July 15, 2026

Representative image JAMMU: A Jammu court has directed the crime branch inquiry officer to appear in person with the complete record in a case linked to the alleged “fake silver” offerings Rs worth Rs 500cr at Vaishno Devi shrine after objections were raised over the agency’s handling of a complaint seeking registration of an FIR.The case first came to light on April 21, when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sent around 20 tonnes of accumulated offerings to a govt mint for melting and storage.Officials conducting the assay were surprised to find that the metal contained only about 5-6% of actual silver. The govt mint further raised alarm about the presence of cadmium, which closely resembles silver in colour but is highly toxic.On Monday, chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Jammu, Munish Kumar Manhas, ordered the officer to remain personally present along with the relevant record on the next date of hearing, fixed for July 29.The court complaint was filed by advocate Deepak Sharma, who alleged no action was taken on his complaint submitted to the crime branch on May 9.The complaint has sought a detailed investigation into whether devotees had been sold fake or adulterated silver articles by vendors and jewellers, or whether genuine silver offerings had been pilfered at any stage after their receipt, including during inventory, weighing, storage, transportation, assaying or melting.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Representative image JAMMU: A Jammu court has directed the crime branch inquiry officer to appear in person with the complete record in a case linked to the alleged “fake silver” offerings Rs worth Rs 500cr at Vaishno Devi shrine after objections were raised over the agency’s handling of a complaint seeking registration of an FIR.The case first came to light on April 21, when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sent around 20 tonnes of accumulated offerings to a govt mint for melting and storage.Officials conducting the assay were surprised to find that the metal contained only about 5-6% of actual silver. The govt mint further raised alarm about the presence of cadmium, which closely resembles silver in colour but is highly toxic.On Monday, chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Jammu, Munish Kumar Manhas, ordered the officer to remain personally present along with the relevant record on the next date of hearing, fixed for July 29.The court complaint was filed by advocate Deepak Sharma, who alleged no action was taken on his complaint submitted to the crime branch on May 9.The complaint has sought a detailed investigation into whether devotees had been sold fake or adulterated silver articles by vendors and jewellers, or whether genuine silver offerings had been pilfered at any stage after their receipt, including during inventory, weighing, storage, transportation, assaying or melting.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war


‘Fake Silver’ row: Jammu court summons IO, seeks records

JAMMU: A Jammu court has directed the crime branch inquiry officer to appear in person with the complete record in a case linked to the alleged “fake silver” offerings Rs worth Rs 500cr at Vaishno Devi shrine after objections were raised over the agency’s handling of a complaint seeking registration of an FIR.The case first came to light on April 21, when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sent around 20 tonnes of accumulated offerings to a govt mint for melting and storage.Officials conducting the assay were surprised to find that the metal contained only about 5-6% of actual silver. The govt mint further raised alarm about the presence of cadmium, which closely resembles silver in colour but is highly toxic.On Monday, chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Jammu, Munish Kumar Manhas, ordered the officer to remain personally present along with the relevant record on the next date of hearing, fixed for July 29.The court complaint was filed by advocate Deepak Sharma, who alleged no action was taken on his complaint submitted to the crime branch on May 9.The complaint has sought a detailed investigation into whether devotees had been sold fake or adulterated silver articles by vendors and jewellers, or whether genuine silver offerings had been pilfered at any stage after their receipt, including during inventory, weighing, storage, transportation, assaying or melting.



