Category: SPECIAL

Delhi Police nabs fugitive linked to Khalistani propaganda in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, June 12 (IANS) The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested Gurdas Singh, a fugitive wanted in connection with a shooting at a property dealer’s office in the Mansarovar Park area of the national Capital, officials said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, Singh, who had been absconding after being granted bail, was apprehended by the Special Cell from Uttarakhand on June 6, where he had been deliberately evading arrest for an extended period.

In a significant revelation, authorities found that Singh was allegedly promoting the ideology of slain Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and designated pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

“Gurdas Singh’s mobile phone has been found containing inflammatory material and statements made by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, along with content glorifying Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, indicating potential ideological links to extremist and anti-national elements,” the police said.

Additionally, the Delhi Police also mentioned that the security and Intelligence agencies will jointly interrogate Gurdas Singh to verify any formal or informal association with anti-national organisations.

The arrest is being treated as a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation linked to the recovery of an illegal firearm.

Singh’s capture has prompted the Special Cell to expand its operations, with plans to conduct multiple raids in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to identify and apprehend the original supplier of the illegal weapon recovered earlier.

Investigators are currently examining both forward and backward linkages of the recovered firearm, seeking to determine whether Singh is part of a broader arms supply network.

They also plan to explore any additional leads that may emerge during the ongoing probe.

Singh had been on the run since the shooting incident at the Mansarovar Park office and was the subject of a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) issued by the Karkardooma Court.

During the arrest, police recovered a pistol from the toolbox of his motorcycle in Dilshad Garden, as well as a photo from his phone showing him holding a firearm. The motorcycle, police said, was reported stolen from Sagarpur.

–IANS

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Shillong, June 12 (IANS) The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya was unravelled after investigators found a mangalsutra and a ring left behind in a suitcase by his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, at a Sohra homestay, Meghalaya Police said.

The ornaments became the first crucial lead in what turned out to be a chilling case of contract killing, allegedly masterminded by Sonam and her boyfriend.

Raja, 29, and Sonam, 25, who had recently tied the knot in Indore on May 11, reached Meghalaya on May 20 for their honeymoon. The couple vanished on May 23 in Sohra, East Khasi Hills, just hours after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village.

On June 2, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls. The search for Sonam concluded when she surrendered in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur on June 9.

Police also arrested her boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, along with three contract killers allegedly hired by Sonam to carry out the murder.

Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang revealed that a breakthrough in the case came when police recovered a mangalsutra and a ring from the suitcase Sonam had left at the Sohra homestay.

“A married woman leaving behind the ornaments gave us a clue to pursue her as a suspect in the case,” Nongrang said.

According to a police officer involved in the investigation, the couple had arrived at the Sohra homestay on May 22 without prior booking and were unable to secure a room.

They left their luggage at the property and planned to trek over 3,000 steps to reach Nongriat village, famous for its double-decker living root bridge.

The couple spent the night at a homestay in Nongriat and checked out early on May 23. After trekking back to Sohra, they collected their scooter from a parking area and rode toward Weisawdong Falls.

It was at this location that Raja was allegedly murdered in front of Sonam by the three hired assassins.

A tour guide later informed police that he had seen the couple accompanied by three Hindi-speaking men while trekking back from Nongriat to Sohra, a detail that significantly aided the investigation.

“All the accused have admitted to the crime, and with all the evidence gathered, there is no room for denial,” the officer added.

The police on Wednesday also said that all five accused have confessed to their roles in murdering Raja.

A court in Shillong has since remanded Sonam, her boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, and the three contract killers to eight days of police custody as the probe into the gruesome murder continues.

–IANS

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White House says Trump ‘acknowledges’ Elon Musk’s apology

Washington, June 12 (IANS) The White House said that US President Donald Trump has acknowledged Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s apology for his recent comments, signalling a possible cooling of tensions between the two high-profile figures.

Addressing the media on Wednesday (US time), Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The President acknowledged the statement that Elon put out this morning and he is appreciative of it. We are continuing to focus on the business of the American people.”

When asked if the Trump administration had begun reviewing Musk’s government contracts — something the President had earlier indicated was under consideration — Leavitt clarified, “Currently no efforts have been made on that front as far as I’m aware.”

According to a CNN report, Musk personally called Trump on Monday night and later issued a public statement on Wednesday expressing regret over his social media remarks that fueled last week’s very public fallout.

The apology came after a conversation on Friday involving Musk, Vice President JD Vance, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, during which the feud was allegedly talked about extensively.

Sources familiar with the interactions told CNN that prominent Republican lawmakers and close Trump allies have been quietly urging Musk to reconcile with the President and consider backing his administration’s key legislative initiative — a domestic policy package dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The bill is facing significant opposition in the Senate.

