This evening's news cycle brought significant developments across multiple spheres, from high-profile deportations and political realignments to major shifts in the sporting world. Fugitive gangster Anmol Bishnoi's return to India, fresh revelations in the Al-Falah University money-laundering case, a strongly worded open letter targeting the Congress party, Nitish Kumar's political comeback in Bihar, and a new number one in international cricket dominated headlines.
Gangster Anmol Bishnoi Lands in Delhi After US Deportation
In a major breakthrough for Indian investigative agencies, fugitive gangster Anmol Bishnoi arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday evening following his deportation from the United States. Bishnoi, who had been on the run since 2022, faces serious charges in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
The National Investigation Agency has sought custody of Bishnoi, who represents the 19th arrest in connection with the Bishnoi-led terror syndicate. Official records show that Bishnoi was charge-sheeted by the NIA in March 2023, with investigations revealing that he provided assistance to designated terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in executing multiple acts of terror across India between 2020 and 2023.
Political Tremors: From Bihar to National Institutions
In significant political developments, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar was elected as the leader of his party's legislature group during a meeting of newly elected MLAs in Patna. This paves the way for the NDA alliance to form the government in Bihar on November 20.
Simultaneously, the BJP finalized its leadership structure with Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha being selected as the leader and deputy leader of the BJP legislature party respectively. The political negotiations saw extensive discussions between JD(U) and NDA leaders, including meetings between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, and JD(U) representatives Sanjay Jha and Lalan Singh.
Meanwhile, a collective of 272 eminent citizens, including 16 judges, 123 former bureaucrats, 14 ex-ambassadors and 133 retired military officers, released an open letter accusing opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of attempting to undermine public confidence in the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies.
The letter, titled 'Assault on National Constitutional Authorities', alleged that opposition leaders were manufacturing a sense of institutional breakdown through what it described as 'venomous rhetoric' and 'provocative but unsubstantiated accusations'.
Investigations and Sporting Milestones
The Enforcement Directorate's probe into the Al-Falah University money laundering case revealed that the institution allegedly duped students of Rs 415 crore. According to ED sources, Al-Falah Trust diverted substantial funds to entities connected to chairman Jawad Siddiqui's family, awarding construction and catering contracts to companies owned by his wife and children.
Siddiqui, who heads the Al-Falah group that operates the Faridabad hospital where the Red Fort car blast suicide bomber and other suspects had been employed, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday.
In the sporting arena, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell created history by becoming the world's number one ODI batter, ending Indian captain Rohit Sharma's reign at the top. Mitchell's ascent follows his brilliant century against the West Indies in the first ODI of their ongoing series - his seventh in the format.
This achievement makes Mitchell only the second New Zealander ever to reach the top ODI batting rank, joining Glenn Turner who last held the position in 1979. Notably, despite New Zealand producing batting legends like Martin Crowe, Andrew Jones, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor - all of whom reached the top five during their careers - none had matched Turner's milestone until Mitchell's remarkable achievement.
