An explosion at Escientia, a pharmaceutical firm in Atchutapuram SEZ, Andhra Pradesh, killed 4 people and injured over 20 on Wednesday. The blast occurred during lunch hour, catching employees off guard. Superintendent of Police Deepika Patil confirmed the death toll and stated rescue operations are ongoing as smoke and flames still engulf the building. The explosion happened at the reactor site, but not inside the reactor itself. The injured have been taken to Anakapalli NTR Hospital and nearby private hospitals. Emergency services, including firefighters and police, are at the site. Efforts continue to rescue those trapped inside.

Protests erupted in Badlapur, Maharashtra, after two kindergarten girls were sexually assaulted at their school. Relatives of a four-year-old survivor revealed the child remains in shock and suspect the accused cleaning staff member, Akshay Shinde, may have abused other girls. Parents had previously informed a teacher of Shinde’s misconduct, but no action was taken. The school's CCTV system was reportedly non-functional for fifteen days, raising concerns about tampering with evidence. Police delayed filing an FIR, leading to public outrage and vandalism at the school, with three officers now suspended.

On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reported that one of its fighter aircraft accidentally released an “air store” near the Pokhran firing range due to a technical malfunction. This incident occurred during a routine operation. An “air store” generally refers to munitions or other equipment carried by aircraft. The IAF confirmed the incident via a social media post, assuring that no damage to life or property has been reported. The specific type of air store involved has not been disclosed. The IAF is reviewing safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

A nationwide strike organized by Dalit and Adivasi groups against the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) led to clashes in Patna, Bihar. The police used lathicharge to disperse protesters, with Deputy Superintendent Ashok Kumar Singh noting the use of “mild force” due to the unrest disrupting public travel. The Bharat Bandh, supported by 21 organizations including the Left parties, Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Bahujan Samajwadi Party, had a varied impact. Protests affected road and rail services in Odisha, while the response was mixed in Rajasthan and Jharkhand.

Former RG Kar Medical College deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali has alleged that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who resigned as the college principal after a rape and murder incident, was involved in several illegal activities. Ali claimed in an interview with India Today TV that Ghosh was engaged in selling unclaimed bodies and trafficking biomedical waste to Bangladesh. According to Ali, Ghosh was also implicated in illegal transactions involving medical supplies. These accusations come amid heightened scrutiny of RG Kar Medical College following the recent violent protests and allegations of misconduct at the institution. 

Top officers from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) arrived at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for an assessment of security arrangements. The move follows vandalism at the hospital in response to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor. Senior CISF officer K Pratap Singh indicated that the force is conducting a security review as mandated by higher authorities. This deployment comes after the Supreme Court questioned the local police's handling of the situation, where a mob damaged medical facilities during a protest demanding justice for the victim. The CISF will oversee security at the state-run hospital going forward.

The CBI may conduct a polygraph test on the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College following the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at the hospital. This comes as protests continue across India, with students at the college expressing trauma over the mob violence that took place on August 15. In response to the vandalism, the Kolkata Police suspended three officers, including two assistant police commissioners, who were involved in the incident. The mob reportedly entered the hospital, damaging the emergency department, nursing station, and medicine store. The Supreme Court has stressed the urgent need for stronger safety laws to prevent such incidents in the future. Investigations are ongoing.

A 27-year-old tribal woman was allegedly raped by six men in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, police reported. The incident occurred in a village under the Pusaur police station area when the woman was on her way to a local fair after celebrating the Rakshabandhan festival. According to the police, the accused intercepted the victim, forcibly took her to the bank of a nearby pond, and raped her. The woman filed a complaint the following day, leading to the registration of an FIR. All six suspects have been arrested, and further investigations are ongoing, according to police officials.

Dalit and Adivasi organizations have announced a nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' on August 21, demanding stronger representation and protection for marginalized communities. The call for the strike follows a recent Supreme Court verdict on Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations, which these groups believe undermines the framework established by the landmark Indira Sawhney case. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal have expressed support for the bandh. The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) opposes the Supreme Court's recent judgment, arguing it conflicts with previous rulings regarding reservation policies.

Following the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, the Karnataka government has established a task force to improve the safety of doctors. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced this decision after a meeting with medical organizations and health department officials at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The task force is charged with reviewing and recommending safety measures for doctors within a month, including legal protections. Rao underscored the government's commitment to safeguarding medical professionals, particularly women, in the state. The move aims to address growing concerns about the security of healthcare workers.