Musk, who once enjoyed close ties with Trump and was dubbed his “first buddy” in tech circles, has maintained connections with several members of Trump’s inner circle.

These aides and allies have leveraged their personal rapport with Musk in recent days through calls and text messages in a bid to de-escalate tensions.

While Musk is said to be open to reconciliation, sources noted that he has voiced concerns over the bill’s lack of spending cuts — a sticking point he raised during discussions with Republican interlocutors.

The situation remains fluid, but with Trump publicly accepting Musk’s apology and both sides showing signs of engagement, the possibility of renewed collaboration between the administration and one of America’s most influential tech entrepreneurs appears increasingly likely.

–IANS

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Delhi boils under heatwave, red alert issued

New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Delhi will continue to sizzle under a scorching heatwave on Thursday as the mercury is expected to remain dangerously high, prompting the issuance of a red alert across the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD said that temperatures ranged from 40.9 to 45 degrees Celsius across various weather stations on Wednesday, while the heat index — a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is taken into account — reached an alarming 51.9 degrees Celsius.

At 5:30 p.m., Ayanagar was the hottest location in the city, recording a blistering 45 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of the capital were not far behind: Ridge 43.6 degrees Celsius, Palam logged 44.5 degrees Celsius, Pitampura 43.5 degrees Celsius, Safdarjung — Delhi’s base weather station — 43.3 degrees Celsius, and Lodhi Road 43.4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Mayur Vihar reported a relatively lower yet severe 40.9 degrees Celsius.

The soaring temperatures are forecast to persist until the end of the day, with a gradual decrease expected from Friday, June 13, onward.

The IMD bulletin observed that these temperatures are three to four degrees Celsius higher than usual, contributing to ongoing heatwave conditions expected to persist until Thursday.

The red alert, the highest warning level issued by the IMD, advises residents to take action by staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure, and limiting outdoor activities, especially during peak afternoon hours.

Looking ahead to Thursday, the weather department has predicted maximum temperatures between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely, accompanied by a possibility of very light to light rain or thunderstorms in the evening or night.

Relief is expected from June 13, when the severity of the heatwave is anticipated to ease, prompting the IMD to downgrade the warning to an orange alert.

Between June 14 and 17, Delhi may see a notable dip in temperatures, ranging from 37 to 42 degrees Celsius.

The drop will likely be accompanied by light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds, which could alleviate the ongoing heat stress to some extent.

–IANS

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JK Chief Secy assesses measures taken for revival, conservation of heritage in UT

Srinagar, June 12 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, on Wednesday, chaired a meeting of the Culture Department of the Union Territory to assess the measures taken for the revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of heritage and unique architecture, an official statement said.

“During this meeting the Chief Secretary took comprehensive review of the status of each work undertaken under capex and heritage conservation scheme,” the statement said.

“He emphasised upon the Department to take keen interest in completing all the works going on for the last year.”

Chief Secretary Dulloo said that all the works for revival and restoration of heritage are significant for protecting our rich past for our future generations.

“He made out that every effort should be made to conserve this historical treasure trove in a highly professional manner in order to present it to heritage lovers in an aesthetic fashion,” the statement added.

The Chief Secretary also enjoined upon them to accord the administrative approval to all the works that are to be taken up here.

He stressed on the fact that these works should be taken up without any delay for their completion on time.

On observing the current status of different architecture and heritage conservation projects, the Department of Archaeology and Archives was instructed to intensify the restoration efforts, ensuring visible progress on the ground.

“They were further asked to strike a balance in choosing the projects in each district so that the heritage and architectural monuments widely spread here are protected for posterity,” the statement said.

As far as the cultural revitalisation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is concerned, the Jammu Divisional Commissioner was directed to transform Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex (MMHC) into a culturally vibrant space by organising cultural evenings in collaboration with the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

The Chief Secretary also emphasised upon the adaptive reuse of restored structures at MMHC.

The Department of Archaeology was tasked with developing a robust reuse plan for restored structures at MMHC.

He also called for putting to use the newly constructed reading room-cum-cafetaria, besides taking steps for creating enough parking space near this heritage complex at the earliest.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress made in conserving and modernisation of old Shri Pratap Singh Museum in Srinagar, besides the revised detailed project report for completion of new museum building here as per the past directives.

“The meeting also included an assessment of major heritage-related projects, including restoration and development of Shergarhi Palace, construction of Tehzeeb Mahal, and installation of a vertical lift between the Cable Car Project (Peerkho) and Mubarak Mandi Complex and creation of exclusive parking for heritage complex by Jammu Municipal Corporation,” the statement said.

