Meat worth Rs 4.34 crore seized from three trucks in Jalna on suspicion of being beef has been confirmed as buffalo meat by a laboratory in Chhatrapati Maharashtra's Sambhajinagar, a police officer said on Friday. Following the laboratory analysis, the consignment, comprising 83,988 kilograms of frozen meat, was released along with the three trucks, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anant Kulkarni said. “The meat was seized on April 1 following a tip-off from right-wing activists. A case was registered at Chandanzira police station under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. Three persons, all residents of Varanasi, were held at the time,” another officer said. The accused have been identified as Shambuprasad Prajapati, Sattyaprakash Gupta, and Virenda Gupta. According to police, the trucks were transporting the meat from Parbhani to Mumbai for export. Many packets in the consignment had markings in Arabic, suggesting they were likely destined for Arab nations. “We requested an early report from the laboratory to ensure the meat did not deteriorate. The transporter had valid documents. After verification, the containers were released within 24 hours of receiving the report,” SDPO Kulkarni added. Earlier, on April 1, right-wing activists had intercepted the three container trucks at a toll naka in Jalna, alleging they were carrying beef. The drivers were detained and meat samples were sent to the laboratory for testing. Inspector Balasaheb Pawar of Chandanjhira police station said the seized containers were transporting around 120 tonnes of meat, reportedly meant for export. Packets bore the name of LS Frozen Foods, Visakhapatnam, with Arabic labelling. The drivers were allegedly manhandled by activists. “We will take appropriate action after receiving the lab report,” Pawar had said at the time. Following the confirmation that the meat was buffalo, police released the consignment and trucks. Further action in the case will be taken as required, the officials said. Assam CM targets opposition candidate’s mother over social media posts showing beef consumption Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday criticised the mother of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate Kunki Chowdhury over social media posts showing beef consumption, claiming they hurt the sentiments of Sanatani people. Speaking during his campaign at Khowang, Sarma alleged that Chowdhury’s mother, Sujata Gurung Chowdhury, had shared multiple posts and photos related to beef on Instagram. “We do not have a problem with her being from Sikkim, but she has shared many photos of eating beef. She is challenging the Sanatani people,” the CM said, showing one such photo on his mobile. The remarks triggered a strong response from the AJP. Party president Lurinjyoti Gogoi accused Sarma of resorting to “Hindu-Muslim rhetoric” to deflect from questions raised by the party. Kunki Chowdhury, 27, is contesting her first election from the Guwahati Central constituency. She is among the youngest candidates in the fray and is pitted against senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Gupta. Police and election authorities have not commented on the allegations, and there is no report of any legal action related to the social media posts so far. (With PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 11:53 PM IST | Jalna | mid-day online correspondentA 42-year-old State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) jawan was allegedly killed by his minor daughter's alleged boyfriend and his associates in Maharashtra's Nagpur, following which police arrested five persons, news agency PTI reported, quoting an officer on Friday. The assistant sub-inspector was fatally attacked in the Matoshree Nagar area, under the jurisdiction of the MIDC police. His 30-year-old brother-in-law sustained grievous injuries in the incident, police said. According to the police, the 23-year-old accused had been in a relationship with the victim’s minor daughter for the past two years, PTI reported. The jawan was opposed to the relationship and had warned the accused several times to stay away from the 16-year-old. During a Hanuman Jayanti programme at a local temple on Thursday night, the accused allegedly approached the girl and started talking to her. The jawan noticed this and asked him to leave, leading to an argument, the officer said. After the heated exchange, the accused returned home and came back with a knife, accompanied by relatives and friends, PTI reported. The group attacked the SRPF jawan with sharp weapons. When the jawan’s brother-in-law tried to intervene, he was also assaulted. The duo was rushed to Shalinitai Meghe Hospital, where doctors declared the jawan dead, the officer quoted above said. Another officer added that five persons, including the accused, his brother, and their mother, have been arrested for their involvement in the murder, and a probe is underway, PTI reported. BSF jawan's wife, lover arrested for his murder in Meerut In a dramatic turn of events, the wife of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, who was found dead with a gunshot wound at his home in Meerut last week, has been arrested for his murder along with four other people, including her alleged lover. The BSF jawan, Nain Singh, was found dead at his home in Dhanpur village on March 28. He was posted in West Bengal and had come home on March 6 for his leave. A case was registered on March 28 based on a complaint by the jawan's father. Neighbours were initially named in the complaint; however, in the absence of eyewitnesses, police pursued the investigation using technical and forensic evidence. Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey said five persons, including the jawan's wife, have been arrested in connection with his murder. Pandey said the investigation revealed that the BSF constable frequently taunted and humiliated his wife, Komal, for having an extra-marital affair with Gulshan, a local resident. The accused confessed to shooting and killing Nain Singh while he was asleep, in a premeditated manner driven by animosity, police said. The arrested persons have been identified as Komal and four others — Rahul alias Pawan, Gulshan, Guddu, and Montu. Acting on the leads provided by the accused, the police have recovered an illegal country-made pistol and ammunition. A reward of Rs 25,000 has been awarded by the SSP to the police team that cracked the case, police added. (With PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 11:12 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentYo Yo Honey Singh was set to host his next concert in Pune on April 4; however, it seems his fans from the city have to wait a little bit more for him to perform for them. The singer-rapper shared an update about his Pune gig on his social media accounts. He revealed that the show has been pushed and also shared the reason behind it. Honey Singh shares an update about his Pune concert Honey Singh took to his Instagram and X to announce that his April 4 concert in Pune has been postponed. The singer-rapper stated that tickets will remain valid for the new date. Yo Yo further revealed that the state government advisory is the reason for the shifting of the concert date. He wrote, "Fans!!! Despite being completely sold out for Saturday (04.04.2026), we have to reschedule the show to 18.04.2026 due to anticipated rain and thunderstorms. This decision has been made in line with the government advisory, as the safety of my fans remains the top priority. All tickets purchased will remain valid for the new date (18.04.2026). See you soon, Pune—in just 2 weeks!" The singer also attached a copy of the press note released by the Maharashtra government. Take a look at the post here More about Honey Singh's My Story world tour Honey Singh is currently on his 'My Story' world tour. He kicked off the tour in Dubai on February 6, 2026. After the Pune concert, he was set to perform in Ahmedabad on April 11. Post that, Indore on April 25, Lucknow on May 2, and Kolkata on May 9. The 'Desi Kalakaar' singer will conclude his India leg in Bengaluru on May 16. In 2026, Yo Yo Honey Singh dropped his album 'Glory', which includes the track "Beeba", released in March that year.
03 April,2026 09:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced that all employees, including daily wage and casual workers, will be entitled to a paid holiday on polling days for the upcoming General Elections and bye-elections this month. In a press note, the ECI said, "As per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment, and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of a States/UTs or Bye-election to a PC/AC shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll." The announcement covers elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Bye-election to eight Assembly Constituencies across six states, which are Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura. Polling will be held on April 9 for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura; April 23 for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra; and April 23 (Phase I) and April 29 (Phase II) for West Bengal. The Commission further stated that wages will not be deducted on polling day, and violators will be fined. "No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. Any employerwho contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine," the statement read. The Commission further clarified, "Electors (including casual and daily wage workers) who are working or employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their constituency but are registered as voters in a constituency going to polls shall also be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the day of poll to enable them to cast their vote." ECI also directed all State and UT governments to ensure strict compliance. "Necessary instructions have been issued to concerned authorities to ensure that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently," the statement added. Meanwhile, the results for the upcoming Assembly and bye-elections are scheduled to be announced on May 4, 2026. 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.
