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Warrant Issued for BJP MLA's Comments on Minister's Wife

A Bengaluru court has issued a non-bailable warrant for BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal after he failed to appear regarding allegations of derogatory remarks about Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao's wife, Tabassum Rao. Yatnal reportedly suggested there was "half Pakistan" in Rao's family, prompting Tabassum to file a petition against him and a complaint with the Karnataka State Women's Commission. She expressed her frustration at being drawn into political conflicts, asserting the need for respect towards women and condemning the communal implications of Yatnal's comments. Tabassum emphasized that political disagreements should not target family members personally. The court has set the next hearing for October 28. sources

Published:
Oct 18 2024, 4 am IST

Byju's Founder: Prepared to Repay Lenders Before Withdrawals

Byju Raveendran, founder of the embattled edtech company Byju's, has expressed his willingness to repay all debts owed to lenders, currently totaling $1.5 billion, if they cooperate with him. In a media call, he emphasized that lenders would not receive any funds if insolvency proceedings against the company persist. Byju's, which is facing legal challenges from US lenders over a $1.2 billion Term Loan B, recently settled a dispute with the BCCI, prompting the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal to revoke insolvency proceedings. However, the lenders, represented by Glas Trust, have since contested this ruling in the Supreme Court, reinstating the insolvency process. Raveendran noted that aggressive lenders are prioritizing profit over stakeholder interests and expressed hope for a recovery once the insolvency issues are resolved, despite current struggles in the core business. He remains committed to teaching and believes investors will return once value is demonstrated. sources

Published:
Oct 18 2024, 12 am IST

UP Student Sues 8 Seniors for Assault Over Clothing

A third-year engineering student at Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) in Kanpur has filed an FIR against eight final-year students, accusing them of attempted murder and assault during a ragging incident. The complaint alleges that the seniors summoned the student and two classmates to Abdul Kalam Hostel under the guise of a "birthday party," a euphemism for ragging. When the juniors refused to comply with demands to undress, the seniors reportedly retaliated with sticks, belts, and iron rods. The FIR includes several charges, including sections related to attempted murder, rioting, and criminal intimidation. The police have initiated an investigation, and HBTU's administration is also conducting an inquiry to determine the nature of the incident, which is unusual as ragging typically involves first-year students. Authorities have stated that the accused students will be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. sources

Published:
Oct 18 2024, 12 am IST

Opposition Agrees on 263 Maharashtra Seats, 25 Still Disputed

With Maharashtra Assembly elections approaching on November 20, the opposition coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi has reached a consensus on 263 of the 288 constituencies, according to sources. A recent meeting involving leaders from Congress, the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena made significant progress, though 25 seats remain disputed, including key areas in Mumbai. The finalized list will be submitted to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the coalition heads for a final decision within a few days. The political landscape has shifted since the last elections in 2019, with the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions vying for dominance. The ruling Mahayuti coalition faced challenges in the Lok Sabha elections, winning only 17 seats compared to the opposition's 30. Despite criticisms over recent election results in Haryana, Sharad Pawar stated they would not affect Maharashtra's outcome. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 11 pm IST

17-Year-Old UP Boy Arrested for Selling Child Porn Videos

A 17-year-old boy in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly selling over 4,000 child pornography videos online, according to local police. The teenager reportedly earned a 30% commission on each sale, obtaining the videos via Telegram from a supplier known as "Raj." The case emerged after the cyber police received a tip-off from a volunteer organization, prompting an investigation that led to the boy's capture and the seizure of his mobile phone. During questioning, he revealed that he used the Nekogram app and Telegram to distribute the illegal content, charging customers up to Rs 3,000 per video, with some priced as high as Rs 20,000. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover confirmed that an FIR has been filed against the minor, and efforts are underway to identify others involved in the distribution network. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 10 pm IST

Minors and Pranksters Made Bomb Hoax Calls, Says Minister

A 17-year-old boy was arrested by Mumbai Police on Wednesday for issuing bomb threats to multiple flights, part of a troubling trend that has seen over 28 such threats in just four days. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that investigations suggest the calls are primarily from minors and pranksters, rather than a coordinated conspiracy. The teenager allegedly sought to frame a friend over a financial dispute by creating a false social media account to post the threats. Naidu emphasized the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents, as they cause significant disruption to airlines and passengers. Recent threats have led to flight diversions and delays, including an Air India flight to New York and another to Chicago. The police are actively pursuing leads, with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, while multiple FIRs have been registered in connection with the ongoing investigations. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 9 pm IST

Delhi Pizza Sharing Dispute Escalates, Woman Shot

A woman in northeast Delhi was shot following a dispute over pizza sharing, leading to the arrest of four individuals, including her sister-in-law's brothers. The incident occurred on Wednesday night when Zeeshan, the victim's brother-in-law, distributed pizzas to the family, sparking anger from his wife, Saadiya, who had a prior conflict with Saadma, the victim. After a heated argument escalated, Saadiya summoned her brothers, who confronted Saadma's family. During the altercation, Muntahir, one of Saadiya's brothers, fired a shot that struck Saadma in the stomach. She is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Police recovered a pistol and ammunition from the suspects, who were detained after local residents intervened during the chaos. Investigations are ongoing as authorities gather statements from family members to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 8 pm IST

Congress to Challenge 2 Seats in UP, Claims SP

The upcoming by-polls in Uttar Pradesh have sparked a dispute between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) over seat-sharing arrangements. The SP has claimed that Congress will contest only two of the ten available seats—Khair and Ghaziabad—while it will field candidates for the remaining eight. SP spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury stated that this agreement is final, but Congress state chief Ajay Rai refuted this, insisting on a demand for five seats. The SP has already announced candidates for seven seats, including Sumbhul Rana for Meerapur, a seat Congress also sought. The tensions are heightened by Congress's poor performance in recent elections in Haryana, leading the SP to be reluctant in accommodating their requests. The by-polls, necessitated by the resignation of MLAs elected as MPs and the disqualification of an SP MLA, are scheduled for November 13. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 8 pm IST

Daughters Conduct Last Rites for Kerala Official's Suicide

Emotional scenes unfolded in Pathanamthitta as the daughters of Naveen Babu, a former Additional District Magistrate, lit his pyre following his alleged suicide. Babu's death came after PP Divya, the Kannur District Panchayat President, accused him of corruption during his farewell party. In response, police have charged Divya with abetment to suicide, a non-bailable offence under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence. Hundreds, including state ministers, attended Babu's last rites, recalling his 30 years of dedicated service. Former colleagues expressed disbelief over the allegations, with one IAS officer describing him as a gentle person who never harmed anyone. The opposition has demanded Divya's resignation and arrest, while Babu's family insists there is a "mystery and conspiracy" surrounding his death, rejecting claims of corruption against him. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 8 pm IST

Maharashtra: BJP Must Not Fail in Vidarbha

As Maharashtra prepares for elections on November 20, the focus is on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar's NCP, following their unexpected success in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The MVA outperformed the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, leading in 153 assembly segments. Vidarbha, with 62 seats, emerges as the pivotal region, where the Congress aims to capitalize on agricultural distress and farmer discontent, having previously won 29 seats compared to the BJP’s 15 in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, buoyed by a recent Haryana win, is focusing on cash transfer schemes and infrastructure to regain voter trust. Historically, victory in Vidarbha has been crucial for state election success, making it a key battleground in this upcoming contest. sources

Published:
Oct 17 2024, 8 pm IST