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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Odisha govt plans nine schemes to transform SBP into model city for women’s safety

In an effort to turn Sambalpur into a model of a safe, inclusive and fear-free city for women and girls, the state government has planned nine schemes worth Rs 10 crore under Nirbhaya Initiative, including establishment of four dedicated support centres.

They include quick assistance by women police, emergency response system, technology-based surveillance, safe transport, women-friendly public amenities and awareness programmes.

Chief secretary Anu Garg reviewed the plans at a meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday. Official sources said under ‘Shakti Sarathi’ scheme, there is a proposal for patrolling and providing quick assistance by women police by mobilising 15 two-wheelers.

Similarly under ‘Pratikriya’ scheme, the government plans to provide necessary assistance and rescue services to women through 15 emergency response vehicles and drones. Under ‘Drishti’ scheme, plans are afoot to strengthen surveillance system by installing 800 CCTV cameras at 210 locations.

Five police assistance centres are planned to be set up under ‘S-Stop’, while under ‘Sahayatra’, operation of 40 pink e-rickshaws have been proposed to ensure safe and accessible transport for women.

Under ‘Nirbhaya Sadan’ scheme, four assistance centres are proposed at the district court premises, railway station, medical college area at Burla and district headquarters hospital. Similarly, under ‘Sathi’ scheme, six toilets and nursing facilities will be set up, while under ‘Yatra’, there is a proposal to develop a real-time tracking system for buses of 50 educational institutions.

Besides, ‘Sachetanata’ scheme will also be launched for awareness related to women’s safety, self-defence training, health education and community-based programmes.

Bigg Boss 20: Nakul Dhull evicted after physical fight with Gullu? Here's what we know

This Weekend Ka Vaar saw two new wildcards, Manish Goel and Nakul Dhull, enter the Bigg Boss 20 house. Just two days later, drama has already erupted, with Nakul getting into a physical altercation with Gullu, aka Kushal Tanwar, triggering chaos inside the house. Nakul’s fate on the show remains uncertain for now.

In the latest episode, after the nomination task ended, Nakul Dhull confronted Qazi Touqeer for allegedly talking about ScoutOP behind his back and claiming that he had spat in ScoutOP’s ear. Nakul called ScoutOP over and confronted Qazi in front of him. However, the argument soon turned physical. Qazi defended himself, saying the comment had been made in jest, and asked Gullu, aka Kushal Tanwar, to make Nakul understand. His remark further enraged Nakul, who charged at Gullu and pushed him. Gullu retaliated, and during the scuffle, Nakul tore the sweater Gullu was wearing. The other housemates rushed in to separate them.

Mahhi Vij, visibly upset and angry over Nakul’s behaviour, was seen shouting at him for getting physical with Gullu. Despite the housemates’ repeated attempts to calm him down, Nakul continued to charge at Gullu, seemingly eager to resume the fight. Several women in the house also condemned the violence, saying they no longer felt safe with Nakul around. Mahhi even demanded his eviction.

However, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Bigg Boss summoning all the contestants to the living room and reprimanding them over the incident. Bigg Boss described the physical altercation as a ‘major’ violation of the show’s rules, leaving Nakul’s fate in the house uncertain.

While Nakul’s fate remains uncertain, X accounts such as BB Tak claimed that he had been evicted from the house. The post read, "BREAKING: BIG FIGHT ERUPTS between Nakul Dhull and Gullu inside the Bigg Boss 20 house LAST NIGHT, which reportedly escalated into PHYSICAL VIOLENCE! Nakul Dhull has been EVICTED from the BB20 house following the physical altercation!"

Gullu’s team also criticised the incident in a post on Instagram, alleging that the confrontation was a ‘planned attack’. The team wrote, "This is so unfair How are people like this even allowed to enter the house in the first place, and for what reason? He literally came from outside with a plan to fight with Gullu, got physical with him, and did exactly what he came for. And yes, we have every reason to question whether this was planned. We want answers about how the news of a physical altercation between him and Gullu was leaked on Saturday when the actual fight happened on Sunday. How could such specific information about an incident be out a day before it even happened? Because, at that point, the incident hadn't even taken place in real time."

Gullu’s team also demanded Nakul’s eviction, writing, "Secondly, unnecessary physical violence and crossing someone's personal boundaries are absolutely unacceptable. Bigg Boss is a show, not a place where people should be allowed to threaten or physically attack others. Gullu did not enter the show to be treated like this, where someone could allegedly come in with a plan to target him and get physical with him. This kind of behaviour should have serious consequences. We demand answers and justice for Gullu. EVICT THIS GOON ASAP."

About Bigg Boss 20

Hosted by Salman Khan, this year’s season has a new theme, ‘Tathas-Two’, which gives contestants a second chance at survival inside the house. Contestants such as Aman Gandhi, Mary Kom, Yung DSA, ScoutOP and Aasif Khan have already lost one of their lives. The show is available to watch on JioHotstar and Colors TV.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka sent to five days’ judicial custody over Jantar Mantar protest

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday (October 14, 2026), a day after they were detained along with 12 other party members for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar, which the Delhi Police de-notified as a designated protest site on Monday (October 12, 2026).

The police registered two first information reports (FIRs) against the 14 members over allegations of trespass, disobedience of official orders and obstruction of police personnel on duty. Ajinkya Shinde, who was also placed under preventive arrest, was released after furnishing a personal bond and surety of ₹5,000, with an undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months, according to a police statement.

