Rediff

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the Modi government over the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party leaders for protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar.

The alleged killer of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa district has been arrested from Rajasthan. Jhota was murdered on Tuesday after confronting the accused, a medical store owner, for allegedly selling drugs. The incident, captured on Facebook Live, led to widespread condemnation and protests against the state government.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea on October 28 regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Delhi's electoral roll. Petitioners seek transparency from the Election Commission on voter deletion reasons and a simplified re-inclusion process for those omitted, especially concerning Form 6. The court had previously raised concerns about mechanical notice issuance during the SIR, which led to 47 lakh voter deletions in Delhi.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge announced that state police would investigate an alleged sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Kharge dismissed Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's call for a CBI probe, asserting the Karnataka Police's capability and efficiency. He also criticised Kumaraswamy's allegations, linking them to a conspiracy against Siddaramaiah and referencing the Prajwal Revanna case.

Madhya Pradesh's Lokayukta police raided 15 premises linked to head constable Firoz Khan in Indore and Dewas, uncovering assets worth Rs 6.27 crore. This amount is more than three times his legitimate income over 24 years of service. Khan is accused of misusing his position in property dealings, and an FIR has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with a woman associate also named as an accused.

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing into Jantar Mantar and demanding the CEC's resignation.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) sub-inspector allegedly died by suicide in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district after shooting himself with his service weapon. The incident, which occurred on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, is under investigation. This tragic event is part of a larger pattern, with nearly 200 police and paramilitary personnel dying by suicide in the state over the past eight years due to various personal and professional issues.

From Shahid to Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, these films bring real-life lawyers, landmark courtroom battles and extraordinary fights for justice to the screen.

Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, following a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The operation was without complications, and the Pope is recovering well, having returned to his room and requested dinner.

Bengaluru police have detained two individuals for questioning regarding an alleged defamatory social media post targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The detention follows Siddaramaiah's complaint and an injunction order against media outlets. Political figures have termed the incident a 'sting operation', with calls for a CBI probe.

OpenAI discovered a sophisticated recording device in its office, using its AI models to identify an employee, Abdulrahman Alfozan, who had planted it. The FBI has since arrested the Saudi national, and OpenAI has terminated his employment, stating there's no indication of data exfiltration.

Arijit Singh's track Phir Se from the blockbuster Dhurandhar: The Revenge has been officially submitted for consideration at the prestigious 69th Grammy Awards.

The controversy surrounding actor Imran Khan's participation in a Mumbai protest, and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya's demand for his deportation, raises critical questions about the legal rights of Overseas Citizen of India cardholders to engage in political dissent and the grounds for their expulsion from India.

Assam police have seized 27.3 kg of opium valued at approximately Rs 2 crore in Kokrajhar district, leading to one arrest. The drugs were found in specially constructed compartments within a vehicle. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the police for their successful operation.

Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five-day judicial custody in Tihar Jail following their alleged violation of peace bonds and unauthorised protest at Jantar Mantar.

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.

US President Donald Trump has defended a controversial diesel deal with Russia, stating it aims to stabilise the global market despite bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers. The deal, which eases sanctions on Russian diesel shipments until April 2027, has been criticised as a gift to our adversary that finances Russia's war efforts and offers little relief to Americans.

Several people, including many children, are feared drowned after a boat capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar's Vaishali district on Tuesday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary have expressed condolences and announced ex gratia payments to the victims' families.

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 assau

An 80-year-old priest, Devanand Swami, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Bhorakala village, Muzaffarnagar, on Tuesday. Police have launched a search operation with three teams formed to apprehend the accused, and security has been heightened in the village.

A 32-year-old man, Ebin B Paul, has been arrested in Kochi for allegedly setting fire to a plant nursery in front of a synagogue. Police suspect a wider conspiracy and have seized various narcotic substances from his residence during the investigation. The incident occurred on September 12.

The Delhi Police informed the High Court that Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site based on Supreme Court directions, a revelation made during a hearing on a plea by the Indian Youth Congress seeking protest permission. The court issued notice on the IYC's request for reconsideration and broader issues concerning protest regulation, while new sites have been designated.

Pune Police have arrested three men from Haryana in connection with nine theft cases, recovering valuables worth Rs 23 lakh. The accused allegedly targeted crowded places during Ganeshotsav. The investigation involved police travelling 4,600 km across multiple states.

Police in Shahdol district seized 735 kg of cannabis, valued at Rs 1.13 crore, from a suspicious truck during a night patrol on Monday. Two individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand were arrested, and a case was registered under the NDPS Act.

An Odisha court in Keonjhar district has sentenced a 29-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping his four-year-old daughter last year. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, and the court also ordered Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance for the minor victim.

Police in Palakkad have taken five people into custody in connection with the suspected murder of an unidentified man found near Moolathara dam. The deceased is believed to be a beggar, and the incident is being investigated as a possible mob lynching.

Palwal police have dismantled an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Inayatpur village, arresting the main accused, Arshad. The raid, conducted by the anti-narcotics cell, led to the seizure of a large quantity of firecrackers and raw materials like oxidising agents, charcoal, potassium, and aluminium powder. An investigation is ongoing to identify others involved in the supply network.

