States

The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps installed a 10-KW solar power plant in Muguthang village, North Sikkim, providing year-round electricity to 32 residents. The project under the Vibrant Villages Programme enhances safety, connectivity, and prevents seasonal migration

Allegations of irregularities have emerged over non-academic and administrative appointments at Visva-Bharati University, with complaints to PM Modi, the Education Ministry, and UGC. Applicants claim merit lists were not published and rules bypassed, while the university denies any wrongdoing

In Firozabad, 50-year-old transport businessman Balmukund Dubey was beaten to death by his partner Gajendra Singh and associates over a financial dispute. Police registered a case, and one accused has been taken into custody for questioning

A man, Jitendra alias Ballam, was arrested in Baghpat for allegedly torturing a dog and forcing it to drink alcohol after a video went viral. A case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been registered

Eleven monkeys, including two langurs, were found dead in Tumakuru’s Devarayanadurga forest area over two days. Forest officials suspect food poisoning based on post-mortem findings, though the exact cause will be confirmed after laboratory analysis of collected samples

Devotees thronged Sangam ghats on Magh Mela’s third day in Prayagraj, praising arrangements and security. The 44-day festival began January 3, features multiple auspicious bathing dates, extensive crowd management, transport facilities, and concludes on Mahashivratri with strong administrative oversight statewide

In Ernakulam’s Kadathy, a 68-year-old man, Ravi, died and another, James, suffered serious burns after a firecracker explosion at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church during festive preparations. Police registered a case against the priest and church officials

In a shocking update, police revealed a 25-year-old woman was gang-raped inside a private hospital ambulance, not a van, in Faridabad. Both accused drivers have been arrested. The victim remains hospitalized while investigations continue via a surfaced testimonial video

In West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, Pradhan Purty was arrested for murdering a 25-year-old woman. He confessed to strangling her and crushing her head with a stone after she demanded marriage and money. Evidence, including her mobile and a blood-stained stone, was recovered

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the Ballari violence, triggered by a banner dispute between BJP and Congress supporters that left one dead, may be handed to the CID. Two private gunmen have been detained, with ballistic reports awaited

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the clearing of 1,732.5 acres of reserve forest land in Hojai district from encroachments. The government has reclaimed over 47,850 acres since 2021, emphasizing zero tolerance for illegal settlements, particularly targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims

Two men were arrested for allegedly posting obscene and defamatory content online targeting Vijayalakshmi, wife of jailed Kannada actor Darshan. Police continue investigating over 18 accused after the actor’s incarceration in connection with a 2024 fan murder case

A 50-year-old epilepsy patient died in Bhadohi after reportedly suffering a seizure and falling into a bonfire outside his home while keeping warm. The incident occurred in Bhakora village, with police confirming accidental death after preliminary examination

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed chairperson of the screening committee for Assam Assembly elections. The AICC formed committees for five poll-bound states as the party prepares candidate selection and alliance strategy ahead of the March–April polls

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder convictions, has been granted a 40-day parole in Haryana. This marks yet another temporary release, drawing renewed criticism from Sikh organisations and opposition groups

Filmmaker Cibi Chakaravarthi will direct Rajinikanth’s upcoming film *Thalaivar 173*, produced by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran. The film is slated for a Pongal 2027 release, marking a major collaboration in Tamil cinema

A 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death in Yellapur, allegedly by a man pressuring her to marry him. The accused was later found dead. The incident sparked communal tension, protests, bandh calls and heightened security in Uttara Kannada district

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually witnessed the breakthrough of a 1.5-km mountain tunnel on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor in Palghar. The 508-km high-speed rail project, supported by Japan, will reduce travel time to under two hours

Gaya GRP officer Rajesh Kumar Singh was arrested for involvement in a November gold heist worth ₹1.44 crore from a train passenger. Police are investigating other absconding personnel and attempting to recover the stolen gold, while statements and CDRs guide the probe

A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death Thursday night in Delhi’s Sultanpuri. Police arrested the main accused, Vikram, with six prior criminal cases. Two accomplices remain absconding as authorities investigate the motive and examine CCTV and witness statements

Ranveer Singh’s spy action film 'Dhurandhar' has been declared tax-free in Ladakh by LG Kavinder Gupta. Shot extensively in the region, the blockbuster has earned over ₹1,100 crore worldwide, boosting Ladakh’s cinematic appeal and supporting the local film and tourism industry

In Varanasi, a BJP corporator’s son allegedly slapped a police sub-inspector Thursday evening in the Chowk area. Locals beat him, and police rescued him. Himanshu Srivastava faces a case and is being sent to jail, officials said

A female constable was assaulted and had her clothes torn during an anti-mining protest in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Two men were arrested, and authorities are investigating further amid outrage over violence against police and escalating clashes over Jindal Power’s coal project

CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the upgraded runway at IAF’s Car Nicobar Air Base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The enhanced facility strengthens India’s eastern front, improves quick air operations, and underscores the region’s strategic importance