IndiGo, Akasa Air have announced that it will operate special flight and Air India issued fresh travel advisory for passengers as tensions after the US-Israel attack on Iran continue to disrupt air travel across parts of the Middle East and several airspaces remain closed, affecting flights to and from the region. IndiGo said that it will operate four dedicated flights from Jeddah on March 3, 2026 as part of efforts to gradually restore operations between Saudi Arabia and India. The special flights will operate to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The flights are intended for passengers who were already booked but were unable to travel due to the current situation, the official statement posted on IndiGo's X handle stated. The airline, in an official statement said that the affected customers should not go to the airport unless they have been notified. IndiGo will contact impacted passengers directly with further details. Customers can seek assistance by contacting the airline’s support centre at +91 124 6173838. The airline has also urged travellers to ensure their booking and contact details are up to date. Travel Advisory As part of our efforts to progressively normalize our operations between Saudi Arabia and India, we will be operating four dedicated flights from Jeddah tomorrow, 3rd March 2026, to🔹 Mumbai🔹 Hyderabad🔹 AhmedabadThese flights are being arranged to cater… — IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 2, 2026 Air India extends Middle East flight suspension Meanwhile, Air India has extended the temporary suspension of all flights to and from the Middle East until 23:59 IST on March 3, 2026. In an official statement released on its X handle, Air India said that it was closely monitoring developments in the region. Scheduled services to destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom have resumed, with safety being given the highest priority. Due to the continued closure of several Middle Eastern airspaces, flights to the region remain suspended. Air India said passengers affected by the suspension will be offered alternative travel arrangements, full refunds, or complimentary rescheduling. Travellers are advised to check their flight status on the airline’s official website or contact its 24/7 support team for further assistance. #TravelAdvisory Air India is closely monitoring and assessing the evolving situation in the Middle East and has commenced scheduled operations to all its destinations in the USA, Canada, Europe and UK, giving highest priority to the safety and security of our customers and… — Air India (@airindia) March 2, 2026 Akasa Air to operate select Jeddah flights Akasa Air announced that it will operate select flights to and from Jeddah on March 3 and 4, 2026 following a comprehensive safety review, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The airline said these operations are based on its current safety assessment and may change depending on prevailing conditions. Akasa Air statd that flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait and Riyadh will remain suspended until March 4, 2026. The airline said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the region and reviewing operational conditions across its international network. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status on the airline’s website before travelling to the airport. For assistance, customers can contact the airline’s 24-hour Akasa Care Centre. #TravelUpdate: March 03, 2026 | 00:30 ISTFollowing a comprehensive safety review, we are operating select flights to and from Jeddah on March 03 and March 04, 2026:March 03, 2026• QP 561 Mumbai – Jeddah I ETD - 19:20 • QP 562 Jeddah – Mumbai I ETD - 23:55… — Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) March 2, 2026 Ongoing Disruption Airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East have led to significant operational challenges for airlines. Carriers are reviewing routes daily and adjusting schedules in response to safety assessments. Several airlines have stressed that the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remain their highest concern.
