Two Terrorists Killed After Army Foils Infiltration Attempt In J&K; Mahagathbandhan Yet To Finalise Seat Sharing In Bihar; And More

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Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in IRCTC Scam

A Delhi court on Monday formally framed charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar's Leader of Opposition, in the alleged IRCTC scam case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne charged Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav with criminal conspiracy and cheating, while Lalu Prasad faces charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. All three pleaded not guilty, with a detailed order still pending.

The CBI chargesheet alleges that between 2004 and 2014, operational contracts for IRCTC hotels in Puri and Ranchi were irregularly awarded to Sujata Hotels Private Limited through a manipulated tender process with modified conditions favoring the private entity.

The case also names senior IRCTC officials V K Asthana and R K Goyal, along with Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, directors of Sujata Hotels and Chanakya Hotel owners. Firms Delight Marketing Company (now Lara Projects) and Sujata Hotels are also accused.

The development comes at a politically sensitive time ahead of state elections, highlighting allegations of corruption in transferring BNR hotels from Indian Railways to private operators, raising serious concerns about procedural transparency and misuse of public resources.

Zoho Receives Approval to Power NIC Email System After Rigorous Audits: Sridhar Vembu

Zoho Corporation has officially secured approval to power the National Informatics Centre's email system, serving nearly 33 lakh government employees, following extensive security evaluations, co-founder Sridhar Vembu confirmed to business and economics news portal, Moneycontrol.

The selection resulted from a competitive tender floated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2023 to migrate NIC's existing email service to a secure cloud-based platform. Over 1.5 million users are currently onboarded.

Vembu revealed that Zoho underwent 15-20 comprehensive audits covering code, data centers, and security practices before the NIC team's selection. He rejected claims of political influence, emphasizing the "stiff competition" and competitive evaluation process involved.

MeitY Secretary S Krishnan clarified that while Zoho powers NIC's email services, the government's broader strategy focuses on supporting multiple Indian tech firms rather than favouring any single company, ensuring a diversified technology ecosystem.

Other developments

Hamas Releases 20 Israeli Hostages as Ceasefire Takes Hold; Trump Arrives in Israel

Tel Aviv erupted in celebration Monday as Hamas released all 20 Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, marking a pivotal moment in the ceasefire that ended two years of war in Gaza.

The released hostages were initially freed in batches of seven, followed by the remaining thirteen. Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered at public screenings nationwide, erupting in cheers as the Red Cross escorted captives from northern Gaza.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel and was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joining other world leaders to discuss the peace plan and postwar reconstruction.

The release concludes a painful chapter beginning with the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed hundreds of Israelis.

Two Terrorists Killed as Security Forces Foil Infiltration Attempt in Kupwara

Army troops detected suspicious movement near the Machil LoC around 7 PM, leading to an immediate challenge and exchange of fire. "Indian Army troops witnessed some suspicious movement along the Line of Control and fired towards it. Operations are continuing in the area," officials stated.

Separately, several blasts were reported in Dudniyal sector, raising concerns about coordinated infiltration efforts. Flares were fired to illuminate the area and monitor cross-border movement.

The incidents occur amid heightened alert along the LoC following recent ceasefire violations and reports of increased militant activity across the border, prompting intensified surveillance and rapid response protocols by security forces.

PM Modi Meets Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Seeks Fresh Momentum in Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Monday, 13 October, during her first visit to India, describing it as an opportunity to give fresh momentum to bilateral partnership.

Anand stated on X that both nations are "elevating the relationship" while maintaining law enforcement and security dialogue and expanding economic ties, building on momentum from Carney's G7 meeting with Modi.

The Canadian minister, who arrived Sunday, also held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who stressed strengthening ties to de-risk the global economy and rebuild bilateral cooperation. Anand will meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to explore trade enhancement opportunities before continuing her three-nation tour to China and Singapore.

From the states

Bihar Mahagathbandhan Struggles Over Seat-Sharing as Allies Trade Shayaris

Bihar's opposition Mahagathbandhan remains deadlocked over seat-sharing, with RJD and Congress allies exchanging poetic barbs reflecting growing tensions. After Tejashwi Yadav met Rahul Gandhi, RJD's Manoj Jha posted a couplet warning against breaking "the thread of love," prompting Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi's reply about saving "a burning city."

Despite multiple rounds of talks, no final formula has emerged. Congress may settle for fewer seats after winning only 19 of 70 contested in 2020, while RJD secured 75 of 144. Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru confirmed seat distribution is being finalized.

Sources reveal VIP chief Mukesh Sahni was offered 18 seats, with 10 featuring RJD candidates on VIP symbols. RJD has directed likely candidates to begin filing nominations for the first polling phase, signaling impatience with prolonged negotiations.

Congress Veteran RV Deshpande Mocks Karnataka's Five Guarantee Schemes

Karnataka's Congress government faced internal embarrassment as party veteran and eight-time MLA RV Deshpande openly criticized its flagship five guarantee schemes at an event in Dandeli, Uttara Kannada district.

"God knows who advised Siddaramaiah. If I were the CM, I would not have implemented these schemes," said Deshpande, a former minister. He mocked the Gruha Lakshmi scheme providing Rs 2,000 monthly to women as "a lottery" that worsened men's situation, claiming buses have become women-only under the Shakti free travel scheme. "If a man boards the bus by mistake, he will have a hard time," he remarked.

Deshpande also questioned the Anna Bhagya scheme's increased rice allocation from 5kg to 10kg per person monthly, sarcastically saying, "I don't know what magic Siddaramaiah is doing."

The state allocated Rs 51,034 crore for these schemes this fiscal. BJP seized on the remarks, with R Ashoka calling them "unscientific policies" that pushed Karnataka backward. He noted AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge and the CM's economic adviser had similarly criticized the schemes for hurting development.

You’re all caught up. Until next time.