After being discharged by the Delhi court in the alleged Delhi excise policy case, an emotional Arvind Kejriwal on Friday asserted that the corruption case against him was the "biggest political conspiracy" in the history of independent India, as a court here discharged him in the politically sensational liquor policy case. आख़िर में अधर्म और अन्याय हारता है और सच ही जीतता है। सत्यमेव जयते pic.twitter.com/GZghEdhJf3 — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 27, 2026 The former Delhi Chief Minister broke down before the media as soon as the orders from the court were released. Kejriwal, while addressing the media, said, "The court has proved that Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP are 'Kattar Imaandar'," as per PTI. Kejriwal also alleged that the "conspiracy" of the excise case was hatched to finish off AAP. It was entirely a fake case with the roles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah behind its fabrication, the fresh-off-the-hook leader alleged. Delhi court discharge Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in a corruption case A Delhi court on Friday discharged Kejriwal and former Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia in the excise police-related corruption case, refusing to take cognisance of the CBI chargesheet. Special Judge Jitendra Singh said that the chargesheet had several lacunae not supported by evidence, as he discharged 21 more besides the two Aam Aadmi Party leaders in the matter, reported PTI. Furthermore, the CBI has also been probing alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the erstwhile AAP government's now-scrapped excise policy. Family welcomes Arvind Kejriwal after court discharges him Following his discharge by the Rouse Avenue Court in the Delhi Excise Policy case, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was warmly welcomed by his family upon his arrival at his residence. Kejriwal, along with Sisodia, was embraced by his family members. Prior to this, the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi Excise Policy case. #WATCH | Family of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal welcomes him as he, along with former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, arrives at his residence. The Rouse Avenue court discharged both AAP leaders in the Delhi Excise policy case.(Video Source: AAP) pic.twitter.com/nblU348jvz — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2026 As per ANI, in total, 23 accused were chargesheeted in the alleged Delhi excise policy case, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, Kuldeep Singh, Narender Singh, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Mootha Goutam, Sameer Mahendru, Amandeep Singh Dhall, Arjun Pandey, Butchibabu Gornatla, Rakesh Joshi, Damodar Prasad Sharma, Prince Kumar, Chanpreet Singh Rayat, Arvind Kumar Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Amit Arora, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and P Sarath Chadra Reddy. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
27 February,2026 12:26 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Rouse Avenue Court on Friday discharged Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi Excise Policy case. The court observed that the alleged central conspiratorial role could not be substantiated. The court noted that the allegations "failed judicial scrutiny" and found "no criminal intent" on the part of Manish Sisodia. It further stated that the conspiracy theory "cannot survive against one constitutional authority." Expressing her joy at the verdict, Sunita Kejriwal the wife of Arvind posted, "In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always prevails." The CBI filed its first chargesheet in 2022, followed by multiple supplementary chargesheets. The agency has alleged that Rs 100 crore was paid by a "south lobby" to influence the now-scrapped excise policy in its favour. In total, 23 accused have been chargesheeted, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, Kuldeep Singh, Narender Singh, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Mootha Goutam, Sameer Mahendru, Amandeep Singh Dhall, Arjun Pandey, Butchibabu Gornatla, Rakesh Joshi, Damodar Prasad Sharma, Prince Kumar, Chanpreet Singh Rayat, Arvind Kumar Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Amit Arora, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and P Sarath Chadra Reddy. During arguments, the CBI maintained that the offence of criminal conspiracy must be viewed in its entirety and that the sufficiency of evidence should be tested during trial. Represented by Additional Solicitor General D P Singh and advocate Manu Mishra, the agency argued that there is adequate material to frame charges against all the accused. On the other hand, senior advocate N Hariharan, appeared for Kejriwal, contended that there is no incriminating material linking his client to the alleged conspiracy. He argued that the fourth supplementary chargesheet naming Kejriwal merely repackages earlier allegations and that Kejriwal was performing his official duties as Chief Minister. Hariharan further submitted that Kejriwal was not named in the initial chargesheet or in three earlier supplementary chargesheets. His name appeared only in the fourth. The defence also questioned the basis of further investigation and the evidentiary value of statements, including that of approver Raghav Magunta. 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.
