Blasts were heard inside Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, on Sunday as protests over an alleged rape case and a student’s suicide turned violent. Three police SUVs were set on fire, several police personnel were injured, and parts of campus buildings were reportedly damaged. Police later entered the campus with lathis and tear-gas guns. An FIR was registered into the alleged rape of a student from the university’s G-3 hostel. Police said the student had returned home and her statement had been recorded. Authorities are also investigating the death by suicide of a Telangana student two weeks ago. (PC: HT)

Mumbai Police have denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 2, founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Sunday. Dipke said the party would launch a nationwide protest from Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti if Kumar did not resign. He criticised the police decision and warned that CJP would launch a “Jail Bharo Andolan” if its right to protest was denied. The party’s demand comes amid controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that decisions on SIR were taken unanimously. (PC: X)

Protests erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, early Sunday after reports circulated that a female student had allegedly been raped on campus by an outsider. Students gathered in large numbers, blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway and damaged parts of university property. Videos showed one student climbing onto a decommissioned Indian Air Force MiG-23UM aircraft displayed on campus, while around 10 students climbed onto a military tank. Police registered an FIR against an unknown person and formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegation. LPU authorities, however, denied the circulating claims and called them false and baseless. 

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday backed the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) call for an October 2 protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Wangchuk recalled supporting the CJP during its Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET-UG paper leak, saying he stood with the party when it was “weak.” He said the party now has a “strong voice” and expressed hope that its protest would be able to “shake up the country.” The CJP has called for the October 2 demonstration to raise concerns over the Election Commission and seek accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner. (PC: ANI)

Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma was filmed appearing to slap a man during a heated road inspection in west Delhi’s Tilak Nagar on September 27. The confrontation began as Verma and AAP MLA Jarnail Singh argued over the quality of newly laid roadwork. A video shows Verma pulling down the phone of Sahib Singh, who was recording the exchange, before appearing to slap him. Singh later said an FIR had been registered and alleged that Verma’s associates threatened him. Verma acknowledged the incident but said an AAP worker had abused his family, prompting his reaction. 

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) will observe a nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, after talks with authorities failed to resolve key demands. The unions are primarily seeking implementation of a five-day banking week, along with changes concerning performance-linked incentives and other pending service issues. The strike could disrupt branch-based services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearing and account-related work, particularly in public-sector banks. Digital services, including UPI, internet and mobile banking, and ATMs are expected to continue operating. Public-sector and regional rural banks were also directed to open on September 27 to help customers. 

Hundreds of students protested at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, on Sunday over allegations that a female student was raped on campus on September 24. Protesters gathered near the girls’ hostel, blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway and raised slogans against the university administration. Videos showed students climbing onto a MiG-23 aircraft and a military tank displayed on campus. Some footage also showed damaged windows, flower pots and alleged vandalism. Police registered a case and formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the allegations. The university denied the claims, calling the reports circulating on social media false and baseless. (PC: NDTV)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused the Assam Police of detaining its leaders and volunteers ahead of its first regional meeting in Guwahati on Sunday. Party co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka was among those detained. Ranka alleged that roads leading to the meeting venue were blocked and volunteers were prevented from reaching the site. He claimed the action was aimed at stopping the party from highlighting issues such as schools, Kaziranga and floods in Assam. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also alleged that police took Ranka and other members to an unknown location. The party has demanded their immediate release. 

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and several team members were detained by Assam Police in Guwahati on Sunday, ahead of a planned volunteers’ meeting, Ranka and CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke claimed. Ranka arrived in Assam on Saturday to meet families affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, visit schools and interact with party volunteers. He alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was “scared” and linked the police action to concerns over the upcoming Assembly elections. Dipke claimed police took the detained members to an unknown location and prevented lawyers from meeting them. (PC: X)

Bank customers may face disruptions as bank unions have called a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, demanding a five-day banking week with all Saturdays off. Customers can deposit cash through Cash Deposit Machines and eligible ATM facilities during the strike. However, deposits made by visiting bank branches may be affected due to staff shortages. Cheque clearing and other services requiring bank staff or physical documents could also face delays. Banks have advised customers to use mobile banking, internet banking, UPI and ATMs. Public sector banks and regional rural banks opened branches on Sunday, September 27, to help customers complete important transactions. (PC: NDTV)