How Friendly Chat On Train Led To SIM-Porting Nightmare For Delhi Woman

A friendly conversation on a train journey turned into a nightmare for a Delhi woman after a fellow passenger allegedly hijacked her SIM card to drain her credit cards.
Delhi Police have arrested two brothers who specialised in stealing "Unique Porting Codes" (UPC) from unsuspecting travellers under the pretext of making an urgent phone call.
The duo allegedly gained the trust of fellow passengers while travelling, stole their mobile phone porting codes, and drained their bank accounts.
The investigation began following a complaint from Vandana Gupta, a resident of Rohini Sector 6. In January, while returning to Delhi from Kanpur with her son, she met a man named Sachin Gupta on the train.
After gaining her trust during the journey, Sachin asked to borrow both Vandana's and her son's mobile phones on the pretext of making an urgent call. He returned the devices shortly after, but the damage was already done.
On January 23, the victim realised something was wrong when both her and her son's mobile numbers were suddenly deactivated. A week later, on January 30, 2026, she discovered three fraudulent transactions on her credit card:
First transaction: Rs 20,550
Second transaction: Rs 2,627
Third transaction: Rs 25,687
Vandana immediately filed a complaint on the national cybercrime portal, leading to an FIR at the Rohini Cyber Police Station.
A team led by Inspector Praveen Chauhan traced the money trail. They discovered that Rs 20,000 had been transferred to a Kotak Mahindra Bank account belonging to a man named Nitin and withdrawn from an ATM that same day.
Following a raid in Burari, police arrested 26-year-old Sachin Kumar Gupta and his 23-year-old brother, Nitin Kumar Gupta.
According to police, Sachin had previously worked at a well-known mobile store, giving him knowledge of SIM porting.
While holding the victim's phone on the train, Sachin secretly initiated a SIM port request and noted the Unique Porting Code (UPC). Using this code, he obtained new SIM cards for the victims' numbers, registered under his brother's name. Once the new SIMs were activated, he installed the CRED app. Since he now had the phone numbers, he bypassed security via OTPs to gain full access to the credit cards.
Police recovered a Motorola mobile phone and the Kotak Mahindra ATM card used in the crime. According to police, the mastermind, Sachin, is a BSc dropout who previously worked for Uber. His brother, Nitin, is a B.Com graduate who worked in a retail showroom. Both are now in custody as police investigate if there are other victims.

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Boy Missing For 6 Years, Parents Find Uncle, Aunt Buried Him Near Expressway

When a four-year-old boy went missing from Rajasthan's Dausa district in 2020, his family held onto the hope that they would find him one day. Six years later, that hope has turned into a nightmare: the child was allegedly murdered by his own uncle and aunt and buried beside the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

On August 16, 2020, Prince, also known as Tillu, disappeared while playing in his courtyard. Despite an exhaustive search by his family, no clues were found. In 2021, the family filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, which prompted a more intense investigation.

The case proved difficult -- seven different investigation officers were replaced over the years. Eventually, the court directed the administration to recover the child at all costs. Nearly five years after the disappearance, the Rajasthan Police finally cracked the case.

Police are currently digging near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to recover the child's body. To assist in the operation, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) machine was brought in from Delhi.

The machine detected signals approximately 9 meters (30 feet) underground. Based on these leads, two JCB machines have been digging for three days, operating for a total of 24 hours. However, despite digging 15 feet down so far, the police have yet to recover the body.

The investigation revealed that Prince's own uncle and aunt, Anil and Krishna, allegedly murdered him and buried him near the highway over a grudge. Both have been arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. They have been remanded in police custody until March 1.

Prince's siblings recalled that after he went missing, Anil and Krishna even joined the search to deflect suspicion. Tillu's eldest sister, Archana, is devastated. She remembered how Anil used to take her brother on motorcycle rides, saying she never imagined he could be capable of such an act.

His brother, Samar, described Prince as a "naughty" child who often brought him broken toys to fix. "Anil went searching with me, too," he added, struggling to process the betrayal.

Prince's father, Jagmohan Bairwa, returned to India from Dubai on February 21 after receiving news of the search. In an interview with NDTV Rajasthan, "I'll be happy if my son is found, in whatever condition. I have full faith in the police and judiciary that I will finally get justice."

The family's courtyard lies empty, with dejected children sitting around and a neem tree whose age matches exactly what Prince, alias Tillu, would have been today if he were still with his family. 

(With inputs from Devendra Singh Naruka)

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Woman Says H-1B Visa Was Cancelled For 'Overstaying In India', Sparks Debate

A Reddit user on an H-1B visa has alleged that her visa was abruptly cancelled at the Abu Dhabi preclearance facility while she was returning to the United States with her husband in January. She said she had travelled to India in November to celebrate her daughter's first birthday. According to her post, there were no problems with visa stamping because their appointments had been booked before mid-December 2025, prior to the wave of reported disruptions in US visa processing.

While her husband was cleared without any difficulty, she was stopped during preclearance questioning. She was asked about the length of her stay in India and whether she had continued working during that period. The woman explained that she had remained in India for about two months and that the trip was a mix of vacation and limited work. Although she was officially on paid time off, she admitted she had worked partially while abroad.

She was then directed to secondary inspection, where officers asked her to provide documentation showing that remote work from India was permitted under her Labor Condition Application (LCA). She said that such a provision was not included in her paperwork.

According to her account, officials accused her of effectively "overstaying" in India and stated that drawing a salary from a US employer while working from India violated US regulations. Her visa was subsequently stamped "Cancelled and Withdrawn," and she was told she would need to apply again.

However, she claimed there are currently no available visa appointment slots, leaving her stranded. Her company's immigration attorney has reportedly advised that remote work from India is not unlawful. The woman said she is under significant stress and is seeking advice on her next steps.

US-based entrepreneur James Blunt weighed in on the situation, describing it as a "221(i) visa cancellation at preclearance." He noted that officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) exercise extremely broad discretion at ports of entry.

Assuming this H-1B visa cancellation is a real Reddit post:

This looks like a 221(i) visa cancellation at preclearance.

CBP has EXTREMELY BROAD discretion at ports of entry (including Abu Dhabi preclearance). They do not have to prove a violation the way USCIS does during… pic.twitter.com/Hd76JvynQP

— James Blunt (@JBlunt1018) February 24, 2026

Under US immigration rules, CBP officers are not bound by the same evidentiary standards that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) follows when adjudicating H-1B petitions.

Blunt questioned why travellers continue to make nonessential trips amid heightened scrutiny, pointing out that even pro-immigration advocates have cautioned against it. He advised H-1B holders to avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary.

"Is it ridiculous? YES. From a legal authority standpoint, however, CBP absolutely has the power to do this. Given the current enforcement posture, WHY are people still traveling when even pro-immigration advocates are warning against it? Tell a friend to stop traveling unless it's an emergency; there are beautiful places to visit in the US, and we have great Indian food. Come on folks, it's not that difficult," he commented. 

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'Dhurandhar 2 Can Permanently Destroy Pan-India South Films,' Says RGV

As Dhurandhar: The Revenge prepares for its theatrical release on March 19, Ram Gopal Varma has made a bold claim about the film. The filmmaker believes the sequel could change the way mainstream Indian cinema is made.

Ram Gopal Varma Hails Dhurandhar

RGV did not hold back in his praise and wrote, "DHURANDAR 2 is an ASTEROID which might end the DINOSAUR era @AdityaDharFilms DHURANDHAR 2 has high chances of completely and permanently obliterating the pan india south films movement by establishing a brand new benchmark with ultra realistic making, genuine character depths etc that actually engage the audience's brain while still delivering a raw visceral impact."

