Month: August 2022

President Joe Biden in a televised address on Monday (local time) announced that Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in an air strike by the United States stating that “Justice has been delivered.”
al-Zawahiri was one of the world’s most wanted terrorists and a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks was killed in a drone strike carried out by the US in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday.

“On Saturday, at my direction, the United States successfully conducted an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed the emir of al-Qa’ida: Ayman al-Zawahiri. Justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more,” Biden said in a video address from the Blue Room Balcony at the White House.

“He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and we’re going to make sure that nothing else happens,” he added.

Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon was deeply involved in the planning of 9/11 and he also acted as Osama Bin Ladens personal physician.

In a background call to reporters, a senior Biden administration official said Zawahiri had been killed on the balcony of a house in Kabul in a drone strike, and that there had been no US boots on the ground in Afghanistan.

The strike was conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and was carried out by an Air Force drone. The official claimed that al-Zawahiri was the only person killed in the strike and that none of his family members was injured.

Senior members of the Taliban and Haqqani Network were aware of al-Zawahiri’s presence in Kabul before the drone strike, said the senior administration official.

In fact, Haqqani Network members attempted to conceal that al-Zawahiri had been staying at the safehouse in the hours after he was killed.

When asked about Al-Zawahris’s killing and could he have been in the safe house without the direct knowledge of Pakistan’s ISI, the official said: “What we know is that senior Haqqani Taliban were aware of his presence in Kabul and I can’t comment further on other countries involvement.”

Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States who is now with the Hudson Institute, said that this operation shows that the US can still find identified terrorist leaders in Afghanistan.

“The question now would be, whether Taliban enabled Zawahiri’s elimination or the US did it without assistance. His presence in the Afghanistan- Pakistan area confirms that the region is still home to international terrorist groups,” Haqqani told ANI.

“We will have to wait to find out whom the Americans believe to have helped keep Zawahiri in business from within the region,” the former ambassador further added.

Zawahiri’s killing comes a year after the US’ military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover of the country. The official noted that Zawahiri’s presence in the Afghan capital Kabul was a “clear violation” of a deal the Taliban had signed with the US in Doha in 2020 that paved the way for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. (ANI)

Lok Sabha returned to normal functioning on Monday two weeks after the start of the monsoon session of Parliament with the government moving the motion for revoking the suspension of four Congress members.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to a feisty debate on price rise in the House and gave a point-by-point rebuttal to the charges levelled by the opposition against the government. Congress staged a walkout during the minister’s reply.

Rajya Sabha passed two bills amid some protests by opposition members.

The Opposition had been demanding a discussion on price rise from the start of the monsoon session and had held noisy protests. The government had said that the discussion would take place after the Finance Minister recovers from COVID-19.

The discussion on price rise is slated to take place in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

When the Lok Sabha met at 2 pm, Speaker Om Birla said that the incidents of the past some days had hurt him. He asked opposition members not to bring placards to the House.

Leader of Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that opposition wants the House to function smoothly and sought revocation of suspension of four party members.

Replying to the debate, Sitharaman said there is no question of India getting into stagflation or recession like other major economies of the world.

Rebutting opposition allegations concerning GST, she said there is no GST on crematorium, funeral, burial or on mortuary services.

“They are fully exempt from GST. Standard rates of GST will be imposed on construction that may be carried out for a crematorium,” she said.

Referring to opposition criticism of GST on some items of daily use, she said the decision had been taken in a meeting of the GST council which has members from state governments.

She said India is the fastest growing big economy and people have contributed to meeting the challenges posed by COVID-19.

“We have never seen a pandemic of this kind. All of us were trying to make sure that people in our constituencies are given extra help. I recognise that everybody -MPs and state governments have played their role. Otherwise, India would not be where it is compared to the rest of the world.”

“So, I fully credit the people of India for this. Even against adversity, we are able to stand up and be recognised as the fastest growing economy,” she said.

The Finance Minister emphasized that due to the measures taken by the government, India is in a much better position than most countries.

“Repeatedly in the assessment of global agencies, India remains the fastest growing economy in the assessment of global agencies. This House irrespective of the party should feel proud of the country and its people. State governments have helped,” she stated in the Lok Sabha.

