India is committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development with Israel and the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. During his historic address at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset -- the first-ever by an Indian PM -- Prime Minister Modi said that in the last few years, India has concluded a number of important trade agreements with other nations. "To your West, the European Union, and the UK. To your East, the UAE and Oman. Our bilateral goods trade (with Israel) has grown manifold in recent years. But, it does not reflect the full scope of opportunity. That is why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship," PM Modi noted. The Prime Minister further stated that they will also work closely in different formats such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the I2U2 framework between India, Israel, UAE and the US. "Israel is often called the 'start-up nation'. In recent years, we have also been working to unlock the innovation and creativity of our youth. I recall that in 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I inaugurated the iCreate Technology Business Incubator in India. Since then, it has supported nearly 900 such start-ups," said PM Modi. Last week, India hosted the world's largest and most democratised AI Impact Summit, with representatives from over 100 countries. "Our aspirational spirit aligns naturally with Israel’s innovation ecosystem. I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. We are also working with Israel on creating cross-border financial linkages using our Digital Public Infrastructure," PM Modi highlighted. "I mentioned how inspiring we found Israel's agricultural miracle in the desert. Israeli expertise in precision irrigation and water management has already transformed agricultural practices in India," he said. "Together, we have established 43 Centres of Excellence across India that have provided training to more than half a million farmers. We should now set an ambitious goal of expanding to 100 Centres to benefit millions of farmers and fishermen," the Prime Minister said. 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
25 February,2026 11:08 PM IST | Tel Aviv | mid-day online correspondentThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are set to join hands in Raigad to form the governing body of the Zilla Parishad, even as Shiv Sena, the single largest party, is expected to sit in the opposition, reported PTI. In the 59-member body, Shiv Sena won 21 seats, nine short of a majority, while the NCP secured 16 seats and the BJP bagged 15, paving the way for a BJP-NCP coalition to take control. PTI sources said the president's post is likely to go to the BJP, while the deputy president's post will be allotted to the NCP. Shiv Sena open to opposition role Speaking to PTI, Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale said his party was ready to sit in the opposition. "If consensus is not reached and things do not work out, are we supposed to sit idle? There is no problem with sitting in the opposition. However, we are waiting for directions from the senior leadership," he said. Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare, a native of the district, told PTI that he had met Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde to discuss the issue. Notably, Tatkare and Gogawale are rivals in local politics. "Shiv Sena is our Mahayuti partner. State BJP president Ravindra Chavan, DCM Shinde, and others will sit together and chalk out the road ahead," he stated, the news agency reported. On the BJP and NCP joining hands, Tatkare added that the two parties had a pre-poll alliance, making it natural for them to come together. Over 1,000 of 1,462 Panchayat Samiti seats won by Mahayuti Earlier in February, during the Zilla Parishad polls, the Mahayuti won 552 of 731 ZP seats and more than 1,000 of the 1,462 Panchayat Samiti seats, according to the State Election Commission. Within the ruling Mahayuti, the BJP led with 225 ZP seats, followed by 165 for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and 162 for the Shiv Sena. In the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Congress emerged on top with 55 ZP seats, followed by 43 for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and 26 for Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP). The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena won one seat each in Latur and Ratnagiri. Independents won 20 seats, unrecognised parties registered with the SEC secured 14, and other recognised parties won seven seats. “With this success, Shiv Sena’s base in rural areas has become stronger,” Shinde added. (With PTI inputs)
