Kerala: 12-year-old boy dies of Nipah virus in Kozhikode

Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab unit chief Kewal Singh Dhillon attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over rampant narcotics trafficking and deteriorating law and order. Citing the killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Dhillon demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry and confirmed writing to the Punjab Governor. He alleged that the state government and police cannot be trusted, noting that a Punjab policeman deployed in VIP security was caught by the Border Security Force with 15 kilograms of heroin. Highlighting multiple killings in September and October 2026—including police personnel, a bank manager in Amritsar, an influencer, and previous attacks on politicians and police stations—Dhillon stated that Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, has no moral right to remain in power. He further claimed that fear and widespread drug sales have prompted residents in places like Faridkot to put up 'house for sale' signs.

A petition filed by thirteen opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, questioning the functioning of the Election Commission of India has received a digitally generated hearing date of October 26 on the Supreme Court website. The plea challenges the poll body's operations and demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged unilateral decision-making, modifications to Form 6 without due process, and voter list procedures. An earlier related petition challenging the working of the commission had notices issued on October 5 and is scheduled for a hearing on October 27, where the court sought file notings on decision-making processes.

Student and youth activists representing the National Students' Union of India and the Youth Congress addressed a press conference alongside Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, alleging severe police brutality, torture, and illegal detention during recent protests. Detainees, including female students from Delhi University, described physical assaults by police personnel inside detention buses and police stations, specifically pointing to instances of beatings and injuries sustained in Connaught Place. Rahul Gandhi addressed the gathering, urging youth to keep video evidence of any high-handedness for legal action, asserting that the united voice of the youth cannot be silenced. The Congress party accused authorities of orchestrating arbitrary detentions, using makeshift lockups near Rajiv Chowk, and suppressing peaceful democratic demonstrations across the national capital.

Delhi Police have launched an investigation into the deployment of artificial intelligence tools during protests in the national capital, specifically targeting portals and websites using AI-generated reporters presented as ground journalists. According to Delhi Police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit, multiple websites and social media accounts are circulating provocative content and fake videos from outside India, with several IP addresses traced to Pakistan. The police have registered a First Information Report, written to concerned authorities to take down malicious accounts, and are working with fact-checking teams to counter the spread of misleading digital narratives.