Lens Score: Underreported News in India
The Lens Score measures the gap between how important a story is and how much coverage it actually gets. A score of 80+ means a critical story that mainstream Indian media is largely ignoring.
Below are today's highest Lens Score stories — the public-interest news that deserves more attention than it's receiving. Each story is backed by analysis of 50+ Indian news sources and ranked by coverage gap, public importance, accountability impact, and power concentration.
Today's Underreported Stories
- 75Lens
Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Killing Highlights Challenges in Drug Crisis Response
Punjab faces a worsening drug crisis highlighted by the October 13 killing of anti-drug activist Harvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa district. The incident sparked public outrage and calls for action amid concerns over ineffective policing and government response. Both articles emphasize failures by the Bhagwant Mann administration to control drug trafficking and law enforcement, noting a complex network of dealers and limited success in curbing synthetic drug abuse. Political reactions and public fear underscore ongoing challenges in addressing Punjab's drug problem.
2 sources · Politics
- 74Lens
Supreme Court to Hear Opposition Plea on Voter Roll Revision Amid Protests
The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a petition by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, demanding transparency on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that has removed about 13 crore voters nationwide. Protests against the SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have continued in Delhi, with hundreds detained. Separately, a Meerut court sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death in a high-profile murder case. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans visits to Mumbai and Jamnagar, skipping Delhi.
2 sources · Politics
- 73Lens
Supreme Court Mandates Travel Insurance for All Railway Tickets from October 27, 2026
The Supreme Court of India has mandated that from October 27, 2026, all train tickets purchased at railway counters must include travel insurance coverage, matching the existing provision for online bookings. This directive aims to protect passengers, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often buy tickets offline. The court warned the Railway Board it will be held accountable for non-compliance. The order follows concerns over railway safety measures, including the delayed implementation of the Kavach anti-collision system and infrastructure improvements.
10 sources · Politics
- 73Lens
Punjab Protests Scheduled Over Alleged Police Crackdown on Delhi Demonstrators
Activists of the Anti-Fascist Front have planned protests across Punjab from October 15 to 18 against the alleged police and paramilitary crackdown on peaceful protesters in New Delhi during the Cockroach Janta Party demonstration. They accused authorities of assaulting demonstrators, including women, and demanded the dismissal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, restoration of deleted votes, and the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Protests are scheduled in multiple district headquarters throughout Punjab.
2 sources · Politics
- 72Lens
CBI Arrests MIL Executive Director and SMPP CEO in Defence Bribery Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Anil Kumar, executive director of Munitions India Limited (MIL), along with two others, including Ashish Kansal, CEO of SMPP Ltd, in a bribery case involving a Rs 500 crore ammunition contract. The accused allegedly accepted bribes and disclosed sensitive defence information related to procurement and production. Searches across multiple cities recovered over Rs 2.2 crore in cash and incriminating documents. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and security risks.
5 sources · Crime
- 71Lens
80 Newborn Deaths at Madhya Pradesh Hospital Prompt BJP MLA to Demand Probe
At least 80 newborns died over six months at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Seoni district hospital in Madhya Pradesh. Hospital officials attributed the deaths to premature births, low birth weight, and complications among critically ill infants referred from remote areas. BJP MLA Dinesh Rai Munmun called for an investigation, alleging doctors were unavailable at night. Civil Surgeon Dr Vinod Kumar Navkar highlighted the high mortality risk for premature and low-weight babies and defended the hospital's care efforts.
3 sources · Crime
- 70Lens
CBI Investigates IDFC First Bank Fraud, Arrests and Denies Bail in Related Cases
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing a large-scale fraud involving IDFC First Bank and other entities in Haryana. It arrested businessman Mohit Goyal for allegedly routing Rs 2 crore via hawala to the son of IAS officer R K Singh, who was suspended after his arrest in June. Separately, a CBI court denied bail to former IAS officer Pardeep Kumar in connection with the Rs 657-crore scam involving misappropriation of Haryana State Pollution Control Board funds through irregular bank investments.
2 sources · Crime
- 69Lens
CBI Begins Investigation into Alleged Illegal Mining in Punjab's Hoshiarpur District
Following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun probing alleged illegal mining in Hoshiarpur district's Talwara and Mukerian regions. The investigation focuses on large-scale excavation, including operations within reserved forest areas, and examines potential environmental damage and regulatory failures. The court directed the CBI to identify responsible parties and officials who may have allowed the activity. The probe follows a petition supported by photographic evidence alleging collusion by local authorities.
2 sources · Crime
- 69Lens
Police Investigate Alleged Contraband Smuggling Network in Ludhiana Jails
Four FIRs in Ludhiana's Central and Borstal Jails have revealed an alleged network involving prison staff and inmates smuggling drugs, mobile phones, and other banned items. Twenty-two individuals, including 17 inmates and five prison employees, have been named. Investigations cite inmate statements, recovered contraband, and a guard's alleged confession. At Borstal Jail, assistant superintendent Harminder Singh and warder Baljit Singh face charges for supplying contraband in exchange for money, with phones reportedly provided at night and used to share images externally, raising concerns about jail security and reputation.
2 sources · Crime
- 69Lens
ED Attaches Rs 130 Crore Assets in Tirupati Laddu Ghee Adulteration Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 129.85 crore belonging to Bhole Baba Organic Dairymilk, Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities, Sukriti Foods, their promoters, and related entities. The action relates to an investigation into the alleged supply of adulterated ghee worth Rs 234.5 crore to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for laddu prasadam preparation. The ED alleges the ghee was adulterated with palm oils and chemicals, with funds routed through hawala transactions. Chargesheets cite conspiracy, cheating, and money laundering, and arrests have been made in connection with the case.
5 sources · Crime
- 69Lens
Punjab BJP Demands CM Bhagwant Mann's Resignation Over Drug and Law Issues
Punjab BJP leaders, including State President Kewal Singh Dhillon, have criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP government over rising drug abuse, law-and-order issues, and economic challenges. They highlighted recent violent incidents, including the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota, and called for investigations and the Chief Minister's resignation. BJP leaders, supported by Union ministers like Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin, pledged to address the drug menace if elected, while also raising concerns about corruption, debt, and public service delays in Punjab.
2 sources · Politics
- 68Lens
Supreme Court Criticizes Election Commission Over Missing Karnataka Vote Count Video
The Supreme Court reprimanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) for failing to locate the 2023 vote-counting video from Karnataka's Sringeri Assembly constituency. The court questioned how the ECI could lose records of an election it conducted and warned it might draw an adverse inference if the records were not produced by the next hearing scheduled for February 15, 2027. The dispute involves Congress leader TD Rajegowda, initially declared winner, and BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj, who was declared winner after a court-ordered recount.
13 sources · Politics
- 68Lens
Ankita Bhandari's Parents Protest Dushyant Gautam's Sikkim Governor Appointment Amid Investigation
Parents of Ankita Bhandari, a receptionist murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, protested at India Gate against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor. They allege Gautam's involvement as a 'VIP' linked to the case and demand the appointment be halted until the CBI investigation concludes. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the protest, expressing solidarity. Gautam denies the allegations and has initiated defamation proceedings. Police detained protesters overnight, drawing criticism from opposition leaders.
41 sources · Politics
- 67Lens
BDL Awards Single-Tender Missile Sight Contract to Ex-CMD's Family Firm
Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) awarded a single-tender contract to Aindri Defence Advisory, a private firm founded by its former CMD Siddharth Mishra and his wife, to supply 300 optical sights for missiles. The contract, valued at Rs 56.8 crore, raised conflict of interest concerns due to the non-competitive process. Investigations revealed the company's office is rarely used, with shifting addresses and shareholding changes, while the firm cleared technical evaluations and awaits financial approval.
2 sources · Politics
- 67Lens
ED Registers Seven Heera Group Properties Auctioned for Rs 15.03 Crore to Repay Investors
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad has completed the registration of seven immovable properties of the Heera Group, auctioned for Rs 15.03 crore. The properties include six flats in Shaikpet and a house in Banjara Hills. Proceeds will be transferred to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to compensate victims of the alleged Ponzi scheme led by Nowhera Shaik, who reportedly defrauded investors of over Rs 5,978 crore with promises of high returns. The auction followed Supreme Court orders permitting the sale to maximize restitution.
2 sources · Crime
- 67Lens
Bombay HC Questions Sachin Vaze's Luxury Lifestyle Amid NIA Bail Challenge
The Bombay High Court questioned former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze's use of luxury vehicles like Mercedes and BMW and his alleged 100-day stay at Mumbai's Oberoi Hotel during a bail hearing challenged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The court noted Vaze's monthly salary of around Rs 90,000 and sought clarification on how he could afford such expenses. Vaze, accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder cases, has challenged the NIA's claims, arguing insufficient evidence for terrorism charges under UAPA.
4 sources · Crime
- 67Lens
Punjab's Gun Culture and Law Enforcement Under Scrutiny After Activist's Killing
The killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab, has highlighted concerns about the state's gun culture and law enforcement. The incident involved a dispute over alleged drug sales and resulted in Jhota's death and injuries to others. Punjab has a high number of licensed civilian firearms, regulated under the Arms Act, 1959, which requires strict licensing. Authorities plan to address law-and-order and drug-related challenges ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with discussions led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav.
2 sources · Crime
- 66Lens
Analysis Finds Muslims Disproportionately Flagged in Delhi Electoral Roll Revision
An analysis of Delhi's draft electoral rolls during the special intensive revision (SIR) process reveals that Muslims, comprising 13.6% of electors, were disproportionately flagged for 'logical discrepancies' by the Election Commission's ERONET software, accounting for 20.3% of such cases and 30% under family size-related reasons. These flags, not based on statutory officers' decisions, raise concerns about exclusionary practices. In contrast, Bihar's SIR process showed deletions of Muslim electors proportionate to their population share, indicating differing approaches across states.
2 sources · Politics
- 66Lens
Karnataka High Court Stays Investigations into Alleged Voter Deletion Cases
The Karnataka High Court has stayed investigations into alleged fraudulent deletions of voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, involving BJP booth-level agents and leader Dr. Ravi Basalingappagowda Patil. The court emphasized preserving electronic records and Form 7 applications while noting that electoral authorities have yet to decide on the objections. Petitioners argue investigations are premature and politically motivated, while authorities seek to uncover possible larger conspiracies involving false voter deletions.
2 sources · Politics
- 66Lens
Protests Demand Justice and Probe in IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode's Death
Protests erupted outside IIT Bombay demanding justice for Sahil Wakode, a second-year student who died by suicide last month amid allegations of exam malpractice. Demonstrators called for an independent probe, the resignation of the institute's director, and accountability for alleged caste discrimination. Police detained around 25-30 protesters during the demonstrations. Meanwhile, investigators have unlocked several of Wakode's devices to gather evidence, and statements from institute officials have been recorded as part of the ongoing inquiry.
4 sources · Social
How Lens Score Works
Every story gets a 0–100 Lens Score based on four factors: how few sources are covering it (coverage gap), how much it matters to the public (public-interest weight), whether powerful institutions are implicated (accountability impact), and whether it crosses political-economic-religious power lines (power concentration).
A high Lens Score doesn't mean the story is hidden — it means it's being reported by far fewer outlets than its public importance warrants. Read the full methodology.