The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has said that its probe into the Ajit Pawar plane crash in Baramati will examine whether the tragedy was caused by sabotage or criminal negligence, reported the PTI. The plane crash had claimed the life of Former Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others. Addressing a press conference, Sunil Ramanand, Additional Director General (CID), said the investigation is being carried out in a thorough and professional manner. “The purpose of the CID probe is to determine whether there was any foul play in the crash. It will also examine whether there was any criminal negligence. Thirdly, the investigation will ascertain whether any criminal act, including illegal omission, led to the incident,” Ramanand said, as per the PTI. He added that once the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) completes its report, the findings will be incorporated into the CID’s inquiry. Evidence collected “We have collected several pieces of evidence,” the official said. Ramanand further stated that if the probe establishes any criminal angle - including negligence or sabotage - the CID will register a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Given the seriousness of the incident, the state government has also written to the Centre seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he said. The plane crash The Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28. Following the incident, an accidental death report was initially registered at Baramati Taluka police station before the case was transferred to the CID for detailed investigation. Maharashtra council chief seeks statement on plane crash Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde on Thursday directed the state government to place before the House a detailed statement on the air crash that claimed the life of Ajit Pawar, as per the PTI. The direction came after NCP (SP) MLC Shashikant Shinde moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the January 28 crash in Baramati, Pune district. Raising the issue in the House, Shashikant Shinde said several individuals, including legislators Amol Mitkari and Rohit Pawar, had expressed suspicion regarding the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death. He added that many had demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 05:21 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have revised air ticket refund rules to make them more passenger-friendly and have announced that the passengers can now cancel or amend their air tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying additional charges, subject to certain conditions, reported the PTI. Under the amended Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for the refund of airline tickets, airlines must offer a 48-hour ‘look-in option’ from the time of booking. During this period, passengers may cancel or modify their tickets without incurring extra charges, except for any fare difference applicable to the revised flight. However, this facility will not apply to flights departing within seven days of booking for domestic travel and 15 days for international travel, when tickets are booked directly through an airline’s website. No extra charges for name corrections The regulator said airlines must not levy additional charges for correcting the name of the same passenger if the mistake is reported within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket was booked directly through the airline’s website, according to the PTI. For tickets purchased through travel agents or online portals, the responsibility for processing refunds will remain with the airline, as agents act as their authorised representatives. The airlines must complete the refund process within 14 working days. Medical emergency provisions The revised norms also address cancellations due to medical emergencies. If a passenger or a family member listed on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) is hospitalised during the travel period, airlines may offer either a refund or a credit shell, the news agency reported. In other cases, refunds will be processed after the airline’s Aerospace Medicine specialist, or a DGCA-empanelled specialist, certifies the passenger’s fitness to travel. The revised CAR was issued on February 24. Move follows rise in refund complaints The changes come amid increasing complaints from passengers about delays in refunds. The issue gained attention during disruptions involving IndiGo flights in December 2025, following which the civil aviation ministry directed the airline to complete refunds within a fixed timeframe, as per the PTI. According to DGCA data, scheduled airlines received 29,212 passenger complaints in December 2025, of which 7.5 per cent related to refunds. During that month, domestic carriers transported more than 1.43 crore passengers. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with domestic airlines carrying over 16.69 crore passengers in 2025. (with PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 05:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Government of Maharashtra to respond to a bail plea filed by the father of the minor accused in the 2024 Pune Porsche crash case, news agency PTI reported. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice to the state government after the minor's father challenged an earlier order of the Bombay High Court denying him bail. The matter is scheduled to be heard on March 10. Pune Porsche accident: High-speed crash, 300-word essay, and a nationwide outrage The case relates to an accident that took place on May 19, 2024, in Pune. A 17-year-old boy, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was driving a Porsche when he fatally hit two IT professionals. The incident triggered widespread public anger, especially after the minor was initially granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board on what many considered lenient terms. One of the conditions required him to write a 300-word essay on road safety. Following public outrage, Pune police approached the board to review its decision. The board later modified its order and sent the juvenile to an observation home. In June, the Bombay