States & UTs News

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Police have denied permission for an RSS processions on October 2 at 51 locations across the state to maintain law and order in the wake of the Centre's move to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI), sources said.
Police sources told IANS that the decision was taken to avoid the possibility of violence during the march
The RSS had earlier sought permission to conduct the processions and the Madras High Court on September 22 allowed it.
Another major reason pointed out by the police is the recent petrol and kerosene bomb attacks on the residences of senior functionaries of the RSS.
The police do not want any such attack during the processions which can turn the situation volatile, the sources added.
Sources in the RSS told IANS that the organisation would again move the Madras High Court against the order of the Tamil Nadu Police.&nbsp;
—IANS

Tamil Nadu Police have denied permission for an RSS processions on October 2 at 51 locations across the state to maintain law and order in the wake of the Centre's move to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI), sources said.

 TN Police denies permission for state-wide RSS processions on Oct 2

Tamil Nadu

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has decided to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the order of the Calcutta High Court’s division bench of declaring the ‘Duare Ration’ (ration at doorsteps) scheme as illegal.
On Wednesday, division bench of Justice Chittaranjan Das and Justice Aniruddha Roy, while declaring the ‘Duare Ration project’ as illegal, observed that the said scheme was contrary to the National Food Security Act, 2013 and hence should be discontinued with.
A senior official from the state law department, on strict condition of anonymity, pointed out some of the points to be highlighted before the Supreme Court.
“Months after the project was launched a section of the fair price shop dealers approached the-then Calcutta High Court’s single- judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha. That single- judge bench dismissed the petition demanding scrapping of the ‘Duare Ration scheme’ then. Justice Sinha then gave her own reasons on why she dismissed the petition. Our counsels will review that order and highlight the reasons given by Justice Sinha at the apex court,” the official said.
The second point that the state government proposes to highlight is that when the ‘Duare Ration scheme’ has already been launched by spending crores of rupees, its scraping in the midway will result in loss of the entire money spent.
However, legal experts feel that going by the point highlighted by the division bench of Calcutta High Court that the project is contrary to the National Food Security Act, 2013, then there is little possibility of getting a reverse order at the apex court.
“Remember that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government also made a similar attempt to ensure supply of foodgrains under the public distribution system at the doorsteps of the people of the state. However, the scheme also had to be called off following a court directive on similar legal grounds,” said senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court, Kaushik Gupta.
According to economist Santanu Basu, the ‘ration at doorsteps’ scheme was coined by vote- strategist Prasant Kishor both for AAP and Trinamool Congress as a major campaign point before the respective Assembly election in Delhi and West Bengal. “This campaign line might have reaped rich political dividends for both AAP and Trinamool Congress in the polls. But, surely the projects were launched both in Delhi and West Bengal without considering its legal consequences as well as the practical applicability in the long run. That is why the project in both states have received legal jolts,” he said.&nbsp;
—IANS

The West Bengal government has decided to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the order of the Calcutta High Court’s division bench of declaring the ‘Duare Ration’ (ration at doorsteps) scheme as illegal.

 Bengal govt to challenge Calcutta HC's order on 'ration at doorsteps' in SC

West Bengal

<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Bengaluru: <span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), probing the PSI scandal in Karnataka, has submitted a 1,406-page charge sheet in the court against jailed senior IPS officer ADGP Amrit Paul, the agency sources stated on Thursday.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Paul is the first senior ADGP level officer to be arrested in connection with the scandal that rocked the state and made national news.&nbsp;
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The charge sheet has been submitted before the First ACMM court in Bengaluru. Accused Amrit Paul is being made 35th accused in the case. The CID investigation officer DySP B.K. Shekar submitted 78 records, 38 witnesses against Paul to highlight his role in the scam, conspiracy to carry it out and collection of money from aspirants of posts of sub-inspectors.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">According to sources, the CID had already submitted a charge sheet regarding the scandal but without mentioning the name and role of Paul.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The latest investigations have shown that the accused who had allegedly received a cut of Rs 1.35 crore from candidates to PSI posts had given away the money to his aide and benami Shambhulinga Swamy. The CID had seized Rs 41 lakh from him.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Amrit Paul, who worked as ADGP of Recruitment department, had allegedly allowed his junior DySP Shanthakumar and team to commit scandal in recruitment of 545 posts of PSI. The officers attached to the Recruitment Division Sunitha Bai, RPI Manjunath and guards have recorded their statements confirming the role of Amrit Paul, sources explain.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">However, Paul is maintaining that the scandal had taken place without his knowledge and he had not received any money. The opposition Congress had demanded the resignation of Home Minister Araga Jnanendra in connection with the scandal.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), probing the PSI scandal in Karnataka, has submitted a 1,406-page charge sheet in the court against jailed senior IPS officer ADGP Amrit Paul, the agency sources stated on Thursday.

