E20 fuel damage case: Consumer court orders car replacement in landmark verdict; and more

A section of the under-construction Ram Van Gaman Path, a 210-kilometre highway project connecting Ayodhya to Chitrakoot, has developed significant cracks and cave-ins in the Nawabganj area of Prayagraj before its completion. Local residents alleged widespread corruption, highlighting ten-foot-deep craters, broken dividers, and fatal accidents caused by soil erosion and poor drainage. Officials stated that repair work commenced after videos surfaced online, attributing the subsidence to water accumulation. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya downplayed the incident, noting road settlement during heavy rainfall is normal, while promising action if quality issues are found. The highway project has an allocated budget of 4,400 crore rupees.

A panel discussion anchored by Rajdeep examines the fatal assault on Manipuri musician Thangjam Vikram in Delhi. Rights activist Binalakshmi Nepram asserts that the attack is a clear case of racial violence rather than a routine rage crime, drawing parallels to the 2014 killing of Nido Tania. Dr Alana Golmei and Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves highlight systemic apathy, the lack of a dedicated anti-racism law, and failure to implement the Bezboruah Committee recommendations. The panel notes that out of 2,656 FIRs filed regarding crimes against people from the Northeast in Delhi between 2014 and 2026, only 33 resulted in convictions—a conviction rate of just 1.82%. Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Vikram Singh concedes the figure represents a failure of policing and calls for greater police empathy and proactive measures.

The Food and Drug Administration has raided multiple eateries in Mumbai, leading to the suspension of licences for three outlets at ISKCON in Juhu, including Govinda's Restaurant. FDA inspectors uncovered severe hygiene violations, including pest infestation, insect faeces in the kitchen area, choked drains, food accumulation in drains, water accumulation in the cold storage room, and inadequate segregation of raw and cooked food. Additionally, the licence of an IRCTC food supplier to the railways was cancelled after officials discovered cockroaches in food storage processing areas, food prepared near open garbage, and broken tiles in the kitchen as part of the ongoing crackdown.

A political controversy has erupted in Punjab following the suicide of a Sangrur resident who had questioned state authorities regarding the availability of drugs. The deceased had alleged pressure from local representatives before consuming poison. Opposition parties have demanded an investigation and government accountability, while ruling party representatives claimed the tragedy is being politicised. An abetment to suicide case has been registered, and the National Human Rights Commission has directed the state administration to submit an action taken report within two weeks. The development follows another recent incident where a protester against the drug menace faced alleged custodial torture, leading to police personnel transfers.