India News Highlights, 26 June 2026: Top Ram Temple official under pressure as police arrest 8

India News Today's Highlights, 26 June 2026: Get the latest breaking news on the embezzlement in the Ayodhya Ram Temple case, murder of a Kota priest linked to a 215-acre temple land dispute, Venezuela's rising earthquake death toll, along with top headlines, politics, business, sports, entertainment and city updates from India and around the world.

India News: Ram Mandir donations alleged embezzlement case, following the court hearing, the eight accused are being taken away from the special court, in Ayodhya on Friday. (ANI Video Grab)Ram Mandir donations alleged embezzlement case, following the court hearing, the eight accused are being taken away from the special court, in Ayodhya on Friday. (ANI Video Grab)

India Highlights: Champat Rai, top official of temple trust, is under pressure after embezzlement in the Ayodhya Ram Temple case. The eight men who were named in a FIR  or alleged theft, misappropriation of cash, embezzlement of funds and valuables donated to the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been arrested, said Ayodhya Police. UP CM Yogi Adityanath said that the government is proceeding with the action as per the SIT’s recommendations.

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. This blog is curated by Richa Shrivastava, Sneha Sharma, Nityanjali Bulsu, Paramita Datta, and Navya Roshan.

Kota priest murder

A priest in Kota was found dead with 26 stab wounds, with investigators now focusing on a power struggle over 215 acres of land belonging to a 10th-century math at the centre of the case. The brutality of the killing has put a long-simmering dispute over the religious institution’s land holdings firmly under the spotlight.

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Chargesheet against 11 people for alleged links to JMB

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against 11 people for allegedly spreading terrorist ideology linked to the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in West Bengal and the northeastern states. The agency said the accused were part of Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), an offshoot of the JMB. The accused have been named in a chargesheet filed before a special NIA court in Guwahati.

Venezuela earthquake toll rises to 235

The death toll from Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes has climbed to 235, even as rescuers pulled three children alive from the rubble in a dramatic operation in La Guaira, offering a rare moment of relief amid the mounting toll.

MP land row: BJP defends Mohan Yadav, silent on firm’s land buys

The Madhya Pradesh land controversy deepened as the BJP defended Chief Minister Mohan Yadav but stayed silent on a firm in which he and his wife Seema hold a 73 per cent stake buying at least 2.6 acres for Rs 1.43 crore after he became Chief Minister — a four-fold jump in land purchases since 2021.

Live Updates
Jun 26, 2026 05:58 PM IST
Ram Mandir: Eight arrested in corruption case; Rs 79.85 lakhs recovered

Eight accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody until Monday, June 29, in an ongoing corruption investigation, Prosecution Officer KC Verma confirmed.

The accused are scheduled to be produced before the Special Court for corruption-related matters upon the expiry of their remand. Authorities have also recovered a total of Rs 79.85 lakhs in connection with the case.

Jun 26, 2026 05:07 PM IST
Lohagad Fort Murder: Maharahtra CM Fadnavis directs appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the appointment of veteran advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the sensational Ketan Agarwal murder case.

The decision followed a meeting in Pune where the victim's father, businessman Vishal Agarwal, submitted a formal request to the Chief Minister. Fadnavis subsequently directed the state's law and judiciary department to finalize Nikam's appointment and request a fast-track court for the trial. Nikam, renowned for handling high-profile cases like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, will lead the prosecution.

Ketan Agarwal (25) was killed on June 18 during a visit to Lohagad Fort. While initially suspected to be an accidental fall, a police probe revealed that his fiancée, Siya Goyal (20), and her lover, Chetan Chaudhary (22), allegedly conspired to murder him by pushing him off a cliff.

According to investigators, the couple called each other over 4,400 times prior to the incident, and Goyal had previously attempted to sabotage the wedding plans and kill Ketan on an earlier trip

Jun 26, 2026 04:56 PM IST
Record break despite hardship of pole vaulter from India achieve gold medal

G Sindhushree became emotional when she broke the national record in the women's pole vault, not just for the achievement itself, but because her thoughts immediately went to her late father. Ganesh R, an electrician by profession, passed away three years ago following a heart attack, and his dream of seeing his daughter represent the country remained unfulfilled. Breaking the record was as much a tribute to him as it was a personal milestone for Sindhushree.

Competing with borrowed gear, the unheralded Sindhushree from Karnataka pulled off a stunning national record, clinching the gold medal and earning herself a ticket to the Asian Games.

