Activist Anjali Damania on Wednesday met Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla and demanded that the trial in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case be conducted in Mumbai, news agency PTI reported. The anti-corruption activist also demanded the shifting of the Beed Sarpanch murder case accused to Arthur Road Jail in the city from other jails. Damania alleged collusion between police and one of the accused, Vishnu Chate, who she claimed was shifted to Latur jail "of his choice", PTI stated. She apprised the top police officer of the prevailing atmosphere of "terror" in Beed, during her meeting in Mumbai. The activist told reporters that she also submitted details about two companies owned by Dhananjay Munde and his wife in which the minister's aide and extortion case accused Walmik Karad is a shareholder, PTI reported. Karad is an accused in the extortion case involving a windmill company linked to the Beed Sarpanch murder case. According to PTI, Damania claimed Munde may cease to be a legislator over the issue of office of profit. "The [sarpanch murder] trial should be conducted in Mumbai. The accused, Vishnu Chate, was shifted to Latur jail due to his collusion with police. He and other accused in the case should be shifted to Arthur Road Jail to break the association with police," Damania added. She further claimed that a government loan of Rs 62 crore was extended to a sugar mill in which Munde holds a stake, and requested DGP Shukla to order scrutiny by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, PTI stated. Earlier on Wednesday, Karad was remanded in 14-day judicial custody. Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in central Maharashtra's Beed district, was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9. Preliminary investigation indicated that Deshmukh had tried to resist an extortion attempt targeting an energy company. The Kej Police arrested seven persons in the murder case, including Chate, while another accused is on the run. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said those involved in the Beed Sarpanch murder case will not be spared, and sought death sentence for the accused in the "heinous" crime, news agency PTI reported. "Be it Walmik Karad or anyone else, not a single person involved will be spared. For such heinous murders, there is no other punishment than the death penalty," Shinde said. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 06:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Aditi Tatkare on Wednesday said the top leaders of the ruling Mahayuti will take a decision on the row within the ruling coalition over the appointment of district guardian ministers. After rival claims to the post emerged, the appointment of Tatkare as guardian minister of Raigad, her home district, and Girish Mahajan as guardian minister of Nashik were stayed. According to news agency PTI, when asked about Shiv Sena Minister Bharat Gogawale opposing her appointment, Tatkare said, "We trust Eknath Shinde and hope he will take an appropriate decision." Gogawale, who is from Raigad, had time and again said he was keen on the post. In Nashik too, local Shiv Sena leaders were eyeing the guardian minister's post, stated PTI. In Maharashtra, ministers are allotted a district each, in addition to various portfolios. "Expressing one's wish is no problem, but the issue is how we express it," Tatkare, the Minister for Women and Child Development, further said. "Whatever decision Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde take should be binding on all of us. In an alliance, there is a need for mutual understanding," she added. When asked about the criticism that she and her lawmaker father, state NCP chief Sunil, want to maintain a vice-like grip on Raigad district, she said, "We are elected representatives from the area." Five legislators from Konkan have found place in the cabinet which shows that the government wants to focus on the coastal region's development, Tatkare said. Maharashtra govt stays appointment of guardian ministers for Nashik, Raigad Cracks have started showing in the Mahayuti government, as a day after announcing district guardian ministers, it issued an order staying the appointments for Nashik and Raigad districts, reported news agency PTI. The general administration department issued an order to this effect on January 19. The Maharastra government announced the appointment of guardian ministers for 36 districts on Saturday, with NCP's Aditi Tatkare getting Raigad and BJP leader Girish Mahajan given the responsibility of Nashik. The appointment of guardian ministers was awaited after the formation of the new BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena government last month. Maharastra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Davos for the World Economic Forum to attract investments in the state, had to intervene, and the general administration department, which is under him, issued an order to stay the appointments for the two districts until further orders. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 06:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said those involved in the Beed Sarpanch murder case will not be spared, and sought death sentence for the accused in the "heinous" crime, news agency PTI reported. Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted and tortured to death on December 9. Preliminary investigation indicated that he had tried to resist an extortion attempt targeting an energy company operating a windmill project in the area. A political slugfest ensued after Walmik Karad, a close aide of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Minister Dhananjay Munde, was arrested on charges of extortion linked to the Beed Sarpanch murder case. Maharashtra Deputy CM Shinde described the murder of the sarpanch as "very unfortunate" and sought justice. "Be it Walmik Karad or anyone else, not a single person involved will be spared. For such heinous murders, there is no other punishment than the death penalty," Shinde said. Karad was arrested in the extortion case related to the murder after he surrendered before the police in Pune on December 31. Last week, he was charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), PTI stated. Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was killed because he was thought to be an obstacle in a plan to extort Rs 2 crore from an energy firm, and Walmik Karad was in contact with his killers when the crime was executed, the Maharashtra police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) told the court in Beed last week, reported PTI. Beed Sarpanch murder: Court sends Walmik Karad to 14-day judicial custody over extortion case A court in Maharashtra's Beed district on Wednesday remanded Walmik Karad, accused in an extortion case in connection to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, in 14-day judicial custody, PTI reported. As per PTI, Karad was produced via a video link before the special court for Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) cases after the end of his CID custody. The special court then sent him in judicial custody for 14 days. Karad, a close aide of state minister Dhananjay Munde, was on January 14 booked under the stringent MCOCA and sent in 14-day judicial custody. Subsequently, the police approached the special MCOCA court for his custody, PTI cited. The court on January 15 had remanded him in the custody of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID, which is conducting an investigation into the case, till January 22. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 06:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway (CR) will operate four air-conditioned special train services between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in an effort to fulfil demand from passengers. These services will also benefit the fans who are planning to attend the Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad this weekend. The details of the trains are as under: Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)-Ahmedabad-LTT AC Special (2 trips) The 01155 AC special will depart LTT Mumbai at 12.55 am on Saturday and arrive Ahmedabad at 11 am. The 01156 AC special will leave from Ahmedabad at 2 am on Sunday and will arrive LTT Mumbai at 11.45 am. The train will halt at Thane, Bhiwandi Road, Kaman Road, Vasai Road, Vapi, Udhna, Surat and Vadodara stations. It will comprise two 1st AC-cum-2AC, four 2AC, 14 3AC and a generator car. Dadar-Ahmedabad-Dadar AC Special (2 trips) The 01157 AC special will depart Dadar at 12.35 am on Sunday and arrive Ahmedabad at 11 am. The 01158 AC special will leave from Ahmedabad at 2 am on Monday and reach Dadar at 12.55 pm on the same day. It will halt at Thane, Bhiwandi Road, Kaman Road, Vasai Road, Vapi, Udhna, Surat and Vadodara stations. The train will comprise two 1st AC, two 1st AC-cum-2AC, one 2AC, two 2AC-cum-3AC, nine 3AC and two second seating-cum-guard’s brake van. Passengers can make the bookings for the trains 01155 and 01157 AC special on special charges from Thursday at all computerised reservation centres and on www.irctc.co.in. For detailed timings at halts of the special trains, passengers can visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or download NTES App, the Central Railway stated in a press release. Mumbai: CR commuters at wits’ end over defunct ‘train expected’ indicators The ‘Expected in Minutes’ (EIM) panels on platform indicators of Central Railway in Mumbai have been non-functional for the past three years, despite repeated assurances that they are being tested and will be operational soon. As a result, commuters at railway stations have no way to know how long it will take for a train to arrive. While private and third-party mobile apps provide such information, the railway’s official system has yet to catch up. At most stations, the EIM panels are either blank or display “zero.” The delay stems from the ongoing process of linking and integrating the Train Management System software with these indicators, which has been in progress for the past three years. “Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also minister for information technology, electronics and information & broadcasting was in Mumbai last week to announce a unified ticketing system ‘Mitra’ for seamless multimodal travel based on Open Network for Digital Commerce in Commuter Convenience (ONDCC), but the team at Central Railway in a city like Mumbai cannot fix their indicators since past three years,” Jayesh Ashteley, a commuter from Dadar said. “The indicators and ‘Expected in Minutes’ countdown work well on Western Railway trains but have not been functional here. It proves very helpful at one glance of the indicator. We need to check for the apps separately to get authentic data on the location and movement of the train. The railways should provide their own real-time data so there is no confusion,” another commuter said. “The problem also leads to safety issues. It is leading to crowding on foot overbridges at stations like in this instance Ghatkopar. People wait on the bridge for slow or fast trains and then run for whichever arrives. It may lead to accidents,” another commuter said. “I have continuously tweeted about this major issue but the Central Railway has no answers,” commuter advocate Rajesh N Kalote said. What is the problem? Sources said that the Train Management System (TMS) software was initially installed by one company, but it has since been taken over by another. As a result, there is no technical support, no electronic cards available, and no Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) in place. Finalising a new tender will take time, with the estimated cost ranging between Rs 300-400 crore for implementation up to Kasara, Karjat, and the Harbour line. Official comment “The process to import the required equipment from abroad has begun and this year the EIM will be commissioned between CSMT to Kurla,” an official spokesperson said.
