India News 22 August Live Updates: Interpol issues Red Corner Notice against alleged Sambhal violence mastermind

NIA raids were conducted at two locations in Anantnag as part of a terror probe. Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against fugitive Shariq Sata in the Sambhal violence case. Meanwhile, the Ram Mandir Trust meeting, rising sugar prices and Rajasthan’s school infrastructure crisis remain key developments.

Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against fugitive gangster Shariq Sata, who is accused of being the alleged mastermind behind the November 2024 violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, police said. Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said Sata had earlier been declared a fugitive offender by a court, with proceedings also initiated to attach his property. The notice comes as authorities continue efforts to trace and bring Sata back to India.

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Ram Mandir Trust meeting: Nine-page letter puts focus on management ahead of CEO selection

A nine-page letter detailing the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, legal battles and construction of the Ayodhya temple has created a buzz ahead of the September 3 meeting of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. The meeting is expected to choose the Trust’s first chief executive officer amid the ongoing donation theft row.

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The letter, dated August 18, has not been made public. It is widely believed to have been written by former Trust general secretary Champat Rai, though he has neither confirmed nor denied it. The letter also highlights the role of temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra, describing him as the final authority on construction-related decisions.

Sugar prices soar ahead of festive season as production, stocks fall

Sugar prices have risen sharply ahead of the festive season, with Dussehra and Diwali still weeks away. The all-India modal retail price of sugar rose to Rs 65 per kg on Friday from Rs 45 on July 21 and Rs 50 on July 31, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs. Ex-factory prices have also climbed sharply in major sugar-producing states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The rise has been attributed to lower-than-expected sugar production and stocks at a nine-year low. Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association had estimated gross domestic sugar production for the 2025-26 season at 343.5 lakh tonnes. After diversion of 34 lakh tonnes for ethanol production, net output was projected at 309.5 lakh tonnes.

CJP team attacked on way to inspect Rajasthan government school

Rajasthan has 611 government schools running without buildings, including 38 in state capital Jaipur, according to state government data. Of the 64,484 government schools with their own buildings, 2,047 lack toilet facilities and 1,049 do not have drinking water. Against this backdrop, a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) team led by co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka was allegedly attacked while on its way to inspect a government school in Bagru near Jaipur on Friday.

The team was visiting the school following allegations that classes were being held in a cowshed. The school building was declared unsafe and closed last year, after which students were shifted to a temporary enclosure that allegedly also houses buffaloes. The incident has brought renewed attention to the condition of government school infrastructure in Rajasthan.

Live Updates
Aug 22, 2026 11:08 AM IST
3 steel factory employees die in fire at Ramgarh plant in Jharkhand

At least three employees of a steel factory in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district died and another was injured after a fire broke out at the plant, police said on Saturday. The fire broke out at the factory's captive power plant in Helal around midnight on Friday and later spread. Four employees suffered severe burn injuries and three died during treatment at a hospital, Ramgarh SP Mukesh Kumar Lunayat said. The deceased were identified as Sanjeev, Vinit and Abhishek. Police said the exact cause of the fire is being investigated.

Aug 22, 2026 10:56 AM IST
BJP chief Nitin Nabin holds first meeting with new national team

BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday held his first meeting with the party's newly appointed national office-bearers to discuss poll strategy and grassroots outreach. The meeting focused on preparations for upcoming Assembly elections, grassroots mobilisation and communicating government initiatives to the public. The BJP's new national team has 65 office-bearers, including 51 new faces. The team includes 13 national vice presidents, including Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Ram Madhav. Former Union minister Smriti Irani has been appointed a national general secretary.

Aug 22, 2026 10:47 AM IST
NIA raids two location in Kashmir's Anantnag

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted raids at two locations in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district as part of its probe into a terror case. Officials said the searches were underway as part of the ongoing investigation.

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