Ayen News

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  • Senior Revenue Official Booked Following Rape and Blackmail Allegations in Bhubaneswar

    BHUBANESWAR (February 22, 2026) — A Joint Commissioner-ranked officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) has been booked by the Bhubaneswar police for the alleged rape and blackmail of a 38-year-old woman. The case, registered at the Saheed Nagar police station on Friday, follows a preliminary inquiry that established prima facie evidence against the official. According to senior police officials, the alleged assault occurred at the officer’s government residence in the Satsang Vihar area, where the complainant had reportedly been invited under the pretext of watching a film.

    Allegations of Assault and Digital Blackmail

    The complainant, a married woman, stated in her First Information Report (FIR) that she visited the officer’s quarters on 15 January 2026, accompanied by a woman who is reportedly a relative of the accused. The victim alleged that while the officer’s wife and the other woman were away from the residence, the official played obscene content on his laptop and subsequently raped her.

    According to reports from The Hindustan Times and The Indian Express, the victim further alleged that the officer threatened to circulate intimate footage of her if she disclosed the incident. The complainant approached the authorities after learning on 18 February that a video had reportedly been shared on social media, following which the accused allegedly attempted to coerce her into meeting him at a hotel in Puri.

    Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings

    Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh confirmed that an investigation is currently underway and that the officer has been summoned for interrogation. The case has been registered under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the punishment for rape.

    Significant investigative steps taken by the Saheed Nagar police include:

    • Evidence Collection: Mobile phones and other digital devices have been seized from the officer’s residence for forensic analysis.
    • Medical Examination: A formal medical examination of the complainant has been conducted.
    • Judicial Statements: The victim’s statement is scheduled to be recorded before a judicial magistrate under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

    Broadening Scope of the Inquiry

    DCP Jagmohan Meena noted that the case is being treated as highly sensitive. A separate case has been filed at the Infocity police station against the woman who introduced the victim to the officer, as investigators suspect a wider link between the two incidents. Authorities are currently verifying the origins of the video and the extent of its circulation to establish a comprehensive timeline of the alleged crime and subsequent blackmail.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “IRS officer booked in rape case in Odisha” (February 22, 2026)
    • The Hindustan Times: “Odisha: IRS officer booked for rape, threatened to blackmail survivor with video” (February 22, 2026)
    • The Indian Express: “IRS officer booked on charges of rape in Odisha” (February 23, 2026)
    • Times of India: “City cops launch probe into rape complaint against IRS officer” (February 23, 2026)

  • Four Arrested Following Infant’s Death After Alleged Caste-Based Assault in Telangana

    HYDERABAD (February 22, 2026) — Police in Nagarkurnool district have arrested four individuals in connection with the death of a two-month-old infant following an alleged assault on a family at a local temple fair. The incident, which took place on February 18 in Kummera village, reportedly began with a dispute over entry fees and escalated into a violent altercation involving caste-based slurs. Whilst the infant succumbed to injuries on February 21, authorities have registered a case of suspicious death and are awaiting post-mortem results to confirm the exact cause of the tragedy.

    Allegations of Caste-Based Violence

    According to a complaint filed by the infant’s mother, Chilikeshwaram Mounika, and grandmother, Chandrakala, the family was targeted by a group of villagers during the Kummera Jathara (temple fair). The family, belonging to the backward Chakali community, alleged they were refused entry to the temple unless they paid a 100-rupee fee, which is usually free for devotees.

    The family claimed that upon their refusal, they were verbally abused with caste-based slurs and physically assaulted. Chandrakala stated that women were dragged by their hair and struck with metal rods. The family alleged the infant was harmed when Mounika placed the child at the feet of the attackers to plead for mercy.

    Police Action and Counter-Claims

    The Nagarkurnool police have arrested four suspects, identified in reports as being part of the group involved in the scuffle. Initially, the case was booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt and intentional insult. However, following the infant’s death and the revelation that Mounika belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community, the police have added sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and charges of attempted murder.

    Conversely, a villager from the opposing group filed a counter-complaint on the day of the incident. He alleged that he sustained a head injury after being attacked with stones by the family during the scuffle. A separate FIR has been registered against members of the family based on this report.

    Investigative Status and Public Reaction

    The Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Nagarkurnool stated that there were no visible external injuries on the infant’s body at the time of the report. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and further legal steps will depend on the forensic findings.

