Government agencies have widened their investigation into an alleged Rs 1,160 crore rice diversion case, bringing 56 private rice mills and 22 ethanol plants across 17 districts under scrutiny. The probe is focused on determining whether subsidised government rice allocated for ethanol production was diverted through private mills instead of being used for its intended purpose.

Investigation expands after truck found at private rice mill

The investigation began after a truck transporting government rice from a Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse to an ethanol plant was allegedly found inside a private rice mill. What initially appeared to be an isolated incident has now expanded into a multi-district probe involving 17 seized trucks, over 50 witness statements and multiple accused.

Authorities are trying to establish how much of the nearly 5 lakh metric tonnes of government rice supplied to ethanol plants was actually converted into ethanol and whether a portion of it was diverted before returning to government warehouses.

Alleged circular trade under investigation

Investigators suspect that subsidised rice supplied to ethanol plants at around Rs 2,320 per quintal may have been sold to private rice mill operators at higher prices instead of being processed into ethanol.

According to the investigation, the rice was allegedly repacked by private mills and deposited back into government warehouses as custom-milled rice. Officials are also examining whether the original paddy supplied for milling was sold separately in the open market or transported to other states, potentially allowing multiple profits from the same stock.

Authorities believe the alleged arrangement, if established, could have enabled financial gains at several stages while avoiding actual ethanol production.

Officials examining monitoring failures

The investigation is also looking into whether lapses in monitoring or possible collusion allowed government rice to re-enter official warehouses without proper verification.

Officials are checking whether rice previously released under the ethanol scheme was accepted again as newly milled stock through the custom milling system.

Police register FIR, arrest four accused

Balaghat Superintendent of Police Aditya Mishra said the case began after authorities received information about three trucks carrying government rice from FCI warehouses to the AVJ Agrico ethanol plant. During a joint inspection by Revenue, Food and Police officials, one truck was allegedly found inside Sancheti Rice Mill, leading to the registration of an FIR for cheating.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising 20 to 25 members was subsequently formed.

According to the police, investigators have so far:

• Arrested four people
• Identified more than 13 accused
• Recorded statements of over 50 witnesses
• Issued notices to 56 rice mills
• Seized 17 trucks
• Obtained non-bailable warrants against two individuals

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will be taken based on new evidence.

Production records and transport data under verification

Investigators are comparing FCI dispatch records with ethanol production data, transport logs, warehouse receipts and custom milling records.

Authorities are also examining production capacity, electricity consumption, machinery usage and raw material records at ethanol plants to verify whether the quantity of rice supplied matches actual ethanol output.

Similar verification is underway at rice mills to determine whether their claimed milling operations correspond with electricity consumption, labour deployment and machinery records.

Use of fortified rice raises additional questions

The case has drawn additional attention because the grain under scrutiny was fortified rice, which is enriched with iron, folic acid and Vitamin B12 to help address anaemia and malnutrition among children, pregnant women and adolescent girls.

Investigators are examining why fortified rice was supplied for ethanol production when distilleries generally use broken rice as feedstock. They are also looking into whether FCI followed stock rotation norms while allocating rice under the scheme.

Collector sought wider scrutiny

Confidential communications from the Balaghat Collector reportedly recommended verification of whether rice released for ethanol production actually reached the designated plants. The Collector also sought scrutiny of the allocation process, transportation chain, utilisation certificates and the roles of FCI officials, ethanol companies, transporters and rice mill owners.

The investigation currently covers nearly 5 lakh metric tonnes (50 lakh quintals) of government rice, valued at approximately Rs 1,160 crore at the subsidised allocation price.

The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified on Sunday as both countries exchanged fresh attacks across the Gulf region. Iran claimed it destroyed a US military drone fleet in Bahrain after Washington launched another round of strikes targeting multiple military sites inside the country.

The latest escalation comes amid growing tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and natural gas exports.