22 January,2025 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a key development for India's defence manufacturing capabilities, the Government of Maharashtra has formalised an agreement with Tembo Defence Products Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Tembo Global Industries Limited during the World Economic Forum held in Davos, ANI reported. As per Tembo Defence Products, the agreement involves a substantial investment of Rs 1,000 crore, aimed at strengthening the state's defence sector. This strategic move is expected to generate 300 new job opportunities, to further mark Maharashtra's position as a significant hub for defence manufacturing. The signing ceremony was attended by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who showed his support for the initiative, and Shabbir Merchant, Director of Tembo Global Industries Ltd, ANI reported. This partnership will not only contribute to the nation's defence infrastructure but will also restore local economies by generating employment and advancing technology. According to ANI, another significant milestone for Tembo Global Industries, Tembo Defence Products has been invited to showcase its cutting-edge defence technologies at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos. This invitation shows the growing international recognition of the company's capabilities and its role in advancing global defense solutions, ANI reported. Sanjay J Patel, Managing Director of Tembo Global Industries Limited, shared his thoughts on the development and said, "We are excited to partner with the Government of Maharashtra in this landmark initiative. This Rs1,000 crore investment will not only enhance our defense manufacturing capabilities but will also create a substantial number of employment opportunities in the region." He added, "Our participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos highlights the global recognition of Tembo Defence Products and the important contributions we are making to strengthen India's defense sector. We are fully committed to providing innovative, world-class solutions that serve the needs of our armed forces and contribute to national security," ANI cited. The partnership between Tembo Global Industries and the Maharashtra Government marks a significant step forward in India's defence sector, with a clear focus on innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness, ANI cited. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had left for Davos in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), a communication issued by the CM's office stated on Sunday. As per the statement, the chief minister is expected to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for data centres, automobiles, semiconductors, electric vehicles, electronics, steel, food processing, textiles, pharma, infrastructure and other sectors during his visit. (With inputs from ANI)
22 January,2025 03:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs thousands of fans will be attending Coldplay's concert on January 25 and 26, the Western Railway (WR) will operate special trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. "For the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand to clear extra rush of passengers, Western Railway has decided to run Superfast Special Train on Special Fare between Bandra Terminus and Ahmedabad stations," the WR said in a statement. WR will run Train Nos. 09461/62 Bandra Terminus - Ahmedabad Superfast Special to meet the travel demand created by #Coldplay concertgoers traveling to Ahmedabad and other passengers.The booking for Train Nos. 09461 and 09462 will open on 22.01.2025, tomorrow, at all PRS… pic.twitter.com/J550CokuVj — Western Railway (@WesternRly) January 21, 2025 According to a press release issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, the details of the special trains are as under: • Train No. 09461/09462 Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad Superfast Special (2 Trips) Train No. 09461 Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad Superfast Special will depart from Bandra Terminus on Saturday 25th January, 2025 at 05:35 hrs and will reach Ahmedabad at 13:45 hrs the same day. Similarly, Train No. 09462 Ahmedabad – Bandra Terminus Superfast Special will depart from Ahmedabad on Friday, 24th January, 2025 at 20:00 hrs and arrive at Bandra Terminus at 04:20 hrs, the next day. "En route, this train will halt at