Delhi Police seized over 560 kg of cocaine, valued at ₹2,000 crore, from an international drug syndicate. The massive consignment was confiscated during a special operation in South Delhi. Four individuals involved in the syndicate were arrested. The police are investigating a possible narco-terror angle. The Special Cell, which led the operation, is expected to address the media about the case later today. The bust is considered one of the largest drug hauls in recent years and highlights the growing concerns over international drug trafficking networks in India.

Junior doctors in Kolkata are organizing a series of protests demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim, coinciding with Durga Puja preparations. A major rally led by the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) is scheduled for Mahalaya, from College Square to Esplanade, culminating in the installation of an Abhaya sculpture titled "Cry of the Hour" by artist Asit Sain on the RG Kar campus. The protest movement aims to persist until justice is achieved, with participation expected from senior doctors and civil society organizations.

A helicopter carrying two pilots, Paramjit Singh and G K Pillai, and engineer Pritam Bharadwaj crashed in Pune’s Bavdhan area on Wednesday morning. The helicopter, owned by Heritage Aviation, was chartered by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and en route to Mumbai. The crash occurred around 6:45 am, likely due to dense fog. All three onboard were killed. Fire tankers from the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority responded to the scene. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.

The Bombay High Court has denied pre- arrest bail to the chairman and secretary of a Badlapur school where two young girls were sexually assaulted by a male attendant, Akshay Shinde, who was later killed by police. The court stated there is evidence the school officials knew of the assault before August 16 but failed to report it. The court criticized their negligence, which delayed the case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also rebuked for failing to arrest the accused trustees, who remain absconding. The case will be heard again on October 23.

The Supreme Court of India has emphasized that all encroaching religious structures, whether mandirs or dargahs, must be removed if they obstruct public pathways. While hearing petitions challenging the so-called "bulldozer justice," the court reaffirmed its interim order from last month, prohibiting demolitions without prior judicial approval. The two-judge bench stated that India’s secular identity mandates uniform enforcement of the law, ensuring public safety. The court had previously restricted demolitions until October 1, allowing them only in cases where encroachments block roads, footpaths, railway lines, or water bodies.

Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal have resumed a ‘total cease work’ from October 1, demanding swift action on the investigation into the rape-murder of their colleague on August 9. They criticized the slow progress of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and lack of adequate security measures. Despite partially resuming duties on September 21 after a 42-day strike, they expressed frustration over the government's inaction and ongoing threats in the healthcare environment. The doctors assert that without clear government action, their protests will continue.

Government data from over 3,000 urban local bodies across 29 states shows that 91.9% of sewage and septic tank cleaners belong to SC, ST, and OBC categories. Collected under the NAMASTE programme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this data highlights the hazardous conditions faced by these workers. Of the surveyed 38,000 individuals, 68.9% identified as SC, 14.7% as OBC, and 8.3% as ST. The programme aims to mechanize sewer maintenance and eliminate fatalities linked to unsafe cleaning practices, following reports of over 377 deaths nationwide.

The Supreme Court has ordered IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old Dalit student, who lost his seat after missing the fee deadline. Atul, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, had cleared the JEE exam but couldn’t pay the ₹17,500 fee on time due to financial constraints. Despite logging in by the deadline, his payment didn’t process. The bench, led by Chief Justice Chandrachud, criticized the hardships faced by Atul and directed IIT Dhanbad to create a supernumerary seat for him, ensuring his admission.

In Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, an 18-year-old woman, Sitara, suffered severe pain after a doctor at a government hospital left a surgical needle inside her head during treatment. Sitara was injured in a clash and received stitches at a community health center. After returning home, she experienced intense pain and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors found and removed the needle. Her mother accused the state-run hospital doctor of being drunk during the procedure. The district’s Chief Medical Officer has ordered an investigation and promised action based on the findings.

The Supreme Court criticized the Andhra Pradesh government on Monday over claims of adulterated ghee being used in the sacred Tirupati Laddu prasadam. The court questioned the need for the state to involve the media without confirming the use of contaminated ghee. Justice BR Gavai remarked, "Keep God out of politics" and demanded proof that the rejected ghee was used for making laddus. The court is considering transferring the investigation to an independent agency. Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu had earlier claimed animal fat was used, which was denied by CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.