Opposition steps up pressure on poll chief
Opposition parties have demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation amid controversy over revisions to India’s electoral rolls.
The Indian Express reported that fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded at least 14 objections over 10 months concerning voter registration, deletions and digital systems. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were taken collectively.
Netanyahu hails Indian pilot after Flydubai drama
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sept 30 hailed Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar as a “true hero” after he was seriously injured during a cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Despite being stabbed, Mr Machchhar helped enable passengers and crew to subdue the co-pilot, who allegedly tried to crash the aircraft.
Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Delhi to halt construction for six weeks
New Delhi will ban construction from Dec 10 to Jan 20, 2027, under measures aimed at curbing severe winter air pollution, reported AFP.
The plan also includes traffic restrictions intended to encourage greater use of public transport.
Pollution regularly reaches dangerous levels during Delhi’s winter as cooler air traps emissions from vehicles, industry, construction and crop-stubble burning close to the ground.
Supreme Court raises concern over rape cases
The Supreme Court has called for accountability following a series of reported rape cases in Delhi and neighbouring areas, saying they reflected a “failure of law enforcement”, according to local media.
The court expressed concern about inadequate lighting and surveillance in public spaces and directed its administration to initiate a public-interest case.
More than 80 rapes are reported daily nationwide, official data shows.
Court questions delay over food warning labels
The Supreme Court has questioned the government over further consultations before introducing front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods.
Justice J.B. Pardiwala asked why authorities wanted to “waste so much time” given the health concerns involved.
Reuters reported that proposed rules include red hexagonal warnings on products high in salt, sugar or fat. The court is expected to issue a final order.
Red Bull wins court relief over ‘energy drink’ label
The Delhi High Court has quashed an order preventing Red Bull from describing its beverages as “energy drinks”, ruling that the company had not been given an opportunity to present its case.
India’s food regulator had ordered high-caffeine drink makers to stop using the term in June. Reuters reported that Red Bull argued the move created regulatory uncertainty and threatened its commercial investments.
Mehul Choksi drops kidnapping case against India govt
Fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi has withdrawn his legal claim accusing the Indian government of involvement in his alleged 2021 kidnapping from Antigua.
According to News18, a London High Court judge ordered Choksi to pay £677,000 (S$1.14 million) in legal costs.
Choksi, detained in Belgium and fighting extradition to India, had alleged he was abducted, tortured and unlawfully transported to Dominica. India denied the allegations.
India explores China air route amid Pakistan ban
The Indian government is in talks with its Chinese counterpart about using airspace over Xinjiang as an alternative route for Indian airlines affected by Pakistan’s airspace ban, NDTV reported, citing sources.
Discussions on routing flights through Hotan have reportedly been underway for more than a year. The development comes as India and China restore direct air links, including China Southern Airlines’ Guangzhou-New Delhi service after a six-year suspension.
Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam denied bail
The Delhi High Court has rejected fresh bail pleas from former Jawaharlal Nehru University scholar Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam in the larger conspiracy case arising from the 2020 Delhi riots, Hindustan Times reported.
The court said it could not modify conditions set by the Supreme Court, which allowed renewed applications after protected witnesses were examined or one year had elapsed, whichever came first.
Punjab seeks extradition of 14 from Britain
Punjab Police have initiated proceedings to bring back 14 people from Britain in connection with an alleged international human-trafficking racket involving forged e-visas and employment documents, Hindustan Times reported.
Investigators allege the 14 travelled from Amritsar to London using forged digital immigration documents before seeking asylum.
Warrants have been issued, and authorities plan to seek legal assistance from Britain.
Three Indians missing after alleged Ethiopia abduction
Three Gujarat residents travelling towards the United States through an alleged illegal route have gone missing in Ethiopia, the Press Trust of India reported.
Relatives identified them as Ms Rutvik Jansari, Ms Mamta Chavda and Ms Mayuri. The families claim they paid agents about Rs70 lakh for each traveller and were later told the three had been abducted. The alleged kidnappers reportedly demanded Rs1 crore for their release.
168,000 Andhra Pradesh voters found ineligible
Around 168,000 registered voters in Andhra Pradesh were found ineligible for inclusion in final electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision, according to election officials.
Reasons included failure to provide verification documents or attend hearings.
Officials said hearings had been completed for 99.96 per cent of 4.428 million notices delivered by Sept 28, with 1,665 electors failing to respond.
Nirav Modi aide arrested after UAE deportation
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Sandeep Bharat Mistry, an alleged close aide of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, after his deportation from the UAE in connection with the US$2 billion Punjab National Bank fraud case.
Investigators allege Mistry helped manage entities, prepare forged trade documents and siphon funds, reported the Hindustan Times.
An Interpol Red Notice had been issued against him in July.
