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<div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-1_082012110526.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><p>He shudders even now when he tells his story. The dusty chases across the fields, the chinkara sweating in the moonlight, the gunshots that interrupt the silence of the night. Then the crunch of shoe on sand as Salman Khan stepped off the Maruti Gypsy and unclasped his knife.</p><p>For Harish Kumar Dulani, the driver, this part of the tale is the toughest to tell. "He would then slit the deer's throat, clean his hands, and the others would cover the blood with sand." No one complained that the chinkara was an endangered species, not a voice was raised about the law. Life is cheap in the desert.<br>
<br>
Not for the Bishnois. For centuries they have carried on a sublime romance with nature. It is a bond so uncommon, that in M.K. Ranjitsinh's book <i>Beyond The Tiger</i>, there is a photograph of a young Bishnoi woman suckling a blackbuck fawn. On October 1, Salman had no idea he'd gone shooting in the wrong place.</p><p>When he - accompanied by Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, all down in Jodhpur to make a film - allegedly gunned down two blackbucks in Gudda Bishnoi, the Bishnois were watching. They attacked him, chased him, damaged his Gypsy and reported him to the forest officials.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-2_082012110526.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Arrested, a stunned Salman Khan realised he could face up to six years in jail</div></p><p>Displaying a disregard to a blatant poaching incident, the forest officials hemmed, hawed and finally got a move on only when the <i>Dainik Bhaskar</i>, a local daily, reported the killings.</p><p>Nine days later, officials stormed into the Umaid Palace Hotel, for a collective questioning of the film stars. The three actresses wept on interrogation, revealing that they had gone with Salman to Gudda Bishnoi, but explaining tearfully, "We did go there but never shot. We only clapped."</p><div class="itemcenter"><amp-iframe height="62" title="" width="320" sandbox="allow-forms allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-top-navigation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" allowfullscreen src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014%5Cu0026native%3D1" class="mrBt15 preferred-source-banner"> </amp-iframe></div></p><p>It was good enough an answer to get them off, and accompanied by Saif, who also got bail, they escaped to Mumbai with a Rs 15.5 lakh bill for the producers to pay. And leaving Salman as the central character in Jodhpur's most captivating drama.</p><p>Every day the case took a twist, then a turn, a classic Hindi film pot-boiler leaping to life. There were the arrogant film stars and the defiant Bishnois; there were the missing guns that turned up in Mumbai and a science-defying postmortem report that attributed the death of the blackbucks to "leaping"; there were the bristling environment activists who wanted a pound of Salman's flesh and the simpering, star-struck wives of officials who wanted some as well too.</p><p>And of course where such theatre reigned, politicians were bound to congregate: the Congress baying that the law must be equal for all, and the ruling BJP baying in return that it was.</p><p>Were they anxious that justice would be denied or just scheming to get the huge block of Bishnoi votes before the coming election? Phew, Subhash Ghai would blush at such a plot.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-3-s_082012110536.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>
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</div></p><p>Maybe it was all much simpler. Just a gung-ho celebrity caught breaking the law. After all, as Ashok Kumar of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, says, "Celebrity hunting has always gone on." <i>Shikar</i> has never truly been a business, but a courtesy extended by elite families to old friends.</p><p>A Mumbai film star involved in other criminal cases is a familiar name in poaching circles, so is a well-heeled industrial family from Delhi, whose members were allegedly caught hunting from their helicopter in Corbett National Park, Uttar Pradesh.</p><p>Indeed, search the deepfreeze of a well-known princeling living in Delhi and the odds are it'll be well stocked with blackbuck steaks. Hardly a secret. As Kumar explains, "People taunt me at Delhi cocktail parties, 'come home and I'll give you venison'."</p><p>The storm in the desert began brewing from the day Salman Khan arrived in Jodhpur to shoot <i>Hum Saath Saath Hain</i>, a Rajshri Productions film. He had no inkling that weeks later he would be in custody, sleeping in a hell straight out of the movies: a desert cooler, no silk sheets, and armed guards instead of room service.</p><p>If he did, he wouldn't have complained that his plush Umaid Palace Hotel room was too small. So what if Sonali, Tabu and Neelam had similar rooms; he demanded, and was given, a suite.</p><p>The hero was turning into a swaggering villain. He was haughty with hotel staff. He constantly lost his shirt, literally so, strutting bare-bodied along hotel corridors.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-4_082012113824.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>LOADING UP: Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan were always trigger-happy</div></p><p>And when he and Saif got bored, they lined up soft drink bottles, drew their guns - police say he carried a revolver in his waistband - and played cowboys. Salman should have left it at that, his only crime being excessive testosterone and puffed-up machismo. Chasing down blackbucks and slitting their throats was entirely a different matter.