Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bhardwaj (right) (file ph

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party’s internal discord came into public view on Friday when MP Raghav Chadha reacted to his removal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, drawing sharp retorts from senior colleagues.Leaders including Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj and IT cell chief Anurag Dhanda, who call themselves “Arvind Kejriwal’s soldiers”, defended the leadership’s decision and justified Chadha’s ‘demotion’ in the Upper House.Read this also- Split openly in AAP: Raghav Chadha attacks leadership; The party hit backBhardwaj launched a scathing attack, accusing Chadha of indulging in “soft PR” instead of taking on the PM Narendra Modi-led government. Taking a dig at Chadha over a parliamentary intervention, he said, “A small party gets very limited time there, and instead of talking about samosas, it is more important to raise the real issues of the country.”He said, “Whenever there is an issue and the opposition walks out, you do not join the walkout. For the last several years, I have not seen you raising any issue in Parliament, where you have questioned the Prime Minister or the BJP government. How can the politics of fear work like this?”Questioning Chadha’s role as a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, Bhardwaj said, “You have been elected from Punjab, and you hesitate to even raise Punjab issues. Recently in Gujarat, around 160 party workers were booked under false cases and many were arrested, yet you remained silent on that too.”Increasing the criticism further, he mentioned an old incident related to the party leadership. “When many of our leaders were in jail and Arvind Kejriwal ji as Chief Minister was arrested in a false case, at that time you were not even in the country, you had gone somewhere and stayed away.”Party’s IT cell chief Anurag Dhanda also launched a scathing attack, accusing Raghav Chadha of failing to discharge his responsibilities in the interest of the party. Taking aim at the nature of the issues raised by Chadha in Parliament, he said, “In Parliament, the party gets just a little time to speak – in such a situation, we can either fight to save the country or bargain to make samosas cheaper in airport canteens.”Dhanda increased his criticism by questioning Chaddha’s political stance and resolve. “If someone is afraid of Modi, will he fight for the country?” He alleged that Chadha has avoided taking a strong stand on major national issues. He pointed to several examples in support of his allegation, including alleged silence on the arrest of party workers in Gujarat, inaction on voting rights concerns in West Bengal and his refusal to support a resolution against the Chief Election Commissioner.He accused Chadha of not staying in the House during the party’s walkout and said, “For the last few years you have been scared, Raghav. You hesitate to speak against Modi. You hesitate to speak on the real issues of the country,” before ending with a sharp remark: “He who is scared…”

मामले की सुनवाई न्यायमूर्ति आलोक मेहरा के समक्ष हुई। मामले के मुताबिक, पीड़िता के पिता ने आरोप लगाया था कि आरोपी ने उनकी नाबालिग बेटी का अपहरण कर लिया है, जिसके बाद पुलिस ने जांच की और आरोप पत्र दायर किया. हालांकि, आरोपी पक्ष ने कोर्ट में दलील दी कि दोनों किशोरों की उम्र करीब 15 साल है और वे पिछले चार साल से दोस्त हैं.

आरोपी की ओर से कहा गया कि पीड़िता ने पहले अपने बयान में शारीरिक संबंधों से इनकार किया था, लेकिन मजिस्ट्रेट के सामने दिए बयान में उसने माना कि वह खुद आरोपी के संपर्क में रही और दोनों के बीच सहमति से संबंध बने थे. मेडिकल रिपोर्ट में भी जबरदस्ती का कोई सबूत नहीं मिला. याचिकाकर्ता की ओर से यह भी कहा गया कि किशोर को संप्रेक्षण गृह में रखने से उसके भविष्य पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ सकता है, इसलिए मामले में नरमी बरती जानी चाहिए. कोर्ट ने कहा कि सहमति से बने किशोर संबंधों में पीड़ित के बयान को महत्व दिया जाना चाहिए और ऐसे मामलों में न्यायिक प्रणाली का लक्ष्य नाबालिगों की सुरक्षा और कुछ संदर्भों में उनकी स्वायत्तता को मान्यता देने के बीच संतुलन बनाना होना चाहिए। यहां उम्र एक महत्वपूर्ण कारक है. कोर्ट ने मामले में प्रतिवादी को नोटिस जारी करते हुए किशोर न्याय बोर्ड देहरादून में लंबित कार्यवाही पर अगली सुनवाई तक रोक लगा दी है.

