The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) flying squad has been conducting inspections on school vehicles and has found that nearly 35% of the vehicles were not compliant with transport norms. Asaram Bapu, a controversial religious leader serving a life sentence for rape, was recently granted a 7-day parole to undergo treatment at a hospital between Mumbai and Pune. According to the hospital authorities, he has since completed his treatment and was discharged on Monday.
Asaram Bapu: Controversial Religious Leader Granted Parole for Hospital Treatment
Asaram Bapu, a prominent religious leader convicted of rape and child sexual assault, was recently granted a 7-day parole to undergo medical treatment at a hospital in Maharashtra. The decision sparked widespread outrage among victims' rights groups and raised concerns about the welfare of survivors.
Background:
Parole and Controversy:
Hospital Stay and Discharge:
FAQs:
Q1: Why was Asaram Bapu granted parole? A1: Asaram Bapu was granted parole on medical grounds due to his deteriorating health.
Q2: What was he convicted of? A2: Asaram Bapu was convicted of rape and child sexual abuse in 2018.
Q3: How long is Asaram Bapu's sentence? A3: Asaram Bapu is serving a life sentence for his crimes.
Q4: What is the controversy surrounding his parole? A4: The parole decision has sparked outrage among survivors' groups, who argue that it undermines the seriousness of Asaram Bapu's crimes and could potentially endanger victims.
Q5: When will Asaram Bapu return to jail? A5: Asaram Bapu is expected to return to Jodhpur Central Jail and resume his sentence following his medical treatment.
At the 16th edition of the Bangladesh Brand Forum's Best Brand Awards, mobile financial service provider bKash took the lead as the best brand, followed by Grameenphone and RFL Houseware. Other notable brands in the top 15 included Radhuni Masala, Closeup, and Daraz Bangladesh, which was recognized as the most loved brand in the e-commerce category for the fourth consecutive year. The event also saw Gree being named as the "Most Emerging Brand" for its sustained rise in brand equity index for three consecutive years.
Hyundai India has officially revealed details about its highly anticipated Creta Electric SUV, set to make its debut at the Bharat Mobility Expo in 2025. The new model offers two battery options, fast charging capabilities, and impressive performance, catering to the increasing demand for electric mobility in India. With four different variants and a selection of 10 colors, the Creta Electric is poised to make a big impact in the Indian market.
The Indian stock market saw a huge surge as the BSE Sensex jumped 1,436.30 points to settle at 79,943.71, its biggest single-day gain in over a month. The NSE Nifty also surged by 445.75 points to close at 24,188.65, with financial, auto, and IT shares leading the buying spree. However, Sun Pharma was the only laggard in the Sensex. Meanwhile, India's manufacturing sector witnessed slower growth in December, with the HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index falling to 56.4 from 56.5 in November. Despite this, the country's gross GST collection rose 7.3% from the previous year to Rs 1.77 lakh crore in December, indicating a steady recovery in economic activity.
As the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair kickstarted in 2025, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for stronger exports by investing in the services sector. He urged the business community to explore opportunities beyond products and enhance Bangladesh's export base. In addition, the CA proposed introducing an "Entrepreneur of the Year" initiative to recognize and promote the individuals behind the country's products, along with the traditional "Product of the Year" model. The government's efforts to showcase Bangladesh's diverse products in the global market were also highlighted.
Formerly known as Grofers, Blinkit, a quick commerce company, was recently acquired by Zomato. In a cheeky social media post, Blinkit's CEO Albinder Dhindsa shared that over 1 lakh packets of condoms and 45,000 bottles of mineral water were being delivered for the New Year's Eve prep. However, standup comic Kunal Kamra raised important questions about the wages of the company's delivery partners. This incident brings attention to the exploitation of gig workers by platform owners in the gig economy.
The Kerala State Beverages Corporation has reported a whopping Rs 108 crore in liquor sales on New Year's Eve, surpassing last year's figures by Rs 13 crore. With the state already relying heavily on alcohol taxes, this increase in sales is expected to significantly boost the state's revenues. The highest sales were recorded at the Ravipuram outlet in Kochi, and with one more quarter left in the fiscal year, it is predicted that this year's liquor sales will surpass the previous year's record of Rs 19,088.68 crore.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have released their 2025 holiday calendar, with a total of 14 stock exchange holidays scheduled. The first holiday will be on Mahashivratri, followed by a long weekend in March for Holi and Id-Ul-Fitr. In addition, the popular Muhurat Trading will take place in October. Investors are advised to keep checking the official websites for updates on holiday timings.
As we ring in the new year, it's the perfect time to wish for abundance, happiness, and success for our loved ones. Whether it's through text, WhatsApp, or a phone call, sending personalized messages and quotes is a beautiful way to show your care and love. From motivational quotes to funny New Year wishes, make sure to spread positivity and joy on this exciting new journey. Subscribe to Zee Business on YouTube for more business and finance news.
Adani Enterprises has announced the strategic sale of Adani Wilmar Ltd, which is expected to significantly enhance its liquidity and fuel its core infrastructure verticals, including the green H2 ecosystem, airports, data centers and more. The sale is projected to generate a substantial corpus of Rs 50,000-52,000 crore and positively impact Adani portfolio's net debt-to-Ebitda ratio. This transaction marks AEL's first major move since the US Department of Justice indictment in November 2024, showcasing the company's disciplined financial approach and resilience in the face of recent challenges. With a strong war chest in place, AEL is poised to reaffirm its dominance in the infrastructure and consumer services sectors.
Unimech Aerospace, a leading manufacturing company that specializes in complex tools and engineering solutions, made its much-awaited debut in the stock market on Tuesday. With its shares trading at a premium of almost 90 per cent against the issue price, the firm's market entry was met with overwhelming response and investor interest. Despite a slight dip in the share's gains, Unimech Aerospace's maiden issue has been declared a huge success, with its IPO being oversubscribed 175.31 times. The funds raised from the IPO are slated to be utilized towards expanding the firm's production facilities and meeting its working capital needs.