Monday, January 12, 2026

Priyanka Gandhi named in ED charge sheet in PMLA case

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been named in a charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate, pertaining to the purported acquisition and disposal of a five-acre plot in Haryana. Notably, her husband, businessman Robert Vadra, is also mentioned; however, both have yet to be formally designated as “accused”.

A charge sheet has been lodged against C.C. Thampi, a non-resident Indian (NRI) businessman, and Sumit Chadha, a British citizen of Indian descent.

According to the ED charge sheet, throughout the investigation, it was discovered that C.C. Thampi acquired around 486 acres of land between 2005 and 2008 in the village of Amipur, District Faridabad in Haryana, through the services of H.L. Pahwa, a real estate agent based in Delhi-NCR.

Notably, Robert Vadra also procured three parcels of land totaling 334 kanals (40.08 acres) in Amipur from Pahwa during 2005-2006, subsequently selling the same land back to H.L. Pahwa in December 2010.

Moreover, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra acquired agricultural land measuring 40 kanals (5 acres) in the village of Amipur from Pahwa in April 2006. She later sold the same land to Pahwa in February 2010.

“Pahwa was receiving cash out of the books for the purpose of acquisition of land. It was also noticed that Robert Vadra did not pay the entire sale consideration to Sh. Pahwa. The investigation in this regard is still ongoing. The copy of the ledger accounts in the books of H.L. Pahwa reflecting the above mentioned transactions were taken on record vide letter dated November 17.11.2023, ” read the ED charge sheet.

“During the course of investigation in this case, it is found that a long and thick relationship exists between C.C. Thampi and Robert Vadra. Not only a personal/cordial bond but common and similar business interests are also found between them. The details of the evidence showing their association are given hereunder in subsequent paras, ” it read.

As per charge sheet, the statements of Thampi were recorded under Section 50 of PMLA on various dates.

“In his statement recorded on 19.06.2019, Sh. CCT stated that he knew Robert Vadra for the last more than 10 years and he (Robert Vadra) was initially introduced to him (Thampi) by Madhavan, P.A. to Sonia Gandhi. He met Robert Vadra many times during the latter’s visit to UAE, ” it added.

Former RAW Chief Dulat advocates dialogue with Pakistan to tackle terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

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Tehelka WebDesk
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AS Dulat, former chief of India’s RAW, on Wednesday emphasized the necessity of initiating a dialogue with Pakistan to address the issue of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Speaking at a media interaction organized by the NGO Sarhad, Dulat highlighted the positive outcomes witnessed during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure through dialogue. He recalled the significant ceasefire on the border in 2003 as a result of such efforts.

Dulat mentioned experts’ observations about Nawaz Sharif’s potential return to power in Pakistan and his purported interest in restoring peaceful relations with India. He stressed the importance of political developments in India, Pakistan, and the United States in revitalizing Indo-Pak relations, citing Sharif’s purported eagerness for dialogue with India.

Drawing from his advisory role on Jammu and Kashmir affairs during Vajpayee’s tenure, Dulat stressed the need for the government to rebuild trust, hope, and confidence among the youth in the region. He called for the prompt restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, as previously announced in Parliament, to rekindle a sense of positive prospects among the youth.

Jagannath Temple Parikrama Project to be inaugurated next month

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Tehelka WebDesk
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The pet project of chief minister Naveen Patnaik— Shree Mandira Parikrama Project (SMPP), a massive periphery redevelopment of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri—is almost complete and likely to be inaugurated next month. It seems to be competing with the preparations for the grand opening of the  Ram Temple at Ayodhya in January 2024. Ceremonies in Puri are being planned on a similar scale.

According to one source the Lokarpan Yajna for the project is scheduled to be performed from January 15th to 17th, 2024, with Vedic recitations at the four gates of the temple. Rigveda for the eastern gate, Yajurveda for the southern, Samaveda for the western, and Atharvaveda for the northern gate have been finalized. Uniform painting is underway for prominent structures along the three-kilometer-long Grand Road connecting the Jagannath Temple and Mausima Temple. Vibrant lighting will adorn all temples and subsidiary shrines.

Sources said that the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Puri district administration are leaving no stone unturned to make the inauguration ceremony of the much-awaited Srimandir Parikrama (Heritage Corridor) Project a grand success.

About 30 teams comprising servitors and SJTA officials have left for various parts of the country to distribute invitation cards. Among others the invitation cards will be handed over to religious heads of various shrines across the country.

