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Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar: Maharashtra govt paralysed sans cabinet, flood victims denied relief

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 Maharashtra Opposition Leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday slammed the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the delays in cabinet expansion which has severely paralysed the administration and hit relief work for the victims in flood-hit regions.

Speaking to mediapersons after a 4-day tour of the flood-ravaged districts, Pawar slammed the Shiv Sena breakaway faction leader Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Fadnavis for neglecting the plight of farmers affected by the recent spell of heavy rains and floods in Marathwada, Vidarbha and others parts of the state.

He accused the Chief Minister of remaining busy attending his felicitation functions while the state suffered on account of delay in the cabinet even 34 days after he was sworn-in on June 30.

“The two-man government (Shinde-Fadnavis) holds marathon meetings without allocating portfolios to other ministers in the cabinet hall with 43 chairs (of ministers) with the chairs looking at them and asking when they will get their occupants,” said Pawar in a swipe at the ruling duo.

He called upon Shinde to attend to the crucial administration rather than going around attending his felicitations and reach out help to the flood-hit farmers and villagers, expand the cabinet and convene the long-delayed monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature.

Pawar said that the absence of a cabinet for a prolonged period has hampered coordination of various departments, impacted the recording of ‘panchnamas’ for the damages suffered by the peasantry and to provide them with other relief and rehab measures.

“Suicides are again increasing in the areas hit by the agro-crises and the government must immediately declare a ‘wet-drought’ to provide urgent assistance to the victims,” he demanded.

Referring to the monsoon session of the legislature, he said it was scheduled for July 18, then postponed and was expected from July 25 and again delayed and it failed to take place even on August 1.

“The monsoon session must be immediately convened to enable a discussion of the major issues confronting the state, the need for a comprehensive financial relief package, and other burning problems,” Pawar said.

He has even shot off a detailed letter to Shinde-Fadnavis seeking declaration of a ‘wet-drought’ with a list of demands for assistance to the farmers, affected villagers, students, repairs to the damaged roads, power lines, mobile towers and other infrastructure in the flood affected areas.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Accused wanted in Kurla Methi River irregularities arrested, accused of cheating crores of rupees and creating fake AMU

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Mumbai: Economic Wing AOW has claimed to have arrested the wanted accused and contractor in the case of Mithi Nadi cleanliness and irregularities. The AOW has arrested the absconding wanted Sunil Shyam Narayan SM Infrastructure, Mahesh Madhav Rao Purohit. During the investigation of the Mithi Nadi contract and irregularities worth crores of rupees, the police had registered a case. Earlier, three accused were arrested. According to the EOW, from 2013 to 2023, fake MAUs were prepared and bills worth crores of rupees were approved in collusion with BMC officers. A proposal to purchase a machine to remove garbage from 2021 to 2024 was also approved and under the guise of the same, a fraud of crores of rupees was committed for cleaning the garbage. In this case, the police have arrested the accused agents Ketan Kadam, Jay Joshi and Mithi Nadi contractor Sher Singh Rathore. By preparing fake documents, the accused also prepared fake AMUs and also signed fake signatures. The accused were produced in court and remanded in custody until December 16.

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Maharashtra

ED, ATS Conduct Raids Across Maharashtra & Delhi Over Suspected Terror-Funding

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Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out a coordinated search operation in Borivali village near Padgha in Thane district, with assistance from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), officials said.

The operation, which began in the early hours of Thursday, extended to multiple residential premises as ED officials probed suspected terror funding and related financial transactions. ATS personnel provided on-ground support to coordinate the ED searches.

According to ED officials, the searches were conducted at nearly 40 locations across Maharashtra including Padgha, Pune, and Malegaon as well as in Delhi. The searches are linked to suspected financial transactions associated with terror-related activities.

The ED had recently registered an ECIR linked to the NIA’s ISIS terror module case involving Saquib Nachan, as well as the Pune ISIS module case. While ATS is simultaneously investigating the same modules, it is assisting the ED by sharing intelligence, leads, and field updates, helping ensure that the ongoing search operations are thorough, coordinated, and synchronised.

Officials said the operation is ongoing, with teams continuing to probe the suspected financial networks connected to the terror modules.

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Maharashtra

Raj Thackeray Appears Before Thane Court, Denies Guilt In 2008 Railway Assault Case

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MNS chief Raj Thackeray appeared before the Thane Railway Court on Thursday for a hearing linked to the 2008 railway recruitment violence at Kalyan station. The incident involved MNS workers assaulting North Indian candidates who had arrived for recruitment exams, leading to disruption and damage to railway property. A case was registered against Thackeray and several party workers soon after.

During the brief hearing, the judge asked Thackeray whether he confessed to the charges. Thackeray replied that he did not admit guilt. The judge noted that the matter could be concluded within a month and asked for full cooperation from all accused. Thackeray agreed to comply.

Speaking after the hearing, Thackeray’s lawyer Omkar Rajurkar said the next date has not been decided yet and will be issued later. He added that Thackeray does not need to appear again in person unless directed. Rajurkar confirmed that the court asked whether the accused admitted to the crime, and Thackeray stated clearly that he did not. The judge reiterated that cooperation was expected as the case nears completion.

Rajurkar stressed that Thackeray would continue to cooperate fully with the proceedings.

The case dates back to 2008, when MNS workers allegedly targeted North Indian candidates at Kalyan station during a railway recruitment drive. The attackers argued that migrant job seekers were taking opportunities meant for local youth. Following the violence, a case was filed against Raj Thackeray and seven MNS workers, all of whom were arrested but later released.

Originally heard in the Kalyan Court, the matter was later shifted to the Thane Railway Court. Due to repeated absence of the accused at earlier hearings, the court had issued an arrest warrant, which was later cancelled after an application by Thackeray’s legal team.

With the court indicating that the case could conclude within a month, the matter now moves towards its final phase.

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