India news Live Updates, 12 October 2026: Supreme Court questions Centre on capping margins beyond anti-cancer drugs

India News Today's Live Updates, 12 October 2026: Get the latest breaking news as heavy rain and thunderstorms lash Delhi-NCR.

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned why the Centre could not cap trade margins on all medicines after limiting margins on anti-cancer drugs to 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP). The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the government’s response offered little benefit to patients and flagged steep markups on medicines and medical devices. It asked the Centre to submit modalities for regulating medicine prices by October 27. The government has said the anti-cancer drug margin cap could save patients around Rs 2,500 crore annually.

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CJI turns down Congress’s meeting request; Opposition march to Supreme Court today

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request by Opposition leaders for a meeting today, citing sub-judice proceedings and constitutional separation of powers. Undeterred, Congress and INDIA bloc leaders are proceeding with their planned march to the Supreme Court today, even as six key Delhi Metro stations — including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Patel Chowk — remain closed for entry and exit till 4 pm on security grounds.

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Kerala Assembly to move resolution today seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Kerala Legislative Assembly is set to move a statutory resolution today seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over controversial electoral roll revisions. With both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Opposition Congress-led UDF backing the motion, the resolution is expected to pass with overwhelming support in the House.

MPSC paper leaks: Chairman sent on compulsory leave, Tukaram Mundhe to head probe

In a major shakeup over the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) paper leak row, the commission’s chairman has been sent on compulsory leave, while senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe has been appointed to head a high-level inquiry into the examination irregularities.

Live Updates
Oct 12, 2026 07:53 PM IST
Election Commission extends Maharashtra voter roll revision deadline

The Election Commission of India has revised the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Maharashtra. The deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended to October 26, while the period for their notice and disposal will continue until November 10. The final electoral roll will be published on November 16, according to an EC letter dated October 12.

Reports Asad Rehman

Oct 12, 2026 07:14 PM IST
SC questions Centre on capping medicine margins beyond anti-cancer drugs

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned why the Centre could not cap trade margins on all medicines after limiting margins on anti-cancer drugs to 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP). The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the government’s response offered little benefit to patients and flagged steep markups on medicines and medical devices. It asked the Centre to submit modalities for regulating medicine prices by October 27. The government has said the anti-cancer drug margin cap could save patients around Rs 2,500 crore annually.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 05:31 PM IST
Manoj Tiwari alleges ‘foreign connections’ to Congress protest

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday alleged that the Congress protest in New Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise had turned into an attack on the country with “foreign connections”. He accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy and incite riots, and criticised Rahul Gandhi for seeking support from Elon Musk. Tiwari also claimed that the protest was inconveniencing Delhi residents and that people had rejected the agitation.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 05:16 PM IST
Ladakh records 4.6 lakh tourist arrivals in first nine months of 2026

Ladakh recorded more than 4.3 lakh tourist arrivals between January and September 2026, a jump of around 65 pecent from the last year, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said on Monday .

The Union Territory received 4,20,927 domestic and 39,740 foreign tourists during the nine months.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 05:12 PM IST
Akhilesh Yadav alleges duplicate voter entries, accuses EC of acting at BJP’s behest

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the Election Commission of acting at the BJP’s behest, alleging multiple entries for the same voter in electoral rolls. He claimed one person’s name appeared 10 times in the voter list of Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh constituency, while citing other alleged duplications in Gorakhpur. Yadav questioned the need for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and said the alleged discrepancies warranted protests against the poll body and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 04:51 PM IST
Delhi Metro extends closure of six stations till 5 pm amid Congress protest

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday extended the closure of entry and exit gates at six metro stations until 5 pm for security reasons, minutes after announcing their reopening. The affected stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. The restrictions come amid a Congress protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Interchange facilities remain available at all six stations.

