After several years, the students of Sarsuna College successfully organised the college social, giving it the name of Parikrama 1.0, on 29 January 2026. The programme was organised and attended with much enthusiasm and bonhomie. The students of Sarsuna College, under the able guidance of the College Governing Body President, Ashok Deb, supported by the competent governance of the College Principal, Dr Gopal Chandra Mandal, organised the programme within a very short preparatory period. They were actively supported in their endeavour by the eminent social worker, Sreedip Das. An organising committee of the students was formed to successfully organise the event, which was led from the front by student representative Abir Deb, a current student of the college.

The principal of Sarsuna College, in his welcome address, began the evening on an auspicious note by reminding everyone of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy of the karma yogi. He said that this was a karma yoga by the students as they had put their utmost effort to organise such a gala event within a few days. He wished that every beat of the drum and every note of music would touch the inner core of the students. His words were supported by the IQAC Coordinator, Pintu Kumar Maji and Teachers’ Council Secretary, Sanjib Kumar Gupta in their brief addresses.

The event became a confluence of education and culture due to the presence of guests like the educationalist Bhaskar Mahanayak, Principal, Vivekananda College, Thakurpukur, and others. The programme was well attended by all the teaching and non- teaching staff of the college.

It was heartening to see a well-disciplined but enthusiastic crowd of more than 8000 youngsters rise to the beat of the music. More than 600 guests were also present. All the dignitaries praised the efforts of the students in putting together such a remarkable show in such a short time. The performers of the evening, Prithibi, Snigdhajjt and Liveline, were well appreciated by all. Parikrama 1.0 ended amid a lot of cheer and optimism.

In a world where access to quality healthcare often mirrors socio-economic divides, AM Medical Centre’s newly launched initiative seeks to redraw that line. Recently unveiled in Kolkata, the philanthropic community healthcare programme, ‘Health for All’, is rooted in a powerful belief: healthcare should be a right, not a luxury.

The launch brought together voices from governance, industry and the creative world. It was graced by dignitaries, including Debasish Kumar, Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Deputy Chief Whip, Government of West Bengal; R S Goenka, Co-Founder & Joint Chairman, Emami Group; Hari Prasad Budhia, Chairman of Patton Group and film director and actor Arindam Sil. The presence of eminent figures from diverse fields emphasised a shared responsibility towards inclusive healthcare.

‘Health for All’ is designed to bridge gaps in primary and preventive healthcare. It particularly focuses on economically vulnerable communities. The programme prioritises areas often neglected due to rising private healthcare costs, such as early diagnosis, regular medical consultations, and affordable access to essential diagnostic services. Under the initiative, BPL card holders can avail free medical services upon registration. The range of services includes general physicians, eye consultations, cataract evaluation, and surgical advice where clinically required.

To complement, the centre has also introduced a Health Privilege Card. It is a comprehensive annual healthcare plan designed to deliver sustained medical benefits through a structured and affordable model. Priced at ₹1,999 and valid for one year, the card covers the primary cardholder and one family member. Annual benefits include general physician visits, eye and dental consultations, refraction tests, and a comprehensive preventive health check-up for the primary cardholder, encompassing blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray, pulmonary function tests, and more.

In a conversation with The Statesman, Dr Moon Chattaraj, prosthodontist and Director of the centre, described the initiative as a response to the growing inaccessibility of healthcare. “We started thinking about two categories of people, the underprivileged and the larger mass who need healthcare but often don’t get it because of the exorbitant rise in private sector costs,” she said, adding, “We are offering services at a subsidised rate that otherwise cost much more. Round the year, patients can access GP consultations, dental, and ENT services, and even day-care surgeries at minimal rates.”

Chattaraj highlighted why the initiative is deeply personal for her. She recalled a moment when she took a homeless child with a severe ear injury to be treated at her centre. “That incident awakened my conscience. As a doctor, I felt I had a responsibility to do something for society,” she claimed. She further added that free services for BPL patients would be offered every Sunday to ensure quality care reaches those most in need.

RS Goenka noted that these kinds of initiatives are vital for social development. “By focusing on accessibility, affordability, and preventive care, this programme addresses real healthcare needs. It is encouraging to see a structured, community-centric approach that brings together medical expertise and social responsibility for meaningful and sustainable impact,” he said.

Arindam Sil echoed similar sentiments while speaking to The Statesman. “It’s an incredible initiative. Such initiatives should come out more. Very few think for the underprivileged. Everything is not just about doing business. The field of medicine must go beyond profit and embrace social responsibility,” he stressed.

Looking ahead, the centre plans to expand the initiative across West Bengal. “We have just launched the initiative. Our long-term development plan includes opening different centres across the state, and if it matures, we plan to expand it pan India. Eventually, we also want to develop into a full-fledged hospital,” Dr Chattaraj stated. For now, it stands as a step towards a compassionate healthcare ecosystem guided not by privilege, but by need.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in Sri Lanka and India, after failing to recover in time for the latter stages of the tournament.

Hazlewood has run out of time to reach full fitness for the Super Eights and beyond, joining skipper Pat Cummins as a high-profile absentee for Australia. Both fast bowlers have been managing injuries over the past few months, leaving a significant dent in Australia’s pace resources. The selectors are yet to name a replacement for Hazlewood.

