CBI has filed a chargesheet against four Punjab Police personnel, naming Inspector Ronnie Singh as the prime accused in the assault on Colonel Pushpinder Bath. Charges of attempted murder were dropped, replaced with 'causing grievous hurt' and 'wrongful restraint' following a parking dispute.

A 20-year-old Bengali mason, working in Odisha for the first time, was tragically beaten to death by a mob. While his family claims he was falsely accused of being Bangladeshi, police state the violence erupted from a monetary dispute. Two other migrant workers were critically injured in the attack.

In a heartwarming display of unity, a 75-year-old Sikh woman in Punjab's Jakhwali village donated land for a new mosque. Sikh and Hindu families are also contributing financially to the construction. This gesture highlights the village's long-standing tradition of interfaith harmony, where all communities support each other's religious needs.

Naxal carried a Rs 1.1 crore bounty on his head

Tragedy struck near Mysuru Palace late Thursday when a helium cylinder for balloons exploded, claiming one life and injuring four, including three tourists. The blast, heard a kilometer away, occurred as visitors enjoyed the palace's winter festival events. Authorities have ruled out foul play, and forensic teams are investigating the incident. Injured individuals were promptly taken to KR Hospital.

India's first wildlife-safe road corridor debuts on Bhopal-Jabalpur highway. A 12km stretch through a tiger reserve features speed-calming red markings, fencing, and 25 underpasses. This integrated approach aims to drastically reduce animal road deaths by guiding wildlife and slowing vehicles in critical tiger habitats.

The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against a government-recognized madrassa teacher from Azamgarh who fraudulently drew salary and retirement benefits for a decade while living abroad and holding British citizenship. He allegedly amassed significant properties and cash from suspicious entities, highlighting a systemic breakdown in the state's madrassa education framework.

The Army has tightened social media rules for personnel, allowing only passive viewing on platforms like Instagram and X. Meanwhile, a top Maoist leader with a Rs 1.2 crore bounty was killed in Odisha. Union Minister Gadkari recalled meeting Hamas leader Haniyeh before his assassination.

Thailand defended demolishing a Vishnu statue near the Cambodian border, citing security and administration. India expressed strong disapproval, calling the act disrespectful to Hindu sentiments. Cambodia confirmed the statue was on its territory and condemned the destruction, amidst ongoing border clashes that have claimed numerous lives

Right-wing groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside a Bareilly church on Christmas Eve, alleging objectionable portrayals of Hinduism. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, they claimed Christmas events hurt Hindu sentiments. Police are investigating after the groups submitted a memorandum demanding action against alleged misleading depictions of religious conversion and Hindu society.

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the new law replacing MGNREGA, denying any political talks. He reaffirmed his commitment as a lifetime party worker and announced plans for a movement to protect rural development. The Congress Working Committee will meet on December 27 to deliberate on the issue.

Delhi's air quality saw a welcome improvement for the second day, moving from 'severe' to 'poor' levels. While some areas experienced 'moderate' air, others remained in 'poor' or 'very poor' categories. Vehicular emissions and neighbouring NCR districts were identified as major pollution sources. Forecasts suggest a potential return to 'very poor' conditions soon.

2025 saw political shifts with Nitish Kumar retaining power in Bihar and Siddaramaiah navigating a leadership tussle. While Nitin Nabin and Chirag Paswan rose, the Congress faced defeats and internal strife. Arvind Kejriwal's AAP lost Delhi, and Prashant Kishor's political venture faltered, highlighting power's dynamic nature.

The Army has unveiled new social media guidelines for its personnel. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube are restricted to viewing and information gathering, users can share unclassified general information on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal with known contacts. LinkedIn is permitted for professional networking and job seeking purposes only.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, calling it a “chilling message” to the survivor and alleging that leniency in brutal rape cases has been normalised. The sentence has been suspended pending appeal, though Sengar will remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year term in the custodial death case of the survivor’s father.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Christmas greetings, wishing for peace, compassion, and hope, and called for societal harmony. He attended a Christmas morning service at The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, highlighting the enduring values of love and brotherhood. This follows his consistent engagement with the Christian community through various events.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to expedite the extradition of US-based accused Amit Wadhwa and asked the trial court to conclude the long-pending criminal proceedings preferably within one year.

Actor Vijay, founder of the TVK party, accused the ruling DMK of allowing the BJP's «Lotus» to bloom in Tamil Nadu and confusing people with a «common minimum agenda.» He stated that political adversaries were rattled by TVK's successful public meetings and were now «unmasking themselves.»

Union minister Nitin Gadkari recounted meeting Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh hours before his assassination in Tehran. Gadkari, was in Iran, attending presidential swearing-in, and was informed of Haniyeh's death early next morning. The incident highlighted the growing role of technology in modern conflict and national security.

The CBI will challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence and grant bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. Sengar, convicted for kidnapping and raping a minor in 2017, was granted bail after serving over seven years, though he remains jailed for another conviction.

A 16-year-old girl's body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in Sachendi village, days after her father allegedly beat her for an affair with a cousin. While her father claims suicide, police are investigating the cause of death, preserving viscera due to unclear postmortem findings. A dupatta was found tied around her neck.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that a consensual relationship between a teacher and student constitutes misconduct, not sexual harassment. This decision overturned a 19-year-old dismissal order for an MNNIT lecturer, deeming the penalty disproportionate. The court noted the relationship appeared consensual and was not followed by criminal action.

A father in Tamil Nadu has been sentenced to death for the horrific sexual assault and impregnation of his 14-year-old daughter. The 49-year-old labourer's brutal acts, which began in August 2024, were discovered when the victim fell ill and doctors found she was pregnant.

Gujarat High Court acquitted a father sentenced to death for the rape and murder of his pregnant teenage daughter. The court cited procedural lapses, including compromised DNA evidence due to delayed submission and improper preservation, as grounds for overturning the conviction. The prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of reliable evidence.

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad high court has freed a man after nearly 24 years of imprisonment. The court found the trial court erred by relying solely on a confession made under duress. Upholding the right to a fair trial, the bench highlighted the lack of legal aid and corroborative evidence, leading to the acquittal of Azad Khan.

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed by former CM Mehbooba Mufti. The court deemed the petition vague, politically motivated, and lacking substantiation, stating it failed to meet legal standards for PILs.

'Continues to arm pak with latest weapons'

Move comes even as plea against life term is pending

The National Highways Authority of India has issued a final notice to Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIL) for termination over severe delays on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Gujarat. With construction progress as low as 4.9% on one 35-km stretch, the project's revised deadline is now at risk.

Unnao rape survivor and her mother met Rahul and Sonia Gandhi seeking help in their legal battle against convicted attacker Kuldeep Sengar, who received bail. The survivor also requested relocation to a Congress-ruled state for safety, fearing for her life. Rahul Gandhi pledged legal assistance and support for her relocation, while condemning police action against her protest.

The CBI will challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence and grant him bail in the Unnao rape case. Despite this, Sengar remains jailed due to a separate conviction. The survivor, calling the bail «death,» plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, citing safety fears.

A CRPF head constable sustained injuries when a leopard entered a paramilitary camp in Anantnag, attacking him in the mess. The animal subsequently escaped into a nearby forest. This incident follows a recent surge in wild animal sightings and attacks across Kashmir, prompting the government to develop a plan to address the issue.