High Court ordered his release from the observation home. On December 16, 2025, the Bombay High Court rejected the bail plea of the minor's father and the other accused persons in the case. The father then moved the Supreme Court challenging that decision. The apex court has now sought the Maharashtra government’s response and will hear the matter next month. Pune Porsche crash: Supreme Court grants bail to three accused Earlier this month, the Supreme Court granted bail to three other accused in the case namely, Amar Santish Gaikwad, an alleged middleman, as well as Aditya Avinash Sood and Ashish Satish Mittal. The court noted that they had been in custody for 18 months. While granting bail, the bench observed that in cases involving juveniles, parents should be held responsible if they fail to control their children. On January 7 and 23, the court had also sought responses from the Maharashtra government on bail pleas filed by some of the accused. Blood sample swapping allegations Sood and Mittal, aged 52 and 37, were arrested on August 19 last year. Their blood samples were allegedly used in place of samples belonging to two minors who were in the car at the time of the accident. In December, 2025, the Bombay High Court rejected the bail pleas of eight accused, including Gaikwad, Sood, and Mittal. Apart from the minor, 10 people were sent to jail in connection with the alleged blood sample-swapping case. These include his parents, doctors Ajay Tawre and Shreehari Halnor, Sassoon hospital staffer Atul Ghatkamble, Sood, Mittal, and Arun Kumar Singh. (With PTI Inputs)
26 February,2026 04:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Federal investigation agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached immovable properties valued at Rs 7.17 crore in a case of money laundering arising out of narcotics trafficking offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). As reported by news agency ANI, ED's Panaji Zonal Office attached these properties following an investigation in the case the agency initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a complaint filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Goa, dated March 7, 2021, against Ugochukwu Solomon Ubabuko, Infinity John, alias David, alias Valentine Ejezie, and Prasad Prakash Walke for offences under the NDPS Act. Earlier, the NCB had seized commercial quantities of narcotic substances, including LSD, cocaine, charas, and ganja, from premises located at Assagao, Goa. Furthermore, the subsequent searches at the residential premises of Prasad Walke also resulted in the recovery of LSD. ED, while briefing about the case, said that Prasad Walke was earlier arrested by NCB in 2018 and again by the Anti-Narcotic Cell, Goa Police, in 2023 in connection with separate NDPS cases. The cases involved seizure of MDMA, ecstasy powder and hydroponic weed. As of now, Prasad Walke is in judicial custody, reported ANI. The ED investigation also revealed that proceeds generated from illicit drug trafficking were introduced into the banking system through substantial cash deposits in multiple bank accounts. The accounts were allegedly maintained in the names of Prasad Prakash Walke and Sheetal Prasad Walke. ED attaches properties in Goa The attached properties consist of a three-storey residential house in Goa and two two-floored houses in Goa. As reported by ANI, these immovable properties are held in the names of Prasad Prakash Walke and Sheetal Prasad Walke and have been attached as they constitute proceeds of crime derived from scheduled offences of the NDPS Act 1985. The ED said it reiterates its commitment to combating drug trafficking and money laundering by invoking the provisions of the PMLA and related laws. As part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the ED further said it remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks by striking at their financial roots. By targeting the laundering of illicit proceeds and attaching properties acquired through drug money, ED is reinforcing the national campaign's objective of building a drug-free India. While highlighting the case, the officials from the investigation agency ED said, "This operation exemplifies ED's continuous efforts to curb the illegal drug trade and to trace, identify, and attach the proceeds of crime generated from such activities, along with sending a strong deterrent message," as cited by ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
26 February,2026 04:16 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA political controversy erupted in Maharashtra after a video showing namaz being offered inside the electricity department office of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation went viral, prompting police to register a first information report (FIR) against several individuals. Maharashtra | Malegaon Police has registered an FIR against two named and 4 to 5 unnamed persons in the matter of offering Namaaz in the electricity department office. Malegaon police has registered the FIR under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra… — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 Malegaon NAMAJ at Municipal Corporation Office FIR No 32/2026 has been registered under BNS sections of unlwaful assembly, assault to a public servant Sections 132,292,189(2),190 & Maharashtra Police Act Section 37(1),37(3), 135 against Lukman, Salim Ikka & Others pic.twitter.com/EQSioQruH1 — Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) February 26, 2026 The incident took place during a protest by residents over alleged unresolved electricity supply issues in one of Malegaon’s wards. The demonstration was led by Lukman Kamal, president of the Malegaon Lok Sangharsh Samiti. As the protest coincided with the Asr prayer during the holy month of Ramadan, some protesters offered namaz in congregation inside the municipal office premises. The video of the prayers circulated widely on social media, sparking debate over the appropriateness of holding religious observances inside a government office. Following the controversy, Malegaon Police registered a first information report (FIR) against two named persons — Lukman and Salim Ikka — and four to five unidentified individuals. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to unlawful assembly and obstruction or assault of a public servant, along with sections of the Maharashtra Police Act concerning illegal assembly and disruption of official duties. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking strict action. He said offering namaz inside a government office was unacceptable and called for an FIR and disciplinary action against those responsible. “Namaz cannot be offered inside government offices. Whoever is responsible should face strict action. The police should also register an FIR,” he said. Mumbai, Maharashtra: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya says, "An FIR has now been registered by Malegaon Police. However, they went to the Malegaon municipal office under the electricity department and offered Namaz. Earlier, when a government employee tried to intervene... I had also… pic.twitter.com/Nd2w59ePcg — IANS (@ians_india) February 26, 2026 Malegaon namaz row: Mixed political reactions as leaders debate religion in government spaces The episode drew sharp reactions from other political leaders as well. Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Narayan Rane condemned the act and demanded action. BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalkar termed it illegal and called for strict measures, while Shiv Sena Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sanjay Gaikwad said religion should not be mixed with administration and government offices should not be used as places of worship. However, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) state president Shashikant Shinde cautioned against politicising the issue. “In Maharashtra, there had never been unrest in the name of religion or caste before, but today we are seeing that people are trying to politicise any issue,” he said. Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Namaz offered at Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department, NCP (SP) State President Shashikant Shinde says, "In Maharashtra, there had never been unrest in the name of religion or caste before, but today we are seeing that people are trying to… pic.twitter.com/08rHCp66JL — IANS (@ians_india) February 26, 2026
26 February,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday strongly criticised the police action against his party's youth wing activists over the "shirtless protest", drawing a sharp parallel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and the authoritarian regime in North Korea. "This is India, not North Korea," Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said in a post in Hindi on X and asserted that peaceful protest is the soul of democracy and not a crime. He said the world's largest democracy is being slowly pushed in a direction where dissent is labelled as treason and asking questions is called a conspiracy. When those in power start seeing themselves as the nation and dissent as the enemy that is when democracy dies, Gandhi said. "In today's India, under the rule of a compromised PM, peaceful protest has been turned into the biggest crime. The world's largest democracy is being slowly pushed in a direction where dissent is labelled as treason and asking questions is called a conspiracy," the former Congress chief said. "Think about it, no matter the issue, if you raise your voice against those in power through constitutional means, then batons, lawsuits, and jail are almost a certainty," he said. Youth tormented by paper leaks raised their voices for their future and were met with blows from batons, he claimed. "The country's proud women wrestlers demanded a fair investigation into serious allegations against a powerful BJP leader. Their cries were defamed, their movement crushed, and they were forcibly removed from the streets. "A peaceful demonstration took place at India Gate in support of a rape victim. The demand for justice was deemed an inconvenience to the system and dispersed," Gandhi said. When the Youth Congress peacefully protested against a US Trade deal harmful to the country, they were branded "anti-national" and arrested, he said. When ordinary people stood up against poisonous air, even concerns for the environment were dismissed as "politics" and suppressed, Gandhi said, adding that when farmers protested for their rights, they too were labelled anti-national. "Tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and batons -- these became the means of dialogue. When tribals stood up for their rights to water, forests, and land, suspicion was cast upon them too as if demanding one's rights is a crime. What kind of democracy is this, where a Compromised PM fears questions? Where crushing dissent is becoming the nature of governance?" he said. Asking questions is not democracy's weakness, it is its strength, he said. "Democracy grows stronger when the government listens to criticism, responds, and remains accountable. Modi ji, this is India, not North Korea. When those in power start seeing themselves as the nation and dissent as the enemy -- that is when democracy dies," Gandhi said. His remarks came after a high-voltage standoff between the police teams of Delhi and Shimla came to an end following a dramatic 24 hours on Thursday morning, after the Delhi Police team was finally cleared to head back to the national capital along with the three Youth Congress activists arrested in connection with the "shirtless protest" at the AI Summit. The "shirtless protest" at Bharat Mandapam on February 20 prompted a significant security response, with police earlier invoking charges including rioting and promoting enmity under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president, Uday Bhanu Chib, and former national spokesperson, Bhudev Sharma, were arrested in connection with the case on Tuesday. Both were subsequently produced before a Delhi court and remanded to police custody for interrogation. According to the Delhi Police, a total of 11 people have been arrested so far. On Saturday midnight, Delhi Police raided Himachal Sadan in the national capital amid reports that IYC workers who had participated in the protest were provided accommodation there. 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.
