Rediff

The CBI has recorded the statement of journalist Ashutosh Negi, who advocated for a central agency investigation into the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case. Negi was summoned as the CBI probes the alleged involvement of a VIP in the case, following social media claims of concealed evidence despite the conviction of the primary accused.

A 16-year-old Dalit girl died and her 21-year-old boyfriend is critically ill after they allegedly consumed a poisonous substance in Bareilly. The couple reportedly married in Nainital after the girl went missing from Shahjahanpur. Police are investigating the incident.

Assam Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a firing incident at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati that killed five people and injured one. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, stemmed from a dispute between the property owners and its leaseholder, who has since been arrested.

Police in Bihar's East Champaran district arrested a man with counterfeit Indian currency notes worth Rs 4.95 lakh. The arrest occurred during a vehicle checking drive on Monday evening, following a tip-off. An investigation is currently underway.

Daryl Mitchell's blistering 52-ball-89 anchored New Zealand's innings, helping them post a formidable 198 for 3 against India in the third T20 International in Wellington. Despite a strong start from India's bowlers, Mitchell and Finn Allen built a crucial partnership, with Bevon Jacobs providing a late surge.

Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have strengthened their coaching staff by appointing former India seamer Mohit Sharma as bowling coach and bringing in ex-South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel.

Delhi's Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has warned that a proposed Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 could severely disrupt business in 21 major wholesale and retail markets during the peak festive season. The CTI has urged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to postpone the rally until after Bhai Dooj on November 10 or move it to an alternative venue, citing potential losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore due to traffic congestion and road closures.

Four people were shot dead at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on Monday, with another person succumbing to injuries later. Police have launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators.

Amritsar Commissionerate Police have successfully dismantled two distinct illegal arms supply networks, apprehending four individuals, including two juveniles. The operations led to the recovery of 16 sophisticated pistols and seven live cartridges. Investigations suggest the accused were in contact with a foreign-based handler facilitating these arms consignments to criminal elements.

A 15-year-old girl with mental disabilities was allegedly raped in Bihar's Begusarai district. Villagers apprehended two accused individuals following the incident and handed them over to the police. The alleged crime occurred on Sunday evening at an abandoned house, and a forensic team has collected evidence.

Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall near Yanam, Andhra Pradesh, by the forenoon of October 28. Both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have initiated extensive disaster preparedness measures, including evacuations, setting up shelters, deploying rescue teams, and issuing advisories to residents and media.

Accessibility organisation Svayam has partnered with the People's Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI) to ensure adequate facilities and transportation for the upcoming 47th World Armwrestling Championship and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship in New Delhi. The partnership will focus on accessibility audits, staff sensitisation, and accessible transportation for the event, which will host athletes from 56 countries, including 400 para-athletes.

IIT-Kharagpur announced the establishment of India's first dedicated academic school for Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI), named the Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI. Funded by a Rs 35 crore investment, including contributions from alumnus Vinod Gupta and an anonymous donor, the school will focus on developing intelligent systems that interact with the physical world, moving beyond conventional data-driven AI. Academic programmes are expected to commence soon, aiming to foster reliable

Aditya has become the second Indian boxer to reach the final of the World Boxing U-19 Championships in the men's 55kg category. Megha Sheokand also secured a final spot in the women's 80kg category. India is guaranteed two bronze medals from Harshika and Prachi Tokas.

The Delhi High Court has criticised the police's otal disinterest in taking action against a POCSO case survivor who allegedly lied in court, despite agencies often blaming hostile witnesses for acquittals. The court made these observations while granting bail to an accused, noting the prosecutrix's latant lie about not appearing before a judge.

Haryana has rolled out UPI-based digital payment systems and expanded online OPD pre-registration facilities across 610 public healthcare institutions. This initiative aims to reduce queues, simplify registration, and enhance patient convenience, while still retaining traditional cash and walk-in options for those not using digital methods.

