Ranchi, March 27 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi Zonal Office, has provisionally attached additional immovable property belonging to Ramapati Devi, wife of Aditya Narayan Singh, in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam.

The attached asset includes a two-story house along with its appurtenant land, valued at Rs 1.42 crore. The attachment was carried out on March 25 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED launched its investigation based on FIRs registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jharkhand, and other law enforcement agencies.

The case pertains to the alleged embezzlement of Rs 6.97 crore from NRHM funds, orchestrated by Pramod Kumar Singh, who was then serving as the Block Account Manager.

According to ED’s findings, Singh conspired with Dr Shashi Bhushan Prasad, the then Medical Officer-in-Charge at the Primary Health Centre, Jharia-cum-Jodapokhar, Dhanbad (now deceased), to siphon off government funds.

Further investigations under PMLA have revealed that the total amount misappropriated in the scam has now escalated to Rs 9.39 crore.

As part of its crackdown on money laundering, the ED had earlier conducted search operations at multiple locations linked to Pramod Kumar Singh and his associates in July and September 2024. During these searches, the agency seized:

According to ED, an immovable property worth Rs 1.63 crore, was provisionally attached on August 30, 2024.

With the latest attachment of Ramapati Devi’s property, the cumulative value of assets seized or attached in this case now exceeds Rs 3.5 crore.

On February 18, 2025, the ED arrested Pramod Kumar Singh under Section 19 of the PMLA, 2002, for offences related to money laundering. The agency is continuing its probe to track further illicit assets and uncover the full extent of the scam.

Further investigations are underway.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, March 27 (IANS) A Sessions Court in Bengaluru on Thursday rejected the bail application of Kannada actress Ranya Rao in connection with the gold smuggling case.

Her bail petition is rejected for the third time. Earlier, the Special Court for Economic Offences and the Magistrate Court had rejected her bail petition.

Rao, the stepdaughter of senior police officer Ramchandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore.

The prosecution has argued in court that the actress has admitted to using hawala channels to buy the bullion.

The authorities have issued a notice to initiate a judicial inquiry against Ranya Rao, as this will reveal other financial irregularities.

Tarun Raju, a close associate of the actress, is the second accused in the case and is also awaiting the court's decision on his bail application.

Meanwhile, Sahil Sakariya Jain, a gold merchant, was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in disposing of the smuggled gold linked to Ranya Rao. This marked the third arrest in the case.

Jain has been sent to police custody for four days for further investigation.

Earlier, Counsel Madhu Rao, appearing for the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at the Special Economic Offences Court, said that Tarun and Ranya have travelled together to Dubai about 26 times.

Tarun travelled from Dubai to Hyderabad on a ticket booked by Ranya Rao. Additionally, Tarun gave gold to Ranya Rao in Dubai

Senior police officer Ramchandra Rao has also been questioned in the gold smuggling case.

On March 15, the Karnataka government placed DGP K. Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave with immediate effect and until further notice in connection with the case.

Ranya misused her stepfather Rao's name to escape security checks by availing the protocol reserved for officials of the highest rank.

The investigations by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials revealed that Jain was a jewellery shop owner, hailing from Ballari district in Karnataka.

The arrest came after police interrogated Ranya Rao and her former boyfriend Tarun Raju, both of whom are already in custody, and discovered their links to Sahil. Based on this connection, Sahil was taken into custody for four days for further questioning.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday said that the government was keen on developing an aircraft leasing ecosystem in the country, and several companies have set up bases in Gujarat's GIFT City, which has already leased 200 aircraft.

Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, the minister highlighted that the government was also working on bringing down aircraft leasing costs. The minister said the government would bring in a new law to ratify the Capetown Convention which will reduce the leasing costs of aircraft by 8-10 per cent. The reduction in leasing costs would also result in more planes and lower airfares for passengers, he added.

The government has also rolled out various tax incentives for companies leasing out aircraft and the easing of DGCA rules to import such aircraft into the country.

He cited the examples of Ireland, Singapore, and Dubai as major hubs for leasing aircraft that India could follow.