 K'taka PSI scam: CID submits 1,406-page charge sheet against ADGP Amrit Paul

Karnataka

Chennai: The construction of houses for the Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna (PMAY) scheme has been stalled in Gudimangalam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district following complaints based on caste issue.
The state government had shortlisted beneficiaries under the PMAY scheme for people belonging to the Scheduled Caste Arunthathiyar community in Moongil Thozhavu village in Gudimangalam following their representation in 2014. Title documents were sanctioned to the people of the SC community in 2014 and in September 2021 approval was sanctioned for the construction of homes.
Suresh, a person belonging to the Arunthathiyar community in Gudimangalam while speaking to IANS said, “We are daily wage earners and don’t have a residence of our own. We applied to the state government for land and home in 2014 and we were sanctioned with title documents or ‘Patta’ of the land. The department officials conducted an inspection and granted permission to commence construction in September 2021.”
He said that when everything was clear, caste Hindus of the area intervened and said that they could not undertake construction as the property earmarked was close to a burial ground.
Suresh said, “The burial ground is used by the SC community and we don’t have a problem in constructing these homes and as far as our knowledge is concerned, these caste Hindus objected to our construction of homes as they don’t like us to be around.”
Interestingly the contractors, who have undertaken the construction work of the SC members under the PMAY scheme, have also suddenly backed out.
A contractor, who was doing the subsidiary work to the main contractor, on conditions of anonymity told IANS that the contractor and his staff were threatened by a group of caste Hindus.
The officials of the area, including the block officials who are responsible for allocating land and sanctioning funds under subsidy for the PMAY scheme, told IANS, said, “We are conducting an investigation as to why the contractor has stopped work midway. If it is clear that caste was the issue of the contractor backing out, then it is a serious issue and stringent action will be taken against all those concerned.”
While DMK and its Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin have been chest-thumping on the Dravidian model of development and social equality, in reality, the Tamil Nadu villages are confronting the issue of caste and are taking an ugly turn with people segregating others in the name of caste.&nbsp;
—IANS

The construction of houses for the Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna (PMAY) scheme has been stalled in Gudimangalam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district following complaints based on caste issue.

 Caste issue: Construction of SC homes under PMAY scheme stalled in TN district

New Delhi: The Udhampur blast case in which two persons suffered injuries, is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Highly placed sources said that a team of elite NIA officials has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur. The team is likely to take charge of all the documents regarding the blast from the local police. Two people were injured in a "mysterious blast" in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district late Wednesday evening. Police said two people were injured in a mysterious blast in a parked bus in Domail Chowk. "The two injured persons have been shifted to hospital. This is the second such blast in Udhampur during the last 24 hours," the police said.
As per reports, the bus was parked near a petrol pump and was empty at the time of explosion. The intensity of the blast was such that the roof of the bus got damaged, and the window panes of several nearby vehicles were also damaged. A large number of police personnel and a bomb disposal squad reached the spot after receiving information about the blast. An FIR has been lodged and investigation started in this incident, the police added.
—IANS

The Udhampur blast case in which two persons suffered injuries, is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Highly placed sources said that a team of elite NIA officials has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur.

 NIA team sent to Udhampur, likely to take over blast case

The Udhampur blast case in which two persons suffered injuries, is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Highly placed sources said that a team of elite NIA officials has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur.


