The deceased was identified as Malapati Ashok (30), a native of Andhra Pradesh who lived in Ramapuram and worked at an IT company in Pallavaram.

Police said that Ashok was returning home after completing his night shift at about 2 am in a company cab. The car, driven by Govindaraj of Old Pallavaram, also carried Ashok’s colleague, Sri Soumya.

While crossing a river bridge at Manapakkam, the cab rammed into a truck transporting iron rods for Metro Rail works. Investigators said the rods extended nearly 10 feet beyond the rear of the truck. The impact caused the rods to pierce the car, seriously injuring all three occupants.

Residents rescued the victims and shifted them to a private hospital in Manapakkam. Ashok died without responding to treatment, while Govindaraj and Sri Soumya are under treatment.

St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation Wing registered a case against the truck driver, Sivakumar.

Police identified the accused as Syed Masth Ahamed.

The nurse, who is also employed at the hospital, was attending to a patient when Ahamed allegedly misbehaved with her.

Following her complaint, the MKB Nagar All Women Police registered a case and arrested Ahamed.

He was booked under three sections of the BNS and a section of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

As part of this special operation, 33 police teams led by three Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP), carried out targeted searches and enforcement operations in Potheri, Adobe Valley Apartments, Iswarya Apartments and its surrounding areas, an official release stated.

Police teams searched rooms in apartment complexes and hostels housing students from other states. Not only students, but also outside visitors were stopped and their bags were thoroughly checked.

Police teams also inspected plant pots, decorative croton plants, climbers, and areas along compound walls within the residential premises. Police said they received information that drugs were being hidden in such places to avoid detection.

“During the operation, no significant quantity of contraband was seized. However, the police teams utilise the opportunity to reinforce security and preventive measures among residents, apartment associations, property managers and homeowners,” the release added.

Tambaram City Police said that such checks would be done in residential areas in and around major educational institutions.

As part of the preventive measures, strict instructions were issued to apartment managers and property owners to conduct thorough background verification of all prospective and existing tenants. Property owners were also advised to ensure the CCTV surveillance systems remain functional and properly monitored and that the visitor registers be updated.

Tambaram City Police requested public to promptly report any information regarding drug trafficking, peddling or suspicious activities in their neighbourhood on ‘Tambaram What’sCop’ – 9344222100

Acting on specific intelligence that a large consignment of narcotics was being smuggled into Chennai from Thailand by air, the Air Intelligence Unit of Customs was placed on high alert at the airport.

Tracking the passenger flight from Bangkok that landed around midnight on Saturday (August 8), customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old Malaysian national with a tourist visa.

He claimed to have ‘nothing to declare’ and attempted to exit through the Green Channel.

Officials found his behaviour suspicious and detained him for questioning. When he gave contradictory answers, he was then taken to the Customs office for a detailed baggage check.

During the search, officers found four parcels concealed inside his suitcase. The parcels contained 4.3 kg of premium processed hydroponic ganja. The international market value of the seized narcotics is estimated at around Rs 4 crore.

The Malaysian tourist was arrested and the drugs were seized. During interrogation, he told officials that he was a ‘drug mule’ for an international narcotics smuggling gang. He said that he had collected the parcel in Thailand and was supposed to deliver it to contacts in Chennai.

Customs officials are now investigating the intended recipient of the consignment in Chennai and the location of the international drug network within the city.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Madras Central, InnerWheel Clubs of District 323 and the Singappen Special Force (SSF), the marathon began at 6 am.

Participants, including college students, working professionals and homemakers, ran from Island Grounds to the Lighthouse and back.

K Bhavaneeswari, Inspector General of Police, Singappen Special Force, flagged off the event. She said the initiative sought to promote cervical cancer awareness while strengthening awareness about women’s safety and the 1091 helpline. SSF personnel also participated in the run and interacted with the public.

Singappen Marathon chairman Nallammai Ramanathan highlighted the need for greater awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. “An indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine is available at around Rs 1,500 per dose. It’s important to vaccinate young girls aged nine and above.”

Rotary representatives said that the organisation aims to expand access to HPV vaccination through healthcare partnerships.

Vaccines are being made available at Rotary Central Margaret Sidney Hospital in Nanganallur, with partnerships involving Gem Hospital, MGM Healthcare and Venkateswara Hospital.

Days earlier, all eyes were on the hundreds who had gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for protests over NEET irregularities. After Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down and protesters were assured that their demands would be met, the nationwide protest was called off. Dejected after the protest at CPI headquarters Balan Illam in the city ended, Manirathnam, who had attended it every night after returning from the Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi, decided the stir must still continue. Manirathnam (36) had been working in a private company before the protests began. But after permission to agitate at a public site was denied, the group decided to go on hunger strike at the party office, which began on August 1. Manirathnam is not fasting, while Jeevarathinam, Dhanasekar and Mohan are. On the sixth day, G Ravi (53), who does agriculture-related work in Tiruvannamalai, vomited blood and was hospitalised. He is now stable and has ended the protest on doctors’ orders, Manirathnam said.

Pulianthope Mohan (30), a Madras High Court advocate, said they had sought permission to hold their agitation at Sivananda Salai, Rajarathinam Stadium or Marina Beach, but were repeatedly denied. “We want a common protest space without timing restrictions. We also want a resolution against NEET to be passed in the ongoing State Assembly session,” he said. It may be recalled that on June 28, 2024, the Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Centre to approve Tamil Nadu’s NEET exemption Bill and abolish NEET nationally.

“The Assembly is the voice of the people, so they have to speak out for Tamil Nadu. State autonomy and state rights determine federal unity. To safeguard the federal structure, education must be brought back to the State List,” Manirathnam added.

Four days on, protesters await govt action

Dhanasekar (28), who is a sound engineer, said it had been four days since education minister A Rajmohan, government whip Sabarinathan, and TVK leader Loyola Mani visited the protesters, but there has been no response yet. “They said they would fight for the abolition of NEET and for bringing education back to the State List from the Concurrent List. But it has been four days since they gave that assurance. Our demands are also their election promise.”

