General

Bengaluru has witnessed two grim incidents involving the murders of women by their intimate partners, both professionals in the tech sector. In a recent case, 33-year-old Harini was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend after she began distancing herself from him. Earlier, a techie was arrested for allegedly killing his wife and attempting to flee with her body concealed in a suitcase.

The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore native on honeymoon in Meghalaya, has taken a chilling turn as police investigations suggest his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, orchestrated the killing over an alleged extramarital affair with Raj Kushwaha. Sonam reportedly hired hitmen shortly after their wedding, leading to the arrest of Kushwaha and three others implicated in the crime.

The Maharashtra government has proposed a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern the operation of electric bike taxi services across the state, particularly in cities with populations exceeding one lakh. Under the draft "Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025," released on May 22, the state aims to foster sustainable transport while creating over 20,000 new jobs. The rules mandate stringent licensing, safety, and operational standards, with a clear focus on women’s safety and digital regulation.

A significant input tax credit (ITC) fraud amounting to Rs. 7.85 crore has been uncovered by GST officials, involving a South Delhi-based Chartered Accountant. The individual was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The fraud, which involved the misuse of over 80 GST Identification Numbers (GSTINs), was primarily linked to circular trading, with no actual supply of goods or services. Investigations are ongoing to identify all beneficiaries and uncover the full extent of the scheme, which has raised concerns about systemic abuses within the GST framework.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has sharply criticized the recent Rs 50 LPG price hike by the BJP-led Union government, highlighting the discrepancy between falling global crude oil prices and the rising cost of domestic cooking gas. Raut demanded that the government pass on the benefit of lower crude prices to consumers. The criticism extends to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and questions the government's stance on the US tariffs that may have influenced this hike.