June 29, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper
Breaking News

Anurag Kashyap Slams CBFC and Brahmin Community Over Phule Biopic Controversy

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has expressed strong criticism of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and certain factions of the Brahmin community regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding Phule, a biographical film on social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. The movie, directed by Ananth Mahadevan and starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, was initially set for release on April 11 but faced backlash, prompting a delay to April 25. The CBFC had granted the film a ‘U’ certificate on April 7 but insisted on several changes before approval. These included removing caste references such as ‘Mahar,’ ‘Mang,’ and ‘Peshwai,’ as well as modifying a line from “3,000 saal purani ghulami” to “kai saal purani ghulami.” According to Mahadevan, these edits were carried out to meet the certification body’s demands. Kashyap took to Instagram to criticize the CBFC’s decision-making process, calling it part of a larger “rigged system.” He questioned the motivations behind blocking films that explore caste issues, mentioning films like Punjab 95, Tees, Dhadak 2, and Phule. Kashyap further blasted what he described as a “casteist, regionalist, racist government” and accused them of being “cowards” for not openly expressing their objections. In addition, Kashyap raised concerns about how groups protesting films are able to access content before its official release, implying that there might be a coordinated effort behind the scenes. “How do these wings and groups see the film before its release? Unless someone’s giving them access. The whole system is rigged,” he added. Kashyap also pointed out the contradictions in the rhetoric around caste, questioning why Brahmins were upset about the portrayal of caste in Phule. “If there’s no caste system, why are Brahmins upset over Phule? Who are you if caste doesn’t exist? Why are you burning with anger?” he posted, urging people to take a clear stance on whether casteism exists in India or not. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha also joined the debate, calling attention to the double standards in political discourse versus cinema. “Why should only cinema lie?” he questioned, highlighting the discrepancy in how certain subjects are handled differently depending on the medium. The controversy around Phule continues to stir debate over freedom of expression in cinema and the sensitive subject of caste in India.

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Editor04 mins

Arsenal Triumph Over Real Madrid to Reach Champions League Semifinals for First Time Since 2009

Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic stoppage-time goal to seal Arsenal’s 5-1 aggregate victory over holders Real Madrid, sending the Gunners into the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009. Leading 3-0 from the first leg, Arsenal successfully thwarted Real’s hopes of a famous comeback and advanced in style, with goals from Bukayo Saka and Martinelli either side of Vinícius Júnior’s 67th-minute reply. The match began with an early chance for Saka, who missed a penalty in the 13th minute when Thibaut Courtois saved his Panenka attempt. Real Madrid thought they had a chance to level things when Kylian Mbappé was awarded a penalty after a challenge from Declan Rice, but a five-minute VAR check saw the decision overturned. Real’s attacking struggles continued as they failed to register a single shot on target throughout the game. Arsenal took control in the 65th minute, when Saka redeemed his earlier penalty miss with a well-taken goal, breaking the offside trap to lift Mikel Merino’s through ball over Courtois. However, a lapse in concentration from William Saliba allowed Vinícius Júnior to respond immediately, pulling one back for Real just two minutes later. Despite the setback, Arsenal held firm and, with Real pushing for a late equalizer, Martinelli broke clear on a counterattack and slotted a low finish past Courtois in the dying moments, securing the victory. Arsenal now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, although they will be without Thomas Partey, who picked up a booking for a shove on Dani Ceballos and will miss the first leg. Arteta’s Tactical Mastery Shines in Historic Night Mikel Arteta’s tactical acumen was on full display as he masterminded a victory over Real Madrid that will rank as one of the finest achievements of his managerial career. Having previously won the 2019-20 FA Cup, Arteta’s handling of this two-legged quarterfinal against the 15-time European champions displayed a perfect balance of bravery and caution, ensuring his side overcame the challenge. Despite facing an experienced manager in Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League five times, Arteta outmaneuvered his counterpart across both legs, securing Arsenal’s place in the semifinals with maturity and composure.

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Editor04 mins

Bayern Munich Exit Champions League Amid Injury Crisis: Kompany Reflects on Quarterfinal Defeat

Bayern Munich’s hopes of advancing to the Champions League final were dashed on Wednesday as they secured a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro, ultimately losing 4-3 on aggregate. Manager Vincent Kompany expressed his disappointment over the injury crisis that plagued his side, particularly in the lead-up to the quarterfinal clash. Bayern were missing several key players, including Hiroki Ito, Dayot Upamecano, Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman, and Aleksandar Pavlovic, making it difficult for the team to field a full-strength side. Despite these setbacks, Kompany was proud of his team’s performance, noting that they had more scoring chances than Inter across both legs. “We had to understand what we could do without those players,” Kompany told reporters. “In the first game, we showed a good Bayern Munich, and in the second game, we also showed a positive attitude in Milan.” Although Bayern Munich battled through the injuries and gave a strong account of themselves, the reality of their exit from the competition was hard to ignore. “The harsh reality is that we will not play the Champions League final at home,” Kompany admitted. “We can’t change that, but we know we did enough to win these games.” When asked about the hectic schedule and its potential impact on the injuries, Kompany explained, “Unfortunately, I don’t decide. In addition to the many games, there are long journeys, and the pressure increases when we have absences.” Despite the setback, Bayern’s resilience throughout the quarterfinals highlighted their competitive spirit, even in the face of adversity.

