English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Journalist arrested for remarks against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and son

Journalist Prashant Koratkar, accused of making offensive remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji, has been arrested in Telangana and is being brought to Kolhapur.

Published

on

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Maharashtra police have arrested journalist Prashant Koratkar in Telangana for allegedly making derogatory remarks about 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji. The arrest follows widespread outrage over a viral audio clip and legal proceedings that culminated in the rejection of his anticipatory bail.

Arrest follows legal battle and public outrage

According to police, Koratkar was taken into custody in Telangana and is being brought to Kolhapur for further legal procedures. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit confirmed the development, stating that the journalist will now face the legal process in Maharashtra.

The case stems from an audio conversation between Koratkar and Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant, in which Koratkar allegedly made objectionable remarks. The recording, shared by Sawant on social media, sparked strong public backlash and demands for Koratkar’s arrest.

Koratkar was initially booked on February 26 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for promoting enmity between groups. Despite being granted interim protection from arrest by a sessions court until March 1, the Kolhapur police challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court, seeking cancellation of the relief.

On March 18, Additional Sessions Judge D V Kashyap in Kolhapur rejected Koratkar’s anticipatory bail plea. In his defense, Koratkar claimed his phone was hacked and the viral audio was doctored. He also issued a public apology and alleged that the audio was released with the intent to stir communal tension.

Maharashtra CM denies police inaction

Amid political criticism, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed claims that police were shielding Koratkar, who hails from his hometown of Nagpur. Fadnavis asserted that law enforcement was actively pursuing the case and would take action wherever Koratkar was found.

With his arrest now confirmed, Koratkar will face further legal proceedings in Kolhapur as authorities continue their investigation.

India News

Ram Temple donation theft case chargesheet filed, trustees not named

A chargesheet has been filed in the Ram Temple donation-theft case in Ayodhya. The temple trust’s trustees have not been named as accused.

Published

on

A chargesheet has been filed in the case involving alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The chargesheet, however, does not name the trustees of the temple trust as accused.

The development comes after an investigation into several instances of alleged theft of donations at the temple complex. The probe had examined CCTV footage and other evidence related to the incidents.

Chargesheet filed in donation theft case

The chargesheet has been submitted against those accused in connection with the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple.

Importantly, the trustees of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have not been named as accused in the chargesheet.

The investigation had focused on incidents in which donations were allegedly stolen from the temple premises. CCTV footage was examined as part of the probe into the reported thefts.

Investigation into 105 theft incidents

An earlier investigation had identified 105 instances of alleged donation theft through CCTV footage. The probe examined the incidents and the people allegedly involved in them.

The case had also led to arrests of accused persons named in the FIR. The investigation subsequently examined the role of individuals connected with the incidents.

The filing of the chargesheet marks a further step in the criminal proceedings related to the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple.

Trustees not named as accused

The chargesheet does not name the temple trust’s trustees as accused. This distinction is significant because the filing concerns the individuals against whom the investigating agency has proceeded in the case.

The chargesheet will now form part of the legal proceedings, while the matter will be dealt with through the appropriate judicial process.

Continue Reading

India News

9 Killed, several injured as tourist bus catches fire in Greater Noida

Nine people were killed and several others injured after a sleeper tourist bus travelling from Delhi to Mahoba caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida.

Published

on

Nine people were killed and several others injured after a sleeper tourist bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on Thursday, according to reports.

The bus was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when the fire broke out. It was carrying around 30 to 35 passengers at the time of the incident.

Bus catches fire on Yamuna Expressway

The incident took place near Dayanatpur village on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. The blaze engulfed the sleeper bus, prompting passengers to try to escape as the fire spread.

Several passengers reportedly jumped through the windows to get out of the burning vehicle. Nine people died in the incident, while several others sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The exact cause of the fire had not been established at the time of reporting.

Bus was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba

The sleeper bus was travelling from Delhi towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh and had approximately 30 to 35 passengers onboard.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night, with the fire breaking out while the bus was on the Yamuna Expressway in the Greater Noida area.

Authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Further details about the cause of the blaze and the injured passengers are awaited.

Continue Reading

India News

LPG Aadhaar authentication mandatory for subsidy from October 1

Biometric Aadhaar authentication will be required for subsidised domestic LPG refills from October 1. Here is what changes for consumers who have and have not completed the process.

Published

on

LPG cylinder

Biometric Aadhaar authentication will become a requirement for domestic LPG consumers seeking to book refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy from October 1, 2026.

The government has said the measure is aimed at ensuring that subsidised LPG reaches eligible households and at preventing the diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders for commercial and industrial use.

What changes from October 1

Consumers who have already completed biometric Aadhaar authentication will not have to repeat the process. Their LPG refills will continue as before.

For consumers who have not completed the authentication, refill booking at the regulated price with subsidy will be enabled after the authentication is completed.

As of September 19, 2026, 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9 per cent of the total, had completed biometric Aadhaar authentication, according to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.

How to complete Aadhaar authentication

Consumers who have not yet completed the process can do so through several channels.

Authentication can be completed during LPG delivery, at the distributor’s showroom or through the mobile applications of the three state-owned oil marketing companies.

Indane customers can use IndianOil ONE, Bharatgas customers can use HelloBPCL, while HP Gas customers can use HP PAY.

What if consumers do not complete authentication

The government has clarified that consumers who are unwilling or unable to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication can still receive LPG.

However, they will have to register their choice through the available digital channels of their oil marketing company, such as its consumer portal, mobile app, WhatsApp chatbot or IVRS.

Such consumers will be supplied LPG at the applicable market price without subsidy, in 5-kg or 10-kg cylinders, subject to local availability.

Why the government is introducing the requirement

According to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, linking each LPG connection to an Aadhaar-authenticated consumer is intended to prevent diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders and remove duplicate or ineligible connections.

The government has also said the measure is intended to make subsidy delivery more targeted and transparent.

Authentication deadline and progress

Consumers were initially asked to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication by June 30, 2026. The deadline was subsequently extended several times, with September 14 being the final extended deadline mentioned by the ministry.

The nationwide authentication drive has been underway since October 2023. The government said more than 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp messages had been sent as part of the outreach campaign.

The government has urged consumers who have not yet completed the process to do so before October 1.

LPG Aadhaar authentication becomes mandatory for subsidised domestic LPG refills from October 1. Consumers who have already completed biometric authentication need not do it again. Those who haven’t can still get LPG, but at the applicable market price without subsidy.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com