Prayagraj:

The Uttar Pradesh Police Wednesday said it has registered cases against two social media accounts for allegedly posting and selling objectional videos of women pilgrims bathing at the Maha Kumbh.

The action was taken under the directives of Uttar Pradesh police chief Prashant Kumar as part of an ongoing crackdown against misleading and offensive social media content related to the religious gathering.

The social media monitoring team detected that certain platforms were uploading videos of women bathing and changing clothes at the Kumbh in clear violation of their privacy and dignity, the police said in a statement, Following this, cases were registered at the Kotwali Kumbh Mela police station and legal proceedings have been initiated, it said.

On February 17, a case was lodged against an Instagram account for allegedly posting inappropriate videos of women pilgrims.

The police said they have sought information from Meta, the technology conglomerate that owns and operates Instagram, to identify the account operator, and action, including arrest, will follow once the details are received.

In the second case, registered on February 19, a Telegram channel was found to be offering similar videos for sale. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the channel, and further investigation is underway, the statement said.

Police have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against individuals misusing social media to spread objectionable content or misinformation related to the Maha Kumbh. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In a twisted turn of events, a team of Delhi police – who went to Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur to arrest two constables – were detained by the UP police. The incident took place on Tuesday when five police personnel from Delhi were conducting raids in connection with a Rs 1.5 crore fraud case.

According to officials, the Delhi police team reached Lalitpur to arrest three people, including two cops from Lalitpur – without any written order and official permission from the UP police.

The team, dressed in casual clothes and armed with weapons, arrived in a private vehicle and entered the Lalitpur police station without any prior information, the UP police said. They arrested the two police personnel – Vishwajeet and Sachin Awasthi – from their government residence, and the third accused, Bikki Raja, from his house in Lalitpur.

When the Lalitpur police were informed about the arrests, they stopped the Delhi team mid-way. After a heated exchange between the two, the Lalitpur police detained the team of Delhi cops, including Police Inspector Darshan Singh. They were questioned for the entire day and were only freed after they apologised, officials said.

“The team of Delhi police had come here to arrest one of our constables in a fraud case. But they did not follow any protocol and arrived here without informing us,” a top official of the UP police said.

“We found that the person (Ankit Jain) who tipped the Delhi police…his sister had started a company in which one of the accused’s (Sachin) brother Vishwajeet is a partner. They were fighting over money issues. We are conducting further investigation,” he said.

Hamirpur, UP:

Four people were arrested in Maudaha area here for allegedly trying to convert a Hindu family under the pretext of curing an illness, police said on Monday.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manoj Kumar Gupta said an FIR was registered in connection with the matter on Saturday.

Nooruddin, Khalid, Irfan, and Mohammad Hanif, were arrested the same day and booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

A fifth, Meraj Hasan, is being looked for.

Bajrang Dal’s former district convenor Ashish Singh claimed the accused lured and misled a Dalit family into conversion.

According to a complaint filed by some Hindu right groups, a ‘mazaar’ was built at one Ajit Kumar’s house in the Purvi Taros Mohalla, where a religious ceremony (urs) was being conducted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh):

The Uttar Pradesh police has set up a special floating police chowki (post) to assist devotees as the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh commenced on Monday, starting with the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh police built a special floating police chowki to help devotees as the 45-day #Mahakumbh2025 begins with the auspicious Paush Purnima, today pic.twitter.com/1JE2tzQ8mH

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025

Prayagraj witnessed a large gathering of devotees at Triveni Sangam with the ‘Shahi Snan’ on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima.

A large number of devotees continued to arrive at the bank of Triveni Sangam – a scared confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mystical’ Saraswati. Devotees took a holy dip and performed the sacred ritual on this auspicious occasion.

A devotee Vijay Kumar said, “… The arrangements here are very good. There is an arrangement for everything – for food and accommodation… the roads are also good.”

“We go to Kumbh Mela wherever it is organised. I live in a small temple – I go to every pilgrim in India…,” another devotee said.

This year, Maha Kumbh, the largest spiritual gathering in the world, has become more special because of the rare celestial alignment that occurs only once in 144 years.

Traffic Police authorities have made elaborate arrangements and implemented a detailed plan to ensure smooth vehicular movement and safety for devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Notably, the entry route to the Sangam Mela area will be through Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Black Road), while the exit route will be via Triveni Marg. During the major bathing festivals, the Akshayavat Darshan will remain closed for visitors.

