India News Live Updates, 27 October 2026: Delhi fights dust with sprinklers, anti-smog guns; AQI stays ‘moderate’

Water sprinklers turn scorching street into a moment of cool relief, at ITO in New Delhi. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

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.

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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.

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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 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.