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Former higher education minister Mohan Yadav, a Hindutva leader close to RSS, is Chouhan’s surprise successor

Modi magic, chief minister Chouhan's hard work spur the saffron party to a two-third majority win in the central Indian state that has emerged a citadel for the BJP

CHHINDWARA: The carbine that was used to fire at a jeweller and later others in Chhindwara in MP, belonged to a UP legislator's gunman and had been looted.

This has been revealed during the course of investigation. The jeweller has survived and the shooter has been arrested. However, it was found that he had got it from the gunman of a UP MLA, sometime ago. 

The incident had occurred in Chhindwara. An armed man carrying the submachine gun stormed into jeweller's showroom, shot him in the stomach. When others came, he fired in the air. He tried to run away but because motorcycle couldn't start, he failed to escape and was overpowered by the crowd.

The injured jeweller is undergoing treatment. The goon was carrying a machine gun, carbine. The accused, Sandeep Kumar, had fired thrice. He had ntered Durga Shree jewellers, carrying the carbine. asking jeweller to hand over ornaments.

When the jeweller refused Sandeep Kumar began firing, one of the bullets hit the victim, Sohan Tamrakar, 32, in the stomach.The goon ran out and kicked the bike but after multiple attempts bike didn't start and people with lathis attacked him.

He was caught and handed to police, later. Now, he is being quizzed and a team is arriving from UP to ask about the procurement of the looted carbine. Investigation is on in the case. 

[January 18, 2023 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A teacher who had raped a 10 year old girl, has been sentenced to jail for life.

According to police, Prem Singh, the teacher, had raped the girl and she got injured. After the bleeding didn't stop, mother took her to a doctor.

The girl subsequently told about the incident. A case was later registered and Singh was arrested. He has now been sent to jail.The man was teacher with a government school. He has wife and two children. 

The survivor lives near Singh's house. He has a tube well and pipe line near his house. The girl often went to fetch water. Earlier, he had was once targeted the girl and she had stopped going to the place.

But he promised that he won't harass her. When she went again a few days later, he raped the girl. The incident occurred in Berasia. Now court has held him guilty and awarded life sentence. The girl is a student of fifth standard. The court has also directed that compensation be paid to the victim's family.

[January 11, 2023 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A man who was arrested for sexual exploitation of a woman, came out of jail and again raped the victim. 

This shocking incident has occurred in Bhopal. 

The woman, a 23-year-old, who hails from Khanda, had come to the State capital, a couple of years ago.

In Bhopal, she met the man, Vikash Kushwaha, as he lived in the same locality. He allegedly raped her and when she threatend to go to police, he said that he would marry her. However, he didn't marry her and again sexually exploited her. 

Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case against Kushwaha. He was arrested and was sent to the jail. The first case had occurred in October 2020. For sometime, he remained in prison. Recently, he got bail and came out of the prison. He again went to her house and allegedly raped her. 

The woman approached the police. She said that Kushwaha had threatened her of dire consequences. However, she mustered courage and decided to come to the police. A case has been registered and the accused has been taken into custody. The police are conducting investigation.

[July 1, 2021 NewsBits.in]

RAISEN: A man came live on social media to inform administration about his grievance.

First he spoke at length about his issue and then shot himself during the 'Facebook live'.

Saurabh Jain, who lives in Begamganj town, was carrying a pistol and he shot himeslf in the chest.

In the video, he has made several allegations on different people including officials and money-lenders. He was injured and was taken to hospital in a critical state. Later, he was referred to the hospital in Sagar. The police have registered a case in this regard.

Jain earlier had a land related row. On his plaint, the piece of land near civil hospital was again measured. Then a boundary wall was constructed. In his statement, he said that he had taken loan for the land, and along with interest the debt ran into lakhs.

His father was not aware and the money-lender wants more than thrice the money. He also levelled corruption charges at certain officials in the district administration, accusing them of not getting him land possession.Officials said that they were conducting a probe. [June 22 2021 NewsBits.in]

HOSHANGABAD: Several cows died due to the lack of fodder and water in a 'gaushala' in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. 

The cows were lying dead when people entered the place that was filled with stench.

The carcasses were lying in the campus. After an employee left, no one had taken care of the bovines.

Loals said that as the cows didn't get fodder and water, they died of starvartion. A video that shows the horrific condition inside the Hathnapura gaushala was also shared. 

The residents said that earlier too the cows didn't get due attention and after Govind, an employee, left on June 2, there was no one to take care of the cows. For four days the cows remained hungry and this led to the deaths. At least, fnine carcasses were found though the claim as per the viral video was that the figure could be higher.

The director of the Sridadaji Gausewa Sadan, Sujit Gaur, has been booked for cruently against animals. His registratio would also be cancelled, said authorities. Officials said that a few months ago the bill for fodder was paid too but cows were not getting attention--fodder or medication. [June 6, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that there will be no 12th board examination in the state this year.

Chouhan said that children's lives are precious and can take care of career later.

"At this time, when the entire country, state and children are facing the crisis of Corona, it is not appropriate to put the mental burden of examinations on them", he said this in a message given to the media from Mantralaya today.

Chouhan said that a group of ministers has been constituted to decide how the 12th board results will be evaluated. The decision regarding the process of result on the basis of internal evaluation or other grounds will be taken after discussing with the experts.

He also said that the option will be open for the students who want to appear in the examination for better results or to improve the results. After the end of the Corona crisis, interested students will be able to take the 12th examination.

The Chief MInister also said that a decision has already been taken not to conduct the High School, ie10th board examinations in the State. The result of class X students will be declared on the basis of internal assessment, he further said.

NEW DELHI: Over 10 million or 1 crore jobs were lost in India due to the second Coronavirus wave.

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) chief executive Mahesh Vyas has said this regarding the unemployment figures.

He said that mostly the job losses were due to this second wave. Besides, nearly 97% Indian households have seen a decline in income since the Coronavirus first hit India, he further said.

However, the job losses are mostly such that it will take time for situation to change, especially, in the formal sector. Compared to the first wave, the second wave hit the economy badly. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to get job, after losing employment. 

The situation will improve once economy opens, but it can't be expected to be completely on the track due to the long-term affect. People in the informal sector are likely to get employment earlier, compared to those in the formal sector.

The CMI conducted a nationwide survey of households and the figures are based on it. As second wave is now going down, there is hope that the economic activity would restart and the situation would change for better. Experts say that it will still take sometime. [June 1, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A youth who had shared objectionable photograph of a girl, has committed suicide. 

Apparently, he ended life due to the fear that he would be arrested. The police had registered an FIR against him on the complaint of the girl. 

The incident has occurred in Bhopal. Rohit Pipraiya, 28, who lives in Piplani, had shared photographs of a girl on instagram. She was her friend but the photographs were private and the girl decided to complain.

Rohit was also in the photographs with the girl, who lives in Shahjehanabad. She lodged an FIR with the police. As Rohit was apparently scared that he would be arrested, he hanged himself to death. The body was found and subsequently the police were called.

The body was sent for post-mortem. Prima facie the fear of arrest, is said to be the reason. No suicide note has been recovered from the spot, yet. However, police said that investigations are on to ascertain the circumstances surroudning the suicide. [NewsBits.in May 30, 2021]

RAIPUR: Four children who were allegedly being kept hostage in a Gurukul in Haridwar have finally been brought back to Chhattisgarh and reunited with their family.

The children hailing from Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) were studying in the Patanjali Gurukul in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand.

Their kin said that the Gurukul demanded Rs 50,000 per child, totally Rs 2 lakh despite paying the fee, before letting them go back.

As the kids' mother was unwell and she was ailing for sometime, th e family wanted them to come back but Gurukul authorities were reportedly not letting them go and insisting on the amount.

Hence, they made a complaint. After the children's parents approached the officials and wrote to District collector Haridwar apart from Education officer, the issue came to light. The children's kin said that the students were being kept as hostage in the Gurukul.

Chhatttisgarh officials took action and intervened. The kids have now been been freed. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the complaint about four children kept hostage in Patanjali Gurukul had reached him. "On the initiative of the Collector and SP, the children have been freed. I wish well for the children's future", he tweeted on Friday.

DEHRADUN: The former chief minister of Uttarakhad, Trivendra Singh Rawat, has said that Coronavirus is a 'living organism' and it has a 'right to live just like humans'.

Rawat, a senior BJP leader, said that philosophically speaking it was virus' right to live just like humans. "It has the right just like others but we think that we are more intelligent and want to eradicate it, hence, it keeps growing stronger". 

The former CM was speaking to media, when he said it. Also, he said that the man needs to act faster in order to keep itself safe. The statement evoked sharp reactions on the social media. Users on Twitter expressed surprise over his comments. 

But this is not the first such statement about the virus. Politicians in the past too have given casual statements about the pandemic and also made unscientific comments, ranging from treatments, cures and how to deal with the issues like shortage of Oxygen. 

In Madhya Pradesh, Minister for Culture Usha Thakur said that 'yagna' has helped in fighting pandemics and since time immemorial. She had suggested 'havan' of cowdung cakes and said that oblations can stop third wave of Corona from reaching the country. [May 14, 2021 NewsBits.in]

 

MUMBAI: Many lives could have been saved, had the door-to-door vaccination drive been initiated for the senior citizens. 

The Bombay High Court observed that these lives would have been saved if Centre had initaited the door-to-door vaccination policy for senior citizens and the bed-ridden a few months ago.

The two judge bench was questioning the Centre's inability to act in this regard, as Additional Solicitor General said that government had opposed it in Apex court, too.

The division bench of Chief Justice Dipandar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni expressed disappointment and asekd Centre to explain why it couldn't start the drive. The observations came on Wednesday on the hearing over a plea filed by lawyers who sought mobile vaccination facility for citizens above the age of 75 apart from the disabled and bedridden.

Justice Kulkarni said that, "if we were to have this door-to-door vaccination sometime back, so many of our great prominent citizens could have been saved....Definitely, something could have been done", Justice Kulkarni said, according to LiveLaw report. [May 13, NewsBits.in]

TIRUPATI: In a tragic incident, as many as 11 patients lost their lives after oxygen supply was disrupted in a hospital.

This incident had occurred at the Ruia hospital in Tirupati, Andhra. Among the patients who died, eight of them were suffering from Covid.

The State government has ordered a probe in this regard. Chief Minister Jagan Reddy has sought a report. The local officials said that it was due to pressure related issues in Oxygen supply that the deaths took place.

Just over a week ago, a similar incident had occurred in Andhra. Eight patients who were admitted in a government hospital in Hindupur, had died over a glitch in Oxygen supply, on May 2. The patients' kin had claimed that a glitch in Oxygen supply, caused the deaths. [May 11, 2020 NewsBits.in]

AHMEDABAD: In a horrific incident, 18 coronavirus patients who were being treated in a hospital, died due to fire.

The fire broke out in the hospital in Bharuch--almost 200 kms from Ahmedabad, in Gujarat on Saturday morning. 

It was a four-storey hospital building and the fire started in the Covid ward. Locals said that apart from fire, the smoke also caused the deaths.

Eyewitnesses said that it was a desvastating fire as patients' remains on burnt beds and stretechers were seen. The police and firefighters rushed to the spot and with the help of locals, evacuated the trapped patients. The administration is conducting a probe in this regard.

The hospital is designated for treating the Covid patients. This is not the first such incident. Earlier, there have been incidents of fire in different hospitals in the country and Covid patients have died in these incidents in other parts of the country including Maharashtra. [May 2, 2021 NewsBits.in]

 

KORBA/RAIPUR: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, (late) Pyarelal Kanwar's family members including his younger son, Harish, daughter-in-law Sumitra and a granddaughter, Ashi, 4, were killed at their house in Korba.

Kanwar's elder son has been arrested for the crime along with another accomplice. Police said that Harish's elder brother Harbhajan Kanwar, his wife Dhan Kunwar and teenaged daughter, had left home just before the incident. They had told police that they had gone for morning walk.

A few minutes later, two persons entered and killed the remaining people in the house viz. Harish, Sumitra and Ashi. The two persons, Parmeshwar and Ram Prasad, who had kept faces covered, committed the murders.The eder son had informed the police about the killings.

However, there was suspicion as he told the police about turn of the events. The police had also got a tip from neighbours about conflict among the brothers' families. Harbhajan was upset that his younger brother had more money and property. Five persons have been arrested. The shocking incident took place in Korba district in Chhattisgarh.

Dhan Kunwar had planned it and her husband was part of the conspiracy. The hired killers tried a similar attack on April 18 but couldn't succeed then. The duo had entered that day but felt someone was awake inside, hence, ran away. However, on this occasion they brutally killed the trio. The messages were found in the killer's cell phone too.  Kanwar was Deputy Chief Minister in undivided MP that included Chhattisgarh. [April 23, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: In order to create awareness about vaccination and promote it, FabMyTrip has announced that anyone who gets Corona vaccine at a private hospital, would be able to avail its Cashback scheme.

As part of the scheme, any person who has got vaccination at a private hospital, will get the amount he spent for vaccination as cashback on booking a trip. 

"Under this scheme, the person who gets vaccination and books a flight ticket or taxi through FabMyTrip  will get the cashback--equivant to the cost of vaccination, from the travel company", said the company's media department in an announcement.

The founder of the company, FabMyTrip, Akshay Hunka, in a statement, has said that the aim behind launching the scheme, is that the people should get motivated and must get themselves vacctinated. The benefit will be provided to people through out the year.

FabMyTrip is a prominent travel company based in Central India. The company provides special packages, which include honeymoon, Madhya Pradesh tour and deomestic-international trips apart from college and school trips. It can be contacted through the website. [April 15, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has taken cognisance of the assault with women and minor girl in Qazi Camp in Bhopal recently.

It has sought report from the DIG regaring the incident that took place earlier this week. The policemen had barged into the house, beaten up women and rummaged the entire house.

After the incident came to light, the panel has sought a report from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in this regard. The Commission chairperson has asked the police to reply in four weeks.

Legislator Arif Aqueel had written a letter and said that the incident was captured in CCTV and should be probed. He said that a high-ranking officer should conduct probe and the case against women should be withdrawn. The rights panel has now sought a report from DIG about it.

After the incident, policemen barged into the house, attacked women--Shahin, 40, Shadma, 25, Uzma, 30 a, even a minor 12-year-old girl was among the victims. "The incident was recorded in cameras in the shop, fair probe is needed.

The policemen had gone out to enforce night curfew when it was alleged that Zaheer threw tea at them. Under the pretext of restrictions during lockdown, the police personnel entered the tea shop to close it down, and had a scuffle but it was given a totally different colour, he said, demanding action in the case. [April 8, 2021, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPRC) has sought explanation from Madhya Pradesh police regarding the assault with a rape victim in Alirajpur district.

The panel has asked how a victim was tied, beaten and paraded? It has also taken exception to the fact that minor's identity was revealed. 

In this case, the victim was further tortured and made to suffer. Taking congisance of the manner in which she was paraded, the commission has said that action should be taken under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act as well as Juvenile Justice Act.

Besides, action taken report has been sought in this regard. A video went viral recently and it was clearly visible that local residents were chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The girl and the rape accused' hands were tied and they were beaten publicly. Subsequently, police registered two cases in this regard.

Instead of informing police, the locals beat up the girl and the accused, before parading them the next day ie March 28, 2021 (Sunday). The police officials said that local residents involved in the incident are being identified. Some of them have already been arrested. [March 31, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A policeman shot dead a girl's brother and injured her mother, after his engagement was cancelled.

Ajit Chauhan, the policeman, barged into the girl's house in Shahpura and began firing at her family members.

While the girl's brother was shot dead, her mother was injured and is undergoing treatment. The girl and her father somehow managed to save themselves and snatched his gun, before shutting him in the kitchen. 

The girl's family said that as he threatened and harassed them, they decided to call off the engagement. However, he got so infuriated that he entered their house and killed her brother. The victims said that he was hell-bent on killing the entire family. The girl's mother is undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Chauhan, who is posted with a special armed forces (SAF) wing of the Madhya Pradesh police, had his duty at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Bhopal. The murder accused has been arrested and the rifle has been seized. The police officials are conducting a probe in this regard. [March 31, 2021 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The police have busted a racket that was involved in smuggling bovines from Madhya Pradesh, to slaughterhouses in Maharashtra. 

Over 165 cows and oxens have been recovered. The police had got information about the gang involved in illegal smuggling of bovines in Balaghat district. On the basis of the tip-off, action was taken. 

The main accused, Manoj Pardhi, is Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader. The BJYM is the youth wing of BJP. In all, 20 persons have been booked in the FIR.

The police said that the Manoj and co-accused, Arvind Pathak, purchased cows and cattle from a fair and later hired herdsmen to drive the cattle to a village on the border of MP and Maharashtra.

Later, the cattle were taken to slaughterhouses in Maharashtra. The case has been registered under section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle) of IPC and under relevant sections of Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Pratishedh Adhiniyam 2004, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and MP Krishak Pashu Parikshan Adhiniyam. [January 29, 2021 Newsbits.in]

 

BHOPAL: Eleven persons have died after consumption of toxic liquor in Morena district in the Gwalior-Chambal region of northern Madhya Pradesh.

This incident occurred on January 11. The deaths were reported mainly from Manpur and Pahawali that are not far from the district headquarters in Morena.

Apart from those who died, several other people are undergoing treatment in the hospital. The local officials said that a probe is on and those involved in sale and production of spurious liquor, are being arrested.

Just a few months ago, 11 people were killed after consumption of spurious liquor in Ujjain district. The incident had occurred in October, 2020. Despite claims of action against liquor mafia, such incidents continue. The state government has said that it will take tough action.

UPDATE--Figure of deaths went up to 20, later. [January 12, 2021 Newsbits.in]

BHOPAL: In a horrific incident, a woman was gang raped and an iron rod was inserted in her private parts. 

The woman, a 45-year-old, received grievous injuries and is undergoing treatment. The brutal crime has been reported from Sidhi district in Vindhay region of Eastern MP.

The men involved in the crime had asked her water. On this pretext, they spoke to her and when she brought them water, they overpowered her, and took turns to rape her.

Later, the accused had escaped. After the incident, the police were informed. In view of her condition, she was rushed to Rewa. Four of the accused including Bhai Lal Patel and Lallu have been arrested. 

The police said that investigation is on. One of the accused is a priest. State home minister Narottam Mishra has told media that speedy trial would be conducted and the guilty would not be spared. [January 12, 2021]

RANCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two more states have withdrawn the general consent to CBI for conducting probe in their territory.

Jharkhand has taken the decision and revoked the general consent to CBI, just a day after Kerala took a similar step. Clearly, the list of state governments that don't want CBI to investigate cases in their regions, is getting longer.

Now, the central investigative agency can't directly go to these states for probe in a case or for conducting a raid. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Tripura, West Bengal are among these states. Earlier, Tripura and Mizoram too had taken similar decision.

Not all states have cited reason but earlier some of the major states ruled by opposition parties took the decision as they feared that CBI could be used by ruling party at the centre to harass leaders of opposition parties. Hence, the states where opposition parties are at the helm, have denied the permission.

Of course, it's a credibility crisis too for the agency. The number of states that have stopped CBI, has now gone up to eight. Andhra had also withdrawn the consent but with the change of regime, it again gave consent. It is necesaary for the central agency to get the permission of state before conducting investigation in the territory.

[November 6, 2020 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The impact of Coronavirus pandemic on Indian railways has been such that even in the festive season, just 10% of the total trains are being run, currently, in India. 

The Indian Railways that runs 13,000 passenger trains is just running 1,308 trains. The result is that compared to 2.8 crore (28 million) daily travellers till last year, just 19 lakh (1.9 million) people are travelling by the trains in India, right now. 

This is the situation after more than seven months of pandemic in India. Railways is suffering a huge loss due to the lack of passengers. However, officials say that they are conducting a daily review of the demand and taking decision in this regard.

The Railway officials claim that they would be running more trains on the occasion of the festivals, especially, Diwali. However, due to fewer trains, large number of people have shifted to air travel. There is high fare for passenger flights, several times the normal fare, due to lack of trains.

[November 1, 2020 Newsbits.in]

NAGPUR: One of the worst hit cities as far as pandemic is concerned, Nagpur has recorded 1 lakh Coronavirus cases ever since the virus hit the region. Apart from Mumbai, Pune and Thane, now Nagpur is the fourth city in Maharashtra that has registered more than 1 lakh cases. 

The good news is that the cases are now coming down and the percentage of death has been less than 3%. In all, 1,00,199 cases have been recorded. Among them, nearly 92,000 have recovered (91,959 to be precise on October 26-27, 2020. 

At the moment, Nagpur has 5,536 cases and among the 1 lakh odd cases registered so far, 2,700 persons have died. Experts say that after a period of spurt, the cases are now falling. Pune has recorded 3.3 lakh cases so far and is at the top. This is followed by Mumbai (2.52 lakh) and Thane (2.2 lakh). 

Over all, India has recorded more than 79 lakh cases out of which more than 72 lakh have recovered and around 1.2 lakh have died so far, as per the latest update on October 27, 2020. Experts hope that the figure would fall but still warn that there is need for caution and that people must follow the norms of social distancing, in the winter season too.

Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai are the three cities outside Maharashta that have recorded more than 1 lakh cases each in the last eight months viz. 3.63 lakh, 3.29 lakh and 1.97 lakh. East Godavari (district) too crossed the figure of 1 lakh sometime ago. The four remaining cities are in Maharashtra.

[October 27, 2020 Newsbits.in]


BHOPAL: Senior IPS officer, Purshottam Sharma, has finally been put under suspension for domestic violence.

Sharma was posted as as in-charge of the directorate of public prosecution till now, has been relieved of the charge, after a clip that shows him brutally assaulting his wife, went viral on social media.

There was nationwide condemnation. There was another video where his wife was confronting another woman, accusing her of illicit relations with Sharma. The Home department had served notice to Sharma but his reply was considered unsatisfactory.

The DG rank officer has now been suspended and has been attached to the Police Headquarters. Besides, the Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Commission has taken cognisance of the case and has served a notice to Sharma, asking him to appear before Commission.

Sharma's son, who is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, had earlier urged CM to take action. Purushottam Sharma had, however, told media persons that it was his personal matter and that he was a victim of his wife's harassment. He even said that she lived on his money but went after him.

 

 

BHOPAL: Two railway officials allegedly gang-raped a girl who was given a drugged cold drink. The incident occurred in the rest house at the Bhopal railway station. 

The girl, a 22-year-old, hails from Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. She said that the accused, Rajesh Tiwari, promised her a job and when she came here, he arranged for her stay at the railways' guesthouse.

However, at around 11 pm, he came with another person. They offered her cold drink and after she sipped it, she felt dizzy and got unconscious. When she woke up, she realised that she had been raped, the girl told police. Tiwari was posted as senior section engineer safety in DRM office.

