A 20-year-old son of a councillor from the Curchorem Municipal Council in Goa has been arrested in connection with an alleged Goa sex scandal involving multiple victims, police said, reported the PTI. According to the officials, the accused was taken into custody on March 22 after serious allegations of sexual exploitation and circulation of obscene videos surfaced. The suspect has been identified as Soham Naik, an official said, according to the PTI. Police said that the case first came to light following protests by local residents outside the Curchorem police station, demanding swift action against the accused, the news agency reported. Multiple complaints filed According to officials, four females, including two minors, have so far filed formal complaints against Naik. Among the complainants are two sisters, one of whom is a minor, who have accused him of rape and exploitation, as per the PTI. Police said that even the accused’s girlfriend is among those who have approached authorities with allegations. Investigators believe that more victims may come forward as the probe progresses. Case handed over to crime branch The investigation has now been transferred to the Goa Police Crime Branch for a more detailed inquiry. A senior official stated that statements from the victims have been recorded, and efforts are ongoing to identify and contact other potential victims linked to the case, according to the PTI. The accused is in the crime branch custody, an official said, adding that further investigations in the matter were underway. Forensic examination Officials said that Naik’s mobile phone has been sent for forensic analysis to retrieve digital evidence, including videos and communication records. He has been booked under multiple legal provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Goa Children’s Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Information Technology Act. Political response The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has clarified that neither the accused nor his father has any connection with the party, reported the PTI. Meanwhile, the police said that the investigation is still at a crucial stage, with authorities working to gather further evidence and ensure justice for the victims. (with PTI inputs)
29 March,2026 02:49 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentNepal police on Sunday arrested former energy minister and Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka in connection with a money laundering case, local media reported. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police took Khadka into custody on Sunday morning, The Himalayan quoted CIB spokesperson Shiva Kumar Shrestha as saying. The police detained Khadka for investigation after receiving a request from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, The Kath Mandu Post reported. During the Gen Z protest last year, images and videos had surfaced showing burnt fragments of banknotes at the residences of Khadka and former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, it added. The findings were reportedly later confirmed through forensic laboratory tests. Khadka was accused of receiving financial benefits in exchange for facilitating licences and contracts for projects while serving as theMinister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, it said. The arrest comes a day after former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on charges of their involvement in suppressing the Gen Z movement of September 8 and 9 last year, in which 76 people, including around two dozen youths, were killed. 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.
29 March,2026 02:15 PM IST | Kathmandu | PTIMore than 30 people, including children and elderly guests, were taken ill after allegedly consuming contaminated food at a wedding ceremony in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, officials said on Sunday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Saturday evening in the Lalapur locality of the Dewa area during a wedding function hosted by a resident of Khijna village. According to health officials, several guests began experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting within half an hour of eating non-vegetarian dishes served at the event. The sudden onset of symptoms created panic among attendees, prompting locals to alert authorities. Medical response Following the incident, an ambulance was rushed to the village, and all affected individuals were taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dewa for immediate treatment, according to the PTI. Chief Medical Officer Dr Awadhesh Yadav visited the site to monitor the situation and oversee medical care. While most patients are being treated at the CHC, six individuals with more serious symptoms have been referred to the District Hospital for further treatment. Officials said some patients have already been discharged after their condition improved, the news agency reported. Investigation launched Health authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the suspected food poisoning. Food samples from the wedding have been collected and sent for laboratory testing, as per the PTI. Officials said a detailed inquiry is being carried out to identify whether contamination occurred during preparation, storage or serving of the food. Authorities urge caution Medical officials have advised organisers of large gatherings to ensure proper hygiene and food safety standards to prevent such incidents. They also urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of food poisoning, the news agency reported. Over 150 fall ill after suspected food poisoning at Assam wedding Meanwhile in an another incident last week, over 150 people were taken ill in a suspected case of food poisoning after attending a wedding ceremony in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, an officials said, reported the PTI. Two critically sick persons have been admitted to Diphu Medical College and Hospital here, while the others were undergoing treatment at the local government health facility, he said. Most of the guests who attended the wedding in Pator Timung village in Bokoliaghat area on Monday started complaining of stomach ache, dysentery and vomiting by evening, as per the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
