The results of fierce electoral battle in Maharashtra will unfold tomorrow with the leaders of the ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) expressing confidence of their victories in a keenly-watched outcome that has long-term implications for various players, particularly from the two factions of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which have seen splits. Votes will be counted from 8 am and the trends are expected to emerge in the next two hours. The Mahayuti, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and NCP, is locked in a fierce contest with MVA that includes Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). Polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday. A total of 66.05 per cent polling was recorded in the state against nearly 61 per cent in the 2019 Assembly Elections. Mahayuti and MVA leaders are both interpreting the increased voting percentage as a sign of greater support for them, reported news agency ANI. Lauding the increased voter participation in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, State's Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam, said, "The Election Commission of India gave a lot of focus, attention and time for Maharashtra this time. Each and every strategy was conceptualised and implemented with high precision. This resulted in a huge number of addition in the voter list also between the Parliament election and the current election. Efforts made to make voting easier, especially in a place like Mumbai where we had some problems at the time of Parliament elections but this time everyone praised the arrangements." "So, so much work has been done. The Election Commission thanks all the voters who came out to vote on the day to ensure that history is created... We have increased by 5 per cent more. We want to thank all of them. Nearly 6 lakh officers and employees were putting their efforts into welcoming the voters and ensuring that they vote very easily," he added. BJP contesting on 148 seats, Congress on 102 Among the Mahayuti, the BJP is contesting on the largest number of seats — 148 — followed by Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at 80 and NCP, which is headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, at 52. There are six more seats where the Mahayuti candidates are in the fray. In the opposite camp, the Congress is contesting on 102 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) on 96 and NCP (SP) on 86. Two seats are being contested by the Samajwadi Party while two other seats by smaller MVA allies. On the eve of the results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi exuded confidence in MVA of wresting power from the Mahayuti in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, ANI reported. "People of Maharashtra are going to free them [Mahayuti] for the next 25 years. The government of loot, corruption, and (industrialist Gautam) Adani is going to end. We will get the majority. They are booking helicopters because they know people will ask them questions, and they need to run away," she told ANI. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav expressed confidence that Mahayuti will retain power in the state. "Mahayuti will form the government. We are going to win with a majority...The result will be in our favour... The name of the CM will be announced after the result. There is no competition in the alliance...We will get above 200 seats," he said. MVA will get 160-165 seats Most exit polls predicted Mahayuti's victory with some suggesting that it is a tight race between the two alliances. BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh said the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will be "wiped out" in Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls. "Those who have been blaming EVMs (electronic voting machines) for their defeat, when they won the elections in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, the EVMs were correct. Just like people rejected Congress in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, similarly in Maharashtra, the Congress-led alliance will be wiped out. The people will give a befitting reply to the corrupt, parivarvaad parties. PM (Narendra) Modi's government, which works for the poor, women and the youth will get the blessings of the people," Chugh told ANI. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said MVA will get 160-165 seats. At least 145 seats are required to cross the majority in the Maharashtra Assembly. "The results will be out tomorrow. We are sure that we are going to get the majority. Around 160-165 of our MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) would be elected... The 'khokha walas' will pressure them, so we have made an arrangement for them to stay together in a hotel... Sharad Pawar, Congress and Uddhav Thackeray will have a role to play [in choosing the CM face]. MVA will get complete majority and we will make a unanimous decision [on the CM]... No formula has been made yet, everyone will sit together and choose the CM," he said. This is the first election after the splits in NCP and Shiv Sena. Results of Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, 2 LS seats also tomorrow In the 2019 elections, BJP won 105 seats, followed by the undivided Shiv Sena (56), undivided NCP (54), Congress (44), and independents (13). Candidates from other parties won 16 seats. The results have implications