A farmer was found dead inside a private finance company's office in Nanded, Maharashtra, with his family alleging he was forcibly taken, confined, and assaulted over a disputed loan amount. Police have detained three individuals and registered a case of murder, kidnapping, and wrongful confinement. A similar case of loan recovery harassment has also emerged in the area, prompting the Nanded Superintendent of Police to urge farmers to report such incidents.
A farmer who borrowed Rs 10,000 was found dead in a private finance firm's office in Nanded. Police have registered a murder and kidnapping case against the firm's owner and two others. The family alleges the farmer was assaulted and then hanged, with the company demanding Rs 70,000 for the original loan.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for enhanced accountability and safeguards for artificial intelligence, particularly as it integrates into critical sectors like finance. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, she highlighted the dual nature of AI, capable of accelerating transactions but also amplifying fraud and cyberattacks. Sitharaman stressed the need for human and institutional responsibility in AI-driven decisions, urging regulators and companies to scrutinise high-risk AI applications. She also proposed a federated industry platform for Indian tech companies to navigate international regulations and ensure tax compliance globally.
A report in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monthly bulletin suggests that satellite-based night-time lights data and Google search trends can significantly improve quarterly economic growth estimates for Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, reducing errors by up to 62 per cent.
The GST Council is set to consider a proposal allowing businesses to file for GST registration in multiple states via a single application and standardise the documents required by tax officers, aiming to enhance ease of doing business.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select high-value UPI transactions is not a tax or cess, and its collections will not go to the government. She explained that MDR is a charge within the digital payments ecosystem, shared among participants to maintain infrastructure, and will not be passed on to consumers. The NPCI's new framework, effective October 15, applies a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, with most transactions remaining free and small merchants exempt.
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the decision to impose a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 was made independently, refuting claims of foreign influence. The ministry stated the policy aims to build a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem, with MDR funding infrastructure and supporting small merchants.
NITI Aayog has called for a fundamental overhaul of urban governance in India, advocating for empowered city governments, directly elected mayors with five-year terms, and greater financial autonomy for urban local bodies to manage the country's rapidly growing urban population.
Senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur has been placed on awaiting posting orders (APO) by the Rajasthan government. This action follows similar measures against her husband, IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, who is under an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation for alleged irregularities in the purchase of 40 villas and cottages. Mathur also has some of these properties registered in her name. The ACB alleges Agrawal misused his position to benefit a private company from which the properties were bought at undervalued prices.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. The ministry clarified that the NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to promote domestic alternatives and ensure a self-sustaining revenue model for smaller domestic companies, countering claims of favouring foreign payment providers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his Punjab visit, urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer drug-related death investigations in Sangrur and Batala to the CBI, following Mann's decision to hand over anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota's murder case to the central agency. Shah met families affected by drug-related incidents and pledged to make Punjab drug-free by December 31, 2029, calling for collective action against the menace.
A dispute over the income and expenditure of a Ramlila fair in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, escalated into violence on Monday evening, resulting in the deaths of three people and one injury. Police have arrested the prime accused, Kaushal Gupta, following the incident in the Amariya area.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to foster a domestic payment ecosystem and that the MDR introduction aims to create a sustainable revenue model for smaller domestic companies, thereby protecting India's sovereignty in digital payments.
Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the death of a farmer at a private finance company's office in Nanded, Maharashtra. The victim's wife alleged her husband was kidnapped, confined, and assaulted, leading to a murder case. The family claims the company demanded an exorbitant amount against a small loan, prompting police to urge victims of coercive recovery to report such incidents.
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 510 crore belonging to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAG) in connection with alleged bank fraud and money laundering cases involving Reliance Home Finance Limited, Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd., and Reliance Communication Ltd. The attached assets include aircraft, land parcels, windmills, and financial instruments.
A 28-year-old farm labourer in Latur, Maharashtra, allegedly died by suicide on Monday due to distress over unpaid loans from private finance companies. He left a note naming the companies and expressing inability to repay his mounting debt.
Police in Latur, Maharashtra, have registered a case against officials of four credit firms, including Equitas Bank and Shriram Finance, after a farm labourer allegedly died by suicide due to harassment over loan repayment. The man, Dattatraya Suryakant Kumbhar, was found hanging on Monday.
The GST Council has approved significant reforms including removing the arrest power of tax officials, raising the prosecution threshold fivefold to Rs 5 crore, and introducing faster, largely automated refunds for taxpayers. These changes, aimed at fostering trust and easing business, will be implemented from April 1, 2027.
The Union finance ministry has constituted a high-level committee, chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel, to recommend structural, regulatory, and legislative reforms for India's banking sector, aiming to make banks globally competitive and support the financing needs of a developed economy.
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against media baron Subhash Chandra in connection with an alleged loan fraud that caused a Rs 1,322 crore loss to Life Insurance Corporation Housing Finance Limited (LICHFL). Chandra is accused of inflating his net worth to secure and then default on loans.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging the 'criminal destruction' of the Tata Group, urging him to refrain from 'politicising' commercial and legal matters and accusing him of trying to incite business leaders.
Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against alleged Irani gang chief Nasir Hafiz Khan and two associates. The gang is accused of robberies, cheating, and other offences across multiple states, with Khan having 46 criminal cases against him. The MCOCA case stems from a robbery reported in October 2025, and investigations revealed an organised network using fake identities and routing crime proceeds.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly criticised the Congress party and the previous UPA government amidst the row over IDBI Bank's divestment, alleging they used banks and financial institutions as "personal entities" and pressured employees to extend loans bypassing prudent norms. She defended the current government's decision to sell a stake in IDBI Bank to Fairfax, stating it was revived through professionalism and recapitalisation.
'Many women lose control of properties after their husband's death.'
The BJP spent Rs 286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections, surpassing the Congress's total expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore across five states and a Union territory. The report details spending by major parties in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, highlighting significant financial disparities and campaign outlays.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey's proposal to liquidate the federation's fixed deposit to cover deficits from recent international friendly matches was rejected by members during a Special General Body Meeting on Sunday. Members cited an Executive Committee decision that the FD cannot be liquidated, while concerns were raised about the financial burden and transparency of hosting high-profile games.
The Rajasthan government has approved an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation against senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal. He is accused of misusing his official position to benefit a private company, Goyal Fashions Private Limited, and causing financial losses to the state. Preliminary findings suggest Agrawal allegedly acquired properties at undervalued prices and facilitated undue benefits for the company.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that the BJP would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttar Pradesh if it returns to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a state working committee meeting, Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's victory, criticised opposition parties on issues like the Ram temple and alleged voter list irregularities, and highlighted the Adityanath government's achievements in law and order and development.
The Ministries of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Corporate Affairs spent only 8 per cent of their FY27 Budget Estimates in the first half of the financial year, making them among the top underspenders, according to data from the Controller General of Accounts.
India is proposing the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) for AI Training, a national framework designed to enable startups, researchers, and companies to train AI models using data from hospitals, banks, and public agencies while ensuring privacy and security. This initiative aims to unlock significant AI-driven value for India's GDP by 2030.
YouTuber Jason Samuel Vijayakumar has been arrested in Chennai for allegedly abetting the suicide of financial content creator V Harish. Harish, who ran "Finance with Harish" with 1.3 million followers, reportedly faced cyberbullying and defamatory videos from Vijayakumar, leading to mental distress and his death by suicide on October 20, 2026. Vijayakumar denies the allegations, claiming he acted in consumer interest by questioning Harish's lack of a SEBI-registered license.
India has launched three indigenous AI foundation models, EKA-1, Dhir 2B, and Dhir 5B, under the IndiaAI Mission. Developed by Soket Labs Technology and Research and ZenteiQ AiTech Innovations, these models aim to enhance India's technological and strategic autonomy in artificial intelligence, offering solutions for various sectors including banking, cybersecurity, defence, and government services, with a focus on Indian languages and offline capabilities.
India has invited all 10 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member nations, including Pakistan, to the inaugural Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced this initiative earlier, aiming to strengthen cultural ties and mutual understanding among SCO countries. The forum will also address the collective fight against terrorism, a key concern for India.
A Bangladesh opposition leader, Nahid Islam of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued warnings against facilitating an Indian transit corridor through Bangladesh and called for a fair renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, which expires in December. His remarks were made at a rally in Dhaka, where he also criticised the current government. The allegations about the corridor follow Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to Japan, which focused on economic cooperation and regional connectivity, though Bangladesh officials deny discussing third-country issues. India has also expressed interest in strengthening regional linkages with Japan involving its northeastern states.
Indian equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied for the second consecutive session, driven by strong buying in IT firms and a significant boost from Tata Group's retail arm Trent following its impressive September quarter earnings.
As CEC Gyanesh Kumar faces protests over electoral roll revisions, a 20-year-old Kerala corruption case resurfaces.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for his silence regarding a multi-crore international drug racket operating along the state's coastline. Palaniswami questioned if the racket was happening with the ruling TVK's knowledge, citing a recent 137 kg crystal methamphetamine seizure by the DRI and the alleged involvement of a TVK functionary. He demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Chief Minister.
Engagement with neighbours has gathered pace, particularly as the conflict in West Asia has exposed their vulnerability to energy supply disruptions.
Punjab's Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the unearthing of a Rs 429.30 crore GST fraud, leading to an FIR in Ludhiana. The investigation, initiated after intercepting a vehicle on September 30, revealed a syndicate of 62 interconnected firms across multiple states using non-genuine documents to evade taxes.
Indian tourists can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for Dubai's Burj Khalifa and major attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios. This initiative, facilitated by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) through strategic partnerships, aims to simplify international travel payments for Indians and strengthen digital and economic links with these countries.
