Teen's Head Chopped Off In UP, Grieving Mother Sits With It In Lap For Hours

LUCKNOW, Oct 30: A four-decade-old land dispute between two sides became the cause of a brutal murder in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur on Wednesday with a few men chopping off a 17-year-old boy's head with a sword. The teenager's wailing mother sat with the severed head in her lap for hours.

Police officials said two parties had a decades-old conflict over land in Kabiruddin village under the Gaurabadshahpur police station and things turned violent on Wednesday when they clashed. Anurag, 17, son of Ramjeet Yadav was chased by a few men, one of whom was wielding a sword.

Anurag was attacked and the weapon was swung with such force that the teenager's head was separated from the torso. Two people have been taken into custody but the sword-bearer is on the run and officials said efforts are on to trace him.

Several police teams were rushed to the spot to prevent the law and order situation from deteriorating. Villagers said that the boy's mother sat with the severed head in her lap for several hours.

Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma said, "The land dispute has been festering for 40 to 45 years. Two people from one of the parties, Ramesh and Laalta, were among those who attacked the opposite side and one person was killed. The district magistrate and I are at the spot. Some of the accused have been taken into custody and are being questioned. Further investigation is on."

Jaunpur District Magistrate Dinesh Chandra said the people who committed the crime will be given the harshest-possible punishment. "This is an old land dispute between the two parties and it is also pending in the civil court. I have asked for a report on the dispute within three days," he said.

Salman Khan Gets Death Threat Again, ₹ 2 Crore Ransom Demanded

MUMBAI, Oct 30: Adding to the string of death threats against Salman Khan, an anonymous message to Mumbai traffic control today threatened that the actor would be killed unless he paid ₹ 2 crore as ransom, police sources have said.

Police have registered a case against an unidentified person and an investigation is on. The case has been registered under sections relating to threats of extortion and death threats.

This comes shortly after a 20-year-old man was arrested from Noida over death threats to the actor and Zeeshan Siddiqui, MLA and son of NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Baba Siddique, who was shot dead on October 12. Police have taken Gufran Khan to Mumbai on a transit remand.

Earlier, Mumbai Police arrested Shaikh Hussain Shaikh Mausin, a 24-year-old vegetable seller from Jamshedpur, over a threat message received by Mumbai traffic police's WhatsApp helpline. The threat message demanded ₹ 5 crore as ransom.

Salman Khan has in the past received death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, apparently due to his involvement in the blackbuck hunting case in Rajasthan during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain. Suspected members of the gang had opened fire outside the actor's Bandra home in April. The actor's security has been beefed up after the string of death threats.

Earlier this month, former MLA and NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction leader Baba Siddique, known to be close to Salman Khan, was shot dead near his son Zeeshan's office in Mumbai.

Making an appearance on TV show Bigg Boss 18 days after Baba Siddique's murder, Salman Khan said he didn't want to be back on the show, but his work commitments brought him back. The actor said he didn't feel like meeting anyone because of the difficult situation he was going through.

2 Soldiers, 2 Porters Killed In Terror Attack In J&K's Baramulla

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Two soldiers were killed in action in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla today, sources said. Two porters were also killed in the attack, while three others were injured, sources said.

The Indian Army's Chinar Corps in a post on X confirmed an exchange of fire happened between soldiers and terrorists in the general area of Baramulla's Butapathri.

Terrorists first attacked an army vehicle in Butapathri this evening. The attack comes hours after a labourer was shot at and injured in Jammu and Kashmir. The injured man was later identified as Pritam Singh, a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

The attack on the army vehicle today was the second in the Union Territory in the last 72 hours.

Three days earlier, six construction workers and a doctor were killed after terrorists - at least two of them - attacked a housing camp for construction workers building a tunnel. Those killed were identified as Dr Shahnawaz from Nayidgam Kashmir's Budgam and Gurmeet Singh from Punjab's Gurdaspur, while Mohammad Haneef, Faheem Nasir, and Kaleem were from Bihar.

