National News
Patel’s alarm, Nehru’s ‘dismissal’: The origins of the National Herald storm
New Delhi, April 17: A series of letters exchanged between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru in May 1950, as documented in the book Sardar Patel’s Correspondence, suggest that Patel expressed concerns to Nehru regarding the use of the ‘National Herald’ for fundraising purposes. These letters indicate that Patel cautioned Nehru about “the potential misuse of government influence in financial dealings” and advised against accepting contributions from “questionable” sources.
The old correspondence between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru has resurfaced at the heart of political debate, following the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet against former Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The charges, tied to alleged money laundering in the National Herald case, have brought renewed attention to Patel’s early warnings about financial misconduct linked to the publication—warnings that now seem strikingly relevant.
In fact, The National Herald has been entangled in controversy since the early days of independent India. Letters exchanged between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1950 are frequently referenced to point out that questions around the paper’s financial conduct and political misuse were being raised even then.
In 1950, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel explicitly warned Jawaharlal Nehru about dubious fundraising tactics and the ‘misuse’ of government machinery to prop up the National Herald. These serious concerns revealed Patel’s clear discomfort with the ethical and political implications of such actions. Despite the gravity of the warnings, Nehru apparently chose to brush them aside.
Are Sardar Patel’s decades-old warnings proving to be prophetic? The question is echoing across political debates following the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of orchestrating a “criminal conspiracy” to usurp properties worth Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald. What began as a stern caution from one of India’s foremost statesmen in 1950 has, according to political analysts referencing Patel’s letters, now spiralled into an allegedly full-blown scandal that “underscores a legacy of alleged misuse of power and political entitlement”.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel raised the red flag in a series of pointed letters to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. On May 5, 1950, Patel wrote to Nehru expressing grave concern over a Rs 75,000 donation to the National Herald from two individuals associated with Himalayan Airways. The airline had reportedly obtained a government contract for night air mail services by circumventing objections from the Indian Air Force. Observers say that it was an early sign of “political favouritism and backroom dealings”.
Patel didn’t mince words. He highlighted that one of the donors, Akhani, was already facing multiple charges of bank fraud. Even more damning was Patel’s accusation that Union Minister Ahmed Kidwai was abusing his official position to collect funds for the Herald, including money from controversial businessmen in Lucknow such as J.P. Srivastava.
Nehru’s reply, sent the same day, was “vague and dismissive”– attempting to pacify Patel without allegedly addressing the core concerns. He mentioned having asked his son-in-law, Feroze Gandhi, then General Manager of the Herald, to look into the matter. According to an analyst, Nehru’s tone as reflected in the letter was non-committal, brushing the issue aside as though it were an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Patel, undeterred, responded the very next day, May 6, 1950. He saw through the deflection as he wrote to Nehru in detail, explaining how certain private companies and their shareholders were involved in the process. Sardar Patel noted, “Some contributions did not come from those involved in running the department. Otherwise, to my knowledge, the number of contributions received was sufficient and involved other individuals as well. The transactions I have referred to are of a different nature. There is no element of charity in them.”
In his follow-up, Nehru again “tried to distance himself from the paper and its finances”, claiming he hadn’t been involved with the National Herald or its fundraising for three years and had passed the responsibility to a woman named Mridula. He admitted “some mistakes may have occurred” but continued to what was seen by many as his attempt to “justify” the questionable transactions as part of a legitimate business proposition, even calling it a matter of “loss and profit” — not charity.
This point was highlighted by BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi who stated that on May 6, 1950, Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a letter to Sardar Patel saying, “Herald is a good business proposition and its preference shares and debentures are not a bad investment.”
It was said during Nehru’s time that the investment made in the National Herald could be profitable. This is a good business investment, so its shares or debentures cannot be considered harmful, said Trivedi referring to correspondence.
The direct implication is that from the very beginning, this investment was linked to profit, business, and property, he added. “Today, the Congress party should be asked this ethical question: when this was always a business plan, how can it suddenly be linked to charity or donations given during the freedom struggle?” he said.
This was the breaking point for Patel.