03 March,2026 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Tamil Nadu Police has arrested a man for allegedly killing his father over a prolonged property dispute. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Annur Police Station in Coimbatore District. According to the police, the accused, Rajasekar, allegedly pushed his father, Viswanathan, during the course of an altercation on Sunday. He then picked up a nearby hollow block stone and struck him on the head. As a result, Viswanathan sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot, after which the accused fled from the scene. Upon receiving information from the public, the police immediately rushed to the scene. Based on a formal complaint, a case was registered at the Annur Police Station under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation began into this case. The deceased's body was sent for a post-mortem examination, and following its completion, it was handed over to the relatives. Subsequently, the Annur Police arrested the accused, Rajasekar, and brought him to the station for interrogation. During the investigation, police found that the deceased, Viswanathan, had been living in the Annur area. The dispute began about nine years ago in Bharathi Nagar, when the accused Rajasekar allegedly assaulted his father and injured his right eye during a family quarrel. After being treated at Coimbatore Government Hospital, Viswanathan did not return to Bharathi Nagar; instead, he moved in with his own father, Murugasamy, at Onnakarasampalayam. In 2017, Viswanathan executed a settlement deed, in which he transferred ownership of the Bharathi Nagar house to Rajasekar. However, facing financial hardship and a lack of income, Viswanathan filed a petition in 2023 before the RDO Court at Goundampalayam to cancel the deed and reclaim the property. Following an enquiry, the RDO Court ordered that the house be returned to Viswanathan. Aggrieved by this, Rajasekar filed an appeal before the Madras High Court in 2024. The High Court disposed of the matter by directing Rajasekar to pay his father a monthly maintenance of Rs 5,000. However, Rajasekar allegedly failed to comply with this order, police said. Later, Viswanathan filed a further appeal, which was scheduled for a hearing next week. Upon receiving the court notice, Rajasekar allegedly confronted and threatened to kill his father if he continued the legal proceedings. Viswanathan reportedly informed his daughter, Jayamani, about this threat before the incident occurred. Further investigation is currently in progress, police said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 March,2026 09:03 AM IST | Coimbatore | ANIIndia is closely monitoring the evolving airspace situation in parts of the Middle East and its impact on international flight operations following the US-Israel attack against Iran. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Indian carriers have undertaken calibrated adjustments to their schedules, with long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace. Aircraft and crew repositioning measures are underway to restore operational stability at the earliest. Special arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers. Airlines are deploying additional capacity where required and coordinating closely with foreign aviation authorities and Indian missions abroad to ensure safe and orderly passenger movement. IndiGo has planned 10 special relief operations from Jeddah to India on March 3, to facilitate the return of stranded passengers, subject to required approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. IndiGo is coordinating with the Consulate General of India at Jeddah for passenger facilitation. Foreign carriers operating between India and the Gulf region are also undertaking limited operations, subject to operational and airspace considerations, a release said on Monday. Passenger safety remains paramount. All airlines have been advised to maintain transparent communication with passengers and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements concerning refunds, rescheduling, and passenger assistance. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport and to rely only on official sources for updates. The situation was reviewed today in a high-level meeting chaired by Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu and attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and all senior officials. As per the release, the Ministry remains in continuous coordination with airlines, airport operators, regulatory authorities, and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure safe operations, orderly restoration of services, and facilitation of affected passengers. This came against the backdrop of coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities on February 28, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure. These strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities. In response, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict in the Middle East and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates alike. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 March,2026 08:54 AM IST | New Delhi | ANITwo Municipal Corporation sanitation workers have died while cleaning a sewage line near Choithram Sabji Mandi in Indore, a senior police official confirmed. Indore Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 1, Krishan Lalchandani, said the deceased workers were Karan Yadav and Ajay Dudia. This fatal incident occurred on Monday during the course of the cleaning operations of the sewage line. The DCP further stated that the bodies have been sent for a post-mortem examination. "The bodies of two municipal workers, Karan Yadav and Ajay Dudia, were recovered from the sewage line. The bodies have been sent for post mortem. A case has been registered, and Police is undertaking further investigation. In the initial questioning, it was found that they had gone to clear the sewage line when this incident occurred. Everything will be clear once the postmortem report comes," Lalchandani told reporters. In a separate development on February 19, two workers died of suffocation after falling into a septic tank while cleaning it in Madarasanahalli on Babalada Road in Kalaburagi city, Karnataka. The deceased have been identified as Ratan Hotakar and Shivakumar Nandurkar, residents of Indiranagar. According to police, Ratan fell into the tank first while cleaning it. Shivakumar entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him, but he also suffocated due to toxic gas inside. Both workers succumbed to suffocation before they could have pulled out of the tank. These tragic incidents once again highlighted the danger faced by sanitation workers and the urgent need for safety protocols when cleaning septic tanks and sewage systems. Septic tanks contain hazardous gases such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide, which can prove fatal within minutes of exposure in confined spaces. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 March,2026 08:44 AM IST | Madhya Pradesh | ANIA day after a powerful blast at a detonator making unit in Nagpur district killed 19 workers, a senior Maharashtra minister on Monday said prima facie there was "negligence" on the part of the private company operating the facility as it failed to follow safety measures. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule insisted that besides the firm, SBL Energy Ltd,accountability for the tragedy will also be fixed on officials of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) and the labour commissionerate. Speaking separately, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pitched for 100 per cent automation of certain protocols and processes in manufacturing of explosives, and said the SBL Energy's managing director was among nearly a dozen people who have been arrested in connection with the blast. At least 19 workers died and 23 others were injured in the blast at the detonator assembly unit of SBL Energy, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of Nagpur district on Sunday morning. Eighteen of the workers died on Sunday and one succumbed on Monday. The PESO, DISH and the labour commissionerate have failed to ensure safety practices in explosive manufacturing units in the region, and their accountability must be fixed, Bawankule told reporters in Nagpur. Of the injured persons, 13 were in critical condition, the Nagpur district guardian minister stated.He informed that the company will pay a compensation of Rs 75 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs 25 lakh to every injured person. Besides, the state government will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while the Centre will give Rs 2 lakh. Thus, the families of the deceased will get a total compensation of Rs 82 lakh each, Bawankule said, adding a rehabilitation package will be drawn up for those who suffered physical disabilities in the tragedy. He held a meeting with state minister Ashish Jaiswal, Ramtek MP Shyamkumar Barwe, Katol MLA Sharad Singh Thakur, the divisional commissioner, district collector, superintendent of police, and officials of PESO and DISH in connection with the blast. Police have registered a case against 21 directors and shareholders of SBL Energy under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said. Bawankule said the primary report (by safety agencies) has indicated "negligence" on the part of the explosives company and flagged that safety measures were not followed properly at the unit. A detailed report is expected in a month, the revenue minister added. He said it was decided in the meeting that apart from the company, accountability will be fixed on PESO, DISH officials and the labour commissionerate. They have not followed inspection duties and implemented safety measures properly in the last couple of years. Hence, the divisional commissioner, Nagpur collector and SP will fix responsibility and if needed, cases will be registered against officials of the safety agencies, Bawankule maintained. Speaking to reporters after visiting some of the injured persons admitted to a private hospital in Nagpur, Chief Minister Fadnavis said an FIR has been registered against 21 people in connection with the blast and 11 of them, including the SBL Energy's managing director, have been arrested. He said it has been observed that even slightest human error triggers accidents and advocated full automation of certain operations at explosives manufacturing facilities to prevent tragedies in the future. The state government will study this technological aspect and prepare a detailed report which will be sent to the Centre for consideration, the CM maintained. Fadnavis noted that rules regulating such sensitive establishments date back to 2008, while technology has undergone a sea change since then. Hence, there is a need to have a relook at protocols governing these units.Fadnavis maintained his government will conduct a study on whether certain protocols and processes in manufacturing of explosives could be made 100 per cent automated. "We will approach the central government with the findings of the study and its suggestions. There was a need to consider full automation of some processes as explosives are highly inflammable and even a minor human error can cause an accident and endanger lives of people," he stated. Meanwhile, bodies of 12 of the 19 workers killed in the blast were handed over to their families for last rites after completing DNA matching, an official said. The badly charred bodies of 18 of these workers were kept for DNA analysis and identification at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur. The senior official told PTI that 12 bodies have been handed over to relatives of the deceased after completing DNA matching and the remaining six will be given to families tonight itself. The 19th worker succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital and hence his identity was not in doubt, he said. According to the official, compensation announced for relatives of the deceased workers have been disbursed
03 March,2026 08:13 AM IST | Nagpur | PTIAround 260 people from Maharashtra are stranded in the Middle East due to airspace closures triggered by the Iran conflict, though all are reported safe, news agency PTI reported, quoting officials on Monday. Figures from additional areas across the state are still being collected. Among those stranded in Dubai is Congress’ Jalna Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Kalyan Kale, who had travelled on Friday, a day before the joint US-Israel strike on Iran, his brother Jagannath Kale said. The MP was scheduled to return via Abu Dhabi on Tuesday but is now stuck in Dubai due to flight cancellations, PTI reported. “He is safe and there is nothing to worry,” Jagannath Kale added. Nine other tourists from Jalna are also stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the two largest business hubs of the United Arab Emirates, PTI reported, quoting officials. From Pune, 84 students and four professors of Indira Institute of School of Business in Pimpri Chinchwad, who had reached Dubai for the ‘Global Immersion Programme,’ remain stranded, along with 10 tourists from Ganesh Peth, an official added. US, Israel strike Iran: 61 people from Marathwada are stuck in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi A total of 61 people from Marathwada are stuck in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi due to airspace closure following the