Breaking News: WHO Advisory Panel reviewing Covaxin; Decision likely in next 24 hrs

NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede has returned back from Delhi. The NCb officer was spotted at Mumbai Airport. However, he refused to respond to any questions.

BJP leader Mohit Bharatiya on Tuesday, filed a criminal complaint against Maharashtra minority affairs minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik in a court for allegedly defaming him by making ''baseless allegations'' in connection with the Mumbai cruise ship drug haul case.

More than 51 lakh COVID vaccine doses were administered till 7 pm today, taking India’s vaccination coverage to more than 103 crores: Union Health Ministry

Prabhakar Sail recorded his statement before DCP Zone 1, Mumbai Police on Tuesday, days after he raised extortion allegations against NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede.

Independent witness Prabhakar Sail to be summoned for questioning by NCB’s Delhi team on Thursday.

The World Health Organisation Advisory Panel is reviewing the India-made COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. The major announcement related to the development is expected in the next 24 hours.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a serving officer of the Indian Navy along with two retired officers, in connection with the leakage of confidential information related to the modernization of Kilo-class submarines. 

All government and private schools affiliated with Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education to remain closed from November 1 to November 6 for Diwali festival break: State government

Tamil Nadu reports 1,090 fresh COVID cases, 1,326 discharges, and 15 deaths today, according to the government data.

Two accused in the Mumbai drugs bust case- Manish Rajgaria and Avani Sahu- have been granted bail by a Sessions court in Mumbai. They were both guests on the cruise.

NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede departed from Delhi to Mumbai on Tuesday. When asked by Republic over the slew of attacks on him and his family too being targeted, he said, "I don't want to say anything now. They have my best wishes (to those levelling allegations)"

The Bombay High Court said that it will resume the bail hearing of Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha in the second half of Wednesday.

Mukul Rohatgi has concluded his arguments. Court hears bail pleas Arbaaz Merchant and Munmum Dhamecha. Advocate Amit Desai begins arguments for Arbaaz Merchant.

"This boy has roots in society. This case is attracting media because of his parents. Otherwise, there are dozen such cases day in and day out. We do not even pay attention," Mukul Rohatgi said.

When the Bombay High Court asked links between Aryan Khan and Anchit Kumar, Khan's Amit Desai submitted WhatsApp chats between Aryan Khan and Aachit Kumar. "There was nothing beyond communication about Poker," he said.

Advocate Mukul Rohatgi maintained that there is no connection between Aryan Khan and the 19 others arrested in the case. He argued that the accused were young and should be sent to rehab to bring about change instead of subjecting them to court trials. 

Defending Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the Bombay High Court, Advocate Mukul Rohatgi said, "WhatsApp chats have nothing to do with cruise incident. How is it being said that they are familiar with drugs  But that is a matter of trial. There is no link between chats and being invited by Gaba." He added there is no connection between Aryan Khan and others arrested in the case.

Speaking about the controversy of panch no 1 and 2 (referring to KP Gosavi and Prabhakar’s affidavit), Mukul Rohatgi said, "I am neither concerned with this nor am I accusing any officer of NCB. Kindly keep me away from that controversy. I am making it clear that I have no grievances." Aryan Khan's advocate adds, "I don't want to sully my case by siding with either the political personality or the panchas. Because I am not connected to anyone."

"There are WhatsApp chats from my phone. There are from 2018, 19, 2020. None of this relates to the cruise party. The cruise party starts on October 2, 2021, apprehended later in the day. There is no case that any of those chats relate to the onset of the saga. One will have to see in the trial, what’s the proof. Because WhatsApp chats require different proof," he said adding that there is nothing to prove conspiracy," Mukul Rohatgi said.

"It appears that NCB has prior information that people will be carrying drugs for consumption on cruises. NCB was present in some strength in the afternoon to apprehend customers. My client and Arbaaz were apprehended before they could board. Nothing was recovered from Aryan. No medical test to prove that he consumed drugs. Not concerned about Arbaaz, he is just a friend. As far as Aryan is concerned, no recovery, no drugs, no medical," Mukul Rohatgi representing Aryan Khan contended.

