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Teen hacker Vansh, who lost his father during Covid, makes NASA Hall of Fame: Read how his mother and his father’s employer Adani Cement powered the young prodigy to dizzying heights

OpIndia Staff
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Teen hacker Vansh, who lost his father during Covid, makes NASA Hall of Fame: Read how his mother and his father’s employer Adani Cement powered the young prodigy to dizzying heights

At the peak of the second wave of Covid in 2021, Vivek Kumar, who had served with Adani Cement for nearly 23 years as Head of Environment & Horticulture, succumbed to the pandemic. He left behind his wife Pooja Saxena and their teenage son Vansh.

Now, the young cybersecurity expert Vansh has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Vansh had discovered a significant vulnerability in a NASA web application—an achievement that earned him a spot on the Hall of Fame. Recalling the moment, he said, “I’d been testing for days, and then suddenly I found it. I just stared at the screen. I couldn’t believe it.”

Powered by the support of his single mother and with the backing of his father’s employer Adani Cement, the young man has reached dizzying heights in the field he chose to pursue.

Despite losing her husband at that time, Pooja Saxena kept backing her son’s dreams and supported him fully in his endeavors.

Adani Group, respecting the legacy left behind by her husband in the company, backed the mother-son duo all the way and honoured the trust the family had placed in the company through their loyalty over decades.

After suffering her husband’s loss, Pooja continued her work with Adani Group and found solace in her extended family as she let her son pursue his dreams.

Vansh’s mother said, “It felt surreal. Not just because it was NASA, but because I knew how hard he had worked—how focused, how ethical, how passionate he was.”

While Vansh continues to make responsible disclosures to global tech platforms and dives deeper into cybersecurity, Pooja continues her work with the Adani Group—a space that became an extension of family during their most vulnerable time.

Metallurgy research centre under central govt develops new laser technology to machine superalloys used in jet engines, nuclear reactors & space vehicles

OpIndia Staff
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Metallurgy research centre under central govt develops new laser technology to machine superalloys used in jet engines, nuclear reactors & space vehicles

A new technology promises to transform how we cut through some of the hardest materials known to engineering like Inconel 625 (IN625), which are used in areas ranging from aerospace and chemical to nuclear as well as in power production systems, such as boilers, heat exchanger tubes, and steam turbines.

The hybrid technique called Laser-Assisted Turning (LAT), that combines localized laser heating with mechanical cutting of such superalloys using tools coated with materials like tungsten carbide and CrAlSiN nanocomposite as well as the wear mechanisms of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy, paves way for next-generation turbine blades, surgical tools, and high-performance automotive parts that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

Machining superalloys, the ultra-tough metals used in jet engines, nuclear reactors, and space vehicles, has always posed a challenge. Their exceptional strength and heat resistance — qualities that make them indispensable — also make them incredibly difficult to shape. Traditional cutting tools struggle, suffering rapid wear and producing inconsistent results. But now, ARCI researchers have cracked the code.

Under the Clean Coal Research Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), researchers at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of Laser-Assisted Turning (LAT) for machining high-performance materials such as Inconel 625 (IN625), a nickel-based superalloy.  

This breakthrough offers a scalable, high-precision solution for industries that require the machining of difficult-to-machine materials, particularly in aerospace, power generation, and marine sectors.

IN625 is renowned for its exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to endure extreme temperatures. While ideal for demanding environments, its inherent toughness poses serious machining challenges, such as excessive tool wear, high cutting forces, and poor surface finish, when using traditional turning techniques.

To overcome these limitations, researchers of ARCI, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed Laser-Assisted Turning, a hybrid technique that combines localized laser heating with mechanical cutting. A high-power diode laser (up to 2500 W) precisely heats the workpiece just ahead of the cutting tool, inducing thermal softening in the material. This significantly reduces cutting resistance, improves chip formation, and enhances tool life and machining quality.

The study evaluated the turning of IN625 using both uncoated tungsten carbide tools and CrAlSiN nanocomposite-coated tools, known for their superior hardness, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance. When paired with LAT, these coated tools delivered outstanding performance such as, 69% reduction in cutting force, 46% lower tool wear, and 56% improvement in surface finish compared to conventional methods. The team has also investigated the wear mechanisms of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy at elevated temperatures.

A key innovation was the integration of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) turn-mill center with a fiber-coupled diode laser, custom-designed adapters, and real-time monitoring tools.