“Pandemic, second wave, Omicron, Russia-Ukraine (war), even today largest supply components in China are under lockdown…in spite of that, we have held inflation well within 7 per cent or below. That has to be recognised,” she said.

She also referred to GST collection.

“In July 2022, we garnered the second highest level ever since the introduction of GST – which is Rs 1.49 Lakh crore. This is the fifth consecutive month that collections have been above Rs 1.4 Lakh crore,” she said.

Referring to opposition criticism on inflation, she said in 2012-13, CPI-based inflation was 10.05 per cent, it was 9.38 per cent in 2013-14, in 2014-15 it was 5.83 per cent and in 2015-16 it was 4.91 per cent.

“It was 6.16 per cent in 2020-2021. But it was nothing compared to 10 per cent,” she added.

She also referred to recent remarks of former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan about India’s economic performance.

“On Saturday, Raghuram Rajan said that ‘RBI has done a good job in increasing foreign exchange reserve in India, insulating India from problems being faced by neighbouring countries such as Pakistan & Sri Lanka’,” she said.

Earlier, the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha saw opposition protests on various issues including price rise, GST rates and Enforcement Directorate’s action against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

The House passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 to assist in protecting the frozen continent where India operates research centres and is part of several scientific explorations.

The upper House also passed a bill to ban financing any prohibited activity related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems as well as empowering the Centre to freeze, seize or attach economic resources of persons involved in such activities.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery System (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities), Amendment Bill, 2022 was passed after reply by External Affairs Minister S Jaishakar.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 18 and will continue till August 12. (ANI)

The North East Delhi riots were the results of a larger conspiracy and the idea was to create a sense of fear in the minds of Muslims and paralyse the city.

It was to be done through mobilisation in the name of Babri Masjid, Triple Talaq, suppression of Muslims, CAA-NRC and the Kashmir issue. These were the main arguments advanced on Monday by the special public prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad for the Delhi police.

The division bench of justices Sidharth Mridul and Rajanish Bhatnagar adjourned the further arguments of prosecution till Tuesday.

The bench observed that there are overlapping allegations regarding every accused in the charge sheet.

The senior Counsel for Umar Khalid submitted that there are overlapping of allegations, not the roles attributed to the accused persons.

He also said that there is no attribution that Umar Khalid was present at the site of the violence. There are only inferences against him.

“We understand what you are saying but in conspiracy, presence is not required”, Justice Siddharth Mridul said.

At the outset of the arguments, Amit Prasad said the riots were in two phases. The first one was is connected with the violence of December 2029 and the second phase was of February 2020 riots.

He argued that the first phase was the failed attempt. Therefore in the second phase there planning of large-scale mobilisation through WhatsApp chats in the WhatsApp groups created by the accused persons after the cabinet nod over CAB in parliament on December 4, 2019.

Amit Prasad further argued that WhatsApp groups like UAH, DPSG, MSJ and others were created. The DPSG group was created by Rahul Roy. Umar Khalid and the other accused were part of the group.

Justice Siddharth Mridul raised a query, Is Rahul Roy been made accused? SPP replied that many other accused have been made accused in the charge sheet.

The SPP argued that most of the accused persons were connected through WhatsApp groups which were being used for mobilisation and for calls the protest and chakka jaam.

He argued that the mobilisation was based on 5 factors namely the issue of Babri Masjid, the Suppression of Muslims, the issue of Triple Talaq, the Kashmir issue and CAA-NRC.

He referred to a chat between Sharjeel Imam and other accused that This law (CAA-NRC) is against Muslims. We have seen the approach of the Supreme Court in the matter of Babri masjid and Triple Talaq. There is no other option than the mass level protest. So that this matter may invite the attention of international media.

He also referred to a chat where a call for protest on December 6, 2019, was made to protest against the demolition of Babri masjid. He said the idea was to create fear in the minds of the Muslims.

He referred one the WhatsApp message which reads that 6 December is the martyrdom day of Babri Masjid.

He also argued that the idea was to create fear and paralyse the city by mobilising the people on these factors.

