India News Highlights, 18 September 2026: Hours after Mamata’s support, Congress Nandigram candidate arrested

The Supreme Court asks the Centre to focus on institutionalising NEET with a permanent structure, staff and dedicated verticals within the testing system.

Nandigram Congress nominee Milan Pradhan was arrested by police in connection with an old murder caseCongress nominee Milan Pradhan was arrested by West Bengal police in connection with an old (Express photo: Special arrangement).
Hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram bypoll, Congress nominee Milan Pradhan was arrested by police in connection with an old murder case, according to sources.
Pradhan is scheduled to be produced before a local court on Saturday. West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar alleged that the BJP was trying to prevent the Congress candidate from contesting the election.

If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in.

BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Friday claimed that his cavalcade was attacked allegedly by AAP workers near Batala in Punjab while he was travelling to Pathankot to attend an anti-drug yatra.

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Bittu alleged that more than 100 AAP workers targeted the convoy and hurled eggs at it, damaging the window panes of two escort vehicles and a jammer vehicle. His security team reportedly apprehended three people following the incident. Bittu said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Union Home Ministry and held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state DGP responsible if anything happened to him or those accompanying him.

Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj released from Tihar Jail on interim bail

Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was released from Tihar Jail late Thursday night, three days after a Delhi court granted him three weeks’ interim bail in connection with an alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said on Friday.

Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on September 4 and remanded to judicial custody on September 7 before being lodged in Tihar Jail. The court, while granting interim bail on September 15, barred him from discussing the case, his defence or the complainant’s family on social media or other media platforms and restrained him from contacting the complainant, his daughter or witnesses. The matter will next be heard on October 6.

73-year-old motorist arrested after car hits parked biker in Delhi’s RK Puram

A 73-year-old motorist was arrested after his car allegedly hit a 21-year-old biker who was sitting on his parked motorcycle on Africa Avenue Road in Delhi’s R K Puram area, police said on Friday. The motorcyclist, identified as Tanish Tokas, did not suffer any serious injuries.

Police said the incident took place around 10 pm on Thursday when the blue-coloured car, allegedly driven by Venu Gopal, a Vasant Kunj resident, was travelling from Bhikaji Cama Place towards R K Puram Metro Station. The impact caused Tokas to fall from the motorcycle, while the car dragged the vehicle for some distance. Police said Tokas himself was not dragged by the car.

BRS moves against Revanth Reddy over ‘false allegations’ against KCR

Telangana officials in Siddipet district have initiated an enquiry into alleged land irregularities involving the Erravelly farmhouse of BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), following orders from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for a 30-day Special Enquiry Team (SET) probe into 388 acres of assigned land. Responding to allegations of “looting” lands worth Rs 1 lakh crore, BRS Working President K T Rama Rao demanded a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge instead of “handpicked” regimes, declaring full readiness to face legal consequences if any wrongdoing is established.

Sikh trucker stabbed 17 times at US rest stop

Days after a racist social media post targeted South Asians in the US, a Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop. The brutal assault has heightened concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment and hate crimes against Indian professionals and workers in America.

SC ‘shocked’ over unnatural deaths in Manipur relief camps, calls for report

The Supreme Court has expressed deep shock over unnatural deaths in Manipur relief camps and called for a detailed status report, pressing the administration on conditions facing displaced families across the conflict-affected state.

Noel Tata slams Chandrasekaran extension, warns against Tata Sons listing

In a major corporate clash on the Tata Sons board, Noel Tata slammed N Chandrasekaran’s tenure extension, warning that listing the holding company publicly would destroy its character and long-held founding values.

Two killed as staging gives way at Mumbai Metro Line 4 site

In Mumbai, two workers were killed after construction staging collapsed at a Metro Line 4 site in Wadala, leading to calls for stricter safety compliance across ongoing infrastructure projects.

CBFC flags screening of Umar Khalid documentary at IIIT-Hyderabad

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has flagged the unauthorized campus screening of a documentary on activist Umar Khalid at IIIT-Hyderabad, citing regulatory compliance protocols for non-certified public screenings.

Live Updates
Sep 18, 2026 05:33 PM IST
2 women die after C-section at Bundi govt hospital; Operation Theatre sealed

Two women who underwent C-section deliveries at the District Women’s Hospital in Bundi, Rajasthan, died at separate private hospitals in Kota following complications, officials said.

The hospital’s operation theatre has been sealed for sampling, sterilisation and culture testing, while gynaecologist Chandresh Meena, who performed the surgeries, has been placed under APO pending further orders. Two other women developed similar complications and were referred to Kota; their condition was stable on Friday. A three-member committee headed by the Bundi SDM has been formed to investigate the deaths.

