Read India News
Sex on webcam: ED busts Noida couple’s porn racket, invokes FEMA
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the premises of a Noida-based couple who allegedly shot adult videos with models at their residence and supplied those to a Cyprus-based company known for hosting international pornographic sites. The federal probe agency said in a statement that it seized Rs 8 lakh in cash during the searches undertaken under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in connection with a probe against Subdigi Ventures Private Limited and its promoters. The company is “controlled” by the couple. They are alleged to have been running a “sophisticated” adult webcam streaming studio from their residence and these videos were shared with a Cyprus-based company named Technius Limited. Technius Limited is the “operator” of adult entertainment websites like Xhamster and Stripchat, the ED said. “Foreign remittances were regularly received by the company (Subdigi) and its directors under the guise of services like advertising, market research and public opinion polling. These funds, however, were allegedly proceeds from adult content streamed on XHamster,” it said. This amounted to a violation of the FEMA as the funds were being received as remuneration for adult content service, which is unlawful, ED sources said. Illegal remittances of R15.66 crore have been identified in the bank accounts of the said company and its directors, apart from an “undisclosed” bank account in the Netherlands where an amount of about R7 crore was transferred by Technius Limited, according to the ED. The credits in the foreign bank account were found to be withdrawn in cash in India with the use of international debit cards. The couple “retained” about 75 per cent of the earnings and passed on “only a fraction” to the models, the agency said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 March,2025 07:45 AM IST | New Delhi | Agencies
Waqf (Amendment) Bill should be called ‘looters (amendment) law’: Owaisi
Coming down heavily on the NDA government in the Centre over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday alleged that the bill should be called a “looters (amendment) law” as the BJP-led regime wants to take away Waqf properties. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported remarks that one cannot approach courts against the waqf tribunal, Owaisi alleged that Shah was “lying”. Owaisi, who has been a vocal critic of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleged that it violates several provisions of the Constitution, including Articles 14, 26 and 29. “The BJP and NDA government are doing the work of looters. They want to snatch away waqf properties. Why are you removing the survey commissioner (as per the proposed bill). It is senior most officer’s post. This is all for looting. It should not be called as Waqf (Amendment) but ‘looters (amendment) law’,” Owaisi said. He also said there are several tribunals, including the Income Tax tribunal and railway claims tribunal, and review petitions can be filed against its judgments in high court. “Cannot you file (review petition) against the Income Tax tribunal? Amit Shah is misleading the country and lying,” the AIMIM chief said. Shah made it clear on Friday that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was referred to a joint parliamentary committee in August 2024, will be reintroduced in the current session of Parliament. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 March,2025 07:45 AM IST | Hyderabad | Agencies
Organisers of pro-Palestine rally in Kashmir booked under UAPA
A case was registered against the organisers and participants of a procession in Jammu & Kashmir’s Budgam district for allegedly creating a law-and-order situation by raising objectionable slogans. The case has been lodged against the organisers and participants of a Youm-e-Quds procession in Sonpah village, Beerwah, in the central Kashmir district, a police spokesperson said. Youm-e-Quds or Quds Day, officially known as International Quds Day, is an annual pro-Palestine event held on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan to express support for Palestinians. The police spokesperson said during the procession, a large crowd gathered under the directions of the organisers and raised objectionable slogans. By sloganeering, the organisers allegedly tried to create a law-and-order situation and blocked the Sonpah-Beerwah road, thereby causing obstructions to the public, he added. The spokesperson said police took cognisance of the incident and registered a case under sections 126(2) and 189(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Beerwah police station, and the UAPA. Further investigation is underway and necessary legal action will be taken against those involved, he said. Police have urged citizens to maintain peace and refrain from activities that could disturb public order. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 March,2025 07:45 AM IST | Srinagar | Agencies
B’luru gets India’s largest space theatre
India's largest LED-based immersive screen space theatre launched in Bengaluru on Saturday. Called Mission Interstellar, the theatre offers next-generation flying space voyage experience. It is housed within an eight-storey dome-shaped structure with a 23-metre-high roof. The 22 m x 15 m curved LED screen and a 3,500 square feet enclosure mimics a realistic spacecraft. A hydraulic lift seating system for 60 guests, imported from Italy, elevates riders 40 feet into the air, synchronising movement with high-tech laser projections. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 March,2025 07:44 AM IST | Bengaluru | Agencies
2020 Delhi riots: Court grants bail to Tahir Hussain in money laundering case
