A special CBI court in Ahmedabad has granted bail to Ankit Pandey, an accused in a cyber fraud case involving a call centre that allegedly defrauded US residents of over USD 7.21 million. The fraudsters posed as US law enforcement, falsely accusing victims of child pornography access, and coerced them into paying fines or handing over gold. Pandey's defence cited weak evidence, arguing only an IP address linked him to the crime.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl late last year. The court termed the gruesome crime "rarest of the rare" and also ordered Rs 10 lakh financial assistance for the victim's family. The prosecution, led by Ujwal Nikam, relied on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies to secure the conviction.
Kanpur police have uncovered a Rs 2.66-crore cyber fraud operation, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the identification of 89 bank accounts nationwide. The investigation began after a bank manager reported alleged fake complaints filed by one of the accused, Akhil Singh Chauhan, who was denied banking facilities. The fraud involved a fake investment scheme that targeted an exporter, with money routed through numerous mule accounts.
A 50-year-old man in Barnala allegedly murdered his wife with an axe in a field on Friday before returning home and consuming poison, leading to his own death. Police are investigating the motive, with preliminary reports suggesting the husband's drug addiction may have caused family disputes.
Three members of a family were arrested in Beed district, Maharashtra, for allegedly attempting to murder and molest a woman police constable inside a police station on October 12. The accused reportedly tried to strangle her with a dupatta over a dispute.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
India has issued a new advisory for its citizens in Saudi Arabia, urging them to follow local instructions, stay indoors during aerial attacks, and be aware of ongoing flight disruptions. The advisory follows an October 10 attack on Riyadh airport that injured several Indians, with some still hospitalised. Major Indian airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi cities until late October, impacting travellers and Umrah pilgrims.
Chola Chiefs, already out of playoff contention, defeated defending champions Rajputana Royals 5-3 in the Archery Premier League Season 2. This loss jeopardises the Royals' chances of defending their title, leaving them with eight points and one match remaining. Chiefs' victory was attributed to a tactical change in their shooting order, with archers like Alejandra Usquiano and Rajat Chauhan playing crucial roles.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes reverse swing will be a crucial factor in the ongoing three-test series against South Africa, attributing its resurgence to the abrasive pitches. He successfully utilised this technique in the first test, which Australia won, and expects similar conditions for the second test in Gqeberha. Hazlewood also reflected on his recent performance and career longevity.
A 45-year-old woman, Usha Ankush Gurnule, was killed in a tiger attack on Friday while working in her field in Palasgaon, near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Forest officials are monitoring the tiger's movement with camera traps and have advised villagers to exercise caution.
Online video games are emerging that recreate scenes from the Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi. Games like 'Jantar Mantar Chalo', 'Bhaag Neha Bhaag', and 'Jantar Mantar to Jail' allow players to experience elements of the demonstrations, from gathering crowds and dodging police to collecting 'Accountability' and 'Democracy' coins. Creators, inspired by news and real-life events, developed these games rapidly using AI and coding, gaining significant traction online.
A court in Meerut has sentenced a woman and her lover to death for strangling her husband and placing a live snake beside his body to make it appear as a snakebite death. The elaborate murder plot was uncovered after a post-mortem revealed strangulation marks, leading to their conviction under 'Operation Conviction'.
India's fast bowling coach Morne Morkel has acknowledged the difficulties faced by bowlers on flat pitches in the T20I series against West Indies, where high scores have been common. He advised his bowlers to learn from the experience, make smart decisions under pressure, and praised young pacer Prince Yadav for his skill and calm demeanour in tough situations.
The Congress' Seva Dal organised a candle march in New Delhi, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022. The protest called for an impartial investigation and accountability, especially regarding allegations against BJP's Dushyant Gautam, whose recent appointment as Sikkim Governor has drawn criticism from the Congress.
Kerala's Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted a surprise inspection at the Vaikom Circle Inspector's office following allegations of bribery. The officer is accused of using a bank account opened in an Assam native's name to receive illicit payments from the soil mafia, lorry operators, and criminal accused, with Rs 2.28 lakh reportedly credited within a month.
The Union Sports Ministry has committed a grant-in-aid of Rs 2000 crore to the Gujarat Government for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. This funding, based on 2025 rates and expected to reach Rs 2500 crore by 2030, will be disbursed from the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme. Ahmedabad won the bid last year to host the centenary edition, which is anticipated to be a grand event featuring 15 to 17 disciplines, unlike the scaled-down Glasgow Games.
The second round of the DP World India Championship was suspended on Friday due to weather delays, leaving several Indian golfers, including Anirban Lahiri, Saptak Talwar, and Om Prakash Chauhan, in contention to make the cut. Angel Hidalgo, Joost Luiten, and Adrian Meronk share the clubhouse lead, with many players yet to complete their rounds. The cut is expected to be decided on Saturday afternoon as the tournament plays catch-up.
Mumbai Police conducted a two-day anti-narcotics operation, seizing drugs worth Rs 15.87 crore, arresting 21 absconding accused, and registering 72 cases. The drive, part of the 'Drug-Free Mumbai' and 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' campaigns, also saw the invocation of MCOCA against a drug syndicate and the demolition of illegal structures.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Season 2 auction is set to take place on Saturday in New Delhi, featuring over 300 players and a total player purse of Rs 5 crore. Prominent players like Naveen Goyat, Sunil Malik, and Ayan Lochab, along with other Asian Games squad members, are expected to be key attractions for the 10 franchises, including new additions Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars.
Twenty-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Niki Prasad made her senior India debut in the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Friday.
