New Delhi | 8 Sep 2026

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to inspect paying guest accommodations and private hostels across its jurisdiction within a week after the Satya Niketan building collapse killed seven people and exposed possible gaps in the capital’s building-safety system.

Court orders high-level inquiry into Satya Niketan collapse

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the MCD to investigate at its highest executive level whether the collapsed building was constructed and operated with the required permissions.

The civic body must examine compliance with building bye-laws, identify officials responsible for any regulatory failure and disclose the action proposed or taken against them. The inspection report must also record the number of students living in each PG accommodation.

“The responsibility, prima facie, in our opinion, for such mishaps do not lie solely on the owner.”

— Delhi High Court

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The court sought responses from the Delhi government, MCD, Delhi University and Delhi Police within 10 days. Delhi University was asked to disclose the number of outstation students enrolled in its affiliated colleges and the hostel capacity available to them. The case is scheduled to be heard again on 25 September.

MCD building survey comes under scrutiny

The collapse has raised questions about the effectiveness of the MCD’s annual pre-monsoon survey of dangerous buildings. Civic data reported in June showed that approximately 27.84 lakh properties had been inspected against a target of about 32.55 lakh, but only 19 buildings were classified as dangerous.

Updated figures reported by 2 July indicated that around 29.94 lakh buildings had been covered. Twenty-seven were declared unsafe, while 125 others were identified as requiring repairs.

It remains unclear whether the collapsed Satya Niketan property was inspected during the 2026 exercise and, if so, what condition was recorded. An annual visual survey is also different from a detailed structural audit, which can examine foundations, load-bearing components, internal alterations and other weaknesses that may not be visible from outside.

The Delhi High Court’s directions now require a more targeted assessment of properties operating as PGs and hostels, including their permissions, construction status, occupancy and compliance with applicable building regulations.

MCD says building exceeded permitted floors

The five-storey structure, located on a plot measuring about 55 square yards, was being used as a boys’ PG near Delhi University’s South Campus when it collapsed at about 1.30 pm on 6 September.

The MCD said the building was a ground-plus-four structure in a resettlement colony where construction was permitted only up to the ground and first floors. Investigators are examining renovation and excavation work allegedly underway in the basement, but the precise cause of the collapse has not yet been conclusively established.

Authorities rescued 12 people from the debris. Seven deaths were subsequently confirmed.

The MCD suspended five South Zone officials, including Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, as inquiries began into possible enforcement failures. The other suspended personnel included engineering officials responsible for the area.

Three family members arrested in collapse case

Delhi Police arrested Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila Gupta and their son Mahesh Gupta in connection with the collapse. Police records cited in court proceedings showed that the property was registered in Urmila Gupta’s name, while Mahesh allegedly managed its day-to-day PG operations.

A Delhi court remanded Hariram and Urmila Gupta to 14 days’ judicial custody. Mahesh Gupta was sent to police custody for two days. The allegations against them have not been adjudicated, and the criminal investigation remains underway.

The case was registered at South Campus police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct during building repair or construction, and acts endangering human life.

Delhi plans structural audits and new safety policy

Following a review chaired by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Delhi government announced plans for structural audits in student PG hubs, including Satya Niketan. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office said it was also working on a policy requiring periodic structural audits and safety certification for public-use premises such as PG accommodations, schools and nursing homes.

The government is examining whether vacant MCD and Delhi Development Authority buildings can be used for student accommodation. Officials have also been asked to prepare medium- and long-term plans to expand hostel capacity.

The MCD has issued notices for adjoining structures assessed as dangerous. Property number 13, next to the collapsed building, was evacuated and ordered to be demolished or secured under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. Further action will depend on structural inspections, the High Court-ordered audit and the findings of the criminal and administrative inquiries.

Mumbai | 7 Sep 2026

Unofficial photographs and videos from the Mumbai set of Ranveer Singh’s forthcoming film Pralay have revealed the actor in a rugged, long-haired look while filming alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan. The footage circulated widely on social media on Monday, weeks after the production formally began.

Ranveer Singh’s Pralay look surfaces online

The behind-the-scenes visuals show Singh with long hair, a light beard and weathered clothing on a dusty outdoor set featuring old vehicles and muddy roads. The production design appears to depict a city devastated by a large-scale disaster.