Jammu and Kashmir

Meerut (Uttar Pradesh): <span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">At a time when Pitbull dogs are making news for all the wrong reasons, this is a story with a twist.&nbsp;
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">A Pitbull dog in Meerut was stolen by four persons who took it away in an e-rickshaw.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The Pitbull after some time, started attacking the four thieves who then tied the dog at the gate of the Chaudhary Charan Singh university and fled.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">As the news of the Pitbull theft spread, several people started offering food and sweets to the dog in the hope that he would get friendly with them but the dog remained in a hostile mood.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The police posted a photograph of the dog on social media, but found many people claiming to be the dog’s owner.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Finally, in the evening, the dog’s owner Subhash Chaudhary came to the police station and seeing him, the Pitbull immediately recognised his owner.
<span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 15px;font-family: Verdana, BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">The Pitbull was finally handed over to the owner.&nbsp;
—IANS

At a time when Pitbull dogs are making news for all the wrong reasons, this is a story with a twist.  A Pitbull dog in Meerut was stolen by four persons who took it away in an e-rickshaw.

 The curious case of stolen Pitbull in UP's Meerut

At a time when Pitbull dogs are making news for all the wrong reasons, this is a story with a twist. 
A Pitbull dog in Meerut was stolen by four persons who took it away in an e-rickshaw.

Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: Iftekhar Ahmed Javed, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board, has issued directives to all madrasas affiliated to the state government to ensure six-hour education for students so that hey can be brought to the level of other schools.
This order will come into effect from October 1.
According to the new time table, the students will attend classes in the madrasas from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is an hour more.
Teachers and staff will also be on duty for at least six hours.
"The madrasa student should not feel inferior when he is moving in the society. He must have good general knowledge, besides knowledge of math, science, English and Hindi along with religious subjects. We want to produce perfect students who can contribute to the development of the country," Javed said.
"We want madrasas to match the standards of other good schools so that even the people of the management committee can proudly admit their kids in madrasas for quality education. We must develop a respect for madrasa education first."
Classes for science, math, English and Hindi will be held daily along with religious subjects like Arabic, Persian, Diniyat and Urdu, he added.
"The government also wants the teachers to work according to the new time table. The day will start with prayers at 9 a.m. followed by the national anthem. After, that classes would be held till noon. Lunch for students and staff would be from noon to 12.30 p.m. After that, classes would be held till 3 p.m. All the madrasas are directed to follow this schedule strictly," he said.&nbsp;
—IANS

Iftekhar Ahmed Javed, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board, has issued directives to all madrasas affiliated to the state government to ensure six-hour education for students so that hey can be brought to the level of other schools.

 UP revises timings of all madrasas

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a first, has warned his Ministers not to indulge in any activity that brings bad name or disrepute to the government.
He has warned them not to indulge in mediating in contracts and other works.
At a meeting on Wednesday evening, he told the Ministers that they should treat this responsibility as an opportunity to serve people at large and directed them to remain in field and review their respective department's work at least for three to four days a week.
He urged them to carry out development work on PPP mode, as well as to innovate and think out of the box.
The Chief Minister said that if they continued to do routine work, their departments will have no significant achievements to show and also asked them to come up with new ideas.
According to official sources, Yogi asked each minister about the work assigned to them and also gave special directions to each of them.
He also said that technology should be used as much as possible so that people need not come to government offices but can easily carry out their work through decentralised means.
For instance, he said that the Transport Department should start automatic driving institutes and online issuance of licences.
Yogi asked the concerned Minister to develop bus depots so that they have an 'airport-like feel'.
He also asked the AYUSH Minister that efforts should be made to set up wellness centres in at least each of the 18 divisions, adding that people head to places like Bengaluru for wellness retreats and this facility should instead be developed in Uttar Pradesh.
While discussing the developments in the Environment Department, the Chief Minister said that special efforts must be made to ensure that the saplings being planted across the state are able to survive.
The Department has also been asked to work on pollution control measures.&nbsp;
—IANS

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a first, has warned his Ministers not to indulge in any activity that brings bad name or disrepute to the government.