25 February,2026 10:39 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentIndian Navy's Exercise MILAN 2026 concluded on Tuesday with a closing ceremony held onboard India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, off the coast of Visakhapatnam, an official statement said on Wednesday. The multinational naval exercise, hosted by the Indian Navy, brought together ships, submarines and aircraft from across the world, marking one of the largest editions of the exercise to date. The closing ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Commanding Officers and senior officers from all participating units attended the event. The ceremony marked the successful completion of the exercise and celebrated the growing cooperation among navies operating in the Bay of Bengal region. Record participation from 42 ships and 29 aircraft Held under the theme ‘Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration’, MILAN 2026 saw participation on an unprecedented scale. A total of 42 ships and submarines and 29 aircraft took part, including 18 ships from friendly foreign countries, the statement issued by Defence PRO stated. Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany and the United States also participated, along with integral helicopters deployed onboard foreign naval ships. Harbour phase focused on dialogue and exchange The exercise began with a Harbour Phase, which included bilateral meetings, Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programmes and the International Maritime Seminar. Professional interactions were supported by cultural exchanges, cross-deck visits and outstation tours. Activities such as the MILAN of Young Officers (MOYO) interaction and friendly sports fixtures encouraged informal engagement and exchange of best practices. High-intensity drills at sea The Sea Phase followed, featuring complex operational drills aimed at strengthening interoperability. These included integrated air defence exercises, anti-submarine warfare operations, maritime interdiction drills, surface strike coordination and communication exercises. Cross-deck flying operations and live firing drills — including surface gun shoots and anti-air firings — were also conducted. The exercise placed strong emphasis on joint mission planning, real-time coordination and logistical support at sea. Friendly foreign navies carried out high-tempo tactical manoeuvres alongside Indian naval ships, reflecting shared maritime interests in ensuring safe and secure seas. Strengthening maritime partnerships During the closing ceremony, Commanding Officers from participating navies praised the professional conduct and detailed planning of the exercise. They said MILAN 2026 had successfully achieved its training and operational objectives, enhancing mutual understanding and collective readiness. The exercise was aligned with the vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — and highlighted the shared commitment of participating nations to strengthen maritime cooperation. The successful conclusion of MILAN 2026 underlines the growing importance of multilateral naval engagement in maintaining regional security and stability.
25 February,2026 10:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThree more Congress workers were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the “shirtless” protest at the AI Impact Summit, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 11, officials said, reported PTI. The trio, Saurabh, Siddharth and Arbaz, were picked up by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from a hotel in the Rohru subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district. A local court granted transit remand, allowing the police to bring them to Delhi for further interrogation. However, the arrests led to a dramatic turn of events after the Himachal Pradesh Police intercepted the Delhi Police team while they were transporting the accused to the national capital, reported PTI. Delhi Police team conducts operation in shimla The PTI stated that according to sources in the Himachal Pradesh Police, the Delhi Police team carried out the operation in Shimla without informing the local police. Acting on this, Himachal police intercepted three vehicles carrying the accused, who are reportedly not residents of Himachal Pradesh, along with Delhi Police personnel. Two vehicles were stopped in Shimla, while the third was intercepted near Dharampur in Solan district. Around 20 people, including police personnel, were detained, the source said. The 'shirtless' protest at Bharat Mandapam on February 20 had triggered a major security response, with police earlier invoking charges including rioting and promoting enmity under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reported PTI. Officials said the Special Cell acted on specific inputs and technical surveillance to trace the accused, who were allegedly involved in coordinating and facilitating the protest at the high-profile international event attended by dignitaries and delegates. There was no immediate response from the Delhi Police to the reports. Delhi court sends Uday Bhanu Chib and Bhudev Sharma to police custody Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and former national spokesperson Bhudev Sharma were arrested in connection with the case on Tuesday. Both were produced before a Delhi court and remanded to police custody for interrogation. Earlier, around midnight on Saturday, Delhi Police had raided Himachal Sadan in the national capital amid reports that Youth Congress workers who had participated in the protest were provided accommodation there. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu termed the action “unfortunate” and “against constitutional procedure.” (With PTI inputs)
