Best of Opinion: Elon Musk should never get a satellite licence in India
From Starlink's security concerns and Maharashtra's drought politics to challenges facing Modi's third term and Shashi Tharoor's political branding, today's opinions examine a variety of issues
Maharashtra Completes Tech Mission in London, Paving the Way for Quantum City and AI Corridor
Maharashtras delegation concluded a strategic mission in London to establish a Quantum City and AI Corridor, aiming for significant investment. Maharashtra Completes Tech Mission in London, Paving the Way for Quantum City and AI Corridor
Why plant water-intensive Miyawaki on cleared forest land amid drought, ask citizens
Dacoits batter 82-year-old, flee with 25L gold
Theatre Review: Gauhar - A rich portrait of a life lived in the limelight
Woman alleges Pune animal shelter refused to return her 7 dogs, demands Rs3.5 lakh
Man held for using fake documents to obtain PMAY flat in Bhosari
Five Poona College of Pharmacy faculty members feature in Stanfords top 2% scientists list
Practical education is key to nurturing good leadership in a democracy, says MP Radha Agrawal
FDA suspends SPPU girls mess licence; university cancels contract
Wadgaon Sheri residents may get two-wheeler access as landowner agrees to interim relief
Streetlight power supply test triggers traffic signal outage in Pune
MPSC protesters refuse to vacate SM Joshi Bridge, Fadnavis rules out direct removal of chairman
Man kills step-grandmother over property dispute in New Sangvi
Cab, auto unions threaten protest over illegal Rapido bike taxis, RTA meeting likely on Oct 14
18,748 voter deletion requests in state so far, officials to verify every Form 7
Congress asks MPs to be in capital to step up agitation against Gyanesh Kumar
Cybercrook threatens 71-year-old with arrest for money laundering, dupes him of 30L
Elderly man loses 32L in online share-trading fraud
Drought in Maha: Ground truthing approved in 18 more talukas
Dengue cases surge in Pune as Oct heat boost mosquito breeding
Drought austerity? Rs 41 lakh tender for dining & loo
Water Woes Expose NMCs Monitoring Failure, Fresh Shutdown Likely On OCT 12
Sainik school student ends life in Chandrapur
Bhonsles defy ban, go for Ganesh idol immersion in Gandhisagar
BJP rift widens? Ex-MLC Vyas quits party, backs Sole who refuses to step back
Nagpur forest division pushes to keep tiger corridors alive
IGGMCH tree-felling approval on hold, requires environment clearance
Proposals For Expansion Projects Came Up Before NMC Tree Authority
Nagpur division has 2.55 lakh graduate voters, up 49,369 since 2020
Water conservation drive reaching out to farmers and citizens
Mahayuti Rebels, MVA Rift Turn Amravati Teachers Poll Into Multi-Cornered Battle
Mahayutis official nominee faces rebels, while Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are contesting separately.
Man Assaulted By Wife, Brother-In-Law In Jaitala
Chandrapur groundwater levels dip by 1.25 metres as rainfall deficit deepens
Drought check in 36 more talukas, field survey planned in 18
State had placed the drought-related criteria & ground situation before central officials
Crop loss survey stepped up in Ballarpur
Class 11 student dies by suicide in hostel room
Nigerian held with mephedrone and cocaine worth 3.5 crore in Maharashtra
Panvel civic body to pay Rs 22.8 crore and take over 51 schools in Raigad ZP
A blessing: Family in Navi Mumbai marks spastic womans 70th birthday
Two more arrested in Shiv Sena (UBT) mans murder case
After Fridays heatwave in Mumbai, IMD warns itll be a hot and humid Saturday
Irrigation dept calls for immediate 10% water cuts
BMC may suspend water supply to municipal pools in Mumbai again
BMCs standing committee rejects Rs 8.25 crore road-washing proposal amid 10% water cut in Mumbai
Power cuts disrupt Market Yard traders during festive season
Dashamahavidya adds new dimension to Mahishasura Mardini production on Mahalaya in Pune city
From Lavani to Lata, Pune Navratri Mahotsav stages 10 days of music, dance and folk arts
From puja items to dandiya nights, Pune shops up the festive ante
Aditya Thackeray Questions Election Commission Amid Voter Discrepancies in Maharashtra
Aditya Thackeray raises concerns over voter discrepancies in Maharashtra, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Aditya Thackeray Questions Election Commission Amid Voter Discrepancies in Maharashtra
Jurists question curbs on trains headed to Delhi and within Delhi
Special NIA court frames terror funding charge against Areeb Majeed in IS case
CJP protest in Delhi: Police denies permission, MHA steps up security directions
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has asked police chiefs across the country to coordinate with the Delhi Police and take preventive measures amid concerns that CJP supporters may attempt to enter the national capital despite the denial of permission for the proposed demonstration
Opposition urges President to sack CEC, suspend SIR and restore '13.30 crore deleted' voters (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that President Droupadi Murmu asked the Opposition delegation to submit evidence to substantiate its allegations of vote chori (vote theft), as INDIA bloc leaders met her and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. A 10-member delegation of INDIA bloc MPs, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging widespread electoral irregularities and an attempt to undermine India's democratic framework. The other members of the delegation were Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK President and MP Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan. In the memorandum, the Opposition claimed that elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal had been stolen, alleging large-scale manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls in several Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The delegation, which said it represented Parliamentary parties accounting for more than 60 per cent of the country's population, urged President Murmu to intervene, describing the alleged electoral irregularities as a threat to the constitutional right to vote and the foundations of representative democracy. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said: I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy. We submitted a memorandum to the President of India, informing her that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are conspiring to destroy Indian democracy, LoP Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also claimed: The President (Droupadi Murmu) in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said. She accepted our statement and then told us that we needed to provide her with proof of 'election chori'. He added that the President had asked the delegation to furnish evidence backing its claims. She (President Murmu) asked us to provide evidence to substantiate what we have said. We will submit the evidence to her whenever she is available, he said. Rahul Gandhi described the meeting as satisfactory and announced that the Opposition would approach the Supreme Court on October 12 with a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The memorandum placed four major demands before the President: 1. Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and repeal of the 2023 law that, according to the Opposition, provides lifelong immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. 2. Immediate suspension of SIR and restoration of all 13.30 crore voters whom the Opposition alleges were illegally deleted from electoral rolls. 3. A return to paper ballots for all elections, replacing the existing EVM-based voting system. 4. Repeal of Assembly elections held over the preceding two years in which, the Opposition claimed, conclusive evidence of vote theft had been presented. The memorandum said that the right to vote, enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution, was central to representative democracy. It maintained that the Election Commission was the constitutional custodian of this right and should be accountable for its decisions rather than operate without scrutiny. The Opposition also accused the Chief Election Commissioner of misleading the Supreme Court to cover up alleged electoral wrongdoing. The memorandum called for accountability and urged the President to use her constitutional position to ensure that its demands were addressed without delay. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said President Murmu had listened to the delegation patiently. Kharge said the INDIA bloc leaders had apprised the President Murmu of the agitation launched four days earlier over alleged vote theft and concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee said President Murmu had indicated that she would examine the memorandum and wanted supporting evidence. She (President Murmu) has asked us to send evidence, which we said we (INDIA bloc leaders) will do, Banerjee said, adding that the country was concerned about the state of democracy. The meeting followed several days of Opposition protests against the Election Commission, the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities, with INDIA bloc leaders demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Election Commission row: INDIA bloc submits four-point memorandum to President
In the memorandum, Opposition leaders alleged that the BJP had completely manipulated both EVMs and electoral rolls in several assembly and Lok Sabha elections. They urged President Murmu to take cognisance of the matter and use her office to ensure that their demands were addressed without delay
Tushar Gandhi calls for protest at Aug Kranti Maidan, no police permission
Retired air force employee reports Rs 11.5 lakh bank fraud in Mumbai
Over 4,000 passengers from Mumbai stranded as several trains to Delhi cancelled or rescheduled
Santacruz Businessman Accuses Driver of Stealing Rs 10 Lakh Cash
No complaints in Keralam about deliberate denial of voting right, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
He says the present allegations against the ECI concerns removal of cores of names, adding Keralam has not seen complaints filed in this regard unlike States such as Maharashtra, West Bengal or Haryana
Western Railway Announces Four-Hour Night Block Between Mahim and Mumbai Central
Man held at Ahmedabad airport with gold bars worth Rs 89 lakh
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 9 (IANS) A 43-year-old man from Bharuch district was arrested by Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad after he was allegedly found carrying gold bars worth nearly Rs 89 lakh concealed in his trouser pocket upon arrival from Dubai, officials said on Friday. The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs intercepted the passenger on October 9 after he arrived on FlyDubai flight FZ-437 from Dubai, based on intelligence developed through passenger profiling. During examination, officials recovered five foreign-origin gold TT bars of 999.0 purity, equivalent to 24-carat gold, concealed in the passengers trouser pocket. The bars collectively weighed 582.700 grams and had a market value of Rs 88,97,829, according to Customs. The entire quantity of gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and the passenger was arrested. Further investigation is underway. The seizure comes amid a series of gold recovery cases at Ahmedabad airport involving passengers arriving from overseas destinations. Earlier, on October 6, Customs officials intercepted a couple arriving from Kuwait on Kuwait Airways flight KU-347 and recovered 308.710 grams of 24-carat gold jewellery valued at approximately Rs 46.99 lakh. According to officials, the jewellery, including bangles, chains and anklets, was concealed in baggage and on the passengers bodies. The gold was seized, and an investigation was initiated. In another case in July, two male passengers from Maharashtra were apprehended at Ahmedabad airport after allegedly concealing gold paste in their shirt collars. The passengers had arrived from Dubai on July 22. The recovered material was processed and converted into 24-carat gold TT bars weighing 129.18 grams, valued at Rs 19.48 lakh, the Customs department said. In a separate case reported in February, a passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi was found to have concealed gold in capsules swallowed before reaching Ahmedabad. Medical examination confirmed the recovery of 135 grams of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 21.9 lakh. Customs officials have seized gold in these cases under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, with investigations underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted smuggling.
