CHAUBEYPUR (KANPUR): The spirit of youthful creativity and India's profound cultural heritage took center stage at Shri Pawan Tanay Shiksha Niketan, Sherpur Baira, during the grand celebration of its annual cultural fest, ‘Sapno Ki Udaan’. Organized with immense enthusiasm, the event served as a prestigious platform for students to showcase their multifaceted talents through a series of vibrant performances. The audience was left mesmerized by the sheer energy of the participants, particularly during a captivating rendition of the Shiv Tandav, which drew thunderous and sustained applause from the gathered spectators.

The program continued to win hearts as young performers delivered delightful dance sequences set to popular melodies including ‘Desh Mera’, ‘Papa Mere’, and ‘Suraj Ke Munh Par Malai’, highlighting both their innocence and burgeoning artistic skill. Beyond the traditional displays, the event incorporated a significant educational dimension with an engaging act centered on media awareness, providing an informative touch to the festivities. The administrative and leadership pillars of the institution, school managers Manish Kumar Srivastava and Shailesh Srivastava, ensured a seamless execution of the program while warmly welcoming the esteemed guests and dignitaries in attendance.

The significance of the occasion was further elevated by a message from Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who conveyed his blessings and expressed deep appreciation for the school’s dedicated efforts in nurturing young minds. Throughout the proceedings, various dignitaries emphasized that such institutional fests are vital for building student confidence and uncovering hidden talents. With the active encouragement of teachers and parents, the event successfully highlighted the critical role of extracurricular engagement in holistic development, concluding as a testament to the school's commitment to tradition and excellence.

Uttar Pradesh Police earned another massive milestone as the force earned international recognition with a senior officer being honoured for his outstanding contribution to global crime investigation and international cooperation.

Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, Rajeev Krishna, presented the Interpol Medal of Excellence certificate to Kiran S, Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range.

The award was given in recognition of his exceptional work during his deputation to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, where he played a key role in international criminal investigations, strengthening cooperation among member countries and reinforcing the global security framework.

The honour was officially announced during the 93rd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly, held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from November 24 to November 27, 2025. The recognition highlights the growing presence and contribution of Indian police officers, particularly from the Uttar Pradesh Police, on the international law enforcement stage.

About IPS officer Kiran S

Kiran S is a 2008 batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre and is currently serving as Inspector General of Police for the Lucknow Range. He is known for his emphasis on beat policing, crime control, and women's safety.

He has previously served as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Special Police of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi.

Ghaziabad: Three minor sisters allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the ninth floor of a residential building in Ghaziabad. Police have also recovered a suicide note in which the girls reportedly said they could not live without online Korean games. Their father was unaware of their addiction.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in Bharat City Society. According to initial reports, all three sisters, aged 16, 14 and 12, jumped together from the ninth floor. The exact reason behind the suicide is not yet known, and the police are investigating the matter.

Their father, Chetan Kumar, told IANS that he was devastated after seeing a note left by his daughters. The note, he said, had a message for him which read as: "Sorry, Papa...we cannot leave Korea. Korea is our life, and you can't make us leave it. That's why we are committing suicide."

Kumar said he did not know what games his daughters were playing, and if these had forced them to do some kind of task.

"Whatever happened is quite bad. I will say, please don't let your children play games. We never know what tasks they will give... We didn't know this...If they had shared what kind of tasks they were giving, then it would not have happened... I don't know which games those were. We just didn't know ... If we knew, then we would not have let them play that game," he told IANS.

ACP Atul Kumar said, "Today, we got information that around 2.15 a.m., three girls from the Bharat City society had jumped to death from their balcony. Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), daughters of Chetan Kumar. They died after jumping off from the 9th floor. They were taken to Loni Hospital, where they were declared dead."

Further investigation is underway, he said.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the influence of online content and games on minors. Last year, a 12-year-old schoolboy in the UK tragically died after apparently attempting to recreate a hanging scene from the Netflix series Squid Game as a prank. Sebastian Cizman was found dead at his family home in Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire, during his younger brother's First Holy Communion.

An inquest heard that Sebastian, described as a prankster by his friends, was playing in the garden with his cousins before he went inside the house, saying he was tired. It is believed he was attempting a dangerous online challenge involving choking oneself until losing consciousness, a trend that has been linked to the deaths of children worldwide.

