Month: February 2026

The Founder and CEO of Devkamal Hospital, Anant Sinha, on Tuesday shared the medical history of the patient involved in the tragic air ambulance crash that claimed seven lives. Anant Sinha revealed that the aircraft was arranged by the family of the patient, Sanjay Kumar, who had been in the ICU since February 16.

Founder and CEO of Devkamal Hospital & Research Centre, Anant Sinha, said, “The patient’s name was Sanjay Kumar. He was forty-one years old. He was admitted to our hospital on the 16th. He had suffered around sixty per cent burns. We kept him in the ICU. Some relatives suggested they might want him to be taken abroad for better treatment. They negotiated and arranged for an air ambulance.”

“Unfortunately, we got the news that a plane had crashed. Dr Vikas Gupta was close to us, unfortuntely he also died,” Anant Sinha added.

On the other hand, the father of the deceased, Dr Vikash Kumar Gupta, said, “…My elder son was posted in the Sadar Hospital, Ranchi…If there had been proper health facilities here, why would they have gone to Delhi for treatment?…

Meanwhile, Government leaders, hospital officials and family members of the deceased have reacted with shock and expressed deep grief over the air ambulance crash in Chatra that claimed seven lives, attributing the tragedy to a sudden and severe deterioration in weather conditions.

Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at Sadar Hospital on Tuesday morning as family members gathered to mourn the loss of their loved ones killed in a late-night air ambulance crash. Visuals from the hospital showed grieving relatives identifying the seven deceased, which include the flight crew, medical staff, a burn patient, and his attendants.

Reflecting on the unexpected nature of the disaster, Union Minister Sanjay Seth, while speaking to ANI, said, “This is a very sad incident. The crash will be investigated, but yesterday the weather suddenly changed and turned very bad. It is a very unfortunate incident.” (ANI)

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill will be sent to the state assembly for its approval

The decision comes ahead of the assembly polls in the state, slated for the first half of this year.

“After approval of the Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India,” Vaishnaw said.

After receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the Centre will take further action, and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, for the alteration of the name of the state of ‘Kerala’ as ‘Keralam’ in Parliament.

The Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution in June 2024 to alter the name of the state of “Kerala” to “Keralam”. (ANI)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the development of the Civil Enclave at Srinagar International Airport proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,677 crore.

While announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The new Civil Enclave project, spread over 73.18 acres, will feature a state-of-the-art terminal building spanning 71,500 square meters, including 20,659 square meters of existing structure, designed to serve 2,900 passengers during peak hours and an annual capacity of 10 million passengers per annum (MPPA).”

As per the cabinet announcement, the expanded apron will accommodate 15 aircraft parking bays, including 1 widebody (Code E) (9 existing and 6 proposed), while the 3,658m x 45m runway will continue to be operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The project will also include the construction of a multi-level car parking facility for 1,000 cars.

The construction of barracks for security personnel is also part of the project. Operated by the Airports Authority of India within the Budgam Airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the airport designated as an international airport in 2005, is located approximately 12 km from Srinagar city.

Architecturally, the new terminal will reflect a harmonious blend of modern design and the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, incorporating traditional elements such as intricate woodwork and locally inspired craftsmanship while maintaining operational efficiency through streamlined passenger processing areas, spacious lounges, and advanced security and check-in facilities, the statement released by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs said.

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of the development, with features such as advanced water harvesting systems, maximised natural lighting to reduce energy consumption, and the use of locally sourced, eco-friendly materials to minimise the carbon footprint. This project is targeted to achieve a prestigious 5-star GRIHA rating, it added.

Beyond infrastructure enhancement, the project is expected to significantly boost tourism and economic growth by improving connectivity to iconic attractions, including Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, and the Mughal Gardens, thereby generating employment opportunities, stimulating investment, and reinforcing Srinagar’s position as a premier tourist and economic destination.

The development of the Civil Enclave thus represents a transformative step toward delivering world-class infrastructure, offering better facilities for passengers and enhanced connectivity, while showcasing the cultural and natural splendour of Kashmir to the world. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash a private complaint and the FIR registered against him over allegations that he insulted the sacred Daiva tradition and a deity referenced in ‘Kantara: Chapter 1.’

The criminal application, filed before the High Court of Karnataka, challenges the complaint pending before a city Magistrate’s Court and the FIR registered by the High Grounds Police Station. The respondents in the matter include the High Grounds police and the private complainant, Advocate Prashanth Methal.

On Monday, February 23, Singh’s legal team appeared before the bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, seeking an urgent hearing of the petition. During submissions, his counsel stated that Singh had praised actor Rishab Shetty for his performance in ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ and that his remarks had been distorted and given a “criminal colour.”

When the complainant’s counsel requested that the matter be taken up urgently on Monday afternoon, the bench questioned the grounds for urgency. “Why should an urgent hearing be held? Is it because the petitioners are Bollywood actors? If they are from Hollywood, should the hearing be held now?” the court asked.

