; apply online for 1,853 apprentice posts before 11:59 pm

RRC NCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 ends today; apply online for 1,853 apprentice posts before 11:59 pm

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Last chance to apply for RRC NCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026; registration closes today for 1,853 vacancies RRC NCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), North Central Railway (NCR), Prayagraj will close the online application window for the RRC NCR Apprentice Recruitment 2026 today, August 7, 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications for…

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RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: CEN 9/2025 notification released for 21997 posts, apply here

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: CEN 9/2025 notification released for 21997 posts, apply here

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 notification released for 21997 Level-1 posts under CEN 9/2025 RRB Group D Recruitment 2026: The Railway Recruitment Boards have published the RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 notice under CEN 9/2025 for Level-1 vacancies in Indian Railways. The recruitment notice announces a total of 21997 vacancies and invites eligible candidates to…

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IISC Bengaluru (File photo) Bengaluru: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Wednesday said it has launched a “moonshot” project to develop brain co-processors that combine neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms to enhance or restore brain function. The initiative is funded by the Pratiksha Trust, founded by Kris Gopalakrishnan and his wife Sudha.An MoU formalising the partnership was signed at IISc in the presence of Gopalakrishnan, Prof G Rangarajan, Director of IISc, and Prof B Gurumoorthy, chief executive, Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID), along with other faculty members and deans.“The project aims to develop both implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors capable of decoding neural activity from brain recordings, processing these signals using AI algorithms, and re-encoding them into the brain through neural stimulation or neurofeedback,” IISc said. Israel attacks IranUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran launches ‘massive missile’ strike at US airbase in Bahrain; Israel bombs BeirutWest Asia crisis: 38 Indian ships stuck in Persian Gulf; 3 sailors dead’Safety risks’: US orders non-emergency staff in Pakistan to leave Karachi, Lahore consulatesThe devices are expected to support cognitive rehabilitation, particularly for stroke survivors who have lost functions such as goal-directed reach and grasp.Gopalakrishnan said: “India is emerging as a global leader in neuroscience by uniting foundational research with clinical applications through collaborative, international partnerships. Supported significantly by the Pratiksha Trust, the Brain Co-Processors Moonshot Project accelerates the development of innovative medical technologies.”Ultimately, he said, these innovations aim to provide world-class transformative neurological treatments to the global population. The initiative builds on a pilot effort under IISc’s Brain, Computation and Data Science programme, a cross-departmental initiative involving more than 20 faculty members. That programme is also supported by the Pratiksha Trust.According to IISc, brain co-processors represent an emerging class of technologies designed to augment or restore the brain’s natural functions in real-world contexts. The current project seeks to build an AI-driven, closed-loop device that interfaces with different regions of the brain to restore coordinated movement.A key focus of the project is to develop indigenous capacity. The team plans to indigenise implant design, hardware systems and AI software stacks compatible with clinical infrastructure in low-resource settings. It also aims to create India-specific databases of stereo EEG and ECoG recordings, and to develop open-source AI tools, datasets and visualisation platforms as digital public goods.“In its first phase, the team will develop and validate a non-invasive neural co-processor to provide sensorimotor feedback for goal-directed reaching in stroke survivors. Parallel groundwork will be laid for an invasive implantable version,” IISc said.The second phase will focus on developing a minimally invasive embedded co-processor intended to restore sensorimotor coordination in individuals with chronic, multi-domain deficits following middle cerebral artery stroke.The IISc team will collaborate with medical professionals and researchers across India to clinically validate and deploy the devices in line with national and international standards, IIScs said, adding that feedback from neurologists, therapists, patients and caregivers will be incorporated throughout development. The institute will also work with research partners in India and abroad.Prof Rangarajan said the moonshot project brings together expertise across neuroscience, electrical engineering, bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing to address stroke rehabilitation.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, BJP Leaders Mix Festive Wishes With Sharp Attacks Amid Holi CelebrationsPakistan President Asif Zardari Claims India Preparing For War, Calls For DialogueIndia Set To Double S-400 Fleet But Is It Worth Against Israel’s Iron DomeFamilies Overjoyed as 200 Stranded Indians Land Home Safely Amid Middle East TensionsMeta Blocks Social Media Pages Of Kashmiri Newspapers As Protests Over Khamenei’s Death SpreadPM Modi Welcomes Finnish President Stubb As India Expands Strategic Reach Amid Global TensionsAs Israel’s Iron Dome Falters In Iran War, India Opts For Five More Russian S-400 Air Defence System’48 Hours After Modi Left…’: Israel Envoy Reuven Azar Reveals When Netanyahu Approved Iran Strike’It Was Terrifying…’: Indian Badminton Star PV Sindhu Recalls Scary Dubai Transit Amid US Iran WarIndia Confident To Evade Fuel Crisis Amid War As Russia Offers Energy Support Despite Trump Threats123PhotostoriesFrom mandap to majesty: Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda turn Hyderabad reception into a royal South Indian fashion momentHow to make high-protein Instant Sprout Chaat at home7 festive and colourful cocktails perfect for your Holi celebration5 air fryer mistakes that ruin textureHow to verify land records before buying a plotPost-Holi detox meal plan for 24 hours to cleanse the bodyYour HbA1c is normal, so why are you still tired?” Doctors explain the hidden insulin resistance stageHollywood movies with colourful Holi scenes: ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ ‘Bride and Prejudice,’ ‘Outsourced,’ and moreEast Delhi’s top 5 real estate streets attracting buyers and investors in 2026From a luxurious house in Mumbai to a high-end car collection: Comedian Bharti Singh’s lavish lifestyle123Hot PicksIran droneUS Iran War Impact on Stock MarketMiddle East CrisisGulf Flights UpdateIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingNBA Injury UpdateUS Israel Strike IranUS Attack on IranCBSE postpones Class 10 and 12 board examsUS Strike IranLG Hospital AhmedabadMiddle East CrisisIsrael Iran ConflictChandra Grahan 2026 TimeSchool Holiday in March

