Former Devaswom Board president N. Vasu was released from the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub-Jail on statutory bail in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. Vasu had spent 90 days in custody, with the bail granted as the charge sheet had not yet been filed. Vasu is the fifth accused to be released in the case. He is the third accused in the Dwarapalaka gold theft case and the fifth in the Sreekovil threshold gold theft case. Commenting on the case, Kerala Minister MB Rajesh defended the ongoing investigation, stating that it is being conducted under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. He said the state government has not raised any objections at any stage, adding that it was the opposition which repeatedly questioned the court-monitored probe. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh said, "The entire investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Honourable High Court of Kerala. Therefore, we never raised any objection to the investigation at any stage. It was the opposition that consistently raised objections to the High Court-monitored investigation. Now the investigation has reached the Congress leadership. They are very upset about it. We have no problem. Let the investigation continue and whoever has done wrong should be brought to justice", he told ANI. Earlier, Kerala MLA VD Satheesan said that almost all the accused in the Sabarimala gold pilferage case have been released on statutory bail after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to submit even a preliminary FIR or charge sheet within the mandatory 90-day period. Satheesan expressed concern that the lack of evidence collection could allow the accused to destroy evidence and jeopardise the case. "In the Sabarimala gold pilferage case, almost all the accused are coming out on bail. The Honourable High Court and the Honourable Supreme Court had denied bail to all the accused persons. However, since the Special Investigation Team (SIT) did not submit the FIR, not even a preliminary one, they have obtained statutory bail", said Satheesan. "Even though the Supreme Court had refused bail, they have now secured statutory bail. Even after 90 days, the SIT was unable to file a preliminary charge sheet. As a result, all the accused persons are being released. This will affect the investigation of the case. Our concern is that, without securing sufficient evidence, these individuals may destroy or otherwise eliminate it. If evidence is not obtained, the case itself may collapse. That is our concern," Satheesan added. On the Sabarimala gold theft case, LoP VD Satheesan further stated, "I fear that the accused who are being released now will erase all the evidence. The High Court and Supreme Court had denied bail to the accused, but because the special investigation team has not even filed a preliminary chargesheet, all the accused are being released." On Jauaray 20, the Kollam Vigilance Court granted statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potti, a former helper and the sponsor of gold-plating works at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, in the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols case. He remains the main accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Statutory bail was granted as the chargesheet was not filed even after 90 days. However, Potti will remain in jail in the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames case linked to the gold theft at the Sabrimala temple. 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
12 February,2026 09:46 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | ANIAn incident of alleged vandalism disrupted the World Cultural Festival at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) after alleged members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) reportedly ransacked a Bangladesh food stall and set fire to a Bangladesh flag on the campus. According to preliminary information, the incident took place on Tuesday evening during the annual cultural event, which showcases food, music, and traditions from different countries and is attended by Indian and international students. Witnesses said a group of individuals entered the university premises and targeted the stall representing Bangladesh, leading to panic among students and organisers. MIT-WPU Registrar Ganesh B. Pokale said the university is treating the matter seriously and has initiated the process of filing a formal police complaint. "An unfortunate incident occurred during the World Cultural Festival. Preliminary information indicates that certain unauthorised individuals entered the campus premises. The University is in the process of lodging a formal complaint with the police," Pokale said in an official statement. He added that the World Cultural Festival is an annual event celebrating cultural diversity and providing international students a platform to showcase their traditions, similar to events held by other universities in Pune each year. "The University remains committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all," Pokale said. Police officials said they are verifying the details of the incident and will take appropriate action after reviewing CCTV footage and statements from eyewitnesses. 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
12 February,2026 09:26 AM IST | Pune | ANIThe Delhi Police has issued a notice to Penguin Random House India seeking clarifications over the circulation of the unpublished book of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on social media, an official said. The notice was served as claims over the status of the book and the alleged circulation of unauthorised versions intensified, drawing the publisher, the former Army chief and senior political figures into a widening public dispute. 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