    The incident has sparked significant political and social concern. Former MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha and members of the Dharma Samaj Party (DSP) have expressed support for the family, with the latter staging protests outside the Nagarkurnool Government Hospital. The family has reportedly taken refuge in Nagarkurnool town, citing fears of further retaliation if they return to their village.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Telangana: Four arrested after family alleges infant died following assault by villagers” (February 22, 2026)
    • Times of India: “‘Caste’ attack at Telangana temple fair leaves 2-month-old dead” (February 23, 2026)
    • ANI News: “K Kavitha expresses shock over infant’s death in alleged caste clash” (February 22, 2026)
    • The Hindu: “NHRC registers case after infant’s death in ‘caste assault’ at Nagarkurnool” (February 23, 2026)

    Protest for Justice in Nagarkurnool This video captures the public demonstration and sit-in protest led by local leaders and family members in front of the Nagarkurnool police station, demanding immediate action against those responsible for the infant’s death.

  • Kerala Partners with Central PSUs for 2,000 Crore Rupee Vizhinjam Logistics Plan

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (February 23, 2026) — The Kerala government on Monday formalised agreements with three central public sector undertakings (PSUs) to implement a 2,000 crore rupee logistics master plan at the Vizhinjam International Seaport. The memoranda of understanding (MoUs), executed in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are designed to transform the deep-water transshipment port into a comprehensive economic hub. The initiative ensures that while port operations remain under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, critical backend infrastructure will be maintained under public sector oversight.

    Strategic Investment and Infrastructure Development

    The master plan involves the state-owned Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) and three major central entities: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), this partnership aims to safeguard national maritime interests and prevent the monopolisation of cargo handling.

    The 2,000 crore rupee investment is allocated across three distinct strategic sectors:

    • Energy and Bunkering: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd will invest approximately 700 crore rupees to establish large-scale bunkering facilities. This infrastructure is intended to fuel mother ships calling at the port, positioning Vizhinjam as a primary energy hub in the Indian Ocean.
    • Multimodal Connectivity: CONCOR will commit roughly 600 crore rupees to develop rail-linked infrastructure. This includes the creation of inland container depots and container freight stations to facilitate the efficient movement of cargo across the national network.
    • Warehousing and Cold Chain: The Central Warehousing Corporation will invest about 700 crore rupees to develop a 50-acre multimodal logistics park. The facility will feature cold storage and export-oriented units, providing a critical link for the region’s agricultural and industrial exports.

    Public Sector Oversight and Economic Impact

    By integrating these central PSUs, the state government intends to guarantee fair pricing for traders and ensure that the logistics ecosystem remains competitive. The CMO noted that these projects will be fully funded by the respective PSUs, ensuring the development of world-class infrastructure without placing a financial burden on the state exchequer.

    The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Ports, V. N. Vasavan, and VISL Managing Director, Dr Divya S. Iyer, alongside senior leadership from the participating central companies. The move marks a shift from focusing exclusively on port construction to building a broader, port-led industrial ecosystem.

    Sources

    • The Hindu: “Kerala signs ₹2,000-crore public sector logistics pacts for Vizhinjam port” (February 23, 2026)
    • Business Standard: “Kerala signs MoUs with central PSUs for ₹2,000 cr Vizhinjam logistics plan” (February 23, 2026)
    • United News of India (UNI): “Kerala to unveil Rs 2,000 crore public sector logistics masterplan” (February 23, 2026)
    • Press Information Bureau (PIB): “Port Development and Inland Waterways in Kerala” (February 13, 2026)

  • Gaudium IVF Initial Public Offering Achieves Full Subscription on Second Day

    NEW DELHI (February 23, 2026) — The initial public offering (IPO) of Gaudium IVF and Women Health, a prominent provider of fertility services, was fully subscribed on its second day of share sales on Monday. According to data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the offering saw significant traction from retail and non-institutional investors, comfortably surpassing the total number of shares available by midday.

    Subscription Data and Investor Categories

    As of 12:30 hours, the company received bids for 28,563,948 shares against an offering of 14,620,340 shares. This indicates a subscription rate of 1.95 times the initial volume. The demand was primarily driven by smaller-scale investors, while institutional interest remained subdued during the early stages of the bidding process.

    The breakdown of the subscription by investor category is as follows:

    Investor CategorySubscription Rate
    Retail Individual Investors2.81 times
    Non-Institutional Investors2.56 times
    Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs)0.01 times (1%)

    Company Background and Market Context

    Gaudium IVF and Women Health operates within the rapidly expanding reproductive healthcare sector in India. The capital raised through this public listing is expected to fund the company’s expansion and the enhancement of its clinical infrastructure.