 Yogi asks Ministers to be cautious while working

Lucknow: A woman banker in Lucknow has been duped of Rs 73,000 by a cyber thug who lured her as prospective 'groom' on a matrimonial site.
The woman, in her 40s, met the man on a matrimonial site, who introduced himself as Sonu Singh, a resident of New York.
In the FIR, she alleged that they used to talk to each other on the phone and in one month they became good friends and agreed to marry each other.
"He said that he is sending the jewellery for the engagement ceremony through a courier service. He also shared the photos of the jewellery on WhatsApp," the victim said in her complaint.
"Later, a woman from the courier company called me and said that you have to pay Rs 73,000 in order to receive the packet. I transferred the amount but did not receive the packet. Later, Singh also switched off his phone, I thought that we would get married hence I made the payment," she added.
Station House Officer (SHO), Gomti Nagar extension police station, Anil Kumar Singh said that based on the victim's complaint, the FIR under the charges of criminal breach of trust and cheating and dishonesty was lodged.
"We will be taking the help of Cyber Cell to investigate the matter," he said.
Cyber Cell officials claimed that the modus-operandi suggests the fraud seems to be the handiwork of a Nigerian gang, which had earlier duped a retired HAL engineer of Rs 8 lakh by posing as a German girl.
Another woman entrepreneur was also defrauded of Rs 1.36 lakh by a miscreant who sent her a friend request on Instagram and trapped her.&nbsp;
—IANS

A woman banker in Lucknow has been duped of Rs 73,000 by a cyber thug who lured her as prospective 'groom' on a matrimonial site.

 Lucknow woman banker duped online by prospective 'groom'

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department has ordered a probe after a video clip went viral on the social media, showing chapattis meant for mid-day meal strewn on the floor and being transferred to a plastic bag.
A video is of primary school Goyla in Bakshi Ka Talab area of Lucknow.
Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Arun Kumar said he had seen the video and ordered probe. He said as per rules, the entire mid-day meal distribution was to be done under the watchful eyes of the headmaster and teachers.
The video exposes the tall claim of state basic education department of hygiene in distribution of mid-day meal in schools.
School headmistress Babita Kumari said Akshay Patra served the mid-day meal in the school.
She said there were 293 students in the school and 181 were present on Saturday and on Monday, only 169 students had turned up.
"Due to Navratri fasting, a few Class 5 students did not have meal. Also, every student does not like chapatis. They prefer tehri, vegetables, rice and pulses. So, there were excess chapatis. After mid-day meal was served, these surplus chapatis were bundled in a plastic bag to be disposed of," she said.
Block education officer Preeti Shukla who is investigating the case, said she went to the school and according to her findings, the video was of Monday.
She said it was true that the chapatis should not have been kept on the floor but they were not served to the students.
She said, "Surplus chapatis were being put in a plastic bag to be disposed of. There are complaints against the cook and her behaviour is not good. Notice has been served to her."&nbsp;
—IANS

The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department has ordered a probe after a video clip went viral on the social media, showing chapattis meant for mid-day meal strewn on the floor and being transferred to a plastic bag.

 Probe ordered after chapattis found strewn on floor in UP school

Kochi: Professor TJ Joseph, whose hand was chopped off by the activists of Popular Front of India for alleged blasphemy 12 years ago, on Wednesday declined to respond to the Centre’s ban on the radical Islamic outfit, saying observing silence was better at times than always talking.
Asked for his reaction by the media, a visibly calm and composed professor said he, as a citizen of the country, has a clear opinion about the union government’s move, but he does not want to respond now as he was a “victim” in the case.
The banning of PFI was a political decision and something related to national security and let the political leaders, organizational representatives and other such neutral people respond to the development, he said.
Observing silence was better at times than always talking, Joseph said, adding that he felt that it was better not to react at the moment. “So I am not reacting. Many of the victims of the PFI’s attacks are no longer alive. I would like to observe silence in solidarity with those victims,” ??he added. A former lecturer of Malayalam literature at Newman College in Thodupuzha, Joseph was attacked and his right hand was chopped off allegedly by activists of the Popular Front of India in July 2010 while he, along with his mother and sister, was returning home from church.
The attackers told him that he was being punished for the alleged sacrilegious undertones of one of the questions he had framed in an exam. The case was investigated by NIA and a special NIA court in 2015 had convicted 13 people, owing allegiance to the PFI.
Joseph had faced another tragedy when his 48-year-old wife Shalomi Joseph died by suicide in 2014. His autobiography, ‘Attupokatha Ormakal’ (Unforgettable Memories), a chilling account of the religious extremism and the ordeal he underwent after the shocking incident in his life, recently won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award. It was also translated into English titled ‘A Thousand Cuts: An Innocent Question And Deadly Answers’.
—PTI

 Professor TJ Joseph, whose hand was chopped off by the activists of Popular Front of India for alleged blasphemy 12 years ago, on Wednesday declined to respond to the Centre’s ban on the radical Islamic outfit, saying observing silence was better at times than always talking.

