A Class 10 student is among three minors detained by police in connection with the murder of private school principal and teacher K Roopa Reddy in Nalgonda district, Telangana.

Police suspect that the student, who reportedly studied at the same school, was involved in the killing that took place at Roopa Reddy’s residence in Kondamallepally mandal on August 11. The investigation is still underway, and police are expected to formally announce details of the arrests.

CCTV Footage Helps Telangana Police Crack Murder Case

Roopa Reddy was reportedly alone at her residence when the attack took place. She suffered multiple stab injuries, including wounds to her stomach and neck.

The case initially remained unsolved, with police having few leads. Investigators later examined CCTV footage, which reportedly helped them identify potential suspects.

Police questioned around 80 people during the investigation before taking three minors into custody in Ibrahimpatnam.

Student Allegedly Killed Principal After Being Reprimanded

According to the police investigation, Roopa Reddy was allegedly attacked after she reprimanded a student over misconduct.

Police also suspect that approximately ₹4 lakh was stolen from the victim’s residence following the murder. The exact sequence of events and the motive are yet to be officially established.

Investigation Underway in Telangana School Principal Murder

The detention of three minors, including a student from the victim's school, has added a disturbing dimension to the case. Police are continuing to question the accused to establish their individual roles and determine the motive behind the alleged murder.

The post-mortem report is awaited to establish the exact nature and extent of the injuries. Police are expected to provide further details during an official press conference.

The case has raised concerns about student behaviour, school discipline and the safety of educators, while investigators continue to establish what led to the fatal attack.

India's scientific progress has been shaped not only by its institutions and technological achievements but also by the work of pioneering women researchers, doctors, engineers and innovators. From missile technology and particle physics to reproductive medicine, biotechnology and agriculture, women scientists have made significant contributions across disciplines.

The Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, has recognised several such contributions. Here are seven prominent women scientists associated with groundbreaking work in their respective fields.

1. Dr Tessy Thomas

Often referred to as the “Missile Woman of India”, Dr Tessy Thomas has played an important role in India's missile development programme. She served as the Project Director for the Agni-IV and Agni-V missile systems at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Her career in aerospace and defence technology has made her one of India's most prominent women scientists in the strategic technology sector.

2. Dr Indira Hinduja

Dr Indira Hinduja is a pioneer in reproductive medicine and infertility treatment in India.

She was part of the medical team associated with the birth of India's first test-tube baby in 1986. She also contributed to the development and application of Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) technology, helping advance assisted reproductive techniques in the country.

3. Dr Janaki Ammal

Dr E.K. Janaki Ammal was among India's pioneering women botanists and made important contributions to cytogenetics and plant breeding.

Her research helped advance scientific understanding of plants and contributed to the development of improved sugarcane varieties. Her work remains significant in the history of Indian agricultural science.

4. Dr Gagandeep Kang

Dr Gagandeep Kang is internationally recognised for her work in vaccinology, infectious diseases and public health.

Her research played an important role in understanding enteric infections and contributed to the development of India's indigenous rotavirus vaccine, Rotavac, which has been used to help protect children against rotavirus disease.

5. Dr Rohini Godbole

A renowned theoretical physicist, Dr Rohini Godbole made major contributions to particle physics and high-energy physics.

Her research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has contributed to the understanding of particle interactions and collider physics. She has also been a prominent advocate for greater participation of women in science.

6. Dr Subra Suresh

Dr Subra Suresh is known for interdisciplinary research connecting materials science, engineering and biology.

Her work has explored how materials and biological systems interact, with applications in areas including human health and disease. Her research has helped bridge traditionally separate scientific disciplines.

7. Dr Sangeeta Bhatia

Dr Sangeeta Bhatia is a physician-scientist and bioengineer known for her pioneering research in micro- and nanotechnology, tissue engineering and disease modelling.

Her work includes developing miniature human tissues, including engineered liver tissue, to study diseases and potential treatments. Her research has also contributed to efforts aimed at improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Inspiring the next generation of women scientists

The achievements of these scientists demonstrate the diverse ways in which women have contributed to India's scientific ecosystem. Their work spans defence, agriculture, medicine, biotechnology and fundamental physics, highlighting the breadth of India's scientific talent.

Beyond their individual achievements, their careers have also helped challenge traditional barriers facing women in science. Their stories can serve as inspiration for young students and researchers seeking careers in STEM fields.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging that Independence Day celebrations were not held in several government schools across rural, remote and border areas of Punjab on August 15, 2026.

The NHRC Bench, headed by Priyank Kanoongo, has sought a detailed compliance report from the Punjab government within four weeks. The panel has also sought relevant information from the Ministry of Education and informed the Ministry of Home Affairs for appropriate action.

The complaint alleges that government schools in geographically remote and border areas of Punjab did not conduct the prescribed Independence Day activities. The NHRC has directed the state government to verify the allegations and provide comprehensive details on how the national festival was observed across schools.

NHRC Seeks School-Wise Details

The Punjab Chief Secretary has been asked to submit state-wise, district-wise and school-wise information on Independence Day celebrations held on August 15.

The report is expected to include details of the number of government schools where the national flag was hoisted, the National Anthem was sung and students participated in the celebrations.

The state government has also been directed to identify schools where the prescribed activities were not conducted and explain the reasons for non-compliance.

