Feb 2 LIVE | Every jawan knows what you are hiding from people: Rahul in Lok Sabha
Rahul, in Lok Sabha, starts quoting from former COAS General Manoj Mukund Naravane's unpublished memoir, to which Treasury benches object strongly
Here is the top, trending news of Monday, February 2, 2026, including Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Read updates below.
Live Updates
- 2 Feb 2026 8:00 PM IST
Pinarayi writes to Nirmala Sitharaman seeking judicial inquiry into Confident CEO CJ Royʼs death
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a judicial inquiry into the death of real estate tycoon C J Roy during an Income Tax search in Bengaluru on January 30.
In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Pinarayi said the incident was "a blot on the tax administration of the country" and pointed to serious lapses in search procedures.
Citing the victim’s brother, he noted allegations of harassment, quoting: "My brother cooperated fully and submitted all documents. Yet the officials kept returning. He told several times that the I-T trouble was unbearable..."
The Kerala CM said that while he is in complete agreement that tax evasion is a serious problem and every effort has to be taken to curb it, no action leading to loss of a precious human life as it has happened in the case of Roy can be justified in a civilised democratic society.
He said it is quite surprising that the person in whose premises, the Income Tax department was conducting a search and seizure operation, could proceed to lay hands on a loaded gun and shoot himself, when the tax department personnel were going ahead with search operations.
When such operations are proceeding, the premises are to be under the control of the tax officials and the safe conduct of search is the minimum responsibility of the officials, Pinarayi said in the letter dated February 1.
It is believed that there are certain rights of the searched person, which are to be respected by the officials, while some duties are cast upon the searched person which she/he has to follow, he said. "Often it is said that taxation is the price we pay for our civilisation and hence there has to be zero tolerance to tax evasion. While fully endorsing this view, one has to equally emphasise the fact that in the name of ensuring tax compliance, uncivilised acts too have to be viewed with zero tolerance," he added.
- 2 Feb 2026 7:43 PM IST
Uproar in Rajya Sabha as BJP MP displays artificial limbs, blames CPI(M)
A dramatic episode unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Monday when BJP-nominated member C Sadanandan Master displayed his artificial limbs on the table during his maiden speech, triggering a sharp exchange with CPI-M leaders and prompting a point of order.
The Kerala-based MP, a school teacher-turned-politician, made the striking gesture while recounting an attack he allegedly suffered three decades ago, which he attributed to CPI(M) workers.
Initiating the discussion on the President’s address and Motion of Thanks, Master said he wanted to show “before the nation and people what is democracy”.
“Those who were roaring about democracy committed an attack upon me 31 years ago in Kerala. I was returning home when organised criminals caught me from behind, put me down on the road and cut my legs, shouting Inquilab Zindabad,” Master said while seated due to his disability.
The display of prosthetic limbs on the table immediately drew objections from the Opposition benches.
CPI(M) leader John Brittas rose to raise a point of order against showing the object in the House, prompting Master to turn the tables on him.
“I want to show before the nation and people what democracy is. You are always talking about democracy, tolerance and humanity. Your commitment is based on political violence, which is not good for democracy,” Master shot back, asking Brittas not to be intolerant.
The artificial limbs were later removed from the table following Brittas’s point of order, but not before the moment had created an uproar in the Upper House.
“You (Chairman) have banned the display of objects. He (Master) has been coming to the House for so many days, walking with artificial limbs. It is unfortunate that he lost them. Somebody who sits beside him is a lawyer...displays it on the table,” Brittas said.
Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said the artificial limbs have been removed from the table. Master concluded his intervention with a pointed remark: “I regret I could not stand while making my maiden speech due to torture by CPI(M).”
Leader of the House JP Nadda later urged the Chair to expunge what he described as undesirable words used by Brittas during the exchange.
- 2 Feb 2026 5:45 PM IST
Budget 2026 chaos: Why was Rahul Gandhi’s speech stopped in Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha was adjourned amid an uproar as Rahul Gandhi quoted excerpts from former Army chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir during the Budget 2026 debate. The BJP objected, citing House rules, while the Opposition accused the government of stifling discussion on China and national security. The confrontation now sharpens political battle lines. Watch how things unfolded here: - 2 Feb 2026 4:48 PM IST
Stock markets rebound over 1 pc after Budget day drubbing
Stock markets rebounded on Monday (February 2) with benchmark Sensex jumping by 943 points on value buying in blue-chip oil & gas, banking and auto shares after facing a massive drubbing on the Budget day.
The 30-share BSE Sensex rallied 943.52 points or 1.17 per cent, to settle at 81,666.46. During the day, it surged 1,009.31 points or 1.25 per cent to a high of 81,732.25.
The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 262.95 points or 1.06 per cent to end at 25,088.40. During the day, it advanced 282.65 points or 1.13 per cent to 25,108.10.