The minister also highlighted the rapid growth in the Indian civil aviation sector. He said that the government was encouraging more airlines to enter the Indian civil market, and the UDAN scheme had led to even smaller airlines starting operations.

Earlier this month, Naidu attended the second India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, organised by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation jointly with FICCI and the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).

Naidu said that GIFT City is comparable to any global financial centre. He emphasised that India was not trying to compete with anyone, and only complement the global centres. "The idea is that we should not miss out on the huge opportunity due to the large market which can accommodate more such players."

He said that GIFT City will give India’s aviation sector the further required confidence, commitment and collaboration to develop a competitive aircraft leasing hub.

The minister further stated that aircraft leasing is a key financial innovation that India’s growing civil aviation sector needs. Fuelled by the UDAN scheme and doubling of India’s airports in 10 years, India has become the 3rd largest domestic aviation market in the world, he emphasised.

The Minister also stated that by 2047, the Government is planning to build 350 airports, out of which 34 will function as mega airports handling two crore passengers annually. "In the next five years, we are planning to build 50 more airports," he said.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 27 (IANS) In a tragic incident, a 41-year-old tribal man was killed by a tiger in the forested area of Ooty in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district on Thursday, officials said.

The victim has been identified as Kendra Kuttan, a member of the Thodar tribal community, residing in the Kollakode Mandi forest area of the Nilgiris.

According to forest officials, Kuttan’s partially devoured body was discovered deep inside the forest following a search operation.

Kuttan, who owned a few cattle, had ventured into the forest on Wednesday evening to search for a missing cow.

When he failed to return by Thursday morning, his family and area residents alerted the Forest Department. A joint search operation was launched by tribal members and forest officials, which led to the discovery of his remains.

Officials believe that due to the dense fog in the area, Kuttan may not have seen the tiger and accidentally walked into its path, resulting in the fatal attack.

The Nilgiris landscape, where Ooty is located, is known to have the highest tiger population in the country.

The contiguous forest stretch includes regions in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, spanning the Periyar–Meghamalai cluster and the Anamalai–Parambikulam complex. According to the 2022 nationwide tiger census conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Tamil Nadu recorded 306 tigers, up from 264 in 2018. Over the past two decades, the tiger population in the region has quadrupled.

Tiger conservation in India has evolved in two significant phases. The first phase began in the 1970s with the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act and the establishment of protected areas. The second phase, starting around 2005–2006, saw the adoption of a landscape-level conservation approach and stricter monitoring systems. In 2018, India’s tiger population was estimated at 981, while the 2022 census recorded 824 unique individuals through camera traps and other scientific methods.

--IANS

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Kolkata, March 27 (IANS) The internal disciplinary committee of Trinamool Congress’ legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly has finalised the list of legislators, said to around 50, who were absent on the last day of the budget session second phase, ignoring the party whip.

A decision on them will be taken by the party leadership only after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returns to Kolkata from her UK trip on Friday night.

Party insiders said that sorting has been done among the 50 party legislators -- those who were absent during the proceedings of the House on March 20 without prior intimation or justifiable reasons against those who remained absent after proper intimation or justifiable reasons.

The sorting procedure, party insiders said, has been completed after getting the details from the office of the Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay about those legislators who gave prior intimation about their absence citing justifiable reasons.

“After evaluating the details provided by the Speaker’s office, it has come to notice that only 10 legislators, including two members of the state cabinet, had given prior intimation with justifiable reason about their absence on March 20,” said a member of the state cabinet aware of the development.

Initially, it was decided that the next meeting of the disciplinary committee would be on March 29, when the decision on such erring legislators will be taken. However, party insiders said that there is a high possibility that the date of the meeting will be postponed because of the Eid festival at the beginning of next week.

"In all probability now, the next meeting of the disciplinary committee will take place either on April 1 or a day after, and by then, the Chief Minister will also be back from her England trip. The disciplinary committee members are also in favour of taking any decision regarding disciplinary action against the erring legislators when the Chief Minister will be in the city,” the member of the state cabinet said.