The sixth and seventh were Madhya Pradesh's Anil Shukla and Shashi Abrol from Jammu. The attackers left behind an INSAS rifle.

Omar Abdullah - the newly-elected Chief Minister - called it a "dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local labourers". Abdullah said, "They were working on a key infrastructure project. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones."

The housing camp attack was the worst on civilians in recent months, and took place just days after Abdullah, whose party won the October 8 election, the first in a decade, took his oath of office.

A day after that attack, a newly-formed terror group - called Tehreek Labaik Ya Muslim - was dismantled following raids across several districts of the Union Territory.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed Next Chief Justice of India, Oath On November 11

NEW DELHI, Oct 24: Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been apointed the next Chief Justice of India by President of India Droupadi Murmu after Chief Justice DY Chandrachud named him his successor. The oath ceremony will be on November 11 - a day after Justice Chandrachud retires.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal made the announcement on X this evening.

"In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, Hon'ble President, after consultation with Hon'ble Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as Chief Justice of India with effect from 11th November, 2024," his post read.

Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019 from the Delhi High Court. He is due to retire on May 13, 2025.

As part of the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna has delivered several key judgments. He was part of the Constitution Bench that struck down the Electoral Bonds scheme which permitted anonymous donations to political parties.

He was part of the Constitution Bench that upheld the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution of India last year.

In July, a bench he headed had granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, who was Chief Minister of Delhi at the time, in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy case.

Supreme Court Again Warns UP On Bulldozer Action

NEW DELHI, Oct 22: Hearing a challenge to demolition notices served in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich after a communal clash, the Supreme Court today indirectly warned the Yogi Adityanath government against any bulldozer action.

The court said it is the state government's "choice" if it wants to risk violating the top court's directions. The court, however, noted that its orders in the 'bulldozer justice' case specify that it will not intervene if the structures facing demolition are illegal.

The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan has asked the Uttar Pradesh government not to take any action before the next hearing tomorrow.

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate CU Singh told the bench that local authorities issued demolition notices after the October 13 violence -- which claimed one life -- and asked them to respond within three days.

"Applicant No.1's father and brothers surrendered... notices purportedly issued on 17 Oct, but pasted on 18th evening... we sought hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen. Some have approached HC," Singh said.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court extended to 15 days the deadline to file replies to the demolition notices and directed the state authorities to decide after considering the responses. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, assured the court that no action would be taken till tomorrow.

"If they (UP authorities) want to take the risk of flouting our order, it's their choice," Justice Gavai said today. Justice Viswanathan added that the high court had given 15 days to file replies to the demolition notices. Singh, however, said the petitioners have not been granted any protection.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions against 'bulldozer justice' - a term used to refer to the practice of razing the property of individuals accused in criminal cases. The trend has caught on in several states, Uttar Pradesh among them. The court has clarified that being accused of a crime cannot be the basis for the demolition of property and only violation of civic rules may attract such action. The court has also paused demolitions carried out without its permission.

On October 13, an altercation broke out in Bahraich's Maharajganj when a group of people objected to loud music near a mosque during a procession for Durga Puja idol immersion. This snowballed into arson and vandalism in the area, forcing the local administration to snap Internet connectivity. Ram Gopal Mishra, 22, was shot dead during the clash. A video that circulated after the clash showed Mishra removing a green flag from a rooftop and replacing it with a saffron flag.

Police have arrested five persons suspected to be involved in Mishra's death -- Mohammad Faheen, Mohammad Sarfaraz, Abdul Hameed, Mohammad Taleem alias Sabloo, and Mohammad Afzal. Mohammad Talim and Mohammad Sarfaraz were arrested after they suffered gunshots in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police. Police said the accused were trying to cross into Nepal when they were caught.

A total of 104 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and 23 establishments have been served demolition notices. Among those who were served notices is Hameed, one of the accused in the killing. Authorities, however, claim the notices were issued as part of a routine anti-encroachment drive. The notices have sparked panic among local residents as shopkeepers were seen vacating their premises.

