Regional

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The political storm stirred by Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over alleged irregularities in Maharashtra electoral rolls was dismissed as ‘baseless’ by an Election Commission source on Saturday.

“The Maharashtra electoral roll revision process was undertaken under the full glare of 1,03,727 Booth Level Agents appointed by the political parties, including 27,099 BLAs by the Indian National Congress (INC) themselves,” said an official source, claiming that there was no basis for the Congress leader to insinuate vitiation of the electoral process.

According to the Election Commission’s elaborate procedure on the updating of electoral rolls, any deletion and addition is done strictly as per the given framework under Article 324 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of the Electors Rules, 1960 and the extant instructions issued by the Commission from time to time

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in an article published in a national daily, alleged "match-fixing" by the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

His article ignited a political controversy, with opposition parties claiming that it exposes the alleged scale of electoral manipulation in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections and points to the Election Commission's "silence" on critical questions raised by the opposition alliance.

Election Commission sources, however, disagreed with Rahul Gandhi’s claim and questioned why no appeals were filed in case the allegations about manipulation carried any weight.

After the finalisation of these electoral rolls during the Maharashtra elections, out of 9,77,90,752 electors, only 89 appeals were filed before the first appellate authority (District Magistrate) under Section 24(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, said a source.

Only one appeal was preferred before the second appellate authority (Chief Electoral Officer) under Section 24(B) of the same Act, he said.

To counter Rahul Gandhi’s attack on alleged election rigging, BJP leader Amit Malviya on Saturday posted on social media a news clip headlined: ‘Misleading’, ‘baseless’, says EC, rejects Congress' claims on Maharashtra voter lists.

The EC said there was no irregular pattern in voter deletions in the state and rule-based process was followed with transparency in preparation of the electoral rolls, according to the clip.

--IANS

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Raipur, June 7 (IANS) Five Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in an ongoing operation in the Indravati National Park area of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police officials said on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed the success and expressed his wish to meet the brave soldiers who are engaged in anti-Maoist mission.

With the latest casualties, seven Maoists, including top leaders Sudhakar and Bhaskar, were neutralised in the operation in the last three days, they said.

"Security forces have recovered the bodies of seven Maoists during the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the Indravati National Park area of the district," a police officer said.

Security forces have intensified their anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, leading to the elimination of seven Maoist cadres over the past three days.

Among those killed are Central Committee Member Gautam, also known as Sudhakar, and Telangana State Committee Member Bhaskar.

The encounters, which unfolded between June 5 and June 7, resulted in multiple casualties among insurgents.

The first confrontation on June 5 led to the death of Sudhakar, a senior Maoist leader who had established Maoist education centres in the Dandakaranya region.

His body was recovered following an intense exchange of fire.

The following day, security forces neutralised Bhaskar, a commander associated with the Telangana State Committee.

His elimination marked another significant blow to the insurgent network.

As operations continued into the intervening night of June 6 and 7, three more Maoist's bodies were found, including two women and one man.

Later, on June 7 (Saturday), two additional male Maoist cadres were killed in another encounter.

The identities of these five insurgents remain unknown, and efforts are underway to confirm their details.

Security personnel recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter sites, including two AK-47 rifles and various Maoist documents.

The operation has been physically demanding, with several soldiers sustaining injuries due to snake bites, honeybee stings, dehydration, and other operational hazards.

Medical teams have ensured their treatment, and all injured personnel are reported to be in stable condition.

Search and area domination efforts continue in the dense forest terrain to track any remaining Maoist operatives and secure the region.

Officials have stated that a comprehensive report on the recovered weapons and materials will be released once all field inputs have been consolidated.

The ongoing crackdown against Maoist insurgents in Bijapur underscores the government’s commitment to dismantling their presence and restoring stability to the region.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma acknowledged the success of the operation, confirming that the bodies of seven insurgents, including top leaders Sudhakar and Bhaskar, have been recovered.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (IANS) In a dramatic turn of events, Reshma Chandrasekeran, a woman in her 30s accused of duping at least seven men by marrying them and fleeing with their gold mangalasutras, was arrested just hours before what would have been her eighth wedding, officials said on Saturday.