for all the four major parties, particularly NCP and Shiv Sena. Thackeray lost his chief ministerial position owing to split in Shiv Sena in 2022 and his faction has been keen to prove a point in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. His key rival CM Shinde also gained popularity owing to the welfare measures initiated by the Mahayuti government and there is a seeming clash over who is true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy. NCP also suffered a split with Pawar joining the ruling alliance as Deputy CM in July 2023. His uncle Sharad, who now heads NCP (SP), kept a tight campaign and has been keen to see that there is no dent to his long legacy in politics. A lot is at stake for the Congress, too, in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 after the party is seen to have bungled its prospect last month in the state polls in Haryana where the BJP has formed its third successive government. Results will also be declared tomorrow for the Jharkhand Assembly polls tomorrow along with the bypolls to 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. (With ANI inputs)
22 November,2024 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway on Friday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will operate mega block on its suburban sections to carry out various engineering and maintenance works on Sunday. The Central Railway shared the details of the services which would be affected during the block period. Diversion of Suburban Services Down fast/Semi fast locals departing CSMT from 09.57 am ( Karjat local S-17) to 02.42 pm (Asangaon Local AN-15) will be diverted on Down slow line between Thane and Kalyan stations and will halt at Kalva, Mumbra and Diva stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and will arrive at destination 10 mins later than the scheduled arrival. Up fast/Semi fast Locals departing Kalyan from 10.28 am (Ambarnath local A-26) to 03.06 pm(Khopoli local KP-8) will be diverted on Up slow line between Kalyan and Thane stations and will halt at Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and will further be re-diverted on UP FAST Line at Thane station and will arrive at destination 10 mins later than the scheduled arrival. Diversion of UP Mail/Express trains Following Up Mail/Express trains will be diverted on Up fast line between Kalyan and Thane stations and will arrive at destination 10 to 15 mins behind the schedule. • 12140 (Nagpur-CSMT Exp)• 22160 (Chennai-CSMT Exp)• 22226 (Solapur-CSMT Vande Bharat)• 12168 (Banaras-LTT Exp)• 12321 (Howrah -CSMT Exp)• 12812 (Hatia -LTT Exp)• 11014 (Coimbatore -LTT Exp)• 12142 (Patliputra -LTT Exp)• 12294 (Prayagraj-LTT DURONTO Exp)• 11080 (Gorakhpur-LTT Exp)• 11060 (Chapra-LTT Exp)• 12164 (Chennai - LTT Exp)• 12162 (Agra Cantt - LTT Exp) Diversion of Down Mail/Express trains Following down Mail/Express trains will be diverted on down fast line between Thane and Kalyan stations and will run 10 to 15 mins behind the schedule. • 11055 (LTT- Gorakhpur Exp)• 11061 (LTT- Jaynagar Exp)• 17222 (LTT- Kakinada Exp)• 11071 (LTT- Barauni Exp)• 13202 (LTT- Patna Jn Exp) Diversion of Mail/Express Services: Down 5th line Mail/Express trains leaving LTT will be diverted on the Down fast line between Thane and Kalyan stations. Up 6th line Mail/Express trains arriving at LTT/DR/CSMT will be diverted on the Up fast line between Kalyan and Thane stations. Short Termination/Origination of Mail/Express Services: 16346 (Tiruvanathapuram-LTT Exp) Journey commencing on 22.11.2024 will be short terminated at Panvel station and will be cancelled between Panvel and LTT 16345 (LTT- Tiruvanathapuram Exp) Journey commencing on 24.11.2024 will short originate from Panvel and service between LTT and Panvel will be cancelled. Up and Down Trans Harbour line between Thane and Vashi/Nerul stations from 11.10 am to 4.10 pm Up and down Trans Harbour line services will remain suspended between Vashi / Nerul and Thane stations during the block period. Down line services for Vashi / Nerul / Panvel departing Thane from 10.35 am to 4.07 pm and UP line services for Thane departing Vashi / Nerul / Panvel from 10.25 am to 4.09 pm will remain cancelled. These maintenance mega blocks are essential for infrastructure upkeep and safety, the Central Railway said.
22 November,2024 10:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 35-year-old woman from Jogeshwari (East) died by suicide in Cooper Hospital, Vile Parle, on Friday around 5 pm. The police stated that the victim had been suffering from liver issues and had been admitted to the ladies' ward in the hospital three days ago after undergoing multiple tests. The Juhu Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and initiated an investigation into the case. The woman, who worked as a cook, is survived by her husband and their 16-year-old daughter. "The woman's husband was not allowed to stay overnight in the ladies' ward. Her 16-year-old daughter stayed with her. On Friday morning, when the daughter fell asleep, the woman took the drastic step. Around 5.15 am, when her daughter woke up, she found that her mother was not on the bed, and informed the hospital staff about it. The hospital staff searched for the woman and found her lying on the ground. Following an examination, the doctors declared her dead. We didn’t find any foulplay in the death. The woman was suffering from liver failure, and was depressed," a police officer said.
