scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Monday, January 5, 2026
TopicUttar Pradesh Special Task force

Topic: Uttar Pradesh Special Task force

Ghaziabad’s ‘Westarctica envoy’ was planning Dubai polo league, with sports, film stars as ‘patrons’

UP STF found brochure of proposed league from a laptop recovered during raid against Harsh Vardhan. STF will contact celebrities to ask if their photos were used with their consent.

Micronation drama unfolds, Westarctica’s ‘grand duke’ suspends Ghaziabad man as ‘representative’

Ghaziabad man Harsh Vardhan was arrested by the UP STF earlier this week for running a fake embassy of unrecognised micronations including Westarctica.

‘Westarctica envoy’ running Ghaziabad ‘embassy’ made 100 foreign trips in last 20 yrs—UP STF

He frequently visited the UAE and UK. He also made at least 6 trips to Seborga, an unrecognised principality in Italy’s Liguria province, of which he claimed to be ambassador.

Embassy of Westarctica: The unreal life of a fake diplomat & his grand illusion in Ghaziabad

This week, UP STF raided Harsh Vardhan Jain’s rented bungalow in Ghaziabad, which he'd been successfully passing off as embassy of ‘Seborgia, Poulbia, Lodonia and Westarctica’ for 8 yrs.

Wanted Bihar gangster Nilesh Rai killed in an encounter with UP Special Task Force

Nilesh Rai, who hailed from Begusarai district in Bihar, had 16 cases registered against him including those of murder, loot, and extortion. There was a Rs 2.25 lakh bounty on him.

Ex-MP & gangster Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad, aide killed by Uttar Pradesh cops in Jhansi encounter

The police said they recovered sophisticated weapons from the site; both deceased carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh each.

On Camera

US military intervention in Venezuela — the 3 lessons to remember

The US military operation in Venezuela raises global concern. Experts say that Trump’s action could weaken global legal standards and fuel geopolitical instability.

Trump threatens India with fresh tariffs on Russian oil, calls PM Modi a ‘good guy’

The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.

Greece looking at TATA’s WhAP infantry combat vehicle for army procurement

If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.