September 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Tag: India

Opposition Slams BJP MPs for Targeting Supreme Court; BJP Distances Itself from Remarks

The recent remarks by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma criticizing the Supreme Court have triggered strong backlash from the Opposition, with several leaders accusing the ruling party of attempting to undermine judicial independence. AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take immediate steps to stop party members from threatening the judiciary. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also weighed in, alleging that the Centre is actively working to weaken the authority of the Supreme Court. Responding to the growing controversy, the BJP officially distanced itself from the statements made by its own MPs. A party spokesperson clarified that the comments were “personal statements” and stressed that the BJP “completely rejects” such views. The controversy erupted weeks after the Supreme Court passed a landmark verdict that imposed a three-month deadline for the President and state Governors to grant assent to Bills passed by the legislature for the second time — a move seen as strengthening legislative accountability. Nishikant Dubey’s Contentious Remarks Speaking to ANI, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey expressed deep displeasure with the apex court’s growing involvement in governance. “If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assemblies should be shut down,” Dubey said. He accused the judiciary of functioning with bias, saying, “Show me the face, and I will show you the law.” Dubey also took issue with the court’s past decision to decriminalize homosexuality under Section 377 of the IPC, claiming that all major religions consider homosexuality a crime. He criticized the court for allegedly disregarding religious sentiments and claimed the judiciary is stoking religious tensions by its inconsistent approach to temple-mosque disputes like Ram Mandir, Krishna Janmabhoomi, and Gyanvapi. He further questioned the court’s authority to set timelines for the President and Governors, asserting, “You will dictate Parliament? The President appoints the Chief Justice, not the other way around.” Dinesh Sharma Echoes Sentiment Adding to the controversy, BJP leader Dinesh Sharma said that the President of India is “supreme” and that no one, including the judiciary, can direct Parliament. “When Dr. Ambedkar wrote the Constitution, the roles of the Legislature and Judiciary were clearly demarcated. The President has already given assent — no one can challenge her,” Sharma said. As the storm around these remarks intensifies, the issue has turned into a flashpoint over the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary in India’s constitutional democracy.

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Prime Accused in Murshidabad Father-Son Murder Arrested; Fourth Arrest in the Case

In a significant development, one of the prime accused in the brutal murder of a father and son in West Bengal’s violence-hit Murshidabad district has been arrested, police confirmed on Sunday. The killings took place in the Jafrabad locality of Shamsherganj during protests over the Waqf Act on April 11. The victims, identified as Harogobindo Das and his son Chandan Das, were found murdered with multiple stab wounds at their residence, sparking outrage and heightened tensions in the area. The arrest was made by the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police in coordination with the Special Investigating Team (SIT). The accused, identified as Ziaul Sheikh, a resident of Sulitala Purbapara — a village adjacent to Jafrabad — had been absconding since the day of the incident. He was apprehended from a hideout in Chopra in the Uttar Dinajpur district on Saturday. According to a senior police officer, Sheikh was among the key conspirators who allegedly instigated a mob to vandalize the victims’ residence, ultimately leading to their murder on April 12. This is the fourth arrest in connection with the double murder. Earlier, the police had taken into custody two brothers — Kalu Nadar and Dildar — as well as Inzmam Ul Haque. Kalu was arrested from Murarai in Birbhum district, while his brother Dildar was caught near the Bangladesh border under the Suti Police Station limits. The third accused, Inzmam, was detained from Suripara, another nearby village. Police claim they have obtained substantial evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile tower data, confirming Ziaul Sheikh’s presence at the crime scene. Murshidabad district has witnessed widespread violence amid the Waqf Act protests, resulting in at least three fatalities. Police have so far lodged over 100 FIRs and arrested 276 individuals in connection with the unrest. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Hindu families were systematically targeted during the riots. In a post on social media platform X, he claimed that homes belonging to Hindu residents were marked with ink and surveilled before being set ablaze. Malviya further stated that such targeted attacks often occur on Fridays and alleged that local Muslim residents provided information to the attackers, helping them identify Hindu-owned properties.

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Editor04 mins

Four Dead, Several Trapped in Mustafabad Building Collapse; CM Orders Probe

In a tragic incident in northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad, a four-storey building collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025, resulting in the death of at least four people. The collapse occurred around 3 am in Shakti Vihar, trapping approximately 22 people under the debris. Rescue teams managed to bring out 14 individuals, who were rushed to GTB Hospital, where doctors confirmed four of them as brought dead. Authorities believe that 8 to 10 people are still trapped under the rubble. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse. She confirmed that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Service (DFS), and other concerned agencies are actively involved in rescue and relief operations. “Arrangements have been made for proper treatment of all the injured,” the Chief Minister stated. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CM Gupta wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic building collapse in Mustafabad. Orders have been given to investigate the incident and strict action will be taken against the culprits. My deepest condolences to those who died in the unfortunate accident. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.” Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his condolences and urged party workers to assist in the ongoing relief efforts. “I appeal to all the party workers to fully cooperate with the administration in relief and rescue operations,” he said. Leader of Opposition Atishi echoed the sentiment and asked AAP volunteers in Mustafabad to provide their full support to authorities on the ground. Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, after visiting the collapse site, said that CM Gupta is directly monitoring the situation. He raised concerns about rampant illegal constructions in areas such as Mustafabad, Seelampur, Jafrabad, Seemapuri, Jamia, and Old Delhi. “The Municipal Commissioner has been instructed to vacate nearby unsafe buildings. No officer responsible for the building collapse will be spared,” Mishra added. Police teams and rescue agencies continue to work at the site, while an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

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Editor04 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

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

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

Yuzvendra Chahal Equals Narine’s Record with Sensational Spell as PBKS Stun KKR

In a memorable low-scoring thriller at Mullanpur, Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 4/28 to script a 16-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With this, he equalled Sunil Narine’s record for the most four-wicket hauls (8) in IPL history. 🔥 Chahal’s Record-Breaking Spell Rashid Khan leads the T20 wicket charts with 638 wickets in 468 matches. 🏏 Match Summary 📊 Points Table Update 📢 Fan Poll Which aspect of Chahal’s game do you think is most crucial? Chahal’s spell not only brought PBKS a crucial win but also reaffirmed his legacy as one of India’s greatest white-ball spinners.

