Top news of the day: SC panel to hear pellet gun, harassment claims during NEET protests; Haryana gangsters detained in U.S.; and more

Delhi NEET protest: SC panel to hear evidence on pellet gun use, harassment claims on Oct 29, 30The Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), probing the alleged violence during the July Jantar Mantar protests, will hold a two-day sitting in New Delhi on October 29 and 30 to hear affected persons and record evidence on the alleged use of pellet guns and harassment of female protesters, officials said on Saturday (October 24, 2026).Haryana gangsters Himanshu Bhau, Neeraj Faridpuria detained in U.S.Gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, wanted in several cases of murder, extortion and high-profile shootings, have been detained by U.S. authorities in Las Vegas following a tip-off from the Haryana Special Task Force (STF). Confirming the development, Haryana STF Inspector General Simardeep Singh told The Hindu that both gangsters had been detained in Las Vegas.Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond, questions curbs on dissentAll India Students’ Association president Neha Bora will not sign a peace bond before a Special Executive Magistrate, the student leader said on Saturday (October 24, 2026), a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed the plea challenging a police notice directing Neha Bora to provide a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety.Delhi court orders trial of Yasin Malik, Engineer Rashid, five others in money laundering caseA court in New Delhi has ordered the trial of jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik, Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, alias Engineer Rashid, and five others in a money laundering case linked to alleged funding from Pakistan through hawala channels for secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.CTI urges Rahul Gandhi to defer Nov 1 INDIA bloc rally, warns of ₹10,000 crore trade lossThe Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the peak Deepavali shopping season.Odisha moves Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh over rural poll notice in Kotia areaThe Odisha Government has filed a contempt of court petition against the Andhra Pradesh Government in the Supreme Court, challenging its notification to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region in the state’s Koraput district. Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the petition was filed through the district collector of Koraput after the Andhra Pradesh Government issued a notification on October 10 to conduct Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in the Kotia cluster of villages in Odisha territory.CBI arrests proclaimed offender in fodder scam caseThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested proclaimed offender Satyendra Kumar on Friday (October 23, 2026) in connection with a fodder scam case. According to the press statement issued by the CBI, after the filing of the charge sheet in the case in 2001, the accused Satyendra Kumar absconded, and the CBI was on the lookout for him for over 25 years. As he failed to appear before the court to face trial, a permanent warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Court.J&K Cabinet reshuffle next week, list finalised: Omar AbdullahJammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday (October 24, 2026) said his council of ministers would be expanded and reshuffled in the first two to three days of next week and urged party colleagues and MLAs not to seek ministerial berths as the list has already been finalised.Israel launches major West Bank operation after soldiers killedIsrael’s military launched an operation in the occupied West Bank on Friday (October 23, 2026) it said would last several days and include searches and building demolitions, after gunmen killed two soldiers days ahead of Israeli elections in which security has been a key focus.France to deploy 70,000 police for fresh weekend protestsFrance will deploy about 70,000 police nationwide as it braces for new protests on Saturday (October 24, 2026) after some of the worst urban violence in years erupted on the sidelines of demonstrations a week ago. Protests by high school students over learning conditions sparked a movement that has since spread nationwide, fuelled by broader anger over the rising cost of living.Trump lifts some Canada tariffs ahead of midtermsU.S. President Donald Trump’s administration lifted some tariffs on Canadian imports on Friday (October 23, 2026), two weeks ahead of midterm elections, after a vulnerable Republican candidate said she’d lobbied for the change. The easing of tariffs will apply to products including “plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment,” the White House said in a statement.England’s Bodhana Sivanandan becomes International Master at age of 11, breaks 38-year-old recordIndian-origin English chess player Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest female International Master (IM) at the age of 11, breaking a 38-year-old record set by Judit Polgar. Sivanandan, who hails from Harrow in north London, needed only a few rating points to qualify for the open IM title and break Polgar’s record, while also securing a place among the 10 youngest IMs of all time.