India News Live Updates, 27 October 2026: Supreme Court defers journalist Siddique Kappan’s plea for passport release to November 2

Meanwhile, Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam with wind gusts up to 140 kmph by Wednesday forenoon, the IMD warned.

27 Oct 2026, 02:55 · The Indian Express · Join

Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan was arrested in October 2020 while travelling to Hathras to report on the gangrape and murder of a Dalit woman. (Source: File)

Kappan was arrested in October 2020 while travelling to Hathras to report on the gangrape and murder of a Dalit woman. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2022, subject to several conditions, including depositing his passport with the investigating agency.

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Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra coast by tomorrow morning, heavy rain likely

Thousands of people have been evacuated along eastern coast and some train services cancelled ahead of the landfall of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, expected by Wednesday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm was likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with maximum sustained wind speeds of up to 125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned of heavy rainfall in north coastal districts, particularly Srikakulam, along with strong winds. The cyclone was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 2.30 am today and was moving west-northwestwards at 25 kmph. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain urged people to remain alert and follow safety precautions.

CBI summons Uttarakhand journalist Ashutosh Negi in Ankita Bhandari murder case

The CBI has summoned journalist and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Democratic) leader Ashutosh Negi for questioning today in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Negi, who is in Delhi, has been asked to appear at the agency’s CGO Complex headquarters. He was among the first to move the Uttarakhand High Court in October 2022 seeking a CBI probe into the 19-year-old’s killing. The summons comes as the agency looks into allegations of an unidentified VIP’s involvement, which resurfaced after actress Urmila Sanawar circulated an audio clip. Pulkit Arya and two associates were convicted of the murder in May 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Counting begins for 19 Legislative Council seats in Bihar, UP

Vote counting for 19 Legislative Council seats across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh began at 8 am today with tight security. The elections cover eight seats in Bihar, comprising four graduates’ and four teachers’ constituencies, and 11 seats in Uttar Pradesh, including five graduates’ and six teachers’ constituencies.

In Bihar, 150 candidates are contesting the eight seats and polling on October 23 recorded an 82.85% turnout in teachers’ constituencies and 53.42% in graduates’ seats. The BJP and its ally JD(U) have fielded candidates for four seats each, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is contesting all eight.

In Uttar Pradesh, counting is being held across seven cities – Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly and Gorakhpur. Authorities have made security arrangements and put CCTV surveillance and videography measures in place. The counting process may take longer as the elections follow the single transferable vote system under proportional representation.

Delhi uses sprinklers, anti-smog guns; AQI stays ‘moderate’

Air quality in the national capital is in the ‘moderate’ category today, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 147, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Water sprinklers and anti-smog guns were deployed to curb dust pollution in the national capital, including on Krishna Menon Marg and Sunahari Bagh Road.

Live Updates
Oct 27, 2026 02:15 PM IST
Kerala child rights panel registers case after toddler steers moving car

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights registered a case after a toddler was allegedly allowed to steer a moving car while sitting on his father’s lap in Kazhakkoottam, Thiruvananthapuram.

The vehicle was travelling at 80-100 kmph on the Kazhakkoottam airport road. Acting on media reports, the panel sought reports from the District Police Chief and the Regional Transport Officer.

The incident, captured on video by occupants of another car, comes less than a day after a person was killed in an accident involving a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old, raising concerns over road safety and underage driving.

Oct 27, 2026 01:56 PM IST
Supreme Court defers journalist Siddique Kappan’s plea for passport release to November 2

The Supreme Court deferred to November 2 the hearing on Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan’s plea seeking the release of his passport, which he had deposited as a condition of bail in the Hathras conspiracy case. The hearing was adjourned after Uttar Pradesh’s standing counsel sought time to obtain instructions on the application. Kappan was arrested in October 2020 while travelling to Hathras to report on the gangrape and murder of a Dalit woman. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2022, subject to several conditions, including depositing his passport with the investigating agency.

Oct 27, 2026 01:55 PM IST
2 Lucknow police personnel suspended after three killed in parking dispute

Two Lucknow cops were suspended after a parking row ended in the killing of three Tiwari family members. One of them was an RSS district functionary. An FIR naming eight people has been registered on the complaint of Shivendra’s wife, Ruchi Tiwari, including charges of murder and rioting under the BNS. Family members held a protest demanding justice, joined by several BJP leaders. UP BJP general secretary Abhijaat Mishra said police knew the accused and could have averted the tragedy, demanding action against the entire police station.

Oct 27, 2026 01:16 PM IST
Supreme Court gives petitioners 10 days to respond to EC’s affidavit defending SIR

The Supreme Court gave petitioners 10 days to respond to the Election Commission’s affidavit defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The bench also issued notices to the poll panel on a fresh plea by Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, who alleged that changes were made to Form 6 during the Bihar SIR without the court’s approval.

The EC, in its 248-page affidavit, denied altering the statutory form and maintained that its decisions on the revision exercise were approved unanimously by all three Election Commissioners.

The controversy follows The Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had repeatedly objected to SIR-related decisions, triggering protests by Opposition parties and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Oct 27, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Supreme Court issues notice on plea challenging provisions of Digital Personal Data Protection Act

The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a plea filed by the Digital News Publishers Association challenging specific provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and the DPDP Rules, 2025. The petition contends that the provisions restrict the fundamental right to information and the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution.

