AGP Executive Report

India-US Ties: Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a three-day India visit, with talks on trade, energy and defence as both sides say a trade deal is close. His Jamnagar stop puts energy ties in focus amid debate over India’s Russian oil imports. Trade: The India–New Zealand free-trade pact took effect Tuesday, giving Indian exports duty-free access and gradually lowering tariffs on New Zealand goods. Delhi Protests: Police transferred the trespassing case against Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch after their judicial custody was extended; their protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Mumbai Law and Order: Three suspects were arrested over the shooting at actor Tiger Shroff’s car. Opposition leaders are pressing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, over public safety. Delhi Infrastructure: The government plans ₹8,941 crore in sewage and water projects aimed at curbing Yamuna pollution, including upgrades to treatment plants and a major sewer network. Nuclear Policy: At the UN, India called for verifiable nuclear disarmament and said decisions on using nuclear weapons must remain under human control.

Voter-Roll Row: Delhi audits found more than 100 voters wrongly marked absent, shifted or dead in two booths. The High Court backed use of Form 6 to restore names, while leaving broader challenges to the SIR process open. Protest Crackdown: AISA leader Neha Bora has challenged a police notice requiring her to sign a peace bond; two youth movement leaders remain in custody as protests over the Election Commission continue. Security Concerns: Fresh killings in Manipur sparked protests outside the Chief Minister’s residence, raising fears of renewed ethnic violence. In Maharashtra, opposition leaders questioned the government’s law-and-order record after gunmen targeted actor Tiger Shroff’s car. Delhi Projects: Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch or inaugurate 43 water and sewage projects worth ₹8,941 crore. The Delhi Cabinet has also approved a ₹50-crore foundation to support startups. Trade & Diplomacy: India’s New Zealand trade pact takes effect October 20, giving Indian exports zero-duty access. Polish PM Donald Tusk visits this week for talks with Narendra Modi, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a US-India trade deal is close.

Mumbai Security: Gunmen opened fire on Tiger Shroff’s car in Juhu, injuring his driver and another person. Police have formed 15 teams to track the attackers; Deputy CM Eknath Shinde vowed strict action, while an online claim by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is under investigation. Voter-Roll Row: Delhi public audits found more than 100 voters wrongly marked absent, shifted or dead in two booths. The Election Commission says 78.5% of discrepancy cases are resolved and voters can use Form 6 to restore names; the Delhi High Court upheld the revision process as protests continue. Kolkata Tragedy: At least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a Durga Puja crowd crush after rain sent people rushing for shelter. West Bengal has ordered an investigation and police are questioning event staff and organisers. Diplomacy: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Tajikistan for an SCO meeting focused on trade, investment and connectivity. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also due in India for trade and energy talks, as Washington pauses Russia-related sanctions for 60 days, citing the impact on energy markets and India’s role as an important ally.

Electoral Roll Row: Protests over the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision are widening, with opposition parties accusing it of risking eligible voters’ rights. Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer says 78.5% of 3.3 million discrepancy cases are resolved; the EC told the High Court voters can use Form 6 to restore names. Police have detained protesters, while Congress has approval for a November 1 rally. Public Safety: At least 19 people died in a stampede at a religious gathering in Kolkata; police detained event organisers as authorities investigated. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a swift probe after gunmen fired at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai; Shroff was unharmed, while two people were injured. US Trade: President Donald Trump has waived the threatened 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil for now, offering India temporary relief. A US-India trade deal remains stalled amid tariff uncertainty and disagreements over market access, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to visit. SCO Diplomacy: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh heads to Tajikistan on October 19–20 for an SCO meeting focused on trade, investment and regional cooperation.

Kolkata Tragedy: At least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata. Police detained organisers and security staff as authorities investigate crowd-control failures. Delhi Voter Roll Row: Protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation continued; a court granted conditional bail to youth activist Abhijeet Dipke. Delhi election officials are also arranging home visits to check eligible voters left off draft rolls, with registration open until October 31. India-US Ties: President Donald Trump has paused Russia-related sanctions that could have triggered steep tariffs on India, giving his administration 60 days to assess the impact. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called India an important ally ahead of his visit. Legal Challenge: Actor Imran Khan has asked the Bombay High Court to block a notice ordering him to leave India by October 28, arguing it violates due process and his rights as an Overseas Citizen of India. Co-op Governance: The Bombay High Court refused interim relief to Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, backing enforcement of a 10-year cap on cooperative-bank directors.

