New Delhi, July 28: The Anti-Narcotics Squad of South District Police has achieved a major success by apprehending a bootlegger and seizing a large quantity of Haryana-mark illicit liquor from his possession and residence in Sangam Vihar. A total of 16 cartons of liquor, including country liquor, whisky, and beer meant for sale only in Haryana, were recovered during the operation.

Following the seizure, a case was registered under the Delhi Excise Act. FIR No. 293/2026, dated July 24, under Section 33 of the Delhi Excise Act, was lodged at Police Station Sangam Vihar.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising Head Constable Manish, Head Constable Jaldhari, Head Constable Mukesh, Head Constable Jaiveer, and Constable Lokesh under the leadership of Inspector Mahender Dahiya, In-Charge of the Anti-Narcotics Squad. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of ACP/Operations, South District, Rituraj.

According to police, on July 24, the Anti-Narcotics Squad received specific Intelligence regarding the illegal storage and sale of Haryana-mark liquor in the Sangam Vihar area. Acting promptly on the information, the team laid a trap near F-2nd Block, Sangam Vihar, and apprehended the accused, identified as Ajay, while he was allegedly found in possession of illicit liquor outside his residence.

Subsequently, a search of the accused’s house led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of illegal liquor. The entire consignment was seized, and the accused was arrested after completing all necessary legal formalities. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the liquor and identify others involved in the supply network.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused had allegedly stocked Haryana-mark liquor at his residence and was supplying it illegally in Delhi for financial gain while violating the provisions of the Delhi Excise Act.

The arrested accused has been identified as Ajay (42), son of Chhotu Lal, a resident of F-2nd Block, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi. Police records show that he was previously involved in a similar case registered under the Delhi Excise Act at Sangam Vihar Police Station.

The recovered liquor included 321 quarters (six cartons) of Masaledar Desi Sharab marked “For Sale in Haryana Only”, 227 quarters (five cartons) of whisky, 36 bottles (three cartons) of beer, and 47 beer cans (two cartons). In total, 16 cartons of Haryana-mark illicit liquor were seized during the operation.

Police officials said the Intelligence-based action has dealt a significant blow to the illegal liquor trade in the area. Efforts are continuing to trace the source of the contraband, dismantle the supply chain, and identify other individuals involved in the racket.

Shimla, July 28: Five members of a family, including a minor, were killed when the car they were travelling in fell into a gorge on the National Highway 154A near Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, police said on Tuesday.

The police said prima facie the car fell into the gorge after the driver lost control over it owing to heavy rain. The family was returning home after the treatment of a less than one-year-old child from the PGI in Chandigarh when the accident occurred on Monday night. The victims comprised the child’s grandparents and parents.

The police said the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

Superintendent of Police Vijay Saklani told the media that police and rescue teams were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported.

He said the rescue operation was carried out in the night. Owing to heavy rain and blockage of the National Highway near Banikhet, rescue teams had a tough time rescuing the victims.

With the help of local people and the administration, the rescue and relief work was completed.

Preliminary investigations suggest that heavy rain, dense fog, and slippery road conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident.

The driver lost control of the vehicle due to poor visibility, causing the car to plunge into a deep gorge. However, the exact cause of the accident will only be determined once the police investigation is complete.

Meanwhile, the Shimla-based Meteorological Centre has issued a flashflood warning for seven districts of Himachal Pradesh for the next 24 hours as incessant monsoon rain continued in the state, triggering landslides and disrupting traffic.

Its forecast said a low to moderate risk of flash floods remained over a few watersheds and neighbouring areas of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts.

People have been advised to avoid vulnerable areas, riverbanks and other water bodies as a precaution.

Several parked vehicles were damaged by torrential overnight rains in and around Chamba town. Also, several residential areas were inundated with mud and debris, damaging houses and shops. The National Highway 154A was also blocked after a landslide.

New Delhi, July 27: The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed Parliament on Monday that there has been no delay in the investigation into the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad airport and the inquiry “is progressing as per established procedures.”

The investigations into major aviation accidents depend on several factors and involve multiple variables, making it impossible to specify a fixed timeline for the final report, the ministry said in a written reply to a question in the Upper House.

“The timeline for completing a major air accident investigation cannot be predicted,” the Ministry’s statement said.

It also said that all probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated, indicating that the probe remains comprehensive and no conclusions have been reached so far.

The ministry further informed the Rajya Sabha that the inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) facility is underway as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier, in a reply, also stated in Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is “transparently” conducting its investigation into the Air India Boeing crash on June 12 last year and “all probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated.”

A preliminary investigation report was published by AAIB on July 12, 2025, and the same is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in. The investigation is in progress, and the final report will be published after completion of the investigation, the ministry stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

“As per the ICAO Annex 13 requirements, the interim statement has been published by AAIB on June 12, 2026. The final investigation report will be published after completion of the investigation,” the ministry added.

As many as 260 people were killed when the AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick on June 12 crashed within 35 seconds of taking off. While 241 people on board the Dreamliner lost their lives, 19 people were killed on the ground. One passenger on the plane had a miraculous escape.

The preliminary report released by the AAIB on July 12 stated that both engines of the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust after the two fuel cut-off switches moved from the ‘RUN’ to the ‘CUTOFF’ position. However, the cockpit voice recorder has revealed that one of the pilots told the other that he did not turn off the fuel control switches. The fuel switches were then returned back to the RUN position just before the plane crashed.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu earlier said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s report on the Air India crash was based on preliminary findings, and urged against reaching any conclusions until the final report is released.