Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting Nishu Azad's father during a CJP protest, claims he acted in self-defence against a mob, stating he has video evidence and that medical reports show no serious injuries, contradicting earlier claims of a skull fracture.
A cook at a government ashram school in Thane district, Ganpat Gavli, arrested for allegedly molesting 22 minor female students, was a habitual offender who had previously been jailed under the POCSO Act and reinstated, an official revealed.
Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana, are preparing to challenge the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, in the Supreme Court. They allege the new law undermines states' rights by restricting their powers to levy taxes on mineral resources, a claim the Centre denies, stating it aims for uniform mineral rates.
The Supreme Court has declined to issue orders prohibiting a protest march called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for September 5. The court stated its expectation that all parties would act peacefully and lawfully, directing the petitioner to a High Powered Enquiry Committee. The CJP's march aims to protest the Centre's alleged failure to honour promises made regarding examination irregularities and police violence during previous agitations.
President Donald Trump has advocated for stricter electoral laws in the US, praising India's election system and its requirement for photo identification. He highlighted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's questioning of the lack of voter ID in American polls and used India's high voter turnout with minimal postal ballots as an example. Trump is pushing for the SAVE America Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship and nationwide voter ID, though the bill faces division in Congress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Commonwealth Games silver medallist Lovlina Borgohain for her quick action in objecting to a distorted map of India displayed at a Glasgow restaurant. The PM praised her thoughtful gesture during an interaction with CWG medal-winners.
Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a drive against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking a 'working knowledge' of Marathi, with penalties ranging from licence suspension to cancellation, sparking fears among non-Marathi speaking drivers.
A 27-year-old circus performer tragically died of suffocation during a "live Samadhi" stunt in Haryana's Nuh district. Deepak, who had performed the act many times, was found unresponsive after being buried in a pit for three days as part of his act.
The Bareilly administration has initiated comprehensive measures to enhance flight safety around its Air Force station. These steps include stricter monitoring of drones, addressing bird activity, regulating unauthorised construction, improving waste management, and controlling stray animal populations, all identified as potential threats to aircraft operations.
A healthy relationship should make you feel valued, whether you are alone together or in a room full of people, counsels rediffGURU Ravi Mittal.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will operate as a 'pressure group' to address issues like public trust, unemployment, and institutional accountability, with founder Abhijeet Dipke declaring support for protesting students in Jharkhand and advocating for those involved in NEET paper leak agitations.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has swiftly barred Copthall Mauritius Investment and Mansi Share & Stock Broking from the securities market for alleged manipulative trades during the closing auction session (CAS) on Sensex expiry. The regulator has also directed the impounding of wrongful gains totalling 3.67 crore from the two entities.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The court ruled that even if a marriage was solemnised under Muslim religious rites, it would not protect the accused from criminal liability under the POCSO Act, reinforcing that the Act applies when one party is a minor, irrespective of personal law.
The authorities have said that it is not permissible to examine and review in 2026 the decision taken by the trustees in 1988 regarding the existence of necessity for transfer of shares.
A heated exchange occurred in the Maharashtra assembly between Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray regarding the "act of God" defence for heavy rains and related incidents. The debate escalated to include climate change and alleged embezzlement at the Ram temple, leading to a brief adjournment.
A court in New Delhi has acquitted 12 persons accused of murder, rioting, and dacoity in a 2020 northeast Delhi riots case, saying that criminal liability cannot be fastened on a person merely because he was a member of an unlawful assembly without proof of his individual acts.
'It's a matter of pride for us that a man from Bengal is ruling hearts all over the world.'
An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani following a complaint from a Valmiki community member. The complaint alleges Gandhi gave a casteist interpretation to a religious ritual performed after an AICC chief's programme, hurting community sentiments. The case involves provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, stemming from a political row over a 'purification yajna' at a rally venue.
The main accused, Naushad, in the Kaushambi firecracker factory blast that killed 11 people, including eight children, has been arrested after an encounter. Two police personnel were suspended and three sent to police lines for alleged negligence, as the factory was operating illegally despite a previous licence suspension. Authorities are taking strict action, including invoking the Gangsters Act and NSA.
Two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers have been arrested in Pune for allegedly removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph from a government polytechnic office. The incident occurred during a visit by MNS leader Amit Thackeray, who is also facing a case related to the alleged act. BJP criticised the MNS leader for political immaturity.