Prof Whose Hand Was Severed By PFI Men Prefers Silence

Kerala

Dehradun: The murder case of Ankita Bhandari that shook the entire country is being investigated from all angles with total promptness so that her killers can be sent to the gallows as soon as possible, a high-ranked police official said in Dehradun on Wednesday.
Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, was allegedly killed by the resort owner and two of his accomplices.
The official said the three accused, including resort owner Pulkit Arya, were arrested within 24 hours of the matter being handed over to the regular police force from revenue police on September 22. "A special investigation team headed by a DIG-level officer is fast collecting the shreds of evidence on the basis of which we can plead for the hanging of the accused in the court of law," he said, requesting anonymity. Rubbishing allegations that the accused are being shielded by destroying evidence related to the case in the garb of demolishing parts of the resort, he said there has been no tampering with the evidence.
Asked why the VIP guest, who finds a mention in Bhandari's chat with her friend that has now gone viral and to whom she was asked to offer "extra service" for money at the resort, is yet to be brought under the ambit of the probe, the official emphatically said he will also be included.
"It is, in fact, in our efforts to find out about him that we have summoned Ankita's friend from Jammu, Pushp. The investigation will be carried forward on the basis of his interrogation," he said. The accused had said they had pushed Bhandari into the Chilla canal on September 18, whereas her body was found on September 24.
On doubts rising in the minds of people that Bhandari was first killed and then thrown into the canal as despite the lapse of five-six days, her body was not bloated when retrieved from the canal as is the case with drowning victims, the official said a panel of four doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh conducted the post-mortem and clearly said in its report that she died due to drowning.
Three things are very clear in the autopsy report -- drowning led to her death, there were injury marks on her elbow, back and fingers apparently because of being dragged on the floor and that she was not raped -- he said.
However, he added that samples from her body parts have been sent for a forensic examination to rule out rape and the report is likely to be available soon.
On the various claims floating on social media platforms, the official said those are unfounded and misleading and would only help the accused.
The probe is being conducted very fast and the truth will soon come out, he said.
"People should keep patience. Ankita will get justice," he asserted.
Meanwhile, the SIT probing the case on Tuesday seized a grey Activa and a black Pulsar motorcycle, which were apparently used in the crime.
The scooter and the bike are understood to have been used in taking Bhandari by her killers to the Chilla canal, into which she was pushed by them.
The SIT has also summoned a couple who had worked at the resort earlier and others for interrogation, it said.
Former employees of the resort have alleged that it had become a centre of wrongful activities much before Bhandari's killing.
The SIT has found the list of guests staying at the resort on the day of the incident. It has also collected physical evidence and is examining electronic evidence such as CCTV footage and mobile call records.
The main accused, the owner of the Vanantara resort Pulkit Arya, is the son of former Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Arya, who was expelled by the party when his son's name cropped up in the case. —PTI

The murder case of Ankita Bhandari that shook the entire country is being investigated from all angles with total promptness so that her killers can be sent to the gallows as soon as possible, a high-ranked police official said in Dehradun on Wednesday.

Will Seek Noose In Ankita Murder Case: Top Cop

Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to provide financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the family of Ankita Bhandari who was allegedly murdered.
The Chief Minister said "the state government is with Ankita's family and would help them in every way. SIT investigation is going on in the matter. The investigation will be completed at the earliest in a completely impartial manner."
Dhami also said that the police were collecting facts related to the case and preparing the report in a solid manner, that will ensure that the culprits get the strictest punishment.
"Such punishment will be given to the criminals which will become an example for the future also. The Hon'ble Court has been requested for hearing in fast track court so that the victim's family can get speedy justice," said CM Dhami.
The body of Ankita Bhandari, 19, was recovered from the Chilla Canal in Rishikesh on September 24.
The murder case has sparked massive outrage and protests were reported from various parts of the state. Angry locals even set on fire the resort where Ankita worked. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami then ordered officials to ensure law and order in the state.
Authorities had demolished parts of the resort, saying the structures were illegally constructed. But this action had raised fears that crucial evidence relating to the case may have been compromised.
The police, however, assured that a forensic team had collected evidence before the demolition.
Besides Pulkit Arya, two more people have been arrested after they confessed to having pushed Ankita into the canal after an altercation.
Previously, the SIT told ANI that Ankita Bhandari's WhatsApp chats were being scanned to find more leads. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to provide financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the family of Ankita Bhandari who was allegedly murdered.