Vijayendra Questions Move To Release 2 TMC Water To Telangana
Vijayendra said the neighbouring state of Maharashtra was taking relief measures, including waiving agricultural loans.
Digital Desk | Palghar, Oct 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday clarified on the demand by MPSC aspirants for the resignation of Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over irregularities, saying that the current Chairman had not even assumed office when the alleged paper leaks took place. Students were informed that the Chairman whose resignation they are seeking was not in office at the time the paper leak occurred, CM Fadnavis stated. He joined after the leak took place. How can we directly demand or accept his resignation for actions that occurred prior to his tenure? he questioned. Elaborating further on the state's recourse, the Chief Minister announced that the government is fully prepared to initiate a judicial inquiry led by a retired judge. We have stated that we are ready to set up a judicial inquiry headed by a judge, CM Fadnavis said. Whether it is the current Chairman, former officials, or any other officerwhoever is found guilty in that inquiry, we are ready to take strict action against them all. The only question is under what circumstances can we ask for the resignation of someone who wasn't even in office at the time? he asked. The CM further highlighted the legal limitations of the state administration, noting that the power to remove an MPSC Chairman does not rest with the state government. Even if an official is to be removed, that authority lies solely with the President of India, not the state government. If the inquiry committee submits a report finding any wrongdoingeven against someone who was not in position at the timewe are ready to recommend their removal to the President under Article 317, he asserted. Addressing the ongoing demonstrations, CM Fadnavis remarked that while the movement initially started with genuine MPSC students, it has now transformed into a political exercise. It is no longer a student agitation; it has turned entirely political and is being run like an event. Nonetheless, our government is continuously attempting to resolve the issue through dialogue, he said. He further pointed out that the High Court has declared the current sit-in protest illegal and explicitly ruled against occupying the space. Despite the High Court's directions, the protesters remain seated in contempt of court. Our priority remains ensuring justice for the students, CM Fadnavis added. Meanwhile, NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar has demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over the paper leak issue in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Inspector recruitment examination. Under Rohit Pawars leadership, an agitation by MPSC aspirants is currently underway in Pune. In connection with this protest, the Pune Police have registered cases against 15 students. Questioning this police action, Rohit Pawar posted a sharp statement challenging the Pune Police, If you are so eager to file false cases, cancel the charges against the students and register cases against me instead. The students' Satyagraha began on October 1. On that day, Hrishikesh Gangurdewho exposed the paper leak near Indulal Complexalong with Omkar Patil, Gajanan Shelke, Somnath Chavan, and Sanket Kanse were not even present there; they were at their native villages. How then did the police allegedly see them near Indulal Complex on that day? he asked in a post on X. In the FIR description, Pramod Patils gender is listed as female, while Priyanka Choudharys gender is listed as male. So many errors in an FIR?? Looking at all this, one wonders if the officer who drafted the FIR was the one who leaked the paper, he stated. Anyway, this is what happens when the police start acting on orders from their masters above. This is the government's intimidation tactic against the students, but students will not be scared by such pressure. All these charges are bailable, and we have brought together a large legal team to stand by them. Therefore, instead of filing false cases, the government should remove corrupt Bhimanwar from his post. Is he a son-in-law of the government? he questioned. If you are so fond of registering false cases, drop the charges against the students and register them against me, noted Rohit Pawar.