In his final letter dated May 10, 1950, he made it clear that the issue was about integrity, accountability, and the misuse of political power. As Home Minister, he expressed deep concern over the ‘dishonesty’ surrounding the Herald’s funding and the dubious individuals involved.
He rejected Nehru’s defence outright, calling out the rot at the core of what was being portrayed as a freedom movement legacy.
Sardar Patel wrote, “In light of these events, I do not think there is any benefit in pursuing this matter further. I have already told you how I view these activities, and I doubt that if this happened in any other province and I had any connection to it, I would not accept this situation.”
According to Trivedi, this clearly means that he had become disillusioned and did not want to talk about it again. “Now, Congress should explain what kind of sacrifice and dedication this was,” Trivedi asked.
According to political observers, Patel’s firm stance exposed a deeper malaise — a troubling pattern of entitlement, favouritism, and ethical compromise that would resurface decades later. His warnings, largely ignored at the time, now seem eerily prophetic.
Crime
Delhi Police crack down on illicit liquor, ganja; two arrested in separate operations

New Delhi, Sep 6: The Delhi Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in separate operations in Sonia Vihar and Uttam Nagar for allegedly possessing and dealing in illicit liquor and illegal ganja, officials said.
In the first incident, a man was apprehended after police recovered 90 quarter bottles of illicit liquor from his possession in the Sonia Vihar area during the early hours of Saturday.
According to police, on Saturday at around 1:50 AM, constable Madan, while conducting area patrolling, received secret information regarding the alleged illegal sale of liquor at B-Block, Gali No. 29, Circular Road, 2nd Pusta, Sonia Vihar, Delhi.
Acting swiftly on the information, the constable reached the location and apprehended a person identified as Sonu Kumar (37), a resident of 2nd Pusta, Sonia Vihar.
During checking, police recovered 90 quarter bottles of illicit liquor from a white plastic sack that was lying near him.
Following the recovery, a case was registered at Police Station Sonia Vihar vide FIR No. 201/26, dated September 5, 2026, and investigation was initiated.
Thereafter, police also checked the residential premises of the accused. During the search, an additional 196 quarter bottles of illicit liquor were recovered from his residence, along with cash amounting to Rs 25,300.
In a separate operation, the Delhi Police arrested a 40-year-old woman for allegedly possessing and trafficking narcotic substances and recovered 1.157 kg of illegal ganja from her possession in the Uttam Nagar area of Dwarka district.
The action was carried out as part of the Delhi Police’s sustained campaign against drug abuse and the illegal trafficking and circulation of narcotic substances across Dwarka district.
According to the police, on August 13, at around 10:30 p.m., HC Jitender and Constable Aswir were conducting patrolling duty in the area of D-Block of JJ Colony in Uttam Nagar’s Shiv Vihar when they received specific information regarding the alleged illegal trafficking of narcotic substances.
Acting promptly on the information, the police personnel immediately proceeded towards the location indicated in the input. Upon reaching near JJ Colony, they noticed a woman carrying a plastic bag and became suspicious of her activities.
Police said that on seeing the personnel, the woman appeared nervous and attempted to avoid attracting attention. Sensing suspicious circumstances, the police staff immediately intercepted her and conducted an enquiry.
The woman was identified as Sunita (40), a resident of Shiv Vihar. HC Jitender immediately informed senior officers regarding the apprehension of the woman and the suspected presence of narcotic substances.
Following receipt of the information, a police team reached the spot and, complying with the provisions of Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the officials conducted a personal search of the woman.
During the search, police recovered a white polythene containing a substance suspected to be ganja from her possession.
Following the recovery of the suspected narcotic substance, Sunita was apprehended, and 1.157 kg of ganja was seized in accordance with the prescribed legal provisions under the NDPS Act.
On the basis of the recovery and the circumstances of the case, police registered an FIR under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Uttam Nagar.
National News
Hyderabad police foil attempt by BJP to take out rally to Charminar

Hyderabad, Sep 6: Police in Hyderabad foiled the attempts by the BJP to take out a rally from Balapur to Bhagyalakshmi Temple at Charminar on Sunday, ahead of Telangana Liberation Day, drawing angry protests from the party.
