The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the launch and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)–Modified Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) for 10 years, with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore backed by government budgetary support.. The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the launch and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)–Modified Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) for 10 years. (PMO). Under the scheme, the government will develop 100 airports/airstrips, it said. The scheme, which will be in place from financial year (FY) 2026–27 to FY 2035–36, will cater to underserved and unserved airstrips, the government said.. “It will be a boost to economic growth, trade and tourism in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, support affordable air travel for common citizens, (help in) improved emergency response and healthcare access in remote and hilly regions, greater viability and sustainability for regional aerodromes and airline operators, promotion of the indigenous aerospace sector under Atmanirbhar Bharat and progress towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal,” a statement issued by the government read.. The first UDAN scheme (UDAN 1.0) was launched in October 2016 and took off on April 27, 2017, with the objective of making air travel affordable and strengthening connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. UDAN 2.0 was launched in 2018, UDAN 3.0 in 2019, and UDAN 4.0 in 2020. A series of UDAN 5 was launched starting April 2023. Thereafter, UDAN 5.1 was launched in May 2023, UDAN 5.2 in July the same year, UDAN 5.3 in January 2024, UDAN 5.4 in August 2024, and UDAN 5.5 was launched in February last year.. In over nine years of implementation, 663 routes were operationalised across 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes as of February 28 this year. More than 3.41 lakh flights were operated, carrying 162.47 lakh passengers.. The key components of the modified scheme, announced on Wednesday, include the development of aerodromes, their operations and maintenance (O&M), development of modern helipads, and viability gap funding (VGF).. “Under the Modified UDAN Scheme, it is proposed to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips to enhance regional connectivity, in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of infrastructure expansion and transforming India into a globally competitive aviation ecosystem, with a total outlay of ₹12,159 crore over the next eight years,” a statement issued by the government read.. Speaking on the maintenance of aerodromes, the government said, “Given the high recurring O&M costs and limited revenue streams for RCS-only aerodromes, the scheme proposes to provide O&M support for three years capped at ₹3.06 crore per annum per airport and ₹0.90 crore per annum per heliport/water aerodrome, estimated at ₹2,577 crore for around 441 aerodromes.”. The government also proposed to develop 200 modern helipads to add 

 Maharashtra Police has arrested a man in Mumbai for allegedly plotting the murder of his wife, Geeta Chaudhary, in a calculated act driven by an extramarital affair. The case, which initially appeared to be a suicide, came to light a year and a half later after persistent investigation revealed the chilling details.. The investigation found that Sakaram had tried twice to kill Geeta before resorting to hiring people to murder her. (Praful Gangurde/HT). The incident took place on October 14, 2024, when Geeta, 34, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her kitchen. The man has been identified as Sakaram.. Police initially treated it as an accidental death and registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The post-mortem at the time failed to determine a clear cause of death, and Geeta’s body was subsequently transported to Rajasthan for her last rites, according to a report by NDTV.. However, suspicion arose within her family. Her father, Bhanaram Chaudhary, refused to accept that his daughter would take her own life, the report further added.. Also read | 18-year-old held in Canada for killing Indian student in suspected hate crime. Convinced that foul play was involved, he lodged a formal complaint and pressed for the case to be reinvestigated. Geeta’s body was exhumed, and a second post-mortem confirmed that she had died from strangulation.. The investigation found that Sakaram had tried twice to kill Geeta before resorting to hiring people to murder her.. Also read | Chargesheet names seven in kabaddi promoter’s murder case. The first attempt involved staging a road accident in Powai, and the second was physical assault. After these failures, he enlisted his friend, Shankar Dangi, and two accomplices, Babu (also known as Raghav or Amarchand Gayari) and Dinesh Gayri, to carry out the murder for a sum of ₹6.7 lakh.. On October 14, they strangled Geeta and staged the scene to appear as a suicide.. During questioning, Sakaram initially misled investigators but eventually admitted to the crime. He revealed that he had been involved in an affair with a woman named Dimple Chaudhary and wanted to live with her. Geeta, his wife, became an “obstacle” to this.. All four accused—Sakaram, Shankar Dangi, Babu, and Dinesh Gayri—have been arrested. 

