The BJP on Tuesday seized the moment by sharing a viral clip of the viral girl from the CSK vs RR match, using it to mock the Congress-led Karnataka government. The jibe comes in response to the state’s recent decision to increase prices for Nandini milk, BMTC bus fares, and Namma Metro tickets, sparking widespread criticism.

Sharing the viral clip on X (formerly Twitter), the Karnataka BJP captioned, “That too, right after hikes in BMTC, Metro, and Milk prices!”

During the Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match, a female fan’s reaction to Dhoni’s departure captured attention online. Her expression, as Hetmyer caught a ball that Dhoni had hit, quickly became popular meme material across the internet.

Bengaluru residents are grappling with a wave of price hikes that have swept across essential services over the past year, from public transportation to household staples. The escalating costs of metro fares, bus tickets, milk, and electricity are placing a growing burden on daily commuters, families, and small businesses alike.

One of the steepest increases has come from the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), which rolled out a fare revision in February. The maximum fare for a metro ride jumped from ₹60 to ₹90, while the minimum balance required on smart cards doubled from ₹50 to ₹90. This adjustment translates to a 50-90% fare hike, a significant blow for the thousands of daily passengers who depend on the Namma Metro as an affordable lifeline. For a city known for its traffic woes, the metro’s rising costs are forcing many to rethink their budgets.

The pain at the ticket counter doesn’t stop with the metro. In January, the Karnataka government greenlit a 15% fare increase for state-run transport corporations, directly impacting the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). As a result, bus commuters—many of whom rely on BMTC services to navigate the city—are facing higher prices. An ordinary daily pass now costs ₹80, up from ₹70, while a weekly pass has risen from ₹300 to ₹350. Monthly pass holders, including students and regular travelers, are shelling out ₹1,200, compared to ₹1,050 previously. The fare surge is yet another hurdle for those already stretched thin by rising living costs.

For households, the sting of inflation is also evident at the breakfast table. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has raised the price of its popular Nandini milk by ₹4 per litre, effective April 1. This marks the third hike in less than a year, following increases of ₹3 per litre in July 2023 and ₹2 per litre in June 2024. A litre of Nandini toned milk, which retailed for ₹40 last year, now carries a ₹46 price tag. While KMF insists its rates remain competitive with brands like Amul and Heritage, the steady upward trend has left consumers frustrated and budgets tighter than ever.

Adding to the financial squeeze, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved higher fixed charges for electricity consumers over the next three years. The new rates, set to appear in bills starting May, will impact households and businesses across the state. However, there’s a silver lining for some: beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides free electricity, will be shielded from these increases. For everyone else, the rising cost of power is yet another expense to juggle.

A Delhi court on Tuesday directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra and others as part of an investigation into Mishra’s purported involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia concluded that there was a “prime facie” cognizable offense that necessitated further investigation. The judge noted, “It is evident that Mishra was present in the area during the time of the alleged offense… a deeper inquiry is warranted.”

This decision followed a petition filed by Mohammad Ilyas, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, seeking the FIR’s registration. The Delhi Police disputed this request, asserting that Mishra played no role in the riots.

Earlier in February, the court had instructed a complainant to approach the relevant MP/MLA Court to seek the filing of an FIR against BJP leader Kapil Mishra in relation to the north-east Delhi riots of 2020.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Udbhav Kumar Jain, in a decision dated January 18, had expressed concern that the Investigating Officer appeared more focused on police personnel and either neglected to investigate Mishra, an accused, or attempted to shield him from allegations.

The had court observed that the Action Taken Report (ATR) failed to address the accusations against Mishra, referred to as accused number three. It noted, “The alleged accused number three is in the public eye and subject to greater scrutiny; such individuals influence public sentiment and thus, are expected to exhibit responsible behavior within the framework of the Constitution of India.”

In his complaint against Mohs Wasim, Ilyas claimed he witnessed Mishra participating in an unlawful assembly and issuing threats to the public on February 24, 2020. He further stated that he and a group of men were coerced by police officers during the riots to sing the national anthem and “Vande Mataram,” an incident that gained viral attention on social media. Tragically, one member of this group, a 23-year-old, lost his life amid the unrest.

Ilyas asserted that he had previously attempted to file an FIR regarding this incident in 2020, but no action had been taken. Consequently, he sought the court’s intervention to register the FIR. The police’s report presented to the court maintained that the allegations against the officers involved were unfounded and inaccurate.

Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed pastor from Punjab renowned for his viral “Yeshu Yeshu” videos, received a life sentence on March 28, stemming from a 2018 rape case in Mohali. The verdict was declared by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar.

Singh, who gained notoriety for his flamboyant ministry and miracle claims, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 (rape), 323 (causing intentional harm), and 506 (criminal intimidation). His downfall is shocking, especially given his previous public persona as a charismatic spiritual leader.

Born into a Hindu Jat family in Yamunanagar, Haryana, Singh underwent a significant transformation 15 years ago when he converted to Christianity while serving time for a murder conviction. In 2016, he began his own ministry, the Church of Glory and Wisdom, where he drew thousands by claiming to perform miraculous healings.

His YouTube channel boasts 3.74 million subscribers, where he shares performances, particularly his signature song “Mere Yeshu Yeshu,” following each alleged miracle.

The case against Singh was initiated when a woman filed a complaint at the Zirakpur police station in 2018, accusing him of luring her with promises of foreign travel before sexually assaulting her in his Mohali home. The chilling details revealed that he recorded the incident and threatened to disseminate the video publicly if she did not comply with his demands.

In addition to the rape conviction, Singh faces scrutiny for his alleged involvement in another sexual harassment case, which was filed on February 28, 2025. This ongoing investigation highlights a troubling pattern in his behavior.

Adding to his notoriety, a video surfaced shortly before his sentencing, showing Singh in a heated altercation with a woman, during which he slapped her after an argument. The incident, captured on CCTV, quickly went viral, prompting police action.

Singh’s rise and dramatic fall serve as a cautionary tale, reflecting the complexities surrounding self-styled religious figures and their impact on society.