The Supreme Court has directed the Centre, states, and Union Territories to swiftly establish dedicated courts to handle the "alarming rise" in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The directive aims to set up all 449 required NDPS courts within six weeks. Additionally, the court noted progress in establishing special courts for cases probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with several states committing to expedite their operationalisation.
Top seed Om Semwal outplayed Vir Beri, while Aarav Rathi also secured an easy victory in their respective matches at the 49th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Squash Tournament, advancing to the next rounds.
The Cabinet Secretariat declined to act on complaints from two Election Commissioners regarding a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner's conduct, citing that the communications were in an "individual capacity" and not an official stance from the Election Commission as a whole. This decision was based on concerns about potential interference in the constitutional body's functioning.
YouTuber Jason Samuel Vijayakumar has been arrested in Chennai for allegedly abetting the suicide of financial content creator V Harish. Harish, who ran "Finance with Harish" with 1.3 million followers, reportedly faced cyberbullying and defamatory videos from Vijayakumar, leading to mental distress and his death by suicide on October 20, 2026. Vijayakumar denies the allegations, claiming he acted in consumer interest by questioning Harish's lack of a SEBI-registered license.
A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China's Tibet region on Thursday, resulting in at least 16 fatalities and 54 injuries. The quake, with its epicentre east-northeast of Nagqu city, caused significant damage, including the collapse of 339 houses, and led to the suspension of train services. Rescue operations are underway, with Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for all-out relief efforts.
The subtext here is that nobody else really matters to America today; only China, because nobody else can truly hurt them, points out Mihir S Sharma.
Police in Mangaluru are investigating the deaths of Mohammed Zunaid and Mohammed Afraz, initially reported as a road accident, as a murder case. An FIR suggests an altercation escalated, leading to a pickup vehicle allegedly ramming their scooter, causing fatal injuries.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for his silence regarding a multi-crore international drug racket operating along the state's coastline. Palaniswami questioned if the racket was happening with the ruling TVK's knowledge, citing a recent 137 kg crystal methamphetamine seizure by the DRI and the alleged involvement of a TVK functionary. He demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Chief Minister.
A Durga idol immersion procession in Malegaon, Maharashtra, was targeted by stone pelters on Wednesday night after coloured powder allegedly fell on a house. The incident led to tension and a confrontation, though no injuries were reported. Police intervened, deployed additional forces, and completed the immersion rituals by Thursday morning, identifying suspects and appealing for peace.
A Delhi-based content creator, Amir Shokeen, has been arrested for allegedly racially abusing and humiliating a youth from Tripura in a viral video. Delhi Police took suo motu cognisance of the incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Tripura CM Manik Saha. The Tripura Students Forum Delhi also filed a complaint seeking urgent investigation into the alleged sexual assault and derogatory remarks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kick-started a three-day visit to India on Tuesday to advance bilateral ties in energy, trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, and exchange views on the West Asia crisis.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his visit to Mumbai, affirmed that the US policy on weapons aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine remains unchanged. He stated that President Donald Trump is "frustrated and angry" over false accusations of deliberately harming Ukraine and is keen on a negotiated end to the conflict. Rubio also addressed concerns about missile interceptor supplies and intelligence sharing regarding recent air strikes, attributing any issues to technical matters rather than deliberate denial. He highlighted global concerns over fuel shortages and the risk of escalation, stressing the urgent need to end the war.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation to discuss recent developments in West Asia, emphasising the urgent need for peace and stability. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
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.
Protesters in Manipur clashed with police outside a sports complex where the Chief Minister was present, demanding action over the recent killing of three Meitei men. A 48-hour shutdown has affected normal life in Imphal Valley districts, and effigies of political figures were burnt. The state continues to grapple with ethnic conflict.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that survivors of sexual assault under the POCSO Act cannot be denied compensation solely because their medical report does not record physical injuries. The court directed authorities to pay Rs 3 lakh to a minor under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh scheme, emphasising that absence of injury marks does not negate sexual assault allegations and that the scheme's provisions must be interpreted liberally.
A man from Kaitharam, Kerala, has been arrested in Pune for allegedly removing a KSEB transformer fuse during a power outage last month. The accused, Vishnu, was traced with cyber cell assistance after going into hiding following the incident.
Jared Kushner, former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, has vehemently denied "outrageous and categorically false" allegations in a new book, "Princes and Thieves," which claims he accessed secret bank accounts linked to UAE, Saudi, and Israeli funds. Kushner stated on X that the author provided no evidence and that such claims never surfaced during his extensive past investigations.
Mumbai Police have confirmed that none of the three accused in the Tiger Shroff shooting case are minors, with two assailants firing multiple rounds at the actor's car. The suspects, aged 18 and 22, were apprehended in Kota, Rajasthan, following an inter-state operation. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing, with the Anti-Extortion Cell taking over the case.