25 February,2026 10:03 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA special court in Maharashtra’s Latur district on Wednesday sentenced a 46-year-old man, Govindrao Koli, to three years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting him for sexually assaulting a minor girl, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police. Judge SV Jadhav also imposed a fine of Rs 4,000 on Koli. According to court records, a woman had lodged a complaint in 2022 alleging that Koli had assaulted her minor daughter. The MIDC Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The prosecution presented statements of the survivor, medical evidence, and other documents, with Special Public Prosecutor MS Mahindrakar handling the arguments, police said. Woman police constable BT Hingde coordinated the case proceedings. After considering the evidence and submissions, the court held Koli guilty and sentenced him to three years’ rigorous imprisonment. Thane court sentences man to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting 13-year-old A special POCSO court in Thane has sentenced Saddam Akkach Molla to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2021, describing the crime as “heinous” and saying it deserved no leniency, PTI reported. Although the DNA report of the accused did not match the victim’s foetus, Additional Sessions Judge DS Deshmukh said sufficient oral and documentary evidence proved the sexual assault. Molla was convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000, directing that the amount, if recovered, be paid to the victim. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in May 2021 in Kashimira, Thane district. Molla intercepted the minor on her way to tuition classes, lured her to his house under the pretext of needing help to write a letter in Hindi, and sexually assaulted her, PTI reported. The crime came to light in August 2021 when the victim complained of severe stomach pain and was subsequently found to be pregnant. It also surfaced during the trial that the victim had been assaulted by two individuals in separate incidents, and the police registered two cases. The defence argued for acquittal, pointing out that the DNA report of the accused did not match the foetus. The judge, however, dismissed this contention, relying on the consistent testimony of the victim and medical evidence. Though the DNA report of the accused did not match with the foetus, it can not be said that he has not sexually assaulted the victim, when there is sufficient oral and documentary evidence against him, it observed. (With PTI inputs)
25 February,2026 07:42 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentA total of 41 tigers died in Maharashtra in 2025, with most succumbing to natural causes, state Forest Minister Ganesh Naik told the Assembly on Wednesday, reported the PTI. The government is stepping up efforts to prevent tiger deaths caused by accidents, electrocution, and poaching. According to the minister, of the 41 tiger deaths 28 were due to natural causes, 8 were accidental deaths, 4 were caused by electrocution, 1 resulted from poaching. The minister highlighted the Ballarshah–Gondia railway line, which passes through sensitive forest divisions and buffer zones of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve. Between 2011 and 2025, five tigers were killed along this route, as per the PTI. Statistics show that five tigers lost their lives on this specific railway route between 2011 and 2025, he said. To prevent railway-related wildlife deaths, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Regional), Chandrapur, has formally communicated with the railways. Proposed steps include - Construction of underpasses and overpasses on new railway lines for safe animal movement - Enforcement of a 40 kmph speed limit for trains in sensitive forest zones - Proper disposal of food waste by passengers to avoid attracting wildlife near tracks Tackling human-wildlife conflict Naik noted that effective conservation has increased wildlife populations, which has also raised the risk of migration-related human–wildlife conflict. To manage this, the government has submitted a proposal to recruit 368 personnel on a contract basis for Rapid Rescue Units (RRU), Tiger Cell (TCC), Elephant Tracking Teams, high-tech monitoring and anti-poaching measures, the news agency reported. Current measures to protect tigers include: - M-Stripes mobile-based monitoring system to track suspicious activity - Strengthened Wildlife Crime Cell in Nagpur - Cyber Cell in Melghat using digital footprints to track poachers - Deployment of Special Tiger Protection Forces (STPF), dog squads, and metal detectors to detect traps near waterholes Naik added that district-level tiger committees meet regularly to refine protection strategies, and a Secret Service Fund maintains a network of informants at the range level. "To prevent the deaths of wild animals in railway accidents, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Regional), Chandrapur, has formally communicated with the Railway Department to implement specific safety measures," Naik stated in his reply, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
