Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are set to join the Indian National Congress today at 1:30 p.m., ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. This announcement follows a recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on September 4. The wrestlers' decision to join the political party had been widely speculated after their meeting with Gandhi. Their entry into politics comes at a crucial time as the Haryana Assembly elections approach, potentially impacting the political landscape in the region. 

A major fire broke out at the 15-storey Times Tower in Mumbai’s Lower Parel area early Friday morning. The blaze, which started around 6:30 a.m. in the building’s electrical duct, has been declared a level 2 (major) fire. The fire is confined between the third and seventh floors of the building. The fire brigade has sent eight fire engines and additional vehicles, including five fire engines and seven jumbo tankers, to the scene. There have been no reported casualties. Firefighters are working to control and extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and emergency services are managing the situation.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has ruled out the possibility of gang rape in the death of a Kolkata doctor, concluding that only Sanjay Roy, currently in police custody, is implicated in the horrific rape and murder. Sources revealed that the CBI's inquiry, which was assigned by the Kolkata High Court despite objections from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is nearing completion and will soon lead to formal charges. The investigation has been under intense scrutiny, with the Chief Minister and other officials facing pressure from political rivals and civil society over the case. The CBI is expected to file charges shortly as the inquiry wraps up.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh’s residence and several other locations in Kolkata on Friday. The raids are part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the hospital. This action follows the high-profile rape and murder of a trainee doctor, which led to significant public and professional protests. The state government had previously suspended Ghosh from his position. In addition to Ghosh’s residence, the raids targeted properties linked to his associates and Prasun Chatterjee, a data entry operator at the hospital. The ED’s investigation seeks to address financial misconduct concerns.

A new scandal involving the misappropriation of Covid-19 funds during former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's BJP-led government has overtaken the MUDA scam in headlines. Allegations of mishandling crores of rupees have sparked accusations of "tit-for-tat" corruption. A preliminary report by Justice John Michael D'Cunha was discussed by the state cabinet, revealing various irregularities. At the meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made three critical observations regarding the findings. The report's details are yet to be fully disclosed, but it has already intensified political tensions in Karnataka, with further investigations likely to follow.

The family of a 31-year-old junior doctor, raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, has alleged police coercion and bribery. The victim’s father claimed they were forced to cremate her body quickly, surrounded by 300-400 police officers, against their wishes. He also accused Kolkata Police of offering them money while grieving. The father added that cremation fees were mysteriously waived, causing further distress. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police have yet to respond to the accusations. The family claims to have been pressured into statements recorded by individuals they suspect were undercover cops.

An Air India Express flight experienced a critical issue shortly after taking off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on September 2. Metal fragments reportedly fell from the plane over Vasant Kunj, landing on the roof of a house. The incident triggered panic, and Air Traffic Control quickly identified the aircraft. Flight IX-145 was ordered to return to the airport immediately. The plane made a precautionary landing, with all passengers and crew safe. Officials confirmed an engine problem, and an investigation is ongoing. The aviation regulator and related agencies have been notified.

The family of a 31-year-old junior doctor, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College, has accused Kolkata police of misconduct. They claim they were forced to cremate her body against their wishes, with approximately 300-400 officers surrounding their home. The father alleged that the deputy commissioner offered them money while they were grieving. The family had desired to retain the body for further rites but felt compelled to "succumb to immense pressure". Kolkata police have yet to respond to the allegations. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

In an exclusive interview, ex-diplomat Gopalaswami Parthasarathy confirmed "total Pakistani involvement" in the 1999 IC 814 hijacking. The former High Commissioner to Pakistan stated that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was behind the hijacking. Parthasarathy's comments come after the release of a Netflix documentary on the incident. He shared insights into Islamabad's response to the situation, highlighting Pakistan's complicity in the hijacking. The revelation has sparked renewed debate on the involvement of Pakistani agencies in the incident.

In a significant operation, security forces killed 9 Maoists in an encounter on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh. The deceased carried a combined bounty of Rs 60 lakh. Notably, Macharela Yesobu, a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. Yesobu, also known as "Ranader", was part of the Naxalite movement since 1988 and hailed from Warangal district in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Police are investigating further to gather more information about the deceased Maoists and their involvement in the movement. The operation is seen as a major blow to the Maoist organization.