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The Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force have firmly dismissed reports claiming that two Bangladeshi nationals accused in a recent murder crossed into India through the international border and are currently hiding in the state.
Senior officials at the Meghalaya Police headquarters said allegations suggesting that the accused entered India from Bangladesh&rsquo;s Haluaghat border area are entirely false and lack any factual basis. According to the police, no official or informal communication has been received from Bangladeshi authorities regarding the suspects, nor has any intelligence input supported the claim of a cross-border movement.
The police clarified that none of the individuals named in the reports have been traced in the Garo Hills region, and no arrests related to the case have been made in Meghalaya. Claims that local facilitators assisted the alleged border crossing were also rejected, with officials stating that no such persons have been identified, verified, or apprehended anywhere in the state.
Backing the police assessment, the Border Security Force said there is no evidence to suggest that the suspects crossed the international boundary into Meghalaya. The force emphasised that all border activity is monitored through established surveillance and intelligence protocols, and no incident matching the reported claims has been detected.
Security officials expressed concern that such unverified narratives circulating in sections of Bangladeshi media could create unnecessary confusion and risk disturbing peace in Meghalaya, a sensitive border state that regularly deals with transborder crime and security challenges.
Authorities also pointed out that this is not the first instance of misinformation. In recent weeks, similar reports alleging fatal actions by Indian border forces were later disproved after verification.
While rejecting the allegations, Meghalaya Police said border vigilance has been enhanced as a routine preventive measure. Officials stressed that heightened security should not be interpreted as confirmation of false claims but as standard protocol to prevent misuse of border routes by criminal elements.
Both the Meghalaya Police and the BSF reiterated their willingness to cooperate with Bangladesh authorities through formal and verified channels, underlining that actionable steps can only be taken on the basis of confirmed intelligence, not speculative narratives.

Meghalaya Police Reject Cross-Border Murder Claims

Authorities deny reports of Bangladeshi murder suspects entering India, call claims false

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma once again struck a chord with audiences, this time trading his guitar for a 150-year-old piano. Performing at Raj Bhavan, the Chief Minister enchanted the gathering,&nbsp; which included Governor C H Vijayashankar, with a heartfelt rendition of the evergreen Bollywood track &ldquo;Pehla Nasha&rdquo;.
The performance, captured on video, quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread praise. Governor Vijayashankar himself could be seen applauding Sangma&rsquo;s effortless playing, further amplifying the viral moment.
This is not the first time the Meghalaya leader has showcased his artistic side. Well-known for his passion for music, Sangma has often surprised fans with his versatility, from strumming classic rock riffs to delivering soulful ballads.
<video style="width: 566px; height: 283px;" controls="controls" width="566" height="283"> <source src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/videos/1755436783529_0DnySxplD2WtbDJS.mp4.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>
In recent years, he has shared several musical moments online, including a fiery guitar solo of Iron Maiden&rsquo;s&nbsp;&ldquo;Wasted Years&rdquo;, an energetic take on Bryan Adams&rsquo; &ldquo;Summer of 69&rdquo;, and even a near-perfect rendition of Joe Satriani&rsquo;s &ldquo;Always With Me, Always With You.&rdquo;
Sangma, son of the late PA Sangma, former Lok Sabha Speaker and Meghalaya Chief Minister continues to balance his political responsibilities with his creative passion, carving a unique image as a leader who inspires both on the political stage and in the world of music.

Meghalaya CM charms Raj Bhavan with “Pehla Nasha” on a 150-year-old piano

Conrad Sangma’s Piano Magic Goes Viral

The Meghalaya Police, on Monday, conducted a mental examination of Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, officials said.
A police official said that Sonam was taken to the Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (MIMHANS) for "mental assessment" as part of routine psychiatric examination.
As per the advice of the Medical Officer of Ganesh Das Hospital in Shillong, Sonam's "mental assessment" was conducted at the MIMHANS hospital and found her mental health to be "sound and good", the official added.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Meghalaya Police, which is investigating the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, likely took Sonam and other co-accused to Wei Sawdong car park on Tuesday for reconstruction of the crime scene.
The two SIT teams together with the Madhya Pradesh Police and Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Sonam (24) and four others -- Raj Singh Kushwaha, 21 (Sonam's alleged lover), Anand Singh Kurmi, 23, Akash Rajput, 19, and Vishal Singh Chauhan, 22.
Kushwaha had allegedly plotted the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi much before Sonam and Raja's marriage on 11 May.
The decomposed body of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi (28) was found in a gorge below the Wei Sawdong car park at Sohra-Cherrapunji areas in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on 2 June, eight days after the couple went 'missing' during their honeymoon tour in the popular tourist destination in the northeastern state.
After the recovery of Raja's body, Meghalaya Police formed the SIT and changed its course of investigation and arrested all five accused in the murder case.
All five accused, including Sonam, were presented at the District and Session Court in Shillong on 11 June.
The court sent all five accused to eight days' police custody.
The three SIT teams of Meghalaya Police separately questioned the five accused.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
&nbsp;

Prime accused in Raja Raghuvanshi murder case assessed at MIMHANS; mental health found sound

Meghalaya Police Conduct Mental Test of Sonam

Honeymoon Homicide Twist: Indore Man Killed in Meghalaya as Favour, Not for Fee
In a startling twist in the chilling murder of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi, Meghalaya Police have ruled out the theory of a hired contract killing, revealing instead that the gruesome crime was carried out as a personal favour.
Raghuvanshi, 29, who had recently tied the knot with 24-year-old Sonam, was murdered during their honeymoon trip to Meghalaya&rsquo;s scenic Sohra (Cherrapunji). His decomposed body was discovered at the base of a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2, nearly 10 days after the couple went missing on May 23. Initially suspected to be a murder-for-hire case, the investigation has since taken a darker, more personal turn.
Police now say the alleged mastermind behind the killing is Raj Kushwaha &mdash; reportedly Sonam&rsquo;s lover. According to sources within the East Khasi Hills district police, Raj roped in three young men, believed to be close friends &mdash; one of whom is his cousin &mdash; to execute the killing. Crucially, they weren&rsquo;t motivated by money, but loyalty.
&ldquo;It was not a conventional contract hit. The murder was premeditated, yes, but the motive wasn&rsquo;t financial,&rdquo; confirmed East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem. &ldquo;The three accused carried out the plan as a favour to Raj.&rdquo;
The police allege that Raj and Sonam plotted the killing back in February in Indore, months before the couple's May 11 wedding. According to investigators, the original conspiracy even included a bizarre backup plan &mdash; to kill an unknown woman, burn the body, and pass it off as Sonam&rsquo;s, to fake her death and throw police off her trail.
Sources say Raj gave the trio a sum of ₹50,000 to cover travel and logistical expenses. The execution took place under the guise of a honeymoon, with Sonam allegedly luring her husband to a remote area.
Following Raja&rsquo;s murder, Sonam initially vanished. Her sudden reappearance on June 9 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh &mdash; where she surrendered to police &mdash; raised further suspicions and ultimately led to the unraveling of the conspiracy.
The five accused &mdash; Sonam, Raj, and his three associates Vishal, Akash and Anand &mdash; are all in custody. Investigators are now piecing together the exact sequence of events leading to Raja&rsquo;s death and the role each conspirator played in what has become one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory to unfold in Meghalaya&rsquo;s tourist corridor.
&nbsp;

