Protesting is fine, abusing PM Modi is anarchy: Maharashtra CM

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, heard a suo motu case on Delhi-NCR's worsening air pollution. The court questioned the growing commercialisation and elite gifting culture around Diwali, pointing out that heavy private vehicle movement, including large SUVs carrying single occupants, severely exacerbates traffic congestion and vehicular emissions. While the Centre cited a drop of over ninety percent in stubble burning cases across Punjab and Haryana between 2021 and 2026, the bench highlighted that vehicular fumes remain the largest contributor outside the farm fire window. Calling for a practical approach, the bench urged authorities to support farmers financially and deploy crop residue management machinery through gram panchayats rather than relying solely on enforcement. The hearing also touched upon previous directions regulating firecrackers to designated hours and silence zones around hospitals and educational institutions.

Mumbai has been placed on high alert following a threatening email sent to the Bombay High Court. The communication named key locations including the Bombay Stock Exchange, the Worli Racecourse, and the residence of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, bungalow Jalsa. Police and security agencies are investigating the source and tracing the sender, with security checks conducted across the locations and no suspicious objects found. The alert follows a pattern of recent security scares, threat calls, and firing incidents targeting several personalities in the Mumbai film industry, leading to heightened security measures.

A political showdown has escalated between Delhi and Punjab over persistent stubble burning and worsening air quality across the National Capital Region. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared satellite map illustrations highlighting active farm fire clusters across Punjab districts, including Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, and Ferozepur. Data revealed that Punjab recorded 2,787 farm fire cases by 5 November, reflecting a steep rise from previous days despite administrative penalties and machinery distribution. While farm fires show a long-term decline compared to earlier years, recurring smoke continues to severely deteriorate early morning air quality in Delhi NCR, drawing scrutiny over enforcement and inter-state coordination.

A senior citizen was robbed at knifepoint right outside her apartment inside a residential building complex in Mumbai. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred when an unidentified man approached the elderly woman under the pretext of asking for directions and an address. As the woman attempted to assist him, the stranger suddenly grabbed her by the neck and robbed her gold chain at knifepoint before fleeing. The incident highlights rising safety concerns and underscores the need for stringent security protocols, particularly for elderly citizens living alone in residential complexes.