HD Revanna, a leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), rejects accusations against his son, Prajwal Revanna, concerning a "sex video" case. He asserts that the circulated videos are part of a plot and denies their recent origin, stating they are "five years old." Following sexual assault claims, Prajwal is suspended from JD(S) and Karnataka Police initiate a FIR against HD Revanna. The Congress-led government establishes a Special Investigation Team to examine the matter. Amidst ongoing investigations, Prajwal's political future as a BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate remains uncertain.

Bengaluru sees a surge in beer sales as temperatures soar across Karnataka. In just two weeks, 23.5 lakh carton boxes of beer have been sold, already reaching 61% of last year's total for April. The excise department notes a 30% increase in sales compared to previous years, attributing the rise to rising temperatures and concurrent Lok Sabha elections. Chilled beer becomes the preferred choice to beat the heat, with ample stock to meet the growing demand. The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts prolonged heatwaves, especially in central and southern India, intensifying the need for cooling beverages.

The Election Commission disclosed a voter turnout of 66.14% in Phase 1 and 66.71% in Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections, held on April 19 and April 26 respectively. This marks a decrease compared to the 2019 polls. Lakshadweep led Phase 1 with an 84.1% turnout, while Manipur topped Phase 2 with 84.85%. Bihar recorded the lowest turnout in Phase 1 at 49.26%, and Uttar Pradesh had the lowest in Phase 2 at 55.19%. With five phases remaining, polling for all 543 constituencies will conclude on June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.            

Patanjali Foods by Yoga guru Ramdev, is under scrutiny as the GST intelligence department serves a show cause notice. The notice demands an explanation for a hefty ₹27.46 crore input tax credit. Filed by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Chandigarh, the notice targets the company and its officials. Citing relevant sections of GST laws, the department questions the credit under the Central and State Goods and Services Acts, along with the Integrated GST Act. Patanjali, primarily operating in edible oils, disclosed the notice in a regulatory filing on April 26. The notice requires the company to justify the credit, alongside potential interest and penalties.

In Chhattisgarh's Bastar, a significant anti-Naxal operation resulted in the death of 7 Maoists. The clash occurred in Narayanpur district between Maoists and a joint security team comprising the District Reserve Guard and the STF. The encounter was intense, showcasing the ongoing battle against Naxal insurgency in the region. The operation underscores the commitment of security forces to combat extremist threats in Chhattisgarh.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues a directive to cease unfair interest rate practices in the lending sector. Following onsite examinations revealing unethical practices burdening borrowers with excessive charges, RBI mandates immediate cessation and corrective actions by regulated entities. Lenders are instructed to review loan disbursal procedures, interest calculations, and refund excess charges to affected customers. Emphasizing fairness and transparency, RBI encourages online account transfers for loan disbursals to streamline processes and mitigate risks associated with cheque issuance. The move aims to safeguard borrowers and promote integrity in the lending ecosystem.

Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders Jitu Patwari and Vikrant Bhuria face charges under POCSO Act for allegedly disclosing the identity of a rape victim in Alirajpur district. Alirajpur SP Rajesh Vyas confirmed the case, stating that a woman accused them of revealing the victim's identity and her family's in a video. The victim, a minor girl, was raped by two minor boys. The police haven't questioned the accused yet as the investigation is in its early stages.

The NCAER predicts India's economy will grow by more than 7% in 2024-25. They're optimistic because of positive signs like a good monsoon forecast and a stronger global economy. This outlook is better than what the RBI expects. Key indicators like manufacturing and GST collections show the economy is expanding. EY Economy Watch also shares similar views, highlighting India's consistent growth after COVID for four years. Experts believe rural areas, spending, and investments will increase, supported by stable prices and significant government spending.

The Uttarakhand government has suspended the licenses of 14 Patanjali products, alleging violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. Alongside, a criminal complaint has been filed against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Patanjali for alleged breaches of the law. This action follows a Supreme Court hearing regarding misleading advertisements by Patanjali on health cures, where the court demanded a public apology. Despite apologies tendered by Ramdev and Balkrishna, the court scrutinizes their compliance. The state's move and legal actions underscore the ongoing controversies surrounding Patanjali and its leadership.

The Supreme Court halted a probe into West Bengal government officers amid a teacher job crisis, following the High Court's order invalidating over 25,000 teacher appointments. The top court granted relief to the Mamata Banerjee-led government, staying the CBI probe into officials' alleged role in a recruitment scam. The state government argued the High Court's decision led to abrupt job terminations, disrupting the education system. Calcutta High Court had ordered the CBI to investigate illegal appointments, including potential custodial interrogation. The Supreme Court's intervention aims to address the crisis and prevent further disruptions in the education sector.