India news LIVE updates, 29 June 2026: Fire breaks out at edible oil godown in Patna’s Didarganj area; firefighting efforts underway
India News Today's LIVE Updates, 29 June 2026: Get the latest breaking news on India's sharp rebuttal of Pakistan's "baseless" claims over the Karachi attack, the US and Iran agreeing to halt attacks ahead of crucial talks in Doha, and the recovery of bodies of a missing Kerala family of four from a river, along with top headlines, politics, business, sports, entertainment and city updates from India and around the world.
· The Indian Express · JoinA fire broke out at an edible oil godown in Patna’s Didarganj area on Monday (Jun 29). Firefighters are at the scene as efforts to douse the blaze continue. More details are awaited.
Pune court hands death sentence to 65-year-old in toddler rape-murder case
Less than two months after the brutal rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Pune district, a Special Fast Track Court has sentenced the 65-year-old accused to death, classifying the case as “rarest of the rare.” Special Judge S R Salunkhe awarded three death sentences in murder, rape, and under a provision of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
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Heavy overnight showers batter Mumbai suburbs, trigger waterlogging across city
Mumbai suburbs experienced intense rainfall late Sunday night, with some areas receiving over 100 mm in just four hours, causing significant waterlogging and traffic disruptions at chronic locations like the Andheri subway and LBS Marg in Mulund.
India Slams Pakistan Over ‘Baseless’ Karachi Attack Claims
India has hit back sharply at Pakistan over its allegations linked to the Karachi attack, dismissing the claims as “baseless” and telling Islamabad to “look inwards” instead, in a pointed exchange that has added a fresh edge to bilateral tensions.
If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in.
US And Iran Agree To Halt Attacks Ahead Of Doha Talks
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt attacks ahead of crucial talks in Doha, offering a fresh window for de-escalation after days of tanker strikes had pushed the fragile Hormuz ceasefire to the brink.
Evicted Kerala Family Goes Missing, Bodies Recovered From River
In a tragic case, an evicted Kerala family of four went missing on the day they were to move into a new home, with their bodies later recovered from a river — a case that has cast a spotlight on the pressures of poverty and homelessness.
Army To Roll Out First Integrated Battle Groups Next Month
The Indian Army is set to operationalise its first Integrated Battle Groups next month, marking a significant step in the force’s restructuring toward more agile, theatre-specific combat formations.
Delhi’s 25-Year Firefighting Plan: AI Dispatch, Drones, More Stations
A 23-page blueprint accessed by The Indian Express reveals Delhi’s plan to overhaul its firefighting capacity over the next 25 years, acknowledging that the capital’s unplanned growth has outpaced existing infrastructure, and proposing AI-based dispatch, drones, and a near-tripling of fire stations.
Illegal Fertility Racket Scarred Women’s Health In Maharashtra
An investigation reveals how an illegal fertility racket involving donated eggs has left lasting health scars on women in Maharashtra, exposing serious gaps in the regulation of fertility clinics in the state.
Live Updates
Jun 29, 2026 01:12 PM IST
Indian Coast Guard ship Atulya responds to flooding distress call in Tamil Nadu
Atulya, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship, delivered immediate assistance in response to a distress call received from the vessel, MV SITTHAA, at Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, on 26 and 27 June.
According to a post by the Indian Coast Guard on X, the ICG specialist boarding team coordinated with the salvage experts and ensured that the flooding does not cause further damage. The vessel will now proceed to Tuticorin Port for further repairs.
Jun 29, 2026 01:07 PM IST
Ayodhya lawyers announce to boycott legal aid to Ram temple donation theft accused
Bhupendra Pandey from Lucknow reports that the Ayodhya Bar Association has unanimously decided to boycott providing legal representation to any of the eight individuals arrested in the Ram temple donation embezzlement case, citing the religious offence caused by the crime. The association, led by President Kalika Prasad Mishra, has warned local advocates that anyone who defies this resolution and represents the accused will face a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the association plans to assist the prosecution in strengthening the charges against the suspects, while some members have proposed agitating for the departure of Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra from Ayodhya.