03 April,2026 09:34 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIRajasthan Police has busted a cyber fraud racket offering "escort service", which was operating from a remote island near a dam in Dungarpur district, and arrested 12 persons, officials said on Friday. Acting on a tip-off received by the district cyber cell on Thursday, police raided a small island near the Som Kamla Amba dam in the district. The accused were found in an isolated area, using their mobile phones to carry out cyber fraud, police said. "Police arrested 12 accused persons after surrounding the spot. During preliminary inquiry, the accused made contradictory statements. An inspection of their mobile phones and social media accounts revealed that they were running a fake escort service to cheat people across the country," SP Manish Kumar said. Police also seized one SUV, 25 mobile phones, 50 SIM cards, two debit cards and Rs 10,000 in cash during the raid. According to Kumar, the accused uploaded fake advertisements offering escort service and used objectionable images downloaded from the internet to lure their victims. "The victims contacted the numbers listed in the advertisements after which the accused trapped them to extort money. They persuaded the victims to select profiles and transfer advance payments into multiple bank accounts," the officer said. During interrogation, the accused confessed to operating the racket and cheating people, he added. The accused have been identified as Naresh (19), Ganesh Patidar (20), Mehul Suthar (26), Ganesh Patidar (27), Prakash Patidar (36), Vijay Patidar (25), Hitesh Patidar (21), Tejpal Patel (26), Dinesh Patidar (32), Naresh Patidar (27), Bhavesh Patidar (27) and Manish Patidar (25), police 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.
03 April,2026 09:24 PM IST | Jaipur | PTIFour persons have been arrested in Maharashtra's Nashik for allegedly stealing a tablet from a senior citizen and attempting to extort Rs 12 lakh by threatening to leak his private photographs and videos on social media, police said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. According to the police, the accused gained access to private data after stealing the gadget from the victim's office in Satpur a few days ago and allegedly used objectionable videos and photos found on the device to blackmail the complainant, threatening to make the files viral unless he paid them Rs 12 lakh, an official said, reported PTI. He said that the complainant approached the Satpur police and informed them about his plight, stating that he had already paid the accused Rs 10,000 some days ago and was to hand over Rs 50,000 on Thursday evening. The city police formed two teams and apprehended the suspects from the Adgaon Shivar area on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway, the official said. The accused, Akash Pundlik Bakre, Prakash Ramdas Panpatil, Suraj Sunil Gawai and Shreepat Bhimrao Shinde, have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further probe is underway to find out if they have been involved in similar offences earlier, reported PTI. Beed man duped of Rs 23.42 lakh in 'digital arrest' fraud; three held In another case, three persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.42 lakh by threatening him with 'digital arrest' in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The police recently arrested the accused, Prasann Ajay Kasat (31), his wife, Swati (26), and their aide, Sanket Deepak Beldar (22), from Jalgaon in connection with the fraud, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the trio allegedly posed as police officials and threatened to place the victim, Suryakant Munde, a resident of Parli Vaijnath, under digital arrest to extort money from him. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters duped the victim of Rs 23.42 lakh and diverted the money to their bank accounts, they said, reported PTI. The police traced the accused based on technical analysis, seized Rs 3 lakh cash from them and froze their bank accounts, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of their gang involved in the racket. (With inputs from PTI)
03 April,2026 07:43 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThree persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.42 lakh by threatening him with 'digital arrest' in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The police recently arrested the accused, Prasann Ajay Kasat (31), his wife, Swati (26), and their aide, Sanket Deepak Beldar (22), from Jalgaon in connection with the fraud, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the trio allegedly posed as police officials and threatened to place the victim, Suryakant Munde, a resident of Parli Vaijnath, under digital arrest to extort money from him. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters duped the victim of Rs 23.42 lakh and diverted the money to their bank accounts, they said, reported PTI. The police traced the accused based on technical analysis, seized Rs 3 lakh cash from them and froze their bank accounts, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of their gang involved in the racket. Gurugram police arrest five in cyber-fraud cases with links to Philippines, Cambodia In another case, Gurugram police said on Wednesday they have busted a cyber-fraud racket with links to the Philippines and Cambodia and arrested five people for using and delivering illegal SIM boxes, reported PTI. The devices -- also known as GSM gateways -- are primarily used to hold several SIM cards and make international calls appear as domestic. The SIM boxes were supplied through the China-Nepal-Bihar route and used to commit cybercrimes, including call diversion, police said, reported PTI. A recovery of 13 SIM boxes, seven Wi-Fi TAPO cameras, 30 batteries, 504 SIM cards and other equipment was made. Police also seized 2,258 recharged fake SIM cards used for digital arrests and various cybercrimes, reported PTI. The operation started after four house owners in Gurugram filed complaints stating their tenants were illegally operating SIM boxes in their houses. After this, police conducted raids at the rented houses where they found illegal devices which were allegedly used in cybercrimes. Five accused, including a woman, were arrested in connection with the case, identified as Rahul Kumar, Yash Amrit Singh Dugar, Bhavika Ramesh Bhagchandani, Sagar and Litesh, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
