The Times Patriot

Ghaziabad (UP): Police in Ghaziabad have busted a gang involved in preparing fake passports using forged documents and bogus addresses. A case has been registered against 25 people in connection with the racket, in which 24 passports were issued and even delivered before the fraud came to light. Five accused have been arrested so far. According to police, all 24 passports were prepared using fake addresses and forged documents, with the same mobile number used in every application. The fraud surfaced after officials of the Passport Department grew suspicious and sought a police probe. Police said 24 passport applications were submitted from villages under the Bhojpur police station area, including Tyodi (12), Bhojpur (7), Saidpur Hussain (3), Kalchina (1) and Atrauli (1). On verification, police found that none of the applicants lived at the addresses mentioned, nor had they ever resided there. The Regional Passport Officer (Delhi) wrote to the police on December 11, seeking investigat...

Sonbhadra (UP): A female lawyer and her family were allegedly assaulted by toll workers at the Lodhi (Markundi) toll plaza in Sonbhadra on Sunday (01 Feb 2026) afternoon, triggering widespread anger among the legal fraternity. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Robertsganj police station. According to reports, advocate Aarti Pandey was travelling from Obra to Robertsganj with her family around 3.30 pm when an argument broke out with toll staff over the toll fee and alleged delays at the plaza. The dispute soon escalated, with toll workers allegedly abusing and assaulting her family with sticks. The lawyer alleged that when she tried to intervene, she was subjected to indecent behaviour and death threats. Three of her companions were injured in the incident and were rushed to the District Medical College. The condition of one injured woman is reported to be critical. A passerby recorded the incident, and the video has since gone viral on social media, drawing sharp condemn...

Noida: A shocking case of road indiscipline and harassment has surfaced from Noida, where two youths allegedly chased a family’s car and made obscene gestures, including blowing flying kisses, in broad daylight. The incident, captured on video, triggered widespread outrage after it went viral on social media. According to the viral clip, the accused were travelling in an MG Hector and repeatedly followed a car carrying a family. They were seen making lewd gestures on a public road, leaving the occupants distressed and raising serious concerns over women’s and family safety even inside vehicles. Social media users slammed the incident, questioning law and order in the high-tech city of Noida. Many alleged that such brazen behaviour reflected fearlessness among privileged youths, who appeared undeterred by police or social norms. Several users pointed out that the vehicle number was visible in the video and urged immediate police action. Responding to the outrage, police said a case was ...

Kotdwar: Tension flared in Kotdwar on January 28, 2026, after members of a right-wing organisation objected to the name of a shop run by a Muslim family, triggering a confrontation that has since gone viral on social media. The incident occurred at Baba School Dress and Matching Centre on Patel Marg, a shop run for over 30 years by Wakeel Ahmed and his son Shoaib. A group of activists from the Bajrang Dal reportedly reached the shop and demanded that the word “Baba” be removed from its name, arguing that a Muslim-owned establishment should not use a term associated with Hindu saints. During the confrontation, Deepak Kumar, a local gym trainer, intervened in support of the elderly shopkeeper. He questioned the group’s authority to dictate what name a business could use. When activists allegedly asked for his name and questioned why a Hindu was defending a Muslim, Deepak replied, “My name is Mohammed Deepak,” adding that humanity and citizenship matter more than religious identity. His r...

A disturbing video circulating widely on social media has sparked nationwide outrage after a couple was seen risking their lives by sitting in the middle of a busy highway to take a selfie. The incident could have ended in tragedy, as fast-moving vehicles were seen passing dangerously close to them. In the viral footage, a speeding car is forced to brake abruptly to avoid hitting the couple, missing them by just inches. The near-collision shocked viewers, who noted that the situation could easily have resulted in a fatal accident. Instead of showing remorse, the couple allegedly confronted the driver, questioning why he could not see them on what they claimed was a “wide empty road,” despite clearly occupying an active traffic lane. The video has drawn sharp criticism online, with users slamming the couple’s reckless behaviour and lack of civic sense. Many pointed out that such stunts, done for social media attention, put not only the individuals involved at risk but also endanger unsu...