In one sequence, Singh is seen carrying a child on his back while walking with a group of people. Another clip reportedly shows the child stepping down after the shot was completed, indicating that the moment formed part of a filmed scene.

Priyadarshan is also visible in the circulating footage. Neither Singh nor the producers had released the material as an official first look at the time of publication, and the context of the scenes has not been disclosed.

Fans compare new appearance with Jaskirat Singh Rangi

Some social-media users compared Singh’s appearance in Pralay with Jaskirat Singh Rangi, his character from the Dhurandhar films. The resemblance prompted comments suggesting that “Jaskirat is back”, although the two productions are unrelated and Singh’s character name in Pralay has not been officially announced.

Other users described him as a possible “zombie hunter”, reflecting reports that the film includes a zombie threat. The production’s official description, however, identifies Pralay more broadly as an apocalyptic survival story combining large-scale spectacle with an emotional narrative.

Pralay marks Ranveer Singh’s production debut

Filming began in Mumbai in August. Pralay marks Singh’s debut as a film producer, alongside his lead acting role.

The project is directed by Jai Mehta, who previously helmed the streaming series Lootere and co-directed Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. Singh is producing the film with Ananya Birla’s Birla Studios, True Story Films and Maa Kasam Films.

The producers have described the film as an original story rooted in Mumbai’s landscape. Its central narrative will examine survival, courage and the instinct to protect what matters when the familiar world begins to collapse.

Kalyani Priyadarshan joins the Hindi-language project

Priyadarshan, known primarily for her work in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu cinema, plays a leading role opposite Singh. Pralay is being positioned as her major Hindi-language film debut.

The makers have not yet confirmed Singh’s character name, the complete cast or a theatrical release date. Further production schedules and an official first-look campaign are also awaited.

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on 22 September, taking the presentation outside Delhi for the first time in the awards’ 72-year history. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours, officials said on Monday.

National Film Awards ceremony shifts to Ekta Nagar

Ekta Nagar | 7 Sep 2026 The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on 22 September, taking the presentation outside New Delhi for the first time in the awards’ 72-year history. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours, officials said on Monday.

National Film Awards ceremony moves to Ekta Nagar

Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is located in Gujarat’s Narmada district and is home to the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The decision marks a significant departure from the awards’ long-established association with New Delhi. The inaugural National Film Awards ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan in 1954, and the venue has hosted most subsequent editions.

President Murmu is expected to present the awards during her scheduled visit to Gujarat. She is also due to attend the convocation of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a Brahma Kumaris programme in Padra on 23 September.

Article 370 leads 72nd National Film Awards winners

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards on 18 July. The awards recognise Indian films certified during 2024 across feature films, non-feature productions and writing on cinema.

Article 370, produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios and directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won Best Feature Film. Its lead actor Yami Gautam received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award.

Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan were jointly named Best Actor in a Leading Role. Mammootty was recognised for his performance in the Malayalam film Bramayugam, while Aaryan won for portraying Indian Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion.

Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The biographical drama also featured Hooda in the title role.

Kalki 2898 AD, Bhangaar and Ram-Nami among major winners

Kalki 2898 AD was selected as the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Other prominent films receiving honours included Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Amaran, Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.

Bhangaar won Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami received the Best Documentary award. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai won Best Direction in the non-feature category for Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek, creating a direct thematic connection with the ceremony’s new location.

The presentation ceremony will formally confer the medals, certificates and cash awards on the winners announced in July. Detailed arrangements and the final programme are expected to be released closer to the event.

Sagar | 7 Sep 2026 At least 12 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, while police have arrested 14 suspects and named about 30 people in three FIRs as investigators examine a suspected supply network extending into Uttar Pradesh.

Sagar spurious liquor investigation traces suspected Lalitpur link

The deaths followed the consumption of suspected counterfeit liquor on Saturday in villages under Banda tehsil, around 30 kilometres from Sagar city. Nauraj and Gogra were among the areas most severely affected.

Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujaniya said the preliminary investigation had identified a Lalitpur-based group previously accused of manufacturing counterfeit liquor resembling brands sold in Madhya Pradesh. Investigators believe the consignment involved in the Sagar deaths may have originated from this network.

The suspected liquor was allegedly filled in bottles carrying labels, caps and QR codes designed to resemble genuine products. Officials are investigating whether it was subsequently distributed through people associated with licensed liquor outlets, leaving customers unaware that they were buying counterfeit alcohol.