To recall, Trinamool Congress issued a whip for the party legislators for 100 per cent attendance on the last two days of the second phase of the budget session, March 19 and March 20. While the presence was almost 100 per cent on March 19, over 50 party legislators remained absent on March 20 ignoring the party whip.

The party leadership took the matter quite seriously. Now it is to be seen whether the erring legislators will be relieved with a note of caution or some disciplinary action will be initiated against them.

Last week, the MLA from the Bhagalpur Assembly constituency in the Murshidabad district had to face the disciplinary committee for his alleged objectionable comments made about the Leader of Opposition in the House, Suvendu Adhikari.

However, instead of recommending any disciplinary action against him, he was just cautioned to be careful and refrain from making any such comments in the future.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, March 27 (IANS) An angry face-off ensued between the Congress workers and the police during the protest rally over women’s safety in the Lower PMG area in Odisha on Thursday.

Some Congress workers and media personnel also sustained injuries during the scuffle with the police.

The clashes ensued when police tried to stop the Congress workers’ march towards the Odisha Assembly. Meanwhile, some of the protestors threw stones, chairs, eggs, etc. at the forces who resorted to the lathi charge to disperse the Congress workers. The police also used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the Congress workers at the PMG square.

The area became a battleground between the protestors and the police and later also detained senior leaders of the Congress party including former MLA Mohammed Moquim, Odisha PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, Congress Odisha in-charge Ajay Lallu, Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam to bring the situation under control.

“Police used Lathi, tear gas and water cannons. This government is oppressive. They suspended our 14 MLAs over the issue of women’s atrocities. We demanded a ‘House Committee’ on women’s atrocities-related issues, but in return, our supporters were beaten. We are the army of Rahul Gandhi, we will not be afraid of any threat,” said AICC in-charge Lallu.

Amidst the heavy security arrangements and barricading on the roads connecting to the Odisha Assembly, hundreds of Congress workers and leaders on Thursday began their protest rally to gherao the Odisha Assembly against the alleged increase in the cases of crime against women in the state under the BJP rule.

To avoid any untoward incident during the rally, the Commissionerate Police deployed 80 platoons of police force at important places in the city.

Since March 7, during the second phase of the Assembly session, opposition Congress members have been holding protests demanding the formation of a ‘House Committee’ to investigate the alleged rise in atrocities against women in the state.

Following continuous ruckus by the Congress MLAs in the Assembly, Speaker Surama Padhy suspended 14 Congress legislators on Tuesday and Wednesday over alleged “unruly behaviour”.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, March 27 (IANS) A worker rescued from the rubble of an under construction building that collapsed at Bhadrachalam on Wednesday died while being treated at hospital while the search was on for the second trapped worker on Thursday.

The ground plus five storied building in Bhadradri Kothagudem district collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, trapping two construction workers.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) pulled out a worker Kameshwar Rao around 2.30 a.m. on Thursday. He was shifted to Government Area Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

His death sparked protests by his family members, who resorted to heated arguments with police and civil officials. The protestors obstructed District Collector Jitesh V Patil’s official vehicle from moving ahead, demanding justice for the family of the deceased worker.

According to officials, another worker Padishala Upender Rao is trapped under the debris and efforts were on to rescue him. Anxious family members and relatives of Rao were praying for his safety.

The under-construction building at Super Bazaar Centre in the temple down collapsed due to alleged structural fault and unauthorised construction.

Police, fire services and other departments launched the rescue operation. Later, the NDRF team also joined the operation.

District Collector Jitesh Patil, Superintendent of Police B. Rohith Raju and other senior officials were supervising the rescue operation.

The building was being built by one Srinivas Moula, also known as Sri Pathi, who runs a trust. He had built a temple on the ground floor while five additional floors were under construction.

The structure suddenly collapsed on Wednesday when two workers were working on the ground floor. Eyewitnesses said they heard cries from beneath the rubble for some time after the collapse.

The builder, who has become a seer, had been carrying out the construction for nearly two years without obtaining the necessary permissions. He had reportedly obtained permission for two floors but laid slabs for five floors.

Locals said the authorities concerned failed to act despite complaints. The residents in the vicinity had raised objections, pointing out that the site lacked proper ground support for a high-rise structure in such a small space.

