September 9, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: State

Air India Air Hostess, 21, Dies in Tragic Car Crash in Bhopal; Friends Escape with Minor Injuries

A tragic accident in Bhopal claimed the life of a 21-year-old Air India air hostess, Harshita Sharma, late Thursday night after the car she was travelling in plunged into the Kolar canal. The incident was reported by police on Friday. According to authorities, Harshita was out for a drive with her two friends, Jai and Sujal, when the car suddenly veered off course near the Holy Cross School bridge in Kolar. Police said the vehicle lost control while trying to avoid a cow that unexpectedly appeared on the road. In the driver’s attempt to steer clear of the animal, the car skidded and fell into the canal. Police File Case of Negligent Driving Kolar police station in-charge Sanjay Soni confirmed that a case of negligent driving has been registered against Jai, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Harshita suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby private hospital in critical condition. Doctors later declared her brain dead, and she passed away early Friday morning. Her friends, Jai and Sujal, sustained only minor injuries and are recovering. Family Devastated, Unaware of Her Presence in City In a heart-wrenching revelation, Harshita’s father, Pradeep Sharma, said the family was unaware that she had arrived in Bhopal. She had informed them on Wednesday night that she would be coming to celebrate his birthday on Friday, but they did not know she had already reached the city and was staying at a hotel. The family only learned of the incident after a friend, Shivani, called to inform them that Harshita had been admitted to the hospital. By the time they arrived, doctors had already pronounced her dead. Investigation Underway Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Further action will be taken based on the results of the post-mortem report, authorities said. The untimely death of Harshita Sharma has sent shockwaves through the community and aviation circles, where she was known to be a dedicated and cheerful cabin crew member.

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Cyber Crime Branch Busts Major Mule Bank Account Racket in Digital Arrest Scam; 8 Arrested, ₹68.49 Lakh Duped

In a major crackdown, the Cyber Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested two more individuals involved in the purchase and sale of mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals in elaborate “digital arrest” scams. This brings the total number of arrests to eight in connection with a racket that duped a victim of ₹68.49 lakh. Modus Operandi: “Digital Arrest” Scam The con involved cybercriminals impersonating Mumbai Crime Branch officials, falsely accusing the victim of sending a 200 mg MD drug parcel. They claimed he was also being investigated under money laundering charges. Under this fabricated pretext and psychological pressure, the scammers coerced the victim into transferring a huge sum into mule accounts, eventually siphoning off ₹68.49 lakh. Fresh Arrests: The Bhatt Brothers The two newly arrested accused: They were found in possession of mobile phones and SIM cards linked to mule bank accounts. Investigation revealed: Previously Arrested Key Players: Police Action: This breakthrough highlights the growing menace of mule accounts and the psychological manipulation tactics cyber fraudsters are using. Authorities urge the public to never share personal documents, remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement, and to report suspicious activity immediately.

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Editor03 mins

Swami of Ramakrishna Mission Duped of ₹2.5 Crore in Sophisticated Cyber Scam Posing as ED Probe

In a shocking case of cybercrime, Swami Supradiptananda, secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Gwalior, was duped of ₹2.5 crore by cybercriminals posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. The scam, executed with chilling precision, kept the swami under what police describe as a “digital arrest” for 26 days, isolating him from all contact with the outside world. According to SP Dharamveer Singh, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter. The scammers initiated contact on March 15, accusing the swami of involvement in a ₹20 crore money laundering case supposedly linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. They exploited real-world developments in the Goyal-Canara Bank case to lend credibility, even referencing the November 2023 ED prosecution complaint. To further entrap him, the fraudsters sent forged documents, including: The swami was told that the ashram’s funds needed verification by RBI and would be returned post-investigation — a claim that later proved false. Under psychological pressure and threats of arrest, a ₹5 lakh fine, and 7 years in prison, he complied with their every demand. For 26 days, he was made to send hourly updates, including live location, selfies, and was instructed not to communicate with anyone — not even ashram officials or family. The con artists managed to extract personal, financial, and institutional details, convincing the swami to authorize the transfer of ₹2,52,99,000 to multiple unknown accounts under the guise of legal compliance. When promised refunds failed to materialize and calls from the fraudsters ceased by April 11, Swami Supradiptananda realized the ruse and immediately reported it to the authorities. Police have since traced one of the beneficiary accounts to Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, and dispatched teams to West Bengal, Assam, and other locations as part of the ongoing probe. Swami Supradiptananda has been associated with the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Gwalior since 2014. The case serves as a stark reminder of the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber frauds in India, especially those targeting respected institutions and individuals through psychological manipulation and forgery.

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Editor04 mins

Fraud Case Registered Against Mission Hospital Damoh Management in Fake Heart Surgeon Scandal

In a shocking development, police on Tuesday registered a case of fraud against the management of Mission Hospital in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, where fake heart surgeon Dr. Narendra Yadav—who operated under the alias Dr. N John Camm—is currently in custody for conducting unauthorized cardiac surgeries using forged documents. The case was filed against nine members of the hospital management for allegedly using forged signatures of a doctor to illegally run a cath lab within the hospital premises. Authorities have booked them under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and the MP Nursing Homes Act. This action follows a complaint by one Krishna Patel, who approached the Human Rights Commission alleging fraudulent activities in the name of heart surgeries at the hospital. The complaint triggered an investigation that exposed a disturbing web of deceit. Patel accused Dr. Yadav of performing surgeries using a fake identity, supported by suspicious documents—his Aadhaar card reportedly listed a German national as his father and contained other questionable details. Dr. Yadav is alleged to be involved in multiple patient deaths following surgeries, raising serious concerns about the hospital’s medical practices and verification systems. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly. The SIT is expected to produce Dr. Yadav in court again on April 17, as the investigation continues into what is turning out to be a major case of medical fraud with possible international links. The case has triggered widespread outrage and calls for stricter checks on private healthcare institutions across the state.

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Editor03 mins

India’s Inflation Drops to 67-Month Low of 3.34% in March; Economists Expect Further Rate Cut in June

India’s retail inflation eased sharply to 3.34 percent in March, marking a 67-month low, down from 3.61 percent in February, according to official data released on April 11. The drop is largely attributed to a continued decline in food inflation, offering some relief to households and reinforcing expectations of further monetary easing by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is the second consecutive month that inflation has remained below the RBI’s target rate of 4 percent. The latest figures come just a week after the central bank implemented its second consecutive interest rate cut, lowering the policy rate by 25 basis points to 6 percent, compared to 6.5 percent at the beginning of the year. Radhika Rao, Senior Economist at DBS Bank, noted that despite a firmer core inflation, the headline inflation for the January–March quarter undershot the RBI’s projections significantly. “This validates the central bank’s decision to shift to an accommodative stance, along with a rate cut at the April meeting. We maintain our call for further easing in June,” she said. With inflation easing and staying below the target range, economists are increasingly optimistic about another rate cut in June, as the RBI continues to balance growth support with inflation control in a recovering economy.

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Editor02 mins

Fertiliser Shortage Looms in State Ahead of Kharif Season; CM Holds Emergency Meet

