Mumbai: A 25-year-old Air India pilot, Srishti Tuli, allegedly died by suicide in Andheri East on November 25. The Powai police arrested her 27-year-old boyfriend, Aditya Pandit, on charges of abetment of suicide. She was found hanging in her rented flat with a data cable. Srishti’s relatives alleged that Pandit mistreated her, frequently argued with her over the phone, and instigated her to take this extreme step. The police registered the case on November 26 and subsequently arrested Pandit. The court sent him to police custody until November 29. The police did not find any suicide note near her body or in her flat.

According to the FIR, Srishti resided at Room No. 601, B Wing, Kanakia Rain forest, Marol, Andheri East. She was a commercial pilot. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, she had been living in Mumbai for work since June 2023. On November 25, between midnight and 3 PM, she allegedly ended her life. Srishti and Pandit met in Delhi two years ago while training for a commercial pilot’s license. They became friends, fell in love, and eventually entered a relationship.

Pandit had stayed with Srishti in her Andheri flat for almost five to six days before the incident. On November 25, around 1 AM, he started his journey to Delhi by car. During the drive, Srishti called him and said she would commit suicide, prompting him to return to Mumbai. Upon arrival, he found her door locked, then he contacted her friend Urvi Panchal.

Panchal arrived at Srishti’s flat, Together, they knocked on the door, but when there was no response, they eventually brought a keymaker to unlock the door and found Srishti hanging. She was transported to Seven Hills Hospital, Andheri East, where doctors pronounced her dead after examination.

Srishti’s uncle filed a complaint against Pandit, alleging that he harassed and abused her, often in public. He also forced her to stop eating non-vegetarian food. Srishti’s cousin and other relatives claimed to have witnessed Pandit’s abusive behaviour towards her. Her uncle, Vivek kumar Tuli, who runs a gas agency in Gorakhpur, spoke to her friends and colleagues. They informed him that Pandit often misbehaved with Srishti and tried to control her.

She had missed the engagement function of Pandit’s sister due to work, and as a result, Pandit refused to speak to her for nearly ten days. His behaviour often left her mentally disturbed. At a party, he publicly yelled at her for eating non-vegetarian food and forbade her from doing so again. On other occasions, he damaged her car and left her stranded on the road. Despite his treatment, Srishti loved him deeply.

Based on the the complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During her training period, Srishti lived in Dwarka, Delhi. After completing her training, she secured a job with Air India and moved to Mumbai in 2023.

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday addressed a press conference at his residence in Thane. The presser came amid rising suspense over the name of the next CM.

Indicating Devendra Fadnavis as the front-runer for the chief minister post, Shinde said that he has left the CM decision on the top brass of NDA and the BJP top brass. The Shiv Sena chief informed that he personally called PM Modi and Amit Shah to inform that he won’t be an obstacle and will abide by the decision taken by them. He also stated the BJP’s high command would have the last word on the decision of the chair and Shiv Sena would completely support it.

“I called PM Modi yesterday and also Amit Shah and told them to decide (on who will be the CM post), and assured them that I will abide by whatever decision they take,” Shinde told reporters.

“Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to name the next Maharashtra CM. There is no speed breaker from our side,” he added.

Shinde Hints At Leaving CM Post

He also stated that he never thought himself as a Chief Minister but always saw himself as a common man, hinting at leaving his stake on the CM post. Shinde also thanked the center for supporting him and his government time and again during his two-and-a-half-year tenure. He further stated that he is happy about the developmental works carried out by his government.

Shinde addressed reports citing rift within the Mahayuti alliance and said that he is not one of those who frown over differences within allies. He then reaffirmed that he would continue to work for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. “I will work for the betterment of the people of Maharashtra till the last drop of my blood remains in my body,” said Shinde.

Shinde also stated that the recent triumph of the Mahayuti was a landslide victory due to the combined efforts of all the allies. “The public of Maharashtra trusted us,” said Shinde.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis left for Delhi to have a meeting with the senior leaders of BJP. Fadnavis is the front runner alongside Shinde in the race for being the next CM. Several leaders from the BJP as well as RSS have declared their support for the ex-CM to return on the chair.

Eknath Shinde Resigns As Maharashtra CM

Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister on Tuesday, amid uncertainty over his successor, three days after the state assembly election results were announced. Despite calls within his party for him to retain the post, Shinde stepped down as the CM.

The Shiv Sena chief submitted his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The Governor then requested Shinde to continue as caretaker CM until the new government is formed.

Earlier that day, Shinde and Fadnavis attended a 26/11 memorial event at the Mumbai police commissioner’s office but had minimal interaction, reflecting the political tension.

Sena Leaders Lobbying For Shinde To Return As CM

The Shiv Sena, part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition, has strongly advocated for the next CM to be from its ranks. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Wednesday stated that since the elections were fought under Shinde’s leadership, he should continue as CM. Shirsat also hinted that the new government’s swearing-in ceremony could take place at Wankhede Stadium by December 2.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske dismissed speculation about confusion over the CM’s post, stating that leadership discussions take time. He urged the BJP to consider Shiv Sena for the position, drawing parallels with similar arrangements in Bihar.

“There is no confusion. The leaders of Mahayuti will take a decision on the CM. No state announces the name of the CM in two days. It takes time. We are a small party so we have demanded that just like you (BJP) gave it (CM’S post to JDU) in Bihar, give it to us as well… It is on the leaders to decide,” Mhaske said.

Fadnavis To Be Next CM, Hints Ramdas Athawale

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale claimed that BJP leadership had chosen Devendra Fadnavis to become CM for a third time, though no official confirmation came from the BJP.

The Mahayuti coalition delivered a strong performance in the recent Assembly elections, winning 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP secured 132 seats, followed by Shinde’s Shiv Sena with 57 and Ajit Pawar’s NCP with 41, solidifying their dominance in the state assembly.

Mumbai: A massive fire broke out in a residential building located in the narrow lanes of the Dongri area in South Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze erupted in a high-rise named Ansari Heights located in Nishanpada area close to the Sandhurst Road station. The cause of fire is reportedly attributed to multiple cylinder blasts.

Firefighters Struggling To Perform Rescue Operations

The blaze engulfed the high-rise’s 14th floor along with a couple of floors below it in the 15-storey building. The Mumbai Fire Brigade department declared the blaze as a Level-1 Fire incident. Multiple fire engines rushed to the spot for rescue operations. However, their efforts were hindered due to the congested and narrow lanes in the area.

According to the fire department’s initial report, no injuries were reported in the incident. The rescue operations are currently underway in the area where the firefighters are trying to douse off the blaze.

Fire In Andheri Residential Building

In another incident, a fire broke out in a seven-storey residential building in Andheri West earlier today morning. The blaze started at 8:42 am in a flat on the sixth floor of the Chinchan building.

Firefighters swiftly responded, deploying four fire engines to the scene. By approximately 9 am, the fire was brought under control. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, according to civic and fire department officials.

Cooling operations were ongoing later to prevent any potential flare-ups. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.