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Mamata Banerjee Accuses UP Government Of Hiding Maha Kumbh Stampede Death Toll

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of concealing the actual death toll in the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh. Addressing a press conference after the state budget presentation in the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee criticized the Yogi Adityanath-led administration for its alleged mismanagement of the grand religious event in Prayagraj.

“So many people died in the Maha Kumbh incident, but they are not releasing the correct death toll. They have created such hype that a large number of people visited Maha Kumbh, but there were no proper arrangements made at the venue,” she claimed.

The stampede occurred in the early hours of January 29, as millions of devotees gathered for the sacred Mauni Amavasya dip at the holy Sangam. The Uttar Pradesh government has officially reported 30 deaths and 60 injuries due to the chaos that unfolded between 1 AM and 2 AM.

However, Banerjee is not the only political leader questioning the government’s handling of the tragedy. Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also alleged a cover-up, demanding strict action against those responsible for the mismanagement.

“Those who guaranteed a digital Kumbh are unable to give the digits of the people who died during the stampede. On one hand, these people don’t get tired of ranting digital, digital, digital, but the same government is not able to give digits of the deaths,” Yadav remarked in Parliament.

Denmark Retains Title As Least Corrupt Country; India Slips To 96th In Global Corruption Index, Check List Here

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Denmark has once again emerged as the least corrupt country in the world, securing the top position in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. It was followed closely by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand, which also ranked among the least corrupt nations.

Meanwhile, India has slipped to the 96th position, dropping from 93rd place last year. The country scored 38 out of 100 on the CPI scale, which measures perceived levels of corruption in the public sector based on expert assessments and business surveys. The index ranks 180 countries and territories, with scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

The report highlighted that India continues to face challenges in tackling corruption, particularly in governance, law enforcement, and the misuse of public funds. India’s decline reflects a broader issue across South Asia, where several neighboring countries also performed poorly.

  • Pakistan ranked 135th
  • Sri Lanka placed 121st
  • Bangladesh ranked 149th
  • China performed slightly better at 76th

Transparency International’s findings suggest that corruption remains deeply rooted in the region, with many governments failing to take effective action. The global average score remains stagnant at 43, indicating that corruption continues to be a serious concern worldwide. Over two-thirds of the countries scored below 50, emphasizing the urgent need for anti-corruption reforms.

Several Western countries also saw a decline in their rankings. The United States dropped from 69 points to 65, falling from 24th to 28th place. France and Germany also witnessed a decline, raising concerns about weakening anti-corruption measures in developed economies.

The report also pointed to a significant drop in Russia’s score, which fell by four points to 22, largely attributed to its invasion of Ukraine. However, Ukraine itself showed some progress in judicial independence and high-level corruption prosecutions, despite its overall score slipping by one point to 35.

At the bottom of the index, South Sudan and Somalia remained the most corrupt nations, with scores of 8 and 9, respectively. Venezuela and Syria also ranked among the worst performers, with scores of 10 and 12.

The 2024 CPI report further highlighted the growing impact of corruption on climate action, warning that misuse of climate funds and private sector influence could hinder efforts to combat climate change. It emphasized that ensuring transparent governance is crucial to tackling global issues like environmental protection and economic stability.

Gujarat Police Deports 15 Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants Involved In Human Trafficking

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Ahmedabad Crime Branch has taken a major step against illegal immigration and human trafficking, deporting 15 Bangladeshi nationals who were residing in the city with forged documents. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi confirmed the action on Wednesday, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order.

According to preliminary reports, the deported individuals were part of a network trafficking minor girls into prostitution. The fake document racket, which facilitated illegal immigrants in obtaining Indian identity papers, has also been exposed. Additionally, 50 more illegal migrants have been detained, with legal procedures underway for their deportation.

“Ahmedabad Crime Branch has taken significant action against anti-national activities. We have dismantled a human trafficking network and ensured the deportation of those involved. The safety and security of the city remain our top priority,” Sanghavi stated.

Illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India has been a persistent issue, with Gujarat being one of the affected states. In May 2022, authorities found that some illegal migrants had obtained original Aadhaar cards, raising concerns over document verification. Similarly, in November 2024, Ahmedabad Crime Branch detained 48 Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the city.

Experts say that many illegal immigrants enter India in search of better economic opportunities, while others fall victim to human trafficking. The presence of well-organised networks enables their illegal entry and provides low-wage employment, often in vulnerable sectors.

WATCH! PM Modi & Macron Enjoy Dhol Beats In Marseilles Ahead Of Indian Consulate Inauguration

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron received a grand welcome in Marseilles on Wednesday with the beats of dhols and chants of “Modi, Modi” as they arrived for the inauguration of India’s new consulate in the French city.

A large gathering of the Indian diaspora cheered as the two leaders made their way to the event. PM Modi warmly greeted the Indian community members, engaging with them in an enthusiastic exchange before proceeding with the formal inauguration.

Tribute to Indian Soldiers at Mazargues Cemetery

Ahead of the consulate’s opening, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery, where they paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought and made sacrifices in World War I. The cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), commemorates thousands of Indian soldiers who fought alongside French forces.

During a solemn ceremony, PM Modi laid a wreath adorned with tricolor-themed flowers in honor of the fallen heroes. The visit underscored India’s longstanding contributions to global peace and its historic ties with France.

Strengthening Indo-French Relations

PM Modi’s visit to France has been marked by strong diplomatic gestures and a deepening of bilateral ties. On Tuesday, he co-chaired the AI Action Summit with President Macron and addressed top business leaders. The two leaders have shared a warm camaraderie throughout the visit, traveling together in a joint motorcade and even boarding the same aircraft to Marseilles.