Meghalaya Police say killing was not for money but a favour to wife's alleged lover Raj

Indore Man Killed on Honeymoon in Murder-for-Favour Plot

In a sensational revelation on Thursday, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem narrated the entire sequence of events leading to the cold-blooded murder of Raja Raghuwanshi, terming it a pre-planned conspiracy orchestrated by Raj Kushwaha, &lsquo;lover&rsquo; of the victim&rsquo;s wife Sonam Raghuwanshi.&nbsp; 
Speaking to media persons, SP Syiem dismissed the angle of a contract killing and instead described it as a crime committed by friends as a &ldquo;favour&rdquo; to Raj.
&ldquo;Raj is the mastermind behind Raja&rsquo;s murder,&rdquo; Syiem stated. &ldquo;He hatched the plot, and Sonam&mdash;Raja&rsquo;s wife&mdash;supported him throughout.&rdquo;
According to police, Raj had planned to make Sonam disappear in February this year. The first plan was to drown her in a river. The second plan involved arranging a woman&rsquo;s dead body and burning it along with Sonam&rsquo;s scooty, so that everyone would believe Sonam had died. However, both these plans failed.
On May 11, Sonam married Raja Raghuwanshi. Days later, the couple visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Meanwhile, Raj&rsquo;s three friends&mdash;Vishal, Anand, and Akash, one of whom is Raj&rsquo;s cousin&mdash;had already arrived in Guwahati on May 19.
The trio initially planned to kill Raja in Guwahati, but that attempt also failed. Eventually, Sonam herself suggested shifting the plan to Sohra (Cherrapunji), where the group reconvened.&nbsp;
According to Syiem, all accused met in a parking lot in Sohra. There, the three men murdered Raja and threw his body into a gorge. Sonam was present during the killing.
Timeline of Events:
Around 2:18 PM, all accused fled the crime scene.&nbsp;
Sonam handed her raincoat to Akash to help cover bloodstains on his shirt.
Sonam then rode a scooty out from the scene, later discarding the raincoat at AV Point.
After that, Akash began riding the scooty with Sonam riding pillion.
The rented scooty, booked earlier by Raja, was later dumped by Anand near the Sohra border.
The police investigation revealed that blood stains were found on Akash&rsquo;s shirt. After discarding the raincoat, Sonam used a taxi from the local stand. She wore a burqa that had been arranged and delivered by Vishal through Raj.
Her escape trail spanned multiple states: from Guwahati to Siliguri by bus, then Patna, Ara, Lucknow, and finally to Indore by bus.
Once the group realised that police had identified them, Raj reportedly told Sonam to leave Indore. SP Syiem said Raj, in a panic, called Sonam and instructed her to contact her family and falsely claim she had escaped from kidnappers.&nbsp;
&ldquo;All five accused have now been arrested. Interrogations are ongoing, and the crime scene will be recreated soon,&rdquo; SP Syiem concluded.
Meanwhile, Davis NR Marak, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Eastern Range, confirmed that Sonam had confessed her role in the conspiracy.
However, the question of who orchestrated the plot remains unresolved.
"Sonam has admitted her involvement, but she is blaming Raj Kushwaha as the mastermind. Raj, in turn, denies the accusation and points back to Sonam," Marak said.
"Our investigation continues to focus on both of them as the prime suspects." Marak reiterated that Sonam and Raj are both central to the case, as they appear to have been involved in an affair, which could have been a motive for the crime.
Despite Sonam's confession, investigators are still working to determine who initiated the murder plan. Regarding the financial aspect of the crime, Marak said it is unclear whether Sonam promised the contract killers a sum of ₹20 lakh for carrying out the murder.
"We are still investigating this and are questioning the accused about any financial transactions. Only after we verify their statements will we be able to confirm the details," he said.
Sonam, according to Marak, has denied any direct involvement in the killing itself. However, the contract killers have testified that it was them, not Sonam, who physically murdered Raja. They have also stated that Sonam assisted them in transporting Raja&rsquo;s body to the location where it was eventually disposed of, at the Weisawdong gorge.
Marak noted that the investigation team is working to reconcile inconsistencies in the statements provided by the accused.
"We plan to take all the accused to the crime scene in Sohra once we have clarified their accounts during further questioning," he explained.&nbsp;
"The goal is to ensure the facts align with the statements provided."
While some of the accused have denied conducting a reconnaissance of Weisawdong before the murder, Marak acknowledged that this possibility remains under investigation. Responding to a question about the use of lie detectors, Marak explained that the SIT plans to first verify the statements provided by the accused.
"Once the accused give their statements, we must physically verify the details they provide&mdash;whether they went to a specific place or did something else&mdash;and only then can we consider further measures like lie detectors," he said.&nbsp;
The DIG also confirmed that the police will be seeking assistance from law enforcement agencies in other states, including Guwahati, to aid in the investigation.
Marak assured the public that all individuals directly involved in Raja's murder have been arrested. However, he stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and additional suspects may be identified as more evidence is uncovered.
Scooter Rentals and Evidence Recovery The investigation has revealed that three scooters were rented from Shillong in connection with the crime.
One of these scooters, which was used by Sonam and Raja, was found parked at Sohra Rim and seized by the police.
The investigators are still working to track the other two scooters, which were used by the contract killers. "It seems that after committing the murder, Sonam accompanied the contract killers up to Mawkdok, after which the killers continued on their path while Sonam proceeded to Guwahati and then back to Indore," Marak explained.&nbsp;
"The scooters were abandoned at Sohra Rim, and it remains unclear whether it was Sonam or the contract killers who left them there." As the investigation moves forward, authorities are continuing to piece together the events surrounding Raja Raghuvanshi&rsquo;s tragic death, with Sonam, Raj, and the contract killers at the center of the case.
(Apart from the headline, this article has not been edited by Benefit News editorial team and is published from an IANS news feed.)

Raj, Sonam named as main conspirators in murder case (File Photo)

Raj first planned to drown Sonam, then fake her death with a body and burnt scooty.