Voter-List Dispute: Delhi election officials say nearly 80% of 33.12 lakh flagged cases have been resolved, while re-verification continues for about 47 lakh voters omitted from the draft rolls. The Delhi High Court said excluded voters can apply afresh using Form 6. Protest Crackdown: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke was released on conditional bail after detention over a planned march; student activist Neha Bora was also released. Congress has police approval for a November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Rahul Gandhi accused Delhi Police of assaulting and sexually harassing women protesters; these are allegations. Political and Legal Fallout: Actor Imran Khan has asked the Bombay High Court to quash a notice ordering him to leave India by October 28, arguing it followed his presence at a protest and was issued without due process. Case Scrutiny: The CBI questioned former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, days after her parents protested in Delhi.

Delhi Protests: Police have filed FIRs over Friday’s Connaught Place demonstrations and arrested Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke; student leader Neha Bora was released. Protesters accuse the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision of favouring the BJP, while the Commission denies bias and says wrongly removed voters can re-enrol. US Ties: Six US lawmakers want Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise concerns about police conduct and protest rights during his India visit. Trump’s waiver of threatened Russia-linked tariffs spares India a potential 100% duty, while India and the US work to finalise the first trade-deal tranche, with dairy access still a hurdle.

Electoral Roll Row: Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and student leader Neha Bora ahead of Friday’s march demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; police dispersed the gathering amid heavy security. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Election Commission and Centre on opposition petitions challenging the voter-roll revision, now announced across 17 states and union territories. Political Battle: BJP leaders accused Congress and its allies of seeking “Bangladesh-style” regime change outside elections; the opposition defended its right to peaceful protest. India also called US lawmaker Pramila Jayapal’s criticism of the voter-roll exercise “unwarranted” interference. US Ties: India says the first phase of its trade deal with the US is finalised and undergoing legal drafting. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is due to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20 for talks expected to cover energy, trade and defence. Energy Security: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said India will diversify crude supplies and expand refining capacity amid geopolitical disruption.

Electoral Roll Dispute: The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Rahul Gandhi and 12 opposition leaders’ challenge over alleged voter deletions and irregularities in the voter-roll revision. The Election Commission has also announced a special revision in 17 states and union territories. Delhi Protests: Police restrictions, traffic curbs and a Central Park closure are in force for the CJP’s planned flag march demanding the CEC’s resignation; the High Court declined to stop the protest. Dissent and Immigration: Actor Imran Khan has challenged a notice ordering him to leave India by October 28 after joining a protest, bringing the treatment of OCI cardholders at political demonstrations into focus. Political Pressure: A Reuters analysis says youth-led protests and mounting dissent pose a serious challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the government remains stable and the next general election is not due until 2029. Diplomacy and Trade: Modi will visit Canada on December 11–12 as the countries seek closer ties and a trade pact. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the first phase of an India-US trade deal is finalised and in legal review.

Trade Talks: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the first phase of the India-US trade pact is finalised and in legal drafting. US envoy Sergio Gor says the major issues are done, ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit next week. Voter Rolls: The Election Commission has ordered a fresh summary revision in 17 states and Union Territories, as opposition parties challenge alleged deletions under the SIR process. The Supreme Court has sought responses from Rahul Gandhi and other leaders over their plea. Protest Crackdown: Delhi Police urged people to avoid Friday’s CJP march but may allow a small group to wave flags; the High Court declined to stop the protest. Kerala Police also registered a zero FIR over an NSUI activist’s allegation of assault by Delhi Police. Governor Appointment: Rahul Gandhi asked President Droupadi Murmu to seek a review of Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim Governor while a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari case’s alleged “VIP angle” continues; the allegations against Gautam remain unproven. Cabinet: Murugan’s resignation as Union Minister has been accepted. He says he plans to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

Protest Crackdown: Ankita Bhandari’s parents were released hours after police detained them at an India Gate protest. They demand a pause to Sikkim Governor Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment until a CBI probe into the alleged “VIP angle” in Bhandari’s 2022 murder is complete. Voter Roll Dispute: The Supreme Court is set to hear Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders’ challenge to electoral roll revisions, which critics say could remove millions of voters. The Court has also rebuked the Election Commission for failing to trace video of vote counting in a disputed Karnataka seat. Internet Shutdown: The Centre told the Supreme Court that suspending mobile internet in parts of Delhi during an October 10 protest was necessary for public order, and sought to avoid contempt proceedings over the move. Banking Reform: The Cabinet approved Fairfax Financial’s ₹52,878-crore purchase of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank, subject to regulatory clearances. Trade and Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due in India next week for talks focused on energy and trade, as Jaishankar says negotiations on a bilateral trade deal are nearing a “landing point.”