A 17-year-old boy, Arjun alias Pankaj, was allegedly stabbed to death by his neighbour, Vishal Kumar, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday night. The incident occurred after Vishal, reportedly drunk, created a ruckus for not being invited to a birthday party. When Arjun intervened, Vishal allegedly stabbed him multiple times. Villagers apprehended Vishal, who had also allegedly made casteist remarks, and handed him over to the police. Legal proceedings are underway.

A Delhi court has rescinded a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against Akash Gupta, an accused in a Rs 247-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case, stating that the seriousness of an allegation cannot be the sole reason for its continued operation. The court noted Gupta's cooperation and previous adherence to travel conditions.

The Delhi High Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on October 16 concerning the right to peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. The plea seeks directions to authorities to permit demonstrations and declare peaceful protest as part of free speech, following recent protests and alleged police actions. Another PIL regarding assaults on protesters was adjourned to November.

Manipur police have arrested 13 individuals, including a juvenile, for allegedly circulating and monetising non-consensual sexually explicit content, including child sexual abuse material, on Telegram. The arrests were made across Bishnupur, Imphal West, and Kakching districts as part of 'Operation Dignity', with 14 mobile phones seized and over 150 channels identified.

A 50-year-old farmer in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district was allegedly beaten to death with bricks and stones on Tuesday following a dispute over cutting grass. Three people who intervened were injured, and an angry crowd thrashed one of the accused before police rescued him. One main accused has been taken into custody, while two others are absconding.

The Congress party has questioned the Modi government's decision to defer the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, alleging a potential U-turn on the U-turn. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted previous denials by the finance minister regarding MDR imposition, only for it to be announced later and now deferred. He expressed concerns about future charges on UPI transactions.

Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have been arrested in the UAE in connection with an alleged attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The incident, which injured Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, is being investigated by UAE authorities and India's NIA, with the accused co-pilot suspected of extremist ideologies.

Police in Chatra, Jharkhand, have arrested two individuals, including a minor boy, in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. The incident came to light after the victim was hospitalised due to deteriorated health, and a Zero FIR led to the arrests.

A fire broke out at ONGC's NQG oil platform off the Mumbai coast on Monday morning due to a ruptured gas cooler finger. The fire was brought under control by personnel from a nearby platform, with no injuries reported. Despite the incident, a company official confirmed that operations have not been impacted, preventing potential significant revenue losses from the crucial Mumbai High field.

Experts at the TIS-H Clinical AI Summit 2026 highlighted the critical need for real-world evaluation of AI solutions in healthcare. They stressed that promising results from development or pilot programmes do not guarantee effective and safe deployment in hospitals, emphasising clinical relevance, validation, and integration into existing workflows.

A man with 14 criminal cases, Mosin Khan, was shot dead in outer Delhi's Ranhola area. Police are investigating the incident after receiving information about his hospital admission with gunshot injuries on October 11. The motive and circumstances are yet to be established.

A 50-year-old man, Mahavir Yadav, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a 14-year-old Dalit girl in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. The co-accused, Navi Chand Yadav, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The incident occurred on September 15, 2025, and the verdict was pronounced on Monday.

The University of Melbourne and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati have launched a new 2+2 Bachelor of Science Integrated (Honours) dual degree. This programme offers Indian students a globally connected, research-intensive science education, allowing them to study two years at IISER-Tirupati and two years in Melbourne, graduating with two honours degrees.

The Election Commission of India has commenced preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in five states, with senior officers visiting Uttarakhand and scheduled to visit Manipur and Punjab soon.

Naseeruddin Shah is slated to portray acclaimed author Salman Rushdie in 27 Seconds, a stage adaptation based on Rushdie's 2024 memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, which details the 2022 assassination attempt on his life.

Police in Bengaluru have registered a case against two Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and others for allegedly submitting fraudulent Form 7 applications to delete 5,698 voters from the electoral rolls in the Jayanagar Assembly constituency. The complaint, filed by Karnataka Mahila Congress president Sowmya Reddy, claims the BLAs are affiliated with the BJP and targeted minority communities and politically unfavourable voters.

INDIA bloc MPs, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, marched towards the Election Commission, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions and misleading statements regarding Supreme Court observations on Form 6.

A 19-year-old woman in Nanded, Maharashtra, was seriously injured after being stabbed multiple times by a 21-year-old man for rejecting his advances. The accused, Rohit Pohare, had allegedly been pursuing her for two years. He has been arrested and charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, and POCSO Act. The victim is reported to be stable.

Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to deploy military forces in Saudi Arabia under the trilateral Makkah Alliance defence agreement, formed with Saudi Arabia. This decision follows an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh, aimed at addressing regional threats, particularly Houthi attacks. The agreement establishes a collective defence framework, with Pakistan and Turkiye providing supportive roles, including reconnaissance, while Saudi forces lead combat oper

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Navi Mumbai has arrested an inspector and a security guard from the Grocery Markets and Shops Board for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 43,000 to issue a Mathadi worker registration receipt. The arrest followed a complaint from an autorickshaw driver seeking a worker appointment.

We joke about our spouses all the time. Nobody jokes about the day the joking partner is gone, and the whole house turns very quiet, observes Binu Alex.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the state's ambitious shift from mobile phone assembly to advanced microchip manufacturing, data centres, and artificial intelligence. He highlighted significant investments and growth in the digital economy, attributing the transformation to the double-engine government's alignment with national initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Adityanath also criticised previous administrations for hindering the state's potential

US President Donald Trump has stated his personal belief that Iran was responsible for the attempted mid-air hijacking and crash of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, where an Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain.