Highlights of the Day: IIP grows 5.7% in February, retail inflation falls to 4.85% in March

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2:21 PM

Properties worth Rs 365 crore attached in alleged Bengal teacher recruitment scam: ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has so far attached properties worth Rs 365 crore in West Bengal’s alleged teacher recruitment scam, the probe agency said in a statement today. Three ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers, including former education minister Partha Chatterjee, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the scam.

2:17 PM

Constitution does not allow such laws: Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara on UCC

Karnataka Home Minister and Congress leader Dr G Parameshwara today stated that the Constitution provides the opportunity to practice any faith people want.

"Our Constitution provides an opportunity to practice any faith you want to. You have also allowed those people to stay in India. They are born, brought up, and dying here and you try to meddle with their social life, and societal commitments. Do you want to call them second-set grade citizens in this country? The Constitution does not provide for such laws to be brought in and why do you want to send them to Pakistan? If they are against the law of the land, punish them," the Congress leader told ANI.

2:16 PM

Central govt is trying to bring in President's rule in Delhi through conspiracy: Delhi minister Bharadwaj

"BJP couldn't win any elections in Delhi, they know that if an election happens today, Arvind Kejriwal will win it. Therefore, through a conspiracy, BJP's central govt is trying to bring in President's rule in Delhi. They made the same mistake in 2013 as well,"  AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

1:35 PM

India among countries invited to Ukraine peace conference hosted by Switzerland in June

Switzerland will host a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine, which could be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it is being held back to back with the G7 summit in Italy to which leaders of most major Global South countries, including India, have been invited.

1:25 PM

Defence ministry issues Rs 65,000 cr tender to HAL for buying 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets

The Ministry of Defence has issued a tender to the public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for purchasing made-in-india 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets expected to be worth over Rs 65,000 crore. This is set to be the largest order for indigenous military hardware to be placed by the Indian government ever.

1:14 PM

We ensured arrest of two accused in Bengaluru blast case: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today arrested the prime accused behind the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru from West Bengal. The NIA said Mussavir Hussain Shazib had placed the IED at the cafe and Abdul Matheen Taha was the mastermind behind the execution of the blast.

1:09 PM

Japan's MUFG to buy 20% stake in HDFC Bank's IPO-bound arm

Japan's MUFG will pick up a 20 per cent stake in HDB Financial Services, a non-banking unit of Indian private lender HDFC Bank, valuing its IPO-bound arm at $9 billion-$10 billion, The Economic Times reported today, citing sources.

12:59 PM

When will Assembly elections be held in J-K, Congress asks PM Modi

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, the Congress accused the BJP-led Central government of suspending democracy in the Union Territory and asked it when would the Assembly polls be held there. In a post on social media platform X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said while PM Modi was in Udhampur, in its attempt to retain power in the erstwhile state, the BJP-led government has suspended almost all tiers of democracy and refuses to hold fresh elections.

12:54 PM

IIT-Guwahati student found dead in hostel

A second-semester student of IIT-Guwahati was found dead in his hostel room, police said today. The body was found hanging inside his room at Dihing hostel on Wednesday, Kamrup's Superintendent of Police Ranjan Bhuyan said. A suicide note was also found. "He stated in the note that no one is responsible for his death. Prima facie it does not look like any foul play is involved. However, we are continuing our investigation to find more details," he told PTI.

12:18 PM

Vinesh Phogat accuses WFI chief of trying to end her Olympic dream; fears doping case

World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat today accused the Wrestling Federation of India chief Sanjay Singh of trying to stop her from competing in the Olympic Qualifiers by creating logistical hurdles for her support staff.  Phogat also said she is fearful of being trapped in a doping case.

The 29-year-old Phogat, who won 53kg bronze medals in the 2019 and 2022 World Championships besides a gold in the 2018 Asian Games (in 50kg), would be eyeing an Olympic quota in the 50kg category in the Asian qualifying tournament next week in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

12:02 PM

AAP leader Manish Sisodia moves Delhi court seeking interim bail

 AAP leader Manish Sisodia has submitted a plea in a Delhi court seeking interim bail for the purpose of poll campaigning.

11:55 AM

News update: Passenger vehicle wholesales rise 8.4% to 42,18,746 units in FY24, says SIAM

Passenger vehicle wholesales rose 8.4 per cent to 42,18,746 units in FY24, industry body SIAM said today.

11:39 AM

News update: Delhi court reserves order on CBI's plea seeking K Kavitha's 5-day custody

The daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao was held in Tihar Jail, where she has been lodged after her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over an alleged money-laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy.

11:17 AM

K Kavitha's counsel opposes CBI's plea seeking her custodial interrogation, calls her arrest by CBI 'illegal'

BRS leader K Kavitha's counsel  called her arrest by CBI 'illegal' and accused the agency of violating her fundamental rights.

11:14 AM

K Kavitha 'being evasive', 'not cooperating' in probe: CBI to Delhi court in excise policy case

CBI officials had recently questioned BRS leader K Kavitha inside Tihar jail after getting permission from a special court. The BRS leader was questioned about the WhatsApp chats recovered from co-accused Buchi Babu's phone and documents related to a land deal.