The issues of Babri masjid and triple talaq were related to religion but the issue of Kashmir was integrity. It shows that the grievance was not the CAA-NRC, the grievance was other issues, argued SPP Amit Prasad.

It was argued that people were mobilised through Whatsapp groups. As a result of this large-scale violence took place in phases one and two which include using of petrol bombs, firing, stone pelting, burning of vehicles, damage to private and public properties and assault on police personnel.

Round-the-clock protest sites were created which were managed, supervised and controlled by the accused persons including Umar Khalid and others through WhatsApp groups, SPP argued.

It was also argued that these protests were not organised nor supported by locals. These were organised with the help of outsiders. The idea was to paralyse the entire area of northeast Delhi by blocking two major roads namely Wazirabad Road and Seelampur road with a disruptive chakka jam. Sharjeel had talked of disruptive chakka jaam, Delhi police alleged.

The senior advocate appearing for Umar Khalid on Thursday had concluded his arguments on the bail plea. He submitted that no case of conspiracy is made out against his client and there are major contradictions in the statement of witnesses.

It was also argued that Sharjeel Imam was connected and known to each other. Sharjeel was introduced to Yogendra Yadav by Umar Khalid at a protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2020.

The said objectionable speech was allegedly given by Umar in Amaravati on February 17, 2020. He was booked under UAPA by Delhi Police and was arrested on 13 September 2020.

Earlier the bench had called the speech offensive and obnoxious. He said that the speech was hateful and not acceptable.

Umar Khalid has challenged the trial court order denying him bail in the larger conspiracy of North East Delhi riots of February 2020.

Senior Advocate Tridip Pais had argued that there is no material, no basis for allegations in the charge sheet. It is based on hearsay.

He had argued, by referring to the picture taken from Facebook, that this is one picture and there are many others. Anyone who wants to hatch a conspiracy would upload the photographs in Facebook.

During during argument on May 23, 2022, he argued that Sharjeel Imam had criticized a secular movement against CAA and Khalid does not agree with it.

Pais had said I am (Umar Khalid) being lumped with a person who calls for a deeply communal protest against CAA. There is no ideological meeting of minds.

This case pertains to the larger conspiracy of the North East Delhi riots of February 2020. In these riots, 53 people died and hundreds were injured. (ANI)

Highlighting India’s robust economic health despite the COVID pandemic and geo-political situation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said there is no question of India getting into stagflation or recession like other major economies of the world.

In her reply to the debate on price rise at the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “We have never seen a pandemic of this kind. All of us were trying to make sure that people in our constituencies are given extra help. I recognise that everybody -MPs and state governments have played their role. Otherwise, India would not be where it is compared to the rest of the world.”
“So, I fully credit the people of India for this. Even against adversity, we are able to stand up and be recognised as the fastest growing economy,” she said.

The Finance Minister emphasized that due to the measures taken by the government, India is in a much better position than most countries.

“Repeatedly in the assessment of global agencies, India remains the fastest growing economy in the assessment of global agencies. This House irrespective of the party should feel proud of the country and its people. State governments have helped,” she stated in the Lok Sabha.

Referring to a survey, Sitharaman said there is zero possibility of India getting into recession.

Sitharaman said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the US fell 0.9 per cent in the second quarter following a 1.6 per cent decline in the first quarter. “They start it calling an unofficial recession. There is no question of India getting into recession or stagflation,” said the Minister.

“Pandemic, second wave, Omicron, Russia-Ukraine (war), even today largest supply components in China are under lockdown. In spite of that, we have held inflation well within 7 per cent or below. That has to be recognised,” she told Lok Sabha.

She further said, “4,000 banks in China are reported to be going bankrupt. In India, the gross NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) of scheduled commercial banks is at a 5-years low of 5.9 per cent in 2022. So our NPAs are improving. The government debt to GDP Ratio of many countries is in triple digits including Japan, Greece, Bhutan, Singapore, the US, Portugal, Spain, France, Sri Lanka and Canada. But the central government very consciously controlled its debt and it is at 56.29 per cent of the GDP at the end of 2021-22 compared to the 59.9 per cent revised estimate that year.”

According to IMF data, Sitharaman said the general debt to GDP ratio is 86.9 per cent including the Centre and the state.

