BJP leaders shared past tweets of Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu questioning how people still had black money post-note ban after I-T raids on his premises uncovered ₹353 crore cash. "Even after demonetization, my heart is saddened to see so much black money & corruption. I don't understand from where people are accumulating so much black money. If anyone can root out corruption from this country, it is only the Congress," Sahu tweeted in August 2022. The counting finally ended Sunday after the largest-ever cash seizure from one spot began at an SBI branch Wednesday, needing 3 banks and taking days as normal operations also continued. The Congress MP's premises were raided and had yielded stacks of notes in almirahs. BJP used his old criticism of corruption to attack him after his link to the massive cash haul.

Ahead of the Supreme Court's verdict on petitions challenging the scrapping of Article 370 in J&K, on Monday, leaders expressed both hope and worries. Former CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah questioned the security crackdown and preparations and feared the detention of NC and PDP members. "I hope SC recognises consequences transcending political transitions," Mufti said, underlining this is not just about Article 370 but the "future of India's identity." Abdullah said he can only "hope and pray" the verdict comes in their favour. But he alleged the government was using the judgement day to detain them. "We are waiting for the judgement, once it comes we will give our reaction to it," he added. Mufti asked people not to lose hope and emphasised unity to secure rights, and restore identity. The SC bench will rule if removing special status was valid under the Constitution.

M.K. Vishwanathan, father of murdered journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, passed away on Saturday, just two weeks after four men were sentenced to life imprisonment for his daughter's brutal 2008 killing. Vishwanathan, 82, had already suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized prior to the November 25 sentencing hearing, which he witnessed remotely. Soumya, a rising TV news reporter, was shot while driving home late from work in an apparent robbery. Police nabbed five men, four receiving life terms for the high-profile murder. Her grieving father only briefly outlived seeing his daughter's killers finally face justice.

In a swift operation, Manipur Police rescued a 22-year-old man, kidnapped from a hostel, within 24 hours. Eight individuals were arrested, and an AK-47, Ghaatak rifle, pistol, ammunition, and 13 mobile phones were recovered. The kidnappers had demanded a ₹15 lakh ransom, prompting the victim's parents to seek police intervention. Amid concerns about arms looted from security forces in Manipur, this successful rescue highlights law enforcement's efforts. Simultaneously, the CBI files charges against nine individuals in connection with the killing of a Naga woman during ethnic clashes in Keibi village.

In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police Crime Branch, in collaboration with Rajasthan Police, arrests two alleged shooters, Rohit Rathore and Nitin Fauji, along with associate Udham Singh, in Chandigarh for the murder of Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. Gogamedi was shot dead in Jaipur on December 5, prompting a cash reward of ₹5 lakh for the assailants. Another suspect, Ramveer Jat, arrested in Jaipur, allegedly orchestrated the hit. The accused will be transferred to Jaipur for further interrogation. A special investigation team is formed by Rajasthan Police to probe the case.          

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India has endured "unfair competition" for too long under the guise of globalization, asserting the need to confront inequities. In remarks at the FICCI AGM, he said India must now "call out" uneven playing fields and unfair trade practices after years of disadvantage. Jaishankar emphasized India's transformation, highlighted by its new monikers like "pharmacy of the world" and "digital pioneer." With history and measurable indices on India's side, he urged readiness to capitalize on opportunities over the next 25 years, balancing nationalism and internationalism to lay the groundwork for future greatness.

A police officer was injured when terrorists opened fire in the Bemina area of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. The injured cop, Mohammad Hafiz Chad, was transported to a hospital for treatment, police said. The area of the attack has been cordoned off as the investigation gets underway just a day after final respects were paid to Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani, who was fatally shot by militants in October. Wani was playing cricket when a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist fired three shots at close range into his eye, abdomen and neck. He is survived by his pregnant wife. Authorities continue search operations to find those responsible for the latest attack in Srinagar. [Representative Image]

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a technical correction after BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi denied signing the reply to a Parliament question on declaring Hamas a terrorist organization. Contrary to initial documentation, the MEA clarified that Union Minister V Muraleedharan provided the response in the Lok Sabha. Lekhi, expressing her denial on social media, tagged Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and the PMO, stating, "You have been misinformed as I have not signed any paper with this question and this answer, Dr. S Jaishankar, PMO India." MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi acknowledged the need for a correction, emphasizing, "This is being suitably undertaken," regarding Muraleedharan as the responding minister. The parliamentary query, raised by Congress MP Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, sought information on India's stance and any demands from the Israeli government.        

The Income Tax department intensified raids on an Odisha liquor company group linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu. The distillery firm Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd, managed by Sahu's son Ritesh, is accused of tax evasion. I-T raids across Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal since Wednesday have led to a massive haul of unaccounted cash set to reach ₹290 crores. This would be the highest ever black money seizure in a single operation. The crackdown comes a day after PM Modi pledged return of public money looted by corrupt. Officials said the distillery company is also tied to Baldeo Sahu & Group which was previously raided over financial irregularities.

The bodies of two construction workers were recovered on Friday after being trapped for nearly 4 days in a 60-foot trench in Chennai, India. The trench collapsed Sunday amid heavy rains from Cyclone Michaung, causing a bus shelter, gas station, and makeshift office to cave in. An assistant engineer and 21-year-old gas station worker were trapped inside the office. Rescuers faced difficulties reaching the men due to rising water levels. Police have arrested two construction site supervisors and are searching for two more people for charges related to negligence and culpable homicide. An investigation into construction violations is also underway.