The administration has appealed to the residents to inform the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, UT Chandigarh if any family member or acquaintance is missing in Nepal.

People can contact the administration through the following numbers:

Control Room: 112

Phone: 0172-2700025

Email: adc-chd@nic.in

Mohan Singh, Office Superintendent at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, UT Chandigarh, has been designated as the contact person for this matter.

The information received from citizens will be compiled and shared with the concerned authorities. The initiative aims to help locate people from Chandigarh who are missing in Nepal and provide necessary assistance to affected families.

The sudden floods near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday morning have reportedly killed 210 people, including 207 in Nepal and three in Tibet. Around 1,500 people are still missing. According to Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, 826 people have been reported missing, including more than 300 Indians.

Pathak was recently appointed as one of the 16 national secretaries of the BJP during the party’s organisational reshuffle led by national president Nitin Nabin. He is the only former AAP leader among those who switched to the BJP to receive such a key organisational position.

“Had the privilege of meeting Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji yesterday. Grateful for his time, guidance and encouragement. Looking forward to contributing towards further strengthening the Party and advancing the vision of a Viksit Bharat,” Pathak said after meeting Shah.

The BJP is reportedly considering using Pathak’s knowledge of Punjab and his political experience ahead of the state elections. Pathak was the AAP’s Punjab in-charge during the 2022 Assembly elections and played an important role in building the party’s organisation and election strategy.

A former assistant professor at IIT Delhi, Pathak is known for using data analysis and detailed election planning. He is also familiar with many Punjab MLAs and was involved in selecting candidates for the 2022 elections.

The BJP may now use his experience to assess the political situation in Punjab, particularly the possible anti-incumbency against sitting AAP MLAs.

The party is also expected to rely on former AAP leaders who have joined the BJP to challenge the ruling party in the state. This could become important if AAP decides not to give tickets to several sitting MLAs in an effort to deal with anti-incumbency.

Pathak could help the BJP identify constituencies where AAP rebels may have an impact and assess which seats are most winnable for the party.

His role could also become important if the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) move closer to a pre-poll alliance, as both parties are reportedly holding back-channel discussions about working together again.

The latest cracks were reported on a stretch near Unnao, where soil settlement and erosion had earlier caused damage. The affected portion was repaired through patchwork carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The fresh damage has now triggered a political attack from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

In a social media post, Yadav warned commuters, saying, “Beware your life is in danger!” He also alleged that the cracks reflected corruption in the construction of the project and described it as a serious threat to public safety.

Also Read | Training aircraft crashes during sortie near Ganga Barrage in Kanpur; two pilots killed

Also Read | 21-year-old Delhi model stabbed to death at home, family blames gym trainer; heavy police deployed

Cracks raise questions over road quality

The appearance of cracks soon after repair has renewed concerns about the durability of the expressway, especially during the monsoon season. The issue has also brought attention to drainage and soil stability along different sections of the highway. Heavy rainfall has already caused damage at more than one location, making the condition of vulnerable stretches a matter of concern.

10-metre crater opened earlier

On August 18, a large crater reportedly opened near kilometre 421 on the Meerut-Prayagraj carriageway. Heavy rain caused a portion of the road and the adjoining embankment to wash away.

The incident raised questions about the expressway's ability to handle intense rainfall and whether drainage arrangements were adequate in vulnerable areas.

Earlier damage reported near Unnao

This is not the first time the Unnao section has come under scrutiny. In July, an approach road leading to the Sonic toll plaza was damaged after heavy rain.

Soil erosion affected the embankment, while a part of the carriageway also collapsed. Repair work and patching were later undertaken on the damaged section.

Ganga Expressway project

The 594-km Ganga Expressway is a six-lane, access-controlled highway connecting Meerut with Prayagraj. It passes through 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expressway on April 29. The project, built at a reported cost of Rs 36,230 crore, was planned to significantly reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj, from around 12 hours to nearly six hours.

With fresh cracks now appearing on a repaired stretch, concerns over construction quality, maintenance and the impact of heavy monsoon rainfall are likely to remain in focus.

The cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained.

