A political controversy has erupted in Navi Mumbai after thousands of SIR forms, used for voter list revision, were allegedly found at a photocopy shop. This led to a clash between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP activists, with allegations of voter list manipulation and questions raised about the transparency of the electoral process.
The Indian men's badminton team secured a medal at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, highlighted by Lakshya Sen's incredible comeback victory. While the men celebrated, the women's team exited the tournament after a 1-3 loss to Japan.
A 37-year-old government contractor in Navi Mumbai died by suicide due to severe financial strain from unpaid bills for completed work. Opposition parties in Maharashtra have accused the state government of negligence, demanding a culpable homicide case against the administration and highlighting a pattern of such incidents among Marathi contractors.
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.
The INDIA bloc has formulated a joint action plan to address the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row and concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Following a meeting of key opposition leaders, the alliance announced a series of "save democracy" marches, demonstrations, and a march to the Election Commission, demanding a return to ballot papers for elections and alleging electoral malpractices by the ruling government.
NCP's Parth Pawar flew in an aircraft belonging to VSR Aviation, a company targeted by his family after a plane crash killed his father, leading to controversy and clarification.
The Mumbai Cricket Association has established the Ajinkya Rahane Scholarship Fund, backed by Sharad Pawar, to support grassroots cricketers and develop Mumbai's Maidans.
India has rescued three more nationals, including a child, from Nepal's flood-hit Trishuli Bazaar, bringing the total evacuees to 169, while 275 Indians remain missing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 1,907 Indians safely crossed into Nepal from China and India continues to provide extensive relief materials and expert teams to assist Nepal in its recovery efforts following the devastating flash floods.
India experienced a day of mixed results at the Asian Games, securing a gold medal in shooting through Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet, and a silver in men's 10,000m with Gulveer Singh. However, a major setback occurred with the unexpected early exit of top badminton men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The nation also added several bronze medals in pole vault, shot put, table tennis, and assured more in squash, pushing its total medal count to 23.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant reshuffle of its state in-charges and co-in-charges across all 28 states and eight Union territories, with prominent leaders like Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav assigned to crucial states, as the party gears up for upcoming assembly elections.
Bakaiti Season 2 has the warmth and terrific performances to make the Katarias feel like family, but its repetitive conflicts and easy resolutions leave their struggles feeling oddly inconsequential, argues Sreeju Sudhakaran.
The Bombay High Court has upheld the Wrestling Federation of India's decision to cancel the affiliation of the Maharashtra State Wrestling Association (MSWA), led by Sharad Pawar. The MSWA had challenged the WFI's move, arguing it was illegal and arbitrary.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Pune district for allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering a nine-year-old girl from his neighbourhood. The incident occurred in Pimpalwadi village, Junnar tehsil, after the accused lured the victim away.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar has been admitted to a private hospital in Mumbai for a health check-up.
Tamil Nadu minister P Viswanathan on Friday said that Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will be the prime ministerial candidate in the 2029 elections, while expressing confidence in the Congress' political position in the state.
Indian women's boxing head coach Santiago Nieva is confident the team can secure an elusive gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games, building on their strong performance at the Commonwealth Games. Despite facing tough competition from powerhouses like China and Kazakhstan, Nieva believes the current squad is the best the country has seen and is capable of overcoming challenges, including previous struggles against Chinese opponents, by focusing on controlling bouts.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has indicated a potential Union cabinet reshuffle soon and extended an invitation to eight NCP (SP) MPs to join the NDA, even if Sharad Pawar declines. He urged the opposition faction to set aside ideological differences for development. However, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto dismissed Athawale's offer, calling him a "floater." Athawale also addressed the issue of reservation, stating it's a constitutional right.
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has acknowledged that despite political differences with Narendra Modi, the prime minister is working to uphold India's prestige internationally. Pawar emphasised the importance of collective effort for national interest and cited examples of past leaders who prioritised the country's reputation.