The Shreemandira Parikrama is a 75-meter corridor around Shree Jagannatha Temple at Puri. It will ensure expansive, unobstructed corridors around the Meghanada Pacheri of the temple for giving an opportunity to devotees and pilgrims to have an excellent visual connect with the 12th century shrine. It will also provide amenities for pilgrims and strengthen the safety and security of the temple and devotees.

Taken up at a cost of ₹1,000 crore, the project includes a seven-metre green buffer zone, 10-metre Antar (inner) Pradakshina – pedestrian-only path round the year. It will be used by the general public for parikrama (circumambulation) of the temple. The eight-metre outer circumambulation path would be covered by trees on either side. There will be a 10-metre public convenience zone.

The main project includes 36 major projects including development of a security zone around the temple, creation of parking space for vehicles, flyover and Jagannath Ballav Math Pilgrim Center (JBMPC). The JBMPC is a unique infrastructure that will have meditation space (10,000 square metres), pilgrim amenities (5,000 sq. m.), commercial space (8,000 sq. m.) and multi-level car parking for 1,000 vehicles over 35,000 sq. m.

The project also proposes a queue management facility that can handle 6,000 people, along with security checking facility. Efforts are also being made to redevelop ‘matha’ temples within the 75-metre Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor. These ‘matha’ temples will be redeveloped in the Kalingan style in general and specific ‘matha’ traditions.

Sources said the Shree Mandir Parikrama Project is one component of a massive ₹4,224.22 crore project which seeks to transform Puri into a World Heritage City. The ongoing transformation is being described as a once-in-a-century temple development project with which chief minister Naveen Patnaik seeks to leave a lasting legacy.

The unveiling of the project is considered an important event ahead of 2024 elections. Political observers said the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would approach the next election riding the euphoria surrounding the project. The ruling party knows that the Jagannath cult has the biggest influence on the minds of the Odias and it is the best formula to garner votes. Nothing can impact the minds of the people of Odisha more than the sanctity of the 12th century temple and things attached with lord Jagannath who is considered to be a living god.

Flight, train operations hit as dense fog blankets Delhi, AQI remains ‘severe’

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Delhi woke up to a blanket of dense fog on Wednesday, significantly reducing the visibility across the city to less than 50m affecting flights, rail and road traffic.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies fog intensity into four types — shallow, moderate, dense and very dense fog. The visibility ranges from 999m to 500m, 499m to 200m, 199m to 50m and < 50m, respectively.

As the day unfolds, the fog is forecasted to gradually dissipate, revealing a clearer atmosphere by the afternoon.

The dense fog has led to increased caution in railway operations, affecting the departure and arrival times of trains.

Flight schedules are also being affected, with many flights experiencing delays and some possibly facing cancellations.

As of 8 a.m., more than 40 flights have been delayed due to the ongoing dense fog. This includes disruptions in eight international departures, four international arrivals, 22 domestic departures and five domestic arrivals.

Delhi airport has also issued an advisory, which reads: “While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT Ill compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”

In a fog-induced challenge for commuters, several trains arriving in the Delhi region are also dealing with delays, causing frustration among passengers.

25 trains are trailing behind their scheduled arrival time, and the extent of delay varies across multiple routes.

Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express and Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express are delayed by five hours, which is also the maximum number of hours delayed throughout the day.

Passengers on or about to board Chennai-New Delhi Grand Trunk Express were also urged to check updated schedules due to delays of 4:40 hours.

Among 25 trains delayed, the Golden Temple Mail is also running behind schedule by 2: 38 hours.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category.

The AQI scale categorises levels from 0 to 500, with Anand Vihar breaching the ‘severe’ threshold.

At the Anand Vihar area, PM2.5 levels remained into the ‘severe’ category standing at 500 and PM10 reached 500, and CO plummeted to 118, classified as ‘moderate’, ” according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport T3 witnessed PM2.5 levels at 437 and PM10 at 431, both falling under the ‘severe’ category. The CO level was recorded at 132, maintaining a ‘moderate’ rating. Commuters are urged to exercise caution during the morning hours due to reduced visibility caused by the lingering fog, and are urged to stay updated on real-time schedules and plan their journeys accordingly.

Terrorists using Chinese weapons, devices to attack security forces in J&K

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Terrorists are using Chinese-manufactured weapons and communication equipment in attacks against security forces in Jammu and Kashmir,  intelligence reports have revealed. 

