Ahmedabad, Feb 8 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Saturday arrested five members of a sophisticated interstate gang involved in defrauding major e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart and Amazon, and seized goods and equipment worth Rs 20.5 lakh.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Ramlal alias Romil Gehlot (27), Manoj Kumar Mali (30), Bharat Kumar Sundesha (25), Vishal Panchal (29), all residents of Jalore, Rajasthan, and Vishal Bavri, a resident of Surat.

Two other members, Rishipal Bhati and Vinod, remain at large.

The gang operated across cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Jalore. They infiltrated the logistics chain to replace genuine electronic items with dummy products.

Using multiple fake user IDs and passwords, the gang placed orders for high-value gadgets, which were intercepted by their delivery personnel before reaching customers.

Specialised tools were used to remove genuine products carefully and replace them with identical-looking dummy items.

Orders were then officially marked as ‘cancelled’ or ‘returned’, after which the gang sold the real products in the market for illegal profit.

An official told IANS, “We are currently investigating more directions. These five were arrested as part of the primary investigation. We’ll analyse and reach the root of the case.”

Police have seized eight genuine mobile phones, 25 dummy phones, three dummy earbuds, 12 dummy gaming processors, a camera lens, an electric hair dryer, three glue remover bottles, 14 plastic syringes, two steel tools used to tamper with parcels, packaging material, and a Mahindra Scorpio vehicle used to transport the goods.

During questioning, the accused admitted to previous frauds, including the theft of an iPhone 17 Pro Max and three iPhone 16 Pro devices in Vadodara in January this year, seven mobile phones and 10 Apple Watches in Surat in October 2025, and two Apple Watches in Jalore in December 2025.

The case has been registered at the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) Police Station in the city and is being investigated under Sections 61(2)(a) and 316(5) of the Indian Penal Code.

Authorities have urged customers to remain vigilant while shopping online and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in such fraudulent activities.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) The USA captain Monank Patel was effusive in praise for his bowlers for their performance, but said his top-order batters could not perform and perished to soft dismissals as they suffered a 29-run defeat against defending champions India in their opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Saturday.

With Shadley van Schalkwyk claiming 4-25, including an initial burst of 3-13, the USA had India on the ropes at 77/6. But they could not press home the advantage, and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav hammered an unbeaten 894 off 49 balls to help the hosts post 161/9 in 20 overs.

Chasing a modest total, the USA lost three early wickets for 13 runs but had recovered to 71 for three thanks to Milind Kumar (34) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) before their innings unravelled and then were eventually restricted to 132/8 in 20 overs.

Monank said his bowlers did a great job to reduce India to 77/6 but blamed dropped catches for not restricting the hosts to 130 or so.

"I thought our bowlers did a good job. Pitch was not easy to read. The variations they bowled in the powerplay...we kept them quiet for a while. We dropped catches, and that cost us. At one stage, we felt we could restrict them to 130," said the USA captain.

He said 160 was chasable, but the failure of his top three batters put paid to their efforts. He said they have taken lots of learnings from this match, which will help them in subsequent matches.

"I thought 160 was a good score (to chase on this wicket). The top three could not perform, soft dismissals. The intent was a bit missing because we lost wickets initially. Lots of learning and positives from this game. The way we handled the pressure, the crowd, we managed it really well. We made a few mistakes, but we will try to come back stronger," he added.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 7 (IANS) Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Saturday, released the new two-nanometre Qualcomm chip and said that it is a major development for the country.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Union Minister Vaishnaw made the statement while inaugurating Texas Instruments' new product research and development facility in Bengaluru.

The Union Minister said, "I am very happy to share with you that today we unveiled the 2 nanometer wafer and 2 nanometre chip at Qualcomm. It's a series of developments companies are now designing end to end products in India."

"Gone are those days when most of back office development was done here, and now from the entire customer product definition to design, the final silicon, getting it taped out and getting it validated, that entire thing is being done in India," he added.

