India News Highlights, 10 October 2026: Congress to challenge MP High Court verdict scrapping 27% OBC quota in SC

he High Court on Friday struck down the 2019 law raising OBC reservation from 14 per cent to 27 per cent, ruling it unconstitutional and contrary to the 50 per cent reservation ceiling

The Congress will challenge in the Supreme Court the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to strike down the state’s 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), party leaders said on Saturday. The High Court on Friday struck down the 2019 law raising OBC reservation from 14 per cent to 27 per cent, ruling it unconstitutional and contrary to the 50 per cent reservation ceiling. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar accused the BJP government of failing to effectively defend the quota in court.

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CJP Protest Live Updates | Delhi Police says protest could lead to ‘serious law and order issue’; 50 detained near Connaught Place

Dalit men allegedly forced to prostrate in Tamil Nadu

Two Dalit men in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district were allegedly forced to prostrate before members of a dominant caste during a dispute over access to a burial ground, police said Saturday. The incident occurred after members of the Scheduled Caste community brought a 90-year-old man’s body for burial on October 5, but were allegedly stopped by the dominant community. Police said the two men were threatened with an economic boycott and forced to fall at the others’ feet. A video of the incident later went viral, following which Thingalur police booked two people under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The burial was completed under police protection.

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Assam student found dead near railway track in AP, SIT probes case

An Andhra Pradesh Police SIT is investigating the death of Assamese student Himsri Boro, whose body was found on October 7 near a railway track in Srikakulam district. Boro, who was studying BBA in Guwahati, had travelled to Visakhapatnam with a 10-member dance group and was trying to return to Assam when she boarded the late-running Vivek Express alone in the early hours of October 7. She later called a friend alleging misbehaviour by some boys before the call was disconnected. Police said a passenger later claimed she had fallen from the moving train, while her luggage was recovered from the S2 coach. A postmortem has been conducted and clues, forensic, dog and drone teams are assisting the probe.

Rahul Gandhi to meet Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, address students in Chennai

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Saturday and later interact with students at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event, the Congress said in a post on X. The visit comes amid the Opposition’s ongoing campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over its allegations of irregularities in voter rolls, and call for protest on Saturday at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

1,000 detained overnight in Delhi ahead of CJP protest against CEC

At least 1,000 people were detained overnight in Delhi ahead of Saturday’s protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-All India Students’ Association demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. As of 12:30 am Saturday, around 250 detainees were from South-East Delhi, particularly Shaheen Bagh, while more than 100 were from Shahdara and East Delhi. Police said the detentions were preventive, targeting people identified as having a history of mobilising protesters. More than 30,000 personnel have been deployed across the capital, with border areas heavily guarded and 13 detention centres earmarked.

‘She did not deny’: Rahul Gandhi after Opposition meets President over EC

After a nearly hour-long meeting with President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said she “did not deny” the Opposition’s allegations of “vote chori” and irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. Gandhi said the President asked the Opposition to provide proof, while he maintained that the alleged irregularities were already known. The meeting came after three days of INDIA bloc protests in Delhi demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, including sit-ins at Akashvani Bhavan and Raj Ghat.

Kolkata model held for extortion as police probe 11 ‘false’ complaints

A 31-year-old Kolkata model and television actor has been arrested in an alleged extortion case after police identified 11 rape and sexual harassment complaints she had filed against around 14 people since 2024. Police said two extortion cases have been registered against her by people who alleged they were targeted through such complaints. She was arrested on September 18 after a dentist’s wife filed an extortion complaint and was sent to 14-day judicial custody after her bail plea was rejected on October 6. Police said five of the 11 complaints were filed in 2026 and are investigating the circumstances behind them.

Live Updates
Oct 10, 2026 06:02 PM IST
2020 Delhi riots: Court convicts Tahir Hussain of abetment to rioting, acquits 12 others

A Delhi court on Saturday convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain of abetment to rioting in a case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, while acquitting 12 co-accused of all charges. Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh convicted Hussain under Sections 147 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and acquitted him of the remaining charges. The court will hear arguments on the quantum of his sentence on November 16.

PTI

Oct 10, 2026 05:48 PM IST
Sonam Wangchuk threatens fast, march if detained leaders not released by Sunday

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday described the situation in Delhi as an “undeclared Emergency” after opposition leaders were detained during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a post on X, Wangchuk said he hoped the detained leaders would be released soon and warned that he would consider an indefinite fast or a march on foot if they were not freed by Sunday.