The novelty of the approach lies in the synergistic use of LAT with advanced tool coatings, a combination not widely explored earlier. These results underscore the effectiveness of thermal softening when paired with surface-engineered tools. The CrAlSiN-coated tools, in particular, demonstrated excellent resistance to wear mechanisms like abrasion and oxidation while maintaining cutting-edge sharpness and dimensional accuracy under high temperatures. Their study wear mechanism of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy, revealed that it transitioned from fatigue and abrasion at room temperature to oxidation and adhesion-dominated behaviour at higher temperatures. These insights could help in understanding tool failure modes and estimating the thermal stability and service life of the cutting tool.

This technological advancement published in the journal of Process Mechanical Engineering and Materials Letters offer a significant leap in the machinability of superalloys, opening new avenues for high-strength, high-precision components.  It also aligns with India’s strategic goals of boosting domestic manufacturing, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner industrial technologies.

Words of a foreign agent? Rahul Gandhi provokes Donald Trump to use the ‘Adani Card’ against India, Mossad had earlier tied Gandhi to Soros-backed Adani hit job

OpIndia Staff
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Words of a foreign agent? Rahul Gandhi provokes Donald Trump to use the ‘Adani Card’ against India, Mossad had earlier tied Gandhi to Soros-backed Adani hit job

In a deeply troubling move that raises grave questions about national loyalty and political opportunism, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again provoked global powers against India. This time, the Gandhi scion targeted PM Modi by invoking the ongoing U.S. investigation into the Adani Group.

Days after Gandhi echoed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s baseless allegation that “the Indian economy is dead,” the Congress leader went a step further by tweeting: “India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing U.S. investigation into Adani. One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modi’s hands are tied.”

This shocking attempt to draw a foreign power into India’s internal affairs is not new for Rahul Gandhi. However, this time, he appears to be inciting the U.S. President to leverage a geopolitically motivated investigation against a leading Indian business group to arm-twist the Indian government into submission. What else can explain his glee in aligning with anti-India narratives, even if it means compromising national interest?

Israeli intelligence had already exposed Rahul Gandhi’s alleged role in Adani hit job

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi’s name has come up in connection with attacks on the Adani Group. According to an unverified but explosive report by Sputnik India, Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad uncovered a covert nexus between Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda (head of Indian Overseas Congress), and U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research.

Mossad reportedly hacked into Pitroda’s home servers and decrypted communications that pointed to an orchestrated campaign to use Hindenburg’s defamatory report against the Adani Group as a weapon to damage PM Modi and the Indian economy. Hindenburg’s 2023 report accused Adani Group of “pulling the largest con in corporate history”, allegations that were dismissed by the Indian Supreme Court in 2024.

The timing of the Hindenburg report also raised eyebrows, coming just days before Gautam Adani was to finalise a $1.2 billion deal to acquire the Haifa port in Israel. The Israeli government, viewing the report as a strategic attack, reportedly launched “Operation Zeppelin” to uncover the forces behind the smear campaign. Israeli sources found links to Chinese and Western lobbies, activist lawyers, hedge funds, and a “key face from India’s opposition dynasty.”

Soros-linked NGO network and Rahul Gandhi’s secret US visit

Adding fuel to the fire is Rahul Gandhi’s documented association with far-left and anti-India groups during his 2023 foreign tours. Notably, during a 10-day visit to the US, Gandhi met secretly with officials at the White House, a major breach of diplomatic protocol, as the trip was not coordinated through India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

At the Hudson Institute, Gandhi was seen seated beside Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of “Hindus for Human Rights,” a Soros-funded outfit known for Hinduphobic rhetoric. George Soros himself has publicly called for regime change in India, and his Open Society Foundation has funded the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which also published reports against the Adani Group.

Further, Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Uzbekistan overlapped with USAID administrator Samantha Power’s visit, an operative known for liaising with Soros-backed networks. These overlaps, coupled with Pitroda’s NGO Global Knowledge Initiative’s funding from USAID, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the U.S. State Department, raise critical questions about foreign collusion.

Political treason or just bad judgment?

While the Mossad revelations await official confirmation, the circumstantial evidence paints a troubling picture of Rahul Gandhi’s politics. From meeting Soros-linked activists to egging on foreign powers to act against Indian interests, Gandhi has repeatedly crossed red lines that no responsible opposition leader in a democracy should.

His latest tweet calling on Donald Trump to “expose” financial links between Modi, Adani, and Russian oil is not only unsubstantiated but comes dangerously close to inviting foreign interference in India’s domestic policy. It could also be seen as a backdoor attempt to undermine India’s geopolitical standing, economic confidence, and global partnerships — all for scripting a political comeback after losing countless state elections and three Lok Sabha polls on the trot.

