Delhi Gang-Rape: Accused Repeat Offender, Police Probe Past Record, DDA Park Safety Under Scanner

Indian equity markets opened on a steady note above 23,400 levels, supported by gains in financial and banking stocks alongside broad-based sector participation. S&P raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast by 40 basis points to 7 per cent, citing robust industrial activity, strong exports, and government spending, while projecting a repo rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court raised serious concerns over the significant gap between the price to retailer (PTR) and the maximum retail price (MRP) of essential and life-saving medicines, questioning why more drugs are not covered under the drug price control order. Pharma companies, represented in court, cited research and development alongside marketing expenses for the variance in pricing. Additionally, global geopolitical developments remained in focus as Donald Trump highlighted sweeping tariff authorities and expressed support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

A major boardroom conflict has emerged within the Tata Group over corporate governance, leadership, and the proposed stock market listing of Tata Sons. Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata opposed the Tata Sons board's four-to-one resolution to reappoint N. Chandrasekaran as chairman for another five-year term from February 2027, and also rejected the proposed listing. In contrast, trust nominee Venu Srinivasan backed the board's decision, while the Shapoorji Pallonji Group favored a listing to unlock share value. The conflict involves regulatory scrutiny after the Reserve Bank of India rejected Tata Sons' request to exit its core investment company status. Amid the escalating corporate dispute heading for legal evaluation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the necessity of professionalisation and separating ownership from management in businesses, while veteran politician Sharad Pawar advocated for dialogue, due process, and upholding the affirmative rights and ownership role of Tata Trusts under its articles of association.

Tensions have flared across the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay following the death of twenty-year-old student Sahil Wakhure, triggering a sharp divide on campus. Sahil's parents have alleged sustained caste-based harassment, slurs, and threats, demanding the arrest of Professor Surya Narayan Dula and Director Shirish Khedare. In contrast, the IIT Bombay faculty forum has supported Professor Dula, maintaining that he was only carrying out his duties after detecting exam malpractice and that no evidence of caste discrimination exists. IIT Bombay management has constituted a ten-member committee to investigate the matter within a week and sent Professor Dula on leave. Meanwhile, the case has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch, which has recorded statements from Sahil's parents, friends, and exam hall witnesses, and summoned Professor Dula for questioning. Official parliamentary data cited in the bulletin indicates that forty-five student suicides were reported across twenty-three IITs between 2020 and 2025.

A demolition drive was carried out under heavy police deployment in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area to facilitate an ongoing road-widening project leading to Max Hospital. Civic authorities deployed bulldozers late at night to demolish parts of Madina Masjid along with several adjoining residential structures identified as encroachments. Civic agencies stated that notices had been issued prior to taking down the structures to clear the road. However, the mosque committee claimed that multiple notices were served in rapid succession without adequate time to respond. AIMIM Delhi State President Shoaib Jamati arrived at the site, terming the overnight demolition unconstitutional and drawing comparisons to a previous incident in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Local residents also expressed dismay over the action taken in the constituency. Demolition operations have currently been halted and bulldozers removed from the location.