National

Congress Critiques ECI’s Assurance on EPIC Duplication as ‘Deceptive Response’

Published

11 months ago

March 8, 2025

On Friday, the Congress party criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its announcement regarding the resolution of duplicate Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), labeling the response as “duplicitous.” Earlier that day, following backlash from opposition parties, including Congress, the ECI declared that this “long-standing” issue would be addressed within three months.In a statement, Congress’ Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE) committee, which monitors the conduct of free and fair elections, remarked, “The ECI’s response regarding the assignment of the same voter IDs to multiple individuals is misleading. It appears to be an attempt to evade accountability by referencing procedural norms rather than acknowledging the issue directly. Alarmingly, the ECI has been compelled to recognize that its voter lists are flawed and unreliable.”

The committee referenced a letter from September 18, 2008, in which the ECI asserted that “voter IDs are unique.” However, the ECI now characterizes the matter of duplicate voter IDs as a “decades-old issue.” “Which statement should Indian citizens trust? Why should the average voter place their confidence in the ECI at this point?” they questioned.

The party’s panel further interrogated the commission: “Why, 17 years later, does the ECI now propose the creation of a new body to address the issue of multiple voter IDs? Has the ECI previously misled Indian voters into believing that ‘voter IDs were unique’? If so, what other processes has the ECI misrepresented to the public?”

The panel highlighted the urgent appeal made by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders for the ECI to disclose the Maharashtra voter rolls. “Why has there been no response to this request? This deafening silence reinforces the Congress party’s assertions that the voter lists under the current ECI are dubious and flawed. The Congress party categorically rejects this inadequate and misleading explanation from the ECI and reaffirms its demand for transparency regarding the integrity of voter lists in India.”

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.