QUICKREADS

‘Were you party to the decision?’; CBI asked Kejriwal on Delhi excise policy

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been questioned by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. Kejriwal was asked why the old liquor policy was changed, why approvals were given after the Delhi cabinet cleared the policy in April 2021, and why the new policy was withdrawn after the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe. Kejriwal was also asked about Vijay Nair, AAP’s communications in-charge, leading the discussions with private players before and after the tendering process and about his alleged conversation with arrested businessman Sameer Mahendru over FaceTime on Nair’s phone.

Bengaluru’s heart-shaped traffic signals win hearts; residents say, ‘Makes the city feel a little more human’

Bengaluru has introduced smart traffic signals linked to the Mappls app, showing real-time countdowns for signal changes, aiming to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. A viral post featuring a heart-shaped signal has added humor, highlighting the city's efforts to make commuting more enjoyable amidst its notorious traffic. Over 125 smart signals are now operational.

DK Shivakumar urges Karnataka firms to grant 3-day paid leave for Bihar voters

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged businesses to grant three days of paid leave to workers from Bihar to allow them to vote in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on November 6 and 11. He emphasized the significant contributions of Bihari workers to Karnataka's economy and pledged government support for their travel to vote.

Kannada–Telugu TV actress receives obscene messages, videos; accused arrested

A Kannada-Telugu actress reported ongoing sexual harassment from a man on Facebook, leading to his arrest by police. Despite blocking him, he created fake accounts to continue the abuse. Authorities are investigating further. Separately, actor BI Hemanth Kumar was arrested for sexual harassment and intimidation based on a complaint from a television actor.

Profits from fraudulently inflated shares qualify as proceeds of crime: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court ruled that profits from fraudulently inflated stock market shares are "proceeds of crime" under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This decision overturned a previous ruling that quashed the Enforcement Directorate's asset attachment order against Prakash Industries, linked to fraudulent coal block allocations and share price manipulation, establishing a direct connection between illegal gains and criminal activity.

Bengaluru horror: Man calls woman ‘madam’ during morning walk, then masturbates in front of her

A 33-year-old woman in Bengaluru reported being sexually harassed while walking her dog on November 1. An unidentified man allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in public after calling out to her. Police have registered a case under sexual harassment laws and are investigating the incident using CCTV footage.

Namma Metro Pink Line in Bengaluru: Will 13.76-km stretch be operational in May 2026? Here’s what we know

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that Namma Metro's Pink Line would be fully operational by May 2026. However, BMRCL clarified it will open in two stages: a 7.5-km elevated section by May 2026 and a 13.76-km underground section by December 2026. The elevated segment is nearly complete, while the underground work continues.

Sohana man held in ₹55-lakh immigration fraud case

Sohana police arrested Kuldeep Gill from Sunny Enclave, Kharar, for immigration fraud involving ₹54.98 lakh. Operating as Quinox Solutions, he allegedly failed to provide a visa or refund to the victim. Gill, with seven prior FIRs for similar offenses, is in custody for two days as investigations continue to uncover more victims and trace financial transactions.

Mohali: Cops nab Kharar woman, Nigerian national, seize 155gm of ICE drug

Kharar police have arrested a woman and a Nigerian national, recovering 155 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) from them. The woman, previously arrested for drug offenses, revealed her supplier, leading to the arrest of Kingsley Chinoso in Delhi. Both are linked to a broader drug trafficking network, with investigations ongoing to identify other members.

No dump site available, Mohali’s garbage mgmt crisis worsens

Mohali is facing a severe garbage crisis as daily waste collection halts following the National Green Tribunal's closure of the Phase 8 dumping ground. Mayor Sidhu's recent meeting revealed the need for alternative disposal sites, as existing processing locations face local opposition and health concerns. Political tensions also flared over proposed expansions of the municipal limits, highlighting ongoing dissatisfaction among residents.

Chandigarh: Neighbour assaults senior citizen over parking dispute

An 83-year-old shopkeeper, Gurdev Singh, was allegedly assaulted by a neighboring shop owner, Adarsh Gupta, over a parking dispute. After Gupta's car obstructed Singh's shop, a confrontation ensued, resulting in Singh being struck with a stick, causing injuries. Police have filed charges against Gupta, who allegedly threatened Singh during the incident.

Mohali: PCA announces ₹11 lakh cash awards for World Cup stars from Punjab

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) announced cash awards for Punjab's stars in India's Women's World Cup victory. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur will each receive ₹11 lakh, while fielding coach Munish Bali will receive ₹5 lakh. A special ceremony will honor them for their contributions, highlighting the pride their achievements bring to Punjab and Indian cricket.

Sippy Sidhu murder case: Forensics’ take on bullet injury contradicts eyewitness version, states Kalyani’s counsel

In the Sippy Sidhu murder case, defence counsel Kalyani Singh highlighted discrepancies between forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts regarding the angle of a gunshot that killed Sidhu. Forensic expert Dr. Amandeep Singh stated the shot was fired from above, conflicting with the eyewitness testimony claiming the shooter was at the same level. The next hearing is set for November 4.

Chandigarh: 30% complaints in UT pertain to estate office

In a year-long review, Chandigarh's administration revealed 757 public grievances, with the Estate Office receiving 30% of complaints. Most issues related to property transfers and building violations. UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria's initiative for weekly public hearings has led to timely resolutions, with many residents expressing satisfaction. The Citizen Interaction and Assistance Branch aims to enhance grievance redressal.

Protest against senate reform: PU students block Gate 2 for five hours

Students at Panjab University staged a five-hour sit-in at Gate No. 2, protesting against new senate reforms they deemed "undemocratic." Approximately 200 students, backed by local MPs, blocked traffic while police monitored the situation. Negotiations between university officials and student leaders over a controversial "no-protest" affidavit ended inconclusively, with ongoing protests continuing.

AQI turns poor in Chandigarh again

Chandigarh's air quality worsened over the weekend, with the AQI rising from 170 (moderate) on Saturday to 233 (poor) on Sunday, and 216 (poor) on Monday. Panchkula's AQI remained worse at 308 (very poor) on Sunday, dropping to 294 on Monday. Temperature inversion and increased farm fires in Punjab are contributing factors to the decline in air quality.