Former Attorney General for India  Mukul Rohatgi said that his client is being targeted. He said that it is not a case of conscious possession. Referring to last year's Supreme Court judgment the case which held that NDPS officers are police officers 
and confessions given to them are inadmissible in evidence, Rohatgi citing the case of Kalpana Trai of TADA, said, "Conscious possession is being held against me; I never boarded the ship; I didn’t have possession, nor consumption."

He (Aryan Khan) was invited to the cruise as a special guest. He was invited by one Pratik Gaba. He was like an organiser. He invited accused 1 Aryan and accused 2 Arbaz Merchant. Both were invited by the same person. They both landed up together at cruise terminal - Mukul Rohatgi says.

Team Aryan Khan in the Bombay High Court appealed to let junior lawyers come inside the courtroom. 

'I've not been transferred, these are just rumours', says Sameer Wankhede while refuting reports of his transfer.

ASG Anil Singh also reaches the courtroom at Bombay High Court. He will appear for NCB in drugs on a cruise ship case.

Maharastra Commissioner of Police Hemant Nagale met Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Tuesday. According to sources, they reportedly discussed the NCB issue.

In the latest development in the Mumbai cruise drugs bust, sources have revealed that a new battery of lawyers has been hired for the bail hearing of Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan on Tuesday. SRK's son who is currently lodged in the Arthur Road jail will be represented by former Attorney General for India Mukul Rohatgi and Karanjawala & Co. team before the Bombay High Court. The battery of lawyers has been flown down to Mumbai to add to Aryan Khan's legal counsel. 

The Winter Session of Parliament to be held from 29 November to 23 December, reported ANI citing its sources. Media reports have also stated that the government is likely to bring two crucial financial sector bills in the winter session of Parliament which were announced in the budget.

Earlier, Chief of Justice of India NV Ramana called for 'complete financial autonomy of judiciary' by the establishment of the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority (NJIA) of India. While Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju was present at the inauguration function of the annexe building of Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court on 23 October, CJI Ramana urged the Ministry to ensure that a proposal is tabled during the Winter Session of the Parliament. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Goa on 30 October to begin the Assembly poll campaign in the state and is expected to meet with people affected by the mining ban and fishermen. Eyeing BJP's delegation in Goa, All India Trinamool Congress' (TMC) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that she will be visiting Goa on 28 October for her 'maiden visit' and to launch election campaigns. The Assembly Elections in the state are scheduled for 2022. 

Aryan Khan's team of lawyers, including the former Attorney General of India Advocate Mukul Rohatgi arrived at the Bombay HC for the bail hearing. Meanwhile, the NCB has opposed Aryan Khan's bail plea, citing an attempt to derail the investigation into the drugs case.

Aryan Khan's team of lawyers, including the former Attorney General of India Advocate Mukul Rohatgi arrived at the Bombay HC for the bail hearing. Meanwhile, the NCB has opposed Aryan Khan's bail plea, citing an attempt to derail the investigation into the drugs case.

Aryan Khan bail case: Bombay High Court bench assembles, hearing on the case to begin soon.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede on Tuesday, 26 October left the NCB office at New Delhi. Meanwhile, opposing Aryan Khan's bail, NCB has said in its affidavit, 'There is an international drug racket going on & the agency needs time to unearth it. If given bail, Aryan can affect the investigation, influence the witnesses &tamper with the evidence.'

In a major development, the CJI NV Ramanna-led Supreme Court bench will pronounce its judgement on Wednesday on pleas seeking a judicial probe into the alleged Pegasus snooping by Centre. The matter has been listed for 10:30 AM before the SC bench of CJI NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli. The court is hearing as many as 12 pleas, including the one filed by the Editors Guild of India, seeking an independent probe into the matter.

In a key development on Tuesday, Aryan Khan's lawyer Anandini Fernandes affirmed that her client has no connection with the affidavit filed by NCB's independent witness Prabhakar Sail. As per the purported affidavit, Sail who is KP Gosavi's personal bodyguard claimed to have overheard a conversation involving the latter in which Rs.25 crore was allegedly demanded to let off Aryan Khan. Out of this, Rs.8 crore was purportedly supposed to be given to NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede. Pertinently, the NCB highlighted that this document is yet to be filed in any court of law.

