Police in Delhi have uncovered an inter-state network involved in buying and selling newborn babies for large sums of money. The operation was centered around Hira Multispeciality Hospital in Begumpur, Rohini, where traffickers allegedly kept infants until they were sold to childless couples using forged documents. The investigation began after a local resident reported suspicious activity involving a woman frequently seen with different newborns. Acting on this tip, police conducted a sting operation and arrested a woman named Jyoti, also known as Kamlesh, during a baby handover on June 5.

Following her arrest, police detained several accomplices and recovered about 300,000 rupees. Five infants under one month old were rescued. Authorities allege that the hospital’s owner, Dr. Viveki, played a key role in coordinating the sales. The network reportedly sourced babies from poor families in Rajasthan and other regions, selling girls for 300,000–400,000 rupees and boys for up to 800,000 rupees. Additional arrests were made in Gujarat, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.

Police are now working to locate the infants’ biological families and determine whether the children were sold voluntarily or abducted. Legal action is being considered against both sellers and buyers.

The BJP-led West Bengal government officially celebrated June 20, 2026, as the first ‘West Bengal Day’. The date was chosen to commemorate the 1947 decision in the Bengal Legislative Assembly that led to the partition of Bengal and the western region’s integration with India. The previous Trinamool Congress government had rejected the idea of celebrating the partition, instead designating the Bengali New Year’s Day as West Bengal Day.

According to the BJP, June 20 symbolizes the creation of West Bengal and its union with India. Party leaders and affiliated historians describe it as the day marking the homeland for Bengali Hindus, crediting Syama Prasad Mookerjee for opposing the United Bengal Plan and ensuring a separate state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the celebrations in Kolkata, which included floral tributes to Mookerjee across districts.

However, some historians, including Harvard professor Sugata Bose, criticized the observance, arguing that the partition was already determined by the Mountbatten Plan and that June 20 should be remembered as a tragic day rather than a day of pride.

The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has fractured into three separate factions just weeks after the announcement of election results in West Bengal. The party, which had ruled the state for 15 consecutive years, disintegrated within 28 days of its defeat. Most state legislators have formed a new bloc under Ritabrata Banerjee, calling themselves the 'Real Trinamool' and acting as the main opposition in the state assembly. Meanwhile, at least 20 Members of Parliament in Delhi have left to join a new party named NCPI, pledging support to the ruling NDA coalition. The original party remains under Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, now referred to as the 'Kalighat Trinamool'.

Analysts attribute the split to three main factors: the party’s lack of ideological foundation and dependence on populist politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strategic involvement in encouraging defections, and internal discontent over Abhishek Banerjee’s corporate-style leadership. The BJP reportedly sought to replace Mamata’s confrontational politics with a more cooperative opposition in the state.

The rapid disintegration marks a major turning point for the 28-year-old party, raising uncertainty about its future political relevance in West Bengal and national politics.

A woman in Korea district of Chhattisgarh, India, has accused her husband of extreme physical and mental abuse, sparking widespread outrage. According to the complaint, the husband tied her hands and feet, shaved her head, smeared her face with ink and engine oil, beat her, and forced her to drink urine in front of their children. The woman said the incident occurred on June 14 when her husband, Jitendra Ghasia, found her at a friend’s house where she had taken shelter after leaving him due to long-term domestic violence and financial hardship.

The victim stated that she had been married to Jitendra for about 15 years and had endured continuous suspicion and abuse. She alleged that her children were forced to participate in the assault, including slapping her and performing humiliating acts. A video of the incident later surfaced, showing the husband accusing her of infidelity. Police initially filed charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including domestic violence and criminal intimidation.

After the video became public, police added more serious charges. Additional Superintendent of Police Suresha Chaube said the case was being reexamined, and the accused would be presented in court for remand. The video has triggered strong condemnation and demands for justice on social media.

An Israeli soldier has reportedly left India after a war crimes complaint was filed against him. The soldier, identified as Eitan Gilboa of Israel’s 271st Combat Engineering Battalion, had been visiting India on vacation. According to a lawyer involved in the case, who spoke to Middle East Eye, Gilboa departed India a few days after the complaint was lodged by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF).

