The Times of India

The Delhi High Court denied suspended jail term for expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape survivor's father. The court cited the grave nature of the offense, Sengar's criminal history, and the trial court's findings, emphasizing that the delay in trial was partly due to Sengar's legal team's actions.

The Supreme Court has asked the government to respond to a Public Interest Litigation seeking concessional AC train fares for acid attack survivors. The NGO 'Atijeevan Society' argues that survivors, often from weaker economic backgrounds, need AC travel for frequent medical treatments but cannot afford it.

TVK chief Vijay was questioned for seven hours by the CBI regarding the Karur stampede case, marking his second appearance. He was asked about rally permissions and adherence to guidelines. Vijay reportedly cited inadequate crowd control and police bottlenecks as contributing factors to the incident that claimed 41 lives.

A contingent of 130 CISF personnel, including 65 women, will embark on a 6,553-km coastal cycling expedition across India's mainland coastline for 25 days starting January 28. This initiative aims to raise awareness about coastal security threats and foster national unity, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram'.

India and UAE solidified their strategic defense partnership with a new letter of intent, alongside agreements on space collaboration and LNG purchase. The visit also saw commitments to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032 and explore significant infrastructure development in Gujarat.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to display lists of voters facing 'logical discrepancy' notices in West Bengal offices and granted them 10 extra days to submit proof. The court also ordered the state to provide manpower and ensure law and order for the special intensive revision drive.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Election Commission to display lists of West Bengal voters facing logical discrepancy notices in panchayat and block offices, granting them an additional 10 days to submit proof of credentials. The court also directed the state to provide manpower and ensure law and order for the special intensive revision drive.

IndiGo may reduce flights after February 10 as a DGCA exemption for new flight-duty rules expires. The airline plans a short-term network readjustment, potentially shifting some A320 routes to ATR aircraft to avoid major disruptions. Affected passengers will be informed and offered refunds or alternative flights.

Boosting maritime ties, India's First Training Squadron, including INS Tir and INS Shardul, arrived in Singapore. This visit, part of a training deployment, strengthens India-Singapore relations under the Act East Policy and prepares for the 2026 ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.

India has achieved a significant milestone in defense exports by flagging off the first batch of guided Pinaka rocket systems for Armenia. This move underscores India's growing prowess as a reliable supplier of advanced defense technology, transitioning from an importer to a major exporter. The Pinaka system, known for its accuracy and range, highlights the nation's burgeoning defense industry.

Unusual churning and bubbling of seawater off the Gujarat coast have alarmed authorities and fishermen. Videos show vast stretches of the sea appearing to boil, prompting concerns of gas seepage, geological activity, or pipeline leaks. Maritime authorities are investigating the phenomenon, with fishing vessels advised to exercise extreme caution.

Delhi assembly's leader of opposition, Atishi, vehemently denied allegations of making derogatory remarks against Sikh Gurus. Responding to a notice from the privileges committee, she stated she never uttered insensitive words against Guru Tegh Bahadur. Atishi requested unedited video footage and the original complaint to address the unsubstantiated claims.

The Supreme Court has granted the Centre a final chance to develop standard operating procedures for rehabilitating homeless individuals with psychosocial disabilities. Describing them as extremely vulnerable, the court emphasized the need for effective implementation of these SOPs. The bench urged the Centre to submit draft procedures by February 9, highlighting the critical nature of this sensitive issue.

As Tamil Nadu Congress strategizes for the 2026 elections, it's at a crossroads: should it maintain its long-standing alliance with the DMK or consider a fresh partnership with the charismatic actor Vijay's TVK? Tensions within the party flared after the DMK turned down a proposed power-sharing deal, leading to lessons on 'coalition dharma'.

Nitin Nabin has been elected unopposed as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, set to formally take charge on January 20. His uncontested election, at 45 years old, signifies a generational leadership shift within the party. The smooth transition highlights the BJP's internal consensus and procedural discipline ahead of future elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strategically shrinking the political space for regional parties across India. Recent election results in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh demonstrate the BJP's success in weakening rivals through fragmentation, welfare schemes, and narrative control. While regional parties persist, their ability to translate state power into national influence has significantly diminished.

