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AIATF chief Bitta thanks PM Modi, CM Yogi for ‘constructing Ram Temple without riots or violence’

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), March 25, 2026
Chairperson of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF), Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple “without any riots or violence”.

Bitta was in Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi temple.

He told reporters, “Even after my death, my soul will keep thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and all the devotees of Lord Ram that during our lifetime Shri Ram Temple was constructed without any riots or violence.”

“I would appeal to all Indians around the world, all devotees of Lord Ram, irrespective of whichever political party they belong to, give priority to Lord Ram first and then to your political parties,” he said.

Further praising PM Modi and CM Adityanath, he said, “Whenever you oppose PM Modi or CM Adityanath, do think that by Lord Ram’s grace they have been able to built the Ram Temple and also have removed Article 370 (from Jammu and Kashmir). They have also freed India from terrorism.”

Further, Bitta flagged his disappointment with the Sikh community members for “not raising their voice over attacks on India’s heritage” in other countries like Canada.

“I am disappointed and I apologise to the country that when attacks happen on India’s heritage in other countries like India’s Tricolour being disrespected in Canada, Hanuman Temple in Canada comes under attack, no one from the Sikh community speaks about it,” he said.

He further asserted, “My religion is Bharat Maa and my caste is Vande Mataram.”

During the interaction with reporters, Bitta alleged that many political parties in the past had attempted to protect the terrorists who attacked him.

“Now in the times of social media, everybody’s real face will come out in public. All those who helped the terrorists (will be exposed)”, he said.(Agency)

If you win a home World Cup, you can go and play and win anywhere, says Harmanpreet

Indian Womens Cricket Team Wins World Cup Trophy

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the team’s triumph in last year’s home Women’s ODI World Cup has given them the belief to succeed in any showpiece event in the world, adding that preparations were in full swing for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, to be played from June 12 to July 5 in England.

Before taking part in the mega event, Harmanpreet will lead India in a five-match T20I series in South Africa from April 17-27, before squaring off against England in a three-game series. India have never won the Women’s T20 World Cup, but Harmanpreet & Co will be aiming to clinch the title after gaining confidence from winning the ODI World Cup at home.

“See, we always try to do our best in the ICC World Cups. We have definitely gained a lot of confidence after winning the last World Cup. Thing is, if you win a home World Cup, you can go and play and win a World Cup anywhere. There is a lot of pressure in the home World Cup, which we all felt when the tournament was happening from September-November last year.

“I think the upcoming World Cup is also something we all are really working hard for. We played in India last year and now we are going to South Africa before going for the World Cup in England. So I think this is the time where we are preparing more. We are really looking forward to the World Cup and hopefully we can play there very well,” Harmanpreet told reporters on the sidelines of a 1,500-plus seat section in the North Pavilion section of the Omaxe State Stadium in Dwarka, New Delhi, being named after her.

The stand named after Harmanpreet will host only female fans and their families and is part of a 30,000-seat facility at a Rs 2,500 crore, 50-acre integrated sports and lifestyle destination in Dwarka Sector 19B, developed in partnership with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The honour also makes Harmanpreet the only women’s cricketer in India to have two stadium stands named after her.

“Making a stadium is one thing, but to dedicate a stand for only girls is something which really touched my heart. For a girl, playing cricket is a big dream, but for some girls who are not able to play and fulfill their dreams, but have a strong desire to watch games – giving them that security, freedom to go and enjoy their favourite sport, not only cricket, as we can watch football also – that is a very good thing and a very emotional moment for me because as a cricketer, I only had the dream of playing.

“I never thought that one day a stand will be named after my name. So this is a very emotional moment for me, but I really want to thank them for giving me this reward. I think such things are very rare in the life of a cricketer and I am going to remember this all my life. I will be playing cricket for a few more years, but these are the things which are going to stay with me forever,” said a deeply emotional Harmanpreet.

