The Times of India

A woman was allegedly killed by her brother-in-law in Jehanabad district on Tuesday. The accused reportedly attacked her with an axe after a dispute over food. He then allegedly hung her severed head from a banyan tree near his home. Villagers discovered the gruesome scene and alerted the local police. The accused was apprehended by villagers and handed over to the authorities.

Voting began on Thursday for by-elections to the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat, with polling underway at designated polling stations across the three states. The counting of votes will take place on August 3.

Prashant Kishor alleged Bihar Police detained his supporters before the Bankipur bypoll. He claimed the ruling BJP fears losing the assembly seat and orchestrated these detentions. Kishor stated police could not reveal the whereabouts of over sixteen detained supporters. He further alleged the BJP used administrative machinery and a fake video to influence voters. The Jan Suraaj Party founder vowed action against erring police officials after the bypoll.