Bihar To Count Votes On 14 November; Attack On CJI In Supreme Court; And More

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ECI Announces Two-Phase Poll For Bihar Assembly; Counting On 14 November

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday (6 October) announced that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases, on 6 November and 11 November, with the counting of votes scheduled for 14 November.

The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is 17 October, while candidates contesting in the second phase must file their nominations by 20 October. The current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 seats, will complete its term on 22 November.

As per the final electoral roll released by the ECI last month, Bihar has 7.42 crore registered voters, including 14 lakh first-time voters. The updated voter list is available on the Election Commission’s website.

The upcoming polls are expected to witness a high-stakes contest between the ruling NDA alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.

Other notable players include the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Prashant Kishor’s newly formed Jan Suraaj Party, which will contest its first election, aiming to position itself as a third front in Bihar’s political arena.

In the previous Assembly elections held in 2020, the NDA had secured a narrow majority with 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan won 110.

PM Modi Condemns Attack on Chief Justice Gavai at Supreme Court

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai following a violent incident at the Supreme Court premises on Monday, October 6, 2025, expressing solidarity and condemning the attack.

Taking to social media platform X, Modi stated the assault had "angered every Indian," calling it "utterly condemnable" with "no place for such reprehensible acts in our society." He praised Justice Gavai's composure during the incident.

During a court hearing, advocate Rakesh Kishore threw papers at CJI Gavai while raising slogans about "Sanatan" before being escorted out by security. The attack followed controversy over the CJI's recent remarks about a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho, which had sparked social media outrage.

Despite the disruption, Justice Gavai calmly instructed lawyers to continue proceedings, saying, "If we are not perturbed, why are you?"

Opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also condemned the attack.

Other developments

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Centre On Sonam Wangchuk's NSA Detention

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the central government and Ladakh Union Territory on a plea challenging activist Sonam Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act (NSA).

Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, filed the petition seeking his immediate release. He was detained on September 26, two days after demonstrations erupted over demands for Ladakh statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion. The violent protests in Leh resulted in the death of four people.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated detention grounds were supplied to Wangchuk, but Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria refused disclosure to his wife, scheduling the next hearing for October 14.

Authorities allege Wangchuk "incited" violence, while supporters claim he was leading a peaceful hunger strike. Now jailed in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Wangchuk faces NSA charges.

Union Health Ministry Revises CGHS Rates For First Time In A Decade

In a significant overhaul nearly a decade in the making, the Union Health Ministry has revised rates for around 2,000 medical procedures under the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) scheme.

The CGHS, which primarily serves central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents, currently covers over 4.26 million beneficiaries across 80 cities in India.

The new rate structure, which comes into force from 13 October, marks the first major update since 2014.

The revised framework introduces a multi-dimensional rate system based on four parameters — accreditation status, type of hospital, city classification, and ward entitlement.

This marks a departure from the earlier one-dimensional structure that primarily distinguished between NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) and non-NABH accredited institutions.

Officials said the update aims to address long-standing concerns of both patients and hospitals.

Many CGHS beneficiaries had complained that empanelled hospitals often declined cashless treatment, forcing them to pay upfront and wait for months for reimbursement.

Hospitals, on the other hand, argued that government-set rates had not kept pace with medical inflation.

Consultations in non-accredited hospitals will cost 15 per cent less than accredited ones, while rates in super-speciality hospitals will be 15 per cent higher.

City classification has also been factored in: Tier-II and Tier-III cities will have rates 10 per cent and 20 per cent lower, respectively, than Tier-I cities.

However, procedures such as radiotherapy, investigations, and minor day-care treatments will retain uniform rates nationwide.

India's Services Sector Growth Moderates in September

India's services sector slowed slightly in September 2025, with the HSBC India Services PMI declining to 60.9 from August's 15-year high of 62.9, though remaining well above the neutral 50.0 mark.

The deceleration stemmed primarily from slower export order growth—the weakest since March—due to intensified international price competition. However, domestic demand stayed strong, supported by technology investments and favourable public policies.

Business optimism reached a six-month high, driven by efficiency improvements, advertising plans, competitive pricing, and anticipated tax cuts. Employment growth remained modest, with under 5 percent of companies reporting new hiring.

The Composite PMI fell to 61.0 from 63.2, indicating cooling across manufacturing and services, though robust expansion continues.

From the states

West Bengal: BJP Leaders Attacked While Inspecting Flood Damage

BJP MP Khagen Murmu and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh were injured after a mob allegedly attacked them at Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, on 6 October, Monday, while they were inspecting flood damage.

Around 1 pm, approximately 500 people surrounded the leaders after they exited their vehicle. Ghosh said attackers identified themselves as "Didi's sainik," questioning their presence. The mob assaulted Murmu and pelted the vehicle with stones, sticks, and shoes while chanting "Go away BJP," shattering windows. Murmu sustained critical injuries requiring hospitalisation in Siliguri.

The BJP accused Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the assault. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed Mamata Banerjee "unleashed her goons" to stop BJP relief work, while MP Sukanta Majumdar called it evidence of the Chief Minister's fear.

TMC IT cell head Debangshu Bhattacharya countered it was "the outburst of the common man."

Madhya Pradesh: IMA to Meet Health Ministry Over Doctor's Arrest in Cough Syrup Deaths

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) will hold discussions with the Union Health Ministry following paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni's arrest over child deaths in the state allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrup.

The IMA questions why Dr Soni faces sole responsibility when "treatment protocols were followed," while pharmaceutical company Sresun Pharmaceuticals was cleared. An IMA fact-finding team has been dispatched to Chhindwara, where 14 of 16 deaths occurred.

Dr Soni was arrested Saturday under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and suspended for alleged negligence. Laboratory tests revealed the prescribed Coldrif syrup contained 48.6 percent Diethylene Glycol (DEG)—a toxic chemical causing kidney failure and death.

Karnataka Caste Census May Get Deadline Extension

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced Monday that the state's caste census, launched September 22, may receive a deadline extension beyond October 7 to ensure complete coverage.

The census has already enumerated 80 percent of the population, targeting 1.43 crore households at Rs 420 crore cost. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is reportedly reviewing progress in lagging districts.

State BJP chief BY Vijayendra criticized the exercise, calling it confusing and unnecessary given PM Modi's announcement of caste enumeration in the national census. Union Minister V Somanna termed it "unscientific" with "technical errors."

Defending the survey, Siddaramaiah emphasized it ensures equitable representation for all seven crore residents, stating it favours everyone.

Kerala HC Orders SIT Probe Into Missing Gold from Sabarimala Temple

The Kerala High Court ordered a court-monitored SIT investigation into missing gold from Sabarimala temple's gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols, appointing ADGP H Venkatesh to head the probe.

The order followed revelations that a contractor sought permission to use "leftover gold" for a wedding. Records showed 4.54 kg gold missing—42.8 kg handed for repair versus 38 kg received.

The investigation must conclude within one month. The Court also appointed retired Justice KT Sankaran to supervise a complete inventory of temple valuables, citing wider procedural lapses involving officials handling temple assets.

You’re all caught up. Until next time.