Raj Behind Raja’s Murder, Not Contract Killing: SP Syiem

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Shocking Confessions, Wife Implicated as Co-Conspirator
In a chilling development in the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, Meghalaya Police and Indore Crime Branch have confirmed that all four men accused of the crime have confessed, while the victim&rsquo;s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, is now emerging as the key conspirator behind the plot.
ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/crime/new-accused-traced-in-raja-raghuvanshi-murder-probe/13480
According to police officials involved in the high-profile probe, the accused &ndash; Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Raj Singh Kushwaha (21), and Anand Kurmi &ndash; were picked up from different states following a coordinated operation led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Meghalaya Police. Arrests were made in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where the suspects had scattered after the crime.
ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/crime/wife-hired-killers-for-20l-honeymoon-murder-plot/13460
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to their involvement and provided crucial details linking Sonam Raghuvanshi to the planning and execution of the murder. Police sources reveal that Sonam was present at the crime scene in Shillong and reportedly &ldquo;watched her husband die&rdquo; as the murder unfolded.
The breakthrough came when the team recovered the clothes worn by accused Vishal Chauhan on the day of the crime, during a search conducted at his residence. Forensic teams are examining the clothing for further evidence. Police are also tracing Chauhan&rsquo;s mobile phone to retrieve location data and communication records.
&nbsp;
Internal sources disclosed that the conspiracy was hatched in a restaurant in Indore on May 16. Raj Kushwaha allegedly held a meeting with Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi, where the murder plan was finalised. Raj reportedly stayed behind in Indore, continuing his job at the factory owned by Sonam&rsquo;s brother, while the other three travelled to Meghalaya with ₹50,000 in cash and a mobile phone.
Post-crime movements have also been tracked. After the murder, Sonam is said to have driven from Shillong to Guwahati and then taken a train back to Indore, reaching on May 27. She later moved to Ghazipur, the hometown of Raj Kushwaha, where she was arrested on June 9.
All five accused &ndash; including Sonam &ndash; are now in Shillong and being held at Sadar Police Station. They were remanded to seven-day transit custody for further questioning.
A dramatic scene unfolded during the transit when a passenger at Indore Airport slapped one of the accused, triggering outrage and viral footage on social media.
Meanwhile, Raj Kushwaha&rsquo;s mother has publicly pleaded for her son&rsquo;s innocence, claiming he is being framed and had no romantic involvement with Sonam. &ldquo;He is too young and has been taking care of his sisters since his father died,&rdquo; she told local media, breaking down in desperation.
Police are now piecing together digital and circumstantial evidence to establish the full timeline and motive behind what appears to be a cold, premeditated killing driven by a personal relationship gone dark. Investigations continue.
&nbsp;
ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/crime/married-woman-stabbed-17-times-by-techie-lover-in-bengaluru/13368

citizens demanding justice for Raja Raghuvanshi

All four accused confess; Sonam watched husband die, say police in chilling revelation

Wife Key Conspirator in Raja Raghuvanshi Murder

<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100">Newlywed Woman Orchestrated Husband's Murder on Honeymoon Trek, Police Reveal</h1>
A newly married woman conspired with her alleged paramour to murder her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, offering hired assassins up to ₹20 lakh to carry out the killing, police sources have disclosed.
Sonam Raghuvanshi stands accused of orchestrating the brutal murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was discovered in a gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area of East Khasi Hills district on 2nd June. The couple had travelled to the northeastern state for their honeymoon just weeks after their 11th May wedding.
According to senior police sources, the murder plot was hatched within days of the couple's marriage. Sonam allegedly conspired with her lover, identified as Raj Kushwaha, to eliminate her new husband. The decision to book a one-way ticket to Meghalaya for the honeymoon was part of the premeditated scheme, investigators believe.
Police sources reveal that Sonam initially offered the contract killers ₹4 lakh for the murder but later increased the sum to ₹20 lakh when they initially refused to carry out the killing.
The hired assassins first made contact with the newlyweds in Bengaluru, where they boarded the connecting flight to the northeast together. Sources indicate that because the victim and the accused were from the same city, they struck up conversations during the journey, providing cover for the killers' presence.
On 23rd May, the couple embarked on a trek to a steep peak to view a waterfall, with the hired killers following their trail. During the trek, Sonam allegedly feigned exhaustion and began walking considerably behind her husband and the assassins.
When the group reached an isolated location, police sources state that Sonam instructed the men to kill her husband. However, the killers initially refused, claiming they were too tired to carry out the act. It was at this point that Sonam reportedly doubled her offer to ₹20 lakh.
Following the murder, Sonam allegedly assisted the killers in disposing of Raja's body by pushing it into the gorge.
Whilst Kushwaha did not travel to Meghalaya, Shillong Police sources suggest he masterminded the operation from behind the scenes, maintaining contact with Sonam throughout the period leading up to the murder.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to piece together the full extent of the conspiracy that led to Raja Raghuvanshi's death in what should have been the first days of his married life.

Newlywed conspired with lover to eliminate husband during Meghalaya trek, sources reveal

Wife Hired Killers for ₹20L Honeymoon Murder Plot

<div>
<div class="grid-cols-1 grid gap-2.5 [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">
Meghalaya Police Arrest Four in Connection with Brutal Killing
Meghalaya Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the murder of a tourist from Indore who was killed whilst on his honeymoon in the northeastern state. The victim, Raja Raghuvanshi, was allegedly murdered in a plot orchestrated by his own wife just days after their wedding.
Police investigations have revealed that the murder was allegedly planned by the victim's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is suspected of having hired assassins to carry out the killing. The motive appears to centre around an alleged extramarital affair between Mrs Raghuvanshi and one of the accused, Raj Kushwaha.
Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police for East Khasi Hills, confirmed that Mrs Raghuvanshi had surrendered to Uttar Pradesh Police in Ghazipur following the arrests of her alleged co-conspirators. The timing of her surrender has raised suspicions amongst investigators.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
<ul class="[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7">
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Raj Singh Kushwaha, aged 21, from Indore - allegedly involved in an affair with the victim's wife</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Akash Rajput, aged 19, from Lalitpur</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Vishal Singh Chauhan, aged 22, from Indore</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">A fourth individual arrested from Sagar District</li>
</ul>
Police have indicated that the crime was committed on 23rd May, with the perpetrators fleeing the scene immediately afterwards. Initially treated as a missing persons case, the investigation only began in earnest when Mr Raghuvanshi's body was discovered on 2nd June, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team.
The case has taken on additional complexity as multiple police teams from Meghalaya are now operating across different states to apprehend all suspects. One team has been dispatched to Uttar Pradesh specifically to arrest Mrs Raghuvanshi and secure transit remand.
Investigators have noted that Mrs Raghuvanshi remained in hiding throughout the initial investigation period, only surfacing and contacting relatives after the arrest of Kushwaha and the other accused. This timing has been described by police as highly suspicious and indicative of coordination between the suspects.
The case represents a shocking betrayal of marital trust, with authorities alleging that the newlywed bride arranged her husband's murder within days of their wedding ceremony whilst they were supposed to be celebrating their honeymoon in Meghalaya.
Further investigations are ongoing as police work to establish the full extent of the conspiracy and the exact roles played by each of the accused in the planning and execution of the murder.
</div>
</div>

Newly married Raghuvanshi couple and accused wife Sonam

Newlywed woman 'hired hitmen to kill husband days after wedding' in Meghalaya killing

Wife's Affair Led to Honeymoon Murder Plot, Say Police

Indore businessman found dead in Meghalaya gorge; wife Sonam arrested for contract killing plot
 A chilling twist has emerged in the suspected murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found in a gorge in Meghalaya days after he went missing during his honeymoon. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, has been arrested in connection with the killing, following her surrender to police in Uttar Pradesh.
Acting on leads developed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), Meghalaya Police tracked Sonam to Nandganj police station in Ghazipur district. She surrendered without resistance and was formally arrested. Investigators believe Sonam orchestrated her husband's murder by hiring contract killers from Madhya Pradesh.
Three accomplices, all reportedly involved in the crime, have also been taken into custody. One was picked up from Uttar Pradesh, while two others were nabbed during overnight raids in Indore.
The couple had arrived in Meghalaya&rsquo;s Cherrapunjee region on 22 May and were last seen checking out of Balaji Homestay the next morning. Their rented scooter was found abandoned near Sohrarim soon after they were reported missing.
Ten days later, Raja&rsquo;s body was recovered from a gorge near Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang. A blood-stained machete suspected to have been used in the attack was found nearby. At the time, Sonam was untraceable.
Investigators received a breakthrough when a local tourist guide from Mawlakhiat came forward, claiming he had seen the couple climbing a trail of over 3,000 steps with three men on 23 May&mdash;the day they vanished. He identified the couple as the same tourists he had approached a day earlier, though they had opted for another guide.
Authorities say the fourth accused is still on the run. Interrogations are ongoing as police work to uncover the full conspiracy.
Meghalaya police have been lauded for their swift progress in the case. The state&rsquo;s Chief Minister praised the force for securing major arrests within a week of the crime.
The investigation continues.