    Whilst retail and non-institutional segments showed robust appetite for the shares, the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) portion typically sees increased activity towards the final day of an IPO, a common trend in the Indian capital markets.

    Sources

    • National Stock Exchange (NSE) Live IPO Data (February 23, 2026)
    • Press Trust of India (PTI) / Economic Times: “Gaudium IVF’s IPO gets fully subscribed on day 2” (February 23, 2026)

  • RBI Governor Rules Out Systemic Risk Following IDFC First Bank Fraud

    NEW DELHI (February 23, 2026) — Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated on Monday that the central bank is closely monitoring the 590 crore rupee fraud recently uncovered at IDFC First Bank, clarifying that the incident does not pose a “systemic issue” to the nation’s banking sector. Speaking at a press briefing following the customary post-budget address by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the RBI Central Board, Governor Malhotra emphasized that the regulator is “watching the development” as the bank proceeds with recovery efforts and internal investigations.

    Details of the Chandigarh Branch Irregularities

    The fraud, which was publicly disclosed by IDFC First Bank on Sunday, involves unauthorized transactions at a single branch in Chandigarh. According to regulatory filings and statements from the bank, the fraudulent activity was confined to a specific set of accounts belonging to the Haryana state government.

    As noted in reports by The Economic Times and The Hindu, the discrepancy was discovered after the Haryana government requested the closure of an account and a subsequent balance transfer, only to find that the reported figures did not match the bank’s records. Preliminary internal reviews suggest the fraud was committed through collusion between certain employees and external entities using forged physical cheque transactions.

    Impact on Bank Operations and Governance

    In response to the discovery, IDFC First Bank has taken several immediate measures:

    • Personnel Suspension: Four officials suspected of involvement have been placed under suspension pending a full investigation.
    • Forensic Audit: The bank has appointed the advisory firm KPMG to conduct an independent forensic review, a process expected to take four to five weeks.
    • Legal Action: A formal police complaint has been filed, and the bank is pursuing civil and criminal action against the responsible parties.
    • Recovery Measures: IDFC First Bank has issued recall notices to other financial institutions to lien-mark funds in suspicious beneficiary accounts, as stated by Managing Director and CEO V. Vaidyanathan.

    State Government and Market Response

    Following the disclosure, the Haryana Finance Department issued an immediate directive to de-empanel both IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank for state government operations. According to a circular from the department, all state boards, corporations, and universities are required to transfer their funds and close their accounts with these lenders immediately.

    The news had a significant impact on the equity markets on Monday. Shares of IDFC First Bank fell by as much as 20 percent, their steepest decline since March 2020, resulting in a loss of approximately 14,438 crore rupees in market capitalization. Despite the market reaction, CEO V. Vaidyanathan maintained that the issue remains an isolated instance, noting that the affected deposits represent approximately 0.5 percent of the bank’s total deposit base.

    Sources

    • The Hindu: “RBI watching development around IDFC First Bank fraud, no systemic issue” (February 23, 2026)
    • The Economic Times: “RBI sees no systemic risk in Rs 590-crore fraud” (February 23, 2026)
    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “IDFC First Bank discloses Rs 590 crore fraud” (February 22, 2026)
    • Times of India: “IDFC First Bank fraud case: RBI ‘watching development’” (February 23, 2026)

  • Cottonseed Oil Cake Prices Climb as Demand for Cattle Feed Surges

    NEW DELHI (February 23, 2026) — Cottonseed oil cake futures rose by 1 percent on Monday, driven by increased market participation and a strengthening demand for cattle feed. On the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), prices for the March delivery contract settled at 3,335 rupees per quintal, representing a 33 rupee increase from previous levels.

    Market Dynamics and Open Interest

    The uptick in prices coincided with speculators creating fresh positions in the market. According to data from the NCDEX, the March contract saw an open interest of 55,850 lots. Market analysts stated that the widening of positions by participants was a direct response to a surge in domestic demand, particularly from the livestock sector.

    Cattle Feed Demand Drives Gains

    Cottonseed oil cake, a vital byproduct of the cotton ginning process, serves as a high-protein ingredient for cattle feed. Market observers noted that the current price appreciation is primarily influenced by the increased requirement for nutrient-dense feed. As noted in market reports, the rise in futures reflects a bullish sentiment among traders who anticipate sustained demand in the coming weeks.

    Sources

    • National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) Market Data
    • News Agency Feed: “Cottonseed oil cake futures rise on fresh bets” (February 23, 2026)