The Railway police officials said that girl met Rajesh Tiwari through a relative from Jhansi, and after conversation, he promised job. Subsequently, she had come from Jhansi, boarding a train, and arrived here. Tiwari was earlier also sacked. He was given job again, though he had been booked.

On the basis of the complaint, police have now registered a case against Tiwari and his companion. The Railways has also ordered a probe and suspended Tiwari. Tiwari is also a railway union leader. The accomplice, Alok Malviya, has also been arrested. [September 27, 2020 NewsBits.in]

 

 

BHOPAL: An elderly farmer has committed suicide in Niwari in Madhya Pradesh. 

Pyarelal Yadav, 60, was upset due to the damage to crops and his inability to pay back the loan amount. 

Yadav, a resident of Chandeli Toria in Niwari, hanged himself by a tree on his fields. The body was found later. His son Roop Singh told journalists that his father was depressed due to crop failure.

Besides, Pyarelal Yadav was unable to pay the huge electricity bill (irrigation). And, after poor rainfall and crop loss, he lost all hope. The farmer had also taken loan from money lenders. As the electricity bill was not paid, the family had received a notice for attachment of the property.

This was a big shock for Yadav, who was already struggling to run the household and at the same time was having difficulty in paying back the loan amount to bank and money-lenders. In 2019, Madhya Pradesh had reported over 540 farmers' suicides. The national figure was more than 10,340.

[September 4, 2020 NewsBits.in]

 

LUCKNOW: Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon passed away in Lucknow on Tuesday. 

Tandon, 85, was unwell for weeks and was undergoing treatment in Lucknow. He belonged to the old generation of BJP leaders.

Thrice legislator in UP Assembly, the former BJP leader had served as minister in Uttar Pradesh government too, in different terms, holding important portfolios.

He was also the leader of opposition in UP legislative assembly earlier. Tandon was also elected Member Parliament from Lucknow in 2009. As he was unwell, he was flown from Bhopal to Lucknow, recently. He passed away in Medanta Hospital. 

[July 21, 2020 NewsBits.in]

JABALPUR: Over a dozen Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) men have tested positive for Coronavirus in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. 

As more than a dozen Sangh workers have tested positive, the entire area has been declared a containment zone.

All of them have been admitted in Covid Care Centre and have been isolated. Keshav Kuti, the Sangh office in Jabalpur has been sealed as well. The samples from different labs confirmed the infection. 

The health department officials also said that the entire area has been designated as containment zone. As many as 22,600 persons have so far contracted Covid 19 in Madhya Pradesh. Around 15,311 persons have recovered. The number of active patients is 6568. Meanwhile, the ifure of deaths has reached 721. 

[July 20, 2020 NewsBits.in]

 

JABALPUR: In one of the most gruesome murders, six members of a family that included two children were hacked to death in Mandla district. 

The incident occurred in Maneri town on Wednesday. Two persons armed with swords entered a house, and killed everone in the house. The victim, Rajendra Soni alias Rajjan, a BJP leader, and close to former Union minister FS Kulaste. He and his family was attacked with swords. 

Those who died included Vinod Soni, 45, son Om Soni, 10, Karia Soni, 8, Vinod's brother Rajendra Soni, 62, Priya Soni, 25, and Dinesh Soni. Harish Soni and Santosh Soni were the attackers.

One of the attackers too died later, as angry locals lynched him. Police force was deployed, after the incident, in view of the situation. It had taken a huge effort before the police could catch the accused (after he was shot at and injured). The crime shook the state, due to the figure of deaths (seven including one attacker) and the savagery.

Armed with weapons, Harish and Santosh, had entered the home of victims and killed them. The children too were butchered. Police said a land dispute may have led to the guresome killings. Investigation is on to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the massacre.

[July 16, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A Dalit groom was allegedly beaten up in Chhatarpur ditrict in Madhya Pradesh. 

A group of youths belonging to locally dominant caste group were upset and forced him to leave the horse. 

This incident occurred in Chhaapar under the jurisidction of Satai police station in the district. 

Rajesh Ahirwar's marriage was scheduled to take place earlier this week. The family members brought a horse for the 'Raachh' ceremoney and the groom was taken to the temple, riding a horse. This angered the assailants who pushed him down from the horse and brutally beat him.

Those who attacked him belonged to a locally dominant OBC community. Later, a complaint was made in this regard. The police have registered a case. Four persons have been arrested in this case so far. The accused--Brajendra, Rakesh Yadav, Mahipal Yadav and Krishnapal, were produced in the court and sent to jail (judicial custody).

The police are investigating the case. The accused have been booked under the Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act apart from abuse, assault and intimidation. Grooms belonging to lower castes, especially, scheduled caste (SC) have been targeted in the past too. In Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, such incidents have been reported quite often. Though such cases have occurred in Chambal and Malwa also.   

[June 17, 2020 NewsBits.in]

COIMBATORE: A middle-aged man who allegedly placed raw meat at two temples in Tamil Nadu, has been identified and arrested. 

The incident had angered residents and it caused tension. However, on the basis of CCTV footage, police managed to find the man who had parked the motorcycle, then placed meat, and left.

The man--S Hari Ramprakash, 48, has been booked for causing tension and taken into custody. He placed pieces of meat at Vengugopala Krishnaswamy temple and Sri Ragavendraswamy temple.

During investigation it was found that Ramprakash, who  hails from Kavundampalayam in Coimbatore, had purchased 1 kg pork from a shop. Then he went to two different temples, placed meat and came back, riding the bike. The motorcycle was also seen in the footage.

A civil engineer, he was unemployed, lately. Police said that he was booked under sections 153 A for promoting enmity among different sections of society and 295 A for malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings. The Big Bazaar police registered the case. Also, he has been booked under the Goonda Act. [June 1, 2020 NewsBits.in]

 

RAIPUR: Ajit Jogi, the first chief minister of Chhattisgarh, is no more. He passed away on May 29, 2020.

Jogi, 74, who was undergoing treatment in the hospital, had suffered second heart attack and he couldn't be saved, said the doctors. 

A bureaucrat-turn-politician, he was the first CM of the tribal dominated state when it was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2000. 

Jogi, who was a member of parliament in the past, had been an IAS officer priort to his political innings. In his long administrative and political career, he was in the midst of controversies, quite often.

His daughter had passed away at a young age. Jogi's claim of being a tribal was under suspicion and the issue reached the court. Jogi had suffered paralysis after he got injured in a car mishap. 

After falling out with Congress a few years ago, he had floated the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi). He is survived by his wife Renu Jogi and son Amit Jogi, both of them are in active politics. Top leaders across political spectrum have expressed grief over the demise.

[NewsBits.in May 29, 2020]

The number of Coronavirus cases in India that have been detected so far, has crossed the 1,00,000 mark. From the first case that was detected on January 30, the graph has gone up steadily.

More than 4,500 cases have been detected in a single day on Monday. While India has crossed the figure of 1 lakh, Maharashtra alone accounts for over 35,000 cases. 

Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi are at second, third and fourth place. While Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have more than 11,000 cases each, Delhi has crossed 10,000 mark.

Maharashtra that accounts for 35% of cases in the country, has registered 20,000 cases in Mumbai alone.Of the 1 lakh cases, India has seena recovery of over 39,206 patients. There are 57,926 cases. The figure of death is 3,155. Among other states, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have registered more than 5,000 cases so far. [May 18, 2020 NewsBits.in]

CHENNAI: A bakery is in the midst of controversy over a message it put up, announcing that all the food products are prepared by Jains and there was no Muslim in the staff. 

The Jain bakery and confectioneries is located in T Nagar in Chennai. In a social media post that was circulated on WhatsApp and that later made way to other social platforms as well, the bakery highlighted that all eatables were 'made by Jains' and there was 'no Muslim staff'. 

After it was spotted, there was outrage. People also objected on social media and tagged the officials. Legal experts say that it was an attempt to ostracise an entire community and an attempt to incite people, also affecting the right to equality and religious harmony in the society.

Besides, publication of such an advertisement (or message) is liable for prosecution under different sections, they said. A Times of India report quoted a bakery representative that there was a WhatsApp message about eateries employing Muslims and this announcement was in its response. Social media users have raised the issue. The twitter handle of Greater Chennai police stated that it had taken cognisance.

[NewsBits.in May 8, 2020]

NEW DELHI: Kerala has shown the way to other Indian states with its handling of the Coronavirus outbreak. 

Now, in the state that has so far registered 500 confirmed cases, only 34 active cases remain. 

Out of 500, as many as 462 patients have been cured--a figure of over 92%. No state comes close to Kerala when it comes to dealing with Covid 19, in India. 

In fact, the state that has a huge expatriate population and that was leading in number of cases, initially, is now at the 16th place. There is no fresh case. Out of these 500 cases, there were just four deaths.

On the other hand, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and several other states are still facing a growing number of cases. Also, the figure of deaths is very high in certain states, especially, Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP and West Bengal. 

Right now, Maharashtra has the highest number of confirmed cases i.e. 12,974. The figure is so high because of the cases in Mumbai. This is followed by Gujarat 5,804, Delhi 4,898, Tamil Nadu 3,550, Rajasthan 3,061, MP 2,942, UP 2,766, AP 1,650, West Bengal 1,259, Punjab 1,232 and Telangana 1,085. 

Across the country, there have been 44,870 confirmed cases, out of them 30,850 are active cases and 12,942 is the number of those who have recovered. The figure of deaths, nationwide is 1,524. Clearly, Kerala model needs to learnt, replicated in order to check Covid 19 in other regions of the country.

[May 4, 2020 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: A poster that was allegedly put up, annoncing that Muslim vendors (traders) would not be allowed into the village, has led to outrage.

The incident is reported from Pemalpur in Indore district. The photograph of the poster was shared on social media, drawing criticism.

It was mentioned on the poster that the message was from all the residents of the village. Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh tweeted, 'Isn't it illegal....isn't it against PM Modi's appeal....such divisions in the society are against national interests'. 

The Indore police have got the poster removed. The officials said that a case has been registered against unidentified persons. However, no one has been arrested in this regard. This is the second such incident in the state in recent months. Earlier, a similar pamphlet had appeared in Borud (Manawar) in Dhar district in March. It was later removed. 

[May 3, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Finally, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has a council of ministers in Madhya Pradesh. After nearly a month of functioning alone as CM, without a cabinet, the five ministers were sworn in. 

The mini cabinet includes Tulsi Ram Silawat and Govind Rajput, two loyalists of former Union minister and Gwalior strongman Jyotiraditya Scindia. 

The three others include Narottam Mishra, Kamal Patel and Meena Singh, who have been ministers in the past in BJP regime. They are likely to be handed over portfolios soon even as Chouhan promises that the cabinet would be expanded soon. 

Over the last couple of weeks, there was criticism as Chouhan functioned alone in the times of the pandemic--Covid 19. The formation of the government had also come under harsh criticism, as Congress government was toppled when Coronavirus cases were going up in India, last month. 

As Scindia switched to Congress, the legislators supporting him ditched Congress. This had resulted in the fall of Kamal Nath government. However, ever since the government had fallen, the Scindia supporters expected that they would get the reward, however, just two have got berth in this mini cabinet.

[April 22, 2020 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: A statement has been released against the unending witch-hunt of the Muslim scholars and activists who either led or took part in the anti-CAA protests.

The Campaign against Witch-hunt of anti-CAA activists has said that instead of engaging with protesters, the state has chosen to unleash its naked power on them, detaining and arresting them under harsh penal provisions.

It further says that the charges under which they have been arrested constitute the full array of law's mighty provisions. The statement says that the police story against Ishrat Jahan, Khalid Saifi and Sabu Ansari is 'so riddled with holes that one does not know where to start'.

Columnist Aakar Patel, retired professor Alok Rai, filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, activists Mansi Sharma and a long list of professors, writers, social activists have issued this statement. The activists who have been targeted include Sharjeel Imam, Dr Kafeel Khan, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Sabu Ansari, Meeran Haider, Chingiz Khan, Safoora Zargar.

In fact, the police action continued despite the lockdown. The statement raises questions about the 'curious FIR 59/2020' and the draconian measures apart from notices sent to dozens of other activists. It also expresses concern about how a video showed Saifi trying to reason with police, and later he was produced in the court on wheelchair, indicating custodial torture.

It says how action was not taken against purveyors of hate speech who led angry mobs and gave ultimatums to police to clear out protests but on the other hand, these activists have been framed. The statement says that it is injustice and the purpose is demonstration of cruelty and utter unfairness, sending the message that the people must accept to live on the terms dictated by a majoritarian state. *Photo is for representational purpose only.
Photo: Pexels
[April 18 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Dainik Bhaskar has expressed regret for a controversial crossword that was published in the paper recently. The crossword was published recently and has drawn criticism from several sections. The Wire had mentioned, "if you thought solving puzzles could be fun during the lock down, Dainik Bhaskar, one of the biggest Hindi dailies, has other plans for you..."....in an attempt to further communalise the coronavirus pandemic in India, the daily published a crossword on April 7 that amplified the role of Tablighi Jamaat’s cluster..". 

Media website Newslaundry had also published a piece about the crossword that had questions as to who was responsible for spreading pandemic, the punishment that should be given to the Maulana, and half-a-dozen similar other queries. 

Now, the paper has published the apology. In the note it is mentioned that the paper regrets the publication of the crossword though the apology. It says that the paper received objections from the people and that its aim was not to hurt sentiments. 

[April 12 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: An officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) has tested positive for Covid 19 in Madhya Pradesh.
The officer who is posted with the Health Directorate, was tested at the AIIMS in Bhopal. The sample turned out to be Coronavirus positive.
As the official was working and constantly attending meetings, other officers and even top politician(s) who came in contact, have gone in quarantine.
A top health bureaucrat has said that the officer who tested positive is in hospital but his fever is down now. The bureaucrat was working for long hours and was holding review meetings apart from interacting with health staff and other officials, hence, the precautions are being taken by others who came in contact.
Indore has recorded the highest number of Covid 19 suspects in the state. Besides, a suspect organised a 'terahvi' event in Morena and hundreds attended it, resulting in more cases in the region. UPDATE: Another IAS officer and an Additional director too test positive. Photo courtesy Cottonbro [https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro]
[April 4, 2020 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The figure of deaths due to coronovirus has crossed 50,000. And, the number of cases so far has crossed 1 million (10 lakh) across the world.
The figure was 1,015,728 cases and 53,202 deaths in 204 countries, according to the latest reports as Friday approaches (April 3).
USA is now leading in number of cases (245,000) followed by Italy (115,000), Spain (112,000), Germany (84,000) and China (81,000). France, Iran and UK follow them.
When it comes to the figure of deaths, Italy has recorded most deaths (13,900), followed by Spain (10,348), US (6,075), France (5,300), China (3,322), Iran (3,100), UK (2,921), Netherlands (1,300), Germany (1,100), Belgium (1,000).
India is now at the 33rd place among over 200 countries in the world. India has now recorded 72 deaths. The number of cases is 2,543. Maharashtra has more than 400 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (309), Delhi (293), Kerala (286), Rajasthan (154), AP (149), UP (128), Karnataka (124), MP (107).
[NewsBits.in April 3, 2020]

RAIPUR: As many as 17 security personnel were killed in one of the worst terrorist attacks by ultra-leftists in Chhattisgarh this year.
The bodies were recovered by the team that was sent to look for the missing security personnel in the forests in Sukma district of the State.
These policemen were killed during the State police' District Reserve Guards (DRG)-STF and CoBRA units' joint operation against Naxals at Elmagunda. However, heavily armed Maoists ambushed them on March 21 evening.
The outlaws also looted 16 automatic weapons including 11 AK 47 assault rifles and an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) following the deadly attack.
Those killed include 12 DRG and 5 STF jawans. The police said that they had got inputs about Maoists' meeting in forests at Misma in Sukma when more than 500 jawans were rushed but the Maoists got air and ambushed the security personnel.
The martyrs include Platoon Commander Geet Ram Rathia, APC Narad Ram Nishad, Hemant Kumar Poya, Amardeep Xalxo, Madkam Buccha, Madkam Masa, Podium Mutta, Podium Lakhma, Madkam Hidma, Hemant Das Manikpuri, Libru Baghel, Soyam Ramesh, Vanjam Nagesh, Gandham Ramesh, Uika Kamlesh, Uidka Dhurva and Nitendra Banjami.
[March 22, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: As opposition to the National Population Register (NPR) grows in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has reiterated that it won't be implemented in the State.
"Chief Minister Kamal Nath has clearly said that NPR would not be implemented in Madhya Pradesh and the stand is clear", said Minister PC Sharma.
Regarding anxiety over circulation of copy of a notification, the minister clarified that it was an earlier notification dating December 2019 but subsequently Centre brought CAA and that the The NPR notified earlier was not under the CAA.
"This notification was under the 1955 Act and rule 3 (2003)", said an official press release. "The chief minister had already issued instructions in this regard that there would be no NPR in Madhya Pradesh", Sharma further added.
Earlier, the Congress leader and Bhopal legislator Arif Masood had called a press conference and said that there would be strong opposition to the NPR-NRC from every household in the State. Also, he indicated about beginning of the campaign to put up stickers and messages to stop NPR at every house.
[February 17, 2020 NewsBits.in]

GUWAHATI: A political party has termed the citizenship amendment act (CAA) as discriminatory and has petitioned the United Nations (UN) in this regard.
The outfit Asom Sangrami Morcha chief AK Phukan and its leaders have warned about the impact of the CAA, terming it 'xenophobic' and 'exclusionist', which centre brought 'despite huge nationwide protests'.
The party leaders have said that there will be socio-economic issues apart from adverse impact on Hindu population in neighbouring Muslim countries.
Holding that CAA is a violation of the Indian constitution as well as against the international human rights, apart from being a grave threat to people of North East, especially, indigenous communities, the Asom Songrami Morcha (ASM) has formally written to UN High Commissioner in Geneva, as well as the chief of mission in India and the chairperson of the indigenous wing.
The Morcha leaders have said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is xenophobic and would affect the indigenous people severely. It has mentioned at length the ramifications of such a law, the combined impact of NRC-CAA apart from its affect on the society, and has sought UN intervention.
[February 14, 2019 NewsBits.in]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant statement, the chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan has said that he would not implement National Population Register (NPR) in the state.
Vijayan has said that the LDF government is very clear on the issue and the controversial NPR would not be conducted in Kerala at any cost.
The veteran Communist leader said that Census would not be affected, however, and the fears are unfounded as it is a separate activity but NPR would not happen in Kerala.
The chief minister said this in the Assembly. He also said that the Centre has been informed about Kerala government's stand in this regard. In fact, the Kerala government has reiterated the stand over NPR after it had last month asked the district collectors to stop linking NPR with the Census.
On a query regarding detention centres in the state, Vijayan said that they were constructed when the UDF-led Congress government was in power in the state. Later, Vijayan said that the fears about census are unfounded and it will be conducted but the exercise will have no connection with NPR. Kerala had also rejected the controversial citizenship amendment act (CAA).
[February 12, 2020 NewsBits.in]

GUWAHATI: Four serial blasts rocked Assam on the occasion of Republic Day. These blasts took place soon after the official R-Day event was held.
The police officials said that four IED blasts were reported from Upper Assam but no casualties were reported so far. ULFA has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blasts took place in Teok Hat (Charaideo district), Duliajan, Marwary Patty (Dibrugarh) and near Circuit House (Dibrugarh). Officials said that hunt was on for the ULFA radicals.
ULFA has been involved in terror acts in North East for decades. Thousands have perished in the extremism in North East over a period of nearly three decades. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the serial blasts and said that his government would take strong action.
[January 26 2020 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: An elderly man who was protesting against Citizenship Act, NPR and NRC, set himself afire in Madhya Pradesh on Friday evening.
Ramesh Chandra Prajapat, 72, was staging protest against NRC, CAA and NPR at Gita Bhawan intersection in Indore, when he doused himself with kerosene and set himself afire. Prajapat was rushed to the hospital but had been badly burnt by then.
In fact, he had over 90% burns when he was admitted in the MY Hospital. A pamphlet recovered from him, had message against 'discriminatory policies' and CAA-NRC.
It mentioned the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Ashfaqullah Khan and other freedom fighters apart from expressing regret over the killings, arrests and action against protesters in UP and other parts of the country during anti-NRC protests. He also called 'NPR, NRC and CAA as an attack on constitution'.
Prajapat is undergoing treatment but his condition was critical. While protests are going on across the country, this is the first such incident (self-immolation) in the country during anti-NRC protests. UPDATE: He passed away two days later in the hospital.
[January 25 2020 NewsBits.in]

KOLKATA: A woman's house was allegedly set afire over fears of National Register for Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal.
The woman, who is an NGO worker, had gone for a door-to-door survey, seeking information and telling people about benefits of internet, when people got suspicious and felt that she was an enumerator who had collected data for NRC.
Irate people attacked her and later ransacked her house. The house was later set afire. This incident occurred in Birbhum district in West Bengal.
Sources said that there was a rumour that spread in the area, linking her visits to several households to the data collection for NRC, and this led to the incident. The police have said that the woman, Hasnebanu, had not collected the NRC data, rather she was associated with an NGO.
This is not the first such incident. Earlier, a man, Prince Singh, was brutally beaten up as people suspected him linked to NPR exercise in Bihar. Lakhs of people were affected due to the NRC in Assam. As Bengali migrants suffered the most, the people in West Bengal are even more wary.
[January 23, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BENGALURU: The man who had planted a bomb at the Mangalore airport in Karnataka has been nabbed finally, said the police on Wednesday.
The suspect, Aditya Rao, has been arrested. He is in custody and is being interrogated. Rao had planted the bomb on January 20. The IED was placed in a bag that was left on the airport premises. He was wearing a cap and had left the airport in an auto-rickshaw.
Rao, who hails from Udupi, was identified on the basis of the CCTV footage. After the bag containing the device was found, the special squad team triggered a controlled blast in an open field to defuse it.
The local police are now interrogating him to find out how he learnt assembling the device. Also, his links are being probed. The man had reportedly had a brush with law in the past as well. Rao is now in the custody of Mangalore police and the interrogation is on.
[January 22, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Several poor and destitute persons including women and children sat near the residence of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal, demanding that they should be allowed to stay within the expansive campus of his house.
They sat on the road in front of the bungalow, saying that they should be let in as they don't have a permanent house or roof on their head. This protest took place on Monday.
Amid presence of security personnel, the people sat holding placards at the spot. This was part of a protest by a NCP leader in Bhopal, who wanted to highlight dual policies of the BJP.
"First, they should start from their own house. They are unable to even get 40-50 persons stay in their huge bungalows but want people from other countries to arrive and live here", said Raju Bhatnagar, an NCP leader. He said that the BJP leaders' stand was contradictory as rather than solving situation within own country and ensure house-jobs for the citizens, they are discriminating with our own and inviting people from other countries.
[January 21, 2020 NewsBits.in]

