The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Sayem Chowdhary, also known as Babu Chowdhary, a local political leader from Malda’s Mothabari area, in connection with a case involving mob blockades, violence, and the alleged detention of judicial officers during protests linked to the pre-election Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. Chowdhary was taken into custody by an NIA team after being questioned at the agency’s Kolkata office. He had recently contested the West Bengal Assembly election as a Congress candidate from the Mothabari constituency in Malda.

According to the NIA, Chowdhary was among the key accused in the April 1, 2026 incident at the BDO Office Block-II, where judicial officers were allegedly detained by a mob. The agency claimed that he was involved in disrupting law and order and was part of a group that attacked police personnel performing official duties, leaving nine officers injured.

The probe agency alleged that Chowdhary had addressed a gathering outside the BDO office a day before the incident, allegedly encouraging people to take part in violent protests. The NIA claimed he conspired with other accused individuals and actively participated in unlawful assemblies that involved violence, threats, and obstruction during the SIR-related activities.

With this arrest, the NIA has so far detained 30 accused in the case. The agency is investigating multiple cases related to protests, violence, and the alleged illegal confinement of judicial officers during the electoral roll revision process in Malda ahead of the Assembly elections. The investigation began following directions from the Supreme Court, which had taken suo motu notice of the violence reported in Malda in April. The NIA said it is continuing efforts to identify and trace other individuals allegedly involved in the wider conspiracy behind the pre-poll unrest.

The agency arrested two more accused — Maulana Imran Ali and Rinku SK — in separate cases involving the alleged detention of judicial officers, highway blockades, attacks on police personnel, and disruption of public order during the SIR exercise. The NIA has registered 12 cases related to the Malda violence and protests and has already filed chargesheets in four of them. A total of 35 accused are currently in judicial custody, while investigations remain ongoing across all cases.

The agency said its earlier searches led to the arrest of Imran and Rinku, who were allegedly involved in violent gatherings during the protests. The NIA claimed they were part of mobs that attacked police personnel deployed for maintaining law and order, including an incident where a police bus driver suffered serious injuries after being hit by a stone during the violence.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Union Minister of State George Kurian has resigned from the Union Council of Ministers after completing his term in the Rajya Sabha, marking an important political development that could see him shift focus back to Kerala politics. The resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on the recommendation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to official sources.

Kurian’s exit comes after the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure, with reports suggesting that he was not renominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for another term in the Upper House. He had been serving as Minister of State for Minority Affairs and also held responsibilities in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

While the resignation is formally linked to the completion of his parliamentary term, political observers believe the move could signal a strategic transition towards Kerala politics. Within BJP circles, there is growing speculation that Kurian may now take on a more active organisational or electoral role in the state, where the party is working to expand its presence.

Kurian, a senior BJP leader from Kerala, has been considered an important face of the party’s outreach efforts in the state, particularly among minority communities. His experience at the national level is expected to be utilised by the party as it strengthens its state-level strategy ahead of upcoming elections.

Although there has been no official confirmation regarding his next assignment, political analysts suggest that his return to Kerala politics could play a role in reshaping the party’s leadership structure and campaign strategy in the state. His resignation marks the end of his tenure in the Union Cabinet and potentially the beginning of a renewed focus on Kerala’s political landscape.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindu.

Thousands of residents in Hyderabad are facing a worsening water shortage that has disrupted everyday life and affected industrial operations. The prolonged crisis has left many communities struggling to access basic water supplies, especially during a period of increased demand due to religious events.

Residents from areas such as Phuleli, Pretabad, Liaquat Colony, and parts of Latifabad have reported that water supplies are either unavailable for several days or provided only for short periods. Many families and organisers of Muharram gatherings have been forced to depend on private filtration plants and purchased water to meet their needs.

Public frustration with the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) is growing, with citizens accusing the authority of failing to manage the situation despite rising demand. Residents claim that while officials remain visible through online platforms and public statements, effective solutions have not reached affected neighbourhoods.

Complaints about unresolved pipeline leaks, delayed repairs, and poor maintenance have added to concerns over administrative negligence. Some residents in the Heerabad Jail Road area have also alleged illegal water connections and repeated nighttime road excavations, further increasing public anger.

The crisis has now extended beyond households, impacting Hyderabad’s industrial sector as well. Zubair Ghanghra, chairman of the Hyderabad Site Association of Trade and Industry (HSATI), warned that insufficient water availability is disrupting production and threatening thousands of jobs. Industries including textiles, food processing, packaging, edible oil, rice, and chemical manufacturing are increasingly relying on expensive private tanker services to maintain operations, highlighting the broader economic impact of the city’s ongoing water crisis.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The Maharashtra government will challenge the acquittal in the Pawanraje Nimbalkar double murder case, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Saturday. Shinde stated that he and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file an appeal against the verdict in the High Court.

Shinde said, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He has assured us that the CBI will appeal the decision in the High Court and pursue the case further. Necessary instructions have already been issued to the agency.” Expressing disappointment over the court’s ruling, Shinde described the case as a tragic and serious incident. He noted that Pawanraje Nimbalkar and two others were killed in broad daylight, and many people, including the victim’s family, had expected the accused to be convicted.

“This is an unfortunate and painful development. The family and several others believed justice would be served, but the CBI court has acquitted all the accused,” he said. A special CBI court acquitted all nine accused in the 2006 murder case of former Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver Samad Kazi, citing insufficient evidence.

Nimbalkar and Kazi were shot dead in June 2006 in Navi Mumbai’s Kalamboli area. The investigation was later handed over to the CBI, and the case remained under trial for several years. Among those acquitted was former NCP leader Padamsinh Patil, considered one of the principal accused in the case. Nine individuals had been arrested and chargesheeted in connection with the murders.

Pawanraje Nimbalkar was the father of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, one of six party MPs recently in the spotlight amid speculation that they could join the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Omraje Nimbalkar and other family members were present in court when the verdict was delivered. After reviewing the evidence and hearing final arguments, the special CBI court acquitted all nine accused, bringing a long-running legal battle to a close, though the decision is now set to be challenged in the High Court.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

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.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.