India news Highlights, 24 August 2026 | ‘Hygiene issue’: Licences of five Cricket Club of India restaurants suspended in Mumbai

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of five restaurants at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai over hygiene-related issues, officials said.

- PTI Inputs

The government is procuring onions through “Kanda Express” railway rakes to increase supplies and help cool prices, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said on Monday.

Buffer onion stocks will be released in mandis and retail markets across five major consuming centres, Khare said.

The buffer stock will be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg in select consuming centres as part of efforts to ease onion prices.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she would not take political "sanyas" and would continue her political fight until the BJP was forced into obscurity.

In a Facebook Live, Banerjee alleged that the Census exercise was a backdoor attempt to enforce NRC and cautioned people against sharing personal information. She also accused the BJP-led West Bengal government of reducing beneficiaries under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme and violating its pre-poll promise to provide financial assistance to all women.

Banerjee also accused the BJP of orchestrating vandalism during clashes between ABVP and Left students at Jadavpur University. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, she alleged that lakhs of genuine voters had been deleted and said she would approach the Supreme Court again if required.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a peaceful march in Delhi on September 5, alleging that the government has failed to honour commitments made on July 25.

The march will be held between India Gate and the New Delhi Police Headquarters, the party said. It will be led by families of deceased NEET victims and people who, according to the CJP, were victims of police brutality.

The announcement comes after the CJP's National Working Committee decided to review the government's response to its July 25 assurances concerning FIRs against protesters, protection for peaceful demonstrators and compensation for families of deceased NEET victims.

Rajasthan State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh on Monday warned officials that negligence or laxity in preparations for the upcoming urban local body elections would not be tolerated.

Singh reviewed preparations including the revision of electoral rolls, polling arrangements for persons with disabilities, and security measures at sensitive and critical polling stations. He directed officials to complete all tasks within prescribed timelines and follow the commission's instructions.

Elections to all 309 urban local bodies in Rajasthan will be held in two phases on September 9 and 11, with counting scheduled for September 14.

- PTI Inputs

Unidentified persons allegedly threw eggs at a Ganesha idol procession in south Mumbai's Mazgaon area on Sunday night, prompting police to step up security in the locality.

According to police, an egg allegedly landed on the idol as the procession of the Mazgaoncha Morya Ganeshotsav Mandal was passing the Continental Heights building. Members of the procession briefly gathered outside the building before police intervened.

The Byculla police registered an FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to outraging religious feelings and promoting enmity between groups. No arrests have been made and an investigation is underway.

- PTI Inputs

Three alleged Bambiha Gang-linked fugitives — Jaspreet Singh, Ajay Singh and Pawandeep Singh — have been apprehended in Malaysia, deported to India and sent to police custody, the Home Ministry said on Monday.

According to the ministry, the three are accused in multiple cases involving extortion, cross-border arms and narcotics trafficking and a foiled grenade attack in Ludhiana.

The Home Ministry said Indian agencies have facilitated the deportation of 51 "hardened criminals" in 2026, describing the action as part of the government's efforts to strengthen internal security.

India does not face a sugar shortage and the country's supply situation remains "fundamentally strong", Indian Sugar Mills Association president Niraj Shirgaokar said on Monday.

Shirgaokar said there were sufficient sugar stocks and supplies to meet demand during the upcoming festival season.

His remarks come amid concerns over sugar availability and prices in the domestic market.

With inputs from Reuters

DMK chief MK Stalin on Monday moved the Madras High Court challenging the election of TVK candidate VS Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls.

Stalin's election petition alleges voting machine malfunctions and VVPAT irregularities and seeks a recount of votes. He has also sought that Babu's election be declared void and that he himself be declared the winner.

Stalin, a three-time MLA from Kolathur, lost the seat to Babu by 8,795 votes, ending his winning streak in the constituency. Babu, who represents the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, had attributed his victory to the electorate's desire for change.

-ANI Inputs