CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said, "Modiji, agar Gyanu ka resignation nahi ho sakta, toh yuva Delhi jayega. Chalo Delhi."
'Chalo Delhi': CJP leader Dipke calls on youth to protest in capital
CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke addressing the crowd gathered and praised the Mumbai Police while criticising the Delhi Police. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)Thousands of people gathered at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Cockroach Janta Party has organised the protest demanding CEC Kumar’s resignation after The Indian Express investigation found that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls.
Approximately 4,000 protesters have gathered in Mumbai, according to the police.
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As of 5 pm, Ashutosh Ranka, co-convener of the CJP; Ratna Singh, its head of legal affairs, musician Vishal Badlani, actor Naseeruddin Shah, and documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan were among those present at the protest.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, said thousands of young people were protesting against alleged “vote theft” peacefully and exercising their constitutional rights. “Their demand is clear: Gyanesh Kumar must resign. Save democracy,” he said.
Gandhi questioned the government’s response to the protests, alleging that young men and women were being dragged off the streets and that hundreds had been detained for questioning alleged vote theft.
“Because a lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question,” Gandhi added. “Gyanesh Kumar will go. And the system that put him there will go too,” he said.
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‘Will continue fight for democracy’, says former Delhi CM Atishi
Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters, including former Chief Minister Atishi, Aam Aadmi protesters and members of various student organisations, near Jantar Mantar on Friday during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Former Delhi CM said that the party will continue the ‘fight for democracy’. In a post on X, the former CM wrote: “We are not afraid of Modi ji’s police; Gyanesh Kumar will have to go.”
After 13 crore names dropped from draft rolls, EC orders ‘left out’ voter drive
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the 20 states and Union Territories where the exercise has been completed to conduct a “special drive” to enrol voters “left out” of the rolls, The Indian Express has learnt, amid criticism over the scale of deletions from voters’ lists during the nationwide exercise.
One Nation, One Election: Supreme Court cancels meeting with parliamentary panel
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined a proposed October 6 interaction between the Chief Justice of India and other judges and the Joint Committee examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on simultaneous elections, referred to as ‘One Nation, One Election’.
NCERT Class 9 Textbook Includes ‘Ram Rajya’ In Governance Chapter
The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook describes ‘Ram Rajya’ as part of the evolutionary process of “India’s understanding of governance”. The 153-page textbook, released on Tuesday, also discusses government initiatives including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Khelo Bharat Niti, National Health Policy 2017, e-governance and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
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'Gyanesh Kumar must resign': Rahul Gandhi backs youth protesting against 'vote theft'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, said thousands of young people were protesting against alleged "vote theft" peacefully and exercising their constitutional rights.
"Their demand is clear: Gyanesh Kumar must resign. Save democracy,"he said.
Gandhi questioned the government's response to the protests, alleging that young men and women were being dragged off the streets and that hundreds had been detained for questioning alleged vote theft.
"Bapu taught us exactly this — speak the truth, fight peacefully. And that's what scares this government the most," he said.
"Because a lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question," Gandhi added. "Gyanesh Kumar will go. And the system that put him there will go too," he said.
आज गांधी जयंती है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/2106017105078297084?ref_src=twsrc%5
और आज ही, हज़ारों नौजवान वोट चोरी के ख़िलाफ़ सड़कों पर हैं - शांतिपूर्वक, बिना हिंसा के, अपने संवैधानिक अधिकार का इस्तेमाल करते हुए।
उनकी माँग साफ़ है: ज्ञानेश कुमार इस्तीफ़ा दें। लोकतंत्र बचाओ।
और Modi-Shah सरकार का जवाब? लड़के-लड़कियों को सड़कों पर घसीटा…
CJP leader Dipke criticises BJP over defections, ED-CBI action against opposition
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said that after the BJP returned to power at the Centre in 2019, it suffered a setback in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where Uddhav Thackeray emerged as the winner.