RANCHI: The shocking instance of police booking 3,000 people for sedition for participating in a protest in Dhanbad, drew criticism and now state government has said that it is withdrawing the charges.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said that the law is not meant to suppress the voice of citizens and scare them, rather the aim is to give them a sense of security.
In a series of tweets, Soren announced that the sedition charges would be removed and recommendation has been made to take action against the officer responsible for the act.
The SP (City) letter to Binod Singh of Dhanbad police station, ordering him to get the section 124 dropped, was also shared by the CM on social media. The protest against citizenship act, NPR and NRC at Pooja Talkies was attended by nearly 3,000 people.
However, among the 11 charges against the members who attended this peaceful protest--seven named persons including 3,000, just one charge (sedition) has been withdrawn. The other sections include 143, 145, 149, 186, 188, 290, 291, 336, 153 (A), 153 (B) of IPC, and the case still stands.
[January 8, 2019 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: Six persons including a businessman and his family members were killed when a lift developed snag and fell on the ground from a height of nearly 80 feet.
The tragic incident occurred at Patalpani near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Businessman Puneet Agarwal's family members--that included his daughter Palak, son-in-law Palkesh, grandson Nav, kin Gaurav and Gaurav's nephew Aryavir were among those who died.
The family was celebrating New Year at their farmhouse at Patalpani, close to Mhow, when the lift fell all of a sudden. They were rushed to hospital but were declared brought dead.
The family had gone to the top of the building to see the view on the eve of New Year, when the mishap took place. Agrawal was one of the leading contractors of PPP model and had laid down major highway projects. His firm Path India has toll plaza contracts in ten states of the country.
[January 1, 2020 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: An elderly man has been sentenced to twenty years of imprisonment for raping two minor girls in Madhya Pradesh.
The man--V Das, 60, allegedly raped a five-year-old girl who used to come to her house. A neighbour's daughter, she would come to watch TV and play at the house.
Das raped her. He also raped another child, a four-year-old girl. In this case, the victim's family found about the entire sequence of events, much later, because the girl couldn't tell the family about the ordeal she went through.
After the FIRs, police conducted investigation in both the cases. Das, who lives in Bazar Mohalla in Pathakheda (Betul), was arrested. The court has sentenced him to 20 years jail term for the cases. Madhya Pradesh records highest number of rapes in the country.
[January 1, 2020 NewsBits.in]

HYDERABAD: The police have arrested four persons in connection with the gang rape and murder of a woman doctor.
The 27-year-old woman, a veterinary doctor, was raped in the outskirts of the city, and later the body was transported in a truck, where it was burnt.
The four persons had offered her help though they had deliberated deflated her two-wheeler's tyre. It was part of the strategy to gain trust.
Police said that the rapists had tried to muzzle her voice and as a result she died of asphyxiation. Those arrested include Naveen, Mohammad Pasha, Shiva and C Chenna Keshavulu. The state government and police officials have appealed to the citizens to call police, especially, the number 100, in case of emergency.
[November 29, 2019 NewsBits.in ]

RANCHI: As many as 12 persons who were involved in the alleged gang rape with a law student, have been arrested.
According to police, the 25-year-old law student was accompanied by a friend and was standing on the road side when she was abducted at gunpoint.
They took turns to rape her at a brick kiln. After the incident, police had registered a case and formed a special investigation team. The 12 accused have been arrested.
The incident had occurred at Kanke in Ranchi. Those arrested include Sunil Kumar, Kuldeep, Sunil Oraon, Sandeep Trikey, Arjun, Rajan, Naveen, Basant, Ravi, Aman, Rohit and Rishi. The gun used in the crime and the vehicle for abducting her, have been seized. Further investigation is on in the case.
[November 29, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Hours after Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur's remark in parliament led to a controversy, 'Pahla Aatankwadi Godse' was trending at the top on Twitter in India.
Nathuram Godse was held guilty for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and he was hanged for the crime. Thousands of tweets with the hashtag calling him first terrorist (in India) took it to the top, drawing attention in newsrooms.
The comment was made when she interrupted DMK MP A Raja who was citing Godse's views about why he had killed Gandhi, during a discussion on the special protection group amendment bill.
In fact, after the comment, she claimed that it was made for freedom fighter and martyr Udham Singh, a 'desh bhakt' (patriot). BJP too later said that she had explained to the party that she didn't mean it and used the term 'desh bhakt' for Udham Singh.
The BJP member of parliament who won from Bhopal, has been an accused in the Malegaon blast case too. She has earlier also praised Godse. After her earlier apology, PM Narendra Modi had said that he could never forgive her in true sense (from his heart). [November 27, 2019 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar has inflicted a humiliating defeat on BJP, as he foiled the latter's plan to form government in Maharashtra.
Devendra Fadnavis who appeared supremely confident throughout the last week, could last just 3 days as chief minister, one of the shortest periods for a CM in India.
Clearly, the veteran NCP leader played his cards well and showed that he is still the boss in Maharashtra. This is a lesson for the BJP too as it realises that Shah's tactics can't work everywhere.
Apart from Pawar's stature, it must be remembered that Shiv Sena's strength on the ground in Mumbai also played a major role in ensuring that the legislators couldn't be poached even after Ajit Pawar switched sides.
But keeping the three parties together would be a challenge and given BJP's hunger for power, the manner in which it obtained it in Manipur, Goa and several other states including Karnataka, the alliance leaders can't be complacent. But right now, it's Pawar who has outfoxed the 'Chanakyas' of BJP. [November 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

DELHI: Social media platform Twitter has once again faced a major online agitation--this time its by Muslims.
Hundreds of handles tweeted with the hashtag, '#VerifyMuslimActivists' on Tuesday. The trending continued till late night and brought it to the attention of social media as well as outside.
This is just days after Bahujan activists had taken on Twitter India over its alleged bias regarding the big handles belonging to Dalit-Tribal-Backward voices on its platform.
Now the users have questioned the social media giant about its stance regarding Muslim users, many of whom have not been 'verified'. Though several activists say that they don't yearn 'blue tick' but the lack of a transparent policy regarding the 'verification process in India' has drawn ire of the Twitter users.
Twitter has been in the eye of storm over failure to stop hate and offensive content. Besides, it has faces accusations of double standards while dealing with serial fake news peddlers and lack of transparency regarding 'banning and blocking accounts'. Advocate Sanjay Hegde's account remains suspended while several fake news peddlers remain on the platform.
[November 13, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAISEN: Three members of a family were burnt to death while a teenaged girl got critical burns due to fire in their house near Begamganj in Raisen district of MP.
The victim--Ram Krishna, 40, his wife Malti, and son Devendra, 13, had gone to sleep. Apparently, there was leakage in the cylinder, said police station in-charge Virendra Singh. When Ram Krishna woke up to the smell, he switched on the light.
However, this led to sparking and suddenly the house was engulfed in fire. He said it in his dying declaration in the hospital. The adjoining houses were also burnt.
Of the four member family, the couple and the son died while the daughter, Mausam alias Roli, 17, is undergoing treatment in the hospital. Her condition is critical as well. Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) OP Tripathi said that probe is on in the case.
(The photo is for representational purpose) [By Sayeed Nadan, November 9, 2019 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: More than 96,000 people have applied for the job of peon in Maharashtra. There are 38 posts that were advertised.
The High court bench at Nagpur in Maharashtra got 96,845 applications for the posts of peon. Similarly, 42,725 applications came for the clerk (64 posts).
In the end just 380 candidates were shortlisted out of 96,000 odd and for the clerk post, 640 were shortlisted. After more screening, just 122 and 151 candidates would be called for interview.
RTI query by activist Sanjay Thul revealed the information. Also, it was found that Rs 90 lakh was obtained in fee collection from the candidates. In recent years, there has been a rise in number of applications, suggesting the level of unemployment.
[November 6, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Social activists from different fields called upon senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and urged him to take steps for welfare of Muslims.
They also drew Singh's attention towards lack of sufficient funds for minorities' welfare apart from other pressing issues. An eight point agenda was put forward.
The important demands included adequate representation, sending a Muslim leader to Rajya Sabha, nomination in proposed legislative council, filling posts of Urdu teachers, government's intervention to stop plan to rename structures and railway station apart from focus on role of Begums of Bhopal.
Activist Anas Ali, Sameer Khan, Owais Hashmi, Mohd Nadeem, Nawab Shahnawaz Khan, Naeem Hanafi, Arish Ali, Samir Khan, Sufiyan Siddiqui, Md Shahwez Khan and Sufiyan Qureshi were part of the delegation. Singh reportedly gave a patient hearing and gave assurance about taking steps towards redressal of grievances.
[November 6, 2019 NewsBits.in]

AGAR MALWA: A peace march was taken out in Agar Malwa in Madhya Pradesh, just days before the verdict on Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute is expected.
District Collector Sanjay Kumar said that the aim was to send message to the society that all of us are united and will ensure harmony. Besides, the administration is violent.
"We are also communicating with prominent members of the society, there is no need for any fear or insecurity. We have appealed to people to stay united", the Collector said.
The administration is keeping an eye on anti-social elements as well as on social media. Apart from officials of district administration and police, citizens belonging to different communities including leaders of religious communities took part in the march. [November 5, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: In a major decision, the Chhattisgarh government has come out with an ordinance, reverting to use of ballot papers for civic polls in the State.
Till now civic elections were also held through EVMs but the Congress-led government has decided to return from EVMs to ballot papers.
The cabinet had passed the decision a couple of days ago. Governor Anusuiye Uikey approved the ordinance. The opposition BJP has said that it will launch a campaign against the state government's move.
Also, the Mayors and chairpersons of the municipal bodies would be elected in an indirect manner. The voting will not be directly to elect Mayor. Rather, the winning candidates (corporators) will elect the Mayor and Chairperson among themselves.
[October 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti has questioned party's decision to accept the support of a legislator accused of crime in Haryana.
In a series of tweets, Bharti strongly raised her concern. "Gopal Kanda is the person because of whom a girl (air hostess Geetika Sharma)had committed suicide and later her mother too ended life, the case is in court & he is out on bail".
"Whether he is innocent or guilty, it will be proved in the court but winning election doesn't acquit him. She said that party should have leaders who have a clean record and good character.
"I urge party leaders not to forget its moral core". After its poor show in Haryana Assembly election, party is looking for outside support to form the new government. Kanda was earlier accused of rape though the charge was later dropped.
Earlier a Congress minister, he was forced to resign due to the allegations. He has now openly expressed support to BJP. He was named in two case of abetment to suicide (Geetika and her mother) and was forced to resign in the past.
[October 25, 2019 NewsBits.in]

PATNA/MUMBAI: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has gained a foothold in Bihar, with its maiden victory in Assembly election.
The AIMIM candidate Qamrul Huda won the Kishanganj seat, defeating BJP's Sweety Singh. This is the party's first Assembly win in the State. Till now, it had MLAs in Telangana and Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, it has again won two seats. Its candidate Shah Farooq Anwar won from Dhule while Md Islamil Abdul Khalique was elected from Malegaon Central.
Its sitting MLA Waris Pathan lost from Byculla seat. Imtiyaz Jaleel had already resigned to contest as MP and had won in the Lok Sabha election. The party candidates failed to win on other seats but have cornered a high vote share in many constituencies ranging from Bhiwandi to Solapur.
AIMIM was earlier considered a Hyderabad-based party. However, it has now expanded to three states and it is all set to field its candidates in UP and other major states in next elections. [October 24, 2019 NewsBits.in]

AGAR MALWA: A social media post that made offensive comments about a religion, led to anger among people in the city on Wednesday.
Local residents staged a protest and gathered at the local police station, demanding that action should be taken in connection with the derogatory post.
They said that it was extremely offensive and hurt the religious sentiments. The youth has subsequently been taken into custody. A case has been registered. The local police are conducting probe in this regard.
[Jaffer Multani, October 23, 2019 NewsBits.in]

HYDERABAD: In a shocking incident, a man insisted that a only a 'Hindu delivery boy' should bring him food and when this didn't happen, he abused the Muslim man.
Ajay Kumar, the customer, had ordered Chicken 65, from Swiggy, insisting that he needed 'Hindu deliver boy' and that 'ratings would depend on it'.
When the company sent order through a Muslim person, Kumar allegedly abused him. The food delivery man, Mudassir Umar, approached police but his complaint was not entertained at the Shah Ali Banda police station, said MBT leader Amjed Ullah Khan, who took it up on social media on Wednesday.
Khan said that the police instead asked the company that why he sent a Muslim delivery man. Swiggy has responded and said that, "it is our constant endeavour to ensure highest levels of customer satisfaction, unfortunately this instance isn't one...respecting all forms of beliefs is what we stand for and a mere apology won't suffice....but rest assured we are looking for a solution and devising deterrents to ensure there aren't similar occurrences in future".
UPDATE: A senior police official has said that FIR would be registered in this case. [October 23, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A legislator gave a practical lesson in cleanliness along with a stern warning to the staff of a government girls' higher secondary school in MP.
Jajpal Singh Jajji, an MLA, took up a broom and cleaned up the classrooms along with chief municipal officer to express his displeasure over the cleanliness condition in the school in Ashok Nagar.
Not only this, he made the non-teaching personnel responsible for the job, to sit on a chair while sweeping the floor himself. Jajpal Singh then warned the staff to take cleanliness and responsibilities seriously.
The MLA's action came after the girl students of all the classes complained of poor cleanliness condition. Jajji, a Congress MLA, had gone to take feedback from the students two weeks after his inspection of the school.
During his inspection, he had issued instructions for improvement in school infrastructure. While whitewash was done and light put up, cleanliness remained poor, the girls told him.
[October 21, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A number of Dalit families have embraced Buddhism in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh.
The religious conversion took place in Sakera Bhandaran township near Prithvipur. Mostly, those who decided to leave Hinduism and embrace Buddhism, belong to Dalit community.
KC Ahirwar, one of the local leaders, said that social inequality and discrimination led them to take the path of religious conversion. "We were looked down upon by others", he said.
Kamlesh, a youth, said that he and his family would now follow tenets of Buddhism and will also spread the message of Buddha. There are around 1,000 Dalit families in the township. Many of the Dalit families took the vows and entered new religion after a week long 'Buddha Katha' concluded. The idols of Buddha and Rai Das have been installed as well.
[October 19, 2019 NewsBits.in]

KOLKATA: The police have arrested Utpal Behra, the main accused in the case of the murder of a couple and their child in Murshidabad.
Behra has been arrested from Sahapur in West Bengal. The police officials said that Behra killed the family over a monitory dispute.
Bandhu Prakash Pal, 35, his pregnant wife, Beauty and eight-year-old son Angan were found murdered in their house in Jiaganj in Murshidabad. The crime was committed on October 8 during Pujo festivities.
The case had hit national headlines. Police said Behra had paid money to Pal and latter gave receipt of only one of the amount (meant for one insurance policy), not the other.
This led to the altercation between Pal and Behra. During interrogation, Behra said that Pal humiliated him and as he felt insulted, he decided to teach him the lesson and took the revenge.
[October 15, 2019 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: The services of 25,000 home guards personnel have been terminated in Uttar Pradesh.
The home guards who are daily wage employees, assist police in law-and-order as well as traffic management.
An order was issued in this regard after a recent meeting that was chaired by the chief secretary of the state. ADG BP Jogdanand issued the order.
Also, nearly 75,000 other personnel will be affected as their duty days will be reduced from the existing 25 days (per month) to just 15.
The decision has been taken due to 'budgetary constraints'. After the court order to raise the 'honorarium' from Rs 500 per day to Rs 672, the home guards will now have to report 15 days, instead of 25.
[October 15, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Michael Steven Juma, Chief of UNICEF Madhya Pradesh called on governor of Madhya Pradesh Lalji Tandon on Monday. He was accompanied by Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh.
They shared about UNICEF's work in Madhya Pradesh for children and women of Madhya Pradresh in the area of nutrition, child health, new born care, immunization, school education, child protection, water and sanitation in particular support to Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
Michael Juma shared with the Governor that for UNICEF priority areas for the present plan with the State Government include Child marriage and stunting. Manohar Dubey, Principal Secretary to Governor and Ashutosh Gupta, ADC to Governor were present at the meeting.
[October 7, 2019, Newsbits.in]

LUCKNOW: The state police have been urged to take action against Nathuram Godse supporters who had posted 'Godse Amar Rahein' (Long Live Godse) on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
The Rihai Manch has mentioned the names and the handles responsible for posting these objectionable tweets.
"The police had earlier conducted de-radicalization events and as this is now taking a scary turn, there is need once again apart from penal action", said Rajeev Yadav, the general secretary.
'This is clearly an offence under section 505 of IPC', he further said, asserting that a campaign should also be conducted to stop this level of radicalisation.
[October 6, 2019 Newsbits.in]

AGAR/SHAJAPUR: A man who claims to be leader of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has abused Mahatma Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh.
According to police, Shubham Rathore, who hails from Shajapur, wrote offensive terms about Gandhi apart from using extremely objectionable words, on social media.
After the Facebook post was seen, a complaint was made to police. "We have received complaint and checked his Facebook status to find that he indeed made objectionable comments. We are conducting a probe", said an officer.
Rathor claims to be a BJYM office-bearer. Incidentally, the abusive comments were made just when the nation is celebrating Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. Earlier this week when Congress' Zakir Ali made complaint against a Godse supporter, the police just took his application but didn't file FIR. [October 2, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A man was attacked after the bus he was driving caused injury to a cow in Madhya Pradesh.
This incident occurred in Nowgong in Chhatarpur district in the State on the night intervening Monday and Tuesday. Zakir Khan was on the driver's seat when the bus hit a cow sitting on the road.
The bovine's leg was injured in the mishap. Angry youths gathered at the spot and forced their way into the bus. They beat the driver and brought him out and thrashed him mercilessly.
The incident occurred at Alipura. After the police reached the spot, Zakir, was taken to primary health centre. Subsequently, he was referred to the district hospital. He has sustained multiple injuries and is undergoing treatment. There is no information about the action against assailants, yet. More details are awaited.
[September 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: More than 43,000 persons died in mishaps because they were not wearing helmet. The exact figure was 43,600 in the country in the year 2018.
Similarly, the figure of deaths due to non-compliance of the seat belt rule in four-wheelers was 24,400. The figure of deaths due to riders not using helmet was highest in Uttar Pradesh and followed by Maharashtra.
Also, pillion riders on two-wheelers who died because they were not wearing helmet, was over 15,360. The government figures suggest that the deaths for not wearing seat belts saw a decline compared to 2017.
[September 17, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The Chandrayaan 2, an ambitious project that cost Rs 978 crore, has failed to meet its objective and couldn't land on moon.
Just before it was about to land, the connection was lost. The ISRO ground station lost its contact when lander Vikram was just 2.1 km above the moon (lunar surface).
The scientists were in tears. However, PM Narendra Modi said that it was a great effort and that the country stands behind its scientists.
Modi said that India is proud of our scientists. "They’ve given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be!"
[September 7, 2019 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court asked why Vernon Gonsalves kept the book 'War and Peace' at his home.
Surprising it may seem but the judge asked Gonsalves to explain why kept the book which was about 'war in another country' at his house.
Justice Sarang Kotwal who was hearing the bail plea of Gonsalves and activists Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, asked the question. Gonsalves is an accused in Bhima Koregaon case and prosecution had submitted 'incriminating material' recovered from his place when he was arrested last year.
Gonsalves' counsel said that keeping books and CDs doesn't make him a terrorist or member of a Maoist outfit. The judge, however, said that Gonsalves must explain why he kept it at home.
[August 28, 2019 NewsBits.in]

VADODARA: A Muslim policeman was allegedly attacked due to his religious identity in Gujarat.
The attackers first used an objectionable word meant for Muslims to address Asif Ismail Sheikh, 45, and then beaten beating him.
'Without any provocation, they attacked me, pulled my beard, beat him and tried to strangle me', he told media persons. Sheikh said that he usually covered his face while leaving home.
Shockingly, after the incident, it took a long time before the FIR could be registered. Though Sheikh is a police constable, the authorities initially tried to hush it up as a minor quarrel though it was a clear case of hate crime and attack due to religious identity.
[August 25, 2019 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: A youth was beaten to death after a row over DJ playing loud music in Uttar Pradesh.
The incident occurred in Deoria district. On the occasion of Janmashtami, DJ was playing loud music in Patel Nagar, when a local resident, Munnu Lal, objected.
This angered the youths who had called the DJ. Nearly dozen-odd youth attacked him with lathis. The victim was yelling but no one except his family came out for him.
When Munnu Lal's wife and sons came out to save the middle-aged man, they were also attacked. One of them, Sumit, was hit with lathis, mercilessly, and was later rushed to hospital, where he was declared brought dead. After the incident section 144 has been enforced.
[August 25, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has opposed the installation of the bust of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the Delhi University (DU).
The NSUI leaders staged a protest and blackened the face. Also, they put a garland of shoes on it. The bust was brought at night and installed by ABVP cadre, who later installed it in the campus.
ABVP leader Shakti Singh had brought the bust without approval from the DU authorities. Savarkar has been a deeply polarizing figure. Though he had sought pardon from British and was released from Cellular Jail, the right-wing considers him as a Hindutva icon and freedom fighter. [August 22, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The death toll due to heavy rain in Madhya Pradesh, has crossed 50 in the state in this season.
Five people have died in the last 24 hrs and the figure has touched 55. Besides, 15 people have died due to lightning so far, taking the number of deaths to 70.
Rivers are overflowing in Malwa and Chambal region of State. MP has received excessive rainfall, 20% more than the average rains.
[August 16, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made a strange comment, terming first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, a criminal'.
Chouhan said that Nehru had committed a sin and it was because of him that India lost part of Kashmir to Pakistan. After the statement was reported, Congress leaders expressed outrage.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that Chouhan was not even a dust at Nehru's feet. Kamal Nath, the MP chief minister, said that Chouhan's statement was objectionable and it was condemnable that decades after his death, Nehru was being targeted unfairly.
[August 12, 2019 NewsBits.in]

WASHINGTON: A suspected white supremacist gunman opened fire at shoppers in El Paso town in Texas, America. As many as 20 persons were killed in the attack.
The suspect has been identified as Patrick Crusius. He has been taken into custody and is being interrogated. Initial reports suggest that it was a hate crime, targeting the Hispanics.
President Donald J Trump has expressed grief and tweeted, "Terrible shooting in Elpaso, reports are very bad, many killed. working with state and local authorities and law enforcement...God be with you all".
More than 248 mass shootings have been reported in USA alone, this year so far. Statistics clearly suggest that domestic white extremists pose the biggest threat in the country, far ahead of any other group or believers of any other ideology.
[August 4, 2019 NewsBits.in]

