Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan have strongly criticised the Maharashtra government, particularly Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. They cited recent incidents like the firing at actor Tiger Shroff and the murder of a Shiv Sena worker, demanding a "regime change" and accountability from the government.
Jaspal Rana, a legendary Indian shooter and influential coach, has passed away at 49 after battling cardiac issues. He was a pioneer who brought shooting into the national spotlight with his fearless performances and later shaped the careers of many world-class athletes, including Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports.
A Delhi court has convicted a man, Sushant, for attempting to murder his wife, Pinki, by shooting her in the stomach outside a hospital in Connaught Place in 2018. The conviction was based on the credible testimony of the injured woman and corroborating evidence, including CCTV footage and forensic analysis.
Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.
India's Asian Games gold medalists in kabaddi and shooting received a grand welcome at the IGI Airport.
Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana has passed away at 49 after a medical procedure following illness during a flight from the ISSF World Cup.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has called for a stronger, athlete-centric sporting ecosystem, emphasising the need for robust federations, committed coaches, quality infrastructure, and effective sports science support. She highlighted that sporting excellence requires institutions that prioritise athletes and provide fair opportunities, while also congratulating recent Asian Games gold medallists.
India's shooting legend Jaspal Rana was laid to rest in Varanasi with full state honours, two days after his passing due to cardiac complications. Tributes poured in from across the nation, including from his mentee Manu Bhaker and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach.
A special court in Lucknow has convicted three individuals, Shahid, Harswaroop, and Brij Kishore, in a PMLA case related to drug trafficking, sentencing them to four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each. This case follows an earlier conviction of Deepak Rana and stems from a DRI interception of ganja.
Hundreds gathered in Varanasi with tearful eyes on Saturday to bid a final farewell to India's shooting legend Jaspal Rana, whose mortal remains were flown in by air ambulance from Dehradun.
Jaspal Rana, the acclaimed Indian shooter and high-performance coach, has passed away at 49. Known for mentoring Olympic medallists like Manu Bhaker and other young talents, Rana's contributions significantly shaped Indian shooting. He was a Dronacharya Award recipient.
Mumbai secured a dominant innings and 155-run victory over Chandigarh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D opener, earning a bonus point. Strong performances from bowlers Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, coupled with a substantial first-innings total of 429, led to Chandigarh being dismissed twice for low scores.
India's women's kabaddi team secured their record-extending fourth Asian Games gold medal by defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final.
Indian Greco Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar secured a bronze medal in the men's 87kg category at the Asian Games, defeating Roberts Callum Johnston of the Philippines.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Tuesday announced that the India Open Competitions in July will be named in honour of legendary shooters Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, who died recently, leaving the fraternity shocked.
Opposition parties in Punjab have strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government following the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa. They allege a breakdown of law and order and "jungle raj," demanding accountability from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and a CBI probe into the killing. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of those fighting the drug menace in the state.
BCCI secretary Devaijit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will now attend all senior selection panel meetings to prevent miscommunication between the selectors and the COE, particularly regarding player fitness and rehabilitation. This decision follows past speculations of friction between Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar over player recovery timelines.
Uttar Pradesh has significantly ramped up its efforts against narcotics trafficking, confiscating properties worth approximately Rs 78.5 crore in 69 cases this year. This marks a more than fourfold increase from the previous year, with authorities also initiating detention proceedings under the PIT-NDPS Act to dismantle drug networks and target assets acquired through illegal trade.
A POCSO court in Assam's Dhubri district has sentenced Utpal Roy to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in 2023. The judge cited the 'rarest of rare' category for the capital punishment.
Defending champions India secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games hockey semifinal, thanks to a last-minute goal by Abhishek. India initially led 3-0 but allowed Pakistan to stage a comeback, scoring three goals to level the score before Abhishek's decisive strike with just 45 seconds remaining. The win sends India to the final, though their second-half performance raised questions.
