India News: Cops detain sarpanches sitting on protest in Haryana's border

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch a Yatra to connect with people in all six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai in phases beginning Sunday,  the party's Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar said.

"Decision will be taken in the legislative party meet. Wait for 1-2 days during which we will make a decision. There is no dearth of leaders in BJP and we have worked as a team in this poll," said Tripura BJP chief on speculations of Pratima Bhoumik becoming the first woman CM of the state

"I'm a dedicated party worker. I contested on directions of the party. Don't speculate. Party is supreme. Party is our mother. I do what the party says, all of us do that," said Pratima Bhoumik, Tripura's newly-elected BJP MLA on speculations of her becoming the first woman CM of the state.

A 32-year-old man was found hanging from the ceiling of his house in Semri Deum Purab village here following which his wife ended her life in a similar manner, police said on Saturday.

"The announcement that Prabhakaran is alive has given new hope and enthusiasm to all Sri Lankan Tamils...If we want to reveal the proof that he's alive, I'll call you and reveal the proof. As soon as I get the evidence, I will meet the media and release it," said Tamil activist Pazha Nedumaran.

Three men were killed on Saturday when their motorcycle fell into a gorge near a village in Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh, police said. 

The incident occurred near Dhabla Piplon village, about 25 km from the Agar Malwa district headquarters, while negotiating a blind turn, a police officer said, adding the trio was travelling on the bike to attend a marriage. 
 

Sarpanches protesting at the Chandigarh-Panchkula border, over their demands regarding the government’s e-tendering policy, are being detained by Police. The Police are trying to vacate the area, following the court's order.

The Mumbai police on Saturday arrested five persons who allegedly operated a job racket and duped a man of more than Rs 11 lakh, an official said.  

The police's cyber crime unit apprehended the accused from different parts of Pune and Amravati districts of Maharashtra, he said.
 

Corruption has become rampant in Rajasthan under Congress rule, power tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot has pushed the state backwards, said BJP leader Vasundhara Raje.

"Those who spread rumours that migrant workers are being attacked in Tamil Nadu are against the nation, they cause harm to the integrity of the country. It is highly condemnable that some people are indulging in such dirty politics on social media," said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the city government's proposal to send primary teachers of state-run schools to Finland for training, officials said on Saturday.

"Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the education department's proposal for training programme of primary in-charges in Finland. Taking the approach of equitable benefit for all, the LG has increased the number of primary in-charges, who were to proceed to Finland for training, from 52 to 87 so as to ensure equal representation of primary in-charges from all 29 administrative zones of the education department," an official from the LG's office said.

Kashmiri Pandit government employees demanding relocation outside the Kashmir Valley in the wake of targeted killings by terrorists, suspended their 310 days long strike, saying they were "surrendering" as authorities had "stopped" their salaries.

Republic accesses FIR copy of Karnataka bribegate, it mentions the direct role of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA K Madal Virupakshappa. Recently, the Lokayukta recovered Rs 8 crore unaccounted cash from the residence and office of the BJP MLA's son.

"Hanumana and Dev Talab will be merged to make Mauganj a district of Madhya Pradesh. The process of making Mauganj a district will start today and the flag will be hoisted at the district headquarters on August 15," said CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Hubballi-Dharwad City crime branch police raided the house of industrialist Ramesh Bongeri on Friday and recovered Rs 3 crore unaccounted cash. 

The Income Tax department has been informed about the case to find the source of income. CCB ACP Narayan Barmani led the team of sleuths who conducted the raids

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday attached property of a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant, who was killed last month in Pakistan, in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The property of Bashir Ahmad Pir, a resident of the Babarpora area of Kralpora in the north Kashmir district, was attached by the agency as part of the action against the militants operating from Pakistan, they said.
 

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott has reached Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi. He will meet and interact with the BJP national president JP Nadda under the 'Know BJP' campaign.

After a Delhi court extended Manish Sisodia's CBI custody, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "CBI has nothing to do with evidence and truth. They are only listening to what the Central government is saying. This whole procedure is meant to trouble Manish Sisodia."

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court extended Sisodia's custody till two days i.e. March 6 in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case.

Indian Army troops have recovered Indian and foreign currency worth over Rs 2 crores & around 7kg of narcotics from the residence of one Mohd Rafique in the Poonch sector.

Addressing a public gathering in Karnataka, AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre and said that the saffron party is scared of AAP. He said that he will tell the country not to bring the "double engine" governments in the states, but to bring a "new engine-- AAP" government. Kejriwal also defended his former deputy Manish Sisodia, claiming that investigating agencies got nothing against Sisodia during searches.