12 February,2026 09:03 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesFour robotic tele-surgical procedures were conducted successfully at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with surgeons remotely operating from Gujarat, using a high-speed network that allowed a real-time transmission of surgical commands and visuals between the two locations, the hospital said on Wednesday. The surgeons operated from Vapi in Gujarat using the Mizzo Endo 4000 robotic surgical system, the hospital 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
12 February,2026 08:57 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAround 120 students were hospitalised in Farrukhabad and Mainpuri districts after they fell ill during a deworming drive conducted at their schools, officials said. The children complained of headache and vomiting shortly after being administered Albendazole tablets. In Farrukhabad, the incident occurred on Tuesday at Jawahar Lal Prema Devi School in Rathora Mohaddinpur village of Kamalganj block. Out of around 150 students who were given the medication, about 100 complained of discomfort, triggering panic among parents and authorities. 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
12 February,2026 08:47 AM IST | Farrukhabad | AgenciesThe Union Home Ministry has directed that all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the national song and National Anthem Jan Gana Mana are to be played together. Amit Shah In an order dated January 28, the MHA directed directing that six stanzas of Vande Mataram, having a duration of 3 minutes 10 seconds, shall be sung on official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour, and speeches of governors. “When the national song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the national song will be sung or played first,” the order read. It said that the assembly where the national song is sung shall stand in attention and the work in school shall begin with the playing of the national song. The Centre is observing the 150th year of Vande Mataram. 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
12 February,2026 08:37 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesIn a no-holds-barred attack, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the government has “sold Bharat Mata” through the India-US interim trade deal, and that it was a “wholesale surrender” with India’s energy security handed over to America and farmers’ interests compromised. Participating in the debate on the Union Budget, Gandhi said he does not believe that any Indian prime minister, including Narendra Modi, would agree to such a deal unless there is a “chokehold” on him. “Why has he [Modi] sold India — because they [the US] are choking him. They have a grip on his neck,” said Gandhi. “We are moving into a dangerous world. We have to understand our strengths, and the central strength of our country is our people,” he pointed out. He underlined the need to protect the country’s people, data, food supply, and energy system. Gandhi said that had an INDIA bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal. The LoP claimed that India’s energy security was gone under the India-US interim trade deal, and the US will decide “who we buy oil from.” He added an INDIA bloc government would have told Trump that India's energy security is non-negotiable and “we are going to protect our energy security”. ‘Full of lies’ Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha was “full of lies” and the ruling alliance will seek to expunge from the House records. Soon after Gandhi’s speech during a debate on the Union Budget, Rijiju said the ruling alliance members will serve a notice before the chair seeking authentication of whatever the leader of opposition has spoken. “We will demand expunging of whatever lies Rahul Gandhi has spoken,” he 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
12 February,2026 08:15 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Supreme Court on Wednesday granted three weeks’ time to the Centre to place on record the status of the probe into the Ahmedabad air crash that claimed 260 lives. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing pleas, including one filed by the father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal -- the Pilot-in-Command of Air India flight AI-171 that crashed June on 12, 2025 -- seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into the tragedy. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), submitted that the inquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was in its final stages. "We are at the fag end of the enquiry, and the report will soon be prepared," the Centre’s second-highest law officer told the apex court, adding that certain aircraft components had been sent to foreign jurisdictions for specialised testing. Since victims of multiple nationalities were involved, SG Mehta said that international protocols were being followed in the inquiry. T Taking note of the submission, the CJI-led Bench granted three weeks to the Centre to complete the exercise and directed that the report be filed in a sealed cover along with an affidavit detailing the procedural protocol followed so far. "What is the procedural protocol followed? Tell us in three weeks," the top court said, also asking for a progress report to be placed on record on the next date of hearing. Appearing for NGO Safety Matters Foundation, advocate Prashant Bhushan submitted that pilot associations had flagged concerns regarding the safety of Boeing 787 aircraft and had sought that such planes be grounded pending a thorough examination. "The entire pilots’ association is saying there is a problem in the Boeing 787 aircraft which needs to be grounded," he contended, adding that neither the government nor the AAIB had responded