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Prayagraj, Feb 26 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court on Monday rejected the plea filed by Muslim side challenging the Varanasi court order allowing Hindu parties to offer prayers and puja in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal delivered the verdict.

The single-judge had reserved order in the matter on February 15.

The plea was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging a January 31 district court order, permitting the conduct of Hindu prayers in the southern cellar or basement (tehkhana) of the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The said order was passed amid an ongoing civil court case involving conflicting claims over the religious character of the Gyanvapi compound.

Among other claims, the Hindu side has said that Hindu prayers were earlier offered by the family of one Somnath Vyas in the mosque's cellar until 1993, when the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government allegedly stopped it.

The Muslim side has opposed this claim and maintained that Muslims have always had possession over the mosque's building.

The main dispute over the Gyanvapi compound involves a claim by the Hindu side that a section of an ancient temple on the said land was destroyed during the rule of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century.

The Muslim side has maintained that the mosque predated Aurangzeb's reign and that it had endured various alterations over time.

Following the Varanasi district court's order on January 31 which allowed priests to perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi, religious ceremonies were performed on the mosque's premises at midnight on February 1.

Later, the southern cellar was opened to devotees.

On February 13, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also visited the Gyanvapi premises and worshipped at the 'Vyas Ka Tekhana'.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) Dharmendra may be counted among the 'veteran' Hindi cinema stars, but he has just shown that he's very much 'with-it'.

In a recent Instagram post, Dharmendra gave an AI spin to an image he shared with his fans and followers.

In the image, a younger version of Bollywood’s 'He-Man', reminiscent of the days when he was famous for his macho good looks, can be seen lounging in a convertible car dressed in denim pants and jacket paired with a crisp white shirt. He did not share any caption for the picture.

Dharmendra, who was most recently seen in Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani', also shared a picture of his grandson Karan Deol, where he is smiling ear-to ear.

The 88-year-old star captioned it: "Love you Rock, for your new charisma looks. Jeete raho."

Karan is the elder son of actor Sunny Deol and his wife Pooja. He made his acting debut in 2019 with 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas'. Last year in June, Karan got married to his longtime lady love (and filmmaking legend Bimal Roy's granddaughter) Drisha Acharya.

The reception was attended by the who's who of Bollywood such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, among many others.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that it remains committed to pursuing all the relevant cases of its nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army.

The remarks were in response to "inaccurate reports" in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge.

"We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge," the ministry said in a statement.

"We remain committed, as a matter of top priority, to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army."

"Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi."

As a result, several Indians have already been discharged, the statement read.

Last week, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged that the ministry was aware about the recruitment of Indians by some agents who duped them into joining the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

In a statement, the ministry called on the Indian community to stay away from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and urged them to exercise due caution.

As per media reports, 23-year-old Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya from Gujarat, was killed in a Ukrainian air strike in the Donetsk region on February 21.

Indian officials are yet to confirm the killing of Mangukiya, reportedly hired as a security helper by the Russian Army.

The development comes amidst recent reports that a group of Indian youths fell victim to agents who deceitfully sent them to Russia under the false pretext of providing them with security guard jobs.

Instead, all of them were dispatched to war-torn Ukraine-Russia areas.

--IANS

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Reigning National champion Velavan Senthilkumar sailed into the quarterfinals of the Pittsburgh Open squash, a prestigious USD 75,800 PSA World Tour Silver event, with an 11-6, 5-11, 11-5, 11-8 win over home favourite and No.8 seed Faraz Khan in a thrilling encounter.

This is the first PSA outing of the year for the 25-year-old Tamil Nadu player, ranked 63 in the world, after a breakout 2023 that saw him win four PSA titles in his first full year as pro.

Senthilkumar took an impressive early lead over the American, and cruised to an 11-6 first-game win. Khan regrouped, showing the World No.63 his strength as he levelled the match at 1-1.

The Indian reacted, storming to a 10-5 lead and Khan struck the tin on his return to put the 25-year-old within a game of his maiden Silver-event quarter-final.

