States

Mumbai Police arrested a woman cricketer, her brother, and an associate in a sextortion case involving a businessman. The accused allegedly extorted over Rs 63 lakh through threats of leaking private chats. Arrests followed coordinated operations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir

Kolkata witnessed an scene as an elephant entered a polling station queue in Jhargram before West Bengal’s first phase elections, briefly alarming voters. Forest officials safely removed the animal, restoring order, while voting proceeded under heavy security across 152 constituencies

Trinamool Congress accused Central forces in Nandigram of assaulting and intimidating villagers during election-related activity, alleging BJP misuse of CRPF. The party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding action, suspension of personnel, and measures to prevent further incidents

Tej Pratap Yadav met strategist Prashant Kishor in Bihar to discuss state politics and public expectations after his RJD exit. The meeting, shared online, hints at possible political realignments, though Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party remains opposed to alliances

The Supreme Court upheld denial of child maintenance after DNA test proved the respondent was not the biological father, ruling scientific evidence overrides legal presumption of legitimacy, while directing welfare assessment of the child by Delhi government authorities

An American tourist was sexually assaulted at a private homestay in Madikeri, Karnataka. Police arrested the accused, Vrujesh Kumar, and the homestay owner, Vishal, following alleged cover-up attempts. Home Minister G Parameshwara emphasized strict legal action and mandatory licensing compliance

In Panna Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve, a tiger and a cub were found dead. While the cub’s death appears natural, authorities are investigating the decomposed tiger carcass with forensic and STF assistance

In Tamil Nadu, over 5.73 crore voters will decide the fate of 4,023 candidates in Assembly polls. DMK and AIADMK lead a high-stakes contest amid tight security and voter turnout efforts

In Thrissur, a Munthathikkode fireworks accident claimed 13 lives, with bodies still being identified through forensic analysis. Several injured remain hospitalized. Authorities opened control rooms, while a veteran fireworks maker survived, rescuing others before deciding to retire

A Special Court in Bengaluru ordered an FIR against Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara over allegations of placing a ₹500 bet during a Kabaddi event in Tumakuru, directing police to investigate claims that it promotes illegal betting activity

Kerala DGP will defend the legality of a viral ‘Kumbh Mela girl’ marriage before the National Commission, asserting she is an adult. The case has sparked a Kerala–Madhya Pradesh police clash over age proof, legality, and jurisdiction

At least 12 people died and several were injured in a fireworks unit explosion in Thrissur during Pooram preparations. PM Narendra Modi announced compensation, while authorities launched a probe into suspected safety lapses amid large-scale rescue and emergency operations

Two women were killed and another injured in Latehar, Jharkhand after a wild bison attacked them while collecting mahua in a forest. Panic spread in nearby villages as forest officials launched inspection and announced compensation for victims

Six dead in fireworks unit blast in Thrissur during Thrissur Pooram prep; dozens injured, several critical. Massive explosion triggered by stored explosives, rescue operations ongoing, authorities probe safety lapses as area cordoned off, investigation underway, medical emergency continues, officials monitoring

Election Commission of India imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement in West Bengal ahead of April 23 polls, banning rallies, limiting riding hours, and regulating pillion use to ensure voter safety and prevent election-related intimidation.

Edappadi K Palaniswami announced 10 new welfare promises, expanding the party manifesto to 307 pledges for Tamil Nadu elections, including subsidies for youth, farmer support, women safety “war rooms,” MSME reforms, and accident compensation schemes

Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested two men, including Irfankhan Pathan and Murshid Sheikh, over alleged online radicalisation linked to “Ghazwa-e-Hind” ideology, with claims of recruitment, extremist propaganda, and planning activities uncovered through digital surveillance and interrogation

Over 20 women staffers at a government school in Chandigarh accused a male teacher of harassment and hostile behaviour under the POSH Act, 2013, prompting a district-level inquiry after an inconclusive internal committee report

Election Commission of India directed officials in Kerala to avoid opening strong rooms before counting day after reports from Kozhikode and Palakkad, while opposition leaders alleged procedural violations and demanded scrutiny ahead of the May 4 election results

Three men were arrested in Delhi's Preet Vihar for killing 34-year-old Pankaj Nayyar after a parking dispute escalated into a fight, during which Gaurav Sharma allegedly shot him in the chest; police used CCTV and technical surveillance to trace them

A blast at a fireworks unit in Mundathikkode near Thrissur injured several workers preparing crackers for Thrissur Pooram. Officials rushed victims to hospitals, while authorities initiated emergency response and are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Narendra Modi of “terrorising” opposition using central agencies, alleging bias in the Election Commission and attacking policies on reservation and delimitation during a Chennai press briefing alongside KC Venugopal

Amit Shah, at a Salboni rally in West Bengal, accused CM Mamata Banerjee of protecting infiltrators and alleged her associate’s Babri Masjid remarks, while promising action on corruption and proposing a Uniform Civil Code

Shravan Kumar has been appointed leader of the JD(U) legislature party in Bihar after approval by Nitish Kumar, strengthening his role within the NDA setup despite earlier speculation about a deputy chief minister post