National News
Drug trade part of hostile nations’ terror agenda: PM Modi cautions youth against addiction
New Delhi, Aug 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that hostile nations are attempting to weaken India by pushing drugs into the country and targeting its youth, describing the illegal drug trade as part of an enemy’s “terror agenda”.
Addressing young people during the launch of the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan’, the Prime Minister urged them to stay away from addiction and play a leading role in building a developed India by 2047.
Speaking at the launch of the nationwide campaign, PM Modi said, “When a young person falls prey to drug addiction, it is not just that individual who loses; a dream is lost.”
He said that the consequences of addiction extend beyond individuals and families, affecting the nation’s overall strength. “The national strength also weakens and hostile countries conspire to leave no stone unturned to drag our youth into the trap of addiction,” he said.
Describing narcotics trafficking as a deliberate strategy to harm India, the Prime Minister added, “Profiting from supplying drugs and aiming to destroy a nation like ours is also part of their terror agenda. Hence, we need to save every youth from addiction. You need to protect your potential by staying away from drugs.”
Warning youngsters about the long-term consequences of substance abuse, he remarked, “Drugs give you a high for a while, but they destroy your family.”
Calling upon the youth to shoulder the responsibility of shaping the country’s future, PM Modi said, “In the next 20-25 years, you will give a direction to your lives. You will be the ones who will take India towards the resolution of Viksit Bharat till 2047, and you will be the ones sitting at the top of the peak, fully savouring the fruits of that achievement. The country needs your energy, creative imagination and talent. Hence, for the country and your own lives, keep yourselves away from drugs.”
He stated that the commitment of the new generations towards eradicating the problem of drug addiction from society has reaffirmed his belief that the youth of India is “aware, socially conscious, and serious about their duties”.
The Prime Minister stressed that the next 100 Sundays will mark 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India. He also mentioned that the activities under this initiative will include sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns, etc.
“As an MP from Kashi, I am happy that last year, this project was launched from the holy land of Kashi as a pilot project. Therefore, in addition to scientific clarity, it also possesses spiritual energy, the blessings of saints, and cultural heritage. It also embodies the cultural dedication that has rejected addiction for centuries. This is why the country’s 125 spiritual organisations are working tirelessly to serve millions of citizens,” he mentioned, adding that all these institutions adopted the Kashi Declaration — a 5-year roadmap for a drug-free India adopted in July 2025, at the Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi.
“All of you have strengthened my belief that the youth of India is aware, socially conscious, and serious about their duties,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of rehabilitation, PM Modi said, “Do not hide it behind the pressure of social reputation. Those who need help should seek support. Talk openly with them, take the help of experts, and make efforts to free your child from addiction with the support of medical professionals. We should also create a culture of open communication with children within the family so that we can hold their hands before they get trapped in such a situation.”
“You will get signs if you pay a little attention- you may notice changes in their behaviour. They may appear lost, start hiding their face, remain locked in their rooms, come home late at night, or demand unnecessary amounts of money. These are some indications that something may be wrong. I would also like to appeal to our professor friends in colleges and universities: Along with academic studies, please talk to students about the dangers of drugs,” he added.
Crime
Police official suspended over case involving Telangana minister’s former OSD

Hyderabad, Aug 25: Inspector of Jubilee Hills Police Station in Hyderabad has been suspended over Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha’s former OSD, N. Sumanth’s case.
Muttu Yadav, the Inspector (Station House Officer) of Jubilee Hills Police Station, faced the action over the alleged delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) and failure to trace Sumanth.
Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar issued orders, suspending the SHO. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered into the handling of the case by the police.
Sumanth remained at large in a case of alleged assault on a real estate businessman. His driver was picked up by police on Sunday.
Sumanth and five others were booked following a complaint filed by the realtor, who alleged that he was assaulted with iron rods and that the accused demanded Rs 10 crore from him.
An attempt to murder case was registered against the former OSD and five others.
A zero FIR was registered against N. Sumanth and five others at Medipally Police Station of Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate last week.
Later, the case was transferred to Jubilee Hills Police Station of Hyderabad Commissionerate.
Gongidi Harikrishna, a resident of Boduppal, lodged a complaint. Harikrishna alleged that he was assaulted with iron rods and sticks and threatened with dire consequences.
The case was registered against former OSD Sumanth, Ramu, Prashanth, Arun Kumar Reddy, Karthik and Mahender Reddy under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complainant said Sumanth and others assaulted him on July 30.
Harikrishna stated that Sumanth asked him to meet at Ramu’s office. Sumanth allegedly abused him and hit him with an iron rod. On Sumanth’s direction, others also joined the assault.
The complainant claimed that he sustained a fracture to his left hand, bleeding injuries and other injuries and that he underwent surgery on August 10.
The case was registered amid a controversy involving Minister Konda Surekha’s family.
Her daughter Konda Sushmitha’s recent remarks against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy triggered a storm in the ruling Congress party.
At her mother’s birthday celebrations in Warangal district, Sushmita declared that she would contest from Parkala Assembly constituency in the next elections even if she was denied a party ticket. She also made allegations of corruption against the Chief Minister’s family.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the disciplinary committee of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) issued a show-cause notice to the minister.
Surekha distanced herself from her daughter’s remarks, saying the latter expressed her personal views.
National News
KMVSTDCL funds routed to Rahul Gandhi’s house, alleges Karnataka BJP leader

