The seven-phased voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections started on April 19 and will end on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. Exit poll results will be released on June 1 after 6:30 pm.

A special court in Mumbai on Thursday sentenced underworld don Chhota Rajan to life imprisonment for the 2001 murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty at the Golden Crown Hotel in Gamdevi, central Mumbai, where two purported members of Rajan's gang fatally shot Shetty on the first floor on May 4.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the early arrival of the Monsoon over Kerala and northeast India, marking the start of the rainy season. The Monsoon reached Kerala two days earlier than usual, with above-normal rainfall expected from June to September. The IMD considered various parameters before confirming the Monsoon's onset.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis mocks Rahul Gandhi's claim of the INDIA alliance forming the government, expresses confidence in BJP's victory. Fadnavis likens Gandhi's assertion to 'Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen Sapne' and praises PM Modi and CM Yogi's efforts in Varanasi transformation. BJP leader Tejasvi Surya also expresses confidence in PM Modi's win in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

The southwest monsoon, driven by Cyclone Remal, is anticipated to arrive early in Kerala and the northeast, influenced by Cyclone Remal's impact on West Bengal and Bangladesh, accelerating its progression to the Bay of Bengal. Typically, the monsoon reaches Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam by June 5.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh predicts a clear mandate for the INDIA bloc in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, expecting a decisive victory with seats well above the majority mark. Ramesh anticipates the selection of a prime ministerial candidate within 48 hours post-election, emphasizing the party with the most seats in the coalition as the natural contender for leadership.

Chandigarh's Lok Sabha contest features BJP's Sanjay Tandon against Congress's Manish Tewari, with a history of notable contenders like Kirron Kher and Pawan Kumar Bansal. The election dynamics highlight alliances with AAP, shifting voter bases, and key issues like infrastructural development and traffic concerns.

Gorakhpur witnessed a transformation with the construction of Vikas Bhawan in the late '80s leading to new AIIMS, fertilizer plant, and a zoological garden. The city is home to Goraksh Peeth established by Guru Gorakhnath, a key figure in its political history. Ramgarh Taal, once infamous, now boasts crystal clear water and a cruise service.

Kolkata South, a bastion of Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee, faces a significant election battle with strong historical ties and key players vying for victory.

Fifteen people were injured in a firecracker explosion during a festival in Puri, Odisha. The incident occurred during Lord Jagannath's Chandan Jatra festival.

Revelations about the reinstatement of Dr. Ajay Taware, previously stripped of his post due to a suspected kidney racket, as medical superintendent of Sassoon General Hospital have led to the compulsory leave of Dean Dr Vinayak Kale. This followed Kale's public disclosure of details related to the Porsche Taycan accident case, where Taware, along with Dr Shrihari Halnor and mortuary staffer Atul Ghatkamble, is accused of manipulating an alcohol test.

PM Modi accuses Congress of neglecting Mahatma Gandhi, sparking a heated exchange. Modi highlights Gandhi's global recognition post-1982 film 'Gandhi', criticizing past govts for not promoting his legacy.

Meenakshipuram, a village in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district, became a ghost village after its last inhabitant, 73-year-old Kandasamy Naicker, passed away. Once home to 1,296 residents, the village faced environmental changes, inconsistent rainfall, and severe droughts, leading to a mass exodus over the past decade. Naicker, who outlived his wife by 20 years, chose to remain in his birthplace despite the hardships.

A 15-year-old girl in Haridwar has been arrested for killing her father and brother. She had eloped with Mukul Singh, leading to his arrest under the Pocso Act. The girl confessed to the crime after being detained in Haridwar.