Borivali, Dahanu Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna and Vadodara stations in both directions. This train comprises of AC 3-Tier, Sleeper Class and General Second Class Coaches," the CPRO said in the statement. The Booking for the trains will open from January 22 at all PRS Counters and on the IRCTC website. Coldplay's Ahmedabad concert will be live-streamed on an OTT platform. The grand performance will stream on Disney+ Hotstar, and the band themselves announced this happy news to their fans. At the upcoming 'Music of Spheres World Tour', the British band Coldplay will play their biggest-ever show at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26. The India tour of the international band Coldplay will come to an end on January 26 with the Ahmedabad performance. Coldplay is renowned for its timeless hits like "Paradise" and “Viva La Vida” and boasts universal appeal. The Ahmedabad performance of Coldplay’s globally acclaimed Music of the Spheres World Tour is part of the band’s record-breaking journey that has reshaped the live music landscape. Recognised as the highest-grossing rock tour of all time, the tour is a celebration of music, sustainability, and creativity.
22 January,2025 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe average flat size in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) remains lowest as top seven cities see a growth of 8 per cent annually in 2024, from 1,420 sq ft in 2023 to 1,540 sq ft in 2024, according to ANAROCK data. In 2019, the average flat sizes in Delhi NCR, MMR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai was 1,145 sq ft, indicating a whopping 34 per cent six-year jump. “Chronically space-constrained MMR saw the lowest average flat size growth in this six-year period,” said Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group. “The average flat size in MMR was 784 sq ft in 2019 and increased by 8 per cent to 849 sq ft in 2024. From 2020 onward, the average size in MMR was the highest in 2024, at 849 sq ft,” he said. "A deep-dive into the data shows that at 29 per cent, NCR saw the highest annual growth of average flat size – from 1,890 sq ft in 2023 to 2,435 sq ft in 2024," said Puri. "This surge is primarily attributable to the increased new luxury housing supply in the region over the last one year. Developers here are closely tracking and responding to demand, which is why NCR has seen significant new supply in the >INR 1.5 Cr price bracket. Size is one of the key defining characteristics of luxury homes," he added. Pic/ANAROCK Research City Highlights The six-yearly trend of average flat sizes in the top seven cities shows an overall 34 per cent rise from 1,145 sq ft in 2019 to 1,540 sq ft in 2024. In the last one year, there has been a 8 per cent jump, with Hyderabad the only city to see flat sizes decrease in this period. In NCR, the average flat size increased by 95 per cent in the last six years from 1,250 sq ft in 2019 to 2,435 sq ft in 2024. In the last one year, there was a 29 per cent rise in the region. In 2023, the average flat size in NCR was 1,890 sq ft. In both periods, NCR saw the highest jump among all the top 7 cities. In MMR, average flat sizes remain the lowest among the top 7 cities, at 849 sq ft in 2024. There has been an 8 per cent increase in 2024 against 2019 (when it was 784 sq ft) In the last one year, the region saw the average flat size rise by 7 per cent. In Hyderabad, the average flat size rose 24 per cent in this six-year period from 1,700 sq ft in 2019 to 2,103 sq ft in 2024. Contrastingly, between 2023 and 2024, Hyderabad was the only city to see the average flat size decrease (by 9 per cent). Bengaluru saw a 30 per cent six-yearly jump from 1,280 sq ft in 2019 to 1,660 sq ft in 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, the city saw a 12 per cent rise. In Kolkata, the average flat size saw a 15 per cent increase in six years- to 1,149 sq ft in 2024 from 1,000 sq ft in 2019. In 2023, the average flat size was around 1,124 sq ft, denoting a modest 2 per cent yearly rise in 2024. In Pune, the average flat size saw a 25 per cent six-yearly increase to 1,135 sq ft in 2024 from 910 sq ft in 2019. In the last one year, there has been a 4 per cent jump in average flat sizes in the city. Chennai saw a 31 per cent jump in the last six years from 1,100 sq ft in 2019 to 1,445 sq ft in 2024. In the last one-year period, the city saw a 15 per cent jump in average flat size.
