The confrontation happened around 7:40 pm on October 29 near the Raja Mannar Salai junction in KK Nagar, police said.

Head Constable Bhuvaneshwaran (36) of Ashok Nagar Traffic wing was regulating traffic when he saw the SUV trying to turn right at a no-right-turn point. He asked the driver to go ahead and take a U-turn further down the road. The driver allegedly did not obey and kept his vehicle in the middle of the carriageway, blocking traffic.

When the constable started recording the violation on his phone, Prakash got agitated, questioned him for filming, snatched the device and hurled abuses. He also pulled the constable by his uniform and attacked him.

A Special Sub-Inspector who tried to intervene was also reportedly abused and suffered minor injuries. A co-passenger who was with Prakash allegedly tried to assault the constable.

The SUV was later moved to the roadside with help from bystanders, after which Prakash returned the phone and drove away. Based on a complaint, Police traced Prakash and arrested him. He was let off on bail with conditions to sign at a police station for two weeks.

Police said the girls, both Class 11 students of a government girls higher secondary school in Pernampattu, had left home on October 30 saying they were going to school but never reached the campus.

After the school alerted their families about their absence, an inquiry revealed that they had gone to Gudiyatham to meet a friend. Their parents reportedly contacted them over phone and pulled them up.

Instead of returning home, the girls boarded a train from Gudiyatham to Bengaluru and then travelled to Chennai, reaching Central station around 4.30 am on Saturday. From there, they took a bus and alighted on New Avadi Road.

Around 8.30 am, Head Constable Vasanthakumar noticed the two and after a preliminary enquiry, handed them over to the local police station.

State Highway 50 (SH50) is an arterial route connecting Tirumazhisai and Uthukottai. The ROB is vital for pedestrians, motorists, daily commuters and heavy vehicles to cross the Cooum and railway tracks safely. However, neglect has left both the bridge and its access roads in deplorable condition.

Residents highlight that the pedestrian infrastructure has become increasingly unsafe for daily commuters accessing nearby transport hubs. K Baskar of Manavalanagar said, "The staircase and elevated pavement were built for pedestrians who cross either side on foot. Every morning and evening, dozens of commuters rely on these steps to reach the Tiruvallur Railway Station."

Baskar further noted that the approach road near the ROB is poorly maintained. "Thick creepers and wild bushes have choked the steps. Snakes are frequently spotted in these overgrown bushes, posing a grave threat to people walking by," he added.

Regular users of the ROB warn that broken walkway infrastructure is creating a severe accident risk: "On the bridge, many concrete footway slabs are missing, while several others are cracked and broken. This forces pedestrians off the sidewalk and onto the busy carriageway alongside fast-moving traffic. The situation worsens during evening rush hours, making a major accident bound to happen if left unaddressed," said A Anantha Krishnan of Tiruvallur.

Responding to the grievances, a senior State Highways official in Tiruvallur said, "The pavements on the ROB fall under the jurisdiction of the State Highways department. I will instruct our field officials to inspect the site and initiate immediate measures for pedestrian safety and overall maintenance."

Officials had been monitoring passengers arriving from Bangkok on Friday night. They noticed a 30-year-old man from Chennai who had returned from a tourist trip to Thailand.

After completing immigration formalities, he collected his suitcase from the conveyor belt and attempted to leave through the Green Channel, claiming that he had no dutiable goods to declare. However, Customs officers grew suspicious of his movements and stopped him for questioning.

As he gave evasive answers, he was taken to the Customs office inside the airport for further examination. When officers searched his suitcase, they found 10 packets concealed inside. Upon opening them, they discovered approximately 1.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja.

The consignment was seized, and the passenger was arrested. During interrogation, officials found that an international drug trafficking network had lured the man with the promise of a free trip abroad. He was sent from Chennai to Thailand and asked to return the following day with a suitcase containing the contraband.

The passenger, who had travelled abroad expecting a free flight, has now landed in a drug smuggling case. Customs officials have registered a case and are investigating to identify the members of the international drug trafficking network who recruited him for the operation.

The title The Madras Warp draws inspiration from the warp threads that form the foundation of a woven fabric. Just as individual threads come together to create something larger, the exhibition brings together artists with different personalities, experiences and ways of looking at art, while allowing each to retain their individuality. Most of the participating artists share an association with the Government College of Fine Arts and have since developed distinct creative practices. Each artist has created a new body of work especially for this exhibition, making it an opportunity to present their current explorations rather than revisit familiar works.

For Nivetha Mailasini, a visual artist, curator and arts manager, the idea emerged from her long-standing association with the participating artists. Having known them and followed their practices over the years, she was familiar with their individual strengths, interests and artistic sensibilities. "I know all the participating artists personally. I have seen their work, understood their ideologies and followed their artistic journeys. I wanted to bring these different practices together and see how they could exist alongside one another without having to fit into a particular theme," she says.

Explaining the thought behind the title and the decision to keep the exhibition theme-free, Nivetha says, "Most group exhibitions attempt to bring artists together around a particular subject or concept. With this exhibition, we wanted to approach it differently. Beyond the mediums they work with, every artist has a distinct personality, a way of understanding art and a way of seeing the world. That individuality is what we wanted to bring together. The idea of the warp is about bringing all these different threads together while allowing each one to retain its own identity." She adds that the exhibition came together organically, with the initial thought of doing a group show gradually taking shape into a greater collaborative effort. The Madras Warp brings together 16 artists. Apoorva Kappagantula explores the possibilities of clay through functional and sculptural ceramics, while Neppoliyan brings together pottery, ceramics and installation practices. Catherine Alexander's botanical illustrations and print designs draw from her close observation of flora and the natural world. Hemant Kumar moves between printmaking, wildlife photography and astrophotography, bringing together his interests in art, technology and nature. Meanwhile, Vineesh Vijayan is known for his hyper-realistic sculptures, while Vibhav Badarinath Kasal experiments with abstract painting, kinetic sculptures and interactive technology. The exhibition also features the visual storytelling practices of Kiran Babu and Maran Rajapandian, alongside the mixed-media explorations of Helen Jenifer and the interdisciplinary works of Vidya Lalgudi Jaishankar.

For Nivetha, however, the intention goes beyond simply displaying a collection of artworks. "For me, The Madras Warp is about bringing people together through art. Every artist has their own journey, interests, experiences, and way of seeing the world. I wanted to create a space where these differences could exist together without losing their individuality. I hope that visitors will take their time with the artworks, discover something new, experience different perspectives and connect with the artists and their stories. Sometimes, a simple conversation around a work of art can be the beginning of a meaningful connection. Art can be experienced in countless ways, touching each of us differently. In its own quiet way, it becomes a soulful companion, bringing comfort, connection, and meaning to our lives," concludes the artist.*

Three years in, the restaurant has grown into a boutique pasta bar where the emphasis is as much on ingredients and techniques as on the dining experience. Its journey, however, began with a love for food and a shared vision among its partners.

"For me, it was the opportunity to work with Anand and Ganesh. Ganesh had worked with me for a few years across a few interesting projects. Our restaurant manager, Angel, was another factor in giving us the confidence to try something fun, as she could explain the vision fairly clearly to her team and the guests. Pasta and truffles were just vehicles for this team to go have fun and build something that we believed the city was lacking. Honestly, with this team I would have been confident to go sell sand to the Bedouins," says Sandesh Reddy, partner.

For Anand Madhan, partner, the move into the food and beverage industry came from his own relationship with food. "The inspiration came from my abundant love for food as a consumer. I have been an avid food lover all my life and decided to be on the other side — creating food and building a venture around it," he says.

While the idea of introducing handcrafted pasta came from Sandesh, the vision was to push Italian cuisine beyond familiar recipes. The restaurant makes every pasta on its menu by hand using Italian durum wheat semolina. The pasta is also made without eggs, keeping the focus on the texture and bite of the dough.

One of the defining decisions was to introduce fresh black truffles at a standalone restaurant, at a time when the ingredient was largely found in five-star hotel kitchens. Finding the right produce and making it accessible to diners were among the initial challenges.

"We tried several batches from suppliers across Asia and Europe before finding the right truffle. Another key consideration was finding one that we could source consistently throughout the year, so that fresh truffles would be available on our menu year-round," says Anand.

He points out that fresh truffles have a more delicate and distinct flavour compared to the stronger, pungent notes associated with truffle oils and some frozen products. Rather than limiting the ingredient to shavings over pasta, ETC incorporated it into its own truffle butter, oils and hot sauce, allowing diners to experience it in different preparations.

The early days were not without challenges. Anand recalls having to explain the difference between fresh truffles and commonly available truffle oils to customers. Over time, however, the ingredient and its dishes found a loyal following, with diners now calling ahead to check whether fresh truffles are available before making a reservation.

For Chef Ganesh, the culinary philosophy at ETC is rooted in giving traditional Italian cuisine a contemporary touch without losing sight of its techniques. The kitchen experiments with textures, ingredients and flavours while paying attention to balance. Rather than relying heavily on cream, starchy pasta water is used to bring sauces together, allowing the natural flavours of the ingredients to come through.

Fresh truffles, he explains, are particularly sensitive to heat. They are shaved over hot pasta just before serving, allowing the residual heat to release their aroma without destroying it. The kitchen also pairs them with creamy ingredients such as burrata and mascarpone, which help retain their flavour.

