Rediff

A 21-year-old petrol pump employee in Lucknow was injured after being dragged by a car whose occupants allegedly drove off without paying for Rs 4,000 worth of fuel. Police have registered a case and formed three teams to identify and arrest the suspects using CCTV footage.

Three train passengers were arrested on Saturday night in Jhansi for allegedly assaulting an on-duty Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) and damaging his Hand-Held Terminal (HHT). The incident occurred after the TTE intervened to resolve a dispute in a coach, leading to a 54-minute delay for the Ahmedabad-Asansol train.

An absconding accused, Mohin Jaiswal, involved in the November 2 killing of a police station in-charge in Madhya Pradesh during an anti-liquor smuggling operation, has died of a suspected brain stroke in Gujarat. The police officer, Dilip Puri, was run over by a truck carrying illicit liquor. Mohin Jaiswal reportedly had a 30% stake in the illicit liquor business, and five other accused have been arrested.

Police have recovered two more bodies near Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, bringing the total to five, in connection with a cab driver's alleged serial murders of seven family members over domestic disputes. The accused, Indusekar alias Sekar, reportedly disposed of bodies across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with investigations ongoing into the methods used and the locations of the remaining two victims.

A historic gurdwara in Lahore, Pakistan, Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, has reopened for religious worship after being closed since the Partition in 1947. The reopening ceremony, attended by Sikh community members and officials, marks the end of a 79-year hiatus and is part of broader efforts to preserve Sikh religious heritage in Pakistan.

A nine-year-old British Hindu boy's parents have initiated legal action in the UK High Court after their son was withdrawn from primary school for being prevented from wearing a tilak on his forehead. The family alleges religious discrimination under the UK's Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998, seeking 25,000 pounds in damages. The school disputes the allegations, stating it offered alternatives and promotes cohesion.

Police in Kochi have issued a lookout notice for Dr Johnson Varghese, who is accused in a rape case and has been absconding since Friday. This development follows his earlier complaint against Malayalam actors Athulya Chandran and Bibin Perumpally for assault and robbery. The rape case was filed by a relative of Chandran, and digital evidence from the doctor's phones is expanding the investigation.

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan share Diwali greetings with fans on social media.

Mike Hesson, Pakistan's white-ball head coach, will continue in his interim role as the national team's red-ball head coach until the completion of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, a decision that has divided the cricket fraternity.

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended marginally lower in the special Diwali Muhurat trading session, snapping a seven-day rally amid profit-taking by investors. Despite a positive start, the Sensex dipped 28.62 points to 80,999.40, and the Nifty declined 43.95 points to 24,986.40.

Former WWE champions Drew McIntyre and Rey Mysterio extended Diwali wishes to their Indian fans. McIntyre posted a video message, while Rey Mysterio received a colourful Rangoli tribute from fans, which he appreciated. The article also details the Diwali celebration dates.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane advocated that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami had done enough to merit a return to Test cricket.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to formally hand the mandate of forming the next government to Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot. This development comes as the Change Bloc aims to keep incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of power, with Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List indicating support or abstention.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi shared an Instagram video reminiscing about her family's Diwali celebrations at 1, Safdarjung Road, the former residence of Indira Gandhi. She recalled traditions like decorating the Ganesh statue, lighting diyas, enjoying firecrackers, and having Kashmiri food, alongside Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and granddaughter Miraya Vadra.

A Thane court has acquitted 21 individuals involved in a 2008 rioting and assault case that occurred during Dahi Handi festivities. The incident saw clashes between two Govinda groups, leading to injuries to police personnel and damage to their vehicles. The court cited the prosecution's failure to prove the accused's role or the formation of an unlawful assembly, along with issues in witness testimony, as reasons for the acquittal.

Indian cricket stars Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh took to social media on Sunday to extend their warm Diwali greetings to fans. Pant shared a video message, Iyer posted a picture in traditional attire, and Arshdeep shared a photo with his girlfriend, all wishing happiness and prosperity for the festival of lights. The article also briefly touches upon Iyer's current cricketing engagements.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested in Kochi for allegedly participating with her son and his friends in the assault of a 17-year-old boy. The incident, which occurred at her rented house in Edappally, stemmed from a dispute over obscene messages sent via a shared Instagram account. The boy was injured, and the assault was reportedly recorded on video.