Bajrang Punia Takes Charge As All India Kisan Congress' Working President

NEW DELHI, Oct 22: Wrestler Bajrang Punia took charge as Working President of the All India Kisan Congress here on Tuesday.

All India Kisan Congress National President Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Congress General Secretary Kumari Selja, former Union Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh, party MLA Vinesh Phogat, All India Kisan Congress Vice-Chairman -- Akhilesh Shukla and Anant Dahiya -- were present as Punia took charge at the Congress headquarters in the national capital.

While speaking to the media, Kumari Selja said that now Bajrang Punia will play a new role in the Congress and will raise the voice of the farmers and labourers of the country.

The youth and farmers of the country have high expectations from Punia, she added.

Kumari Selja said that the basis of our country's economy is farmers and labourers, but the BJP government is indifferent towards them.

The mandis in Haryana and Punjab are in poor condition, she added.

While congratulating Bajrang Punia on his new role in Congress, former Union Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh said: "Today there is a need to take the farmers's fight politically in the country for which the farmers will have to gather under the flag of Congress. Farmers divided in many organisations will come together and fight politically, only then will they be able to get a share in the economy of the country and the world."

While congratulating Punia on assuming charge, Khaira said that Punia will strengthen the party's base by raising the issues of farmers and labourers in Haryana as well as in various states of the country.

Khaira demanded from the Central government that the warehouses filled with old stock in Punjab should be immediately vacated and the new paddy crop should be purchased from the farmers at fair prices.

Bajrang Punia was appointed the Working Chairman of the All India Kisan Congress on September 6.

Doctor, 5 Labourers Killed In Jammu And Kashmir Terror Attack

SRINAGAR, Oct 20: A doctor and five construction workers were killed when terrorists opened fire at a construction site at Gagangir in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, official sources said Sunday. The number of casualties can go up, sources said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack on non-local labourers "dastardly and cowardly".

"The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar," Abdullah posted on X.

The terrorists had opened fire on a camp housing labourers of a private company, who were working on an under-construction tunnel in Gund area. The police and army have cordoned off the area to track the attackers.

A post from the X handle of Jammu and Kashmir Police read, "Terror incident in Gagangeer, Ganderbal. Area cordoned off by security forces. Further details shall follow".

Loud Explosion Blows Off School Wall In Delhi's Rohini, Cars, Shops Damaged

NEW DELHI, Oct 20: A massive explosion took place at CRPF school in Delhi's Rohini this morning. The school's wall suffered damage, but no casualties have been reported. Forensic teams and officers of the Delhi Police special cell have reached the spot and are trying to identify what caused the blast.

A video recorded by a local resident shows a cloud of smoke billowing from near the blast site. The eyewitness said, "I was at home. I heard a loud sound, saw a cloud of smoke and recorded the video. I do not know anything more. A police team and an ambulance have reached the spot."

Forensic teams and officers of the Delhi Police special cell reached the spot and tried to identify what caused the blast.

Local residents have said the explosion had shattered windows of cars parked near the school and damaged the signboards of shops in the area.

"Today at 07:47 hrs, a PCR call was received in which the caller informed that a blast with lots of noise took place near CRPF school Sector 14 Rohini. SHO/PV and staff reached at the spot, where the school wall was found damaged with a foul smell. The glasses of nearby shop and car parked near the shop were found to be damaged. No one was injured," the police said in a statement.

Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the Explosives Act and the case will soon be transferred to the special cell. The NIA, CRPF and NSG are also investigating the matter. The area has been cordoned off and is being mapped. Police are scanning CCTV footage in the area to identify who planted the bomb. According to sources, police are not ruling out a conspiracy angle.

'A Judge Praising Politician May Affect Public Trust': Supreme Court Judge Gavai

AHMEDABAD, Oct 20: A judge resigning from office to immediately contest elections may affect the public perception of his impartiality, Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai said and asserted judicial ethics and integrity are fundamental pillars that uphold the credibility of the legal system.

Justice Gavai was addressing an annual conference for judicial officers of Gujarat on Saturday.

