Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma resigned on Wednesday following allegations that a man accused of raping young girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur has links with her husband.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant any interim relief to Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Income Tax reassessment notice related to the National Herald case.

DMK President and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday began his final journey on a flower-decked military vehicle from Rajaji Hall where his body was lying in state since early in the morning.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the government after the latter asked the court to "restrain" from making adverse remarks against governance while dealing with PILs.

The apex court said it was at least "solving problems" and was in no way "criticising the government".

A series of loud explosions followed by a massive fire were reported at a refinery of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) at Chembur in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.

The main accused in the Bihar shelter home horror case, Brajesh Thakur, who is in jail, on Wednesday denied any involvement in the rape of 34 minor girls in the welfare facility here, saying he was being framed.

He said it was a "conspiracy" and he has no relation with Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma. He said he was innocent.

Two persons were killed and at least 30 injured on Wednesday in a stampede outside the Rajaji Hall here as hundreds of thousands thronged for a final glimpse of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, witnesses said.

"There has been heavy jostling and pushing and pulling in the crowd since morning," one man at the site said, explaining what led to the stampede.

Congress MP B.K. Hariprasad was on Wednesday declared as the opposition candidate for the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, election for which will be held on Thursday.