Two teenagers were fatally stabbed in separate incidents in north and northeast Delhi just before Diwali. One 16-year-old was killed resisting a mobile phone snatching attempt in Wazirabad, while a 19-year-old died in Nand Nagri due to a dispute linked to personal enmity. Police are investigating both cases, collecting evidence, and questioning suspects.

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened the special Muhurat trading session on a bullish note, marking the beginning of the Hindu calendar Samvat 2083, driven by buying in key blue-chip stocks.

Tilak Varma, India's 24-year-old batting sensation, has rapidly established himself as a formidable force in T20 cricket. This article highlights his journey from a promising Mumbai Indians talent to a key player for India, showcasing his remarkable records including a hat-trick of T20 centuries, being the first Indian to cross 150 runs in T20s, and his exceptional performance in successful run-chases and knockout matches.

Delhi Police arrested three Nigerian nationals in Dwarka for allegedly overstaying in India without valid documents. They were identified as Bartholomew Uwaebuka Iloegbunem, Konan Okocha alias Konan Brice Kousaai, and Ndubuisi Charles Nwabufor, and have been sent to a detention centre.

A police constable was killed in an explosion in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. The remote-controlled bomb targeted Constable Qayyum Khan in Shangla district. No group has claimed responsibility, and a search operation is underway. The region has a history of militant violence, with Pakistan often blaming the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Outstanding gold loans by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India surged by 66.1 per cent year-on-year to 3.74 trillion in September 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in their retail loan portfolios, according to RBI data. This growth, driven by elevated gold prices, has also raised concerns about underwriting practices, with experts noting a portion of disbursements going to borrowers with overdue loans.

In the Under-19 Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, sons of cricketing legends, had disappointing performances, falling cheaply. However, Arjun Rajput's magnificent century rescued the Indian innings from an early collapse, providing crucial momentum against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Indian cricketer KL Rahul gifted his 'Game Changer of the Match' prize smartphone to a lady official after the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, a gesture that surprised and delighted her and was praised by the BCCI.

Indian general insurers are facing significant underwriting pressure due to increased claims from natural catastrophes, particularly floods, leading to higher combined ratios and widening underwriting losses for major players like New India Assurance, ICICI Lombard, and Bajaj General Insurance.

A special court in Thane, Maharashtra, has sentenced a 35-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly raping a minor girl after promising to marry her. The court, while noting the absence of violence as a mitigating factor, upheld the minimum 20-year term mandated by the POCSO Act, as the victim was under 18 during the abuse, rendering her consent legally invalid.

An analysis of Election Commission filings reveals that the Congress party's receipts from donations above Rs 20,000 plummeted by nearly 75 per cent to Rs 130.69 crore in 2025-26. This marks the steepest annual fall in such contributions for the party in a decade, with a significant drop attributed to reduced funding from the Prudent Electoral Trust. The report highlights a stark contrast with the BJP's donations in 2024-25.

East Bengal FC, despite a 2-0 defeat to North Korean side 4.25 SC, secured a historic spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27. They qualified as one of the two best third-placed teams, becoming the first Indian club to reach this stage.

A 65-year-old man in Kannur lost Rs 2.69 lakh to cyber fraudsters who hacked his mobile phone during a WhatsApp video call while he was attempting to return online-purchased footwear. Police have registered a case and identified the recipient accounts.

An ex-serviceman was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife in Ahmedabad's Naroda area following a domestic dispute. The accused, Nirmala Kharadi, was apprehended by police shortly after the incident.

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, and former Australian skipper David Warner were among numerous cricket personalities who extended Diwali greetings to fans via social media. They were joined by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, former Indian cricketers, and IPL franchises in sharing messages of happiness, prosperity, and togetherness for the festival of lights.

Ayush Badoni has replaced Rajat Patidar in the India A squad for the upcoming Rising Stars Asia Cup due to Patidar's injury. Rinku Singh has also been appointed as the vice-captain for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29.

The mortal remains of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, whose murder last month sparked protests and a political controversy, were brought to his native Mansa for last rites on Sunday. His family had ended a 22-day agitation after meeting with Punjab government representatives, leading to a post-mortem. The murder, which occurred during a Facebook Live session, intensified political attacks on the Mann government over drug issues and law and order. The government has agreed to several fa

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested four alleged drug peddlers in Anantnag and Kupwara districts on Sunday. Authorities recovered heroin and charas from their possession during separate naka checking operations. Cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing to trace the forward and backward linkages of the drug trafficking network.

