Month: August 2025

Mahendra Prasad, a contractual manager of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Guest House near Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, was arrested on Tuesday by Rajasthan’s CID Intelligence on charges of spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and sending confidential and strategic information of the country across the border to Pakistan.

Prasad will be presented in court on Wednesday, where he will be taken on remand, and further interrogation will be conducted.

Inspector General of Police CID (Security), Rajasthan, Jaipur, Dr. Vishnukant, said that keeping in mind the upcoming state-level Independence Day celebrations, Rajasthan CID Intelligence is constantly monitoring the possible anti-national and subversive activities carried out by foreign agents in the state.

During this surveillance, it was learnt that Mahendra Prasad, a resident of Palyun, Almora, Uttarakhand, who is working as a contractual manager at DRDO Guest House Chandan Field Firing Range Jaisalmer, is in contact with Pakistani intelligence agency through social media and is providing confidential information related to the movement of DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers who come to Firing Range for missile and other weapons testing to Pakistan handlers.

On this, the suspect Mahendra Prasad was jointly interrogated by various intelligence agencies at Central Interrogation Centre, Jaipur and his mobile phone was technically tested. He was found to be providing sensitive information related to DRDO and the Indian Army to Pakistan handlers.

On this, a case was registered against Mahendra Prasad, son of Chaniram, age 32 years, on August 12 under the Official Secrets Act 1923, and he was arrested by CID Intelligence, Rajasthan, on charges of espionage. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan on Tuesday turned 30.

Marking her special day, she held a puja at home. The ‘Kedarnath’ star also posted a picture from the puja ceremony.

In the image, Sara can be seen exuding grace in a white kurta pyjama that she paired with a pink dupatta. This picture features a serene temple-like setting indoors, where Sara is seated calmly on the floor.

“Thank you for the wishes #grateful #blessed,” she captioned the post.

Earlier in the day, her loved ones penned adorable posts on social media to wish her a happy birthday.

Kareena, who shares a special bond with the ‘Simmba’ star, wrote in the caption, “Happy birthday darling @saraalikhan95. Have the bestest one yet..tons of love”

Saif Ali Khan’s sister and Sara’s aunt, Saba Pataudi, also posted a series of pictures of the ‘Kedarnath’ actor, from childhood to the more recent ones. Calling her “little poser”, Saba wrote, Dear Sara, My little poser turns out a star was born..I’ve watched the mischief munchkin become a warm, loyal, kind, and talented, hardworking, stunning woman, I proudly call my niece. The Leo in you can frustrate me sometimes, but deep down, the overprotective sister, beautiful daughter, also resides a caring friend I’ve had the privilege to know. And I look at you with wonder, forgetting I’m actually the older -aunt! Love you..Always n forever ..Happiiiiiieeestttt Birthday Sara bia! @saraalikhan95″

Sara, the firstborn of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, made her acting debut with Abhishek Kapoor’s film ‘Kedarnath’ in 2018, and since then, she has featured in movies like ‘Simmba’, ‘Love Aaj Kal 2’, and ‘Coolie No. 1’.

Sara also starred in the drama ‘Atrangi Re’, romantic comedy ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’, historical biographical film ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, and action drama film ‘Sky Force’ alongside Akshay Kumar.T

The ace star was recently seen in the musical romantic drama film, ‘Metro… In Dino’. Directed by Anurag Basu, the film, released on July 4, explores four distinct love stories of couples — ranging from young to old and middle-aged — living in a metro, serving as a spiritual sequel to Anurag Basu’s 2007 film Life in a…Metro. (ANI)

The leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will likely hold a meeting on August 18 to discuss the candidate for the Vice Presidential election, sources said on Tuesday.

The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is in talks with the top leadership of the INDIA bloc parties, sources added.

The position of Vice President has fallen vacant after Jagdeep Dhankar resigned citing health reasons.

The Election Commission on August 1 announced that the polling to elect the Vice President of India will be held on September 9, and the counting will also take place on the same day. The last day for filing nominations for the Vice Presidential post is August 21. The candidature can be withdrawn till August 25.

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Monsoon Parliament Session on July 21, citing health reasons.

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution,” Dhankhar’s resignation letter read.

