CJP's Abhijeet Dipke to Return to India, Launch Protest Seeking Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation 2
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced that he will return to India on June 6 to launch a peaceful protest in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged lapses and controversies surrounding examinations.
In a video shared on Instagram, Dipke appealed to students and supporters across the country to join the campaign, claiming that repeated examination-related disruptions and controversies have created anxiety among students and raised serious concerns about accountability.
“The time has come for all of us to come together, following the path of the Constitution of India, and peacefully raise our voices to demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. If we raise our voices together, they will definitely have to listen to us,” Dipke said.
He urged citizens to unite and express their concerns through constitutional and democratic means, stressing that collective and peaceful action could compel authorities to address the issues raised by students.
Announcing his travel plans, Dipke said he would arrive in Delhi on the morning of June 6 and invited supporters to gather at the airport upon his arrival.
“I have decided that I will arrive in Delhi on Saturday morning, June 6. Please join me at the airport and together we will go to the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar,” he said.
The Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-driven social media movement founded by Dipke, has gained significant attention online since its inception and has attracted support from several public figures and young followers.
The proposed protest comes amid growing debate over examination management and demands for greater transparency and accountability in the education sector.
MHADA Flags 82 Mumbai Buildings as Highly Dangerous, Launches Evacuation Ahead of Monsoon 4
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has identified 82 cessed buildings in Mumbai’s island city area as “highly dangerous” during its annual pre-monsoon structural survey and has begun evacuating residents from these structures to avert potential mishaps during the monsoon season.
In a statement issued on Friday, MHADA said the survey was conducted by its Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board. Of the 82 buildings declared unsafe, 43 had already been classified as highly dangerous in the previous year.
According to the authority, the identified buildings are occupied by 2,736 people, including 2,256 residential occupants and 480 non-residential tenants and residents.
As part of the evacuation drive, notices have been issued to 176 residential occupants directing them to vacate the premises immediately. Of these, 29 tenants have already shifted to MHADA transit camps, while 36 families have arranged alternative accommodation on their own.
The authority said eviction notices are being served to the remaining occupants, and the process of vacating the buildings is underway. MHADA estimates that accommodation arrangements may be required for around 2,102 occupants in transit camps and has initiated the necessary procedures to facilitate their relocation.
Appealing for public cooperation, MHADA urged residents living in the identified structures to comply with evacuation notices and follow safety guidelines issued by officials. The authority stressed that timely evacuation is crucial to prevent loss of life and property during the monsoon.
Residents have also been advised to immediately report any signs of structural distress, cracks, partial collapses or other safety concerns in old buildings.
For assistance, citizens can contact the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board’s control room on 23536945, 23517423, or the mobile helpline number 9321637699. Complaints can also be reported to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) control room.
The annual pre-monsoon survey is conducted to identify unsafe structures across Mumbai, where ageing cessed buildings often pose a significant risk during heavy rainfall.
CUET-UG 2026 Hit by Technical Glitch at Some Centres, NTA Revises Afternoon Exam Schedule 6
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday said the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2026 was delayed at some examination centres due to a technical glitch, prompting a revision in the afternoon session schedule.
According to the NTA, the issue was reported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the technology partner for the examination. The agency said the glitch has been resolved and candidates are being provided full compensatory time to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.
“TCS has reported that a technical glitch at their end delayed the commencement of CUET-UG 2026 at some centres on Saturday. The issue has since been resolved, and the exam is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged,” the NTA said in a post on X.
M/s TCS has reported that a technical glitch at their end delayed the commencement of CUET (UG) 2026 at some centres on 30.05.2026. The issue has since been resolved, and the exam is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate…
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 30, 2026
Following the disruption, the afternoon session timings were revised. Candidates were asked to report and complete entry formalities from 2:30 pm, while the examination was rescheduled to begin at 4:00 pm instead of the originally planned 3:00 pm.
The agency clarified that candidates appearing in the morning session would receive the full duration of the examination and would be allowed to leave only after completing the allotted test time.
Expressing regret over the inconvenience caused, the NTA apologised to students and parents affected by the delay.
To assist candidates, the agency has also activated support channels, including a helpline number (+91-11-40759000) and an email helpdesk (cuet-ug@nta.ac.in).
Introduced in 2022, CUET-UG is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the NTA for admission to undergraduate programmes in central, state, and select private universities across India. The exam was launched to streamline admissions through a common platform and evaluates students on language proficiency, domain-specific subjects, and general aptitude in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Manoj Jarange Begins Ninth Indefinite Fast, Escalates Pressure on Maharashtra Govt Over Maratha Quota 8
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday launched his ninth indefinite hunger strike in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, intensifying pressure on the state government to address long-pending demands related to the Maratha quota issue.
