Browsing: India

Ranchi: State govt on Wednesday informed the Jharkhand high court that 32 acres of land had been identified in Hazaribag for the expansion and construction of an open prison.The submission was made before a division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar during the hearing of a PIL concerning the condition of prisons and inmates in the state.The govt counsel told the court that a proposal for the project had been sent to the home department. The proposed facility would also have a separate area for women inmates.Pending construction of the open prison, the bench directed…

NEET protest: Cal HC asks WB govt to file status report on probe during Left students’ rally KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to submit a status report on the investigation into the violence that erupted during a Left student organisations’ protest over the NEET paper leak in Kolkata on July 24, while hearing a plea filed by a journalist injured in the clashes.Justice Krishna Rao directed the state government to file the status report by August 25, when the matter will be heard again.The petition was filed by a journalist who sustained injuries…

As I stand holding a stick in my hand, I am reminded of the quiet, enduring role canes have played throughout my life. To hold a stick is to hold one of humanity’s oldest companions. Long before metal was forged or stone was knapped into refined tools, the humble branch was our species’ very first technology. Nearly half a million years ago, our ancient ancestors relied on fire-hardened wooden sticks to dig for sustenance, defend against predators, and navigate rugged terrain. Over millennia, as societies evolved, this primitive tool transformed into the shepherd’s staff, the traveler’s emblem, the royal scepter, and…

Anthony Smith (Image Via Getty) Former UFC fighter Anthony Smith could soon be released from jail after a Nebraska judge set his bond at $500,000 during his first court appearance. The 38-year-old was arrested earlier this week on three felony charges, including terroristic threats, first-degree false imprisonment, and domestic violence causing serious bodily injury. While the court allowed him to post bond, the judge also placed strict conditions on his release, including a no-contact order involving his wife, Mikhala Smith. Authorities have not publicly shared details about what led to the arrest, and the case remains under investigation.Former UFC star…

The supplementary chargesheet was filed by CBI, Banking and Securities Fraud Cell, Mumbai Mumbai: A special CBI court on Wednesday took cognisance of a supplementary chargesheet against four accused in the over Rs 23,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, holding that there is prima facie material to issue process for offences including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, falsification of accounts, causing disappearance of evidence and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Special Judge S K Karhale issued process against accused Bishnubrata Mishra, Jayesh Shah, Ajit Bheda and Deepan Shah.The court noted that the material placed…

New Delhi: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has asked Punjab and Haryana to procure drones ahead of the winter season to detect stubble burning incidents in real time, complementing the work of ground teams.The move follows a pilot project conducted by CAQM in Patiala district in May, where drone footage was found to be clear enough to identify farm fire locations, an official said. Initially, drones will be deployed only in stubble-burning hotspots across the two states.“The satellite imagery is available only with one-day lag and is limited to two passes a day. Burnt area data is received only…

Bengaluru: Innovative Retail Concepts, which houses BigBasket’s consumer-facing business, reported a 66% widening in net loss to Rs 3,073 crore in FY26 as the Tata Group-owned online grocer stepped up investments to compete in the fast-growing quick commerce market.Revenue grew a modest 7.7% to Rs 8,223 crore in FY26 from Rs 7,634 crore a year earlier, according to Tata Sons’ FY26 annual report. “The Indian e-commerce market shifted rapidly toward quick commerce, which BigBasket is adapting to,” Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in the annual report.Supermarket Grocery Supplies, BigBasket’s business-to-business arm, reported revenue of Rs 2,298 crore in FY26,…

Hyderabad: Telangana chief secretary Sanjay Jaju said the govt has proposed four industrial parks in the state under the Centre’s Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) scheme. The parks identified are at Thimmapur in Kandukur mandal, Eliminedu in Ibrahimpatnam, Madaram in Ghatkesar mandal, and Dandu Mylaram in Choutuppal mandal. He said that several leading companies have shown interest in establishing industries in sectors such as electronics and software in these parks. In addition, he said proposals are also being prepared for setting up industrial parks in 16 more locations.The chief secretary held a review meeting with officials at the Secretariat on…

Ajay Anand, Partner, Anicut Capital, Chennai: Anicut Capital has launched its second early-stage fund, targeting investments in consumer, enterprise technology, deep tech and financial services startups, with a target corpus of Rs 175 crore.The alternative asset management company is nearing the first close of the fund, having secured Rs 65 crore from existing investors, predominantly high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), a senior executive told TOI. It is targeting a limited partner (LP) mix comprising institutional investors as well as domestic and international family offices. The fund also has a greenshoe option of Rs 75 crore.Named the Grand Anicut Seed Fund (GASF), it…

Berhampur: A local court here on Wednesday sentenced life imprisonment to two persons, including a 27-year-old woman for their involvement in the twin murder at Chudialanji village under Ganjam district’s Jarada police station limits on Feb 18, 2024.Sangeeta Pani, additional district judge-cum-judge of Odisha Protection of Interest of Depositors (OPID), a designated court, sentenced G Devendra (27) and D Gunnama (27) of Chudialanjia for the murder of D Neelabeni (28) and her seven-year-old son D Rushi on Feb 19, 2024.On Feb 19, police had recovered the bodies of the mother and son duo from their house and sent them for…