US-Israel attack on Iran, a divisional official said. These include tourists, some working in the Gulf, and others holding resident visas. “Details from Dharashiv district are yet to arrive. Nanded leads with 24 people, followed by 12 from Latur, 10 from Beed, six each from Parbhani and Jalna, two from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and one from Hingoli,” the official said. In Thane, 23 tourists from Shahapur who had gone on a package tour and were scheduled to return on February 28 are now stranded after the conflict disrupted flights, authorities said. Similarly, 50 people from Solapur and 83 tourists from Kolhapur remain stranded in the Middle East, according to the local Tours and Travel Association. A student from Raigad studying at a management college in Dubai International Academic City and a businessman from Dhule are also stuck abroad. Authorities in Thane and Palghar districts have activated mechanisms and issued advisories to assist those stranded in the Gulf, officials said. In statements, Thane Collector Shrikrishna Panchal and Palghar Collector Indu Rani Jakhar urged families of stranded residents to stay in contact with official channels and provide details to district disaster management cells for smooth coordination with Indian embassies. Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the Centre said on Monday that it is in touch with Indian missions in the Gulf to ensure the safe return of nationals. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed concern over the safety of the large Indian expatriate community in the region and directed all departments to take necessary measures to assist affected nationals. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Centre is fully prepared to bring back Indians stranded in the Gulf and is coordinating with Indian missions abroad. Flights have been disrupted since Saturday after the joint US-Israel strike on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Following retaliatory attacks by Iran on US bases in several Gulf nations, airlines cancelled flights amid airspace closures. (With PTI inputs)
02 March,2026 09:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentArtificial judgments will have real consequences, the Supreme Court has warned, coming down hard on a trial court relying on fake, AI-generated verdicts in its decision-making process. Orders based on fictitious judgments will not just be seen as an error in decision-making but will amount to judicial misconduct, the top court has said in a warning that comes at a time when the use of AI (artificial intelligence) is spreading to official work where it is not authorised. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe has said it will examine the matter in detail and issued a notice to Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and the Bar Council of India. The court has also appointed senior advocate Shyam Divan to assist it in the matter. "We take cognisance of the trial court deploying AI-generated non-existing, fake or synthetic alleged judgments and seek to examine its consequences and accountability as it has a direct bearing on the integrity of the adjudicatory process," the bench said. "At the outset, we must declare that a decision based on such non-existent and fake alleged judgments is not an error in the decision making. It would be a misconduct and legal consequence shall follow. It is compelling that we examine this issue in more detail," the bench said in its February 27 order. The issue cropped up before the apex court while it was hearing a plea challenging a January order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that came on a suit filed for an injunction. The top court said the case assumes considerable institutional concern, not because of the decision that was taken on the merits of the case, but regarding the process of adjudication and determination. "Issue notice to the attorney general, solicitor general and the Bar Council of India," it said. The court noted that pending the suit's disposal, the trial court had appointed an advocate-commissioner to note the physical features of the disputed property. The bench pointed out that the petitioners had challenged the advocate-commissioner's report by raising certain objections. It noted that the trial court, in its order passed in August last year, dismissed the objections and in the process, relied on certain judgments. The petitioners then challenged the trial court's order, contending that the verdicts referred to and relied on were non-existent and fake. The top court noted that the high court had considered the objection and realised that the judgments were AI-generated. It said after recording a word of caution, the high court had proceeded to decide the case on merits and dismissed the civil revision petition, affirming the decision of the trial court. The petitioners then moved the apex court, challenging the high court's order. The bench agreed to hear the plea and issued a notice on it. "Pending disposal of the special leave petition, we direct that the trial court shall not proceed on the basis of the advocate-commissioner's report," it said and posted the matter for hearing on March 10. Hearing a separate matter on February 17, a top court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed serious concern over a growing trend of lawyers filing petitions drafted with AI tools that contain non-existent judgments such as "Mercy vs Mankind". It made the observations while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter seeking guidelines on political speeches. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
02 March,2026 09:31 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIUAE-based airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways announced on Monday that they will start operating a limited number of flights from the evening, after Dubai Airports confirmed a partial resumption of operations after the airport was closed due to the outbreak of hostilities between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. Emirates said it will prioritise customers with earlier bookings as it restarts services in phases. The airline will contact passengers who have been rebooked onto these limited flights directly. "Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified," it said in a statement. Emirates keeps flights suspended, Etihad plans select repositioning and cargo operations Reported by IANS, the Dubai-based airline said that all other flights remain suspended until further notice. It said it continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operational schedule accordingly. Updates will be published on emirates.com and its official social media channels. "We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience," the