Woman followed by PM Modi says Rana Ayyub lied about being COVID positive; Journalist replies
New Delhi: A lady Twitter user on Monday alleged that senior Journalist Rana Ayyub lied about being COVID-19 positive. The woman also added “imagine how much she lied after 2002” taking a dig at the journalist’s book “Gujarat Files”.
The woman interestingly is followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the micro-blogging site. The woman’s name (as mentioned in her Twitter account) is Divya and uses the username “@divya_16”.
“If @RanaAyyub can lie so brazenly about being Covid positive, imagine how much she lied after 2002,” she wrote in her tweet.
Replying to the woman’s tweet, Rana Ayyub wrote “This twitter handle is followed by the Prime Minister of India. I rest my case”.
Rana Ayyub had tested positive for COVID-19 on September 9 and was hospitalized in Mumbai. On Monday, the journalist shared her COVID-19 test reports on Twitter with a caption “And finally COVID free”.
She followed it with another tweet detailing her health’s progress. She also lauded the “excellent care of the doctors and nursing staff” and thanked her followers for their support.
Rana Ayyub called the campaign against her as “malicious propaganda of the Indian right-wing”.
“The malicious propaganda of the Indian right-wing. Claims I faked COVID to help with Uddhav Thackeray's PR. You guys are sick, sick !!” she wrote in another tweet.
This twitter handle is followed by the Prime Minister of India. I rest my case https://t.co/a3vpHJiVWS
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) September 14, 2020
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
