CBI Names Indrani Mukerjea's Daughter As Witness In Sheena Bora Killing Case

The CBI on Thursday submitted to a special court here its second list of witnesses in the Sheena Bora killing case, which included accused Indrani Mukerjea's daughter Vidhie Mukerjea.

The list mentioned 125 individuals the agency proposes to examine as prosecution witnesses in the case.

This is in addition to the first list submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last week which named 69 witnesses.

Last week, Indrani Mukerjea, one of the prime accused in the case, had sought clarity from CBI on whether Vidhie had been dropped as a witness, so she could meet her.

When Indrani was granted bail, one of the conditions imposed on her was that she should not meet any of the witnesses in the case.

Vidhie is Indrani's daughter from her first marriage to Sanjeev Khanna, also an accused in the case.

Sheena Bora, Indrani's daughter from an earlier relationship, was allegedly strangled to death by Indrani, her driver Shyamvar Rai, and her former husband Khanna.

Her body was then burned and disposed of in a forest in Raigad district.

The crime came to light in 2015 when Rai, who later turned approver in the case, revealed details following his arrest in another case.

Former media executive Indrani and Khanna were arrested in August 2015, and Peter Mukerjea, Indrani's ex-husband and media baron, was arrested three months later. All the accused are currently out on bail.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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New Zealand PM Visits Indian Navy's Indigenous Destroyer INS Surat

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Navy Chief Rear Admiral Garin Golding on Thursday visited the latest indigenously built destroyer of the Indian Navy INS Surat at the Naval Dockyard here.

Luxon was welcomed aboard by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. The visiting dignitories were given an in-depth briefing on the warship's intricate design, cutting-edge technologies and formidable capabilities, a Navy release said here.

INS Surat, a guided missile destroyer designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders was commissioned in January this year.

The New Zealand Prime Minister's visit coincides with the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Te Kaha's visit to Mumbai from March 20 to 24. In addition, Commodore Rodger Ward, Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, is also visiting the headquarters of the Western Naval Command.

"These visits mark a significant step towards furthering the relationship between the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Indian Navy," the release said.

As part of the ship visit, Golding called on Vice Admiral Singh and discussed strategic naval engagements, which was followed by a briefing on the command's role.

He also held discussions with the Admiral Superintendent of Dockyard regarding technical support for HMNZS Te Kaha's upcoming visit in April 2025.

On departure, the ship is scheduled to undertake a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Indian Navy, enhancing operational coordination and showcasing a shared commitment to maritime collaboration, the release said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Amid Criticism Over Hosting Miss World, Revanth Reddy's Formula E Retort

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, in face of BJP attack over the decision to hold the 72nd Miss World pageant in the state, struck back with references to the alleged corruption in the Formula E race hosted by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi government.

"In Formula E case, Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao misused government funds. Don't know what problem he has with Miss World competition," Mr Reddy said. 

A corruption case was lodged against Mr Rao - former minister and leader of Bharat Rashtra Samithi - last year in connection with alleged irregularities in the Formula E car race in Hyderabad. He has been accused of misusing government funds and his authority as the Municipal Administration and Urban Development minister. 

A Miss World pageant in Hyderabad will generate tourism and lead to revenue for hotels and transport industry, the Chief Minister said, pointing out that people from 140 nations will stay in Hyderabad for nearly a month. 

The Chief Minister said black money is being pumped into social media by political opponents "for mudslinging this government".

The announcement of Telangana's hosting of Miss World 2025 has sparked massive criticism. The opposition parties have questioned the government's financial priorities and whether public funds should be allocated to an international beauty pageant.

The government has said it would involve pay for only half the event's cost, amounting to approximately Rs 27 crore, and not the 200 crore figure bandied about by the Opposition. This too, it said, will come from sponsorships.

The government is hoping that high profile event put Hyderabad - known so far for its IT industry -- on the global tourism map, showcasing its infrastructure, roads and the airport. 

The Miss World event will begin on May 7, with the opening and closing ceremonies, including the grand finale, taking place in Hyderabad on May 31.  Several of the participants, including the reigning Miss World, Krystyna Pyszkova, are already in Telangana and have participated in the pre-launch event.

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Prices Of EVs To Be Same As Petrol Cars In 6 Months: Nitin Gadkari

Prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will be equal to those of petrol vehicles in the country within six months, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

Addressing the 32nd Convergence India and 10th Smart Cities India Expo, Nitin Gadkari further said the construction work of the 212-km Delhi-Dehradun access-controlled expressway will be complete in the next three months.

"Within six months, the cost of electric vehicles will be equivalent to the cost of petrol vehicles," he said.

The minister said the government's policy is import substitute, cost-effectiveness, pollution-free and indigenous production.

To make India the third-largest economy, the country needs to improve its infrastructure sector, the Union minister said.

"By making good roads, we can reduce our logistics cost," he added.

Nitin Gadkari asserted that the future of the country's economy is very good and the government is committed towards smart cities and smart transport.

"We are working on mass rapid transport on electricity," he said.

Nitin Gadkari emphasised on the need to encourage new technology and innovation to reduce cost of road construction.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Rajasthan Tables Bill To Regulate Coaching Centres But Key Provisions Missing

A bill to regulate the coaching centres of Rajasthan, spurred by the spiralling student suicides in Kota, was tabled in the state assembly today. This year, eight students have died by suicide in Kota. The last year, the figure was 26. 