Raja Raghuvanshi with his wife Sonar (source family album)

Indore businessman found dead in Meghalaya; wife arrested for hiring contract killers

Wife Held in Honeymoon Murder of Indore Man

Shillong, July 20 &ndash; In a significant evacuation effort, 405 Indian students have been safely transported through the Dawki Integrated Check Post, according to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. The evacuation, carried out on Friday, included around 80 students from Meghalaya and others from various parts of India.
Chief Minister Sangma confirmed that the evacuation also encompassed students from Nepal and Bhutan, as well as tourists affected by the turmoil. "We are aware of the situation in Bangladesh," Sangma stated. The Meghalaya government has appointed nodal officers and maintains direct communication with the Indian Embassy in Dhaka. Senior IPS officers are overseeing operations to facilitate necessary movements.
Sangma highlighted ongoing concerns regarding 36 students stranded at Eastern Medical College, emphasizing that officials are closely monitoring their situation. Addressing parental concerns, Sangma assured that while the immediate vicinity of the college appears stable, potential risks along evacuation routes require cautious planning. "We will have to watch the situation," he added, hoping for a clearer assessment within the next 24 hours.
The Chief Minister detailed preparations at the Dawki checkpoint, including provisions for medical care, food, transportation, and security. He also mentioned coordination with Tripura authorities to enable further evacuations.
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals in Bangladesh to follow guidelines issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka, urging them to minimize travel and stay in contact with diplomatic missions for assistance.
This evacuation comes in response to violent protests in Bangladesh over the country's quota system for civil service jobs. The unrest has led to numerous casualties and injuries across multiple districts. Violence on Thursday affected 47 of Bangladesh's 64 districts, resulting in 27 deaths and 1,500 injuries. As of Friday night, the death toll from the protests reached 105, according to AFP, citing hospitals.
Reuters could not immediately verify these reports, and police have not released an official casualty count. The US Embassy in Dhaka reported over 40 deaths and "hundreds to possibly thousands" of injuries across Bangladesh, describing the situation as "extremely volatile." The protests, initially sparked by student anger over quotas that reserve 30% of government jobs for families of independence fighters, have grown into the largest unrest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's re-election this year.
High unemployment among young people, who constitute nearly a fifth of Bangladesh's 170 million population, further fuels the discontent. Some analysts attribute the violence to broader economic issues, such as high inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.
The protests have rekindled sensitive political divisions between those who fought for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 and those accused of collaborating with Islamabad. Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League party, which has labeled the protesters as &ldquo;razakar,&rdquo; a term for wartime collaborators, is deeply involved in the conflict. The unrest has even extended to London, home to a large Bangladeshi community, where police intervened to quell clashes between large groups of men in the city's east.

