CJP calls off 36-day protest after Pradhan resigns, govt accepts its other demands

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: The Cockroach Janta Party on Saturday called off its 36-day agitation after Education Minister Dhar-mendra Pradhan resigned and the government acce-pted its other demands, a momentous win for the unprecedented youth-led movement that galvanised lakhs of people over irregularities in exams and the NEET paper leak. Pradhan announced his resignation in a statement, saying the developments of the past 10 days had "saddened" him deeply and that the issue was "not a matter of pers...

Two women killed, five injured as vehicle plunges into gorge in Doda

26/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 25: Two women were killed and five of their relatives were injured after a tempo traveller skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Doda district here on Saturday, officials said. The incident took place near Jathali village when the driver of the vehicle, which was on its way to Doda from Mohalla, lost control, they said. A rescue operation was launched immediately and seven persons travelling in the vehicle were evacuated and taken to hospital where Asha Devi (32), and he...

EOW chargesheets fraudsters in separate cases

26/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu, has filed chargesheets in two separate fraud cases before the competent courts after completing detailed investigations. According to an official communiqué, the Economic Offences Wing filed a chargesheet in a fraud case involving M/s Gold Sukh Trade India Ltd., Jaipur, in which the accused allegedly induced investors to deposit money by promising exorbitant returns and subsequently misappropriated their investments. ...

Rains claim woman’s life in Rajouri; Amarnath, Vaishno Devi pilgrimages partly back on track

26/07/2026
Jammu/Srinagar, Jul 25: A 45-year-old woman was killed while her husband and son sustained injuries after their house collapsed in Rajouri district as light to moderate rains again lashed most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. The woman's death has pushed the rain-related death toll in JK to 30 since July 19. Six persons, including a government employee, remain missing, with search and rescue operations continuing. With the weather showing signs of improvement, the strat...

CJI Surya Kant flags concerns over accuracy, ethical use of AI in arbitration

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said that Artificial Intelligence has very quickly moved from the periphery of arbitration practice to its centre and flagged concerns over its accuracy, authenticity and ethical use. Giving a keynote address at SIAC Annual India Conference-2026 on the topic "International Arbitration: Navigating New Realities and Stress-testing the Fundamentals", the CJI said, "Stress-testing matters only when the fundamentals are worth preservi...

Women not to be burdened with every responsibility just because they are capable: Bhagwat

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said women should not be burdened with every responsibility simply because they are capable, stressing that families should function as a team. He asserted that families should share responsibilities while ensuring that women's aspirations are not stifled. Addressing a question-and-answer session after his lecture on Yuganukul Matrutva (contemporary motherhood) at an event organised by Vishwamangalya Sabha here on Friday, Bhagwat also called for ...

LG Sinha flags off Reading Marathon, urges youth to make reading a way of life

26/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday flagged off a Reading Marathon on the banks of Dal Lake, marking a unique convergence of knowledge, fitness, and environmental responsibility. The event, organised by the National Book Trust as part of Education Week, celebrates six successful years of the National Education Policy, an official spokesperson said. Addr-essing thousands of students from colleges and universities from across Jammu & Kashmir, Sinha highlighted the signi...

Pralhad Joshi appointed as Education Minister after Pradhan resigns from post

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has been appointed as Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the post on Saturday. Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry besi-des his role as Consumer Affairs Minister. A Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said the President, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted the resignation of Pradhan with immediate effect. It said that on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President ...

SC voices concern over in-laws being dragged in criminal cases arising out of marital disputes

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: The Supr-eme Court has voiced concern over in-laws being dragged in to settle scores in cases arising out of marital discord & often children being used to vilify each other, as it quashed a POCSO case registered against an aunt of a minor, whose parents are locked in bitter matrimonial dispute. A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran criticised the view taken by the Bombay High Court in refusing to quash the case without even examining the material on record. "...

Proud moment for every Indian: PM Modi on Sarnath being inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

26/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi on Saturday hailed the inscription of Sarnath in Uttar Prad-esh on the UNESCO World Heritage List, stating that the site has a deep connection with Lord Buddha, whose timeless message of wisdom, compassion and harmony inspires the world. Sarnath, located approximately 10 kilometres from Varanasi, is a profoundly significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. It holds an unparalleled place in history as the location where Gautam Buddha deli...

