VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Patrick Mahomes’ controversial confession sparks a heated debate as fitness concerns loom ahead of new season “The process cannot be so slow that the next assembly elections would be due by the time the appeals are decided,” said CJI Surya Kant. NEW DELHI: With nearly 34 lakh appeals pending adjudication before SIR appellate tribunals against deletion of voters’ names in West Bengal, Supreme Court Tuesday decided to take stock of their performance and suggested they speed up their work, saying the process cannot be unending, even though it was unwilling to set a deadline for decision on appeals.“The process cannot be so slow that the next assembly elections would be due by the time the appeals are decided,” said CJI Surya Kant responding to a petition complaining about the slow rate of disposal of appeals by those whose names were deleted from electoral rolls during their Special Intensive Revision (SIR).Petitioner and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, through senior advocate Rauf Rahim said the progress in deciding appeals by the tribunals, set up on SC orders, is painfully slow and requires impetus to speed up disposal rate. Chowdhury said names of lakhs of poor people have been deleted from the voter list in Murshidabad and they do not have the wherewithal to approach SC.A bench of CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said, “These tribunals were constituted on our orders. A substantial time has elapsed since they started working. We must consider their performance keeping in mind the pendency and disposals. Immediate concern is to take stock.”“Once we get the statistics, we would be able to provide it with guidance and information technology to help speed up the process,” Justice Bagchi said. The bench asked Election Commisson to give details of pendency and disposals by Aug 25, the next date of hearing.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhen Rahim said appeals are required to be decided early as WB govt has begun depriving deleted voters of benefits of welfare schemes, the bench said this is altogether a separate cause of action which should be adjudicated by Calcutta High Court. “If you expand the scope of this petition, we will send it to HC,” it said and declined to fix a timeline for disposal of appeals.Chowdhury said, “Several people whose names are deleted from voter lists have made appeal before the tribunals and are waiting for the fate of their cases. But the process and infrastructure of the tribunals is not sufficient for early disposal of such a huge number of appeals after giving proper opportunity of hearing.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them away123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani Daily Nadi Horoscope for Cancer (12th August 2026): Don’t Disrupt Your Inner Balance ‘Drama at this age is embarrassing’: Trisha Krishnan’s cryptic posts after Udhayanidhi row Daily Nadi Horoscope for Gemini (12th August 2026): Don’t Let Anger Turn a Money Question into a Family Divide Delhi slum rehab: New bill in Assembly may bring post-2006 settlements into redevelopment net Row erupts over plans to convert listed pub in UK into mosque Quote of the day by Peter Thiel: ‘First mover advantage is a trap, it’s much better to be the last mover’ Additional personnel from the Army, CRPF and police, along with reinforcements, were rushed to the area JAMMU: Security forces launched joint cordon-and-search operations in J&K’s Doda and Poonch districts on being alerted about the sighting of terror suspects, officials said Tuesday.Cordon-and-search operations were initiated in Doda’s upper reaches after some locals captured a video of four suspected ultras trekking along Ramtund Peak and informed authorities late Monday afternoon. According to preliminary information, the group allegedly comprised three Pakistani and one local terrorist.Additional personnel from the Army, CRPF and police, along with reinforcements, were rushed to the area from Udhampur on Tuesday morning, officials said, adding that no contact was established with the suspects until evening.Ramtund area lies near the Seoj Dhar belt, situated on the Doda-Udhampur axis, which further connects to Kathua region. Terrorists have traditionally used this route to travel and hide, as the topography features dense vegetation and natural caves, officials said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe searches in Doda came four days after local police put up posters across J&K, announcing Rs 15 lakh reward for credible information leading to the arrest of self-styled Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohammad Lateef Bhat.Separately, security forces launched an intensive combing operation in Poonch’s Mendhar sector upon noticing suspicious movement near an under-construction tunnel. “A security guard manning the site spotted the suspects and fired three to four rounds as a precautionary measure, following which a joint team of SOG and CRPF launched a search operation around 6am Tuesday in the nearby forested stretches