Rediff

The INDIA bloc is set to hold a 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, culminating at Ramlila Maidan. The protest aims to highlight alleged vote chori and press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list irregularities. Rahul Gandhi has urged public participation, assuring them against police action.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to serve India till his last breath, criticising the Opposition for allegedly rejoicing in crises and spreading panic over fertiliser and cooking gas availability amidst the West Asia conflict. He inaugurated development projects worth Rs 14,000 crore and released the 24th instalment of PM-Kisan, highlighting government efforts to shield farmers from rising global prices and empower them through various schemes.

Beijing published the world's first global framework for vocational standards. If India does not act swiftly, it will be compelled to certify its workers by someone else's rulebook, cautions Abhay Jere, ex-Vice Chairman, AICTE.

A 30-year-old man was brutally hacked to death and his associate injured in Thane district, Maharashtra, due to an alleged business rivalry. The attack occurred near a Shiv Sena office in Badlapur West in the wee hours of Monday, with police detaining suspects and registering a case.

A 28-year-old woman died and her 30-year-old husband is in critical condition after they allegedly consumed poison following a family dispute in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. Police are investigating the incident, and the couple has a young child.

Two individuals were arrested and a minor detained on Monday after allegedly brandishing swords and causing panic at a garba event in Kalyan, Thane district. The incident involved eight persons, with two carrying swords into the Navratri celebration area. Police have charged the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Police Act, and a probe is ongoing to determine their motive.

Senior SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a CBI probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. She also called for an investigation into the alleged politicians-police drug trade nexus in Punjab, citing claims by Jhota's father about a wider conspiracy.

Bengaluru Customs officials arrested two passengers at Kempegowda International Airport and seized hydroponic ganja worth a total of Rs 9.67 crore in two separate cases. The arrests were made under the NDPS Act, with both individuals arriving from Bangkok.

A 50-year-old man died in Shahjahanpur after a clash between two families, allegedly stemming from a love affair. Five individuals, including two women, have been detained by police in connection with the incident.

A Delhi court has granted bail to Nigerian national Nwachukwu Benjamin Odinaka, who was arrested for allegedly possessing forged passports and visas. The court noted he had been in jail for 13 months, the investigation was complete, and no charges under the stringent NDPS Act were applicable to him.

A clash erupted between UDF councillors and a woman assistant engineer in Paipra panchayat, Muvattupuzha, over the delayed processing of a school's fitness certificate renewal application. Cases have been registered against both parties, and an investigation is ongoing.

Three individuals, including a minor, suspected of involvement in the firing incident at actor Tiger Shroff's car, were detained in Kota, Rajasthan, while attempting to flee to Nepal. The suspects, identified as Ritik and Rehan, were caught on a train from Mumbai after Mumbai Police shared intelligence with Rajasthan counterparts. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the attack, though authenticity is unconfirmed.

Delhi Police has filed a comprehensive chargesheet against seven individuals in the murder case of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a Manipuri musician, who was assaulted and killed in Kilokari village, southeast Delhi, on September 6. The accused, all dhaba workers, allegedly attacked Singh after he objected to noise outside his residence, intending to each him a lesson but not expecting the assault to be fatal. Police are also investigating a potential racial angle.

A man from Kaitharam, Kerala, has been arrested in Pune for allegedly removing a KSEB transformer fuse during a power outage last month. The accused, Vishnu, was traced with cyber cell assistance after going into hiding following the incident.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan have strongly criticised the Maharashtra government, particularly Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. They cited recent incidents like the firing at actor Tiger Shroff and the murder of a Shiv Sena worker, demanding a egime change and accountability from the government.

A 17-year-old girl was found dead near her home in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Police suspect she was raped and murdered, with initial findings indicating strangulation. A post-mortem report is awaited to confirm rape, and an investigation is underway.

Punjab Police have successfully dismantled a significant drug trafficking and illegal arms smuggling network in Amritsar, leading to the arrest of three individuals. Authorities recovered 10 pistols and over a kilogram of heroin, with investigations pointing to foreign-based smugglers supplying weapons to criminal elements.