Oct 27, 2026 11:31 AM IST
Cyclone Arnab brings heavy rain, waterlogging to parts of Odisha

Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab has caused waterlogging in several parts of Odisha’s Puri district, affecting devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple. The downpour has disrupted movement in parts of the district as the cyclone influences weather conditions along the state’s coast.

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Oct 27, 2026 11:02 AM IST
AAP won’t repeat 2022 mistake

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said the party will not repeat its earlier mistake of fielding candidates on 349 seats in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

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Oct 27, 2026 11:01 AM IST
Four new ministers join Omar Abdullah’s J-K Cabinet

Four new ministers were sworn into the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday. The expansion comes as Abdullah balances a tussle between the younger guard and seasoned veterans, the competing aspirations of Kashmir and Jammu and sub-regional demands within both regions.

Oct 27, 2026 10:45 AM IST
Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra coast by tomorrow morning, heavy rain likely

Oct 27, 2026 10:26 AM IST
Bihar: Jan Suraaj candidate raises concerns over lack of CCTV cameras at Patna counting centre

Jan Suraaj MLC candidate Anuj Singh expressed concern over the absence of CCTV cameras at the Patna Graduates’ constituency counting centre, alleging that the lack of surveillance had left candidates apprehensive. He said the party had raised the issue with the Returning Officer and also flagged unhygienic conditions in the area where counting agents were stationed. Counting for the Bihar Legislative Council elections began at Bankipur Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School in Patna, while votes for two Darbhanga constituencies are being counted at Khel Bhawan-cum-Vyayamshala Bhawan. The elections cover four graduates’ and four teachers’ constituencies.

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Oct 27, 2026 10:20 AM IST
AAP sarpanch’s son shot dead outside gurdwara in Amritsar, 4 booked

Teerth Singh, son of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch Paramjit Kaur, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Chite Kalan village in Amritsar on Monday night. He was returning from the gurdwara with his friend Ranjeet Singh when the assailants opened fire, firing around seven to eight rounds.

Teerth was declared brought dead at a hospital, while Ranjeet sustained injuries and is out of danger. Police have registered an FIR against four accused — Gurditt Singh, Gurjant Singh, Harkirat Singh alias Hockey and Gora — who are absconding. Preliminary investigations suggest an old enmity was behind the murder, and raids are underway to arrest the suspects.

Reacting to the incident, BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over the law-and-order situation in the state, saying the killing reflected the failure of the administration to ensure public safety. He demanded that the Chief Minister take responsibility or resign.

Oct 27, 2026 10:10 AM IST
Delhi fights dust with sprinklers, anti-smog guns; AQI stays ‘moderate’

Oct 27, 2026 09:59 AM IST
CBI summons Uttarakhand journalist Ashutosh Negi in Ankita Bhandari murder case

The CBI has summoned journalist and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Democratic) leader Ashutosh Negi for questioning on Tuesday, October 27, in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Negi, who is in Delhi, has been asked to appear at the agency’s CGO Complex headquarters. He was among the first to move the Uttarakhand High Court in October 2022 seeking a CBI probe into the 19-year-old’s killing. The summons comes as the agency looks into allegations of an unidentified VIP’s involvement, which resurfaced after actress Urmila Sanawar circulated an audio clip. Pulkit Arya and two associates were convicted of the murder in May 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

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Oct 27, 2026 09:12 AM IST
Traffic restrictions in central Delhi from 10 am to noon today

Traffic restrictions will be in place in central Delhi from 10 am to noon today due to VIP movement, the Delhi Traffic Police said. Diversions may be imposed at ITO Chowk, Delhi Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and IP Flyover. Several stretches, including BSZ Marg, Asaf Ali Road and roads connecting Shantivan Chowk to IP Flyover, are likely to be affected. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible. (PTI)

Oct 27, 2026 09:03 AM IST
Supreme Court to hear pleas against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, poll panel decisions on SIR

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear petitions challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and decisions taken by the Election Commission of India during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Oct 27, 2026 08:30 AM IST
Counting of votes for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats begins

Counting of votes for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats, comprising five graduates’ and six teachers’ constituencies, began at 8 am today across seven cities, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said.

The counting is in Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly and Gorakhpur under the supervision of returning officers and observers. Authorities have made arrangements for security, CCTV surveillance and videography at the counting centres. The process may take longer than usual as the elections follow the single transferable vote system under proportional representation.

Oct 27, 2026 08:28 AM IST
Bihar MLC polls counting begins for eight seats

Counting of votes for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats began at 8 am today under tight security, with 150 candidates in the fray across four graduates and four teachers constituencies.

Polling for the seats, held on October 23, recorded a turnout of 82.85 per cent in teachers constituencies and 53.42 per cent in graduates seats. The BJP is contesting four seats and its ally JD(U) the remaining four, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has fielded candidates in all eight constituencies. The terms of the eight sitting MLCs end on November 16.

Oct 27, 2026 08:28 AM IST
Delhi Police book lawyers for abusing cops, obstructing work at Shahdara station

A case has been registered against 15 to 20 lawyers for abusing police personnel and obstructing official work at Delhi’s Shahdara police station. One of the lawyers also allegedly tried to pull the station house officer (SHO) by the hand, officials said on Monday.

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