New Delhi, April 18: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday described the communal violence in West Bengal over the Waqf Act as “shameful” and a blot on the performance of her counterpart, Mamata Banerjee.

Talking to Media in an exclusive interview, CM Gupta said, “The way West Bengal Chief Minister is herself involved in causing a wedge among people is deplorable.”

Pointing to the volatile situation in West Bengal, she said, “It reflects badly on the Chief Minister if such an atmosphere is created in the state. On top of it, the CM herself is indulging in spreading the communal fire.”

The Delhi Chief Minister also extended sympathy towards the Hindu families in the minority-dominated-Murshidabad district who have borne the brunt of communal violence.

“Such atrocities are taking place against Hindus that they are forced to flee their homes. There can be nothing more shameful for a state, especially for a woman Chief Minister,” she said.

Her remarks came on a day when the Calcutta High Court directed the formation of a committee to review the situation in Murshidabad. So far, there have been reports of three violence-related deaths in the district.

CM Gupta also attacked her predecessor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for doublespeak on several issues.

“He is a master in the politics of opportunism. He issues statements only on issues that suit him,” she said, questioning his silence over ED raids against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Kejriwal swears in the name of his children and again indulges in wrongdoings and joins hands with tainted people, she said.

Expressing surprise over claims of Kejriwal that officials were not letting his government work freely in Delhi, CM Gupta said, “Officials want to work. It depends on the head of the government if he or she wants to extract work from them.”

Dismissing Kejriwal’s allegations of roadblocks in performing as Delhi CM, she said the same set of officials is working with the BJP government. “The Lieutenant Governor also wanted to help, the Central government also wanted to support, but he was in the habit of abusing and accusing others of non-cooperation,” she said.

New Delhi, April 18: A 17-year-old boy was brutally stabbed to death in J-Block of New Seelampur in North East Delhi, said officials on Friday.

The deceased, identified as Kunal, son of Rajveer and a resident of the same area, was attacked around 7.38 p.m. on Thursday.

According to police officials, information about the stabbing incident was received at PS Seelampur soon after. Kunal was immediately rushed to JPC Hospital for medical treatment. However, despite the best efforts of doctors, he succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment.

Following the incident, the crime team was dispatched to the spot to conduct a thorough investigation. A case has been registered at Seelampur Police Station, and multiple police teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend the assailant(s).

Senior officers are supervising the probe, and officials assured that the investigation is being conducted on a priority basis.

The motive behind the murder is yet to be established, and police are examining CCTV footage and questioning potential witnesses to get leads in the case.

Residents of New Seelampur have expressed concern over the safety in the area and have urged law enforcement agencies to take swift and strict action.

The investigation into Kunal’s murder is underway, further details are awaited.

In light of recent criminal incidents and to strengthen security in the national capital, Delhi Police have intensified its general patrolling efforts across the city. A city-wide night patrolling drive is being carried out from 11.00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. in various areas, including Defence Colony. As part of this operation, barricades were set up and checks were conducted on suspicious vehicles.

Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar Jain said, “The general patrolling campaign is part of our regular drill. We also conducted a general patrolling campaign in March, and this one is for the month of April. During this general patrolling campaign, officers of all ranks, whether constables, inspectors, ACPs, DCPs, even Special CPs and the Commissioner of Police himself, participate and conduct checks on the roads.”

New Delhi, April 18: The Delhi High Court has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the city government to act against illegal encroachments prevailing along the Yamuna Pusta Road, which stretches from Wazirabad to Hiranki and serves as a crucial arterial route for residents and commuters.

A bench of Justice Sachin Datta directed on Thursday the concerned executive engineer of MCD to resolve the grievances highlighted in the petition within eight weeks in consultation with the members of the Yuva Samiti, a registered society committed to the welfare and development of Jagatpur Village and its adjoining areas.

Disposing of the plea filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, the Justice Datta-led Bench clarified that it has not gone into the merits of the matter, and all contentions and rights of the litigant, including the filing of a fresh petition, are kept open if the issues highlighted remain unaddressed.

As per the petition, the Yamuna Pusta Road is plagued by illegal encroachments in the form of unauthorised food stalls, parked vehicles, and roadside commercial storage, resulting in traffic congestion, deterioration of infrastructure, and further risking public safety.

“Additionally, the road is littered with unmarked natural obstructions like trees and overgrown shrubs, which were left behind during road construction due to the authorities’ failure to undertake proper transplantation or removal. These become particularly hazardous at night due to the absence of lighting,” said the petition filed through advocate Ashu Bidhuri.

Further, the plea complained that the streetlights installed along the entire stretch have remained non-functional, leaving the road in complete darkness during nighttime.

It said, “This lack of illumination has not only increased the risk of road accidents, especially at sharp curves, but has also created an environment conducive to criminal activities such as theft, chain snatching, and molestation, particularly endangering women, children, and elderly individuals.”

The petition said that the situation is exacerbated due to the indiscriminate placement of oversized and overflowing dustbins along the motorable portion of the road, obstructing traffic movement, contributing to environmental pollution, and attracting stray animals such as dogs, pigs, cows, and buffaloes.

The plea added that multiple representations and complaints were submitted before various authorities, including the Chief Minister, municipal engineers, and police officials, but no remedial action was taken.