Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Evening News Roundup: Exams, Bus Fire, Markets And Festivals
This evening’s news included festivals, education, public safety, markets and entertainment.
Mumbai is preparing for the Lalbaugcha Raja idol’s immersion on September 25 and 26.
IIT Bombay moved its exams after student Sahil Wakode died.
The institute said it wants clearer and more student-friendly rules for handling suspected cheating.
A bus traveling from Delhi to Mahoba caught fire near Jewar and nine people died.
Police arrested two drivers and a conductor in that case.
India’s stock market also had a very bad day, with the Sensex falling sharply.
Sooraj Pancholi denied meeting Disha Salian or Aaditya Thackeray after receiving threats.
People also debated a loud music event at Badrinath and followed athlete Niharika Vashisht’s Asian Games goal.
Lalbaugcha Raja’s visarjan will begin in Mumbai at noon on September 25, with immersion expected around 8 am on September 26 at Girgaon Chowpatty.
IIT Bombay postponed September 26-27 mid-semester exams to October 10-11 after BTech student Sahil Wakode’s death, citing plans for student-friendly misconduct guidelines.
A Jewar sleeper-bus fire killed nine of about 35 passengers; two drivers and a conductor were arrested, while the tragedy renewed concerns about bus-safety enforcement.
The Sensex fell 1,247.71 points and the Nifty dropped below 23,100 amid higher US yields, rising crude prices, a stronger dollar and financial-stock selling.
Other developments included Sooraj Pancholi’s denial of links to Disha Salian and Aaditya Thackeray, controversy over Karthikk Shenoy’s viral post, Niharika Vashisht’s Asian Games ambitions and debate over loud music at Badrinath.
- Who
- The developments involve Lalbaugcha Raja organizers, IIT Bombay and Sahil Wakode, the victims and accused in the Jewar bus fire, market participants, Sooraj Pancholi, Karthikk Shenoy, Niharika Vashisht, and organizers and critics of the Badrinath event.
- What
- The roundup covers a Ganesh idol immersion, postponed examinations, a fatal bus fire and arrests, a stock-market sell-off, public controversies, an athlete’s ambitions and a celebrity temple visit.
- When
- The roundup reports developments on September 23-24, 2026; the Lalbaugcha Raja immersion is scheduled for September 25-26, 2026, and IIT Bombay’s postponed exams are set for October 10-11.
- Where
- The events concern Mumbai, IIT Bombay, Jewar in Greater Noida, Badrinath, Bengaluru, and financial markets in India.
- Why
- The developments were reported because of the upcoming immersion, the student death and planned academic-conduct guidelines, the fatal bus fire, market pressures, public allegations and debates, and upcoming sporting and cultural events.
Supporters and official explanations
Critics and concerned observers
Bus safety and accountability
Supporters and official explanations
The reported arrests of two drivers and a conductor represent police action after the fatal Jewar fire. Regulations for bus design and fire safety already exist, according to the report.
Critics and concerned observers
The tragedy has renewed criticism that safety rules are not being implemented effectively, allowing buses to become dangerous fire hazards.
Music at Badrinath
Supporters and official explanations
The event was organized under Operation Sadhbhawna as a cultural programme featuring singer Priyanka Meher.
Critics and concerned observers
Religious leaders and social media users questioned the loud, concert-style music at a spiritually significant shrine and raised environmental and cultural concerns.
IIT Bombay’s examination postponement
Supporters and official explanations
IIT Bombay said postponing exams would give a committee time to prepare student-friendly standard operating procedures for invigilators handling suspected academic misconduct.
Critics and concerned observers
The postponement followed a student death and reflects concerns about how academic-misconduct allegations and examination procedures affect students.
- Lalbaugcha Raja procession
- Starts at noon on September 25 from Lalbaug Market and proceeds through Chinchpokli, Byculla, Two Tanks and Prarthana Samaj.
- Lalbaugcha Raja immersion
- The idol is expected at Girgaon Chowpatty between 5 am and 7 am on September 26, with immersion scheduled around 8 am.
- IIT Bombay exams
- Mid-semester examinations originally scheduled for September 26-27 were postponed to October 10-11.
- Jewar bus fire
- Nine passengers died after a sleeper bus carrying around 35 people caught fire within Jewar police station limits.
- Arrests
- Noida Police arrested two drivers and a conductor in connection with the bus fire.
- Market decline
- The Sensex fell 1,247.71 points, while the Nifty slipped below 23,100.
- Market pressures
- Higher US yields, rising crude prices, a stronger dollar and selling in financial stocks were cited among the drivers of the decline.
- Athletics
- Niharika Vashisht recorded 13.41 metres to breach the Asian Games mark and is targeting gold after recovering from a 2022 ACL injury.