QUICKREADS

Court frames murder, kidnapping charges against Darshan in Renukaswamy case

A Bengaluru court has charged Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his associate Pavitra Gowda, and 15 others with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy related to the killing of fan Renukaswamy. All accused pleaded not guilty. The trial will commence on November 10. The case has garnered significant attention in Karnataka due to Darshan's prominence in the film industry.

Bilaspur train accident death toll rises to 11, ₹5 lakh ex gratia announced

The death toll from a train accident near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh has risen to 11, with 20 others injured. The incident involved a goods train and a local MEMU train. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for victims' families and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

SC seeks EC response on plea asking parties to disclose rules, donations

The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission of India to respond to a plea advocating for political parties to disclose their governing documents and contributions. Filed by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the application highlights concerns over money laundering by political parties. The case will be heard again on January 9.

Key Delhi air monitor went dark in peak farm fire week

The Delhi government's pollution tracking system, the Decision Support System (DSS), went silent for four days in early November, missing crucial data on stubble burning's contribution to air pollution. When updated, it reported significantly lower contributions than previous years. Experts criticize the DSS for relying on outdated data and highlight ongoing monitoring failures, raising concerns about transparency and pollution management.

‘They speak frequently’: White House says Trump-Modi trade talks continue

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump maintains regular communication with Prime Minister Modi and that serious trade discussions with India are ongoing. She expressed Trump's positive sentiments towards India-US citizenship and highlighted the respect he has for Modi. Leavitt also dismissed allegations of voter intimidation related to Trump as baseless.

Northeast leaders announce new political party to ‘protect’ rights of indigenous people

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and leaders from Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland announced the formation of a new political party aimed at safeguarding the rights of indigenous people. The party, still unnamed, will unite their respective parties and focus on issues like land rights and immigration. A committee will detail the party's structure within 45 days.

Manipur: Four militants killed, one arrested in Churachandpur gunfight

In a morning raid in Manipur's Churachandpur district, security forces killed four insurgents from the banned Kuki group UKNA and arrested one. The operation, involving the Assam Rifles and 21 Para SF, was in response to recent violence by the group. UKNA condemned the attack, claiming the insurgents were asleep. The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has resulted in significant casualties and displacement.

Trace Mahadev app case accused Uppal: SC to ED

The Supreme Court directed the Enforcement Directorate to intensify efforts to locate Mahadev betting app co-founder Ravi Uppal, who has fled Dubai. The court expressed concern over white-collar criminals manipulating legal processes and urged Uppal to return to India to face charges related to a ₹6,000 crore betting syndicate. His extradition proceedings are complicated by his recent escape.

137 Indian institutions in QS rankings but none in top 50

No Indian university made it to the top 50 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, released recently. Despite a significant rise in the number of Indian institutions ranked (294 total), major IITs have seen declines in their positions. India ranks second in additions to the list, following China, while several universities achieved their highest rankings.

Profits from inflated shares are ‘proceeds of crime’, says HC

The Delhi High Court ruled that profits from trading shares inflated through fraud are considered “proceeds of crime” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The decision upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s attachment of Prakash Industries Limited’s assets linked to fraudulent coal block allocations, overturning a previous ruling that claimed such trading was not criminal activity.

Eight killed in Chhattisgarh train collision

A train collision near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh resulted in eight deaths and 11 injuries when a passenger train overshot a red signal and crashed into a goods train. The accident occurred around 4 pm, with one coach ending up atop a cargo wagon. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the Railway Board announced compensation for victims' families.

SC says merit won’t be compromised in distt judiciary promotions

The Supreme Court has stated that merit will remain paramount in promotions within the district judiciary while considering uniform criteria for seniority in higher judicial services. The five-judge bench concluded hearings on ensuring equitable promotion opportunities for civil judges. Concerns were raised about the slow career progression of judicial officers, leading to discussions on balancing promotee and direct recruit judges without compromising efficiency.

Deputy SP in UP police suspended for amassing assets worth ₹100 crore

A Special Investigation Team's probe into an extortion racket in Kanpur has led to the suspension of Deputy Superintendent of Police Rishikant Shukla for allegedly accumulating over ₹100 crore in assets. The investigation revealed ties between Shukla and lawyer Akhilesh Dubey, who allegedly extorted money through false complaints. A vigilance inquiry is underway, with further actions anticipated against involved police officials.

India and Israel vow to deepen bilateral ties

India has expressed support for the Gaza peace plan during talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Israeli Minister Gideon Sa’ar. They discussed enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, trade, and regional connectivity, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The meeting set the stage for Prime Minister Netanyahu's planned visit, highlighting India's strategic partnership with Israel amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Poll roll revision ph-2 begins amid protests

The second phase of India's special intensive revision of electoral rolls has begun in 12 states and Union Territories, with officials distributing enumeration forms amid protests from opposition parties. The process aims to update voter lists ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Concerns over potential disenfranchisement have been raised, with political tensions escalating in key states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Barbs, bluster as rallies for Phase 1 of Bihar polls wind up

Campaigning for Bihar's assembly elections concluded as NDA and Grand Alliance leaders rallied for voter support ahead of the first phase on November 6. Key issues include jobs, development, and caste loyalty. PM Modi emphasized NDA's governance promises, while Rahul Gandhi criticized the ruling party's failures. The electorate of 37 million will vote for 1,314 candidates across 121 seats.