A 21-year-old man lost his life after a running train hit him at Mulund Railway Station. The police said the deceased was busy on his mobile phone while waiting for the train at the edge of the platform, and didn’t see it approaching. Jayesh Shelke. Pic/Rajesh Gupta The deceased has been identified as Jayesh Sanjay Shelke, a resident of Tembhi Pada at Bhandup West. The Kurla Railway police registered the ADR and started investigation into this matter. According to the police official, the incident occurred on Friday morning when Shelke was waiting on platform number 4. Around 10.10 am, a train arrived and hit Shelke. Senior Inspector Sambhaji Yadav of Kurla Railway division said, “We checked the CCTV cameras of the station and found that Shelke was busy in his mobile phone. He was standing on the edge at the platform and didn’t see the train coming. Locals tried to pull him back but the train hit him.” Shelke was rushed to Agrawal Hospital where he was declared dead before admission.
01 December,2024 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Mulund Police have been struggling to find the accused who has allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl, who is now seven-months pregnant. The victim had complained of pain in the stomach and was admitted to Sion Hospital, when the doctors found out that she was pregnant. The victim told the cops that in May, an unknown man lured her with the promise of Rs 50 and took her into a bushy area near Mulund Railway Station and raped her. According to police officials, the girl started to complain about pain in her stomach in the past few days. On Friday, the pain increased and she was admitted to Sion Hospital where doctors examined her, and discovered that she was 6-7-months pregnant. The doctors immediately informed Mulund police and the cops registered an FIR against an unknown person. The Mulund police have started scanning CCTV cameras of the area to nab the accused. A police officer said, “The accused had threatened the victim to not inform anyone about the Incident.” Senior Inspector Shivaji Chavan of Mulund Police Station said, “We are checking all possible CCTV to identify the accused, and investigating this matter further.”
01 December,2024 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaWhile the second girder of Andheri’s Gokhale bridge has been lowered to a large extent, the task remained incomplete on Saturday, which was the revised deadline. According to the BMC, out of 6.8 metres, 5.5 metres of lowering was done as of Saturday morning, and the rest will be completed by Monday morning. After missing the first deadline of November 14 to lower the second girder, the BMC had set a new deadline of November 30. But when mid-day arrived at the scene on Saturday, the girder still needed to be lowered about another 1.5 metres. The girder, launched from the East side of Andheri station to the West side, was to be lowered to 7.5 metres to match the height of the first girder. But the lowering hadn’t even begun till November 14, which was the original deadline. It was after mid-day reported on the delay that work began. “On Friday night, 900 millimetres lowering was completed and the remaining 1.375 mm to be done for bearing placing. It is likely to be completed on Saturday and Sunday night,” said a civic official, adding that the girder’s final placement would be complete by Monday. The BMC has set a deadline of April 2025 for the completion of the entire bridge work, along with asphalting of second girder and approach roads on both sides. “The bridge will be ready before monsoon,” said a BMC official.
01 December,2024 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleA virgin Atlantic flight flying from London to Mumbai made an emergency turnaround and returned to Heathrow airport after a suspected engine shutdown. The flight was declared cancelled upon landing at Heathrow. An ATC source told mid-day, “Flight VS354 departed from London at 17.35 GMT [11.05 pm IST] from runway 09R for an eight-hour flight to Mumbai. About one hour into the flight, while the aircraft was over the Germany border, the crew of the Boeing 787-9 decided to turn around.” “The crew declared an emergency squawking 7700 [squawk code for general emergency] while holding 20,000 feet over The English Channel. At 20.30 GMT [2 am IST], after holding to burn fuel, the aircraft landed on Runway 09L at London Heathrow airport with one engine in shutdown condition,” added the source. The airline confirmed the incident but attributed it to a “technical issue”. “Passengers will be rebooked on an alternative service,” said its statement.