29 March,2026 01:47 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 38,949 newly constructed rural houses across Gujarat on March 31, in what officials describe as a significant expansion of housing access for low-income families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). The houses, built at an estimated cost of Rs 651 crore, have been completed across multiple districts for families who were previously houseless or living in kutcha structures. The scheme, aimed at improving rural living standards, “does not merely provide a brick-and-mortar house, but offers a home of dignity, security and stability,” according to officials. Under the PMAY-G framework, beneficiaries receive financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in instalments, with funding shared between the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio. The Gujarat government has added further support, including Rs 50,000 assistance at the roof-casting stage under full state funding. Beneficiaries completing construction within six months of receiving the first instalment are eligible for an incentive of Rs 20,000, while an additional Rs 5,000 is provided for bathroom construction, particularly to support women’s convenience. Additional convergence benefits are also provided. Beneficiaries are entitled to Rs 25,920 for 90 days of employment under MGNREGA and Rs 12,000 for toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). The state government said it remains “committed to fulfilling” the objective of providing dignified housing to rural families. A provision of Rs 1,755 crore has been made in the 2026-27 state budget for rural housing. In the ongoing financial year 2025-26, a total of 1,20,381 houses have been constructed, with an assistance amounting to Rs 1,037.84 crore disbursed to beneficiaries. In addition, over Rs 470 crore has been provided under fully state-funded components, which officials said reflects the implementation of the state’s development approach. The government is also conducting the ‘Awas Plus Survey 2024’ to identify and include eligible households that were previously left out, to expand coverage further in the coming years. Since 2016-17, the Centre has allocated a target of 8,38,396 houses to Gujarat under PMAY-G, of which 8,29,221 have been approved. So far, 6,92,554 houses have been completed, with total expenditure reaching Rs 9,083.68 crore. In district-wise details of the houses to be inaugurated on March 31, Panchmahal accounts for the highest number of houses to be inaugurated, with 10,572 units constructed for Rs 179.18 crore. In 12 districts across Saurashtra and Kutch, 3,976 houses have been built for Rs 66.54 crore. Mahisagar has 3,222 houses, Narmada (2,367), Kheda (2,345) and Mehsana (2,281). Dahod has 1,804 houses, Sabarkantha (1,717), Chhota Udepur (1,694) and Aravalli (1,556). Patan has 1,237 houses, and Tapi (949). In south Gujarat, Surat has 933 houses and Valsad 834, while Banaskantha has 699, Dang 678 and Navsari 627. Ahmedabad has 345 houses ready for inauguration, Vav-Tharad 300, Bharuch 263, Gandhinagar 230, Vadodara 182 and Anand 138. Officials said the upcoming inauguration is expected to bring “a new ray of happiness and prosperity” into the lives of beneficiary families, as the state continues to expand rural housing coverage under the scheme. 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.
29 March,2026 01:35 PM IST | Gandhinagar | IANSPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to remain united and vigilant in the face of challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the PTI reported. Speaking during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he appealed to people not to believe or spread rumours. According to the PTI, PM Modi said a “fierce war” has been ongoing in India’s neighbourhood for over a month, calling it a difficult period that requires collective responsibility and awareness from all citizens. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to countries in the Gulf region for supporting more than one crore Indians living and working there during the crisis. The conflict Noting the global turbulence amid the conflict between US-Israel and Iran, he said, "The month of March has been eventful at a global level. In the past, the entire world faced numerous problems for a long time due to the Covid. We all expected that after emerging through the Covid-19 crisis, the world would move forward on the path of progress with a fresh start. But conditions of war and conflict continued to emerge in different regions of the world. Currently, a fierce war has been going on for a month in our neighbourhood. Relatives of lakhs of families reside in these countries, and particularly work in the Gulf countries. I am grateful to Gulf countries for providing every kind of assistance to over one crore Indians there.," according to the ANI. "A crisis is developing around the world regarding petrol and diesel. Our global relations, the support we receive from various countries, and the strengths we have built over the past decade have enabled India to face these challenges resolutely. These are certainly challenging times. Today, through 'Mann Ki Baat,' I will once again urge all my countrymen that we must unite and overcome this challenge," the Prime Minister added. Appeal against misinformation PM Modi warned that rumours could cause harm to the country and urged citizens to rely only on official information provided by the government, reported the ANI. Amid rising fuel prices and concerns over LPG supply, the government has taken steps such as reducing excise duty on petrol and diesel and accelerating the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure, the news agency reported. Diplomatic engagements continue The Prime Minister has been in touch with several global leaders, including Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia. Global conflict background The conflict began on February 28, involving military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting regional allies. Iran’s control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has also raised global concerns, as it is a key route for energy supplies. PM Modi has held discussions with several world leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iran, France, Israel and Malaysia. He also spoke with Donald Trump on March 24, describing the conversation as a useful exchange on the evolving situation. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
29 March,2026 12:47 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick has been born in Gujarat’s Kutch after a decade through a novel “jumpstart” conservation approach, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Saturday. “Gujarat sees a GIB chick after a decade, through a novel conservation measure, the jumpstart approach,” Yadav said in a post on X, adding that the effort was coordinated by the Centre, state forest departments and the Wildlife Institute of India. Gujarat sees a GIB chick after a decade, through a novel conservation measure - the jumpstart approach, coordinated by the Ministry, State Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Wildlife Institute of India. Envisioned by PM Shri @narendramodi ji in 2011 to conserve… pic.twitter.com/oE2DYTZBUF — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) March 28, 2026 Officials said the initiative marks India’s first inter-state “jumpstart” effort for the critically endangered bird. With only three surviving female GIBs in Kutch and no males, natural breeding had become impossible. To address this, a captive-bred egg from Rajasthan was transported over 770 km from Sam to Naliya via a halt-free corridor. “The egg was carried for over 19 hours in a handheld portable incubator and successfully replaced in the nest on March 22,” they said. The foster female completed incubation, and the chick hatched on March 26. Field teams have since observed the chick being reared in its habitat. Yadav said conservation breeding centres in Rajasthan now house 73 birds. “India is now moving ahead towards the rewilding of birds in the near future,” he added, calling the initiative a key step in long-term species recovery efforts. 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
