2 Terrorists Killed, 5 Security Personnel Injured In Encounter In J&K's Kathua

JAMMU, Mar 27: A fierce gun battle in a remote forested area of Kathua district has left two terrorists dead and five security personnel injured as the security forces intensified their operation to neutralise an infiltrating group of about five terrorists, officials said on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear whether it was the same group that had been evading an earlier cordon in Sanyal forest of Kathua region or another batch of freshly infiltrated terrorists.

The encounter triggered intense firing and explosions, the officials said.

6 High Court bar bodies meet CJI to revoke Justice Yashwant Varma transfer to Allahabad High Court

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Six high court bar associations have issued a joint statement urging Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna to initiate a criminal investigation against Justice Varma and revoke the recommendation for his transfer to the Allahabad High Court.

The High Court Bar Associations of Allahabad, Lucknow, Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur), Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala meet the CJI today to pursue their demands.

Allahabad High Court Bar Association President Anil Tiwari informed that CJI Khanna assured them their demands would be considered.

"However, CJI did not promise anything," he added.

Kunal Kamra targets Shiv Sena in fresh video amid 'traitor' jab row

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Comedian Kunal Kamra uploaded a new video on Tuesday related to the controversy over his remarks allegedly targeting Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

The comedian has shared snippets of the protest against his remarks on the deputy CM, along with a backgrounder of his song from the controversial show.

While performing at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kunal Kamra had referred to Eknath Shinde as a “traitor”. He also sang from a Hindi movie to describe Shinde's 2022 rebellion against his then-boss, Uddhav Thackeray.

After the video of his show was released on YouTube, several Shiv Sena workers went to the studio where Kamra performed and vandalised it on Sunday night.

Based on a complaint from Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar police have registered an FIR against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Shinde.

The police also summoned Kunal Kamra, asking him to appear before the investigating officer at 11am on Tuesday.

CJI constitutes 3-member panel to probe allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday constituted a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, after alleged cash was recovered from the latter's official residence.

The three-member panel comprises Justices Sheel Nagu, GS Sandhawalia and Anu Sivaraman. Justice Varma's judicial work has been withdrawn during the inquiry.

Earlier in the day, Delhi high court Chief Justice D K Updhyay submitted a report to the CJI in connection with the case.

Justice Upadhyay had commenced the in-house enquiry procedure collecting evidence and information in the incident and submitted his report on Friday.

The apex court collegium will examine the report and may initiate further action.

The purported discovery of a huge stash of cash happened following a fire at Justice Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on Holi night on March 14, prompting the Delhi fire department personnel to rush to the spot and douse it.

The top court in a statement on Friday had said the Delhi High Court chief justice had initiated an in-house inquiry against him and the proposal to transfer him to the Allahabad High Court was separate.

'Transfer Not Part Of Action': Supreme Court On Judge In Cash Row

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: The process to transfer Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma is unrelated to the inquiry into alleged recovery of a large stash of cash at his home, the Supreme Court said today. It said the in-house investigation is being done as per the procedure prescribed by the Supreme Court, and the transfer has nothing to do with the investigation.

The Supreme Court flagged "misinformation and rumours" as the reasons why Justice Varma's transfer to Allahabad High Court was linked to the cash recovery.

"There is misinformation and rumours being spread with regard to the incident at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma... On receiving the information, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court commenced the in-house enquiry procedure collecting evidence and information," the Supreme Court said in a press note.

The top court confirmed the "reported incident" happened in Delhi.

The Delhi High Court Chief Justice, who began the inquiry before the Collegium met on Thursday, will give a report today to the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, the Supreme Court said. "The report will be examined and processed for further and necessary action."

It said the proposal for transfer of Justice Varma, who is the second senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court and a member of the Collegium, to his parent high court i.e. the Allahabad High Court, is independent and separate from the in-house enquiry procedure.

Justice Varma will be the ninth in seniority in the Allahabad High Court.

"The proposal was examined by the Collegium comprising of the Chief Justice of India and four senior most Judges of the Supreme Court on 20th March 2025, and thereafter letters were written to the consultee Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justices of the High Courts concerned and Justice Yashwant Varma," the Supreme Court said in the press note.

The allegation that a huge pile of cash was found at Justice Varma's home surfaced soon after a fire incident at his property. Firefighters reached there and controlled the blaze, and that was when they allegedly saw the cash pile. The amount allegedly discovered by the firefighters is not known.

The Delhi High Court website shows Justice Varma enrolled as an advocate in August 1992. He was appointed additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in October 2014. He took oath as a permanent judge of the Allahabad High Court in February 2016, before being appointed a judge of the Delhi High Court in October 2021.

