Sambhal: The Sambhal administration has repaired more than 130 km of Kanwar Yatra routes and made them pothole-free to ensure barefoot devotees do not face inconvenience during the annual pilgrimage. With the holy month of Shravan beginning on Thursday, the district administration has also stepped up security and surveillance, deploying more than 2,000 police personnel and installing thousands of CCTV cameras across important routes, temples and other sensitive locations. Officials said the preparations are part of a “zero-error” action plan aimed at ensuring a safe and smooth Kanwar Yatra. According to the administration, the Public Works Department has repaired 130.33 km of roads used by Kanwariyas. Special attention has been given to stretches where devotees are expected to walk barefoot while carrying holy Ganga water. Electrical infrastructure along the routes has also been checked to reduce the risk of accidents. The power department has covered 1,775 electricity poles, barricaded 233 transformers and tightened loose overhead wires at 225 locations. Another 37 leaning electricity poles have been repaired.

District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal said security arrangements have been strengthened across Sambhal to make the pilgrimage hassle-free and incident-free. A total of 12,456 CCTV cameras have been linked with an Integrated Command and Control Centre to keep a close watch on movement across the district. Sambhal has been divided into five security zones, while nine special magistrates have been deployed along major Kanwar routes. Magistrates will also remain on duty in shifts across all 17 police station areas and at major Shiva temples. The police deployment includes 2,017 personnel, five circle officers, 34 station house officers and inspectors, 144 sub-inspectors and 144 constables. Security personnel have also been stationed at 77 pickets and barriers. Police assistance centres, rooftop surveillance teams and additional forces have been positioned around major temples and Ganga ghats. Provincial Armed Constabulary flood units have also been deployed at river ghats. Traffic management is another major part of the plan, with the administration identifying 19 diversion points across the district. Eighteen UP-112 emergency response vehicles have been kept ready, while public address systems, watchtowers and cranes have been arranged at vulnerable locations.

Medical and emergency arrangements have also been strengthened as thousands of devotees are expected to pass through the district during the Kanwar Yatra. Special medical teams have been deployed along major routes, at Shiva temples and at five Ganga ghats — Rajghat, Sankara Ghat, Sadhumani Ghat, Asadpur Ghat and Hari Baba Bandh Ghat. Ambulances under the 102 and 108 services will remain available round the clock. Divers have also been stationed at the five major ghats, with the administration looking to maintain its record of zero drowning incidents over the past five years. Authorities are separately monitoring hotels, eateries and food establishments located along Kanwar routes. Rate lists have been made mandatory and inspections are being conducted to ensure proper arrangements for pilgrims. Fire and emergency services have also been strengthened. With road repairs, electrical safety measures, CCTV surveillance, police deployment, medical teams and traffic diversions in place, officials said the focus this year is on preventing avoidable incidents while allowing Kanwariyas to complete their journey without unnecessary inconvenience.

The large-scale transformation is being carried out through multiple state and central initiatives, including the PM SHRI scheme and infrastructure development programmes aimed at improving learning outcomes and increasing enrolment in government schools. Officials say the focus is not only on constructing new buildings but also on creating student-friendly campuses equipped with modern educational resources.

Across the state, schools are being equipped with smart classrooms, science laboratories, digital libraries, computer facilities and upgraded sports infrastructure. The government has also prioritised the construction of separate toilets for girls and boys, access to safe drinking water, better electricity supply and improved classroom furniture to create a more conducive learning environment.

Authorities believe these improvements are helping change public perception of government schools, which have traditionally faced challenges related to infrastructure and student enrolment. The emphasis has shifted from providing only basic facilities to creating campuses that can compete with private institutions in terms of learning resources and overall educational experience.

The expansion is part of Uttar Pradesh's wider education reforms, with thousands of schools undergoing renovation or receiving additional facilities in phases. Under the PM SHRI initiative, selected schools are being developed as model institutions featuring technology-enabled classrooms, activity-based learning spaces and facilities designed to support holistic education.

State officials have also highlighted the importance of integrating digital education into classrooms. Smart boards, audio-visual teaching tools and internet-enabled learning resources are expected to make lessons more interactive while improving students' access to modern educational content.

