3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 26th of February and here are the headlines.

The central government opposed petitions seeking a lifetime ban on convicted politicians from contesting elections, arguing in the Supreme Court that a six-year disqualification is not unconstitutional. In its affidavit, the Centre stated that various penal laws impose penalties for a limited time to ensure deterrence while avoiding excessive harshness. The submission was in response to Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay’s plea challenging the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Section 8 mandates a six-year disqualification post-release for those convicted of specified offences.

In other news, with 12 state presidents appointed, the BJP seems to be on course to choose its new national chief, albeit with a delay. The BJP leaders The Indian Express spoke to across states attributed the delay largely to the recently concluded Delhi polls. A BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh said the party focused all its energies on Delhi. Meanwhile, another leader said, quote “One leader who has managed up to six-seven Assembly seats in our state and in Uttar Pradesh, was given the charge of only one Assembly seat in Delhi. In another constituency, two MPs managed it. The focus of the party on Delhi was unprecedented and that has led to a delay in the organisational elections,” unquote.

Meanwhile, in another headline making news, a communal clash broke out over the installation of speakers in Dumraon village in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district this morning. The clash occurred during Shivratri celebrations. According to Ichak Block Development Officer (BDO) Santosh Kumar, a disagreement over installing loudspeakers by the road escalated into stone-pelting and arson. Authorities said there were no injuries or deaths. Hazaribagh Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar told The Indian Express, that an FIR has been registered,adding that three motorcycles and a car were set ablaze.

In news from Maharahstra, a man allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside a MSRTC bus on the premises of a bus stand in Pune in the early hours of Tuesday. The police identified the accused as a history-sheeter and launched an extensive search for him.The police said the crime occurred around 5.30 am when the woman was at the bus stand to board a bus for her hometown in the Satara district of Maharashtra. The accused, loitering on the premises of the bus stand, allegedly approached her and misled her to another bus, saying that it was the one for her destination. The woman believed the accused and boarded the bus, said the police. The accused allegedly followed her and raped her inside the bus before fleeing from the scene.

On the global front, President Donald Trump announced a new immigration initiative aimed at wealthy foreign investors, a “gold card” that offers a path to US citizenship for a fee of $5 million. Replacing the current EB-5 visa program, this scheme will grant investors the privileges of a green card, allowing them to become permanent US residents through financial investment. The existing EB-5 visa program, established in 1990, allows foreign investors to gain US residency if they create or preserve jobs through capital investments. Minimum investments are set at $1.5 million, or $800 thosand for economically distressed areas. The program has drawn criticism over concerns of abuse and fraud, with businesses, including those linked to Trump family members, using it to fund property developments.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the government's unprecedented Maoist encounters and the deadline to end Naxalism in the country.

Next, The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra discusses the seismic shift in The Indian Railways' revenue structure in the past five years since the COVID. (14:07)

Finally, we discuss Congress MP Sajjan Kumar's sentence to life imprisonment in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. (24:20)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 25th of February and here are the headlines.

The Delhi Government suffered a loss of Rs 2,002 crore due to the flawed excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. The policy aimed to eliminate monopolies, ensure fair liquor distribution, and prevent bootlegging. However, it was withdrawn after corruption allegations led to the arrests of key AAP leaders, including CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, by the CBI and ED. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) highlighted these losses in a recent Assembly report.

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was convicted for the murders of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, during the violence in Saraswati Vihar. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) accused Kumar of leading a mob that burned the two men alive. Kumar is already serving a life sentence in another 1984 riot-related case.

The US imposed sanctions on four India-based companies for allegedly trading Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. These companies, including Flux Maritime LLP, BSM Marine LLP, Austinship Management Pvt Ltd, and Cosmos Lines Inc., were sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury and State. Three were accused of managing vessels involved in transporting Iranian oil, while Cosmos Lines was singled out for its role in transporting Iranian petroleum.

A multi-agency team is working to clear a collapsed section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, where eight men have been trapped since Saturday. Water and slush have hindered rescue efforts. The collapse occurred 13.5 km inside the tunnel, and rescuers are focusing on clearing the track to facilitate further rescue operations. The trapped men are being worked on, and the team hopes to reach them soon.