The right-arm quick sustained a hamstring injury during the final Sheffield Shield match of the season, Australia’s premier domestic red-ball competition, just ahead of the Ashes. His return was further delayed by Achilles issues that cropped up during his rehabilitation phase.

“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage, but the latest indications (are that) he is still some time away and accelerating his program will carry too much risk,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.

“We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”

Hazlewood’s withdrawal has inevitably sparked speculation over Australia’s squad composition going forward. While not a like-for-like replacement, veteran batter Steve Smith could come back into the frame following his strong performances at the back end of the Big Bash League.

Sean Abbott, who travelled with the squad from Pakistan after Australia’s recent 3-0 series defeat, remains one of the available replacement options. There is some reassurance on the injury front, with Nathan Ellis and Tim David, both recovering from hamstring concerns, expected to be fit for the group stage.

Adam Zampa, who had been troubled by groin tightness, is also set to be available for Australia’s opening match in Colombo next week.

Australia’s preparations suffered a minor setback when their warm-up match against the Netherlands was abandoned on Thursday. However, the team still has a six-day window to fine-tune plans before beginning their group-stage campaign against Ireland.

Australia’s updated T20 WC squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Bollywood has seen many controversies, but every now and then, one title alone is enough to set social media, courts, and communities on edge. That is exactly what has happened with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming web series ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’.

What started as a routine promotional push has now turned into a full-blown storm involving legal action, public anger, and a sudden pause on all promotions.

As criticism grew louder, Pandey broke his silence and took a step back, literally pulling down every piece of promotional content linked to the project.

Neeraj Pandey breaks his silence

On February 6, Neeraj Pandey issued an official statement through his Instagram account, trying to clear the air. The director said clearly that ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ is a fictional cop drama, not a real-world commentary on any caste, religion, or community.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Neeraj Pandey (@neerajpofficial)

He explained that the word “Pandat” is used only as a colloquial name for a fictional character, nothing more. According to Pandey, the story is about one individual, his actions, and the choices he makes. He urged that it should not be seen as a label for any larger group.

Pandey also said he approaches filmmaking with a deep sense of responsibility, and that his intention has always been to tell stories in a thoughtful and respectful way.

Why the promotions were pulled down

Acknowledging that the title hurt some viewers, Pandey admitted that the reaction made the team stop and reflect. He said the emotions shared by people were genuine and deserved to be respected.

As a result, the makers decided to withdraw all promotional material for now. Pandey explained that the series should be judged only after watching it fully not through short clips, posters, trailers that show only fragments of the story.

He also repeated that the project was created with sincere intent and purely for entertainment, not to insult or target anyone.

FIR filed in Lucknow as anger grows

While the statement was meant to calm things down, the legal heat has only increased. As of February 6, an FIR has been registered at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow against Neeraj Pandey and his team.

Police officials said they received complaints claiming that the title and content of ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ hurt religious and caste sentiments and could disturb public harmony.

Also Read: Anurag Kashyap reacts after being called ‘Bollywood guy’ in Epstein files linked to alleged Beijing event

The FIR was filed after Inspector Vikram Singh, Station House Officer of Kotwali Hazratganj, took cognisance of the complaints.

According to police sources, there is widespread anger among members of the Brahmin community and several social organisations. Some groups have reportedly warned of aggressive protests if the issue is not addressed.

Authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and have serious concerns about law and order. Officials said that a zero-tolerance policy will be followed against any attempt to hurt community sentiments or disturb public peace.

Further investigation and legal proceedings in the Lucknow case are currently underway.

Delhi High Court also drawn in

The controversy is not limited to Uttar Pradesh. A writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the release and streaming on Netflix.

The petition was filed by Mahender Chaturvedi, through Advocate Vineet Jindal. It claims that the title and proposed content are defamatory and communally offensive.

The plea argues that linking the word “Pandat” with corruption damages the dignity of the Brahmin community. The petition recognises freedom of speech and also stresses that such freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions under the law.

Manoj Bajpayee responds to the backlash

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who is part of the project, also reacted to the growing controversy.

He said he respects the emotions and concerns people have shared and takes them seriously. According to him, when something you are involved in causes hurt, it forces you to pause and listen.

Bajpayee explained that as an actor, he connects to a project through the character and the story. And for him, this role was about portraying a flawed individual on a journey of self-realisation. He says it was not about making a statement about any community.

He also spoke about his experience working with Neeraj Pandey saying the filmmaker has always shown seriousness and care in his approach to storytelling.

Finally, Bajpayee supported the decision to take down the promotional material. He said it reflects how seriously the filmmakers are treating public sentiment.

Having lifted the Men’s T20 World Cup trophy for the first time in 2007, before breaking a long drought to clinch the crown in 2024, defending champions India are aiming to become the first team to achieve three milestones: retain the crown, win it three times, and clinch a World Cup in the shortest format on home soil.

The co-hosts enter the tournament as the top-ranked side and boast of the number one ranked batter and bowler in Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy, respectively. With their ultra-attacking batting template and pinpoint precision with the ball, India have the best win percentage among the top 10 T20I teams since winning the 2024 edition.

Paras Mhambrey, India’s former bowling coach, was a part of the setup during the 2024 triumph under Rohit Sharma and believes the side has the depth and leadership to retain the title. Before India launches its title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, Mhambrey spoke exclusively to IANS on the side’s chances of retaining the title, Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, the influential factors in play when featuring in a mega event at home and more. Excerpts:-

Q. We are just a day away from the 2026 T20 World Cup commencing, this time on home soil. How do you analyse India’s chances of retaining the trophy won in 2024?

