Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balayan Shot Dead In UP's Shamli; Gogi Gang Claims Responsibility

Delhi Police have uncovered attempts to destroy forensic evidence in the Kalkaji gang-rape case involving a seventeen-year-old minor. Investigators revealed that the accused washed clothes worn during the incident, including track pants, to erase DNA and semen traces before sleeping at their residence. The accused also deleted browsing histories and phone chats. Delhi Police have seized the clothes of all three accused, including Hemant and Mukesh, and forwarded them to forensic teams for examination. Authorities are probing whether Hemant's legal education was utilised to evade arrest and obstruct forensic procedures. The trio had allegedly impersonated police personnel by using formal address terms such as 'Janab' to intimidate the minor victim and her friend inside the park before executing the sexual assault. The third accused, Asif, was apprehended following a police encounter. Investigators confirmed that sufficient electronic and physical evidence links all three accused to the crime.

A political debate erupted in the Karnataka legislature after Congress MLC Tippannappa Kamaknoor proposed a one-year pause on the Gruha Lakshmi guarantee scheme to divert funds towards stalled irrigation projects. Under the scheme, women heads of households receive a monthly stipend of 2,000 rupees. The MLC claimed that nearly half the funds are being wasted, pointing out that payments have continued even to deceased beneficiaries while farmers in the state face distress and urgently require assistance. When questioned by the Speaker on suggesting the suspension of a key election guarantee, the MLC defended his stance, asking what alternative remained to fund essential irrigation. While the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party raised questions over the administration of guarantee schemes amid cash crunch concerns, the Karnataka government reiterated that there is no proposal to discontinue or withdraw its flagship welfare initiative.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid reports of dissent within the Election Commission. Shivakumar stated, "They are misusing the powers of the Election Commission, and I think, uh, no point of time the Election Commission can stay in his office. He should better voluntarily quit before, uh, very serious, uh, issues raises in this country." He expressed support for opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's stance against alleged election irregularities and vote manipulation. Additionally, Shivakumar confirmed that he will lead an all-party delegation to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister regarding state funds, following a letter sent to the central government requesting financial support.

A charred sleeper bus on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida has claimed nine lives, triggering questions over systemic safety lapses and passenger transport norms. An inspection of the ruined vehicle revealed serious violations, including missing working fire extinguishers, illegal interior partitions, and blocked emergency exits designed to fit extra berths. The bus was also found transporting highly inflammable materials, such as nail polish bottles and paper cargo, within its luggage hold for logistics fees. Inquiries revealed that the vehicle had accumulated around 16 pending challans with fines amounting to one lakh rupees, yet continued operating without regulatory intervention. While the driver and conductor have been arrested, scrutiny remains focused on the bus owner, traffic police, and transport officials responsible for enforcement on the ground. The tragedy echoes repeated fire incidents involving sleeper buses across states, underscoring persistent negligence regarding fire-safety regulations and passenger protection mandates.