Tamil Nadu’s decision to replace the standard rupee symbol with the Tamil letter "Ru" in its state budget has sparked debate. Udaya Kumar, the designer of India’s official rupee symbol, has responded to the controversy, as the move is seen as part of Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the perceived imposition of Hindi. The DMK-led government argues the change promotes Tamil identity, while critics view it as unnecessary politicization. The controversy has intensified Tamil Nadu’s ongoing linguistic and cultural disputes with the central government. Kumar’s remarks add to the discussion on the significance of national symbols and regional representation.

In Punjab's Mohali, scientist Abhishek Swarnkar died after being assaulted by his neighbour during a parking dispute. A surveillance video captured the altercation, showing the neighbour pushing Swarnkar to the ground and thrashing him. Swarnkar, who worked at a government lab, was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Police have registered a case and arrested the accused. A relative said, “He was a peaceful man, and this was shocking.” The incident has sparked outrage over escalating violence in neighbourhood disputes. Authorities are investigating further.

Mumbai's Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust has accused former trustees of misappropriating over ₹1,500 crore and conducting black magic rituals on hospital premises. A forensic audit revealed significant financial irregularities, leading to multiple FIRs and an ongoing investigation by the Economic Offences Wing. Trustees discovered seven urns containing human hair and skulls, suggesting occult practices. The trust is urging swift action to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

In Uttar Pradesh, authorities have implemented measures to maintain communal harmony during Holi. In Aligarh, four mosques in sensitive areas have been covered with tarpaulin by the Masjid Intezamia Committee to prevent any untoward incidents. Circle Officer Abhay Pandey stated that discussions were held with religious leaders before deciding to cover the mosques. Similarly, in Bareilly, mosques along the Ram Baraat procession route have been covered with tarpaulin. Senior Superintendent of Police Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan led a police march along the proposed route, ensuring that all mosques were properly covered to prevent disturbances. In Shahjahanpur, around 40 mosques along the route of the traditional 'Laat Saab' procession are being covered with plastic sheets to prevent miscreants from throwing color on the structures and disturbing communal harmony.

Hyderabad police arrested journalists Pogadadanda Revathi and Thanvi Yadav for allegedly posting abusive content against CM Revanth Reddy. A third person, linked to the X account ‘NippuKodi,’ was also detained. The Congress’ state social media unit filed the complaint, leading to charges of organised crime, spreading rumours, and criminal conspiracy. The BRS condemned the arrests, calling them “Emergency-style rule.” BRS leader KT Rama Rao said the Congress was “intolerant of criticism.” BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed the arrests, calling them an attack on press freedom. Press bodies have demanded their immediate release.

Hyderabad police arrested two YouTube journalists for allegedly posting a derogatory video targeting Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The video, circulated on social media, reportedly contained defamatory remarks against the CM, leading to legal action. Authorities booked the journalists under relevant sections of the law, citing attempts to spread misinformation and disrupt public harmony. The arrests highlight growing concerns over digital content regulation and press freedom. While supporters argue for journalistic rights, officials stress the importance of responsible reporting. The case has sparked debates on free speech limits and media accountability in India’s evolving digital landscape.

Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital trustees have accused former members of misusing ₹1,200 crore of hospital funds and performing black magic on the premises. Complaints have been filed with police and the Enforcement Directorate. “We found urns with human remains buried under the floor,” said hospital executive director Parambir Singh. A forensic audit revealed large-scale financial fraud, with funds allegedly moved abroad by former trustees. “This is a betrayal of trust,” said trustee Prashant Mehta. Authorities are investigating multiple FIRs and legal proceedings. The hospital insists on ensuring funds are used solely for patient care.

The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has decided to withdraw several court cases filed by the previous AAP government against the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and its own departments. This decision aims to avoid confrontation with the Centre and the LG. One of the major cases being withdrawn challenges the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023. The process of withdrawing these cases has already begun, with the government prioritizing the withdrawal of politically charged petitions to save time and resources.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) discovered the gold concealed in her shoes after she lied to authorities. Rao had made several trips to Dubai in the past year, allegedly transporting gold during her travels. Authorities also found gold jewelry and large sums of money at her residence. The case raises questions about potential links between smuggling operations and law enforcement. Investigations into the network are ongoing.

A new report by IQAir reveals that 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam topping the list. Delhi remains the most polluted capital city globally. The 2024 World Air Quality Report highlights that India is the fifth most polluted country, improving slightly from third place in 2023. Despite a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations, Delhi's pollution levels remain alarmingly high. The report also shows that 35% of Indian cities have PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO's recommended limit.