LG Sinha pays homage to Kargil martyrs on eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas

26/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid homage to the bravehearts of the Kargil War on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas. "On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I bow to our martyrs who made a supreme sacrifice to safeguard the sovereignty and honour of MaaBharti during Operation Vijay," the Lt Governor said in a message. He said the extraordinary courage of the armed forces will forever inspire generations to come. "I also bow in deep reverence to the families of our fallen heroes. ...

Rains lash Kashmir for 5th consecutive day

25/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 25: Intermittent rains lashed widespread parts of Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, even as the flood threat has eased as the levels in most water bodies were decreasing, officials said. Most parts of the valley received rainfall for the fifth consecutive day, with intermittent rains in Srinagar and elsewhere when the last reports came in, the officials said. The meteorological department said the current rain spell over most places of Kashmir is likely to conti...

IFFJK 2026: Imtiaz Ali calls Kashmir “jewel in the crown of the country”, backs global film vision

25/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 25: Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Friday called Kashmir "the jewel in the crown of the country" and urged local filmmakers to think beyond regional boundaries, saying cinema emerging from the Valley should aspire to international standards. Speaking on the sidelines of International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, Ali said Kashmir possesses immense cinematic potential that is yet to be fully explored. He also welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government's efforts to make th...

Students’ agitation warning to BJP-RSS, can’t run govt as personal fiefdom: Rahul

25/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 25: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the students' agitation against paper leaks has given a warning to the BJP-RSS regime that they cannot run the government as their personal fiefdom, and in case they did, they would face 10 times the scale of what happened during the stir. Gandhi said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was a symbol of corruption and "it is good that he is gone". Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid mounting pressure due to the protests over...

Intensify anti-terror operations to neutralise emerging security threats: LG Sinha

24/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 23: A day after a terrorist shot dead a policeman, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday directed the officials to intensify anti-terror operations to neutralise emerging security threats in the Union Territory. Sinha gave these directions during a high-level security review meeting with senior officials from the Army, JK Police, civil administration, CAPFs and key security agencies. An official spokesperson after the meeting said, "The LG directed officials to remain...

NEET paper leak: CJP calls district-level protests across India

24/07/2026
NEW DELHI, July 23: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday called for nationwide peaceful protests on July 24 over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and urging students and other organisations to hold demonstrations across districts. The announcement came as the CJP-led agitation at Jantar Mantar continued amid heightened security, traffic restrictions and closure of several Delhi Metro stations in the nationa...

DB warns against action on private land during Shah Khul anti-encroachment drive

24/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the authorities to ensure that no proprietary land belonging to citizens is touched during the anti-encroachment drive for restoration of the Shah Khul water channel in Srinagar. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani passed the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Mir Mohammad Shafi concerning alleged encroachments and restoration of the Sh...

Jammu flash flood toll rises to 26; highway shut for second day, 6 missing

24/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 23: The death toll in rain-triggered flash floods and landslides across the Jammu region rose to 26 on Thursday following the recovery of a woman's body in Poonch district, while the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for the second consecutive day and two persons trapped in the swollen Tawi river were rescued, officials said. The body of Khalida Kouser, 25, wife of Yasar Iqbal of Murrah village, was recovered near the Fazalabad footbridge in Surankote during a sear...

Anantnag attack: Over 3,500 detained across Valley as manhunt intensifies

24/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 23: More than 3,500 persons have been detained across the Valley as police on Thursday intensified search operations to track down the assailant who shot dead a police official in Anantnag district a day earlier. "The anti-terror operations are in full swing and, so far, we have detained more than 3,500 suspects for questioning following the terror attack in Anantnag yesterday," a senior police official said. He said mobile vehicle check points have been established at various p...

Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 caves in near Dewal bridge amid heavy rain

24/07/2026
UDHAMPUR, Jul 23: A significant portion of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on the down tube (Jammu-bound lane) subsided near Dewal Bridge in the Udhampur district amid continuous heavy rainfall. Visuals showed the highway severely caved in, with river water moving at a fast pace alongside the road. This adds to a growing list of infrastructure damage across the region this week, as flash floods also damaged the side of a newly constructed Kallar-Androla bridge on Munawer river. T...

Houses of two LeT terrorists demolished in Anantnag

24/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 23: Authorities demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Anantnag, hours after a policeman was shot dead in the south Kashmir district, officials said here on Thursday. Houses of Adil Thokar and Haroon Rashid Ganaie, both active terrorists, were razed to the ground during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the officials said. The action came shortly after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain, who was on Amarnath Yatra security duty, was shot dead by...

