Month: January 2025

Junior doctors held a protest outside the Sealdah Court on Monday demanding stricter punishment for the convict Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape-murder case.

Speaking to ANI, a junior doctor asserted that they would approach the higher court with their demand.

“We wanted a strict and exemplary punishment, this punishment is not enough. We will move to higher courts seeking a stricter judgement,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the court giving life imprisonment to the convict in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case and said if the case had been with Kolkata Police, they would have ensured a death penalty.

“I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court’s decision and I can’t say much about this. For three other cases, Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back,” CM Mamata said while addressing the media at Malda.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Khurshid welcomed the judgement and said that it would convey a message to those who commit such crimes.

“The biggest worry that people express in our country is that many sad incidents take place – people keep waiting for the Court and that leads to apathy. But, in this case, a quick investigation was done and the Court has also pronounced its judgement in very little time – and the judgement is also apt, it should be welcomed. Will it convey a message to those who commit such crimes?” Khurshid said.

However, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, calling for a deeper investigation.

Speaking to ANI, Majumdar refrained from commenting against the court’s decision.

“We wanted the highest punishment (for the convict Sanjay Roy). Being an elected representative, I can’t say anything against the court verdict. The public of West Bengal does not believe that only one person is involved in the RG Kar rape-murder case. I think there should be more depth in this, as Sanjay is saying that there were also police and other people involved,” the BJP leader said.

The case involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital’s seminar room. (ANI)

Abu Dhabi has been ranked first on the world’s safest cities list in 2025, the ninth consecutive year it has topped the list since 2017, according to online database Numbeo, reflecting the emirate’s efforts to develop pioneering security plans, strategies and initiatives.

Ranking first out of 382 global cities in the 2025 standings, Abu Dhabi has held Numbeo’s title of the world’s safest city for almost a decade, which reflects the emirate’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Promotion by Abu Dhabi Police of the sense of safety and security in the city, while strengthening the trust of community members, has contributed to Abu Dhabi’s recognition in the Numbeo list, reinforcing the city’s position as a preferred place to study, work and live. (ANI/WAM)

US President-elect Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, has launched her cryptocurrency ahead of Trump’s inauguration, CNN reported.

In a social media post on Sunday, Melania Trump launched her cryptocurrency $MELANIA, tanking her husband’s cryptocurrency $TRUMP, which was launched two days ago.

In a post on X, Melania Trump wrote, “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now. https://melaniameme.com.”

Meme coins are a type of highly volatile cryptocurrency inspired by popular internet and carry no intrinsic value, however, its price can rise or reduce.

In a post shared on X on Friday, Trump wrote, “My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW. Go to http://gettrumpmemes.com — Have Fun!”

The two coins are trading on the Solana blockchain. Trump’s meme coin witnessed a rise over the weekend and was trading at over USD 70 by Sunday afternoon, according to CoinGecko, CNN reported. However, the coin’s price reduced to USD 40 after Melania Trump launched her own coin.

Since then, it has recovered some of those losses and was trading around USD 60 early Monday while $MELANIA was trading just over USD 12 early Monday, according to CoinGecko. $TRUMP is the first cryptocurrency which has been supported by Trump, who once said that bitcoin was “based on thin air.”

In July 2024, Trump delivered remarks at crypto’s largest convention and has also appointed Howard Lutnick, who supports the cryptocurrency company Tether, to run the US Commerce Department. Lutnick is among other crypto enthusiasts appointed in Trump’s administration.

According to CoinMarketCap, the Trump’s coin market capitalization, which is based on the 200 million coins circulating, is capped at USD 13 billion. There will be 1 billion Trump coins over the next three years, according to the information on meme coin’s website, CNN reported.

Both $MELANIA and $TRUMP’s websites have disclaimers mentioning that the coins are “intended to function as a support for, and engagement with” the values of their respective brands and “are not intended to be, or to be the subject of, an investment opportunity, investment contract, or security of any type.”

According to the website, the meme coin is not politically affiliated. However, 80 per cent of the coin’s supply is held by Trump Organization-affiliate CIC Digital and Fight Fight Fight LLC, the two are subject to a three-year unlocking schedule, which implies that they will not able to sell all of their holdings at once, CNN reported.

The website of $TRUMP coin’s website says it is “the only official Trump meme.” The website says, “Now, you can get your piece of history. This Trump Meme celebrates a leader who doesn’t back down, no matter the odds.” (ANI)

A cabinet meeting was held on Monday at the State Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, where the cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) manual.

