Asian Games 2026: Indian hockey team survives Pakistan scare to enter final after Abhishek’s late strike

Defending champions India survived a scare before Abhishek struck with just 45 seconds remaining to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan and seal a place in the Asian Games hockey final in Kakamigahara on Thursday (October 1, 2026). Harmanpreet converted two perfectly executed penalty corners in the 5th and 13th minutes, while Sukhjeet Singh scored a field goal in the 23rd minute. Abhishek scored the winning goal for India from a field play in the final minute of the game.

Pakistan’s goals were scored by Abu Mahmood (30th minute), Hannan Shahid (45th) and Waheed Rana (49th). The defending champions looked set for a comfortable semifinal win after captain Harmanpreet’s brace and Sukhjeet Singh’s field strike put them firmly in control. But a stunning second-half collapse allowed Pakistan to claw their way back as they scored three goals and pushed India to the brink of an embarrassing defeat before Abhishek’s late strike rescued the contest.

Mahua Moitra says BJP government preventing her from functioning as MP; Supreme Court seeks reply from Centre, West Bengal

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) sought responses from the Union government and the State of West Bengal to a petition filed by Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra alleging a concerted effort by the State authorities and the police, using goons and mobs, to impede her from freely accessing her constituency. A Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of both the Union and the State governments, to file counter-affidavits to the petition.

Ms. Moitra, represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Yashwant Singh, said the shift in the State’s ruling dispensation in May 2026 saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) come into power for the first time in West Bengal, with her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), transitioning to the Opposition.

Who at EC ordered TCS to make ‘illegal’ change in Form 6, asks Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (October 1, 2026) said the online Form 6, which is used for fresh voter registration, was changed “illegally” and asked who at the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered Tata Consultancy Services to make that change, and who at the company signed off on it. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that the change in Form 6 was orchestrated by “the PM-HM duo“. In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi asked whether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was pressured into doing this.

“The online Form 6 was changed illegally — as the EC’s own Commissioners have recorded. Who at the ECI ordered Tata Consultancy Services to make that change?” Mr. Gandhi said. “Who at TCS signed off on it? And were they pressured into doing it?” he said on X. Tagging Mr. Gandhi’s post, Mr. Ramesh said, “Form 6 changes were introduced by the CEC unconstitutionally in mid-July 2026 to remove Gen Z voters from the electoral roll. Clearly, the move was orchestrated by the PM-HM (Narendra Modi-Amit Shah) duo.”

ECI appointments case: J. Datta asks petitioner to mention before CJI his plea to recall split verdict

A petitioner in a case challenging the Election Commissioners appointments law, which culminated in a split verdict on September 23, orally mentioned on Thursday (October 1, 2026) his application questioning why one of the judges on the Bench, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, did not reveal during multiple court proceedings that his son was a standing counsel for the Election Commission of India (EC).

The application was mentioned before Justice Dipankar Datta, the lead judge on the Bench that delivered the split verdict on September 23, 2026. Justice Datta asked the petitioner-applicant to mention his plea before the Chief Justice of India. The CJI is not holding court on Friday (October 2, 2026). The next working day for the court is October 5.

2008 Ahmedabad bomb blasts: SC stays execution of death penalty of Indian Mujahideen operative

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) stayed the execution of the death penalty of an operative of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen in connection with the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts that left 56 people dead.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, A. G. Masih, and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government on a plea of Ahmed Bawa alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi against the High Court verdict, which upheld the death penalty awarded to him by the trial court. The top court called for the trial court records in the case and stayed the execution. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing in the matter, said it is a serious case.

‘Halal-certified’ jaggery in Sabarimala prasadam: Kerala HC asks TDB to ensure ingredients conform to quality standards and religious customs

The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to exercise due caution when procuring materials for “Nivedyam and Prasadam” so that they conform to prescribed quality standards and religious customs at the Sabarimala Temple. The Division Bench of Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar also directed the Board to incorporate the necessary conditions in the e-tender documents to ensure that the quantity of jaggery supplied by the manufacturer were unsuitable.

The Bench considered a petition filed by a Lord Ayyappa devotee in 2021 claiming that the Board had procured “Halal-certified jaggery powder” to prepare Prasadam at Sabarimala Temple, allegedly in violation of the rituals and customs prevailing in the Hindu community. The petitioner stated that this jaggery was prepared in accordance with the religious practices of another religion, and offering it to the deity would violate long-standing religious customs and rituals followed at the Temple.

President Murmu, PM Modi praise Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for saving Israel-bound flight from crash

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 1, 2026) hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who saved hundreds of lives after he thwarted his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a Dubai flight. The Prime Minister has spoken to the wife and parents of Captain Smit Machchhar and applauded Captain Smit’s bravery, according to government sources.

The flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk city. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.

VHP leader killing: NIA arrests accused deported from UAE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday (October 1, 2026) arrested an accused following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with the targeted killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar by the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Punjab’s Roopnagar in April 2024.

Harwinder Kumar alias Sonu was deported to India after sustained diplomatic efforts. He operated from the UAE and had allegedly provided logistical support and financing to the perpetrators. The NIA arrested him soon after his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The VHP leader was shot by terrorists at his confectionery shop in Nangal, Roopnagar, on April 13, 2024. The agency registered the case on May 9, 2024, and has filed three chargesheets so far. On August 13, 2026, it arrested another UAE-based accused, Manveer Ram, who was allegedly involved in supplying the weapons used in the crime. He was intercepted at Amritsar airport and subsequently placed under arrest.

Everyone has equal right to access justice: SC refuses to entertain judicial officer’s plea

Asserting that everyone has an equal right to access justice, the Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) refused to entertain a petition filed by a former judicial officer seeking expeditious hearing on his pending plea before the Allahabad High Court.

“Whether a person is a bus conductor or a secretary of the State, everyone has an equal right to access justice,” a Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana told the counsel appearing for the petitioner. Before the High Court, the former judicial officer has challenged his termination from service. The apex court initially observed that the petitioner should approach the High Court and make a request there.

More than 40 Tibetans detained in Delhi over protest against China’s 77th founding day

Over 40 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress were detained by Delhi Police on Thursday (October 1, 2026) as they staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy against the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Delhi Police detained the protesters at Mandir Marg police station. The Tibetan Youth Congress condemned the “continued assertion of Chinese sovereignty and political control” over Tibet, East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia, and Manchuria. China celebrates its founding day on October 1.

“Tibet is never part of China and will never be. Forced invasion and resultant incorporation of erstwhile Independent state of Tibet, and other nation like East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia and Manchuria mark new assault on freedom in general, particularly, its colonialist practice of territorial invasion and border incursion on other neighbouring state reflects imperialist intent of Chinese state existence,” the Tibetan group said.