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‘Do you want my son to commit suicide’: Sheezan’s mother speaks out

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 TV actor Sheezan Khan’s mother and his sisters — actresses Shafaq and Falaq Naaz — held a press conference in Mumbai in which they rubbished the allegations of ‘love jihad’ or that Tunisha was forced to wear the hijab.

The family asserted that Tunihsa’s mother ignored the state of her daughtere’s mental health. If she had paid some attention to it, Tunisha would have been alive today, the family alleged.

“Tunisha was like my sister.” Falak clarified. “All this talk about the hijab, dargah are baseless. Following a religion is our own personal choice. People are saying we forced her to wear a hijab, but the picture from one of her ‘Ali Baba: Dastan-e-Kabul’ shoots.”

She added that Tunisha was in her costume and no one forced her to wear a hijab.

Sheezan’s mother referred to the claim by Tunisha’s mother that Falaq had taken her daughter to a dargah. “You give us proof,” she countered.

She also opened up on Vanita Sharma’s accusation that Sheezan had slapped Tunisha. “If your child is being tortured on sets like this, will you just sit and talk on the phone? She used to talk to me over the phone, then why didn’t she tell me or take any action? She could have come to my place and we would have slapped Sheezan. Was she waiting for her daughter to take this extreme step?”

Sheezan’s mother also added that for her, Tunisha was like a 10-year-old child and she shared an incident when she was running high fever, her mother called her to take care of her daughter. Sheezan’s sister took care of Tunisha and Vanita Sharma texted saying that no one ever cared for her like them.

The distraught mother added: “One more thing, Vanita has lost her only child and her lawyer was busy taking a power of attorney. You have lost a child. Your mission should only be to find out why your child took this step. The truth should come out. How can a mother do this?

“Tunisha was like a younger daughter to me. She’s gone and I too want justice for her. But now, Vanita is after my son. What do you want, Vanita ji? Your daughter has committed suicide, do you want my son to commit suicide too? You are torturing him.”

Sheezan’s sister also claimed that Tunisha’s mental health was ignored and if it was given proper attention, she might have been alive. Sheezan’s lawyer Shailendra Mishra even denied that his client had any “mysterious girlfriend”.

Sheezan’s sister responded to the allegation by Tunisha’s mother that she had not been made a part of the family, but the fact is that she was invited to Sheezan’s birthday and even came on Diwali. She was also a part of the launch party of the show.

Mishra, the lawyer, added that Tunisha’s uncle in Chandigarh and her mother controlled her daughter’s finances.

“Tunisha used to panic a lot upon hearing the name of Sanjeev Kaushal. On the instigation of Sanjeev Kaushal, Tunisha’s mother broke her phone and tried to strangulate her. Sanjeev Kaushal and Tunisha’s mother used to control Tunisha’s life,” the lawyer alleged.

He added: “Tunisha was very happy with the time she spent with Sheezan’s family. Her so-called uncle, Pawan Sharma, was her former manager. He was fired four years ago because Tunisha was unhappy with his interference and his behaviour.”

The lawyer also claimed that Tunisha never got the love she needed from her mother and that if she had got that love at home, she would not have tried to find it outside.

He continued: “This was not Tunisha’s first relationship. She had two break-ups before, but she was never depressed like this. She knew Sheezan and his family for the past six months since the show started. When Sheezan wanted to break up, they both discussed the matter and decided to focus on their respective careers. Sheezan’s arrest is illegal.”

Sheezan’s sister alleged that Tunisha was forced to work since childhood and she was mentally traumatised because of that. If proper treatment had been administered to her, she would have been alive today.

The mother added that Sheezan and Tunisha connected with each other because he understood her trauma. They also claimed that Tunisha’s mother ignored her daughter’s mental health and forced her to work. She was even forced to act in music videos because her mother forced to. Tunisha wanted to travel on holidays, but she couldn’t.

Sheezan’s mother said: “We went to meet Tunisha’s mother and we wanted to improve their bond. She needed treatment for her mental health. Later, Tunisha and her mother came and asked for the doctor’s number.”

Sheezan’s sister Falaq addressed the love jihad charge and said: “Tunisha was like my sister. I met her on the sets of a shoot in Ladakh. Since then, I have acted like an elder sister to her. We could never see her in trouble. All this talk about hijab and dargah are baseless.” She added: “Why are you stuck in religious matters? You should be talking about mental health.”

Shafaq added: “It was being claimed that Tunisha had started speaking in Urdu. Kisi language se kya lena dena. We live in India. So, accepting a certain language or a religion does not prove anything. This is a very wrong assumption. Religion is very personal and we will never force anyone.”

The family claimed repeatedly that even after looking at her mental health, Tunisha’s mother always focused on her work.

Sheezan’s lawyer asserted that Tunisha had panic attack on December 16 and her mother was asked to be with her, but she was not there.

“Sheezan has never changed his statement from Day 1 and their break-up was not the reason for her suicide,” the lawyer said. “Tunisha was deprived of love from her childhood. Sheezan never ditched here; they decided mutually to focus on their respective careers. Tunisha was mentally depressed. She was even questioned about her tattoo and never allowed to travel alone,” he added.

