The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached the Delhi High Court (HC) challenging the order of the Rouse Avenue Court discharging all the 23 accused, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in the 2022 Delhi Excise policy case, news agency IANS reported. The central agency has filed a criminal revision petition assailing the trial court’s detailed order, which declined to frame charges in the corruption matter and held that the prosecution had failed to make out even a prima facie case for trial. Earlier in the day, Special Judge (PC Act) Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court, in a judgment spanning over 1,100 paragraphs, ruled that the case presented by the CBI was “wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny” and stood “discredited in its entirety”, IANS reported. The court observed that after a comprehensive review of the voluminous records and depositions of nearly 300 prosecution witnesses, no material surfaced to raise even a “grave suspicion” against the accused. It further noted that compelling the accused to undergo a full-fledged trial in the absence of legally admissible evidence would amount to a “manifest miscarriage of justice” and an abuse of the criminal process, IANS reported. The matter relates to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 introduced by the then AAP-led government in the national capital, which was later withdrawn following allegations of corruption, kickbacks and policy manipulation. Delhi Excise Policy Case: Trial court rejects ‘overarching conspiracy’ theory The CBI had alleged that the policy was designed to favour certain private liquor companies, including the so-called “South Group”, in return for alleged upfront bribes that were purportedly diverted for electoral purposes. According to the agency, irregularities in the formulation and execution of the policy resulted in undue benefits to licensees and losses to the public exchequer. However, the trial court rejected the “theory of an overarching conspiracy”, stating that contemporaneous records indicated the policy was formulated through a consultative and deliberative process after stakeholder consultations and in accordance with prescribed legal procedures. Soon after the discharge order, Kejriwal termed the case “false and fabricated” and reaffirmed his faith in the judiciary, saying “Satyamev Jayate”. Sisodia was seen consoling him as party supporters assembled outside the court complex. The CBI, meanwhile, has maintained that several facets of the probe were either overlooked or not adequately appreciated by the trial court and has now sought reconsideration of the findings before the Delhi HC. (With IANS inputs)
27 February,2026 06:44 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndustrialist Anil Ambani on Friday did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) despite being summoned for questioning in a money laundering case, reported the ANI. Anil Ambani had earlier appeared at the agency’s headquarters in Delhi on Thursday and recorded his statement before investigators at around 11 am. The questioning is part of an ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to group companies. The fresh summons came after the ED attached Anil Ambani’s residential property ‘Abode’ in Mumbai’s Pali Hill area, valued at Rs 3,716.83 crore. The attachment was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Earlier, a portion of the same property worth Rs 473.17 crore had already been attached. With this action, the cumulative attachment of assets in cases linked to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group has crossed Rs 15,700 crore, according to agency sources, as per the ANI. Probe linked to RCOM case The money laundering investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The FIR names Reliance Communications (RCOM), Anil Ambani and others under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. According to the ED, RCOM and its group companies availed loans from domestic and foreign lenders between 2010 and 2012. The total outstanding dues are estimated at Rs 40,185 crore. The agency alleges that more than Rs 14,000 crore relates to loan fraud under investigation, according to the ANI. The Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, had earlier informed Parliament that the State Bank of India (SBI) classified RCOM and Anil Ambani as “fraudulent” under RBI guidelines. Alleged diversion of funds The ED has alleged that loans raised by one group entity were used to repay borrowings of other companies, routed through related parties, or invested in mutual funds in violation of loan terms. Investigators claim that over Rs 13,600 crore was diverted for alleged evergreening of loans, Rs 12,600 crore was funnelled to connected parties and around Rs 1,800 crore was invested in fixed deposits and mutual funds and later rerouted, reported the ANI. The agency has also alleged misuse of bill discounting facilities and possible siphoning of funds abroad through foreign remittances. RCOM is also accused of cheating Canara Bank of over Rs 1,050 crore. Undisclosed foreign bank accounts and overseas assets are reportedly under examination. Other attachments and findings Last year, the ED attached over 132 acres of land in Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City in Navi Mumbai worth Rs 4,462.81 crore under PMLA provisions. Investigators have also examined transactions involving investments in AT-1 bonds of YES Bank by group-linked entities, and alleged diversion of funds through inter-corporate deposits, as per the PTI. The ED has stated that it remains committed to pursuing financial crime cases and ensuring recovery of proceeds of crime. The probe is based on offences registered under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the news agency reported. Five banks have reportedly declared certain group loan accounts as fraudulent. The investigation is ongoing. (with ANI inputs)
