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It’s easy to judge people who fell for scams. Many times, one simply thinks, “they should have known better”, label them foolish, naive, careless, or ignorant. After all, warnings are everywhere. Banks keep issuing alerts, digital platforms run awareness campaigns and news regularly reports on the latest frauds and cybercrimes.Yet, when one looks more closely at how scams actually work, fraud is rarely the result of low intelligence or a lack of information. People who are cautious in one context can be disarmingly vulnerable in another. Those who pride themselves on scepticism can make impulsive decisions under pressure. The question, then, is not why people fail to “know better,” but why knowing better so often fails to protect them.The answer lies not in ignorance, but in psychology.Scams succeed because they are engineered to move past rational judgement rather than confront it. Understanding the psychology behind fraud requires setting aside moral judgement and confronting an uncomfortable truth: vulnerability to scams is not an exception but a human trait. Frauds happen not because people are foolish, but because scammers exploit how people think, react, and cope under emotional stress.
If knowledge were a substitute for preventing fraud, scams would not be this pervasive. The fact is that some of the most articulate, tech-savvy, and financially educated individuals are duped into cash transfers, sharing credentials, or clicking links that under normal circumstances they never would have trusted.The reason is that scams do not challenge what people know; they manipulate how people feel and think.As Dr Radhika Goyal, PhD (Psychology), said, in her insights shared with TOI , “Scams work by bypassing rational thinking and triggering automatic emotional responses. Even highly educated or careful individuals rely on mental shortcuts in daily life to make quick decisions. Fraudsters design situations that feel urgent, personal, or threatening, pushing the brain into ‘survival mode’.”When this happens, the emotional brain (which reacts fast) overrides the logical brain (which analyses slowly). In that moment, intelligence offers little protection, because the scam is not engaging logic, it is exploiting trust, fear, or hope.”Dr Medha, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Patna Women’s College (Autonomous), Patna University, situated this vulnerability within a well-established psychological framework, as she talked to TOI.“Even cautious, intelligent, or well-educated individuals can fall victim to scams because fraudulent schemes exploit normal psychological processes rather than ignorance. From a psychological perspective, scams function by bypassing rational thinking and activating emotional and automatic responses” she said.She further explained this through Kahneman’s Dual-Process Theory.
Fraudsters do not rely on random manipulation. They repeatedly exploit predictable cognitive biases that guide human behaviour in legitimate social settings.These biases are not flaws, they are mental shortcuts that help people function efficiently in everyday life.
By pretending to be, say, a bank representative, an authority from a government department, an important executive, and short-circuiting the time it takes to reach a decision, scammers tap into compliance ahead of skepticism and reasoning. This insight into behavior is vital, because it helps to re-understand fraud not just as trickery using clever telling, but at its root, an exploitation of psychology, using guilt, fear, and other trigger mechanisms.Dr Radhika Goyal identified several of the most commonly used psychological levers.
Meanwhile, Dr Medha linked these tactics to foundational psychological theories. Authority-based scams, she notes, draw directly from research on obedience.“Scammers are effective because they take advantage of fundamental psychological theories that explain how humans perceive, decide, and behave in social contexts. These theories highlight that human decision-making is often guided by automatic, emotional, and socially conditioned processes rather than deliberate reasoning,” she said.Further elaborating on individual behaviour, she added, “Individuals have a strong tendency to comply with perceived authority figures. Scammers exploit this bias by impersonating officials such as bank representatives, police officers, or government agents. The presence of authority cues—formal language, uniforms, or official symbols—reduces resistance and critical questioning, leading individuals to comply even when requests are unreasonable. -This has been supported by Milgram’s theory of obedience.”Emotional manipulation, she added, is equally deliberate.“Strong emotions such as fear, hope, guilt, or affection activate the limbic system, which can overpower rational control mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex. Scammers intentionally evoke emotional reactions to impair logical evaluation and promote impulsive decisions,” the assistant professor added, citing Damasio’s Affective Decision-Making Theory.Scarcity is another powerful tool.Dr Medha explained how scammers can trigger “scarcity bias” to trap people. Citing Cialdini’s Persuasion theory, the professor explained, “Scarcity bias occurs when people assign greater value to opportunities perceived as limited.”Scammers exploit this by saying things such as- “Offer valid for 24 hours”, “Only a few slots left”. Another tactic that fraudsters use is “fear of missing out (FOMO)” which “shifts thinking from evaluation to action”, explained the professor.Emotional stress blinds peopleOne of the most troubling aspects of fraud is that victims often recognise warning signs, but only in hindsight. Emotional stress plays a key role in this temporary blindness.“Emotional stress narrows attention. When someone is anxious about money, scared of legal trouble, or feeling lonely, their brain prioritizes relief over verification,” said Dr Goyal.Further explaining the psychological mindset of the people under stress, she added, “Under stress, people focus on solving the immediate emotional discomfort — “How do I stop this problem right now?” — instead of asking critical questions.”