Washington’s growing pressure on India and the Adani card

However, it is important to understand the broader context in which Rahul Gandhi made his remarks. The United States has been actively pressuring India to sign a half-baked trade deal that heavily favors American interests. When India pushed back, Washington responded with threats of imposing up to 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. More recently, this pressure escalated further, with the US accusing India of “funding Russia’s war machine”, a charge riddled with hypocrisy, given that both the US and EU continue to import billions worth of essential goods from Russia.

By invoking the Adani probe at such a moment, Gandhi seems to be encouraging American strong-arming of India using flimsy pretexts. If successful, this manoeuvre could open the door for an imbalanced trade deal that undermines India’s economic sovereignty.

Whose side is Rahul Gandhi on?

In democracies, opposition parties play a vital role in holding governments accountable. But when political ambition leads to aligning with foreign actors, promoting hostile narratives, and potentially compromising national interests, the line between dissent and betrayal blurs.

Rahul Gandhi’s history of courting foreign intervention, colluding with shady lobbies, and now provoking Donald Trump to act against India using the ‘Adani card’ begs a serious question: Is this the voice of an Indian politician, or the script of a foreign agent?

Massive operation launched against spurious life-saving drugs racket operating in northern India, 2 factories in Haryana and Himachal busted

OpIndia Staff
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Massive operation launched against spurious life-saving drugs racket operating in northern India, 2 factories in Haryana and Himachal busted

The Anti-Gang Squad of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted a major interstate racket involved in the manufacturing, selling, and supplying of counterfeit lifesaving medicines. Six people have been arrested, including the kingpin Rajesh Mishra.

Police said that the racket has a pan-India network across several states, including Moradabad, Deoria, Gorakhpur in UP, Panipat and Jind in Haryana, Baddi and Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Two factories involved in the manufacturing and packaging of these fake medicines were busted at Jind, Haryana and Baddi, HP.

Counterfeit/fake drugs of reputed companies were recovered in huge quantities, police said. The fake medicines were being sold under the names of reputed pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson, GSK, and Alkem. The accused communicated through encrypted apps and managed money transactions via fictitious accounts and hawala channels.

The breakthrough came when Head Constable Jitendra received a tip-off from an informer about a large consignment of fake medicines arriving in Delhi. Baesd on this input, a trap was laid at the HP CNG Petrol Pump, Shyamnath Marg, Civil Lines, Delhi on 30 July. A car was intercepted, and two persons identified as Mohd. Alam and Mohd. Saleem from Moradabad, UP, were found to be transporting counterfeit medicines.

A large quantity of fake Ultracet and Augmentin tablets was recovered from the vehicle. Representatives of Johnson & Johnson and GSK, who were present at the spot, confirmed that the packaging and stamping were not in accordance with company standards. Lab tests further confirmed the drugs to be counterfeit.

This led to the unearthing of the entire counterfeit medicine racket, which expanded through subsequent raids and custodial interrogations across Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The racket had ordered packaging boxes, foil and blister packing materials from various sources, and manufactured the counterfeit drugs in factories located in Jind and Baddi. These were then distributed by road and rail across various regions.

Prem Shankar Prajapati from Deoria handled the movement of drugs from the manufacturing units to the distributors, while Rajesh Mishra from Gorakhpur was identified as the mastermind behind the entire operation, overseeing the production and network management. 

Six accused have been arrested, including Mohd. Alam (35), Mohd. Saleem (42), Prem Shankar Prajapati (25), and Parmanand (50). Investigations are ongoing to trace the full network, including the source of raw materials, financial transactions, and other co-accused.

Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Shraddha Pandey
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Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3, the first of the many upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings, on 6th August 2025. Ahead of the inauguration, the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum, a body representing government officials, reportedly wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s office raising concern over open office space, compromised privacy and risk to confidentiality.

In a letter addressed to the PMO and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the CSS Forum, which represents 13,000 officials, claimed that the CSS officers are being allotted lesser spaces than mandated at the workspaces in Kartavya Bhavan, adding that this would negatively impact confidentiality and efficiency.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage for both physical files and stationery, as well as partitions between their workspaces,” the CSS said in its letter.

According to the letter, low-height almirahs were used to create office spaces for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers. The CSS Forum argues that this reduces privacy and creates sporadic distractions, which makes it difficult to handle important subjects discreetly.

“Under Secretaries, who are entrusted to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters like classified files, court cases, and vigilance issues, require a private workspace. However, they have been provided an open office space, wherein their telephonic and in-person discussions with senior authorities and other officials can easily be overheard, posing a serious risk to confidentiality. This is particularly problematic for sections dealing with sensitive matters, where premature disclosure could compromise outcomes,” the Forum’s letter reads.