Licensed liquor contractors Siddharth Kushwaha and Yashwant Thakur have been named among the accused, according to reports citing the police complaint. Their inclusion in an FIR constitutes an allegation, and the investigation remains under way.

Three FIRs registered as police expand raids

Police registered three FIRs at two police stations after receiving complaints from the victims’ families. By Monday morning, about 30 people had been named and 14 arrested, according to the latest police information.

Police, Excise Department and revenue teams are conducting raids to locate the remaining accused and recover any suspected liquor still in circulation. Officials and village representatives have also carried out door-to-door searches in affected areas to identify residents who may have consumed the liquor or retained unopened bottles.

Seven liquor shops in the Banda-Shahgarh area were sealed as a precaution, and samples were collected for examination. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to determine the source of the liquor and identify possible regulatory failures.

Five officials suspended over alleged enforcement lapses

Three Excise Department officials and two police personnel were suspended following the tragedy. The Excise Department’s area deputy commissioner was removed from Sagar and attached to the department’s headquarters in Gwalior.

The action covered the Banda police station house officer, an outpost in-charge, Sagar Assistant Excise Commissioner Kirti Dubey, Additional District Excise Officer Dilip Kandaka and Sub-Inspector Roshani Urathi. The suspensions are administrative measures pending further examination and do not by themselves establish criminal liability.

Medical screening continues in affected villages

Dozens of residents reported symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, headache and blurred vision after allegedly consuming the liquor. Patients requiring advanced treatment were referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and other hospitals in Sagar.

District authorities urged anyone who had consumed liquor in the affected area and developed symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. Health teams were deployed in villages to screen residents and identify further cases.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate investigation and directed officials to take stringent action against those responsible.

“I have instructed the minister in charge and directed the officials to act promptly, take the strictest possible action and conduct a thorough investigation.”

— Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

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Investigators are now working to establish where the suspected liquor was manufactured, how it crossed the Madhya Pradesh–Uttar Pradesh border and whether any licensed distribution channel was misused. The accused remain entitled to due process, and criminal responsibility will be determined through the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Jaipur | 7 Sep 2026

Jaipur’s Birla Mandir came alive with devotional music during Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on Friday, as singer Veena Modani performed a series of bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna before a gathering of devotees and visitors at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple near Moti Dungri.

Veena Modani’s bhajans mark Birla Mandir Janmashtami celebrations

Modani’s devotional performances formed a prominent part of the evening celebrations, with worshippers joining in as Krishna-themed bhajans echoed through the temple complex.

The Jaipur-based singer, known for her stage performances and devotional music, presented the bhajans as devotees gathered for Janmashtami prayers and awaited the traditional celebration marking the birth of Lord Krishna.

The temple had been decorated for the festival, while a traditional tableau of Lord Lakshmi Narayan became one of the main attractions for visitors. The combination of devotional music, decorations and religious rituals created a festive atmosphere across the complex.

Nirmala Birla attends celebrations at Jaipur temple

Nirmala Birla, who is associated with several charitable and cultural institutions of the Birla family, was also present during the Janmashtami programme. She offered prayers at the temple and attended the devotional celebrations.

Devotees had begun arriving at the temple from the morning, with attendance increasing towards the evening as the principal Janmashtami observances approached. Several other guests from Jaipur were also present during the programme.

Foreign tourists experience Krishna Janmashtami in Jaipur

The celebrations also drew foreign tourists visiting Jaipur, many of whom watched the traditional tableau, temple decorations and musical performances during the festival.

Visitors were seen recording parts of the celebrations on their cameras as they experienced the religious and cultural traditions associated with Krishna Janmashtami.

Birla Mandir, also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is one of Jaipur’s prominent religious landmarks. The white-marble temple near Moti Dungri is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, or Narayan, and Goddess Lakshmi, and Janmashtami is among the major festivals observed there.

New Delhi | 07 Sep 2026

At least six people have died after a multi-storey paying guest building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area near Delhi University’s South Campus, as rescue teams continued searching the debris early Monday. Police have registered a case against the building owner and others, while the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy.

Delhi Satya Niketan Building Collapse Leaves Six Dead

The building, known locally as “Hostel Daze”, collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday in a congested neighbourhood dominated by student hostels, paying guest accommodation and eateries.

