National
Kerala High Court Criticizes Organizers for Playing Revolutionary Songs at Kadakkal Temple Festival
The court reviewed a writ petition challenging the presentation of songs by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M), during the festival at Kadakkal Devi Temple, held on March 10, 2025. It instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that activities detrimental to the temple’s sanctity are not allowed during annual and other temple festivals.
A Division Bench, comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S, stated after watching video clips of the performance, “We find that the activities undertaken during the annual festival of Kadakkal Devi Temple on March 10, 2025, are unacceptable within temple premises. We wish to make it explicitly clear that such programs cannot be associated with any temple festivals,” the court emphasized.
“This is a temple festival, not a college union event. Festivals are gatherings of devotion, and the members of the temple advisory committee should be believers, not politically affiliated individuals,” the court added.
The Travancore Devaswom Board’s Standing Counsel informed the court that the Board has instructed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to conduct an investigation and report back. Furthermore, it was revealed that a show-cause notice has been issued to the Temple Advisory Committee. The court has directed the Board to submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken regarding this matter.
Additionally, the court required the Board to provide a counter affidavit outlining the funds collected from devotees for the construction of the stage and the execution of the festival. The case has been scheduled for further consideration next week.
The performance of revolutionary songs at the Kadakkal Devi temple, which falls under the jurisdiction of the state-run Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), has sparked a significant controversy, drawing criticism from several quarters.
National
MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
National
8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
National
75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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