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Kolkata: TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the BJP has deployed its entire machinery to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections, as almost the entire Union cabinet and CMs of NDA-ruled states are camping here.

Addressing an election rally at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee accused the BJP of giving false promises to migrant workers from West Bengal employed outside the state.

“The BJP is desperate, with 50 helicopters flying into West Bengal as almost the entire Union cabinet, from the PM to home, railway and defence ministers, as well as CMs of 19 NDA-ruled states camping in a single state: West Bengal,” the chief minister said.

Banerjee urged the people to compare this with only three helicopters being used by the TMC to campaign across the state.

All the hype and sound and fury of the BJP will end in a whimper on May 4 when poll results will be out, she said.

“On top of this, we are seeing central forces wherever we are going. They are bringing in armoured vehicles which were not used where those were actually needed,” Banerjee said.

She attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that TMC-aided goons would be hanged upside down after the results.

“As a Union minister and a responsible leader, you cannot utter such words. You are speaking in the language of terror. I know no action will be taken against you. But, I have asked our men to videograph his speech and submit the same to the court,” the TMC supremo said.

She said Shah should be in Manipur, where over 260 people lost their lives, and thousands were homeless due to ethnic violence since May 2023, rather than being here.

“But, I am sure that he won’t go there out of fear,” Banerjee said, apparently referring to the BJP leader’s prolonged stay in West Bengal during this election season.

Banerjee claimed Shah held a meeting on Saturday morning with “a certain person from the central forces who had been sent to Nandigram to loot votes”.

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP is seeking re-election from Nandigram. Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee from there in 2021, is also contesting from her constituency, Bhabanipur in Kolkata, this time.

“He (the same central force person) has been instructed to slow down the voting process at Bhabanipur. I don’t care. They can’t do anything to me,” she said.

Alleging that 400 people were brought from outside to Bhabanipur, she said, “I will ask everyone to keep a tab on every hotel and guest house to identify such people who are helping the BJP.”

Claiming that the BJP has no support base, the TMC supremo asserted that the opposition party hired agencies that are bringing people in trains to attend meetings.

“If 100 local people are present at a rally, there are 900 outsiders,” she said.

Banerjee claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has branded Bengalis as Bangladeshis.

“For you, Punjabis are Khalistanis and Muslims are Pakistanis. Who has given you the right to disrespect the people of the country? What is your own identity?” She asked.

“I know who had committed murders there and have been given shelter here. I kept quiet since you requested me. Don’t forget that,” she said without elaborating.

In a jibe at the PM, she said he went on a “scripted” boat ride on the Hooghly river in Kolkata on Friday, which was arranged by the Army.

“You said we have been peeved at your eating ‘jhalmuri’; but we know you had got it prepared at home and everything was scripted as the camera was put up already at the Jhargram shop,” she claimed.

About the return of migrant workers from outside Bengal to cast votes in the first phase polls on Thursday, Banerjee alleged that those were made to place their hands on their holy books according to faiths and asked to promise that they would vote only for the BJP, and then they would get free travel tickets.

“However, they were slapped with a Rs 2000 fine when they reached their destination,” she claimed.

Accusing the BJP of only plotting to divide people, she said these self-proclaimed Hindutva proponents filed a case in the court when the Jagannath Dham was being built in Digha.

“Several temples have been demolished in Varanasi. A Kali temple in Delhi has been demolished. They are destroying the Hindu religion and showing fake love. Don’t trust them,” she said.

The Bengal CM said that contrary to “false propaganda,” industries are coming up at a rapid pace at Singur and Dankuni.

“Six industrial corridors are coming up. In the Deucha-Pachami coal project, 1 lakh youths will get employed,” she said.

The TMC supremo said that the BJP is talking about implementing the 7th Pay Commission if voted to power, but “We have already implemented it.”

She said in the first phase of polls in 152 seats held on April 23, TMC will win 100 seats. The second leg will be held on April 29.

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Saturday, 25 April 2026

AP liquor scam: ED raids 12 locations in Hyderabad and Tirupati

Emblem of the Indian Justice Department with national symbols and motto.

