Month: January 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in connection with the misappropriation of gold and other temple assets relating to Sabarimala Temple, officials said.

The raids are underway from early morning by the ED’s Kochi zonal office teams under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to officials, the investigation arises from multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Kerala crime branch, which reveal a “deep-rooted criminal conspiracy involving officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board, private individuals, intermediaries and jewellers.”

The ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on January 9, 2026, in this case, after obtaining a favourable order from the court.

Officials said ED’s preliminary investigation has disclosed that gold-clad sacred artefacts were deliberately misrepresented as “copper plates” in official records and unlawfully removed from the temple premises during the period 2019-2025.

“The gold was allegedly extracted through chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, generating proceeds of crime which were retained, transferred and concealed,” the officials said.

“The searches were conducted to trace the proceeds of crime, identify beneficiaries, seize incriminating documents and digital evidence and ascertain the full extent of money laundering involved,” they added.

The investigation has also revealed indications of other financial irregularities and scams at Sabarimala, including misappropriation of funds related to temple offerings and rituals, which are being examined under the PMLA framework, added the officials. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced a significant initiative to make emergency services in the capital more effective, swift, and technology-enabled.

Now, citizens in Delhi will no longer need to dial different helpline numbers for various types of disasters or emergencies. In any emergency, dialling 112 will ensure rapid assistance.

This initiative has been launched under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0. The aim of this initiative is to free people from the hassle of remembering multiple numbers during a crisis and to provide them with assistance more quickly.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that currently, various helpline numbers are used for emergency services, including Police (100), Fire Service (101), Ambulance/Health Services (108), Women’s Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Gas Leak (1906), Electricity Supply (19123), Water Supply (1916), Delhi Metro (155370), and Disaster Management/Relief Services (1077). This often leads to confusion and delays for common citizens during a crisis. Under ERSS 2.0, there will be no need to call different numbers for different emergencies. Assistance for all types of needs can be sought by dialling only 112.

According to the Chief Minister, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has declared 112 as the National Emergency Number. In view of this, Delhi is moving forward with its implementation. She explained that ERSS 2.0 is a modern Unified Signal Handling System that consolidates all emergency calls, mobile app alerts, panic buttons, SMS, and web alerts at a single Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

From here, depending on the nature of the emergency, Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Disaster Management services can be alerted simultaneously. In this system, help can be sought not just via calls but also through mobile apps, emergency buttons, SMS, and online platforms. This means that if a citizen is not in a position to speak during an emergency, they can still easily send a signal for help.

She pointed out that the biggest feature of ERSS 2.0 is that the system will automatically identify the caller’s location as soon as a call or emergency signal is received. Consequently, the victim does not need to explain where they are located.

Once the location is received, the nearest police van, ambulance, or fire engine will be dispatched immediately from the control room. This will save crucial time during the “Golden Hour” (the initial 60 minutes) and ensure help reaches sooner.

In this new arrangement, information will reach police, fire, and medical services simultaneously through a single call, largely eliminating delays caused during emergency situations.

The Chief Minister mentioned that ERSS 2.0 will feature a modern dashboard in the control room, allowing monitoring of where an incident occurred, which vehicle has been dispatched, and how long it will take to arrive. If there is a delay, another vehicle can be sent immediately. This ensures constant monitoring of the entire operation and increases accountability.

The Chief Minister shared that the entire plan will be implemented in phases. In the first phase, all existing emergency numbers will be integrated into 112. This will be followed by technical upgrades, public awareness campaigns, training for call takers, and, finally, a system evaluation.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the purpose of this proposal is to make the emergency response system in the capital simple, fast, and reliable, thereby ensuring the safety of life and property and developing Delhi as a safe, smart, and sensitive capital.

She also mentioned that a massive public awareness campaign will be launched regarding the use of 112. Displays promoting 112 will be installed in government offices, public premises, metros, and buses.

Additionally, regular mock drills and outreach programs will be organised to test the preparedness of various departments. (ANI)

Sheikh Nazir Ahmad Sharifi, Vice President of Anjuman Imamia Leh, on Monday said that Iran’s revolution was for humanity and peace, as protesters in Ladakh’s capital held a rally expressing solidarity with the Iranian government and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Iran brought about a revolution for the sake of humanity and peace, but America and Israel could not tolerate it,” Sharifi told ANI.

He added, “The purpose of this procession in Ladakh is that we have continued to hold rallies against injustice. India has always had good relations with Iran. The Indian government should take notice of the atrocities America is committing and raise its voice against them.”

The rally, organised under the banner of Anjuman Imamia Leh, drew local participants to express support for the Iranian government and its Supreme Leader.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged for the first time that thousands of people were killed during recent nationwide protests, reports Fox News. In a televised address on Saturday, Khamenei said the unrest, which began in late December over economic hardship and broader political grievances, resulted in “several thousand” deaths.

