Rajeev Shrivastava assumed charge as the new General Manager of Central Railway, officials said on Monday. According to an official statement, Shrivastava is an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), belonging to the 1990 batch. He holds a Master of Technology degree in Structural Engineering. Over three decades of experience Shrivastava brings more than 34 years of experience in Indian Railways, with a career spanning multiple zones and public sector units. He has served in key roles across Northern Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, North Central Railway, North Western Railway and South Eastern Railway, officials said. Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) at North Western Railway Before taking over as General Manager, Central Railway, he served as Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) at North Western Railway, they said.
13 April,2026 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAn elderly man died after falling into a lift shaft at a residential society in Gujarat's Valsad district, police officials said, adding that his body was recovered two days later, reported the IANS. The incident took place at Nirmal Society, where a suspected technical fault led to the lift door opening even though the cabin was not present on that floor. According to officials, the man was standing near the lift on the third floor when the door unexpectedly opened. Believing the lift had arrived, he stepped forward and fell directly into the shaft. Initial findings suggest poor visibility and a malfunction in the lift system contributed to the accident. Probe underway According to the IANS, District Superintendent of Police Yuvrajsinh Jadeja said the body was recovered and sent for post-mortem. Speaking to IANS, district SP Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, “The body of the elderly man was recovered this morning. As part of the procedure, the body was sent for post-mortem. The local police are handling the case with a thorough investigation underway.” Police have registered a case of accidental death and launched a detailed investigation. CCTV footage from the building has confirmed the sequence of events, while lift maintenance records are also being examined. Victim identified as society gardener Police said that the victim worked as a gardener in the society and had approached the lift after completing his duties, as per the PTI. The incident went unnoticed initially, and residents only raised concerns after a foul smell spread through the building the following day. Safety Concerns Raised The incident has sparked concern among residents over the functioning of lift safety systems, particularly interlock mechanisms designed to prevent doors from opening when the cabin is not in place. Officials suspect lack of maintenance or a technical fault may have caused the failure, the IANS reported. Similar incident According to the IANS, the case comes shortly after another lift-related incident in the same district, where a resident narrowly escaped injury when a lift began moving with its doors still open. The earlier incident, captured on CCTV, had already raised questions about safety standards in residential buildings, the news agency reported. (with IANS inputs)
13 April,2026 04:45 PM IST | Valsad | mid-day online correspondentCongress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said that the party will convene an all-party meeting on April 15 to discuss the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, reported the PTI. He said the move comes amid concerns that the Centre has not initiated a comprehensive consultation process involving all political stakeholders. Kharge stated that while the Congress supports the legislation, broader discussions are necessary due to its national importance. He criticised the Centre for not organising an inclusive all-party meeting, the news agency reported. He added that the party had responded to communication from Kiren Rijiju and Narendra Modi, expressing willingness to participate in discussions if all parties are invited, according to the PTI. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha asserted that the Congress has consistently backed women's reservation and dismissed suggestions of opposing the legislation. "Apart from that, none of us are opposed to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or women's reservation Act. We have already supported it, and it is an Act that was passed unanimously. They are simply trying to take political advantage of this," he claimed, the news agency reported. Support for women’s reservation The Congress chief emphasised that the party has consistently supported the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also known as the Women’s Reservation Act. He dismissed claims that the party opposes the law, stating that it was passed unanimously and has long been part of the Congress agenda. Kharge also highlighted that Sonia Gandhi had advocated for one-third reservation for women much earlier, and that similar policies have already been implemented in local governance bodies such as panchayats and municipal corporations. Call for collective decision-making According to Kharge, decisions of such scale require collective deliberation among all political parties. He stressed that since the law has already been passed, the focus should now be on how it will be implemented, as per the PTI. He said the outcome of the April 15 meeting will be communicated after discussions among participating parties. Parliament session The development comes as Parliament’s Budget session 2026 has been extended, with a special three-day sitting scheduled from April 16 to 18. During this period, amendments related to the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act—expected to come into effect in 2029—are likely to be discussed.
