Former India cricketer, coach Anshuman Gaekwad passes away at 71
Vadodara: Former India batter and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.
The 71-year-old was undergoing treatment in London before returning to India last month. Facing financial challenges, he received support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which released Rs 1 crore for his treatment following requests from Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil.
In an international career spanning 12 years, the gutsy opening batter represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs). After his playing career, he served as a selector and later became the head coach of the Indian team. One of his most memorable moments as a coach was during a Test match in New Delhi when Anil Kumble scripted history and took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and offered condolences and stated that Gaekwad will be remembered for his contribution to the sport. “He was a gifted player and an outstanding coach," Modi added.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
