New Delhi, July 23: Silver prices surged by Rs 4,000 to hit a record high of Rs 1,18,000 per kilogram while gold advanced Rs 1,000 in the national capital on Wednesday due to heavy buying by stockists.

According to the All India Sarafa Association, gold of 99.9 per cent purity climbed Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,01,020 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). It had closed at Rs 1,00,020 per 10 grams in the previous market close.

Gold of 99.5 per cent purity appreciated Rs 900 to Rs 1,00,450 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Wednesday. In the previous trade, the yellow metal finished at Rs 99,550 per 10 grams.

“Gold continues to be in demand as global uncertainty rises, largely due to diminishing expectations for a US-EU trade deal ahead of the August 1 deadline.

“This uncertainty has intensified market anxiety, which drives flow towards the safe-haven,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

The precious metal is also supported by overall weakness in the US Dollar, Gandhi said.

In the national capital, Silver had soared Rs 3,000 to close at Rs 1,14,000 per kg on Tuesday. It had risen by Rs 7,500 per kg in the last three sessions.

Bullion traders said the ongoing bullish sentiment in the silver market is primarily driven by industrial demand.

Meanwhile, silver futures for September delivery climbed Rs 896 or 0.77 per cent to hit a fresh record high of Rs 1,16,551 per kg on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).

Additionally, gold futures for August delivery slipped Rs 24 to Rs 1,00,305 per 10 grams on the commodities bourse.

On the global front, spot gold fell 0.26 per cent to USD 3,422.87 per ounce.

According to Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency at LKP Securities, investors will await manufacturing and services PMI data from major economies, including the US, the UK and the Eurozone, which will provide more cues trajectory of bullion prices in the near term.

Spot silver climbed 0.26 per cent to USD 39.39 per ounce in the overseas markets.

New Delhi, July 23: The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday responded to allegations raised in a UK media report regarding misidentification of bodies repatriated after the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, affirming that all mortal remains were handled “with utmost professionalism and due regard for the dignity of the deceased.”

“In response to media queries regarding a report in the Daily Mail on the Air India crash, the Official Spokesperson, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, said: ‘We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue,’” the MEA said in a statement issued in New Delhi.

The comments come after the media reported that two British families alleged they had received the wrong bodies following the repatriation of remains from India. DNA testing reportedly indicated mismatches in at least two of the caskets sent to the UK after the crash of Air India flight AI171. According to lawyer James Healy, representing the affected families, 12 to 13 sets of remains were flown to the UK, with two families subsequently informed that the remains did not match their relatives based on DNA analysis, reports NDTV.

The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into a residential complex near BJ Medical College. Of the 242 passengers and crew members onboard, only one survived.

New Delhi, July 23: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was “forced” to resign from his post by “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Cabinet ministers,” claiming he was “threatened” with impeachment.

Addressing the media, Banerjee further claimed that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh “would be made” the next Vice President of India.

“Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to resign by the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers. He was threatened that if he didn’t resign before 9 pm on that day, an impeachment motion would be brought against him. This is a pressure tactic by the PM and other Cabinet ministers. Earlier, one Election Commissioner resigned just before the elections… It is being heard that now Rajnath Singh will be made vice president,” Kalyan Banejree said.

His remarks came amid continued speculation surrounding Dhankhar’s sudden resignation, which was announced on Monday evening, the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Opposition leaders have expressed surprise over Dhankhar’s decision and said there “are far deeper reasons” for his resignation. The resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Earlier in the day, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressed scepticism over Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice President, suggesting that there was something not quite right with his decision.

“The government should answer why he resigned. I can see ‘dal mein kuch kaala hai.’ His health is fine. He used to defend RSS and BJP always. Who and what is behind his resignation should be known to the country,” Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Deputy Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on Dhankhar’s resignation, alleging that the Prime Minister’s comments highlighted the political nature of the resignation.

Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday evening “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice”.

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution,” Dhankhar said in his letter.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency – the Hon’ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure,” he added.

Dhankhar also expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers.

“Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office,” he said.

New Delhi, July 23: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the commencement of the election process for the Office of the Vice President after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post.

Dhankhar tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on July 21, citing health concerns.

“The MHA vide its Gazette Notification S.O.3354(E) dated July 22, 2025, has notified the resignation of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India,” the ECI said in a statement, adding that it is, under Article 324, “mandated” to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India.

The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made under it — The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.

“Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025. On completion of the preparatory activities, the announcement of the Election Schedule to the office of the Vice-President of India will follow as soon as possible,” the polls body said.

The ECI also mentioned that major pre-announcement activities, which are already been started, include preparation of Electoral College, which consists of elected as well as nominated members of Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha; Finalisation of Returning Officer/ Assistant Returning Officer(s); and Preparation and dissemination of Background Material on all the previous Vice-Presidential elections.

Until that election is concluded, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha steps in to discharge the Vice President’s parliamentary duties, including presiding over proceedings in the Upper House.

However, this temporary arrangement does not confer the title of Acting Vice President or confer broader constitutional authority beyond the Rajya Sabha chairmanship.

According to experts, under the Constitution, the Election Commission must fill the vacancy “as soon as possible”, typically within six months. The new Vice President, once elected, will serve a full five-year term rather than simply completing the remainder of Dhankhar’s tenure.