Oct 10, 2026 04:21 PM IST
SP MP Rajeev Rai says he considered launching ‘Makkhi People’s Party’

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai said he had “half a mind” to launch a ‘Makkhi People’s Party’ after the Supreme Court observed that police could not “use a hammer to kill a fly” while hearing concerns over restrictions on the CJP protest in Delhi. Rai said police stopped his car for around 20 minutes as he tried to reach his residence on Ashoka Road and criticised the restrictions on peaceful protests, calling the situation an “undeclared Emergency”.

Reported by: Reva Thakkar and Akriti Kanodia

Oct 10, 2026 04:15 PM IST
NIA registers case over mid-air cockpit attack on flydubai captain

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to probe the mid-air attack on Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight, officials said.

PTI

Oct 10, 2026 03:36 PM IST
UP minister accuses CJP of spreading disorder; opposition slams BJP over protest curbs

Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari on Saturday accused the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) of undermining the constitutional framework, while Congress leader Aradhana Misra Mona accused the BJP of suppressing democracy through restrictions on the Delhi protest. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav warned that using state power to stop protesters would be a “great mistake”, while Rashtriya Lok Dal spokesperson Ankur Saxena opposed the agitation, citing the matter’s pendency before the Supreme Court. Delhi Police detained around 500 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, sources said.

PTI

Oct 10, 2026 03:32 PM IST
Priyank Kharge accuses Centre of targeting Karnataka govt through agencies, sting operations

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday accused the Centre of attempting to tarnish the state government's image through central agencies and sting operations. He challenged BJP leader R Ashoka to file a formal complaint seeking a probe into the alleged sting operation, saying he would order an investigation if a complaint was submitted. Kharge said the government would disclose relevant information at an appropriate time.

PTI

Oct 10, 2026 03:18 PM IST
CJP spokesperson Sidhanth Bhardwaj detained with 50 volunteers

Cockroach Janta Party national spokesperson Sidhanth Bhardwaj and 50 party volunteers have been detained from Baba Saheb Gurudwara and are being taken to an undisclosed location, the party said.

Oct 10, 2026 03:15 PM IST
CPI(M) stages protests across Keralam over leaders’ detention in Delhi

The CPI(M) staged protest marches across Keralam on Saturday after party leaders, including Pinarayi Vijayan, M A Baby and M V Govindan, were detained by Delhi Police during an agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In Palakkad, a protest organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) turned violent, prompting police to use water cannons to disperse protesters, officials said.

PTI

Oct 10, 2026 01:58 PM IST
Delhi court dismisses Parvesh Verma’s criminal defamation complaint against AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj

A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed a criminal defamation complaint filed by Delhi minister Parvesh Verma against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, declining to take cognisance of the matter.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal observed that the imputations attributed to Bharadwaj were in the nature of questions and did not amount to defamation. Verma had alleged that Bharadwaj made malicious and false social media posts linking him to a POCSO Act case concerning an incident at a school in his former West Delhi constituency. A detailed court order is awaited.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 01:40 PM IST
PM Modi to launch over Rs 13,000 cr worth projects during Chennai visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chennai on Sunday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore, including the opening of a stretch of the Chennai Metro’s Phase II, an official statement said.

The projects include the Poonamallee-Vadapalani Metro stretch, built at a cost of Rs 4,900 crore, and National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,700 crore. Modi will also inaugurate railway infrastructure projects worth over Rs 750 crore. During the visit, he is scheduled to ride the Chennai Metro, visit the Jalakandeswarar Temple, attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya and tour the Brain Centre at IIT Madras.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 01:05 PM IST
Rs 3.55 crore drugs seized in Mizoram’s Champhai

Methamphetamine tablets weighing 4.4 kg and valued at Rs 3.55 crore were seized near Zokhawthar along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram’s Champhai district, Assam Rifles said on Saturday.

The seizure was made on Friday following a tip-off, according to an official statement. The drugs were handed over to the state Excise and Narcotics Department in Champhai for further legal action.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 11:44 AM IST
Muzaffarnagar inter college principal arrested for alleged sexual assault

The principal of a private inter college in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a Class 11 student on the school premises on Friday evening, police said on Saturday.

Circle Officer (Sadar) Sunil Kumar said a case was registered against the principal under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act following a complaint by the girl’s mother. The complaint alleged that the principal sexually assaulted the student after calling her to his office. Police said further investigation is underway.

– With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 11:26 AM IST
Two Dalit men allegedly forced to prostrate before dominant caste members in Tamil Nadu over burial ground access

Two Dalit men were allegedly forced to prostrate before members of a dominant caste following a dispute over access to a burial ground in Perumpalli village near Perundurai in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district, police said on Saturday. The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing the men falling at the feet of the others went viral.