The Central Secretariat Service Forum has demanded the ministries should be directed to review present seating arrangements. In addition, corrective measures which align with the prescribed norms, should be implemented.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage… as well as partitions between their workspaces. Further, office space for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers has been created by putting low height almirahs, which not only compromises privacy but also causes intermittent distractions, adversely affecting focus and critical thinking essential for analytical work, as well as the discreet handling of sensitive matters,” the CSS wrote.

The CSS Forum further sought allocation of adequate office spaces, including closed chambers for officials.

‘So privileged’ or legitimate demands? Netizens think ‘unwilling-to-change Babus’ are making excuses

The CSS letter, however, has sparked a debate on social media, with many suggesting that these demands by the government officials come across as angst against being deprived of the ‘privileges’ they previously enjoyed.

One X user Arihant wrote, “Everyone should read the letter written by Central Secretariat babus to the PM on their problems with shifting offices to the new Kartavya Bhavan. The phrases used. The language. What a masterclass in bullshitting.”

Another X user wrote, “This is a modern state of the art building. Babus must NOT be allowed to RUIN it by giving specious reasons. Winds of change are blowing. They must adapt to no nonsense no frills offices instead of the ‘Office Office’ across the table ones they are used to.”

Meanwhile, one X user wrote, “These insecure babus stuck with colonial overhang are the single biggest reason why our country is so slow at adopting modern ways. Appalling! They don’t deserve the swanky office.”

Another one had a rather hilarious take as he wrote, “The only ideal response from PMO should be “either it is Kartavya Bhavan or Kaziranga national park forest dept, make your choice.”

Meanwhile, NDTV journalist Akhilesh Sharma wrote, “Sitting in the open office of Kartavya Bhawan will cause difficulties for the clerks in performing their duties. They expressed their opposition through a letter, stating that in the new office, instead of separate sections, everyone is being made to sit together. This poses a risk of breaching confidentiality and concentration. By the way, it is true that the idea of an open office layout, borrowed from multinational companies, is nonsense. It adversely affects work efficiency, capability, and productivity. This creates a new system of discrimination in the office.”

The CSS forum argues that since Under Secretaries handle sensitive tasks like vigilance, court cases, and classified files etc, confidentiality is critical, and open-plan offices risk unintended disclosure. It is indeed a risk, given conversations can be overheard, compromising confidentiality of certain matters, which may also be linked to national security or legal processes.

Furthermore, a lack of functional separation, as claimed by the CSS, may cause distractions, reducing focus and hampering critical thinking, especially for Section Officers and Under Secretaries. This could overall impact productivity and that’s why the CSS has demanded enclosed spaces.

The MoHUA memorandum dated 16th March 2017, stipulates the minimum office space requirements, which are: Deputy Secretary/Director (Level 12/13): 240 sq. ft., Under Secretary (Level 11): 120 sq. ft., Section Officer (Levels 8–10): 60 sq. ft. Assistant Section Officer (Level 7): 40 sq. ft.

While the CSS forum says that it demands that workspaces meet functional needs, a section of netizens feels that such demands under the pretext of privacy and confidentiality reek of privilege, with many going as far as to claiming that open offices would not allow corruption, especially taking bribes.

Notably, the Kartavya Bhavan’s open-plan designs is in line with global trends toward collaborative workspaces. As the Central Vista project’s vision highlights, this plan is aimed at fostering innovation and inter-ministerial coordination. Thus, retrofitting for enclosed offices may not align with the aims of the new design.

While the CSS forum demands enclosed offices, the open-plan design of the workspaces at Kartavya Bhavan are meant to be flexible, allowing reconfiguration in future, and permanent cabins might limit adaptability. Thus, making it difficult to accommodate changing ministry requirements.

However, the CSS forum’s concern about risk of undermining confidentiality, especially in ministries like Home Affairs cannot be outrightly dismissed. Promotion of transparency and collaboration cannot come at the cost of risking confidentiality in matters requiring the same. The concerned authorities must ensure that cost-cutting, modernisation and aesthetics don’t end up trumping smooth functionality public service.

Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

Jinit Jain
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Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

On Tuesday, August 5, devastating flash floods triggered by a cloudburst swept through parts of Uttarakhand, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Among the worst-hit regions was the serene village of Dharali, near Gangotri, where homes, people, and livelihoods were mercilessly washed away. The tragedy, captured in a viral video, evoked grief and sympathy from most quarters, except, disturbingly, from a certain section of India’s Islamist-leaning social media users.

