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Centre’s Sanchar Saathi mandate for phonemakers sparks political backlash

The Centre’s order to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on all mobile phones has led to political uproar, with the Opposition calling it a surveillance tool while the government cites cyber safety benefits.

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sanchar sathi app logo

The Centre’s direction asking mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new and imported devices has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with Opposition parties alleging that the move paves the way for state surveillance. The government, however, maintains that the directive is meant to strengthen citizen protection against cyber fraud and assist in recovering lost or stolen devices.

What Sanchar Saathi offers

Sanchar Saathi is a Central digital safety platform that provides several citizen-oriented services through its app and web portal. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud or commercial spam calls. The platform also helps flag malicious website links, phishing attempts, device cloning, and fraudulent communication received via SMS, RCS, iMessage and social media platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.

The website associated with the app states that such proactive reporting aids the Department of Telecommunications in preventing misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.

What the Centre has mandated

The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has instructed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi in all devices produced or imported in India within 90 days from November 28. The notice also directs companies to ensure the app is visible during initial device setup and that its functions cannot be disabled.

For phones already manufactured, the app must be added through software updates. The government has warned that non-compliance will attract action.

Opposition raises privacy concerns

Political criticism intensified soon after the directive was issued. Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the move “beyond unconstitutional”, asserting that a pre-loaded government application that cannot be removed infringes on citizens’ right to privacy under Article 21. He argued that such an app could enable monitoring of individual activities and demanded an immediate rollback.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the decision, describing it as “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. She said such measures would be opposed, arguing that the government should focus on stronger grievance-redressal systems instead of creating surveillance mechanisms.

Industry concerns surface

A report by media suggests the directive may lead to friction with major phonemakers, particularly Apple, which has previously resisted similar requirements citing user privacy and security. Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to queries, nor did the Communications Ministry.

Two industry sources told media that manufacturers were not consulted before the order was issued.

According to figures displayed on the Sanchar Saathi website, the platform has enabled the blocking of 42 lakh stolen phones and helped in recovering 26 lakh devices. The app has recorded over 1 crore downloads on Android and nearly 10 lakh on iOS.

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DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

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DMK leader

A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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