Rediff

From Azhar and Sanju to Thackeray and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Bollywood has often struggled to tell controversial true stories without turning their subjects into heroes.

Three individuals, including a District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) and a health inspector in Rangareddy district, Hyderabad, have been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. The bribe was demanded for returning seized property, preventing action against an unlicensed physiotherapy centre, and issuing a new license.

Police in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, arrested two siblings and seized 435 kg of smack along with cash. The contraband was found stored in their house, and the family reportedly has a history of involvement in drug trafficking. An investigation is underway to identify the drug network's links and ascertain the source.

Bollywood actor Dino Morea was questioned by Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for six hours regarding the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi river desilting scam. The investigation focuses on financial irregularities in a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sanitation contract, where key accused allegedly siphoned off funds. Morea's name emerged due to communications and suspected financial transactions with one of the accused. Federal agencies, including the ED, are also probing the cas

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of Cipla Pharma and Life Sciences Ltd's carrying and forwarding (C and F) warehouse in Pune. This action follows alleged violations related to packaging, storage, documentation, and recall of Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H drug. The FDA cited issues like misbranding, inadequate storage conditions, and deficiencies in record-keeping, reiterating its commitment to ensuring medicine safety a

A Gurugram resident, Akhil Maurya, was arrested for allegedly defrauding an Italian woman, Paola Bertolini, of 900 euros (approximately Rs 98,000) under the guise of marriage. Maurya, who posed as an AI film creator, convinced Bertolini to transfer money for a project before cutting off contact. The Gurugram Cyber Crime police traced and apprehended him after the victim filed a complaint.

Nine individuals, including seven students, have been apprehended in connection with the violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus. Two FIRs have been registered for arson, rioting, and damage. Separately, two people were arrested for spreading rumours related to an incident at Chitkara University.

The Cockroach Janta Party protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Mumbai drew several hundred Mumbaikars who demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the BJP government, alleging that the state has fallen from its top position in development to being number one in drugs, corruption, and crime. He claimed the BJP has not made any public interest decisions in 12 years and accused them of deteriorating Haryana's economic condition and allowing criminal gangs to flourish.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the CBI has completed 90% of its investigation into the murder of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, with only the alleged money trail left to be established. Adhikari claimed the murder involved shooters from Uttar Pradesh, a hirer from Bihar, and a Bhaipo gang in the Rs 2 crore contract money. He urged voters to seek evenge for Rath's death in the Nandigram bypoll.

Members of the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on October 2, 2026.

Allahabad High Court Justice Vinod Diwakar has raised significant concerns regarding the functioning and transparency of full court meetings, noting that individual judges' views are not recorded and that meetings are infrequently held. His judgment calls for a more balanced and accountable approach to high court administration, highlighting issues of perceived stage-managed proceedings and lack of accountability in administrative decisions.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched a mobile application for the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) to enhance garbage collection. The app allows residents to track garbage trucks in real-time, report overflowing bins with photos, and ensures accountability through before-and-after tracking, making civic services smarter and more citizen-friendly.

A court in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district has sentenced Banphrangkupar Nongbri to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of 79-year-old Phlesis Syiem and her 25-year-old domestic help, Maitlynti Lyngdoh Marshillong, in August 2021. The motive for the heinous crime was determined to be robbery, with the court also imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The Election Commission of India has revised instructions for the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, allowing voters served notices for No Mapping or Logical Discrepancy categories to avoid physical appearance. Booth Level Officers will collect documents at residences, and submissions can also be made via WhatsApp or during special camps, ensuring a more accessible process for electors.

The Delhi police detained more than 500 protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, as well as activists of some student outfits, during a protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar on Friday.