13 April,2026 04:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid the concerns around the global oil and LPG crisis, two supertankers carrying Iranian crude have arrived at Indian ports on both the east and west coasts, news agency PTI reported. This marked the first such deliveries in nearly seven years, according to ship-tracking data. Felicity, a large crude carrier operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company, anchored off Sikka on Gujarat’s coast late on Sunday, carrying about 2 million barrels loaded at Kharg Island in mid-March. However, the buyers of the cargoes reaching Indian coasts have not been formally disclosed. A second tanker named Jaya was moored near Paradip on Odisha's coast around the same time. As per reports, the tanker is transporting a similar volume of crude, lifted from Kharg Island in late February, before the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, followed by Tehran's retaliation. Furthermore, the shipments are the first Iranian crude cargoes to reach Indian shores in nearly seven years, following a sanctions waiver issued by the US last month. US-Iran peace talk failure disrupts global supply chain The one-month exemption permitted the sale of Iranian oil already in transit, aimed at easing global supply disruptions and containing prices. However, after peace talks collapsed over the weekend, Washington announced a blockade of Iranian ports, seeking to curb Tehran's oil export revenues. Paradip Port is primarily operated by Indian Oil Corporation, which has confirmed purchasing at least one Iranian shipment under the waiver. Sikka, meanwhile, is a key crude handling hub for Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum Corporation, both of which maintain infrastructure in the region. Late last month, the tanker Ping Shun, carrying about 6 lakh barrels of Iranian crude, was initially bound for Vadinar in Gujarat but diverted to China mid-voyage due to payment issues. Had it reached Vadinar, the oil on Ping Shun would have been the first Iranian barrels to reach Indian shores in seven years. Iran and India’s oil trade history Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms. Following sanctions tightening in 2018, imports ceased from May 2019, with volumes replaced by Middle Eastern, US and other grades. At its peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India's total imports. Earlier, before the sanctions were imposed, India used to buy 5.18 lakh barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018, which slowed to 2.68 lakh bpd between January and May 2019, when the US granted waivers to a few buyers. There have been no imports since. (With inputs from PTI)
13 April,2026 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFour youths drowned in two separate incidents near the Vaitarna dam in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, police said on Monday. According to police, four students from a local college entered the water at Zarwad Bet (an island) in the Vaitarna dam area on Sunday. Two of them, identified as Aditya Pramod Vanare (20) and Veerendra Nandan Patil (20), drowned, and their bodies were fished out on Monday. Vanare was a resident of Buldhana district, while Patil hailed from Jalgaon, an official from Ghoti police station said. In another incident, two Nashik residents, Atharva Sunil Gosavi (21) and Manish Dilip Chavan (21), drowned at the Dugarwadi waterfall near the dam on Sunday evening, he said. Rescue operations were launched immediately but were halted at night due to poor visibility. The bodies were retrieved on Monday, the official added. The Ghoti police have registered two cases of accidental death, he said. 10-year-old boy drowns while swimming in lake in Thane In a similar incident earlier in April, a 10-year-old boy lost his life after drowning while he was swimming with his friends in a lake in Thane city of Maharashtra, police said, reported the PTI. The incident took place earlier on April 2, at a lake in the Mogarpada locality, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kasarwadavali Police Station. According to police, the boy had gone to the lake with his friends and entered the water for a swim, during which he drowned. Rescue efforts launched His friends raised an alarm after the incident, prompting police and fire brigade personnel to rush to the scene. After a search operation, the boy’s body was later recovered from the lake, as per the PTI. Authorities have registered a case of accidental death, and further formalities are being carried out. Two children drown in Bhandara In an another incident, two children drowned in a pond in Maharashtra's Bhandara district, police said on Wednesday, reported the PTI. The tragic incident took place at Rongha village in Tumsar taluka in Bhandara, police said. According to the officials, the children were identified as Chandrapal Rupchand Kumbhare (7) and Sarthak Sanjay Uike (6). Both went missing while playing on Tuesday afternoon. Their bodies were seen floating in the nearby pond on Wednesday morning which were later pulled out and shifted to a hospital. Gobarwahi Police was conducting further probe in the matter, the officials said. Two drown in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh canal Meanwhile, two men allegedly drowned in a canal in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh on Wednesday while immersing 'puja' materials, the police said, according to the PTI. The incident occurred in the Sadul Branch canal in the Hanumangarh Junction area when Mohit Swami (20) slipped while immersing 'puja' materials, and Aman Bajigar (19) and Mohit Thalod (19) jumped in to rescue him, Additional SP Arvind Vishnoi said, as per the PTI. A disaster management team rushed to the spot and later pulled them out and rushed them to the district hospital, police said. Swami and Bajigar lost their lives, while Thalod is reported to be in stable condition and was getting medical treatment, the SP said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:14 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, the