Jodhpur, July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, marking a significant milestone in Rajasthan’s aviation infrastructure.

The Rs 480-crore project is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity, enhance passenger convenience, and provide a major boost to tourism, trade, and economic activity in western Rajasthan.

The newly constructed terminal spans more than 23,000 square metres and has the capacity to handle 20 lakh (2 million) passengers annually, substantially increasing the airport’s ability to cater to the region’s growing air traffic.

Inspired by Rajasthan’s rich architectural heritage, the terminal seamlessly blends traditional design elements with modern infrastructure.

The building features motifs and architectural styles reflective of the state’s cultural legacy while offering contemporary passenger amenities aimed at improving the overall travel experience.

The terminal has also been designed with sustainability at its core.

It incorporates energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and green building practices, making it an environmentally responsible addition to the country’s expanding aviation network.

The inauguration of the new terminal is expected to improve domestic and regional connectivity for Jodhpur and neighbouring districts, making the city more accessible to tourists and business travellers alike.

Officials believe the upgraded infrastructure will further strengthen Jodhpur’s position as a key tourism destination while creating new opportunities for commerce, investment, and employment across the Marwar region.

During the programme, Prime Minister Modi also launched the revised UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at expanding affordable regional air connectivity across India.

The revamped scheme seeks to operationalise more airports, improve access to underserved regions, and strengthen the country’s aviation ecosystem over the coming decade.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, senior government officials, and public representatives.

New Delhi, July 4: The East District Anti-Narcotics Squad of Delhi Police has busted an alleged drug supply chain operating in the national Capital and arrested three accused, including two foreign nationals, recovering 21.09 grams of MDMA, 30 grams of ganja, three scooters and two mobile phones, officials said on Saturday.

According to Delhi Police, the operation was carried out as part of its ongoing ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against drugs and the campaign to build a drug-free society.

The three arrested persons have been identified as John, a 35-year-old Senegalese national allegedly working as a drug supplier; Diwakar, 27, a resident of Baba Colony in Burari, Delhi, who was allegedly acting as a local drug peddler; and Solomon, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, who police described as the source of the narcotics.

Police said a dedicated team of the Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS) of East District was formed under the supervision of Inspector Arun Kumar and the overall guidance of ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar to crack down on drug suppliers and peddlers. Acting on a tip-off received on June 30, the team laid a trap near Star City Mall on the Delhi-Noida Link Road after receiving information that John would arrive there to deliver MDMA.

According to police, John attempted to flee after noticing the police team by making a U-turn on the wrong side of the road. During the chase, he allegedly rammed his scooter into a road divider before being overpowered by the police. A search led to the recovery of 12.86 grams of MDMA from his possession. Subsequently, an FIR was registered at Mayur Vihar Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

During interrogation, John allegedly disclosed that he used to supply MDMA to a local peddler, Diwakar, at different locations between the Chilla-Noida border and Akshardham Road. Based on this information, police traced and arrested Diwakar from Akshardham Road. Officers recovered around 3 grams of MDMA and 30 grams of ganja from his possession.

Further questioning of the two accused led investigators to another alleged supplier identified as Solomon, an African national residing in New Ashok Nagar. Police laid another trap near Crown Plaza Hotel Road and Chilla Border Road and arrested Solomon. A search resulted in the recovery of 5.23 grams of MDMA from his possession.

Police said the total seizure included 21.09 grams of MDMA, classified as a commercial quantity, and 30 grams of ganja, with an estimated value of around Rs 4 lakh in the international illicit market. Three scooters allegedly used for transporting narcotics and two mobile phones were also seized.

During the investigation, police found that Diwakar had initially started purchasing MDMA from John for personal consumption before allegedly turning to drug peddling for financial gain. Police further said that both foreign nationals failed to produce valid passports or visas during verification.

Officials said the arrests have helped dismantle an active narcotics supply chain operating in the area. Further investigation is underway to identify both backward and forward linkages of the network and ascertain whether the recovered vehicles were used in other criminal activities.

New Delhi, July 3: The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Union government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) to decide, within 15 days, an appeal seeking removal of a YouTube video uploaded by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, which has been alleged to contain defamatory content and hurt religious sentiments.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the direction while disposing of a plea filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who had sought a direction to the GAC to decide her appeal against the video titled “Can Hindus eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED”, uploaded on March 21.

“The appellate authority shall decide the petitioner’s appeal expeditiously, within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this order. In case of any further grievance, the petitioner can file a fresh petition,” the Delhi High Court ordered.

It further clarified that any disregard of its directions would be viewed seriously. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Union government, submitted that the intermediary ought to have exercised due diligence by taking down the content.

ASG Sharma argued that the video contained disparaging material against Hindu deities and was harmful and divisive. Referring to a previous Delhi High Court judgment, he submitted that intermediaries were required to assess whether content was harmful to society and remove such material by exercising due diligence.

The Centre’s law officer further submitted that either Google should voluntarily remove the video or an order could be passed in terms of the law laid down earlier by the Delhi High Court.

Counsel appearing for Google LLC informed Justice Sharma that a response had already been furnished to the petitioner and that an appeal was pending before the GAC. The counsel also submitted that the intermediary would comply with any judicial order passed in the matter.

Recording the submission, the Delhi High Court disposed of the petition and directed the GAC to decide the appeal within 15 days.

According to the plea, the impugned video falsely claimed that revered Hindu figures, including Lord Ram, Sita and Lord Krishna, consumed meat and alcohol, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of devotees.

The petition alleged that the video was “highly derogatory, inflammatory and communally sensitive” and sought its removal.

Petitioner Sachdeva has also initiated criminal proceedings in relation to the video before a metropolitan magistrate, where an action taken report has reportedly been sought from the police.