Appearing for Manish Sisodia, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan opposed the CBI application seeking an extension of the AAP leader's remand. Seeking an extension of remand by CBI is not justified, Krishnan opined.

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday said that they will hear Sisodia's bail plea on March 10. The court has reserved its order on CBI's demand for custody and announce it soon.

During the hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court, the CBI has sought further three-day remand for Manish Sisodia

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin spoke to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar following rumours about alleged "attacks" on Bihar migrant workers and said that such persons are "acting against India's integrity". Tamil Nadu govt asserted that srict legal action will be taken against those who deliberately spread rumours, post fake videos and pictures on social media and try to spread fear and panic in the state.

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio tenders his resignation to Governor La Ganesan. Taking to his Twitter, Rio said, "As my tenure has come to an end, I submitted letter of resignation as Chief Minister of Nagaland to the Hon’ble Governor."

Manish Sisodia has been brought to Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi amid tight security. Notably, the AAP leader has filed a bail plea in connection with his arrest in the Delhi Excise case. 

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Saturday attacked Rahul Gandhi over his controversial remark at Cambridge University. 

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman 2023 awards and launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain 2023.

AAP leaders and workers protest as Manish Sisodia taken to Rouse Avenue court. The former Deputy CM has submitted a bail plea in connection with his arrest by the CBI. Notably, Sisodia is being taken to Rouse Avenue Court from CBI HQ at the end of his 5-day CBI custody, in the Excise policy case

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2023 in Delhi, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, "Whenever technology is developed we find that there is always a counter to it. We see in the Ukraine war that when technology is brought into the battlefield it is immediately countered... In the maritime domain, challenges are not traditional or non-traditional. It is problem for all of us. We always look to cooperate and work together in the maritime domain."

Telangana Congress Chief Revanth Reddy's convoy meet with an accident when a vehicle in the group applied brakes. Around five other vehicles that were following this vehicle dashed each other. One person sustained minor injuries. The accident was reported in Rajanna Siricilla, Telangana.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court extended the judicial custody of Raghav Magunta arrested in the excise policy case, by 14 days. ED asked to file a reply on Magunta's bail plea by March 13. 

Television actor Sheezan Khan accused and arrested in actress Tunisha Sharma's suicide case was granted bail on Rs 1 lakh surety bond by the Vasai court. The court has asked Khan to submit his passport.

Highlighting the significance of cows in Hinduism and the need to stop the practice of killing them, the Allahabad High Court recently expressed its hope that the Central Government would make an appropriate decision to outlaw cow slaughter in the nation and to designate the animal as a "protected national animal".

Union Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve has informed a delegation of legislators from Maharashtra that a Vande Bharat semi-high-speed express train will be operated on the Mumbai-Goa route soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP-IPFT government in Tripura on March 8. "Chief Secretary S K Sinha is holding a meeting with senior officials regarding the Prime Minister's visit to the state. An SPG team is also arriving today. The Prime Minister is coming to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new government on March 8", the senior police official told PTI.

Yogi Adityanath's bulldozer action continues in Uttar Pradesh, property of mafia Mukhtar Ansari's son razed. 

Congress West Bengal spokesperson Kaustav Bagchi was arrested on Saturday morning for comments against CM  Mamata Banerjee. According to police officials, a huge team from Kolkata's Burtolla police station conducted a raid at Bagchi's residence at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal at around 3.30 AM and arrested him.

Bagchi allegedly criticised the CM Mamata for her "personal attacks" on West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury after the Congress' win in the Sagardighi bypolls.

Addressing the post-budget webinar on infrastructure growth, PM Modi said, "This year's budget is going to give new energy to the growth of the infrastructure sector. Big experts around the world and many prestigious media houses have praised India's budget and its strategic decisions... Under the National Infrastructure Pipeline, the government is aiming to invest Rs 110 lakh crore in the coming time. This is the time for new responsibilities, new possibilities and bold decisions for each stakeholder."

"For decades, a thought dominated our country that poverty is a virtue. Because of this thinking, earlier governments used to face difficulty in investing in the country's infrastructure. Our government has taken the country out of this thinking and is making record investments in modern infrastructure," the PM said.

Addressing the media, Madhya Pradesh Minister Narottam Mishra slammed Rahul Gandhi over his remarks at Cambridge University. "Rahul Gandhi never leave a single chance to defame India. That’s why he goes abroad and insults the country. Rahul Baba raises questions on Indian Democracy. Earlier, he also raised questions on (COVID) vaccine, Indian Army, and Pulwama martyrs and praised China. That’s why people are against Rahul Gandhi and congress," he said.