22 November,2024 09:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA fire broke out at a complex housing scrap godowns in Bhiwandi town of Thane district in Maharashtra on Friday evening, civic officials said, reported the PTI. No one was injured in the fire that broke out at around 4.45 pm, the officials said. The blaze broke out in the Fatima Nagar locality in Bhiwandi area, said Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). On getting information about the fire, the officials from the fire brigade and the disaster management cell along with other civic staff rushed to the spot and launched a fire-fighting operation. Three fire engines from the Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNMC) and one from the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body were rushed to the spot to douse the flames, he said. Yasin Tadvi informed that the fire, whose cause was not immediately known, quickly spread and engulfed at least a dozen scrap godowns in the complex, as per the PTI. The investigations into the cause of the fire is underway, the officials said. Village sarpanch electrocuted by illegal wire fence in Nagpur district; 3 booked Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 32-year-old sarpanch of a village was electrocuted after he came in contact with an illegal electric fencing on a field in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, the police said on Friday. According to the PTI, the incident occurred in Thutanbori village in Bhiwapur tehsil which is around 50 km from the district headquarters, in the morning, an official said. The sarpanch of Thutanbori identified as Vinod Natthuji Gurpude came in contact with an alleged illegal wire fence installed to protect crops from animals, he said. The official said that the man died on the spot following the incident. Following the information, the police rushed to the spot and began to investigate the matter. The official said a case has been registered against one Sushil Digambar Bhute (42), Gangadhar Mahadev Sahare (52), and Tularam Dhanvijay (48) under section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigations in the case are underway, the official said. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 08:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police on Friday issued traffic restrictions for the ongoing work of Mumbai Metro 6 project in Sakinaka. In a traffic notification, the police said that in Sakinaka Traffic Division, in connection with the Metro 6 project on JVLR Road (NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point), it is necessary to temporarily close the road and divert the traffic for the purpose of launching of elements for erection work laid by Eagle Infra India LTD. It said that the traffic restrictions were being issued to prevent danger, obstructions and inconveniences to the public. The notification was issued by Dr. Raju Bhujbal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Eastern Suburb Traffic, Mumbai Police. Road Closed - North bound of JVLR Road from NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point shall remain closed for all type of vehicular traffic. Road Diversion - The traffic on North bound from NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point on the JVLR Road will be divert on south bond of same road in single lane. Also traffic coming on the south of said road will be diverted on its single lane. The traffic notification further said that the above order shall be in force from date 24/11/2024 to date 15/12/2024 on every day for time period from 23.45 pm to 6 am. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police on Thursday issued restrictions around counting centers in the city ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election results. In an official preventive order, Mumbai Police said that in light of the upcoming vote counting process scheduled for November 23, 2024, a restriction order to ensure the smooth conduct of the election procedure and to maintain public order was being issued. The order was issued by Akbar Pathan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mumbai Police. The order, which will be in effect from 6:00 am on November 21 until 12:00 midnight on November 24, prohibits any individual, except for election officials or public servants on duty, from loitering or assembling in groups within a 300-meter radius of designated counting centers across the city. The restriction aims to prevent obstruction, public disturbance, and ensure the safety of both the election staff and the public, said the order. It said that no person other than an official engaged in connection with the election or any public servant engaged in duty at or in the vicinity of the counting centers, shall loiter or join or form any assembly or group of persons of any public through fare, highway road, street lane, bye-lane or any other public place within a distance of 300 meters radius from any counting centers. The locations affected by this order include key counting centers spread throughout the city, ranging from Borivali and Dahisar to Andheri, Bandra, Worli, and Colaba. The centers are spread across various municipal schools, community halls, and other public venues that will be used to tally the election results.