Aerospace major Embraer and the Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur as a potential manufacturing hub for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, should their bid for India's multi-billion-dollar Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) deal be successful. This strategic partnership aims to establish a localised production and support ecosystem in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening the country's indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Police have arrested three individuals, including an LPU student, in connection with the recent violence and protests at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara. The arrests follow student protests over an alleged rape and subsequent property damage and highway blockade.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that police cannot unlawfully detain innocent family members of an accused to compel surrender, deeming such actions a deprivation of liberty and entitling the detained person to compensation. The court awarded Rs 40,000 to a petitioner illegally held for four days and directed recovery from responsible police personnel.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Telangana for allegedly murdering an 18-year-old BSc (Nursing) student. The victim, found dead on September 22, was in a four-year relationship with the accused, who allegedly killed her after she refused to marry him due to family disputes.

Saudi Arabia will conduct the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot who attempted to crash flydubai flight FZ1073, after the Tel Aviv-bound plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Tabuk Airport.

Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, convicted in the sensational Blue Drum murder case of Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, are undergoing counselling in jail after becoming emotional and refusing food post-verdict. Their sentencing is scheduled for October 14, and the case continues to impact properties in Meerut.

The UAE has initiated an investigation into a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was forced to divert and land in Saudi Arabia. An Indian pilot was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight, leading to an emergency landing. Authorities are examining all circumstances, including potential links to terrorist activity, asserting UAE jurisdiction over the UAE-registered aircraft.

NCP (SP) Beed Lok Sabha MP Bajrang Sonwane has alleged a politically motivated conspiracy to implicate his son, Saurabh Sonwane, in the murder of hotelier Vilas Ghule. The MP presented an audio clip purportedly showing a jailed accused instructing an aide to frame his son, and announced plans for a Rs 500 crore defamation suit and seeking FIRs against those involved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an instant-delivery world powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.

The Delhi High Court has ordered round-the-clock police protection for the family of an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash case, where a 26-year-old youth was killed. The court's directive came after reports and CCTV footage showed the accused's family home being violently attacked by locals, including the victim's relatives, prompting concerns for their safety.

The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has ruled that draft electoral rolls cannot be the sole basis for deleting names from voter lists, asserting that administrative software cannot supersede statutory laws. The court questioned the Election Commission of India's authority to delete voters without a hearing, highlighting concerns over the ERONET system's limitations and its potential to disenfranchise citizens.

A 26-year-old woman in Bhubaneswar has reported being raped at gunpoint by a masked assailant in her rented flat. Police have launched an investigation, with senior officers visiting the scene and efforts underway to identify the accused. The presence of the victim's sister at the time of the incident is also being investigated.

This was the fourth-lowest rainfall since 2001 and the 13th lowest since 1901, under the impact of El Ni and ntilde;o.

Three BJP allies, including LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP, and RLM, have called on the Election Commission for a clearer explanation regarding concerns raised by two Election Commissioners over the voter list revision process. Union Minister Chirag Paswan warned that public faith in elections was at stake, while the EC asserted that differing views among its members were normal and final decisions were unanimous.

A Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) constable, Deepak, heroically rescued a passenger who slipped while attempting to board a moving express train at Chennai Egmore railway station. His quick action, captured on CCTV, prevented a major tragedy and has earned him widespread praise.

A Mumbai court has granted bail to Rohan Parikh, a 24-year-old student, and his bodyguard, Dilip Kunde, who were arrested for entering Jio World Plaza with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. The court cited the lack of overt malicious act and the potential prejudice to the student's future as reasons for bail, setting a cash bond of Rs 50,000 each.

IIIT-Hyderabad has issued disciplinary warnings to eight students associated with 'No Tyrants, No Silence' (NTNS), an independent campus platform. The institute cited unauthorised use of its name and publication of confidential meeting minutes. NTNS, which discusses caste, merit, and politics, had proposed screening a documentary on Umar Khalid, leading to CBFC objections and the screening's cancellation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, investigating the alleged misuse of Rs 5.10 crore in foreign donations from a non-FCRA registered Belgian entity for proselytisation activities. Two local residents are accused of receiving funds without proper registration, disguising them as educational or cultural services, and using them to influence vulnerable communities.

EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti has been chargesheeted by the Enforcement Directorate in the Mahadev online betting app money laundering case. He is accused of facilitating illegal betting proceeds into the equity market via foreign portfolio investments, with his DEMAT shares worth Rs 59.60 crore provisionally attached. Pitti denies knowledge of the chargesheet and vows to cooperate, while the ED alleges his involvement in stock price manipulation and layering crime proceeds.

Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan, ex-IAF Chief NAK Browne, and other prominent figures in Delhi have received notices regarding discrepancies in their voter details during the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Over 33 lakh electors have been identified for such notices, with a deadline of September 30 for responses.

The Supreme Court has ruled that an investigating agency must seek a magistrate's approval for re-arresting an individual if they were previously released due to a breach of constitutional rights, such as not being informed of arrest grounds or being detained beyond 24 hours. This judgment reinforces the importance of Articles 22(1) and 22(2) and introduces stricter accountability measures for police officers.

Students and political parties in Odisha are protesting widespread errors in school textbooks, demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond. The CJP has extended support to the Navnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan's 'satyagraha', while the state government has begun distributing corrected textbooks.

The Karnataka CID is investigating alleged irregularities in the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment exam, questioning 40 candidates and arresting suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar. The probe has revealed financial links, with significant deposits traced to accounts connected to candidates and middlemen, and has frozen substantial amounts. The High Court has ordered a fresh probe by an SIT.

Congress leaders have accused the Haryana Police of illegally detaining 18 municipal councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara in Panchkula, allegedly to prevent them from voting in a crucial municipal council chairperson election. While police deny the claims, Congress has staged protests, calling the incident a murder of democracy and demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged political interference.

A court in Bhadohi has sentenced Rajkamal alias Kariya to 20 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh for the abduction and rape of a nine-year-old Dalit girl. The incident occurred on July 11, 2025, and the fine amount is directed towards the victim's medical treatment.

An unidentified woman, found dead in the Bhakra Canal near Jhansa last week, is now suspected to have been murdered. A post-mortem report indicates she died from a fatal head injury, not drowning, and showed signs of restraint. Police are investigating, checking missing persons records in Punjab, and reviewing CCTV footage as no one has claimed the body.

The driver of a speeding BMW involved in a fatal crash on Mumbai's Coastal Road, which killed three students, had a documented history of reckless driving and drunk and disorderly conduct. Police have registered an FIR against the deceased driver, Shanay Gajar, as investigations reveal prior cases of overspeeding and obstructing officers while inebriated.

Comedian Pranit More has approached the Supreme Court to club multiple FIRs filed against him after a guest on his show made a controversial Rs 370 biryani remark, deemed misogynistic. More's counsel informed the court that he has apologised on all forums, including the National Commission for Women, and the apex court has sought notices from the Centre and state governments.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) defended his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House, characterising the media access ban as an action against fake news rather than an attack on constitutional press freedoms.

Delhi Police conducted a 96-hour special operation in west Delhi, arresting 19 individuals, including six foreign nationals, and recovering narcotics valued at approximately Rs 5 crore. The operation targeted organised drug supply chains, leading to 17 cases registered under the NDPS Act and the seizure of various illicit substances.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has conducted multiple intelligence-led operations across India, seizing over 845 kg of various contraband substances including ganja/cannabis, charas, amphetamine, and cocaine. These operations led to the arrest of 15 individuals involved in illicit drug trafficking, disrupting several supply chains.

The British government has announced the rollout of specialist courts for rape and serious sex offences across England and Wales. Backed by significant funding, these courts aim to accelerate conviction rates, prioritise cases, and provide better support for victims, addressing the current low prosecution rates and long delays in the justice system.

An undertrial inmate, Pradeep alias Mohinder, was allegedly stabbed to death by two fellow prisoners inside Delhi's Central Jail No. 10. His family has accused jail staff of failing to provide timely assistance and questioned the presence of a sharp weapon within the high-security prison. Police are investigating the incident.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kirshanu Sharda, an alleged middleman for suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, in a money laundering case. Sharda is accused of facilitating illegal gratification for Bhullar, with investigations revealing unexplained cash deposits and frozen assets worth over Rs 1.42 crore.