US President Donald Trump was briefed last week by US intelligence that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may be gay, and that’s the reason his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability to rule the Islamic Republic, according to New York Post, citing sources.When Trump was briefed, he couldn’t control his laughter and laughed aloud, according to sources.Others in the room also found it “hilarious” and joined the president’s reaction, while one senior intelligence official “has not stopped laughing about it for days,” said one person familiar with the briefing.

The claim was described by two intelligence community officials and a third person close to the White House. All three sources said US spy agencies viewed the allegation as credible, rather than false information intended to undermine Khamenei, 56, who was selected to replace his dead father as supreme leader on March 8.Two of the sources said the intelligence indicated that Mojtaba, who earned the nickname “the power behind the robes” while serving as his ageing father’s gatekeeper, had a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor. The third source said the intelligence indicated the affair was with a person who formerly worked for the Khamenei family.Mojtaba, who is believed to have been wounded in the same Feb. 28 airstrike that killed his father and other members of his family, made “aggressive” sexual overtures to men caring for him, possibly while under the influence of heavy medication, one of the sources said.US spy agencies did not have photographic evidence of Mojtaba Khamenei’s alleged sexual attraction to men, but the sources insisted the tip was solid, with one saying it was “derived from one of the most protected sources that the government has.”“The fact that this was elevated to the highest of high levels shows you there’s some confidence in this,” added a second source.The sources said Mojtaba’s purported sexual orientation had been whispered about inside Iran since at least the May 2024 helicopter crash that killed then-President Ebrahim Raisi, Ali Khamenei’s presumed favourite to be the next supreme leader.Within the US govt, “it’s been a pretty closely held piece of information,” one insider said.Trump previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice to run Iran. The new supreme leader was widely considered to be someone who would not bend to US demands to abandon the nuclear and ballistic missile programmes that prompted Operation Epic Fury.Some elements of Mojtaba Khamenei’s sex life were reported before and were cited as potentially lending credence to the allegation. A classified US diplomatic cable from 2008, published by WikiLeaks, described Mojtaba being treated in the UK for impotence, though that report did not identify what may have caused the condition.The State Department file said Mojtaba married “relatively late in life” around age 30, “reportedly due to an impotency problem treated and eventually resolved during three extended visits to the UK, at Wellington and Cromwell Hospitals, London.”“Mojtaba was expected by his family to produce children quickly, but needed a fourth visit to the UK for medical treatment; after a stay of two months, his wife became pregnant,” the leaked file said.Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra, and teenage son, Mohammad Bagher, reportedly died in the airstrike that killed his father. The new supreme leader has another son and a daughter.The allegation of homosexuality was alluded to in a CBS News report on Sunday that said the elder Khamanei, who ruled Iran since 1989, preferred a different successor in part because of unspecified “issues” in Mojtaba’s “personal life.”“His father and others suspected he was gay and that was something that people were spreading to try to stop his ascension,” one of the sources explained.Homosexual conduct is illegal in Iran, though the govt allows surgical sex change operations, which some gay men reportedly were pressured into undergoing to avoid criminal penalties. Sodomy is a capital offence in the nation of 93 million people, with some gay Iranians infamously hanged from construction cranes as a warning to others.“In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals,” former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is believed to be an ally of the younger Khamenei, claimed in 2007.One of the sources said that although it is generally frowned upon to out people against their will, there was a case of hypocrisy to justify doing so against Mojtaba.“If there was ever a time where it was OK to out somebody, it would be when it’s a leader of a repressive Islamic theocracy that hangs gay people by cranes,” this person said.Mojtaba Khamenei’s current whereabouts and the status of his recovery from the Feb. 28 airstrikes remained unclear, the sources said.

