A Hindu gym owner in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has drawn national attention after he defended a Muslim shopkeeper during a dispute with Bajrang Dal activists. A video shows Deepak Kumar questioning the group for asking the shopkeeper to remove the word “Baba” from his store name. In the clip, he asks, “Are Muslims not citizens of India?” He later told BBC Hindi his action was spontaneous. After the video spread, he received praise from opposition leaders and many social media users. He has also faced protests and death threats. Police registered cases after complaints from both sides. Kumar said, “First and foremost, I am a human being.” (PC: BBC)

The UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has appointed its first woman Travelling Ticket Examiner in 145 years. Sarita Yolmo of Northeast Frontier Railway took charge on the toy train between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling on February 5. Railway officials confirmed she is the first woman to serve in this role on the route. “I am proud to be the first woman TTE in a Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train,” Yolmo said. She added she felt both “thrilled and anxious” as she had no earlier experience on this line. Yolmo joined the railway in 1991 and now works on the NJP–Darjeeling service on rotation. (PC: The Telegraph)

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Thursday rejected reports claiming that the probe into Air India Flight AI-171 crash is complete. The agency called such reports incorrect and speculative. It said the investigation is still ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached. The bureau added that the enquiry is being conducted under the Aircraft Rules, 2025, and global aviation norms. It stressed that accident probes are technical and based on evidence. Their aim is to find the root cause and improve safety, not fix blame early. The final report will be released only after the investigation is fully completed. (PC: ITG)

The UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has appointed its first woman Travelling Ticket Examiner in 145 years. Sarita Yolmo of Northeast Frontier Railway took charge on the toy train between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling on February 5. Railway officials confirmed she is the first woman to serve in this role on the route. “I am proud to be the first woman TTE in a Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train,” Yolmo said. She added she felt both “thrilled and anxious” as she had no earlier experience on this line. Yolmo joined the railway in 1991 and now works on the NJP–Darjeeling service on rotation. (PC: The Telegraph India)

Tobacco tycoon’s son Shivam Mishra was arrested four days after the Kanpur Lamborghini crash and was granted bail within hours by a local court. The crash involved a Rs 10-crore Lamborghini that hit an autorickshaw, a motorcycle and later a pole, leaving six people injured. Police say videos and witnesses show Mishra in the driver’s seat. His lawyer denied this and said driver Mohan was driving. Mohan told the court, “I was driving when the accident happened,” and claimed Mishra had a seizure. The court released Mishra on bail while the probe continues. The car has been seized for inspection and forensic checks. (PC: India Today)

A new report by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera claims the 2025 Ahmedabad crash of Air India Flight 171 may have been caused by an “intentional act” and not a technical failure. The report cites unnamed sources linked to India–US probe discussions. It says investigators found engine fuel control switches were manually moved to cut-off. A preliminary note from Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau had earlier confirmed fuel switches were turned off after take-off. Cockpit audio recorded one pilot asking why fuel was cut, with the other denying it. Officials have not released the final report and have not fixed blame. (PC: X)

A nationwide strike — Bharat Bandh — is being observed today as over 10 central trade unions and farmers’ groups protest the Centre’s labour and economic policies. Organisers claim up to 30 crore workers may participate across more than 600 districts, making it one of the largest coordinated shutdowns in recent years. Public sector banks, insurance offices, some state transport services, government departments, and industrial units may face disruption depending on local participation. Rural MGNREGA works could also be affected in protest areas. However, hospitals, ambulance services, pharmacies, milk supply, and other essential services are expected to function normally. (PC: X)

Delhi Police has opened a multi-country investigation into the leak of former Army chief M. M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir Four Stars of Destiny. Police say the book appeared on foreign digital platforms before getting mandatory approval from the Defence Ministry. An FIR has been filed for criminal conspiracy. Investigators believe the leak was organised and not simple piracy. Online listings were found in the US, Canada, Germany and Australia. Police are checking ISBN records linked to publisher Penguin India. The controversy grew after Rahul Gandhi referred to the unpublished book. The publisher said no authorised copies were released. (PC: India Today)

The Centre told the Supreme Court it does not support the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk on health grounds. He has been in detention since September 2025 and is held in Jodhpur jail. The government said the grounds for his detention still continue and involve “serious allegations.” He was detained under the National Security Act. The NSA allows preventive detention for up to 12 months in certain cases. Under the Constitution, such detention is usually limited to three months unless a review board approves an extension. Wangchuk’s wife has filed a habeas corpus petition. The Supreme Court is hearing the case. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court reduced compensation for a "faulty haircut" at ITC Maurya Hotel salon from Rs 2 crore to Rs 25 lakh. Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan ruled February 6 that while "deficiency in service" was established, consumer dispute compensation requires "material evidence," not complainant's "whims and fancies." Aashna Roy, a management professional, claimed the 2018 incident caused mental trauma and lost modeling opportunities after her hair was cut shorter than requested. The court criticized the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for relying on photocopies without proper verification, stating crore-rupee claims require trustworthy evidence. Even after remand, Roy failed adequately proving claimed losses, justifying the reduced award. (PC: Brut India)