27 February,2026 11:55 AM IST | New Delhi | ANITwo private schools here received bomb threat emails on Friday, prompting authorities to carry out anti-sabotage checks, officials said. Fire brigade, bomb squads, dog squads and an ambulance were rushed to the schools and security in their premises was mounted. Similar threats have been made over the weeks in Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Haryana schools. All threats turned out to be hoaxes. A few days ago, the Punjab Civil Secretariat received a bomb threat email, but no suspicious or explosive material was found. 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.
27 February,2026 11:54 AM IST | Chandigarh | PTIA series of earthquakes and tremors have caused panic in Sikkim during late February 2026, with multiple jolts reported on Thursday and early morning of Friday. Sikkim experienced a 3.7 magnitude early this morning at around 4:10 am, causing panic among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km near latitude 27.40 N and longitude 88.69 E. Many people reported feeling strong tremors across different parts of the state. In recent times, frequent earthquake tremors have been felt in Sikkim, particularly in West Sikkim. The repeated shaking has increased concern among the local population. Just yesterday, Sikkim was hit by four separate earthquakes, adding to the fear and anxiety. However, no immediate reports of casualties or major damage have been received so far. Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure has been reported at Gangyap School and Gerethang School due to yesterday's earthquakes. Authorities are assessing the situation, and people have been advised to remain alert and follow safety guidelines in case of further tremors. Meanwhile, an earthquake of magnitude 3.4 struck Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday at 08:50 am, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The earthquake, with a depth of 10 km, was located at coordinates 27.32deg N latitude and 96.12deg E longitude. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received. "EQ of M: 3.4, On: 15/02/2026 20:50:28 IST, Lat: 27.32 N, Long: 96.12 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh," NCS said in a post on X. 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.
27 February,2026 11:35 AM IST | West Sikkim | ANIThe Assam government decided to seek the trial of cultural icon Zubeen Garg's death case in a fast-track court. The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting held on Thursday at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Announcing the cabinet decisions, the Chief Minister said, "The State Cabinet has approved the constitution of an Exclusive/ Dedicated Sessions Court as per provisions of Section 346(1) BNSS, 2023, for the day-to-day trial of the case relating to the demise of Zubeen Garg considering the sensitivity of the matter and its potential implications for public order and governance credibility." "We will request the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court to set up a fast-track court/ exclusive court for the day-to-day trial. We will send the cabinet decision to the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court," the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, the Assam cabinet decided to increase the daily wage of tea garden labourers of the state by Rs 30. "We have decided to increase the daily wage of tea garden labourers by Rs 30 with effect from 1st April 2026. For this, the daily wage of Brahmaputra Valley tea garden labourers will be Rs 280. When the BJP government was formed in Assam at that time, the daily wage of tea garden labourers was Rs 116. In Barak Valley, the earlier daily wage was Rs 228, and now it will be increased to Rs 258. This is an interim measure. I hope that it will cross Rs 300 following final approval. After the implementation of the Labour Code, it will be increased," Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The state cabinet approved the disbursement of a consolidated amount of Rs 9000 per beneficiary in March 2026 to approximately 39.70 lakh beneficiaries under the Orunodoi Scheme. The total estimated financial outlay for this disbursement shall be within the available budget of approximately Rs. 3600 crore. "The state cabinet has approved the re-appointment of 57 Nos. JE(C) under regulation 3(f), PWD, whose services ceased to exist vide Notification No. E-504076/60 Dated 20.11.2025 and were unable to qualify in the recent selection through APSC for 650 Nos. of posts of JE(C), PWD.The 57 Nos. of JE(C) under regulation 3(f), have been rendering their service in the PWD Department since 2019. Consequently, they have acquired significant technical expertise in the workings of the department. Re-appointment under regulation 3(f) will help in retaining these experienced and technically sound manpower in the department. The state cabinet has decided to allot land under Mission Basundhara to 326 beneficiaries," he said. The state cabinet accorded Administrative Approval to the work "College of Agriculture, Patharkandi, Sribhumi District, Assam" amounting to Rs.122,22,11,000.00 