Feb 5 News Live: Tamil actress, others arrested in drug case

Court grants statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potty in second Sabarimala gold loss case

A court in Kerala on Thursday granted statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potty in the second case related to the Sabarimala gold loss incident.

Kollam Vigilance Court Judge Mohit C S granted bail to Potty in the case pertaining to the loss of gold from the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

The bail was granted as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days of Potty’s arrest, making him eligible for statutory bail.

Potty had earlier been granted statutory bail in the case related to the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates.

With bail granted in both cases, Potty will be released from jail.

IndiGo shares fall nearly 4% after CCI orders probe into business practices

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, fell nearly 4 per cent in early trade on Thursday after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered a detailed investigation into alleged unfair business practices by the airline.

The stock declined 3.65 per cent to ₹4,782.45 on the BSE, while on the NSE it slipped 3.63 per cent to ₹4,780.30. The fall followed the CCI’s order issued a day earlier directing its Director General to conduct a detailed probe.

The CCI said it had prima facie found that IndiGo abused its dominant position by cancelling thousands of flights, which accounted for a significant portion of scheduled capacity, leading to hardship for passengers and reduced access to air travel during periods of high demand.

In its 16-page order, the regulator noted that such large-scale cancellations effectively withheld services from the market and created artificial scarcity. The conduct, it said, may amount to restricting the provision of services under Section 4 of the Competition Act, which deals with abuse of dominant position, warranting a detailed investigation.

Akhilesh Yadav alleges bid to delete minority votes, seeks SC intervention

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alleged a conspiracy to delete voters’ names in Uttar Pradesh by misusing Form 7 and urged the Supreme Court to take immediate cognisance of the issue, saying no other institution currently inspired public confidence.

In a post on X, Yadav accused the BJP and its allies of pressuring booth level officers (BLOs) to remove voters belonging to the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) groups, particularly minorities, using forged documents. He also shared a video of a man claiming to be a BLO, who described alleged harassment and threats.

Calling for urgent action, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded a halt to the use of Form 7, cancellation of all Form 7 submissions so far, protection for BLOs, and registration of FIRs against those coercing officials. He also sought fast-track hearings, a judicial probe, and an immediate stop to claim-objection activities.

Addressing party workers and PDA “praharis,” Yadav urged vigilance to protect every valid vote and gather evidence of irregularities. He said the PDA represented a united social coalition seeking justice and equality, asserting that divisive politics had run its course and that PDA had emerged as a new platform of hope.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after passing resolution on President's address amid oppn ruckus.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon; Birla warns Opposition against degrading dignity of House

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday adjourned proceedings till 12 noon after expressing anguish over the behaviour of opposition MPs in the House a day earlier when the prime minister was scheduled to make his speech.

As soon as the House assembled, Birla said the way opposition members marched towards the treasury benches on Wednesday evening was against the dignity of the House.

Birla said such behaviour degrades the laid down decorum and dignity and it becomes difficult for any presiding officer to run the House under such circumstances.

He then adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed dramatic scenes as women opposition MPs charged towards the prime minister's seat holding banners ahead of his scheduled speech, leading to adjournment of proceedings for the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present in the House, and BJP member P P Chaudhary was making his remarks on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address when the opposition members trooped into the Well of the House.

3 coaches of Chennai Central Express derail in Odisha’s Jajpur, none hurt

Three coaches of the Chennai Central Express derailed near Jakhapura railway station in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Thursday, an official said.

There were no reports of any injury or fatality in the incident that took place at 8.51 am, he said.

One AC and two general coaches of the train from Chennai to West Bengal’s New Japaiguri jumped off the tracks, the railway official said.

A rescue and restoration team was immediately dispatched from Bhadrak to the derailment site to assess the situation, he said.

The affected passengers are being suitably accommodated, the official said, adding, the cause of the derailment is yet to be ascertained. 

Kerala Assembly passes resolution demanding withdrawal of VB-G RAM G

The Kerala Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution demanding the Centre to withdraw the newly enacted rural employment scheme, VB-G RAM G, and restore the UPA-era MGNREGA.

The resolution was moved by the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh and was passed by the Assembly amidst the Opposition Congress-led UDF's protest in the House over the Sabarimala gold loss issue.

The minister said that unlike the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), where the entire cost of the scheme was borne by the Centre, under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) the state will have to bear 40 per cent of the expenditure.

Kuki groups warn community MLAs not to participate in Manipur govt formation

Several Kuki groups in Manipur have warned their community legislators not to participate in government formation in the northeastern state, with calls for a “total shutdown” in Churachandpur and protest demonstrations at several places.

BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday became the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly a year after the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh, following months of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the state, leading to the imposition of President's Rule.

Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA who belongs to the Kuki community, and Naga People's Front legislator L Dikho, took oath as deputy chief ministers of Manipur.

Reacting to the development , the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), a tribal organisation based in Churachandpur district, called for a “total shutdown” in Kuki Zo-dominated areas from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday.

It urged all community members to join the protests across villages in a democratic way, reiterating the demand for a separate Kuki administration.

The Kuki Zo Council said any community MLA who chooses to disregard its collective decision shall be doing so in their individual capacity, and that the organisation will not be held accountable for consequences arising out of the “unilateral decisions”.

Floor leaders meeting of Opposition parties begins

Floor leaders meeting of Opposition parties of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha starts at the office of the Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi is also present.

Doval told Rubio that India won't be bullied on trade deal

During India-US trade deal negotiations last year, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio what New Delhi won’t be bullied by the Trump administration and was ready to wait till the US President Donald Trump’s second term ended, reports said on Thursday (February 5).

The message was conveyed to the Trump administration in September 2025 after US imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, reports added.