The Delhi High Court is set to hear petitions concerning the alleged closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site and reported assaults on protesters. Lawyers argue that the closure infringes on the right to free speech, especially as no alternative sites were designated. Separately, Delhi Police have denotified Jantar Mantar and named three new protest locations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has initiated an investigation into the role of temporary home guards following a stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal that killed 19 people. Adhikari criticised the previous administration and highlighted issues with crowd management and the conduct of home guards during the incident. The probe will also include puja organisers and licensing authorities, while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed. Seven people, including organisers, have been arrested.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that a private company's provision of email services does not, by itself, make it amenable to writ jurisdiction, even if the account is crucial for a user's business. This decision came as the court dismissed a petition by a media company seeking restoration of access to its Gmail account.
The Supreme Court has agreed to list a review plea concerning its May 2025 verdict on the ownership of the Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru. The original verdict had ruled in favour of ISKCON Bangalore, but a subsequent split verdict by a review bench led to the matter being referred to the Chief Justice for further directions. The legal battle involves ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai over control of the temple and educational complex.
Indian Hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, known as the 'Wall of Indian hockey', expressed her desire for Priyanka Chopra Jonas to portray her in a biographical film. Punia, who recently led India to significant achievements, shared her inspiration from Priyanka's journey and her own life story, including early responsibilities and personal interests.
A Meerut court has sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for the murder of Muskan's husband, merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput. Rajput's dismembered body was found concealed in a cement-filled blue drum. The verdict, delivered after a 13-month trial, was welcomed by the victim's family, though it raises questions about the future of Muskan's infant daughter, Radha, who is currently in jail with her mother.
Ravita and Amardeep, sentenced to death for the snakebite murder of Ravita's husband, have been moved to separate barracks in Meerut district jail. Prison authorities noted their restlessness, and no visitors have come since the sentencing. The case, decided under 'Operation Conviction', involved strangulation disguised as a snakebite.
Two minors have been detained in Thane, Maharashtra, for allegedly murdering a 17-year-old boy. The motive behind the crime was to steal the victim's gold chain to fund a birthday party and purchase a motorcycle. The accused reportedly stabbed the victim, bludgeoned him with a stone, and later attempted to destroy evidence by burning the body and discarding the victim's mobile phone on a moving bus.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the death of Lucknow cafe owner Shiva Sharma is "not an ordinary case" and could "bring down the Uttar Pradesh government," drawing parallels to the Vikas Dubey encounter. Yadav criticised the police and media's handling of the case, particularly regarding the absconding prime accused, Shraddha Dubey. The case involves allegations of assault and torture by Sharma's family, a reward for the accused's arrest, and recent transfers of police officials.
The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre's decision to cap trade margins on anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent, asking why similar restrictions could not be extended to other medicines and medical consumables, citing glaring disparities between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs).
Avinash Arun's Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam emerges as a rare honest film in contemporary Bollywood, skillfully navigating the sensitive narrative of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab without succumbing to propaganda, observes Prasanna D Zore.
The Kerala child rights panel has initiated a case into the suicide of a minor boy in Thrissur, following his father's allegations that police harassment led to the extreme step. The father accused Kodungallur police of falsely implicating his son and subjecting him to physical and mental harassment.
India has expressed deep concern over reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois, US. A teenager was arrested on October 11 in connection with the plot, which reportedly involved white supremacist ideology and threats against people of Indian origin. India has urged US authorities to investigate thoroughly and take measures to prevent such hate-motivated violence.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Election Commission and the Centre regarding pleas alleging that the poll body made several decisions without the approval of the two election commissioners. The court stated it would annul any decisions found not to be in accordance with the law, while also refusing an interim order to restrain CEC Gyanesh Kumar from making decisions.
The Bombay High Court affirmed the right of students to protest alleged malpractices in MPSC examinations, stating they are not anti-social elements. The court stressed the state's duty to ensure impartial exams and asked the government to submit a roadmap within three weeks, while also urging students to return to their studies.
The Indian government has decided to cap trade margins on all non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent of their maximum retail price. This move aims to improve affordability and ensure continued availability of these life-saving medicines, potentially saving cancer patients an estimated Rs 2,500 crore annually. The decision, expected to be implemented later this month, will affect 110 anti-cancer drugs, including 35 patented ones.
Five individuals, including bouncers and a club manager, have been arrested in New Delhi following the death of a man who was allegedly assaulted at a nightclub. The incident occurred after the victim reportedly spilled beer on the manager's wife, leading to a brutal attack with sticks and glass bottles. The victim, Daljeet, later succumbed to his injuries after being taken home by friends. Police are investigating allegations of a firearm, theft, and inadequate police response, while also examining the nightclub's operating permissions.
Police took prime accused Suhail to the accident spot in Nedumbassery near Kochi for evidence collection in the high-profile Mini Cooper crash case. Three youngsters died on October 11 when Suhail, allegedly driving under the influence, hit their scooter. The accused were also taken to bars where they reportedly consumed alcohol, and will be produced before the court later on Thursday.