He also urged students to take the initiative, pointing to the ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand. In Chennai, ‘OG Tamizha’ collective has been staging a daily sit-in in Egmore for 15 days, while former IRS officer Balamurali has been on hunger strike in Tiruvottiyur for 14 days, Manirathnam said.
 
Manirathnam pointed to the united stand taken by political parties in Karnataka on Cauvery. “In Karnataka, all parties, both the ruling party and the Opposition, speak in a united manner on the Cauvery water issue. That is exactly what we need in Tamil Nadu for the NEET issue,” he emphasised. “We are fighting for our rights. If NEET continues, we will not have specialist doctors in government hospitals.”

‘Tamil Nadu must not go silent on NEET’

Jeevarathinam (40), a driving instructor and tuition teacher, alleged the TVK government was not raising its voice enough on the issue. “It was an AIADMK regime when NEET came into force. They opposed and fought, as did the DMK government. The TVK government must continue what previous governments did, so the Centre doesn’t think Tamil Nadu has gone silent."

Mohan said, “The matter is still pending in the Supreme Court and must be expedited,” referring to Tamil Nadu filing a petition in the Supreme Court in 2025 against the President’s refusal to grant assent to the State’s NEET exemption law.
 
Mohan reiterated that they would continue protesting. “We are not worried about our health. We will continue for as long as we can,” he said.

Preventing a person from entering a temple or worshipping there on the basis of caste, religion or birth goes beyond violating the individual’s rights and dignity, he said after launching the book titled “The People’s Sanctum – The 100 Year Struggle to Democratise Temples in India”, authored by Manuraj Shunmugasundaram.

Justice Anand Venkatesh said the book had made an impact on him by documenting the history of temple-entry movements and the State’s secular control over places of worship.

He said the book traced developments from the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1925, to the present, documenting developments. “The social justice that anyone can become an archagar in any temple has been ensured today because of the Vaikom Satyagraha,” he said, referring to the struggle against caste-based exclusion.

The MHC judge said accounts of caste-based distinctions and the recording of lower-caste witnesses’ versions in courts were shocking. He urged present and future generations to read the book.

DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, who took part in the release event, said the Dravidian movement had helped ensure non-Brahmins’ access to temples.

“The Dravidian movement ensured sanctum entry for non-Brahmins too. Temples have now become places for everyone. Temple-entry protests and the Vaikom Satyagraha were the main reasons for this,” she said.

She described the book as a document for future generations and urged the authors to release an audio version.

DMK leaders RS Bharathi, PK Sekar Babu, Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Mayor R Priya and advocates also attended the event at Victoria Public Hall here.

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Sunday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 8 - Rs 107.77

August 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

August 4 - Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 8 - Rs 99.55

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

August 4 - Rs 99.55

The chatbot, available in Tamil and English, can be accessed by sending 'Hi' to '93442 22100' on WhatsApp or by scanning the QR code issued by the police. The chatbot enables users to share their live location with the police during emergencies. It also features a 'Track My Journey' option, allowing women travelling alone to register their journey details and seek police assistance if there are unusual delays or route deviations.

Citizens can also anonymously report drug trafficking, suspicious movements, offences against women, public nuisance and other illegal activities through the platform.

Users can also locate the nearest police station, access online services to register cybercrime complaints and use the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to block or trace lost or stolen mobile phones.

The service allows residents to report traffic congestion and traffic violations by uploading photographs along with geo-tagged locations. People travelling out of town can register details of locked houses, enabling night patrol teams to monitor the premises.

The chatbot also provides contact details of night patrol officers deployed in local areas between 10 pm and 6 am.

In addition, the platform offers information on cyber safety, road safety, drug abuse prevention, women's safety and legal awareness.

Tambaram City Police appealed to women, students, parents, educational institutions, resident welfare associations and members of the public to make use of the chatbot and its services to improve safety, enhance communication with the police and facilitate faster emergency response.

The victim, Balachandran, a resident of Kilpauk, runs a YouTube channel titled 'Chennai King Bala'.

According to the complaint, Balachandran was standing near Kasi Theatre late on the night of August 5 when a group of men arrived in a car and forced him inside. Two more men joined them a short distance away. The gang assaulted him, demanded Rs 2 lakh, and drove him to Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district, where he was locked in a room.

Police said the suspects later brought Balachandran back to Flower Bazaar in Chennai after he convinced them that he could arrange the cash through a friend there. Capitalising on a moment when his captors were distracted, Balachandran managed to flee and ran into the nearby police station.

A case has been registered, and an investigation is under way to track down the gang.

How does laser cap treatment work?

Laser caps deliver low-level red light to the scalp. This light is believed to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within cells. ATP is an important source of cellular energy and plays a role in various cellular processes. Through photobiomodulation, laser cap treatment may help improve cellular activity and healing while potentially reducing inflammation and oxidative stress around the hair follicles. These effects may create a more favourable environment for hair follicles and support healthier hair growth.

What changes can you expect?

Laser cap treatment can help support hair strength and reduce hair shedding in individuals with suitable types of hair loss. However, as a standalone treatment, a laser cap generally offers no significant advantages over established treatments.

Treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are commonly used for hair loss. A laser cap is better considered an adjunct therapy, meaning it can be used alongside appropriate primary treatments to support overall results. The response to treatment can vary from person to person, and consistent use is important.

Recommended usage

A 650-nanometre red-light wavelength is commonly used in devices designed for hair growth. A typical usage schedule is three times a week for approximately 20 minutes per session, depending on the specific device and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Using the device more frequently or for longer periods does not necessarily produce better results and may increase the risk of scalp discomfort or other unwanted effects. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended treatment schedule.

Consult your doctor before use

If you have purchased a laser cap for personal use, show the device to your doctor before starting treatment. Your doctor can assess your type of hair loss, check whether laser cap therapy is appropriate for you, and advise you on the correct method and frequency of use. When used appropriately as an adjunct to established hair-loss treatments, laser cap therapy may provide additional support for healthier and stronger hair.

