Mumbai: In a key organisational reshuffle ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced the appointment of senior party legislator Ameet Satam as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mumbai unit. The decision comes just days after the civic body submitted its ward formation proposal to the Urban Development Department, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for control of Asia’s richest municipal corporation.

Who Is Ameet Satam?

Ameet Satam, 49, represents the Andheri West constituency and has been elected as MLA for three consecutive terms. Known for his aggressive stand on civic issues and his sharp criticism of the BMC’s functioning, Satam has emerged as one of the party’s prominent Mumbai voices. Before being elected to the Assembly, he had also served as a municipal corporator and has long been active in city politics. His persistent efforts led to the successful completion of Gokhale bridge reconstruction in Andheri.

BJP leader Ashish Shelar, who previously helmed the Mumbai unit, extended his congratulations on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shelar described Satam as a dedicated karyakarta connected to both Konkan roots and Mumbai’s pulse, adding that his appointment reflected the party’s recognition of his long-standing service.

Shelar also expressed gratitude to party leaders, colleagues, and Mumbaikars for supporting him during his nine-year tenure in various organisational responsibilities, noting that the period gave him energy to fight, a new identity, and direction in life.

CM Fadnavis Lauds Ashish Shelar, Extends Best Wishes To Ameet Satam

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Shelar’s leadership, crediting him for strengthening the party in Mumbai during the 2017 BMC elections and subsequent political battles. “Ashish Shelar handled the Mumbai division responsibly, achieving significant success for the party. Under his leadership, BJP proved itself as the number one party in the city,” Fadnavis said.

Speaking about the new appointment, Fadnavis described Satam as a studious, aggressive and imaginative leader with deep knowledge of Mumbai’s politics. “He has been elected three times as MLA, has served as corporator, and has held organisational responsibilities with dedication. We are confident that under his leadership, BJP will continue to maintain momentum in Mumbai. With the support of senior leaders, he will lead the party to ensure the return of Mahayuti’s power in the city,” the Chief Minister added, extending his best wishes.

Mumbai: The Government Railway Police (GRP) suspended three police personnel on August 1 on charges of extortion passenger at Vasai Road Railway Station on June 6.

About The Suspension

The suspended personnel, who were on duty at the station, allegedly extorted Rs.5,000 from a woman passenger. They had initially demanded Rs.15,000 as a penalty for merely standing and talking on the foot overbridge. The suspended constables have been identified as Milind Satav, Sachin Valve, and Kiran Aavle.

According to the suspension letter, on the evening of June 13, the victim, Ashwin Prabhu, and his female friend were standing and conversing on the Foot Overbridge (FOB) at Vasai Road station. Despite no misconduct or unlawful activity on their part, they were approached by constables Milind Satav and Sachin Valve. The constables allegedly seized Prabhu’s mobile phone and took both individuals to the railway police chawki (a room within the Vasai Road railway station premises used by the Railway Police).

There are no CCTV cameras installed inside this police chawki. While in illegal detention, the personnel allegedly demanded a penalty of Rs.15,000 for standing and talking on the Foot Overbridge. Eventually, constable Kiran Aavle facilitated an online payment of Rs.5,000 via a scanner belonging to a money transfer agent outside Vasai Road station. The amount was extorted without issuing any official receipt or citing any legal provision under which the penalty was being imposed.

Following a formal complaint filed by Ashwin Prabhu, a departmental inquiry was conducted by the GRP authorities. The investigation found the allegations credible. Consequently, the three GRP personnel posted at Vasai Road Railway Station were suspended, as per the suspension order dated August 1. There is a possibility that other passengers may also have been subjected to similar extortion, though such cases remain unreported.

Railway commuter organisations have demanded the immediate installation of CCTV cameras in every room used by GRP personnel at all railway stations and terminals under the Mumbai Division, whether officially sanctioned or informally arranged. They also urged Indian Railways to implement similar surveillance and accountability measures across stations nationwide to deter harassment and victimisation of passengers. Such preventive steps, they said, are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within law enforcement units operating in public transport systems.

Social Worker, Sameer Zaveri’s Statement

Sameer Zaveri, a train accident victim and social worker, stated, “Incidents indicate usual modus operandi involves taking passengers by railway police into rooms where no CCTV coverage exists, and extorting money under threats of criminal prosecution. Such incidents bring a grave disrepute to the police force and destroy public trust. To prevent this menace, urgent measures are needed. Mandatory use of body cameras by all police personnel on duty at railway stations. Immediate dismissal from service of police personnel found guilty of extortion as well as departmental action against those in supervisory roles for failure to do prevention of such incidents time and again occurred. The public deserves protection, not harassment. It is time for accountability and strict action.”

Palghar: A tutor at the IITN Academy in Nalasopara West was allegedly beaten by angry parents after he was accused of repeatedly molesting a minor girl who was a student at the coaching center. The tutor, identified as Rahul Dubey, has been taken into custody by Nalasopara police.

According to reports, a minor student attending classes at the IITN Academy, located near the Hanuman temple, was allegedly subjected to repeated harassment by Dubey over the past several days. The girl reportedly resisted his advances multiple times but did not disclose the incidents to her parents out of fear.

The situation came to a head yesterday when the girl finally confided in her parents. Shortly after, the tutor allegedly sent all other students home, then tried to block the girl from leaving the classroom. The girl managed to escape and fled to safety. Her parents, enraged by the revelation, rushed to the academy and reportedly thrashed the accused tutor.

Dubey was subsequently handed over to the police, who have launched an investigation into the matter. The incident has caused a wave of outrage in the community and has once again highlighted concerns about student safety at coaching centers.