US business magnate Bill Gates lauded India's progress and said that his recent conversation with PM Modi has left him "more optimistic than ever".

"My conversation with Prime Minister left me more optimistic than ever about the progress that India is making in health, development, and climate," he tweeted.

Karnataka police detained many Congress leaders and workers who have been protesting against the Bommai government in connection with BJP MLA's son being caught taking a bribe. The police detained the Congress leaders after the latter started marching towards the CM's residence in Bengaluru.

In a big boost to the agriculture sector and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Nano DAP has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture & notified in the Fertiliser Control Order. Taking to his Twitter, Minister of Chemical and Fertiliser Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Another big achievement towards self-sufficiency in fertilizers! After Nano Urea, the Government of India has now approved Nano DAP as well. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, this success is going to give immense benefits to the farmers. Now a bag of DAP will also be available in the form of a bottle of DAP." 

It is pertinent to mention that Di-ammonium Phosphate or DAP is a preferred fertilizer in India as it contains both Nitrogen and Phosphorus which are primary macro-nutrients.

The Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed outside CBI headquarters as the agency is expected to produce arrested former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia before Rouse Avenue court at the end of his 5-day remand in the liquor policy case today.

The Congress party has staged a protest against the Bommai govt in Karnataka, demanding the arrest of BJP MLA Maadal Virupaksha whose son was caught taking a bribe.

The Left Front described the Tripura Assembly election results as "unexpected" and claimed that the vote splintering among the Opposition parties helped the BJP to win the election with fewer seats. It also claimed that around 60% of the people's mandate was against the saffron party in the recently concluded elections as the BJP's vote share in the election was 39%.

On Saturday, a DTC bus broke the compound wall of Prithviraj Road Christian Cemetery and entered the graveyard damaging the wall and graves.

BJP national president JP Nadda will interact with a group of parliamentarians, leaders and foreign policy experts from different countries at the BJP headquarters today under the 'Know BJP' campaign.

Personnel from Indian Army formations deployed in the Ladakh sector participated in an ice hockey match held in the DBO sector.

Congress leader Udit raj has again made a controversial remark, this time insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking over Rahul Gandhi's remark at Cambridge University, Udit Raj said that Wayanad MP has a "standard to speak at Oxford University and Modi only has his standard to speak on the radio".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the post-budget webinar on the growth of "Infrastructure and Investment: Improving logistic efficiency with PM Gatishakti National Master Plan".

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia's CBI custody in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case is about to end on Saturday and accordingly, he will be produced before the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi.

The court will hear Sisodia's bail plea in connection with his arrest in the Excise policy case, today. Former Delhi DyCM Manish Sisodia in his bail application submitted in the court states that he has joined the probe as and when called for by the central agency. He further asserts that no fruitful purpose will be served by keeping him in custody as all recoveries have already been made. According to sources, the central agency will seek an extension of custody of Sisodia.

The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police detained two accused from the Bhandup West area in the case of an attack on MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande at Shivaji Park on Friday.

In a big boost to Indian security, 147 trained jawans joined Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday at the passing out parade in BSF Training Centre in J&K's Udhampur. IG BSF Jammu DK Boora took a salute of the parade. These troops will be deployed in various frontiers of BSF across the country

On Saturday, Congress leaders including former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and MLA Priyank Kharge, and other party workers staged protests against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, demanding the resignation of CM Basavraj Bommai after Lokayukata caught BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa's son allegedly accepting a bribe. Notably, the Karnataka Lokayukta, on Friday unearthed more cash from the residence of absconding BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa.

In a big boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Indian Navy has received a fully indigenised fuze for underwater anti-submarine warfare rocket manufactured for the first time by a private Indian industry Economic Explosives Ltd. EEL CMD Nuwal, handed over the first consignment of the fuze to Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade. According to the Navy officials, this would be the first time the Indian Navy has placed a supply order for underwater ammunition fuze to an Indian private industry player.

Karnataka Congress has launched a scathing 'PayMLA' campaign against the Basavaraj Bommai government after Lokayukta officials caught BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa's son Prashanth Madal allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh. Attacking the BJP government, Congress launched a poster having an image of the BJP MLA with a QR code. The poster reads  "PayMLA 40% Commission accepted here. Pay my son and the entire family will be benefited from it."

