India has recorded 602 new Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the the total number of active cases to 4,440 on Wednesday. The country had recorded 865 new cases on May 19. Five new fatalities -- one each from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, two from Kerala -- have been reported in the span of 24 hours, according to the ministry's data.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday that there was no proposal to cut petrol and diesel prices at present as there was “high volatility” in global crude oil prices. The minister dismissed media reports about a fuel price cut as 'speculative', saying the government's top priority is energy availability.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday decided to hold a Punjab Bachao Yatra from February 1 to take the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to task for failing Punjab on all fronts. The core committee decided to hold a Punjab Bachao Yatra from February 1 to expose the AAP government which had betrayed all sections of people, including farmers, weaker sections of society, trade and industry, youth and government employees.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested two wanted sharpshooters of the notorious Himanshu a.k.a. Bahu and Naveen Bali gang following an exchange of fire, an official said on Wednesday, adding both were wanted in an extortion cum attempt to murder case. The arrested individuals were identified as Kapil a.k.a Mota (22) and Rahul (19), both residents of Rohtak district in Haryana.
The Samajwadi Party has slammed the Yogi Adityanath government's decision to set up liquor outlets at railway platforms, Metro stations and cruises. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said the move was "immoral" and against public interest. The state cabinet on Tuesday had given nod to setting up of liquor outlets at railway stations on the lines of similar outlets operating at airports.
The accused individuals -- Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D., Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde -- were produced before the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts. The court extended their custody on an application moved by police. The four accused were produced before court on expiry of their previously granted seven-day police custody after they were arrested on December 13.