A court in New Delhi on Saturday granted bail to former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Councillor Tahir Hussain in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. Hussain, however, will continue to remain in jail as he in an accused in the case regarding the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal riots. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai, who heard Hussain's bail plea, said that he had been in jail for more than four years while the maximum sentence for offence under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was seven years. The plea said that the former AAP councillor had undergone more than half of the sentence. "The court concludes that as the applicant (Hussain) had undergone more than half of the period of imprisonment as provided for the offence allegedly committed by him, he is entitled for bail. Accordingly the applicant is granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties in the like amount," the court said. Delhi Police had registered three FIRs against Hussain and others under various IPC sections in connection with the communal riots. Based on the scheduled offences, the Enforcement Directorate registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Hussain on March 9, 2020. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 March,2025 12:08 AM IST | New Delhi | PTI
UP Police rescue minor sold to family in Andhra, 2 held
Police have rescued a three-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped from Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and sold to a couple in Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Saturday. According to police, the child was kidnapped on December 27 last year from the Gulzar Shah Mela area. He was handed over to his family on Saturday. Superintendent of Police Chakresh Mishra said that the child had gone to a 'mela' with his mother and family, and went missing while they were purchasing goods around 5 pm. Based on the family's complaint, a case was registered against unknown persons at Biswan police station, Mishra said. During the investigation, the police found that the child was sold to a family in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. On March 19, police teams were sent to rescue the boy and bring him home safely, Mishra added. Police investigation revealed the involvement of an inter-state gang that used to kidnap children and sell them to childless couples, the SP said. Two women involved in the human trafficking racket have been arrested, while two men, Abhay Verma and Umashankar, have been booked, the SP added. Further investigation is underway. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 March,2025 11:54 PM IST | Sitapur | PTI
Cricket betting racket busted in Hingoli, five held
Police on Saturday busted a cricket betting racket in Maharashtra's Hingoli district and arrested five persons, including four bookies, an official said.Cash and valuables worth Rs 8.53 lakh were also recovered during the action by the Jalna police, he said.Additional Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopany said police on Friday caught one Shaikh Mustaqeem for placing bets through his mobile phone.Mustaqeem told the police that an organised betting network was being operated. The input helped police expose the illegal activity and arrest the bookies, the official said, adding that they would seek court's permission to freeze the bank accounts of the accused persons.Two days ago, police had arrested four bookies in the district. They have also taken preventive action against 16 bookies. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 March,2025 11:44 PM IST | Jalna | PTI
Man dies after being found injured in Delhi's park, probe on
A 20-year-old man died after he was found lying injured near a park in Delhi's New Usmanpur area, an official said on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday evening, around 4 pm, near Durga Mandir Park in northeast Delhi, they said. The victim, identified as Dilshad, was found in an injured condition in the park and was rushed to JPC Hospital. The doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said. Senior officers, along with teams from the Crime Branch and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), visited the scene and launched an investigation. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway, police added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 March,2025 11:30 PM IST | Delhi | PTI
State govt asks schools to hold classes between 7 am and 11.15 am amid heatwave
Amid rising temperatures, the Maharashtra government has directed all schools in the state to hold classes between 7 am and 11.15 am, news agency PTI reported. In an order dated March 28, the primary and secondary education department stated that all schools, regardless of medium and management, must adhere to this directive. The decision aims to reduce the impact of heat waves. Several organisations had also requested the government to hold classes during the cooler morning hours, the order further said. "Against this background, necessary instructions have been issued to bring uniformity in school schedules across all schools in the state," stated the notification. According to PTI, the order mentioned that classes will be held at all primary and secondary schools across Maharashtra between 7 am and 11.15 am. Students should be instructed on protecting themselves from heat wave, and classes should not be conducted in the open, read the notification. The department has also directed schools to ensure that fans in classrooms are in good working condition. Institutes have to provide cool water to students and encourage them to consume seasonal fruits and vegetables, the order further said. IMD issues heatwave warning for six districts in Odisha for Sunday The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for six districts in Odisha for Sunday, news agency PTI reported. According to IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre, the day temperature will rise by two to three degrees Celsius in two days, after which it is expected to drop. The weather bureau has issued a 'yellow warning (be aware)' for Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, and Angul districts for Sunday. Meanwhile, hot and humid conditions are also expected to prevail in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts. On Saturday, 13 places in Odisha recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with Sambalpur being the hottest at 42 degrees Celsius, followed by Jharsuguda (41.8 degrees Celsius), Hirakud (41.7 degrees Celsius), Boudh and Talcher (41.2 degrees Celsius), Angul (41.1 degrees Celsius), Bhawanipatna and Titlagarh (41 degrees Celsius). The other places that recorded maximum temperatures above 40 degrees include Bolangir (40.8 degrees Celsius), Malkangiri and Sundargarh (40.2 degrees Celsius), Sonepur (40.5 degrees Celsius), and Paralakhemundi (40.8 degrees Celsius). (With PTI inputs)
