Row Over Proposed ₹1200-Cr Secretariat & Kaveri Water Issue In Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has exempted law and order matters from the Right to Information (RTI) Act, sparking criticism amid existing scrutiny over state security. Under the new move, the public law and order wing, which handles communal and caste clashes, police torture, remand deaths, and commission of inquiry matters, has been rebranded as an intelligence and security wing. The department also addresses political, student, agricultural, and labour agitations, alongside National Human Rights Commission references and preventive detentions under the National Security Act. Opposition parties and RTI activists are expected to challenge the decision, which was issued via a government gazette order approved by the Governor. Meanwhile, the first anniversary of the Karur stampede tragedy was marked, recalling the incident during an election campaign roadshow that claimed 41 lives.

The Election Commission of India held an internal meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi following reports that commissioners objected fourteen times to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision. Addressing concerns over its decision-making, the poll body stated that internal discussions and differences should not be confused with final decisions, clarifying that all major Special Intensive Revision orders were passed unanimously. The Commission affirmed that statutory Form 6 was not altered, noting that an additional declaration was required alongside it. It highlighted that 2.73 crore young voters were enrolled since 2025 and reaffirmed that ECI Net preserves role-based statutory powers for field officers. Furthermore, the Commission addressed communications involving the Cabinet Secretary, clarifying they pertained to an officer on deputation rather than policy or information technology matters. The body also noted measures for vulnerable electors, online verification options to prevent mandatory personal appearances before Electoral Registration Officers, and deadline extensions in Delhi and Maharashtra.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has approached the Election Commission against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders over alleged violations of the model code of conduct ahead of upcoming by-polls in Tamil Nadu. DMK MP Constantine Ravindran lodged the complaint against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Minister Udhayanidhi regarding remarks made during election campaigning in Madurantakam. The complaint states that the TVK leaders referenced an ongoing Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act case involving granite baron R. Veeramani, allegedly defying directions and an injunction previously issued by the Madras High Court. The court had instructed that sensitive matters involving heinous crimes and ongoing investigations should not be politicised or reported carelessly during electioneering. The DMK MP flagged the campaign speeches to the poll panel, alleging that the leaders contravened electoral guidelines by bringing up the matter during public rallies.

A major car crash was reported on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, where a vehicle turned turtle after the accident. An off-duty police couple carried out a dramatic rescue operation caught on camera, saving five people who were trapped inside the overturned vehicle. The police officer used a service rifle to break open the windscreen of the damaged car to extract the passengers stuck inside. The rescue operation highlights quick decision-making and bravery by the off-duty personnel who managed to safely pull all five occupants out following the severe highway accident.