IISC Bengaluru (File photo) Bengaluru: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Wednesday said it has launched a “moonshot” project to develop brain co-processors that combine neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms to enhance or restore brain function. The initiative is funded by the Pratiksha Trust, founded by Kris Gopalakrishnan and his wife Sudha.An MoU formalising the partnership was signed at IISc in the presence of Gopalakrishnan, Prof G Rangarajan, Director of IISc, and Prof B Gurumoorthy, chief executive, Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID), along with other faculty members and deans.“The project aims to develop both implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors capable of decoding neural activity from brain recordings, processing these signals using AI algorithms, and re-encoding them into the brain through neural stimulation or neurofeedback,” IISc said. Israel attacks IranUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran launches ‘massive missile’ strike at US airbase in Bahrain; Israel bombs BeirutWest Asia crisis: 38 Indian ships stuck in Persian Gulf; 3 sailors dead’Safety risks’: US orders non-emergency staff in Pakistan to leave Karachi, Lahore consulatesThe devices are expected to support cognitive rehabilitation, particularly for stroke survivors who have lost functions such as goal-directed reach and grasp.Gopalakrishnan said: “India is emerging as a global leader in neuroscience by uniting foundational research with clinical applications through collaborative, international partnerships. Supported significantly by the Pratiksha Trust, the Brain Co-Processors Moonshot Project accelerates the development of innovative medical technologies.”Ultimately, he said, these innovations aim to provide world-class transformative neurological treatments to the global population. The initiative builds on a pilot effort under IISc’s Brain, Computation and Data Science programme, a cross-departmental initiative involving more than 20 faculty members. That programme is also supported by the Pratiksha Trust.According to IISc, brain co-processors represent an emerging class of technologies designed to augment or restore the brain’s natural functions in real-world contexts. The current project seeks to build an AI-driven, closed-loop device that interfaces with different regions of the brain to restore coordinated movement.A key focus of the project is to develop indigenous capacity. The team plans to indigenise implant design, hardware systems and AI software stacks compatible with clinical infrastructure in low-resource settings. It also aims to create India-specific databases of stereo EEG and ECoG recordings, and to develop open-source AI tools, datasets and visualisation platforms as digital public goods.“In its first phase, the team will develop and validate a non-invasive neural co-processor to provide sensorimotor feedback for goal-directed reaching in stroke survivors. Parallel groundwork will be laid for an invasive implantable version,” IISc said.The second phase will focus on developing a minimally invasive embedded co-processor intended to restore sensorimotor coordination in individuals with chronic, multi-domain deficits following middle cerebral artery stroke.The IISc team will collaborate with medical professionals and researchers across India to clinically validate and deploy the devices in line with national and international standards, IIScs said, adding that feedback from neurologists, therapists, patients and caregivers will be incorporated throughout development. The institute will also work with research partners in India and abroad.Prof Rangarajan said the moonshot project brings together expertise across neuroscience, electrical engineering, bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing to address stroke rehabilitation.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, BJP Leaders Mix Festive Wishes With Sharp Attacks Amid Holi CelebrationsPakistan President Asif Zardari Claims India Preparing For War, Calls For DialogueIndia Set To Double S-400 Fleet But Is It Worth Against Israel’s Iron DomeFamilies Overjoyed as 200 Stranded Indians Land Home Safely Amid Middle East TensionsMeta Blocks Social Media Pages Of Kashmiri Newspapers As Protests Over Khamenei’s Death SpreadPM Modi Welcomes Finnish President Stubb As India Expands Strategic Reach Amid Global TensionsAs Israel’s Iron Dome Falters In Iran War, India Opts For Five More Russian S-400 Air Defence System’48 Hours After Modi Left…’: Israel Envoy Reuven Azar Reveals When Netanyahu Approved Iran Strike’It Was Terrifying…’: Indian Badminton Star PV Sindhu Recalls Scary Dubai Transit Amid US Iran WarIndia Confident To Evade Fuel Crisis Amid War As Russia Offers Energy Support Despite Trump Threats123PhotostoriesFrom mandap to majesty: Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda turn Hyderabad reception into a royal South Indian fashion momentHow to make high-protein Instant Sprout Chaat at home7 festive and colourful cocktails perfect for your Holi celebration5 air fryer mistakes that ruin textureHow to verify land records before buying a plotPost-Holi detox meal plan for 24 hours to cleanse the bodyYour HbA1c is normal, so why are you still tired?” Doctors explain the hidden insulin resistance stageHollywood movies with colourful Holi scenes: ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ ‘Bride and Prejudice,’ ‘Outsourced,’ and moreEast Delhi’s top 5 real estate streets attracting buyers and investors in 2026From a luxurious house in Mumbai to a high-end car collection: Comedian Bharti Singh’s lavish lifestyle123Hot PicksIran droneUS Iran War Impact on Stock MarketMiddle East CrisisGulf Flights UpdateIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingNBA Injury UpdateUS Israel Strike IranUS Attack on IranCBSE postpones Class 10 and 12 board examsUS Strike IranLG Hospital AhmedabadMiddle East CrisisIsrael Iran ConflictChandra Grahan 2026 TimeSchool Holiday in March

