The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for timely investigations and conclusions of criminal cases involving illicit money in elections. Observing that black money compromises democracy and the rule of law, the court issued several directives, including reporting seizures to competent authorities within 24 hours, completing investigations within a year, and submitting quarterly status reports to the Election Commission. The ruling also mandates High Courts to designate special courts for expeditious disposal of cases against candidates and requires High Court approval for withdrawing cases.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly has passed a motion urging the central government to completely withdraw the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and CPI MLA K Rajan highlighted concerns that the MDR would increase business costs, harm small businesses, and reduce the appeal of digital payments, while the BJP argued it would not affect general public or small merchants.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government, posing 12 questions regarding the banking sector. He highlighted issues such as recurring bank charges, reduced interest rates, demonetisation's impact, missing locker valuables, and poor working conditions for bank employees, accusing the government of weakening banks and exploiting vulnerable communities.
Hyderabad Black Hawks U21 have won the inaugural Guardians Trophy, defeating hosts Goa Guardians U21 3-1 in the final. The tournament provided a crucial platform for emerging Indian volleyball talent, with individual awards and prize money distributed to top performers.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
Mahindra & Mahindra has officially expanded its popular compact SUV lineup with the launch of the Mahindra XUV 3XO ZNG, its first-ever mainstream CNG passenger vehicle at an introductory starting price of Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari has opposed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea in a Delhi court seeking to declare him a "fugitive " in connection with a black money case. Bhandari claims his stay in the UK is legal as the London High Court denied his extradition to India. The court's decision was also cited by an English court in April to deny the Indian government's request to extradite another accused in a rice-buying scam. Bhandari's lawyer argued that the ED's application was "vague, misplaced and without jurisdiction " and that the value involved in the case was less than the required Rs 100 crore to declare someone a "fugitive. " The Delhi court has sought the ED's rebuttal to Bhandari's argument by May 3.
'Even with the restrictions of depositing more than Rs 2.5 lakh in a bank, people will find new methods to convert this cash hoard into legal tender.'
Tata Motors has officially launched the Tata Sierra #DARK in India, with prices starting from 13.99 Lakh (ex-showroom). This new edition features a Friesian Black exterior, a Violet Eclipse interior, and a range of engine and transmission options across multiple variants.
Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) has announced it will raise 9,825 crore through a primary equity infusion from a consortium of global investors, including Alpha Wave Global, Premji Invest, Temasek, and funds managed by BlackRock, who will collectively acquire a 5.54 per cent stake.
An enormous amount of black money flows in and out of the banking system and still remains black.
The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) has announced a nationwide 'No UPI Day' protest on October 2 against the proposed 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Retailers argue that this charge will burden small businesses and impact their already thin profit margins, urging policymakers to withdraw the proposal.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and state governments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) advocating for the confiscation of movable and immovable property belonging to individuals and their family members involved in exam question paper leak cases. The plea also calls for invoking various anti-corruption and financial crime acts against perpetrators and suggests consecutive sentencing for such offences.
The studies found that sectors with the highest unaccounted income included real estate, mining, pharmaceuticals, pan masala, gutkka and tobacco, bullion and commodity markets, film industry, educational institutes and professionals.
The Tata Aeris iCNG, evolving from the Tigor, offers a modernized exterior and a feature-rich interior. It boasts innovative twin-cylinder CNG technology for maximum boot space, premium comfort features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera, and a smooth driving performance. Priced competitively, it aims to challenge rivals in the segment while offering enhanced practicality.
From Mollywood Times to Mohiniyattam, these black comedies from South Cinema prove that the darkest humour can also deliver the sharpest entertainment.
Trade and business associations across India are organising a 'No UPI Day' on October 2 to protest the upcoming 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding 2,000, effective from October 15.
Compliance window for those with undisclosed income abroad to come clean by paying 30 per cent tax and 30 per cent penalty
Tata Motors has launched the Curvv Series X, an updated version of its coupe-SUV, focusing on enhancing value-for-money by adding more features to lower and mid-spec variants and streamlining the lineup, with prices ranging from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Making UPI payments fee-based for some transactions could enhance mental reservations against digital payments -- which have largely been overcome -- once more. Do we want to regress?, asks R Jagannthan.
Mobile phone retailers across India, represented by AIMRA, are protesting the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 for merchants. They plan to observe 'No UPI Day' on October 2, 2026, arguing that this fee will significantly impact their income and burden small businesses, advocating for a continued Zero MDR structure for UPI merchant payments.
Meesho, a value-commerce platform targeting middle- and lower-income geographies, is poised for significant growth driven by its asset-light model and low fulfilment costs, but faces intense competition from e-commerce giants and high valuations.
TATA.CARS Launches All-New Aeris Compact Sedan, a facelifted version of the Tata Tigor, at a starting price of 5.29 lakh ex-showroom.
Assets worth only Rs 4,000 cr declared till mid-August; govt expects pick-up in last 2 weeks
Looking at the best Tom Cruise films outside the Mission: Impossible franchise that proves just how versatile the superstar can be.
'The cash part is the lower hanging fruit compared to the other sources.' 'To attack the cash part of black money, I can't think of anything else but demonetisation.'
This is the first time that this important nodal national agency for economic intelligence has obtained data on suspected offshore stash of Indians as, till now, such information was only received by the exclusive wing of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
Police are investigating a revenge angle in the recent murder of a gym trainer in South Delhi's Aya Nagar. The killing is suspected to be part of an ongoing feud between two families, with alleged gang involvement and a social media claim of responsibility by a foreign-based gangster.
The crackdown on black money has manifested itself in a doubling in outward remittances as black money attempts to leave India.
Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline shutdown could make crude costlier for India as refiners face fewer supply routes and rising freight and insurance costs.
The Tata Curvv EV Series X keeps its distinctive coupe-SUV design but becomes a more attractive package with a standard 55kWh battery, more features and a lower starting price of Rs 16.99 lakh.
Industrialist and MP Rahul Bajaj on Wednesday added a new dimension to the debate over black money, saying it funds political parties.
'Corruption is the tree.' 'Black money is the fruit from the tree.' 'This scheme will expose the unaccounted fruits of the tree.' 'But since the tree will continue to stand, the story will continue,' say Pramod Kumar Srivastava, Sanghamithra and Kravya.
India will begin its first round of consultations with the Swiss government on tracing black money stashed by Indians in banks in that country in December, but there is no guarantee of prosecution of offenders on the basis of information secured from them.
From a scene-stealing child actor to a cult-comedy favourite and a director in his own right, Kunal Kemmu has delivered plenty of memorable turns across three decades.
Against estimates of black wealth of Rs 300 lakh crore and black money in cash of Rs 3 lakh crore by economist Arun Kumar, the PMGKY numbers fall short by a huge margin.
Total amount in these accounts is estimated to be around Rs 1,500-1,600 cr
'The difference between black money in India and the black money out of India is, in India, it is tax evaded money and Indian money outside India is not only tax evaded money, but money which has been taken out of India's capital resources needed for India. So it is not only tax evasion, but treason too.'
Apple's latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, have gone on sale across India, drawing massive queues and creating a 'festival' atmosphere among eager buyers at Apple Stores in Noida, Bengaluru, and Maharashtra.
The Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that almost every country, including India, was grappling with the problem of use of black money in elections and the electoral bonds scheme was a "conscious attempt" to eradicate the menace of "unclean money" in the poll process.
