Maharashtra
Mumbai: ‘Illegal office razed’ – Shiv Sena (UBT) confronts BJP ex-MP

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab, whose alleged “illegal” office here was razed, on Tuesday challenged Bharatiya Janata Party’s ex-MP Kirit Somaiya to prove his charges that the premises were unauthorised.
Addressing the media at the MHADA Colony in Bandra east, Parab said the structure was demolished by the society members on Monday after MHADA last week refused permission to regularise it.
Dismissing Somaiya’s claims, he hit back to accuse the BJP leader of “working against the interests of the poor Marathi people” especially since the MHDA complex is now going for a redevelopment.
“By targeting me like this, Somaiya – who has taken a ‘supari’ (contract) from the builders – will try to misuse the notice and pressurize the society members here against asking for additional area (of the flats) in the redevelopment project,” claimed Parab.
Along with some society members, Parab emphatically said that after the MHADA declined permission to regularise the office due to Somaiya’s coercion, the society on its own flattened the office.
Somaiya – who first raised the issue before the Lokayukta in September 2021 – claimed that the MHADA brought the axe on Parab’s “illegal office”, which the Society and the Sena (UBT) leader rejected.
Parab, who was a minister then, said that he had informed MHADA of having nothing to do with the land or the structure or the demolition orders then, and Somaiya’s false allegations were intended to discredit him.
The society members said that they had asked Parab to base his office here for the benefit of the people in the MHADA complex to which he had agreed.
“Fake news is being spread on this issue. I challenge Somaiya to come and view the demolished office and we shall give him a proper areception’,” declared Parab.
As Somaiya drove to the venue, Mumbai Police stopped his vehicle near Bandra Kurla Complex ostensibly to prevent any law and order issue.
Maharashtra
Two arrested in Powai theft cases: Accused committed the crime a stolen motorcycle

Mumbai: Mumbai Police has claimed to have arrested two accused in two theft cases within 48 hours. On the morning of April 5, two thieves snatched a gold chain from a woman in the limits of Powai police station in Mumbai. A 30-gram gold chain was also recovered from their possession. The second incident took place in front of II Marg Gate in Powai area, in which the accused had inquired where the medical was and then threw a dirty cloth on the complainant’s face and escaped with a 15-gram gold necklace.
The matter was seriously investigated. The next day, at 8:30 am, the accused snatched two gold necklaces weighing 20 grams from the neck of a 45-year-old woman near Hiranandani guard and fled on a motorcycle. To solve all these thefts, the police examined more than 100 CCTV footage during the investigation. It was found that The accused fled towards Bahram Bagh. Then both the accused were arrested and 30 grams of gold ornaments were recovered from their possession. The motorcycle used by the accused for the crime has also been seized. Pappu Gajendra Mishra, 20, and Sunil Ganga Mohte, 20, have been arrested from Andheri. A case of theft has also been registered against the accused Pappu Mishra at Rabori police station 6 months ago and he had stolen a motorcycle six months ago and it was used in this theft as well. This information was given here today by DCP of Mumbai Zone 10, Sachin Kanjal.
Maharashtra
Strict action against contractor for negligent road concrete work; Ban on tendering for next 2 years, fine also imposed

Mumbai: Construction of cement concrete roads is going on at a fast pace in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with the aim of making the roads free from potholes. The BMC administration is stressing on ensuring that the work is of the highest standard.
Strict action is being taken against those who are substandard or negligent.
In this regard, the contractor who caused unacceptable delay in the road concrete work in the Aarey Colony area has been debarred from participating in the tender process of all BMC departments for the next 2 years, and a fine of Rs. 5 lakh has also been imposed.
Similarly, the registration of 2 ready mix concrete (RMC) plants has been cancelled and they have been debarred from supplying concrete mix for any BMC project for 6 months.
In addition, a fine of Rs. 20 lakh each has also been imposed on 2 road contractors.
All these actions have been taken on the directions of BMC Commissioner Shri Bhushan Gagrani. He has made it clear that *no negligence or lapse in the road concrete work will be tolerated* and strict action will be taken against the guilty.
Specific Incidents:
- *Aarey Colony – Dinkar Rao Desai Road*:
- The quality of work was found to be poor in the inspection by Additional Commissioner (Projects) Shri Abhijeet Bangar.
- The contractor was issued a notice, fined Rs. 5 lakh and directed to rectify immediately.
- Delay in repairs also resulted in a ban on participation in tenders for 2 years.
- *Dr. Neetu Mandke Road, M-East Ward – 20 March 2025*:
- During a surprise inspection, a difference was found in the slump test (160mm at the plant, 170mm at the site).
- The concrete load was rejected, the vehicle was sent back, the RMC plant was fined Rs. 20 lakh and banned for 6 months.
- *Karagroh Road, B Ward – 1 April 2025*:
- Slump was found to be 65mm at the plant while 180mm at the site.
- Notice was given to the contractor and RMC plant, despite admitting the mistake, a fine of Rs 20 lakh and a supply ban of 6 months were imposed.
Importance of Slump Test:
Slump test is done to check the “workability” of concrete. It shows the ratio of cement to water.
If the water is too much, it has a negative impact on the quality.
That is why BMC has made slump test mandatory at both ready mix plants and sites.
Additional Commissioner Mr. Abhijeet Bangar said that BMC officers are inspecting the work themselves, and if any flaw is found, strict action will be taken against the responsible individual or institution. All contractors have to be careful, because no compromise with quality will be accepted.
Maharashtra
ICC, BCCI, ECB and CA to bankroll plan to support Afghan women cricketers: Report

Mumbai, April 16: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) plans to support the exiled female cricketers from Afghanistan will be bankrolled via contributions by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Cricket Australia (CA), a report claimed on Wednesday.
The initiative to assist Afghanistan’s displaced women cricketers, which will include coaching and mentorship, “will be constituted through a dedicated fund,” and it will be fully funded by the ICC and the three boards.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the fund will not include any contribution from the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The ACB will continue to receive its full amount from the ICC.
The ICC has recently announced that it will put in place a plan to support women cricketers exiled from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country and banned the participation of females in sports and disbanded the teams.
“Last year, the prospect of ring-fencing an amount for women’s cricket from the ACB’s portion of the ICC’s revenue distributions was discussed but that plan did not come to fruition. The ACB is the only Full Member board that does not field a women’s team, and is not able to because of the severe restrictions on women’s rights after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021,” the report claimed.
The report also said, the ICC’s latest plan to engage with Afghanistan’s female cricketers neither amounts to official recognition nor does it clear the path for Afghanistan to field a women’s team, as such a team can only be ratified by the ACB. Instead, the ICC hopes to work with Afghanistan’s female cricketers to provide them with both access to the game and funding for further education.
“The ICC does not select a team for Afghanistan. Rather, we are committed to addressing the complexities of the issue and finding a solution that fits within the ICC’s legal and constitutional framework,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.
The report also confirmed that the ICC’s initiative will not be limited to the 19 Afghan cricketers resident in Australia but, “the plan is to include all displaced Afghan women cricketers regardless of their location.”
The ICC has so far not clarified on what will the Afghanistan women cricketers in exile do after getting coaching and mentorship from this fund.
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