FIR Filed Against Five for Forcing 13-Year-Old Tribal Girl Into Marriage and Sexual Abuse in Palghar 2
A 13-year-old tribal girl from Maharashtra’s Palghar district was allegedly forcibly married off and raped, police said on Friday.
Based on a complaint lodged by the minor, the police have registered a case against five persons, including the groom and his family from Ahilyanagar, an official said.
According to the police, the girl’s grandfather allegedly got her married to a man from Ahilyanagar in September, and she was repeatedly sexually assaulted. The groom’s parents also mentally harassed her.
“We have registered a case against five individuals, including a family member, for the forced marriage, trafficking, and repeated sexual assault of a minor girl. The case involves multiple jurisdictions, and we are coordinating the investigation to ensure immediate action is taken against all the accused involved in this serious crime,” the official said.
The offence has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he said.
210 Naxalites Lay Down Arms in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur, Hold Constitution as Symbol of Surrender 4
In a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism, as many as 210 Naxalites, including a Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), surrendered before police and paramilitary forces in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday. The surrender ceremony took place in the presence of senior security officials and tribal community leaders.
The Naxalites, holding copies of the Indian Constitution as a symbol of their return to the democratic fold, also handed over 153 weapons — including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 self-loading rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS light machine gun (LMG), 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, and 11 barrel grenade launchers (BGL).
The surrendered group included one Central Committee member, four members of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC), 21 divisional committee members, and 61 area committee members, according to officials. Tribal leaders welcomed them with flowers, symbolizing their reintegration into mainstream society.
Photographs from the event showed police officers, paramilitary personnel, and community representatives standing together with the surrendered cadres in a display of reconciliation and peace.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also serves as Home Minister, are expected to address a press conference regarding the development.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has consistently emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism, particularly in the Bastar region, by March 31, 2026. Earlier this week, Shah announced that Abujhmarh and North Bastar — two of the worst-affected regions — have been declared free from Naxal terror, reiterating that while surrendering rebels are welcome back into society, those persisting with violence will face decisive action.
Bombay HC Upholds Herbal Hookah Rights, Warns State Against Unlawful Raids 6
The Bombay High Court has reiterated that serving herbal or tobacco-free hookahs is permissible, provided there is no violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA). Reaffirming its 2019 order, the court warned the Maharashtra government against arbitrary police action and directed that authorities must act strictly as per law.
A division bench of Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash stated that authorities can conduct searches only if a complaint is received. “If any tobacco substance is found in the hookah parlour, then they can take action against those persons,” the bench observed.
The court disposed of a series of petitions filed by restaurant owners who alleged that police continued to raid establishments serving herbal hookahs, despite the 2019 ruling. The petitioners said the raids were causing financial losses and disruptions to their businesses.
“The petitioners are not prohibited from running restaurants or serving hookah that does not contain tobacco or nicotine,” the bench clarified, adding that authorities “shall strictly act under the provisions of COTPA.”
The court took note of the state government’s affidavit and emphasized that only police officers of the rank of Assistant Police Inspector or above are authorized to take action under COTPA. It further stated that any parlour found serving drugs or narcotics will face action under relevant laws.
The petitioners, represented by advocates Rajendra Rathod and Dhruv B. Jain, had approached the court after the state home department issued a circular on June 6, 2025, calling for strict action against illegal hookah parlours. They argued that the directive should not apply to businesses serving only herbal hookahs.
Concluding the matter, the bench said, “As long as the petitioners comply with COTPA and do not serve any prohibited substance, no action can be taken against them,” and directed the state to circulate the order to all concerned authorities.
Fake Cops on the Prowl: Two Mumbai Residents Duped in Separate Scams 8
In two separate incidents, Mumbai residents were duped by impostors posing as police officers, exposing a growing trend of conmen using fake uniforms and digital payment scams.
In the first case, a 67-year-old yoga instructor, Anand Joshi, from Santacruz West, was approached by two men claiming to be policemen collecting funds to distribute clothes and food to the poor. They convinced Joshi by showing a fake register with a false entry stating that his neighbour had donated ₹10,000. When Joshi agreed to contribute, they asked him to scan a QR code, through which he transferred ₹2,000. Later, he learned from his neighbour that the men were frauds. Police discovered that the duo wore fake uniforms and arrived on a motorcycle.
In another incident, Ratikrushna Patnaik, 55, a hotel and lodge owner from Goregaon West, was conned by a man pretending to be a crime branch officer named “Prakash.” The impostor allegedly booked a room, claiming it was for VIP bandobast duty. When the staff asked for identification or payment, he threatened them and left without settling the bill.