The American pulled ahead in the fourth game as he took a 6-1 lead, but Senthilkumar upped his game, playing quick and accurate squash to level the game at 8-8. The Indian continued his late resurgence and won the fourth game 11-8 to secure the match, ending with a mistake from Khan on the match ball.

"It was really good. First of all, Faraz is a really good player. I’ve seen him play recently and he’s been having some really good results so going into the match I was a bit nervous, but at the same time really excited to be here competing. I was just there, enjoying my squash and enjoying myself," Senthilkumar was quoted by tournament's website.

The Indian ace will meet Egyptian world No 21 Youssef Ibrahim in the quarterfinals.

On achieving his maiden Silver-event quarter-final, he said: "I’m really happy, it’s something that I’ve always pushed for, and I’m always going to keep pushing for it as much as I can.”

"I’m excited to have this opportunity, I’m really happy to be here, and compete another day, and playing (Youssef Ibrahim) is going to be fun, and I’m really looking forward to it."

In the opening round, Senthilkumar beat Japanese Ryunosuke Tsukue 11-2, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Feb 9 (IANS) In a proverbial cheat vs. cheat style, two groups of cheats trying to dupe each other were arrested by police in J&K’s Ganderbal district on Friday.

Twelve people of two groups of thugs planning to dupe each other were arrested on the spot by police in Ganderbal district when one group was selling a fake ‘magical stone’ claimed to bring fortune and the other group was buying it with fake currency notes.

Sandeep Gupta, SSP (Ganderbal) said that at least 12 persons were arrested in the Kangan area of Ganderbal district while selling a fake ‘magical stone’ and others buying it with fake currency notes.

“An information was received by Police Station Kangan through reliable sources that some persons are moving in a suspicious manner at Kijpara, behind Dumping Park.

“Acting swiftly, a special Police team was constituted under the supervision of SDPO Kangan, Muzaffar Jan led by station house officer Kangan, Turk Zahoor that raided the spot and apprehended 12 persons who were roaming in suspicious conditions. Among the arrested persons is one policeman identified as Riyaz Ahmad Mir.

“During the search of apprehended persons, 30 bundles of Rs 50,000 each, which constitutes a total Rs 15,00,000 fake currency notes of Children Bank & total cash of Rs 56,600 (Indian currency) were recovered from their possession,

“Further, five vehicles used by the accused in the commission of crime have also been seized on the spot.

“A case under FIR number 08/2024 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Kangan police station”.

--IANS

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Johannesburg, Feb 9 (IANS) Former cricketer AB de Villiers lavished praise on the U-19 Indian team following their comeback win over hosts South Africa in the semifinal in Benoni earlier this week.

India tamed South Africa to stay on course for a record-extending sixth Under-19 World Cup title. The Uday Saharan-led side beat the Proteas by two wickets to book a spot in the summit clash for the ninth time and fifth time in a row.

The Boys-In-Blue will now face Australia on Sunday after the Hugh Weibgen-led side beat Pakistan by one wicket in a nail-biting thriller in the second semifinal at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, de Villiers expressed his disappointment over South Africa's loss but praised the way Indian team roared back to the victory in the semifinals.

"Yeah, I have been following U19 World Cup. There were two close semifinal matches, especially Australia-Pakistan match. Aussies were nine down but they managed to pull back like they do in big moments. It's good that these guys learnt it from very young age," he said.

"Also India-South Africa game was close. South Africa failed to put the pressure despite taking four early wickets. India made a great comeback and won the semis. That was fantastic. Yeah, it shows...amazing depth India have in cricket. It will be an interesting final."

--IANS

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Islamabad, Feb 9 (IANS) Even as delay in general polls outcome raised many eyebrows including that of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and a US lawmaker, interior ministry claimed that it is happening due to lack of connectivity.

The ministry said that internet was suspended on the poll day to ensure security, Dawn reported.

In a post on X, the ministry said that the delay was assessed, stating that the situation was now "satisfactory" .

It expressed hope that the arrival of results would continue without interruptions.

