Argentine footballer Lionel Messi with West Bengal (now resigned) sports minister Aroop Biswas, during an event as part of his ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’, at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi’s event held on December 13 and now under arrest, has told investigators that the footballer was unhappy with physical contact during his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium and left the venue before completing the scheduled programme, news agency PTI reported on Saturday, quoting a source in the Special Investigation Team (SIT).During questioning, Dutta told SIT officers that Messi “did not like being touched on the back or being hugged” and that this concern had been communicated in advance by foreign security officials assigned to protect the footballer, the source said.

“Despite repeated public announcements to restrain the crowd, there was no impact. The manner in which Messi was surrounded and embraced was completely unacceptable to the World Cup-winning footballer,” Dutta told investigators during his grilling on Friday, the source added, as cited by the PTI.West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas was seen close to Messi during the programme, with visuals showing him holding the footballer around the waist while posing for photographs. Biswas has been accused of using his influence to allow relatives and personal acquaintances access to Messi. Amid criticism, he resigned from his post as sports minister pending completion of the investigation.Investigators are examining how a large number of people were allowed to access the ground area. Dutta claimed that initially only 150 ground passes were issued, but the number was tripled after a “very influential person” arrived at the stadium and “overpowered him”. Police are checking whether the increase in access led to the crowd control failure.“The arrested accused also claimed that once that particular influential person reached the stadium, all the flow-chart for the Messi programme got disturbed and he could not control it,” the official told PTI.Dutta also shared financial details related to Messi’s India visit. “Lionel Messi was paid Rs 89 crore for the tour, while Rs 11 crore was paid as tax to the Indian government,” he told investigators, putting the total cost at Rs 100 crore. Sources said 30 per cent of the amount came from sponsors and another 30 per cent from ticket sales.SIT officers also found more than Rs 20 crore in Dutta’s frozen bank accounts. On Friday, they seized several documents during raids at his residence.“Dutta claimed that the amount in his bank account was the money which he got from selling the tickets for the Messi event in Kolkata and Hyderabad and also from the sponsors. We are verifying his claims,” the officer said.What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium last week after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated.They failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.The West Bengal government has formed an SIT comprising senior IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar and Muralidhar to investigate the vandalism, security lapses, access violations and the role of organisers and officials in the incident, the officer added.

NEW DELHI: Investigations into the murder of businessman Ratan Kumar in south Delhi’s Chattarpur Enclave on Nov 30 has revealed that five to six assailants shot him 69 times while he was heading for his dairy.Police suspect the hit job was ordered by two gangsters based abroad at the behest of the family of a businessman, who was gunned down, allegedly by Kumar’s son Deepak, seven months ago. Kumar’s family believe the latest murder was in retaliation for the earlier killing.

One of the main shooters has been identified as Anuj, alias Fighter. Police sources said the two gangsters, Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, provided one set of shooters, while the rest were hitmen of UP-based gangster Randeep Bhati.Haryana’s Faridpuria, who was initially a member of the dreaded Bambiha gang, now works for Bhau. He faces over 25 cases and fled to Canada via Dubai in 2019. Bhau is based in Portugal.Police have identified five of the hitmen — all of them are absconding — and issued lookout circulars against them.Kumar’s daughter Deepika said her brother, Deepak, had gone astray, after which the family severed ties with him. “My father took this step to protect the family from the ongoing rivalry,” she said.Kumar, through his lawyer, even issued a public notice in newspapers formally severing ties with Deepak, stating that he was barred from inheriting all family properties. The notice clarified that Kumar had no control over his son’s actions and would not be responsible for his conduct, dealings, debt or financial obligations. Despite this, Kumar had repeatedly been receiving threats, Deepika said, adding, “It’s been nearly three weeks since he was murdered, but the killers are absconding, and no protection has been given to our family.” However, a senior police officer said the Kumars never sought any security cover. Once Deepak was arrested and jailed for the May 24 murder of the businessman in Chattarpur while he was returning home with his father, Kumar filed a police complaint against 13 people, saying that he feared for his life and they would be responsible if anything happened to him. He also reaffirmed in the complaint that he had cut all ties with his son. Kumar’s family said Deepak and the businessman used to be friends and dabbled in property businesses. Two years ago, they fell out and Deepak was beaten up. Deepak allegedly murdered him to take revenge, the Kumars said.