Reshma, who also has a two-year-old child, was taken into custody by the Aryanadu Police on Friday from a beauty parlour where she was getting ready for the wedding.

The prospective groom -- a local body member from Pothencode -- had grown suspicious of her behaviour and alerted the police.

"She is now in our custody. Her arrest has been formally recorded, and she will be produced before the local court soon," a police official told IANS.

The groom told police he first connected with Reshma through a matrimonial website last month.

After initial conversations with a woman who introduced herself as a mediator, Reshma was presented as a potential match. They later met in a mall in Kottayam, where Reshma told him she had grown up as an orphan and had very few relatives, which is why she wouldn’t have anyone from her side attending the wedding scheduled for June 6.

However, doubts were raised when she visited the groom's friend’s house the previous evening. The friend's wife noticed her suspicious conduct and warned the groom.

On Friday, as Reshma arrived at the parlour, her handbag was discreetly searched, and documents relating to several past marriages were discovered. The police were immediately called, and she was detained.

According to police officials, Reshma's modus operandi was simple yet effective -- after the wedding ceremony, where the groom would traditionally present the mangalasutra, she would vanish within days, cutting off all contact.

"We have started contacting the men she previously married based on the information we've obtained during questioning," the official said, adding, “She appears to have been planning at least two more weddings in the coming months.”

The incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns over matrimonial fraud. Further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of Reshma’s deception and identify any possible accomplices.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Finance Ministry's Department of Financial Services has notified the amalgamation of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on the principles of 'One State One RRB' as part of the fourth phase of the continuing exercise to improve efficiency, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Finance had rolled out an amalgamation plan in November 2024 for consultation with stakeholders. After consultation with stakeholders, the amalgamation of 26 RRBs in 10 states and one UT has been carried out with the primary focus on the improvement in scale efficiency and cost rationalisation, the statement said.

At present, 43 RRBs are functioning in 26 states and 2 UTs. Post amalgamation, there will be 28 RRBs in 26 states and 2 UTs with more than 22,000 branches covering 700 districts. Their predominant area of operation is in rural areas, with approximately 92 per cent of branches in rural and semi-urban areas, the statement said.

This is the fourth phase of amalgamation. In the previous three phases which include Phase-I (FY 2006 to FY 2010), the number of RRBs were reduced from 196 to 82, in Phase-2 (FY 2013 to FY 2015) from 82 to 56, and in Phase-3 (FY 2019 to FY 2021) from 56 to 43, the official statement said.

The Finance Ministry has kicked off a 'One State One RRB' drive in 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, by amalgamating various RRBs into one. The scheme will come into effect from May 1.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 23A of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976, the Central government hereby provides for the amalgamation of the said Regional Rural Banks into a single Regional Rural Bank, which shall come into effect on and from the 1st day of May, 2025 with such constitution, property, powers, rights, interests, authorities and privileges; and with such liabilities, duties and obligation," a notification by the Finance Ministry said.

Regional Rural Banks in India play a crucial role in promoting rural economic development by providing financial services, particularly credit and other facilities, to small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs in underserved rural areas.

--IANS

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Kolkata, April 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday giving relief to the West Bengal cabinet from the CBI probe in the school job case does not bring an end to the miseries of the 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools who lost jobs following an order by the apex court, claimed the opposition parties in the state.

According to the BJP’s Rajya Sabha member from West Bengal, Samik Bhattacharya, the Chief Minister, her cabinet colleagues and Trinamool Congress leaders might be happy over the relief from the CBI probe on the creation of “supernumerary posts”, but thousands of others are suffering.

“Does that mean that the trauma ends for the 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff, whose jobs were cancelled last week by the Supreme Court, which clearly said the entire panel had to be cancelled because of the failure of the state government and West Bengal School Service Commission to segregate ‘genuine’ candidates from the ‘tainted’ ones? The tainted ones got jobs against payment of money. Even after that verdict, the Chief Minister is misleading those job losers by making several promises that their jobs will be protected,” Bhattacharya said.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate of Calcutta High Court Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya said the apex court has given relief to the cabinet from the CBI probe since the court feels that a central agency probe on “wisdom” of the decision of the state cabinet to create “supernumerary posts” was not desirable.

