Authorities issued a Lookout Circular against Anmol Bishnoi, linked to the firing outside Salman Khan's home. Traced to Portugal, his Facebook post IP led to Kenya. Police are pursuing his brother, Lawrence Bishnoi, contemplating invoking MCOCA. Recently, two men were arrested from Punjab for supplying pistols to the shooters. A gun, used in the incident, was found in Gujarat's Tapi River. Investigations reveal the weapon was provided just before the attack. With international connections emerging, the case takes a complex turn, implicating a broader network in the incident.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) unearthed arms, including foreign-made pistols, and ammunition during raids in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, following an attack on an Enforcement Directorate team. Allegations suggest the involvement of local Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan. NSG commandos have been deployed, and the raids are ongoing. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has challenged the CBI probe in the Supreme Court. The high court previously instructed CBI to investigate alleged offences, including land grabbing and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali. The incident adds to concerns over the area's law and order situation amidst escalating tensions.

The Supreme Court dismissed petitions advocating for paper ballot voting and cross-verification of EVMs with VVPAT, affirming the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines. However, it directed the Election Commission to seal symbol loading units in the presence of agents and candidates and verify 5% of EVMs' memory semicontroller after the results' announcement. Candidates bearing verification expenses will receive refunds if tampering is found. Justice Datta emphasized meaningful criticism for strengthening democracy's pillars. The court's decision follows a clutch of petitions raising doubts about EVM efficacy, highlighting the necessity for trust-building measures in electoral processes.

A 24-year-old man, Sangeet Singh, was arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for pretending to be a Singapore Airlines pilot. Singh, hailing from Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, was caught by CISF guards wearing a pilot's uniform and sporting a phony airline ID. Investigation unveiled that Singh crafted the fake ID using an online app called Business Card Maker and purchased the uniform and accessories from Pilot 18, Sector 9, Dwarka. It was also discovered that Singh completed a 12-month Aviation Hospitality course in Mumbai in 2020. Authorities are now probing further into the matter to ascertain any other potential breaches or accomplices.

The Supreme Court turned down requests to verify all votes cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and revert to paper ballots. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta rejected pleas from groups like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Instead, they ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to seal Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) after symbol loading and to allow engineers to inspect EVM memory post-results, upon candidates' request within seven days. This reaffirms the use of EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips in elections, emphasizing procedural safeguards.

Google marked the second phase of India's 2024 Lok Sabha Elections with a special Doodle on its homepage. The Doodle shows an inked index finger, symbolizing voting in India. Users can click on it to find election updates. Polling began in 88 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories today. This phase is part of the 18th Lok Sabha elections. The gesture underscores the importance of democratic participation, urging citizens to exercise their right to vote.

In a surprising discovery, authorities seized a large cache of anti-aircraft gun ammunition in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district. Acting on a tip-off, officials found four boxes containing 340 rounds hidden in a forest near Chibogre village. This is the first time such a cache has been found in the area in recent memory. The ammunition, suspected to belong to militants, was discovered around 3:30 am by police in the Chokpot police station area. This discovery raises concerns about security in the region and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating militancy.

Businesses in Bengaluru, India, entice voters with incentives like free beer, discounted cab rides, and food offers to increase turnout in the general election. With historically low participation rates, companies aim to encourage citizens to cast their ballots. The initiatives, ranging from free health check-ups to discounted amusement park tickets, aim to celebrate democracy and civic engagement. Following a court ruling allowing such offers, establishments prepare to reward voters showing their ink-stained fingers. Through these efforts, Bengaluru hopes to surpass previous turnout records and strengthen democratic participation.

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow on petitions demanding 100% verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) alongside electronic voting machines (EVMs). This decision coincides with voting on 88 constituencies in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. The bench, comprising Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Dipankar Dutta, will announce the verdict around 10:30 am. Petitioners, including the Association of Democratic Reforms, have raised concerns about EVM tampering, though the court has emphasized its inability to intervene solely based on doubts. The ruling will determine the fate of electoral transparency measures.          

Mumbai Police have apprehended two individuals from Punjab, Sonu Subhash Chander and Anuj Thapan, for allegedly providing firearms to the shooters who targeted Bollywood icon Salman Khan's residence. The duo, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, reportedly supplied pistols just hours before the incident on April 14. Following the firing outside Khan's house in Bandra, police recovered a gun and cartridges from Gujarat's Surat. The arrested men revealed discarding the weapon in the Tapi River during their escape to Bhuj. The shooters, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, were detained on April 16 in Mata No Madh.