The deceased was identified as Kumar, a resident of Kaladipet. According to the police, Kumar had three wives and five children, but was deeply upset after being abandoned and reportedly driven out of the house by his family. For the past three months, he had been staying at his sister's house in New Washermanpet.

He had also been frequently approaching the police seeking action against his family members.

On Friday, dissatisfied with the response during his visit to the Tiruvottiyur station, Kumar walked out to the entrance, poured petrol over himself, and set himself ablaze.

Police personnel on duty rushed to his aid, doused the flames, and rushed him to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

The Tiruvottiyur police have registered a case, and further investigation is under way.

For him, the focus on Marudham is also a recognition of the people who make that landscape possible. “Without farmers, we are not,” he says.

The chef says the menu is the result of research across nearly 100 villages, where the team documented what people ate for breakfast, main meals, evening snacks, festivals and temple offerings before sorting the dishes into menus.

The result is organised around rivers, including Vaigai, Bhavani, Siruvani and Pennai. The idea, Murthi explains, is not to represent one town per menu but to bring together food from different parts of the same river-fed region. “All the places are covered,” he says.

As the menu does not repeat and there is a curated seven-course meal every day, we got to taste the Vaigai menu. The Vallarai Keerai Saaru was deeply comforting, while the Naatu Chola Paniyaram was hands down the best savoury dish, soft, with ghee generously poured over it. Paired with the tomato and coriander chutney, it was the star of the show.

The Kumbakonam Kadapa paired beautifully with the Kambu Dosa. The dosa itself was a standout, offering the earthy character of the native grain without overwhelming the meal. Elsewhere, Arasapattu Poricha Kuzhambu, Murungai Keerai Poriyal, Karunai Kizhangu Masiyal, and a crisp Vazhakkai Varuval completed the spread. The Katharikai Parangikai Kootu brought a burst of flavour, with coconut coming through generously, while the Veppampoo Rasam offered its natural bitterness.

The meal also placed native rice varieties in focus. Thooyamalli and Mapillai Samba were among them, with Murthi explaining that Mapillai Samba, associated with the ‘new groom’, was traditionally prepared when the groom’s family visited the bride’s home.

The chef’s research extends beyond this. He recalls learning from people in villages and from Chef Premavathi, who shared dishes from her native region during their travels through the Thanjavur-Mannargudi belt. The research eventually took the team through villages including Andikadu, Arasampattu and Madhukur, among others.

Dessert brought the most familiar note for me. The Kaarthigai Appam was the best of the lot, tasting exactly like the festive appam made during celebrations at home. The Vethalai Payasam, meanwhile, was more unusual, with betel leaf infused into semiya and Javvarasi payasam, giving the dessert a gentle contrast between sweetness and spice. Murthi describes the same interplay in the dish.

Some of the research stories behind the menu are particularly fascinating. Chef Murthi speaks of Poricha Kari, a mutton preparation cooked in ghee, which the team connects to the period of Karikala Cholan. He says the team researched the measurements associated with the dish and recreated it as Karikala Virundu, incorporating it into the menu.

He talked about the research process and the people who inspired it. Among those he encountered was Mala, whose work and knowledge around a medicinal curry became one of the inspirations during the research.

Marudham also offers a non-vegetarian menu. Murthi says the aim is to preserve the food traditions of both while staying connected to the eating practices of the regions researched.

According to the RMC, light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until August 14. Temperatures are also set to remain comfortable over Chennai through the coming week.

VR Durai, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at the RMC, stated that an upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently lying over north coastal Tamil Nadu, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. Additionally, a weather system developing over the northwest Bay of Bengal could trigger wind convergence, leading to further scattered spells over Chennai over the next few days.

Maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are likely to hover near normal on Sunday. However, mercury levels could rise 2-3°C above normal at isolated spots in north interior Tamil Nadu, while remaining close to average elsewhere until August 12.

Among the city weather stations, Nungambakkam recorded the highest rainfall in Chennai, taking in 10 mm between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Saturday. Pallikaranai registered 4 mm, Madhavaram 1 mm, while Ennore and Meenambakkam received 0.5 mm each.

In the neighbouring districts, Poonamallee in Tiruvallur logged 13.5 mm, while Chembarambakkam in Kancheepuram recorded 10 mm.

Tambaram Corporation's 70 wards are split into five zones, with private contractors supplying staff for door-to-door garbage collection.

Protesters alleged that the contractor was paying them well below the government-mandated monthly salary of Rs 21,000. They stressed that chronic delays in wage disbursement made it difficult to pay house rent and cover basic domestic expenses.

Workers also pointed out gaps in their PF accounts, demanding immediate verification and prompt crediting of pending contributions.

In addition, staff raised concerns about harsh treatment by private supervisors. A key point of contention involved recyclable waste, such as plastic and cardboard, collected during daily rounds. Workers explained that selling these items directly to scrap vendors yields around Rs 500. However, supervisors allegedly force them to hand over the materials, pay them barely Rs 200, and threaten them with termination if they object.

Corporation officials and representatives from the contracting firm held discussions with the striking workers on Saturday to address their grievances.

The move comes amidst growing complaints about existing public Wi-Fi infrastructure. Many users report that while devices connect to current networks, there is often no actual internet connectivity.

Under the new plan, Marina Beach will get 75 poles, Besant Nagar 20, and Tiruvanmiyur 10 via Airtel. Hathway has been tasked with surveying Tiruvottiyur to install seven poles. The infrastructure is being funded through service providers’ Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

For beachgoers, reliable Wi-Fi is essential for messaging calls, hailing cabs, accessing digital payments, or contacting family in crowded spots. Yet, execution remains a concern. A spot check by DT Next at Secretariat Park and parts of Marina Beach revealed that mobile devices connected to the Wi-Fi but failed to load data. Regular visitors pointed out that offering free network access is useless if the connection does not function.

The civic body previously introduced smart poles across 49 locations in 2021, offering 30 minutes of access after OTP verification. Over time, service quality deteriorated, leading to frequent complaints.

