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Maharashtra

‘Court’s Apology For Delaying Murder Trial Not Of Any Help To Accused Languishing In Jail For Over 5 Years’: Bombay HC

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Mumbai: Granting bail to a murder accused, the Bombay High Court has observed that the trial court’s apology was ‘not of any succour’ to the man who had been incarcerated for five years. It noted that the trial in the case had not commenced one and a half years after a court directive. 

Justice Bharati Dangre, on December 18,  granted bail to one Jahid alias Javed Liyakat Ansari, who was arrested by Rabale MIDC Police station on September 2, 2018, in a murder case. He filed bail plea through advocates Syed Asif Abbas Naqvi and Amreen Sheriff.

‘Sorry state of affairs’

The HC, on December 11, had expressed displeasure over the “sorry state of affairs” as trial against Ansari had not commenced and sought explanation from the trial judge. “With a heavy heart and with great regret, I must note that the judicial system has probably forgotten about this applicant,” Justice Dangre said. The report was submitted by Court of District Judge and Additional Sessions Judge, Belapur Amit M Shete giving a ‘number of reasons’ for the trial not concluding. It said that the accused was not produced until March 10 this year and the case was transferred to Belapur sessions court division on April 6. The case was then adjourned on eight dates during which the accused was nor produced by the Taloja jail authorities. This was brought to the notice of the presiding officer, the report added. 

Trial judge’s explanation over delay

The trial judge also gave a ‘long explanation’ on his efforts to deal with pending cases, as his court handles four police stations. Besides, he was also busy with remand cases under the MCOC Act, remands by the CBI and ACB, in addition to completing the time bound/expedited trials. 

Trial judge tendered a sincere and unconditional apology for not Ansari’s pending trial. “The apology, in whatever manner offered to this court, in my opinion, is not of any succour to the accused before me,” Justice Dangre remarked.

“Down the line, it is the end of the year 2023, but the position has not improved at all and the trial has not moved an inch ahead,” the judge said. Since the concerned trial court was “embroiled” with several time-bound matters and was not able to take up this trial any further, Justice Dangre said that she was “left with no other option than to secure his release on bail, as he cannot be incarcerated indefinitely as an under-trial prisoner and speedy trial is recognised as part of Article 21 (right to personal liberty) of the Constitution”. “Ultimately this is the only answer, which the judicial system can offer to an accused who was not produced for so called inadvertence”. 

Ansari has been granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of ₹25,000.

Bollywood

John Abraham Says He’s Never Touched Drugs, Urges Students Not To Smoke Or Drink At Navi Mumbai Event

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Actor John Abraham recently attended the Nasha Mukt Navi Mumbai program, an anti-drug awareness campaign launched by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. While addressing the students present, the actor made a surprising revelation, stating that he has never touched drugs in his life. Further, the Pathaan actor urged the students to be role models, good citizens, and to train hard to build strong muscles, setting a positive example.

He said, “I want to say to students, I have personally not touched drugs ever in my life, also no smoking, no drinking, but no drugs is very important. Be very disciplined in life, be a role model to your friends, colleagues. Be a good citizen of Maharashtra, India, and train hard to get some good muscles.”

John further congratulated Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the initiative. “This is a very important initiative for Maharashtra and the youth of Navi Mumbai,” he added.

On the work front, John was last seen in Vedaa, which was released in 2024. The film also starred Sharvari, Tamannaah Bhatia, Abhishek Banerjee, Ashish Vidyarthi, Kumud Mishra, Rajendra Chawla, Tanvi Malhara, Anurag Thakur and Urvashi Dubey, among others.

The film clashed with Shraddha Kapoor’s Stree 2 and Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein at the box office on Independence Day, August 15, 2024.

Next, John has Tehran in his pipeline alongside Manushi Chhillar, which is produced by Dinesh Vijan. The film is reportedly based on real-life events on the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war.

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Crime

Maharashtra: Nashik Cops Nab Drug Smuggler After Hour-Long Dramatic Car Chase On City Roads

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The Nashik City Police on Tuesday shared a dramatic high-speed car chase video on their X handle. According to the police, a drug smuggler was apprehended after an hour-long chase on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

In their post, the Nashik Police stated that the chase began when a red MH-02 registered car, traveling from Dhule to Navi Mumbai, attempted to breach the Adgaon Stop & Search checkpoint. A total of eight police vehicles were involved in the pursuit, the post added.

The video shared by the Nashik Police shows multiple police vehicles chasing a speeding red car. The red car can be seen evading the police vehicles whenever they got close.

“On suspicion of illegal weapons, narcotics, explosives, or similar prohibited items, the control room was alerted within seconds. Nashik City Police’s eight CR mobiles immediately took action and launched a dramatic chase throughout the city. The suspect driver drove on main roads to avoid capture, but our teams successfully apprehended him using skilled strategy without causing harm to others,” the Nashik Police stated in the post.

“The entire team involved in the chase was honored by the Nashik City Police Commissioner. Special appreciation goes to the alert staff who initiated the immediate pursuit, particularly Bhaurao Gangurde and Balkrishna Pawar!” it added.

The video shared by the Nashik Police has garnered widespread attention on social media, with many users praising the police for their daring attempt to nab the culprit.

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Business

Torres Company Scam: ₹1000 Crore Fraud, 1.25 Lakh Investors Duped, Three Arrested, Kingpins Flee To Ukraine, Case Transferred To EOW

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Mumbai: A massive investment scam by the foreign-based Torres Jewelry company has left over 1.25 lakh investors defrauded of ₹1,000 crore. The company, which promised high returns on jewelry and diamond investments, has collapsed, with its directors shifting the blame to Indian executives. The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) has taken over the investigation, and an FIR under the Maharashtra Protection of Depositors Act and various BNS sections has been registered.

Three individuals—Sarvesh Ashok Surve, Tanya Casatova, and Valentina Kumar—have been arrested, while the alleged masterminds, Ukrainian nationals John Carter and Victoria Kowalenko, fled the country. Lookout Circulars (LOCs) have been issued for their arrest. Torres Company launched operations in Mumbai in February 2024, opening a flagship showroom in Dadar and branches in Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, Borivali, and Mira Road. The company offered an alluring investment plan.

Investors purchased jewelry or moissanite diamonds and received official receipts. A digital account and unique customer ID were created for each investor. A weekly return of 6% was promised, amounting to triple the investment value over 52 weeks.

Sarvesh Surve, a local resident with no prior business credentials, was appointed as the director to provide a local face to the foreign venture. Surve’s digital signatures were used for all official documents, while John Carter and Victoria Kowalenko controlled operations from the shadows. Tanya Casatova, an Uzbek national, managed stores, and Valentina Kumar, a Russian citizen married to an Indian, oversaw retail operations.

Police sources revealed that Surve was unaware of the larger conspiracy, making him a convenient scapegoat. Before fulfilling the promised 52-week term, Torres stopped payments in December 2024, citing technical issues. On January 1, 2025, the company abruptly shut down its showrooms.

When irate investors gathered outside the Dadar office on January 6, Tanya and Valentina were confronted and detained by Shivaji Park police. Surve was also arrested. Preliminary investigations estimate that over 1.25 lakh investors were defrauded, based on the highest customer ID numbers issued. The total fraud amount could exceed ₹1,000 crore. Police stations in Shivaji Park, APMC (Navi Mumbai), and Mira Road witnessed long queues of investors filing complaints, with many FIRs registered in just two days.

Authorities are now coordinating with international agencies to apprehend Carter and Kowalenko. Meanwhile, the EOW has urged investors to file complaints to strengthen the case.

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