Ahmedabad: At least 208 victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad have been so far identified through DNA testing and 170 bodies handed over to the families, an official said on Wednesday.

The London-bound Air India flight AI-171 carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed soon after take-off in Ahmedabad on June 12. All but one passenger on board the plane died along with at least 29 on the ground when the aircraft smashed into the hostel complex of B J Medical College.

Authorities are carrying out DNA tests to establish the identity of the victims as many bodies were charred beyond recognition.

“Till Wednesday evening, 208 DNA samples have been matched, and 170 bodies have been handed over to the respective families,” Ahmedabad Civil Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi told reporters.

The victims whose bodies were handed over included four Portuguese nationals, 30 British nationals and one Canadian.

Following the crash, 71 injured persons were admitted to the civil hospital, Dr Joshi said.

“Of these 71, only seven are currently undergoing treatment here, while 12 other patients are admitted to private hospitals in Ahmedabad and Dahod. Three patients lost their lives during treatment,” said Dr Joshi. The remaining patients were discharged after treatment.

The state government had earlier stated that samples of 250 victims — persons on board the ill-fated flight as well as those killed on the ground — were collected for identification.

The process of DNA matching of other victims is going on, officials said.

Veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy

A bold and sensational podcast episode featuring veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy has taken YouTube by storm, garnering nearly 2.6 lakh views within 24 hours of its release on the Molitics YouTube channel, hosted by Editor Neeraj Jha. In the episode released on June 17, 2025, Swamy made a series of explosive remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and even raised questions on the future of the BJP and India’s economic and political direction.

This is the first part of a five-part news series that breaks down the major statements and allegations made during the podcast. Each part will focus on specific topics discussed in the hour-long conversation. Stay tuned for the upcoming segments.

Here’s what was revealed in Part 1, where the conversation focused on the power dynamics within BJP, the future of Narendra Modi, a possible leadership change, and the upcoming delimitation exercise.

Modi Still in Control, Not the RSS: Swamy

In the part of the conversation, Neeraj Jha asked who truly controls the BJP — Narendra Modi or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Without hesitation, Swamy replied, “Modi. There is nothing about the RSS. As far as running the government is concerned, it’s Modi.”

This once again brought focus on the long-debated equation between the BJP government and its ideological parent, the RSS. Swamy dismissed any influence of the Sangh on day-to-day governance under Modi.

A Big Decision in September, Swamy Drops a Hint

When asked about an important organisational development expected in September 2025, Swamy hinted at a major shake-up but refused to disclose full details.

The host pressed further: “Who is being made the new BJP president?”

Swamy evaded the question but added, “I won’t tell you now… A big bomb is going to explode in September.”

On being asked if he himself was being considered for the party president’s post, Swamy denied it, saying, “No, I don’t need any post. I am senior to everyone. Whoever comes, whoever is President, whoever is any official I am not scared, I will take my stance.”

Swamy on North-South Divide and Language Debate

On the question of growing regional divide between northern and southern states, especially on issues like language, Swamy gave a blunt response:

“If anyone talks about breaking the country, two slaps should be enough.”

He added that there is no real language issue, saying even in Tamil Nadu, Hindi is studied widely and “there is no problem in Karnataka either.”

Delimitation Plans Questioned: “Why the Hurry?”

Another critical topic was the upcoming delimitation exercise which has sparked political debate across the country. Swamy questioned the intentions behind it.

“Modi is doing it. I don’t know why the hurry. What was the need to reduce seats in one state and increase in another?”

While the host pointed out that the government wants delimitation based on population, Swamy contradicted that, saying “It will not be.”

When pressed further, he added a cryptic comment, “Let the government remain after September. Then ask me.”

“Modi is Falling, Not the Government”

One of the most shocking statements came when Swamy claimed:

“Modi is falling. The government will remain. Why should the BJP government fall? We will never want Congress.”

He took a direct jab at Rahul Gandhi, saying his citizenship is British, and that he had submitted proof in court. He went on to accuse Modi of “saving Rahul Gandhi.”

When asked whether this meant Modi was shielding the Congress leader, Swamy did not deny it.

Finally, when asked who would lead the BJP government if Modi steps down, Swamy kept things vague, saying:

“I won’t say anything now. I don’t want to make one person happy and another sad. Let it happen. It will happen.”

(L-R) PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Veteran BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy

In the second part of the five-part news series covering the explosive podcast by Dr. Subramanian Swamy on Molitics YouTube channel, the veteran BJP leader continues his bold, unfiltered criticism of the party’s top leadership. Released on June 17, 2025, the podcast, hosted by Neeraj Jha, has gone viral for its raw and hard-hitting political revelations.