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

IISC Bengaluru (File photo) Bengaluru: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Wednesday said it has launched a “moonshot” project to develop brain co-processors that combine neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms to enhance or restore brain function. The initiative is funded by the Pratiksha Trust, founded by Kris Gopalakrishnan and his wife Sudha.An MoU formalising the…

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Why Argentina President Javier Milei is skipping the World Cup final despite Donald Trump’s presence | Football News

Why Argentina President Javier Milei is skipping the World Cup final despite Donald Trump’s presence | Football News

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

L-R: Lionel Messi; US President Donald Trump and Argentina President Javier Milei (AP Photos) Argentine President Javier Milei will not be in the stands for Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Spain despite invitations to join US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New Jersey. Instead, Milei says he will remain at…

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Türkiye’s next-gen unmanned fighter demonstrates precision strike capability as India’s CATS Warrior awaits take-off

Türkiye’s next-gen unmanned fighter demonstrates precision strike capability as India’s CATS Warrior awaits take-off

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Türkiye’s next-gen unmanned fighter Bayraktar Kızılelma rolls out for a bombing demonstration. (Image crdeit: Baykar) The unmanned fighter aircraft has successfully completed firing tests with the LGK-82 and TEBER-82 precision-guided munitions, while utilizing Aselsan’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for target detection, tracking and designation. Bayraktar Kizilelma represents Turkey’s most ambitious leap into the realm of…

