Accountability topic
Pollution, climate, land, mining, demolition, eviction and communities facing displacement.
A report by Spot On details the escalating human-leopard conflict in Uttarakhand, where over 20 people have been killed by leopards this year. Protesting villagers in Pauri held an MLA's car hostage to demand basic safety measures, including streetlights, solar fencing, and forest patrols.
Fisherfolk and Adivasi communities in Palghar hold protests against the proposed Vadhavan mega-port project, raising concerns over land displacement and the potential destruction of their traditional livelihoods.
The High Court of Karnataka imposed a personal penalty of ₹50,000 on an officer for demolishing a 105-square-foot shop over alleged encroachment, despite court orders and survey findings showing no encroachment.
The Bombay High Court has cleared the way for the eviction of 3,750 homes along the Kurla-Trombay railway stretch in Mumbai to facilitate railway expansion, potentially displacing around 25,000 residents.
The Ladakh administration has asked Sonam Wangchuk's Desert Flower School in Leh to suspend all activities until the High Court delivers its final verdict in a land allotment case.
The Bombay High Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore actor Dia Mirza's video for an eco-friendly Diwali campaign, which was taken down following objections by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam. The court stated pollution is an environmental issue that affects everyone.
Delhi's Air Quality Index deteriorated ahead of Diwali, with several monitoring stations reporting severe and very poor air quality levels. The news report also notes a Supreme Court decision allowing green firecrackers for two days in Delhi-NCR.
A massive fire broke out at the Khajod dumping site in Surat, Gujarat, marking the third major fire at the location in a year. Fire officials attributed the blaze to discarded plastic sheets from the textile industry.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed an eco-friendly Diwali promotional video featuring actor Dia Mirza from its page after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam accused her of being part of an anti-India group.
Protesters gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, demanding a national disaster declaration after forest fires burned nearly two million hectares over nine months. Text on screen highlights public anger toward the government over toxic haze and rising costs.
The government has invited bids for 20 coastal sites to plan and set up billboards along Mumbai's coastline, according to news reporting by Spot News.
Google faces environmental concerns following reports that around 250,000 trees were cut in Finland before completed assessments. In Visakhapatnam, India, Google's proposed $15 billion AI hub with Adani faces protests over water usage and wildlife risks.
The calm before the storm — and a race to prepare. Cyclone Arnab is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the IMD forecasting landfall on October 28. Coastal districts face the risk of powerful winds and storm-surge flooding, putting vulnerable, low-lying areas on alert.
Tamil Nadu police deployed drones to track down and capture fleeing prisoners hiding in a forested area. Drone footage shows aerial surveillance locating the escapees moving through dense vegetation before they were apprehended.
Indonesia's Forestry Ministry says it needs to check permits and conduct scientific testing to confirm the species and origin of a rare Tapanuli orangutan listed in Vantara's inventory, following an investigation by the Associated Press.
Villagers in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh are protesting against a proposed dam project over fears of displacement and land loss. Meanwhile, NHPC has awarded a Rs 10.91 crore contract to a PR agency to counter negative coverage.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared a video highlighting government action against noise pollution, involving the removal of loudspeakers from mosques across the state, amidst public attention on the Ankita Bhandari case.
Public health doctor Dr. Prabir discusses the arrest of anti-mining activists Dr. Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik in Kalahandi, Odisha. Colleagues allege that local authorities are suppressing opposition to proposed bauxite mining on tribal land in Sijimali.
An Al Jazeera report highlights allegations by tribal villagers in Odisha's Koraput district that government documents used forged thumbprints, including of deceased individuals, to approve an Adani-linked bauxite mine on forest land without local consent.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk stated that while China is exerting pressure, the Indian government is stepping back from its promises to Ladakh regarding the Sixth Schedule, democratic representation, and scheduled talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to IQAir’s live global major-city air pollution ranking, three Indian metros — Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi — featured among the world’s five most polluted major cities in the snapshot captured for this story. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ranked first with a US AQI of 177, followed by Lahore, Pakistan, at 174.
An interim report by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, ordered by the High Court, revealed that water samples from 22 locations along the Mandovi River failed microbial safety standards, with bacterial levels reaching nearly ten times the safe limit.
In October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a mission to make India self-reliant in pulses by 2030-31 with a budget of ₹11,440 crore. Despite setting aside ₹500 crore for research, no projects were approved in the first year, prompting the Cabinet Secretariat to flag the delay.
A two-day demolition drive in Assam evicted over 1,100 Muslim families across three districts. While officials claimed the forest land was occupied illegally, residents stated their landless ancestors were settled there in 1974 by the government while working for the Forest Department.
Anti-mining activists Dr. Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik were arrested on October 16 in connection with April violence in Kantamal village. Rights groups state neither was named in the FIR concerning opposition to Vedanta's proposed bauxite mine in Sijimali.
Google is investing $15 billion in an AI data center in Visakhapatnam set to open by 2028. While Google chose air cooling to minimize water scarcity impact, local residents express concern over electricity usage, water resources, and land clearance.