Instead of prayers or solidarity, what emerged from some corners of the internet was a chilling spectacle of celebration. Figures like Ali Sohrab, Karishma Aziz, and their echo chamber of like-minded users responded to the footage not with empathy, but with unvarnished glee. Their posts gleefully dubbed the floods as “कुदरत का बुलडोज़र” (nature’s bulldozer), mocking the natural disaster as a form of divine retribution against the Hindu-majority state.

Source: X

The term “bulldozer” is no accident. Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), has recently become symbolic of a government-led campaign to root out illegal encroachments, many of which involved unauthorized Islamic structures. The Dhami government, with public support, has employed bulldozers to reclaim public land, a move that has drawn ire from Islamist quarters. And now, in an act of grotesque poeticism, the flash floods are being painted by these elements as ‘Allah’s vengeance’ for the bulldozing of illegal mosques.

One tweet mockingly asks, “Ye aapda hai ya bulldozer chal raha hai?” (Is this a disaster or a bulldozer at work?), while another suggests that this is divine punishment for the supposed mistreatment of Muslims in Uttarakhand. A user even rejoiced in how “Khuda ki laathi mein awaaz nahi hoti”, a vile justification of human tragedy as godly wrath. These reactions are not just distasteful, they reveal a deeper, festering moral rot that thrives in ideological echo chambers insulated from humanity.

This moral rot stems from decades of political conditioning that treated Muslims not as equal citizens, but as a pampered political bloc. The Modi-led Centre and the Dhami-led Uttarakhand government have systematically dismantled the UPA-era model of minority appeasement, where encroachments were ignored, conversions were brushed under the carpet, and political correctness ensured silence even in the face of lawlessness. The bulldozer, symbolic of governance without fear or favour, has disrupted this long-standing ecosystem of entitlement.

And it is this disruption, this end of unearned privilege, that has enraged a section of the Muslim community, particularly those with Islamist leanings. To them, equal treatment feels like oppression. Being held to the same legal standards is perceived as persecution. They are not angry because they are being targeted; they are angry because they are no longer above the law.

This explains the venomous reactions to the Uttarakhand floods. The fact that the affected region is popularly known as Devbhoomi—home to sacred Hindu shrines like Kedarnath and Badrinath, only fuels their ideological resentment. So when a cloudburst causes devastation in a Hindu-majority hill state, it is grotesquely recast by Islamists as “divine punishment,” a so-called “nature’s bulldozer” taking revenge for the state’s crackdown on illegal Islamic structures.

This is not political protest. This is a manifestation of hate so visceral that it dehumanises an entire population based on their religion. It’s the same mindset that justified the partition, cheered during communal violence, and continues to sympathize with terrorists and radicals so long as they serve an Islamist cause.

Even more disturbing is the silence from so-called liberal secularists and moderate Muslim voices. If Hindus had celebrated a disaster in a Muslim area, the outrage would have echoed from every media outlet and activist pulpit. But when the hate is directed at Hindus, it is conveniently ignored, if not quietly approved. This selective morality has become a shield for Islamist supremacism masquerading as victimhood.

Make no mistake, this isn’t about religious identity; it’s about ideological poison. These Islamists aren’t opposing state policies on principle. They’re opposing them because those policies dare to treat them equally. Their grievance is not about justice; it is about the loss of their historic immunity from accountability. The bulldozer is not the enemy, equality is.

The tragedy in Uttarakhand should have united people across religious lines in shared sorrow. Instead, it has been weaponised by a segment of bigoted ideologues to push a narrative of retribution and divine punishment. The glee with which they celebrate death is a mirror to their ideological bankruptcy and a warning sign for the rest of the nation.

No one, regardless of their religion or political beliefs, should find joy in the suffering of others. What we are witnessing is not just a digital provocation, it is a spiritual catastrophe. A nation cannot survive if a section of its people are taught to laugh when others bleed.

In times of tragedy, silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. The path to national integrity lies not just in infrastructure and reforms, but in moral clarity. India must call out this sickness firmly, unapologetically, and without compromise. Because when death becomes a joke, and nature’s fury is weaponised as communal vengeance, we are not dealing with political dissent. We are dealing with a toxic ideology that seeks to destroy the very soul of the Indian Republic.

Supreme Court grants interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in rave party snake venom case

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court grants interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in rave party snake venom case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in connection with a rave party case, where snake venom and other illegal drugs were allegedly supplied and consumed.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the respondents, including the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Gaurav Gupta on Yadav’s petition challenging the FIR, chargesheet, and the summoning order passed by the trial court, seeking their response to Yadav’s plea. The trial proceedings would not be allowed to proceed till the responses are received.

Yadav had approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the chargesheet filed against him and the summons issued in the case. Earlier in May, Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea, observing that the allegations warranted a thorough legal examination as multiple FIRs had been registered in the matter.