A. I’m very happy and sure of it. In the way I’ve seen in the last few years, the way the team has progressed, the kind of cricket they’re playing – that’s fabulous. Just to see the last series that we played and even the last game that we played, the warm-up game against South Africa – it’s fabulous to watch, just the way everyone’s going about it.

Happy to know and see that the core is still there from the last two years. It’s so important to actually have that core playing the World Cup. One is the experience bit – there’s so much experience out here and just the skill sets that are available to us. When you’re entering a big tournament like this, you want all your top players to be available.

It’s good to see that Tilak (Varma) is back in the team, getting an opportunity and playing a fabulous innings out there. Overall, we are very happy with the way things have progressed for us. Now, it’s one day at a time. But just the way the Indian team is playing, I think hopes really are very high.

Q. Take us back to June 2024 – what are the moments from that victorious 2024 World Cup campaign that give you goosebumps to date?

A. It’s the tag of world champions. I think any team that plays cricket and any individual that represents the country – I think the tag of being a world champion is always special. That’s something that will stay with that individual and the team. I’m no different from anyone else out here. As a player, I know the value and the importance of representing your country, and especially the World Cup is so special because it comes every four years.

We didn’t have the T20 tournament, and we always kind of looked at the 50-over tournament, and the World Cup was special. So, getting an opportunity out there, and then again, just shifting it from one side of the rope to the other and getting an opportunity to be part of that dressing room – it’s something that, as a player, I always wanted to be and experience the whole journey, if I can say that.

It’s so special because it takes a lot. The tenure of the tournament is a week or so, 15 days. But there are a couple of years of real, real hard work that went into it, and when you see that finally bear fruit, I can’t explain that. I think the tag of being world champions is special.

Q. That 2024 World Cup-winning squad had a special chemistry. How much of that has carried forward into this 2026 team, in your opinion?

A. It is the case – you can see it on the ground. Everyone is so professional in terms of being very clear about their roles. Good to see that each and every individual has delivered at some point or other. It was so important to go into the tournament and not only deliver – I thought they won the game for the team, and that’s so important. You are ticking the right boxes out here, and everyone is fit.

So good to see that they are coming and you have the best 15 available to choose from, and it’s so important. The core is always important because that’s where your experience lies. You have been through that situation, and they have experienced that. To a certain extent, they are a little better prepared to deal with the tournament because some of the individuals have not played and not experienced this.

They played the bilaterals and other series, but especially the World Cup is different. I am sure by the time the first game comes – and much before it, right now – I think everyone will get the hang and feel of what the World Cup is, especially when it’s a domestic one.

Wherever you go, they will be reminded. There will be hoardings out there and billboards around. People in the lift, the watchmen also saying, ‘Jeetna hai, jeetna hai’ (You have to win, you have to win). So they will feel how important it is not only for the players but for the whole country around.

Q. Suryakumar Yadav is leading this Indian side while also being one of the most destructive batters in world cricket and discovering form at the right time. How do you see him balancing those dual responsibilities in this mega event?

A. He is doing it wonderfully. I thought he had settled down well. He is very well settled in his role right now. Whatever you say, that shift is a little different even though you don’t want to think about it and feel it may not affect you. But it’s always going to be at the back of your mind that you are captain, and that adds a little bit of responsibility on your shoulders – not only for the others but also for yourself.

Your expectations also are high up there because you want to deliver, and then you are playing a dual role, right? You are also focusing on, importantly, your game. So it’s difficult now. He has to find the balance, and I am very happy with the way he is shaped up because it’s very difficult to find the balance between yourself and the team.

Now he has to look after all the 10 other players on the ground, not only himself. So it takes a little while, but I’m happy with the way he is shaped up as a captain – just the way others have warmed up to it and just that you can see on the ground, for sure.

Q. Playing a World Cup at home comes with its own pressures and advantages. What do you think will be the biggest factor – the crowd support, familiarity with conditions or just the form they are in?

A. All three – you touched the right points. You can’t beat the home crowd. You have that when you go in and know that everyone is going to be rooting for you. When chips are down, you still have people supporting you. It’s so important sometimes. As an opponent, you are not in a game, and you don’t really realise that you are on top of the game right now because of so much support that you have.

So that’s incomparable anyway, but conditions, definitely, because you play on these wickets, you know exactly how the wickets behave – like the red soil and black soil – because you played out there, and just generally from your past, you can draw from your past experiences and then work on your game.

The most important bit is the form. I thought it was important to have everyone contributing, and it’s good to see that not only did everyone contribute, but at some point, they all won games. Maybe on an individual basis – like a spell, a knock, or a few balls – it’s so important to do that. In all three aspects, I think you are really up there, and I am happy because all three bases are covered for us.

Q. Without asking for predictions, which team do you think poses the biggest tactical challenge for India in this tournament?

A. Oh, that’s a mystery question you asked me. You got me thinking about it. It’s just… I feel in a tournament like this, from past experiences, I can tell you that whenever you go with the favourites, I think people have got it wrong. If you look at the way, just look at the way the last game was; the last World Cup final was against South Africa.

