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Maharashtra

BMC Removes Flashing Lights From Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde’s Car Following Social Media & RTI Protest

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Saturday removed the red and blue flashing lights installed on the official vehicle of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and the escort vehicle accompanying her, after a controversy erupted over whether the use of such lights was authorised.

The matter gained traction over the past few days following social media posts and a formal complaint by an RTI activist, which questioned whether the installation of police style lights violated rules introduced to curb VIP culture.

The controversy first came to public attention on March 11 when an X user with the handle posted a photograph of the mayor’s official car showing red and blue flashing lights mounted on the vehicle.

The post questioned whether the mayor had permission to use lights resembling those installed on police vehicles. The images quickly circulated on social media and triggered debate about whether the installation was in line with existing regulations.

Two days later, RTI activist Anil Galgali formally raised the issue with the mayor. In a letter dated March 13, he objected to what he described as the unauthorised use of flashing lights on official vehicles.

In his communication, Galgali stated that such lights had been installed on both the mayor’s car and the escort vehicle accompanying it.

He pointed out that the Central Government had already restricted the use of flashing lights to specific emergency services and urged authorities to treat the matter seriously and take immediate action.

The escort vehicle, a Scorpio, was reportedly used by the mayor’s personal assistants and protocol officer and was also seen carrying similar flashing lights.

Responding to the controversy, Mayor Ritu Tawde said she had no interest in using a beacon on her vehicle and described the incident as an administrative oversight.

“As mayor, I have no interest in a red beacon car. This is a mistake of the administration. While providing an official vehicle to the mayor, the administration should have checked what was permissible,” she said.

Tawde added that she simply used the official vehicle allotted to her and said the responsibility of ensuring compliance with regulations lay with the civic administration.

She also indicated that she was not particularly concerned about the criticism coming from the opposition.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also addressed the issue and said the mayor should not be held responsible for the controversy.

According to him, inquiries revealed that the light was mounted on the bonnet of the vehicle rather than on the roof.

He reiterated that the government’s earlier decision clearly prohibits the use of red beacons on official vehicles and said the mayor was aware of these rules. Fadnavis added that targeting her over the issue was not justified.

The episode drew political reactions as well. Leader of the Opposition and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar criticised the development, stating that it went against the Centre’s move to eliminate VIP culture.

She questioned whether the mayor considered herself above the rules introduced by the central government and pointed out that the use of red beacons had been banned in 2017.

Under the decision implemented from May 1, 2017, the Central Government prohibited the display of red beacons, insignia and similar symbols on government vehicles, except for authorised emergency services.

Following that order, the red beacon had earlier been removed from the mayor’s official vehicle during the tenure of then mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.

Meanwhile, UBT MLC Milind Narvekar also commented on the issue on social media, questioning whether the controversy was an attempt to target the newly elected mayor.

Maharashtra

UP gangster wanted under Gangster Act arrested from Mumbai, major police operation UP police sent accused to UP

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Mumbai: Police has succeeded in arresting a gangster and gang leader from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. He is residing here hiding his identity. Mumbai Police received information that he is hiding in Bay Hotel. After which Yellow Gate Police arrested gangster and gang leader Nishant Rajesh Singh (23), wanted in three cases in Sitapur. In the initial investigation, he tried to mislead the police, but later he told that he belongs to UP and later Mumbai Police contacted Uttar Pradesh Police and it came to know that he is wanted in three cases in Sitapur including theft, illegal weapons, Gangster Act, after which UP Police came to Mumbai today and took the accused into custody and took him to Uttar Pradesh. This operation was carried out by DCP Vijay Kant Sagar on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

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Maharashtra

A very rare surgery: Rajawadi Hospital team successfully removes a 5.5 kg, 30 cm tumor from the uterus of a 46-year-old woman

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A 46-year-old woman from Mankhurd, Mumbai, had been suffering from health problems like persistent abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing for the past two years. In view of these symptoms, she sought treatment at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Gynaecology Department at BMC-run Seth Vadelal Chhatrapati Gandhi and Monji Amidas Vora Municipal General Hospital (Rajawadi Hospital) in Ghatkopar. The hospital team successfully removed a tumour weighing around 5.5 kg and measuring 30 cm from the patient’s uterus. As her symptoms worsened significantly, a comprehensive review of her medical history, physical examination and necessary diagnostic tests were conducted. These tests revealed a uterine tumour measuring around 30 cm. Initial diagnosis suggested that the mass was a ‘giant leiomyoma’ (fibroid). All necessary precautions and planning were taken to deal with possible complications during and after the surgery, and the procedure was performed later. Dr. Swadina B. Mohanty, Dr. Shalini Bagaria, Dr. Arva Kamble, and Dr. Kajal Salvi played a key role in the surgery performed by the Gynecology Department. Dr. Shreyash and Dr. Netra, under the guidance of anesthesiologist Dr. Chhavi, managed the anesthesia team. Additionally, surgical staff nurse Neelakshi Guru and her team provided vital support during the surgery. Due to the large size of the tumor and the extensive network of blood vessels, the surgery was performed with utmost care. The 5.5 kg tumor removed during the procedure has been sent for histopathological examination, and the final report is awaited. Post-surgery, the patient received specialized care and was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day in excellent health. Cases of such large uterine tumors are extremely rare.

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Maharashtra

Immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation for the victims of the Bhiwandi Kohinoor building tragedy and strict action against the culprits. Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Mukrandji Jadhav, appealing for justice for the victims of the tragic and serious incident of collapse of the four-storey Kohinoor building in Balaji Nagar area of ​​Bhiwandi city. Through the letter, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has put forward important demands and issues, including raising questions about administrative negligence.

The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation had earlier declared the building ‘extremely dangerous’ and issued a notice. Despite this, the administration failed to take timely and concrete steps to ensure the safe rehabilitation of the residents. Lives were lost due to administrative delay and negligence. Along with immediate assistance to the deceased and injured, he demanded that the government immediately provide financial assistance to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the accident and ensure that all the injured are provided with the best medical treatment at government expense. Regarding the structural audit of the most dangerous buildings, Azmi said that a ‘structural audit’ of all the dilapidated and most dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi city should be conducted immediately, and arrangements for the temporary and permanent rehabilitation of their residents should be made without delay. Azmi has also demanded strict action against the guilty officials and has said that strict legal and administrative action should be taken against the officials responsible for this major accident and the negligence associated with it. Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to the government to take suo motu notice of the matter and ensure that justice and relief reach the affected families in Bhiwandi as soon as possible.

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