India News Live Updates, 20 October 2026: Delhi Police transfers CJP leaders’ Jantar Mantar trespassing case to Crime Branch

Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will hold high-level bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today in Mumbai.

Delhi Police has transferred the trespassing case against Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das to the Crime Branch’s Inter State Cell for further investigation. The move came on Monday evening, shortly after a Special Executive Magistrate extended their judicial custody by two days.

Das and Ranka were arrested last week for entering the Jantar Mantar area through private premises, a day after the site was denotified as a protest venue. Police have alleged that the protesters raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, unfurled the national flag and obstructed personnel from performing their duties. Their associate Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond and a surety of Rs 5,000, with directions to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months.

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CJP founder questions continued custody of party’s co-convenors

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the continued custody of co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, drawing a contrast with the Allahabad High Court’s decision to stay the conviction and life sentence of a murder convict who wishes to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Ranka and Das were remanded to judicial custody for two more days after their sureties were rejected. Dipke also praised the two leaders for giving up successful careers to fight for social causes. Meanwhile, CJP legal head Ratna Singh criticised the proceedings before the special executive magistrate, calling them a “circus” and alleging that the law was being misused to curb dissent. The party said it would challenge the custody order before higher judicial forums, while questioning the grounds for rejecting the sureties.

UAE Foreign Minister in Mumbai for two-day visit

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Mumbai on Monday evening for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, with trade, energy and defence expected to feature in discussions. He is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, including on the situation in West Asia after recent attacks on Saudi Arabia. Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha received him at the airport. The two sides are also expected to review cooperation in investments, fintech and connectivity as part of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Live Updates
Oct 20, 2026 09:17 AM IST
Punjab Police employee shoots wife, two sons before dying by suicide in Mansa; one son dead

A Punjab Police employee opened fire on his wife and two sons before dying by suicide in Mansa district this morning, leaving one of his sons dead and his wife and other son injured. The incident took place around 7 am in Ward Number 5. The employee, Gurvinder Singh, was deployed as a gunman with the Mansa Deputy Commissioner. Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Choudhary said Singh had a family dispute. His son was declared brought dead at Mansa Civil Hospital, while his wife and other son were referred to another hospital for treatment. Police said further investigation was underway.

Oct 20, 2026 09:00 AM IST
Fire breaks out at Bihar's Siwan market during Dussehra fair

A fire broke out at a market in Bihar’s Siwan during a Dussehra fair, causing panic among people after multiple LPG cylinder blasts were reported. The administration sounded a high alert as emergency teams responded to the incident.

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Oct 20, 2026 08:57 AM IST
Rajasthan Congress stages overnight dharna over police inaction in Barala case

Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and other party leaders spent Monday night staging a dharna at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, demanding an FIR against a Delhi Police woman constable accused of assaulting NSUI leader Ritu Barala during a protest in Delhi. The leaders slept in the commissionerate’s corridor after police failed to register the case, extending their protest into Tuesday.

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Oct 20, 2026 08:51 AM IST
Bengal deploys doctors at five Durga Puja pandals after stampede deaths

The West Bengal Health Department will deploy medical teams at five major Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata from 5 pm to 6 am between October 19 and 21, after the stampede that killed 19 people in north Kolkata. Doctors from five medical colleges and hospitals will be stationed at Santosh Mitra Square, Tala Prattoy, College Square, Ekdalia Evergreen and Chetla Agrani to provide immediate medical assistance. Major hospitals have also been directed to keep emergency departments fully operational, with specialists available to perform urgent surgeries. The department has cancelled leave for doctors, health workers and administrative officials, while authorities in North 24 Parganas have been asked to remain vigilant amid large gatherings at Dakshineswar and Taki. (PTI)

Oct 20, 2026 08:30 AM IST
'Present regime must be removed,' says Sanjay Raut after Tiger Shroff attack incident

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded a change of government in Maharashtra, accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, of failing to control crime in the state. Citing recent shootings, murders, extortion and kidnappings, Raut said the government must answer for the deteriorating law and order situation instead of referring to past incidents.

"People are being murdered every day in Maharashtra. We are questioning the government about these incidents, and that is why we are demanding regime change. Instead of answering questions about the present, the Chief Minister asks us to talk about murders that took place 35, 40 or 50 years ago. He should answer for what is happening in the state today," Raut told reporters here.

His remarks came a day after two persons allegedly opened fire at actor Tiger Shroff’s residence, leaving him unharmed, while two others were injured.

Oct 20, 2026 08:03 AM IST
Mohan Bhagwat performs shastra puja at RSS Vijayadashami event in Nagpur

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat performed shastra puja, or weapon worship, at the organisation’s Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur on Tuesday. The event marks the 101st year of the RSS’s foundation, after its establishment in 1925.

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