Markets Rally, Chemists Oppose CCTV Mandate, Starbucks Sets Up GCC in Chennai

A man named Jagga Singh allegedly consumed a poisonous substance outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Punjab's Sangrur district, alleging administrative inaction against local drug peddling. The victim stated he faced threats and assault after posting videos highlighting the drug menace in his village, while the police allegedly ignored his complaints. The incident ignited sharp attacks from the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal against the Bhagwant Mann-led government, accusing it of failing to tackle the drug mafia and harassing whistleblowers. Meanwhile, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party dismissed the accusations, pointing out that the individual faced several FIRs, including cases under the NDPS Act.

A political confrontation erupted after a disturbing video surfaced from Jamui in Bihar showing the harassment and molestation of two Class 10 students on a road. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident, stating that girls are unsafe in Bihar and calling for strict action under the POCSO Act against the perpetrators. While three accused individuals have been arrested and four remain at large, the opposition attacked the state government over lapses in the law and order situation.

Bihar Police have arrested three men, identified as Mithilesh, Pramod, and Golu Kumar, in connection with the horrific assault and molestation of two minor students in Jamui. The incident occurred on 19 September when a teenage boy and girl were stopped on the road and assaulted by a group on camera. The sickening video went viral on social media, sparking massive outrage across the country. Following the circulation of the clip, an FIR was registered against seven accused persons. While three culprits have been nabbed and taken in for police interrogation, a search is underway to apprehend the remaining four suspects who are currently at large.

Petrol pump owners in Madhya Pradesh have opposed the new Merchant Discount Rate mechanism on Unified Payments Interface payments. Under the new fee structure starting in mid-October, merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 will attract a 0.4% charge. Fuel pump dealers stated that existing profit margins are already low and the additional levy would increase monthly operational costs by approximately Rs 17,700 per fuel station. In response, petrol pump operators are seeking the withdrawal of these charges and have indicated that they will stop accepting digital UPI payments above Rs 2,000, seeking cash payments instead.