22 November,2024 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Friday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will form the next government in state after the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, the PTI reported. The MVA comprises of the Congress, Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Speaking ahead of the counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly polls on Saturday, Balasaheb Thorat, who is the Congress' frontrunner for the CM's post, said, "We (MVA) won't have any difficulty in definitely and easily forming the next government in the state," according to the PTI. Balasaheb Thorat, who met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar in Mumbai, told reporters, "Our numbers will be so good that we won't even have to look for the numbers from outside the MVA coalition." Thorat, who is seeking re-election as an MLA for the ninth term, faced a challenge from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's Amol Khatal in Sangamner constituency in the November 20 elections. Situated in Ahilyanagar district, Sangamner encompasses parts of the Rahata tehsil and the entire Sangamner tehsil. The constituency is part of the Shirdi Lok Sabha seat, which includes five other assembly segments: Akole, Shirdi, Kopargaon, Shrirampur, and Nevasa. Counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly election 2024 will begin at 8 am on Saturday, with all eyes on the outcome of the battle between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is seeking to make a comeback, as per the PTI. The final turnout in the polls, held on November 20, was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, election officials said. Counting of votes will also be held for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, where 67.81 per cent voting was recorded on November 20. Kolhapur district led with 76.63 per cent polling, followed by 75.26 per cent in Gadchiroli, which has some Left Wing Extremism affected pockets, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 per cent. Mumbai suburban district recorded 55.95 per cent polling. A total of 288 counting centres have been set up for the counting of votes on Saturday, including one for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll. A total of 288 counting observers will oversee each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, an official said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 06:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Secretary Vinod Tawde has demanded an apology from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for making "false and baseless" allegations against him in the cash-for-votes incident in Maharashtra and warned that if the two leaders failed to do so, he would sue them for defamation. Congress’s only agenda – to spread lies!I have filed a defamation case against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and their party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for their baseless allegations in the Nallasopara case. Despite their attempts to tarnish my image… pic.twitter.com/f15Q7qlmDf — Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) November 22, 2024 A day before the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 on Tuesday, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a regional party, accused Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore to woo voters in a hotel in Virar, near Mumbai. The former Maharashtra Minister claiming innocence, said that the alleged amount was not recovered in the probe by the Election Commission and the police. "The Congress only believes in spreading lies, and this incident is a proof of the party's low level politics to dent me and my party's image," Tawde said. Along with Kharge and Gandhi, Tawde has also accused party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate after she seized on the row to accuse BJP of using money power to influence the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, which concluded on Wednesday. According to news agency PTI, the legal notice sent to the three Congress leaders on the grounds that they were aware that they were pushing a "totally false story fabricated" by them. "You all have deliberately, mischievously with the sole intention of damaging the reputation of our client intentionally fabricated the story distribution of money. You all have published false, baseless allegations against our client on various media for tarnishing his image in the eyes of right thinking people in the society," the notice read. The Congress leaders were in a "great hurry" to damage Tawde's reputation, they did not bother to check the fact despite knowing the entire fact they made the false, baseless allegations, PTI stated quoting the notice. "The entire imputation made by you all are totally false, baseless, malicious and mala fide and as our client is in no way involved in any such illegal activity and as a responsible office bearer of the national political party he is aware of his duties," it added. Tawde has demanded an "unconditional apology" within 24 hours from the time the receipt of the notice, which was sent on Thursday, and published in newspapers and X. If they do not offer apology, then Tawde will initiate criminal proceedings under Section 356, which covers defamation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and also civil proceedings for the damages of Rs 100 crore against the three Congress leaders, the notice