More Today's Headlines
Cabinet Approves Fairfax's Rs 52,878 Crore Acquisition of 60.72% Stake in IDBI Bank
The Union Cabinet approved the sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank to Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings for Rs 52,878 crore, marking India's largest financial-sector foreign direct investment. The government and Life Insurance Corporation of India will retain a combined 34% stake. The transaction concludes a multi-year privatisation effort aimed at reducing state ownership and strengthening the banking sector. Regulatory approvals and a 'fit and proper' assessment by the Reserve Bank of India are pending. The deal is expected to support fiscal targets and attract private capital.
Meerut Court Sentences Muskan Rastogi and Lover to Death in Blue Drum Murder Case
A Meerut court sentenced Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla to death for the March 2025 murder of Muskan's husband, Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer. The couple was convicted after a 13-month trial involving 126 hearings and testimony from 22 witnesses. Rajput's dismembered body was found concealed inside a blue plastic drum filled with cement. The court cited the brutality and premeditation of the crime in awarding the death penalty, while the defence sought leniency citing family circumstances. The case drew national attention for its grisly details and legal significance.
Air India Frankfurt-Delhi Flight Diverted to Jaipur After Hijack Alert and Security Checks
An Air India flight AI2030 from Frankfurt to Delhi made an emergency landing at Jaipur Airport on October 14 following a brief transmission of Squawk 7500, an international code signaling hijacking or unlawful interference. The aircraft was diverted after Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control received the alert. Security agencies conducted thorough checks in an isolation bay, involving CISF, police, and bomb disposal teams. Initial reports of a bomb threat and hijacking rumour were investigated, with authorities later indicating the alert may have been sent inadvertently. All passengers and crew were safe, and the flight resumed after clearance.