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The Income Tax Department is currently conducting raids in several districts, including Amroha, Sultanpur, Gonda, and Moradabad. These operations, which began on Monday, target the premises of individuals suspected of claiming tax exemptions by falsely declaring donations to political parties Lucknow: The Income Tax Department is currently conducting raids in several districts, including Amroha, Sultanpur, Gonda, and Moradabad. These operations, which began on Monday, target the premises of individuals suspected of claiming tax exemptions by falsely declaring donations to political parties. The IT teams are meticulously searching over a dozen locations belonging to lawyers, chartered accountants, and private individuals. In Gonda, specifically, a raid is underway at the office of Balaji Associates on Belsar Road, where the team is gathering information from the firm’s employees. The officials involved in the raids are refraining from making any statements about the ongoing investigation, which has caused a stir in the affected areas.

A Kanpur court sentenced tuition teacher Ruchika Vats, her partner Prabhat Shukla and associate Shiva Gupta to double life imprisonment for the 2023 kidnapping and murder of 16-year-old Kushagra Kanodia. The verdict follows strong CCTV, ransom and witness evidence. Kanpur, Jan 22: A court in Kanpur has sentenced the three accused in the high-profile murder of 16-year-old Kushagra Kanodia to double life imprisonment, meaning they will remain in jail for the rest of their lives. The Additional District and Sessions Judge found tuition teacher Ruchika Vats, her partner Prabhat Shukla and his associate Shiva Gupta guilty of kidnapping, murder and related charges in the October 2023 case that shocked the city. Abduction while heading to coaching class Kushagra, a Class 10 student, was abducted while heading to coaching classes. The prosecution argued that the motive behind the crime was to extract ransom from his family. The court convicted all three accused after examining key evidence and witness testimony. The sentencing hearing took place today following the conviction last week. Evidence and witness testimony During the trial, 14 prosecution witnesses were examined. Evidence placed before the court included CCTV footage, ransom notes and communication records that linked the accused to the crime. Family seeks death penalty Relatives of Kushagra welcomed the strict sentence but reiterated their demand for the death penalty, calling the crime particularly heinous

The transfer of Sambhal CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir to Sultanpur after he ordered an FIR against senior police officers has sparked protests by lawyers, raising concerns over judicial independence and administrative timing in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, Jan 22: The transfer of Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Vibhanshu Sudhir has sparked a major controversy in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions over judicial independence and administrative timing. Justice Sudhir, who recently ordered the registration of an FIR against an Additional Superintendent of Police and several police personnel in connection with alleged excesses during violence in Sambhal, has now been transferred to Sultanpur as a Senior Civil Judge. Timing of transfer questioned The transfer order, issued as part of a routine reshuffle of judicial officers, came soon after the CJM directed the police to register a case against senior officers for alleged misuse of force. This timing has triggered strong reactions, particularly from the local legal fraternity. Lawyers protest in Sambhal Lawyers in Sambhal staged protests within the district court premises, calling the transfer “unfortunate” and “demoralising” for the judiciary. Protesters raised slogans demanding the immediate reversal of the order and warned that such moves could weaken public faith in the justice system. Concerns over judicial independence Advocates argued that Justice Sudhir acted strictly within the framework of law and that his transfer sends a troubling message when judicial officers take firm stands in sensitive cases involving the police. Several lawyers described the move as an “indirect pressure tactic,” though officials maintain that transfers are an administrative process with no connection to judicial orders. New CJM appointed Meanwhile, Aditya Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Judicial Magistrate of Sambhal. His appointment comes at a time when the district remains sensitive due to ongoing legal proceedings linked to communal tension and law-and-order issues. Authorities deny linkage Judicial authorities have clarified that multiple officers were transferred across districts and that no single case should be linked to the reshuffle. However, the incident has reignited a broader debate on the balance between judicial autonomy and administrative control.

An interfaith couple, 19-year-old Kajal and her partner Arman, were found dead in a forest near Moradabad after being missing for three days. Police suspect an honour killing, with two of the woman’s brothers arrested as the investigation continues. Moradabad, Jan 22: In a shocking case of suspected honour killing, an interfaith couple was found dead in a forest near Umri Sabzipur village after being missing for three days. The woman, 19-year-old Kajal, and her 27-year-old partner Arman were discovered lying in a forested area behind a temple, prompting widespread alarm in the district. Brothers suspected of murder Police investigations suggest that Kajal’s three brothers conspired to kill the couple due to strong opposition to their relationship. Following missing persons reports filed by both families, police traced the couple’s last movements and uncovered evidence pointing to a planned murder. Two of the brothers have been arrested so far, and a case has been registered as the probe continues. Rights groups raise concern The incident highlights deep-rooted social tensions surrounding interfaith relationships in some areas and has drawn criticism from rights groups calling for greater protection of personal freedoms and stricter action against so-called honour crimes.

The woman’s brothers were opposed to the interfaith relationship, and confessed to killing the couple A 27-year-old Muslim man and his 22-year-old Hindu girlfriend were hacked to death, allegedly by the woman’s brothers, in Moradabad, the police said on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The deceased, Arman, worked in Saudi Arabia, and the girl, Kajal, both residents of Umri Sabzipur village, began a relationship. The girl’s brothers were opposed to the interfaith relationship and asked her to end it. Three days ago, Arman and Kajal went missing. Arman’s father filed a missing person complaint. When the investigation began, the local police found Kajal was also missing. The brothers were questioned and they confessed to killing the couple. The accused took the police to the spot where they had buried the bodies, and told the police that they had tied up the couple’s hands and legs before hacking them to death. A 27-year-old Muslim man and his 22-year-old Hindu girlfriend were hacked to death, allegedly by the woman’s brothers, in Moradabad, the police said on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The deceased, Arman, worked in Saudi Arabia, and the girl, Kajal, both residents of Umri Sabzipur village, began a relationship. The girl’s brothers were opposed to the interfaith relationship and asked her to end it. Three days ago, Arman and Kajal went missing. Arman’s father filed a missing person complaint. When the investigation began, the local police found Kajal was also missing. The brothers were questioned and they confessed to killing the couple. The accused took the police to the spot where they had buried the bodies, and told the police that they had tied up the couple’s hands and legs before hacking them to death. “When we started the investigation, we found that the woman’s brothers killed them. When the brothers confessed, we recovered the bodies. The spade used in the murders was also recovered,” Satpal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Moradabad, said. To avoid any communal flare-up, a heavy police force has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.