In another case, in August 2025, a Class 10 student died by suicide after his parents took away his phone due to his addiction to the popular online game 'PUBG' in Telangana’s Nirmal district.

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati on Tuesday adopted a cautious approach on the India-US trade deal, saying that drawing conclusions at this stage would be premature.

Mayawati said a meaningful assessment of the move would be possible only after its actual impact is seen on the ground, particularly on economically vulnerable sections of society.

The BSP supremo, in a post on X, said that the trade agreements between India and the US involved several conditions and complexities. It is, she said, difficult to immediately determine whether the tariff decision would prove beneficial.

"After the mutual agreements between India and the US with many conditions, it would be premature to draw any immediate conclusions about how beneficial the news of the 18 per cent tariff imposed by the US is for the country and its people, due to a lack of adequate information," she noted in her post.

She emphasised that the real test of the decision would lie in its implementation and outcomes. "Only after the policy is implemented on the ground will it be known how much it benefits the country, especially Bahujans, the poor, labourers, farmers and women," she added.

Trade negotiations between India and the US had been underway for a considerable period. United States President Donald Trump announced a reduction of tariffs on Indian goods from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.

The announcement coincided with the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament in India.

The Centre has welcomed the tariff reduction, describing it as a positive development and a relief for Indian trade and industry. However, opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the negotiations and sought clarity on the terms and long-term implications of the agreement.

Seeking the protection of the House, Delhi Law and Justice Minister Kapil Mishra has written to Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta claiming that the Punjab Police FIR in the Atishi video row violates Constitutional provisions.​

​He requested that the matter be referred to the House's Committee of Privileges.​

Pointing to the FIR registered against him by the Punjab Police on the complaint of Iqbal Singh, the Minister said, “By threatening me with criminal charges, the Punjab Police is trying to browbeat and subdue my actions as an elected representative of the Delhi Assembly.”​

“In view of the above, I seek the protection of the House through you to safeguard my rights as an MLA. By brazenly disregarding the constitutional guarantee provided under Article 361 A, the complainant Iqbal Singh and the Punjab Police officers have committed a serious breach of the privilege of an elected member of the House,” wrote Mishra in a letter dated February 2.​

“I request you to kindly refer my complaint to the Committee of Privileges so that the guilty persons/officers involved in this incident can be identified and punished,” he said.​

In his letter, the Minister drew the Speaker’s attention to Article 361A of the Constitution, which provides that no person shall be liable to any civil or criminal proceedings in respect of the publication, in any form, of a substantially true report of the proceedings of Parliament or of a State Legislature, unless it is established that such publication was made with malice.​

The Article clarifies that this constitutional protection does not extend to the publication of reports relating to secret sittings of either House of Parliament or of a State Legislature, as the case may be, said Mishra.​

The Minister has submitted that the initiation of criminal proceedings in connection with the publication of a substantially true account of Assembly proceedings amounts to interference with the functioning and authority of the Legislature, and has therefore requested that the matter be taken cognisance of and referred to the Committee of Privileges for appropriate examination and action.​

In his letter, the Minister has drawn attention to Article 361A, which provides that no person shall be liable to any civil or criminal proceedings for the publication, in any form, of a substantially true report of the proceedings of Parliament or a State Legislature, unless such publication is proved to have been made with malice. The Article further clarifies that this protection does not apply to the publication of reports of secret sittings.​

Mishra recalled in the letter that on January 6, the House witnessed disorder following objectionable and derogatory remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition, Atishi, against the Sikh Gurus.​

He further stated that on January 9, Abhay Verma, Chief Whip, informed the House that an FIR had been registered by the Jalandhar Police alleging that Minister Kapil Mishra had uploaded a “doctored video clip of the House proceedings” on social media.​

Referring to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, the Minister stated that the video clip in question was downloaded from his social media handle and that allegations of deliberate doctoring were levelled against him.​

Mishra noted that the FIR registration received wide media coverage and that copies of the relevant news reports were enclosed with the letter.​

The Minister asserted that the video clip he shared was a faithful and accurate reproduction of the proceedings of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and, therefore, fully covered by the constitutional protection available under Article 361A.​

The Karawal Nagar legislator, in his letter, stated that the criminal proceedings initiated in this matter undermine the privileges of an elected Member and amount to an attempt to browbeat and subdue him in the discharge of his legislative duties.​

Mishra said that the conduct of Iqbal Singh and Punjab Police officials reflects blatant disregard for constitutional guarantees and infringes upon the collective privileges of the House.​

The Delhi cabinet has approved a scheme to provide free LPG cylinders to residents during the festivals of Holi and Diwali. An official statement from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is expected shortly.

