Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan alleged that bodies of stampede victims were dumped into the river, contaminating the Maha Kumbh water in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She accused the BJP-led government of neglecting arrangements for common devotees and concealing the real death toll. “They are lying about crores of people gathering,” she said outside Parliament. The January 29 stampede killed 30 and injured 60. Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have demanded a parliamentary discussion. A judicial commission is investigating the tragedy. The Maha Kumbh, held after 12 years, will continue until February 26.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the final T20 match between India and England in Mumbai on Sunday. Sunak was joined by his father-in-law, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. Before the match, Sunak met captains Suryakumar Yadav and Jos Buttler. He shared pictures from the game and congratulated Team India on their win, posting on X, "Tough day for England, but I know our team will come back stronger. Congratulations to Team India on the win." India won the match by 150 runs, securing a 4-1 series victory.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the tax relief measures introduced in Budget 2025, calling them a part of Prime Minister Modi's effort to honor taxpayers' contributions to nation building. Speaking at the Budget Round Table 2025 event, she emphasized the government's continuous engagement with taxpayers and efforts to build trust. Sitharaman also reassured that the old tax regime would remain intact, as long as people continued to benefit from exemptions. She stressed that simplifying the tax system for easier compliance remains a key focus.

The Supreme Court has directed the Assam government to deport 63 illegal immigrants detained in the state. The court criticized the state for delays in deportation, questioning if they were waiting for an "auspicious time" to act. Justice Oka said, “Are you waiting for some ‘muhurat’ to deport them?" Justice Bhuyan also added, “Once you declare a person a foreigner, you must take the next logical step.” The court questioned the lack of a proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs and instructed Assam to complete the deportation process immediately.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan alleged that bodies of Kumbh stampede victims were thrown into the river, contaminating the water. She accused the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to provide proper arrangements for common people and misleading the public about the turnout. "The real issues are ignored. People are drinking this water," she said. The January 29 stampede killed 30 and injured 60. Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party, demand a probe, alleging the government is hiding the true death toll. A judicial panel has a month to submit its findings on the tragedy.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delighted onlookers in Mumbai by playing tennis ball cricket at the historic Parsee Gymkhana. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, Sunak showcased his cricketing enthusiasm, drawing cheers from spectators. Sharing a photo on X, he wrote, "No trip to Mumbai is complete without a game of tennis ball cricket." Later, he attended the gymkhana’s anniversary celebrations. Sunak’s visit sparked a surge in Google searches, especially in Gujarat, Delhi, and Maharashtra. His India tour also included the Jaipur Literature Festival, where he met Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

The Maha Kumbh Mela’s third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami witnessed heightened security in Prayagraj after a deadly stampede on Mauni Amavasya killed 30 people. By 4 AM, 16.58 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip, with an estimated 5 crore expected. The Uttar Pradesh government reinforced security and crowd control, with CM Yogi Adityanath overseeing preparations. The Prayagraj DM declared a holiday for government offices due to the massive influx. The snan of all akharas concluded smoothly. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, will conclude on February 26.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was clear about the need for tax relief in the Union Budget 2025. She explained that it took time to convince bureaucrats, who were focused on ensuring revenue generation. Sitharaman highlighted the government's efforts to simplify direct taxes and reduce the compliance burden for taxpayers. The new tax regime provides relief for salaried individuals, with those earning up to ₹12 lakh being exempt from income tax. Sitharaman emphasized that the Budget reflected the concerns of the middle class and aimed to serve all sections of society.

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for a safe and error-free Amrit Snan during Maha Kumbh 2025 on Basant Panchami, February 3. Officials are working to prevent a repeat of the deadly stampede on January 29, which killed at least 30 people. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed authorities to ensure smooth crowd management. Senior officers, including Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, are overseeing the preparations. The Amrit Snan is an important ritual, attracting millions of devotees to the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where they believe they can purify themselves and attain salvation.

Zakia Jafri, a human rights activist, has died at 86. She spent 20 years seeking justice for her husband, Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Ehsan, a Congress politician, was among 69 people killed in the Gulberg Society massacre. Zakia fought legal battles, trying to hold political leaders, including Narendra Modi, accountable. Courts dismissed her case, but she never lost hope. She passed away in Ahmedabad while staying with her daughter. Activists and politicians have paid tribute to her fight for justice. Her son said she still hoped for justice until the end.