किशोर को घर लाया, अलमारी में छिपाया और संबंध बनाए

मजिस्ट्रेट के सामने दर्ज कराए गए अपने बयान में पीड़िता ने स्वीकार किया कि वे पिछले चार साल से दोस्त थे। उसने स्वीकार किया कि वह आवेदक के घर गई, उसे अपने घर बुलाया और उसे अपनी अलमारी में छिपा दिया। उसने उसे खाना दिया था और यह भी स्वीकार किया था कि उनके बीच शारीरिक संबंध बने थे, जो सहमति से बने थे।

Kuwait’s state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said Iranian drones struck Kuwait’s key oil facility at the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery on Friday, causing a fire at the site, and said no injuries were reported.The company said firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control after the attack, which marks another increase in attacks on critical energy infrastructure in the Bay Area.Mina Al-Ahmadi, one of Kuwait’s three major refineries, has been targeted several times during the current conflict. Refineries play a vital role in Kuwait’s oil production, as disruptions due to lack of processing capacity can force oil wells to shut down. Restarting refinery operations is a time-consuming process, meaning production may be affected even after the fire is brought under control.The attack comes as Iran continues attacks across the region amid ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel. Early Friday, Iran targeted several locations in the Gulf, with Kuwait and Bahrain both reporting incoming attacks, while Israel issued an alert over missile threats.At the same time, the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes inside Iran, including areas around Tehran and Isfahan, although details of the targets were not immediately clear.Despite claims by Washington and Tel Aviv that Iran’s military capabilities have declined significantly, Tehran has maintained sustained pressure on regional adversaries.Attacks on energy infrastructure and Iran’s tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global oil flows, causing prices to rise sharply.Brent crude prices rose to around $109, representing an increase of more than 50 percent from late February, when the conflict escalated.The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical bottleneck through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit during peacetime, making any disruption a major concern for global markets.The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution addressing security in the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over safe passage for commercial ships.The proposal tabled by Bahrain initially included provisions allowing countries to “use all necessary means” to secure the waterway. However, permanent members including Russia, China and France have expressed opposition to authorizing the use of force.Emmanuel Macron said a military solution would be impractical, warning that such an operation “would take an infinite amount of time and would expose anyone passing through the strait to coastal threats.”He pointed to a possible post-ceasefire diplomacy, saying reopening the route “can only be done in coordination with Iran”.The conflict, now entering its fifth week, has led to rising casualties in several areas.More than 1,900 people are reported dead in Iran, while 19 people have been confirmed dead in Israel. Additional deaths have been reported in the Gulf countries, the occupied West Bank, and among US forces.In Lebanon, more than 1,300 people have been killed and more than a million displaced during Israeli ground operations against Hezbollah, with Israeli soldiers also reported to have suffered casualties.The attack on Kuwait’s refinery underscores the broader scope of the conflict, with energy infrastructure increasingly becoming a target in the war that is spreading across the Middle East.

उत्तर प्रदेश की राजधानी लखनऊ के बीकेटी (बख्शी का तालाब) इलाके में ग्राम सभा की जमीन पर बने ढांचे को लेकर बड़ा फैसला आया है. इस मामले में इलाहाबाद हाई कोर्ट ने प्रशासन के बेदखली आदेश को बरकरार रखा है. कोर्ट ने साफ कहा कि प्रशासन के फैसले में कोई त्रुटि नहीं है. यह मामला बीकेटी तहसील के अस्ती गांव का है, जहां जमीन के इस्तेमाल को लेकर विवाद था.

कोर्ट ने तहसीलदार के आदेश को सही माना।
हाईकोर्ट ने तहसीलदार द्वारा दिए गए बेदखली के आदेश को बरकरार रखा है. कोर्ट के मुताबिक जिस जमीन पर निर्माण किया गया है वह ग्राम सभा की जमीन है और खलिहान (अनाज रखने की जगह) के तौर पर दर्ज है. ऐसे में उस जमीन पर किसी भी तरह का स्थाई निर्माण नियम विरुद्ध माना जाता है.

अवैध निर्माण हटाने के निर्देश
जिला प्रशासन ने पहले ही इस जमीन से अतिक्रमण हटाने का निर्देश दिया था. कोर्ट के फैसले के बाद अब प्रशासन की कार्रवाई और मजबूत हो गई है. अधिकारियों का कहना है कि नियमानुसार जमीन खाली कराई जाएगी और उसका मूल उपयोग बरकरार रखा जाएगा।

मौके पर प्रशासन और पुलिस की मौजूदगी
इस मामले को लेकर एसडीएम और पुलिस टीम ने भी मौके का निरीक्षण किया है. उन्होंने स्थिति का जायजा लिया है और आगे की कार्रवाई की तैयारी शुरू कर दी है. प्रशासन का कहना है कि कानून के मुताबिक सभी कदम उठाए जाएंगे और कोई अराजकता नहीं होने दी जाएगी.