"Unka dil chhota hai aur ego hurt hua, isliye unhone Shiv Sena aur NCP ko tod diya aur opposition ke khilaf ED aur CBI ka istemal kiya," Dipke said.
He alleged that the BJP’s aim was "one nation, one party" and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of behaving like Adolf Hitler. "He should remember how Hitler ended,” Dipke said.
Referring to political defections since 2022, Dipke said many MPs and MLAs had switched sides and joined the BJP or its allies. “They should auction the MLAs and MPs like the IPL," he said.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
'We can see Mumbai's spirit': Sourav Das at protest
Sourav Das said at the protest, "We started with Mumbai's spirit, and we can see that spirit here. I have just recovered from dengue. We are here because of your jazba and the Mumbai Police's cooperation. The Delhi Police has again resorted to brutality, and we say, 'Sudhar jao, varna sudhar denge.'"
"There is nyay and vishwas at Jantar Mantar, and that is why a 12-foot wall was raised, as Modi and Shah did not want prosperity. Two years have passed, and people’s right to vote has been snatched. Now, Gyanu bro, it’s done. We will take your resignation," he said.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
‘We will fix the schools’: CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafiz at Mumbai protest
Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, a 25-year-old volunteer with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), whose father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, died following an alleged assault in West Bengal’s Bankura district, addressed the gathering.
“Jai Maharashtra. Pehli baar main manch par khada hoon, kuch galat bola toh maaf karna,” Hafiz said.
“We will fix the schools. There is no proper infrastructure in the area. I had gone to Jantar Mantar, and my father had told me that I should be there. My father was killed. I come from the land of Tagore, and they (BJP) came to settle the matter, but I come from the land of Subhash Chandra Bose and I did not compromise,” he said.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
'Vote chori se bani sarkar': CJP Mumbai coordinator Pranay Ahire
Pranay Ahire, Mumbai CJP co-ordinator, said at the protest, "Ye sarkar kaise bani? Vote chori se bani, aur iske zimmedar Gyanesh bro hain. They removed Mumbaikars from Mumbai."
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
CJP policy in-charge raises questions over voter deletions
Mehr, the CJP's policy in-charge, addressed the gathering. Mehr said, "I booked a flight from the US and came here, and I ask Kumar, how have you eliminated 13 crore people? If all these people who have been eliminated are ghuspethiyas, then Shah should resign." "I request women to be in the public space, as it is our right," Mehr added.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
Those present at the protest
Ashutosh Ranka, co-convener of the CJP; Ratna Singh, its head of legal affairs, musician Vishal Badlani, actor Naseeruddin Shah, and documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan are among those present at the protest.
Express Photos by Akash Patil
'We have to make our voices reach Modi, Shah': Siddharth Baradwaj at protest
Siddharth Baradwaj said at the protest, "We have to make our voices reach Modi and Shah. I can see a better future that will help the country prosper, and you are supporting the people of India by supporting the CJP."
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
'It's Gyanesh Visarjan time': NCP(SP)’s Anish Gawande at Mumbai protest
NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande joined the protesters on stage and coined the phrase, "It's Gyanesh Visarjan time."
Gawande said that children from Kamathipura were present at the protest, but their names were not on the voter list.
"It’s just the beginning; more than two resignations will come," he added.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
Vishal Dadlani, Shabana Azmi attend Mumbai protest seeking CEC's resignation
Singer Vishal Dadlani addressed the crowd at the protest and sang, "Mera rang de basanti chola, Gyaanu utha lo jhola," calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Veteran actor Shabana Azmi was also among those present on stage.
Ishika Gupta reports from Mumbai
‘Go Gyaanu, go’: Dipke demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation at Mumbai protest
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, while addressing the crowd gathered at Shivaji Park, praised the Mumbai Police and criticised the Delhi Police. He also warned Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Sachin Sharma that the barricades at the protest site would eventually prove insufficient.