He described some of the casualties as the result of “inhuman, savage” conditions but blamed the United States and other foreign actors rather than Iranian security forces. Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of encouraging the demonstrations and called him a “criminal” for commenting on and supporting the movement from afar.

Human rights organisations have condemned the crackdown, estimating that more than 3,000 people have died in clashes between demonstrators and security forces, although exact figures remain hard to verify due to intermittent internet shutdowns imposed by Iranian authorities. (ANI)

Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur’s love drama titled ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein‘ teaser is out, offering a glimpse into a fun-filled, playful chemistry between the duo.

The one-minute and four-second teaser showcases Siddhant and Mrunal’s blooming love story, which includes their fun scooter rides and spontaneous dance routines together.

The teaser begins with the introduction of Siddhant and Mrunal’s characters, which is followed by their impromptu lunch dates, scooter ride and other quality couple moments. The teaser concludes with the couple’s emotional scene in the rain. The makers call the movie an “imperfectly imperfect love story.”

Siddhant shared the teaser on his Instagram handle.

Apart from the lead cast, the film also stars Ila Arun, Joy Sengupta, Ayesha Raza, Viraj Gehlani, Sandeepa Dhar, Naveen Kaushik and others in prominent roles.

“Do Deewane Sheher Meinis a love story that feels timeless yet new, also touted to be one of the cutest and most heartfelt love stories of the coming year, bringing back the kind of romance we haven’t seen in cinemas for a very long time,” the maker said.

Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film is presented by Zee Studios and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bhansali Productions. It is produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Prerna Singh, Umesh Kumar Bansal and Bharat Kumar Ranga in association with Ravi Udyawar Films.

‘Do Deewane Seher Mein‘ is slated for a theatrical release on February 20, 2026, coinciding with the Valentine’s Day week. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey met Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, engaging in ideas around fostering creativity and critical thinking through Bharatiya Bhasa.

In an Instagram post, Vikrant Massey shared pictures from the visit and offered insight from their discussion.

“Insightful, productive and empowering. A wonderfully stimulating conversation with Hon. Minister of Education, GOI Shri @dpradhanbjp ji. Your love for Bhartiya Bhasha & encouraging the youth of our country to embrace their roots is truly inspiring. Thank you for being so open, and allowing the space to share some ideas that would make our classrooms more vibrant and interactive. Wishing you the best of health, happiness and success for all your heartfelt endeavours,” he wrote in the caption.

On the other hand, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the actor’s passion for the education sector and early childhood care.

“Delighted to meet popular actor and a powerhouse of talent, Vikrant Massey. Insightful exchange of ideas on fostering creativity and critical thinking from early childhood through Bharatiya Bhasa. Glad to see young achievers like Vikrant passionate about contributing to the education sector as well as for making early childhood care and school education more vibrant, inclusive and culturally-rooted,” the Union Minister wrote on X.

Delighted to meet popular actor and a powerhouse of talent, Vikrant Massey.

Insightful exchange of ideas on fostering creativity and critical thinking from early childhood through Bharatiya Bhasa. Glad to see young achievers like Vikrant passionate about contributing to the… pic.twitter.com/oK01Aex4yc

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 19, 2026

On the work front for Vikrant Massey, the actor will be next seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘O’Romeo’, co-starring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Disha Patani, Tamannaah Bhatia, Farida Jalal, and Nana Patekar.

The teaser from the film was recently unveiled, offering a glimpse of the gritty, dark tale ofRomeo.

The teaser opens to show Shahid as the rugged and ferociousRomeo, ready to take on a fight. Sporting a raw, unpolished look with a brutal demeanour, Shahid’s character appeared to be shaped by violence, carrying anger beneath the surface.

The teaser is also packed with a lot of high-octane fight sequences that underline the film’s narrative. What further stands out are the glimpses of actors Triptii Dimri, Disha Patani, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia, Farida Jalal, and Nana Patekar, likely to add more layers to the story.

Actor Avinash Tiwary also makes a powerful appearance in the teaser.

Produced under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment,O’Romeois set to hit theatres around Valentine’s Week on February 13, 2026. (ANI)

“Nazar na lage” — This is how fans reacted to the viral pictures of actor Kriti Sanon with her rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia from her sister Nupur Sanon’s wedding festivities in Udaipur.

On Sunday, Kabir took to Instagram to share a bunch of pictures with Team Bride from Nupur and Stebin’s dreamy wedding.

While all the photos were absolutely adorable, what truly caught everyone’s attention were his pictures with Kriti.

Have a look at those snaps here.

Aren’t they looking adorable? For the Christian wedding ceremony of Nupur and Stebin, Kriti opted for a turquoise blue gown. Kabir looked dapper in a white tuxedo.

This picture is from Nupur and Stebin’s Haldi ceremony.