Over the years, the menu has expanded beyond truffle-led preparations, with stuffed pastas featuring fillings such as lamb, prawns, chicken, crab, corn and mushrooms. The kitchen has also experimented with different pasta shapes, including cavatelli, keeping younger diners in mind. "Our focus at Elba has always been more than just truffles. Handmade pasta remains at the heart of our menu," says Ganesh.

On the table

The tasting began with milk buns, freshly baked, soft and fluffy, served with three varieties of butter — fresh truffle butter, pesto butter and black garlic butter. The buns were delightful on their own, but the different spreads made each bite more interesting. The truffle butter, in particular, offered a lovely introduction to the ingredient that defines much of ETC's identity.

The Truffalo Zucchini and Ricotta Balls were another standout. These crisp vegetarian bites, served with the restaurant's in-house truffle hot sauce, had a crunchy exterior and a spicy kick that worked particularly well with the filling. They were among the best starters of the meal and a preparation worth returning for.

The Corn Tortellini, filled with corn and spinach and served with cream sauce, was easily the highlight of the tasting and a must-try at ETC. The creamy base complemented the stuffed pasta beautifully, while the paprika sprinkled on top added another layer of flavour. Every bite was packed with flavour, with the filling and sauce coming together particularly well.

The Smoked Watermelon Carpaccio was perhaps the most unconventional plate on the table. Inspired by traditional carpaccio, which is usually prepared with meat or seafood, the kitchen slow-smokes watermelon for several hours to give it a texture and appearance reminiscent of cured meat. Served as a savoury preparation, the dish brings together the sweetness of watermelon with a mix of complementary flavours. It is an interesting departure from the usual way the fruit is served and reflects the kitchen's willingness to experiment.

"It brings together our approach to food: experimenting with familiar dishes, using interesting techniques and not being afraid to do things differently," says Ganesh.

For him, however, creativity must always be backed by flavour. "At ETC, we believe a dish should not just be inventive but, above all, taste good. The balance of flavours is what makes it memorable," he adds.

For the pasta course, the Fettuccine with Mushroom and Truffle stood out. ETC's emphasis on fresh truffles is evident in this preparation, where the flat pasta, button mushrooms and truffle come together in a well-seasoned dish. The seasoning was just right, and the truffle added depth without taking away from the other ingredients.

The Gnocchi Marinara offered a different experience. The pan-fried potato pasta had a pleasing texture, while the marinara sauce brought a tangy freshness to the plate. It was a comforting preparation that showed the menu's range beyond its signature truffle offerings.

The meal ended with tiramisu, a dessert that got the sweetness just right. Made with eggs, it had a balanced sweetness that did not feel overwhelming, making it a satisfying finish to the spread. The Pista Panna Cotta was another delightful dessert. Its soft, jelly-like texture paired beautifully with the richness of pistachios, while the crushed pistachios sprinkled on top added a lovely crunch.

For diners looking to explore the non-vegetarian side of the menu, ETC also offers preparations such as Parmesan Chicken Supreme, Truffalo Chicken Meatballs, Prawn Garlic Butter Focaccia Crisp and Calamari Fritti with Secco Pomodoro. Its pasta selection includes options such as Prawn Ravioli, Crab Ravioli, Tuscan Chicken Ravioli and Spaghetti Carbonara ETC Style, alongside meat-filled specials.

Beyond the food, Anand says the restaurant was envisioned as an experience that paid attention to the smaller details — from hospitality and the upkeep of the space to how the team responds when something goes wrong and recognises returning customers. The intention, he says, was never to be perfect but to make a genuine effort with care and attention.

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:

October 30 - Rs 107.77

October 29 - Rs 107.77

October 28 - Rs 107.77

October 27 - Rs 107.77

October 26 - Rs 107.77

October 25 - Rs 107.77

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

October 30 - Rs 99.55

October 29 - Rs 99.55

October 28 - Rs 99.55

October 27 - Rs 99.55

October 26 - Rs 99.55

The two idols were found with their respective supporting pedestals at a depth of one meter during the ongoing excavation, which commenced on August 3, he said.

"Excavation works are currently underway in Nagapattinam under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu government's Department of Archaeology. Through these efforts, evidence showcasing the antiquity and historical significance of the Tamil people is being uncovered. I am delighted to share that several statues have been discovered, including bronze idols of Natarajar and Sivakami Amman from the Chola era," Rajmohan said, posting the images on X on Friday.

Lord Nataraja's idol in standing position measures 110 cm in height and 100 cm in width. The four-armed deity is captured in the classical 'Ananda Tandava' posture. Goddess Sivakami also in standing position is 82 cm in height and 23 cm in width. The two-armed goddess is gracefully sculpted in the traditional 'Tribhanga' (triple-bend) posture.

Based on initial analyses of their physical traits, iconographic attributes, ornamental etchings, and pedestal style, experts estimate the idols date back to the 12th century AD (late Chola period). These artifacts offer crucial material evidence on the religious practices, metallurgical engineering, and maritime trade-era metal sculpture schools centered around Nagapattinam under Chola rule, an official said.

The suspect, David of Kannappa Sami Nagar in Kavangarai, regularly transported schoolchildren in and around Puzhal.

On Friday evening, parents and relatives of one of the school children confronted him for sexually abusing a girl and severely assaulted him. David’s son took him to the Government Hospital at Periyar Nagar later that night, where he was admitted for treatment.

Meanwhile, the girl’s mother filed a complaint with the Puzhal All-Women Police Station where a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Meanwhile, at around 5.30 am on October 31, hospital staff found that the auto driver was missing from the ward.

Following this, special teams have been formed under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kolathur, and led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Puzhal Range, to trace the accused. Police said further investigation is under way.

The price of 22-carat gold dropped by Rs 310 per gram to Rs 12,730, compared with Rs 13,040 on Friday. Consequently, the price of a sovereign (eight grams) fell to Rs 1,01,840 from Rs 1,04,320.

The decline was steeper in the 24-carat segment, with pure gold falling by Rs 338 per gram to Rs 13,887. The price of eight grams of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 1,11,096, registering a decline of Rs 2,704 from the previous day's rate.

Silver prices also moved downwards, with a gram declining by Rs 10 to Rs 200. A kilogram of silver was priced at Rs 2 lakh. The latest decline follows a period of volatility in the precious metals market.

Gold prices had edged upwards over the previous week before reversing course in recent trading sessions, with consecutive declines on Friday and Saturday, bringing some relief to buyers. The fall comes ahead of deepavali, when jewellery purchases traditionally gather pace.

The reduction in prices could provide an incentive to households planning gold and silver purchases for the festive season, particularly after the recent fluctuations in rates.

The CMRL said it has the necessary approval to continue operating services on the route and that there would be no changes to the existing timetable.

The clarification comes amid reports questioning the validity of the operating authorisation for the recently inaugurated corridor, which is part of Chennai Metro’s Phase II project. The new stretch, connecting Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani through Porur Junction, spans approximately 15 km and has 11 stations currently in operation.

Reiterating that operations would continue without interruption, CMRL urged media organisations to verify information regarding Metro services directly with its authorities before publishing or circulating reports. It also said that all official announcements concerning Metro operations would be communicated through its authorised channels.

The clarification is expected to address concerns among commuters about a possible disruption to services on the newly opened corridor.

Held under the Government of India’s Special Campaign 6.0, the initiative collected 3 mobile phones, 38 computers, 11 laptops, 82 keyboards, 361 televisions, 34 ceiling fans, and 780 other electronic devices.

The campaign received a good response from the public, Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs), educational institutions, and commercial establishments. In another separate event, the intensive drive was carried out at Kannagi Nagar.

South Regional Deputy Commissioner Aftab Rasool inspected the mosquito control and waste removal efforts. A dedicated team of 41 sanitation workers from private contractors, alongside 20 vector control personnel, carried out the operation. Equipped with fogging machines and chemical sprayers, the workers successfully covered 5,800 households across 42 streets.

5 held for circulating counterfeit notes in Vellore

The Vellore police arrested five people for circulating counterfeit currency notes.

Rafiq Ahmed (46) of Gudiyatham had paid for a Flipkart delivery using two counterfeit Rs 500 notes.

The delivery agent tipped off the police, and Rafiq was arrested. He told the police he acquired the notes from Zubair Ahmed (52), who in turn revealed that Gopal (47) and Kamaraj (48) were his suppliers.

The duo named Babu (65) as their supplier. Further probe revealed that Babu had been arrested in counterfeit currency cases in West Bengal around 10 years ago and had served a prison term.

Police have seized counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 1.50 lakh and are Babu's connections in West Bengal.

Chennai: 26-year-old Siddha medical student dies by suicide

A 26-year-old postgraduate Siddha medical student dies by suicide at the girls hostel of the National Institute of Siddha in Tambaram on Thursday. The deceased was identified as T Shenbagavalli, who was pursuing her third year of postgraduate Siddha medicine at the institute and was staying at the college hostel along with two other students.

Police said that Shenbagavalli was also preparing for central government recruitment examinations. The question papers were difficult, and she was worried about whether she would clear the exam and secure a government job.

