The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre over the IndiGo flight crisis, where hundreds of flights were cancelled and fares surged up to Rs 39,000. Justice Gedela asked why airlines were allowed to overcharge and why pilots were overworked. The court noted the situation caused passenger harassment and economic loss. While the Centre listed steps taken during the crisis, the court emphasized that the focus should be on preventing such events. Authorities were asked what measures were taken to compensate passengers and ensure airline employees act responsibly. The court demanded answers on accountability and preventive action. (PC: NDTV)

Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa, where 25 people died in a fire, have moved Delhi’s Rohini Court for anticipatory bail. The brothers fled to Phuket hours after the incident. Goa Police have coordinated with CBI and Interpol and issued a Blue Corner Notice. Ajay Gupta, another owner, was brought to the Sunlight Colony Crime Branch for questioning and is expected in court. Investigations continue as authorities examine the cause of the fire. The district administration has demolished part of the nightclub as the probe progresses. (PC: HT)

Rishabh Rajput and Sonali Chouksey, a couple from Madhya Pradesh, married last month after 11 years together. Their wedding photos and videos went viral, but trolls targeted the groom’s dark skin and accused the bride of marrying for money. The couple, both working in private jobs, spoke out against the criticism. “People’s negative opinions mean nothing to me,” said Mr Rajput. Ms Chouksey added that judging someone by skin colour is wrong. They stressed their happiness and strong relationship. The couple hopes their story will challenge colourism in India and remind people not to judge by appearances. (PC: BBC)

IndiGo’s flight crisis has now entered its ninth day, with more than 4,600 flights cancelled since December 2. The government has ordered the airline to cut its operations by 10% after saying internal mismanagement caused major trouble for passengers. Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad saw long lines as travellers waited for updates. Despite IndiGo’s claim that services are improving, cancellations continue. Political leaders have also attacked the government over the crisis. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said India needs more airlines to avoid a monopoly and ensure fair access to airports and better fares. (PC: X)

Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, said he was only a “sleeping partner” and did not know about any lapses before the fire that killed 25 people. Gupta was detained in Delhi after being on the run for two days. As he was taken for a medical check-up, he said, “I was a mere sleeping partner and had no role. I was unaware of the lapses.” Police say the club had no licences and held a fire show without safety equipment. The main owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, fled to Thailand. Police will also look into Gupta’s financial links with them. (PC: India Today)

An Indian couple's wedding video went viral for the wrong reasons as trolls attacked them over skin color differences. Rishabh Rajput and Sonali Chouksey, who met in college 11 years ago and married in November, faced intense online shaming. Rajput was mocked for his darker complexion while Chouksey was called a "gold-digger" marrying for money or government job benefits. The couple hit back, with Rajput clarifying he's not a government employee and Chouksey fell in love when he had nothing. They addressed India's colorism problem, noting 70-80% of Indians have darker skin tones yet fair skin remains idealized. The couple questioned why strangers judge their 11-year relationship based on a 30-second video.(PC: BBC)

India’s largest airline — has been ordered by the government to cut its flight schedule by 10%, doubling an earlier 5% directive from the regulator. The cut affects over 2,300 daily flights (about 2,150 domestic), meaning scheduled domestic flights now drop to under 1,950 per day. The airline’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has been summoned to explain the repeated disruptions and approved cut. The rollback is a response to widespread cancellations triggered by poor crew-rostering and tough new pilot rest rules, which IndiGo struggled to implement. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)

  Goa Police have detained nightclub co-owner Ajay Gupta in New Delhi, following a Look-Out Circular, as part of the investigation into the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane that killed 25 people. Gupta is likely to be formally arrested and brought to Goa for questioning. Meanwhile the club’s main owners — Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra — remain absconding, and an INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice has been issued to trace them. So far, five senior staff from the club’s management have already been arrested. The fire, which occurred around midnight in Arpora, sparked outrage due to alleged gross violations — including lack of fire-safety equipment, blocked or insufficient exits, and unauthorized construction on salt-pan land. (PC: PTI) 

IndiGo faced another day of major disruption on Tuesday, cancelling more than 400 flights across India. Delhi and Bengaluru saw the highest cancellations. The civil aviation ministry ordered IndiGo to cut its operations by 10%, saying the airline failed to manage its schedule properly. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline is working “on a war footing” to restore normal operations and apologised to passengers. He said most refunds and baggage deliveries have already been completed. IndiGo plans to operate around 1,900 flights on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told MPs that passengers should not suffer due to operational chaos. (PC: HT)

Goa Police DIG Varsha Sharma has denied claims that police officers helped Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra flee India after the Birch by Romeo Lane fire that killed 25 people. She said the brothers escaped within five hours because they owned the place and knew what had happened. Sharma said the police began action at once but the owners had already travelled to Phuket from Delhi. She added that an LOC and a Blue Corner Notice were issued quickly. Sharma called rumours of senior officers shielding the accused “absolutely wrong” and said efforts to bring them back are ongoing. (PC: India Today)