To address this, the GCC plans to overhaul around 2,600 existing smart poles across 900 locations, including parks, hospitals, and government offices. Service providers have been instructed to repair damaged infrastructure promptly.

GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran noted that 38 Wi-Fi poles are currently maintained by ACT Fibernet and Reliance Jio along Marina and Besant Nagar. ACT, Jio, Airtel, and Hathway have now been asked to scale up coverage. Additionally, the GCC requested usage data from ACT Fibernet to monitor public download patterns.

Safety is another growing concern for users. T Nagar resident VS Jayaraman emphasised that public networks require strict cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches and protect personal information from hackers. "Extreme caution is required to ensure these networks are hack-proof and do not compromise user data," he said.

The ASK has been operating from the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) building for the past seven months. Although the premises have ample parking, visitors are not allowed to park their vehicles on site, and only staff are permitted to use the facility. As a result, dozens of two-wheelers are parked along the entrance to the bus bay every day, preventing buses from pulling in.

Unable to access the designated bay, MTC buses stop on the road itself, forcing passengers to board and alight amid moving traffic. Senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities are among the worst affected as they have to negotiate traffic to reach the buses. The gap between the bus and the footpath further increases the risk of accidents.

A visitor to the centre said he has no option but to park his scooter outside the premises because the security guard refuses to let him inside. "I have come here after making an online appointment; even then I was asked to park outside," he complained.

A security guard at the ASK said the parking restriction was based on management instructions. "We have been told to allow only staff vehicles inside the premises. We warn visitors every day not to park in front of the bus bay, but many ignore us. Parking violations have increased ever since the Aadhaar Seva Kendra started functioning here," the guard said.

A resident said the problem could be resolved if the Aadhaar Seva Kendra allowed visitors to use the available parking space within the premises instead of forcing visitors to park on the roadside.

Meanwhile, traffic police officials said illegally parked vehicles blocking the bus bay would be removed, and action would be taken against motorists causing obstruction.

As part of the investigation — based on complaints received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and intelligence gathered on suspicious bank transactions — police examined bank accounts linked to cyber fraud and identified 310 mule bank accounts routinely used to receive and transfer money obtained through cybercrimes. Legal action was initiated against those behind these accounts for illegal financial transactions.

Apart from Chennai City, the accused were secured from districts across the state, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, among others.

"Cyber criminals generally use mule bank accounts, opened in someone else's name, to move the money they defraud from the public. The original account holder often "lends" or "sells" it to fraudsters for a commission. When a cybercriminal scams someone online, the victim's money is first transferred into a mule account. From there it's quickly moved to multiple other accounts or withdrawn as cash. This makes it hard for police to trace back to the real offender, " a police official said, adding that agents working for cyber fraudsters target students, job seekers and housewives and convince them to lend their bank accounts for a commission.

Chennai City Police Commissioner A Amalraj advised the public not to allow anyone else to use bank accounts opened in their name under any circumstances. He warned people against transferring money received from unknown persons to other accounts for a commission, as such actions make them accomplices in cybercrime

The 45-year-old victim, residing in Puliyambedu, Tiruvallur district, and working at a private hospital in Porur, was returning home on her two-wheeler after buying vegetables when another two-wheeler approached her from the opposite direction.

The rider attempted to pull the gold chain from the doctor's neck. However, the woman held onto the chain tightly and resisted. Unable to snatch it, the accused sped away. Based on the complaint, Vanagaram Police registered a case, reviewed CCTV footage, and traced the suspect.

The accused was identified as David of Kattupakkam, Chennai. He was arrested on Friday, and the two-wheeler used in the crime was seized.

During interrogation, police found that David works as an air conditioner mechanic. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

At just 7, Aswin left Chennai for Mohali to chase his football dream, while his mother, battling a kidney illness, watched him go. She passed away last year after a long fight. Now 11, Aswin has won back-to-back international titles in Europe with Minerva Academy — fulfilling the dream they shared.

Reporter: SA Sneha; : Hemanathan M

Read the story here: 11-year-old football champ dribbles his way from Chennai to Mohali to trophies in Europe

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,11,720 per sovereign and Rs 13,965 per gram, after an increase of Rs 65 per gram.

Earlier on August 7 the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,10,000 per sovereign and Rs 13,750 per gram.

Silver prices remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices also remain stable, continue to sell for Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on August 8.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have surged from Rs 75,760 per sovereign (Rs 9,470 per gram) on August 8, 2025, to Rs Rs 1,11,720 per sovereign (Rs 13,965 per gram) on August 8, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 35,960 or about 47.46%.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

August 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 6, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,880 | 1 gram - Rs 13,260

August 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,200

August 3, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,250

Silver price over the last five days:

August 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 6, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 240

August 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

August 3, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

KRM Public School in Perambur emerged as the winner of the Overall Championship in the inter-school contest Thiranika; Department of BCom (General) secured the Overall Department Championship in the intra-collegiate contest Kalakiran, while Loyola College won the Overall Championship in inter-collegiate cultural festival Chainika.

The Kael Theatre group presented a skit on mental resilience among the youth, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being, perseverance, and hope in overcoming life’s challenges.

Rajalakshmi, managing director of Revathi Stores, encouraged young women to pursue education with confidence and determination. She also urged students to believe in their abilities and prepare themselves to take up leadership roles in society.

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Saturday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 7 - Rs 107.77

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

August 4 - Rs 107.77

August 3 - Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 7 - Rs 99.55

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

August 4 - Rs 99.55

August 3 - Rs 99.55

For Madras Inherited, walking is a way of connecting people with Chennai's layered history.

The organisation began by documenting and conducting heritage walks through the historic houses of Mylapore before gradually expanding to neighbourhoods across the city.

"Walking for pleasure is a unique experience. Walking allows you to observe significant, often overlooked details, even on familiar paths. It fosters a connection with your surroundings, encourages pauses at intriguing spots, enables you to absorb the city's essence and, ultimately, helps you perceive it in a new light," says Ashmitha Athreya, head of operations, trustee and lead storyteller at Madras Inherited.