On the role of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in raising standards of women’s cricket in the country, Harmanpreet said, “Well, I think I have been asked this question many times before. You can take for example, IPL has played a very big role in improving and taking men’s cricket to another level. Due to that, we got back-to-back T20 World Cups there. So I think it has played a very important role in how you can improve your team at what stage.

“Similarly, WPL has played a very big role in improving women’s cricket. If you look at our team’s attitude, it has completely changed now. We have won the ICC title only after three editions of WPL. So I think WPL is going to play a very big role in the future. Hopefully, WPL will continue to support us like this and we will keep winning ICC titles.”

Asked about the reception and rise in recognition and visibility for herself and the team after India’s ODI World Cup win, Harmanpreet explained, “Look, I believe that in any field, you have to do something special. You have to win a title. Then only you will get the recognition.

“Otherwise, it feels like whatever hard work you have done, it all goes to waste. So I think in all these years, it is not that we have only worked hard this year. We have been working hard for so many years.

“Not only our team, but all the women’s cricketers who have come before us, they have been working even though they spend money from their own pocket. So I think winning a title was very important. After winning that, the response we are getting from Indian fans, media and everyone, I think it is a very big thing for us.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mohit Goel, MD Omaxe, said, “Harmanpreet’s journey is about discipline, resilience, and leadership. Naming a stand after her at The Omaxe State is our way of honouring that journey and acknowledging how far women’s sport has come in India.

“We onboarded her even before the World Cup win because we believed in what she stands for. At her suggestion, we are introducing the Pink Stand for women with a capacity of 1500+, to make stadiums more inclusive. We have also welcomed her inputs on facilities that are still hard to find in Indian stadiums, such as separate facilities for women athletes.

“To bring this vision to life, we have partnered with Bentel and other global consultants to ensure that the design, whether for the stadium or the hotel and commercial spaces, meets world-class standards. In fact, the stadium is designed keeping in mind India’s long-term ambition of hosting international sporting events such as the Olympics, FIFA tournaments, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.(Agency)

Life term for Asiya Andrabi draws sharp reactions across political spectrum

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
A Delhi court sentenced Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), drawing strong and divergent reactions from political leaders across party lines.

Additional Sessions Judge, Chander Jit Singh delivered the sentence after concluding arguments on the quantum of punishment. Andrabi, the chief of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, had earlier been convicted on charges including waging war against the country and criminal conspiracy.

Speaking to IANS, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur welcomed the court’s decision, alleging that Andrabi was deeply involved in activities ranging from stone pelting to recruitment for militancy. He claimed that she played a key role in instigating unrest and disrupting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.

BJP National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh, also backed the verdict, calling it a “clear and firm message of strict action against terrorism.”

He asserted that in ‘New India,’ there is no place for anti-national elements and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism is being implemented effectively on the ground.

Offering a more procedural perspective, National Conference leader Sheikh Bashir said the verdict must be respected as it follows due judicial process.

He noted that the trial was conducted in court and the sentence announced thereafter, adding that Andrabi has the legal right to approach a higher court if she wishes to challenge the ruling.

“This is what justice is called. It is the court’s decision; it is the law, and the law must be followed,” he said.

Meanwhile, PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, struck a different note, highlighting humanitarian concerns. While acknowledging her longstanding ideological differences with Andrabi, Mufti said there is a need to consider the human aspect, pointing out that Andrabi has already spent several years in prison and considering the demands of her age.

Mufti further argued that life imprisonment till natural life should be abolished across the country, suggesting that it should instead be interpreted as a fixed term, such as 14 years, as was earlier understood in many cases. She appealed for reconsideration of Andrabi’s case on these grounds.

The case against Andrabi relates to allegations of promoting separatist activities and mobilising support for militancy, with agencies accusing her of playing a significant role in anti-national operations.(Agency)

Hotels and restaurants charging ‘gas and fuel surcharge’ unfair practice: CCPA

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has flagged the practice of hotels and restaurants demanding or collecting additional charges — ‘LPG charges’, ‘gas surcharge’ and ‘fuel cost recovery’ — in consumer bills, terming it an unfair trade practice, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Wednesday.