A severe fertiliser crisis appears imminent in the state as it gears up for the upcoming Kharif season. A growing scarcity of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and a sharp price hike in NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilisers have raised concerns among farmers and policymakers alike. Emergency Meeting by Chief Minister Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired an emergency meeting on Friday to address the crisis. During the session, it was decided that the existing stock of fertilisers will be distributed immediately to farmers at previously fixed rates, in an attempt to ease pressure and avoid black marketing. The government is also considering alternatives such as supplying urea or TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) to meet the shortfall of DAP. Currently, the state holds about 3.5 lakh tonnes of DAP and NPK combined, against a requirement of 7.5 lakh tonnes—leaving a significant gap. Disruption in Global Supply and Price Hike The crisis has been exacerbated by a disruption in global supply chains. With China halting DAP exports, India is now solely dependent on Morocco for DAP imports. Additionally, due to the government’s decision not to increase the price ceiling, fertiliser companies have reportedly halted DAP production, leading to further scarcity. To manage the Rabi season, the government had encouraged the use of NPK, but with the rising demand, manufacturers hiked prices from ₹1,470 to ₹1,720 per 50-kg bag—despite no increase in central subsidies. Shortfall in Central Allocation Adding to the crisis, the Centre has fallen short in its promised allotment of fertilisers to the state. While the state was supposed to receive 1 lakh tonnes of DAP and 1.5 lakh tonnes of NPK this month, only 25,000 tonnes of NPK have been delivered so far. DAP allocation is still pending. Farmer Backlash Likely With the price burden falling on farmers, especially for NPK, discontent is brewing. The hike, coupled with uncertainty around fertiliser availability, may trigger large-scale resentment in rural areas, potentially impacting agricultural output and political sentiment in the state. The government is expected to ramp up communication with the Centre and explore short-term measures to cushion farmers from the brunt of this crisis.

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Editor03 mins

ED Seizes 32 Properties Worth Crores Linked to Former RTO Constable Saurabh Sharma and His Network

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized 32 immovable properties allegedly owned by former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, his family members, and close associates. The seizure, part of a larger money laundering probe, has unearthed a web of dubious real estate transactions and inter-family property transfers that suggest systematic efforts to conceal illicit wealth. According to the ED’s chargesheet, as many as seven plots worth ₹6.61 crore located across Bhopal were registered under Aviral Building Construction Company, a firm jointly owned by Saurabh Sharma and his associates Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal. Additionally, two properties in Indore valued at ₹1.77 crore were traced to the same entity, bringing the total value of the company’s assets to ₹8.38 crore. Investigations revealed that Sharma’s mother, wife, and mother-in-law also hold a significant number of immovable assets. Uma Sharma, Saurabh’s mother, owns five properties—one in Bhopal and four in Gwalior. In Gwalior, she holds two plots valued at ₹30.33 lakh and ₹26.54 lakh respectively, along with agricultural land worth ₹14.24 lakh and an additional bigha valued at ₹19.51 lakh. A double-story Housing Board house at E-7, Arera Colony, Bhopal, estimated to be worth ₹1.67 crore, is also in her name. Divya Tiwari, Saurabh’s wife, gifted a land parcel worth ₹32 lakh in Mugalia Kot, Bhopal to her mother Rekha Tiwari. Another high-value property, located in Bhairopur, Bhopal, is jointly owned by Divya and Rekha and is valued at ₹1.20 crore. Rekha Tiwari herself owns two agricultural lands—one at Sevaniya Gaud, Bhopal, worth ₹72 lakh and another in the city valued at ₹20 lakh. The mother-daughter duo also jointly operate the Rajmata Bharatmata Shiksha and Social Welfare Committee in Bhopal, under which a plot worth ₹25.53 lakh in Indore is registered. Sharma’s associate Sharad Jaiswal is also in possession of numerous properties. These include a MIG flat in Ratnagiri, Bhopal (₹14.75 lakh), a plot in Hinautia Alam (₹25.62 lakh), a LIG flat in Alankar Heights (₹25.50 lakh), and another smaller plot in Hinautia Alam (₹9.23 lakh). Sharad also co-owns a ₹4.20 crore plot in Emaar Continental City, Indore with Kushal Mangal, and another ₹4.10 crore plot under Emaar India Limited in collaboration with Ganesh Infrastructure (linked to Ripusudan Pachauri). A property worth ₹1.84 crore—a two-floor house in E-7/78, Arera Colony, Bhopal—is registered under the name of Instant UR Infrastructure, a firm believed to be connected to Sharma’s network. Another high-value plot on AB Road, Indore, worth ₹1.80 crore, is also owned by the same entity. The ED has termed these property acquisitions and inter-family transactions as a deliberate attempt to launder and distribute illicit wealth. The investigation is ongoing, and further action, including arrests and additional attachments, is expected in the coming weeks.