He further suggested that the film could drastically alter audience expectations, adding, "Once audiences taste this new standard, every film currently under production in the previous masala style can become instantly endangered."

In a longer note, RGV argued that big-budget entertainers relying on scale and spectacle may struggle in the wake of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. "Those ultra-big budgeted masala projects that are already deep into shooting or post-production will have an uphill task in competing with the new standards set. Producers who bet entire empires on the same previous formulaic making might face empty theatres and career-ending losses because of the high costs involved and the audience taste converting to the international standards," he claimed.

He went on to critique formula-driven filmmaking and star-led spectacles. 

"Directors married to the belief of 'mass + vfx + scale + gravity-defying stunts = guaranteed hit will have no choice but to reinvent themselves by studying the Dhurandhar audiences. Superstars who were depending upon their god like statuses resting solely on mindless hero worship will stand exposed in front of highly effective characters who grow to be heroes in the context of the story rather than already being hailed as heroes from frame one," RGV wrote.

Concluding his dramatic statement, the filmmaker described the film as a seismic shift for the industry. 

"DHURANDHAR 2 is not just another film coming on March 19th. It can be an ASTEROID STRIKE that might end the DINOSAUR ERA of filmmaking, which is full of sheer volume, fake heroism, and the so-called masala treatment. The goal post has been changed, and so if the direction of the kick does not change, it might not only break the leg, but it might lose the limb," he concluded.

DHURANDAR 2 is an ASTEROID which might end the DINOSAUR era @AdityaDharFilms DHURANDHAR 2 has high chances of completely and permanently obliterating the pan india south films movement by establishing a brand new benchmark with ultra realistic making , genuine character depths…

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) February 24, 2026

About Dhurandhar: The Revenge

The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, serves as a follow-up to the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar and dives deeper into the backstory of Ranveer Singh's character, Hamza.

However, Dhurandhar: The Revenge will not have a clear run at the box office. It is set to clash with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grownups, headlined by Yash and directed by Geetu Mohandas. 

The pan-India project also features Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria.

ALSO READ: How Ranveer And Yash's Dhurandhar 2 And Toxic Heroes Are Same Same But Different

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Ranveer Singh Goes To Karnataka High Court Against FIR For Kantara Mimicry

Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered against him in Bengaluru over his alleged gestures depicting Daiva from Rishab Shetty's Kantara 2.

The matter is now expected to be heard by the court.

About The Case Against Ranveer Singh

In January 2026, an FIR was registered against Ranveer Singh at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru over allegations that he had insulted Hindu religious sentiments and the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka.

The case was booked under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was lodged by Prashanth Methal, a 46-year-old advocate based in Bengaluru.

As per the FIR, the alleged incident took place during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa on November 28, 2025. The complainant claimed that Ranveer Singh made objectionable remarks and performed a stage act which, according to him, mocked and demeaned sacred elements of the Daiva tradition.

The FIR noted that Methal said he had come across a video of the performance on December 2, 2025, while browsing Instagram at the Karnataka State Billiards Association in Bengaluru. The video had reportedly been shared by an account named Brief Chaat.

In his complaint, Methal alleged that Ranveer Singh mimicked expressions linked to Panjurli and Guliga Daiva in what he described as a crude and disrespectful manner. He further claimed that the actor referred to the sacred Chavundi Daiva as a "female ghost".

The complaint stated that Chavundi Daiva is worshipped as a guardian deity symbolising divine feminine energy in the coastal belt of Karnataka and is held in deep reverence by devotees. Referring to the deity as a ghost, the complainant alleged, amounted to a serious distortion that hurt religious sentiments and caused significant mental distress among followers of the Daiva tradition.

The FIR further alleged that the act had been deliberate and malicious, with the intention of outraging religious feelings and fostering enmity within society.

The matter was referred to the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Bengaluru and was scheduled to be heard on April 8.

Earlier, a private complaint had been filed by the advocate on December 27, 2025, before the Additional Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru. On January 23, 2026, the court had directed the High Grounds Police Station to register an FIR under Section 175(3) of the BNS. Following the court's direction, the police registered the FIR.

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Chhaava Writer Breaks Silence After AR Rahman Calls Film "Divisive"

More than a month after AR Rahman described Chhaava as a "divisive film", the historical drama's writer Rishi Virmani has now addressed the controversy. 

What Did Rishi Virmani Say?

Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar and headlined by Vicky Kaushal, is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film received immense public support but also faced criticism from certain quarters.

In an interview with Zoom, Virmani dismissed the idea that cinema could single-handedly influence social or political thinking. "It is hard to believe that an entire mindset can be changed in just a couple of hours of screen time," he said.

He further highlighted the audience's independent judgement. "I have not seen this kind of attachment of the audience towards a film in a really long time," he added, suggesting that viewers connected with the story on their own terms.

Virmani also pointed out that there have been many instances where audiences have gone against industry predictions and delivered verdicts that surprised filmmakers.

AR Rahman Had Earlier Called The Film 'Divisive'

The controversy began after AR Rahman, who composed the film's music and background score, shared his candid thoughts during a conversation with BBC Asian Network.

"It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show bravery. I had asked the director: 'Why did he need me for this film?' He replied, 'We need only you for this.' It is an enjoyable film, but definitely, people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience, which knows what the truth is, and what manipulation is," Rahman said.

Chhaava is adapted from the Marathi novel of the same name by Shivaji Sawant. The screenplay was written by Laxman Utekar and Rishi Virmani, along with Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan. 

The film stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai Bhonsale, and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

ALSO READ: 'The Sacrifice Will Never Leave Me': Vicky Kaushal On Playing 'Chhaava'

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India Outplayed By South Africa, Suffer Their Biggest Loss In T20 World Cup

The one dimensional "attack at all cost" template of Indian batting unit was thoroughly exposed as the hosts failed their first big test against South Africa, comprehensively losing their opening Super Eights game by 76 runs in the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday. While four victories on the trot in the group stage papered over the visible lacunae, the Indian batters totally faltered on a slightly sluggish surface The defeat, India's first since the semi-final loss to England in the 2022 edition, has left the group wide open and make their next two games against Zimbabwe (February 26) and West Indies (March 1) literally must-win games in order to qualify for the last four stage.

Jasprit Bumrah's (3/15 in 4 overs) superlative bowling performance was completely undone by an inept batting show as India were bowled out for a lowly 111 in 18.5 overs in pursuit of 188.

The 76-run defeat is India's biggest in T20 World Cup, surpassing their 49-run loss to Australia in Bridgetown in 2010.

Marco Jansen (4/22), Keshav Maharaj (3/24) and Corbin Bosch (2/12) were the wreckers-in-chief in what was a complete performance by the Proteas.

But David Miller's 63 and useful contributions from Dewald Brevis (45) and Tristan Stubbs (44 n.o.) should also get honourable mention especially as they nullified Varun Chakravarthy (1/47 in 4 overs) with aplomb.

But anyone who saw the Indian batters stutter against the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands knew that it required just one good team to force them to change gears, and they found their bogey unit in South Africa.

On a black soil surface where the ball was gripping, none of the Indian batters got the measure of Proteas' attack which fired collectively.

Skipper Aiden Markram made the job easier by removing the dangerous Ishan Kishan (0) with a delivery that stopped on him and he played the ugliest cross-batted hoick.