The approval follows a thorough scrutiny by the legislative Department, which had already reviewed the manual.

On UCC, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Said that our government kept the promises we made before the 2022 elections.

He asserted that the dates of implementation will be announced soon.

“We had promised the people of Uttarakhand in 2022 that we would bring the UCC Bill as soon as our government was formed. We brought it. The draft committee drafted it, it was passed, the President approved it and it became an act. The process of training is also almost complete… After analysing everything, we will announce the dates soon,” Dhami said to media persons after the meeting.

The BJP government introduced the UCC Bill during a special session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on February 6 this year and it was passed with a comfortable majority a day later on February 7.

Following the Uttarakhand Assembly, the UCC Bill was passed in February, and President Droupadi Murmu signed it on March 13, paving the way for Uttarakhand to potentially become the first state in India to enact the UCC.

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a set of uniform personal laws that apply to all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, or caste. This would cover aspects such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession. (ANI)

Accused Greeshma in the high-profile Sharon Raj murder case has been sentenced to death by the Neyyattinkara Additional Sessions Court on Monday. The court gave capital punishment to the accused who had poisoned her boyfriend Sharon Raj, a 23-year-old man, with pesticide-laced ayurvedic decoction.

The third accused, Greeshma’s uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair, has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

While pronouncing the quantum of punishment, the court observed, “The act of inviting Sharon over under the pretext of sexual intimacy and subsequently committing the crime cannot be ignored. It is the State’s responsibility to ensure punishment for criminal acts. Evidence such as Sharon recording a video of the suspicious juice, despite Greeshma asking him not to record, indicates that he suspected something was wrong. Sharon fought for his life for 11 days without even consuming a drop of water.”

The court further observed that Greeshma betrayed the trust of her boyfriend Sharon, manipulating him emotionally. She has no evidence to support claims of mental pressure from Sharon, the court said, adding, “Greeshma’s defence that Sharon had physically abused her also lacks any proof. On the contrary, Sharon had never blamed her in any messages or communications. While Sharon remained committed to the accused, she was simultaneously in contact with her fiance.”

“It is evident that the crime was premeditated and carried out without provocation. Greeshma’s cunning attempts to cover up her crime were unsuccessful. Her argument of youthful age cannot be considered in light of the severity of the crime. The evidence suggests that Sharon was unaware of Greeshma’s plan to murder him,” the court observed.

Accused Greeshma faced multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She has been booked under sections 302 (Murder), 364 (Abduction with intent to commit murder), 328 (Administering poison with intent to harm life), and 203 (Obstruction of justice by providing false information) of the IPC.

The court on Saturday heard the final arguments of the defence and prosecution on the quantum of punishment to SS Greeshma who was found guilty by the Court on January 17. The court also found her uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair, the third accused, guilty under Section 201 of the IPC. Her mother Sindhu was acquitted.

The case dates back to October 14, 2022, when Greeshma allegedly poisoned her boyfriend, Sharon Raj, by mixing poison in herbal medicine at her residence. Sharon passed away 11 days later while being treated in the ICU of a medical college.

Sharon and Greeshma had been in a long-term relationship. However, Greeshma, planning to marry another person, sought to end her relationship with Sharon. When Sharon refused to break up, it reportedly led to the murder.

Sharon’s dying declaration to the magistrate, in which he revealed he had consumed the herbal medicine given by Greeshma without suspecting any harm, was a crucial turning point in the investigation. Forensic evidence also played a pivotal role in establishing the crime.

The police filed the charge sheet on January 25, 2023, following a meticulous investigation led by a special team under then-Superintendent of Police Shilpa. The trial, which began on October 15 last year, concluded on January 3 this year. Over 95 witnesses were examined in the case. (ANI)

The Motorcycle Rider Display Team “Daredevils” of the Indian Army, achieved an extraordinary feat on 20 January 2025 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, by creating a World Record for the highest Human Pyramid on moving motorcycles.

The formation, measuring an impressive 20.4 feet and comprising 40 men on 7 motorcycles, covered a distance of 2 kilometres on Kartvya Path from Vijay Chowk to India gate.

The Motorcycle Rider Display Team, known as the “Daredevils” is from the Corps of Signals, which has a long history of accolades, and earned international acclaim for its outstanding performances.

With this latest achievement, the team now boasts an incredible 33 World Records, including entries in the Guinness Book of World Records, Asia Book of Records, and Limca Book of Records.