Police have registered both cases under Section 204 (personating a public servant) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigations are underway to trace the accused.
Mumbai Court Denies Bail to Alleged Mithi River Scam 'Mastermind' Ketan Kadam 10
A Mumbai court has once again denied bail to Ketan Kadam, the alleged middleman and CEO of Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd, accused in the ₹65-crore Mithi River desilting contract scam. The court noted that Kadam had “direct involvement” in the conspiracy linked to the large-scale civic corruption case.
Additional Sessions Judge N. G. Shukla rejected Kadam’s second bail plea on October 14, with the detailed order made public on October 16. The accused had sought bail after the police filed a chargesheet in the case.
While dismissing the plea, the court stated, “It is a settled position of law that filing of the chargesheet would strengthen the allegations against the accused.”
According to the prosecution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) awarded multiple desilting contracts for the Mithi River between 2019 and 2024 through tenders. Kadam allegedly colluded with BMC officials and contractors to manipulate tender conditions, compelling bidders to hire machines from his company. The court order emphasized that the agreements “were created only to manage the money trail received from the bidders,” pointing to Kadam’s central role in the scam.
Prime Accused Unnikrishnan Potty Arrested in Sabarimala Missing Gold Case 12
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of gold from Kerala’s Sabarimala temple has arrested the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, officials confirmed on Friday.
Potty, a Bengaluru-based businessman, was taken into custody from his residence in Pulimath near Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday and was interrogated at the Crime Branch office before his arrest was officially recorded. Following the interrogation, he underwent a medical examination at a government hospital and was later shifted to Pathanamthitta.
According to police sources, Potty will be produced before a court in Ranni, Pathanamthitta, and the SIT will seek his custody for further interrogation.
The investigation, ordered by the Kerala High Court, focuses on two cases — the missing gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the loss of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames. The SIT is also probing the possible involvement of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) members and officials in handing over gold-clad copper plates of the idols and door frames to Potty for electroplating work in 2019.
Earlier, Potty had been questioned for two days by the TDB Vigilance Wing during its preliminary inquiry. The Kerala High Court has directed the SIT to complete its investigation within six weeks.
A court in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district has declared Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Mohammad Yousuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, a proclaimed offender in connection with a 2012 case, police said on Thursday.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Sopore issued the proclamation against Salahuddin under Section 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration) and Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal intimidation).
“The war against terror continues: J&K Police secures proclamation orders against the proscribed self-styled Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Md Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin, who has been provided sanctuary by Pakistan, in FIR 67/2012 of PS Dangiwacha,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police stated on X.
Earlier in July, an NIA court in Srinagar had also declared Salahuddin a proclaimed offender under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court had directed the militant leader, a resident of Soibugh in Budgam district, to appear in connection with serious terror-related charges under the UAPA and the Ranbir Penal Code.
The fresh proclamation further strengthens India’s ongoing legal and diplomatic efforts against Pakistan-based terror masterminds operating across borders.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Chaos Enters 5th Day: School Buses, Ambulances Stranded in Endless Jam 16
The traffic crisis on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (NH-48) has entered its fifth straight day, stranding thousands of commuters and laying bare severe infrastructure and traffic management lapses. The congestion near Vasai and Palghar has brought movement to a near standstill, leaving school buses, ambulances, and heavy vehicles trapped for hours in seemingly endless queues.
Officials attribute the gridlock to ongoing road repair work and diversion of heavy vehicles, but the situation has spiraled out of control. NH-48, a lifeline connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat and one of India’s busiest economic corridors, continues to suffer from poor planning and incomplete infrastructure upgrades.
The crisis deepened on Tuesday evening when nearly a dozen school buses carrying students from Classes 5 to 10 were stranded for nearly 12 hours while returning from a picnic near Virar. Several students reportedly went without food or water, sparking panic among parents. Volunteers from a local social organisation distributed biscuits and water to the stranded children, according to a report by India Today.
Former MAMFDC chairman and educationist Javed Shroff praised MNS chief Raj Thackeray for swiftly mobilising party workers to help nearly 500 stranded students. “Appreciate the yeomen & good initiative of Shri Raj Thackeray ji to have made arrangements for the students stuck in traffic and provided safe passage,” Shroff wrote on X, lauding the humanitarian response.
Appreciate the Yeomen & Good Initiative of Shri @RajThackeray ji to have made arrangements for the students stuck in traffic on the highway & provided safe passage. Best Regards. @mnsadhikrut
The ordeal has forced several Mumbai schools to postpone their educational trips. Anil Garg, chairman of the Educational Tour Operators Association, confirmed that more than 20 schools have delayed upcoming picnics to Vasai until after Diwali. “Even today, two buses from Nashik carrying 64 students from a Kandivli-based school were delayed by two hours,” he said.
