Palace, observatory? Many shades of Sher Mandal, where Humayun met his end
A popular legend about Humayun, the Mughal emperor who succeeded his father Babar to the throne in the 16th Century, is that he fell to his death after tripping down the stairs of his observatory — some versions say it was a library — to answer a prayer call but few know that the ruler’s beloved structure is situated in the heart of Delhi.
A little over four kilometres away from his final resting place, the iconic Humayun’s Tomb, is the centuries-old Purana Qila which has borne witness to the rise of empires and horrors of Partition when it served as a home for refugees.
Enter its main gate, take a right from the T-point and one will be greeted by a lone, red sandstone structure, with a cupola on the top. This is the Sher Mandal.
Delhi health minister directs scaling up of beds for patients of heat-related illnesses
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday held an emergency meeting with the heads of hospitals and directed them to scale up beds for patients of heat-related illnesses.
During the meeting, it was decided that Delhi Police beat officers and patrolling teams will be requested help in shifting homeless to shelter homes in case they are found on the footpath.
Delhi airport: Man with dyed hair, beard held for trying to travel as 60-plus passenger
A 24-year-old man allegedly personating as a sexagenarian bound for Canada has been apprehended by the CISF at the Delhi international airport, a senior officer of the force said on Wednesday.
The passenger Guru Sewak Singh, with dyed hair and beard, was intercepted on Tuesday evening at Terminal-3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and has been handed over to the Delhi Police, he said.
The man was first checked by CISF personnel as his activities were found to be suspicious. He initially produced his identity in the form of a passport bearing the name Rashvindar Singh Sahota, 67. He was supposed to board an Air Canada flight flying out of Delhi on Tuesday, the officer said.
Read more here.
Bike-rider stabbed to death in Seelampur area
A 48-year-old bike rider was stabbed to death in the Seelampur area late on Tuesday night. DCP North East Delhi Joy Tirkey said," We received the information at 11.30 pm. The deceased is 48-year-old and his name is Manoj Kumar...The motive of the murder is not clear because the wallet and the cash were with him. We have registered a murder case and we are investigating."
Amid heat wave, Delhi’s peak power demand reaches all-time high of 8,656 MW
Delhi's massive electricity consumption amid a punishing heat wave has pushed the peak power demand to an all-time high level of 8656 MW on Wednesday afternoon, said discom officials.
The peak power demand was on Tuesday recorded at 8647 MW, the second highest in this summer season.
According to the real-time data of State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) Delhi, the peak power demand reached 8656 MW at 15:06:55 hrs on Wednesday.
Delhi water crisis: Atishi writes to PM Modi, says will go on indefinite fast from June 21 if situation not resolved
Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Wednesday said that she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the water crisis in the national capital and threatened to go on an indefinite strike from June 21 if the issue is not resolved within a couple of days.
Addressing a press conference here, Atishi said Delhi is grappling with a water crisis since Haryana is not releasing the capital's share of water.
"Yesterday, Haryana released 513 MGD of water to Delhi as against 613 MGD. One MGD of water is for 28,500 people. This means that water was not released for over 28 lakh people," she added.
The minister said people are not only battling heatwave conditions but also water shortages.
"I have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the water crisis requesting him to resolve the issue. If the crisis is not solved within two days, I will go on an indefinite strike from June 21," she said. (PTI)
Delhi CS Naresh Kumar given additional charge of NDMC Chairperson
Delhi CS Naresh Kumar has been given additional charge of New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Chairperson.
Court extends judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case till July 3
A Delhi Court Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till July 3 in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy “scam”.
His regular bail arguments are also being heard.
The CM, who is currently in judicial custody, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the case. The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail from May 10 to June 1, allowing him to campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
26-year-old Aman Joon killed in shooting at Burger King
The deceased in the Burger King shooting has been identified as 26-year-old Aman Joon, who is a resident of Jhajjhar.
Multiple gunshots rang out inside a Burger King outlet in West Delhi’s Rajouri Garden late Tuesday evening, leaving a person dead.
Light rainfall, gusty winds likely over parts of Delhi-NCR for the next 2 hours
Light-to-moderate intensity rainfall and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 kmph is likely to occur over adjoining areas of a few places in New Delhi, South-West Delhi, South Delhi, South-East Delhi, NCR (Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh) Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar, Jahangirabad, Anupshahar, Shikarpur, Khurja, Pahasu, Gabhana (UP) during next 2 hours.
