Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Detained in Leh
Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been leading protests for Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, was arrested by Ladakh police on Friday, September 26, 2025. According to officials, a team led by Ladakh Director General of Police S.D. Jamwal apprehended Mr. Wangchuk in Leh. Sources indicate that Mr. Wangchuk had planned to address the media but was denied permission. The specific charges against him were not immediately disclosed.
India Concludes “Constructive” Trade Talks in the U.S., Next Meeting Undisclosed
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that an Indian delegation, headed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, held “constructive” discussions with U.S. government officials in New York this week. The talks covered potential aspects of a Bilateral Trade Agreement. While the visit took place from September 22-24, and Minister Goyal has since returned, the Ministry’s statement did not specify a date for the next round of formal negotiations.
Rahul Gandhi Criticizes BJP Amid Uttarakhand Paper Leak Protests
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed strong support for students demonstrating against a recent paper leak in Uttarakhand on Friday, September 26, 2025. He asserted that unemployment is directly connected to “vote theft” and controversially dubbed the BJP as “paper chor” (paper thief). In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha claimed that the BJP’s priority is not youth employment but rather retaining power through alleged “vote theft” during elections.
Supreme Court Halts Andhra Pradesh HC Order on CBI Director in Tirupati Ghee Case
On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a stay on an Andhra Pradesh High Court order. The High Court had criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director for assigning an officer outside a court-mandated Special Investigation Team (SIT) to assist in inquiries concerning alleged “adulterated ghee” used for prasadam at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria questioned, “Has the SIT appointed by us abdicated its responsibility? It has only appointed one investigating officer who will work under it.”
India Rejects NATO Chief’s “Baseless” Claims on Modi-Putin Conversation
India on Friday, September 26, 2025, strongly refuted as “entirely baseless” the remarks made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Rutte had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin to inquire about Moscow’s Ukraine strategy, citing the impact of Washington’s punitive tariffs on India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that “speculative or careless” comments misrepresenting Mr. Modi’s interactions or fabricating conversations are “unacceptable.”
Delhi High Court Questions Defamation Suit Against ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’
The Delhi High Court on Friday raised questions regarding the maintainability of a defamation lawsuit. The suit was filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede against the Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, a production directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.