Maharashtra
Hard to believe widow raped many times at knifepoint in crowded area: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench has quashed a FIR and charge sheet against a rape accused, stating it is “difficult to believe that a widow with 2 children in a populated residential locality was forcefully raped several times”.
A division bench of Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Abhay Waghwase gave relief to the accused, Siddhodhan N. Kurule, 33, of Parbhani, in the complaint lodged against him by the woman, who lost her husband in March 2017.
The victim claimed that on July 13, 2017, when she was at home with her kids, the accused entered her house on the pretext of drinking water, brandished a knife and threatened to kill her and the kids, and then, had forcible sex with her.
She said that Kurule would come drunk, demand money from her, and upon her refusal, took away her ornaments for mortgage, raped her on multiple occasions, and also assaulted her.
After nearly six months, she claimed to be fed up with this, complained to her parents and later lodged the case at the Nava Mondha Police Station.
Kurule’s lawyer, senior advocate Rajendra S. Deshmukh submitted that the FIR was belated, false and full of baseless allegation, the complainant was a widow with 2 kids living in a thickly populated locality and the duo had known each other since long.
He said that the jeweller’s statements showed that the ornaments were mortgaged at her instance, and her parents lived separately and were ignorant of the alleged incidents as she never visited them and they did not come to see her.
Additional Public Prosecutor M.M. Nerlikar argued that the victim was raped multiple times and knifepoint and the accused had forcibly taken away her jewellery.
The victim’s lawyer P. N. Kalani argued on similar lines and pointed out that the investigation was completed, the charge sheet was filed and hence, Kurule must face trial.
However, the bench noted that the FIR was filed after six months by the widow, and in her supplementary statement, she had stated how Kurule used to regularly visit her home and even help her out at times, she had allowed him to operate her ATM card, and there was room to “presume that there was a long-standing association” between them.
“We are of the considered opinion that apart from inordinate delay lodging FIR, the allegation of rape levelled against the applicant (Kurule) does not inspire confidence. In fact there was long-standing acquaintance between (them). It is difficult to accept that a widow with two children residing in a thickly-populated residential locality could be forcibly raped not once but on several occasions,” it said.
Quashing the FIR, the judges said that “whatever sexual encounters took place between (them) apparently seemed to be consensual one, therefore making (Kurule) face trial with such allegations would render him not only hardship but great injustice”.
Crime
Thane Crime Branch Seizes ₹1.69 Crore Worth MD Powder; Man Arrested While En Route To Mumbra

The Thane Crime Branch Unit One has arrested a man for allegedly possessing over 1 kilogram of MD powder, valued at ₹1.69 crore, which he intended to sell in Mumbra. The accused has been identified as Mohanlal Joshi alias Sharma, a resident of Kudus village in Wada, Palghar.
According to officials, acting on a tip-off received on July 18, a team was deployed near the Mumbra bypass flyover bridge, where the suspect was expected to arrive. The man was intercepted in his car en route to Mumbra. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered and seized 1.209 kilograms of MD powder, with an estimated value of ₹1,69,26,000.
He was taken to the police station, and a case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
An investigating officer from Thane Crime Branch Unit One said they are currently probing the source of the contraband and its intended recipients. Efforts are also underway to determine how many others may be involved in the case. Further investigation is ongoing.
Maharashtra
Air India Flight From Kochi Veers Off Runway While Landing At Mumbai Airport Amid Heavy Rains

Mumbai: A major tragedy averted on Monday as Air India flight, AI2744, from Kochi veered off runway at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport amid heavy rains in the city. All passengers are reported to be safe.
As per Air India’s spokesperson, the flight experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft was taxied safely to the gate. All passengers and crew members deboarded the flight. The aircraft has been grounded for checks.
The hard landing reportedly caused damaged to the primary runway. Repair works are currently underway. Three tyres burst during the landing and the engine of the aircraft likely to have been damaged, Emergency teams were deployed to control the situation.
Visuals Of The Damaged Plane:
“An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion,” a spokesperson for CSMIA said, as quoted by the media house.
“All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages reported to the airport’s primary runway – 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 has been activated. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” the CSMIA spokesperson added.
Mumbai Rains:
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, leading to traffic disruption, especially in western and central suburbs. Local train services were also affected due to heavy showers. Local trains on the harbour line were reportedly running 20-25 minutes late.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more rains in the city during the week as the monsoon activity intensified. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall and overcast skies are expected, along with occasional thunderstorms. The overall temperature will remain mild, although humidity levels may remain steady.
Maharashtra
Mumbai HC Acquits All Convicted in 2006 Train Blasts Case; Death Sentences Overturned

Mumbai | July 21, 2025 — In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai local train serial bomb blasts case, reversing the 2015 judgment of the MCOCA special court which had handed out death and life sentences.
The case (G.R. No. 05/2006, MCOCA Special Case No. 21/2006) pertains to the horrific series of bomb blasts that rocked the Western Railway suburban trains in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, killing over 180 people and injuring more than 800.
On September 30, 2015, the special MCOCA court had sentenced:
- 5 accused to death,
- 7 accused to life imprisonment,
- while 1 accused was acquitted.
Following standard procedure, the death sentences were referred to the Bombay High Court for confirmation, and the convicted individuals filed appeals challenging their sentences.
A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice S. G. Chapalgaonkar heard the matter extensively from *July 2024, with final arguments concluding on *January 27, 2025.
On July 21, 2025, the High Court delivered its judgment:
- Rejected the death reference,
- Allowed the appeals of all convicted individuals,
- Set aside the 2015 convictions and sentences passed by the MCOCA special court.
Representing the Government of India and the state of Maharashtra were Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Raja Thakare and Special Public Prosecutor Chimalkar, who argued for upholding the original verdict.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, has stated that it is currently analyzing the High Court’s detailed judgment. Consultations are underway with legal experts and special prosecutors to determine the next course of legal action, which may include an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The verdict has sparked significant public and legal interest, as it not only impacts one of the most devastating terror incidents in Mumbai’s history but also raises serious questions about the prosecution’s evidence and investigation.
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