PM announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases, vows strict punishment for accused

24/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the government will establish fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial of paper leak cases, asserting that safeguarding the interests and future of students remains the government's highest priority and warning that those responsible for compromising the future of the country's youth "will not be spared." In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the decision was aimed at ensuring swift justice a...

Govt's resolve is to ensure bright future for country’s youth: Amit Shah

24/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the welfare of the youth and their bright future is both the highest priority and the resolve of the Modi government. In a message posted on X, the minister said the decision to expedite hearings and take stringent action against the guilty in paper leak cases through the establishment of fast-track courts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a reflection of this very commitment. "This important step by Prime Minister Narendra Mo...

India slams Pakistan over IWT issue at UNSC, says state-sponsored cross-border terrorism erodes basis for cooperation

24/07/2026
NEW YORK, Jul 23: India on Wednesday (local time) slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that "state-sponsored cross-border terrorism" has eroded the basis for bilateral coopera-tion on the treaty, reiterating that the treaty cannot be viewed in isolation from Pakistan's continued support for terrorism. Responding to Pakistan during the High-Level Open Debate of the UNSC on Natural Resources Governance: the Foundation of Pea...

Parliament proceedings washed out for fourth day over NEET fiasco, Pradhan resignation demand

24/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 23: Parliament proceedings were stalled for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as loud protests by an unrelenting opposition over the NEET paper leak and demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation reverberated in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leading to adjournment of the two Houses for the day without transacting any business. Outside the House, opposition and ruling party MPs staged protests and counter-protests and raised slogans against each other, ...

Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 caves in near Dewal bridge amid heavy rain

24/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 23: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, has dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the exclusion of candidates from the final selection list for the posts of Works Supervisor, holding that mere inclusion in a provisional selection list does not confer a right to appointment when the prescribed qualification is not fulfilled. A Bench comprising Judicial Member M.S. Latif and Administrative Member Prasant Kumar also ordered the release of posts that had r...

Special train carries over 600 stranded tourists from Srinagar to Katra amid highway disruptions

24/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 23: The northern railway on Thursday operated a special train from Srinagar to Katra to facilitate the movement of more than 600 tourists and other passengers stranded in the Kashmir Valley due to slow traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following heavy rainfall. The special train was operated by the Jammu Division on the directions of Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal to ensure safe and comfortable travel for stranded passengers, officials said. The tra...

SC sets aside bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, gives 3 weeks to surrender before police

24/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 23: The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of killing her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in 2025, and directed her to surrender within three weeks before police. While holding that continued enlargement at this stage might hinder the ongoing trial, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and P B Varale allowed the plea filed by the Meghalaya government challenging the bail granted to Sonam. "The respondent (Sonam) expres...

Anantnag terrorist attack: Cop on Amarnath Yatra duty martyred

23/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 22: A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable deployed on Amarnath Yatra security duty was martyred after being shot by a lone terrorist in Anantnag town on Wednesday, triggering a massive counter-terrorism crackdown across six districts of the Kashmir Valley in which more than 1,000 suspected overground workers and other suspects were detained for questioning, officials said. The martyrdom of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi at Lal Chowk in Anantnag was the first terror ...

Several still missing in flash-flood hit Poonch; BRO restores key roads in border districts

23/07/2026
JAMMU, July 22: Relen-tless rains battered the Jammu region for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, pushing major rivers above the danger mark, forcing suspension of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and keeping major pilgrimages halted, even as rescue teams continued searching for seven people missing in flood and landslide-hit areas. At least 23 people have lost their lives in separate incidents of flash floods and landslides in Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts since ...

Woman, son swept away in floodwaters in Bandipora; heavy rains across Valley

23/07/2026
SRINAGAR, Jul 22: A mother and son duo drowned after being washed away by floodwaters in Bandpora district, as rains lashed most parts of the valley for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, leading to an increase in the levels of several water bodies, officials said. Flash floods were triggered by the rains in the upper reaches of north Kashmir district. The woman, Gudi Begum, and her 14-year-old son Amir Khatana, residents of Bonibal Tangath area, died after they were swept away by t...

Failed investigation no ground for Rs. 50-lakh compensation: HC

23/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 22: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held that closure of a criminal investigation for lack of sufficient admissible evidence does not, by itself, entitle persons named in an FIR to monetary compensation. Justice Shahzad Azeem dismissed a petition filed by four Kupwara residents who had sought compensation of Rs. 50 lakh each after an investigation against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was closed as "not admitted". The peti...

