National

NGT Directs Reclamation of Encroached Forest Land in Odisha

Published

11 months ago

March 9, 2025

The eastern zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Odisha Government agencies in Nayagarh district to reclaim encroached patches of reserve forest land and impose environmental compensation on violators for damages caused to classified forest areas. This directive was issued following a petition submitted by environmental activist Srikant Das.

“We conclude the present petition by instructing the Divisional Forest Officer of Khordha and the Collector and District Magistrate of Nayagarh to take immediate action to remove the illegal encroachments from the affected plots and restore the land to its original condition. This task should be completed within one month,” stated the NGT’s two-member bench in a recent order.

The bench further instructed, “The respondents are also required to assess the environmental compensation owed by the violators for the damage inflicted upon the Reserve Forest land and to initiate steps for recovering this compensation.”

Two individuals have been implicated in the unlawful encroachment, which involved clearing trees and constructing a farmhouse on reserve forest land in Akhupadar revenue village, within the Ranapur Tehsil of Nayagarh District, Odisha. The duo is also accused of building roads within the reserve forest and constructing a farmhouse on the forest land, while excavating ponds and illegally receiving substantial government financial assistance through various schemes, as highlighted by the petitioner’s counsel, Akhand.

It has been reported that financial aid was disbursed for poultry and fish farming in the confiscated ponds located in the Reserve Forest Area. Furthermore, special subsidies were allegedly awarded to the encroachers by both the Nayagarh Agriculture and Horticulture Departments for fruit farming.

Allegations have arisen that local departmental officials in Nayagarh are implicated in these illegal activities, suggesting that such actions could not have occurred without their knowledge.

Previously, the NGT had ordered the formation of a committee, led by the District Collector, to conduct a site visit and submit a compliance report, as noted by the petitioner’s counsel, Akhand.

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.