The Kalyan police have booked the driver of the truck that ran over a 3-year-old boy and his mother. The driver, Vaibhav Balu Vairal, 26, has been booked under Section 106 (1) (causing death due to negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 184 (rash driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act. An official from Bazarpeth Police Station confirmed that Vairal had not consumed alcohol while driving. "He stated that the victims came unexpectedly in front of him. Although he applied emergency brakes, it was too late. He panicked after the incident, which is why he fled the spot," said the official. Vairal was presented before the Kalyan court on Thursday morning, which remanded him to judicial custody. After the accident on Wednesday, the police informed Nisha’s husband, Amit Someskar, about the tragic incident. Amit, who had recently joined a private firm in Bangalore and was there for work, rushed to Kalyan on Wednesday afternoon. Following the postmortem, the victims' bodies were handed over to Amit. In a tragic accident, a 3-year-old boy and his mother lost their lives after being run over by a speeding truck in Kalyan area of Thane district in Maharashtra, the officials said on Wednesday. The accident took place near Dakshin Mukhi Maruti Mandir in Kalyan West on Wednesday morning. The Bazarpeth Police in Kalyan identified the victims as Nisha Someskar (35) and her son Ansh. "The incident occurred around 11:30 am as the mother and son were returning home. Ansh, a nursery school student, had just finished school for the day, and Nisha had picked him up moments earlier. The accident took place near the Dakshin Mukhi Maruti Mandir, commonly known as the Hanuman Mandir, located on Agra Road. While crossing the road, the speeding truck, carrying debris for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), struck the duo," said an official. Preliminary police investigations revealed that road construction work was recently initiated in the area, leading to the removal of the divider, the investigations are underway, the police said. An eyewitnesses stated that Nisha attempted to cross the road, assuming she could safely reach the other side in the absence of a divider. The truck driver fled the scene following the incident. Locals alerted the police, who rushed Nisha and Ansh to a nearby hospital, but they were declared dead on arrival, the police said, adding that by evening, the police traced the truck and apprehended the driver.
09 January,2025 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA civic transport service bus caught fire in Navi Mumbai township on Thursday morning, narrowly evacuating its passengers, according to police, PTI reported. All the 22 passengers onboard were evacuated safely, and no one was injured, they said. The incident led to traffic congestion in the area for some time, PTI reported. The bus belonging to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) caught blaze at Runwal Chowk in Manpada limits on Kalyan-Shilphata Road at around 10:30 am, as per officials. After being alerted, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and requested passengers to get down. He jumped out to safety, a police official said, PTI reported. The police swiftly stopped traffic on both sides of the road to prevent any eventuality. Police personnel, with the help of a water tanker, doused off the fire within 30 minutes, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Pankaj Shrisat said, PTI cited. After the fire was brought under control, a crane was deployed to move the charred bus off the road, to restore traffic flow, he said. "The bus passengers were safely evacuated by the traffic police on patrol, and the fire was extinguished. Traffic on the road has now been restored," Shirsat said. "Special precautions were taken to ensure the safety of vehicles carrying flammable substances passing through the area," he said. The bus passengers continued their journeys in private vehicles and auto-rickshaws. Mumbai: Fire breaks out in Sion building; no injuries reported A fire broke out at a residential building in the Sion area of Mumbai on Wednesday, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). No injuries have been reported so far. As per the civic body, the fire erupted on the first floor of the building at around 9:02 am on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the Panchshil Building, located on Sulochana Shetty Marg, near LTMG Sion Hospital in Sion. Upon receiving the information, Mumbai Fire Brigade officials rushed to the scene and declared the blaze a Level I (minor) fire at 9:19 am. The authorities are yet to determine the cause of the fire. (With PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 01:51 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAn editorial published by the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party of neglecting serious national issues to focus on the upcoming Delhi assembly elections 2025, reported news agency ANI. According to the editorial, "The schedule for the Delhi assembly elections 2025 has been announced. Voting will take place on February 5, and the results will be declared on February 8. Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah, and central ministers of the BJP have fully thrown themselves into this election," reported ANI. "The BJP's goal is to defeat Arvind Kejriwal and take control of the Delhi Assembly. Meanwhile, China has infiltrated Ladakh and settled two villages. Naxals have killed 10-15 police officers in Chhattisgarh. Violence continues unabated in Manipur. In a state like Maharashtra, daylight murders are happening, and the killers have the government's protection," the Saamana editorial read, reported ANI. The published editorial accused the BJP of resorting to extreme measures to defeat the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "All in all, the BJP's policy seems to be that focusing on these serious issues is foolish, and defeating the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi is the most important matter. The BJP has decided to go to any lengths to achieve this. The BJP's approach is that they will win everywhere and sit in power." The editorial argues that a "new form of democracy" has taken root in India, one that focuses on eliminating every political rival through questionable means. "A new form of democracy has emerged in the country, one that doesn't want to leave a single political opponent alive, and the direct example of this was seen in Maharashtra and Haryana. Now, it is Delhi's turn," the editorial added, reported ANI. The editorial alleged that there are "discrepancies in the voter list of Delhi" and that "Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has complained that citizens from Eastern Uttar Pradesh have been removed from the list by labelling them as Rohingyas or Bangladeshis." According to the editorial the Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar is in denial and questioned, "What world is Rajiv Kumar living in? Wasn't Trump elected as US President after an EVM scandal?" The editorial referred to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's claims that EVMs can be hacked and pointed to various instances in the U.S. where the integrity of the electoral process was questioned. The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece went further, alleging the BJP of securing victories through dishonest means. "The victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party, i.e., Modi-Shah, is never straightforward. They have achieved every win through crooked means, often by rigging the system," the party stated. It cited the 2019 Maharashtra elections, where the BJP reportedly contested 132 seats but ended up with 120, a performance the Shiv Sena (UBT) described as an "anomaly", reported ANI. "What extraordinary work did the Shinde faction do in Maharashtra to win 58 seats?" the editorial remarked, referring to the Shiv Sena faction that defected to the BJP. The Shiv Sena (UBT) further accused the Election Commission of playing a biased role in the Maharashtra political crisis, specifically over the decision to award the Shiv Sena's "bow-and-arrow" symbol to the rival faction in Thane. The editorial taking a dig at ECI wrote, "They gave the clock symbol of the Nationalist Congress Party to Ajit Pawar during Sharad Pawar's lifetime, should not speak of transparency and morality," reported ANI. According to the editorial, "However, they (ECI) should remember that Modi and Shah are not immortal; they will have to account for their actions. Hence, times will change, and everyone will have to answer for their sins. The Delhi Assembly elections could prove to be the spark for BJP's downfall," reported ANI. The editorial also took a potshot at the Congress party, questioning its priorities. "While the country is fighting against the Modi-Shah dictatorship, the Congress is throwing mud at AAP rather than the BJP," the mouth piece read, expressing bewilderment over Congress's decision to focus on Kejriwal's AAP rather than targeting the BJP. The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece voiced concerns about the role of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. "The Lieutenant Governor is currently acting as an agent of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Once the Model Code of Conduct is enforced, all powers of the Chief Minister and Ministers in Delhi are supposed to be stripped, but the Lieutenant Governor is doing the BJP's bidding. This is dangerous," them editorial warned. (With inputs from ANI)
09 January,2025 01:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has overturned a 2022 Bombay High Court ruling that directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to transfer the title of a five-acre plot in Worli, Mumbai, to Century Textiles and Industries Ltd, now known as Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale, passed the judgment on January 7, 2025, siding with the BMC and dismissing the appeal filed by Century Textiles, PTI reports. The dispute revolves around a plot of land leased to Century Textiles under the City of Bombay Improvement Act, 1898. Originally part of a welfare scheme aimed at providing housing for the working class, the lease agreement required Century Textiles to construct residential accommodations for workers. The company fulfilled its obligations by building 476 dwellings and 10 shops by 1925. However, after the lease expired in 1955, Century Textiles did not pursue the conveyance of the land until 2006, when it issued a legal notice seeking transfer of the title. In a scathing critique of Century Textiles' conduct, the Supreme Court highlighted that the land was initially