"Judicial ethics and integrity are fundamental pillars that uphold the credibility of the legal system. A judge's conduct while on the bench and off the bench must be in consonance with the highest standards of judicial ethics. A judge praising a politician or a bureaucrat while in office and outside the scope of courtesy may affect the public's trust in the judiciary as a whole," he emphasised.

"For instance, a judge of the Supreme Court of America had to apologize for comments criticising a presidential candidate. Another example is that if a judge resigns from his office to immediately contest elections it may affect public perception of his impartiality," Justice Gavai asserted.

Judges making broad statements outside the scope of specific cases, especially regarding sensitive topics such as gender, religion, caste and politics etc is a matter of concern, he added.

Speaking on the topic of 'Trust Deficit - Eroding the Credibility of Judicial Institutions -Ways and Means to Combat the Truth Decay', the Supreme Court judge said another theoretical reason why public trust in the judiciary must be kept intact is that a trust deficit might push people to seek justice outside the formal judicial system.

"This might be through informal ways of vigilantism, corruption, and mob justice. This can lead to erosion of law and order in society, causing the public to hesitate in filing cases and appealing decisions," he pointed out.

He also said prolonged litigation and slow-moving court procedures create disenchantment with the legal system.

Delay in the delivery of justice makes it difficult to ensure a fair trial and erodes trust in the judicial system, creating perceptions of injustice and inefficiency, Justice Gavai said.

Delays harm the accused who are later found innocent and also exacerbate overcrowding in prisons, he added.

Emphasising the need for the judiciary to stand independent from both the executive and the legislative, the top court judge said, "Any encroachment upon the judiciary's autonomy, whether through political interference, legislative overreach or executive interference, undermines the very concept of impartial justice."

Enabling video conferencing and live-streaming of constitutional bench proceedings are steps towards increasing transparency and accessibility, as these allow the public to observe trials and rulings in real-time, he said.

"However, short clips of court proceedings presented out of context can create wrong perceptions about the judge. There is a need to develop appropriate guidelines on live streaming of court proceedings to curb the misuse of clips being circulated out of context," Justice Gavai said.

President's rule revoked in Jammu and Kashmir, paves way for Omar Abdullah govt

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: President's rule was withdrawn in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, paving the way for the formation of a new government in the union territory.

A gazette notification to this effect was issued by the Union Home Ministry.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) read with Articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India, the order dated the 31st October, 2019 in relation to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall stand revoked immediately before the appointment of the chief minister under Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019," the notification signed by President Droupadi Murmu said.

The National Conference-Congress alliance won the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections and is set to form the government.

NC vice president Omar Abdullah will be the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He has been elected as the leader of the alliance.

Central rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, following the formal division of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed by the Parliament on August 5, 2019. Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded a special status to the erstwhile state, was also abrogated on that day.

Prior to October 31, 2019, the central rule was continuing in the erstwhile state from June 2017 after the resignation of the then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti when the BJP withdrew support to the PDP-led government.

After Big Row Over 'Eviction', Atishi Finally Allotted Chief Minister's House

NEW DELHI, Oct 11: The escalating face-off between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre over the alleged eviction of Ms Atishi from the Delhi chief minister's residence seemed set to end with a whimper with the Public Works Department formally allotting the bungalow to her on Friday.

In a notification, the department said it was pleased to offer the bungalow to Ms Atishi and that she needed to submit her acceptance within eight days. The offer letter also said that she would have to surrender possession of any government house or bungalow allotted to her within 15 days of taking possession of the new one.

The controversy began on Wednesday after the AAP claimed that Ms Atishi, who took over as the Delhi chief minister from party chief Arvind Kejriwal last month, was evicted from the 6, Flag Staff Road bungalow vacated by him just two days after she had moved in. This, the party alleged, was done by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at the behest of the BJP.

"For the first time in the history of the country, the Chief Minister's residence was vacated. At the behest of the BJP, the Lieutenant Governor forcibly removed Chief Minister Atishi's belongings from the chief minister's residence," the chief minister's office (CMO) alleged.