Apart from classroom upgrades, special attention is being given to campus safety and accessibility. Boundary walls, playgrounds, ramps for differently-abled students and landscaped school premises are being developed to ensure a more inclusive and secure environment for children.

The infrastructure drive is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages experiential learning, technology integration and improved school infrastructure. Officials believe modern facilities will help reduce dropout rates while encouraging parents to choose government schools for quality education.

Education experts have long argued that physical infrastructure plays a significant role in improving attendance and learning outcomes. Better classrooms, sanitation facilities and digital resources are considered essential for creating an environment where students can participate more actively in academic and extracurricular activities.

The Uttar Pradesh government has maintained that investment in school infrastructure remains one of its key priorities as it seeks to improve educational standards across urban and rural areas. Along with modern facilities, emphasis is also being placed on teacher training, digital literacy and skill-based learning to prepare students for future academic and professional opportunities.

With thousands of students expected to benefit from the ongoing upgrades, the state's education department hopes the transformation will strengthen confidence in the government school system and contribute to long-term improvements in learning quality. The modernisation programme is expected to continue in phases as additional schools are brought under various infrastructure development initiatives in the coming months.

The resignations come a day after eight accused, including a close aide of Champat Rai, were arrested in the temple funds embezzlement case.

 In a major development in the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra donation embezzlement case, General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr Anil Mishra have resigned from their posts. Rai submitted his resignation to trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

Trustee Nripendra Misra confirmed the development to Dainik Bhaskar. "I have been informed about the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra," he said.

The resignations come amid mounting pressure on the trust following allegations of large-scale theft of cash, gold, silver and other offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple.

Eight Accused Sent to Judicial Custody

Earlier on Thursday night, eight accused were arrested in the case, including Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a close associate of Champat Rai. All eight were produced before the CJM Court in Ayodhya on Friday and sent to judicial custody.

KC Verma, Prosecution Officer for Ayodhya, told reporters, "Eight accused persons were arrested, and they have been remanded until Monday. They will be produced in court again on Monday."

According to officials, a total of ₹79,85,493 was recovered from the accused. "Different amounts were recovered from them except for one — Subhash — nothing was recovered from him, though he was involved in the conspiracy," Verma added.

The FIR and Investigation

The first FIR in the case was registered late Thursday evening following a complaint filed by trust member Krishna Mohan. However, the FIR does not name senior office-bearers, including Champat Rai and Dr Anil Mishra.

The alleged theft first came to light on June 7. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23.

According to sources, the SIT's investigation had reportedly identified 17 people as accused, including Champat Rai, trustee Dr Anil Mishra and construction in-charge Gopal Rao. Their inclusion in the FIR had been widely anticipated.

Kejriwal Visits Ayodhya, Demands Action

Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited Ayodhya on Friday to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. He described the theft as a "grave sin" and alleged that only lower-level employees had been made scapegoats.

"A massive theft has taken place at Lord Ram's home. Lord Ram's ornaments, his necklace, his footwear, the silver, gold and diamonds offered to him, as well as cash worth billions of rupees, have been stolen from the temple. Very powerful people are involved in this theft," Kejriwal said.

He further claimed, "A sham SIT has been formed and a sham FIR has been filed. The FIR names only minor players as accused, while influential individuals have been left out. There is an attempt to shield the big players."

Kejriwal later addressed a press conference at 4 pm, where he detailed his allegations.

CM Yogi Hits Back

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while responding to Kejriwal's visit, took a swipe at the AAP leader. "A gentleman from Delhi has also visited Ayodhya today. I would like to tell him that the people of Delhi gave him an opportunity to govern for several years, but he gave the city nothing except corruption," he said.

He added that if AAP had delivered the same governance in Delhi that the BJP's double-engine government has delivered in Ayodhya, Delhi too would have shone the way Ayodhya Dham does today.

Trust May Be Restructured

According to sources, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra may undergo a restructuring following the resignations. A retired IAS officer or a retired judge could be appointed as its CEO.