Maharashtra Governor Honors 103 Police Officers with Medals for Service and Valor
Governor of Maharashtra, Jagdish Mukhi, awards police medals to 103 officers for exceptional service and bravery in Mumbai. Maharashtra Governor Honors 103 Police Officers with Medals for Service and Valor
Pizza outlet, caterers and dairy among 10 raided in Mumbai by Maharashtra FDA
The operation covered several regions of Maharashtra, including the Konkan, Nashik, Pune and Vidarbha divisions. It resulted in 12 first information reports (FIRs), 13 arrests and the impounding of three vehicles, an official statement said
Bihar Police driver aspirants protest over 1,200 vacant women-reserved posts
The candidates had planned to march towards the Chief Ministers residence to press their demands. However, police personnel intervened before the proposed march could begin. Barricades were erected at Gate No. 10, while a large number of security personnel were deployed inside Gandhi Maidan and in the surrounding areas
Maha govt orders field verification in 18 more talukas to assess drought severity
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Friday approved ground truthing (field verification) to assess drought severity in an additional 18 talukas to achieve a more accurate and objective assessment of the drought situation in the state. Under this initiative, a 20 per cent survey of the five major crops in these talukas will be conducted to cross-check satellite imagery and computational data with ground realities, helping to provide a clearer picture of the drought's actual severity. A Government Resolution (GR) to this effect has been issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee on drought, said the state government had taken this crucial step to accurately assess drought conditions and provide necessary aid and concessions to farmers. Based on Kharif season 2026 conditions, drought was declared in 265 talukas through the GR dated September 25, 2026, based on Trigger-1 criteria, introducing 12 different relief measures and concessions. Following directions issued at the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting held on September 29, 2026, and considering the rainfall deficit and other factors during the June-September 2026 period, the decision was taken to conduct field inspections in 18 additional talukas. The Relief and Rehabilitation Department has released the official GR regarding the move. The inspections will be conducted in 18 talukas across eight districts: Nanded (Mudkhed, Mukhed); Chandrapur (Jivati, Brahmapuri, Ballarpur); Gondia (Amgaon, Deori, Salekasa, Gondia); Wardha (Karanja); Bhandara (Mohadi, Tumsar); Nashik (Trimbakeshwar, Chandwad, Niphad); Satara (Patan); and Sangli (Shirala, Walwa). The verification will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Manual for Drought Management, 2016. Findings obtained through satellite images, maps, and digital or computational data will be verified through direct field visits. Surveying 20 per cent of the five major crops will allow for a more effective evaluation of actual crop conditions and drought intensity. This process will bridge technical data with real on-ground conditions to present a more accurate picture of the drought, enabling the government to obtain objective information to review the situation and take further decisions, Bawankule said. The government's decision coincided with the visit of a Central team to drought-hit districts from October 8 to 11. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team from the Union Government arrived in Maharashtra on Thursday to conduct an on-ground assessment of the drought situation and crop losses during the Kharif season 2026. During the visit, scheduled from October 8 to 11, the team will review the state's drought conditions and directly inspect rainfall levels, crop damage, drinking water availability, and the fodder situation for livestock. Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is leading the team. The delegation includes administrative and technical officers from various Central ministries and departments, including Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development, Drinking Water Supply, Food and Public Distribution, Animal Husbandry, Finance and NITI Aayog. Following the Central team's arrival in Mumbai, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, at a high-level meeting, drew attention to issues arising from rainfall deficits in parts of Maharashtra, including water scarcity, the potential need for water tankers, challenges faced by agricultural labourers and landowners dependent on farming, possible labour migration, and farmer distress and suicides.
Act of dishonesty: Maha Minister slams Rahul Gandhi for supporting Elon Musk
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Cultural Affairs, Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Development Minister Ashish Shelar on Friday said that favouring an American industrialist amounted to dishonesty on the part of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. He also remarked that the ongoing protests by the Opposition against the SIR process amounted to the grammar of anarchy. Speaking to reporters about LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticising the Indian government while supporting remarks made by Elon Musk, Shelar said the matter concerned the Central Government. However, he added that Rahul Gandhi's defence of the businessman in question amounted to dishonesty. He said that the United States was imposing restrictions affecting Indian technology companies and that such developments were not conducive to the careers and employment prospects of young Indians working there. According to Shelar, supporting an American company at such a time amounted to dishonesty. The Minister further said that officials had already clarified that work on the security verification framework concerning Elon Musk and Starlink was underway. He said the Central Government or the concerned authorities would take an appropriate decision on the matter. However, he alleged that Rahul Gandhi had chosen to side with reactions coming from the United States without waiting for that decision, which, according to him, amounted to dishonesty towards India's administrative system. On the Opposition's ongoing protests in Delhi, Shelar said such demonstrations questioned the country's institutions and amounted to the grammar of anarchy. He said there was an opportunity to raise such issues in the Lok Sabha and that the constitutional platform existed to discuss all concerns. According to him, instead of debating the matter in the House, Opposition leaders were choosing to protest outside. Criticising Abhijit Dipke's reported statement that an Emergency had been imposed in the country, Shelar said Dipke's understanding of civics appeared weak. If Abhijit Dipke believes that an Emergency has been imposed in the country, he clearly does not understand what an Emergency means, Shelar said. He argued that Dipke should ask the Congress about the Emergency period and whether people were free to speak and write during that time. He also criticised the CJP protest, describing it as an attempt to outmanoeuvre the Congress politically.