Wangchuk offers to end fast if protesters spared action; stone-pelting leaves six policemen injured in Delhi

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, July 22: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday offered to end his 25-day indefinite hunger strike if the Centre assures that no force, FIRs or other punitive action would be taken against protesting students, even as fresh tension erupted near Jantar Mantar where stone-pelting left six police personnel, including two Assistant Commissioners of Police, injured. Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and has lost around 11 kg during his fast, said...

Easy to become famous through social media, avoid online popularity: CJI Kant to AoRs

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Observing that visibility is not same as credibility, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday asked newly qualified Advocates-on-Record of 2025 batch to avoid the temptation to run after online popularity and work hard in the profession. Speaking at the felicitation ceremony for the newly qualified AORs by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), the CJI said being qualified as an AOR is not only a professional upgrade but also an enlargement of dut...

Couple killed, 4 injured as boulders hit vehicle on Jammu-Srinagar highway

23/07/2026
BANIHAL/JAMMU, Jul 22: A couple was killed and four others were injured after a vehicle was hit by boulders along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district amid heavy rains on Wednesday, officials said. With these deaths, the toll in rain-related incidents across the Jammu region since July 19 has risen to 25, while seven people remain missing, they said. The incident took place at Gangraoo near Ramsoo when the boulders from the hillock struck the tempo traveller travelling from ...

Dy CM, NC MP escape separate mudslide incidents on Jammu-Poonch National Highway

23/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 22: Dy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and National Conference MP Mian Altaf escaped unhurt in two separate mudslide incidents along the Jammu-Poonch National Highway amid incessant rains on Wednesday, officials said. Deputy CM Choudhary and MP Altaf were travelling to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to oversee relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of flash floods and landslides that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure as w...

Ex-policeman chargesheeted in HC job scam

23/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 22: The Crime Branch on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against a former policeman for allegedly duping several people on the false promise of securing them employment in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Senior Superintendent of Police, Special Crime Wing (SCW) Jammu, Sanjay Parihar said the chargesheet was filed in a Jammu court against former selection grade constable Mohd Tahir, a resident of Mendhar tehsil of Poonch, in connection with an FIR registered earlier this year under va...

CAT issues Rs. 50,000 bailable warrants against IUST VC, Registrar

23/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 22: The Central Admin-istrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, has issued bailable warrants of Rs. 50,000 each against the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, for their failure to appear before it through virtual mode in a contempt proceeding. A Bench comprising Member (Administrative) Prasant Kumar and Member (Judicial) M.S. Latif directed the Superintendent of Police, Police District Awantipora, to execute the ...

Wangchuk offers to end fast if protesters spared action; stone-pelting leaves six policemen injured in Delhi

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, July 22: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday offered to end his 25-day indefinite hunger strike if the Centre assures that no force, FIRs or other punitive action would be taken against protesting students, even as fresh tension erupted near Jantar Mantar where stone-pelting left six police personnel, including two Assistant Commissioners of Police, injured. Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and has lost around 11 kg during his fast, said...

SC asks states, UTs to consider raising retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 22: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the states and union territories to consider raising the age of superannuation of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the direction while hearing a petition seeking uniform enhancement of the retirement age of district judiciary judges from 60 to 62 years across the country. "All state governments and union territories (UTs) are directed to ta...

Parliament adjourned for third straight day as Opposition stands firm on Pradhan's resignation over NEET row

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Parliament remained virtually paralysed for the third consecutive day of the Monsoon Session on Wednesday, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha being adjourned for the day amid unrelenting protests by the Opposition over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, examination irregularities and the recent police action against protesting students. The Opposition remained firm on its demand for the resignation of union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion on ...

Soldier dies after accidental fall in Rajouri

23/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 22: An Army personnel lost his life after accidentally slipping from a height near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on Wednesday, officials said. Rifleman Sukhpreet Singh (27) was on official duty in forward Mahadev post in Sunderbani sector when he lost balance and fell down from a height, resulting in his death, the officials said. They said the body of the deceased was shifted to hospital for postmortem. Police have started inquest proceedings, the officials said, ...

SC says legal error not sole ground to revoke liberty, flags growing trend of challenging bail

23/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 22: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the "growing practice" of routinely challenging bail orders, saying that a legal flaw in a bail order is not, by itself, sufficient grounds to cancel an accused person's liberty. The observations were made by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana while dismissing the separate pleas of the Enforcement Directorate and the Chhattisgarh government against the high court ord...