શિલોંગ, 20 જુલાઇ - મેઘાલયના મુખ્ય પ્રધાન કોનરાડ સંગમાના જણાવ્યા અનુસાર, સ્થળાંતરના નોંધપાત્ર પ્રયાસમાં, 405 ભારતીય વિદ્યાર્થીઓને ડાવકી ઇન્ટિગ્રેટેડ ચેક પોસ્ટ દ્વારા સુરક્ષિત રીતે પરિવહન કરવામાં આવ્યું છે. શુક્રવારે હાથ ધરવામાં આવેલા આ સ્થળાંતરમાં મેઘાલયના લગભગ 80 વિદ્યાર્થીઓ અને ભારતના વિવિધ ભાગોમાંથી અન્ય લોકોનો સમાવેશ થાય છે.
મુખ્ય પ્રધાન સંગમાએ પુષ્ટિ કરી હતી કે સ્થળાંતરમાં નેપાળ અને ભૂટાનના વિદ્યાર્થીઓ તેમજ અશાંતિથી પ્રભાવિત પ્રવાસીઓનો સમાવેશ થાય છે. સંગમાએ કહ્યું, "અમે બાંગ્લાદેશની સ્થિતિથી વાકેફ છીએ."
મેઘાલય સરકારે નોડલ અધિકારીઓની નિમણૂક કરી છે અને ઢાકામાં ભારતીય દૂતાવાસ સાથે સીધો સંચાર જાળવે છે.
વરિષ્ઠ IPS અધિકારીઓ જરૂરી હિલચાલની સુવિધા માટે કામગીરીની દેખરેખ રાખી રહ્યા છે. સંગમાએ ઈસ્ટર્ન મેડિકલ કોલેજમાં ફસાયેલા 36 વિદ્યાર્થીઓ અંગે ચાલી રહેલી ચિંતાઓ પર ભાર મૂક્યો, ભારપૂર્વક જણાવ્યું કે અધિકારીઓ તેમની સ્થિતિ પર નજીકથી નજર રાખી રહ્યા છે.
વાલીઓની ચિંતાઓને સંબોધતા, સંગમાએ ખાતરી આપી હતી કે જ્યારે કોલેજની નજીકનો વિસ્તાર સ્થિર દેખાય છે, ત્યારે સ્થળાંતર માર્ગો પર સંભવિત જોખમો માટે સાવચેતીપૂર્વક આયોજનની જરૂર છે. આગામી 24 કલાકમાં સ્પષ્ટ મૂલ્યાંકનની આશામાં તેમણે ઉમેર્યું હતું કે, "આપણે પરિસ્થિતિ પર નજર રાખવી પડશે."
મુખ્ય પ્રધાને ડાવકી ચેકપોઇન્ટ પર તબીબી સંભાળ, ખોરાક, પરિવહન અને સુરક્ષા સહિતની જોગવાઈઓ સહિતની તૈયારીઓની વિગતવાર માહિતી આપી હતી. તેમણે ત્રિપુરા સત્તાવાળાઓ સાથે સંકલનનો પણ ઉલ્લેખ કર્યો હતો જેથી વધુ સ્થળાંતર કરી શકાય.
વિદેશ મંત્રાલયે બાંગ્લાદેશમાં ભારતીય નાગરિકોને સલાહ આપી છે કે તેઓ ઢાકામાં ભારતના હાઈ કમિશન દ્વારા જારી કરાયેલ માર્ગદર્શિકાઓનું પાલન કરે, તેમને મુસાફરી ઓછી કરવા અને મદદ માટે રાજદ્વારી મિશન સાથે સંપર્કમાં રહેવા વિનંતી કરી.
આ સ્થળાંતર બાંગ્લાદેશમાં નાગરિક સેવા નોકરીઓ માટે દેશની ક્વોટા સિસ્ટમને લઈને હિંસક વિરોધના પ્રતિભાવમાં આવે છે. અશાંતિને કારણે અનેક જિલ્લાઓમાં અસંખ્ય જાનહાનિ અને ઇજાઓ થઈ છે.
ગુરુવારે થયેલી હિંસાએ બાંગ્લાદેશના 64 જિલ્લાઓમાંથી 47ને અસર કરી હતી, જેના પરિણામે 27 લોકોના મોત અને 1,500 લોકો ઘાયલ થયા હતા.
હોસ્પિટલોને ટાંકીને એએફપીના જણાવ્યા અનુસાર શુક્રવારની રાત સુધીમાં, વિરોધ પ્રદર્શનમાં મૃત્યુઆંક 105 પર પહોંચી ગયો છે. રોઇટર્સ આ અહેવાલોને તરત જ ચકાસી શક્યા નથી, અને પોલીસે સત્તાવાર જાનહાનિની ​​ગણતરી જાહેર કરી નથી.
ઢાકામાં યુએસ એમ્બેસીએ સમગ્ર બાંગ્લાદેશમાં 40 થી વધુ મૃત્યુ અને "સેંકડોથી સંભવતઃ હજારો" ઇજાઓની જાણ કરી, પરિસ્થિતિને "અત્યંત અસ્થિર" તરીકે વર્ણવી.
સ્વતંત્રતા સેનાનીઓના પરિવારો માટે 30% સરકારી નોકરીઓ અનામત રાખતા ક્વોટા પર વિદ્યાર્થીઓના ગુસ્સાથી શરૂ થયેલા વિરોધ પ્રદર્શનો, આ વર્ષે વડા પ્રધાન શેખ હસીનાની પુનઃચૂંટણી પછીની સૌથી મોટી અશાંતિમાં વિકસ્યા છે. યુવાનોમાં ઉચ્ચ બેરોજગારી, જેઓ બાંગ્લાદેશની 170 મિલિયન વસ્તીનો લગભગ પાંચમો ભાગ છે, અસંતોષને વધુ બળ આપે છે.
કેટલાક વિશ્લેષકો આ હિંસાને વ્યાપક આર્થિક મુદ્દાઓ માટે જવાબદાર માને છે, જેમ કે ઊંચી ફુગાવો અને ઘટતા વિદેશી હૂંડિયામણ અનામત.
વિરોધ પ્રદર્શનોએ 1971માં પાકિસ્તાનથી બાંગ્લાદેશની આઝાદી માટે લડનારાઓ અને ઈસ્લામાબાદ સાથે સહયોગ કરવાનો આરોપ લગાવનારાઓ વચ્ચેના સંવેદનશીલ રાજકીય વિભાજનને ફરીથી ઉત્તેજિત કર્યું છે. વડા પ્રધાન હસીનાની અવામી લીગ પાર્ટી, જેણે વિરોધીઓને "રઝાકાર" તરીકે લેબલ કર્યું છે, જે યુદ્ધ સમયના સહયોગીઓ માટેનો શબ્દ છે, તે સંઘર્ષમાં ઊંડે ઊંડે સામેલ છે.
અશાંતિ લંડન સુધી પણ વિસ્તરી ગઈ છે, જ્યાં મોટા બાંગ્લાદેશી સમુદાયનું ઘર છે, જ્યાં પોલીસે શહેરના પૂર્વમાં પુરુષોના મોટા જૂથો વચ્ચેની અથડામણોને કાબૂમાં લેવા દરમિયાનગીરી કરી હતી.

405 Indian students were safely evacuated from Bangladesh through Dawki Checkpost

Evacuation Efforts Extend to Students from Nepal and Bhutan, Coordinated by Meghalaya Government.

405 ભારતીય વિદ્યાર્થીઓને બાંગ્લાદેશમાંથી ડાવકી ચેકપોસ્ટ દ્વારા સુરક્ષિત રીતે બહાર કાઢવામાં આવ્યા

शिलांग, 20 जुलाई - मेघालय के मुख्यमंत्री कॉनराड संगमा के अनुसार, एक महत्वपूर्ण निकासी प्रयास में, 405 भारतीय छात्रों को डॉकी इंटीग्रेटेड चेक पोस्ट के माध्यम से सुरक्षित ले जाया गया है। शुक्रवार को की गई निकासी में मेघालय के लगभग 80 छात्र और भारत के विभिन्न हिस्सों के अन्य लोग शामिल थे।
मुख्यमंत्री संगमा ने पुष्टि की कि निकासी में नेपाल और भूटान के छात्रों के साथ-साथ अशांति से प्रभावित पर्यटक भी शामिल हैं। संगमा ने कहा, "हम बांग्लादेश की स्थिति से अवगत हैं।" मेघालय सरकार ने नोडल अधिकारी नियुक्त किए हैं और ढाका में भारतीय दूतावास के साथ सीधा संचार बनाए रखा है।
वरिष्ठ आईपीएस अधिकारी आवश्यक गतिविधियों को सुविधाजनक बनाने के लिए अभियान की निगरानी कर रहे हैं। संगमा ने ईस्टर्न मेडिकल कॉलेज में फंसे 36 छात्रों के संबंध में चल रही चिंताओं पर प्रकाश डाला, और जोर दिया कि अधिकारी उनकी स्थिति पर बारीकी से नजर रख रहे हैं।
माता-पिता की चिंताओं को संबोधित करते हुए, संगमा ने आश्वासन दिया कि हालांकि कॉलेज के आसपास का क्षेत्र स्थिर प्रतीत होता है, निकासी मार्गों पर संभावित जोखिमों के लिए सतर्क योजना की आवश्यकता होती है। उन्होंने अगले 24 घंटों के भीतर स्पष्ट मूल्यांकन की उम्मीद करते हुए कहा, "हमें स्थिति पर नजर रखनी होगी।" मुख्यमंत्री ने डॉकी चेकपॉइंट पर चिकित्सा देखभाल, भोजन, परिवहन और सुरक्षा के प्रावधानों सहित तैयारियों का विवरण दिया। उन्होंने आगे की निकासी को सक्षम करने के लिए त्रिपुरा अधिकारियों के साथ समन्वय का भी उल्लेख किया।
विदेश मंत्रालय ने बांग्लादेश में भारतीय नागरिकों को ढाका में भारतीय उच्चायोग द्वारा जारी दिशानिर्देशों का पालन करने की सलाह दी है, उनसे यात्रा कम करने और सहायता के लिए राजनयिक मिशनों के संपर्क में रहने का आग्रह किया है। यह निकासी बांग्लादेश में सिविल सेवा नौकरियों के लिए देश की कोटा प्रणाली पर हिंसक विरोध प्रदर्शन के जवाब में हुई है। अशांति के कारण कई जिलों में कई लोग हताहत और घायल हुए हैं।
गुरुवार को हुई हिंसा से बांग्लादेश के 64 में से 47 जिले प्रभावित हुए, जिसमें 27 लोगों की मौत हो गई और 1,500 लोग घायल हो गए। अस्पतालों के हवाले से एएफपी के मुताबिक, शुक्रवार रात तक विरोध प्रदर्शन में मरने वालों की संख्या 105 तक पहुंच गई। रॉयटर्स इन रिपोर्टों को तुरंत सत्यापित नहीं कर सका, और पुलिस ने हताहतों की आधिकारिक संख्या जारी नहीं की है।
ढाका में अमेरिकी दूतावास ने पूरे बांग्लादेश में 40 से अधिक मौतों और "सैकड़ों से संभवतः हजारों" के घायल होने की सूचना दी, स्थिति को "बेहद अस्थिर" बताया। विरोध प्रदर्शन, शुरू में स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों के परिवारों के लिए 30% सरकारी नौकरियों को आरक्षित करने वाले कोटा को लेकर छात्रों के गुस्से से शुरू हुआ था, जो इस साल प्रधान मंत्री शेख हसीना के दोबारा चुनाव के बाद सबसे बड़ी अशांति में बदल गया है।
युवा लोगों के बीच उच्च बेरोजगारी, जो बांग्लादेश की 170 मिलियन आबादी का लगभग पांचवां हिस्सा है, असंतोष को और बढ़ाती है। कुछ विश्लेषक हिंसा का कारण उच्च मुद्रास्फीति और घटते विदेशी मुद्रा भंडार जैसे व्यापक आर्थिक मुद्दों को मानते हैं। विरोध प्रदर्शनों ने 1971 में पाकिस्तान से बांग्लादेश की आजादी के लिए लड़ने वालों और इस्लामाबाद के साथ सहयोग करने के आरोपियों के बीच संवेदनशील राजनीतिक विभाजन को फिर से जगा दिया है।
प्रधान मंत्री हसीना की अवामी लीग पार्टी, जिसने प्रदर्शनकारियों को "रज़ाकार" कहा है, जो युद्धकालीन सहयोगियों के लिए एक शब्द है, इस संघर्ष में गहराई से शामिल है। अशांति बड़े बांग्लादेशी समुदाय के निवास स्थान लंदन तक भी फैल गई है, जहां पुलिस ने शहर के पूर्व में पुरुषों के बड़े समूहों के बीच झड़पों को रोकने के लिए हस्तक्षेप किया।

