Crime
‘Action only if probes name anyone’, says Ajit Pawar on calls for Munde’s resignation

Mumbai, Jan 7: Amid demand for NCP minister Dhananjay Munde’s resignation following the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and party chief Ajit Pawar on Monday clarified that no action will be taken until the three ongoing investigations name anyone.
Ajit Pawar on Monday revealed the party’s official stand saying: “There are SIT, judicial and CID probes going on. Let these agencies complete their investigations. If the probe names anyone, only then there will be action.”
Ajit Pawar was speaking to reporters after his meeting with the NCP’s National Working President Praful Patel and his party leader and the State Food and Civil Supply Minister Dhananjay Munde.
Thereafter, Ajit Pawar also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed at length the political scenario amid the all-party demand for Munde’s resignation.
He has reportedly registered his displeasure over the BJP legislator Suresh Dhas’ statements against Munde in connection with the killing of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Earlier, Munde after his meeting with Ajit Pawar dropped hints that he would not step down.
Munde also indicated that the NCP leadership has also not sought his resignation.
He said that during his meeting with Ajit Pawar, he wished him a happy New Year and briefed him about the food and civil supply department which he holds.
“The issue of Santosh Deshmukh’s killing and the demand for resignation did not come up during my meeting with party president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar,” he added.
He claimed that how can he stop those demanding his resignation? “I have been demanding that stern action should be taken against those involved in the killing of Santosh Deshmukh,” Munde said.
Veteran NCP leader and former Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was denied a ministerial berth in the recent cabinet expansion, came to Munde’s defence, saying that there was no need for him to step down at this juncture.
“Munde’s resignation is being sought. I want to tell you that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clearly said that the government will conduct a thorough investigation and take action against everyone found guilty. Why are they demanding Munde’s resignation before that? Has anything come out of the investigation? If you have anything, give it to the police. Until nothing comes out of the investigation, it is wrong to demand his resignation. I don’t think this is right,” Bhujbal told reporters.
Meanwhile, an all-party delegation on Monday urged the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan that the NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde should immediately resign from the Cabinet, considering the involvement and possible interference in the brutal killing of the Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.
The delegation also demanded that the feeling of “rule of law” must be strengthened for which a case of murder under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 103 must be immediately registered against Walmik Karad, the mastermind of the kidnapping, extortion and murder case, and the case should be conducted in a fast-track court.
The delegation in its representation to the Governor also demanded that the accountability of law enforcement officials should be ensured and therefore action should be taken against police personnel who neglected their duties.
The delegation also urged the Governor to take initiatives to restore public confidence and safety of residents in the Beed district and ultimately curb extortion and hooliganism.
Crime
Maharashtra: Gadchiroli Police Destroy Maoist Monuments, Arrest Naxal Supporter During Anti-Maoist Operations

Gadchiroli: Police recently destroyed two Maoist-erected monuments and arrested a Naxal supporter actively involved in violent activities against security forces. Officials said both actions were part of ongoing anti-Maoist operations aimed at eliminating fear from local communities.
On September 30, a police team from Poste Katezari, along with SRPF personnel, was conducting a search operation in the Katezari and Marma forest areas of Mauja Katezari. During the operation, they found two Maoist monuments, erected two to three years ago, intended to spread fear and show Maoist presence in the region.
After inspection by the bomb disposal team, both monuments were demolished and destroyed. Police said that, with the cooperation of local citizens, trees were planted at the site as a symbol of peace.
Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, Nilotpal, said: “The Gadchiroli police is trying to free citizens from the terror of the Maoists. Such memorials have no place in society, and people are urged not to participate in such illegal constructions.”
In a separate incident on September 29, while security forces were conducting an anti-Maoist operation in the Bhamragad area, they received information about a suspicious person allegedly conducting reconnaissance of security forces.
The man was detained and later identified as Sainu alias Sannu Amlu Mattami (38), a resident of Poyarkothi, Bhamragad. Investigations revealed he was a staunch Naxal supporter involved in violent activities, including an encounter between police and Maoists in the Koparshi-Phulnar jungle area on August 27, 2025.
Mattami was arrested on September 30.
According to officials, since January 2022, Gadchiroli police have arrested a total of 110 Maoists, a result of sustained anti-Maoist operations in the district.
Crime
J&K Police books two drug peddlers in Sopore area

Srinagar, Oct 3: Police in J&K’s Sopore sub-division said on Friday that it has booked two drug peddlers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act.
“Two habitual drug peddlers were booked under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT NDPS Act), as part of their intensified campaign against narcotics in the region,” said a police statement.
The police official stated that the offenders have been identified as Umar Farooq Sheikh, son of Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Seeloo Sopore, currently incarcerated in Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu, and Abdul Hamid Mir, son of Abdul Rashid Mir, a resident of Janwara Sopore, who is presently incarcerated in District Jail Poonch.
“Both accused are repeat offenders with multiple NDPS cases against them. Despite previous arrests and preventive measures, they continued their involvement in drug trafficking,” the official said.
Police stated that in the last four days alone, six repeat offenders have been booked under the PIT NDPS Act, while six others were arrested in three separate FIRs under the NDPS Act, with the recovery of contraband.
Sopore Police reiterated their zero-tolerance approach against narcotics and urged locals to report drug-related activities to help build a drug-free Sopore.
Security forces in J&K are carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists, their Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and sympathisers to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror.
Drug peddlers and drug smugglers are under the scanner of the security forces, as it is believed that the funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorism in J&K.
The duties of anti-terrorist operations are manned by the security forces and police in J&K, while the army and the Border Security Force (BSF) guard the line of control (LoC) and the international border, respectively.
Crime
Bihar Minister rejects Prashant Kishor’s corruption claims

Patna, Oct 3: Bihar Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary on Friday dismissed corruption allegations levelled against him by Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, saying that mere accusations do not make anyone guilty.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, he said, “If anyone can prove I own even one dhur of land, I am ready to become that person’s slave. My wealth is in the public domain, and anyone can verify it.”
He added, “If someone says I am in partnership with Trump (Donald Trump), will anyone believe it? Let anyone prove that I or my family own one dhur of land or even property worth Rs 1 crore. No political career has ever ended merely because of allegations, and mine will not either.”
The minister emphasised his long political journey, saying, “I have been in politics since my student life. I served as the Congress state president for over four years and distributed tickets. In 2020, I was the executive president of JD(U). Those who think they can finish my career by just making allegations are mistaken. I will continue to be in Bihar politics, and no one can stop me.”
On the defamation case he filed against Prashant Kishor, Minister Choudhary said that he has received Kishor’s reply and his legal team is examining it.
Earlier, on September 23, Ashok Choudhary filed a Rs 100 crore defamation notice against Kishor.
The minister had demanded an unconditional written and public apology from Kishor within seven days, failing which, he had threatened criminal proceedings and a civil suit for damages.
In response, Kishor, on September 29, criticised Ashok Chaudhary for amassing illegal assets worth Rs 200 crore and taking hefty commissions on government contracts.
Kishor claimed to have documentary proof of Ashok Chaudhary’s alleged disproportionate assets and demanded that the minister withdraw a legal defamation notice of Rs 100 crore and issue a public apology within seven days, failing which, he would raise the matter with the Governor and the courts.
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