It’s just one scenario – they were favourites to win at one time. We went in; that didn’t work, and it’s just the way the game went, and everyone thought, ‘This is going to be South Africa.’ ‘You have someone like… you don’t take away from Sri Lanka in these games.

If you look at the last few games that they’ve played, they’ve been playing decent cricket, and with their home conditions, you’re going to play some games there, similar to out here, because a lot of these guys play in the IPL – the bowling bit. So they would be competitive, and maybe a couple of teams like this. But as I said, you really can’t go in with the favourite side, as sometimes you’ve got it wrong.

Q. On a scale of cautiously optimistic to supremely confident, where does this Indian team stand heading into the World Cup?

A. I’ll put my neck out here and say supremely confident. It’s just the way they’re playing and what kind of cricket they’re playing – it gives you a lot of confidence. Availability of players is, again, a big factor for me. Variety is available as spinners and seamers – a big factor that’s been touched. We covered all our bases as well as we could, and I’m supremely confident in just the way they have played in the past – so, fingers crossed.

The Delhi Police on Friday said the recent panic around a supposed surge in missing girls in the national capital was being fuelled through paid promotions and warned that creating fear for monetary gain would invite strict legal action.

After tracking multiple leads, the police said there was no factual basis to claims of a sudden rise in missing children, adding that misleading narratives were being deliberately amplified. Officials stressed that misrepresentation of data to trigger public alarm would not be tolerated.

After following a few leads, we discovered that the hype around the surge in missing girls in Delhi is being pushed through paid promotion. Creating panic for monetary gains won’t be tolerated, and we’ll take strict action against such individuals.

— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 6, 2026

The clarification follows growing public anxiety and political reactions over social media claims suggesting a sharp increase in missing children, particularly girls, in Delhi.

Police refute spike claims, say data has remained stable for years

The Delhi Police had on Thursday taken to the social media platform X to directly counter the claims. “We appeal to citizens not to fall prey to rumours about a sudden increase in cases of missing children. While refuting such claims, we also warn rumour mongers of strict legal action for spreading unnecessary fear by misrepresenting data. The safety of every child is paramount for the Delhi Police. The Delhi Police is committed to providing 24×7 service and locating missing/abducted children and reuniting them with their families expeditiously,” the force said.

The police said official records show no abnormal rise in missing-person cases and that overall figures have remained broadly stable for nearly a decade, despite Delhi’s growing population.

What the January numbers actually show

The clarification came after reports citing Delhi Police data claimed that 807 people (509 women and girls, and 298 men) went missing between January 1 and January 15, averaging 54 cases a day. The figures also showed that 191 of those reported missing were minors, while 616 were adults.

However, police said the data was being read without context. According to official records, 1,777 missing persons were reported in January 2026, a number the force said was lower than both the monthly average and comparable periods in previous years.

In 2025, Delhi recorded 24,508 missing persons, averaging 2,042 cases per month. January 2025 alone had seen 1,786 cases, making the January 2026 figure proportionately lower.

Long-term trends and recovery rate

Police data further showed that annual missing-person figures have hovered between 23,000 and 24,000 since 2016, even as the city’s population expanded rapidly.

Delhi Police cautioned against year-on-year or short-period comparisons without accounting for how missing-person detection works. Officials said such cases are time-dependent and cumulative in nature.

A total of 1,80,805 missing persons were traced and reunited with their families between 2016 and 2025, translating into an overall recovery rate of about 77 per cent. Police said 85 per cent of missing-person cases registered in 2016 were traced over a nine-year period, while nearly two-thirds of cases reported in 2025 were resolved within the same year.

Officials said the recovery rate has been driven by sustained efforts such as Operation Milap and the wider use of technology, including AI-enabled facial recognition tools.

Someone, somewhere on the US West Coast, casually uploaded a photo of an old sketch to Christie’s online portal, just hoping to get an auction estimate. What came back was not a polite range or a modest valuation. It was a bombshell. The small, dusty-looking foot drawing sitting quietly in a family collection turned out to be a long-lost work by Michelangelo himself, and it has now sold for a staggering $23 million (£16.9 million), smashing expectations and setting the art world buzzing.

From grandma’s drawing to global headline

The anonymous owner told Christie’s that the sketch had been inherited from his grandmother. It had quietly stayed in the family for generations passing through Europe since the late 1700s before eventually landing in the United States.

No museum labels. No dramatic backstory. Just a drawing that lived its life unnoticed.

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Until now.

What the owner thought was just an old family artwork turned out to be a rare study by one of history’s greatest artists. And not just any study, this one is linked to Michelangelo’s legendary Sistine Chapel ceiling.

A foot that changed everything

Experts at Christie’s identified the work as a red chalk sketch of a foot belonging to the Libyan Sibyl, one of the powerful figures painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The drawing is believed to date back to 1511-1512, when Michelangelo was preparing the second half of the massive ceiling project.

The sketch focuses on the right foot of the Sibyl, capturing the strength and tension Michelangelo was famous for. Small in size but huge in importance, it offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the Renaissance master built his iconic figures.

Science steps in

Before the art world could celebrate, proof was needed.

Giada Damen, a specialist in Christie’s Old Master Drawings Department, led the investigation. Using infrared reflectography, she examined the sheet and found additional drawings on the back that also matched Michelangelo’s style.