Referring to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Dipke said, “Go Gyaanu, go,” adding that the protest would continue until Kumar resigned.
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Dipke said those who believed his assassination would end his influence were mistaken. “Gandhi lives on through everyone present here,” he said, adding that those following Nathuram Godse’s ideology could “never end Gandhi”.
“If Gandhi is the soul of India, Ambedkar is the backbone and Nehru the mind,” he said. Dipke also criticised the Narendra Modi government over the long queues seen during demonetisation and Covid-19 vaccination, as well as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“If the SIR process had been carried out this way earlier, you would not have become Prime Minister,” he said. Among those attending the protest was also the 15-year-old girl who was allegedly doxxed for verbally abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dipke alleged that trolls and police officials had been deployed against her after she used inappropriate words.
Ishika Gupta reports from Mumbai
'This is just a trailer': CJP leader Dipke warns Delhi police
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said, "Mumbai Police has done a good job. I'll say to the Delhi Police, this is just a trailer. Jo ukhadna hai ukhaad lo, hum Jantar Mantar par hi karenge."
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
Actor Naseeruddin Shah meets CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke
Actor Naseeruddin Shah met CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke in Mumbai.
Am I dreaming or what? pic.twitter.com/NAA7ZdVPjz
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 2, 2026
300 Mumbai police personnel deployed at Shivaji Park
Around 300 Mumbai Police personnel, along with additional officers, have been deployed at Shivaji Park, police said, adding that no permission has been granted for the protest.
Police said they were expecting a crowd of 4,000-5,000 protesters. No one has been detained so far, and protesters are being allowed to participate, they said.
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke is currently addressing the gathering, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray is expected to arrive at the venue. A large number of youngsters have gathered at Shivaji Park for the protest.
Apoorva Agashe reports from Mumbai
'Mumbai showing up to reclaim democracy': Aaditya Thackeray on CJP protest
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said Mumbai was "showing up to reclaim democracy" and urged people to join the CJP protest, in a post on X.
"The BJP’s despotic regime has snatched away our vote, our voice, and that's what we must reclaim!" he said.
"This isn’t political; this is about the country! This is about our democracy, our vote, our Constitution!" Thackeray added.
Mumbai showing up to reclaim democracy!!
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 2, 2026
I hope all are heading here to support this protest by the CJP!
The BJP’s despotic regime has snatched away our vote, our voice and that’s what we must reclaim!
This isn’t political, this is about the country! This about our… https://t.co/NcD4kptHq3
No detention by the police as of now at Mumbai CJP protest
There has been no detention by the police so far at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Apoorva reports from Mumbai
Dipke dares CM Fadnavis to send protestors to jail
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke dared Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send to jail the protesters gathered at Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
(PTI)
Protesters gathered in Mumbai, demanding CEC Kumar's resignation
Approximately 4,000 protesters have gathered in Mumbai, according to the police.
'Government is so incompetent': CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said, "The government is so incompetent that we have to protest again in two months."
4,000 gathered at Mumbai EC protest
Abhijit Dipke, Vishal Dadlani among thousands at Mumbai CJP protest against poll panel chief Gyanesh Kumar.
Mumbai: CJP members sloganeer against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Shivaji Park
Mumbai coordinators of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began sloganeering, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as protesters gathered at Dadar’s Shivaji Park.
As of 5 pm, Ashutosh Ranka, co-convener of the CJP, and Ratna Singh, its head of legal affairs, were among the party members present at the protest.
Ishika Gupta reports from Mumbai
Centre proposes decriminalising certain petroleum licence violations, civil penalties
The Centre has proposed decriminalising certain regulatory breaches, including violations of petroleum licence conditions, and introducing a civil-penalty regime while retaining or strengthening criminal penalties for serious offences involving public safety, critical infrastructure and unauthorised petroleum operations.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has invited public and industry comments on draft amendments to the Petroleum Act, 1934, proposing a major overhaul of provisions dealing with offences, penalties and enforcement.