He is currently heading a division bench, dealing with cases of sales tax, goods and services tax, company appeals, etc.

30 Maoists killed in Chattisgarh encounters

RAIPUR, Mar 20: At least 30 Maoists were killed in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh, officials said on Thursday. While 26 Maoists were killed in Bijapur district, four were gunned down in Kanker areas by a joint team of the BSF and DRG personnel of the state police.

A police jawan was also killed in the encounter at Bijapur, they said.

A joint team had been deployed under the Gangalur police station in the border areas of Bijapur and Dantewada districts as part of an anti-Maoist operation. Clashes and search operations to find more bodies in the area are still underway.

Along with the bodies of the Maoists, a large cache of weapons and ammunitions was also found at the site of the encounter.

Union home minister Amit Shah reacted to the encounter in a post on X and said, “Today our soldiers have achieved another major success in the direction of 'Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan'. 22 Naxalites were killed in 2 separate operations of our security forces in Bijapur and Kanker of Chhattisgarh.”

He added, “The Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against Naxalites and is adopting a zero tolerance policy against those Naxalites who are not surrendering despite all the facilities ranging from surrender to inclusion. The country is going to be Naxal-free before 31 March next year.”

On February 9, in an encounter in Bijapur, two security personnel and 31 Maoists were killed in the forests under the National Park area.

In February, a total of 18 Naxalites were arrested and explosives were recovered by security forces during the operations. More than 81 Maoists have died in 2025.

'48 MLAs Honey Trapped': Targeted Karnataka Minister Calls For Probe

BENGALURU, Mar 20: The Karnataka minister targeted with a failed honey trap said today not just him, but 48 MLAs have been targeted this way over the last 20 years. KN Rajanna, known to be close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was targeted twice, PWD (Public Works Department) Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said. A high-level investigation will be ordered into the matter by the state home ministry as the BJP also demanded a probe.

Speaking at the legislative assembly today, Rajanna said, "There is a talk that a minister from Tumkuru has been a victim of honey trap. There are only two of us from Tumkuru, one is me and the other is the Home Minister".

"This is not a new discussion,' he added. "There are 48 members who are said to have been victims of this. Many of them have also taken a stay from the High Court. There are such people on both sides and now my name is also being taken. I appeal to the Home Minister to investigate this matter thoroughly. If needed, I am ready to file a complaint myself. At least we should know who is its director and who is the actor".

State Home Minister G Parameshwara has said that a high-level investigation will be held into the matter.

"There were two attempts (on a minister), but they weren't successful," Jarkiholi had told reporters earlier today after the matter was raised in the state assembly yesterday by former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar.

Jarkiholi also said this was not the first time such an incidet took place in Karnataka.

"It has been happening for the last 20 years. Every party -- Congress, BJP, and JDS -- is a victim," he said, underscoring that politics should not involve such tactics. Some people exploit such situations for political gains, and it should be stopped, he said.

"In the earlier governments too, there were victims of honey trapping. Some names were heard. Now our people's (Congress) names are heard, if it happens in the future too, it won't be surprising. This must end," he added.

As for the current incident, he said he has spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the home minister. "We have demanded that a complaint be filed and an investigation be done... We have told the victim to come forward and file a complaint, only then it can be investigated and the truth will come out," he said.

Jarikholi's admission, though, came as a shot-in-the arm for the BJP, which has slammed the Congress and demanded a probe.

"Satish Jarkiholi is one of the most senior leaders. He is one of the most prominent leaders. If he has made a statement, then it must be true," said senior BJP leader CT Ravi.

"Who is the kingpin of honey trapping? The one making the allegation is not a common man but a senior leader of the Congress government... So, a serious investigation should be conducted into this matter. I request the Chief Minister to form a special team to investigate this matter," he added.

Former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar had raised the issue in the assembly on Wednesday during a debate on the law and order situation, accusing the Congress government of running a "honey-trap factory". He demanded that the state home department investigate the issue.

Last week, reports said two women were arrested for allegedly honey trapping a BJP leader in Tumakuru district. BJP leader Annappa Swamy had alleged that a woman had befriended him on Facebook and later, he was blackmailed with their intimate videos.

UP Professor, Accused Of Raping Students, Arrested After 72 Hours On The Run

PRAYAGRAJ, Mar 20: Police in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj have arrested a 50-year-old Geography professor accused of sexually abusing his students - he allegedly filmed these acts and used these 59 videos to blackmail them into silence, as well as force them to perform further sexual favours.

Rajnish Kumar, the Chief Proctor of the Seth Phool Chand Bagla PG College in Hathras, had been on the run since the allegations broke earlier this week, accompanied by horrific videos of students being sexually assaulted that were shared with the cops on a USB flash, or pen, drive.