A businessman, Rana Suryavanshi, was injured after being attacked by two individuals near Baramati airport in Pune district on Sunday evening. The attackers, posing as fans, assaulted him, leading to his hospitalisation. The incident has drawn criticism regarding the state's law and order situation from NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule.

Four people died and three were seriously injured in Varanasi after a speeding truck collided with their SUV on an overbridge. The group of friends had stopped to take selfies when the accident occurred on Monday morning.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India this week underscores the complex dynamics of global energy policy, as Washington re-evaluates sanctions on Russian oil buyers amidst India's continued reliance on Russian crude.

Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh has called for justice for anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in Mansa last week. Jhota was killed after confronting a medical store owner selling addictive drugs. His family and supporters are protesting, demanding a CBI probe and refusing cremation until justice is served, with actress Neeru Bajwa and singer Babbu Mann also showing support.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff sustained minor injuries in a firing incident in Mumbai's Juhu area on Sunday evening. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff's residence to inquire about his well-being and assured state government support, condemning the attack and promising action against those responsible. The actor's driver also sustained injuries, and police are investigating the incident.

'What is the need for collecting so much data unless they are going to be used for some other purpose?'

Four individuals have been arrested in Thane, Maharashtra, for the alleged murder of a 50-year-old man. The dispute reportedly stemmed from the victim not returning a mobile phone belonging to one of the accused, leading to a fatal assault near Mumbra railway station on October 13.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly condemned the firing incident at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff's car, vowing a ullets for bullets response to gang activity and assuring full security to the actor and his family. Shinde met Shroff and stated that the government would not tolerate gang wars or intimidation of celebrities in Mumbai.

A 42-year-old advocate, Manjunath, was shot dead in Bengaluru by two of his tenants following an argument over non-payment of rent. The incident occurred on Sunday night, and police are investigating, with efforts underway to apprehend the suspects who fled the scene.

The conversations on July 22 and 23, 1962, meetings in Geneva between V K Krishna Menon, India's defence minister at the time, and Chinese vice premier Chen Yi are important because, had they been followed up, the subsequent border war may perhaps have been avoided, notes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

The US announced a 60-day pause on sanctions against Russia and tariffs on other countries, including India, to analyse the global economic impact. This decision, made via an executive order by Trump, has drawn significant criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who had previously passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. US officials stated the waiver allows for assessment of global energy pressures and European allies' refusal to impose secondary sanctions on Russian

At least 28 houses were set ablaze in separate incidents in Manipur's Kamjong district in the past 24 hours, with suspected militants targeting both Naga and Kuki settlements. This forced civilians to flee their homes and seek shelter. Incidents included the burning of abandoned Naga houses, an attack on a car, and the torching of Kuki homes after a civilian was killed. Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence.

Two youths have been arrested in Thane district for allegedly murdering a 27-year-old man who reportedly made objectionable remarks about the sister of one of the suspects. The victim's body was found on October 15, leading to a police probe and the subsequent arrests.

Police in Beed, Maharashtra, have arrested four individuals, exposing a child trafficking and marriage gang. The arrests came after reopening a five-year-old case involving the abduction and sale of a 13-year-old girl, who was later forced into child marriage.

Mumbai police have arrested Sartaz Ahmed Siddique (40) for the murder of 26-year-old Rukhsana Siddique, whose decomposed body was found in Bandra Kurla Complex. Rukhsana's husband reported her missing on September 28. Sartaz confessed to strangling her last month due to his unhappiness over her marriage to Saqib as his second wife. Sartaz's son, Samir Ahmed Siddique (24), who allegedly confessed to the murder with his father over the phone, is currently absconding.

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticised the state government following a firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai. They allege a deterioration of law and order, citing this and other recent high-profile incidents, and demand a separate home minister.

Ahmedabad Customs officials arrested a passenger arriving from Vietnam and an individual waiting to receive him at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday for allegedly carrying and coordinating a consignment of marijuana. Seven vacuum-sealed packets containing approximately 2.117 kg of suspected marijuana were recovered from the passenger's baggage.