allocated under a welfare scheme intended for the economically disadvantaged. The court stated that attempts to exploit the land for commercial purposes were an affront to the spirit of the scheme, which aimed to address housing shortages and improve living standards for those in need. The judgment condemned the company's actions as an abuse of beneficial legislation intended to serve broader social goals, including better sanitation and urban growth for marginalised communities. As per PTI reports, the Supreme Court ruled that the BMC was neither legally bound nor obligated to transfer the land title to Century Textiles. The court also emphasised that the petition, filed more than six decades after the lease expired, suffered from "serious delay and laches," thereby rendering it untenable. The bench pointed out that Century Textiles had not made any attempt to claim the conveyance until 2006, despite the lease having expired in 1955. The judgment also referenced the statutory framework under the 1925 Act, under which the land was leased to Century Textiles. The court stressed that this framework was designed to secure the broader societal goals of improving urban life and providing housing for the poor, rather than facilitating commercial exploitation. In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited issued a statement clarifying that the land in question was separate from the Birla Niyaara project in Worli. The company also mentioned that it was seeking legal advice to determine the next steps. (With inputs from PTI)
09 January,2025 01:35 PM IST | MumbaiThe Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has received an encouraging and positive response to the whopping number of notices that were issued. Of the 10,773 lapsed housing projects that were served with show cause notices, 5,324 have replied with the desired response. "The housing regulator had issued show cause notices to the developers of the projects that had failed to keep MahaRERA updated about their project’s status, despite the project completion deadline getting lapsed. Such developers were provided with a 30 day window to update their project’s information," said MahaRERA official. Builders of 5,324 housing projects have replied to the show cause notices, which is welcoming. Of these, 3,517 projects have submitted their Occupancy Certificates and 524 have applied for the project’s deadline to be extended. Currently, the response of 1,283 projects is under scrutiny. Already, action has been initiated to kept in abeyance 1,950 projects’ registration with MahaRERA and their bank accounts have been frozen. In these projects, transaction related restrictions have been put into place, the official added (see area wise box). In case of the balance 3,499 housing projects, a process has been initiated to take similar action against them, as they have not responded. While registering the project with the MahaRERA, the developer has to unambiguously mention the project’s proposed completion date. In case of the project getting ready as per the proposed completion date, the developer is required to submit Form 4 along with the Occupancy Certificate. If not ready, then the builder has to apply for the deadline’s extension. In case of an eventuality of the project faced with challenges, the developer is required to apply for the project’s de-registration. Apart from these, each project’s promoter is required to mandatorily submit QPR and annual progress reports on MahaRERA’s website within the specified time frame. These measures are required to be taken along with the necessary supporting documents. MahaRERA has decided to initiate strict action against the projects that do not comply with any of the above steps as per the timeline mentioned in the Act. Therefore, MahaRERA has decided to cancel or suspend registration of the erring projects, apart from levying penal measures and also instructing the Joint District Registrars not to register sale or purchase of any flat in such projects. Bank accounts of the defaulting projects have also been frozen, the official concluded. When contacted MahaRERA Chairman, Manoj Saunik, said, "The primary objective of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 is to ensure transparency, accountability and financial discipline in the real estate sector. This is to protect the homebuyers’ interests. For this purpose, every housing project is required to update the project’s status on MahaRERA’s website periodically – quarterly and annually. This keeps the homebuyers to stay informed about the project. However, in practice, it has been happening to a limited extent. On Compliance Cell’s review of registered projects, in January 2023, it was discovered that only 3 out of 748 projects had updated the required information. After a series of follow-ups, there has been a significant improvement in the flow of information. This is evident from the responses received to the show cause notices of lapsed projects." Saunik further added, "MahaRERA is aware that the number of projects that have not responded is significant and we have initiated action against such projects to protect homebuyer’s interests. It is mandatory for the developers to keep project details updated on MahaRERA’s website. To ensure this, MahaRERA insists on Quarterly Progress Report’s (QPR) submission within the prescribed time frame."
