The Supreme Court has directed the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to consider granting permanent commission to Short Service Appointee (SSA) officer Priyanka Tyagi and other similarly placed women, pending vigilance clearance. This follows earlier strong remarks from the court against the ICG's "vague" and "arbitrary" policy regarding women officers, emphasising gender equality in the armed forces.
The Supreme Court has strongly asserted the critical need to instill fear in criminals and enhance women's safety across Delhi-NCR, taking suo motu cognisance of recent alarming rape incidents.
The Centre has announced a major bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing Prakash Rajpurohit as Deputy Election Commissioner and approving appointments for 27 civil servants at joint secretary and equivalent levels across various ministries and departments.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Delhi Police commissioner, seeking a detailed report on alleged sexual harassment of three women journalists by police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3, stating the reports raise serious human rights violation issues.
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has announced a revised route for this year's edition, scheduled for Sunday. The change is due to ongoing protests near Rail Bhawan, Sansad Marg, and Patel Chowk, which were part of the traditional course. Organisers have communicated the new route to participants, while elite race timings and other run categories remain largely unaffected.
The Union home ministry has extended the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces companies in Delhi until October 31, anticipating potential "flash protests" from political and other groups across the national capital.
The Delhi government has taken action by withholding the additional DCP charge for ACP Vivek Bhagat, who faces serious allegations of sexually harassing a woman journalist, pending a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Delhi Police has equipped frontline officers in the New Delhi area with body-worn cameras to enhance accountability and provide evidence during protests and crowd management. This initiative follows recent allegations of misconduct against police personnel, including sexual harassment, during demonstrations, and aims to ensure transparency in interactions between police and protesters.
The Supreme Court has granted the Centre an extension until October 15 to file its response on petitions concerning the closure of metro stations and disruption of train services in Delhi during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The court also deferred a crucial hearing, issued notice on a petition challenging the immunity of election commissioners, and sought a Delhi Police officer's presence regarding alleged assaults on women journalists. Earlier, the court had directed authorities to ensure normal public transport and prevent unlawful detentions.
Thousands of protesters, including farmers, trade unionists, students, and Left party members, marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging 'vote chori' and exclusion of eligible citizens.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc intensified their protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over 'vote chori' allegations, leading to the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by Delhi Police.
Delhi Police are actively investigating the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl on a sleeper bus, mapping the vehicle's route using CCTV footage and mobile data, and uncovering multiple challans issued against the bus for violations, including operating without a permit. Forensic evidence is being processed, and the incident has drawn comparisons to the Nirbhaya case.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that its new Executive Council will be elected on December 5, with Sanjay Kumar Srivastava appointed as the returning officer. The electoral process, which includes elections for the Athletes' Commission on November 3 and selection of Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs), will adhere to national sports governance acts and the amended IOA Constitution. The new council will serve a four-year term (2026-2030), with current President PT Usha highlighting the importance of good governance as India eyes hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
The Supreme Court has ruled that women Short Service Commission officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, who were unfairly denied Permanent Commission, are entitled to full pensionary benefits.
Marchers would walk four or five abreast through one side of the main Mahatma Gandhi Road, holding red or white banners that stretched from one end to the other, shouting slogans, calling upon passers by, including employees watching from the offices that line the road, to join (Dekhta kya/Shaamil ho), recalls Jyoti Punwani.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and "SIR anomalies" in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.
Several protesters, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas, were detained in Delhi as the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation entered its second day on Sunday. Protesters alleged manhandling by security personnel, while police maintained extensive security arrangements, detaining thousands over the weekend.
The Supreme Court on Sunday directed that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained and issued a notice to the Centre regarding alleged violations of its earlier order during a CJP protest in Delhi. The court also asked the Solicitor General to ensure normal metro services and no internet disruption, while addressing concerns about widespread detentions and transport closures.