The Brussels-based HRF filed the case accusing Gilboa of involvement in crimes against humanity in Gaza. The organization alleged that he participated in killings and destruction in residential areas and shared related videos and photos on social media. HRF also claimed that Gilboa took part in multiple incidents of civilian infrastructure destruction, which they argue constitute war crimes under the 1960 Geneva Convention.

The complaint prompted HRF to request Indian authorities to arrest Gilboa, but he reportedly left the country shortly thereafter. The case has drawn attention to international accountability for alleged wartime actions in Gaza.

BJP leader and minister Dilip Ghosh has sparked controversy by telling former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to go to Bangladesh. His remarks came on Thursday morning, shortly after authorities replaced Banerjee’s long-time personal security officers following a protest march in Kalighat. Ghosh accused Banerjee of refusing to respect the constitution and government authority, questioning why she remained in India if she did not accept them.

The dispute began when Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien stated in the Rajya Sabha that Banerjee’s security team, which had served her for two decades, was replaced by three new officers. Ghosh defended the government’s right to make such changes, arguing that Banerjee herself had frequently transferred officials during her tenure as chief minister. He also criticized her recent protest activities and blamed her party for the state’s hawker problems.

Ghosh further commented on the arrests of former ministers Udayan Guha and Sushanta Ghosh, alleging corruption and misuse of power by Trinamool leaders. His statements have intensified political tensions in West Bengal.

Following the recent change of power in the West Bengal assembly elections, Kolkata has witnessed an unusual form of political protest involving rotten eggs. Demand for spoiled eggs has surged across city markets as protesters use them to target leaders of the Trinamool Congress. Vendors report that customers now jokingly ask whether eggs are for eating or throwing, and some shops have sold entire crates of rotten eggs, suggesting political motives behind the purchases.

The trend began when Trinamool’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee faced a protest in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas, where he was first hit with rotten eggs. Since then, several party leaders have been similarly targeted. Trinamool accuses the BJP government of encouraging post-election violence and claims police remain passive as leaders are attacked. Police have also arrested several Trinamool figures, who were again pelted with eggs while being taken to court.

Rotten eggs are being chosen for their strong stench, which causes lasting humiliation. Prices have varied sharply across Kolkata, with rates ranging from 3 to 10 rupees per egg depending on the area.

Three people, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bharat Singh, were burned to death after their vehicle was set on fire in Koriya district of Chhattisgarh, India. The incident occurred late Tuesday night in Naugaon village under Sonhat police station. According to the victims’ family, Bharat Singh had gone to discuss a settlement over a sand mining dispute and was attacked on his way back.

Police have arrested four suspects so far and filed cases against nine individuals on charges of murder and attempted murder. Preliminary reports indicate that Bharat Singh’s family had been awarded a sand mining contract in the area. Local residents claimed that the dispute stemmed from control over alleged illegal collections linked to sand transport and quarry operations across several nearby villages.

The conflict had reportedly been ongoing for months between supporters of Bharat Singh and the family of another BJP leader, Manoj Tripathi, highlighting deep tensions over local resource control in the region.

The Kolkata administration has decided to close the historic Red Road to all traffic from June 14 night to June 21 for preparations and security arrangements ahead of International Yoga Day. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the main event on June 21. Kolkata Police announced that several nearby roads will also face restrictions, particularly for heavy vehicles, and said alternative traffic plans have been arranged in coordination with the transport department.

The decision has triggered controversy and legal action. The All India Lawyers Association has filed a case in the Calcutta High Court challenging the legality of the order. CPM youth leader Satarup Ghosh criticized the move, alleging political bias and discrimination against the Muslim community. He argued that while Eid prayers on Red Road faced objections in the past, the same space is now being closed for a week for a yoga event.

Ghosh also accused both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP of double standards, claiming the decision limits minority religious rights and reflects selective enforcement of public space restrictions.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is offering 150 million rupees in advance to buy Members of Parliament in Maharashtra. He made the claim amid renewed speculation of a split within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction. Raut also alleged that BJP is luring MPs with private jet offers.

In a post on social media platform X, Raut described the alleged payments as tragic and disgraceful. He asserted that the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction remains united and capable of handling the situation. He dismissed speculation that rebel MPs could form a separate group, saying they lack sufficient numbers. In an interview with NDTV, Raut said Thackeray has worked hard for every MP and that BJP’s attempts to lure them with money will fail.

Raut further claimed that two of their MPs were to be flown from Nanded airport on a chartered plane. He mocked the rebels, saying they once could not afford rickshaw rides but now travel by private jets thanks to the Thackeray name.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed deep concern over allegations that Indian authorities forcibly pushed back around 5,000 ethnic Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh without any legal process. The organization claimed that these actions took place after Suvendu came to power in West Bengal, with many affected individuals reportedly holding valid Indian identification documents but still being labeled as illegal immigrants.

According to HRW’s report, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) attempted multiple pushbacks along the Bangladesh border since June 1, 2026. One incident at the Panchagarh border reportedly resulted in a 75-hour standoff, leaving several families stranded in dire conditions at the zero line. Officials have acknowledged that a post-election policy was implemented in West Bengal to identify and deport alleged illegal immigrants, leading to detentions and forced removals.

HRW further alleged that many people were removed from voter lists and denied opportunities for legal recourse. The organization urged both India and Bangladesh to halt forced deportations and pushbacks, emphasizing adherence to human rights and international law.

Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal and attend the main event on Kolkata’s Red Road. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and other political figures are also expected to join. Authorities have begun extensive preparations, including a week-long traffic ban on Red Road from June 14 to 21 due to stage construction and security arrangements.

The decision has drawn criticism from sections of the Muslim community, who questioned why Eid prayers were not allowed on Red Road while permission was granted for the Yoga Day event. Several imams and religious leaders publicly voiced objections. Responding to the controversy, BJP leader and state minister Dilip Ghosh defended the restrictions, citing security concerns during the Prime Minister’s visit. He added that the event was planned to minimize public inconvenience.

Ghosh’s remarks turned contentious when he said that those objecting to the decision should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan to offer prayers, asserting that such practices would not continue under the current government.

Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), was attacked by alleged BJP workers in Jaipur just before addressing a protest rally on Monday. Witnesses said the incident occurred around 3 p.m. when Dipke was being carried by supporters toward the venue. Attackers reportedly pulled his scarf and slapped him several times before trying to drag him down. CJP’s national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka shared photos of the attackers on social media, calling them BJP goons, while the party’s state spokesperson Abhishek Jain Bittu criticized the police and government for failing to prevent the assault.

Dipke later condemned the violence, saying he would not retaliate and that the attack was an attempt to divert attention from their main demand — the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities and student suicides. He vowed to continue the movement peacefully and warned that protests would intensify if the minister did not step down.

The CJP, formed as a satirical front amid public anger over exam controversies, has gained significant online support and backing from activists and artists.

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) has announced new and stricter rules for the visa appointment process, including changes to appointment slots, webfile uploads, and medical visa procedures. The updated guidelines, published on Monday, specify that applicants can sign up and upload webfiles between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., while appointment booking will begin at 5:00 p.m. for those who successfully upload their webfiles.

According to the directive, the uploaded webfile must be the original PDF of the visa application form and cannot be older than 30 days. Any altered, edited, or tampered files will not be accepted. For medical visas, IVAC stated that applicants must visit the specific hospital for which the visa was issued. Changing hospitals requires prior approval from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

The notice further warns that changing hospitals without FRRO approval will be considered a violation of visa regulations and may result in future travel restrictions to India.

Freelance model Samreen Ayub from Indian-administered Kashmir discovered a fake video on Instagram that used her real photos from university life to spread false claims about her morality. The clip, created with artificial intelligence, accused her of selling her body to Hindu men and labeled her brother as a pimp. Researchers describe her case as part of a growing pattern where AI tools are used to produce sexualized and defamatory content targeting Muslim women across India.

A Washington DC-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate analyzed 1,326 AI-generated images and videos from 297 public social media accounts between May 2023 and May 2025, finding that sexualized depictions of Muslim women received the most engagement. Experts say generative AI enables hate narratives to be visualized cheaply and convincingly. Mumbai’s Rati Foundation’s online safety helpline, Meri Trustline, has recorded rising incidents of such abuse, noting that even non-public figures are being harmed by synthetic sexual content.

Researchers link this phenomenon to the politicization of sexuality and communal narratives, citing earlier “Sulli Deals” and “Bulli Bai” cases. Legal experts warn that India’s current laws struggle to address AI-generated content, leaving victims like Samreen without effective recourse.