of Bhatadurian, Sangiot and adjoining areas,” an official said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them away123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani Daily Nadi Horoscope for Taurus (12th August 2026): Don’t Let One Disturbing Message Trigger aReaction Kashmiri Pandits’ security stepped up after ‘threat letter’ from Lashkar arm The petitioner said that post-May 15, there has been a quantum increase in clips of selectively edited judicial proceedings. NEW DELHI: Three months after CJI Surya Kant’s ‘cockroach’ remark sparked a storm and gave birth to Cockroach Janta Party that led a Gen Z protest against NEET-UG paper leak, Supreme Court Tuesday sought responses from govt and CBI on a PIL seeking action against those who commercially exploited the remark through clever editing of virtual court proceedings and draped it with a meaning that was never intended.During a half-an-hour long debate on the issue before a bench comprising CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, petitioner-cum-advocate Raja Choudhary said it requires a deeper investigation as to how the word ‘cockroach’, used in a completely different context during judicial proceedings on May 15, was selectively picked, cleverly edited and commercially exploited to undermine judicial dignity and hurt institutional integrity. The petitioner sought a direction to authorities “to examine and take action in accordance with law against persons/entities allegedly involved in commercial exploitation, trademark appropriation, monetized circulation, or unauthorised commercial use of oral courtroom observations/metaphors, including activities of CJP, while recognising that fair criticism, democratic dissent, satire, and free speech remain permissible within the constitutional framework without undermining institutional dignity”.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReferring to the May 15 hearing before a CJI-led bench on a petition ‘Sanjay Dubey Vs Registrar General of Delhi HC’, Choudhary emphasised the CJI had made the “cockroach” remark in the specific context of fake advocates, as he expressed “concerns regarding misuse of court process, deterioration of professional standards and how it impacted the institution itself”.He said post-May 15, there has been a quantum increase in clips of selectively edited judicial proceedings. The distorted versions and oral observations made during court proceedings are turned into memes and are circulated in social media for profit, said Chaudhary.He complained there is no mechanism against these sinister designs aimed at diminishing public faith in the institution and judges by showing them in poor light.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them away123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani ‘Only God can save this country’: HC bins plea of J&K cop sacked for skipping duty over terror threat It also asked Centre to prevail upon six states to close border check posts that they are still operating. NEW DELHI: The Centre should scrap all existing inter-state border check posts within six months and replace the All India Tourist Permit with a unified All India Passenger Permit within a year, a parliamentary panel has recommended, pitching for a sweeping overhaul of the country’s bus transport system.The committee headed by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha made the recommendations after consultations with govt departments, bus operators, passengers and other stakeholders to identify key hurdles facing the sector, which transports more passengers daily than Indian Railways.The panel noted that India has around 4.4 lakh buses, but only about 1.1 lakh are owned by govt entities, mainly state road transport undertakings. Ten states account for nearly 90% of these govt-owned buses, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.Calling for an overhaul of the permit regime, panel urged road transport ministry to replace the All India Tourist Permit with an All India Passenger Permit. The new permit should reflect the number of passengers actually carried, ensuring that enforcement does not hinge on whether a traveller qualifies as a “tourist”.“The rights of the permit holder, including the right to halt, to board and set down passengers at notified points, and to enter public terminals on payment, should be stated exhaustively on the face of the permit,” panel said.It also asked Centre to prevail upon six states to close border check posts that they are still operating.