India bids final goodbye to the ultimate switch-on-switch-off actress Sridevi

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar to brief him on an upcoming cabinet expansion and reshuffle scheduled for next week. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the cabinet can accommodate a maximum of nine ministers including the chief minister, leaving three vacant berths alongside existing positions. Abdullah sought a schedule for the swearing-in ceremony as discussions continue on balancing regional representation and party stability. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed the reshuffle faced delays over fears of internal party strife. Addressing party members, Abdullah stated that consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah have concluded and the minister list is finalised. He urged party members to exercise patience and refrain from lobbying or sending biodatas via messages, noting that decisions have already been taken.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has targeted the opposition following an India Today investigation that exposed a fake journalism network selling media press cards and mic IDs for ₹599 to ₹1,800 without media experience. Citing the report, the BJP alleged that hired individuals and fake profiles were used ahead of protests to fuel tensions, target the Delhi Police, and destabilise law and order. According to the investigation, organisations like the Indian Press Union issued fake credentials, while edited CCTV footage was allegedly circulated to defame the government and provoke working journalists. The BJP accused opposition elements of orchestrating a sponsored campaign to disturb peace in the national capital.

Notorious Haryana gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria have been apprehended by authorities in the United States following actionable intelligence from Indian agencies. The duo had reportedly entered the US on fake passports using the aliases Himanshu Sigroha and Neeraj Kaushik after traveling via Portugal. Operating an international criminal syndicate from abroad, they orchestrated multiple cases of extortion, shootings, and murder targeting businessmen across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab. Bhau's gang has been implicated in severe crimes, including the killing of a Haryana BJP leader, fatal shootings at a Burger King outlet in Delhi, and a firing incident outside YouTuber Elvish Yadav's residence in Gurugram. Neeraj Faridpuria, previously serving a life term in a 2012 murder case, fled abroad after obtaining bail in 2019. Exclusive visuals obtained by India Today reveal the two fugitives in custody. Indian enforcement agencies, along with the Haryana Special Task Force, are now initiating legal processes to extradite both gangsters to face trial.

Tamil Nadu Minister Adhav Arjuna of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has taken a jibe at actor Dhanush amid speculation surrounding the actor's entry into politics. Addressing gatherings, Arjuna questioned which actor went to Delhi and stated that they are watching every move, alleging that new political entrants are backed and sent from Delhi. He remarked that they are bored of taking on the DMK and referred to new entrants as devil's kids. Arjuna affirmed that no new entrants pose competition to TVK or Vijay, noting that ground preparations at the booth level are already underway.