Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand on October 24 and 25. His proposed two-day itinerary includes development-related engagements in Varanasi and a review of infrastructure work at the Kedarnath Corridor.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate a factory in the Sevapuri area and attend programmes related to the city’s development. The visit will also coincide with an Indian Air Force aerial display at Namo Ghat, where he is expected to attend the event on October 25.

PM Modi likely to attend Varanasi air show

The Indian Air Force’s aerial display, titled Wings Over Ganges, is scheduled over the Ganga at Namo Ghat on October 22, 24 and 25.

The event is expected to feature Rafale, Sukhoi and Tejas fighter aircraft, along with performances by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team and the Sarang helicopter display team.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to attend the air show. Officials have been preparing for the event, with security and crowd management among the key considerations because of the anticipated gathering.

Kedarnath Corridor project review on October 25

Modi is also expected to travel to Kedarnath on October 25 to assess progress on the Kedarnath Corridor development project.

The review is expected to cover ongoing infrastructure projects and efforts to improve facilities in and around the Himalayan pilgrimage centre.

The proposed visit brings together public and development-related engagements in Varanasi with an assessment of infrastructure work at Kedarnath.

Three men accused in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai have been remanded to police custody until October 31. A magistrate court passed the order on Wednesday after hearing the police and defence arguments.

The accused were brought to Mumbai from Kota in Rajasthan earlier in the day. The Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, had sought 14 days of custody for further questioning and a detailed probe.

The three accused have been identified as Rehan, alias Sukka, from Sonipat in Haryana; Ritik Kurmi, alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and currently residing in Mumbai; and Phool Singh from Haryana.

Why police sought custody

The investigating team told the court that custodial interrogation was required to recover the weapons used in the firing and investigate the suspected conspiracy behind the incident.

Police also informed the court that the accused had destroyed two mobile phones. Investigators said further questioning was necessary to establish the motive behind the shooting and examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The defence opposed the request for extended police custody. Lawyers Ajinkya Mirgal and Satyabrat Joshi argued that the accused had already been questioned during transit remand and disputed the need for further custody to recover the weapons.

After hearing both sides, the court remanded all three men to police custody until October 31.

Three accused brought to Mumbai from Kota

According to the report, Kota city police apprehended the trio from a train on Monday after receiving specific information. They were subsequently handed over to Mumbai Police, which formally arrested them and produced them before a magistrate.

A court in Kota had granted transit remand to facilitate their transfer to Mumbai.

What happened in the firing incident

The firing took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, when at least two men fired shots at Tiger Shroff’s car before fleeing on a motorcycle.

The actor escaped relatively unhurt, while his driver and a bystander sustained injuries. Mumbai Police said five to six rounds were fired at the vehicle.

A motorcycle allegedly used by the assailants was later found abandoned in Andheri.

Mumbai Police have registered a case under provisions relating to attempted murder and the Arms Act. The investigation is continuing to establish the motive and recover evidence connected with the incident.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the Centre’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade in Punjab by December 31, 2029, drawing a parallel with the government’s claim that it has ended Naxalism.

Speaking at a Vijayadashami event in Ludhiana on Tuesday, Shah said the fight against narcotics would continue until the drug trade was eliminated. He also called on the Punjab government to transfer two additional cases involving people who had opposed the drug menace to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Shah’s remarks came during his visit to Punjab, where he met families affected by deaths linked to the state’s drug problem.

Amit Shah sets 2029 deadline for drug-free Punjab

Addressing the gathering in Ludhiana, Shah said the government had fulfilled several of its commitments, citing the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A, progress against terrorism and the end of Naxalism.

He said the next priority was to eliminate the drug trade.

Shah reiterated his resolve to eliminate Punjab’s drug trade by December 31, 2029, describing the commitment as a tribute to three people whose families he met during his visit.

The Home Minister urged people to share information about the drug trade through the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll-free helpline, assuring them that the Modi government would take action on the information received.

Shah seeks CBI probes into two more cases

During his Punjab visit, Shah met the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Shah met the families and assured them that action would be taken in the cases.

Shah referred to the case involving Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, which had been transferred to the CBI. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer the two other cases, associated with Sangrur and Gurdaspur, to the central agency as well.

The Home Minister said the investigations should establish accountability, adding that influential people involved in the cases would not be spared.

Shah criticises Punjab government over drug menace

Shah accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab of failing to control the drug trade. He also criticised the state administration over the treatment of people who had raised concerns about narcotics.

Referring to the spread of ‘chitta’, a term commonly used for heroin in Punjab, Shah said the drug trade had reached villages across the state.

He argued that people speaking out against the menace were facing serious consequences, including death and suicide, and called for stronger action against those responsible.

The Punjab government and the individuals referred to in the allegations should be given an opportunity to respond to specific accusations.

Shah maintained that the Centre would use its available resources to pursue the cases and work towards ending the drug trade in Punjab by the end of 2029.