26 February,2026 03:29 PM IST | New Delhi | PTISet to launch election campaigns ahead of the Assembly polls slated in early 2027, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a ‘Badlav Rally’ in Punjab’s Moga town on March 14. State BJP working President Ashwani Sharma said on Thursday that "every section of Punjab, distressed on all fronts, has made up its mind to oust the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from power and they now consider the BJP a reliable and credible alternative for change”. On March 16, the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be completing four years in office. The BJP said in these four years, far from fulfilling electoral guarantees and promises, the government has failed to ensure the rule of law in the state. Sharma alleged the government has taken U-turns on every promise made before coming to power. Ashwani speaks to the media about corruption and uncontrolled illegal activites Reported by IANS, Ashwani Sharma told the media that the law and order situation in Punjab is in shambles, while corruption linked to the drug and mining mafia is rampant. “The health and education systems are deteriorating, and employees are not receiving salaries and pensions on time. Due to pending reimbursements under free schemes, the Power Board and Punjab Roadways are facing heavy losses and have been unable to pay salaries for months. "The culprits in sacrilege cases have not been punished, while AAP’s own leaders, MPs, and MLAs are accusing their party colleagues of collusion with the mafia.” He said CM Mann not only failed to fulfill the promise of providing Minimum Support Price (MSP) on every crop, but in the past four years farmers have allegedly faced reductions even in the MSP for wheat and paddy sent by the Centre. Traders are distressed by what Sharma described as “tax recovery terror” of the state government. In four years, the AAP government has neither built new roads in cities, towns, and villages nor even repaired potholes. Sharma said incidents of chain snatching are occurring daily across villages, towns, and cities in Punjab. “Extortion calls are now being made not only to big businessmen but even to small grocery shopkeepers selling flour and pulses. Ashwani also highlights killing and open firing fearlessly in broad daylight "Kabaddi players are being killed in broad daylight. Gangsters are openly firing shots and killing at will, and now even incidents are taking place fearlessly outside police stations and SSP offices,” he said as per IANS. Sharma alleged the Punjab Police, which once eradicated terrorism from the state, has been kept so busy by Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann in settling political scores with opponents that it has failed to prevent grenade attacks on its own police stations. Sharma said in the 2027 Assembly elections, the people of Punjab will get rid of the AAP government and form a BJP “double-engine” government, putting the state back on the path of development.
26 February,2026 02:35 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel on Wednesday to a red-carpet welcome with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara receiving the Indian leader at the Ben Gurion airport. It is PM Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. Netanyahu greeted the Indian prime minister with a warm hug, following which Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport, located 20 kilometres southeast of Tel Aviv. The Indian prime minister will address Israel's parliament later in the day and will have a tete-a-tete with Netanyahu. The two leaders will hold wide-ranging talks on Thursday. In his pre-departure statement, Modi said he was confident that the visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between India and Israel and set new goals for the strategic partnership. "India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years," Modi said. "I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said. Modi said he and Netanyahu will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. "I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future," Modi said. The prime minister's visit assumed greater significance as it is taking place amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including deteriorating ties between the US and Iran. There has been an upswing in India-Israel ties in the last few years, including in the areas of defence, scientific research, cybersecurity and innovation. The defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of the partnership between the two sides, with Israel supplying a plethora of military platforms and weapon systems to India. In November last, during the visit of India's defence secretary to Israel, an important agreement on defence cooperation was signed. As India is looking at developing an indigenous air defence shield called "Sudarshan Chakra", it is learnt that New Delhi would like to explore the possibility of incorporating certain elements from Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defence system that can intercept and destroy missiles and artillery shells. The trade and investment ties between the two sides are also witnessing steady progress. During the visit to Israel of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in November, the term of reference (ToR) for the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and Israel was signed. In September, the two sides had inked a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) to expand economic cooperation. The people-to-people ties between the two countries are also an important aspect of the overall relations, with over 41,000-strong Indian diaspora playing a key role in the two-way engagement. 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.