READ FULL STORY HERE

12-year-old FSC detainee accused of sexually abusing infant in Tiruchy

 A 12-year-old Bangladeshi boy, lodged as an alleged illegal immigrant at the Foreigners Special Camp (FSC) in Tiruchy, has been accused of sexually abusing a one-year-old girl inside the facility.

Sources in the Centre said the incident occurred because the boy, who should have been housed in the men’s block, was instead allowed to stay with his mother in the women’s block. The child he allegedly abused belongs to another Bangladeshi family lodged in the women’s block, they said.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Thanjavur: 3-yr-old girl sexually abused; mother, lover held

Thanjavur police arrested a man for sexually abusing a three-year-old child.

The police also arrested the child’s mother for supporting the accused on Friday. Yogaraj (32), a collection agent in a finance firm in Kumbakonam, had an extramarital affair with a 24-year-old woman whose husband was said to be working abroad.

On October 26, Yogaraj, who went to the woman’s house, had reportedly sexually abused the woman's three-year-old child. Yogaraj had also bitten the baby in several places.

When neighbours inquired about it, the mother gave an evasive response. Based on the alert, the Natchiyarkoil police found that the child was sexually abused and arrested Yogaraj and the baby’s mother.

Tamil Nadu: 3 assault cop and HG personnel, held

A gang of three arrested for attacking a policeman and a home guard personnel after being warned against consuming alcohol in a public place in Ariyalur in the wee hours of Friday.

When Raja Kannan (37), a policeman from Thalavai station near Sendurai, along with home guard personnel Venkatesan (47), were on routine patrol in the late hours of Thursday, a gang of three were consuming alcohol at a shed along the main road.

Both personnel urged them to leave the spot immediately. However, they picked up a quarrel and hurled abusive words at the personnel.

Soon, the police constable Raja Kannan contacted the Thalavai police station and passed on the information. Suddenly, the trio attacked the duo and escaped.

However, the police secured the trio, identified as Mathivanan, Thamaraikannan and Elamparithi, all from Silappanur village.

Tiruchy: 3 held in separate ganja peddling cases

Three persons, including a woman, were arrested for peddling ganja across Tiruchy City.

Based on a tip-off, the City Commissioner of Police Rupesh Kumar Meena ordered an elaborate raid across the city.

When a team from E-Pudhur police were searching at Panjapur, they found one Pavithran (22) from Ramji Nagar selling ganja.

Soon, the police arrested him and seized ganja packs. Similarly, another team found Sakthivel (24) from Ramji Nagar selling ganja in Rettamalai and arrested him.

A 35-year-old woman selling ganja was arrested from a house in Ariyamangalam.

Jewellery dealer cheated of 7.3 kg gold; man arrested in Triplicane

A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly cheating a jewellery dealer of 7.30 kg of gold ornaments worth several crores of rupees in Triplicane.

The accused, Masook Jain of Vepery, was arrested by the Triplicane police on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.

According to the police, the complainant, Seerak (25), runs a jewellery shop and workshop on Irulappan Street in Sowcarpet. Jain had reportedly been collecting gold ornaments from him on a commission basis, claiming that he would sell them to jewellery shops operated by his contacts.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Chennai man, Bangladeshi mother-in-law held for serial robberies

Thanjavur police arrested a Chennai man and his Bangladeshi mother-in-law for stealing 30 sovereigns of gold jewellery from a house. The duo were habitual offenders involved in a series of theft cases across the state, targeting houses locked for a long period.

On October 23, K Karthi, who runs a finance firm at Pillayarpatti near Tiruvidaimaruthur in Thanjavur, returned home in the evening after work, and he found the front door of his house broken and 30 sovereigns, 250-gram silver articles and Rs 2.50 lakh cash were missing. A complaint was filed.

During a vehicle check, on suspicion, the police secured B Gunasekar (40) from Choolaimedu in Chennai and his mother-in-law Hannah Begam (59) from Bangladesh. The probe found that the duo had been involved in the robbery at Karthi's house, and valuables were recovered. The duo was lodged in prison.

Further investigation revealed that Gunasekaran had befriended Hannah Begum's daughter on social media and managed to go to Bangladesh illegally and married her. He returned with his mother-in-law and they targeted several locked houses in a similar manner in Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Tiruchy.

Villupuram man strangles 14-year-old daughter to death for having a relationship

A 14-year-old Class 10 student was allegedly strangled to death by her father following an argument over her relationship with a young man in Villupuram district's Vanur on Thursday night (October 29).

According to a Maalaimalar report, the accused, identified as Sivasastri (40), a lorry driver, later surrendered before the Vanur police and was arrested.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Poverty drives Panruti woman to sell newborn boy for Rs 4.5 lakh; auto driver arrested

A three-day-old baby boy allegedly sold for Rs 4.5 lakh by his mother, who was struggling with poverty, was rescued by the police from a woman in Tiruchy.

An auto driver, identified as Zafar Khan (41), who allegedly acted as a middleman in the transaction, has been arrested.

Fatima (30), from Thattanchavady near Panruti, gave birth to the boy at the Panruti Government Hospital on October 19. Already having two daughters and living separately from her husband, she reportedly struggled to raise the children.

Taking advantage of Fatima's financial difficulties, Zafar Khan, an auto driver from Panruti, allegedly persuaded her to sell the baby. Through him, the child was handed over to Renuka Devi of Tiruchy for Rs 4.5 lakh on October 22.

Zafar Khan allegedly took a major portion of the money, leaving Fatima with only a small amount. This led to a dispute between the two. Fatima later asked Renuka Devi to return the baby. However, Renuka Devi allegedly refused.

Fatima subsequently lodged a complaint at the Panruti police station on October 28. The police registered a case and formed a special team, which went to Tiruchy, rescued the baby from Renuka Devi and safely handed him over to Fatima. The police have arrested Zafar Khan in connection with the case.

Two arrested in separate Pocso cases in Ambattur, Guduvanchery

Two men were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Thursday in separate cases involving the alleged sexual assault of minor girls in Ambattur and Guduvanchery.

In the first case, the Ambattur All-Women Police arrested Mohammad Rafeeq alias Sarphul Dewan (40), a native of Jharkhand, for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl who had gone to a mosque to attend Quran classes.

According to the complaint lodged by the girl’s father, the accused had assaulted the child while she was returning from the mosque after her classes. The girl later informed her parents, who approached the police.

In the second case, Kilambakkam All-Women Police arrested Manoharan (50), a financier, for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at her house near Guduvanchery in Chengalpattu. Police said Manoharan, a resident of Thailavaram, runs a small chit fund business.

On October 24, he visited the house, located two streets away from his residence, to collect money. The child was alone at the time, and he sexually assaulted her. Following a complaint from her parents, police registered a case, arrested Manoharan and produced him before a Chengalpattu court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

20-year-old son beats woman to death after quarrel in Dharmapuri

A 20-year-old construction worker, who was released on bail three days ago, beat his mother to death with an iron rod following a quarrel at their house in Dharmapuri district on Thursday night.

The police identified the accused as Devaraj of Old Indur village. Earlier on August 3, the Indur police had arrested him for creating a public nuisance while wearing a police cap and brandishing a knife. He had chased passers-by on the road and attempted to attack a man identified as Veeramani, according to the police. After a complaint, police arrested him and remanded him in judicial custody at Salem Central Prison. On October 28, he secured bail and returned home.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Villupuram man argues with wife, then throws six-year-old son into well; arrested

A 40-year-old man was arrested for allegedly throwing his six-year-old son into an agricultural well following an argument with his wife over money near Senji in Villupuram district.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the deceased boy, identified as Sanjay, was the couple's only son. His father, Selvaraj, allegedly threw him into a well behind the government hospital in the area after a prolonged argument with his wife, Devi, over the spending of borrowed money.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Two arrested for murdering 19-year-old, burying body near Pulicat

Two men from Cuddalore were arrested for murdering a 19-year-old youth at Thirupalaivanam near Ponneri and burying his body on Sathankuppam beach near Pulicat. The arrested men were identified as G Dinesh (23) and S Devarasu (18), both from Siruvathur village in Cuddalore.

The body was exhumed on Friday following their confession, police said. The deceased, Prashanth (19), was working as a tile layer along with his maternal uncle Ramesh in Cuddalore. He is the son of Ezhilarasi, a domestic help working at actor Radhika Sarathkumar’s house in Chennai.

On October 27, Prashanth informed his uncle that he was travelling to Chennai to meet his mother. The following day he went missing. Based on a complaint lodged by Ramesh, Cuddalore police registered a missing person case and launched an investigation.

During the probe, police found that Prashanth was in a relationship with Devarasu’s wife. During interrogation, the accused confessed to assaulting Prashanth to death at Thirupalaivanam before burying his body at Sathankuppam beach near Pulicat.

Following the confession, Cuddalore police, with the assistance of Thirupalaivanam police, exhumed the body on Friday. It was subsequently sent to the Ponneri GH for a postmortem examination.

Kancheepuram: Three, including school student, killed in accident

CHENNAI: Three people, including a school student, were killed and three other school students injured in two separate road accidents in Kancheepuram district on Wednesday night.

In the first incident, four school students — Sanjay (16), Joshua (15), Jaswanth (14) and Chandru (14) from Echur near Sriperumbudur — were travelling on a bike towards Panrutti near Sunguvarchatram on Wednesday night. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

Rashly driven MTC bus kills woman on way to hospital near Puzhal

CHENNAI: A 49-year-old woman who was on her way to a hospital for a health check-up was killed in a road accident at Kathirvedu near Puzhal on Wednesday after a rashly driven MTC bus hit the two-wheeler she was travelling on.

