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Weekly News Roundup: Top Stories Of The Week | 18 October 2026
This week's top stories from India and around the world.
From Kohli’s Ashram Visit to a Rs.70-Crore Tank: 7 Stories You Missed
The second week of October brought a mix of unusual claims, crime investigations and political developments. Here are seven stories that caught attention across India and abroad.
1. Did Virat Kohli’s Ashram Visit Cost Rs.5 Crore?
Falahari Maharaj, also known as Dinesh Sharma, claimed that Rs.5 crore was paid to bring cricketer Virat Kohli to Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan. Kohli’s spokesperson rejected the claim, calling it “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect”, and said his visits were motivated by faith and respect.
Falahari Maharaj later reportedly apologised over the allegation. Separately, after the death of disciple Deepak Lodhi, the ashram suspended initiation ceremonies and scheduled meetings with Premanand Maharaj indefinitely from October 1.
2. Delhi Driver Dies After Alleged Nightclub Assault
A 29-year-old driver, Daljeet Singh, died after an alleged assault linked to a dispute at a nightclub in north Delhi. According to reports, the incident began when beer spilled on the club manager’s wife during a party.
Daljeet and his friends were allegedly attacked despite apologising. Daljeet later became unwell and was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. Police arrested five people, including the club manager, his wife and three bouncers. The investigation is ongoing.
3. Asked for Diwali Sweets, Received Orders for a Rs.70-Crore Tank
Madurai-based content creator Veeramani shared his address online, hoping followers would send him Diwali sweets. Instead, he began receiving cash-on-delivery orders for items he had not ordered, including electronic goods.
He appealed online for the prank to stop. The situation took a bizarre turn when screenshots circulated claiming that a JCB excavator and a military tank worth Rs.70 crore had been ordered in his name. Reports said the unwanted deliveries continued and that his house was later found locked. Videos reportedly showed him travelling on a bus, but his destination was unclear.
4. Boyfriend Arrested After Engineering Student’s Death in a Gorge
A 23-year-old engineering student, Tarannum Bashir Naik, was found dead in a deep gorge near Naikwadi waterfall in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district.
Police arrested her 25-year-old boyfriend, Shripad Vadar, on suspicion of murder. Investigators said he initially reported her missing and claimed she had fallen. Police believe the dispute was linked to her family arranging her marriage to another man. The case remains under investigation, and the allegations have yet to be decided by a court.
5. German Police Seize Robot in Sexual Harassment Investigation
Police in Cologne, Germany, seized a humanoid robot after an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl on October 11.
According to reports, the robot allegedly touched the girl inappropriately and made suggestive movements. A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man are suspected of being involved in operating or controlling the robot and filming the incident. Police seized the robot and mobile phones as part of their investigation into how the robot was controlled and whether the incident was livestreamed. The investigation is ongoing.
6. Actor Imran Khan Told to Leave India by October 28
Actor Imran Khan, who holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, received a notice directing him to leave India by October 28. The notice followed his participation in a Mumbai protest on October 10 demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The action followed a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. Khan was briefly detained during the protest and reportedly plans to challenge the notice in the Bombay High Court.
7. Delhi Ramlila to Burn a 30-Foot Cockroach Effigy
A Ramlila event in Pitampura, Delhi, is set to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad.
The decision comes amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Organisers said the cockroach represents dirt and that the effigy supports cleanliness campaigns. They denied that the decision was politically motivated.
These seven stories show how the second week of October brought together crime investigations, unusual viral incidents and political developments. Some cases remain under investigation, and allegations should not be treated as proven findings.