The death toll rose to six after another body was recovered during overnight rescue operations. Several people were also injured, while authorities continued clearing debris to determine whether anyone remained trapped.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Disaster Management Authority and other emergency agencies were deployed at the site.

Rescuers worked through the night in the narrow lanes surrounding the structure. Oxygen cylinders and specialist equipment were used during efforts to reach people trapped beneath the collapsed floors.

Renovation Work Under Investigation After Collapse

Delhi Police said renovation work was allegedly being carried out on the lower portion of the building before the collapse. Investigators are examining whether alterations to the structure contributed to the disaster.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, after inspecting the site, said preliminary information indicated excavation or construction activity had affected a structural pillar. The precise cause, however, has not yet been conclusively established and will form part of the official investigation.

Residents separately reported repair work in the basement and water accumulation following rainfall. The MCD initially said debris would have to be removed before it could independently determine the nature and extent of any work being undertaken inside the building.

MCD Flags Building Norm Violations

A senior MCD official said the collapsed structure stood on a plot of about 55 square yards in a resettlement colony where construction permission was limited to a ground-plus-one configuration.

The building, however, had four floors above the ground floor, according to the civic body, which said the structure was in violation of applicable building norms.

The MCD also evacuated and sealed an adjoining building after officials found it to be in a dilapidated condition. Residents, including occupants of a girls’ PG, were shifted to a nearby community hall.

Following the collapse, Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi announced immediate action against unauthorised high-rise structures in the area and said illegal constructions exceeding four floors would be sealed.

“The culprits will not be spared under any circumstances.”

— Pravesh Wahi, Delhi Mayor

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The Mayor also warned that municipal officials found responsible for allowing illegal construction could face stringent disciplinary action.

Police File Culpable Homicide Case Against Owner

Delhi Police have registered an FIR at South Campus police station against the alleged building owner and others under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to culpable homicide, negligence in construction or repair and acts endangering life and personal safety.

Police identified the owner in their initial statements as Hariram, also reported as Hari Ram Bansal in subsequent accounts, a resident of Gurugram. Multiple teams have been formed to trace those allegedly responsible for the renovation work.

The allegations against the owner and others remain subject to investigation and have not been proven in court.

Rekha Gupta Orders Magisterial Inquiry

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited both the collapse site and the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where some of the injured were being treated. Her office subsequently announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

“Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable.”

— Delhi Chief Minister’s Office

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The inquiry is expected to examine the legality of the construction, structural alterations, municipal oversight and the circumstances surrounding the renovation work underway before the collapse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while saying authorities were assisting those affected.

Student PG Safety Comes Under Fresh Scrutiny

Satya Niketan lies close to several Delhi University colleges and has a large concentration of privately operated hostels and PG accommodation catering to students from across India.

The collapse has renewed questions over unauthorised additional floors, structural safety checks and the conversion of older residential properties into commercial student accommodation.

Authorities have said rescue work and the investigation will continue, with the final casualty figure and cause of the collapse to be established after the site is fully cleared and examined.

Jaipur | 06 Sep 2026

Fifty-four women from education, law, social service, leadership and other professional fields were honoured with the Savitribai Phule Award 2026 at a ceremony in Jaipur as part of Teachers’ Day celebrations. The event was organised by KRS Global Educational Consultancy with the support of Ranka Public Charitable Trust at S.S. Jain Subodh P.G. College, Rambagh Circle.

Savitribai Phule Award 2026 Recognises Women Achievers

Former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice J.K. Ranka attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Prof. Dr Shubha Sharma, Chairperson of KRS Global Educational Consultancy, presided over the programme. Advocate Roopali Chauhan, the organisation’s General Secretary, played a key role in coordinating the event.

Organisers said the awards were intended to recognise women who have made notable contributions in education, academics, social service, law, leadership and other fields, while encouraging wider participation by women in institution-building and social development.

Among the awardees was Dr Sanjula Thanvi, who was appointed Dean (Incharge), Faculty of Law, University of Rajasthan, in August 2026. Other honourees named by the organisers included Prof. Dr Shakuntala Nathpal, Prof. Dr Radha Rani Saxena, Dr Archana Srivastava, Dr Santosh Mittal, advocate Sumiti Dave Bishnoi, Captain Swati Sharma, Dr Venu Rajpurohit and Dr Lavina.

Dr Namita Jain, Dean and Head of the School of Law at JECRC University, was also among the women recognised at the ceremony.