PATNA: In yet another incident of mob lynching, three persons were beaten to death. This incident has occurred in Saran district in Bihar.
According to reports, the mob turned violent and attacked the victims--Raju Nat, Naushad Qureshi and Videsh, on Friday morning.
The locals suspected that they had come there with the intention to steal cattle. However, victims' kin reject the charge and said that they had gone to buy cattle.
The victims' were rushed to hospital where they were declared brought dead. The police said that a case has been registered and investigation has begun to ascertain the circumstances that led to the killings. [Photo is for representation purpose]
[Jul 19, 2019 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: In a shocking incident, 10 tribals were killed in cold blood when dozens of armed persons went on a shooting spree to seize land.
The incident occurred in Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh. Over 100 persons, riding in tractor-trolleys, came to Umbha, a tribal hamlet, on July 16, and tried to take over the land. When locals resisted, they began firing indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths.
The Gond tribals have been living on this land and have been cultivating it, from the pre-independence era. It was after 1955, when the land was strangely transferred to a cooperative society that was formed by one family under a government scheme (at the behest of an IAS officer).
Though the scheme was later abolished, land ownership didn't return to government. However, members of the family linked to IAS officer, were allotted land, who in turn sold it to Yagya Dutt, who wants tribals ousted. After the incident, the villagers are in a state of shock.
For years, locals had been running from pillar to post to get the issue sorted but despite representations, inquires, nothing had happened. The police have arrested over a dozen persons who were involved in the attack, however, the main accused is yet to be caught. [Photo is for representational purpose]
[July 18, 2019 NewsBits.in]

SILCHAR: In a shocking incident, three elderly Haj pilgrims were attacked in Silchar in Assam. The incident occurred on June 27.
The victims--Zamiruddin Laskar, Abdul Khaliq Chaudhary and Nazir Ahmad Laskar, were attacked by a group of unidentified persons who first took away their skullcaps.
Zamiruddin Laskar says that after snatching the skullcap, his face was covered with a piece of cloth and the same treatment was meted to two others.
The attackers allegedly threaten to cut them into pieces. Laskar said that they were abused, attacked and humiliated while the shopkeepers looked on and nobody intervened. The police have now registered a case in this regard and have assured that the attackers would be identified and nabbed soon. Photo courtesy--Barak Bulletin
UPDATE: Three accused--S Chakravarti, Jaideep Pal and Bappa Das have been arrested for the assault with the elderly Haj pilgrims.
[June 28, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: Four persons including three security personnel and a minor girl were killed in a Maoist ambush in Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.
The Maoists ambushed the 199 battallion of CRPF near Keskutul in Bijapur district. The security personnel who were caught off guard, later, retaliated and a minor girl who lived in a nearby village was killed in the cross-firing.
The three security personnel killed include Mahadev Patil, Madan Pal and OP Saji. The injured are being treated in the hospital. Chhattisgarh has witnessed several Naxal attacks in the last couple of months.
[June 28, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: In a significant development, Madhya Pradesh government has amended the law to rein in the cow vigilantes who have been involved in violence and mob lynchings.
The cabinet has approved amendment to the Cattle Conservation Act, which now makes cow vigilantism punishable--up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000.
The State government has said that the law has been amended in accordance with the Supreme Court's directive against the 'trend of mob justice and self-styled vigilantes taking law into their hands'.
There have been several incidents of cow vigilantism in MP in recent years. While a person was killed in Satna last year, three persons including a woman were brutally thrashed in Seoni recently. Earlier, there were lynching bids and violence in Mandsaur, Harda and Khandwa too.
[June 27, 2019 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: Akash Vijayvargiya, the son of BJP bigwig Kailash Vijayvargiya, has been arrested for attacking a public servant with a cricket bat on Wednesday.
After the bail plea was rejected, he is likely to be sent to jail on judicial custody though his lawyers said they would appeal in higher court.
The incident occurred during the anti-encroachment drive of the Indore municipal corporation. Akash, who represents Indore 3 constituency in the Assembly, was seen hitting the zonal officer.
This was after the municipal squad reached the spot to demolish a structure that was deemed 'dangerous'. However, the structure was owned by an Akash supporter.
As the video went viral, Akash was booked for obstructing government servant from discharge of duty apart from rioting, abusive behaviour and criminal intimidation. He was arrested later. Akash is son of BJP general secretary and Indore strongman Kailash Vijayvargiya, however, this act has embarrassed the BJP.
[June 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

MUZAFFARPUR: As many as 130 children have died in Muzaffarpur in Bihar due to the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in the region.
Around 52 patients had died at Sri Krishna Medical College alone. The figures of deaths were from hospitals and the toll may be much higher as figures aren't available from rural parts of the district.
It took days and especially media attention that the deaths became a major issue. Local administration had failed to handle the situation.
The deaths were going on for weeks. Encephalitis is a viral disease that causes high fever and convulsions apart from headache.
[June 17, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RANCHI: Armed Maoists struck once again in Jharkhand, killing five police personnel in Kurkumarket area of Saraikela district in Jharkhand.
The ulta-leftists' ambushed these policemen who were given the patrolling duty. The attack took place at around 6 pm on Friday, said police.
Those killed include two ASIs--Gowardhan Paswan and Manodhan Hansda, three policemen viz. Dhaneshwar Mahto, Yudhishthir and Dibru Purty. The attackers later snatched the weapons and crossed the state's border, to enter West Bengal. This is the third Maoist ambush in the state in a fortnight.
[June 15, 2019 NewsBits.in]

AGRA: In a tragic incident, Darvesh Yadav, the president of the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council was shot dead on Wednesday.
She was the first woman chief of UP Bar Council. She was killed on the premises of the Agra court. One, Manish Sharma, approached her, wielded his gun and shot her.
Later, Sharma, an advocate, also shot himself. Police officials have rushed to the spot. Both were rushed to hospital. But Darvesh Yadav was declared brought dead, later. More details about the incident are awaited. [June 12, 2019 NewsBits.in]

VIDISHA: A case has been registered against a youth for posting an inflammatory post on Facebook.
The youth, Dilip Panchal, who hails from Ganj Basoda town in the district, had made objectionable comments that infuriated the local residents, especially, Muslim community.
The post was abusive and the local residents were upset because of the extremely foul language used against Islam and Islamic beliefs. Upset, they approached the police along with copy of screen shots of the post(s).
In some other towns too people had approached police against the person. Subsequently, a case under section 153 (A) of IPC has been registered against Panchal.
[June 12, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI/BHOPAL: A complaint has been filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in connection with the cow vigilantes' attack on three persons including a woman in Seoni in Madhya Pradesh.
Social activist SQ Masood has formally filed the plaint about the incident that occurred on May 22, 2019. That the gang members beat up the victims brutally--a clear violation of human rights, and recorded video to share on social media to spread message of hatred and violence, action must be taken said Masood.
The Hyderabad-based activist has sought strict action against the attackers and has said that compensation of Rs 10 lakh should be paid to each of the victims by the state government. The assailants were members of Sri Ram Sena and their chief who has several criminal cases against him, had been externed from district limits in the past.
[May 28, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Computer Baba has said that after Digvijaya Singh's loss, there is no question of him taking 'Jal Samadhi'.
The Godman said that he was now with PM Narendra Modi and would support him for Ram Temple construction. Computer Baba said that he never said that he would take 'Jal Samadhi'.
Entire 'Sant Samaj' had supported Digvijaya Singh and now we will support Modi but if Ram Temple is not constructed, will oppose him. Several Hindu seers had supported Digvijaya Singh and Congress government in MP ahead of the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
[May 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Hassan has said that Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse was India's first terrorist who was a Hindu.
"I am saying it in front of the statue of Gandhi", he said. Kamal Haasan also added that he wasn't making the statement because he was speaking in an area with Muslim populace.
Hassan, an actor-turn-politician who now heads Makkal Needi Maiam (MNM), was speaking at Aravakurichi in Tamil Nadu. Of late, Haasan has made statements that have targeted right-wing groups.
[May 13, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The unprecedented rise in voting percentage in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, has kept the supporters of both Congress and the BJP guessing.
The contest between BJP's Pragya Thakur and Congress' Digvijaya Singh has drawn nationwide attention. Bhopal recorded 65.69% polling, the highest ever in history. The maximum voter turn out was in Sehore and rural parts of Bhopal viz. Huzur and Berasia.
Speculations are on and supporters of both the parties are interpreting it in different ways. Congress had last won Bhopal in 1984.
[May 13, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Justice AA Kureshi's name has been recommended for the post of chief justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Supreme Court's collegium has recommended his name for the post. The collegium comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice SA Bobde and Justice NV Ramana have made the recommendation.
Justice Kureshi, has served as acting chief justice of High Court of Gujarat and has been a judge with the Bombay High Court since November 2018.
Photo courtesy Livelaw.in [May 13, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A host of retired police officials including former director general of police (DGP) NK Tripathi took out a march in memory of former Mumbai ATS chief, late Hemant Karkare.
The candle light vigil was organised at the Lal Parade ground. The retired police officials said that no one has the right to insult a martyr. They said that it was unfortunate that a person like Hemant Karkare's name was being dragged in petty politics.
Tripathi said that they had gathered to commemorate the sacrifice of Karkare and affirm that the martyrs can never be forgotten. There has been strong criticism over BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Thakur's comments regarding the former Maharashtra ATS chief who had lost life in the terror attack on Mumbai. Photo courtesy, Nav Dunia.
[April 9, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: A BJP legislator and five security personnel were killed when Maoists struck in Bastar in Southern part of Chhattisgarh, just ahead of polls in the region.
The incident occurred at Nakulnar in Dantewada. Bhima Mandawi, the BJP MLA from Dantewada, was killed in the attack. The four-wheeler was blown up in the IED blast and later Naxals fired at the victims, resulting into the death of legislator.
This is the third such incident in Bastar in recent days. Four security personnel were killed in an attack in Pakhanjur in Kanker on April 5. Besides, another personnel was killed in an attack in Dhamtari.
[April 9, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The Income Tax (IT) department conducted raids at the aides of MP chief minister Kamal Nath in different cities including Bhopal and Indore.
Raids were conducted at the residence of Praveen Kakkar (Kamal Nath's officer on special duty), CM's close aide RK Miglani, Ashwin Sharma, Pratik Joshi and Ratul Puri. The operations continued on Tuesday as well.
Around 14 crore cash was recovered during the raid. Congress has alleged that the raids were at the instance of PM Narendra Modi and that the IT department was targeting Congress leaders ahead of elections.
The CRPF personnel and MP police nearly came to blows when raid was going on. CRPF men alleged that MP policemen were obstructing them in discharge of duty but the Bhopal police officials rubbished the charges.
[April 8, 2019 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: Lok Sabha speaker and eight time member of parliament (MP) Sumitra Mahajan wanted to contest and was even holding meetings in the constituency when she got the signal that party doesn't want her to contest the election.
Mahajan was earlier told that once again she would contest and hence when she came to Indore, she started meeting supporters and got ready for the campaign. There was no other name sent by party from Indore.
Yet, she kept waiting and though lists came, candidate's name was kept on hold for Indore. Sensing that party was not in the mood to field her, she made public the letter. Mahajan who started political career from municipal body & reached the zenith, has finally bid adieu to electoral politics.
[April 6, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: Four security personnel were killed while two others were injured when Maoists attacked the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Chhattisgarh on Thursday.
The incident has occurred just before the Lok Sabha elections. Officials said that the BSF jawans were killed in a planned ambush at Pakhanjur in Kanker district.
Those killed include ASI Bipul Borah from Assam, Constable Israr Khan from Jharkhand, Tumeshwar from Dongargaon and S Ramakrishna from Andhra Pradesh.
[April 5, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: It's official now. Nakul Nath would contest from Chhindwara, the constituency his father--Kamal Nath represented for decades.
Congress has announced the name of Nakul Nath among other candidates in the list released on April 4. Kamal Nath is chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and as he is now into state politics, his son is ready to take over reins in the parliamentary constituency.
Nakul was getting active in Chhindwara lately and it was clear that he would contest from here. Kamal Nath has been elected MP nine times from Chhindwara, and is known for nurturing the constituency.
[April 4, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) is not going to contest the Lok Sabha election and has decided that its alliance partner BSP will fight all the 11 seats.
Party chief Ajit Jogi has announced that BSP will field candidates on the all seats and JCC(J) cadre will support BSP. JCC(J)-BSP had jointly contested Assembly poll, winning seven seats.
Jogi's party had won 5 seats and BSP 2. However, in central Bilaspur, JCC(J) had got substantial votes & it was expected to contest three seats--Korba, Bilaspur and Mahasamund.
[April 2, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: A college teacher was killed when a truck hit her in Raipur in Chhattisgarh. She was reportedly using earphone while riding her two-wheeler.
According to police, Vaishali Pandey, 27, who lived in Charoda, was on her way towards the city, when she was hit to death by a truck that came from behind and hit at Tatibandh traffic intersection.
She received fatal injuries and died. Pandey was assistant professor with Daga College. Eyewitnesses said that she was riding with earphone and was unable to hear the sounds--vehicles coming from behind and that of people who were yelling. The police are conducting investigation.
[March 31, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL/GWALIOR: The chief of Bahujan Sangharsh Dal (BSD), Phool Singh Baraiya, who has a strong support among Dalit and backward communities in Gwalior-Chambal region, has joined Congress.
Baraiya had become a powerful leader in Chambal, almost two decades ago. As chief of MP BSP, he had energized the cadre and had made the party a force so much that it was hurting both the major parties--Congress and BJP.
But, just when his popularity was at its peak, he was expelled from BSP, suddenly. This affected BSP's prospects in MP too. He later joined Lok Jan Shakti and then formed BSD.
[March 29, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Shivraj Chouhan would be a weak candidate against Digvijaya Singh, who is contesting from Bhopal, and hence BJP should field a stronger candidate.
BJP leader Indresh Gajbhiye who earlier had minister rank in the Shivraj government and headed SC wing of the party, has written to party president Amit Shah that Digvijaya is a very strong candidate.
"Shivraj would be a weak opponent compared to Diggy and also he (Shivraj) faces corruption charges". Gajbhiye says that PM Narendra Modi should contest from Bhopal.
[March 29, 2019 NewsBits.in]

SRINAGAR: Three personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed by one of their colleagues at a CRPF camp.
This incident occurred at Udhampur in Jammu & Kashmir. Police said that Ajit Kumar, a CRPF jawan, had a tiff with some of his colleagues. Kumar lost his cool and fired at them.
The trio--R Pokarmal, Yogendra Sharma and Umed Singh, got fatal injuries and died. The victims hailed from Raajasthan, Delhi and Haryana respectively.
After the incident, Kumar also shot himself. He is injured and is being treatment in the military hospital. A probe is on to ascertain the circumstances that led to the killings. [March 21, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: Dr Puneet Gupta, the son-in-law of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Dr Raman Singh, has been booked in a case of fraud.
The case is regarding alleged corruption in staff recruitment, purchase of equipment and questionable practices in outsourcing during his stint with the DKS super-specialty hospital.
He is accused of corruption to the tune of crores. Apart from financial irregularities, charges include that of forgery and misuse of his official position too.
Dr Gupta was earlier superintendent of the DKS super-specialty hospital. On a high-level probe committee's directions, the action was taken following initial inquiry. The case has been registered at the Gole Bazaar police station.
[March 15, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The son of a Rajya Sabha member has been arrested with drugs in Madhya Pradesh.
The incident occurred in Mandla district. Police said that Satyendra Uikey alias Raja, who is the son of BJP MP Sampatiya Uikey, was arrested after drugs were recovered from his car.
The police caught Satyendra and his two friends, recovering 41 pouches of smack. This is not the first such incident. He has been arrested for vehicle theft in the past.
Also, Satyendra had written a social media post, criticising Shivraj Chouhan, that had caused embarrassment to the party.
[March 14, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh would go to Lok Sabha polls in four phases, starting the fourth phase on April 29, chief electoral officer of MP, VL Kantha Rao announced on Sunday evening.
In a press conference held consequent to Election Commission of India presser earlier in the evening, Kantha Rao gave detailed scheduled to polls in MP.
Eligible citizens in capital Bhopal would vote on May 12, while those in Indore would vote in the last phase on May 19. Here is the detailed schedule: Fourth phase April 29: 6 seats: Sidhi, Shahdol, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Mandla, Jabalpur
Fifth phase May 6: 7 seats: Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Hoshangabad, Betul
Sixth phase May 12: 8 seats: Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh
Seventh phase May 19: 8 seats: Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone, Khandwa.
[March 10, 2019, NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has sent the Babri Masjid-Ram temple land dispute in Ayodhya for mediation.
A panel headed by former SC judge FM Kallifulla has been given the task. The other members include senior lawyer Sriram Panchu and spiritual guru Ravishankar.
The five-member SC constitution bench referred the case for medication, asking the panel to complete the process of mediation within eight weeks.
Most Muslim bodies have hailed the step. Among Hindu groups, there has been general support, however, Nirmohi Akhada isn't happy with the decision. [March 8, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The police have arrested one of the main accused in connection with the infamous Jhabua nuns' rape case, after a period of 21 years.
The accused--Kalu Limji, 45, had left his hometown and was living in hiding in another town. The police team had got a tip-off and arrested him on the pretext of offering free house to poor under a government scheme.
Hence, he told his real name and was arrested. The gang rape had taken place on September 23, 1998. A group of locals had entered the Church at Kalyanpura in Nawapara Bhandaria, and had gang-raped four nuns. Most of the accused, except two--Kalu Limji and Bachchu Singh, had been arrested. [March 5, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Citizens took to streets in the city on Sunday, taking a stand against war.
'We want peace, not war', most of the placards read. People from different sections of the society including writers, activists, youngsters and members of social organisations, made this appeal at Board Office square.
'The consequences of war are devastating for nations. We want peace', read one of the placards in Hindi. The youngsters who were part of the demonstration, also said that social media must not be used for war-mongering.
[March 3, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government will consider giving relief to prisoners above the age of 70 years.
The relaxation in jail term could be given to elderly prisoners, said state minister for home and prisons Bala Bachchan.
This was in response to the plea of Jail officials who said this can help check overcrowding in jails and the decision about remission of jail term for elderly prisoners had once been taken in the past in Madhya Pradesh.
[February 28, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: In a major operation across Line of Control (LoC), Indian Air Force jets struck at Jaish camps at 3.30 am, claim IAF sources.
The spokesperson of Pakistan armed forces accepts that the Mirage Jets entered from Muzaffarabad sector. He claims that there were no casualties or damage.
The action is significant as Pakistan failed to detect the IAF operation until it was over. A response was expected ever since Pulwama attack, still, the scale of operations have surprised even foreign defence experts.
[February 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The two kid who were abducted from Satna in MP, have been found murdered in Banda district of UP. The bodies have been recovered from near a river.
The twins were kidnapped at gunpoint from school bus in Chitrakut in Madhya Pradesh 12 days ago. The police failed to trace them and couldn't save the twins. [February 24, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: An additional hundred companies of Central Armed Police (paramilitary) Forces were airlifted to Srinagar early on Saturday to boost security set-up.
This security build up has come after the local police detained JKLF chief Yasin Malik and arrested dozens of other Jamaat-e-Islami workers in the Valley on Friday night.
The fresh deployment includes 45 companies of the CRPF, 35 of the BSF and ten each of the 10 SSB, and the ITBP.
Police have so far not commented on the detentions of the Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, but sources said that it was in view of the expected protests in view of Supreme Court hearing on section 35A that starts Saturday. (Image representational)
[February 23, 2019, NewsBits.in]

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations security council (UNSC) - most powerful international body - has condemned the Pulwama attack in the “strongest terms” and called for holding accountable sponsors of terrorism.
The all powerful UN body has also named Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad in an official statement.
Sources however said the UN condemnation statement was in a standard UNSC format issued for every terrorist strike it has condemned, changing only names of country, places and those responsible.
Where an entity claimed responsibility credibly, the press statements name them, not otherwise.
So, sources added, it was expected for the statement to name JeM, which had claimed responsibility.
[February 22, 2019, NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Communications (RCom), has been ordered by Supreme Court on Wednesday to pay Rs 453 crore dues to Ericsson India or face three month jail term.
The direction of the court came while hearing a contempt petition of Ericsson India on payment of dues.
The apex court has also fined Ambani and two directors of the company Rs 1 crore each. These two directors also face the jail term.
[February 20, 2019, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of Ashwini Kumar Kachhi, who was among those martyred in Pulwama terror attack on Thursday.
The government has also announced allocation of a house and government job to one of the kin of Ashwini, who belonged to Jabalpur district.
Condemnation and homage is pouring in all across after the dastardly attack that left 42 CRPF jawans dead.
The family of MP martyr have called for revenge for the killings.
[February 15, 2019, NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: As many as 17 persons died in a massive fire that engulfed a hotel in Karolbagh in Delhi.
The mishap occurred at the four-floor Arpit Palace hotel at around 3.30 am. Most of the guests were asleep when the fire spread. All the bodies were yet to be identified.
The deaths were due to suffocation too. A child was among those killed. Others include a family from Kerala that had come to spend vacation and a Myanmar citizen.
Hotel's negligence would be probed. Police suspect short-circuit to be the reason behind the fire. PM Modi had expressed his grief at the incident.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to kin of each of those who died in this tragedy.
[February 12, 2019 NewsBits.in]

JAIPUR: A man has been awarded death sentence for raping a four-year-old girl in Rajasthan.
The accused--Karan, 28, had abducted and raped the child, two weeks ago in Sikar. In this case, the police completed probe and presented charge-sheet in record time.
The court held him guilty in less than a week of trial and sentenced him to death. The judgement was delivered in less than five days and court remained open till late 8 pm today.
[Ferbuary 11, 2019 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: A six-year-old boy who was abducted and a ransom was demanded for his release, has been safely recovered.
The incident had occurred in Indore. The boy, Akshat alias Duggu, was playing outside his house in Prime City Colony in Hira Nagar of Indore, when he was abducted.
The abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. However, police tracked down the abductors and recovered the child safely in Sagar town, hundreds of kilometers away, where he had been taken. Half-a-dozen persons who were part of the kidnapping, have been arrested.
[February 11, 2019 NewsBits.in]

KOLKATA: A Trinamool Congress legislator was shot dead in full public view when he was coming down the dais during a Sarawati Puja event.
The incident occurred in Nadia district in West Bengal. Satyajit Biswas was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne persons. He succumbed to the injuries.
Biswas, 37, represented Krishnaganj constituency in the state. He was recently married. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to the killing.
[February 9, 2019 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW/DEHRADUN: As many as 42 persons have died after consuming spurious liquor in several districts across UP and Uttarakhand.
Most of the deaths were reported from Haridwar in Uttarakhand apart from UP's Saharanpur and Kushingar districts. There were also deaths reported from Kushinagar and Roorkee.
While UP government has ordered a probe, it has also announced cash compensation to kin of the dead. Action has been taken against excise officers.
[February 8, 2019 NewsBits.in]

ALLAHABAD: Poet Anshu Malviya was detained and taken to an undisclosed location today.
The poet was allegedly picked up by policemen who came in a SUV. The plain-clothed personnel dragged him and took him away.
It is learnt that he was kept in Jhusi police station. It is not clear why he was arrested as officials kept mum. The poet who is known for raising the concerns of poor and disadvantaged, had spoken about condition of sanitation workers during the Kumbh, and had supported their ongoing agitation.
Activists, litterateurs, prominent citizens from different walks of life have condemned the arrest. They have demanded immediate release of Malviya.
UPDATE: Following protests, Malviya was released later. [February 7, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: The security personnel claim to have killed 10 Maoists in an exchange of fire in southern part of Chhattisgarh.
The incident occurred at Bhairamgarh in Bijapur district. A team of STF and DRG personnel chanced upon the Naxals near the forests of Maad.
Weapons have been seized from the spot. The officials said that the number of Maoists killed in the encounter could be more than ten. The exchange of fire was on till the filing of this report.
[February 7, 2019 NewsBits.in]

LONDON: UK clears fugitive business tycoon Vijay Mallya's extradition to India.
The British Home secretary has given assent to his extradition. However, Mallya, 63, has two weeks to appeal. The businessman defaulted on bank loans to the tune of over Rs 9,000 crores.
The loans were taken for running the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, which he had founded. Mallya, known for flaunting his wealth, was also a member of the Indian upper house in the past. [February 4, 2019 NewsBits.in]

KOLKATA: In a major development, five officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who had gone to question the police commissioner in the case of chit fund scam, were detained in Kolkata.
The police officials 'arrested' CBI men. This unprecedented development turned it into Kolkata Police Vs CBI--a rare standoff between two police agencies in the country.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later reached Kolkata police commissioner Rajiv Kumar's place and said that Modi government was targeting the state police. She lauded Kumar and said that he was a wonderful officer. Banerjee said that the situation in the country was worse than it was during Emergency.
UPDATE: The five CBI officials been detained by police in Kolkata, were released later in the night. [February 3 2019, NewsBits.in]

PATNA: As many as seven passengers were killed while 30 others were injured in a train mishap in Bihar.
The Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express got derailed near Hajipur. The incident occurred due to facture in the railway track, said railway officials.
In all, 11 coaches derailed in the accident. Railways have announced a probe apart from Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of each dead while Bihar govt has also announced Rs 4 lakh to each victim's family.
[February 3 2019, NewsBits.in]

A policewoman in Harda city of Madhya Pradesh has filed a complaint of rape and assault against a fellow ASI and his wife at the Harda City Kotwali police station.
Following initial probe, the Kotwali police have registered case of rape against ASI Umesh Raghuwanshi and that of assault against him and his wife, superintendent of police of Harda, Rajesh Singh said.
The accused cop and his wife are absconding and hunt is on for them, the SP said.
[January 31, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Senior Congress leader Govind Singh has said that BJP robbed the country like Ghaznavi.
Singh, a minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, said that BJP even outdid Ghaznavi. "The truth is that BJP is the grandfather of Ghaznavi", he added.
'Ghaznavi had left after looting Somnath temple but BJP didn't leave any sector and has been consistently robbing the country', he added.
[January 31, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BARWANI: BJP leader Manoj Thakre who was murdered in Barwani, was killed at the instance of a senior party leader who had personal enmity with him, according to police officials.
Senior BJP leader Tara Chand Rathor and his son Vijay were the mastermind, said the police. They had given a contract of Rs 5 lakh to 'eliminate' Thakre, who was killed when he went out for morning walk.
Rathor is a senior party leader in BJP. Five persons involved in the murder have also been arrested, said police. The police are interrogating the prime suspects including the contract-killers. [January 31, 2019 NewsBits.in]

AGAR-MALWA: As many as 18 cows have died because of cold in the famous cow sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
The deaths took place in one night. The officials said that a high-level probe team has been formed to conduct inquiry.
The sanctuary management has said that they have ample budget and all the arrangements. The post-mortem process would be videographed. This sanctuary is located in Agar-Malwa district in Western Madhya Pradesh.
[January 29, 2019 Zafar Multani for NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Veteran socialist leader George Fernandes who was bedridden for a long time, is no more.
Fernandes, 88, was Defence minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government and earlier held important portfolios including Railways.
Remembered for his role in the railway strike in the seventies, Fernandes' politics was centred on anti-Congress stand.
He was associated with Janata Dal and later founded Samata Party. He was born in Mangalore. Fernandes was elected to Parliament, nine times.
[January 29, 2019 NewsBits.in]

RATLAM: In a major twist in the case of 'murder of RSS' Himmat Patidar', it has turned out that it was not Patidar's body.
DNA report has confirmed that it was Madan Malviya's body (Patidar's clothes were on it). The face was burnt so that person couldn't be identified. Preliminary investigation reveal that Patidar is the prime suspect now in this case and he is absconding, says police.
Soon after the body was recovered, former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had stated that BJP-RSS men were being killed in MP. However, now the police said that Malviya was killed over 'insurance amount' and hunt is on for Patidar.
[January 28, 2019 NewsBits.in]

UJJAIN: As many as 13 cows died in a day in a cow shed in Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred at Kapila Gau Shala, which is located in Ujjain.
In nine days, 89 cows have died. The municipal corporation runs the 'gaushala'. There are much more cows in the 'gaushala' than the capacity.
Besides, lack of proper arrangements and medicaiton is causing the deaths. Right now, BJP runs the municipal corporation in Ujjain.
[January 26, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Congress has offered former chief minister Babulal Gaur to contest election from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency as party's candidate.
Digvijaya Singh visited Gaur's residence and gave him the officer. Gaur, a dissident, was upset after BJP had denied him ticket in the Assembly election.
However, his daughter-in-law was fielded from Govindpura, Gaur's traditional Assembly seat. Now, after Congress has come to power in state, it wants Gaur to join Congress and contest from Bhopal. A section of BJP leaders want action against Gaur, however, party leadership is still in 'wait and watch' mode.
[January 24, 2019 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: Gangster Sudhakar Rao Maratha who was lodged in a jail in Rajasthan has been brought to Indore for interrogation in the high-profile murder case.
Maratha, who allegedly runs a gang of contract-killers, has a role in the killing of builder-businessman Sandeep Agarwal alias Sandeep Tel in Indore, says police.
Maratha has reportedly accepted that he had sent two of his shooters to bump off Sandeep who was killed in Vijay Nagar in Indore on January 16. Maratha was known to have killed over half-a-dozen prominent persons including local politicians in Malwa region of MP.
[January 22, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator has warned that the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh may face a Karnataka like situation.
Rama Bai, who got elected from Patharia constituency, has said that the government has support of BSP MLAs and may not remain stable if BSP MLAs were not made ministers.
"We got elected and there are expectations. This government is no crutches and must not feel that independents will support it always. The promises made to us should be honoured", she added.
[January 22, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NAGPUR: Maoists kill three tribals in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra on Tuesday.
The victims had been abducted and shot dead on suspicion of sharing information about Maoist activities with police.
The armed Naxals had forcibly taken away six villagers but later released three, killing the remaining ones. A banner was put up near the bodies that this was revenge for the killing of 40 Maoists by security personnel last year.
[January 22,2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Major controversy has erupted after a social media chat clip, where purportedly Shahdol collector Anubha Shrivastava is asking deputy collector Pooja Tiwari to ensure BJP win in the district in recently concluded Assembly polls, went viral.
The deputy collector has now filed a police complaint in the matter, calling it a controversy to malign her image and the collector's image as well.
According to the viral screenshot of the chat, which NewsBits does not authenticate, the collector is offering the deputy of SDM post if she ensures a 'clean sweep'. The chief minister Kamal Nath has said that such chats does not reflect the working pattern of officials and in-depth inquiry would be conducted.
[January 18, 2019 NewsBits.in]

PANCHUKULA: In a major development, Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim has been awarded life sentence for the murder of journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati.
The special CBI court held the dera chief guilty. Apart from him, three other convicts Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal have also been given life term.
Chhatrapati used to publish his own newspaper & exposed the Dera and the activities. This led to the murder. He was shot dead from point blank range at Ram Rahim's instance.
[January 17, 2019 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The Apex court has relaxed the stringent Maharashtra law and has allowed functioning of dance bars in the State.
Upholding the state law, the SC cancelled some of its provisions. The bars will remain open between 6 pm and 11.30 pm. Also, there would be liquor and orchestra. The bargirls will get tips but currency notes can't be thrown.
Also, supreme court has said that though there should not be obscenity, there is no compulsion to have CCTV inside the bars. There won't be wall between people and dancers. [January 17, 2019 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Deciding to post a challenge to the non-majority Congress and in a deviance from the legislative tradition of Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has decided to contest the post Speaker in state Assembly. The party has fielded tribal leader and Harsud MLA Vijay Shah against NP Prajapati of Congress. The voting would be held on January 8. Congress, with 114 members in house of 230, is looking at support of SP, BSP and independents get through the test. [January 7, 2019, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: As expected, 1982-batch IAS officer S R Mohanty has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh. Official order in this regard was issued by the state government on December 31. The new assignment comes to Mohanty in the regime of Congress government that has assumed power in state after 15 years. Mohanty is known as a strict and efficient officer with strong grasp over administrative affairs. He replaces B P Singh, who retires on Dec 31, 2018 and goes on to become state election commissioner. [December 31, 2018 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: A policeman was killed in stone pelting in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
The policeman--Suresh Vats, 48, was injured in the attack and later succumbed to injuries. Rashtriya Nishad Party activists pelted stones when they were stopped from reaching the venue of PM's rally. He succumbed to the injuries.
This is the second such incident of a policeman in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, a right-wing mob had attacked policemen in Bulandshahr, resulting in death of police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh. [December 29, 2018 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed that it has busted a terror module that was planning to target politicians and attack crowded places.
The agency said that it conducted search at over a dozen places in Delhi and UP before it made the arrests from Amroha, Lucknow and Hapur, recovering the explosives.
Ten persons have been arrested in this regard so far. IG Alok Mittal told journalists that the module was apparently in touch with foreign handlers. [December 26, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Just two days after a farmer ended life, yet another farmer committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh.
According to police sources, Prem Narayan Raghuvanshi, 65, a resident of Kalapipal (Shajapur) had consumed poison a few days ago, as he was under depression because of calls to pay back the bank loan. For two consecutive years, the crop had failed and he was under a debt of nearly Rs 5 lakh.
Despite loan waiver, the bank officials reportedly told him that they hadn't got any government order. Hence, Raghuvanshi consumed poison. He was admitted to a hospital in Bhopal, where he died. [December 23, 2018 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: A farmer committed suicide in Khandwa on Saturday. According to police, Juwan Singh, 42, hanged himself by a tree in Astaria in Pandhana.
Though government has announced loan waiver, he ended life. It is learnt that he was worried because of around 5.5 lakh debt.
As the bore well had failed, he was unable to grow crop on the fields and the debt was going up. No suicide note was found. The police have begun investigation. [December 22, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: As many as 42 senior officers including 23 collectors were shifted in the first administrative reshuffle affected by the Kamal Nath government on Thursday night.
Senior IAS officer Manoj Srivastava, has been shunted to Animal Husbandry. Srivastava is seen as close to BJP and had got plum postings in BJP regime.
[December 21, 2018 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: A CBI court has acquitted 22 policemen including a farmhouse owner who were accused of killing Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi & Tulsiram Prajapati in an encounter.
Court said that there could not be conviction in the case as prosecution couldn't come with proofs and witnesses turned hostile. The extra-judicial killings took place in the year 2005.
Sohrabuddin and his wife were abducted from Hyderabad where they had gone to celebrate Eid, kept in a farmhouse near Ahmedabad, killed. Kausar Bi's body was burnt and disposed off. The CBI court has today acquitted all the accused. [December 21, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Chief minister Kamal Nath has ordered that the top officials must ensure that the police personnel get a weekly off.
The police personnel in field, don't get weekly off, generally. Nath gave these directions during a meeting at police headquarters on Wednesday. He said that there would zero tolerance towards criminals and stressed on need for sensitivity towards women.
Also, he stressed on the need to check traffic mishaps in the State. He said that policemen must remember that their efficiency and working style affects the image of the state. [December 19, 2018 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: It's final now. Bhupesh Bahgel is all set to be the chief minister of Chhattisgarh.
In the CLP meet, he is elected leader. Formal announcement shortly. Fifteen years after BJP rule, Baghel who led the Congress on streets, is forming Congress government.
Fireworks right now outside Congress office as thousands flock the Congress office. All roads towards the party headquarters are jam-packed with party workers.

MUMBAI: In a shocking incident that reveals the state of agrarian crisis in the country, a farmer in Maharashtra got just over Rs 1,000 for selling 750 kg onion.
The farmer--Sanjay Sathe, who hails from Nashik, was so upset that he decided to send the money to PM. Sathe sent the money order, mentioning that the amount be deposited in disaster relief fund.
Farmers have been agitating across India over the worsening crisis in the farm sector. They've also marched in Mumbai and Delhi, seeking govt attention. [December 2, 2018 Newsbits.in]

HARDA: Liquor was seized from the houses of BJP and Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, just ahead of Assembly polls.
Around 50 cartons of illegal liquor was seized from Domanmau, where it was allegedly kept at the residence of Congress leader Umashankar Vishnoi, for distribution, said police.
Similarly, 40 cartons of liquor was seized from the godown adjoining BJP leader NK Gaur's house in Balagaon. Acting on informers' tips, police took the action in Harda district. [Harda, MP November 25, 2018 NewsBits.in]

SHIVPURI: Former Union minister Uma Bharti has said that there is anti-incumbency against the opposition (Congress) in Madhya Pradesh.
Bharti, a former MP CM, was addressing a rally in Pichhor in Shivpuri. She said that Congress couldn't play the role of a constructive opposition, and hence there is no anti-incumbency against the ruling party (BJP).
Bharti said that pro-people schemes have benefited millions of ordinary people in Madhya Pradesh. She took a dig at Scindia family and said that the rulers of princely states never suffered, unlike us (BJP leaders) who faced lathis for the cause of people". [Ranjeet Gupta, Shivpuri November 22, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: In a tragic incident, eight persons including seven children died while over half-a-dozen others were injured when a speedily driven bus hit a school van on Thursday morning.
The mishap took place near Birsinghpur in Satna district in Eastern MP. The van was carrying 15 children to the private school, was hit by the bus. More details are awaited. [November 22 2018, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: An audio clip of purported conversation between a candidate and his party president has gone viral in Madhya Pradesh, ahead of Assembly polls.
The candidate allegedly says that the workers don't want to campaign without money, people no longer interested in listening to 'Modi', Rs 5 crore received but it's not enough as liquor has to be distributed in the end.
Interestingly, the conversation suggests that while limit of expense is being violated in a big way. The candidate is contesting from Vidisha in MP. Only once a complaint is made, the clip could be probed and conversation verified, say officials. [November 21, 2018 NewsBits.in]

SAGAR: In a major mishap, nine persons were killed when a SUV that was coming from UP, was hit by a truck in Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh.
The truck that was coming from the opposite direction at Bandri gate, hit the SUV on the National Highway (NH 26).
Such was the impact that most of the people died on the spot. Local residents rushed to the spot and took victims to the hospital. Hunt is on for the truck driver. [November 21 2018, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A BJP leader has been booked for allegedly raping and sexually abusing a minor girl in Vidisha.
The accused--Dr Piyush Saxena is an orthopaedic surgeon and was looking after party's media cell during elections. The girl told police that Dr Saxena was sexually abusing her for many years, starting when she was in school.
After she left the town, even then he tried to keep in touch and stalk her, threatening to make her photos, viral. Police have registered a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Party has suspended him.

Jammu & Kashmir government has announced that it will appoint officers in 10 cities across India to help J&K students who face difficulties including issues pertaining to their regional identity.
It was decided in the SAC meeting that was held today. Governor Satyapal Malik chaired the meet. The officers will be posted in New Delhi, Noida, Aligarh, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur and Chandigarh.
There will be an assistance centre at these places and a public relations officer will be posted. [November 15 2018, NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: Five persons were killed when Maoists bombed a bus in Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred in Bacheli in Dantewada.
The private bus carrying some Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel was blown up in IED blast. Apart from a jawan, four others including driver of the bus were killed and some others were injured.
The Naxal terror attack took place just days before PM Narendra Modi is about to arrive in the State. [November 9 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: In a big blow to BJP, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani quit the party and joined Congress.
Sanjay Singh, the brother of Chouhan's wife Sadhna Singh, said that for 13 years Shivraj Chouhan had been at the helm and it was enough, MP needed change.
Apparently, he wanted ticket from Balaghat but denied ticket, left the party. He said that BJP was promoting dynasty politics in MP. "I am not a family member, I am a relative", he said about a question regarding Chouhan. [November 3, 2018 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: The 16 policemen of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of the Uttar Pradesh police have been sentenced to life for Hashimpura massacre.
The policemen had picked up innocent men from a Muslim-dominated part of Meerut, took them away and shot them dead. The HC has overturned the trial court decision and has convicted the PAC personnel.
The massacre had taken place in 1987. Vir Bahadur Singh was chief minister in the Congress government. Since then, Congress could never win the state. [October 31 2018 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: 'Confused' Rahul Gandhi had taken Kartikey Singh Chouhan's name, linking him to Panama papers.
Gandhi has accepted that he got confused and took name of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's son instead of Chhattisgarh CM's son.
Earlier, Shivraj Chouhan and his son Kartikey had warned Rahul of defamation case over his comment, naming Kartikey in corruption case. [October 30, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's son Kartikey has said that he would take strong legal action against Rahul Gandhi for dragging his name and linking him to Panama papers.
Kartikey tweeted that Gandhi made wrong charges and that legal action would be taken if he didn't apologise in 48 hrs.
CM Shivraj Chouhan has also objected strongly and said that Rahul made malicious statement. Shivraj said that a case of defamation would be filed against Gandhi. [October 30, 2018 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: A petition has been filed in the High Court, against the Yogi Adityanath government's decision to change the name of Allahabad.
The petition has been filed on behalf of Heritage Society. It challenges the UP govt's decision to unilaterally change the name to the historic city to Prayagraj.
It is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday. The petitioners contend that names can't be changed without due process and oppose it on several grounds including historical facts. [October 29, 2018 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: Four CRPF personnel were killed in IED blast in Maoist-infested Bijapur in Southern Chhattisgarh.
The incident occurred in Basagunda on Saturday. Several CRPF personnel were injured in the explosion. The strike comes just a few weeks before Assembly elections in the state. More details are awaited about the IED blast. [October 27, 2018 NewsBits.in]

INDORE: A five-year-old was allegedly raped and later murdered. The body has been recovered from near a drain.
According to police sources, the body was kept under a stone near a bridge. Injury marks, especially, on the lower part of the body, were found.
Sources said that one, Honey Atwal is the prime suspect. He allegedly abducted the girl and later murdered her. The police are conducting investigation in the case. [October 27 2018 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Former NCP leader Tariq Anwar has finally joined Congress.
The senior leader who had quit the party along with Sharad Pawar and remained in NCP for long, decided to return to the Congress.
He met Rahul Gandhi at his residence in Delhi and announced his return. A former union minister and Lok Sabha member, Tariq Anwar's return can give party a boost in Bihar. [October 27 2018 NewsBits.in]

RAIPUR: The decision of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) and Mayawati-led BSP to include CPI in the alliance, can affect prospets of both BJP and Congress.
JCC-BSP have decided that CPI would be part of the coalition. Hence, the Communist party would field its candidates in Konta and Dantewada constituencies.
The CPI has a strong base in these constituencies. In a state where every seat matters as difference in BJP and Congress' vote share is too less, this further spells trouble for the major outfits. [October 15, NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule of Assembly elections. In Naxal-hit Chhattisgarh, voting will be held on November 12 and November 20, in two phases.
In Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram, polling would be on November 28. Two other important states, Rajasthan and Telangana will vote on December 7. The results will be announced on December 11. [October 6, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Former BJP state chief and member of parliament (MP) Nandkumar Singh Chauhan allegedly assaulted a toll plaza employee.
The incident occurred at Poorankhedi in Shivpuri district. On way to Guna, when his car was stopped. His pass was not found correct and when an employee asked him about which constituency he represents as MP, Chauhan lost cool and attacked him.
BJP leaders refused to comment over the incident. However, CCTV footage clearly shows Chauhan and his guard charging up at the employee and beating him up. [October 5, 2018 NewsBits.in]

SHIVPURI: Minister Yashodhara Raje felicitated sanitation workers at an event and also had food along with them.
The sports minister, who is a descendant of the former royal family of Gwalior state, sat on the floor while taking part in the community feast.
She also felicitated workers of the municipal council. With elections nearby, politicians are going extra mile to send a message to the electorate in the state. [Ranjeet Gupta, October 4 2018, NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Responding to BSP chief Mayawati's statement that she won't have any alliance with Congress and her holding Digvijaya Singh responsible for failure of talks, Kamal Nath said that BSP was demanding 50 seats.
'Strangely, they were asking for seats where had less vote share. And, many seats where BSP candidates had got 30,000-40,000 votes were not being demanded', said Nath.
"This would have helped BJP, as on such seats where BSP was weak, Congress stood more chances of winning but we won't have even contested", he said. [October 4, 2018 NewsBits.in]

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has said that Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is a 'BJP agent'.
She said it after announcing that her party was not going to have an alliance with Congress in Madhya Pradesh where Assembly elections are to be held in a few months.
Mayawati alleged that leaders like him don't want the alliance & he is giving statements that Mayawati is under pressure from Centre (ED, CBI). Reacting to this, Singh has said that he has been a bitter critic of BJP and its leaders. [October 4, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Niwari will become the 52nd district in Madhya Pradesh. The state cabinet has okayed the proposal.
It has been carved out of Tikamgarh. Three tehsils--Niwari, Prithvipur and Orchha will together form the district. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier made an announcement in this regard.
With elections round the corner, State government has given the nod. On October 1, it will officially be the 52nd district of MP. [September 30, 2018 NewsBits.in]

GWALIOR: Four members of a family including the parents and their two daughters were killed in a blast in Gwalior.
Initially, it was suspected that gas cylinder exploded but later reports said that commpressor of the fridge in the adjoining house exploded. Due to the blast, the entire house was shaken.
The roof of the nearby house came down and the family members were crushed to death. Anant Singh Parihar, 55, his wife Usha, 45, and two daughters Khushi and Kashish died. The son, Ram, got injured. [September 29, 2018 NewsBits.in]