01 December,2024 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariSukoon ka cocoon A priest is lost in his mobile phone outside a temple at Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar Two Mohans in South Africa For years, all author Amrita Shah knew of her great-grandfather, Mohanlal Parmanandas Killavala, was that—he had travelled to South Africa as a young man before returning to settle in suburban Mumbai. “Why had he gone there? Why did he leave behind no letters, photos or anecdotes from his time there?” the author recalls wondering. The author investigates the connection between Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (third from left), pictured at his legal practice office in Johannesburg in 1905, and her ancestor, the “Other Mohan”. Pic/Getty Images Then one day, an aunt revealed, “Mohanlal dada was with Gandhiji in South Africa.” For the former journalist, this was irresistible: Two Mohans together, right when the more famous one—Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—was leading the South African Satyagraha? There was a story here! A decade of travels and research across South Africa, Mauritius, the UK and India culminated in Shah’s latest book, The Other Mohan (HarperCollins). Ketaki Sheth “The book is structured like a detective thriller,” says Shah, who lays out startling discoveries not just about her great-grandfather (an educated, suited-booted interpreter, but also about Gandhi’s famous 1908 pass-burning campaign to protest discriminatory entry laws in the Transvaal province. Stitching her personal family history together with the wider political history, Shah turns our understanding of the Satyagraha on its head. “The story that we know of the Gandhi-led Satyagraha is so well-established that to add a new dimension to it is very hard. But what I found were original archival findings that do add that twist… It’s another way to understand our history, because the story I tell is of enterprise, not of struggle, which is what we are familiar with,” she says. “I think the biggest surprise [for readers] will be the way the two stories connect. And, as it happens, the connector is my great-grandfather.” Pot shots and slingshots Niranjan Shetty All the sideshow going on, even as the victorious Mahayuti has yet to announce a Chief Minister, has people chortling. Now, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) chief spokesperson Niranjan Shetty has pointed out: “According to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-NCP, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) worked well in the States where non-BJP governments were elected and are faulty where the BJP Government has been elected by the overwhelming support of the people. The mental balance of these UBT (Shiv Sena) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leaders is disturbed because of the grand BJP win. The people of Maharashtra have given their mandate to them—sit at home and retire.” Of these slingshots borne out of ire and fire, we never tire. Aussies won’t like to remember this December 1 The Australian Cricket magazine which covered the 1978 Australia v England Brisbane Test There was a time when cricket teams used to be involved in six-match Test series. And India in 1979-80 played two of them, hosting Australia and Pakistan. On this day in 1978, another six-match series began—in Brisbane—where Mike Brearley’s England faced Graham Yallop’s Australian third string side amidst the Kerry Packer World Series Cricket circus. The hosts found themselves in major batting strife, getting bowled out for 116 with Bob Willis (4-44), Ian Botham (3-40) and Chris Old (2-24) playing contributory roles for England. The top-scorers for Australia? Wicketkeeper John MacLean (33 not out) and fellow debutant Rodney Hogg (36). Australia fared better in the second innings with 339, thanks to centuries from captain Yallop and future skipper Kim Hughes. But a seven-wicket loss couldn’t be avoided. Australia went on to lose the Ashes 1-5. The Brisbane loss was ominous just like the recent Perth defeat. Are Australia doomed? This diarist says yes. Running for heritage Heritage tours in the city usually involve walking. But on Saturday, Mumbai’s running enthusiasts ran almost six kilometres across South Mumbai, stopping only to admire historic structures and hear their stories. Bombay Running, the city’s first community of runners organised The Bombay Heritage Run Series in collaboration with the Kala Ghoda Arts Foundation (KGAF) and RPG Foundation. The route began at Asiatic Library, ran along the Oval Maidan to stop and marvel at art deco buildings, headed to Eros Theatre, Soona Mahal, and ended with breakfast at Bombay Sweet Shop’s latest outpost in Kala Ghoda. Priyanca and Deepak “We are one of the original run crews in the country and started in 2016. On Sundays, we usually run in South Mumbai as Ballard Estate, Fort, and other areas are shut. We usually cover every bylane,” says Priyanca Walanju, who co-founded Bombay Running with Deepak Oberoi. “Most who are part of our crew are extremely knowledgeable and they know about the history. So, when we ran, we would share stories or listen. We were already in collaboration with KGAF, and proceeds from our running events are contributed to restore heritage structures. So we decided to host a series of heritage runs,” says Walanju. It prompted Bombay Running to collaborate with the RPG Foundation, who lent an expert who would narrate the history and stories throughout the run. As the event saw a lot of sign-ups, The Bombay Heritage Run Series will see two runs in December, and more in January. The next run is on Saturday, December 14th, and you can sign up via their website www.bombayrunning.co.
