Category: TOP STORIES

Bengaluru, Oct 7 (IANS) Karnataka Police on Tuesday arrested a Kannada film actor, director, and producer on charges of sexually harassing an actress and blackmailing her using private photos. The arrested person has been identified as Hemanth Kumar. The Rajajinagar Police in Bengaluru initiated action following a complaint filed by the actress.

Hemanth Kumar had acted in, directed, and produced the Kannada movie Richie. According to the police, the accused met the actress in 2022 and later offered her a role in his film Richie. It is alleged that during a film promotion event in Mumbai on August 5, 2023, the accused spiked a mocktail with liquor.

Once the actress lost consciousness, the accused allegedly took her private photos and videos. He later allegedly exploited her physically and began blackmailing her.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Hemanth Kumar and the actress had previously argued after he accused her of skipping publicity events and ignoring his calls.

The accused had also filed a complaint with the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, alleging that the actress and her mother had assaulted him. The film body had intervened in the matter at that time.

In her complaint, the actress stated that the accused had agreed to pay her Rs 2 lakh for the role, of which Rs 60,000 was given as an advance. She alleged that he forced her to wear revealing clothes and coerced her to come alone to a private hotel under the pretext of a publicity event.

When she refused, he allegedly threatened to release her uncensored photos on social media and issued life threats to her mother.

Further details are awaited as the police continue their investigation.

Earlier, Kannada TV serial actor Charith Balappa was arrested by RR Nagar police in Bengaluru following a complaint against him by a 29-year-old actress over sexual harassment and blackmail.

The complainant, who has been acting in Kannada and Telugu serials since 2017, became acquainted with the accused in 2023. The accused allegedly insisted on being in a romantic relationship with the complainant and subjected her to mental harassment, death threats, and threats of murder, the police stated.

–IANS

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Kolkata, Oct 7 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court will hear a crucial petition on primary teachers’ recruitment in state-run schools in West Bengal on Thursday.

Recently, the state government has issued a notification for 13,429 primary teachers in state-run schools. A group of candidates, who were disqualified in the teachers’ eligibility test (TET) for similar primary teachers’ recruitment in 2017 and 2022, have approached the Calcutta High Court for permission to appear for the examinations, and the first hearing in the matter will be on October 9.

The petitioners have claimed that a case was filed in the Calcutta High Court regarding the complications of accurate answers to a total of 47 questions in the TET exams of 2017 and 2022. That case is still pending with the Calcutta High Court, which has appointed a committee of experts to give its opinion in the matter.

The petitioners have pointed out that in July this year, the Calcutta High Court directed the committee of experts to submit a report in the matter to the court within four weeks. According to the petitioners, the committee of experts has not submitted the report as yet, and hence, the legal complexities in the matter continued.

The petitioner also explained that, as per the rule, those who got disqualified in the TET examinations for 2017 and 2022 would not be able to appear for fresh recruitment unless the legal complexities in the matter are resolved.

In such a situation, the petitioners have appealed to the Calcutta High Court that till the committee of experts submits its report to the court and the legal complexities in the matter are resolved, either they should be allowed to appear for the fresh recruitment or the fresh selection process should be put on hold till further court orders in the matter.

The petitioners, who have approached the court, were disqualified in the TET examinations for 2017 and 2022 by just a couple of marks. They claimed that they could have qualified if these complexities in the accurate answers to 47 questions had not surfaced.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Oct 7 (IANS) A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday, demanding an impartial and comprehensive probe into the mysterious death of Assam’s beloved cultural icon Zubeen Garg.

The petition, filed by Abhijit Sharma and Palash Ranjan Baruah, alleged serious irregularities, possible criminal conspiracy, and misuse of official power connected to the circumstances of the singer’s death.

The PIL urged the court to ensure that the investigation remains transparent, free from external influence, and conducted under judicial oversight.

The move comes amid growing public demand for clarity and accountability in the ongoing investigation.

The petitioners have particularly flagged concerns about the alleged involvement of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sandipan Garg of the Assam Police in the North East India Festival, where Zubeen was scheduled to perform.

The event, primarily cultural and commercial in nature, falls outside the purview of official police duties, raising questions about the officer’s participation.

The PIL questioned whether DSP Garg had formal approval or administrative sanction to attend the festival and sought details on the legal authority permitting such engagement.

Observers have noted that his involvement could present a conflict of interest, and the petition calls for an independent inquiry into whether any official position was misused.

