Three persons were injured and 12 more houses were damaged in the Boh Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district in overnight rain, officials said on Wednesday.

With this, the total number of houses damaged in the valley has climbed to 18. Six houses were washed away in a downpour on Tuesday.

The meteorological department warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu districts over the next 24 hours.

A cloudburst triggered flash floods and massive debris flows in Sapedi and Garun villages of the valley on Tuesday. Lam village also faces a threat. Several routes leading to the villages have been affected.

A total of 13 pucca houses and five kutcha houses have been damaged in the rain and three persons have been injured. Nine cowsheds have been damaged. Three buffaloes, four cows, one bull and one sheep died, the officials said.

According to reports, residents heard a loud blast-like sound from the hills moments before a powerful torrent of water, mud and boulders rushed downhill.

Timely evacuation of residents is believed to have prevented any loss of life.

The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued an ‘orange’ alert for heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in Kangra and Mandi districts and a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rains in parts of Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts for Wednesday.

It cautioned that low to moderate flash flood risk is likely over a few watersheds and neighbourhoods of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu districts over the next 24 hours.

The wet spell is likely to continue till July 27.

The officials said landslides also hit Dibba and Maned Nallah areas, making it difficult for rescue teams and administrative personnel to reach the disaster-hit locations.

Several roads in the state have been blocked due to torrential rains over the past few days.

The public has been asked to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, streams, nallahs and landslide-prone slopes, and refrain from attempting to cross overflowing bridges or flooded roads.

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an independent investigation into the police action during climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and directions to safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to hold peaceful protests.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devender Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia is scheduled to hear the matter.

The PIL has been filed by Shakeel Abbas, a Delhi-based advocate, through Advocate Shakil Sheikh and Associates. It names the Union of India, the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District), the Station House Officer of Parliament Street Police Station, the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government and the Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital as respondents.

According to the petition, the case concerns the alleged violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(c) and 21 of the Constitution during the alleged suppression of a peaceful and non-violent protest led by Sonam Wangchuk and other demonstrators. The petitioner has sought judicial safeguards to protect the right to peaceful assembly and expression.

The plea states that Sonam Wangchuk and several students and citizens began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28, 2026, raising issues relating to the education system and alleged examination paper leaks. It claims that the protest remained peaceful until July 17 without any reported violence.

Referring to the events of July 18, the petition says that police personnel entered the protest site on the 21st day of the hunger strike. While official statements said Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on medical grounds, the petition alleges that the protest site was cleared, several protesters were removed or detained against their wishes and excessive force was used while dispersing the gathering.

It further claims that protesters were harassed and prevented from continuing their demonstration.

The petitioner argues that the incident raises serious constitutional questions regarding the limits of police powers in dispersing peaceful assemblies and the need for an independent inquiry into the events of July 18. It also states that a representation-cum-complaint regarding the incident was submitted to the authorities before the PIL was filed.

The petition further contends that the alleged actions of the police had a chilling effect on democratic dissent and peaceful assembly. It submits that the PIL is not intended to espouse the personal cause of Sonam Wangchuk or any individual protester but seeks protection of constitutional freedoms available to every citizen. According to the petitioner, the reliefs sought are institutional and preventive in nature.

Among its principal prayers, the PIL seeks a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner or another competent authority to conduct an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the police action at Jantar Mantar on July 18, particularly the alleged use of force, detention of protesters and disruption of the hunger strike.

It also seeks preservation of CCTV footage, body-camera recordings, drone footage, wireless communication records, duty registers, medical records and other electronic and documentary evidence connected with the incident.

The petition further requests the High Court to direct the authorities to produce the complete records relating to the operation conducted on July 18, including deployment orders, authorisations for police action and medical communications. It also seeks appropriate action against officials found responsible after inquiry.

In addition, the PIL seeks formulation of comprehensive guidelines governing police action during peaceful demonstrations to ensure that protests are not arbitrarily disrupted and that constitutional safeguards relating to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and personal liberty are protected in future.

The petitioner has also sought interim directions restraining authorities from taking coercive action, unlawful detention, intimidation, harassment or use of excessive force against Sonam Wangchuk or any other peaceful protester solely for participating in a lawful assembly, except in accordance with due process of law.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early deals on Wednesday as higher crude oil prices and selling in bank stocks hit investors’ sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 403.54 points to 77,066.06 in early trade, taking the donwtrend to the third day running. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 114.75 points to 24,070.05.

From the Sensex pack, InterGlobe Aviation, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Sun Pharma, Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were among the major laggards.

Titan, Eternal, Maruti and Asian Paints were the winners.

Elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions have tempered risk appetite in the markets, according to an expert.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, quoted 1.15 per cent higher at USD 92.06 per barrel.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s KOSPI jumped 5.16 per cent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index were also trading higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index quoted lower.

US markets ended higher on Tuesday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned buyers on Tuesday. They bought equities worth Rs 1,650.16 crore in the previous trade, according to exchange data.

On Tuesday, the Sensex declined 238.41 points, or 0.31 per cent, to settle at 77,470.11. The Nifty edged lower by 50.80 points, or 0.21 per cent, to end at 24,187.70.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, labelling his conduct as “irresponsible” and a violation of the dignity of the high office.

Addressing a press conference here in the national capital, Prasad took a swipe at Gandhi’s political lineage, reminding him that he comes from a family that has seen three Prime Ministers.

