Category: India

The PM’s comments on Maoist terrorism follow the surrender of 170 on Thursday alone in Chhattisgarh, a region of the country that has historically struggled with the Maoist threat.

Over 300 Maoists surrendered in the past 24 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday night at the NDTV World Summit 2025, highlighting his government’s crackdown on domestic terror groups and his ‘pain’ at the bloodshed and violence the fighting had caused.

“In the last 50-55 years thousands were killed by Maoist terrorists. These Naxals would not allow schools or hospitals to be built… they would not let doctors enter clinics… they would bomb institutions. Maoist terrorism was an injustice to the young people,” he said.

“I used to feel agitated… this is the first time I am expressing my pain to the world,” he said before a gathering that included Harini Amarasuriya, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and the former prime ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom, Tony Abbott and Rishi Sunak.

This is why my government, the Prime Minister said, has taken particular efforts to reach out to ‘these wayward youth’ and bring them back into the mainstream. “Today the country is seeing the result of these efforts,” the PM said, referring to the mass surrenders this week.

“Now, 303 Naxals have surrendered. These were not normal people… they were carrying bounties on their heads, and a huge cache of arms was recovered from them,” he said.

As a result of those mass surrenders, he said, the government has succeeded in reducing the number of Naxal-affected districts, across the country, to just 11 from 125 a decade ago.

The PM’s comments on Maoist terrorism follow the surrender of 170 on Thursday alone in Chhattisgarh, a region of the country that has historically struggled with the Maoist threat.

“Earlier, the headlines were about vehicles blown up in Bastar (a particularly badly-affected district) and security personnel killed. Today, youth there are organising ‘Bastar Olympics’. This is a big change,” the Prime Minister said, “Now, they will be able to celebrate Diwali.”

Bastar witnessed a potential watershed moment in the fight against Maoist terror this week after more than 150 Maoists – led by Central Committee member Rupesh alias Satish Kofa – laid down their arms and joined the mainstream, although Kofa told NDTV his focus is less on ‘surrendering’ and more on “changing the way of struggle for the people”.

The Prime Minister accused previous governments of allowing what he called an “ecosystem of Urban Naxals” to suppress discussion on Maoist violence.

“During the Congress regime, the ecosystem of ‘Urban Naxals’ was so dominant that no incident of Maoist terrorism would reach the people of the country. A very large censorship mechanism was in operation… Those who flourished under Congress rule, who captured institutions and called themselves Urban Naxals, worked to draw a curtain over Maoist terror,” PM Modi said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/303-surrendered-in-just-75-hours-pm-modi-on-maoist-terror-at-ndtv-world-summit-9475351?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

After the deceased were caught/taken in custody, they might have been taken to the jungle and where they were killed by the security forces and the police, he submitted.

Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has said anti-Naxal operations, being part of regular counter-insurgency measures undertaken by State or Central security forces, cannot be subjected to investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) unless exceptional circumstances warrant such intervention.

Dismissing a petition seeking an SIT probe into the killing of outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) Central Committee member K Ramachandra Reddy in an anti-Naxal operation in Narayanpur district last month, a division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Judge Bibhu Datta Guru said directing investigation by SIT into such regular field operations would not only undermine the federal structure of policing powers but also set a precedent inconsistent with established legal and administrative principles.

The order was passed on October 14.

Reddy’s son Raja Chandra (33), a resident of Theegalakuntapally in Telangana’s Siddipet district, had filed the petition seeking the constitution of an SIT comprising honest and upright police officers from outside Chhattisgarh. He had alleged that his father was killed by the security forces in a fake encounter.

According to police, Katta Ramachandra Reddy alias Raju Dada (63) and Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy alias Kosa Dada (67), both Central Committee members of the banned outfit, were killed in a gunfight with District Reserve Guard, a unit of the state police, on September 22 near the forested hills of Farasbeda and Toymeta villages in Abujhmad area.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves submitted in the HC that his client reasonably apprehends that his father K Ramchandra Reddy was executed by the police in a cold-blooded manner and subsequently a false story of an encounter was concocted.

Both the security forces and Naxals were hundreds in number, and after the encounter, only two persons died, and those were CC members of the Maoists, he said. It is highly suspicious that no other Maoists or security forces died or were injured in the “so-called encounter” when, normally, a Maoist leader of high rank is protected and surrounded by many other Maoists, he further argued.

After the deceased were caught/taken in custody, they might have been taken to the jungle and where they were killed by the security forces and the police, he submitted.

Gonsalves, referring to press releases, also raised questions over the timing of the encounter.

On September 17, a press release was issued by Politburo member (Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi) Sonu, wherein it was stated that due to changing circumstances, the Maoists wanted to give up armed struggle and join the mainstream.

Thereafter, on September 20, another press release was given by a person named Vikalp who is stated to be spokesperson of Maoist party. According to the police, deceased K Ramchandra Reddy was the spokesperson of the Maoist party and the second press release was issued by him stating that the previous press release was not issued by the Maoists and they did not intend to give up armed struggle. Just after two days of press release, Reddy was allegedly killed, he submitted.

The petitioner also raised questions on the nature of injuries on his father’s body.

Opposing the petition, state Advocate General Prafulla N Bharat described the encounter as genuine and submitted that following specific intelligence input, a police party was sent on search operation in Abhujmad area during which encounter took place between security forces and 20-25 Naxalites.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/chhattisgarh/naxal-death-no-sit-probe-says-chhattisgarh-hc-cites-undermining-of-federal-structure-of-policing-3766984

The petition filed by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has sought constitution of a judicially monitored committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.

Uttar Pradesh police visited celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib’s Delhi home regarding an investment fraud case where over 150 individuals allegedly lost at least Rs 7 crore.

Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday visited the Delhi residence of celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib in connection with an alleged investment fraud case, but he was not at home. Superintendent of Police (Sambhal) Krishan Bishnoi said Habib has been evading interrogation and has been absconding since the matter surfaced. He added that Habib has been asked to appear for questioning, reports PTI.
“If he fails to do so, the police will seek a non-bailable warrant against him,” Bishnoi said.
Habib was summoned for questioning on October 12 but did not appear, sending his lawyer instead. The lawyer claimed he could not provide the required documents. Following this, police obtained a search warrant and visited Habib’s residence in New Friends Colony, south Delhi, but he was not there.

According to police, more than 150 people were allegedly defrauded of at least Rs 7 crore, though formal complaints have been filed by 33 victims. Thirty-three FIRs have been registered against Habib, his son Anos Habib, and an associate, Saiful.

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and his wife, author Sudha Murthy, have opted out of Karnataka’s caste census, being conducted by the Congress-led government in the state. A self-attested letter was submitted by the Murthys to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, the autonomous government body carrying out the survey, according to a report by IANS.
In the official survey form, Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy stated that they were refusing to provide details for personal reasons. “We and our family will not participate in the census, and we are confirming it through this letter,” the format letter read.
They further clarified that they do not belong to any backward caste and that their participation in the survey would not be of any use to the government. “Hence, we are not taking part,” Narayana Murthy said in the letter.

India has expressed its disapproval of the UK’s unilateral sanctions against Russian oil companies, asserting that energy security is vital for its citizens.

India on Thursday stated that it does not subscribe to the unilateral sanctions announced by the United Kingdom (UK) targeting Russian oil companies and an Indian firm, emphasising that the provision of energy security is a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens.
Addressing the UK sanctions matter during the weekly presser, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the UK… We do not subscribe to any unilateral sanctions. The Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens… We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade.”

What Are UK’s Latest Sanctions on Russia, India and China?
The United Kingdom announced 90 new sanctions targeting Russian oil companies and firms linked to its energy trade, aiming to curb avenues that fund Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine.

The sanctions were imposed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which stated its intent to strike at the heart of Moscow’s funding.

Why UK has Sanctioned Russia?
In a statement, the FCDO said that today’s action demonstrates the government’s determination to cut off Putin’s revenue streams by targeting Russian companies and their global enablers.
Not just Russia and India, but China — the largest importer of Russian oil — has also come under the UK’s radar, with four of its oil terminals included in the sanctions.
The sanctions also cover a fleet of 44 oil tankers that are part of the shadow fleet transporting Russian oil.
UK claims that a total of 100 million barrels of Russian oil, worth over $5 billion, have been imported in 2024.
Meanwhile, Indian entity Nayara Energy, who have been penalised by UK, stated that it operates in full compliance with Indian laws and regulations. As an Indian company, it is deeply committed to supporting the nation’s energy security and fostering economic growth, TOI reported.
In another statement, according to TOI, Nayara Energy termed the sanctions as a unilateral move by the European Union, based on baseless assertions and representing an undue extension of authority that ignores both international law and India’s sovereignty.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/delhi-calls-out-londons-double-standards-as-uk-sanctions-90-new-entities-including-indias-nayara-on-russian-energy-trade-what-we-know-article-153011722

India has responded to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of halting Russian oil purchases.

India on Thursday responded to US President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil. In a statement, Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India’s energy policies are guided by the nation’s interests and global market realities.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” Jaiswal said. “Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”
Regarding relations with the United States, Jaiswal added, “We have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement from the US, which has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing.”

When ‘KBC 17’s’ Ishit Bhatt was criticised for being ‘rude’, the internet found a new favourite in Arunoday — turning childhood into a comparison contest. The ‘Sharma Ji Ka Beta’ moment got real, exposing how adults pit children against each other in the name of ideals.

Ishit Bhatt, that child who recently appeared on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 17’ was just that: a child. He was a fifth grader, a 10-11-year-old boy who hasn’t even started dreaming yet. But as if the trolling and social media schooling were not enough, we found a brand-new way to “teach him a lesson”.

The internet, in all its moral glory, dug up an old episode, featuring another child to take the criticism up a notch. Within hours, Ishit Bhatt from the latest season was pitted against Arunoday Sharma, last year’s contestant, now canonised as the “ideal child.” Bhatt became the “rude kid”; Sharma, the “polite one.” And suddenly, we had a leaderboard of manners.

Things also got a new twist when, after the Ishit Bhatt episode, KBC aired an episode featuring Rudra Chitte, a young contestant who is quickly becoming the new favourite child prodigy of social media. The schoolgoing Rudra has impressed all by showcasing his coding skills, teaching dance trends to show host Amitabh Bachchan, and navigating the quiz rounds by utilising the lifelines effectively.

Did KBC deliberately air consecutive episodes featuring kids with seeming contrasting traits? The internet is yet to get on with any Ishit-vs-Rudra debate, but the comparisons with Arunoday Sharma rage on.

Comments under the old ‘KBC’ episode featuring Sharma got nasty. People proudly declared they had returned to watch “the good boy” after witnessing Bhatt’s supposed “badtameezi”.

One comment read, “Ishit bhat ke rude behaviour ke baad yaha aaya hu (I came here after Ishit Bhatt’s rude behaviour).” Another user wrote, “He is way more better than the overconfident rude boy (sic).” Another suggested, “1 badtameez bachhe ka episode dekha toh main Arunodaya sharma ko yaad kar raha tha bahut pyara bachha hai ye (After watching the episode with the rude kid, I was reminded of Arunodaya Sharma — such a sweet child he is).”

Lovely, isn’t it? Turning the YouTube comment section into a moral science classroom. But it’s not the appreciation for one child’s behaviour that’s triggering; it’s the comparisons. Why must we measure one child’s worth against another’s demeanour? Why must every display of confidence be called arrogance, and every moment of silence be called virtue? Is it fine – culturally and emotionally – to make a barrage of comparisons — who behaved better, who spoke humbly, who deserved applause?

We seem to forget one tiny detail while mindlessly and brutally comparing these two boys: they are children. Still learning to express, falter and grow in their own ways. Are Ishit Bhatt’s badtameezi or overconfidence and his wins, which the world might just be totally unaware of, because you can’t know about a child’s entire life in a 20-minute episode, for us to judge?

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/kaun-banega-crorepati-17-ishit-bhatt-vs-arunoday-sharma-the-ideal-child-war-and-sharma-ji-ka-beta-moment-2804362-2025-10-17

The military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan erupted last week following a Pakistani airstrike on Kabul. Afghanistan strongly responded to the attack, following which the conflict escalated. The two countries agreed on a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday.

New Delhi took potshots at Islamabad for its “old practice” of blaming neighbours for its own internal failures. Amid the ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that it is “closely monitoring” the situation. Taking aim at Pakistan, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Three things are clear — one, that Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures, and three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories.”
Jaiswal said that India remained “fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan”.
The military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan erupted last week following a Pakistani airstrike on Kabul. Afghanistan strongly responded to the attack, following which the conflict escalated.

Both sides claimed inflicting heavy casualties on the other. The two countries agreed on a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, China, welcoming the temporary ceasefire, called upon Pakistan and Afghanistan to reach a comprehensive and lasting truce to resolve their differences.
“We noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan decided to implement a temporary ceasefire and will seek a solution through constructive dialogue, which serves the common interests of the two sides and helps keep the region peaceful and stable. China welcomes and supports the effort,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing her.
In recent times, China has maintained close ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan through a tripartite mechanism, conducting periodic meetings to iron out differences over Islamabad’s repeated allegations against Kabul of hosting Pakistan’s militant groups, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch Liberation Army.
Kabul Mission To Transition Into Embassy: MEA
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on Thursday that India’s “technical mission” in Kabul will transition into an embassy in the next few days. “Our technical mission has been operational in Kabul since June 2022. Its transition to an embassy will happen in the next few days,” he said.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/terror-sponsorship-blame-game-and-afghan-anxiety-india-draws-up-3-point-chargesheet-against-pakistan-article-153012633

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump about halting oil purchases from Russia.

India has confirmed that no call took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump regarding the latter’s recent claim about Russian oil.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its weekly presser on Thursday, clarified that no phone call occurred between the two leaders after Trump claimed that PM Modi told him New Delhi would stop buying Russian oil.
On US President Trump’s statement over purchase of Russian oil by India, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters, “… On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders.”

Donald Trump Makes Another Claim, New Delhi Refutes | What We Know
Donald Trump earlier today claimed that his ‘friend’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, a move he described as a ‘big step’ toward increasing pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
India’s continuing purchase of petroleum products from Russia, notwithstanding Western sanctions, has become a major issue that resulted in a severe downturn in ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Speaking to reporters at his Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said the US was ‘not happy’ that India was buying Russian crude, arguing such purchases helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war.
“He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship… we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they’ve lost a million and a half people,” the US president said in response to a question.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said.
The MEA has now refuted Donald Trump’s claim saying they are not aware of any such conversation between the two leaders.

India Second Largest Buyer of Russian Oil After China
India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The US president said India may not be able to cut the procurement immediately, but the process has started.
“He (Modi) has assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia. I don’t know, maybe that’s a breaking story. Can I say that?… He’s not buying his oil from Russia. It (has) started. He can’t do it immediately, it’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” Trump claimed.

Trump Said India Can Resume Energy Trade With Russia Once Ukraine War Is Over
Donald Trump has also said that India could resume energy trade with Moscow after the Russia-Ukraine war is over as all he wants is Moscow to stop its offensive in Ukraine.
The US president suggested that he wants India to stop procurement of Russian crude only to put financial pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
“All we want from President Putin is to stop this, stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians because he’s killing a lot of Russians. It is a war he should have won in one week, and now it is going into its fourth year,” he said.
“If India doesn’t buy oil, it makes it much easier, and they’re not going to buy, they assured me they will, within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia… And they’ll go back to Russia after the war is over,” he said.
Don’t Want to Destroy His Political Career, Says Donald Trump
Describing the Indian prime minister as “a great man,” Trump said, “He loves Trump… I don’t want you to take the word love any differently… I don’t want to destroy his political career.”
Praising Modi’s leadership, Trump said, “I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country, and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months, and this was year after year after year, and my friend has been there now for a long time, and he’s assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia.”

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-confirms-no-call-between-pm-modi-and-donald-trump-after-us-president-russian-oil-claim-article-153010530

CBI caught DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in his Mohali office for accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakh after a trap was laid on a complaint, says FIR

Punjab IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar has landed in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) net for allegedly asking for recurring monthly bribes from a businessman in Fatehgarh Sahib.

The CBI caught Bhullar red-handed in his Mohali office while accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakh after a trap was laid on a complaint, officials said.

Visuals of bags of cash and jewellery were shared by the CBI after the arrest.

Upwards of ₹5 crore cash was seized from the officer, with officials still counting as of Thursday evening. According to a press release by the probe agency, 1.5 kg of jewellery was also seized.

CBI officials said they recovered documents pertaining to immovable properties and assets in Punjab, keys to two luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi), and 22 luxury watches. They also seized locker keys and 40 litres of imported liquor bottles. Firearm recoveries included one double-barreled gun, one Pistol, one Revolver, and one Airgun, along with ammunition.

What does the FIR say?
According to the FIR registered in the case, a complaint was received from Akash Batta, a scrap businessman from Fatehgarh Sahib, alleging that Bhullar, who is the deputy inspector general (DIG) of Ropar range, had sought bribes through his aide Kirshanu.

“The verification revealed that DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, Ropar Range, Punjab Police, through his aide/middleman Kirshanu, demanded ₹8 lakh from complainant Akash Batta for “settling” FIR No. 155/2023 and ensuring no further police action against his scrap business,” the FIR accessed by Hindustan Times stated.

A WhatsApp conversation between the DIG and his aide also surfaced, which corroborated the businessman’s complaint.

“During the verification on 11.10.2025 at Sector 9-D Market, Chandigarh, a recorded WhatsApp call from middleman Kirshanu to the public servant captured DIG Bhullar instructing, ‘8 fadne ne 8’ and then ‘Jinna denda nal nal fadi chal, ohnu kehde 8 kar de pura’,” directing his middleman to collect ₹8 lakh from the complainant, or “whatever he pays for now”.

The alleged middleman Kirshanu later told the complainant, “Edda kehna pata ki hai… kehnda hai August da ni aaya, September da ni aaya,” implying DIG Sh HS Bhullar demanded a monthly bribe also,” the FIR further stated.

It added that the conversation corroborated the complainant’s version and that the mobile number used in the call was verified as registered to DIG Bhullar.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bags-full-of-cash-rs-5-crore-counting-punjab-ips-dig-bhullar-in-cbi-net-for-monthly-bribe-101760625766539.html

Dr Basant Kumar Ningwal, Superintendent-in-Charge of the government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), told PTI, “Around 25 people from the transgender community have been admitted to our hospital. They have claimed to have consumed phenyl together, but this cannot be immediately confirmed.”

Indore: Around 25 people from the transgender community in Indore claimed to have consumed phenyl together on Wednesday night after which they were admitted to a government hospital, an official said.

Dr Basant Kumar Ningwal, Superintendent-in-Charge of the government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), told PTI, “Around 25 people from the transgender community have been admitted to our hospital. They have claimed to have consumed phenyl together, but this cannot be immediately confirmed.”

None of the patients was in a critical condition, he informed.

However, what triggered the mass act by the transgender persons was not immediately clear.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/madhya-pradesh/25-transgender-persons-consume-phenyl-in-indore-hospitalised-3765764

The Court has sought the Centre’s response on a PIL that seeks to make the presence of legal counsel a guaranteed right during custodial and pre-custodial interrogation.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Union government’s response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that has sought the recognition of a right to have a lawyer present when an individual is being interrogated by the police [Shaffi Mather vs. Union of India & Ors.].

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/can-police-interrogate-without-presence-of-lawyer-supreme-court-to-consider

“Mamata Banerjee is like a mother-like figure to me. If I have said anything wrong, I ask her to forgive me. I will render countless obeisances at her feet. But I ask her to help my daughter get justice,” the victim’s father was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The father of the 23-year-old medical student and rape survivor in Durgapur, West Bengal on Wednesday apologised to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after previously comparing her rule to that of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

He also called Banerjee a “mother‑like figure” and imploring her to “forgive him” and help secure justice for his daughter.