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On allegations that police personnel used lathis fitted with nails, the affidavit said the videos showed only one such incident, but claimed that the object was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer. NEW DELHI: The Delhi police on Tuesday replied to the allegations raised about having officers present in civilian clothing during the crackdown on CJP protesters on July 20. During the hearing, the police said that their deployment was a planned crowd-control measure and not an unlawful use of force.In a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, deputy commissioner of police Sachin Sharma said personnel from the special branch, special cell, crime branch and local police were strategically deployed inside the crowd as “spotters” because of the urgency of the situation.The police said the officers in plain clothes merged with the protesters to monitor developments and respond to violence.It maintained that such a tactic is neither illegal nor unusual and is also used during large public gatherings such as Independence Day and Republic Day events.Police: Plain clothes deployment for crowd-controlResponding to allegations over videos showing men in civilian clothes carrying lathis, the Delhi police said the footage was being viewed “out of context”.According to the affidavit, the spotters were positioned within the crowd to help manage the situation as the protest escalated. The police said their deployment became necessary after sections of the crowd allegedly breached several layers of barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament.The affidavit states that the police were “constrained to use force” only after the protesters allegedly breached the barricades and violence began.The police further alleged that videos showed groups of protesters targeting individual police personnel, pulling off their protective equipment, dragging them and pushing them onto stone pavements.Police cites scale of protestThe Delhi police said around 5,000 police personnel were deployed to manage a crowd of more than 30,000 people spread over nearly three kilometres.According to the affidavit, the situation eventually went out of control, leading to clashes in which both protesters and police personnel were injured. More than 240 police and other uniformed personnel and around 200 members of the public and protesters sustained injuries, it said.The police argued that the allegation of excessive force had to be assessed against the scale of the gathering and the circumstances in which the force was used.It also claimed that some “anti-social elements” and history-sheeters had infiltrated the protest. The affidavit said around 2,873 people had criminal cases against them, including charges related to murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, rape and POCSO offences. Their alleged involvement will be examined by a Special Investigation Team constituted by the Delhi Police Commissioner, it said.Police denies unlawful use of forceThe affidavit was filed in response to petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged police excesses during the protest. It is also intended to serve as a common response in four connected petitions.The police has denied that it used excessive force and said it adopted a graded approach to controlling the crowd.It argued that the Parliament march had not been granted permission and that the attempt to move towards Parliament therefore constituted an unlawful act by an unlawful assembly.The police also accused the petitioners of relying on selective photographs, incomplete video clips and unverified reports from the media and social media, saying these presented only one side of the events.Delhi police addresses nails on lathiOn allegations that police personnel used lathis fitted with nails, the affidavit said the videos showed only one such incident, but claimed that the object was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer.The police further said the object was not a lathi but a stick carrying the National Flag.It maintained that lathis are permissible crowd-control equipment and that officers used them while attempting to contain protesters who, according to the police, had begun attacking them.’Court-appointed committee can examine police action’The Delhi police said the question of whether excessive force was used could be examined by the committee proposed to be constituted by the Supreme Court.It said it would cooperate with such a committee.The affidavit also defended the use of facial-recognition software at the protest site, calling it a proportionate policing measure. The police said the system was not used to indiscriminately identify every person at the protest and that no action was taken solely on the basis of facial recognition.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the police, field verification was conducted to establish whether a person identified by the software was actually present at the protest site. It also said the system was used to identify people with past records of serious offences and not for minor violations such as traffic challans.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests123Photostories9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and moreBest time to oil your hair for growth: Morning, night, or before a wash? The truth is finally outSmoking, vaping, or heated tobacco: Which is worse? US-based dentist compares the three7 common non-venomous snakes found around the worldAditi Rao Hydari’s two iconic festive ensembles just made everyone else look underpreparedYou may feel completely fine, but these 6 everyday habits could be hurting your kidneysClassic Kasavu to rich Kanjeevaram:5 South Indian sarees to wear for Onam 2026From handloom cotton to merino wool: 6 fabrics every woman should choose this autumn for comfort, skin health and style123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledAbhijeet DipkeSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