The owner reportedly surrendered before police after the building caved in.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, March 27 (IANS) The Siddaramaiah government on Thursday decided to hike the price of Nandini milk, supplied by the Karnataka Milk Federation, by Rs 4 per litre, after considering the demand of the KMF and farmers’ organisations.

The steep hike has come ahead of the Ugadi festival, celebrated across Karnataka with much fanfare on March 30. The price of coffee, tea and all milk products in hotels and sweet shops is set to rise sharply.

Recently, the state government was criticised for increasing the Metro and RTC bus fares. The government has also revised the power tariff.

The demand for a hike in the milk prices was Rs 5 per litre. However, the government has decided to increase the milk prices by Rs 4.

The most popular blue packet of one litre of Nandini milk now will cost Rs 48, up from Rs 44.

On March 5, the Karnataka government stated that it was set to increase the price of the popular Nandini milk (KMF) in the state. “We will definitely increase the price of milk. A discussion on how much to increase it will be held with the Chief Minister,” Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh said in the House during the Question and Answer session in the Legislative Council.

He had also stated that the government owed subsidies amounting to Rs 656.07 crore to milk producers. A total of 9.04 lakh beneficiaries have yet to receive the pending amount. “We have asked the finance department to release the pending funds. Once the department clears the amount, it will be disbursed to the beneficiaries. We will do it soon. Farmers are demanding a hike of Rs 10 per litre. We will definitely increase the price of milk. The quantum of the hike will be decided after discussions with the Chief Minister,” he added.

Milk federations across the state had been seeking a price hike. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier opposed the hike but in Thursday's cabinet meeting gave the approval.

Protests for hiking the milk prices had been going on since February. The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade have been demanding an increase in the milk procurement price to at least Rs 50 per litre. They also called for an interim support price of Rs 10 per litre until the implementation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Karnataka government revised the price of milk in the state by Rs 2 on June 25, 2024, with an additional 50 ml of milk added to each packet, which led to criticism.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, March 10 (IANS) Day after recovering one body from the debris, rescue teams continued intense efforts to search for the remaining seven people in the SLBC tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on Monday.

Rescue teams from various agencies were undertaking digging work at another point identified by the cadaver sniffer dog squad from Kerala.

Rat miners from Uttarakhand, miners from Singareni Collieries and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were carefully digging around the point with mini-excavators.

The search operation continued for the 17th day in the last 70 metres of the 14-km-long tunnel, where the eight workers were trapped after a portion of the tunnel roof collapsed on a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on February 22.

Rescue workers on Sunday evening exhumed one body from the point identified by the cadaver dog squad.

The body was identified as that of TBM operator Gurpreet Singh. The 40-year-old hailed from Punjab and was working for Robbins Company, which supplies and operates tunnel boring machines.

The body was shifted to government hospital at Nagarkurnool and after completing medical and legal formalities was taken to his hometown in Punjab.

The seven people yet to be traced are Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahu, all from Jharkhand.

The rescue agencies hoped that more bodies would be recovered soon based on the sniffer dog leads and the ground probing radar (GPR) scanning information provided by the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).

The rescue workers continued to face challenges due to the debris of the TBM and the large amount of muck.

The TBM, which had a total length of 132.5 metres, was buried under silt and rocks in the February 22 incident.

The workers who were present in the front portion of the TBM were trapped while 42 others who were at the back end managed to come out of the tunnel.

The technicians from the South Central Railway (SCR) have so far cut the TBM into pieces for a length of about 60 metres.

The head portion of the TBM remained buried in the debris and the last 70 metres of the tunnel is still filled with 3 to 9 metres deep slush and other debris, posing a risk to the rescue workers.

While continuing dewatering and desilting, the rescue agencies were mobilising special equipment for the workers to carry out their work without the risk of being trapped in the slush.

Two cadaver dogs trained to locate missing humans and human bodies were brought from Kerala by a special helicopter three days ago.

According to officials, these dogs of the Belgian Malinois breed can detect smell even from a depth of 15 feet.