The deceased woman was identified as K Savithri, a resident of Sholavaram. On Wednesday, Savithri, along with her husband, Kumar, were on their way to a hospital, police said.

READ FULL STORY HERE

22-yr jail for kidnap, assault of minor

CHENNAI: The Tiruvallur Pocso court on Wednesday sentenced a 22-year-old man to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2018. Police said that the incident occurred on Dec 28, 2018.

The accused, Peter (aged 21 at the time) lured a 13-year-old girl on the pretext of marrying her and sexually assaulted her. Based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, a case was registered at the All Women Police Station, and the accused was arrested and remanded. After investigation, a charge sheet was filed before the Pocso Court.

Retired Warden killed inside CSI school in Sivaganga

A woman was murdered by unidentified persons who allegedly broke into her house inside the premises of the CSI School in Manamadurai, Sivaganga district, on Thursday evening. Vasantha Mallika, wife of Easwaran, was killed, and the assailant snatched the jewellery she was wearing before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred while the school was functioning. The deceased had worked as a warden at the school. The incident came to light only after her husband found her dead upon his return home. Sivaganga Superintendent of Police Abhishek Gupta inspected the spot. Further probe is under way.

5-member armed gang robs car dealer of Rs 1 crore in Erode

A five-member armed gang robbed a used-car dealer of Rs one crore at knifepoint near Perundurai in Erode on Thursday.

The police said Arun Kumar (55) of Rajendra Prasad Street in Perundurai was engaged in the used-car business and was also overseeing the construction of a temple on a 55-cent plot on Kanjikovil Road through receiving donations.

The police said a businessman from Tirupur had donated Rs one crore towards the temple's construction. On learning about the cash, some unidentified persons contacted Arun Kumar over the phone and offered to give him Rs 1.15 crore through online transfer in exchange for Rs one crore in cash.

Tempted by the prospect of making an additional Rs 15 lakh, Arun agreed to the deal and asked them to come to Perundurai. “Arun Kumar was counting the cash using a currency-counting machine at a house on Kanjikovil Road when five men arrived armed with knives and iron pipes on Thursday. When he attempted to raise an alarm, the gang threatened to stab him to death. The assailants then fled with the Rs one crore kept in a suitcase,” the police said.

Following the robbery, Arun Kumar lodged a complaint with the Perundurai police, who registered a case and special teams have launched a search for the accused.

Theni jailbreak: Last four inmates nabbed, all 17 back in custody

The police on Wednesday recaptured four more inmates, bringing all 17 inmates who escaped from the Theni District Jail on Monday night after assaulting three prison staff back into custody. The inmates had pretended that one of them was suffering from an epileptic seizure to trap the guards and carry out their escape plan.

On Wednesday morning, around 100 police personnel intensified their search in the Amachiyapuram hills to trace four inmates: Rejin from Kanyakumari, and Tirupathi, Meenatchisundram and Ponmuthuselvam from Madurai.

The police team recaptured Rejin and Ponmuthuselvam from the hills. The other two, Tirupathi and Meenatchisundram, who are brothers, allegedly fled after learning that police had entered the area where they were hiding. They allegedly assaulted a motorist who was passing by on a motorcycle, seized his bike and escaped, a police source said.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Trio snatches gold chain from home alone woman

An unidentified trio robbed a home alone woman of a 2.5-sovereign gold chain in Tiruchy on Wednesday after gaining entry into the house and locking it from inside.

The victim, a 41-year-old woman, lived alone in KK Nagar and works as a domestic helper. On Monday evening, while the woman was cooking, three unidentified persons had reportedly gained entry into the house and locked the doors from inside.

On seeing them, the woman raised an alarm, but one of them gagged her. They snatched her 2.5-sovereign gold chain and fled. She immediately ran out of the house, raising an alarm, but the trio had escaped. She lodged a complaint with the KK Nagar police, who registered a case and are searching for the culprits.

Thanjavur ganja peddler nabbed in Ariyalur

A notorious peddler from Thanjavur was arrested in Ariyalur while attempting to smuggle ganja from Odisha on Wednesday evening.

A police team led by Jayankondam inspector Balaji conducted a vehicle check following a tip-off and suspected a youth, who fled. After a chase, the man was caught and identified as R Shanmuga Ganapathi (29) of East Street, Thanjavur.

They found 6 kg of ganja concealed in his belongings and arrested him. Further probe revealed that the accused sold to regular customers in the neighbouring districts and procured the contraband from Odisha. He faces several pending cases in Thanjavur.

Two murdered in Otteri, Avadi

Two people were murdered in separate incidents in Chennai and Avadi on Tuesday night. In one incident in Otteri, an elderly man was beaten to death after an argument with a neighbour.

The deceased has been identified as S Ponnurangam (69), a resident of Rettaimalai Srinivasan Street in Otteri. Police said there was an existing enmity between Ponnurangam’s family and the family of his neighbour, Subramani.

A few days ago, Ponnurangam’s daughter-in-law was cleaning the entrance of their house when Subramani’s sons – Sathish (27) and Santhosh (25) – allegedly spat near the spot, which triggered an argument between the two families. On Tuesday night, an argument broke out between Ponnurangam’s son Kandhan and Sathish and Santhosh.

Hearing the commotion, Ponnurangam came out of the house and reprimanded the brothers after which they attacked him and pushed him to the ground. Ponnurangam was severely injured, and collapsed after which he was rescued and rushed him to the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital.

Doctors who examined him declared him brought dead. The Otteri police have registered a case and are searching for the duo, who fled after the incident.

In another incident in Thirumullaivoyal in Avadi city police limits, a 30-year-old man was hacked to death by his friend during a drinking session in the victim’s house on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Gokul.

Police said that Gokul and the accused, Rajesh (25) lived in the same neighbourhood and would argue often. On Tuesday, Rajesh made fun of Gokul, which had infuriated him and both of them argued and left.

The same night, the duo gathered again for a drink when Gokul questioned Rajesh about his comments and took a knife from the kitchen and attempted to attack him. Rajesh dodged the attacks, managed to retrieve the weapon from Gokul and stabbed him to death. On information, Thirumullaivoyal Police arrested Rajesh.

Man arrested for kidnap, murder of a Chennai woman

A 45-year-old man was arrested for kidnapping and murdering a woman from Aminjikarai and dumping her body in a farm well in Sirunagalur village near Melmaruvathur in Chengalpattu district.

Police said the murdered woman had failed to repay the loan which she had borrowed from him. The deceased was identified as Manimegalai (41), wife of Gurunathan, and a resident of Aminjikarai in Chennai.

Two days ago, the body of an unidentified woman with a slit throat was found in a private farm well in Sirunagalur village near Melmaruvathur. The Melmaruvathur police recovered the body and sent it to the Chengalpattu GH for a postmortem.

During the investigation, the police found that Manimegalai had borrowed money at interest from Jani Anbu Das (45), a resident of Egmore. He had allegedly threatened to kidnap her when she failed to repay the loan.

A special police team from Melmaruvathur detained Das for questioning. During interrogation, he confessed to kidnapping Manimegalai and murdering her by slitting her throat over the unpaid debt. Police said that the accused also allegedly removed the gold earrings and silver anklets worn by the woman, along with her mobile phone, before dumping her body in the farm well and escaping from the spot.

Following that, the Melmaruvathur police arrested Das for the murder, and he was remanded to judicial custody and sent to Puzhal prison.

Kanniyakumari: Four arrested for murdering panchayat staffer after he refused to steal lotuses from ponds

Four people, including Cyrus (32), have been arrested for allegedly murdering Kavin (27), a temporary electrician with the Alagappapuram Panchayat, after he refused to help them steal lotus flowers from local ponds, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

According to the police, Cyrus, a resident of Alagappapuram, had been illegally cultivating lotus flowers in ponds in the area. He allegedly asked Kavin, who hailed from Achankulam near Kottaram, to switch off the lights to facilitate the theft. Kavin’s refusal reportedly led to a dispute, following which Cyrus allegedly plotted to kill him.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Man hacked to death by friend following argument in Thoothukudi market

A man was allegedly hacked to death with an axe by his friend following an argument at a daily market in Tittangulam near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district in the early hours of Tuesday (October 27).

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the deceased, identified as Kaliraj, was employed as a load lifter at a private daily market in the area. According to the available information, Kaliraj and his friends were talking at the market premises when a light-hearted exchange of jokes and teasing reportedly escalated into an argument. One of his friends, identified as Ayodhya, allegedly attacked him with an axe, killing him on the spot.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Newborn rescued from pvt clinic toilet succumbs, cops mull altering case to murder

A newborn girl rescued from a private clinic's toilet succumbed on Tuesday. Police are contemplating altering the case based on postmortem findings.

A 19-year-old girl who was in a relationship with a lorry driver went to a private clinic on October 24 after experiencing labour pains. Despite her parents' knowledge of her pregnancy, she went alone.

She told the clinic staff that she had diarrhoea and locked herself in the toilet for nearly two hours. When the staff checked in on her, they found she had given birth there and shifted both of them to Government Stanley Hospital.