“This was a relief that the state cabinet members had been seeking for quite some time, and ultimately they have got the relief. However, the CBI probe on other matters in the school job case will continue,” he said.

Four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member and senior advocate of Calcutta High Court Kalyan Banerjee said the apex court has ruled out the alleged “criminality” behind the decision of the cabinet.

“However, I feel sad for the BJP and CPI(M) leaders, who till yesterday were claiming that the entire cabinet will be now behind bars. The apex court order was heartbreak for them,” Banerjee said.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court set aside the direction passed by the Calcutta High Court, which had ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the creation of supernumerary posts in state-run schools. These teaching and non-teaching posts, which have remained under the cloud since the beginning, are perceived to provide room for ineligible candidates recruited illegally.

With the latest decision of the apex court, the probe agency will not be able to investigate the sanctity of the decision approving the creation of supernumerary posts. The SC clarified that its order will not preclude the CBI to probe other aspects of the school job scam case in terms of the Calcutta High Court decision.

--IANS

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Kolkata, April 8 (IANS) A verbal spat between Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad at the Election Commission of India (ECI) premises has sparked controversy, with the BJP releasing videos and screenshots of the alleged altercation. Reacting to the incident, TMC MP Saugata Roy on Tuesday expressed disappointment and said that this shouldn’t have happened.

Speaking to IANS, Saugata Roy said, "I am sad. This should not have happened. I don’t know if this dispute really took place, but if it did, it’s indeed unfortunate. We are 29 people in the Lok Sabha, and we should all work together."

This comes after the BJP shared screenshots of an alleged WhatsApp conversation between Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad on the social media platform X. These were posted by BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, who also shared video footage of the alleged heated exchange between the two TMC MPs. According to Malviya, the altercation occurred on April 4 at the ECI premises, where both leaders had gone to submit a memorandum.

Malviya claimed that “soon after the public spat between two TMC MPs in the precincts of the Election Commission of India on 4th April 2025, the irate MP continued slandering the ‘Versatile International Lady (VIL)”.

He also claimed that the spat between the two TMC MPs spilled over into the ‘AITC MP 2024’ WhatsApp group, witnessing barbs exchange among two groups.

“And in the middle of it all, the question still lingers: who exactly is the “versatile international lady”? That mystery is one for the world to unravel,” Malviya’s post read.

Saugata Roy also reacted to another major issue concerning the state i.e. Supreme Court’s recent decision to annul the appointments of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run and state-aided schools.

“I was deeply saddened by the Supreme Court’s notification cancelling these teacher posts,” Roy stated.

"We are taking several steps to manage the situation, including filing a review petition," he added.

--IANS

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Jaipur, April 8 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday removed its district vice president, accused in the Jaipur hit-and-run case, in which three people died and six others were injured.

Usman Khan, who, in an inebriated state, mowed pedestrians, has been arrested.

The deceased included a brother and sister.

According to the police, first Usman's SUV collided with other vehicles on MI Road and then entered the narrow streets of the city, where it mowed down pedestrians. The police arrested the driver with the help of locals.

Meanwhile, protests erupted outside the Nahargarh police station on Tuesday morning, with people demanding compensation for the victims' families.

The incident occurred around 9.30 p.m. on Monday.

Additional DCP (North) Bajrang Singh Shekhawat said Usman, 62, caused the most destruction within a 500-metre stretch.

Virendra Singh (48), Mamta Kanwar (50), and Monesh Soni (28), Mohammad Jalaluddin (44), a resident of Manbag Khor Sharda Colony, Deepika Saini (17), Vijay Narayan (65), Zebunnisha (50), Anshika (24), and Awadhesh Pareek (37) were injured in the incident and rushed to the hospital.

At the medical facility, Mamta Kanwar and Awadhesh Pareek were declared dead.

Tragically, Virendra Singh succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning.

The condition of the injured remains critical, and they are being treated in the trauma ward at Sawai Mansingh Hospital (SMS).

Khan, a resident of Rana Colony in Shastri Nagar, Jaipur, owns a factory that makes iron beds in Vishwakarma Industrial Area.

The family of the deceased woman, Mamta Kanwar, has filed an FIR against Usman. In the wake of this incident, residents are furious, and police from four stations have been deployed around Nahargarh Road and surrounding areas to maintain law and order.