01 December,2024 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDThe forthcoming BJP-led government will be sworn in on December 5 at 5 pm at the city’s iconic Azad Maidan. After five years, BJP is likely to finally install its CM, with sources saying the announcement of Devendra Fadnavis’s name for the CM remains a mere formality that will be completed early next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders and alliance leaders will attend the oath ceremony. The venue has been booked for the ceremony by the State Protocol Department, confirmed the state officials. In 2014, Fadnavis had taken oath at Wankhede Stadium. The undivided Shiv Sena joined his government a month later. This time round, considering the biggest ever victory for BJP and its allies, various venues were explored. While Shivaji Park will remain occupied to mark the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Wankhede Stadium is hosting domestic cricket games. ‘Shinde unwell’ The date confirmation, which was also endorsed by state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, comes even as Mahayuti has been contemplating its power formula for sharing the CM and deputy CM posts, along with ministerial berths and portfolios. The talks were stalled following CM Eknath Shinde’s weekend retreat at his native village in Satara district. Shiv Sena (UBT) highlighted the delay in government formation and Shinde’s “uneasiness”. Shinde Sena responded strongly, asking the rival faction to mind its own business and its poor performance in the elections. Shinde’s party colleagues denied that the CM was upset over his tenure in the top job not getting extended. They said he was unwell. Doctors treating Shinde said he was running a high fever from a viral infection, and that he was being administered fluids intravenously. They added that he would recover in a two to three days. The Mahayuti partners are expected to arrive at the power-sharing formula before the swearing-in, so that the CM, deputy CMs and some senior ministers can take oath, and the council of ministers is put in place well before the forthcoming Winter Session of the State Legislature is held in Nagpur in December. Sena seeks home dept It remains to be seen whether Shinde takes up the deputy CM post. In the meanwhile, his party colleagues— Sanjay Shirsat, Shambhuraj Desai and Bharat Gogawale—demanded on Saturday that he be given charge of the home department that was with Fadnavis, the outgoing deputy CM. “DyCM Fadnavis had the home department. If the CM’s post goes to the BJP, then it is natural that Sena should have the home department in the new arrangement. There should be some dashing leader in-charge of the home portfolio, because he will keep a check on the communal riots, law and order,” said Shirsat. Meanwhile, the State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule held an online meeting on the party’s newly-elected MLAs on Saturday. Insiders said BJP is set to conduct its Legislative Party meeting on December 2 or 3, at which the CM-elect will be endorsed under the supervision of the central party observers. This meeting will be preceded by the MLAs’ interaction with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and first-time MP from Pune, Muralidhar Mohol on Saturday dismissed speculation on social media that he would be BJP’s surprise choice for the top post. The rumour mill went into overdrive after Mohol met Amit Shah a few days ago.
01 December,2024 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreThe water supply in Mumbai, Thane, and Bhiwandi has been affected owing to a malfunction in the pneumatic gate system in Pise. Therefore, these three cities will experience 10 water cut December 5. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has urged residents to use water judiciously amid the cut. On Saturday, a technical fault occurred in the pneumatic gate system at Pise, which supplies water to the areas under the jurisdiction of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. While the repair work will start immediately, it is likely to go on till December 2. Thus, the water supply to Mumbai city and suburbs as well as to Thane and Bhiwandi civic corproations will be affected, resulting in a 10 per cent cut from till December 5. "Citizens are requested to use water sparingly during this period and cooperate with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation," the civic body said in a press release.
01 December,2024 12:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleIn a tragic incident, a seven-year-old boy lost his life after falling into a water-filled pit dug for an ongoing construction work near Kurla Depot in Mumbai. The victim has been identified as Ujjwal Ravi Singh, a resident of Vatsala Tai Naik Nagar, Kurla. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon when Ujjwal, along with his friends, went to play in an open area inside the Kurla Depot premises. While playing, he accidentally fell into a deep, water-filled pit that had been excavated for the construction of a building. Hearing the cries of his friends, some nearby drivers rushed to the spot. They entered the pit and managed to pull the boy out. Ujjwal was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital for treatment, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. Following the incident, officers from the Nehru Nagar Police Station arrived at the scene. They have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating the matter further.
