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Maharashtra

Delhi HC to pronounce today verdict on anticipatory bail plea of ex-IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar

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New Delhi, Dec 23: The Delhi High Court is slated to deliver on Monday its judgment on anticipatory bail plea of sacked Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly submitted false OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates and fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limits provided for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by faking her identity.

As per the causelist published on the website of the Delhi HC, a bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh will pronounce its verdict on December 23.

Earlier on November 28, Justice Singh-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing both sides. It was then clarified that till the judgment is delivered, the interim relief granted earlier to Puja Khedkar shielding her from arrest will continue.

Asking Khedkar to cooperate with the investigation, the Delhi High Court, in an interim order passed on August 12, granted her protection from arrest.

Earlier, a court here had turned down her anticipatory bail plea and asked the investigating agency to find out if anyone from inside the UPSC had helped Khedkar.

Widening the scope of the probe, Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala had asked Delhi Police to investigate if other people recommended by the UPSC have availed quota benefits without entitlement.

The Centre, on September 7, sacked Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, a month after the UPSC cancelled her selection in government service. Khedkar has been found guilty of faking and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits.

After cancelling her selection, the UPSC also barred her for life from taking the entrance exam after finding her guilty of faking her identity to take the exam multiple times.

In a status report submitted to the Delhi High Court, Delhi Police had contended that former Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Khedkar had submitted two separate disability certificates for her UPSC exam. The disability certificates dated 2018 and 2021 citing ‘multiple disabilities’ were purportedly issued by the Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital for her UPSC attempts made in 2022 and 2023.

However, as per Delhi Police’s status report, the hospital authorities had denied that the certificates claiming ‘multiple disabilities’ were issued to her by them. It was found that Khedkar availed relaxed criteria for OBC candidates and persons with disabilities.

It then came to light that her father, a former Maharashtra government officer, had property to the tune of Rs 40 crore and that she did not qualify for the non-creamy layer OBC quota.

The UPSC had said that its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) “could not detect her number of attempts primarily because she changed not only her name but also her parents’ names”.

The Delhi High Court also issued notice to Khedkar on an application filed by the UPSC alleging that she committed perjury by swearing a false affidavit and making a false statement in relation to her anticipatory bail plea.

In its application, the UPSC disputed that it did not collect any biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) during Khedkar’s personality test and she made a “false statement” regarding the collection of her biometrics for obtaining favourable orders.

Maharashtra

“Batti Gul protest” against Waqf Amendment Act today, strong appeal from scholars and Mashaikhs

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Mumbai, April 30: A “Batti Gul Protest” will be observed today, April 30, in collaboration with Muslim religious, national and social organizations across the country. The aim of this protest is to oppose the controversial Waqf Amendment Act introduced by the government, which the Muslim leadership has termed as an attack on Waqf properties.

Famous Islamic leader and leader and head of Raza Academy, Alhaj Muhammad Saeed Noori, said in two words, “We will not accept the Waqf Amendment Act, which is currently under discussion in the Supreme Court, under any circumstances.”

An important meeting was held in this regard at Khanqah Sharh Bukhari, Govindi, in which the Ulema discussed the strategy to make the protest successful. Hazrat Pir Maulana Waliullah Sharifi appealed to the heads of all mosques, madrasas, khanqahs and universities across the country to stand united against this controversial act.

Hazrat Maulana Ijaz Ahmad Kashmiri said in an emotional tone, “There is an attempt to loot the waqf properties of Muslims. If we remain silent today, our future generations will not forgive us.”

Prominent scholars who attended the meeting included:

Hazrat Maulana Alauddin Rizvi

Hazrat Maulana Jahangir Al-Qadri

Hazrat Qari Muhammad Tawfiq Azmi Misbahi

Hazrat Maulana Rizwan Ahmad Alimi

Hazrat Qari Muhammad Saeed Ashrafi

Hazrat Maulana Tawakul Hussain Sharifi

Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali Sanai

Hazrat Maulana Mahmood Ali Ashrafi

Hazrat Maulana Raziullah Sharifi

Hazrat Hafiz Junaid Raza Rashidi

Apart from this, Shahid Bhai, Mukhtar Bhai, Rizwan Bhai and other friends were also present.

The scholars emphasized that the waqf properties are the collective trust of Muslims and no government occupation or interference in them will be tolerated. The “Bati Gul Protest” conveyed a peaceful and effective message to the government that the Muslim people are ready to go to any extent to protect their religious, educational and charitable institutions.

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Maharashtra

Pahalgam terrorist attack Samajwadi Party protest against communalism Action should be taken against those who spread hatred and Minister Nitish Rane Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Samajwadi Party today organized a movement under the leadership of Mumbai/Maharashtra State President MLA Abu Asim Azmi at Azad Maidan Mumbai and demanded action against sectarians who are spoiling the social atmosphere by making hateful statements against the Muslim community.

Addressing the Jam Ghafir, Abu Asim Azmi said that we condemn the terrorist attack in Pahalgam but in such a sensitive context, the state minister is continuously making anti-Muslim statements and creating division between the two religions. Apart from this, Muslim hawkers were beaten up in Dadar and other parts of Mumbai. Due to which there has been a problem of law and order. Therefore, we demand strict action against Minister Nitish Rane and people like him who make statements against Muslims. According to the Supreme Court’s decision in the 2023 hate speech case, strict legal action should be taken against the guilty individuals and organizations, those who do not care about secularism, those who spread hatred, those who incite violence, those who give public threats, those who call for economic boycott, those who create division among people on the basis of religion, caste, region or language. The state, as per its duty, protects the fundamental rights and freedom of every citizen to do business, trade, and business. The state should protect the freedom and belief of every citizen, according to the articles of the Indian Constitution, there should be an environment of peace and justice in the state. It is demanded that the rule of law and justice should be established in the most transparent manner by implementing the law and by sternly admonishing the enemies of peace, law and constitution who violate the law.

The Samajwadi Party delegation submitted a protest request to Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Pansalkar. Hundreds of Samajwadi Party workers were present at that time, including Meraj Siddiqui, Yousuf Abrahani, Rahul Gaikwad, Kabir Maurya, Saeed Khan, Zeba Malik.

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Maharashtra

Deven Bharti Appointed as Mumbai Police Commissioner Following Vivek Phansalkar’s Retirement

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Mumbai, April 30, 2025: ( Kamar Ansari ) In a significant leadership transition, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Deven Bharti has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police for Mumbai, succeeding Vivek Phansalkar, who retired today after nearly three years in the role.

Phansalkar, a 1989-batch IPS officer, took charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner on June 30, 2022, during a period of political change in Maharashtra. His tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the police force following a series of leadership changes. Prior to his appointment, the Mumbai Police saw a turbulent period with multiple commissioners serving brief terms .

Deven Bharti, a 1994-batch IPS officer, brings extensive experience to his new role. He previously served as Mumbai’s first Special Commissioner of Police, a position created in January 2023 to enhance administrative efficiency within the force . Bharti’s career includes key postings such as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), and head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Notably, he was involved in the investigations of major incidents, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks .

The appointment of Bharti as Commissioner is expected to bring continuity and a focus on law and order in Mumbai. His familiarity with the city’s challenges and his established rapport with various stakeholders position him to lead the force effectively.

As Mumbai navigates complex urban security dynamics, Bharti’s leadership will be pivotal in steering the police force to address emerging challenges and maintain public safety.

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