Following a stampede-like situation that resulted in 18 deaths and 25 injuries, several prominent Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata were instructed by authorities on Saturday evening to temporarily close their pandals to visitors. This decision affects major crowd-pulling pujas and extends to areas like Bidhannagar, with a review meeting scheduled for Sunday.
India's Ravi Karthik Budigina secured a silver medal in the men's 100m freestyle S13 event at the Asian Para Games on Monday, clocking 56.68 seconds. Uzbekistan's Egor Bolotov won gold, and Kazakhstan's Viktor Volkov took bronze in the event for vision-impaired athletes.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon met the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, demanding a CBI investigation into his murder. Dhillon appealed to Punjab residents to protest the AAP government by wearing black, alleging its failure to curb the drug menace and protect activists. Jhota was shot dead on October 13, and his family refuses cremation until justice is served.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Jammu Zonal Unit arrested a suspected drug peddler with 385 grams of heroin in an intelligence-led operation in Digiana. Investigations suggest potential links between Jammu and Punjab-based drug traffickers, with the seized contraband intended for distribution in Jammu district. Further probes are underway to identify the wider network and interstate connections.
Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar urged college students to avoid drugs, highlighting the growing concern over cannabis use among young people and the high demand for drugs in the Champhai district. Official data reveals a significant number of injecting drug users and drug-related deaths in the state, with a 2022 survey showing cannabis use among children as young as 10-14.
The Esports World Cup (EWC) has announced its 2027 EWC Qualifier Programme, a new initiative within the Road to EWC. This programme allows tournament organisers and local communities globally to host official qualifying competitions, aiming to engage 1.8 million players through over 400 events. It features two routes: EWC Direct Qualifiers for established tournaments and EWC Satellite Last Chance Qualifiers (SLCQs) for grassroots participation.
Indian para-athletes secured 10 more medals, including three gold, on the third day of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. Ayush Verma, Praveen Kumar, and Sachin Khilari won gold in their respective events, contributing to India's growing medal tally. The team had already won 14 medals on Tuesday, bringing the total to 20.
A youth was killed and another critically injured in an alleged mob assault in Kamrup district, Assam, during Durga Puja festivities on Monday night. The incident occurred after their two-wheeler slipped, leading to an attack by a group of people. Police are investigating the exact cause and identity of the culprits.
A 24-year-old fourth-year MBBS student, Shagun Saini, was found dead by suicide in her hostel room at Muzaffarnagar Medical College. Police are investigating the incident, and no suicide note has been found.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested five individuals and seized 3.1 kg of foreign-origin gold, US dollars, and euros, collectively valued at over Rs 5.8 crore, near Vijayawada. The operation targeted a syndicate allegedly smuggling gold from Bangladesh to Hyderabad via Kolkata.
Maharashtra is grappling with an escalating drought crisis, with 305 talukas now declared drought-hit, prompting the state government to announce Rs 5,000 in financial aid for farmers before Diwali and extend comprehensive relief measures.
'This is a never-before-seen phenomenon.' 'Instead of violence relating to extortion, contract killings, settlements etc for the first time ever, they seem to be wanting to kill for vanity and pride.'
Bengaluru Customs officials arrested two passengers at Kempegowda International Airport and seized hydroponic ganja worth a total of Rs 9.67 crore in two separate cases. The arrests were made under the NDPS Act, with both individuals arriving from Bangkok.
Hyderabad police detained three persons for alleged deer hunting in a Karnataka forest area. A .30-06 sporting rifle, ammunition, and night-vision equipment were seized from their vehicle. The suspects reportedly confessed to the hunting, and authorities are investigating the misuse of a licensed firearm and potential destruction of electronic evidence.
Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation across several Indian states, leading to at least 11 deaths in Assam and Uttarakhand, pushing rivers above danger levels, and disrupting daily life with landslides, floods, and school closures. States like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir are also grappling with the monsoon fury, while Meghalaya faces an unusual rainfall deficit.
Senior SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a CBI probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. She also called for an investigation into the alleged politicians-police drug trade nexus in Punjab, citing claims by Jhota's father about a wider conspiracy.
Punjab Police have successfully dismantled a significant drug trafficking and illegal arms smuggling network in Amritsar, leading to the arrest of three individuals. Authorities recovered 10 pistols and over a kilogram of heroin, with investigations pointing to foreign-based smugglers supplying weapons to criminal elements.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is conducting a free, all-women coaching course in New Delhi from October 24 to 30. This initiative aims to create a structured pathway for women in tennis coaching, supported by MYAS, SAI, and DLTA, and has attracted 48 entries.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, a self-proclaimed ardent fan of Rajinikanth, has booked an entire cinema hall for the superstar's latest release, 'Jailer 2', to watch with his family, friends, and several Tamil-speaking Indian teammates and support staff.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the death of a girl student after a lighting truss collapsed during a Dandiya event at an engineering college in Nadergul, Hyderabad. The incident on October 17 injured 22 students, with one succumbing to injuries. Preliminary investigations suggest negligence in the truss's construction.
