National

Congress Holds Protests in MP Assembly Over Transport Scam

Published

1 year ago

March 14, 2025

On Thursday, opposition Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh staged a protest in the Assembly, demanding a thorough investigation and strict action against those involved in a transport scam. Wearing black aprons featuring skeleton designs and holding symbolic gold bricks, the opposition led by Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar gathered beneath the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and chanted slogans on the fourth day of the budget session.

The Congress MLAs displayed placards bearing the names of former State Transport Department Constable Saurabh Sharma and former Transport Minister Govind Singh Rajput. Singhar accused the ruling BJP government of attempting to shield high-ranking individuals while only targeting minor players in the scam, which he labeled one of the largest in the state’s history.

In a written response to a question in the Assembly, State Transport Minister Uday Pratap Singh confirmed that the MP Lokayukta had seized assets valued at Rs 8.85 crore from Sharma’s premises in Bhopal during raids on December 19 and 20, 2024. He also reported the confiscation of documents associated with properties valued at Rs 30 crore.

Recently, Singhar alleged in a press conference that Govind Singh Rajput had direct ties to the case involving Saurabh Sharma. He claimed that Rajput was shielding Sharma, allowing him to avoid arrest for 41 days even after arrest warrants had been issued. Singhar alleged that Rajput acquired properties worth between Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi’s Defence Colony between 2019 and 2024, while concealing property details worth Rs 134 crore during the 2023 Assembly elections.

Singhar also mentioned that he would be writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to highlight the corruption prevalent under the Madhya Pradesh BJP government. Govind Singh Rajput currently serves as the cabinet minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs. He has held the position of Transport Minister twice, first under the Kamal Nath-led Congress government and later in Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s BJP government. In 2020, Rajput resigned from the Congress, along with 22 other MLAs and ministers, following Jyotiraditya Scindia’s lead to join the BJP.

Saurabh Sharma, the former Constable of the Madhya Pradesh Transport Department, is currently in Bhopal Jail along with two associates, following their arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a case of alleged disproportionate assets, cash, and jewelry worth hundreds of crores. The Lokayukta had conducted raids in December 2024 that revealed substantial assets, including Rs 2.87 crore in cash and 234 kilograms of silver.

Following the Lokayukta’s actions, the ED and Income Tax Department commenced parallel investigations and also conducted their own raids. On December 19 and 20, 2024, the Lokayukta’s police reported seizing disproportionate assets amounting to Rs 7.98 crore from Sharma’s locations.

Saurabh Sharma’s father, Dr. R.K. Sharma, was a government physician who passed away in 2015 while in service. Subsequently, Saurabh was appointed as a constable on compassionate grounds in 2015 but took voluntary retirement in 2023 to pursue real estate.

In a related development on December 19, 2024, the Income Tax Department seized over Rs 10 crore in cash and 52 kilograms of gold from a vehicle belonging to Chetan Singh Gaud, a close associate of Sharma, who is also in jail for his involvement in the case. The connection of the recovered gold and cash to Sharma is suspected but has not yet been substantiated.

National

Ex-IAS Officer Dhanendra Kumar Dies in Delhi House Fire

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Former IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Dhanendra Kumar, died after a fire broke out at his house in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area on Thursday night. He was 80.

According to police, the fire was suspected to have started after an air conditioner blast inside the house. At the time of the incident, five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present in the house.

Firefighters and police teams rushed to the spot and rescued the people trapped inside. Dhanendra Kumar and his son were taken to a nearby hospital. Kumar died during treatment due to smoke inhalation. His son suffered injuries and is now out of danger.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident. The house was badly damaged in the fire.

Dhanendra Kumar was a 1968 batch IAS officer. During his long career, he served in several important positions in the central and Haryana governments. He worked in ministries such as Defence, Road Transport, and Culture.

He also served as the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India from 2009 to 2011. He played an important role in strengthening competition laws and economic reforms in the country.

Even after retirement, he remained active in public policy and corporate affairs.

National

Woman Found Dead Six Months after Marriage

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

Namma Kudla

Lucknow: A young woman was found hanging at her in-laws’ house just six months after her marriage in Lucknow. The deceased has been identified as Shweta Singh.

According to her family, Shweta married Bhupendra Singh on November 22, 2025. Her father, Umesh Kumar Singh, alleged that her husband and his family harassed her regularly for dowry and demanded a car. He also claimed that Shweta faced mental torture from her husband and in-laws after marriage.

The incident took place at her in-laws’ house in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Shweta was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Her parents suspect murder and alleged that the family tried to present the death as suicide by hanging the body. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Shweta’s husband and his family under Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Police said the accused family members are absconding, and a search operation is underway. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further action will be taken after the report arrives.

National

Army Helicopter Crashes In Ladakh, All Three Officers Injured But Safe

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2026

Namma Kudla

National: Three Indian Army officers survived after their helicopter crashed in the Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh. The accident took place on May 20. Officials confirmed the incident on Friday.

The helicopter belonged to the Army’s ageing Cheetah fleet. A Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were flying the chopper. Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division, was travelling as a passenger.

All three officers suffered injuries in the crash. However, they survived the accident in the difficult mountainous region. A selfie clicked by Major General Mehta after the crash has now gone viral on social media. The photo showed the three officers sitting on rocks near the badly damaged helicopter.

Many people called their survival a miracle because of the harsh terrain and the risks involved in flying the old Cheetah helicopters in high-altitude areas.

The Indian Army has ordered an official inquiry to find out the reason behind the crash.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of the Cheetah helicopters. These helicopters were introduced in the 1970s and have been used for decades in difficult operations, including Operation Meghdoot in Siachen Glacier in 1984.

In recent years, several accidents involving the Cheetah fleet have been reported. The helicopters are now being slowly replaced by the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The Army has reportedly ordered six limited-series-production LUHs. The new helicopters can fly at a top speed of 220 kmph and have an operational range of 350 km.

Despite its age, the Cheetah helicopter is still considered one of the best helicopters for high-altitude flying operations.