PATNA: In a daredevil incident, former Mayor Samir Kumar and his driver were shot dead in their car in Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
Motorcycle-borne men overtook them and fired with AK 47 assault rifles. Nearly two dozen rounds were sprayed. Both died on the spot. The police are scanning CCTV footage to catch the killers. [September 23, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Under fire from Upper Caste groups, MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has now said that there will be no 'misuse' of the Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act in MP. Chouhan went on to say that there will be no arrest before investigation in the State. The statement has come in wake of protests by Savarna (Upper Caste) groups in different cities. With elections barely a couple of months from now, Shivraj has made the announcement, even though Centre has amended the Act after Supreme Court 'diluted' it. [September 21, 2018 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: The first woman IAS officer in India after independence, Anna Rajam Malhotra, passed away in Mumbai. She was 91.
Anna Rajam George who was born in Ernakulam (Kerala) in 1927 and had pursued higher studies in Chennnai, was an officer of the Madras cadre.
She had joined civil services in 1951. Anna Rajam had married former RBI Governor RN Malhotra. IPS Association has expressed grief at her demise and termed her as an icon. [September 19, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh's cutout was missing at the BHEL dussehra maidan ground where Rahul Gandhi addressed the rally in Bhopal.
There were huge cardboard cutouts of state leaders including Kamal Nath, Scindia, Suresh Pachouri, Kantilal Bhuria, Arun Yadav, Ajay Singh et al.
Singh, however, told journalists that he had himself asked that his cutout shouldn't be put up. Has he sensed that there is a public sentiment against him? [September 17, 2018 NewsBits.in]

HARDA: Children are often scolded at home and are casually warned that if they didn't obey the elders, police will come and take them away.
These words have an impact on kid's mind and create a negative image of the police. In order to change this perception, this police station in Madhya Pradesh has taken a step forward to make kids feel at home.
The children who come with their parents to lodge a complaint or school students who come for a visit, feel that it is a friendly place with colours, pictures of animals and birds, forest. Superintendent of Police (SP), Harda, Rajesh Singh says that this is to establish a connect with people. The message is that police if for citizen and kids' help, as a friend in need. It is part of the 'Bal-mitra' initiative.
It also urges the children to keep their environment clean. The Kotwali in-charge Dinesh Sharma says that visitor gets a positive feel due to these images. [September 15, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BHOPAL: A video that purportedly shows senior BJP leader Kamal Patel visiting the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) office, fuelled speculations in political circles in MP.
It was rumoured that Patel who is a contender for Assembly polls, may have been playing 'pressure politics'. A video of the visit was also shared.
Patel's kin said that he had gone to visit a minister's bungalow nearby and also met a Congress leader on way but didn't go to PCC. The leader later held a press conference and said that the rumours were totally unfounded and this was the handiwork of people with vested interests. [September 14, 2018 NewsBits.in]

MUMBAI: In one of the earliest cases of right-wing terror attacks--the blast at a mosque in Purna town in Parbhani district of Maharashtra, the court has acquitted the accused due to 'lack of sufficient evidence'.
The blast had occurred during Friday prayers in the mosque in the year 2004. Dozens were injured in the incident. ATS had arrested Rakesh Dhavade and two others, Sanjay Chaudhary and Gururaj Tuptewar.
Dhavade was discharged earlier by a court. Now the two others have been acquitted. The lawyer representing the accused said that the prosecution could not prove its case. An appeal may be filed against the verdict soon. [September 13, 2018 NewsBits.in]

HYDERABAD: In a shocking incident, 30 persons were feared dead when a bus skidded off a road in Jagtial district in Telangana.
The state road transport corporation's bus that was carrying over 55 passengers, was on way from Kondagattut to Jagtial, when the driver lost control at the ghat road.
The victims had gone to pay obeisance at the famous temple. At least six children died in the mishap. The injured have been rushed to the hospital. District officials are conducting relief and rescue operations. [September 11, 2018 NewsBits.in]

MORENA: In a brazen incident that shows total disregard of law by sand mafia, a deputy ranger of MP forest department was crushed by a tractor-trolley laden with illegally mined sand in Morena district. The incident occurred close to a forest check post near Deori village off national highway 3, late on Thursday night. The deputy ranger, Subedar Singh, 60 was trying to stop the tractor-trolleys laden with sand when one of them hit him deliberately, police said. He was later rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead. [September 7, 2018, Newsbits.in]

HARDA: Congress legislator and nearly 50 other party supporters were arrested for protest against chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Jan Ashirwad Yatra.
The Yatra was on way from Khirkia towards Harda when Dogne along with party workers came out to protest. They were carrying black flags and raised slognas. Dogne said that he had just returned from Bhopal and took part in the protest.
"We were carrying black flags when we were arrested by police and made to sit in police vans, and now brought to jail". CM's Jan Ashirwad Yatra was about to reach Harda town later in the night. [September 6, 2018 NewsBits.in]

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Assembly has been dissolved, paving the way for fresh elections in the State.
Chief Minister K Chanrashekar Rao's cabinet took the decision. Now, the Election Commission will have to take a decision on the poll dates.
Had the house not been dissolved, Telangana would have to go to polls during the Lok Sabha elections. But KCR hopes to benefit from early polls. [September 6, 2018 NewsBits.in]

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has decriminalized gay sex in India. Consensual homosexual relations will no longer be treated as offence.
A five-judge bench unanimously took the decision. SC termed the section as irrational, discriminatory and against the principles of equality.
Gay activists, LGBT groups have hailed the verdict. They have termed it historic and have begun celebrations across the country. [September 6, 2018 NewsBits.in]

A statewide alert has been sounded in Madhya Pradesh on the eve of the bandh call given by SAPAKS, which has been supported by groups including Karni Sena.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 have been enforced in several districts. SAPAKS has been agitating against reservation for SC/STs in promotion and is against the recent amendment in the Atrocities on SC/ST Act. [Bhopal September 5, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BJP MP Riti Pathak, who represents Sidhi constituency in Lok Sabha, gave a weird response to people who opposing amendment to Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act.
Stopping her car, they asked her why she didn't raise her voice in parliament. Upset, Pathak told them, 'You are Rajput, bring sword, cut my head'. The video of the conversation has gone viral in MP now. [Bhopal September 4, 2018 NewsBits.in]

BJP legislator Uma Khatik's son Princedeep Lalchand allegedly threatened to shoot Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Princedeep posted it on Facebook, warning that if Scindia set foot in the region, he would be killed. The Congress leader is visitng Hata (Damoh) on September 5.
Later, Uma Khatik expressed regret over her son's post. Princedeep too apologised and removed the post. Congress leaders have demanded FIR against him. [Gwalior September 3, 2018 NewsBits.in]

Stones were hurled at chief minister Shivraj Chouhan's 'rath' during the Jan Ashirwad Yatra.
This incident occurred in Sidhi district in Vindhay region in Eastern part of the State. BJP has alleged that the Congress was behind the attack.
There are also speculations that those part of ongoing anti-reservation stir could be behind the attack. Chouhan escaped unhurt. Police have begun investigations. [Bhopal September 2, 2018 NewsBits.in]

A man who had been working in Dubai and had recently came back home, was lynched in Uttar Pradesh.
The victim--Shahrukh Khan, 22, was attacked by villagers who suspected that he was a cattle thief and was trying to steal buffalo. Khan got multiple injuries and later succumbed.
Khan worked at an embroidery unit in Dubai. He had worked at several places in Gulf, and had returned to Bareilly recently. The police have registered a case of murder No one has been arrested as yet. [Lucknow August 30, 2018 NewsBits.in]

A far right-wing politician in Holland who had planned a controversial caricature contest, has decided to cancel the event.
After global backlash and sensing the anger in Islamic world, Geert Wilders took this decision. He said that he did not want others' security endangered.
Wilders had earlier announced a competition on caricatures on Prophet Muhammad. Muslims across the world condemned it and in Pakistan, there were huge rallies, forcing govt to cut diplomatic relations with Netherlands. [Delhi, August 31, 2018 NewsBits.in]

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) terming it the 'only NGO that can work in India.
The statement has come close on the heels of the arrest of left-wing activists. Gandhi tweeted, 'There is only place for one NGO in India and it's called the RSS. Shut down all other NGOs'.
Gandhi also mentioned, 'Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India'. [Delhi August 28, 2018 NewsBits.in]

The Maharashtra police conducted raids and arrested at least four prominent activists from different places in the country.
The arrests were made in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence that took place on December 31 last year. Those detained include Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonzalves, Arun Farreira, Sudha Bhardwaj and Gautam Navlakha.
Also, raids were conducted at several other places. Human rights organisations have reacted sharply to the arrests and the action under the draconian UAPA. [Mumbai August 28, 2018 NewsBits.in]

In a bizarre incident, a senior lawyer has alleged that he got a threatening phone call and the caller claimed to be a top police officer.
The complainant--Prakash Tak, a former chief of Bar association, told police that he got the call. "The person claimed to be SP and kept on threatening me".
On his complaint, the police have registered FIR and have initiated probe to find out the caller's identity. Harda SP, Rajesh Kumar Singh, has confirmed that case has been registered. [Harda August 24, 2018 NewsBits.in]

A Madhya Pradesh man had a lesson in piety for everyone on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.
Mohammad Salim Ghauri alias Babu Bhai, who had planned the festivities, decided to send the cash in the fund for relief to Kerala flood victims.
Ghauri was so moved by the plight of people in Kerala, that he took the decision and handed Rs 25,000 that was meant for Eid festivities, to district collector S Vishwanathan in Harda. The municipal corporation president Surendra Jain accompanied him. [BHOPAL August 21, 2018 NewsBits.in]

Bajrang Dal, a right-wing extremist group, has announced a bounty on former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu's head.
Its leader Sajay Jat has given an open threat and said that he would give Rs 5 lakh to anyone who beheads Siddhu. Jat who hails from Agra, made the announcement after Sidhu, a cabinet minister in Punjab, visited Pakistan to attend newly elected PM Imran Khan's swearing-in function. No case has been registered against Jat despite the announcement to give money for killing a person. [Lucknow, August 20, 2018 NewsBits.in]

IPS officer Mayank Jain terminated from service An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who was facing corruption charges has been given compulsory retirement.
Mayank Jain, an MP cadre police officer of 1995 batch, was earlier suspended after Lokayukta police raid at his premises. During the raid a few years ago, the sleuths had said that he had amassed property to the tune of around Rs 100 crore. In the past, he was posted in Ratlam when police were accused of large-scale excesses on women. Now, the Home ministry has given him premature retirement. [Bhopal, August 17 NewsBits.in]

As many as nine bodies have been recovered in Shivpuri district in MP, where surging water level had caused the tragedy.
Nearly 40 people were saved but over a dozen were feared to have been washed away. Shockingly, a video footage has emerged in which a policeman is seeing kicking a body off the stretcher. The top officials have been apprised about the incident, however, no action has been taken till now. [Ranjeet Gupta, Shivpuri August 18 NewsBits.in]

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 93, passed away after prolonged illness in Delhi. He was on life support system at the AIIMS.
Hailing from Gwalior, Vajpayee, had joined RSS as a youth and was associated with Jan Sangh from its early years. He was a founder member of BJP. He had three stints as PM--the first for 13 days, the second for 13 months and the last, a full term.
Under him, India conducted the second nuclear tests and in a bold initiative, he led the bus to Pakistan. Vajpayee had also reminded Modi about Raj Dharma in the wake of Gujarat riots. Tributes have poured from all over the world, after his demise. [New Delhi, August 16 NewsBits.in]

As many as 50 persons were trapped amid surging water level at the Sutangarh fall in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh.
Nearly 12 persons are feared dead. Abhishek and Lokendra are two youths who have been identified. Rescue team had rushed to the spot and helicopter was sent. However, several persons were yet to be rescued by late Thursday night. By early morning, around 35 persons were saved. [Gwalior, August 15 NewsBits.in]

Former JNU student Umar Khalid survived an attack on his life on Monday. Khalid was shot at just outside the high-security constitution club in New Delhi.
An unidentified man fired at him and managed to escape in the ensuing melee. The attacker is yet to be identified. The firearm was found on the spot. The Delhi police have begun a probe in this regard. [New Delhi, August 13, 2018 NewsBits.in]

The police have arrested a man who was wanted for allegedly burning copies of Indian constitution at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi recently. The organisations--Youth Equality Foundation (Azad Sena) and Aarakshan Virodhi Party had organised the protest.
After complaints were made to police, separate teams conducted raids. Deepak Gaur of Aarakshan Virodhi Party was arrested from Faridabad. Abhishek Shukla, the co-accused, is absconding along with others who were seen in video of the incident. The accused said that the aim was to protest the Centre's decision to restore the original provisions of the Atrocities on SC-ST Act. [New Delhi, August 12, 2018 NewsBits.in]

Two persons have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly issuing threat to kill the chief minister.
One of them, Jitendra Arjunwar, a resident of Seoni, had been lodged in Pakistan jail and had been released after human rights groups intervened. He issued the threat in series of tweets. His brother, Bharat Arjunwar, has also been arrested. Both the accused are unemployed. [Bhopal, August 10, 2018 NewsBits.in]

Under attack over rapes with minor girls in Muzaffarpur shelter home, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar finally broke his silence. He termed it shameful and promised stern action. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has already announced a mega protest in New Delhi (on Saturday) against JDU-BJP led govt over the rapes and torture in the shelter home. Tejashwi Yadav has said that it is a non-political protest as before being a social activist, he is a son, brother and uncle too and wonders how Nitish had been silent over the mass rapes and atrocities. [Patna, August 3, 2018 NewsBits.in]

A bill to restore the provision sof the original Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The step was taken after immense pressure by Dalit, Bahujan groups who have again given a call of nationwide protests on August 9. The restoration of provisions mean that there won't be anticipatory bail for a person accused in a case under the sections. [New Delhi, August 3 2018, NewsBits.in]

A police station in-charge was arrested for raping a minor girl. The official--Mahendra Mishra, who headed Mauganj police station in Rewa, had allegedly called the girl in a hotel where he raped her. After the plaint, top officials conducted probe. A case was registered in the same police station and he was arrested there. An ex-serviceman, he had joined police in 2014. [Bhopal, July 30 2018, NewsBits.in]

A girl was expelled from the school after she complained about dirty toilet. She had complained to a teacher who got upset that the student dared raised the issue with her and in turn informed the principal about her 'act of indiscipline'. The girl, Devika, was subsequently given Transfer Certificate (TC). This incident occurred in Ranjhi Karondi government school. The girl then walked barefoot for 10 km, reached the officials in Jabalpur. The district education officer has spoken to school principal and assured that she would not be expelled from the school. [Jabalpur, July 28 2018, NewsBits.in]

The golden spire on the dome of the famous Ram Janki temple in Shivpuri, has been stolen. The cost of the heavy gold spire (weighing nearly 50 kg) was well over 15 crores. In fact, estimates are even higher. It is a historic temple that was built by the rulers of the erstwhile princely state in the past. There were similar attempts earlier too but they couldn't succeed then. The police have formed teams to catch the thieves. [Shivpuri, July 26 Ranjeet Gupta for NewsBits.in]

Digvijaya Singh reached police station in Bhopal to court arrest on Thursday over chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's comment against him. But the police officials refused to arrest him, saying that they had no case against him. After Shivraj termed him 'anti-national', Diggy had said that if government had any such evidence, they should arrest him. He has now said that he would drag Shivraj Chouhan in the court. [Bhopal, July 26 2018, NewsBits.in]

A policeman who had gone to arrest a wanted criminal, was attacked and murdered in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Devchand Nagle had gone to arrest a man, Jauhar Thakur, when the latter and his supporters attacked him. Nagle was overpowered and attacked with an axe apart from lathis. He died on the spot. He was posted in Umreth police station. [Bhopal, July 25 2018, NewsBits.in]

In a tragic incident, six youths were killed when the car they were travelling in, met with a mishap near Bhopal. The youths--all friends had gone out to celebrate birthday of Akash Gupta, a resident of Anand Nagar. The car fell into the waste weir of Kolar dam from a height of 40 ft. It is suspected that water caused short-circuit and doors couldn't be opened from inside. The bodies were found next morning. Those who died include Akash Gupta, Rajnish Patel, Pankaj Sahu, Abhijit Rathor, Gaurav and Ranjit Sahu. [Bhopal, July 23 2018, NewsBits.in]

Upset over lack of civic amenities and failure of government to construct-repair roads, the residents in Bhopal have sent a strong message to the ruling party. In Indra Vihar and Panchavati Colonies in Bhopal, there is anger with legislator Rameshwar Sharma. This is the not the only place, such banners and messages have cropped in several other parts of state too. [Bhopal, July 22 2018, NewsBits.in]

In yet another incident of lynching, a man was allegedly killed by self-styled cow vigilantes. The victim--Mohammad Akbar, was killed in Alwar district in Rajasthan. The killers suspected that he was involved in smuggling cows though police said there is no evidence as yet. Earlier, an elderly man Pahlu Khan was killed in the same district. The terror of cow vigilantes has spread to several states and more than 50 people have been killed so far. (Jaipur, July 22 2018 NewsBits.in]

The no-confidence motion brought by the opposition was defeated in the Parliament today. NDA had 325 votes against opposition's 126. However, Congress president Rahul Gandhi raised the Rafael deal during his speech, making corruption charges against defence minister. He later hugged PM Narendra Modi, which seemed to quite a surprise for everyone including the PM. [New Delhi, July 21 2018, NewsBits.in]

Controversy erupted as Scindia was seen throwing coconut from his car, after he received it from workers. It fell on the feet of workers outside. BJP was quick to accuse him and allege that he had insulted Hindu traditions. This incident occurred on way to Panna in Madhya Pradesh. Congress leaders later said that this was part of 'tantra' practice as particular coconut had vermilion on it and after realising that it was 'totka' against the leader, the coconut was thrown out. [Bhopal, July 14 2018 NewsBits.in]

High-drama was witnessed for the whole day in Bhopal as a youth allegedly held a girl hostage in her flat. The accused--Rohit Singh, carrying firearm, spoke to media over phone. Video call showed the girl lying on floor and blood around. The youth has said that he wanted to marry the girl, who is a model, and held police responsible for the situation. Meanwhile, strong police force was deployed & SDRF rushed to the spot. The officials kept on negotiating. Later in the evening, girl was brought out safe and rushed to hospital. [Bhopal, July 13 NewsBits.in]

In a daredevil attack, gangster Prem Prakash Singh alias Munna Bajrangi was shot dead inside a jail in Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred in Baghpat jail. Bajrangi's wife had earlier expressed fears that her husband could be killed. 51-year-old Munna Bajrangi was a contract killer who had been involved in crimes since 1984. Four jail officials have been suspended after the murder. [Lucknow, July 9 2018 NewsBits.in]

The Janata Dal (U) has made it clear that its alliance with the BJP in Bihar remains intact. At the party's national executive, it was declared that the JD(U) will contest the upcoming 2019 election, along with the BJP. Party supremo Nitish Kumar has thus put at rest the speculations about the rift in the alliance. [Patna, July 8 2018 NewsBits.in]

The Supreme Court has said that Lieutenant Governor can't act independently and has to act in accordance with the council of ministers' aid and advice. The Apex Court clarified that LG's assent is not needed for each govt decision. It said that attempt should be made to resolve issues and in case of dispute, matter can be forwarded to President. This is a relief to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its chief Arvind Kejriwal, who was having a major power tussle with Lt Governor in Delhi. [New Delhi, July 4 2018 NewsBits.in]

Five persons were lynched when a mob attacked and killed them in Dhule district in Maharashtra on Sunday. The victims had arrived in Sakri by a bus and were seen talking to a girl, when the locals pounced upon them. Apparently, hysteria over suspicion of child kidnappers--fuelled by whatsapp rumours, led to the lynching. [Mumbai, July 1 2018 NewsBits.in] [Representative photo]

In a tragic mishap, 48 persons were killed when a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand on Sunday. This incident occurred in Pauri Garhwal district. The bus fell into a deep 200-metre gorge in Dhumakot. Those who died include 22 males, 16 females and 10 children. The accident took place when the private bus was on way to Ramnagar from Bhoan. CM has announced Rs 2 lakh to next of kin of each person killed in mishap. (Dehradun, July 1 2018 NewsBits.in)

Thousands of people took to streets in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, demanding justice for minor rape victim. The eight-year-old girl suffered critical injuries in the rape. People have demanded swift punishment and hanging for the accused, Irfan, who has been arrested. (Indore, June 29 2018 NewsBits.in)

A middle-aged man was allegedly humiliated and forced to lick his own spit by the panchayat. The complainant--Shri Krishna, a resident of Sonda Habibpur in Bulandshahar, has filed a plaint with the police. He said that after his son married a girl belonging to another caste, he was called to panchayat, threatened that women of his family would be raped and was made to lick his own spit. The police have registered FIR. (Lucknow, June 28 2018 NewsBits.in)

As many as five persons were killed when a plane crashed in a residential area in Mumbai. The plane crashed near an under-construction site in Ghatkobar. Four persons onboard including the pilots and engineers, died. Also, a pedestrian was killed. The plane was earlier owned by UP govt but was later sold. Rescue operations have begun and probe has been initiated to find out reasons behind the crash. (Mumbai, June 28 2018--NewsBits.in)

Akhil Bharatiya Viddyarthi Parishad (ABVP) cadre attacked a professor and blackened his face in Gujarat. Professor Girin Baxi was publicly humiliated. The incident occurred on the premises of Shyamji Krishna Verma University in Bhuj district. The attack was linked to the elections in the college. which are scheduled to be held next month. Prof Baxi is a coordinator for the polls. He was later administered medication. The police have booked over a dozen students linked to ABVP. (Ahmedabad, June 27 2018--NewsBits.in)

A BJP legislator in MP has attacked senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, questioned hiss faith and mocked him as 'Lahore Ka Maulvi'. 'Digvijaya doesn't appear to be a Hindu, he himself talks about his DNA test and says that he is not a Hindu. It appears a cleric from Lahore is speaking in MP", said Rameshwar Sharma, who represents Huzur constituency in Bhopal. (Bhopal, June 27 2018--NewsBits.in)

Sevensecurity personnel killed in Maoist strike in Jharkhand. At least, five other policemen injured in the incident. This incident has occurred in Latehar district. Police parties have been rushed to the spot and injured security personnel have been rushed to hospital. More details are awaited. (Ranchi, June 23 2018--NewsBits.in)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a scathing attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family. Launching an irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said that many heroes of the nation were ignored as just one family was glorified. He said that during Congress rule, there was negativity and MP was termed a BIMARU state but after BJP came to power, things have changed. Modi, who was on a visit to Rajgarh district, also recalled contribution of Syama Prasad Mookerji. (Bhopal, June 23 2018--NewsBits.in)