Sources also claim that any decision on restructuring the trust or appointing new trustees would be taken only with the concurrence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Political Reactions

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the party will raise the issue during Parliament's Monsoon Session. "This is one of the biggest issues in the country. We cannot let it go. The sentiments of millions of devotees have been hurt. The trust itself is under scrutiny. The government must answer for this," he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad President Alok Kumar welcomed the registration of the FIR and said he was satisfied with the action taken. However, he added that those whose names do not appear in the FIR should also be investigated.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the government has directed that strict action be taken in accordance with the law.

Spiritual preacher Karpatri Maharaj, however, said he was not satisfied with the SIT's investigation and urged the Chief Minister to take strict action.

The blaze broke out on the first floor of a building in the Naka area, trapping several children inside.

At least 15 students were killed after a massive fire broke out at a coaching centre in Lucknow's Naka Hindola area, reducing the dreams of 15 families to ashes. The incident, which occurred on [current date], sent shockwaves through the city as visuals of the tragedy emerged, showing desperate children trying to escape the inferno.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

The fire is believed to have started on the first floor of the building, which was being used as a library-cum-coaching centre. Officials said the blaze quickly spread through the structure, trapping students who had gathered for their regular classes.

Desperate Escape Attempts Caught on Camera

Disturbing visuals that surfaced on social media showed the terrifying moments as the fire engulfed the building. Some students were seen climbing down using electrical wires and scaffolding, while others attempted to jump from the first floor in a bid to save their lives.

"Some children were hanging from windows. The smoke was so thick that visibility was almost zero," said a local resident who witnessed the tragedy.

The fire brigade team arrived at the scene and launched an immediate rescue operation. Firefighters had to break down a wall to reach the trapped students.

But by the time the flames were brought under control, bodies began emerging from the debris, leaving behind only screams and mourning.

Families Rush to Hospitals

The trauma centre and the post-mortem house turned into scenes of inconsolable grief as relatives rushed to identify their loved ones. Families stood outside, their eyes reflecting nothing but the pain of losing their children — some had lost their only support, others had lost their future.

A relative of one victim told reporters, "He was just 17. He went for his daily classes and never came back."

Administrative Response

District Magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar confirmed the death toll and said that a thorough investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary information suggests that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, but officials are reviewing all possibilities.

Senior police officials, including the Police Commissioner, reached the site to oversee rescue operations and coordinate with the fire department.

Why This Incident Has Shaken Lucknow

This incident is one of the deadliest in recent years involving a coaching centre in Uttar Pradesh's capital. With thousands of students flocking to such centres daily, questions are now being raised about fire safety compliance and building regulations.

Fire safety experts point out that many coaching centres operate in densely packed buildings with inadequate emergency exits and no proper fire extinguishing systems.

When asked about safety inspections, a municipal official said that a comprehensive audit of all such centres in the area would now be conducted.

More than 15 fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, with officials confirming that the fire was completely doused by evening.

Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.

The controversy over alleged donation irregularities at the Ram Temple took a new turn on Saturday after temple authorities formally requested Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a Special Investigation Team probe. The demand comes as investigators recovered ₹10 lakh in cash from the residence of a temple employee who had allegedly concealed the money beneath a pile of cow dung.

Lavkush Mishra, a 27-year-old employee responsible for counting donation offerings at the shrine, is now under the scanner. A search team visited his residence in Minapur Thakuran Phagauli village, Rudauli area, where they found the stash hidden inside cupboards, boxes, and partially buried under dried cow dung.

Cow Dung Discovery

The search party comprised six individuals, including two in police uniform and four in plain clothes, according to village residents. Mishra's father, Bacchulal, confirmed the recovery but stopped short of claiming ownership of the cash.

"What had to happen has now happened. During the search, ₹10 lakh was recovered," the father told reporters. He added that a house being constructed in Faizabad had no connection to his son, claiming he had mortgaged 10-12 bighas of farmland to fund that project.

From Mechanic to Temple Employee

Villagers recall that Mishra, who previously worked as a car mechanic, experienced a sharp improvement in his financial situation after joining the temple four to five months ago. Locals said he would spend generously during village visits—on one occasion reportedly treating fellow villagers with ₹50,000 worth of liquor.

Mishra married eight years ago and has two children—a six-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. His father works at the iron market in Ghaziabad.

Trust Moves Fast

Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple's construction committee, arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday for the second time within five days. When questioned by reporters about whether the donation controversy would feature in discussions, he deflected, stating his responsibility remained overseeing construction progress.

