Times of India

The Supreme Court has discharged three Hindustan Unilever Ltd officials charged with abetment of suicide, ruling that mere harassment allegations are insufficient without clear evidence of direct and alarming incitement leading to the act. The court emphasized the need for intention to compel suicide to be prima facie established.

A 45-year-old accused in the gang rape of a teenager in Surat died in police custody after falling ill. Arrested alongside another suspect, he was transferred to a hospital after complaining of breathlessness but succumbed during treatment. The incident unraveled when the duo attacked the victim and her friend, leading to a swift police operation for their capture.

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari warns petrol pump owners of penalty for locking or poorly maintaining toilets, suggesting the cancellation of NOCs for non-compliance. The initiative is linked to NHAI's Humsafar policy aiming to standardize and improve facilities along highways and expressways.

PM Narendra Modi directs Union secretaries to perform rigorous employee assessments, citing CCS (Pension) Rules for compulsory retirement of non-performers and corrupt staffers. He emphasizes quick resolution of public grievances and improved governance, referencing BJP's electoral success in Haryana and J&K.

Syed Majid Ali, a medical practitioner, dedicates six weeks every year to organize Ramlila in Ayodhya, promoting communal harmony. The event, founded by his father in 1963, sees Hindus and Muslims collaborating while respecting religious sentiments, emphasizing India's shared cultural legacy.

In a cabinet meeting before the assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar abruptly left after 10 minutes, while major decisions with significant financial implications were made. Speculations arise about Pawar's dissatisfaction and potential friction within the Mahayuti alliance, amid warnings of fiscal deficits.

Lokayukta police have interrogated Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law BM Mallikarjuna Swamy and land-owner J Devaraju for over nine hours in connection with an alleged land allotment scam involving fraudulent documents and legal violations concerning the transfer of three acres of land in Mysuru.

Karnataka's cabinet has formed an SIT to investigate alleged Rs 7,200-crore irregularities in Covid-19 medical procurements under former BJP administration. An interim report by a retired judge highlighted these discrepancies and recommended recovering Rs 500 crore from implicated companies. The state's government plans to await further reports before deciding on additional actions.

Liquor smugglers in Bihar assaulted a police team sent to arrest a wanted criminal in Katihar district, critically injuring a sub-inspector. The attackers attempted to snatch police rifles, forcing the team to retreat. Raids are ongoing to apprehend those involved.

Air India has firmed an order for 85 Airbus planes, including 75 A320s and 10 A350s. This follows Tata Group's massive 470-plane order worth $70 billion and includes an option to purchase more planes from Airbus and Boeing. Tata is also merging AirAsia India and Vistara into AI Express and AI, respectively.

Mercedes-Benz India warns that raising GST rates on electric vehicles above Rs 40 lakh could hinder investment, employment, and EV adoption. CEO Santosh Iyer argues that higher taxes on imported and locally-produced EVs would reduce demand and potentially neutralize government revenue gains from increased duties.

FMCG companies in India plan to hike prices of household essentials, including cooking oil, soaps, and detergents, due to rising commodity costs like palm oil and copra. This move adds upward pressure on inflation, with RBI closely monitoring the situation amidst geopolitical tensions and unexpected weather events affecting global prices.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of SFJ, designated as a terrorist by India, releases a video threatening to initiate independence movements in multiple Indian states and claims Arunachal Pradesh for China. He vows to use Canadian and American laws to destabilize India by 2047.

BJP faced a tough defeat in Pir Panjal region, securing only one of eight assembly seats in Rajouri and Poonch, attributed to political dynamics post-abrogation of Article 370, polarisation over the Pahari quota row, and rising terrorist activities. National Conference and Congress dominated the remaining seats.

Kate Middleton has ceased mediating between Prince William and Prince Harry. After completing preventive chemotherapy, she is now prioritizing her health and family. Tensions persist within the royal family, with minimal communication between Harry, Meghan, and the palace.

A Bengaluru business development professional was terminated for threatening an influencer with acid attack over her clothing. The influencer's husband reported the incident to police and social media. Dehradun-based Etios Services fired Nikith Shetty and filed a case against him, emphasizing their commitment to women’s safety and zero tolerance for harassment.

Chum Darang from Arunachal Pradesh discusses her participation in Bigg Boss 18, highlighting her intent to showcase her home state, her concerns about losing privacy, and her refusal to tolerate disrespect. She emphasizes her preparedness to handle household chores and trolls, focusing on her own happiness while contending with judgment from viewers.

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated in India to mark the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It's celebrated with performances, fairs, and family gatherings. This year, Dussehra falls on October 12, 2024. Schools, colleges, and offices are closed for the celebration.

India's skipper Rohit Sharma might miss one of the first two Test matches in Australia due to personal reasons conveyed to the BCCI. Abhimanyu Easwaran is a probable replacement, with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul also as potential openers. Vice-captaincy plans remain undecided.