The Delhi High Court on Monday turned down the Enforcement Directorate's plea to maintain a status quo on properties attached in the National Herald money laundering case involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Justice Sachin Datta stated he would not pass an interim order and would decide the agency's petition challenging a trial court's refusal to take cognisance of its chargesheet. The ED argues that the accused are using the trial court order to release properties, while the Gandhis contend the ED's plea is an "abuse of process of law."
The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the Chhattisgarh High Court's decision to reduce a murder conviction to culpable homicide, criticising its understanding of IPC sections. The apex court issued notice to the state and the accused, indicating a potential restoration of the original murder conviction and life sentence.
Top US lawmakers, leaders, and civil society members have strongly condemned an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was arrested for attempting a mass shooting at the Aurora temple, which failed when his rifle jammed. Indian-American Congressmen and other officials have called for efforts to combat rising anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice in America, highlighting the need to protect minority houses of worship.
Police revealed that a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student, who died by suicide last month after being caught cheating, had submitted a written apology seeking a second chance. The Mumbai crime branch is investigating the death, with over 40 statements recorded, including those of the IIT-B director and a professor accused of harassment and caste-based discrimination by the student's parents. The professor has denied the allegations.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea on Sunday seeking contempt proceedings against authorities for allegedly violating its directive against a complete prohibition on metro and train services in Delhi during the CJP protest. The plea argues that the blanket shutdown and lack of transparent advisories constitute a deliberate disregard for the court's October 9 order, which had called for regulation rather than outright prohibition of public transport.
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.
A man has been arrested in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl. The accused, Pramanand Dhruv, was known to the victim's family and was apprehended after the girl's father filed a complaint. He faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed petitions seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, stating no case was made out against politicians, including BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, for alleged hate speeches. The court noted "political selectivity" in targeting certain individuals and found no exceptional circumstances to warrant further FIRs or a court-monitored investigation, emphasizing that the criminal justice process has significantly progressed.
The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the trial court to ensure the appearance and examination of two crucial victim-witnesses in a Manipur sexual violence case. This order comes amidst the CBI's plea to cancel the bail of two accused, citing concerns over witness intimidation. The court emphasized the authorities' obligation to provide witness protection and set specific dates for the witnesses to depose, as part of its ongoing monitoring of cases related to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur.
Opposition INDIA bloc leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, alleging a 'criminal conspiracy of vote chori' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding Kumar's resignation and seeking a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, currently in London on sexual assault charges, now faces accusations of rape and facilitating exploitation. His assistant and another individual are also implicated. Aggarwal, known for representing Mehul Choksi, was denied bail due to flight risk and concerns over a "sinister recruiting campaign." The trial is scheduled for March 2027.
The Bombay High Court questioned dismissed cop Sachin Waze's potential return to service if granted bail in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case. The court reserved its order on NIA's appeal against Waze's bail, also questioning the application of terrorism charges under UAPA.
The Gauhati High Court has granted bail to suspended Assam Police DSP Sandipon Garg, an accused in the mysterious death case of singer Zubeen Garg. Garg, charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, is expected to be released after the Durga Puja holidays. This follows earlier bail grants to other accused in the high-profile case, even as investigations continue despite conflicting findings from Singaporean authorities.
The Punjab government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a rape case in Anandpur Sahib involving former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The SIT, headed by Gurbans Singh Bains, aims to answer critical questions surrounding the woman's arrival from Bahrain, her stay at an SGPC lodge, and the circumstances of the alleged incident. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured a transparent and time-bound investigation.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has appealed to the Bombay High Court against the acquittal of former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. A sessions court had acquitted the accused on June 20, citing insufficient evidence, and Nimbalkar's wife also filed an appeal last month.
The Punjab government has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a rape case in Anandpur Sahib involving former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The SIT aims to address several unanswered questions regarding the alleged incident, including the complainant's arrival from Bahrain and her stay at an SGPC-managed lodge. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured a swift, transparent, and in-depth investigation.
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.
Three individuals were arrested in Kota for allegedly firing at actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai. The incident, which injured Shroff's driver and a bystander, is being investigated for links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which purportedly claimed responsibility due to Shroff's alleged association with Salman Khan. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the arrests and vowed strict action.
A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening resulted in 19 deaths and 25 injuries. The Chief Minister announced compensation and a SIT probe, while officials have been detained and crowd-pulling pujas advised to close.
Tata Sons has provided Tata Trusts with three legal opinions, including those from former Supreme Court judges BN Srikrishna and UU Lalit, to assert the validity of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as chairman for another five years, following queries from Tata Trusts regarding the September 17 board meeting resolution.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide, are continuing their hunger strike, demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and institute director Shireesh B Kedare. They allege caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, while police investigate the case, recording statements and analyzing electronic devices.