Karnataka DGP (civil rights enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao is under scrutiny after a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position with women went viral. Rao has rejected the videos as fabricated and false, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vowed strict action and an investigation if guilt is found.

An American woman experienced sexual harassment on the Delhi Metro when a teenage boy groped her after she agreed to a photo. The boy's mother defended his actions, claiming he was curious about blondes. The incident left the woman deeply disturbed, and her account has sparked condemnation of the family's response and apologies from other Indians.

UAE resident Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a special welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for a high-level visit. The leaders are set to discuss advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and regional issues, building on recent high-level exchanges and strong bilateral ties.

Oxfam's latest findings present India's reservation system as an exemplary model for equitable political representation, highlighting the stark contrast with the escalating dominance of the ultra-wealthy globally. By spotlighting quotas for marginalized communities and women, as well as Brazil's participatory budgeting initiatives, the report advocates for empowering everyday citizens and promoting diversified decision-making.

The Supreme Court has mandated the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks on prosecuting minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his offensive remarks against Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The court noted the SIT's report is pending since August 2025, urging the state to act promptly on the mandatory sanction required under law.

Nitin Nabin is poised to become the Bharatiya Janata Party's 12th national president, potentially its youngest. The nomination process unfolds today, with senior leaders backing his bid. This organizational shift, termed Sangathan Parv, signals a renewed focus on youth leadership within the party, aiming for enhanced energy and unity.

Prateek Yadav, son of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, announced his intention to divorce his wife, BJP leader Aparna Bisht Yadav, accusing her of destroying his family relationships and being self-centered. He plans to move court soon, citing his poor mental health and her alleged indifference.

Mumbai's mayoral race is wide open after the BMC elections, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. While Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS allied, the BJP's strong performance challenges traditional narratives. The Eknath Shinde-led Sena is eyeing the mayor's post, sparking intense political maneuvering and speculation about power-sharing within the ruling alliance.

Blowing good governance in smoke: Bihar JD(U) MLA Anant Singh smokes inside hospital; triggers rowWatch: Visuals of JD(U) MLA Anant Singh smoking inside Bihar hospital go viral; RJD reacts 'blowing good governance in smoke'

A fierce gun battle in Kishtwar's remote forests left eight Army personnel injured on Sunday. Security forces engaged two to three suspected foreign terrorists during a search operation. Reinforcements have been deployed, and a massive hunt is underway to neutralize the militants. This marks the third encounter in the Jammu region this year, with intensified operations ahead of Republic Day.

Medical community outrage erupts as NEET PG 2025 cut-off for reserved categories drops to zero percentile, equivalent to a minus 40 score. This zero percentile qualification, previously seen in 2023, is now a recurring issue. Critics argue this move, driven by commercial interests, effectively reserves seats for the wealthy in private colleges, compromising educational standards.

IndiGo faces a critical deadline this week to confirm its ability to operate over 2,000 daily flights under new, stricter pilot duty rules. Failure to comply could lead to flight cuts, averting a repeat of last December's disruptions. The airline is conducting dry runs to assess its readiness as authorities closely monitor the situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, calling for an end to maha jungle raj to restore law and order and attract investment. He accused the TMC of facilitating infiltration and blocking central welfare schemes, framing the upcoming assembly elections as a choice between jungle raj and BJP's sushasan (good governance).

The Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled that advocates cannot use the RTI Act to obtain case details for clients, citing a Madras High Court judgment. The CIC emphasized that such usage defeats the RTI Act's core objectives and could be exploited to promote legal practice, not for genuine citizen information access.

Highway builders are opposing a government order ending arbitration for disputes exceeding Rs 10 crore. The National Highway Builders Federation has urged the finance minister for sector-specific guidance. They argue this change will negatively impact ongoing projects, lenders, and the banking system. The federation believes this framework discourages investment and delays project execution.

India's first private Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS) project is set to move forward with a concession agreement expected this week. A consortium, including Pixxel Space and others, will build a 12-satellite constellation, investing over Rs 1,200 crore. This initiative aims to boost India's data sovereignty and national security capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign imagery.