The Petroleum Act, 1934, was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to the import, transport, storage, production, refining and blending of petroleum.
(PTI)
'Protest with permission in Gandhi’s country?': Manoj Jha at Jantar Mantar
RJD leader Manoj Jha, while being detained at Jantar Mantar during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, said, “Today is Gandhi Jayanti... It is shameful that they are behaving like this...”
“This is all ‘Godse-vadi’ people can do on Gandhi Jayanti. They don’t understand the essence of Gandhi,” Jha said earlier, as the commotion was underway.
Asked about permission for the protest, Jha said, “Protest with permission... in Gandhi’s country?” Jha, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI national secretary P Sandosh Kumar, CPI Delhi secretary Prof Dinesh Varshney, AISF general secretary Dinesh Seerangara, and social activists Yogendra Yadav and Nikhil Dey were among those detained.
(PTI)
'Public doubts need to be clarified': BRS leader on the Jantar Mantar protest against CEC.
"Regarding the Election Commission, there needs to be a clear assessment—specifically, identifying who is anti-BJP and examining the actions of the other two commissioners. Public doubts need to be clarified; the Election Commission should consult the relevant departments to ensure nothing goes wrong due to conflicting opinions," BRS leader V Srinivas Goud on the Jantar Mantar protest against the CEC.
#watch | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the Jantar Mantar protest against CEC, BRS leader V. Srinivas Goud says, "Regarding the Election Commission, there needs to be a clear assessment—specifically, identifying who is anti-BJP and examining the actions of the other two commissioners.… pic.twitter.com/EmYO9BcIWm
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2026
35 women, 5 children fell ill after consuming suspected contaminated ragi flour
35 women and five children fell ill after consuming suspected contaminated finger millet (ragi) flour ahead of the Jitiya fast in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district.
The incident took place in Chhata village under the Bansdih Road police station area, where the women consumed the flour as part of preparations for the festival.
(PTI)
Mamata calls Gyanesh Kumar 'Daku', demands his immediate removal
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee accused West Bengal's BJP government of creating a "restive atmosphere" and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that her party's defeat in the April Assembly polls was linked to irregularities in the electoral process.
"Names of about six lakh voters were deleted in the SIR in each of the constituencies where we won by a lakh votes in the 2021 elections. Over a period of one year before the 2026 election, Kumar and the masterminds engineered vote loot by illegally using software," she said at the launch of a new social media channel. Banerjee described CEC Kumar as a "daku" (dacoit) and demanded his immediate removal from the post.
(PTI)
Lucknow protest against Election Commission
Protest against the Election Commission in Lucknow on Friday. Protestors are demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Village head booked over Dalit youth's suicide in Punjab
A village head among four people was booked in connection with the alleged suicide of a 23-year-old Dalit youth in Punjab's Sangrur district last month, PTI reported.
Sanamdeep Singh, a resident of Kanoi village, allegedly consumed poison on September 26 and died during treatment, police told PTI.
His family has alleged that he took the extreme step after allegedly being harassed and intimidated by village sarpanch Deep Singh and some of his associates.
This incident is reported to be on the heels of another incident in which daily wager Gulzar Singh died on September 7 after allegedly consuming poison in the village.
His family had alleged that he was harassed and subjected to casteist slurs for questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the supply of drugs in his area at an event in Dirba the day before.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Lucknow's 'Democracy Bachao March'
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on 'Democracy Bachao March' in Lucknow said, "PM Modi, Home Minister and Gyanesh Kumar have looted democracy; INDIA bloc will fight against this."
VIDEO | On 'Democracy Bachao March' in Lucknow, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "PM Modi, Home Minister and Gyanesh Kumar have looted democracy; INDIA bloc will fight against this."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/CUV2WB5oC1
Youth Congress protest against EC
Youth Congress protest against the Election Commission in Delhi.
