General
Best Bakery Case: Mumbai Sessions Court Acquits 2 In 2002 Incident Which Killed 14
A sessions court in Mumbai on Tuesday acquitted two persons for their role in the Best Bakery incident that took place during the 2002 Gujarat riots in which 14 persons died, including women and children. The duo Harshad Solanki and Mafat Gohil were absconding along with two other accused Jayantibhai Gohil and his son Ramesh Gohil and hence not available for a retrial ordered by the apex court in 2004.
The absconding accused other than Jayathibhai were arrested by the NIA in connection with the Ajmer bomb blast and later transferred his custody in this case. The father and son died during custody and only Solanki and Mafat Gohil remained to face retrial.
All 21 Accused Acquitted
The case had been remanded by the order of the apex court for a retrial in Maharashtra after the trial in a Gujarat sessions court had ended in the acquittal of all 21 accused in 2003, mostly due to hostile witnesses and lack of sufficient evidence. The Gujarat High Court too had upheld the decision of the trial court.
Case transferred out of Gujarat
One of the victims and an NGO had moved to the apex court in an appeal against the HC decision. The Supreme Court while directing a retrial and permitting further investigation in 2004, had observed in its order that the investigation was tainted and that the prosecution had examined relatives of the accused in support of its case.
After the retrial against 17 persons, in 2006, the Mumbai sessions court had convicted nine persons and acquitted eight.
What is Best Bakery Case?
The incident had taken place on Mar 1, 2002 between 8 and 9.30 pm and went on till morning of the next day. It happened during the Gujarat riots that broke out in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning in which two bogies of the Sabarmati Express in which karsevaks were travelling, were set on fire by a mob.
In the fateful incident at Best Bakery, a mob of 1,000 to 1,200 persons had marched towards the establishment. Seeing the mob, the members of the Habibulla Sheikh family that ran the establishment, ran to the building’s first floor and locked the door. The mob armed with lethal weapons like swords and torches attacked the bakery with soda bottles and bottles filled with kerosene set on fire while the victims were trapped in the Bakery building.
A godown containing timber in the basement of the building was set on fire too. Some men were allowed by the mob to come out, but then assaulted with swords and such weapons, being tied to poles. Women were taken behind the bushes with the intent of rape. Only four injured persons survived to narrate the incident. Among those who died, were three helps of the family – all of the same religion as the mobsters.
Maharashtra
Illegal Activities Busted at Grant Road Bar: Mumbai Crime Branch Conducts Successful Raid

Mumbai, April 11 — Acting on repeated complaints from local residents of Grant Road, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch conducted a successful raid at a restaurant bar allegedly involved in illegal activities.
For several days, residents had been approaching the Mumbai Police and various media houses, seeking urgent intervention. According to locals, a bar operating under the name “Senorita” was allegedly organizing obscene dance performances under the guise of a restaurant. It was further reported that the establishment was allowing entry and exit to select customers through a rear door, operating discreetly throughout the night.
Residents also claimed that large sums of money were being spent during these activities, and entry was restricted only to known and regular patrons. Disturbed by the situation, Mumbai Press escalated the matter to senior officials of the Mumbai Police.
Taking serious note of the complaints, senior authorities directed the Crime Branch to take strict action against the alleged illegal operations. Following these instructions, Crime Branch Unit 2 carried out a raid at Senorita Bar, located under the jurisdiction of D.B. Marg Police Station.
The operation was successfully executed under the guidance of Police Inspector Tejankar, Police Inspector Prashant Gawode, and their team.
During the raid:
- 8 girls were rescued from the premises.
Authorities have initiated further investigation into the activities conducted at the bar.
Mumbai Police officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those involved, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining law and order in the city.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.
Maharashtra
Marathi requirement for permits and licenses for rickshaw and taxi drivers is absolutely wrong, Marathi language should be taught first: Abu Asim

Mumbai: Marathi is not mandatory for permits and licenses for rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra. Every state has its own language. It should be mandatory. But before that, if Marathi is to be made mandatory, then first schools should be opened to teach Marathi and teach Marathi to those who are not proficient in it. Every country speaks its own language, so where will the national language Hindi be spoken? Every state in this country has its own language, like Marathi in Maharashtra, Malayalam in Kerala, Assamese in Assam, but there is no need to force anyone to speak any language. If you want to learn Marathi, give them books, give them classes, don’t force them. Unemployment is common in the country. If someone comes to Mumbai and Maharashtra from another state, he has the right to earn a living. However, it is not right to impose the condition of only Marathi being mandatory. It is also necessary to provide employment opportunities. If Marathi has mandatory status in the state, then classes should be given to teach this language. Politics should not be done in the name of Marathi. This also tarnishes the image of the state because violence has been committed against the residents who do not know Marathi many times. Therefore, such situations should not be created and to prevent such a situation from arising, the state language should be taught to them and then they should be provided with licenses and permits.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Ashok Kharat case creates stir across the state, Pratibha Chakankar also under investigation, new revelations

Mumbai: the fraudster Ashok Kharat case is very famous across the state. The victim had filed a complaint of violence against a Nashik fraudster Ashok Kharat. Based on this complaint, the police registered a case against him and arrested him. During this time, his exploits are coming to light one by one. This has created a big stir. Till now, several cases of mistreatment and cheating of women have been registered against him. An SIT has been appointed in this case, and the SIT is also investigating him. Now a big breakthrough has been made in this case. In this case, the problems of Rupali Chakankar’s sister Pratibha Chakankar have increased. Shirdi police has sent a notice to Pratibha Chakankar. Shirdi police has issued a notice to Pratibha Chakankar today in the case of fraudster Ashok Kharat. A case of money laundering has been registered in Shirdi against fraudster Ashok Kharat. While the investigation of this case was going on, the police got shocking information. There are several accounts in Samata Patsantha, which are in the names of different people, but the nominee himself is Ashok Kharat. Transactions worth crores of rupees have been made through these accounts. Pratibha Chakankar and her son also have four accounts in Samata Patsantha. The work of taking the statements of all these account holders is in progress. So far, 33 account holders have recorded their statements in this case. Pratibha Chakankar will now have to appear at the Shirdi police station to give her statement. The Shirdi police has sent notices by post to two addresses of Pratibha Chakankar. The notice says that she should be present to record her statement in the next five days. Therefore, now Pratibha Chakankar will have to appear at the Shirdi police station to record her statement. Meanwhile, the emergence of a photo with Ashok Kharat has also increased the problems of some leaders in the state.
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