The dispute erupted on October 5 when members of the Scheduled Caste community brought the body of a 90-year-old man for burial, but members of the dominant community allegedly obstructed the process and threatened an economic boycott. Thingalur police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against two individuals, and an investigation is underway. The burial was subsequently completed under police protection and supervision by revenue officials.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 10:53 AM IST
Thane man held for allegedly stabbing father to death

A 70-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death by his son following a domestic dispute at their home in Dombivli town of Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 11.30 am on Friday in the Pisavli area, where an argument between the victim, Murli Saha, and his 32-year-old son Vinod allegedly turned violent. The accused was apprehended and the weapon seized. A case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 10:01 AM IST
Booker winners Kiran Desai, Damon Galgut to headline Shillong Literary Festival

Booker Prize-winning authors Kiran Desai and Damon Galgut will headline the sixth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival, scheduled to be held at Ward’s Lake from November 12 to 14, organisers said on Saturday.

Desai won the 2006 Booker Prize for The Inheritance of Loss, while her latest novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, was shortlisted for the 2025 award. Galgut won the 2021 Booker Prize for The Promise. The three-day festival will showcase Meghalaya’s Khasi, Jaintia and Garo literary traditions alongside national and international voices. As part of the pre-festival programme, an open call for emerging writers will remain open until October 20, with prizes of Rs 50,000 for the winner and Rs 25,000 for the runner-up.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 09:59 AM IST
Delhi records minimum temperature of 23.8°C, 2.8 degrees above normal; AQI ‘moderate’

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 2.8 degrees above the seasonal average, while the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 34 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather office forecast partly cloudy skies over the next few days. The city’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 130, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 09:47 AM IST
PM Modi greets people on Mahalaya, wishes peace and prosperity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted people on Mahalaya, hoping that the blessings of Maa Durga would fill society with happiness, compassion and hope.

“Shubho Mahalaya! We seek the blessings of Maa Durga. May the blessings fill our society with happiness, compassion and hope. May there be peace and prosperity all around,” Modi said in a post on X. Mahalaya marks the end of Pitri Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha, signalling the arrival of Goddess Durga and the countdown to Durga Puja.

Oct 10, 2026 09:45 AM IST
Woman shot dead in Manipur’s Kamjong, clashes between Kuki and Naga armed groups; prohibitory orders imposed

A woman was allegedly shot dead in Manipur’s Kamjong district, triggering an exchange of fire between Kuki and Naga armed groups and prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders, officials said on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 9.35 pm on Friday in Chassad village, where the woman, a mother of five, sustained gunshot wounds near her neck and died within minutes. Several houses were also torched during the violence, which continued on Saturday morning. Authorities imposed restrictions on the assembly of five or more people within a 400-metre radius of Chassad police gate junction under Section 162 of the BNSS.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 09:23 AM IST
Delhi Customs seize marijuana worth Rs 4.5 crore at IGI Airport, arrest passenger arriving from Bangkok

Delhi Customs officials seized 12.85 kg of suspected marijuana worth approximately Rs 4.5 crore from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, officials said on Saturday.

The passenger was intercepted at Terminal 3 on October 6 after officers flagged him based on profiling. A search of his silver trolley bag led to the recovery of 13 polythene pouches containing the suspected contraband. He was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway.

– With ANI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 09:00 AM IST
Section 163 of BNSS imposed in Gautam Buddha Nagar till October 20 ahead of festivals, protests

The Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissionerate on Saturday imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the district from October 10 to 20, citing upcoming festivals, examinations and the possibility of protests by farmer unions and political groups.

The order prohibits the assembly of five or more people in public places without permission, unauthorised processions and public religious gatherings without clearance. It also bans loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am, unauthorised drone flights, carrying weapons in public, celebratory firing and the sale and use of Chinese manjha. Gatherings within 200 metres of examination centres are restricted, while authorities have warned against spreading rumours or inflammatory content on social media. Violations are punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

- With ANI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 08:59 AM IST
Assam student found dead near railway track in Andhra Pradesh; police form SIT

Andhra Pradesh Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of an Assamese student whose body was found near a railway track in Srikakulam district on October 7. Forensic teams, dog squads and drones have also been deployed to examine the crime scene and search for clues.

Himsri Boro, who was pursuing a BBA in Guwahati, had arrived in Visakhapatnam with a dance group in August. She was attempting to return to Assam on October 7 after missing her scheduled train when she boarded the Vivek Express. According to the police, she later called a college friend complaining of misbehaviour by some boys, and the call got disconnected. Railway police searched the train but could not locate her. A co-passenger later claimed she had fallen from the moving train. The investigation is ongoing.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 10, 2026 08:58 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi to meet Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, interact with students in Chennai

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Saturday, the Congress said.

Gandhi will later interact with students at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event, according to a post by the Congress on X.

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