airline said, adding that the safety and security of passengers. Meanwhile, Etihad will conduct some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights "in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals", the airline said in a statement. However, authorities have not provided a timeline for full restoration of normal operations. Limited flights restart at Dubai airports; GCAA issues alert Dubai Airports said a small number of flights will be permitted to operate from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) starting Sunday evening. However, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said: "Exceptional flights are now operating at UAE airports. Do not proceed to the airport until your airline contacts you with confirmed flight details to ensure a smooth process for all" told IANS. The partial reopening comes after widespread airspace closures across the Gulf region due to missile and drone strikes linked to escalating conflict. Several Gulf airports reported damage over the weekend as Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones against US bases in the Gulf countries in retaliatory fire. Airlines were forced to ground operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, which constitute key transit hubs for global flights between the West and the East. Dubai International, the world’s busiest international hub, had halted regular operations amid safety concerns. The closure disrupted global flight networks, as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways operate hub-and-spoke models that connect long-haul traffic between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas through the Gulf.
02 March,2026 09:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court of India, in view of reforming open prisons, has ordered the setting up of a high-powered committee under Justice (Retd) Ravindra Bhat. While passing a landmark, the apex court focuses on streamlining Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs) across the country within three months. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, in its judgment dated February 26, issued a slew of directions while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by human rights activist Suhas Chakma. The petition highlighted overcrowding and inhumane conditions prevailing in Indian prisons. Supreme Court forms committee to lead reforms The apex court appointed former Supreme Court judge Ravindra Bhat as the Executive Chairperson of the newly formed High-Powered Committee for Reform and Governance of OCIs. The committee will also include a nominee from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), a representative of the Union Home Secretary, Home Secretaries of all States and Union Territories or their nominees, a Deputy Inspector General (Correctional Administration) from the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Joint Secretaries from the Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and two Directors General of Prisons and Correctional Services from States to be identified by the Executive Chairperson. Furthermore, the Centre, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been directed to bear all financial and logistical requirements of the committee. Necessary arrangements must be completed within two weeks. Reformation In a strongly passed judgment, the Supreme Court further underscored that “reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration must lie at the heart of the criminal justice system”. The court also observed that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the State’s obligation to facilitate rehabilitation and ensure prisoners can lead lives of dignity. The court noted that the continued underutilisation of existing OCI infrastructure reflects “systemic indifference” and warrants immediate corrective measures. States without open prisons asked to assess feasibility In view of streamlining the establishment of open prisons in India, the Supreme Court has directed states that currently do not have OCIs to assess the feasibility and necessity of establishing them within three months. Furthermore, the states that reported underutilisation of open prisons and open barracks have been directed to develop time-bound protocols to fill vacancies within the same period. Inclusion of women prisoners mandated Taking serious note of the systemic exclusion and under-representation of women prisoners in open prisons, the court held that such exclusion is contrary to domestic and international norms. Furthermore, all states and UTs have been directed to develop protocols within three months to restructure existing OCIs and open barracks to allocate adequate capacity for women inmates. Expansion plans The apex court further addressed strict eligibility criteria, inadequate rehabilitative avenues, and the absence of uniform standards across states and union territories. It directed governments to amend or revise existing rules and administrative frameworks governing OCIs within three months to give full effect to the judgement. Additionally, each state and Union Territory must undertake a comprehensive assessment of prison infrastructure and submit action plans for establishing and expanding open prisons, including timelines, budgetary provisions and capacity targets. Monitoring by high courts In view of supervising that the orders of the court are followed strictly, the Supreme Court also introduced a stringent monitoring mechanism. All the high courts have been directed to register suo motu writ petitions as continuing mandamus to monitor compliance within their jurisdictions. Further, every state and union territory must constitute a monitoring committee for OCI management within four weeks, headed by the executive chairman of the state legal services authority or a nominee, including a former high court judge. State committees will submit quarterly status reports to their respective high courts, with the first report due by August 21. The high courts, in turn, must forward consolidated annual reports to the Supreme Court, with the first such report due by March 31, 2027. ‘Historic and unprecedented’ judgment Calling the verdict historic, petitioner Suhas Chakma said the ruling establishes an operational structure with strict deadlines and judicial oversight at both the high court and Supreme Court levels. “This is a historic judgment, unprecedented in many respects and possibly one of the rarest judgments that established operational structure and infrastructure for implementation of the directions with strict deadlines to be monitored by each High Court and the Supreme Court itself. The judgement of the Supreme Court is truly a genuine step to treat the lowest ones with human dignity,” Chakma stated.