The authority said such charges are being imposed by default to bypass existing norms on service charges, and issued an advisory directing that no such fees should be levied automatically.

The ministry further stated that the CCPA also warned that violations may invite strict action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The move follows complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and media reports highlighting that certain establishments are adding such charges over and above menu prices and applicable taxes.

According to the regulator, such practices lack transparency and impose unjustified costs on consumers.

The authority clarified that input costs such as fuel, LPG, electricity and other operational expenses are part of running a business and must be factored into menu pricing.

“Recovery of such costs through separate mandatory charges constitutes an unfair trade practice,” it said.

The CCPA directed that no hotel or restaurant shall levy such charges by default, and that menu prices should remain final, excluding only applicable taxes. It also stressed that consumers must not be misled or compelled to pay any additional charge that is not voluntary in nature.

The advisory reiterated that such charges, irrespective of nomenclature, are akin to service charges and their automatic levy would violate the guidelines issued on July 4, 2022.

The authority said it is closely monitoring such practices across the country and will take necessary action to safeguard consumer interests.

Consumers encountering such practices can request removal of the charge from the bill or lodge complaints through the National Consumer Helpline by calling 1915 or via its mobile application.

They can also approach the consumer commissions through the e-Jagriti portal or file complaints with district authorities or the CCPA.(Agency)

Delhi HC grants injunction in favour of Gautam Gambhir in personality rights case

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it will pass orders directing social media intermediaries and e-commerce platforms to take down online content unauthorisedly using the name and images of former India cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir for commercial gains.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh observed that directions would be issued to tech platforms, including Meta and Google, to remove objectionable links flagged on behalf of Gambhir and to furnish details of the entities responsible for uploading such content.

The Delhi High Court also granted protection to Gambhir’s personality and publicity rights, directing the removal of objectionable posts and content circulating online without his consent. During the hearing, it was contended on behalf of Gambhir that his name, voice and photographs were being exploited for commercial purposes without authorisation, including through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and deepfake technology.

The Delhi High Court directed Meta, Google and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon to take down the offending URLs and online posts misusing Gambhir’s identity. Justice Singh said a detailed order would be passed, including directions to provide Basic Subscriber Information (BSI) of the entities behind such content.

The development comes in a plea filed by Gambhir before the Commercial Division of the Delhi High Court, alleging a “coordinated campaign of digital impersonation” involving AI-enabled face-swapping and voice-cloning tools.

The suit names multiple defendants, including social media platforms, e-commerce websites and intermediaries, accusing them of facilitating the spread of misleading and fabricated content as well as unauthorised sale of merchandise bearing his name and likeness.

Gambhir has argued that there has been a sharp rise in such content across platforms like Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook, including viral deepfake videos falsely attributed to him, which garnered significant public attention.

He has submitted that such misuse not only misleads the public but also causes serious reputational and professional harm, particularly in light of his current role as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team.

The plea seeks a permanent injunction restraining all defendants from using his name, image, voice or persona without consent, along with damages of Rs 2.5 crore and directions for removal of infringing content.

The Gambhir case adds to a growing list of high-profile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High Court.

In recent months, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Nagarjuna, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan, singer Jubin Nautiyal, film-maker Karan Johar, and podcaster Raj Shamani have secured court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness, or AI-generated imitations.(Agency)

Rohit alleges coup bid in NCP via ‘forged’ ECI letter; flags Sunetra Pawar’s counter-note to poll panel

Mumbai, March 25, 2026
In a high-octane press conference, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Wednesday levelled explosive allegations against Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, claiming the duo attempted to seize control of the Nationalist Congress Party following the sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash.

He further claimed that a group of leaders wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) claiming changes to the party constitution to vest sweeping powers in a “working president”, and said Sunetra Pawar subsequently wrote to the poll body asking it to disregard any such correspondence during the transition period after Ajit Pawar’s demise.

