iPhone 17 launch triggers frenzied scenes across India
New Delhi: The launch of Apple’s latest smartphone lineup, the iPhone 17 series, witnessed unprecedented scenes across major Indian cities on Friday, as large crowds gathered outside Apple Stores well before the official opening time. In several locations, the situation escalated into chaos, with reports of scuffles and inadequate crowd control measures.
All four of Apple’s flagship stores in India — located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune — commenced sales at 8:00 a.m., but enthusiastic customers began queuing up as early as the previous evening. At the BKC Jio World Drive store in Mumbai, tensions escalated when individuals allegedly attempted to bypass the queue, resulting in physical altercations. Videos released by PTI showed several individuals engaging in shoving and fistfights before security personnel intervened and removed those involved.
Shoppers expressed disappointment over the apparent lack of adequate security and crowd management. One customer, Mohan Yadav, told ANI, “I have been standing in line since morning, but the situation is completely disorganized. People are breaking queues, and security is not taking responsibility.”
In New Delhi, long queues were reported at the Select Citywalk Mall in Saket, stretching across multiple floors. Some customers claimed to have arrived as early as 1:00 a.m., while others reported traveling from Punjab and other nearby regions to secure a device on launch day. A number of buyers also admitted to taking leave from work in order to attend the event.
Similar scenes were witnessed at Apple’s stores in Bengaluru and Pune, where thousands gathered from the early hours and waited for several hours. Despite the premium pricing of the devices, the large turnout reflected continued strong demand for Apple products in the Indian market.
Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup includes the iPhone 17 priced at ₹82,900, the iPhone 17 Air at ₹1,19,900, the iPhone 17 Pro at ₹1,34,900, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at ₹1,49,900. In addition to the smartphones, the company also launched the Apple Watch Series 10 and the third-generation AirPods Pro.
Earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the upcoming opening of new Apple Stores in Bengaluru and Pune, further expanding the company's retail presence in India.
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Young woman from MP who shot to fame during Kumbh found to be minor, case registered against husband
Khargone (MP) (PTI): The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on Friday confirmed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh who became famous due to her viral videos during the 2025 Maha Kumbh has been found to be a minor after an inquiry.
Citing the findings of an inquiry panel set up by the commission, local BJP leaders alleged that her interfaith marriage in Kerala last month was a case of "love Jihad", and sought legal action.
While the panel had submitted its report in March, ST commission chairman Antar Singh Arya confirmed its findings to the PTI on Friday.
A case for alleged kidnapping and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has already been registered against her husband, a Muslim man, at Maheshwar on the basis of the inquiry findings, police said.
The girl gained national fame after her videos while selling garlands and rudraksha at the Maha Kumbh went viral on social media and also earned her a role in a film.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes set up an inquiry panel after receiving a complaint on March 17 from Pratham Dubey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, that she was a minor and was being exploited.
Maheshwar BJP MLA Rajkumar Mev and BJP mandal president Vikram Patel, armed with documents, told reporters on Friday that her marriage in Kerala was a case of "love Jihad" and she should be brought back home.
'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police said an investigation is underway, and further action would be taken accordingly.
The girl, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community, got married at a temple in Kerala in March. The interfaith marriage drew angry reactions from rightwing Hindu groups.
Her family members and film director Sanoj Mishra -- who had offered her a film role after she became famous -- too alleged that it was 'love Jihad'.
As per the inquiry conducted by the ST commission, records at the Maheshwar government hospital showed the woman's date of birth as December 30, 2009 which meant she was 16 years and two months old at the time of marriage, said Dubey, the complainant.
On a complaint filed by her father, police registered a case against the girl's husband at Maheshwar police station on March 25 for alleged kidnapping and under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police sources said that a separate case was also registered on March 24 under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (taking a minor from lawful custody of guardian without their consent) based on the the commission's findings.