In an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, the Narcotics Control Bureau opposed the bail petition of Aryan Khan in the Mumbai cruise drug bust case. Referring to the contents of the purported affidavit filed by witness Prabhakar Sail dated October 23, it submitted that attempts were being made to tamper with the ongoing investigation with a "malafide attempt" to derail the same. Sail who is one of NCB's independent witnesses claimed to have overheard a conversation involving KP Gosavi in which Rs.25 crore was demanded to let off Aryan Khan. Out of this, Rs.8 crore was allegedly supposed to be given to Wankhede. 

Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the Mumbai Drug Bust case with prime suspect SRK's son, Aryan Khan, has dismissed the allegations against him and claimed that there is not a single case registered against him in 40 years. Sail, whose viral video caused a stir in the ongoing NCB investigation, noted that on 6 September he received Rs 5,000 for his child's birthday while on 26 August, he got Rs10,000 for his wife's birthday. He also said that he always worked on a salary basis. 

Meanwhile, Republic accessed Aryan Khan affidavit ahead of HC hearing, distances from NCB vs NCP fight. 

Republic has accessed Aryan Khan's affidavit ahead of his hearing at the Bombay HC. The affidavit states that Aryan Khan has no connection with the ongoing fight between NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede and NCP's Nawab Malik.

Setting the stage for her re-entry into AIADMK, VK Sasikala, popularly known as 'Chinnamma', is set to commence a 5-day tour of Tamil Nadu, report sources on Tuesday. As per schedule, she will visit Tanjavur on 27 October where she will attend TTV Dinakaran's son's reception. Following Tanjavur, Sasikala will visit Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Pasumpon and Tirunalveli on the following days. Sasikala has vowed to return to active politics, referring herself as 'AIADMK  general Secretary'. AIADMK had expelled Sasikala after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case in 2016.

As per schedule, Sasikala will be welcomed by TTV Dinakaran's son's reception party at Tanjavur. On the following days, Sasikala will perform Muthuramalinga Thevar poojai at Madurai, visit Ramanathapuram, perform Guru poojai and Pasumpon and end her tour by visiting Thanjai at Tirunalveli. Sasikala has promised AIADMK cadres that she will soon tour Tamil Nadu to unite the party.

NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede's sister Yasmeen Wankhede hits out at Nawab Malik's allegations in a press briefing. Yasmeen said, "We are getting threat calls. We are right, the truth will come out. We believe in justice, we believe in the Constitution."

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede's wife Kranti Redkar has dismissed the allegations posed by NCP leader Nawab Malik and questioned the credibility of the anonymous letter cited by the minister. According to her 'anyone can write these kinds of letters' and asked the persons who wrote the pieces to come forward. Kranti Redkar stated that she thinks Malik's allegations are all 'lies' and added that proof should be produced in courts, 'cannot do Twitterbaaji.' She said that her husband is not a liar and called for more research by NCP.

In a strong message to G-23 leaders, Congress president Sonia Gandhi stressed that the strengthening of the organization must override personal ambitions. She was delivering her opening remarks at a meeting of general secretaries, in-charges and PCC presidents on Tuesday. The Congress membership programme and the upcoming Assembly elections to the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa came up for discussion. Gandhi called for organising more training programmes for Congress workers and asked the party to prep up for the organizational elections. 

Expressing concern over the party's communication strategy, Sonia Gandhi opined, "We must fight the diabolical campaign of BJP/RSS ideologically. We must do so with conviction and expose their lies before the people if we are to win this battle. The AICC releases important and detailed statements almost every day on issues facing the nation. But it is my experience that they do not percolate down to our grass root cadres at the block and district level. There are policy issues on which I find a lack of clarity and cohesion even amongst our state-level leaders."

Samsung’s de-facto boss Lee Jae-yong, who was released from prison in August, was convicted and fined for illegally using the anaesthetic drug propofol on Tuesday. As per a BBC report, the embattled multi-billionaire took the drug, commonly used as an anaesthetic, dozens of times in recent years even though the South Korean law states the recipients of the controlled drug can be prosecuted along with the ones who administer it. 

Lee was released on parole in August after spending 20 months in jail after being convicted on charges of bribery and embezzlement. In the latest trial, the prosecutors reportedly said that the Samsung vice-chairman used propofol multiple times between 2015 and 2020 under the guise of skin treatment.

