Maharashtra
Shiv Sena MLAs’ Disqualification Pleas: All Eyes On Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s Big Verdict At 4 pm

There is high tension in corridors of power in Maharashtra as Speaker of the legislative assembly Rahul Narvekar is all set to announce his verdict on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on the disqualification of chief minister Eknath Shinde and his 36 MLAs who ditched the erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray government in June 2022 and joined hands with the BJP to form a coalition government.
A new twist was added to the high-voltage drama with Mr Thackeray filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Wednesday accusing Mr Narvekar of political partiality.
Even if the verdict goes against Shinde & Co, there will be no immediate danger to the government since the BJP with its 105 MLAs will continue to have the support of 38 MLAs of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) and some independents in a 288 member House. In fact, sources said after splitting the Shiv Sena, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP split the NCP led by Sharad Pawar also precisely to have a cushion in the event of Shinde and his team getting disqualified.
Uddhav camp not very hopeful
However, the opposition led by the Shiv Sena (UBT) is not very hopeful of a verdict in its favour. The party has already questioned the impartiality of Mr Narvekar, who is an advocate belonging to the BJP before he was elected Speaker. Both Mr Uddhav Thackeray and his party spokesperson Sanjay Raut slammed Mr Narvekar for allegedly cosying up to Mr Shinde on the eve of the verdict. Mr Thackeray sarcastically described the two recent meetings between Mr Shinde and Mr Narvekar as meetings between “an accused and a judge.” Political observers say that Mr Narvekar should not only be neutral, but also appear to be so. But, by meeting the CM he has himself provoked the opposition to question his impartiality and thus has lowered the stature of his office.
Mr Narvekar’s verdict will be in response to 34 petitions moved by both the factions of the Shiv Sena. Sources said the Speaker may read out only the operative part of his judgment on Wednesday, which is the last date given by the Supreme Court to pronounce his verdict.
The Thackeray faction initiated disqualification proceedings against Mr Shinde and his group on June 25, 2022 when it issued notices to all the defecting MLAs. The rebels were given 48 hours to respond. However, this was challenged by Shinde in the Supreme Court. The apex court in a verdict, which raised eyebrows in legal circles, gave Shinde 12 days to respond while the normal time is only seven days.
Narvekar in the midst of a controversy
This is not the first time Mr Narvekar, who has himself changed his political loyalties more than once, has found himself in the midst of a controversy.
In October 2023, the Supreme Court came down heavily on him for the delay in deciding the pleas filed by the Thackeray faction seeking the disqualification of Shinde and the “rebel” MLAs.
Mr Narvekar’s order is expected to deal with the tenth schedule of the Constitution which makes it clear that legislators who have defected from their party invite disqualification. The Thackeray group has contended that the Shinde group’s disregard of the party whip, appointment of a new deputy Speaker, the call for a floor test and claim of majority all clearly prove defection. Mr Thackeray further contended that by calling for a floor test the then governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari had effectively recognised a split in his party which was an illegal act.
Maharashtra
Mira Bhayander: Drugs worth Rs 32 crore seized Two Nigerians including an Indian woman arrested, used to sell drugs by creating groups on social media

Mumbai: Mira Bhayander police have claimed to have arrested two foreign drug peddlers including an Indian woman. The Mira Bhayander Crime Branch had received information that Shabina Sheikh’s house in Kashi Mira had a stash of drugs and that she was also involved in drug trafficking. The police raided it and recovered 11 kg 830 grams of cocaine. A case has been registered against her in the Nowghar police under the NDPS. The arrested accused told the police during interrogation that she used to buy these drugs from a foreign national named Ende and lives in Inder Mira Road. She was also arrested and drugs were seized from her possession and a Nigerian note of 1000 was recovered and 14 notes of 100 US dollars were also found in this case.
After investigation, two Nigerians and an Indian woman were arrested. Drugs worth Rs 23 million have been seized from their possession, in addition to 14 US dollar notes, four mobile phones, and drugs worth Rs 223 million have also been claimed to have been seized. This operation was carried out by a team of the Crime Branch including Mira Bhayandar Police Commissioner Madhu Karpande, Additional Commissioner Dattatreya Shinde, Avinash Ambore. The Crime Branch said that this cocaine was brought here by Nigerians hiding it in their stomachs. This cocaine is manufactured in South America. This cocaine is brought by plane by hiding it in human bodies. First, it is delivered to the Mumbai airport and then sold in various areas through the roads in Mumbai. The accused sell drugs by creating several groups on social media.
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.
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