"This is a major development for our country, our industry. I would like to thank to all those pioneers here in Qualcomm, who have taken the challenge few years ago, I requested them to go ahead in the most advanced designs in India and I thank them for taking up that challenge and doing it in India," Union Minister Vaishnaw said.

Congratulations to the entire team for doing this in India, he added.

Talking about the wafer, Union Minister said, "This is the wafer in which each die contains nearly 20 to 30 billion transistors. One die, the small square you see here, has about 20 billion transistors. To put it in perspective, 20 billion equals 2,000 crore or 20 lakh crore."

Exhibiting the tiny silicon chip, he said that this is basically having GPU and the CPU within this small chip.

"The end product which comes out of this is a module which will be AI computer on the desktop of any person on the edge, meaning on the camera, within the wifi router, or within any device on the machine or any moving car or automobile or train. That kind of development is happening," the Union Minister added.

"This breakthrough has firmly placed India among countries working on cutting-edge chip design, alongside companies such as AMD that have already demonstrated such capabilities."

Union Minister Vaishnaw also said, "India is making significant progress in semiconductor manufacturing and chip design."

Though the semiconductor sector is relatively new in the country, the Union Minister said the entire semiconductor ecosystem is rapidly taking shape and preparing for large-scale growth.

The development also established India from being a software provider and a back-office to an end-to-end semiconductor product design and development hub, he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of evolving into a "Jamaati Congress" through alliances with communal organisations, potentially endangering national unity and democratic values.

Also, while addressing the media at the BJP headquarters here, Trivedi criticised the West Bengal government's budget for prioritising "Maulvis, Muezzins, and Madrasas" over the Trinamool Congress's own slogan of "Maa, Maati, Manush."

He claimed this reflected the INDI alliance's relentless pursuit of appeasement politics, setting new lows in divisive strategies.

Trivedi highlighted recent remarks by Congress leader and Kerala Assembly Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, who expressed no objection to seeking support from Jamaat-e-Islami.

He noted that Congress in Kerala is already allied with the Indian Union Muslim League, an outfit Trivedi linked directly to Muhammad Ali Jinnah's pre-Partition Muslim League.

He pointed out that key figures like PK Pokker Sahib Bahadur and Mohammad Ismail, associated with Jinnah's Madras Presidency unit, founded the modern entity, where Jinnah was hailed as "Quaid-e-Azam" and Ismail as "Quaid-e-Millat."

Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier description of Congress as a "Muslim League-Maoist party," Trivedi argued the party has now transcended even that, embracing Jamaat-e-Islami—a group he described as propagating an ideology to transform India into an Islamic state.

"While the Muslim League was at least a political party, Jamaat is a communal organisation," he emphasised.

He cited past instances, including Congress's alliance with Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui's Indian Secular Front during West Bengal Assembly elections and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's controversial statement equating Congress's strength with Muslims.

In Kerala, Trivedi said, this has escalated to implying that Jamaat's power bolsters Congress, questioning what "consequences" Keralites might face in return for such support.

Trivedi connected this to Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Kerala and his overseas defence of the Muslim League as "completely secular."

He also referenced a 2023 claim by a Social Democratic Party of India general secretary in Karnataka about an "understanding" with the banned Popular Front of India in 2018, underscoring patterns of "divisive appeasement" that have reached the extremes of minorityism, posing a major challenge to Kerala.

Warning of long-term risks, Trivedi drew parallels with Bangladesh, where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's 2001 alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami legitimised it but later turned it into the BNP's biggest adversary.

He urged Congress to heed this lesson to avoid similar pitfalls. Quoting Rajya Sabha Leader of the House and former BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Trivedi cautioned against becoming "hostages to the intellect of an immature child," calling on Keralites to unite to prevent the state from plunging into crisis.