'Under PMLA, if an offence is not made out, only then bail can be granted': ED's counsel in court
Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi's alleged excise policy case, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, read Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), said, "under PMLA. if an offence is not made out, only then bail can be granted."
"His claims are hogwash... at the stage of bail, you can't conduct a mini trial. The timing of arrest is irrelevant for the grant of bail. Arrest is also part of the investigation. Statements can only be looked at during the trial," he added.
There is also evidence which was found right before his arrest. Their claims are incorrect," he said.
"The interim bail was granted just for election campaigning... a trial Court is different from the Supreme Court. Section 45 will not come in the way of the SC," SV Raju said.
"Extraordinary powers were exercised by the SC... that order can't be relied upon to get benefits in the regular bail," SV Raju added.
'One need not be an accused in scheduled offence to be arrested in the money laundering case': ASG appearing for ED in Kejriwal's excise policy scam
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's excise policy scam, asserted, The Supreme Court had earlier said that AAP should be made an accused. We also made AAP an accused in the recent chargesheet."
"One need not be an accused in the scheduled offence (corruption case) to be arrested in the money laundering case," Raju added.
In letter to PM Modi, Atishi threatens indefinite fast from June 21 if water crisis not resolved
Delhi Water Minister Atishi Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking solutions to the water crisis in the national Capital.
Addressing a press conference on the crisis, she announced that she will go on an indefinite fast from June 21 if the situation is not resolved. She also said that about 28 lakh people are struggling to fulfill their everyday water needs because of the crisis.
The water crisis in Delhi Tuesday extended from slum clusters to major hospitals and areas including Parliament House, President Estate, Chanakyapuri, embassies, the Prime Minister’s House, and Members of Parliament flats, according to officials of the NDMC.
Advocate moves Kejriwal's plea seeking permission for his wife's presence during medical examination
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri (appearing through video conferencing for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) on Wednesday moved an application by Kejriwal seeking that his wife be allowed to be present while his medical examination is being held.
"The case was pending for 1.5 years before the Chief Minister was arrested. He was arrested only when elections were announced. If the quality of evidence is low (relying only on statements of tainted persons), this discredits the case of the prosecution,' Chaudhari also added.
"The ED will even oppose if the CM wants a glass of water...this is persecution, not prosecution."
'No corroborative evidence that Rs 100 cr given by South Group to AAP': CM Kejriwal's lawyer in court
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri (appearing through video conferencing for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) on Wednesday in a Delhi court stated that there is no corroborative evidence that Rs 100 crores were given by the South Group to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Initially, there are 11 statements made with no allegation against me. Sarath Reddy's company donated ?50 crores to the BJP via electoral bonds. Later, I was named. Statements are the weakest type of evidence," Chaudhari underlined in court.
The counsel also submitted a "contradiction note" in the Court.
"The agency has only relied on statements. There are also statements on our side... right now, it is just one statement against the other. This is the biggest instrument of oppression... accused persons will die, judges will change, but their investigations go on till eternity," he adds.
'Agency's conduct deplorable, raises apprehensions': Delhi CM Kejriwal's lawyer against ED in court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari, while presenting his arguments against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that the ED's conduct is "deplorable and raises apprehensions."
"If they could do this with a constitutional functionary, imagine what they could do with a common man. In one of the earlier statements of Raghav Magunta (approver), he said that he didn't meet the CM in context of the excise policy. The ED doesn't oppose the bail plea of an accused, when they have to make someone an approver. There is a flip flop in Raghav's statements," Chaudhari alleged in court.
A Delhi court is currently hearing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s regular bail application in money laundering case linked to alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
'The arrest could have been made in Oct itself': Delhi CM Kejriwal's lawyer in court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari, appearing via video conferencing, presented CM Kejriwal could have been "arrested in October itself... Why did they wait for this till elections?"
"The entire case against me is based on statements --- of those people who were arrested. These persons were promised bail and becoming approvers. Three allurements were given - non arrest, non prosecution. All this started in August 2022. I have been in custody for four months. Till July 2023, they already had all their evidence. The exercising of arresting me could've been done in October itself," Chaudhari said.
"Why did they wait for this till elections?" Chaudhari added.
'They must at least respect my chair': CM Kejriwal's lawyer in court
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri (appearing through video conferencing for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal), highlighted that even if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) does not have respect for Kejriwal, they "must respect my chair."
