Mumbai: Siddhivinayak Temple on Monday denied allegations of unsanitary conditions in the temple’s prasad preparation area after videos and photographs emerged allegedly showing the presence of newborn rats in a tray of laddus.

Statements Of Sada Sarvankar, President Of The Temple Trust

Sada Sarvankar, president of the temple trust, said the location shown in the media was not part of the temple premises. The temple has 25 workers assigned to the laddu section, operating round the clock in shifts, he said.

“There is no possibility of such unhygienic conditions. When similar concerns arose at the Tirupati temple, our premises were also inspected and were found to be clean, adhering to all safety and hygiene protocols. We take maximum care to ensure hygiene, especially in the prasad section,” Sarvankar said.

Sarvankar suggested that the allegations may have been driven by ulterior motives.

“This seems like an attempt to tarnish our reputation, particularly after the announcement of the temple’s beautification project,” he said.

The official added that the temple uses the highest quality ingredients, including premium ghee, in the prasad.

“Every element, from water to raw materials, is lab-tested before being used. Three government officers oversee the operations to ensure the strictest standards are maintained.”

Mumbai: The death of Akshay Shinde, man accused of sexual assault of two minors, while in police custody has triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra. Shinde, who had been working as a sweeper at a Badlapur school, was accused of sexually assaulting two minor students. His death occurred near the Mumbra Bypass while he was being transferred from Taloja jail to Badlapur for further investigation on September 23.

The Maharashtra government claims police acted in self-defence, but Shinde’s family alleges foul play, calling it an ‘encounter’ and demanding justice. Meanwhile, opposition parties are calling for a judicial probe.

Allegations By Akshay Shinde’s Family

Following the incident, Shinde’s body was taken to JJ Hospital for a post-mortem. Outside the hospital, his mother and uncle voiced their suspicions, claiming that the police had beaten him in custody and coerced him into writing something unknown. “They killed him,” his grieving mother reportedly said while speaking to the reporters.

They questioned how he could have snatched a policeman’s gun and opened fire, stating that Shinde, who feared simple things like bursting crackers and crossing roads, could not have committed such an act. His mother also revealed that he had sent a chit asking for money, adding to their belief that something was amiss.

Thane police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre has established an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The panel, led by Additional Police Commissioner Punjabrao Ugle, includes several deputy and assistant commissioners of police, as well as police inspectors. The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading to Shinde’s death, with a focus on the police’s claim of self-defence.

What Exactly Happened?

According to the police version, Shinde allegedly grabbed a policeman’s gun while being transported and shot at an assistant police inspector. In response, another officer fired at him, resulting in Shinde’s death at Kalwa civil hospital. The police had been transporting him as part of a probe related to allegations made by his ex-wife, who had accused him of sexual violence.

Family Terms Death As ‘Planned Encounter’

Shinde’s family, however, maintains that his death was a planned encounter. His mother insisted that her son was innocent and incapable of the violence described by the police, adding, “He didn’t even know how to drive a car, how could he fire such a big gun?” She demanded that those responsible for his death be punished.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have supported the police’s account, stating that officers acted in self-defence after Shinde fired at them. Fadnavis, who also holds the home ministry portfolio, dismissed opposition criticism, stating that it was wrong to question the police when they were trying to save lives.

Mumbai: The city experienced thunderstorms and heavy rains all over the suburbs in the wee hours of Tuesday. Moderate to heavy showers along with thunder and gusty winds hit the city suburbs yesterday. The city saw cloudy skies and moderate to heavy rains this morning. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted continued cloudy conditions with heavy rains expected later in the day.

Today’s Weather Update

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 25°C, with expectations of the maximum reaching up to 31°C. The average temperature is predicted to hover around 28.5°C throughout the day. Winds from the northeast are expected to blow at a speed of 1.9 km/h. The sun rose at 6:28 am, and sunset is anticipated at 6:33 pm.

Weather For The Coming Days

Looking ahead, the IMD has predicted that the minimum temperatures will drop to 22°C on Wednesday and slightly rise to 23°C on Thursday. Moderate to heavy rains are likely to continue, contributing to cooler conditions. Minimum temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 26°C, while the maximum temperatures are forecasted to stay between 28°C and 32°C.

Mercury To Dip Slightly

After a brief period of warmer weather, the temperatures in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are expected to decrease again in the coming days. With the monsoon conditions have intensified again in the MMR region, Mumbai and its surrounding areas are likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall in the coming days. The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for the coastal areas of Maharashtra.

AQI Remains in Satisfactory Category

Mumbai’s air quality remains in the satisfactory range. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM10 particles was recorded at 56 by SAFAR-India. AQI values between zero and 50 are considered good, while those ranging from 51 to 100 are satisfactory. Levels between 101 and 200 are classified as moderate, suggesting the need for caution.