to the representations raising these issues. Appearing for Captain Sabharwal’s father, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan reiterated the plea for a court-monitored investigation, alleging that in previous instances involving aircraft crashes abroad, initial findings had attributed blame to pilots, only for subsequent inquiries to reveal technical defects. He referred to past Boeing 737 crashes where, according to him, pilots were initially faulted before US regulators found defects in the aircraft, contending that crucial documents in those cases were not immediately made public. Observing that the tragedy was "very unfortunate", the bench cautioned against making sweeping remarks against any particular aircraft model or airline without conclusive findings. "Let us be very careful while making remarks against any particular brand of aircraft. Dreamliners were once considered the best," the apex court remarked. Referring to recent media reports about an alleged fuel switch issue in another Dreamliner flight, the bench said that initial claims were later clarified by official sources. "Last week, it was said that a Dreamliner from London to Delhi had some problem with the fuel switch. Later, it was said from the official account that it was perfectly fine. But this incident, of course, was very unfortunate. Let us be very conservative while making comments on a particular airline," it 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
11 February,2026 10:55 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAs Maharashtra inches closer to the peak summer months of March, April and May, early signs of rising heat have already begun to surface across the state. Daytime temperatures are gradually climbing, and afternoons are turning noticeably warmer, signalling the seasonal transition from winter to pre-summer conditions. The dry air and clear skies are further intensifying the heat during the day, even as mornings remain relatively mild in some pockets. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), most regions recorded maximum temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with little to no rainfall, indicating the steady onset of warmer and predominantly dry weather across Maharashtra. Highest and Lowest temperatures recorded in Maharashtra Amravati emerged as the hottest location, recording a maximum temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius with 50 per cent humidity. Solapur followed at 34.4 degrees Celsius, Ratnagiri at 35.4 degrees Celsius, while the Thane Belapur Industrial Area recorded 34.0 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Ahilyanagar recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state, with the mercury dipping to 13.4 degrees Celsius. Mumbai records warm afternoon with moderate humidity In the Mumbai region, Colaba registered a maximum temperature of 32.2 degrees Celsius with 64 per cent humidity. Santacruz recorded a maximum temperature of 33.6 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity stood at 45 per cent. Alibaug reported 32.7 degrees Celsius and relatively high humidity at 69 per cent. Mahabaleshwar experienced haze, with the maximum temperature settling at 26.0 degrees Celsius, as per the IMD data. Pune recorded a high of 31.9 degrees Celsius under clear skies, with easterly winds blowing at three knots. Nearby Baramati registered 31.1 degrees Celsius, while Satara reported 30.7 degrees Celsius with low humidity at 28 per cent. In Marathwada, stations including Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Parbhani, Jalna, Beed and Dharashiv recorded maximum temperatures ranging between 31 degrees Celsius and 32.8 degrees Celsius. Beed also reported a minimum temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius. Western Maharashtra districts such as Sangli recorded 32.6 degrees Celsius, Kolhapur 31.0 degrees Celsius and Ahilyanagar 32.0 degrees Celsius, all under dry conditions. Hottest regions in Madhya Maharashtra and Vidarbha Parts of Madhya Maharashtra and Vidarbha continued to reel under warm conditions, with several districts recording high day temperatures. Ahilyanagar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.0 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to 13.4 degrees Celsius. In Vidarbha, Amravati emerged as one of the hotter locations, registering a high of 35.6 degrees Celsius and a low of 15.3 degrees Celsius. Bramhapuri also reported elevated temperatures, with the mercury touching 35.4 degrees Celsius and settling at a minimum of 15.6 degrees Celsius. Dahanu records humid conditions along Konkan coast Along the Konkan coast, Dahanu recorded 29.9 degrees Celsius with 71 per cent humidity, while Harnai reported 29.8 degrees Celsius along with thick haze and cirrus cloud cover. In northern Maharashtra, Nandurbar recorded 32.7 degrees Celsius and Jalgaon 33.3 degrees Celsius, with warm and humid conditions prevailing. AQI across Maharashtra Thane – 102Navi Mumbai – 118Mumbai-120Dhule – 128Jalgaon – 115Nanded – 136Sangli – 123Amravati – 122Akola – 94Nashik – 101Nagpur – 172Latur – 84Solapur – 100Kolhapur – 101 Delhi air quality worsens to 301 AQI in 'poor' category Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital deteriorated on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 301, placing it in the 'poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several areas of Delhi are now witnessing a layer of smog, raising concerns among residents, especially those with respiratory issues. Areas around India Gate and Kartavya Path recorded AQI readings of 355, while Bawana recorded 313. The AQI of Akshardham Temple reported 325, classified as 'very poor'. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung settled at 13.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 26 degrees Celsius, with mist likely during the day.