In the latest episode of The Rediff Podcast, Saurabh Sachdeva gets candid about the years of struggle and the lessons he had to unlearn to find his place in cinema.
India is set to begin its Asian Games shooting campaign in Nagoya with a formidable 30-member squad, featuring Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and other world-class performers. The team aims to build on its previous success, with strong prospects in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events, facing a significant challenge from China.
Young Indian fast bowlers Gurjapneet Singh, Arshad Khan, and Yash Thakur are set to feature in the India A vs Australia A one-day series, aiming to showcase their talent and address the senior national team's current scarcity in the pace department. The series, initially anticipated for Hardik Pandya's return, now serves as a crucial platform for these emerging pacers to catch the attention of national selectors amidst injuries and inconsistent form among established bowlers.
Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has urged the 30-member Indian shooting contingent for the Asian Games to prioritise individual medals over team events. He also highlighted the need for significant improvements in coaching, advocating for more former international medallists in the system, and stressed the importance of better grassroots talent identification, drawing comparisons with China. Kumar also commented on the void left by coach Jaspal Rana's death and questioned recent selection policies.
'People used to say he had a quick temper or acted out but anger only arises when things aren't organised.'
The Indian women's hockey team secured a dominant 17-1 victory over Indonesia in their second Pool B match at the Asian Games.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested four individuals linked to a cross-border drug-smuggling racket, recovering over 1 kg of narcotics, a pistol, and ammunition. The arrests followed an investigation into an alleged airdrop of drugs in Arnia sector, with the accused admitting links to Pakistan-based handlers. Additionally, nine other drug peddlers were arrested in separate operations across Reasi, Poonch, and Jammu districts as part of the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu-Kashmir' campaign.
Bangladesh stunned Australia with an 86-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in their opening one-day international in Dhaka on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Indian women's hockey team secured its second consecutive Pool B victory at the Asian Games, defeating Indonesia 17-1. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored a hat-trick, contributing to the dominant performance. Coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction but highlighted the upcoming match against Japan as the real challenge for topping the pool and securing direct Olympic qualification.
India has expressed its gratitude to Portugal for its cooperation in the extradition of fugitive Abhay Rana, wanted in multiple criminal cases. The extradition marks a significant step in India's efforts to bring back criminals residing abroad.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0, and simultaneously qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This remarkable turnaround is largely attributed to head coach Sjored Marijne, who transformed a divided and underperforming squad into a united, fearless, and successful team within nine months.
India's Under-16 tennis star Ribhav Saroha will captain the national team at the upcoming junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, Egypt. The team, also featuring Hruthik Katakam and Tavish Pahwa, will compete against top international sides from November 2 to 8.
The CBI coordinated the extradition of Abhay Rana, wanted by Haryana Police for extortion, criminal intimidation, and attempt to murder, from Portugal.
India's top-ranked Under-16 tennis player, Tavish Pahwa, will captain the national team at the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, scheduled for November 2-8. The team also includes Ribhav Saroha and Hruthik Katakam, with Rana Banerjee as coach.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasises giving opportunities to second-line bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. He believes this match time is crucial for building a strong bowling group for next year's World Cup. Morkel also highlighted the importance of exposing bowlers to tough match situations to develop their temperament.
Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker, a flagbearer at the Asian Games, has called upon her fellow athletes to concentrate on their performance and not be distracted by the organisational challenges and logistical issues marring the event's build-up. She emphasised that the opportunity is rare and should be seized with full dedication.
Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana have been included in India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, pending fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
The promotions and reshuffle in the army show that Asim Munir remains firmly in charge, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at R&AW.
Kris Srikkanth questioned whether India's star-studded Afghanistan squad was picked out of fear after recent defeats, arguing the series offered an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.
The Congress party is set to replace Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the president of its Punjab unit, following organisational feedback from Sachin Pilot and persistent infighting within the state unit. The move aims to unite various factions ahead of the 2027 assembly polls, with former minister Vijay Inder Singla emerging as a frontrunner for the post.
