Three agenciesâ the Enforcement Directorate (ED), income tax department and the Special Police Establishment (SPE) of the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, the anti-corruption ombudsman of the state government, continue to be on the lookout for Saurabh Sharma, the man being linked to the seizure of Rs 11 crore worth of cash and 52 kilos of gold from an abandoned vehicle in a village in Bhopal district on December 19.
Who is Sharma and how did he allegedly acquire wealth of such scale? A resident of Gwalior, Sharma aka Cheenu is a former civil services aspirant. He was apparently part of the same group preparing for the civil services examinations as the one on whom the much acclaimed film 12th Fail is based. He even made it to the interview stage in the state civil services exam.

After the demise of his father, who was a government employee, Sharma secured an appointment on compassionate grounds as a constable in the transport department. According to sources, he quickly learnt the ropes of working in a department notorious for bribery. His appointment on compassionate grounds got mired in controversy owing to which Sharma eventually resigned. He then started a construction business, allegedly a front for other activities.

On December 19, the SPE of the Lokayukta raided two premises in Bhopal allegedly linked to Sharma and seized cash to the tune of Rs 2.1 crore besides gold and silver. The real recoveries happened later that night after the income tax department received a tip-off about a vehicle parked on a farm in Mendori village.

Income tax sleuths had been on the rounds owing to another high-profile search they were conducting on a builder suspected of influential contacts in the government. The team reached the spot where the local police also arrived. The vehicle, bearing a plate 'Regional Transport Officer' (RTO) and sirens atop was spotted and searched. Bags containing Rs 11 crore in cash and 52 kilos of gold were found.
During the raids on the two premises in Bhopal, the teams were aware where the bullion was hidden, indicating that someone aware of the modus operandi had been providing tip-offs.

Sharma has been missing. His application for anticipatory bail has been rejected. On December 27, the ED searched premises allegedly linked to Sharma and his relatives and business associates. The income tax department has issued him a notice while the SPE of the Lokayukta has asked the state criminal investigation department to issue a lookout notice for Sharma. Officers don't rule out Sharma being overseas.

According to sources, besides the cash and bullion, the seizures have also yielded lists of officials and politicians allegedly being bribed by Sharma. Expensive gifts, including designer watches and bags, were found during the search, suggesting how Sharma may have been obliging those influential.

As the investigation progresses, there is still no action by the government to stop collections at transport barriers on inter-state points and RTO offices. It is an open secret that slush funds from transport department collections feed into politics and power. Until that stops, one Saurabh Sharma will be replaced by another.

A newlywed Delhi influencer has caused “second-hand embarrassment” on social media after revealing her Haldi ceremony theme: “South Indian.” Nishtha Gandhi-Malik, a wedding stylist and content creator who married Karan, her boyfriend of four years, said the event became “the talk of the town”, but it may have been for a different reason.
The extensively-documented Haldi ritual featured a sit-down South Indian feast with square banana leaves for placemats, some of her male relatives dressed in veshtis, with Gandhi-Malik wearing a Gajra, a type of jasmine garland for hair, to become “the most viral bride of the year.”

“We are a North Indian family and our Haldi theme was South Indian, and this is how cool everyone looked,” one of the video captions read.
However, the pre-wedding custom wasn’t particularly well-received. On Instagram, where Gandhi-Malik originally posted the film, and on X, where photos and screenshots from the ceremony started a separate discussion, people accused the influencer of “cultural appropriation”.

“Love to see my culture get the same status as a fancy dress competition,” said Athi Jacob.
For some, it wasn’t so much about the “theme” itself but the choice of words.

Sridaya Srivatsan wrote, “I would guess that if there was a story saying there was an admiration for the South Indian aesthetics and the bride always wanted a piece of that on her special day -- this video would have gone down differently. Also it would have helped if it was specified as Kerala, or Tamil Nadu but the generalization of term "south Indian" can make people feel like it's disrespectful.”

Some of the criticism was much harsher. Priyanka said she struggled to find a single “element of South”, while Queercus Agrifolia described it as a desperate search for an ethnic identity by “Hindi speakers” that hasn’t been negatively stereotyped.

Sarees are timeless, and no one proves this better than tennis star Sania Mirza. Recently, she stunned everyone at badminton champion PV Sindhu's wedding reception in Hyderabad, where she graced the event in a striking wine-toned saree. Sania’s sartorial choice reaffirmed her status as a fashion pro, proving that her style off the tennis court is as impressive as her skills on it. Have a look!

The stunning saree, sourced from the designer label Geethika Kanumilli, immediately caught attention with its intricate embroidery. A beautiful blend of sequins and gold threadwork formed delicate flower and leaf patterns, giving the saree a rich, artistic feel. The design was further enhanced by the addition of pink floral motifs, creating an exquisite contrast against the deep wine fabric. The craftsmanship was truly impeccable, making it a statement piece for any occasion.

Sania paired this captivating saree with an equally ornate blouse, elevating the overall look. To complement her outfit, she chose ruby and diamond-encrusted studs and bangles, adding a touch of luxury to her ensemble. Her makeup was elegant and understated, featuring a matte base, rosy cheeks, and maroon lipstick. The intense eyeliner and mascara-adorned lashes brought the perfect touch of drama to her eyes, while a neat bun completed her polished appearance.

Sania shared pictures of her look on social media, with a playful caption that read, "Saree not sorry ????", embracing her chic and confident style. With this stunning saree, Sania Mirza not only captured hearts but also proved once again that a saree is always in style, no matter the occasion.

Sania’s graceful appearance at PV Sindhu’s wedding reception also highlights her effortless ability to blend traditional and contemporary styles. The wine-toned saree, with its exquisite craftsmanship and modern design elements, was a perfect reflection of her chic persona. Whether it’s on the tennis court or at a high-profile event, Sania has consistently managed to stay ahead of fashion trends, showcasing her versatility. By choosing a saree that is both traditional and trendy, she once again demonstrated her keen eye for style, leaving fans and fashion enthusiasts alike in awe of her impeccable fashion sense. Sania continues to prove that when it comes to style, she truly has a game-winning approach.

Prime Video will release Panchayat 4 in 2025
The beloved series Panchayat, known for its heartfelt and humorous depiction of rural life, has captured the hearts of Indian audiences. The team is now working on Panchayat Season 4, which is expected to release in 2025. The series features a talented cast, including Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Sanvikaa, Chandan Roy, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak, Faisal Malik, and Sunita Rajwar.