Ram Mandir donation theft case has entered a crucial financial scrutiny phase, with police seeking five years of banking records from seven banks linked to the accused and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Investigators are examining bank transactions, cash deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers to determine whether devotees' donations were diverted. Amid the expanding probe, the Ayodhya Bar Association has passed a resolution demanding a court-monitored CBI investigation into the Trust's financial affairs. The Bar has also announced that its members will not represent the accused, warning that any lawyer who does so will face a ₹5 lakh penalty per accused.

A coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj broke into a massive fire triggering panic among students and residents. Dramatic visuals showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the building as some students reportedly jumped from upper floors in a desperate bid to save their lives. Fire officials rushed multiple fire tenders to the scene while rescue operations continued amid fears that several people could still be trapped inside. Injured students were shifted to hospitals as emergency services battled the blaze.