Maharashtra
Malik becomes first serving Maha minister to be held for money laundering, sent to 8-day ED custody

A special PMLA court in Mumbai on Wednesday remanded Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik to eight-day ED custody till March 3, nearly 15 hours after his pre-dawn dramatic detention, interrogation and arrest in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of a tainted land deal.
Malik was produced by the Enforement Directorate (ED) before the special court eight hours after his detention and arrest on Wednesday evening, following which a furious legal battle ensued for his 14-day remand with the defence team opposing the same.
The development gave a massive jolt to the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government as Malik became the first sitting Cabinet minister to be arrested, sending tremors in the political circles.
After a series of meetings with top leaders of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, it was decided that irrespective of the court orders, Malik would not be compelled to resign as the Minority Affairs Minister.
On Wednesday afternoon, ED Assistant Director Niraj Kumar said in his arrest order that the agency had “reason to believe” that Malik “has been found guilty of an offence punishable under the provisions of PMLA,” and accordingly placed him under arrest at 2.45 pm.
Shortly after the formal arrest, Malik was whisked away by an ED team to a government hospital for a medical check-up from where he was taken to the designated special PMLA court.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh represented the ED while senior counsel Amit Desai appeared on Malik’s behalf, as the minister’s colleagues, political activists and relatives reached the court.
While he was escorted out of the ED office by the CISF, police and ED staff, a grinning Malik in a white kurta-pyjama was seen raising a fist in the air, and declaring: “Jhookenge Nahin, Ladenge Aur Jeetenge” (Will not succumb, will fight and win) to his supporters as he was made to sit in a vehicle.
The fast-paced developments started with an ED team along with a CISF team knocking at Malik’s home at around 4.30 am and taking him away a couple of hours later for questioning in the 17-year-old Kurla land deal case having a mafia taint, with an alleged money-laundering angle emerging from it.
The ED had deployed teams of the CISF and Mumbai Police for the operation even as a large number of NCP workers staged a noisy protest outside the agency’s office since morning to protest against the detention of Malik.
Malik, 62, became the first sitting minister and the second senior NCP leader in the MVA government to be arrested by the ED. Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was arrested by the ED on November 2, 2021 in alleged corruption and money-laundering cases.
Malik’s arrest triggered hectic political activity with NCP President Sharad Pawar rushing to meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal Balasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan and others in an urgent meeting held on Wednesday evening.
The MVA partners and top leaders like Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Majeed Memon, Chhagan Bhujbal, Vidya Chavan, Sanjay Raut, Kishore Tiwari, Nana Patole, Chavan, Naseem Khan, and others slammed the ED for the action against Malik, saying they would not be “cowed down” by the vendetta politics and targetting of opponents, and “silencing” them by letting loose central probe agencies on them.
Simultaneously, the opposition BJP sharpened its swords and intensified efforts to bring down the MVA government before its declared deadline of March 10.
Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis termed the matter as “extremely serious” since the land worth crores of rupees was allegedly grabbed at a throwaway price with persons linked to absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, colluding with enemies of the country, and the proceeds were laundered for terror funding and anti-national activities.
BJP state President Chandrakant Patil demanded that since Malik has been arrested, he should quit, as also all other ministers facing various allegations should resign from the Cabinet immediately, failing which the BJP would launch an agitation on the streets.
The MVA leaders announced a sit-in at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near Mantralaya at Nariman Point on Thursday morning, besides announcing statewide protests against Malik’s arrests, highlighting how the central probe agencies are being misused to topple the Maharashtra government and other states ruled by the Opposition parties.
Maharashtra
From Terrorism To Cybercrime: ‘Fully Equipped To Safeguard Mumbai,’ Says Police Commissioner Deven Bharti