Singh’s lawyer informed the court that the police had already issued two notices to the actor following registration of the FIR, necessitating an urgent hearing. Taking note of the submission, the bench agreed to hear the petition on Tuesday.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Singh at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa last year. While praising Shetty’s performance, Singh said, “I saw that in the theatres, Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost gets inside your body, that one shot…”

Advocate Prashanth Methal, who filed the complaint, alleged that Singh “mocked” the film and referred to Goddess Chamundi as a “female ghost,” which he claimed hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus. Speaking to ANI earlier, Methal detailed the sequence of events that led to the FIR.

According to Methal, he first approached the High Grounds Police Station on December 3, 2025, but no FIR was registered at that time. He subsequently submitted complaints to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, and the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City. After receiving no response, he filed a private complaint in a competent court under Section 223.

“On November 28, 2025, during the International Film Festival held in Goa, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh mocked the Kantara Chapter 1 movie, Guliga Daiva, and also verbally referred to Goddess Chamundi as a female ghost, which not only wounded my religious sentiments but also wounded the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus… On December 3, 2025, I went to High Grounds Police Station and filed a complaint against him. High Grounds Police did not register an FIR. Subsequently, I filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, and the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City, requesting directions to register an FIR. But it all went in vain. So finally, after exhausting all options, I filed my complaint in a competent court under section 223, as a private complaint,” he shared.

Methal stated that the complaint cites offences under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), describing them as cognizable and punishable offences carrying up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

“It’s a cognizable and punishable offence, with up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. On January 28, 2026, the court ordered an investigation under section 175, clause 3, and issued a direction to the High Grounds Police Inspector. Under Section 175 (3), the police are legally bound to register an FIR before commencing the investigation,” he said.

In his complaint, Prashanth Methal asserted that Ranveer Singh “allegedly performed acts that insulted and mocked the sacred Daiva tradition. Referring to the deity as a ghost is described as blasphemous and a serious insult to Hindu religious beliefs and practices.”

On January 28, 2026, the Magistrate’s Court ordered an investigation under Section 175(3) of the BNS and directed the High Grounds Police Inspector to act. Under this provision, police are required to register an FIR before commencing an investigation.

Following the court’s direction, the High Grounds Police registered the FIR and issued notice to Singh.

Videos from the IFFI event had gone viral on social media, with some users terming Singh’s imitation of Shetty’s character disrespectful. The actor later issued an apology.

The High Court is scheduled to hear Singh’s plea on Tuesday. (ANI)

National-level shooter Tara Shahdeo has spoken out about her 2014 marriage and forced religious conversion case, drawing parallels with the themes explored in the upcoming film ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond.’

In a conversation with ANI, Shahdeo reflected on her decade-long legal battle and said the film’s subject resonates with her lived experience.

Shahdeo said she first encountered the term “love jihad” through media coverage following her marriage. “That was the first time I heard the word ‘Love Jihad’ through the media. At that time, I didn’t even know what the word meant,” she said. She added that she initially believed justice would be swift and that punishment for the accused would deter similar incidents.

Her case dates back to July 2014, when she married Ranjeet Singh Kohli, who she later discovered was Raqibul Hasan. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), she was allegedly deceived about her husband’s identity, subjected to physical torture, and pressured to convert to Islam after the marriage.

In October 2023, a Special CBI Court in Ranchi delivered its verdict in the case. Shahdeo’s former husband, Raqibul Hasan, was sentenced to life imprisonment. His mother and a registrar were also sentenced to prison.

Speaking about the social stigma surrounding such incidents, Shahdeo said many victims remain silent due to misconceptions. “More than half of society believes that the girl was misled and did whatever she wanted. This is not just a matter of a girl’s mistake or a family’s weakness,” she said. She expressed regret that broader awareness and open discussion might have prevented years of struggle.

“If we are showing that topic to society, then I don’t think it is any cruelty or nonsense. These are the things that we never want to discuss. If there had been a discussion in our house, then we would not have been victims of it. So, I think this story like Kerala Story is an eye-opening for us. Some things in it are dirty, which you say in the language is dirty, is nonsense. So, that is what is happening with us,” she said.

Shahdeo also highlighted that her marriage was arranged following recommendations from influential individuals. She said her family had conducted due diligence and believed they were agreeing to a suitable match.

“The thing that you don’t like to see, that is happening with the girls of your society. In my case, there was a judge who brought my marriage proposal for that person. So, my story was different. I was not blinded by love. My family investigated. So, his friends were Hindus, DSP, rank. The Advocate General was his friend. He was a reputed person. He showed himself in the scenario. And every parent wants you to go to a good house. Then on the judge’s request, we got married. On the second day of our marriage, the same judge told me to get married because the boy with whom I got married, his name was Ranjit Singh. Then he became Raqib-ul-Hassan. Then, from there, the story of struggle starts.,” she said, adding that it took her nine years to prove her case in court.

Her remarks come amid heightened debate around ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’, the sequel to the 2023 film ‘The Kerala Story.’

Directed by National Award winner Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures, the film is scheduled for theatrical release on February 27, 2026.

In an earlier interview with ANI, Kamakhya Narayan Singh asserted that if he had shown anything wrong or misleading in the film, he would “leave filmmaking.”

