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‘Conspiracy, provocation’, leaders react to Nagpur violence

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New Delhi, March 18: The violence in Nagpur has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders across parties. The incident, which erupted after a protest by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal supporters, has sparked heated debates regarding its origins and motives behind it.

Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the violence, stating, “This was a planned conspiracy, executed under a well-thought-out political strategy by those who had issues with Maharashtra. This narrative, which originated in Delhi, was brought to Maharashtra and implemented. Behind this violence, there is a clear backdrop of provocation. From CM Devendra Fadnavis to his cabinet ministers, provocative statements were made.”

She further criticised the Maharashtra government, adding, “CM Devendra Fadnavis is pushing Maharashtra into underdevelopment, creating an environment where no one will want to invest in the state. Law and order have been shattered, and you are misleading and provoking the people. It is shameful that such violence took place. Nitin Gadkari himself stated that, to date, no such incident has ever occurred in Nagpur. The so-called ‘double-engine’ government they claim is actually a ‘double disaster’ government.”

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande voicing her concern, said, “I strongly condemn this serious incident. Who started it and who spread the rumours, this is very dangerous and frightening.”

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari appealed for peace, stating, “I humbly appeal to the residents there that peace, harmony, and calm must be restored at all costs and I directly blame the Bharatiya Janata Party and its associated organisations, along with the state government, for fuelling the fire that was already burning.”

BJP leaders, too, weighed in on the incident, claiming it is a conspiracy.

BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule described the violence as “unprecedented”, adding, “The unfortunate incident that occurred in Nagpur has never been seen before. The way this incident took place it is a clear case of conspiracy.”

BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay was more direct in his comments, saying, “In Nagpur, the way Hindu vehicles were set on fire, the police were attacked, and Hindus were targeted. I stand in support of every Hindu who faced atrocities. The perpetrators and those behind the conspiracy must be exposed, and actions like bulldozer operations should be taken against them.”

According to police reports, the violence erupted after VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters gathered near Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Mahal to protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb.

During the protest, they allegedly burned a photograph of Aurangzeb and a symbolic grave wrapped in a green cloth filled with grass.

This act reportedly led to rumours that sacred verses had been set on fire, which escalated tensions.

As tensions mounted, around 80-100 individuals became aggressive, hurling stones at police officers and setting vehicles on fire. Some reports even claimed that knives were thrown at security personnel. The police responded with lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Authorities have since detained around 50 individuals in connection with the violence, and a heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.

As investigations continue, political leaders continue to weigh in, each blaming the other for the violence that has marred the peace in Nagpur.

Maharashtra

Dahisar toll naka will be shifted, big relief for Mira-Bhayander residents

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to shift the Dahisar toll naka. The move will bring relief to thousands of daily commuters, especially residents of Mira-Bhayander, who have been facing this toll for a long time.

For many years, the Dahisar toll plaza had been a cause of trouble for commuters. Long queues during peak hours and wastage of time were causing financial burden on local residents. Citizens of Mira-Bhayander were constantly demanding that short commuters should not be burdened with additional toll.

Officials have confirmed that the toll naka will now be shifted further on the highway. This will exempt local commuters from paying toll charges on short-distance journeys. This change will not only smoothen the traffic but will also reduce the daily expenses of people.

Local citizen groups and representatives have welcomed the decision. A resident said, “This was a long-pending demand. Now we will not have to pay extra toll on short-distance travel.”

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will soon decide the new location of the toll naka and work will start in the coming weeks.

This shifting of Dahisar toll naka is being considered as an important step towards easing urban travel and solving the problems of suburban residents.

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Maharashtra

Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Accused in 2012 Pune Serial Blasts After 12 Years in Custody

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Bom-Blast-Mubin

Mumbai, September 10, 2025 (By Kamar Ansari) The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Farooq Shaukat Bagwan, one of the accused in the 2012 Pune serial bombings, after he spent more than 12 years in judicial custody without the trial reaching a conclusion.

A division bench of Justices A. S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil observed that Bagwan’s continued incarceration amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to a speedy trial. The court also noted that a co-accused, Munib Iqbal Memon, had already been granted bail last year on similar grounds, making Bagwan eligible for the same relief on the principle of parity.

Bagwan, now 39, was arrested in December 2012 and charged under multiple laws, including the Indian Penal Code, the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The Pune blasts, which occurred on August 1, 2012, targeted locations such as Deccan Gymkhana and Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir. Five low-intensity explosions took place between 7:25 pm and 11:30 pm, injuring one person. A sixth explosive device, planted in a bicycle near Jangli Maharaj Road, was later defused.

According to the prosecution, Bagwan allegedly provided forged documents for obtaining SIM cards and allowed his shop to be used in preparations for the blasts. However, his defense, led by Advocate Mubin Solkar, argued that the trial had progressed at an unacceptably slow pace. He pointed out that only 27 out of nearly 170 prosecution witnesses had been examined in more than a decade, making prolonged custody unjustifiable.

The bench underscored that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be denied. Noting that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon, the court ordered Bagwan’s release on bail upon furnishing a surety bond of ₹1 lakh.

The State opposed the plea, citing confessional statements and evidence linking Bagwan to the conspiracy. Despite this, the judges ruled that prolonged pre-trial detention and judicial parity with the co-accused strongly justified granting bail.

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Maharashtra

Samruddhi Mahamarg: Nails Found On Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway Bridge, Several Cars Left Punctured

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Mumbai: Several cars travelling late Tuesday night on the Samruddhi Expressway from Nagpur to Mumbai were forced to stop suddenly after their tyres were punctured due to rows of sharp nails hammered into the road surface on a bridge.

A video that has surfaced on the internet shows scenes from the expressway where nails can be seen fixed in rows on the bridge. The video, shot at night, shows slow traffic moving from a lane beside, where the nails are fixed.

At first, commuters suspected foul play, fearing that miscreants had planted the nails as part of a robbery attempt. However, later, checks revealed that the nails had actually been fixed by a road construction company working on repairs in the area.

According to reports, several motorists questioned why there was no barricading or warning signage if repair activity was underway. They also demanded answers as to why the nails were placed hurriedly at night, instead of during the day, when the problem could have been addressed transparently without causing distress to commuters. The situation could have been far worse, with many pointing out that punctured tyres at high speed on the expressway could have led to major accidents or fatalities.

The Samruddhi Expressway, often described as Maharashtra’s ‘corridor of prosperity,’ has repeatedly faced criticism for recurring accidents and lapses in planning since its inauguration. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the incident and announce corrective measures in the coming days.

In a separate infrastructure update for Mumbai, the state government approved the relocation of Dahisar Toll Plaza, which has long been a source of traffic congestion and pollution. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently chaired a meeting where he directed the MSRDC to shift the toll plaza near the nurseries in front of Versova Bridge.

The relocation is scheduled to be completed before Diwali, with officials instructed to fast-track the process. Once moved, the decision is expected to provide major relief for daily commuters on the Dahisar–Mira-Bhayander–Andheri corridor, where snarls have been a persistent complaint.

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