Mumbai: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has obtained permission to proceed against the Additional Sessions Judge of Mazgaon court, Aejazuddin S. Kazi, who has been booked for corruption charges. ACB has so far obtained his voice sample and also seized the mobile phone he was using.

The agency on Thursday opposed the bail plea of Chandrakant Vasudev, stenographer posted at Mazgaon court, arrested on corruption charges. The agency claimed that there is prima facie evidence showing active involvement of him and Additional Sessions Judge, Aejazuddin S. Kazi in the corruption case.

The prosecution on Thursday in its reply to Vasudev’s bail application informed the special court that the Bombay high court has last month allowed the agency to proceed against Kazi as per law.

After the high court’s permission, Kazi was summoned to join the probe, wherein his voice sample has been taken on December 8. Kazi’s phone has also been seized after he produced it before the investigating officer. Also the agency has also recorded his statement and his house was also searched on December 10, the prosecution informed the court in its reply.

While opposing Vasudev’s bail plea, the prosecution contended that, ‘investigation into the registered case is still ongoing, and prima facie evidence has been obtained showing the active involvement of Vasudev and Kazi in the crime.’

Besides, the prosecution claimed that they are probing the involvement any other public servant. Besides, the prosecution has also raised apprehension that if released on bail Vasudev may obstruct the probe and may attempt to destroy evidence.

Vasudev’s defence lawyer on the other hand has contended that for further investigation, his detention is not necessary and he may be released on bail imposing conditions. The court is likely to pass order on the bail plea om Friday.

Vasudev was arrested on November 10 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs15 lakhs in exchange for a favourable verdict from Kazi in a dispute related to property.

It is alleged that it all started from on September 09, the complainant’s office associate was present at the Civil Sessions Court, Court No. 14 for the hearing of the petition involving the complainant. At that time, Vasudev contacted the office associate in the court’s washroom and told him to “do something for Saheb (the Judge), and the order will be in your favor”.

Further, Vasudev contacted the complainant and asked him to meet him at a café. There he allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh for himself and 15 lakh for the judge, however, the complainant refused. The agency alleged that as the complainant did not accept the offer, Vasudev contacted complainant’s office associate who used to attend court hearings, on WhatsApp and said that if the money was not paid, the order would be against them, police said. The complainant then approached the ACB and after the verification a trap was laid.

The prosecution has claimed that after the trap it has come on record that Vasudev contacted Kazi on call seeking confirmation of the bribe amount. It is claimed that after Kazi’s consent Vasudev accepted bribe amount, thereafter Kazi instructed him to deliver the amount at his residence. For the prosecution, the said conversation is crucial to prove the allegations against the two.

“A notice was served to judge Kazi recently as per the provisions of CrPC and his statement was recorded. We have also seized his mobile phone and have sent it for data analysis to ascertain if anything has been deleted or destroyed from the phone. Once we get the mobile analysis report we will decide further course of action. At this moment we will not be able to comment further as the case is still under investigation,” said an ACB official, requesting anonymity.

Bhagalpur, Dec 19: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s sustained focus on women’s empowerment through livelihood and self-employment initiatives is transforming thousands of lives across the state. Under this vision, Jeevika Didis, women associated with self-help groups, are not only becoming economically independent but are also emerging as community leaders, entrepreneurs, and sources of inspiration for other women.

A compelling example of this transformation has emerged from Bhagalpur district, where women like Rekha Devi, Swarn Sandhya Bharti, and Farhana from Pirpainti, Sabour, and Jagdishpur blocks have scripted remarkable success stories by availing benefits under various Central and state government schemes.

At an event held at Bhagalpur Town Hall, more than 1,000 Jeevika Didis gathered to attend an address by Vijay Kumar Nivriti Kamble, Executive Director of UCO Bank and the lead bank for Bihar. The address focused on financial assistance and institutional support for women-led self-employment initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of banking institutions in empowering grassroots entrepreneurs.

Rekha Devi, an intermediate pass resident of Gokul Mathura village in Hardevchak Panchayat under Pirpainti block, shared her journey of transformation. She received financial assistance of Rs 4.40 lakh under the Prime Minister’s Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. Though she initially faced social criticism, strong support from her husband enabled her to persevere.

