The Ministry of External Affairs responded to a viral video showing Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya partying in London, where Modi sarcastically called themselves "biggest fugitives of India." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India remains "fully committed" to bringing back all fugitives, saying talks are ongoing with several governments despite complex legal layers involved. The video, posted on Modi's Instagram with the caption "Let's break the internet down in India again," sparked outrage on social media, with many viewing it as mockery of Indian authorities. Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in 2019 for loan defaults and money laundering. Modi fled in 2010 amid IPL financial irregularity investigations. Both currently reside in the United Kingdom.

An accountant carrying ₹85 lakh in cash was robbed in a brazen daylight attack on the Delhi–Lucknow highway near Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. CCTV footage shows two bike-borne criminals overtaking the victim’s scooter, kicking him off the vehicle, and escaping with the cash-filled bag. The victim was returning after collecting money for a Noida-based businessman when the incident occurred. He sustained injuries but survived. Police have registered a case, formed multiple teams to track the accused, released suspect visuals, and announced a ₹50,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.

A 25-year-old woman, identified as Kalpana, was shot inside a club on MG Road in Gurugram in the early hours of December 20 after she allegedly refused a marriage proposal, police said. Her husband from Najafgarh, Delhi filed a complaint stating the assailant, Tushar (25) of Sangam Vihar, had been pressing her for marriage despite her being married. An FIR was registered and police arrested Tushar and his friend Shubham (24) from Baraut (UP). Investigation revealed Tushar befriended her six months ago and shot her after her rejection; further probe continues. (PC: X)

A female manager of a private IT company in Udaipur has accused her CEO, a senior woman executive and the executive’s husband of gang-raping her inside a moving car after a birthday and year-end party on December 20. According to the police, the trio offered her a lift home, allegedly gave her alcohol or intoxicant causing unconsciousness, and then assaulted her during the journey. The victim later reviewed dashcam footage and filed a complaint. Police have detained all three accused and handed the case to the Women’s Crime Branch, with legal action and investigation ongoing. (PC: India Today)

Pre-Christmas celebrations in parts of India saw multiple vandalism and disruption incidents, sparking political uproar. In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob stormed Magneto Mall during a bandh tied to alleged religious conversion disputes and vandalised Christmas decorations, leading to an FIR against several individuals. In Assam’s Nalbari district, four people linked to VHP and Bajrang Dal were arrested for damaging and burning Christmas decorations at a school and nearby shops, shouting slogans against celebrations. Kerala and Madhya Pradesh also reported clashes and confrontations related to festive events, prompting condemnation from opposition leaders. 

Three mechanical engineering students from Bhagwan Mahavir University in Surat have developed Garuda, India’s first driverless AI-powered electric bike prototype, using nearly 50% scrap materials. Built at a cost of around ₹1.8 lakh, the bike is controlled by a Raspberry Pi system and operates through voice commands. It features smart sensors that enable automatic braking, obstacle detection, and speed control. The bike is also equipped with GPS navigation, cameras, a digital dashboard, and wireless charging. The innovation highlights sustainable engineering, cost-effective design, and the growing potential of artificial intelligence in India’s two-wheeler and mobility sector.

India’s aviation sector is set to expand with two new airlines, alHindAir and FlyExpress, receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Civil Aviation Ministry. alHindAir is being promoted by the Kerala-based alhind Group, a travel and tourism company established nearly three decades ago in Calicut (Kozhikode). The airline’s promoter is Mohammed Haris T, who is spearheading the group’s entry into the aviation sector. The clearance marks a key regulatory step, allowing both airlines to move closer to operational launch after obtaining further approvals, including the Air Operator Certificate. The development is expected to boost competition and regional connectivity in Indian aviation. (PC: DNA)

India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam, defence sources said. The missile, developed by DRDO, has an intermediate range of about 3,500 km, significantly enhancing India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and second-strike capability. The K-4 SLBM strengthens India’s nuclear triad, joining land and air delivery systems. The test achieved all planned objectives, demonstrating progress in strategic weapons development and placing India among a limited group of nations with submarine-launched nuclear missile capability.

India successfully tested the K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from its nuclear submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, marking a significant strategic milestone. The missile was fired to its full operational range of approximately 3,500 km. INS Arighaat, India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned last year, strengthens the sub-surface component of India's nuclear triad. The K4 provides crucial second-strike capability, as submarines remain undetectable and can stay submerged for months. This longer-range missile enhances India's strategic posture across the Indo-Pacific, bridging the gap between the shorter-range K15 Sagarika (750 km) and future longer-range systems. The successful test significantly boosts India's nuclear deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries. (PC: X)

Six Maoists, including senior leader Ganesh Uike, were killed in separate gunfights with security forces in Odisha as part of an intensified anti-Naxal operation. The encounters occurred in forested areas during a coordinated operation involving Odisha Police and central armed forces. Ganesh Uike, considered a key strategist and wanted in several cases of violence, was a significant target for security agencies. Arms, ammunition and Maoist literature were recovered from the sites. Officials said the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs and marks a major blow to Maoist activities in the region, reinforcing the state’s commitment to curb left-wing extremism. (PC: NDTV)