Indian Army, Navy, NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Singareni, SCR and other agencies are participating in the search operation.

The authorities on Saturday deployed robots for rescue operations in the tunnel as suggested by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during his visit to the tunnel on March 2.

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the deployment of robotic technology to accelerate rescue operations.

Robots equipped with cameras, infrared sensors, and robotic arms have been deployed to assess conditions and aid extraction.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed condolences over the death of Gurpreet Singh and announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia to his next of kin.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The cost of preparing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis at home declined by 5 per cent in February compared to the corresponding figure for January this year, according to a Crisil report released on Monday.

For the vegetarian thali, the decline was driven by lower vegetable prices, particularly of onions, tomatoes and potatoes, while for a non-vegetarian thali, the cost eased with a decrease in broiler (chicken) prices, the report said.

Going ahead, the arrival of fresh rabi crops is expected to keep vegetable prices subdued, offering continued relief for vegetarian thali costs.

However, temperature conditions in March that have been above normal can impact the shelf life and quality of onions, which need to be stored for the next six months, as well as the quantity and quality of wheat -- the most significant crop of the rabi season, the report states.

The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali.

The ICRA report is in line with official figures that India’s retail inflation is on a downward trajectory. Inflation based on the Consumer Price Index fell to a 5-month low of 4.31 per cent in January as prices of vegetables and pulses eased during the month, bringing respite to household budgets, according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics.

The easing of inflation reflects a steadily declining trend after having touched a 14-month high of 6.21 per cent in October. CPI inflation had declined to 5.48 per cent in November and 5.22 per cent in December.

The food inflation at 6.02 per cent in January 2025 is the lowest after August 2024.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a 25 basis cut in the policy rate from 6.5 per cent to 6.25 per cent in the monetary policy review to accelerate growth amid global uncertainties.

He said that inflation has declined and is expected to moderate further and gradually align with the RBI’s target.

Now, with the retail inflation continuing with its downward trend, the RBI will have more headroom to follow a soft money policy to make more credit available to businesses and consumers, which will propel economic growth.

--IANS

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Patna, March 10 (IANS) The Bihar government is set to take strict action against illegal encroachments on Bettiah Raj properties, with senior officials already mobilizing efforts to reclaim government land.

On Monday morning, the Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Revenue and Land Reforms Board, K.K. Pathak, visited Bettiah City to assess the situation.

His visit has created a sense of urgency among officials in the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, that the government is serious about removing illegal occupants from these properties.

A total of 1,326 acres of additional Bettiah Raj land has recently been discovered, which was not included in the 2017-18 land survey. The administration is now expediting the process of registering this land in government records to ensure its protection.

With K.K. Pathak personally reviewing the status of these properties, a major crackdown on encroachments is expected soon. The government’s focus on land reforms could lead to wider action across the state to recover illegally occupied public land.

Following strict instructions from District Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Rai, officials have been tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the land records of Bettiah Raj.

K.K. Pathak is expected to review illegal occupations on government lands during his visit. Many long-standing cases of encroachments have surfaced, and strict action is anticipated against those involved.

His visit will also include a review of the digitization of Bettiah Raj properties for better record-keeping and transparency. The government is considering a heritage development plan to restore and develop the palaces and historical sites of Bettiah Raj.

Pathak’s reputation for swift action has put district officials on edge. Even before his arrival, they have started reviewing land records and preparing reports on pending cases. This visit is expected to be a critical test for the revenue and administrative officials in Bettiah.

With the Bihar Assembly passing the bill about the Bettiah Raj during the winter session last year, the property comes under the state government's ownership, which marks a significant development in the state's governance and land management.

The last ruler of Bettiah Raj, Harendra Kishore Singh, passed away in 1893 without leaving an heir, leading to the management of the estate by the "Court of Wards" starting in 1897.

The property, totaling 15,221 acres in Bihar and 143 acres in Uttar Pradesh, has seen significant encroachments. Over 66 per cent of the estate’s land in West Champaran and 60 per cent in East Champaran are reportedly occupied illegally.