09 January,2025 01:30 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIn alignment with the government’s ambitious push for multi-modal logistics, IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE) is moving into mission mode to meet the sector’s growing need for skilled manpower. Over the next five years, an estimated 1.15 crore professionals will be required in logistics. To address this demand, the institute is introducing specialised courses aligned with industry needs and emerging technologies. Designated by the Ministry of Education as the nodal hub for logistics and supply chain under the National Education Policy (NEP), IIM Mumbai has been tasked with capacity-building to promote the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan. To further this initiative, IIM Mumbai established the Centre of Excellence in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and the Center for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship. The institute will also manage a portal, collaborating with other participating institutes offering courses on this platform. A few months ago, IIM Mumbai submitted a report titled “Future Talent Requirements in Logistics, a Vision 2047” to the Union Ministry of Education. Authored by a panel of experts including Ashish Chauhan (CEO and MD, NSE), Prof. S. G. Deshmukh (IIT Delhi), Prof. Gitakrishnan Ramadurai (IIT Madras), Peeyush Gupta (Tata Steel), Ketan Kulkarni (Allcargo Logistics), Neelesh Mundra (McKinsey), and Prof. Manoj Kumar Tiwari (Director, IIM Mumbai; Convenor), the report highlights the need to revise existing curricula. It emphasizes incorporating emerging technologies, data analytics, sustainability, and problem-solving to keep pace with changing industry dynamics. A key driver behind this transformation is the rapid adoption of technologies such as Big Data Analytics, Digital Twin, Blockchain, Cloud Logistics, IoT, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), self-driving vehicles, AR/VR, real-time supply chain visibility, robotics, warehouse automation, and drones. Government initiatives, such as developing 35 multi-modal logistics parks and 108 port connectivity projects, underscore India’s strong focus on advancing logistics infrastructure. Elaborating on the new courses, Professor Manoj Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, noted that the institute is currently offering 14 PM Gati Shakti courses covering areas like data analytics in logistics, healthcare and inventory, and warehouse automation. In addition, IIM Mumbai has designed indicative courses that other participating institutes may reference, though each institute may also create its own programs tailored to PM Gati Shakti’s requirements. Professor Tiwari said that 2.25 crore people are currently engaged in logistics across various sectors, yet an additional 1.15 crore is needed by 2030. “We are on a mission to train people and bridge the gap between industry demand and skilled manpower,” Tiwari said. “We are fast-tracking these efforts by developing industry-customized courses to fulfil the government’s capacity-building mandate and ensure a steady stream of trained professionals.” To widen access, IIM Mumbai is also offering logistics-related courses on digital platforms such as SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus (Massive Open Online Courses). Seven new courses have already been launched, covering AI/ML in port management, warehouse automation, supply chain digitization, the role of blockchain, e-commerce supply chains, cybersecurity in supply chains, and digital innovation and technology in supply chains. “In order to keep our faculty up to date,” Tiwari added, “we encourage them to continually upgrade their knowledge. They study best practices, conduct industry case studies, and visit ports, warehouses, and other industry setups. This helps ensure that our courses stay relevant and reflect the latest technological trends.” Recommendations on Curriculum Given the significant workforce demands in the logistics sector, as well as ongoing technological advancements and future industry needs, there is a pressing need to revise curricula to integrate hands-on learning and real-world case studies. Specifically, it is recommended that institutions introduce an “Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain” course for all first-year engineering students, thereby ensuring a foundational understanding of key logistics and transportation components. To align with the evolving requirements of the manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management industries, educational institutions can develop specialized curricula at various levels. Foundational Courses: Supply Chain Management Fundamentals Logistics Management Advanced Courses: Programming With AI for Problem Solving Design Thinking With AI Operations Research Supply Chain Analytics Global Procurement & Supply Management Supply Chain Finance In order to prepare students for the increasing demands of digitalization, institutions can also offer 15-hour or 30-hour certification programs, online courses via SWAYAM and NPTEL, and video lectures covering a broad range of topics such as -- Multimodal Logistics, Road Transport, Rail Freight Transport, Maritime Transport, Air Cargo Shipment E-Commerce and Q-Commerce, Omnichannel Commerce, Reverse Logistics, Return Management Healthcare Logistics, Agri-Food Supply Chain, Cold Supply Chain, Emergency Supply Chain Management, Metal and Mineral Supply Chain, Oil and Gas Supply Chain, Semiconductor Supply Chain, Warehouse Automation, Automotive and Household Sectors, Supply Chain for the Energy Sector, Space Industry Supply Chain, Nuclear Power Plant Supply Chain, Military Logistics, Spare Parts Supply Chain, Generative AI, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Quantum Computing, Internet of Things, 6G Technology, Geo-Spatial Technologies, Digital Twin, AR/VR, Control Tower, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones,SDGs in Supply Chain Management, Clean Technology, Carbon Footprint, Water Footprint, 3D Printing. "While several institutions have introduced logistics courses in response to various Ministry of Education initiatives, these efforts remain largely uncoordinated. A more streamlined and cohesive approach to curriculum development will ensure a highly skilled workforce ready to meet future logistics challenges and reinforce India’s growing leadership in the sector," the report submitted by IIM Mumbai states.
