The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has set aside the conviction of an elderly woman in a 1979 murder case, citing 46 years of prolonged proceedings and her age. The court ruled her sentence be treated as already undergone, closing the case due to the "heat of passion" and decades of litigation.
India welcomed the New Year 2026 with vibrant celebrations across major cities, featuring fireworks, cultural performances, and large public gatherings. Prime Minister Modi reflected on 2025 reforms, while President Murmu extended greetings wishing peace, prosperity, and renewed energy. Delhi Police urged safety, highlighting responsible celebrations as the nation stepped into 2026.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of concerns regarding the definition of the Aravali Range, which has sparked debate over mining and environmental protection. A three-judge bench will hear the matter, as environmentalists fear the current definition could weaken conservation efforts for the ancient mountain system.
National Conference has accused Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi of acting on behalf of the central government regarding reservation policy. Minister Javed Ahmad Rana urged Mehdi to pressure his Delhi contacts to expedite the file, rather than protesting the state government's actions.
Authorities in Jammu's Kathua district have suspended VPN services for two months due to security concerns, following similar actions in Rajouri and Poonch. Citing misuse for bypassing cyber restrictions and accessing prohibited content, the order aims to prevent unlawful activities and protect sensitive data. The district magistrate's directive mandates strict enforcement, with violations facing legal consequences.
Four youths, all in their late 20s and residents of Ajjavara village, were killed when their motorcycle collided head-on with a tipper near Ajjavara village. The tragic accident occurred around 9:30 pm on Thursday night as the youths were returning home after offering prayers at a church. Police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Scrapping electoral bonds has surprisingly boosted BJP's donations, with electoral trusts disbursing over Rs 3,577 crore in 2024-25. This marks a significant increase, with the party securing 83.6% of all trust contributions. While corporate donors sought anonymity, the BJP remains the primary beneficiary of this funding route.
Terrorists forced a villager to provide food in Udhampur before escaping into a forest, triggering a massive search operation. Security forces have cordoned off the forest belt and launched a coordinated combing operation. This incident follows a previous encounter where a special operations group officer was killed.
The Home Ministry has reserved 50% of constable vacancies in the Border Security Force for ex-Agniveers, a five-fold increase from the initial 10%. This move aims to incentivize youth joining the armed forces by offering them a follow-up career in central paramilitary forces. Ex-Agniveers will also be exempted from physical tests.
Security forces launched extensive cordon and search operations in Rajouri district's villages after reports of suspicious movement. Troops from Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police, and Special Operations Group conducted aggressive searches from midnight Thursday to Friday evening. A similar operation occurred in Samba district's Mansar area on December 17.
Lok Sabha passed the VB-G Ram G bill, replacing MGNREGA, amid opposition protests. Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the new law, highlighting its improvements over the previous scheme's corruption and inefficiency. He also countered criticism regarding Mahatma Gandhi's name, stating it was added later and that the new bill aims for asset creation and transparency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, during his first bilateral visit. The two nations agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, focusing on cooperation in economy, innovation, technology, defence, and health.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun.
India's clean energy journey received a significant boost as Union minister Pralhad Joshi launched a pilot project for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in the mobility sector. An MoU between NISE and Toyota Kirloskar Motor will facilitate field trials of the Toyota Mirai, aiming to assess its performance across diverse Indian conditions and pave the way for wider adoption.
NHPC is seeking an NOC from the environment ministry to use Subansiri Lower project assets for future debt financing without offering forest land as collateral. This clarification follows reports of the ministry rejecting a proposal, stating it was not tenable under the Forest Conservation Act.
Jammu and Kashmir Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) attached the property of Zahid Hussain, a Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen commander, in Doda district. Hussain, who illegally crossed to Pakistan in 2000, was involved in radicalizing and recruiting youth via social media. This action is part of a broader crackdown to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.
A Chinese national was questioned for visa violations after travelling to J&K and Ladakh without permission. Meanwhile, authorities discovered multiple foreign nationals staying in Kashmir without mandatory reporting, leading to FIRs against several hotels and houseboats for non-compliance with Form-C submission norms.
A massive forest fire erupted along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday, with dense smoke billowing up. The blaze, likely originating from across the border, is spreading rapidly due to dry conditions and has triggered multiple landmine blasts in forward areas without any reported injuries.
A 29-year-old Chinese tourist faced questioning in Budgam, Kashmir, for unauthorized travel to J&K and Ladakh, violating his visa. He claimed to have visited Zanskar and expressed interest in books about Kashmir. The man, who arrived in Delhi on November 19, flew to Leh without registering, potentially facing deportation.
"Saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Swaraj Kaushal ji, former Governor of Mizoram and a distinguished legal luminary. His contributions to public life and the legal fraternity will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Om Shanti," Kejriwal's X post read.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated his government has finalized a rationalized reservation policy, forwarding it to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval. This move comes amid concerns from general category candidates about potential quota increases. A cabinet sub-committee, formed to address the issue, submitted its report, aiming for fairness to all communities.
BSF Kashmir IG Ashok Yadav stated that "120 terrorists" on 69 launch pads across the LoC are under close watch, with Operation Sindoor ready for activation if Pakistan attempts any "misadventure." Following Indian strikes, Pakistan shifted some launch pads deeper, but they remain under surveillance. Infiltration attempts have significantly dropped this year.
Journalist Arafaz Ahmad Daing's home demolition in Jammu has ignited a political firestorm. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary is demanding an inquiry, questioning who ordered the action. Former BJP President Ravinder Raina also visited, claiming the LG's administration wasn't involved. CM Omar Abdullah accused Raj Bhavan-posted officers of selective demolitions, undermining the elected government.
Following fatal bus fires, the National Human Rights Commission has ordered chief secretaries to immediately recall buses violating safety norms. This includes removing driver partitions, installing fire detection systems, and stricter checks on bus builders. The NHRC stressed accountability for officials who approved unsafe vehicles, deeming the accident preventable.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has submitted a draft proposal to the Centre, demanding general amnesty for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other detainees following the Sept 24 violence. This amnesty is deemed crucial for smooth continuation of talks, alongside demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
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