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has formed a four-member team that will visit Tamil Nadu on Saturday to take stock of the situation amid pressure from the Opposition over alleged attacks on Bihar migrants in the southern state. The team will provide the CM with a report after their visit. (Read full story)

Former Congress legislator Anil Akkara has claimed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while working on the Red Crescent-developed Wadakkanchery LIFE Mission project. 

On Friday, Akkara claimed in an interview that the decision for the Red Crescent to build a housing complex in Wadakamcherry and give it to the government was made in a meeting presided over by the CM. Additionally, he also claimed that approval from the Foreign Affairs department is necessary in order to receive foreign cash for such activities.

CM and Local Self-Government Body (LSGD) minister's decisions resulted in the conversion of nearly Rs 4.5 crore to dollars and their exportation abroad, the Congress leader claimed, urging that former LSGDMinister  AC Moideen and CM Pinarayi be brought to justice by the Union government. He sought an investigation into the matter. (Read full story)

Mumbai Police have formed 8 teams to nab the accused who attacked Sandeep Deshpande, a leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Police have also shared the visuals of the accused captured from the CCTV. Notably, Deshpande was allegedly attacked by unidentified persons at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday morning while out for a stroll with friends. 

Around 17 cartons of liquor were recovered that were hidden inside a pond in Harpur village in Bihar's Vaishali district. According to police, special liquor was brought from Haryana for Holi celebrations. It is pertinent to mention that the sale of liquor is banned in Bihar. 

The troops of 169 Battalion of the Border Security Forces (BSF) under Guwahati Frontier and Kolkata Narcotics Control Bureau personnel carried out a joint operation for the destruction of illegal cultivation of poppy in Balasi and Beltapara villages of district Coochbehar.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese will visit India from March 8-11. He will be accompanied by Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell & Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King, along with a high-level business delegation.

Australian PM Albanese will arrive in Ahmedabad on March on the day of Holi. He will also visit Mumbai on March 9, before arriving in Delhi later in the day, the Ministry said in a statement. According to sources, PM Modi and Albanese will watch Ind-Aus 4th test match in Ahmedabad.

In a tragic incident, seven people were killed and 4 were injured in a collision between a trailer truck and a bus on the Yamuna Nagar-Panchkula highway on Friday, March 3. The incident occurred under PS Shahzadpur limits and police have registered a case.

On Friday, at UNHRC, India slammed Pakistan on religious minorities and terrorism, saying that no religious minority can freely live or practice their religion in Pakistan in the current times. "Pakistan's policies are directly responsible for the death of thousands of civilians around the world," India's envoy at UNHRC said.

Earlier, Pakistan's representative at the UNHRC tried to misuse the platform for its malicious propaganda against India. In response to this, the Indian envoy lambasted Pak, saying. "In the last decade, Pakistan’s own Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has received 8,463 complaints. The Baloch people have borne the brunt of this cruel policy. Students, doctors, engineers, teachers & community leaders are regularly disappeared by the State."

According to the officials, the sale of gold jewellery and gold artefacts hallmarked without 6-digit alphanumeric HUID, a unique identification number,  will not be permitted from April 1. "After March 31, 2023, jewellery having a four-digit HUID as a hallmark cannot be sold. Instead, jewellery having a six-digit alphanumeric number as a hallmark can be sold," Additional Secretary, Consumer Affairs on gold hallmarking, Nidhi Khare said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, stated on Friday that Rahul Gandhi's remarks at Cambridge University were "condemnable" and that it has been the Congress leader's "habit" to disparage India abroad.

Addressing a press conference, the BJP leader said, "It has become Rahul Gandhi's habit to go to foreign countries and insult Indian people and institutions, and hurt the confidence of the country." The former Minister took a dig at the Wayanad MP and said that after "failing miserably" in India, Rahul Gandhi is creating "havoc" in foreign countries. (Read full story)

Notably, Gandhi recently claimed at Cambridge University that an attack had been launched against the basic structure of Indian democracy and that Israeli spyware Pegasus was being used to pry into his phone.

Indian Army formations deployed near the Galwan valley have undertaken extreme activities such as surveying the areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on horses and ponies and half marathon over the frozen Pangong lake in recent months. 

In its letter to Delhi Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Police, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has stated that it has received a complaint regarding Atishi's social media posts wherein minors are seen holding posters for Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in schools. Notably, Sisodia, former Delhi Education and Finance Minister, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Excise policy case. 

The child rights body has asked the Delhi Police to take appropriate action under the Juvenile Justice Act and Information Technology Act and lodge an FIR against the AAP MLA. (Read full story)