#watch | Youth Congress workers hold protest against the Election Commission in Delhi pic.twitter.com/eNlAhUFWtE
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2026
Raja Warring formally submits resignation as Punjab Congress Chief to Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring formally submitted his resignation as Punjab Congress chief to party leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday.
"I met Rahul Gandhi and formally gave him my resignation," Warring told reporters after meeting Gandhi.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) gave me a lot of love. He sought information about the current political situation in Punjab, on what is happening with the government and what we should be doing there. This was the information he sought," he said.
(PTI)
CPI(M) condemns detention of youngsters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar
The CPI(M) condemned the detention of youngsters who gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Left party alleged that the Delhi Police had “converted the entire city into a fortress” and detained people approaching Jantar Mantar after denying permission for a gathering at the designated protest site.
"The police brutally manhandled the protesters and threw them into the buses, injuring many," the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged. The party's Politburo said it took more than two hours for security personnel to detain all the DYFI and SFI activists, which it said "demonstrates the stiff resistance put up by the youth".
(PTI)
After 8 Pune students drown, civic body seals coaching academy
A day after eight students drowned at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district, the Alandi Municipal Council on Friday sealed the premises of a local coaching academy.
The eight students, from a private coaching institute in Pune, drowned after venturing into the sea during a picnic on Thursday. Police said the group had misjudged the tide.
The students had travelled from Pune in a hired private bus and entered the sea while visiting the beach.
(PTI)
Delhi Police detain over 500 protesters near Jantar Mantar seeking CEC's ouster
Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders and members of various student organisations, near Jantar Mantar on Friday during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Report- Nikitha
Mumbai: Heavy police deployment at Shivaji Park ahead of CJP protest
Heavy police deployment was seen at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) call for a protest against the Election Commission.
(ANI)
Shivakumar, Vijayendra trade charges over alleged voter deletions amid SIR row
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra traded allegations on Friday over the ongoing SIR exercise, with both accusing each other of attempts to manipulate electoral rolls through Form-7 applications.
Bypolls: CPI(M) alleges cash-for-votes by TVK in Madurantakam
CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam alleged that the TVK was distributing cash to voters ahead of the October 6 bypoll in Madurantakam, and urged election authorities to act against inducements.
PTI
Kerala: Vigilance arrests municipal health inspector for accepting Rs 10,000 bribe
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) arrested a health inspector of Tirurangadi Municipality for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe to issue licences for a newly opened hotel and juice shop in Malappuram, officials said.
PTI
Passenger accidentally touches emergency door handle on Hyderabad flight, deboarded
A 35-year-old passenger was deboarded from a Hyderabad-Kadapa flight after he accidentally touched the aircraft’s emergency exit door handle while adjusting his seat, triggering a sensor alarm, police said. No case was registered.
PTI
Tamil Nadu Bypolls: Vijay to hold roadshow, Stalin to launch campaign
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, DMK president MK Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami are set to campaign on Friday for the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. Madurantakam is in Chengalpattu district, while Dharapuram is in Tiruppur district.
Vijay will hold a roadshow in Madurantakam near Chennai, while Stalin and Palaniswami are scheduled to campaign in Dharapuram.
PTI
DMK functionary arrested in alleged Rs 50-crore temple land fraud case
DMK Srirangam area secretary M Ramkumar was arrested in connection with an alleged land fraud involving a 7,515 sq ft parcel belonging to the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, police said.
PTI
Delhi Police detain over 500 protesters, AAP leaders during CEC protest
Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Anurag Dhanda, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Friday.
PTI
PM Modi, top leaders pay floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several senior leaders across party lines paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on Friday on the occasion of his 157th birth anniversary.
(ANI)
Delhi Metro services hit as entry, exit shut at 11 stations
Entry and exit gates at 11 Delhi Metro stations, including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and New Delhi, will remain closed until further notice, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said. Interchange facilities will continue to be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, JNA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations.