Red flags may still be visible, but the brain temporarily ignores them because emotional safety feels more urgent than accuracy. This is why scams often target people during vulnerable moments — late at night, after a loss, or during financial uncertainty.
Dr Radhika Goyal, Psychologist
Dr Medha described the same process at the neurological level:
Emotional stress such as fear of loss, financial pressure, or loneliness activates the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which prioritizes emotional survival responses over careful analysis.
Dr Medha, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Further talking about the stress factor, the professor said, “This heightened emotional arousal weakens the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, reducing logical reasoning, impulse control, and risk evaluation. As a result, individuals rely more on fast, intuitive processing rather than deliberate, analytical thinking, even when warning signs are present. Stress also narrows attention to emotionally relevant cues, causing people to overlook inconsistencies or red flags that would normally signal fraud. Consequently, the desire to quickly relieve emotional distress overrides caution, making individuals more vulnerable to deceptive tactics.”
Even after realizing that they’ve been swindled, victims often opt not to speak out. In most cases, this is not because they lack information or do not care, but due to complex factors involving psychological, social, as well as structural barriers that ultimately favor the fraudsters.Shame and self-blame are some of the deterrents. Victims often internalise responsibility, believing they were “careless” or “gullible,” despite scams being deliberately engineered to exploit normal human trust and authority cues. Admitting the fraud can feel like admitting a personal failure, particularly for educated or financially savvy individuals.
Fear of judgement adds to the reluctance. Victims worry about how family members, employers, or peers will see them, especially when the loss involves large sums or repeated transactions. In a professional environment, disclosure may be seen as reputationally damaging, reinforcing the instinct to stay quiet.There is also a general feeling that nothing worthwhile will come out of reporting and that what has been lost is irretrievable. This perceived futility discourages reporting, even where formal channels exist.In this context, confusion and intimidation also prevail. Frauds involve tricks and mind games that include numerous platforms, jurisdictions, and phony identities. Victims often do not know to whom they need to report, what evidence will be required, or fear being dragged into long and stressful investigations. Some are even threatened bluntly by the scammers, further suppressing disclosure.Dr Goyal pointed to shame as a central barrier. “Shame is a major barrier. Victims often blame themselves, thinking, ‘I should have known better.’ This self-blame is intensified by social stigma that equates being scammed with being foolish.”Talking about the feeling of shame leads to isolation, she added, “Fraudsters deliberately reinforce this shame, telling victims to keep the matter confidential or warning them they will ‘get into trouble’ if they speak up. Unfortunately, silence protects the scammer and isolates the victim further. Psychologically, it is easier to stay quiet than to confront embarrassment — even when reporting could prevent harm to others.”Meanwhile, Dr Medha explained that self-blame is deeply tied to identity. “Victims often internalize the fraud as a personal failure, believing they should have been more careful, which leads to self-blame rather than attributing responsibility to the scammer. Shame triggers avoidance behavior, causing individuals to hide the experience to protect their self-image and social identity.”“Additionally, cognitive dissonance makes it emotionally uncomfortable to admit having been deceived, especially for educated or competent individuals. Together, shame, damaged self-esteem, and fear of stigma significantly reduce the likelihood of reporting scams, despite the importance of doing so,” she added.
As scams operate at the emotional, mental level, resisting them requires psychological interruption. In general, fraud succeeds not because the victims are uninformed, but rather because jacked-up emotions temporarily displace rational judgment.
Scammers create a situation that instills urgency, fear, or excitement, forcing fast decisions, narrowing attention, and suppressing doubt. In such a state, one may even fail to notice flagrant red flags. The best counter remains pause: slowing down, stepping away from the communication, or delaying any action, which breaks the emotional momentum on which scams depend.A second opinion is equally important. Bringing in a trusted third party reintroduces perspective and exposes inconsistencies that are hard to see under pressure. In practice, the strongest defences against fraud are behavioural — time, distance, and verification — rather than just knowledge.Dr Goyal emphasised on simple but effective pauses.