Tilak Varma's (1) approach towards batting in the whole tourney had been faulty and he lasted only two balls.

Tilak's intention to give Marco Jansen the charge ended disastrously and he also wasted a DRS for a nick that possibly could have been heard as far as at the Sabarmati Ashram.

Abhishek Sharma (15) got his first World Cup runs but he is completely out of sorts and it took one pace-off knuckle ball from India's nemesis Jansen to sort him out.

The debatable decision to include Washington Sundar in place of regular vice-captain Axar Patel turned out to be a complete harakiri as the over-rated white ball all-rounder neither set the stage on fire with ball or bat. Suryakumar Yadav (18 off 22 balls) couldn't get the ball off square at times and on a difficult surface against a good attack, his performance once again left a lot to be desired.

Suryakumar wouldn't even like to look at his dismissal off Bosch, as he flicked a delivery on leg-stump to mid-wicket.

At 51 for 5, the match was as good as over but Hardik Pandya (18 off 17 balls) and Shivam Dube (42 off 37 balls) were still there at the crease.

The duo added 35 runs but the bowling plans devised by South African coach Shukri Conrad was remarkable at that phase.

Lungi Ngidi and Bosch bowled wide yorkers at variable pace which the two big hitters couldn't negotiate well.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj (3/24) adjusted his lengths and bowled at a slower pace which made it immensely difficult to get under the ball and generate power. Once Pandya and Rinku were dismissed, the 90,000-odd spectators slowly trudged out carrying the disappointment of another World Cup game defeat at this venue.

Earlier, David Miller rolled back the years with exhilarating strokes but Bumrah's superb initial and end act had restricted South Africa to a manageable 187 for seven in 20 overs.

Miller, standing on the cusp of 37, struck 63 off 35 balls and got fine support from young Dewald Brevis (45 off 29 balls) after Bumrah (3/15 in 4 overs) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28 in 4 overs) had reduced the Proteas to 20 for 3 inside the first four overs.

Bumrah, who got two wickets in his first two overs for just seven runs, took one more wicket giving away just 8 more runs across the 17th and 19th over that he sent down but all went down the drain.

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

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Bengaluru Lake Crisis: No Potable Water In India's 'Silicon Valley'

According to data published by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, water quality analysis conducted across 147 monitoring locations between April and November 2025 shows that not a single lake in the city consistently met potable or safe bathing standards.

No Lake Achieves Safe Water Quality

The report categorised lakes under standard water quality classes:

Class A: Potable without treatment

Class B: Safe for bathing

Class D & E: Severely polluted, unsuitable for human use

Shockingly, no lake achieved Class A or Class B status during the monitoring period. Most lakes were classified under D or E, indicating heavy contamination.

Iconic Lakes Among Worst Affected

Several of Bengaluru's most well-known lakes recorded disturbing pollution levels:

Bellandur Lake: Rated E in April, briefly improved to D during summer, before slipping back to E by November.

Varthur Lake: Fluctuated between D and E categories.

Hebbal Lake: Maintained D status for most months before deteriorating to E.

Other severely affected lakes include Madiwala, Kaikondanahalli, Kundalahalli, and Ulsoor (all D/E), while Sankey Tank maintained a D rating. The report notes that the Bommanahalli and Mahadevapura zones emerged as the worst-hit regions, largely due to rapid urbanisation and untreated waste discharge.

Experts Warn of 'Ecological Emergency'

Environmental activist Madhuri Subbarao, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, said the findings confirm long-standing concerns.

"Many lakes in Bengaluru are on the brink of ecological collapse," Ms Subbarao said. "Today, we cannot point to a single lake with healthy water quality, stable ecology, or safe biodiversity. Most lakes fall below acceptable standards, with water unfit even for animal consumption."

She called for urgent government intervention, including the formation of a dedicated lake restoration task force, the scientific identification of pollution sources, and stronger collaboration with citizen groups.

Summer Water Stress Likely to Worsen

The findings come at a critical time as Bengaluru prepares for peak summer, a period when dependence on groundwater and tanker supplies traditionally rises.

With the city's primary surface water bodies now officially declared unfit for use, residents face a mounting challenge in securing safe water as temperatures climb.

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Watch: Gurugram Man, 31, Shares Rs 2.44 Lakh Monthly Expense Breakdown

A 31-year-old corporate professional from Gurugram has sparked online discussion after sharing his monthly expenditure of over Rs 2.4 lakh. In a now-viral video titled ‘Monthly spends of corporate gym rat living in Gurgaon,' Gagan Saini detailed his January outgoings, ranging from rent and groceries to long-term investments.

Saini detailed that he was living in a 2.5 BHK flat in the Millennium City, with the rent coming around Rs 53,500. He said, although the rent was not cheap, his priorities had shifted post-marriage and comfort, location and safety came first. As for cook, maid and car cleaning, he was shelling out Rs 8,450 per month.

Being a regular at the gym, Saini said he was spending Rs 8,682 on membership and supplements, which also inflated his grocery costs to Rs 15,927 as he preferred to cook most of the meals at home. The homemade meals greatly reduced his eating-out tendencies, which meant that the dine-out bill stood at Rs 3,161.

Saini added that he was renting most of the furniture in his flat at a monthly cost of Rs 18,926, while home decor to make the space feel cosy set him back by Rs 4,848. Wi-fi and other OTT subscriptions increased the expenses by another Rs 1,728, and petrol cost him Rs 6,000.

"Home setup is still in progress so rented fridge and washing machine for now, but yes, got the recliner. Small home and kitchen touches to make the space feel like ours," he wrote.

As a content creator, Saini said he spent Rs 4,022 on buying some equipment and professional software subscriptions, whilst investing Rs 1,20,000. In the end, his total expenses for the month of January came to around Rs 2,44,244.

Check The Viral Post Here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gagan Saini (@03gagan)

Also Read | Viral Baby Monkey Punch Finally Accepted By His Troop With Heartwarming Hug

Social Media Reacts

As of the last update, the video had garnered over 171,000 views, as social media users joked that Saini's monthly expenses far exceeded their annual salaries.

"This is the annual package at our college," said one user while another added: "Bro, the amount you have spent is not even the salary of most people."

A third commented: "Apart from rent, everything else is pretty reasonable, good to know you are spending a good amount on your diet and stay."

A fourth said: "Seeing your rent made my heart sink. I feel lucky that I don't have to pay any rent. Rest everything is good."

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Gambhir Holds One-On-One Chat With Abhishek, Team Management Breaks Silence

All that Abhishek Sharma needs is a start, but there hasn't been any discussion about the talented opener's wretched run in the T20 World Cup so far, bowling coach Morne Morkel said ahead of India's first Super Eights game against South Africa here on Sunday. Abhishek is yet to open his account in the current edition of the tournament and during Friday's training, he was seen spending considerable time with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir was seen trying to explain to him certain finer points and like a diligent student, the flamboyant southpaw nodded in agreement.

After that he went for a high catch session.

At times, excess training can prove to be counter productive and Abhishek was seen bowling to the other batters for better part of the game.

When asked if there's discussion in general within the team on Abhishek, Morkel denied emphatically.

"Absolutely no discussion. He's a world class player. So far in the tournament, luckily, there's been some guys standing up for Abhishek (others scoring runs)," Morkel told the media.

However, he agreed that Abhishek needs to score runs as they enter the business end of the tourney.

"But we're going through a very important phase of the World Cup now and we expect him to do well.

"And I'm pretty sure, not just for the team, but also for all the viewers watching the game. Because he's (Abhishek) entertaining, and we love to see that.

"So yeah, I'm pretty sure he's hitting the ball well. It's just a matter of getting that start and Abhishek will get going," Morkel 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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Viral: Rajpal Yadav Dances To Salman's Song At Pre-Wedding Function After Bail

Actor Rajpal Yadav was released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday, twelve days after he surrendered in a case involving a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce and loan default. The Delhi High Court granted him interim bail on Monday, giving him temporary relief in the long-running financial dispute connected to his 2012 film Ata Pata Laapata. Now, a video of Rajpal Yadav dancing at his niece's wedding in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, his ancestral village, has gone viral.

The 54-year-old is seen dancing to the song Teri Chunariya from Hello Brother (1999). Clad in a beige dhoti and kurta, Rajpal Yadav is all smiles as he joins the women of the house on the dance floor.

जेल से छूटते ही डांस करते दिखे राजपाल यादव

राजपाल यादव तिहाड़ जेल से रिहा होने के बाद सीधे अपने गांव शाहजहांपुर पहुंचे, जहां वह अपनी भतीजी की मेहंदी फंक्शन में डांस करते नजर आए#RajpalYadav | #ChequeBounceCase pic.twitter.com/HIIAOgMhEk

— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 19, 2026

Rajpal Yadav On Humble Beginnings

The actor spoke to NDTV earlier today about his humble beginnings.

The actor was released from Tihar Jail on February 17 after depositing Rs 1.5 crore in connection with a Rs 9-crore cheque-bounce case. He had surrendered on February 5 after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking additional time to repay the amount. However, the court later suspended his sentence until March 18, granting him temporary relief.

"I was a tailor, and we have a company that stitches clothes for the Indian Army. I feel very proud that, in whatever way possible, I am able to serve my country," he said.

The actor then credited his Guru for shaping his outlook on life. "Nothing is greater than time. My Guruji taught me that if you consider anything your teacher in this world, let it be time. I respect and praise time. Whatever time has decided for me-whether it was my beginning, my present, or my future-I have faith in it. Whatever time does will be according to the situation and for my good," he said.

Rajpal also spoke about his early struggles and the support of his family. Recalling his marriage and the years that followed, he added, "In 2003, when I got married, my brothers supported the family. Some worked in the fields, some gave tuition classes, and they helped me study in Lucknow and later in Delhi. After that, I took admission in an inter-college. I completed five years there, and that phase shaped my journey."

Today, Rajpal Yadav shared his first social media post since his release. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your love and support."

Businessman Recalls Loan, Alleged Broken Promises, And Legal Battle

After Rajpal Yadav was granted interim bail, businessman Madhav Gopal Agrawal, who had loaned the money, broke his silence on the matter in an interview with News Pinch.

Agrawal said he had first met Rajpal Yadav through MP Mithilesh Kumar Katheria and was told that the actor's film Ata Pata Laapata was nearing completion. According to him, the actor had claimed that without immediate funding, "everything would go to waste".

Initially reluctant, Agrawal said he later agreed to help after Rajpal Yadav's wife, Radha, sent him emotional messages requesting support. He added that he even "cried in front of him like a child" while pleading for clarity on repayment, as he had borrowed money from others to fund the loan.

The businessman maintained that the agreement clearly stated that the amount would be repaid irrespective of the film's success or failure. "It was a loan, not an investment," he said, stressing that Rajpal Yadav had provided personal guarantees and cheques.

When the actor failed to repay on time, supplementary agreements were allegedly signed on three occasions, with fresh cheques issued each time. However, Agrawal claimed that all of them were dishonoured.

Eventually, the matter escalated, leading to Rajpal Yadav's surrender earlier this month. While he has now been granted interim bail, the case remains ongoing, with the final outcome still pending before the court.

ALSO READ | Rajpal Yadav Breaks Silence On Rs 9-Crore Debt Case: "Yeh 2012 Mein Shuru Hua, Aaj 2026 Hai"

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Foreign Secretary Meets Bangladesh's Opposition As India Steps Up Outreach

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's swearing-in ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but a noticeable outreach effort can also be seen in the foreign secretary's meeting with Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on the sidelines of the event. 

The Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami has emerged as the largest opposition party in Bangladesh and notably won big in areas along the border with India. 

One of the complaints that Bangladesh has had earlier with Indian foreign policy regarding Bangladesh, especially during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, was that India did not engage with any other political group, and that was articulated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as well after it won the election.

ভারতের বিদেশসচিব শ্রী বিক্রম মিস্রি বাংলাদেশের নতুন সরকারের শপথ গ্রহণ অনুষ্ঠানের অবকাশে বাংলাদেশের বিরোধীদলীয় নেতা ও বাংলাদেশ জামায়াতে ইসলামী-র আমির ডা. শফিকুর রহমানের সাথে সৌজন্য সাক্ষাৎ করেন।

বিদেশসচিব এই দুই দেশের সম্পর্কের জনগণ-কেন্দ্রিক প্রকৃতির ওপর গুরুত্ব আরোপ করে ডা.… pic.twitter.com/UqU8n5P942

— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) February 17, 2026

Now as India looks at a reset in ties with Bangladesh, India is ensuring its outreach touches everyone and influential political groups are not isolated when it comes to the bilateral relationship. 

"Foreign Secretary of India Shri Vikram Misri had a courtesy meeting with the leader of opposition of Bangladesh and the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in a statement on social media platform X. 

"Foreign Secretary conveyed greetings to Dr. Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed India's enduring support to Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of the ties. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two countries and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations," the statement added.

PM Modi's Letter To Tarique Rahman

Birla met Rahman on Tuesday and handed over a warm letter by PM Modi inviting Bangladesh's newly sworn-in prime minister to India. 

PM Modi's letter also extended an invitation to Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida and his daughter Zaima to visit India at a "mutually convenient time". 

"A warm welcome awaits you in India," he added in the congratulatory letter.

Last year in December, PM Modi sent a condolence letter to Rahman through External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after the death of Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and Rahman's mother.

India-Bangladesh Relations

Following the deterioration in ties with Bangladesh under the unelected interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, whose provocative comments on India's northeast have led to concern in India, as the new BNP government under Rahman takes charge, India is looking to improve relations with Bangladesh. 

Under Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh had followed a policy of pivoting towards Pakistan at the cost of the relationship with India. 

Tarique Rahman's stated foreign policy, "Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything," looks at a more pragmatic approach based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and India is now looking to respond with warmth and friendship as Bangladesh enters a new era after 18 months and finally returns to a democratically elected government.
 

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IPL Franchise Prepares 'Mega Offer' To Lure Gautam Gambhir For CEO's Role

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to approach India head coach Gautam Gambhir to join them as CEO, mentor, and partner, according to a report. Gambhir, who took over as India head coach in July 2024, currently has a contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which will expire after the 2027 ODI World Cup. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, RR is set to undergo a change in ownership, with one of the three potential owners has offered Gambhir a minority equity stake - believed to be in the region of 2-3 per cent - in the franchise.

Gambhir had a highly successful association with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, helping the franchise lift three titles, two as a player and one as a mentor. He also had a fruitful stint during his two seasons as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who qualified for the playoffs in both campaigns.

