The Supreme Court of India on Dec 29, 2025 stayed the Delhi High Court’s order that had suspended the life sentence and granted bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the former BJP MLA convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case involving a minor. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant ruled that substantial legal questions, including interpretation of “public servant” under the law, require scrutiny and issued notice to Sengar, giving him four weeks to respond. Sengar will remain in custody, also serving a separate sentence in the custodial death of the victim’s father. (PC: The Hindu)

The Supreme Court of India on Dec 29, 2025, paused its November 20 order that had adopted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and ranges—a move that had raised concerns over potential expansion of regulated mining and loss of ecological protections. A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said key ambiguities in that definition need expert assessment, especially questions over conservation zones, mining eligibility and ecological continuity. The court issued notices to the Centre and four states (Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi) and formed a new expert committee to review environmental impacts before finalising any policy. Hearing set for Jan 21, 2026. (PC: India Today)

Two young women from Telangana’s Mahabubabad district, Pulakhandam Meghana Rani (25) and Kadiyala Bhavana (24), were killed in a car accident in California, USA, while on a trip with friends. They had moved to the US in 2023 for higher studies, recently completed their Master’s degrees and were job hunting. The vehicle failed to navigate a curve on Alabama Hills road, veered off, and plunged into a deep gorge, killing both on the spot. Two others in the car were injured. Families are seeking help for quick repatriation of the bodies. US police are investigating the crash. 

Two coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express (Train No. 18189) caught fire in the early hours of December 29, 2025, near Yalamanchili/Elamanchili in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, while en route from Tatanagar to Ernakulam. Flames broke out around 12:45–1:30 am, leading to a swift halt and evacuation of passengers. About 158 people were aboard the affected B1 and adjacent coach when the fire engulfed them. One man, identified as Chandrasekhar Sundar (70), was found dead in the B1 coach. The remaining passengers escaped safely. The damaged coaches were detached, and an investigation into the cause is underway.

Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, died on December 26, 2025, after a racially motivated attack in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The assault began on December 9 when a group of six men allegedly hurled racial slurs at Anjel and his brother in the Selaqui area. When they protested, the attackers hit Michael with a metal kada and stabbed Anjel with knives and other sharp objects, causing severe head and spinal injuries. He fought for life in hospital for 17 days before succumbing to wounds. Five suspects are in custody while the main accused remains at large, prompting a police search. (PC: X)

A Sydney shop owner who disarmed a shooter during the Bondi Beach attack has spoken about his actions. Ahmed al Ahmed told US media he tackled one gunman from behind and pulled away a long weapon. He said he warned the man to drop the gun. Mr Ahmed was later shot several times by the second attacker and needed surgery. The attack at a Hanukkah event on December 14 killed 15 people and injured 40. Police have called it a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community. One gunman was killed by police. The other has been charged with murder and terrorism offences. Mr Ahmed said he only wanted to stop the killing. (PC: BBC)

Tamil Nadu Police have detained four teenagers for attacking a migrant worker on a suburban train near Chennai. The boys, all aged 17, were seen in viral videos hitting the victim with machetes and later posing with a “victory” sign. One clip was shared as an Instagram reel with music. The injured man, from Maharashtra, is being treated at Thiruvallur Government Hospital. The attack happened on a train heading to Thiruthani. Police sent three of the accused to a juvenile home in Chengalpattu. A court released the fourth on bail, citing his studies. The case is under investigation. (PC:  NDTV)

At least five houses of a Hindu family were set on fire in Dumritala village in Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district on December 28. Police said the exact cause is not yet known and an investigation is under way. Most family members were away at the time. An elderly relative raised the alarm, but the fire spread fast. No one was hurt, but documents, cash, furniture and certificates were destroyed. A video showed locals trying to control the blaze. A minority rights group said it recorded at least 71 cases linked to blasphemy claims against Hindus from June to December across more than 30 districts. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday paused the bail granted to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. The court said Sengar cannot be released as he is already serving a jail term in another criminal case. A bench said the order giving him bail raises serious legal issues that need full hearing. The judges noted that the lower court may have ignored key facts while granting relief. The apex court will now examine whether a convict in one case can get bail in another matter while still in prison. Sengar is serving life sentence for the 2017 Unnao rape. (PC: India Today)

A UK employment tribunal has awarded nearly £67,000 to an Indian man who accused his KFC manager of race bias and wrongful dismissal. Madhesh Ravichandran from Tamil Nadu worked at the West Wickham outlet in south-east London from January 2023. He told the tribunal that his Sri Lankan Tamil manager called him a “slave” and said “Indians are fraudsters”. The judge said his holiday requests were denied because of his race and that he was pressured to work long hours. Ravichandran later resigned and was dismissed without notice. The tribunal ruled that the abuse violated his dignity and ordered the company to pay damages and introduce staff training on workplace discrimination. (PC: NDTV)