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On News Track with Marya Shakil, political tensions escalated over demonstrations against the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The murder of anti-drug crusader Parvinder Singh Jota in Mansa has triggered widespread public anger and intense political controversy across Punjab.

On News Track, Maria Shakil reviews Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 continuous years in government, tracing his journey from Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 to Prime Minister.

This special broadcast covers the political confrontation in New Delhi following the detention of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders by Delhi Police during an eight-hour dharna outside Akashvani Bhavan.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Election Commission of India and the Centre seeking detailed responses on decisions allegedly taken by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar without the approval of fellow election commissioners. While refusing an interim plea for the suspension of the CEC, the bench observed that commission decisions must be unanimous or by majority, warning of legal consequences if illegalities occurred. The court noted it had not approved the modified Form 6, which had added an online declaration requiring new voters to link to an earlier electoral roll through parents or grandparents. The modification triggered political protests and objections from the Opposition, with the Leader of the Opposition accusing the CEC of unilateral decisions. The BJP responded by dismissing claims that the modified form was declared illegal by the court or formulated to benefit the ruling party, maintaining that the Opposition is misleading the public.

A roundtable of aviation experts discussed how Indian pilot Smit Machchhar helped avert a potential disaster aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 after being attacked by his co-pilot. The pilots examined Machchhar's decision to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers to intervene as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude. The discussion also focused on the challenges faced by pilots during cockpit emergencies and the importance of quick decision-making and crew coordination. Machchhar, who has more than 13 years of flying experience, is recovering in hospital following the September 30 incident.

On board FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Smit Makkar thwarted a suspected mid-air terror plot when his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a sharp object at 35,000 feet. Despite suffering multiple stab wounds, the Indian captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene as the aircraft plummeted rapidly. Israeli officials and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit for saving 174 lives and averting a 9/11-like catastrophe. Captain Smit received initial treatment in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being moved to Abu Dhabi in stable condition. Global aviation experts, including Captain Sam Thomas of the Airlines Pilots Association of India, security analyst Saul Satka, and SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh, weighed in on the unprecedented cockpit breach. The discussions focused on insider aviation threats, pilot psychological screening, cockpit security locks, and an ongoing multi-nation investigation involving the UAE and Israel.

A routine Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a severe mid-air emergency when a violent confrontation erupted between the pilots in the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted squawk code 7500, signalling unlawful interference, and rapidly descended nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before diverting safely to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Reports revealed that one pilot was stabbed inside the flight deck, while passengers and crew intervened to neutralize the attacker and help safely land the plane. Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the incident as a highly severe security situation and an attempted terror attack, alleging the co-pilot attempted to crash the airliner. Israeli politician Sharon Haskel noted that the event is currently under investigation by authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A rescue flight carrying the stranded passengers subsequently landed safely in Tel Aviv.

In an interview with India Today's Marya Shakil, Lovely Professional University dean Sorabh Lakhanpal discusses the violence, arson and vandalism on campus and the protest that blocked National Highway 44.

Supreme Court Senior Advocate Vikas Singh questioned the functioning and impartiality of the Election Commission of India amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He argued that the poll panel is a multi-member body and its decisions should be taken unanimously or by majority. Singh also questioned the EC's role in the SIR exercise, arguing that the commission does not have the authority to determine the citizenship of individuals. He said such powers lie with the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Citizenship Act. He further called for greater independence in the appointment of election commissioners, suggesting an independent collegium involving the Chief Justice of India. Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, Congress spokesperson Bhavya Narasimhamurthy and BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari debated the allegations surrounding the poll panel and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Bhandari defended the EC and rejected opposition allegations as "source-based fake news", while Narasimhamurthy questioned why NDA chief ministers were responding to the criticism instead of the CEC addressing the public directly.

EC row over SIR intensifies as opposition protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while former poll chiefs differ over decision-making.

A political controversy has erupted over revelations that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded 14 objections over 10 months during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The concerns included changes to Form Six for new voter registration, access to digital databases and voter deletions in West Bengal and Goa. The Opposition has demanded accountability and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting autocratically. The Election Commission, however, said decisions were taken unanimously after internal checks and balances. The BJP defended the poll panel, saying differences during deliberations reflect democratic decision-making. Former CEC OP Rawat and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi have debated the constitutional and operational framework of the Election Commission.

US President Donald Trump called for Iran's complete economic isolation, demanding that Tehran halt attacks on commercial shipping, abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism.

A political showdown has erupted over the introduction of a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on select UPI transactions above 2,000 rupees.

A revised merchant discount rate framework will apply to select Unified Payments Interface merchant transactions above 2,000 rupees starting 15 October, while person-to-person transfers and payments under the threshold remain free.