27 February,2026 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTremors were felt in Kolkata and adjacent districts of West Bengal on Friday afternoon, after an earthquake of 5.5 magnitude on the Richter Scale jolted parts of Bangladesh, officials said. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: People evacuate buildings and take to the streets after earthquake tremors were felt in the state capital city and surrounding districts.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) https://t.co/mR9TuU9vMM pic.twitter.com/UXgwa2ml7i — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 27, 2026 The quake was felt at around 1.22 pm, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. It was recorded at a depth of 10 km below Earth's surface. The epicentre of the quake was at a place named Nayabazar in Bangladesh, some 100 km from Kolkata, he said. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, another official said. The tremors lasted for some 10 seconds, throwing people in Kolkata into a tizzy, who then sought the safety of open streets and began to scurry out of their buildings. No aftershocks of the quake were immediately felt after the first bout of the shock. Panic gripped government employees working at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the assembly house and at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, who continued to remain on the streets in apprehension of aftershocks. Similar scenes were witnessed at the city's IT hub in Salt Lake and at multi-storey residential buildings in various parts of Kolkata.
27 February,2026 03:35 PM IST | Kolkata | PTIIndia hosted AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, focusing on human-centric AI, global cooperation, and ethical frameworks such as the New Delhi Declaration. The summit, focusing on AI development in India and across the globe, brought together global leaders, policymakers, technology experts, innovators, and startup founders to deliberate on the future of artificial intelligence and its responsible deployment, reported IANS. AI Summit 2026: Major announcements and commitments The recently concluded AI Summit 2026 saw major investment commitments, with global companies and governments pledging USD 200 billion for AI-related projects and infrastructure in India during the event in New Delhi. Key initiatives Expansion of affordable AI computing infrastructure, including massive GPU clusters for startups and researchers. New platforms for secure and privacy-preserving AI development, particularly in sectors such as health and public services. PM Modi hails AI India Summit 2026 While addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme after the conclusion of AI Summit 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, during his programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ said, "This is a strong platform to bring forth achievements of the country and its people. One such achievement was recently seen during the AI Impact Summit that was held in Delhi. Leaders, industrialists, innovators and people from the startup sectors arrived in the Bharat Mandapam for this summit." India reinforces its global stand in AI While the AI summit was not just about the investments and bringing AI giants to India, it was also about showcasing India’s hold in AI on a global stage. Expressing his views on the positive impact on India’s AI sector, Jaspreet Bindra, co-founder of AI & Beyond, said, “India’s positioning was reinforced by lived digital success stories. The integration of AI with digital public infrastructure, combined with strong public optimism, showed that AI is no longer being discussed as a future possibility but as a present-day enabler across governance, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship.” Google and OpenAI eye India as an integral spot for AI data centres Amid the recent development in the artificial intelligence sector, where giants like Google and OpenAI are eyeing rapid expansion, they are treating India as a strategic location for next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure, signalling a major shift in the global AI computing landscape. Highlighting India’s role in expanding the AI computing landscape at a global level, the former Regional Director at Microsoft India, Jaspreet Bindra, also emphasised, “India offers a unique environment where AI systems can be built, tested, and refined in real-world conditions across languages, industries, and socioeconomic settings. This makes the country an ideal proving ground for AI solutions that are meant to work globally, not just in controlled or mature markets.” (With IANS inputs)