Educators From Several States and Cities Join Jaipur Event

The programme brought together teachers, academics and professionals from Rajasthan and other parts of the country. According to the organisers, participants travelled from cities including Meerut, Varanasi, Tonk, Noida and Delhi.

Serving and former deans, heads of departments, principals, senior teachers and education professionals from universities and colleges were among those present.

The venue, S.S. Jain Subodh P.G. College at Rambagh Circle, is an autonomous Jaipur institution affiliated with the University of Rajasthan.

KRS Global Educational Consultancy and Website Launched

The ceremony also marked the formal launch of KRS Global Educational Consultancy, Jaipur, along with the unveiling of its website.

The organisation said it aims to guide students seeking higher-education opportunities and help them identify suitable academic options in India and abroad.

The launch placed student counselling and access to higher-education opportunities alongside the event’s broader focus on recognising women working in education and related fields.

Event Highlights Savitribai Phule’s Legacy in Women’s Education

The award is named after Savitribai Phule, widely recognised as a pioneering figure in women’s education and social reform in India. Her work with Jyotirao Phule in expanding access to education for girls and marginalised communities remains an important part of India’s social reform history.

Organisers said the Jaipur ceremony was intended to carry forward that legacy by recognising contemporary women whose work has contributed to education, professional leadership and social development.

Washington | 5 Sep 2026

The Pentagon subjected about 50 senior military and civilian officials to polygraph examinations during an investigation into suspected leaks of classified information about United States weapons stockpiles, according to multiple US media reports citing officials familiar with the inquiry.

The unusually broad investigation followed reports about the rapid use of advanced American munitions during the conflict with Iran, including long-range missiles and Patriot air-defence interceptors. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the identities of those examined or disclosed whether investigators have identified a suspected source.

Pentagon leak investigation reaches senior military officials

The examinations reportedly involved members of the Joint Staff, officials associated with US Central Command and personnel from other combatant commands. The tests focused on whether any of them had provided sensitive national-security information to journalists.

Officials familiar with the investigation said no participant failed the questions specifically intended to identify the source of the media disclosures.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was not among those subjected to a polygraph, according to a senior Pentagon official cited in US reports.

Polygraph examinations are used periodically for some military and civilian personnel with access to top-secret material or special-access programmes. Officials described the number of people examined in this inquiry as highly unusual and indicative of a targeted counter-intelligence investigation.

Leaks reportedly concerned US weapons stockpiles

The inquiry followed reports that ongoing military operations had placed pressure on supplies of certain sophisticated weapons. The reported disclosures included classified assessments concerning long-range missiles, air-defence systems and other precision-guided munitions available to US forces.

The specific size and condition of American weapons inventories remain classified. Public reports describing shortages therefore cannot be independently verified, and US officials have maintained that the military retains sufficient weapons to meet operational requirements.

President Donald Trump rejected reports portraying the United States as facing a broad ammunition shortage. He said the country possessed large quantities of munitions and that defence manufacturers were expanding production.

Trump also called the disclosures “treasonous” and demanded severe punishment for whoever released the classified information. No individual has been publicly charged in connection with the reported weapons-stockpile leaks.

Pentagon says classified leaks threaten national security

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to discuss internal personnel or investigative matters but confirmed the department’s position on unauthorised disclosures.

“The Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly.”

— Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson

“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.”

— Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson

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Officials said access to the leaked stockpile information was restricted to a relatively small group. One source cited in US reporting said investigators had considered whether a person with access to the material could be acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. No evidence supporting that possibility has been publicly released.

Hegseth formed task force with Justice Department

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in July that the Pentagon and Department of Justice had established a joint task force to identify and prosecute people suspected of leaking sensitive government information.

The initiative gave the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel broad authority to seek information, records and assistance for leak investigations. Department personnel were directed to prioritise those requests and respond within two days.

“Leaked information risks lives.”

— Pete Hegseth, US Defence Secretary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation did not administer the latest polygraph examinations, according to officials familiar with the process. The US military operates its own investigative and counter-intelligence bodies.

Federal safeguards govern military polygraph use

US law permits a defence secretary to authorise counter-intelligence investigations that include polygraph examinations. Their use is nevertheless governed by legal restrictions and Pentagon procedures intended to protect the rights of personnel undergoing questioning.