As soon as Kabir shared pictures with Kriti, her fans, in no time, chimed in the comment section and dropped heartfelt reactions for the rumoured couple.

“Nazar na lage,” a social media user commented.

“Finally kabir and kirti in one frame,” another netizen wrote.

“No nazar…lovely,” an Instagram user wrote.

Kriti did not comment but did react to the post with a like.

Last November, Kriti extended a cute birthday wish to Kabir Bahia.

Taking to her Instagram story, Kriti shared a selfie with Kabir from what appears to be a beachy vacation.The ‘Cocktail 2’ star looks stunning in green beachwear, while Kabir could be seen in a black outfit. The duo cheerfully posed for the camera, showcasing their strong bond.

“Happy Birthday to the one I can be stupid with! May this world never change the good heart you have!” Kriti wrote in her sweet and small message.

Amid growing speculation, neither Kriti nor Kabir has officially confirmed their relationship.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kriti has several projects lined up for this year. One of them is ‘Cocktail 2’ with Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. (ANI)

In a latest update surrounding the ongoing investigation in the Bitcoin scam case against businessman Raj Kundra, the court has scheduled the next day of hearing for Febraury 20, 2026.

Prashant Patil, the advocate representing Raj Kundra, spoke to ANI and shared details on the proceedings.

“Raj Kundra is cooperating with the Enforcement Directorate. Today, we filed our Vakalatnama in the Special PMLA court after ED had issued a summons to him to appear. We had filed a petition before the court requesting that a copy of the chargesheet be provided to us. The Special PMLA court has issued a direction under which we will receive a copy of the chargesheet tomorrow. Next date of hearing in this case is 20th February,” he added.

The case dates back to April 2024 when ED attached properties worth Rs 97.79 crores belonging to Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty, alleging that they had collected huge amounts of funds in the form of Bitcoins.

Also, they had made false promises of 10 pc returns to the public in the form of Bitcoins. ED revealed that Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi Scam Amit Bharadwaj.

“Ripu Sudan Kundra, alias Raj Kundra, has received proceeds of crime in the form of Bitcoins and he continued to be in possession and enjoyment of the said proceeds of crime. He has received 285 Bitcoins valued at Rs 150,47,30,175 (at rate of Rs 52,79,755 per bitcoin as on date i.e. 16/04/2024). He deliberately refused to divulge the wallet addresses and failed to surrender the proceeds of crime received from accused Amit Bharadwaj. He has not only acquired/received the proceeds of crime from the criminal activities, but in order to layer the transactions so as to give colour of genuine transaction, he has done sale transaction with his wife at a rate which is far below market rate to disguise the origin of such funds obtained by commission of criminal activities for the purpose of concealing or disguising the illegal origin of the said funds and to layer it with intent to evade the legal consequences of his actions,” as per the official complaint document.

At the time, Raj Kundra spoke to ANI and questioned the ED over attaching his properties in the case.

“In the attachment order, it is clearly written that we have no evidence of any funds going to Raj Kundra. There was a crypto king called Amit Bharadwaj, who was a respected businessman. I met him, he had to do a lot of work in bitcoin mining, and I knew a friend in Israel who is a great expert in this technology. So I brought both of them together,” Kundra said.

He further questioned ED authority in the investigation against him, saying, “A British citizen (Raj Kundra), I met him (Amit Bhardwaj) in Dubai, and there was an Israeli party, so how is ED involved in this?”

In view of the recent developments, the businessman-actor is yet to react to the matter. (ANI)

Following India’s first-ever ODI series loss to New Zealand at home, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin felt that India’s response to challenges posed by the Kiwis looked a “bit flat” and he feels that the visitors have won the series by “5-0”.

It was a historic occasion for a Michael Bracewell-led Kiwis, deprived of several of their key players, as Daryl Mitchell, Jayden Lennox, Glenn Phillips and Kristian Clarke delivered fine performances, helping NZ bounce back after a loss in the first ODI to secure the other two ODIs.

In the final ODI, the Kiwis posted 337/8 in the first innings and had India at 71/4, but Virat Kohli (124), Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) threatened to pull things back. However, timely wickets earned the Kiwis a 41-run win, and they went on to win the series 2-1.

For the first time since 1988 in ODIs, NZ pulled off a series win in India, coming over a year after a 3-0 Test whitewash in 2024, which marked India’s first Test series loss at home in 12 years.

Speaking during ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin said, “Everything will be forgotten now. There is the T20 World Cup and the IPL now. So, if the environment is there, things will go accordingly. We all know this. But if the T20 World Cup does not go well and people do not perform in the IPL too, there will be pressure on them. But if everything goes well, this series will be forgotten. In my books, New Zealand won the series 5-0. They won two but threatened to win one more too, so it was actually a sweep.”

Ashwin said he did not know whether India was ready or not, or whether there was a lack of preparation, but he felt the response by Team India was flat.