More than a dozen Shiv Sena functionaries, including district and city unit chiefs and an MLA's son, have been booked for allegedly assaulting, abusing, and threatening hospital staff in Palghar. The incident occurred after 'govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations were brought for treatment, and a dispute arose over medical bills. The NCP (SP) has condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law, and demanded strict action.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of popular Mumbai restaurant Cafe Mondegar and three other food establishments due to serious food safety and hygiene violations. This action is part of an intensified crackdown by the FDA, which also saw inspections of 38 establishments, seizure of substandard food products worth over Rs 15 lakh, and action against banned gutkha products totalling Rs 1.35 crore in seized goods and vehicles across Maharashtra.
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Priya Ghanghas (60kg) have secured at least two bronze medals for the nation at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals of their respective categories. Preeti dominated her quarterfinal bout with a unanimous 5-0 decision, while Priya overcame a tough challenge from local favourite Niamh Mitchell with a 4-1 split decision.
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, and Jadumani Singh have secured at least bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals of their respective weight categories. Preeti and Jadumani won their quarterfinal bouts by unanimous decision, while Priya Ghanghas overcame her opponent with a split decision. However, former Asian champion Parveen Hooda was eliminated in her quarterfinal match.
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.
On January 28 this year, a private charter plane carrying then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed near the Baramati airstrip, killing all on board.
NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar has raised concerns about the 2024 plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar, following allegations of a link between a self-styled godman and unusual financial transactions.
A special court in Mumbai discharged NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and others in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate concerning an alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB).
'He wanted to know what products I'd brought along, so I showed him jackfruit flour, which research has linked to managing type 2 diabetes.' 'Then jackfruit seed flour, a strong source of protein that rural households have eaten for generations without it ever becoming a commercial product. I gave him ripe jackfruit chips too.'
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has alleged a link between a godman and the fatal plane crash involving his uncle, Ajit Pawar, and has demanded a CID interrogation.
Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary has secured at least a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the 51kg category semifinals. She defeated Northern Ireland's Caitlin Fryers 5-0, becoming the fifth Indian boxer to guarantee a medal at the Games.
The Congress party has announced it will not contest the bypoll to the Baramati assembly seat out of respect for Ajit Pawar, whose death necessitated the election.
Nationalist Congress Party national working president Praful Patel has dismissed claims of a rift within the party, specifically addressing a legal challenge to Sunetra Pawar's election as party president. A national secretary, Sachchidanand Singh, alleged the election was unconstitutional, but Patel stated the letter carries no weight and senior leaders support Sunetra Pawar. The dispute highlights internal dynamics following the demise of Ajit Pawar.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar defends the Congress party's right to contest the Baramati assembly bypoll, criticising his grandnephew Parth Pawar's remarks against the Congress candidate. Pawar cites the importance of electoral contest and questions Parth's political maturity.
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Jadumani Singh have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games. Preeti, an Asian Games bronze medallist, secured a dominant win in the women's 54kg category, while Jadumani defeated his Pakistani opponent in the men's 55kg. Both are now one victory away from securing a medal for India.
India won their fifth gold medal in the Commonwealth Games boxing competition with Arundhati Choudhary beating Chantelle Reid of England in the women's 70kg final in Glasgow on Saturday.
Following her Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal win, Indian boxer Preeti Pawar reflected on the learning experience that the event gave her ahead of the Asian Games this year and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the boxing culture in her hometown Bhiwani, known as 'Mini Cuba' for producing world-class talent and the fulfillment of her baklava promise after her medal win in Glasgow.
Speculation about the NCP merger arose after Ajit Pawar's death, with conflicting claims about the status of the talks.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Sunetra Pawar on Tuesday took charge as Maharshtra's deputy chief minister, a fortnight after her husband Ajit Pawar died in an air crash.
Ajit Pawar granted Rediff an interview in Baramati at 6 am. Why? 'To be a successful politician one needs to sleep less, and I never sleep for more than 4 hours' Ajit Pawar told Syed Firdaus Ashraf as Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff captured the encounter on his camera.
India's boxing contingent delivered a knockout day at the Commonwealth Games, with ten pugilists storming into the finals and keeping the gold rush alive.
A special court in Mumbai discharged NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and others in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate concerning an alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB). The court stated that the money laundering case could not proceed without a predicate offence.
