India News Highlights, 29 June 2026: Wall collapses in Jaipur, 3 killed with several workers feared trapped

Atri Mitra from Kolkata reports that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a stern warning to MLA Humayun Kabir inside the state Legislative Assembly, condemning his provocative speeches and declaring that hooliganism will no longer be tolerated under his administration. Adhikari, who presented evidence of FIRs filed against Kabir under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for incidents in Kashipur and Shaktipur, characterised the MLA’s behaviour as an attempt to consolidate votes for the upcoming by-elections and forcefully control panchayats. Emphasising that the rule of law will prevail over any individual, the Chief Minister warned Kabir to be cautious, citing the downfall of other past "strongmen" who defied the law, and vowed to personally visit Murshidabad to demonstrate the enforcement of constitutional authority. In response, Kabir claimed he was misunderstood, asserting that his criticism was directed at the previous government and the TMC party rather than the Chief Minister himself.

Ananthakrishnan from Delhi reports that the Supreme Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing to petitions alleging embezzlement of donations for the Ayodhya Sree Ram temple, with the bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu noting that the matter will be listed for hearing after the court reopens at full strength on July 13. While petitioners expressed concerns regarding the potential tampering or corruption of electronic evidence, such as CCTV and DVR footage, the bench maintained its standard procedure, stating that the situation did not warrant immediate intervention. The petitions had called for a time-bound, independent investigation, citing media reports that suggest serious instances of misappropriation of public funds and a breach of trust by the institution involved.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar from Amritsar reports that the Akal Takht issued a one-month ultimatum to Punjab MLAs to amend the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, following concerns that the legislation overstepped its bounds by attempting to define Sikh religious vocabulary and custodial roles. During the meeting, lawmakers admitted to approving the bill without adequate time for review, while Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj emphasised that religious governance, terminology, and the management of sacred saroops must remain the exclusive purview of the Akal Takht and the panth. Consequently, the MLAs unanimously agreed to the Jathedar’s twelve demands, which include removing clauses regarding a central registry of saroops and ensuring the select committee's report is tabled in the House before any further legislative action is taken.

Bhupendra Pandey from Lucknow reports that the Ayodhya Bar Association has unanimously decided to boycott providing legal representation to any of the eight individuals arrested in the Ram temple donation embezzlement case, citing the religious offence caused by the crime. The association, led by President Kalika Prasad Mishra, has warned local advocates that anyone who defies this resolution and represents the accused will face a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the association plans to assist the prosecution in strengthening the charges against the suspects, while some members have proposed agitating for the departure of Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra from Ayodhya.

A fire broke out at an edible oil warehouse in Patna's Didarganj area on Monday (Jun 29). Firefighters are at the scene as efforts to douse the blaze continue. More details are awaited.

Iran and Oman held the first meeting of their joint committee on the Strait of Hormuz in Muscat on Monday (Jun 29). Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that his talks with Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Al-Hinai included discussions on future management of the Strait and sovereign rights of the coastal states.

Drishti Jain from Delhi reports that a fire caused by an air conditioner blast broke out in a 21st-floor flat at Aranya Apartments in Noida’s Sector 119 on Monday morning. Emergency services, including six fire tenders, responded to the 8:50 am call, and firefighters successfully contained the blaze within 30 minutes. Fortunately, the resident family escaped without injury, and the fire was prevented from spreading to other parts of the building.

Sweety Kumari from Kolkata reports that Shams Iqbal, a former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillor and close associate of former mayor Firhad Hakim, has been arrested by the Garden Reach police in connection with a 2023 extortion case. The arrest follows a complaint by a local businessman, Md Shadab, who alleged that Iqbal and his associates systematically extorted Rs 70 lakh from him while threatening him and his family with revolvers. Iqbal faces charges of extortion, criminal intimidation, and joint criminal liability under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. This arrest arrives alongside separate allegations involving Iqbal and Hakim related to the fatal Taratala warehouse collapse in the Kolkata Port area.

Nayonika Bose from Mumbai reports that the city’s suburbs experienced intense rainfall late Sunday night, with some areas receiving over 100 mm in just four hours, causing significant waterlogging and traffic disruptions at chronic locations like the Andheri subway and LBS Marg in Mulund. Data from the BMC showed the eastern suburbs were hit hardest, recording up to 160 mm in Mulund, while the island city saw comparatively less rainfall. These torrential showers followed several nowcast warnings from the India Meteorological Department regarding heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds, with the Santacruz observatory recording 103 mm of rain between Sunday and Monday morning.

A fire broke out at a residential flat inside the Aranya Society in Sector-119, Noida, falling under the jurisdiction of the Sector-113 police station. Six fire service tenders quickly rushed to the scene to launch firefighting operations and bring the blaze under control. According to initial official reports, no casualties have been reported as of now.

Pakistani officials said that the security forces struck militant hideouts along the Afghanistan border and killed 29 militants in a combined ground and air operation on Sunday (Jun 28).

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the operation on X, stating that the move was a direct response to a string of militant attacks inside Pakistan.

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