Many current residents of the estate are likely to approach the judiciary, contesting their eviction or seeking ownership rights based on long-term occupation or other claims.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera on Monday slammed the Central government for Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at Bhupesh Baghel's residence and called it a part of BJP's conspiracy to distract attention from larger issues, particularly the Parliament.

Khera remarked, "BJP, which is surrounded on all sides and finding it hard to go unscathed on multiple issues, needs a distraction. They want to divert attention, change the headlines, and this could very well be part of that conspiracy."

Khera’s comments come as ED raids continue at multiple locations linked to Bhupesh Baghel and his family.

Further questioning the rationale behind ED raids, he said, "It is happening in an unclear case, and no one knows why it is taking place. Just few days ago, a court dismissed a CBI case against Bhupesh Baghel, so there is no case against him. Still, ED is raiding his premises today. It’s possible that this raid coincides with the start of Parliament’s session."

He also hinted that the central agency might have been brought in, by the ruling dispensation, to disrupt Bhupesh Baghel’s political activities in Punjab, where he recently took over as in-charge for the state.

"It could be an attempt to disturb him as he begins his political activities in Punjab," Khera added. He emphasised that such actions by the BJP, with ED working under their influence, would not be forgotten.

The ED conducted raids on the residence of Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, in the Padumnagar locality of Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

The teams, arriving in four Innova cars, began their search early in the day, and according to reports, this operation is part of a wider investigation, with approximately 14 locations across the state being raided, some of which are linked to Chaitanya Baghel.

The raids were reportedly conducted in connection with alleged financial irregularities and money laundering cases, including a notorious liquor scam.

Bhupesh Baghel, who is facing accusations of irregularities in the liquor trade during his tenure, has consistently denied these allegations.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has shared some fascinating insights into the distinct work methods of Bollywood’s leading ladies—Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Katrina Kaif.

The actor revealed how each of them brings a unique approach to their craft, offering a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the film industry. During his conversation at NDTV Yuva, Siddhant was asked to reflect on the similarities and differences in the work styles of these actresses. He responded, “They are all exceptionally beautiful and talented, but each one approaches work in their own distinct way.”

“To start with Alia, she's very spontaneous. She's impromptu. She's always ready with her lines. Deepika preps a lot but she looks effortless. She sits with a pencil, marks important lines in the script. But I don't know how she manages to look so effortless on screen,” the actor mentioned.

Siddhant added, “Katrina is technically very sound. She shares her insights about the script. She knows how a line will land. We did a horror comedy, so she was very good at it.”

Chaturvedi rose to fame with his breakout role in the Alia Bhatt-starrer “Gully Boy.” Following that, he shared the screen with Deepika Padukone in the critically acclaimed “Gehraiyaan.” He also starred alongside Katrina Kaif in the horror-comedy “Phone Bhoot.”

Siddhant Chaturvedi, who hails from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, also opened up about how "Gully Boy" became a pivotal moment in his career. He shared, “Before I had any work, I used to think I should accept whatever came my way. But Gully Boy changed that. It gave me the freedom to be selective and gave me options.” He also recalled how, after the success of the film, actor Vicky Kaushal reached out to him. "I didn’t know him at that time, but he appreciated my work," Siddhant said.

On the work front, he is all set to star in "Dhadak 2" alongside Triptii Dimri.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 26 (IANS) Work on debut director Keerthiswaran’s film, featuring actors Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in the lead, began with a simple pooja ceremony on Wednesday.

Initially, well known production house Mythri Movie Makers, which is producing the film, had announced that the first shot of the film would be canned at 11.07 am on Wednesday.

However, as a mark of respect to late actor Manoj Bharathi, who passed away in Chennai after suffering a cardiac arrest last evening, the production house decided to postpone the first shot event by a few hours.

The film is being made as a bilingual in both Tamil and Telugu as Pradeep Ranganathan has made a name for himself not only in Tamil films but also in the Telugu industry as well.

An interesting scene featuring Pradeep Ranganathan was filmed as part of the pooja ceremony of the bilingual film, which is yet to be titled and which is being tentatively referred to as #PR04. Sources close to the unit of the film say that this film will be a complete entertainer with a new age storyline.

