The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear a 2016 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the speedy disposal of criminal cases against lawmakers across India. This decision comes amidst concerns raised by amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria about the high number of legislators facing criminal charges, including chief ministers. The court had previously issued directions in November 2023 to fast-track such trials.
The INDIA bloc has formulated a joint action plan to address the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row and concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Following a meeting of key opposition leaders, the alliance announced a series of "save democracy" marches, demonstrations, and a march to the Election Commission, demanding a return to ballot papers for elections and alleging electoral malpractices by the ruling government.
The Election Commission of India has addressed reports of internal dissent among its commissioners and clarified that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders and Form 6 updates for voter enrolment received unanimous consent and were upheld by the Supreme Court. The EC also announced measures to ease the process for voters issued notices, including doorstep document collection and extended deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while affirming its commitment to transparent decision-making and meticulous compliance with directives.
India's in-form pacer Mukesh Kumar has signed with Nottinghamshire to play the final two matches of the 2026 English County Championship season. This marks his first domestic stint outside Bengal, offering him a chance to test his skills in new conditions after a successful Duleep Trophy campaign.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facilitating discounted tickets for members of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting for India's upcoming FIFA tier-1 friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. These high-profile matches will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata, with the AIFF also planning Fan Parks across districts to promote grassroots football and allow wider viewership. The matches are seen as a significant opportunity for the Indian national team to test itself against top-ranked opponents.
Vikash Dhorasoo, the first Indian-origin player in a FIFA World Cup, expresses strong belief in India's potential to reach football's biggest stage. Visiting India for a friendly match against Brazil, Dhorasoo highlights the importance of method, clear objectives, and leveraging players of Indian origin to elevate the national team's level. He also offers his coaching expertise to help develop young talent in India.
Assembly by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram will offer an early measure of the TVK's electoral strength and put the dynamics of its new alliance in focus.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Mamata Banerjee's party's candidate for the Rejinagar by-election, initially announced his withdrawal from the contest due to harassment of workers and symbol unfamiliarity, but retracted his statement within hours after intervention from the party's top leadership and Mamata Banerjee herself, confirming he will now contest the October 6 poll.
Holding-company discounts and losses at key unlisted ventures could weigh on Tata Sons' IPO valuation, though its diversified portfolio may still command a premium.
The Bharatiya Janata Party received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters alone during the last five state assembly elections, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
'I can't imagine anybody else doing the kind of things he did in the war,' Group Captain Deb Gohain asserts about Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cook, the 1965 War hero who passed into the ages last week.
Indian footballer Jay Gupta expresses his hopes that the upcoming friendly matches against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay will ignite a revolution for football in India, similar to Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup win for cricket. He views the unprecedented fixtures as a crucial opportunity for the Indian team to test their calibre against elite opposition and learn, aiming to build on their recent performance against Panama.
The BCCI has banned Bengal leg-spinner Rohit Yadav for two years due to age misrepresentation, following discrepancies found in his birth certificates and Aadhaar records. This ban comes after he had already represented India's U-19 team. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has also declared 62 other players, including former U-19 World Cup winner Ravi Kumar, ineligible for similar age-related issues, highlighting a wider crackdown on age fraud in junior cricket.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari symbolically destroyed nearly 2 lakh bottles of banned cough syrup in Balurghat using a road roller. This act, aimed at combating drug addiction among youth and curbing smuggling to Bangladesh, highlights improved coordination between BSF and state police. Adhikari also announced a new medical college for Balurghat during his visit.
The BJP knows that there is no leader in its ranks who can match Modi's popularity or have his cult following, and what awaits is a return to the Vajpayee numbers, when allies called the shots, argues Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
A rebel Trinamool Congress faction, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, has named candidates for two assembly bypolls in West Bengal, directly challenging the Mamata Banerjee-led camp. This move escalates the internal party battle, particularly over the 'twin flowers' symbol, which both factions claim. The Election Commission is currently reviewing the dispute, and the bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will serve as a crucial electoral test for both sides.
Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami will be felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for completing 100 first-class matches. The felicitation will take place in Chennai ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, recognising his significant domestic career achievements and his ongoing efforts to return to the national team.