The counsel appearing for Yadav informed the top court that his client has challenged the Allahabad High Court’s decision denying him relief. In his plea filed before the top court through Advocate Shahrukh Ali, Advocate Raman Yadav and Advocate Aman Jha, Elvish Yadav argued that cognisance of the offence under the Wildlife Protection Act has been taken without a complaint filed by a competent officer.

He further argued that the police have no authority to investigate offences under the WPA or to file a chargesheet in relation with it.

Yadav has also claimed that he was not present at the venue, and that no snake, narcotic or psychotropic substance has been recovered from him.

Elvish Yadav has been chargesheeted under Sections 9, 39, 48A, 49, 50 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act and Sections 284, 289 and 120B of IPC and Sections 8, 22, 29, 30 and 32 of NDPS Act in the FIR lodged at Police Station Sector-49, Noida, District Gautam Buddh Nagar. A summons order has also been issued by the First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Supreme Court permanently bars Allahabad HC’s Justice Prashant Kumar from hearing criminal matters, says his order ‘one of the worst and most erroneous’

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court permanently bars Allahabad HC’s Justice Prashant Kumar from hearing criminal matters, says his order ‘one of the worst and most erroneous’

Coming down heavily on Allahabad High Court judge Justice Prashant Kumar on Monday (4th August), the Supreme Court ordered the removal of criminal matters from his roster. The decision of the top court came after Justice Kumar allowed criminal proceedings in a civil matter.

Using strong language against Justice Kumar, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan termed the judgment passed by Justice Kumar as “one of the worst and the most erroneous orders we have come across”.

“The judge concerned has not only cut a sorry figure for himself, but has made a mockery of justice. We are at our wits’ end to understand what is wrong with the Indian Judiciary at the level of the High Court,” the bench harshly remarked.

“At times, we are left wondering whether such orders are passed on some extraneous considerations or it is sheer ignorance of the law. Whatever it be, passing of such absurd and erroneous orders is something unpardonable,” the bench added in order accessed by OpIndia.

The Supreme Court questioned the competence of the High Court judge

Raising question on the competence of Justice Kumar to handle criminal matters, the Apex Court directed the judge to sit with a senior High Court judge in a division bench. “The Chief Justice of the High Court shall immediately withdraw the present criminal determination from the concerned Judge… make the concerned judge sit in a Division Bench with a seasoned senior judge of the High Court,” the Supreme Court directed.

The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the judgment passed by a single bench of Justice Kumar, in which he allowed summons of criminal nature in a civil dispute. In his judgment, Justice Kumar refused to quash the summons issued by a magistrate against a company, which was accused of not paying the balance sum in a business transaction. Additionally, he allowed the initiation of criminal proceedings for the recovery of the balance amount, noting that the complainant would not be in a position to pursue civil litigation, as it would take a long time, and the complainant would have to spend money.

“To be more precise, it would seem like good money chasing bad money. If this court allows the matter to be referred to civil court on account of civil dispute between the parties, it would amount to travesty of justice and O.P. no. 2 (complainant) would suffer irreparable loss and he might even not be in a position to emerge from the financial constraints to pursue the matter,” Justice Kumar said in his judgment.

The Top Court expressed shock over the High Court order

Describing the High Court judgment as “shocking”, the Supreme Court said, “Is it the understanding of the High Court that ultimately if the accused is convicted, the trial court would award him the balance amount? The observations recorded are shocking. It is an extremely sad day for one and all to read the observations in the impugned order. It was expected of the High Court to know the well-settled position of law that, in cases of civil dispute, a complainant cannot be permitted to resort to criminal proceedings as the same could amount to abuse of process of law”.

“It was expected of the HC to understand the nature of the allegations levelled in the complaint. In substance, the High Court has said in so many words that the criminal proceedings instituted by the complainant in a case of pure civil dispute is justified because it may take considerable time for the complainant to recover the balance amount by preferring a civil suit,” the Supreme Court stated, setting aside the order of the High Court.

2 Chinese nationals arrested in the United States for smuggling Nvidia AI chips worth millions of dollars to China

OpIndia Staff
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2 Chinese nationals arrested in the United States for smuggling Nvidia AI chips worth millions of dollars to China

Two nationals of China have been arrested in the United States for smuggling top-of-the-range artificial intelligence (AI) chips valued at millions of dollars to China. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, 5th August (local time), stating that the suspects illegally exported controlled technology without the required government licenses.

According to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice, the accused, Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang, were running a California-based company called ALX Solutions. Over the past three years, the company sent advance GPUs like Nvidia’s H100 and GeForce RTX 4090 from the US to China, bypassing strict export controls.

