Maharashtra
Ambernath Gas Leak: MPCB Sends Closure Notice To Nikakem Products, Chemical Factory Behind Fugitive Emissions

Thane: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) reportedly issued a closure notice to Nikakem Products, a chemical factory based in Ambernath, on Friday following a gas leak that affected local residents on Thursday night. The incident led to widespread complaints of eye irritation, breathing difficulties and reduced visibility as a thick haze spread across the area. Residents from Morivli village, near the MIDC industrial area, were particularly affected, with some experiencing vomiting and panic as the smog-like conditions enveloped their surroundings.
Factory Manufactures Hazardous Chemicals
The gas leak began around 11:00 pm and quickly spread, covering a one-kilometre radius by 11:30 pm. The situation was brought under control within two hours, and fortunately no injuries or hospitalisations were reported. The factory manufactures hydrochloric acid, phosphorus trichloride and phosphorus pentoxide, all of which are hazardous chemicals.
Rajendra Rajput, a senior official at MPCB’s Kalyan region, the factory had closed operations at 7:00 pm, but it was storing excessive amounts of acid in drums without taking proper safety precautions. Rainwater, leaking through the roof, came into contact with the stored acid, causing a chemical reaction that released harmful fumes. As a result, the MPCB issued an immediate closure notice to the company on Friday. A gas detection system was also deployed at the site to assess the extent of the leakage and monitor air quality.
The Ambernath police were alerted to the situation at 11:00 pm when smoke was observed in the MIDC area of Morivali village. Senior Police Inspector Jagannath Kalaskar stated that the smoke originated from Nikakem Products and was the result of a chemical reaction involving two partially cut yellow drums. The fire brigade quickly extinguished the chemical process and the police are maintaining vigilance to prevent any further incidents.
Locals Express Dissatisfaction Over Incident
Local residents expressed frustration with the recurring issues of chemical leaks and toxic fumes from factories in the area. Jayesh Nair, a resident of Morivli while speaking to HT, described the night as terrifying, with visibility so poor that he couldn’t see out of his window. He experienced vomiting and eye irritation and many other residents faced similar symptoms. Nair also criticised the MPCB for its lack of effective monitoring, stating that chemical leaks happen frequently but are often ignored by authorities.
Another resident, Satish Waghmare, recounted his own experience, noting that he couldn’t see a building gate just a few feet away during the incident. His eye irritation persisted for several hours and the night was marked by coughing and panic among his neighbours.
Crime
Strict action against traffic rule violators during Holi in Mumbai, 17495 challans worth Rs 1.79 crore issued

Mumbai, March 15: Mumbai Traffic Police launched a special campaign against those violating traffic rules on the occasion of Holi and Holika Dahan. 17,495 challans were issued in this campaign which ran for two days on March 13 and 14. The total recovery was Rs 1 crore 79 lakh 79 thousand 250. To ensure road safety during the festival, the police blocked major places in the city and took strict action against those breaking the rules.
Mumbai Police had issued guidelines for the people before Holi. It was warned that action would be taken under the Maharashtra Police Act if the rules were not followed.
In this campaign, special attention was kept on those areas where there was a possibility of traffic rules being broken. Special attention was given to violations like drunk driving, speeding, riding a bike without a helmet, carrying three passengers and breaking signals.
In two days, the traffic police caught many cases of violations. 4,949 cases of riding a bike without a helmet were reported, while action was taken against 183 people for drunk driving. 33 challans were registered for driving in the wrong direction, 992 challans for breaking the rules on one-way roads and 1,942 cases of breaking signals.
Apart from this, 425 cases of carrying three passengers and 826 people were fined for driving without a license.
Mumbai Traffic Police says that this campaign was run to maintain the safety of the people and road discipline. During the festival, ignoring the rules amid the crowd and excitement increases the risk of accidents, so strictness was necessary. The police appealed to the people to follow the rules in future, so that the roads remain safe and the festival can be enjoyed without any hassle.
Crime
Maharashtra News: CM Devendra Fadnavis Govt Faces Flak Over Inaction In Harassment Case Involving Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s Daughter

Mumbai: After the gross mishandling of the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case of Beed, the Devendra Fadnavis government has come in for flak again for it failure to arrest all the accused involved in the harassment of the minor daughter of Union minister for sports and youth affairs and BJP leader Raksha Khadse.
On February 28, Khadse’s daughter had gone to the annual Sant Muktai jatra or fair at Muktainagar in Jalgaon district along with her friends. Raksha Khadse was in Gujarat on that day on official work. The girls were stalked, eve teased and their videos taken by a gang of seven men. Even the presence of a policeman deputed by the minister did not deter the men. In fact, the gang manhandled the policeman.
The following day when her daughter complained to her about the shocking incident, Khadse personally went to Muktainagar police station and lodged a complaint. After that four men, including one Aniket Ghui, were arrested. Apparently the gang has been stalking and harrassing girls going to their schools and complaints to the police were not acted upon. Some of the accused allegedly have criminal antecedents.
What is shocking is that even after two weeks of the incident, three of the accused are still absconding. Incidentally, Krishna Andhale, the prime accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder is still absconding. “If the daughters of Union Ministers are not safe, what can be said about the safety of ordinary women in Maharashtra? This question was raised by Rohini Khadse, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) and sister-in-law of Raksha Khadse. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had earlier slammed the Fadnavis government for its failure to ensure the safety of women. Rohini Khadse alleged that the accused had political backing. This view was shared by Raksha Khadse as well.
“The police no longer have control over criminals, which is why the latter have no fear of law. The government seems indifferent and inactive when it comes to women’s safety, and I feel that it is completely neglecting this issue. Therefore, it is crucial to implement strict laws for the protection of women. Instead of just making big promises, the government must focus on ensuring the safety of its ‘ladki’ sisters,” Rohini Khadse observed.
Since the local police were not responding to her complaint, Raksha Khadse called on Fadnavis, who handles the home portfolio, and drew his attention to the shocking incident. “There is heavy interference by politicians in matters of postings and transfers of police officials because of which these officers are loyal to their political godfathers and not to their uniform,” a former police officer observed. “Huge monies change hands during the postings and transfers,” he added.
Business
New India Cooperative Bank Scam: EOW Uncovers High-Interest Loan Fraud By Key Accused

Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police continues to uncover shocking details in the ₹122 crore scam at New India Cooperative Bank. The latest investigation has revealed that the main accused, Hitesh Mehta, illegally disbursed bank funds as high-interest loans to depositors during the Covid-19 period in 2020.
According to EOW sources, many small traders suffered severe financial losses during the pandemic and were in urgent need of funds. Exploiting their vulnerability, Mehta provided them loans worth crores at exorbitant interest rates, bypassing legal banking procedures.
The EOW is now investigating the exact number of traders who received these unauthorized loans and the total amount disbursed. A senior EOW official stated that Mehta, a commerce graduate, joined the bank in 1987 and was later promoted to General Manager and Chief Accountant in 2002. He was set to retire in October this year, but his massive fraud was exposed beforehand.
Sources reveal that an EOW team will soon visit the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to meet with senior officials. The purpose of the meeting is to understand why the RBI conducted a sudden inspection at the bank on February 12 and what triggered the surprise audit.
Additionally, EOW officials will seek a detailed report from the RBI and question why no action was taken earlier, despite financial irregularities occurring since 2019. The investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected in the coming days.
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