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Delhi HC Questions Sameer Wankhede’s Plea Against Netflix, Red Chillies

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Delhi HC Questions Sameer Wankhede’s Plea Against Netflix, Red Chillies 2

The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the maintainability of IRS officer and former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede’s defamation plea against actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, along with Netflix, over their web series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav asked Wankhede’s counsel to explain how the plea could be maintained in Delhi. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for Wankhede, argued that the series was streamed across cities, including Delhi, and that his client’s reputation had been tarnished here. He, however, sought time to amend the plaint accordingly.

The court granted time to file the amended application before the matter is heard further.

In his plea, Wankhede has sought a permanent and mandatory injunction, a declaration, and damages against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others, alleging that the series contained “false, malicious, and defamatory” content. He has demanded ₹2 crore in damages, to be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients.

“The series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions,” the plea stated.

According to Wankhede, the show was deliberately designed to malign his reputation in a prejudicial manner, particularly since the case involving him and Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan is still pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.

Curfew in Leh Enters Third Day After Violent Statehood Protests; MHA Team Reviews Security

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Curfew in Leh Enters Third Day After Violent Statehood Protests; MHA Team Reviews Security 4

Curfew continued in Leh for the third consecutive day on Friday following violent protests over statehood demands, even as a high-level Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) team held a series of meetings to assess the security situation.

The restrictions were imposed on Wednesday evening after clashes during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) turned violent, leaving four people dead and 90 others injured. Officials said the overall situation in Ladakh remained peaceful on Friday, with no fresh incidents reported, but strict prohibitory orders under Section 144 banning assembly of five or more persons remain in force in Leh, Kargil, and other major towns.

Over 50 people have been detained since the violence. Police and paramilitary forces in riot gear continue to patrol the streets, which remain largely deserted. Residents in several areas complained of shortages of essentials such as milk, vegetables, and ration.

Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk has ordered closure of all schools, colleges, and anganwadi centres for two days. Meanwhile, an MHA team that reached Leh on Thursday reviewed the situation with the Lieutenant Governor, civil and police officials, and LAB representatives.

The meeting concluded that a preparatory round of talks would be held in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, followed by an official meeting with a High-Powered Committee. The committee will include seven members each from LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), alongside Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan, to deliberate on a four-point agenda.

For the past four years, LAB and KDA have jointly spearheaded an agitation demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and a Public Service Commission. While some progress has been made on job guarantees and additional parliamentary representation, the core demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards remains unresolved.

Shops and business establishments reopened in Kargil on Friday after observing a day-long shutdown. However, heavy security deployment continues in sensitive areas to prevent further unrest.

Curfew in Ladakh After Violent Clashes Leave Four Dead, 80 Injured; 50 Detained

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Curfew in Ladakh After Violent Clashes Leave Four Dead, 80 Injured; 50 Detained 6

Curfew has been imposed in Ladakh following intense clashes in Leh that left four people dead and over 80 injured on Wednesday. At least 50 people were detained as police and paramilitary forces enforced strict restrictions across the violence-hit region.

The violence erupted during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to push for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The protest spiraled into arson and street clashes, with agitators setting fire to the BJP office, torching vehicles, and vandalising the Hill Council headquarters. The situation prompted authorities to declare an indefinite curfew in Leh town.

Strict prohibitory orders banning gatherings of more than five people have also been enforced in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass, and Lamayuru. In Kargil, District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting rallies, demonstrations, and use of loudspeakers without official permission.

Officials said the unrest intensified after two hunger strikers from a 35-day protest led by LAB were hospitalised. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been leading a hunger strike in support of Ladakh’s constitutional safeguards, called off his fast after the violence broke out. In an appeal, Wangchuk urged young protesters to stop the violence, saying it only harmed the cause. “This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally because our peaceful struggle has turned violent,” he said.

The Union Home Ministry alleged that the violence was triggered by “provocative statements” and “politically motivated individuals” unhappy with the progress of ongoing talks between the Centre and Ladakhi groups. It reiterated that the government remains committed to providing adequate constitutional safeguards for the people of Ladakh.

Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta condemned the violence, calling it a “conspiracy” and stressing that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the clashes could not be justified.

Despite heavy security deployment, officials confirmed that three of the injured were Nepali nationals, and police are probing possible foreign links to the unrest. The LAB and KDA, spearheading the four-year agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule, are scheduled for another round of talks with the Centre on October 6.

BJP Turns Durga Puja Into Cultural Battleground to Counter TMC’s ‘Anti-Bengali’ Narrative

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BJP Turns Durga Puja Into Cultural Battleground to Counter TMC's 'Anti-Bengali' Narrative 8

The BJP in West Bengal has recast its Durga Puja outreach into a cultural counter-offensive aimed at blunting the Trinamool Congress’ “anti-Bengali” charge ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The saffron camp is attempting to fuse faith with identity politics, projecting itself as a stakeholder in “Bangali asmita” (Bengali pride) while challenging Mamata Banerjee’s portrayal of the party as an outsider force.

This year, the party has dispatched 107 leaders to 22 states and Union Territories under the ‘Durgapuja Bangali Milan Samaroh’ to connect with diaspora Bengalis. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya is touring Gujarat, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar is in Varanasi, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is in Tripura, with others fanning out across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Ranchi and the Andaman Islands. Strategists believe such outreach may not directly translate into votes but could influence families and networks in Bengal through word-of-mouth.

The BJP is also reviving its showpiece Durga Puja at Salt Lake’s Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), first inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020. After fading enthusiasm post the 2021 defeat, the puja is returning under the Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha, a BJP-backed cultural initiative. Leaders insist it is about art and community bonding, though the TMC dismisses it as political optics.

Bookstalls at pandals, once dismissed by the BJP as a Left relic, are now central to its campaign. From 8,000 stalls last year, the party has targeted 36,000 this season, offering books on India’s civilisational heritage, the Ram temple movement, the Citizenship Amendment Act, and electoral reforms. The outreach extends to prize-rich contests for tableaux and immersion processions, with rewards up to ₹3 lakh.

Senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are set to inaugurate key pandals, while Adhikari has lined up appearances at over 120 Durga Pujas. The TMC, which has historically controlled nearly 95% of puja committees, remains dominant, but the BJP is working to chip away at its cultural monopoly.

Party spokespersons argue that Bengalis across India are celebrating Durga Puja without harassment, dismissing the TMC’s narrative of cultural alienation. By marrying devotion with political messaging, the BJP hopes to weave itself into Bengal’s cultural identity and turn Durga Puja into a decisive arena for the battle of 2026.

Nitesh Rane Warns Against Disturbing Maharashtra’s Peace Amid Navratri Tensions

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Nitesh Rane Warns Against Disturbing Maharashtra's Peace Amid Navratri Tensions 10

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has issued a stern warning against disturbing the state’s peaceful atmosphere during Navratri celebrations. Visiting a Durga pandal organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj in Mumbai’s Mankhurd on Wednesday, Rane said no one would be allowed to disrespect Hindu gods and goddesses during the festival.

The warning comes after tensions erupted on Sunday night when an idol of Goddess Durga was allegedly desecrated in Mankhurd, sparking a clash between two groups.

Rane described the ruling Mahayuti as a “Hindutvawadi government” elected with the support of Hindu votes, asserting that “people wearing the gol topi did not vote for it.” He cautioned against any attempts to disrupt harmony, saying, “Celebrate your festivals peacefully, and we will celebrate ours. Don’t look at us sideways. We will not tolerate anyone trying to disturb Mumbai’s atmosphere.”

The minister added that those seeking permission to celebrate festivals can easily approach the government and receive approvals without delay. He also joined devotees in a ‘maha aarti’ during the event.

Earlier, Rane had claimed that garba events during Navratri are turning into “epicentres” of “love jihad” and supported the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s advisory urging organisers to thoroughly verify the identity of participants.

