NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday frowned on Himachal Pradesh HC’s repeated interference in the state govt’s decisions and said it appeared that the high court was not allowing the elected govt to function. SC warned that it would view such interference seriously in future.Despite these oral remarks, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the HC had rightly rejected the Himachal govt’s reliance on the ongoing delimitation process to seek postponement of local body elections by six months. “Pendency of delimitation exercise cannot be a ground to seek postponement of elections,” the bench said.It also said the HC was right in saying that holding timely elections to urban local bodies, municipalities and nagar panchayats had been mandated by the Constitution. There are around 3,500 gram panchayats, 90 panchayat samitis, 11 zila parishads and 71 urban local bodies in HP, the majority of which go to polls this year.Taking into consideration the logistics and problems of accessibility to remote areas in winter, the bench extended the HC’s April 30 deadline for completion of local body elections by a month to May 31.Appearing for the petitioner, on whose plea the HC had asked the delimitation exercise to be completed before Feb 28, senior advocate Maninder Singh told the bench that the high court had set the deadline keeping in mind the fact that nation-wide Census work would commence from May 1. It was the state election commission that had cited this fact before SC, he said.For the state govt, senior advocate V Giri said the HC should have kept the logistics in mind while setting the deadline for completion of civic body elections.The CJI-led bench in its order said, “The direction by the HC that elections to local bodies are required to be held after the expiry of their tenure as per constitutional mandate does not warrant any interference.”“However, having regard to logistic difficulties, we modify the time schedule and direct that all preparatory work be completed before March 31 instead of Feb 28. Elections shall be conducted within eight weeks thereafter, that is positively before May 31. No application for extension of time will be entertained,” the bench said.

Mumbai: The Mira-Bhayander flyover, part of Metro Line 9, will undergo a mandatory third-party road safety audit before opening to traffic, after which Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to operationalise it in phases with only one lane in each direction beyond Golden Nest Circle, officials said.The arrangement will remain in place till the required Development Plan (DP) land is handed over by the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) for widening of the ramp section.

The flyover forms a key component of the Dahisar East-Mira Bhayander Metro Line 9 double-decker corridor carrying both metro and road traffic. According to MMRDA, the structure has been constructed as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards and approvals granted during 2020-21, and the lane configuration was part of the original sanctioned design.Up to Golden Nest Circle — one of the busiest junctions in the Mira-Bhayander belt — the flyover will function with a full 2+2 lane configuration to ease congestion at the junction. Beyond the circle, however, limited right-of-way, railway proximity and pending DP land acquisition restrict ramp width, and the approved plan provides a 1+1 lane arrangement in that stretch. Officials said the phased opening is an interim traffic arrangement aligned with site constraints until MBMC hands over additional land.The project had sparked controversy after motorists pointed out that the double-decker flyover appeared to suddenly narrow into two lanes, raising fears of a bottleneck. Authorities clarified that the narrowing is temporary and consistent with the sanctioned design.MMRDA has made third-party road safety assessment compulsory for its road projects over and above IRC compliance norms, and the flyover will open only after implementation of recommendations made in the audit.Traffic engineering provisions include merging transition zones, lane delineators, crash barriers, height restriction for heavy vehicles, reflective signage and rumble strips, all to be executed at the contractor’s cost.The design also includes a proposed 970-metre elevated arm crossing the Western Railway line towards Bhayander West, which will be taken up once land becomes available. Once fully completed, the flyover is expected to ease congestion along Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road and improve connectivity between Mira Road and Bhayander, officials said.

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan (PTI Photo)

Following his match-winning knock against Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup clash in Delhi, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan opened up about the advice he received from all-rounder Hardik Pandya after losing his BCCI central contract in 2024. Kishan revealed how Hardik urged him not to dwell on the setback but to make the most of every opportunity in domestic cricket.Kishan’s explosive 24-ball 61, along with Hardik’s blazing 28-ball 52 and two wickets, powered India to a commanding 93-run win over Namibia. After the game, the two shared a light-hearted conversation about their performances and the tough phase Kishan endured following the loss of his contract over alleged lack of commitment to red-ball and domestic cricket.

