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Maharashtra

Ahead of PM’s Mumbai visit, CM Shinde packs bags for Swiss biz sojourn

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Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mumbai visit, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is busy packing his bags for a quick business trip to Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum (WEF) is scheduled between January 16 and 20.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who was scheduled to accompany Shinde’s 20-strong delegation, backed off and will make preparations for the PM’s programmes in the country’s commercial capital on January 19, and the foreign-returned Shinde shall join them.

For Shinde, this is his first trip abroad since coming to power on June 30 last year after unceremoniously toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray.

The Davos biz trip is crucial for Shinde-Fadnavis to make a lasting impression back home where the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BSS-BJP) alliance is under machine-gunfire as several mega-projects have hopped off Gujarat and certain other states.

Even before boarding the flight, team Shinde has announced that the Maharashtra government “will sign MoUs worth around Rs 1.40 lakh-crore” with 20 global conglomerates at the picturesque Alpine ski resort of Davos – hosting the 2023 conference themed ‘Cooperation In A Fragmented World’.

As per the CMO, Shinde and his entourage will fly to Zurich on Jan. 15 and on Jan. 16 (Monday), go to Davos – some three hours away – and inaugurate the Maharashtra Pavilion, which is right opposite the India Pavilion.

The pavilion will showcase Maharashtra’s Coastal Road Project, Metro Projects in various cities, the HinduhridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway, the longest tunnel for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘missing link’, changing over to electric vehicles in public transport and other eco-friendly measures combing sustainable development adopted by the state.

There, some MoUs will be signed and then Shinde will meet top officials of the WEF and attend the main welcome function at the Congress Centre that evening.

On Jan 17, the CM will meet and say cheese with the Prime Ministers of Luxembourg and Jordan, Ministers of Singapore and Saudi Arabia, bankers and the Swiss-India Chamber of Commerce, and a few more MoUs shall be inked.

That afternoon, he will address a gathering in Congress Centre on the challenges posed by “changing climatic conditions to the development of cities and environment-friendly sustainable development”.

After the hectic businesslike day, a relaxed Shinde would host a Maharashtrian banquet for around 150 Indian and international dignitaries from politics, industry and others attending the WEF and sell the concept of ‘Magnetic Maharashtra’ aimed to attract big investments.

Unconvinced, the Opposition MVA leaders have raised eyebrows over Shinde’s brief Davos jaunt with sharp comments.

Nationalist Congress Party’s Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase urged the CM should ensure that “the proposed investments finally land in Maharashtra and not get diverted to Gujarat or some other state” and ensure good employment opportunities for the youth here.

Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant said that owing to the PM’s visit to Mumbai, the Dy CM (Fadnavis) cancelled his Davos trip and CM Shinde will cut short his tour, thus missing out a golden opportunity for getting good investment projects for the state.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government is “illegal and unconstitutional” and hence not serious about investments or creating jobs in the state.

“This is the first physical WEF after the two years of pandemic. We have prepared a master plan to convey an impressive image of Maharashtra at the conference. The CM and Deputy CM have personally reviewed everything and guided the officials on all aspects,” said an official here.

The annual WEF attracts around 2,500 top leaders in politics, business and economics and attracts the eyes and ears of the whole world, though Shinde may warily keep glancing over his shoulder to keep an eye back home.

Minister Uday Samant, top officials like Chief Secretary Manukumar Srivastava, Bhushan Gagrani, Harshdeep Kamble, Vipin Sharma and others will comprise the state delegation led by Shinde, and will return home late on Jan 18 – in time for the PM’s visit.

Maharashtra

Mumbai underworld don DK Rao arrested for extortion on Saturday

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Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested gangster DK Rao, a member of the Mumbai underworld Don Chota Rajan gang, on charges of extortion. Along with this, the police have also arrested two of his associates Anil Singh and Menit Bhuta. The gangster, along with Menit Bhuta, had collected Rs 1.25 crore from an investor and threatened him with dire consequences, after which the complainant lodged a complaint with the police. The police took action and arrested DK Rao and obtained his remand. The Mumbai Crime Branch had also arrested DK Rao on charges of threatening a hotel owner and demanding Rs 2.5 crore. Along with this, his associates were also arrested.

