In a major development, the Inter-State Cell (ISC) of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a wanted accused in a blackmail and extortion case registered in Gurugram, Haryana. The accused, Rakesh Sharma, had been on the run for allegedly blackmailing a woman and extorting money using objectionable videos. He was arrested near the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi following specific intelligence inputs.

According to police, FIR No. 133/26 dated 21.03.2026 was registered at Police Station Palam Vihar, Gurugram, under Sections 308(2), 308(7), 351(3), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint filed by a woman from Palam Vihar. The complainant stated that she had attended yoga classes during the COVID period conducted by the accused, during which he developed close relations with her and later allegedly established physical relations. She further alleged that he also took financial help from her.

Police said the accused secretly recorded intimate videos and used them to blackmail her, initially extorting ₹3 lakh by promising to delete the content. Later, in March 2026, he again contacted her, shared the videos with her husband, and demanded an additional ₹15 lakh. On 21 March 2026, his wife, Nitu Sharma, was allegedly caught while collecting the money by Gurugram Police, though the main accused escaped at that time.

During interrogation, Sharma admitted that he still possessed copies of the videos and resumed extortion due to financial difficulties. Police also revealed that he has a criminal history, including involvement in a murder case in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh, and had spent around 8–9 years in judicial custody before being granted bail in 2018. The accused has been produced before the court of Ld. CJM, New Delhi, and further proceedings are ongoing.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Crime branch.

Shiv Ratan Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of Bikaji Foods International Ltd, passed away on Thursday morning in Chennai, according to information shared by family sources. As per the details provided, the 74-year-old experienced sudden uneasiness and was immediately taken to a private hospital in the city. Despite medical attention, he could not survive and was declared dead at the hospital. Family members also mentioned that he had been staying in Chennai for some time, as his wife had recently undergone a heart bypass surgery and doctors had advised her complete rest. Because of her condition, the couple had shifted temporarily to the city for medical care and support.

Agarwal originally belonged to Sardulganj in Bikaner and went on to establish the Bikaji brand in 1993. Over the years, what began as a modest business initiative gradually developed into one of India’s well-known packaged food companies. The brand gained strong recognition both in domestic and international markets, particularly for its popular snack item, Bikaneri bhujia, which became widely associated with Indian snack culture.

Following the news of his demise, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot expressed deep sorrow. He described the loss as significant for the industrial sector and noted that Agarwal had played an important role in taking Bikaneri bhujia to global recognition through the Bikaji brand. He also extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul while wishing strength to his relatives in this difficult time.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from bikaji.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was heard by the Delhi High Court on April 22, 2026, alleging widespread black marketing of LPG cylinders in Delhi at prices reaching up to ₹5,000. The court, however, refused to take up the matter and advised the petitioner to approach the government with his concerns.

The plea, filed by Advocate Rakesh Kumar Mittal, claimed that although an LPG cylinder normally costs around ₹1,000, it was being sold illegally at much higher rates due to a severe shortage. He also alleged that gas exports were continuing despite limited domestic supply. Mittal further pointed out that even the Delhi High Court canteen had recently experienced a gas shortage, suggesting the issue was affecting multiple sectors.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia declined to intervene, noting that the canteen issue had already been resolved and that the government was addressing supply-related concerns. The court emphasized that matters such as supply management, preventing hoarding, and controlling black marketing fall under executive responsibility rather than judicial intervention. It also stated that courts cannot issue directions that are impractical or impossible to enforce, including a complete halt on black marketing or hoarding practices.

Regarding the allegation of gas exports, the Bench observed that such economic and policy decisions are within the government’s domain and not subject to judicial interference. The petition was ultimately dismissed, with the court allowing the petitioner to submit a representation to the authorities for appropriate consideration and action. Amid concerns over fuel availability due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) clarified that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

A major fire broke out on Monday at the Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex located in Pachpadra in Rajasthan’s Balotra district. Soon after the incident, thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the industrial complex, creating alarm in the surrounding area. Firefighting vehicles were immediately rushed to the site, and emergency response teams began operations to control the blaze. As of now, efforts to douse the fire are still underway, and officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and further updates are expected as the operation progresses.

In a separate incident earlier, another significant fire erupted at a garbage dumping yard in the Mandholi drains area of the city. The fire quickly spread across the site, causing panic among nearby residents. Valuable composting machinery worth several lakhs of rupees was destroyed in the blaze. Locals, upon noticing dense smoke and flames, promptly informed the fire brigade. Fire tenders reached the location without delay, and firefighters made strenuous efforts to bring the situation under control.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that strong winds played a major role in accelerating the spread of the fire, which quickly engulfed multiple machines stationed at the yard. Out of three composting units used for processing waste into manure, two were completely gutted, while the remaining one sustained heavy damage. The incident has led to substantial financial losses, though exact estimates are still being assessed. Thick smoke from the fire spread across the area, affecting visibility and causing inconvenience to residents nearby. According to fire brigade driver Sumer Singh, timely action by the team helped contain the fire before it could escalate into a larger disaster.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

In spring 2003, the initial euphoria over Saddam Hussein’s fall quickly turned into deadly chaos across Iraq. Guardian reporters, whether working independently or embedded with military units, witnessed the violence and disorder firsthand, documenting the rapid shift from jubilation to conflict, looting, and unrest that marked the early days following the invasion and the collapse of Saddam’s regime.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.