Dharmendra, a senior IAS officer from the 1989-batch AGMUT cadre, has been named the new chief secretary of the Delhi government. Currently the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, he will assume his new responsibilities on September 1 or the date of his joining. Naresh Kumar, the current chief secretary, completes his term on August 31.
In West Delhi's Khyala area, a six-day-old girl's body was found in a bag on a terrace. The child's mother, Shivani, confessed to killing her due to social stigma, as it was her fourth daughter. The police await the postmortem results to determine the cause of death.
The Delhi traffic police have issued an advisory regarding traffic disturbances due to the closure of Minto Road from August 30 to September 2 for pothole repair works under Minto Bridge. Traffic will be diverted from Connaught Place and surrounding areas, with alternate routes suggested through JLN Marg, Barakhamba Road, and Tilak Bridge.
31-year-old truck driver has been arrested for allegedly running over four men sleeping on a pavement in the Shastri Park area of northeast Delhi, officials said on Friday.
A Delhi court granted bail to Dinesh, alleged mastermind of a cyber fraud involving Rs 91 lakh. Dinesh and seven others were arrested for defrauding Sachin Bansal via a WhatsApp group. The court noted lack of evidence for further custody. Investigators froze suspicious accounts, including one with Rs 46 lakh.
A labourer has been arrested in Maharashtra's Palghar district for allegedly raping a four-and-half-year-old girl. The 19-year-old was arrested after the girl informed her mother about the incident, which occurred while her parents were at work. Local activists are demanding capital punishment for the accused, who faces charges under relevant laws.
A Delhi court has granted bail to a Mandoli Jail warden caught smuggling 100 grams of opium into the prison. The court noted that the investigation is complete and the warden is unlikely to abscond. Bail was granted on a personal bond with surety. The warden's counsel disputed the recovery details and timing.
Nearly 70,000 students began their four-year journey at Delhi University with classes starting on Thursday under cloudy skies and intermittent drizzle. Despite the weather, excitement was high as students attended orientation programmes. The university had received 2,45,287 registrations through CUET for its 71,600 seats during the admission process that began on May 28.
The co-owners of a basement coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, where three IAS aspirants drowned, have appealed to the Delhi High Court for bail. The trial court previously denied their plea, citing illegal use of the basement for educational purposes as the cause. They argue their cooperation with the investigation and absence in the FIR.
The Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories about traffic congestion caused by waterlogging and potholes in several areas, including the Okhla Underpass, Rohtak Road, and parts of Mathura Road. Commuters faced significant delays and struggled to navigate through these troubled spots. Similar issues were reported in Dhaula Kuan and near Ashram Bridge due to recent heavy rainfall.
A Delhi court instructed an SHO to respond to an application requesting the preservation of CCTV footage from Bharat Nagar police station. The request came amid an ongoing case involving allegations against seven individuals, including police officers. The court referenced a Supreme Court ruling on CCTV usage and set the matter for further hearing on September 5.
Delhi Police recovered a pistol from a ten-year-old boy's bag at a school in Najafgarh. The weapon, licensed to his deceased father, was discovered by school authorities who alerted law enforcement. The police have initiated the process of canceling the pistol's license and are currently investigating the matter.
The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail pleas in the excise policy scam until September 5. The CBI will file its counter affidavit, while Kejriwal has two days to reply. The case centers on alleged irregularities and corruption in the excise policy's modification.
Heavy rains on Tuesday morning caused widespread waterlogging in Delhi, leading to significant traffic snarls. Authorities advised using alternate routes due to disruptions at key locations like Minto Road, Nangloi, and Connaught Place. Areas such as ITO, Raisina, and Rajghat were also severely affected by the downpour, impacting commuters around the city.
A person in Kolkata was arrested for disclosing the identity of a doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College, and for issuing death threats to chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The arrest followed a complaint filed at the Taltala police station after offensive social media posts went viral. The accused will face a court hearing.
A 22-year-old man named Monu was fatally stabbed by four men in central Delhi's Prasad Nagar area. The incident occurred after a motor accident involving Monu's friend Neeraj and one of the assailants. Police arrested the four suspects, Jugnu, Amit, Vicky, and Karan, who are workers in a jeans factory.
Sunita Kejriwal played a crucial role in maintaining communication between the jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party. She also actively participated in campaign rallies, bridging the gap during her husband's imprisonment. According to senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, her political role might conclude once Arvind Kejriwal is released from Tihar Jail.
Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot hoisted the national flag on Independence Day at Chhatrasal Stadium. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, described as a 'modern day freedom fighter', was absent as he is in jail. Gahlot emphasized Kejriwal's contributions to education, healthcare, and public services in Delhi despite facing legal challenges.
On August 15, 2024, the Independence Day Ceremony at Red Fort included an address by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. Traffic restrictions and road closures around the venue were announced for security and convenience. People were advised on prohibited items and urged to report suspicious objects or behavior.
The Delhi government started setting up 32 online monitoring stations along the Yamuna and its drains to access real-time pollutant data. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee plans to install these by year-end, aiding in tracking pollution sources. A selected bidder will install and maintain the system for five years post-trial run.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's request for AAP minister Atishi to hoist the national flag on Independence Day was denied. The General Administration Department declared that Kejriwal's letter from Tihar jail did not meet legal communication standards. Arrangements for the function at Chhatrasal Stadium are proceeding as per usual practices, pending higher authorities' decision.
On August 9, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples focused on the theme 'Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.' The event featured discussions on Indigenous roles in environmental protection, globalisation's impact, and cultural performances highlighting their resilience. Emphasis was placed on Indigenous communities' sustainable living practices.
The French Institute in India selected 28 artists and writers for the Villa Swagatam residency program, spanning India, Bangladesh, and France. This year's projects, ranging from temple hair donation transformations to urban ecology documentaries, aim to foster cross-cultural exchanges. Nearly 450 applicants competed, reflecting growing interest in global artistic collaborations.
The Delhi High Court granted temporary relief from arrest to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer accused of fraudulently claiming OBC and disability benefits, until August 21. Justice Subramonium Prasad ordered the Delhi Police and UPSC to respond to her anticipatory bail plea. Khedkar is accused of providing false information in her UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 application.
The AAP conducted a meeting on Sunday evening to discuss strategies for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. The gathering was led by Manish Sisodia, a senior party leader, recently released on bail after 17 months of imprisonment in corruption and money laundering cases. The meeting took place at Sisodia's residence, focusing on future election preparations.
First sunken museum in Delhi at Sunder Nursery is now open to the public.
The Supreme Court granted bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in connection to corruption and money laundering charges related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Sisodia had been in custody for 17 months without trial, leading to the court's decision citing his right to a speedy trial. AAP leaders celebrated the decision as a victory of truth.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for August 9 regarding an appeal against a Bombay High Court order that upheld a Chembur college's ban on wearing religious attire like burqa, hijab, and niqab on campus.
BJP MP Gulam Ali Khan criticized opposition parties for misusing Waqf property over the past 70 years and stated that PM Narendra Modi aims for transparency. Opposition leaders labeled the Bill as unjust and anti-minority. The proposed amendments include defining "waqf" more clearly and renaming the Waqf Act of 1995 to focus on empowerment and development.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh urged a boycott of the Olympics following Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification for being 100g overweight. Singh viewed this as an insult to the athlete and the nation. The Indian Olympic Association regretted her disqualification, pointing out that despite their efforts, Phogat was slightly over the 50kg limit.
The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi lieutenant governor's authority to appoint MCD aldermen, dismissing the Delhi government's plea. This verdict favors the BJP in the 18-member standing committee. AAP opposed the decision, calling it undemocratic, while BJP supported it. The ruling will impact the composition of the MCD standing committee and future elections.
Former probationary IAS Puja Khedkar has challenged UPSC's decision to cancel her candidature in the Delhi High Court. The UPSC had debarred her for cheating and forgery and gave her until July 30, 2024, to respond to a show cause notice. Despite the extension, she failed to submit a response in time.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh stated the party's disagreement with the Supreme Court's decision allowing the lieutenant governor to appoint MCD aldermen, describing it as a detrimental move for Indian democracy. The Supreme Court upheld the LG's authority, bypassing the elected Delhi government. This decision was viewed as unfortunate and against democratic ideals by the AAP.
Former minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi emphasized the need for reforms in the Waqf system, advocating for greater accountability and transparency. The government planned to introduce a Bill to amend the 1995 law, mandating property registration and inclusion of women in Waqf boards. Opposition came from several Muslim organizations and leaders, including Asaduddin Owaisi.
Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal. The Delhi High Court justified the arrest, noting compliance with legal ltprotocols. Kumar's pleas to declare the arrest illegal were dismissed. The arrest was deemed necessary due to suspicious actions and suppression of evidence.
A Delhi court disposed of the bail plea for four co-owners of a coaching centre's basement where three civil services aspirants drowned last month. The case was transferred to the CBI for investigation. The co-owners were given the liberty to file a fresh bail plea before the appropriate CBI court.
Noida traffic police announced that the Noida-Delhi side of the DND Flyway would be closed for six hours on Saturday night due to the integration of the DND–Faridabad–KMP Expressway, expected to complete by the end of 2024. A traffic diversion plan was established to facilitate movement during this period.
Delhi's Public Works Department began upgrading Okhla Estate Road, a vital 3 km route connecting Sarita Vihar Underpass and Guru Ravidas Marg. The project, backed by CM Arvind Kejriwal's vision, aims to enhance connectivity for Tughlaqabad, Okhla, and Kalkaji. Minister Atishi emphasized adhering to security and quality standards to ensure minimal commuter disruption.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh met with protesting UPSC aspirants in Rajinder Nagar, pledging Rs 3 crore to build a library in memory of three students who died in a flooded coaching centre basement. The Delhi government and MCD promised Rs 10 lakh compensation for each affected family, while legislation to regulate coaching centres is in progress.