Omar Abdullah elected leader of National Conference legislature party

SRINAGAR, Oct 10: The legislature party of the National Conference has, in a ‘unanimous’ decision, picked party vice president Omar Abdullah as its leader, his father and party chief Farooq Abdullah announced on Thursday.

“A meeting was held where everyone unanimously chose Omar Abdullah as their leader,” he said. He was addressing the media after National Conference MLAs met at its headquarters to elect the leader of the legislature party.

Further, the senior politician stated that the pre-poll alliance partners (National Conference, Congress, CPI-M, Panthers Party) will meet on Friday to take the government formation process forward.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, likely to be the chief minister, expressed his gratitude to the MLAs.

“Talks are being held to get the letter of support from the Congress. Also, four independents have extended their support to the National Conference. Now our number is 42 plus the four independent MLAs. After receiving the letter from the Congress, we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government,” he added.

After Haryana Setback, Congress Tells Poll Commission 'EVMs Hacked'

NEW DELHI, Oct 9: Leaders of the Congress, after the party's huge setback in Haryana, met the Election Commission this evening and registered a strong complaint, alleging that Electronic Voting Machines have been hacked.

Party spokesman Pawan Khera said the hacking took place across 20 seats, for seven of which they have submitted documentary evidence. The papers for the other 13 will be submitted within 48 hours, he said.

'We have requested that all the machines be sealed and secured till investigations are completed," Khera told reporters. The party, he said, has submitted evidence of hacking at Karnal, Dabwali, Rewari, Panipat City, Hodal, Kalka and Narnaul.

"Counting of votes in a fair, transparent and accountable manner is the hallmark of any electoral process that claims to be in consonance with the principles of free and fair elections and the doctrine of the level-playing field as envisaged by the Constitution," the party memorandum to the EC said.

"It is a shocking result. Everyone said Congress will form government," said former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was the face of Congress campaign and the party's Chief Ministerial candidate.

Alleging tinkering, Hooda said the Congress always wins when the postal ballots are opened but the numbers start sliding once the counting of votes from Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs begins.

The Congress won on 37 of Haryana's 90 seats - remaining far behind the BJP, which with 48 seats won a historic third term. As the voting trend became clear during yesterday's counting, the party said the results were "unacceptable" and alleged that the EVMs have been hacked, drawing derisive jeers from the BJP.

The Election Commission had denied any EVM discrepancy. In a letter to Congress chief President Mallikarjun Kharge today, the Election Commission referred to the "results are not acceptable" remarks of Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera.

"Such an unprecedented statement as above in a generic sense, unheard in the rich democratic heritage of the country, is far from a legitimate part of free speech and expression and moves towards an undemocratic rejection of the will of the people expressed in accordance with the Statutory and Regulatory electoral framework, uniformly applied across all elections in the country including J-K and Haryana," the letter read.

Delhi chief minister Atishi's belongings ‘forcibly’ removed from residence: CMO

NEW DELHI, Oct 9: Two days after Delhi chief minister Atishi moved into her official residence, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Wednesday claimed the Public Works Department (PWD) has ‘removed’ her belongings from the house.

The CMO accused lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, an appointee of the BJP-led central government, of giving orders to get the bungalow vacated.

The residence, located at 6-flag Staff Road in the Civil Lines area of the national capital, was vacated recently by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned as Delhi chief minister last month after getting bail from the Supreme Court in a corruption case. It has been dubbed as ‘sheeshmahal’ by the opposition for its luxurious facilities, with Kejriwal, who entered politics as an ‘aam aadmi’ (common man) facing criticism for leading a ‘luxurious’ life.

With Delhi set to hold assembly election in February, Kejriwal said he will not accept the CM's post until he gets a ‘certificate of honesty’ from the people. Following his resignation, the party picked minister Atishi to replace him as CM.

