A 25-year-old man was killed, and six others were injured when a freight train collided with a pickup vehicle in Madhya Pradesh Anuppur district, officials said on Friday.

The incident happened late Thursday night, police said. The accident occurred near Sanjay Nagar Double Story in the Chachai police station area when the pickup, carrying seven people returning to their village after delivering DJ equipment, was hit by a train heading towards Sangwa siding to collect coal for the Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant.

The deceased, Ravi Barman, a resident of Chakethi village, was trapped inside the vehicle and died on the spot. The impact was so severe that his head was severed from his body. His body was later removed with the help of a JCB machine.

The six injured, including the pickup driver, were taken to the district hospital in Anuppur. They were later assured better treatment in Jabalpur.

The pickup driver said the crossing had neither a railway gate nor a gatekeeper. The injured were identified as Arjun Kol (17), Vikas Singh (22), Shivam Baig (18), Kanhaiya Verma (25), Karan Kol (19) and Rajesh Singh (26). All six are residents of Chakaithi village.

According to police, several occupants jumped out after seeing the approaching locomotive, but Ravi got trapped inside the vehicle and could not escape.

The locomotive pilot reportedly fled the spot, leaving the engine running.

The accident raised questions about safety arrangements along the railway line used for transporting coal.

Following the accident, Ravi’s family demanded compensation and a job for one of his brothers at the power plant.

After a meeting involving district and police officials, villagers and power plant representatives, assurances were given that compensation would be provided as per applicable rules, and a gate would be installed at the crossing.

Anuppur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Sujit Kumar said the body would be sent for post-mortem examination, and an accidental death case would be registered. “Further action will be taken after the investigation,” he said.

Adani Power Ltd — India’s largest private thermal power generator — on Friday reported a 141.5 per cent year-on-year jump in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 7,019.32 crore for the second quarter of FY27, compared to Rs 2,906.46 crore in Q2FY26.

Total reported revenue rose 39.4 per cent to Rs 19,950.60 crore from Rs 14,307.79 crore a year ago, while reported EBITDA jumped 45.7 per cent to Rs 8,743.22 crore.

On a continuing operations basis, revenue from operations grew 29.8 per cent to Rs 17,014.06 crore, while continuing EBITDA was up 18.5 per cent to Rs 6,320.97 crore.

Apart from that, PAT nearly doubled to Rs 11,885.92 crore from Rs 6,211.59 crore in H1 FY27, while reported revenue rose 36 per cent to Rs 39,272.90 crore.

Commenting on the results, CEO S B Khyalia said, “Adani Power continues to grow from strength to strength, achieving newer milestones in profitability and project execution. The primacy of domestic coal-based power in meeting India’s long-term power needs has become clearer every day.”

On industry trends, the company said India’s power demand grew 11.5 per cent to 502 BU in Q2 FY27, with coal and lignite-based generation accounting for 66 per cent of supply. Peak demand reached 270 GW, up 18 per cent year-on-year.

The company sold 26.4 billion units (BU) in Q2 FY27, up from 23.7 BU a year ago. Plant Load Factor (PLF) improved to 70.1 per cent from 62.8 per cent, while operating capacity stood at 18,150 MW.

Meanwhile, power sales under PPAs grew 29.7 per cent to 23.4 BU, with tariff realisation improving 12.7 per cent to Rs 6.4/kWh.

Merchant and short-term realisation improved 33.1 per cent to Rs 7.2/kWh, though volumes were 43 per cent lower due to incremental tie-ups of open capacity in medium-term contracts.

Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra President and MLA Abu Asim Azmi on Friday said the BJP’s days were numbered, claiming that people across the country were fed up with it and expressing confidence that his party would win the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters, Azmi said his party was preparing its electoral strategy and hoped the BJP would have to relinquish power.

“Their days are numbered. The entire country is fed up with them. Only a few days remain, so let them say whatever they want. The Samajwadi Party is certain to win the 2027 elections. We are preparing our strategy, and we hope they will have to step down and leave their positions,” he said.

Criticising the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Azmi alleged that the state was facing serious law and order problems and that people from different sections of society were struggling.

“What can they even say? Look at the condition they have brought Uttar Pradesh to. The law and order situation here is terrible. Can’t they see what is happening? Everyone is worried. They (the BJP) have created an atmosphere of lawlessness, and there is no rule of law left. Farmers are distressed, young people are struggling, schools are shutting down, and people are being made to suffer,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav also expressed confidence in his party’s performance in the biennial Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections, citing favourable voter responses in several constituencies.

After casting his vote in Etawah, Yadav said the response was in favour of the SP in Etawah, Firozabad, Agra, and Aligarh. He expressed confidence that both party candidates would emerge victorious, naming Akash Agarwal as the candidate for the Teachers’ constituency and expressing optimism about the party’s prospects in the Graduates’ constituency as well.

Meanwhile, polling was underway for 11 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.

A total of 152 candidates are contesting six seats in the Teachers’ constituencies and five in the Graduates’ constituencies. Authorities have established 2,697 polling stations for approximately 14.28 lakh eligible voters. Polling will continue until 4 p.m., while counting is scheduled for October 27.

Elections are not being held in Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao, where the terms of the respective MLCs extend until 2029.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are expected to be held in February-March 2027 to elect all 403 members of the state Legislative Assembly.