Meanwhile, Dr Medha framed resistance as “mind over manipulation.”“Using Mind Over Manipulation — Scams succeed when emotion outruns reasoning. Breaking a scam requires slowing down emotion, widening perspective, and re-activating rational control,” she said.She outlined concrete steps:
The main point to understand in this is that fraud thrives in the space between emotion and reason. It succeeds, not because people lack intelligence, but because they are humans; capable of fear, hope, trust, and urgency. Con artists structure their approach based on these universal characteristics, taking advantage of the instances where the responses are instinctual, meaning where a reaction exceeds the boundaries of logical processing.The susceptibility to a scam is not an anomaly but a side effect of human instincts in pressing circumstances. Recognising this distinction is critical. It shifts the narrative away from personal failure and towards systemic manipulation. When victims understand that they were targeted through deliberate psychological engineering, shame loses its power and reporting becomes more likely. This, in turn, improves visibility into how fraud networks operate and where safeguards fail.The more society moves away from blaming victims and towards understanding the psychology of manipulation, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to win. Awareness framed around human vulnerability encourages openness, earlier intervention, and collective defence; thus, weakening the conditions that allow scams to spread unchecked.
The Sindhudurg Airport in the Konkan region of Maharashtra has received aviation safety regulator DGCA’s approval for round-the-clock operations, including during low visibility and adverse weather conditions, a statement by IRB Infrastructure Developers said. The airport, operated by IRB Infrastructure, started commercial operations in October 2021. “The approval for 24×7 all-weather operations significantly enhances the airport’s reliability and operational capability. This will encourage airline confidence, support sustained traffic growth, and contribute meaningfully to economic and tourism development across the Konkan region,” said Jai S Sadana, Chief Adviser and Head at IRB Sindhudurg Airport. The airport has been certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) enabling aircraft operations during low visibility and adverse weather conditions. The approval includes published satellite-based Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures and the availability of a backup navigation aid. Together, these systems provide pilots with instrument approach guidance and also a reliable non-satellite backup, ensuring safer landings and more dependable flight operations for all aircraft types throughout the year. RNP refers to the level of performance required for a specific procedure or a specific airspace block. The Mumbai-Sindhudurg route under the state regional connectivity scheme is also expected to commence in the coming months, which will further improve connectivity, making travel more convenient for residents of the Konkan region and welcome visitors from across India, Sadana said. The private airport operator also said the facility recorded close to 11,000 passenger movements in December for the first time, adding that the aircraft parking capacity has been doubled from three to six aircraft stands.
Ranbir Kapoor, in a recent interview, shared why he named his fashion brand ARKS. While the internet has been guessing that it is the acronym of his, Alia Bhatt, and their daughter’s names, he clarified about the same. Let’s take a look at what he has to say.
On the YouTube video of the brand’s official channel, Ranbir Kapoor can be seen giving a tour of his factory and answering several questions about it. When the actor was asked about the brand’s name, he said, “It had different meanings to it. We started with a shoe, so at first it was ‘A Ranbir Kapoor Shoe’. Later it was ‘Ranbir Kapoor Studio,’ but at one point I realized that it doesn’t really need a meaning. I think it just fits. When we heard ARKS and saw the logo, everything just came together.”
The actor will next feature in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s ‘Love and War’, co-starring Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt. The shooting of the movie has been delayed, and hence, the makers are planning to release it between June and August of this year. Both Ranbir and Vicky will reportedly be seen playing the role of air force pilots.Meanwhile, apart from that, Ranbir will also star in Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus, ‘Ramayana’. He will play the role of Lord Ram in the film, while Sai Pallavi will play Goddess Sita and Yash will play Ravana. The film also features Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The movie will be released in two parts. The first installment is scheduled to release in Diwali 2026, and the second will be out in Diwali 2027.