The girl is undergoing treatment; however, the newborn succumbed and was taken for autopsy. The reports indicated injuries, following which officials are considering altering the case to murder. The girl has not been arrested yet. The lorry driver has married another woman. Further probe is ongoing.

Woman arrested for allegedly setting husband on fire after domestic quarrel in Virudhunagar

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A 35-year-old construction worker, Shankar Guru, died after his wife, Sankareswari, allegedly poured kerosene on him and set him on fire following a domestic quarrel at their house in VVR Colony in Allampatti, Virudhunagar, in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to police, Shankar Guru frequently returned home intoxicated and quarrelled with his wife. The couple had divorced in 2022 but later reunited and resumed living together.

On Monday night, Shankar Guru returned home after consuming alcohol and picked up a quarrel with Sankareswari in the early hours of Tuesday. In a fit of anger, Sankareswari allegedly poured kerosene on her husband and set him on fire, said the police source. She subsequently surrendered at the nearby Virudhunagar East police station.

The police recovered Shankar Guru's body and sent it to the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Virudhunagar SP Gautham Goyal conducted an inquiry.

History sheeter hacked to death in Indira Nagar

Chennai: A 22-year-old history sheeter was murdered in broad daylight in Adyar's Indira Nagar on Tuesday. The police identified the victim as Maithreyan, originally from Mylapore and currently residing in Tiruvanmiyur.

According to officials, Maithreyan was listed as a C-category history sheeter with multiple criminal cases. Last week, he had secured bail in a case with a condition to report at Mylapore police station every day. Around 11 am on Tuesday, he was returning from the station in his autorickshaw when he was intercepted by a gang.

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Missing 7-year-old found dead in Madurai's abandoned house

A seven-year-old boy who went missing while playing near his house at Thaniyamangalam near Melur in Madurai district yesterday was found dead in an abandoned house nearby on Monday.

The deceased, Muthuchelvan, a Class 3 student, had left home around 11 am on Sunday to play and did not return. His relatives and villagers searched for him with police assistance. Police recovered the body and sent it to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for a post-mortem examination. Senior police officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

College student killed in clash over wastewater

A 20-year-old college student was hacked to death on Sunday night following a clash between two families over wastewater flowing in front of their houses at Alwarkarkulam near Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district.

The deceased, Isakkiraja, son of Mariappan, was a second-year student at an arts and science college near Srivaikuntam. The families of Mariappan and Sundararajan had reportedly been at loggerheads for a long time over the issue, the police said.

During an argument on Sunday night, both parties took to weapons and Isakkiraja was killed during the clash. The police have booked over 10 people in the issue.

Man held after pregnant wife dies by suicide in Otteri

Police have arrested a man on charges of abetment to suicide after the death of his pregnant wife in Otteri. The arrested man was identified as Santhosh (29), who worked in a mobile phone accessories shop.

Santhosh had married Kokila (26) on March 6 this year after being in a relationship with her. The couple lived in a rented house in Pudhu Vazhai Nagar.

Police said differences had developed between them within months of their marriage and the duo had frequent arguments. The couple had an argument on Saturday too after which Santhosh left the house. Kokila had video-called Santhosh on Saturday night and threatened to kill herself.

When Santhosh reached the house, he found her unconscious and rushed her to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. Doctors declared her brought dead after which Otteri Police rescued her and sent the body for a postmortem. 

Meanwhile, Kokila’s family filed a complaint alleging that she had been subjected to dowry harassment by Santhosh’s family and protested demanding his arrest.

After investigations, police arrested Santhosh. As the couple had been married for less than a year, the police have recommended an RDO inquiry.

Man held for sexual assault of toddler in Ennore

Avadi City Police on Monday arrested a 32-year-old man for sexually assaulting a two-and-half-year-old girl child in Ennore. The arrested person was identified as D Ranjithkumar, a fisherman, a neighbour of the victim.

Police said that he was separated from his wife and lives alone, and that he had lured the child to his house twice last week and had sexually abused her.

The child’s parents, who noticed injuries on her body, took her to the Institute of Child Health in Egmore. The incident came to light on October 23, when doctors examining the child suspected sexual abuse and alerted the authorities. 

Based on the information received from the hospital and a complaint filed by the child’s mother, the Ennore All Women Police Station registered a case and launched an investigation on the same day. After investigations, Police arrested the accused under the Pocso Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences).

The child is undergoing treatment. The accused was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. 

Techie flees after running over sleeping senior citizen in Chengalpattu; nabbed

An elderly man was killed after a techie who was reversing his car from a marriage hall reportedly ran over him, unmindful of the man sleeping on the roadside in Chengalpattu on Saturday.

Visuals showed the victim's friend sitting beside the body, holding an umbrella over it to protect it from the rain while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

The deceased was identified as Kumar (77), who lived in a thatched hut in the neighbourhood. According to local residents, Kumar was sleeping along the roadside when a car reversing from a nearby marriage hall ran over him, killing him on the spot.

Police sources said the techie, who was behind the wheel, got down to check on the man but drove off upon seeing a mob gathering at the scene, as his wife and child were inside the vehicle.

The elderly man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Meanwhile, the Chengalpattu police traced the car using CCTV footage and arrested the driver, G Saravanan (43), an employee with a private IT firm.

Bizman held under Pocso in Tirunelveli

A 52-year-old real estate businessman was arrested under the Pocso Act at Panagudi in Tirunelveli district for allegedly sexually harassing a six-year-old girl on Sunday.

According to police the accused was found committing the sexual offence after examining the CCTV footage. The accused was sitting in front of a church in the area on the night of October 23 when the girl walked alone on the road, said the police, adding that he allegedly called her over and sexually abused her.

The girl went home crying and told her parents, who lodged a complaint. The police registered a case under the Pocso Act and arrested him.

Special Sub-Inspector transferred to Armed Reserve on bribe charges

Tirunelveli District Superintendent of Police Viswesh Sastri on Saturday transferred a Special Sub-Inspector attached to the Seethaparpanallur police station to the Armed Reserve following a complaint that he accepted a bribe in a sand smuggling case.

According to the police, Special Sub-Inspector Muthupandi (54) is alleged to have received Rs 5,000 from the owner of a lorry linked to a sand smuggling case under investigation.

The money was reportedly transferred through his wife's GPay account.

Guest worker killed over card game in Chennai

A 26-year-old guest worker from Nepal was murdered after an argument during a card game in Perungudi on Saturday. Thoraipakkam police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the absconding suspect.

The victim has been identified as Ganeshkumar, who had been employed at a metal fabrication unit in Perungudi and was staying with his brother-in-law Umesh. The police said the suspect, Saurav (25), also a Nepali national, was working at a private eatery. Ganeshkumar and Umesh had gone to Saurav's house on Friday night. During a card game, a heated exchange between Ganeshkumar and Saurav turned into a physical confrontation. Saurav attacked Ganeshkumar with a knife.

Chennai: Woman dies after pushed to floor while rescuing son

A 62-year-old woman died after she was pushed to the floor while trying to rescue her son, who was being attacked by a group of men during a family dispute in Perungalathur. The deceased, Naseema Bee (62), was the mother of Vasivudeen (43), a resident of Kamarajar Street in Perungalathur.

Vasivudeen lives with his wife, Naseema (40). Police said an argument broke out between Vasivudeen and his wife on Wednesday.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Kancheepuram silk showroom owners arrested in Rs 20 crore fraud case

Two owners of a popular silk saree showroom in Kancheepuram have been arrested by the Kancheepuram District Crime Branch police in connection with an alleged Rs 20 crore fraud involving wholesale saree suppliers from Rajasthan, Chennai and Salem.

Krishnamoorthy (52) and Sathish (50), both residents of George Town in Chennai, jointly operated Murugan and Kalikambal Silks, located near Rangasamy Kulam in Kancheepuram.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Sathankulam man kills teen lover’s mother for opposing relationship

A 23-year-old man launched a sickle attack on a couple in their house, killing the woman and injuring the man and their minor son, and kidnapped her two minor daughters, at Mudalur near Sathankulam early on Friday. The girls were rescued shortly and the man, Gnanaprakash of Anandapuram, was apprehended by the Thoothukudi police after the girls shared their live location with them via WhatsApp.

The father Muthukrishnan (50) and son Pleasant Raja (12) sustained grievous injuries and are in the intensive care unit of the Government Super Specialty Hospital in Tirunelveli. Muthukrishnan’s condition is said to be critical.

2 lorry drivers confess to murder of coworker in Tiruvallur

Two lorry drivers allegedly confessed to murdering their colleague following a drunken quarrel and burying his body in an isolated spot near Alamathi in Tiruvallur district, police said. The police are scheduled to exhume the remains on Saturday in the presence of a Tahsildar.

The deceased, M Gokul (27), a native of Kanniyakumari district, worked as a lorry driver for a private transport company in Alamathi. His younger brother, Rahul, lodged a complaint with Sholavaram police stating that Gokul had been missing since October 7.

Following the complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. They examined CCTV footage from the Alamathi area and identified two suspects, Ayyappan (18), and Sathish (33), who worked as lorry drivers.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Police said that he was an employee at a firm in Manapakkam and was riding back home after work when he met with the accident.

