West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano, Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, was transferred on September 14, just two-and-a-half months into her posting. The transfer order cited "public interest" as the reason, and she has now been posted as Deputy Commandant of the 4th Battalion, State Armed Police. The move follows a complaint from a group called Hindu Legal Fund, which objected to Bano's use of "Assalamualaikum," "Inshallah" and "Jazakallah" in a motivational video for civil service aspirants. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, have questioned the timing and alleged discrimination. The government has not linked the transfer to the controversy. (PC: NDTV)

India on Wednesday rejected the so-called Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, saying there is no recognised boundary between Pakistan and China involving Indian territory. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never recognised the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement and considers it illegal and invalid. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. Jaiswal said Pakistan has no right to enter into arrangements involving territories that India says are under illegal and forcible occupation. He added that any such boundary cooperation between China and Pakistan would not affect India’s sovereignty and called on Pakistan to vacate the areas. (PC: India Today)

The Centre on Wednesday rejected opposition claims that introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments was driven by foreign influence or intended to appease US President Donald Trump. The opposition had alleged that the move was aimed at benefiting American card companies and followed external pressure. The Finance Ministry said India’s UPI policy decisions were made independently. It also clarified that UPI would continue to remain free for consumers. The government’s response came amid criticism of the MDR framework, with the Centre seeking to counter allegations linking the policy change to foreign influence. The Ministry reiterated that access to UPI payments would remain free under its independently decided policy. (PC: X)

Mumbai’s iconic Cafe Mondegar is among four food establishments whose licences have been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The action followed inspections that found serious food safety and hygiene violations. At Cafe Mondegar, officials found problems with food storage temperatures, thawing and cooling procedures. The FDA also warned of a possible risk of cross-contamination. The other establishments are Maharashtra Biryani Centre, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm and Mahavir Cashew and Foods. The FDA inspected 38 food businesses in Mumbai and collected 47 samples. Outside Mumbai, officials seized over 4,000 kg of milk products and sweets, worth more than ₹15 lakh.  

IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has become the first woman to head the CRPF’s special CoBRA unit. The 47-year-old officer is from the 2006 Assam-Meghalaya cadre. She took charge as Inspector General of CoBRA after joining the CRPF on deputation in August. Parashar has led counter-insurgency operations in northeast India and was called the “Iron Lady” by the media. CoBRA was formed in 2008 to fight Maoist insurgents and conduct jungle operations. Two of its battalions were recently moved to violence-hit Manipur. Parashar has also served with Assam Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).  

An Indian Army paratrooper from Surya Command carried out a tandem parachute jump with a combat dog and its handler over Behat Drop Zone in central India. The Army said the jump is among the first of its kind involving a dog and handler. The canine carried a full combat load during the exercise. The Army said the jump showed the strong trust and teamwork between soldiers and military dogs. Combat dogs are trained to detect explosives, weapons and people. They also help troops search dangerous areas. The exercise could help the Army use dogs in airborne and hostile-area missions.  

A Maharashtra FDA survey has found major differences between procurement costs and prices charged for commonly used hospital consumables. An IV set purchased for ₹11.05 was reportedly sold for ₹325, representing a 2,841% margin. A 10 ml syringe costing ₹6.75 was sold for ₹57.20, while a nebuliser mask bought for ₹45 was sold for ₹652. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has urged the Centre to review pricing regulations and bring commonly used inpatient surgical consumables under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order. He also suggested trade-margin limits and stronger monitoring to reduce financial burdens on hospital patients. 

The Union Cabinet has approved raising the monthly wage ceiling for mandatory Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The decision, announced on September 16, 2026, is expected to bring around 51 lakh additional employees into the social-security system. Workers covered under the expanded limit will gain access to provident-fund savings, pension benefits and insurance protection, subject to scheme rules. The revision is the first change in the wage ceiling in 12 years. The government expects the measure to strengthen retirement security while expanding formal-sector social protection. (PC: The Hindu)

A woman was allegedly hit by a car, dragged on its bonnet and then run over by her boyfriend after an argument in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area on September 16. Police said the incident occurred near Janeshwar Mishra Park after the woman confronted the accused, Shahnawaz, over his presence with another woman. A video of the incident showed the woman on the car’s bonnet as the vehicle moved forward. She was reportedly thrown onto the road and subsequently run over. Police arrested Shahnawaz and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

The CBI has assigned senior officer Seema Pahuja, currently an SP in its Special Crimes Unit, to supervise the investigation into the 2020 death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Pahuja has previously worked on high-profile investigations, including the RG Kar and Hathras cases, and received the CBI’s 2021 Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officer. The CBI registered an FIR on September 13 following the Bombay High Court’s September 2 direction for a fresh probe. Investigators will examine documents, forensic evidence and witness statements, including those of people present at a gathering before Salian’s death.