“I thought if India even plays their B or C teams, they can beat sides. I am a little worried now that this has nothing to do with the team’s quality. Looking from the outside, I think the Indian team’s response has been a bit flat. That response is not there. Always, when the team has been put under pressure, the Indian team has found ways in the past and has shown that habit. I just felt that the response felt flat, and that was disappointing. I do not think we put them under pressure. We played very soft cricket,” he concluded.

Centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137*) and Glenn Phillips (106) took NZ to 337/8, despite three wickets from Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. After being reduced to 5/2 and later 58/3, the duo put on a 219-run stand that put the Kiwis in a commanding position.

In the chase, India was down at 71/4, but an entertaining 88-run stand between Virat and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53 in 57 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and a 99-run stand between Virat and Harshit Rana (52 in 43 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) gave India hope, with Virat producing a masterclass 108-ball 124 to the delight of Indore crowd.

However, once he was gone, it was curtains for India, who were all out for 296 in 46 overs, handing NZ the series 1-2. (ANI)

Jaipur Police on Monday arrested the driver Dinesh of the speeding Audi car involved in the accident on January 9, 2026, and carrying a reward of ₹25,000, after a month-long chase.

A team from Patrakar Colony Police Station, Jaipur South, finally caught the driver, Dinesh (son of Rajendra Jat), on the Ring Road during a search operation.

According to SHO Madanlal Kadwasra, Dinesh had absconded to Haridwar after the crash, returned to Rajasthan to get money, and tried to contact several people. A tip-off led police to his location, and he was taken into custody on Sunday evening.

“The car owner, Dinesh, had absconded and was arrested yesterday evening. He had gone to Haridwar. After that, he returned to Rajasthan for money. He tried to contact some people. He was apprehended based on a tip-off,” Kadwasra told ANI.

The police say another suspect, Mangelal, is still at large. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case: three were inside the Audi at the time of the accident, and five others helped the driver escape or hide

He added, “Another accused in this case, Mangelal, is yet to be arrested. A total of eight people have been arrested so far – three of them were in the car and five who assisted them.”

Dinesh, son of Rajendra Jat, was carrying a reward of Rs. 25,000 on his head. The hit-and-run incident occurred near Kharabas Circle in Jaipur’s Journalist Colony late on Friday night, claiming the life of one person and injuring at least 12 others.

“1 person has died till now, and 12 are injured. 2 people have been detained. The car is registered outside the state, but the owner and the people who were in the car are from Rajasthan,” SHO Kadwasra said.

Earlier arrests included a police constable, Mukesh Ranwa, and several others who provided Dinesh with money and shelter.

BL Yadav, Nodal Incharge at SMS Hospital, said, “As per our information, an Audi car has hit people who were eating at a dhaba on the Khawas circle. 5 patients are here.”

One of the injured, identified as Deewan, told ANI, “We were eating, and we heard a noise. A car came and hit us…”

The injured have been admitted to SMS Hospital and Jaipuria Hospital for treatment. Investigations are ongoing, and police are on the lookout for the remaining accused in the case. (ANI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday staged a protest in Jammu against the alleged killing of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Addressing the protesters here, Jammu and Kashmir Shiv Sena (UBT) president Manish Sahni alleged that Hindus were being targeted in Bangladesh and expressed concern over the situation in the neighbouring country.

Manish Sahni told reporters, “Hindus are being killed in Bangladesh. Today, Bangladesh is walking in Pakistan’s footsteps. We demand that PM Modi take control of Bangladesh. PM Modi should give instructions to destroy all the terror sites in Pakistan.”

He further demanded strong action from the central government, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. “We demand that PM Modi take control of Bangladesh. PM Modi should give instructions to destroy all the terror sites in Pakistan,” he added.

The protest witnessed party workers raising slogans and demanding immediate steps to ensure the safety of Hindus and curb terrorism in the region.

On January 7, Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora also expressed concerns over the recent killing of Hindus and related incidents in Bangladesh, and claimed the political situation in the neighbouring country to be “extremely bad”.

Speaking to reporters in Golaghat, the Assam Cabinet minister and president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh was not new, but must be condemned strongly.

“The killings of Hindus in Bangladesh have been happening for a long time. It is not something new. But we condemn these incidents,” Bora said.

He further stated that the security situation along the India-Bangladesh border had improved compared to earlier years. “Earlier, there were a lot of infiltrations, but now the numbers have come down. At present, the BSF and Assam Police are maintaining high alert,” he said.

Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke on the recurring attacks taking place against minorities in Bangladesh, highlighting the need to deal with these incidents “swiftly and firmly”.He made the remarks during the weekly press briefing.

Responding to a query on the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, the MEA Spokesperson said, “We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and businesses by extremists in Bangladesh. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly.” (ANI)