TVK Leaders Booked in Valparai for Threatening Doctors Over Boy's Treatment

Political developments intensify over the Election Commission row as CPM approaches the Cockroach Janata Party seeking a common platform against Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby has written to the CJP leadership urging them to join hands with opposition parties to build a united front. The outreach comes as CJP's 48-hour ultimatum demanding the CEC's resignation concludes, with the group mapping out nationwide street protests starting from Mumbai ahead of demonstrations in the national capital. The CJP is yet to take a final decision on the CPM proposal.

A Delhi court has remanded the alleged mastermind of the Rs 700-crore medical procurement scam to four-day Anti-Corruption Branch custody till September 29. The accused was arrested after returning to India from the United States, following non-bailable warrants and a lookout circular issued against him. Officials are establishing the money trail after the accused allegedly formed multiple shell entities in the names of domestic staff and tea vendors to manipulate procurement deals for state-run hospitals. The agency previously arrested the former head of the Directorate General of Health Services and doctors in connection with irregularities in medical equipment purchases.

In this India Today Special conversation, filmmaker Meghna Gulzar and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran discuss their film Daayra, addressing thematic complexities surrounding sexual assault cases, extrajudicial encounter killings, and growing public disillusionment with the criminal justice system. The discussion explores how systemic bottlenecks and an overburdened judiciary with millions of pending cases lead to public frustration, often driving societal support for immediate retribution and police encounters over constitutional due process. Reflecting on landmark events such as the 2012 Nirbhaya case and the 2019 Hyderabad police encounter, the creators dissect the moral conflicts faced by law enforcement and citizens alike. Prithviraj Sukumaran elaborates on his role as DCP Raman, explaining how the narrative juxtaposes violent crimes against women with retaliatory police actions to prompt societal dialogue without validating vigilantism or offering simplistic moral conclusions. Additionally, Meghna Gulzar highlights the civic function of cinema in confronting uncomfortable social realities rather than relying on standard commercial tropes. The panel also covers casting decisions, the shifting dynamics between theatrical exhibition and digital streaming platforms, and the increasing convergence between regional and mainstream Indian film industries.

The Indian women's kabaddi team clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final. This marks India's fourth women's kabaddi gold medal across five editions of the Asian Games, reversing their previous final defeat against Iran in 2018. The triumph adds another gold to India's tally at the games, following victories by the women's cricket team and in shooting.