Deluge, devastation, despair as flash floods ravage Nepal; UP and Bihar on alert

A political war of words has escalated between TVK and DMK over the investigation into the Gem Granites POCSO case involving R. Veeramani. TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar accused the previous DMK government of shielding the granite baron and questioned why he was not arrested earlier, asking how former Law Minister S. Raghupathy knew details regarding shadows in the video evidence. Refuting the allegations, Raghupathy asserted that the FIR was lodged within a day of the complaint, maintaining that no cases were withdrawn and that investigators were seeking further evidence. Meanwhile, the BJP criticised both parties for politicising the matter. Police have arrested Veeramani's aides, including Mahendrasimman for facilitating crimes and Ganesan for possessing abuse footage without alerting authorities, while accomplice Shanthi faces allegations of procuring minors.

A man from Kundapur in Karnataka's Udupi district, identified as Alvin Prakash Kundar, was allegedly murdered in Sharjah, with the details emerging nearly two months later. Kundar, an employee at Sharjah Airport for around 14 years, lived there with his wife and teenage son. His disappearance raised suspicion when his brother received atypical text messages instead of voice calls. Following inquiries with company authorities, police discovered his dismembered body cut into nine pieces in a car near Oman. Kundar's wife and son are currently missing. A police complaint has been lodged in Udupi, and investigations by UAE and local police are currently underway.

A gang-rape incident has been reported near the Kalkaji Temple in Delhi, where three men allegedly posed as police officials and assaulted a woman who had visited the temple on her birthday with her friend. According to Delhi Police investigations, one of the accused is a repeat offender who had previously been expelled from a gym over harassment allegations. While one accused worked as a vegetable vendor, the other two claimed to be students. Police have seized mobile phones and are examining digital chats and past records to ascertain previous offences. Meanwhile, questions have emerged over safety measures and lighting at the adjacent DDA-managed park.

Indian equity markets opened on a steady note above 23,400 levels, supported by gains in financial and banking stocks alongside broad-based sector participation. S&P raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast by 40 basis points to 7 per cent, citing robust industrial activity, strong exports, and government spending, while projecting a repo rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court raised serious concerns over the significant gap between the price to retailer (PTR) and the maximum retail price (MRP) of essential and life-saving medicines, questioning why more drugs are not covered under the drug price control order. Pharma companies, represented in court, cited research and development alongside marketing expenses for the variance in pricing. Additionally, global geopolitical developments remained in focus as Donald Trump highlighted sweeping tariff authorities and expressed support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.