India abstained from voting on two resolutions at the UN General Assembly, marking the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The resolutions were supported by the US, Ukraine, and Europe, and both passed with 93 votes in favor. While India did not support the resolution demanding Russian withdrawal, it did not oppose the motion on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. India was one of 65 countries that chose not to vote on the European-backed resolution.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Jatin Anand about the newly appointed Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and the Delhi cabinet. We unpack the work done by them in the past, what factors worked in their favour, and what is expected of them. 
 
Next, The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry gives us details of the Telangana tunnel collapse which has 8 workers trapped inside. She talks about the current situation, the complications and the rescue operations. (18:54)
 
Lastly, we speak about a report by digital rights organisation Access Now, according to which India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, the highest among democratic nations. (26:32)
 
Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda 
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 24th of February and here are the headlines.

Eight workers remain trapped after the SLBC tunnel in Telangana partially collapsed on Saturday. Despite efforts, Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said survival chances are “very remote”. A team of rat miners, previously deployed in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel collapse, joined the rescue team. Around 300 personnel, including NDRF, SDRF, and Army members, are involved. However, muck and debris are hampering progress, with rescuers 13 km inside the tunnel, and water blocking access to the trapped workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s rise as a business hub during the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal. Praising the state’s skilled workforce and growing industrial sectors, Modi noted that India will remain the world’s fastest-growing economy. He emphasized Madhya Pradesh’s role in the electric vehicle revolution and aerospace sector, assuring investors of the state’s lucrative opportunities. He urged global businesses to tap into the state’s flourishing market.

The Uttar Pradesh government told the Supreme Court that the well near the disputed mosque in Sambhal is on public land and not connected to the mosque. The well, known as 'Dharani varah koop,' is located near, but not inside, the disputed site. Tensions have risen over claims that the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid was built over the demolished Hari Mandir temple. The case continues to stir religious disputes between local communities.

In the 2025 German election, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz emerged victorious, with the far-right AfD securing its best result, placing second with 20.8% of the vote. US President Donald Trump praised the win, calling it a rejection of policies on energy and immigration. Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD dropped 10 percentage points, finishing in third. Merz is now poised to become Germany’s next Chancellor.

The Trump administration announced a massive reduction in USAID personnel, putting nearly all employees on leave and eliminating around 1,600 positions. This decision follows a legal battle where Trump sought to cut thousands of USAID jobs but was halted by a federal judge. The judge ruled that the pause would not be permanent. The cuts are part of a broader “reduction in force” effort, impacting the agency’s global operations.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Rupsa Chakraborty about an exclusive investigation on deaths caused by ragging across Indian educational institutions.

Next, The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry discusses BJP's push to scrap the caste-reservation quota for the backward class Muslim community in Telangana. (14:22)

Lastly, we speak about Apple's discontinuation of Advanced Data Protection for UK users reigniting debates over digital privacy and government overreach. (23:51)


Written and hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week on Game Time, our cricket correspondent Venkata Krishna B joins hosts Vinayakk Mohanarangan, and Amit Kamath to discuss the complexities of the Champions Trophy’s hybrid model and the challenge of balancing two vastly different playing conditions between Pakistan and Dubai, its impact on team strategies, and the road ahead for India and other teams.

Produced by Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 21st of February and here are the headlines.

In a major news from the capital, first-time MLA Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi’s new Chief Minister on Thursday, along with her Council of Ministers, at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan. This marks the Bharatiya Janata Party’s return to power in the capital after a gap of 27 years. Besides Gupta, six newly elected MLAs were also administered the oath as ministers. The event witnessed the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, and allies from the NDA. The newly formed Council of Ministers, under Gupta’s leadership, is held its first meeting at the Delhi Secretariat. Among the key proposals that were discussed is the implementation of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, which will provide eligible women with a monthly allowance of ₹2,500.

In another major development this week, the Supreme Court granted podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia interim protection from arrest over alleged objectionable comments on his YouTube show, "India’s Got Latent." However, the court condemned his language, describing it as perverse and shameful. Justice Surya Kant criticized Allahbadia's choice of words, saying they would embarrass parents, brothers, sisters, and society at large. He expressed disgust, asking what other standard of obscenity would apply in this country. Allahbadia’s lawyer was reprimanded for defending the program's language, while the court made strong remarks on the perverted content.

