Flight delayed; Messi’s meeting with PM Narendra Modi cancelled
The much-awaited meeting between Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Prime Minister Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be meeting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New Delhi stop as part of the GOAT India Tour on Monday. Messi, who is in India on a three-day tour, had a chaotic experience at the Salt Lake Stadium during his first stop in Kolkata, but it has been smooth sailing since, in Hyderabad and Mumbai, respectively. Argentine captain’s arrival in New Delhi has been delayed after his flight was deferred due to inclement weather. In the national capital, Messi was scheduled to meet Modi and a 21-minute protocol was prepared for the same, one that was cancelled late on the day before the meeting. Modi will be travelling to Oman, Ethiopia and Jordan on a four-day visit, discussing bilateral ties between India and the three nations. “Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilization ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the Prime Minister said in a statement before leaving India. Meanwhile, Messi is likely to meet cricketer Virat Kohli, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan and the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, among others, during his New Delhi visit. His trip will conclude with a felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he will conduct a coaching clinic, followed by a meet-and-greet with young players from Minerva Academy, who won three European youth trophies earlier this year.
Red Fort blast: 8 dead, Delhi on high alert after explosion in car
At least eight people have died in an explosion that took place in a car near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening. Several other vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage in the explosion. The Delhi Fire Services said the blast occurred near the Lal Qila Metro Station Gate No 1. The Delhi Fire Services received a call regarding the explosion, near the Lal Qila Metro Station Gate No. 1, around 7 pm. The area was cordoned off following the explosion. A local shopkeeper who was present near the site of the explosion, which took place near the Red Fort, said he had never heard “such a loud explosion” in his life. “I fell three times due to the explosion. It felt as if we were all going to die…” he told news agency. At least one person has died in the explosion which took place in a car near the Red Fort on Monday evening. Following the explosion, seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot, according to an official. The area was cordoned off following the explosion. The blast took place in a car near the Lal Qila Metro Station gate 1, also leading to a blaze in vehicles parked nearby. Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
Delhi Spiritual Leader Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations, Goes Into Hiding
Police have launched a manhunt for Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati, director of an ashram in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area and head of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, after more than 15 women accused him of sexual harassment, including sending obscene messages and inappropriate physical contact. According to investigators, the self-styled spiritual leader, also known as Parthasarathi, went missing shortly after the first complaints were filed. His last known location was traced to Agra. Police have seized his Volvo car, which carried fake number plates, and intensified searches at his residence and other premises. The allegations include sending sexually explicit WhatsApp and text messages, using vulgar language, and molestation. Police said statements from 32 women have already been recorded, with 17 of them accusing Chaitanyanand of direct harassment. CCTV footage is being analyzed, and investigators have recovered a hard disk and video recorder from his residence, both of which have been sent for forensic examination. This is not the first time the controversial spiritual figure has faced criminal proceedings. In 2009, he was charged with embezzlement of funds and fraud. In 2016, a woman accused him of molestation, though the case did not move forward significantly. The fresh wave of complaints, police say, represents the most serious accusations yet. The ashram administration distanced itself from him after the allegations surfaced. In a statement, its representatives said: “Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati, also known as Swami Parthasarathi, was involved in certain activities that were unlawful and inappropriate. For this reason, the Peeth has severed all connections with him and has also filed a complaint with the relevant authorities.” Senior police officers confirmed that multiple teams have been formed to trace the accused. “We have registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation. Testimonies are being verified, and forensic evidence is being collected to strengthen the case,” one officer said. Legal experts note that if the allegations are proven, Chaitanyanand could face charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code related to sexual harassment, molestation, and use of obscene language, in addition to earlier financial fraud cases. Public outrage has been mounting as details of the case emerged, with women’s rights groups demanding swift action. “Such individuals misuse their spiritual authority to exploit young women. The law must take its course, and justice should not be delayed,” said a Delhi-based activist. As of Wednesday, Chaitanyanand remains absconding, and police said they are working with agencies in Uttar Pradesh and other states to track him down.