only. The establishment of this institution will not only strengthen higher education capacity in the Barak Valley but also enhance technical support for farmers, Agri-startups and rural youth across the district and its adjoining regions. The state cabinet approved the grant of customised incentives under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA), 2019 (as amended), to M/s Bharat A to Z Private Limited for setting up an Integrated Shipyard and Container Shipping Line at Dharapur, Guwahati, based strictly on the recommendations of the Empowered Committee, for the approved investment of Rs. 475.00 crore. The project is expected to generate direct employment for about 900 persons, along with substantial indirect employment in allied services. The state cabinet approved the grant of customised incentives and facilitative support to M/s Hotel Polo Towers Limited for setting up a 100-room luxury 5-star Hotel at Silchar with a total investment of Rs. 103.92 crore, under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA), 2019 (as amended). The project is expected to generate direct employment for about 200 persons, along with substantial indirect employment in allied services such as transport, housekeeping, food supply chains, and retail activities. The state cabinet approved the raising of a loan amounting Rs. 519 crore by the Government of Assam from NABARD for 241 nos. of projects sanctioned under RIDF-XXXI against the Public Works (Roads) and Border Protection & Development Department. This will benefit primarily Sixth schedule districts and inter-state border areas. The state cabinet approved the issuance of a notification under the Assam Value Added Tax Act, 2003 to reduce the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 23.65 paise to 18.65 paise in the rupee. The reduction in VAT will enhance Assam's competitiveness in the aviation sector, promote greater flight operations, and boost the tourism industry. Increased air connectivity is anticipated to generate positive multiplier effects across hospitality, trade, transport, and allied service sectors. The cabinet decided to disburse the 2nd instalment of MMUA from 11 March, 2026. The state cabinet also approved the scheme ASHA Express, which aims to provide two-wheelers (scooties) to each functioning/active 33,656 ASHAs and 2,570 ASHA Supervisors. This will not only ease their mobility but also motivate them to work with greater dedication and efficiency, while ensuring the timely delivery of health services. The Cabinet has decided to provide the wife of late Rajib Sadiya, namely Upasana Bokoliyal Gogoi, a Grade III government job. 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
27 February,2026 10:44 AM IST | Guwahati (Assam) | ANIUnion Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Bihar's Seemanchal region, is scheduled to chair a high-level meeting on the India-Nepal border issues in Purnea district on Friday. The meeting will be attended by senior officials of the Bihar Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs, sources said. The home minister arrived in Bihar on Wednesday. In Araria, Shah had on Thursday called for a detailed plan of action for removing encroachments in areas close to the Nepal border in Bihar, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to infiltration. The directions were issued at a meeting held at the Araria collectorate, attended by administrative and police officers from six other border districts -- West Champaran, East Champaran, Supaul, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj and Madhubani. Union Minister Nityanand Rai, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperation were also present in the meeting. Shah had launched projects worth over Rs 175 crore of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in the Sikti block of Araria, where he expressed concern over infiltration, demographic changes and encroachments in border areas. The union home minister is scheduled to conclude his three-day tour of Bihar on Friday. The Seemanchal region comprises Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar and Supaul districts of Bihar. It has a sizable minority population. 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
27 February,2026 10:36 AM IST | Patna | PTIKolkata Metro Railway (KMR) introduced India’s first battery backup system as it commissioned a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the underground stretch of the Blue Line. To enhance operational resilience, KMR has deployed a 4 MW/6.4 MWh battery energy storage. As per reports, the stored power can move stranded trains at speeds of up to 55 kmph from mid-tunnel to the next station in case of a power failure. 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
27 February,2026 09:33 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesA dramatic standoff unfolded between the Delhi Police and the Himachal Pradesh Police on Wednesday after the Delhi Police arrested three Indian Youth Congress members from a hotel in the Rohru area of Shimla district in connection with an FIR registered on February 20 over the protest at Bharat Mandapam. While the Delhi Police maintained that they had secured a valid transit remand from a local court in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh Police alleged procedural lapses and registered a kidnapping case against unidentified Delhi Police personnel. The drama ended the next day and a Delhi Police team returned to the national capital with arrested Youth Congress workers. 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
