The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the legality of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and clarified that removal of a person’s name from electoral rolls does not mean loss of Indian citizenship. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the Election Commission can examine citizenship only for deciding inclusion or exclusion from voter lists, not for determining citizenship status itself. The verdict came on petitions challenging the SIR process, which required some voters to prove ancestral linkage with names in the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls. Petitioners had alleged the exercise was a “backdoor citizenship verification” process. (PC: India Today)

A social media exchange between Dhruv Rathee and Gul Panag has sparked widespread debate online. The controversy began after Rathee criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said foreign journalists should continue asking difficult questions about his lack of formal press conferences. Panag responded by saying criticism, disagreement and protest are fundamental to democracy, but argued that seeking the humiliation of India’s Prime Minister abroad undermines the dignity of the office and the country’s institutions. The exchange triggered polarized reactions, with some defending accountability and others emphasizing respect for elected offices.

The Delhi High Court has asked SpiceJet to disclose its assets within two weeks in a case linked to unpaid dues of nearly $8 million to engine lessor Sunbird France. The court gave the order after Sunbird raised concerns over the airline’s financial condition. The lessor claimed SpiceJet could enter insolvency proceedings at any time. During the hearing, SpiceJet defended itself and said it was “not a fly-by-night operator.” The airline said strict court directions could affect operations. The dispute is linked to three aircraft engines leased in 2019, for which Sunbird alleged payments stopped from 2022 onwards. (PC: Bloomberg)

The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) completed 30 years on May 26. The team was formed in 1996 at Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka. Over the years, SKAT has performed more than 800 air shows in 72 cities in India and abroad. The team is known for its close-formation flying and colourful smoke displays. It currently flies Hawk Mk-132 jets and includes highly trained fighter pilots from frontline IAF squadrons. SKAT became a standalone squadron in 2006. The team continues to inspire millions with its precision flying and aerial performances.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced several welfare measures, including ₹5 fish-rice meals at around 400 canteens across the state twice a week. He also said forms for the Annapurna Yojana, which promises ₹3,000 monthly support for women, will be issued from May 27. Adhikari added that liquor shops will not be allowed within one kilometre of schools, colleges and places of worship. The chief minister also announced a separate AYUSH department for the state. Since taking office earlier this month, Adhikari has unveiled multiple policy changes and administrative decisions in West Bengal. (PC: HT)

Samarth Singh, husband of former actor-model Twisha Sharma, told police that she became emotionally distressed after an abortion and that her behaviour changed after learning about her pregnancy in April. Singh, who is on seven-day police remand in Bhopal, also claimed he had given Twisha Rs 7 lakh but did not explain why. The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into Twisha’s death after Supreme Court directions. Twisha was found dead at her matrimonial home on May 12. Her family has accused Singh and his relatives of dowry harassment, abuse and tampering with evidence. Singh has denied the allegations. (PC: X)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) apologised after Delhi Class 12 student Vedant Shrivastava discovered that another student’s Physics answer sheet had been uploaded under his roll number during re-evaluation. Vedant Shrivastava had raised concerns on social media after receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics. His post later went viral, with several users trolling him online and calling him “Pakistani” because his X profile location showed “South Asia”. CBSE later admitted the mismatch, emailed him the correct answer sheet and said his marks would be revised. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the online abuse. (PC: HT)

Convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Haryana’s Sunaria jail on a 30-day parole on Tuesday, officials said. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh left the Rohtak jail under heavy police security and travelled to the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. The self-styled godman has been in jail since 2017 after being convicted in rape cases involving two women disciples and is serving a 20-year sentence. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This marks the 16th parole or furlough granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh since 2020, drawing repeated criticism from opposition parties and social groups. (PC: India Today)

A farmer from Malkangiri has successfully cultivated the rare Miyazaki Mango, a premium Japanese fruit known for fetching exceptionally high prices in international markets. According to reports, farmer Deba Padhiami received the sapling four years ago and nurtured it until it began bearing fruit. Originating from Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture, the mango is renowned for its reddish-purple colour, sweetness and smooth texture. However, despite growing one of the world’s most expensive mango varieties, Padhiami lacks access to buyers, marketing channels and export networks. He has also begun guarding the tree at night, fearing theft as curiosity around the rare fruit grows.

CNG prices in Delhi were increased by Rs 2 per kg on May 26, taking the retail rate to Rs 83.09 per kg and marking the fourth hike in 11 days. The cumulative increase since May 15 now stands at Rs 7 per kg. Earlier revisions included a Rs 2 hike on May 15 and Re 1 increases on Friday and Sunday. While prices of piped natural gas and domestic LPG remain unchanged, rising global crude oil prices continue to pressure fuel retailers. Industry sources attribute the surge to supply concerns linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran conflict. Higher fuel costs are expected to impact transportation and inflation. (PC: India Today)