Election Commission, and others on a plea proposing the implementation of a finger and iris biometric identification system at polling stations to prevent duplicate voting. Supreme Court agrees to examine plea While agreeing to hear the plea, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that the prayer sought in the petition cannot be considered for the ongoing state Assembly elections in some states. “However, whether such a recourse deserves to be followed before the next parliamentary election and/or state Assembly elections needs to be examined. Issue notice,” the bench said, PTI reported. Notices issued to Centre, EC, states The top court issued notice to the Centre, the poll panel, and several states, seeking their responses to the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Upadhyay, who appeared in person, told the bench that the measures sought in the plea would help prevent bribery and proxy voting, the news agency reported. The bench observed that implementing such a system would require major changes to existing rules and could entail a significant financial burden. Plea seeks biometric voter authentication The plea stated that the poll panel, by using its plenary powers under Article 324, may implement finger and iris-based biometric authentication to strengthen voter identification and eliminate bribery, undue influence, impersonation, duplicate voting, and ghost voting. During the hearing, Upadhyay clarified that his plea was not related to the ongoing Assembly elections in five states. ‘One Citizen, One Vote’ argument The petition argued that adopting finger and iris biometric verification at polling booths would ensure that only genuine and duly registered electors are allowed to cast their votes. “The injury to citizens is extremely large, as bribery, undue influence, impersonation, duplicate voting, and ghost voting still affect the purity and integrity of the electoral process,” it submitted, PTI reported. “Therefore, to uphold the constitutional mandate of free and fair elections, the Election Commission of India may consider implementing finger and iris biometric authentication at polling booths in upcoming Assembly elections,” the plea said. Concerns over current voter ID system It further claimed that voter identification currently relies on voter ID cards and manual verification, which are susceptible to misuse due to outdated photographs, clerical errors, and the lack of real-time validation. “This creates scope for impersonation and multiple voting by the same individual or by unauthorised persons. Finger and iris biometric authentication, being unique to each individual, would eliminate duplication and ghost voting and ensure strict compliance with ‘One Citizen, One Vote',” it said. Migratory population and data gaps The plea also highlighted that a significant portion of the population is migratory, often leading to inconsistencies in electoral rolls across constituencies. It added that biometric identification enables real-time authentication, creating a verifiable digital record of voter verification at polling booths. The plea noted that the Aadhaar system, implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India, has successfully established a robust biometric identity framework in the country. “Its use in sectors such as banking and welfare scheme delivery has significantly reduced fraud and ensured accurate identification. Extending similar biometric verification to elections would be a logical and effective step,” it said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOver 62,000 personnel have been deployed for the Census 2027 exercise in Chhattisgarh, set to be conducted in two phases from May 1 to February next year, officials said on Monday, PTI reported. Two-phase exercise from May 1 Addressing a press conference, state Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Kumar Pingua said the first phase, covering house listing and the housing census, will be carried out from May 1 to May 30 this year. The second phase, related to population enumeration, will take place in February 2027. First-ever digital Census with self-enumeration option The upcoming Census will be conducted digitally for the first time in the country, with an optional self-enumeration facility, Pingua said. “The self-enumeration window for the first phase will be open from April 16 to April 30, during which residents can submit their details online. A unique self-enumeration ID will be generated, which must be shared with enumerators during their household visits between May 1 and May 30 for verification,” he said, the news agency reported. He clarified that self-enumeration is optional, and enumerators will visit households to collect data if it is not completed online. Door-to-door survey via mobile app Enumerators will collect information through a mobile application by visiting every household and recording responses to 33 notified questions related to housing conditions, amenities, and assets, Pingua added. Over 62,500 personnel roped in “Around 62,500 personnel have been roped in for the exercise, including 47 principal census officers, 250 district-level officers, 472 charge officers, 1,160 master and field trainers, 51,300 enumerators, and 9,000 supervisors,” he said, noting that the Census of India is one of the largest administrative and statistical exercises globally, PTI reported. Census history and legal framework The first Census in India was conducted in 1872, while the first synchronous nationwide Census was held in 1881, he said, adding that Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series and the eighth after Independence. The exercise is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990. All personal information collected is kept strictly confidential and is not shared with any individual or agency, he said. “The data cannot be used for taxation, police, or investigative purposes, nor can it be used as evidence in any proceedings. It is used solely for formulating development plans for the state and the country,” the official added, PTI