"They issued me the fourth summons on an email. They said I was being called in my individual capacity, and not as a convenor (of AAP). When Lok Sabha elections were announced in March, they issued me another summons, and I was arrested in March itself," Chaudhari said in court, presenting Kejriwal.
‘CM not a threat to society’, says Kejriwal’s lawyer as court hears bail plea in excise policy case
A Delhi court is currently hearing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail application in money laundering case linked to alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
During the hearing, senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri (appearing through video conferencing for the CM Kejriwal), underlined that the CM is not a threat to the society. “He hasn’t been convicted yet… Several prosecution complaints have been filed by the ED. I’m not even an accused in the scheduled offence till date,” Chaudhari said, presenting Kejriwal.
The CM, who is currently in judicial custody, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the case.
Man shot dead in Delhi's Rajouri Garden Burger King outlet
A person died after gunshots were fired inside Burger King in West Delhi's Rajouri Garden late on Tuesday.
Crime teams have reached the spot, 10 to 12 rounds were fired.
100 of DJB's 250 water tankers missing, claims Delhi Congress
At least a hundred of the Delhi Jal Board's 250 water tankers have gone missing from its roster amid an intense heatwave in the capital, interim DPCC chief Devender Yadav claimed on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI. He claimed that the DJB had always had 250 departmental tankers operating during the summer season. The Delhi Congress chief claimed that 100 tankers went missing this summer. Yadav also said it was surprising that the ruling AAP government had not increased the number of tankers in view of the water crisis in Delhi, given that it had come to power ten years ago on the promise of providing free power and water to residents, PTI reported. He said that the DJB had not come up with an action plan for the summe in advance for the water shortage issue.
Delhi Police likely to file chargesheet against Arundhati Roy next week: Reports
The Delhi Police is likely to file a chargesheet against author Arundhati Roy next week, news agency PTI reported quoting sources. This comes after Delhi L-G V K Saxena had given the nod for Roy to be prosecuted under Section 45 (1) of UAPA for her allegedly provocative speeches in 2010. Apart from Roy, former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was also booked for their speeches at a conference organised at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg on October 21, 2010. A thousand-page chargesheet by the Crime Branch, PTI said quoting official sources.
'Primary solution to protect ourselves from heat wave is increasing green belt,' says Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai
While highlighting the record-breaking rise in temperature in the National Capital over the past month, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the primary solution to protect people from the intense heatwaves was to increase the green belt, news agency PTI reported. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government was continuously working towards increasing the area under green belt in the Capital. In 2013, the green area in Delhi was only 20% of the total area of the national capital, but with support of people, in 2021, this increased to 23.6%..." PTI quoted Rai as saying.
Watch | Delhi minister Gopal Rai holds meeting with Forest, Environment Dept officials
Delhi minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday held a meeting with the Forest and Environment Department officials of the National Capital, news agency PTI reported.
'Action plan for monsoon already implemented in Delhi,' says Mayor Shelly Oberoi
Addressing a press conference in the National Capital, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said that the action plan for the monsoon which was formulated over the past month has already been implemented, news agency PTI reported. "Over the past one month, we have been holding meetings with officials and an action has already been implemented," Oberoi said, adding that the municipal corporation was fully prepared for the monsoon.
Water shortage to hit Lutyens’ Delhi, underground reservoirs record 40% fall in supply
Water shortage will be experienced in many parts of New Delhi, including Lutyens’ Delhi, which falls within the city’s most prestigious areas, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said on Monday.
A 40 per cent reduction in water supply from the Tilak Marg and Bengali Market underground reservoirs will leave residents and businesses scrambling to adjust.
This shortage will impacts key locations such as Bengali Market, Ashoka Road, Harichand Marthur Lane, Copernicus Marg, Purana Qila Road, Babar Road, Barakhamba, KG Marg, Windsor Palace, Firozshah Marg, Canning Lane and its surrounding area. Read the full story here.
'Nearly 3 cr students suffered because of paper leak': AAP MP Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, addressing the reporters on NEET exam controversy on Tuesday, said, "This is a huge scam, future of crores of students has been ruined. Nearly three crore students have suffered because of paper leak in the last 2-3 years," news agency PTI reported.
Bomb hoax leads to checking of Dubai-bound plane at IGI airport
A Dubai-bound plane which was to take off from Delhi received a bomb threat via email on Tuesday, authorities told news agency PTI.
"On Monday, at 9.35 am an email was received in DIAL office, of the IGI Airport with the threat of bomb inside Delhi to Dubai flight," a senior police officer said.