India A established a commanding 428-run lead against New Zealand A on the second day of the third unofficial Test. Half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel (71), Tilak Varma (81 not out), and Washington Sundar (50 not out) propelled India A to a declared total of 464 for five. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna then took two early wickets, leaving New Zealand A struggling at 36 for 2 at stumps.

A Vadodara court has ordered criminal proceedings against a former police inspector, K N Lathiya, for allegedly assaulting a man, Moin Pathan, in 2024, causing a ruptured eardrum. The court found a prima facie case against Lathiya under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions after Pathan and his brother alleged severe beating at Gorwa police station.

Tirthank Pegu, India's first male swimmer to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games, secured a bronze in the 200m butterfly event. Following his historic achievement in Dakar, Pegu expressed his ambition to transition his junior success into strong performances in the senior circuit. His coach, Sandeep Sejwal, highlighted the two years of preparation behind the medal and sees it as a crucial step towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Harichand Jat alias Hari Boxer has been detained in the US by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He faces multiple cases in Haryana, including murder, and is accused of operating criminal activities from abroad, supplying weapons, and being involved in extortion across several Indian states. Efforts are underway to bring him to India.

Six people, including two police officers were killed and more than a dozen injured after a gunman opened fire in historic centre of Krakw, on Saturday (local time), Euro News reported.

Kochi police arrested two men and seized 192 grams of MDMA, valued at approximately Rs 7.5 lakh, following a tip-off. The drugs were reportedly trafficked from Tamil Nadu hidden in a banana bunch and intended for sale in Ernakulam and Aluva. An investigation is underway to trace the source and distribution network.

Far Right American activists Jake Lang on Saturday (local time) attempted to stall a Diwali Celebration in Seattle before he was physically checked by some of the people. Lang and other protestors were carrying signboards that said Deport All Dot Heads.

An SSB jawan, Manjeet Kumar, allegedly died by suicide using his service rifle at a border outpost in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred on Saturday, and preliminary information suggests he was distressed after his elder brother's death two and a half months ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will celebrate Diwali on Sunday with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, a region recently freed from Naxal influence. Modi expressed his intention to salute the brave forces for their sacrifices and service, highlighting Bastar's transformation from a Naxal stronghold to a developing area. This continues his tradition of celebrating the festival with soldiers.

A man was allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate in Palghar district, Maharashtra, following an argument over kitchen chores. The accused has been apprehended, and a murder case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has demanded an apology from political opponents, specifically referencing those who fired on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge, before they visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His remarks came after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced his visit. Adityanath criticised past neglect of Ayodhya and highlighted the city's transformation under his government, attributing it to the strength of Lord Ram's consciousness and the sacrific

A 27-year-old member of a village anti-drug committee, Amandeep Singh, was shot at his home in Kaleke village, Barnala, Punjab. He sustained a bullet injury but is in stable condition. Police have identified four suspects and are investigating the motive, considering his past involvement in reporting drug peddlers. This incident follows another anti-drug activist's murder last month in Mansa.

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the WTA Finals due to physical exhaustion and a viral illness, leading to Marta Kostyuk taking her place. Tournament director Garbine Muguruza expressed understanding for Rybakina's decision and highlighted the strength of the remaining field. The move of the tournament to Indian Wells from Riyadh was also discussed, with player safety cited as the primary reason. Rybakina's absence could create an opportunity for Aryna Sabalenka to gain ground

Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has clarified his recent remarks on the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, stating that he believes responsibility should have been taken collectively by the team. He explained that his all of us comment was about collective accountability, not implicating specific players. Khawaja detailed his past attempts to encourage collective responsibility, including discussions with Steve Smith, Justin Langer, and Todd Greenberg, and why he remained silent for four yea

A 23-year-old man was killed and another seriously injured in a knife attack at a Ramlila fair in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred late Saturday night following a dispute over payment for toys. Police have apprehended one accused, a toy seller, and are searching for another. The injured victim is reportedly a relative of a BJP MLA.