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Chennai: A chilling case of illegal police torture that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old man, Ajith Kumar, in Sivaganga district has rocked Tamil Nadu. Five policemen have been arrested in connection with the case. Amid massive outrage and displeasure expressed by the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the incident. Ajith Kumar's misfortune began on June 27 when an elderly woman Sivakami and her daughter Nikita visited the famous Madapuram Badrakaliaman Temple near Tirupuvanam. Nikita had handed over her car key to Ajith Kumar, working as a contractual security guard at the temple, requesting him to park it. The young man did not know to drive a car and sought the help of his friends. He later handed over the car key to Nikita. A while later the two women alleged that about 10 sovereign of gold ornaments were missing from the handbag placed in the car. Acting on the women's oral complaint, the Tirupuvanam police picked up Ajith Kumar, his brother Naveen and a few others and took them to an undisclosed location and allegedly used third degree methods to extract a confession from them. Ajith Kumar and others were let off in the evening. However, on June 28, a special police team once again detained Ajith Kumar and took him to various places where they were thrashed with lathis and rods. "Unable to bear the pain and hoping for a reprieve from the raining blows, my brother claimed he had hidden the jewels at the temple goshala. The police team then took him to the goshala where he told them the truth - that he had lied about the jewels as he was unable to bear the beatings. This angered the police and they beat him repeatedly," Naveen told journalists. Ajith Kumar collapsed and the police bundled him and left him with temple authorities. The temple staff took him to a private hospital where doctors seeing the nature of injuries refused to admit him. He was then taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, where doctors declared him "brought dead". Reports from the ground suggested that Ajith Kumar's body had more than 30 injury marks including on his anus, reminding the people of a chilling custodial death of a father and son at Sattankulam a few years ago. It was only on Saturday that local media took note of the case as there was no police record about Ajith Kumar being formally detained. Subsequently, the issue became big with opposition parties stepping up pressure on the Stalin Government. The Government initially responded by suspending six policemen on Sunday night and followed it up with a late night arrest of five of them on Monday. As it became clear that the issue was getting out of hand, the Sivaganga Superintendent of Police was kept on compulsory wait and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, on whose instruction the policemen claimed to have taken up the case, was suspended on Tuesday. The case was transferred to the CB-CID. The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) insisted that senior officers involved in the case must not be spared. It raised uncomfortable questions to the State. Following this, the Chief Minister announced that the case was being handed over to the CBI.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
The annual 'Kartheeka Brahmotsavams' began at the temple of Goddess Sri Padmavati Ammavaru at Tiruchanur here on November 28 (Thursday). Priests hoisted the 'Dhwajapatam', the sacred flag bearing the imprint of the divine elephant (the celestial carrier of Goddess Padmavati), atop the temple flag post as part of the 'Dhwajarohanam' ceremony, which signalled the formal launch of the nine-day fete. Under the guidance of the 'Pancharatra Agama' adviser Manikantha Swamy, the officiating priest (Kankana Bhattar), K. Srinivasacharyulu, and priest Babu Swamy conducted the rituals. Executive Office ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4 (ANI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the Mahayuti government. BJP's Central Observers for the state, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani were also present at the meet. Also Read | Stock Market Today: Indian Stock Market Ends in Green, All Eyes on RBI's MPC Decision on Repo Rate. Fadnavis is scheduled to take oath as the Chief Minister on December 5 after being unanimously chosen as Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislati ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Dec 5 (Maxim News): Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched the Indiramma House Survey mobile application on Thursday morning. The selection of the beneficiaries of the housing scheme will be done from tomorrow (Friday) through this app. Click Here To Join Us On WhatsApp Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that the Indiramma house scheme was started with Rs. 10 thousand. Today it has reached Rs. 5 lakh. He said that they are providing financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 5 lakh to each poor person for the construction of a house. It is everyone's dream t ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
Traffic Diversions for oath-taking: The swearing-in ceremony of the new Maharashtra Chief Minister will be held at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai tomorrow, December 5. Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an advisory in view of the event. The traffic diversions will remain in place from 12 PM tomorrow till the end of the programme. Devendra Fadnavis was on Wednesday unanimously elected as Maharashtra BJP legislature party's leader, paving the way for his swearing-in as the chief minister for a third time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders are set to attend the grand swearing-in cerem ...Read More >
Assam Beef Ban: A political row has erupted over the Assam government's decision to ban the public consumption of beef in the state with the Opposition labelling it "against the right to freedom" while the ruling BJP lauding the state Cabinet's call. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced on Wednesday that his government has decided to ban the consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels and public places, drawing sharp reactions from the Opposition. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan ...Read More >
Hathras, Dec 10 (VOICE) At least seven people lost their lives in a major road accident near Jaitpur village on the Bareilly-Mathura road in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district on Tuesday. A collision between a container truck and a passenger vehicle, commonly referred to as a 'Magic,' resulted in the fatalities. Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, officials said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed district authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured an ...Read More >
Responding to Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) floor leader G.K. Mani, who raised the issue in the House, Mr. Stalin said, "Adani did not meet me nor did I meet him." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (December 10, 2024) told the State Assembly that he had not met Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, dismissing rumours about the conglomerate's alleged links to the State. Responding to Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) floor leader G.K. Mani, who raised the issue in the House, Mr. Stalin said, ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a noisy scene as Opposition BJD and Congress members held protests inside the House over alleged non-payment of salaries to around 60,000 women supporting staffers under the 'Mission Shakti' scheme. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of "conspiring to stop" salaries of the 'Mission Shakti' staff. As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD and Congress members trooped to the well of the House and demanded immediate release of salaries of around 60,000 women supporting staff working under the 'Mission Shakti' sch ...Read More >