As the feud between Lalu Yadav's sons - Tejashwi and Tej Pratap festers, BJP MP Sushil Modi on Tuesday, claimed that Yadav's sons don't listen to him. Citing Tej Pratap Yadav's rebellion, Modi asked why will public listen to Lalu Yadav if his own sons did not. Tej Pratap, Lalu Yadav's elder son has 'broken' ties with RJD, fuming at his humiliation in the party.

After winding up the first-ever maritime patrol exercise with China in the Western Pacific waters, five Russian warships sailed into the Sea of Japan through Tsushima Strait during drills in the East China Sea. The cluster separated from the Chinese flotilla after both parties circled around the archipelago, Kyodo news reported, citing Japan's Ministry of Defence (MoD). As confirmed by the ministry, the five Russian vessels were a part of the Sino-Russian maritime drill that was conducted in the Sea of Japan in mid-October.

As per reports, Japanese Maritime Defence forces intercepted the Russian warships sailing into the strait maintaining a northeastern direction some 140 kilometres southwest of Tsushima in the country's Nagasaki Prefecture. The incident took place on Saturday around 10 pm after which the naval vessels entered the sea of Japan. On Sunday, the vessels were stationed some 60 kilometres northeast of Tsushima when a helicopter was seen taking off and landing on a frigate.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik reiterated his allegations against NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede. He revealed that several Dalit organizations would formally challenge the validity of Wankhede's caste certificate and claimed that the latter faces a jail term of 2-7 years if found guilty. Refuting the charge that he violated the privacy of the Indian Revenue Officer's family, he said, "If a person accrues double benefit by changing his religion and snatches away the rights of the backward classes, we have to talk about it. We have to talk about the first marriage".

Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik remarked, "The birth certificate that we have tweeted is real. The name of his father is Dawood K Wankhede on the certificate. If you observe carefully, the additional alteration has been done on the certificate putting a star mark. In Mumbai, anyone can procure birth certificates online. The birth certificate of Wankhede Sahab's sister is available online. But this certificate is not available online despite searching a lot. We got hold of the scanned computerized document after looking it up for one and a half months."

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole has targeted the BJP-led Centre and accused it of misusing the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with the Mumbai cruise drug bust case. During his interaction with ANI on Monday, the Nana Patole also spoke about NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede and the recent Mundra port drug bust. He asserted that no action was taken in Mundra Port drug haul. Instead, the Maharashtra Congress chief claimed that the Centre wants to 'drown all the youth of the country in drugs' and also alleged it of extortion. 

"In Sameer Wankhede case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misusing NCB. They are extorting money too. Rs 21,000 crore worth drugs were caught at Gujarat's Mundra port but no action was taken in this by the government. They didn't probe that case. They want to drown all the youth of the country in drugs. The way the Centre had made a system to destroy the country and the way they are misusing NCB, the BJP-ruled Centre has to answer." said Nana Patole 

Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday, October 25, congratulated the country’s national cricket team for their victory against Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup. Months after his government fell to the Taliban, and Ghani fled Afghanistan, the cricket team of the war-torn nation kickstarted their T20 World Cup campaign in the Super 12 by claiming victory over Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. 

Following videos of sets of students celebrating Pakistan’s victory went viral on social media, officials have now informed that FIR has been registered against a few for the same. IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that a few GMC and SKIMS medical students have been charged for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's victory against India in the ICC T20 World Cup match. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday said that it had begun identifying those who sang the Pakistan national anthem in the Medical College in Srinagar before India vs Pakistan World Cup match.

NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday slammed Narcotics Control Bureau's Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede over row on his birth certificates, reiterates extortion allegations.

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi chairs meeting of general secretaries, State in-charges and Pradesh Congress Committee Presidents at party headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, 26 October. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu also arrived at AICC headquarters.

Amid the continued attack of Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, party chief Sonia Gandhi is set to meet him in Delhi on Tuesday, report sources. Apart from Sidhu, Gandhi will also meet top party leaders from Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. Congress is going through internal tussles in Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Sidhu has already written to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi putting forth a list of 13 issues in the state. Listing Justice for sacrilege, drugs, agriculture, electricity, PPAs, Scheduled caste and Backward caste welfare, employment, Single window system and comparative advantage, Women and youth empowerment, liquor, sand mining, transport and cable mafia, he urged her to direct the state government to act in the interest of Punjab. Sidhu had previously rebelled against ex-CM Amarinder Singh, moving the High Command to assert his 'issues'.