No bomb was found when the plane was checked, the officer said. (PTI)
Tankers continue to supply water to Delhi locals amid water crisis
Tankers Tuesday morning continued to supply water to locals in Delhi amid crisis in Okhla, Kusumpur Pahadi in Vasant Vihar area, and Geeta Colony area.
AAP MPs, MLAs hold protest against Centre's ongoing NEET exam controversy, urges govt to take strict action
Delhi Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and MPs held a protest against central government's ongoing NEET exam controversy in the national Capital on Tuesday.
AAP MLA Rakhi Birla, hailing the education systemt in Delhi, said, 'Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s idea of education is being pushed forward by the Arvind Kejriwal government beautifully in Delhi. The central government should look at the education quality in Delhi and learn from it.'
“I urge the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to keep in mind the future of lakhs of students who thrive hard for years preparing for these examinations and take strict action against such irregularities and make stronger laws that such mistakes wont be repeated again. Today all our party workers are fighting for this in Delhi. Tomorrow, we will fight across the nation. This might be a long fight but we will fight until there is justice for the children of our country,' Birla said.
BJP and Congress protest over Delhi water crisis: ‘AAP sheltering water thieves and tanker mafia’
Amid continuing water crisis in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress Monday cornered the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national Capital. “Arvind Kejriwal and his government are solely responsible for Delhiites not getting water today.
By sheltering water thieves and the tanker mafia, AAP legislators have turned water into a business, regardless of whether the people of Delhi get any or not,” Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged.
Read more here.
IMD issues red alert for today, severe heatwave conditions to prevail over parts of Delhi
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the national Capital on Tuesday, with the temperatures forecast to touch 45 degrees Celsius and heat wave to severe heat wave conditions expected in most parts of the city.
The Capital is likely to witness warm night conditions and strong surface winds (gusty) during the day along with clear skies.
The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 45 and 34 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Delhi court denies bail to man accused of trafficking Indians to be deployed in Russia-Ukraine war
A Delhi court denied bail to a man accused of trafficking Indian citizens to Russia to be deployed in its war with Ukraine against their will, news agency PTI reported. Special Judge Atul Krishna Agrawal, while passing the order, observed that the accused, Mumbai resident Micheal Elangovan Anthony, could try to destroy evidence and that the charged against him were serious in nature. "The applicant may also assist the other accused persons in continuing to evade the process of law,” the judge stated in the order passed on June 7.
The accused, who was arrested on April 26, had filed a bail application claiming that he himself was a victim of the racket and had been falsely implicated in the case. According to the CBI, the accused had trafficked Indians to Russia on the pretext of getting them jobs in the army as guards, helpers etc in return for money. The agency said that they were then "“deceptively made to sign contract" for Russian army and trained for combat, following which they were deployed in war zones against their wish.
Man kills daughter for wanting to marry outside caste in Delhi's Rohini, arrested
A man allegedly killed his daughter on a farm in Kanjhawala area in Delhi's Rohini for wanting to marry a man from another caste, news agency PTI reported. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Guriqbal Singh Sidhu said the 46-year-old accused has been arrested. The woman was found with multiple stab wounds in a farm in in Chandpur village, following which she was shifted to the hospitals where the doctors declared her brought dead. The police traced the registration number of the cab taken by the father and daughter, and took the accused into custody on Monday morning.
South Delhi MP-elect Ramvir Bidhuri asks to be relieved from post of Delhi Assembly LoP, to resign tomorrow
South Delhi MP-elect Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Monday wrote to BJP National President J P Nadda, asking to be relieved from the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, so that he can fulfill his duties in the Lok Sabha. Bidhuri communicated to Nadda that as per the rules, he needs to resign from either the Assembly or the Lok Sabha within 14 days of the notification being issued. Bidhuri said he will tender his resignation from the membership of the Delhi Assembly on June 18.
Fire breaks out at Onco Plus Hospital at Kotla Mubarakpur
A fire broke out at the Onco Plus Hospital in Kotla Mubarakpur, with eight fire tenders being rushed to the spot. No injuries have been reported so far. The fire is said to have started in one of the meter boards.
In Pics | Muslims offer Namaz on Eid at Jama Masjid in New Delhi
Delhi water crisis: Atishi visits Wazirabad barrage, urges Haryana govt to release water in Yamuna
Amidst the water crisis, Delhi minister Atishi on Monday visited the Wazirabad barrage, appealing to the Haryana government to release water in the Yamuna river, news agency PTI reported. The AAP leader said that the Wazirabad barrage gets its water supply from Haryana, which the goes to the water treatment plants in Chandrawal, Okhla and Wazirabad. "If no water is received, how will the water treatment plants work? We appeal to Haryana that the people in Delhi are worried and they should release water in Yamuna river,” PTI quoted Atishi as saying.