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On Jan 22, 1999, a mob led by Bajrang Dal’s Dara Singh (pic, right) burned Staines (58) and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6) BHUBANESWAR: Supreme Court on Tuesday gave Odisha govt until Aug 19 to decide on the remission plea of Dara Singh, jailed since 2000 for burning to death Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons, after “verbally” recommending that he be freed by Independence Day.”The state informed the court that the sentence review board had already met to consider the plea but requires time for address verification,” Dara’s counsel A P Singh told TOI. He said the bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi wanted the state govt to ideally release Dara well before the deadline fixed by them to take a decision on his remission. While adjourning the case to Aug 19, the bench said, “In the meantime, we expect that the committee shall take its decision.”Take Decision By Aug 19, SC Tells Odisha GovtGovernment sources said the state sentence review board was “favourably” considering the plea since Dara had already spent over 26 years in prison without a day’s parole and “maintained good conduct”, making him eligible to be freed under the state’s remission policy.Fellow convict Mahendra Hembram, who was released on April 16 last year on grounds of good conduct, said Dara deserved the same treatment. “Dara is optimistic.”Odisha remission policy makes Dara Singh eligible after 25 yrs Former Bajrang Dal activist Dara Singh, now 62, was convicted of leading the mob that set fire to Staines’ station wagon near a church at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district on Jan 22, 1999, burning the 58-year-old missionary to death along with his sons Philip, 10, and Timothy, 6.Dara, incarcerated in Odisha’s Keonjhar jail, is a native of UP’s Auraiya district.Advocate general Pitambar Acharya told TOI that the sentence review board was unable to take a decision immediately because records submitted by the jail authorities and the district administration pertain to 2025. “The board has sought updated information before taking a decision on the remission plea. This was conveyed to the apex court,” he said.Under Odisha’s 2022 premature-release guidelines, any convict whose death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment becomes eligible for remission after completing 25 years in jail, subject to the board’s recommendation and the state’s approval.The Central Bureau of Investigation’s chargesheet in the Staines case named 18 accused. In 2003, a trial court convicted Dara and 12 others, sentencing him to death and the rest to life. Two years later, Orissa high court commuted Dara’s death sentence to life, upheld Hembram’s life term and acquitted the rest. In 2011, Supreme Court upheld the life sentences of Dara and Hembram.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAshok PradhanAshok Pradhan is currently chief of bureau The Times of India in Bhubaneswar. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal (1999-2000).End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. 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On Jan 22, 1999, a mob led by Bajrang Dal’s Dara Singh (pic, right) burned Staines (58) and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6) BHUBANESWAR: Supreme Court on Tuesday gave Odisha govt until Aug 19 to decide on the remission plea of Dara Singh, jailed since 2000 for burning to death Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons, after “verbally” recommending that he be freed by Independence Day.”The state informed the court that the sentence review board had already met to consider the plea but requires time for address verification,” Dara’s counsel A P Singh told TOI. He said the bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi wanted the state govt to ideally release Dara well before the deadline fixed by them to take a decision on his remission. While adjourning the case to Aug 19, the bench said, “In the meantime, we expect that the committee shall take its decision.”Take Decision By Aug 19, SC Tells Odisha GovtGovernment sources said the state sentence review board was “favourably” considering the plea since Dara had already spent over 26 years in prison without a day’s parole and “maintained good conduct”, making him eligible to be freed under the state’s remission policy.Fellow convict Mahendra Hembram, who was released on April 16 last year on grounds of good conduct, said Dara deserved the same treatment. “Dara is optimistic.”Odisha remission policy makes Dara Singh eligible after 25 yrs Former Bajrang Dal activist Dara Singh, now 62, was convicted of leading the mob that set fire to Staines’ station wagon near a church at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district on Jan 22, 1999, burning the 58-year-old missionary to death along with his sons Philip, 10, and Timothy, 6.Dara, incarcerated in Odisha’s Keonjhar jail, is a native of UP’s Auraiya district.Advocate general Pitambar Acharya told TOI that the sentence review board was unable to take a decision immediately because records submitted by the jail authorities and the district administration pertain to 2025. “The board has sought updated information before taking a decision on the remission plea. This was conveyed to the apex court,” he said.Under Odisha’s 2022 premature-release guidelines, any convict whose death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment becomes eligible for remission after completing 25 years in jail, subject to the board’s recommendation and the state’s approval.The Central Bureau of Investigation’s chargesheet in the Staines case named 18 accused. In 2003, a trial court convicted Dara and 12 others, sentencing him to death and the rest to life. Two years later, Orissa high court commuted Dara’s death sentence to life, upheld Hembram’s life term and acquitted the rest. In 2011, Supreme Court upheld the life sentences of Dara and Hembram.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAshok PradhanAshok Pradhan is currently chief of bureau The Times of India in Bhubaneswar. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal (1999-2000).End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