The aircraft belongs to Garg aviation that operates a flying school from the civil aerodrome.

The victim has been identified as Muskan, 21. She was a student and also worked part-time as a model.

The victim's family has blamed her gym trainer Imran for the killing, who is currently absconding and several police teams are searching for him. 

According to people familiar with the family, Imran is suspected of killing Muskan. Her brother, Aakash, told the police and relatives that Imran stabbed her. Police have formed several teams and launched a search to find Imran, who is currently absconding.

Neighbours said they heard Muskan screaming and rushed to her house. They found her seriously injured and lying in a pool of blood. She was taken to a hospital, but doctors could not save her and she died from her injuries.

“We are searching for the accused,” Additional DCP Abhishek Gupta told reporters.

Police are also checking CCTV footage from the area to gather clues about the incident.

Muskan’s friend Aman said she was the youngest of three sisters. He said her elder sister, who is currently in Chandigarh, called him and asked him to go to Muskan’s house after learning that she had been stabbed.

Quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto have imposed quantity limits on some sugar products, restricting how many packs a customer can add to an order.

The restrictions however vary across different platforms. For instance on Blinkit sugar packets carry limits on the number of packs that can be purchased, while the app also flags limited availability for certain products. 

Also Read: Haryanvi Singer-YouTube Ankit Balyan shot dead outside gym, 20 rounds fired

On Swiggy Instamart, a listing for Supreme Harvest Crystal Sugar showed a cap of two 1-kg packs per order.

Capping on offline stores too

The purchase limits are not only affecting online shoppers but have also reached physical stores.

Large retail chains such as DMart and Reliance have reportedly limited sugar purchases to around 2–3 kg per customer at some outlets, according to the Times of India. This means customers are facing restrictions whether they buy sugar online through quick-delivery services or visit supermarkets.

The restrictions come at an important time, as the festive season usually leads to a major increase in sugar demand. Families buy sugar to prepare sweets and traditional dishes, while sweet shops, bakeries and other food businesses also increase their purchases.

Why are sugar prices rising?

The increase in sugar prices has led the government to take steps to improve supplies and prevent hoarding.

The government has changed the rules for duty-free imports of raw sugar, giving importers additional time to process the imported sugar into refined sugar and sell it in India.

Under the original notification issued on August 20, the government allowed 1 million tonnes of raw sugar to be imported duty-free under a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) until October 31, 2026.

Importers were required to convert the raw sugar into white or refined sugar and sell it in India by October 31.

The government has now revised this rule.

Under the new guidelines, importers will have up to two months from the date they file the Bill of Entry to refine the imported raw sugar and sell it in the domestic market.

The decision comes as sugar prices in India have risen sharply. The government aims to increase sugar supplies, prevent hoarding and discourage speculative buying.

Kumal, 24, was working in Bidur, downstream from the worst-hit Rasuwa district, near Nepal's Himalayan border with China's Tibet, when he heard a hissing sound. His four co-workers, standing above the five-foot (1.5 metre) deep pit, shouted at him to get out and run.

Also Read: Nepal floods LIVE UPDATES: Death toll rises to 163; 133 Indians among several missing; India sends 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid

By the time he managed to scramble out of the pit, his co-workers had already fled. "I started running. Then a wall of water came thundering down as if it was an earthquake," Kumal said from his bed at Kathmandu's National Trauma Centre, his brother Dinesh sitting beside him.

As the torrent swept him downstream amid mud and debris, he fortunately stuck up in a mango tree and clung to it until help came. He said that while he was clinging to a mango tree, he distressfully watched houses getting disappeared in no time. 

Also Read: High alert issued in Bihar over possible rise in Gandak river's water level

Later police reached out to him and pulled him to safety.  He suffered injuries to his right leg after being struck first by the water and then by a large stone. His own home, located elsewhere, escaped damage, he said.

The flash floods have killed at least 157 people in one of Nepal’s worst disasters, while hundreds of others, including several foreigners, are still missing.