(PTI)

Oct 12, 2026 04:36 PM IST
Anurag Thakur targets Rahul Gandhi, accuses Opposition of undermining institutions

At a press conference, BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused Opposition leaders of creating “anarchy and instability” and undermining constitutional offices and institutions. Referring to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Thakur criticised his conduct, calling it “theatrics and tantrums”.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 03:50 PM IST
Delhi Police gets 300 social media posts taken down over alleged rumours

Delhi Police has taken down around 300 social media posts for allegedly spreading rumours or stirring public unrest amid protests in the capital, police sources said on Monday. The police are monitoring online platforms and have approached X to remove allegedly misleading content. The action follows the arrest of a 24-year-old man accused of using AI tools to create and circulate a fabricated video showing a police officer sexually harassing a woman journalist during a protest.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 03:29 PM IST
Passenger held with 13 kg hydroponic weed at IGI Airport

A passenger arriving at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur was apprehended by Customs officers after over 13.3 kg of suspected hydroponic weed was recovered from him, officials said on Monday.

Hydroponic weed is a high-potency variety of cannabis grown in nutrient-rich water instead of soil.

According to an official statement, the passenger was intercepted on October 4 based on specific intelligence.

During a search of his baggage and person, officers recovered 10 packets containing a green-coloured substance that prima facie tested positive for hydroponic weed or marijuana during preliminary testing, it said.

The contraband, weighing approximately 13.34 kg, along with its packing material, was seized under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Customs Act, 1962, the statement said.

The passenger was taken into custody and produced before a competent court, which remanded him to judicial custody, it said.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 03:11 PM IST
BJP protests outside Congress HQ, seeks expulsion of Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations

The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday protested outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, demanding the expulsion of Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations. Union Minister Annpurna Devi accused Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent on the issue. Akoijam has denied the allegations, and an FIR was registered against him on Sunday.

PTI

Oct 12, 2026 02:35 PM IST
12 injured as school bus collides with container truck in Hathras

Twelve people were injured in a head-on collision between a school bus and a container truck near Samamai village on the Aligarh-Agra highway in Hathras on Monday, police said. The accident took place around 8 am when the bus, carrying staff members of a private school in Hathras, was travelling from Aligarh. Locals rescued trapped passengers through the bus’s emergency exit. The injured were taken to the Sasni Community Health Centre. Additional Superintendent of Police Ramanand Kushwaha said the bus driver and cleaner sustained serious injuries. Centre in-charge Dr Pankaj Kumar said four of the 12 injured people were referred to Aligarh Medical College, while the others were discharged after treatment.

Oct 12, 2026 02:33 PM IST
Gujarat HC directs police recruitment board to reserve one post for transgender candidate

Aditi Raja reports that the Gujarat High court ordered the board to keep one vacancy open for a transgender candidate.

Oct 12, 2026 02:15 PM IST
Bomb threats reported at two schools in Delhi’s Rohini

Two schools in Delhi’s Rohini area received bomb threats on Monday, prompting authorities to launch search operations, an official said. The Delhi Fire Service said it received a call about threats to Venkateshwar Global School and Mount Abu Public School. “Search operation is underway. So far nothing suspicious has been found,” a Delhi Fire Service officer said. Further details are awaited.

Oct 12, 2026 02:06 PM IST
Heavy police deployment outside Constitution Club of India

Asad Rehman reports that heavy police is deployed outside the Constitution Club of India where INDIA bloc MPs will meet before going to Connaught Place in buses.

Oct 12, 2026 02:00 PM IST
INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march reaches Connaught Place

Visuals show the Opposition bloc’s march in central Delhi.

VIDEO | INDIA bloc Chalo Dilli March: Visuals from Connaught Place. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/QDLY9csAAX
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2026
Oct 12, 2026 01:18 PM IST
Barricades breached during BJP Mahila Morcha protest near Connaught Place

Police stopped BJP Mahila Morcha protesters at barricades in central Delhi on Monday, with some demonstrators attempting to climb over them. Barricades were subsequently breached during the protest, according to updates from the ground. The demonstration took place near Connaught Place, where attempts to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have faced police restrictions. BJP Mahila Morcha workers were protesting to demand the resignation of Congress MP Bimol Akoijam.

Oct 12, 2026 01:17 PM IST
BJP Mahila Morcha protests in Delhi, seeks resignation of Congress MP Bimol Akoijam

Devansh Mittal reports that BJP Mahila Morcha workers staged a demonstration on DDU Marg in Delhi on Monday, demanding the resignation of Congress MP from Manipur Bimol Akoijam, who is also a JNU professor. BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur Sharda Devi said the party had been agitating since evidence against Akoijam emerged. She called on Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to ensure his resignation. Women BJP workers arrived at the protest site from different directions. Police personnel were present and observed the demonstration from the sidelines.

