Maharashtra
Bombay HC dismisses petitions challenging delimitation of BMC wards back to 227 from 236
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed petitions filed by former corporators challenging the Maharashtra government’s ordinance reversing the previous Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s decision to go ahead with the delimitation of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wards.
The order was passed by a division bench of Justices SB Shukre and MW Chandwani while hearing petitions filed by two former councillors – Raju Pednekar and Sameer Desai.
“We find no substance in both the petitions. Both the petitions stand dismissed,” said the bench while dismissing the petitions.
In 2021, the MVA initiated the delimitation process and increased the number of electoral wards from 227 to 236. However, on August 8, the present government reduced the number of wards to 227. On September 8, the ordinance was replaced by the Act.
Pednekar, a former corporator belonging to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), had approached the HC after the Supreme Court granted him the liberty to withdraw his plea and move the Bombay High Court regarding the issue.
He sought quashing the government’s decision stating that it was against the Constitution. Pending the hearing of his plea, he sought a stay on the decision. Further he prayed that the State Election Commission (SEC) conduct the BMC elections based on delimitation conducted earlier, as per the Supreme Court’s orders on May 4 and July 20.
His plea had contended that in February 2022, the HC had dismissed pleas against the delimitation initiated by the MVA government increasing the BMC wards to 236. It was after this, that the SEC published a final notification in the official gazette.
The government has contended that the plea has been filed with “ulterior motives”. An affidavit filed by Priyanka Chhapwale, Deputy Secretary of the Urban Development Department, contended that there was a miniscule increase in population from 2001 to 2021 census and hence wards were not increased for the elections which took place in 2012 and 2017.
The 2001 census showed Mumbai’s population as 1,19,78,450 which increased to 1,24,42,373 in 2011 which is an increase of only 3.87%. “It is a well settled principle of law that the right to contest an election does not have the status of fundamental rights. Instead the said right is a mere creature of a statute,” it said.
Stating that the law as it stood prior to Nov 30, 2021 (with 227 seats) was valid and constitutional, the government has sought that Pednekar’s plea be dismissed which has been filed with “malafide” intentions and due to “political influence”.
The State Election Commission’s (SEC) Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sanas had filed an affidavit stating that when the seats were increased by the government from 227 to 236, the SEC had to scrap the work already done by it with regard to the pre-election process and restart it. It said the previous MVA government then amended the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act by which powers of the SEC for delimitation were withdrawn and the power was entrusted with the state.
Maharashtra
Kidnapping of a businessman in Nagaland, ransom of 1.5 million 3 arrested, action of Mumbai Crime Branch, safe recovery of the businessman
Mumbai: Mumbai’s Vikhroli Police and Mumbai Crime Branch have claimed to have arrested three people on charges of extortion. A businessman was kidnapped and taken to Nagaland and a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore was demanded from him. The businessman is a resident of Badalpur police station area and has a land plotting business. That is why the three kidnapped the businessman and demanded a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore and threatened to kill him otherwise. Parallel investigation of the case was handed over to the Crime Branch and a team of Mumbai Crime Branch went to Nagaland and recovered the kidnapped businessman from there and arrested the three accused involved in it. This operation was carried out under the leadership of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Crime Lakshmi Gautam, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan and other senior officials.
Crime
Tahir Salim Dola extradited to India CBI successful return of accused involved in Sangli drug factory case
Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Tahir Salim Dola from UAE through INTERPOL. Tahir Salim Dola is wanted by Mumbai Police.
The International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU), CBI in collaboration with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE successfully extradited Tahir Salim Dola to India today on a wanted Red Corner Notice. Dola was brought to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai on Friday from Dubai via flight AI-984. The geolocation in UAE was a result of close liaison of CBI with NCB Abu Dhabi through INTERPOL. Tahir Salim Dola is wanted by Mumbai Police in FIR No. 67/2024 registered at Police Station Kurla for running a synthetic drug manufacturing factory in Sangli, Maharashtra. A total of 126.141 kg of Mephedrone (MD) drugs worth Rs 2.522 million were recovered and seized from the said factory linked to Tahir Salim Dola and others. During investigation of the case, it was revealed that accused Tahir Salim Dola was running a synthetic drug manufacturing factory from abroad. A Red Notice was issued to CBI by INTERPOL on 25 November 2024 on the request of Mumbai Police. NCB Abu Dhabi informed on 27 January 2025 that accused Tahir Salim Dola has been arrested in UAE. An extradition request has been sent to UAE by Mumbai Police through Ministry of Home Affairs. Red Notices published by INTERPOL are sent to all law enforcement agencies across the world to trace wanted criminals.
Maharashtra
Collective prayer at Sunni Bilal Mosque for the oppressed of Palestine and Gaza, Syed Moinuddin Ashraf appeals to the Islamic world for unity and awareness
Mumbai: Today on Friday, after Jumme ki Namaaz, a very impressive, spiritual and faith-driven mass prayer was organized at Sunni Masjid Bilal (Do Tanki). This special prayer was read by Hazrat Allama Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf Sahib, Sajjada Nashin Dargah-e-Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Samnani (Kachchochha Sharif) for the oppressed Muslims of Palestine, Gaza and the first Qibla of Masjid Al-Aqsa. This prayer gathering was attended by Haj Muhammad Saeed Noori (Head of Raza Academy), Hazrat Syed Nafees Ashraf, Qari Mushtaq Ahmad, Maulana Arif and other prominent scholars, Imams and social figures.
A large number of people were also present in the gathering, who expressed deep sorrow and anger at the atrocities being committed on the Palestinian people and the violation of the sanctity of Masjid Al-Aqsa. Allama Moin Ashraf said in his words: “Palestine is not just a territory but the heartbeat of the Muslim Ummah and Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first Qibla of Muslims. The atrocities happening in these places are hurting the heart of every Muslim. We have to fulfill our duty through prayer, unity, awareness and peaceful protest.” On this occasion, Al-Hajj Saeed Nouri addressed the international community and said: “If the human rights advocacy organizations and the United Nations remain silent today, this silence can lead to a major crisis tomorrow.
Raising voice against oppression is the true standard of humanity.” At the end of the gathering, a collective prayer was organized in which prayers were offered for Palestine, Gaza, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the oppressed Muslims of the whole world. Special prayers were offered for peace, security, unity of the Muslim Ummah and support for the oppressed. While this prayer gathering brought spiritual peace, a new wave of global solidarity and awareness spread among Muslims. People resolved to keep the Palestinian cause alive and raise their voice at all levels.
Kidnapping of a businessman in Nagaland, ransom of 1.5 million 3 arrested, action of Mumbai Crime Branch, safe recovery of the businessman
Air India says in process of completing one-time Boeing 787 safety checks
Odisha EPFO official arrested by CBI for Rs 10,000 bribe
Notorious criminal Angesh Kumar nabbed after encounter in Patna’s Khusrupur
Air India, IndiGo issue alerts as Iran airspace closure disrupts flight operations
Two arrested, three dead in Dahisar bloody clash
LSG’s Digvesh gets one game suspension, SRH batter Abhishek fined 25 pc of match fees for on-field altercation
Tom Cruise wants to make a Bollywood movie
Chadian national held at Mumbai airport with gold worth Rs 3.86 cr hidden in slippers
Accused of beating blind woman in disabled compartment of Mumbai local train arrested
-
Crime3 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra8 months agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra8 months agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra9 months agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News8 months agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime8 months agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra7 months agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News9 months agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface