Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged violations of restrictions at Jantar Mantar, police sources said. The two leaders reached the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at around 11 am, where a team of officers began questioning them as part of the investigation.

Their appearance is linked to two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered over allegations that they entered the denotified protest site at Jantar Mantar on October 13. The cases were initially registered at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations before being transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

According to police sources, both leaders had previously been summoned to join the investigation. However, they had sought additional time and did not appear before the investigating officers on the earlier scheduled dates. They were subsequently asked to cooperate with the ongoing probe. The cases relate to an incident in which members of the Cockroach Janta Party allegedly staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar and unfurled the national flag despite restrictions at the location.

Jantar Mantar is a designated protest venue in the national capital, where demonstrations are subject to specific permissions and regulations imposed by the authorities. Alleged violations of these conditions can lead to police action and legal proceedings. The transfer of both FIRs to the Crime Branch indicates that the specialised investigative unit is now handling the cases. During Thursday's questioning, officers are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the October 13 demonstration and the alleged breach of restrictions. Further details about the questioning and the next course of police action are awaited. The allegations against the two CJP leaders remain subject to investigation, and the outcome of the proceedings will depend on the findings of the authorities.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan for allegedly sharing a doctored video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which purportedly showed the diplomat making critical remarks about India. The controversial video circulated on social media and appeared to show Lavrov questioning India's position on Russia's international relations, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The footage was shared from Bhushan's X account, triggering a controversy over its authenticity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) subsequently issued a clarification, declaring the video fake and warning people against sharing misleading content. The Russian Embassy also reportedly raised concerns over the circulation of fabricated material attributed to its senior officials.

Following the controversy, Delhi Police registered FIR No. 263/26 at the Special Cell police station. The case includes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 336(4), 353(1)(c), 356 and 340(2), along with Section 66C of the Information Technology Act. Police are examining the alleged circulation of the manipulated footage and its potential implications. The investigation is expected to look into the circumstances surrounding the creation and sharing of the video.

The incident has also raised concerns about the growing circulation of misleading digital content involving political leaders and foreign officials. Such videos, particularly when presented as authentic diplomatic statements, can create confusion and potentially affect public understanding of India's international relations.

India and Russia have maintained longstanding diplomatic and economic ties, making the circulation of fabricated statements attributed to senior Russian officials particularly sensitive. The registration of the FIR marks the beginning of the legal process, and the allegations against Bhushan will be subject to investigation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Express.

Counting of votes for the Andhra Pradesh municipal elections began on Tuesday across 92 urban local bodies, setting the stage for a crucial political contest between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA alliance and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). A major development came from Pulivendula, the political stronghold of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, where the Andhra Pradesh High Court gave the green signal for vote counting after dismissing petitions seeking fresh polling across all municipal wards.

The petitions were filed by YSRCP MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy and the party's chairperson candidate, Y.S. Pramila, who had challenged the polling process and sought a stay on counting until fresh elections were conducted. However, the court's decision allowed the election authorities to proceed with the counting exercise.

According to election officials, counting began at 8 am at designated centres across the state. The elections cover 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats. Polling was held on November 1, recording an overall voter turnout of 60.96 per cent. Repolling was subsequently conducted in 12 wards across seven urban local bodies in five districts following complaints of irregularities. The repoll recorded a turnout of 60.64 per cent.

The State Election Commission made arrangements at 138 counting centres and deployed around 47,817 personnel to oversee the process. A total of 520 candidates contested mayoral and chairperson positions, while more than 10,100 candidates were in the fray for corporator and councillor posts. Counting in parts of Prakasam and Bapatla districts was rescheduled from 8 am to 11.30 am due to heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with Cyclone Murasu. The decision was taken following requests from district administrations, which cited difficulties in transportation and the movement of counting personnel.

The municipal elections are being closely monitored as an important political test for the TDP-led NDA government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The results will also be significant for the YSRCP as it seeks to rebuild its political position following its defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections. Pulivendula has emerged as one of the key centres of attention because of its association with Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP. The High Court's decision to allow counting is expected to bring clarity to the electoral process in the municipality, where the opposition had raised objections over polling arrangements.

The results across Andhra Pradesh are expected to provide an indication of the political mood at the grassroots level and the relative strength of the major parties in urban areas. The final outcome will determine control of several municipal bodies and provide both the ruling alliance and the opposition with an opportunity to assess their organisational strength ahead of future electoral contests.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from 

Air pollution levels in the national capital deteriorated sharply on Monday, with Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 300 mark for the first time this season. The worsening air quality has raised concerns among residents, with meteorologists warning that unfavourable weather conditions could lead to increased smog across Delhi-NCR over the coming days. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's AQI stood at 307 around 7:05 am, placing it in the 'Very Poor' category. Several monitoring stations across the city also recorded elevated pollution levels, with Jahangirpuri reporting an AQI of 417, falling in the 'Severe' category.

The deterioration comes after a brief improvement in air quality following rainfall last week. Delhi had recorded an AQI of 60 on October 30, its cleanest October reading in four years. However, pollution levels increased over the weekend, with the city's 24-hour average AQI reaching 261 on Sunday before crossing the 300 threshold on Monday morning.

Data from monitoring stations showed that 36 of the 58 stations reporting readings were in the Very Poor category, indicating that the pollution was affecting several parts of the capital. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remained the dominant pollutant at most monitoring stations. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks, particularly for children, elderly people and individuals suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

The rise in pollution has been attributed to a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activities, industrial pollution and agricultural residue burning in neighbouring states. Satellite observations recorded 1,394 farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 1. Punjab accounted for 1,249 incidents, while Haryana reported 145. As many as 171 farm fires were detected on November 1.

Weather conditions are also adding to concerns. Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya has warned that the smog season has begun, with relatively calm atmospheric conditions and northwesterly winds potentially contributing to the accumulation of pollutants across the region. He indicated that favourable conditions for clearing pollution may remain absent over the next seven to ten days.

Low wind speeds and stable atmospheric conditions often prevent pollutants from dispersing, allowing them to accumulate near the ground and intensify the smog covering Delhi and neighbouring areas. With the AQI entering the Very Poor category, residents have been advised to limit prolonged outdoor exposure and avoid strenuous physical activities in heavily polluted areas. People with existing respiratory and heart conditions, along with children and senior citizens, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality.

The latest deterioration signals the beginning of another challenging pollution season for the national capital, with the possibility of further smog episodes as winter approaches. Authorities and residents are likely to face renewed concerns over public health as Delhi's air quality remains under pressure.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

We’re revisiting the Guardian’s long-read archives, bringing back standout stories from previous years, accompanied by fresh introductions from their original authors. This week’s pick, originally published in 2023: Just a year earlier, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck was among the country’s most popular public figures. But a tabloid-fuelled backlash changed the political mood, leaving him with the challenge of winning public support all over again.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Guardain.

As Americans head to the polls, Jonathan Freedland joins Atlantic humour columnist Alexandra Petri to look back at the standout moments of the midterm campaign. Their discussion covers memorable political advertisements, unexpected endorsements, campaign missteps and embarrassing blunders, as voters cast their ballots and the first indications of winners and losers begin to emerge.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

As the Australian political year draws to a close, the Albanese government still faces several unresolved issues. During the latest parliamentary sitting week, Labor encountered difficulties securing support for its proposed budget measure to cut private health insurance rebates for Australians aged over 65. Independent Kooyong MP Monique Ryan strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that the government has repeatedly found itself reacting to events rather than setting the agenda. In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, Ryan also questioned the government's approach to introducing several major policy initiatives in parliament. Ryan also addressed speculation surrounding Josh Frydenberg, her former political opponent and treasurer under the Morrison government, who may be considering a return to federal politics following the launch of his memoir this week. This episode was updated on 19 October 2026. An earlier version referred to a proposal to raise the GST rate to 20%. Frydenberg has not advocated such a change.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Pakistan is considering emergency rule in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after days of protests by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The move has raised questions about whether emergency measures could restore order or intensify political tensions. Daniel Martin discusses the situation with Dr Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.