During the first day of his visit, President Macron hosted PM Modi for a private dinner, further solidifying the strong personal rapport between the two leaders. They also co-hosted the India-France CEOs Forum, reinforcing their commitment to boosting economic partnerships.

Upcoming Engagements

Following the inauguration of the Indian consulate, PM Modi and President Macron are scheduled to visit the ITER nuclear fusion project and the Marseille port, highlighting Indo-French cooperation in science, technology, and infrastructure.

Earlier, PM Modi also met Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Summit in Paris, where they discussed the transformative potential of AI for India’s growth.

Kerala Nursing College Horror: Five Senior Students Arrested For Brutal Ragging, Victims Allegedly Tortured With Sharp Objects & Dumbbells

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In a shocking case of ragging, five third-year students of the Government College of Nursing in Kottayam have been arrested for allegedly torturing their juniors in a brutal manner since November 2024.

The accused – Samuel Johnson, NS Jeeva, KP Rahul Raj, C Rijil Jith, and Vivek NP – were taken into custody after three first-year students filed a complaint at Gandhinagar police station. According to the police, the victims were subjected to inhumane treatment, including being cut with sharp objects, having lotion poured on their wounds, and being forced to endure physical abuse with dumbbells and stationery instruments.

The college administration, which was unaware of the ongoing ragging, took swift action after being informed by the victims’ parents. The five accused have been suspended pending a detailed investigation under the Anti-Ragging Act.

Principal-in-charge Dr. Lini Joseph confirmed that an internal probe is underway. “We have suspended the students and forwarded the complaint to the police. Further action will be taken after a thorough inquiry,” she stated.

Big Jolt To Uddhav Thackeray: Top Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Rajan Salvi Set To Join Shinde Camp

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde is set to deal another major blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) in his bastion, Konkan. As per India TV, on Wednesday that senior leader and three-term MLA Rajan Salvi is likely to switch sides and join Shinde’s faction.

Salvi, who played a crucial role in expanding Uddhav’s Shiv Sena in the Konkan region, reportedly fell out with Thackeray over being sidelined in the party. Having lost in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, he is now expected to officially join Shinde’s Shiv Sena at 3 PM on Thursday in Thane.

Man Arrested In Mumbai For Threat Call On PM Modi’s Aircraft Amid Foreign Visit

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Mumbai Police on Tuesday arrested a man from Chembur for allegedly making a threat call regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft. The call, received at the Mumbai Police control room on February 11, warned of a possible terrorist attack on the Prime Minister’s aircraft ahead of his official foreign visit.

Given the seriousness of the threat, Mumbai Police immediately alerted intelligence agencies and launched an investigation. “The individual responsible for the call was traced and taken into custody from the Chembur area. Preliminary investigations suggest that he is mentally ill,” officials stated.

Meanwhile, PM Modi is currently in France, where he co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The summit gathered global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss advancements in artificial intelligence.

Following his arrival in Marseille, PM Modi was welcomed by the Indian diaspora and is scheduled to visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a key international project on nuclear fusion research. He will also pay tribute at the Mazargues War Cemetery, honouring Indian soldiers who fought in the World Wars.

After concluding his visit to France, PM Modi is set to travel to the United States at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. This will be their first official meeting since Trump began his second term in office.

1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar Convicted In Another Murder Case

A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, specifically for the murder of a father-son duo in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at Rouse Avenue Court.

Kumar, who is already serving a life sentence in another anti-Sikh riots case, was produced before the court from Tihar Jail. The court found him guilty of leading a violent mob that looted, burned houses, and killed Sikhs following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The sentencing arguments are scheduled for February 18. The case, initially registered at the Punjabi Bagh police station, was later taken over by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which found sufficient evidence to prove Kumar’s direct involvement in the crime.

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee’s (DSGMC) general secretary, Jagdip Singh Kahlon, welcomed the verdict, stating, “Sajjan Kumar, who led the massacre 40 years ago, has finally been convicted. We thank the court, PM Modi, and HM Amit Shah for reopening these cases. We now hope for justice in the Jagdish Tytler case as well.”

Supreme Court Slams Pre-Poll Freebies, Says People Avoiding Work Due To Free Rations

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the practice of announcing freebies before elections, stating that it discourages people from working as they receive free rations and money.

A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih made these remarks while hearing a case related to the right to shelter for homeless individuals in urban areas. “Unfortunately, because of these freebies… the people are not willing to work. They are getting free rations. They are getting amount without doing any work,” observed Justice Gavai.

The court emphasized the need to integrate homeless individuals into mainstream society and enable them to contribute to national development. “We quite appreciate your concern for them, but would it not be better to make them a part of the mainstream of society and permit them to contribute to the development of the nation?” the bench added.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the court that the Centre is in the process of finalizing an urban poverty alleviation mission that will address various issues, including providing shelter for the homeless. The bench then directed the Attorney General to clarify the timeline for implementing the mission. The matter is scheduled for a further hearing in six weeks.

Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest Of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Passes Away At 83

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Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, passed away at the age of 83 at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow. According to a statement issued by the institute, he was admitted to the hospital’s Neurology ward on February 3 in critical condition after suffering a brain stroke on February 2.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited SGPGIMS on February 4 to inquire about his health.

A key figure in the history of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Acharya Satyendra Das was the chief priest on December 6, 1992, when the Babri Masjid was demolished. He had shifted the idols to the nearby Fakire Mandir before the demolition and later placed them in the makeshift temple at Ram Janmabhoomi.

Since the consecration of the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he had been serving as its chief priest, overseeing religious ceremonies. Just weeks before his passing, he had led the first-anniversary celebrations of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple on January 11, calling the event “very beautiful.”