For residents of Vasai-Virar, NH-48 remains the only viable route to Mumbai. Alternative travel options such as the Ro-Ro ferry service are overcrowded, with vehicle queues stretching up to 125 cars. As commuters, truckers, and students remain caught in gridlock, frustration and anger continue to grow—highlighting yet again Mumbai’s crumbling infrastructure and lack of effective urban planning.
Congress Slams PM Modi for 'Outsourcing Key Decisions' to Trump, Says He's 'Frightened' of US Pressure 18
The Congress party launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, accusing him of being “frightened” of US President Donald Trump and “outsourcing key national decisions” to Washington. The remarks came after Trump claimed that PM Modi had assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia.
In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Modi had allowed Trump to dictate India’s oil policy and announce the decision on New Delhi’s behalf. “PM Modi is frightened of Trump. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil. Keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs. Cancelled the Finance Minister’s visit to America. Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh. Doesn’t contradict him on Operation Sindoor,” Gandhi said.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a swipe at the government, saying the Prime Minister’s silence on Trump’s repeated claims reflected weakness. “At 5:37 PM IST on May 10, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the first to announce that India had halted Operation Sindoor. Since then, Trump has publicly taken credit 51 times across five countries, saying he intervened using tariffs and trade pressure. Yet our PM remained silent,” Ramesh said.
He added that Trump’s latest claim about Modi assuring an end to Russian oil imports “proves that the Prime Minister has outsourced key decisions to America.” Ramesh quipped, “The 56-inch chest has shrunk and shrivelled.”
Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, said the US was unhappy with India’s continued purchase of Russian crude, claiming such transactions helped fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. “He (Modi) is a friend of mine, and we have a great relationship. But we were not happy that India was buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue with this ridiculous war,” Trump said. “He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same.”
Praising Modi’s leadership, Trump added that the phase-out of Russian oil purchases had already begun and would be completed soon. “He’s assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia. It can’t happen immediately—it’s a process—but it’s underway,” Trump claimed.
India is currently the world’s third-largest oil importer and the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels after China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India significantly increased Russian crude imports, citing affordability and national energy security amid global price volatility.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy policy remains independent, driven by strategic and economic considerations, and that its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is based on “national interest and balanced diplomacy.”
Chaos Erupts in Patna as Congress Faces "Ticket on Sale" Allegations Ahead of Bihar Polls 20
Tensions erupted in Patna on Wednesday after allegations surfaced that Congress assembly tickets were being “sold,” triggering protests by angry aspirants and a chaotic scene at the airport. The turmoil unfolded as several Congress leaders, including state president Rajesh Kumar, were issued tickets for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
The uproar began when a group of disgruntled party aspirants stormed the Patna airport and heckled state Congress president Rajesh Kumar and legislative party leader Shakil Ahmed Khan, accusing them of selling tickets. Both leaders had returned from Delhi and were expected to distribute tickets at Sadaqat Ashram, the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters.
Sensing the volatile mood, the leaders shifted the process to a private residence, where selected candidates were quietly handed the party symbol. Photos of several confirmed candidates were later shared on the official X handle of the Bihar Congress.
Among those confirmed were Rajesh Kumar, contesting again from the Kutumba (reserved) seat, sitting MLAs Anand Shankar Singh (Aurangabad), Vijendra Chaudhary (Muzaffarpur), and Pratima Das (Raja Pakar). The Congress appears to have followed the lead of allies like RJD and CPI(ML) Liberation and even rivals such as JD(U), which have already begun distributing tickets ahead of formal announcements.
Meanwhile, the nomination process for the first phase of elections ends on Friday, while the deadline for the second phase extends until October 20.
Late Wednesday night, Rajesh Kumar, Shakil Ahmed Khan, and AICC in-charge Krishna Allavaru met RJD chief Lalu Prasad at his residence, where they reportedly reached an “amicable understanding” on seat-sharing after days of tense negotiations.
Party insiders say the Congress initially took a firm stance, buoyed by the response to Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, which rejuvenated its ground presence in Bihar. However, sources suggest the Congress has agreed to contest 61 seats — nine fewer than in 2020, when it fielded 70 candidates and won 19. The RJD is expected to retain the largest share of seats, though fewer than its 2020 tally of 144.
The Left parties — CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI(M), and CPI — along with former minister Mukesh Sahani, are likely to be accommodated in the remaining constituencies of the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
The controversy over “tickets for sale” has cast a shadow on the Congress campaign, exposing internal rifts just as the party sought to present a united front against the NDA in Bihar.
