Category: SPECIAL

Superstar Yash’s mother lodges police complaint against 5; accuses them of threat, blackmail

Bengaluru, Nov 19 (IANS) Karnataka Police filed an FIR against five people, including a woman, based on a complaint by Kannada superstar Yash’s mother, Pushpa, who is also a film producer. The FIR has been registered against PRO Harish and four others.

The case has been filed at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Harish Urs, Manu, Nitin, Mahesh Guru, and Swarnalatha have been named as accused.

According to police, Pushpa produced the film ‘Kottalawadi’. She has alleged that the accused took Rs 64 lakh and failed to publicise the movie. She further alleged that instead of promoting the film, they actively de-promoted it. Pushpa has also accused them of blackmail and issuing threats.

Speaking to the media, Pushpa said, “Accused Harish Urs took money from us for film publicity. He had agreed to handle publicity work for Rs 23 lakh initially. He also took money during the shooting. When the film was ready for release, he told the director that if he asked for accounts, he would ensure the film was de-promoted.”

“We remained silent and asked him for accounts after shooting was completed. The accused again threatened the director and blackmailed him for more money. In this background, we obtained an injunction order from the court and lodged a police complaint,” she said.

“The film was completed a year ago. Accused Swarnalatha and Guru threatened the director, claiming they had media connections and could create negative stories about me and the director,” she added.

“We have submitted all documents related to the threats to the police. We have also made a submission to the Film Chamber of Commerce and the PR Association in Bengaluru. Since we come from a celebrity family, we do not want complications, so we filed a police complaint,” Pushpa said.

“The blackmail began one week before the film’s release. Until now, he has not given any account of how the money was spent. His two associates spread propaganda claiming they did not receive any payment from Yash and his family,” she stated.

“When the film was released, negative propaganda was circulated. Many others have also been cheated by him, but they are afraid to come forward,” she further stated.

–IANS

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Leaders hail gangster Anmol Bishnoi’s extradition from US

New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) As gangster Anmol Bishnoi, a key accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, is being deported to India from the US, political leaders have hailed the development as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime.

Anmol, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is also wanted in the case involving the firing at actor Salman Khan’s residence in April 2024.

He is expected to arrive in Delhi on Wednesday, along with two other individuals wanted in Punjab.

Responding to the deportation, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang told IANS, “Considering the rise in gangster-related incidents in Punjab and those responsible, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been committed from day one to addressing this issue. This is our priority to bring back all the gangsters who are staying in foreign nations after committing crimes here. We also hope that the Centre will help us in this process. It is good that Anmol Bishnoi is being brought back. Necessary action will be taken against him.”

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema echoed similar views and said, “The gangster brought back will be punished as per the law. He will be arrested in the cases registered against him, investigated, and produced before the court for further action.”

He added that this marked a major success for Punjab Police, emphasising that a gangster who had fled the country was finally returning to face legal consequences.

“We are committed to making Punjab gangster-free. The Congress and BJP had turned Punjab into a gangland, and today, we are eradicating this by punishing every single gangster,” he said.

AAP MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa told IANS, “The case of the gangsters has been taken up by the Indian government, which is a very good step. The Punjab government will ensure that whoever is sentenced according to the law will serve their punishment.”

Ladakh Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta attributed the move to the Centre’s diplomatic strength and said, “It is the result of the Modi government’s foreign policy and India’s relations with other countries that forces trying to create unrest in India are being stopped. Bringing Anmol Bishnoi back is also a result of this chain of actions.”

JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar added, “Our agencies and foreign policy are strong enough that anyone who commits a crime will be brought to justice.”

According to sources, Anmol fled India in April 2022 using a forged passport, just weeks before singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead on May 29 that year.

He is believed to have used fraudulent Russian documents while moving between the US and Canada until he was traced and detained.

NCP leader and former MLA Zeeshan Siddique, the son of the late Baba Siddique, confirmed that he received an email stating Anmol had been “removed” from US territory.

He said his family had registered a victim contact status with US agencies, entitling them to official updates, and urged the Centre to ensure Anmol’s immediate arrest upon arrival.

Siddique added that he had repeatedly written to US authorities detailing his father’s killing and the suspected role of the Bishnoi network.

He also said he had expressed concerns regarding his own security to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Union Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a review in light of recent developments.

Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra Minister, was shot dead on October 12, 2024, outside his son’s office in Bandra. Several individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested in the case.

–IANS

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Poster war begins in LoP Gandhi’s constituency as VHP thanks him for NDA victory in Bihar

Raebareli, Nov 19 (IANS) A poster war has erupted in Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency after a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader on Wednesday put up posters thanking the Congress MP for the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) victory in Bihar.