However, Gambhir is unlikely to join RR due to his current commitments with the Indian national team. As per the Supreme Court's ruling based on the Lodha Committee recommendations, an individual cannot simultaneously hold a position with the national side and be associated with an IPL franchise. This "one man, one post" rule is strictly enforced to prevent any potential conflict of interest.
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If Gambhir wishes to accept the offer, he must step down from his role as the head coach of the Indian team. He is expected to lead India's charge during the 2027 World Cup, and could also target the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles if he gets an extension.

Gambhir is currently overseeing India's T20 World Cup title defence, with the team already through to the Super Eight stage.

Meanwhile, RR is currently owned by India-born British businessman Manoj Badale through his firm, Emerging Media (holding a 65 per cent majority stake). Other stakeholders include RedBird Capital Partners with a 15 per cent stake and Lachlan Murdoch.

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Ex-Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Borah To Join BJP On Feb 22: Himanta Sarma

Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah, who quit the Congress ahead of the coming state elections, will stand by his decision and will join the BJP on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. "Bhupen Borah has decided to not withdraw his resignation and after our discussion, he has decided to join the BJP," Sarma told reporters today. 

Borah was asked to take time and rethink his decision to quit the party he has served for decades. But despite considerable firefighting by Rahul Gandhi and the party's state unit chief Gaurav Gogoi, he  --- after an hour-long meeting with  Sarma -- has decided to stand by his decision, the Chief Minister said.

Borah, who was appointed to the Congress Committee top post in 2021, quit the party after he was allegedly sidelined and over-ruled. 

In May last year, Gaurav Gogoi replaced him in the Congress state unit's top post. Although he was given the responsibility of the coalition committee, Gogoi was making all the important decisions.

Sources close to Bora said he was hurt by the party's disregard for his hard work. "The main reason is humiliation," Borah had told NDTV in an exclusive interview. 

"I have got through the same pain that Bhupen Borah went through," said Sarma who had also moved to the BJP after spending years in the Congress.  

The Congress, Sarma said, has "serious problems they don't want to address". They just want to "appease a particular person". 

"The Congress leadership is immature. They should have addressed the issues Bhupen Borah raised. Only Rahul Gandhi calling the disgruntled leader does not work. They should have made a genuine effort to retain Bhupen Borah," he added.

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At India AI Summit, A Robot That Walks Like Dog And Thinks Like Engineer

A quadruped machine that can navigate rubble, climb stairs, and diagnose mechanical failures without human intervention is the centre of attention at the India AI Summit.

This robot, developed for industrial "Physical AI" by Tata Consultancy Services, is designed to operate in industrial environments such as construction sites, warehouses, manufacturing plants and distribution centres. 

By mimicking the movement of an animal and combining it with high-performance onboard processing, the unit can patrol construction sites, factories, and warehouses to perform inspections in complex, noisy, and risky environments. Today, inspections in such places are mostly manual, which increases the risk while checking equipment, recording readings and pointing out errors. 

In heavy industries, even a small, unnoticed issue like a pressure drop or voltage fluctuation can turn into major downtime or a serious safety incident.

That's where this quadruped changes the game.

In the live demonstration, the quadruped robot operates inside a simulated factory setup. It walks independently across uneven surfaces, climbs elevated stairs and accesses restricted or difficult zones.

The robot's autonomy is driven by an integrated suite of LiDAR, depth cameras, and environmental sensors, all managed by an onboard GPU that allows it to interpret data in real time. 

The robot captures readings from critical equipment such as compressors, electrical panels and power distribution units. Rather than simply recording video for a remote operator, the robot uses "closed-loop logic" to investigate anomalies. For instance, if it detects a pressure drop in a compressor, it does not just log the error; it automatically reroutes itself to check the connected power distribution units, attempting to validate the root cause before alerting a human technician. 

When the system finds a problem, it immediately sends a maintenance alert. Technicians are informed at once so they can take action quickly. Humans are still involved in the process. The goal is not to replace workers but to keep them away from dangerous areas and help them work faster and smarter. This ability to cross-reference symptoms makes the machine an active diagnostic tool rather than a passive observer.

Beyond simple equipment monitoring, the robot is capable of detecting gas leaks, thermal fluctuations, and welding defects that the human eye might miss. On construction sites, it functions as an autonomous auditor, scanning structural joints and comparing the physical progress of a building against its digital architectural blueprints. It also serves a safety function by monitoring work zones for compliance, identifying whether personnel are wearing required protective gear and triggering alerts if violations occur.

By taking over the tasks of manual patrolling, the robot keeps workers away from high-voltage panels and chemical-leak zones while providing them with more accurate data. The system is built to bridge the gap between digital AI and the physical world.

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Mani Shankar Aiyar's Prediction On Pinarayi Vijayan Return Sparks Row

Mani Shankar Aiyar's opinion that Pinarayi Vijayan will be back again as the Chief Minister of Kerala has sparked a furore in the Congress. In a post on X, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity".

The CPM - to which Pinarayi Vijayan belongs -- and the Congress are at loggerheads in Kerala and the two parties were voted in alternately every assembly election till the last, when the Left-led Front came to power for a second term. 

Aiyar has now predicted a third term for Vijayan.  Applauding Kerala as the country's leader in Panchayati Raj at an event that was also attended by Vijayan, he said, "So, in the presence of the Chief Minister, who I am confident will continue in office, I renew my plea: to reinforce Kerala as the best Panchayati Raj state in the country, state law should be amended based on practical experience." 

Then, declaring that there is no champion for Panchayati Raj left in the country, he said, "Therefore, I must fall at your feet, Chief Minister Vijayan, and request you to pick up the baton that the Congress has dropped. Thank you, and may Kerala prosper".

His words have deeply embarrassed the Congress, which hopes to return to power in the assembly election due this year. Reports said that state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala had earlier warned party leaders about attending the conference where the events took place, saying it was orchestrated to boost the Left. 

Aiyar had earlier embarrassed the Congress multiple times by deviating from the party line. The key occasions include his derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his comment that China had "allegedly invaded" India in 1962 in May 2024. He had apologised after intense criticism. 

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"My Father Ravi Shankar Was Never Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma's Guru": Anoushka

Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma, a sitarist and music producer from the Rikhi Ram lineage of instrument makers, has a separate fan base among music lovers. From being the first sitarist to perform solo at the White House to advocating music as a therapeutic tool for emotional well-being, the musician carries forward a culturally rich classical tradition. He has, however, often called himself the last and youngest disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar – a claim recently opposed by the legendary musician's daughter, Anoushka Shankar.

Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma has often revealed in past interviews how a conversation with Pandit Ravi Shankar marked a turning point in his musical journey. Nullifying his claims, however, Anoushka Shankar mentioned that he was never formally a disciple of her father. “Rishab is really talented, and he is clearly speaking to people in a really wonderful way. I think there is some misunderstanding about his guruship,” Anoushka told Humans Of Bombay.

Although Anoushka praised Rishabh's talents, she clarified, “He learnt very intensively with someone very dear to me, one of my father's senior disciples, Parimal Sadaphal, and he had a couple of lessons with my father, very informally, with Parimal uncle also in the room.”

“We knew him from childhood because he was the son of our instrument maker, Sanjay Rikiram Sharma. So somehow that has gone, blown up into some story of him being his last disciple or the youngest disciple, which isn't true. But he is super talented and deserves all success with or without that story,” she continued.

When Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma Called Himself "The Last Disciple Of Pandit Ravi Shankar"

In a video uploaded on his official Instagram handle, Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma can be seen playing the sitar. While the tunes are magical, it was his caption that instantly grabbed the attention of many. 

The side note read, “Music can heal, believes 24-year-old sitar player Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, who belongs to a family of luthiers and is the last disciple of late sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar.”

Take a look:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma (@rishabsmusic)

When Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Spoke Of His Lineage With Ravi Shankar

In a previous conversation, Rishabh revealed his deep-rooted connection with Pandit Ravi Shankar. Calling the legendary musician his guru, he told Bani Anand that Ravi Shankar had once called his father, Sanjay Rikiram, and asked him to bring Rishabh to him. “Once we were there, Guruji was like, ‘OK, take out your sitar and play for me a little bit.' I played, and then he picked up his guitar and played the same composition,” he shared.

Talking about the turning point in his life, Rishabh shared, “After that, he turned to my parents and said, ‘With your permission, your kid has a lot of talent, I would love to be his guru and teach him,' and I saw my parents' jaw drop to the floor because God himself had come down and said, ‘Can I teach your child?' So my dad didn't have the courage to ask him. For him to offer to be my guru was amazing.”

On the work front, Anoushka Shankar is currently on her Chapters Tour 2026 in India, marking 30 remarkable years of celebrating music.

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5 Arrested, Rs 6 Crore Fine After Mumbai Metro Slab Collapse Kills 1

Taking action after a person died and three others were injured in the Metro slab collapse in Mumbai's Mulund on Saturday, the Maharashtra government has suspended an executive engineer and imposed a penalty of Rs 6 crore on the contractors and consultants involved in the project. 

Five employees of the contractors, including the project director, have been arrested. 

A slab of the under-construction Metro Line-4, which connects Wadala to Thane, fell on an auto-rickshaw and a car on the arterial LBS Marg in Mulund on Saturday afternoon. Ramdhan Yadav, a prominent local Samajwadi Party official and village head, who was travelling to a wedding, died, while three others were injured. 

Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde ordered the suspension of Executive Engineer Satyajeet Salve and said penalties totalling Rs 6 crore had been imposed on the contractors and consultants, Milan Road Buildtech and Louis Berger. 

Shinde also ordered a comprehensive safety and structural audit of the entire Metro stretch and announced an increased compensation of Rs 15 lakh for Yadav's family.

Police said they have arrested four employees of Milan Road Buildtech and one from the DB Hill LBG Supervisory company, including Project Director Harish Chauhan and two project managers. 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also said a thorough probe will be conducted into the incident and action will be taken against those responsible. 

Hitting out at the government, the Opposition said it does not value people's lives. 

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray said, "If you notice, pillars are already painted, before the work was completed... Even today, most infrastructure work has terrible barricading that either leads to traffic jams or vehicles falling into open pits... Life has no value under the BJP regime," he said.

Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad also asked whether the lives of Mumbai residents have "become cheap".

"Why are safety rules only on paper when Metro work is underway? Why weren't adequate safety arrangements made when work was in progress on such a busy road?" she asked. 

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'Bangladesh Comes First': Tarique Rahman On His Foreign Policy

After a sweeping victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman, in a press conference, said that Bangladesh's foreign policy will prioritise the country's interests over others. "People come first," he said.

"Freedom loving pro-democracy people of the country have once again brought victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party," he said in English, before switching to Bangla.

"We have cleared ourselves regarding the foreign policy which is in the interest of Bangladesh, and the interest of the Bangladeshi people comes first. By protecting the interest of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people, we will decide our foreign policy," Rahman said.

Answering how the government would approach international relations, senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the party would stick to multilateralism and not go after a country-centric approach.

That being said, Rahman's "Bangladesh First" policy aims to balance ties with neighbouring countries like India, China and Pakistan.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman leaves after addressing a press conference in Dhaka on February 14, 2026
Photo Credit: AFP

The BNP leadership also highlighted how important safeguarding sovereignty, ensuring strategic autonomy and mutual respect would be to shape foreign relations.

How India Views The New Leadership

Humayun Kabir, who handles international relations for Rahman and is set to be a key official in the new regime, said the priority is to build a "stronger cooperation among our people".

He said India will be one of the countries that "we will visit", though he did not give a definite time.

"Obviously there are certain domestic priorities and then international engagements. Of course India will be one of the countries that we will visit, among other countries in the region," Kabir told NDTV.

India views the return of an elected leadership as an "opportune moment" to repair setbacks inflicted on the relationship. The focus now shifts to BNP's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, whom Indian officials describe as someone they are "cautiously optimistic" about.

That optimism was reflected in the swift outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who posted on X that he was "delighted to speak" with Rahman and congratulated him on the "remarkable victory" in the elections. PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to peace, progress, and prosperity for both nations, emphasising the deep historical and cultural ties that bind the neighbours.

The BNP won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, per the Electoral Commission.

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Abhishek Reaches Colombo Ahead Of India vs Pak Game, Says This About Health

Abhishek Sharma's participation in India's match against Pakistan here depends on his recovery from a stomach bug, but the swashbuckling opener arrived with the team on Friday, raising hopes of his return at the Premadasa on Sunday. Abhishek had missed India's match in New Delhi against Namibia on Thursday despite being released from a private hospital in the national capital. India will have a net session on Saturday evening, and Abhishek's fitness will be monitored closely before a final decision is taken.

In a video posted by Punjab Kings (PBKS), pacer Arshdeep Singh can be seen asking him, "How are you?"

To this, Abhishek replied, "Dal-rice, very good. Me? Good."

Daal-rice khao, jaldi theek ho jaao! pic.twitter.com/aKEpKCw08G

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 13, 2026

Parents arrive in Colombo

Meanwhile, the parents of the India opener also arrived in Colombo ahead of the Pakistan match. Rajkumar Sharma has been a constant source of support for Abhishek and has coached the left-handed batter since childhood. The parents were also present in Dubai during the Asia Cup.

If Abhishek continues to be unavailable, India can either persist with Sanju Samson or bring in the fit-again Washington Sundar to pair with Ishan Kishan at the top.

Having played his entire T20I career after the T20 World Cup win by the Rohit Sharma-led side in 2024, Abhishek has scored 1,297 runs in 38 matches and 37 innings at an average of 37.05 and a strike rate of 194.74, with two centuries, eight fifties, and a best score of 135. He entered the T20 World Cup as the world's top-ranked T20I batter.

In three matches against Pakistan, he has scored 110 runs at an average of 36.66 and a strike rate of 189.65, with a best of 74.

Following the toss against Namibia on Thursday, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said about Abhishek, "Abhishek is still not fine; he will miss a game or two."

Earlier, the Indian opener was hospitalised due to a stomach infection, according to a BCCI source. The southpaw was not looking well during the team dinner at head coach Gautam Gambhir's residence on Sunday and was the first to leave the gathering.

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Why A UK-Based Doctor Returned Home To Contest Elections In Bangladesh

Tasnim Jara, a 31-year-old doctor, returned from Britain to join Bangladesh's National Citizens' Party (NCP) but later quit over its alliance with Islamist groups. She is now contesting the parliamentary elections as an independent, driven by what she describes as a desire to build a "genuinely new political culture".

Jara said the July uprising had "opened a window" for people like her to enter politics and help reshape the system. That optimism, she said, dimmed when the NCP aligned itself with Islamist forces.

As voting concluded in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections on Thursday, Jara told NDTV why this election matters to her and why it compelled her to return home.

One of the most talked-about candidates in this election, Jara's journey from the UK back to the bylanes of Dhaka has drawn wide attention.

