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.
The son of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch, Tirath Singh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Chite Kalan village, Amritsar, on Monday night. His brother alleged the attack was due to their stance against drug peddlers, though police suggest old enmity. The incident has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties against the Bhagwant Mann government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, citing a series of recent killings.
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted the Chhattisgarh government the liberty to approach the high court for cancellation of bail granted to retired senior IAS officer Anil Tuteja in corruption cases, specifically if there are instances of bail misuse. The apex court refused to entertain the state's direct plea challenging the bail but clarified that the high court's observations during bail grant would not influence the trial. Tuteja faces probes in multiple corruption cases, including the liquor scam, District Mineral Fund irregularities, and coal levy scam.
Two individuals were killed and three injured in a firing incident in Moga, Punjab, on Sunday evening. Police suspect old enmity as the motive and have arrested five people in connection with the case, though the assailants remain at large. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who allege a complete collapse of law and order under the current state government.
The CBI has withdrawn approximately 20 petitions from the Supreme Court that sought to transfer cases related to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence outside the state. The agency cited "changed circumstances" for its decision, which comes after the state's CID initiated fresh inquiries and reopened cases concerning the violence.
The prime accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Odisha's Balasore district has been arrested. A police officer was suspended for negligence, and another transferred, amidst public protests and demands for a Crime Branch probe by the Opposition Congress.
Kerala's Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph stated that criticism regarding the state government's initial decision for a preliminary inquiry in the alleged CMRL payments case, involving former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his family, would subside following a recent Supreme Court verdict. Health Minister K Muraleedharan also affirmed that the SC order vindicated the government's cautious approach, which prioritised a preliminary inquiry over immediate FIR registration based solely on the ED's request.
Some see in the CJP the potential of weakening the Opposition. Hence the BJP/RSS's 'softly softly catchee monkey' approach, with co-option being the ultimate aim, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Police in Mansa, Punjab, forcibly removed the body of a 35-year-old man who allegedly died of a drug overdose, leading to clashes with his family and protesters. The family sought to join a protest demanding justice for an anti-drug activist. Police claim the death is being investigated as a murder and used mild force, while opposition parties have severely criticised the government and police for their handling of the situation and alleged disrespect to Sikh sentiments.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan have strongly criticised the Maharashtra government, particularly Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. They cited recent incidents like the firing at actor Tiger Shroff and the murder of a Shiv Sena worker, demanding a "regime change" and accountability from the government.
Businessman Robert Vadra expressed support for his son Raihan Vadra after Raihan's photo exhibition faced controversy over images of "vote chori" protests. Vadra stated that his son faces headwinds but will emerge stronger, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the suppression of expression.
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.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss postponing the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear significant business disruption during the festive Diwali season due to the expected large crowd. CTI proposes a dialogue, offering to withdraw protests if convinced of benefits or seeking postponement if losses are proven.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition amidst ongoing protests for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and scrapping of SIR. Shah predicted a "crushing defeat" for the Congress in the 2029 general elections, citing the BJP's and NDA's strong public support and the Congress's dismal performance in recent bypolls and local body elections across several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tripura. He urged the Congress to introspect instead of engaging in "negative politics" and "fabricated media events."
Hundreds of supporters of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar blocked Ghodbunder Road in Thane, burning tyres and disrupting traffic, demanding arrests in connection with his murder. The protest escalated after Purnekar's son, Ram Purnekar, was detained while attempting to protest at the Deputy CM's residence.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an application alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed a pregnant journalist during a march to the apex court on October 12. The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who stated the journalist was three months pregnant and required hospitalisation. The court will hear the application on October 26 or October 27, alongside other pleas related to the October 12 march and electoral roll irregularities.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticised the Delhi Police for its recent actions against members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling it a "real disservice." Annamalai defended CJP's democratic right to raise critical questions, particularly regarding electoral roll revisions, and warned that heavy-handed police measures would only strengthen the critics. He emphasised that the government should address the substantive public queries instead of resorting to arrests.
The BJP's women's wing announced a protest march against the Congress, alleging that Rahul Gandhi is protecting Inner Manipur MP Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from JNU over sexual harassment allegations involving 11 students. The BJP Mahila Morcha will organise a 'Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan' on Monday, demanding Akoijam's expulsion and resignation.
Several political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling TVK and opposition DMK, walked out of an all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission. They demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the previous Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, where millions of voters were reportedly removed or flagged. The AIADMK and BJP attended the meeting, with AIADMK also raising concerns about the large number of affected voters.
Congress MP and former JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam appeared before the Vasant Kunj North Police Station on Thursday in connection with a sexual harassment case. He was dismissed from JNU on October 9 following an inquiry into allegations made by 11 female students in May, which he denies, calling the action a "witch hunt."
