Rajasthan saw several major developments today, topped by the court appearance of a man arrested in connection with an alleged funding network run by Pakistan's ISI. Alongside this, the state also recorded anti-encroachment drives, road accidents, a death in jail custody, a temple theft, a leader's birthday celebrations and a fire, all reported from different districts.
Alleged ISI funding network operative arrested, court grants 6 days remand
Rajasthan's intelligence agencies have scored a major win in a case linked to an alleged funding network run by Pakistan's ISI. The team arrested the accused, Rafiq Chand Sheikh, from Aurangabad, that is Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, in Maharashtra on June 30. Investigators found that Rafiq had been secretly channeling money to an ISI espionage network active in India for roughly the last 4 years. The intelligence team discovered that he had transferred lakhs of rupees through several fake and suspicious bank accounts. During questioning, Rafiq admitted that he stayed in direct contact with his Pakistani ISI handler through social media. He was produced before a court on Thursday, where police had sought 7 days of custody for interrogation, but the court granted only 6 days of police remand. He will now be produced in court again on July 7. The arrest is being seen as significant for security agencies because tracing the funding links of this cross-border espionage network could expose the wider system behind it. Rajasthan Police's intelligence wing is now closely examining his bank transactions, digital evidence and possible associates to determine who else, besides Rafiq, was part of this nationwide funding network. Officials say unraveling every link in the chain is essential before the full scale of the network's reach across the country can be established.
Shops under CRPF bridge in Ajmer demolished
The Ajmer Municipal Corporation launched a major drive against illegal construction in the city. Around five permanent and temporary shops built under the CRPF bridge in the Alwar Gate police station area were demolished using a JCB machine. Local residents said these shops had been running for a long time and that many families depended on them for their livelihood. Corporation officials said the area around the bridge has been beautified and developed into a garden, and the encroachment removal drive was carried out as part of that plan. To prevent any untoward situation during the action, police personnel were deployed alongside the municipal corporation's team at the site, ensuring the demolition proceeded without any disruption.
Tempo carrying schoolchildren meets with accident in Dausa
In Dausa district, a tempo carrying schoolchildren met with an accident. According to information, the tempo's coolant burst while it was moving, injuring three children on board with burns. The injured children were immediately admitted to Manpur hospital, where after first aid, one child's condition was found to be serious and the child was referred to Jaipur. The injured children are said to be students of Nirbhay Public School in Manpur. Preliminary information suggests the tempo was illegally transporting children. The incident has once again raised questions about the safety arrangements and administrative oversight of illegally operated school vans in the district, with parents and residents demanding stricter checks on such vehicles.
Undertrial prisoner dies at Karauli jail
An undertrial prisoner died at Karauli district jail after his health deteriorated. The deceased has been identified as Kalua Gurjar, a resident of Kalitir Sone Ka Gurja in Dholpur district. He was admitted to the district hospital after falling ill, but he died during treatment. As soon as news of the incident spread, his family reached the hospital. A large number of policemen, including Karauli DSP Anuj Shubham, Karauli station in-charge Nobel Saini and Maslapur station in-charge Paramjeet, were deployed at the scene. Authorities said a postmortem would be conducted by a medical board in the presence of a magistrate. Kalua Gurjar had been brought to the district jail on February 20 this year in a case dating back to 1997.
Tractor-trolley overturns in Bharatpur, two women laborers killed
A tragic accident occurred in the Bair police station area of Bharatpur, when a speeding tractor-trolley carrying women laborers travelling from Bair to Raipur for field weeding work went out of control and overturned in the fields. Two women died on the spot in the accident, while more than half a dozen women were seriously injured. All the injured have been admitted to district RBM Hospital in Bharatpur for treatment. Bair police station is investigating the case in detail to establish what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Anti-encroachment drive planned on Waqf land in Bhilwara's Shahpura
In Shahpura in Bhilwara district, the municipal council and administration will carry out a large scale anti-encroachment drive near Sultan Shah ki Baori today. The long-running legal dispute between the Waqf committee and the municipal council has ended after the Waqf Tribunal rejected the committee's claim. To maintain law and order in the area, SDM Sunil Meena has imposed Section 163, and heavy police force along with additional personnel have been deployed at the site.
Theft reported at Tonk's Narbadeshwar Mahadev temple
A theft has come to light at the famous Narbadeshwar Mahadev temple on Deoli Road in Tonk district. Unidentified thieves broke the lock of the temple's main sanctum late at night, entered inside, and fled after stealing a sacred copper snake idol, a kalash and other valuable items used for worship. Local residents said this temple on Deoli Road has been the target of theft several times before, leaving people angry about the lack of security. As soon as the incident was discovered in the morning, the temple priest immediately informed the Kotwali police station, following which police reached the spot and began an investigation.
Madan Rathore's birthday marked as Seva Diwas
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore's home district Pali, along with the rest of the state, saw party workers celebrate his birthday as Seva Diwas. Large scale tree plantation drives were held across the district on the occasion, and a Parinda Lagao Abhiyan, a campaign to install bird feeders, was launched. Alongside this, cattle at the local Nandi Gaushala were fed lapsi and jaggery as part of the service activities. Pali's well known social worker Om Prakash Garg visited the Divyang Seva Samiti, where people with disabilities were specially served and given essential items. In this way, state president Madan Rathore's birthday was marked with simplicity and a spirit of service across the district.
CM Bhajanlal Sharma wishes Madan Rathore on his birthday
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore celebrates his birthday today. On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma posted on the social media platform X to extend warm birthday wishes to him. In his message, the Chief Minister described Madan Rathore as a skilled organiser and a leader always devoted to public service. He wrote that Madan Rathore's outstanding leadership has given the state BJP new energy and a new direction. Praising Madan Rathore's organisational skills, the Chief Minister prayed to Jaipur's presiding deity Thakur Shri Govind Dev Ji for his good health, long life and a glorious future, and also extended good wishes for his bright future.
Fire breaks out at mattress shop in Jaipur's Sodala, tragedy averted
A frightening incident was reported from the Sodala police station area of the capital, Jaipur. A fire suddenly broke out late at night in a mattress shop operating inside a three storey building located opposite the Aulia Masjid at Rawalji Ka Banda, sending panic through the entire area within moments. Based on eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigation, a short circuit is being cited as the main cause of the fire. Because of the large quantity of mattresses, cotton and other highly flammable material stored inside the shop, the fire spread extremely fast and engulfed the entire three storey building. It was a relief that local residents acted quickly and safely evacuated a family living in the building's basement in time, averting what could have been a much bigger tragedy. As soon as word of the incident spread, several fire department vehicles and Sodala police station personnel rushed to the spot. After nearly three hours of intense effort, firefighters finally brought the blaze fully under control. It was a relief that no one died or was injured in the entire incident, though goods worth lakhs of rupees stored in the shop were completely gutted. As a precaution, police also got the neighbouring shops vacated late at night. A crowd of 500 to 800 people gathered at the spot during the incident, and police had to use mild force to control the crowd and maintain law and order. Police and fire department teams remained engaged in relief and rescue work till late into the night, wrapping up their operations only in the early hours of the morning.