Three more people who were injured in the floods were being treated along with Kumal as additional survivors were brought to Kathmandu. Authorities said more than 114 people had been rescued so far and were receiving treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu and Rasuwa. The area outside the trauma centre was crowded with relatives, friends and concerned people waiting for updates.

Houses swept away

The disaster began after what appeared to be a huge mass of mud and rocks collapsed into a river along the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting flood swept through downstream villages, destroying homes, roads and other infrastructure.

Security camera footage from the Chinese side of the border showed people running to safety moments before a powerful wall of mud, rocks and water hit the area. Buildings and vehicles were swept away, and many people lost their lives.

The exact reason for the landslide is still unknown. However, the German Research Centre for Geosciences reported that a magnitude 4.4 earthquake occurred about seven minutes before the time shown on the security camera footage.

The 35-year-old singer Baliyan, known for his popular song Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan (“We’ll shoot you in court, my love”), was shot dead while leaving a gym around 7 pm. The attackers opened fire and fled the scene. The reason behind the murder has not yet been confirmed.

The killing gained added attention because of the violent theme of Baliyan’s hit song. Police said he had completed his workout and was about 20-25 metres from the gym, near his car, when three to four unidentified attackers fired at him.

Baliyan was originally from Bantikhera village in Shamli. For the past few years, he had been living in Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana while working in singing and acting. He had been regularly visiting the gym in Shamli for nearly a year.

Police are investigating several possible reasons for the murder, including an old rivalry and a possible link to the upcoming Panchayat elections.

The murder led to protests by Baliyan’s family and local residents. They placed his body on the road and blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road, demanding the immediate arrest of the killers. Protesters said they would not clear the road until the accused were arrested and that Baliyan’s last rites would be held only after the arrests.

Significance of Baliyan’s Songs

Baliyan mainly created Haryanvi music videos, podcasts and local content focused on regional pride, rural life, a strong “Desi” attitude and youth culture. Many of his songs featured themes related to guns, local politics, power and bravery.

He worked as both a singer and producer and collaborated with popular Haryanvi artists such as Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi and Aashu Twinkle. He also made political podcasts and local videos, interviewing politicians and community figures from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Some of his other well-known songs include 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, Jaat Jatni, Agla Janam Jaat, Savidhan, Modi Barga Rutba, Jaat Dharmender Ki Tariya, Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Wait, System and Riflein.

However, Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan became the most talked-about song after his death. The song’s reference to gun violence took on a disturbing meaning after Baliyan was himself shot dead outside a gym.

According to the state Disaster Management Department, a flood wave of up to three metres could enter the Gandak, so districts along the river have been asked to remain highly alert.

The flash floods hit two districts in central Nepal near the Tibet border on Wednesday, killing four people and causing major damage to villages and at least 12 hydropower projects.

Also Read: Nepal floods LIVE UPDATES: 16 killed, over 100 Indians missing ,UP, Bihar borders on alert; PM Modi speaks to Balen Shah

Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit held a meeting with district magistrates and senior police officers of border districts to review the situation.

District officials have been asked to keep rescue and relief plans ready and closely monitor the flood situation. An NDRF team is also being prepared for deployment in Bettiah, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has offered additional Quick Reaction Team support if needed.

Authorities have been told to keep evacuation plans, boats, shelters and community kitchens ready.

The Water Resources Department has been asked to closely monitor the Gandak barrage, canals, embankments and other water infrastructure.

People have been advised not to panic but to stay alert, follow official instructions and avoid spreading or believing rumours. District administrations will also hold daily media briefings and monitor social media to prevent misinformation.

The government said more NDRF and SDRF teams, boats and other emergency resources will be deployed if the situation demands.

The situation turned tense after protesting students broke through police barricades placed along the route to stop them from moving forward. Police tried to control the protesters, leading to a confrontation between the two sides.

Police used lathicharge at several places and also deployed water cannons to disperse the protesters. However, the students continued their march and moved towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Several protesters were detained as police tried to clear the area.

The march started around 10 am from Gandhi Maidan, with students raising slogans while heading towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Barricades had been placed along the route, but the protesters removed them as they moved ahead.