The 25-year-old, who comes from a family of modest means in Bhadravati, Shimoga district, cleared 4.25 metres to surpass Tamil Nadu athlete Baranica Elangovan's national record of 4.20 metres, which had been set just a month earlier.

“It was my father’s dream to see me representing India at the international level,” an emotional Sindhushree told The Indian Express afterwards. “Today, when I have achieved that, he is not here to see that.”

Jun 26, 2026 04:49 PM IST
Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference over the alleged Ayodhya Ram temple donation scam

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, addressed a press conference over the alleged Ayodhya Ram temple donation scam.

Jun 26, 2026 04:49 PM IST
Operation Sindoor: India releases names of six personnel killed

India has officially released the names of six Armed Forces personnel who were killed in action during Operation Sindoor in May last year, marking the first public disclosure of the casualties in more than a year.

The personnel are Sub Major Pawan Kumar from Headquarters 10 Infantry Brigade, Rifleman Sunil Kumar from the 4th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar from the 5 Field Regiment, Agniveer Mood Murali Naik from the 851 Light Regiment, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh from the 237 Field Workshop, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar from the 39 Wing of the IAF.

Five of the personnel served in the Indian Army, while one was from the Air Force. Most of the Army casualties occurred in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Sindoor.

Jun 26, 2026 04:05 PM IST
West Bengal to introduce UCC bill

State Minister Shankar Ghosh, speaking in Siliguri, West Bengal, on the Uniform Civil Code Bill to be introduced in the West Bengal Assembly, said: "We have decided to introduce the UCC. All procedural steps for introducing the Bill are currently underway. Like other states, such as Uttarakhand and Gujarat, and states like Bihar, where the UCC is already in place or has been passed, we are going to introduce the West Bengal UCC Bill, 2026, very soon. It is necessary because we need a common civil code. There may be some deviations in special cases, but a Uniform Civil Code is of utmost importance for our state."

Jun 26, 2026 03:54 PM IST
Ram Temple embezzlement case eight accused to be produced before court

Eight accused in the Ayodhya Ram Temple embezzlement case are to be produced before the Faizabad court; security tightened at the court premises.

Jun 26, 2026 03:35 PM IST
Bengaluru triple murder arrest

Days after a 25-year-old techie was arrested for allegedly killing her parents and younger sister at an apartment in Bengaluru, her live-in partner and co-accused was arrested on Friday in connection with the murders, police said.

Kenneth was traced and detained in Puducherry, just days after Shwetha had also been arrested from the same Union Territory. According to police, Shwetha allegedly carried out the murders in connivance with her boyfriend, Kenneth, who had been absconding since the incident.

The crime took place on Monday night at an apartment in Seegehalli, under the limits of K R Puram Police Station, where Somasundar, 52, along with other family members, was allegedly killed.

(PTI)

Jun 26, 2026 03:21 PM IST
Ram Mandir: Congress demands SC probe

On Friday, Congress demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the termination of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

(PTI)

Jun 26, 2026 03:19 PM IST
India's financial markets regulator rejects Anil Ambani settlement request

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) rejected the requests of Anil Ambani and his corporate group, Ambani and Reliance Infrastructure, last week over allegations that they were involved in improperly transferring 65.26 billion rupees to entities related to Ambani, who is the controlling shareholder.

Over the past few months, several group executives have been arrested on charges of fraud, and some of his personal properties have also been frozen. The cases are still going on in courts.

This is the 2nd settlement rejection for Ambani, as the documents reviewed by news agency, Reuters, show that SEBI alleged in September that the transaction involving Ambani and Reliance Infrastructure could be for personal enrichment rather than corporate purposes.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson said in an email, "The allegations are categorically denied."

(Reuters)

Jun 26, 2026 03:18 PM IST
Mumbai stabbing victim cremated, first picture

Ramesh Lohar, father of the 22-year-old passenger named Mayank Lohar who was stabbed to death in the Mumbai local train, reacts during his son's funeral, at Virar West on 26 June 2026.

Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee

Jun 26, 2026 02:34 PM IST
India sends two IAF C-17 aircrafts carrying aid to Venezuela

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that under Operation Amistad, two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft departed for Venezuela on Friday carrying urgent earthquake relief assistance. The aid includes an Indian Army field hospital unit, more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, including two BHISHM Cubes. India said it remains committed to supporting the government and people of Venezuela during this difficult time.