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPanel further recommended that all bus terminals provide private operators “non-discriminatory access” to pick up passengers on payment of an entry fee, following the model at Delhi’s ISBT.It also proposed establishment of a National Bus Terminals Authority to develop and standardise terminal infrastructure and, where states agree, manage bus terminals and intermodal passenger hubs.Panel further recommended a unified online ticketing platform covering state-run and private bus operators for passenger convenience.It has proposed a citizen vigilance channel, modelled on Election Commission’s cVIGIL app, allowing passengers to file geo-tagged, time-stamped complaints—with photos or videos—about overloading, unsafe transport of schoolchildren, faulty safety equipment and poor sanitation in buses, terminals and halting points.Complaints would be automatically forwarded to the enforcement authority concerned for action within a prescribed timeframe, it said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them away123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani Daily Nadi Horoscope for Aries (12th August 2026): Don’t Make a Home Decision While Emotions Are Unsettled Shweta Tiwari diagnosed with dengue, hospitalised ahead of The Traitors 2 premiere | Quote of the day by Michael Bloomberg: ‘I’m not smarter than anybody else but I can outwork you’, and a controversial career advice The Undertaker and Michelle McCool combined net worth in 2026: How WWE legendary couple has built their wealth Macquarie: Australia removed rats, mice and rabbits from Macquarie Island after nearly 200 years, and seabirds and native vegetation are now recovering | World News 29 Runners, 100km, One giant Jaguar: Jaguar TCS Racing sets World Record | Formula – E News Indian student charged for killing 81-year-old man in Florida after driving Cadillac like a bullet at 100mph, attorney asks court to allow him to return to Columbia University Daily Nadi Horoscope for 12 August 2026: Total Solar Eclipse May Reveal Hidden Issues in Life Americans, Nasa wants you to watch August 12’s Total Solar Eclipse as Europe will … Assyria’s own records left out three kings, and new evidence is revealing who they were and why they disappeared | World News Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 12, 2026 On This Day in Space: NASA launched the 100-foot Echo 1A balloon on August 12, 1960; the passive satellite reflected telephone, radio and television signals across Earth A diver found a $3 million gold cross in a Spanish shipwreck; 20 years later, it vanished from a museum | World News Trump promises ‘a great cheeseburger’ to marine veteran freed from Russian prison Human Rights Watch: ‘Seeking end to sanctions regime’: US human rights groups sue Trump over ICC crackdown Pan masala may now only be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials (Photo: Agencies). NEW DELHI: India’s food safety regulator has barred the use of plastic and plastic-laminated packaging for pan masala, under an amendment aimed at tightening existing packaging norms, according to a press release.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified that pan masala may now only be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials. Such materials must be entirely free of plastic, including polyethene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates, as well as aluminium foil or metallised layers, the release said. Tin and glass containers continue to be permitted, it added.The press release further stated that packaging will also need to conform to clauses (f) and (i) of sub-rule 1 of rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.The amendment has been incorporated as a new entry in Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, which lists suggested packaging materials. It has been placed right after the existing entries at Serial Number 10, the release said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNotified as the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the amendment will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, according to the release.The regulations were issued by FSSAI in exercise of powers conferred under clause (k) of sub-section (2) of Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and with prior approval of the Central Government, the release said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should make123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani Aug 11, 2026, 19:17 IST Middle East standoff: Why Gulf states may accept that Iran will control the Strait of Hormuz Solar eclipse craze grips UK: Brits stuck in hours-long queues as glasses fly off shelves Updated: Aug 11, 2026, 23:04 IST Rosario Dawson reveals her Spider-Man: Brand New Day scene was cut, says mom was upset over BTS photos: ‘I hope I get to be Claire Temple again’ Daily Horoscope, August 11, 2026: Three Chinese Zodiac Signs May Get Lucky; Three Should Think Before Acting Why Messi didn’t visit Kerala? Sports department tells govt in ‘highly confidential manner’ 7-year-old found duct-taped and dead in closet in Cincinnati: Indian-American coroner says she froze for a while when she opened the door NEW DELHI: West Bengal officials on Tuesday registered an FIR against former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh in connection with the alleged hurried cremation of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year.Additionally, Panihati Municipality councillor Somnath Dey and Sanjeev Mukherjee, a neighbour of the victim’s family, were also named in the FIR.The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by the