Times of India

The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the conviction of seven villagers for attempting to fraudulently acquire land by forging the will of a World War II soldier who disappeared in 1943. The villagers falsely claimed the soldier lived with one of them and died leaving a will.

The SIT filed a 500-page chargesheet in the alleged murders of Mohd Bilal and Ayan during the Shahi Jama Masjid survey violence in Sambhal. Ghulam Shah and Mulla Afroz, with alleged ties to Dubai-based Shariq Satha, face charges for murder and inciting violence. The investigation suggests Satha orchestrated the unrest and supplied weapons, with recovered bullets indicating potential external links.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court reversed compensation for a couple who conceived after a vasectomy failure, citing no medical negligence and a lack of due care. The court referenced a Supreme Court verdict, noting pregnancy post-sterilization can occur naturally, with termination as an option.

Police in Sambhal, UP, have filed charges against 11 individuals from UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand, involved in a massive insurance scam. This "insurance mafia" created fraudulent life insurance policies, targeting the terminally ill and deceased, to defraud companies like ICICI Prudential and SBI Life Insurance.

The Indian armed forces are facing significant operational challenges due to the grounding of approximately 330 'Dhruv' ALH helicopters, exacerbating existing shortages caused by the obsolete Cheetah and Chetak choppers. This disruption has severely impacted military operations, especially sustenance flights to forward areas and reconnaissance missions.

A Medanta Hospital ICU technician, Deepak (25), has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a flight attendant on ventilator support. The victim, based in West Bengal, reported the incident after being discharged. Police identified Deepak through CCTV footage and staff statements. Medanta has suspended the technician and is cooperating with the investigation.

The Army has initiated an inquiry following allegations that an IGNOU professor was assaulted by troops during a vehicle check in Rajouri district. The professor, Liaqat Ali, reportedly sustained head injuries. The Army claims Ali attempted to seize a soldier's weapon, leading to a scuffle, but assures a thorough investigation and appropriate action if misconduct is proven.

Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was once again placed under house arrest, preventing him from leading Friday prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid. This marks the fourth consecutive Friday Mirwaiz has been barred, sparking criticism from the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid and the National Conference, who decried the restrictions as unjust and a violation of religious freedom.

In a tragic hit-and-run in Denton, Texas, Vangavolu Deepthi, a 23-year-old Indian student, lost her life just before her graduation. Deepthi and her friend were struck by a speeding car; Deepthi succumbed to head injuries despite medical efforts and a crowdfunding campaign. Local police are investigating, while Deepthi's family mourns, recalling her invitation to her upcoming convocation.

Jinnah House, the historic Mumbai residence of Pakistan's founder, is poised for renovation into a diplomatic enclave, pending final approval from the external affairs ministry. The restoration project, overseen by the CPWD with architectural consultation from Sir JJ College, aims to convert the heritage site into office space while preserving its original features and character.

Ladakhi political parties express optimism ahead of the May 20th meeting with the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi, hoping for resolutions on recruitment, reservations, and domicile issues. While anticipating discussions on statehood and sixth schedule status, they warn of potential agitations if the meeting fails to yield positive results.

The search operation for terrorists who escaped after an encounter in Poonch, J&K, has entered its fifth day. IGP Bhim Sen Tuti assessed the operational readiness of troops, emphasizing the resurgence of terrorism in the region over the past two years. Security forces are conducting extensive search operations, including aerial surveillance, to counter the threat and maintain peace.

In a bowler-dominated match, Nehal Wadhera's crucial unbeaten 33 propelled Punjab Kings to victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, inflicting their third home defeat. Tim David's unbeaten fifty helped RCB reach 95/9 in a rain-shortened game, but Wadhera's aggressive hitting against Hazlewood and Sharma turned the tide, securing PBKS's climb to second place in the points table.

Two teenage cousins from Rajasthan's Bhilwara were allegedly tortured by their employers at an ice-cream shop in Chhattisgarh's Korba after requesting an advance payment. The victims claim they were beaten, given electric shocks, and had their nails pulled. An FIR has been registered, and police are investigating the allegations, while the employers accuse the cousins of theft.

In 1975, India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, from a Soviet cosmodrome, marking a pivotal moment in its space program. Despite challenges and limited resources, a dedicated team of Indian scientists built the satellite in just 30 months.

Dilip Ghosh, ex-Bengal BJP head, married Rinku Majumdar. The wedding took place at his New Town residence. Close relatives and party members attended the ceremony. Mamata Banerjee and other political figures sent their congratulations. A reception is planned in Kharagpur. Ghosh stated that his political career will continue. Rinku shared their love story began within the party.

Mohammad Azim from Meerut was deceived during his nikah ceremony in Shamli. Instead of marrying the expected 21-year-old Mantasha, he discovered the bride was her 45-year-old mother, Tahira. Azim alleges his brother and sister-in-law orchestrated the switch and threatened him with a false rape case when he protested.