In July 2022, the Minister said the country has garnered the second highest level ever since the introduction of the GST which is 1.49 lakh crore. “In April 2022, it was 1.67 lakh crore which was the highest we reached. This is the fifth consecutive month that collections have been above Rs 1.4 Lakh crores,” she said.

Quoting former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan, she said, “On Saturday, Raghuram Rajan said that ‘RBI has done a good job in increasing foreign exchange reserve in India, insulating India from problems being faced by neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“Differentiating India from its vulnerable neighbours, Raghuram Rajan further added that ‘New Delhi is less indebted’, calling it a good sign, the Minister said.

Amid Sitharaman’s reply to the debate on price rise, Congress members walk out from Lok Sabha. (ANI)

Tiger Shroff started his Monday on a nostalgic note.

Taking to Instagram, Tiger, who is known for his action-packed stunts, dropped a BTS video from ‘Baaghi 3’ shoot, recalling how he ended up with scratches and burns after filming a scene underneath a tank.
Describing the stunt as his “favourite shot”, Tiger wrote, “Other than the scratches, burns, and claustrophobic feeling under that massive tank….this split under the tank was one of my fav shots that I’ve done.”

The video begins with Tiger intensely gliding under a big tank as a part of a fight sequence in the movie. The video further features a glimpse of his back, full of scratches and marks.

Soon after he shared the video, fans chimed in the comment section and shared their views.

“Always inspired by ur hard work bhai,” a social media user commented.

“Insane,” ace photographer Dabboo Ratnani commented.

In the upcoming months, Tiger will be seen in Karan Johar’s new action entertainer ‘Screw Dheela’.

A few days ago, the makers unveiled the film’s teaser. In the teaser, Tiger is seen in a nerdy look, getting punched in the face by goons while trying to explain that he is just a PT teacher, Akhilesh Mishra. Then, the goons bashing him up show him the video of a girl (whose face is in shadows) who calls Tiger ‘Johnny’.

This makes the ‘Heropanti’ actor get into his action avatar and he beats up his tormentors. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, ‘Screw Dheela’ marks Tiger’s second collaboration with Dharma Production after ‘Student of the Year 2’.The official announcement of the leading lady and the release date of the film is still awaited. (ANI)

State Health Minister Veena George on Monday confirmed that the test reports of a 22-year-old person with monkeypox symptoms who died on July 30 were found to be positive for the viral zoonotic infection.

The youth hailed from Chavakkad Kuranjiyur in Thrissur district tested positive in UAE and died in Kerala on July 30.
“On the evening of July 26 he developed abnormal jerking and he had fever too. On July 27 he was admitted and on July 28 he was moved to the ventilator. On July 30 the hospital authorities informed the Health Department that he got tested on July 19 for monkeypox in UAE and the result of which was positive. Our team went there, unfortunately, that person died in the evening. As per our procedure, we had sent the samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV) Alappuzha and test results show that he was positive for monkeypox,” said George.

He was also treated for Encephalitis and altered seizures and other diseases and he was given antibiotics.

Currently, 20 high-risk contacts are under observation which includes three health workers, a doctor and two nursing staff from the private hospital.

The Health Minister said that it is unsure whether the family has withheld the information that the person was tested in UAE.

“We constituted a state-level team including state medical board members to enquire what really has happened. And the genomic sequencing of sample is being done at NIV,” she added.

She further pointed out that on his day of arrival at Calicut Airport he was not showing any symptoms of fever or rashes during the thermal scanning but he had a fever four weeks ago and on July 26 he developed it again.

“A Preliminary report says that it is a West African variant,” she said.

The Minister said that the state Health Department has ensured that every person will undergo thermal scanning at the airport so if the person has a high fever he or she can go to the help desk.

“Thermal scanning at airports is regular and if the person has a high fever, we have a help desk there and health workers will take care. We have isolation facilities in all the 48 districts and transportation facilities will also be arranged,” said George.

She also requested people to take precautions and not to hide the information.

“Currently there are two active cases in the state and all the other persons under observation were tested negative,” she added.

Notably, India has reported five cases of monkeypox so far, of which three cases are from Kerala, one is from Delhi and one from Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur.