Khargone (MP), Dec 11 (PTI) Spiritual leader Sant Siyaram Baba passed away on Wednesday at 94 following a brief illness at his ashram on the banks of the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, an official said. Siyaram Baba breathed his last around 6.10 am in his ashram in Bhattyan village, said Khargone district Superintendent of Police Dharmaraj Meena. Condolences poured in from various quarters. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, former CM Digvijaya Singh, and ex-Union minister Arun Yadav among others expressed grief over the death of the Hindu seer, a revered figure in the Nimar region ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 5 (VOICE) The Assam government's decision to impose a complete ban on the consumption of beef in public places, including hotels and restaurants, has garnered positive reactions from other BJP leaders. In Chhattisgarh, Cabinet Minister Tankaram Verma welcomed the move, stating, "In our country, cows are revered as Gau Mata. From birth to death, their importance in our lives is unparalleled, even during final rites where cow urine is used. I wholeheartedly support this decision by the Assam government and congratulate them for taking such a step." Similarly, Uttar Pradesh's Min ...Read More >
Itanagar, Dec 5 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Indian Army for the maintenance and upkeep of the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valour in Tawang district. The memorandum was signed by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang and Brigadier VS Rajput of the 190 Mountain Brigade on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. With this agreement, the museum will be effectively managed solely by the Indian Army, an official statement said here on Thursday. On the occasion, Khandu paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai P ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin responding to a query from PMK floor leader GK Mani in the Assembly on Tuesday, categorically denied meeting Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani. Mani, during his speech during the zero hour, raised a query about media reports about a case registered in the US court against Adani, which included purported connections with the Tamil Nadu government, and sought the state government's explanation on the issue. Responding to him, Stalin clarified, "Neither I nor the present Tamil Nadu government has any connection in this matter. I have never met him, a ...Read More >
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin firmly denied allegations linking him to industrialist Gautam Adani as presented by the BJP and its ally, the PMK. During a recent Assembly session, Stalin challenged opposition leaders to initiate a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) inquiry into the allegations surrounding Adani's company. Addressing PMK leader G. K. Mani, Stalin reiterated that he had never met Adani, dismissing claims of any existing ties. He asked if the opposition was willing to engage in a thorough investigation through a JPC probe and bring the discussion to Parliament. The cal ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: The BRS leaders and activists performed "palaabhishekam" to Telangana Talli statues across the state on Tuesday as part of their protests against the state government changing the statue design. Describing the Telangana Talli statue as a legacy of the statehood movement, BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha condemned the state government's unilateral decision to replace the historic symbol. Kavitha performed "palaabhishekam" and "panchamrutam abhishekam" to the Telangana Talli statue at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad. Alleging that the symbol of Mother Telangana was ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched an investigation into three cases of violence in Manipur, including the abduction and killing of six women and children from the State's Jiribam district on November 11. The anti-terror agency re-registered three cases afresh on November 13 after the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to hand over the cases to it considering the gravity of the offences amid escalating violence in the strife-torn State. "The objective is to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks," an NIA spokesperson said on Tuesday (November 26, 2024). Last ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10 (PTI) 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, St ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The phone tapping case in Telangana took a dramatic turn on Tuesday with the police booking former minister T. Harish Rao and others. A case against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and others was registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad on a complaint by G. Chakradhar Goud, a real estate businessman. The complainant, who is also the founder of Farmers First Foundation, alleged harassment, threats, and unlawful phone surveillance. Panjagutta Police registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy), 386 (Extortion), 409 (Crimin ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday arrived in Odisha and unveiled a statue of Santali writer and educator Pandit Raghunath Murmu here. She also visited the Adim Owar Jarpa Jaher, a sacred place for Santals, in Bhubaneswar and offered prayers. The President was accorded a warm welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), where she landed on a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to commence her five-day visit to Odisha. She was received at the airport by Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries. People standi ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited a private hospital in Thane for a "check-up," two days before a new CM is sworn in at an open ground ceremony in south Mumbai. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. "I ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram | 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, State Culture ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Ex-Karnataka Chief Minister and former External Affairs Minister SM Krishna died here early on Tuesday, leaving behind a rich legacy of statesmanship and public service that saw the 92-year-old leader scale all heights of political achievements. Suave, sophisticated and a man with enviable academic credentials, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna started off his political innings as an independent MLA from Maddur in 1962, stunning a then Congress veteran in the elections, and went on to become the state's CM and later the country's External Affairs Minister. Tributes poured in for the fo ...Read More >
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule is consulting experts on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following Maharashtra's assembly poll results. The opposition questions EVM credibility after the Mahayuti coalition's significant win. Sule advocates for ballot papers, citing other countries' adoption, and will announce a final decision soon.NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday said the opinion of experts is being sought over the "EVM issue" in the wake of the Maharashtra assembly polls' mandate as she b ...Read More >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
Dehradun: A person, who completes his age of 59 years and 6 months, can now apply for an old age pension on the social welfare department's pension portal. The applicants will start receiving pension from the end of the month in which he completes the age of 60 years following the approval of his application form. This is meant to ensure that the elderly people can get the benefits of old age pension on time. The department launched a campaign to identify the eligible person for the pension According to Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Neeraj Khairwal, his department launched a month-l ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two-time CPI-M legislator and state Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, known for his unassuming nature and direct engagement with the public, has expressed admiration for Tamil Nadu's development while voicing concerns about Kerala's comparatively slow progress. Cherian, who is often seen mingling with locals or enjoying a cup of tea at roadside eateries, was spotted on Wednesday morning at a small restaurant opposite his official residence, the Manmohan Bungalow in the state capital. As he waited for his breakfast of idli sambhar, patrons informed the ...Read More >