"Our heritage walks are meticulously researched and curated, involving extensive site reconnaissance visits before and after each walk. We ensure that everyone on the walk connects with the area and its history, whether they are first-time visitors or long-time residents," she says. Interestingly, Ashmitha believes the growing popularity of heritage walks has less to do with nostalgia than with the simple act of walking itself.

That experience resonated with participant Tharun Bathini, who says joining the walks completely changed the way he viewed Chennai. "Earlier, I only knew Chennai through a few famous landmarks. The walks helped me realise that every neighbourhood has its own history and identity. Now, whenever someone says Chennai is boring, I feel they probably haven't explored it enough," says Tharun.

If heritage walks invite participants to look into Chennai's past, photo walks encourage them to appreciate its present. Communities like The Chennai Photo Walk have transformed weekend photography into a shared experience where observation matters as much as the final photograph.

According to the core team, Naveen Kumar, Ramaswamy Nallaperumal and GV Balasubramanian, the walks are designed to be accessible and inclusive, creating opportunities for participants to learn from one another while exploring different neighbourhoods through a fresh perspective. The team believes the walks are less about taking the perfect picture and more about encouraging people to step outside, meet strangers who share similar interests and see familiar streets with fresh eyes.

"People often assume these walks are only for photographers, but we've always wanted them to be open to everyone," says the team. "We have people from different professions, different age groups and different levels of experience. What brings everyone together is curiosity."

The organisers say every route is carefully chosen. Sometimes the location dictates the theme; at other times, the season, festivals or changing light inspire the walk.

The walks attract an unusually diverse crowd. "Many IT professionals come here to unwind from their stressful jobs. One day a week, they want to spend time for themselves and their art," says Naveen.

For Brij Mohan, a member of The Chennai Photo Walk, the experience has been as much about people as photographs. The informal conversations that happen during the walks, he says, are often as memorable as the photographs themselves.

Another member, Om Gupta, echoes that sentiment, adding that the walks have helped him slow down and notice everyday moments that usually go unnoticed. Instead of rushing through the city, he now finds himself observing people, architecture and fleeting interactions that make each neighbourhood unique.

The community aspect is something participant Amruthavarshini values deeply. She says the walks have helped her appreciate Chennai's beauty beyond its familiar landmarks, making her realise that every street has its own character if one takes the time to observe it.

If one community teaches people to understand Chennai's history and another encourages them to observe its everyday life, Madras Frames asks participants to document it from their own perspective.

Mokesh Kumar from Madras Frames says the initiative started with just seven people who came together for a casual walk in Mylapore. What began as a small gathering has since evolved into a thriving community where anywhere between 75 and 100 participants join a walk.

Rather than following a single route together, Madras Frames divides participants into smaller groups and encourages them to explore independently before regrouping to discuss the stories behind their photographs.

"The photograph is only one part of the experience," says Mokesh. "When everyone comes back together, they share why they made a picture, what caught their attention and how they interpreted the same place differently. That's where conversations begin."

He adds that the organisation deliberately nurtures volunteers into leaders, ensuring that the community continues to grow collectively rather than depending solely on its founders.

One of the members Vaish says, "You get to meet new faces every single week and people who share similar perspectives. Walking slowly, observing and appreciating the beauty of little things around you brings mindfulness. You feel Chennai is yours. Walks give you a reason to explore your own city like a stranger or traveller."

"From art and craft to poetry, the streets are full of beauty and subjects. The biggest evolution is that people come here to learn, explore and connect. Our vision is for Madras Frames to become Chennai's walking memory. If Madras Frames can make people fall in love with their own city, that's the win," Vaish adds.

Participant Kumaraguru says the walks have introduced him to people he would otherwise never have met. "Many strangers from hobbyists and IT professionals to startup founders, photographers and other professional have become good connections through shared learning and future projects," he says, adding that documenting Chennai through different perspectives allows every participant to contribute to a larger visual memory of the city.

“She was awaiting her son’s return. It was really hard for her to be away from him. Her last night, she slept beside him as he caressed her to sleep,” says her husband KN Narayanan tearfully. The sacrifices seem to be paying off. Now 11, KN Aswin, was part of the Minerva Academy team that bagged two international trophies within a span of a week last month.

Minerva defeated Brazilian club RS Sports Yellow in the Gothia Cup Boys 12 final in Gothenburg on July 18, which came on the back of another trophy when they won the Helsinki Cup on July 11, defeating the Finnish team to which it had lost in the group stage.

The little champ from Chennai has been training in Mohali, Punjab, since he was picked up by Minerva Academy at a young age of 7. When we met the boy last week, his first visit home to meet his father after nearly a year, he had few words to speak, but he showed us his remarkable skills with the ball.

Narayanan is a fruit seller who sells seasonal fruits, and picks up whatever job that comes his way during other times. He has been supporting him through his football journey since Aswin was perhaps two years old. “I used to bring him to this nearby ground because I liked playing football. Slowly, we realised that Aswin is into the sport and I took him to Mount Football Club in St Thomas Mount.”

Within a few years, Aswin was scouted by Minerva Academy, the only one from the southern states in that cohort of selections.

“It was her dream to see her son reach these heights, and he is doing it much earlier than we expected,” says the father, full of pride. Mangalam was undergoing dialysis at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital when she succumbed to her ailment. Aswin was scheduled to leave for Punjab in the next three days, which got postponed.

Sending him hundreds of miles away at 7 was a difficult task for both Mangalam and Narayanan. It was his coach at the Mount Football Club, Lokesh, who helped him to do so.

Since he left for Punjab, most of Aswin’s childhood has been spent with the ball. The sport consumes all of his day. He is allowed to use the phone only once a week, when he calls his family back home. “It’s only that day when we can speak to him. When his mother was there, he spent all his time speaking to her. Even now, while hanging up, he’ll say, ‘tell amma I ate, I’m fine here’,” says the father.

According to him, Aswin’s dream is to realise what his mother wanted for him: To be great at the sport. And the boy is clearly not leaving any stone unturned to reach that goal.