The young actress committed suicide on December 24. She hanged herself in the make-up room of her co-star and former boyfriend, Sheezan Mohammed Khan.

Sheezan’s judicial custody has been extended for 14 days, after he was arrested for allegedly abetting Tunisha’s suicide. He was arrested by Valiv Police in Palghar district on December 26.

National News

241 dead, one survivor as Air India Dreamliner crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad: Air India

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New Delhi, June 13: In what is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.

The aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged into a residential complex near BJ Medical College, killing 241 people on board.

The ill-fated flight had 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and two pilots. According to officials, only one person, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 p.m. (IST) on Thursday before losing control moments later and crashing into a densely populated area, igniting a massive blaze and triggering emergency response teams across the city.

Air India confirmed the accident in an official statement on X: “UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.”

The airline also shared the nationality breakdown of passengers: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

“Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support,” the statement added.

The national carrier has pledged full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the crash and has established dedicated helplines for families seeking information.

Domestic callers can reach the support team at 1800 5691 444, while international callers are advised to dial +91 8062779200.

Regular updates will be provided through Air India’s official website and its X handle.

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Plastic nurdle spill from sunken cargo ship reaches TN’s Dhanushkodi sanctuary, raising alarm

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Chennai, June 10: A plastic nurdle spill from the sunken cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 has spread into the newly declared Dhanushkodi Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district, threatening one of India’s most fragile coastal ecosystems.

The MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged vessel, sank off the Kochi coast a few weeks ago while carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials, 12 with calcium carbide, 367 tonnes of furnace oil, and 84 tonnes of diesel.

The ship’s cargo manifest remains undisclosed, fuelling speculation about the full extent of environmental risk.

Dhanushkodi Sanctuary, located within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, supports 128 species of birds — including Greater and Lesser Flamingos — and is home to sea turtles, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish. Its dunes, marshes, and seagrass beds form part of the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.

The nurdles — tiny plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing — resemble fish eggs and can be deadly to marine life. When ingested, they cause internal blockages, starvation, and often death. They also absorb toxins, entering the food chain and posing long-term health hazards.

About 80 bags, each weighing 25 kilograms, have reportedly washed ashore along a 12-km coastal stretch. Affected sites include the Dhanushkodi old church, Irattaithalai, Mugandharayan Chathiram, Gothanda Ramar temple, and Patchappatti village.

Carried by ocean currents from the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari coast, the spill now threatens the adjacent Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, home to vital coral reefs and seagrass beds.

Experts warn these habitats could be smothered by plastic debris, blocking sunlight and disrupting photosynthesis.

Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon said, “We’ve identified between 15 and 30 nurdle bags along the coast. A special team has been deployed for cleanup, and additional teams are monitoring for further debris.”

He urged the public not to panic, stating that swift action was underway.

The disaster evokes memories of the 2021 X-Press Pearl incident in Sri Lanka, where 1,680 tonnes of nurdles led to mass marine deaths and crippled fisheries.

Studies showed severe impacts on plankton and larval life forms, threatening entire food chains.

Cleanup efforts in Ramanathapuram face challenges due to the nurdles’ buoyancy and small size, worsened by monsoon waves that break them into microplastics.

With the 61-day annual fishing ban nearing its end, fishermen fear reduced fish catches and consumer hesitancy could harm their livelihoods if the spill worsens.

Environmentalists are calling for urgent intervention, cargo transparency, and long-term containment measures to prevent irreversible damage to one of India’s most critical marine ecosystems.

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Eight Punjab and Haryana HC judges take lead to boost Kashmir tourism post Pahalgam terror attack

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Srinagar, June 9: To give a boost to Kashmir tourism post Pahalgam terror attack, eight judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court are visiting the valley along with their families.

The visit of the legal personalities along with their families carries a powerful message for the revival of tourism in Kashmir, which got shattered after the Pahalgam terror attack.

On April 22, Pakistan-backed terrorists of Lashkar-e-Kashmir (LeT) killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner.

The pony owner sacrificed his life while trying to protect the tourists from the bullets of the terrorists.

The terror attack caused outrage in the entire country, and to avenge the killings of innocent civilians, the Indian Armed Forces carried out airstrikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.

In retaliation for India’s attack on terrorist infrastructure, Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling on civilian facilities in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.

Eighteen civilians were killed in Pakistan shelling, 13 of them in Poonch district, in addition to the destruction of scores of homes, shops, a temple, a mosque, a church and a Gurudwara.

The itinerary of the visiting high court judges includes visits to the Mughal Gardens of Nishat and Shalimar, Shikara rides on the Dal Lake, a visit to the historic Pari Mahal and buying a few handicrafts at the local market.

There could be no better omen for the revival of tourism in Kashmir than the decision of the honourable justices of the High Court to come here along with their families.

Coinciding with the visit of these dignitaries, local tour and travel operators and hotel owners are reporting a gradual rise in the tourist bookings that had virtually stopped after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Tour and travel operators and others connected with the tourist industry have expressed hope that the visit by the most respected legal dignitaries, like the high court judges, will restore confidence among visitors, both domestic and foreign, that Kashmir is a safe tourist destination.

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