Adding to the controversy are allegations surrounding Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of the festival and a figure with significant political and bureaucratic connections in Assam. Mahanta is the younger brother of former DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and current State Chief Information Commissioner.

The petitioners have expressed apprehension that Mahanta’s influence could hinder or compromise the investigation into Garg’s death. They have urged the court to take cognisance of the potential for interference or undue pressure that might affect the independence of the probe.

Meanwhile, mounting pressure continues to build on North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, who remains in police custody for his alleged involvement in the untimely death of singer Zubeen Garg.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department will soon begin a probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to Mahanta.

The Chief Minister had said the state government is already in touch with both central agencies to ensure a professional and transparent investigation.

“I am confident that the ED and IT Department will look into the financial discrepancies connected to Shyamkanu Mahanta. We are working closely with them to make sure that no one involved in Zubeen Garg’s death can evade responsibility,” he said.

The Chief Minister also remarked that Mahanta was known for cultivating connections with influential individuals.

“Mahanta’s primary job seemed to be taking photographs with various people. If the pictures stored on his mobile phone are made public, they will include politicians, journalists, and many others. However, such photos have no relevance to the ongoing probe. We also have records of several individuals who travelled with him to Bangkok, but those details are unrelated to this case,” the chief minister added.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday demanded an investigation into Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s foreign tours in the past ten years and also cited certain instances during Rajiv Gandhi’s era when two Union Ministers were allegedly implicated in an espionage case during their foreign trips.

A day ago, the BJP MP demanded that Rahul Gandhi’s passport be confiscated and legal action be initiated against him for denigrating and humiliating the nation from foreign soil.

The BJP MP took to social media this morning and said that Parliamentarians, including Rahul Gandhi, don’t need any permission from the government while going on study tours.

He further said that during Rajiv Gandhi’s government, two central ministers — Chandulal Chandrakar, Minister of State for rural development, and K.P. Singh Deo, Minister of State for food and civil supplies, as well as M.S. Sanjivi Rao, chairman of the state Electronics Commission, had to resign because they were booked in espionage cases.

He also shared documents on X, which have documentary reference of KP Singh Deo expressing anguish over his name being mentioned in the chargesheet, along with an accused named Ram Swarup.

According to the documents, KP Singh Deo told the House that he went on a study tour to the Far East, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. During his Taipei visit, he was also accompanied by many other members of Parliament. After his name figured in the chargesheet, he tendered his resignation to the then Prime Minister, which was immediately accepted; however, he also refuted the charges of connection with a person named Ram Swarup as totally baseless and unfounded.

Nishikant Dubey, citing this infamous instance, demanded that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits be put under the scanner of investigative agencies.

Rahul Gandhi is currently on a tour to four South American nations, meeting a host of students, businessmen, as well as political leaders.

In one of his latest attacks, he accused the BJP-led NDA government of mounting a ‘wholesale attack on Indian democracy’, during an interaction at EIA University.

His utterances on Indian democracy have also drawn sharp retorts and rebuttals from BJP leaders.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking to IANS, also took note of his remarks and accused him of spewing venom against the nation while being on foreign soil.

–IANS

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Bhopal, Oct 7 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of two separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh that raise grave concerns over the safety and dignity of children.

The Commission has issued notices to senior district officials, demanding detailed reports within two weeks.

The first incident, reported from Jhabua district, involves three children suffering from pneumonia who were allegedly branded with a hot iron rod by a local faith healer. Shockingly, the parents themselves had taken the children to the healer, believing in traditional practices over medical treatment.

Doctors later confirmed that the children were indeed suffering from pneumonia and bore visible burn marks on their bodies. One of the children is said to be in critical condition.

The NHRC, in its preliminary observation, stated that if the contents of the media report are accurate, they point to a serious violation of human rights. “Notices have been sent to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Jhabua, seeking a comprehensive report on the incident, including the action taken against the faith healer and the steps being initiated to prevent such practices in the future,” a NHRC statement said.

In a separate tragedy, two children aged 8 and 10 lost their lives due to electrocution while playing inside a Durga Puja pandal in Jabalpur district. The incident occurred on September 24 when the children came into contact with an iron pipe that had been negligently wired with electricity by the pandal organisers.

The media report, published on September 25, prompted the NHRC to intervene.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh and the Superintendent of Police, Jabalpur, demanding a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the deaths and the status of the investigation.

A three-member inquiry team led by a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has reportedly been formed to probe the matter.

Both incidents have sparked outrage and underline the urgent need for stronger child protection mechanisms, public awareness, and accountability.