In his presentation, the Principal Secretary of Culture Department, Brij Mohan Sharms, told the meeting about the pace and progress of projects being executed here under different phases of revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architecture and heritage, besides those taken up under the capex by the Department.

He apprised the meeting that the Department is going to collaborate with Islamic University of Science and Technology and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University for the conservation and protection of our heritage here in the Union Territory.

–IANS

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Main accused in Bengal porn racket case arrested

Kolkata, June 12 (IANS) Shweta Khan alias Fultusi, the prime accused behind the West Bengal porn racket case, was finally arrested by the West Bengal Police on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the policemen first arrested her son Aryan Khan and then her daughter Zoya Khan, a co-accused in the porn racket case.

Based on the questioning of Aryan and Zoya, state police sources said the whereabouts of their mother were available and based on that she was also arrested late Wednesday evening from a hideout in the Alipore area in south Kolkata.

The main charges against Shweta, Aryan, and Zoya are holding a woman from the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal captive for six months and brutally assaulting her with an iron rod after she refused to participate in pornographic video shoots allegedly orchestrated by the three accused.

Since Zoya is a minor, her case will be processed under the Juvenile Justice Act and referred to the Juvenile Justice Board.

Meanwhile, Aryan has denied his involvement in the porn rackets and said that he had a relationship with the victim woman who wanted to marry him.

Police action has intensified after the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the incident and wrote to the West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, demanding immediate arrests under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The NCW also instructed the state police to ensure that the victim receives free medical treatment and psychological counselling.

Additionally, the Commission has directed the DGP to submit a detailed action-taken report within three days.

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister, Sukanta Majumdar, has alleged that Shweta Khan has close links with several senior leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress has not yet responded to the allegations.

–IANS

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PM Modi meets Delhi BJP leaders, unveils vision to enhance living standard of city residents

New Delhi, June 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, her cabinet colleagues, and all elected BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) members of Parliament and MLAs from the national capital.

The gathering, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, marked the first such interaction since the BJP’s sweeping victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, which ended nearly three decades of non-BJP rule in the city. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, focused on strategies to enhance the quality of life for Delhi’s residents.

Discussions revolved around urban infrastructure, pollution control, public transport, sanitation, and the implementation of the ‘Clean Delhi, Green Delhi’ initiative. Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of coordinated governance between the Centre and the Delhi government, calling for a “triple-engine” model—Centre, state, and local bodies working in unison.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi shared, “Interacted with Delhi BJP MPs, MLAs and other leaders. We had extensive discussions on ways to improve the quality of life for the people of Delhi.” He also posted photographs from the meeting, which included BJP national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.

The meeting also served as a review of the first 100 days of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s administration.

Sources indicated that PM Modi encouraged legislators to increase grassroots engagement and ensure that government schemes reach every household. He also urged them to focus on sustainable development, traffic decongestion, and water management—key issues affecting the capital.

Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, Mohan Singh Bisht, described the meeting as both symbolic and strategic, noting that it reflected the BJP’s commitment to transforming Delhi into a model capital. BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya highlighted that the Prime Minister’s vision had played a pivotal role in the party’s recent electoral success, with Delhi voters endorsing the “Modi model” across both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to deliver transparent, efficient, and people-centric governance in the capital.

–IANS

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WTC Final: Fast bowlers give Australia the edge on day one despite Rabada’s fifer

London, June 11 (IANS) Australia’s fast bowlers were at their accurate best as they reduced South Africa to 43/4 in 22 overs at stumps on Day One of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s ohere n Wednesday.

On a day when 14 wickets fell, Kagiso Rabada claimed 5-51 in 15.4 overs as Australia were bowled out for 212. For Australia, Beau Webster top-scored with 72 while Steve Smith hit 66, as they shared a 79-run fifth-wicket stand before the side lost five wickets for 22 runs after tea.

After that, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood struck in the final session to leave South Africa four down, with them trailing Australia by 169 runs. South Africa would need big runs from skipper Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, unbeaten on three and eight respectively, to make a fightback on day two.

After being bowled out for 212, Australia needed to respond strongly, and Starc provided the breakthrough in the opening over when Aiden Markram chopped onto his stumps. Starc could have got his second wicket if Alex Carey hadn’t dropped a regulation catch of Wiaan Mulder. But four overs later, Starc got his second scalp when Ryan Rickelton nicked on a drive to first slip.

Mulder struggled to get going and made just six off 44 balls before a full, straight, and nipping back in from Cummins castled him through the gate. It was Hazlewood’s turn to join the wicket-taker’s list when his slightly fuller delivery nipped back in and hit Tristan Stubbs’ top of the off-stump.

