Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a fresh Vigilance probe into allegations linked to Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure as PWD Secretary. The case also concerns the 2006 suicide of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who worked with PATI-BEL on the upgrade of MC Road under the Keralam State Transport Project. Chennithala said Been’s suicide note mentioned Kumar, who was serving in the PWD at the time. A Vigilance probe was ordered after Been’s death but did not proceed further. The fresh investigation follows a complaint alleging that the earlier inquiry was deliberately derailed and seeks examination of corruption allegations against Kumar. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police has reportedly not yet registered an FIR over a journalist’s allegation of sexual harassment against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat. The complaint has raised questions about the police response and the handling of allegations involving a serving officer. The journalist has accused the ACP of inappropriate conduct, prompting authorities to examine the matter. Police officials are expected to assess the complaint and available evidence before deciding further action. The delay in registering an FIR has drawn attention, particularly given the nature of the allegation and the accused officer’s position within the police force. (PC: The Hindu)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on October 3 launched the ‘Satyagraha’ digital platform, aimed at bringing together issue-based protests and movements across India. The initiative comes amid continuing opposition and civil-society protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising concerns over electoral processes and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Gandhi said the platform would help people who are fighting for their rights to register their struggles, connect with similar movements and seek support. He later said more than 10,000 people and groups had responded within nine hours of the platform’s launch. (PC: PTI)

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a fresh Vigilance investigation into allegations surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure as the state’s PWD Secretary in 2006. The case involves Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, associated with the PATI-BEL consortium working on the Kerala State Transport Project. Lee died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur, and his suicide note reportedly mentioned Kumar and alleged irregularities and pressure involving officials. A preliminary Vigilance inquiry was conducted at the time but reportedly stalled. The state government has now directed officials to examine the allegations of external influence and determine whether further action is warranted. (PC: X)

Around 160 protesters were detained in Delhi on Saturday during the second day of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Those detained included activist Yogendra Yadav, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and AISA leader Neha Bora. The protesters were demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Police said Section 163 of the BNSS was in force in New Delhi. Several protesters were taken to Badarpur Police Station. CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke said Delhi would see a “massive mobilisation” on October 10. Meanwhile, the Indian Youth Congress moved the Delhi High Court over the denial of permission for its protest.

At least five workers were killed and more than 10 injured after a boiler exploded at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sri City Special Economic Zone, in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district, on October 3. The incident occurred at the Till Healthcare formulations unit, reportedly while workers were on the night shift. Two workers died at the site, while three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The injured were evacuated and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police, fire and emergency teams launched rescue operations following the blast. The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been established, and authorities are investigating the incident. (PC: The Hindu)

Delhi Police has registered at least three FIRs in connection with Friday’s protests at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), concerning disobedience of an order issued by a public servant. Police said no individuals or organisations were named in the accused column, although organisers and participating groups were mentioned in the FIR contents. Around 1,000 people were detained across Delhi during the protests, while prohibitory orders were in force. (PC: HT)

A 35-year-old man, identified as Sambhav Jain from Manesar, died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Society in Sector 94, Noida, on October 3. He had reportedly booked an Airbnb in the high-rise and arrived there a day earlier. An AC repair team working nearby reportedly tried to intervene after seeing him on the balcony railing, but he jumped despite their efforts. Police said he was reportedly under financial stress and had been missing from home for several days. CCTV footage and forensic evidence are being examined, while the exact circumstances behind the death remain under investigation.

Indian Railways has raised the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. A Vande Bharat Express successfully tested the new speed, crossing the Chenab Railway Bridge—the world’s highest railway arch bridge—and the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, at 100 kmph. The speed enhancement follows safety clearances and is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). Railway officials said the higher speed will improve operational efficiency, reduce travel time and provide faster, safer and more comfortable journeys between Jammu and Kashmir. 

India has secured the deportation of alleged international drug trafficker Navpreet Singh from Türkiye, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on October 3. According to Shah, Singh had obtained Turkish citizenship using the alleged fake identity “Navab Virk” and was accused of operating a network that smuggled heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan into India. Indian agencies reportedly traced his identity and location before securing his return. Singh has now been taken into custody in India in connection with drug-trafficking and other criminal cases. Shah also said the government remains committed to dismantling narco-trafficking networks operating across borders. (PC: HT)