Hardik Pandya’s explosive 63 off 25 balls and his heartfelt gesture towards an injured cameraman lit up India’s 30-run win over South Africa in the fifth T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, sealing the series 3-1 for the hosts.​

Hardik Pandya’s sportsmanship shines as he comforts cameraman hit by his six in fifth T20I

Walking in during the 13th over with India looking to maximise the death overs, Pandya immediately went on the offensive, stepping out first ball to loft Corbin Bosch for a flat six over long-off. That blow sailed straight towards a cameraman stationed near the boundary and struck him on the shoulder, forcing a brief halt in play as medical attention was called in.​

Unfazed, Pandya continued his assault, racing to a half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian after Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball effort against England in 2007. He finished with 63 off 25 deliveries, smashing five fours and five sixes at a strike-rate above 250, and stitching a devastating 105-run stand off just 44 balls with Tilak Varma (73 off 42) to lift India to a commanding 231/5.​

Once the innings and match concluded, Pandya made his way straight to the cameraman, checking on his condition, applying an ice pack to his shoulder and sharing a warm hug that left the cameraperson smiling. The clip of the incident, widely shared across social media platforms, drew praise for Pandya’s sportsmanship and compassion, with fans hailing the star all-rounder for looking beyond the scoreboard in a high-pressure series decider.​

Here’s the video:

– Hardik Pandya smashed the six
– Ball hit the hard to cameraman
– After the innings, Hardik instantly came to meet him
– Hardik hugged the cameraman

Just look at the cameraman’s reaction at the end; it’s so priceless. This small gesture from cricketers can make someone’s day… pic.twitter.com/stV156Og6K

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 19, 2025

Also READ: Top 5 fastest fifties for India in T20I cricket ft. Hardik Pandya – IND vs SA

India wrap up series 3-1 as Pandya wins Player of the Match

Earlier, Tilak continued his purple patch with a fluent 73 off 42 balls, peppered with 10 fours and a six, anchoring the middle overs before unleashing alongside Pandya in the back end. Their explosive partnership transformed India from a solid platform into an imposing total, leaving South Africa chasing 232 on a true Ahmedabad surface.​

In response, South Africa stayed in the hunt as long as Quinton de Kock was at the crease, the left-hander crafting a 65-run knock that kept the asking rate within reach. Once he fell, Varun Chakravarthy took control with a four-wicket haul, supported by Jasprit Bumrah’s miserly spell, as the visitors slid from a promising position to 201 for 8, handing India a 30-run victory and a 3-1 series triumph to close out 2025.​

Pandya’s all-round impact and high-tempo batting earned him the Player of the Match award, capping a series where he also returned from injury to reclaim his finisher’s role and leadership presence. Reflecting on his 16-ball fifty, he admitted he had targeted a six off his very first delivery and only later learned he now sits just behind Yuvraj on India’s T20I fastest-fifties list, a milestone made even more memorable by the human touch he showed towards the injured cameraman.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya help India demolishes South Africa in Ahmedabad T20I to clinch a 3-1 series win

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government on Saturday officially renamed its flagship 100-day employment scheme, ‘Karmashree’, to ‘Mahatmashree’ in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.The notification follows West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement two days earlier, amid the row over the central government renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission–Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Bill.Also Read | ‘We’ll give respect to Mahatma Gandhi’: Mamata to rename Bengal job scheme; slams Centre“The renaming not only preserves the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi but also aligns our state programme with the spirit of public welfare,” news agency PTI quoted a senior state official as saying.On Thursday, Banerjee, who also leads the state’s ruling TMC, announced at a business event in Kolkata that Karmashree would be given a new name. “We started the Karmashree scheme, but Gandhi ji’s name was not included. I’m really sorry, I’m ashamed. The father of the nation’s name should have been there, just like in the MGNREGA program. In the new bill, Gandhi ji’s name won’t be there,” Banerjee said.“So, Karmashree’s name will be changed to Mahatma ji’s scheme. If the Centre does not give respect to Mahatma ji, we will,” she added.Govt vs opposition on VB-G RAM GBoth Houses of Parliament passed the VB-G RAM G Bill on Thursday, the penultimate day of Parliament’s winter session, which began on December 1. VB-G RAM G to replace MGNREGA and guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment every year. MGNREGA was introduced by the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government at the Centre in 2005.Also Read | ‘Attack on poor’: Sonia Gandhi slams PM Modi over VB-G RAM G Bill; criticises repealing of MGNREGAThe national opposition, including the TMC, had demanded that the VB-G RAM G Bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny, citing the “financial burden” it would place on states, and criticised the BJP-led Centre for removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment guarantee scheme.The Union government, however, maintains that the new legislation is a “substantial improvement” over MGNREGA, which it described as “riddled with corruption and inefficiency.”