To be sure, Damen compared the sketch directly with a confirmed Michelangelo drawing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The match was convincing. The verdict was clear: this was the real thing.

Career-defining moment

For Andrew Fletcher, Christie’s Global Head of Old Masters, the discovery was unforgettable.

He called it “one of the most memorable moments” of his 23-year career. Fletcher later placed the winning bid on behalf of his client, describing the drawing as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

According to him, collectors knew this was likely the only chance they would ever get to own a study connected to what many consider the greatest artwork ever made.

When the drawing finally went under the hammer at Christie’s Rockefeller Center, things got intense. Bidding lasted for around 45 minutes, with competitors battling it out in the room, over the phone, and online.

The final price soared to more than 10 times the original estimate, setting a new auction record for a Michelangelo drawing. The previous record stood at $24.3 million, achieved in Paris in 2022.

This particular sketch is even more special because it is the only unrecorded study for the Sistine Chapel ceiling ever to appear at auction.

Why this drawing is so rare

Out of the roughly 600 Michelangelo drawings known to survive today, only about 50 relate to the Sistine Chapel. Even more astonishing, only around 10 Michelangelo drawings are believed to remain in private hands.

That rarity explains why collectors didn’t hold back.

The drawing was included in Christie’s Old Master and British Drawings sale, alongside works by Rembrandt, Titian, and William Blake. The event followed Christie’s strongest Old Master Paintings sale in New York in a decade, which totaled over $54 million.

That sale also saw records tumble, including $5.7 million for Artemisia Gentileschi’s ‘Self Portrait as Saint Catherine’. It brought $30.54 million for Canaletto’s famous Venice masterpiece.

In a setback to Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), the Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain its plea challenging the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.

In its writ petition, Jan Suraaj had alleged large-scale irregularities in last year’s elections in Bihar in which the NDA won, and sought fresh polls.

The Supreme Court, however, today rejected the submission and said it cannot issue an omnibus direction to set aside the entire Bihar Assembly election. It pointed out that such a direction cannot be issued at the instance of a political party which had lost the election.

The apex court bench led by CJI Surya Kant further asked the Kishor-led JSP to approach the Patna High Court with its grievances.

“We can’t issue a notice like this. There is a procedure. It is just a composite election petition. Because you lost the elections, you say set aside the entire election result. What is this view of a political party that has lost everything in the election, then you want to come here. Even that issue (on welfare policies), we won’t like to have a political party before us. It must be some public-spirited person. Because if we entertain this, if this part gets to power, they will do the same thing,” news agency ANI quoted the CJI as saying during the hearing.

In its petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, the JSP had argued that the Bihar election was won illegally by the BJP and JD(U)-led NDA by distributing Rs 15,600 crores in cash to voters.

The JSP was referring to the direct transfer of Rs 10,000 to women voters in the state even as the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

It contended that fresh beneficiaries were added to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana and payments were made while the Model Code was in force.

The plea stated that no new beneficiaries could be added and funds disbursed to them during the election period, in violation of Articles 14, 21, 112, 202, and 324 of the Constitution.

The petition has also raised questions over the deployment of around 1.8 lakh women beneficiaries associated with the self-help group JEEVIKA at polling booths during the two-phase polling, calling the move illegal and unfair.

Veteran Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju found himself at the centre of a serious police case after a hit-and-run incident near one of the busiest roads in Thiruvananthapuram.

According to police, the accident took place around 9.30 pm on Thursday night on the Vellayambalam-Vazhuthacaud road, right in front of the Trivandrum Club. A white car allegedly driven by Maniyanpilla Raju rammed into a motorcycle carrying two young men and then sped away without stopping.

Also Read: Thalapathy Vijay faces court blow: Madras HC dismisses plea against 1.5 crore income tax penalty on 2015-16 income

The riders, both just 20 years old, were thrown onto the road. They were later identified as Sooraj and Niveedith Krishna, residents of Thiruvananthapuram.

Young riders seriously injured

Both victims suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a private hospital. Police confirmed that one of the youths sustained a leg fracture, while the other is being treated for a spinal injury. Their condition is being closely monitored.

The incident triggered public anger especially after details emerged that the car did not stop to help the injured.

CCTV footage tells a chilling story

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: CCTV footage of the collision that occurred between actor Maniyanpilla Raju’s car and a bike on 5th February, injuring 2 people.

(Source: Police) https://t.co/a9cKXMQnko pic.twitter.com/xCZtHs5b2X

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2026

CCTV footage from the area played a key role in the investigation. The video reportedly shows the white car slowly moving forward when the bike approaches from the right side. The motorcycle crashes into the front of the car, the rider falls onto the road. And moments later, the car drives away without stopping.

Police said the footage helped establish the involvement of the vehicle.

Police action and arrest

Following a preliminary probe, police confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Maniyanpilla Raju. A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving and failing to attend to injured persons.

Raju remained reportedly unreachable for nearly ten hours after the incident. He appeared at the police station on Friday morning, after which he was arrested by the Museum Police and taken for a medical examination. The car involved has been seized, and further investigation is under way.

Raju’s version of events

Speaking to reporters, Raju admitted that he was driving the car but claimed the motorcycle hit his vehicle. He said he panicked after hearing the noise and seeing someone fall.

“I contacted a person and asked him to arrange an ambulance,” he said.

He also cited health issues for leaving the scene. Raju stated that he is a cancer patient and has recently been diagnosed with chikungunya. He added that his wife was alone at home at the time.

He further claimed that he informed the police at night about his inability to appear immediately and promised to present himself the next morning and surrender the vehicle.

It’s not a great Friday for Thalapathy Vijay. The superstar-turned-politician has hit a legal speed bump, with the Madras High Court shutting the door on his attempt to escape a hefty income tax penalty.

Here’s what went down.

Actor Vijay, now also the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), faced a setback when the Madras High Court dismissed his writ petition on Friday. He had challenged an Income Tax Department order that slapped him with a Rs 1.50 crore penalty.

The penalty links back to 2015-16, when the tax department says Vijay did not properly disclose additional income of Rs 15 crore. According to officials, this income came to light during income tax searches at his residence in September 2015.

Also Read: Jana Nayagan starring Thalapathy Vijay causes Rs 100 crore loss for Tamil Nadu box office during Pongal

Vijay took the matter to court in 2022, hoping to overturn the penalty. But this week, the High Court delivered its verdict, and it didn’t go in his favour.

Why the High Court said no

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, who had reserved his order last month, ruled that the show cause notice issued by tax authorities was legally valid and issued on time.

The court focused only on one key question: was the penalty process started within the time limit set by law?

The answer, according to the court, was yes.

Since the notice fell within the permitted period under Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, the court said there was no procedural flaw. Because of this, the judge did not examine other arguments raised by Vijay.

In short: the case failed on timing, not on detailed merits.

Not the end of the road (yet)

While dismissing Vijay’s plea, the court did leave one door open. The actor-politician has been given liberty to approach the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT).

This means he can still challenge the penalty but only on grounds other than delay or limitation.

So yes, the fight isn’t completely over, but it just got tougher.

How this case snowballed over the years

This legal saga has been unfolding for nearly a decade.

– September 2015: Income tax searches take place at Vijay’s residence.

– December 2017: An assessment order is passed.

– December 2018: Penalty proceedings under Section 271AAB(1) are initiated.

Vijay challenges the assessment before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and gets partial relief.
The department appeals to the ITAT, which partly supports the tax authorities including on expenses linked to Vijay’s fan association.

Meanwhile penalty proceedings related to the Rs 15 crore surrendered during the search continued.

In July 2019, the department issued a notice under Section 263 claiming penalty proceedings were not properly started. However the ITAT scrapped this move in May 2022 saying no further action was needed once penalties were already in motion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report, which reviewed India’s defeat in the 1962 war with China, has remained classified for over six decades, describing it as a defence matter that should not be used for political purposes.

Posting on X, Rijiju said the report had indicted the then Nehru government for what he called a “humiliating defeat” at the hands of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, but added that successive governments had not declassified it. “Our govt is led by a matured leader. Since 1962, Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report has remained secret… Our Govt has never declassified it as defence matter can’t be used as political tools,” he wrote.

What is the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report?

The Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report was prepared by Lieutenant General Henderson Brooks and Brigadier General Premindra Singh Bhagat and was commissioned by then Acting Army Chief General JN Chaudhuri after the 1962 India-China war. The report reviewed the Indian Army’s operational failures during the conflict and has remained classified since it was submitted.

Alongside his remarks, Rijiju also reshared a post from November 1, 2024, highlighting infrastructure development along India’s borders. Referring to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, he wrote, “After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India’s border development now. Celebrated Diwali at Bumla with our Army Jawans in Arunachal Pradesh.”

How the issue connects to the current Parliament standoff

Rijiju’s comments come amid heightened political tensions in Parliament following repeated disruptions during the motion of thanks on the President’s Address. The row erupted after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped from quoting what was described as an “unpublished memoir” of General MM Naravane, who served as India’s Army Chief from 2019 to 2022, in the Lok Sabha.

Gandhi was repeatedly interrupted while attempting to read excerpts from the book during Monday’s debate. He later said the memoir mentioned that as Chinese tanks advanced towards Indian positions, Naravane had been told “to do what he deemed appropriate”.

Members of the BJP, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, objected to the references, accusing Gandhi of violating parliamentary rules by quoting from an unpublished book and misleading the House.

The Defence Minister said, “Rahul Gandhi should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published”.

Disruptions, suspensions and an unusual vote

The impasse led to repeated adjournments and protests. On Tuesday, Gandhi again attempted to raise the issue but was stopped, triggering further disruption. Eight Congress MPs were later suspended for disorderly conduct.

For the first time in 22 years, the Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the motion of thanks on the President’s address without the customary reply by the Prime Minister. The developments followed remarks by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who said he had advised the Prime Minister not to attend the House after receiving information about possible protests by Congress MPs.

On Wednesday, Gandhi displayed a copy of the unpublished book to reporters outside Parliament, contesting claims that the memoir did not exist.

Naravane’s memoir, expected to be published in 2024, has reportedly been delayed amid concerns that it contains sensitive operational details related to the military standoff with China.

India and China last clashed along their disputed Himalayan border in the Galwan River valley in Ladakh in the summer of 2020, marking the first fatal confrontation between the two sides since 1975.

This week, actor Rajpal Yadav found himself at the center of a serious legal storm, and this time, there was no comic escape.

On Thursday evening, Rajpal Yadav quietly surrendered before the authorities at Delhi’s Tihar Jail. According to PTI, a jail source confirmed that the actor surrendered at 4 pm and that standard jail procedures would now be followed.

Why did Rajpal Yadav go to jail?

The trouble comes from long-running cheque-bounce cases linked to a complaint filed by M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The case involves Rajpal Yadav and his wife, who were accused of issuing several cheques that bounced and failing to repay the due amount.

Back in 2018, a Delhi magisterial court convicted both Rajpal and his wife in these cases. Rajpal was sentenced to six months in jail. A sessions court upheld this conviction in 2019, making the legal trouble even more serious.

Rajpal Yadav didn’t go down without trying. Just a day before his surrender, his lawyer approached the Delhi High Court asking for more time. The argument was simple: the actor had arranged ₹50 lakh and needed one more week to complete the payment.

But the court wasn’t convinced.

Also Read: Anurag Kashyap reacts after being called ‘Bollywood guy’ in Epstein files linked to alleged Beijing event

The deadline to surrender was set for 4 pm on Wednesday, February 2. The court refused to extend it. In strong words, the judge made it clear that being a celebrity does not mean getting special treatment.

The court also noted that Rajpal Yadav had breached several undertakings where he promised to repay the complainant but failed to do so.

Interestingly, Rajpal Yadav did get temporary relief earlier. In June 2024, the Delhi High Court had suspended his conviction for a while. At that time, the court encouraged him to take “sincere and genuine measures” to settle the matter amicably.

But those hopes faded.

On February 2, the High Court directed him to surrender, clearly stating that his repeated failure to honour commitments left the court with no option.

The world is abuzz again as the newly released Epstein Files shine a light on the dark world of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network. Millions of pages of documents, emails, photos, and videos have surfaced, revealing the shocking extent of the late financier’s activities. And of course, when such files go public, the internet can’t resist connecting the dots to famous names. Among the chatter is Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

Anurag Kashyap reacts

According to some unverified documents, Kashyap’s name appears as the “Bollywood guy” invited to an Epstein-linked event in Beijing back in 2017. But the director told HTCity, “I’ve no clue about this. I get 15 speaker invitations a month and I rarely respond. I have never even been to Beijing!” he said.

He added that the emails themselves were not convincing. “It’s some random email. The clickbait around my name is more popular than my films, honestly.”

Also Read: Deepak Chopra in Epstein Files with ‘God is a construct, cute girls are real’ email; Richa Chadha slams the author

Anurag Kashyap on the work front

While the gossip mills churn, Kashyap is focused on his work. He recently directed the two-part crime series Nishaanchi and is gearing up for the Indian theatrical release of Kennedy later this month.

The film has already made waves internationally having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.

The Epstein files sweep across India

The US Department of Justice dropped the Epstein Files on January 30, 2026 under Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in November 2025. The massive release included over three million documents, sparking global headlines.

Several Indian-origin personalities are mentioned, including wellness guru Deepak Chopra, filmmakers Mira Nair and Nandita Das, and of course, Kashyap.

Reports suggest Kashyap’s name appeared in emails between Epstein and people like Giuseppe Bersani, Gino Yu, and Ornella Corazza. In these exchanges, he was referred to as one of several “cool people” considered for workshops on Buddhism, technology, and medicine.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has held “very productive discussions” with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the strategically located island of Diego Garcia, which hosts a major UK-US joint military base in the Indian Ocean.
Trump said that, though he understood the British Prime Minister had negotiated “the best he could make” under the circumstances, he would never allow the US presence at the military base to be “undermined” or “threatened”.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Diego Garcia as being of “great importance” to US national security due to its central location in the Indian Ocean and its role in supporting American military operations.

“It is the site of a major U.S. Military Base, strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and therefore, of great importance to the National Security of the United States,” Trump said.
Trump credited recent US military successes to the strength of American warfighters, modern military equipment and the strategic positioning of US bases worldwide, including Diego Garcia.

He referred to the lease arrangement of the UK-Mauritius Treaty, signed in 2025, which provides that Mauritius will exercise full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, with the UK retaining rights on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.
Trump said he understood that the British Prime Minister Starmer had negotiated “the best he could make” under the circumstances.

However, Trump warned that the United States would take decisive action if its military presence on the island were ever threatened.
“If the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our Base, I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia, ” he said.
Trump also rejected what he described as “fake claims or environmental nonsense” being used to undermine the US presence at the base.

“Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a Base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened,” he added.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump criticised the United Kingdom over its plans to give away the Diego Garcia island and called it an act of “great stupidity”. He said that London’s action is one of several reasons Greenland must be “acquired”.He made the remarks on January 20 in a Truth Social post.

The US President said, “Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Trump’s remarks came shortly after the third reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill on January 13 in the UK Parliament.
The UK-Mauritius Treaty, signed in 2025, provides that Mauritius will exercise full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, with the UK retaining rights on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.

Over the 99-year period, the UK will pay Mauritius around £3.4 billion at 2025/26 prices. The UK Government says this resolves the long-standing BIOT sovereignty dispute and secures the military base for continued operations in the long term, according to the UK House of Commons Library.

Trump’s sharp tone stood in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s stance on the treaty, which hailed the historic Chagos archipelago agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius and highlighted how diplomacy can overcome long-standing challenges to reach peaceful, mutually beneficial outcomes.

Former President Biden said the agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while granting the United Kingdom authority to exercise Mauritius’s sovereign rights over Diego Garcia.

A diplomatic row erupted online between Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose after the envoy warned of possible punitive action against Polish parliamentary Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty over remarks critical of US President Donald Trump.

The exchange followed Czarzasty’s refusal to back an initiative proposed by US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, which seeks to mobilise parliamentary leaders to nominate Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in Middle East diplomacy.

Explaining his stance, Czarzasty said, “In my opinion, President Trump is destabilising the situation in these (international) organisations by representing the politics of force and using force to pursue a transactional policy.”
He added, “All of this means that I will not support President Trump’s Nobel Prize nomination because he doesn’t deserve it.”

Rose reacted sharply on X, stating that the United States would distance itself from Czarzasty over what he described as an insult to Trump.
“(Czarzasty’s) outrageous and unprovoked insults directed against President Trump has made himself a serious impediment to our excellent relations with Prime Minister Tusk and his government,” Rose wrote.

He further added, “We will not permit anyone to harm US-Polish relations, nor disrespect (Trump) who has done so much for Poland and the Polish people.”
Prime Minister Tusk stepped in, urging restraint and mutual respect among allies. “Mr Ambassador Rose, allies should respect each other, not lecture each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership,” Tusk posted on social media.

Rose responded in a continued online exchange, writing, “Mr Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the US-Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States. And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States– the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.”

Czarzasty later addressed the controversy, saying he “regretfully” accepted Rose’s reaction but would not alter his position on what he described as “fundamental issues for Polish women and men.”

“In line with my values, I stood up for Polish soldiers fighting on missions and did not support the nomination of President @realDonaldTrump for the Nobel Peace Prize. I consistently respect the USA as Poland’s key partner,” he wrote.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) carried out an extensive range of safety audits, inspections and surveillance checks across the aviation sector in 2025, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Mohol said that as part of planned surveillance activities during the year, the aviation regulator conducted 3,890 surveillance inspections and 56 regulatory audits. In addition, 84 surveillance checks of foreign aircraft (SOFA) were undertaken, along with 492 ramp checks to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.

Responding to queries about recurring technical or operational deficiencies, the Minister said that since January 2025, a total of 377 aircraft have been identified with recurring defects. These aircraft were part of a combined fleet of 754 aircraft operated by various scheduled airlines. Airline-wise details of these findings, as on February 3, have been provided separately in an annexure, he added.

In addition to planned activities, the DGCA conducted numerous unplanned surveillance measures. These included 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance checks, aimed at monitoring airline operations and maintenance practices without prior notice.
Regarding manpower shortages at the DGCA, the government said the number of sanctioned technical posts has been significantly increased. In 2022, the DGCA had 637 sanctioned technical posts. To address future requirements and strengthen regulatory oversight, the restructuring exercise has raised the number of sanctioned technical posts to 1,063.

The government also highlighted steps taken to strengthen real-time monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The DGCA has issued Surveillance and Enforcement Division Circular No. 1/2025, dated July 7, 2025, mandating the use of the eGCA portal for all surveillance activities. The portal is to be used for issuance and closure of Deficiency Reporting Forms (CA-2001) as well as enforcement orders.

Replying to a question on air connectivity, the Minister said that as per the Winter Schedule 2025, no scheduled domestic airline has proposed to operate flights to or from Singrauli Airport.

The detailed surveillance procedures followed by the DGCA are laid down in the DGCA Surveillance Procedure Manual, which is available on the regulator’s official website, the Minister added.

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government, asserting that the Chief Minister had proclaimed on Republic Day that Maharashtra “will not stop” and will become “more dynamic.” However, the actual situation on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway presents a contrasting narrative, as an extraordinary 32-hour traffic ordeal has effectively “cut the string” of the government’s ambitious assertions.

The Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ claimed that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, once considered a “rosy dream” for drivers, has transitioned into a “thorny truth”. “What was meant to be a swift and comfortable journey is now defined by the constant fear of being stranded. As the government continues to drum up support for new mega-highways like the Samruddhi and Shaktipeeth, the current state of the expressway remains a tragic irony of a supposedly ‘speedy’ Maharashtra,” it said.

Referring to the traffic jam after a gas tanker overturned on the highway on Tuesday, the Thackeray camp highlighted a stark contrast between the administration’s rhetoric and the functional reality of state infrastructure. It also challenged the state government’s claims regarding infrastructure and development.

According to the editorial, the government appeared “helpless”, with no effective alternative routes or solutions to quickly rescue stranded citizens. Massive queues of vehicles stretched for 30 kilometres on both sides of the expressway, and thousands of citizens were stranded without access to food or water.

The editorial further said that the ordeal did not end with the tanker. Just as the initial congestion began to clear, a cement container broke down in the middle of the road between Talegaon and Malavali on Thursday. This second incident paralysed Mumbai-bound traffic for several more hours, marking a second consecutive day of misery for commuters.

“While leaders boast about projects like the ‘Atal Setu’, the ‘Missing Link’ and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, they appear helpless in managing existing vital arteries. Although the expressway was a visionary project initiated by the Shiv Sena chief decades ago, the government has failed to plan for the massive surge in vehicle volume seen over the last 25 years,” said the Thackeray camp.

The Thackeray camp likened the Chief Minister’s recent orders to relevant agencies to “locking the stable door after the horse has bolted”.