An elderly Dalit farmer, Kishori Lal Jatav, was set afire in Berasia in Bhopal district. He later succumbed to burns. The assailants were tilling Jatav's land and when he protested, they doused him with kerosene and set him afire. The main accused, Tiran Singh Yadav and three others including his son and two nephews have been arrested. SIT has been formed to conduct probe. (Bhopal, June 22 2018--NewsBits.in)

As many as 15 persons were killed in a mishap in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. The incident occurred when a jeep carrying members of a family from Gwalior, was on way towards Morena. A speedily driven tractor-trolley hit the jeep, resulting in the death of 15 persons. The dead include 8 women. They were going to attend last rites of a relative. (Gwalior, June 21 2018--NewsBits.in)

The BJP has pulled out of its alliance with the PDP, causing the government to fall in Jammu & Kashmir. The party decided to withdraw support to the Mehbooba Mufti government after three years, citing failure to control terrorism and worsening of the law-and-order situation in J&K. The stage is now set for Governor's rule. (Srinagar, June 19, NewsBits.in)

In yet another incident, cow vigilantes allegedly lynched a man in Hapur in Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, Qasim, 45, and his companion were attacked in Bajhaida Khurd in Pilukhuwa police station of Hapur district. Qasim was brutally beaten and he succumbed to the injuries. Tension prevailed in the area and police force has been deployed. The local police officials have registered a case and have assured that the culprits would be nabbed. (Lucknow, June 18, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Spiritual preacher Bhayyu Ji Maharaj committed suicide at his home in Indore on Tuesday. The 50-year-old saint had married a few years ago. It is suspected that domestic dispute prompted him to end his life. Police said that he used his revolver to kill himself. The suicide note mentioned that he was living under stress. The police are conducting a probe in this regard. (Indore, June 13, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Six persons including three policemen were arrested in connection with the murder of elderly Husain Abba, a cattle trader in Udupi in Karnataka. The deceased's associates had said that Bajrang Dal cadre was involved in the attack and the policemen were present when the elderly man was attacked. After probe, senior officials arrested. Hiriyadka DN Kumar, head constable Mohan Kothwal and Gopal apart from three others--Umesh Shetty, Ratan and Suresh Mendon, linked to Bajrang Dal and VHP. [Representative photo] (Bengaluru, June 4, 2018--NewsBits.in)

A unique initiative--'Iftaar for All' that is being held in Bhopal is getting wide attention.
The 'roza iftaar' is held at the historic Iqbal Maidan in the State capital. It's open to all. A team of young volunteers has been behind the arrangements.
Apart from the fact that large number of people break fast at the venue, people belonging to different religions are also invited and they attend the 'roza iftar'. [Bhopal, June 3 2018--NewsBits.in]

Tension continues in Shillong after the attack on local Sikh community by members of Khasi tribe. Though violence was controlled after Army arrived and conducted a flag-march, Sikh families are still living in fear. CM Conrad Sangma has assured Punjab CM Captain Amrinder Singh about security of Sikhs. Night curfew continues in parts of Shillong. (Kolkata, June 3, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Bollywood actor Arbaaz Khan has been questioned for his involvement in betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arbaaz, the brother of Salman Khan, has reportedly accepted that he had placed bets over the cricket matches in IPL and had lost over Rs 2.5 crore, say sources. He was questioned in presence of a bookie. The Thane police officials are conducting probe in this regard. (Mumbai, June 2, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Five persons who were convicted in connection with the Bodh Gaya and Patna blasts, have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Today, the special court awarded life term to Umar Siddiqui, Azharuddin, Imtiaz alias Aham, Haidar and Mujibullah. The blasts had taken place on October 27, 2013. Seven persons were injured in the incident. The court had earlier convicted them. Today, the special court gave life term to Umar Siddiqui, Azharuddin, Imtiaz alias Aham, Haidar and Mujibullah. (Patna, June 1, 2018--NewsBits.in)

An elderly Muslim cattle trader was alleged murdered in Udupi in Karnataka on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Hussain Abba, 60. His kin suspect the role of Bajrang Dal, as they claim he was earlier targeted, tortured and forced to drink urine by them. He was a cattle trader and kin say that he had a licence for it. After the incident, the police have registered a case of illegal cattle transportation. However, a case of murder has been registered also. (Bengaluru, May 31, 2018--NewsBits.in)

*BJP leading on Palghar LS seat *RLD leads in Kairana, UP *Congress leading in RR Nagar *Congress leads in Shahkot *Congress wins Palus-Kadegaon *JDU is leading in Jokihat (Bihar) *SP is leading in Noorpur (UP) *TMC leads in Maheshtala (WB)

A middle-aged farmer has committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Dilip Singh Dhakad, 45, consumed insecticide at his house in Raisen. He was under debt and depressed as he was unable to pay back the loan. Apart from money-lenders, a finance company was also putting up pressure on him. (Bhopal, May 31, 2018, NewsBits.in) #SuicidesByFarmersInMP

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared Class X board examination results. Four students share the top spot with 499 marks out of 500. They are Prakhar Mittal, Rimzhim Agarwal, Nandini Garg and Srilaxmi G. The results are available at the website www.cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in. (New Delhi, May 29, 2018--NewsBits.in)

The Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin that was the target of local residents' ire because of large-scale pollution, would be permanently shut. The Tamil Nadu government on Monday issued order for permanent closure of the plant. As many as 13 persons were killed in police firing on protesters at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. However, Vedanta has termed the decision as unfortunate. (May 28, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Former president Pranab Mukherjee is likely to attend a function at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur. He would address Sangh cadre at this annual event, which will be held on June 7. Earlier, when he was president, Mukherjee had met Mohan Bhagwat at President's House, in the past. (May 28, 2018--NewsBits.in)

HD Kumaraswamy's JD (S)-Congress coalition has won the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly. BJP members staged a walkout. After the floor test was won, Kumaraswamy termed BJP's walkout as 'escapism'. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party but failed to prove its majority and Yeddyurappa had to resign. (May 25, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has dared PM Narendra Modi to bring down petrol and diesel prices. "Reduce Fuel prices or the Congress will do a nationwide agitation and force you to do so. I look forward to your response", he said. Rahul threw the challenge after Modi accepted cricketer Virat Kohli's 'fitness challenge'. (May 24, 2018--NewsBits.in)

The Uttarakhand police have arrested a man for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistan's ISI. The suspect, Ramesh Kanyal, was arrested from Pithoragarh. After getting information about his activities, ATS had formed a team that nabbed Singh. He is under interrogation. (May 23, 2018--NewsBits.in)

As many as 12 persons were killed when police opened fire at protesters in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. The locals have been demanding closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite unit over pollution concerns. On Tuesday, police fired at the protesters, killing at least nine. One of the victims is a teenaged girl. (May 22, 2018--NewsBits.in)

A middle-aged man was beaten to death in Satna in Madhya Pradesh. The victim, Siraj, 45, and his companion, Shakil, 35, were brutally beaten by cow vigilantes on suspicion that they were carrying beef. Siraj succumbed to injuries while Shakil is battling for life in a hospital. Four persons, Pawan, Vijay, Phool Singh an Narayan, have been arrested. (May 21, 2018--NewsBits.in)

Madhuri Gupta, a former diplomat, has been sentenced to three years in jail for passing secret information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gupta, 61, was held guilty by a Delhi court, which said that her actions caused severe security threat. She was held guilty under the official secrets act. (May 20, 2018--NewsBits.in)

The Supreme Court decided to hear the petition against Governor inviting Yeddyurappa to form government in Karnataka. The Congress' petition would be heard in court number 2 in the Apex Court later in the night--at around 1.45 am. While BJP fell short of majority, Congress offered support to JDS but Governor called Yeddy who heads BJP, the single largest party, to form government. (May 16/17, 2018--NewsBits.in)

A boat carrying 40 persons capsized in Godavari river in Andhra. Nearly 20 persons were feared drowned while the remaining were rescued. The incident had occurred on Tuesday evening when boat was on way from Devipatnam to Vadapalli in East Godavari district. (May 16, 2018--NewsBits.in)

The alleged mastermind behind the communal riot in Aurangabad has been arrested. A special police team nabbed LN Bakhadia alias Lachchu Pahalwan. He allegedly took money to orchestrate the riot. The clashes occurred on May 16. The police had resorted to firing. Two persons had succumbed to injuries. (May 16, 2018 NewsBits.in)

As many as 18 persons died when an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi on Tuesday. Dozens were trapped under the debris. It is feared that the figure of dead could go up. (May 15, 2018--NewsBits.in)

BJP emerged as the largest party but fell short of majority. The party got 103 MLAs in the house of 222. Congress was a distant second with 78 legislators but JD(S) that has 38 MLAs is likely to play the role of a kingmaker. The ball is in the Governor's court now.

Former Member of Parliament (MP) and ex-Union minister, Aslam Sher Khan, has said that he wants to return to Congress. Khan has said that former MPCC chief Arun Yadav was not fit to run the party unit and now with Kamal Nath getting the charge, he is ready for return.

In a new twist to the case involving Congress MLA Hemant Katare, the girl who had accused him of sexual exploitation, has now backtracked. She said that she was forced to accuse Katare. She even said that she misled SIT, and claimed that she was under pressure of Arvind Bhadoria, a BJP leader in Gwalior-Chambal region. Police officials say her statement would now be recorded afresh.

In a ghastly accident, nine persons were killed and over 24 injured as a passenger bus overturned in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning. The incident occured at Dhamania Diwan of Shamgarh. The bus going from Mandsaur to Bhanpura was reportedly carrying over 60 passengers, some of them sitting on roof of the bus. Some critically injured were referred to Bhopal.

Syed Akhtar Husain, who had authored the 'Royal Journey of Bhopal', passed away on Wednesday. Husain, 85, had taken photographs of Bhopal for over 65 years and had a huge collection, which he used in the book. He was 85.

Controversial preacher Asaram has convicted of rape with a minor girl. A court in Jodhpur, pronounced the judgment. In the verdict, the judge held him guilty of rape with the victim. The quantum of sentence would be delivered later.

Ahead of assembly polls scheduled for 2018 end, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has made Rakesh Singh, member of parliament from Jabalpur, as the new president of its Madhya Pradesh unit. Rakesh Singh replaces Thakur leader Nandkumar Singh Chauhan who had been facing opposition from sections of party cadre. Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar has been made the convener of the election campaign committee.

As many as 25 persons were feared dead when a bus fell off a bridge in Sidhi district in Eastern Madhya Pradesh. The bus was carrying a 'baraat' from Chitrangi, when the driver lost control, and it fell from the bridge on Sone river in Vindhya region. Rescue teams and officials have rushed to the spot. More details are awaited.

Tremors were felt in Singrauli town in Eastern Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday evening. The earthquake struck the region at around 7.42 pm. The tremors were again felt two minutes later. Panic-struck people who came out of their homes as the tremors were felt for almost 15 seconds. At 7.44 pm too, there were similar tremors. The magnitude of the earthquake was 4.6 on the Richter scale. Two NTPC units were affected and it took nearly three hours before they could restart. No loss of life or property was reported till the filing of this report.

Curfew would be imposed in Bhind while prohibitory orders will be in effect in parts of Gwalior-Chambal region of MP from Monday. Internet services will be shut too. This is in view of possibility of bandh against caste-based reservations in this part of state. Though groups are not vocal about the call, administration is alert after the violence that led to eight deaths during bandh on April 2.

IAS officer BL Agarwal who was dismissed from service gets relief from Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The dismissal order has been cancelled and would be reinstated with full seniority. An officer of 1988 batch, he was posted in Chhattisgarh. CBI had booked him for allegedly paying bribe to 'settle' case of disproportionate assets against him. Subsequently, he was dismissed.

Seven persons were reportedly killed in violence during Bharat Bandh in Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh. The deaths took place in Bhind, Morena and Gwalior during the Bharat Bandh against alleged dilution of SC/ST (Atrocities) Act on Monday. Betu Pathak in Morena died when fires were allegedly shot by protesters. Violent protests led to curfew in Gwalior and Bhind. Sagar, Alirajpur also reported strong protests.

A two-year-old tiger cub was found dead at the Bandhavgarh National Park on Saturday, ninth big cat to perish in 2018 in Madhya Pradesh. In all, 42 tigers have died in various national parks and reserves of MP since January 2017. The carcass of the cub was found close to the farm house of former BJP MLA Nagendra Singh.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gives nod for CBI probe into the death of journalist Sandeep Sharma who was crushed by a truck in Bhind. Sharma had exposed sand mafia's links with local police. He had also told officials about threat to his life.

A girl was allegedly gang-raped by her 'boyfriend' and the latter's accomplice in Bhopal. The victim who is preparing for bank exam was deceived and taken by the 'boyfriend' to a flat where she was raped. Apart from Shailendra, Sonu, Dhiraj and Chiman have been arrested.

The daughter-in-law of Madhya Pradesh minister, Rampal Singh, committed suicide in Udaipura in Raisen. Preeti Raghuvanshi ended her life after she came to know that the minister was planning to get her husband marry again. Heartbroken that her father-in-law was all set to go in for engagement ceremony of his son, she consumed poison.

Eight security personnel have been feared killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The anti-landmine vehicle was carrying the personnel of 212 battalion of CRPF, was blown up in IED blast. The incident occurred near Palodi in Sukma district. One Maoist also succumbed to injuries in the cross-fire, say sources. The incident has occurred barely ten days after 10 Naxalites were gunned down in an encounter in Bijapur.

A former domestic help, who owed about Rs 2 lakh to the victims, has been held for murder of an elderly couple in Awadhpuri locality of city. The accused Raju, who is husband of another ex-domestic help whom the victims raised from childhood, also stole gold bangles and chain after the dastardly murders. Bodies of GK Nair who retired from Air Force and his government nurse wife were found with throats slit on Friday.

Paras Saklecha, a former independent legislator who was the first person to have raised the issue of Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, has joined Congress. Saklecha was also Mayor of Ratlam in the past. Apart from activists, Saklecha has been a prominent personality who has constitently taken on the Shivraj govt over Vyapam scam.

Congress has won the Mungaoli and Kolaras Assembly seats where by-election was held. Its candidate Brijendra Singh Yadav won by 2,100 votes. In Kolaras, Congress won by a margin of over 8,000 votes. The victory has come as a big boost to Congress, especially, Jyotiraditya Scindia. Of course, this is a setback to Shivraj Chouhan.

A giant radio was installed in Bhopal on Thursday. The radio plays music (FM). For citizens, passersby it was a unique sight--the big radio that has been kept on cement platform, especially, built for the purpose. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) had earlier announced that the radio would be put up at Roshanpura intersection.

At least ten persons including school children were dead when a 12-wheel truck rammed into a tea kiosk and then adjacent homes in Barela of Jabalpur on Wednesday morning. The administration has however confirmed only six deaths, but said the toll might rise. Local residents erupted in anger and set fire to the truck. They also broke media cameras and engaged in arson.

A personnel posted with Border Security Force (BSF) Academy in Tekanpur (Gwalior) of Madhya Pradesh committed suicide on Monday by shooting self with service rifle. The jawan has been identified as Sumit Shukla of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. Further investigations are in progress.

Two security personnel killed, six injured in encounter with Naxals in Sukma in Chhattisgarh. The jawans who were killed include Markam Nanda and Mukesh Karti. The condition of three injured personnel is critical. Police officials claim some Maoists had died in the encounter but there was no specific figure.

The links of the massive PNB Scam reached Bhopal on Saturday with a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting a raid of Nakshatra Jewellery showroom of Gitanjali Groups belonging to Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. The team also raided Gitanjali Gems Limited in Jaipur. The teams confiscated stack of documents, computer hard disc and jewellery, sources said.

A 50-year-old farmer committed suicide in Singpur village in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. The farmer Gulab Patel was reportedly under a debt of Rs 3 lakh and the moneylenders were harassing him for payment. Also his crop of gram was damaged during recent hailstorm. Police however said that the farmer was afflicted with a disease that drove him to extreme step.

Crops were extensively damaged in 984 villages of Madhya Pradesh by recent hailstorms, official estimates have shown. Villages in Sehore, Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Raisen and other districts were affected. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured compensation to all affected. Chief Minister said that Rs 30,000 per hectare relief amount along with the crop insurance amount will be given.

Guest teachers' association has taken a vow to defeat Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the upcoming Assembly polls. They took oath that they will not vote for BJP and will ensure that their family, relatives would also vote against the party, till the demands are met with, said Shivam Mishra of the Atithi Adhyapak Sangh in Harda.

Former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has said that he will fight against Raman Singh in the latter's constituency during the upcoming Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh. Jogi Congress has announced that in case Singh shifts constituency, Jogi would also fight from that seat.

Three new ministers have been inducted in the latest round of cabinet expansion in Madhya Pradesh. Those who took oath include Narayan Singh Kushwala, Balkrishna Patidar and Jalam Singh Patel. They took oath at the ceremony in Governor's House.

A child died after he was attacked by stray dogs in Bhopal. The incident occurred in Gautam Nagar. The 1-1/2-year-old kid was playing outside his house when dogs attacked him. The child, Raza, was mauled to death. The kin rushed him to hospital but he couldn't be saved.

In another shocking incident, a seven-year-old girl was raped and also threatened with life if she revealed the incident to anyone. The incident occurred in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. According to sources, the heinous crime was perpetrated by a neighbour of the girl. Police has apprehended the accused named Vikas and further investigations are on.

A murder accused lodged in the Picchore sub-jail in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh committed suicide on Monday in the wee hours. The accused Raju Sahu reportedly used the draw string of his undergarment to hang himself in the jail. Sahu had been arrested on January 20 on charges of killing his friend in a case of alleged illicit relations.

Incidents of unnatural tiger deaths continue in Madhya Pradesh with a carcass of a tiger found in Devraha village of Jaisinghnagar of Shahdol district. The condition of the tiger's carcass leaves suspicion of poaching. MP topped tiger deaths in 2017 at 28. In January 2018, this is the sixth tiger death. (Pix representational)

Curfew was imposed in Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh after a clash on Friday. One person died in firing while several others were injured. This incident occurred during ABVP's Tiranga Yatra. 10 persons have been rounded up so far. Strong police force has been deployed in the town in wake of the incident. Top officials have rushed to Kasganj. More details are awaited.

A schoolboy was abducted in Delhi on Thursday morning. Motorcycle-borne men shot a driver and forcibly took away the child who was on way to school. The five-year-old boy studies in a school in Anand Vihar. The incident occurred near Shahdara. More details are awaited.

Padmaavat is not likely to be released in theatres in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Bhopal Cine Association says that even distributor hasn't come forward and prints are yet to reach them. Also, after arson near a talkies in Bhopal today and other protests, theatre owners are worried. It may be screened a week later, they hope.

A minor girl was allegedly drugged and later gang-raped in Madhya Pradesh. The incident had occurred in Betul. The victim's family was under pressure not report. Worse, the local panchayat had asked her family to take Rs 10,000 and 'settle' it. The girl went to Harda, where they lodged FIR. After medical examination, case has been registered and would be transferred to Betul for further investigation.

Padmaavat would be released all over the country including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Supreme Court has rejected the plea of the two state governments. Apex court held that it was responsibility of state govts to maintain law-and-order.

Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Om Prakash Rawat has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the law ministry announced on Sunday. He would succeed incumbent Achal Kumar Jyoti. Rawat, who is currently Election Commissioner is expected to take over as the CEC on January 23. Also, finance secretary Ashok Lawasa has been appointed as a new election commissioner.

As many as 17 persons were killed in a fire in Bawana in Delhi. The fire started in a factory. Fire tenders were rushed to the sector 5 in Bawana where this crackers factory is located. However, the fire wasn't controlled till the filing of the report. Officials said that it was too early to tell the cause of fire.

Anandiben Patel has been appointed as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. She was earlier the chief minister of Gujarat. Patel will take charge from OP Kohli, who was having additional charge.

Karni Sena has said that there will be 'Janata curfew in the country on the day of Padmaavat's release. He didn't specify much but said that discussions are on and a big announcement should be expected soon. Talking to media in Ujjain, he said, "Will trust a dog but not Sanjay Leela Bhansali", adding that, "a big announcement will be made shortly".

While administration is yet to come up with relief amount, the Congress leaders have visited the families and handed over the money in Harda. District chief of farmers' unit of Congress, Ravi Shankar Sharma, has said that the team of party office-bearers visited Khodiyakhedi and handed over 25,000 to kin.

Former minister Kamal Patel's son Sudeep Patel has got a relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Patel had been externed from the district and was barred from entering Harda. However, the court has cancelled this order. Now Patel can come back to the hometown.

Father of Namrata Damor, whose death was linked to Vyapam scam, has questioned the closure report filed by CBI in the case. CBI court has now summoned Namrata's father Mehtab Singh to record his statement on January 18. The CBI said in its closure report that the death was accidental, while the initial postmortem report had suggested homicide.

A teenage couple jumped before a train in Jabalpur to end their lives. Family of the girl, Anamika (17) was opposed to the relationship. She was in love with Suraj (18), an ITI student. Her father had scolded her & broken her cell phone when he came to know about the affair two days ago.

As many as 14 persons have been booked in connection with the violence in Sehore. The trouble had begun during a religious procession. Over half-a-dozen persons were injured. There was arson--vehicles were set afire. However, strong police posse was sent, mobile services stropped and the situation has been brought under control.

The statue of former Union minister late Arjun Singh, who was also CM of Madhya Pradesh in the past, would be installed in Bhopal. The clay model is ready and once the nine-feet bronze statue is completed, it would later be brought to Bhopal in a month.

The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) has declared results of the examination conducted in 2017. Sampada Saraf is the overall topper. There are four girls in the top five, which include Sampada Saraf, Shivangi Agrawal, Juhi Gupta and Priya Verma.

Body of a gang rape victim was found hanging by tree in a village in Morena district on Monday. Though a note in Hindi 'I have committed suicide' was scribbled on woman's hand. Her husband has cried foul and alleged that she might have been killed by the rapists.

The Kotwali police in Harda District have booked a well known karate coach and referee Neelesh Sen in two different cases of rape and sexual harassment and atrocities against SC/ST persons. In the case of rape, another accused Yusuf Mansoori has been booked too.

A woman was allegedly raped in a running train. The accused--Jitu Malviya, a Bhopal resident, threatened girl with sharp-edged weapon, raped her in train toilet. Case registered, transferred to GRP Bhopal.

BREAKING: Nathuram Godse's idol has been removed from the 'Godse temple' in Gwalior. The police team reached the place, seized the idol and took it away. The administration had issued notice to Hindu Mahasabha earlier, and now action has been taken.

Congress leader KK Mishra has been convicted by a Bhopal court in the case of defamation that was filed by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He was given two year jail term and got bail.