Sources familiar with the matter said the trust's letter to the chief minister seeks a thorough investigation into the alleged theft of offerings, which some claims have pegged at around ₹7 crore. The exact scale remains unverified.

Old Complaints Surface

The row gained traction after Mahipal Singh, who claims to have served as the temple's accounts in-charge, alleged that theft of offerings was routine. He said he was removed from his post the day after reporting irregularities to trust general secretary Champat Rai.

Singh also claimed that eight-month-old CCTV footage was deleted and that no proper records existed for gold, silver, and jewellery received as offerings. His assertions have found support from some saints and seers in Ayodhya, who are now demanding a probe.

Political Fallout

Opposition leaders have seized on the developments. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned why private companies were involved in counting temple offerings and why CCTV footage remains unavailable. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak hit back, accusing Yadav of spreading rumours and disrespecting Supreme Court verdicts.

The recovered cash has been sent for examination, though officials have yet to determine whether it originated from temple donations. Meanwhile, the trust has not issued any formal statement on Mishra's employment status.

PM Modi Offers Prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Amid Grand Roadshow

Varanasi roadshow and temple darshan mark key leg of PM's two-day visit to constituency

Roadshow Kicks Off with Massive Turnout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a vibrant 14-km roadshow in Varanasi on Wednesday morning, drawing huge crowds of BJP workers and locals along the route. The procession started from Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) and wound through Lahartara, Kachahri, Ambedkar Chauraha, Chaukaghat, Teliyabag, Lahurabir, and Maidagin before reaching Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Supporters showered flowers on the convoy and danced to drum beats and traditional instruments, creating a festive atmosphere despite the morning heat.

This marks the second day of Modi's two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency—his 54th trip to Varanasi over the past 11 years and the first in 2026. His last visit was in November 2025. Initial reports from the ground indicate the crowds spilled onto streets, waving flags and chanting slogans.

Priests Welcome PM with Ceremonial Fanfare

At the temple entrance around 9:50 AM, 108 young priests, known as Batuks, gave PM Modi a traditional welcome with conch blowing and damru beats. He responded with folded hands, greeting everyone warmly. Inside, five priests led by chief priest Pandit Om Prakash Mishra performed rituals, adorning him with a garland as he offered prayers and darshan.

Modi also waved a trident during the proceedings and interacted briefly with children and other devotees in the temple premises. Local sources described the scene as charged with devotion, with the PM acknowledging supporters throughout.

Temple Visit Highlights Devotional Sequence

The darshan wrapped up smoothly by late morning, with visuals showing Modi navigating the temple corridors amid chants. Earlier, at 9:52 AM, he was seen waving to the crowd post-rituals. Party workers outside kept the energy high, though security was tight along the route.

This visit underscores Modi's deep connect with Varanasi, a city he has represented since 2014. Temples like Kashi Vishwanath hold immense cultural significance here, drawing millions annually.

Next: Ganga Expressway Inauguration

Post-temple, PM Modi headed by road to the airport alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They're en route to Hardoi for the inauguration of the 594-km Ganga Expressway, linking Meerut to Prayagraj. Officials confirmed the event as a major infra push, expected to boost connectivity and cut travel times.

The expressway project, long in the works, aligns with the government's focus on eastern UP development. Ground reports suggest it could transform logistics in the region.

Crowd Response Reflects Strong Support

Locals turned out in force despite the midweek timing, lining streets from BLW onwards. At Varanasi station earlier, the roadshow had already pulled massive crowds, per visuals around 10:29 AM. BJP cadres led the celebrations, but ordinary devotees joined in, highlighting the event's broad appeal.

No major disruptions were reported, though traffic diversions were in place till noon.

Visits Boost Local Economy, Infra Focus

Such high-profile stops invariably energize Varanasi's tourism and trader economy. The PM's itinerary reflects priorities like spiritual heritage alongside projects such as the expressway. Sources familiar with the matter said planning for the roadshow began days ago, ensuring smooth logistics.

As Modi wraps up in Hardoi, eyes will be on any announcements tied to UP's growth. For now, the Kashi Vishwanath darshan stands out as a poignant moment in his packed schedule.