Hours before vote counting in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged irregularities at some locations. In a post on X, she said, “load-shedding is being done in phases, CCTV is being turned off.” She cited areas such as Serampore, Krishnanagar, Ausgram and parts of Kolkata. Banerjee urged party workers to “stay awake” and guard strong rooms storing EVMs. She asked them to “be vigilant, keep watch, and file complaints.” She also said suspicious movement of vehicles was reported near strong rooms. The Trinamool Congress has earlier raised concerns about EVM tampering. The Election Commission has not responded to the latest claims. (PC: HT)

Votes will be counted from 8 am across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. The results will decide if Mamata Banerjee secures a fourth term. In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay faces his first electoral test. Exit polls suggest an edge for BJP in Assam under Himanta Biswa Sarma, while M. K. Stalin may return in Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan seeks to defend the Left’s last stronghold. In Puducherry, N. Rangasamy is aiming for another term. (PC: India today)

A deadly fire in Vivek Vihar, Delhi killed nine and injured four after structural flaws turned a residential building into a trap. The blaze, likely triggered by an air-conditioner short circuit, spread rapidly through wooden interiors and a single shared staircase. Smart door locks malfunctioned, trapping residents, while iron grills, sealed balconies and nets blocked escape and delayed rescue. A locked terrace further prevented evacuation. With no alternative exits and narrow access for firefighters, smoke and flames overwhelmed occupants. The incident highlights critical failures in building design, fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in densely packed urban housing.

A 34-year-old passenger on a Sharjah-Chennai Air Arabia flight opened an emergency exit and jumped off the aircraft while it was taxiing at Chennai International Airport early Sunday. The plane, carrying 231 passengers, had landed and cleared the runway but was still moving slowly when the incident occurred. Officials said the man appeared unwell and had vomited twice during the flight. The pilot halted the aircraft immediately and alerted authorities. CISF personnel secured the passenger and handed him over to police for questioning. No injuries or damage were reported. The incident caused temporary disruption, with the runway briefly shut and flights diverted as authorities launched an investigation into the safety breach. (PC: X)

A massive fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar, East Delhi, early Sunday morning, killing at least nine people, including a toddler. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an air conditioner explosion or short circuit, though the exact cause is still under investigation. The fire spread rapidly across multiple flats on the second, third, and fourth floors, trapping residents inside grilled and locked apartments. Firefighters deployed multiple tenders and rescued over a dozen people, but several were found dead during search operations. The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety in residential buildings. (PC: PTI)

The death toll in the Bargi Dam boat accident rose to 11 after two more children were found. The cruise had capsized during a storm in Jabalpur. Captain Mahesh Patel said, “I haven’t eaten or slept in three days. I only see those children.” He said he told passengers to wear life jackets as weather worsened. Survivors claimed jackets were not given at the start. A probe is looking into safety lapses. Officials said strong winds hit the boat near an island. Rescue teams continue search operations for missing people. (PC: India Today)

At least nine people, including a one-year-old child, died in a fire at a four-storey building in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar. Four others were injured. Police said the fire broke out early morning and spread across upper floors. Five bodies were found on the second floor. Three were recovered from a locked staircase area. One body was found on the first floor. Officials suspect an AC blast may have caused the fire, but the exact reason is not confirmed. Around 12 fire tenders were sent to the spot. A senior officer said, “10 to 15 people were rescued.” Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the deaths. (PC: X) 

The Jammu and Kashmir government has completed the takeover of 58 schools linked to the Jamaat-e-Islami through the Falah-e-Aam Trust. Officials said these schools were under the trust’s influence. Administrative control has been given to nearby government school principals. Some school heads said, “The takeover has effectively stripped us of our autonomy.” Others said daily work remains mostly unchanged. The move is part of a wider action that began in 2022 and expanded in 2025. These schools were known as affordable options with strong results. The government said the step was taken in the interest of students. (PC: The Indian Express)

Traffic on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune was hit after hundreds of people blocked the road to protest the rape and murder of a 3.5-year-old girl. The protest took place near Navale Bridge, where family members placed the child’s body and demanded strict punishment. Police said a 65-year-old man has been arrested and has confessed to the crime. The protest began as a sit-in but later led to heavy traffic jams. Authorities issued advisories and later cleared the road. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he would seek capital punishment for the accused. (PC: HT)

A video from inside a residential building in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar shows burnt rooms and the remains of victims after a deadly fire. The blaze killed at least nine people, including a toddler and four women. Police said five bodies were found on the second floor, while three were recovered from the staircase. The fire broke out early in the morning and spread across multiple floors. The cause is not confirmed yet, but an AC blast is suspected. Officials said the second, third and fourth floors were badly damaged. An investigation is underway to find the exact reason behind the fire.