क्षेत्र में सक्रियता बढ़ी
इस फैसले के बाद इलाके में चर्चा तेज हो गई है. स्थानीय लोग मामले पर नजर बनाये हुए हैं. प्रशासन ने लोगों से शांति बनाए रखने और सहयोग करने की अपील की है.

(रिपोर्ट: संदीप शुक्ला, लखनऊ)

New Delhi: The Indian National Congress The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in Delhi is set to finalize its candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with 85 per cent of the names already finalised, according to state unit chief K Selvaperunthagai.Selvaperunthagai said discussions with senior leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have been largely completed, with only a small portion of seats remaining to be finalised.“All India Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders discussed the candidates. 85% have been decided, 15% are pending. Today we are going to decide,” he said.The Congress will contest elections in 28 constituencies as part of the alliance led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which heads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). DMK has retained its majority by deciding to contest 164 seats out of 234, while allotting the remaining 70 seats to its allies. Apart from the Congress, the major allies include the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) with five seats each, the Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK) with eight seats and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) with four seats.Other alliance partners include smaller regional players Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) with 10 seats and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with two seats.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President mk stalin Candidates for several key constituencies have already been announced.Stalin will contest from Kolathur, while Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been fielded from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.Other prominent candidates include Mahesh from Kanyakumari, Appavu from Radhapuram, Wahab from Palayamkottai, Kalaikthiravan from Tenkasi and KKSSR Ramachandran from Aruppukottai. Additional names include Velu from Mylapore and Ma Subramaniam from Saidapet.The main contest in the state is expected to be between the DMK-led SPA and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led NDA, which includes the BJP and the PMK.A recent survey by polling agency Lok Poll has predicted a strong performance for the DMK alliance, projecting it to get 181 to 189 seats with a vote share of 40.1 per cent. The AIADMK-led alliance was projected to get 38 to 42 seats.Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 23 and counting of votes will take place on May 4.The last date for filing nominations is April 6, scrutiny will take place on April 7 and candidates can withdraw nominations till April 9.With the list of candidates complete and alliances finalised, political parties are entering the final phase of preparations for what is expected to be a closely watched electoral contest in the state.

In the latest update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert of rain in the plains and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir in early April. Travelers planning to travel to the Union Territory are warned that the weather will remain the same till April 10 due to an active Western Disturbance. According to IMD forecast, the western Himalayan region will experience intermittent rainfall. The sky will be cloudy with light to moderate rain and snowfall in upper reaches. The weather in Kashmir has reached its extreme and it has warned of western disturbance coming to Jammu and Kashmir in the next 36 hours. “A strong western disturbance is set to affect Jammu and Kashmir in the next 36 hours, causing widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across the entire Union Territory. There is a possibility of fresh snowfall on higher reaches and mountain passes including Zojila, Sinthan Top, Mughal Road, Sadhna Top and Razdan Top.Why such sudden change in weather?According to experts, the reason behind the unstable weather pattern is a fresh Western Disturbance in the Mediterranean region. Due to this, moisture is coming into the Himalayas causing rain in the plains and snowfall in the hilly areas.major travel impact areaThere is a possibility of fresh snowfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam. Rain is expected in Kashmir Valley and plains of Jammu, mountain passes and highways may suffer from slippery roads and low visibility.Travel will remain disrupted during such weather events. Snowfall and rain can affect road transport, especially in hilly areas. What travelers should knowAmidst the changing weather conditions, IMD and local officials have advised tourists to remain alert. Some recommendations:Keep checking real-time weather updates Be careful before visiting high altitude destinationsAvoid unnecessary travel in mountainous areasCarry winter essentialsBe flexible in travel plans due to possible delays or cancellationsKashmir in April is a beautiful time with blooming gardens and mild temperatures, but sudden weather changes can temporarily disrupt travelers’ plans.Top 5 Experiences in Kashmir in April

April is counted among the most magical and best time to explore the beauty of Kashmir. Here are the top five experiences:1) Visit the Tulip Garden at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar2) Enjoy Shikara ride on Dal Lake3) In current weather you can see snowfall in Gulmarg4) Explore the beautiful valleys in Pahalgam5) Enjoy a range of authentic Kashmiri cuisine Despite weather warnings, for some visitors, fresh snowfall in April can be a unique experience. With caution and knowledge of the local weather, travelers can still enjoy the beauty of Kashmir.

Rohit Sharma and Ayush Mhatre (Agency Image)

Young batsman Ayush Mhatre has revealed about a memorable meeting with his idol Rohit SharmaDescribed it as a “dream day” that left a lasting impression on him.Mhatre’s admiration for Rohit is well known. Earlier, he had also written an emotional note after losing his place to the former Indian captain in the Ranji Trophy match. Ahead of the England tour last year, the youngster finally got a chance to meet his idol – a meeting which turned into a memorable experience.