(PTI)

Sep 18, 2026 05:31 PM IST
Patna Civil Court receives bomb threat email, turns out to be hoax

Security was beefed up at the Patna Civil Court after authorities received an email threatening that a bomb had been planted inside the premises, officials said.

The court complex was thoroughly searched by bomb disposal and dog squads, but no explosive material was found, Patna (Central) SP Mamta Kalyani said. A case has been registered, and efforts are underway to trace the source of the email. The threat prima facie appears to be a hoax, she said.

(PTI)

Sep 18, 2026 02:47 PM IST
Marathwada rains bring relief after dry spell; five killed in lightning strikes

Several parts of Maharashtra's Marathwada region received heavy rain after a prolonged dry spell, while five people, including a couple, were killed in two separate lightning strikes in rural parts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, officials said on Friday.

Thirty-one revenue circles across five districts recorded more than 65 mm of rain in a single day on Thursday. Zari in Parbhani recorded the highest rainfall at 126 mm, followed by Sirsala in Beed with 112.5 mm and Pedgaon in Parbhani with 111.5 mm.

In Wahulkheda village, three people died after lightning struck a tree where they had taken shelter from the rain. Three others were injured. In another incident at Dahigaon, a farmer and his wife died after lightning struck their hut. Their son was injured.

All eight districts of Marathwada received average rainfall of 5.4 mm to 41.8 mm on Thursday. The region has received 423.3 mm of rainfall so far this monsoon, about 62.3 per cent of its expected 679.5 mm, leaving a deficit of 37.3 per cent.

Sep 18, 2026 02:31 PM IST
Chennithala rejects allegations of police high-handedness in news channel raid

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday rejected allegations of police high-handedness during a recent raid at a private Malayalam news channel's office, saying the search was carried out as per legal procedures.

The raid was part of a probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to the failed visit of the Lionel Messi-led Argentina football team to Kerala, sponsored by Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC). Chennithala said an SIT had been given complete freedom to investigate and denied allegations of a media witch-hunt.

“There was no high-handedness by the police during the raid. Not a single journalist was assaulted or treated badly. The police asked them to keep their phones aside during the search, but returned them immediately. The channel's broadcast was not disrupted even for a minute,” he said.

Police had searched five locations, including the RBC office and premises linked to its promoters, after obtaining court warrants. While the channel alleged that phones of journalists were taken and news operations disrupted, police denied seizing any phones and said the searches were aimed at collecting documents related to the probe.

Chennithala said any police lapse would be examined and rejected claims of an “Emergency-like” situation for the media in Kerala.

Sep 18, 2026 02:18 PM IST
No victory procession after DUSU results, Delhi HC orders

The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered that no victory procession be taken out after the declaration of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election results, citing repeated violations of election norms.

A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also asked student organisations and candidates to explain why electoral damages should not be imposed for violating the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

The court said the ban would apply to roads, campuses and hostels, and directed Delhi Police to ensure that no victory procession takes place. Violations could invite criminal and administrative action as well as contempt proceedings.

The court was hearing a plea alleging violence on the university’s North Campus. Delhi Police told the court that FIRs had been registered and some students arrested over violations. The bench directed that the criminal action be taken to its logical conclusion.

Sep 18, 2026 01:53 PM IST
Nithari case acquitted Surendra Koli dies by suicide in Haridwar

Surendra Koli, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case in 2025, was found hanging in Haridwar, local police said.

Koli had been living in Haridwar for the past few months and was running a small tea stall opposite Lal Mata Temple. Police said he was found hanging at the stall.

Koli, a resident of the Bhikiyasen area of Almora, was found dead on Friday. Police informed his family members, and no suicide note was found at the scene.

Sep 18, 2026 01:47 PM IST
Nandan Nilekani-led panel on NEET reforms likely to submit report by month-end: Centre to SC

The Nandan Nilekani-led panel on structural reforms in NEET is likely to submit its first interim report by the end of September, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the panel had held extensive consultations and also discussed suggestions with members of an earlier committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe asked the DoPT joint secretary assisting the panel to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken so far.

The bench stressed the need for a permanent structure for conducting NEET, including permanent staff and dedicated verticals with minimal deputation. Justice Narasimha also said the bench would like to visit the upgraded facility of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to examine its systems.

The court is hearing petitions seeking reforms in the NTA and NEET process. On August 19, it had asked the Centre to apprise it of steps taken to implement recommendations of the Radhakrishnan panel and the Nilekani committee.