Nvidia AI chips at the centre of the case

Some of the shipments included Nvidia’s H100 graphics processing units (GPUs). These are among the most advanced GPUs used in AI development and are currently under heavy restrictions by the US government to prevent them from reaching China.

A spokesperson from Nvidia responded to the case, saying that any attempt to smuggle their chips is a “nonstarter.” The company said it only sells its products to trusted partners who ensure that all sales follow export control rules. If any product is illegally exported or diverted, it loses all official service, support, and software updates, the spokesperson added.

Fake customers and suspicious payments

The DOJ says ALX Solutions had only three known employees. Chuan Geng handled the finances, Shiwei Yang was the company’s secretary, and the CEO’s name is still unknown. Mr Geng was a legal permanent resident in California, while Ms Yang had overstayed her visa and was considered an “illegal alien.”

Between October 2022 and July 2025, ALX allegedly sent several shipments to companies in Singapore and Malaysia. However, the DOJ says these locations were just transit hubs to hide the fact that the final destination was China.

Interestingly, ALX didn’t receive payments directly from the shipping companies. Instead, it was paid by businesses based in Hong Kong and China. In one case, a China-based company transferred $1 million to ALX in January 2024.

One invoice from 2023, worth $28.4 million, claimed that Nvidia chips were ordered by a Singapore-based firm. But when US officials investigated, they couldn’t verify the delivery. The company listed in the invoice didn’t even exist at the stated address.

The DOJ also found that neither ALX Solutions nor its employees applied for or obtained an export license from the US Commerce Department. In December last year, one shipment containing restricted chips, including Nvidia H100 and GeForce RTX 4090, was flagged by US customs for further inspection.

Arrest and court appearance

Ms Yang was arrested on Saturday, and Mr Geng turned himself in shortly after. Both appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, 4th August (local time) They would get up to 20 years in prison if they are found guilty.

Up till now, ALX Solutions does not seem to have an official website. But another website belonging to another company named ALX-Cloud that provides cloud computing solutions claims to be a subsidiary of ALX Solutions.

The chip maker named in the case, Super Micro Computer, stated it is committed to complying with all US export laws. The company would not comment on the current legal action but promised to assist authorities if necessary.

Why the US is restricting AI chip exports to China

This case is part of a broader effort by the US government to stop advanced technology from falling into the hands of its geopolitical rivals, especially China and Russia.

In January 2025, the US introduced strict new rules that limit the export of AI chips to most countries. The regulations are particularly targeted at high-performance chips such as those made by Nvidia and AMD. The aim is to prevent nations such as China from employing AI technology for military applications or mass surveillance.

Only close US allies that follow American security and human rights standards are allowed to buy such technology. The US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, said the new rules were necessary to protect national security, even if they came with trade-offs.

“Managing national security risks requires trade-offs,” she said in a blog post from the White House. “This rule ensures our allies can access cutting-edge technology while safeguarding our interests.”

The US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, also said that these rules are meant to make sure that the future of AI remains in the hands of the US and its trusted partners. He explained that this is to prevent what happened with chip and battery manufacturing, where the US lost dominance to other countries, from happening again with AI.

The arrest of Geng and Yang shows that the US is taking its chip export laws very seriously and is willing to crack down even on small-scale exporters who try to bypass the system.

Uttarkashi flashfloods: Rescue and relief efforts continue on a war footing as death toll rises to 5, multiple security agencies come together to aid the residents in isolated areas

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarkashi flashfloods: Rescue and relief efforts continue on a war footing as death toll rises to 5, multiple security agencies come together to aid the residents in isolated areas

Flash floods due to cloud burst struck the Dharali village in Uttarakhand on the afternoon of August 5, killing at least five people and numerous others missing (at least 60), feared to be washed away in the Uttarkashi district of the state.

The village was cut off after the stretch close to the Bhagirathi river collapsed. An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rescue squad had been stuck in the region as well as a result.

The area which is on the way to the Gangotri pilgrimage destination was severely damaged as homes, businesses, hotels and other infrastructure were washed away by roaring rivers. According to officials, around 20–25 hotels and guesthouses may have been washed away, and large portions of Dharali market have been “completely swept away.” 

Heavy equipment, including JCBs, has been used to remove rubble and restore connectivity in the impacted areas as many sections of the Uttarkashi-Harsil route have been blocked.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has also been deployed. Despite heavy rains and difficult terrain that substantially slowed the ongoing efforts, Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police personnel were able to rescue 70 individuals by midnight.