</p><p>According to information gathered by INDIA TODAY, the hunt began on the evening of September 26. At Umaid Palace, driver Dulani was told to arrange for sightseeing trips for hotel guests by Dushyant Singh, who looked after Travelaide, a company owned by Gaj Singh, erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur.</p><p>At about 10 p.m., Dulani was pleased but surprised when Salman Khan arrived and asked if he could drive. Satish Shah sat with him in the front with Dulani and four others in the rear.</p><p>One of them, Yashpal, guided Salman to Bavad village, off Nagaur road, 40 km away from Umaid Palace. There, as if on request, a herd of chinkaras awaited them.</p><p>As Dulani said in his statement, Khan fired twice and missed. Satish Shah egged him on, "<i>Jama ke lagao</i> (Do it properly)." The third shot was fatal. Khan got down and cut the chinkara's throat and then, after killing another one, drove back to the hotel.</p><p>Yashpal then took the Gypsy to another hotel, managed to get the kitchen opened at 2:30 a.m. and asked Dulani to leave.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1999February%2Fbishnoi-1_103112103255.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>The Bishnois have a tradition of protectnig the wild.</div></p><p>Later, the hotel owner and the cook were also arrested for cooking the deer meat.</p><p>Next day, on September 27, Dulani washed the Gypsy of dust and blood. The hunt resumed, but no deer were found. The following day Salman, driving with Saif and Dushyant, seemed to be satisfied just running the chinkara ragged, chasing them till they could run no longer.</p><p>Later that night they returned, and this time a chinkara was shot. On October 1, all the film stars went out and two blackbucks were shot.</p><p>But this time, as Choga Ram, one of the complainants who lives in Gudda Bishnoi and chased the Gypsy, says, "They strayed too close to our homes."</p><p>Despite the confrontation, the actors seemed to keep faith in their status, that celebrity would ensure they were left alone. Yet, it is rumoured that they manipulated the post-mortem report, turning it into a joke: deer was spelt as "dear" and the cause of death was stated to be "overeating".</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-6_082012113824.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>SHAKEN AND STIRRED: Tabu, Neelam and Sonali went on the hunt but only clapped</div></p><p>Even so, on October 12 Salman was arrested and charged with killing three chinkaras. As arguments over his remand continued, thousands of curious spectators invaded the grimy courthouse; local advocates gaped in awe, insistent women were assured by police officers of an audience with the actor, and Salman just sat with his face in his hands.</p><p>He seemed confident of freedom. When bail was denied his face fell. Days later when Salman was eventually released on bail for killing two blackbucks, he was immediately rearrested by the police for the slaughter of three chinkaras.<br>
<br>
Most days of his life Salman hurdles two-storey buildings, walks through fire and disarms 14 men with one hand, all without a scratch; but it will take far more dexterity to escape unscathed if it is proved he snuffed out the life of a single deer.</p><p>Killing the blackbuck and chinkara, both Schedule 1 animals on the endangered list is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and promises the hero anywhere from one to six years in prison - in places where Kader Khan is not the jailor.</p><p>Add the cooking of the meat of endangered species, which invites punishment up to seven years, and the numbers begin to get scary. There is clearly a vicarious interest in the case. Royalty, politics and religion is mixing with the law.</p><p>A sizeable community, the Bishnois have been serenaded by political parties: Pradesh Congress Committee President Ashok Gehlot, for instance, stood on their shoulders to get to the Lok Sabha.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-7_082012113824.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img></div></p><p>Now the BJP is doing the wooing. Jaswant Singh Bishnoi, the environment and wildlife minister, pleaded strongly with Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to act firmly against the accused. With the elections next month, Shekhawat has done just that.<br>
<br>
More muted is the suggestion that the common religious domination of Salman, Saif and Tabu is evidence of a communal conspiracy launched by the Rajputs, yet it is an allegation that has not won many believers.</p><p>Add to this a twist of royalty and it becomes a potent cocktail - Dushyant, one of the main accused and now evading arrest, is connected to Gaj Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur. This case clearly is not heading for a simple solution.<br>
<br>
Yet in the plains there is some peace now. The blackbuck and chinkara, who move with the grace of sculptures come alive, prefer the open lands instead of the closed-in forests.</p><p>It makes them easier to see, to enjoy, to appreciate. It also makes them easier to be hunted. But at least they are a little safer than they were last week.</p><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Vivek Surendran</div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Oct 26, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