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the Ajit Pawar-led NCP should merge with the NCP (SP) headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar, pointing out that both factions have come together for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic body elections. Raut also questioned Ajit Pawar’s presence in the Mahayuti government, a day after the NCP chief alleged large-scale corruption in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which was earlier ruled by the BJP. The Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Noting that both the BJP and Ajit Pawar have accused each other of corruption, Raut asked why the alliance continued. “Then why are you in the government? He (Ajit Pawar) should come back to Sharad Pawar. Now that you have forged an alliance in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar should leave the BJP-led government, and merge (the NCP) with the original NCP (SP),” Raut told reporters. The NCP split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government along with several MLAs. The Election Commission later recognised his faction as the real NCP and allotted it the original clock symbol. Raut said Ajit Pawar’s recent remarks suggested a shift in his political stance, especially on alleged corruption involving the BJP. He pointed out that both Pawar factions are contesting the civic polls together. “It seems Ajit Pawar’s direction has changed. If this is the case, then he should abandon the BJP,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. The NCP and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) are contesting the January 15 elections to the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic bodies in alliance. Ajit Pawar on Friday alleged that the PCMC had been plagued by corruption for the last nine years and pushed into debt. He made the allegations a day after Union minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol criticised the NCP for giving tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation was governed by the BJP from 2017 to 2022 and has since been run by a state-appointed administrator. The civic body will go to the polls on January 15 along with 28 other municipal corporations. Ajit Pawar also defended the decision to field candidates facing criminal cases, saying he himself had faced allegations of orchestrating a ₹70,000 crore irrigation scam, and that no one should be considered guilty until proven. “Everybody knows that allegations of a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam were levelled against me. Today, I am in power alongside those who made those allegations. Can a person be labelled guilty even before it is proved?” Referring to the PCMC’s past record, Ajit Pawar said, “This municipal corporation was once known as the richest in Asia. It even received awards as the best city of India when NCP was in power and achieved many such milestones, Yet, despite being so wealthy, it was never pushed into debt.” He also appeared to take a veiled swipe at Union minister Murlidhar Mohol, alluding to absconding Pune gangster Nilesh Ghaywal. “Who helped a person from Pune escape?” the deputy chief minister asked. (With agency inputs)
In a high-voltage Elite Group B clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Baroda faced off against Vidarbha on January 3. Vidarbha captain Harsh Dubey won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for a batting showdown under clear skies. The match quickly turned into a spectacle as Baroda’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya delivered a match-defining performance, propelling his team to a formidable total.
Pandya arrived at the crease with Baroda reeling at 71-5 after 19.1 overs, following early blows from Vidarbha pacers Yash Thakur and Nachiket Bhute. Undeterred, the Indian all-rounder steadied the ship alongside brother Krunal Pandya (23 off 50), forging a crucial 65-run stand for the sixth wicket. Pandya accelerated ruthlessly, reaching his fifty before unleashing pure carnage in the 39th over against left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade.
Needing 34 to reach three figures from 66 off 62 balls, Pandya smashed five consecutive sixes—over long-on, covers, mid-wicket, and beyond—before sealing the over with a boundary through point for 34 runs total. The sequence: 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4. Fans online went berserk, flooding social media with clips of the assault, hailing it as one of domestic cricket’s most memorable overs. This maiden List A ton came off just 68 balls.
Pandya fell soon after for 133 off 92 balls (8 fours, 11 sixes, SR 144.57), caught by Atharva Taide off Thakur at 258-8 in the 45.2 over. Vishnu Solanki (26 off 17) and late flourishes from Mahesh Pithiya (18* off 14) and Karan Umatt (13* off 11) pushed Baroda to 293-9 in 50 overs (RR 5.86). Thakur starred with 4-64, while Rekhade (2-80) endured the punishment.
Also READ: Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya to get break as India plan rotation for New Zealand ODIs
🚨BIG SHOW FOR HARDIK PANDYA🚨
Hardik Pandya has scored a century in 68 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. At one point, Pandya was scoring 68 runs in 62 balls. pic.twitter.com/wuVSYj6Rer
— 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 (@gurlabhsingh610) January 3, 2026
HARDIK PANDYA IN ABSOLUTE BEAST MODE! 🔥💥
A brutal 68-ball hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy vs Vidarbha 💪🏏
Power. Confidence. Statement knock.#HardikPandya #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/8GGfMwGGJ7— Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) January 3, 2026
No one crossed even 30. Then come Hardik Pandya. Scored 117*(81) for Baroda.
Clutch GOAT Hardik Pandya. 🗿 pic.twitter.com/ixhuFiJaCI
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 3, 2026
– He is playing first match in this VHT.
– He came to bat when Baroda 71/5.
– No batter crossed 30 runs mark.
