4 pilgrims died and one was injured after a truck hit them in Gujarat’s Morbi district on Wednesday morning. The accident happened around 6 am on a state highway between Maliya and Jamnagar. Police said the truck hit the group from behind while they were walking towards Dwarka on a pilgrimage. Four people died on the spot. The injured pilgrim was taken to a hospital in Morbi. The group had stayed overnight at a temple in Sarvad village. The victims were from Banaskantha district. Police have started an investigation.

A Goa court on Wednesday sent nightclub co-owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra to five days of police custody. The brothers owned ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’, where 25 people died in a fire on December 6. They were arrested after landing in Delhi following deportation from Thailand. The court ordered fresh medical tests before remand. Police said the brothers had fled to Phuket hours after the fire. Their passports were cancelled by Indian authorities. An FIR has been filed under serious charges, including culpable homicide and negligence. Police are searching for another accused linked to the case. (PC: ANI)

The Supreme Court has allowed authorities to act against old vehicles below BS IV standards in Delhi-NCR. The move comes as air quality remains poor in the region. The court modified its earlier order after the Delhi government sought changes. It said highly polluting older vehicles add to the air crisis. The bench clarified that BS IV and newer vehicles will not face action only due to age. Earlier, the court had protected diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years. The new order allows action against pre-BS IV end-of-life vehicles to help control pollution. (PC: India Today)

Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has refused to apologise for his contentious comments on Operation Sindoor, insisting he “didn’t say anything wrong” and will not retract his statements. Chavan sparked a political storm by claiming India was “completely defeated on Day 1” of the military operation, alleging Indian aircraft were shot down and the Air Force grounded — remarks that drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused him of insulting the armed forces. The episode has intensified debate over military operations and political rhetoric, with Chavan defending his right to question defence strategy amid backlash. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court of India has transferred the high‑profile rape and murder case of a trainee doctor from **R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, to the Calcutta High Court for continued judicial oversight and effective monitoring of related legal proceedings. The case, which involves the brutal rape and killing of the 31‑year‑old doctor on August 9, 2024, sparked nationwide outrage, doctors’ protests and a CBI probe after being moved from the Kolkata Police due to investigation concerns. The SC’s order aims to streamline judicial scrutiny closer to the ground, reflecting ongoing efforts to ensure justice in this sensitive matter. (PC: PTI)

Former Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim has demanded an unconditional apology from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after a video went viral showing him pulling down the hijab of a newly appointed AYUSH doctor during a public event in Patna. Wasim, known for her roles in Dangal and Secret Superstar, called the act a violation of a woman’s dignity and modesty, saying power should not be used to “violate boundaries.” The incident has sparked widespread criticism online and from political parties, with many condemning the gesture as disrespectful and insensitive to personal and religious rights. (PC: X)

West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision has deleted 58.2 lakh voter names from draft electoral rolls, with over one crore more under scrutiny. Deletions include 24.16 lakh deceased voters, 32.65 lakh shifted/absent voters, and 1.38 lakh duplicate enrollments. North Kolkata recorded the highest deletion rate at 25%, while Chowringhee constituency saw over 74,000 names removed. Jorasanko experienced 36% deletions marking the highest percentage. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal assured no valid voters would be deleted, with hearings scheduled for disputed cases. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed party workers to verify deletions thoroughly in her Bhabanipur constituency, where 44,000 names were reportedly removed, instructing door-to-door assistance for affected voters. (PC: The Indian Express & National Herald)

Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa’s Arpora village where a blaze killed 25 people, have been deported from Thailand and brought back to India after a 10-day international search. Arrested at Delhi airport, the duo was granted a two-day transit remand by a Delhi court to facilitate their transfer to Goa for legal proceedings. They will be produced before the Mapusa court as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged safety violations and culpable homicide in the tragic fire. (PC: X)

A farmer from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district sold his kidney after a small loan turned into huge debt. Roshan Sadashiv Kude had borrowed Rs 1 lakh from local moneylenders to start a dairy business. The plan failed after his cows died and crops were ruined. High daily interest caused the loan to rise to Rs 74 lakh. Kude sold his land, tractor and valuables, but the debt remained. He was later advised to sell his kidney and travelled to Cambodia for the surgery. He claims police did not act on his complaint. Kude has warned of self-harm if he does not get justice. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday apologised to residents for rising air pollution. He said it was impossible for any government to fix AQI levels in nine to ten months. Sirsa blamed the previous AAP government for the crisis and said the current administration inherited a “disease of pollution.” Delhi’s AQI stood at 354 on Tuesday afternoon, slightly better than Monday’s severe level. Sirsa announced strict steps, including a ban on fuel for vehicles without valid PUC certificates. He said daily action is being taken to control pollution and improve air quality. (PC: HT)