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Editor03 mins

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

CBI, ED Raids Target AAP Leaders Amid Rising Political Tensions

In a development steeped in political controversy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Durgesh Pathak, sparking a fresh war of words between AAP and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP leaders have denounced the move as a “politically motivated” attempt to stifle the party’s growing influence. The raid, reportedly linked to an alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), came just days after Durgesh Pathak was appointed as co-incharge for the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2027. Reacting swiftly, AAP’s national general secretary Sandeep Pathak posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The CBI’s raid on @AamAadmiParty leader Durgesh Pathak’s residence… sends a loud message that BJP clearly views AAP as a growing threat in Gujarat and is rattled by its rising influence.” Joining the chorus, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Modi government of using central agencies as tools of political vendetta. “BJP’s dirty game starts again… As soon as @ipathak25 was made co-incharge of Gujarat, CBI was sent to threaten him,” Singh wrote on X. The controversy is compounded by another enforcement action earlier this week when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Mohali residence of AAP MLA Kulwant Singh, as part of a money laundering investigation tied to the massive ₹48,000 crore Pearl Agrotech Corporation Limited (PACL) scam. The ED team, reportedly from Delhi, searched Singh’s premises in the Janta Land Promoters Limited (JLPL) area, which is linked to his real estate business. Although Singh was not present, his family members were questioned. Sources say the raid is connected to the larger PACL Ponzi scheme, which allegedly defrauded thousands of investors under the pretext of real estate projects. Funds collected through the scam were reportedly funneled into shell companies across India. Adding further complexity, Kulwant Singh had previously been questioned by the ED in another money laundering case involving drug trafficking. These back-to-back raids on AAP leaders—at a time when the party is expanding its political footprint beyond Delhi and Punjab—have led to renewed allegations of misuse of central agencies to suppress political opponents. As the Gujarat 2027 battle heats up, the confrontation between AAP and BJP is poised to intensify, with each side accusing the other of foul play.

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Editor04 mins

Snake, Cement & Betrayal: India Gripped by Surge in Chilling Spouse-Murder Cases

In a disturbing trend reflecting the dark fissures lurking within seemingly ordinary households, another horrifying case of spousal murder has surfaced—this time from Akbarpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district. The case echoes a string of recent sensational crimes, including the infamous Merchant Navy murder in Meerut, where a wife and her lover killed her husband and encased his body in a cement-filled drum. In the latest spine-chilling incident, Amit, a daily wage labourer from the Bahsuma police station area, was found dead on his bed under mysterious circumstances. Initially, it appeared to be a tragic snakebite death, a theory supported by a viral video showing a snake repeatedly striking Amit’s seemingly lifeless body. But what followed shocked even seasoned investigators. A post-mortem revealed the unsettling truth: Amit had been strangled before the snake bites occurred, indicating the venomous reptile was deliberately used to mask the actual cause of death. Under interrogation, Amit’s wife, Ravita, confessed to plotting the murder with her lover Amardeep. As Amit slept, the duo allegedly strangled him to death, then bought a snake for Rs 1,000 and forced it to bite the already-dead body in an attempt to simulate a natural death. Both Ravita and Amardeep have been arrested, and the police are conducting further forensic examinations. The viral video is also being probed as potential evidence of premeditation and an attempt to manipulate the narrative. The case has drawn eerie comparisons to another gruesome incident in Meerut—the Muskan Rastogi–Saurabh Rajput murder. Muskan, aided by her lover, allegedly murdered her husband and sealed his body in a blue plastic drum filled with cement to erase all traces. That case had shocked Uttar Pradesh, and this latest revelation adds fuel to the fear that such calculated spousal killings are becoming a chilling pattern. Adding to this grim list is the infamous Uthra murder case from Kerala in 2020. Uthra, 25, was killed by her husband Sooraj S Kumar, who used a cobra to bite her while she slept at her parental home. This was his second attempt—months earlier, he had tried to kill her with a Russell’s viper. The court sentenced Sooraj to life imprisonment in 2021, calling it one of the most unusual and cold-blooded murder cases in Indian legal history. Across India, reports of missing spouses, suspicious deaths, and elaborately planned murders are surfacing with unsettling frequency. In Meerut, the spotlight on domestic violence and betrayal has once again intensified. These cases are not only stories of homicide—they are chilling warnings about the dangers of unchecked emotional violence, toxic relationships, and the sinister extremes of premeditated betrayal.

