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‘Dalit Man Murdered By Cops, CM Devendra Fadnavis Lied,’ Says Rahul Gandhi In Parbhani, Demands Justice

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Mumbai, Dec 23: Dropping a political bomb, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that a Dalit man was ‘murdered by police’ and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ‘lied’ in the legislature on the issue.

Accompanied by top party leaders, Rahul Gandhi visited the home of Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi, 35, who was found dead in judicial custody on December 15, barely 72 hours after he was arrested in connection with the violence following the desecration of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar there.

Emerging after paying condolences to the family, a grim Rahul Gandhi said that grieving Suryawanshi had shown him the post-mortem report and videos of the incidents, and also apprised him of the sequence of events thereafter.

“It’s 100 per cent a murder. The Police have beaten him… The police have murdered him in custody. He was killed because he was a Dalit and was trying to protect the Constitution. He was beaten and finished off,” said Rahul Gandhi sternly.

He also pointed an accusing finger at Fadnavis, claiming that the “CM has lied in the Assembly”, ostensibly to convey a “message to the police”.

“It is the RSS ideology to finish off the Constitution. The (MahaYuti) government and their ideology is responsible (for Suryawanshi’s death). The CM and those who thrashed him (the Dalit man) are responsible for all this,” said Rahul Gandhi determinedly.

When the media sought to know whether he was attempting to politicise the issue with his visit and statements, the Lok Sabha LOP contested the claim, even as Bharatiya Janata Party leaders flayed his remarks.

“There’s no politics here. It’s a matter of justice. There’s been a murder. It’s a question of ideology. We want immediate action in the matter. We want this to be resolved and those behind it must be punished,” Rahul Gandhi demanded.

Taking a cue, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole said that the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will soon move a breach of privilege motion against the CM for misleading the House on Suryawanshi’s death.

“The CM had said that he (Suryawanshi) was suffering from breathing problems and had died. Earlier the police had said he had complained of chest pains. The autopsy report (December 16) mentioned ‘shock following multiple injuries’ as the cause of death,” pointed out Patole.

Subsequently, an unfazed Fadnavis dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s remarks as ‘political’ and reiterated that the MahaYuti government has already initiated two probes into the matter, and justice would be done with stringent punishment to the accused.

Earlier, sporting a dark blue tee-shirt — symbolizing the Dalit colour, Rahul Gandhi entered the Suryawanshi home bare feet, bowed and paid homage to a portrait of Somnath, a law student, and then walked inside to greet the family with a ‘Namaste’, this afternoon.

He sat on the floor beside the mourning family members hailing from the Wadar community. They related the sequence of events leading to Somnath Suryawanshi’s death in judicial custody and showed him certain documents.

Rahul Gandhi gave them a patient hearing, nodded his head on several occasions, paid condolences and promised to ensure justice for the deceased man.

Later, he travelled to the home of another Dalit social worker Vijay Wakode, who suffered a heart attack and succumbed while attempting to control the rampaging mobs on December 11-12.

Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by top leaders like AICC’s Ramesh Chennithala, state President Nana Patole, MPs Dr Shivaji Kalge, Ravindra V. Chavan, Dr Kalyan Kale, MLAs Vijay Wadettiwar, Amit Deshmukh, senior leaders Vijay Balasaheb Thorat, President of State SC Department Siddharth Hattiambire, Nana Gawande, Atul Londhe and others.

Suryawanshi was arrested in connection with the violent incidents that ensued after the desecration of a statue of Dr Ambedkar near Parbhani Railway Station on December 10, by one ‘mentally disturbed’ person named Sopan Pawar.

After the sacrilege, a violent and tense shutdown was observed in Parbhani, while the local police swooped down and detained/arrested around 300 persons, mostly Dalits, including Suryawanshi on December 12.

Barely 72 hours later, Suryawanshi was found dead in judicial custody, sparking a massive furore with the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and INDIA bloc allies raising the issue at multiple levels.