deceased doctor’s father, who alleged that the cremation was carried out in undue haste under the supervision of the three accused.The FIR was registered at Khardah police station and alleged that the victim’s cremation was carried out in haste to prevent the possibility of an autopsy and thus conceal evidence.”The CBI is probing the rape and murder case at RG Kar hospital, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. The new FIR lodged at Khardah police station is based on a complaint by the family of the deceased that the body was cremated in a hurry without the consent of the family members to hush up evidence,” the officer told news agency PTI.This comes days after chief minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to register a separate case into the circumstances surrounding the cremation.”The role of Ghosh, Dey and Mukherjee in the cremation needs to be investigated. I have ordered the registration of a new case separately, apart from the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). I have asked the Barrackpore Police Commissioner to take necessary steps in this regard,” he had said on August 8.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.Investigators subsequently established that she had been raped and murdered the previous night.According to the police, the body was taken to a crematorium in Panihati and cremated in haste, allegedly overtaking two other bodies waiting in the queue.Police have also raised questions over the signatures on the cremation consent documents, saying they were allegedly those of neighbours and not the victim’s parents or other family members.The CBI is separately investigating the rape and murder case following the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police. One person was convicted in the case, and the matter is now pending in the Calcutta High Court.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam Row123PhotostoriesKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should makeBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlook123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani Quote of the day by Arnold Schwarzenegger: “If I have the chance to time travel, might as well go all out”; here’s why travel is the closest thing to a time machine Milky Way galaxy can be seen with the naked eye across Arabian skies this August: How to spot it and the best time to watch King Charles’ death falsely announced, followed by national anthem and 16 minutes of silence; UK radio station breached broadcast standards Quote of the day by Kobe Bryant: “I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for…” – a blunt lesson on accountability, effort and refusing to make excuses | World News Pothole-related deaths in India rose by over 53% in five years, from 1,555 in 2020 to 2,385 in 2024. Do you also have a “work in progress” sign permanently living outside your house?One day, someone digs up the road to lay a water pipe. A few days later, another team arrives to fix a cable. Then comes the patchwork. And just when you think the road is finally back to normal, congratulations, it is dug up again.The road outside your house may technically be the same road, but it has seen so many rounds of digging, filling, breaking and repairing that it almost has a career history.And then, inevitably, the potholes arrive.We often blame potholes on bad roads, heavy rain or poor construction. But a pothole is rarely born overnight. In fact, that annoying crater that makes your car suspension groan or sends a two-wheeler rider swerving usually has a long backstory.A crack appears. Water gets in. The road weakens. Traffic keeps pounding it. The surface finally gives way.And if the underlying problem isn’t fixed, filling the hole may only be a temporary solution.The road gets dug up. Again. And again.Before we get to the pothole itself, there is another character in this story: road digging.Roads don’t just carry vehicles. They carry water pipelines, sewage lines, electricity cables, telecom networks and other utilities underneath them. Whenever something needs to be repaired, replaced or newly installed, the road may have to be opened.The problem begins when the road is not restored to the same standard after the work is completed.From a tiny crack to a full-blown pothole, here’s how road damage turns into a recurring cycle of patch and repair.A poorly compacted patch can become weaker than the surrounding pavement. Water can seep into the edges. Traffic repeatedly hits the repaired section. Eventually, cracks appear.And suddenly, the “temporary” patch becomes the next pothole.This is one reason why road maintenance cannot simply mean filling visible holes. What happens underneath the road matters just as much as what you see on top.Every pothole starts smallThe first warning sign is usually something you wouldn’t give a second glance: a tiny crack.Road surfaces are constantly under pressure. India’s roads have to handle enormous traffic volumes, heavy vehicles and, in many parts of the country, intense heat followed by heavy monsoon rain.Temperature changes cause