09 January,2025 01:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghThe police on Thursday said that eight teenage girls escaped from a government-run observation home in Maharashtra's Thane district, prompting authorities to launch a massive search operation following which seven of them were traced, reported news agency PTI. The girls, in the age group of 15 to 17 years, broke the window grill of a bedroom at the Thane observation home, located in Ulhasnagar township, in the wee hours of Tuesday and escaped from there, an official from Hill Line police station said, reported PTI. The Thane observation home's caretaker promptly alerted the local police who immediately launched the search operation. Out of the eight girls, seven were traced at two different places in Ulhasnagar in less than two hours of the operation and brought back to the facility, while one was yet to be found, the official said, reported PTI. He said the seven girls were traced well before the start of the local train service at the Ulhasnagar station or else they could have escaped out of the town. The girls did not like to be lodged at the Thane observation home and hence decided to run away from there, he said. The Hill Line police have registered a case in this connection, he added. Thane man kills brother after fight over Rs 500 A 32-year-old man allegedly killed his younger brother after an argument over Rs 500 in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said, reported PTI. The incident took place on Tuesday night in Kalyan area, they said, adding the accused has been arrested. The accused, Salim Shamim Khan, who was inebriated, got enraged when his brother Naseem Khan (27) confronted him for taking Rs 500 from his pocket without permission, an official from Bazarpeth police station said, reported PTI. The argument escalated and the accused allegedly stabbed his younger brother to death with a knife, he said. Their mother later alerted the authorities about the incident. Based on her statement, the accused was arrested on Wednesday and booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 103(1) (murder). The body was sent to a government hospital for post-mortem and a probe was on into the case, the police added. (With inputs from PTI)
09 January,2025 12:30 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentIn a first for Maharashtra, drones will be deployed to monitor illegal fishing along its 720-km coastline, a Fisheries Department official said on Wednesday, reported the PTI. The drones will provide live footage of up to the 12-mile maritime boundary from nine locations across all seven coastal districts in the state, the official said. The drone monitoring system in the state will be beginning from January 9, the official said. The official said that the streaming data collected by drones will be used to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats. He said the drone monitoring system will be launched by Minister of State for Fisheries and Ports Nitesh Rane on Thursday. "The minister will oversee the system through a live feed from the Fisheries Commissioner's Office. Streaming data collected by these drones will be used as evidence to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats," the official said. He said that the drone system will bring the entire maritime area of Maharashtra under camera surveillance, helping the government to curb illegal fishing. "It is an important step to protect marine resources and ensure compliance with regulations," the official added, according to the PTI. Devendra Tandel, the president of Akhil Maharashtra Fishermen's Action Committee, welcomed the initiative of the state government and said that it can curb illegal fishing. "Illegal fishing has severely impacted traditional fishermen. The system should support us rather than harassing us. However, there are concerns about its effectiveness during the monsoon and the use of the collected data," he said, as per the PTI. Tandel said that the traditional fishermen face challenges ranging from the rampant use of purse seine nets and unauthorised fishing during the monsoon season to inadequate coordination between the fisheries and the police authorities. He also raised concerns about boats operating in the state coastline without proper identification and lacking resources for effective maritime monitoring along the coastline. "We hope this system will address these challenges and bring accountability. But the Fisheries Act should focus on safeguarding fishermen's livelihoods while ensuring sustainability," Tandel said, the news agency reported on Wednesday. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the demands for his resignation over the Beed Sarpanch murder case, Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has found himself in a new controversy. A close relative of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan on Wednesday accused Munde of acquiring 1.5 acres of land owned by her in Beed district for just Rs 21 lakh through coercion, news agency PTI reported. Sarangi Mahajan, Mahajan's sister-in-law, claimed that the land is worth more than Rs 3.5 crore, and demanded Munde's resignation from the post of the Food and Civil Supplies Minister. According to PTI, Sarangi met Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai and alleged that one of Munde's associate had coerced her into transferring the land owned by her under duress. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sarangi said, "The Chief Minister has assured me of justice. I have also received similar assurances from [deputy CM] Ajit Pawar. I will support the demand for Dhananjay Munde's resignation as he has caused me significant distress over the past one-and-a-half years." Munde, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), headed by Pawar, was not available for comment on the allegations made by Sarangi, PTI stated. Mahajan's sister Pradnya was married to BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who passed away in 2014 in an accident. Gopinath has two daughters, Pankaja and Pritam, while Munde is his nephew. Pankaja and Munde are cabinet ministers in the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra. Sarangi is the wife of Pravin, Mahajan's brother. She and Munde are also related. According to PTI, Sarangi alleged that Munde's associate Balaji Munde summoned her to Panvel near Mumbai and then to Parli in Beed district in central Maharashtra, where she was forced to sign documents transferring 1.5 acres of her land. "I was unaware of their intentions. They misled me with kind words and took me to the land registrar's office. Under threat, I signed the papers. It was only later that I realised the gravity of their actions," she said. She also criticised Pankaja, accusing her of complicity in the entire episode. "Pankaja is not innocent. She had silent consent in this matter. Both of them should be held accountable," she said. During her interaction with the Maharashtra CM, Sarangi explained about the situation in Beed district and alleged that local officials acted under pressure from Munde. "Revenue department officials and registrars in Beed only follow his [Munde's] directives. Land transactions do not happen without his approval. Officers from other districts should be posted here [Beed] to ensure impartiality," she said, adding, "I was threatened that I would not be allowed to leave Parli without signing blank documents. Sarangi said that she has filed complaints at the Ambejogai Police Station in Beed district in the case. The land grab accusation comes amid demands from political leaders, including BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Suresh Dhas, for Munde's resignation over the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Deshmukh's relatives earlier met Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, and sought justice for the slain sarpanch. (With PTI inputs)
09 January,2025 12:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA sessions court judge in Maharashtra has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking pre-arrest bail in a bribery case registered against him, reported news agency PTI. The state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has booked Satara district and sessions judge Dhananjay Nikam for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 5 lakh to grant bail in a cheating case. A single bench of Bombay High Court Justice N R Borkar on Wednesday said it would hear the plea in his chamber on January 15 as it involves a judicial officer, reported PTI. Nikam, who filed the plea through advocate Viresh Purwant, said he was innocent and implicated in the case. The petition said the FIR didn't show any direct demand or acceptance of money by Nikam. It further argued that the judge was neither aware of meetings between the complainant and other accused nor that the complainant was related to the accused seeking bail, reported PTI. Nikam was on leave or deputation on key dates, raising doubts about the allegations, the petition added. As per the complaint lodged by a woman, her father, who is a civilian defence employee, is in judicial custody for allegedly cheating someone under the pretext of offering a government job, reported PTI. After a lower court denied him bail, the woman filed a fresh bail application in the Satara sessions court, which was supposed to be heard by Nikam. The ACB alleged that two persons -- Kishor Sambhaji Kharat from Mumbai and Anand Mohan Kharat from Satara -- demanded Rs 5 lakh from the woman at the behest of Nikam for a favourable order, reported PTI. The anti-graft agency claimed bribe demand was verified during their investigation between December 3 and 9, 2024, confirming that Nikam colluded with the Kharats to seek the bribe. The ACB booked Nikam, Kishor Kharat, Anand Kharat and an unidentified person under the Prevention of Corruption Act, reported PTI. Nikam's petition said he neither avoided hearing the bail application nor made any promises of favourable orders. It also noted that no such bail orders were passed during the said period. (With inputs from PTI)
09 January,2025 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Minister Uday Samant on Wednesday said that the right to appoint the Guardian Minister or any other minister in the state cabinet has been granted to three key leaders of the Mahayuti alliance-- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, adding that they will soon appoint the Guardian minister in the state cabinet, reported news agency ANI. "The right to appoint Guardian Minister or any other minister in the cabinet has been given to Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde (Deputy CM), BJP's Devendra Fadnavis (CM) and NCP's Ajit Pawar (Deputy CM). They will soon appoint the Guardian minister," Uday Samant told ANI. A Guardian Minister in Maharashtra is a cabinet-level position appointed by the state government to supervise the development of a particular district within the state. Earlier in December, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant had taken an oath as a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet. Samant has been serving as the Minister for Industries and the Marathi language in the state of Maharashtra. He is currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Ratnagiri. Back in December 2024, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra along with 39 other leaders who took the oath as cabinet ministers, including six as state ministers. In the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, securing 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Poll results a slap on face of detractors, Shiv Sena growing stronger: Eknath Shinde Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday called the 2024 assembly poll results a slap on the face of his detractors, who he said had also criticised the Election Commission and the Supreme Court. The Shiv Sena chief was speaking after welcoming several Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders from various parts of the state into his party. Shiv Sena is growing stronger, he said. The Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP won 230 of the state's 288 seats in the recently held assembly polls, with Shinde's party bagging 57 seats. His rival Sena (UBT) headed by Uddhav Thackeray won only 20 seats. Shinde, whose rebellion in the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena split the party and sunk the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2022, called the results a "slap on the face" of those who had believed that the public would side with them. (With inputs from ANI and PTI)
09 January,2025 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