11 killed in rain fury; search on for 7 missing in Poonch, Rajouri

21/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 20: At least 11 people, including a woman and her two children, were killed in fresh rain-related incidents across Jammu on Monday, raising the death toll to 23 over the past two days, officials said. Seven people went missing as persistent heavy rain hampered rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Seven people, including two children, were buried alive after a landslide triggered by heavy rain brought down their mud house in the upper reache...

IWT won’t work in current form, its future hinges on Pak ending terrorism against India: Govt Sources

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in its present form will not function again and Pakistan has shown no signs of ending cross-border terrorism against India -- a prerequisite for resuming cooperation under the over 65-year-old pact, government sources said on Monday. For any future reactivation of the river water-sharing provisions, the treaty would need to be renegotiated in a modified format -- a step that remains contingent on Islamabad permanently halting its support for ter...

Centre opens talks with CJP as AISA ends 23-day hunger strike

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday said it was heading for talks with union Health Minister and former BJP National President J P Nadda after the Centre reached out for discussions amid the ongoing agitation at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities and education reforms. In a post on X, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said he and party leader AshutoshRanka were on their way to meet Nadda on behalf of the party. "It's 11:52 AM. Ashutosh Ranka and I, on beha...

NC stages protest in Delhi for J&K statehood, says govt’s promise remains unfulfilled

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: Escalating the political showdown over Jammu and Kashmir's political status, National Confe-rence president Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, ministers, MLAs and party workers staged a protest in the national capital on Monday, demanding the immediate restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. The demonstration, held on the opening day of Parliament's Mon-soon Session, was, however, overshadowed by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest ...

Omar condemns action against student protestors; Farooq seeks Wangchuk’s release from hospital

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday condemned the police action against students protesting in Delhi over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while National Conference president Farooq Abd-ullah called for the release of Ladakh acti-vist Sonam Wangchuk from hospital. The two leaders made the remarks near Jantar Mantar after being stopped from holding a protest demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing solidarity with the stud...

PM Modi urges productive Parliament session, hopes discussions are conducted with logic

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: With the opposition bracing to raise several contentious issues in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said there would be no room for chaos or raising voice if discussions in the House are conducted with logic and facts. Addressing reporters ahead of Parlia-ment's Session, Modi also spoke about the impact of the West Asia conflict on the country and India's growing space sector. The prime minister said whether it is the seasonal monsoon or the monsoon session...

HC upholds removal of Urban Cooperative Bank CEO

21/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 20: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld the removal of the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Cooperative Bank Limited, Anantnag, holding that the bank's Board of Management had no legal authority to extend his service beyond the statutory retirement age of 58 years. Justice Shahzad Azeem dismissed the petition filed by Mohammad Shafi Reshi challenging orders dated February 27, February 28 and March 5, 2025, by which he was relieved from the pos...

Charge order must reflect application of mind: HC

21/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 20: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed an order framing charges against a Kathua resident in an alleged heroin trafficking case, holding that the trial court had passed the order in a "cryptic manner" without assigning reasons and that the charges appeared to have been framed mechanically without application of mind. Justice M.A. Chowdhary set aside the November 24, 2025 order passed by the Principal Sessions Judge, Samba, to the extent it related to accused Mo...

Three dead as boulders hits passenger bus, house in Doda

21/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 20: Three persons were killed and six others injured after falling boulders struck a passenger bus and a house in two separate incidents in the hilly Doda district on Monday, officials said. In the first incident, a rock rolled down a hillock near RaggiNallah along the Jammu-Kishtwar national highway around 9.30 am amid torrential rains, hitting a passenger bus, the officials said. They said a rescue operation was launched immediately, and seven injured persons were shifted to a ne...

Heavy downpour causes waterlogging in Kashmir

21/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 20: Torrential rains lashed many parts of Kashmir on Monday, leading to waterlogging in several areas, even as the Mete-orological Department has forecast spells of rainfall or thundershowers till July 23, officials said. Heavy rains lashed most parts of Kashmir, with torrential rains in many areas since early Monday morning, the officials said. The officials said heavy rains and cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the Safapora area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, c...

