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Maharashtra

Central agencies are ‘dacoits’, why not shut them down: Uddhav Thackeray

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 In a brutal attack, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday accused the central probe agencies of being “dacoits” who take “contracts” from the Centre to hound political opponents.

“What are these central agencies? They are just like dacoits. They behave like the ‘pet animals’ of the Centre. They take ‘contracts’ (supari) to go and target whoever they are told to. People are now wondering why these federal probe agencies should not be shut down,” an irate Thackeray asked.

He was speaking while giving a warm welcome to party MP Sanjay Raut, who was released after 101 days’ incarceration in an alleged money-laundering case slapped by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), at his private residence ‘Matoshri’ here.

Referring to the Special PMLA Court verdict which termed Raut’s arrest by the ED as “illegal”, Thackeray said that despite the order, the Centre may still try to trap him (Raut) in some other false cases.

“The court ruling is a warning for the Centre and all those (rebels) who left. The wheels of time keep changing, (Deputy Chief Minister) Devendra Fadnavis must realise that the times change, tomorrow it can catch up even with him,” warned Thackeray.

The Sena (UBT) chief also charged the Centre of attempting to hide behind the courts for pursuing its vindictive political agenda and called upon the masses to raise their voice against this.

“If the Centre had any shame or principles, this (Raut’s arrest) would never have happened in the first place. The whole country and the world are watching the conduct of the government and its misuse of the central probe bodies,” Thackeray said.

Earlier, Uddhav warmly received Raut at the doorstep of his home, his wife Rashmi performed a traditional welcome aaarti’, congratulated him and applied a ’tilak’, while a beaming Aditya Thackeray gripped Raut in a tight abear-hug’.

Flowers, garlands and sweets were distributed as several other party leaders clapped and cheered Raut who met the Thackeray family for the first time in over three months.

Thackeray magnanimously described Raut as “a true friend indeed, who can be relied upon till the end”, one who would never backstab or go back on his words, and said he was delighted to have him back in the field.

He said that despite all pressures and harassment, Raut did not get scared or “run away” (like the rebels), and stood by the party solidly.

Reciprocating Raut, who will also meet Natioanlist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar later, said that after a couple of days’ rest, he would embark on a tour of Maharashtra, meet the party activists and the common masses to listen to their grievances.

Others including Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare said the “tiger is Back”, national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari said now the “BJP is scared, and 2024 will see the BJP swept out by the UPA”, Congress’ Bhai Jagtap flayed the central agencies for being the “dogs” of the Centre of which nobody is scared, while NCP MLA Rohit Pawar (grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar) said “the tiger returns to prowl”.

On Thursday morning, Raut expressed his inability, due to health reasons, to join the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, currently passing through the state.

However, a high-level delegation from the Shiv Sena (UBT) comprising Aditya Thackeray and other senior leaders will march alongside Gandhi on Friday, according to a party leader.

Maharashtra

Sadanand Data’s path to becoming DGP is paved, Data will succeed Rashmi Shukla in Maharashtra, will take charge from January 1

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NIA Chief Sadanand Date: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) of the Central Government has taken a significant administrative decision, approving the immediate repatriation of National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General and senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date to his parent cadre in Maharashtra. This order, issued on December 22nd, is considered highly significant from both an administrative and political perspective.

Sadanand Date is a 1990 batch IPS officer and is known as a strict, honest, and experienced officer at both the central and state levels. During his tenure as NIA chief, the agency’s role in several sensitive and national security-related cases was further strengthened. Under his leadership, the NIA’s efficiency and credibility have increased.

This decision comes at a time when elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are scheduled for January. The BMC is one of the largest municipal corporations in the country, and maintaining law and order during its elections is a major challenge for the state police. Therefore, experienced leadership at both the central and state levels is considered crucial.

The term of the current Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, Rashmi Shukla, ends on December 31st. In this context, Sadanand Date’s name is being considered as a frontrunner for the next DGP of the state. According to administrative sources, Date’s appointment could ensure a fair and robust security arrangement during the elections.