Two officials suspended over use of Hindi words on State Highway signboard
The Tamil Nadu government has suspended two officials for allegedly allowing the use of Hindi words on a signboard on a State Highway, PTI reported.
PM Modi speaks to Captain Smit Machchaar
PM Modi speaks to Captain Smit Machchaar, who foiled an attempt by a co-pilot to allegedly crash a flydubai flight, PTI reported, citing government sources.
Maharashtra: Eight students who drowned during Diveagar picnic to be cremated in Alandi
The bodies of eight Class XI and XII students who drowned during a picnic to Diveagar in Maharashtra’s Raigad district were brought to Alandi near Pune on Friday morning. The students, all aged 16, were part of a 48-member group from local coaching institute Winners Academy.
The last rites of four students — Rajveer Vahile, Soham Bhandwalkar, Sumit Ahire and Tanmay Vahile — were performed in Alandi on Friday morning. Two others will also be cremated in Alandi, while the bodies of Kaustubh Daund and Yash Wankhede will be taken to Rahuri in Ahilyanagar and Amravati, respectively.
According to police, the eight boys entered the sea and were swept away after misjudging the water depth and current. Search and rescue teams subsequently recovered all eight bodies.
(PTI)
CJP delegation to meet Mumbai Police ahead of Shivaji Park protest
A delegation of the CJP is scheduled to meet officials at the Shivaji Park police station at 11 am on Thursday, ahead of its planned protest at Gate No. 6 of Shivaji Park Ground in Mumbai.
“We have the meeting at 11 am at the Shivaji Park police station and are going to inform them about the scheduled protest. I can’t disclose much at the moment,” Pranay Ahire, Mumbai coordinator of the CJP, told The Indian Express.
The police are yet to grant permission for the protest.
Reported by Ritika Chopra from Mumbai
Ram temple staff to undergo 100% police verification, character checks
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has decided to conduct 100% verification of all Ram temple staff, including police verification, character certificates and detailed family information, as part of stepped-up security measures. The move comes amid tighter security following a theft of offerings at the temple in June, for which eight people were arrested.
(PTI)
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to launch expanded free bus travel for women
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will launch the expanded ‘Vettri Payanam’ free bus travel scheme for women on Friday, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The initiative will allow women and transgender persons to travel free of charge across the expanded network of state-run buses.
PTI
Congress names five candidates for Bihar MLC polls; RJD also in fray in three seats
The Congress has announced five candidates for the October 23 Bihar Legislative Council polls, setting up a direct contest with alliance partner RJD in three seats. Polling will be held for eight seats, four graduates’ and four teachers’ constituencies — whose terms expire on November 16.
(PTI)
Prohibitory orders imposed in New Delhi ahead of Jantar Mantar protest
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the New Delhi district ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an official said on Friday.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsSTORY | Prohibitory orders in force in New Delhi ahead of proposed Jantar Mantar protest
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the New Delhi district ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief… pic.twitter.com/kxrPsswm1Y
Delhi Metro services hit as entry, exit shut at 11 stations
Entry and exit gates at 11 Delhi Metro stations, including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and New Delhi, will remain closed until further notice, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said. Interchange facilities will continue to be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, JNA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsService Update
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 2, 2026
The entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed till further notice. However, interchange facility will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations:
1. Janpath
2. Patel Chowk
3. Central…
Congress' Vijay Wadettiwar Targets Centre Over CEC Appointment, SIR
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Friday criticised the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged that the process lacked constitutional basis. Reacting to protests in Delhi and Mumbai over the SIR issue, Wadettiwar claimed that changes to the selection process removed the Leader of the Opposition from the panel and alleged that this could undermine democracy and voting rights.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Nagpur: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on protests in Delhi, Mumbai against CEC and SIR issue, says, "The Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was not appointed in a constitutional manner. Under the constitutional provision, the selection was made by a committee… pic.twitter.com/tcwMaVO2Y7
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026
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