Using the PMFME funds, Rekha Devi set up a spice-making enterprise and purchased a packaging machine. Today, she produces and sells organic sattu, flour, spices, papad, badi, pickles, and mushrooms. As a community motivator, she has also involved hundreds of women in her venture, creating employment opportunities at the grassroots level.

“We were nothing earlier, but by availing the benefits of the Prime Minister’s schemes, we have become heroes in society,” Rekha Devi said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiatives aimed at making women self-reliant.

She also appealed for opportunities for Jeevika Didis to supply food products to institutions such as NTPC and power plants.

Another inspiring story is that of Swarn Sandhya Bharti from Khankitta Panchayat in Sabour block. She ventured into cultivating colourful mushrooms after receiving training from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Bihar Agricultural University, located near her home, as well as from the state government’s Agricultural Technology Management Agency. She later joined Jeevika, which proved to be a turning point in her life.

Her fortunes changed significantly after she availed benefits under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and received a grant of Rs 10 lakh. Once struggling without a proper house, she now uses her own home for mushroom cultivation. Beyond earning a sustainable income, she has also begun training women in Bhagalpur and Patna as a community motivator.

Speaking to media, Swarn Sandhya Bharti said, “The government helped me stand on my feet, and that has instilled a helping attitude in me.”

She thanked Prime Minister Modi and expressed hope that such opportunities would continue to empower women entrepreneurs.

Farhana from Puraini village in Jagdishpur block has also emerged as a symbol of empowerment. A community motivator for 150 Jeevika women, Farhana earlier worked as a labourer, while her husband is a weaver. After joining Jeevika, she received a grant of Rs 50,000, which helped her support her husband’s weaving work. Gradually, she began weaving silk sarees herself and now produces them on order, bringing prosperity to her family and the households of 150 associated Jeevika women. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for enabling such a transformation.

Highlighting the institutional support behind these success stories, Vijay Kumar Nivriti Kamble, Executive Director of UCO Bank, Mumbai, said that the bank, in collaboration with the Bihar government, has extended financial assistance worth Rs 108 crore to Jeevika women across the state. Emphasising the broader impact of such initiatives, he said that empowering women through entrepreneurship not only transforms families but also strengthens society as a whole.

A massive fire broke out at the Blue Roof Club on Ghodbunder Road in Thane on Thursday night, December 18, around 10.30 pm, triggering panic among locals in the busy stretch. Initial information suggests that fireworks may have sparked the blaze, though officials have said the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.

The Thane Municipal Corporation Disaster Management team and the fire department responded swiftly after receiving the emergency call. Multiple fire engines were rushed to the spot as flames and thick smoke engulfed parts of the club premises.

According to officials, the fire was brought under control within approximately half an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures in the densely populated area.

Speaking to the media at the site, Yasteen Tadvi, Disaster Management Officer of the Thane Municipal Corporation, said the scale of the fire was significant, but timely intervention helped avert a major disaster.

“We cannot specify the exact reason for the fire at this stage, but it was massive. As soon as the Disaster Management team received the call, the fire department immediately dispatched fire brigades to the location. After considerable effort, the fire was brought under control. There have been no casualties or injuries,” Tadvi said.

Fire officials continued cooling operations late into the night to ensure there was no risk of reignition. Police personnel were also deployed to manage the crowd and regulate traffic movement along Ghodbunder Road during the firefighting operation.

In a separate incident earlier this week, a fire was reported near the Coastal Road project at Marine Drive in south Mumbai on Wednesday, December 17. Preliminary information indicated that a cable running along the seafront caught fire, resulting in thick smoke in the area.

The smoke entered parts of the Coastal Road tunnel, leading to temporary traffic disruptions. As a precautionary measure, vehicular movement towards North Mumbai was briefly halted.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot and successfully brought the fire under control. Personnel from the Marine Drive Police Station remained at the site to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow.

Authorities have confirmed that no injuries were reported in either incident, and investigations are underway to determine the exact causes.