Maharashtra witnessed a 66% voter turnout, the highest in 30 years, for its state assembly elections. Exit polls present mixed predictions, with some favoring the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and others the opposition INDIA bloc. All eyes are on the Election Commission as vote counting begins on November 23rd to determine the winning alliance.
Mumbai police have arrested Akashdeep Gill in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Gill is accused of using a laborer's mobile hotspot to evade detection by authorities. Anmol Bishnoi, the alleged mastermind behind the murder, was arrested in the United States and is awaiting extradition to India.
Canada clarified that it possesses no evidence connecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, or NSA Ajit Doval to criminal activities within the country. This follows accusations by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who alleged Indian government agents were involved in covert operations and serious crimes in Canada, claims India vehemently denied.
BJP President JP Nadda responded to Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge's letter to the President regarding the Manipur violence. Nadda accused the Congress of sensationalizing the situation and blamed their past governance for the current unrest. He assured that the government is actively working to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
At the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of dialogue and peaceful negotiations in resolving international disputes. He highlighted India's commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region, advocating for adherence to international law. Singh's remarks come amidst China's continued assertive actions in the region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to Guyana in 56 years, addressed the nation's Parliament, emphasizing the deep historical ties between the two countries. Modi highlighted India's commitment to global good, advocating for 'Democracy First, Humanity First' and urging for space and sea to be areas of cooperation rather than conflict.
The Indian Army's White Knight Corps is investigating allegations of civilian mistreatment during a counterterrorism operation in the Kishtwar sector on November 20, 2024. The operation, initiated by the Rashtriya Rifles, followed intelligence reports of terrorist movement. The Army has assured a thorough investigation and appropriate action based on the findings.
India's Parliament is gearing up for a busy winter session with 15 new bills on the agenda. Key among them is the Waqf amendment bill, awaiting a report from a joint parliamentary committee. Additionally, bills focusing on maritime trade and the establishment of a cooperative university are slated for introduction. These new bills join eight others already awaiting parliamentary approval.
Gautam Adani and associates face US charges for a $265 million bribery scheme to secure solar energy contracts in India. The indictment alleges bribes were paid to Indian officials between 2020 and 2024, violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Adani Group denies the allegations, calling them baseless.
The Karnataka government clarified that it is only revoking ineligible BPL cards, not all of them as previously reported. The decision comes after backlash from the BJP, who claimed 1.2 million cards were canceled. The food and civil supplies minister assured that only a small percentage of cards were reclassified and legitimate cardholders will retain their benefits.
The BJP has countered Rahul Gandhi's criticism of PM Modi regarding the Adani case, invoking George Soros and accusing Gandhi of aligning with the investor's stance. The BJP highlighted Soros's past criticism of Modi and Adani's relationship, questioning the timing of both Soros's comments and the US Justice Department's observations.
Visakhapatnam has taken action against rising pollution levels by banning single-use plastics. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is advocating for biodegradable alternatives. Despite previous funding for pollution control, the city's AQI reached 184. The government is actively reviewing the situation and plans to implement further measures to combat the issue.
The Delhi High Court has refused to halt trial court proceedings against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case connected to the alleged excise policy scam. Kejriwal is challenging the trial court's decision to proceed with the case, arguing a lack of proper sanction for his prosecution.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has alleged that the Adani group attempted to enter Delhi's power sector but was thwarted by Arvind Kejriwal. This claim comes amidst accusations of bribery and fraud against Gautam Adani by US prosecutors. While the Adani group denies these charges, Singh insists on raising the issue in the upcoming Parliament session.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the Gautam Adani case, alleging a pattern of attacking India and its institutions. The BJP highlighted that the US case involved agreements signed during the tenure of Congress and its allies in four states, questioning their role.
The Supreme Court emphasized on Thursday that even jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik deserves a fair trial, drawing parallels to Ajmal Kasab's case. The court suggested conducting Malik's trial for the 1989 Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping inside Tihar Jail due to connectivity issues with the Jammu court. The bench will consider this option after hearing from all the accused.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged for the immediate arrest of billionaire Gautam Adani, citing US charges of bribery and fraud. Gandhi highlighted US prosecutors' allegations of $250 million in bribes paid by Adani and associates to Indian officials, emphasizing violations of both US and Indian law. He reiterated Congress's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into Adani's transactions.