NEW DELHI: A woman doctor at the centre of the recent hijab row after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar lifted her naqab during an event did not join duty on Saturday, officials confirmed to news agency PTI. They also reported no contact with her or the family members.Patna civil surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh confirmed that Nusrat Parveen had not reported for duty till 7 pm on Saturday, after which the “possibility window for the day” closed.“I have been informed that the last date of joining has been extended beyond December 20. It remains to be seen whether Parveen joins on Monday or not,” he said, without specifying the new deadline.The controversy erupted earlier this week during an appointment letter distribution programme at the chief minister’s secretariat in Patna. The video circulated widely on social media, capturing the moment Nitish Kumar questioned Parveen’s naqab when she came forward to receive her appointment letter along with other Ayush doctors.Also Read: Hijab row: SCBA issues ‘strongest condemnation’ over Nitish Kumar’s act; seeks unconditional apology from Giriraj Singh, Sanjay NishadCivil surgeon Singh said he was not aware of the reason for Parveen’s delay, as he “had no contact with her or the family members.”Vijay Kumar, a surgeon at Sabalpur PHC in Patna Sadar, where Parveen was supposed to join, also confirmed she had not reported for duty.“Around five-six people have joined today, and Parveen is not among them… Her name is in the list but we have not received her appointment letter from the civil surgeon office in Patna,” he said. As per protocol, candidates must first report to the civil surgeon’s office before joining their assigned workplace.Meanwhile, governor Arif Mohammad Khan expressed disappointment over the controversy.“It pains me to hear the word ‘dispute’ in this case. Can there be any row between a father and a daughter?” he asked.“What have you people made out of it? This man (Nitish Kumar) considers female students as his daughters,” he added while speaking to reporters in Patna.Earlier, Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of Government Tibbi College & Hospital (GTCH), where Parveen is a second-year student, also suggested the joining deadline had been extended “in this special case”.“Ayush doctor Nusrat Parveen has not joined yet, and there is no update on her future course of action,” Rahman said.According to him, the family wants to avoid media attention. “Her family said that they want to escape media coverage, and that the woman doctor will rethink whether to join or not,” he said.Rahman also dismissed rumours that the family had shifted to Kolkata. “They have themselves rubbished such false news reports,” he said, quoting Parveen’s husband as saying the family is not upset with Nitish Kumar or the government.He added that “the family is disappointed with the row stirred by the media.”Rahman said Parveen last attended college on December 17 or 18 and noted that she still has the option to either join duty or pursue higher education.

Power Minister Manohar Lal has held consultations with a panel of Members of Parliament on the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as the government seeks feedback on changes aimed at strengthening India’s power sector framework, PTI reported.MPs from various political parties in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participated in the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, held in New Delhi on Thursday, the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The consultation was convened to discuss key provisions of the draft Bill, which has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder feedback.The discussions come amid opposition from power sector employees. The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has announced demonstrations on December 23 against the proposed amendments and has extended support to a nationwide strike called by central trade unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, protesting labour law changes and demanding a legally guaranteed minimum support price for crops.Chairing the meeting, the minister said the Bill seeks to strengthen the legislative foundation of the power sector. He noted that the proposals aim to mandate cost-reflective tariffs and empower regulatory commissions to act suo motu when utilities delay tariff filings. He clarified that state governments may continue to provide subsidies to priority consumer groups such as domestic and agricultural users, and said the changes would not lead to higher costs for such consumers.According to the statement, the Bill also seeks to reduce distortions caused by cross-subsidies and surcharges to improve the competitiveness of Indian industry, including MSMEs, and support job creation. The minister emphasised the need to ensure reasonable electricity costs for industry.The draft legislation proposes to empower State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, in consultation with state governments, to exempt distribution companies from supplying large consumers. It also introduces a minimum obligation for using non-fossil fuel-based electricity and enables renewable capacity addition through market mechanisms alongside DISCOM agreements, with the aim of easing financial stress on utilities.Operational reforms proposed include incorporating Right-of-Way provisions in the Act and enabling distribution network sharing to avoid duplication, which the minister said would benefit consumers.Responding to concerns, Lal said apprehensions about privatisation, higher costs or adverse impacts on employees were unfounded and that safeguards would be in place.However, AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey has charged that the amendments could eliminate subsidies and cross-subsidies for farmers and poor domestic consumers, leading to higher electricity bills.

Bangladeshi tourists in Kolkata are experiencing tension and anxiety due to fresh violence in their home country, prompting some to consider cutting short their medical trips

KOLKATA: Tension and anxiety gripped many Bangladeshi tourists staying in central Kolkata following a fresh outbreak of violence in Dhaka and other cities. This has prompted several visitors to closely monitor developments back home and consider cutting short their stay.Most of the tourists are in the city on medical visas and are lodged in hotels and guest houses in and around Marquis Street, Free School Street, and Collin Street — an area informally known as ‘Mini Bangladesh’ because of its concentration of hotels, guest houses, eateries, and travel agencies. On Friday, many said they were worried that the situation in their home country could deteriorate further, affecting both their families’ safety and bilateral movement between India and Bangladesh.