Police sources said Kumar claimed not to know how many women he had abused.

He said he only began recording his attacks a few years ago - after a web camera inadvertently recorded a student being molested - indicating many more women may have been raped.

Sources said he had also accepted bribes from students and their parents to give them higher marks on tests and find them jobs, which he also used to force sexual favours.

Kumar told the cops that in 2009 he was in a sexual relationship (reportedly consensual) with a student. And, once, when they were having sex the webcam on a computer recorded them.

That, he claimed, gave him the 'idea' - to record women being raped and blackmail them.

According to Chiranjeev Nath Sinha, the Superintendent of Police in Hathras, Kumar then installed special software on his computer to record his rapes.

The cops have said Kumar was previously married - in 1996. The status of that marriage is unclear. The couple did not, though, have children.

In 2001 he was appointed as a teacher at the Bagla College. Last year he was promoted to Chief Proctor.

His reign of terror and sexual abuse began in 2008. The more than 65 videos that have now been recovered from his mobile phone, include some uploaded on pornographic websites.

Farm Leaders Detained In Punjab's Mohali, Cops Clear Shambhu Border

CHANDIGARH, Mar 19: A group of farmer leaders were detained by the Punjab police when they were on their way to join the ongoing farmers' protest at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Those detained included Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

The farmers were detained from Mohali after a clash with the security forces. They were heading for the Shambhu border protest site after a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The police also removed farmers from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu and Khanauri Borders and dismantled the temporary structures they erected. A number of farmers were detained from these areas as well.

Farmers have been camping out at the border after they were stopped from going to Delhi with their demands.

"Farmers had been protesting at Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, Police cleared the area after they were given proper warning," said Nanak Singh, a senior police officer of Patiala.

"A few people showed a willingness to go home. So, they were sent home on a bus. In addition, the structures and vehicles here are being moved. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic. Haryana Police will also begin their action. Once it opens from their side, the movement on highway will resume. We did not need to use any force because there was no resistance. Farmers cooperated well and they sat in buses by themselves," he added.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the action was taken as they want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

"We want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The demands of the farmers are against the central government and they should stage a protest in Delhi or somewhere else but should not block the roads of Punjab," Harpal Cheema said.

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi dubbed today's detention an "attack" on the farm sector.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema also strongly condemned it, calling it a "highly undemocratic and illogical action that amounts to betrayal of the farm leaders".

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann must explain what happened after the meeting and who gave orders to arrest the leaders on way back, he said.

"It has exposed that Union government and the Bhagwant Mann government are hand-in-glove with each other. The SAD demanded immediate release of all farm leaders without delay," Mr Cheema said.

The Central delegation's meet with the farmers had remained inconclusive. Mr Chouhan said it took place in a "very positive environment".

India, New Zealand Ink Defence Pact, Hold Talks On Free Trade Agreement

NEW DELHI, Mar 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart from New Zealand Christopher Luxon held wide-ranging bilateral talks in New Delhi today, following which the two nations signed a crucial defence agreement.

Discussions between the two leaders focused on strengthening overall bilateral ties, especially in the areas of trade, defence, education, sports, agriculture, and people-to-people ties. The two sides also decided to begin negotiations on a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement or FTA.

During the meeting, India and New Zealand decided to institutionalise their defence and security ties. Modi also highlighted New Delhi's concerns over certain unlawful elements carrying out anti-India activities in the Pacific island nation.

In his statement following the meeting with Prime Minister Luxon, Modi said, "We both are unanimous against terrorism. Whether it is the Christchurch terrorist attack of March 15, 2019, or the Mumbai attack of November 26, 2008, terrorism in any form is unacceptable, and strict action is necessary against those guilty of terrorist attacks."

He noted that India and New Zealand "will continue to cooperate together against terrorist, separatist, and radical elements," adding that "In this context, we shared our concern about anti-India activities by some illegal elements in New Zealand."

India, he said, "is confident that it will continue to receive cooperation from the New Zealand government against all these illegal elements."

Prime Minister Modi also said that both sides have agreed to strengthen and institutionalise their defence and security partnership, and a roadmap will be prepared for cooperation in the defence industry sector.

Besides defence and security, Modi also said that India and New Zealand have decided to start negotiations for a mutually beneficial free trade pact. "This will boost the potential of mutual trade and investment," he said, adding that "Mutual cooperation and investment will be encouraged in areas like dairy, food processing, and pharma."

The two leaders also discussed about a new arrangement between India and New Zealand to facilitate the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. The proposed arrangement on skilled workforce mobility will facilitate the movement of professionals, fostering stronger people-to-people ties, and economic opportunities.

