Gujarat Desk

An FIR has been registered against eight individuals for allegedly using casteist slurs against a Dalit deputy sarpanch of a village in Sabarkantha district, following a dispute over the removal of a dilapidated bird feeder tower. Dispute Over Panchayat Decision According to police officials, the controversy began after the gram panchayat decided to dismantle an old and unsafe bird feeder structure in the village. The structure, reportedly in a dangerous condition, had been i

Ahead of the upcoming SemiConnect Conference, Gujarat government officials have announced that semiconductor projects worth ₹1.24 lakh crore are currently under development in the state, positioning Gujarat as a key hub in India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem. A senior state minister stated that Gujarat has emerged as a preferred destination for chip manufacturing and semiconductor-related investments, thanks to proactive industrial policies, infrastructure readiness, an

In a significant political development in Gujarat’s tribal belt, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Praful Vasava and Congress leader Raj Vasava joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a public event held in Dediapada in Narmada district. The induction ceremony took place in the presence of Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who was visiting the region. According to BJP leaders, nearly 700 supporters from both parties also switched allegiance, calling the move a “major bo

A rare glimpse into the artistic world of noted industrialist Praful Shah  is currently captivating art lovers in Ahmedabad, where a travelling exhibition is showcasing his paintings created over the past three decades. The exhibition brings together a curated collection of Shah’s works, reflecting his evolving artistic vision alongside his distinguished career in industry. Known primarily for his contributions to business, Shah has quietly nurtured a deep passion for paintin

In a startling case of deception, banks in Rajkot were recently outwitted by a conman who used sleight-of-hand tricks to steal ₹50,000 from cash counters across three separate branches over a span of just two days. Two-Day Crime Spree According to police sources, the incidents occurred on February 21 and 22, when a man posing as a regular customer visited different bank branches in the city. In each case, he reportedly approached the cash counter under the pretext of depositi

The BJP-led Gujarat government has proposed amendments to existing marriage registration rules that would require all adult couples to inform their parents before registering their marriage. The move, described by the state as part of “anti-love jihad” safeguards, has triggered political reactions and raised constitutional questions. What the Proposed Amendments Say Under the proposed norms, couples — whether inter-religious or from the same religion — would need to: Inform t

Interaction with Migrant Workers in Surat Samik Bhattacharya said he met several people originally from West Bengal, many of whom have migrated to Surat for employment in the textile and diamond industries. According to him, the workers expressed dissatisfaction with the political situation in their home state and concerns over governance, employment opportunities, and alleged law-and-order issues. He claimed that the sentiment against the ruling party is not limited to those

Gandhinagar:  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has published the final electoral rolls for Gujarat following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), placing the total number of registered voters in the State at 4.40 crore . The updated figure reflects changes made after claims, objections, and verification exercises conducted during the revision process. Comparison with Draft Rolls Earlier, the draft electoral rolls released by the ECI on December 19 had

Rajkot (Gujarat):  An eight-year-old girl who had been reported missing was found dead in an isolated area behind a railway station in Rajkot, police said. The child’s body was recovered on October 7, a day after her family lodged a missing complaint. According to investigators, the girl had left her home to play but did not return, prompting relatives to alert the authorities. A search operation was launched, and her body was later discovered in a secluded spot near the rail

The Gujarat government has unveiled a massive ₹4.08 lakh crore budget outlay, laying strong emphasis on transforming Ahmedabad into an “Olympic-ready” city, boosting tourism infrastructure, and launching new mining initiatives to strengthen industrial growth. The budget, presented in the state Assembly, outlines a development-focused roadmap aimed at infrastructure expansion, sports excellence, and economic diversification in Gujarat. ‘Olympic-Ready’ Ahmedabad A key highlight

For the parents of a 16-month-old girl battling a serious blood disorder, the past year has been a whirlwind of hospital visits, anxious nights, and fragile hope. Now, more than 40 days after a critical medical procedure performed in January 2026, there is finally a sense of cautious relief. “Her blood count has stabilised. She is recovering,” her father said quietly. “That is enough for us right now. We just want her to grow up normally.” A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Tension prevailed outside the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation office on Tuesday as Congress workers clashed with police ahead of the civic body’s budget meeting. The protest unfolded as the corporation convened to present and approve its budget for the financial year 2026–27. Protest Turns Confrontational According to officials, Congress members and supporters had gathered outside the civic body office to protest against alleged civic issues and financial priorities of the

Ahmedabad:  Two men lost their lives in a road accident in Gujarat , where police later recovered 677 bottles of liquor from the crashed vehicle. The incident has once again highlighted the issue of illegal liquor transportation in the state, where prohibition laws are in force. According to police officials, the accident occurred late at night when the car reportedly lost control and crashed. The impact was severe, resulting in the instant death of both occupants. Their iden

Surat:  Tension gripped parts of Surat  on Monday after a large crowd gathered during the reconstruction of a crime scene involving notorious criminal Chirag Goti . The situation escalated when angry locals allegedly attempted to assault the accused before police stepped in and brought the situation under control. According to police sources, Chirag Goti was taken to a locality in the city as part of the investigation process to recreate events linked to a recent criminal cas

Ahmedabad:  The Ramol Police Station  on Wednesday busted a honey-trap racket operating in the city and arrested three men who allegedly posed as police officers to extort money from victims. According to officials, the accused were part of a well-organised gang that targeted unsuspecting individuals through women accomplices. The women would allegedly befriend victims, lure them to private locations, and create compromising situations. Soon after, other gang members would ar

New Delhi:  The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions  (NCAHP) has issued a public notice reiterating that physiotherapists and occupational therapists are not authorised to prescribe medicines or administer allopathic treatment under existing laws. In its clarification, the Commission emphasised that while physiotherapists and occupational therapists play a vital role in rehabilitation and patient care, their scope of practice does not include prescribing

Ahmedabad:  In a major push to ease traffic congestion and streamline urban mobility, Ahmedabad  is set to introduce a fully digital, AI-powered smart parking management system across the city. The initiative is being undertaken under the Smart City Mission, with Ahmedabad Smart City Development Limited  (ASCDL) initiating the tender process for the implementation of an AI-based video analytics smart parking solution. Key Features of the Smart Parking System According to offi

Gujarat:  Three people were killed after a car plunged off a bridge and caught fire in a tragic accident in Gujarat , police said on Tuesday. The victims were charred beyond recognition, prompting authorities to initiate forensic procedures to establish their identities. 🚗 Accident Details According to police officials, the incident occurred when the vehicle reportedly lost control while crossing a bridge. The car fell off the structure and burst into flames shortly after im

Dwarka, Gujarat:  The Indian Army  on Monday flagged off the ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ expedition from Dwarka , marking the beginning of a 3,400-kilometre journey along India’s western frontier. The expedition aims to honour the valour and sacrifices of Indian soldiers while fostering greater awareness among citizens about the country’s border regions and military heritage. 🚩 Route and Coverage The team will traverse key strategic locations across Gujarat  and Rajasthan , c

Gandhinagar, Gujarat:  The Gujarat  government has exchanged a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink  to facilitate high-speed satellite-based internet connectivity across remote, border, and underserved regions of the state. The move is aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure in areas where conventional telecom networks remain limited or unreliable. Officials said the initiative forms part of Gujarat’s broader Digital Connectivity Mission and aligns with strategic effor