MUMBAI: A lawyer has approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking an immediate ban on the song “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke”, alleging that its lyrics and visuals are obscene and harmful, particularly to minors, news agency ANI reported. A formal complaint was filed by advocate Vineet Jindal requesting urgent legal action against the song, which features actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt. The complaint has also been marked to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, according to ANI. The complainant alleges that the song, which has been released on YouTube and is widely circulating across social media platforms, contains “highly vulgar, sexually suggestive, and obscene expressions.” It is further contended that the picturisation and dance sequences are provocative in nature and contribute to promoting vulgarity, thereby disturbing public decency. According to the complaint, certain lyrics in the song are explicitly objectionable and inappropriate for public consumption, especially given their easy accessibility to minors.The complainant has raised concerns that such content, when freely available online, exposes children to material that is not age-appropriate. The complaint also identifies key contributors associated with the song, including lyricist Raqeeb Alam, director Prem, composer Arjun Janya, and singer Mangli. From a legal standpoint, the complainant asserts that the publication and circulation of the song may attract penal provisions under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Information Technology Act. It has also been stated that a separate criminal complaint has already been filed with the Delhi Police Cyber Cell in relation to the song

Celina Jaitly has reacted after the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition seeking consular access, legal assistance and communication with her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, who is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates.The court disposed of the plea after being informed that Vikrant Jaitly did not wish to communicate with his sister and preferred to handle legal matters only after consulting his wife, Charul Jaitly.

Responding to the development, Celina shared a detailed note on social media expressing gratitude to the court and the Government of India.

“Today was the last hearing of my writ petition in front of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. I had approached the Hon’ble Court out of deep concern for the safety, security & well being of my brother, Maj Vikrant Kumar Jaitly,” she wrote.She added that with their parents no longer around, she felt a sense of responsibility toward her brother.“He is in a foreign nation & as his sister, especially in the absence of our parents, I felt it was my duty to ensure that he was not left without protection or support.”

‘My concern for my brother’s welfare compelled me to seek judicial intervention’

In her note, the actor revealed that she had moved court despite going through difficult personal circumstances.“I am myself navigating extremely difficult personal circumstances, including ongoing matrimonial proceedings, yet my concern for my brother’s welfare compelled me to seek judicial intervention,” Celina said.She also thanked the Indian government after being informed that officials had been in contact with Vikrant.“Today, I am grateful that before the Hon’ble Court, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed that they have had multiple legal accesses to him & are moving forward to ensure proper legal representation & his well being.”“This gives me a sense of relief & reassurance that the Government of India is standing by one of its soldiers,” she added.

Court notes Vikrant Jaitly declined legal representation and communication

According to Bar and Bench, the matter was heard on March 16 by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who was informed that Vikrant Jaitly had already been granted consular access but had declined legal assistance.Authorities also told the court that a law firm had offered to represent him free of charge, but he refused the offer.The court recorded that Vikrant had “unequivocally stated that he is not willing to be represented by any of the law firms,” including a pro bono offer from a UAE-based firm.Celina had also sought permission to communicate directly with her brother, but that request was declined as well.While disposing of the petition, the court directed authorities to remain in touch with Vikrant and provide assistance if required.“In view of the facts and developments, there is no reason to keep this petition pending,” the court observed.

Detention in UAE since September 2024

Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, a former Indian Army officer and Celina’s brother, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 6, 2024.Reports suggest the matter is linked to alleged national security concerns, though the exact charges have not been made public.Before his detention, Vikrant had been living in the UAE since 2016 and was reportedly working with the MATITI Group, a consultancy and trading firm. Celina has earlier raised concerns about the lack of clear legal representation, limited updates about the case, and the absence of direct communication with her brother.Concluding her statement, the actress wrote, “My only intention has always been his safety, dignity & fair treatment. I remain hopeful & thankful for the continued support extended to him by our Government as a son of our nation.”

