New Delhi, Sep 22: The Delhi Police have arrested a 30-year-old man involved in an ATM card-exchange fraud in the Mayur Vihar area of East Delhi and recovered three ATM cards from his possession, including one identified by the complainant.

The accused has been identified as Asif, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad. Police said he targeted unsuspecting ATM users by distracting them while they operated the machines, obtaining their ATM PINs and subsequently exchanging their cards with similar-looking ones.

According to police, the accused was apprehended by a team from the Mayur Vihar police station following a complaint regarding the fraudulent exchange of an ATM card at an ATM booth in Trilok Puri.

The incident took place on September 17 at around 11:15 a.m., when the complainant, Md. Galib Hussain, visited an Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri to withdraw money.

While Hussain was operating the ATM, two unidentified men allegedly engaged him in conversation and distracted him. During the process, they allegedly observed or obtained his ATM PIN and fraudulently exchanged his ATM card with another card of similar appearance.

After completing the transaction, the complainant checked the card and realised that it was not his. He subsequently searched nearby ATM booths and noticed the same suspects at another Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri.

When confronted, both suspects allegedly attempted to flee. Police personnel, acting promptly, managed to apprehend one of them, identified as Asif.

Following the complaint, a case was registered at PS Mayur Vihar under FIR No. 416/2026 under Sections 318(4), 317(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During the investigation, police questioned the accused, who allegedly disclosed that he and an associate used to target ATM users, particularly those who were unfamiliar with operating ATM machines.

According to police, the accused revealed that the duo would engage victims in conversation and distract them while they were conducting transactions. They would then observe or obtain the victim’s ATM PIN and exchange the original card with a similar-looking card.

The accused further disclosed that the exchanged ATM cards were subsequently used for unauthorised transactions or withdrawals.

Police said the accused also disclosed the involvement of another associate, who is currently absconding. Efforts are underway to apprehend him.

The police team involved in the investigation worked under the supervision of Inspector Dinesh Moral, SHO, PS Mayur Vihar, under the overall supervision of the ACP, Mayur Vihar.

During the investigation, police are examining whether the accused was involved in other similar incidents. They are also working to identify other possible victims, trace financial transactions and withdrawn amounts, recover additional ATM cards and other relevant evidence, and establish links with similar cases.

Police said the accused has previously been involved in six criminal cases registered at different police stations.

These include FIR No. E-023140/2024 at PS Krishna Nagar under Sections 305(B) and 317(2) BNS; FIR No. 258/2025 at PS Mansarovar Park under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) BNS; FIR No. 463/2025 at PS Burari under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) BNS; FIR No. 12/2025 at Cyber PS North-East under Sections 318(4) and 61 BNS; FIR No. 39/2025 at PS Jagat Puri under Section 303(2) BNS; and FIR No. 94/2026 at PS Harsh Vihar under Sections 318(4) and 61 BNS.

Police said the arrest has helped work out two cases, including the present case registered at PS Mayur Vihar and E-FIR No. 80067031/2026 registered at PS PIA.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the accused’s involvement in other similar incidents and apprehend his remaining associate.

New Delhi, Sep 22: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the biennial elections for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, along with a by-election for one seat from West Bengal, on October 16.

Of the 11 seats going to the polls in the biennial elections, 10 are from Uttar Pradesh, and one is from Uttarakhand. The West Bengal election will be held to fill a casual vacancy in the Upper House.

According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the notification for the elections will be issued on September 29, while the last date for filing nominations will be October 6.

The scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on October 7, followed by the last date for withdrawal of candidature on October 9.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha seats will be held on October 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while counting of votes will begin at 5 p.m. on the same day.

In Uttar Pradesh, the terms of 10 sitting Rajya Sabha members are coming to an end. The members whose terms are expiring include Arun Singh, Geeta alias Chandraprabha, Brij Lal, Ram Gopal Yadav, Ramji Gautam, B.L. Verma, Seema Dwivedi, Dinesh Sharma and Hardeep Singh Puri.

In Uttarakhand, the by-election is necessitated by the completion of the term of sitting Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal.

The West Bengal seat is being filled through a by-election following the resignation of Rukmini Mallick from the Rajya Sabha. Mallick’s resignation was the fourth such resignation by a Trinamool Congress MP since the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ousted from power in West Bengal.

The October 16 elections will therefore cover both scheduled retirements and a casual vacancy in the Upper House. The ECI has laid out the complete election process from notification and nomination to polling and counting.

New Delhi, Sep 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of Dubai Ruler’s brother, Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and lauded his efforts to serve the society. In his message, PM Modi offered condolences to the Royal family and the people of Dubai.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His efforts to serve society will be cherished by generations to come. I convey heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” PM Modi posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s court announced that Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum died on Monday morning. He was 76. A 10-day official mourning has been declared in Dubai.

“The Court of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mourns the passing of the late Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum this morning, Monday. The Court has declared a 10-day period of official mourning in Dubai, during which flags will be flown at half-mast, effective today, Monday,” the Government of Dubai Media Office posted on X.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also paid a personal tribute to his brother.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the fourth and youngest son of the late ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. He served as Dubai Police and Public Security’s Deputy Chairman, Group Chairman of A.R.M. Holding, and President of Al Wasl Sports Club.

After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Shaikh Ahmed joined the Central Military Base in Dubai and later became the Commander in Chief of the base, according to the Al Wasl Sports Club website. In the early 1990s, Shaikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum established the Jebel Ali racecourse to promote horse racing in the UAE. Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the president of Al Wasl Sports Club for 60 years.