Consumers across the country will face higher transport costs as domestic fuel prices were increased again on Saturday, marking the third revision within a ten-day window. State-owned oil companies have implemented a calibrated upward revision to pass on the rising costs of global energy, which have remained elevated due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

With the latest adjustment, petrol prices went up by 87 paise per litre, while diesel rates rose by 91 paise per litre in the national capital. This series of revisions began on May 15, accumulatively raising the retail fuel prices by nearly Rs 5 per litre over the last ten days.

Revised fuel rates across major metropolitan cities

Following Saturday’s market adjustment, the retail selling prices for fuel have shifted across major consumer hubs. In Delhi, petrol now retails at Rs 99.51 per litre, while diesel stands at Rs 92.49 per litre.

Other major metropolitan cities saw parallel increases based on local taxation and transport variables:

• Kolkata: Petrol jumped by 94 paise to retail at Rs 110.64 per litre, while diesel increased by 95 paise to hit Rs 97.02 per litre.
• Mumbai: Retail petrol increased by 90 paise to reach Rs 108.49 per litre, and diesel climbed by 94 paise to sell at Rs 95.02 per litre.
• Chennai: Petrol prices rose by 82 paise to Rs 105.31 per litre, whereas diesel increased by 87 paise to cost Rs 96.98 per litre.

Additionally, the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was increased by Rs 1 per kilogram in Delhi, taking its retail cost to Rs 81.09 per kilogram in the National Capital Region.

Gradual pass-through of global market pressures

The continuous upward adjustment follows a multi-week period of escalating crude prices. Before the latest weekend adjustment, fuel rates had already been raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, which was quickly followed by a 90 paise per litre hike on May 19.

Media sources close to government channels stated that the domestic oil market had previously received significant cushioning during high crude price cycles. During the height of the Hormuz supply crisis, the central administration indirectly absorbed price differences reaching up to Rs 24 per litre on petrol and Rs 30 per litre on diesel to shield consumers.

Financial data indicates that public sector oil marketing companies faced severe economic pressure during past stabilizing measures. Between 2021 and 2024, oil firms recorded collective losses of approximately Rs 24,500 crore. Furthermore, an economic burden of nearly Rs 40,000 crore was absorbed during the 2024-25 fiscal year specifically to keep liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rates steady for retail consumers. The current staggered price hikes reflect a balancing act between protecting public fiscal healthcare and managing macro-level inflationary pressures.

Providing a much-needed break from days of relentless summer heat, parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced sudden rain and thunderstorms. The change in weather conditions brought localized showers along with gusty winds, helping to pull down maximum temperatures slightly across the region.

Prior to the rainfall, the national capital had been witnessing intense heatwave conditions, with daytime temperatures pushing well above normal limits over the past week. The abrupt atmospheric activity turned skies dark in several areas, triggering intense winds followed by downpours that allowed residents some respite from the punishing heat.

According to updates from media, weather forecasting systems had anticipated a shift in the regional atmospheric patterns due to incoming disturbances. The resulting storm activity managed to cool down the parched streets of the city within a short span, though surrounding plains continue to grapple with high early-summer temperatures.

Local weather departments have indicated that while the showers have provided immediate relief from the sweltering conditions, marginal drops in the daytime mercury are likely to keep the intense summer heat in check for the next 24 to 48 hours. However, standard warnings remain in place regarding localized traffic disruptions or strong winds associated with such sudden thunderstorm activities.

The Congress-led Karnataka government has officially cleared the withdrawal of 42 criminal cases, including several sensitive cases tied to the 2022 communal clashes at the Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland town, Kalaburagi district. The decision has triggered an intense political confrontation, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a fierce attack against the ruling administration.

Aland Dargah Clashes Under Focus

A major portion of the dropped cases involves 13 specific files connected to the communal violence that erupted in 2022. The tension originally ignited following allegations that a Shivling located inside the disputed Ladle Mashak Dargah premises had been desecrated. The situation rapidly escalated into large-scale unrest when a group of Hindu activists made attempts to enter the dargah to clean the structure.

During the ensuing rioting, extensive damage was inflicted on public and private property. Several vehicles were completely vandalised, including official transport vehicles used by high-ranking political figures such as Union Minister Bhagwanth Khuba and the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner.

Overruling Departmental and Legal Objections

According to internal sources, the state home department had initially strongly resisted the move to drop the riot-related cases. The department cited highly adverse legal opinions and expressed deep reservations regarding the suspension of prosecution in matters of sensitive communal violence.

Despite these departmental objections and legal warnings, a specialized Cabinet sub-committee reviewed and subsequently approved the withdrawal of the cases. The recommendation was then fast-tracked to the state Cabinet, which formally ratified and cleared the final decision.

“Encouraging Violent Elements,” Alleges BJP

The opposition BJP reacted sharply to the development, accusing the government of actively fostering lawlessness. Speaking on the decision, BJP spokesperson S. Prakash noted that this marks the third instance where the Congress administration has stepped in to drop severe criminal cases across the state.

“Cases linked to rioting and attempts to burn police stations were also withdrawn earlier,” Prakash stated, emphasizing that prior state actions of a similar nature had been legally contested and stayed by courts. He added that the administration has failed to learn any lessons from past judicial interventions.

The opposition spokesperson went on to allege that the decision was heavily influenced by senior party leadership, pointing toward pressure from leaders like Priyank Kharge or Mallikarjun Kharge. He claimed that by repeatedly withdrawing such cases, the government is effectively encouraging fringe elements to continue executing violence without fear of legal consequences.

State Government Stands Firm on Review Process

Defending the executive action, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified that the decision was neither rushed nor arbitrary. He emphasized that the Cabinet Sub-Committee meticulously reviewed approximately 52 total cases involving various socio-political organizations across the entire state.

“In the Cabinet Sub-Committee, every case was discussed individually to examine whether it could be legally withdrawn,” Parameshwara asserted. He explained that the panel moved forward only after establishing that there was concrete legal scope to do so. While refusing to delve deeper into the specific details of the Aland Dargah incident, he stated that the final step was a collective Cabinet decision where all pertinent parameters were fully evaluated.

Slamming the opposition’s narrative, Minister Satish Jarkiholi also stood by the administration’s choice. He noted that the beneficiaries of the 42 dropped cases span across multiple communities and groups, including farmers, local political leaders, and Muslims. Jarkiholi dismissed the BJP’s criticism as a standard, predictable allegation that is routinely leveled whenever such broad administrative reviews take place.