Hyderabad/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, April 24, conducted fresh searches in connection with its ongoing probe into the Andhra Pradesh liquor “scam”, which allegedly occurred under the previous YSRCP government in the state, officials said.

They said a dozen premises — 11 in Hyderabad and one in Tirupati — were raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED officials said those searched include former YSRCP MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, his son Chevireddy Mohit Reddy (in Tirupati), former advisor to the YSRCP government and alleged scam kingpin Kasireddy Raja Sekhar Reddy and former head of AP State Beverages Corporation Ltd. (APSBCL) Vasudeva Reddy.

Former YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP Vijaysai Reddy, former bureaucrat Dhananjay Reddy, former government official Krishna Mohan Reddy and a private company executive, Balaji Govindappa, were also among those searched, they said.

Searches were also conducted at the offices of PLR Projects Pvt. Ltd., which is allegedly linked to YSRCP MP P V Midhun Reddy, and at the residence of a man named Booneti Chanakya, among others, they added.

The central probe agency registered a PMLA case in September 2025 to investigate the alleged scam, taking cognisance of an Andhra Pradesh Police SIT complaint.

The agency had conducted searches in this case earlier too.

It had said in a statement that after the 2019 assembly elections, the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government “monopolised” retail liquor outlets through government retail outlets (GROs) operated by the APSBCL.

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Friday, 24 April 2026

India urges citizens not to travel to Iran, asks those there to leave

People with luggage waiting at airport, reflecting travel restrictions amid advisory.

Amid continuing tensions in the region, India has issued a fresh advisory urging its citizens not to travel to Iran and asking those already there to leave through designated land border routes amid continuing tensions in the region.

The Embassy of India in Tehran released the advisory on Thursday, April 23, following reports that some flight services between India and Iran may resume.

“In view of reports of commencement of some flights between India and Iran, and in continuation of earlier advisories, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to travel to Iran, whether by air or land,” the embassy said.

It added that airspace restrictions and operational uncertainties linked to regional tensions continue to disrupt international flight operations to and from Iran.

Advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Tehran urging citizens not to travel to Iran. — Photo: @India_in_Iran/X

The embassy also reiterated that all Indian nationals currently in Iran should leave the country through designated land border routes while remaining in close coordination with embassy officials.

Indian citizens requiring assistance have been asked to contact emergency helplines: +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102 and +989932179359. Support is also available via email at cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.

Latest updates here

Israel says two armed individuals killed in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it killed two armed individuals in the Aainata area of southern Lebanon after identifying them approaching soldiers and posing what it described as an “immediate threat”.

The military said the two individuals moved towards Israeli troops operating in the area before forces opened fire.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident was linked to strikes reported earlier in nearby areas by Lebanon’s health ministry.

Israel says Hezbollah command centre found under shop in Lebanon

The Israeli military said it had uncovered an underground Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon beneath a civilian site.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the command centre was located about 25 metres below a clothing store in the town of Khiam.

Troops operating in the tunnel reportedly found weapons and several rooms that were allegedly used by Hezbollah to manage combat operations.

Israel says ready to resume war against Iran

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country is prepared to resume its war against Iran but is awaiting approval from the United States before launching major strikes.

Speaking after a security assessment, Katz said Israeli forces were fully prepared for both offensive and defensive operations.

“Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The IDF is ready in defence and offence, and the targets are marked,” he said.

Katz added that Israel was seeking a “green light” from Washington to expand attacks, including strikes on Iran’s leadership and key infrastructure.

US seizes tanker linked to Iranian smuggling in Indian Ocean

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Iran claims military strength in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi said on X that the country’s armed forces were demonstrating strength in the Strait of Hormuz.

He referred to what he described as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “mosquito fleet” of speedboats and underwater drones, and also mentioned action involving three ships in the strategic waterway.

Ejehi said the force was positioned near Faror Island and ready to confront what he called American aggressor warships. He described the military display as “a source of pride” and warned against the continued US naval presence.

ناوگان زنبوری سپاه با قایق‌های تندرو و شهپادها، از غارهای دریایی جزیره فارور، انتظار ناوهای متجاوز آمریکایی را می‌کشند تا با اشباع پدافندی، دمار از روزگار متجاوزین درآورند.
— غلامحسین محسنی اژه‌ای (@ejei_org) April 23, 2026

Trump orders US Navy to ‘shoot, kill’ small boats laying mines in Hormuz

Trump said he had ordered the United States Navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could threaten the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

Trump also said on Thursday that the US military would intensify efforts to remove explosives from the strategic waterway.

“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

He added that US mine-clearing vessels were operating in the area and ordered the activity to continue “at a tripled-up level”.

Screenshot of Donald Trump post claiming US control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump claims US controls Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald J Trump added to tensions after claiming the United States had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, Trump said no ship could enter or leave the strategic waterway without approval from the US Navy and claimed it was “sealed up tight” until Iran agrees to a deal.

Screenshot of Donald Trump post threatening action against boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas supplies. Any disruption in the area can affect international markets and maritime trade.

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Wednesday, 22 April 2026

Motor accident victims entitled to high-quality prosthetic limb: SC

View of the Supreme Court of India with lush green lawn and trees in front.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 21, ruled that motor accident victims are entitled to high-quality prosthetic limb that is integral to their lives, saying that for amputees, such artificial limbs get them “closest to the life experienced” before the onset of disability.

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan said a prosthetic limb is not merely a medical device but an indispensable part of an amputee’s self-belief and empowerment.

Referring to a legal maxim ‘restitutio in integrum’ (restoration to original condition), the top court said, “For amputees, a prosthetic limb would get them closest to the life experienced, before the onset of their disability. The device, apart from empowering them, is integral to their life, giving them confidence and self-belief. The appliance is so personal to the individual that its indispensability can only be better appreciated by the person disabled.”

Justice Viswanathan, writing the judgement, quoted British judge Lord Brooke who had said, “Those of us who have not had the misfortune of losing an arm may have more difficulty in appreciating the view of the joint experts when they said how personal this kind of appliance is to a disabled…”.

The verdict came on an appeal filed by Prahlad Sahai, a driver who lost his right leg below the knee after his motorcycle was hit by a Haryana Roadways bus in 2007.

While the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) originally awarded him Rs 8.73 lakh and the Rajasthan High Court later enhanced it to Rs 13.02 lakh, the top court found these amounts insufficient.

The apex court has now ordered the insurance company to pay an additional Rs 36.20 lakh, effectively taking his total compensation to nearly Rs 50 lakh.

The verdict rejected the submission of the insurance firm that victims should only be compensated based on government notifications.

“We have no hesitation in rejecting the rates prescribed in the government notification relied upon by the insurance company which, in any event, are abysmally low,” the bench said.

“If the treatment claimed is reasonable, there is no answer for the defendant to point to cheaper options,” the bench noted, adding that victims are entitled to choose private centres that provide devices suited to their personal needs.

It said a prosthetic limb is assumed to have a life span of only five years and for compensation purposes, a victim’s life expectancy should be assumed to be 70 years.

The bench awarded Rs 3 lakh per limb for seven replacement cycles (covering 38 years), totalling Rs 21 lakh, plus an additional Rs 5 lakh for maintenance.

The bench took a compassionate view of Sahai’s occupation as a driver.

Even though Sahai could not produce documentary evidence of his Rs 6,000 monthly salary, the bench accepted his claim, noting that such evidence cannot be expected from those employed in that “strata of income”.

The bench further computed his functional disability at 100 per cent, saying that an amputee cannot drive heavy vehicles.

The bench directed the insurance company to pay Rs 26 lakh for prosthetic limbs and maintenance.

It awarded Rs 8,02,368 enhancement for loss of future income besides Rs 2 lakh as litigation costs. It also awarded a sum of Rs 18,000 for loss of income during treatment.

The total additional sum of Rs 36,20,350 has to be paid within four weeks and failure to do so will attract an interest rate of 9 per cent per annum.

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