Mohun Bagan secured their 31st Calcutta Football League Premier Division title, their first since 2018, with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Mohammedan Sporting despite being down to 10 men. Sahal Abdul Samad scored a brace, and Sayan Banerjee netted the winner, ending an eight-year title drought for the Mariners.
The heartwarming story of Arijit Singh supporting his Fame Gurukul rival Qazi Touqeer on Bigg Boss 20.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he has 'undermined' voter rights by excluding over 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Four individuals, including the homestay owner, have been arrested in Darjeeling after a young woman tourist sustained severe burn injuries during a barbecue session. The incident, which occurred due to a liquid being poured onto the grill, has led to allegations of negligence and inadequate safety measures by the victim's family.
The Election Commission of India has defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' lists, asserting that differing views among Commissioners are a normal part of deliberations and all orders carry full legal sanction, following reports of two Commissioners red-flagging issues.
The West Bengal Fire Department has ordered the evacuation of the basement and two floors of a high-rise building in central Kolkata, which houses TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's office, due to a lack of fire safety measures. The order follows the expiry of the building's fire safety certificate and non-compliance with mandatory regulations, posing a threat to life and property.
Anthony Andrews, a highly successful coach in Indian women's football, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India U17 women's national team. He will continue his dual role with East Bengal FC while preparing the Young Tigresses for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
From a milk abhishek and aarti in Patna and Vadnagar to blood donation camps in Delhi, sand art tributes in Puri and Agartala, and havan pujas in Jammu, BJP leaders and others nationwide honoured the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday with prayers, service drives and tributes.
The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.
Karuveppilai Puli Sadam is a delicious South Indian rice dish with a wonderful balance of tangy, spicy and aromatic flavours.
The West Bengal Assembly has passed a new Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, allowing preventive detention for up to 12 months without trial. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated its aim is to prevent riots and recover costs for property destruction, assuring it won't be misused.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has unveiled a new logo featuring a football player as its interim election symbol. This move comes after the Election Commission froze the party's original name and symbol due to an internal dispute. The new symbol, along with the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress', will be used in the upcoming October 6 bypolls, with the faction actively publicising it to familiarise voters.
'Election Commissioners are Constitutional authorities and they are not supposed to go to the Cabinet secretary. They are not supposed to write letters. And if they are aggrieved, they should straight go to the President of India.'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to enact a stringent law against religious conversion and implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. He linked these measures to strengthening national security and preserving Bengal's cultural identity, citing concerns over infiltration and demographic changes. Adhikari also highlighted efforts in border security, distinguished between illegal immigrants and CAA refugees, and paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
10 states, 10 delicious coconut recipes for World Coconut Day
A major fire at a naphtha pipeline in Haldia, West Bengal, injured over 10 people and damaged railway equipment, disrupting services. Firefighting operations are ongoing, and an investigation into the cause has been launched.
Investigators probing the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, suspect one of the accused took the victim to a shack where two others were present before the crime, with the three allegedly consuming intoxicants prior to the assault.
From Tumbbad to Kantara, these folklore-fuelled films prove Indian cinema has plenty of strange, spooky and spectacular myths to bring to the big screen.
Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal pacer, has delivered an impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, taking 11 wickets and expressing the critical importance of the ongoing domestic season for his potential India comeback. He detailed his strategic bowling approach on challenging pitches and the team's tactics for managing the hot conditions, while also providing an update on teammate Anukul Roy's injury.
The BCCI's member units have authorised office-bearers to make a decision regarding the extension of chief selector Ajit Agarkar's contract, which is set to expire early next month, and to fill vacancies in the junior selection committee.
A long-standing Janmashtami celebration in Kolkata's Mominpore, known for its syncretic culture with significant Muslim participation, is undergoing a major change. BJP leader Rakesh Singh has taken charge, forming an exclusively Hindu organising committee, sparking a debate about religious harmony, political influence, and the nature of shared festivals in the city.
India's national security adviser was in Dhaka for roughly three-quarters of the day on Thursday to prepare the ground for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to New Delhi.
Three former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sushmita Dev and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday and, within hours, were named the saffron party's candidates for the Rajya Sabha bypolls from West Bengal, underlining both their political rehabilitation and the party's calibrated shift in inducting leaders from the erstwhile ruling dispensation.