The NHRC’s intervention signals a call for systemic reform and justice for the victims, as Madhya Pradesh grapples with the dual challenge of combating superstition and ensuring safety in public spaces.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, addressing the inaugural session of the Trust and Safety India Festival (TASI) 2025, underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while urging a balanced and responsible approach to its governance.

The event, held on Monday, served as a pre-summit gathering ahead of the AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 2026.

Speaking at the event, Jaishankar highlighted how technology has always shaped human progress but warned that its outcomes depend on the choices societies make.

“In human history, the advancement of progress has been determined by the march of technology. Yet, that has not always been a linear path. The promise and the perils have always been two sides of the same coin. Choices made in the deployment and application decided the difference between empowerment and exploitation, between democratisation and domination, and between partnership and polarisation,” he said.

“Today, we are at the cusp of an immense change, and decisions made by us, individually and collectively, will help decide the fate of the foreseeable future,” he said.

The EAM noted that AI, in the coming years, would profoundly transform economies, reshape work habits, create innovative health solutions, enhance access to education, improve efficiencies, and even redefine lifestyles.

“The difference with the past is that this particular transformation that is going to come upon us — this will be all-pervasive and not just sectoral. It will impact every citizen in every corner of the world. New efficiencies and new possibilities will certainly emerge, but so too will new players and new power centres,” he said.

He stressed that this makes it vital “to adopt a balanced approach to the governance of AI and to ensure that there are adequate guardrails in place to protect digital nagriks”.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said, “Technology is a force for good, but only if humanity guides it.”

He added that trust and safety form the cornerstone of responsible AI governance. For a country like India, he explained, this requires the development of indigenous tools and frameworks, self-assessment protocols for innovators, and the creation of appropriate guidelines.

“Only then can we be assured that the development, deployment, use and governance of AI is safe and accessible,” he said.

Emphasising India’s global leadership in digital governance, the EAM said, “India bears a special responsibility because many other nations — especially those of the Global South — look to us for inspiration. Certainly, in the case of digital public infrastructure, what we have achieved in the last decade, the scale of delivery, the improvement in governance, and the efficiencies with which we serve the public are already resonating across the world.”

Jaishankar pointed out that different societies place varying emphasis on the benefits and risks of AI.

“Understandably, some of the narrative is influenced by those who have skin in the game. But at the end of the day, it is imperative that we take a sober and balanced view. After all, concerns about bias, ethics, privacy and vulnerability are well-founded, deriving from pre-existing experiences,” he noted.

He also cautioned against the erosion of trust in institutions.

“We need to take particular precaution against the danger of losing trust in institutions and practices that underpin our daily life. Already, we see an inclination to question the umpire or even the playing field when results don’t go in our favour. Maintaining — and I would argue in the era of AI — even strengthening trust, therefore, is of utmost importance,” he said.

Jaishankar emphasised that fostering a global conversation on AI governance is essential.

“Every time a game-changing technology has appeared on the horizon, it has triggered similar endeavours. But history is also a witness to the reality that those exercises have not been easy,” he said, warning that “there is the obvious temptation to put narrow self-interest above collective good”.

“That is why we need to rise to this particular challenge, because what is at stake cannot be overstated. It is not just the ambitions of polities but the personal interest of every citizen on this planet,” he added.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to global AI leadership, the EAM said, “We in India have consistently advocated for global AI governance and the shaping of an international agenda. We demonstrated this during our G20 Presidency and strongly urged its usage for advancing Sustainable Development Goals, while safeguarding trust, safety, fairness and accountability.”

He noted India’s proactive role as a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI.

“We promoted the New Delhi Declarations, which envisaged responsible and inclusive AI. We participated in the AI Summits in Bletchley Park and Seoul and co-chaired the Paris AI-Action Summit last year. The AI Impact Summit in 2026 — with a focus obviously on impact — will take this forward,” Jaishankar said.

Concluding his address, the EAM stressed the importance of inclusivity in AI governance.

“This is an endeavour whose success depends on our ability to ensure multi-stakeholdership. And that is why the TASI Festival today is important because it sends out a strong, inclusive and pro-people message on this critical issue,” he said.

–IANS

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Hyderabad, Oct 7 (IANS) Congress leader Naveen Yadav, who is seen as the front-runner for the party ticket to the by-election to the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency in Telangana, was on Tuesday booked by police for “violating” the Election Commission of India guidelines.

On a complaint by an election officer, a case was registered against him for distributing voter ID cards and allegedly attempting to influence voters.