“Mamata Banerjee is like a mother-like figure to me. If I have said anything wrong, I ask her to forgive me. I will render countless obeisances at her feet. But I ask her to help my daughter get justice,” the victim’s father was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

His statement comes two days after he had sharply criticised the CM’s earlier comments, in which she suggested that “women should not venture out at night.”

“It seems Bengal is under the rule of Aurangzeb. I want to take my daughter back to Odisha. Her life comes first, career later,” he had said on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday barred the entry of outsiders within the premises of the private medical college & hospital at Durgapur in West Bengal’s West Burdwan district.

Police Rules Out  Possibility Of Gangrape

West Bengal Police on Tuesday, claimed that no gangrape took place in the Durgapur case and arrested the survivor’s male classmate the same evening.

Background Of The Case

The 23-year-old medical student from Odisha had alleged that she was gangraped near her college campus on October 10. Investigators now believe only one person was involved, contradicting earlier reports that five men assaulted her.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/mamata-banerjee-like-mother-to-me-durgapur-rape-survivors-father-apologises-after-aurangzeb-remark-seeks-justice-from-cm

The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport on Wednesday announced that it has recommended Ahmedabad as the host city for the Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in 2030.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated citizens on Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad and said it is an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to place India on the world sports map.

He said the government is raising world-class infrastructure and nationwide pool of sports talent.

“A day of immense joy and pride for India. Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad. It is a grand endorsement of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s relentless efforts to place India on the world sports map,” he said in a post on X.

“Raising world-class infrastructure and raising a nationwide pool of sports talent Modi Ji has made India a marvel of a sports destination,” he added.

The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport on Wednesday announced that it has recommended Ahmedabad as the host city for the Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in 2030.

Ahmedabad will now be put forward for full Commonwealth Sport membership, with the final decision to be made at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025, according to a press release from the official Commonwealth Games website.

The recommendation follows a rigorous evaluation process by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities on multiple parameters, including technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth values.

Framed under the organisation’s ‘Games Reset’ principles, designed to encourage innovation and collaboration, both Ahmedabad (India) and Abuja (Nigeria) submitted compelling proposals showcasing their readiness and vision to host the Games.

The recommendation represents a landmark moment for the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The 2030 Games will mark the centenary of the inaugural event held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. With Glasgow 2026 fast approaching and promising to deliver a ‘wow factor’ for athletes and fans alike, today’s recommendation provides an exciting platform for the Centenary Games and beyond, offering long-term stability and momentum.

India, the most populous nation in the Commonwealth, boasts a proud sporting history and a strong record of success at the Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth on the medal table at Birmingham 2022. Amdavad’s proposal emphasises India’s commitment to the values of the Commonwealth and its capacity to stage a Games that reflects the scale and diversity of modern sport.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/union-home-minister-amit-shah-hails-approval-of-indias-bid-to-host-2030-commonwealth-games

It is outrageous, immoral and obscene to suggest that Gaza is a gone case, but Gaza is a gone case. Peace comes from justice, not Trump-style razzmatazz.

Donald Trump, the reality TV maestro, has never met a spotlight he didn’t love. Presidency is temporary. Showmanship is permanent. So, when he unveiled his grand “Middle East Peace Plan” in Sharm El-Sheikh, it was less a diplomatic summit and more a glittering episode of The Apprentice: Geopolitics Edition.

World leaders, unable to resist an RSVP from the impresario himself, turned up to clap like trained seals. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif didn’t just attend; he slathered Trump’s ego with syrupy praise so thick it made Dutch dearie Mark Rutte’s gushing texts look restrained.

India’s Narendra Modi stayed home but lobbed compliments via social media, dispatching a junior minister to ensure Trump’s feathers remained unruffled. Clever move, denying Trump the chance to orchestrate a Modi-Sharif hug and claim credit for the May ceasefire between India and Pakistan for the nth time.

The Sharm El-Sheikh shindig was less a peace summit and more a Trump fan convention. A ceasefire, paired with a hostage swap (20 Israelis for 17,000 Palestinians) was branded “Peace in the Middle East” and celebrated with resort-town razzmatazz. This author previously called it a delulu Trump peddled as solulu to snag that elusive Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee didn’t bite.

So, Trump leaned on Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, who, ever reliant on Uncle Sam, reluctantly declared the nothingburger the finest gourmet patty in town. With hostages marking two years in Gaza’s tunnels and a battered Hamas agreeing to terms, Trump turned a modest deal into a global spectacle, complete with a dozen heads of state serenading his “genuine” peacemaking prowess. The Peace President. The Greatest Deal-Maker. Huge. Colossal. Nobel-worthy, naturally.

But let’s pop the champagne cork and face the sobering facts. This ceasefire isn’t some diplomatic piece de resistance. In the past two years, we’ve seen two similar ceasefires between Hamas and Israel, complete with hostage swaps for Palestinian prisoners. Same old, same old, just with extra Trumpian flair. A couple of Israeli hard knocks to Doha’s financiers hurried Hamas along, especially with Iran crippled, the Houthis pummelled, Hezbollah reduced to a memory, and Syria’s Assad out of the picture. Israel’s victories over the past two years are awe-inspiring, except where it counts: Gaza.

Hamas, though heavily battered, still rules the strip with an iron hand, its capacity to strike Israel remains an enduring enigma. For Hamas, a ceasefire is a plot twist that keeps the suspense alive. Why wouldn’t they sign up for a “win” like that?

But, but, but Hamas hasn’t agreed to disarm. As this author argued, Trump’s solulu is a delulu in disguise. Even if Hamas fades, a fiercer, deadlier successor will rise from Gaza’s 55 million tonnes of rubble. The strip’s population, radicalised by relentless bombing and steeped in religious zeal, is a tinderbox for the next century of incursions into Israel. The seeds of vengeance are sown daily, nourished by perceived injustice. This isn’t peace; it’s a timeout in a tragedy.

Trump’s truce demands the impossible: Palestinians must swallow their pride, and Israelis must coexist with neighbours who wish them dead. That’s not fertile ground for harmony. Another gem from the Trump plan: Gaza will be ruled by international administrators, with Arab peacekeepers patrolling. Sounds neat, but it’s a fantasy that keeps Palestinians, who are ready to die for self-determination, off the determination table. They had no say in this deal. It’s Trump and his Arab allies, start to finish.

So, what’s the solution? The much-vaunted two-state solution is the holy grail, but it’s a distant mirage. Israel sees it as a death sentence; Hamas and its ilk reject Israel’s existence. If you are optimistic, you can say a majority of Palestinians and Israelis would accept a pragmatic coexistence. But the majority doesn’t run a country, the vocal and zealous minority does.

Since everyone has a solution, here are my two bits to add to the crisis. Bit One: Egypt annexes Gaza, Jordan takes the West Bank. After all, Jordan was carved from the British Mandate of Palestine. But Jordan won’t welcome more Palestinians, and Egypt won’t touch Gazans with a bargepole.

So, Bit Two, then: Israel takes Gaza, relocates Gazans to the West Bank into vacated Israeli settlements, and Israeli settlers pack up, leaving East Jerusalem behind. The West Bank becomes a demilitarised Palestine, with Jordan guaranteeing its territorial sovereignty. Both Jordan and Israel keep a hawk’s eye on terrorist activities because there will be enough Palestinians dying for revenge.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/story/besharm-el-sheikh-the-road-to-hell-paved-with-nobel-intentions-trump-middle-east-pakistan-shehbaz-sharif-2803535-2025-10-15

The Election Commission, in a bid to curb the use of money and illicit inducements during the assembly polls, has directed multiple enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and active until the voting process is complete in Bihar.

Enforcement agencies in Bihar have seized cash, liquor, drugs and other freebies worth Rs 34 crore since the announcement of the assembly elections in the state on October 6, 2025 as part of efforts to prevent illicit inducement of voters by political parties.

Officials said that those caught during the recent seizures failed to provide satisfactory answers about the source or destination of the seized cash and goods.

The Election Commission, in a bid to curb the use of money and illicit inducements during the assembly polls, has directed multiple enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and active until the voting process is complete in Bihar.

The measures are also being implemented in eight constituencies across seven other states where by-elections are scheduled. State police, excise, income tax, other enforcement wings, postal department, state forest department, and state cooperative departments have been put on high alert.

Official teams were deployed immediately after the announcement of the election to monitor candidates’ poll spending in their constituencies. These teams are visiting their respective areas, conducting surprise inspections, and meeting with local enforcement units to ensure strict compliance.

Flying squads, surveillance teams, and video monitoring units will stay on alert to detect any suspicious movement of cash or inducements by political parties to influence voters during the election period. The Election Commission has also activated the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), an online platform for real-time reporting by enforcement teams such as the flying squads (FS) and static surveillance teams (SST).

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-election-crackdown-cash-liquor-freebies-worth-rs-34-crore-seized-since-october-6-2803397-2025-10-16

Pakistan’s Gen AAK Niazi signed the instrument of surrender of East Pakistan after defeat to India. Over 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian Army on December 16, 1971.

A photograph shared on X during a recent high-level military meeting between India and Kazakhstan has drawn attention online, as it prominently features the iconic mural of the 1971 India-Pakistan war surrender in the background.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces of Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the United Nations Chiefs of the Counter-Terrorism Conference (UNTCC) 2025.

The Indian Army shared the image of the meeting on X from its official handle and wrote, “On the sidelines of the #UNTCC2025, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS met with Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces, Kazakhstan.”

The post said that the meeting reaffirmed the enduring defence partnership between the India and Kazakhstan, with a focus on training cooperation, capacity building and continued engagement for regional peace and stability.

The mural hanging on the wall in the background caught attention online due to its historic significance and the heritage of Indian Armed Forces.

The iconic 1971 painting

According to the Indian Army, the painting is a testament to one of the greatest military victories of Indian Armed Forces and the commitment of India for justice & humanity for all.

The famous photograph shows Pakistan’s Lt-General AAK Niazi signing the Instrument of Surrender in December 1971, sitting alongside Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora and others.

The photograph was shifted in December last year to the Manekshaw Convention Centre in Delhi, a move that sparked criticism among some Army veterans. It used to be a prominent feature in the Army Chief’s office in Raisina Hills.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/indian-army-shares-upendra-dwivedi-kazakhstans-counterpart-photos-internet-spots-this-painting-13618772.html

The officer further said that the detention order has been forwarded to the advisory board as required under section 10 of the National Security Act, 1980.

New Delhi: The Leh District Magistrate on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that activist, Sonam Wangchuk indulged in activities prejudicial to the national security, resulting into his detention under the National Security Act.

“The detention order came to be passed after duly considering the material as mandated under law, and after arriving at a subjective satisfaction on the circumstances that prevailed within the local limits of the jurisdiction where Wangchuk had been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the State, maintenance of public order essential to the community as mentioned in the grounds of detention,” an affidavit filed by Leh DM said.

The officer further said that the detention order has been forwarded to the advisory board as required under section 10 of the National Security Act, 1980.

The affidavit also stated, “He is not in illegal detention. His wife was immediately informed about the arrest by Leh police, timely informed about his transfer to Jodhpur jail also.”

The affidavit also contended Wangchuk has not made any representation as required under Section 10 of the Act.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ladakh/sonam-wangchuk-indulged-in-activities-prejudicial-to-national-security-leh-dm-tells-supreme-court-3764293

According to the police, the bus was carrying 57 passengers and left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. Smoke began emerging from the rear portion of the vehicle, while it travelled on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway. As the driver stopped the bus along the roadside, within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle.

A private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday. Twenty passengers were burnt alive, and 16 were critically injured, police said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased.

In a post on X, the prime minister said, “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

“An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” he said.

According to the police, the bus was carrying 57 passengers and left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. Smoke began emerging from the rear portion of the vehicle, while it travelled on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway. As the driver stopped the bus along the roadside, within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/rajasthan/20-passengers-burnt-alive-16-injured-as-bus-catches-fire-in-jaisalmer-pm-announces-ex-gratia-3764346

Elections will be held in two phases – on November 6 and 11 – while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.

New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates, dropping as many as 16 faces to counter anti-incumbency. The most prominent among them is Bihar assembly Speaker Nand Kishore, who had been representing the Patna Sahib seat from 2010.

In the list, which has over eight women candidates, the party has fielded former union minister Ramkirpal Yadav from the Danapur seat, deputy CMs Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who are both MLCs, as well as former deputy CM Renu Devi.

Chaudhary will be contesting from Tarapu, a seat that his mother had held. Chaudhary last won an assembly election in 2010. Vijay Sinha has been fielded from Lakhisarai, while Renu Devi has been fielded from Bettiah. Senior party leader Mangal Pandey will contest from Siwan.

In Patnasahib, where the BJP has dropped Speaker Nand Kishore, it has fielded Ratnesh Kushwaha. The party has fielded Prem Kumar from Gaya, former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad from Katihar, and Alok Ranjan Jha from Saharsa.

The list comes amidst a tussle between the several NDA constituents for seats. While the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party managed to bag 29 seats in the seat distribution, the other NDA partners including Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam were unhappy with the arrangement.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2025-bjp-drops-16-faces-in-first-list-of-candidates-to-counter-anti-incumbency-3764279

Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Western Army Commander, asserted that India’s response to future provocations from Pakistan under Operation Sindoor 2.0 would be significantly more forceful.

Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Major Manoj Kumar Katiyar on Tuesday said the Indian Army’s response to any future provocation from Pakistan under Operation Sindoor 2.0 would be “deadlier” and “more powerful” than before.
Asserting that Pakistan lacks the capability to fight a conventional war with India, Lt Gen Katiyar said Islamabad may still attempt “Pahalgam-type” attacks in keeping with its long-standing strategy of “bleed India through a thousand cuts”.
“The action we will take this time will be deadlier than the past. It would be more powerful. Yes, you are very right. It (Operation Sindoor 2.0) has to be deadlier. There is no doubt about it,” he told reporters.

Responding to a question about possible future attacks, he said, “Until there is a change in Pakistan’s thinking, it will continue to carry out such mischiefs. It does not have the capacity to fight a war with us. They do not want to fight a war. It does mischief as per its policy of ‘bleed India through a thousand cuts.’”

Prashant Kishor ruled out contesting the 2025 Bihar elections, saying his party Jan Suraaj wants him to focus on organisational work.

Prashant Kishor on Tuesday told news agency PTI that he will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections 2025, saying his party Jan Suraaj has decided he should focus on organisational work. The Jan Suraaj founder, also known as PK, made the announcement during an interview with PTI. There had been massive buzz around Kishor’s possible electoral debut and speculation over whether he would contest against Bihar’s top political leaders. However, the announcement has put to rest all speculation about PK’s entry into the electoral fray. For now, he will focus solely on strengthening the organisation.
Kishor on Wednesday stepped back into his political strategist role, predicting a certain defeat for the ruling NDA in Bihar, pointing to the BJP-led coalition’s struggle to finalise seats and candidates. Kishor, who had earlier said the JD(U) would find it difficult to win even 25 of the 243 assembly seats, said the situation for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party has only worsened since.

“The NDA is definitely on its way out and Nitish Kumar will not return as chief minister”, asserted Kishor, who has worked closely with the JD(U) supremo, both as a poll analyst and later, for a brief period, as a party colleague.

“You do not need to be a psephologist to fathom what is in store for the JD(U). In the last assembly polls, Chirag Paswan staged a revolt just a few days ahead of the announcement of elections and fielded candidates, many of whom were inconsequential, against nominees of Kumar’s party, causing its tally to crash to 43”, recalled Kishor.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/breaking-news-prashant-kishor-will-not-contest-bihar-assembly-election-2025-article-153002520

The investigation into Haryana police officer Y Puran Kumar’s death has taken a shocking turn with the discovery of his investigating officer, ASI Sandeep Kumar, found dead in Rohtak under suspicious conditions.

In a major twist in Haryana police officer Y Puran Kumar’s death case, the investigating officer in the case was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Rohtak district. The deceased, identified as Sandeep Kumar, was an assistant sub-inspector and was posted at the Cyber Cell.
A three-page suicide note and a video have been recovered from his house in Ladhot village. According to sources, Kumar shot himself.

In the purported note, Lathar has alleged that Y. Puran Kumar was a “corrupt officer” and that there were “ample evidence” against him. He also alleged that the IPS officer hijacked the system using the caste discrimination issue.

“I have always sided with the truth. My family has contributed to the fight for Independence. I consider Bhagat Singh as my idol,” the note found from the site said.

SP Rohtak Surendra Singh Bhoria remembered ASI Sandeep as a very honest and hardworking officer. “His body has been found. A Forensic team has been called here and an investigation is being carried out…He was posted in Cyber Cell,’ Bhoria told reporters.
ASI Sandeep was felicitated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on August 15.
On October 6, ASI Sandeep Kumar arrested the gunner of Y Puran Kumar, allegedly in an illegal gratification case in which he was taking money from a liquor trader. As per the police, the liquor trader had previously complained to Puran Kumar about threat calls from a gangster who is based overseas.
The next day – October 7 – Puran Kumar died by suicide.
“Despite Chandigarh Police sending a notice to Puran Kumar’s wife IAS official Ameeta Kumar, asking for the laptop , it has not yet been handed over, say sources.
Sandeep’s alleged suicide comes days after the death of senior police officer Y Puran Kumar, who was found with a gunshot wound in his Chandigarh home on October 7. Kumar, 52, had recently been posted as inspector general, Police Training Centre (PTC), in Sunaria, Rohtak.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/chandigarh-chandigarh-cop-found-dead-cyber-cell-sandeep-lathar-haryana-ladhot-village-article-152999042

West Bengal police say no gangrape occurred in Durgapur, arresting the survivor’s classmate. Here are the key points of the case.

A 23-year-old classmate of the medical student who had alleged gangrape near her Durgapur college campus on October 10 was arrested on Tuesday evening. West Bengal police stated that no gangrape had taken place, challenging the earlier claims.

Here are eight key details as of October 14 night in the case that’s made national headlines:

Arrest of survivor’s classmate
Security footage shows the survivor and her friend — whose name has not been revealed possibly to protect the woman’s identity — leaving campus at 7:54 pm. He returned alone at 8:42 pm, left again at 8:48 pm, and came back with her at 9:29 pm.

Both said they went out for dinner, while the survivor later claimed the suspects called her friend after the alleged gangrape. Police thus arrested the friend, finding contradictions in the versions later.

The friend, a resident of Malda, had already been detained on October 11, a day after the alleged incident, as part of the ongoing investigation, and eventually arrested.

Police on ‘sole’ involvement
Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary said the classmate “is not above suspicion” and that only one person appears to have been involved in the incident. The roles of others previously arrested remain under review.

Earlier arrests and charges
Before the classmate’s arrest, five local villagers were taken into custody. However, police clarified that investigation and medical reports now point to a single suspect as primarily involved in the case. They have been charged under sections 70(1) (gang rape) and 3(5) (crime committed with common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the remand petition, a copy of which cited in an earlier HT report.

Contradictions in statements
Authorities highlighted inconsistencies in the accounts provided by the survivor, her friend, the arrested suspects, and in medical records. These contradictions have complicated the investigation and raised questions

Initially, the survivor told a doctor that three people were present and only one had committed the crime. She later told police that five men had dragged her into a forest and gangraped her, creating significant discrepancies between statements.

Evidence from security footage
College surveillance footage contradicted some of the statements too. The video shows the survivor returning to campus “calmly”, with her clothes intact, and without seeking help from security personnel, police said.

“When a woman is dragged through a jungle and gangraped, there is always evidence. But the footage shows otherwise,” a senior officer said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-gangrape-friend-in-net-what-investigators-now-say-on-durgapur-case-key-points-in-bengal-rape-case-101760460359206.html

Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim appeared for Imam and said that his regular bail plea is pending before the Supreme Court and the proper forum for the interim bail application should have been the apex court.

