Top news of the day: T.N. withdraws G.O. exempting Public Law and Order from RTI Act after backlash; over 2,000 citizens write to CJI to stay SIR, initiate suo motu proceedings on ECI conduct, and more

Mamata camp’s TMC MLA claims car attacked twice in two daysTMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, aligned with the Mamata Banerjee camp, on Sunday (September 27, 2026) alleged that his car was attacked while he was on his way to a programme in his Beliaghata constituency in east Kolkata. Mr. Ghosh claimed motorcycle-borne attackers smashed his car’s windshield with hammers while one of them trained a gun at his security personnel in the Narkeldanga area.After backlash, Tamil Nadu government withdraws G.O. exempting Public (Law and Order) Department from RTI ActAfter facing severe backlash from political parties and activists, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday (September 27, 2026) decided to withdraw a controversial order exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, on the ground that it was an Intelligence and Security Organisation. A Government Order (dated September 21, 2026) to this effect was issued by the Human Resources Management Department and notified in the Government Gazette. The order was issued under Section 24 (4) of the RTI Act, 2005. After strong criticism from various civil society organisations, the order was later withdrawn.NEET paper leak impact: CISF to guard NTA premises; stricter monitoring for ‘confidential’ areasThe National Testing Agency, which recently moved its operations to a new office following a huge controversy over NEET paper leak and administrative lapses, will now be guarded by CISF to ensure foolproof arrangements in the “confidential areas” on its premises, officials said. The move comes in the wake of the question paper leak of the medical entrance exam NEET-UG earlier this year, which had sparked nationwide student protests and led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Over 2,000 citizens write to CJI to stay SIR, initiate suo motu proceedings on EC conductOver 2,000 citizens across the country have signed an open letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to initiate suo motu proceedings against the operational and administrative conduct of the Election Commission of India regarding the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise and the deployment of ECINet.The letter seeks the immediate stay and rescission of the SIR exercise across all States and Union Territories pending a thorough, independent judicial review of its legality and procedural integrity in light of the new facts that have emerged.Suvendu claims Mamata responsible for deletion of 27 lakh names in Bengal SIR, not BJP or ECIWest Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday (September 27, 2026) blamed former CM Mamata Banerjee for the deletion of 27 lakh names from the State’s electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision, asserting that neither the BJP nor the Election Commission could be held responsible for the exclusions. Mr. Adhikari said the deletions were carried out by judicial officers pursuant to directions of the Supreme Court in a case filed by Ms. Banerjee herself, and accused her of attempting to shift the blame after losing the Assembly elections.Students protest at private university in Punjab over rape claim, block highway; FIR lodgedStudents of Lovely Professional University in Punjab’s Phagwara allegedly went on a rampage on the campus early Sunday (September 27, 2026), damaging property and blocking a national highway over claims that a female student was raped by an outsider in the university premises. Police said a rape case has been registered against an unknown person on a complaint by the students, who blocked a stretch of Delhi-Amritsar national highway, leading to a massive traffic jam.Jharkhand CID arrests three candidates in recruitment exam irregularities caseThe Jharkhand CID has arrested three candidates in connection with alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level examination-2023, an official said on Sunday (September 27, 2026). With the latest arrests, the CID has so far apprehended 19 people in the case.Surgical strikes presented bold example of India’s counter-terrorism policy: PM ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 27, 2026) said the 2016 surgical strikes were India’s decisive response to the pain of terror attacks and presented a bold example of the country’s counter-terrorism policy. Asserting that India follows a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, he said in his monthly broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that the country has made it clear that terrorism will be met with a strong and decisive response.Police evacuate homes near U.S. air base in England, detain men on suspected explosives offencesBritish police said on Sunday (September 27, 2026) they had ⁠arrested several men on suspicion of explosives offences and Army bomb disposal experts were examining several vehicles in a “major incident” near an air base used by the ‌U.S. in southwest England. Police said nearby residents had been evacuated from their homes.Separate mass shootings in South Africa townships leave at least 27 people deadTwo separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities killed at least 27 people, police said Sunday (September 27, 2026). The South African Police Service said 17 people were killed Saturday night (September 26, 2026) when eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg. At least 15 others sustained gunshot injuries in that attack, police said.Ancy Sojan clinches women’s long jump silver for IndiaIndia’s squash campaign at the Asian Games ended with two silver medals, with Abhay Singh and teenage sensation Anahat Singh finishing runners-up in their respective singles finals. Abhay went down 3-0 to Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow in the men’s final, while 18-year-old Anahat also settled for silver after losing 3-0 to Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in the women’s title clash.