Animal welfare in India received a strategic boost this week with the launch of the India Karuna Collaborative (IKC), a network of more than 50 organisations and 70 leaders from civil society, science, business and public health. The initiative aims to bring animal welfare—particularly industrial animal farming—to the centre of climate, public health and development conversations.The collaborative was launched at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber on Wednesday, drawing prominent figures from business, banking, fashion and science. Among those present were Harsh Mariwala, founder and chairman of Marico; fashion designer Anita Dongre; Motilal Oswal, founder and managing director of Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited; Amala Akkineni, founder of Blue Cross of Hyderabad; and Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People for Animals.Animal welfare is often framed within the narrow confines of ethics and compassion (karuna), overlooking the wider consequences of exploitative animal farming practices for public health, the environment and economic development. IKC seeks to foreground these intersectional risks.A report released by the collaborative—The Interconnected Crisis: Animal Welfare, Human Health, and Climate Change in India—notes that more than 1.5 billion farmed animals are embedded in India’s daily economic and food systems. Their cramped and often unsanitary conditions frequently remain unregulated and invisible, making it harder to connect these practices—from breeding and transport to slaughter—to their downstream impacts.Indian farmed animals contribute approximately 214.5 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions each year and account for 54.84% of the country’s agricultural methane output. On the public health front, about 70% of global antibiotics are used in animal agriculture, fuelling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050.At a panel discussion, Maulekhi of People for Animals said, “From antibiotic-laden feed for farmed animals to practices such as sewage-fed fish farming seen in parts of India, antibiotics are increasingly used to sustain industrial food production. While this system keeps costs low, the long-term price is far higher, accelerating antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of deadly superbugs.” The issue remains critically underexamined, she added.Mariwala called on businesses to build operational systems and supply chains that integrate animal care into the processes of production, consumption, regulation and innovation. “We need systems change; the private sector can help normalise alternatives,” he said.Also released at the event were the results of a YouGov survey of 3,000 Gen Z respondents on attitudes toward animal welfare. The findings showed that 69% of young dairy consumers and more than half of meat and egg consumers were willing to pay at least 10% more for products meeting higher animal welfare standards, while 53% said they were open to replacing some or all animal protein with plant-based alternatives—suggestive of a willingness to act in support of animals.Drawing on emerging science and field evidence, IKC plans to advocate for change across business practices, policy, regulation and consumer behaviour, positioning animal welfare as a cornerstone of the conversation.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old BDS student allegedly linked to an online module of the banned terrorist organisation ISIS for radicalising youth and recruiting members through social media and encrypted platforms.According to ATS officials, the agency had been receiving credible intelligence inputs indicating that certain individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India were operating as active members of an ISIS-linked online network. These individuals were allegedly spreading the extremist jihadist ideology of ISIS and attempting to recruit sympathisers with the objective of establishing a Sharia-based Caliphate in India and across the world.Investigators found that these operatives were creating groups on social media platforms such as Instagram and encrypted communication applications including Session and Discord to circulate ISIS propaganda, ideological content, and operational instructions aimed at expanding the terror outfit’s influence in India.Taking cognisance of the intelligence inputs, ATS conducted extensive physical and electronic surveillance. After confirming the information, the agency registered at ATS Police Station in Lucknow under Sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 18, 18B and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).During the investigation, an ATS team arrested Harish Ali, son of Riyasat Ali, a resident of Manak Mau locality in Saharanpur district, from Moradabad on March 16. The accused is a second-year BDS student.“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused was in contact with handlers of an ISIS online module as well as other extremist associates described as “mujahideen”. Officials said he was part of a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected government and establishing a Caliphate governed by Sharia law,” ATS said.Investigators said Harish Ali operated multiple anonymous accounts on Instagram and encrypted applications using VPN services to conceal his identity. Through these accounts, he allegedly created several ISIS-supporting groups and attempted to recruit like-minded individuals into the terror network.The groups were reportedly used to circulate ISIS propaganda magazines, ideological literature, videos and audio clips glorifying slain militants, as well as speeches by extremist preachers associated with the organisation. ATS officials also said the accused maintained contacts with ISIS-linked handlers in Pakistan and other foreign locations.To expand the online propaganda network in India, the accused had also formed a separate group titled “Al Ittihad Media Foundation”, which allegedly served as a platform to disseminate ISIS propaganda content.Investigators further revealed that the accused closely followed ISIS media outlets, including the organisation’s news channel Al-Naba and its infamous propaganda magazine Dabiq, and regularly shared their content with members of his groups.During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted that he did not believe in the democratic system and supported the imposition of Sharia law under a global Caliphate, which he described as the core objective of ISIS, the ATS said.He also reportedly encouraged members in his online groups to carry out “fidayeen” (suicide) attacks in pursuit of jihad, said ATS officials.The arrested accused has been produced before a competent court and further legal proceedings are underway. ATS officials said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals connected to the network and to trace the wider online module operating within and outside India.