The bill aims to set up an authority of 12 members to regulate coaching institutes. It also envisages the formation of committees in every district to monitor coaching centres, provide counselling for students to reduce stress, remedial classes for those lagging behind and set up of days and recreational activities. 

Assessments will not be held on a day the week begins, and exam results will be kept confidential.

The duration of classes will also be cut down - five hours will be the maximum. 

It also makes it easy to get a fee refund if the student decides to drop out halfway through the course.

The bill, though, has omitted two key provisions that have considerably weakened it. 

Mental health experts suggest that there be an age limit for children who undertake coaching. Children as young as 14 and 15 are also taken out of school and put through the gruelling system by ambitious parents.

It was expected that the bill would set a cut-off age of at least 16 years. But there is not mention of this in the version that was tabled. 

It also does not make it compulsory for children to sit for an aptitude test before enrolling for coaching classes for medical and engineering entrance exams.

"In the draft bill, they said they would set 16 as an age limit for admission to coaching. Now this is not there in the bill. It looks like this government is hand-in-glove with the coaching industry. The industry is big and powerful and this is a racket," said Tikaram Jully, Leader of the Opposition.

Asked about the matter, Prem Chand Bairwa, Minister for technical education, refuted the allegation.

"Right now we have simply put forward a bill to regulate coaching. As people give their suggestions, we will incorporate them in the future," he said.

As for holding an aptitude test to see if the children can fit into medical and engineering studies, the minister said they are leaving this option for parents. 

"This bill has a good aim, but it is a bad solution and this bill is a setback for the Rajasthan coaching industry," said Raghuveer Singh Dagur, president of the Rajasthan coaching institute association.

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Infiltration Attempts Go Up In J&K, Agencies Crackdown On Overground Workers

A surge in infiltration attempts by heavily armed terrorists along the International Border in Jammu sector has become a major cause of concern for New Delhi, prompting a crackdown on overground workers aiding them.

Agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir say that more than four dozen terrorists have managed to sneak into India and set up their bases in the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range over the past year.

Inputs shared among intelligence agencies suggest that the number of foreign terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed has gone up by five times compared to local terrorists.

Figures from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveal that around 120 terrorists are active in J&K, of which only about 20 are locals and the rest are foreign-trained terrorists who have snuck in.

Last month, a heavily armed group of terrorists had opened fire at a Jammu and Kashmir Rifles patrol vehicle in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri district. An investigation has revealed that a group of terrorists that had freshly infiltrated into J&K was responsible for the attack. The group is still being tracked.

Inputs being shared by various agencies with the local police indicate that infiltration attempts will rise in the coming months and this issue was discussed during a review meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan earlier this month. Mr Mohan, who was on his first visit to Jammu, was tasked by Home Minister Amit Shah with reviewing the ongoing audit being done by forces that guard the border in the region.

Following the review, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) conducted raids on Wednesday in 12 locations in Jammu, including the premises of alleged terrorist sympathisers.

"Among the premises which were raided include the homes of overground workers (OGWs) linked to the newly-formed offshoots and affiliates of banned terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)," the NIA said in a statement.

The agency said it was acting on information regarding the infiltration of LeT and JeM terrorists into India through the International Border and Line of Control. Intel reports suggested that the infiltration was facilitated by OGWs and terror associates living in border areas.

Besides providing logistical support, food, shelter and money, the suspects were involved in guiding the terrorists through the difficult terrain of Jammu province to ensure their safe passage, the NIA said.

The terrorists were then believed to have made their way to the hinterland districts of Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, and also to the Kashmir valley, it added.

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Madhya Pradesh Boat Capsize: Bodies of 6 Victims Recovered, 1 Still Missing

The authorities on Wednesday recovered the bodies of six persons, including three children, who drowned after a boat carrying them capsized in Matatila dam in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, while search was on to trace a teenage girl, police said.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the boat was carrying 15 persons to a temple located on the island in Matatila dam under Khaniyadhana police station limits, police officials said.

While eight persons were rescued with the help of villagers, seven others went missing in the water, they said.

Pichhore's Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Prashant Sharma said the rescue operations were carried out throughout the night and the bodies of six missing persons were recovered till Wednesday afternoon.

Search for a 15-year-old missing girl named Kumkum is still on, he said.

The bodies of six, identified as Kanha (7), Shiva (8), Chayna (14), Ramdevi (35), Leela (40) and Sharda (55), were recovered, he said.

Talking to PTI, Ramdevi, a survivor, said water started gushing into the boat from the bottom, causing it to tilt on one side within no time.

She said although she did not know how to swim, she just started moving her hands in the water out of desperation, and a boat arrived in time to save her.

Ramdevi said that she was pulled into the boat which came to rescue the victims.

Talking to reporters from the site of the incident, Shivpuri district collector Ravindra Kumar Chaudhary said efforts were made by rescuers to trace the victims at night, but the bodies were recovered on Wednesday.

"People go to the temple located on the island in the dam to offer prayers, especially during the Holi and Rang Panchmi festivals," he said.

"The boat involved in the incident was a small, wooden boat. The incident could have been caused either due to water entering the boat or its imbalance," he said.

The administration will take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, the collector said.

Those who rescued eight persons will be awarded, he said.

On Tuesday night, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the dead.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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