As per sources within the Army, there’s a growing reliance on China-made weaponry and devices by outfits like JeM and Lashkar-e-Toiba in their operations against the military, reports in the media said.

The reports suggest Chinese-supplied drones, grenades, and other armaments provided to the Pakistan army are being diverted to terrorist groups, leading to their deployment in recent attacks. Instances of terrorists using sniper guns equipped with Chinese technology have been identified during infiltration attempts from Pakistan into Indian territories.

Moreover, the evidence points to the utilization of Chinese-made body cameras for capturing footage during attacks, which has raised concerns about the authenticity of images released by these groups. Intelligence sources have highlighted that encrypted communication devices employed by these terrorist outfits also trace back to Chinese origins.

Delhi Customs nab Bangladeshi duo with gold valued Rs 1.5 cr

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Delhi Customs officials have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals and recovered over two kgs of gold valued at Rs 1.5 crore at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, an official said.

According to the officials, on the basis of profiling, the Customs have seized 2, 724 grams of gold valued at Rs 1.5 Crore brought by two Bangladeshi nationals.

“They had arrived from Abu Dhabi and were intercepted by the officials.On checking, gold bars and jewellery weighing over two kgs were recovered, ” said the official.

“The passengers have been arrested under Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway, ” the official added

Sikh Gurus taught Indians to live for glory of their land: PM Modi on ‘Veer Bal Diwas’

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Sikh Gurus have taught Indians to live for the glory of their land, and served as an inspiration to make the country better and developed.

Speaking at a ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ event here to commemorate the martyrdom of the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh, PM Modi highlighted that their sacrifices are not only being remembered in India but also globally.

The Prime Minister said, “Today the country is remembering the immortal sacrifice of the brave Sahibzadas and taking inspiration from them. In the golden age of independence, a new chapter has started in the form of Veer Bal Diwas.”

He said that last year, for the first time, the country celebrated December 26 as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’. “Then everyone in the entire country listened to the heroic stories of Sahibzadas with great emotion. Veer Bal Diwas symbolizes the resolve to do anything to protect Indianness. This day reminds us that age does not matter at the height of bravery, ” he said.

He said that now ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ is being celebrated at the international level also. “Programmes related to Veer Bal Diwas are also being organised in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, UAE and Greece. The whole world will know more about the brave Sahibzadas of India and will learn from their great deeds, ” he said.

He also said, “The courage and ideals of Guru Gobind Singhji and his four Sahibzadas continue to inspire and energise the hearts of the people of India.

“So, the Veer Bal Diwas is the nation’s tribute to the unmatched bravery of those true heroes and the great mothers who gave birth to them.”

He also said, “Unless we respect our heritage, the world will also not appreciate our heritage. Today when we are proud of our heritage, the world’s perspective has also changed.”

He said that he was happy that India is coming out of the slavery mentality, and “today’s India has full faith in its people, its capabilities and its inspiration”.

“The sacrifice of Sahibzadas is a matter of national inspiration for today’s India. In today’s India, the sacrifice of Lord Birsa Munda and the sacrifice of Guru Govind Singhji inspire the entire nation, ” he said.

“We have to live for the honor and glory of this soil, we have to live to make the country better. As children of this great nation, we have to live, unite, struggle and emerge victorious to make the country developed, ” PM Modi said.

He also pointed out that today, India is one of the countries in the world which has the youngest population. “India was not so young even at the time of its freedom struggle. When that youth power brought independence to the country, it is beyond imagination to what heights today’s youth power can take India to, ” he said.

He also said that the coming 25 years will bring huge opportunities for the youth of India.

“The youth of India may be born in any region or society… their dreams are limitless. To fulfill these dreams, the government has a clear road map, clear vision, clear policy and there is no flaw in its intentions, ” he said.

“Being the world’s third largest economy means better healthcare, better education, more avenues and more employment opportunities. It also means quality of life and quality of products! How will the developed India of 2047 be? To draw this picture of Bharat on that big canvas, our youth has to take the lead, ” the Prime Minister emphasised

He also said that today the whole world is considering ‘Bharat Bhoomi’ as the land of opportunities.

“Today India is at that stage where India is playing a big role in solving major global challenges, ” the PM said.

Two separate earthquakes jolt Leh, Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Two mild earthquakes struck Leh district in Ladakh and Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Tuesday. 