The film stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles. It follows the lives of three young women, who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.

The sequel has sparked strong reactions since its trailer launch. Opposition leaders, celebrities and several social media users have criticised it as “propaganda”, while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents.

Shahdeo, however, said that bringing such topics into public discussion is necessary.

“If these discussions had happened in our homes earlier, we would not have been victims,” she said, calling stories like The Kerala Story “eye-opening.” (ANI)

Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have officially confirmed their relationship, sharing intimate glimpses of their pre-wedding festivities ahead of their highly anticipated marriage on February 26, 2026.

In a series of Instagram Stories, the actors shared moments that beautifully balance elegance with easy-going joy. The festivities, now officially titled “The Wedding of VIROSH,” mark not just the union of two popular stars but also a tribute to the fans who coined the portmanteau years ago.

On February 22, the couple confirmed their relationship and shared an emotional joint note on Instagram, revealing that their wedding would carry the name lovingly given to them by their admirers.

“Our dearest loves. Before we made any plans, before we chose anything for ourselves- you were already there. With so much love, you gave us a name. You called us ‘Virosh’. So today- with full hearts, we name our coming together in your honour,” they wrote. The note concluded with gratitude-filled messages, thanking fans for their unwavering affection and support.

The pre-wedding celebrations in Udaipur reflect a blend of high-energy recreation and sophisticated luxury. Rashmika Mandanna offered followers a look at an exquisitely curated Japanese dining experience.

Her Instagram Story showcased a tablescape styled with blush pink lilies, green hydrangeas, fresh green apples, and grapes.

On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda shared a more relaxed side of the festivities.

The actor posted a snapshot of a spirited game of pool volleyball with friends, capturing the laid-back energy of the destination wedding.

Reports indicate that Rashmika and Vijay had an intimate engagement ceremony in Hyderabad in October last year. Their upcoming wedding in Udaipur is now eagerly awaited by fans across the country.

The duo shared screen space in the 2018 romantic comedy blockbuster ‘Geetha Govindam’ and the 2019 action drama ‘Dear Comrade’. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary, recalling her as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator who championed welfare-driven governance, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development in the state.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Remembering Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary. She has made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator. Her life journey was one of immense grit and determination. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women empowerment, social justice and inclusive development. She was both compassionate and decisive. I recall with great joy my interactions with her.”

PM Modi said the AIADMK leader was known for empowering women while ensuring strict law and order in Tamil Nadu during her tenure.

In his address in the 131st Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi recalled his meetings and conversations with Jayalalithaa.

“In our country, those who have worked for the welfare of society…those who have prioritised the public in their noble deeds always remain in the hearts of the people. Amma Jayalalithaa ji was one such popular leader. February 24th is the occasion of her birth anniversary. I still feel the deep affection the people of Tamil Nadu had for her, even today, during my visits to the state,” PM Modi said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to the late leader, recalling her contributions towards the welfare of the poor and empowerment of women in the state.

In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, “On the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and People’s Leader J. Jayalalithaa, heartfelt tributes to her. Through her dedicated efforts for the welfare of the poor and for the rights of women, she reshaped the development of Tamil Nadu and ensured that the benefits of her administration reached even the last person in society. Her commitment to public service will forever remain an inspiration to everyone.”

Jayalalithaa, who was born in 1948, served five terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. In 1982, when MG Ramachandran was the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa joined the AIADMK, the party he founded. (ANI)

The Delhi Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the police plea seeking seven days’ custody of Uday Bhanu Chib, president of the Indian Youth Congress, in connection with the AI Summit protest case.

Delhi Police told the court that Chib “hatched the conspiracy” and provided logistics to protestors, adding that extended custody is required to confront him with other accused and investigate the alleged larger conspiracy. Police described the case as one of unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy, stating that Chib directed other accused, while several accused are currently in Jammu, Amethi and Himachal Pradesh.

Chib’s counsel argued that custody should not be granted mechanically, pointing out that he has cooperated, joined the investigation twice, and denied knowledge of where the T-shirts used in the protest were printed. The defence added that further questioning has not yielded details and that police could obtain information without taking Chib in custody.

Delhi Police maintained that the case goes beyond T-shirts, highlighting bulk printing and coordination as part of a conspiracy. The court is expected to pronounce its order at 12:30 pm.

According to police, Chib has been booked under multiple sections of the BNS including 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty, 132 for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, 195(1) for assaulting or obstructing a public servant during riot suppression, 221 for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions, 223(A) for disobedience to orders of a public servant, 190 for offences by members of an unlawful assembly, 197 for imputations prejudicial to national integration, and 3(5) for common intention.

Following his arrest, he was brought to Patiala House Court by the police.

Chib was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the protest at the Al Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

Earlier on Friday, a group of Indian Youth Congress members staged a protest at the Bharat Mandapam by removing their shirts that had slogans which read “Compromised PM”.

The Indian Youth Congress raised its voice at the summit and protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has “compromised the nation’s identity”, as per a party release. (ANI)