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has mandated digital payments for retail liquor sales exceeding Rs 1,000, effective November 1. This move aims to enhance transparency, improve operational efficiency, and combat issues like overcharging, safety risks, and counterfeit currency. The new rule will be implemented in phases, with strict measures against violations.

A book written by jailed activist Umar Khalid was removed from the library of the Pune-based Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) after a social media post objected to its listing as a new addition.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called for egional unity as he met top defence officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in Tehran to discuss the regional situation, amid escalating tensions in the region.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to continuously monitor Cyclone Arnab's movement, undertake precautionary measures and ensure there was no loss of life or property.

Australia captain Pat Cummins will give Steve Smith every chance to recover from a neck injury before the decisive third Test against South Africa at Newlands, with team selection pending.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The court affirmed that resignation and disqualification are distinct constitutional processes, upholding the Speaker's acceptance of the resignations and stating that the Speaker was not required to inquire into motives.

A tragic incident in Udupi, Karnataka, saw a 40-year-old woman, Netravati, allegedly kill her 14-year-old physically disabled daughter, Suprati, before dying by suicide. The police are investigating the motive behind the deaths, which occurred on Sunday while Netravati's husband was at work.

Police in Palwal, Haryana, have arrested an inter-state drug smuggler and seized approximately 24,000 intoxicating capsules along with a Maruti Fronx SUV. The arrest followed a tip-off about the suspect, Irfan, transporting a large consignment of banned substances. He was intercepted on the Utawad-Hodal road, and the capsules, identified as 'Proxyco Spas', were found in his vehicle.

Pakistan is set to host the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup, with plans to use a hybrid model where matches involving India will be played in the United Arab Emirates. The ICC announced the tournament dates, and the Pakistan Cricket Board aims to host all other games, including knockout stages not featuring India, potentially boosting women's cricket in the country.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested an Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Rohit Koltakke, in connection with the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) drug inspector exam paper leak, bringing the total arrests to 13. Koltakke allegedly obtained confidential question sets from MPSC under secretary Abhijit Lendve. The leak compromised the integrity of the March 22 screening examination for Drug Inspector posts.

Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been added to the Indian squad for the second T20I against New Zealand as a cover for Ishan Kishan, who sustained a low-grade right adductor strain and is ruled out of the upcoming match. Kushagra, currently with the India A squad, will join the main team.

An Odisha government assistant executive engineer, Tapan Sethi, was arrested on Friday in a disproportionate assets case after vigilance searches uncovered multiple properties, gold, and other assets far exceeding his known income.

Promising sprinters Abinaya Rajarajan and Neil Samraj set new national records in the Under-20 women's 100m and Under-18 men's 100m respectively at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai. Punjab's Amanat Kamboj also secured a gold in the U20 discus throw with a meet record.

Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).

El Clasico returns to Camp Nou with 14 potential debutants, Barcelona chasing a nine-point lead, Real Madrid seeking revival, and Jose Mourinho's return intensifying football's fiercest rivalry.

A Lucknow court rejected the bail applications of model Shraddha Dubey, her sister, and driver in connection with the murder of cafe owner Shiva Sharma. The court deemed the case serious, while police continue their investigation after the trio's arrest and remand to judicial custody.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed AISA president Neha Bora's petition challenging a police notice that required her to execute a peace bond. The court, however, issued directives to the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) to ensure all relevant material is provided to Bora during the proceedings and to consider the timing of the bond execution.

A Lucknow court rejected the bail applications of model Shraddha Dubey, her sister, and driver in connection with the murder of cafe owner Shiva Sharma. The court deemed the case serious and triable by a sessions court. The accused were arrested in Nagpur and are currently in judicial custody, while police investigate the alleged murder which was initially treated as an accidental death.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a BEST canteen in Mumbai's Borivali West due to unhygienic conditions and violations of food safety regulations. This action is part of a broader statewide inspection drive that led to the seizure of approximately 35,547 kg of food stock worth an estimated Rs 79.97 lakh across various divisions, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik.

