Singer Zubeen Garg drowned accidentally, and there is no evidence of foul play, Singapore’s state coroner’s court ruled on Wednesday. State coroner Adam Nakhoda said the court had no reason to differ from the conclusions of the police, which determined that the incident was a tragic accident.. Singer Zubeen Garg. (PTI). Garg, who was in Singapore for a cultural festival and was scheduled to perform, died on September 19, 2025, during a private yacht outing. Evidence presented during the coroner’s inquiry suggested that Garg had alcohol before boarding the yacht and appeared visibly unsteady. Witnesses told the court that he initially wore a life jacket when he first entered the waters, but later removed it, citing poor fit.. The court found Garg returned to the yacht in an exhausted state and attempted a second swim. “Despite being offered a properly sized life jacket, he refused to wear it,” the court said. It added that those present tried to persuade him to use safety gear.. The Singapore Police said video evidence reviewed during the inquiry showed Garg’s swimming was laboured and unsteady. He turned back towards the yacht, possibly due to fatigue or physical discomfort, before becoming unresponsive in the water.. Other swimmers quickly moved to assist him and brought him back on board. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered, and emergency services were alerted. Garg was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.. A post-mortem examination confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Toxicology findings showed a high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, which the court said would have significantly impaired his coordination and judgment.. The coroner noted Garg’s medical history, including hypertension and epilepsy, but said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that a seizure occurred at the time of the incident.. The court addressed concerns Garg’s family had raised and said the investigation had been comprehensive and found no indication that anyone had forced or coerced him into the water or contributed to his death through deliberate action.. Garg’s death sparked outrage, protests, and demands for accountability. Separate criminal proceedings are pending in Assam against individuals connected to Garg’s Singapore trip.. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into Garg’s death. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the incident as a plain and simple murder.. A probe team travelled to Singapore in October last year following diplomatic intervention. After nearly three months of investigation, the SIT filed a 12,000-page chargesheet in December 2025. Seven people, including the Garg’s cousin and an Assam Police officer, have been arrested.. The Assam government formed a fast-track court in October to hear the case. The high court approved day-to-day hearings in the matter this month. 

 Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leader, is stable and being checked by doctors for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract, said Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the politician was admitted.. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on the occasion of the 140th foundation day of the Indian National Congress on December 28, 2025. (Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times). Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday at 10:22 pm, news agency ANI quoted Dr Ajay Swaroop, chairman of the medical facility, as saying.. “She is stable. Doctors are conducting further investigations to check for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract. A team of doctors is closely monitoring her condition, and antibiotics have been administered,” Dr Swaroop said.. Gandhi was reportedly admitted after experiencing respiratory issues at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Ajay Swaroop said that following a detailed medical examination, Sonia Gandhi’s bronchial asthma was mildly exacerbated by the combined effects of cold weather and prevailing pollution levels in Delhi, ANI reported.. As a precautionary measure, doctors decided to admit her for observation and further medical management.. Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Sonia Gandhi’s son, on Wednesday cancelled his scheduled official visit to Kerala due to his mother’s health concerns.. He was scheduled to kick off his election campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala today with a major rally in Kozhikode. Senior Congress MP and party president Mallikarjun Kharge later left for poll-bound Kerala in place of Rahul Gandhi.. The veteran leader was also admitted last year in June due to stomach-related issues. She was kept under observation at the hospital’s gastro department.. Gandhi was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla earlier the same month – on June 7 last year. 

 Coming down heavily on the police in Haryana’s Gurugram over the alleged rape of a three-year old, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked why should action not be taken against the officials, alleging “all-out” efforts were made to protect the accused.. The Supreme Court of India (PTI file). A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two female domestic helps along with their male accomplice for approximately two months in a society in Sector 54, according to PTI news agency, which cited police.. The Supreme Court was hearing the case of where it was informed that the Magistrate recorded the survivor’s statement in presence of the accused.. “It’s a glaring case where police has made all-out efforts to protect accused. Unwarranted report submitted…We doubt academic or professional qualifications or their ability to render any valuable assistance in such matters,” the Supreme Court said, rapping the Gurugram Police.. The top court directed the Haryana government to expeditiously notify the Special Investigation Team (SIT), asking Gurugram Police to hand over case records by Thursday.. On March 20, the top court had agreed to hear the plea seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the rape of the three-year-old girl in Gurugram.. The apex court on Wednesday constituted three-member SIT comprising Haryana cadre women IPS officers to probe the three-year-old’s rape case. 

 Amid disruptions in global energy supplies and fears of strict measures over shortage of fuel and gas due to the US-Iran war, oil companies on Wednesday dismissed rumours of petrol-diesel shortage saying that India has adequate reserves.. PM Modi’s Rajya Sabha speech (Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab). The February 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a war that has not just affected the Gulf region but the entire world, with key waterway Strait of Hormuz being virtually closed off.. A fifth of world’s gas and fuel requirements reportedly travel through the Strait of Hormuz that Iran’s retaliation has choked.. Amid tankers carrying gas and crude oil being stranded or delayed due to the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, questions have been growing around what steps the government would take to cater to the global crisis, so much so that some have even wondered if there could be lockdown-like measures.. Oil companies dismiss fuel shortage rumours. Addressing the growing speculation and fears, Indian oil companies Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Indian Oil Corp Ltd said on Wednesday that the rumours are unfounded.. “Rumours of petrol and diesel shortages are completely unfounded. India has ample fuel reserves, and supply chains are running normally, said BPCL.. BPCL added it is fully operational and committed to uninterrupted fuel supply.. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) made a similar statement in its communication, assuring customers that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across the country.. “Dear Customers, There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across the country. Fuel supplies remain stable, and adequate stocks are available. Customers are advised not to be misled by rumours or resort to panic buying. Please continue with normal consumption patterns. HPCL remains committed to ensuring an uninterrupted and seamless fuel supply across its network,” HPCL said.. Internet searches regarding “lockdown in India” have been rising since Tuesday, March 24, which was also the sixth anniversary of the nationwide lockdown Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in 2020 over the Covid-19 outbreak.. ‘Lockdown due to war’ searches rise. Some searches on Tuesday also were about whether there will be a lockdown again in India due to war. The government of India has maintained through multiple statements issued so far over the West Asia conflict that there is no need for panic regarding disruptions globally in gas and oil supplies, however, people have been urged to be mindful in their usage of the key natural resources.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Parliament speech, in which forecast a strong possibility of ill effects due to the ongoing war, also described the disruption to energy supplies globally due to the fighting in the oil-rich Gulf and as having “serious consequences”.. Drawing attention to the long-term risks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi note 

 Kamal Haasan, actor-politician and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), announced on Tuesday that his party will not contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election 2026.. DMK president and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin meets Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) MP Kamal Haasan (L), in Chennai on Tuesday (@mkstalin X/ANI Photo). Haasan’s MNM was expected to fight the April 23 elections under a seat-sharing plan with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).. Elections to the 234-seat Tamil Nadu assembly are scheduled to take place on April 23, while the counting of votes is slated for May 4, along with that of West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.. Why is Kamal Haasan’s party not contesting?. Kamal Haasan’s MNM, a constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, said that the number of seats DMK offered and the ‘suggestion’ that MNM nominees should contest under the chief minister MK Stalin-led party’s Rising Sun symbol are not acceptable.. Announcing the decision to not contest the polls, MNM founder Haasan said his party would still be extending unconditional support to all the candidates of the DMK-led alliance.. Haasan said the decision to abstain from poll fray was “not sacrifice but a duty” and through this he has planted the seeds of a new political civilisation. “Proudly rejecting what the chief minister lovingly offers is also a form of love,” according to PTI news agency translation of his statement. He added that he gave up the seats for the progress of Tamil Nadu, and for the formation of a Dravidian Model 2.0 government which was the need of the hour.. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin hailed the announcement as “magnanimous decision setting aside self-interest with dignity and prioritise the welfare of Tamil Nadu.”. “I don’t know how to express my gratitude to him. His decision has deeply moved me,” PTI quoted as saying Stalin, who is the president of the DMK. Extending gratitude, Stalin requested “brother Kamal Haasan” to campaign across Tamil Nadu for the April 23 polls.. ‘No full stop in politics’. Haasan, who called on the chief minister and conveyed his decision on Tuesday evening, said in the statement: “In today’s difficult political environment, the number of seats that they (DMK) have promised to give us and the suggestion that we should contest under the Rising Sun symbol are not acceptable to the members of the MNM and to me.”. Haasan said in politics, election is only a part and it is not final; there is no ‘full stop’ in politics, according to PTI.. The MNM joined the DMK-led alliance during the last parliamentary election. “We worked hard for the alliance’s success. As a result, the voice of Makkal Needhi Maiam was heard in the Rajya Sabha. From that day till today, we have maintained the alliance dharma without giving up our uniqueness,” he said.. The chief minister and other leaders in the DMK “behaved with love, respect, and friendliness” towards him during the seat-sharing negotiations for the 20