Evening News Wrap: Telangana factory blast death toll rises to 12; police say Kolkata rape attack was 'premeditated'; and more

A deadly factory blast in Telangana claimed 12 lives as a building collapsed after an explosion. In Kolkata, police confirmed the shocking rape case at a law college was premeditated. Gunmen struck again in Manipur, killing four including a 60-year-old woman. Meanwhile, political buzz intensified in Karnataka with hints of a leadership shake-up from the Congress high command. On the economic front, GST collections hit a historic high, doubling in just five years to Rs 22.08 lakh crore. Here’s a rundown of the day’s key developments.Telangana factory blast: Toll rises to 12; situation worsened after 3-story building collapsed, says govtState health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha announced on Monday that 12 people have died in the major reactor explosion at Sigachi Industries Pvt Ltd in Pashamylaram, Telangana.About 65 personnel were at the site when the explosion happened, resulting in the collapse of a three-story industrial structure.When Rajanarsimha visited the scene, he described the tragedy as "sad and unfortunate" and promised the injured full medical treatment. Read hereKolkata rape case: Police say attack was 'premeditated'; victim targeted from day one of admissionA police inspector said on Monday that three of the four individuals detained in connection with the alleged gang rape of a female student at a law college in Kolkata had premeditated the conduct."Everything about it was planned. For days, the three of them had been planning how to torment the victim. The news agency PTI cited the officer as stating, "We have discovered that the victim was singled out by the prime accused from the day she was admitted to the college." Read hereGunmen open fire on vehicle in Manipur: 4 killed in Churachandpur, including elderly womanUnknown gunmen opened fire on a car close to Mongjang village in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Monday afternoon, killing at least four persons, including a 60-year-old woman, according to police, PTI said.The victims were traveling in a car about 7 km from Churachandpur town when the ambush happened at 2:00 pm. The attackers fired at close range, officials said. According to the preliminary inquiry, they were shot at close range, according to a senior police officer at the district headquarters in Churachandpur. Read hereNew CM in Karnataka? Mallikarjun Kharge gives 'high command' hint; Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar put up united frontThe Karnataka government's potential leadership transition was alluded to by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, who stated that the "party high command has got the power" to act.Kharge responded, "See, that is in the hands of the high command," to the mounting rumors that the chief minister would be replaced in October. What is happening in the top command cannot be discussed here. The high command is in charge of this."High command has the authority to take additional measures. However, one should avoid causing unnecessary trouble," he continued. Read hereDouble in just 5 years! Gross GST collections hit a record high of Rs 22.08 lakh crore in FY25GST collections have doubled in five years. Gross GST (Goods and Services Tax) receipts in the 2024–25 fiscal year hit a new high of Rs 22.08 lakh crore, according to government data released on Monday. This represents a tremendous growth from Rs 11.37 lakh crore in FY21, practically doubling in only five years.From Rs 1.68 lakh crore in FY24 and Rs 1.51 lakh crore in FY22, the average monthly collection climbed to Rs 1.84 lakh crore in FY25, a notable gain.Over the course of eight years, the number of registered taxpayers under the GST system has grown significantly, from 65 lakh in 2017 to over 1.51 crore. Read here