Moving on to another major story, with many Nepali students who were asked to leave the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University campus in the aftermath of the suicide of an engineering student yet to return to their hostels. The Indian Express has learnt that senior Nepal embassy officials have raised concerns over their safety and security. Two senior officials from the Nepal embassy in Delhi are in Bhubaneswar to hold discussions with Odisha government representatives over the death of a 20-year-old engineering student at Odisha’s KIIT and the safety of protesting Nepali students. Lamsal, who is from Nepal’s Kathmandu, died on campus Sunday evening, sparking a standoff between Nepali students and the university administration.

In another news that made headlines this week, the National Capital Region woke up to a 4.0 earthquake. The National Centre for Seismology stated that strong tremors were felt in Delhi and its surrounding areas early morning with the epicenter being the Jheel Park area of Dhaula Kuan. According to the NCS, the earthquake originated just 5 km below the Earth’s surface, which tends to cause more damage than tremors originating deep below the surface.

On the global front, amid US President Donald Trump’s onslaught on illegal immigration, several deportees, including Indians, have been sent to a hotel in Panama, where they are being held till they can be repatriated to their origin countries. As many as 299 migrants, belonging to countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, among others, were sent to Panama last week. Some of these have been shifted to a remote facility near the Darien jungle. The Indian Embassy in Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica said on Thursday that they have gained “consular access” to the group of Indians sent to Panama.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

First, we talk with The Indian Express' Chief of National Bureau Ritika Chopra about the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner and the petitions filed in the Supreme Court against the current appointment procedure.

Next, The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary discusses the granting of bail in cases under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. (13:08)

Lastly, we talk about BJP leader Rekha Gupta taking oath as the chief minister of Delhi along with the cabinet ministers of the national capital. (22:54)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 20th of February and here are the headlines.


First-time MLA Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi’s new Chief Minister today, along with her Council of Ministers, at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan. This marks the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) return to power in the capital after a gap of 27 years. Besides Gupta, six newly elected MLAs were also administered the oath as ministers. The event witnessed the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, and allies from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The newly formed Council of Ministers, under Gupta’s leadership, is expected to hold its first meeting at the Delhi Secretariat around 7 PM. Among the key proposals to be discussed is the implementation of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, which will provide eligible women with a monthly allowance of ₹2,500.


In a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin Thursday sought urgent intervention to release Rs 2,152 crores under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The letter, expressing deep concern over the Union Government’s insistence on linking the funds to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reiterated Tamil Nadu’s unwavering commitment to its two-language policy, described the move as a “blatant violation of cooperative federalism.” Launched in 2018, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a Centrally Sponsored integrated scheme for school education that subsumed the schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).


The Supreme Court today stayed the 27the of January Lokpal order which said that it has the power to look into complaints against sitting high court judges, terming it as “something very very disturbing”. The top court had taken suo motu cognizance of the January 27 order and listed it for hearing before the bench headed by Justice B R Gavai and also comprising Justices Surya Kant and A S Oka. The Supreme Court directed its registrar judicial “to mask the identity of the complainant and serve him through the Registrar Judicial of the High Court where the complainant resides”.


A young teacher with a Catholic-run school in Kerala has ended her life after she was allegedly denied her salary for the last six years. The victim was a teacher at St Joseph’s lower primary school at Kodenchery in Kozhikode district. She was found dead at her home on Wednesday afternoon. The Catholic diocese of Thamarassery runs the government-aided school. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty said the director general of education has been asked to look into the incident. “It is unfortunate. Once I get the report from the DG, we will take action,” he told the media.


Amid US President Donald Trump’s onslaught on illegal immigration, several deportees, including Indians, have been sent to a hotel in Panama, where they are being held till they can be repatriated to their origin countries. As many as 299 migrants, belonging to countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, among others, were sent to Panama last week. Some of these have been shifted to a remote facility near the Darien jungle. The Indian Embassy in Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica said today that they have gained “consular access” to the group of Indians sent to Panama.


This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express