said. (With PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 05:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA special court on Friday acquitted former Maharashtra minister Omprakash alias Bachchu Kadu in a 2011 case of slapping a clerk at the Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai, reported the PTI. Special court judge A U Kadam, hearing cases related to MPs and MLAs, acquitted Kadu, an independent legislator from Achalpur in Amravati district of Maharashtra. Details of the order are not available yet, as per the PTI. Bachchu Kadu heads the Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) and supports the Mahayuti government in the state. As per the complaint, Bachchu Kadu had assaulted a clerk working with the Public Health Department at the Mantralaya in January 2011, for allegedly demanding money from a person who had been shortlisted to be appointed as a medical officer. The MLA slapped the employee and dragged him by holding his hand to the cabin of the personal assistant of the then health minister Suresh Shetty, the complainant said, adding that he did not have anything to do with the appointment of a doctor. Based on the complaint filed by the victim, a case was registered against Bachchu Kadu at the Marine Drive police station under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 332 (preventing a public servant from discharging duty) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty). In an another incident in July this year, some supporters of independent MLA Bachchu Kadu were reportedly detained after they protested near Mantralaya in south Mumbai against online gaming and gambling, an official had said, reported the PTI. Bachchu Kadu and his supporters reportedly assembled near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the state secretariat building on July 10. They had brought placards and banners demanding a ban on online gaming and gambling through mobile apps. As the MLA started his agitation, police rushed to the spot and urged them to protest at Azad Maidan near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The MLA then went to Vidhan Bhavan as the monsoon session was underway, the official had earlier said. However, his supporters kept protesting, following which they were detained and taken to the Marine Drive police station, he had said. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Thane Police in Maharashtra on Friday issued traffic diversions and restrictions ahead of Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 results. The traffic arrangements were made for the vote counting day on Saturday, November 23, the officials said. In a traffic notification, the police said that in connection with the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, special traffic restrictions have been issued for the counting of votes. The vote counting will take place at various locations in the Ulhasnagar, Dombivli, Ambernath, Kalyan, and Wagle traffic sub-divisions, leading to changes in traffic flow to ensure smooth operations and avoid congestion. The Thane police also shared key traffic updates: Ambernath Sub-Division: Forest Naka: All heavy vehicles traveling from Badlapur towards Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, and Kalyan will be diverted. They will need to take an alternate route via Nevali Naka and other directions. DMC Chowk: Motorcycles and rickshaws going to Ambernath Railway Station will be stopped at DMC Chowk and diverted through other roads. Sai Baba Temple: Heavy vehicles from Ulhasnagar heading to Ambernath will be diverted at this point. They will take the Shri Ram Chowk route instead. Matka Chowk: Vehicles like motorcycles, rickshaws, and small vehicles from Ulhasnagar towards Ambernath will be restricted here. They will be diverted via Hutatma Chowk and other local routes. Suhrut Hospital: Vehicles from Ambernath Railway Station West towards Mahatma Gandhi Chowk will face entry restrictions and be diverted through alternate routes. These restrictions will be in place from 6 am to 11 pm on November 23, the traffic notification said. विधानसभा सार्वत्रिक निवडणुक 2024 च्या अनुषंगाने वाहतूक विभागाकडुन दिनांक२३/११/२०२४ रोजी असणाऱ्या मतमोजणी प्रक्रीये करीता उल्हासनगर, डोंबिवली , अंबरनाथ, कल्याण, वागळे वाहतूक उपविभाग हद्दीतील वाहतूकी संदर्भात काढण्यात आलेल्या अधिसुचना pic.twitter.com/at5BoT7aVT — Thane City Police -ठाणे शहर पोलीस (@ThaneCityPolice) November 22, 2024 Kalyan Sub-Division: Maharaj Agresen Chowk: Vehicles traveling towards Vasant Valley (near Dmart) will be stopped here and diverted via alternative roads. Wellness for Ever Medical Chowk: Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction will also be diverted to ensure smooth traffic. Nikky Nagar: Vehicles will be diverted towards Moraya Hospital Chowk and other routes to avoid congestion near the counting center at the University Sub-center, Gandhar Nagar, Kalyan West. These restrictions will be effective from 5 am until the completion of the vote counting process, the traffic notification stated. Wagle Sub-Division: Dharmveer Chowk: Vehicles from Junagav and Kailasnagar heading towards IDI College will be restricted. They will be diverted through Road No. 28 via Hanuman Nagar. The traffic control measures will be implemented from 5 am until the completion of the counting process on Saturday. The traffic police has urged motorists to follow the designated routes and cooperate with the traffic police to avoid disruptions on the day of the vote counting.
