On Friday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) inspected the site in Sector 150, Greater Noida, where 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta tragically died after his car fell into a waterlogged pit during the night of January 16-17. The inspection follows the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, summoning responses from multiple state and local authorities over alleged environmental violations and administrative negligence.

The NGT’s Principal Bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel, registered an Original Application based on media reports detailing Mehta’s death and the ensuing investigations. The Tribunal observed that the site, initially allotted for a private mall project, had over time become a stagnant pond due to unchecked accumulation of rainwater and wastewater from nearby housing societies.

Greater Noida Police have arrested two individuals, Ravi Bansal and Sachin Karanwal, linked to Lotus Green Construction Private Limited and the builder, in connection with the incident. Earlier, an FIR had also been filed against five others—Abhay Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Manish Kumar, Achal Bohra, and Nirmal Kumar—under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and relevant IPC sections.

The FIR described the pit as deep, unbarricaded, and filled with highly polluted water and garbage, producing a strong foul odor that affected nearby residents. Located near a public road, it posed a serious threat to human life, with no warning signs or safety measures. The land was purchased by Lotus Green Construction in 2014 and sold to Viztown in 2020, though the former still retains a significant stake. Authorities confirmed that further legal proceedings are ongoing, with the NGT closely monitoring compliance with environmental laws and public safety regulations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Rouse Avenue Court acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots connected to the Janakpuri and Vikas Puri police stations. The Janakpuri case involved the killings of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh on November 1, 1984, while the Vikas Puri case concerned the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984.

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh delivered the acquittal after hearing the case, which was investigated by the SIT set up by the central government. The detailed judgment will be uploaded by the court. The court had reserved its verdict on January 22. Sajjan Kumar had already been discharged from murder charges in 2023.

Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat represented the prosecution, while advocates Anil Kumar Sharma, Apoorv Sharma, and SA Hashmi represented Sajjan Kumar. During his statement on July 7, Sajjan Kumar denied all allegations, claiming he was not present at the riot sites and had been falsely implicated.

The court had previously framed charges against him under several sections of the IPC, including 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly), 153A (promoting enmity), 295 (injuring religious places), 307 and 308 (attempted murder and culpable homicide), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 395 (dacoity), and 426 (mischief). The court noted that a large mob armed with weapons had gathered near the Gulab Bagh Gurudwara on November 1, 1984, and that Sajjan Kumar was allegedly part of this mob, whose intent was to set the Gurudwara on fire, destroy Sikh homes, loot property, and target Sikhs in retaliation for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

Charges were also framed against him for abetment under Sections 107, 109, and 114 IPC, as he was considered a principal abettor present at the scene. However, regarding the November 2, 1984 incident near the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar, which involved the murder of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh and injuries to Harvinder Singh, the court discharged Sajjan Kumar from the relevant IPC sections 302 and 325, citing reasons discussed in the order.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Uttar Pradesh Police and administrative authorities on Wednesday attached the house of Sharik Satha, accused of masterminding the November 2024 Sambhal violence, following court orders. A significant police presence and teams from the revenue department were deployed to the four-storey property, situated in one of the city’s most expensive areas, to enforce the attachment.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Kumar stated, “As directed by the court, Sharik Satha’s property will be attached. Teams from the revenue department and police have been deployed. The building has four storeys, but only the floor owned by the absconding accused will be affected.” The move comes after violent clashes erupted on November 19, 2024, during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal district. The survey, initiated following a petition by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, aimed to determine whether the mosque was originally a temple.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh told ANI that the survey was conducted between 7 am and 11 am as per court directions. While the process was initially peaceful with adequate police deployment, stone-pelting began, forcing the police to disperse the crowd. A larger mob of 2,000–3,000 people later gathered, resulting in further clashes. Three people were killed, and nearly two dozen, including policemen and officials, were injured. Police used tear gas and appeals to control the situation. The attachment of Satha’s property is part of ongoing measures to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. Authorities emphasized that all actions are being carried out under court directives and in accordance with legal procedures.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Intelligence agencies on Saturday issued a Republic Day alert, cautioning that banned Khalistani groups and terror outfits based in Bangladesh could attempt attacks in New Delhi and other major cities. Sources from the Intelligence Bureau said Punjab-based gangsters are increasingly being used as ground operatives by Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad, who are allegedly leveraging criminal networks to advance their agendas and threaten internal security.

According to the alert, these gangsters are active across Haryana, the Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and are gradually forging links with Khalistani terrorist elements. With January 26 approaching, agencies warned that these groups may try to exploit the festive period to carry out disruptive activities.

North District Police have conducted multiple mock drills at vulnerable and crowded locations ahead of the Republic Day parade to assess preparedness and response capabilities. Four such exercises were held in the first half of January 2026 at sensitive sites in North Delhi, including key installations, heritage locations, busy markets, and transport hubs.

Areas covered in the drills included the Red Fort, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, and several Metro stations, all considered high-risk from a security standpoint. The exercises were aimed at strengthening anti-terror readiness and encouraging vigilance among the public and security agencies.

At least 30 tableaux are set to feature in the Republic Day Parade along Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s cultural diversity and development journey. The presentations will follow the themes “Svatantrata Ka Mantr – Vande Mataram” and “Samrddhi Ka Mantr – Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with dentist and author Vrushali Junnarkar, who shares her experiences of discovering the many attractions and natural retreats in Khandala, a charming hill station located in Maharashtra in central-western India. Frequently referenced in her novel The Campbell Gardens Ladies' Swimming Class, Khandala holds special significance for Junnarkar as she describes visits to the town’s historic fort, waterfalls, and caves. She also discusses traditional Maharashtrian street food and regional dishes that are rarely found in Singapore.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.