After discussing a likely major shake-up in the BJP leadership in Part 1, this part focuses on Swamy’s account of Narendra Modi’s rise to power, the role of Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah, internal fear within BJP, and counters to allegations that he sought ministerial posts but was sidelined.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the second part of the series:

The Rise of Modi: “Jaitley Was the Manager”

When asked about Modi’s image as a strong leader backed by slogans like the “56-inch chest” and nationalism, Swamy explained how Modi came to the centre stage.

Swamy said there were limited options at that time. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health was declining, and L.K. Advani discredited himself politically after praising Muhammad Ali Jinnah as a “secular” figure during his Pakistan visit.

Among the remaining leaders, Narendra Modi stood out due to his strong propaganda machinery in Gujarat, and no one was ready to challenge him, Swamy said. He revealed that Arun Jaitley played a key behind-the-scenes role, saying,

“Jaitley arranged everything. He was Modi’s manager.”

Amit Shah and Judge Loya Case: “Everyone in BJP Believes It”

In a highly controversial moment in the podcast, Swamy responded to a question about Amit Shah’s influence in the party by saying:

“If you want to kill someone, then Amit Shah.”

He then brought up the Judge B.H. Loya death case, where suspicions had earlier surfaced about foul play during the hearing of a case involving Shah.

Swamy alleged, “Everyone in our party believes that Amit Shah was the one who committed the murder.”

When the host asked why the party would continue to support a leader suspected by its own members, Swamy replied bluntly, “I am helpless in this.”

His Long Relationship with Modi: “He’s Not the Same Man”

Swamy shared personal anecdotes from the early 1970s, claiming he had known Modi since his days in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

He recalled how Modi used to carry his bags from the railway station when he visited Gujarat to deliver lectures.

But Swamy said that Modi changed after gaining power:

“He changed after becoming big. Everything was hidden earlier.”

He drew a dramatic analogy:

“We speak of Rama. Rama went and fought Ravan to bring his wife back. Modi is doing the opposite. He made his wife run away and does not bring her back even after becoming Prime Minister.”

“Everyone Wants a Post. That’s Why No One Speaks”

Swamy blamed the culture of fear and opportunism within the BJP for the silence of other leaders.

“Everyone is afraid. Everyone wants a post. That’s why no one dares to speak.”

Countering Claims of Ministerial Greed: “I’ve Held Portfolios Before”

Addressing the common perception that Swamy was sidelined in BJP because he demanded a ministry and didn’t get it, he firmly denied the charge, calling it “propaganda.”

He explained that he had already held powerful roles in earlier governments:

During Chandra Shekhar’s time, he was given two portfolios, including Law Minister.

Under Narasimha Rao, he had significant influence. Rao offered him a position despite Swamy refusing to join Congress.

“At least five ministries were under me. Narasimha Rao would call me every day at 5 pm to discuss the country,” he said.

Swamy also mentioned his close relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, who tried to get him into the Congress fold.

“I told him, you are fine. But those who will come after you will not be fine,” he said, suggesting his long-term disapproval of the Congress system.

New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was hospitalised owing to a stomach-related issue, is stable and recovering well, the hospital said on Thursday.

The 78-year-old Congress leader was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on June 15.

According to Dr Ajay Swaroop, the chairman of the hospital, Gandhi is responding positively to treatment.

“Her health is stable, and a specific diet plan has been introduced today as part of her ongoing care. She remains under close observation,” he said in a health update issued on Thursday morning.

While her recovery is progressing steadily, the hospital has not yet decided on a discharge date. Doctors said the decision will be made based on her overall recovery.

A team of senior doctors is closely monitoring her condition, the statement said.

Rekha Gupta

New Delhi A 30-year-old man was apprehended on Saturday for allegedly issuing a death threat under the influence of alcohol to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, after police refused to help him contact his estranged wife, an official said.

Accused Shlok Tripathi alias Shlok Tiwari was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police from Ghaziabad, he added.

The accused is being jointly interrogated at the office of the Delhi Police’s Special Staff in northwest Delhi by the Uttar Pradesh Police, Delhi Police, Special Cell and Intelligence Bureau, a senior police officer said.

Shlok, who is pursuing an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree and works as a deed writer at the Ghaziabad court, was married in 2020.

However, his wife has been living separately in Delhi since last year, while he resides in Ghaziabad with his mother and sister.

While he mentioned during interrogation that his wife left her matrimonial house due to a dispute between her and his mother, police said she possibly took the decision as the accused has a drinking problem.