The car that was trailing his bike hit the vehicle, causing Madhan to lose his balance and fall off the bike. Passerby rushed to his aid and Madhan was rushed to a hospital, where he died during the early hours of Saturday.

Police identified the car driver as C Christuraj (39) of Perungudi. Based on a complaint lodged by Madhan’s mother, Mylapore Traffic Investigation Wing registered a case against him. The driver has been booked under several sections including 106 (1) (causing death by negligence).

In another incident, a first-year college student died after being hit by the Jaipur Express while crossing the railway tracks near Pattaravakkam, between Ambattur and Villivakkam stations, on Friday evening. The deceased was identified as M Gayathri (18).

The MTC operates more than 3,900 buses, carrying an average of over 34 lakh passengers daily. Its buses are maintained and operated from 33 depots, including Central, T Nagar, Adyar, Tambaram, Vyasarpadi, Vadapalani, Ambattur and Madhavaram.

Officials were reportedly shocked to find liquor bottles in several depots, with some employees consuming alcohol after completing their duty and before returning home. Following this, officials cleared the bottles from the premises and put up posters warning employees against drinking alcohol inside the depots.

As part of the initiative, an awareness programme was held at the Vadapalani depot on Friday. Krishnamoorthy, former director of the Institute of Road Transport, participated in the programme and counselled employees on the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. Vadapalani depot branch manager Senthilkumar, Anbalagan, president of the Tamil Nadu Government Transport Corporation Staff Corruption Trade Union Federation, and several employees also attended the programme.

If it develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be named ‘Murasu’, as proposed by India. This will be the second cyclonic storm to form over the Bay of Bengal this year.

The well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Sea concentrated into a depression at 11.30 am on Saturday. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression over the next 12 hours, followed by a cyclonic storm over the southeast and adjoining southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal in the subsequent 12 hours.

The system is likely to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal, near the Andhra Pradesh coast, by the evening of November 2.

Rain forecast for Tamil Nadu

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places across parts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (November 1).

Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in the Nilgiris and Tiruvallur districts on November 2, and in Cuddalore, Villupuram and Puducherry on November 3. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely at isolated places between November 1 and 4.

Chennai weather forecast

Chennai is likely to experience partly cloudy skies on Saturday, with mainly dry weather. The maximum temperature is expected to be 34-35°C and the minimum 25-26°C.

On Sunday, the sky is likely to remain partly cloudy, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some parts of the city. The maximum temperature is expected to dip slightly to 33-34°C, while the minimum is likely to remain between 25°C and 26°C.

The IMD has also forecast above-normal maximum temperatures by 2-4°C in a few pockets of Tamil Nadu on Saturday and by 2-3°C on Sunday.

The projects, together worth nearly Rs 44 crore, will be spread across several Corporation zones, including Manali, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Perungudi and Sholinganallur.

The civic body is in the process of inviting tenders for the works, which will begin after the tender process is completed, according to GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran. Among the proposed park locations are the Kathipara-Airport entrance and the VIP arrival area at the airport, the Manali Road stretch beneath the 2B bridge in Tondiarpet zone, EVR Periyar Salai and Nelson Manickam Salai in Anna Nagar zone, and Peters Road in Teynampet zone.

Sholinganallur zone will account for a significant share of the new parks, with locations including Kannagi Nagar, Adityaram Nagar, Jawahar Nagar and areas under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. Other sites include Nerkundram and residential neighbourhoods in Manali and Perungudi zones. The 11 proposed sports grounds will include locations in Amirthammal Nagar and Ashoka Street in Madhavaram zone; Sharma Nagar, Dr Ambedkar Arts College and EH Road in Tondiarpet zone; RV Nagar in Kodambakkam zone; and areas in Sholinganallur, including CLRI Nagar and TNHB layouts.

The projects form part of the CMIUDM, a five-year scheme announced for 2026-31 with an overall outlay of Rs 1.5 lakh crore for urban local bodies across TN. Of this, Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for urban greening, recreation and open-space development across the State during the five-year period.

Under the new guidelines, engineers must inspect and record the existing pavement condition, road levels, camber, cross-fall, longitudinal profile, drainage and adjoining property levels before relaying.

Repeated bituminous relaying that raises road levels must be strictly avoided, and milling must be undertaken wherever necessary to maintain the approved finished level and ensure proper drainage. The circular further specifies that the milling depth should generally correspond to the thickness of the proposed new layer.

Engineers must verify and record the milling depth and quantity before relaying. The existing road profile must also be assessed and corrected during milling to achieve the approved camber and cross-fall after the work.

The guidelines prescribe procedures for preparing the surface before the new layer is laid. Mechanical brooming is mandatory to remove loose aggregates, Manhole covers, utility chambers, footpaths and drainage structures must be aligned with the approved finished road level. Photographs of milled surfaces must also be displayed at the worksite.

The circular addresses the procedure to be followed in future relaying works, but does not expressly order the lowering of existing roads that are already higher than adjoining houses

The instructions apply to all applicable bituminous road-relaying works within GCC limits. Superintending Engineers, Zonal Officers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers have been directed to ensure strict compliance within their jurisdictions. Contractors and project management consultants have also been included in the circulation list.

The move comes amid concerns over roads being repeatedly re-laid without adequately removing existing layers that in turn lead to raise in street levels and leaving adjoining homes at lower elevations.

At a protest near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore on October 25, Arappor Iyakkam alleged that the practice had contributed to rainwater and sewage entering homes and called for stricter enforcement of road work procedures. The circular addresses the procedure to be followed in future relaying works, but does not expressly order the lowering of existing roads that are already higher than adjoining houses. Nor does it specify the penalties sought by Arappor, including withholding contractor payments, blacklisting and departmental action.

Which vegetable prices increased today?

Drumstick – Rs 80 per kg, up by Rs 30 (compared to October 30, 2026)

Graffiti Eggplant - Rs 35 per kg, up by Rs 20

Yam - Rs 35 per kg, up by Rs 10

Bottle guard - Rs 35 per kg, up by Rs 10

Ujala Brinjal- Rs 40 per kg, up by Rs 10

Which vegetable prices decreased today?

Lemons - Rs 120 per kg, down by Rs 30 (Compared to October 30, 2026)

Peas - Rs 70 per kg, down by Rs 20

What are the prices of essential vegetables ?

Potato: Rs 30 per kg

Shallot - Rs 140 per kg

Okra - Rs 20 per kg

Tomato - Rs 50 per kg

What are the prices of other vegetables?

Beetroot: Rs 50 per kg

Carrot: Rs 30 per kg

Radish: Rs 30 per kg

How much do herbs cost today ?

Coriander: Rs 8 per bunch

Mint: Rs 7 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 30 per kg

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,01,840 per sovereign and Rs 12,730 per gram, following a decrease of Rs 310 per gram.

On October 30, gold was priced at Rs 1,04,320 per sovereign and Rs 13,040 per gram.

Silver prices decrease

Silver prices have decreased by Rs 10 per gram and are now sold at Rs 200 per gram (Rs 2,00,000 per kg) on October 31.

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

Gold prices remain higher compared to the same day last year. On October 31, 2025, 22-carat gold was priced at Rs 90,400 per sovereign (Rs 11,300 per gram). On October 31, 2026, it is priced at Rs 1,01,840 per sovereign (Rs 12,730 per gram), marking an increase of Rs 11,440 or about 12.65%.

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

October 30, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,04,320 | 1 gram - Rs 13,040

October 29, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,560 | 1 gram - Rs 13,195

October 28, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,560 | 1 gram - Rs 13,195

October 27, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,080 | 1 gram - Rs 13,135

October 26, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,04,680 | 1 gram - Rs 13,085

Silver price over the last five days:

October 30, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 210

October 29, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 215

October 28, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 215

October 27, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 220

October 26, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 220

The temporary cables were laid to supply electricity to the houses following a power disruption two weeks ago. However, their continued presence outside the houses has made it difficult for residents to take their vehicles out and clean their entrances.

A resident, Metila, said, “When the temporary cables were laid, officials said that the power issue would be rectified soon and that these would be removed. However, no work has been carried out so far. Every morning, we have to drive over the cables to take our vehicles out of the house. We also face difficulty while cleaning the entrance. Since the cables are lying right outside the houses, we are also worried about children playing outside.”

Concurring with her was Aruljothi, a student of social work, who added: “Providing a temporary cable connection during the power disruption was helpful but it’s a serious issue that the cables have not been removed for the past two weeks. Kids pass through this street in the mornings and evenings. They also visit the nearby park. This could lead to unexpected accidents.”

Admitting to the problem, a senior TNPDCL official said, “The fault in the cable will be rectified soon. After that, the exposed electrical cables will be removed. Until then, the cables have been laid temporarily.”

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:

October 29 - Rs 107.77

October 28 - Rs 107.77

October 27 - Rs 107.77

October 26 - Rs 107.77

October 25 - Rs 107.77

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

October 29 - Rs 99.55

October 28 - Rs 99.55

October 27 - Rs 99.55

October 26 - Rs 99.55

October 25 - Rs 99.55

Police said that Shenbagavalli was also preparing for central government recruitment examinations. The question papers were difficult, and she was worried about whether she would clear the exam and secure a government job.

On Thursday morning, her two roommates went out for a walk, while Shenbagavalli remained in the room. When they returned, they found the room locked from inside. Despite knocking on the door and repeatedly calling her mobile phone, there was no response.