11 February,2026 09:01 PM IST | MumbaiAs many as six teachers who were serving as invigilators at Class 12 exam centres in Jalna district were suspended after some students were found copying during the ongoing Maharashtra HSC board exams, officials said. Action has been taken against six teachers after students were found copying during the English exam, they said. The incident occurred on Tuesday during the English examination conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in Ambad tehsil, reported the PTI. Education Officer (Secondary) Balu Kharat said the flying squad carried out a surprise inspection at exam centres in Rohilagad, Ankushnagar and Shahgad. During the inspection, several students were found copying. The squad took immediate action against the students involved. Officials said that all six teachers belonged to different educational institutions. Kharat instructed their institutions to suspend them for dereliction of duty during the examination. He added that action was also initiated against the teachers due to negligence in supervising the students. Strict measures to ensure fair exams The Maharashtra education authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining discipline during board examinations. This latest incident is being seen as a warning to both students and invigilators to strictly follow exam rules. 42 caught cheating on Day 1 of Maharashtra HSC exam Forty-two malpractice cases were reported across Maharashtra during the Std XII English board examination held on Tuesday, February 10. The incidents occurred during the morning session across several divisions, according to the State Education Board. Amravati recorded the highest number, 22, followed by Pune, 10. Nashik reported four cases, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar three, Latur two, and Nagpur one. No cases were reported from the Mumbai, Kolhapur and Konkan divisions, indicating strict supervision and effective vigilance, officials said. State board officials said district-level vigilance committees were monitoring exam centres and warned of strict action, including cancellation of centre recognition, against those found encouraging or indulging in malpractice. The Board has urged students, parents, and schools to cooperate and maintain the integrity of the examination process. Copy-free day in Mumbai The Mumbai division, covering Mumbai City, suburbs, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, reported a copy-free Day 1 of the 2026 board exams, said Mumbai Divisional Chairperson Rajendra Ahire. “Exams began on time, and there were no administrative issues, including with question papers or answer booklets,” he said. (with PTI inputs)
11 February,2026 08:27 PM IST | Jalna | mid-day online correspondentSeveral villages in Maharashtra’s Nanded district felt a mild tremor on Wednesday afternoon, officials said, adding that no damage was reported in the incident. The quake, measuring 3.0 on the Richter Scale, was felt at around 3:25 pm in parts of Nanded's Mukhed tehsil, including Hibbett, Kolgaon, Dhamangaon, Motarga, Dhanaj and Jamkhed, reported the PTI. The National Centre for Seismology reported that the epicentre was near Khaparal village. The Mukhed Tehsildar confirmed that no loss of life or property has been reported so far. The district administration has issued an advisory urging people to stay calm and remain alert. District Collector Rahul Kardile appealed to citizens not to panic. He advised residents living in houses with tin-sheet roofs to remove stones placed on rooftops for support. Instead, he suggested that the sheets be properly secured with bolts to prevent displacement in case of further tremors, according to the PTI. What residents should do during a tremor? The collector also urged people to step outside into open areas immediately if they experience similar tremors or hear unusual sounds. Residents have been advised to report such incidents to the district administration by contacting the District Emergency Helpline. Earthquake of 4.3 Magnitude Strikes Bay of Bengal Meanwhile, in an another incident, a moderate earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in the Bay of Bengal early on Wednesday morning, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said, reported the ANI. The tremor struck at 05:12 IST on 11 February, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located at 14.94°N latitude and 90.18°E longitude, the news agency reported. The NCS shared the details in an update on X, stating, “EQ of M: 4.3, On: 11/02/2026 05:12:41 IST, Lat: 14.94 N, Long: 90.18 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bay of Bengal.” Earlier, in December last year, a similar tremor measuring 4.4 magnitude was also recorded in the Bay of Bengal. That quake occurred at 11:48 IST and was at a shallow depth of about 15 kilometres, with the epicentre located at 12.59°N and 92.34°E, according to the ANI. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
11 February,2026 07:59 PM IST | Nanded | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