Parking lots for vehicles coming from Jaunpur would include Chini Mill Parking, Purva Surdas Parking, Garapur Road, Samyamai Temple Kachar Parking and Badra Saunoti Rahimapur Marg, Northern/Southern Parking.

Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar talked about the preparations made for the Mahakumbh, saying that attention has been paid to the infrastructure of the railway stations.

“A lot of attention has been paid to the infrastructure of the railway stations. We have built new stations. We will run around 13,000 trains including the special and regular trains. This time 10,000 regular and 3,000 special trains will run,” Mr Kumar told ANI.

The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sambhal (UP):

The Uttar Pradesh Police Thursday rejected reports that the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, which claimed several lives, will be reinvestigated.

“A misleading piece of information is being spread through social media and other platforms that a reinvestigation into the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal is being initiated. However, no such development is taking place,” Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said.

He further said that “MLC Shreesh Chandra Sharma had submitted a letter under Rule 115 on December 17, requesting details regarding the 1978 riots. Consequently, the government had sought information on the matter.” The relevant information is being compiled, and it will be sent to the government once the process is complete, he said.

The police clarification comes in response to widespread rumours about a potential new probe into the decades-old riots.

Tension has been simmering in Sambhal since the November 24 violence during a court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in the city’s Kot Garvi area. Four lives were lost in the violence and several people left injured. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lakhimpur Kheri, UP:

Family members of a man who died following a police raid here have demanded action against some cops, alleging his death happened in police custody.

Police have denied their claims, saying he was an accused under the Gangster Act and collapsed while fleeing the police during the raid on Monday night.

A purported video of a deputy superintendent of police speaking to the grieving family members of the deceased man has surfaced online.

In the video, Lakhimpur DSP PP Singh is heard saying that there won’t be any action against police officers over the incident. “Neither (SHO of) Nighasan (police station) will be suspended nor (SHO of) Majhgain will be suspended. Nor will you get Rs 30 lakh (as compensation),” he says in the video.

“Do whatever you can. Keep the body for as many days,” the DSP says before walking away.

The family members refused to conduct the last rites before their demands for an investigation into the incident and fair compensation were met.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, too, shared the video on his social media accounts and called the ruling BJP a “heartless party”.

भाजपा हृदयहीन पार्टी है। pic.twitter.com/ffI98Sbsds

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 8, 2025

According to the family members of Ramachandra (35), he was arrested by police on charges of being involved in making illicit liquor on Monday night.

They said that despite pleading his innocence, Ramchandra was allegedly held in police custody, where his health deteriorated rapidly. Police later took him to a health centre where he was pronounced dead, they claimed.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Pawan Gautam, however, claimed that Ramchandra was an accused under the Gangster Act and had collapsed while fleeing from the police during the raid.

Insisting that Ramachandra did not die in custody, Mr Gautam said that the matter was now under investigation.

The ASP added, “The post-mortem was done by a panel of doctors and was video recorded. As per post-mortem findings, the death was caused by shock. The viscera has been preserved.” Following Ramchandra’s death, his relatives and local villagers staged a protest at the health centre, accusing the police of causing his death. They demanded an investigation and a compensation of Rs 30 lakh.

They also refused to perform the deceased’s last rites until their demands were met. The family also alleged that the police forcibly took the body to Lakhimpur for post-mortem without their consent.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Noida:

 A man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to “kill” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, police said on Tuesday.

A pistol, a knife and some objectionable pictures were recovered from the accused, identified Sheikh Ataul, a resident of West Bengal’s Malda, they said.

Media in-charge of Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh said Ataul’s family came to India from Bangladesh many years ago.

The official said that in a nearly one-minute video that surfaced on social media, a person was seen threatening to kill a leader holding a constitutional post.

In the video, Ataul said many things to spoil communal harmony and incite violence, according to the official.

A case has been registered by Gautam Buddha Nagar Media Cell against Ataul at Noida Sector 39 Police Station, police said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

A 34-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh died by hanging himself from the ceiling at his residence on Monday, police said.

Atul Subhash, who worked in a private firm in Bengaluru, left behind a 24-page death note alleging harassment by his wife and her relatives, they added.

