Couple killed as roof of house in northeast Delhi collapses, case filed against owner

GurgaonUpdated: Aug 1, 2026 01:55 PM IST Ankit Bhardwaj (left), who worked as an ad hoc, contractual cyber expert at the National Investigation Agency in Delhi, was granted bail in an alleged attempt at bribery linked to a purported “objectionable” video of Bhagwant Mann (right), Holding that organised crime charges cannot be invoked without a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, a Gurgaon court on July 30 granted regular bail to 24-year-old Ankit Bhardwaj in connection with the alleged fabrication of forensic reports in the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann video row. Bhardwaj, who worked as an ad hoc, contractual cyber expert at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi, had been in custody since June 23 in connection with an alleged attempt at bribery linked to a purported “objectionable” video of Mann.The order passed by Additional Sessions Judge Sudeep Goel observed that the police failed to produce supporting documents collected during the investigation and ruled that the mere non-existence of a physical office address for a digital laboratory does not automatically render it a fake entity. Setting out the reasons for granting bail to Bhardwaj, the court noted that the trial would take time and no purpose would be served by keeping him incarcerated. The judge noted that the primary accusation against the accused was that “being a technical sound person, he prepared a false report to favour a political party” and that “the said act was done at the instance of some of the senior officials of the Punjab Government”. However, highlighting the alleged missing evidentiary link in the police probe, the court pointed out that the investigating agency “themselves admitted that the documents and electronic instruments have been sent to the Forensic Lab,” but the “report has yet not been received”. Addressing the prosecution’s claim that one of the firms involved, Cipher Sentinel Lab, lacked a physical laboratory at its registered address, the court said, “Mere the fact that Cipher Sentinel Lab had no physical lab at the given address does not mean that it was a forged and fabricated firm”.Story continues below this ad On the police’s decision to invoke organised crime charges against the accused, the court held that the applicability of such charges remains a matter of investigation rather than an established fact. It held, “At this stage, the investigating agency has failed to produce any documents collected during investigation. Section 111 BNS (organised crime) cannot be invoked at this stage as there is no FSL report received on file.” “Accordingly, keeping in view the totality of circumstances and period of incarceration already spent by the accused, the applicant/accused is admitted to bail on his furnishing bail bonds in the sum of 1,00,000/- with one surety in the like amount,” the court ordered. The judge added that if the investigating agency receives a forensic report in its favour at a later stage, “it may approach this court for cancellation of bail”. Defence cited lack of evidence; state opposed relief Appearing for the twenty-four-year-old accused, Advocate Dr Rajesh Sabhrawal contended that Bhardwaj was falsely implicated and kept in illegal custody prior to his formal arrest on June 23. Defense counsel argued that the police invoked organised crime provisions without any baseline evidence, call details, or financial records showing connivance or involvement with an organised crime syndicate. The defense further submitted that charges for cheating, cheating by personation, forgery, and using as genuine a forged document or electronic record of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with the charge of tampering with computer source documents and cheating by personation using computer resource of the Information Technology Act, 2000, could not be sustained without a formal forensic laboratory evaluation.Story continues below this ad Opposing the bail application, Public Prosecutor Jagbir Sehrawa

eBay’s headquarters in San Jose, California. The company and three former executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit over a stalking campaign targeting a Massachusetts couple. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) eBay and three former senior executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a Massachusetts couple who were subjected to a years-long stalking and harassment campaign after publishing critical coverage of the company, CNN reported. The settlement includes $46.15 million to the Steiners, $6 million in charitable contributions to non-profit organisations, and a commitment by eBay to issue a strongly worded statement condemning the conduct of three former senior executives.In a statement, the company said the harassment was “wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened,” adding that it continued to extend its “deepest apologies” to the couple. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, followed the criminal prosecution of seven former eBay employees who admitted to participating in the campaign. The employees sent the couple disturbing items, including cockroaches, fly larvae and a bloody Halloween pig mask, while also travelling to Massachusetts to surveil them and attempt to install a GPS tracking device on their car. Why the Steiners were targeted David and Ina Steiner publish EcommerceBytes, an independent newsletter covering the e-commerce industry, and prosecutors said executives viewed its reporting as damaging to eBay. According to prosecutors, the campaign was launched after senior executives viewed the Steiners’ newsletter, EcommerceBytes, as critical of the company. Prosecutors cited a 2019 text message from then-eBay CEO Devin Wenig to then-chief communications officer Steve Wymer, saying it was time to “take her down,” referring to Ina Steiner. eBay separately agreed in 2024 to pay a $3 million criminal fine over the case.Story continues below this ad As part of the settlement, Wenig will pay the Steiners $2 million and donate $1 million to a charity supporting First Amendment rights in Ina Steiner’s name. In a statement, he said he was saddened by what happened and described the employees’ conduct as “antithetical” to his values. Former senior vice president Wendy Jones and former communications chief Steve Wymer will pay the couple $500,000 and $50,000, respectively. The Steiners’ lawyers said settlements have also been reached with all other eBay employees named in the lawsuit. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US