Jawaharlal Nehru University scholar Sharjeel Imam on Tuesday withdrew his plea before Karkardooma court seeking interim bail to contest the upcoming Bihar legislative assembly elections.

Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim appeared for Imam and said that his regular bail plea is pending before the Supreme Court and the proper forum for the interim bail application should have been the apex court.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai asked Ibrahim to file an application to the effect and said the request would be allowed.

Imam filed the plea seeking interim bail from October 15 to October 29 to contest elections from the Bahadurgan seat as an independent candidate.

In his plea, Imam said that he is a “political prisoner and a student activist”.

“He [Imam] is willing to contest elections from his home state Bihar which is scheduled to take place from in 2 phases from 10.10.2025 to 16.11.2025,” it was submitted.

Imam has been in jail since January 2020 after he was booked in a number of cases related to the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). He was granted bail in other matters, but is incarcerated in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. The Delhi Police has invoked Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in this case.

He was denied regular bail in the case by the Delhi High Court on September 2. His appeal against that order is pending before the Supreme Court.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/sharjeel-imam-withdraws-plea-seeking-interim-bail-to-contest-bihar-elections

Unless those responsible for pothole-related deaths and injuries are made personally accountable in monetary terms, they will not understand the gravity of the issue, the Court said.

There is no justification for bad roads in a city like Mumbai, the Bombay High Court said on Monday while ordering municipal authorities and the State to pay ₹6 lakh in compensation to the kin of those who lose their lives after encountering potholes or open manholes in Maharashtra.

The Bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Sandesh D Patil added that compensation ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2.5 lakh must be given to those who are injured due to potholes or open manholes.

The order was passed in a suo motu case registered in 2013 based on a letter sent by (now retired) Justice GS Patel to the Chief Justice.

“There can be no justification whatsoever for bad and unsafe roads. Mumbai, being the financial capital of the country, contributes greatly to the revenue of the Centre, the State, and the civic body. In fact, the MCGM is one of the richest corporations in Asia. Bad roads not only endanger human lives but also have adverse consequences for the economy, including the financial health of companies,” the Court lamented.

The Court reiterated that good and safe roads are a part of people’s right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, adding,

“Bad roads not only endanger human lives but also have adverse consequences for the economy, including the financial health of companies. It is the responsibility of the civic authorities and State agencies to provide proper civic amenities, including safe roads, to the taxpaying public.”

Deaths and serious injuries due to potholes and open manholes have become a regular feature during the monsoons in Maharashtra, the Court found.

“It is high time that civic authorities, along with the contractors entrusted with road maintenance, are held accountable for such deaths and injuries. We find no seriousness on the part of the authorities in addressing this perennial problem. Unless civic authorities are made accountable, this tragic scenario will continue to repeat itself every year. Accountability must be fixed not only on the contractors but also on the civic authorities themselves,” the Court went on to opine.

Unless those responsible for pothole-related deaths and injuries are made personally accountable in monetary terms, they will not understand the gravity of the issue, the Court said.

It, therefore, ordered the authorities to start disbursing compensation to the victims of pothole or manhole accidents.

“Only then will it serve as a wake-up call for the agencies concerned,” the Court reasoned.

It said that compensation to eligible persons is to be paid within six to eight weeks from the date of receipt of the claim, and that interest would have to be paid if the payment is delayed.

“Failure to do so (pay compensation in a timely manner) shall render the Municipal Commissioner, Chief Officer, District Collector, CEO, Chairperson, or Principal Secretary, as the case may be, personally responsible for the delay,” the order said.

Once the compensation is paid to the victims, the amount so paid can be recovered from the persons found responsible for the pothole or open manhole, whether it be officers, engineers, or contractors, the Court further said.

The Court also ordered the constitution of committees, which are tasked with inquiring into reports of pothole or manhole accidents and determining the compensation payable to the victims. The members constituting the committees that oversee this process vary depending on the municipal area within which the committee is set up.

These committees have been ordered to meet within seven days of receiving information relating to a death or accident. Thereafter, the committee shall meet at least once every fifteen days, or earlier if necessary, to monitor progress, implementation and compliance with the Court’s directions, particularly during the monsoon period.

The Court added that the committee can take up cognisance of cases suo motu, or on receipt of applications for compensation, or even based on newspaper reports.

Complaints received about such accidents by municipal, district or highway authorities or the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) are to be forwarded to the committees. Police officers have also been ordered to ensure that any such accident is communicated to these committees within 48 hours.

The Court also called for strict disciplinary and penal action against officials, engineers or contractors found guilty of carrying out defective or substandard road work.

Moreover, the Court has made it clear that if any pothole is brought to the notice of the concerned authorities, it shall be repaired or attended to within forty-eight hours.

“Failure to do so shall constitute gross negligence and shall warrant departmental action against the responsible officers and contractors,” the Court warned.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/bombay-high-court-orders-6-lakh-compensation-for-pothole-deaths-contractors-to-be-held-liable

Muskan Sharma stood up to men who tried to bully her over her clothes – and went on to win hearts and a beauty pageant.

The 23-year-old, who was crowned Miss Rishikesh 2025 last week in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, told the BBC that even though it was a small local pageant, “it made me feel like Miss Universe”.

Sharma’s win has made headlines in India as it came after a viral video that showed her spiritedly arguing with a man who barged into their rehearsals just a day before the 4 October contest.

Sharma, who “wanted to be a model and participate in a pageant since I was in school”, said the intruders came in just as they broke for lunch.

“We were sitting around, chilling, having a laugh when they walked in,” she said.

The footage showed Raghavendra Bhatnagar, district head of a Hindu group called Rashtriya Hindu Shakti Sangathan, objecting to skirts and western dresses Sharma and other contestants were wearing.

“Modelling is over, go back home,” Bhatnagar is heard telling them. “This is against Uttarakhand’s culture.”

Sharma refuses to back down. “Why don’t you shut the shops which sell them [Western clothes]?”

She then tells him that he should expend his energies on things that are worse than women’s clothing – social evils such as drinking and smoking.

“There’s a shop right outside that sells cigarettes and alcohol. Why don’t you shut that down? First stop those things and I will stop wearing these clothes,” she says.

The man snaps at her saying “don’t tell me what to do”. Likewise, she retorts. “If you have the right to choose, then so do we. Our opinion matters as much as yours,” she says.

As the argument continues, Sharma is joined by some of the other contestants and organisers and Bhatnagar and his group, who threatened to stop the show, are finally escorted out by the hotel manager.

Sharma says her reaction to Bhatnagar was “spontaneous”.

“I could see my dreams shattering in front of me. The only question in my mind at the time was will the pageant go on? Will I be able to walk the ramp? Or will all my hard work go waste?” she says.

The next day, the event went on as planned and Sharma won the crown.

“For three seconds after I heard my name announced, I was shocked,” she said.

“But then I was happy that I stood up for myself and that I won. It felt like a double victory. It was a small pageant in a small place but it made me feel like Miss Universe,” she said.

Sharma says heckling of women for their clothing is unheard of in Rishikesh, a city in the Himalayan foothills on the banks of Ganges river. It’s known for its ashrams and meditation and yoga retreats and is considered a holy Hindu site that draws in large numbers of tourists and pilgrims.

The city is also sought out by fans of Beatles because the Fab Four had spent weeks at an ashram there in 1968.

“You see tourists dressed in western clothing here all the time and no-one bats an eyelid,” she adds.

Globally, beauty pageants have been criticised for objectifying women and reinforcing gender stereotypes.

But these contests have been hugely popular in India since 1994 – the year when Sushmita Sen won the Miss Universe crown and Aishwarya Rai brought home the Miss World trophy.

Both went on to become top Bollywood actresses and have inspired generations of young women since then to follow in their path.

Similar successes in later years of Priyanka Chopra, Diana Hayden and Lara Dutta have only reinforced the belief that beauty pageants can be a ticket to success, especially for young women in small-town India.

Sharma says her parents have always been very supportive of her decision to participate in the pageant. In the viral video, she’s even heard asking Bhatnagar: “Who are you to comment on my clothing if my parents allow me to to wear them?”

But the backlash to Western clothing in India is not new where what women wear routinely becomes a subject of debates. In a deeply patriarchal society, many link western clothing, especially jeans, to the “moral degradation” of young people.

Schools and colleges set dress codes for female students and sometimes village elders bar an entire community of girls from wearing jeans.

The BBC has reported a number of cases where girls and women have been singled out and humiliated for their clothes.

A few years ago, we wrote about a 19-year-old student in Assam who turned up in shorts to take an exam and was forced to wrap a curtain around her legs after the teacher objected.

In one extreme case, a teenager was allegedly murdered by her relatives for wearing jeans.

Namita Bhandare in her column in The Hindustan Times newspaper points out that there is no objection to the Mr Rishikesh contest where participants are barely dressed.

The objection to Sharma and other contestants’ clothing, she writes, is “barely a fig-leaf”.

“The issue is not clothes. The issue is freedom and aspiration. How dare these young women be on a stage that could springboard them to a larger global platform? How dare they cross lines of honour and shame that a patriarchal society has imposed on them?”

Bhandare writes that in India where there are not enough women MPs or judges, the pushback by young women from a small town is remarkable.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlzqzlnvvpo

Ottawa is keen to continue dialogue between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies to deal with the allegations of syndicates linked to India involved in criminal activities in the North American country.

India and Canada on Monday agreed on a new roadmap to rebuild bilateral relations, moving on from the acrimony over the murder of a Khalistani Sikh extremist in the North American country.

The “ambitious roadmap” aims to advance “cooperation in various domains, including trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, civil nuclear collaboration, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and energy”, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after he and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met in New Delhi.

In his opening remarks in the meeting, Jaishankar avoided directly referring to India’s concerns over Khalistani Sikh extremists’ secessionist campaign against India in Canada.

He, however, noted that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart, National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie G Drouin, had met in New Delhi on September 18 in what was “an important first step” towards enhancing bilateral security cooperation.

Anand wrote on X that Canada and India were “pursuing a constructive and balanced partnership” grounded in the “ongoing law enforcement dialogue and growing economic partnership opportunities, including in the areas of energy, trade and AI”.

Ottawa is keen to continue dialogue between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies to deal with the allegations of syndicates linked to India involved in criminal activities in the North American country.

Anand also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

The joint statement issued after the Jaishankar-Anand meeting said the ministers recognised that in the context of ongoing global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions, a strong and resilient India-Canada bilateral relationship was essential.

“Reviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances, ensure more reliable supply chains, and reinforce strategic stability in an increasingly complex international environment,” it added.

The ministers noted that the bilateral trade had reached $23.66 billion in 2024.

The bilateral relations hit a new low on September 18, 2023, when then Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau accused India of playing a role in the killing of Khalistani Sikh terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-canada-agree-upon-ambitious-roadmap-to-rebuild-ties-3763210

Congress was also divided on the issue but the leadership felt that the party cannot ignore the sentiments in the bloc. It persuaded parties like CPI(M) to accept the dominant view in the group.

The entire I.N.D.I.A bloc will boycott the Joint Committee of Parliament to examine the contentious Bills for removal of top political executives detained in jail for at least 30 days in a row and this as been conveyed to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, opposition sources said on Monday.

The Joint Committee to examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Administration (Amendment) Bill have not been constituted so far though the motion was cleared by Lok Sabha on August 20 and a day later in Rajya Sabha due to Opposition’s non-cooperation.

The I.N.D.I.A bloc has been delaying a decision as there has been difference of opinion over not participating in the proceedings of the Joint Committee with parties like CPI(M) preferring to be part of it and the Congress remaining divided over the issue while Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Shiv Sena (UBT) as well as AAP announcing a boycott of the panel individually.

I.N.D.I.A sources said a senior Congress Parliamentary manager has conveyed the decision of the Opposition parties to boycott the Joint Committee, which will examine the Bills proposing removal of Prime Minister, Chief Minister and union and state ministers if they are detained in custody for 30 days in a row in cases that attract a jail term of at least five years.

CPI(M), which was favouring participating in the Joint Committee proceedings, will also join other I.N.D.I.A parties in the move. Party’s Rajya Sabha floor leader John Brittas told DH, “the spirit of the Opposition is to stay together. Certain parties already went ahead and there should not be any division. CPI(M) is with that spirit of unity.”

Trinamool, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT) and AAP had announced the decision to boycott the panel within days of Parliament sending the Bill for Parliament scrutiny. At the I.N.D.I.A bloc floor leaders’ meeting, Trinamool had moot the idea of boycott but CPI(M) and RSP leaders were of the view that boycotting it was not prudent as they would not have an official platform to record their opposition.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bills-for-pm-cm-removal-india-bloc-to-collectively-boycott-joint-parliamentary-committee-3762995

Saugata Roy, a senior TMC leader, emphasized the need for women to exercise caution following a gang rape incident involving a medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal. His comments came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced backlash for advising female students to avoid being out late at night. .

Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Member of Parliament Saugata Roy on Monday urged women to remain cautious, saying police cannot be present everywhere, as he commented on the recent gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal.
Roy’s statement came a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced criticism for advising female students not to stay out late at night following the assault.
“Such incidents are rare in Bengal. Women’s safety here is better than in many other places,” Roy told reporters in Kolkata. “But women shouldn’t leave their colleges so late at night. Police can’t be present on every road; they can only act after an incident occurs. So, women should also be careful,” he added, reports PTI.

Defending Banerjee’s earlier remarks, he added, “Whatever the chief minister said is absolutely correct.”

The case involves a 23-year-old second-year MBBS student from Odisha who was allegedly gang-raped near her private medical college in Durgapur on the night of October 10. According to police, the woman was returning from dinner with a friend when three men confronted her near Shobhapur, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Kolkata.
The accused allegedly stole her phone, dragged her into a wooded area, and raped her before demanding money to return her belongings.

West Bengal Police on Monday said two more suspects were arrested in connection with the case, bringing the total number of arrests to five. Three men had been taken into custody on October 12.
Earlier, Chief Minister Banerjee said she was “shocked” by the incident but stressed that private colleges should ensure the safety of their students. “Private medical colleges also have to take care of their students, especially the girl child. They should not be allowed to go outside at night,” she said.
Her remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, which accused the TMC government of being insensitive to crimes against women and failing to maintain law and order in the state.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mamata-banerjee-1230-am-remarks-another-diktat-for-women-tmc-mp-saugata-roy-durgapur-odisha-medical-student-case-article-152994978

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that the petitioner can pursue his remedy elsewhere but not the Court through PIL.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into allegations raised by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi of anomalies and discrepancies in voters’ lists in several elections.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that the petitioner can pursue his remedy elsewhere, but not the Court through PIL.

“Pursue your remedy wherever you want,” Justice Kant said.

“Representation was given to the Election Commission but it was not considered,” the petitioner said.

“Writ Petition purportedly filed in public interest shall not be entertained. Petitioner is at liberty to pursue alternate remedies as available,” the Court stated while rejecting the plea.

The petition argued that large-scale irregularities in the electoral rolls had compromised the constitutional guarantee of free and fair elections. It claimed that thousands of duplicate, invalid and fictitious entries were detected in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency of Bengaluru Central Parliamentary seat, undermining the principle of “one person, one vote.”

It was submitted that several voters were found registered in multiple constituencies under the same EPIC number, while some individuals appeared more than once in the same constituency with different identification numbers.

The plea stated that in Mahadevapura alone, there were over 40,000 invalid voters, more than 10,000 duplicate entries and thousands of voters with identical particulars such as house number or father’s name. Similar patterns were alleged in Maharashtra, where nearly 39 lakh new voters were added in just four months, and in Chandrapur where about 80 voters were shown at a single vacant address.

The petition also pointed to an FIR filed in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi after suspicious voter roll additions were uncovered. It further highlighted the case of a 63-year-old woman whose name was deleted despite her denying that she sought such deletion.

It was contended that such manipulations violated Articles 324, 325 and 326 of the Constitution and also infringed Articles 14 and 21.

The Supreme Court has recognised free and fair elections as part of the basic structure of the Constitution, it was submitted.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-pil-by-lawyer-seeking-sit-probe-into-rahul-gandhis-vote-chori-allegations

CBI has alleged that Lalu Yadav and his family accepted prime land as a bribe for awarding IRCTC contracts to a private firm while he headed the Railways

A Delhi court on Monday framed various criminal charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav and several others in the alleged IRCTC Scam case.

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order.

The court has framed charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy and cheating against Lalu Yadav. Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi are charged with several offences, including conspiracy and cheating.

The case will proceed to trial since all the accused have pled not guilty.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that former Railway Minister Lalu Yadav and his family accepted prime land and shares as bribe for awarding contracts to a private firm while he headed the Railways.

As per the allegations, during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 to 2009, two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri were given on lease to a company named Sujata Hotels through a manipulated tender process. In return, land worth crores was transferred to a company allegedly linked to Lalu’s wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav at a fraction of its market value.

The Yadav family has questioned the probe and said that there was no evidence against them. They maintain that the case is politically motivated.

In a detailed order passed today, Judge Gogne said that he had come to a prima facie conclusion that Lalu Yadav was in the complete know of the processes and intervened to influence the transfer of the hotels.

“There were material modifications in the tender process… It has emerged as a distinct possibility that at the point of sale, the land parcels were undervalued and then came to be vested in the hands of Lalu Yadav,” the Court said.

It observed that Lalu Yadav’s actions caused great loss to the public exchequer.

“Various persons engaged in a conspiracy which may have involved multiple smaller conspiracies,” the Court added.

Further, the Court stressed that the entire process amounted to crony capitalism in the garb of promoting private participation.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-court-frames-charges-against-lalu-yadav-tejashwi-yadav-rabri-devi-in-irctc-scam-case

Earlier today Hamas released 20 hostages – captured during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 – in two batches.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has raised his eyebrows over the decision to send junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent the country at a peace summit in Egypt, where heads of states from 20 countries are expected to gather to discuss the end of the war in Gaza.

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas will be in attendance, as will US President Donald Trump – who has claimed credit for the ceasefire and hostage exchange deal – and the UK’s Keir Starmer.

An invitation was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but his decision to skip the event “stands in stark contrast” to that of other world leaders to travel to Egypt, Tharoor said on X.

“Strategic restraint or missed opportunity?” he asked, confessing himself ‘puzzled’ by the decision to not have the PM present for a security summit in India’s neighbourhood.

“This is no reflection on Kirti Vardhan Singh, whose competence is not in question. But, given the galaxy of grandees present, India’s choice could be seen as signaling a preference for strategic distance our statements don’t convey,” Tharoor, also an ex-junior External Affairs Minister, said.

The Egypt summit, formally called the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, is being hosted by Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. It is to be co-chaired by Sisi and Trump, and will hope to bring a lasting solution to the Israel-Gaza problem.

Earlier today Hamas released 20 hostages – captured during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 – in two batches. Seven were released to representatives of Red Cross in the first and 13 in the second. Simultaneously, Israel released Palestinians from a prison in the West Bank region.

Meanwhile, Tharoor’s question marks over the decision have been seen as slightly in opposition to recent positive remarks about Prime Minister Modi and his administration, remarks that have irritated the Congress and seemed to put his relationship with the party at a crossroads.

Tharoor-Congress ties – uncertain since 2021, when he joined a group of ‘dissenters’, i.e., the G-23, and questioned the Gandhis’ leadership – have taken a sharp downturn recently.

The Congress expressed its unease over positive comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which were amplified after he was chosen to brief ‘partner nations’ on Pahalgam and Op Sindoor.

Tharoor has acknowledged differences between himself and the Congress; he even met Rahul Gandhi, but nothing seemed to come of that meeting.

Speaking to NDTV last month, he played down, again, any talk of friction with the party, calling such incidents “differences of opinion… with only some elements of leadership”.

