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PM’s hand-picked IPS officer gets to be Delhi Police chief with transfer of cadre four days before retirement, plus a year’s extension

PM’s hand-picked IPS officer Rakesh Asthana has been appointed as the Delhi Police chief with transfer of cadre three days before retirement plus a year extension. Delhi Police works directly under the Union Home Ministry, so all eyes will be on Rakesh Asthana for the next one year.

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New Delhi Police chief Rakesh Asthana

The ministry of home affairs on Tuesday appointed Rakesh Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer, as the new police commissioner of Delhi, four days before he was due to retire from service. In an order of the Home Ministry, Asthana has been awarded with the responsibility of Delhi Police Chief.

Former Central Bureau of Investigation Special Director and Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Rakesh Asthana, who was about to retire on 31 July, will continue as the Commissioner of Delhi Police for the next one year till July 31, 2022.

Asthana would be replacing IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, who was given the additional charge of Delhi Police chief in June this year. As Asthana vacates the post of BSF chief, IPS officer SS Deswal, the Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), will hold an additional charge of DG BSF.

Whether it is the matter of interrogation in the fodder scam or the investigation of the drug dispute related to the Sushant case, Rakesh Asthana has always been in the media headlines. He has been part of several high-profile investigations including Godhra case 2002, Rs 9,000 crore Vijay Mallya loan fraud and money laundering case and fodder scam.

Asthana had investigated 2002 Sabarmati Express fire incident working as Vadodara’s police commissioner under then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. While working as a CBI SP in 1997, he had arrested Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam.

Apart from Vadodara, Asthana has served a police commissioner in Surat. He has been a remarkable track record when it comes policing in cities.

Asthana was involved in a major controversy in 2018, due to his feud with the then CBI chief Alok Verma. Allegations of bribery were levelled against him, but he was issued a clean chit by the CBI in February 2020.

In 2018, both officers – Verma and Asthana – were allegedly put on a list of possible targets for surveillance using the Israeli spyware Pegasus, which is sold only to governments. Verma was also a Delhi Police Commissioner before being appointed a Director of the CBI.

Asthana’s ascension was also hinted at when the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal authorized the Delhi Police Commissioner to arrest anyone under NSA provisions till October 18. While officials said this was a regular feature, the timing coincides with Independence Day. Protesting farmers had made a hash of Republic Day earlier this year with a tractor parade. Hence, the speculation was that a tougher commissioner was in line next to prevent such a recurrence on August 15.

Read Also: Mimamsa: Swara Bhasker to play police officer again in new murder mystery

Delhi Police works directly under the Union Home Ministry, so all eyes will be on Rakesh Asthana for the next one year.

In other India News, A speeding truck rammed into a double-decker bus in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district and crushed 18 labourers to death who were sleeping on the road in front of the bus

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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