Maharashtra

Ekta Kapoor opens up about global storytelling at WAVES Summit 2025

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Mumbai: Recently seen at WAVES Summit 2025, Emmy Award winner and well-known producer of India, Ekta Kapoor shared some very interesting things about global storytelling. She told how Indian drama and serial formats are no longer limited to the country, but are also making their strong hold in the international market.

When Ekta Kapoor was asked how she views global storytelling after building such a big empire of content on TV and digital platforms, she replied in a candid manner as always, “The way of storytelling should be such that it connects directly to the heart.”

Ekta Kapoor emphasized that today’s audience is adopting stories from all over the world, be it Korean, Turkish, American, Spanish or European. She said, “Global platforms and networks have proved that language is no longer a barrier. People enjoy stories because of dubbing, they actually connect with the story.” She also said that in today’s world of content, the language barrier no longer matters.

Drawing attention to India’s rich heritage of stories, Ekta Kapoor said, “We have the oldest and longest tradition of storytelling. And this is our real capital, it has always been our currency.” She admitted that till now there have been some practical obstacles, which prevented Indian content from spreading rapidly across the world, but now the situation is changing and she hopes that the era of Indian stories has now begun globally.

Pointing to the global identity of the Indian film industry, Ekta Kapoor said, “Now we are getting there.” However, she also said that now we need to move beyond just ethnic stories. “Now it should be non-ethnic i.e. beyond traditional stories. I think we are standing at a turning point.”

Ekta Kapoor concluded her speech by thanking the audience and giving a clear message: Indian content must now tell stories that reach every human heart, beyond borders and subtitles. Meanwhile, she is gearing up for her next production “VVAN – Force of the Forest”, starring Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role.

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Maharashtra

Deven Bharti’s coronation: There is no room for the post of Special Commissioner in Mumbai

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Mumbai: Mumbai After Special Commissioner Deven Bharti was appointed as Mumbai Commissioner, who will be the next Special Commissioner of Mumbai or will this post also be abolished and Deven Bharti will prove to be the first and last Special Commissioner. Before Deven Bharti was appointed as Special Commissioner in Mumbai, this post did not exist in Mumbai and the department worked under the Commissioner and Joint Commissioners in Mumbai, but by making Deven Bharti a Special Commissioner, the first Special Commissioner post was created in Mumbai and before that, the post of Special Commissioner was only in Delhi.

Now who will be the next Special Commissioner in Mumbai or will this post be abolished after Deven Bharti becomes Mumbai Commissioner? Deven Bharti has been appointed by placing 11 IPS officers on site and the main contenders in this were DGP Sadanand Date, Sanjay Verma, Archana Tyagi, while for the Additional DG level Deven Bharti has been made a commissioner by ignoring senior officers. Deven Bharti started his journey as DCP of Mumbai Crime Branch, after which he was made Additional Commissioner Crime, then ATS Chief and Additional DG Corporation. Will the post of Special Commissioner in Mumbai remain or can this post be abolished after Deven Bharti becomes Commissioner? For Deven Bharti’s coronation, the DG level post was converted to Additional DG level. Earlier, this post was assigned only to DGP level officer. This post was downgraded in 2024.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar’s last emotional message on X

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar dedicated 35 years to the police department and now the Mumbai Police Commissioner has thanked all those who were with him on this journey and who also cooperated in every way possible after his retirement. Vivek Phansalkar has said in his emotional message that my family and friends who made countless sacrifices in supporting and cooperating with my duty, my colleagues who stood by me steadfastly in every challenge and all those who trusted me throughout my journey and career, supported and encouraged me. All their support is a blessing for me. I am proud that I got the opportunity to serve in the police force. I am also grateful to the people of Mumbai for giving me important responsibilities in the department.

Deven Bharti has taken charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner, while Vivek Phansalkar’s last farewell tweet was made from Mumbai Police’s Twitter X, in which Vivek Phansalkar thanked the people of Mumbai and well-wishers.

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