A hotel owner in the suburban Sakinaka area was threatened and forced occupation of a hotel is also an allegation. A case was registered in this matter in which DK Rao is on bail. Last night, DK Rao appeared in the sessions court in connection with the hearing of his old case. He had gone for an appointment and the police arrested him. In this case, the police are interrogating him and his associates. It is said that DK Rao still has a hold and terror in the Dharavi area and is involved in other illegal activities including weekly summons. The Crime Branch has now tightened its grip on this, which is causing terror in the underworld. In this case, the Crime Branch will also interrogate DK Rao’s associates. Along with this, the Crime Branch will also interrogate the victims who were victims of DK Rao’s harassment.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Addresses Criticism, Urges Shiv Sena Workers To Gear Up For Upcoming Elections

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Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded sharply to criticism from local leaders, emphasizing that Shiv Sena works on the ground rather than just through posters. Speaking at a rally of party workers, Shinde remarked that while some make foreign trips to London, they often return empty-handed.

Shinde criticized opponents threatening disruption (“humbarada fod”) in the wake of the Mumbai municipal elections, highlighting that his government has provided ₹32,000 crore in aid to flood-affected farmers, exceeding opposition expectations. He also recalled past elections, noting that after setbacks in 2022, the party fought 100 assembly seats, winning 20, and metaphorically “broke humbarada” then—implying that some challenges should be reserved for future confrontations.

Shinde stressed the importance of grassroots workers, stating, “Our party belongs to the workers, not to the master-servant hierarchy. I work as a worker, not just as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister.” He praised Shiv Sena’s proactive response during crises in Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

He outlined recent developmental initiatives, including a ₹32,000 crore relief package for flood-affected areas and the progress of the Marathwada Water Grid project. Shinde emphasized that the party aims to reach every household, and urged party officials and workers to uphold Hindutva, ensure voter engagement, and maintain organizational discipline.

On elections, Shinde highlighted the role of booth and group leaders in determining success. He advised meticulous verification of voter lists, stressing that errors could cost votes. A special app has been launched for election preparedness, enabling real-time surveys and corrections.

He called for unity within the Maha Yuti alliance, warning against actions that might create divisions, and encouraged party workers to commit to spreading the Shiv Sena’s presence in every home.

Present at the rally were Social Justice and Sambhajinagar Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MP Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs Pravin Jayswal, Vilas Bhumre, Ramesh Bornare, Sanjana Jadhav, city chief Rajendra Janjal, and other senior Shiv Sena leaders and workers.

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Maharashtra

In the Nawab Malik and Hasinia Parker case, the accused was arrested for cheating in the name of digital arrest

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Mumbai: Police have arrested an accused who had deposited Rs 15 lakh in a bank account by threatening to arrest former minister Nawab Malik and Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parker in the money laundering case. He had called Delhi Police headquarters and said that there was a money laundering case against the complainant and that his account details had been used in the transactions of Nawab Malik and Haseena Parker, so he needs to be investigated and he is a digital arrestee. The caller had identified himself as DSP Bhupesh Kumar and SP Gopesh Kumar over the phone, after which the police registered a case of fraud. The complainant was also given a fake arrest warrant from the CBI, on which his name was also mentioned, and was instructed to deposit Rs 15 lakh for verification of the funds. This amount was deposited in a Federal Bank account, out of which Rs 5 lakh was transferred to the Bank of Baroda. The details of the accused were found out from the account hold and then the police arrested the accused from Sangli district. He was identified as Vikas Sambhaji Chavan. The accused was arrested and presented in court. A criminal case has also been registered against the accused in Mumbai and Rajasthan. This action was carried out by Joint Police Commissioner Lakshmi Gautam and DCP Parshottam Karad on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti. The police have appealed that there is no law called digital arrest and the CBI, ED and any agency cannot make digital arrest and no law in the Indian Constitution allows for digital arrest. No, that’s why people should be careful.

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