On allegations that police personnel used lathis fitted with nails, the affidavit said the videos showed only one such incident, but claimed that the object was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer. NEW DELHI: The Delhi police on Tuesday replied to the allegations raised about having officers present in civilian clothing during the crackdown on CJP protesters on July 20. During the hearing, the police said that their deployment was a planned crowd-control measure and not an unlawful use of force.In a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, deputy commissioner of police Sachin Sharma said personnel from the special branch, special cell, crime branch and local police were strategically deployed inside the crowd as “spotters” because of the urgency of the situation.The police said the officers in plain clothes merged with the protesters to monitor developments and respond to violence.It maintained that such a tactic is neither illegal nor unusual and is also used during large public gatherings such as Independence Day and Republic Day events.Police: Plain clothes deployment for crowd-controlResponding to allegations over videos showing men in civilian clothes carrying lathis, the Delhi police said the footage was being viewed “out of context”.According to the affidavit, the spotters were positioned within the crowd to help manage the situation as the protest escalated. The police said their deployment became necessary after sections of the crowd allegedly breached several layers of barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament.The affidavit states that the police were “constrained to use force” only after the protesters allegedly breached the barricades and violence began.The police further alleged that videos showed groups of protesters targeting individual police personnel, pulling off their protective equipment, dragging them and pushing them onto stone pavements.Police cites scale of protestThe Delhi police said around 5,000 police personnel were deployed to manage a crowd of more than 30,000 people spread over nearly three kilometres.According to the affidavit, the situation eventually went out of control, leading to clashes in which both protesters and police personnel were injured. More than 240 police and other uniformed personnel and around 200 members of the public and protesters sustained injuries, it said.The police argued that the allegation of excessive force had to be assessed against the scale of the gathering and the circumstances in which the force was used.It also claimed that some “anti-social elements” and history-sheeters had infiltrated the protest. The affidavit said around 2,873 people had criminal cases against them, including charges related to murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, rape and POCSO offences. Their alleged involvement will be examined by a Special Investigation Team constituted by the Delhi Police Commissioner, it said.Police denies unlawful use of forceThe affidavit was filed in response to petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged police excesses during the protest. It is also intended to serve as a common response in four connected petitions.The police has denied that it used excessive force and said it adopted a graded approach to controlling the crowd.It argued that the Parliament march had not been granted permission and that the attempt to move towards Parliament therefore constituted an unlawful act by an unlawful assembly.The police also accused the petitioners of relying on selective photographs, incomplete video clips and unverified reports from the media and social media, saying these presented only one side of the events.Delhi police addresses nails on lathiOn allegations that police personnel used lathis fitted with nails, the affidavit said the videos showed only one such incident, but claimed that the object was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer.The police further said the object was not a lathi but a stick carrying the National Flag.It maintained that lathis are permissible crowd-control equipment and that officers used them while attempting to contain protesters who, according to the police, had begun attacking them.’Court-appointed committee can examine police action’The Delhi police said the question of whether excessive force was used could be examined by the committee proposed to be constituted by the Supreme Court.It said it would cooperate with such a committee.The affidavit also defended the use of facial-recognition software at the protest site, calling it a proportionate policing measure. The police said the system was not used to indiscriminately identify every person at the protest and that no action was taken solely on the basis of facial recognition.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the police, field verification was conducted to establish whether a person identified by the software was actually present at the protest site. It also said the system was used to identify people with past records of serious offences and not for minor violations such as traffic challans.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | WatchVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests123Photostories9 Simple daily remedies to enhance the power of your planetsHow to peel garlic quickly: 7 easy ways to remove garlic skin without sticky fingersRhea Chakraborty’s new luxurious home: A dreamy closet, French windows and moreBest time to oil your hair for growth: Morning, night, or before a wash? The truth is finally outSmoking, vaping, or heated tobacco: Which is worse? US-based dentist compares the three7 common non-venomous snakes found around the worldAditi Rao Hydari’s two iconic festive ensembles just made everyone else look underpreparedYou may feel completely fine, but these 6 everyday habits could be hurting your kidneysClassic Kasavu to rich Kanjeevaram:5 South Indian sarees to wear for Onam 2026From handloom cotton to merino wool: 6 fabrics every woman should choose this autumn for comfort, skin health and style123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledAbhijeet DipkeSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuBengaluru Double MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

On allegations that police personnel used lathis fitted with nails, the affidavit said the videos showed only one such incident, but claimed that the object was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer. NEW DELHI: The Delhi police on Tuesday replied to the allegations raised about having officers present in civilian…

Read More
India, Pakistan discuss border security at SCO meeting in Islamabad | India News

India, Pakistan discuss border security at SCO meeting in Islamabad | India News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The participants also reviewed the outcome of the Joint Border Operation Solidarity-2025. Officials from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, including India and Pakistan, met in Islamabad on Friday to review the security situation along their international borders and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation against emerging threats.The discussions took place during the 12th Meeting…

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