Usman's SUV has been seized and investigation is underway, the police said.

--IANS

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Mysuru, April 8 (IANS) Responding to the criticism over the hike in LPG cylinder prices, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra took a swipe at the Congress party leaders, saying that if someone like Rahul Gandhi had become the Prime Minister, the price would have been Rs 2,500 instead of Rs 850.

Speaking to media representatives in Mysuru on Tuesday, Vijayendra responded to the critical remarks made by the Chief Minister and other ministers about the hike in LPG prices.

He said, "Even after the Rs 50 increase, it now stands at Rs 850. In August 2023, it was reduced by Rs 200 to Rs 907. The Central government has increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 due to rising crude oil prices in the international market. But this burden hasn’t been passed on to the common people.

"It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched the Ujjwala scheme so that even the poor living in huts could use LPG. In March 2023, the price of a gas cylinder was Rs 1107. If someone like Rahul Gandhi had become the Prime Minister, the cylinder price would have been Rs 2,500,” he remarked.

“The Central government has made decisions on petrol, diesel, and gas cylinders based on rising international crude prices. But isn't it the state government that raised milk prices? Aren’t you taxing garbage? Haven’t you increased water charges? Are you importing milk from the international market?” he questioned.

"The government led by CM Siddaramaiah in the state has increased the prices of 48 essential commodities. It appears that CM Siddaramaiah has formed an expert committee solely for hiking prices," criticized Vijayendra.

Vijayendra said, “No other state government has burdened the common people like this. In Karnataka, the Congress and Siddaramaiah are doing just that.”

“This government has no direction. They've increased the prices of petrol, water, and diesel. They’re even levying taxes on garbage. The price of milk has gone up by Rs 9. They have increased taxes on petrol and diesel by Rs 7.50,” he stated.

“Who is burdening the people by increasing the prices of 48 essential goods -- Siddaramaiah or PM Modi? You tell me,” he questioned.

He pointed out that though the Central government has increased excise duty on petrol and diesel, it hasn’t passed the burden on to the people; instead, the companies are bearing the cost, according to the Central ministers.

“The police department was supposed to receive salaries on the 1st of the month, but even by the 7th, they haven’t received them this month. Teachers, too, have not been paid. Government employees haven’t received their salaries. This is a clear indicator of the state’s poor financial condition,” said Vijayendra.

--IANS

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Jaipur, April 8 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has expressed condolences over the demise of Dadi Ratan Mohini, Chief Administrator of Brahma Kumaris (Abu Road).

Dadi Ratan Mohini, 101, passed away at 1.20 a.m. in a private hospital in Ahmedabad (Gujarat).

CM Sharma said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Dadi Ratanmohini, the Chief Rajyogini of Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya. Her demise is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world. May Lord Shri Ram grant strength to the bereaved followers to bear this immense loss. Om Shanti," he added.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari posted, "I am shocked to hear the news of Dadi Ratan Mohini's passing. Dadi's life and her contributions to the upliftment of society serve as an inspiration to all of us."

"Dadi's body was brought from Ahmedabad to the international headquarters of Brahma Kumari Sansthan in Abu Road on Tuesday. The body has been kept there for the last darshan. The institute's officials will soon announce the date of the funeral," Brahma Kumaris' PRO said.

Born on March 25, 1925, in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan), Dadi Ratan Mohini was deeply interested in spirituality from a young age and played a significant role in the establishment of the institute. Dadi Ratan Mohini remained active until the last days of her life.

She used to wake up at 3.30 a.m. every day during Brahma Muhurta and remained engaged in divine services until 10 p.m. She undertook numerous padayatras to promote Indian culture and values.

In 1985, she completed 13 padayatras, and in 2006, she completed a journey of 31,000 kilometers. In total, she traveled over 70,000 kilometers on foot. She was also responsible for the training and appointment of sisters joining the institute.

She initially trained young sisters under her guidance before dedicating herself fully to the Brahma Kumari institute. Over the years, she trained more than 46,000 sisters from 4,600 service centers across the country.

Additionally, she served as National President of Brahma Kumaris' Youth Division, where she focused on instilling human values in the youth and inspiring them to lead better lives.

--IANS

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