When NDTV asked him how he would define his relationship with the Congress today, he pointed out he had been loyal to the party and its ideology for the last 16 years.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/restraint-or-shashi-tharoors-question-over-pm-skipping-egypt-summit-9447861?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Police said a heated argument broke out between them, during which the father-in-law allegedly pulled out a sickle and repeatedly attacked the victim on his head, hands and legs.

A 24-year-old man was hacked to death, allegedly by his father-in-law, in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, just three months after his wedding. As per the police, it was an inter-caste marriage.

The victim, Ramachandran (24), a milk vendor from Ramanayakkanpatti near Viralipatti, had fallen in love with Aarthi (21), a BCom second-year student from Ganapathipatti near Batlagundu, after connecting with her on Instagram. Despite opposition from her family, the two got married three months ago.

On Sunday evening, while Ramachandran was riding his two-wheeler to Kuzhipatti, he was allegedly intercepted near the Koottathu Ayyampalayam bridge by his father-in-law, Chandran (49). Police said a heated argument broke out between them, during which Chandran allegedly pulled out a sickle and repeatedly attacked Ramachandran on his head, hands, and legs.

Visuals from the spot showed the young man lying in a pool of blood. He died on the spot.

Police from Nilakottai rushed to the scene, recovered the body and sent it to the Nilakottai Government Hospital for post-mortem. A murder case has been registered, and police teams are searching for Chandran, who is on the run.

While the couple belonged to different non-Dalit communities, the police have ruled out dishonour killing. A senior officer told NDTV, “It does not appear to be a case of dishonour killing as of now. Neither of them is from a Scheduled Caste. We are investigating the motive.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-man-24-hacked-to-death-by-father-in-law-3-months-after-wedding-9449597?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The Coldrif syrup, which sparked huge backlash recently following the children’s deaths, is among the three syrups the WHO has reportedly warned against.

Weeks after the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consumption of an adulterated cough syrup, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified three such syrups in India, urging authorities to report back to the health agency in case they detect any of them in their countries.

The infamous Coldrif syrup, which sparked huge backlash recently following the children’s deaths, is among the three contaminated syrups the WHO has reportedly warned against.

The global health agency has reportedly identified specific batches of Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife from Shape Pharma, as affected medicines.

Sresan Pharmaceuticals is a Tamil Nadu-based firm whose manufacturing license was recently fully revoked following uproar over the Coldrif cough syrup. Lab tests had found the use of diethylene glycol (DEG), a chemical historically associated with mass poisoning incidents, in the syrup linked to the deaths of at least 22 children in Madhya Pradesh, mostly residents of Parasia village in Chhindwara.

According to news agency Reuters, the WHO has said that the syrups identified in India pose significant risks and can cause severe, potentially life-threatening illness.

What Indian authorities told WHO

In the wake of the children’s deaths and a crackdown on Coldrif’s manufacturer, the global health agency had earlier asked Indian authorities if the syrup was exported to other nations. The WHO would issue a Global Medical Products Alert based on the information received from India, news agency PTI reported last week.

Reuters has now reported that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) reportedly informed the WHO that the syrups contained toxic diethylene glycol in quantities nearly 500 times the permissible limit, and were consumed by children, all under the age of five, who recently died in MP.

However, the Indian health authority also clarified that none of the contaminated medicines were exported from India, and the US also confirmed that the toxic cough syrups weren’t shipped to them.

Toxic cough syrup and 22 children’s deaths

The Tamil Nadu–made Coldrif cough syrup triggered major alarm recently after the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh. Tests revealed it was dangerously contaminated with the toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG), with concentrations exceeding 48%, far above the permissible limit of 0.1%.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-warns-against-3-cough-syrups-in-india-after-childrens-deaths-in-madhya-pradesh-coldrif-respifresh-tr-relife-101760405368773.html

India is losing sunlight.

A new study by six Indian scientists finds that over the past three decades, sunshine hours – the time direct sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface – have steadily declined across most of India, driven by clouds, aerosols and local weather.

Data from 20 weather stations from 1988 to 2018 shows a persistent decline in sunshine hours nationwide, with only the northeast region seeing a mild seasonal reprieve, according to the paper published in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed journal published by Nature Portfolio.

Scientists from Banaras Hindu University, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the India Meteorological Department report that the steepest annual declines occurred in the northern inland region – notably Amritsar and Kolkata – as well as along the Himalayan belt and the west coast, particularly Mumbai.

All of nine India’s geograpically diverse regions showed an overall annual decline in sunshine hours, though the rate of decrease varied across India. Monthly analysis revealed significant increases from October to May, followed by sharp drops from June to July in six of the nine regions.

This seasonal pattern of sunshine intersects with a deeper, long-standing problem: India’s severe air pollution crisis – it’s now among the world’s top 10 polluted countries – which scientists trace back to the 1990s. Rapid urbanisation, industrial growth and land-use changes drove up fossil fuel use, vehicle emissions and biomass burning, sending aerosols into the atmosphere and dimming the Sun’s rays.

In winter, high air pollution from smog, temperature inversions and crop burning across the Indo-Gangetic plains produces light-scattering aerosols, which reduce sunshine hours.

These aerosols – tiny solid or liquid particles from dust, vehicle exhaust, crop burning, and other sources – persist in the air long enough to affect sunlight, climate and health.

During June-July, monsoon clouds blanket much of India, sharply reducing sunlight even though aerosol levels are lower than in winter.

Scientists note that higher sunshine hours from October to May don’t indicate cleaner air; rather, they reflect more cloud-free days. Hazy winter sunlight may scatter or diffuse, lowering intensity without entirely blocking sunshine, which instruments still record as sunshine hours.

“Our study found that shrinking sunshine hours are linked to clouds that linger longer without releasing rain, blocking more sunlight. These longer-lasting clouds form indirectly due to aerosols that alter weather and climate,” says Manoj Kumar Srivastava, a professor of geophysics at the Banaras Hindu University, and one of the authors of the study.

Aerosols have reduced the amount of sunlight reaching the ground in India by about 13%, while clouds accounted for an additional 31-44% drop in surface solar radiation between 1993 and 2022, according to Sachchida Nand Tripathi, an atmospheric scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.

These patterns raise concerns for agriculture, daily life and India’s solar energy ambitions, while highlighting where solar panels could be most effective.

Solar now makes up 47% of India’s renewable energy capacity. The government says it’s on track for 500GW of renewables by 2030, with more than 100GW of solar installed as of early 2025. But declining sunlight could cast a shadow on the country’s solar ambitions.

According to Prof Tripathi, air pollution compounds the problem. It reduces solar panel output by 12-41% depending on the type of photovoltaic system – the technology that converts sunlight into electricity – and costs an estimated $245-835m in lost power generation.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5qygr6d5yo

Months after a Jain monk’s threat of “taking up arms” over a pigeon-feeding ban in Mumbai, the community has announced the launch of a political party, the Shanti Doot Jankalyan Party, with a pigeon as its symbol. The move, ahead of the long-delayed BMC polls, could shake up Mumbai’s political landscape and split votes in key wards.

Three months ago, Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay had threatened to “take up arms” over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to shut down the iconic Kabootarkhana (pigeon shelter) in Dadar suburb, among other pigeon-feeding sites in Mumbai. The monk later clarified he meant it “in a peaceful way”. Cut to October, the community has announced its own political party—the Shanti Doot Jankalyan Party—with a pigeon as its symbol, reported Hindustan Times and the Mumbai-based Mid-Day.

The move comes ahead of the long-delayed BMC elections, hotting up Mumbai’s political circles.

The BMC, India’s richest civic body, hasn’t held elections since 2017. With the Jain community forming a significant and influential demographic in Mumbai, the new party could shift electoral equations or at least split votes in key wards. Currently, the civic body is not under the control of any elected political party and is being administered by a state-appointed administrator.

Jains, just 0.4% of India’s population, are known for their commitment to ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion for all living beings. The community took to the streets when the BMC announced a ban on pigeon-feeding in July.

The Kabootarkhana, a landmark in Dadar where thousands of pigeons were fed daily, primarily by Jains, was covered with grey tarpaulin to prevent birds from roosting. Following the ban, community members have continued to feed pigeons near the spot.

Pigeons, being the rugged birds they are, also relocated to nearby rooftops. Their droppings, known to spread skin diseases, began covering homes, cars, and public spaces.

Soon, the Jains began feeding pigeons on the roads around Kabootarkhana. The issue quickly escalated into a political flashpoint. Mumbai, home to both Shwetambar and Digambar Jains, saw unity between the sects over the pigeons.

PIGEON POLITICS IN INDIA’S FINANCIAL CAPITAL
The Shanti Doot Jankalyan Party is not only the first Jain political party in India, but possibly the first launched over an “animal rights issue”—if feeding pigeons qualifies as one. The party’s emergence just ahead of the BMC polls might change equations, given the large Jain population from south Mumbai to the northern suburbs. Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Borivali and Mulund are some of the Mumbai neighbourhoods that have a considerable population of Jains.

On October 11, the Jain community held a prayer meeting at Yogi Sabhagruh in Dadar for pigeons that died since the shutdown. They demanded the reopening of all pigeon-feeding sites and highlighted how displaced pigeons were now causing accidents by straying onto roads. They urged the administration to create safe, natural habitats for the birds.

At the same prayer meeting, the community members announced that they would be launching the Shanti Doot Jankalyan Party.

Back in July, there was a pushback from a Marathi activist group called Amhi Girgaumkar on the issue. The group launched a counter-campaign with provocative posters reading: “Pigeons Go Back to Marwar, Rajasthan”—a pointed jibe at many Jains in Mumbai who trace their origins to the Marwar region.

They accused the Jain community of disrupting public health and vowed to oppose any pigeon shelters—even threatening to set up chicken and mutton stalls next to them, including near BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s residence, who had earlier proposed pigeon houses in every ward. Lodha belongs to the Jain community.

PIGEONS AND MUMBAI’S LONG RELATIONSHIP
Rock pigeon species of the bird are very common in Mumbai. They are everywhere—from middle-class balconies to luxury towers, often kept at bay with nets. While they are known to spread diseases, they are also a familiar sight at tourist spots like Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and Bandstand, where they can be seen getting clicked on by tourists and those getting photoshoots done.

That a bird capable of digesting cigarette butts, stones, and oily junk food could become the centre of a political storm might seem absurd, but in Mumbai, it’s now a reality.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jain-political-party-mumbai-bmc-election-pigeon-feeding-ban-dadar-kabootarkhana-monk-threat-politicians-marathi-2802446-2025-10-14

Two terrorists have been killed along the Line of Control (LoC) near Machil and Dudniyal in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara as the Indian Army foiled a suspected infiltration attempt.

Fresh tension flared along the Line of Control (LoC) late Monday night, with firing and explosions reported from two locations in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district — Machil and Dudniyal sectors — in what sources described as a possible infiltration attempt. Two terrorists have been killed by the security forces.

According to sources, troops detected suspicious movement near the Machil LoC, prompting an immediate response. “The army challenged the suspected infiltrators, leading to an exchange of fire,” sources said.

“In the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army troops witnessed some suspicious movement along the Line of Control and fired towards it in the evening, around 7 PM. Operations are continuing in the area. More details awaited,” Indian Army officials said in a statement quoted by ANI.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/loc-tension-kupwara-firing-blasts-infiltration-machil-dudniyal-2802647-2025-10-14

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has demanded a full investigation after Kerala IT professional Anandu Aji was found dead, leaving a final social media post alleging repeated sexual abuse by multiple RSS members.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called for a thorough investigation after a shocking case in Kerala sparked outrage over allegations of sexual abuse within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The deceased, identified as Anandu Aji, an IT professional, was found dead after leaving a final social media post alleging repeated sexual abuse by multiple RSS members. He claimed that the abuse had severely affected his mental health and asserted that he was not the only victim, warning that such incidents were widespread in RSS camps across India.

PRIYANKA GANDHI SPEAKS OUT

Priyanka Gandhi took to social media to demand accountability, saying, “In his suicide message, Anandu Aji alleged that he was abused again and again by multiple members of the RSS. He clearly stated that he was not the only victim and rampant sexual abuse is taking place in RSS camps. If true, then this is horrifying.”

She cautioned that lakhs of children and teenagers attending RSS camps could be at risk and urged the organisation’s leadership to act immediately. “The leadership of the RSS must take immediate action, they must come clean,” she wrote.

“Sexual abuse of boys is a scourge as widespread as that of girls. The code of silence around these unspeakably heinous crimes has to be broken,” she added.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/priyanka-gandhi-demands-probe-into-kerala-techies-alleged-rss-sexual-abuse-suicide-2802012-2025-10-12

A court in Madhya Pradesh has denied bail to a doctor recently arrested for prescribing Coldrif cough syrup that led to the death of several children in Chhindwara district.

Additional Sessions Judge Goutam Kumar Gujre, posted at Parasia Civil Court, took note of the prosecution submission that the pediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni had prescribed the medicine to children below the age of four years in violation of the guidelines issued by Directorate General of Health Sciences.

In the order passed on October 8, the Court also said that the probe into the deaths is still incomplete and the allegations against the accused are of serious nature. Therefore, it refused to grant regular bail to Soni.

At least 24 children died after allegedly consuming the cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh, according to media reports. The State government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Besides Soni, Govindan Ranganathan, the owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, was also arrested in the case.

The deaths have sparked outrage across India with many States banning Coldrif after it was reportedly found to be contaminated with high levels of toxic Diethylene Glycol.

However, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned Dr. Soni’s arrest, stating that the culpability for introducing an adulterated drug into the market rests squarely with the manufacturer and the enforcement agencies. Following the deaths, World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced “deep concern” over gaps in India’s drug safety regulations, the BBC reported.

Dr. Soni’s counsel argued before the Court that prior to the State government decision to ban the cough syrup, it had been duly approved and recommended for medical use by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.

It was also contended Dr. Soni is a government doctor and has been practicing for the past 35-40 years. He has been falsely implicated in the case for merely prescribing the medication meant for treatment of the children, the Court was told. The pharmaceutical company is solely responsible for the adulteration of the medicine, the counsel said.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/madhya-pradesh-court-denies-bail-to-doctor-arrested-for-cough-syrup-deaths

According to police, preliminary investigations estimate a financial fraud to the tune of Rs 5-7 crore.

As many as 32 FIRs have been registered against celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib, his son Anos Habib and another person for allegedly defrauding investors by promising high returns.

On Sunday, Habib’s lawyer, Pawan Kumar, met Sambhal Police and submitted medical papers citing his poor health.

Habib, his son and associate have been accused of running a scheme under the banner of Follicle Global Company (FLC), and taking Rs 5-7 lakh from each investor after promising 50-70 per cent returns on Bitcoin purchases.

“They took around Rs 5-7 lakh from each investor, claiming that it would yield high returns, but even after two-and-a-half years, none of the investors received their money back,” Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi had said earlier.

According to police, preliminary investigations estimate a financial fraud to the tune of Rs 5-7 crore.

A lookout notice has been issued to prevent Habib and his family from leaving the country.

Raia Satti police station in-charge Govind Kumar said, “After a detailed investigation, 32 FIRs have been registered against Jawed Habib, his son Anos, and an associate named Saiful. They were issued notices to appear for questioning. On Sunday, Habib’s advocate met us. He was informed that Habib himself must record his statement in person.” Habib’s lawyer Pawan Kumar met the station house officer and submitted medical papers citing the hairstylist’s poor health.

“My client has heart issues and had recently lost his father. He is currently unwell and could not appear in person. We are cooperating fully with the police,” Kumar told reporters.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/32-cases-against-hair-stylist-jawed-habib-in-up-over-defrauding-investors-9442746?pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

The division – 101 each for the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s party, 29 for Chirag Paswan and six seats each for Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and RLM of Upendra Kushwaha — has two clear takeaways.

The NDA has finally announced its seat sharing for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, and the formula it has come up with could mark a new political balance in the state. The division – 101 each for the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s party, 29 for Chirag Paswan and six seats each for Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and RLM of Upendra Kushwaha — has two clear takeaways.

The first – Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United is no longer in the driving seat in the state.

The formula that signalled the BJP gaining upper hand in 2024 — the JDU contested 16 seats and the BJP 17 of the state’s 40 Lok Sabha seats – appears to have crystallised for the state elections as well.

The BJP has made it clear that they will no longer play the second fiddle and that it is preparing to achieve a leadership position in the next phase, while maintaining the balance of power for now.

The second big takeaway is the position of Chirag Paswan – Lok Janshakti Party chief and son of former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. This, sources said, is a clear signal from the BJP that it no longer wants to rely on Nitish Kumar in Bihar politics.

Chirag Paswan is also bargaining from a strong position.

In the last election, the LJP (Ram Vilas) played spoiler for Nitish Kumar, causing significant losses to his Janata Dal United and costing him the upper hand in Bihar politics.

The big seat share for Paswan is being seen as the next step for the BJP. By accommodating his political ambitions, the BJP has sent a significant political message – that it now wants to promote him as a Dalit face and a future resource.

Jitan Ram Manjhi’s seats have been reduced, marking him as the victim of “adjustment politics”. Manjhi’s party, HAM, has been allotted only six seats this time – one less than 2020.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-takeaways-from-nda-bihar-plan-jdu-bjp-power-balance-chirag-paswan-factor-9443197?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

“She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 am?” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked

In shocking remarks in the aftermath of an MBBS student’s gang rape in West Bengal’s Durgapur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has tried to shift the responsibility of students’ security to private colleges and questioned how the 23-year-old student managed to leave the campus late at night. The comments have drawn a sharp response, with the BJP accusing the Chief Minister of victim shaming.

“She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 at night?” she asked in her first remarks to the media after the incident. The Chief Minister described the incident as “shocking” and added that Bengal police were taking all necessary steps.

She said private medical colleges should take care of their students and the “culture at night”. “They should not be allowed to come out. They have to protect themselves. It is a forest area,” Banerjee said.

Hitting out at the BJP government in Odisha, Banerjee brought up cases of rape in the neighbouring state. “In Odisha, girls were raped on sea beaches. What action has been taken by the Odisha government?” she asked.

The Chief Minister said the guilty will be punished. “We will take stringent action. When it happens in other states, it is condemnable. Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha have seen so many (such cases). We think the governments there should take stringent action.”

The BJP has said that the Bengal Chief Minister is blaming the victim instead of ensuring justice in sexual violence cases. “Shameless @MamataOfficial a blot on womanhood, even more for being a CM. After RG Kar and Sandeshkhali, now this horrific case and instead of justice, she blames the victim!” BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said in a post on X.

“A Chief Minister who tells girls not to go out at night, rather than ensuring their safety, has no moral right to stay in office. People now realise they have reposed faith in an anarchist, heartless Mamata. She must resign and be held accountable under law.”

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Bengal Chief Minister “blames the beti (daughter) and defends the Balatkari (rapist). “Time & again: RG Kar, Sandeshkhali, Park Street – this has been done,” Poonawalla said, referring to Banerjee’s controversial statements in the past. “Will the outrage lobby who was shouting yesterday – Supriya Shrinate, Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi etc open their mouths now?” he asked.

The second-year student from Jaleswar, Odisha, has been pursuing an MBBS course at a private medical college in Durgapur. On Friday night, she was out with a friend when some men approached them. They forcibly took the woman to a secluded area and raped her.

Shocked by the incident, the woman’s father has said he will take her back to Odisha and that he is concerned about her safety in Bengal.

“My daughter is in pain. She can’t walk right now. She is bedridden. I am concerned about her safety here. They could kill her here any moment. That’s why we want to take her back to Odisha. Trust has been lost. We don’t want her to stay in Bengal. She will pursue her education in Odisha,” the heartbroken father has said.

He has also said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi has reached out to him. “The Odisha Chief Minister has spoken to me. The administration is helping us,” he said, adding that he has requested that his daughter be given admission in an Odisha medical college.

Three people have been arrested, and one is detained in connection with the crime. The three arrested have been identified as Apu Bauri (21), Firdos Sekh (23), and Sekh Reajuddin (31). The male friend accompanying the survivor is also under the scanner, police sources have said.