The posters sarcastically praise the LoP stating: “For the formation of the NDA government in Bihar, heartfelt thanks for Rahul Gandhi’s priceless contribution. His incredible strategy, prudence, and miraculous foresight made this possible. We should receive such motivational support every day.”

The NDA had recently secured a sweeping win in the Bihar Assembly elections, capturing over 200 of the 243 seats. Within the alliance, the BJP won 89 seats and the Janata Dal (United) secured 85. An interactive feature shows the detailed results of the 2025 Bihar elections, with options to view data through maps and charts. Results from the 2015 and 2020 Assembly elections are also included for comparison.

The NDA’s total vote share stood at 46.7 per cent, while the Opposition alliance registered 37.5 per cent.

The Congress has faced a major defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, managing to win only six seats. A key highlight of the RJD–INC campaign was party LoP Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ pitch. His extensive travel across the state was intended to influence 116 Assembly seats.

The aggressive campaign of the INDIA Bloc, known as the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, centered around the Congress MP’s ‘vote chori’ allegations. Yet, the pitch appears to have fallen flat with voters, as trends indicated a record NDA victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

For the Congress, the trends are particularly sobering. The party not only underperformed in the seats it contested but also failed to contribute meaningfully to the alliance tally.

Despite repeatedly raising allegations such as ‘voter chori’ against the Centre and the Election Commission, and campaigning around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive and the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, the Congress struggled to gain traction on the ground.

In the last press conference on ‘Vote Chori’ on November 6, Rahul Gandhi claimed to show evidence of a Brazilian model appearing on the Haryana voter list 22 times under different names, including Seema and Sweety.

LoP Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ pitch, along with the Congress’ high-energy social media campaign expected to energise cadres and consolidate anti-incumbency, did not create the momentum the party had hoped for.

Promising a ‘hydrogen bomb’ of evidence but never fully delivering it, Rahul Gandhi held three press conferences where he presented alleged proofs of how the ECI was enabling vote theft, mass deletion of votes, and data manipulation.

On November 6, LoP Gandhi again repeated his “vote chori” allegation while appealing to what he called “Gen Z brothers and sisters” to decide Bihar’s future. But this strategy also failed to resonate with voters.

In the 2020 elections, Congress secured 27 seats out of 70, with a conversion rate of 38 per cent. This time, however, its performance has dropped even further.

Congress once a dominant force in Bihar’s political landscape, has gradually lost its hold over the state. In 2025, it contested as a junior partner in the alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The 2025 Bihar election results mark one of the party’s weakest showings.

Congress was once among the top three political parties in Bihar, especially before the state’s bifurcation in 2000. In the 1985 elections, Congress won a clear majority with 196 seats, leading to Chandrashekhar Singh becoming Chief Minister.

In the 1990 elections, Congress emerged as the second-largest party with 71 seats, considered its last strong performance. The party’s final phase of prominent leadership came under Jagannath Mishra, who served as Chief Minister in 1990.

However, the party’s influence declined rapidly thereafter. In the 1995 elections, its tally fell sharply to 29 seats, marking the beginning of a long-term slide.

In 2000, Bihar was bifurcated to create the new state of Jharkhand. This dramatically reshaped Bihar’s political landscape, enabling the rise of regional parties such as the Janata Dal (United) and the RJD. In the 2000 Assembly elections, held before bifurcation, Congress finished fourth with 23 seats.

–IANS

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Dawood-linked drug network: Bollywood celebs, politicians named in probe

Mumbai, Nov 13 In a stunning development that has rocked the glittering world of Bollywood, several prominent actors and celebrities, including Shraddha Kapoor, her brother Siddhanth Kapoor, dancer-actress Nora Fatehi, politician Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of veteran Congress leader Baba Siddique, Alishah Parkar, son of the late Haseena Parkar, producer Abbas Mustan, and rapper Loka, have been named in connection with lavish drug parties allegedly organised and supplied by a key suspect in a massive Rs 252 crore mephedrone trafficking racket, according to revelations documented in the police remand copy.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has claimed a significant breakthrough in the sprawling drug case, with the recent deportation and arrest of key suspect Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh from Dubai, marking the 15th arrest in the probe that traces back to a small bust in February 2024.

According to sources familiar with the interrogation and the police remand copy, Shaikh, a 31-year-old Dongri native and alleged close associate of underworld drug lord Salim Dola, who is linked to the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate, has reportedly dropped explosive revelations during interrogation, pointing to high-profile drug-fuelled parties organised in India and abroad, attended by several Bollywood celebrities and influential figures.

