The Election Commission of India (ECI) has uploaded on its official website the names of West Bengal voters flagged under the ‘logical discrepancies’ list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, following a Supreme Court directive. Around 1.25 crore voters are on the list due to mismatches like incorrect parental details or implausible age differences. District electoral officers will download and display these lists at local panchayat and block offices to ensure transparency and allow affected voters to verify and raise objections. The move aims to improve electoral roll integrity ahead of state polls. (PC: ANI)

A blast on a railway track near Sirhind, Punjab, damaged a 600-metre stretch of the freight corridor, derailing the engine of a goods train and injuring the loco pilot. The explosion occurred near Khanpur village around 9:50 pm, causing panic in nearby areas ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Police registered a case under Section 150 of the Railways Act, and forensic teams began investigations. Railway authorities acted swiftly to repair the track and resume train services. Thankfully, no major casualties were reported, though the blast highlights ongoing security concerns along key rail routes in Punjab. 

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, describing the process as hurried and potentially unfair. He said voters are being given very limited time to submit documents, which could lead to eligible citizens being left out. Sen warned that the poor, elderly, and marginalised may face the greatest difficulties. Sharing his own experience with documentation issues, he stressed that voter list revisions should be conducted carefully and transparently. While revisions are necessary, he said the current approach risks harming democratic participation ahead of elections. (PC: The Hindu)

Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly threatening unrest in the national capital ahead of Republic Day. Police said Pannun released a video claiming pro-Khalistan posters were put up in parts of Delhi, but no such posters were found. The case has been registered under sections related to promoting enmity, criminal conspiracy, and acts against India’s unity. He also allegedly used abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Security has been tightened across Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations. (PC: HT)

A woman in Andhra Pradesh allegedly murdered her husband by drugging and suffocating him with her lover's help, then watched pornographic videos beside the body all night. Lakshmimadhuri mixed 20 sleeping pills into biryani served to her husband Lokam Shivanagaraju, an onion trader, on January 18. After he fell unconscious, her lover Gopi arrived around 11:30 pm and pinned him down while she smothered him with a pillow. She claimed heart attack at 4 am, but neighbors noticed injuries and blood near his ear. Autopsy revealed chest fractures and death by suffocation. The couple, married since 2007 with two sons, had disputes over her extramarital affair. Both accused are in custody. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court of India on Jan 23, 2026 reprimanded advocate Mahesh Tiwari for challenging a criminal contempt notice issued by a Jharkhand High Court bench after a heated courtroom exchange with Justice Rajesh Kumar, the video of which went viral. Tiwari had told the judge “don’t cross the limit” during a hearing, leading to contempt proceedings by the high court. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, said the lawyer seemed to seek a top-court order merely to claim “kya bigaad liya mera” and suggested he should offer an unconditional apology before the high court, which could be considered sympathetically. 

Fresh snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar’s first snow of the season, disrupted normal life on Friday. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) was closed to traffic due to heavy snow and slippery conditions, halting movement between Jammu and the Valley. Several other key roads such as the Mughal Road and SSG routes were also shut. Snow accumulation and poor visibility forced cancellation of more than 17–20 flights at Srinagar Airport and temporary suspension of flight operations. Snow blanketed plains and higher reaches, with resorts like Gulmarg receiving over two feet of snowfall, affecting connectivity and travel. (PC: PTI)

During a BJP election rally in poll-bound Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paused his speech to warmly acknowledge a child holding his picture and a woman offering a book, promising personal responses and drawing applause from the crowd. Modi used the occasion to criticise opposition parties and urge voters for change in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, underlining the BJP’s development agenda. The rally also featured the launch of multiple infrastructure and connectivity projects, including key initiatives and new train services, aiming to boost regional growth and voter confidence. (PC: India Today)

A tragic incident in Noida has come to light after a video showed a young software engineer trying to call for help before drowning. The man’s car fell into a water-filled pit near a road late at night. He climbed out and used his mobile phone’s flashlight to signal rescuers while standing on the car. Due to darkness, fog, and deep water, rescue teams struggled to reach him in time. Despite efforts by police and emergency teams, he drowned. The incident has raised serious questions about road safety, poor barricading, and delays in rescue operations. Authorities have started an investigation.

Senior IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar has been appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of Delhi’s MCD, marking his return to the capital after more than three years. He was transferred out of Delhi in 2022 following a controversy where it was alleged that a stadium was cleared early for him and his wife to walk their dog, which he later denied. With his new role, Khirwar will handle major civic issues such as sanitation, road conditions, and the growing street dog problem in Delhi. His appointment comes at a time when the city is facing public concern over stray dogs and urban management challenges. (PC: X)