Actor Disha Patani's father, Jagdish Singh Patani, was cheated out of Rs 25 lakh by scammers who promised him a government job. The fraudsters pretended to have strong political connections and threatened him when he asked for his money back. An FIR has been filed against five suspects, but no arrests have been made yet.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized Rs 8.8 crore in cash from Santiago Martin, a Chennai-based businessman known as the 'lottery king.' The operation targeted 20 locations across several states as part of a money laundering probe. Martin has been under investigation for alleged lottery fraud, donations via electoral bonds, and questionable business practices. The ED is looking into his financial dealings and assets linked to fraudulent lottery sales.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna will take the oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India today, following the retirement of Justice DY Chandrachud. Khanna, appointed to the Supreme Court in January 2019, has worked on high-profile cases, including those involving Arvind Kejriwal. He will serve as Chief Justice until May 13, 2025.
A woman in Bengaluru shared her alarming experience with a "fake" Ola driver at the city's airport. After booking an Ola cab, the driver, not assigned via the app, made unsettling demands, including extra fares and diverting from the planned route. The woman called emergency services and avoided potential danger. This incident highlights concerns about the safety of women using ride-hailing services at night.
India is facing a growing risk from expanding glacial lakes in the Himalayas, which have increased by 11% since 2011. Glacial melting due to climate change is raising the danger of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), threatening lives and infrastructure. An early warning system for high-risk lakes is being set up after recent GLOF disasters, such as the one in Sikkim in 2023.
The BJP has claimed the details about the luxurious amenities at the Delhi Chief Minister's residence, including expensive renovations and high-end items like Bose speakers, jacuzzis, and advanced appliances. The residence, once occupied by Arvind Kejriwal, reportedly cost crores to furnish, sparking controversy after Kejriwal's resignation.
upGrad is adding new courses in financial services, creative arts, gaming, and VFX, while also strengthening its AI offerings. The company is teaming up with universities worldwide to grow its international reach, especially in the gaming and VFX areas. AI programs remain a top focus, with a sharp rise in demand for both technical and non-technical skills. upGrad aims to expand its offline presence and reach profitability by FY25.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reported a 4% drop in its standalone net profit for Q2FY25, totaling ₹7,621 crore. Despite the profit decline, LIC saw a 12% increase in net premium income and a 16% rise in investment income. The insurer's market share grew to 61.07%, and it plans to launch a health insurance business by the end of this financial year.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu criticized Freshworks for laying off 660 employees despite reporting a 22% revenue growth. Vembu condemned the "corporate greed" behind such decisions, calling it a trend imported from the U.S. He also criticized Freshworks' stock buyback and emphasized Zoho's commitment to employees, prioritizing them over shareholders. Vembu argued companies with ample cash should avoid layoffs and instead invest in new ventures.
India Cements reported a larger net loss of ₹240 crore for Q2 FY2024, up from ₹81 crore last year, due to falling cement prices and low demand. For the first half of the year, the company posted a loss of ₹203 crore. Despite a 17% increase in volumes from Q1, lower prices and weak market conditions caused significant pressure on margins, resulting in a negative EBITDA of ₹154 crore.