“He wanted to talk and meet his wife, who has been living separately from him due to his alcohol addiction. He was also in a nasha mukti kendra for three months last year,” the officer said.

In a desperate attempt to talk to his wife, the accused dialled the emergency helpline number 112 in Ghaziabad on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the officer added.

“At first, he did not mention the Delhi chief minister’s name. He asked police to make his wife come back and complained that she was not talking to him. However, when police did not pay heed, he threatened to kill the chief minister,” he said.

The accused was reportedly under depression due to the separation with his wife, the officer said, adding that he has a history of making anonymous calls to police.

Following the threatening call, the Ghaziabad Police alerted its Delhi counterparts and dispatched a team to Panchwati Colony, from where the call was reportedly made, but the caller managed to evade getting caught, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad, Ritesh Tripathi said.

Meanwhile, police have increased Gupta’s security details and strengthened it outside her northwest Delhi residence. The chief minister receives a “Z” category security cover of the Delhi Police.

 Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday stressed the critical role played by the farm sector in the nation’s growth trajectory and called on corporates to share their profits with them.

Interacting with industry leaders and entrepreneurs here, he said, “Time has come for corporates to share their profits with the farm sector. Your investment in research or farmland is not charity – it is a gainful investment.”

He also urged the political parties in the country to bring down the political temperature and said, “The dialogue between political parties cannot be a confrontation – the dialogue has to be soothing. Democracy is defined, friends, by dialogue and discourse.”

According to him, India is a thriving federal society where there has to be sync between the Centre and the States. Dialogue between leaders and political parties is vital–absence of dialogue will not be good for our national mindset.

“Issues of national security, issues connected with our nationalism, and issues connected to our development must be viewed from a national prism, not a partisan one. I do not doubt the political sagacity of people across the spectrum–they are available in all political parties,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Vice President Secretariat.

Invoking the Vedantic principle of freedom of expression, the Vice-President stated, “Democratic values–cannot be described without freedom of expression and debate. If someone attacks, frustrates or regulates your right to expression, then there is a deficiency in democracy.”

He noted that people in industry, unlike politics, are satisfied by balance sheets. “But greenfield projects are not emerging at the pace they should. Please think, converge in clusters to ensure equitable employment and growth,” Dhankhar said.

Speaking on farm-sector integration with industry, the Vice-President, said, “I come from a farming community. The farm sector plays a critical role in the nation’s growth trajectory. But at the moment, it is only producing agro-products – it is not part of the marketing chain.”

Calling for industry-farm convergence, he added, “Industry must brainstorm to bring greater synergy with the farm sector. Farmers need to be hand-held; agripreneurs must emerge, but they cannot do so without support.”

On the future of India’s growth, Dhankhar underscored the role of research and innovation and said, “We must engage in research of the highest order. Our research capacity will define Bharat’s global standing. Our technological innovation will define how secure we are.”

Touching upon strategic peace, he observed that, “peace is fundamental to business and people’s harmony. But peace is never bargained–it comes from strength. The greatest peace is secured when we are ever prepared for war.”

Highlighting the evolution of industry’s role in national security, he noted, “There was a time when industry only manufactured armoury. Now, it must lead in technology. Research is the spine of long-term growth.”

Declaring that Bharat is on an unstoppable rise, the Vice-President stated, “Bharat is no longer a country of potential – it is a country on the rise. ‘Viksit Bharat’ is no longer our dream – it is our objective. But we must take a quantum leap by increasing per capita income manyfold.”

Urging a practical outlook, he added, “We must juxtapose our economic status with our demographic size -1.4 billion people. On empirical estimates, there must be an eightfold increase in per capita income.”

New Delhi: Five persons received a new lease of life after a brain dead patient’s organs were sent across different parts of the country, with one kidney and a cornea being airlifted by an Indian Air Force aircraft from Bengaluru to Delhi.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), in a post on X, shared details of the coordinated operation and photographs of the airlift on Saturday.

“The IAF enabled life-saving multi-organ retrieval and critical transplants at different locations, undertaken through Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore (CHAFB) today,” the post said.

The donor, declared brain dead on Friday, became the “source of new life for five individuals”, it added.

According to the IAF, one kidney and a cornea were flown to the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Delhi. The other kidney and cornea, as well as the first skin harvest, were transplanted at CHAFB in collaboration with a medical team from Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru.

The liver was successfully transplanted at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, it said.

“This seamless operation was executed with Jeevansarthakathe Karnataka, reflecting the exceptional commitment and medical expertise of the Armed Forces medical community,” the IAF said in the post.