Meanwhile, in a press conference earlier in the day, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed the bungalow was yet to be allotted to Atishi and said the BJP was trying to ‘usurp’ the CM's residence. This, Singh said, was because the saffron party had been unable to defeat AAP in assembly polls in Delhi.

BJP clinches hat-trick in Haryana, Congress-NC victorious in J&K

NEW DELHI, Oct 8: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defied exit poll projections to secure a third straight term in Haryana. The BJP won 48 of Haryana's 90 seats. The Congress won 37. In Jammu and Kashmir, which elected its government after a decade, the National Conference and Congress alliance won 49 of the 90 seats

“The victory in Haryana is outcome of immense hardwork of party workers. This is victory of Naddaji and Haryana team, the victory is also that of our humble Chief Minister.... Today in Haryana, the guarantee of development has won over the attempts at lies. The people of Haryana have created new history,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his victory address at the BJP headquarters.

The Congress moved the Election Commission, first alleging misleading poll results data on the Election Commission website, and later calling the verdict “unacceptable”.

But the grand old party has reasons to smile, as it clinched victory along with ally National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw first assembly elections since the erstwhile state became a Union territory.

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, which had high hopes of carving out a niche in Haryana, boosted by its victories in neighbouring Delhi and Punjab, has failed to open its account. The party, however, had some success in Jammu and Kashmir, winning the Doda seat.

In Jammu and Kashmir, which is electing its government after a decade, the National Conference and Congress alliance won 48 of the 90 seats - ahead of the halfway mark of 46. The BJP won 29 seats.

The National Conference posted a steller performance not only in Kashmir Valley but also Pir Panjal and Chenab valleys.

The Congress has failed to do well in Jammu and Kashmir. The party won only six seats.

The other big setback in the Valley has been reserved for Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party, which won three seats.

'Omar Abdullah Banega J&K Chief Minister,' Announces Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR, Oct 8: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah will become Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, declared Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar today as his party races ahead of the winning mark in assembly elections in the Union territory. The veteran politician made the announcement after it became obvious that the Congress-NC alliance would win the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 10 years.

"After 10 years, the people have given their mandate to us. We pray to Allah that we meet their expectations. It will not be 'police raj' here but public raj here. We will try to release the innocent from jail. Media will be free. We have to develop trust between Hindus and Muslims," Abdullah told reporters.

The former chief minister also hoped that INDIA alliance partners would help the NC fight to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, which became a Union territory following the repeal of its special status. On being asked who will be given the top post, the veteran politician declared, "Omar Abdullah banega Chief Minister."

Omar Abdullah, who had earlier served in the top post from 2009 to 2015, thanked the voters for electing NC back to power and said his party will prove that it deserves the votes.

Mehbooba Mufti, who was the last chief minister of the undivided state, said people have voted for a "stable government" as her own Peoples' Democratic Party posted one of its worst performances. "I think the people wanted a stable government and they thought that National Conference-Congress could give that and keep BJP away," said the PDP chief.

The PDP had formed a government in coalition with the BJP in 2015. The government fell in 2018 as the BJP withdrew it support after Ms Mufti took over as Chief Minister following her father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's death.

Drugs Worth Over ₹ 1,800 Crore Seized From Factory Near Bhopal, 2 Arrested

BHOPAL, Oct 6: In a major crackdown, a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat has uncovered a massive drug manufacturing racket in Bagroda Industrial Area, near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Officials recovered mephedrone (MD) drugs worth approximately ₹ 1,800 crore during the raid, which is being described as one of the biggest seizures of its kind.

The operation, which is still going on, took place inside a factory operating within a shed measuring around 2,500 square yards. Gujarat ATS officials, arriving in vehicles without number plates, carried out the raid in collaboration with the NCB. Two individuals, identified as key suspects, have been arrested.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Sanyal Prakash Bane was previously arrested in 2017 in a similar MD drug case by the police in Amboli in Mumbai. After serving five years in prison, he teamed up with Amit Chaturvedi to set up an illegal drug manufacturing operation.

The duo rented a shed in Bagroda Industrial Area six-seven months ago, where they began acquiring raw material and equipment to produce mephedrone, a banned synthetic drug.

