Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the SC/ST Act in Uttarakhand over his remarks on the alleged purification ritual held after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s visit to Haldwani. Gandhi had called the ritual “untouchability disguised as purification” and demanded an FIR against those responsible. Now, following a complaint alleging caste-related and derogatory remarks, Uttarakhand Police has registered an FIR against Gandhi under BNS Sections 196 and 299 and the SC/ST Act.

A powerful flash flood has struck Chamoli in Uttarakhand, sweeping away a Bailey bridge over the Tamak Nala and disrupting a strategically important route towards the Niti Valley. A Border Roads Organisation vehicle and its driver have been reported missing after the sudden surge of water hit the area. The incident occurred along the Jyotirmath–Malari/Niti route, which connects remote villages and areas close to the India-China border. NDRF and SDRF teams, along with police and district administration officials, have reached the affected area and launched a search and rescue operation.