29 March,2026 09:34 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesA 34-year-old labourer allegedly drowned in an open drain after losing balance in an inebriated state while returning home from work, police said on Saturday. The deceased, identified as Wasim, a native of Chandausi in Moradabad district, was living in a rented accommodation in Mawai village in Vijay Nagar area, they said. The incident occurred on Friday night near Labour Chowk. On receiving information, the police reached the spot and retrieved the man from the drain with the help of locals, they said. Preliminary investigation suggests the man was in an inebriated state, Vijay Nagar SHO Dharampal Singh said, adding that, “He was sitting on the edge of the drain when he apparently lost balance and fell into the deep water.” The police took Wasim to the district government hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, he said. The body has been sent for post-mortem, 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
29 March,2026 09:32 AM IST | Ghaziabad | AgenciesIndian-flagged vessel “Jag Vasant” carrying 47,000 metric tonnes (MT) of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat’s Jamnagar after crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia crisis, an official said on Saturday. MT Jag Vasant was anchored at 8.30 pm on Friday, loaded from Mina Al Ahmadi Port, Kuwait, according to a statement from Deendayal Port Authority, of which Vadinar port is a part. “The 230-metre-long vessel is currently transferring 17,600 metric tonnes of LPG to the daughter vessel MT Rose Gas, a process expected to take approximately 15 hours. Following the transfer, the daughter vessel will proceed towards Kandla to discharge further,” a port official said. Cargo of 20,000 MT on “Jag Vasant”, the mother vessel, will be discharged at Mumbai and another around 9000 MT will later be discharged at Mangaluru, the official added. 9000MTs of LPG which will be discharged to Mangaluru Centre proposes plan to add 50 lakh PNG connections The Centre on Saturday pushed for rapid expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) networks. Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar proposed a rollout targeting 50 lakh new connections, alongside single-window clearances. “Cities must lead this transition as growth engines,” he said. A phased LPG-to-PNG shift with streamlined processes and awareness campaigns was agreed upon. Chhattisgarh: 3841 cylinders seized The cylinders were seized from 335 locations. Pic/PTI Authorities in Chhattisgarh have seized 3841 LPG cylinders from 335 locations in a crackdown on hoarding over the past two weeks. The review, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, comes amid concerns linked to the West Asia conflict. “The supply chain remains completely smooth and normal, and no shortages… will be allowed,” Sai said. Officials added 97 FIRs were registered, while maintaining there is no shortage of LPG or petroleum products in the state. PM Modi makes calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterating India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure. “Discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia [with Prince Mohammed bin Salman]… Thanked him for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia,” he said in a tweet. Modi has also spoken to several world leaders since the conflict started and they include those from the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iran, France, Israel, and Malaysia. US President Donald Trump has also spoken to Modi following which the Prime Minister said he “had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia”. This was the first interaction between Trump and Modi since February 28. The New York Times had earlier reported that billionaire Elon Musk was also on this call. A spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, however, denies this claim. 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
29 March,2026 09:14 AM IST | Ahmedabad | AgenciesIn a move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, Indian Railways has introduced the ‘RailOne’ mobile application, enabling users to book both reserved and unreserved tickets directly from their smartphones. The app complements existing booking options such as railway reservation counters, offering a more flexible and digital alternative for travellers. Turning out to be a major success, Indian Railways’ integrated ticketing platform witnessed a strong response from passengers, recording 2.57 crore downloads as of March 15, 2026. As per the official statement, the app is facilitating an average of 7.64 lakh ticket bookings, covering both reserved and unreserved categories. The surge highlights the growing shift towards digital platforms for railway services across the country. Online reserved tickets account for 88 per cent Digital adoption in railway ticketing continues to rise, with approximately 88 per cent of reserved tickets now being booked online, significantly reducing dependence on physical counters. Apart from direct booking platforms, Indian Railways also engages various categories of authorised agents to facilitate ticketing services, ensuring wider accessibility for passengers across regions. Indian Railways offer multiple online ticketing systems As part of its outreach, Indian Railways has engaged multiple categories of agents to facilitate ticket booking services, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. For unreserved tickets, the categories include Halt Agents, Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks (JTBS), Station Ticket Booking Agents (STBA), and M-UTS Sahayaks. Meanwhile, Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra Licensees (YTSKL) are authorised to issue both reserved and unreserved tickets. Yatri Tickets Suvidha Kendra Licensee (YTSKL) Additionally, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) appoints e-ticketing agents for booking reserved tickets online under Yatri Tickets Suvidha Kendra Licensee (YTSKL). The statement further said that there is no prior experience required for individuals seeking to become Halt Agents, JTBS, STBA, or M-UTS Sahayaks. These schemes are designed to encourage participation from eligible individuals, including educated unemployed youth, thereby promoting self-employment and improving accessibility to railway ticketing services. Since, in addition to unreserved tickets, YTSKLs also issue reserved tickets, which require a basic understanding of railway ticketing, for YTSKLs, a minimum of 02 years’ experience in railway ticketing is required.
28 March,2026 11:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 16-year-old boy has been detained for allegedly sexually abusing a minor girl in Beed, a city in central Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police on Wednesday. "The six-year-old girl was passing in front of the house of the accused when he lured her by offering fruit. The boy then took the girl on the first floor of his house and sexually abused her on Monday evening,” an officer said. After reaching home, the girl narrated the incident to her mother, who lodged a complaint with Pethbeed Police station on Tuesday, PTI reported. The police further stated that the accused teenager has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following the complaint and was later detained and sent to a remand home. 15-year-old Thane girl ‘sold’ and sexually assaulted under guise of marriage The Thane Police have arrested four individuals, including the 'husband' of a 15-year-old tribal girl, for abduction and sexual assault. The minor, who was taken from the Bhiwandi area of Thane, was reportedly 'sold' to a man in Beed district, located in the Marathwada region, under the fraudulent pretext of a legal marriage, reported PTI. “The victim was exploited due to her extreme poverty and the absence of her parents. She was allegedly abducted on February 26 by a broker and his associates, who promised her a better life through marriage, only to sell her to an older man in Patoda, Beed,” a Thane Rural Police officer said. According to the news agency, the minor was reportedly forced into an illegal marriage on February 27 after being threatened. Between February 27 and March 10, her "husband", Bhausaheb Tambe, allegedly kept her locked in a farm shed and raped her, stated the FIR. Following a probe, the police apprehended Tambe and three others from Beed and Bhiwandi, Padgha Police Station Inspector Jitendra Thakur said. The accused have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a police spokesperson said. (With inputs from PTI)
28 March,2026 10:04 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentPresident Droupadi Murmu visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Thursday and installed a 150-kg gold-plated metal plate called the 'Shri Ram Yantra' as part of special religious ceremonies. "President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in the sacred Ayodhya Dham," read a post on the official X handle of the President of India. "On this occasion, she installed the 'Shri Ram Yantra' in the divine temple, in the presence of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mata Amritanandamayi, and other dignitaries. She offered prayers and performed the aarti at the Ramlala Temple, praying to Lord Ramlala for the happiness and prosperity of all," the post added. 150-kg gold-plated square metal plate features engraved Vedic and 'beej' mantras President Murmu was received in Ayodhya by Governor Patel, Chief Minister (CM) Adityanath, and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Temple trust member Anil Mishra said the metal plate, based on Vedic mathematics, is designed to generate positive spiritual energy and symbolises the divine presence of Lord Ram, PTI reported. The 150-kg gold-plated square metal plate features engraved Vedic and 'beej' mantras. It has been modelled on the Shri Ram Yantra of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and was crafted under the guidance of Swami Vijayendra Saraswati, Mishra said, reported PTI. Heavy security and traffic restrictions in place across Ayodhya for President Murmu’s visit He added that the metal plate was brought to Ayodhya in a ceremonial procession from Tirupati Devasthanam about two years ago and has since been worshipped daily. It will be installed on the second floor of the temple during the auspicious 'abhijit muhurat', as part of rituals linked to Chaitra Navratri and the Hindu New Year. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Ayodhya for the president's visit. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover stated that over 7,000 personnel have been deployed at the temple complex and across the city, with additional forces stationed at sensitive locations. As per PTI, traffic restrictions have also been imposed, with authorities urging residents and devotees to cooperate and avoid restricted zones, officials said. (Inputs from PTI)
28 March,2026 09:58 PM IST | Ayodhya (UP) | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1774773899141_d.png "Representational Image")
-1774771439572_d.png "Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File Pic")
-1773913231871_d.png "President Droupadi Murmu at Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Pic/X")