The Daredevils were flagged in at India Chowk by the Signals Fraternity, including the Head of the Arm of the Corps of Signals, Lieutenant General KV Kumar, amidst cheers and motivation to boost morale for the contingent and to celebrate their tremendous feat.

Since its inception in 1935, the Daredevils have conducted over 1,600 motorcycle displays across India, captivating audiences during prestigious events such as Republic Day Parades, Army Day Parades, and various Military Tattoos. Their dedication and exceptional skill continue to inspire and showcase the prowess of the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, in line with the objective to increase ‘Jan Bhagidari’ in events of national importance, approx. 10,000 special guests have been invited to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi on January 26, 2025. These architects of ‘Swarnim Bharat’, with diverse backgrounds, include best performers in various fields and those who have made best use of the schemes of the Government.

Sarpanches, whose villages have achieved targets in selected government initiatives have been invited. A national-level competition was announced by Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances among panchayats. Panchayats which have achieved targets in at least six flagship schemes were selected as Special Guests.

Some of the invited guests are carrying out exemplary work to ensure income & employment generation and environment protection through Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHGs working in areas of food, nutrition, health, water sanitation & hygiene, Panchayati Raj Institutions-Community Based Organisations Convergence and gender activities have been invited. Preference has been given to a SHG member who has not visited Delhi.

PM-JANMAN mission participants, Tribal artisans/Van Dhan Vikas Yojna members, National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation ventures, ASHA workers, MyBharat volunteers have also been invited. (ANI)

The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court has sentenced life imprisonment to the accused Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape and murder case on Monday. Along with this, the court has also fined Rs 50,000 to the accused.

During the hearing of the case, the Central Bureau of Investigation sought “capital punishment” for the accused Sanjay Roy.

Explaining the penalties of the section, the court said to the accused Sanjay Roy, “I told you the previous day the charges you were convicted against and the charges that have been proven against you.”

When asked about his charges, accused Sanjay Roy claimed that he has not done anything and is being “falsely implicated.”

“I have not done anything, neither rape nor murder. I am being falsely implicated. You have seen everything. I am innocent. I already told you that I was tortured. They made me sign whatever they wanted,” accused Sanjay Roy said.

The lawyer of the accused argued that even if the case is “rarest of rare,” there should be scope for reformation. He said, “Even if it is a rarest of rare cases, there should be scope for reformation. The court has to show why the convict is not worth reformation or rehabilitation… The public prosecutor has to present evidence and give reasons why the person is not worth reformation and should be completely eliminated from society…”

However, the victim’s family lawyer said, “I want the death sentence as maximum punishment…”

The father of the victim had demanded harshest punishment to the accused. He said their fight will continue on the streets and in the courts.

“On Saturday, the judge said that the harshest punishment would be given (to the accused). We have full faith in the judge. Our fight will continue in the courts and streets,” the father of the deceased doctor told ANI.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that her government has cooperated with the investigation in the RG Kar rape and murder case and they always wanted the victim to get justice.

Banerjee said this moment before Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court began hearing in the RG Kar rape and murder case.

“We have cooperated with the investigation…we had demanded justice but judiciary had to run its course so that’s why it took this much time but we always wanted the victim to get justice,” CM Mamata Banerjee said.

On Saturday, Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court pronounced Sanjay Roy guilty in the RG Kar rape and murder case of a trainee doctor. The court said sections 64,66, 103/1 of BNS have been framed against the accused.

“There is a complaint against the accused that he went to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and went to the seminar room, assaulted and murdered the lady doctor taking rest there,” the court said.

The case, which involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital’s seminar room, sparked widespread protests. After the incident, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, was arrested in connection with the crime. (ANI)

India’s Olympic gold medalist and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is now married.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Neeraj posted the news and shared a series of photographs with his life partner Himani.

He also shared the pictures on his official X handle, saying that the wedding marks a start of a new chapter of his life.

“Started new chapter of life with my family. Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after. Neeraj Himani,” the star athlete wrote on X.

Chopra arguably became one of the biggest athletes that India ever witnessed after sending his javelin to a record-shattering distance in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Chopra fell short of retaining his gold medal, finishing with a best throw of 89.45 meters.

Despite a strong performance on his second attempt, he struggled with four consecutive foul throws, which prevented him from winning gold.

Chopra became the second male athlete from post-independence India to win two Olympic medals in an individual event. He is also the only Indian athlete to bag two different medals (Gold in Tokyo 2020 and Silver in Paris 2024) at the Olympics.