– He smashed Hundred.
– He scored 133(93).
– He hits 11 Sixes & 8 fours.TAKE A BOW, HARDIK PANDYA – THE MVP OF INDIA. 🫡🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LZUUzFMr5L
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 3, 2026
If clutch has human form , its is Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/KZdWNN9qxI
— ROHIT¹⁸🇮🇳 (@bvrrrohit) January 3, 2026
HARDIK PANDYA’S INNINGS TODAY IN VHT:
-First 62 balls – 66 runs.
-Last 29 balls – 67 runs (231.03 SR).#hardikpandya #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/M3vKNJCwxg— urstruly (@VikashChou70911) January 3, 2026
Take a Bow for Hardik Pandya
-He smashed 133 runs from 92 balls within 11 sixes and 8 fours for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 🏆.
What a clutch player Hardik Pandya is! pic.twitter.com/GlEro4frqT
— Ashu (@AshuKharwa66211) January 3, 2026
HARDIK PANDYA’S INNINGS TODAY IN VHT:
First 62 balls – 66 runs.
Last 29 balls – 67 runs (231.03 SR).– THE DESTRUCTION OF HARDIK PANDYA. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/l8pOkprql3
— Cricnow (@CricketNew73688) January 3, 2026
🚨 HARDIK PANDYA 133 RUNS FROM JUST 92 BALLS 🚨
– Baroda: 71/5
– No batter has scored more than 30 runs
– One man show by HardikGREAT NEWS FOR INDIA 🇮🇳#HardikPandeya #VijayHazareTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/oeVO8WsZ1z
— Niraj Kumar (@Nirajku11362609) January 3, 2026
Hardik Pandya is on fire 🔥
133 runs off just 92 balls with Baroda at 71/5, and no one else has even scored 30! Talk about carrying the team on his shoulders. pic.twitter.com/dkxdCuecMc
— MrFantus (@Mrfantus09) January 3, 2026
Baroda’s innings began shakily, Amit Pasi fell for a duck, while Nitya Pandya reached 15 before Bhute struck early. The collapse deepened as Priyanshu Moliya (16), Atit Sheth (21), Jitesh Sharma (9) and Krunal departed, leaving them struggling at 71-5. The Powerplay produced just 43 runs, but Pandya’s counterattack flipped momentum. Vital partnerships of 45 with Solanki and 77 with Raj Limbani (10) hauled Baroda to 293-9, despite nine wickets falling.
Vidarbha now faces a steep chase on a flat Rajkot track offering pace and bounce. Pandya’s blitz not only boosted Baroda’s semifinal hopes in the domestic 50-over showpiece but also signaled his peaking form ahead of India’s white-ball commitments, including the 2026 T20 World Cup. Supporters chanted his name long after stumps, cementing the knock as a highlight of VHT 2025-26.
Also WATCH: Fan reacts angrily after Hardik Pandya declines selfie request at an event
Venezuela’s government on Saturday accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported over the capital, Caracas, around 2 am local time.Following the strikes, President Nicolás Maduro declared a nationwide state of emergency, ordered national defence plans to be implemented and called for ‘mass mobilisation’.
Meanwhile, US officials later told CBS News that President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, as Washington escalated its campaign against the Maduro government.The strikes followed months of US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and several other warships in the Caribbean. In recent weeks, the United States has seized two oil tankers off Venezuela and launched deadly strikes on more than 30 boats which, according to the US, were carrying drugs.Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared Venezuela’s official statement on X, which said:“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military areas of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, particularly its Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States, and the prohibition on the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk.The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to break the Nation’s political independence by force. They will not succeed…”
In an official statement, Venezuela’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military areas and urged supporters to take to the streets.“People to the streets!” the statement said. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”The statement added that President Nicolás Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.”
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington.In a pre-taped interview aired on Thursday, Maduro said the United States wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through a months-long pressure campaign that began with a major US military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism in the United States.