22 November,2024 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Thane court sentenced two men to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for stabbing and injuring a man over a financial dispute in 2015, reported news agency PTI. Additional sessions judge Abhay N Sirsikar sentenced Maulabaksh Mehandihasan Mansuri (57) and Rajji Ahmed Nabibaksh Mansuri (47) and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each. A copy of the order passed on November 14 was made available on Thursday. Additional public prosecutor Rashmi Kshirsagar informed the Thane court that the attack occurred on the night of March 26 2015, when the victim, Kamruddin, and his younger brother Sultan, confronted the accused in a public place in Thane's Rabodi locality, reported PTI. Kamruddin sought Rs 8 lakh that his father had given to Maulabaksh for an investment with a promise of monthly interest, which was never paid, she said. During the altercation, Maulabaksh allegedly pulled out a knife and assaulted the victim with the help of his brother-in-law. The victim sustained stab wounds to his stomach and chin, reported PTI. A case was reported under sections 307 (attempted murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The defence counsel urged the court to show leniency, citing that this was their first offence. However, the court deemed the gravity of their actions too severe to warrant any leniency. Thane court acquits man of daughter’s kidnap and murder In October, a sessions court in Maharashtra’s Thane district has acquitted a 34-year-old man facing charges for the kidnap and murder of his eight-year-old daughter nearly three years ago, citing lack of evidence. In his order dated October 10, a copy of which was made available on Thursday, Principal District and Sessions Judge S B Agrawal held that the prosecution had failed to back its claims against Anis Mohammad Khan Maldar. As per the prosecution, Maldar was addicted to gambling and would often have minor disagreements with his wife. When his wife was at a hospital on December 3, 2021, she received a call from her husband shortly after midnight saying he had killed their daughter Mahira. Advocate Sagar R Kolhe, who represented Maldar, successfully argued that there were inconsistencies in the prosecution’s claims. “There is no motive attributed to the accused for killing his daughter...the informant (wife) admitted that she used to have minor quarrels with the accused and that the accused loved Mahira,” observed the judge. The court also pointed to discrepancies in the accounts of the policemen who responded to the scene. “As far as kidnapping is concerned, admittedly the accused was the father of the victim, and I fail to understand how an offence of kidnapping would be made out against the accused,” the judge noted. Acquitting Maldar, the court held that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt. (With inputs from PTI)
22 November,2024 03:05 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentSameer Wankhede, former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), has urged the Bombay High Court to transfer the probe into an atrocities case against NCP leader Nawab Malik to an independent agency like the CBI, reported PTI. Wankhede, an additional commissioner in the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services and a member of the Mahar Scheduled Caste, alleged in his plea that police inaction in the matter has caused him and his family significant mental distress and humiliation, reported PTI. The Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer had in August 2022 lodged a complaint with the suburban Goregaon police against Malik under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reported PTI. The complaint alleged that Malik had during interviews and on social media made defamatory remarks against Wankhede and his family members based on his caste. Malik has neither been arrested in the atrocities case nor has the chargesheet been filed till date. In his petition filed on November 20 in HC, Wankhede claimed that the police have not probed the matter yet. He has sought the atrocities case to be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reported PTI. The IRS officer also sought for the probe to be monitored by the court. The petition is likely to be taken up for hearing on November 28, reported PTI. "The lackadaisical approach of the police machinery has caused grave injustice to the pain and mental distress suffered by the petitioner (Wankhede) and his family members on being humiliated and defamed on the basis of their caste and race," the plea said, reported PTI. It added that in 2021, Wankhede's father had filed a defamation suit in HC against Malik and the court had then directed the leader from the NCP, headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to desist from making any further remarks. Despite the restraining order, Malik continued to make slanderous and defamatory comments against Wankhede and his family members, the petition claimed. "The respondent no. 2 (Malik) wields political power and has hence influenced the police machinery and thereby tampering with the probe in the case," it added, reported PTI. Wankhede claimed that Malik made the remarks after he arrested his son-in-law Sameer Khan in a drug case in 2021. The IRS officer alleged that after Sameer Khan's arrest, Malik launched a sustained campaign to defame and humiliate him and his family on social media and television, targeting their caste and questioning the authenticity of Wankhede's caste certificate, reported PTI. Earlier, the officer had also filed a complaint with the Scheduled Caste Commission in October 2021, seeking action against Malik. Wankhede had come under the spotlight after his then NCB team arrested actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan following an alleged drug seizure on board the Cordelia cruise ship in Mumbai in October 2021. Aryan was granted bail by the high court after three weeks. (With inputs from PTI)
22 November,2024 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