The factory, which was found producing 25 kg of MD per day, had become a major hub for illegal drug manufacturing. During the raid, authorities seized 907 kg of mephedrone, along with 5,000 kg of raw material and drug-making equipment.

The confiscated items included grinders, motors, glass flasks, heaters, and other apparatus used in the chemical processing of drugs.

This is the largest illegal drug manufacturing unit caught by the ATS Gujarat to date, officials said. The factory had the capacity to supply large quantities of mephedrone, which was likely distributed across various regions.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the operation. They are probing how long the accused were involved in this illegal activity, where the drugs were being sold, and the financial transactions involved.

Officials are also working to identify other members of this drug ring who may have facilitated or participated in the distribution of the illegal drugs.

Congress To Win Haryana, Hung House In Jammu And Kashmir: Poll Of Exit Polls

NEW DELHI, Oct 5: The Congress, which posted a hugely improved performance in the Lok Sabha election, is likely to end the year on a sweet note, exit polls indicate. The party is likely to form the next government in Haryana, ending the 10-year run of the BJP; and its alliance with National Conference may stay ahead in the race for Jammu and Kashmir, which could delivered a fractured mandate.

An aggregate of seven exit polls indicate that the Congress will win 55 of Haryana's 90 seats - comfortably ahead of the halfway mark of 45.

In Jammu and Kashmir, which also has 90 seats after delimitation, the Congress-National Conference alliance is likely to win 43 seats -- three less than the majority mark.

Exit polls, though, can often get it wrong.

The BJP could end up with 27 seats each in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. One exit poll, Jist-TIF Research, gave the BJP an outside margin of 37 seats - the maximum - in Haryana.

Abhay Chautala's INLD (Indian National Lok Dal) could win two seats and the BJP's erstwhile ally JJP (Jannayak Janata Party) one seat in Haryana.

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, exit polls indicate, may not be able to open its account in Haryana, despite its rule in neighbouring Delhi and Punjab.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly election was held after a decade, throws up interesting possibilities given the prediction of a hung house.

An aggregate of three exit polls indicate that the Congress and the National Conference will end up with 43 seats. The BJP's projected score of 26 could put it far enough from the majority mark to stich up any alliance with smaller parties or Independents.

The BJP's erstwhile ally, Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party, likely to win seven seats, is hoping to emerge as the kingmaker. The party has ruled out any possibility of a tie-up with the BJP, talking only in terms of a "secular alliance".

The BJP-PDP alliance, formed after yet another split verdict in 2014, broke down in 2018 after which the state was placed under President's rule. In 2019, it was split into two Union Territories - a situation the BJP has promised to reverse in its third term at the Centre.

The ball could thus be in the court of National Conference and the Congress to send feelers to the PDP. But the hurdle here is the historic rivalry between then NC and the PDP, which had always been competing for the votes in Kashmir Valley.

Ahead of the election, Mehbooba Mufti had extended a loaded offer to the NC-Congress alliance, saying she was ready to stay out of the election and leave all assembly seats for them if they were ready to accept the PDP's agenda, including on Kashmir.

Forget about alliance and seat-sharing, if the Congress and the National Conference (NC) are ready to accept our agenda -- that resolution of the Kashmir issue is necessary and on opening of routes -- we will tell them to contest on all the seats and we will follow you," she had said while releasing her party's manifesto.

The two parties, part of the Gupkar alliance that's aiming for restoration of statehood, had been unable to see eye to eye for the Lok Sabha polls as well, despite repeated requests by the Congress.

The counting of votes will be held on October 8.

36 Maoists Killed In Encounter Along Dantewada Border In Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR, Oct 4: Thirty-six Maoists were shot dead by security forces in a forest along the Narayanpur-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh today, according to sources.

The District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) began the anti-Maoist operation yesterday, and contact happened at 12.30 pm today, sources said, adding the encounter is going on.

Several assault rifles including AK series and other weapons have been recovered, sources said.