A student was killed late on Saturday night owing to a gunshot in Jawad of Neemuch. The ongoing process of students' council polls is said to be reason behind the death. The youth Rahul Banjara was hit by a bullet that got fired from gun of Hindu Sena activist Naveen Tiwari, sources said. Earlier Naveen had resorted to firing in air to threaten opposing group in campus polls. His gun got jammed and suddenly fired later hitting Rahul who was standing nearby.

A police officer linked to Vyapam scam, has died. Ajay Singh Pawar, a DSP, who was an accused in the scam, has died. He was admitted to a hospital in Indore, where he passed away. Pawar had got several persons crack recruitment exam with the help of the racket. The figure of deaths goes to 55.

In a major decision, the MP High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to hold students' council elections in private colleges of state too. The direction came while hearing a petition of state unit of the National Students Union of India. The court has directed that the process should be completed within ten days after October 31, when elections are scheduled in government colleges and universities.

A man was allegedly burnt alive for opposing sexual harassment of his minor daughter in Hata of Damoh district. The main accused is also a minor and a neighbour of the 45-year-old victim Narmada Sahu. Police have arrested the accused Sachin and two of his associates Rajkumar and Ramkumar, but denied the angle of sexual harassment. According to sources Sachin would trouble Narmada's 15-year-old daughter repeatedly. Sahu then filed a police complaint in the matter. Following this the accused started threatening the family. Superintendent of police Vivek Agrawal however said that the daughter of the victim did not mention anything about sexual harassment in her statement.

Both Congress and BJP have announced the name of its candidates for the upcoming Chitrakoot Assembly bypoll election. BJP has fielded Shankar Dayal Tripathi. Nilanshu Chaturvedi is the party's candidate. He was earlier the municipal council chairman. The seat fell vacant after the death of sitting MLA Prem Singh, who was also a Congress legislator.

A constable posted with the Kotwali police station in Chhatarpur was shot dead by criminals reportedly during searching operations late on Diwali night. Four policemen had reached Parwari Mohalla in the city and had challenged the criminals who were reportedly roaming with firearms. One of the accused shot at constable Balmukund Prajapati, killing him on the spot, police sources said.

In what appears to be a rift within Congress, party's Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha has questioned appointment of Naresh Kumar Gupta as Lokayukta as he is much junior to Deputy Lokayukta UC Maheshwari. In a tweet, Tankha wondered how CJ and Leader of Opposition (Ajay Singh) could tolerate this transgression. Leader of Oppn's assent is needed for the selection of Lokayukta. As Ajay Singh had been critical of Chouhan govt on such appointments, the rift within Congress is now in the open.

Hemant Sisodia, a DSP rank officer, committed suicide in his official residence in Morena in Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh. He shot self in the chest and died on the spot. It is not clear yet what made him resort to the extreme step.

An RTI activist was found murdered in Morena in Madhya Pradesh. Mukesh Dubey's body was found amid blood in the fields. It is suspected that he was killed and later body was thrown. Dubey was lately involved in exposing corruption in Panchayats.

Swaroopanand Saraswati will approach Supreme Court against the recent High Court order. The High Court had refused to recognise him as Shankaracharya. The two judge bench held his claim on the post as illegal. His private secretary Brahmachari Subudhanand has said that the appeal would be filed in the Supreme Court.

A middle aged man consumed poison during the Jan Darshan programme of Janjgir Champa district collector over debt and land related problems. Tge man succumbed in hospital later. Sources said that the man, about 55 year old was from Kurda village and was repeatedly coming to the weekly Jan Darshan to get his problems heard. He took the extreme step on Monday.

Former State minister and Congress MLA from Mungaoli, Mahendra Singh Kalukheda passed away at the Medanta Hospital in New Delhi on Monday. He was undergoing treatment since last 20 days following a heart attack. Kalukheda was a prominent leader of Congress from West MP and considered close to ex-union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. His last rites would be performed at native village Kalukheda on Wednesday.

Director General of Police (DGP) Rishi Kumar Shukla has said that in the ancient past, there was just one Ravana. "In our times, there are so many Ravanas, how do we get so many Ramas to eliminate them", he said in Hoshangabad. Shukla was speaking in the context of rise in crimes against women.

A woman committed suicide by jumping from second floor of DB City Mall in Bhopal. Renuka Mittal, 36, a resident of Lakherapura, went to mall with her daughter. Suddenly she went to railing and jumped. She died. The police suspect it was because of a domestic dispute. Her husband is a trader.

Close on the heels of shocking incident in Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh, reports have emerged that three children died in the tertiary Ambedkar Hospital of Raipur early on Monday, also due to oxygen disruption. While health department authorities claimed that the deaths were due to different reasons and not hindrance of oxygen supply, the arrest of cylinder operator of the hospital raises questions on the claim.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions filed by Sardar Sarovar project affected people in Narmada valley against the proceedings in Indore High Court, which is monitoring the compliance of a SC order on rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) of the affected people.

Activist Medha Patkar and her associates who are sitting on fast, demanding rehabilitation of the Sardar Sarovar Project oustees, was taken into custody on Monday evening.

A man was shot dead inside the court premises in Madhya Pradesh. Three bullets were fired inside the Chhindwara district court. The victim, Akhlaq, died on the spot. The killer was arrested. He is linked to Shiv Sena.

A truck ran over a religious procession in Madhya Pradesh, killing three devotees and injuring nearly a dozen others. The incident occurred in Barwani, during the procession of Dasha Mata. Even after the incident, there was no official vehicle to carry bodies, which had to be taken in tractor. The incident has caused anger among residents.

Heavy rain affected normal life in Raisen, Vidisha and towns adjoining Bhopal. The towns were cut off from the State capital. As water levels rose, people were marooned. Here is phooto of a petrol pump amidst water in Raisen.

Four were killed and at least three more were seriously injured when a tractor trolley carrying farm labourers fell into a ditch at Tamot-Itlawada valley at Obaidullahganj of Raisen district on Friday morning. The injured have been admitted to Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal. Obaidullahganj SDOP SK Marawi said that the deceased are from village Sanjdi and were going for agriculture work at farm of Madhu Kumar Maheshwari at Mahuakhedi village when the accident occured. There were 36 persons in the tractor trolley.

Eight persons including two children were killed when a truck collided head on with a tractor trolley carrying a marriage party in Nirawali of Gwalior on Sunday morning. The situation is tense on the spot as 15 others were seriously injured. Six were killed on spot while two died in the hospital. The fdead belong to Jaura in Morena.

A search party of special task force (STF) of Chhattisgarh was ambushed by Maoists in south Sukma of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, leaving five jawans seriously wounded. Helicopters were rushed from Raipur to airlift the personnel for treatment.

Southwest monsoon of 2017 made an entry into Madhya Pradesh, covering just a small southwestern part of the state. Among the districts that were partly covered include Mandla, Dindori, Balaghat and Anuppur that was just touched.

The MP government on Wednesday suspended the officers who were in charge in Mandsaur district when police firing killed six farmers. Swatantra Kumar Singh, who was Collector, Superintendent of Police OP Tripathi and City SP Sai Krishna S Thota have been suspended.

Three more farmers ended their lives in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Narmada Yadav ended life in Hoshangabad while another farmer Kaju Khan committed suicide in Siddiqganj in Sehore. The third Kalla ended life in Shivpuri.

Things went out of control on Bhopal-Indore highway yet again on Friday morning as hundreds of farmers came out on the busy road, indulging in stone pelting and arson. This caused major jam on the road on both side of Phanda toll plaza. Cross stone pelting by protesters and police was reported. Trucks were set ablaze. Heavy police force was rushed to the spot. Also senior officials have rushed to the spot.

In an expected move, the state government on Thursday shunted Mandsaur collector Swatantra Kumar Singh and superintendent of police OP Tripathi in wake of the farmers' killing in police firing two days ago. Now, OP Shrivastava (till now in Shivpuri) is the Mandsaur collector and Neemuch SP Manoj Singh is the new police chief. Also collectors of Ratlam and Neemuch collectors have been shifted. Tanvi Saundriyal has been posted in Ratlam and Kaushalendra Vikram Singh in Neemuch. Tarun Rathi has been made Shivpuri collector.

As many as 25 persons were feared dead in a blast in a crackers' factory godown in Balaghat. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon. Senior officials had rushed to the spot. Relief and rescue workers were pressed into service. More details are awaited.

Farmers' protests turned even more violent on Wednesday. Four chartered buses between Indore and Bhopal have been set afire, passengers allowed to leave but their goods burnt.

It was a narrow escape for CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu when the temporary dome structure collapsed due to thunderstorm in Indore. Several persons were injured and hospitalised. However, the politicians escaped unhurt. It was Indore municipal corporation's even to celebrate city being adjudged cleanest in India.

Indra Vishnoi, one of prime accused in the sensational Bhanwari Devi murder case of Rajasthan was arrested in Dewas of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, six years after the crime. Vishnoi, sister of Congress ex-MLA Malkhan Singh, who is also accused in the case, was arrested by Rajasthan police with help of MP police and handed over to CBI. She carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh announced by CBI as she absconded soon after the murder came to light in 2011. Former minister Mahipal Maderna is also one of the accused in the murder case of Bhanwari Devi, who was an ANM and reportedly had illicit relation with both Maderna and Malkhan Singh.

A lady Ph D scholar from Bhopal, who was pursuing her doctorate from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi was found dead in her apartment on the IIT campus late on Tuesday evening. The body of the scholar, Manjula Devak (27) was found hanging in her room, though no suicide note was found, sources said. Police are investigating further.

Congress legislator Prem Singh passed away in Satna on Monday. Singh, a Congress MLA, represented Chitrakut constituency in the State Assembly. He had heart attack in the morning. Singh was 66.

In a somersault, the MP government on Saturday cancelled the transfer of Harda collector Srikanth Banoth. Tarun Rathi who was posted as collector has been sent back as deputy secretary to mineral resources department. Banoth had been transferred just a day after externing BJP ex-minister Kamal Patel's son Sudeep who faces 14 criminal cases.

The state president of BJP, Nandkumar Singh Chauhan on Friday served notice upon senior party leader and ex-minister Kamal Patel. He has been charged with 'anti-party actions' and asked to personally appear to explain his position within five days. Patel had filed complaint on illegal mining in Narmada in National Green Tribunal and has been issuing statements on 'corrupt administration's complicity' in illegal sand mining.

In another tragic accident, 11 persons were reported killed on spot and 12 others grievously injured, when a tractor trolley that they were travelling after visiting a temple in overturned in Neemuch of Madhya Pradesh. The accident occurred near Kaanka Phata. All the deceased are from Sitamau in neighbouring Mandsaur district.

Police station in-charge of Gairatganj in Raisen district, Sanjay Dubey committed suicide on Thursday morning. He shot himself with his service revolver at his home. He was taken to hospital but succumbed. Senior officials including superintendent of police Jagat Singh had reached the spot to look into the matter. The reason of the extreme step could not be immediately known.

Just a day after he issued an order externing son of a BJP ex-minister, the Harda district collector Srikanth Banoth was shunted out on Wednesday. He has been posted as deputy secretary in state secretariat. Deputy secretary, mineral resources department, Tarun Rathi (in pic) has replaced Banoth. On Tuesday, Banoth had externed Sudeep Patel, son of ex-minister Kamal Patel, who has 14 criminal cases against him.

Sudeep Patel, son of ex-minister Kamal Patel and facing 14 criminal cases, was on Tuesday externed from Harda district. Sudeep has been asked not to enter Harda or four surrounding districts for one year, according to rule. Kamal Patel was in Bhopal since past three days trying to get the externment deferred, but failed.

Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders including leader of opposition Ajay Singh were arrested after staging a dharna near the Chief Minister's House to demand dismissal of state minister Lal Singh Arya. The minister has been made an accused in the murder of ex-MLA of Congress Makhanlal Jatav in Gohad of Bhind. The Congress leaders were released on bail later.

Four persons died after consuming spurious liquor in Gauspur of Morena district early on Monday morning. All of them had consumed the liquor late on Sunday night and then fallen sick. They were referred to Gwalior hospital, but succumbed. The police are looking into the matter, though it was not clear where the victim got the liquor from. The dead are aged between 27 and 40 years.

Six persons were killed when a bus carrying passengers from Jabalpur to Amarkantak fell in a roadside pit in Dindori in the wee hours of Sunday. About two dozen passengers were injured in the accident that occurred near Jogitikaria village. Seven seriously injured persons were referred to hospital in Jabalpur.

Wife of a BJP man from Udaipura in Raisen who died in mysterious circumstances after a video showing him touching the feet of some influential higher caste persons went viral, has tried to commit suicide. Rinki Poria, wife of Sharad Poria, a dalit leader, cut her wrists and also attempted to slit her throat. She is undergoing treatment. Kin of the couple have alleged that Poria died of heart attacked after being deeply embarrassed by the viral video where he is seen being forced to apologise. Rinki attempted suicide as police failed to take any action against the accused influential people.

Union minister for Environment Anil Dave passed away in Delhi on Thursday. He was 61. Dave was associated with RSS from an early age. A Rajya Sabha MP from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, he was admitted in AIIMS where he breathed his last.

Nine members of a family from Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh were killed in a horrific road accident in Shahdol district of MP on Monday afternoon. The family of Deepak and Prakash Gandhi was returning home by road from Hrishikesh when their SUV rammed into a stationary truck near Semra village in Jaisinghnagar of Shahdol. Six persons were killed on spot while three others died in Hospital.

Daughter-in-law of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank officer posted in Guna has been arrested by the Shivpuri police allegedly while trying to 'purchase' a young women as bride for her brother. The accused Mahima was reportedly purchasing the woman, hailing from Narsinghpur from one Devendra Dhakad. Mahima has claimed she was just fixing the alliance and not purchasing the woman.

A security guard with HDFC bank shot dead his wife and two other persons before turning the gun on himself in Ashoknagar of MP on Friday. The guard reportedly fired indiscriminately from his licensed gun for around an hour, triggering panic in the locality. The police allegedly responded late to the calls and by time they arrived, the guard Lakhan Raghuvanshi had killed himself and three others.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh has said that the manner in which names of merit holders were released a day before the MP board exam results were to be announced, is a serious breach of confidentiality. That students were called up to reach Bhopal a day in advance, is shocking and puts question mark on functioning of Board. Singh said that just like Vyapam scam, every institution's independence is now compromised in MP.

Samyak Jain of Tikamgarh topped the class 12th exam of MP Board of Secondary Education while Devprakash Manjhi of Gwalior topped the class 10 exam. Both results were declared on Friday morning. Sanyam scored 485/500 while Devprakash scored 587/600 marks. Overall 49.86% students passed class 10 exam. Pass percentage for class 12 was 67.87. The toppers were felicitated by chief minister Shivraj Chouhan.

As many as 11 persons were killed when a jeep that was carrying workers, fell off the road at Chargawan near Jabalpur. Ten people died on the spot while one succumbed to injures in hospital, while 15 others were injured. The jeep was packed to capacity with workers, who were being taken for work by a contractor. Apart from compensation, a probe has been ordered.

In a shocking incident, a middle-aged man raped a child in Jabalpur. The 4-yr-old girl was playing outside her house when the accused took her along and raped her. The accused Bal Kishan Lodhi, 50, has been arrested. The victim is undergoing treatment in a hospital. The police are interrogating Lodhi who has been charged with rape as well as POCSO Act.

Tragedy struck Jat family from Ichhawar in Sehore as nine members of the extended family including the groom were killed in a horrific accident in Dhar district. The groom Mukesh Jat was killed on spot along with eight others as a container rammed their SUV at Ganpati Ghat. The marriage procession was headed to Sirsi in Manawar. Two seriously injured were rushed to Indore for treatment.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that no illegal slaughterhouse will be allowed to operate in Madhya Pradesh. He said that illegal abattoirs will be shut. Chouhan was addressing the gathering at Mohankheda, a Jain pilgrimage centre in MP.

A prisoner hanged himself in Morena jail. Dinesh Singh was arrested for raping his minor niece. On Friday, court was all set to deliver verdict in the case but the same day he killed himself. It is suspected that he was scared that he would be given death sentence, and he decided to hang self with a towel in jail. Earlier on Friday, SC held death sentence to Nirbhaya gang rape accused in Delhi. A while later Dinesh Singh ended his life.

The MP High Court on Thursday acquitted a rape-murder accused who was facing death penalty. The double bench of Justices SK Seth and HP Singh acquitted the accused Nagendra Tiwari for the want of clinching evidence. The bench said the prosecution failed to give any evidence to connect the accused with the crime. Tiwari was given death penalty by Sidhi district court for murder of a woman after unnatural sex and torture.

The MP High Court on Wednesday issued an order for arrest of Rewa district collector Rahul Jain, for his failure to appear in the court and comply to an order of the court for relief to an employee. The bench of Justice Anjuli Palo ordered that police issue an arrest warrant for the district collector and make him appear in the court on May 4.

A BJP leader Rudra Narayan 'Betu' Pandey was shot dead in front of police station in Gwalior. He was shot in the neck. The incident occurred at 11 am at Jhansi Road police station. Pandey was riding bike with his brother, when he was killed. Three persons have been rounded up. & being quizzed. The motive could be over exerting influence in area or old enmity, said police.

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar lashed out at critics of Swachh Bharat campaign. Training his guns at those who termed open defecation free (ODF) drive as part of colonial mentality, Tomar said that such people should first get toilets constructed. IAS officer Dipali Rastogi had earlier said that while drinking water is not available, the excessive use of water for toilets was an impractical idea imported from West. BJP leader Prahlad Patel had also supported him.

Seven persons including two children and three women were killed when a speeding container (truck) hit a car near Kalothara Phatak in Shivpuri on Friday morning. The accident occured when family of one Ramkumar Shrivas was travelling from Gujarat to Bhind (MP) for a marriage ceremony. Five died on spot.

Indore's Anany Sharma has bagged All India 10th rank in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The results of the exam were declared on Thursday. Kalpit Virwal of Udaipur (Rajasthan) topped with 360/360 marks.

Dhavendra Kumar of Balod, belonging to a farming family topped the higher secondary (12th) exam of Chhattisgarh State Board of Secondary Education, the result of which was declared on Thursday. Dhavendra scored 98.60% marks. Altamash Sabri scored 97.80% to stand second in merit list.

In the wake of dastardly attack of Maoists that killed 26 CRPF jawans on Monday, the Madhya Pradesh police have issued high alert on bordering districts -Kawardha and Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh and Gondia of Maharashtra.

Educationist Sagheer Baidaar passed away in Bhopal on Thursday. A veteran journalist who had taken upon himself the task to inspire youths to perform better in academics though scholarships, he set up MECAPS. The society was primarily to motive Muslim students but also gave awards to students of other communities.

An office bearer of the contract power company employees association died of a heart attack on Tuesday while he was addressing agitating employees at Ambedkar Maidan in Bhopal. Ramnarayan Dixit fell down while giving a speech and was declared dead at hospital. The contract employees are on indefinite strike since April 17 to demand regularisation of services.

A Congress leader and property dealer Saeed Malguzar shot dead his wife and himself, apparently over a domestic dispute, in wee hours of Wednesday in Jabalpur. Malguzar (60) shot himself with another gun after his son Sonu took away the revolver he used to kill his wife Husna Bano (55). Malguzar has been the vice-president of Jabalpur city Congress, sources said.

A woman and her two teenage daughters committed suicide on railway track in Ahmadpur off Hoshangabad road in capital Bhopal. The deceased have been identified as Suraj Bai (48), Sapna (18) and Sushma (16). The trio apparently committed suicide in wee hours of Wednesday due to acute poverty. They stayed in a single room shanty near D Mart on Misrod Road.

Seven persons were killed and many more received burn injuries as massive fire engulfed the Ranipura cracker market in Indore on Tuesday afternoon. The fire reportedly started from Dilip Pathaka Centre and soon spread elsewhere to due to presence of large quantities of inflammatory material.

Ilayaraja T is back as Bhind collector and SP Anil Singh Kushwaha as the superintendent of police (SP). The state government on Sunday issued orders bringing back officers who were shunted out of the district ahead of the Ater by-polls.

All 213 sarpanchs in Harda district have submitted their resignation to protest alleged high-handedness of additional chief secretary of panchayat and rural development department, Radheshyam Julaniya. Also panchayat secretaries have threatened indefinite strike for their long standing demands. The 'Gram Uday to Bharat Uday' campaign starts on April 14.

Congress has won Ater bypoll. Party candidate Hemant Katare won by 857 votes in a nail-biting finish. BJP has won the other seat, Bandhavgarh. BJP's Shivnarayan Singh won by over 25,000 votes.

Wheat crops ready for harvest in 200 acres were reduced to cinders and a woman was burnt to death as massive fire devoured agriculture fields in five villages of Badi in Raisen district on Monday. The fire reportedly spread after two farmers decided to burn the husk remaining in their fields after harvest. The fire spread quickly and two women came in its grip. Another sustained serious injuries.

Seven persons including two pedestrians were killed in Sidhi when a bus overturned after hitting a truck on Monday morning. Sources said that the bus was speeding and the driver lost control. The impact was so great that passengers were thrown out of windows and some came under the bus. At least 35 were injured.

Narmada Yatra, which was launched as a movement to safeguard the river and send across the message to conserve water, has completed 111 days. It begam from Amarkantak on December 11, 2016. Over 19 lakh persons have so far participated in the Namami Devi Narmade Yatra.

The ambitious 'Deendayal Rasoi Yojana' that aims at providing free meals to poor has been launched in the State. Minister for Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Narottam Mishra inaugurated it in Datia on Friday. Full meal will be made available to people at Rs 5 in urban areas. The aim is that people who come from rural areas for labour will get nutritious food. Also, poor families in urban areas will be benefited.

Five persons of a family including two children were killed when a house in Sevda of Datia district got ripped apart in a blast on Wednesday morning. Five others were injured. The blast occurred in explosives stored for cracker making in the house of Rashid Khan. The blast was so powerful that the entire house was converted to debris. The dead include Rashid Khan, his wife Ruby, sister Razia, son and daughter Ashiq and Aashiqa.

V Kiran Gopal was tipped to be the new collector and Sushant Saxena the new superintendent of police (SP) of Bhind district in wake of the EVM-VVPAT scandal that hit ahead of the Ater by-polls in the district. The ECI had directed shunting of the existing collector Ilayaraja T and SP Anil Singh Kushwaha after the scandal.

CM Shivraj Chouhan goes to district court on Monday to record statement in connection with his defamation case against Congress leader KK Mishra who had accused CM, his kin of alleged involvement in Transport recruitment scam.

After Harda rural, the Harda city (urban) area has also been declared as open defecation free (ODF) by the union government. The status was announced in a letter sent out by the union ministry, district collector Srikanth Banoth has said.

Another tiger died, apparently after being hit by train in the dangerous Budhni-Midghat section of railways in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, close to capital Bhopal.