An assistant sub-inspector of Kolkata Police has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 21-year-old woman civic volunteer outside a Durga Puja pandal in south Kolkata. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night, and a video of the alleged act has gone viral.
The Mumbai crime branch has dismantled an interstate drug syndicate, seizing over two kilograms of high-grade heroin worth Rs 10.16 crore and arresting three individuals. The operation is part of a larger drive against narcotics networks in the city, with further investigations underway to trace the supply chain and apprehend more involved parties.
Jaipur police have busted a fake technical support call centre, arresting 10 individuals, including two women, for allegedly defrauding US citizens of crores of rupees. The gang operated by offering fake iPhone technical support and then stealing banking information.
Two individuals have been arrested in Palghar, Maharashtra, for the murder of a 52-year-old woman. Initially suspected as an accidental death, an autopsy revealed severe head trauma. Police investigations led to the arrest of Nilesh Dharmaji Chibhade and Ujawala Navsu Khutade, who allegedly bludgeoned the victim with a hammer after a minor quarrel.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested two men from Rajasthan for allegedly defrauding people of Rs 8 lakh by selling fake garba event passes during Navratri. The accused used Instagram, forged email IDs, WhatsApp, and AI tools like ChatGPT to create authentic-looking tickets and promotional material, targeting around 40,000 people. They sold 686 bogus passes for various high-end events before being apprehended based on a complaint from a garba organiser.
The directive comes amid concerns over steep mark-ups on medicines and medical consumables sold at hospital pharmacies.
Marco Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar to discuss energy cooperation as S Jaishankar says India-US trade talks are nearing a landing point, with a few issues unresolved.
US missions across West Asia have issued a security alert advising American nationals to "exercise heightened vigilance" due to Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and the potential for Iran and its allies to target US interests. The advisory warns of potential travel disruptions and escalating hostilities, linking the Houthi actions to Iran's regional network and the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
A tragic car accident on Sunday in Sangrur, Punjab, resulted in the deaths of five workers and injuries to several others when a speeding car ran over them on the Lehragaga-Jakhar road.
UEFA has formally requested answers from FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding his presidency, specifically questioning the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project and the FIFA Peace Prize, with a deadline of November 2.
Nuh Police have revealed that Shahid alias Advani, a wanted criminal killed in a recent encounter near Sohna, had 70 cases registered against him across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The cases include serious charges like murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery. Police are now thoroughly reviewing his extensive criminal history.
Customs officials at Pune airport seized 1.265 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at Rs 44.27 lakh, from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the drug supply chain.
The family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, has refused to perform his last rites, demanding justice and a CBI probe. The murder has triggered a political controversy, with opposition leaders criticising the state government's handling of the drug menace and law and order.
The Uttarakhand High Court has set aside a death sentence for a man convicted of triple murder, citing his mental illness. The court directed the state government to provide treatment and release him upon recovery, noting that the trial court had overlooked his mental condition.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has highlighted a stark contrast between the Allahabad High Court's decision to stay the conviction of a murder accused seeking a BJP ticket and the continued judicial custody of CJP co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. Dipke criticised the extended incarceration of Ranka and Das, who were arrested for protesting at Jantar Mantar, while emphasising their sacrifices for public good. The CJP has demanded their immediate release and questioned the legal proceedings, calling for institutional accountability.
A man named Shahad was arrested in Varkala, Kerala, for allegedly sexually harassing a British woman tourist late on Sunday night. The woman reported the incident to the police on Monday morning, leading to the arrest of the accused, who was identified with the help of a video.
French Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said police arrested 1,200 protesters on Saturday, and 150 personnel were injured as demonstrations across the country over the rising cost of living turned violent.
India has strongly asserted that human rights should not be weaponised for political pressure or selective targeting of nations, pushing back against attempts to negatively characterise the world's largest democracy based on unverified allegations and incomplete statistics.
Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty rallied up to 1 per cent in early trade, driven by strong performance in IT stocks, Reliance Industries, and favourable global market sentiment, rebounding from previous losses.
A Thai woman was apprehended in Gurugram by the CM Flying Squad for overstaying her visa and entering India via Nepal. Her landlord was also booked for failing to file the mandatory 'C-Form' for foreign national accommodation.