On Thursday, the Election Commission of India informed that it has completed the preparation and finalised the electoral college list for the upcoming Vice-Presidential Election 2025.

The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and the voting in such an election is by secret ballot.

An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiry of the term of office of Vice-President is completed before the expiry of the term. In case a vacancy arises by reasons of death, resignation or removal or otherwise, the election to fill that vacancy is held as soon as possible after the occurrence. The person so elected is entitled to hold office for a full term of five years from the date he enters office. (ANI)

Mark your calendars as Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor are all set to leave you in awe with their cross-cultural love story, ‘Param Sundari’, on August 29.

On Tuesday, the film’s trailer was unveiled and in no time it became viral, garnering the audience’s attention. From romance to comedy and action, all elements are there in the trailer, which makes this film one of the most awaited projects of August.

The Tushar Jalota directorial marks Sidharth and Janhvi’s first project together as co-stars, and their romantic chemistry in the trailer is truly captivating. What follows is a riot of fun and chaos when Sidharth, a Punjabi munda from Delhi, falls in love with Janhvi, a girl from Kerala.

Sharing his experience working in the film, Sidharth said, “With Param Sundari, I feel like I’m revisiting the kind of romance I grew up loving, but telling it in a way that feels fresh and relatable. Param has that Delhi boy charm, with a love story that makes you cross worlds. We wanted it to look as beautiful as it feels, and Kerala’s magic really made that happen. I hope the audience feels the same warmth and joy we felt while making it.”

Janhvi opened up about portraying ‘Sundari’, expressing how her character’s deep connection to her roots resonated with her own South Indian heritage.”

“Sundari is deeply personal to me. Her grace, quiet strength, and love for her roots resonate with my own South Indian heritage. Shooting in Kerala, surrounded by such beauty, I felt an emotional connection to her world that I hope the audience will feel too,” she shared.

Manjot Singh also plays a pivotal role in the film. A glimpse of his camaraderie with Sidharth in the trailer reminded fans of ‘Student of the Year’ (SOTY). ‘SOTY’ was Sidharth’s debut film and it also featured Manjot.

The trailer features references to SRK and Rajinikanth, adding an extra dose of humor to the film.

At the end of the trailer, a scene comes where Janhvi is seen calling out Sidharth and Manjot South Indians as “madrasis.” She then educates them on the rich diversity of South Indian cinema, enacting Rajinikanth from Tamil Nadu, Mohanlal from Kerala, Allu Arjun from Andhra Pradesh, and Yash from Karnataka.

In one of the scenes, Sidharth could be seen delivering SRK’s iconic dialogue, “Har Kar Jeetne Wale Ko Baazigar Kehte Hai,” with his unique charm.

The trailer of ‘Param Sundari’ also left fans nostalgic as it reminded many of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer ‘Chennai Express’. Some of them even call ‘Param Sundari’ ‘Chennai Express 2.0’ as both films explore themes set against a North-South cultural contrast.”

Director Tushar Jalota describes ‘Param Sundari’ as a “celebration of differences – the way two distinct worlds can collide and yet create something beautiful together”

He added, “Kerala gave us a visual palette that feels timeless, and the story gave us the emotional depth to match it. The trailer is just a glimpse of the journey.”

Now we will have to wait and see if Sidharth and Janhvi’s ‘Param Sundari’ manages to win the audience’s hearts. Meanwhile, audience can keep listening to Sonu Nigam’s soulful melody ‘Pardesiya’ from ‘Param Sundari’, which is created by Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films. (ANI)

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday criticised Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha for throwing pieces of paper towards the Chair and engaging in what he described as “petty sloganeering”.

Chaos ensued in the House soon after it met at 4.30 pm after earlier adjournments. Opposition MPs raised slogans and protested over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and “threw pieces of paper” at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair.

Criticising the opposition, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “All of us saw the conduct of the Opposition today, they threw pieces of paper towards the Chair and did petty sloganeering…We have come to the House by taking an oath.”

Condemning the opposition for their conduct, Rijiju accused them of “lowering the dignity” of the Speaker’s Chair.

He said, “You have lowered the dignity of the House by throwing pieces of paper towards the Chair. I condemn this…”

Rijiju said that while the BJP had also been in the Opposition, it had always maintained decorum. “We were in the Opposition all our lives. But we had never seen such conduct. We too protested but we did so in a civil manner. We never tore up paper or did drama or spoke unparliamentary words…The country won’t forgive you. We have said again and again that if you have courage, participate in the discussion…There is still time; mend your ways…Don’t waste time…” he said.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, alleged that this conduct was carried out by opposition MPs on the signals of Deputy Leader of Opposition, Gaurav Gogoi.

“What happened in the House today wasn’t done by the MPs, the Deputy Leader of Congress signalled them, handed them the paper for them to tear it up. No Deputy Leader would display such irresponsible actions…” Pal said.

Following the ruckus, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on August 18. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravinder Raina on Tuesday welcomed the raids by the Special Investigation Agency (SIA) on eight locations in Srinagar in the Sarla Bhat abduction and murder case, stating that her soul will now rest in peace after 35 years.

Ravinder Raina stated that the SIA on Tuesday carried out searches at eight locations in Srinagar, including the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, claiming that he admitted his involvement in terror activities.

“Kashmir’s brave daughter, Sarla Bhat, who worked in the health department, was brutally murdered by JKLF terrorists at SKIMS hospital on 19 April 1990. After 35 years, the hearing of her case has resumed. The state investigating agency, SIA, has conducted raids on several locations, including the house of JKLF leader Yasin Malik, who admitted that his organisation was involved in various terror incidents. Many documents and pieces of evidence were found at his house, which may let Sarla’s soul rest in peace after 35 years,” Ravinder Raina told ANI.

According to an SIA press release, the case pertains to the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit, Sarla Bhat, a nurse at SKIMS Soura, who was brutally killed by terrorists 36 years ago. These strategic searches, which were conducted at 8 locations throughout District Srinagar, have resulted in the recovery of some incriminating evidence, which will help in unearthing the whole terrorist conspiracy with the ultimate aim of delivering justice to the victim and her family.

Following the raids, BJP leader Amit Malviya condemned the 1990 killing of Sarla Bhat, describing it as part of the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits.

He claimed that Bhatt was allegedly abducted from her workplace in April 1990 during the peak of militancy in Kashmir and was allegedly “tortured, gang-raped, mutilated and killed”, with her “body cut into pieces” and dumped to “instil terror”.

In a post on X, the BJP leader wrote, “Sarla Bhatt, a young Kashmiri Pandit nurse at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar, was brutally murdered in April 1990 during the peak of militancy in Kashmir. Armed militants abducted her from her workplace, took her to an unknown location, and subjected her to horrific torture. She was gang-raped, mutilated, and killed — her body cut into pieces and dumped to instil terror.”

“Her murder was not just a heinous crime but part of the targeted campaign of ethnic cleansing against Kashmiri Pandits, aimed at driving the Hindu minority out of the Valley. Sarla Bhatt’s killing remains one of the most chilling reminders of the atrocities that triggered the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990,” Malviya added.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board and BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi welcomed the reopening of the case.

She told ANI, “The families who lost their children through militancy in the last 35 years were given justice by the LG administration after 35 years, and today a wave of justice is going on through the administration. If the government has reopened the file, it is right… Wherever there has been injustice, it is important to serve justice…” (ANI)

Actors Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan have reacted to the Supreme Court’s recent order to relocate all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR and move them to shelters.

Taking to the Instagram Stories, both Janhvi and Varun re-shared a post that called the decision a “death sentence for all dogs”. The post described how the animals, often seen as part of daily life in the city, would lose their “sunlight”, “freedom”, and familiar surroundings if kept away in shelters.

“They call it a menace. We call it a heartbeat. Today, the Supreme Court says take every stray dog off the streets of Delhi-NCR and lock them away. No sunlight. No freedom. No familiar faces they greet every morning. But these aren’t just “stray dogs.” They are the ones who wait outside your tea stall for a biscuit. They are the silent night guards for shopkeepers. They are the tails wagging when children return from school. They are the warmth in a cold, uncaring city. Yes, there are problems bites, safety concerns-but caging an entire community of animals is not a solution; it’s an erasure,” read a part of the post.

On Monday, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that all localities should be made free of stray dogs and there should not be any compromise. It also made it clear that no captured animal will be released back on the streets.

It also ordered contempt proceedings against any individual or organisation that attempts to obstruct the authorities from carrying out the capture drive.

“If any individual or organisation comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance,” said Justice Pardiwala.

The apex court also directed the states and municipal authorities to create dog shelters with sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise them.

“NCT Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, MCD, and NMDC shall start picking up stray dogs from all localities, particularly from more vulnerable localities. It is for the authorities to look into, and if they have to create a force, do it at the earliest. However, this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs. There should not be any compromise in undertaking the exercise,” said the bench.

It further directed that authorities in Delhi-NCR must set up a helpline so all dog bite complaints can be registered, with the offending animal picked up within four hours of a complaint. It also ordered all authorities to maintain a record of daily stray dogs captured and detained.

The bench stated that CCTV monitoring will ensure compliance, and no dog should be released back into the street or public spaces. (ANI)

Reuven Azar, Israel’s Ambassador to India, reacted sharply to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s recent allegations accusing Israel of genocide in Palestine, countering her claims with a detailed rebuttal.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had tweeted, “The Israeli state is committing genocide. It has murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of whom were children. It has starved hundreds to death including many children and is threatening to starve millions.” She further condemned global silence, stating, “Enabling these crimes by silence and inaction is a crime in itself,” and criticized the Indian government, adding, “It is shameful that the Indian Government stands silent as Israel unleashes this devastation on the people of Palestine.”

In response to Gandhi Vadra’s remarks, Azar said, “What is shameful is your deceit. Israel Killed 25,000 Hamas terrorists. The terrible cost in human lives derives from Hamas’s heinous tactics of hiding behind civilians, their shooting of people trying to evacuate or receive assistance and their rocket fire.”

He also highlighted Israel’s humanitarian efforts, saying, “Israel facilitated 2 million tonnes of food into Gaza while Hamas tries to sequestrate them, thereby creating hunger.”

Addressing demographic concerns raised indirectly by the accusations, Azar added, “Gaza population has grown 450% in the last 50 years, no genocide there.”

He concluded with a caution to the international community, urging, “Don’t buy Hamas numbers.”

This exchange comes amid intensifying violence and growing international debate over the humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. Adding to the rising tensions, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra separately condemned the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, calling it a “heinous crime” and accusing the Israeli state of trying to silence truth through “violence and hatred.”

In a post on X, she wrote, “The cold-blooded murder of five Al Jazeera journalists is yet another heinous crime committed on Palestinian soil. The immeasurable courage of those who dare to stand for the truth will never be broken by the violence and hatred of the Israeli state. In a world where much of the media is enslaved to power and commerce, these brave souls reminded us of what true journalism is. May they rest in peace.”

This comes amid escalating hostilities and increasing global scrutiny over the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilians in Gaza. (ANI)

AIMIM MP chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday compared Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s remarks to those of a “sadakchaap aadmi,” while expressing disappointment that such a nuclear threat was made from the soil of the US.

Speaking with ANI, Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the Pakistan Army Chief’s statement and urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to give a “political response.”

“Pakistan Army Chief’s words and his threats are condemnable. What’s unfortunate is that this is happening from the US, which is India’s strategic partner. He is speaking like a ‘sadakchaap aadmi’. We believe the Modi government should give a political response like the MEA statement.”

In view of Asim Munir’s nuclear threat, Owaisi also pitched to increase India’s defence budget, emphasising the need to stay prepared.

“We also need to understand that with the constant threat we will have from the Pakistani Army and their deep state, we will have to increase our defence budget so that we can stay prepared,” Owaisi said.

Owaisi’s statement came after Munir’s comments in Florida, where he reportedly said that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to take down India and “half the world” in the event of an existential threat.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a strong statement in response to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff during his visit to the United States.

“Our attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States. Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade,” the MEA official spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added, “The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which also reinforce the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.

Munir, during his visit to US, also stated that Islamabad will defend its water rights “at all costs” if India proceeds with dam construction on the Indus River.

Munir also repeated his anti-India rhetoric by describing Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” asserting that it is not India’s internal matter but an unresolved international issue, Pakistan-based media outlet ARY News reported on Monday.

“We will wait for India to build a dam, and when they do so, we will destroy it,” Munir told members of the Pakistani-American community in Tampa, Florida, according to a report published today in The Dawn. (ANI)