Election Protests: Two Cockroach Janata Party leaders were remanded to five days in Tihar after entering Jantar Mantar, recently removed as a designated protest site. The party’s founder called for a flag march on October 16. The INDIA bloc is challenging voter-roll revisions and seeking the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation; the Supreme Court is due to hear related pleas on October 15. Ankita Bhandari Case: Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi joined Bhandari’s parents at India Gate as they urged the President to halt Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim Governor until a CBI probe into the alleged VIP angle is complete. Gautam has denied the allegations. BJP: Union minister L. Murugan resigned, saying he will focus on strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu. Foreign Policy: Jaishankar said stability along the China border is essential to normalising ties. Modi and Canada’s foreign minister discussed trade, energy and security cooperation. Prices: Wholesale inflation climbed to 11.39% in September, driven by food, fuel and manufactured goods.

Electoral Row: Rahul Gandhi says INDIA bloc protests over alleged voter-list deletions and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will continue, with a November 1 rally planned. Delhi Police has de-notified Jantar Mantar and detained activists who entered the site; the Supreme Court is due to hear related petitions. Police say more than 500 protest-related posts were removed, drawing scrutiny of dissent and online controls. Foreign Policy: Jaishankar says India-US trade talks are nearing a deal, while stressing the relationship is a partnership, not an alliance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits October 17–22, with energy cooperation on the agenda as Russian oil remains a point of friction. Public Accountability: Government correspondence suggests the Centre’s 2022 coal-import mandate faced resistance from states and power companies over costs. Adani Enterprises later reported a sharp rise in coal-import business as global prices climbed. Bihar Tragedy: At least 13 children died when a boat capsized in Vaishali while carrying passengers to a village feast. Rescue operations continued, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation.

Election Row: The INDIA bloc is pressing its challenge to voter-roll revisions, alleging deletions and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. The Election Commission told the Bombay High Court that a name missing from the draft roll is not necessarily deleted and can be added through the prescribed process. The Supreme Court has deferred related petitions to October 15 after flagging procedural defects. Protest Curbs: Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar from the list of protest sites and detained Cockroach Janta Party leaders who entered the barricaded area; police also filed an FIR. The Delhi High Court has sought a response to a Youth Congress plea over protest permission. Party Politics: Union Minister L. Murugan has resigned to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Amit Shah, meanwhile, accused Rahul Gandhi of “negative politics” over the election dispute. Foreign Relations: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India-China ties are moving towards normalcy as peace along the border improves.

Voter Roll Row: Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders have taken their challenge to the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision to the Supreme Court, seeking an audit and safeguards against eligible voters being removed. The court registry has flagged filing defects; the Election Commission says the exercise is meant to update rolls. Protest Crackdown: Delhi Police registered two FIRs over Monday’s opposition march and detained youth activists who tried to protest at Jantar Mantar, now removed as a designated protest site. Police has named Ramlila Maidan, Burari and CBD Ground as alternatives and sought to extend paramilitary deployment through October 20. INDIA bloc leaders plan to discuss their next steps today. Online Speech: DMK MP Kanimozhi has asked the Union IT minister to investigate claims that Instagram posts critical of Tamil Nadu’s TVK government are being restricted.

Election Roll Row: Rahul Gandhi and 10 INDIA bloc leaders petitioned the Supreme Court to pause the voter-roll revision, prevent deletions without a hearing and order an independent audit. The bloc also renewed calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. Protest Restrictions: Thousands joined the march in Delhi, where police barricades halted demonstrators and six Metro stations were closed for 11 hours before reopening. Delhi Police has also removed Jantar Mantar’s status as a protest site, naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternatives. Governor Reshuffle: President Droupadi Murmu appointed new governors in six states, moving Rajendra Arlekar to Tamil Nadu and naming Om Prakash Mathur to Kerala. Prices: Retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September, up from 4.83% in August, as food inflation climbed to 7.74%.