Mumbai: The statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, the wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, at Shivaji Park was defaced with red oil paint, leading to the arrest of a man on Wednesday evening who was identified through CCTV cameras. The accused has been identified as Upendra Pawaskar, an official said, adding that the suspect is being interrogated.

An FIR has been registered at Shivaji Park police station under BNS section 298 (destroying, damaging, or defiling a place of worship or a sacred object held by a class of people).

The incident occurred around 6.30 am, leaving red stains on the statue and its surroundings, sparking outrage among Shiv Sena (UBT) workers who quickly gathered at the spot and launched a protest. Reacting sharply, UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed the move as “highly condemnable,” warning it could be a ploy to create unrest in Maharashtra.

“Such acts are usually done by stray elements who are ashamed even to take the names of their own parents, or by those trying to replicate attempts to disturb peace as seen in Bihar recently, where PM Narendra Modi’s mother was insulted,” Thackeray said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also denounced the defacement, assuring that police would thoroughly investigate and arrest the culprits. “We will not allow this to be given any political colour. Police will take strict action against whoever is behind this,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that he had personally spoken to the Police Commissioner and Joint Commissioner of Police, instructing them to trace the culprits within 24 hours.

Minister of State for Home and Revenue Yogesh Kadam, from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, also condemned the act. Calling Meenatai Thackeray the “matriarch for all Shiv Sainiks,” he noted that the statue had been installed years ago at the instructions of Bal Thackeray, with his father Ramdas Kadam playing a key role in its erection.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray visited the site and directed police officials to check all CCTV footage in the area.

Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) leader and MP Anil Desai blamed the state government for security lapses. “This is nothing but the failure of the government,” he remarked.

As tempers ran high, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers cleaned the statue and its surroundings. Police have stepped up security in and around Shivaji Park to prevent further tension. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the locality to identify the culprits.

Thane: The Shahapur Police have arrested two individuals for allegedly assaulting a man to death over a petty dispute. The deceased has been identified as Ramdash Gorkhane (47), a resident of Pradhan Pada in Shahapur, Thane district.

The accused have been identified as Sunil Nimase and Dhananjay Sugir. The body was found at Ratandale village near the Nagpur–Samruddhi Expressway on Tuesday.

According to the police, the victim and four accused were drinking a liquor together when they later went to the victim’s residence to take a villager’s hen. An altercation broke out, which escalated into physical violence.

The accused allegedly dragged the victim into their Scorpio car and assaulted him with fists and blows about 1.5 km from the spot. Later they have dumped him in unconscious condition at the location and fled the scene.

The body was discovered on Tuesday morning by villagers. Local villagers alerted the police, who rushed to the scene and sent him to a nearby hospital in Shahapur, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Mukesh Dhage, Senior Police Inspector of Shahapur Police Station, said, “So far, we have arrested two accused and launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects. Based on information from the victim’s nephew, a murder case has been registered. Further investigation is underway.”

Mumbai: After days of intense downpours that caused waterlogging and traffic snarls across the city, Thursday began on a comparatively calmer note with light to moderate showers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not issued any heavy rainfall alert for Mumbai today, predicting that rainfall activity will be subdued through the day, though occasional spells may continue.

According to the IMD forecast, the city will experience mostly cloudy skies with intermittent light to moderate rain. While some localised pockets may see slightly heavier showers, widespread intense rainfall is unlikely. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 28°C, while the minimum temperature may settle close to 25°C. Winds will remain mild, providing some relief to residents after a week marked by flooding and disrupted commutes.

Neighbouring urban areas such as Thane and Navi Mumbai are also expected to follow a similar pattern. Cloudy skies with occasional drizzle and spells of moderate rainfall have been predicted, with temperatures remaining consistent with Mumbai’s forecast. Maximum daytime readings will stay near 28°C, while night temperatures will range between 24°C and 25°C. Winds in these areas are also forecast to be light to moderate, reducing the likelihood of severe weather-related disruption.

In Palghar district, no formal weather alert has been issued. However, light to moderate showers may occur in parts of the region through the day. The district will see overcast skies, with maximum temperatures forecast around 28°C and minimum temperatures near 25°C, mirroring weather conditions in Mumbai and its immediate neighbours.

The weather outlook is slightly different further south along the Konkan coastline. The districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg remain under a yellow alert issued by the IMD. Authorities have cautioned residents in these areas to expect heavy showers in isolated locations, potentially accompanied by gusty winds, particularly in coastal stretches. These conditions could lead to temporary waterlogging and impact road connectivity. Skies will remain predominantly cloudy, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 29°C and minimum temperatures holding steady near 25°C.