Ankita's Family To Be Given Financial Assistance Of Rs 25 Lakh: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

New Delhi: The Himalayan Echoes Literature Festival will host its seventh Edition in a physical avatar after a two-year-long gap. This year's theme for the festival is C.A.L.M. -- Creativity. Art. Literature. Mountains.
A platform created for dialogues about the Himalayas, and also committed to promoting books, poetry, and research associated with the mountains, the organisers believe in delving deep into the cultural diversity and unity of the Himalayan people and hence endorse local and regional art, craft and farm produce inspired by sustainable work ethics.
Founded by Janhavi Prasada, author and social entrepreneur, the festival has been mentored by Namita Gokhale, writer and co-Director for JLF.
The two-day festival will be hosted at Abbotsford House, a heritage homestay which is also home to Prasada and her family. This picturesque property is a hidden gem, tucked away in a corner of Cheena Peak.
India's foremost food chronicler, Rushina Ghildiyal, who is writing a book on Uttarakhand's indigenous cuisine, will be leading the session on 'Culinary Culture of the Mountains'. A session on tigers by Daleep Akoi on the legendary hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett will be steeped with recent history and nostalgia.
Another session by Vir Srivastava evoking the romance of the annual regattas of Nainital lake, an age-old tradition, will bring to life a culture that is so close to the mountain folk.
There will be food, local Kumaon delicacies, wine tasting in the evening, day cocktails in the sun and fabulous view of Abbotsford, the location of the festival and some steaming hot cups of coffee throughout the duration of the sessions.
A Kumaon Bazaar will showcase some regional wellness products, award-winning Knitwear brands that involve mountain village women, handicrafts and Aipan art. Ajay Bijli, Chairman &amp; MD, PVR Cinemas will be performing live with his music band 'Random Order'. He will also be discussing the cinematic influence of mountains in his session, 'Cinema Cinema'.
"Himalayan Echoes is a celebration of mountain voices from across the northern belt of India. It's a gem of a festival where arts, crafts, local cuisine and music come together under one banner. It is the only mountain festival in India that has an ?environment' at its core. That is why I also call it the 'environment festival' of India. This October we are celebrating the theme of C.A.L.M post-pandemic." says Prasada
"Himalayan Echoes is a joyous and inspirational festival rooted in the culture and heritage of the mountains. C.A.L.M. celebrates the creativity, art, literature and music of the Himalayan region," adds Gokhale. —IANS

The Himalayan Echoes Literature Festival will host its seventh Edition in a physical avatar after a two-year-long gap. This year's theme for the festival is C.A.L.M. -- Creativity. Art. Literature. Mountains.

Himalayan Echoes To Be Held In Nainital On Oct 8-9

Dehradun: The Congress on Wednesday staged a dharna at the Gandhi Park here demanding a CBI probe into Ankita Bhandari murder case, saying it has no confidence in the ongoing investigation by the SIT.
Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat, Leader of Opposition in Uttarakhand Assembly Yashpal Arya, state unit president Karan Mahra, his predecessor Ganesh Godiyal and a host of other party leaders participated in the dharna accusing the state government of destroying evidence instead of carrying out an impartial probe into the murder.
“The chief minister hurriedly ordered the demolition of the resort to destroy evidence. The DGP’s telephonic conversation with the slain girl’s father was recorded and put in public domain. It is a crime. How can we trust an SIT constituted by him? We demand a high court-monitored CBI probe into the case,” state Congress chief Mahra said.
He also questioned how the family of the main accused who is the “son of a BJP leader” was allowed to lock their home and flee.
Former chief minister Harish Rawat said, “CMs represent the collective aspirations of the people of a state. They should be impartial. It’s a litmus test for the chief minister. If he fails in it, people of Uttarakhand will never forgive him.” —PTI&nbsp;

The Congress on Wednesday staged a dharna at the Gandhi Park here demanding a CBI probe into Ankita Bhandari murder case, saying it has no confidence in the ongoing investigation by the SIT.