Rohit Pawar suggested a deep-rooted “conspiracy” involving strategic letters to the Election Commission (EC), alleged practitioners of black magic, and the suppression of family members’ voices.

According to Rohit Pawar, a letter was sent to the Election Commission on February 16, 2026 — just 18 days after Ajit Pawar’s fatal accident on January 28. This letter, reportedly signed by Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Brijmohan Srivastava, claimed that the party’s constitution had been amended.

“The amendment sought to transfer all party powers and authority — previously held by Ajit Dada — to the Working President (Praful Patel). This was done without the knowledge of Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, or the party’s MLAs,” Rohit Pawar stated.

He further revealed that upon becoming National President, Sunetra Pawar immediately wrote to the EC, urging them to disregard any correspondence made between the date of the accident and her appointment.

In a startling claim, Rohit Pawar alleged that “black magic” rituals were performed outside Ajit Pawar’s residence while he was still alive. He questioned if a “godman from Nashik” was used to influence the party’s leadership through occult means.

He also pointed towards a potential coordination with external political forces, citing a statement by Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Two days after the accident, Goyal reportedly referred to Praful Patel as the National President of the NCP. Though Goyal later claimed it was a slip of the tongue, Rohit Pawar argued the sequence of events suggests the transition was “pre-planned” between Patel, Tatkare, and other senior leaders, he said.

Rohit Pawar alleged that MLAs were strictly instructed by Tatkare and Patel not to speak about the details of Ajit Pawar’s accident during the Assembly session. He claimed that Jay Pawar (Ajit Pawar’s son) intended to hold a press conference, but his voice was “suppressed.”

“Given these suspicious moves to grab power, we reiterate our demand for a high-level criminal investigation into the accident itself,” Rohit said.

Closing his statement, Rohit Pawar issued a somber warning to the current Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar. “Politics has become very ugly,” he remarked. “You must be careful of the people surrounding you. While the workers and MLAs are vital, the intentions of those currently at the helm are questionable,” he remarked.(Agency)

Jasprit Bumrah checks into BCCI CoE for workload management ahead of IPL 2026: Report

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly checked into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as part of a structured workload management programme ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Bumrah’s stint at the CoE is primarily focused on strength and conditioning, with the programme designed by the BCCI’s medical team keeping India’s white-ball tour of England in July as a key priority. The tour will feature five T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals (ODI).

The premier fast bowler is understood to have continued bowling during his time at the facility and is expected to link up with his IPL franchise, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), shortly, ESPNCricinfo reported. He is likely to be available for their IPL 2026 opener against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29.

Bumrah was the wrecker-in-chief for Team India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, where he picked up a four-wicket haul in his four-over spell to help his side defend their crown and clinch a second consecutive title. The fast-bowler concluded his campaign as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker alongside his teammate Varun Chakaravarthy and was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his heroics throughout the summit clash against New Zealand.

The Men in Blue defeated the Black Caps by 96 runs to win the tournament on Sunday (March 8), at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This victory made India the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title and the first to win the tournament on home soil.

A mainstay of the Mumbai Indians since his IPL debut, Bumrah has claimed 186 wickets in 148 appearances and is closing in on the record held by Lasith Malinga, being just nine wickets away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have begun their preparations at the Wankhede Stadium as they endeavour to secure a record sixth IPL title. The franchise last lifted the trophy in 2020 and is currently experiencing its longest title drought since its first triumph in 2013.(Agency)

Cabinet okays continuation of Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking Scheme for Rs 1,800 crore

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme beyond March 31, 2026 for a period of five years — from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031 — with a budget outlay of Rs 1,800 crore.

The IVFRT platform seeks to interlink and optimise functions related to immigration, visa issuance and registration of foreigners in India.

The core objective of the IVFRT is to modernise and upgrade immigration and visa services within a secure and integrated service delivery framework. It aims to facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening national security, according to an official statement.

