Om Prakash Chautala, a veteran leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and five-time Haryana Chief Minister, has passed away at the age of 89. The political stalwart breathed his last at his residence in Gurgaon following a cardiac arrest. His demise marks the end of an era for Haryana’s politics, where he played a significant role for decades.

Born on January 1, 1935, in Sirsa, Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala’s political career spanned over several decades. He first became Haryana’s Chief Minister in 1989, though his tenure was cut short after just six months. Two months later, he assumed the role again but was forced to resign after only five days. Despite these early setbacks, his political career thrived, and he went on to serve as Chief Minister for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2005, solidifying his position as one of the prominent leaders of Haryana.

Chautala’s tenure was not without controversy. In 2013, he and his son, Ajay Singh Chautala, were convicted for their involvement in a major corruption scandal known as the teacher recruitment scam. The duo was found guilty of illegally recruiting over 3,000 teachers in Haryana in 2000. They were sentenced to 10 years in prison, though Mr. Chautala was granted early release in 2021 after serving nine and a half years.

In 2022, Chautala faced additional legal troubles when he was sentenced to four years in prison in a disproportionate assets case, alongside a fine of ₹50 lakh. At the time, he became the oldest prisoner in Tihar Jail at the age of 87.

The Chautala family has maintained a strong influence in Haryana’s political landscape. Mr. Chautala’s son, Abhay Singh Chautala, now leads the INLD, while Ajay Singh Chautala, who split from the family fold, founded the Janata Jannayak Party in 2019. Abhay Singh served as an MLA from Ellenabad between 2019 and 2024, and his grandson, Arjun Chautala, made his mark by winning the Assembly election from Rania in 2023. Another grandson, Dushyant Singh Chautala, made history in 2014 as the youngest-ever Lok Sabha MP.

Despite his legal challenges and controversies, Om Prakash Chautala’s influence on Haryana’s political scene cannot be overstated. His leadership in the state, especially his two terms from 1999 to 2005, reshaped Haryana’s political narrative. He is survived by his two sons, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren, many of whom continue to be involved in the state’s political activities.

Mr. Chautala had last contested the Haryana Assembly elections from Uchana Kalan in 2009, securing a victory. With a simple education background—he studied till Class 10—Chautala’s rise in politics was a testament to his leadership and influence.

His death is being mourned by supporters and political figures across the region, as his legacy continues through his family, ensuring the Chautala name remains influential in Haryana’s future politics.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has announced the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 results, bringing an end to the anticipation of nearly 2.93 lakh aspirants. Candidates can now access their scorecards by logging in with their registration number and password on the official website iimcat.ac.in.

This year, 14 candidates secured the prestigious 100 percentile. Notably, 13 of them come from engineering backgrounds, while only one is a non-engineer. Among the top performers, there is just one woman. Maharashtra emerged as a stronghold for top scorers, with the majority hailing from the state.

The provisional answer key was released on December 3, with candidates given until December 5 to raise objections. However, no changes were made to the provisional keys.

Experts have described CAT 2024 as relatively easier compared to the past two years, leading to expectations of higher cut-offs for admission.

Out of the total 2.93 lakh candidates who appeared for the test:

• 1.86 lakh were male candidates,
• 1.07 lakh were female candidates, and
• 5 candidates identified as transgender.

This diverse group of test-takers reflects the growing interest in management education across all demographics.

Candidates with valid CAT 2024 scores can now register for admission to postgraduate programmes at IIMs and other participating institutes. The final selection process will consider the CAT score, along with other criteria like academic performance, work experience, and performance in rounds such as the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

The CAT exam continues to serve as a gateway to the country’s top business schools, paving the way for aspirants to excel in diverse fields of management and entrepreneurship.

A devastating collision involving a gas tanker and multiple vehicles on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway transformed a busy roadway into a fiery inferno on Friday morning, claiming eight lives and leaving over 40 injured. The accident, captured on CCTV footage, shows smoke quickly engulfing the street before a massive explosion rocked the area, resulting in extensive damage.

The fire triggered by the crash spread rapidly, burning at least 30 vehicles and filling the sky with thick black smoke. Flames from the blaze were visible from nearly a kilometer away, and a 300-meter stretch of the highway was left heavily damaged, causing significant traffic disruptions and long vehicle queues.

Emergency services, including ambulances and fire department teams, were dispatched promptly to the site. Efforts are ongoing to identify passengers from a bus caught behind the gas tanker during the accident. Authorities are also assessing the damage to establishments along the highway caused by the intense heat and flames.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the injured at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, where a green corridor has been set up to expedite the transportation of patients from the accident site. According to Health Minister Khimsar, nearly half of those admitted to the hospital are in critical condition.

The incident has drawn attention to road safety measures and the handling of hazardous materials in transit, with authorities urging stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies.

The Jaipur-Ajmer highway, a critical route connecting major cities in Rajasthan, remains partially closed as cleanup and investigation efforts continue.