Opposition parties, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, plan to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India. They aim to submit a memorandum regarding alleged 'vote chori' and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of SIR, and a return to paper ballots. The protest follows widespread detentions during previous demonstrations, which the opposition condemns as an assault on democracy.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations have accused the government of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by allegedly deleting over 13 crore voters. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in voter rolls and criticising the police crackdown on protesters. Leaders questioned the government's protection of the CEC and linked voter deletions to the narrow victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Groups of men wearing saffron scarves, claiming affiliation with the Hindu Raksha Dal, threatened and assaulted demonstrators during Saturday's protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in central Delhi. Four members have been arrested for an assault on DDU Marg, while videos show larger groups operating unhindered, openly supporting police and administration, and justifying violence against "anti-national" protesters. The group's chief, Pinki Chaudhary, claimed responsibility for the attacks on social media.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the Modi government over the "war-like deployment" of police and paramilitary in Delhi to prevent a protest against the Election Commission. He highlighted extensive security measures, internet suspension, and detentions, calling it an "undeclared Emer-GenZ" and questioning the government's confidence in electoral integrity.
'93 lakhs deletions in Bengal, 96 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, 24 lakhs in Kerala, 77 lakhs in Gujarat, 45 lakhs in Madhya Pradesh, 44 lakhs in Rajasthan. 2.89 crores in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 3 crores!'
Former civil servants and rights activists have issued a "people's impeachment" notice demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They allege six charges against him, including undermining the Election Commission's functioning, mass disenfranchisement through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and compromising political impartiality. The group, including G K Pillai and Najeeb Jung, was prevented from submitting the notice at the EC office.
Delhi Police have arrested Sourav, a 30-year-old man, for allegedly using AI-generated morphed images to blackmail young women and extort money. He would pose as a job provider, obtain resumes, and then manipulate screenshots from video calls to create obscene images for extortion. The arrest followed a complaint from a 19-year-old victim who was repeatedly blackmailed.
Modi's greater weakness is his inability since July when he directed the exit of Dharmendra Pradhan, to come up with a political counter strategy. Security measures and executive orders as seen in recent days will only likely further weaken him and make him as lame duck a premier as many prior to him, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh included, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal criticised the Centre for the security clampdown in central Delhi against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest, calling it "worse than Emergency" and alleging dictatorship. He also accused Prime Minister Modi of being scared and protecting "vote chori" by crushing democracy, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding President Droupadi Murmu's response to 'vote chori' allegations, stating it's 'unfortunate' she's being drawn into the controversy. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, after meeting the President, has vowed to provide a 'mountain of proof' to support their claims of electoral malpractice and demand for the CEC's resignation.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. For the second consecutive day, police detained Gandhi and other opposition MPs, stalling their planned demonstration. The protest saw dramatic moments, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying on the street, as leaders vowed to continue their fight for electoral integrity.
The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the brutal murder of a Delhi University professor, Devosmita Paul, found dead at her residence. The NCW has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding immediate and time-bound action, and has sought a detailed Action Taken Report within seven days, including investigation status, forensic findings, and steps to apprehend the perpetrator.
Top Meta India executives, including chief Arun Srinivas, appeared before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for the second time in a week regarding alleged Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) related advertisements on its platforms. Meta has committed to reporting child safety matters directly to India's I4C cybercrime portal, a significant shift from its previous practice of reporting to a US-based centre. The government is pushing for stronger safeguards and accountability from social media platforms to ensure online child safety.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for not granting permanent commission to a female officer, saying "we will not allow women officers to be humiliated".
Mohammad Junaid Malik, a volunteer known for supporting protests in Delhi, has arrived in Jharkhand to provide aid to students protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment exams. The protest, now in its 14th day, demands cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Exam and an independent probe, with several students on hunger strike.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal. She has been appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, bringing over three decades of diverse experience, including establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence and commanding a Sainik School.
A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by a bus driver and conductor in Greater Noida after she mistakenly boarded their vehicle, and was later abandoned over 40 km away in Kashmere Gate, Delhi. The two accused have been arrested, and the incident has drawn comparisons to the 2012 Nirbhaya case.
A student leader on a hunger strike in Ranchi, protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams, was hospitalised after his health deteriorated. The protest, now in its 14th day, demands cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe.
The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Air Marshal (retd) Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. His selection follows a rigorous process and comes amidst a recent controversy regarding alleged embezzlement of temple donations.
A student leader, Rahul Kranti, on a hunger strike against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations, was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated. The protest, now in its 14th day, has drawn attention from political leaders, including Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and Health Minister Irfan Ansari, who visited the hospitalised students. Protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and comprehensive reforms in state recruitment bodies.
