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Maharashtra: MVA cries foul as Shinde-Fadnavis govt slashes security of 25 Oppn leaders

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 Amid stinging criticism over the state losing out mega-projects to Gujarat, the ruling government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has slashed the protection accorded to at least 25 Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders.

They include prominent MVA personalities like several ex-ministers, MPs, MLAs of Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), and follow an “assessment of their security perceptions”, even as leaders of the three parties raised howls of protests.

However, the protection given to NCP President Sharad Pawar, Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, NCP MP Supriya Sule, NCP MLA Dr. Jitendra Awhad and certain others has not been touched.

Those whose security has been removed include three ex-home ministers – State NCP President Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal and Anil Deshmukh, currently in jail.

Others who forfeited their security are former NCP ministers like Nawab Malik, presently in jail, Dhananjay Munde, Narhari Zirwal and Eknath Khadse, Congress state President Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar, Balasaheb Thorat, Satej Patil and Sunil Kedar, besides Sena (UBT)’s Bhaskar Jadhav, Anil Parab, Varun Sardesai and MP Sanjay Raut, currently in jail, and MP Kalaben M. Delkar from the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

In contrast, a trusted aide of Thackeray and MLC Milind Narvekar has been given a ‘Y-Plus-Escort’ cover, on par with the NCP’s Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar and ex-home minister Dilip Walse-Patil, while two ex-CMs of Congress Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan have been provided ‘Y Security’ cover.

NCP’s Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the cut or removal of security is only intended to suppress the voice of the Opposition on the continuous failures of the Shinde-Fadnavis regime.

Congress’ Waddetiwar rued how his cover has been taken away though he lives in the treacherous Maoist-infested areas of eastern Maharashtra while Sena (UBT)’s Sardesai slammed the government move to drop his security cover terming it as political vendetta by the Shinde-Fadnavis regime.

Maharashtra

Online Gaming Ban: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Mulls Shutdown Of Online Gaming Due To Rise In Suicide, Scams, And Crimes

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is calling for a complete ban on online gaming within the state, citing alarming spikes in addiction, financial ruin, crimes, and suicides linked to real-money gaming. Fadnavis confirmed to the assembly that he has written to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is working closely with the Centre, stressing that current IT rules are insufficient to curb harm.

In the Assembly, Fadnavis said that he has written to the Centre, urging it to regulate or ban online real money gaming. “The Centre has jurisdiction over online gaming regulation because the majority of these platforms are hosted outside of India. We are committed to working closely with the Union government to combat this growing threat,” he was quoted as saying in reports. 

In recent years, online gaming has spawned a web of distressing cases. In one gut-wrenching example, a man in Dharashiv allegedly sold his land, poisoned his pregnant wife and 2-year-old, and then took his own life after falling into crippling losses from online rummy.

Another tragedy from Pimpri‑Chinchwad involved a 16‑year‑old boy who leapt from a 14th‑floor balcony after succumbing to gambling addiction.

Cyber fraud tied to gaming is also soaring. In Mohali, police uncovered an Rs. 18 crore online-gaming fraud syndicate that entrapped people through fake WhatsApp pitches, with eight arrested . In Mumbai’s Navi Mumbai, a businessman lost Rs. 2.74 crore to online betting over two years—prompting a police FIR.  

Fadnavis warned that unchecked gaming platforms are “a new-age addiction” fuelling mental health crises and criminal activity, calling for a crackdown on celebrity endorsements that glamourise gambling

With nearly 97 illegal betting cases since 2023—including dozens in Mumbai—the state’s cyber police have intensified searches, training 3,000 officers, opening 50 cyber labs, and launching helpline services 1945/1930, though admits only central legislation can truly shut down offshore platforms.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Road Accident: 36-Year-Old Kurla Biker Killed In Sion Flyover Crash As Car Comes From Wrong Side

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Mumbai: A 36-year-old resident of Kurla, Suhel Shakil Ansari, lost his life on Sunday morning after the motorcycle he was riding pillion on was struck by a car allegedly driving on the wrong side of the Sion flyover. The vehicle was being driven by a 75-year-old senior citizen, who was later served a notice by the police and allowed to leave the scene.

According to officials, the incident occurred around 10:45 am while Suhel and his friend Abu Faizan Ehsaanhul Haq Ansari were returning home from Marine Drive. Abu was riding the bike, as reported by Hindustan Times.

According to the report, a police officer mentioned that, “When they reached the Sion flyover, their motorcycle collided with a car being driven on the wrong side of the road. The flyover doesn’t have a divider, and the car suddenly came into their lane and hit them.”

Suhel sustained severe injuries and was bleeding from the nose and mouth. He was rushed to Sion Civic Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Abu suffered leg injuries, according to the officials.

The police identified the car driver as Chandulal Jain, 75, a Byculla resident. He has been booked under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 125(b) (endangering life or personal safety of others), and 281 (rash or negligent driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 184 (dangerous driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act. A notice was served to him, and he was permitted to go, said the officer.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Ola, Uber Strike To Resume On Wednesday Noon As Cab Drivers’ Demands Remain Unaddressed

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Mumbai: The Ola and Uber driver strike in Mumbai, suspended until Tuesday, is set to resume on Wednesday if the Maharashtra government fails to address their demands.

The strike was initially called off on Saturday, allowing the government to respond to issues like fare rationalisation, the establishment of a welfare board for drivers, and restrictions on new permits. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch confirmed that the strike is merely suspended and will restart if demands remain unmet.

Key driver demands include:

Drivers advocate for fare alignment with traditional taxis.

A financial and legal support board for app-based cab drivers is requested.

There’s a push to limit new cab and auto-rickshaw permit issuance.

Protections under the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act for taxi workers are sought.

A review of aggregator platform operations regarding surge pricing and driver ID blocking is desired.

If unresolved by the deadline, drivers plan an escalated protest on Wednesday. According to a report, passengers have been asked to de-board in various locations across Mumbai due to the impending strike. A cab driver from Navi Mumbai highlighted their demand for a fixed rate per kilometre, contrasting current inconsistent rates with a previously established government-fixed rate of Rs 32 per km for AC taxis.

Cab unions have discussed these concerns with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has promised a solution within 15 days. Nevertheless, drivers remain skeptical, recalling previous unfulfilled promises. Sarnaik acknowledged the reasonableness of the demands and assured adjustments in policy would be made.

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