Jyothi, Aditi set up semifinal clash; India assure two medals in archery
Hangzhou (PTI): Reigning world champion Aditi Swami and top seed Jyothi Surekha Vennam eased past their respective quarterfinal rivals to set up a semifinal clash against each other in the women's compound individual event and assure India of at least a silver medal in archery at the Asian Games, here on Tuesday.
In the men's compound individual section, India also assured themselves at least a bronze medal after Abhishek Verma and Ojas Deotale entered the last-four stages.
Former 2014 silver medalist Verma overcame a late challenge from Tyutyun and win in an intense shoot-off to make the semifinal.
Leading 60-57 after two ends, Verma slipped as his Kazakh rival Andrey Tyutyun bounced back to level 147-147 and force a shoot-off.
Both the archers shot a 10, but the Indian was adjudged the winner -- 147-147 (10*-10) -- with his arrow closer to the centre.
Current world champion Deotale, on the other hand, shot an incredible 150 out of 150 to breeze past Akbarali Karbayev of Kazakhstan.
The duo find themselves in the opposite end and head for a possible final clash, should they get past their respective semifinal hurdles.
Fourth seed Verma will take on South Korean top seed Joe Jaehoon later in the day.
Third-seeded Deotale will face seventh seeded Yang Jaewon of South Korea.
Aditi, who is seeded fourth, dropped just one point from 15 arrows to eliminate Amaya Amparo Cojuangco of Phillipines 149-146 in the quarterfinals.
Multiple World Cup medallist Jyothi ousted ninth seed Adel Zhexenbinova of Kazakhstan 147-144 in another last-eight round match.
Overall, the Indian archers are in medal hunt in eight events, including two in individual sections.
The duo are now headed for their second semifinal clash in two months.
Aditi, who considers the seasoned Jyothi as her idol, had ousted the latter 145-149 in the semifinal en route to becoming senior world champion at Berlin in August this year.
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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.