27 February,2026 02:45 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged India Inc to step up investments and innovation, emphasising that the government has already laid a strong foundation through policy reforms and increased capital expenditure, reported news agency PTI. Addressing the first post-Budget webinar on ‘Technology, Reforms and Finance for Viksit Bharat’, PM Modi said the private sector must now take the lead in driving India’s next phase of globally competitive growth. “India Inc should come forward with fresh investment and innovation,” he said, calling for closer collaboration between industry, financial institutions, and policymakers, reported PTI. Capital Expenditure Surge Signals Investment Opportunity Highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure-led growth, PM Modi noted that public capital expenditure has risen sharply from Rs 2 lakh crore 11 years ago to over Rs 12 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026-27, reported PTI. He said this sustained increase in spending across sectors such as highways, railways, ports, airports, energy, and digital infrastructure is intended to crowd in private investment and enhance long-term productivity. The Prime Minister added that the higher allocation should serve as a strong signal for businesses to invest with renewed confidence and take advantage of Budget announcements. Focus on Reforms, Technology and Delivery Excellence PM Modi stressed that while policy intent is crucial, effective implementation is equally important. He called for improving project appraisal systems and strengthening sanction methodologies to ensure faster execution, reported PTI. He also highlighted the role of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in governance and financial systems. India’s resilience over the past decade, he said, has been driven by consistent reforms, ease of doing business initiatives, and technology-led governance. Proposal for ‘Reform Partnership Charter’ To deepen collaboration, PM Modi proposed the creation of a ‘Reform Partnership Charter’ involving government, industry, financial institutions, and academia. The initiative aims to ensure that reforms translate into measurable outcomes on the ground, reported PTI. He also pointed to investor-friendly measures such as simplified foreign investment frameworks and efforts to deepen the bond market, while suggesting the development of low-risk financial instruments to attract sustained global capital. Describing the Union Budget as a long-term policy roadmap rather than a short-term document, PM Modi said its success should be judged on tangible outcomes rather than immediate market reactions, reported PTI. He concluded by urging stakeholders to use post-Budget webinars as platforms for meaningful brainstorming, ensuring that policy announcements are effectively converted into real-world achievements aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. (With inputs from PTI)
27 February,2026 02:40 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to ensure that open prisons function as meaningful and effective institutions of reformation and rehabilitation, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed all states and Union territories to develop a time-bound protocol for filling up existing vacancies in Open Correctional Institutions (OCI) and open barracks. Semi-open or open prisons allow convicts to work outside the premises during the day to earn a livelihood and return in the evening. The concept was introduced to assimilate convicts with society and reduce psychological pressure as they faced difficulties in leading normal lives outside. Issuing a slew of directions, the top court said prisons are institutions of correction, where dignity, self-respect and social reintegration are not aspirational ideals but constitutional necessities.A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed the states and Union territories (UTs) to submit the protocol to their respective monitoring committees within a period of three months. It said all states and UTs shall ensure that OCIs do not function merely as labour camps or spaces of custodial convenience. "Ensure that the identified vacancies are filled within a further period of two months thereafter, subject to eligibility and security considerations. The compliance report shall be placed before the Monitoring Committee within one month thereafter," the bench said. The court also took note of under-representation of women prisoners from OCIs and directed all states and UTs to develop protocol for restructuring existing OCIs to allocate adequate capacity for female prisoners. The directions came on a PIL regarding overcrowding in prisons and the functioning of OCIs. Recognising the absence of uniformity in governance, eligibility norms, rehabilitation facilities and management of OCIs, the apex court constituted a high-powered committee for reform and governance of Open Correctional Institutions with former Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat as executive chairperson. The objective of the committee is formulation of common minimum standards for the governance, administration and management of OCIs, including eligibility criteria, living conditions, etc, the bench said. The court said the directions were being issued to ensure that equality, non-discrimination and the right to live with dignity, as guaranteed under articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution, is meaningfully realised in the administration of prisons across the country. The enduring strength of a constitutional democracy lies not in the severity of punishments, but in its commitment to restore dignity, hope and opportunity even to those who have transgressed the law, the court said. "Prisoners do not cease to be bearers of constitutional rights upon incarceration, and the state's obligation to treat them with humanity, fairness and compassion stands heightened where liberty is lawfully curtailed," the bench said. The top court directed that all states and UTs to take proactive and time-bound steps to expand open correctional infrastructure by establishing new OCIs, and creating open and semi-open barracks within existing closed prisons. "Each state and Union territory through its Prisons and Correctional Services Department shall undertake a comprehensive assessment of its prison infrastructure within a period of three months," the bench said. For effective compliance and monitoring, the top court directed all the high courts to register a suo motu writ petition for monitoring the compliance with the present judgment within their respective jurisdictions. 