Jun 29, 2026 12:56 PM IST
Rajashthan and Haryana sign 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to implement the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement.
This agreement oversees the management of the Yamuna river water among the 5 five basin states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
(PTI)
Jun 29, 2026 12:32 PM IST
Fire erupts at edible oil godown in Patna's Didarganj area
A fire broke out at an edible oil godown in Patna's Didarganj area on Monday (Jun 29). Firefighters are at the scene as efforts to douse the blaze continue. More details are awaited.
Jun 29, 2026 12:31 PM IST
Within 60 days of brutal rape, murder of toddler in Pune, 65-year-old sentenced to death
Sushant Kulkarni from Pune reports that less than two months after the brutal rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Pune district, a Special Fast Track Court has sentenced the 65-year-old accused to death, classifying the case as "rarest of the rare." The verdict, delivered on June 29, includes three death sentences for charges of murder, rape, and violations under the POCSO Act. The conviction followed a rapid trial where the prosecution successfully reconstructed the crime using a 39-minute window of CCTV footage, DNA profiling, and other forensic evidence, proving that the act was cold, calculated, and premeditated. In its judgment, the court emphasized the inhuman nature of the crime, which had sparked significant public outrage, and affirmed that the evidence established the accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jun 29, 2026 12:17 PM IST
Iran, Oman Discuss future management of Strait of Hormuz at first joint meeting
Iran and Oman held the first meeting of their joint committee on the Strait of Hormuz in Muscat on Monday (Jun 29). Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that his talks with Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Al-Hinai included discussions on future management of the Strait and sovereign rights of the coastal states.
Jun 29, 2026 12:03 PM IST
AIADMK leader and Karur MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar resigns from Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
AIADMK leader and Karur MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after personally submitting his resignation letter to Speaker JCD Prabhakar, who accepted it. "Under Rule 21 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, M.R. Vijayabaskar, Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the Karur Assembly Constituency, has personally submitted his handwritten letter of resignation from his office to me," Prabhakar said.
Jun 29, 2026 11:56 AM IST
Sleeping family narrowly escapes as AC blast sparks fire in Noida high-rise
Drishti Jain from Delhi reports that a fire caused by an air conditioner blast broke out in a 21st-floor flat at Aranya Apartments in Noida’s Sector 119 on Monday morning. Emergency services, including six fire tenders, responded to the 8:50 am call, and firefighters successfully contained the blaze within 30 minutes. Fortunately, the resident family escaped without injury, and the fire was prevented from spreading to other parts of the building.
Jun 29, 2026 11:49 AM IST
Pakistani strikes kill 36 civilians, wound 163, says Afghan govt
Pakistani strikes killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others, according to the Afghan government, marking another escalation in cross-border hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Jun 29, 2026 11:40 AM IST
Kolkata ex-mayor Firhad Hakim's aide Shams Iqbal arrested in Rs 70-lakh extortion case
Sweety Kumari from Kolkata reports that Shams Iqbal, a former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillor and close associate of former mayor Firhad Hakim, has been arrested by the Garden Reach police in connection with a 2023 extortion case. The arrest follows a complaint by a local businessman, Md Shadab, who alleged that Iqbal and his associates systematically extorted Rs 70 lakh from him while threatening him and his family with revolvers. Iqbal faces charges of extortion, criminal intimidation, and joint criminal liability under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. This arrest arrives alongside separate allegations involving Iqbal and Hakim related to the fatal Taratala warehouse collapse in the Kolkata Port area.