Adani Group plans to increase its Mundra plant's annual copper capacity from 5 lakh to 10 lakh tonnes and add 115 MW of renewable energy. The clip examines environmental impacts and emissions data for Gujarat's Kutch district.
Research led by Dr Rajeev Lochan shows that Himalayan monals in tourist-heavy areas like Chopta produce higher-pitched, shorter calls to overcome noise, while climate change and human activity threaten to isolate populations across Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
A flash flood swept away several houses along the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal’s Gorkha district early Sunday, after a suspected landslide blocked a stream upstream. The river has been surging since around 4 am, carrying mud, debris and boulders downstream.
Two Wildlife SOS employees have been arrested over the alleged poaching of ten leopards. Additionally, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau records link the wildlife rescue NGO to an alleged elephant-smuggling trail from Nepal.
Police in Uttar Pradesh have reportedly arrested three individuals accused of gang-raping a woman after luring her into a forest. Video footage shows suspects being escorted by police officers outside a police station.
Following protests and clashes over the partial demolition of the Shahi Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, for a road-widening project, the High Court has dismissed all appeals. This came after the municipal corporation and local Muslim groups reached a settlement regarding the portion of land to be demolished.
Delhi is introducing vehicle restrictions, work-from-home measures, and construction curbs as part of the government's winter action plan aimed at controlling worsening air pollution in the city.
Media reports and video footage highlight waterlogging and road damage on the Ganga Expressway in Unnao. The flagship project, built by Adani and overseen by the government, has reportedly faced multiple issues, including flooded toll plazas and sinking road stretches following heavy rainfall.
A video shows Ravi Kishan walking through waterlogged streets, with captions stating that Gorakhpur is underwater. The clip juxtaposes the current flooding with a previous statement from Kishan mentioning 'Spain'.
Newcastle University's appointment of Anant Ambani as a Professor of Practice in Sustainability has drawn criticism from environmentalists, academics, and university staff.
Floods in Bihar in September 2024 have impacted 14 districts, with Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, and Bhagalpur identified as the worst affected.
Rajan Singh, the former Vice President of the Bihar Kinnar Kalyan Board, has reportedly advised individuals affected by floods in Bihar to chant "Om Narendra Modi Namah" to make the floodwaters recede.
After a mosque in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished following a court ruling that it was illegally built on government land, opposition leaders questioned the action. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticized the move, and MP Iqra Hasan claimed she was put under house arrest before the demolition.
Following devastating floods that left over 1,000 dead and thousands missing, Nepal has formally sent compensation-claim letters to international partners. Nepal's Foreign Minister stated that major greenhouse gas emitters, including China, the US, and India, have a legal and moral liability to pay for climate damage.
The Karnataka High Court quashed a 1,938-acre housing land acquisition due to its impact on the Karadikkal-Madeshwara elephant corridor. Meanwhile, two Adani-linked mining projects in Chhattisgarh received in-principle approval for nearly 1,000 hectares of forest land despite documented elephant movement.
Video footage from August 2024 reports that Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung took charge amid devastating floods. The clip shows military personnel assisting residents during helicopter rescue and evacuation operations.
In a report for Spot On, reporter Shubhangi describes encountering alleged illegal mining activities, filming trucks moving under the cover of darkness and showing footage of excavated sites during the day.
Residents and activists in Thane and Visakhapatnam, India, are protesting proposed AI data center projects by companies like Amazon, Google, and Reliance, citing concerns over land, water, and power usage. Human Rights Forum also alleged that Instagram restricted content protesting the projects.
A two-storey house gained attention after massive floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border. Despite the heavy flooding, the house did not collapse and remained intact. A new video of the house has surfaced, showing it still standing after the floods. The people inside the house are also reportedly safe.
In an interview with Spot On, eye-witness Mallinath describes a narrow escape from sudden flash floods in Nepal. He recounts how his driver reversed their vehicle to safety on higher ground, mentions that two buses ahead of them went missing, and expresses gratitude to the Karnataka government and media.
Bengaluru residents are campaigning to protect a 3-billion-year-old rock formation from a proposed road tunnel project designed to pass beneath the historic Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
Following a sudden flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, Nepal, the Nepal Tourism Board released preliminary details on August 28, 2024, reporting 384 missing travelers, including 105 Indian nationals.
Two Adani-linked coal mining projects in Chhattisgarh have received in-principle approval from the Environment Ministry, risking nearly 1,000 hectares of dense forest and elephant habitats.
Adivasi villagers in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur have launched an 11-day "Fansi Satyagraha" protest, alleging their land was taken without fair compensation for a river-linking project.
The Supreme Court of India has ordered a fresh survey of elephant corridors, ruling they cannot be blocked over crop damage concerns, as wild elephant populations continue to fall.
An on-the-spot report by Spot On details an alleged illegal mining supply chain where stones are transported from Haryana through Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh, with drivers paying 'entry fees' at multiple points.
A report by Spot News highlights active mining operations on a mountain that intensify after dark, questioning how such a massive operation remains hidden from the public and where the excavated stone is sent.