10,000 Kg of Dead Fish, Waste Cleared from Mumbai’s Banganga Tank After Pitru Paksha Rituals

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10,000 Kg of Dead Fish, Waste Cleared from Mumbai’s Banganga Tank After Pitru Paksha Rituals 12

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared nearly 10,000 kg of dead fish and ritual waste from the historic Banganga Tank at Malabar Hill after the conclusion of Pitru Paksha rituals, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The mass fish deaths were first reported on September 21, when devotees began immersing flowers, food, and other offerings. Civic officials said the immersion of floral and organic material depleted oxygen levels in the water, triggering large-scale fish mortality.

“Over 6,000 kg of waste was collected on Sunday, followed by 2,000 kg each on Monday and Tuesday. The material included dead fish, floral offerings, plastic, and organic waste,” a senior BMC official told The Indian Express. Seven dumper trucks were used to remove the debris, while water samples have been sent for lab testing to rule out chemical contamination.

To stabilise water quality, BMC installed aerators and dewatering pumps to infuse oxygen and pump in fresh water. Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Fisheries Department, and Taraporewala Aquarium also inspected the site.

Banganga Tank, a 12th-century freshwater stepped reservoir managed by the GSB Temple Trust, houses more than 220 fish species. However, mass fish deaths during religious immersions have become a recurring issue.

Following the incident, activists renewed demands for preventive measures. Sneha Visariya, founder trustee of Just Smile Charitable Trust, urged BMC to create artificial ponds for ritual immersions. “Offerings should be immersed in artificial ponds, from which only the water can be released into the tank. This way devotees can complete their rituals without harming aquatic life. We are killing living beings in the name of religion, and this must stop,” she said.

Visariya recalled filing complaints after a similar incident in 2022 when post-mortem reports from Parel Veterinary Hospital confirmed contaminated water as the cause of death, reinforcing calls for urgent action.

Maharashtra May Monetise ‘Golden Data’ of Welfare Beneficiaries via Samanvay Portal

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Maharashtra May Monetise 'Golden Data' of Welfare Beneficiaries via Samanvay Portal 14

The Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to monetise anonymised non-personal data of welfare scheme beneficiaries through its new digital platform Samanvay, which is set to launch on October 2, officials confirmed.

The database, termed Golden Data, will consolidate details of every beneficiary of state and central schemes, accessible via a unique Aadhaar-linked MahaID. Currently under trial, the system is designed to streamline welfare delivery, eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, and provide a single-window view of citizen entitlements.

A senior IT department official said that once the platform runs smoothly, the state may explore sharing anonymised data with private companies, start-ups, and financial institutions for market research. He clarified that no personal details would be revealed, aligning with central government data policies.

The Golden Data pool will include economic, social, and geographical details such as age, caste, education, income range, vehicles owned, and benefits availed. Income Tax and Vahan databases are also being integrated, with health records likely to follow.

Officials revealed that under the Ladki Bahin scheme—which provides ₹1,500 per month to women aged 18–65—lakhs of ineligible beneficiaries were flagged through the system, prompting physical verification by the women and child welfare department.

The government has not yet taken a final decision on monetisation but maintains the consolidated database will first serve to improve transparency and efficiency in welfare implementation.

Kolkata Flood Chaos: Four Dead of Electrocution as Torrential Rains Cripple City

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Kolkata Flood Chaos: Four Dead of Electrocution as Torrential Rains Cripple City 16

Torrential overnight rain left Kolkata paralysed on Tuesday, claiming at least four lives due to electrocution and throwing normal life out of gear as vast areas were submerged, transport services disrupted, and traffic brought to a grinding halt.

Commuters waded through waist-deep water in several parts of the city, while vehicles lay stranded on arterial roads. Metro services on a major stretch of the Blue Line were suspended, and train operations from Howrah and Sealdah were badly hit due to flooded tracks.

The victims were identified as Firoz Ali Khan (50) of Beniapukur, Pranatosh Kundu (62) of Netaji Nagar, Mumtaz Bibi (70) of Ekbalpur, and an unidentified man in Gariahat. “So far, we have information of four deaths due to electrocution in different places in the city,” Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim confirmed.