मेघालय सरकार द्वारा समन्वित, नेपाल और भूटान के छात्रों के लिए निकासी प्रयास विस्तारित।

डॉकी चेकपोस्ट के जरिए 405 भारतीय छात्रों को बांग्लादेश से सुरक्षित निकाला गया

Gujarat Congress Internal Dispute: The countdown to the 2027 Gujarat Assembly election has already begun. The 2029 Lok Sabha election is not far away either. The Congress high command is making claims of a change of power in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi is talking about rebuilding the Gujarat Congress from the ground up. There is talk of removing the &lsquo;lame horses&rsquo; and putting the &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; on the field. But looking at the current state of the Gujarat Congress, one question cannot be avoided: before entering the race, will the Congress even be able to get its own team to stand in one line? Before declaring war against the BJP, the Congress is caught in a political battle within its own house. The question is bitter, but necessary: if a party cannot create unity within its own organisation, how does it expect to take on the BJP&rsquo;s formidable organisational machinery in Gujarat?
Leaders Changed, But Why Didn&rsquo;t the Problem? Keeping the 2027 Assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections in mind, the Congress has begun making changes to its Gujarat organisation. The high command wanted to remove the old and inactive structure and bring forward leaders with the ability to fight elections. But when a party repeatedly needs to change its state in-charge, the question becomes bigger than the capability of the individual holding the post. Mukul Wasnik was replaced by Randeep Singh Surjewala as Gujarat Congress in-charge. With the new in-charge came expectations of a new direction, a new strategy and greater discipline within the organisation. Yet, barely had Surjewala taken charge when a controversy erupted within Banaskantha Congress over the organisational structure. That is where the Congress&rsquo;s real trouble begins.
A Symptom of Congress&rsquo;s Organisational Illness Banaskantha is not an ordinary constituency. It is the only Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat that the Congress won in the 2024 general election. That makes it the biggest symbol of political hope for the Congress in Gujarat. So when differences emerge over organisational posts and responsibilities in precisely this constituency, when questions are raised over decisions taken by the state leadership, and when the district organisation itself becomes a subject of controversy, this cannot simply be dismissed as a &lsquo;local dispute&rsquo;. It is a symptom of the Congress&rsquo;s organisational illness. And if this illness continues until 2027, the BJP will be the direct beneficiary. The Congress needs to understand one basic reality: elections are not won through posters, press conferences and speeches by big leaders. Elections are won at the booth. The BJP&rsquo;s organisational machinery is active right down to the booth level. To challenge it, the Congress needs a strong network of workers, clearly defined responsibilities and a united district-level organisation. But here, the very formation of the district organisation is becoming a source of controversy. So where exactly will the Congress find the strength to challenge the BJP at the booth level?
&lsquo;Race Horses&rsquo; or Obstacles in Each Other&rsquo;s Way? Rahul Gandhi talks about identifying the &lsquo;lame horses&rsquo; in Gujarat and bringing the &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; to the forefront. It sounds attractive. But politics does not work that way. Simply choosing good horses does not guarantee victory in a race. The horses must run together rather than pull each other down. The direction of the race must be clear. And the coaching staff cannot be fighting among themselves. Only then can a team win. The Gujarat Congress&rsquo;s problem may not simply be about &lsquo;which leader should be promoted&rsquo;. The real problem is whether the leaders who are brought forward will actually work together. Mukul Wasnik is gone. Randeep Singh Surjewala has arrived. The state in-charge has changed. But if factionalism remains unchanged, internal power struggles remain unchanged, coordination between the district and state organisations remains weak, and organisational decisions themselves continue to trigger controversy, then what exactly is the Congress talking about when it talks of change? Changing faces will not change the Congress&rsquo;s fortunes. Its working style must change. Leadership accountability must be fixed. Factionalism must be brought under control. And above all, the party worker must be given confidence that the Congress is genuinely one team. Because if the Congress wants to fight the BJP, it must first stop its own leaders from fighting each other.
When Will the Political Infighting Within Gujarat Congress End? The biggest illusion for the Congress in the 2027 election would be to assume that public anger against the BJP will automatically translate into Congress votes. Politics does not work that simply. Reaching voters requires sustained ground-level work. It requires a booth-level organisation. It requires coordination among local leaders. It requires worker morale. And above all, it requires leadership running in one direction until election day. If even one of these five links is weak, the entire electoral calculation can collapse. For the Congress, this is no longer the time for experiments. It is the time for decisions. How many state in-charges will be changed? How many meetings will be held? How many times will the organisational structure be reshuffled? The question is no longer who the next Gujarat Congress in-charge will be. The real question is: when will the political infighting within the Gujarat Congress finally end? If every new in-charge is going to inherit the same old disputes, factionalism and internal resentment, then how can a new Congress emerge simply because a new face has arrived?
Will &lsquo;Race Horses&rsquo; Remain Just Another Political Slogan? If the Congress wants to win Gujarat, it must first win within its own organisation. It must win the trust of its workers. It must win the confidence of its district organisations. It must bring its leaders onto one platform. Otherwise, the Congress will lose its internal battle before its fight against the BJP has even begun. And then the talk of &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; will remain nothing more than another political slogan. The Congress has very little time left in the race for power in 2027. If it wants to take on the BJP, it must first stop its own leaders from fighting each other. Because power in Gujarat will not be won through statements from the Gandhi family. It will be won through organisational strength on the ground. The final question is simple: Is the Congress preparing to defeat the BJP, or is it still calculating whom it needs to defeat inside its own house? Want to win Gujarat? Then first, win the Gujarat Congress.

