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Friday,25-July-2025
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Politics

KK’s demise: Mamata cuts short Bankura visit, rushes to Kolkata

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In view of the sudden demise of the playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, decided to cut short her scheduled political programme in erstwhile Maoist-infested Bankura district on Wednesday morning and rushed back to Kolkata.

A mega public rally at Bankura was scheduled on Wednesday at 12 noon. However, the Chief Minister arrived at the rally venue at 10.45 a.m. and completed her speech within 20 minutes.

“I will take a flight to Kolkata from Andal Airport. If I am able to reach Kolkata in time, I will interact with KK’s family members who have already arrived there. I have spoken to KK’s wife. My ministers are there to oversee all the necessary arrangements. Gun salute by Kolkata Police personnel will also be arranged to pay respect to the deceased singer at the Kolkata airport only,” the Chief Minister said.

Wednesday’s rally at Bankura was quite crucial for the Chief Minister considering that this erstwhile Maoist-infested district shifted towards BJP since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Both the Lok Sabha constituencies in the district, namely Bankura and Bishnupur, have elected BJP Parliamentarians now. Even in the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, Trinamool Congress conceded defeat in four assembly constituencies.

Understanding that the negative public sentiment about Trinamool Congress is still prevailing in this erstwhile left- wing extremism (LWE)-affected belt of the state, the Chief Minister confided that people of the area went away from her party because of the wrongdoings by some of her partymen.

Speaking on the occasion, she called for block-level stirs in Bankura district to demand the immediate release of the central dues to the state government.

While addressing a similar public rally at another erstwhile Maoist-infested district of Purulia on Tuesday, the Chief Minister asserted that that since the Central dues to Bengal is the greatest barrier in accelerating the pace of development projects in the state, there is a need for block level agitation, where common people will put pressure on the local BJP leaders to ensure the clearance of the Central dues.

Also understanding that the consecutive defeats have negatively impacted the morale of the grassroots level party workers in Bankura district, the Chief Minister said, “If after facing defeat I can come to Bankura again, why will you keep yourselves confined at home.”

National News

Government Cracks Down on OTT Platforms Over Obscene Content

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New Delhi, July 25, 2025 — In a significant move targeting explicit digital content, the Government of India has taken steps to block several over-the-top (OTT) platforms accused of streaming obscene and vulgar material. Platforms such as ALTBalaji, ULLU, and a few others have come under the scanner for allegedly violating Indian content regulations and societal norms.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, acting on multiple complaints from citizens and civil society groups, initiated the ban after conducting an internal review. Authorities stated that certain shows and web series available on these platforms contained content that was “sexually explicit,” “vulgar,” and “not suitable for public viewing,” especially in households with children.

The decision has stirred a wider debate around content regulation and creative freedom in India’s rapidly growing digital entertainment sector. While officials maintain that the step was necessary to uphold decency standards and protect cultural values, critics warn of overreach and censorship.

A senior official said, “This is not about targeting creative freedom. This is about ensuring that OTT content does not cross legal and moral boundaries. There are clear guidelines, and platforms are expected to adhere to them.”

The platforms affected reportedly failed to comply with warnings issued earlier regarding their programming. Despite advisory notices and reminders to filter or restrict adult content, several web series continued to feature nudity, explicit scenes, and suggestive themes without proper age-gating or viewer discretion tools.

In recent years, OTT platforms have grown in popularity, especially among younger audiences, with many bypassing traditional film and TV regulations. The government had previously introduced a self-regulation framework for digital content providers, but critics say enforcement has been lax, leading to the current clampdown.

Some media rights advocates and artists expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the banning process and called for an independent review mechanism. Others, however, welcomed the move, stating that unchecked access to graphic content could have a detrimental effect on social behavior and minors.

As of now, the banned platforms remain inaccessible in India. The Ministry has hinted at further actions if other OTT providers do not align their content with the prescribed code of ethics and IT rules.