Hakim said most areas remained waterlogged, with Kolkata Municipal Corporation teams struggling to drain out water as rivers and canals overflowed. He cautioned that the afternoon high tide might worsen the situation, with some relief expected only late at night.

Traffic was brought to a standstill at Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street, while EM Bypass and AJC Bose Road witnessed massive snarls. Many schools declared a holiday, and office-goers faced severe hardships as buses broke down mid-way, taxis stayed off the roads, and app cabs charged exorbitant fares.

Metro services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations, while Eastern Railway suspended operations in the Sealdah south section. Circular Railway services also came to a halt.

The India Meteorological Department warned of more heavy rain in south Bengal districts, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura. In Kolkata, the worst-hit areas included Garia Kamdahari (332 mm), Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm), and Ballygunge (264 mm).

With another low-pressure system likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by September 25, authorities fear the situation could worsen further.

Ex-Lodha Director Rajendra Lodha Arrested in Rs 100 Crore Panvel Land Scam

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Ex-Lodha Director Rajendra Lodha Arrested in Rs 100 Crore Panvel Land Scam 18

Former Lodha Developers Ltd (LDL) whole-time director Rajendra Lodha has been arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch in connection with an alleged ₹100 crore land scam. Police claim Lodha sold a company-owned plot in Panvel to an associate and later arranged for LDL to repurchase it at a significantly inflated price.

The case involves an 8,850 sq mtrs land parcel in Shirdon, Panvel, originally acquired by LDL in 2017 from Aparna Puranik, widow of former employee Mangesh Puranik, who held the property on the company’s behalf since 2013. After his death, Aparna signed a power of attorney (POA) in Lodha’s favour.

Investigators allege that in June 2022, Lodha used the POA to sell the land to his associate, Ritesh Narsana, for just ₹5 lakh, citing development issues. Then, in October 2024, he allegedly orchestrated LDL’s repurchase of the same plot from Narsana for ₹2.65 crore, pocketing the gains.

LDL discovered irregularities on July 23 when Lodha made an incomplete disclosure of outside interests to the company secretary, as required under law. A subsequent review against Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) records revealed serious discrepancies. When asked to share his asset details, Lodha allegedly refused and chose to resign, citing health reasons.

An ethics committee probe by LDL flagged multiple suspicious transactions amounting to nearly ₹100 crore. The company filed a complaint, leading to an FIR on September 16. Lodha was arrested on September 17 and has been remanded in police custody until September 23 as investigations continue.

Maharashtra Stares at Rs 10,000 Crore GST Loss as BJP Pitches Consumer Benefits

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Image: PTI

Maharashtra is set to lose between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000 crore under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab structure that came into effect on Monday. Despite the looming shortfall, the state government has not yet decided to demand compensation, unlike opposition-ruled states that have already raised the issue. BJP-ruled states, however, have chosen to align with the Centre’s decision without protest.

According to trade and government sources, the revenue loss could exceed ₹10,000 crore, but the BJP has moved quickly to convert the GST cuts into a political opportunity. The party has instructed trade bodies, shops, and malls to highlight consumer savings by displaying the revised GST rates alongside the old ones. Advertisements are also being rolled out to underline the benefits to the end consumer.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists’ Maharashtra wing has already begun displaying the revised tax slabs at medical shops. Medicines that earlier attracted 12% GST now fall under 5%, reducing MRPs by 6.25%. Products that were taxed at 18% and shifted to 5% will see an 11.02% drop in MRPs. Items previously taxed at 5% and now exempted will become cheaper by 4.77%, while goods that moved from 12% to zero tax will save 10.72% on MRPs.

The chemists’ body has also decided to clear its old stock, earlier purchased under 12% and 18% GST, by charging just 5%. With the BJP planning an extensive campaign to amplify these consumer savings, political observers say the party is keen to ensure the GST restructuring translates into electoral advantage in Maharashtra.

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