Mira Bhayandar: As part of efforts to crack down on illegal distribution of freebies including alcohol, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the excise department has tightened its grip over the liquor trade by mandated all vending establishments and manufacturing units in Thane district to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

About The Rule

The CCTV cameras have to mainly focus on the delivery points and sale counters. Additionally, all liquor vending license holders have been directed to share a photo of their establishments closure to confirm adherence to stipulated closing timings. This apart from updating their establishments opening purchase and sales data on a daily basis before closure. The updates need to be uploaded on the official portal of the excise department by using individual login-ids assigned to each license holder.

All these steps are in accordance with guidelines laid down by the state election commission (SEC) to ensure that movement is regulated and controlled to thwart any attempts of providing liquor to influence voters. 

“Any sudden spike in sale or closing stock at the end of the day will be audited and reported to the EC for further investigations. We are regularly monitoring the data. However, no such irregularities have been detected so far,” said an excise officer.  

Resolution About Installation Of One AI Powered CCTV Camera

Notably, a couple of days before the model election code of conduct (MCC) came into force on 15, October, the state government issued a resolution mandating installation of at least one Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered CCTV camera to keep a check on underage youth buying liquor. Although the GR states that it was an experimental step which was apparently taken in the wake of the hit-and -run cases reported from Worli and Pune, the license holders were upset over the decision as the cost of each AI camera is pegged at more than Rs 4 lakh.

The AI-powered camera armed with machine learning (ML) system not only facilitates in determining and detecting underage buyers (below 21 years) but also track those with criminal antecedents. The officials monitoring the footage will receive a notification which can lead to strict action against the vendors/bar managements who will think twice before dispensing or allowing underage youth to consume liquor at their establishments. 

Mumbai: A day after infuriated Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray released a video of social media showing the officials frisking his bags in helicopter as a security check, the BJP has taken a jibe at Thackeray for his language. BJP’s Amit Malviya slammed Thackeray saying,”His language is worse than a street lout.”

Thackeray’s bags were inspected on Monday on a helipad in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal under the model code of conduct for Maharashtra assembly elections. Thackeray was on his way for an election rally.

Posting on X, BJP’s Amit Malviya said, Uddhav Thackeray threatening election commission officials for doing their job is the worst thing you will see today. His language is worse than a street lout. He asks them to check his ‘urine pot’ too. This disgraceful man was Maharashtra’s Chief Minister till sometime back. This is the ugly face of MVA.”

In the video released by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, he is heard asking the officials if they check bags of PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, or CM Eknath Shinde among his other rivals. He further mockingly asks them to also inspect his ‘urine pot’ along with other luggage and fuel tank of his helicopter.

Although Thackeray did not stop the officials doing their job, however he was upset that his luggage was frisked unlike the leaders in power. He also angrily demand to send him videos of officials inspecting bags of PM Modi, Amit Shah and his other rival politicians.

After the incident, addressing the election rally, Thackeray said, “I am not angry at the system. They are doing their work, I am doing mine.” Thackeray’s son and Worli MLA Aaditya reacted to the incident slamming the authorities for taking actions only against opposition leaders. 

Mumbai: Mumbai’s Killa Court on Monday sent Shiva Kumar, the main accused and shooter in the Baba Siddiqui murder case, along with four other accused, to police custody till November 19.

All accused were arrested by a joint team of UP Special Task Force (STF) and the Mumbai Crime Branch from Nanpara area of Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Bahraich on Sunday.

NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants near his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique’s, office in Mumbai’s Nirmal Nagar on October 12. The gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the murder.

About Another Leader Who Was Also On The Radar

Meanwhile, in the backdrop of NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder, the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that another Pune leader was on the radar of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which was planning to eliminate the latter and had given the responsibility of carrying out the crime through its shooters.

According to the information received from a senior officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch, the investigation of the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that after the murder of Baba Siddiqui, a big leader of Pune was also on the radar of the Bishnoi gang.

“The Lawrence Bishnoi gang was planning to kill the Pune leader too and the responsibility of carrying out the crime was given to the shooters involved in Plan B,” said the official.

As per the official, the matter came to light after the Mumbai Crime Branch recovered a pistol which was going to be used to carry out the crime.

The Crime Branch has not disclosed the name of the leader.

After the Bishnoi gang’s plan was exposed, the Crime Branch shared the inputs and information with Pune Police.

The police are also investigating whether the recce was done by the accused in this case or not.