The protest later grew as a farmers' group demanding action on land-related issues also joined the demonstration in Patna. The group carried black flags, following which CRPF personnel were deployed at the protest site.

Students have been protesting in Patna’s Gardanibagh area for several weeks. Their main demands include holding a single-level examination for BPSC-TRE 4, greater transparency in recruitment, recruitment exams conducted by the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), and equal opportunities for Hindi-medium candidates.

The latest protest came a day after student representatives held talks with the Bihar government. Although the discussions were described as positive, the students decided to continue their protest and announced the march from Gandhi Maidan to the Chief Minister’s residence.

Student leader Saurav Kumar said the talks with the government were positive, but the protesters would continue their agitation until their demands were addressed. He said the students had been asked to form a delegation for further discussions, but they made it clear that they wanted to meet Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary or, alternatively, the Education Minister.

"We want to meet Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary because the government keeps making us hold talks with junior officials, after which the matter is closed. If we are given an opportunity for talks with the Chief Minister and an official notice is issued, we are ready to end our protest," a student leader said during Tuesday's protest.

“Our first demand is to meet Samrat Choudhary. If that is not possible, we want to meet the Education Minister. We will not meet anyone else,” he said.

The statement came after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held an emergency meeting to review the rising number of H1N1 cases in the city. Delhi has recorded around 3,000 influenza cases this year, including 2,308 confirmed H1N1 infections.

Isolation wards set up in hospitals

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with senior officials from the Health Department, MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board, Pankaj Singh said hospitals across Delhi have been prepared to handle patients requiring care.

Dedicated isolation wards for H1N1 patients have been arranged at hospitals, he said. The minister warned that strict action would be taken if any hospital refused admission or denied a bed to a patient who required hospital care.

“There is no shortage of doctors, staff or medicines,” he said, adding that the government was closely monitoring the situation.

What are the symptoms of H1N1?

H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, can cause symptoms similar to seasonal influenza. Common symptoms include:

Fever

Cough

Sore throat

Headache

Runny nose

Body aches

Tiredness or weakness

Some people may also experience watery eyes, chills and general weakness. In many cases, symptoms remain mild and improve with rest and appropriate medical care.

However, cough, tiredness and body aches can sometimes continue for several days or even weeks after the initial infection.

How does H1N1 spread?

H1N1 is a respiratory infection and can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Close contact with an infected person can also increase the chances of transmission.

Health experts generally recommend regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, and wearing a mask in crowded or high-risk settings when necessary.

People who are diagnosed with H1N1 should follow their doctor's advice and take appropriate precautions to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Who is at higher risk?

While many people recover without serious complications, certain groups need to be more cautious.

Older adults, people with weakened immunity and those with underlying health conditions may have a greater risk of developing severe illness.

Such individuals should seek medical advice promptly if they develop flu-like symptoms, particularly if the symptoms become severe or worsen.

Is H1N1 treatable?

Yes, H1N1 can be treated. Most cases are mild and improve with supportive care such as adequate rest, fluids and medicines recommended by a doctor.

Doctors may prescribe antiviral medicines in certain cases, especially when treatment is started early or when a patient is considered to be at higher risk of complications.

Hospitalisation may be required if a patient's condition becomes serious or if they develop complications.

Delhi health authorities have said hospitals and other civic agencies are keeping a close watch on the situation and will strengthen arrangements if required as the number of influenza cases continues to rise.

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on August 6 convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment for raping former colleague in 2013, overturning his 2021 acquittal in the case. 

Tejpal has challenged the High Court order, claiming he is a victim. 

The Goa government has also approached the Supreme Court, seeking a higher punishment for Tarun Tejpal in the case.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments from both the Goa government and Tejpal.

Under Supreme Court rules, a person convicted by a lower court must surrender before challenging the conviction. A surrender certificate has to be submitted along with the appeal. However, a person can also seek exemption from surrender by filing a separate application.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, said Tejpal's appeal could be considered only after he submits a surrender certificate.

The case

The case relates to allegations by a woman journalist who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator on November 7 and 8, 2013, during an event in Panaji. Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, in connection with the allegations.

In September 2017, he was formally charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. Tejpal denied the charges.

