The Delhi High Court has declined to restrain Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, from approaching the appellate tribunal to seek the release of properties attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money-laundering case. Justice Sachin Datta declined to grant interim relief to the ED on October 12, 2026. The agency had sought to prevent AJL from pursuing the release of the properties while its challenge to an earlier trial court order remains pending. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 2.

The ED moved the High Court after a special court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue complex refused to take cognisance of its prosecution complaint on December 16, 2025. The agency has challenged that decision, arguing that the proceedings should be allowed to continue. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, raised concerns that AJL could rely on the trial court’s order to seek the release of the attached assets before the High Court decided the agency’s petition.

The dispute centres on the legal validity of the ED’s money-laundering complaint and whether proceedings can continue when the alleged underlying offence originated from a private complaint rather than an FIR. The trial court had ruled against taking cognisance of the ED’s complaint, a decision the agency is now contesting.

The properties involved include assets associated with AJL and Young Indian, including Herald House in Delhi. The ED has alleged that transactions involving the two entities formed part of an unlawful arrangement concerning AJL’s assets. The allegations have been disputed by those named in the case. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are associated with Young Indian and have challenged the ED’s case. The matter remains under judicial consideration, and the allegations should not be treated as established findings of guilt.

The High Court’s refusal to grant interim relief does not amount to a final ruling on the ownership or release of the properties. The court will continue examining the ED’s challenge at the next hearing. The November 2 proceedings are expected to be significant for the future course of the case, including the legal questions surrounding the prosecution complaint and the attached assets.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Delhi Metro commuters may face travel disruptions on Monday as entry and exit facilities at six metro stations have reportedly been temporarily closed amid security arrangements for planned protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition parties. The affected stations include Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place from 6 AM to 4 PM. Interchange facilities at the affected stations are expected to remain operational, allowing passengers to switch metro lines while entry and exit from the stations remain restricted.

The closures come amid planned opposition demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and are planning a march towards the Supreme Court as part of their protest.

Security arrangements have been strengthened in parts of central Delhi in anticipation of the demonstrations. The restrictions are intended to help authorities manage crowd movement and maintain security around sensitive locations. The measures could also affect road traffic near government offices, commercial districts and major junctions.

The closure of busy stations such as Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat could require changes to travel plans, particularly for people heading to offices or appointments in central Delhi. Although interchange facilities are expected to remain available, passengers who need to enter or exit near the affected stations may have to use alternative stations or other transport options.

The reported restrictions are scheduled to end at 4 PM, although the reopening of individual stations will depend on the prevailing security situation and any further instructions from authorities. Commuters are advised to check the latest Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announcements and Delhi Traffic Police advisories before beginning their journeys. The situation remains subject to official updates, and passengers should rely on the latest announcements for confirmation of station access and any changes to the closure schedule.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

A Delhi Police team boarded an Air India flight carrying Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke shortly after it landed in the national capital on Saturday morning, detaining him amid a tense confrontation ahead of the party’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar. Dipke broadcast the incident live on Instagram, showing police personnel entering the aircraft and taking him and fellow CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka into custody.

The footage captured heated exchanges between the party leaders and police officers. Dipke questioned why the officers had not waited for the passengers to leave the aircraft before making the arrests. Addressing the women police personnel who entered the plane, he was heard saying that they could have waited until the group deboarded, adding that the protesters were not afraid of being arrested. Following the detention, the three CJP leaders were escorted from the airport by police personnel to an undisclosed location.

Dipke had travelled from Mumbai to Delhi earlier that morning to lead the party’s demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. The CJP condemned what it described as the “authoritarian detention” of Dipke, Das and Ranka immediately after their flight arrived in Delhi. The party alleged that the police action had been planned in advance to prevent its leadership from participating in the scheduled demonstration.

The CJP also accused the authorities of attempting to weaken the protest before it could reach the designated venue. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of the three leaders, arguing that their detention violated their freedom of movement. The airport incident followed reports of other detentions earlier on Saturday. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and Ratna Singh, who heads the CJP’s legal cell, were reportedly detained at their residences to prevent them from joining the protest.

Delhi Police had also detained more than 400 people suspected of participating in the demonstrations from various parts of the capital overnight. On Friday, police had refused permission for the CJP’s proposed protest, citing the failure to submit the application sufficiently in advance. The planned demonstration has been accompanied by extensive security measures across Delhi. According to the information provided, 45 metro stations were shut and dozens of train services were cancelled amid efforts to restrict protesters’ movement. More than 20,000 personnel from Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces were deployed to maintain law and order. The detentions and security restrictions have placed the proposed demonstration under intense scrutiny, with the CJP alleging that the measures were intended to prevent peaceful political mobilisation. The police’s stated reason for denying permission was the timing of the application.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati paid tribute to party founder Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary on October 9, remembering his contribution to the empowerment of marginalised communities and the fight for social equality. Mayawati recalled Kanshi Ram's efforts to unite Dalits, backward classes and other disadvantaged sections of society under a common political platform. She emphasised that his vision was centred on securing political representation, social dignity and equal rights for communities that had historically faced discrimination.

Kanshi Ram founded the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984 with the objective of building a political movement representing the interests of the Bahujan Samaj. Under his leadership, the party gradually expanded its influence, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where caste representation and social justice remain important political issues.

Mayawati, who succeeded Kanshi Ram as the BSP's principal leader, has repeatedly highlighted his role in building the organisation and establishing its ideological foundation. She has also maintained that the party must continue working towards the social and economic advancement of disadvantaged communities.

Born on March 15, 1934, Kanshi Ram dedicated his political career to mobilising communities that had historically remained underrepresented in India's political system. His movement drew inspiration from social reformers, particularly Dr B. R. Ambedkar, and stressed the importance of political participation as a means of achieving social change.

The BSP went on to become a major political force in Uttar Pradesh, with Mayawati serving as chief minister on four occasions. The party's rise marked a significant phase in the state's political history by bringing questions of caste representation and Dalit political empowerment to the forefront.

Kanshi Ram died on October 9, 2006. His death anniversary is observed by BSP leaders, party workers and supporters to remember his contribution to the Bahujan movement and reaffirm their commitment to its principles. Mayawati's tribute comes as the party continues to invoke its founder's legacy in its efforts to strengthen its political base and promote the ideals of social equality, dignity and representation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The News Mill.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has announced a broad set of initiatives covering family support, housing, technology and Singapore’s national resilience. Hairianto Diman and Justine Moss speak to SMU School of Law Associate Professor Eugene Tan about the major measures, their significance for Singaporeans and what they reveal about the Government’s priorities for the country’s next stage of growth.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.