BJP in-charge for Maheswaram constituency, Andela Sriramulu Yadav and other party leaders were detained when they tried to take out ‘Vimochana Jaitrayatra’.
The BJP condemned the denial of permission for the rally.
“The fact that the Congress government denied permission for a rally from Balapur to the Charminar Bhagyalakshmi Temple on the occasion of Telangana Liberation Day clearly demonstrates how much it fears democracy and the spirit of patriotism. Having imposed restrictions on ‘Vande Mataram,’ the Congress party is now obstructing even the celebrations meant to honour the spirit of independence,” reads a social media post by the party’s Telangana unit.
Meanwhile, Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao asked if celebrating Telangana Liberation Day is a crime in Congress-ruled Telangana.
“Having sunk to deep depths of appeasement, Congress Party has once again crushed democracy by “stopping the Vimochana Jaitrayatra from Balapur to Charminar and arresting Maheshwaram BJP in-charge,” he said.
“Why is Congress so afraid of celebrating Telangana Liberation Day? We may have moved far beyond 1948, but Congress mindset is still Razakar and Nizam DNA. In its rampant vote-bank politics and appeasement, Congress has forgotten that India is a democracy. BJP leaders are stopped, detained and arrested for everything, from dharnas and protests to even celebrating Telangana Liberation Day. Shame!,” Ramchander Rao posted on ‘X’.
The BJP is gearing up to celebrate Telangana Liberation Day on September 17. It was on this day in 1948 that the then Hyderabad State was annexed into the Indian Union.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Centre is organising Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at this year’s event. He will hoist the National Flag and review the parade by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and others will attend the event.
The Central and State governments will be celebrating the day with different themes.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will unfurl the National Flag at the main event to be held at the Public Garden in Hyderabad. For the third year in a row, the state government is celebrating it as ‘Telangana Praja Palana Dinotsavam’ (people’s governance day).
State ministers, government advisors, and key representatives will hoist the National Flag and take the salute at the official celebrations in all 32 district headquarters.
The National Flag will also be unfurled at all government offices, urban local bodies, and gram panchayats.
While the earlier Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government celebrated September 17 as ‘National Integration Day’ in 2022 and 2023, the Congress, which came to power in December 2023, decided to celebrate the occasion as ‘Praja Palana Dinotsvam’.
National News
Delhi building collapse: 2 rescued, many feared trapped; RK Puram legislator monitors rescue operation

New Delhi, Sep 6: Following the collapse of a multi-storied building in Delhi Satya Niketan area, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) RK Puram MLA Anil Kumar Sharma said that several students who were residing in a Paying Guest accommodation within the structure, are trapped under the debris and that some of them are calling for help by making phone calls from beneath the rubble.
Delhi Police confirmed that two people have been rescued so far while maintaining that rescue operation is currently underway at the site.
Speaking to reporters at the site, BJP MLA Anil Kumar Sharma called it an “extremely tragic incident”.
“Nothing could be more heartbreaking than this. Children who came from various regions to study here and were residing in a PG accommodation…the building has collapsed,” he said.
Maintaining that exact figures of those trapped cannot be revealed at the moment, Sharma said: “Students are trapped underneath the debris, that is clear.”
“Just now, two children were pulled out, and teams from the disaster management forces, MCD, and the police department have rushed them to the hospital. Other children remain trapped inside,” he added.
The BJP leader further said, “Some of the children are even making phone calls from beneath the rubble. Several children are still trapped. Continuous rescue efforts are underway, and we are praying for their safety.”
Anil Sharma said that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has dispatched the full emergency response team to the spot and that Delhi BJP chief and MP Harsh Malhotra, is in constant contact over the phone.
“The entire administration is deeply concerned and closely monitoring the situation. Our foremost and immediate priority is to rescue the children by all possible means,” he said.
Meanwhile, a local who rushed to site following the tragedy, said: “There was a PG inside the building. Four floors were constructed which collapsed. There are several students trapped inside, including women.”
Another local added: “We have learned that around 20 to 30 students are trapped inside. This happened around 11:30 to 11:45 AM.”
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