The NHRC has specifically asked authorities to verify schools located in rural, remote and border areas and examine whether children in these regions had access to the same opportunities to participate in Independence Day celebrations as students elsewhere in Punjab.

Civic Education and Equal Opportunities

The complaint has raised concerns that children studying in schools where Independence Day celebrations were allegedly not held may have been deprived of an important educational and civic experience.

The NHRC observed that national occasions such as Independence Day can provide students with an opportunity to learn about India's freedom struggle, the Constitution, national symbols, civic responsibilities, national unity and democratic values.

The panel has therefore asked the Punjab government to examine whether geographical location resulted in any disparity in students' opportunities to participate in the national celebration.

The issue assumes particular significance for schools in border areas, where students may already face challenges linked to geography, connectivity and access to educational resources.

The NHRC's intervention does not establish that the allegations are true. The state government has been given an opportunity to verify the claims and explain the circumstances in schools where the celebrations may not have taken place.

The compliance report sought within four weeks is expected to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the alleged non-observance and the reasons behind it. The findings could also help determine whether corrective measures are required to ensure that students across Punjab receive equal opportunities to participate in important national and civic events.

A devastating fire broke out at a hotel in central Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, claiming the lives of at least nine people, including a four-year-old child. Six others were injured in the blaze that erupted around 2 am at a five-storey building on Mirza Ghalib Street, also known as Free School Street, near the city's New Market area.

According to initial reports, the fire started on the third floor of the building while several guests were asleep. Thick smoke rapidly spread through the premises, trapping people inside and making rescue operations difficult. Firefighters were alerted at around 2:07 am and rushed to the spot as panic gripped the densely populated area.

Emergency teams, including fire personnel, police and disaster management officials, launched a rescue operation. Firefighters reportedly faced challenges in reaching people trapped on the upper floors because of the heavy smoke. Windows had to be broken in some places to facilitate rescue efforts. The fire was eventually brought under control, while the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The victims included a child, making the tragedy particularly devastating. Reports from the Fire Department indicated that most of those who died were Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. The identities and circumstances of the victims are being established by the authorities.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially established. Initial reports have raised the possibility of an air-conditioner explosion, while other reports have mentioned an electrical fault as a possible cause. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine how the fire started and whether any safety violations contributed to the deaths.

The incident has also raised serious questions about fire safety arrangements in hotels and other accommodation facilities operating in congested parts of Kolkata. Reports have highlighted concerns about narrow stairways and the absence of adequate emergency exits and modern fire-safety arrangements in the building. Such conditions can severely restrict evacuation during a fire, particularly when smoke spreads rapidly through enclosed spaces.

The tragedy has once again underlined the importance of functional fire alarms, accessible emergency exits, fire extinguishers, evacuation plans and regular safety inspections in hotels and public buildings. West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services advises people to leave a burning building immediately, call the fire brigade at the earliest and avoid using water in the event of an electrical fire.

As investigations continue, the Kolkata hotel fire has brought renewed focus on the enforcement of fire-safety norms and the need to ensure that accommodation facilities provide safe evacuation routes for guests and staff.

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Students preparing for competitive examinations in Bihar have announced an indefinite hunger strike from August 18, demanding the release of the Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE) 4 notification, greater transparency in government examinations and the resignation of Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari.

The decision was taken during a meeting of students in Patna on Thursday. Student leader Dilip said he would begin the hunger strike at Gardanibagh on August 18.

The announcement comes amid growing student protests over delays in government recruitment examinations. Students have previously demonstrated at Jantar Mantar and in Jharkhand, while Bihar aspirants have repeatedly demanded the release of the TRE 4 recruitment notification.

Students threaten march to Assembly

Dilip said students would continue their indefinite hunger strike at Gardanibagh if the government fails to address their demands.

He warned that if there is no satisfactory response within five days of the protest beginning, students will march towards the Bihar Legislative Assembly, while the hunger strike will continue at Gardanibagh.

According to the student leader, the delay has caused frustration among aspirants who have been waiting for the TRE 4 recruitment process to begin.

Dilip also alleged that the education minister had earlier assured students that the TRE 4 notification would be released in July. However, August has now begun and the notification is yet to be issued.

Key demands of Bihar students

The students have put forward a list of demands covering teacher recruitment and other competitive examinations. These include:

• Immediate release of the TRE 4 notification and recruitment against all vacant posts.
• Conducting TRE 4 through a single-stage examination.
• Strict implementation of domicile policies.
• Removal of contractual-service weightage in BSSC recruitment.
• Early conduct of the AEDO examination.
• Expedited recruitment of librarians.
• Greater transparency in examinations, including publication of answer keys and providing candidates with carbon copies of their answer sheets.
• Sending the necessary requisition from the Education Department to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).

32,388 teacher posts reportedly requisitioned

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Bihar Education Department has sent a requisition to the BPSC for recruitment to 32,388 teacher posts.

The proposed recruitment includes 3,847 posts for Classes 1 to 5, 8,563 posts for Classes 6 to 8, 3,877 posts for Classes 9 to 10 and 16,101 posts for Classes 11 to 12.

Earlier plans had envisaged recruitment for a different number of vacancies across these categories.

However, students remain concerned that the State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) is scheduled to be conducted first, potentially pushing the TRE 4 recruitment process further.

The proposed hunger strike is the latest escalation in the students' campaign for clarity on teacher recruitment and broader reforms in Bihar's competitive examination system.