Following intelligence reports of a large Maoist presence, separate teams in the joint operation were sent yesterday to villages in Govel, Nendur and Thulthuli under Orcha and Barsur police stations. They launched combing operations in these villages.

The encounter broke out at noon today in the forests near Nendur-Thulthuli. Using extreme caution, the security forces are pursuing a few remaining Maoists who have retreated deeper into the forest, sources said.

This encounter marks one of the biggest successes for the security forces in their fight against the Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo said it was a big operation and congratulated the security forces.

Supreme Court Orders Special Probe Into Laddoo Row

NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Supreme Court has ordered an independent probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the allegations of using animal fat in laddoos served as prasad at the Tirupati temple. The SIT will comprise two CBI officers, two state police officials, and a senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the central food regulator, the court said.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said they do not want political drama over this since it is a matter of faith for crores of devotees across the world. The allegations have the potential of hurting the sentiments of people worldwide, the bench said, but did not go into the political charges.

"We clarify that we have not gone into allegations and counter allegations in either plea. We will not permit the court to be used as a political battleground. To assuage feelings of crores of people, we find that an investigation by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of state police, CBI, and FSSAI, shall be done. We also direct that investigation is under the director of CBI," said Justice Gavai.

The case stems from an allegation by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that animal fat was used in the making of the laddoos at the temple during the previous regime led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the centre, told the court it was unacceptable since devotees from across the country visit the temple and there are food safety reasons as well.

"Nobody doubts it's a very serious matter if there is substance in allegations," observed Justice Gavai.

After Mehta submitted there was nothing wrong with the state SIT that's probing the charges and it could be supervised by a central officer, the court ordered an independent SIT probe to be carried out under the CBI director.

"FSSAI is the most expert apex body in matters of testing food. We don't want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence," said Justice Gavai.

Chandrababu Naidu last month flagged a report from a government-run lab that said samples from ghee used for making the laddoos at the temple contained traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat. At least two tankers supplying ghee to the temple were found to be adulterated.

The charges sparked a massive political controversy with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan repeatedly calling for a pan-India committee to protect 'sanatan dharma' and even undergoing an 11-day penance.

Former Chief Minister Jagan Reddy had denied the report as "false" and accused Naidu of "using faith for politics".

The temple authorities, meanwhile, have accused their ghee supplier of exploiting the temple's lack of in-house food testing facilities, due to which it was not possible to conduct routine quality checks.

The Tamil Nadu-based dairy firm that had supplied ghee to Tirumala in June and July had claimed that its consignments had cleared lab tests and that it had documents to prove it.

Supreme Court pulls up Delhi LG for holding MCD standing committee election in haste

NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned Delhi LG VK Saxena's exercise of power over the election of the sixth member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) standing committee. The top court issued a notice on Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi's petition challenging the election process, which kept her out of it.

The Supreme Court further asked the LG how he could exercise such power. It also held that the LG's move interfered with the democratic process as Section 487 is an executive power. "It is not to interfere with legislative functions. It's the election of a member. What happens to democracy if you keep interfering like this?” the Supreme Court asked VK Saxena

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan heard the matter and has scheduled the next hearing after two weeks. Advocate Sanjay Jain represented the Delhi governor.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi approached the Supreme Court challenging the election of the sixth member of the MCD standing committee, which was held on September 27.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the election alleging that the process was contrary to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.

A major contention highlighted in the mayor's petition is the decision to appoint an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer rather than the mayor as the presiding officer of the election.

The SC bench asked Sanjay Jain what was the “tearing hurry” to hold the MCD elections in the absence of Shelly Oberoi. The apex court further questioned the LG's decision to exercise Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, stating that is not to be used for “interfering with legislative functions."

“What is the tearing hurry (in holding the elections)? What is the hurry?... What is the tearing hurry...and then, there are other issues also with respect to the nomination part of it..much worse...the Mayor is to preside the meeting...Where do you get the power to interdict all this under Section 487? 487 is an executive power it is not to interfere with legislative functions,” said Justice Narasimha