Officials reported no immediate damage from the tremors. 

The National Centre of Seismology recorded the first quake, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, hitting Leh at 4:33 am, with its epicenter five kilometers below the earth’s surface. 

The earthquake that hit Ladakh was measured 4.5 on the Richter scale and occurred at 4:33 am, as per the National Centre of Seismology (NCS). The depth of the earthquake was five kilometers below the surface of the earth at 34.73 degrees latitude and 77.07 degrees longitude, it said.

Although residents in Kargil and Leh were awakened by the tremor, no damage was reported. 

The second quake, measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, occurred around 1:10 am in Kishtwar district, with a depth of five kilometers from the surface.

Dense fog to continue over Delhi, UP, Haryana, Punjab for next 3-4 days: IMD

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that dense to very dense fog is likely to continue over Northwest India and parts of Central India during the next three-four days.

The weather forecast agency further said that minimum temperatures are in the range of 6-10 degree Celsius over most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh and 11-12 degree Celsius over most parts of Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of north Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

“These are 2-3 degree Celsius above normal over some parts of Punjab, Delhi, West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and over many parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Gujarat and northeast India, ” said the IMD in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The IMD further predicted that dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to continue in early hours/morning hours in many parts of Punjab during Wednesday-Sunday and some parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh during Wednesday-Friday and over isolated pockets of north Rajasthan and north Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

“Dense fog conditions are very likely to continue in early hours/morning hours in isolated pockets over Odisha, Uttarakhand on Wednesday and Thursday over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday and Sunday and over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during Wednesday-Sunday, ” it said.

The IMD also predicted that a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect Northwest India from Saturday.

“Under its influence and its interaction with lower level easterly winds, light isolated rainfall is likely over Northwest and adjoining Central India during December 30-January 2, ” the IMD said.

However, the IMD said that there is no significant change in Minimum Temperatures likely over northern parts of the country during the next five days.

On Tuesday morning, due to heavy fog the visibility in Punjab’s Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala reached 25 metres, in Haryana’s Ambala, Hissar, Karnal it also dropped to 25 metres while Bhiwani visibility was at 50 metres.

In Delhi, the Palam station recorded visibility at 50 metres while in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi and Varanasi visibility was at 25 metres each and Meerut and Lucknow was at 50 metres.

“In east Madhya Pradesh’s Satna, the visibility was recorded at 25 metres while other cities of the states including Tikamgarh, Rewa, Khajuraho had a visibility of 50 metres and Odisha’s Rourkela had a low visibility of 50 metres, ” said the IMD.

L-G Saxena chairs meeting on regularisation of unauthorised colonies in Delhi

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Days after the Parliament passed the NCTD Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2023, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena chaired a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (PWD), Vice-Chairman of DDA, MCD Commissioner, and other senior officials to take stock of the progress and status of works related to regularisation of unauthorised colonies and rehabilitation of the slum dwellers under the PM-UDAY and PMAY (Urban) schemes, respectively.

Saxena asked the officers to give specific timelines with regard to complete implementation of PM-UDAY, PMAY and the land pooling policy of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Officials at the Raj Bhavan said that during the meeting, the L-G was apprised about the ambiguity in the boundaries of the unauthorised colonies, repeated extension of cut off dates and uncertainty in notified slum clusters, which have kept the issue hanging for long, finally leading the Centre to formulate the PM-UDAY and PMAY schemes in 2019.

However, immediately after that, with the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, work could not be undertaken in full swing.

Officials said that Saxena expressed surprise and concern at the fact that this Act in different versions had been in operation since December 2006, and yet the matter remained hanging, notwithstanding the constraints caused by the pandemic.

Saxena also directed the officials to come up with a concrete time-bound plan of action for registration, verification and subsequent regularisation of the unauthorised colonies and stressed that the process of doing the same needed to be made simple and hassle-free.

The officials said that the L-G also warned that no dereliction or corruption in this regard will be tolerated.

With regard to the rehabilitation of the slums, the L-G directed the DDA to immediately identify alternate sites within a radius of 5 km where in situ rehabilitation was not possible as per law and slum dwellers be rehabilitated to a dignified life in flats or houses that have already been constructed under various schemes.

The L-G also instructed the officials to ensure that the entire plan is put in place within a month and concrete action should start immediately.

He stressed that all tasks should be completed at least a year earlier than the outer limit of 2026, provided by the Act recently passed in the Parliament. 

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