Sep 18, 2026 01:12 PM IST
Govt won’t sit idle if SIT misses Sabarimala gold case deadline: Minister

Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Friday said the state government would take further steps if the Special Investigation Team (SIT) fails to file the charge sheet in the Sabarimala gold loss case within the deadline set by the Kerala High Court.

The SIT is probing two cases involving the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka idol and the doorframes of the Sreekovil at Sabarimala. The High Court has directed the SIT to file the charge sheet in the doorframe case by September 25.

Responding to reports that the SIT may miss the deadline, Muraleedharan said he had sought legal advice from the Advocate General on the next steps. “We are not going to sit idle,” he said, adding that the government would act after receiving the legal opinion.

The SIT has arrested more than 15 people in the two cases, including Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and three former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents.

Sep 18, 2026 01:01 PM IST
Two friends killed after unidentified vehicle rams motorcycle in UP’s Mau

Two friends were killed after an unidentified vehicle allegedly rammed their motorcycle in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district on Thursday night, police said on Friday.

The accident took place in the Tajopur area. The deceased were identified as Mohan Rajbhar, 27, and Swagat Rajbhar, 26, both residents of Achhar village.

The two, who worked as painters, were returning home to neighbouring Ghazipur district when the accident occurred. They suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot.

Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination and are examining CCTV footage to identify the vehicle and trace its driver, SHO Rakesh Singh said.

Sep 18, 2026 12:32 PM IST
12 students injured as school van hits road divider in Jharkhand

Twelve students were injured after a school van crashed into a road divider in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district on Friday, police said.

The accident occurred on Bhuvaneshwari Temple Road near N Type quarters in the Telco Stadium area after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.

The injured students, all from Vidya Bharati Chinmaya Vidyalaya, were taken to Tata Motors Hospital for treatment and later discharged, police said.

The driver was also injured but fled the spot after the accident. Police are trying to trace him, Telco police station officer-in-charge Suresh Prasad said.

Sep 18, 2026 11:44 AM IST
Birthday boy kills friend after cake-smearing dispute in Jammu, two arrested

A birthday celebration turned fatal in Jammu after a man allegedly attacked and killed his friend with a sharp-edged weapon following a dispute over smearing cake on his face, police said on Friday.

The incident took place around 9 pm on Thursday near Lower Roop Nagar. Police said Neeraj alias Anshu was celebrating his birthday with friends when the deceased, Pawan Nair alias Sameer, smeared cake on his face, triggering an argument.

Police said Neeraj, who was accompanied by his brother Rishu, allegedly took out a khokhri and attacked Nair on the neck. Nair was rushed to GMC Jammu, where doctors declared him dead.

A murder case was registered at Janipur police station and Neeraj and Rishu were arrested. Police are recovering the weapon and conducting further investigation.

Sep 18, 2026 11:28 AM IST
Three minor girls drown in pond in Chhattisgarh

Three minor girls drowned while bathing in a pond in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district on Thursday, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred in Nunera village under Pali police station limits. The girls, identified as Indu Agariya, 7, and Rakhi and Sadhna, both 8, had gone to the pond for a bath and did not return home.

Their families later reached the pond and found their clothes and footwear on the bank. During a search, Indu’s body was found in the water, followed by the bodies of the other two girls. Police have registered an accidental death report and launched an investigation.

Sep 18, 2026 11:12 AM IST
Multiple survivors identified in POCSO case against granite baron; SC/ST Act invoked

The ongoing investigation into the POCSO case against granite baron R Veeramani has led to the identification of multiple survivors who were allegedly sexually assaulted by him over several years, police said on Friday.

A senior police official said the survivors’ statements were recorded before a court and several of them were minors when the alleged assaults took place. Police said the victims came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with some living below the poverty line.

Authorities have also invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after verifying that one of the victims belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. Financial assistance will be provided to the victim under the Act, police said.

Meanwhile, a court granted police three days’ custody of Veeramani in connection with the sexual assault case. Considering his age, over 80, and health issues, the court directed investigators to question him within the Puzhal Central Prison complex and allowed him daily access to his lawyer.

Veeramani, chairman of the Gem group, was arrested last month along with his alleged accomplices Shanthi, 60, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, 63, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a minor in 2019. The case was registered in October 2025 after investigators received a video purportedly showing a minor being sexually assaulted by Veeramani.