The protest began at Antarwali Sarati village, around 400 kilometres from Mumbai, where Jarange commenced his fast in the open under the scorching summer sun without any canopy or protective shelter.
As the agitation gathered momentum, Maharashtra’s Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman and Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil rushed to the protest site to hold discussions with Jarange and persuade him to withdraw the fast.
Jarange has repeatedly accused the government of delaying action on the community’s demands and warned that Marathas should not be subjected to an “agni pariksha” (trial by fire). He has vowed to continue the protest until concrete steps are taken by the state administration.
The activist renewed his key demand for the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community, which would enable them to avail benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota.
He has also sought implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records, withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha quota protesters during previous agitations, and the creation of a dedicated ministry for the Maratha community on the lines of the existing ministry for OBCs.
Soon after the fast commenced, Vikhe Patil appealed to Jarange to move under a shed and assured him that the government was making sincere efforts to resolve the reservation issue through dialogue.
Jarange’s latest agitation comes amid continuing political and social debate over Maratha reservation and the demand for inclusion within the OBC category, an issue that has remained at the centre of Maharashtra politics for several years.
Relief from Heat, But Rain Wreaks Havoc: Deaths Reported Across States as IMD Forecasts More Showers 10
The spell of rain that brought much-needed relief from the intense summer heat across large parts of India has also triggered widespread disruption, claiming lives and causing damage to property in several states.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in Delhi have dropped sharply over the past 48 hours, with some weather stations recording a fall of more than 9 degrees Celsius. The weather office has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall in the national capital until May 31.
For Saturday, Delhi is expected to record a minimum temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 35 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms accompanied by rain.
In Uttar Pradesh, the weather department has predicted widespread rainfall and thunderstorms over the next two days, along with strong winds, lightning, hailstorms and heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
Madhya Pradesh witnessed tragic weather-related incidents in Bhind district, where three people lost their lives and at least four others were injured on Friday evening. Strong winds accompanying the rain uprooted trees and caused walls and roofs to collapse.
According to officials, one person died and two others were injured in separate roof and wall collapse incidents in Atarsoha tehsil. Another person died in Sadripura village of Bhind tehsil, while one person was killed and two girls were injured in Sarva village of Gohad tehsil. Authorities said efforts were underway to identify the deceased, while the injured were admitted to hospitals for treatment. Several cattle were also reportedly killed due to the severe weather conditions.
In West Bengal, seven people died in rain-related incidents across six districts as thunderstorms lashed Kolkata and several parts of south Bengal. The adverse weather also affected operations at Kolkata airport, where flight arrivals and departures were reportedly suspended for more than an hour due to waterlogging on airstrips.
The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore has forecast enhanced thunderstorm activity over south Bengal over the next two days due to favourable wind patterns and strong moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal.
Neighbouring Odisha is expected to witness a mix of humid conditions and severe weather. Hot and humid weather is likely in coastal districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.
The IMD has issued an orange warning for several districts, including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Deogarh, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 60-70 kmph are likely.
A yellow warning has also been issued for multiple districts across the state, urging residents to remain alert.
Jharkhand also experienced rainfall, while Uttarakhand has been forecast to receive a fresh spell of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in higher-altitude areas. The IMD has issued a watch warning for isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.
With rain activity expected to continue in several regions through the weekend, authorities have advised people to remain cautious and follow weather advisories issued by local administrations.
CBI to Recreate Twisha Sharma Death Scene Using 80-kg Dummy; Samarth, Giribala to Demonstrate Events 12
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to recreate the circumstances surrounding the death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma by taking the accused, Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh, to their residence and conducting a reconstruction of the events, according to reports.
The reconstruction exercise is aimed at verifying claims made by Samarth Singh, Twisha’s husband, who has maintained that he brought her down after finding her hanging and that his mother, former district judge Giribala Singh, helped untie the knot around her neck.
According to a report by NDTV, the CBI plans to use an 80-kg dummy during the exercise. Samarth Singh will reportedly be asked to demonstrate how he brought Twisha down from the noose, while Giribala Singh will be required to show how she untied the knot.
Investigators are expected to conduct a detailed analysis to determine whether Samarth’s account is consistent with the physical evidence, crime scene conditions and other findings gathered during the investigation.
The probe team is also expected to examine whether the belt allegedly used in the incident could have supported the weight of the dummy, as part of efforts to assess the plausibility of the statements made by the accused.
The development comes days after the CBI arrested Giribala Singh in connection with the case. Her arrest followed the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to quash her anticipatory bail. Samarth Singh, a lawyer by profession, was already in the agency’s custody.
The CBI formally took over the investigation earlier this week and re-registered the FIR originally filed by the Madhya Pradesh Police, naming both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh as accused.
Twisha Sharma was allegedly found hanging at her matrimonial home on May 12. According to the FIR, Samarth Singh took her to AIIMS Bhopal, informing doctors that she had hanged herself at home around 10:20 pm. The hospital subsequently informed police that she was brought dead.
The post-mortem report later concluded that the cause of death was “antemortem hanging by ligature.” However, it also noted the presence of multiple ante-mortem injuries on other parts of her body, described as simple injuries that could have been caused by blunt force.
Following the autopsy findings and statements recorded from Twisha’s family members, police registered an FIR on May 15. The investigation is now being carried out by the CBI.
Supreme Court Allows Vinesh Phogat to Compete in Asian Games 2026 Selection Trials 14
The Supreme Court on Friday permitted wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held on May 30 and 31, providing a major boost to the celebrated athlete’s bid for a return to international competition.
A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenging a Delhi High Court ruling that allowed Phogat to compete in the trials.
Observing that expectations had already been raised following the High Court’s decision, the bench remarked that it would not be appropriate to deny her participation at this stage.
“Today, at this stage, the High Court having passed the order, the hope and expectations have risen. To tell her to go back home and we can’t do anything will not be proper,” the bench told the WFI’s counsel.
The Supreme Court directed that Phogat be allowed to participate in the selection trials while clarifying that it remained concerned about the manner in which the High Court had dealt with the matter. The case has been posted for further hearing next week.
On May 22, a division bench of the Delhi High Court had allowed Phogat to take part in the trials, holding that the WFI’s selection policy was exclusionary because it did not provide discretion for considering an iconic athlete returning from a maternity break.
The High Court had also ordered the WFI to video-record the trials and ensure the presence of independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The court observed that previous selection practices had allowed discretion for the inclusion of distinguished athletes and stressed that motherhood should not become a reason to exclude female sportspersons from competition.
“Motherhood cannot be treated as a professional impediment or a circumstance warranting adverse treatment,” the High Court had said.
The court had further criticised the WFI for describing Phogat’s disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics as a “national embarrassment” in a show-cause notice, calling the remark “deplorable” and “misconceived”.
Phogat has challenged the WFI’s selection policy, arguing that the eligibility criteria overlapped with her maternity leave and post-partum recovery period, effectively preventing her from qualifying for the trials.
Earlier this month, the WFI declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events until June 26, citing a mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations. Despite this, she participated in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda.
Phogat was one of the leading faces of the women wrestlers’ protest in 2023 against former WFI president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.
In August 2024, she was disqualified from the 50-kg category final at the Paris Olympics after being found 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in.
Siddaramaiah's Political Journey: From Janata Parivar Loyalist to Karnataka's Longest-Serving Chief Minister 16
Siddaramaiah’s rise from a staunch Janata Parivar leader and vocal Congress critic to becoming Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister is one of the most remarkable political transformations in the state’s history.
The 77-year-old Congress veteran, who openly expressed his desire to complete his full term and exit on a high note, stepped down as Chief Minister two years before the end of his tenure following the Congress high command’s decision to implement a leadership change in Karnataka.
During his second stint as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah etched his name into the record books by surpassing the tenure of Congress stalwart Devaraj Urs. On January 7, he became Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister, completing 2,792 days in office across his terms.
Born into a poor farming family, Siddaramaiah spent more than two decades in the Janata Parivar camp and was known for his strong anti-Congress stance. However, his expulsion from the Janata Dal (Secular) led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda proved to be a turning point in his political career.
In 2006, after ruling out the possibility of forming his own regional party and rejecting overtures from the BJP due to ideological differences, Siddaramaiah joined the Congress along with his supporters—a move that was considered unthinkable at the time.
A lawyer by profession, Siddaramaiah was deeply influenced by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia and began his political career as a taluk board member before rising through the ranks of Karnataka politics. He made his Assembly debut in 1983 from the Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru on a Lok Dal ticket.
Over the years, he held several key positions, including serving as the first chairman of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti, a body formed to oversee the implementation of Kannada as the official language, and later as Karnataka’s Sericulture Minister.
The seasoned politician’s patience and persistence eventually paid off when he realised his long-cherished ambition of becoming Chief Minister in 2013. He returned to the top post again in 2023 after a five-year gap, cementing his position as one of Karnataka’s most influential leaders.
Following the fractured mandate in 2004, Siddaramaiah served as Deputy Chief Minister in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by N Dharam Singh. He has often maintained that he missed an opportunity to become Chief Minister at the time due to internal political developments within the JD(S).
In 2005, Siddaramaiah strategically positioned himself as a leader of backward classes by championing the AHINDA platform—an acronym representing minorities, backward classes and Dalits—at a time when H D Kumaraswamy was emerging as a prominent face within the JD(S).
Born on August 12, 1948, in Siddaramanahundi village of Mysuru district, Siddaramaiah graduated with a BSc degree from the University of Mysore and later earned a law degree from the same institution before briefly practising as an advocate.
He is married to Parvati and has a son, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is a Congress MLC. His elder son, Rakesh Siddaramaiah, who was once seen as his political successor, passed away in 2016.
Siddaramaiah’s tenure was marked by the implementation of several welfare-oriented guarantee schemes that became a defining feature of his government. However, his administration also faced challenges, including allegations related to the allotment of MUDA sites in Mysuru to his wife, which became a major political controversy.
His final years in office were also shaped by a prolonged power-sharing tussle with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, another strong contender for the chief minister’s post. Ultimately, Siddaramaiah stepped down in accordance with the Congress party’s reported rotational power-sharing arrangement, bringing an end to a historic chapter in Karnataka politics.
CBI Arrests Latur Doctor, Pune Physics Teacher in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Probe 18
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested a doctor from Maharashtra’s Latur and a physics teacher from a Pune-based coaching institute in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
According to officials, the agency arrested Manoj Shirure, a Latur-based doctor, for allegedly playing a key role in facilitating access to leaked chemistry questions for three students, including the son of Renukai Career Centre (RCC) founder Shivraj Motegaonkar.
Motegaonkar, who operated the RCC coaching institute in Latur, was arrested earlier as part of the ongoing investigation.
The CBI also arrested Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a physics faculty member at Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA) in Pune. Investigators allege that Shah received leaked physics questions for the NEET-UG 2026 examination from co-accused Manisha Havaldar, who was arrested previously in the case.
With the latest arrests, the total number of people taken into custody in the paper leak case has risen to 13.
“The investigation to unearth the entire chain and conspiracy behind the paper leak is ongoing. The CBI has so far conducted searches at 49 locations and seized several incriminating documents, laptops and mobile phones,” a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 3 for admissions to undergraduate medical courses, was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a question paper leak and other irregularities.
The NTA has announced that a fresh examination will be conducted on June 21 for affected candidates.
The case has triggered nationwide concern over the integrity of competitive examinations and prompted calls for stricter safeguards in the conduct of entrance tests.
Rajasthan HC Acquits Asaram of Gang Rape Charges, Upholds Life Sentence in Minor Rape Case 20
Former self-styled godman Asaram received partial relief from the Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday after it acquitted him of gang rape and gang penetrative sexual assault charges under the IPC and POCSO Act. However, the court upheld his conviction for the rape of a minor, ensuring that his life imprisonment sentence remains in force.
A division bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit acquitted Asaram of charges under Section 376(D) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 5(G)/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court also discharged him of charges under Section 120(B) of the IPC related to criminal conspiracy.
Despite granting relief on some counts, the bench upheld his conviction under Section 376(2)(F) of the IPC, which pertains to the rape of a minor, thereby retaining the life sentence imposed by the trial court.
The High Court directed Asaram to surrender in view of the conviction. He is currently out on temporary bail, which was extended by seven days earlier this week.
The bench also upheld his convictions under several other provisions, including Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 370(4) (trafficking), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), and 354(A) (sexual harassment) of the IPC. Convictions under Sections 7 and 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act were also upheld.
Additionally, the court sustained his conviction under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 34 of the POCSO Act.
Meanwhile, the High Court acquitted co-accused Sanchita Gupta alias Shilpi and Sharat Chandra, who had earlier been convicted under provisions related to trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
The bench had reserved its verdict on April 20 after concluding hearings on appeals filed by Asaram and the co-accused.
According to reports, before pronouncing the judgment, the court remarked that it had a “mixed bag” of good and bad news for the accused and asked which part he wished to hear first.
Asaram was convicted by a trial court on April 25, 2018, for sexually assaulting a minor student at his ashram and was sentenced to life imprisonment under various provisions of the IPC, POCSO Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