pavement materials to expand and contract. Repeated traffic loads create fatigue. Overloaded vehicles put additional stress on the surface.Then the monsoon arrives.A police officer fills a pothole with stones on a road, at Edappally, in Kochi. (Image credit: PTI)That tiny crack suddenly becomes a doorway.Water is the real troublemakerRain itself isn’t necessarily the villain. Water getting beneath the road is.Once water enters through a crack, it can reach the layers beneath the asphalt. If drainage is poor, clogged or badly designed, the water may remain there instead of being carried away.The result is gradual weakening of the road’s foundation.The surface may still look fine from above. Underneath, however, the supporting layers can lose strength and material can be washed or displaced, creating weak spots and voids.And then traffic does what traffic does best: keeps coming.Then the tyres take overImagine standing on a floor that has suddenly become slightly hollow underneath. Now imagine thousands of vehicles repeatedly pressing down on that same spot.That is essentially what happens to a road whose underlying layers have weakened.With every passing vehicle, the damaged surface experiences another load. Bits of asphalt loosen, the depression grows and eventually the surface collapses.That is your pothole.And once it forms, it can become a vicious cycle.Rainwater collects in the depression. More water finds its way into the surrounding pavement. The edges weaken. Vehicles hit the damaged section. More material breaks away.A small pothole can therefore become a much bigger one surprisingly quickly, especially during the rainy season.Why does the pothole come back after it is fixedNow comes the question every commuter has asked at least once:“Didn’t they just repair this?”Yes. But repairing the hole and repairing the road are not always the same thing.If workers simply fill the visible depression while the layers underneath remain damaged, the surface may fail again.It is a bit like filling a dent in a wall without fixing the leak behind it.The road may look perfect for a while. Then water gets in again, traffic starts pounding the weak section and — hello, pothole.Potholes on Bengaluru roads (Image credit: PTI)This is why preventive maintenance matters. A small crack can often be dealt with before it becomes structural damage. Once the road base itself has deteriorated, the repair becomes more complicated, expensive and disruptive.And not all potholes are equally dangerousA pothole’s danger isn’t determined by its size alone.A small hole on a busy, high-speed road can be far more dangerous than a giant one on an empty lane.For two-wheelers, an unexpected depression can destabilise the vehicle. On a crowded road, a driver trying to avoid a pothole may suddenly brake or swerve. At night, poor lighting can make the defect difficult to spot. During rain, water can completely hide its depth.So the real danger is a combination of the pothole, speed, traffic, visibility and road conditions.What data showsPotholes claimed 9,438 lives across India between 2020 and 2024, with annual fatalities rising from 1,555 in 2020 to 2,385 in 2024 — a jump of more than 53% in five years.Uttar Pradesh accounted for more than half of the national toll, reporting 5,127 deaths. Madhya Pradesh followed with 969 fatalities, while Tamil Nadu recorded 612, Odisha 425, Punjab 414 and Assam 395. Among Union Territories, Delhi reported the highest toll at 50.But the numbers also raise questions about how pothole-related crashes are recorded. States such as Andhra Pradesh and Bihar reported zero crashes, injuries or deaths under this category, even as states such as Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura reported fatalities. Experts say gaps in objective crash-cause reporting could mean the data does not fully capture the scale of the problem.The toll, however, remains below the 2017 peak of 3,597 pothole-related deaths. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue in 2018, observing that authorities responsible for maintaining roads were failing in their duties.Can we stop pothole before it becomes a pothole?Fortunately, the answer isn’t simply “keep filling holes”.A 2021 IIT Madras study found that nearly 78% of urban potholes reported by citizens remained unfixed for more than two weeks, with delays particularly serious in high-traffic areas.Technology can help road agencies identify damage earlier through road-condition monitoring, GIS mapping and scanning systems. Quick repair methods can deal with certain defects before they expand.Citizen reporting can also help — provided complaints actually lead to inspection and action.Because the person who encounters a dangerous pothole may not be a road engineer inspecting the highway once a month. It may be a delivery rider passing through it ten times a day.But technology alone won’t solve the problem.Road agencies need better coordination too. If one department digs up a road to lay a cable and another has to repair it later, someone needs to ensure the road is restored properly. Otherwise, the same stretch can enter an endless loop of dig → patch → crack → pothole → repair → dig again.How speed, rain, poor visibility and heavy traffic can turn a road defect into a serious hazard.The pothole is only the final chapterSo, the next time you see a pothole outside your home, remember: that hole probably didn’t just “appear”.