Pro Wrestling League returns with blockbuster Season 6 in Delhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) A total of 86 elite grapplers, including World leaders and Asian Games medallists, will feature in Season 6 of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) to be held at the KD Jadhav Arena from January 9 to 26, 2027. The launch of the much-anticipated next season will herald the return of the league to New Delhi with high-octane bouts to be held at the iconic KD Jadhav Wrestling Arena at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Asian Games winners feted The launch event was headlined by the grand felicitation of Indias wrestling contingent following their medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2026. Star grapplers Sujeet Kalkal, who clinched a historic gold in the Mens Freestyle 65kg category, and Aman Sehrawat, fresh from adding an Asian Games gold to his Paris 2024 Olympic bronze, were honoured alongside fellow medallists Antim Panghal, Nitesh Siwach, Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar. The six-member medal-winning contingent was felicitated, celebrating one of Indias strongest wrestling campaigns at the Asian Games in decades. Hosting Season 6 in Delhi is a key part of the Leagues plan to be staged in a different franchise city every season, taking PWL to varied fan bases across the country. Season 6 will feature six high-calibre franchises competing for the coveted crown: Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals, Haryana Thunders, Delhi Dangal Warriors, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals, and UP Dominators. Season 6 will showcase 86 world-class men and women grapplers, including 34 Olympians and Commonwealth, Asian Games, and World Championship medallists. The roster features global luminaries such as Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki, alongside Indias finest marquee names. The competition will be staged across nine Olympic weight divisions -- 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, and 125kg in the men's category, while the women's competition will be held in 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, and 76kg. To enhance television and digital engagement, PWL Season 6 will continue with the broadcast-optimised match structure of two rounds of three minutes (2 x 3). The format will once again feature the Power Minute, with all scoring points doubling during the final 60 seconds of a bout, creating high-leverage climaxes and adding further intensity to the action on the mat. Dayaan Farooqui, Chairman, Pro Wrestling League, said, Wrestling is deeply embedded in Indias sporting culture, and our wrestlers have consistently carried the nations pride onto the global stage. Season 6 of the Pro Wrestling League is a celebration of that rich legacy, while also taking the sport towards new global benchmarks. Our vision has always been to take the League to a different franchise city each season, bringing world-class wrestling closer to fans across the country. We are delighted to welcome some of the worlds finest wrestlers to Delhi and look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans while further strengthening the sports presence in India, he said. Akhil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Wrestling League, said, Our objective for Season 6 has been clear: to build an elite, fan-first product that matches the expectations of todays sports audiences. Delhi is the perfect setting for this, bringing together Indias rich wrestling heritage with the energy of a city that has always embraced the sport. Bringing Season 6 to Delhi, the capital of India and a city with a deep-rooted wrestling culture, is therefore especially significant for us. Todays felicitation is a tribute to the athletes whose dedication continues to elevate Indian wrestling, while January will provide the stage for them to showcase their world-class talent and deliver an unforgettable experience for fans, he added. Aman Sehrawat, Olympic Medallist and Asian Games 2026 gold medallist, said, Winning medals at the Olympics and the Asian Games has been the reward for years of sacrifice, discipline and hard work. To be felicitated for these achievements and to receive this honour in Delhi, in front of the wrestling community and fans, feels truly special. Moments like these remind you of the journey you have undertaken and the people who have supported you along the way. As a wrestler, it is also exciting to see the Pro Wrestling League return to the capital, and I look forward to seeing the sport reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of wrestlers. Sujeet Kalkal, Asian Games 2026 gold medallist, said, The Pro Wrestling League has played an important role in my journey as a wrestler and has given me opportunities that have helped me grow both on and off the mat. Competing alongside and against some of the best wrestlers in the world gave me the confidence, exposure and belief to take on bigger challenges. To now be felicitated as an Asian Games gold medallist is a very special feeling, and it makes me realise how far the journey has come. PWL has been an important part of that journey, and I am excited to see it return to Delhi and continue giving young Indian wrestlers the platform to dream bigger. Building on a rich legacy, the Pro Wrestling League has delivered premier combat sports entertainment since its inception in 2015. Over five fiercely contested editions, the tournament has witnessed iconic rivalries and celebrated champions. Following the leagues high-octane Season 5, which culminated in defending champions Haryana Thunders edging Delhi Dangal Warriors in a thrilling 54 final, Season 6 is poised to set a new benchmark for competitive wrestling in India.