Jun 29, 2026 11:23 AM IST
Karnataka CM Shivakumar warns of ban on pan masala, gutka over drug concerns
Kiran Parashar reports from Bengaluru that Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned that the state is prepared to ban all pan masala, gutka, and chewing tobacco products if reports of intoxicating substances being added to these items to induce a drug-like "high" are confirmed. Speaking at the 31st Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and a 'Drug-Free India Conclave,' Shivakumar emphasised that local enforcement alone is insufficient to curb the drug menace and sternly warned health professionals that a drug conviction under the NDPS Act would result in the permanent end of their careers. Furthermore, he confirmed that the university is set to relocate to a new campus in the Bengaluru South district, following the clearance of land that was previously under litigation.
Jun 29, 2026 11:01 AM IST
Heavy overnight showers batter Mumbai suburbs
Nayonika Bose from Mumbai reports that the city’s suburbs experienced intense rainfall late Sunday night, with some areas receiving over 100 mm in just four hours, causing significant waterlogging and traffic disruptions at chronic locations like the Andheri subway and LBS Marg in Mulund. Data from the BMC showed the eastern suburbs were hit hardest, recording up to 160 mm in Mulund, while the island city saw comparatively less rainfall. These torrential showers followed several nowcast warnings from the India Meteorological Department regarding heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds, with the Santacruz observatory recording 103 mm of rain between Sunday and Monday morning.
Jun 29, 2026 10:42 AM IST
From online critic to suspected mass poisoner: The radical turn of Faiyaz Premjee, who targeted Mumbai’s Muharram procession with toxic capsules
Zeeshan Shaikh from Mumbai reports that Faiyaz Premjee, a 39-year-old businessman from Pune, is currently under investigation by Mumbai Police for allegedly planning a mass poisoning during a Muharram procession by distributing nearly 14,000 capsules laced with zinc phosphide, a toxic rodenticide. Premjee, who traces his background to the Khoja Shia community, transitioned from a self-described reformist seeking a liberal interpretation of Islam to an outspoken ex-Muslim and atheist who built an online presence criticising Shia Islam and Iran. After facing alleged harassment for his views and spending time in Iran, Premji’s involvement in this purported attack marks a dramatic escalation from his previous role as a combative online critic, and authorities are now working to determine his motivations and whether he had any accomplices.
Jun 29, 2026 10:14 AM IST
Fire breaks out in Noida's Aranya Society, firefighting operations underway
A fire broke out at a residential flat inside the Aranya Society in Sector-119, Noida, falling under the jurisdiction of the Sector-113 police station. Six fire service tenders quickly rushed to the scene to launch firefighting operations and bring the blaze under control. According to initial official reports, no casualties have been reported as of now.
#watch | Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Fire broke out at a a flat at Aranya Society, Sector-119, within the jurisdiction of the Sector-113 police station. Six fire service tenders have arrived at the scene. Firefighting operations are underway. There have been no casualties as of now. pic.twitter.com/sKTFv8zqjm
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2026
Jun 29, 2026 09:52 AM IST
Family of four dies by suspected suicide in Kerala
Shaju Philip from Kerala reports that a couple, along with their two young children aged eight and four, died by suspected suicide after being evicted from their rented home. The deceased were identified as Narayanan, 45, a native of Elavanchery in Palakkad, his visually impaired wife Viji, 43, and their two minor children. Their bodies were recovered from the Muvattupuzha River days after they went missing on the very day local police had arranged for them to move into a new house. Kothamangalam Station House Officer K R Prasanth Kumar said that the family had approached the police after they were asked to vacate their rented house near Kothamangalam.
“We were trying to bring them back from their situation. At first, we identified a rehabilitation centre run by an NGO. But it was exclusively for women. Then, the police arranged a place on a daily rent. We promised them we would find a permanent house; until then, they were assured of every support. Policemen at the station mobilised money for their food and clothes,” he said.
Jun 29, 2026 09:31 AM IST
Twenty nine militants killed in ground operation, strikes along Afghan border, claims Pakistan
Pakistani officials said that the security forces struck militant hideouts along the Afghanistan border and killed 29 militants in a combined ground and air operation on Sunday (Jun 28).
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the operation on X, stating that the move was a direct response to a string of militant attacks inside Pakistan.
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