The Uttarkashi-Harsil route’s Bhatwadi road has been totally washed out. All night, the route to Harsil remained closed. The site is about 50 kilometres away from Dharali.

At least 163 roads, including five national highways, seven state highways, and two border routes have been closed due to landslides, seriously impeding rescue attempts and preventing access to the secluded region which is roughly 140 kilometres from Dehradun.

The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway remains closed due to heavy rainfall and multiple landslides along the stretch between Mandi and Kullu. Authorities have advised travellers to avoid the route until clearance operations are completed.

Meanwhile Sukhi Top region of Uttarakhand also experienced another cloudburst, hours after the the catastrophe in Dharali.

CM Dhami takes stock of the situation, talks to PM Modi

As relief and evacuation efforts continue throughout the state ravaged by rain, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on 6th August, stated that 130 people have been rescued thus far. However, rising river levels, washed-out roads and landslides have left various areas isolated. The chief minister rushed to the district to assess the situation, and is going to visit the affected villages.

With ten Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), three Superintendents of Police (SPs), and approximately 160 police officers actively participating in the operation, he informed that extensive rescue attempts are currently in progress. “Food packets have been prepared, and a team of doctors is ready to provide medical assistance,” CM Dhami conveyed. Damaged power lines are also being restored.

“All our agencies, including the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF and locals, are doing the rescue work. A search and rescue operation is underway. Due to damage to the roads and a bridge, it has become difficult to reach the spot. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely,” he highlighted.

PM Modi also expressed his condolences and prayed for the well-being of all the victims. He held a phone conversation with the Chief Minister and stated that every possible effort is being made by rescue and relief teams. “No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people,” the Prime Minister further assured.

CM Dhami also wrote that PM Modi was briefed about the “ongoing relief and rescue operations in Dharali.” The latter was told about how people were rescued and taken to safe locations as well as ensuring the availability of essential services and resources. The Chief Minister added, “I am in constant contact with the team engaged in the rescue operation. I am also heading to Dharali myself to inspect the incident site.”

Massive rescue efforts underway

Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) CEO Ashish Chauhan mentioned, “We have 4 to 5 helicopters on standby and are prepared to begin air operations as soon as weather conditions improve.” Helicopter landings in one of the main impacted areas are being hampered due to the submerged Harsil helipad.

Drones, earthmoving machinery, and army tracker dogs are all being used for evacuation and the distribution of necessary supplies. A red alert is in place and helpline numbers have also been released. So far, no corpse has been recovered from the debris. The Army is searching for the stranded people using its Chinook and MI-17 helicopters.

On the other hand, at least least eight soldiers went missing from a camp in lower Harsil but the Army continued to carry out relief activities. Colonel Harshvardhan, the 14 Rajputana Rifles commanding officer, led 150 military personnel during the rescue and relief efforts.

“Army and Airforce helicopters for essential supplies, medicines and evacuation of the marooned are also being coordinated. In the meanwhile, the residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains,” the Army informed.

According to a statement released by the PRO of Defence in Dehradun, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Shrivastava, the team is operating with steadfast commitment despite being cut off, an adversly affected unit base and 11 members believed to be missing.

The first-ever cadaver dog team was sent out by the NDRF to assist in finding the people who may have died in the cloudburst. Even as three force teams, each with 35 rescuers, were rushed to the scene from different parts of the state, two of these canines were scheduled to be airlifted from Delhi. At the Dehradun airport, two additional NDRF teams are also ready to be airlifted.

DIG NDRF Mohsen Shahedi outlined, “Teams of ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) are carrying out rescue operations at the spot. Around 150 people have been taken to safe spots. Our three teams are on the way and they will reach the spot as soon as the road reopens. Our teams in Pant Nagar, Gauchar and Joshimath are on standby. They will be sent once the weather improves.”

There are 201 members of the Army, ITBP, Police, Revenue, BRO, and ambulance services working together at the location. A second team of 211 responders wis ready to join them. Senior administrative officers continue to supervise the Emergency Operations Center’s operations.

Residents near riverbanks in Bhattwadi, Gangori and Uttarkashi have received alerts and helipad operations have been initiated at Jhala to facilitate airborne rescue. A number of institutions have been converted into camps and shelters for relief efforts.

The Ganga river’s water levels have increased to almost dangerous levels due to incessant rain. Haridwar was also placed under an orange alert by the Indian Meteorological Department, which predicted thunderstorms and 5 to 15 millimetres of rain per hour.

“This incident is even bigger than the one which took place in 2013. Help from the centre and the state is being sent. Rescue teams are also on the way, but it is taking time because the roads are blocked in some places, it is an unfortunate incident,” voiced Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tehri Garhwal MP, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah.

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