03 April,2026 07:37 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentGujarat's textile hub in Surat has started feeling the pinch of rising input costs due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, with several units either curtailing their daily working hours or bringing down their active production days. Some office-bearers claimed that the industry was currently facing losses of around Rs 100 crore every day. Surat city is among India's largest centres for man-made fabric production. The South Gujarat Textile Processors Association has decided to limit the operational days of units to five days a week instead of seven in a bid to manage rising costs, its president Jitendra Vaktania said. "Due to rising costs of raw materials and coal, the textile processing industry in Surat and South Gujarat is facing a crisis," he said. Several units have also scaled down production cycles from 24 hours to 12 hours a day, impacting overall output, said Ashok Jirawala, president of the Federation of Gujarat Weavers' Welfare Association and vice-president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The situation has become challenging, with the industry incurring losses of around Rs 90-Rs 100 crore per day," he said. The crisis has been compounded by a labour shortage, with industry estimates indicating a 35 per cent shortfall. More than 2,000 migrant workers have left the city in recent weeks, Jirawala added. The earlier shortage of cooking gas cylinders had triggered worker migration, further straining operations. The cost of imported raw materials, including man-made fiber, has also surged by 30-35 per cent, he noted. Vaktania said the work has declined by 25-30 per cent across weaving, processing and trading segments. Despite the current downturn, the upcoming wedding season is expected to boost demand and provide some relief to the sector, he noted. "Prior to the international crisis, the industry produced nearly seven crore metres of fabric per day. However, the output has now dropped by almost half," said Champalal Bothra, national chairman of the Confederation of All India Traders. Even after the conflict subsides and factors such as yarn prices and labour availability stabilise, the industry may take two to three months to recover, he said. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi recently held a review meeting with industry leaders in Surat and assured adequate supply of 5 kg LPG cylinders for workers. 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.
03 April,2026 07:04 PM IST | Surat | PTIMedical staff working under the National Health Mission (NHM) has launched a 72-hour strike outside the Sub-District Hospital in Gandoh, reported the ANI. The protest was triggered by allegations that the state government had deducted the equivalent of 2.5 days’ salary from their monthly pay. Holding placards and voicing their demands, the healthcare workers expressed anger over what they described as an abrupt and unfair financial deduction. They stated that the 2.5 days’ pay had traditionally been granted as compensation for overtime work. Protesters explained that the additional pay covered duties performed on Sundays, gazetted holidays, and night shifts.“This protest is for the salary of 2.5 days. We used to receive this amount because we worked during holidays and nights,” said one demonstrator. Allegations of pay disparity Some staff members also highlighted disparities within the system, claiming that regular employees continue to receive such benefits while NHM workers do not. The agitation was organised following a formal notice issued by the Medical Employees Federation of Jammu and Kashmir, which called for the protest to press for the workers’ demands. Role of NHM in public healthcare NHM staff play a crucial role in delivering healthcare services, particularly to underserved and rural populations. The programme provides financial and technical support to states and Union Territories to ensure accessible, affordable, and accountable healthcare up to the district hospital level. The mission is designed to strengthen rural healthcare systems by improving infrastructure, increasing human resources, and enhancing service delivery. It also promotes decentralised planning to enable need-based interventions and better utilisation of resources. Protesters say "This protest is for the salary of 2.5 days. We used to get the salary for 2.5 days because we did our duty on Sundays, gazetted holidays, and nights," explained one of the protesters, as per the ANI. Another protester claimed that there was a pay disparity in the administrative hierarchy, stating, "Our regular staff's salary for 2.5 days should be released... Why are we from NHM not getting equal salary? I request the state government to increase our salary or make us regular," the news agency reported. (with ANI inputs)
