The ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress in Kerala on Monday strongly opposed the Election Commission's decision to launch the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, warning that the move, coming just ahead of local body elections, could disrupt the democratic process.

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Monday was granted bail in a defamation case by a court in Punjab's Bathinda, as she regretted the "misunderstanding" that arose following her social media post and said every 'mata' (mother) is respectable to her.

The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'very poor' category on Monday. A blanket of haze lingered over the city through the morning and afternoon hours, reducing visibility.

Gold prices declined by Rs 700 to Rs 1,25,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday, tracking weak global trends as easing US-China trade tensions dented safe-haven demand.

 Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav derided the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh on Monday after a video showed a pregnant woman in Hamirpur district being taken to hospital on a bullock cart through a muddy, waterlogged, unpaved road when an ambulance allegedly failed to reach her village.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday said that the Election Commission will soon begin the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Election Commission should not rush to carry out a nationwide special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, but rather wait for the Bihar assembly election to get over.