The Sports Ministry has initiated a fresh application process for a national Yogasana federation, setting a September 17 deadline. This follows a Delhi High Court ruling that quashed the recognition of Yogasana Bharat and mandated a new affiliation procedure. Eligible bodies must submit detailed applications, adhering to the National Sports Governance Act, which includes specific requirements for executive committee composition.
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sobiya Aziz and Kamran Ashraf Reshi, accused in a terror conspiracy case related to Jammu and Kashmir and other major Indian cities. The court cited their nearly five-year incarceration and the slow pace of the trial as reasons for the decision, imposing strict conditions on their social media use.
Delhi Police has assured the arrest of Swatantra Bharadwaj within 72 hours, who is accused of assaulting student activist Nishu Azad's father during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The assurance follows a video where Bharadwaj admitted to the assault and claims of political connections, prompting demands for stronger charges and action against online abuse targeting Nishu.
Authorities in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, have demolished the three-storey house of Naushad, the main accused in a cracker factory blast that killed 13 people, including 11 children. The demolition followed the arrest of Naushad and two women, with police also suspending nine personnel for negligence and seeking other absconding suspects.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties are not liable for false details in electoral enumeration forms that cannot be personally verified. The court clarified that BLAs are only responsible for verifiable information, such as an elector's photograph, and struck down the Election Commission of India's mandate requiring BLAs to provide personal undertakings for all details.
Mallojula Venugopal Rao, a former Naxal commander known as Bhupathi, has joined Gondwana University's 'Ekal' programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. He will work as a coordinator to help tribal villagers secure their legal rights, including those under the PESA and Forest Rights Acts, marking a significant shift from his past as a feared Maoist strategist.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh following a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding his arrest for allegedly assaulting a student's father and bragging about it, while the victim's daughter reported receiving rape threats and online abuse.
The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York has revoked the naturalisation of Gurmeet Singh, an Indian-origin man, after he was convicted of rape and kidnapping. Singh had concealed these serious criminal acts during his naturalisation process, leading to the federal court's decision to strip him of his US citizenship.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on August 31 a plea which has challenged the validity of a provision of the Income Tax Act that allows political parties to receive cash donations below Rs 2,000.
A 52-year-old government school headmaster in Hoshiarpur has been arrested for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl earlier this month. The case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act, with investigations ongoing.
Aarushi Bajaj is all set to star in her first Hindi film, Don't Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt.
Indian benchmark equity indices extended their losing streak for a fourth consecutive day, with the Sensex tumbling 417 points due to rising crude oil prices and a significant sell-off in IT stocks, impacting overall investor sentiment.
Say hello to Bianca Arora, who's all set to make her debut in Alia Bhatt's Don't Be Shy.
Expired food articles were seized during inspections conducted at 23 paying guest accomodations across the city on Friday and noticies were issued to them, officials said.
Satyaki Savarkar, grandnephew of V D Savarkar, testified in a Pune court, stating that Rahul Gandhi's remarks portrayed Savarkar as a "Muslim hater" and "mob lyncher," which he claims is false. Savarkar asserted that his granduncle's writings promoted Muslim progress. The testimony was part of a defamation case filed against Gandhi concerning his alleged statements about Savarkar's writings.
A food tampering racket in Navi Mumbai, involving the alteration of expiry dates on popular brands like Maggi and Lay's, has been busted by the Maharashtra FDA and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch, leading to the seizure of products worth over Rs 75 lakh.
Conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar has been sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment by a Delhi court for impersonating a Supreme Court judge and attempting to influence a bail proceeding. The court emphasised the need for a deterrent message against manipulating the justice system, especially given the rise of sophisticated impersonation techniques.
'If somebody is suggesting something sleazy, you need to take your decision and you know, leave from there.' 'No amount of work is more important than your dignity.'
The Centre has assured the Delhi High Court that it will not take coercive action against the Delhi Gymkhana Club until September 16 regarding its eviction from the 27.3-acre premises. This comes as the court hears pleas challenging a show-cause notice for eviction, following the termination of the club's perpetual lease deed by the Land & Development Office. The legal battle centres on the validity of the lease termination and the jurisdiction of the estate officer.
A special POCSO court in Vadodara has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the gang-rape of a minor girl during Navratri two years ago. The court described the crime as "most heinous" and ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the survivor, emphasising the seriousness of violence against women, especially during a religious festival.