Sadanand Date is known as the courageous officer who directly confronted terrorist Ajmal Kasab at the Cama and Albless Hospital during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He was seriously injured during the incident, but his courage and dedication to duty earned him national recognition.

If Sadanand Date is appointed as the new DGP of Maharashtra, it will be considered a major and positive step for the state’s law and order and security apparatus. Administrative circles believe that his appointment will boost the morale of the police force and help in conducting the upcoming elections peacefully.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Rickshaw driver beaten up in Vikhroli on suspicion of child theft, burqa-clad driver did this to collect fare, police claim

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Mumbai: Vikhroli Park Site, after the rumor of a child theft, chaos broke out and an auto rickshaw driver was attacked by a mob when he went to the street of Vikhroli Madina Masjid dressed in a burqa to collect his fare. During this, people suspected that the child had come to steal, after which the mob beat him up, but the police reached the spot and then took him into their custody. During interrogation, it was found that the child had not come wearing a burqa to steal but to collect the fare. He was dressed in a burqa so that no one would recognize him and he could easily collect his fare and go back, but unfortunately, the people caught him and the police took him out of the mob’s possession and safely took him to the police station. After that, the police confirmed that the child had not come to steal. Further investigation is underway in this matter. The police said that along with the investigation, it is also being found out whether he really came to collect the fare or not. He is a thief. Initial investigation has revealed that the child is not a thief. The police have confirmed that the rickshaw driver is not a thief.

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Maharashtra

Municipal Corporation in Mumbai is committed to conducting administration and election process in a fearless, free and transparent environment: Bhushan Gagrani

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Mumbai: Municipal Corporation Administration and Election System Mumbai Municipal Corporation is committed to conducting the election process for the general elections 2025-26 in a completely fearless, free, transparent and disciplined environment. In this regard, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Administration has made all and extensive preparations and all necessary measures are being implemented effectively. The role of political parties is very important in the election process. In order to promote democratic values ​​and make the election process fair, transparent and credible, all political parties, their office bearers and workers should strictly follow the code of conduct framed by the State Election Commission and cooperate with the Municipal Corporation Administration. A positive and exemplary example should be set in the electoral process, this appeal was made by Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani. A meeting was held with representatives of political parties at the Municipal Corporation headquarters today in connection with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation general elections 2025-26. On this occasion, Gagrani presented detailed information about various administrative, technical and legal aspects of the elections.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Special Duty Officer (Election) Vijay Balmwar, Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar, Assistant Commissioner (Taxation and Collection) Gajanan Belle, UP Election Officer Vijay Kumar Suryavanshi and other office bearers and representatives of various political parties were present in the meeting. Political parties were provided detailed information about the offices of 23 Election Decision Officers and their scope of work for the smooth conduct of the elections. Along with this, guidance was also given on the process of filing nomination papers, scrutiny of applications, registration of objections and how to contact these offices for day-to-day work in the election process. Municipal Commissioner Shri said that all necessary arrangements have been completed at the level of the Election Decision Officer so that the candidates do not face any technical problems.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said that all guidelines have been given so that the candidates do not make any mistakes while filing nomination papers (candidate applications) for the elections. The concerned persons should submit all the information in the prescribed format. Candidates should take special care that no application is rejected due to technical difficulties. It is mandatory for the candidates to fill all the information correctly and clearly in the affidavit submitted with their application. He said that if any column is left blank in the affidavit or if incorrect information is found, the nomination of the candidate, along with all other matters, can be cancelled.

Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar said that the main objective of the administration is to increase the voting percentage to strengthen democracy. For this, political parties should create awareness among the voters. Public awareness is being created among the voters under the ‘SVEEP’ program by the Municipal Corporation. Also, it is mandatory to follow the guidelines of the esteemed State Election Commission regarding election expenses. Candidates should keep a record of every expense incurred during the election campaign and submit the account of election expenses within the stipulated time. Various doubts raised by the representatives of political parties on various issues were cleared including caste verification certificate, toilet usage certificate, Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, appointment of representatives of election candidates.

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