Supreme Court Quashes Forgery FIR Against Badminton Star Lakshya Sen
The Supreme Court has quashed an FIR filed against badminton player Lakshya Sen, his family, and his coach over allegations of age fraud. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar stated that the continuation of criminal proceedings was "unwarranted and amounts to abuse of the process of court." The case originated from a private complaint in Karnataka that alleged Sen's birth certificate was forged. The high court had previously allowed an investigation, but the Supreme Court's order now clears the athlete.
Teenager Divya Deshmukh Wins Women's Chess World Cup
In a historic victory for Indian sports, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025. The Nagpur-based teenager defeated veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-breaker in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. This remarkable achievement not only makes her the first Indian to win the title but also secures her the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, making her only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the feat. The win marks a major milestone in her promising career.
Bihar Officials Issue Residence Certificate to 'Dog Babu'
In a bizarre administrative lapse, officials in Bihar issued a residential certificate to a dog. The document, issued through the Masaurhi Sub-Divisional Office's online portal, named the beneficiary as "Dog Babu," with the father listed as "Kutta Babu." The certificate, bearing the digital signature of a revenue officer, has gone viral. An investigation revealed that the application had manipulated a Delhi-based woman's identity documents. An FIR has been filed, exposing serious flaws in the state's automated verification system.
Bihar Announces Formation of State Commission for Sanitation Workers
The Bihar government will establish a State Safai Karmachari Commission to protect the rights and welfare of sanitation workers. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the commission will work on social upliftment, grievance redressal, and monitoring welfare schemes for this marginalized community. The body will consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five members, including at least one woman or transgender person, aiming to aid their integration into the social and economic mainstream ahead of state elections.
India Extends $565 Million Credit Line to Maldives, Resets Ties
India has extended a $565 million (₹4,850 crore) line of credit to the Maldives to bolster a strategic reset in bilateral relations. During a state visit by PM Narendra Modi, the two nations also agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement and advance a bilateral investment treaty. The move signals a significant diplomatic and economic realignment after a period of strained ties under President Mohammed Muizzu's government, aiming to counter growing Chinese influence and reinforce India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Enforcement Directorate Raids Anil Ambani Group Companies for Third Day
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued its searches on companies linked to Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani for a third consecutive day in Mumbai. The raids, conducted at over 35 premises, are part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged ₹3,000 crore bank loan fraud involving Yes Bank. The probe also covers other financial irregularities, including the diversion of loans to shell companies. Investigators have seized numerous documents and computer peripherals as the probe into the decade-old transactions continues.
Government Bans 25 OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
The Indian government has directed internet service providers to block 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, including popular services like ALTT and Ullu, for streaming obscene and pornographic content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated the platforms violated several Indian laws. The move follows multiple warnings and concerns raised by child rights bodies and the Supreme Court. In response, Balaji Telefilms clarified that Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor have had no association with ALTT since June 2021.
Supreme Court to Hear Judge's Plea Against Probe Amid Impeachment Move
The Supreme Court will hear a plea on Monday from Justice Yashwant Varma, who is challenging the findings of an in-house committee that indicted him in a 'cash-discovery' episode. The hearing is significant as 145 MPs have submitted an impeachment notice against him. Justice Varma alleges the internal probe was predetermined and denied him a fair opportunity to defend himself. The case scrutinises the judiciary's internal accountability mechanisms at a time when a sitting judge faces removal proceedings.
Delhi Government Challenges Vehicle Age Ban in Supreme Court
The Delhi Government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region. Arguing that a vehicle's fitness should be based on its actual emission levels rather than its age, the government is seeking a recall of the court's 2018 order. The move could have significant policy implications and affect millions of vehicle owners in and around the capital.
India Successfully Tests Indigenous Drone-Launched Missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired a new UAV-Launched Precision-Guided Missile (ULPGM) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile, launched from an indigenous UAV, can strike various targets day or night and has multiple warhead options for use against tanks and bunkers. This marks a significant step in India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative and enhances its drone warfare capabilities. The government has also allocated ₹723 crore to develop an engine for the 'Ghatak' combat drone.
Air India Disburses Interim Compensation to Ahmedabad Crash Victims' Families
Air India has paid interim compensation to the families of 166 people killed in last month's Ahmedabad plane crash. The airline is providing ₹25 lakh to the next of kin for each of the 260 victims, which included 241 of the 242 people on board flight AI171 and 19 on the ground. Payments for another 52 victims' families are being processed. The Tata Group has also established a memorial and welfare trust dedicated to the victims.
Lok Sabha to Initiate Removal Proceedings Against High Court Judge
The Lok Sabha is set to take up a bipartisan motion, signed by 152 MPs, to remove Allahabad High Court Justice Yashwant Varma over corruption allegations. The move follows an inquiry by a Supreme Court-appointed committee that indicted the judge after wads of half-burnt currency were found at his residence. A similar notice filed by the opposition in the Rajya Sabha was not admitted, clearing the way for proceedings to begin in the lower house, a rare and significant step for judicial accountability.
Future Rate Cuts Depend on Inflation Outlook, Not Current Data, Says RBI Governor
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra clarified that future interest rate cuts will be determined by the outlook for inflation and growth, not just the current low inflation numbers. Speaking in Mumbai, he noted that monetary policy operates with a lag and must consider projections up to 12 months ahead. While June's retail inflation was low at 2.1%, the RBI's forecast anticipates a rise to 4.4% by Q4, tempering expectations for immediate further easing in monetary policy.
India Issues Travel Advisories Amid Deadly Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes
India has advised its citizens in Thailand and Cambodia to avoid border areas following deadly military clashes between the two nations that have killed at least 32 people. The Ministry of External Affairs stated it is closely monitoring the situation and hopes for a cessation of hostilities. Indian embassies in Bangkok and Phnom Penh have urged travellers to exercise caution and have provided emergency contact information, reflecting the seriousness of the regional conflict and its potential impact on Indian nationals.
NCERT to Create 'Operation Sindoor' Module for School Curriculum
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is developing a special module on 'Operation Sindoor' for students from classes 3 to 12. The curriculum aims to educate students about India's strategic military and diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack. By incorporating this recent event into textbooks, the government intends to foster an understanding of national security, diplomacy, and inter-ministerial coordination in responding to terror threats, shaping the historical perspective of millions of students.