The decision follows a promise made by the BJP during the Delhi assembly elections, when the party assured voters that free LPG cylinders would be provided on Holi and Diwali if it came to power.

Announcing the decision, the chief minister said, "I congratulate the families of Delhi. Today, the cabinet has approved the decision to provide free LPG cylinders."

How the free LPG cylinder scheme will work

Rekha Gupta said all ration card holders in Delhi will receive a free cylinder during Holi and Diwali and a fund of Rs 242 crore has been allocated for this scheme.

"An amount of Rs 853, equivalent to the cost of one cylinder, will be transferred directly to the accounts of all eligible ration card holders through DBT. Ration card holders who use PNG will also be covered under the scheme," she said.

The scheme will benefit 17.5 lakh ration card holders across Delhi, she added.

Barmer: The mysterious death of renowned religious storyteller and devotional singer Sadhvi Prem Baisa has triggered a major police action in Rajasthan. Taking a firm stand in the high-profile case, Jodhpur Police Commissioner Omprakash has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a thorough and impartial probe.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Om Prakash said that a nine member SIT has been formed who is investigating the issue with all angles.

"At present we have started collecting statements of people associated with her," he said.

Speaking on the injection which was administered to her seconds before her death, he said all angles are being probed and our investigation is in progress.

The SIT will function under the leadership of ACP Chhavi Sharma. Police officials have indicated that the possibility of a larger conspiracy cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Investigators are currently examining technical evidence, including mobile call records, CCTV footage from the ashram, and other digital inputs to reconstruct the final hours leading to Sadhvi Prem Baisa’s death.

A crucial aspect of the investigation revolves around an injection allegedly administered shortly before her death. Police have detained and questioned compounder Devi Singh, who reportedly gave the shot.

Authorities are probing whether the injection was administered on a doctor’s advice, what medication was used, and whether it had any role in the death.

The police are awaiting the post-mortem report, which is expected to provide clarity on the exact cause and time of death.

The SIT’s scope extends beyond external suspects. Investigators will also question Sadhvi Prem Baisa’s father, Viramnath, along with members associated with the Sadhana Kutir Ashram on Pal Road, Jodhpur.

Police are examining internal disputes, financial transactions, and operational affairs of the ashram to identify possible links to the case.

Originally from Pareu village in Balotra, Prem Baisa faced early hardships after losing her mother at the age of two. Under the guidance of spiritual leaders Sant Rajaram and Sant Kriparam Maharaj, she mastered Bhagwat Katha and devotional singing, eventually gaining statewide recognition.

Her ashram, Sadhana Kutir, was inaugurated by prominent figures including Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev. Sadhvi Prem Baisa’s death has raised serious questions across Rajasthan. Whether it was a natural demise or part of a deeper conspiracy will now be determined by the SIT’s investigation.

Mumbai: Maharashtra is set to have its first woman Deputy Chief Minister as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold the legislature party meeting on Saturday at 2 pm to elect Sunetra Pawar as the new legislative party leader and the Deputy Chief Minister.

This comes days after the sudden and untimely death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the plane crash on Wednesday.

Sunetra Pawar, later in the evening, will be sworn in at the Lok Bhavan.

State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare, after he met with party working president Praful Patel, told reporters that, “The legislature party meeting has been convened on Saturday to elect a new leader on Saturday.”

NCP has decided to hold the legislature party meeting on January 31 after Sunetra Pawar gave her consent to accept the new responsibility. She is currently a Rajya Sabha member.

Sunetra Pawar, along with son Parth, will leave from Baramati for Mumbai on early Saturday morning to attend the legislature party meeting.

After her formal election, the state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare will send a formal letter to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to induct her into the state cabinet as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Tatkare has dashed off a letter to all party legislators, including 40 from the state assembly and nine from the state council, to remain present at Saturday’s legislative party meeting to be held at Vidhan Bhavan.