Air India flight makes emergency landing in Delhi after engine fire; no injuries
An Air India flight bound for Indore returned to Delhi on Sunday morning after one of its engines caught fire shortly after take-off, the airline said. All passengers and crew were safe. Flight AI2913 departed Delhi for Indore when cockpit crew noticed flames in the right engine minutes after take-off. The pilots shut down the affected engine and turned the aircraft back to Delhi, where it landed safely, an Air India spokesperson said. The aircraft, which has two engines, continued flying on the left engine until it made its return. Passengers were unharmed, though the incident caused alarm on board. Air India said the aircraft is being inspected to determine the cause of the malfunction and that an alternative flight was arranged for passengers to continue their journey to Indore. The carrier apologised for the disruption. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s safety record. In June, an Ahmedabad-to-London Gatwick service crashed shortly after departure, killing all 260 people on board and several residents on the ground, raising concerns about the airline’s operational safety.
Portion of Delhi’s Iconic Humayun’s Tomb Collapses, Killing at Least Five
A section of the 16th-century Humayun’s Tomb — widely regarded by archaeologists as the first major example of Mughal architecture in India — collapsed suddenly on Friday afternoon, leaving at least five people dead and several others trapped under debris. The incident occurred around 4:30pm at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeast Delhi’s Nizamuddin East, when part of a dome gave way, according to police. Witnesses said between eight and nine people were caught beneath the rubble, with rescue teams still searching for survivors. Delhi Fire Services told the Press that five bodies have been recovered so far, while fears remain that more victims are buried. Five fire engines and multiple disaster response units were deployed to the site. The collapse happened on a public holiday, when the 450-year-old monument was teeming with visitors. “There were a lot of tourists inside at the time,” a police official told reporters. Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned in 1562 by Hamida Banu Begum — the widow of the Mughal emperor — and designed by Persian architect Mirza Ghiyas, is celebrated as the first garden-tomb in the Mughal tradition. The red sandstone mausoleum not only influenced later Mughal structures, including the Taj Mahal, but also stands as a symbol of the dynasty’s cultural and architectural legacy. The tomb houses the remains of Emperor Humayun, who ruled in two separate stints during the turbulent early years of the Mughal Empire. The emperor’s reign was interrupted after he lost Delhi to Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, forcing him into exile. Humayun eventually regained the throne but died in 1556, just a year after his return. India’s Archaeological Survey, which manages the site, has not yet commented on the cause of the collapse. Conservationists have long warned that climate stress, urban pollution, and maintenance lapses could threaten the structural integrity of Delhi’s historic monuments. The tragedy has raised urgent questions about the safety and preservation of India’s cultural heritage.
No Technical Fault in Crashed Air India Jet, Preliminary Probe Finds; Pilot Body Raises Concerns
NEW DELHI, July 15: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Monday said that the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the July 12 crash of a Boeing 787 jet found no evidence of mechanical or maintenance failure, raising questions over possible human error. Speaking on the findings of the AAIB’s initial report, Wilson stated, “There is no indication of any aircraft or engine malfunction in the crash involving the Air India flight. The report confirms that the aircraft was airworthy and well-maintained.” The aircraft was operating a scheduled international flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed just seconds after take-off, plummeting into a densely populated area. The accident claimed 260 lives, including both passengers and people on the ground, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. The AAIB released its preliminary findings on Saturday, ruling out mechanical failure as a cause. The focus has now shifted to human factors, including pilot error, which has triggered sharp reactions from pilot associations. The pilots’ union expressed concern over what it described as a “narrative push” implicating the crew without conclusive evidence. “It appears the investigation is prematurely pointing toward pilot error,” the association said in a statement, demanding that their representatives be allowed to participate in the inquiry process as observers. The union also questioned the transparency and objectivity of the probe, calling for a broader, multi-stakeholder review to ensure fairness. “This is a complex incident that requires comprehensive analysis, not speculation,” the statement added. The AAIB has not yet made any official comment on the pilot union’s concerns but has indicated that a full report will be published after a complete forensic and operational analysis. Meanwhile, Air India continues to cooperate with investigators and has assured full support to the families of the victims. “We remain committed to uncovering the full truth behind this tragedy,” Wilson said. Breaking news