crime stories

CRIME

<div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-1_082012110526.gif" loading="lazy" /></div><p>He shudders even now when he tells his story. The dusty chases across the fields, the chinkara sweating in the moonlight, the gunshots that interrupt the silence of the night. Then the crunch of shoe on sand as Salman Khan stepped off the Maruti Gypsy and unclasped his knife.</p><p>For Harish Kumar Dulani, the driver, this part of the tale is the toughest to tell. "He would then slit the deer's throat, clean his hands, and the others would cover the blood with sand." No one complained that the chinkara was an endangered species, not a voice was raised about the law. Life is cheap in the desert.<br>
<br>
Not for the Bishnois. For centuries they have carried on a sublime romance with nature. It is a bond so uncommon, that in M.K. Ranjitsinh's book <i>Beyond The Tiger</i>, there is a photograph of a young Bishnoi woman suckling a blackbuck fawn. On October 1, Salman had no idea he'd gone shooting in the wrong place.</p><p>When he - accompanied by Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, all down in Jodhpur to make a film - allegedly gunned down two blackbucks in Gudda Bishnoi, the Bishnois were watching. They attacked him, chased him, damaged his Gypsy and reported him to the forest officials.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-2_082012110526.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Arrested, a stunned Salman Khan realised he could face up to six years in jail</div></p><p>Displaying a disregard to a blatant poaching incident, the forest officials hemmed, hawed and finally got a move on only when the <i>Dainik Bhaskar</i>, a local daily, reported the killings.</p><p>Nine days later, officials stormed into the Umaid Palace Hotel, for a collective questioning of the film stars. The three actresses wept on interrogation, revealing that they had gone with Salman to Gudda Bishnoi, but explaining tearfully, "We did go there but never shot. We only clapped."</p><div class="itemcenter"><iframe scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="62" awidth="320" aheight="62" amplayout="fixed" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014" class="preferred-source-banner" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><style>.preferred-source-banner{  margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}</style></p><p>It was good enough an answer to get them off, and accompanied by Saif, who also got bail, they escaped to Mumbai with a Rs 15.5 lakh bill for the producers to pay. And leaving Salman as the central character in Jodhpur's most captivating drama.</p><p>Every day the case took a twist, then a turn, a classic Hindi film pot-boiler leaping to life. There were the arrogant film stars and the defiant Bishnois; there were the missing guns that turned up in Mumbai and a science-defying postmortem report that attributed the death of the blackbucks to "leaping"; there were the bristling environment activists who wanted a pound of Salman's flesh and the simpering, star-struck wives of officials who wanted some as well too.</p><p>And of course where such theatre reigned, politicians were bound to congregate: the Congress baying that the law must be equal for all, and the ruling BJP baying in return that it was.</p><p>Were they anxious that justice would be denied or just scheming to get the huge block of Bishnoi votes before the coming election? Phew, Subhash Ghai would blush at such a plot.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-3-s_082012110536.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>
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</div></p><p>Maybe it was all much simpler. Just a gung-ho celebrity caught breaking the law. After all, as Ashok Kumar of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, says, "Celebrity hunting has always gone on." <i>Shikar</i> has never truly been a business, but a courtesy extended by elite families to old friends.</p><p>A Mumbai film star involved in other criminal cases is a familiar name in poaching circles, so is a well-heeled industrial family from Delhi, whose members were allegedly caught hunting from their helicopter in Corbett National Park, Uttar Pradesh.</p><p>Indeed, search the deepfreeze of a well-known princeling living in Delhi and the odds are it'll be well stocked with blackbuck steaks. Hardly a secret. As Kumar explains, "People taunt me at Delhi cocktail parties, 'come home and I'll give you venison'."</p><p>The storm in the desert began brewing from the day Salman Khan arrived in Jodhpur to shoot <i>Hum Saath Saath Hain</i>, a Rajshri Productions film. He had no inkling that weeks later he would be in custody, sleeping in a hell straight out of the movies: a desert cooler, no silk sheets, and armed guards instead of room service.</p><p>If he did, he wouldn't have complained that his plush Umaid Palace Hotel room was too small. So what if Sonali, Tabu and Neelam had similar rooms; he demanded, and was given, a suite.</p><p>The hero was turning into a swaggering villain. He was haughty with hotel staff. He constantly lost his shirt, literally so, strutting bare-bodied along hotel corridors.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-4_082012113824.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>LOADING UP: Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan were always trigger-happy</div></p><p>And when he and Saif got bored, they lined up soft drink bottles, drew their guns - police say he carried a revolver in his waistband - and played cowboys. Salman should have left it at that, his only crime being excessive testosterone and puffed-up machismo. Chasing down blackbucks and slitting their throats was entirely a different matter.