Earlier, a high-level NCP delegation on Friday morning met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed a wide range of issues, including the appointment of the legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister in the wake of the sudden and untimely death of Ajit Pawar.

The delegation included party working president Praful Patel, state unit chief Sunil Tatkare, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and former minister Dhananjay Munde. This development takes place after a significant leadership vacuum has emerged within both the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Mahayuti government.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, NCP working president Praful Patel said, “We discussed a new legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister. The meeting of the legislative party will be convened to elect a new leader.”

He further stated, "We have informed Fadnavis that a decision regarding the cabinet portfolios and leadership must be made as soon as possible. We will finalise our stand after consulting with all our party MLAs."

He said that the party hopes to take the future course of action, taking into account the feelings of the party legislators, office bearers and the cadres.

Patel said the party has not given any formal indication on appointing late Ajit Pawar’s wife and MP Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister.

"We did not discuss Sunetra Pawar’s name with the CM today. That remains an internal party matter." He further stated, “The family is still in mourning and performing last rites. We intend to speak with Sunetra Pawar either tonight or tomorrow, once the immediate rituals are concluded."

Patel said that any decision regarding the Deputy CM post would be based on the sentiments of the party's legislators. He added, “We have met Sunetra Pawar after the tragic incident and assured her party’s support during the present crisis and in the future also.”

NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “The legislature party meeting of the NCP will be convened on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar will be named as its leader. Many leaders want her to become the Deputy CM.”

"Senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare are looking into the technicalities of the mourning period and other finer details...Sometimes, there is a three-day mourning period and sometimes 10 days," Sai’s Bhujbal.

NCP chief whip Anil Bhaidas Patil said the party leadership was yet to finalise the time and date for the meeting of its legislators.

“It will be decided after talking to the leadership,” NCP minister Narhari Zirwal, on Thursday, after the funeral of Ajit Pawar in Baramati, told reporters that Sunetra Pawar should be made the next Deputy Chief Minister.

“It will ensure that the political legacy of the Pawar family continues,” he said.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development as a testament to the state's unwavering commitment.

In a post on X, he stated, "A Naxal-free Bastar and a secure Chhattisgarh is our resolve."

He emphasised that the incident reflects the expanding atmosphere of trust, security, and development in Bastar.

The Chief Minister credited the success to coordinated security operations, the establishment of robust security camps, enhanced road connectivity, and sustained efforts that have steadily shrunk Maoist influence while eroding their local support base.

"People are now coming forward to embrace the mainstream of development," Sai noted, expressing confidence that the government's integrated policy of security, development, and dialogue will encourage more cadres to lay down arms in the coming days.

In a significant stride toward eradicating Naxalism from the Bastar region, four active Maoist cadres from the Kistaram area of Sukma district surrendered to security forces on Friday.

Each of these individuals carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh, highlighting their prominence in the outlawed CPI (Maoist) network. This surrender comes amid a broader wave of Maoist defections in Bastar throughout early 2026, with hundreds of cadres abandoning violence under the state's rehabilitation initiatives.

Authorities view such instances as indicators that Naxal strength is waning, with the ultimate goal of a Maoist-free Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026, aligning with national targets.

Complementing these security gains, the Dantewada district administration has launched a proactive rehabilitation program to facilitate the smooth reintegration of surrendered Naxalites.

Meanwhile, the district administration, in collaboration with the State Bank of India's Rural Self-Employment Training Institute, has started a training programme for 35 surrendered youths in masonry work.

The initiative, directed by Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv, aims to provide employment-oriented skills to these individuals, enabling them to contribute productively to society.

The training addresses the growing demand for skilled construction workers in the region, particularly under flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing for all) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

By equipping former insurgents with vocational expertise, the program seeks to ensure sustainable livelihoods and prevent relapse into extremism. These combined efforts underscore Chhattisgarh's multi-pronged strategy: robust anti-Naxal operations paired with compassionate rehabilitation.

Officials believe that as development reaches remote areas and trust builds among local communities, the cycle of violence will further diminish, paving the way for lasting peace in one of India's most insurgency-affected regions.

New Delhi: In a major relief to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, a Delhi court on Thursday acquitted him in a criminal defamation case filed by Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar.