Examinations may be used to address serious information discovered during a security investigation or to allow an individual to respond to allegations. Consent and other procedural safeguards are required in applicable circumstances.

A polygraph result alone is not proof that a person disclosed classified information. Investigators would require corroborating evidence before recommending criminal or administrative action against any official.

No suspected leaker publicly identified

The Pentagon has not announced any arrests, dismissals or formal disciplinary proceedings arising directly from the weapons-stockpile investigation. It has also not disclosed when the inquiry will conclude.

Investigators are expected to continue reviewing access records, communications and other evidence connected to the classified material. Any potential criminal prosecution would require coordination with the Justice Department and evidence establishing an unauthorised disclosure by an identifiable individual.

New Delhi | 5 Sep 2026

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra, three company executives and several Essel-linked entities over an alleged ₹1,322 crore fraud involving two loan facilities granted by LIC Housing Finance Limited.

The case concerns loans totalling ₹980 crore sanctioned in 2018, allegedly on the basis of disputed net-worth certificates and continuing personal guarantees executed by Chandra. Both loan accounts subsequently defaulted, according to the lender’s complaint.

The allegations remain under investigation. Registration of an FIR does not establish guilt, and no court has adjudicated the claims against Chandra or the other accused.

CBI FIR names Subhash Chandra and Essel-linked entities

The CBI registered the FIR on 31 August following a complaint from LIC Housing Finance. Chandra has reportedly been listed as the first accused.

Other individuals named in the case include Pankaj Suroliya, Amish Pandya and Rajeev Dholakia. The FIR also names Vasant Sagar Properties Private Limited, Pan India Infraprojects Private Limited, Digital Subscriber Management and Consultancy Services Private Limited, and Spirit Infrapower and Multiventures Private Limited, along with unidentified persons.

The case invokes Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, relating to criminal conspiracy, read with Sections 409 and 420, covering criminal breach of trust and cheating. Provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act have also reportedly been applied.

Two LIC Housing Finance loans totalled ₹980 crore

The first facility involved a ₹500 crore loan sanctioned to Vasant Sagar Properties, with Pan India Infraprojects as co-borrower. It was described as a home-entity loan for takeover, top-up and business expansion.

Chandra executed a continuing personal guarantee for this facility on 28 March 2018.

The second facility was a ₹480 crore loan to Digital Subscriber Management and Consultancy Services, with Spirit Infrapower and Multiventures as co-borrower. It was sanctioned under a rental-discounting arrangement and backed by a continuing guarantee executed by Chandra on 10 August 2018.

LIC Housing Finance alleged that the accused acted in concert to induce the lender to approve and disburse the facilities. The complaint further alleged that loan funds were misappropriated and assets were dealt with in a manner that obstructed recovery.

Net-worth certificates under investigation

A central element of the complaint is the difference between financial figures submitted when the loans were sanctioned and statements recorded during Chandra’s subsequent personal insolvency proceedings.

According to the FIR, a certificate issued by DIM & Co on 28 March 2018 valued Chandra’s net worth at approximately ₹59,113.21 crore as of 31 March 2017. LIC Housing Finance alleged that this certificate was among the considerations used to approve the Vasant Sagar facility.

A second certificate, issued by chartered accountants MPJ & Co on 6 July 2018, placed Chandra’s net worth at ₹40,562 crore. The lender said this document was considered while sanctioning the Digital loan facility.

During personal insolvency proceedings in 2024, Chandra reportedly declared his net worth as ₹31.79 crore and disputed having the net worth stated in the earlier certificates. He also maintained that his net worth during 2017–18 had not exceeded ₹40,000 crore.

LIC Housing Finance alleged that the earlier certificates contained inflated figures and were used to secure approval and disbursal of the loans. The CBI will now examine the documents, financial transactions, use of funds and the respective roles of the named individuals and companies.

No immediate response to fresh CBI case

There was no immediate public response from Chandra or the other accused specifically addressing the newly registered FIR.

In earlier statements concerning his personal insolvency proceedings, Chandra maintained that he had not personally borrowed ₹22,000 crore. His office said the amount reported in those proceedings largely represented guarantees provided for loans raised by corporate entities.

Chandra’s office previously placed the personal-guarantee claims raised by creditors opposing his repayment plan at approximately ₹3,992 crore. That position concerned the insolvency proceedings and was not a response to the criminal allegations now being investigated by the CBI.