The students alerted the hostel warden, after which the hostel staff broke open the door. They found Shenbagavalli hanging from the ceiling using her dupatta. Upon information, the Tambaram police rushed to the spot, recovered the body and sent it to the Tambaram GH for a post-mortem.

Her parents in Kumbakonam were also informed. The police have secured her mobile phone and are examining her call records and messages to establish whom she had last contacted and whether she had received any messages before her death. As the phone was locked, efforts are being made to access it.

Police are also investigating whether examination-related stress could be the reason for her death.

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Set against the heritage architecture of DakshinaChitra Museum, the production pairs Rajhesh's veena composition with Bharatanatyam performances by dancers Sagana Muralidharan and Varshini Mukundan. Conceived as an audio-visual experience rather than a conventional music video, the project explores how a classical instrument can be presented through a contemporary visual language.

For Rajhesh, the idea behind Grooveena was to explore the possibilities of the instrument beyond its conventional musical boundaries. "For me, the veena is not limited to any one genre. Carnatic music is its soul, but I believe the instrument has enormous possibilities beyond tradition. With Grooveena, I wanted to explore its contemporary side, bringing in fresh sounds, energy and groove while retaining the veena's identity. It's all about pushing boundaries without losing its soul," he says.

However, experimentation, he believes, should not come at the cost of an instrument's identity. "The veena's soul remains Carnatic, but its possibilities are limitless. It's about finding that balance between tradition and innovation," he adds.

The music came first, with the idea of bringing dance into the visual gradually taking shape. Rajhesh says he has always visualised music beyond sound, and the dancers' interpretation brought another dimension to the composition. "Their movements added visual rhythm and emotions that made the music come alive differently," he says.

For Sagana and Varshini, both trained in Bharatanatyam, the process began with listening closely to the composition and identifying the emotions and imagery it evoked. They explored how adavus, abhinaya and intricate footwork could complement the music, allowing the choreography to flow while retaining the essence of both the dance form and the composition.

"We tried to let our bodies become an extension of the veena. Its pauses gave us space to express through stillness and abhinaya, while its intricate phrases inspired fluid movements, adavus and rhythmic footwork. We focused on listening closely and allowing the music to guide our movements rather than forcing a rhythm onto it," they explain.

Although Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music share a longstanding relationship, interpreting the composition for an audio-visual production called for a different approach. The dancers had to think beyond conventional stage choreography, experimenting with movements and expressions while adapting to the composition's unique musicality. Their intention was to retain the grace and vocabulary of Bharatanatyam while presenting it in a contemporary format.

The duo approached Grooveena as both a dance performance and a visual storytelling experience. Every gesture, expression and rhythmic sequence was an attempt to bring the veena's music alive through Bharatanatyam. The setting also became part of this visual interpretation. Performing at DakshinaChitra influenced their movements and expressions. "We wanted to connect with the space rather than treat it merely as a backdrop, allowing its heritage, aesthetics and atmosphere to become an extension of our choreography," they say.

The choice of a visual medium also offered possibilities beyond a conventional stage presentation. According to the dancers, camera angles, the use of space, expressions and storytelling allow audiences to experience traditional art from different perspectives. The visual format, they feel, can bring a certain intimacy to the art and its surroundings.

For Rajhesh, the idea of presenting Grooveena at DakshinaChitra came from Supernova, which handles music distribution for his label, RV Dreamscape Records, and his YouTube channel. The team suggested presenting the composition through a visual production at the museum, a concept he welcomed because of the cultural backdrop it offered.

With younger audiences increasingly encountering classical instruments through contemporary formats, the artistes see such collaborations as an opportunity to build curiosity and create fresh connections with traditional art forms. However, the dancers emphasise that innovation must not compromise the fundamentals of the form.

"For us, the technique, aesthetics, discipline and core principles of Bharatanatyam are non-negotiable. We believe innovation should expand the form, not dilute its identity," they say.

Rajhesh, too, sees an exciting future for the instrument. Describing the veena as timeless and versatile, he believes it has considerable scope in contemporary music as well.

Presented by Supernova in collaboration with RV Dreamscape Records, Grooveena features direction by Hari Rajan and creative direction and videography by RS Vineeth. Produced by Ashwin Kashyap Raghuraman and Abhishek Prakash, the production also features a brand collaboration with Majja.

The accused, Masook Jain of Vepery, was arrested by the Triplicane police on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.

According to the police, the complainant, Seerak (25), runs a jewellery shop and workshop on Irulappan Street in Sowcarpet. Jain had reportedly been collecting gold ornaments from him on a commission basis, claiming that he would sell them to jewellery shops operated by his contacts.

Believing his claims, Seerak handed over 7.30 kg of gold ornaments to Jain in five instalments during June and July. However, Jain allegedly failed to pay for the jewellery or return the ornaments. When Seerak attempted to contact him, Jain reportedly stopped answering his calls, raising suspicion that he had been cheated.

Following this, Seerak lodged a complaint with the Triplicane police on October 27. The police registered a case and launched an investigation.

After preliminary inquiries, the police traced and arrested Jain on Wednesday. He was subsequently produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

In the first case, the Ambattur All-Women Police arrested Mohammad Rafeeq alias Sarphul Dewan (40), a native of Jharkhand, for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl who had gone to a mosque to attend Quran classes.

According to the complaint lodged by the girl’s father, the accused had assaulted the child while she was returning from the mosque after her classes. The girl later informed her parents, who approached the police.

In the second case, Kilambakkam All-Women Police arrested Manoharan (50), a financier, for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at her house near Guduvanchery in Chengalpattu. Police said Manoharan, a resident of Thailavaram, runs a small chit fund business.

On October 24, he visited the house, located two streets away from his residence, to collect money. The child was alone at the time, and he sexually assaulted her. Following a complaint from her parents, police registered a case, arrested Manoharan and produced him before a Chengalpattu court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

A new midday service will run from Tiruvallur to Moore Market Complex, departing Tiruvallur at 12.25 pm and reaching Central at 1.45 pm.

In the Arakkonam section, two existing services between Moore Market Complex and Pattabiram will be extended to Tiruvallur, while another pair will be extended between Moore Market Complex and Kadambattur.

The changes also include a switch in the stopping patterns of two evening trains to Arakkonam. The 7.30 pm service from Moore Market Complex, currently a fast train, will stop at all stations. The 7.45 pm slow service will become a fast train.

On the Central–Sullurupeta route, an early-morning service that previously terminated at Gummidipundi will be extended to Sullurupeta. It will leave Moore Market Complex at 5.20 am and reach Sullurupeta at 7.55 am. The corresponding return service will originate from Sullurupeta at 8.10 am and reach Moore Market Complex at 10.40 am.

On the Beach–Chengalpattu section, the semi-fast train from Arakkonam to Chennai Beach, which leaves Arakkonam at 7.30 am, will make an additional stop at Guduvanchery at 9.20 am.

The accused, Zakir Hussain of Vyasarpadi, who faces ten criminal cases, scribbled the message alongside a sketch of a machete on a seat inside an electric bus.

According to police, the graffiti read, "Want to kill a rowdy in Vyasarpadi? Contact me", followed by the name and mobile number of his long-time rival, Vicky.

After a photograph of the seat went viral on social media, police registered a case and traced the phone number to Vicky.

During interrogation, Vicky denied writing the message, claiming someone was attempting to set him up.

Police then scanned CCTV footage from inside the bus, which showed Hussain writing the message on the seat.

Upon arrest, Hussain confessed that he committed the act in an inebriated state following a feud over a stolen mobile phone.

He was produced before a local magistrate court and remanded to judicial custody.

The system was inaugurated by Tambaram City Police Commissioner A Amalraj at the Armed Reserve Headquarters in Paduvancherry on Friday.

The motorcycles have been equipped with modern policing devices, including public address systems, walkie-talkies, body-worn cameras, Android mobile phones, blinking lights, sirens with light bars and equipment boxes. They also carry lathis, helmets and reflective jackets.

Under the initiative, beat patrols will be conducted round the clock in three shifts to ensure continuous police presence and strengthen crime prevention. The system is also expected to improve communication and coordination among police personnel and facilitate swift responses to emergency calls made through the 100 helpline. It will also help police provide prompt assistance to the public and address grievances.

For instance, a liquor bottle currently priced at Rs 170 will cost Rs 180 from November 1. Consumers will no longer have to pay the Rs 10 separately at the billing counter. They can continue to get Rs 10 back by returning eligible empty bottles under the buy-back scheme.

In a circular dated October 29, TASMAC has directed that the revised MRP be implemented across liquor categories from November 1. The revision covers Indian-made foreign liquor, beer, wine, other State liquor and imported liquor. Prices of liquor supplied to FL-2 and FL-3 licensed premises will also be revised.

TASMAC has instructed manufacturers and distributors to ensure that revised price labels are affixed at production facilities, wholesale depots and retail outlets. Existing stocks without buy-back QR-code stickers must be identified and labelled by October 31. The corporation has instructed shop personnel not to collect any additional amount towards the scheme over and above the revised MRP.

TASMAC will also provide retail shops handling charges ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 2,000 per day, depending on the location and average daily bottle sales, to meet the additional work involved in receiving, storing and handing over empty bottles.