Sep 18, 2026 11:07 AM IST
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj released from Tihar Jail

Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was released from Tihar Jail late Thursday night, three days after a Delhi court granted him three weeks’ interim bail in connection with the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on September 4, hours after the Cockroach Janta Party protested outside Parliament Street police station demanding his arrest. He was remanded to judicial custody on September 7 and lodged in Tihar Jail.

The court imposed several conditions while granting interim bail, including a bar on posting or discussing the case, his defence or the complainant’s family on social media or other media platforms. He was also restrained from contacting the complainant, her daughter or witnesses, or tampering with evidence.

Bhardwaj’s bail plea followed an interview in which he allegedly claimed he had "cracked the skull" of the student activist’s father during the June 23 protest. The case is scheduled to come up before the court on October 6.

Sep 18, 2026 10:39 AM IST
17-year-old girl raped, murdered in Jharkhand; two arrested

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted, raped and strangled to death during a Teej festival programme in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, police said on Friday. Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The incident took place on the night of September 14 in a village under Kunda police station. Police said the accused allegedly took the girl to a deserted place in the Tetartand area, where she was raped and later strangled to death.

The girl’s body was found in bushes the next morning. Police arrested two men, aged 19 and 22, on Wednesday, DSP (Headquarters) Sunil Kumar Singh said.

Based on their questioning, police seized the victim’s red torch and hair pin, along with the clothes allegedly worn by the accused and a mobile phone. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.

Sep 18, 2026 10:14 AM IST
73-year-old motorist arrested after car hits biker in Delhi’s R K Puram

A 73-year-old motorist was arrested after his car allegedly hit a biker on Africa Avenue Road in Delhi’s R K Puram area, injuring the motorcyclist, police said on Friday.

The incident took place around 10 pm on Thursday when the blue car, allegedly driven by Venu Gopal, was travelling towards R K Puram Metro Station from Bhikaji Cama Place. Police said 21-year-old Tanish Tokas was sitting on his parked motorcycle by the roadside when the car hit it.

The impact caused Tokas to fall from the motorcycle, which was dragged by the car for some distance. Police said Tokas was medically examined and did not suffer any serious injuries.

A case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the car was seized. Gopal was also medically examined, with no alcohol detected, police said. Further investigation is underway.

Sep 18, 2026 10:10 AM IST
Telangana police official dies after service weapon allegedly misfires

A Reserve Inspector died at the Nizamabad police headquarters in Telangana on Friday morning after his service weapon allegedly misfired while he was cleaning it, police said.

The incident occurred at the police headquarters, according to a police release. Nizamabad Commissioner of Police P Sai Chaitanya visited the spot and inspected the scene.

Sep 18, 2026 09:56 AM IST
CPI(M) panchayat member among six arrested over man’s death in Kerala

A CPI(M) panchayat member and five others were arrested in Kerala’s Kottayam district in connection with the death of a 48-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by them, police said on Friday.

The deceased, Shibu Khan of Karikattoor in Manimala, was found dead in a rubber plantation on Wednesday, a day after he and his friend were allegedly attacked by the accused.

Police said Shibu and his friend had allegedly trespassed into the house of Manimala panchayat member Joji John and assaulted his mother, who has mental health issues. Joji and his friends allegedly attacked the two men following the incident.

A post-mortem examination found severe internal organ damage as the cause of Shibu’s death, police said. Following the findings, Manimala police arrested Joji and the five others after questioning them and gathering evidence. The accused will be produced before a court on Friday.

Sep 18, 2026 09:43 AM IST
College teacher among four held for alleged drug peddling in Kerala

A college teacher and three others were arrested in Malappuram’s Nilambur for allegedly peddling drugs, including MDMA, police said on Friday.

The accused were identified as Suhail Peringodan, a teacher at a college in Mampad, Reena T N, Vivek Vijayan and Subrahmanyan. Police initially recovered 0.4 grams of MDMA and 0.5 grams of ganja from Subrahmanyan after acting on a tip-off.

During the investigation, police allegedly found that Suhail had been regularly supplying MDMA to Vivek and Reena and was involved in supplying the drug to students and friends on a wider scale.

Police said the accused admitted to purchasing MDMA from wholesale suppliers in Kondotty and Manjeri and selling it to others. A probe is underway to determine whether the teacher supplied drugs to students and to trace the wholesale suppliers.

Sep 18, 2026 09:23 AM IST
BRS moves privilege notice against Revanth Reddy over KCR allegations

The BRS on Thursday submitted a breach of privilege notice against Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of making false allegations against party president K Chandrasekhar Rao during his Assembly speech.

The party also alleged police high-handedness against its women MLAs and said it would approach the National Commission for Women and National Human Rights Commission over the matter.

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