New Zealand also formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and became a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), marking its deeper engagement in regional and global frameworks.

Another key pact signed by both countries is the Authorised Economic Operator - Mutual Recognition Agreement or AEO-MRA. The agreement is aimed at streamlining trade processes and enhancing customs cooperation.

Additionally, a Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture was signed between India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries. A Letter of Intent on Forestry was also exchanged between India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and its New Zealand counterpart, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Further deepening collaboration, an Education Cooperation Agreement was signed between both nations' education ministries, along with a Memorandum of Cooperation in Sports between India's Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Sport New Zealand.

Modi, Tulsi Gabbard Meet Hours After India Flags Khalistani Terror To US

NEW DELHI, Mar 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tulsi Gabbard, the United States' Director of National Intelligence, in Delhi Monday evening. This was after she spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and he called for action against Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice outfit and its founder, Gurpatwant Pannun.

During their meeting the two also exchanged gifts; Modi presented the US intel chief with a vase with Ganga water from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, which hosted the Maha Kumbh.

This is Ms Gabbard's second meeting with the Prime Minister in two months; the two met in February, when Modi was in Washington, D.C. for a bilateral with President Donald Trump.

Then, Modi and Gabbard discussed ways to enhance cooperation to tackle threats like terrorism and cybersecurity, and "set the tone and vision for a stronger India-US partnership".

Before the sit-down with the Prime Minister, Ms Gabbard met Rajnath Singh to discuss a number of issues, including intel-sharing, to further deepen the India-US partnership.

This, in turn, was before she met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

On Tuesday Ms Gabbard will address the Raisina Dialogue - India's premier multi-national forum on geopolitics and geoeconomics hosted by India since 2016.

Tulsi Gabbard is in India as part of a multi-nation visit to the Indo-Pacific that includes stops at Japan and Thailand, and focuses on "building strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication" to achieve Trump's 'peace, freedom, and prosperity' objectives.

She was appointed as the US' top intel chief last month and, in this role, oversees 18 American intel agencies, including the CIA, the FBI, and the NSA, on a budget of nearly $100 billion.

5 Injured As Man Attacks People With Iron Pipe At Golden Temple In Amritsar

NEW DELHI, Mar 14: Five people were injured when they were attacked by a man with an iron rod at Amritsar's Golden Temple complex, the police said. The man was arrested and the situation was brought under control, according to reports.

Panic gripped as the man began the attack near the community kitchen, or Guru Ram Das langar, where devotees and locals were present.

Two sewadars (volunteers) of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) were among the injured people. One of the injured has been admitted to Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Amritsar.

The attacker and his accomplice were overpowered by people inside the temple complex, before they were arrested.

The police said the accused surveyed the area before the attack.

"The second accused allegedly conducted recce along with the one who attacked devotees," a police officer told reporters.

The key accused went out and returned with an iron rod before he began attacking the SGPC staff and the devotees who tried to intervene.

Police officer Sarmel Singh said the accused has been identified as Zulfan, a resident of Haryana. He said he was also injured in the incident.

The police said they are investigating to find the motive behind the attack, and asked people not to panic.

The incident, however, sparked outrage among the Sikh community. The SGPC filed a police complaint against the assailant.

The incident has raised concerns about the security of devotees.

Manipur violence: 1 protestor killed, Kuki groups announce shutdown in some parts

IMPHAL, Mar 8: A protester from the Kuki tribes was killed in clashes with the security forces in Manipur today as buses moved out of the state capital Imphal towards other districts, following the Centre's order to ensure free movement across the state that is under the President's rule.

The police in a statement said "armed miscreants from among the protesters" fired at them.

The buses with security escorts that went towards Kangpokpi, 45 km from Imphal, faced a blockade by women protesters. The security forces fired tear gas and lathi-charged them as the mob refused to let the vehicles pass, officials said.

Sixteen protesters were injured, the police said in a statement, adding the crowd grew in number and some started throwing stones at the buses and the escort vehicles.

The Kangpokpi protesters damaged some vehicles and set one on fire, officials said.

Twenty-seven security force personnel were injured, two critically, the police said in a statement.

"The security forces showed tremendous restraint while trying to control the unruly and violent mob and used minimum force to control and counter the anti-social elements, including the firing by armed miscreants from among the protesters," the police said.

The police said allegations by the Kuki-Zo Council and the Kuki Students' Organisation that security forces were escorting local protesters are "totally baseless and false".

The Kuki-Zo Council (KAC), a newly formed group, in a statement called an indefinite shutdown in areas where the Kuki-Zo tribes are dominant.