Tue Apr 15 01:00:45 UTC 2025: ## Fugitive Diamond Tycoon Choksi Arrested in Belgium, RLJP Quits NDA: Top News
**New Delhi, April 15, 2025** – Fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in India for a multi-billion rupee loan fraud, has been arrested in Belgium. Authorities confirmed his custody following a weekend arrest. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused by the Punjab National Bank of defrauding the bank of over ₹13,578 crore. The CBI has been seeking his extradition since 2018.
Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, has left the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing alleged injustice. Paras, brother of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, stated that despite electoral success, the party faced unfair treatment.
In other news, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is undergoing extensive interrogation by the NIA following his extradition from the U.S. The NIA is investigating a larger conspiracy.
Major Indian banks have reduced lending and deposit rates following a recent RBI repo rate cut. HDFC Bank, for instance, lowered deposit rates by 25 basis points.
Celebrations marked the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar across India, with thousands paying tribute at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a new commercial flight route from Hisar to Ayodhya and laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Hisar airport. Separately, the ASI has launched a project to scientifically analyze artifacts from Dwarka to shed light on its ancient history.
A dispute arose over the amended Waqf law, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asserting it won’t be implemented in the state, a claim disputed by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Over 26,000 West Bengal teachers who lost their jobs due to a Supreme Court order are staging a protest in Delhi, following a teacher recruitment scam.
New draft rules mandate testing and verification of all gas meters before use, according to the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
The Supreme Court will hear a case concerning deforestation near the University of Hyderabad on April 16.
PM Modi criticized the Congress for its handling of reservations and accused them of using the Constitution for political gain. This was countered by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused the BJP and RSS of neglecting Ambedkar’s legacy.
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has reportedly received another death threat via WhatsApp.
Bihar unveiled the logo and mascot for the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, to be inaugurated by PM Modi on May 4.
In international news, an all-female crew completed a spaceflight on a Blue Origin rocket, and renowned Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa passed away at age 89. China and Vietnam signed numerous cooperation agreements during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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