Ankita Murder Case Being Probed With Promptness From All Angles: Official

Cong Stages Dharna, Demands CBI Probe Into Ankita Murder Case

Dehradun: Amid speculations about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami left for Delhi on Tuesday.
According to sources, Dhami will discuss a possible cabinet reshuffle with the BJP high command in Delhi.
Reliable sources said that the Chief Minister would also submit a report on those party leaders to the BJP high command who tried to tarnish the image of the RSS and the government in the assembly recruitment case.
Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was in the national capital, paid a courtesy call to Home Minister Amit Shah.
The meeting lasted for an hour in which the CM apprised Shah in detail of the divine calamity that had occurred in various places in the state in the recent past and the disaster management, relief and rescue operations carried out in those areas.
The issue of police modernisation was also discussed between the two leaders.
CM Dhami had said, "There was a lot of discussion regarding the development of the state in the meeting". Earlier, the CM had held a meeting on the Kishau Dam Multipurpose Project under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Water Power Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the National capital.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also participated virtually.
In the meeting, CM Dhami and the CM of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, presented their views on the project. —ANI

Amid speculations about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami left for Delhi on Tuesday.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami Leaves For Delhi Amid Possibility Of Cabinet Reshuffle

Dehradun (The Hawk): “Department of Industries, Uttarakhand is focusing on Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Living and working towards Peace of Doing Business” said Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary Industries, Government of Uttarakhand while interacting with Uttarakhand Industry at an Interactive session organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today over virtual platform. Dr Pandey further mentioned that industry captains are the brand ambassadors of the State and urged them to promote USPs of the State which can help in attracting new investments and support in getting recognition at the National level. He assured of full support from the Department to existing industries who are looking for expansion or to setup new project.
Mr Rohit Meena, Managing Director, SIIDCUL Uttarakhand apprised on some of the initiative and projects Uttarakhand Government is working on which includes development of Pharma city wherein 73 acres of land has been allotted, Kashipur area electronic park which has already been launched and department is working on plot allotments, aroma park in Sitarganj, Plastic Park for which Center government has given almost 30 crore subsidies among other initiatives. Mr Meena further briefed about Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) wherein he shared that government of India would be releasing 400 crores for the development work in SIIDCUL area and which will bring huge developed to the State. Mr Meena added that department is also working on self-certificate and automation for ease of doing business which will be operational soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ms Sonia Garg, Chairperson, CII Uttarakhand State Council &amp; CEO, Forace Industries, welcomed Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary Industries, Government of Uttarakhand. During her presentation Ms Garg shared some of the key issues for facilitating industries in the State, such as Ease of doing business, infrastructure at SIIDCUL Estates, power, waste management, ESIC Hospital Operations, issues related to CETP, Incentives on EV Manufacturing, Development of Pantnagar Airport among others. These issues were well addressed by the Department of Industries, and they assured wherever possible adequate action will be taken.&nbsp;
Mr Anal Vijay Singh, Plant Head, Tata Motors Ltd Pantnagar expressed regular interactions between industry and department of industry should take place in Kumaon area also. He added theses kind of interactions gives industry a platform to share their concern and suggestion and at the same time government can apprise industry about the recent development on various policies. Mr Bipen Gupta, Vice Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council &amp; Director, G B Springs thanked the state government for its proactive approach for supporting and facilitating industry in Uttarakhand. The session was well attended by over 50 participants of large and small industries from Kumaon &amp; Garhwal region.&nbsp;

“Department of Industries, Uttarakhand is focusing on Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Living and working towards Peace of Doing Business” said Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary Industries, Government of Uttarakhand while interacting with Uttarakhand Industry at an Interactive session organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today over virtual platform.

