Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry concluded on Thursday, witnessing high voter participation across all three regions. Voting began early in the morning and was conducted under tight security arrangements supervised by the Election Commission of India to ensure smooth and fair polling.

Voters turned out in large numbers to decide the fate of hundreds of candidates, reflecting strong public engagement in these crucial elections.

🧑‍💼 Key leaders cast their votes

Prominent political leaders were among the early voters:

• Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Pinarayi Vijayan
• N. Rangaswamy

Notably, Rangaswamy continued his tradition of riding a motorcycle to the polling booth, drawing public attention.

📊 Seats and electoral stakes

• Assam: 126 Assembly seats
• Kerala: 140 Assembly seats
• Puducherry: 30 Assembly seats

The elections saw intense contests between major alliances, with regional dynamics playing a key role in each state.

📈 Voter turnout highlights

Assam: Over 84% turnout

Assam recorded an impressive around 84.8% voter turnout, higher than the 82.04% in 2021.

• Highest turnout: Dalgaon (95.83%)
• Lowest turnout: Amri (74.41%)
• Total candidates: 722
• Polling stations: 31,490 across 35 districts

The main contest is between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance. The ruling alliance is aiming for a third consecutive term.

Kerala: Around 78% turnout

Kerala registered approximately 78.25% voter turnout, slightly higher than the 74.06% in 2021.

The key battle is among:

• LDF (Left Democratic Front) – seeking a rare third straight term
• UDF (United Democratic Front) – aiming for a comeback
• BJP – attempting to expand its presence

The election is widely seen as a referendum on the governance of CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Puducherry: Nearly 90% turnout

Puducherry witnessed a very high turnout of around 89–90%, indicating strong voter enthusiasm.

The contest is primarily between:

• NDA (led by AINRC and BJP) – trying to retain power
• Congress-led alliance – focusing on governance and autonomy issues

🔍 What’s next?

• Counting of votes: Scheduled for May 4, 2026
• Results will determine:
  • Whether incumbents retain power
  • Or opposition alliances stage comebacks

🧠 Key takeaways

• All three regions recorded higher turnout than previous elections
• Strong participation suggests high political awareness and competitive races
• Outcomes could significantly influence regional and national political dynamics

The Indian Army has reportedly cleared Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit for promotion to the rank of Brigadier, marking a significant development in a case that has spanned nearly two decades.

This decision follows an intervention by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), which had earlier stayed his retirement, originally scheduled for March 31, 2026. The tribunal directed authorities to hold off on retirement until his pending statutory complaint—seeking promotion and service benefits—was resolved.

Background: Impact of long trial on career

Lt Col Purohit had approached the tribunal arguing that his career progression was severely affected due to the prolonged legal proceedings in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. He maintained that:

• The extended trial denied him fair promotion opportunities
• His service record was overshadowed by pending allegations
• He deserved reconsideration after acquittal

Acquittal in Malegaon blast case

In July 2025, a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) acquitted Purohit and six others, stating that:

• The prosecution failed to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt
• Evidence presented during the trial was insufficient

Among those acquitted were:

• Pragya Singh Thakur (former MP)
• Ramesh Upadhyay
• Sudhakar Chaturvedi
• Ajay Rahirkar
• Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi
• Sameer Kulkarni

Originally, 11 individuals were accused, but charges were ultimately framed against 7, all of whom were acquitted.

The 2008 Malegaon blast

The incident occurred on September 29, 2008, in Malegaon, when:

• A bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Bhikku Chowk
• 6 people were killed
• Around 95 others were injured

The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad before being transferred to the NIA in 2011.

Investigation and legal journey

• The investigation spanned nearly 17 years
• Hundreds of witnesses were examined
• Charges were filed under laws including:
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
  • Arms Act

Ultimately, the court acquitted all accused, citing lack of conclusive evidence.

What the promotion means

The Army’s decision to clear Purohit for promotion suggests:

• Recognition of his acquittal and reinstated standing
• Consideration of career setbacks caused by prolonged litigation
• Possible restoration of seniority and service benefits (subject to final approvals)

Key takeaway

This case highlights the long-term impact of delayed judicial processes on careers, especially in sensitive roles like the military. The tribunal’s intervention and the Army’s decision may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.

A court in Goa on Wednesday granted bail to Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the fire-hit nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, in a forgery case linked to alleged fake documents used for obtaining operational permissions.

The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class Jude Sequeira in Mapusa, marking another significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings following the tragic incident.

⚖️ Bail Granted, Release Expected Soon

According to defence counsel Parag Rao, the court has granted regular bail, clearing the way for the brothers’ release from custody after completion of formalities.

As part of the bail conditions:

• The accused must report to the local police station regularly for the next few days
• They are required to cooperate with the ongoing investigation
• Authorities are still finalizing the detailed order

This development comes shortly after the duo had already secured bail in a separate case related to the fire tragedy.

📄 Forgery Allegations Under Investigation

The current case revolves around serious allegations that the Luthra brothers used forged documents to obtain mandatory permissions for operating their nightclub in Arpora, Goa.

Investigators claim:

• A fake No-Objection Certificate (NOC) was submitted
• The forged documents were used to secure an excise licence and other approvals
• Official records, including health clearances, may have been tampered with

Police sources suggest that these alleged irregularities allowed the nightclub to operate despite non-compliance with safety and regulatory norms.

🔥 Link to the Deadly 2025 Fire

The forgery case is closely tied to the aftermath of the Goa nightclub fire December 2025, a devastating blaze that claimed 25 lives and triggered widespread outrage.

The tragedy raised serious concerns about:

• Fire safety compliance
• Licensing procedures
• Enforcement of regulations in nightlife hubs

✈️ Arrest and Deportation Timeline

Following the fire incident:

• The Luthra brothers reportedly left India and travelled to Thailand
• They were later deported back to India
• Upon arrival, they were taken into custody by Goa Police

Their arrest was seen as a crucial step in the broader investigation into both the fire and alleged regulatory violations.

🧾 Ongoing Probe

Authorities continue to investigate:

• Whether signatures were forged on official documents
• Possible manipulation of government records
• The role of any officials or intermediaries in facilitating approvals

The case remains under close scrutiny, with further legal proceedings expected in the coming weeks.

📌 Final Take

While the grant of bail offers temporary relief to the accused, it does not imply innocence. The investigation into both the forgery allegations and the larger fire tragedy is still ongoing, and the case is likely to remain in focus as more details emerge.