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Maharashtra

Bombay HC dismisses petitions challenging delimitation of BMC wards back to 227 from 236

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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

Mumbai: 70 to 80 guests of the wedding feast in Nahor fell ill with food poisoning, police continue investigation, FDA collects samples

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70 to 80 guests have been admitted to the hospital after they fell sick during a feast in Mumbai Mumbai Nahoor wedding ceremony In this case FDA has obtained the sample of the food and the police have also started investigation in this case Food report case Police will register a case in this case it has been confirmed by DCP Abhay Sinha Deshmukh here A wedding ceremony was held at Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall in Nahore West on 1st November 2026 happened About 400 to 500 people attended the event. It is suspected that between 70 to 100 people who attended the last round of the meal suffered food poisoning. When symptoms appeared, they were admitted to hospitals for medical treatment.

Out of them, 22 persons have been admitted to Agarwal Hospital in Milind, 4 children have been admitted to Kamagar Hospital in Milind, and 5 persons have been admitted to a hospital in Vikhroli.
All the patients are currently in stable condition and are undergoing treatment. Concerned authorities are monitoring the situation and taking necessary action. Police will soon register an FIR in this matter.

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Maharashtra

A young man was safely pulled out of the sea by the diligence of the Mumbai police.

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In Mumbai, an alert Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) saved a man who was attempting suicide; the officer’s timely intervention proved instrumental in preserving a precious life. On November 2, the Mumbai Police rescued an individual who had attempted suicide by entering the sea. Shortly after midnight on November 2, the Mumbai Police Control Room received a report that a man had entered the sea in the Worli Koliwada area with the intention of taking his own life. Upon receiving the information, Police Constable Pawar (Beat Marshal 1) and the Sub-Inspector immediately arrived at the specified location in Worli Koliwada. On arrival, they observed a man in the sea. Realizing that the individual’s life was in danger, Constable Pawar and the Sub-Inspector entered the water and took action to bring him out. As a result of their efforts, the man was safely pulled from the sea. Subsequently, they identified the individual and gathered the necessary details regarding the incident. They also assessed his physical condition and ensured that he received immediate medical attention. Thanks to their timely arrival and prompt action, a potential loss of life was averted. This information was provided by Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Ghadigaonkar of the Dadar Police Station, Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

‘Fight between Sharia and Constitution’: Maha Minister targets INDIA Bloc over Ramlila Maidan rally

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Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday alleged that the INDIA Bloc wanted to introduce Sharia law in the country and accused its leaders of opposing the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Speaking to reporters, Rane said democracy and the constitutional framework must be protected, alleging that the opposition alliance wanted to dismantle the existing democratic system.

“Democracy must be protected, shouldn’t it? The people of the INDIA Bloc want to introduce Sharia law in our country. The INDIA alliance is opposed to Babasaheb Ambedkar and his Constitution, isn’t it? That is why they do not want the Election Commission or the Supreme Court. They want to dismantle the entire constitutional framework and democratic system so that they can introduce Sharia law in the country. This is what the INDIA Bloc leaders are doing,” he said.

“This is a fight between Sharia and the Constitution, and we are fighting to protect the latter. We stand with the Constitution. That is why, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, we are organising rallies,” he said.

Rane also criticised the INDIA Bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, claiming that it failed to attract a significant crowd.

“The fact that people did not turn up was clearly visible. There are several videos showing empty chairs, with hardly anyone visible even in the distance. If the hero of a film itself is a flop, the film is bound to flop too. That is why the show they tried to put on at Ramlila Maidan has completely flopped,” he said.

Reacting to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Shiv Tandav and Shiv Bharat during the rally, Rane said anyone could participate in such celebrations, reflecting the inclusive nature of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.

However, he questioned whether Hindus were equally welcome to participate in Eid and Muharram celebrations and said Gandhi should have asked the Muslim League leaders and clerics present on the stage about it.

Rane also reacted to Bollywood actress Dia Mirza’s social media post advising people to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner.

“The kind of tweet Dia Mirza has posted about Diwali, and the kind of advice she is giving, is something we never see her doing during Eid, Muharram or Bakrid. Whenever Holi or Diwali comes around, people are advised to celebrate in an environment-friendly manner. Try asking people to observe an environment-friendly Ramadan or celebrate an environment-friendly Bakrid. Then we will believe that they are giving the right advice to everyone equally,” he said.

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