The Election Commission of India has told the Delhi high court that two voters, whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls after they could not complete the enumeration process during the Special Intensive Revision in the national capital, can fill Form 6 for redressal of their grievance.

A Thailand national, Wanvisa Sansarn, was arrested in Gurugram with approximately 14 grams of MDMA during a raid by the HSNCB. Investigators are probing her alleged visa overstay and potential links to a wider drug distribution network. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to identify the source of the contraband and other individuals involved.

Police have arrested Sakthivel, manager of Gem Granites, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of minors by granite baron R Veeramani. This arrest is part of a widening probe that has seen multiple arrests and the registration of a seventh POCSO case against Veeramani, involving complaints from 11 minor girls.

A priest from St Vincent Ferrer Church in Mangaluru, Father Cyprian Pinto, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing minor boys. The arrest followed intervention by Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi, after initial complaints to the diocese and child protection authorities reportedly did not lead to immediate action. Police inquiries suggest at least five children were victims.

French Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said police arrested 1,200 protesters on Saturday, and 150 personnel were injured as demonstrations across the country over the rising cost of living turned violent.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has initiated an investigation into the role of temporary home guards following a stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal that killed 19 people. Adhikari criticised the previous administration and highlighted issues with crowd management and the conduct of home guards during the incident. The probe will also include puja organisers and licensing authorities, while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed. Seven people, including organisers, ha

The CBI has registered an FIR against five individuals for allegedly defrauding Haryana villagers of Rs 2.41 crore in a sophisticated fake government job scam. Aspirants underwent fake tests, medical exams, police verifications, and even a three-month raining programme, believing they had secured government positions, only to discover they were duped by individuals posing as politically connected figures.

Two men were rounded up in Karnal, Haryana, for allegedly throwing stones at a Jammu and Kashmir-bound bus following a parking dispute. The incident, which left a passenger and a dhaba employee injured, prompted a reaction from J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who confirmed Haryana's assurance of prompt action. Police clarified the incident was a result of a parking altercation and not a hate crime.

A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening resulted in 19 deaths and 25 injuries. The Chief Minister announced compensation and a SIT probe, while officials have been detained and crowd-pulling pujas advised to close.

Following a stampede-like situation that resulted in 18 deaths and 25 injuries, several prominent Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata were instructed by authorities on Saturday evening to temporarily close their pandals to visitors. This decision affects major crowd-pulling pujas and extends to areas like Bidhannagar, with a review meeting scheduled for Sunday.

The CBI questioned former MLA Suresh Rathore in Haridwar regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder case, a day after meeting Bhandari's parents. Rathore, who has been expelled from the BJP, denied knowing actress Urmila Sanawar, whose allegations fueled the 'VIP' involvement controversy. The case has seen renewed protests following a governor's appointment and a recommended CBI inquiry earlier this year.

A crowd surge at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening led to a stampede-like situation, injuring at least 25 people. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other officials visited the injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her shock.

Ten individuals were arrested and a minor girl detained in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, for allegedly slaughtering two cows and selling their meat. The investigation began after severed cow heads were discovered on October 12 and two days later. Police used CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the suspects, who confessed to the crime.

Anti-drug activist Parvider Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on October 13. His family and supporters are refusing to cremate his body until their demands for justice, including a CBI probe and resignations of top officials, are met. The incident has triggered political protests and condemnation across Punjab, with various leaders visiting the protest site and the SGPC announcing a tribute.

Suspected militants attacked Chassad village in Manipur's Kamjong district on Saturday, resulting in one death and four injuries. The incident involved an exchange of fire between the militants and a local armed group, with the gunfight reportedly ongoing. This attack adds to the ongoing violence between Kuki and Naga tribes in the state since February.

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon met the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, demanding a CBI investigation into his murder. Dhillon appealed to Punjab residents to protest the AAP government by wearing black, alleging its failure to curb the drug menace and protect activists. Jhota was shot dead on October 13, and his family refuses cremation until justice is served.