Maharashtra
Central agencies are ‘dacoits’, why not shut them down: Uddhav Thackeray
In a brutal attack, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday accused the central probe agencies of being “dacoits” who take “contracts” from the Centre to hound political opponents.
“What are these central agencies? They are just like dacoits. They behave like the ‘pet animals’ of the Centre. They take ‘contracts’ (supari) to go and target whoever they are told to. People are now wondering why these federal probe agencies should not be shut down,” an irate Thackeray asked.
He was speaking while giving a warm welcome to party MP Sanjay Raut, who was released after 101 days’ incarceration in an alleged money-laundering case slapped by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), at his private residence ‘Matoshri’ here.
Referring to the Special PMLA Court verdict which termed Raut’s arrest by the ED as “illegal”, Thackeray said that despite the order, the Centre may still try to trap him (Raut) in some other false cases.
“The court ruling is a warning for the Centre and all those (rebels) who left. The wheels of time keep changing, (Deputy Chief Minister) Devendra Fadnavis must realise that the times change, tomorrow it can catch up even with him,” warned Thackeray.
The Sena (UBT) chief also charged the Centre of attempting to hide behind the courts for pursuing its vindictive political agenda and called upon the masses to raise their voice against this.
“If the Centre had any shame or principles, this (Raut’s arrest) would never have happened in the first place. The whole country and the world are watching the conduct of the government and its misuse of the central probe bodies,” Thackeray said.
Earlier, Uddhav warmly received Raut at the doorstep of his home, his wife Rashmi performed a traditional welcome aaarti’, congratulated him and applied a ’tilak’, while a beaming Aditya Thackeray gripped Raut in a tight abear-hug’.
Flowers, garlands and sweets were distributed as several other party leaders clapped and cheered Raut who met the Thackeray family for the first time in over three months.
Thackeray magnanimously described Raut as “a true friend indeed, who can be relied upon till the end”, one who would never backstab or go back on his words, and said he was delighted to have him back in the field.
He said that despite all pressures and harassment, Raut did not get scared or “run away” (like the rebels), and stood by the party solidly.
Reciprocating Raut, who will also meet Natioanlist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar later, said that after a couple of days’ rest, he would embark on a tour of Maharashtra, meet the party activists and the common masses to listen to their grievances.
Others including Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare said the “tiger is Back”, national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari said now the “BJP is scared, and 2024 will see the BJP swept out by the UPA”, Congress’ Bhai Jagtap flayed the central agencies for being the “dogs” of the Centre of which nobody is scared, while NCP MLA Rohit Pawar (grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar) said “the tiger returns to prowl”.
On Thursday morning, Raut expressed his inability, due to health reasons, to join the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, currently passing through the state.
However, a high-level delegation from the Shiv Sena (UBT) comprising Aditya Thackeray and other senior leaders will march alongside Gandhi on Friday, according to a party leader.
Maharashtra
Properties worth Rs 41.64 lakh of notorious drug smuggler Naveen Gurunath Chechakar of Navi Mumbai frozen, Mini Cooper car also seized

In an effort to crack down on the illicit financial flow of the Mumbai drug network, the competent authority and the office of the Administrator, Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act and NDPS Act have confirmed the freezing order issued by NCB Mumbai covering movable and immovable properties of the drug kingpin, GSD involved in multiple types of drugs. The value of the other frozen properties is ₹ 41,64,701/-.
On 27th January 2021, based on specific intelligence, the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai Zonal Unit had arrested three accused in Belapur and Nerul area, Navi Mumbai and seized various types of drugs like cocaine, commercial quantity of LSD and Ganja. Prohibited items were being sold in Belapur and Nerul area of Navi Mumbai. Subsequent investigation identified accused and kingpin Naveen Gurunath Chachakar of CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra as the kingpin running an international and inter-state drug syndicate.
An intensive financial investigation was conducted to trace the assets acquired from the illegal sale of drugs. The investigation led to the identification of a bank account in Citibank and a luxury vehicle Mini Cooper, which were frozen in November 2025, with a total value of ₹41,64,701/-, which was confirmed by the competent authority in December 2025.
The main accused, Naveen Chachakar, is a habitual offender and a notorious drug smuggler in Belapur and Nerul area of Navi Mumbai. He has five NDPS cases registered against him – three by NCB Mumbai, one by Nerul PS and one by Customs. NCB Mumbai has arrested him after a long process of tracing and continuous efforts. They are currently in judicial custody in the above cases.
The NCB has appealed to the citizens to join the fight against drug trafficking. Information related to drug sale or trafficking can be shared anonymously on the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (Toll Free) 1933.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Politics: AAP Releases 2nd BMC Candidate List, Takes Tally To 36