Though Bavuma got off the mark on his 31st delivery and Bedingham hit some boundaries to end the day, Australia’s awe-inspiring fast-bowling trio ensured that the total of 212 did not look under-par.

Previously, Bavuma’s decision to bowl first under overcast skies was justified when South Africa reduced Australia to 67/4 in 23.2 overs at lunch.

Rabada and Jansen nailed their lengths from the word go to keep Australia on a tight leash. Rabada rattled Australia in the seventh over by claiming Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the span of four balls. He first came in from round the wicket to extract Khawaja’s edge and have him caught at first slip, as the batter fell for a 20-ball duck.

Rabada then got one to shape away from Green, and the edge was caught by a low-diving third slip, as the batter fell for four on his return to Tests after nearly a year. Lungi Ngidi, back in Test match action after 10 months, and Mulder continued to be tight in their lines and lengths to keep Smith and Labuschagne on a tight leash.

With Smith found some boundaries, South Africa continued to strike as Labuschagne poked at one from Jansen and nicked behind to the keeper. At the stroke of lunch, Jansen produced another huge moment by having Travis Head strangled down the leg to make it a really good first session of Test cricket for South Africa.

In the second session, Smith, batting with an outside the leg-stump stance and a trademark exaggerated back-and-across movement, stole three quick boundaries off Rabada and Jansen. But Webster was all at sea, struggling to survive in tough conditions. With luck on his side, Webster survived twice in as many overs.

On four, was first beaten on the outside edge and trapped lbw by Jansen, but ball tracking showed the umpire’s call on impact. Then, against Rabada on eight, Webster was clearly lbw, but with South Africa fearing it was an inside edge, they didn’t take the review. To their dismay, replays showed the ball hitting stumps and that it would have been out if South Africa had taken the review.

Smith eventually got his fifty in 76 balls by slashing Rabada through backward point for four, before he and a now-settled Webster took boundaries off Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj. But in a bid to smack Aiden Markram through covers, Smith could only get a healthy outside edge and was caught by first slip on his third attempt.

Though Webster was living dangerously, he got his second Test fifty off 69 deliveries and ensured Australia had a bright second session after a gloomy first session. But in the post-tea session, Alex Carey fell straightaway as his attempt to reverse-sweep off Keshav Maharaj resulted in him being castled for 23.

Rabada then came in to knock off Cummins, before having Webster edge to first slip. After Jansen castled Nathan Lyon through the gate, Rabada burst through Starc’s defences to end Australia’s innings, before the reigning mace holders hit back in an engrossing day of seeing who would be the winner of the Ultimate Test.

Brief scores:

Australia 212 in 56.4 overs (Beau Webster 72, Steve Smith 66; Kagiso Rabada 5-51, Marco Jansen 3-49) lead South Africa 43/4 in 22 overs (Ryan Rickelton 16; Mitchell Starc 2-10, Josh Hazlewood 1-10) by 169 runs

–IANS

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UN mission welcomes Libya’s decision to address security concerns

Tripoli, June 7 (IANS) The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday welcomed the decision of the Libyan Presidency Council to form two committees to address security and human rights concerns following recent armed clashes in the capital Tripoli.

“These efforts are aimed at strengthening security arrangements to prevent the outbreak of fighting and ensure the protection of civilians, as well as addressing human rights concerns in detention facilities, including widespread arbitrary detention,” the UNSMIL said in a statement.

The Libyan Presidency Council on Thursday issued a decision to form a committee to make security and military arrangements in Tripoli and to “evacuate the city from all armed manifestations and allow regular military and police forces to perform their duties in a disciplined and organized manner.”

The council also issued a decision to form another committee responsible for monitoring human rights conditions inside detention centres and prisons, as well as to list and review cases of arrests carried out without judicial oversight or referral to the public prosecution, Xinhua news agency reported.

Tensions surged in Tripoli in mid-May after heavy fighting erupted between the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) and the 444 Brigade, a militia loyal to Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah. The violence broke out following the reported killing of an SSA commander inside a facility controlled by the 444 Brigade.

On Friday, Dbeibah ordered an investigation into clashes that broke out Thursday in the northwestern coastal city of Sabratha.

The Information Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement that Dbeibah had instructed the commander of the Western Military Zone “to start an immediate and thorough investigation” into the clashes.

“The instructions are part of orders made yesterday to assign the Western Military Zone commander to urgently interfere on ground and stop the fighting,” the statement added.

According to local media, clashes broke out on Thursday between rival armed groups in Sabratha, some 70 km west of the capital Tripoli, and lasted until Friday morning.

Libya has been suffering political division and insecurity since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. Authorities struggle to impose their control in the country, as many armed groups operate independently.

–IANS

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