The body of 45-year-old Subrata Ghosh from West Bengal, who died while descending Mount Everest on May 16, remains frozen at Hillary Step in the deadly "death zone" above 8,000 metres. Retrieving the body is both dangerous and extremely costly—estimated over ₹1 crore due to altitude, manpower, and logistical challenges. Helicopters can't reach the zone; only experienced Sherpas can operate there. With the climbing season closed, efforts must wait until next year. High-altitude retrievals require meticulous planning, expert teams, and often days of perilous descent—making Everest not just a summit but one of the world’s highest graveyards. (PC: The Indian Express)

Indian Railways has announced plans to undertake random Aadhaar verification of passengers to curb illegal immigration. This measure aims to identify individuals misusing Aadhaar cards, particularly illegal immigrants from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, who often use forged documents. The initiative follows recent crackdowns where authorities uncovered widespread Aadhaar misuse, including arrests linked to counterfeit card production. By implementing these random checks, Railways intends to strengthen security and ensure the authenticity of passenger identities. This move is part of a larger government effort to address illegal immigration and protect national security. (PC: Reuters)  

On June 5, 2025, security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district neutralized senior Maoist leader Gautam, also known as Sudhakar, during an operation in the Indravati National Park area. Sudhakar, a Central Committee Member of the CPI (Maoist) and the group's ideological chief, carried a bounty of ₹40 lakh. His death follows the recent elimination of General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao (Basavaraju), marking the third senior Maoist leader killed in 2025. Authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle and explosives from the site. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the operation as a significant step in eradicating Maoism from the Bastar region. (PC: ANI)

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), establishing Kashmir's first all-weather rail connectivity with Delhi through Katra. Spanning 272 km, the ₹43,780 crore project features 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, including the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River at 359 meters. The inauguration also marked the launch of two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, reducing travel time to under 3 hours. This development is poised to boost regional connectivity, tourism, and economic integration, symbolizing a significant engineering and infrastructural achievement for India. ( PC: PTI)  

In the wake of the tragic Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations, the Karnataka government has suspended the city’s police commissioner and several senior officers. CM Siddaramaiah announced a judicial probe led by retired High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha. The government has also named RCB, event organiser DNA Entertainment, and the KSCA in an FIR. Officials stated that overcrowding due to unregulated free entry led to the deadly crush outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. Over 30 people were injured, prompting the high court to take suo motu cognisance of the incident.

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge at 359 meters above the Chenab River, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. These engineering marvels are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, enhancing all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Additionally, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar and unveil infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crore, aiming to boost regional development and integration. (PC: India Today)  

Tragedy struck Bengaluru as 11 people, aged between 13 and 33, died in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebration. Massive crowds, confusion over the parade, and mismanagement led to chaos. Victims included students, job seekers, and fans, many from other states. A 13-year-old girl who came to see Virat Kohli died of suffocation and head injuries. Police resorted to mild lathicharge but couldn’t control the lakhs who had gathered, far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000 capacity. CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM Shivakumar offered condolences and promised a detailed probe into the incident.

On June 5, 2025, the Calcutta High Court granted interim bail to 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, arrested on May 30 for allegedly posting a video on social media that offended religious sentiments. The court had previously denied her bail on June 3, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not permit hurting others' sentiments. Panoli was directed to furnish a bail bond of ₹10,000. Her arrest and subsequent custody conditions drew public attention, with actor Rupali Ganguly criticizing the West Bengal Police and highlighting Panoli's health concerns. (PC: ANI)  

In a significant success for security forces, top Maoist leader Gautam alias Sudhakar, a central committee member of CPI (Maoist), was killed during an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday. The joint operation, led by the DRG, STF, and elite CoBRA units, took place in the Indravati National Park—a known Maoist stronghold—based on specific intelligence inputs. Sudhakar, a key ideologue with a high bounty, was reportedly accompanied by other senior Maoist leaders. Security forces recovered weapons, explosives, and Maoist literature. The combing operation is still underway, with unconfirmed reports of further casualties among Maoist cadres. (PC: HT)

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar broke down in tears on Thursday while addressing the media about the Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 people and injured dozens during RCB’s IPL victory event. Visibly emotional, Shivakumar called it a heartbreaking moment, especially after seeing children among the victims. He acknowledged administrative lapses and offered an apology, admitting authorities underestimated the crowd, which swelled to over 3 lakh at a stadium meant for 35,000. He criticized the BJP for politicizing the tragedy. The government announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the deceased's families and free treatment for the injured. (PC: ANI)