A sharp decline in global crude oil prices offered relief to the markets, experts said.
"The market witnessed a smart recovery following yesterday’s volatile session due to the impact of the STT hike on F&O and the government’s higher borrowing plan for FY27. At the same time, the Budget’s policy continuity with a clear emphasis on growth and fiscal prudence has helped reinforce confidence in the medium‑ to long‑term earnings outlook.
"A sharp decline in global crude oil prices has also offered some relief, reflecting signs of easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
- 2 Feb 2026 4:38 PM IST
FPIs pull out nearly Rs 36,000 in Jan amid tariff threats, weak rupee
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) withdraw nearly Rs 36,000 crore (about USD 3.97 billion) amid global uncertainties. Meanwhile, a higher securities transaction tax (STT) proposed in the Union Budget may weigh on overseas investor participation in the near future.
According to data from NSDL, FPIs pulled out Rs 35,962 crore from Indian equities in January. This continued selling pressure by FPIs reflects a combination of global and domestic drivers impacting foreign investor sentiment.
The recent flight of foreign capital followed the worst outflow of Rs 1.66 lakh crore (USD 18.9 billion) recorded in 2025, triggered by volatile currency movements, global trade tensions and concerns over potential US tariffs and stretched market valuations.
- 2 Feb 2026 3:37 PM IST
Gaza’s Rafah border to Egypt reopens for limited traffic
Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday (February 2) for limited traffic, a key step in the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire but a mostly symbolic development on the ground as few people will be allowed to travel in either direction and no goods will be going into the war-torn territory.
Within the first hour of the opening, no one was actually seen crossing in or out of Gaza. An Egyptian official said 50 Palestinians would cross in each direction on the first day of the crossing's operation.
About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults needing medical care hope to leave devastated Gaza via the crossing, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands of other Palestinians outside the territory hope to enter and return home.
Before the war, Rafah was the main crossing for people moving in and out of Gaza. The territory's handful of other crossings are all shared with Israel. Under the terms of the ceasefire, which went into effect in October, Israel's military controls the area between the Rafah crossing and the zone where most Palestinians live.
Violence still continued across the coastal territory, and Gaza hospital officials said an Israeli navy ship had fired on a tent camp, killing a 3-year-old Palestinian boy.
About 150 hospitals across Egypt are ready to receive Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza through the Rafah crossing, authorities said. Also, the Egyptian Red Crescent said it has readied “safe spaces” at the Egyptian side of the crossing to support those evacuated from the Gaza Strip.
- 2 Feb 2026 3:23 PM IST
AAIB: Probe into 2023 Mumbai Learjet crash in final stages
Aviation probe agency AAIB on Monday (February 2) said the investigation into the nearly three-year-old accident of a VSR Ventures-owned Learjet 45 plane at the Mumbai airport in September 2023 is in the final stages.
The aeroplane crash at Baramati on January 28, in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died, also involved a Learjet 45 plane owned by VSR Ventures.
Since the Baramati aircrash, questions have been raised about the delay by the AAIB in publishing its final report into the September 2023 accident, involving the company's plane of a similar model.
Against this backdrop, AAIB said the investigation team has analysed all evidence and other documents related to that accident. "The investigation is in the final stages. The investigation team is trying their best to finalise the report on top priority," the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said in a statement.
On September 14, 2023, the Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-DBL) met with an accident at Mumbai airport.
- 2 Feb 2026 3:13 PM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned for day as Rahul continues speaking on Naravane's book
As Lok Sabha reconvenes at 3 pm, Rahul Gandhi resumes his speech, saying "every jawan knows" what the government was "trying to hide from the people". Amid vehement protests from the Treasury benches, Speaker Om Birla adjourns Lok Sabha for the day.
- 2 Feb 2026 2:08 PM IST
BJP never questioned the Congress's character or patriotism: Amit Shah
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi faced obstructions from the Speaker of the House, Om Birla, as he tried to speak against the Narendra Modi government over the Doklam standoff with China. As Birla told the Congress leader to speak on policies and not people or their characters, Rahul said the BJP had raised questions on the character of the Opposition party. Union Home Minister Amit Shah then stepped in, saying the ruling party has never raised questions on the principal Opposition party's patriotism. He also strongly objected to quoting from the unpublished memoir of former army chief MM Naravane. As the melee continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm.
- 2 Feb 2026 2:02 PM IST
Heated argument continues on Rahul's reference to Naravane's book
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, backing Treasury benches' argument, rules that Rahul Gandhi cannot cite or even refer to Gen Naravane's unpublished book. He insists that Rahul stick to the topic, which is the Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu's address. Rahul insists that he is sticking to the topic since the president mentioned India's current relations with China. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju joins in the opposition to Rahul's speech.