29 March,2025 11:24 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis visits Tulja Bhavani temple to review restoration work
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis visited the revered Tulja Bhavani temple in Dharashiv district on Saturday and reviewed the ongoing restoration and repairs at the shrine, an official said. According to news agency PTI, the CM said a plan to redevelop the temple premises has been prepared, and some "technical aspects" would be added to it. "Funds will also be provided for the redevelopment project," the CM stated, according to PTI. The 12th-century Tulja Bhavani Temple in Tuljapur, maintained by the archaeological department of Maharashtra, attracts numerous devotees from within and beyond the state. During his visit, Fadnavis inspected the conservation efforts at Bhavani Mandap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s entry gate, and the revered Tulja Bhavani Temple, a shrine official stated. The official further informed that the CM received a presentation on the restoration work before departing by helicopter to Pandharpur, another temple town in Solapur district. Meanwhile, an anonymous devotee donated 11 gold biscuits worth approximately Rs 1 crore to the temple, the official said, according to PTI. The temple's donation boxes, opened under CCTV surveillance every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, discovered the gold biscuits—each weighing 100 grams—during the Friday collection, according to the charity commissioner's office. Permission granted for Pandharpur corridor plan, work to begin in three months: CM Fadnavis The Pandharpur corridor plan includes convenience facilities for devotees, development of the temple and its premises, ghat construction, darshan queue and disaster management as well as preservation and conservation of infrastructure works at Vitthal-Rukmini temple and premises Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the Mahayuti government has given the nod to the Solapur district administration to implement the Pandharpur corridor plan. Accordingly, the work for the corridor is set to commence in three months, news agency PTI reported. Speaking to reporters in Pandharpur, Fadnavis said that the process of land acquisition for the corridor would begin soon, and the project-affected people would receive "good compensation." The Pandharpur corridor plan includes facilities for devotees, development of the temple and its premises, ghat construction, darshan queue and disaster management as well as preservation and conservation of infrastructure works at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple and premises, PTI reported. The Maharashtra CM also inspected the restoration work of the iconic Vitthal-Rukmini Temple and expressed satisfaction with the progress. "The majority of the restoration work will be completed before Ashadhi Ekadashi (July 6)," he said. (With PTI inputs)
29 March,2025 10:46 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Devendra Fadnavis defends Ajit Pawar on crop loan waiver remarks
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday defended Ajit Pawar's remarks regarding the crop loan waiver, stating that his deputy had only stated the "government's position”. According to news agency PTI, while speaking at an event in Baramati in Pune district on Friday, Pawar had said that the state's current financial situation did not permit a crop loan waiver and urged farmers to pay their instalments on time rather than waiting for an announcement. Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio in the Fadnavis government, asserted that "one can feign many things but not financial reality”. He added, "A crop loan waiver was promised in the poll manifesto. But today I want to tell farmers to pay the instalment of crop loans they have taken before March 31. Some farmers are not paying their loan instalments assuming the government will announce a waiver." According to PTI, Pawar also reiterated that the state government would take a decision on the matter at the appropriate time. Asked about Pawar's comments, Fadnavis clarified that his deputy had reflected the government's stand. "He has never said it [crop loan waiver] will never be done," the Maharashtra CM asserted. Government would honour all the promises made in manifesto: Eknath Shinde Meanwhile, his other deputy, Eknath Shinde, also addressed the issue earlier in the day and said that the government would honour all promises made in the election manifesto, PTI reported. "Whatever promises we have mentioned in the manifesto, we will fulfil them. Each and every promise will be honoured. We will not call it a printing mistake," said Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, in response to queries about Pawar's remarks. Pawar also addressed the ongoing concerns about loan waivers earlier in the day and said election promises do not always translate into immediate action, reported news agency ANI. He emphasised that decisions will be made in due course based on the current financial situation, but for now, farmers must repay their loans. He also assured that arrangements had been made for 0 per cent interest loans to assist farmers. "Whether it's Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the focus remains on working for the welfare of the people. Recently, many citizens raised concerns about the election manifesto's promise of loan waivers. As of March 28, I want to clearly inform the people of Maharashtra to repay their crop loans by March 31. Promises made during elections don't always translate directly into actions...Considering the current circumstances, decisions will be made in the future. However, for now and even next year, loans taken must be repaid. On a positive note, arrangements have been made to avail of loans at 0 per cent interest," said Pawar. (With PTI and ANI inputs)
29 March,2025 08:56 PM IST | Pandharpur | mid-day online correspondent