In a brazen daylight attack, Haryana's Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Nafe Singh Rathee was fatally shot in Jhajjar district, Haryana. Rathee, a prominent Jat leader and former MLA, was traveling in his car when unidentified gunmen, suspected to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, opened fire. Despite having three private gunmen for security, Rathee succumbed to multiple bullet injuries. Rathee had faced legal trouble last year as the main accused in a suicide case. Police are investigating possible motives, including property disputes. The incident highlights the escalating violence in Haryana's political landscape.

Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district. The face-off occurred during an anti-Naxalite operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist cadres. Security forces, including the District Reserve Guard and Border Security Force, engaged in a gunfight with the Naxalites in Bhomra-Hurtarai villages. The Naxalites fled after a brief exchange of fire, leaving behind three bodies and seized weapons. The identity of the deceased Naxalites is yet to be determined.          

In a bizarre incident from 2018, technicians investigating a malfunctioning ATM in Tinsukia, India, discovered nearly $18,000 worth of shredded Indian rupee notes and a deceased rat inside the machine. The State Bank of India (SBI) branch manager, Chandan Sharma, expressed shock at the discovery, stating that while most ATMs have security cameras, footage showed no sign of the rat entering. Of the 2.9 million rupees initially in the ATM, 1.7 million were recovered intact, while 1.2 million were destroyed. Investigations are underway to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Delhi Police has initiated the process of partially reopening the Singhu and Tikri borders, the gateways to Haryana and Punjab. One lane has been opened at the Tikri border, with plans to open more lanes gradually. The decision aims to provide relief to residents who faced inconveniences due to blockades for nearly ten days. The borders were sealed on February 13 as protesting farmers from Punjab began their Delhi Chalo march. The reopening will facilitate traffic movement and ease access to healthcare for residents, while businesses anticipate a reduction in disruptions and losses.          

The Maharashtra FDA revoked McDonald's Ahmednagar outlet license for misleadingly using cheese substitutes in dishes labeled as containing real cheese. FDA found McDonald's used cheese-like products without indicating so, prompting a license suspension. The outlet resumed after McDonald's complied with FDA's order to relabel products and clarify ingredients. McDonald's renamed items like "Cheese Nuggets" to "Veg Nuggets" and "Cheese Burger" to "Cheddar Delight Burger." McDonald's India assured customers of using genuine cheese and collaborating with high-quality suppliers. The FDA issue prompted engagement with authorities to ensure compliance with food standards.

Delhi Police Special Cell, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), dismantled an international drug trafficking network spanning India, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Arresting three individuals in Delhi, authorities seized 50 kg of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical for methamphetamine production. The network concealed drugs in food products like health mix powder and coconut. With cooperation from New Zealand and Australian authorities, efforts are underway to apprehend the Tamil film producer identified as the mastermind. The operation, valued at over Rs 2,000 crore, signifies a significant blow to drug trafficking.          

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, India's longest cable-stayed bridge, connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat. Costing around ₹980 crore, the 2.5-kilometre bridge features solar panels generating one megawatt of electricity and adorned footpaths with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna. Serving as a vital connectivity boost, it eliminates the need for pilgrims to rely on boat transport to reach the revered Dwarkadhish Temple. Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate Gujarat's first All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rajkot and various infrastructure projects worth ₹48,000 crore.

Hindu groups, including the Hindu Jagaran Mancha and Hindu Sabhya Samaj, protested at Siliguri's Bengal Safari Park, demanding a name change for lions Akbar and Sita. They argue that naming a lioness after revered figure 'Sita' is disrespectful, stirring religious sentiments. While park management clarified the names were inherited from Tripura's Sepahijala Zoological Park, organizations submitted a memorandum seeking alteration. Expressing anguish, they emphasize the need to uphold religious sentiments. Despite appreciation for the park's expansion, they insist on renaming the lions. The protest underscores tensions between cultural reverence and wildlife management at the safari park.

Two West Bengal ministers, Partha Bhowmick and Sujit Bose, visited Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, addressing grievances of land grabbing and sexual abuse allegations against local TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. Protestors, armed with lathis and brooms, demanded arrests, fearing retaliation. Fresh protests erupted in Bermajur village, with women demanding justice. Amid the turmoil, the government received over 500 complaints of land grabbing. Bhowmick assured action while acknowledging internal party dynamics. Tensions remain high as the community seeks resolution and justice in the troubled area.        

Three new criminal laws will replace outdated British-era laws in India from July 1. The laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, aim to modernize the country's justice system. They were passed by Parliament in December and will replace the Indian Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Penal Code. The laws define terrorism for the first time, abolish sedition, and introduce new offenses against the state. Provisions include punishments for acts endangering sovereignty or unity, with imprisonment or fines.