22 January,2025 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe police on Wednesday said that a 40-year-old labourer died after falling from a seven-storey building in Maharashtra's Thane district while cleaning solar panels, reported news agency PTI. The incident took place on Monday evening at the building located at Vaylenagar in the Shahapur area, they said. The victim, identified as Yeshwant Gawari, was cleaning the solar panels atop the building when he slipped and fell on the ground, an official from Khadakpada police station said, reported PTI. The labourer's colleagues rushed him to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead, the police said. The body was sent to a government hospital for post-mortem. The Khadakpada police registered a case of accidental death and were conducting a probe into it, the official said, reported PTI. Woman's body found in basement of shopping mall in Mumbai The body of an unidentified woman was found in the basement of a shopping mall in the eastern suburbs here on Tuesday, police said, reported PTI. A mall staffer found the body of a woman in her 30s in the basement of a mall in Bhandup in the morning and alerted his superiors, an official said, reported PTI. The body was found floating in water that had accumulated in the basement, he said. He said the body has been sent for post-mortem, and a probe is underway to ascertain the woman's identity and trace her family. Based on primary information, an accidental death report (ADR) has been registered, the official said. 60-year-old woman found dead in 5-star hotel in Nariman Point A 60-year-old woman was found dead in a five-star hotel in Nariman Point in south Mumbai, a police official said on Monday, reported PTI. The woman's body was found on Sunday afternoon, the Marine Drive police station official said. "There were no injury marks on her body, nor has anything suspicious been found as yet in connection with her death. The viscera sample has been sent for forensic analysis to know the exact cause of death," he said, reported PTI. "She was staying in the hotel for the past two weeks. She did not open the door of her room for 24 hours. The incident came to light after she failed to respond to knocks on the door and calls on her phone," the official added, reported PTI. An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and further probe is underway, he said. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 01:46 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentKEM Hospital celebrated its centenary on Wednesday with a grand event, where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans for the construction of the Ayushman Shatabdi Tower to address the space constraints faced by the hospital. The proposed tower aims to ensure that the hospital can continue to serve the growing number of patients effectively. Speaking at the celebration of the 99th anniversary of Seth Govardhan Das Sundar Das Medical College and KEM Hospital, Shinde emphasised the hospital's unwavering commitment to patient care, describing it as the true support of Mumbai's residents. He expressed gratitude towards the doctors, nurses, and staff for their relentless service, stating that their dedication has been instrumental in saving countless lives. "KEM Hospital is a beacon of hope for many, and its contribution to the healthcare sector is unparalleled," said Shinde. "As we celebrate 100 years of excellence, it's imperative that we also look to the future. The Ayushman Shatabdi Tower will ensure we can accommodate more patients and continue providing top-notch medical care." The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, MLA Kalidas Kolambkar, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Commissioner Vipin Sharma, and KEM Dean Dr. Sangeeta Rawat. They all commended the hospital's journey and its role in shaping medical education and healthcare services in the country. Highlighting KEM Hospital's rich legacy, Shinde recounted significant milestones such as the first heart surgery in India performed in 1968, the first successful heart transplant in 2024, and the birth of the country’s first test tube baby in 1987 by Dr Indira Hinduja. He also lauded the hospital's recent recognition for its exemplary work in organ donation. In a special gesture, megastar Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated a new clinic for the treatment of fatty liver disease and was announced as the brand ambassador to raise awareness about the condition. "Mr Bachchan's involvement will undoubtedly enhance public understanding and outreach," Shinde said, expressing the government's gratitude. As part of the centenary celebrations, Shinde proposed the implementation of a zero-prescription policy at KEM to reduce the financial burden on patients' families. He also suggested the establishment of a museum dedicated to the doctors who have contributed to the hospital's legacy. The event concluded with the release of a commemorative souvenir and the hospital's annual report, followed by the state and national anthems, marking a day of reflection and anticipation for the future of KEM Hospital.