The Gujarat government has proposed to allot a long-disputed municipal plot in Vadodara to former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, gifting 500 square metres and offering the rest at a concessional rate. This proposal comes months after Pathan, a newly elected MP, broke away from the Trinamool Congress to join the NDA. The plot has been subject to legal battles and encroachment notices since 2012.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, normal life was affected with closures of markets, educational institutions and business establishments in five valley districts of Manipur due to a statewide 48-hour strike called by a civil society group to protest against the killing of three Meiteis by suspected militants.
'What is the need for collecting so much data unless they are going to be used for some other purpose?'
The Supreme Court registry has identified over 10 defects in the petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in electoral rolls. Issues include missing ID cards, illegible pages, and a court fee shortfall. The petition seeks an independent audit of the Special Intensive Revision process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with students injured during recent protests and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to obstruct their voice. Gandhi assured the students of Congress's support and warned that action would be taken against all officials, from the Prime Minister to police constables, who acted against them. He emphasised the unity of the protesting students, transcending religion and caste.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserted that the judiciary cannot be browbeaten, during a hearing on a plea against a political march to the Supreme Court by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on October 12. The plea alleges an attempt to obstruct the judicial system and seeks a ban on political demonstrations within court premises. The court has issued notices to the leaders and ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the incident.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the alleged censorship of her son Raihan Vadra's photography exhibition at Bikaner House. Raihan Vadra stated that the administration removed his pictures documenting recent Delhi protests, citing the current political climate, leading to a row over artistic freedom.
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, recently dismissed from JNU over sexual harassment allegations, has been served a notice by Delhi Police to join the investigation. Akoijam, a former professor, was sacked on October 9 after an internal inquiry into complaints from at least 11 female students regarding alleged harassment and inappropriate remarks. He denies the charges.
A 45-year-old man named Joby was arrested in Kochi for allegedly threatening and abusing Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath via a live social media video. The arrest followed a complaint by the Congress MLA after Joby's remarks, which were made in response to Sadath's statement on taking action against theft in his constituency. Police confirmed Joby has a history of criminal cases.
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani and three others have been booked in a second FIR for allegedly obstructing police, creating commotion at a police outpost, and violating the poll code during the Gandhinagar civic body elections. The charges include unlawful assembly and rioting, stemming from an incident where Mevani and supporters allegedly interfered with police questioning a man at a Sector-13 police outpost on October 9.
Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men in Manipur on Monday, killing three and injuring three others. The attack, which occurred in the Sunurok hills, sparked widespread protests in Imphal, with locals placing bodies outside the Chief Minister's residence. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and held security review meetings, while the opposition Congress demanded his resignation, citing the state's ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. Security forces have launched a combing operation with drones and sniffer dogs.
It is too early to judge whether the CJP will become a consequential political movement or remain a moment of protest. Its significance will depend less on the size of crowds or the reach of online campaigns than on what follows when the initial excitement subsides, notes Manoj Mohanka.
The first phase of Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan concluded on Thursday with a 63 per cent voter turnout across 16 districts. Despite long queues, some villages boycotted the polls over local administrative issues. These elections are seen as a crucial test for the ruling BJP and opposition Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.
A 27-year-old man died in Ludhiana after allegedly consuming medicine purchased from a chemist shop, leading to a protest where a mob vandalised the shop. Police have taken the chemist into custody, and a Congress MP has criticised the state government over the incident.
Six Delhi Metro stations, including key hubs like Rajiv Chowk, will be closed till 4 pm on Monday due to a protest announced by the Congress party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over "vote chori" allegations. Interchange facilities will remain operational.
Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been invited as a guest to the RSS' annual Vijayadashmi event in Nagpur next week, which also marks the closing of the organisation's centenary year. The event will feature Sanjay Gupta as chief guest and an address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The Congress has criticised the government regarding Dhankhar's housing situation despite the RSS invite.
The CBI questioned former MLA Suresh Rathore in Haridwar regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder case, a day after meeting Bhandari's parents. Rathore, who has been expelled from the BJP, denied knowing actress Urmila Sanawar, whose allegations fueled the 'VIP' involvement controversy. The case has seen renewed protests following a governor's appointment and a recommended CBI inquiry earlier this year.
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, recently dismissed as a professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University, has been booked by Delhi Police on charges of sexual harassment and insulting a woman's modesty. The FIR was registered following a complaint from JNU's chief security officer, stemming from allegations by at least 11 female students. Akoijam denies the charges, calling his dismissal a "witch hunt."
Major opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, have filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This action follows a "March for Democracy" and a declined request to meet the Chief Justice of India regarding "vote chori" allegations.
Ahead of fresh protests scheduled for Saturday, France will deploy around 70,000 police personnel nationwide as authorities prepare to prevent a recurrence of widespread looting, arson and vandalism that erupted alongside demonstrations last week.