26 February,2026 01:44 PM IST | Jerusalem | PTIObserving that there appeared to be a "well orchestrated conspiracy" to defame the judiciary, the Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a "complete blanket ban" on the Class 8 NCERT book with a chapter on corruption in the judiciary and ordered that all copies, physical and digital, be seized. "They have fired the gunshot. The judiciary is bleeding," a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said, a day after the National Council of Educational Research & Training apologised for "inappropriate content" in the social science textbook and said it would be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities. The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, issued show cause notices to the NCERT director and the secretary of the department of school education and asked them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against those responsible. Referring to the NCERT's communication on Wednesday, the CJI said, "That itself shows deep-rooted conspiracy... a well-orchestrated conspiracy". In its stern comments, the bench added that there seemed to be a "calculated move" to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of judiciary. It warned of serious action if its directions are defied in any manner. Referring to the contents of the book, the bench observed that such misconduct, having everlasting impact on the judiciary, would fall within the definition of criminal contempt. This would erode people's faith in the judiciary if allowed to go unchecked, the apex court said. "It is my duty as the head of the institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll," the CJI said, adding, "We would like to have a deeper probe." The bench then directed that the NCERT, in coordination with the education departments of the Centre and states, ensure that all copies of the book, either hard or soft copy, are removed from public access. "As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book," the bench said. It said any attempt to distribute the book, either physically or digitally, shall be taken as a willful defiance of the court's order. A section titled "Corruption in the Judiciary" in the new textbook says corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system. It also states that judges are bound by a code of conduct that governs not only their behaviour in court, but also how they conduct themselves outside it. The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter on Wednesday. On Thursday, it made clear that the proceedings were not meant to stifle any legitimate criticism or the exercise of right to scrutinise the judiciary. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The CJI, however, was unconvinced. He said there was not a single word of apology in the NCERT's communication and it instead tried to justify the chapter. The bench observed it seemed that the choice of words and expressions in the book cannot be said to be an inadvertent or bonafide error. The top court observed it was fundamentally improper to expose students to "biased narrative" at this age which might lead to fundamental misconceptions. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 11. The CJI on Wednesday said nobody on earth would be allowed to defame the judiciary and taint its integrity. "At any cost, I will not permit it. Howsoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it," a visibly irked CJI had said after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi mentioned the matter. The council, responsible for school education curriculum, put on hold the circulation of the textbook hours after it took the book off its website on Wednesday. It said it "holds the judiciary in highest esteem and considers it to be the upholder of the Indian Constitution and protector of fundamental rights" and termed the error purely unintentional. 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.
26 February,2026 01:38 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIndustrialist Anil Ambani on Thursday appeared at the Enforcement Directorate's headquarters in Delhi to join a money laundering investigation against him. As reported by news agency ANI, Anil deposed before the investigators at around 11 am to record his statement in the case regarding which he was summoned earlier. The move comes after the central investigation agency attached the Mumbai's Pali Hill residential property 'Abode' of the industrialist, worth Rs 3,716.83 crores, in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe. The probe is allegedly linked to Reliance Communications Ltd's alleged bank fraud case. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached the Pali Hill Residential Property ‘Abode’ of industrialist Anil Ambani worth Rs 3,716.83 crores under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). Visuals from… pic.twitter.com/iSUpEXNpjo — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 ED's Special Task Force (Headquarters) attached the Pali Hill property under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). Earlier, part of this property was attached to the extent of Rs 473.17 crores, reported ANI. ED attaches Anil Ambani’s property worth Rs 15,700 crore After attaching Anil Ambani’s Pali Hill property, the cumulative attachment of properties in the group now stands at over Rs 15,700 crore. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had also initiated an investigation based on the Central Bureau of Investigation's First Information Report (FIR) under sections 120-B, 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1989, against Reliance Communications Ltd (RCOM), Anil Ambani, and others. Briefing about the case, the ED said that RCOM and its group companies availed loans from domestic and foreign lenders, of which a total amount of Rs 40,185 crores is outstanding. On August 5, 2025, the ED had also recorded the statement of Anil Ambani on various points pertaining to loan transactions that were put to him. He then sought a period of seven days to furnish the requisite details and supporting documents. Anil was then further questioned in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged Rs 17,000-crore loan fraud case, reported ANI. ED is probing the loan fraud of Reliance Communications Ltd of over Rs 14,000 crores. It is noteworthy that Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary confirmed in Parliament that the State Bank of India (SBI) had classified Reliance Communications (RCom) and its promoter, Anil Ambani, as "fraudulent" in accordance with RBI guidelines. Also, the SBI reported this classification to the RBI and is preparing to file a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Reliance Communications allegedly cheated Canara Bank of Rs 1,050 crore Along with their fraudulent financial activities with SBI, Reliance Communications Ltd is also alleged to have cheated Canara Bank of more than Rs. 1,050 crores. Highly placed sources confirmed that undisclosed foreign bank accounts and foreign assets are also being investigated. Earlier, ED was also said to have found that Reliance Mutual Fund invested Rs 2850 crore in AT-1 bonds of YES Bank (perpetual FDs) for a suspected quid pro quo. "These bonds were eventually written down, and money was syphoned off. This was the money of the public, the mutual fund investors. CBI is also investigating this issue." Based on information received from SEBI, ED has found that Reliance Infra has diverted a large sum of money disguised as ICDs to Group Companies of RAAGA through C Company, an undisclosed related party company. However, Reliance Infra did not disclose C Company as its related party in order to avoid proper approval from the shareholders and the audit committee. Furthermore, it has been found that R Infra has taken a haircut of Rs 5,480 crore, and only Rs 4 crore has been received in cash, reported ANI. The ED, while briefing about the probe, said, "The remaining Rs 6,499 crores have been settled in the form of assignment and transfer of assets/economic rights, mainly in certain Discoms." These Discoms haven't had any business for many years and are not operational. Therefore, there are zero chances of recovery of this amount. The loan diversion in this case is over Rs 10,000 crores," as cited by ANI. Last year, ED's Special Task Force attached over 132 acres of land in Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) in Navi Mumbai worth Rs 4,462.81 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. (With inputs from ANI)
26 February,2026 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Air Force's largest military exercise, "Vayu Shakti-2026", will be held on Friday at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (Jaisalmer) in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Droupadi Murmu, will also be present at the exercise. According to the schedule, the President will fly a Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand on Friday. During this, she will conduct an aerial survey of the exercise area. This will be the first time the President will co-pilot a combat helicopter in the border airspace of Jaisalmer. Following the event, she will interact with officers and soldiers at the Air Force Station and boost their morale. In the evening, the President will arrive at the Pokhran Range, where the exercise will commence in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. During this period, the Air Force will showcase its lethal capabilities through aerial fire and precise strikes. In addition to Prachand aircraft, Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, and Apache will also showcase their might at 'Vayu Shakti-2026'. This visit of the President is considered extremely important from a strategic perspective. Tight security arrangements have been made in Jaisalmer. The entire area from Chandan to Pokhran has been declared a 'no-fly zone'. President Murmu has a long and deep association with the aircraft of the Indian Air Force. She is not only the supreme commander of the armed forces, but has also personally flown frontline fighter jets to boost the morale of the country's soldiers. She has flown in a Sukhoi and a Rafale. President Murmu created history on October 29, 2025, by flying in a Rafale aircraft of the 'Golden Arrows' squadron based in Ambala. She became the first President of the country to fly in two different fighter aircraft (Sukhoi and Rafale). She experienced the power of the Rafale at a speed of approximately 700 km/h at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet. President Murmu flew for approximately 30 minutes in a Sukhoi-30 MKI on April 8, 2023, from the Tezpur base in Assam. She assessed the aircraft's firepower and the Air Force's preparedness while flying over the Himalayan peaks and the Brahmaputra Valley. She became the second woman President of the country to fly in a Sukhoi after Pratibha Patil. 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.
26 February,2026 01:27 PM IST | Jaipur | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1772094331293_d.png "The Pune Porsche car crash had triggered outrage in the country. File Pic")
-1772099341513_d.png "Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. File Pic")
-1772020915321_d.png "PM Modi was welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel. Pic/PTI")