Mumbai: In a comprehensive briefing on Mumbai’s security landscape, Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Monday detailed the city’s readiness to counter threats ranging from terrorism and cybercrime to drug trafficking and urban Naxalism. He assured citizens that the force is fully equipped and unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding Mumbai.
Bharti emphasised that despite the passage of time, Mumbai continues to face a persistent threat of terrorist attacks. He stated that ensuring preventive measures and strengthening the city’s security remains the department’s top priority. “Mumbai, being the financial capital of the country, remains on the radar of terrorist elements. We are constantly working to safeguard it,” he said.
Police Commissioner Deven Bharti Acknowledges The Presence Of Urban Naxal Elements In The City
Acknowledging the presence of urban Naxal elements in the city, Bharti revealed that a dedicated unit monitors and acts against such threats daily. He also disclosed that over 1,000 illegal Bangladeshi nationals have been deported in recent months as part of intensified action against unlawful residency. Bharti assured that all threat calls received in Mumbai will be treated seriously, with each incident being thoroughly investigated. Over 90% of the hoax or real threat cases have resulted in arrests, he said.
Following the recent firing at comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Canada by the Bishnoi gang, the Mumbai Police have taken all necessary precautions and have provided adequate security to Sharma and his family, he pointed out. The Commissioner pointed to the long-standing issue of drug trafficking and the rapidly rising cases of cybercrime as two major challenges for the city.
Special efforts are being made to curb both these threats, he claimed. In the last two years, the Mumbai Cyber Cell has prevented financial frauds worth over Rs 300 crore and has arrested several accused. The department receives over 2,000 cyber fraud-related calls daily, and nearly 60 lakh bank accounts have been frozen as part of ongoing investigations. Bharti underlined that increased focus will be given to ensuring women’s safety across Mumbai.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Dadar Kabutarkhana Sealed Again! BMC Covers Pigeon Feeding Spot Days After Protesters Tear Down Tarpaulin

Mumbai: Days after protesters tore down the tarpaulin covering at Dadar Kabutarkhana, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday reinstalled the cover by erecting tarpaulin sheets over bamboo sticks. Mumbai Police also set up barricades around the premises to prevent citizens from feeding pigeons.
A senior civic official said that the covering was done as per Bombay High Court (HC) directions, which prohibit pigeon feeding at the site. “The structure will remain covered until the court decides the next course of action, The cover was reportedly put up early on Monday to avoid clashes and that the BMC has asked Mumbai Police to maintain a presence in the area.
Riot Control Police Deployed At Kabutarkhana
On Sunday, an unusual scene unfolded at the Kabutarkhana as Riot Control Police were deployed to prevent violence. This came after Saturday’s incident when a man, identified as Mahendra D. Sanklecha (55) of Gazdar Street, Chirabazar, drove up with a food grain tray mounted on his car roof to feed pigeons.
Local residents stopped him, leading to heated arguments. Sanklecha reportedly claimed that 12 more cars with similar grain trays were on their way. Following a complaint by Sandesh Vikram Matkar (57), a junior supervisor from BMC’s G-North ward, Shivaji Park Police registered an FIR against Sanklecha.
Kabutarkhanas are open public spaces traditionally used for feeding pigeons, a practice deeply rooted in local culture and religious sentiment. The Dadar Kabutarkhana, built in 1933 and managed by a local trust, has long been a hub for bird enthusiasts and religious communities.
BMC Action After Bombay HC Directive
The BMC’s action follows the Bombay High Court’s July 30 order directing authorities to curb illegal and defiant pigeon feeding in public areas, particularly in Dadar West, due to health hazards such as fungal infections and respiratory problems. The HC also instructed the formation of an expert committee to assess the issue and, if in agreement with the BMC, suggest alternative arrangements for the pigeons. Civic officials have hinted that controlled, staggered feeding may be allowed depending on the committee’s recommendations.
The High Court will hear the Advocate General for Maharashtra and other parties on the committee formation on August 13. Meanwhile, the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has called for a major protest at Dadar Kabutarkhana on the same day, demanding strict enforcement of the feeding ban and closure of kabutarkhanas.
Maharashtra
Vasai-Virar Tragedy: 17-Year-Old Teen Drowns While Swimming In Well In Dhumal Nagar

Palghar, Maharashtra: A 17-year-old boy tragically drowned while swimming in a well near the crematorium ground in Dhumal Nagar, Vasai, on Sunday afternoon.
The deceased, identified as Masoom Samsul Khan, a resident of Vasai, originally from Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Jinat Samsul Khan, who works in a private company.
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
According to police, Masoom had gone swimming in the well when he accidentally drowned. Fire brigade personnel retrieved his body and rushed him to Nagnath Municipal Hospital in Tulinj, Nalasopara East, where doctors declared him dead before admission at 9:50 a.m.
he Pelhar Police have registered an accidental death case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The cause of death has been recorded as drowning.
Assistant Police Inspector Yuvraj Choudhary is conducting further inquiries.
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