“He is sitting on a dharna at the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence. His father (Rajiv Gandhi) was the Prime Minister, his grandmother Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, and his great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru was also the Prime Minister of India. He, of all people, should know the dignity and sanctity of the Prime Minister’s residence. Despite this, the kind of irresponsible behaviour he has displayed is highly condemnable,” Prasad said.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad further announced on that the Bharatiya Janata Party will hold nationwide protests today against the Congress party.

“The BJP will hold protests today across the country against Congress outside congress office for the unruly protest outside the PM’s house yesterday,’ he added.

Questioning the Congress leader’s “obstinacy,” the BJP leader asked if the country would be governed by Gandhi’s whims.

“How do you intend to function? Will you just sit there forcibly? You were engaged in a dialogue. They (the government) were ready for a debate on the NEET issue, but then you backed out? Does this country run on your stick? Will it run on your arrogance? Rahul Gandhi, you have been irresponsible. I condemn your entire conduct,” Prasad added.

The senior BJP leader further justified the police intervention at the protest site, stating that the law enforcement agencies were forced to act to maintain security and public peace.

“Later, the police were forced to take action, which was necessary for security and for maintaining peace. The Prime Minister has always been clear on these issues,” he said.

Prasad further justified the police intervention at the protest site, stating that law enforcement agencies were forced to act to maintain security and public peace.

Turning his focus to the ongoing controversy surrounding competitive examinations, Prasad highlighted the government’s proactive measures to ensure transparency and fairness.

“In the past, irregularities were reported in several states during various examinations. Consequently, foolproof exams were conducted immediately after cancellations. The results have been declared with a 56-57% success rate, and students are satisfied. These exams were held without charging any additional fees,” Prasad told reporters.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to the youth, he said, “All the candidates appearing for NEET and other exams are our children. It is our duty to be concerned about their future, and we will fulfill that responsibility. Those involved in irregularities have been arrested and are facing trial. The government is ensuring that their trial leads to certain punishment.”

The senior leader concluded by reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to systemic reforms. “To further improve the system, a thorough investigation and scrutiny are underway. The Prime Minister has given a clear assurance regarding the sanctity of NEET and all other examinations,” he said.

Twenty-one more people lost their lives and nearly 5.65 lakh were affected by floods in Assam with incessant rain across several districts deteriorating the overall situation on Wednesday, officials said.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority’s (ASDMA) daily flood report issued at midnight on Tuesday, more than 5,64,600 people have been hit by the deluge in Biswanath, Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Sivasagar and Tinsukia districts.

Thirteen people, including four women and two children, drowned in floodwaters in the Sivasagar district, followed by five, including two children, in Charaideo, two in Golaghat, and one woman in Jorhat in the last 24 hours, it added.

With these fatalities, the total number of deaths in this year’s floods has increased to 31.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for Assam and predicted thunderstorms and heavy rains at isolated places over the next four days.

The ‘yellow alert’ of the IMD stands for watch and be updated.

IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati said that the upper air cyclonic circulation over Central Assam and adjoining Nagaland between 1.5 and 3.1 km above mean sea level has become less marked.

At present, the Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat, while its tributaries Buridihing at Khowang, and Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh are also above the danger level.

On the other hand, the Dikhou river at Sivasagar and Disang river at Nanglamuraghat are flowing above the highest flood level, the ASDMA said.

Sivasagar is the worst-hit district with nearly 3.6 lakh people affected, followed by Jorhat with almost 88,000 and Charaideo with more than 72,500 reeling under floodwaters.

The flood situation has worsened significantly since Monday night, when nearly 3.63 lakh people were affected across 15 districts.

The ASDMA said the administration has been operating 273 relief camps and relief distribution centres in 10 districts, taking care of 12,284 displaced people at present.

Multiple agencies, like the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Service, police and civil agencies, have rescued more than 6,000 people from different parts of Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar, the report added.

The authority has distributed 5,011.07 quintals of rice, 956.53 quintals of dal, 265.18 quintals of salt and 20,115.42 litres of mustard oil among the flood victims during the last 24 hours.

At present, 872 villages are under water, and 24,210.35 hectares of crop areas have been damaged across Assam, the ASDMA said.

Embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been damaged by floodwaters in different districts of the state.

On account of widespread flooding, 1,85,029 domestic animals and poultry are affected across the state.

Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh on Tuesday said the police action against protesters during their “Sansad Chalo” march was “wrong” and insisted that the government must listen to students’ demand, while acknowledging that he could once again be labelled “anti-national”.

As part of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” protest, thousands of protesters gathered on Monday marched towards Parliament but were met with tear gas and lathi-charge by police.

“What happened today was very wrong. Students should not have been treated like this. I request the authorities to listen to the students’ demands. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” Diljit wrote in Punjabi on his Intagram Stories.

The actor also recalled the backlash and legal issues he faced when he supported the yearlong farmer’s protests in 2020-2021.

“I have already been labelled an ‘anti-national’ many times. Even now, I know I will be called anti-national again. After the farmers’ protest, I faced a lot of backlash and legal problems that I still cannot even discuss. The rest, God is watching everything. May Baba bless everyone,” the “Main Vaapas Aaunga” actor said.

Earlier this month, Diljit had distanced himself from the CJP protest, saying he is an artiste, not a politician.

“Keep me away from all this… Bro, I’m an artist. I’m no politician, I don’t know what you think I am,” Diljit had said during an Instagram Live session on July 1.

The CJP, an organic movement against paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the exam system that started with a comment by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant referring to the youth as ‘cockroaches’, has been sitting at Jantar Mantar since June 20. The protest gathered traction with activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike.

The movement has received support from celebrities including Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap, Sonakshi Sinha, Kiran Rao and Vir Das.