reported. Coverage and helpline details Chhattisgarh Director of Census Operations and Director of Civil Registration Kartikeya Goyal said the exercise will cover 33 districts, 195 urban bodies, 252 tehsils, and 19,978 villages across the state. “For implementation, 251 rural and 221 urban charge units have been created, comprising around 49,000 house listing blocks where enumerators will carry out door-to-door surveys. A toll-free number (1855) has also been set up to assist citizens and will become operational in the state from April 16,” Goyal said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:06 PM IST | Raipur | mid-day online correspondentIn a setback to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to quash a CBI FIR in the land-for-jobs case involving the RJD chief and his family members. As reported by news agency PTI, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, however, granted exemption to the 77-year-old former Bihar chief minister from appearance before the trial court during the proceedings. The bench, while issuing the order, said, "We do not say anything about the issue pertaining to the application of Section 17A (of the Prevention of Corruption Act) on whether it is prospective or retrospective. Taking into consideration the facts and the circumstances, liberty is granted to the petitioner to raise the legal issue at the time of the trial," as cited by PTI. The Supreme Court further allowed the former Bihar CM to raise the issue of the applicability of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in the case during the trial of the case. Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act provides that no enquiry, inquiry or investigation shall be conducted by a police officer into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under the law without prior approval from the appropriate authority. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), argued that Section 17A of the Act would be invoked only if the accused was a decision-making authority. The Solicitor General further argued that prior approval against Yadav under Section 17A was not required, as he was neither the person who took the decision nor the recommending authority. Lalu Yadav opposes CBI's claim Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Yadav, opposed the submission and said that there cannot be any investigation until the authorities get the sanction. Kapil Sibal further argued that the CBI has woken up after nine years to file another chargesheet on the same ground on which the case had been closed. Sibal further argued that, "At least a final order may not be passed. Other matters are pending on the same issue, and we don't get any relief. This is not fair," as cited by PTI. Delhi High Court dismissed Lalu’s plea in March Earlier on March 24, the Delhi High Court refused to quash a CBI FIR in the case involving Yadav and his family members, rejecting the RJD chief's contention that the agency's action was legally unsustainable in the absence of prior sanction under Section 17A. As per PTI, the land-for-jobs case is related to Group D appointments made in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Yadav's tenure as the railways minister between 2004 and 2009, allegedly in return for land parcels gifted or transferred by the recruits in the name of his family members or associates, as per PTI. Lalu Yadav had also contended that the inquiry, FIR, as well as the investigation and subsequent chargesheets in the matter, were legally unsustainable in the absence of prior sanction under Section 17A. (With inputs from PTI)
13 April,2026 03:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Samudra Sahas Sailing Expedition was flagged off from Marve in Mumbai on Monday as part of the bicentenary celebrations of the Regiment of Artillery, an official statement said on Monday. The expedition was inaugurated by Lieutenant General N. S. Sarna, Commandant of the School of Artillery and Senior Colonel Commandant of the Regiment. The expedition also honours the maritime vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, highlighting India’s strong seafaring heritage and strategic foresight, the statement issued by the Defence PRO said. First blue water sailing venture This marks the first blue water sailing expedition undertaken by an artillery regiment. According to the statement, the team will cover a distance of 520 nautical miles along the Konkan coast using 21-foot Seabird class sailing boats. The journey has been divided into four legs: - Mumbai to Vijaydurg - Vijaydurg to Goa - Goa to Vijaydurg - Vijaydurg to Mumbai Sailors will travel about seven nautical miles from the coastline, facing varying wind conditions ranging from low to moderate speeds. The statement said that the initiative aims to promote adventure, leadership and resilience among personnel while marking an important milestone in the regiment’s history. Team and training The expedition is led by Captain Kshitij Nair and Subedar Prakash Funde, with ground support managed by Major Vardhan Shidhye. The crew underwent specialised training at the Heavy Bridge Training Centre in Marve before embarking on the journey. Support from Indian Navy and Coast Guard The mission is being conducted with operational and administrative support from the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, ensuring safety and coordination throughout the voyage. "The crew underwent structured pre-expedition training at the Heavy Bridge Training Centre, Marve. The expedition is being conducted with administrative and operational support from the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, the statement said. Promoting adventure and leadership The expedition reflects the values of the Indian Army, including teamwork, endurance, adaptability and precision. "The Samudra Sahas Sailing Expedition exemplifies the core attributes of the Indian Army — precision, teamwork, adaptability and endurance, while reinforcing the Indian Army’s commitment to promoting adventure, leadership and resilience," the official statement said.