22 January,2025 01:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn official said that the police have registered a case against a male dance teacher for allegedly beating up a six-year-old girl student with a metal scale at a private school in Maharashtra's Thane city, reported news agency PTI. The child was injured in the incident which took place on January 15 at the school located in the Kapurbawdi area. The school had hired a 32-year-old teacher to train students for the annual function events. On January 15, the accused asked the girl as to why she did not come to the school the previous day. During the dance practice, he allegedly hit the child with a steel scale, Kapurbawdi police station inspector Vaishali Gorde said, reported PTI. Based on a complaint by the victim's mother, the police on Monday registered an FIR against the teacher under provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, he said. An inquiry was on into the case, the police said. Teacher booked for allegedly slapping 11-year-old boy in Thane classroom A schoolteacher in Maharashtra's Thane district has been booked for allegedly slapping an 11-year-old student inside a classroom, according to a police official. The incident reportedly took place on January 13 at a school located in the Bhiwandi area. As per PTI reports, the accused teacher, identified as Saif Iqbal Ansari, is said to have assaulted the minor after the child approached a classmate to retrieve a book. The alleged act of physical aggression was brought to light after the boy’s parents filed a formal complaint with the police. The official from Bhiwandi town police station stated that Ansari has been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing hurt and provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The case was officially registered on January 17, following an investigation into the allegations made by the parents. According to the complaint, the child had walked up to a peer to take a book, which prompted the teacher to react violently. The parents, deeply distressed by the incident, took the matter to the authorities, seeking justice for their son. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 01:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA motorcyclist escaped unhurt in Vasai after a big cat tried to pounce on him late Tuesday night when he was returning home from work, said police. After he was attacked by the big cat, the motorcyclist Shah Rukh Khan fell down on the country-made road, and immediately shouted for help, which scared the leopard prompting security personnel to rush for help. The incident has triggered panic among local residents, who generally resort to using the same route to go to work. A team from Valiv police station arrived at the spot after local residents informed them. The cops have persevered the photos of a paw print on the country-made road in the Bhoidapada area of Vasai East for further investigation. “The motorcyclist escaped unhurt by the attack of a big cat last night. We have preserved its paw prints for further investigation. The forest officials have been alerted about the spotting of a big cat, which is suspected to be a leopard,” said Dilip Ghughe, the senior inspector of Valiv police station told mid-day. The officials are looking for more paw prints, scratch marks on trees, droppings and other important points to trace the leopard. Last year in March, a male leopard was spotted near the Indo-Portuguese Fort in Vasai where dozens of stray dogs went missing and the carcasses of animals were found in the vicinity. Dozens of forest officials and wildlife NGOs reportedly had to use bait, set up cages, and monitor the area with drones or night-vision equipment to finally capture him after 25 days of struggle. Range Forest Officer(RFO) Rita Vaidya said, "There has been no Human Leopard conflict incident reported from the Vasai area. Yesterday we got information about an incident where the person claimed that he was injured in a leopard attack but the person seems to be misleading as the images of the animal that he claimed to have been attacked by is that of a cheetah which is not found in Maharashtra." Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane - Rohit Mohite said, "We also got information about a negative interaction between leopards and humans in Vasai. The forest department officials are investigating into the same to understand if it's true and what exactly might have led to the negative interaction. There are high chances that the person might have been passing by the road on his bike and at the same time the leopard might have been crossing the road and the person might have injured himself after falling from the bike. The doctors at the hospital where the person might have been taken can tell us if the injury is due to a leopard attack or due to falling from a bike. Our team will be coordinating with the forest department officials and camera traps will be installed in the area to see if it was a leopard or a Jungle cat." Mohite also told this newspaper that the picture of the animal (leopard) that attacked the human which has gone viral on WhatsApp is that of a cheetah and not a leopard. (With inputs from Ranjeet Jadhav)
22 January,2025 01:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaADVERTISEMENT
