Month: December 2025

Congress workers protest outside the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding justice for the survivor of the 2017 Unnao rape case.

Supreme Court’s three-judge vacation bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant will hear the Crime Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision allowing suspension of 2017 Unnao rape convict Kuldeep Sengar’s life sentence today.

All India Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba led a protest by Congress workers. Police detained several protesters.

Women’s activist Yogita Bhayana told reporters that the survivor is hopeful of getting justice.

“The victim is hopeful that she will get justice. Her health condition is stable, and right now she is inside the courtroom as she wants to fight her own battle. I am sure the Supreme Court will give justice to this girl,” Bhayana said.

Delhi High Court’s December 23 order suspended ex-BJP MLA Sengar’s life sentence pending appeal and granted him bail.

Sengar was convicted in December 2019 in the Unnao rape case and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. Though granted bail in this case, he will continue to remain in jail as he is serving a 10-year sentence in another CBI case related to murder.

Earlier on Sunday, the survivor said that she has faith that she will get justice from the Supreme Court and appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure her safety so she can fight her legal battle without fear.

Speaking during the protest organised by All India Progressive Women Association (AIPWA) in the national capital, the Unnao rape survivor claimed that Sengar had bribed officials, including the CBI Investigating Officer and Delhi High Court judge, and said her family had suffered severe consequences since his bail.

“I have faith that I will get justice in the Supreme Court. Kuldeep Sengar has bribed (Delhi HC) judge and a CBI Investigating Officer. My husband’s job was snatched away, and my children and witnesses are under threat. Protection must be provided to those whom we name in front of the CBI. I request CM Yogi Adityanath to protect me in a way that I am able to fight my battle fearlessly,” she said to ANI. (ANI)

Renowned documentary filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee S Krishnaswamy passed away in Chennai. Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram paid tribute, recalling his landmark work and documentary ‘Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi’, which earned global acclaim.

“I express my grief, and sincere condolences to the family, on the passing away of Thiru S Krishnaswamy, the veteran film and documentary maker. His documentary ‘ Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi’ was, and is, a monumental production that will be remembered by generations to come,” Chidambaram wrote on X, remembering the veteran filmmaker.

Born on July 29, 1938, Krishnaswamy was a distinguished filmmaker and writer who left behind an extraordinary legacy. His work captured India’s political, cultural and social evolution with rare depth and sensitivity.

Among his most celebrated works was the four-hour-long documentary ‘Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi’, which traced nearly 5,000 years of Indian history and culture. The documentary earned international recognition, with Warner Bros. acquiring its distribution rights. The film remains one of the most comprehensive cinematic records of India’s civilisational and political journey.

Krishnaswamy also directed other significant documentaries, including ‘After a Thousand Days of Terror’, which focused on Operation Bluestar, and ‘A Paradise Regained’, documenting the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. His later body of work included three major documentaries on India’s cultural influence in Southeast Asia — ‘Indian Imprints’, ‘A Different Pilgrimage’, and ‘Tracking Indian Footmarks’. Notably, Indian Imprints was broadcast on Doordarshan in 18 episodes.

In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian cinema and documentary filmmaking, Krishnaswamy was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009.

His passing marks the end of an era in Indian documentary filmmaking, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to educate and inspire generations. (ANI)

The Border Security Force (BSF) has strongly refuted reports in sections of the Bangladeshi media claiming that two accused in the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi had entered India through the Haluaghat border area of Bangladesh.

The border guarding force termed the reports as false, fabricated, and misleading, asserting that “there is no evidence to substantiate such claims.”

The BSF, which is mandated to guard the India-Bangladesh border, said “no such arrest or interception has taken place in the Meghalaya sector and that there has been no illegal cross-border movement.”

“The claims are completely false, fabricated, and misleading, and there is no evidence to support them,” BSF chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General OP Upadhyay, told ANI on Monday when asked about a Bangladeshi media report claiming two accused in Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder had entered India.

When asked about some Bangladeshi media reports alleging that the Meghalaya Police had apprehended the accused after they entered India, the officer said, “Just three days ago, Bangladeshi media quoted an IG-rank officer stating that no such evidence existed. Now, a DIG-level officer has made contradictory remarks. It was alleged that Meghalaya Police apprehended the individuals, but upon verification, Meghalaya Police denied these claims. All reports in the Bangladeshi media are incorrect.”

Upadhyay further said, “There has been no such cross-border movement from the Meghalaya sector, and even the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has not reported any such incident.”

“The BGB is a highly professional force. The claim that the individuals entered India from a location nearly 300 km from Dhaka, despite extensive CCTV surveillance and checkpoints in Bangladesh, is highly implausible. Therefore, the allegations are highly unlikely, totally false and fabricated,” the IG added.

Bangladeshi media claimed that two accused in Osman Hadi’s murder – Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh – fled the country and entered India through the Meghalaya border. They reported that the accused escaped to India through the Haluaghat border in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district and are currently present in the Indian state.

Bangladeshi media reported that the Additional Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, during a media briefing, stated that Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh had entered India through the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh with the help of local accomplices.

Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was critically injured after being shot in the head during an election campaign in Dhaka on December 12. He was subsequently airlifted to Singapore for specialised medical treatment, where he died on December 18. (ANI)

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Monday asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the murder of Tripura-based youth Angel Chakma in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun.

The student, identified as Angel Chakma, was assaulted by a group of miscreants in Dehradun on December 9 and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

In an X post, Sibal alleged “inaction” by the Centre and called the government “complicit” in the case. He also termed the assault and murder a “hate crime.”

“Anjel Chakma’s murder. A shocking display of a hate crime, of bigotry, of the silence of our leaders in Government who, by their inaction, are complicit. Dear Amit Shah ji speak up against hate crime,” Kapil Sibal wrote on X.

Five people have already been arrested in connection with the incident, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also assured that the state government will extend all possible support to the victim’s family.

Superintendent of Police (City) Pramod Kumar said that two students from Tripura, Angel Chakma and his brother, Michael Chakma, lived near Nanda Chowki in the Premnagar police station area. This incident happened on the evening of December 9, when they had gone to Selaqui for some work.

The police official said the two got into an argument with some local youths and another youth from the Northeast. “A fight broke out between them, during which it is reported that they were attacked with knives and other blunt objects. As a result, they were seriously injured. Their brother took them to the hospital, and subsequently, an FIR was registered,” he added.

Chief Minister Saha said that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami has shared details of the case with him and has also spoken to him personally.

Speaking to ANI, CM Saha said, “I spoke with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding this matter. He has assured me that he will ensure that justice is served. Five people have been arrested, and one or two more are probably still at large, and they will be apprehended soon. I said that there shouldn’t be any gaps in the investigation. He assured me that they will deliver justice, and they have already arrested five people.”

“I tried to speak to them (the victim’s family) today. I will meet them. And since this incident happened, I have been in regular contact with the local MLA. We are ready to support them in whatever way they need. The Chief Minister (CM Dhami) has messaged me all the details of the case,” Tripura CM added.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Uttarakhand, CM Dhami said such incidents are “completely unacceptable” and that the state government will “deal strictly with anti-social elements”.

“So far, five accused have been arrested in connection with the murder of Angel Chakma, a student and resident of Nandanagar in Unakoti district of Tripura. Among them, two accused are minors and have been sent to a juvenile reform home. Police are continuously conducting raids to arrest an absconding accused, on whom a reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced. A police team has also been sent to Nepal in search of the absconding accused,” the Uttarakhand CMO said. (ANI)

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday issued a warning about potential flight delays at select airports in Northern India due to dense fog conditions.

In a post on X, the Ministry stated that flights may face delays due to dense fog in parts of northern India, disrupting operations in the area. The ministry advised passengers to stay updated through official airline communication channels and plan their travel accordingly.

“Due to fog conditions across parts of Northern India, flight operations at select airports may be impacted, leading to possible delays. Passengers are advised to stay updated through official airline communication channels, allow additional time for airport arrival and check-in procedures, and plan their travel accordingly. Airline Customer Support Numbers: IndiGo: 0124 497 3838, Air India: 011 6932 9333 , SpiceJet: +91 (0)124 498 3410 / +91 (0)124 710 1600, Air India Express: +91 124 443 5600 / +91 124 693 5600, Akasa Air: 9606 112 131, Alliance Air: 044 3511 3511,” said the ministry.

Dense fog in Delhi has caused significant disruptions at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, with visibility dropping to just 50 meters.

This has led to flight delays and cancellations, with airlines such as IndiGo and Air India issuing advisories warning passengers of potential disruptions.

The airport is operating under Category-III conditions, which allow flights to land in low visibility. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and allow extra travel time.IndiGo, in a travel advisory, said it is closely monitoring the situation and making operational adjustments as needed to keep journeys moving as smoothly as possible.

In its statement, IndiGo said, “#Delhi and #Hindon (Airport) continue to remain wrapped in chilly winter air and lingering fog this morning. The fluctuating visibility has led to changes in flight schedules, and operations may be slower than usual as conditions evolve. Our teams on-ground are prioritising safety and compliance with visibility requirements. We recommend keeping a tab on your flight status via http://bit.ly/3ZWAQXd. If your flight is impacted, you can conveniently rebook your journey or claim a refund through https://goindigo.in/plan-b.html. Our airport teams are also available to assist should you need support while at the terminal. Once the weather settles, operations will gradually stabilise, and flights will depart as planned. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.”

Approximately 65% of departures from IGI Airport are reportedly delayed as of early Monday morning. High cancellation rates are expected throughout the day. Recent diversions include an Air India Express flight from Goa, which was forced to land in Ahmedabad after failing to land in Delhi and Jaipur due to congestion and fog.

Air India Express, which departed from Goa’s Mopa Airport at 11:55 PM for Delhi, was diverted to Ahmedabad due to dense fog in the capital. The diversion caused a crowd at Ahmedabad Airport, disrupting passengers’ travel schedules. The fog is expected to clear gradually, with visibility improving to around 100 meters by 8:30 am and up to 1,000 meters by 1:30 pm. In the meantime, airlines are working to minimise disruptions and assist affected passengers.

The National Capital Delhi woke up to chilly weather and dense fog on Monday morning, sharply reducing visibility. Many motorists kept their headlights on, exacerbating residents’ discomfort. The city’s temperature hovered around 22.5 degrees Celsius. Poor visibility also affected air travel, with several flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) delayed, disrupting passenger schedules.

Amid thick fog gripping the city, India’s low-cost domestic airline Indigo issued an advisory, warning that reduced visibility has led to changes in flight schedules and that operations may be slower than usual.

Meanwhile, the city’s air quality deteriorated further this morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 402 at 8 am and entering the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the CPCB, several areas across the city recorded worse air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 400. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 455, while Bawana registered 411. Several other locations across the capital also witnessed severe pollution levels. Areas such as Wazirpur (443), Rohini (442), Punjabi Bagh (426), and Patparganj (431) saw further deterioration in air quality, with readings entering the ‘severe’ category, according to CPCB data. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood by his side while addressing the media, following hours of peace talks at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida (local time).

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. It sounds a little strange, but President Putin was very generous in his feelings toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices.”

Trump had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin just before talks with Zelenskyy, which he later called “very productive.”

Trump’s statement comes even as Russia continues to attack Ukraine, including on the day of the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting.

CNN reported that in the eastern city of Sloviansk, a bombing killed at least one person and injured several others.

Earlier in the day, in a post on X, Zelenskyy said that this week alone, Russia launched more than 2,100 attack drones, around 800 guided aerial bombs, and 94 missiles of various types.

He said the strikes were directed “against our people, against life itself and everything that sustains its normal functioning, above all, against our energy infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, Trump, who hosted Zelenskyy for dinner, also hinted at the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Zelenskyy, Putin and himself.

When asked about the possibility of a trilateral meeting with Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, Trump said, “I see that happening, sure, at the right time. I saw a very interesting President Putin today. He wants to see it happen. He wants to see it. He told me very strongly. I believe him… I was on the phone with him for almost 2.5 hours… We discussed a lot of things…”

“We went through the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax together,” Trump said, referring to investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

On the peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said that a peace agreement to end the war is getting “very close.”

While expressing confidence in the state of the peace discussions, Trump underscored that the talks remain highly complex and declined to provide a firm timeline for their resolution.

“In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other, I think,” he said.

He said there could be unexpected issues that arise and derail the entire effort.

“We could have something where one item that you’re not thinking about is a big item that breaks it up. Look, it’s been a very difficult negotiation,” he said.

Trump is scheduled to speak with Putin as his meeting with Zelenskyy concludes.

As negotiations continue, the Ukrainian and US sides could meet “as early as next week” to finalise the 20-point peace plan, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

He wrote, “We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework and achieved significant results. We also discussed the sequence of further actions. We agreed that security guarantees are key on the path to achieving a lasting peace, and our teams will continue working on all aspects. We agreed that our teams would meet as early as next week to finalize all discussed matters. We also agreed with President Trump that he will host Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington, D.C., in January.” (ANI)

The Indian rupee, which breached the psychological level of 90 against the US dollar earlier this month, has shown signs of stabilisation, with recent movements indicating that the worst phase of depreciation may be behind, according to a market report by Invesco Mutual Fund.

The report noted, “While it’s too early to call a trend, this development hints at a potential stabilisation in the near term.”

The rupee depreciated about 5.2 per cent year-to-date as of December 19, 2025, making it the worst-performing major Asian currency during the year.

It crossed the 90-per-dollar mark in the first week of December, marking one of the fastest declines in recent times and raising concerns despite supportive domestic macroeconomic indicators.

At the time of filing this report, the rupee is trading at Rs 89.94/USD.

The report noted that India’s economic fundamentals remain relatively strong. Brent crude prices have softened, averaging USD 63.6 per barrel in November, down 14.5 per cent year-on-year, providing relief on the import bill.

Inflation has cooled to below one per cent, while GDP growth surprised on the upside, registering its strongest print in six quarters. Despite these positives, the rupee remained under pressure due to a combination of global and external factors.

The report noted, “The path forward will likely be one of gradual stabilisation as global conditions normalise and domestic strengths reassert themselves. In the larger scheme of India’s growth story, the rupee’s current weakness is a bump, not a bend in the road.”

Key drivers of the rupee’s weakness included persistent foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows, a widening trade deficit, elevated dollar demand from import-dependent corporates, uncertainty around the Indo-US trade agreement, higher US interest rate expectations, and geopolitical risks.

FPIs withdrew over Rs 1.55 lakh crore from Indian equities during the year, while merchandise exports fell sharply in October even as imports surged.

The report highlighted that delays and uncertainty surrounding the Indo-US trade deal weighed heavily on investor sentiment. US tariff actions on Indian exports impacted confidence and capital flows more through sentiment channels than direct trade losses.

It says, “We believe the local currency will continue to be under pressure until trade talks take centre stage, foreign money starts coming back and the central bank intervenes.”

However, after touching record lows, the rupee staged a modest recovery from the third week of December, appreciating to around 89.57 per dollar by December 22.

This rebound reflects easing dollar strength, improved risk appetite, and intervention measures by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), including a USD 5 billion dollar-rupee buy-sell swap aimed at boosting liquidity.

The RBI has allowed a gradual depreciation rather than defending a specific level, intervening primarily to smooth volatility. Meanwhile, the rupee’s real effective exchange rate (REER) has fallen below 100, indicating that the currency has moved from being overvalued to slightly undervalued, potentially improving export competitiveness.

Looking ahead, the report said the rupee’s trajectory will depend on global rate expectations, revival of foreign inflows, clarity on trade negotiations, and overall risk sentiment. While the breach of the 90 mark was symbolic, it does not signal economic distress, the report added, noting that India’s fundamentals, forex reserves and policy tools remain strong, suggesting a path of gradual stabilisation rather than further sharp depreciation. (ANI)

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed concern over the lynching of a labourer from West Bengal in Odisha’s Sambalpur and the death of a tribal MBA student, Angel Chakma, in Uttarakhand after an alleged assault and said that the atmosphere this time in the country is dangerous, fearful.

She alleged that the India of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has been turned into a ‘Lynchistan’.

Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba Mufti said, “The atmosphere this time in the country is dangerous, fearful. You have seen when some of our Hindu brothers were lynched in Bangladesh, there was hue and cry, but when lynching happens in our own country, it starts with ‘Ikhlaq’ and doesn’t stop. The India of Gandhi and Nehru has been turned into a ‘Lynchistan'”

Earlier, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday also raised concerns about incidents of violence within India.

“On December 24, a labourer from West Bengal was lynched in Odisha’s Sambalpur. A tribal boy doing MBA in Uttarakhand was beaten up, Angel Chakma. He died. So these are all clear examples of how when the rule of law breaks and majority-run politics overtakes everything, these lynchings happen, which we have to condemn,” he added.

Owaisi also spoke on the recent developments in Bangladesh, calling for the protection of minorities and stressing the need for regional stability.

Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said his party strongly condemned the killing of Deepu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal in Bangladesh and supported the steps being taken by the Government of India to maintain strong ties with the neighbouring country.

“As far as our party is concerned, we condemn what happened to Deepu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, and we support whatever steps the Government of India is taking to ensure that the relationship with Bangladesh remains stronger,” he said.

His remarks come after, earlier on Wednesday, the Daily Star reported that a Hindu youth identified as Amrit Mondal was lynched at Hosendanga village of Kalimohor union in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district over an extortion allegation.

The murder of Mondal took place days after the mob lynching and burning of the Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.

A worker in a garment factory, Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges and had his body hanged and set on fire on December 18.

The Daily Star, citing Mymensingh’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Abdullah Al Mamun, stated that a factory official had informed Bhaluka police that a group of workers attacked Dipu inside the factory, accusing him of making “derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)” in a Facebook post.

However, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-14 Company Commander in Mymensingh, Md Samsuzzaman, told The Daily Star that investigators found no evidence suggesting the deceased had posted or written anything on Facebook that could have hurt religious sentiments. (ANI)

If you are an avid social media user, you have likely come across the official social media handles of the Mumbai Police, where they creatively raise public awareness on various issues through quirky and engaging content.

As Mumbai Police marked a decade of its presence on social media, several Bollywood celebrities took to their X and Instagram handles to express gratitude to the police force for its stupendous efforts in serving society.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan reshared a post originally put up by Mumbai Police, which features a scene from his film Darr.

SRK wrote, “70 minute nahi, poori zindagi ka sawaal hai! And Mumbai Police has committed their lives to prioritise our safety! Thank you @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice for your selfless duty, and congratulations on the remarkable 10 years on social media.”

Check out the post here.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan highlighted Mumbai Police’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and curbing wrongdoing.

” Aaj khush toh bahut honge hum ! @MumbaiPolice & @CPMumbaiPolice have completed 10 glorious years on social media, forever looking out for Mumbaikars Online! “Sadrakshanaya Khalanigrahanaya” (sdrkssnnaay khlnigrhnnaay), which means ‘To Protect the Good and to Restrain the Evil’ in Sanskrit, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding citizens and curbing wrongdoing,” Big B’s post on X read.

Actor Akshay Kumar thanked Mumbai Police for always “having our back.”

“Chilla Chilla ke iss scheme se kaise bachein, yeh toh batana padega na?? Hats off to you @MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice for always having our back. We owe our safety to you, thanks for being so awesome! #MumbaiPolice4All,” he posted.

See what Salman and Ajay have posted.

Former cricketer Sachin Tendukar also praised Mumbai Police. (ANI)

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Holly, a model, recently exchanged vows with Olympic gold-medal-winning swimmer Adam Peaty at The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (a.k.a. the Bath Abbey) in the UK.

Gordon Ramsay accompanied Holly as she entered the historic church on Saturday afternoon, draped in a white silk cloak over a gown that appeared to feature delicate lace detailing and a sweeping train, as per PEOPLE.

Peaty, 30, an Olympic swimmer, has a 5-year-old son, George, whom he shares with his ex-girlfriend, Eirianedd Munro.

After attending the wedding, Gordon took to Instagram and penned a love-filled and emotional note.

“I’m truly so lucky being able to walk this beautiful bride down the aisle and gaining an incredible son in law @adam_peaty ! I love you so much @hollyramsayy and couldn’t be a prouder Dad,” he posted.

Holly and Peaty’s wedding happened over a year after they announced their engagement.

Holly revealed the happy news on Instagram in September 2024, sharing three photos of herself flashing her oval-cut yellow diamond ring, which was created in 10 months by renowned UK jeweller Pragnell.

“I am marrying my best friend,” Holly wrote in her post’s caption. “I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now. I still remember how big my smile was the morning I got home from my first date with you.”

She continued, “Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever. I love you & I cannot wait to be your wife. I promise to always be there with you and George, I’m so greatful [sic] to be in his life and I cannot wait for more. Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you. Here’s to forever.”

Their wedding was attended by several renowned guests, including members of the Beckham family and Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies. (ANI)