“At the academy, we begin practice at 5 am, and then it goes on till 6 in the night divided into four sessions,” says Aswin. They attend classes for two hours a day, and the rest of the hours are spent footballing.

Aswin’s initial few years in Mohali were hard. One, he did not know the language, and two, there was no one accompanying him from Tamil Nadu. “He used to feel isolated; sometimes he’d sit on the ground and cry. It’s his coaches there who motivated and kept him afloat,” says Narayanan. Now, Aswin is well-versed in Hindi, and has found his mates and a space there.

“The coaches have been very helpful. While I can only speak to my son once a week, if I miss him a lot, I would call the coach. They reassure me,” says the father.

Aswin, whose inspiration is Brazilian footballer Neymar, says all he wants is to represent India at the global stage. That is the same dream that Narayanan has, and Mangalam had. The boy of few words doesn’t look like one who would let them down.

The latest episode was reported Wednesday evening, when residents from Kelambakkam, Thaiyur, Siruseri, Navalur and Thalambur again complained of the pungent smell. The odour was first noticed around 8.20 pm and spread nearly 10-12 km before rain later that evening helped dissipate it.

“Had it not rained, we believe it would have continued for a longer time and spread further,” said Harsha Koda, co-founder of FOMRRA.

The issue comes weeks after Tiruporur MLA Vijayaraj told DT Next that he was dissatisfied with the TNPCB’s preliminary inspection on July 15-16 and had sought a detailed report before deciding on further action.

Residents argued that emissions travelling such distances were unlikely to originate from a small local source. They continue to suspect industries in the Alathur SIDCO Pharmaceutical Industrial Estate. “It has been nearly 20 days since we first reported the issue and the media highlighted it. At least tell us what has been done. There has to be someone accountable,” fumed Arul, a Siruseri resident. “We’re experiencing throat burn and eye irritation. Our kids will suffer in the long run if the situation continues like this.”

Alarmingly, the TNPCB is yet to identify the source. “The source has still not been identified. We’ve not pinpointed any company,” MLA Vijayaraj said. “I’m still waiting for the board’s detailed report.”

Adding that he had sought fresh reports from the TNPCB and the Industrial Safety Department rather than rely on earlier compliance reports, he said that TNPCB officials had told him that although odour complaints were received in previous years, the nature of odour in the present complaints appeared different.

Prabhuvel, a Thaiyur resident, said that the smell was usually noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm, with the odour reportedly reaching as far as Navalur. Prakash, a resident of the L&T complex in Siruseri, said a similar problem had surfaced about three years ago, easing for nearly two years before recurring now.

“South-facing apartments were among the worst affected, residents are reporting eye irritation and throat discomfort,” he added.

Repeated attempts by DT Next to obtain the TNPCB’s explanation on the inspection findings did not yield a response.

Complainants lamented the inconvenience and additional expenses they face when visiting the station.

The Cyber Crime Branch Police Station, along with the Airport Police Station and the Assistant Commissioner of Police's office, is located on the Chennai airport campus.

While the airport police station handles aviation-related cases, the cyber crime unit receives complainants from across South Chennai, including police station limits such as Adyar, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Velachery, Madipakkam, Alandur, Adambakkam and Meenambakkam.

With cyber fraud cases increasing across Chennai, the police station receives around 4050 complainants every day. Many arrive in cars, often with family members or legal representatives, and make enquiries frequently.

However, since the police station is located inside the airport campus, visitors are required to pay parking charges at the airport toll plaza while exiting. Visitors argue that although collecting parking fees from passengers and visitors is justified, the same should not apply to people visiting a government police station that happens to be inside the airport premises.

Another major concern is the lack of a photocopy facility inside the airport campus.

“During investigations, police often ask us to submit photocopies of documents and identity proofs. Since no photocopy shop is available within the premises, we have to get out of the airport to get the copies before returning to the police station,” lamented a visitor. “This forces us to cross the airport toll plaza twice, and we have to pay parking charges again.”

People handling cyber crime cases have urged the airport authorities to exempt vehicles visiting the Cyber Crime police station from airport parking charges or create a separate access route for the station. They have also requested that a photocopy facility be established within the airport campus to avoid unnecessary travel during investigations.

Residents and legal representatives have further pointed out that the Cyber Crime Branch police station functioned from the Guindy Police Station campus until about a year ago, where such issues did not exist. “Earlier location was centrally accessible for anyone from across South Chennai and did not involve airport toll charges or the absence of document services,” another visitor pointed out.

They have now appealed to the Chennai City Police to shift the police station back to the Guindy campus, or relocate it to the South Chennai Joint Commissioner's Office at St Thomas Mount, which would improve public access and reduce the burden on complainants.

However, ongoing work on Ekkaduthangal Road in the south phase of the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Guindy, has instead resulted in severe, foul-smelling sewage overflowing directly onto the roadway.

Hundreds of commuters, including IT professionals, industrial employees, and pedestrians, have been forced to wade through sewage on Ekkaduthangal Road for over a week. Affected commuters are urging officials from the departments concerned to take immediate action.

LM Jaiganesh, who works at the SIDCO Industrial Estate, alleged that sewage is being illegally connected to the stormwater drain network, causing it to spew onto the street.

Echoing his concerns was E Sangeetha, an IT professional, who said, "Overflowing sewage poses a serious health hazard to pedestrians. Because stormwater drain construction is under way, sewage has been diverted onto the road. Increased mosquito breeding and waterborne diseases could soon impact the public."

Assuring steps will be taken to disconnect illegal sewage lines entering the SWD, GCC said Metro Board must ensure unauthorised connections are curbed

Affected workers and commuters are demanding that GCC and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials inspect the stretch urgently. They have requested immediate action to disconnect unauthorised sewage inlets, repair leaks, and execute proper desilting so that monsoon preparedness efforts do not turn into a permanent sanitation crisis.

Responding to the issue, a GCC official said, "Steps will be taken to disconnect illegal sewage lines entering the SWD. Additionally, CMWSSB officials must ensure commercial and household drain pipes are leak-free and curb unauthorised connections."