In May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

The Goa government later challenged the acquittal in the Bombay High Court and sought to overturn the trial court's decision.

The three members of the family, 48-year-old Murlidhar Chandgude, his wife Sangeeta and their 19-year-old son Kunal, died after falling from a hill in the Tisgaon area last week.

Initial reports had suggested that the incident may have been linked to Kunal’s demand for a new iPhone. However, Sangeeta’s sister, Kalyani Dabade, has rejected the claim, saying there was no financial crisis in the family and that the incident had nothing to do with a mobile phone.

Also Read | Maharashtra tragedy: Family of three dies after son falls from hill during mobile phone dispute

Also Read | No job even after master's degree in US: Hyderabad youth dies by suicide, had moved Texas in 2024

According to Kalyani, Kunal had been disturbed by tensions and differences between his parents. She said he wanted his father to return home and had spoken to him a few days before the incident, asking him to come back.

“He was still young and may not have fully understood the seriousness of the problems between the adults,” Kalyani said, adding that Kunal was very attached to his father. She said Kunal’s father loved him but had been living separately from the family.

Aunt says Kunal wanted to bring his father back

Kalyani said she had tried to explain to Kunal that disagreements can occur in families and that such problems can sometimes be resolved. However, she claimed that Kunal remained determined to persuade his father to return home.

Based on what the family knows so far, Kalyani believes Kunal may not have planned to take his own life. Instead, she suspects that the incident could have happened unexpectedly while he was trying to emotionally persuade his father to come back.

Police investigating new angle

The family has also dismissed reports that financial difficulties or a demand for an iPhone were behind the tragedy. Kalyani said Kunal already had a phone for his studies.

The police are continuing their investigation and are looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the new claims made by Kunal’s family.

As pictures of the vehicle went viral on social media, the Gwalior police tracked down the car and slapped a hefty fine of Rs 5,500 on its owner for violating traffic rules. 

#WATCH | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Traffic Police seized a car with lipstick marks for performing dangerous car stunts on city roads after an Instagram video went viral.

Under 'Operation Eagle,' police tracked the vehicle, issued a Rs 5,500 challan, and seized the car for traffic… pic.twitter.com/iVLGttC4Ie

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 24, 2026

The car, owned by Aditya Sikarwar, grabbed attention after its entire exterior was covered with lipstick marks that looked like kisses. Photos of the unusual car went viral on social media, leaving people curious about the story behind it.

It was later revealed that Sikarwar's girlfriend got the idea from a foreign social media trend and decided to recreate it on his car. She reportedly made thousands of lipstick marks one by one, taking around four hours to complete the design. The unusual car attracted plenty of attention wherever it was driven.

After the pictures went viral, police traced the vehicle using its registration number visible in the photos and seized it.

Sikarwar was called to the police station and questioned about the car. Traffic police later issued him a Rs 5,500 challan for allegedly violating vehicle rules.

Police reportedly fined him for modifying the vehicle. The action was taken under the Motor Vehicles Act.

After accepting his mistake, Sikarwar removed the lipstick marks from the car. Police also asked him to clean the vehicle and restore its original appearance.

According to media reports, the car was seized under Operation Eagle after an Instagram video allegedly showing dangerous stunts on city roads went viral. Police tracked down the vehicle, issued the Rs 5,500 challan and took it into custody for traffic violations.

The pilgrims were travelling to the Sri Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur after offering prayers at the Pir Nigaha shrine. Shortly after leaving the shrine, the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp turn. The truck overturned and fell into a gorge.

The injured were rushed to the Una district hospital for treatment. Una Zonal Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sanjay Mankotia said around 30 injured people were brought to the hospital, with most suffering multiple injuries, including fractures. One seriously injured person was shifted to PGIMER, Chandigarh.

The Una district administration arranged medical treatment for all the injured. Officials are still verifying the identities and condition of those injured, as well as the exact cause of the accident.

Devotees recount accident

One of the injured devotees is in critical condition and was referred to another hospital after receiving first aid. The others are undergoing treatment. All our doctors and medical staff are working to treat the injured.