</p><p>According to information gathered by INDIA TODAY, the hunt began on the evening of September 26. At Umaid Palace, driver Dulani was told to arrange for sightseeing trips for hotel guests by Dushyant Singh, who looked after Travelaide, a company owned by Gaj Singh, erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur.</p><p>At about 10 p.m., Dulani was pleased but surprised when Salman Khan arrived and asked if he could drive. Satish Shah sat with him in the front with Dulani and four others in the rear.</p><p>One of them, Yashpal, guided Salman to Bavad village, off Nagaur road, 40 km away from Umaid Palace. There, as if on request, a herd of chinkaras awaited them.</p><p>As Dulani said in his statement, Khan fired twice and missed. Satish Shah egged him on, "<i>Jama ke lagao</i> (Do it properly)." The third shot was fatal. Khan got down and cut the chinkara's throat and then, after killing another one, drove back to the hotel.</p><p>Yashpal then took the Gypsy to another hotel, managed to get the kitchen opened at 2:30 a.m. and asked Dulani to leave.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1999February%2Fbishnoi-1_103112103255.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>The Bishnois have a tradition of protectnig the wild.</div></p><p>Later, the hotel owner and the cook were also arrested for cooking the deer meat.</p><p>Next day, on September 27, Dulani washed the Gypsy of dust and blood. The hunt resumed, but no deer were found. The following day Salman, driving with Saif and Dushyant, seemed to be satisfied just running the chinkara ragged, chasing them till they could run no longer.</p><p>Later that night they returned, and this time a chinkara was shot. On October 1, all the film stars went out and two blackbucks were shot.</p><p>But this time, as Choga Ram, one of the complainants who lives in Gudda Bishnoi and chased the Gypsy, says, "They strayed too close to our homes."</p><p>Despite the confrontation, the actors seemed to keep faith in their status, that celebrity would ensure they were left alone. Yet, it is rumoured that they manipulated the post-mortem report, turning it into a joke: deer was spelt as "dear" and the cause of death was stated to be "overeating".</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-6_082012113824.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>SHAKEN AND STIRRED: Tabu, Neelam and Sonali went on the hunt but only clapped</div></p><p>Even so, on October 12 Salman was arrested and charged with killing three chinkaras. As arguments over his remand continued, thousands of curious spectators invaded the grimy courthouse; local advocates gaped in awe, insistent women were assured by police officers of an audience with the actor, and Salman just sat with his face in his hands.</p><p>He seemed confident of freedom. When bail was denied his face fell. Days later when Salman was eventually released on bail for killing two blackbucks, he was immediately rearrested by the police for the slaughter of three chinkaras.<br>
<br>
Most days of his life Salman hurdles two-storey buildings, walks through fire and disarms 14 men with one hand, all without a scratch; but it will take far more dexterity to escape unscathed if it is proved he snuffed out the life of a single deer.</p><p>Killing the blackbuck and chinkara, both Schedule 1 animals on the endangered list is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and promises the hero anywhere from one to six years in prison - in places where Kader Khan is not the jailor.</p><p>Add the cooking of the meat of endangered species, which invites punishment up to seven years, and the numbers begin to get scary. There is clearly a vicarious interest in the case. Royalty, politics and religion is mixing with the law.</p><p>A sizeable community, the Bishnois have been serenaded by political parties: Pradesh Congress Committee President Ashok Gehlot, for instance, stood on their shoulders to get to the Lok Sabha.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998October%2Fbucking-the-law-7_082012113824.gif" loading="lazy" /></div></div></p><p>Now the BJP is doing the wooing. Jaswant Singh Bishnoi, the environment and wildlife minister, pleaded strongly with Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to act firmly against the accused. With the elections next month, Shekhawat has done just that.<br>
<br>
More muted is the suggestion that the common religious domination of Salman, Saif and Tabu is evidence of a communal conspiracy launched by the Rajputs, yet it is an allegation that has not won many believers.</p><p>Add to this a twist of royalty and it becomes a potent cocktail - Dushyant, one of the main accused and now evading arrest, is connected to Gaj Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur. This case clearly is not heading for a simple solution.<br>
<br>
Yet in the plains there is some peace now. The blackbuck and chinkara, who move with the grace of sculptures come alive, prefer the open lands instead of the closed-in forests.</p><p>It makes them easier to see, to enjoy, to appreciate. It also makes them easier to be hunted. But at least they are a little safer than they were last week.</p><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Vivek Surendran</div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Oct 26, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

Most hunters get away with murder in India. But Bollywood's shooting star is caught in a widening whirlpool of votes, politics - and his own malfeasance.