MUMBAI: A 42-year-old man has been arrested by Govt Railway Police from Surat, where he had fled after allegedly pushing his wife to death in front of a local train at Mulund station on Saturday. Police said the couple’s 13-year-old son had witnessed the murder.The accused, Raju Gupta, worked as an electrician. According to GRP, Raju and his wife Pushpa (36) had frequent tiffs. Pushpa lodged a non- cognisable (NC) complaint against him with Mulund police on Feb 13, and moved to her hometown in UP with the couple’s elder son, aged 15, a few days later. Their younger son stayed back with Raju. Pushpa did not intend to return to Mumbai and the couple’s elder son was to appear for his Class 10 exams from UP.However, after her Army jawan brother Kamlesh Kumar came home on leave, he offered to broker peace between the two and brought Pushpa and the boy back to Mumbai on March 14. After yet another fight, she filed a second NC against Raju and decided to leave with Kamlesh and her son.‘Killer’ hubby locked up his bro-in-law and elder sonThe trio reached Mulund station, where they booked a local train ticket to Kalwa to visit a relative. At Mulund station, Kamlesh checked his wallet and noticed that his ATM cards, PAN card and army identity card were missing. He called up Raju, who confirmed that the cards were with him. Kamlesh then asked Pushpa to wait at Mulund station while he and his older nephew went back home to collect the cards. “A fight broke out between Raju and Kamlesh in the house. Raju and his younger son locked up his elder son and Kamlesh and left,” said a GRP officer. Kamlesh raised an alarm and neighbours unlocked the door to let him out. He then went to Mulund police station, where he informed police about Raju having taken away his ATM and identity cards. After police summoned Raju to Mulund police station, he switched off his phone. GRP said Raju and his younger son went straight to Mulund station, where he tried to convince his wife to stay back. When Pushpa said she was sick of being harassed and wanted a divorce, he allegedly pushed his wife in front of a Kalyan down local. He and the younger son then went to Vangaon station and took a train to Surat.

Mumbai: The legislative assembly late Monday passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 tabled by Mahayuti govt. While Sena (UBT) supported it, Congress, NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and CPI (M) opposed it and demanded that it be sent to a joint select committee for review, inviting suggestions/objections from the public. It is likely to be tabled in the Legislative Council Tuesday.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the bill was not against any religion, but was to protect the freedom of religion for all. Outside the assembly, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said freedom of religion should be for everyone and if anyone is converting by force or by taking advantage of someone’s helplessness and falsely luring them, his party would be against it. “We support that bill fully,” Uddhav said.Introducing the Bill in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, the CM said the legislation is a law aimed at preventing religious conversion carried out through coercion, inducement, fraud, or deception, adding it is 100% constitutional. Fadnavis said similar laws were already enacted in 12 other states including Odisha, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Arunachal Pradesh, among others. He said the bill was brought in to bring clarity in cases of unlawful conversion.The motion to pass the bill was moved by minister of state Pankaj Bhoyar. It is likely to be tabled in the Legislative Council Tuesday.Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said his party supported the bill.Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh termed the bill as unconstitutional and said it was an absolute infringement on the right to privacy and its provisions could compel people who want to marry someone from an another faith to die by suicide. SP MLA Rais Shaikh termed the bill as regressive and it said it was one-sided to target one particular community. Congress MLA Amin Patel said it was a violation of the Constitution.“Cases of inter-faith marriages often give rise to law and order situations; consequently, once such a situation emerges, effective action must be taken to address it. As things stand, the currently prevailing laws—whether it be the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or various other statutes—lack explicit provisions specifically addressing this matter. Consequently, we rely on existing provisions within these laws; for instance, we frequently invoke the provisions related to fraud in such instances,” the CM said.“If specific provisions are in place, such difficulties related to unlawful conversion or interfaith marriages do not arise. Therefore—to ensure clarity and prevent recurring issues witnessed recently, wherein groups from opposing sides confront one another and consequently trigger law and order disturbances—this Bill has been introduced. Fundamentally, as you are aware, Article 25 of the Constitution grants every individual the right to freedom of religion; our Constitution bestows upon us the right to choose and practice any religion we wish. This bill is in letter and spirit 100% in tune with the Constitution,” he said.“Religion is a personal matter but the bill mandates people to give a notice for 60 days before converting. Why is that? Why should a person declare and announce he wants to convert and make a big buzz about it? After that, who will ensure such a person’s protection and safety? There are no provisions for that in the bill. The burden of proof is also on the accused which is unconstitutional. This bill will be an injustice on lovers of different faiths who are adults. They will be punished for falling in love. Govt has spoken of love jihad cases but could not even show us any statistics or examples,” Aslam Shaikh said.