Speaking to the media, injured devotee Nand Lal said, “We had come to Pir Nigaha. Near a bend, the vehicle fell into a gorge.”

Another devotee, Somnath, said, “We had come to Pir Nigaha and were returning after offering prayers. When the vehicle was coming down from the hill, it overturned and fell into the gorge.”

The incident took place during the night of August 16-17 at Rajamahendravaram. Panchayat Raj assistant engineer Thillapudi Nookaraju, his wife Meena, daughter Sowjanya and 10-year-old grandson reportedly jumped into the river from the road-cum-rail bridge.

Fishermen rescued the boy, but Nookaraju, Meena and Sowjanya died.

Also Read | Not essential to Islam: Allahabad HC rejects student's plea to wear hijab in school

The police said they recovered a note allegedly written by Nookaraju during the investigation. The note reportedly mentioned rifle shooting coach Sheikh Sadhik Khan and raised questions about events that happened before the family entered the river.

A case was registered against Khan. The charges include alleged coercion to convert Nookaraju to another religion, murder and extortion.

Khan was later arrested in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, following a search that involved several states.

Kakinada District SP Bindu Madhav said the police carried out a difficult chase across five states. More than 10 teams were reportedly involved in tracking the accused.

Investigators also managed to trace Khan's movements despite his alleged efforts to avoid using phones and digital payment services.

Khan was brought back to Andhra Pradesh on a transit warrant, officials said.

Khan knew family for nearly two years

According to the police, Khan had known Nookaraju and his family for around two years. He had also worked as a rifle shooting coach at the school attended by Nookaraju's grandson.

The police are now looking into Khan's alleged dealings with the family, his movements following the incident and the allegations mentioned in the recovered notes.

Former MP seeks CBI or NIA probe

The case has also led to calls for a wider investigation. Former MP Vijayasai Reddy has demanded a probe by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Reddy has alleged that Khan was associated with a 10-member group allegedly involved in religious conversions, extortion, illegal gun supply and anti-national activities. He also claimed that the group had approached or targeted around 15 other families in the Kakinada and Rajamahendravaram areas.

Reddy said the alleged activities were not limited to one state and claimed that they could have links outside India, making the case suitable for a central agency investigation.

Police yet to establish 'Love Jihad' link

Khan is currently in police custody and is being questioned about his alleged role in the case. Investigators are working to establish the sequence of events before the deaths and determine whether anyone else was involved.

Police officials have so far said the investigation has not established any connection with the alleged 'love jihad' angle.

The students demanded the resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans (ADSW and ADHM) in the Student Affairs Office, as well as the Head of the Department of Physics. 

The students have also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for victim's family.

Media personnel have been stopped from entering the IIT Delhi campus as students continued their protest following the death of a fellow student. They have also demanded that all academic activities be suspended, saying there can be “no business as usual” until their concerns are addressed.

The students have called for better mental health support and a stronger system to help students facing difficulties. They have also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased student's family.

The student, Rishikesh Kumar, died on Saturday after falling from the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC) at IIT Delhi. Delhi Police said they received a PCR call about the incident at around 8.33 am on August 22.

Students seek independent inquiry

In a letter to the IIT Delhi administration, students criticised the Student Affairs Office over its alleged treatment of Rishikesh. They said judging or profiling a student should have no place in an educational institution and alleged that such treatment can affect students' access to facilities and opportunities, while also harming their dignity.

The students had asked the institute to suspend classes at the Lecture Hall Complex and across the campus on Monday, August 24, 2026. They said classes should not continue as if nothing had happened after the student's death.

They also called for an independent investigation into alleged administrative lapses. According to the students, these lapses may have contributed to Rishikesh feeling helpless and isolated. They demanded that anyone found responsible be held accountable and called for justice for Rishikesh.

A division bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Indrajeet Shukla, hearing a petition by a Class 11 student from a Prayagraj school, said that simply claiming something is a religious practice is not enough to seek protection under the right to religious freedom.

The student had approached the court seeking permission to wear a headscarf with her school uniform. She argued that wearing the headscarf was part of her religious practice.