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 02:31 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, former Chief Minister and senior AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS) formally joined the DMK on Friday. Panneerselvam joined the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai. As reported by news agency IANS, Panneerselvam, who had been expelled from the AIADMK amid an intense internal power struggle, had subsequently launched the AIADMK Volunteers’ Rights Recovery Committee and began functioning independently. Despite several attempts to re-enter the AIADMK fold, his efforts were firmly rejected by party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), who publicly clarified that there was no possibility of Panneerselvam being readmitted into the party. However, in the last few years, political observers had noted a gradual thaw in relations between Panneerselvam and the DMK leadership. Earlier on July 3, 2025, during a padayatra, Panneerselvam met Chief Minister Stalin and later visited his residence the same evening to enquire about his well-being. The meeting then sparked speculation about a potential political realignment. Subsequently, on the final day of the recent interim budget session on February 20, Panneerselvam again met the Chief Minister, further fuelling rumours of an impending shift. Panneerselvam puts an end to all the speculations Putting an end to weeks of speculation, Panneerselvam arrived at Anna Arivalayam along with his supporters and formally enrolled himself as a member of the DMK. Upon his arrival, Chief Minister Stalin welcomed OPS into the party in what is being viewed as a major realignment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Panneerselvam’s entry into DMK might have ripple effects Panneerselvam, a three-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2001-2002, 2014-2015, and 2016-2017) and long-time confidant of the late AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, has played a pivotal role in state politics for over two decades. His entry into the DMK is likely to have ripple effects within the AIADMK and could influence caste and regional equations, particularly in the southern districts where he enjoys considerable support. Political analysts say the move signals a strategic consolidation by the ruling DMK while marking a dramatic chapter in the evolving power dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics. (With inputs from IANS)
27 February,2026 02:27 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentA Delhi court on Friday granted bail to all 14 Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students who were arrested during a march from the varsity campus to the Union Ministry of Education (MoE). The accused, including three office-bearers of the JNU Students’ Union, were produced before the Patiala House Court after being arrested during a confrontation with police on Thursday. The court granted bail to all 14 students on a bond of Rs 25,000 each. During the hearing, the Delhi Police submitted that judicial custody of the accused was necessary to carry forward the investigation, claiming that the protest had turned violent. According to the police, around 300 protesters attempted to take out a “Long March” without permission. When police personnel tried to stop them by putting up barricades, the protesters allegedly engaged in scuffles and assaulted officers. The police maintained that the demonstration was not peaceful and that several personnel sustained injuries during the clash. The investigating agency further informed the court that several of the accused had previously been involved in protests where force was allegedly used and that four separate FIRs had been registered earlier in connection with similar incidents. Opposing the plea for judicial custody, counsel for the accused submitted that the students were willing to cooperate with the investigation and were prepared to furnish a written undertaking to that effect before the court. After hearing both sides, the court granted bail to all 14 accused on furnishing bail bonds of Rs 25,000 each. The confrontation occurred on Thursday after students attempted to march outside the JNU campus despite the university administration stating that no permission had been granted for protests beyond the varsity premises. The Delhi Police have maintained that the protesters resorted to violence, including physical assault on officers, while the students and the JNU Teachers Association condemned “excessive use of force and violation of democratic rights”. 