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 7 (IANS) The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) held its South Zone Youth Wing Conference in Virudhunagar district on Saturday, drawing large participation from party cadres and youth volunteers from across southern Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin, along with Deputy Chief Minister and Youth Wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin, attended the event and addressed the gathering, outlining the party’s ideological stand on language, social justice and education.

Speaking at the conference, Chief Minister Stalin reiterated the party’s long-standing commitment to protecting Tamil identity and opposing any attempt to impose Hindi through national policies.

He said the Tamil language had faced several threats over the decades and credited the Dravidian movement for safeguarding it through sustained struggles. “Whenever our mother tongue, Tamil, was in danger, we fought relentlessly to protect it,” Stalin said.

“Even today, under the guise of the three-language policy, attempts are being made to impose Hindi. They believe that if they destroy our language, they can erase our identity. We will never allow that to happen.”

The Chief Minister also criticised what he described as attempts to undermine social justice through centralised education policies.

Referring to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), he alleged that such examinations disproportionately affect students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. He said that historically, education and employment opportunities were denied to large sections of society.

“There was a time when education was restricted, and jobs were out of reach for many communities. Reservation policies helped us correct that injustice. But now, through exams like NEET, they are trying to recreate the old system and shut the doors again,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, addressing the youth volunteers, urged them to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and take the message of social justice, state rights and linguistic pride to every household.

The conference is part of the DMK’s wider mobilisation efforts ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, with the party organising zonal meets across Tamil Nadu to energise cadres and consolidate support.

Party leaders said the youth wing would play a crucial role in carrying forward the Dravidian ideology and countering policies they view as detrimental to Tamil Nadu’s interests.

The event concluded with resolutions reaffirming the DMK’s commitment to federalism, social equity and the protection of the Tamil language and culture.

--IANS

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Patna, Feb 7 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is aimed at protecting illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Speaking to media persons at Patna airport, Adhikari claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government was shielding infiltrators for political gains.

“She is objecting to the SIR only to protect Bangladeshi infiltrators. Illegal infiltrators, especially Muslims, are being protected by her,” Adhikari alleged.

Referring to statements made by the Prime Minister in Parliament, Adhikari said that such issues had already been highlighted at the national level.

“The Prime Minister has spoken in Parliament about how courts are being approached to protect infiltrators. The SIR is not new in this country. It has been conducted eight times earlier, and this is the ninth time it is being carried out in West Bengal. It is a continuous process, but Mamata Banerjee’s protest is only to protect illegal infiltrators,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Adhikari expressed confidence about the BJP’s prospects and invoked a historical and political narrative.

“We have won Kalinga (Odisha) in 2024 and Ang Pradesh (Bihar) in 2025. Now we have to win Bang (West Bengal) in 2026 to complete the circle of Ang, Bang and Kalinga. These regions were once part of a single state,” he said.

He further asserted that West Bengal would see a change in governance.

“In 2026, there will be a Sanatani and nationalist government in West Bengal,” Adhikari claimed.

Explaining his surprise visit to Patna, the BJP leader said he would meet senior party leaders to discuss election strategy for West Bengal.

“Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey is a central observer. He was also in charge of the BJP in West Bengal and has worked there for four years. I will meet him and other BJP leaders,” he said.

With the West Bengal Assembly elections drawing closer, political exchanges between the BJP and the ruling TMC have intensified, setting the stage for a high-voltage campaign in the State.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Feb 7 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Madhya Pradesh government has installed a statue of Mata Shabari at Sitamadhi Dham in Shahdol district. This marks a significant effort to revive religious and cultural values associated with Lord Ram.

​Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will unveil the statue during a ceremonial event on Sunday attended by tribal community members and local representatives. Sitamadhi Dham is on Ramchandra Pathagaman Marg in Gandhiya village, Jaisinghnagar, near the Chhattisgarh border.​

According to tradition, Lord Ram travelled from Ayodhya to Lanka during his exile and rested at 248 notable locations, including Gandhiya village in Shahdol district.

It is believed that before entering Dandakaranya, Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman rested in the village of Gandhiya near the Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh border. The village features Mata Sita’s Rasoi and a Ram Temple.​

In the Koriya district, caves are believed to have sheltered Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman during their exile. This site is recognised on the Ram Van Gaman Path in Chhattisgarh.​

The Ram Van Gaman Path is a 2,260 km Hindu pilgrimage route that retraces the 14-year exile of Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka. The route includes over 248 locations. Major development projects in Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh aim to promote tourism and preserve cultural heritage along the Dandakaranya forest.​

During the event, Chief Minister Yadav will inaugurate and lay the foundation for development projects valued at over Rs 767 crore. He will also distribute appointment letters to 15 people whose land was acquired by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL).

​Later, the Chief Minister will distribute forest rights titles to women in self-help groups under the Rural Livelihood Mission. He will also provide relief assistance to beneficiaries affected by accidents or deaths.​

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS) Coming into the home T20 World Cup as the defending champions, defending champions India are under pressure from the huge expectations for their third title. Though their preparations were top-notch with a 4-1 series win over New Zealand, injuries to Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah's illness had doubled the pressure on skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

But the ice-cool Mumbai batter led from the front as he scored a majestic 84 not out, and with Mohammad Siraj bagging 3-29 to lead a superb effort by the bowlers, India defeated USA by 29 runs and started their campaign on a winning note.

But it was not easy, and the skipper said only he knew how much the pressure had piled on him.

"Only I can tell how much pressure I was feeling, but I had the belief. I knew if I batted till the end, I could make a difference," said Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match presentation on Saturday.

With India struggling at 77/6, Surya and Axar Patel raised a vital 41 runs for the seventh wicket partnership. The Indian skipper then put on display his 360-degree stroke-making abilities and power-hitting as he hammered two sixes and two fours in the final over to help India reach 161/9 in 20 overs. Mohammad Siraj claimed three wickets for 29 runs, and with Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel bagging two wickets each, India strangled the USA innings and restricted them for 132/8 to win by 29 runs.

Suryakumar admitted it was a difficult wicket that tested the batters. He said his batters should have taken up such challenges and should have batted better.

"It was a little different wicket. But we knew when we woke up, there was not a lot of sun outside. Curator tried their best. There was not enough sunlight to have the pitch rolled and watered. We cannot brush everything under the carpet, we need to bat much better. After winning, you get to learn a lot of things. Could have batted better and smarter. 1-2 partnerships could have gotten us to 160 (more easily).

The Indian captain said he adapted his approach to batting as wickets kept falling around him and said he was confident of taking the team to a good total if he stayed till the end.

"I always felt there was a need for a batter to bat to the end. Did not feel it was a 180-190 wicket; it was more like a 140 wicket. Have played a lot of my cricket here, so I know how to bat on similar wickets. 77-6, from there, batting till the end, you had to understand that one batter has to bat till the end. Was just trying to play good shots and my shots," said Suryakumar Yadav, who was adjudged the Player of the Match for his effort.

Surya said he did not do anything special to regain his form as he scored his fourth half-century of 2026 after going through a poor run towards the end of 2025. He said he felt something different when he reached Nagpur for the first T20I against New Zealand, his first match of the new year.

"I knew some day, it was going to come. I was trying to hold the innings for the team (in the last year). Packed my kit bag (after my last innings last year), spent time with my family and then went to Nagpur, and it was a different feeling," said the 36-year-old batter.

Surya also gave an update on injured pacer Bumrah and said spinner-allrounder Washington Sundar will join the team in New Delhi.

"Bumrah was having a fever. Abhishek (Sharma) was also under the weather. Washington will join us in Delhi," said Suryakumar.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS) Bollywood hunk Salman Khan attended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Mumbai Vyakhyanmala event on Saturday.

As the organisation marked its centenary year, RSS organized a two-day lecture series themed '100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons'.