01 December,2024 12:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Handle money matters with care—have a financial plan and budget in place. Avoid overthinking and trying to control any situations you have no control over.Career tip: Those negotiating a new contract need to be sure they are well prepared. This is a positive time for those who are up for a promotion. TaurusApril 20 – May 20If signing any legal documents, make sure the paperwork is absolutely correct. Time spent with friends would be enjoyable.Career tip: Decisions need to be thought through before taking any major decisions. Avoid talking about your personal life with colleagues. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Finding the balance between your personal and professional life may be a challenge. Try not to waste time on unnecessary tasks.Career tip: Find solutions and alternate opportunities if you are in the middle of a challenging situation. This is a positive time for new start ups and small businesses. CancerJune 21 – July 22Pay attention to advice from someone you trust. Those attending a family function or reunion would have a good time. Handle annoying relatives with diplomacy.Career tip: Make sure you have every document needed if you are applying for any government permissions. Avoid getting into emotional entanglements at work. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Be very clear if you do not want to take on certain responsibilities because you do not have the time. Take a day off if you feel unwell, and do not push your self beyond a point.Career tip: Pay attention to the small details and recheck work multiple times if needed. Any challenges may need unconventional, yet valid solutions. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Put in your best without expectations, and be willing to learn from any mistakes you might make. Take a little extra care of your health.Career tip: Listen to your inner guidance if you need to make an important decision. Be strategic while handling any extra curious, overbearing colleagues. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Work through any challenges in a systematic and disciplined manner. Those on a strict budget need to be very careful not to overspend.Career tip: Those negotiating a new contract should be prepared before getting into meetings. Finish work on time and consciously avoid procrastination. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Work through any challenges in a systematic and disciplined manner. Those on a strict budget need to be very careful not to overspend.Career tip: Those negotiating a new contract should be prepared before getting into meetings. Finish work on time and consciously avoid procrastination. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Those dealing with a legal matter need to be clear about the outcome. Stay away from stressful situations as far as you can.Career tip: Ask for help if you need it, and make sure you understand any new project’s needs. This is a positive time for self employed professionals. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Any new investment or changes in your portfolio should be made only after careful analysis. Singles might want to avoid getting entangled with anyone who has a complicated life.Career tip: Be very clear with timelines, and make sure you stick to them. Avoid spending time with colleagues who like to gossip and waste time. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Choose wisely if you have multiple options, and look at situations from a long term perspective. This is a good time to take a hobby to the next level.Career tip: Those working on an international project must understand the practical as well as legal requirements completely. An idea that seems small has potential. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Handle circumstances as they are, rather than indulging in wishful thinking. Listen to your intuition if you feel you need to make any lifestyle changes.Career tip: Clarity in what you want is needed if you have an important meeting with your boss lined up. Take help from colleagues if you need to.
01 December,2024 12:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BosePrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is set to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on the evening of December 5. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the frontrunner for the chief minister's (CM) post, news agency PTI reported. The ceremony will take place at 5 pm in Azad Maidan, Mumbai, according to state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Bawankule confirmed in a post on X that PM Modi will be present at the swearing-in ceremony. राज्यातील महायुती सरकारचा शपथविधी विश्वगौरव माननीय पंतप्रधान श्री. @narendramodi जी यांच्या उपस्थितीत गुरुवार, दि. ५ डिसेंबर २०२४ रोजी संध्याकाळी ५ वाजता आझाद मैदान, मुंबई येथे संपन्न होणार आहे.राज्य में महायुती सरकार का शपथ ग्रहण समारोहविश्वगौरव माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री… — Chandrashekhar Bawankule (@cbawankule) November 30, 2024 Although no official announcement has been made regarding the chief ministerial candidate, BJP sources indicate that Fadnavis, who has served as CM twice and deputy CM in the previous Eknath Shinde-led government, is most likely to assume the role, according to PTI. Shinde, the current caretaker CM, had reportedly travelled to his hometown in Dare, Satara district, a day earlier, amid speculation that he was dissatisfied with how the new government was shaping up. An aide confirmed that Shinde had fallen ill with a temperature of 105°F. Shinde unwell, says Shiv Sena leader Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai, from Satara district, said Shinde had returned from Delhi with other party leaders on Friday morning after meeting top BJP officials. Since his return, Shinde had been unwell, suffering from a cough and cold. "Exertion affected him, so we advised him to take rest," he added. Sanjay Shirsat, a Shiv Sena leader close to Shinde, insisted that the home portfolio should be given to his party. Speaking to PTI, Shirsat also claimed there were attempts to sideline Shinde. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar stated that the CM will be from BJP, with deputy CMs from the Shiv Sena and his own party. Pawar has served as deputy CM in previous governments. A BJP leader stated that a meeting would be held on December 2 to elect the party's leader of the legislature, with Fadnavis likely to be appointed as CM. Shinde, who has served as CM since June 2022, attended a meeting of ruling alliance leaders with senior BJP leader Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday evening. He had previously made it clear that he would accept any decision made by the top BJP leadership regarding the CM's post. Shinde is under pressure from some Shiv Sena leaders who believe he should not be made deputy CM, given his previous tenure as CM. However, other party leaders insist that he must be part of the new government. Differences within Mahayuti made Shinde return to village: Sanjay Raut The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a landslide victory in the November 23 state assembly elections. The BJP alone won 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41. The majority figure in the 288-member House is 145, meaning the alliance has comfortably surpassed this threshold. However, the formation of the government has been delayed due to disagreements over the chief ministerial post. Although Shinde appeared to have relinquished his claim to the top position, tensions resurfaced when a meeting of the allies on Friday was postponed, and he instead went to his village. The NCP has already declared that Fadnavis is acceptable to them as chief minister. In contrast, Sanjay Raut from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed the "unnatural verdict" had delayed the selection of the chief minister and suggested that differences within the ruling alliance had driven Shinde to return to his village. Meanwhile, leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a defeat in the November 20 elections, expressed solidarity with social activist Baba Adhav. Adhav, who began a protest in Pune three days ago, is calling attention to the alleged misuse of Electronic Voting Machines in the recent elections. Senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar accused the ruling government of misusing power and money to control the election machinery. (With PTI inputs)
30 November,2024 10:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNirav Modi challenged the claim of Bank of India (BOI) that he stood as guarantor to the overdraft facility extended to his Firestar Diamond Group to the tune of $9 million between 2012 and 2017. Appearing before Deputy High Court judge David Bailey on Friday, Nirav Modi raised questions about the genuineness of the signatures on documents and sought the court’s approval to inspect documents and stay the proceedings. In May 2018, Bank of India approached the high court in London seeking to recover $9 million that was given to Firestar Diamond Group of which Nirav Modi was the CEO. The bank managed to get a summary judgment against Firestar Diamond in March 2024 and is now seeking to hold Modi accountable as he was the guarantor to the $9 million that was given to his company. The Bank of India case against Firestar Diamond Group and Nirav Modi pertains to the huge fraud he allegedly perpetrated against several Indian banks to the tune of $1.8 billion. Punjab National Bank was the worst hit as it emerged that Nirav Modi obtained fraudulent letters of undertaking allowing him to secure overseas loans without collateral. He faces several cases in India and the US. “So, your position is that you do not recall signing them,” the judge asked Modi, who replied that the services of a handwriting expert would be needed. Tom Beasley, the bank’s counsel, told the court that it was a ploy to delay the case and that five years ago when the case was filed Nirav Modi had admitted that Firestar Diamond had borrowed money, and he stood guarantor to the facility. The court reserved judgment on Modi’s application to inspect documents and stay the current proceedings. “This claim was brought in 2019 and today we are at the end of 2024. I have been incarcerated for six years, and I am the longest-serving unconvicted (sic) prisoner in the UK. I do not know how long this will continue. Hopefully, I will be able to get bail, and if I get it, I will be able to defend better,” he told the court. Court documents filed by Milan Kapadia, the solicitor for the Bank of India suggest that the bank suspects Nirav Modi still has access to substantial assets and money and hence they want to pursue him. Nirav Modi has been in prison since he was arrested in March 2019 to face extradition proceedings at the request of India. Modi is accused of defrauding Indian banks to the tune of $1.8 billion. The courts in the UK have agreed to his extradition and he has exhausted all legal avenues. However, by virtue of “confidential proceedings” he has managed to stall his extradition. At one point during the argument, Nirav Modi made a plea for access to a laptop. Seeking a level playing field he told the court, “If I do not have access to a laptop, he also [Beasley] should not have access to one. He has tanks and missiles, and I have wooden sticks.” Judge David Bailey sympathised with Nirav Modi but said that it is not for him to make an order for a laptop to be made available to him. For the first time, Nirav Modi confidently claimed that he “might never be extradited to India.” “Extradition was ordered in 2020 and by rule, the [Indian] government had 7 to 14 days to extradite me, but here I am in 2024,” he said. Modi also pointed out that his continuous incarceration for close to six years would mean he would hardly have any jail term in India if he was pronounced guilty. “The probability of me going to India is very low.” The Bank of India case against Firestar Diamond Group and Nirav Modi pertains to the huge fraud he allegedly perpetrated against Indian Banks. As part of the same proceedings, Bank of India managed to get a summary judgment against Firestar Diamond (Dubai) in March 2024 and is now seeking to hold Modi accountable as he was the guarantor to the $9 million that was given to his company. 2018Year BOI approached HC in London
30 November,2024 09:11 PM IST | London | Danish KhanADVERTISEMENT
