Villagers in Mathabhanga, West Bengal, have started receiving refunds of 'cut money' they paid to local toughs to access government scheme benefits during the previous TMC regime. The BJP claims this is due to their rise to power, while the TMC denies any involvement in the illegal collections.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered a status quo on the demolition of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's constituency office in South 24 Parganas. The court's directive prevents further demolition until a new hearing or the end of July, following a petition by Leaps and Bounds Private Limited, a company Banerjee is CEO of. The district administration had initiated demolition citing alleged construction without an approved plan.
Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has secured its first seat in the Bihar Assembly, with Kishor winning the Bankipur bypoll in his electoral debut, stunning the BJP in its long-held bastion.
The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress MP Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, on Thursday resigned from the Rajya Sabha, the fourth TMC MP to do so ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ousted from power in West Bengal.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged municipality recruitment scam.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate arrest of Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel in connection with a rape case and instructed police to seize his electronic devices to safeguard the complainant's privacy during the investigation.
Auqib Nabi proved unstoppable with the ball last season -- picking up 60 wickets in 10 matches at an incredible average of 12.56 last season to help J&K script history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title.
Holding Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for alleged police brutalities on protesting students, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that "Jan Shakti" (people's power) will "drag him out" one day to make him accountable.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata next month for an anti-fundamentalism literary event, nearly two decades after she was forced to leave the city amid violent protests over her writings. The BJP government in West Bengal is projecting this as a reversal of past capitulation to religious fundamentalism.
A local court in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has rejected a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking custody of firearms recovered from a man arrested in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, an associate of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the state government will move the Supreme Court to vacate the stay on a CBI probe into the alleged Gorkhaland Territorial Administration teacher recruitment scam. The decision follows complaints of corruption and illegal teacher recruitment within the GTA.
Approximately 27 workers are trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district following a landslide and suspected gas leak. Rescue operations are underway, but the presence of gas, believed to be methane, is complicating efforts, causing dizziness among rescue personnel. Teams from NDRF, SDRF, and West Bengal are involved in the challenging operation to save the workers.
A significant communication breakdown between the Centre of Excellence's (CoE) sports science team and the senior national men's selection committee has been exposed by Jasprit Bumrah's unexpected absence from the Test series against Sri Lanka, alongside other player injury concerns.
Two promising Indian amateur golfers, Guntas Kaur Sandhu and Ceerat Kang, are set to represent India at the Malaysia Ladies Open Amateur. Ceerat, ranked No. 1 in the IGU merit list, and Guntas, ranked No. 2, bring strong track records to the international competition, which features around 40 golfers from 20 countries.
The West Bengal government has directed all state-run and aided schools to mandatorily include the singing of Vande Mataram during morning assemblies with immediate effect.
Hopefully, the BJP will realise that it's the right time for parivartan (change) in its polarising poll strategies after achieving the impossible-looking goal of winning West Bengal, argues Sheela Bhatt.
The Congress party has strongly criticised the BJP government following allegations that AK-47 rifles were used against protesting students in Bihar, with Rahul Gandhi demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology and action against those responsible for the 'deadly attacks and brutality'.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held his first 'janata darbar' at the BJP's state office in Salt Lake, listening to public grievances and demands. The initiative aims to establish a direct connection with citizens and project a governance model similar to BJP-ruled states.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Bangladeshi infiltrators detained in the state will be handed over to the BSF instead of being produced in courts, following a new rule. Instructions have been issued to the police and RPF to directly transfer detainees to the BSF at the Bangladesh border, with weekly reports submitted to the CMO.
Two online content creators have been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly posting an offensive video targeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The Supreme Court has clarified that 'criminal antecedents' for NEET paper leak protesters refer only to grave and heinous offences, allowing state governments to withdraw FIRs against students not involved in such serious crimes. This comes after the Centre's commitment to not pursue cases against most protesting students.
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has announced the implementation of several key administrative and policy measures, including the adoption of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer to the BSF for border fencing, and the implementation of the BNS criminal law.
The Election Commission has deployed 432 counting observers across all 294 assembly constituencies in West Bengal to ensure transparent and smooth counting of votes. Several districts have been assigned additional observers in view of their sensitivity and electoral significance. Enforcement agencies have carried out extensive seizure drives during the election period to curb illegal inducements, with total seizures valued at approximately Rs 561 crore.
'In West Bengal, the BJP's ideology of Hindutva will be customised to cater to the culture and the cultural imperatives of Bengalis.'
The Supreme Court was strongly urged to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a former judge to investigate alleged police excesses against students protesting the NEET paper leak across various states. The court, while issuing interim directions, restrained states from coercive action against protesters and ordered the release of minors without criminal antecedents.
West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has directed police to take strict action against the use of loudspeakers beyond permissible sound limits at religious places and events across the state.
East Bengal FC and Punjab FC played out a goalless draw in their Indian Super League match, with both teams creating numerous chances but failing to find the net.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below-normal rainfall for India during the second half of the southwest monsoon season, specifically from August to September. This forecast indicates less than 94 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) for the period. While July saw good rainfall activity due to low-pressure systems and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, the Southern Peninsula experienced significantly low rainfall and record high minimum temperatures.
Five people, including two school students, have died after a local train struck a pool car at an open level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. The gateman has been arrested, and a railway permanent way inspector suspended for alleged dereliction of duty.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul has said the state government would ensure women can move freely at any time of the day, and that complaints lodged by them are treated by the police on a priority basis.
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh attended a fish festival, refuting claims that the BJP would restrict fish and meat consumption if it won the assembly elections. He accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading false narratives during the campaign.
The West Bengal government will hand over land to the Border Security Force for international boundary fencing and security infrastructure, starting with a 27 km stretch. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said more land would be provided wherever required to strengthen border management in the state.
Mumbai police have arrested two individuals in connection with a bomb hurling incident outside an ashram in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. The suspects were apprehended at a railway station in Mumbai's western suburbs based on a tip-off.
Indian gymnast Protistha Samanta has successfully qualified for the women's vault final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing fifth in the qualification round. While Samanta secured her spot, fellow Indian gymnasts Pranati Nayak, Eshitaa Rewale, and Nishka Agarwal did not advance in individual or all-around events. The Indian women's team also finished ninth in the overall team competition.
The new BJP government also appointed IAS officer Shantanu Bala as the chief minister's private secretary, according to another notification.
The West Bengal government has suspended three senior IPS officers for alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty during the initial investigation into the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned IAS officer Ansar Shaikh regarding alleged illegal sand mining and trafficking from riverbeds in West Bengal's Jhargram district and adjoining areas.
West Bengal's appointment of Manoj Agarwal, the former Chief Electoral Officer, as the new Chief Secretary has ignited a political firestorm, raising concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the state's electoral processes.