This development marks a turning point in India’s digital media regulation and sets the stage for possible stricter content monitoring across streaming platforms in the future.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: High Tides Hit Gateway Of India, Vakola Flooded, Andheri Subway Closed; Check IMD Forecast, Warning, Police Advisory 

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Mumbai: Mumbai experienced intense rainfall throughout Friday, majorly disrupting normal life across various parts of the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, anticipating heavy to very heavy rainfall as the monsoon system remains active over the Konkan coast. Palghar district was placed under a yellow alert.

Rain began lashing the city late Thursday night and continued into Friday morning, affecting both South Mumbai and the western suburbs. Localities such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Churchgate, Dadar, Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Andheri were among the worst-hit, with widespread waterlogging reported. Commuters faced delays and difficult travel conditions as flooded streets slowed vehicular movement.

Visuals Show Flooding In Several Areas

Social media was flooded with visuals showing the impact of the downpour. High tides slammed against the walls at the Gateway of India and Marine Drive, while in areas like Vakola, people were seen wading through knee-deep water. Vehicles navigated waterlogged roads in Andheri and Borivali. Andheri Subway was closed for traffic this morning due to heavy rains.

Over 65mm Rainfall Recorded In 3 Hours

According to BMC rainfall data, the western suburbs witnessed particularly intense rainfall between 8 am and 11 am on Friday. The highest recorded was at the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Hospital in Jogeshwari, where 67.3 mm of rainfall was measured in just three hours.

Flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport saw minor delays due to poor visibility and heavy rains. IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory cautioning passengers about potential weather-related disruptions.

Mumbai Police Issues Advisory

In response to the worsening conditions, Mumbai Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel and stay away from coastal areas. “Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai and nearby districts, citizens are advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, avoid coastal areas and drive cautiously. Our officials and staff are on high alert and ready to assist Mumbaikars. In case of any emergency, please dial 100 / 112 / 103,” read the police advisory on X.

As rainfall is expected to continue, authorities remain on alert to prevent any untoward incidents, with emergency services deployed across the city to respond swiftly to distress calls.

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Crime

Mumbai: High-Profile Sex Racket Busted At Andheri Hotel; 3 Vietnamese Women Rescued

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Mumbai: The MIDC Police busted a high-profile sex racket involving foreign nationals at a hotel in Andheri. The illegal operation was being run from the Empire Suite Hotel near Times Square on Andheri-Kurla Road. The raid, carried out recently following a tip-off, led to the rescue of three Vietnamese women who were allegedly forced into prostitution.

Acting on specific intelligence, senior police officials directed the MIDC Police to verify the information and take immediate action. a decoy customer was sent to the hotel to confirm the operation. Upon reaching the premises, the decoy was received by hotel manager Alam Khalil Chaudhary, who allegedly offered sex services for Rs 6,000 and led him to a room on the eighth floor. There, the decoy met a foreign woman, who later admitted to being involved in prostitution along with two other Vietnamese women staying in another room.

3 Women Rescued From Hotel

After receiving a pre-arranged signal from the decoy, the police team raided the 8th and 9th floors of the hotel, rescuing all three women. The women were taken in for questioning, during which they confirmed their involvement in sex work. They also revealed that their clients were coordinated through an agent who shared their photographs online and directed customers to the hotel.

Further investigation revealed that the sex racket was being run with the knowledge and alleged involvement of the hotel owner, Abdul Salam. According to the police, the manager facilitated all transactions and coordinated with the agent, while Salam oversaw the operation. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act (PITA) against both Chaudhary and Salam.

Manhunt Launched For Hotel Owner

While Alam Chaudhary has been arrested, the hotel owner is currently absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest him. The rescued women, all citizens of Vietnam, have had their passports seized and were sent to a shelter home after undergoing medical examinations. The Vietnamese Embassy in India has been informed of their rescue.

Police are now working to identify and track the agent involved in the online coordination of the racket and are investigating whether more people or locations are linked to the operation.

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