A local court in Chamba on Monday granted interim anticipatory bail to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Churah, Hans Raj, in a sexual exploitation case. The order prevents police from arresting him until November 22 and instructs him to cooperate with the investigation. Hans Raj sought bail after a woman lodged a complaint at the Chamba Women’s Police Station on November 7, alleging that he sexually assaulted her when she was a minor and continued to exploit her afterward. Based on her complaint, the MLA was charged under Section 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) and Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (sexual intercourse under false promise of marriage).
Advocate Ajay Kochhar, representing the MLA, told ANI that the court granted interim bail and directed his client to participate in the probe. He said the defense pointed out contradictions in the complainant’s statements to establish that her claims were false. Kochhar argued that the case was politically motivated and designed to damage Hans Raj’s public image.
According to Chamba police records, this is the third FIR filed by the same complainant against the MLA. The first, lodged on August 16, 2024, accused him of sending obscene messages, requesting nude photos, and issuing threats — allegations she later retracted in a live video, citing mental distress. Recently, the complainant released a new video accusing Hans Raj of ruining her family and expressing fear for her safety. In response, Hans Raj released his own video, calling the charges baseless and announcing plans to pursue a defamation case.
On November 8, the woman’s father filed another FIR, alleging that Hans Raj and two aides — Lekh Raj and Muniyan Khan — abducted and assaulted him and his daughter in Shimla, destroyed their phones, and forced them to withdraw their complaint. Police said the MLA had been missing since the latest FIR but resurfaced online shortly after being granted bail, posting “Jai Bhole Nath” on Facebook — his first public remark in several days.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A team from the Haryana Police Crime Branch on Wednesday reached the residence of Dr. Muzammil to investigate his alleged involvement in a case related to the recovery of nearly 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate, an assault rifle, and other ammunition from Faridabad on November 10.
Earlier, another police team had visited Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr. Muzammil was previously employed. The university, however, has firmly denied any institutional connection with Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai and Dr. Adeel Rather, both of whom were arrested in connection with the explosives case. In an official statement, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bhupinder Kaur Anand clarified that the university’s association with the accused was limited strictly to their professional roles as faculty members. She emphasized that no suspicious or restricted materials were ever stored or used within the campus.
“We are deeply saddened by the recent developments and condemn such acts. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by these distressing events,” the statement read. The Vice Chancellor also criticized misleading reports circulating on social media, reaffirming that the university’s laboratories are used solely for academic and authorized purposes, following all safety and regulatory protocols.
Meanwhile, in connection with the recent car blast incident in Delhi, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formed a dedicated team to carry out a comprehensive investigation. The blast is suspected to have been orchestrated by a Jaish-e-Mohammad module, according to top sources. The ongoing probe by the Haryana Police and NIA aims to uncover possible links between the Faridabad explosives case and the recent terror-related incidents in the national capital.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Tuesday (local time) on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, where they reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation under the India-Canada Roadmap 2025. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Anand, congratulating her on hosting the G7 meeting and appreciating the ongoing implementation of the New Roadmap 2025. He added that he looks forward to strengthening the bilateral partnership further.
Their meeting follows last month’s discussions in India, where both ministers agreed on a New Roadmap for India-Canada relations based on shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty, and the rule of law, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. During his visit to Canada, Jaishankar also held talks with his counterparts from South Africa, Mexico, France, Germany, and Brazil, as well as with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, to boost cooperation across multiple sectors.
He met South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente, focusing on trade, health, pharmaceuticals, and technology. With Premier Moe, discussions centred on collaboration in energy, food, and fertilisers. Jaishankar also met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to advance India-Germany strategic ties and discuss developments in West Asia, Afghanistan, and the Indo-Pacific. His talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira covered strengthening partnerships in trade, investment, health, and technology.
Jaishankar is in Canada from November 11 to 13 to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Outreach Partners at the invitation of Canada’s Foreign Minister. India’s participation underscores its commitment to working with global partners on shared challenges and amplifying the Global South’s voice in international forums. The G7 meeting includes foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU, along with outreach nations such as India, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday ordered his country’s security forces to suspend all intelligence sharing with the United States, saying cooperation will remain halted until the Trump administration ends its air and naval strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean. The decision marks a sharp downturn in relations between the two nations, once close allies in the fight against narcotics.
In a post on X, Petro instructed Colombia’s military to “immediately end communications and other agreements” with U.S. security agencies, condemning the attacks on drug-running speedboats as actions comparable to extrajudicial killings. He added that anti-narcotics operations must respect the human rights of people living in the Caribbean region. It remains unclear what specific intelligence channels Colombia will cut off. According to Trump administration figures, at least 75 people have been killed in U.S. military strikes in international waters since August. The operations began in the southern Caribbean and have recently expanded into the eastern Pacific, targeting vessels near Mexico.
Petro has called for an international investigation into President Donald Trump for alleged war crimes tied to the strikes, which have killed citizens from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. in October imposed financial sanctions on Petro and his family, accusing them of ties to global drug trafficking.
After announcing the sanctions on October 24, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Petro had enabled drug cartels to thrive and failed to act against them, adding that President Trump was “taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate drug trafficking.” The White House has yet to respond to Petro’s latest remarks.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On Remembrance Day in Sydney, Australia, the iconic Sydney Opera House was illuminated with vibrant red Flanders poppies. The striking projection honored the memory of fallen soldiers, symbolizing sacrifice and resilience. Citizens gathered to pay tribute, reflecting on history and the enduring impact of war.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On November 11, Thailand’s government announced it would suspend the implementation of an enhanced ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, which had been signed in October in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The government also stated it would brief Washington on its decision. The move comes after a landmine explosion the previous day injured four Thai soldiers. Andrea Heng and Hairianto discuss the potential impact of this suspension on the ongoing conflict with Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent expert on international relations and security affairs and former chairman of the Prime Minister's Security Advisory Committee.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
China has lifted its ban on approving exports of “dual-use items” — including gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials — to the United States. Originally imposed in December 2024, the suspension will remain in effect until 27 November 2026. Daniel Martin discusses the matter with Malminderjit Singh, Founder and Managing Director of Terra Corporate Affairs.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
A month has passed since global leaders met in Egypt for a peace summit aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since then, both parties have traded accusations of breaching the deal. Andrea Heng reviews the progress made during the first month and examines whether the fragile truce can endure, in conversation with Dr. Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Singapore is making waves on the global technology stage with a strategic leap forward in quantum computing. Marking a major milestone under its National Quantum Strategy, Singapore is set to become the first country outside the United States to host Quantinuum’s Helios quantum computer by 2026. This partnership not only positions Singapore as a pioneering hub for quantum innovation but also promises to accelerate developments across pharmaceuticals, finance, and advanced material sciences with cutting-edge computational power.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