Odisha Police arrested a 40-year-old man from Jamshedpur for allegedly murdering his mother and burying her body in their rented house in Puri almost two months ago. The accused was tracked across multiple states after the body was discovered.
Southern chief ministers fear population stabilisation could reduce their parliamentary representation and tax devolution benefits.
Karmayogi Bharat and OpenAI have signed an MoU to enhance AI capacity development across India's civil services. This partnership aims to equip government personnel with AI skills through the iGOT Karmayogi platform, fostering confident and responsible AI use for improved public outcomes and a future-ready civil service under Mission Karmayogi.
Air India has commenced construction of a new multi-facility Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hangar at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. This nine-acre facility aims to centralise engineering and maintenance activities, enhancing fleet upkeep, improving reliability, and reducing aircraft ground time for the Tata Group-owned airline.
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.
A 27-year-old financial content creator, V Harish, known as 'Finance With Harish,' died by suicide in Chennai, prompting police to investigate allegations of cyberbullying related to his investment advisory credentials.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The quake, which hit Baqen County, occurred at a depth of 10 km. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Tibetan Plateau is known for its seismic activity due to the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
Two tribal rights activists, Dr Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik, have been arrested in Odisha's Rayagada district in connection with a six-month-old clash during an anti-mining protest. While police claim the activists instigated tribals to attack security personnel, a civil society group has condemned the arrests, alleging they are an attempt to suppress protests for tribal rights over natural resources. The activists face serious charges including attempt to murder and rioting.
Rohan Jangam, an Indian triathlete, successfully completed the Ironman Cascais event in Portugal on October 17, finishing the gruelling 226 km race in 14 hours and 40 minutes after a year of dedicated training.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, significantly recovered from sharp early losses, driven by buying in State Bank of India and Reliance Industries, alongside fresh foreign fund inflows, despite declines in Axis Bank and HDFC Bank.
Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff sustained minor injuries in a firing incident in Mumbai's Juhu area on Sunday evening. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff's residence to inquire about his well-being and assured state government support, condemning the attack and promising action against those responsible. The actor's driver also sustained injuries, and police are investigating the incident.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to bring jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to Mumbai for interrogation following a series of attacks, including one on actor Tiger Shroff. Sapkal alleged that the Bishnoi gang operates with government blessings and questioned why Bishnoi has not been interrogated despite his alleged involvement in high-profile cases. He also criticised Fadnavis's handling of law and order and the alleged misuse of police.
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have caused localised waterlogging and brought down temperatures, particularly in districts like Madurai and Virudhunagar. A tragic incident in Virudhunagar district saw a 17-year-old girl die and her mother injured after a house wall collapsed due to the downpour. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has forecast the formation of a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal by October 26, which is expected to move towards North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts, though it poses no direct threat to Tamil Nadu.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticised unnamed foreign leaders, including Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, for making "stupid comments" and exploiting recent domestic unrest in France for their own political campaigns. Speaking in Doha, Macron condemned the use of misinformation and AI-generated content to misrepresent the situation, asserting there was no foreign interference in the events but manipulation of information afterwards. He specifically called out Trump's claims about France being "under siege" and Netanyahu's assertion of an "invasion of extremist Islam."
A video showing a senior woman IPS officer, Ankita Sharma, firing an AK-47 during a traditional Shastra Puja on Dussehra in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, has gone viral. The incident has ignited a debate over weapon handling protocols and safety, with some defending her actions as tradition while others, including military experts, criticised the perceived recklessness.
A businessman, Rana Suryavanshi, was injured after being attacked by two individuals near Baramati airport in Pune district on Sunday evening. The attackers, posing as fans, assaulted him, leading to his hospitalisation. The incident has drawn criticism regarding the state's law and order situation from NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule.
A British Conservative Party MP, Bob Blackman, has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to reaffirm India's sovereignty and territorial integrity over Jammu and Kashmir. The motion, timed for Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day, also expresses concern over terror incidents and targeted killings in the region and calls for constructive dialogue.
Mumbai Police have named gangster Anil Pandit as a wanted accused in the firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. Four new individuals have been arrested and remanded to police custody until October 26 for their alleged role in supplying weapons for the attack. Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had claimed responsibility for the October 18 attack. A total of 10 people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.
A man in Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 25-year-old wife, Ruksana, over suspicion of an illicit relationship and then dumping her body in a stormwater drain. The decomposed body was found on October 13, and the husband, Mohammed Irfaz, confessed to the crime after initial denials.
Gangster Anil Pandit, allegedly operating from the US, has emerged as a key suspect in the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. Police are investigating his links to over a dozen extortion and targeted attack cases across Haryana and Delhi, and his network's use of messaging apps to coordinate shooters. Pandit also allegedly claimed responsibility for the incident and issued threats related to Salman Khan.
A Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of beating his daughter, insulting her modesty, and subjecting her to suffering. The acquittal came after the daughter denied the alleged assault during trial, stating her previous statement was made under pressure, and other witnesses failed to provide reliable evidence to support the prosecution's case.