Vamsikrishna 0
File photo: Union minister Nitin Gadkari NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari rejected allegations of a conflict of interest and personal gain over his push for the ethanol blending programme. The road transport and highways minister said he had always backed alternative fuels to reduce vehicular pollution and India’s import bill.Gadkari said the attacks are “politically motivated”. He told TOI that his sons’ business had a small share of ethanol and their contribution to the overall kitty was meagre. Besides, he said, the business had a debt of Rs 1,600 crore and he was in no way associated with it or in fixing the price or its procurement.The minister insisted the ethanol blending programme dated back to the days of the Vajpayee govt and was also backed by UPA administration, with then oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyar supporting it in Parliament.He asserted that he has not just supported ethanol from sugarcane, but also from maize, stubble and bamboo. Moreover, he has pushed for all other types of alternative fuels, including methanol, hydrogen and electric vehicles.Gadkari said the claims on social media lacked substance and there was a major disinformation campaign. Although he admitted that fuel efficiency is likely to be affected while driving on highways, he dismissed claims of engine damage to vehicles, arguing that even carmakers such as Maruti had not seen any impact.‘If you don’t want E20, you can buy 100% petrol, but pay more’Road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari, who has been criticised over E20 fuel, says misinformation has been weaponised against him and govt. In a chat with TOI’s Dipak Dash, he defends his push for alternative fuels — ethanol-blended petrol, methanol, hydrogen and electric vehicles — to reduce pollution and cut India’s dependence on crude imports. Excerpts:Q) There has been widespread criticism against you and govt’s ethanol blending programme with fears of vehicles getting damaged and loss of mileage.The campaign is politically motivated. Certain people are targeting me and govt. There is also misinformation about E20 fuel damaging engines. All E10-compliant vehicles are fit for using E20 fuel. There have been no complaints so far about the fuel damaging engine.Maruti Suzuki has publicly stated so. Auto manufacturers offer guarantees on vehicles. There are people in your office who are using two-wheelers and petrol cars, how many have faced a problem? A few days ago, I had asked people to write to my ministry in case they are facing any problems with their vehicles. There has been no complaint so far.E20 fuel was launched after being properly tested. As for mileage, in city traffic in Delhi or Mumbai, you will not see any major change, there may be some loss when you are driving at high speed on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. I have always said there is a minor mileage loss due to low calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol.Q) People allege you have personal interest in promoting ethanol and your family has also gained from the ethanol blending programme. What’s your response?I have been speaking about ethanol for a long time. This is not a programme that came up overnight, it started during Atal Bihari Vajpayee govt. In 2005, during UPA govt, then petroleum minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had spoken about continuing the programme in Parliament. The sugar factory belongs to my family and it predates the whole conversation around ethanol. That business is run by my sons, the programme is run by the petroleum ministry and the price is decided by the Cabinet.So, I have no influence over it. Ethanol is just 10% of the business and the factories run by my sons have less than 0.5% share of the ethanol business in the country. The companies have a debt of Rs 1,600 crore. Lot of lies are being spread.I am a strong believer in alternative fuels, whether it is ethanol blended petrol, electric vehicles, methanol or hydrogen — all cleaner options that will reduce pollution, especially in a city like Delhi, where vehicles contribute up to 40% of air pollution. Shouldn’t the road transport support steps to reduce vehicular pollution?Moreover, it lowers import dependence as India is a large importer of oil. Also, I am not only advocating only sugarcane-based ethanol. In fact, started with maize, which helped farmers in Bihar and UP, who were getting prices below MSP. I have also been supporting ethanol from rice, parali (stubble) and the kind that is produced by bamboo in Assam; stubble, which is a problem in Haryana and Punjab, is being used for producing ethanol at Panipat.West Asian countries and the US have enough oil, but look at Brazil, which has surplus sugar and has been using ethanol for decades. Their vehicles have not suffered any problems. Indonesia and Thailand are going for biofuel.Q) Is there any possibility for providing E10 fuel at petrol pumps, which many say would address people’s concerns?How is it possible when we have achieved 20% ethanol blending and E20 fuel is available at every fuel station in the country? People who do not want ethanol blended fuel can go for 100% petrol, but they will have to pay more.Q) Can we have multiple dispensers at petrol pumps with different levels of ethanol blending so that people can decide?It won’t be appropriate for me to comment as it is for the petroleum ministry to decide. At some petrol pumps people have the option to buy E85 (85% ethanol blended petrol) for use in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). Over half a dozen vehicle manufacturers are ready to launch such vehicles. E85 costs less than E20. So, people have a choice.Q) There are a lot of concerns over the quality of highways. Is it because the focus has been on speeding up construction?I have reviewed 950 highway projects and there is zero tolerance for poor quality construction. I am getting stretches checked and have asked officers to take strict action against those who’ve compromised on quality. There is a concerted effort to target me and the govt. But let me tell you, there may be a few places where there are problems but everyone appreciates govt’s effort in building world-class highways.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