Interestingly, Hardik himself was navigating a challenging period in early 2024. After returning to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans — where he had led the side to an IPL title — he was appointed MI captain. The decision triggered heavy backlash from sections of fans loyal to former skipper Rohit Sharma, with loud boos and criticism greeting Hardik at several venues.During this period, Hardik and Ishan spent considerable time together, bonding and training extensively. Determined to respond with performances, Kishan piled on the runs in domestic cricket. He began with a century for India-C in the Duleep Trophy, followed by 38 in the Irani Cup. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he struck a century for Jharkhand. He also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 316 runs in seven matches in the latter at an average of over 45 and a strike rate exceeding 128, including a hundred.Kishan carried that momentum into the IPL, scoring 354 runs in his debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, including a century against Rajasthan Royals. A stint with Nottinghamshire in County cricket saw him register two fifties. He then led Jharkhand to their maiden SMAT title, topping the charts with 517 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries and two fifties. A breathtaking 39-ball 125 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka further strengthened his case for national selection.His return to India’s T20I squad against New Zealand proved fruitful, as he emerged as the second-highest run-getter with 215 runs at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of over 231, including a century and a fifty. Notably, there was marked improvement in his off-side play and six-hitting ability.When he brought up his maiden T20I century against New Zealand in Kerala, Hardik was at the non-striker’s end, sharing an emotional hug as Kishan reached the milestone.Reflecting on his time away, Kishan said that although he is “not the kind of person to stay quiet”, Hardik advised him to let his bat do the talking.“I am usually not the kind of person who will keep quiet, but because I was in touch with him and he was like, ‘It’s up to you whether you want to talk to somebody about it or go negative about it. It is in your hand’. And that was playing cricket and scoring runs. And doing well in whichever tournaments I was playing in. Credit also goes to him (for helping him in his India comeback),” said Kishan.Hardik, meanwhile, recalled Kishan’s century against the Kiwis with pride, highlighting the journey they have shared.“The rhythm in which you smashed it, the way the ball left your bat, I was extremely happy. For the last two years, you have worked really hard behind the scenes, kept quiet. Even when the opportunity did not come, you were still smiling, keeping the spirit high and working hard,” said Hardik.“Hard work is supposed to happen when no one is watching. And that is the actual benefit. No matter what happens in life, do not be a crybaby. Get up in the morning, work hard, put your head down and sleep. Again, repeat it. He has taken the torch, responded with the bat, and I am really proud of it,” the all-rounder concluded.

Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up on us every year. One minute you’re minding your business, and the next minute your phone is full of heart emojis, couple photos, and people declaring their undying love on Instagram. And whether you’re madly in love, secretly crushing, happily single, or somewhere in between, this day still makes you feel something.

Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up on us every year. One minute you’re minding your business, and the next minute your phone is full of heart emojis, couple photos, and people declaring their undying love on Instagram.

And whether you’re madly in love, secretly crushing, happily single, or somewhere in between, this day still makes you feel something. So if you’re staring at your phone thinking, “What do I even say this year?” Relax. I’ve got you. Here’s a big, honest, no-cringe collection of Valentine’s Day wishes and messages you can send in 2026. For your partner. Your crush. Your best friend. Even that one person who drives you mad but still owns a tiny piece of your heart.

For your partner (the one who knows all your moods)

And some days you don’t need poetry. You just need to say what’s real.

For your crush (aka butterflies with anxiety)

Crushes are awkward. Let them be awkward. That’s half the charm.

For your best friend (your emotional support human)

Friendship deserves this day too. Honestly, sometimes more

For long-distance love (when love lives on screens)

For the one you love quietly

For yourself (because yes, you count)

Short and sweet texts (when you just need one line)

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need grand speeches or perfect words. Half the time, the simplest message is the one that hits the hardest. And it doesn’t have to be romantic to be real. Love shows up in friendships. In quiet support. In staying. In choosing someone again and again, even on the boring days. So send that text. Drop that message. Say the thing you’ve been holding back. Because one honest line can mean more than a hundred fancy words.

Mumbai: The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) launched an investigation by the deputy collector (Encroachments) following complaints of demolished huts being re-erected and occupants who moved into these structures being declared eligible for free housing under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).Activist and founder-member of Manohar Joshi College, Baburao Mane, in a complaint to SRA, alleged that occupants of huts partially demolished by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), huts which do not exist on survey maps or on the ground, a temple shown as a hut, and, as recent as January 29, a staircase fitted with a door and the area around it plastered to show a hut, were being made eligible for free housing. Manohar Joshi College is adjacent to Shatabdi Nagar, where the “dealings in demolished huts” are being carried out in connivance with DRP officials, alleged Mane.

Shatabdi Nagar is a slum originally comprising approximately 800 huts abutting the arterial Loop Road in Dharavi.“Almost a decade ago, Mhada, which was assigned to redevelop Sector Five in Dharavi, took up the redevelopment of Shatabdi Nagar. For this, it carried out a survey to ascertain eligibility for free housing. The survey found there were 800 huts. Over 300 families were moved into one of the rehab towers built by Mhada. However, Mhada did not completely demolish the huts that were vacated, with the result that three to four years ago, new families moved in, putting plastic/fibre sheets as roofs. Later, the state government decided to give all of Dharavi to Adani Realty for redevelopment,” said Mane.In October last year, Mane was approached by local residents who complained that while they were eligible and awaiting allotment of tenements, those who moved in recently were being given keys to tenements in the towers built by Mhada. Mane, along with the residents, then began studying Mhada’s eligible list and the new list prepared by DRP. “Mhada gave a number to each hut. We found that the same numbers are now repeated with the addition of A. So, for instance, if the original number was V/J/664, it is now V/J/664A. This means there is hut number 664 and hut number 664A. We scrutinised the new list of eligible tenants and found that those who shifted recently were declared eligible. Hence, I lodged a written complaint with SRA in December last year. All this could not happen without the collusion of DRP officials,” said Mane, alleging that while SRA has announced an inquiry, it is dragging its feet on it.DRP secretary Vipin Paliwal, however, said the inquiry is underway. “There was a survey done by Mhada and then by other agencies. It is complex, and we are looking into it. We shall certainly be publishing the report,” he said, though he refused to give a timeline. A spokesperson of Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle between Maharashtra government and the Adani Group for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, said: “NMDPL has no role in respect of Shatabdi Nagar residents shifting to Mhada transit buildings as all survey works were conducted much prior to us arriving into the Dharavi contract. NMDPL has not conducted the survey in Shatabdi Nagar. The allotment of transit homes is basis the legacy survey.“