He, according to the police remand copy, has named Bollywood actors Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddhanth Kapoor, dancer-actress Nora Fatehi, politician Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of veteran Congress leader Baba Siddique, Alishah Parkar, son of the late Haseena Parkar, producer Abbas Mustan, and rapper Loka, among others, as attendees and participants.

According to the remand copy, he claimed these events, often held at upscale venues or private farmhouses, were funded through drug proceeds and served as networking hubs for distribution, with Shaikh handling logistics from recruitment of peddlers to direct supplies.

The case is now being jointly examined by the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Enforcement Directorate, which suspects that profits from the narcotics trade were laundered into legitimate channels via hawala networks and real estate investments.

Crime Branch officials have indicated that in the days ahead, all high-profile individuals linked to the matter will be summoned for detailed interrogation.

The probe has further uncovered that Tahir’s drug parties extended far beyond Mumbai and Goa, with numerous events hosted in Dubai and Thailand, where supplies were channelled through Indian-origin businessmen.

–IANS

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Pakistan formally entrenches military dominance within constitutional framework: Report

Colombo, Nov 12 (IANS) Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill formally entrenches the military’s dominance within the constitutional framework. The measure presented as a way to increase operational efficiency and inter-service coordination in Pakistan effectively institutionalises military dominance, further ending civilian control over national security and foreign policy, a report has stated.

Supporters of the bill have claimed that it will end years of fragmented coordination and lead to a coherent defence structure. The Pakistani government has insisted that Pakistan, by removing inter-service rivalries and streamlining decision-making, will be better positioned to address external threats, a report in Sri Lanka Guardian detailed. However, critics have warned that the amendment is a calculated move to formalise military’s political supremacy under constitutional framework.

Opposition parties, lawyers’ bodies and civilian groups have denounced it as “person specific”, aimed to perpetuate Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s authority and protect the establishment from judicial or parliamentary scrutiny. The ruling coalition’s support for the bill’s passage showcases civilian leadership’s reliance on the armed forces.

“Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, passed on November 8, 2025, marks a decisive transformation in the country’s power structure, formally entrenching the military’s dominance within the constitutional framework. The amendment establishes the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), unifying command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while abolishing the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Though presented as a measure to enhance operational efficiency and inter-service coordination, it effectively institutionalises military supremacy, further eroding civilian control over national security and foreign policy,” the Sri Lanka Guardian report mentioned.

“At the centre of this transformation stands the Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, set to become the first CDF. By amending Article 243, the legislation grants him lifelong privileges, retention of rank, and immunity comparable to that of the President. Consolidating operational command, strategic oversight, and control over nuclear and intelligence assets in a single office, the amendment cements the Army Chief’s primacy within the state apparatus. The creation of a Commander of the National Strategic Command, appointed on the CDF’s recommendation, further strengthens this concentration of authority and centralises the military chain of command,” it added.

The amendment showcases a further regression in Pakistan’s democratic evolution and formalises the military’s position as the supreme arbiter of state policy. The judiciary and parliament in Pakistan are marginalised while opposition parties face an environment shaped by military oversight and selective implementation, as per the report.

“The 27th Amendment completes Pakistan’s transition to a system where the Army is both guardian and governor, hollowing out democratic institutions and embedding militarisation within the constitutional order. The military’s domestic consolidation and regional assertiveness will shape South Asia’s strategic landscape, reinforcing the reality that Pakistan’s generals, not its politicians, remain the ultimate arbiters of national destiny. With the addition of more Baloch activists into the Fourth Schedule list, the Pakistan establishment is trying to solve the Baloch crisis with extreme repression. Given the present state of the rising Baloch insurgency, this latest move can only fuel further bloodshed,” the report in leading Lankan media outlet emphasised.

–IANS

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India needs about $52 billion annually to address urban climate adaptation needs: Report

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) India needs an estimated $52 billion (about Rs 4.58 lakh crore) annually to address its urban climate adaptation needs effectively, according to a new report on Wednesday.

From scorching heatwaves to record-breaking monsoons, rising air pollution to unseasonal cyclones, climate change is manifesting in increasingly dire ways in urban India.

A new report by The Bridgespan Group, in collaboration with United Way of Mumbai and HSBC India, spotlights opportunities to strengthen climate resilience across India’s vast informal sector, that forms the backbone of every city’s economy and accounts for roughly 40 per cent of India’s urban population.

The study examines how India’s informal workers and settlement dwellers are responding to intensifying climate risks such as heatwaves, flooding, and air pollution.