Earlier in the day, US lawmaker Brad Sherman has said that there should be no "unwarranted" delay in announcing results.

In a post on X, he said: "Press organizations in #Pakistan should be free to report vote tabulations and there should be no unwarranted delay in announcing results."

PTI-backed candidate Basharat Raja for Rawalpindi's NA-55 constituency has alleged a discrepancy in between Form 45 and Form 47 results.

The PTI has said its supporters have "shocked and worried the entire system with the historic turnout" during the general elections 2024.

It has alleged that election results are now being withheld "fearing the historic victory" of the party.

As political parties cried foul about delay in poll outcome and questioned the poll watchdog, the ECP directed all the provincial Election Commissioners and Returning Officers to announce the results within half an hour or else face strict action.

To form the government in the country, a party needs to secure win on 133 of the 265 seats. Polling was postponed on one seat after death of a candidate.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Mira Rajput has reviewed her husband Shahid Kapoor’s latest release ‘Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya’ and called the actor the ‘OG loverboy’.

Mira took to her Instagram, where she shared a snap-shot from the film, which she called a complete “laugh riot.”

She wrote: “Complete laughter riot entertainment overload after ages. Love, laughter, masti, dancing and heart-touching message at the end. Kriti Sanon you were pitch perfect."

“Shahid Kapoor The OG loverboy there’s no one like you. You made my heart melt Dil se hasaaya stomach is hurting.”

The film is based on a love story between a human and a robot. It talks about the character Aryan, who is not able to find a perfect life partner. But he meets a perfect girl, Sifra, during an official assignment in the US and falls in love with her only to discover later that it's an impossible love story.

The film is directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah. It also stars Kriti Sanon and Dharmendra.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the remaining three Test matches against England due to an injury, says report.

Iyer has complained of stiffness in the back and pain in the groin area and he Iyer will be sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for further tests, an Indian Express report said.

While the entire squad's playing kits for the second Test were flown directly from Vizag to Rajkot, the venue of the third Test which starts on February 15, Iyer's equipment was specifically sent to his home in Mumbai.

"Iyer has informed the Indian team management and the medical staff that his back gets stiff after playing more than 30 balls and he feels pain in his groin while playing forward defence. Post surgery, he is facing this issue for the first time so he has been advised to rest for a few weeks. He will head to NCA later," a source told The Indian Express.

Iyer has recorded the scores of 35, 13, 27, 29 across the first two Tests played in Hyderabad and Vizag.

The selection committee is expected to announce the India squad for the remaining matches of the five-match series on Friday. If Iyer is indeed excluded, the selectors will need to decide on his replacement.

Team India, which is on a short break, has been expected to assemble in Rajkot on February 11 with training likely to resume the following day.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Feb 9 (IANS) Border Security Force on Friday said that they have seized smuggled snake venom worth Rs 12 crore from an Indo- Bangladesh bordering pocket at Hili in South Dinajpur district in the northern sector of West Bengal.

BSF said that one accused was arrested from whom the crystal jar containing the snake venom was seized. He has been handed over to the state forest department officials.

The arrested person has been identified as Tapan Adhikari (51).

It is learnt that the special crystal jar containing the snake venom consignment was made in France. State Forest Department sleuths suspect that in all probability the consignment was brought there to be smuggled to China via Nepal.

The Ranger of Balurghat forest division Sukanta Ojha said that the person was arrested with the snake venom consignment by 61 Battalion BSF.

“He is a resident of Trimohini which falls under Hili Police Station. He will be presented to a lower district court on Friday only. The seized consignment is being sent to Mumbai for examination purposes,” he said.

Sources said that this is the third incident of seizure of smuggled snake venom consignment in the last 14 months.

In September 2022, the officials at the forest sector in Jalpaiguri district seized snake venom worth Rs 13 crore.

In October 2022, the officials had seized smuggled snake venom of estimated market value of around Rs 30 crore from Ghoshpukur forest range area at Phansidewa community development block in the plains of Darjeeling district.

--IANS

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