Mamita Baiju, who announced her presence in the film industry with an endearing performance in the film 'Premalu', plays the female lead in this bilingual, which will also feature actors Sarath Kumar, Hridhu Haroon and Dravid Selvam in pivotal roles.

Mythri Movie Makers has roped in talented technicians for this project. Young sensation Sai Abhyankar will be scoring music for this film which will have cinematography by Niketh Bommi. Latha Naidu will be the production designer and Bharat Vikraman the editor. Sources say that the shooting of this film is currently underway.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has unveiled his very own YouTube channel, "Aamir Khan Talkies."

With the launch of this new platform, the actor promises to offer an exclusive look into the world of filmmaking. Announcing the YouTube channel, his production house shared a video on social media and wrote, “Cinema. Stories. Unfiltered moments. We’ve created stories that have made you laugh, cry, and think for years. Now, we’re welcoming you to the world of cinema like never before with Aamir Khan Talkies! A place where storytelling meets reality. This is your front-row seat to the magic of moviemaking, from rare behind-the-scenes moments to conversations about films that shaped us.”

The channel will offer a mix of rare behind-the-scenes footage, insightful discussions about movies, and much more. It’s set to be a haven for cinephiles, providing a closer connection to the magic of cinema.

In the welcome video for “Aamir Khan Talkies,” the ‘Dangal’ actor opened up about his long-held dream of creating a space where he can delve into his films and the craft of filmmaking. This YouTube channel is set to give fans an exclusive peek behind the curtain of cinema, revealing the thought and artistry behind each scene.

Aamir also revealed that the channel will feature valuable insights from actors, group discussions, and thoughtful conversations centered on the art of filmmaking. Those involved with Aamir Khan Productions will share their personal experiences, offering viewers a richer understanding of cinema. Through Aamir Khan Talkies, fans will not only explore the filmmaking process but also gain an appreciation for its artistic and technical brilliance.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Khan will take on the role of a producer in the upcoming film "Lahore 1947," which stars Sunny Deol in the lead role.

Made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, “Lahore 1947” is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. This period drama marks the exciting collaboration of Sunny Deol, Rajkumar Santoshi, and Aamir Khan for the first time. Aamir is producing the film, while Rajkumar Santoshi is directing the film. Set during the turbulent time of India’s partition in 1947, the movie features a stellar cast, including Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Abhimanyu Singh, and Ali Fazal in pivotal roles.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) The space of reality shows in India is set to witness the entry of a new genre, with the fitness reality show ‘Battleground’. The show offers 16 contestants a shot to be India’s next fitness superstar, and pushes participants to their limits.

The contestants battle through a grueling 28-day challenge, featuring intense physical trials, high-stakes drama, and transformative mentorship. Battleground isn’t just about brute strength; it’s a fusion of fitness, lifestyle, and strategy.

Mayank Yadav, CEO & Co-founder of Rusk Media, shared, “‘Battleground’ is more than just a fitness competition, it’s a revolution in fitness entertainment. This show celebrates strength, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. We are excited to partner with Amazon MX Player to bring this high-octane experience to audiences across India”.

Each team of 4 contestants will be mentored by 4 celebrated fitness and lifestyle icons. Through a series of rigorous tasks designed to test strength, endurance, and resilience, participants will prove their mettle.

As the competition intensifies, one male and one female contestant will emerge victorious, earning the coveted title of India’s star performers. The show features teams representing four regions Mumbai Strikers, Haryana Bulls, Delhi Dominators and UP Dabangs, competing for the title. The show’s innovative format ensures an immersive experience for both contestants and audiences, blending competitive spirit with entertainment like never before.

Aruna Daryanani, Director, Amazon MX Player, said, “With ‘Battleground’, we take another step forward in our commitment to delivering diverse and engaging content to our audiences for free. This unique format not only inspires fitness enthusiasts but also redefines sports and reality entertainment, offering advertisers a powerful platform to connect with highly engaged viewers”.

‘Battleground’ is set to premiere on Amazon MX Player in April, promising an unmissable spectacle of fitness, determination, and raw competition.

--IANS

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