Abdullahs dancing to the tunes of anti-national forces when marooned J&K is crying for help: Tarun Chugh

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: BJP National General Secretary, RajyaSabha MP and J&K BJP Prabhari Tarun Chugh launched a sharp attack on the Nati-onal Conference government & Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying that while Jammu & Kashmir is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis caused by cloudbursts and flash floods in Rajouri, Poonch and other parts of the Jammu region, the Chief Minister has chosen Delhi politics over his responsibility towards the people. During a meeting in New Delhi with J&K B...

LG reviews rain situation in J&K, directs speedy restoration

21/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 20: Lieute-nant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reviewed the impact of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kash-mir, directing officials to ensure the swift restoration of essential services while assessing damage to public infrastructure and residential houses. The Lt Governor also expressed grief over the loss of two lives in rain-related incidents in Doda district. "I spoke to senior officials today to assess the impact of heavy rains, flash floods, and lands...

Clashes, tear gas thwart students’ march to Parliament; several injured, detained

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: Delhi Police lobbed tear gas shells and wielded sticks on Parliament Street on Monday as thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament where MPs gathered for the first day of the Monsoon Session. The protest, called by online sensation Cockr-oach Janta Party for education reforms, was joined by student groups AISA, KYS, SFI, and many professionals. Situation turned tense around 11.15 am when protesters broke through a major barricade erected in front of the Parliament ...

Monsoon Session opens amid Opposition protests; Parliament witnesses repeated adjournments over NEET, Ram Temple donation row

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a turbulent start on Monday, with repeated disruptions and adjournments in both the LokSabha and the RajyaSabha as Opposition members raised slogans over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple, and other issues, preventing normal legislative business from proceeding. The day's proceedings began with obituary references in both Houses, after which members paid tributes to former m...

Land subsidence hits highway in Udhampur, seven shops damaged

21/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 20: Se-ven shops were damag-ed on Monday due to land subsidence triggered by heavy rains along the J-ammu-Srinagar Natio-nal Highway in Udham-pur district, officials said. Heavy rains also triggered flash floods in the upper Kither-Narsu belt of Udhampur, resulting in land subsidence along the highway, they said. Seven shops, including a restaurant, were damaged in the incident, they said, adding, locals and police immediately swung into action and removed debris from the damaged st...

4 Indians killed, 1 critically injured in attack on cargo Vessel off Odesa Port in Ukraine: MEA

21/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 20: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday condemned the attack on a commercial vessel departing from Odesa port in Ukraine in which four Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains in a critical condition. According to the MEA, on the evening of July 19, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals. "As per information available, fo...

Dr Jitendra for revisiting pension rules to minimise litigation, strengthen senior citizens’ welfare

21/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 20: Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for a comprehensive review of pension regulations to ensure that evolving social realities are adequately reflected in government policies, stating that many pension disputes arise because existing rules have failed to keep pace with changing societal needs. He emphasised that the ultimate objective of pension administration should be to prevent litigation through timely poli...

Two drug peddlers’ houses worth over Rs 3.5 crore demolished in Kathua

21/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 20: Two residential houses and a cowshed belonging to two brothers accused of being chronic drug peddlers were demolished in a joint operation carried out by the civil administration and police in Kathua district on Monday, police said. The demolished structures, worth over Rs 3.5 crore, had been illegally constructed on State land by Gulzar alias "Dau" and his brother Farman Ali at village Sapral Pain in Marheen tehsil, a police spokesman said. He said both accused are allegedly i...

Flash floods, landslides leave 12 dead in Poonch-Rajouri; several missing

20/07/2026
JAMMU, Jul 19: At least 12 people were killed and several others went missing as torrential rains triggered cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, c-ausing widespread damage to houses, roads and other infrastructure and prompting massive multi-agency rescue operations. The worst devastation was reported from Surankote tehsil of Poonch district, where most of the casualties occurred. Poonch Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharm...

Conserving nature spiritual duty of every citizen: LG Sinha

20/07/2026
Srinagar, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said conserving nature is the spiritual duty of every citizen, and one should leave the earth in a better condition for future generations. "Conserving nature should be our spiritual duty. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors and sages taught us to revere nature. We called rivers our mothers, regarded trees as life-givers, and the earth was worshipped as a mother-goddess in the Sanatan tradition," Sinha said, addressing an all-faith ...

JNEG expresses concern over losses in Rajouri, Poonch; seeks compensation for affected families

20/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 19: The Jammu Newspaper Editors Guild (JNEG) on Sunday expressed concern over the loss of lives and damage to property caused by natural calamities in Rajouri, Poonch and other affected areas and urged the government to provide adequate compensation to the affected families. The issue was raised during an emergency meeting of the Guild held at Lemon Tree Hotel here under the patronage of JNEG President-Patron A.K. Sawhney. The meeting was presided over by JNEG Chairman and State Tim...