Oct 12, 2026 01:14 PM IST
BJP Mahila Morcha stages protest near Connaught Place in Delhi

Devansh Mittal reports that the BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest near Connaught Place in Delhi. The protest comes amid police action against demonstrations seeking the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Oct 12, 2026 11:47 AM IST
Delhi HC gives Centre a day to respond to Youth Congress protest plea

Sohini Ghosh reports that the Delhi High Court gave the Centre a day to respond to the plea challenging the denial of protest permission. Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib, in his plea, challenged the denial of permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Oct 12, 2026 11:25 AM IST
Bangladesh Home Minister to skip first BIMSTEC meet in Delhi

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will skip the first-ever meeting of home ministers of the BIMSTEC grouping in New Delhi, with a delegation led by a senior bureaucrat set to represent Dhaka, Bangla Tribune reported. Home Affairs Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the two-day meeting, which begins on Monday with senior officials from the home and interior ministries of member states. Home ministers are scheduled to meet on Tuesday. BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It aims to promote economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood.

Oct 12, 2026 11:22 AM IST
Youth, journalists and even MPs assaulted by Delhi Police: Abhijeet Dipke

In a post on X, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said that youth, journalists and even MPs are being assaulted by the Delhi Police. What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to Modi that he is willing to wage a war against everyone just to protect him? The Cockroach Janta Party is protesting against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter deletions and discrepanices in the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

Youth are being assaulted, journalists are being assaulted even MPs are being assaulted by Delhi Police. What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to Modi that he is willing to wage war against everyone just to protect him?
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 12, 2026
Oct 12, 2026 11:00 AM IST
BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over request to meet CJI

The BJP on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his request for a meeting with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, saying the judiciary must remain above day-to-day political battles. In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Gandhi of confusing constitutional law with “political theatre”. He said the CJI’s decision to decline the meeting sent an important message that constitutional institutions cannot be dragged into political battles. Bhatia also said carrying a copy of the Constitution did not mean Gandhi understood it, urging him to respect the doctrine of separation of powers. The remarks came as Opposition parties planned to march to the Supreme Court on Monday as part of their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

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Oct 12, 2026 10:27 AM IST
Former BJP MLA Atar Singh Bhadana killed in Rajasthan

Former BJP MLA Atar Singh Bhadana was killed after he was allegedly attacked by a group of villagers in Bhonda village in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district on Sunday night, police said on Monday. The incident took place when Bhadana visited his stone crusher site. A dispute over restarting the crusher had been going on between him and local villagers for some time. Circle Officer Neeraj Bhardwaj said Bhadana and his associate Gagan Sharma were allegedly attacked with sticks and stones. Both sustained serious injuries and were taken to a hospital in Weir. Bhadana was later referred to Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, where he died during treatment. Sharma was referred to Bharatpur. Police said villagers had accused Bhadana of encroaching on grazing land and carrying out illegal mining activities.

Oct 12, 2026 10:17 AM IST
ED raids eight locations in Kolkata money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided eight locations in Kolkata on Monday morning as part of a money laundering probe, a senior official said. The searches were conducted at multiple premises, including one in Tollygunge and several along Sarat Bose Road in south Kolkata. The agency is investigating suspected financial fraud involving crores allegedly collected from the public on the promise of high returns, the official said. According to ED sources, the money was allegedly routed into real estate development and other business ventures.

Oct 12, 2026 10:07 AM IST
Indian Navy commissions third anti-submarine warfare craft Mangrol

Indian Navy's third anti-submarine shallow water craft was commissioned in Mumbai on Monday.

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Oct 12, 2026 10:01 AM IST
Heavy rain lashes Delhi-NCR, IMD issues red alert

Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed parts of Delhi-NCR early Monday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert. The downpour brought cooler conditions to the capital and caused waterlogging in several areas. Safdarjung recorded 40 mm of rainfall till 5.30 am, while Delhi airport received 30 mm, according to IMD data. The weather agency warned of thunderstorms, lightning, winds gusting up to 60 kmph and heavy rain exceeding 15 mm per hour across Delhi until 9 am.

R K Puram, Kartavya Path and parts of central, southeast and west Delhi were among the areas lashed by rain.

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