In Thoppai Vinayagar Street, Ezhil Nagar A Block, with 18 streets, name boards are missing on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Streets. The 14th Street name board has been covered with posters, making the street name unreadable. Some name boards are also completely missing on the 16th, 17th and 18th Streets.

In Kamarajar Salai, Ezhil Nagar B Block (12 streets), the name boards on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Streets have been covered with posters. The name board of 8th Street has been damaged, while the 11th and 12th Street boards are completely concealed by posters.

In Anna Salai, Annai Sathya Nagar, the name boards on the 3rd and 5th Streets in Ezhil Nagar B Block have been covered with stickers. The name board of 4th Street has been damaged, while the 10th Street board is completely hidden behind garbage bags.

In Periyar Salai, Annai Sathya Nagar, which has seven streets, the name boards on the 2nd and 7th Streets have been covered with posters, obscuring the lettering and making them difficult to read. The street name board on MGR Nagar 9th Street has been completely removed, making it difficult for the public to identify the street.

A resident of Ezhil Nagar B Block, Arumugam, said, “Since there are many streets in this locality, newcomers find it difficult to identify the correct street. Several street name boards are damaged, while others have been covered with posters, making the names unreadable. This situation has continued for the past one year.”

Another resident, Kalidoss of Ezhil Nagar A Block, said, “Some street name boards were removed during the stormwater drain works carried out in the area. Although a few were reinstalled later, several are damaged, as they were not fixed properly.”

Officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation told DT Next, “There are no funds available for replacing the damaged street name boards. Repair and replacement works can be taken up only after funds are sanctioned. Once the required allocation is received, all damaged and missing street name boards in the area will be replaced with new ones.”

The accused, Periyan, was booked under Sections 7 and 8 of the POCSO Act.

Police said the child’s mother, who separated from her husband six months ago, worked as a domestic help at the accused’s house and occasionally took her children with her.

The girl reportedly informed her father about the abuse on July 30, following which he lodged a complaint.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case, questioned the accused and arrested him.

He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

The partnership aims to combine VIT Chennai’s expertise in higher education, research and technology with the Penang government's efforts to build a knowledge-driven economy and enhance the technological capabilities of its public sector workforce.

Under the agreement, both institutions will work together on academic and research initiatives designed to equip students and professionals with the skills needed to address the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

The collaboration is also expected to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen bilateral ties between India and Malaysia through joint programmes in education, research, innovation and human resource development.

Officials said the MoU reflects the shared vision of VIT Chennai and the Penang government to foster international partnerships that support technological advancement, encourage entrepreneurship and build institutional capacity in emerging sectors.

The institutions plan to undertake collaborative activities, including academic exchanges, research projects and professional development programmes aimed at creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting future industry demands.

The partnership is expected to reinforce the growing educational and technological relationship between India and Malaysia, while opening new avenues for innovation, research and professional excellence.

This initiative will provide students, researchers and professionals with greater opportunities for international exposure, collaborative learning and engagement in emerging technologies, contributing to stronger academic and industry linkages between both countries.

The accident occurred in the Stanley Nagar–CB Road area when the minor, riding without a helmet and carrying two pillion riders, had been driving recklessly and hit Balan (72), who was crossing the road. The elderly man sustained injuries and was admitted for treatment.

During the investigation, police found that the motorcycle belonged to Vigneshwaran of Old Jail Road, the rider’s elder brother. Police said he had knowingly permitted the minor to use the vehicle.

Police seized the bike, arrested Vigneshwaran, produced him before a magistrate and remanded him in judicial custody. Police reiterated that vehicle owners and guardians who allow minors to drive would face legal action.

The recipients are Sujatha Srinivasan, Thalappil Pradeep, Deepa Venkitesh, Jitendra S Sangwai, Ramakrishnan Swaminathan and Sundargopal Ghosh, representing five academic departments at the premier institution.

Congratulating the awardees, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti said, "I congratulate all my distinguished colleagues. This demonstrates the high quality of research and development in critical and emerging technologies happening at IIT Madras."

The highly competitive grant recognises senior scientists and engineers for sustained research excellence and provides Rs 25 lakh annually for five years to support frontier research, including manpower, equipment, travel and other project expenses.

The awardees have made notable contributions in diverse fields, including prosthetics and rehabilitation technologies, clean water solutions, optical fibre communication, carbon capture and utilisation, biomedical instrumentation, and transition metal boron chemistry.

Their work has resulted in impactful technologies, high-quality publications, patents and collaborations with academia, industry and government.

Among them, Thalappil Pradeep, a Padma Shri awardee known for affordable water purification technologies, secured his third five-year term under the JC Bose programme.

The ANRF grant is awarded to scientists aged 45 to 65 based on research output, patents, technology transfer, grants and other indicators of scientific excellence, enabling them to pursue ambitious research in frontier areas.

Which vegetable prices have changed today?

Ooty carrot – Rs 70 per kg, down by Rs 120 (as compared to July 28)

Spinach– Rs 7 per bunch, down by Rs 7

Beans – Rs 70 per kg, up by Rs 20

Beetroot – Rs 50 per kg, up by Rs 10

Yellow pumpkin – Rs 25 per kg, up by Rs 7

What are the prices of essential vegetables?

Onion: Rs 35 per kg

Small onion: Rs 75 per kg

Potato: Rs 25 per kg

Tomato: Rs 12 per kg

Coconut: Rs 55 per piece

What are the prices of other vegetables?

Green chillies: Rs 70 per kg

Snake gourd: Rs 30 per kg

Drumstick: Rs 30 per kg

Okra: Rs 30 per kg

Bitter gourd: Rs 50 per kg

Bottle gourd: Rs 25 per kg

Capsicum: Rs 50 per kg

How much do herbs cost today?

Coriander: Rs 8 per bunch

Mint: Rs 6 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 25 per bunch

The deceased was identified as Aakash, a resident of Model Line Housing Board in Old Washermenpet. Police said he had been living with his mother and his three-year-old son for the past month following marital differences with his wife, Sangeetha.