Following this, the central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen.

NITI Aayog’s member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check.

In an Interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant.”There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries.

“The monkeypox outbreak can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,” said Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO on Thursday.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The disease is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa but lately, cases have been reported from non-endemic countries too, according to the WHO. (ANI)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is being rebuked left right and centre because of a photo which is doing rounds on social media.

The photo is from a meeting at the Punjab Chief Ministerial office on Sunday. There were a number of meetings during the day which included the newly-elected chief minister of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi, a former federal minister, Moonis Elahi and PTI chairman Imran Khan.

Ideally, the Chief Minister must have presided over the meeting however the picture which is getting viral on social media reveals where true power lies.

Indian Twiterartis could not help draw parallel when AAP national convenor relegated Punjab chief miniseter Bhagwant Singh Mann to a secondary position during a roadshow after the party’s victory in Punjab. Memes were drawn of the incident on social media ridiculing the AAP head.

Imran Khan’s photo too went viral during his visit to the CM office. The image has drawn criticism and ridicule in the same fashion from online users across the border.

The PTI’s chairman occupied the chief minister’s chair and the picture has now gone viral. Several people questioned the PTI for the legitimacy of occupying the seat.

Senior anchor Hamid Mir said, “A lot of people are criticising Imran Khan for sitting on the chief minister’s seat but they are unaware of the intricacies as to what had happened there.”

Mir continued, “Imran Khan was photographed sitting on the CM’s seat while visiting the PML-Q leader. Imran Khan had gone to the CM Punjab office to congratulate Pervaiz Elahi on his victory.”

“Upon arrival at his office, Pervez Elahi asked Imran Khan to sit there but the PTI chairman told him that it’s his seat. At this, Moonis Elahi said we got this because of you [Imran Khan] so you sit there.”

The veteran journalist said, “I think, Imran Khan should have been cautious and must have avoided despite their insistence.” However, many social media users, journalists and politicians slammed the PTI chairman and termed it an “ill-mannered” move.

After the high drama in the Punjab Chief Ministerial elections, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, along with Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi, finalized the provincial cabinet, media reports said.

Pakistani local media outlet, ARY News while quoting sources that Imran Khan visited Lahore where the latter met with newly elected Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and discussed the formation of the provincial cabinet and other issues.

They also discussed measures to help the flood victims. Imran Khan issued instructions to Punjab CM Elahi to speed up the relief activities in the flood-affected areas. As per sources, several names from the coalition parties, PTI and PML-Q, have been shortlisted for the Punjab cabinet portfolios.

It is learnt that Raja Basharat will likely get the portfolio of the law ministry, Murad Raas will be given the education ministry, Yasmin Rashid is likely to get the health ministry while Hashim Jawan Bakht’s name has been finalized for the finance ministry.

Moreover, Fawad Chaudhry is likely to get the portfolio of the home minister, said sources.

Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Chaudhry Zaheer ud Din, Hafiz Muhammad Mumtaz, Samiulllah Chaudhry, Sardar Asif, Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Yasir Humayun Raja, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Taimur Khan Bhatti, and Murad Raas will also get ministerial slots in the Punjab cabinet.

Furthermore, Muhammad Abdullah Waraich, Muhammad Rizwan, Sajid Ahmed Khan, Ahsan ul Haq Chaudhry, and Khadija Omar will be added to the provincial cabinet as ministers.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Sibtan Khan was elected as the new speaker of the Punjab Assembly. The session was chaired by the Panel of Chairman Wasim Badozai. Subsequently, Badozai called security inside the House after Khokhar raised objections, reported Dawn.

Sibtain Khan was a joint candidate of Imran Khan’s PTI and the PML-Q. Notably, the Punjab Assembly speaker’s seat fell vacant after the former office bearer, Pervez Elahi was elected as the Punjab chief minister.

After obtaining a total of 185 votes against the 175 votes obtained by PML-N’s Saif ul Malook Khokhar, who was the Opposition’s joint candidate, Sibtain Khan came out victorious, reported Geo TV.