Chopra’s first and third attempts were invalidated by red flags, and his final three attempts were fouls. Despite a strong performance in the qualification round with a throw of 89.34 meters, his 89.45-meter throw was not enough to retain his gold.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold with a throw of 92.97 meters, setting a new Olympic record and surpassing Denmark’s Andreas Thorkildsen’s mark from Beijing 2008. Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters.

Chopra narrowly missed out on another title by just 1 centimetre, finishing second in the Diamond League final with a best throw of 87.86 meters at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium last year.

Earlier in November, Neeraj Chopra’s successful partnership with his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz, which resulted in two Olympic medals, two World Championship medals, and an Asian Games gold, came to an end as the 75-year-old German coach has decided to retire.

During their time together, Chopra achieved remarkable success, including two Olympic medals (gold and silver), two World Championship medals (gold and silver), an Asian Games gold, and a Diamond League title. After that, Chopra announced the start of an exciting new chapter in his career, partnering with javelin legend Jan Zelezny, who has come on board as his new coach.

Zelezny, a three-time Olympic and World champion and the current world record holder, has long been an idol to Chopra.

Zelezny, a Gold medalist at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, has five of the top ten best throws of all time and broke the world record on four occasions en route to claiming the current undisputed mark of 98.48m, in Germany, in 1996. (ANI)

As the Mahakumbh enters its eighth day, more than 2.27 million pilgrims visited the Mela on Monday morning as of 8 am, according to official data released by the Uttar Pradesh government.

On the day eight of the Mahakumbh, among a congregation of over 2.27 million devotees gathered at Sangam Triveni; one million Kalpvasis and 1.27 million pilgrims took the holy dip by 8 am.

As of January 19, more than 82.6 million pilgrims took dip at the Sangam Triveni during the Mahakumbh 2025.

On Monday, devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam amid the inclement weather conditions in the city. Yet, the weather doesn’t seem to have an effect on the footfall of pilgrims.

Despite the chilly weather, a large number of devotees gathered at the sacred spot in Prayagraj on the eighth day of the grand event.

The attandance of the pilgrims is expected to increase in the upcoming days as four key Shahi Snans are yet to come.

The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

More than five million pilgrims visited the Mahakumbh Mela till 6 pm on Sunday, which marked the seventh day of the grand event as the festivities continued.

On Sunday, in an unexpected mishap, a fire broke out at the Gita Press camp at the Mela due to the explosion of three cooking gas cylinders. However, no casualties were reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Uttar Pradesh CM to inquire about the situation following the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma said that around 100 people were in the shivir area of Gita Press camp.

“Almost 100 people were there in the shivir but with the blessings of Maa Ganga, there has been no causality,” the minister said.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of the Mahakumbh Mela, Vivek Chaturvedi confirmed that earlier on Monday around 70 to 80 huts and around 8 to 10 tents were burnt in a fire that had broken out in the Gita Press camp at the event.

The Mahakumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. (ANI)

A group of pro-Khalistan extremists stormed a cinema in the London town of Harrow and attempted to stop the screening of the Kangana Ranaut starrer film “Emergency,” the social movement of British Hindus and Indians, Insight UK, stated on Monday.

Taking to X, UK Insights posted a video where it showed the extremists shouting pro-Khalistani slogans during the screening of the film, which was centred around India’s 1975 emergency period.

“Pro-Khalistan extremists storm Harrow cinema and attempt to stop the screening of “Emergency”,” the movement stated.

BREAKING | Pro-Khalistan extremists storm Harrow cinema and attempt to stop the screening of “Emergency”.@metpoliceuk @HCI_London @FCDOGovUK @DrSJaishankar@MEAIndia @KanganaTeam#harrow #london #uk #britain #UnitedKingdom #Khalistani #khalistaniextremists #Emergency pic.twitter.com/oHaXcRBYAd

— INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) January 19, 2025

Notably, in 2023, the Indian High Commission in London faced a violent attack by Khalistani supporters who were attempting to further the cause of Khalistan, advocating for the secession of the state of Punjab from India, as alleged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to the NIA, the attacks in London were perpetrated in retaliation to the action taken by Punjab police against Amritpal Singh, Chief of Waris Punjab De, with the objective of influencing the crackdown on the outfit and its leader.

Meanwhile, Emergency, which was released on January 17, 2025, revolves around the period of emergency declared by Indira Gandhi for 21 months from 1975 to 1977, a controversial and transformative chapter in Indian political history.

Directed by Kangana herself, the film explores the political turmoil and societal impacts of the emergency, with Kangana playing the role of Indira Gandhi. The film also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, and the late Satish Kaushik. (ANI)