US says fresh strikes targeted Iran’s military capabilities

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out precision strikes on dozens of targets across Iran to weaken Tehran’s ability to threaten international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US military, the targets included Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone infrastructure, and small military boats. CENTCOM also said it deployed fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones and one-way attack sea drones during the operation.

US officials said the latest offensive followed an alleged attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has maintained that the strikes were intended to protect maritime security in the region.

US President Donald Trump also defended the operation, saying the American military had carried out extensive strikes against Iranian targets.

Iran claims attacks on US military bases

Iran responded by announcing strikes on several American military installations across the Gulf. Iranian state media reported that US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman came under attack as Tehran expanded its military response.

Iran’s IRNA news agency claimed that drone operations were continuing against American positions and alleged that an entire US military drone fleet stationed in Bahrain had been destroyed. However, the United States has not confirmed this claim.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces targeted helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 surveillance aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre. Iranian media also reported attacks on defence systems, bunkers and support shelters at US facilities in Kuwait, including the Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber air bases.

Casualties reported in Iran

Iranian authorities said at least one person was killed and four others were injured after a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr in Khuzestan province.

According to local officials, the person killed was a security guard stationed at the facility. Iranian authorities said the attack occurred during the early hours of Sunday.

Explosions reported across multiple provinces

Iranian media reported explosions in several provinces following the latest US strikes.

In Hormozgan province, blasts were reported in Jask, Sirik, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, where several radar installations and military facilities are located.

Explosions were also reported in Omidiyeh, Mahshahr, Behbahan, Dezful and areas near Ahvaz in Khuzestan province. Additional strikes were reported near Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchestan province and around Khondab in Markazi province, where Iran’s heavy water facilities are situated.

Diplomatic efforts face setback

Tehran said the latest US attacks had rendered months of diplomatic efforts ineffective, signalling a further deterioration in relations between the two countries.

The latest exchange of strikes has heightened concerns over regional stability and the security of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

A massive fire at a bar in Thailand’s capital Bangkok late Sunday night killed at least 27 people and left dozens injured, officials said. Rescue teams and firefighters rushed to the scene after flames rapidly engulfed the venue, while people desperately tried to escape through thick smoke.

The fire broke out at the Na Ladprao pub in northern Bangkok around midnight. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after battling it for nearly 30 minutes.

Smoke believed to have caused most deaths

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the fire spread rapidly throughout the premises, reaching the ceiling within a short time.

According to the governor, smoke inhalation is believed to have been the primary cause of most fatalities. He confirmed that 27 people died in the incident, while 63 others were admitted to hospitals. Of those injured, 22 remain in critical condition.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the fire started.

Probe underway into possible blocked escape route

Officials said several victims were discovered near a fire exit, raising concerns that the escape route may have been obstructed during the emergency.

Authorities are also working to establish how many people were inside the venue when the fire broke out, as the exact occupancy remains unknown.

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site and said investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the blaze.

Musician reported smoke before explosion

The prime minister said a musician performing at the pub told him that smoke was seen coming from a circuit breaker near the stage shortly before the electricity went out.

According to the account, an explosion was heard moments later, after which thick smoke quickly spread across the venue.

Officials also said many victims were found inside restrooms located at the rear of the pub.

Videos capture panic as flames engulf venue

Videos shared online by first responders showed flames consuming the entrance of the bar as thick black smoke billowed into the night sky. People were seen rushing out in an attempt to escape the rapidly spreading fire.

Photographs taken after firefighters extinguished the blaze revealed severe damage inside the venue, with charred interiors and burnt furniture.

Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, who was performing nearby, said she rushed to the pub after learning about the fire because several members of her band were performing there.

She said one band member died in the blaze, three others were hospitalised and another person remains missing.

According to accounts shared by survivors, the venue went dark when the fire started after the power failed, making it difficult for people to find exits amid the dense smoke.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, including whether any safety lapses contributed to the high number of casualties.