CCTV footage reveals that the man accused of attacking Delhi CM Rekha Gupta conducted reconnaissance of her Shalimar Bagh residence on August 19—one day before the assault during her Jan Sunwai public hearing—capturing video during the surveillance . Identified as 41-year-old Rajesh Khimjibhai Sakriya from Rajkot, Gujarat, the attacker reportedly approached the CM under the guise of submitting papers before forcibly grabbing her hand, pulling her hair, and slapping her, until security intervened . He has been detained, and an FIR for attempted murder has been filed as police launch a thorough investigation into the premeditated breach of protocol.

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fears his new film The Bengal Files. He said the Trinamool Congress cancelled the trailer launch in Kolkata by using police power. Agnihotri called it an attack on free expression. The film covers Bengal’s violent past, including Direct Action Day, the Noakhali riots and the partition. He alleged the state government does not want these events shown. The movie features Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi. The Bengal Files will release nationwide on September 5. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Kolkata Metro corridors ahead of Durga Puja, promising faster and budget-friendly commutes. The East–West (Green) Line now links Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector V—India’s first underwater metro stretch—cutting Howrah–Sealdah travel to 12 minutes at fares ranging from ₹5 (for the first 2 km) to ₹70 end-to-end . The Yellow Line connects the airport to Noapara (₹20), Esplanade (₹40), Kavi Subhash (₹45), and Howrah (₹50) . The Orange Line extension from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing) to Beleghata features integrated fares—₹50 to Howrah Maidan and ₹65 from Airport to Ruby. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)

The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill on Wednesday. The law aims to stop online games played with money. It seeks to reduce addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud. The bill also bans advertisements for such games. Banks and financial institutions will not be allowed to transfer or process money for these games. The government said the move is to protect citizens from financial loss and addiction. Lawmakers approved the draft after discussions. The bill now moves forward for further steps to become a full law. (PC: HT)

A 15-year-old Class 10 student was stabbed to death by a Class 9 boy at a private school in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The victim, from the Sindhi community, died after being taken to hospital. The accused, from the Muslim community, has been taken into custody under juvenile laws. The incident sparked anger, with parents, Hindu groups, and ABVP activists protesting and vandalising the school. Some staff were also attacked. Heavy police deployment was made after clashes with protesters. Complaints were filed against the school principal and management, demanding accountability. Police said investigations are ongoing, and order is being restored. (PC: India Today)

Amid relentless heavy rain and extremely low visibility at Mumbai airport, an Air India pilot delivered a remarkably smooth and controlled landing, as captured in a video by a passenger. The footage—now viral—shows the aircraft gliding steadily through turbulence and touching down with minimal bump, earning widespread admiration for the pilot’s exceptional skill and composure . While social media comments varied on Air India’s broader performance, praise poured in for the pilot’s professionalism. This incident is being celebrated as a powerful reminder of the critical role of pilots' expertise during extreme weather conditions.  

The INDIA bloc has nominated former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy (Telangana) as their candidate for Vice President, positioning the contest as a defense of constitutional values . In response, the ruling NDA has fielded C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra from Tamil Nadu . Though the NDA holds numerical dominance in Parliament, the INDIA bloc emphasizes the symbolic power of Reddy’s legal stature and integrity . Political pressure mounts on regional allies like TDP as the contest unfolds. (PC: X)

The Centre will introduce three constitutional amendment bills in the Monsoon session to mandate removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and State/UT Ministers if arrested on serious criminal charges. Under the proposal, any official in custody for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with five years or more will be required to step down or face automatic removal on the 31st day. The bills seek amendments to Articles 75, 164, 239AA, Section 54 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, and Section 45 of the UT Act, aiming to strengthen accountability in governance. (PC: NDTV)  

On August 19, 2025, a Mumbai monorail train became stranded mid-journey between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park in pouring rain. With power and air conditioning gone, over 580 commuters, including senior citizens and children, resorted to using phone flashlights and napkins to fan themselves amid rising heat and suffocation. Rescuers deployed snorkel lifts and broke window panes to evacuate them in a 3½-hour operation. Simultaneously, a second overcrowded monorail also stalled, bringing the total number rescued to approximately 782—spotlighting urgent concerns over transit safety and crowd control during extreme weather.   

The central government will introduce three key bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, August 20. These bills aim to create a legal framework for removing the prime minister, union ministers, chief ministers, and state ministers if arrested on serious criminal charges. The proposals say leaders held in custody for 30 days for offences carrying at least five years’ jail must resign or face automatic removal. Union home minister Amit Shah will move to send the bills to a joint parliamentary committee. The Opposition is set to oppose, as the bills require no court conviction for removal. (PC: HT File)