This project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 13, 2010 with a budget outlay of Rs 1,011 crore and with project duration till September, 2014. The budget outlay for the project was revised to Rs. 638.90 crore in 2015 along with extension of the implementation timeline up to March 31, 2017, and further up to March 31, 2021 without any additional financial implications.

An expenditure of Rs 613.28 core was incurred against the total revised outlay of Rs 638.90 crore. The extension of the project for a further continuation for a period of five years from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026 was approved by the Cabinet on January 19, 2022 with a budget outlay of Rs 1,365 crore, the statement said.

The scheme seeks to expand and strengthen the scope and capacity of the existing IVFRT Scheme not only by reimagining and revamping the existing structure, but also introducing the state-of-the-art technological solutions to enhance user experience without compromising the security architecture. The modernisation of the IVFRT project is essential to meet the evolving demands of global travel and address emerging national security challenges, the statement explained.

After the recent enactment of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and its subsequent Rules and Order, it has become imperative to strengthen and modernize the Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system to effectively meet emerging requirements and future challenges in the domain of immigration control and foreigner management including illegal migration.

The continuation of the project is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic transformation aligned with the vision of the Government of India to promote international mobility through a world-class immigration and visa issuance system.

The next phase would focus on three broad areas including emerging technology innovations, transformation of core infrastructure, and technology and service optimization, the statement said.

The scheme will modernise the immigration and visa ecosystem through adoption of emerging technologies, including mobile-based services and self-service kiosks for seamless and secure passenger movement. It will upgrade and expand core infrastructure across Immigration Posts, FRROs, and Data Centres to build a resilient and scalable system nationwide.

Additionally, it will optimise technology and service delivery by introducing unified digital platforms, revamping core application architecture, and strengthening network and deployment frameworks for improved efficiency and user experience, which will facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening national security. It will help maintaining service continuity and induct innovative technological solutions to attract more foreign tourists in India in future.

This will thus give a boost to the tourism, medical and business sectors. IVFRT has immense positive externalities that would boost international traffic, business, commerce, and tourism. This would pave the way for economic growth and would thus contribute towards employment opportunities, the statement further explained.

The scheme has covered 117 Immigration Posts (JPs), 15 Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) and 854 Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs)/Superintendents of Police (SPs)/Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) across the country.

IVFRT system has led to significant improvements in service delivery and operational efficiency across immigration and visa functions. The system has enabled a 100 per cent contactless and faceless visa process with online appointment scheduling and payment facilities, leading to faster visa processing times with 91.24 per cent of e-Visa applications have been cleared within 72 hours during the past five years.

Average passenger clearance time at Immigration Posts has also been reduced to 2.5-3 minutes including biometrics, from the conventional 5-6 minutes, the statement said.

Also, Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) through automated e-gates implemented at 13 Major airports, reduces the time taken for immigration clearance from 2.5-3 minutes to 30 seconds. Its enrolment is on gratis basis currently available for Indian nationals & OCI cardholders.(Agency)

Jemimah Rodrigues shares fondest memories of growing up with Super Mario

Mumbai, March 25, 2026
There’s not a soul on earth who doesn’t love Super Mario. Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, who was a part of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 winning squad, has spoken about her fondest memories of growing up with Super Mario.

The cricketer led the festivities as the face of a special event for ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’. She brought her signature energy to a memorable finale at the ground.

Sharing her childhood memories, she told IANS, “Super Mario, I think growing up I’ve just played it a lot with my brothers. So I think that’s a memory I have growing up. It was really cool and I can’t wait to watch ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’”.

The Mario-themed event in Mumbai drew over 100 fans as they suited up in vibrant Mario inspired red coloured shirts and took to the streets. Marching from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) to Azad Maidan, the parade transformed Mumbai into a playful, high energy tribute to the world of Super Mario, packed with nostalgia

The event in Mumbai transformed Azad Maidan into a lively, immersive experience, complete with a red carpet and a host of fun, interactive activities. Fans of the film, along with influencers and kids, gathered in large numbers, many dressed in signature Mario red and blue, bringing the world of the movie to life.