A Spot News report highlights the environmental impact of mining operations on local mountains, with residents reporting active nighttime operations despite daytime pauses.
A Spot On video report documents signs of active mining in the Aravalli Hills near the Haryana-Rajasthan border. The footage shows a constant stream of trucks carrying stones, cut-away mountain slopes, and areas where hills have allegedly disappeared, raising questions about ongoing illegal mining in the area.
In Aali Village, New Delhi, 300 homes were sealed because a lack of clear mapping has left their legal status uncertain. Despite a 2010 court order to map the village, residents say it remains unmapped, leaving them in constant fear of displacement.
Uttarakhand Police praised excavator operator Joginder Singh for risking his life to safely move his machine during a flood in Niti Valley, Uttarakhand.
A video report highlights criticism of the VIP protocol given to Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who was welcomed with a red carpet during a visit to flood-hit areas in Assam. The report contrasts this with the ongoing flood crisis, which has caused deaths and displaced thousands in the region.
A video has surfaced online showing a red carpet laid out for the Governor's arrival in flood-hit Assam, where over 100 people have reportedly died. The footage has sparked controversy and criticism over official priorities during the disaster.
The video highlights critical viewpoints surrounding India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023, pointing to government exemptions from data privacy requirements and alleging a pattern of actions aimed at suppressing political opposition.
A report by Spot On highlights how local residents are involved in illegal mining operations for their livelihood, while fear of the mining mafia prevents community members from speaking out against the practice.
A reporter from Spot On highlights alleged illegal mining operations occurring openly, questioning how such activities continue to take place in broad daylight despite years of news coverage on the mining mafia.
A video published by Spot On captures journalists observing trucks loaded with stones at night. The journalists note the presence of a suspected illegal mining site but decide to film from a distance due to safety concerns in the dark.
A report by Spot On highlights the impact of illegal mining, showing a site where miners dug so deep that they breached an aquifer and reached groundwater, causing a mountain to disappear before the government sealed the mine.
Social media users criticized Parliament's decision to grant Vande Mataram equal status to the National Anthem, questioning why leaders are not instead addressing critical issues such as the Assam floods and the situation in Manipur.
A BJP MLA has been booked after declaring in a public speech that Hindus are ready to destroy Rahul Gandhi's lineage just like the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
At a rally in London, UK, in July 2024, climate activist Greta spoke in solidarity with Indian student protests. Greta praised the student movement for demonstrating "people power" and described their struggle for democracy, justice, and liberation as a shared cause.
A video shared by Kumaon Jagran shows three leopards walking through a residential area at night in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, highlighting what captions describe as a growing trend of leopards entering human settlements in the region.
In July 2024, floods in Assam resulted in 66 deaths and disrupted over 6.5 lakh lives. Although the state is naturally flood-prone, experts state that the severity of the devastation is driven by years of deforestation, mining, river neglect, and poor planning.
A video clip of Amit Shah's 2021 speech promising a flood-free Assam is shown alongside reports of recent floods in the state that have affected over 5.24 lakh people.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Delhi Police have deployed two high-tech surveillance vans equipped with live facial recognition technology at the Jantar Mantar protest site. The vans reportedly provide 360-degree monitoring to identify known criminals in the crowd.
A video features a screenshot of an April 2014 tweet by Narendra Modi stating he could go back and open a tea stall, paired with footage of a clash between police and protesters.
A video shows Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day fast from a hospital bed after holding talks with the Centre.
A video report highlights the severe pollution, foam, and stench in the Yamuna River. The presenter questions the government's accountability, calling the pollution a state failure despite crores of rupees being spent on the river.
In a social media post, Gitanjali J Angmo stated that Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, demanding that no oral or intravenous treatment be administered to him without consent from her, his family, or his doctors.
An individual identified as Dipke alleges that the Delhi Police assaulted him, lathicharged students, and forcefully detained "Sonam sir" at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He claims he was briefly detained before being released and urges people to protest peacefully.
A video shared online shows activist Sonam Wangchuk being taken away from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi. Captions in the video allege that Delhi Police officers in civilian clothes moved the activist to a hospital.
According to the video, thousands of acres of land are being acquired in Tarluvada, Andhra Pradesh, for a Google-Adani project. Farmers seeking answers and CPM leaders were reportedly detained by police, prompting villagers to protest outside the Anandapuram police station.
A video shared by CJP India shows an elephant confronting a JCB excavator in a green field while onlookers watch from a distance, highlighting wildlife habitat encroachment.
A former IndiGo employee has alleged experiencing a toxic work culture, claiming his director asked him to touch a colleague's feet to apologize. IndiGo has denied the allegations, stating they are baseless and that the employee had a documented record of recurring misconduct and performance issues.
Environmental activists in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, protested against tree cutting in July 2024. An activist alleged that authorities were cutting trees without valid legal orders, claiming that forest department and police officials on site were unable to present a valid High Court order.
The Delhi High Court sought replies from the Centre and the Delhi government on a PIL seeking urgent medical intervention for Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 18 days.