The second US deportation flight landed in Amritsar early morning carrying 119 Indians, despite Punjab CM's objections. The media focused on CVC's probe order into Delhi CM Kejriwal's official residence renovations, while BJP claimed victory in Chhattisgarh municipal elections.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar responded to Western criticism at Munich Security Conference by displaying his ink-marked finger, defending India's democratic credentials. The Mahakumbh's record attendance of 50 crore visitors over 33 days dominated midday coverage.
By evening, a deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station claimed 15 lives, including 10 women and 3 children, as Kumbh pilgrims rushed to board delayed trains. The tragedy shifted attention from ongoing political developments to crowd management failures at the world's largest religious gathering.