Talking about how the practice season is unfolding for her, she said, “Practice and preparation is going really well, really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I get a lot of the Mario spirit into what I’m doing because Mario’s like really determined, loves challenges, full of energy, something similar to what I am. So yeah, I’m going to take a lot of inspiration from here”.

The acclaimed Hindi voice-over artists from the film Shanoor Mirza and Ankur Javeri were also in attendance.

Speaking about being part of the celebration, Mirza shared, “Mario is a character that has connected generations across the world, and bringing him to life in Hindi has been an incredibly special journey for me. Seeing that same love translate so vividly on the streets of Mumbai today was surreal. The energy, the nostalgia, the fans, it truly felt like Mario had come to life in India”.

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is set to release in theatres on April 3, 2026.(Agency)

RG Kar elevator death: Probe finds lift malfunctioned a week before fatal incident

Kolkata, March 25, 2026
Investigations into the elevator death at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have revealed that the same lift had malfunctioned just seven days before the tragic incident.

According to Kolkata Police, the elevator in the Trauma Care unit developed technical issues on March 13, prompting engineers to inspect and reportedly repair it the same day. However, on March 20, Arup Banerjee, a resident of Nager Bazar in north Kolkata, was crushed between the elevator and a wall in a horrific accident.

The police said that forensic experts are currently investigating how the same hospital elevator malfunctioned again within just seven days, despite having been repaired. Preliminary information has already been shared with the police by the forensic team.

Kolkata Police detectives have also raised questions as to whether the elevator was, in fact, properly repaired on March 13. It was learnt that after Arup Banerjee — along with his wife, Sonali, and their young son — boarded Elevator No 2 in the Trauma Care unit on March 20. The elevator subsequently gave a violent jolt. The police are currently attempting to ascertain the cause of this sudden jolt.

To gather further details, detectives interrogated the PWD personnel who were responsible for the elevator’s maintenance.

Additionally, the elevator engineers, several employees of the maintenance agency, elevator operators from other buildings within the RG Kar complex (beyond just the Trauma Care unit), and several security guards have been questioned. Reports indicate that approximately 30 individuals have been interrogated so far as part of this investigation.

Detectives also spoke with several friends and acquaintances of the deceased, Arup Banerjee, who were present at the scene of the elevator tragedy. To reconstruct the sequence of events, detectives are currently monitoring CCTV footage from at least 70 cameras installed within the hospital premises.

According to police officials, forensic experts, in collaboration with the lift engineers, examined the control panel of the lift at RG Kar Hospital as part of the investigation into the accidental death of Arup. During the course of the investigation, the forensic experts and detective officers learned that a routine inspection of the lift had been conducted earlier this month. At that time, the engineers had informed the hospital authorities that the lift was in good working condition.

However, just a few days later — on March 13 — the lift began to malfunction. It would frequently stall while ascending or descending, and its sensors also started acting up. The lift engineers subsequently arrived and determined that a software glitch had developed. They examined the lift’s motherboard, repaired the unit for the time being and gave the green signal for its operation. The lift resumed functioning; however, just seven days later, the malfunctions began once again.

Police have learned that when Arup and his family members entered the elevator and pressed the button to travel from the second floor to the fifth, the lift instead ascended all the way to the seventh floor. Subsequently, the elevator descended to the basement. During this sequence, the doors shut automatically with tremendous force, causing a violent jolt inside the cabin.

Detectives have raised questions regarding how such a malfunction could occur just seven days after the elevator was supposedly ‘repaired’ — specifically asking whether a ‘green signal’ was issued even if the repairs carried out on March 13 were incomplete. The police stated that they are currently awaiting the forensic report to gather further information regarding this incident.(Agency)

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