Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh has called for justice for anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in Mansa last week. Jhota was killed after confronting a medical store owner selling addictive drugs. His family and supporters are protesting, demanding a CBI probe and refusing cremation until justice is served, with actress Neeru Bajwa and singer Babbu Mann also showing support.
Congress leader Jinto John criticised the UDF government for opting for a preliminary inquiry instead of an FIR against LoP Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL bribery case. This comes after the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging an order to register an FIR. The Enforcement Directorate alleges fraudulent payments to Vijayan's daughter's company.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the death of Lucknow cafe owner Shiva Sharma is "not an ordinary case" and could "bring down the Uttar Pradesh government," drawing parallels to the Vikas Dubey encounter. Yadav criticised the police and media's handling of the case, particularly regarding the absconding prime accused, Shraddha Dubey. The case involves allegations of assault and torture by Sharma's family, a reward for the accused's arrest, and recent transfers of police officials.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of widespread corruption, claiming its downfall is imminent. His remarks follow a CBI case against an OSD to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other officials, leading to protests by BJP workers. Former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also criticised the AAP, highlighting the high court's role in the investigation.
Nandan Nilekani, head of the task force on exam reforms, stated on Tuesday that technology and a systematic approach can solve the issue of question paper leaks. He suggested generating exam papers from a large question bank at the last minute to remove economic incentives for leaks and also proposed moving towards computer-based testing.
The Punjab government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a rape case in Anandpur Sahib involving former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The SIT, headed by Gurbans Singh Bains, aims to answer critical questions surrounding the woman's arrival from Bahrain, her stay at an SGPC lodge, and the circumstances of the alleged incident. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured a transparent and time-bound investigation.
The Punjab government has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a rape case in Anandpur Sahib involving former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The SIT aims to address several unanswered questions regarding the alleged incident, including the complainant's arrival from Bahrain and her stay at an SGPC-managed lodge. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured a swift, transparent, and in-depth investigation.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced he will publish details of his interactions with Manchester City. This decision follows criticism from opposition politicians regarding his response to the club being found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. City has appealed the ruling, which alleges the club inflated revenue and understated costs by over 900 million.
Indian Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his bravery in fighting off an attack from his co-pilot on a flydubai flight, preventing a potential catastrophe. President Isaac Herzog announced the honour, which will be presented once Machchhar recovers.
The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who were part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Asian Games. Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the athletes, highlighting their historic achievement for the state and the government's commitment to promoting hockey through schemes and infrastructure development.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke warned that banning protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar would lead to nationwide agitations. He stated that CJP leaders were detained on Tuesday morning after attempting to protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Dipke accused the government of suppressing democratic dissent and vowed to continue the protest.
Pramod Kumar, Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), has accused President Ajay Singh and Executive Director Col. Arun Malik of "criminal intimidation" to prevent a no-confidence motion against Singh. Kumar alleges a governance breakdown, threats to state units, and revocation of his email access, while Malik dismisses all charges as baseless.
Police took prime accused Suhail to the accident spot in Nedumbassery near Kochi for evidence collection in the high-profile Mini Cooper crash case. Three youngsters died on October 11 when Suhail, allegedly driving under the influence, hit their scooter. The accused were also taken to bars where they reportedly consumed alcohol, and will be produced before the court later on Thursday.
'Without that one critical irrigation, the entire crop can be lost.'
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) has filed its 10th supplementary charge sheet in the alleged liquor scam, accusing 20 individuals, including former state Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, and 22 firms. The 27,000-page document details illegal liquor production, hawala transactions, and investment of illicit proceeds. The scam, estimated by the ED to be between 2019 and 2022, involved a complex network of illegal liquor sales, duplicate holograms, and routing of funds.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Rs 860-Rs 880 crore generated from an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh during the previous Congress regime was delivered to the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Raipur. The agency filed a supplementary chargesheet against former PCC treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal and provisionally attached his properties worth Rs 9.06 crore. The ED alleges a liquor syndicate controlled the state excise department, generating over Rs 2,883 crore in illegal proceeds.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, clarified that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's arrival in New Delhi two years ago was unexpected and not facilitated by the Indian military. He addressed ongoing extradition requests from the current Bangladeshi government, stating India acted out of duty during tragic circumstances in Bangladesh.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Oil Corporation have signed an MoU for Rs 40 crore over two years to bolster boxing in India. This partnership, leveraging CSR funds and SAI's expertise, aims to enhance talent identification, athlete development, coaching, and international exposure for boxers, aligning with the revamped Khelo India Scheme.
