Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a fire killed 25 people, told a Delhi court they fear being “lynched in Goa” if they return amid public anger, citing social media death threats and demolition of their properties. The Rohini court rejected their transit anticipatory bail plea, noting the seriousness of the case. The brothers fled to Thailand hours after the blaze and are detained there; deportation proceedings are underway. (PC: ANI)

Senior Congress leader and ex-Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra, early on Dec. 12, 2025, at the age of around 90, after a prolonged illness. Patil had a long political career, serving as Union Home Minister (2004–08), Lok Sabha Speaker (1991–96), Governor of Punjab & Administrator of Chandigarh (2010–15) and representing Latur in Parliament seven times. He was Home Minister during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, resigning in 2008 taking moral responsibility. Patil is remembered for his decades-long service in Indian politics and roles at the highest levels of government. (PC: INC)

At least nine people were killed and many others injured after a private bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh during the night between Thursday and Friday. The bus was returning from a pilgrimage when the driver lost control on the winding road, possibly due to poor visibility and dense fog, causing it to veer off the road. Rescue operations were swiftly launched to save survivors and recover casualties. Several injured passengers have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and investigations are underway.   

Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first woman Rafale pilot, has transitioned to the Hawk advanced jet trainer fleet to train future IAF aviators. The Varanasi native, commissioned in 2017 as part of the second women fighter pilot batch, flew MiG-21 Bison before becoming the only woman trained on Rafale during her induction phase. She recently completed the rigorous Flying Instructor Course at Air Force Station Tambaram and was photographed with President Droupadi Murmu during the President's Rafale sortie. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan falsely claimed she was captured after a Rafale shootdown debunked by CNN-News18. She now serves at an IAF training establishment, mentoring trainee pilots with her frontline operational experience.(PC: X)

Karnataka discovered one of India's richest mineral deposits, gold grading 12-14 grams per tonne in Koppal's Amrapur block (4-7× commercially viable levels) and lithium-bearing pegmatites in Raichur's Amareshwara block but cannot mine them due to protected forest reserve restrictions. The November 2025 findings from a 6-lakh-hectare survey across 65 blocks also revealed copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, bauxite, and chromium. Mining requires Stage-I forest clearance from MoEFCC under the Forest Conservation Act 1980, currently not granted due to wildlife corridors, tribal settlements, and environmental concerns. Armed guards now protect sites from illegal prospecting. Commercial mining realistically requires 5-8 years, while India imports 99% of gold and needs 125,000 tonnes lithium by 2030. (PC: Gold Market & Mint)

The Delhi High Court criticized the Centre over the IndiGo crisis involving hundreds of flight cancellations, questioning how airlines increased fares to Rs 40,000. Justice Gedela asked why other carriers were allowed to exploit the chaos, with Mumbai-Delhi economy tickets reaching Rs 35,000, normally Rs 20,000 round-trip. The court questioned why the situation arose and why pilots were overworked. While DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo, which apologized profusely, the court emphasized concerns about lakhs of stranded passengers and economic impact. The Centre reduced IndiGo's winter schedule by 5%, cutting 110 daily flights from their 2,200-flight operation. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu assured strict action, stating safety is "non-negotiable." (PC: X & The Hindu) 

The Election Commission of India extended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) deadline for electoral rolls by one week in six states and one Union Territory, while West Bengal, Goa, Rajasthan, and Lakshadweep's enumeration period ends today as scheduled. Tamil Nadu and Gujarat received extensions until December 14, while Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Andaman and Nicobar got until December 18. Uttar Pradesh's revised enumeration deadline is December 26. Draft electoral rolls will be published between December 16-31 depending on the state. Kerala, previously granted extension until December 18, will publish its draft on December 23. The ECI encourages eligible electors to submit Form 6 online or through Booth Level Officers for inclusion in final rolls publishing February 2026. (PC: India Today & The Hindu)

A Delhi court on Thursday granted activist and former JNU student leader Umar Khalid interim bail in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case from December 16 to December 29 so he can attend his sister’s wedding. The order by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai requires Khalid to furnish a personal bond and sureties, and restricts him from using social media or contacting any witnesses during this period. He is allowed to meet only family and must stay at home or wedding venues, surrendering on the evening of December 29. Khalid has been incarcerated for over five years under UAPA and related charges. (PC: PTI)

IndiGo Airlines has announced travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 for passengers who were severely stranded between December 5 and 7 due to widespread flight disruptions and cancellations, the airline said in a statement. The vouchers, valid for 12 months, can be used on any future IndiGo flights and are in addition to refunds and government-mandated compensation. This comes as IndiGo works to stabilize operations after mass cancellations that left many travellers stuck at airports. Most refunds have reportedly been processed, and the carrier aims to address passenger inconvenience amid ongoing operational recovery. (PC: HT)

The Election Commission of India has revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) timetable, extending the deadline for electoral roll updates in seven states and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, following requests from chief electoral officers. New deadlines for voter enumeration and draft roll publications have been set to later December dates. However, West Bengal’s SIR schedule remains unchanged, with no extension granted despite political calls for relief. The decision highlights the poll body’s attempt to balance administrative needs with procedural timelines ahead of upcoming elections. (PC: NDTV)