According to the police, the 14 CJP members, including Mr. Das, Mr. Ranka and Mr. Shinde, reached Jantar Mantar during the morning hours on October 13 by passing through private premises. Police personnel deployed at the site attempted to stop them, but the group allegedly obstructed the personnel in the discharge of their official duties.

The first FIR was registered at the Connaught Place police station under Sections 223(a), 332 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions concern disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, house-trespass to commit an offence and criminal conspiracy, respectively.

A second FIR was registered at the Parliament Street police station under Sections 221, 115(2), 132, 121(1) and 3(5) of the BNS. These provisions relate to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official functions, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from duty, voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty, and acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.

The police said all 14 members were bound down in the respective cases in accordance with the law. Subsequently, Mr. Das, Mr. Ranka and Mr. Shinde were placed under preventive arrest over what the police described as repeated attempts to disturb public peace and violate the law. Their attempts to use social media to instigate others to engage in similar activities were also taken into consideration, the police said.

The three were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), where proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Section 126 empowers an Executive Magistrate to initiate proceedings when there is reason to believe that a person may breach the peace, and to require an undertaking to maintain peace for a period of up to one year. Section 170 empowers the police to arrest a person without a warrant to prevent the commission of a cognisable offence when it cannot otherwise be prevented.

The police said the SEM court remanded Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka to five days of judicial custody after considering the police report and the apprehension that they could repeat the alleged violations or encourage others to do so if released. Mr. Shinde was directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months after furnishing a personal bond and surety of ₹5,000.

'No One In Bollywood Saw His Body': Tanushree Dutta Asks Why No Prayer Meet Was Held For Nana Patekar

Tanushree Dutta has questioned the circumstances surrounding Nana Patekar's death, claiming that no one from Bollywood or the media saw his body before the last rites.

During an Instagram Live on Monday night, the actor also questioned whether Nana's family had seen his body properly and why his last rites were performed in the middle of the night.

Nana Patekar died of a heart attack on October 8 at the age of 75. His last rites were performed at his farmhouse in Donje village, near Pune.

During the Instagram Live, Tanushree said, "In the Bollywood industry and in the media, no one has seen the body of Nana Patekar. And what was the hurry? In the middle of the night to perform the last rites?"

For the unversed, Nana Patekar's last rites took place on October 8 at his farmhouse at 11: 28 PM.

She questioned why no prayer meeting was held for the veteran actor, saying that people from the film industry and the media should have had an opportunity to pay their respects.

Tanushree alleged, "Such a big legend, such a great person. There should have been a prayer meet so that Bollywood people and media personnel could come, see the body, and pay their respects. Like in Hindu tradition, people attend the meet, touch the body, bow before it, and see the deceased with their own eyes."

Tanushree also questioned whether Nana's family had seen his face before the cremation. She pointed out that several celebrities had posted tributes to the actor on social media.

"No one in Bollywood saw the body. Many people posted tributes on social media, but did they actually see the body? Did the family see it properly? Whose last rites were performed? His face was covered. Villagers may not ask such questions, but others do."

The actor also questioned why no photographs or videos of Nana being taken to hospital had surfaced.

"Even when I had an accident, photographs and videos surfaced. But here, not a single video emerged of Nana Patekar. He was taken to the hospital, declared dead there, and a post-mortem was conducted."

Tanushree also raised questions about the timing of the last rites, referring to Hindu traditions surrounding cremation.

"In our religion, last rites are generally not performed after sunset. So why was the cremation conducted in the middle of the night? What was the hurry? Why perform the last rites in the darkness of the night?"

Tanushree went on to claim that the body cremated was not Nana's and speculated that the actor could still be alive in Singapore or Malaysia. She alleged that he had staged his death and obtained a fake death certificate to escape legal proceedings. These claims have not been independently established.

Odisha's Kalinga ghat closed for 19 days, livelihoods crippled

The closure of the Kalinga ghat stretch on National Highway-157 for nearly 19 days following a landslide continues to paralyse connectivity, trade and essential healthcare access between Ganjam and Kandhamal districts.

The arterial route is crucial for livelihood, education, healthcare, and trade and commerce between the two districts. However, the prolonged disruption has left roadside centres deserted. With hardly any vehicle passing through the ghat, business in local shops has dropped sharply, leaving traders worried about their livelihoods.

The disruption has also affected passenger bus services, hotels, auto-rickshaw operators and taxi drivers. Several buses have stopped operating on the route, depriving transport-dependent businesses of regular customers.

Patients requiring urgent medical attention are among the worst affected. With the main route closed, people travelling to Berhampur are forced to take lengthy detours, increasing travel time and compounding hardship during medical emergencies.

With Dussehra approaching, traders fear further losses during the festive season. They recalled that the road was disrupted for about 42 days last year, severely affecting business during the festival.

Kandhamal collector Ved Bhushan said light vehicles, including two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and cars, could pass through the ghat within 10 to 15 days after the ongoing repair work is completed.

Meanwhile, residents and traders demanded an alternative road bypassing Kalinga ghat, citing its vulnerability to landslides and flash floods during prolonged spells of heavy rain.

They urged the administration to expedite restoration work and develop a permanent alternative route to ensure reliable connectivity between the two districts. They said uninterrupted road connectivity was essential for local businesses and movement of patients, students, workers and essential goods.

On September 24, heavy rains had washed away a portion of the NH-157 on the Kalinga ghat stretch near Andharikot where a guard wall was being constructed in view of the recurring landslides at the spot.