13 April,2026 03:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 30-year-old woman pursuing her PhD allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Pune, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday at her home in Chinchwad, where she was found dead, reported PTI. According to Bhosari MIDC police, the woman left behind a note in which she accused her research guide of inappropriate behaviour and harassment. Based on these allegations, authorities began an investigation into the matter. The accused, an assistant director at the Botanical Survey of India office in Koregaon Park, has been arrested. Police have registered a case of abetment of suicide against him. An official from the Bhosari MIDC police station confirmed the development, saying, “We have registered a case against the accused for abetment of suicide and he has been arrested.” The woman had completed her Master’s degree in Botany and had been pursuing her PhD since August 2025 under the guidance of the accused. Police said further investigation is underway. Gym trainer found dead in Bengaluru, family alleges harassment and blackmail by women A 27-year-old gym trainer was found dead at his home in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru on April 11, police said on Monday. The incident came to light after a woman sent a message to the victim's sister informing her about his decision to take the extreme step. Family members then rushed to the house, broke open the room door, and found him dead. He was a bodybuilder who had won several competitions and worked as a fitness trainer at a gym. According to police, he had known a 42-year-old married woman for about two years after meeting her at the gym where she trained. Over time, their friendship turned into a personal relationship. Before his death,he allegedly made a video call to the woman and told her about his decision. His family has accused the woman of blackmailing him for money and property. They claimed that after their relationship became intimate, the matter had earlier reached the police and was settled mutually in the presence of the woman’s husband. However, they allege that the harassment continued even after that, reported the news agency. Family members said the continued pressure led to his death and have demanded strict action. Police confirmed that a case has been taken up and the matter is under investigation. “The matter is being investigated… and all the allegations are being looked into,” officials said. The Nelamangala Town Police are examining all aspects of the case to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Need help, here are suicide prevention helplines- Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm): 84229-84527 Connecting NGO (From 10 am to 8 pm): 9922004305/9922001122 Snehi (From 10 am to 10 pm): 9376804102 1 Life: 7893078930 Aasra: 9820466726 (With PTI Inputs)
13 April,2026 03:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSamajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday blamed the BJP government's "one-sided policies" for the violent protests by workers in Noida, alleging the regime favours capitalists while neglecting salaried employees and labourers. Reacting to the violence through a post on X, Yadav said the agitation over wage hike had turned aggressive due to policies that "nurture capitalists but exploit workers". He alleged that while funds continue to flow towards "donor capitalists", workers are deprived of fair wages. "In times of rising inflation, it is extremely difficult for a family to survive on low wages. Only someone running a household can understand this," he said, adding that salaried employees no longer want the BJP. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also shared a video clip of incidents of arson and vandalism during the protests. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai also slammed the government over the handling of the situation, saying visuals from outside the Motherson company in Noida were "disturbing". "When inflation is breaking people's backs and workers are being exploited in the name of wages, the youth will be forced to come out on the streets," Rai said in a post on X. "Advertisements cannot fill empty stomachs. Tear gas shells cannot answer hunger. Stop ignoring the legitimate demands of workers and find a solution instead of resorting to repression," he added, addressing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna and ADG (Law and order) Amitabh Yash monitored the situation in Noida from the control room at the police headquarters in Lucknow, according to an official statement. The opposition reactions came amid unrest in Noida where protests by factory workers demanding a salary hike turned violent in several areas, including Phase-2, Sector 60, Sector 62 and Sector 84 on Monday. Workers from multiple industrial units gathered to press for long-pending wage revision demands, but the demonstrations escalated into incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism, with vehicles set ablaze and property damaged. Police said heavy deployment has been made across industrial zones under the Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate and senior officials are monitoring the situation on the ground. Authorities maintained that the situation is under control and efforts are underway to restore normalcy, while urging people not to pay heed to rumours. The district administration had earlier held meetings with factory owners and stakeholders to address workers' concerns and announced measures including double overtime wages, weekly offs and bonuses as per rules. According to an official statement in Lucknow on Sunday evening, the UP government has announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening labour welfare, including mandatory double overtime pay, timely wages for workers in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Under the directives of Adityanath, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has implemented strict rules for industrial units, positioning the district as a model for labour reforms in the state, it said. District Magistrate Medha Roopam held meetings with representatives of industrial units and issued key directives to safeguard workers' rights. According to the new guidelines, payment for overtime work has been made mandatory at double the regular rate, with no scope for deductions. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 April,2026 03:00 PM IST | Lucknow | PTIADVERTISEMENT