As Salman arrived at the venue amidst tight security, the enthusiastic crowd reportedly tried to click photos with the 'Ek Tha Tiger' actor.

Veteran actresses Hema Malini and Poonam Dhillon also graced the event.

Going by the RSS Facebook page, the programme is an attempt to reflect on the organisation’s journey and its role in society.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also talked about Salman's mass appeal. He said that college students copy him, despite not knowing why.

“College students copy Salman Khan’s fashion. When asked why, they say they don’t know. Salman is doing it. The context being good values in society should become a fashion," he shared during the event.

On another note, Salman recently joined Jackie Shroff’s birthday celebrations on short notice.

On Monday, veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared a photo with Salman and Jackie on his official Insta handle.

The photo had Salman sporting a moustache, most likely for his forthcoming war drama ‘Battle of Galwan’.

The 'Taal' maker also shared a heartfelt note praising Salman for obliging his request on such short notice.

Ghai wrote on the photo-sharing app, “Indeed salman khan is one of the most gracious stars who respects his seniors in his mind heart n gesture too. On just receipt of my SMS asking him to join a close friends eve on birthday of dear jackie shroff he surprised us with his gracious visit at my home n brightened the eve. Thank u. Stay blessed always Salman."

Work-wise, Salman is currently busy with "Battle of Galwan", which is being directed by Apoorva Lakhia.

Based on the 2020 confrontation between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan region, the project also stars Chitrangda Singh, Abhilash Chaudhary, and Ankur Bhatia in key roles.

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 7 (IANS) Actor Ajay Dhishan, who plays the second lead in director Sasi's eagerly awaited upcoming film, 'Nooru Saami', featuring actor and music director Vijay Antony in the lead, on Saturday disclosed that the unit had wrapped up the shooting of the film.

Participating in the pre-release event of his other film 'Pookie', actor Ajay Dhishan made a passing reference to 'Nooru Saami' during the course of his speech and disclosed that the unit of 'Nooru Saami' had now wrapped up the shooting of the film.

It may be recalled that actor Vijay Antony had on November 14 last year chosen to give an update on 'Nooru Saami' by posting a picture of himself on the sets of the film on X. The picture he posted showed him sitting in what appeared to be a sugarcane field.

The actor, music director and producer had then said, "#NooruSaami Final Schedule (smiley face)."

It may be recalled that director Sasi, in an exclusive interview to IANS earlier, had disclosed that his film, which comes after the phenomenal success of the blockbuster 'Pichaikkaran', would be based on real-life incidents.

For the unaware, director Sasi's earlier film 'Pichaikkaran', which featured Vijay Antony in the lead, not only emerged a blockbuster but also went on to become a cult classic. Pichaikkaran's story revolved around a renowned and wealthy businessman, who, in a bid to save his mother's life, secretly seeks alms and lives the life of a beggar for a period of 48 days as part of a vow made to God. The film, which was based on a real life incident, moved audiences across not just Tamil Nadu but other regions of the country as well.

Sasi confirmed to IANS that the story of 'Nooru Saami' (Hundred Gods), the title of which has interestingly been taken from an immensely popular song in 'Pichaikkaran', will be based on the bond between a mother and a son and that it will be based on real-life incidents.

However, when IANS had asked if the story of 'Nooru Saami' would be a continuation of the story of 'Pichaikkaran', Sasi had replied in the negative, saying both stories were different and would have nothing to do with each other.

Sasi had officially announced that he would be working with Vijay Antony again on a film at the trailer launch event of director Leo John Paul's 'Maargan'. Sasi went on to disclose that this upcoming film ('Nooru Saami') was one that he considered very close to his heart. He also disclosed that this film would feature two heroes.

"While one of the hero roles will be played by Vijay Antony, the other hero's character will be played by Ajay Dhishan, who happens to be Vijay Antony's sister's son. I remember Ajay as a small child when we were doing Dishyum. He is now a young hero," Sasi had added.