03 April,2026 03:38 PM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondentThe Central government is exploring ways to boost domestic production of induction heaters and related cooking equipment as part of efforts to reduce dependence on cooking gas amid global supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, reported news agency IANS. Senior officials from key departments, including the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Power Ministry and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, held a high-level meeting on Friday to assess the situation and chart a response strategy. Govt Focuses on Scaling Up Domestic Manufacturing According to officials, the government is prioritising increased domestic manufacturing of induction cooktops and compatible utensils to ensure availability and affordability. The move comes as demand for electric cooking appliances has surged in recent weeks due to uncertainty in fuel supplies, reported IANS. Authorities are also examining ways to support manufacturers and streamline supply chains to meet the rising demand. Rising Demand Amid Energy Supply Concerns Officials noted that demand for induction heaters and other electrical appliances has grown significantly since tensions escalated in West Asia. With the conflict entering its second month, concerns over disruptions in oil and gas supplies have intensified, reported IANS. A senior official indicated that if the conflict continues for an extended period, India must be prepared to manage potential shortages and price volatility in energy supplies. Supply Chain Disruptions Prompt Policy Response The meeting comes amid broader concerns over global supply chains, particularly in energy and petrochemical sectors. The government has already taken steps such as reducing import duties on key petrochemical products to ease cost pressures and maintain supply stability, reported IANS. Officials said the current focus is on reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic capacity to handle prolonged uncertainty in global markets. Strategic Energy Routes Under Pressure Uncertainty has increased due to disruptions affecting critical energy infrastructure in the region. Concerns have also been raised over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, reported IANS. Any prolonged disruption in this corridor could have a direct impact on India’s energy security, given its reliance on imports. India Diversifies Energy Imports To mitigate risks, India has been diversifying its energy sourcing. Increased crude oil imports from countries such as Russia, Nigeria and Angola are helping offset supply constraints. Indian companies are also sourcing natural gas from the United States, reported IANS. These measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure continuity in energy supplies while reducing vulnerability to geopolitical shocks. Global Tensions Add to Uncertainty The geopolitical situation remains volatile, with escalating rhetoric and continued military activity in the region. Statements from global leaders have indicated the possibility of further escalation, while diplomatic efforts have yet to yield a breakthrough. Officials said the government will continue to monitor developments closely and take necessary steps to safeguard domestic energy security and consumer interests. (With inputs from IANS)
03 April,2026 03:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentInternal tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have surfaced publicly, with Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bhardwaj criticising party MP Raghav Chadha for what he described as focusing on “soft PR” instead of raising key national issues in Parliament. The remarks come a day after Chadha questioned his removal as the party’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, a post now held by Ashok Kumar Mittal. Bhardwaj Questions Chadha’s Parliamentary Approach Responding to Chadha’s statement, Bhardwaj said that AAP, being a relatively small party in Parliament, has limited time to raise issues and must prioritise matters of national importance. He criticised Chadha for allegedly focusing on less significant topics, saying parliamentary time should instead be used to address major national concerns, including politically sensitive developments across states. ‘Raise Bigger Issues, Not Optics’ Bhardwaj stressed that the party expects its leaders to take strong positions against the central government when necessary. He suggested that raising lighter or less impactful topics does not contribute meaningfully to public discourse. He also invoked the party’s broader political philosophy, stating that its leaders must speak fearlessly and confront issues directly. Criticism Over Opposition Coordination The AAP leader further questioned Chadha’s role during key opposition actions in Parliament. Referring to a recent motion moved by opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Bhardwaj claimed Chadha did not support the initiative. He also alleged that Chadha did not participate in coordinated opposition protests, raising concerns about his alignment with the party’s strategy. Remarks on Leadership Crisis Period Bhardwaj took aim at Chadha’s absence during a critical phase when several AAP leaders, including party chief Arvind Kejriwal, faced legal action. He claimed that party leaders were actively confronting political challenges at the time, while Chadha was not present in the country. He asserted that leaders must stand with the party during difficult moments and raise issues forcefully in Parliament. Chadha’s Record and Public Interventions Raghav Chadha, who has been a Rajya Sabha MP since 2022, has previously raised issues related to gig workers, public health and social welfare. However, Bhardwaj’s remarks suggest growing dissatisfaction within sections of the party regarding his approach. Leadership Change Signals Internal Shift The criticism follows AAP’s decision to appoint Ashok Kumar Mittal as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Chadha. The move is being seen as part of a broader internal recalibration within the party’s parliamentary leadership. The developments indicate emerging fault lines within AAP, even as the party prepares for upcoming political challenges at both the state and national levels.
03 April,2026 02:55 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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