Security tightened in Samba police conducts patrol, vehicle checks

20/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 19: As part of its continued efforts to strengthen public safety and maintain a high state of operational readiness, Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted a comprehensive security exercise and area domination patrol in the Ghagwal border belt in Samba district on Sunday, an official said. The operation led by an additional superintendent of police was carried out in a three-kilometre radius from Nonath to Tapyal, commencing with a coordinated patrolling exercise during which Road Openi...

Shah reviews J&K flood situation; coordinates relief with LG Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah

20/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 19: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday engaged in a high-level discussion with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the flood situation triggered by incessant rains. Following reports of flash floods in Rajouri district, Amit Shah reached out to the administration of the Union Territory to coordinate regarding the emergency relief and response measures. Shah, in a post on X, ensured all possible help from the Central ...

Use of swear words, profanities, vulgar expletives will not amount to obscenity: SC

20/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 19: The Supreme Court has said that mere swear words, profanities and vulgar expletives, however offensive or uncivil, will not amount to obscenity. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Vipul M Pancholi -- while hearing a man's plea challenging a high court order that confirmed the trial court's conviction of him under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) -- observed that abusive or vulgar language by itself does not constitute the offence of obscenity under the Section. ...

Two detained for ‘obscene act’ near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

20/07/2026
Jammu, Jul 19: Two persons, including a juvenile, were detained for their alleged involvement in an obscene act near the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district, police said on Sunday. A police spokesperson said the action against the accused followed a viral video showing two couples engaged in obscene and inappropriate acts near the Bhawan market area, which attracted widespread public attention. He said on July 17, the Police Station Bhawan received information abo...

Apprehending police action, Dipke urges supporters to throng Jantar Mantar; says Wangchuk’s fast on

20/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 19: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder AbhijeetDipke on Sunday urged its supporters to gather at the JantarMantar in large numbers ahead of its proposed 'SansadChalo' march on Monday, claiming that there could be a police crackdown on the protest. Dipke also said that activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike is continuing at the Safdarjung Hospital, where he was taken to forcefully by Delhi Police on Saturday, when his fast supporting CJP's protest over paper leaks an...

President Murmu departs for three-nation European visit to boost ties

20/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 19: President Droupadi Murmu departed on Sunday for official state visits to Moldova, North Macedonia, & Roman-ia, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, including commerce, te-chnology, & cultural ties. The initial phase of the three-nation visit begins in Moldova on Monday, representing the maiden visit by an Indian Head of State to the Eastern European nation. During the visit, President Murmu is slated to engage in delegation-level discussions with...

Army Commander visits Ladakh Frontline, asks troops to train harder

20/07/2026
Leh, Jul 19: Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visi-ted a frontline division in Ladakh & urged troops to train harder and remain resolute in overcoming every challenge with unwavering determination, an official statement said on Sunday. During the visit, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, interacted with participants of the Fire and Fury Corps' multi-modal white-water rafting and mountain terrain biking adventure expedition that was conducted in the run-up to...

Dr Jitendra calls for mass public movement against cancer, diabetes, obesity

20/07/2026
NEW DELHI, Jul 19: Calling for a nationwide People's Movement (Jan Andolan) against cancer, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle diseases, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr.Jitendra Singh today said that India's response to the growing burden of Cancer, Diabetes, obesity and other non-communicab...

Kharge urges Centre to assist J&K govt in rescue op for flood-affected families

20/07/2026
New Delhi, Jul 19: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to the floods in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Central government to provide all assistance to the Union Territory to ensure swift rescue and relief to affected families. He also demanded compensation to the families of victims from the PM CARES Fund. "I am deeply distressed by the tragic loss of lives and the devastation caused by the flash floods and incessant rains in the Jammu d...

Iran hits US allies as Israel warns missiles headed for Jordan could land on its territory

20/07/2026
Dubai, Jul 19: The United States launched airstrikes in Iran on Sunday as Iranian missiles fired toward Jordan risked widening the conflict into neighbouring Israel. The US military said the latest round of strikes targeted Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to retaliate for the killing of American troops in Jordan. The exchange of fire has further reignited the conflict between the United States and Iran, after the collapse of last month's interim deal that sought to end the war. The on...