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIt may have started as a tiny crack.Then came rainwater. Maybe a badly repaired utility cut. Maybe years of heavy traffic. Maybe poor drainage. Maybe all of them.By the time you notice the crater, the real damage may already be underneath.Which is why the real solution isn’t simply asking, “Who will fill this pothole?”It is asking a much more important question:“Why did this road fail in the first place — and why wasn’t it fixed before it got this bad?”Because if the answer remains unclear, that freshly filled pothole may just be waiting for its next monsoon comeback.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAastha JhaAastha Jha is a writer at The Times of India, covering politics. She also writes on business, global affairs, social issues, with a focus on policy, governance and their impact on everyday lives. Her work brings together reportage and analysis, tracking developments in India and abroad while examining the broader social and economic currents shaping public discourse.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor123PhotostoriesKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should makeBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlook123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani This ₹2 crore Goa villa earns nearly ₹12 lakh a year from Airbnb: Owner shares rental income | These cattle were left to survive alone on an Alaskan island; generations later, their DNA was unlike most US breeds ‘I’m their banker’: Trump says US controls Iran’s frozen assets as he threatens economic or military action Car lies damaged after falling rocks and debris from a hillside hit it following continuous heavy rainfall in the Anni area of Kullu Heavy monsoon rains continued to disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh, with 204 roads blocked, 70 people killed in rain-related incidents and damage to public property estimated at more than Rs 910 crore over the past 43 days, according to the latest State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) assessment.The assessment covers the period from June 30 to August 11 and captures the impact of repeated heavy rainfall, landslides, cloudbursts and other weather-related incidents across the hill state.70 disaster deaths, public property damage crosses Rs 910 croreAccording to SEOC data, 70 people have died in direct disaster-related incidents since June 30. Landslides accounted for 14 deaths, while 23 people died after falling from steep slopes, rocks or trees. Seven deaths were caused by snake bites, six by electrocution and four by cloudbursts.Lahaul and Spiti reported the highest number of direct disaster-related deaths at 14, followed by Kangra with 12.The wider toll has also been compounded by road accidents. As many as 93 people have died in road accidents during the same period, with Chamba reporting 16 fatalities, followed by Kullu (13), Sirmaur (12) and Shimla (11), as reproted by ANI.Meanwhile, cumulative damage to public property has reached around Rs 910.35 crore. The Public Works Department has suffered the biggest losses, estimated at Rs 686.36 crore, while damage to the power sector stands at around Rs 203.90 crore.The monsoon has also damaged houses, other private structures, livestock and crops across the state’s 12 districts, adding to losses for affected households.204 roads blocked, power and water infrastructure hitMandi is the worst affected in terms of road connectivity, with 80 roads currently blocked. The Mandi-Kullu route has also been disrupted at Jalogi Dwada. Kullu has reported 56 blocked roads, while 23 roads remain closed in Sirmaur. Two national highways — NH-154 and NH-21 — are also among the affected routes.The road closures have disrupted inter-district connectivity and complicated the movement of essential supplies and emergency response teams.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe monsoon has also damaged the state’s power and drinking water infrastructure. Forty-five distribution transformer regions are currently out of service, including 41 in Sirmaur’s Nahan subdivision.Around 82 drinking water supply schemes have been affected across the state. Sirmaur accounts for 31 of the disrupted schemes, followed by Hamirpur with 11 and Mandi with eight.Authorities and emergency response teams are continuing restoration work, including clearing landslides and debris, reopening roads and restoring power and water supply. However, persistent rainfall and the risk of further landslides continue to hamper relief and restoration efforts.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam Row123PhotostoriesKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? 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