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Editor02 mins

Two Indian Nationals Killed in Dubai Bakery Attack; Families Seek Repatriation of Bodies

Two Indian nationals from Telangana were brutally killed and a third injured in an attack allegedly carried out by a Pakistani national shouting religious slogans at a bakery in Dubai, according to the victims’ families. The incident occurred on April 11 at Modern Bakery LLC in Dubai. One of the victims, Ashtapu Premsagar (35), hailed from Soan village in Nirmal district. He had been working at the bakery for the past five years and last visited his family two years ago. Premsagar is survived by his wife and two children. His family has appealed to the Indian government for urgent assistance in bringing his mortal remains home. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy confirmed the identity of the second deceased as Srinivas from Nizamabad district. A third individual, Sagar, was injured in the attack and is currently hospitalized, according to his wife. Expressing deep grief, Reddy took to social media platform X to announce that he had spoken with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who assured full support to the bereaved families and the prompt repatriation of the victims’ remains. “Deeply shocked by the brutal killing of two Telugu youth from Telangana in Dubai, Ashtapu Premsagar and Srinivas. Spoke to Hon’ble External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ji on the matter and he has assured full support to the bereaved families, and the urgent repatriation of the mortal remains,” Reddy posted. Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar also expressed condolences, confirming that both MEA and Union Home Ministry officials are closely monitoring the situation. He urged the Dubai police, through the Indian consulate, to expedite the investigation and legal process. “We are extending all necessary support for the early repatriation of the victims and stand firmly with their families in this hour of grief,” Kumar added. The Ministry of External Affairs has assured that it is working to secure swift justice and repatriation of the bodies while offering all necessary diplomatic and legal assistance through the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

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Editor03 mins

IPL 2025 Bat Check Drama: Russell, Narine & Nortje’s Bats Fail New Gauge Test in KKR vs PBKS Thriller

In an unusual and rather dramatic turn during the IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), three KKR players — Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Anrich Nortje — were forced to change their bats after failing a newly introduced gauge test conducted by on-field and fourth umpires. 🧪 What’s the Gauge Test? A triangle-shaped plastic gauge has become the latest tool in the IPL to check bat dimensions. The permitted size specifications: This rule aims to ensure no unfair advantage is given through overly thick or modified bats — something that was hard to monitor earlier since bat checks were done only before match day, not during it. ⚠️ Bats That Failed the Test 🎙️ What They’re Saying ⚖️ Why It Matters This season’s stricter enforcement shows how IPL 2025 is taking player equipment regulations seriously, especially in an era where power hitting has exploded. With players launching 110m+ sixes, thicker bats can easily offer an edge (literally). This is the first season where bat dimensions are being tested on match day, addressing past loopholes where players swapped bats after pre-match inspections. 📉 What Else Happened That Day? Even after all the drama, Punjab Kings defended 111 runs as Chahal’s 4/28 and Marco Jansen’s 3/17 tore through KKR’s line-up — a memorable night, made even more memorable with bat gauges in the spotlight.

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Editor04 mins

Salman Khan Receives New Death Threat: Gujarat Man Identified, Security Tightened

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has once again found himself at the center of a security scare. A 26-year-old man from Waghodia, Vadodara (Gujarat) has been identified as the sender of a threatening message that claimed a bomb would be planted in Khan’s car, and that the actor would be harmed. The threat was sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police’s WhatsApp helpline on Sunday, April 13. Details of the Threat The message warned of physical harm to the Y-Plus-security protected actor and stated an intent to enter Salman’s Bandra home and plant explosives in his car. The incident comes exactly a year after gunshots were fired outside Khan’s residence, raising serious concerns for his safety once again. Investigation and Suspect Background Mumbai Police promptly coordinated with Gujarat authorities and tracked the suspect to a village in Waghodia. Upon visiting his residence, it was discovered that the man is mentally unstable and currently undergoing medical treatment, according to Vadodara SP Rohan Anand. Mumbai Police served him a notice to appear before them in 2–3 days and registered a case under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Despite the suspect’s medical condition, security around Salman Khan’s Bandra home has been significantly increased. Ongoing Threats and Bishnoi Gang Angle This is not the first time Salman has been threatened. The actor has been on the hit list of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whose community reveres blackbucks as sacred animals. The origin of these threats dates back to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, in which Salman is accused of illegally hunting two blackbucks near Jodhpur. Over time, the Bishnoi gang has allegedly demanded: Salman Khan’s Response Despite the repeated threats, Salman remains composed. Speaking during an off-camera interaction ahead of his film Sikandar, he said: “Bhagwan, Allah sab unpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yahi hai.”(“It’s all in God’s hands. I’ll live as long as I’m destined to. That’s all.”) As the investigation continues, fans and the industry remain concerned about the actor’s safety. The incident further highlights the increasing need for security for celebrities, especially those involved in high-profile legal or controversial cases.

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