West Bengal police have said it is “deeply saddened” by the incident and assured that the culprits won’t go unpunished. “The pain of the victim is as much ours as it is Odisha’s, and we shall leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice,” it said on X.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-on-durgapur-gang-rape-horror-why-was-she-out-at-12-30-am-9440942?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The message, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great”, on the photograph is written and signed by the US President himself.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Ambassador-designate of the United States to India, Sergio Gor, and said he was confident that India-US ties would further strengthen during his tenure.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, the Ambassador-designate gifted a framed photograph of US President Donald Trump and PM Modi carrying the former’s message, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great”, on it. The message is written and signed by the US President himself.

Following the meeting, Gor said the US greatly values its relationship with India. “The US values its relationship with India, and under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I’m optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations,” he said.

Gor is appointed as the American Ambassador to India after confirmation by the US Senate.

Modi-Trump Bonhomie Amid Tariff Row

The two leaders have managed to preserve a personal connection between them despite the relationship between the two countries having worsened to a two-decade low because of the massive trade tariffs Trump imposed on India.

While Trump and his aides have accused India of funding Moscow’s war machine by buying Russian oil, the President has refrained from making adverse remarks about PM Modi. On the contrary, he has repeatedly highlighted his “friendship” with the Indian leader, even as tariff tensions escalated.

Trump levied 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian shipments, along with an additional 25% tariff for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India to 50%. India had strongly condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” saying that imports are governed by market dynamics and are undertaken with the overarching goal of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indian citizens.

Despite the tariff tensions, the two leaders held conversations over global wars and trade.

Earlier this week, PM Modi spoke with Trump to discuss ongoing trade negotiations and congratulate him on the successful Gaza peace deal. In a post on X, he had said that both leaders reviewed progress on bilateral trade talks and agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks.

Prior to this, Trump praised PM Modi on his birthday on September 17, calling him a “friend” and lauding his leadership as “tremendous.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump had said, “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job.”

The US President had also thanked PM Modi for backing his efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war, adding, “Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!”

Before this, Trump had expressed confidence that the two sides would have “no difficulty” in reaching a deal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump had praised PM Modi’s leadership and thanked him for supporting peace efforts in Ukraine. PM Modi had also called the United States a “close friend” and a “natural partner” of India.

In the start of September, Trump lambasted after PM Modi’s meetings with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping in Tianjin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He had said, “We’ve lost India and Russia to China.” PM Modi had traveled to China for the first time in seven years to attend the SCO Summit.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/mr-prime-minister-trumps-message-to-pm-modi-in-photo-given-by-envoy-gor-ws-l-9629997.html

Measure taken by Delhi government includes deploying enforcement teams, setting control room and encouraging citizens to report violations of firecracker order

The Delhi government has planned various measures to be taken following directions from the Supreme Court, which has reserved orders on lifting the ban on bursting green firecrackers in the city.

Measures taken by Delhi govt

They also said that various protocols have already been planned for execution, including:

According to data from the Decision Support System, the transport sector remained the biggest contributor to Delhi’s pollution

As winter chill in Delhi has begun to set in, the city is bracing for another seasonal surge in air pollution, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Saturday stood at 199, just a few notches away from the ‘poor’ category.

While the city’s low was 19.4 degrees Celsius, 1.6 notches below normal, the maximum temperature settled at 30.3 degrees Celsius, 3.9 notches below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

At 4 pm, Delhi’s AQI was recorded in the “moderate” category at 199. An AQI between 201 to 300 falls under the “poor” category.

The national capital last recorded a “poor” AQI in June, according to the data.

According to data from the Decision Support System (DSS), the transport sector remained the biggest contributor to Delhi’s pollution, accounting for 17.9 per cent of the total emissions.

Meanwhile, satellite data detected stubble burning incidents on Saturday. Punjab reported 14 incidents, Haryana one, and the neighbouring UP-NCR region 42 incidents.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-nears-poor-as-winter-chill-begins-to-set-in-9438813

The plea also urged the central and state governments to frame and strictly enforce rules for regulating social media platforms

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Saturday directed Meta and Google to remove within 48 hours allegedly objectionable videos circulating on social media against renowned Ramkatha narrator and Padma Vibhushan awardee Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.

A division bench comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Prashant Kumar passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Sharad Chandra Srivastava and others.

The court instructed the petitioners to provide the relevant URL links to the social media companies to facilitate the removal process. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for November 11.

The petition alleged that one Shashank Shekhar, who operates multiple channels on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, has been posting derogatory and defamatory videos against Rambhadracharya, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Jagadguru Swami Ram Bhadracharya Divyang University in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.

Despite objections raised by Rambhadracharya’s followers, the videos reportedly remain online, and no action has been taken by the concerned platforms to remove them, it said.

The plea also urged the central and state governments to frame and strictly enforce rules for regulating social media platforms, highlighting the need to curb the spread of defamatory content online.

The petitioners contended that the content was not only defamatory but also mocked Rambhadracharya’s disability, as he lost his eyesight in childhood.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/allahabad-high-court-orders-google-to-remove-objectionable-videos-against-spiritual-leader-jagadguru-rambhadracharya-9439705

The plea has claimed that the defendants are violating Kumar Sanu’s personality and publicity rights by extracting his name, voice, likeness, and persona.

Singer Kumar Sanu has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights, including his name, voice, vocal style, and technique.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is likely to hear the plea on Monday.

In his plea, Sanu has sought protection of his personality and publicity rights, including his name, voice, vocal style and technique, vocal arrangements and interpretations, mannerisms and manner of singing, images, caricatures, photographs, likeness, and signature.

He has also sought protection against unauthorised or unlicensed use and commercial exploitation by third parties, which is likely to create confusion or deception and dilution among the public.

The suit, filed through advocates Shikha Sachdeva and Sana Raees Khan, also alleges violation of Sanu’s moral rights in his performances conferred upon him by virtue of provisions of the Copyright Act.

The plea has claimed that the defendants are violating Sanu’s personality and publicity rights by extracting his name, voice, likeness, and persona.

Recently, Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her husband Abhishek Bachchan, filmmaker Karan Johar, Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, “Art of Living” founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and journalist Sudhir Chaudhary also approached the high court seeking protection of their personality and publicity rights, and the court granted them interim relief.

The right to publicity, popularly known as personality rights, is the right to protect, control, and profit from one’s image, name, or likeness.

Sanu is aggrieved by various GIFs, and audio and video recordings containing his performances and voice, which bring disrepute to him and make him a subject of “unsavoury humour”, thereby violating his moral rights in his performances.

He is also aggrieved by content made using artificial intelligence (AI) to clone his voice, vocal style and technique, vocal arrangements and interpretations, manner of singing, and the morphing of his face, including making of merchandise.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/singer-kumar-sanu-approaches-delhi-high-court-seeking-protection-of-personality-rights-9438973

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the Modi government after women journalists were barred from a press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, labeling the situation as “shameful” and a dishonor to Indian women.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government after women journalists were barred from a press conference addressed by visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, calling the episode “shameful” and “dishonourable to every Indian woman”.
“This is a country that gave the same universal franchise to women. We didn’t have to go through a suffragette movement. Our founding fathers gave the right of the vote to women at the same time. We’ve had an Indian female prime minister, a woman prime minister, when the President of the United States has never been a woman. That’s our legacy,” Moitra said in a video message.
“And this is the state of the Indian government today? Is this diplomacy? We have no problem with you engaging with our neighbours, but you please do it on our terms. It is shameful that this Indian government is engaging with the Taliban on their terms on our soil and discriminating against and dishonouring every single mother, sister and woman of India,” she added.

The absence of female journalists from the event triggered strong criticism from the opposition and media bodies, who described it as “unacceptable” and an “insult to women”. The Editors Guild of India (EGI) and the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) both termed the exclusion “highly discriminatory” and said it could not be justified under diplomatic privilege.

“While diplomatic premises may claim protection under the Vienna Convention, that cannot justify blatant gender discrimination in press access on Indian soil,” the EGI said, adding, “Whether or not the MEA coordinated the event, it is deeply troubling that such a discriminatory exclusion was allowed to proceed without objection.”
The IWPC also raised strong objections, saying the act “goes against the grain of our democratic ethos and constitutional values that uphold gender equality”. It urged the government to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
Opposition leaders tore into the Modi government, accusing it of endorsing Taliban-style discrimination. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said by allowing the exclusion of women scribes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shown he was “too weak to stand up for them”.
“Mr Modi, when you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them,” Gandhi posted on X, adding that the silence of the government “exposes the emptiness” of its slogans on Nari Shakti.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/shameful-mahua-moitra-takes-on-govt-over-taliban-afghan-foreign-minister-amir-khan-muttaqi-presser-opposition-article-152984113

Thousands of youth gathered at GIFT City to witness the Gujarat premiere of ‘Mera Desh Pehle – The Untold Story of Shri Narendra Modi’, written and produced by Manoj Muntashir, as renowned actor Akshay Kumar and over 200 artists presented a captivating musical saga depicting the life journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gandhinagar, 11 October 2025: The grand first-ever show of ‘Mera Desh Pehle’, the thrilling story of the transformation of a new India taking shape under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was held in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, on Friday.
The show beautifully portrayed the inspiring journey of Shri Narendra Modi — from his birthplace, Vadnagar, where his life’s journey began, to his rise as the Prime Minister who brought global pride to India. The performance not only showcased the untold aspects of his life dedicated to the nation but also vividly brought before the audience a reflection of a movement of national consciousness rather than being just a cultural presentation.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, BJP State President Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma, Ministers of the State Cabinet, prominent leaders from the industry and trade sector including Shri Pankaj Patel, Pranav Adani, Torrent Family, Shri Chintan Thaker of ASSOCHAM, and many other distinguished leaders, industrialists, traders, and senior secretaries and high officials including Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Joshi, enjoyed the performance.

The show captured the incredible journey of Shri Narendra Modi — from being a courageous student in Vadnagar, to leading the Somnath-Ayodhya Rath Yatra and the Ekta Yatra to Kashmir, where he bravely hoisted the Tricolour at Lal Chowk despite threats from separatists. It also depicted the valorous Operation Sindoor guided by the Prime Minister, the realization of the Ram Mandir vision, and many other historic milestones through a spectacular blend of visuals, music, and drama that enthralled the audience.

More than 200 artists, including renowned film actor Akshay Kumar, along with the engaging and accurate direction of writer, producer, and presenter Manoj Muntashir, filled the GIFT City premises with a spirit of patriotism.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mera-desh-pehle-pm-modis-nation-first-vision-inspires-a-new-india-in-gujarat-article-152984314

A second-year medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped by unidentified men outside her college campus in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district. The incident reportedly took place in Durgapur on Friday night when the 20-year-old student went out for dinner with a friend. The victim, who hails from Jaleswar in Odisha, is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Police said an investigation has been launched based on a complaint filed by the student’s family. “We have started a probe into the incident. The student’s statement has been recorded,” an officer said.
According to the initial investigation, the woman and her friend left the college campus around 8:30 PM. The friend allegedly left her alone for a while, during which three unidentified men appeared, snatched her phone, and took her to a nearby wooded area. “The men raped her and threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about it,” the officer said, adding that the accused later demanded money to return her phone.

The victim’s parents arrived in Durgapur on Saturday morning after being informed by her friends. “We came here this morning and lodged a complaint with the police. I heard the college had a good reputation, so we sent our daughter here to study medicine,” her father said.

A forensic team is expected to visit the site to collect evidence, while police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas. “We also spoke to the victim’s friend last night as part of the inquiry,” the officer added.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sent a team to Durgapur to meet the survivor and her family. “Crimes against women are rising in Bengal, and the police are not taking proactive steps. This is unfortunate. I urge the chief minister to act decisively,” NCW member Archana Majumdar said.
Meanwhile, the state health department has sought a report from the private medical college where the student is enrolled. “We have asked the authorities for a detailed report and will take necessary action accordingly,” a senior official said.
BJP Attacks Mamata Government
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday expressed concern over the gang rape of an Odia student at Durgapur in West Bengal and sought the intervention of Mamata Banerjee, his counterpart in the neighbouring state, in taking action against the culprit.
Taking to X, Majhi said, “The unfortunate incident of gang rape involving an Odia student in Durgapur, West Bengal, is highly condemnable and painful. I am deeply shocked upon hearing this news. In this sensitive matter, I strongly urge the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, @MamataOfficial, to take exemplary action against the accused as per the law.”
“Additionally, I have instructed senior officials to contact the West Bengal government and take necessary steps. All possible assistance will be provided to the victim’s family on behalf of the Odisha government,” Majhi said.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday upped the ante against Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government after the incident.
In a social media post on X, BJP leader and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has turned “West Bengal into a safe haven for rapists and criminals.”
“After the horrific rape of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital, yet another horrifying crime has emerged! A second-year medical student at a private medical college in Durgapur has been gang-raped! The survivor, a student from Jaleswar in Odisha, was allegedly abducted while outside the campus and brutally assaulted in a nearby forest,” the Union minister said.
“Under the failed and lawless rule of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal has turned into a nightmare for women’s safety. Across the state — from villages to cities, hospitals to homes — women are unsafe everywhere. The administration’s deliberate policy of appeasement has crippled police investigations, giving violent criminals a free hand. Mamata Banerjee has turned West Bengal into a safe haven for rapists and criminals,” he added.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also attacked Mamata Banerjee, claiming that the incident has triggered a massive outrage in Durgapur. He also shared video of people sloganeering against the Mamata government in Durgapur.
“The memories of the horrific rape and murder of a lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have resurfaced. A second-year medical student from IQ City Medical College and Hospital in Durgapur (West Bengal) was gang-raped in a nearby forest area by Wasif Ali and his associates. The survivor, a resident of Odisha, is currently undergoing treatment, and her statement has been recorded,” Malviya said.
“The brutal crime has triggered massive protests across Durgapur, with people demanding swift justice and accountability from the Mamata Banerjee government. West Bengal is not safe for women,” he added.
“This repeated failure of law and order exposes a disturbing pattern under Mamata Banerjee’s administration. The West Bengal Police must ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, unlike the RG Kar MCH case, which the Kolkata Police mishandled under instructions, so that the guilty face the harshest punishment under the law,” Malviya said in another post on X.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/crime/odisha-medical-student-gangraped-outside-college-in-west-bengal-durgapur-article-152982859

With inadequate landfill capacity and limited door-to-door collection, informal dumping and open burning became common practices, especially in the city’s outskirts and the 100 villages newly absorbed by the BBMP when it transitioned from BMP to BBMP.

Bengaluru: People living in the vicinity of Chiikkasubbanna Road, within Hagadur Ward, in Mahadeva Pura (Bengaluru East Corporation limits), often witness an absolute nightmare: unidentified people burning garbage at night, causing severe air pollution.

Anupama, a resident of the area, says that with doors closed, her air pollution monitor showed a PM 2.5 reading of 247 on the night of October 4—a level indicating very unhealthy air quality that might lead to serious health effects for vulnerable groups, particularly older people and those with underlying health conditions.

The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Report (2021) estimated that nearly 15–20% of municipal waste is still burnt illegally, releasing toxic pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and dioxins. These emissions contribute to the city’s deteriorating air quality—Bengaluru’s average AQI frequently crosses 120 in certain zones, well above safe limits.

Despite the Karnataka High Court’s repeated interventions since 2012, enforcement remains patchy. Citizen-led initiatives and segregation drives, notably after the 2012 landfill crisis, have improved awareness but not eliminated the problem.

The combination of plastic waste, poor segregation, and inadequate processing infrastructure keeps fuelling small-scale fires across neighbourhoods.

When school grapples with soot

Ravindra, a 65-year-old citizen from the erstwhile Hemmigepura ward in South Bengaluru, sees garbage dumped and burned regularly on Holiday Village Road, especially near a government high school.

“We have gone door-to-door asking people not to dump garbage, but people don’t listen. They come on bikes, throw garbage and run away. The garbage is later burned, but we don’t know who does it. It causes health hazards to the students at the school. This needs to stop,” says Ravindra.

There is a coconut farm close by. The leaf litter there is sometimes burned, too. “We can’t live here, the soot fills the atmosphere sometimes and leads to health issues,” he adds.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/bengalurus-garbage-burning-crisis-chokes-residents-across-the-city-3760326

DIG (Kolhan) Anuranjan Kispota told PTI that a CRPF inspector and a jawan suffered injuries in the explosions in Babudih area under Jaraikela police station limits.

Chaibasa: A CRPF inspector and a jawan were injured on Friday when two IEDs exploded in Saranda forest in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, a senior police officer said.

The improvised explosive devices were suspectedly planted by the proscribed CPI (Maoist), which is observing a ‘resistance week’ in Jharkhand, to target security forces, he said.

DIG (Kolhan) Anuranjan Kispota told PTI that a CRPF inspector and a jawan suffered injuries in the explosions in Babudih area under Jaraikela police station limits.

The injured inspector was shifted to a hospital in neighbouring Rourkela in Odisha, while the jawan was on the way to a medical facility, he said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jharkhand/crpf-inspector-jawan-injured-in-ied-blasts-in-jharkhand-3760154

Parents will soon be able to verify whether their children’s schools have implemented the child safety measures mandated by the Maharashtra government. The state informed the Bombay High Court on Friday that over 88,000 of the total 1,00,816 schools have already uploaded their compliance details on a web portal launched by the education department.

Parents will soon be able to verify whether their children’s schools have implemented the child safety measures mandated by the Maharashtra government. The state informed the Bombay High Court on Friday that over 88,000 of the total 1,00,816 schools have already uploaded their compliance details on a web portal launched by the education department.

Court Hearing On Suo Motu PIL

The information was placed before a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil during the hearing of a suo motu PIL concerning child safety in schools. The court was told that the remaining schools are expected to upload their details by October 15.

Monthly Updates On Portal

Public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde submitted that the portal became operational on October 5 and can be accessed by anyone by entering the school’s name. “Schools have been directed to update all information by the 15th of every month,” she added.

Details Sought From Schools

The education department had circulated a 60-point questionnaire to government, aided and private schools, seeking details such as whether the May 13 government resolution (GR) was shared with parents via WhatsApp, email or notices; whether Sakhi-Savitribai committees and student safety committees have been formed; and if police verification of school and bus staff has been completed.

HC Questions State’s Data

The bench, however, questioned the state’s data. “It (information provided by schools) says a workshop was scheduled. When was it done? Otherwise it is meaningless. Parents are unaware — specific date-wise details have to be given,” the court remarked.

The judges also directed that schools must designate a nodal officer to provide information to parents and that surprise inspections be conducted to verify compliance.

Bilingual Access For Parents

Amicus curiae (friend of the court) Advocate Rebecca Gonsalves suggested that the portal should be made bilingual. “The portal is only in English. It should be in Marathi as well since many parents may not know English,” she said. The court directed the government to ensure that information is made available in both languages.

Safety GR For Residential Schools

Shinde further informed the bench that the Women and Child Development Department has issued a similar GR on July 3, 2025, applicable to residential schools. Also, the GR was adopted for Anganwadis and Ashramshalas in the state.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/parents-can-soon-check-schools-child-safety-compliance-on-state-education-portal-maharashtra-govt-to-hc

The BMC is set to issue show-cause notices to bakeries that have failed to initiate the mandatory transition to green fuel, despite repeated reminders and warnings. A senior civic official warned that if bakery owners continue to resist the switch, stricter action including possible closure of the establishments could be taken.

The BMC is set to issue show-cause notices to bakeries that have failed to initiate the mandatory transition to green fuel, despite repeated reminders and warnings. A senior civic official warned that if bakery owners continue to resist the switch, stricter action including possible closure of the establishments could be taken.

