A massive fire broke out at Rituraj Hotel in Eastern Kolkata on April 30, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 14 lives. Visuals from the scene showed firefighters and emergency personnel rushing into action, with bodies being moved into ambulances after the blaze was brought under control. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Chaos unfolded as hotel guests tried to escape the flames—one individual sustained severe injuries after jumping from the building, while several others suffered from suffocation. Fortunately, many were rescued in time and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. In a dramatic rescue, guests stranded on the terrace were safely evacuated to the rooftop of a neighbouring building using ladders provided by firefighters. The incident has raised urgent questions about safety measures in hotels and commercial buildings. Authorities are now assessing the damage and continuing their investigation into what triggered the deadly fire.
30 April,2025 06:50 PM IST
As IPL 2025 kicked off today with a match between KKR and RCB in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, fans gathered in large numbers electrifying the atmosphere outside the stadium. Fans of both teams engaged in friendly banter, exchanging playful jabs and passionate chants, setting the perfect tone for an intense season opener. From face-painted superfans to enthusiastic chants the IPL spirit is alive and kicking.
22 March,2025 09:21 PM IST
Holi 2025 is being celebrated across India with a lot of fervour and enthusiasm. In Ujjain, on the occasion of Holi, Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga was immersed in gulaal during bhasma aarti. In the famed birthplace of Lord Krishna - Mathura, people gathered in large numbers at Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple and played with colours. People in the historic city of Varanasi were seen taking to the streets to play the colorful festivals. In the southern states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu - people and children were seen dancing and playing holi. In Assam’s Dibrugarh, Lord Krishna devotees carried out a special 'Prabhat Pheri' (morning procession) around the city, starting from Rani Sati temple on the occasion of Holi.
14 March,2025 04:57 PM IST
A court in Kolkata has sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Anirban Das, delivered the verdict on Monday, also imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 on Roy. Roy was found guilty of the crime, which occurred on August 9, 2024. The victim, a postgraduate trainee at the hospital, was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital. Roy, a former civic volunteer, was arrested the following day, August 10, 2024, after the discovery of the body. The court convicted Roy under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Despite the conviction, Roy maintained his innocence during the trial, claiming he had been framed and suggesting the involvement of an IPS officer in the case. In addition to the life sentence, the court also ordered the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the family of the deceased doctor. The case sparked nationwide protests, with junior doctors suspending their services in several cities across the country to demand justice. Roy's family has stated that they will not challenge the court's decision and will accept whatever punishment he receives.
20 January,2025 04:27 PM IST
While speaking in court today to decide the punishment for the accused in the RG Kar rape-murder case, the victim’s father expressed strong feelings against Sanjay Roy. He said that Roy deserved the harshest punishment for his crime. The victim’s father explained that Roy tried to speak in court on Saturday, but the court asked him to wait until Monday. He said they didn't know what Roy would say, but emphasized that Roy was a criminal. The father also mentioned that there might be others involved with him in the crime, but he insisted that Roy should face the strictest penalty for his actions.
20 January,2025 02:38 PM IST
A big verdict was made today in the Kolkata RG Kar Rape Case. After 5 months of long investigations, additional District Judge of Sealdah Court found accused Sanjay Roy ‘guilty’ in the gruesome rape-murder case on January 18. The court said BNS Sections 64,66, 103/1 have been framed against the accused Sanjay Roy and the quantum will be given on January 20. The complaint said that the accused entered the seminar room at the Medical College where he assaulted and murdered a resting lady doctor. However, ‘convict’ Sanjay Roy denied the allegations and dropped hints about the alleged involvement of an IPS officer. The judge informed that further hearing of the accused will be on Jan 20 and his punishment will also be declared that day.
18 January,2025 06:37 PM IST
A four-storey building in Kolkata's Baghajatin area, located in Vidyasagar Colony, collapsed on January 14 while it was under renovation. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the building had already been evacuated. Residents had been asked to leave earlier due to safety concerns. One of the residents mentioned that most people had left their belongings behind in the building when they moved out. The collapse did not result in any injuries, but it has caused concern about the safety of other buildings in the area. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and ensuring the safety of nearby structures.
15 January,2025 11:14 AM IST
The BJP unit of West Bengal has expressed concerns over the arrest of ISKCON Bangladesh priest Chinmoy Krishna Das by Dhaka police. In response, BJP leaders and party workers, including West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari, held a march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. During the protest, Adhikari and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul criticized the government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for its failure to protect Hindus. They also condemned the violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The BJP leaders called for immediate action to address the situation and ensure the safety of religious minorities in the country.
28 November,2024 09:57 AM IST
Rituparna Sengupta is a well-known Indian actress, primarily active in Bengali cinema. Born and brought up in Kolkata, Durga Puja holds a very special place in Rituparna's heart. With childhood memories flooding in and the grand festival of Durga Puja coming to an end, Rituparna got nostalgic during a conversation with us at mid-day.com. The actress recently visited the Indian Bangla Club's Durga Pandal, where she recalled the good old days and happy memories. She also talked about the tragic Kolkata rape and murder case and shared how it has affected the city. Watch the video to know more
12 October,2024 05:11 PM IST
Organised by the Bengali community in Mumbai, Durga Puja pandals offer an extraordinary devotional experience for worshipping Maa Durga. A special bhog is offered to the goddess and distributed as prasad to all the devotees each year. More than 30,000 people take bhog in this pandal each year and cooking at such a large scale is not easy! The scale of cooking is huge and the responsibility is even bigger - but year by year - tirelessly in all devotion - the bhog is cooked and served with love and consumed by thousands in the spirit of Joi Maa Durga! In this episode of Culture Beat, Mid-day’s Katyayani Kapoor explores what goes into making the bhog at Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav 2024. Take a look.
10 October,2024 08:00 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