Based on conversations with communities and experts, the report outlines five practical investment ideas — or “bold bets” — that can drive locally led climate adaptation and attract additional public and private funding:

These are climate-smart housing modifications that improve heat resilience and energy efficiency; climate-indexed wage insurance that stabilises income during climate-related disruptions; sustainable urban drainage systems that strengthen water security and reduce flooding; distributed renewable-energy systems that provide reliable, affordable power in informal settlements; and climate-resilient micro-entrepreneurship that expands green, indoor livelihoods and fosters innovation.

“Financing climate resilience in informal urban communities is not just about mitigating risk, it is about unlocking opportunity. The report highlights the important role philanthropy, CSR and venture capital can play in demonstrating solutions to unlock capital – public and private,” said Aloka Majumdar, MD and Head of Sustainability, HSBC India.

Anant Bhagwati, Bridgespan Partner and report co-author, added that “We hope this report sparks collaborative action, serving as a starting point for funders and investors to build a more equitable and climate-resilient future for everyone who lives and works in our cities”.

–IANS

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TN: Confusion over 2005 voter roll details delays SIR form submissions

Chennai, Nov 12 (IANS) With the December 4 deadline fast approaching, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is struggling to collect filled-in forms for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Despite distributing nearly 41 per cent of the forms across the city, the civic body has received only a fraction of the responses, as residents remain unsure about how to complete certain sections.

The main cause of delay stems from confusion over the requirement to provide family details from the 2005 electoral roll. Many residents say they are unaware of their parents’ or relatives’ role information and fear that errors could lead to their forms being rejected.

As a result, thousands of voters are holding on to the documents, awaiting clearer guidance from election authorities. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across several zones have reported alarmingly poor response rates.

In Royapuram, a BLO said that out of 550 forms distributed, only 10 have been returned so far. Similarly, in Chepauk, another BLO reported zero returns from the 1,111 forms handed out. Most residents, according to officers, accept the forms but postpone filling them due to confusion over the required details.

To counter the slow progress, BLOs have stepped up door-to-door visits and are conducting assistance camps to guide residents. However, officers say that many citizens are still unprepared and frequently ask them to return later.

Officials have since clarified that voters need not worry if they are unable to recall or locate the 2005 roll details — they can submit the forms even with incomplete family information.

The Election Commission has also advised that individuals may verify their 2005 voter roll details on the ECI website.

In cases where information is missing, citizens can attach any one of ten accepted government-issued documents as proof of identity and residence. As the submission deadline nears, officials fear a last-minute rush could overwhelm the system and leave little time to rectify errors.

With several lakh forms still pending, BLOs warn that unresolved confusion may affect voter enrollments in multiple constituencies, unless clear instructions reach the public immediately.

–IANS

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SIR Phase II: Over 37 crore enumeration forms distributed across 12 states/UTs

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has achieved a major milestone under Phase II of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, distributing more than 37 crore Enumeration Forms (EFs) to electors across 12 States and Union Territories as of November 12, 2025, the poll panel said on Wednesday.

According to the ECI’s latest daily bulletin, a total of 50.69 crore EFs were printed, marking 99.41 per cent completion, out of which 72.66 per cent (37.05 crore) have already been distributed.

The ongoing Enumeration Phase runs from November 4 to December 4, 2025.

States such as Goa, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal have achieved near-total coverage, reflecting efficient ground-level coordination.

Lakshadweep reported 100 per cent completion in printing and distribution, while Goa distributed (99.99 per cent), Puducherry (93.4 per cent), Andaman and Nicobar (89.22 per cent), Gujarat distributed over 4.47 crore forms (88.08 per cent), while Tamil Nadu distributed over 5 crore forms (78.09 per cent) and others.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, distributed 10.8 crore forms, covering nearly 70 per cent of its electorate. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan followed with over 53 per cent and 70 per cent coverage, respectively.

Similarly, poll-bound West Bengal reported distribution of over 6.80 crore forms, covering a total of 88.8 per cent.

Smaller regions like Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also recorded impressive progress above 89 per cent.

More than 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 7.64 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been deployed to ensure every eligible elector is reached.

The ECI stated that all recognised political parties have been asked to appoint additional BLAs to strengthen field-level verification and enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls.

Notably, the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday, recording a voter turnout of 68.79 per cent, with data from around 2,000 polling booths still pending, according to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal.

He said the average turnout in the first and second phases stands at 66.90 per cent, which is 9.6 per cent higher than the previous Assembly election and a historic high since the 1951-52 election.

The total percentage of male voters turned out at 62.8 per cent and female 71.60 per cent in both phases.

–IANS

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