Bhathat: Two houses collapsed on Friday morning during drain excavation work in Badhariya Tola of Bhathat area, under Gulriha police station limits. No casualties were reported, as residents managed to escape in time, but household belongings were buried under the debris. According to residents, a machine was used to excavate a drain in Barharia Tola on Thursday night. By Friday morning, houses located along the bank of the excavation began to shake. Sensing danger, family members rushed out to save their lives. Within minutes, a three-storey, two-room house belonging to Kitabullah collapsed in just about ten seconds. A nearby one-storey, two-room house owned by Nazrun, wife of Luqman, was also completely destroyed. Furniture, utensils, ration, clothes, water motor and other essential items were buried and damaged under the rubble. The affected families struggled for hours to retrieve whatever they could from the debris. The families said the houses were built with their lifetime savin...

A pointsman’s quick reflexes saved a passenger’s life at Naini railway station in Prayagraj on Saturday evening around 4 pm. The incident occurred at platform number four when a passenger attempted to board the moving 11071 Kamayani Express and slipped, falling into the gap between the train and the platform. Pointsman Sube Singh Chaudhary, who was on duty, immediately rushed in and pulled the passenger to safety. A crowd soon gathered at the platform after the dramatic rescue. Sube Singh, originally from the Bikaner division, is currently posted at Naini station under the Prayagraj division for special duty during the Magh Mela. Divisional Railway Manager Rajneesh Agrawal praised his bravery, stating that the act brought pride to the Prayagraj division. He also urged passengers not to board or alight from moving trains and to do so only after trains come to a complete halt to prevent such incidents.

Aligarh: A controversial case has emerged from Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, where a woman has accused a man of hiding his identity, trapping her in a relationship, forcibly converting her to Islam and later abandoning her. The matter came to light after the woman approached the police seeking justice, following which an FIR was registered on serious charges. According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Rorawar, alleged that a man named Firoz contacted her using the name “Rakesh.” She claimed he lured her with the promise of a job, drugged her by mixing a substance in her cold drink, and sexually assaulted her. She further alleged that the act was recorded and later used to blackmail her. The woman said she was pressured into converting to Islam, her name was changed to Alia, and she was married to Firoz. She alleged that she was later abandoned and threatened with death when she protested. The victim, who now has a young child, approached the SSP’s office demanding stric...

Nalgonda: A horrifying incident was reported on Saturday from Kethapally village in Nampally mandal of Nalgonda district, where a woman allegedly set her lover’s wife on fire, leading to the death of both the woman and her six-month-old baby. According to police, Nagesh Yadav and his wife Mamata (25) lived in Kethapally village with their six-month-old son. Nagesh was allegedly in an extramarital relationship with Sujatha, a widow from the same village who has two daughters. Police said Sujatha had been pressuring Nagesh to marry one of her daughters. When he refused, she allegedly developed resentment against him. Believing that Mamata and her child were the reason for Nagesh’s rejection, Sujatha allegedly went to his house on Saturday with the intention of killing them. While Mamata was breastfeeding her infant, Sujatha reportedly poured petrol on both the mother and child and set them on fire. She had allegedly brought petrol, chilli powder and a knife with her. In a desperate attem...

Ghaziabad: A shocking case of elder abuse has surfaced from Ghaziabad, where a son was caught on CCTV brutally assaulting his old and ailing mother inside their home. The disturbing incident came to light after the victim’s daughter, who lives in the United States, accessed the CCTV footage installed in her mother’s room and handed it over to the police. The incident is reported from Jagriti Vihar Colony in Sanjay Nagar Sector-23, under the Madhuban Bapudham police station area. The accused has been identified as Nishant Thakur, who lives with his elderly mother at house number 22 in the colony. According to the footage, Nishant is seen pulling his mother’s hair, trying to throw her off the bed, throwing away her medicines, and repeatedly punching her. The woman appears too weak to defend herself. The video has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage. Nishant’s sister, Nisha, who resides in the US, had installed the CCTV camera to monitor her mother’s health and wellb...