According to the complaint lodged by Sangeetha, Aakash was allegedly addicted to alcohol, ganja and narcotic tablets, and was also suspected of administering narcotic substances through injections.

On Thursday afternoon, Sangeetha received information that Aakash was lying unconscious at his mother's house. With the help of neighbours, he was rushed by autorickshaw to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, where doctors examined him and declared that he had already died.

The body has been sent to the Government Stanley Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Washermenpet police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), corresponding to an inquiry into an unnatural death, and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police said Aakash had a previous case registered under the NDPS Act in 2022.

The 13-storey housing complex comprises 468 residential units and was inaugurated in June 2022. Residents said that cracks have developed in the walls, staircases and roofs in several parts of the complex, while concrete has peeled off in some areas, exposing reinforcement bars.

They also alleged that the drinking water tank was not being properly maintained, resulting in discoloured water. Further, the pipes for water sprinklers were damaged and broken, while the tank designated for fire-fighting purposes remained without water. Residents also alleged that some illegal activities were taking place in the area.

According to residents, a portion of the exterior wall near the entrance has been severely damaged and is at risk of collapsing at any time. Cracks are reportedly visible outside several flats from the first floor to the 13th floor. Concrete has also chipped away from staircase walls, exposing rusted steel rods and raising concerns about the building’s structural safety.

Despite sufficient open space within the premises, residents said no park or playground has been developed. They also pointed out that vehicles are parked indiscriminately inside the complex, which could obstruct the movement of ambulances and fire engines during emergencies.

Aslam, a resident, said, “I’ve been living here for the past four years. Water continuously leaks through the walls and ceilings inside our house, forcing us to collect it in buckets. Although we complained to the authorities and some repairs were carried out, the leakage keeps recurring. During the rainy season, the walls become excessively damp, increasing the risk of electrical short circuits and weakening the roof. We’re unable to sleep peacefully due to safety concerns.” Concurring with him was Anand, another resident, who piped in: “Several lift buttons and frames have been damaged, while rainwater drainage pipes are not properly running. CCTV cameras in the complex have been vandalised. Some areas, especially those with unoccupied flats, do not have adequate lighting and remain dark. Illegal activities are taking place there, creating a safety risk for everyone, and discouraging prospective residents from moving into those units.”

When contacted, a TNUHDB official told DT Next, “Around 80 per cent of the repair work related to roof leakage in 119 flats, lift maintenance and sanitation has been completed. Minor issues in the remaining 10 flats are also being addressed.”

The official added that repeated incidents of vandalism, theft and damage to building infrastructure by anti-social elements have forced the department to undertake recurring maintenance work. Police have been informed about these incidents. “A proposal worth Rs 1.5 crore has been submitted for renovating the housing complex. Once approval is received, all necessary works will be carried out everywhere,” he added.

The yellow metal is currently priced at Rs 1,10,000 per sovereign and Rs 13,750 per gram, after an increase of Rs 270 per gram.

Earlier on August 6, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,10,000 per sovereign and Rs 13,750 per gram.

Silver prices remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices also remain stable, continue to sell for Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on August 7.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have surged from Rs 75,200 per sovereign (Rs 9,400 per gram) on August 7, 2025, to Rs Rs 1,10,000 per sovereign (Rs 13,750 per gram) on August 7, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 34,800 or about 46.27%.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

August 6, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,10,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,750

August 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,880 | 1 gram - Rs 13,260

August 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,600 | 1 gram - Rs 13,200

August 3, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,06,000 | 1 gram - Rs 13,250

August 1, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,760 | 1 gram - Rs 13,220

Silver price over the last five days:

August 6, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 250

August 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 240

August 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

August 3, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

August 1, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 235

Police said Abikash (21) of Anna Nagar works as a mechanic and driver at a used car workshop in Kolathur. Police said a BMW belonging to Sakthivel of Medavakkam had been entrusted to the workshop. On August 4, Abikash was driving the BMW near Nanganallur when four men intercepted the vehicle. They allegedly threatened him with a knife, assaulted him, took away the BMW and fled with his mobile phone. Based on his complaint, the St Thomas Mount Police registered a case and formed a special team to trace the accused.

The special team arrested Karthik (41) of Kattupakkam in Kancheepuram district, Shankar (51) of Nandambakkam, Prasad (40) of St Thomas Mount and Ramachandran (38) on August 5.

Police recovered the stolen BMW, a Maruti Swift car used in the offence, and four mobile phones from the accused. During the investigation, police found that Karthik, who owns a pre-owned car showroom and car owner Sakthivel were supposed to pay 5 lakh to Karthik. As the money was not repaid despite repeated requests, he allegedly committed the offence with the help of the three others.

The four accused were remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is on.

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Friday

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 6 - Rs 107.77

August 5 - Rs 107.77

August 4 - Rs 107.77

August 3 - Rs 107.77

August 2 - Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

August 6 - Rs 99.55

August 5 - Rs 99.55

August 4 - Rs 99.55

August 3 - Rs 99.55

August 2 - Rs 99.55

The complainant, Srikant Sawan (50) of Wall Tax Road, runs a silver melting unit and also operates another silver shop in another neighbourhood, which was managed by another employee, Dagupandurang Rathod.

On July 24, Sawan gave 13 kg of silver to Rathod before leaving for Maharashtra. Later, a customer Anand handed over 3 kg of silver bars and Sawan's brother Sandeep gave 8.6 kg to Rathod for making silver items. In total, 24.6 kg of silver was with Rathod.

On July 30, Rathod allegedly locked the shop, switched off his mobile phone, and went absconding with all the silver, after which Sawan filed a complaint.

Police traced Rathod's associate, Thukkaram Karat (26) and arrested him on Wednesday and seized 7.11 kg of silver bars from him.

Police said Karat runs a silver shop near Rathod's store. Rathod had allegedly given him about 8 kg of the stolen silver before fleeing. Karat melted the silver and used it for his business.

Karat was remanded to judicial custody. Police said efforts are on to trace Rathod.