MP HC directs state to produce person in habeas corpus plea on Oct 13
Digital Desk | Jabalpur, Oct 9 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the state government to produce a person before it on October 13 in a habeas corpus petition filed by Shardul Jitendra Buwa and observed that the state may also make arrangements for the person's safe return to the family. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Alpesh Y. Kogje and Justice Vivek Jain issued the direction while hearing Writ Petition No. 42805 of 2026, filed against the state government and others. The court issued notices to the respondents and fixed October 13 as the next date of hearing. A habeas corpus petition seeks the production of a person before a court to examine the legality of that person's detention or restraint. The State is directed to produce the corpus before this Court, the Bench said in its order. The court also permitted the state to produce the person before the scheduled hearing after giving prior notice to the other side. It further observed that the state was at liberty to make arrangements for the safe return of the person to the respective family. Advocates Monish Raghuwanshi and Alkesh Agrawal appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Advocate General B.D. Singh and Government Advocate R.D. Pararha represented the state. In a separate development, police in Madhya Pradesh intercepted protesters travelling to Delhi at Bhopal, Itarsi and Gwalior ahead of a demonstration scheduled for October 10 against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest has been called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). A senior police officer said at least 30 protesters had been removed from trains and detained. Those intercepted included people travelling from Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. We have removed the protesters. They are being detained and counselled to return to their states, the officer said. Meanwhile, the West Central Railway has cancelled five train services towards Delhi, citing anticipated heavy traffic congestion in the national capital. Madhur Verma, Chief Public Relations Officer of West Central Railway, told IANS that five train services had been cancelled to avoid inconvenience to passengers due to anticipated congestion in the Delhi area. The cancelled services include the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Superfast Express, Mahakoshal Express and Madhya Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express under the Jabalpur Division, the Rani Kamlapati-Nizamuddin service under the Bhopal Division, and the Kota-Nizamuddin service under the Kota Division. Verma said the cancellations were for one day only. Passengers have been advised to check the latest railway updates before travelling. The High Court has listed the habeas corpus petition for further hearing on October 13.
Maha govt advances Quantum City plans with London tech, investment mission
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) A high-level delegation from the Government of Maharashtra concluded a strategic two-day quantum, artificial intelligence (AI), and investment mission to London on October 7 and 8. The initiative aims to position Maharashtra as India's premier quantum and AI capital by laying the groundwork for a Quantum City and a UK-Maharashtra Quantum Corridor. Organised and facilitated by the Global India Business Corridor (GIBC UK), the mission provided Maharashtra a prominent platform at The City Quantum & AI Summit. The state delegation comprised Industries Department Principal Secretary P. Anbalagan and Chief Investment Advisor to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Kaustubh Dhavse. During the mission, delegates held 13 bilateral meetings with global CEOs, investors and public institution leaders to attract advanced deep-tech operations and capital to Maharashtra. Key proposals and technical initiatives discussed during the bilateral meetings included a Mumbai quantum facility, research and AI infrastructure, infrastructure and security solutions, industrial and governance applications, and workforce and start-up support. The mission focuses on establishing a dedicated quantum computing hub in Mumbai, building an AI engineering and research base alongside sustainable, energy-efficient data centres, implementing quantum sensing tools for safer underground transport construction, and deploying advanced cyber security systems for critical infrastructure. It also aims to deploy AI systems to streamline investor approvals, establish advanced manufacturing centres to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) integrate into global supply chains, and implement targeted workforce training programmes and incubation support for technology start-ups. In addition, discussions with representatives of the City of London Corporation explored creating an institutional finance channel between London and Mumbai to fund large-scale infrastructure developments in Maharashtra. An illustrative GIBC planning scenario estimates that, if proposed projects secure formal funding and reach operational maturity, the initiative could generate approximately Rs 20,000 crore in cumulative economic activity over a 10-year horizon. This figure encompasses investments, operational expenditure and broader economic spillover effects, with the potential to create up to 8,000 direct and supported jobs. However, GIBC noted that these estimates remain illustrative planning projections and do not currently represent committed capital or confirmed hiring. If fully realised, the corridor is expected to provide local engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs with expanded global access while enhancing Maharashtra's technological capabilities, administrative efficiency and critical infrastructure resilience, government sources said.
Major statistical discrepancies in voters list: Aditya Thackeray
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Friday intensified his criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Joining the allegations raised by Opposition parties during protests in New Delhi, Aaditya Thackeray addressed a press conference and pointed to what he described as statistical discrepancies in voter records. Addressing the media, he questioned allegedly missing voter records and cited specific figures to support his claims. I am exposing the first major manipulation by 'Golmaal Gyanu' [referring to the Chief Election Commissioner]. There is a discrepancy of 7.9 lakh voters in Maharashtra. The Election Commission released one set of figures in May and a completely different set in August. 'Golmaal Gyanu' must answer where these voters went. They need to clarify the sudden disappearance of five lakh voters in the state, he said. He further pointed to alleged irregularities in specific constituencies, claiming that in the Bhiwandi constituency, voter records did not tally with figures associated with the SIR process. Highlighting another instance from the Mahim constituency, Thackeray said that long-time voters listed in the 2002 electoral rolls and draft voter lists were now receiving notices. People who have been voting consistently since 2002 are receiving notices despite being on the draft rolls. What kind of system is this? he asked. Thackeray also raised concerns about field-level voter verification. He alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were not conducting proper door-to-door verification in some areas and were instead calling residents to complete documentation. He further said that the issue would be taken up publicly and reiterated his demand for the removal of the CEC. He also alleged that youths travelling from states such as Goa and Rajasthan were being detained while heading to protest venues. Expressing confidence about future political developments, he said the present government would face challenges before the 2029 general elections. The political developments coincided with protests in different parts of the country. In Maharashtra, Pune witnessed demonstrations by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants, while in New Delhi, the Congress staged protests demanding the CEC's resignation. To maintain law and order, authorities in the national capital deployed additional security personnel and imposed restrictions at several locations. Commenting on the security measures in Delhi, Thackeray alleged that an undeclared Emergency was prevailing in the country and claimed that people were being detained and served notices. He confirmed Shiv Sena (UBT)'s support for the demonstrations in Delhi and said party leader Sanjay Raut was participating in the agitation. Referring to the protests by students in Pune, Thackeray criticised the Maharashtra government's handling of paper leak cases and questioned why action had not been taken against certain officials. He also referred to the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the Shiv Sena name and symbol, expressing hope that the matter would ultimately result in a fair outcome.
Aaditya Thackeray questions ECI over 7.90 lakh-voter drop in SIR draft roll
Thackeray also claimed that five lakh voters whose names appeared in the electoral rolls for the Lok Sabha, Maharashtra Assembly and Mumbai civic elections were missing from both the SIR draft roll and the list of Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate (ASDD) voters
Belgium youth protest: Police fire tear gas, water cannon at youths in Brussels
Around 30,000 people joined an anti-austerity strike in Brussels, where clashes erupted between youths and riot police, prompting the use of tear gas and water cannon. The protests oppose government plans to save 10 billion through spending cuts and other austerity measures
Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of 21 food establishments, including Bhagat Tarachand, Oye Kiddan and Barista, following inspections that reportedly found hygiene violations, pest infestations and improper food storage.
ARCHERY | Kumkum staying grounded as she targets the LA Games gold
A Virat Kohli fangirl, the Amravati, Maharashtra, based girl wants to meet the cricket star as she likes his discipline and hard work
Mahajan, Banerjee Lead Charge In National Ranking TT U-15
Maharashtra's Raghav Mahajan and West Bengal's Souswarya Banerjee advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the U-15 boys' singles at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula on Friday. Several other young talents also secured victories in both boys' and girls' U-15 categories, often after hard-fought five-game matches.
Maharashtra Deploys 611 Water Tankers Amid Drought, Central Team Visits State
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Divisional Commissioner G Srikant briefed the panel on rainfall deficits, Kharif crop loss, and drinking water and fodder shortages,.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 9: Shivani Raja, Conservative Member of Parliament for Leicester East in the United Kingdom, is currently in India on a short visit for UK Parliamentary business,
Divine Solitaires Partners with Olocker to Offer Free Jewellery Insurance to Customers
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 9: A diamond is rarely just a diamond. It's the ring held onto through a proposal remembered a hundred times over, the pendant passed from a mother to a daughter, the gift bought with months of saving for an anniversary that mattered. That same piece, worn out into the world, is also vulnerable to a moment no one plans for, a chain snatched off a crowded street, a home broken into, a robbery that turns a cherished possession into a painful memory. It is with this understanding that Divine Solitaires, India's leading loose solitaire brand focused exclusively on natural diamond jewellery, and Olocker, India's first dedicated jewellery insurance platform, have come together, not to launch a new product, but to extend a promise that Divine Solitaires made to its customers nearly 15 years ago, long before jewellery insurance was common in the industry.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Assures Rehabilitation, Jobs For Project-Affected Tribals
CM Fadnavis promises Palghar development
India, Ethiopia foreign ministers discuss trade, investment and digitalisation
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Addis Ababa to strengthen bilateral ties in trade, investment, education, digitalisation and security. The leaders also discussed global developments and cooperation between India and the African Union
Star Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Deven Bhojani Director: Dhruv Tripathi Reporting Live Movie Review Synopsis: REPORTING LIVE is the story of a fearless journalist. Sandhya Yadav (Parineeti Chopra) works as a reporter for a Mumbai-based news channel called Azaad Bharati. Her cameraman and best friend is Vinod Sharma (Deven Bhojani). One day, she's asked to travel to the village of Visargaon in Maharashtra, where a bridge has collapsed. A school bus happens to be on the bridge during the unfortunate incident, leading to the deaths of 14 children. While covering the tragedy, Sandhya speaks to several villagers, who claim that the bridge collapsed because of a solar eclipse. Even a local minister makes the same claim. However, Shiva (Amol Palekar) and Mangesh (Pitobash Tripathy) allege that the bridge collapsed due to the government's inaction. Sandhya approaches them, and they inform her that the collapse was caused by illegal sand mining in the region. Due to the excessive removal of sand, the bridge's foundation had weakened, leading to its collapse. Sandhya and Vinod begin their investigation and are threatened by sand mafia goons. Nevertheless, they manage to collect evidence and submit it to their news channel. Azaad Bharati's head honchos, Vidur Dutt (Adil Hussain) and Shyam (Shekhar Suman), are impressed with the exclusive report and air it on the channel. The cops are then compelled to arrest those involved in illegal sand mining. However, within a few days, the illegal activity resumes, while Shyam is pressured to take down the story. What happens next forms the rest of the film. Reporting Live Movie Story Review: Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's story is inspired by real events and is relevant. Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's screenplay is captivating and peppered with some hard-hitting scenes. Mihir Jadhav and Dhruv Tripathi's dialogues are sharp but some one-liners are childish. Dhruv Tripathi's direction is quite good. What's impressive is that he has managed to bring together such an ensemble cast. Moreover, each actor has a crucial role to play, even if some have limited screen time. The director has chosen the subject of illegal sand mining, an issue that is often reported in the news, but has rarely been explored in Hindi cinema. This gives REPORTING LIVE an edge. The film not only explains the issue in a simple manner but also unabashedly throws light on how cops, politicians, IAS officers and others look the other way for vested interests when laws are broken. At the same time, Dhruv makes sure that he doesn't paint everyone with the same brush. He shows that there are honest officers in the system who are willing to help when required. Similarly, while he exposes the corruption within news channels, he also shows that there are journalists and media bosses who'll go to any lengths to speak the truth. A few scenes are arresting, like Sandhya and Vinod being roughed up at the tea stall, Shyam blasting Vidur, Shiva Kaka blessing Sandhya and Vinod, etc. The climax is clapworthy. On the flipside, the film begins on a chilling note before going into flashback mode. While this sets the mood, it also makes it possible to guess a crucial development in the story. The impact would have been far greater had the makers not begun the film with the said scene. The sequence where Sandhya, Vinod and Vidur land up at the police station is difficult to digest, especially the way Sandhya reacts. Sandhya could have easily checked the CCTV footage to find out who entered her house. The footage could have also helped the cops identify and nab the culprits. However, the makers don't explore this possibility. Moreover, while the film neatly explains the issue of illegal sand mining, it doesn't shed light on how the practice can be prevented or how other countries are dealing with the problem. Reporting Live Movie Review Performances: After SHAQUE: TRUST NO ONE, Parineeti Chopra delivers yet another performance that's hard-hitting yet nuanced. However, she seems a little too mature for the part. She comes across as someone who has already spent five or six years working in the media and, by that stage, should ideally be aware of how the industry functions and that it's not always driven by principles and idealism. Hence, her character's innocence and idealistic outlook seem a bit unconvincing at times. A younger actor might have been better suited to the role. Deven Bhojani is too good and is aptly cast. He dominates several key scenes, and the bond he shares with Parineeti is lovely. Amol Palekar is highly memorable. Adil Hussain is dependable as always and wins hearts. Shekhar Suman gets into the skin of his character seamlessly. Nasser (R Velraj) has a great entry scene and leaves a mark. Pitobash Tripathy, Saswata Chatterjee (J P), Prachee Shah Paandya (Pooja), Samir Kochhar (Karthik) and Geeta Agarwal Sharma (Shobha Deshmukh; municipal officer) lend able support. Bhaskar Jha (Nasir Solkar; who threatens Sandhya and Vinod at the tea stall) does well but gets a raw deal. His character, who plays the radio while beating up people, is interesting, and one wishes he had more to do in the film. Reporting Live movie music and other technical aspects: The songs are forgettable, but Zubin Balaporia and Vijay Prakash's background score is chilling. R Velraj's cinematography is satisfactory. Mandar Nagaonkar's production design is appropriate, while Shilpa Makhija and Varsha Chandanani's costumes are realistic. The outfits worn by Parineeti Chopra stand out. Futureworks Studios' VFX is fine but could have been better in the bridge collapse scene. Shyam Salgaonkar's editing is sharp. Reporting Live Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, REPORTING LIVE is a hard-hitting investigative drama that tackles the issue of illegal sand mining with sincerity and conviction, despite a few shortcomings in the narrative.
CJP protest | Were all human first: Delhi Police share open letter to citizen
In a post on X, the police department described the message as An Open Letter to Every Citizen, adding, Because beyond every uniform, every opinion and every disagreement, were all human first. The post comes ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday
West Bengal: BJP candidate Hasirani Rath wins Nandigram bypoll by record margin
BJP's Hasirani Rath has won the Nandigram bypoll in West Bengal by a record margin of 1,22,753 votes, securing 1,64,427 votes against Congress's Milan Pradhan. Rath's victory surpasses Suvendu Adhikari's 2016 record, while the Rejinagar bypoll result remains awaited
MHT-CET 2027: Both Attempts After Class 12 Board Exams
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has announced a change in the examination schedule for the MHT-CET 2027. Both attempts of the Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test will now be conducted after the Class 12 board examinations, according