A 39-year-old man, Preethish P Prakash, was arrested in Kochi with 32 grams of MDMA after he allegedly rammed his car into two police personnel and attempted to flee during an anti-narcotics operation called Operation Toofan. He faces charges for attempting to kill police personnel and under the NDPS Act.

A 19-year-old student in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly raped by a relative of her landlord on Thursday night. Police have registered a case based on the mother's complaint and are actively searching for the 22-year-old accused.

East Bengal FC delivered a powerful performance, defeating Inter Kashi 5-1 in an Indian Super League match. Ake Loba scored a brace, supported by goals from Dani Ramirez, PV Vishnu, and Lukasz Zwolinski, securing a comprehensive victory for the Torchbearers.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced he will not contest for a position on the Indian Olympic Association's Executive Board, despite being on the list of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit eligible for the upcoming elections on December 5. Bindra also shared his views on India's performance at the recent Asian Games and the record-breaking success at the Asian Para Games.

Former Shimla SSP and DIG Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has been booked in another FIR for allegedly misusing Rs 14.07 lakh designated for police constables' residences to renovate his own official residence. This follows an audit report revealing irregularities in Rs 1.28 crore meant for maintenance. He was also previously booked on Thursday for misappropriating Rs 2.35 lakh.

Police in Kendrapara, Odisha, have busted a motorcycle theft racket, apprehending eight individuals, including a minor, and recovering 11 stolen motorcycles. Further investigation is ongoing.

Asian Games medallists Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal have withdrawn from the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Sujeet Kalkal, an Asian Games gold medallist, will lead the Indian contingent. The article also details the full Indian squads across men's freestyle, women's freestyle, and Greco-Roman categories, alongside a controversy regarding a selection bout.

India has stated that the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is disturbed by Chinese forces diverging from established patrolling patterns, emphasising that maintaining peace and tranquillity is essential for bilateral relations. This statement follows remarks by the ITBP Director General about ongoing confrontations. Both nations are utilising diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve issues and improve LAC understanding. Recent high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra

A couple in Kozhikode, Kerala, has been arrested in connection with the murder of their four-month-old daughter in 2025. The father allegedly assaulted the infant for crying, leading to her death, while the mother is accused of concealing the crime. The arrests followed a prolonged investigation after a post-mortem revealed internal injuries.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook a flying sortie with NCC cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy on October 20 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. This special flight, part of Singh's final sorties before superannuation, aimed to familiarise the cadet with aviation and encourage defence careers, aligning with the 'Viksit Bharat -2047' vision.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu secured her spot in the women's singles semifinals of the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament with a dominant straight-game victory. Meanwhile, fellow Indian Ashmita Chaliha's impressive campaign concluded in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought loss. Sindhu, the lone Indian remaining, expressed her determination to win the tournament, having learned from earlier challenges.

Several political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling TVK and opposition DMK, walked out of an all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission. They demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the previous Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, where millions of voters were reportedly removed or flagged. The AIADMK and BJP attended the meeting, with AIADMK also raising concerns about the

Odisha Police have arrested 470 individuals and seized over Rs 12.65 lakh in cash during a pre-Kumar Purnima crackdown on gambling dens in Ganjam and Berhampur police districts. The arrests were made on Wednesday night and Thursday, targeting traditional gambling activities associated with the festival.

India's para-athletes concluded their Asian Para Games campaign with an unprecedented 114 medals, including 30 gold, marking their best performance to date. The final day was particularly successful, yielding nine gold medals across various disciplines. Notable achievements included world records set by Mona Agarwal in shooting, and Sandeep and Haney in athletics. Shuttlers Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar secured individual golds, while archer Harvinder Singh also contributed to the gold tally

A Goods and Services Tax inspector in Gurugram was caught red-handed by the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau while accepting a bribe of Rs 7,000 from a businessman for issuing a GST registration number. The inspector, Shruti Rani, had allegedly withheld the businessman's file, prompting him to complain to the ACB.