Mumbai has been placed on high alert following a terror threat warning from central agencies, prompting the city police to tighten security arrangements at crowded areas, religious places, and temples. To ensure preparedness, police personnel have been instructed to conduct mock drills at vulnerable locations. Deputy Commissioners of Police have been directed to oversee security measures in their respective zones. Temples have also been advised to report any suspicious activity immediately ¹. The heightened security comes after Mumbai's Taj Hotel recently received a bomb threat call from Pakistan, leading to increased security around the iconic hotel.

In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, a Class 2 student was allegedly killed in a human sacrifice ritual by school officials aiming to enhance the school's prosperity. The accused, including school owner Jasodhan Singh and director Dinesh Baghel, reportedly believed in ‘tantrik’ rituals. The victim, identified as Kritarth, was strangled after being abducted from the school’s hostel. Investigations revealed the presence of ritual materials, prompting an inquiry into the school’s illegal operations. The boy's father demands further investigation into the conspiracy behind his son’s tragic death.

Two people were killed, and four others injured after a boundary wall near Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple collapsed following heavy rainfall. Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh confirmed that the deceased, Farheen (22) and Ajay Yogi (27), were trapped under debris. The injured were rushed to the district hospital, with two referred to Indore. Former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath expressed grief, and financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured has been announced. Rescue operations are ongoing, and construction for the second phase of Mahakal Lok Corridor continues.

A CBI court in Kolkata denied bail to former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh, citing the "grave nature" of accusations against him in connection with a rape and murder case. The court stated, "The nature and gravity of the accusation is grave and if proved, it may attract capital punishment." Ghosh, along with former police officer Abhijit Mondal, is accused of tampering with evidence and delaying an FIR. The court emphasized that releasing the accused on bail would "flout the principle of equity." Both remain in judicial custody.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Gujarat government's plea to review its decision that overturned the remission granted to 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and killing seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The Gujarat government argued that the court's January 8 ruling contained an "error" by accusing the state of "usurpation of power" and "abuse of discretion" for following an earlier court order. The government also contested the court's adverse remarks, stating that no inference of "usurpation of power" should be made for not filing a review petition against a previous May 2022 judgment by another bench of the Supreme Court.

Kolkata witnessed a significant protest under the banner "Save Heritage, Save Tram," as dozens gathered at the Shyam Bazar tram depot. This outcry against the West Bengal government's proposal to shut down the tram system was fueled by public anger over the perceived neglect of the historic service. Participants, including the Calcutta Tram Users’ Association, expressed concerns over the government's claims about the tram's inefficiency, arguing that no valid complaints have been substantiated. The future of the tram now rests with the Calcutta High Court, which is reviewing its operational viability.

The Indian government has announced a revision in the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), increasing minimum wage rates effective October 1, 2024. This marks the second wage adjustment of the year, following the April update. The revised wages, benefiting unorganised sector workers across multiple industries, are based on skill levels—unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled. For Area "A," unskilled workers will earn Rs 783 per day, while highly skilled workers will receive Rs 1,035 per day. The revision aims to ease the burden of rising living costs for industrial workers.

The Supreme Court rejected Gujarat's plea to review its January 8 ruling, which overturned the remission granted to 11 men convicted in the Bilkis Bano case. The convicts, sentenced for the gang rape of Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots, had been released in August 2022 under a state remission policy. The Court observed no error in its original verdict, dismissing Gujarat's argument that it was unfairly criticized for "usurpation of power." The top court ruled that the remission should have been decided by Maharashtra, where the trial occurred.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a high-level inquiry following the death of a 45-year-old woman who fell into a drain during heavy rain in Andheri (East) on Wednesday. A three-member inquiry committee has been established, led by Deputy Commissioner Devidas Kshirsagar, with Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Quality) Avinash Tambe as members. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagarani has requested a report from the committee within three days to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine accountability. This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure and public safety during adverse weather conditions in Mumbai.

The Supreme Court of India granted bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case related to the alleged 2014 'cash-for-jobs' scam. The bail was approved by a bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, who set strict conditions for the release. The court had previously reserved its verdict on August 12 after hearing arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, who appeared on behalf of Balaji. The decision allows Balaji to be released while the investigation continues.