Bengaluru, Aug 25: Former Karnataka Minister and BJP leader, B. Sriramulu, on Tuesday alleged that the funds allegedly misappropriated from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited (KMVSTDCL) were routed to the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing the media at the BJP state headquarters Jagannatha Bhavan in Bengaluru, Sriramulu alleged that BJP leaders had raised slogans in the Assembly claiming that the misappropriated Valmiki Corporation funds had reached Rahul Gandhi’s residence and the government curtailed the Assembly session.
Sriramulu said the BJP has decided to undertake a padayatra from September 1, led by state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, BJP leaders Gali Janardhana Reddy, R. Ashoka, Bangaru Hanumantu and other party leaders.
The 10-day padayatra will begin in Raichur on September 1 and conclude in Ballari on September 10, he said.
“The padayatra will highlight issues including the government’s alleged negligence towards irrigation, corruption in the ST Corporation and the Valmiki Corporation issue. The Congress has been neglecting Dalits. The BJP is undertaking this major padayatra because we will not allow injustice to be done to Dalits,” Sriramulu said.
Sriramulu accused Congress leaders of shedding “crocodile tears” over issues concerning Dalits.
He alleged that the government had curtailed the Assembly session after taking note of the BJP’s protests over the issue.
“Protests were held in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Congress leaders have betrayed Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Jagjivan Ram and the Dalit community,” he alleged.
It can be noted that the Valmiki Corporation scam involves the alleged illegal diversion of funds from the KMVSTDCL.
The alleged scam came to light in May 2024 following the suicide of 52-year-old corporation superintendent Chandrasekar. P., who left a suicide note detailing unauthorised fund transfers and corruption.
While initial irregularities centered around smaller figures, investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) pegged the total misappropriation and diverted funds at around Rs 89 crore.
Funds earmarked for tribal welfare projects were illegally moved to unauthorised bank accounts—including bogus accounts opened using forged KYC documents at the Union Bank of India’s MG Road branch in Bengaluru—and later layered through shell cooperatives like Hyderabad’s First Finance Credit Cooperative Society.
The then-Karnataka Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare was identified by probe agencies as a primary mastermind behind the layering and siphoning of the funds. Nagendra previously resigned from the Cabinet, faced arrest, and later secured bail.
Currently, Nagendra has recently taken charge of Minister for Planning and Statistics in the Cabinet led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. BJP and JD (S) have announced that they will agitate until Nagendra is sacked from the Cabinet.
Crime
Delhi Police arrest 20-year-old, recover 200 quarters of illicit Haryana liquor

New Delhi, Aug 25: Prompt action by the staff of Delhi’s Hauz Qazi police station led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man on Tuesday and the recovery of 200 quarters of illicit country-made liquor being transported for illegal sale in the national capital.
The police also seized a grey-coloured scooty used for transporting the liquor. A case under the relevant provisions of the Delhi Excise Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
According to police, the incident took place on August 24 at around 10.30 p.m., when staff of PS Hauz Qazi were conducting routine patrolling in the area of Lal Kuan Road near Farashkhana Road.
During the patrolling, the police team noticed a person on a scooty coming from the Lal Kuan side. On spotting the police personnel, the rider suddenly turned the vehicle around and started moving in the opposite direction, raising suspicion.
The police team immediately followed and intercepted the scooty. During the subsequent checking, a heavy white plastic bag was found placed on the vehicle. The rider allegedly failed to provide any satisfactory explanation regarding the contents of the bag.
Upon checking the bag, the police recovered 200 quarters of country-made liquor, each containing 180 ml. The bottles were bearing the label, “For Sale in Haryana Only”.
The rider was identified as Akash, a resident of Burari in Delhi, aged about 20 years. The recovered liquor was taken into possession in accordance with the law, while the scooty used for its transportation was also seized.
Accordingly, FIR No. 389/26 under Sections 33 and 38 of the Delhi Excise Act was registered at PS Hauz Qazi, and further investigation was initiated.
The recovery was made by a police team comprising SI Ranvijay Singh, In-charge of Police Post Rodgran, Head Constable Paramveer, and Constable Daya Chand. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Inspector Amrender Kumar Suman, SHO of PS Hauz Qazi, and under the overall supervision of Rajiv Bhardwaj, ACP, Kamla Market.
Police said the alertness and prompt response of the patrolling team led to the interception of the accused and the recovery of a substantial quantity of illicit liquor. The seizure of the scooty allegedly used for transportation has further strengthened the investigation into the illegal transportation and supply of liquor.
During interrogation, Akash disclosed that he used to procure illicit liquor from areas near the Haryana border and subsequently supply it in and around the Sadar area of Delhi to earn money and meet his personal expenses.
The accused was further questioned about the source of the recovered liquor and the persons allegedly involved in its procurement and supply. Police said efforts are underway to identify the source and ascertain whether other persons are involved in the illegal liquor supply network.
Police records revealed that Akash, son of Pappu, was previously involved in an Excise Act case registered at PS Burari. He was named in FIR No. 254/25 under Sections 33 and 38 of the Delhi Excise Act.
Further investigation is in progress.
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