Mumbai: Actor Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Rohit Shetty have received fresh threats through a fresh audio clip from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Investigators said this is the third such recording sent by the gang.In the latest audio, a person claiming to be Harry Boxer, a member of the gang, warns Ranveer for allegedly going back on his word, besides threatening his staff and their families. Boxer also targeted Shetty and the Bollywood community, warning them to “fall in line”. Boxer, a Rajasthan native living abroad, was in news last year after shots were fired at Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Canada.

Mumbai crime branch officials said the authenticity of the clip is yet to be established. “We are verifying whether it’s is genuine or AI-generated. We do not have any records of the persons claiming responsibility and have alerted our counterparts across the country for technical analysis,” a senior officer said.In a fresh audio clip, Boxer mocked the decision by Singh and Shetty to seek police protection. He also takes credit for the firing incidents in Portugal.The audio message states: “Ranveer Singh, tu kuch baat bolke mukhar gaya na? Thik hai, ya to tu us baat par vapas aaja isliye nahi to mukharne ki saja kya hoti hai voh tujhe batayenge issliye voice note chod rahe hain tere liye…Rohit Shetty aur tu line par aaja… Aur puri Bollywood ko bol rahein hain …Aaj jo Portugal mein firing karaya hain maine aur mere bhaine Marina Grand hain Sukhdev ki dukan pe firing ki jimmadari hum le rahein hain. (Ranveer Singh, you backed out after saying something, right? That’s fine — either you come back to that statement, otherwise we will show you what the punishment for backing out is. That’s why we are leaving this voice note for you. Rohit Shetty and you should fall in line. And we are telling the entire Bollywood as well. The firing that was carried out today in Portugal — me and my brothers take responsibility for the firing at Marina Grand and at Sukhdev’s shop.”Police said it is not clear the context in which he made the threats to Singh and Shetty.The message further states that the Bishnoi gang has detailed information regarding the families, residences and work hours of Singh’s managers and employees and threatened to target them first to “teach a lesson” to the actor.Officials said both Singh and Shetty have recorded their statements and have denied having any prior communication with the Bishnoi gang.

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will implement relegation in the Indian Super League (ISL), despite objections from all 14 participating clubs to keep the constitutional requirement on hold due to a truncated season.Since it’s launch in 2014, first as a three-month tournament, ISL has remained a closed league. In 2020, the league became India’s top tier, and even though champion teams from the lower division were promoted to the top, no ISL club has ever been relegated.That will no longer be the norm, in line with the AIFF’s new constitution that makes it mandatory for the seniormost top division league to be “owned, operated, recognised and directly managed by the AIFF, with principles of promotion and relegation.”The AIFF has now circulated the ISL League Rules to all clubs and made it clear that the team finishing at the bottom of the 14-team table will be relegated to the second division. According to Article 3.2.6 “at the conclusion of the season, the bottom ranked club in the League (last on the league table), on the date of completion of all matches, shall be relegated to the I-League 2026-27 (or the second division of men’s professional league football, as it is then known).”The League Rules also stipulate that the winner of the second division I-League – now renamed Indian Football League — will be promoted to next season’s ISL.AIFF’s move to implement relegation has caused some discomfort amongst ISL clubs. At least one of them will now write to the federation and keep its legal options open.Clubs have previously maintained that the current season is truncated and exceptional, conducted under circumstances that materially deviate from a normal sporting cycle. “Due to compressed timelines, operational constraints, and structural uncertainty, not all teams will be competing under identical playing, financial, or logistical conditions. As such, the foundational principle of sporting parity ordinarily underpinning promotion and relegation cannot be said to exist in full measure for the current season,” the clubs wrote the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on Jan 30.Others said there are global examples of relegation being on hold due to exceptional circumstances, like in Argentina, Mexico, besides League One and League Two (third and fourth divisions in England) during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mexican top tier league in fact suspended promotion and relegation in 2019 for five seasons, seeing the first division maintain 18 teams for the period.Should AIFF change its mind, the governing body will need approval from the Supreme Court to keep relegation on hold in the top division league.

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