--IANS

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Chennai, Feb 7 (IANS) The makers of director Ganesh Chandra's upcoming romantic drama 'Pookie' on Saturday screened an exclusive sneak peek of the film for the media.

The film, which features Ajay Dhishan and Dhansha in the lead, is scheduled to hit screens on February 13 this year.

The sneak peek, which lasted around seven minutes, shows that the film revolves around the lead characters who are in a relationship. The sneak peek shows that a small disagreement results in an argument between Ajay Dhishan and Dhansha, when they are driving back home. As the argument intensifies, a rash car driver looks to overtake the couple's car and in the process, ends up smashing the side view mirror of their car. He does not bother to stop and tries to race away.

An infuriated Ajay Dhishan, who is already fuming with rage because of his partner's senseless nagging, chooses to chase down the car that smashed his car's mirror, even as Dhansha keeps asking him to let the man who damaged their car get away.

Paying no heed to her words, Ajay Dhishan picks up speed and manages to overtake the car that caused the accident. He confronts the guy, who, instead of tendering an apology, acts in an arrogant fashion. It doesn't take long for the issue to come to blows between the two guys. Needless to say, onlookers beginning to shoot videos of the ongoing tussle on their mobiles.

Meanwhile, a frustrated Dhansha slaps Ajay Dhishan in a bid to make him listen to her and stop the fight. He slaps her back and she fumes. The couple break up. But life becomes terrible as their slapping incident, which has now got recorded on scores of cameras, begins to do the rounds on social media...

The sneak peek gives the impression that the film will be a relationship drama that will deal with how the present generation views romance and relationships.

The film, which has been produced by well known producer Vijay Antony through his Vijay Antony Film Corporation, has been shot by director Ganesh Chandra himself. Interestingly, Ganesh Chandra was the cinematographer of Vijay Antony's second film as hero, 'Salim'.

Vijay Antony, apart from scoring the music of the film, has also edited the film. The story of the film has been penned by Puthiya Parithi.

Apart from Ajay Dhishan and Dhansha, the film also features a host of actors including Pandiarajan, Sunil, Lakshmi Manchu, Indumathi Manigandan, Aaditya Kathir, Vivek Prasanna, Black Pandi, Bigg Boss Sathya, M. J. Shriram, Radha, Ashwin Ram, Shiyara Sharmi and Priyanka.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS) Actress Priyanka Chopra recalled how her late 'Mary Kom' co-star Sunil Thapa helped her through her toughest time after the passing away of her father, Ashok Chopra.

Remembering the late actor for his kindness, PeeCee wrote on her Instagram handle, "You will always be my Coach Sir.

You kept me together when I had just lost my dad. You loved me and helped me through many tough days without even realizing. Your warm hugs and your laugh will always be part of my memories.

Gone too young but never forgotten. Thank you for your kindness at a time that I was broken. (Sic)."

Offering her condolences to the family and loved ones of Sunil Thapa, she added, "Rest in peace Sunil Thapa...My condolences and prayers are with the family and loved ones."

Veteran Nepali actor Sunil Thapa passed away in Kathmandu on Saturday morning at the age of 68.

As per the hospital authorities, the actor was undergoing treatment after his health suddenly deteriorated.

The officials told the local media that Sunil Thapa was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state, and he was declared dead due to suspected cardiac arrest after an ECG.

Mohan Niraula, President of Film Artists Association of Nepal, told IANS that the veteran actor passed away due to a cardiac problem.

“We are awaiting his family members, who reside in Mumbai, to perform his last rites,” he shared.

Nepal's Prime Minister Sushila Karki also mourned the loss of the actor.

“With his passing, the Nepali and Indian film industries have lost not only a versatile artist but also a strong pillar,” she said in a statement.

Before starting his tenure as an actor, Sunil Thapa worked as a model in Mumbai in the mid-1970s. He was also actively involved in sports and even played professional football for clubs in Bombay.

--IANS

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