File photo: Union minister Nitin Gadkari NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari rejected allegations of a conflict of interest and personal gain over his push for the ethanol blending programme. The road transport and highways minister said he had always backed alternative fuels to reduce vehicular pollution and India’s import bill.Gadkari said the attacks are “politically motivated”. He told TOI that his sons’ business had a small share of ethanol and their contribution to the overall kitty was meagre. Besides, he said, the business had a debt of Rs 1,600 crore and he was in no way associated with it or in fixing the price or its procurement.The minister insisted the ethanol blending programme dated back to the days of the Vajpayee govt and was also backed by UPA administration, with then oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyar supporting it in Parliament.He asserted that he has not just supported ethanol from sugarcane, but also from maize, stubble and bamboo. Moreover, he has pushed for all other types of alternative fuels, including methanol, hydrogen and electric vehicles.Gadkari said the claims on social media lacked substance and there was a major disinformation campaign. Although he admitted that fuel efficiency is likely to be affected while driving on highways, he dismissed claims of engine damage to vehicles, arguing that even carmakers such as Maruti had not seen any impact.‘If you don’t want E20, you can buy 100% petrol, but pay more’Road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari, who has been criticised over E20 fuel, says misinformation has been weaponised against him and govt. In a chat with TOI’s Dipak Dash, he defends his push for alternative fuels — ethanol-blended petrol, methanol, hydrogen and electric vehicles — to reduce pollution and cut India’s dependence on crude imports. Excerpts:Q) There has been widespread criticism against you and govt’s ethanol blending programme with fears of vehicles getting damaged and loss of mileage.The campaign is politically motivated. Certain people are targeting me and govt. There is also misinformation about E20 fuel damaging engines. All E10-compliant vehicles are fit for using E20 fuel. There have been no complaints so far about the fuel damaging engine.Maruti Suzuki has publicly stated so. Auto manufacturers offer guarantees on vehicles. There are people in your office who are using two-wheelers and petrol cars, how many have faced a problem? A few days ago, I had asked people to write to my ministry in case they are facing any problems with their vehicles. There has been no complaint so far.E20 fuel was launched after being properly tested. As for mileage, in city traffic in Delhi or Mumbai, you will not see any major change, there may be some loss when you are driving at high speed on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. I have always said there is a minor mileage loss due to low calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol.Q) People allege you have personal interest in promoting ethanol and your family has also gained from the ethanol blending programme. What’s your response?I have been speaking about ethanol for a long time. This is not a programme that came up overnight, it started during Atal Bihari Vajpayee govt. In 2005, during UPA govt, then petroleum minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had spoken about continuing the programme in Parliament. The sugar factory belongs to my family and it predates the whole conversation around ethanol. That business is run by my sons, the programme is run by the petroleum ministry and the price is decided by the Cabinet.So, I have no influence over it. Ethanol is just 10% of the business and the factories run by my sons have less than 0.5% share of the ethanol business in the country. The companies have a debt of Rs 1,600 crore. Lot of lies are being spread.I am a strong believer in alternative fuels, whether it is ethanol blended petrol, electric vehicles, methanol or hydrogen — all cleaner options that will reduce pollution, especially in a city like Delhi, where vehicles contribute up to 40% of air pollution. Shouldn’t the road transport support steps to reduce vehicular pollution?Moreover, it lowers import dependence as India is a large importer of oil. Also, I am not only advocating only sugarcane-based ethanol. In fact, started with maize, which helped farmers in Bihar and UP, who were getting prices below MSP. I have also been supporting ethanol from rice, parali (stubble) and the kind that is produced by bamboo in Assam; stubble, which is a problem in Haryana and Punjab, is being used for producing ethanol at Panipat.West Asian countries and the US have enough oil, but look at Brazil, which has surplus sugar and has been using ethanol for decades. Their vehicles have not suffered any problems. Indonesia and Thailand are going for biofuel.Q) Is there any possibility for providing E10 fuel at petrol pumps, which many say would address people’s concerns?How is it possible when we have achieved 20% ethanol blending and E20 fuel is available at every fuel station in the country? People who do not want ethanol blended fuel can go for 100% petrol, but they will have to pay more.Q) Can we have multiple dispensers at petrol pumps with different levels of ethanol blending so that people can decide?It won’t be appropriate for me to comment as it is for the petroleum ministry to decide. At some petrol pumps people have the option to buy E85 (85% ethanol blended petrol) for use in flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). Over half a dozen vehicle manufacturers are ready to launch such vehicles. E85 costs less than E20. So, people have a choice.Q) There are a lot of concerns over the quality of highways. Is it because the focus has been on speeding up construction?I have reviewed 950 highway projects and there is zero tolerance for poor quality construction. I am getting stretches checked and have asked officers to take strict action against those who’ve compromised on quality. There is a concerted effort to target me and the govt. But let me tell you, there may be a few places where there are problems but everyone appreciates govt’s effort in building world-class highways.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

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File photo: Terrorist Hafiz Saeed JAMMU: A NIA court here has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan-based founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which left 26 people dead.The NIA, which named Saeed as the mastermind of the terror attack conspiracy in a supplementary chargesheet filed earlier this month, sought the issuance of an open-dated NBW against him to initiate further proceedings in the matter and to take legal action against him in any further investigation.NIA court judge Prem Sagar granted the prayer in his July 8 order.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