 Singer Zubeen Garg drowned accidentally, and there is no evidence of foul play, Singapore’s state coroner’s court ruled on Wednesday. State coroner Adam Nakhoda said the court had no reason to differ from the conclusions of the police, which determined that the incident was a tragic accident.. Singer Zubeen Garg. (PTI). Garg, who was in Singapore for a cultural festival and was scheduled to perform, died on September 19, 2025, during a private yacht outing. Evidence presented during the coroner’s inquiry suggested that Garg had alcohol before boarding the yacht and appeared visibly unsteady. Witnesses told the court that he initially wore a life jacket when he first entered the waters, but later removed it, citing poor fit.. The court found Garg returned to the yacht in an exhausted state and attempted a second swim. “Despite being offered a properly sized life jacket, he refused to wear it,” the court said. It added that those present tried to persuade him to use safety gear.. The Singapore Police said video evidence reviewed during the inquiry showed Garg’s swimming was laboured and unsteady. He turned back towards the yacht, possibly due to fatigue or physical discomfort, before becoming unresponsive in the water.. Other swimmers quickly moved to assist him and brought him back on board. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered, and emergency services were alerted. Garg was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.. A post-mortem examination confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Toxicology findings showed a high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, which the court said would have significantly impaired his coordination and judgment.. The coroner noted Garg’s medical history, including hypertension and epilepsy, but said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that a seizure occurred at the time of the incident.. The court addressed concerns Garg’s family had raised and said the investigation had been comprehensive and found no indication that anyone had forced or coerced him into the water or contributed to his death through deliberate action.. Garg’s death sparked outrage, protests, and demands for accountability. Separate criminal proceedings are pending in Assam against individuals connected to Garg’s Singapore trip.. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into Garg’s death. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the incident as a plain and simple murder.. A probe team travelled to Singapore in October last year following diplomatic intervention. After nearly three months of investigation, the SIT filed a 12,000-page chargesheet in December 2025. Seven people, including the Garg’s cousin and an Assam Police officer, have been arrested.. The Assam government formed a fast-track court in October to hear the case. The high court approved day-to-day hearings in the matter this month. 

 Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leader, is stable and being checked by doctors for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract, said Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the politician was admitted.. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on the occasion of the 140th foundation day of the Indian National Congress on December 28, 2025. (Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times). Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday at 10:22 pm, news agency ANI quoted Dr Ajay Swaroop, chairman of the medical facility, as saying.. “She is stable. Doctors are conducting further investigations to check for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract. A team of doctors is closely monitoring her condition, and antibiotics have been administered,” Dr Swaroop said.. Gandhi was reportedly admitted after experiencing respiratory issues at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Ajay Swaroop said that following a detailed medical examination, Sonia Gandhi’s bronchial asthma was mildly exacerbated by the combined effects of cold weather and prevailing pollution levels in Delhi, ANI reported.. As a precautionary measure, doctors decided to admit her for observation and further medical management.. Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Sonia Gandhi’s son, on Wednesday cancelled his scheduled official visit to Kerala due to his mother’s health concerns.. He was scheduled to kick off his election campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala today with a major rally in Kozhikode. Senior Congress MP and party president Mallikarjun Kharge later left for poll-bound Kerala in place of Rahul Gandhi.. The veteran leader was also admitted last year in June due to stomach-related issues. She was kept under observation at the hospital’s gastro department.. Gandhi was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla earlier the same month – on June 7 last year. 

 Coming down heavily on the police in Haryana’s Gurugram over the alleged rape of a three-year old, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked why should action not be taken against the officials, alleging “all-out” efforts were made to protect the accused.. The Supreme Court of India (PTI file). A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two female domestic helps along with their male accomplice for approximately two months in a society in Sector 54, according to PTI news agency, which cited police.. The Supreme Court was hearing the case of where it was informed that the Magistrate recorded the survivor’s statement in presence of the accused.. “It’s a glaring case where police has made all-out efforts to protect accused. Unwarranted report submitted…We doubt academic or professional qualifications or their ability to render any valuable assistance in such matters,” the Supreme Court said, rapping the Gurugram Police.. The top court directed the Haryana government to expeditiously notify the Special Investigation Team (SIT), asking Gurugram Police to hand over case records by Thursday.. On March 20, the top court had agreed to hear the plea seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the rape of the three-year-old girl in Gurugram.. The apex court on Wednesday constituted three-member SIT comprising Haryana cadre women IPS officers to probe the three-year-old’s rape case.