295 Bakeries Yet To Begin Conversion

According to data from the BMC, 295 bakeries in the city are yet to begin the mandated conversion to green fuel. Following a directive from the Bombay High Court (HC), the civic body has intensified its efforts to assist bakeries in making the shift to alternatives like piped natural gas (PNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or electric ovens.

As part of this initiative, a dedicated workshop was organised in September to guide and support bakery owners through the transition process. “At present, 160 bakeries have been found technically feasible for the conversion to green fuel. Around 76 bakeries applied for the conversion during the workshop,” said a senior civic official.

Air Pollution Control Drive Intensified

However, with the withdrawal of the monsoon, the city has started witnessing a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI). The BMC’s Environment Department has begun implementing measures to curb air pollution.

“The HC has refused to extend the earlier deadline of July 8 for the transition to green fuel. We are now empowered to take action against bakeries that remain reluctant to comply. We have received clear instructions from the administration to enforce the directive strictly and proceed with necessary action against non-compliant establishments,” the official added.

Fresh Notices To Be Issued

A fresh round of notices will now be issued by the BMC’s Health Department, asking bakery owners to explain their failure to convert to cleaner fuel sources.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-to-issue-show-cause-notices-to-295-bakeries-for-failing-to-switch-to-green-fuel

The Congress has long maintained that Rahul Gandhi is fighting against the “dictatorship” of the NDA government as he has, taken on the ruling dispensation over several key issues.

Buoyed by Venezuela’s main opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, receiving this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for fighting for democratic rights in her country, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput on Friday drew parallels between her and Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, apparently suggesting that he too deserves the coveted accolade for “fighting to save the Constitution” in India.

Sharing a picture of Machado alongside the five-time Lok Sabha MP, Rajput wrote on X in Hindi: “This time, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the opposition leader of Venezuela for defending the constitution. The opposition leader of India, Shri Rahul Gandhi, is leading the fight to save the country’s Constitution”.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised Machado for her unwavering commitment to promoting democratic rights and advocating for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.

Machado has been a unifying figure in Venezuela’s opposition, despite facing threats and being forced into hiding following last year’s election that was widely seen as having been rigged by Maduro.

Meanwhile in India, the Congress has long maintained that Rahul Gandhi has waged a war against the “dictatorship” of the incumbent NDA government as he has, in the recent past, raked up issues such as “vote chori”, deliberate voter name deletion from electoral rolls of Bihar, EVM hacking to benefit the BJP and its allies in elections, the alleged attempts to end reservations for backward classes, among others.

The entire opposition in India has rallied behind the Congress by forming the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP-led NDA and the incumbent Modi government in the Centre and in various states, claiming that unemployment is on the rise, the country’s economy has taken a hit, minority and SC/ST rights have been compromised, descenting voices have been suppressed and so on.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-surendra-rajput-nobel-peace-prize-rahul-gandhi-also-fights-for-democracy-2801315-2025-10-10

The Court said that Chaudhary’s name, voice, image and likeness will be protected.

The Delhi High Court on Friday passed an order protecting the personality rights of journalist and Doordarshan anchor Sudhir Chaudhary.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said that Chaudhary’s name, voice, image and likeness will be protected.

Further, the Court ordered the removal of AI-generated and deepfake content published by several users on social media platforms like YouTube and those run by Meta Platforms (Instagram and Facebook).

“The way I will draft the order is that they (Chaudhary) will first write to them (uploaders) and mark it to you. They (uploaders) will have 48 hours to remove it (content infringing on Chaudhary’s personality rights). If they (uploaders) don’t take it down, then you (Google and Meta) will take action,” the Court said.

Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao appeared for Chaudhary and argued that the journalist’s voice was being used for commercial purposes without his consent. He pointed to several social media accounts infringing Chaudhary’s personality.

“All these are videos that are AI-generated. All of these are unauthorised…I have not made any of these statements,” Rao said.

After considering the case, the High Court passed the orders protecting Chaudhary’s personality.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-protects-journalist-sudhir-chaudharys-personality-rights-orders-removal-of-deepfakes

The Court said that the plea before the principal bench was limited to formulation of an SOP but the High Court went beyond that prayer and ordered a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the propriety of Madras High Court passing two seemingly conflicting orders over the Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu – one declining plea for Central Bureau of Investigation probe (passed by Madurai Bench) and another directing a probe by a Special Investigation Team (passed by the principal Bench).

The Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria was hearing an appeal filed by Tamil actor Vijay’s political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) challenging the October 3 order of the Madras High Court which directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Karur stampede of September 27 that claimed 41 lives.

The Bench at the outset questioned why the PIL petition before the High Court seeking a special operating procedure (SOP) was entertained by the principal Bench of the High Court when another petition on stampede was already rejected by the High Court’s Madurai Bench.

“In para 3 of the order it is mentioned that writ petition filed before Madurai bench was declined. So this a petition filed in Chennai. The relief was to formulate a SOP. So whether this relief would fall under a criminal WP? It is not about quashing. This is an incident with respect to Karur. Once it is a petition to Karur and Madurai bench was taking cognisance, so why this was entertained (by the principal Bench)? That too for SOP? Principal bench can take cognisance we are not denying. But we want to understand from you,” the Court asked.

The Court also said that the plea before the principal bench was limited to formulation of an SOP but the High Court went beyond that prayer and ordered a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“What is disturbing us is prayer was for permission to conduct meeting. But High Court saw something else. And then SOP was prayed for. High Court went into SIT. We should limit somewhere,” the Supreme Court said.

It eventually reserved its verdict after a lengthy hearing.

Once it is a petition on Karur and Madurai bench was taking cognisance, so why this was entertained (by the principal Bench)? That too for SOP?
Supreme Court
Background

41 people died in the stampede which broke out after crowds gathered to see actor-turned-politician and TVK founder Vijay speak during a political rally on September 27 at Karur.

On October 3, Justice N Senthilkumar passed an order directing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter, after expressing that the State’s investigation into the case so far has not been up to mark.

This was after the single-judge noted that the State was yet to register any criminal case in respect of two accidents that allegedly involved collisions with Vijay’s bus amid the stampede.

Notably, Vijay was not named in any FIR registered after the stampede. However, following the High Court’s October 3 order, a criminal case has reportedly been filed against the driver of Vijay’s campaign vehicle in connection with the two hit-and-run incidents flagged by the High Court.

The High Court’s October 3 order was passed on a petition that sought the introduction of a standard operating protocol (SOP) to be followed during road shows and rallies.

“This Court cannot close its eyes, remain a mute spectator, and shrink from its constitutional responsibilities,” Justice Senthilkumar had said while ordering the SIT probe.

The High Court also strongly criticised the TVK leadership for its conduct after the stampede unfolded.

This prompted the appeal by TVK before the Supreme Court.

According to TVK’s plea, the High Court suo motu passed extensive observations against the party and its officials though the petition filed before it was for an SOP for rallies.

Further, the directions and observations were passed without hearing the petitioner-party.

“In a PIL petition seeking the issuance of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for road shows or rallies, without any supporting pleadings or affidavits of fact that relate to the tragedy on 27.09.2025, and without giving any opportunity to the Petitioner to be heard and place the correct facts before the Hon’ble Court,” the plea pointed out.

The petitioner also said that a pre-planned conspiracy by certain miscreants to create trouble at the site of the rally cannot be ruled out.

Video clips as recorded in the order were shown without any verification or authenticity being established leading to a distortion of the facts and serious prejudice against the petitioner, the petitioner submitted.

As per the plea, the High Court observed that it was not satisfied with the progress or independence of the investigation by the State police; yet it directed the constitution of an SIT comprising solely of three police officers of the Tamil Nadu Police.

The order has caused serious prejudice to the party as the High Court appointed an SIT made up entirely of State Police officers despite the High Court’s own remarks casting doubt on their independence, the plea said.

Hence, TVK contended the issue warrants Supreme Court’s intervention and the appointment of a retired judge of the Supreme Court to conduct or oversee the enquiry or investigation.

Hearing today

Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium, appearing for TVK, said that the matter should not have been heard by the principal Bench.

“This should have been heard by Madurai bench because Madurai bench already entertained petitions. Counsel appear without any affidavit being called. It’s a stampede. It’s a human tragedy. I agree. But to make observations,” he said.

He also highlighted that the High Court order was passed on a plea for an SOP, and without hearing TVK.

“I am not even made a party. How are all these observations made without giving a chance to explain? I am not even made a party. There are so many people who come near the bus. One of them was hit. There is no statement. There is no verification. We are not impleaded. It is disposed of on the same day. They (Madras HC) have not seen the investigation. They have not even see the report. There is no status report, there is no case diary,” Subramanium said.

Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram, also appearing for TVK, said that while an SIT probe is welcome, the same should be chaired by a retired judge of the Supreme Court who should also decide as to who would be its members.

“We need a retired Supreme Court judge to oversee. Let there be a fair investigation. You (High Court) appoint a SIT of state officials after PP and AAG have made allegations against me! All we want is an impartial investigation. If any retired judge is nominated to chair the SIT, let him also have the freedom to constitute the SIT,” he said.

The Court then proceeded to question the State about the conflict between the two Benches of the High Court entertaining petitions over the same incident.

“Two things emerge. One. Nature of writ petition. Karur incident. One set of petition was filed for SOP. One in Chennai, one in Madurai. Madurai was division bench. Chennai was single-judge. We have seen the representation also. Where is the need to take the cognisance? And that too it is being taken by division bench? When incident is in Karur?”

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-questions-how-2-madras-hc-benches-heard-pleas-on-karur-stampede-reserves-verdict-on-tvk-appeal

The court’s reversal comes months after another bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka reaffirmed Delhi’s firecracker ban — extended to NCR states in April.

The Supreme Court on Friday said it will allow the sale and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for five days during Diwali, marking what could be the Capital’s first festival season with legal fireworks in years despite concerns from environmental experts and amicus curiae about enforcement gaps.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran reserved its order after the Union government proposed firecrackers be allowed under a tightly regulated framework permitting only “green firecrackers” approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

But, the bench stated: “For the time being, we will allow it during the five days of Diwali on a trial basis…However, we will confine it to certain time limits”.

The remark came after the Centre, represented by solicitor General Tushar Mehta, submitted a detailed enforcement plan restricting sales to licensed traders and barring online platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon from facilitating firecracker sales in Delhi-NCR. Traditional crackers would remain banned, the government promised, even as it sought that the relaxation be for all festivals.

The government proposed strict time windows: 8pm to 10pm on Diwali and major festivals, 11.55pm to 12.30am on New Year’s Eve, and one-hour slots morning and evening for Gurpurab. Firecrackers could also be used for weddings and personal occasions, it submitted.

During the hearing, Mehta requested the court relax Diwali timings, arguing children should not be restricted to two hours of celebration. “It is a matter of a few days on Diwali. Let children celebrate Diwali with fervour,” the solicitor general said.

Experts have repeatedly raised alarm over such a move, citing the two-year period between 2018 and 2020 when a similar policy for green firecrackers yielded no reduction in air pollution levels, and argued that on the ground, it was virtually impossible to distinguish between such products and conventional firecrackers. And children and old people are the worst sufferers of air pollution. While weather and wind conditions, and farm waste burning, mostly in Punjab, are responsible for the rise in air pollution in the region at this time of the year, the use of fireworks — even green crackers are polluting, although by around a third less than normal crackers — causes a temporary spike in and around Diwali.

Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at think-tank Envirocatalysts said bursting of green firecrackers could potentially set back by 10 years the fight against air in Delhi.

“We need to control all sources of pollution at the source, including episodic events such as firecracker bursting — which lead to a spike in air pollution,” said Dahiya, stating if meteorological conditions were unfavourable, the impact can linger for days. “For long-term gains, we also need to control stubble burning as well as perennial sources such as transport emissions, power generation, industries, waste and construction sector,” he added.

Senior advocate Uttara Babbar, assisting the court as amicus curiae, warned the government’s enforcement plan amounted to “lip service,” noting that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has no testing facilities in Delhi to verify products in the market.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-court-declares-cracker-of-a-diwali-in-delhincr-101760121739920.html

As we dissect the list of candidates Prashant Kishor has chosen for the Bihar assembly election, it becomes essential to scrutinise how these selections align with the narrative he wove during his two-year-old yatra

In the vast tapestry of Indian politics, few figures embody the complexities of aspiration and pragmatism as vividly as the election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor.

His recent yatra across the heart of Bihar – a state steeped in history, culture, and a myriad socio-political challenges – reflects not only a quest for electoral success but also a profound engagement with the hopes and dreams of its people.

Although the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) was formed as recently as October 2, 2024, it is the first party to announce the names of its candidates. While other political parties are still haggling over seat-sharing between allies, the JSP unveiled the first list of 51 candidates from 26 districts on October 9.

Will the promises that PK, as Prashant Kishor is known, made during the yatra resonate with the choices now presented to the electorate?

PK, a strategist by training and a visionary by disposition, embarked on his two-year-long yatra with a series of commitments that echoed the aspirations of a populace long burdened by political inertia. His promises ranged from good governance and transparency to social justice and youth empowerment.

He spoke fervently about revitalising Bihar, a state that has often found itself in the shadows of its more prosperous counterparts. The very essence of his campaign was rooted in the idea that Bihar deserved more – more attention, more resources, and more opportunities. And above all, better leaders, who were not dynasts, not criminals (Bahubalis), not political chameleons who change their party affiliation often, and not venal politicians who loot public money for their private interests.

eduled Castes (SC) and reserved seats for SC, and 9 from the general category. Given that EBC has the highest proportion in the state with 36 per cent, and OBC has 27.12 per cent as per the Bihar Caste Survey 2023, these two categories get the highest number of candidates.

Muslims, who constitute 17.7 per cent, have been allotted 7 candidates. The general category, comprising 15.52 per cent of the population, has been allotted 9 seats. The number of women candidates is very few. However, these ratios are bound to change once the entire list of candidates is declared.

PK has argued that a few thousand families have captured the entire politics of Bihar. Either they are political dynasts, mafias (Bahubalis), or simply individuals who keep switching from one political party to another (the Paltu Rams, or Aaya Gaya Rams, of Bihar politics), or those who are enormously corrupt, facing several allegations, either criminal in nature or simply scamsters.

Therefore, a real alternative that will provide good governance must not include any candidate that is either from a political dynasty, or a previous switcher from another political party, or has a criminal record.

As a result, almost all his 51 candidates are fresh faces, doctors, upright police officers, honest bureaucrats, academics, lawyers, a singer, a transgender and professionals. None has a criminal record, none are party switchers, none are from political dynasties.

Only Exception

Perhaps, the only exception to the political dynasty filter is the inclusion of Jagriti Thakur, the granddaughter of former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, also known as Jannayak (people’s hero). Thakur was from the Hajjam (barber) caste. He initiated the first reservation for Backwards Classes (especially EBC) during his regime between 1978 and 1980.

TSP has fielded Jagriti Thakur from Samastipur’s Morwa constituency. PK said one reason for her inclusion was because of her gender (scarcity of women candidates in general), and she has an extraordinary track record of public service.

Former IPS Officer To Fight For PK

RK Mishra, an outstanding former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1986-batch, who was made Superintendent of Police of Bhagalpur during the gruesome and uncontrolled communal riots in 1989, has been selected as the candidate from Darbhanga. The riots lasted for over two months.

In his first interview with NDTV, Mishra identified the main problems of Darbhanga town as “constant flooding and waterlogging on the streets, nightmare traffic jams, no public space for parking and total lack of public good” in this historic city, which otherwise has half-a-dozen grand palaces that belonged to the Darbhanga Raj, and is today the campus of Lalit Narayan Mithila University.

Mishra promised that if he is elected, he would make sincere efforts to eradicate waterlogging by building drains, end traffic jams and create parking spaces for cars and other vehicles.

Another notable mention is 2000-batch IPS officer Jai Prakash Singh, who took voluntary retirement as ADGP (CID). He is being fielded from Chapra.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-election-2025-the-promises-and-aspirations-of-prashant-kishor-a-journey-through-bihar-9433899?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Several journalists then took to social media to express their anger.

A press conference by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi has caused outrage because no women were allowed to attend the event.

Muttaqi is a part of the Taliban government in Afghanistan and the group is known for the restrictions it imposes on women, essentially barring them from working. The Taliban’s human rights record and the possibility of terror groups getting a safe haven in Afghanistan have been some of the factors which have made India cautious in its engagement with the group.

Muttaqi, who arrived in India on Thursday, held talks with Jaishankar on Friday. The meeting, seen as a big reset of ties, saw India announcing that the technical mission in Kabul would be upgraded to an embassy, which was welcomed by the Afghanistan foreign minister.

“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission to the status of embassy,” Jaishankar said.

A press conference by Muttaqi in the afternoon at Afghanistan’s embassy, however, saw women being stopped from attending. NDTV raised the issue with security personnel at the embassy, but they did not relent.

Several journalists then took to social media to express their anger and also pointed out that all women reporters had respected the dress code. Many social media users also questioned the action.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amir-khan-muttaqi-press-conference-afghanistan-minister-sparks-outrage-with-ban-on-women-journalists-at-press-meet-9434175?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

An 85-year-old woman from the United States died after suffering a suspected heart attack at Bharatpur railway station on Thursday while travelling with a group of tourists from Agra to Ranthambore.

An elderly woman tourist from the United States died after she suddenly fell ill while travelling by train from Bharatpur to Ranthambore in Rakasthan on Thursday.

According to officials, the 85-year-old woman, identified as Noel, was part of a group of around 25 tourists visiting India. The group had travelled from Agra to Bharatpur by bus and was to continue their journey to Ranthambore by train. However, as the train reached Bharatpur railway station, Noel complained of severe chest pain and collapsed.

She was immediately taken to the RBM District Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Preliminary reports suggest that she may have suffered a heart attack. The body has been kept in the hospital mortuary, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Friday to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Nearly 50 services of different departments have been identified, for which one can apply through WhatsApp, they said.

New Delhi: The Delhi government is working to provide several of its services in a faceless manner, with documents like birth and caste certificates being applied for and delivered using WhatsApp, officials said on Thursday.

Nearly 50 services of different departments have been identified, for which one can apply through WhatsApp, they said.

Under the ‘Governance through WhatsApp’ initiative, various services that can be currently applied for online, will be brought to WhatsApp using artificial intelligence, said a senior government officer.

The users will be able to interact with a bilingual chatbot — in Hindi and English — that will help them apply for services and documents such as birth and caste certificates, upload necessary papers, and pay the fees, he said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/soon-delhi-residents-can-apply-birth-caste-certificates-on-whatsapp-3759055

“Five people have died in the explosion, a few have been injured, and efforts are on to rescue those trapped. The cause of the blast is not yet clear,” Singh said.

At least five people were killed and several others were injured after a house collapsed following a powerful explosion in Pagla Bhari village under the Pura Kalandar police station area of Ayodhya on Thursday, officials said.

Circle Officer (CO) Shailendra Singh told PTI that several people were still feared trapped under the debris, and rescue operations were underway. “Five people have died in the explosion, a few have been injured, and efforts are on to rescue those trapped. The cause of the blast is not yet clear,” Singh said.

Upon receiving information about the incident, the police, the fire department and the local administration teams rushed to the spot.

Rescue workers have been using excavators to clear the rubble, while nearby houses have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Officials have appealed to residents to stay away from the accident site to facilitate rescue efforts. Senior police and administrative officers are supervising the operation and have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya-blast-at-least-5-dead-in-building-collapse-powerful-explosion-rescue-ops-underway-3759000

The buzz in Siddaramaiah’s circle is that new faces will be brought into the Cabinet towards the end of November, when the government would have completed two and a half years in office and the Bihar election done.

Bengaluru: The power struggle within the ruling Congress may be unravelling with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pushing for a reshuffle in his Cabinet much to his deputy D K Shivakumar’s chagrin.

The buzz in Siddaramaiah’s circle is that new faces will be brought into the Cabinet towards the end of November, when the government would have completed two and a half years in office and the Bihar election done.