The Congress party has questioned the Modi government's decision to defer the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, alleging a potential "U-turn on the U-turn." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted previous denials by the finance minister regarding MDR imposition, only for it to be announced later and now deferred. He expressed concerns about future charges on UPI transactions.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has dismissed Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, also a Congress MP, following sexual harassment complaints from at least 11 female students. Akoijam has termed his dismissal a 'witch hunt' and questioned the due process.
At least 13 children, all under 15 years old, drowned after a boat carrying over a dozen passengers capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar's Vaishali district, prompting rescue operations and an ex gratia announcement.
Model Shraddha Dubey, her driver Danish, and sister Rashmi Dubey have been arrested in Nagpur in connection with the death of Lucknow cafe owner Shiva Sharma. Sharma's family alleges he was assaulted and tortured before his death, leading to a murder investigation. Dubey denies involvement, claiming Sharma jumped due to debt.
Indian ace boxer Lovlina Borgohain, after facing disappointment at the 2024 Olympics, rediscovered her passion for boxing, leading to a gold medal victory at the recent Asian Games in Japan. She aims for direct Olympic qualification through the World Championships and hopes to upgrade her Olympic bronze to gold.
'I have lost not merely an exceptional artist, but an extraordinary human being and a dear friend, someone whose warmth and affection touched everyone around him. We spoke just eight days ago. I could never have imagined that it would be our last conversation.'
The Supreme Court was informed that sanction is awaited to prosecute Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks against Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi. The SIT probe is complete, and a chargesheet will be filed once sanction is obtained. Shah had previously apologised for his controversial comments.
The four-day Paragliding Accuracy Pre-World Cup has commenced at Solang Nala in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, featuring 42 pilots from multiple countries. The event, inaugurated by Minister Rajesh Dharmani, aims to promote adventure sports and tourism in the region, with strict safety standards in place.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated armed forces sportspersons who won 27 medals at the recent Asian Games. He highlighted the role of the Mission Olympic Wing and stressed a focused approach for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to establish India as a leading sporting power.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
The DMK has announced its exit from the INDIA bloc, citing "betrayal" by the Congress and asserting its independent political path. The party accused Congress leaders, including TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore, of making unsavoury remarks and acting as "sleeper cells," which contributed to the DMK's electoral setbacks. The DMK warned Congress leaders against further criticism and stated it would not participate in Congress-led agitations.
Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been chosen as flag bearers for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from October 18 to 24. Both athletes have significant achievements in their respective sports, and their selection aims to inspire the team.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot is set to embark on a five-day visit to Punjab starting October 16, where he will meet families of gang violence victims across 11 districts. This visit aims to amplify their voices and is seen as a strategic move by the Congress to make law and order a central issue against the AAP government in the upcoming elections. Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh also criticised the AAP government over deteriorating security and extortion threats faced by traders.
PGTI president Kapil Dev has called on authorities to facilitate fan access to the D P World India Championship amidst ongoing protests in Delhi. He also urged Gen Z to listen to others while acknowledging their intelligence, and advocated for shorter golf formats and improved infrastructure to boost the sport's popularity in India.
Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, following a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The operation was without complications, and the Pope is recovering well, having returned to his room and requested dinner.
The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has begun deliberations on significant reforms, including decriminalising nine offences, softening provisions for 24, and raising the threshold for criminal prosecution to Rs 5 crore. The proposed changes also include scrapping the arrest powers of GST officers and introducing an 'invoice matching system' to combat fake input tax credit claims, aiming for a trust-based taxation approach and enhanced ease of doing business.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned of increased global turbulence from tech disruptions, AI, and financial risks in the coming years. He stated that India is strengthening its economic and technological resilience to protect its growth from external shocks. India is focusing on domestic manufacturing and design in critical tech areas while maintaining global integration, with trust becoming as crucial as cost in supply chains.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda removed his Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Deepam Raichura, following allegations of accepting a Rs 1 crore bribe related to liquor contracts in Bhopal. The allegations were made by Mohit Gogiya, an accused in a large fraud case, who claimed Raichura facilitated liquor contracts and helped secure a fake bank guarantee. Devda has ordered a probe into the matter.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance to register an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. The court stated that information provided by the Enforcement Directorate contains sufficient material to show commission of cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, ruling out the need for a preliminary enquiry. The court also deemed illegal the state government's decision to form a Special Investigation Team for a preliminary enquiry.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has summoned former Thane city mayor Meenakshi Shinde for questioning in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar last month. Her husband, Rajendra Shinde, was previously questioned. The Purnekar family has accused the Shinde couple of orchestrating the killing, which Meenakshi Shinde denies. Five individuals have been arrested in the ongoing probe.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing into Jantar Mantar and demanding the CEC's resignation.
