Uttar Pradesh

A merchant Navy officer, Saurabh Rajput, was brutally murdered by his wife, Muskan, and her lover, Sahil, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The accused stabbed Saurabh to death, chopped his body into 15 pieces, and sealed the remains in a drum filled with cement. Muskan and Sahil have been arrested and an FIR has been registered under relevant sections.

A student, Khalid Pradhan, was arrested for offering namaz in an open area at IIMT University in Meerut during Holi celebrations. The incident, which was captured in a viral video, led to protests from local Hindu groups. The university suspended Pradhan and three security personnel, and he was later arrested after a complaint was filed. Authorities are investigating the case under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, 2008. Local groups have called for further action, citing the timing of the incident during Holi and Ramzan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that Sambhal, mentioned in scriptures over 5,000 years old, predates Islam and that the Hari Vishnu temple was destroyed in 1526. Speaking at a media event in Lucknow, he stressed the historical truth of Sambhal's ancient heritage. Yogi also expressed pride in the color saffron ('Bhagwa'), which he sees as a symbol of both his personal identity and Sanatan Dharma. He voiced respect for all religions but opposed the forcible occupation of religious sites. Additionally, Yogi criticized Congress for its opposition to the Maha Kumbh, recalling the chaos and corruption during the 1954 Kumbh Mela when Congress was in power, which allegedly led to over 1,000 deaths.

A Class 12 student in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly took her own life after being distressed over scoring low marks in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025. The 18-year-old student, who was enrolled at a private coaching institute, was found hanging from a noose made out of a white scarf in her hostel room. She had left behind a note apologizing to her parents and expressing her regret over not being able to fulfill their dreams. The incident has highlighted the immense pressure and stress that students face during competitive exams, and the need for support and guidance to help them cope with disappointment and failure.

A complaint has been filed in the Rae Bareli court against Hanumangarhi priest Raju Das for making derogatory remarks about Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. The complaint was lodged by SP leader and advocate Akhilesh Mahi, who sought legal action under various sections of the law. The court issued a notice to Raju Das, setting the next hearing for February 20. The controversy erupted after a statue of Mulayam Singh Yadav was unveiled at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, leading to offensive comments by Raju Das on social media.