Mumbai, Gold and silver prices started the session on a weaker note on Friday, with both precious metals declining by nearly 1 per cent in early trade on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).

Gold futures for June 5 opened 0.39 per cent or Rs 594 lower at Rs 1,51,167 per 10 grams compared to the previous close of Rs 1,51,761.

Later, the yellow metal touched an intra-day low of Rs 1,50,750, down 0.66 per cent or Rs 1,011. At the last count, it was trading at Rs 1,51,449, a decrease of Rs 312 or 0.21 per cent. During the session so far, gold has touched an intra-day high of Rs 1,51,457.

On the other hand, silver futures for May 5 declined as much as 0.95 per cent or Rs 2,313 to Rs 2,39,200, an intraday low. The white metal was trading at Rs 2,41,345, down Rs 168 or 0.07 per cent. It recorded an intraday high of Rs 2,41,382, down 0.05 per cent or Rs 131.

In the international market, precious metals also witnessed selling pressure. COMEX gold was down nearly 1 per cent at $4,684 per ounce, while COMEX silver also slipped around 1 per cent to $74.81 per ounce.

According to commodity analysts, gold and silver prices are under pressure due to a stronger US dollar, rising bond yields, and uncertainty over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

They further said that crude oil moving back above $100 per barrel has raised inflation concerns, adding to pressure on precious metals.

Moreover, Brent crude was trading at more than $100 per barrel or 2 per cent higher.

Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty also traded up to 1 per cent lower in early trade on Friday.

Mumbai: Nashik TCS case has no connection with religious conversion. In this case, Nida Khan has been targeted even though she was not the HR head, yet she is being tried by the media. The Nashik case is not a case of inciting religious sentiments and religious hatred, love jihad or corporate jihad. It is only a case of sexual harassment, but Nida Khan has been targeted in it. This kind of serious allegation has been made by social worker Teesta Setalvad in a press conference organized by APCR here today at Marathi Patrikar Singh. She said that the media made the identity of a woman public and if the police had revealed this, then the news should have been broadcast regarding the police. An attempt should have been made to talk to the victim and the complainant. There are many such cases in which any accusation can be made against anyone, but in the Nashik case, an environment was created which is completely wrong. Nashik social worker Niranjan Takle said that the police have tried to set someone’s political agenda in this case, whereas the police should not do so because it tarnishes the image of the police. What happened in Badlapur? Akshay Shinde was encountered, after which the Badlapur agenda was run by putting up banners in accordance with it, after which the court declared it a murder. He said that in the same way, in the case of Somnath Suryavanshi, how much violence was inflicted on him, due to which he died in custody, the court has also ordered to register a case. Along with this, an agenda has been run in the Nashik case as well and under a specific agenda, Nida Khan, an employee of this company TCS, was targeted. Nida Khan is a minor employee but she was presented as the HR head. The media has conducted her trial. Valmik Karad did not reach the police until he surrendered. A case was registered against Ashok Kharat a year ago but he was arrested after Ajit Pawar’s death. The police is defaming itself to set someone’s political agenda. He further said that the way it is happening in the Nashik case, it is clear that the investigation done by the police is being made public through a media trial while there is no mention of conversion in it. In this press conference, the APCR has also presented a fact-finding report in the Nashik case. Dolphy D’Souza, Shakir Sheikh and others were present in this conference.

Mumbai: The Vanrai police have seized 933 narcotic pills, allegedly worth Rs 1.5 million, from Ayush Sahitya, an accused in a drug case. Before his arrest, Ayush Sahitya had dumped these pills at a place in Kolhapur, which have been seized by the police. Several important revelations were revealed during the interrogation of Ayush Sahitya, including the name of a female accomplice. The Vanrai police have arrested the accused woman from the Mira Road area.

Accused Jaya Rachel Jacob has been arrested from Mira Road. Jaya used to transfer the money of this entire drug syndicate to her account. The medicines purchased at the NESCO music concert were also transferred to Jaya’s account. Jaya is a high-ranking woman. Her links with a major drug supplier have been revealed. A large quantity of drugs have also been recovered from Jaya. Currently, the police are busy further linking the woman’s account and her contacts.

The Vanrai police have so far arrested 11 accused in the Goregaon drug case. This information was given here today by Mumbai Police DCP Zone 12 Mahesh Chamte.