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Editor04 mins

India’s Trade Deficit with China Hits Record $99.2 Billion Amid Import Surge

India’s trade deficit with China widened to an all-time high of $99.2 billion in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, driven by a sharp increase in imports of electronics, electric vehicle batteries, solar cells, and other key industrial components—sectors in which China has a dominant role in India’s supply chains. This marks a 17% increase from the previous year’s deficit of $85.07 billion. In contrast, exports to China declined by 14.5% to $14.2 billion, falling below the levels recorded in FY14. India continues to register trade deficits with other major economies, including the UAE ($26.79 billion) and Hong Kong ($13.64 billion). Notably, India also experienced trade deficits with several free trade agreement (FTA) partners such as the UAE, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, raising concerns over the effectiveness of these agreements in promoting balanced trade. On a positive note, India recorded a trade surplus of $41.2 billion with the United States, reinforcing the US as a key export destination for Indian goods. The government is increasingly concerned about the potential dumping of Chinese goods, especially in light of the US Trump administration’s recent move to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports. Indian officials believe these goods could be redirected to Indian markets—either directly or via third countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. In response, India has activated an import monitoring mechanism to ensure prompt and timely action against such dumping practices. India’s main imports from China include electronic components, computer hardware, telecom instruments, electrical machinery, plastic raw materials, pharmaceutical ingredients, and organic chemicals. On the other hand, top exports to China comprise iron ore, petroleum products, marine items, spices, and organic chemicals. However, industry representatives have raised concerns that many raw material imports from China are under-invoiced by up to 25%, potentially skewing trade data and impacting domestic industry competitiveness.

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Editor03 mins

Sohail Khan to Direct a New Comedy with Sanjay Dutt and Aayush Sharma, Ditching Sher Khan (For Now)

After years of nurturing his passion project Sher Khan with Salman Khan, filmmaker Sohail Khan seems to be switching gears. He’s now gearing up for a two-hero comedy film starring Sanjay Dutt and Aayush Sharma—a fresh pairing set to deliver laughs with a twist of gangster drama. 🎬 What We Know So Far: 👥 Cast Highlights 🤝 The Collaboration According to insiders, Sohail and Sanju have had multiple script meetings and are excited about the comedic chemistry. The film is designed to appeal to modern sensibilities, focusing on situational humor rather than slapstick. 💭 On Sher Khan While Sher Khan has been Sohail’s dream for over a decade, it appears the project is on the back burner for now. Shifting to this Sanjay-Aayush starrer suggests Sohail is looking to re-establish his directorial momentum with something more grounded yet fun.

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Editor02 mins

Box Office Clash: Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly Races Ahead of Sunny Deol’s Jaat

Sunny Deol’s action-packed film Jaat has managed to cross the ₹50-crore mark at the Indian box office within six days of its release, but it’s Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly that’s leading the box office race by a wide margin. Released on April 10, Jaat, directed by Gopichand Malineni, opened with a modest ₹9.5 crore nett — a stark contrast to Sunny’s 2023 blockbuster Gadar 2, which had a roaring ₹40 crore opening. Despite a slight pickup over the weekend, the collections dipped consistently, bringing its total six-day domestic earnings to ₹53.50 crore nett. Tuesday saw the film collect ₹6 crore with an average nationwide occupancy of 19.55%. Jaipur topped city-wise occupancy at 45.75%, while Bhopal was the lowest at 8.50%. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Zee Studios, and People Media Factory, Jaat stars Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh, Saiyami Kher, Regina Cassandra, and Jagapathi Babu in pivotal roles. Meanwhile, Good Bad Ugly, Ajith Kumar’s high-octane crime thriller directed by Adhik Ravichandran, is delivering a stellar performance at the box office. Also released on April 10, the film amassed ₹107.80 crore nett in India in just six days. It opened to ₹29.25 crore, followed by strong weekend numbers and a ₹6.50 crore Tuesday collection. On the global front, Good Bad Ugly has raked in ₹171.5 crore worldwide, putting it on course to surpass the lifetime collection of Ajith’s 2023 film Thunivu (₹200 crore). The film’s plot revolves around a gangster, Red Dragon, who must confront his turbulent past to protect his family. The ensemble cast includes Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Sunil, Priya Prakash Varrier, Yogi Babu, Shine Tom Chacko, and Tinnu Anand. Despite Jaat’s decent run, the box office clearly belongs to Good Bad Ugly for now, as it continues its winning streak both in India and overseas.

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Editor03 mins
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