National

Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves New Land Law Prohibiting Outsiders from Purchasing Agricultural Land

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2025

On Wednesday, the Uttarakhand government approved a significant land law aimed at restricting non-state residents from purchasing extensive areas of agricultural land in the hilly region. While the Dhami administration has yet to divulge the full details of the legislation, officials have indicated that stringent measures have been included to protect the agricultural and horticultural lands of the Himalayan state.

A key component of this land law is the prohibition of agricultural and horticultural land ownership for non-Uttarakhand residents in all districts, except for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. This means that the restrictions will apply to the remaining 11 districts in the state.

Additionally, the law will establish a portal to maintain records of land purchases by individuals from outside the state, ensuring comprehensive tracking of all transactions made by non-Uttarakhand natives.

Other critical provisions in the upcoming land law, which is expected to be introduced in the assembly within the next two days, include strict penalties for buyers who fail to use the land for its intended purpose. Moreover, a maximum purchase limit of 12.5 acres will be implemented for land acquisition in the state. The law is also focused on promoting the consolidation and settlement of agricultural lands in the hilly areas.

The new legislation will revoke the district magistrates’ authority to grant purchase permissions and eliminate the requirement for a mandatory affidavit for land acquisitions outside municipal areas by residents of other states. All land transactions will be linked to Aadhaar, and district magistrates will be obligated to submit regular reports on land purchases to the Revenue Council and the government.

Furthermore, the law prohibits multiple individuals from the same family from acquiring land in the state. Any violation of this regulation will result in the government acquiring the purchased land.

National

Killers Travelled 1,400 Km to Murder Delhi Professor

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Delhi Police solved the murder case of Delhi University professor Debosmita Paul within three days.

Investigators found that the accused had travelled nearly 1,400 km from West Bengal to Delhi to carry out the crime.

Police used CCTV footage, cab booking records, and GPS data to trace the suspects.

Seven special teams conducted raids across four states and arrested the accused in Bardhaman, West Bengal.

The investigation revealed that the murder was linked to a property dispute involving Paul’s ancestral property.

The swift and technology-driven investigation has been widely praised.

National

Ex-IAS Officer Dhanendra Kumar Dies in Delhi House Fire

Published

2 weeks 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.