27 February,2026 09:21 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a “complete blanket ban” on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT’s Std VIII social science book as it contains “offending” contents on corruption in the judiciary. SC observed that there appeared to be a “deep-rooted conspiracy” and “calculated move” to undermine the institution. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday expressed anguish over NCERT and promised to fix accountability and take action. 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
27 February,2026 09:19 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesTelangana’s monthly salary and pension bill has surged four-fold in a decade to around Rs 6000 crore and according to state chief secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, the spike comes amid top government engineers in power utilities drawing up to Rs 7 lakh per month, while senior sanitation workers in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) earning close to Rs 2 lakh a month after long years of service and revisions. Rao said that salary and pensions of workers have expanded 300 per cent due to successive pay revisions, which also clashed with election cycles and led to a surge in expenditures. 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
27 February,2026 09:13 AM IST | Hyderabad | AgenciesThe Congress on Thursday described Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s address to the Israeli Parliament as an “unabashed defence of his host” Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and one that “diminished India’s moral standing”, news agency PTI reported. Hitting out at Modi, the Opposition party also recalled India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s July 1947 reply to Albert Einstein’s letter to him on the subject of the creation of Israel. Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards “just and durable peace” in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that “terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere”. “I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 (2023)... India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi said. Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh denounced the speech and dwelt at length on Nehru’s words. “In his address to the Knesset yesterday, which was an unabashed defence of his host, Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born,” he said in a post on X. Ramesh then cited Einstein’s letter to Nehru dated June 13, 1947, on the subject of the creation of Israel Ramesh said Nehru had replied to Einstein a month later and also recalled that the two met at Einstein’s home in Princeton on November 5, 1949. He further noted that in November 1952, Einstein was offered the Presidency of Israel, which he declined. Shortly before his death in April 1955, the two leaders had also exchanged letters on nuclear explosions and weapons, Ramesh pointed out. Referring to Nehru’s July 11, 1947 reply, Ramesh said India’s first Prime Minister had expressed sympathy for both Jews and Arabs, observing that the issue had become deeply emotional and charged on both sides. Nehru had argued that unless leaders on either side were large-hearted enough to arrive at a solution that was just and broadly acceptable to all concerned, there could be no effective resolution. He had written that although he had studied the Palestine question in some detail, he did not claim full knowledge or authority to pronounce a final solution. While acknowledging the remarkable work done by the Jews in Palestine and the progress achieved there, Nehru had wondered why they had failed to secure the goodwill of the Arabs. He questioned the wisdom of compelling the Arabs to accept certain demands against their will. PM Modi Israel visit: Ramesh invokes Nehru’s Palestine view, shares Israeli activist’s sharp critique According to Ramesh, Nehru had cautioned that the prevailing approach would only prolong the conflict rather than resolve it, adding that responsibility for the situation did not rest with one side alone, as all parties had erred. The chief difficulty had been the continuation of British rule in Palestine, Nehru said. In another post, Ramesh cited criticism of the PM’s address by Eitay Mack, a well-known Israeli lawyer and human rights activist. “He (Mack) has exposed the sham of the Prime Minister’s much heralded (in the godi media) address to the Knesset yesterday that diminished India’s moral standing,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader shared a post carrying Mack’s remarks in an article in which he was critical of Modi’s address. (With PTI inputs)
26 February,2026 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