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Jun 26, 2026 02:32 PM IST
Centre lists out names of 6 soldiers who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor

Centre has released the first official list of names of soldiers who laid their lives during Operation Sindoor. The personnel named are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar (VrC), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Aviation Technician Mood Muralinaik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar (VM).

Jun 26, 2026 02:12 PM IST
General secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champath Rai steps down

Deeptiman Tiwary reports that General secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champath Rai has stepped down from his post following allegations of theft of donations by devotees. Sources said Rai stepped down to ensure an impartial probe into the matter. “It is only proper to stay away from office when such allegations are being made. It is to ensure a free and fair investigation. There is now an FIR in the matter,” a source close to Rai said.

Jun 26, 2026 01:57 PM IST
Congress set for organisational reshuffle ahead of UP polls

Maulshree Seth in Lucknow reports that the Congress is preparing a major organisational reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with the party expected to focus on a Dalit-OBC social coalition that it believes helped the INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. According to party sources, the overhaul is likely to extend beyond changes in the AICC leadership overseeing Uttar Pradesh, with discussions underway over appointing a Dalit leader as the state's next Congress chief.

Jun 26, 2026 01:42 PM IST
Ketan Agarwal's family meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Family members of Ketan Agarwal, who was allegedly killed by Siya Goyal and her lover at Lohagad Fort in Pune met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune on Friday. Calling the murder case "extremely shocking", Fadnavis said the incident goes beyond a criminal case and raises serious questions about why young people from educated and well-settled families develop such destructive mindsets. He said society must reflect on how to prevent such cruel and revenge-driven thinking among children and young adults.

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Jun 26, 2026 01:29 PM IST
Russia intercepts 660 Ukrainian drones

Russia said its air defences intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across 12 regions, the occupied Crimean peninsula, and the Black and Azov seas, in one of the largest drone attacks since the war began more than four years ago. Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy and military facilities in an effort to disrupt fuel supplies, military logistics and Moscow's battlefield operations, says the Associated Press.

Jun 26, 2026 12:39 PM IST
UP CM Yogi says government is proceeding with SIT in Ayodhya donation case

Speaking on the Ram temple donation theft row, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath accused the Opposition of opposing and delaying the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during a rally in Deoria. Yogi said, " Those who would fire bullets at the mere mention of Lord Ram's name are now saying that there has been tampering with faith. Those questioning alleged irregularities in the temple, should present evidence before the SIT." He said that the government is proceeding with the action as per the SIT's recommendations. Earlier today, eight men who were booked for alleged theft, misappropriation of cash, embezzlement of funds and valuables donated to the Ram temple in Ayodhya were arrested, said Ayodhya Police.

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Jun 26, 2026 12:28 PM IST
Nihang-police standoff in Uttarakhand ends

A standoff between a group of Nihangs and the Uttarakhand administration ended early on Friday after talks with authorities, with the group returning to Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh. The tension had erupted at the Kulhal checkpoint in Vikasnagar on Thursday night when the Nihangs clashed with police and tried to cross barricades to travel to Hemkund Sahib. Officials said the group also called off its proposed protest march over a recent dispute in Chamoli district.

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Jun 26, 2026 12:20 PM IST
Accused Siya Goyal's parents say whoever responsible should be punished

The parents of accused Siya Goyal said whoever is found responsible for Ketan's death, including their daughter if proven guilty, should receive the harshest punishment. They said they were unaware of any relationship involving Siya and Chetan and described her as a simple 19-year-old who had never expressed unhappiness about her engagement to Ketan. The family said Ketan's relatives had treated Siya with affection and had planned an extravagant wedding in Udaipur costing around Rs 5 crore. The parents said they had lost both a son and a close relationship and urged investigators to uncover the truth and punish those responsible.

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Jun 26, 2026 12:14 PM IST
Gujarat High Court questioned demolition of nearly 150 homes in Surat

Aditi Raja and Kamal Saiyad in Vadodara report that the Gujarat High Court questioned the demolition of nearly 150 homes in Surat's Nasir Nagar and directed authorities to explain who ordered the action. The court asked Torrent Power to disclose who ordered electricity disconnections and directed the Surat Municipal Corporation to submit a rehabilitation plan for displaced residents by Monday, and sought an explanation from the state over the alleged presence of senior police and civic officials during the demolition. Justice Nikhil Kariel observed that even the demolition of a single house without due process cannot be justified. The court also questioned why no criminal case had been registered despite complaints from residents.