Which vegetable prices increased today?

Beans – Rs 100 per kg, up by Rs 40 (compared to October 14, 2026)

Onion_ Rs 75 per kg, up by Rs 15

Tomato - Rs 50 per kg, up by Rs 20

Ginger - Rs 170 per kg, up by Rs 10

Which vegetable prices decreased today?

Raw mangoes - Rs 90 per kg, down by Rs 40 (Compared to October 14, 2026)

Lemons - Rs 150 per kg, down by Rs 30

Green Chillies - Rs 60 per kg, down by Rs 10

Garlic - Rs 230 per kg, down by Rs 20

Peas - Rs 90 per kg, down by Rs 10

What are the prices of essential vegetables ?

Potato: Rs 32 per kg

Drumstick : Rs 50 per kg

Shallot - Rs 140 per kg

Okra - Rs 20 per kg

Brinjal: Rs 30 per kg

What are the prices of other vegetables ?

Beetroot: Rs 50 per kg

Carrot: Rs 30 per kg

Radish: Rs 30 per kg

How much do herbs cost today ?

Coriander: Rs 8 per bunch

Mint: Rs 7 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 30 per kg

Cases will be registered against motorists found violating traffic rules, the traffic police said in a statement. The initiative aims to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety across the city.

The police have urged motorists to follow traffic rules, obey signals, wear helmets while riding two-wheelers and use seat belts while travelling in cars. They have also cautioned motorists against over-speeding, dangerous driving and using mobile phones while driving.

The public has been requested to extend full cooperation to the traffic police and adhere to road safety regulations to make the initiative successful. Stressing that human life is precious, the Chennai Traffic Police said preventing road accidents and ensuring safer roads and journeys required the cooperation of all road users.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the 263-km-long expressway, being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore, is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru from the current five to seven hours to around three hours. The project, announced nearly 14 years ago, was inaugurated in May 2022 and divided into 10 packages for execution.

230 km of work completed

Of the total 263 km, work on around 230 km has been completed. The 71-km Hoskote-Bethamangala stretch in Karnataka has been fully completed and opened to traffic. Around 90 per cent of the work in Andhra Pradesh and the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border sections has also been completed.

In Tamil Nadu, out of the 106-km stretch, work on 92 km has been completed, leaving 14 km pending.

Land acquisition, utility shifting delay work

The project, initially scheduled for completion by March 2024, faced delays due to land acquisition issues, shifting of utilities such as electricity lines and drinking water pipelines, and poor performance by contractors in certain stretches.

The Arakkonam-Kancheepuram section, spanning 25 km, was also delayed due to litigation. However, officials said the issue had now been resolved and work on the first 11 km had been completed.

Remaining stretch to be completed in four months

"Following the completion of the initial 11-km stretch, we have now floated a tender for the remaining 14 km at an estimated cost of Rs 614 crore. A contractor will be selected shortly, and the work is expected to be completed within four months," NHAI officials said.

Meanwhile, the project cost has increased from the original estimate, with the revised project outlay for the relevant works rising to Rs 10,507 crore, officials said.

The White Paper should detail mandated versus actual worker deployment per ward and list pending dues, Magesh Kumaar said. Uncollected garbage is piling up across the city, he noted, adding that private agencies claim unpaid Corporation bills have left them unable to disburse workers’ salaries.

He pointed out that construction and demolition waste remains uncollected in many areas despite being outsourced. Observing that earlier contracts with high per-tonnage rates led to arbitration, he urged the civic body to contest such matters in the High Court rather than relying on arbitration.

He also suggested that the Corporation adopt the Highways Department model by floating annual zonal road maintenance contracts, enabling vendors to repair damaged stretches identified by Assistant Engineers throughout the year.

Councillor alleges extortion by GCC staff

AIADMK Ward 7 councillor K Karthik on Thursday alleged that a local Assistant Engineer and staff were extorting illegal fines in his area. Karthik alleged that staff demanded Rs 25,000, collected Rs 10,000 against an official receipt, and took another Rs 2,000 via Google Pay into personal accounts of road workers.

He also flagged illegal sewage connections into stormwater drains. Karthik said at Kargil Nagar Primary School, where 370 students are enrolled, LKG and UKG children remain excluded from the Midday Meal scheme, forcing teachers to share meals meant for older pupils.

He also sought uniform timings across all GCC schools, matching the extended area schedule to the core city’s 8.30 am to 3.30 pm routine.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,04,320 per sovereign and Rs 13,040 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 155 per gram.

Earlier on October 30, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,05,560 per sovereign and Rs 13,195 per gram.

Silver prices decrease

Silver prices have decreased by Rs 5 and are sold at Rs 210 per gram (Rs 2,10,000 per kg) on October 29.

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

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have surged from Rs 88,800 per sovereign (Rs11,100 per gram) on October 30, 2025, to Rs 1,04,320 per sovereign (Rs 13,040 per gram) on October 30, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 15,520 or about 17.48%.

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

October 29, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,560 | 1 gram - Rs 13,195

October 28, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,560 | 1 gram - Rs 13,195

October 27, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,05,080 | 1 gram - Rs 13,135

October 26, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,04,68 | 1 gram - Rs 13,085

October 24, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,04,560 | 1 gram - Rs 13,070

Silver price over the last five days:

October 29, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 215

October 28, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 215

October 27, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 220

October 26, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 220

October 24, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 220

A live telecast would allow citizens across all wards to directly follow civic proceedings and track their representatives' interventions, Rajan said.

He also raised objections to a recent circular stating that Area Sabha meetings would be chaired by Assistant Executive Engineers or Junior Engineers. Citing a Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Act order dated 24 June 2022, Rajan pointed out that the elected councillor is the chairperson, while engineers serve only as member-secretaries.

Further, he requested that remaining funds from the Rs 60 lakh ward allocation be pooled flexibly for monsoon preparedness, emergency drainage pumps, and infrastructure works before the council's term ends.

Commissioner GS Sameeran clarified that the circular's wording was an administrative error and a revised copy would confirm councillors as chairpersons. He added that instructions will be issued allowing remaining ward funds to be deployed for emergency infrastructure and monsoon contingencies.

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:

October 28 - Rs 107.77

October 27 - Rs 107.77

October 26 - Rs 107.77

October 25 - Rs 107.77

October 24 - Rs 107.77

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

October 28 - Rs 99.55

October 27 - Rs 99.55

October 26 - Rs 99.55

October 25 - Rs 99.55

October 24 - Rs 99.55

The deceased woman was identified as K Savithri, a resident of Sholavaram. On Wednesday, Savithri, along with her husband, Kumar, were on their way to a hospital, police said.

When travelling near Kathirvedu, an MTC bus (route 242) plying from Red Hills towards Perambur knocked the two-wheeler down.

Kumar and Savithri were thrown off the bike, and Savithri came under the rear wheel of the bus. A passerby alerted the authorities after which a team moved the two of them to a hospital where Savithri was declared brought dead.

Madhavaram TIW (Traffic Investigation Wing) registered a case and arrested the bus driver, Ramanujam (55) of Gummidipoondi.

In another incident near Nazarethpet, Nithyasri (34), an employee of a private engineering company in Poonamallee, died after a private factory bus hit his moped.

She suffered fatal head injuries after the bus ran over her. The Avadi Traffic Investigation Wing arrested the bus driver, Shankar (54), who was remanded in judicial custody on Thursday.

In the first incident, four school students — Sanjay (16), Joshua (15), Jaswanth (14) and Chandru (14) from Echur near Sriperumbudur — were travelling on a bike towards Panrutti near Sunguvarchatram on Wednesday night. Police said the two-wheeler was travelling at high speed, and the rider lost control while negotiating a curve.

The vehicle rammed into an electric pole on the roadside, throwing all four students off the vehicle.

Joshua died on the spot, while the other three students suffered serious injuries. Onlookers who witnessed the accident alerted the 108 ambulance service. The injured students were taken to the Sriperumbudur Government Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. The impact was so severe that the electric pole broke into two pieces. Sunguvarchatram police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

Police are also investigating why the four students were travelling together on a two-wheeler late at night, who owned the vehicle and who had allowed the school students to ride it.

Meanwhile, in another incident, two people were killed in a road accident near Padappai.

Narayanan (42), a painter from Aadhanur near Padappai, was riding a two-wheeler along the Aadhanur lake bund road on Wednesday night. At the same time, Lokesh (26), a resident of Chennai, was approaching from the opposite direction on another two-wheeler.

The two vehicles collided head-on, throwing both of them onto the road. Residents rescued them and took them to the Padappai Government Primary Health Centre, where they received first aid. They were later referred to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for further treatment. However, both of them died without responding to treatment.

Padappai police have registered a case and are investigating.

Adiyaman said over the past four-and-a-half years, stormwater drain works worth around Rs 21 crore were executed to address Chennai's 35-year-old waterlogging issue. However, posters were pasted ahead of the monsoon criticising authorities for failing to properly desilt the drains.

The posters read: "Minority government... We condemn the sleeping government."

Stating that flagging the ruling party's shortcomings was part of the Opposition's duty, Adiyaman said police helped remove nearly 80% of the posters and registered an FIR against him for pasting them without permission.

Mayor Priya said: "Submit a copy of the poster to the Commissioner. We will consult the police and take appropriate action."