Such a midterm Cabinet reshuffle could mean bad news for Shivakumar, who is waiting in the wings to lay claim to the chief minister’s chair.

By floating the idea of a Cabinet reshuffle, Siddaramaiah is looking to convey the message that there will not be any change in the leadership in the state.

He may even dangle this to tempt MLAs sulking due to lack of funds, beckon ministerial aspirants and keep incumbent Cabinet members close to him.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s plan to reshuffle the Cabinet, Shivakumar said he had no idea.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress president, said. “It is left to the party high command and the CM. If I am asked, I will give my opinion,” he said curtly.

Shivakumar also requested people not to speculate. “Don’t heed any such discussion and create confusion,” he said. According to sources, Shivakumar has been arguing within the party that a Cabinet rejig should happen along with him becoming the CM.

Shivakumar is said to have asked his loyalists not to get intimidated by “machinations” from Siddaramaiah’s camp. It is also said that Shivakumar is confident that his time will come.

Adding to the curiosity was an hour-long closed-door meeting Home Minister G Parameshwara, Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa (both SCs) and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi (ST) had on Thursday. Further, it is said that a delegation from the party wants to meet the high command after the Bihar polls to seek clarity on the ‘leadership’ issue and press for the appointment of a new Karnataka Congress president.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/congress-on-edge-karnataka-to-see-leadership-change-or-cabinet-rejig-3759002

Following a powerful explosion in Mishri Bazaar, Moolganj, on Wednesday evening, police have seized approximately 3 quintals of illegal firecrackers. Police Commissioner Raghuvir Lal confirmed it was not a terror incident but a case of illegal storage and sale of firecrackers.

Following a powerful explosion in Mishri Bazaar, Moolganj, on Wednesday evening, police have seized approximately 3 quintals of illegal firecrackers. Police Commissioner Raghuvir Lal confirmed it was not a terror incident but a case of illegal storage and sale of firecrackers.

Police Action and Suspensions

In response, five police personnel, including the Station Officer, have been suspended, and action has been taken against 12 shopkeepers.

Blast Injuries and Damage

PM Narendra Modi also announced he discussed India-US trade negotiations with Donald Trump, and indicated more activity in the coming weeks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan that the American leader had proposed in a major step to end a war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

In a post on X, PM Modi also announced he discussed India-US trade negotiations with Trump, and indicated more activity in the coming weeks.

“Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks.” the prime minister said.

In another post, PM Modi said terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world.

“Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world,” he said.

Earlier today Israel confirmed that all parties have signed the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The agreement in Egypt follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced last month by Trump, after more than two years of war sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel.

Trump is likely to visit Jerusalem on Sunday. He has not ruled out going to Egypt and even Gaza.

“The final draft of phase one was signed this morning in Egypt by all parties to release all the hostages,” Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters. “Now phase one stands very clear: all of our hostages, the living and the deceased, will be released 72 hours later, which will bring us to Monday,” she said.

Under the deal, the Israeli military will withdraw from Gaza and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. The deal also envisions a surge of aid into Gaza, where the UN has declared famine.

The Israeli army said it was preparing to pull back troops in Gaza, in line with the agreement.

Trump’s plan also calls for the disarmament of Hamas and for Gaza to be ruled by a transitional authority headed by the US president himself, though these points have yet to be addressed in discussions.

India-US Trade

PM Modi’s announcement on the progress of the India-US trade negotiations comes days after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said both nations are in continuous dialogue on the proposed bilateral trade agreement.

“We are in constant dialogue with the US (on the trade pact), and talks are on at various levels. We will give more information on this soon on how we are thinking to take it forward,” Goyal told reporters in Doha on Tuesday, adding “there is every possibility” of sticking to the November deadline to finalise the deal.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-congratulates-trump-on-gaza-peace-plan-discusses-india-us-trade-9426957?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Y Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch officer, died by suicide when he shot himself at his Sector 11 Chandigarh residence earlier this week.

A First Information Report or FIR has named Haryana top cop Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, and head of Rohtak police, Narendra Bijarnia, among others for abetment to suicide and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar.

Y Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch officer, died by suicide when he shot himself at his Sector 11 Chandigarh residence on Tuesday. In an eight-page suicide note, he accused senior officers of “mental harassment”.

Police said the officer allegedly shot himself with his service revolver, and his body was found by his daughter in the basement.

The police action comes a day after the officer’s wife, Amneet P Kumar, an Indian Administrative Service officer, filed a police complaint naming the two officers for subjecting her husband to “caste-based slurs” and sought their immediate arrest.

Earlier today, she also shot off a letter to the Chief Minister seeking justice for her husband.

Amneet, the commissioner and secretary of the Haryana government’s Department of Foreign Cooperation, was in Japan as part of a delegation led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini when her husband died by suicide.

“I am not only pleading for my family, but for the value of every honest officer’s life and dignity. This is not a case of ordinary suicide but a direct result of systematic persecution of my husband – an officer from SC community by powerful and high-ranking officers who have used their positions to mentally torture him, ultimately driving him to such an extent that he was left with no other option but to take his life,” Amneet said in her police complaint against the officers.

“While official narratives suggest suicide, my soul cries for justice as a wife witnessing years of systematic humiliation, harassment and persecution inflicted upon my husband by senior officials,” she said further.

The eight-page suicide note is a “document of broken spirit,” the late officer’s wife said, adding that the note “lays bare the names of numerous officers whose relentless actions pushed him to the edge.”

“Justice should not merely be done, but seen to be done – even for families like ours, shattered by the cruelty of the powerful. My children deserve answers. My husband’s decades of public service deserve dignity, not silence,” she said.

The officer’s suicide note says that the “caste-based discrimination, public humiliation, and targeted mental harassment and atrocities” against him started when he visited a temple in an Ambala police station in 2020.

“The caste-based discrimination, mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities started by Sh Manoj Yadava, the then DGP Haryana, continues against me till date by other officers of Haryana cadre. Sh Rajeev Arora, IAS (retd) the then ACS Home did not even sanction me earned leave on time due to which I could not even visit my father for the last time before his death, this causes me continued immense pain and mental harassment and is an irreparable loss till date. This was also intimated to all concerned in writing, including to the then Chief Secretary of Haryana, but no action was taken,” Kumar said in the note.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/haryana-top-cop-others-booked-in-ips-officer-suicide-case-9427703?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Urging students to avoid live-in relationships, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel said, “I want to say only one thing to the girls. Live-in relationships have become a trend these days. But, stay away from it,” she stated.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has sparked fresh controversy after publicly discouraging women from entering live-in relationships, linking it to violence during a convocation ceremony in Varanasi.

Urging students to avoid live-in relationships, she said, “I want to say only one thing to the girls. Live-in relationships have become a trend these days. But, stay away from it.”

The governor, who is the chancellor of state universities, then issued a stark warning: “Otherwise, you must have seen women being chopped up into 50 pieces.”

She was speaking at the 47th convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith in Varanasi.

Expressing distress over news reports of partner violence, Patel said, “I have been hearing such news for the past few days. And I keep thinking, why do our daughters do this? It pains me.”

She also recalled a conversation with a judge who also expressed concern over women’s safety: “The judge said that awareness campaigns should be launched in the universities so that young women can protect themselves against exploitation.”

Second Controversial Statement in Days

This is the second time in as many days that the governor has made controversial remarks about live-in relationships at a university event.

Just two days prior, while speaking at the seventh convocation ceremony of Jananayak Chandrashekhar University in Ballia, she spoke about the alleged consequences of these relationships.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-live-in-relationships-up-governors-women-cut-into-50-pieces-warning-9428046?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

However, Naypyitaw is still to accede to Indian Navy request to visit Coco in Bay of Bengal.

Myanmar has assured India that there is no Chinese presence at Coco Islands in Bay of Bengal, but people familiar with the matter say Naypyitaw is sitting on New Delhi’s request to allow its Navy to visit the Island chain which is less than 100 miles from the Indian Landfall Island.

HT learns that the Myanmar Junta told India’s visiting defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh last month that not a single Chinese national was present in the Coco Islands in an effort to allay Indian concerns over Beijing using the Islands as a listening post in the Bay of Bengal. Singh was in Naypyitaw for the second annual defence dialogue with Major General Kyaw Ko Htike, Chief of Myanmar armed forces training, on September 25-27.

But the Junta has still not given clearance to the Indian Navy to visit the island chain despite requests through institutionalized diplomatic and military channels, the people cited above added. The Indian Navy has asked Myanmar to be allowed to pay a visit to Coco Islands but the request has elicited no response from the ruling Junta.

The Indian concern over Coco Islands is that Myanmar has allowed China to establish monitoring and surveillance facilities to track Indian missile launches off the Balasore test range as well as track movement of India’s nuclear ballistic missile submarines from and to the newly constructed naval base at Rambilli, just 50 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. The nuclear and conventional missile test range at Balasore and at the APJ Abdul Kalam island are virtually at the same latitude as the Coco Island chain. The suspicion of Indian national security planners is that China is using Coco Islands to assess range, capability and lethality of India’s strategic deterrent using air surveillance and ballistic missile trackers often seen in the Indian Ocean Region.

While India has no means to physically verify the presence of Chinese nationals, satellite imagery of the island chain reveals major infrastructure development on Coco, which lies in India’s back yard and is located less than 100 nautical miles off India’s Andamans and Nicobar Island territory.

Intelligence inputs based on aerial surveillance shows that the runway at the Coco Islands has been extended to accommodate transport aircraft flights and new sheds/barracks have been constructed to house more than 1500 military personnel. Work is in progress to link Coco with adjacent Jerry Island by construction of a causeway with land being cleared by the military personnel.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/myanmar-tells-india-no-chinese-on-coco-islands-101760059230362.html

By Thursday evening, more than 30,000 users had registered on the app, though its operation was marred by some teething issues

The Mumbai One ticketing app, which covers 11 public transport operators in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), went live on Thursday, with more than 35,000 users downloading the application across the Android and iOS platforms, according to data from Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) which has developed the app.

By Thursday evening, more than 30,000 users had registered on the app, though its operation was marred by some teething issues.

While the app was scheduled to go live at 5.30am, it did not reflect among available options on Google Play Store for several users till 8.30am. Many took to social media to air their grievances while Soumya Mohapatra shared a link on social media platform X to help fellow commuters,

“Use this link…not sure why many people are saying they can’t see it on App Store,” Mohapatra wrote on X.

Commuters were also unable to book tickets for the Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade stretch of the aqua line (Metro 3), which was thrown open to the public on Thursday. Eleven stations on this stretch after Acharya Atre Chowk did not reflect on the app’s database till Thursday night.

“Trying out the new Mumbai One app. Unable to book beyond AAC Worli Naka. Fare table displayed in Mumbai One app also incomplete,” Rajan Mathew wrote on X.

An official from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) blamed the glitch on delay in receiving data from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), a joint venture between the state and central governments which is the implementing arm for the aqua line.

“The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation provided us the data (on the 11 additional stations) at 8.30am on Thursday, that is after the last leg of Metro 3 was thrown open to the public. The back-end team is on the job and the same will reflect Friday onwards,” the MMRDA official said.

Some users also complained of long buffering times on the app. Most pages were taking 20-30 seconds to upload, they said.

Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said they have tied up with the BillDesk payment gateway and BHIM UPI to facilitate payments.

“Commuters using BHIM UPI will get 20% cashback on tickets priced over ₹20 till December,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/technical-snag-hits-mumbai-one-app-on-day-one-11-aqua-line-stations-missing-101760058545515.html

The lawyer accused Priya Sachdev of acting in a manner aimed at limiting the inheritance of Karisma Kapoor’s children

During the legal proceedings over businessman Sunjay Kapur’s Rs 30,000 crore inheritance in the Delhi High Court on Friday, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, compared Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay’s widow, to the evil stepmother from the classic children’s fairytale Cinderella, known for her cruel and manipulative nature.

“This is a Cinderella stepmother,” Jethmalani said in court, accusing Priya Sachdev of acting in a manner aimed at limiting the inheritance of Karisma Kapoor’s children.

“Who is really greedy? She has already got 60% of the assets, around 12% to her own son, and 75% of the trust. She was in such a hurry, she even started writing letters about Benami forms, which are used to decide beneficiaries of companies,” Jethmalani told the Court.

He alleged that this “glaring hurry” was an attempt to restrict the rightful share of Sunjay Kapur’s children from his previous marriage.

Raising serious questions about the validity of the will, Jethmalani said, “It is not possible that Sunjay Kapur would not have consulted an advocate before creating a will and bequeathing such a large estate.”

When the court asked if the will was typed, Jethmalani confirmed it was and pointed to several “loopholes and infirmities” in the document.

“This is not a normal case. There’s no reason why the executor wasn’t informed or why a lawyer wasn’t consulted. A genuine will by a well-positioned man in society does not suffer from loopholes and infirmities,” he argued.

Jethmalani alleged that the will was changed while Sunjay Kapur was on holiday with his son, and that the person who made the changes became a director in one of the companies just a day after the funeral.

Source : https://www.news18.com/movies/whos-greedy-lawyer-of-karisma-kapoors-children-calls-priya-sachdeva-cinderella-stepmom-ws-kl-9625082.html

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors in China successfully performed the world’s first pig liver transplant on a human, allowing the patient to survive for 171 days after the procedure. The transplant, a type of xenotransplantation, involved using a genetically modified pig liver to temporarily replace the patient’s failing organ. Experts hail the case as a major step forward in addressing the global organ shortage crisis.

A 71-year-old terminally ill Chinese man survived at least 171 days after a genetically engineered pig liver was implanted in his body, doctors said. According to CNN, it is the longest surviving period ever documented for a human patient receiving pig liver/
The patient, from Anhui province, suffered from life-threatening cirrhosis and severe liver disease related to hepatitis B, both of which have no effective standard treatment. As a final resort, he was operated on with an 11-month-old genetically engineered pig liver.
Doctors said the patient initially survived 38 days with the pig organ in place before it was removed when his own liver functioned sufficiently. Despite the fact that the patients had some complications later, the procedure is being hailed for providing critical insights into xenotransplantation and has shown that pig livers could serve as temporary support for patients awaiting human organ transplants.

The Court took the decision after noting that there were discrepancies in the affidavits submitted before the top court by certain individuals who claimed that they had been incorrectly excluded.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that Bihar State Legal Services Authority should provide thorough assistance in filing appeals to those excluded from the voters list prepared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as part of the recently-concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymlaya Bagchi declined to pass any blanket order on the exclusions and inclusions in the voters list. Instead, it asked the affected individuals to file appeals to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State.

The Court passed the order after noting that there were discrepancies in the affidavits submitted before the top court by certain individuals who claimed that they had been incorrectly excluded.

The Bench said that it will not be possible for the court to examine each and every such case and hence, an appeal before the relevant authority is the way out.

“Regardless of outcome of these proceedings, one issue that has arisen is right to appeal for the 3.7 lakh who have been excluded. Though ECI has taken a stand that each such person why they have been excluded, petitioners oppose this. Since time to file appeal is running, we request the executive chairman of Bihar Legal Services Authority to send a communication to all the secretaries in local authorities to provide free legal aid counsel, para legal volunteers to help the excluded ones to file their appeals. Let each village have a list of booth level officer and the numbers of the para legal volunteers who will help in filing these appeals. The officers shall also provide facilities to draft the appeals and counsels from the panel to file such appeals. State Legal Services Authority shall collate all information and submit status report to court within one week and question of deciding appeals within the timeline shall be considered on the next date of hearing. These directions to State Legal Services Authority shall be applicable mutatis mutandis shall also be applicable to the ones excluded from the draft voter list,” the Court said it in its order.

Background

The Court was hearing a batch of petitions including NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) challenging the Bihar SIR. It was earlier informed that 65 lakh names were dropped from the draft electoral roll published on August 1. On August 14, the Court directed the ECI to upload the list of these 65 lakh voters proposed to be deleted during the SIR.

On August 22, the Court ordered that people excluded from the draft electoral roll can use their Aadhaar cards as ID proof to get themselves included in the voters’ list. Before this, the ECI had stated that it would only accept any of eleven other ID documents for this purpose.

Later, the Court directed the ECI to issue a formal notice stating that Aadhaar will be accepted as an identity proof document for the inclusion of a voter to the revised voters’ list being prepared as part of the SIR.

The SIR was completed on September 30. As against 7.89 crore voters on June 24 in Bihar, 7.42 crore electors were retained in the voter list.

The number of deletions also came down from 65 lakh to 47 lakh.

“It is for the authorities concerned to apply their mind and take corrective measures, so that children are informed of the changes that happen after puberty,” Court observed.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that sex education should be imparted to children from an earlier age rather than starting it from class IX as is currently being done [Juvenile X vs. State of Uttar Pradesh].

A Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe stressed upon the need for sex education from an early age and urged the authorities to take corrective measures so that children are informed and sensitized appropriately.

“We are of the opinion that sex education should be provided to the children from a younger age and not class IX onwards. It is for the authorities concerned to apply their mind and take corrective measures, so that children are informed of the changes that happen after puberty and the care and cautions to be taken in relation thereto,” the Court observed.

The Court made the observation while allowing the appeal filed a 15-year-old boy accused of offences under Section 376 (Rape) and Section 506 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 (Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

The juvenile appellant had been denied bail by the Allahabad High Court in August 2024, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court.

The top court had in September 2025 directed his release on bail subject to terms and conditions to be fixed by the Juvenile Justice Board. This was after noting that the accused himself was a minor.

The Court had also directed to the State of Uttar Pradesh to file an affidavit detailing how sex education was being implemented in higher secondary schools to create awareness among adolescents regarding puberty and related issues.

In compliance with the same, the State filed an affidavit outlining the curriculum framed by the Secondary Education Department for Classes IX to XII consistent with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) directives.

However, the Bench opined that authorities should take corrective policy measures to ensure that children are informed about the changes that occur during puberty, along with the necessary care and precautions to be observed in relation to it.

The Court proceeded to set aside the Allahabad High Court’s order and made its earlier bail order absolute. The bail order will operate until the conclusion of trial.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/supreme-court-bats-for-introduction-of-sex-education-before-class-ix

Doctors in the district have gone on a lightning strike, staying away from all services except emergency ones, in protest against the government’s alleged failure to ensure their protection at hospitals.

Thiruvananthapuram: A doctor at a government hospital in Kerala’s Kozhikode was attacked by the father of a nine-year-old girl who reportedly died due to amoebic meningoencephalitis — a rare brain infection caused by the single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba”.

Dr Vipin of the Thamarasery government taluk hospital, in the suburbs of Kozhikode, was attacked on Wednesday. Sanoop, the father of Anaya of Thamraserry, was held by the police in this connection.

According to doctors treating Dr Vipin, he suffered a deep injury and a small fracture on his head. However, there was also an injury to the brain. He is under observation at a private hospital in Kozhikode.

Doctors in the district have gone on a lightning strike, staying away from all services except emergency ones, in protest against the government’s alleged failure to ensure their protection at hospitals.

Eyewitnesses reported that Sanoop and his two sons, aged 12 and 7, arrived at the hospital in the afternoon. He then barged into the room where the doctor was and attacked him with a machete, screaming that he was responsible for Anaya’s death.

He was learnt to be targeting the hospital superintendent. Dr Vipin was not associated with Anaya’s treatment.

Anaya died on August 14 after collapsing at the Thamaraserry hospital and was being shifted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

Doctors later said she was infected with amoebic meningoencephalitis. Her two brothers also subsequently tested positive for the infection, but they recovered.

Sanoop and his family were upset over the alleged delay on the doctors’ part in giving any medical report stating that the cause of death was amoebic meningoencephalitis. The family even suspected serious lapses on the part of the Thamaraserry taluk hospital in giving timely care to Anaya.

