HDFC Bank has appointed Anup Bagchi as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term beginning October 27, 2026. The appointment received approval from the Reserve Bank of India on October 1. Bagchi, currently MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, will succeed Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose tenure ends on October 26. The bank’s board has also appointed Bagchi as an additional director from October 2, subject to shareholder approval. Bagchi has more than three decades of experience across banking, capital markets, insurance and wealth management, having held senior roles within the ICICI Group. (PC: HT)

Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa to find courage while confronting his Omani co-pilot during a mid-air attack. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the attacker. The Boeing 737 flight, carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. During a video call, Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and presence of mind. The pilot, now recovering in the UAE, thanked Modi and said he believed God had saved him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after he was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to reports, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar while the aircraft was in flight, triggering a rapid descent. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and restrain the attacker. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Modi said Machchhar demonstrated exceptional courage and presence of mind, crediting his actions with helping save passengers’ lives. Machchhar remains under medical care. 

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police on October 2 while attending a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions. Several AAP workers and other protesters were also detained. Bharadwaj alleged that police manhandled volunteers at the protest site, while authorities had earlier denied permission for the planned gathering and imposed restrictions on assemblies in New Delhi. Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar, with barricades deployed and several nearby roads and metro stations affected. The protest was part of wider demonstrations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. (PC: X)

Separate protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are planned in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of India on October 2, amid a political dispute over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have announced a nationwide campaign from October 2 to 8, including district-level demonstrations and a march to the Election Commission’s headquarters. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has planned a separate protest in Mumbai. Delhi Police had not granted permission for the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration. The Election Commission has defended its procedures amid opposition criticism. (PC: Reuters)

Gola, a popular community dog from Delhi’s SDA Market, has been crowned the capital’s favourite “fat dog” after defeating Googoo from Saket. The contest, organised through the Instagram page Fat Dogs of Delhi, began with 64 dogs and concluded after six rounds of voting. Around 94,000 votes were cast, including 92,598 online and 1,042 offline votes. Gola received 66,954 votes, while Googoo secured 27,046. Gola had died before the competition ended but remained on the ballot despite calls for her removal. Organisers said donations and sponsorships will support participating dogs and street-animal welfare. 

The Supreme Court on October 1 sought responses from the Union government and West Bengal government on TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s petition alleging that authorities and politically affiliated groups were obstructing her work as an elected representative. Moitra claimed that since the BJP came to power in West Bengal in May 2026, she has faced difficulties accessing her Krishnanagar constituency, inspecting MPLAD projects, organising public meetings and obtaining police assistance. She also alleged attacks and multiple FIRs against her. A bench led by Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to file counter-affidavits. (PC: PTI)

A picnic turned tragic in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Thursday after eight students from a private coaching academy in Pune drowned while swimming at Diveagar beach. The group of 48, including 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers from Winners Academy in Alandi, had travelled to Diveagar for a trip. According to authorities, the students entered the sea but were unable to judge the water’s current and depth accurately before being swept away. Local residents, police and a water-sports team launched an immediate rescue operation. All eight bodies were recovered and taken to a nearby health centre. Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway. 

A dramatic hit-and-run incident in Assam’s Doboka area triggered a nearly 40-km chase after a Scorpio allegedly hit a child at Akashiganga on September 30. The vehicle reportedly sped towards Nagaon despite attempts by local residents to stop it. During the pursuit, the SUV collided with other vehicles, damaged a police barricade and reportedly continued driving even after one wheel was torn off. It also allegedly caused damage at the Doboka toll gate. Police from the Nonoi Police Outpost eventually intercepted the badly damaged vehicle and detained two men. The child’s condition was not immediately known. 

An old video of Flydubai’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, has gained attention following a violent confrontation in the cockpit of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. In the video, recorded about a year ago, Machchhar discusses the role of trained flight crew in protecting passengers. He asks, “Who’s gonna save you?” while highlighting the importance of having skilled professionals responsible for passenger safety during a flight. His remarks have gained fresh significance after he reportedly faced an attack by the co-pilot during Wednesday’s flight. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, bringing renewed attention to the captain’s actions and aviation safety. (PC: X)