02 March,2026 09:17 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid the ongoing uncertainties in Gulf countries after the US-Israel attack on Iran, a total of 61 persons from Marathwada in Maharashtra are stranded in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to the closure of airspace. An official Divisional Commissionerate, while speaking about the situation, said, “The 61, who have intimated the administrations of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Beed and Latur districts in Marathwada, are tourists, while some have gone to the Gulf for work and others possess resident visas," as cited by news agency PTI. Furthermore, he also informed, "Details of those from Dharashiv district (also part of Marathwada) are yet to arrive. Nanded leads with 24 persons, followed by 12 from Latur, 10 from Beed, six each from Parbhani and Jalna, two from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and one from Hingoli." Flights have been affected since Saturday after the US and Israel carried out a joint strike on Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has struck US bases in several Gulf nations, prompting airlines to cancel flights following the closure of airspace. BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi temporarily closed In response to the Israeli attack, Iran reportedly fired missiles and drones targeting several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, among others. In view of concerning situations in the United Arab Emirates, the BAPS Hindu Mandir, while posting on social media platform X, has announced that the premises will be temporarily closed to visitors. While taking it to X, the official handle of BAPS Hindu Mandir wrote, “As the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi remains temporarily closed to visitors, the Swamis continue to offer special prayers within the sacred sanctums of the Mandir. In these deeply spiritual moments, their devotion carries prayers for peace, protection, and the well-being of all.” The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi also appealed to the community to remain calm as authorities continue efforts to safeguard the nation amid this extremely critical time. While urging people to stay calm, the BAPS Hindu Mandir also added, “BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi appealed to the community to remain calm as authorities continue efforts to safeguard the nation.” Soon after the retaliatory fire from Iran was launched at the UAE, authorities across the region swiftly activated emergency protocols and heightened air defence systems amid fears of further escalation. In the UAE, officials indicated that the majority of incoming missiles and drones were intercepted by the country’s advanced air defence systems, preventing large-scale damage.
02 March,2026 09:15 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentA 22-year-old man died, and three others sustained injuries after their speeding car in Maharashtra’s Beed district overturned and crashed into the protection wall of a well. The police official, while briefing about the unfortunate incident, said, “The accident occurred near Nagaryachiwadi in Shirur Kasar tehsil while the victims were driving to a resort for Holi celebrations,” reported PTI. Furthermore, the driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn multiple times before crashing into the protection wall of a well on a farm, the police official added. As per PTI, Krishna Jalinder Mule, a resident of the Ramteerth area in Beed town, was killed, while three others sustained serious injuries in the crash, the official said. He further asserted that the victims and their friends were travelling in two vehicles to a resort in Shirur in Pune district. The persons in the other vehicle stopped and extricated the injured from the damaged car. One of the injured persons is in a critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the official said, adding that a probe is underway. Two women injured in accident at Mumbai's Dahisar In a different scenario at Mumbai’s Dahisar area, two women were seriously injured in a road accident, officials said, adding that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials rushed to their help following the incident. The accident took place on the intervening night of February 24 and 25 near Anand Nagar Bridge in Dahisar, they said. According to officials, a speeding car hit the vehicle of two women from behind, throwing them onto the road and leaving them critically injured. At the time of the incident, officers from the Borivali RTO were returning after completing duty with the flying squad. Kulbhushan Gaikwad, Senior Motor Vehicle Inspector, along with drivers Deepak Rajput and Ganesh Wakale, immediately responded after learning about the accident, officials said. The team quickly called an ambulance to ensure the injured women received urgent medical treatment. They also managed the gathered crowd at the spot and informed the police without delay, urging appropriate legal action. (With inputs from PTI)
02 March,2026 09:11 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