India Today

From the archives: Salman Khan gets caught in a widening whirlpool of votes, politics - India Today

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Filmmaker Anil Sharma urged Arijit Singh to reconsider his decision to step away from playback singing, calling him a true genius whose voice the industry still needs.

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Ricky Ponting believes Glenn Maxwell can rediscover his form at the T20 World Cup 2026.  Maxwell scored just 76 runs from eight innings in the Big Bash League 2025–26.

Glenn Maxwell scored 76 runs from 8 innings in the Big Bash League 2025–26 (PTI Photo)

T20 World Cup will get the best out of Maxwell: Ricky Ponting

Economic Survey 2025-26 shows education has achieved scale but weak early learning, secondary dropouts, skill mismatches and poor execution threaten long-term outcomes nationally

Economic survey

Economic Survey 2025-26 on education: Bigger classrooms, weaker learning

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The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would win 352 seats if the Lok Sabha elections were held today, INDIA bloc 182 seats and others nine seats, according to the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey.

NDA would win 352 seats if Lok Sabha polls were held today: Mood of the Nation poll

Bands of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and paramilitary enthralled the audiences with an array of foot-tapping melodies, including 'Vande Mataram', 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Vijay Bharat', 'Sitare Hind' and 'Brave Warrior', at the Beating Retreat ceremony at Delhi's Vijay Chowk on Thursday.

Beating Retreat ceremony: Military bands regale audience with foot-tapping melodies

In this report, the focus is on the high-level meeting between Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The meeting aimed to address speculations regarding a rebellion and internal friction within the Kerala Congress unit. Speaking after the marathon session, Shashi Tharoor stated, 'The discussion with my two party leaders, the LOP and the Congress President and we had a very good, constructive, positive discussion.' He emphasized that the party is moving forward on the same page, dismissing rumors of a fallout. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed he would continue to campaign for the party alongside the state leadership. The Congress leadership has reportedly stepped in to ensure unity ahead of upcoming elections, describing Tharoor as an asset to the party. The discussion follows Tharoor's recent absence from party meetings and reported differences with the state leadership in Kerala.

sashi

Shashi Tharoor meets Rahul Gandhi, Kharge to resolve Kerala Congress rift

In this Special Report, the focus is on the tabling of the Economic Survey 2025-26 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the start of the Budget Session. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the survey in the Lok Sabha, projecting a robust GDP growth of 7.4% for FY26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, stating, 'In the beginning of this quarter, the free trade agreement between India and the European Union is a glimpse of how bright the future of the youth of India is.' The Prime Minister emphasized that the next 25 years are crucial for achieving the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and noted that India is now on the 'reform express.' The bulletin also covers the political friction in Parliament, with the opposition demanding a rollback of the G. Ramji law while the BJP accused them of disrespecting constitutional traditions. The survey highlights fiscal prudence, with the deficit met at 4.8% of GDP.

PM Modi: India-EU FTA Is A Glimpse Of A Bright Future For Youth

PM Modi hails India-EU FTA as 'key to unlocking vast markets' for Indian goods

This special report covers the final rites of Ajit Pawar being conducted at Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati. The transcript highlights the emotional scenes as the Pawar family, including Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, and Jai Pawar, pay their last respects. A significant moment is noted between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, who stood together despite their past political face-off in the Lok Sabha elections. The speaker notes, 'The family, the political divide blurred by what has been deep love within the family and that void today is filled by the outpouring of grief.' The programme reflects on Ajit Pawar's legacy as a 'mercurial leader' who transformed Baramati into a model constituency. The report details the public nature of the bereavement, with a three-day mourning period announced in the region as the community gathers to say goodbye to the leader they affectionately called 'Dada'.

Final Rites: Baramati Bids Farewell To Ajit Pawar

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From the archives: Salman Khan gets caught in a widening whirlpool of votes, politics

Most hunters get away with murder in India. But Bollywood's shooting star is caught in a widening whirlpool of votes, politics - and his own malfeasance.

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