25 February,2026 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Congress on Wednesday cited several email exchanges made public under the 'Epstein Files' in the US to allege that the foundation of the India-Israel relationship post-2014 was laid down and shaped by convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said India's foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine has always been based on the 'two-nation' theory but an "America-Israel lobby" changed the state and direction of the decades-old foreign policy. "Jeffrey Epstein is a notorious sex offender for the common people, but a hero for the Modi government's foreign policy. Even after death, Jeffrey Epstein lives on in the Modi government's decisions and policies," Khera alleged at a press conference, with a big movie-like parody poster, 'Jeffrey Ne Bana Di Jodi', behind him. "Recently, I heard Narendra Modi say -- 'I built a robot in my childhood, for which I even received a medal'. The same thing is said by (US President Donald) Trump, (Israeli premier Benjamin) Netanyahu, and Epstein -- that we have built a robot named Narendra Modi, who is the prime minister of India," Khera said, taking a swipe at the prime minister. The Congress made the allegations against the government while the prime minister is in Israel for a two-day visit. Khera said on January 4, 2017, BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri, emails Epstein stating that he needs to meet, and the meeting is fixed for January 6. "Immediately after this, Epstein emails another person, Deepak Chopra, and inquires about Anil Ambani. Finally, Epstein and Anil Ambani meet on February 21, 2017. The question is -- on whose signal did Epstein set out to find Anil Ambani with someone else's help," he asked. Khera cited several email exchanges between Epstein and Ambani. He claimed that Epstein introduced Anil Ambani to former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak via email on February 23, 2017. Khera also cited email exchanges between Epstein and Barak related to India. "India's Israel strategy's framework was decided like this. The foundation of India-Israel ties post-2014 was laid down by Jeffrey Epstein....Ehud Barak, Jeffery Epstein, Hardeep Puri...this is how our foreign policy was shaped," he alleged.There was no immediate reaction from Ambani, Puri, the BJP or the government on the allegations made by Khera. Between 2014 and 2017, when Hardeep Puri, now a Union minister, was meeting Epstein, Ehud Barak's close associate and a major Mossad agent, Yoni Koren, was living in the same apartment, Khera alleged. "It's deeply alarming. In whose hands is our country's government playing? In this situation, India's biggest threat today comes from those who are seated in the government itself," he alleged. 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.
25 February,2026 07:14 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Supreme Court on Wednesday sought more details such as costs and availability of the facility to conduct Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) in government hospitals across the country to detect Transfusion Transmissible Infections like HIV and hepatitis. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked lawyer A Velan, appearing for PIL petitioner 'Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation', to provide details as to how much cost will be incurred in conducting NAT tests and whether the facility was available in government hospitals so that poor can also avail it. The foundation made the union ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all the states and UTs (union territories) as parties to the plea. The PIL sought an order to the Centre and the states to declare that the "Right to Safe Blood" is an intrinsic facet of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution. It also sought directions to "implement mandatory NAT in all blood banks across the territory of India for the detection of Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis C Virus (HCV), hepatitis B Virus (HBV), malaria, and syphilis, in the blood collected from all donors, to ensure the supply of safe and infection-free blood to all recipients." The Delhi-based NGO highlighted a "systemic and ongoing failure" of the state to protect vulnerable patients, particularly those with Thalassemia, from life-threatening TTIs such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder requiring patients to undergo blood transfusions every 15 to 20 days for survival. However, the petition said that for thousands in India, these transfusions have become a "gamble with death." "Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder which is caused by the body's inability to produce enough haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide to the lungs. As India is the Thalassemia capital of the world, there is a need to strengthen blood safety practices across the country, particularly the need for a standardised test to screen blood donations," it said. The PIL cited a string of recent "preventable tragedies" across the country and said in Madhya Pradesh, in 2025, at least six Thalassemic children tested HIV-positive after transfusions at Satna District Hospital. In Jharkhand, five children were infected with HIV following transfusions at Sadar Hospital, Chaibasa in 2025, it said, adding that in Uttar Pradesh 14 children contracted hepatitis and HIV at a medical college in 2023. 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.
25 February,2026 06:57 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel on Wednesday to a red-carpet welcome with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara receiving the Indian leader at the Ben Gurion airport. It is PM Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. Netanyahu greeted the Indian prime minister with a warm hug, following which Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport, located 20 kilometres southeast of Tel Aviv. The Indian prime minister will address Israel's parliament later in the day and will have a tete-a-tete with Netanyahu. The two leaders will hold wide-ranging talks on Thursday. In his pre-departure statement, Modi said he was confident that the visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between India and Israel and set new goals for the strategic partnership. "India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years," Modi said. "I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said. Modi said he and Netanyahu will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. "I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future," Modi said. The prime minister's visit assumed greater significance as it is taking place amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including deteriorating ties between the US and Iran. There has been an upswing in India-Israel ties in the last few years, including in the areas of defence, scientific research, cybersecurity and innovation. The defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of the partnership between the two sides, with Israel supplying a plethora of military platforms and weapon systems to India. In November last, during the visit of India's defence secretary to Israel, an important agreement on defence cooperation was signed. As India is looking at developing an indigenous air defence shield called "Sudarshan Chakra", it is learnt that New Delhi would like to explore the possibility of incorporating certain elements from Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defence system that can intercept and destroy missiles and artillery shells. The trade and investment ties between the two sides are also witnessing steady progress. During the visit to Israel of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in November, the term of reference (ToR) for the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and Israel was signed. In September, the two sides had inked a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) to expand economic cooperation. The people-to-people ties between the two countries are also an important aspect of the overall relations, with over 41,000-strong Indian diaspora playing a key role in the two-way engagement. 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.
25 February,2026 06:56 PM IST | Jerusalem | PTIThe Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal of Kerala government to change the name of the state to Keralam, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new PMO complex. The Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the proposal for alterating the name of state of Kerala as 'Keralam', Vaishnaw said. After approval of Union Cabinet, the president of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receipt of the views of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the government of India will obtain the recommendation of the president for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to alter the name of Kerala as 'Keralam' in Parliament, an official release said. The Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution on June 24, 2024 to alter the name of Kerala to 'Keralam'. "The name of our State is 'Keralam' in Malayalam Language. States were formed on the basis of language on the 1st day of November, 1956. The Kerala Piravi Day is also on the 1st day of November. "Since the time of National Independence Struggle, there has been a strong demand for the formation of United Kerala for the people speaking Malayalam language. But in the First Schedule to the Constitution the name of our State is recorded as 'Kerala'. This Assembly unanimously appeals to the Central Government to take urgent steps as per Article 3 of the Constitution for modifying the name as 'Keralam'", the Kerala Assembly resolution read. Thereafter, the Kerala government requested the central government to take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' according to Article 3 of the Constitution. The Article 3 of the Constitution provides for alteration of names of existing states. According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any state. Further proviso to Article 3 states that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the president and unless where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the states, the Bill has been referred by the president to the legislature of that state for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the president may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired. The matter regarding alteration of the name Kerala as Keralam was considered in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and with the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the draft note for the Cabinet for the alteration of name of Kerala as Keralam was circulated to the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice for their comments. The Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice have concurred with the proposal for the alteration of name of Kerala' as 'Keralam'. 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.
25 February,2026 04:27 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAn FIR has been registered in connection with a late-night firing at a car carrying a lawyer associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi near the ISBT in Kashmere Gate, police said on Wednesday. Gangster Naveen Boxer allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media post purported to be from him. The case has been registered at Kashmere Gate Police Station under sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 3(5) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at the complaint of advocate Deepak Khatri, the police said. Khatri had earlier received threats of violence, a police source said. On Tuesday at around 10.10 pm, a car came under gun attack near the Marghat Wale Hanuman Temple close to ISBT. There were five occupants in the vehicle at the time of the incident. One of the occupants sustained a bullet injury to his shoulder and was admitted to a hospital. He is stated to be stable and out of danger, an officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said the occupants of the car have given varying accounts regarding the number of assailants involved in the attack. Meanwhile, a social media post surfaced shortly after the incident in which gangster Naveen Boxer purportedly claimed responsibility for the firing. The post, shared from a profile bearing his name and photograph, stated that the attack was carried out by him and his associates and also issued threats to Khatri. "He acts as an informant and middleman for Lawrence. You arrange extortion deals and bring information during meetings, stop doing this. Otherwise, your actions will be punished and your entire family will have to suffer the consequences," the post read. The police said they are verifying the authenticity of the social media account and the claim. "We are examining the post and its origin. Appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings," an officer said. A forensic team inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned to identify the attackers and trace their route of escape, police added. 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.
25 February,2026 02:43 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1772015700788_d.png "The Supreme Court questions availability of NAT in government hospitals. File Pic")
-1772020915321_d.png "PM Modi being welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel. Pic/PTI")