However, the court said the student had not provided enough religious or legal evidence to show that wearing a headscarf was an essential practice in Islam and that not wearing it would affect her faith.

The court also stressed the importance of a common dress code in schools. It said that if a school has a uniform dress policy that is applied equally to all students and is meant to maintain discipline and the institution's identity, students cannot demand changes based on personal choices.

The student said she had been allowed to wear a headscarf from Class 6 to Class 10 without any objection from the school. The court, however, said the school's earlier decision to allow it did not give her a legal right to continue wearing it if the school later chose to strictly enforce its uniform rules.

The bench also referred to earlier court rulings, noting that several High Courts had held that wearing a headscarf is not an essential religious practice in Islam. It said there was no reason to take a different position from an earlier Karnataka High Court judgment on the issue.

The court further noted that the Karnataka High Court's decision allowing schools to restrict hijabs remains in force, as the Supreme Court has not yet settled the matter following a split verdict.

The High Court therefore dismissed the student's petition and allowed the school to enforce its prescribed uniform rules.

The Commerce and Industry Ministry said the move is aimed at making sure imported sugar reaches consumers quickly instead of being stored as raw or refined sugar. Earlier, importers were required to process the sugar within a reasonable time so it could be sold in the domestic market by October 31. The new rules now set a clear two-month deadline.

Sugar prices have increased despite strong sugarcane production. Pest attacks, heavy rainfall, rising festive demand and speculative buying have contributed to the price rise. The government had earlier allowed the import of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar by October 31 and placed limits on how much sugar traders and large buyers, including soft-drink and ice-cream companies, could store. States have also been directed to take action against hoarding and black marketing.

In May, the government had banned exports of raw, white and refined sugar until September 30 to control domestic prices amid concerns over supplies.

According to government data, the average retail price of sugar across India was Rs 63.05 per kg on Monday. This was 29% higher than the Rs 48.73 per kg recorded a month earlier. The highest retail price was Rs 75 per kg, while the model price was Rs 65 per kg.

Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said ex-mill sugar prices had risen sharply from Rs 47-48 per kg to Rs 62 per kg within just seven to 10 days. He described the increase as "unjustified".

No sugar shortage: Industry

The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said the country does not face a sugar shortage and expected retail prices to come down following the government's steps.

ISMA president Niraj Shirgaokar said India's sugar production and available stocks remained comfortable.

For the 2025-26 marketing year, India's net sugar production after diversion for ethanol is estimated at around 279 lakh tonnes. The country also had opening stocks of about 50 lakh tonnes. Domestic sugar demand is estimated to be between 280 and 285 lakh tonnes.

This is the 17th time Ram Rahim walked out of the prison since 2020. The latest furlough comes less than two months after he returned to Sunaria jail on June 26 on completion of a 30-day parole.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR rains: Gurugram advises work from home on August 25; 397 flights delayed at Delhi airport

Ram Rahim convicted of rape

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief has been convicted of raping two women followers and is serving 20-year sentence. He was subsequently convicted in other cases, including the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

Ram Rahim’s repeated temporary releases are governed by the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022.

Under the rules, eligible convicts can be granted up to 70 days of parole and 21 days of furlough in a calendar year, subject to the applicable conditions and approval by the competent authority.

17th release since 2020

Earlier this year, Ram Rahim was granted 40 days of parole in January. He was again released on a 30-day parole in May and returned to the Rohtak jail on June 26 after completing the period of his temporary release.

Timeline of parole/furlough

October 24, 2020 (1-day parole)

May 21, 2021 (12-hour parole to meet his ailing mother)

February 7, 2022 (21-day furlough)

June 2022 (30-day parole)

October 14, 2022 (40-day parole)

January 21, 2023 (40-day parole)

July 20, 2023 (30-day parole)

November 21, 2023 (21-day furlough)

January 19, 2024 (50-day furlough)

August 13, 2024 (21-day furlough)

October 2, 2024 (20-day parole)

January 28, 2025 (30-day parole)

April 9 2025 (21-day furlough) 

August 5, 2025 (40-day parole)