Biological E Limited (BE) on Monday said that it expects to roll out its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax by the end of November. According to the company's managing director Mahima Datla, the Hyderabad-based firm is now getting ready with 100 million doses for the launch. The pharmaceutical company on October 14 had stated that it will submit the final data of Corbevax by November end. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday slammed Narcotics Control Bureau's Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede over row on his birth certificates, reiterates extortion allegations.

Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi and Rajesh Pati Tripathi- two top leaders of Congress who recently quit the party and joined TMC in the presence of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday. Speaking to the media in Siliguri, they vowed to continue the struggle to oust BJP from power in UP as well as the Centre under the TMC supremo's leadership. On this occasion, Banerjee was quoted as saying by PTI, "The faith of people in the TMC is increasing. The joining of the two leaders testifies that we are now an all-India party which can give real fight to the BJP".

READ FULL STORY HERE

Following the announcement of Hertz's intending to buy 100,000 Teslas for its rental fleet, Elon Musk’s personal fortune jumped by $36.2 billion on Monday, October 25. This development has sent the company's market capitalization and its top executive's net worth soaring to new heights, resulting in the biggest one-day gain in the history of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

According to a regulatory filing, a surge in Tesla stock isn’t the only source of wealth gains for the seventh tranche of Musk’s massive 2018 stock option package vested in the third quarter added about $8 billion to his net worth.

In the last 24 hours,  India registered 12,428 new cases of COVID-19, 356 deaths and at least 15,951 recoveries from the disease. As of Tuesday, 26 October, the active caseload stands at 1,63,816. Meanwhile, more than 107.22 crore vaccine doses have been provided to state and UTs till now, said the Government of India. With regards to COVID-19 testing, a total of 60,19,01,543 samples have been tested up to 25 October.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday, 26 October.

Accusing Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant of corruption, TMC on Monday, cited ex-Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik who has claimed that 'Sawant-led government is corrupt in every sphere'. Demanding Sawant's resignation, Trinamool has demanded a high-level judicial enquiry by a retired Supreme Court judge into the alleged corruption. AAP has also demanded the same. TMC eyes to dethrone BJP from Goa in the upcoming state polls in February 2022.

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana spoke to Republic Media Network in an exclusive interview and explained the security arrangements made in the national capital ahead of Diwali. Asthana has assured that Delhi Police is completely prepared to handle the situation during the festive season and also informed that the police force has been preparing for the last two months considering the scale and organisation of an event of this magnitude.

"Since last two months we are preparing ourselves keeping in mind large number of people who visit the market areas to purchase things," said Rakesh Asthana

READ FULL STORY HERE

Moderna's coronavirus vaccination booster dose "can be considered" in people aged 18 and above, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said. The EU agency announced in a statement that its analysis showed that a third dose of Moderna's vaccine, given at least six months after the second dose, resulted in an increase in antibody levels among people whose levels were waning. The booster dose is half of what an adult would ordinarily receive.

“At national level, public health bodies may issue official recommendations on the use of booster doses, taking into account the local epidemiological situation,” the agency said in a statement.

In major developments under the "sinicization" movement, China has expedited the removal of Islamic-style structures from mosques. In September, Beijing remodelled the Dongguan Mosque in the northwestern city of Xining with Buddist symbols and replaced the green domes and minarets on the roof with a regular flat roof. "The government says they want us to 'sinify' our mosques, so they look more like Beijing's Tiananmen Square," Ali, a local fruit vendor told NPR news.

United States Department of State spokesperson has said that foreign national air travellers to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated & to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an aeroplane to the US.  The new vaccination policy will go into effect for international travellers on 8 November. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, 26 October paid tribute to the 40 CRPF  jawans who lost their lives on 14 February 2019 Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber. A convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was hit by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district in 2019.

Stirring speculations of making a big announcement, Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will be addressing a press conference on Wednesday, 27 October at 11 AM in Chandigarh. The latest announcement by Singh's media adviser, Raveen Thukral came in the backdrop of ex-Punjab CM already revealing that he will form his own party in the state, days after quitting Congress following an internal tussle. Singh said last week, "The battle for Punjab’s future is on. Will soon announce the launch of my own political party to serve the interests of Punjab & its people, including our farmers who’ve been fighting for their survival for over a year."