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Maharashtra

Bombay HC restrains MSHRC from hearing matter on Mahalaxmi racecourse lease renewal

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The Bombay High Court has restrained the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) from hearing a matter pertaining to the lease renewal of the 220-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse in central Mumbai, stating that it was “prima facie unable to see” how the commission could have taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of such an issue.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale passed the order on March 8 on a petition filed by the Principal Secretary of the Maharashtra government’s Urban Development Department (UDD) against the order passed by the commission on February 17.

In an order, the MSHRC fined the state’s Chief Secretary, the BMC commissioner, the Principal Secretary, UDD, and others ₹10,000 each for failing to submit facts about the renewal of the lease of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.


Interim relief granted

The high court stayed any further enquiry or hearing of proceedings in the matter before the commission, pending the final disposal of the state government’s petition.

“We are prima facie unable to see how such an action is maintainable before the State Human Rights Commission or how it could have been initiated suo motu. We, therefore, grant interim relief,” the court said.

The commission had initiated proceedings on the issue of non-renewal of the lease of the Mumbai Racecourse land.

The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) was given the racecourse in May 1994 on a lease that expired in May 2013, but it was never renewed.

The commission imposed a fee of ₹10,000 per respondent in December 2022 for seeking adjournment, which was paid. When a similar order was issued on February 17, 2023, the state government filed a petition with the Supreme Court.


Unclear how matter can fall within MSHRC’s jurisdiction

The government claimed it was “entirely unclear” how a contractual matter between the government or the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) and the RWITC could fall within the MSHRC’s jurisdiction.

The state government owns the racecourse land, and the BMC collects rent and makes lease renewal decisions on its behalf. The BMC cannot collect rent from the RWITC until the lease is renewed.

The commission, while taking cognizance of newspaper reports on the same, had noted that the laxity of government officials allowed the racecourse management to use the 220-acre land for free since 2013.

Crime

Palghar News: Young Man Assaulted With Axe In Broad Daylight, Mob Tie Up Attacker Before Police Arrest

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Palghar, Maharashtra: A broad daylight attack in a busy Palghar neighbourhood shocked residents on Wednesday after a young man allegedly assaulted a 35-year-old with an axe, leaving him seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the main square in the Kamala Park housing colony on Mahi Road. According to police sources, the accused, believed to be around 27 years old, struck Baboolal Fulchand Yadav in the face with an axe, causing severe injuries. Yadav was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the attacker attempted to flee, but local residents intervened, catching him and tying him to a tree with ropes before thrashing him. Police arrived shortly afterward, to control the mob and take the accused into custody 

The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and the process of registering a formal case in ongoing. The suspect’s identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Fraud: Employee Booked For Cheating, Misappropriating Gold Worth ₹2.5 Crore In Kalbadevi

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Mumbai: L T Marg Police have registered a case against an employee for allegedly cheating his employer and misappropriating gold ornaments weighing 2,510 grams, valued at approximately Rs 2.5 crore.

Jewellery Firm Owner Files Complaint

According to the FIR, complainant Lalit Mohanlal Soni (39), owner of Shine Gold and a resident of Virar West, stated that his worker, Ramesh Ratanchand Jain, took the gold ornaments from the company’s office at Earth Mall, Vitthalwadi, Kalbadevi Road, Mumbai, but failed to return them.

Despite repeated reminders, the accused allegedly neither returned the ornaments nor provided any explanation, leading the complainant to approach the police. Following approval from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 2, a case was registered against Jain for cheating.

Case Registered After DCP Approval

The investigation is being carried out by PI Kale, who has visited the crime scene for further evidence collection. Police are now tracing the accused and verifying whether the stolen gold has been sold or pawned.

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Maharashtra

26/11 Mumbai Terror Accused Tahawwur Rana’s Judicial Custody Extended Till September 8 By Special NIA Court

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Mumbai: The judicial remand of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extended till September 8 by a special NIA court on Wednesday. Rana’s earlier judicial custody is set to expire today, August 13. He was produced before the court by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) via video conferencing.

The federal agency has filed a supplementary chargesheet in the case. At present, the case is reportedly at the stage of document scrutiny.

Rana has been granted permission by the court for three phone calls with his brother to discuss engaging a lawyer for his defence. The calls will be recorded and take place in the presence of a senior jail officer. Notably, conversations will be allowed in Hindi or English.

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