Congress has set its sights on defeating the BJP in Gujarat. But there’s a bigger battle brewing inside its own house.

Congress Wants to Defeat BJP in Gujarat, But Who Will Save Congress From Itself?

Gujarat High Court Launches Study Circle for Advocates: In a major initiative to strengthen the professional skills and legal knowledge of young advocates, the High Court of Gujarat, in collaboration with the Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA), has announced the launch of a Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop) for Advocates Practicing before the High Court of Gujarat with up to 10 years of practice. The programme will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal Announces Study Circle The initiative was announced by Gujarat High Court Chief Justice and Patron-in-Chief of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, Justice Sunita Agarwal, after the Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the High Court Lawns on August 15. The announcement was made in the presence of Justice Bhargav D. Karia, Judge of the Gujarat High Court and President of GSJA, members of the Board of Governors of GSJA, other High Court judges, Senior Advocates and members of the Bar.
Focus on Legal Education and Professional Skills The new Study Circle is being introduced as a continuous legal learning and professional development programme for young members of the Bar. The initiative aims to enhance advocates&rsquo; understanding of legal principles, legal research, drafting and advocacy skills through direct interaction with Senior Advocates and subject experts. The programme is also expected to strengthen academic engagement between the Bench and the Bar and provide advocates with an opportunity to discuss important and evolving legal issues.
Justice Sunita Agarwal Highlights Importance of Continuous Learning Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal highlighted the indispensable role of advocates in the administration of justice. She emphasized that continuous legal education has become increasingly important in an era of rapidly evolving jurisprudence. The Chief Justice also stressed that effective advocacy and strong legal research are essential components of a robust justice delivery system. She appreciated the efforts of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy in conceptualizing and developing the Study Circle programme.
Three Key Legal Modules in First Phase The first phase of the Study Circle will feature three major academic modules covering important areas of High Court practice. Module I will focus on the expanding contours of maintainability in writ jurisdiction under Article 226, an important area of constitutional and administrative law practice. Module II will cover the basic principles of Administrative Law and Second Appeals under Section 100 of the CPC, with particular emphasis on the Doctrine of Substantial Question of Law. Module III will focus on Criminal Law Jurisdiction, particularly the inherent powers of High Courts under Section 482 of the CrPC and Section 528 of the BNSS, including their scope, limitations and principles of judicial discipline.
Study Circle to Be Held Fortnightly The Study Circle is proposed to be conducted on a fortnightly basis, providing advocates with regular opportunities for legal learning and professional interaction. Future sessions will cover a wide range of subjects, including Constitutional Law, Writ Jurisdiction, Arbitration and Conciliation Law, Commercial Law, Public Interest Litigation, Service Law, Taxation Law, Admiralty Jurisdiction, Legal Ethics and Drafting Skills. The programme will also address contemporary legal issues that are particularly relevant to advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court.
Registration to Begin Soon Registration for the Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop Series) for Advocates Practicing in the High Court of Gujarat &ndash; Series of Academic Modules 2026 will begin shortly through the official website of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy. The programme is specifically intended for advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court who have up to 10 years of professional practice.
Registration Fee The registration fee for the Study Circle has been fixed at ₹100 per programme, which will be paid by each participating advocate. The workshops will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad. Advocates attending the workshops will also receive Certificates of Participation.
Major Step Towards Strengthening Justice Delivery The Gujarat High Court and Gujarat State Judicial Academy's new Study Circle is being viewed as a significant step towards professional excellence and development of the legal fraternity. By bringing young advocates, Senior Advocates and legal experts together for regular academic discussions, the initiative aims to improve legal knowledge, research and advocacy skills while strengthening the Bench-Bar relationship. The broader objective is to contribute towards a more effective and efficient justice delivery system in Gujarat.

Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

A chilling video of the accused in the Indore MBA student murder case has sparked outrage after he was seen smiling and appearing unconcerned when questioned about the crime.
The accused, Piyush Dhanotia, was arrested for allegedly raping and murdering his 25-year-old classmate in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Police said he strangled the woman on February 10 inside his rented accommodation and later locked the room before fleeing. Her partially decomposed body was discovered days later after residents complained of a foul smell.
However, what has intensified public anger is the accused&rsquo;s demeanour. In a video that surfaced online, Dhanotia is seen smiling when reporters ask him why he committed the crime. When pressed for answers, he responded dismissively, saying that what had happened had already happened and that he would speak at the right time. Throughout the interaction, he showed no visible sign of regret.
Police officials said he admitted during interrogation that he forced the woman into sexual acts and killed her when she resisted, though he has reportedly changed his version multiple times. Investigators are also examining allegations that he circulated objectionable videos of the victim in their college WhatsApp group.
The victim&rsquo;s father has accused the accused of blackmailing his daughter with obscene images and attempting to extort money.
As the investigation continues, the accused&rsquo;s apparent lack of remorse captured on camera has become a focal point of the case, drawing sharp reactions both online and offline.
&nbsp;

Video shows MBA student murder accused laughing amid probe

Indore Murder Accused Smiles on Camera

Galgotias University has landed in controversy after showcasing a robotic dog at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 that was widely believed to be developed by its students. The robot, however, was later identified as a commercially available product made by Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics.
The backlash began after a video from the summit went viral, in which a university professor introduced the robot dog, named &ldquo;Orion,&rdquo; and referred to it as being developed at the institution&rsquo;s Centre of Excellence. Social media users were quick to point out that the machine closely resembled Unitree&rsquo;s quadruped robots, which are already available globally for research and industrial use.
Unitree is known for manufacturing advanced four-legged robots designed for tasks such as inspection, obstacle navigation and research applications. Its products are often compared to models developed by global robotics players.
Following the uproar, the Greater Noida-based university issued a clarification stating that it never claimed to have built the robot. It maintained that the robodog was purchased as part of its AI investment initiatives and is being used as a research and learning tool for students. Another faculty member present at the summit reiterated that the display had been misinterpreted and that there was no attempt to conceal the original manufacturer&rsquo;s branding.
Despite the clarification, sources familiar with the developments said the university was asked to vacate its pavilion at the summit amid mounting criticism. The institution, however, denied receiving any formal directive from the organisers or the ministry.
Notably, the robotic dog was removed from display shortly after the controversy escalated online.

Robodog row sparks backlash at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Galgotias Asked to Exit AI Summit

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra, who passed away recently. The actor shared the news with an emotional message on social media. His wife, Kiara Advani, has now also paid a heartfelt tribute to her father-in-law.
On Wednesday, Kiara took to Instagram to share pictures from her wedding reception, where she and Sidharth were seen smiling alongside his parents. In a deeply personal note, she remembered Sunil Malhotra as a warm, generous, and steady presence in the family. She reflected on how he welcomed her with open arms and unconditional love, describing his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Kiara wrote that his stories, laughter, and quiet strength would remain with her forever. She added that his legacy of integrity and gentleness lives on through his children and grandchildren. Concluding her message, she expressed that he would always be loved and remembered.
The couple is currently in Delhi with their family during this difficult period. Members of the film industry extended their condolences online. Jacqueline Fernandez offered prayers, while Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra shared messages of support.
On the professional front, Sidharth will next appear in Vvan: Force of The Forest, directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Mishra and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia and is slated for release later this year.
Kiara, meanwhile, awaits the release of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film features Yash, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles. The film is expected to release on March 19, alongside Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar.

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra lost his life in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi&rsquo;s Dwarka, the father of the 17-year-old accused has expressed regret over the incident, stating that his family is &ldquo;deeply grief-stricken.&rdquo; He also confirmed that the Scorpio SUV involved in the accident is part of his commercial transport business.
The crash occurred around 11:50 am on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11, Dwarka. According to police, the SUV rammed into a Yamaha R15 motorcycle, killing Sahil on the spot. The vehicle then struck a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.
Post-mortem findings revealed that Sahil sustained a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, and an elbow injury due to the high-impact collision.
The minor driver was detained at the scene and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving, negligence causing death, and endangering life. He was later presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. On February 10, he was granted interim bail to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered a separate case against the boy&rsquo;s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds guardians or vehicle owners accountable when a minor commits a traffic offence.
Speaking to the media after being questioned, the father said he was not in the city at the time of the accident and was unaware that his son had taken the vehicle. He stated that the family has cooperated with investigators and provided all necessary documents.
Sahil&rsquo;s mother alleged that her son was killed by a &ldquo;reckless teen&rdquo; just minutes away from his workplace. The 23-year-old, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had plans to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom later this year.

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday set aside a March 2025 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that had ruled that grabbing a minor girl&rsquo;s breasts and dragging her under a culvert did not amount to an attempt to rape. The apex court termed the ruling a &ldquo;patently erroneous&rdquo; application of criminal law principles.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, held that the high court had incorrectly reduced the charges from attempt to rape under Section 376 read with Section 511 of the IPC and Section 18 of the POCSO Act to lesser offences. The court restored the original summons issued by the Special POCSO Court in Kasganj, clarifying that its observations were prima facie and would not influence the trial&rsquo;s outcome.
Rejecting the high court&rsquo;s reasoning that the accused had merely &ldquo;prepared&rdquo; to commit rape, the Supreme Court reiterated the settled distinction between preparation and attempt, noting that an attempt begins when intent moves into execution. Based on the allegations, including forcibly taking the minor on a motorcycle, dragging her near a culvert, and fleeing only after she screamed, the Bench held that a prima facie case of attempt to rape was clearly made out.
The proceedings were initiated suo motu after senior advocate Shobha Gupta raised concerns over the high court&rsquo;s reasoning. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the controversial observations and later the entire judgment.
Beyond correcting the legal error, the court addressed a broader concern about insensitivity in judicial handling of sexual offence cases. It requested the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal to constitute a five-member expert committee to frame guidelines aimed at fostering compassion and sensitivity in courts, especially in cases involving minors and vulnerable victims.
The committee, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Aniruddha Bose, has been directed to submit a report within three months. The guidelines are to be drafted in simple, accessible language and tailored to Indian realities to ensure they are understandable to victims and laypersons alike.

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s merchandise imports from Russia plunged by over 40% in January 2026, falling to about $2.86 billion from $4.81 billion a year earlier, official trade figures show, largely reflecting a steep reduction in crude oil purchases.
Crude oil typically accounts for roughly 80% of India&rsquo;s imports from Russia, and estimates suggest purchases of Russian crude last month were significantly lower than in previous years. Other goods imported from Russia include coal, fertilisers, iron, pulses, and precious stones, but these have not offset the slump in oil imports. The downturn in oil imports intensified after mid-2025, following punitive tariffs levied by the United States on Indian goods connected to purchases of Russian oil and ongoing diplomatic pressure. India&rsquo;s refiners, including some major private and state firms, have substantially reduced or halted buying Russian crude as they explore alternative sources.
In early February 2026, Washington eased the additional tariff on Indian products after New Delhi signalled a commitment to &ldquo;stop directly or indirectly importing&rdquo; Russian oil and to increase purchases of energy products from the United States, as well as broadening ties in global energy markets.
Analysts expect the shift in crude sourcing to continue, with Indian refiners eyeing other suppliers, including Middle Eastern and Venezuelan grades, as part of broader diversification strategies.

January sees 40% fall in Russia merchandise imports amid crude cutbacks

India’s Russia Imports Drop Sharply

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Annamayya district for allegedly abducting and murdering a seven-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Madanapalle town.
The child had been playing outside her home on Sunday evening when she went missing, sparking panic among her family and local residents. A missing complaint was filed the following morning, prompting an intensive search operation led by district police.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from across the town, which reportedly showed the suspect, a neighbour living opposite the victim&rsquo;s house, taking the child into his residence. Acting on this lead, police searched the house on Tuesday morning.
During the inspection, officers discovered the girl&rsquo;s body concealed inside a water storage drum within the premises. The accused was present at the house at the time and was immediately taken into custody.
Preliminary findings suggest the child was killed inside the residence on Sunday night, and her body was hidden thereafter. Authorities are probing whether sexual assault occurred before the murder, with confirmation pending post-mortem and forensic examination results.
Following the discovery, tensions escalated in the area. Residents and family members staged a protest on the Madanapalle highway, briefly preventing police from shifting the body to the government hospital for autopsy and demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Police have stated that all possible angles, including prior allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the suspect, are being examined as the investigation continues.

Child’s body found in drum; protest erupts in Madanapalle town

7-Year-Old Killed, Neighbour Arrested

The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened regional tensions. While both sides indicated forward movement in discussions, parallel military developments have added complexity to the fragile engagement.
Reports suggest the US has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 advanced fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-22 and F-16 jets, were reportedly repositioned to the region within a 24-hour window. The deployment follows Washington&rsquo;s decision to send a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to Middle Eastern waters, underscoring its strategic posture.
Despite the show of force, the Geneva discussions were described as substantive and focused. Iranian officials signalled that preliminary understandings were reached on broad guiding principles that could shape a future agreement. However, they cautioned that drafting and finalising any deal would take time.
On the American side, officials maintained that the talks unfolded largely as anticipated. Washington&rsquo;s core objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position repeatedly emphasised by senior US leadership.
Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted. Iran temporarily restricted navigation in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during a naval drill, highlighting the waterway&rsquo;s vulnerability. Additionally, US leaders suggested that differences remain over key conditions laid out by President Donald Trump.
As diplomacy continues, both nations appear to be balancing dialogue with deterrence, leaving the broader geopolitical landscape uncertain.

Second Geneva round shows progress as military moves raise stakes

Shillong News