Read | "Our Priority": Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami Chief To NDTV On India Ties

She said two factors pushed her into electoral politics. First, while her work as a doctor allows her to help many people, she believes it does not enable her to change the system itself. She wants to pursue lasting reforms in healthcare, education and governance. Second, she said she wants to challenge a political culture dominated by nepotism and corruption and replace it with transparency and accountability.

Jara said there is strong public enthusiasm for a different kind of politics, reflected in the response to her people-powered campaign. A campaign without large rallies or posters plastered across the city. She said voters connected with her door-to-door outreach and personal engagement.

Read | Killing Of Hindu Trader Sparks Minority Fears Ahead Of Bangladesh Polls

She added that the campaign holds particular significance for young Bangladeshis, as the election follows an uprising led largely by young people and women and marked by considerable sacrifice.

"We must make sure that we rebuild our institutions, and we never have to go back to a structure where authoritarianism can only be removed by people risking their lives or limbs," she said.

Jara is contesting as an independent candidate from Dhaka-9, where she faces stiff competition from BNP candidate Habibur Rashid. The constituency has 469,360 registered voters, with 12 candidates in the fray.

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NASA Successfully Tests Drag-Reducing Laminar-Flow Wing in Flight

NASA has successfully flown its 40-inch CATNLF laminar-flow wing model aboard an F-15B aircraft in January 2026. The test confirmed the drag-reducing design performs safely in flight. By maintaining smooth airflow over wings, the technology could improve fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent, lowering airline costs and reducing carbon emissions significantly.

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When Nawazuddin Recalled Rajpal's House Being A "Langar" For Struggling Actors

Actor Rajpal Yadav's recent surrender at Tihar Jail in connection with a long-running cheque bounce and loan default case has brought renewed attention to his personal and professional journey. 

Amid the legal developments, an old interview of Nawazuddin Siddiqui with The Lallantop has resurfaced, offering a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Rajpal.

What Did Nawazuddin Siddiqui Say About Rajpal Yadav?

Nawazuddin recalled that many struggling actors depended on Rajpal for basic sustenance.

He had said, "A lot of people would eat at his home when Rajpal began to get good work, and he never complained. He always helped people. Not just me, when a lot of actors were struggling, his house was like a langar. Anybody could come and eat there. He jokes a lot, but in reality, he is a very sensitive human being."

Nawazuddin and Rajpal's friendship began long before either became a familiar face in Hindi cinema. The two trained together at Bharatendu Natya Academy in Lucknow and later at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.

Speaking about their academic background, Nawazuddin had said, "We only took training in acting for five years. If we speak academically, Rajpal and I have the most education in this industry (in acting). We don't look like it, but we're the most educated actors here (laughs). He is an amazing human being."

About Rajpal Yadav's Case

In recent years, Rajpal has been battling severe financial distress. The legal case that culminated in his surrender dates back to 2010 and involves unpaid loans and dishonoured cheques issued to a lender. 

After multiple cheques were returned unpaid, criminal proceedings were initiated under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

In April 2018, a magistrate's court convicted the actor and his wife in several cheque bounce cases, sentencing him to six months' imprisonment. The decision was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which he approached the Delhi High Court.

Although loan defaults are generally treated as civil matters, the High Court took a firm stance due to his repeated failure to honour payment commitments. He was granted several opportunities to clear his dues in instalments, but consistently missed deadlines.

The court later directed him to deposit Rs 1.35 crore in each of seven cases and ordered the release of deposited amounts to the complainant. In October 2025, he submitted two demand drafts worth Rs 75 lakh, yet nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid.

In June 2024, his sentence was temporarily suspended, with the court urging him to take "sincere and genuine measures" to resolve the matter. However, little progress followed. On February 2, 2026, the court instructed him to surrender by February 4. After failing to comply, his counsel's plea for more time was rejected.

On February 5, 2026, Rajpal appeared in court with a fresh repayment proposal, which was declined. He subsequently surrendered at Tihar Jail.

ALSO READ: How The Film Ata Pata Laapata Got Rajpal Yadav Sent To Tihar Jail In Rs 9-Crore Debt Case

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When Big B Spoke About Rajpal Yadav's Struggles At Ata Pata Laapata Event

A decade-old moment of admiration involving Amitabh Bachchan and Rajpal Yadav has resurfaced amid the latter's ongoing legal troubles.

What Amitabh Bachchan Said About Rajpal Yadav

At the music launch of Rajpal Yadav's film Ata Pata Laapata in 2012, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan made a special appearance. Speaking at the event, he said, "I feel very honoured that Rajpal has invited me here today and I have had the good fortune of working with him in the past."

He also acknowledged the struggles Rajpal had faced throughout his journey in the film industry and praised his dedication to his craft. 

Inside Rajpal Yadav's Decade-Long Legal Battle

Rajpal Yadav's legal troubles began in 2010, when he borrowed around Rs 5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed to perform at the box office, resulting in heavy financial losses and limited returns.

Unable to repay the loan, Rajpal faced mounting interest, penalties, and delayed payments, which eventually pushed the outstanding amount to nearly Rs 9 crore. In an attempt to settle the dues, he issued several cheques to the lender. These cheques were later dishonoured, leading to criminal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife in multiple cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to six months in prison. The verdict was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which the matter reached the Delhi High Court.

Over the years, he was granted several extensions to repay the amount in instalments. While he made partial payments and offered repeated assurances, the court observed that he consistently failed to follow the agreed timelines.

The court noted that he was required to pay Rs 1.35 crore in each of the seven cases against him and directed that the amount deposited with the Registrar General be released to the complainant. In October 2025, two demand drafts of Rs 75 lakh were submitted, but nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid.

In June 2024, the High Court temporarily suspended his conviction on the condition that he make sincere efforts to reach an amicable settlement. These efforts were later found to be ineffective.

On February 2, 2026, the Delhi High Court directed Rajpal Yadav to surrender before jail authorities by 4 pm on February 4, observing that his repeated breaches of undertakings deserved strong criticism.

On February 5, 2026, Rajpal Yadav appeared in person before the court. His counsel informed the judge that he was ready to submit a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh and follow a fresh payment schedule. Despite the offer, the court declined to reconsider its order, stressing that compassion must be balanced with discipline and that no special treatment could be given based on professional background.

Later the same day, Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail and began serving his six-month sentence. 

ALSO READ: Why Is Rajpal Yadav In Tihar Jail? Rs 9-Crore Cheque-Bounce Case Explained

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Nvidia GeForce Now for India Hands-On: Built to Impress

Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service has been available globally for a while. It sure makes a solid case for the continued need to invest in expensive gaming hardware for playing games. With the ongoing memory crisis, many could benefit from such a cloud gaming service, which is available in both free and paid tiers. But how does it work in India? We got a chance to try it out and came out impressed.

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Concern For India As Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Looms: Abhishek Sharma Misses Training

India opener Abhishek Sharma skipped Thursday's training session as he continues to recover from a stomach upset, casting a small cloud over his availability even as the team stepped up preparations for the T20 World Cup game against Namibia. "Yeah, Washington joined the team yesterday, he'll train today. Abhi's still got a few issues with his tummy; we hope he'll be available for the game in a few days' time," assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said ahead of the match against Namibia on Thursday.

There was reassuring news on Jasprit Bumrah. The spearhead looked fully fit, initially taking a few easy strides to get a feel before changing his spikes and bowling at full tilt to skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

During one fiery spell, Bumrah beat Surya for pace and forced him to play on to his stumps - a reminder of just how sharp the premier quick can be at full fitness.