File photo: Terrorist Hafiz Saeed JAMMU: A NIA court here has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan-based founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which left 26 people dead.The NIA, which named Saeed as the mastermind of the terror attack conspiracy in a supplementary chargesheet filed earlier this month, sought the issuance of an open-dated NBW against him to initiate further proceedings in the matter and to take legal action against him in any further investigation.NIA court judge Prem Sagar granted the prayer in his July 8 order.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before deciding123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

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File photo: Ships in Hormuz NEW DELHI: For tracking ships with Indian seafarers in conflict-hit West Asia, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal Tuesday directed maritime regulator DG Shipping to have a comprehensive vessel-by-vessel operational dashboard to account for every such ship, irrespective of their flags.The online dashboard — for tracking their movement in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman — will provide real-time information on vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength, crew welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and availability of food, fuel, medicines and communication facilities.This comes amid fresh strikes on two foreign-flagged commercial ships in the West Asia region that had 30 Indian seafarers.“The instructions are clear that every Indian seafarer has to be accounted for in this conflict zone. DG Shipping has been directed to ensure a liaison officer is appointed to look after the affected seafarers,” said an official. Shipping ministry said each liaison officer will serve as the single point of contact for families, coordinating medical updates, travel documentation, family assistance, repatriation, Seafarers Welfare Fund support, outstanding wages, contractual entitlements and other compensations.Sonowal was chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting with officials from different ministries, representatives of Indian missions in Oman and Iran on the evolving security environment across Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. The meeting assessed risks facing Indian seafarers and evaluated India’s contingency and emergency response mechanisms.TOI has learnt that currently there are seven Indian-flagged ships in the west of Strait of Hormuz with 148 Indian seafarers and another five foreign-flagged vessels carrying fertiliser are bound for India.The minister also directed officials to work closely with Indian missions in Iran, Oman and the UAE, and other affected nations in the region, alongside MEA, to obtain verified and realtime information relating to navigational safety, coastal-state advisories, route status, port-of-refuge arrangements, hospitals, medical evacuation, repatriation procedures, mortal remains management and the status of ongoing investigations.“Every vessel movement through the affected region, the minister directed, must be undertaken only after a fresh threat assessment, the professional judgement of the ship’s master and close coordination with competent maritime authorities,” the ministry said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesFrom gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before decidingChef Sanjeev Kapoor urges revival of Kerala’s heritage cuisine, shares 5 timeless forgotten dishes worth trying123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

File photo: Ships in Hormuz NEW DELHI: For tracking ships with Indian seafarers in conflict-hit West Asia, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal Tuesday directed maritime regulator DG Shipping to have a comprehensive vessel-by-vessel operational dashboard to account for every such ship, irrespective of their flags.The online dashboard — for tracking their movement in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman — will provide real-time information on vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength, crew welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and availability of food, fuel, medicines and communication facilities.This comes amid fresh strikes on two foreign-flagged commercial ships in the West Asia region that had 30 Indian seafarers.“The instructions are clear that every Indian seafarer has to be accounted for in this conflict zone. DG Shipping has been directed to ensure a liaison officer is appointed to look after the affected seafarers,” said an official. Shipping ministry said each liaison officer will serve as the single point of contact for families, coordinating medical updates, travel documentation, family assistance, repatriation, Seafarers Welfare Fund support, outstanding wages, contractual entitlements and other compensations.Sonowal was chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting with officials from different ministries, representatives of Indian missions in Oman and Iran on the evolving security environment across Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. The meeting assessed risks facing Indian seafarers and evaluated India’s contingency and emergency response mechanisms.TOI has learnt that currently there are seven Indian-flagged ships in the west of Strait of Hormuz with 148 Indian seafarers and another five foreign-flagged vessels carrying fertiliser are bound for India.The minister also directed officials to work closely with Indian missions in Iran, Oman and the UAE, and other affected nations in the region, alongside MEA, to obtain verified and realtime information relating to navigational safety, coastal-state advisories, route status, port-of-refuge arrangements, hospitals, medical evacuation, repatriation procedures, mortal remains management and the status of ongoing investigations.“Every vessel movement through the affected region, the minister directed, must be undertaken only after a fresh threat assessment, the professional judgement of the ship’s master and close coordination with competent maritime authorities,” the ministry said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesFrom gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before decidingChef Sanjeev Kapoor urges revival of Kerala’s heritage cuisine, shares 5 timeless forgotten dishes worth trying123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

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