Mumbai: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its second list candidates for the 2025-26 BMC elections, with 15 names. This takes the total number of candidates announced by the party to 36. Last week AAP in its first list has announced 21 candidates.
AAP in its debut in the BMC elections have decided to contest all 227 wards in Mumbai, ruling out alliance with any party.
“AAP releases it’s second list of candidates; while BJP, Congress, both the Shiv Sena factions and both NCP factions haven’t been able to finalise a single list so far. AAP candidates have hit the ground,” said party leadership said.
Speaking on alliance of the Thackeray brothers, Preeti Sharma Menon, the party’s Mumbai President said, “We are happy that two brothers have come together. But all we have seen is Uddhav and Raj Thackeray and the BJP’s Ashish Shelar trade barbs at each other. The Congress is as usual missing in the action. The fact is that all existing parties are status quo beneficiaries and have looted the BMC, whether as the ruling party or by being complicit as the opposition.”
“None of these parties have agreed on a single list, while the Aam Aadmi Party has hit the ground with our leader Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Kaam Ki Rajniti’ and has already released two lists,” Menon said.
On Tuesday, AAP released it’s list of star campaigners for the 2025-26 BMC polls, featuring the party leadership across Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Goa and Gujarat. The list of 40 campaigners includes it’s national leaders including former Delhi chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi and other ministers including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and others, who will campaign in Mumbai.
MP Sanjay Singh last week said, “Despite being India’s ‘Urbs Prima’, Mumbai is in a mess. BMC has a whopping Rs. 74,447 Crore annual budget- the largest in Asia. Mumbaikars pay the highest taxes in the country and yet get shoddy public services. The BMC is a cesspool of corruption and monumental ineptitude. Every political party has looted Mumbai, prioritising their selfish interests over public good.”
Singh had highlighted that with just seven corporators, AAP will have a house leader and representation on all statutory committees, adding that when the party last contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it got 5.16% of the vote share, which came to over 2,73,000 votes.
The voting for the 2025-26 BMC polls is scheduled on January 15, 2026 and counting of votes will be on January 16. The nomination papers submission for the candidate began on December 23 and will continue till December 30. The final list of candidates for all parties will be declared on January 3.
Crime
Navi Mumbai Couple Booked For Using Forged Property Papers To Secure ₹30 Lakh Home Loan

Mumbai: The Kalachowki police have registered an FIR against Sadanand Vishwanath Darekar and his wife, Neelima Darekar, residents of Shiravane, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, for allegedly cheating the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. by submitting forged documents resembling original property papers to obtain a home loan of Rs 30 lakh. The alleged fraud pertains to an outstanding principal amount of Rs 29.28 lakh.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Balu Chintu Yadav, 55, branch manager of the Lalbaug branch of the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank since 2020, stated that the accused had applied for a home loan in 2014 to purchase Flat No. 102, first floor, Shri Om Apartment, Shiravane (JES), Sector 1, Nerul. The loan was approved by the bank’s divisional office at Mahim on December 15, 2014.
The bank accepted purported original property documents, including an agreement showing the developer Shri Om Construction & Builders (Dnyaneshwar N. Sutar) selling the property to Tanaji Shankar Mohite in 2007, and a subsequent agreement dated February 26, 2014, showing Mohite selling the flat to Sadanand Darekar.
A legal title certificate issued by advocate Dilip V. Zore declared the property mortgageable, while a valuation report by M/s Vishal Associates assessed the property value at Rs 44.10 lakh. The property was mortgaged in favour of the bank on December 30, 2014, and the loan amount of Rs 30 lakh was disbursed via pay order to the seller on January 5, 2015.
However, the borrowers allegedly stopped paying EMIs from April 6, 2016, resulting in the account turning non-performing. Despite repeated demand notices, the dues remained unpaid. As of August 31, 2016, the outstanding principal stood at Rs 29,28,370, with accrued interest of Rs 1,92,174 at that time.
A recovery certificate under Section 101 of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, was obtained on March 30, 2017. Acting on this, the bank took possession of the mortgaged property on November 25, 2024, through the Belapur Mandal Officer, Navi Mumbai.
During an inspection on June 26, 2025, the bank’s recovery officer noticed that instead of the Mumbai Bank’s notice, the flat door displayed a SARFAESI Act, 2002 auction notice issued by The City Cooperative Bank.
Subsequent correspondence revealed that City Cooperative Bank had also sanctioned a loan of Rs 28.50 lakh to Sadanand Darekar on September 24, 2014, against the same property, and had seized it on January 17, 2025, for loan default.
Upon verification on August 12, 2025, Mumbai Bank officials found that the documents submitted to both banks appeared identical. However, records obtained from the Sub-Registrar’s office (Thane-6) revealed discrepancies between the genuine registered documents and those submitted to Mumbai Bank, indicating that forged documents resembling originals were used to secure the loan.
Following these findings, the bank lodged a complaint at the Kalachowki police station. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Act and initiated further investigation.
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