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Editor04 mins

Finance Department Tightens Project Implementation Rules: Cabinet Nod Now Mandatory

In a move aimed at curbing unregulated budgetary expenses, the Finance Department has issued a circular mandating cabinet approval for all new projects, including those sponsored by the Central Government. The new directive makes it compulsory for all departments to seek formal clearance before initiating any project or scheme. Multi-Tier Approval System Introduced Before seeking cabinet clearance, departments must first get their project proposals vetted by the Cost Screening Committee, to be chaired by the respective department head. Following this, projects will be assessed based on their financial scale through various finance committees: If any project’s cost escalates by more than 10%, additional approval must be obtained from the relevant finance committee. Deadline and Duration of Project Validity The circular also states that projects running until March 31, 2026, must obtain fresh approval to continue. Additionally, all such projects must aim for completion by September 2025, or face discontinuation of funding beyond March 31. The order coincides with the upcoming term of the 16th Finance Commission, which will function from 2026 to 2031. Approvals given under the current framework will remain valid throughout this period. This revised process marks a significant tightening of fiscal controls and is expected to enforce greater transparency, discipline, and accountability in public spending across departments.

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Editor03 mins

Apollo Hospital Bilaspur Served Notice Over Quack Doctor Allegations Involving Former Speaker’s Death

The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Bilaspur district has issued a formal notice to Apollo Hospital, Bilaspur, seeking clarification and documentation regarding the alleged employment of a quack doctor, Dr. Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who reportedly posed as Prof. N John Camm. The case has drawn serious attention due to the involvement of former Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Rajendra Prasad Shukla, who died shortly after undergoing surgery at the hospital in 2006. The CMHO has demanded a comprehensive report from the hospital within three days, focusing on several key aspects of Dr. Yadav’s employment. These include the duration of his tenure, his position and responsibilities, registration status with the Chhattisgarh Medical Council, educational qualifications, and details about the cardiology procedures he performed—including success and mortality rates. The hospital must also provide a copy of Dr. Yadav’s appointment letter and disclose whether any complaints were previously filed regarding his medical qualifications or practice. If any such concerns were raised, the CMHO has directed the hospital to explain the nature of the actions taken. This notice follows an FIR lodged on April 5 in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, by CMHO Dr. M K Jain, alleging that Yadav performed angiography and angioplasty without valid medical registration. He was subsequently arrested in Prayagraj and presented before a local court. The spotlight on this case has intensified due to Shukla’s political stature—he was a serving Congress MLA from the Kota Assembly constituency at the time of his death and had served as the first Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2003. The development has sparked demands for a thorough investigation into potential lapses in medical scrutiny and hospital accountability.

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Editor03 mins

ED Links ₹300 Cr Assets, 52 kg Gold to Ex-RTO Constable Saurabh Sharma in Mega Money Laundering Case

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet in a money laundering case involving former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma and 11 others. The charge sheet, submitted to a special court on Tuesday, reveals explosive findings, including 52 kg of gold bars and ₹11 crore in cash allegedly linked to Sharma. Family and Associates Named in Case The accused include: Only Uma Sharma was present in court on Tuesday and signed her order sheet before leaving. Key Evidence Presented According to ED officials and legal counsel: Advocate Rajneesh Bariya, representing Sharad Jaiswal, confirmed that two cases have been registered: Assets and Foreign Link During its investigation, the ED uncovered: Case Origin and Gold Haul The case began with a Lokayukta Police FIR in Bhopal against Sharma. The trail led to an Innova car owned by Chetan Singh Gaur, where the cash and gold were initially seized by the Income Tax Department. Bail Hearing on April 11 The lawyers for Sharma, Jaiswal, and Gaur, currently in judicial custody, are expected to file bail applications on Wednesday (April 10). The court will hear arguments on April 11, and a decision may be taken the same day.

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