The case has been registered at Madhura Nagar Police Station on a complaint by Electoral Registration Officer G. Rajinikanth Reddy.

The action came after a local Telugu daily carried a report with photographs about a programme in Madhura Nagar, where Naveen Yadav distributed voter ID cards.

The case has been booked under Sections 170, 171 and 174 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 123 (1) and 123 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, relating to corrupt practices.

Naveen Yadav is one of the three candidates shortlisted by the Congress party. His name is likely to be cleared by the party’s central leadership.

The action against Naveen Yadav came a day after the Election Commission of India announced that the by-election would be held on November 11.

The Model Code of Conduct came into effect in the Hyderabad district on Monday with the announcement of the by-election schedule.

The vacancy is caused by the death of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in June.

The official notification for the by-election will be issued on October 13, while the last date for filing nominations is October 21. The scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 22, and withdrawal of candidature will be allowed until October 24.

Counting of votes will take place on November 14, and the election process will be completed by November 16, 2025.

BRS has announced Gopinath’s wife, Maganti Sunitha, as its candidate. The Congress and BJP have not yet announced their candidates.

–IANS

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Patna, Oct 7 (IANS) A day after the Election Commission announced polling dates for Bihar Assembly elections, former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav took potshots at the Nitish government, suggesting that the double-engine government in the state was staring at a departure from power.

Lalu Prasad Yadav took to social media and posted cryptic lines from his X handle, writing, “Chhah and Gyarah, NDA – Nau do gyarah” (Six and eleven, NDA nine two eleven).

Though the cryptic tweet doesn’t reveal much, this marks an escalation in his attack on the NDA government in Bihar. This is not the first time Lalu Prasad Yadav has targeted the Bihar government. He often takes sarcastic jibes at the double-engine government through social media posts.

In another post, the RJD chief accused the Nitish government of rampant corruption and breakdown of law and order under his watch.

He also shared a video of Nitish Kumar, where the Bihar Chief Minister’s unusual gesture caught the attention of netizens and also elicited adverse remarks. The event was a virtual skill convocation ceremony for ITI toppers, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented certificates to the students under the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2025 initiative.

However, the attention shifted to Nitish Kumar as he was seen sitting with folded hands for nearly a minute, thereby giving rivals an opportunity to mock him.

The RJD supremo has also been rallying behind his son, Tejashwi Yadav, from various platforms. He has appealed to the public to elect him as the next Chief Minister of Bihar.

In one post, he wrote, “Under Tejashwi’s leadership, we will create a new Bihar.”

Notably, the polling for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will be held on November 6 and for the second phase on November 11. The election results will be declared on November 14.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 7 (IANS) For the second day in succession, the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday witnessed another stormy session as the Congress-led Opposition targeted the government over the Sabarimala gold plating controversy.

When the House proceedings began, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan raised the issue, terming the High Court’s finding on Monday that gold meant for the Sabarimala sanctum was allegedly stolen and sold at a higher price as “shocking”.

Like on Monday, Satheesan demanded the resignation of the Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, dismissal of the Devaswom Board, and an official statement from the government in the House.

Responding to it, State Law Minister P. Rajeev accused the Opposition of taking a stand that even rejected the authority of the High Court. “The government welcomes any kind of investigation. But the Opposition is unwilling to accept even a probe under the High Court’s supervision. This is clearly a politically motivated move,” he said.

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs M.B. Rajesh added that the Opposition was acting out of frustration after setbacks in court.

“They are afraid of the judiciary, afraid of discussion, and that’s why they are obstructing proceedings,” he remarked.

When Speaker A.N. Shamseer tried to proceed with the Question Hour, the Opposition intensified its protest, forcing the one-hour-long question hour session to be adjourned.

Even after the House reconvened, the Opposition continued its protest in the well, and the Speaker rushed through the listed business of the day in a flash and adjourned the House for the day.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, former Devaswom Board president N. Vasu broke his silence on the issue, clarifying that he had no direct connection with Unnikrishnan Potti, the person under scrutiny in the case.

Vasu said Potti had never approached him for any favour and that key decisions regarding the temple doors and gold plating were taken before his tenure.

“I was not in the office when the panels were taken away. Let the probe reveal how gold became copper. I have no knowledge of any irregularities,” he said.

Vasu also confirmed receiving an email from Potti. “I see no fault in my actions; the Commissioner was responsible for follow-up,” he said, maintaining that no complaint or shortage was ever brought to his notice.

–IANS

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