Delhi News Highlights: Rain, thunderstorm likely in capital; multiple airlines issue alerts on flight disruptions due to congestion

PWD minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday said the Delhi government is working on mission mode to ensure no waterlogging occurs this monsoon season.

Verma who inspected a drain in Sriniwaspuri area said that there will be "transparency" in the water distribution system under the BJP government.

"The previous government and the local MLA (Atishi) did absolutely nothing. But we don't look at whose constituency it is. Our aim is to work in every part of Delhi," said Verma.

The main drain in Sriniwaspuri has remained blocked for years, and last year, water up to four feet deep entered several houses in the locality, the minister said.

"A work order for desilting the drain will be issued within a week, and cleaning work will commence immediately. Officials have been strictly directed to record videos of the cleaning process to ensure actual on-ground progress, not just paperwork," said the PWD and water minister.

As per the government's plan, MCD will begin desilting of the Sriniwaspuri drain from its starting point near East of Kailash and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will clean all construction and demolition waste and debris before before April 19. — PTI

The Drugs Control Department of the Delhi government has seized counterfeit Thrombophob ointments valued at over Rs 2.5 lakh from a wholesale drug outlet here, officials said Thursday.

Thrombophob ointment is widely used for treating thrombophlebitis -- a condition involving the inflammation or swelling of a vein due to blood clots. When applied topically, the drug helps reduce pain, inflammation, and promotes faster healing, a statement said.

The action followed a complaint from Zydus Healthcare Limited, the manufacturer of Thrombophob 20g ointment (containing Heparin Sodium and Benzyl Nicotinate), regarding the circulation of counterfeit versions of the drug in the Delhi market according to the statement.

The department's intelligence cell developed the input further, leading to the identification of a suspected wholesaler operating from the Chandni Chowk area, it said. — PTI

Delhi Police has apprehended a 19-year-old boy and a minor for stabbing three people while committing three robberies in a day in northwest Delhi's Adarsh Nagar area, an official on Saturday said.

The accused, identified as Suraj, is involved in six cases related to theft and the Arms Act, he said, adding that a minor was also apprehended in the case.

"All three robberies took place on April 10 in Adarsh Nagar and separate cases were registered at the local police station under relevant sections of the BNS," a senior police officer said.

In each incident, the victims were stabbed by the assailants during robbery. The nature of the attacks revealed the brutal and dangerous intent of the accused, he added. — PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday appealed to citizens to avoid throwing food on roads and urged them to feed animals responsibly to help keep streets safe and avoid traffic disruption.

During an inspection in the city, CM Gupta noticed a man tossing a 'chapati' onto the road. She stopped her car and requested him not to repeat the act.

"I saw someone throwing chapatis on the road, possibly to feed stray cows. I stopped and gently asked him not to do that again," she said.

Gupta emphasised that 'chapati' is more than just food, it's a symbol of tradition and respect in Indian culture. "Throwing it on the road not only disrespects the food but also puts both animals and people at risk," she added.

The chief minister said that stray cows and other animals are drawn to roads in search of food, which can cause traffic disruption and increase the risk of accidents.

"If you wish to feed animals, please do so at designated shelters or goshalas. This reflects our compassion, responsibility, and cultural values," she said.

Gupta urged all Delhi residents to refrain from throwing 'chapatis' or any kind of food on the roads. — PTI

Former law minister Ashwani Kumar on Friday described the extradition of Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana as a defining moment in the nation's fight against terrorism, saying the matter should not be politicised to apportion blame or to claim exclusive credit for the move.

"The nation expects political parties to rise above partisan politics and demonstrate maturity of our democratic process. The extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a defining moment in the nation's fight against terrorism.

"It is a vindication of the nation's collective resolve to bring to justice all those waging an undeclared war against India," Kamar, who served as the law minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government from 2012-2013, said in a statement. — PTI

The IMD has predicted that Shamli, Kandhla, Sakoti Tanda, Hastinapur, Chandpur, Baraut, Daurala, Bagpat, Meerut, Khekra, Modinagar, Kithor, Garhmukteshwar, Pilakhua, Hapur, Gulaoti, Siyana, Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar, Jahangirabad, Anupshahar, Shikarpur, Khurja, Pahasu, Debai, Gabhana, Jattari, Atrauli, Khair, Aligarh, Nandgaon, Iglas, Barsana, Raya, Hathras and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh are likely to be affected.

The IMD added that Gangoh, Muzaffarnagar and Sadabad are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.

With Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case, lodged at the National Investigation Agency headquarters, Gate No. 2 of the Jawaharlal Nehru Metro Station located nearby remained closed for a second straight day on Friday.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) early Friday took 64-year-old Rana into 18-day custody, during which he will be questioned in detail to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives.

A spokesperson for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said, "Gate No. 2 of the JLN Metro Station will remain shut until further notice from Delhi Police." The gate is closest to the NIA headquarters, which was shut on Thursday ahead of Rana's extradition from the US, and his expected arrival at the anti-terror probe agency's office. — PTI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday began questioning of Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana here to unravel the larger conspiracy behind the deadly terror strikes of 2008, official sources said.

Rana was brought to the NIA headquarters early Friday morning after a Delhi court granted 18-day custody to the probe agency, following his extradition from the US.

Rana is being kept in a highly-secured cell, inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex here, being guarded by security personnel round the clock, the sources said.

A 24x7 surveillance is being maintained and Rana has been provided with basic necessities like food and meals among others, they said.

The investigation is being led by NIA's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Roy, who is also the Chief Investigating Officer, they said.

"Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency will question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured," said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order. — PTI

Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana allegedly said the Indians “deserved it" and commended the nine LeT terrorists killed during the attack, suggesting that they should be given "Nishan-e-Haider”, Pakistan's highest gallantry award, according to the US Department of Justice.

The US on Wednesday extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

"Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the Department of Justice said in a statement.

India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend Headley, a US citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai to conduct surveillance of potential attack sites for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). — PTI