Four votes were rejected during the session presided over by PTI MPA Waseem Khan Badozai. Prior to the commencement of the voting process, PML-N’s Khalil Tahir Sindhu tried to raise a point of objection related to the position of the polling booth, saying that cameras were installed above it.

This comes amid the Punjab CM fiasco, as the top court declared Mazari’s ruling in the Punjab chief minister’s election “illegal” and ruled that PTI’s candidate Pervez Elahi will be the new CM of the province.

The court then declared Elahi as the duly elected chief minister of Punjab as it ruled that he had obtained 186 votes compared to Hamza Shehbaz’s 179.

PTI-backed Pervez Elahi on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab after the Supreme Court announced a verdict against the ruling of Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammed Mazari. (ANI)

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday convened a meeting to discuss the spread of Monkeypox in the state after an Ethiopian national with symptoms of monkeypox was identified and quarantined in a private hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The meeting with the Health minister and officials would take decisions on screening of passengers coming from outside and arrangements for treatment, Bommai said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Karnataka health department said that an Ethiopian national with symptoms of monkeypox has been quarantined in a private hospital in Bengaluru.

The individual samples have been sent to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute laboratory for confirmation and reports are awaited.

While talking to ANI, he said, “We have taken the Monkeypox infections seriously. I have convened a meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow. The meeting with the Health minister and officials would take decisions on screening of passengers coming from outside and arrangements for treatment.”

While responding to the question pertaining to the recent protest by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists at the Home Minister’s residence, Bommai added that there was no lapse in security. Those who were to be present at that time were not there.

While talking about the Hindutva ideology of the party, the chief minister said, “Ours is a national party. Nationalism is our stand. There is no question of discrimination against anyone.

Speaking to media persons at Davangere GMIT helipad, Bommai said, “the leaders of previous regimes should introspect on their conduct then over such issues.”

Meanwhile, India’s first case of Monkeypox has recovered from the disease. The 35-year-old man was being treated at a Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. (ANI)

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s daughter Uma Maheshwari was found hanging at her residence in Jubilee hills in Hyderabad, said police on Monday.

“Uma Maheshwari committed suicide in her residence at Jubilee hills on Monday. Uma Maheshwari is former CM and TDP Party founder NTR’s younger daughter,” said M Sudarshan, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
After receiving information police reached the spot and noticed that Uma Maheshwari hanged herself to death in her residence.

Police have shifted the body to a local government hospital for post-mortem.

A case is being registered under Section 174 CrPC and further probe is on.

Uma was the youngest among 12 children of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and was the youngest of four sisters. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Daggubati Purandeswari and Nara Bhuwaneswari, who is TDP President and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s wife, are her sisters. Chandrababu Naidu, his son Nara Lokesh and other family members rushed to Maheswari’s residence. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor felt overwhelmed by seeing a Housefull board outside a cinema hall in Mumbai.

Arjun along with his co-stars Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria visited the old Gaiety Galaxy cinema hall in Mumbai to surprise their fans watching ‘Ek Villain Returns’.
Taking to Instagram, the ‘Gunday’ actor shared a picture from the cinema hall, which he captioned, “Ek actor ko aur kya chahiye!! Housefull board outside a cinema that’s all we work for… will sleep with a smile on my face tonight… .”

In the picture, the ‘Mubarkaan’ actor could be seen holding the Housefull board with Tara and Disha on both his sides and their fans gathering around them.

Helmed by Mohit Suri ‘Ek Villain Returns’ gathered mixed reviews from the netizens but the ‘Aurangzeb’ actor received praises from the audience for his performance in the film.

Soon after Arjun shared this post, fans flooded the comment section with heart, fire emoticons and congratulatory messages for the whole team.

“Absolutely….best movie of this year” a fan commented on the post.

Another fan wrote, “Congratulations movie it’s very awesome and Arjun acting superb.”

‘Ek Villain Returns’ minted Rs 14 crore after the second day of its release and became Arjun’s fifth highest opening film of his career.

Apart from ‘Ek Villain Returns’, Arjun will also be seen in Aasmaan Bhardwaaj’s ‘Kuttey’, which is slated to release on November 4, 2022.

Along with this he also has director Ajay Behl’s ‘The Ladykiller’ opposite Bhumi Pednekar. (ANI)