The incident occurred in the Manjunath Layout area, which falls under the Marathahalli police station limits, police said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Subhash had been facing marital discord with his wife, and she had registered a case against him in Uttar Pradesh, a senior police officer said.

He also sent his death note via email to several people and shared it with a WhatsApp group of an NGO he was associated with, the officer said.

According to the police, Subhash hung a placard in his house that read “Justice is due”.

Before taking the extreme step, he allegedly pasted important details on a cupboard, including information about his death note, vehicle keys, and a list of tasks he had completed and those still pending, the officer said.

“A case will be registered in connection with the death once his family files a complaint. A detailed investigation is underway,” he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ayush Jaiswal, co-founder and CEO of Pesto Tech, has made a heartfelt appeal on social media, requesting urgent help in protecting his family’s property in Varanasi. Mr Jaiswal, an Indian-origin entrepreneur based in the United States, claimed that a group of individuals is attempting to seize his father Rajendra Jaiswal’s shop. He took to X to share his distress, describing the situation as “painful to watch” especially since he was in the US and unable to personally intervene.

In his post, he claimed that an employee, accompanied by a group of individuals, forcibly broke into the shop, replaced the locks, and unlawfully occupied the premises. Despite his father’s attempts to report the incident to the police, Mr Jaiswal alleged that his father was thrown out of the police station. He expressed concerns about the threats faced by his family and urged attention to the matter, highlighting the difficulties his elderly father was facing due to the alleged land-grabbing attempts. 

“Urgent Appeal for Justice. I am in the US right now & it’s so painful to see my father suffer with thugs trying to take up his property with Police literally looking the other way. I’m posting this on behalf of my father in case X can help,” he wrote on X.

“This person is a relative who has a gun and has been indirectly threatening for a long time. I’ve recordings of him cornering me and harassing me. He’s constantly trying to extort money. Unfortunately, this comes when I hired him and have given him a stable job for years. He decided to keep my property,” he added.

See the post here:

Urgent Appeal for Justice

I’m in the US right now & it’s so painful to see my father suffer with thugs trying to take up his property with Police literally looking the other way.

I’m posting this on behalf of my father in case X can help.

A senior citizen, Mr. Rajendra…

— Ayush Jaiswal (@aayushjaiswal07) November 25, 2024

In response to the post, the police said that it was a property-related family dispute and that they have registered a case.

“It is a property-related family dispute (between complainant and his sister’s son). FIR has been registered and investigation has started. Action will be taken on merit,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kashi Zone, on their official X account.

जांच एवं आवश्यक कार्यवाही हेतु सहायक पुलिस आयुक्त चेतगंज (9454401637) को निर्देशित किया गया है ।

— DCP Kashi (@VnsDcp) November 25, 2024

Internet users offered words of support and many expressed hope for a swift and fair resolution to the dispute. Mr Jaiswal later thanked the police for their response and clarified that one of his cousins was causing the trouble. He wrote, “Thank you! That’s right. One of my cousins has been creating the trouble. Quite unfortunate.”

Bulandshahr (UP):

A group of people allegedly attacked a police team which had gone to a village here on Sunday to arrest a history-sheeter in a bid to help him flee, officials said.

Police retaliated with gunfire at the villagers and managed to safely take the history-sheeter to the police station, they said.

While a police officer said the villagers opened fire on the police team, another officer denied that any cross-firing took place even though the latter confirmed that a villager was injured in the incident.

Fakruddin, a resident of Chirchita village, has 10 cases registered against him in police stations of Bulandshahr, Kaushambi and Prayagraj districts, Additional Superintendent of Police Rohit Mishra said.

A police team of Salempur police station had gone to Nangla Mevati village under Shikarpur police station area to arrest history-sheeter Fakruddin, who was reported to be hiding in the village, ASP Mishra said. He has a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head, he added.

When the police team took Fakruddin into its custody, villagers surrounded the police team and opened fire, the ASP said, adding that police returned fire in self-defence after pulling the accused into their vehicle.

When contacted, Shikarpur Circle Officer Vikas Pratap Singh Chauhan, however, told PTI that “no cross-firing has taken place”.

“One villager was injured in the firing. But it is not known how he got injured,” he said. The CO added that the injured person is undergoing treatment in Bulandshahr.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)