Man allegedly kills sister-in-law over money dispute in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh
Acoording to a police report, a man allegedly shot and killed his sister-in-law over a monetary dispute in Shalimar Bagh, Northwest Delhi. The woman, Neetu, was shot on Sunday afternoon and succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning.
The suspect, Sachin Kumar, a cook, was arrested hours after the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Jindendra Kumar Meena confirmed the monetary dispute as the motive. Police are currently interrogating the murder.
What kind of Water Minister is Atishi? Only to sell water to 'tanker mafias'?: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari
The BJP continued to protest on Monday against the AAP-led Government amid the blame game, a day after the Delhi Water Minister Atishi accused former BJP lawmaker Ramesh Bidhuri of leading an attack on the Delhi Jal Board office in Chhattarpur and claimed it was a conspiracy.
During a protest in Mukherjee Nagar, the BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, “Delhi Jal Board is a department of the Delhi government. What kind of water minister is Atishi? Only to sell water to ‘tanker mafias’? This is a very big question. That’s why we are protesting with the people of Delhi.”
As of Sunday, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) reported a water production of 901 million gallons per day — 55 MGD less than the actual capacity.
BJP protesting over water crisis is meaningless: CPI leader D Raja
While reacting to the ongoing 'Matka Phod' protest by the BJP govt over water crisis in Delhi, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja said the BJP's protest is meaningless. He said that Delhi govt, Haryana govt, and the centre should cooperate with each other instead of playing a blame game over the water crisis.
He said, 'Delhi is the national capital and it has been facing the problem for long. Delhi must get water from adjacent states. Haryana is a BJP-ruled state. Blame game doesn't have meaning at this juncture. There should be a better coordination between Delhi govt, Haryana govt and the Centre. They must put collective effort. Protest is not the solution. Delhi has no statehood. What is the responsibility of the Central govt? The BJP should explain.'
BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi emphasizes unity in diversity on Eid-Al-Adha, offers Namaz at Panja Sharif
Celebrating the spirit of Eid-Al-Adha, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered Namaz at Dargah Panja Sharif in the national capital on Monday.
Emphasizing the importance of unity in India’s diverse cultural landscape, he highlighted the idea of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.”
Eid Al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
In Uttar Pradesh, devotees gathered at Mubarak Khan Shaheed Mazaar in Gorakhpur and Jama Masjid in Noida to offer prayers.
Noida Police imposes prohibitory orders in city until June 19 ahead of religious festivals, protests
According to an order by the Gautam Buddha Nagar police on Sunday, restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed in Noida and Greater Noida until Wedneday, June 19 due to Ganga Dussehra on June 16, Bakrid on June 17.
Prohibitory orders are being imposed to maintain peace and harmony ahead of religious festivals and protests proposed by various organisations.
This is a water crisis favoured by the BJP: AAP spokesman blames BJP for water crisis
National spokesman for AAP Sanjay Singh blamed the BJP, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and the Haryana government for together conspiring and inducing the water crisis situation in Delhi, in a press conference by the AAP on Monday.
In response to a question regarding BJP accusing the AAP for heading the Delhi Government yet failing to curb the water crisis situation — Singh replied, "the Haryana government is headed by the BJP. Why is nobody questioning the CM on release of water to Delhi? This is a water crisis favoured by the BJP... It is a sin to stop the water of the people."
The AAP MP also said that no investigation has been made on this matter. He said. "The BJP threatens the Delhi Jal Board workers. Already they are distressed. If the Delhi Jal Board officials do not work in fear of the BJP, how will the people of Delhi recieve water?"
BJP claims Haryana releasing full share of water
Amid the water crisis in the National Capital, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva claimed that Haryana was releasing Delhi's full share of water into Yamuna.
At a protest in Geeta Colony, Sachdeva charged, "This water gets stolen by tanker mafia after it enters Delhi because the ministers and MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party are hand in glove with them.”
Carrying bottles of dirty water, the BJP protesters raised slogans against the AAP government and smashed ‘matkas' (earthen pitchers) as a mark of protest over water scarcity in the national capital.They also alleged that people were getting sick after being forced to drink dirty water from the taps.