“It is hereby held that the complainant (Patkar) has failed to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused. Accused V.K. Saxena is hereby acquitted for the offence punishable under Section 500 of the IPC,” ordered Judicial Magistrate First Class Raghav Sharma of the Saket Courts.

The court observed that there was no material on record to show that Saxena had published any imputation concerning Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar personally, either with intent to harm or with knowledge that such publication would harm her reputation.

It further held that a plain reading of the advertisement showed that the criticism was directed against the NBA as an organisation and specific individuals, such as Chitrupa Palit, and not Medha Patkar personally.

“The complainant’s name appears only in the heading and there is no reference to her in the body of the advertisement where substantive allegations are made,” the court observed.

The judgment came after the Saket court, in March 2025, had dismissed Patkar’s application seeking examination of an additional witness, observing that the plea appeared to be a “deliberate attempt to delay the trial”.

The 25‑year‑old litigation dates back to the period when LG Saxena was active in Gujarat and had not yet assumed charge at Delhi’s Raj Niwas. The case was transferred from Ahmedabad to Delhi’s Saket Court on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Saxena was heading an Ahmedabad-based NGO ‘Council for Civil Liberties’ in 2000 when Patkar filed a defamation case against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Later, Saxena also filed a defamation case against Patkar for defaming him in a press note dated November 25, 2000, titled 'True face of patriot.'

She was sentenced to five months’ simple imprisonment and ordered to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Saxena.

The sentence was subsequently suspended, and she was granted bail. While the Supreme Court upheld her conviction, it struck down the penalty and clarified that the supervision order would not apply.

The State Election Commission has announced the schedule for municipal elections in Jharkhand. State Election Commissioner Alka Tiwari confirmed that polling will be held on February 23 across all municipal bodies in the state.

The counting of votes will take place on February 27. The election process will begin with the filing of nominations, which will be accepted from January 29 to February 4. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until February 6.

The Commission has clarified that there will be no option for NOTA (None of the Above) in these elections. Voting will be carried out using ballot papers and ballot boxes.

With the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in all 48 municipal areas of Jharkhand.

The urban local body elections in Jharkhand are held without official party symbols, even though political parties support the candidates. 

HC rebukes state govt 

Earlier, the Jharkhand High Court strongly criticised the state government for failing to conduct these elections on time. The civic polls have been overdue for nearly three years. 

At present, all urban local bodies are being run by government-appointed officials. In November 2025, the election commission informed the High Court that it would need about eight weeks to complete the required procedures and release the election notification.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (January 25) has been appointed as the national working president of RJD. In a explosive family and party rift, Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya today launched a scathing attack on her brother Tejashwi Yadav- newly named RJD national working president- calling him a 'puppet prince' controlled by 'infiltrators' destroying 'Laluvad.' The Bihar election fallout has torn the Yadav clan apart.

Rohini's fiery X post: 'Puppet' jibe and 'infiltrator' claims

Congratulating Tejashwi sarcastically ("Tajposhi Mubarak"), Rohini wrote, "End of a glorious innings... Congratulations to Thakur-suhati doers and 'Giroh-e-Ghuspaith' on their 'puppet prince' coronation." She accused fascist foes' agents of seizing RJD, urging true "Laluvadis" to question leaders dodging accountability, mistreating critics, and undermining Lalu's legacy. "If 'he' stays silent, his complicity is proven," she jabbed.

Demands accountability from leadership

Rohini blasted current bosses for evading queries, spreading confusion and rudeness toward party loyalists. She insisted the leader "look into their own collar" and purge saboteurs, framing RJD's decline as a heartbreaking betrayal of its fight for the marginalized.

Roots of the rift: Post-2025 poll backlash

Tensions boiled after RJD's Bihar Assembly debacle. Rohini alleged abuse at a review meet- "cursed as dirty, accused of kidney scams"- and targeted Tejashwi aides Sanjay Yadav and Rameez Nemat Khan for her ouster. She vented: "Daughters, never save your father- let your brother donate instead."

Family divide deepens

Elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav backs Rohini, decrying "Jaichand" traitors and his own sidelining. Four sisters fled Patna home in solidarity. Rohini pushes women's empowerment amid patriarchy critiques. BJP/JD(U) gleefully exploit the chaos to hammer Tejashwi.