New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested more than 35,000 individuals and seized a wide range of illicit materials in their operation to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) from January 7 to February 5, 2025.

A total of 1,098 cases were registered for MCC violations during this period. Among the key seizures were 475 unlicensed arms and 534 cartridges, with 496 individuals arrested in connection with these weapons.

Additionally, the police confiscated 114,699 litres of liquor and arrested 1,423 persons were arrested for liquor-related offences, according to the Delhi police.

The authorities also seized 206.712 kg of drugs valued at over Rs 77.9 crores, along with 1,200 drug injections. A total of 179 individuals were arrested for drug-related offences.

The police also seized Rs 11,70,29,927 in cash, 0.850 kg of gold, and 37.396 kg of silver. In preventive actions, Delhi Police arrested 35,020 individuals under various provisions and other acts.

Meanwhile, the exit polls varied in their prediction of the margin of BJP victory, with one poll saying that the party could win 51-60 out of 70 assembly seats in Delhi. Two polls also predicted an AAP victory. The exit polls were released after voting concluded on Wednesday.

Delhi has 1,561,400 registered voters, including 837,617 males, 723,656 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 239,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 109,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 persons with disabilities.

Votes will be counted on February 8. AAP has dominated the last two assembly elections in Delhi.

Jaipur, Feb 6: Cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park will soon be able to move freely into Rajasthan, as a new wildlife corridor is in the works, state Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma confirmed this to media.

“A corridor will be developed to connect Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allowing free movement of tigers and cheetahs between the two states. With this, cheetahs from Kuno will be able to enter Rajasthan naturally,” Sharma said.

The project will be jointly monitored by both state governments, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) set to be signed soon in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

The corridor, spanning approximately 6,500 square km, will stretch from Dholpur to Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, facilitating a more natural habitat for the big cats.

India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction program saw eight cheetahs brought from Namibia, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi released into Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022, marking the species’ return to the country.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released five more cheetahs into the wild at Kuno on Wednesday. Among them was Veera, a female cheetah who gave birth to two cubs on February 4. The other released cheetahs included Asha and her three cubs. Additionally, two cheetahs, Agni and Vayu, have been roaming freely since their release on International Cheetah Day, December 4, 2024.

Officials confirmed that Rajasthan was originally considered as a site for the relocated cheetahs, but due to logistical challenges, they were moved to Madhya Pradesh instead. However, the upcoming corridor will now ease movement for the animals, reducing the efforts required to track them as they frequently cross state borders.

This corridor will be a win-win for both the cheetahs and wildlife authorities, ensuring a seamless and safer habitat for the species, officials said.

New Delhi, Feb 6: With Gujarat government forming a committee to study the modalities for drafting and implementing a law on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), many Parliamentarians from Uttar Pradesh have welcomed the move and are also rallying support for a similar legislation in their state.

SP Singh Baghel, the Union Minister of State (MoS), representing Agra LS constituency, has emerged as the leading face to offer support to the law.

“This was in our manifesto, so it was implemented. Everything else in the manifesto will also be implemented. The country cannot run on tribal customs, it will function only according to the Constitution and the laws enacted by Parliament. A truly equal society will be achieved only when the UCC is implemented,” the Union Minister emphasized.

Many BJP MPs from the state made similar assertions on the law, that has evoked fierce resistance from the Opposition parties, with the latter accusing the Centre and BJP-ruled states of bulldozing the rights of minorities with such legislations.

BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh would soon follow Gujarat’s lead.

“UCC will come in UP also. The states being ruled by nationalist and patriotic parties, which are working to fulfil the Prime Minister’s resolution of Viksit Bharat, will implement it,” he told IANS.

Backing the call for UCC, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma and former UP CM told media, “This is a good start, and it will be better for states to adopt it as soon as possible.”

Many UP lawmakers argued that a uniform legal framework is essential for creating a “truly equal society.”

Echoing the sentiment, UP BJP MP Asim Arun pointed out that the concept of a Uniform Civil Code was envisioned by B. R. Ambedkar and is also enshrined in the Constitution.

“Baba Saheb Ambedkar gave this instruction; it is not just in the resolution of BJP but also in the Constitution. The previous party saw it as appeasement and thought it would cause harm.”

“Everyone should have equal rights, whether male or female. I thank Uttarakhand’s double-engine government for taking the first step forward. The UP government is also planning on this,” he added.

Speaking to IANS, Ravi Kishan, the BJP Parliamentarian from Gorakhpur LS seat, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fulfilling its promises including UCC.

“There is no difference between BJP and PM Modi’s actions and words. Wherever there is a need and demand for it, it will definitely be implemented,” he said.

The UCC aims to replace religion-based personal laws with a single legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance for all citizens.

The objective is to establish “one nation, one law,” ensuring legal uniformity regardless of religious beliefs. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution calls upon the state to work towards securing a Uniform Civil Code across the country.

Currently, Goa is the only Indian state that follows a Uniform Civil Code, having inherited it from the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. In Goa, personal laws do not vary based on religion, and all citizens adhere to a common civil framework.

In 2024, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement UCC, setting a precedent for others to follow. The Uttarakhand UCC Bill covers marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, and property rights while banning polygamy and ensuring gender equality. Following Uttarakhand’s lead, Gujarat is now poised to become the second state in India to implement UCC.