CII Holds Industry Interaction With Dept Of Industries Govt Of U'khand On Key Industrial Issues 

Rishikesh/Dehradun: Days after Ankita Bhandari was allegedly killed by Pulkit Arya, the son of now expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, two former staffers of the resort have alleged that girls were brought here from outside and asked to 'please' the guests.
Both the former employees, who are husband and wife, fled the resort to save their lives after being tortured like Ankita.
The couple, presently living in Meerut, used to do the same work till June. In just two months, they got so upset that they had to escape from the resort overnight to save their lives. Both the husband and wife revealed the wrongdoings of Pulkit Arya and Ankit alias Ankit Gupta.
These two former employees had done hotel management courses. After that they were looking for jobs. Meanwhile, they got information about the staff requirement at the resort of Pulkit Arya. They then came here and contacted Pulkit Arya and got the jobs.
Ishita, a former employee of Vanantra Resort, told the probe team that Pulkit Arya was harassing her so much that many a times she tried to escape from here, but every time she failed. Pulkit Arya used to keep the staff here trapped in his clutches, due to which it was very difficult to get out.
Ishita said that Pulkit Arya had accused her of theft as well. After being accused of theft, she apologized in writing even though she had not committed any theft. Both the husband and wife finally managed to come out from the resort.
Ishita and her husband said that there were always girls coming and going in this resort. Pulkit Arya used to give clear instructions about them that their names and numbers should never be noted. He used to bring such people here day or night, for whom these girls were brought. They said that Pulkit Arya also used to beat the staff here. As soon as someone tried to leave, Pulkit used to trap him in some way.
Ishita said that not only was liquor brought here in huge quantities, but Sulfa, Ganja and many types of intoxicants were stocked here. Some friends of Arya also used to come here, for whom special arrangements were made. Different types of girls used to come here. They stayed as guest only.
Ishita stated that Pulkit asked her husband to send her to a room. "We both felt very strange. He had also insisted on forcibly asking me to get food to the room. Pulkit Arya was drunk at that time, but I did not go there. Pulkit got very angry at this," she said.
"Thankfully my husband sided with me, otherwise anything could have happened to me," Ishita said.
They said that there used to be dancing and a DJ. Girls and boys used to dance together, Pulkit used to enjoy with the girls who were called for other customers.
Both husband and wife said that they were not able to get out of here. People told them to call the police, but after calling the police, they came to know that this is not a police area. This is the revenue sector. After which they called the Patwari. "Patwari came here and threatened us. At the same time, the Patwari also warned that if we try to be smart here, then we will have to face the consequences," they said.
They said the Patwari often used to come here. Pulkit Arya had good relations with the Patwari and the people associated with him. Here, many times employees were beaten and Patwari was informed, but no action was ever taken. On the contrary, Patwari always used to threaten the employees. Patwari was always given special treatment in the resort.
The former staff said that Pulkit's wife was fully aware of his wrongdoings. She also constantly opposed it. "Pulkit Arya's wife had told both of us that we should not work here. She used to say that the atmosphere here is not good. Good people don't come here," they concluded.&nbsp;
—IANS

Days after Ankita Bhandari was allegedly killed by Pulkit Arya, the son of now expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, two former staffers of the resort have alleged that girls were brought here from outside and asked to 'please' the guests.

Ex-Employees Of Pulkit Arya's Resort Say Girls Were Asked To 'Please' Guests

Jaipur: The Congress high command has called senior leader Kamal Nath to Delhi and he is likely to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday, sources said.
The visit of Kamal Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief, to Delhi comes amid a political drama in Rajasthan over leadership change following Ashok Gehlot's announcement that he would contest the All India Congress Committee president polls.
Kamal Nath is known to have close ties with the Rajasthan chief minister and could be asked to broker a truce, sources said.
While legislators loyal to Gehlot have been vocal about their issues, MLAs in the Sachin Pilot camp refrained from commenting.
MLAs loyal to Gehlot have said they have put forth demands before the observers that any decision on the chief ministerial face should be taken after the party president election on October 19 and in consultation with Gehlot.
AICC observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken, who had waited in vain for all legislators to arrive for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Sunday, were trying to persuade Gehlot loyalists to meet them one by one in an effort to defuse the political crisis.
However, several MLAs have left for their respective constituencies in view of Navratri festival, party sources said. The observers are likely to submit a report on the matter to Sonia Gandhi.
—PTI

 The Congress high command has called senior leader Kamal Nath to Delhi and he is likely to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday, sources said.

Kamal Nath Called To Delhi Amid Crisis In Raj Congress

The Congress high command has called senior leader Kamal Nath to Delhi and he is likely to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday, sources said.