Sanoop even shared with DH and some other media organisations the family’s concerns regarding the prolonged mystery over Anaya’s death. He said he was upset that even though he repeatedly went to the hospital, the doctors refused to give clear information.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/brain-eating-amoeba-death-victims-father-attacks-doctor-in-keralas-kozhikode-3757139

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new international airport in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, on Wednesday, marking a step forward in expansion of the country’s fast-growing aviation network.

Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to begin operating in December and will make Mumbai the only metropolitan area in the world’s most populous country to have a second international airport. It aims to become a key passenger and cargo hub in Asia and to help ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of the country’s busiest.

The airport built by the Adani Group for an estimated $2.2 billion is the latest project underscoring India’s push to modernize infrastructure and strengthen air connectivity as its economy grows and air travels surge.

Over the past decade, the government has opened and upgraded dozens of airports to link smaller cities and improve cargo movement, aiming to make air travel a key driver of economic growth. The number of airports in the country has increased to 160 from 74 in 2014, official data show.

“It’s a reflection of a nation that is growing,” Modi said in a speech.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/india-mumbai-airport-adani-modi-963a33171d903af4f29d188f250abfa0

The incident occurred at around 2:30 am near Gundawali Metro Station, with all three cars involved in the accident heading towards Bandra

A high-speed Porsche car collided with a divider on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway late last night, leaving the vehicle badly damaged and its driver seriously injured.

The incident occurred at around 2:30 am near Gundawali Metro Station, with all three cars involved in the accident heading towards Bandra.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/speeding-porsche-crashes-into-divider-on-mumbai-expressway-driver-injured-9421700

Bengaluru police filed an FIR against Rakesh Kishore for attempting to hurl a shoe at CJI BR Gavai in Supreme Court; BCI suspended Kishore’s licence after the shocking incident.

Bengaluru police have registered an FIR against advocate Rakesh Kishore for trying to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai in the Supreme Court.

The FIR invokes offences under BNS Sections 132 and 133. The complaint was filed by the All India Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru.

The incident occurred two days later, in an unprecedented and shocking event, when Kishore attempted to hurl a shoe towards CJI Gavai in his courtroom at the Supreme Court.

Alert security personnel present inside the courtroom immediately intervened and prevented the attack.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has suspended Kishore’s licence with immediate effect.

The suspension bars him from appearing, acting, pleading or practising in any court, tribunal or authority across the country.

A 71-year-old lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, was swiftly escorted out of the court premises. In the process, he shouted “‘Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan’ (India will not tolerate the disrespect of the Sanatana Dharma)”.

Despite the disruption, CJI Gavai remained calm, telling the courtroom, “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/bengaluru-police-file-fir-against-sc-lawyer-who-tried-to-hurl-shoe-at-cji-gavai-ws-l-9623564.html

Zubeen Garg’s wife said she knew Sandipan had been summoned by the Assam CID for questioning and later arrested, but declined to comment any further.

Popular singer Zubeen Garg’s cousin was arrested by the special investigation team (SIT) of Assam CID weeks after the Assam icon’s death in Singapore. Sandipan Garg was a close relative of Zubeen and also an Assam Police Service (APS) officer posted in the Kamrup district.

Reacting to her cousin-in-law’s arrest, Zubeen Garg’s wife Garrima confirmed she knew Sandipan had been summoned by the Assam CID for questioning and later arrested, but declined to comment further on the matter. “Maybe they have got some clue in his statements. The investigation process is on and it is taking its own course, I can’t comment anything on it,” she said.

However, she did speak at length about the relationship that her husband and his cousin shared, saying Zubeen was “always proud” of Sandipan.

She shared that Sandipan had only recently joined the police force and, before entering the service, had pursued a career in modelling and acting.

“He did modelling projects with us 3-4 times, he was good in that…Zubeen was always encouraging to new talents and since Sandipan was his first cousin, Zubeen always used to love him and when he got into APS, Zubeen was always proud of him,” Garrima said.

She also shared how Zubeen boasted of Sandipan to everyone, calling him “the tallest in the family” and “good-looking”.

Zubeen Garg died on September 19 after a swimming accident in Singapore. His cousin Sandipan had accompanied him to the country and was present at the scene when the 52-year-old singer died.

Talking about Sandipan, Garrima Garg also shared that he had expressed his desire to accompany Zubeen to Singapore as he hadn’t been abroad before. “He (Sandipan) wanted to go with Zubeen and he was happy to take him along,” the singer’s wife concluded.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/zubeen-garg-cousin-sandipan-relationship-singer-wife-reacts-to-arrest-singapore-death-probe-101759970738678.html

Dinesh Kumar stated that the assault took place around 3.15am on October 2 while he was sleeping beside their four-year-old daughter.

A 28-year-old man in Delhi’s Madangir area woke up in the middle of the night to a searing pain and the sight of his wife standing over him with a container of boiling oil, police said on Wednesday.

He reportedly said in his complaint that at around 3:15 am, he woke up to finding his wife pouring boiling oil on his torso and face, and later sprinkling red chilli on his burns. “’Agar shor machaya to aur garam tel daal doongi (I will pour more hot oil if you raise alarm’,” the husband alleged his wife told him, according to news agency PTI.

The victim, identified as Dinesh Kumar, who works with a pharmaceutical company, was initially taken to Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital and later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital for advanced treatment.

In his police complaint, Kumar stated that the assault took place around 3.15am on October 2 while he was sleeping beside their four-year-old daughter.

“He woke up with a burning sensation to find his wife holding a container of hot oil,” said deputy commissioner of police (south) Ankit Chauhan. “She then threw chilli powder on him and threatened to pour more oil if he raised an alarm.”

However, the victim could not muffle his screams, alerting the landlord, who rushed into the room and called Kumar’s brother-in-law, Ram Sagar.

Anjali, the daughter of the house owner, said she rushed to check on him. “My father went upstairs to see what was happening. The door was locked. His wife had locked the door from inside. We asked them to open the door. When the door finally opened, we saw him writhing in pain and his wife hiding inside the house,” she told PTI.

She added that when her father tried to intervene, the woman claimed she was taking her husband to the hospital. “But when she came out with him, she headed towards the opposite direction. We got suspicious. My father stopped her, arranged an auto, and rushed Dinesh to the hospital alone,” Anjali said.

Police were informed after receiving a medico-legal report from the facility.

Couple had history of disputes

The police added that the attack is suspected to have stemmed from a long-running matrimonial dispute between the couple. The couple, who have been married for eight years and had a troubled relationship, added the news agency’s report.

Police said Kumar and his wife, Sadhna, both from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, had been living in a rented accommodation in Madangir for several years and often argued over domestic issues.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sleeping-husband-attacked-with-boiling-oil-and-chilli-by-wife-in-delhi-she-threatened-to-pour-more-oil-if-101759971905840.html

As per the defamation suit, there is a scene in the web series involving a man bearing his resemblance and the scene “targets and ridicules” Wankhede.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, Google, X Corp and Meta and sought their responses to a defamation suit filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede seeking an injunction and takedown of scenes portraying him in the Aryan Khan-directed Netflix show ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’. [Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede Vs. Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.]

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued summons to the defendants and sought their responses.

“Let them take instructions and file a reply. Cannot pass an injunction order in general,” the Court said.

The matter will be heard next on October 30.

In the year 2021, Wankhede, the Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau, had arrested Aryan Khan son of Bollywood actor Shah rukh Khan, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at a drug raid in Mumbai.

Wankhede has sought damages of ₹2 crore against the show’s producer Red Chillies Entertainment – owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, Netflix, ‘X’ Corp, Google, Meta and a media outlet RPG Lifestyle Media Pvt. Ltd.

As per the suit, there is a scene in the web series involving a man bearing his resemblance and the scene “targets and ridicules” him.

Wankhede has sought takedown of the defamatory content and injunction to restrain the parties making, publishing, disseminating any further defamatory statements regarding him.

He has also sought injunction against John Doe (unknown defendants) creators, presenters, publishers creating related content on the social media platforms.

The ex-Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer said that his portrayal in the series was false, malicious and defamatory.

According to his suit,

“The Defendant No. 1 has purposefully and intentionally crafted a character in defamatory content with the sole intent to connect with the plaintiff, making the character’s actions, speech, and traits strikingly similar to those of the plaintiff. Clearly therefore, this was a conscious and intentional attempt to portray the plaintiff in a negative light, camouflaging their malicious intentions by creating a character that mimics the plaintiff’s persona.”

As per the plea, the series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

The series is deliberately conceptualised and executed with the intent to malign Wankhede’s reputation in a colourable and prejudicial manner, especially when the case involving him and Aryan Khan is pending and sub-judice before the Bombay High Court and Special NDPS Court in Mumbai, Wankhede told the Court.

He further claimed that he has been receiving “intimidatory messages” from unknown individuals on his social media accounts.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-issues-summons-to-red-chillies-netflix-in-sameer-wankhedes-defamation-case-against-aryan-khans-show

Khan had moved the NCLT over alleged unpaid dues of ₹7.24 crore in relation to a trademark licence arrangement.

Actor Salman Khan has withdrawn his insolvency appeal against gym equipment manufacturer Jerai Fitness Limited before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), following a settlement between the parties. [Salman Khan v. Jerai Fitness]

On October 6, Khan’s counsel informed the Appellate Tribunal that consent terms had been executed. The coram of Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Technical Member Arun Baroka granted time for filing the affidavit and posted the matter for October 8.

Today, the parties placed the consent terms on record, following which the matter stood withdrawn.

Khan, through his fitness brand Being Strong, had entered into a trademark licence arrangement with Jerai Fitness. Beginning with a 2018 agreement and followed by amendments in 2019 and a fresh contract in August 2023, the arrangement allowed Jerai to manufacture, market and sell gym equipment under Khan’s trademark.

Under the 2023 agreement, Jerai was obligated to pay either a minimum guarantee of ₹3 crore annually or 3% of net sales, whichever was higher. Khan alleged that Jerai defaulted on invoices amounting to ₹7.24 crore, including a one-time settlement payment of ₹1.63 crore for the pre-March 2023 period and royalties for subsequent years. He approached the NCLT Mumbai Bench, seeking initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against Jerai Fitness.

Jerai disputed the claims, arguing that Khan had failed to discharge his own obligations under the agreement. The company contended that Khan did not provide timely approvals for product designs and promotional material, nor did he attend the launch of its “Proton” series at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in November 2023. WhatsApp messages and emails placed on record allegedly showed repeated requests for approvals and branding support.

Jerai maintained that the invoices relied on by Khan were raised only after the company had issued a termination notice in September 2024, effective April 2025, and therefore could not form the basis of an insolvency claim.

On May 30 this year, the NCLT dismissed Khan’s Section 9 petition. The Tribunal held that while the ₹1.63 crore settlement amount for the earlier period was an undisputed liability, the larger royalty claim was subject to a genuine pre-existing dispute regarding Khan’s performance under the agreement. It held,

“The right to receive payment under the said agreement in relation to minimum guarantee accrues only when the user is enabled to use such trademark in the form and manner contemplated.”

It concluded that the petition fell in the “domain of recovery proceedings” rather than resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/salman-khan-settles-724-crore-dispute-with-jerai-fitness-withdraws-nclat-appeal

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) teams have been conducting surprise inspections across all districts in Uttarakhand amid growing concern over children’s safety and medicine quality.

The Uttarakhand government has launched a sweeping crackdown across the state to curb the sale of allegedly unsafe and substandard cough syrups, sending 170 samples for laboratory testing. The large-scale action, officials said, comes amid growing concern over children’s safety and medicine quality after several children died after consuming contaminated cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

According to officials, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) teams have been conducting surprise inspections across all districts, under the supervision of Health Secretary and Commissioner Dr R Rajesh Kumar and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat are said to be closely monitoring what officials called “one of the state’s most extensive drug safety drives.”

ACTION IN DEHRADUN

The largest operation so far took place in Dehradun. Acting on the commissioner’s directions, teams led by Drug Inspector Manendra Singh Rana carried out inspections in areas such as Chakrata Road, Kishannagar Chowk, and Premnagar.

Officials said the sale of certain paediatric cough and cold syrups was immediately stopped, and medical stores found stocking these products were sealed on the spot. Eleven syrup samples were collected for testing, while some brands such as Coldrif, Respifresh-TR, and Relife were reportedly not found in the market during the inspection.

SAMPLES COLLECTED ACROSS DISTRICTS

Without naming anyone, Mamata said after she had announced that she will inaugurate Birla paint factory at Pingla on Thursday, she had received a message that the programme stands cancelled.

West Bengal Chief Minister on Wednesday had warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Union Home Minister Amit Shah and mentioned that Modi should not always listen to Shah.

Calling Shah as ‘acting Prime Minister, Mamata called that Shah may turn out to be ‘Mir Jafar’

Notably, Mir Zafar, the 18th-century military general who betrayed Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

“Whatever the Election Commission of India is doing it is being done by Shah’s behest. I would like to warn the PM not to trust Amit Shah as he can turn out to be your biggest Mir Jafar. Be alert while you have the time because morning shows the day,” said Mamata.

Taking further potshots, the West Bengal Chief Minister also questioned how can SIR be done over a fortnight?

Incidentally, Shah had visited Kolkata in August and held a meeting with Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs to discuss SIR.

“Can the SIR exercise be completed within a fortnight and can fresh names be uploaded in that period under the current circumstances? We are currently fighting with the flood situation, heavy rains and even festivals are going on,” further mentioned Mamata.

Without naming anyone, Mamata said after she had announced that she will inaugurate Birla paint factory at Pingla on Thursday, she had received a message that the programme stands cancelled.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/dont-trust-amit-shah-west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-warns-pm-modi-slams-home-minister-compares-him-to-mir-jafar-video

India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie warned that AI poses an existential threat to the creation of credible news, as it can replicate and monetise journalism without accountability. Speaking at FICCI Frames 2025, he said AI’s rise, coupled with billionaire-owned media and algorithm-driven platforms, is eroding trust and the economic foundation of independent journalism.

India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie delivered a keynote address on the resilience and reinvention of the print and news industry at FICCI Frames 2025. From credibility to convergence, his speech explored how journalism is adapting and thriving in a digital-first era.

Here’s his full speech:

Good morning,

Four terrorists are believed to be trapped during a gunbattle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. The gunfight was triggered after terrorists fired upon a team of Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG).

Four terrorists are believed to be trapped during a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri on Tuesday. The encounter began when terrorists opened fire on a team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), a counter-terrorism unit.

The incident occurred around 7:20 pm when the sound of 10-15 shots being fired in the Beeranthub area were heard. When the SOG unit was conducting a search operation in the area, terrorists opened fire on them. Following this, security forces returned fire.

Additional forces are being rushed to the area as it is snow-covered. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/terrorists-open-fire-on-group-of-jk-cops-in-rajouri-2799376-2025-10-07

He reiterated the India Air Force’s commitment to “defending the nation’s skies by enhancing capabilities, embracing innovation, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism.”

In a video message on the eve of Air Force Day, Chief of the Air Staff, Amar Preet Singh, on Tuesday called Operation Sindoor a “shining example” of India’s growing self-reliance and inter-service coordination.

The Chief of Air Staff said the mission reflected “clear higher direction, indigenous capability, and effective jointmanship between all defence forces.”

He reiterated the India Air Force’s commitment to “defending the nation’s skies by enhancing capabilities, embracing innovation, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism.”

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian military on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“We made precise strikes in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor forcing the enemy to come for negotiations for ceasefire,” he added.

He also reaffirmed the IAF’s role beyond combat, Singh said that the IAF has consistently been the “first responder to the nation’s call”, from humanitarian rescues during floods and natural disasters to evacuations from global conflict zones. He cited examples such as Operation Sindhu and Operation Brahma.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/precision-strikes-forced-pakistan-to-beg-for-ceasefire-during-op-sindoor-air-chief-ap-singh-on-eve-of-93rd-air-force-day-video

The Delhi High Court recently set aside observations made in a sessions court order which cast doubt on the character of a sexual assault victim while granting the accused bail [X v. State Govt NCT of Delhi And Another & Anr].

Justice Amit Mahajan held that a woman does not become responsible for sexual assault merely because she had cordial relations with the accused.

“The trauma of the victim, in the opinion of this Court, ought not to have been trivialised by such observations. Only because the victim had known the accused or that she was in cordial relations with him, will not make her responsible for the sexual assault. Concededly, no person has right to sexually assault the victim for the reason that she voluntarily came to his room,” the Court stated.

The petitioner woman and the accused man developed relations over the phone. After meeting for dinner, the man invited her to stay in his hostel room at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. The following day, the accused gave her a tour of the campus. When she was ready to leave, the accused asked her to stay over for another night. The woman agreed. She alleged that the next morning, she woke up to find the accused lying next to her on the bed and touching her inappropriately.

A few days later, he again invited her to his hostel room and again sexually assaulted her. This prompted her to file a complaint with the police. After he was arrested, the accused successfully moved the sessions court for bail.

The sessions court made several observations regarding the relations between the man and woman and that the woman was an “educated girl” expected to be aware about the consequences of her act.

The woman moved the High Court against the observations made in the bail order.

The Court stated that the sessions court’s observations were not warranted at the stage of considering bail.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/victim-cannot-be-blamed-for-sexual-assault-because-she-had-cordial-relations-with-accused-delhi-high-court

The finding comes amid nationwide inspections ordered by the Union Health Ministry following multiple reports of contaminated paediatric syrups and child deaths in MP and Rajasthan

The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has issued a public alert after detecting dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG)—a toxic industrial chemical—in two cough syrup formulations manufactured in the state. The finding comes amid nationwide inspections ordered by the Union Health Ministry following multiple reports of contaminated paediatric syrups and child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

According to the alert issued on October 7, seen by News18, DEG impurity above permissible limits was found in samples of Resiphix TR (manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals) and Relife (manufactured by Shape Pharma). Both syrups have been declared “adulterated and not of standard quality.”

The FDCA has warned that diethylene glycol is a highly toxic chemical capable of causing serious poisoning, kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, particularly in children.

“…The above-mentioned syrup formulations contain a toxic chemical that can cause serious poisoning, including kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, especially among children,” said the alert issued on Tuesday.

“The sale or distribution of these batches is strictly prohibited with immediate effect. Retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and medical practitioners across Gujarat are hereby instructed not to sell, distribute, prescribe, or use the above-mentioned batches. Concerned licensees of Gujarat State are directed to report any stock or supply details to the respective Assistant Commissioner of the district office of their jurisdiction immediately.”

After the death of more than a dozen children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to contaminated cough syrup, the Union Health Ministry on Sunday convened a high-level meeting with all states and union territories to review the quality of cough syrups and enforce stricter oversight on liquid formulations following repeated episodes of contamination.

Gujarat FDCA acted on an alert by Madhya Pradesh’s regulator, with indications that the contamination may be more widespread across manufacturing units. Drug regulators in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana have also launched inspections and suspended the sale of certain cough syrups as a precautionary measure.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/after-mp-rajasthan-deaths-now-gujarat-finds-toxic-deg-in-cough-syrup-as-many-states-step-up-checks-9620806.html

PM Modi also said he looks forward to welcoming President Putin to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone to extend wishes on his 73rd birthday.

According to officials, PM Modi “warmly congratulated President Putin on his 73rd birthday and conveyed best wishes for good health and success in all his endeavours.”

During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Russia bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit later this year. Putin is expected to visit India in the first week of December for the summit.

PM Modi shared details of his conversation in a post on X, saying, “Spoke with my friend President Putin and conveyed warm birthday greetings and best wishes for his good health and long life. Deeply appreciate his personal commitment to deepening India–Russia ties over the years.”

Putin last week had confirmed his travel plans, saying the visit would likely take place in December. He also praised Prime Minister Modi as a “reasonable and wise leader who defends India’s national interests.” He also said he knows Modi “would not take steps that would humiliate Indians.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-wishes-putin-on-73rd-birthday-reaffirms-commitment-to-india-russia-ties-9620385.html