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 01:34 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAround 6,000 chickens were culled in Patna after the Animal Resource Department found the poultry birds infected with avian influenza. Officials said the infected birds were found at the Poultry Research and Training Centre operated by Bihar Animal Sciences University in Kaushal Nagar, Chitkohra, near the airport area. Following laboratory confirmation, the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department ordered immediate culling and burial of all chickens at the facility. The entire locality has since been sanitised, and residents have been advised to follow strict precautionary measures. On the instructions of the Patna District Magistrate, the movement of chickens and roosters into and out of the municipal limits has been completely banned. The district administration has declared a 1-kilometer radius around the affected poultry farm as an infection zone and a 9-kilometer radius as a surveillance zone. Entry of eggs, poultry birds and feed into these areas has been prohibited unless accompanied by proper sanitisation certification. Given the dense population around the Chitkohra bridge near the airport, surveillance has been intensified. A check-post has been established in Kaushal Nagar, with personnel from Shastri Nagar and bypass police stations deployed for round-the-clock monitoring. Entry into the poultry farm area without masks has been strictly prohibited. As a precaution, the administration of Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan has strengthened preventive arrangements. Visitors are allowed to view peacocks and other birds only from a minimum distance of eight feet. Insecticide spraying is being carried out around bird enclosures, chemical disinfectants are being used at entry gates, and staff members have been provided masks. Zoo authorities confirmed that no case of bird flu has been reported within the premises so far. As part of containment measures, poultry farming has been banned for two months in the affected and surrounding areas. Movement of people near the infection zone has also been restricted. 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 01:33 PM IST | Patna | IANSExpelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday joined Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) in the presence of party chief and CM MK Stalin in Chennai. Along with OPS, his son P Ravindhranath Kumar also joined DMK ahead of the forthcoming Tamil Nadu polls. O Panneerselvam was expelled from the party after a leadership tussle with Edappadi K Palaniswami back in 2022. This comes after Panneerselvam's praise for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his prediction regarding the return of the DMK government in the state. On Friday, Tamil Nadu MLA P Ayyappan, who is seen as part of former CM O Paneerselvam's camp, expressed his desire to see M. Stalin lead the state again following the next assembly polls. Ayyappan stated in the Assembly that M K Stalin must once again become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He further said, "The Breakfast Scheme was introduced with a visionary outlook. For small children who come to primary schools, the Chief Minister provides hot meals like a mother." "Those who once raised slogans claiming that the Chief Minister had merely given Rs 5,000 are nowhere to be seen today. As long as Tamil Nadu exists, the Breakfast Scheme will continue to praise the Chief Minister. In the upcoming election, M.K. Stalin should once again win and return as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. With the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, and with the wishes of our elder brother O. Panneerselvam, I express my gratitude at this moment," Ayyappan added. Earlier this week, NDA ally and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran hit back at OPS, saying he's got the right to choose alliances, but can't drag Jayalalithaa's name into it. He called out OPS's remarks about CM MK Stalin getting blessings from Amma and Puratchi Thalaivar as unacceptable. He further said, "As far as O Panneerselvam is concerned, he has every right, in his personal capacity, to decide which alliance he wants to join or contest with. However, the remarks he made in the Legislative Assembly, suggesting that Stalin of the DMK would return to power with the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar and Amma, are unacceptable to me and to any of Jayalalithaa's loyal supporters. We will not accept statements that bring disrepute to the legacy and honour of our leaders." The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Actor-turned-politician Vijay's entry with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to turn the Tamil Nadu polls into a three-way contest. In the 2021 polls, the DMK won 133 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. Congress won 18, PMK won five, VCK won four, and others won eight seats. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by DMK, which consisted of Congress, won 159 seats collectively. While the NDA won 75 seats, the AIADMK emerged as the largest party in the alliance with 66 seats. 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 01:32 PM IST | Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | ANIAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said three persons have been arrested for allegedly smuggling banned Yaba tablets worth around Rs 4 crore and liquor in two separate operations by the state police. He lauded the police personnel for the successful operations. "Hidden compartments in cars won't hide crime," Sarma said in a post on X on Thursday. He said 80,000 Yaba tablets, worth around Rs 4 crore, were recovered from a secret chamber of a vehicle in Bagori. Two persons were arrested in this connection, Sarma said. Yaba tablets are banned in India as they contain methamphetamine, a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In another operation at Digorkhal in Cachar district, 81 cartons with bottles containing 819 litres of illegal Indian Made Foreign Liquor were "recovered from a hidden hold" of a vehicle, the CM said. One person was arrested along with the seized liquor bottles, he added. 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 01:32 PM IST | Guwahati | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1772115726105_d.png "Supreme Court calls prisons ‘institutions of correction,’ not custodial spaces. File Pic")