"He's been off for 10 days without bowling, but he's feeling a lot better and moving a lot better, so we'll see how training goes for them and get the team together on Friday," ten Doeschate added.

The two batters who appeared in complete control during the session were Suryakumar and Tilak Varma.

Varun Chakravarthy might be a problem for batters across the globe, but the manner in which the duo handled the mystery spinner was striking.

Surya effortlessly slog-swept him behind square, while Tilak launched a towering blow - a nearly 100-metre six that landed in the top tier, drawing appreciative looks from teammates.

All-rounder Washington Sundar, who rejoined the squad after his recent injury lay-off, looked a touch ginger during the initial fielding drills and did not bowl in the early part of the session.

He was seen engaged in a long discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir near the boundary ropes before ambling across to the pacers' nets for another detailed conversation with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

Later in the session, Washington and Kuldeep Yadav took turns bowling to Tilak Varma - an encouraging sign as the team assesses his recovery from the side strain and rib injury.

With Abhishek on the mend, Washington gradually easing back into bowling and Bumrah roaring back to full rhythm, India's think-tank has a few selection calls to make before match day.

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Bank Officials Reach Indore Home To Take Possession, Owner Shoots Himself

A 51-year-old man allegedly died by suicide during bank foreclosure proceedings in Indore on Monday evening.

The man has been identified as Hemant Brahmvanshi, an employee of the Indore Public Cooperative Bank

According to preliminary information, a team from a government bank, acting on a court order, had arrived in Vijay Nagar to take possession of Hemant's mortgaged house.

As officials carried out paperwork on the first floor, Hemant allegedly retreated to a room around 5:30 pm and fatally shot himself with a licensed firearm. He was declared dead on the spot.

The incident immediately caused a stir in the area, with residents gathering outside the house as sirens wailed.

Police sources said the weapon used was licensed in the name of Hemant's father, S.D. Brahmvanshi.

Investigators revealed that Hemant had taken a loan of Rs 2.5 crore from the Bank of Maharashtra by mortgaging his house.

He had reportedly failed to pay installments for nearly a year and a half, following which the bank issued multiple notices and initiated foreclosure proceedings.

Confirming the details, Chandrashekhar Patel, Station House Officer of Vijay Nagar Police Station, said the matter is being investigated from all angles. "The deceased was under severe mental stress due to debt," adding that the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Police are examining bank records, court documents, and medical history to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the suicide.

Hemant is survived by his two sons, a daughter, and his mother.

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Pak Close To Making Boycott U-Turn, Naqvi To Consult PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan is set to backtrack from its stance of boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, according to NDTV sources. While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi remained defiant despite the warning from the International Cricket Council (ICC), it has been learned that some board officials are reportedly open to the idea of playing the match. According to sources, ICC officials warned the PCB of the severe consequences of a boycott during a meeting with Naqvi at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, is expected to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the matter once again before a final decision is reached.

In addition to meeting with the ICC delegation to break the deadlock, Naqvi and other PCB officials held a dialogue with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul regarding the ongoing impasse.

Earlier today, it was reported that Pakistan had softened their stance after the ICC informed them of the extent of damages they could face, both financially and otherwise.

This sudden change of tone comes after the ICC sought an explanation from Pakistan on how the force majeure clause can be invoked to justify the team's refusal to play the T20 World Cup match against India-especially after the PCB attempted to shift responsibility onto its government.

In recent days, it has emerged that even Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have written to the PCB to not go ahead with their boycott, given the financial loss at stake. In their letter, Sri Lanka also reminded Pakistan that they were one of the first major nations to tour Pakistan after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

The controversy began when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by the country's interim government, refused to send its national team to India for its group-stage games, citing security concerns.

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T20 World Cup Points Table: India Take Huge Net Run-Rate Lead Over Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav batting just like he does and Mohammed Siraj's incisive first spell headlined defending champions India's scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup on Saturday. A veteran of many-a-battle here at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumar's 49-ball unbeaten 84 was a blend of fine rescue act and a defiant counter-attack against a USA attack that proved to be more than mere pushovers. The Indian captain garnered all his experience of playing at his home ground, reaped rich dividends for being patient but more importantly, disciplined, as plucky USA had India on the mat at 77 for 6 at one stage in the first half.

But Suryakumar's late onslaught which had 10 fours and four sixes after being dropped on 15, took India as far as 161/9 after being precariously placed at 128/7 after 18 overs.

USA, in reply, finished at 132/8 in a meek response with the bat, especially in comparison to their first-innings show in which bowlers kept the high-flying Indians on a tight leash and held on to their catches.

Siraj, who joined the team late Friday evening, came in as a replacement for an indisposed Jasprit Bumrah and bowled a fuller Test match length to take two wickets in his first spell and ended with 3/29 in 4 overs. Once USA were 13 for 3 within fourth over, they didn't have a chance to surpass the middling total. USA's fight petered out with Siraj accounting for openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2) and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removing skipper Monank Patel for a duck.

From 13/3 in the fourth over, USA stitched multiple partnerships but never really got back on track of their chase. Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37) played useful knocks which only reduced the margin of defeat.

None of them could really dominate and once Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) took charge of the post Powerplay overs giving only 48 runs and taking three wickets in those eight overs. Earlier, Suryakumar stood tall with a 49-ball innings, single-handedly driving India out of woods after a stunning collapse saw them reeling at 77 for six in the 13th over.

South Africa born Shadley van Schalkwyk returned with figures of 4-0-25-4 as India's famed batting line-up, barring Suryakumar, endured a horrendous outing with the bat and were in real trouble of being restricted for an under-par total.

The writing was perhaps on the wall when India failed to find a run on the first four balls of the innings with USA not giving any room for the Indian batters to free their arms.

While Ishan Kishan (20) smacked a six off the fifth ball to get rolling, the first blow to India came when Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck in the second over.

The world No. 1 Abhishek hit Ali Khan's delivery straight to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at deep cover, and for the first of the several times in the night the Wankhede Stadium fell silent.

The fielding set by US skipper Monank was top notch as he positioned fielders straighter than finer.

Tilak Varma (25) broke the shackles when he danced down to hit a straight off Saurabh Netravalkar (0/65) in the third over and went after van Schalkwyk for three fours in the next and it looked like India were finally up and running.

However, Ishan, having smacked Ali off his pads for a spectacular six, failed to make the most of a dropped catch and hit one straight to mid-on off van Schalkwyk on the first ball of the sixth over.

Van Schalkwyk couldn't believe his luck when Tilak failed to time a pull off a short ball off one that rose more than he expected, giving catching practice to USA captain Monank Patel.

Shivam Dube (0) is no stranger to the Wankhede wicket but the burly all-rounder was totally outfoxed by an innocuous slow bouncer failing to check his stroke.

Looking completely clueless, Dube was caught in an awkward approach during the time of connection with the ball flying to Netravalkar at short fine leg.

Rinku Singh (6 off 14 balls) couldn't control his first attacking stroke which went straight to long-on off Mohammad Mohsin (4-0-16-1). Hardik Pandya (5) fell to former Mumbai left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (4-0-26-2) while trying to clear the sweeper cover, and Axar Patel (14) in his bid to get some late quick runs.

With the onus of getting India out of trouble once again solely on him, Suryakumar dug in deep to farm the strike and rarely missed connecting on the shots that have been his trademark.

Being the only Indian batter to have understood the nature of the wicket completely, Suryakumar opened up finally in the last two overs. He collected 34 runs off those, which included 21 in the last from Netravalkar.

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