Jun 26, 2026 11:46 AM IST
8 arrested in alleged Ram Mandir theft case

Eight men who were booked for alleged theft, misappropriation of cash, embezzlement of funds and valuables donated to the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been arrested, said Ayodhya Police. On Thursday, an FIR was lodged at Kotwali Ramjanmabhoomi police station on a complaint by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This came two days after a Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the allegations, submitted its preliminary findings to the Uttar Pradesh government.

Jun 26, 2026 11:43 AM IST
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay runs 6-km anti-drug marathon

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ran a 6-km anti-drug marathon along Chennai's Marina Beach with thousands of participants, instead of just flagging off the event. The 52-year-old Chief Minister completed the entire run alongside students and young people, becoming the first sitting Tamil Nadu chief minister to finish a public marathon of this distance for a social cause, an official said.

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Jun 26, 2026 11:37 AM IST
Passenger's metal chain prevented doors from closing, says BMRCL

Kiran Parashar in Bengaluru reports that investigations into the disruptions of Namma Metro services on Purple link due to failure of doors closure has revealed that a metal chain belonging to a commuter led to the delay of operations. BMRCL issued a statement on Friday on it. It said that there was no technical malfunction in the train equipment rather a metal chain belonging to a commuter prevented door from closing and opening.

Jun 26, 2026 11:23 AM IST
Delhi Police arrest two men for allegedly firing at Guru Randhawa’s gym

The Delhi Police Special Cell’s counter-intelligence unit arrested two men during an early-morning shootout in West Delhi for their alleged involvement in the firing at singer Guru Randhawa’s gym earlier this month. Police said the suspects, Sagar and Haqeeqat, both believed to be first-time offenders, sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and are being questioned. Officials said the attack was carried out on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Jun 26, 2026 11:15 AM IST
Mumbai local train services hit by technical faults

Ishika Gupta from Mumbai reports that commuters on Mumbai's Western Railway suburban network faced major disruption during Friday's morning rush hour after technical faults at multiple locations delayed train services by up to 20 minutes. The disruption began around 6 am due to an overhead equipment (OHE) fault between Dadar and Churchgate, which was repaired by 7.22 am. Shortly afterwards, a point failure at Churchgate station around 8 am halted all Churchgate-bound local services for over 15 minutes, causing severe inconvenience to office-goers and other passengers.

Jun 26, 2026 11:09 AM IST
LPG tanker crashed into a toll booth in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi

Seven people, including six toll plaza employees and a truck driver, were injured after an LPG tanker crashed into a toll booth and caught fire in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Friday. Police said the tanker went out of control, hit a divider and slammed into the toll plaza in the Kokhraj area. Gas leaking from the tanker ignited, causing a massive blaze that was visible from nearly two kilometres away. Several fire tenders brought the fire under control. The tanker driver fled the scene, while fire and police personnel continue to monitor the area, officials said.

Jun 26, 2026 10:59 AM IST
Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected next week: IMD

Heavy to very heavy rainfall along the west coast and Northeast India, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected over the next week, the Indian Meteorological Department said. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is also likely in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim from June 27 to 29, and in Assam and Meghalaya on June 28, the weather office said.

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Jun 26, 2026 10:52 AM IST
India gives its envoy to Bangladesh rank equivalent of a Cabinet Minister

The Centre has given India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister. A government notification said the status has been granted personally to Trivedi for ceremonial purposes and does not change the official Table of Precedence. The move comes as India and Bangladesh seek to improve relations, which had come under strain during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Trivedi, 76, is a veteran politician from West Bengal and has previously served as railway minister and minister of state for health.

Jun 26, 2026 10:44 AM IST
NIA files chargesheet against 11 linked to banned group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against 11 people for allegedly spreading terrorist ideology linked to the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in West Bengal and the northeastern states. The agency said the accused were part of Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), an offshoot of the JMB. The accused have been named in a chargesheet filed before a special NIA court in Guwahati. Investigators alleged that the group sought to radicalise vulnerable youth and expand its network in India tp promote anti-India propaganda through secret meetings, religious indoctrination programmes, extremist literature and digital platforms. The NIA said IMK was set up by senior JMB member Imam Mahmud Habibullah to advance the banned outfit's activities in India.

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