NCLT stays ₹6.25 crore repayment plan

The CBI case emerged days after a five-member special bench of the National Company Law Tribunal stayed an earlier order approving Chandra’s personal insolvency repayment plan.

The plan proposed distributing ₹6.25 crore from Chandra’s personal estate among creditors whose admitted claims totalled approximately ₹22,006.57 crore. Another ₹25 lakh was earmarked for insolvency-process costs.

LIC Housing Finance had an admitted claim of approximately ₹1,322.39 crore in the personal insolvency proceedings. Under the proposed plan, it was allocated about ₹38.09 lakh.

On 1 September, the special NCLT bench stayed the approval after finding that no clear majority had emerged from the earlier judicial opinions. It also restrained Chandra from directly or indirectly selling or transferring his assets while the matter is reconsidered.

LIC Housing Finance retains recovery rights

LIC Housing Finance has clarified that Chandra’s personal insolvency proceedings do not discharge or reduce the liabilities of the principal corporate borrowers.

The lender said it continues to hold security interests over the assets mortgaged for the two facilities and retains its enforcement and recovery rights under applicable law.

The criminal investigation and the personal insolvency proceedings are separate legal processes. The CBI will investigate whether criminal offences occurred, while the insolvency forum will determine the treatment of creditors’ claims and Chandra’s liability as a personal guarantor.

New Delhi | 5 Sep 2026

Delhi Police detained social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on 4 September over the alleged assault of a teenage protester’s father during a Cockroach Janta Party demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The action came hours after CJP members and political leaders protested outside Parliament Street police station, demanding Bhardwaj’s arrest and the addition of stronger legal provisions to the case. Police subsequently invoked relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the existing FIR.

Swatantra Bhardwaj detained in Bulandshahr

Police officers said Bhardwaj was located in Bulandshahr and taken into custody before being brought to Delhi for further proceedings. Reports describing the action as a formal arrest had not been officially confirmed by the time of publication.

The case relates to an altercation during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on 23 June 2026. According to Delhi Police, the 38-year-old complainant, a resident of Ghaziabad, suffered a head injury during a scuffle.

An FIR was registered at Parliament Street police station under Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Swatantra Bhardwaj and Suraj Kumar were named during the investigation, questioned and served notices under the applicable legal procedure.

Viral podcast remarks trigger fresh controversy

The case returned to public attention after a podcast clip circulated online in which Bhardwaj purportedly claimed that he had severely injured the protester’s father and avoided jail because of political connections.

Bhardwaj later disputed the interpretation of the clip and maintained that he had acted in self-defence after allegedly being surrounded by several people.

“If I had not acted in self-defence, I could have been lynched by the mob or killed.”

— Swatantra Bhardwaj, social media influencer

He also claimed that references to political connections had been made sarcastically. The allegations concerning political intervention have not been independently established.

Delhi Police rejected claims that Bhardwaj had been protected by political figures and said the investigation had been conducted in accordance with the law.

“Any allegation of undue influence or interference in the matter is factually incorrect and baseless.”

— Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi

Police dispute skull-fracture claim

Police said the complainant was examined at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and that doctors classified his injuries as simple. They also rejected claims that his skull had been fractured.

“The misinformation regarding a crack in the skull is not supported by facts or the MLC and is completely baseless.”

— Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi

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Investigators said the head injury was caused by a metal bracelet worn by one of the alleged participants in the scuffle and not by a separate weapon. CJP representatives, however, have demanded that investigators examine whether the evidence supports adding an attempt-to-murder provision.

CJP protest leads to additional legal action

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das and co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka led the protest outside Parliament Street police station. Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, and Delhi Youth Congress president Akshay Lakra also joined the demonstration.

After several hours of discussions, police added provisions of the SC/ST Act to the assault FIR. Officers said they would examine the medical evidence and other material before deciding whether any further charges were warranted.

A separate FIR was also registered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and for criminal intimidation following a complaint by the teenage protester about alleged online rape threats and harassment. Police said the identities of those responsible for the threats would be investigated.

The minor’s identity has been withheld in accordance with legal protections governing cases registered under the POCSO Act.

Investigation and next steps

Investigators are expected to question Bhardwaj further, examine digital evidence connected to the viral recordings and determine the legal status of his detention. Police have also said that a chargesheet in the original assault case will be submitted before the competent court.

No court has ruled on the allegations, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted through due legal process.