India

A daring attempted jewellery-store robbery in Ahmedabad went viral when a woman used chilli powder to disable staff, only to be swiftly overwhelmed and slapped 17 times in 20 seconds by attendants and onlookers before police arrived. The bizarre incident has sparked conversation on security at retail outlets, public reaction to crime, and viral-video culture in India’s cities.

India has announced the establishment of three new military garrisons along the border with Bangladesh at Bamuni, Kishanganj and Chopra, aimed at fortifying the Siliguri Corridor dubbed the “Chicken’s Neck”. The move comes amid concerns over shifting regional alignments, increased Chinese investments in Bangladesh and intelligence warnings of connectivity developments with Pakistan. The garrisons are designed to boost surveillance, rapid-response capacity and logistics in a region that links mainland India to its seven northeastern states.

After a Hindi literature scholar was deported from the UK, author and MP Shashi Tharoor commented that academics and societies need a “thicker skin” in public debate. He responded to critic Francesca Orsini, saying open dialogue and freedom of expression must prevail despite disagreements, reviving discussion on academic mobility and intellectual freedom.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) challenged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to “drink Yamuna water” to prove its cleanliness ahead of Chhath Puja rituals. The party accused the BJP-led administration of faking pollution control claims. Videos showing foam on the river’s surface went viral, sparking a political war of words. Gupta dismissed the dare, claiming improvements were visible, though citizens expressed concerns about water safety during the festive period.

Bihar leader Pappu Yadav hit back at the Income Tax Department after receiving a notice for distributing cash to flood victims in Purnea. He stated he would “continue committing this crime” if helping the poor was unlawful. Yadav, long known for his populist politics, accused officials of harassment. His defiant stand turned viral, resonating with people who praised him for direct assistance while authorities probe the violation under election and taxation norms.

The Andhra Pradesh bus fire that killed several passengers in Kurnool intensified because 234 smartphones stored in cargo caught fire instantly, officials said after forensics analysis. The short circuit from faulty wiring triggered the explosion of lithium-based batteries. Local police confirmed two persons linked to the logistics service have been detained. Authorities are re-examining safety protocols for intercity bus operations.

The IRCTC website faced yet another outage on Saturday as lakhs of travelers attempted to book tickets ahead of Chhath Puja. This marked the second major disruption in a week, leaving passengers stranded during high-demand hours. Officials said the server overload stemmed from unprecedented user traffic. Engineers are working on system upgrades, while the Railways assured users of restored service within hours.

RJD founder Lalu Prasad’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, made a dramatic statement, declaring that he would rather die than rejoin the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The outburst followed speculation about attempts at reconciliation between him and his brother Tejashwi. Tej Pratap accused some RJD leaders of “betrayal and hypocrisy” and said he’s focusing on spiritual pursuits and social causes. His remarks come amid internal party churn in Bihar’s opposition stronghold.

In Satara, Maharashtra, a woman doctor died by suicide, naming a police sub-inspector in her note as responsible for repeated assaults over five months. Written on her palm, the message outlined her ordeal, which included earlier complaints to police superiors that went unheeded. The incident led to the suspension of the accused officer and intensified demands for policy reform, with political parties and women’s groups pressing for independent investigation and stronger safety protocols for women.

In a shocking incident near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, a bus traveling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad was engulfed in flames, with reports stating the driver abandoned the vehicle as the fire spread, leaving panicked passengers to their own devices. Many struggled to escape, suffering injuries as chaos erupted. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, treating the wounded and starting a probe into alleged negligence. The event raised urgent questions about bus safety rules statewide, as authorities reviewed protocols and forensic teams gathered evidence to determine the tragedy’s cause.