Mumbai: A sessions court has convicted Guljar alias Chand Shaikh, a resident of Antop Hill, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after he stabbed Imtiaz alias Raju, who was trying to intervene and resolve a scuffle. The victim succumbed to multiple stab injuries.

The court held that since there was no intention to kill, charges of murder cannot be invoked. It observed, “the act of the accused does not fall under section 302 IPC, as the intention to cause death is not established beyond reasonable doubt. However, the accused had the knowledge that their act was likely to cause death.”

Shaikh has been sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, while his siblings Fatima, Sadam, Arif and their mother Sabira have been awarded three years’ rigorous imprisonment each for the same offence.

The case, registered with Ghatkopar police in 2015 by the deceased’s brother Abdul Khan, stemmed from an extramarital affair between Jafar Kadar Ali Sayyad and Fatima. On March 12, 2015, a quarrel erupted; Fatima’s brothers assaulted Jafar, Fatima threw chilli powder, and when Imtiaz tried to pacify the situation, Chand stabbed him. Days earlier, on March 8, 2015, Chand had threatened Jafar and Imtiaz.

Relying on eyewitness testimonies, the court convicted the family but ruled out murder charges.

Mumbai: Following directives of the deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, the BMC has begun repairing Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)-maintained bridges on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and the Western Express Highway (WEH). It has allocated about Rs. 62.50 crore for mastic-layer work on EEH bridges and around Rs 73.80 crore for repairs on WEH bridges.

After facing widespread public anger this monsoon over pothole-ridden MSRDC flyovers, the BMC intervened to fill the craters despite not being responsible for their maintenance.

To prevent a similar crisis next monsoon, the civic body has decided to fully resurface several such flyovers across the city, following a communication from MSRDC permitting the BMC to undertake the work, said civic sources. Last week, Shinde took a review meeting and directed to carry out resurfacing work on both the highways.

On Thursday, the BMC invited tenders for resurfacing and repair work on flyovers along the EEH and WEH. A civic official said the project includes not just resurfacing but also crack sealing, new lane markings, and pedestrian pathway repairs.

Extensive work is planned on the Ghatkopar, Mankhurd, Vikhroli, and Thane-bound bridges on the EEH. In addition to mastic resurfacing, storm-water drain repairs, footpath restoration, and chamber-level adjustments will be carried out.

Although potholes were patched during the monsoon, full resurfacing is needed for long-term durability, as heavy traffic erodes mastic asphalt and creates uneven surfaces.

“For BMC flyovers, repairs are done during the defect-liability period or by the civic body. Since MSRDC hasn’t carried out resurfacing and potholes may return, the BMC will do the work on its behalf,” the official said.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday paid floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial, Hutatma Smarak, on the occasion of Maharashtra State Martyrs’ Memorial Day.

On this occasion, State Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, State Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and other leaders also paid homage to the martyrs.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that the government had made every possible effort for development over the past three and a half years.

“Today is a day to pay homage to the martyrs….Because of their sacrifice, we are able to see this day. Mumbai became a part of Maharashtra. That is why we are making every effort for the development of Maharashtra. We are improving basic infrastructure and facilities. Over the past three and a half years, we have been making every possible effort for development,” the DyCM said.

Maharashtra State Martyrs Memorial Day is celebrated on November 21 every year, as 106 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the creation of the state are remembered at the Flora Fountain Martyrs’ Memorial (Hutatma Smarak) in Mumbai.

Earlier on November 16, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis laid the foundation stone for the XSIO Industrial and Logistics Park in the Vadgaon area along the Samruddhi Mahamarg.

CM Fadnavis revealed that the state government is working on creating a dedicated access road from the Samruddhi Highway to the port, with the map already approved.

Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said, “Vadhavan Port is among the world’s leading ports. We are creating a dedicated access road from the Samruddhi Highway to the port. Its map has already been approved. Once this port is connected, both logistics parks and industries in the region will benefit greatly. We have formulated a logistics policy for Maharashtra. Those who have land or infrastructure and can set up various types of facilities will now succeed in this new ecosystem.”

Stating that the state government has brought a logistics policy that is adequate for industries and is trying to reduce logistics rates by providing better communication facilities in the industry sector, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that Nagpur city will gain momentum towards becoming the logistics hub of the country through XSIO.