Top News: US Restores Trump Photo in Epstein Files; Delhi Court Seeks Reply From Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case
Delhi Court Seeks Response From Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case
Delhi Court seeks response from Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald case.
ED challenged a trial court order dated December 16, which refused to take cognisance of its money laundering chargesheet.
Delhi High Court issued notices to the Gandhis and other accused and also considered ED’s request to stay the trial court order.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja listed the matter for further hearing on March 12, 2026.
Trial court ruled that the ED complaint was not legally valid because it was not based on a registered FIR under the PMLA.
The court noted that the probe started from a private complaint, not an FIR for a scheduled offence.
ED has accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and Young Indian of conspiracy and money laundering.
The agency alleged that properties worth about ₹2,000 crore of Associated Journals Limited were taken over through Young Indian.
Hyderabad Airport Bomb Threat to KLM Flight Turns Out Hoax
A bomb threat email was received for a KLM Airlines flight (AI-887) coming from Amsterdam to Hyderabad.
The aircraft landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 1:00 AM.
Following safety rules, the plane was moved to an isolation bay immediately.
CISF and bomb disposal teams checked the aircraft using sniffer dogs.
Passenger baggage and cargo were searched carefully, minute by minute.
After hours of inspection, no suspicious item was found.
Authorities confirmed the bomb threat was false.
Police and cyber teams are tracing the source of the threat email.
Bangladesh student leader shot in head during violent protests over Hadi’s killing
A senior labour leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizens Party (NCP), Md Motaleb Sikder (42), was shot in the head in Khulna on Monday.
The attack happened amid violent protests sparked by the killing of Islamic extremist Sharif Osman Hadi.
Sikder was shot around 12:15 pm at a house in the Sonadanga area of Khulna.
He is a central organiser of Jatiya Sramik Shakti, the NCP’s labour wing, and was preparing for a divisional labour rally.
Party sources said the bullet grazed his skull, and his condition is now stable.
The incident comes days after Sharif Osman Hadi was shot dead in Dhaka on December 12.
Hadi later died in Singapore on December 18 after severe brain injuries.
His death triggered nationwide protests, raising serious concerns over law and order in Bangladesh.
Udupi Navy Espionage Case: Third Spy Arrested from Cochin Shipyard for Leaking Naval Secrets to Pakistan
Udupi Police in Karnataka arrested Hirendra Kumar, the third accused in the navy espionage case.
Hirendra Kumar worked at Malpe-linked Cochin Shipyard and had access to sensitive areas.
He was passing confidential naval operations and installation details to Pakistani handlers.
Security agencies suspect the accused received illegal financial benefits for sharing secrets.
Two other accused, Rohit and Santri, were arrested earlier in the same case.
All three accused are now in judicial custody.
Investigators are probing links to a foreign intelligence agency, possibly Pakistan’s ISI.
Bengal: Organizer Mehbub Malik Arrested for Harassing Singer Lagnajita Chakravarty Over ‘Jago Maa’ Song
In East Medinipur, Bengal, a cultural event turned controversial after singer Lagnajita Chakravarty faced harassment on stage.
The incident occurred when she performed the popular song ‘Jago Maa’ from the film Devi Chowdhurani.
Organizer Mehbub Malik allegedly became angry and pressured her to sing only so-called “secular songs.”
Following the singer’s written complaint, police arrested Mehbub Malik, a school co-owner.
The case is under serious investigation by authorities.
For delay in registering the FIR, a departmental inquiry has begun against the Bhagwanpur police station in-charge.
The Superintendent of Police has ordered strict action in the matter.
Historic India–New Zealand FTA Deal marks a major step in bilateral ties, announced after a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Talks began in March 2025 and concluded within nine months.
This is the Modi government’s 7th successful international trade agreement, after the UK and Australia.
The pact aims to double bilateral trade in five years and attract $20 billion investment from New Zealand over 15 years.
The FTA will create new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, students, and entrepreneurs, boosting access in agriculture, dairy, and technology.
India’s economic and strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific will grow, with expanded cooperation in defence, education, and people-to-people ties.
Bangladesh: Hindu Worker Dipu Chandra Das Killed After Co-Workers Hand Him to Islamist Mob
A 27-year-old Bangladeshi Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally lynched in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, after his co-workers handed him over to an Islamist mob.
Dipu Chandra Das was employed at a garment factory and was accused of blasphemy, but authorities later said no clear evidence supported the claim.
Factory supervisors forced Dipu to resign instead of informing police and pushed him out of the workplace.
An Islamist mob dragged him out, beat him severely, tied his body, and later set it on fire on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway.
Investigators said the violence was not sudden and showed signs of planning over several hours.
CCTV footage revealed that some factory workers joined the mob during the killing.
Police admitted that a timely call from factory management could have saved Dipu’s life.
Dipu leaves behind his wife and a one-and-a-half-year-old child, as his family demands justice.
50 Indians Still Trapped in Russian Army; 26 Killed in Ukraine War
Over 200 Indians were recruited into the Russian armed forces during the Ukraine war, the government told Parliament.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed 202 Indians were involved.
26 Indians have died, while 7 are reported missing, according to Russian authorities.
The government has secured the early discharge of 119 Indians so far.
50 Indians are still trapped in the Russian army, and efforts are ongoing to bring them back.
Indian missions in Russia are helping with travel documents, air tickets, and repatriation.
The MEA assisted in returning the mortal remains of 10 Indians and local cremation of two others.
DNA samples of families have been shared with Russia to identify missing or deceased persons.
Many Indians were lured with job or study promises and later forced into combat roles.
Air India Delhi–Mumbai Flight Returns After Engine Oil Pressure Failure
Air India flight AI887, flying from Delhi to Mumbai, returned shortly after take-off on December 22.
The aircraft was a Boeing 777-337 ER, which departed IGI Airport at 3:20 am.
Pilots noticed a sharp drop in engine oil pressure in the right-hand engine (Engine No. 2).
The oil pressure later fell to zero, which is considered a serious safety risk.
Following standard safety procedures, the crew decided to return to Delhi.
The plane landed safely, and all passengers and crew exited normally.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has sought a detailed report from Air India.
DGCA has been directed to investigate the technical issue.
Air India arranged alternate flights and assistance for affected passengers.
The aircraft is under technical inspection and will fly only after clearance.
US Justice Department Restores Trump Photo in Epstein Files After Public Backlash
The US Department of Justice restored a photograph from the Jeffrey Epstein files after criticism over its removal.
The image showed documents from Epstein’s office with two photos of President Donald Trump.
One photo showed Trump with a group of women; another showed Trump with Melania Trump, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The document also included images of Epstein with former President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II.
The DOJ said the image was temporarily removed after the Southern District of New York raised concerns about victim protection.
After review, officials confirmed no Epstein victims were shown in the photograph.
The image was reposted without any changes or redactions.
Democrats accused the Trump administration of selectively hiding information from the Epstein files.
Lawmakers from both parties demanded the full and transparent release of all Epstein-related documents.
The DOJ clarified that redactions are only made to protect victims, not to hide politicians’ names.
Radicals Set Fire to BNP Leader’s Home in Bangladesh, Young Daughter Burned to Death
Violence continues in Bangladesh following the killing of radical student leader Usman Hadi.
Radical elements set fire to the house of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Bilal Hussain.
The BNP leader’s 7-year-old daughter was burned alive, while his two other daughters are in critical condition.
The offices of newspapers The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were also targeted.
The historic residence of Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was also attacked.
