Maharashtra civic polls saw controversial wins, including two relatives of jailed gangster Suryakant Andekar elected in Pune. In Jalna, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder, secured a victory as an independent. These results have sparked significant public debate and criticism.

Alcohol sales will be banned on 28 dry days in 2026 across cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, including Republic Day, Holi, Eid ul-Fitr, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali and Christmas.

The deceased has been identified as Binu Prakash (26), a native of Kollar in Kerala’s Nedumpano district. The second tourist, identified as Mahavir, remains missing.