“The situation in Dhaka was tense for the past few days, and this fresh spell of violence is deeply concerning,” said Mujibur Rahman, who arrived in Kolkata early Friday for the medical treatment of a family member. Several tourists were seen consulting travel agents about rescheduling or advancing return tickets. Others gathered in small groups outside hotels and tea stalls, discussing reports from home and staying in contact with family members. “I am praying the situation stabilises in the next couple of days,” said Suman Mondal, another visitor from Bangladesh. Tourist inflow from Bangladesh showed signs of recovery since Oct after a prolonged slump of nearly 15 months. In July, political unrest and economic stress in Bangladesh sharply curtailed travel, leaving businesses in Mini Bangladesh struggling to survive. Hotels, guest houses, money exchange counters, and transport operators only recently began to see improved occupancy and footfall, largely driven by medical tourism.For families travelling with children, the uncertainty has added to their anxiety. Amin Islam, a resident of Khulna who is visiting Kolkata with his wife and two daughters, said safety concerns were paramount. The renewed violence has also raised fears among traders and hotel owners that the fragile recovery in business could be disrupted once again. Many said cancellations or early departures would directly impact business that depends heavily on Bangladeshi visitors. “We have reassured our guests that they are safe in Kolkata and that there is no reason for panic here,” said the owner of a guest house on Collin Street. “But uncertainty back home naturally affects their plans and our business.”

TOI correspondent from Washington: The US justice department released an initial trove of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday evening, marking a partial fulfillment of a congressional mandate but sparking immediate backlash over extensive redactions and incomplete disclosure. The files, comprising thousands of pages and hundreds of images, were made public just before a statutory deadline, yet officials acknowledged that not all materials would be unsealed immediately, citing the need to protect victims’ privacy and ongoing reviews. The partial release came amid widespread suspicions of a cover-up by the Trump administration on grounds that the President, a flamboyant businessman from the 1980s when he was friends with Epstein, is implicated.

Among the newly released images are previously unseen photographs of Epstein with associates, including former President Bill Clinton in casual settings, such as on Epstein’s private island. One photograph shows Clinton seated in a jacuzzi and another shows him with the late entertainer Michael Jackson. The context is limited by redactions. References to Trump appear comparatively sparse in the initial batch, with documents noting his cooperation in earlier inquiries and containing no new allegations. Names of other alleged associates and accomplices are frequently obscured. In some cases, entire documents – including lengthy grand jury transcripts – are fully blacked out. Commentators, even those on the right, fumed at the selective disclosure they said will simply extend the suspense and lead to more political posturing and gaslighting. “People are raging and walking away,” said Marjorie Taylor-Greene, a one-time Trump acolyte turned MAGA dissenter who fell out with the President, describing it as a “heavily redacted Epstein files” that was potentially shielding elites. Analysts also argued that the prominence of materials referencing Clinton risked turning the release into a partisan exercise while failing to resolve broader questions about Epstein’s network. Images of fully blacked-out pages circulated widely on social media as symbols of public frustration. “All the Epstein files have been released! Here’s every page available…” one commentator snarkily noted, alongside images of fully blacked-out pages. In all, more than 550 pages were released as solid black boxes. The release created a rare moment of alignment between Democrats and a few Republicans lawmakers who have stood up to Trump. California Democrat Ro Khanna and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, primary architects of the Transparency Act which mandated the release, condemned the selective offering, saying the it “grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law.” Khanna said the law explicitly forbids redactions based on “political sensitivity” or “reputational harm,” yet the release appears to shield specific names while highlighting others.Victim advocacy groups offered a more measured response. Representatives for survivors welcomed efforts to protect identifying information but urged fuller disclosure of non-sensitive material. “Safeguarding victims is essential,” said a spokesperson for the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, “but so is accountability.”In a statement posted to an Epstein-specific page on the DOJ’s website, the department said it had made “all reasonable efforts” to comply with the congressional mandate while protecting the privacy of victims and ensuring legal review. Officials characterized the disclosure as the first installment of a rolling release, with additional materials expected in the coming weeks.The release stems from a bipartisan law – arising from the Khanna-Massie bill – signed by President Trump in November after initial attempts by Trump minions to stall it. The law required the DOJ to declassify and publish records from the Epstein investigation by December 19. Epstein, who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, has long been at the center of sex-trafficking allegations involving a network of powerful figures from politics, business, and entertainment.