Trump had, for months, threatened that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land.The United States has seized sanctioned oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, and Trump ordered a blockade of others, a move that appeared designed to tighten pressure on the South American country’s economy.The US military has been attacking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since early September. As of Friday, there have been 35 known boat strikes and at least 115 people killed, according to figures released by the Trump administration.The strikes followed a major buildup of American forces off South America, including the arrival in November of the US military’s most advanced aircraft carrier, adding thousands of troops to what was already the region’s largest US military presence in generations.Trump had justified the strikes as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and has said the US is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.(With inputs from AP)
Kolkata Knight Riders now face a tricky situation after the BCCI instructed the franchise to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season. KKR had secured the left-arm seamer for Rs 9.20 crore in a tense auction battle with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The key question now is whether the franchise will get that money back to rebuild their squad. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the release to PTI, adding that KKR can request a replacement player and the board will allow it. “The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement, if needed, and upon request, the BCCI will allow a replacement player,” he said.
KKR later issued an official statement confirming the development. The franchise said that the BCCI and the IPL, as the regulator of the tournament, had instructed them to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the upcoming season. The statement added that the release was carried out following due process and consultations, strictly on the instructions of the BCCI. KKR also confirmed that the BCCI will allow the franchise to name a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, with further details to be communicated in due course. The release comes amid heightened political sensitivity following reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and mounting scrutiny of Bangladeshi players in IPL squads. Mustafizur’s IPL 2026 debut for KKR was expected to strengthen their bowling attack, making the sudden directive a significant disruption to their planning. In league terms, situations like this are generally treated as force majeure events, where the withdrawal is due to circumstances beyond the control of both the player and the franchise. Historically, teams have been allowed to reclaim the full auction amount in such cases, and KKR are also expected to receive the entire Rs 9.20 crore back. For the franchise, the refund is crucial not just financially, but also in ensuring they can enter the replacement market without compromising their balance ahead of the new season.
In 2025, rupee fell almost 5% against US dollar, recording its weakest annual performance since 2022. However, 2026 is expected to change that, SBI predicted.Even as dollar weakened and most global currencies gained ground last year, rupee underperformed.According to a recent report by SBI Funds Management, the currency was weighed down by “muted foreign portfolio investor (FPI) inflows, weak export momentum and heightened hedging demand from importers.” Foreign investors pulled out almost $18 billion from Indian equities, citing earnings downgrades, limited exposure to AI-led global growth, and better opportunities in other emerging markets.Looking ahead, the bank expects rupee to decline by around 2% in the next financial year, with the exchange rate hovering near 92 against US dollar.This outlook is supported by several factors. India’s current account deficit is likely to remain below 1% of GDP, helped by strong services exports and relatively low crude oil prices. Inflation is expected to stay close to the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% target, reducing the risk of major currency shocks.Global conditions are also expected to remain favourable. US dollar is likely to stay supportive as the Federal Reserve nears the end of its easing cycle, which is historically a positive for emerging-market currencies. Simultaneously, rupee’s real effective exchange rate has also fallen about 5% below its estimated fair value, boosting competitiveness and limiting downside risks.In addition, capital flows could also turn more favourable. Potential inclusion of government bonds in global indices, stabilising corporate earnings, and renewed foreign portfolio equity inflows may all ease pressure on the rupee.
THANE: The Thane Crime Branch Unit-3 has arrested two habitual offenders, solving as many as 52 cases across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Police recovered stolen gold jewellery worth Rs 30.06 lakh from the accused.The arrests followed a parallel probe into a surge in chain-snatching incidents in Thane city and nearby areas. Acting on specific intelligence, the Crime Branch team laid a trap in the Ambivli area and apprehended the suspects.The accused were identified as Kasim Garibshaha Irani (38), a native of Irani Vasti in Shrirampur (Ahilyanagar) and currently residing in Patilnagar, Ambivli, and Mukhtar Sheru Husain, also known as Irani (32), a resident of Patil Chawl, Ambivli, Kalyan.During interrogation, the duo allegedly confessed to a series of chain snatchings and trickery-based thefts targeting men and women. Investigators said their crime trail spanned Thane city, Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and parts of Karnataka.The accused were initially booked at Kolsewadi police station under sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Custodial interrogation led to the recovery of a large haul of gold ornaments valued at over Rs 30 lakh.Cases linked to the duo were registered at multiple police stations, including Kolsewadi (Kalyan), Hill Line (Ulhasnagar), Badlapur (East and West), Ambernath, Kalwa, Kapurbawdi, and Mahatma Phule Chowk, with some offences reported as recently as late 2025.Officials added that both accused have extensive criminal records. One is wanted in at least 20 cases, while the other has 14 cases registered against him at various police stations.Further investigation is being carried out by Crime Branch Unit-3, Kalyan, to trace possible accomplices and recover additional stolen property.
