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Maharashtra

‘Democracy’s four pillars dismantled’: Saamana slams Centre over NEET protest crackdown

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Mumbai, July 25: In a strongly worded editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) launched a blistering attack on the Union government, the Delhi Police, and the judiciary.

The editorial alleged that the ruling dispensation is systematically eroding the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution while remaining indifferent to the mounting anger among students over repeated leaks of national-level examination papers.

Invoking the Preamble of the Constitution, the editorial described its opening words — “We, the People of India” — as the foundation and soul of the nation’s democratic framework, designed to guarantee social, economic, and political justice alongside liberty, equality, and fraternity. However, the editorial alleged that over the past 12 years, this constitutional ethos has been crushed.

“The four pillars of democracy stand dismantled, and the vision of ‘We, the People of India’ is mocked every single day,” the Thackeray camp asserted, adding that citizens nonetheless remain committed to safeguarding the nation’s democratic values.

The editorial focused heavily on the political fallout surrounding climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, which ended late Thursday night. Wangchuk broke his fast after accepting a cup of soup from Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh.

The editorial questioned the circumstances of the fast’s conclusion, noting that none of the protesters’ primary demands — most notably the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan — were met. Critics cited in the editorial pointed out that Wangchuk had previously been forcibly removed by security personnel behind a white sheet, detained at a hospital, and persuaded to end his fast without consulting fellow demonstrators.

Despite Wangchuk breaking his fast, student and youth groups across the country have pledged to continue their agitation, framing the movement as a broader struggle to defend national democracy against systemic corruption in education, said the editorial.

To highlight the scale of the crisis, the editorial cited figures shared by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, stating that 152 instances of exam paper leaks have taken place across India in the last decade without yielding a single conviction. This widespread failure has impacted an estimated 75 million students and their families.

In response to the demonstrations, Pradhan sparked outrage by dismissing the protesters at Jantar Mantar as “goons” rather than genuine students. Nadda accused opposition parties of politicising student grievances for electoral gains and urged that the matter be raised constructively in Parliament instead.

The Saamana editorial dismissed Nadda’s allegations, asking how political parties expressing solidarity with peaceful student protesters could be labelled as opportunistic. The Thackeray camp severely criticised the Delhi Police for using excessive force against young demonstrators, alleging that officers cracked down violently and tore the clothes of female protesters.

The editorial also directed harsh criticism toward Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alleging that when lawyers approached the Supreme Court with an urgent petition regarding police brutality, the CJI refused to review visual evidence of the assault, cold-heartedly stating, “Do not waste time watching such assault videos; we have absolutely no interest in them.”

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena claimed that when the judiciary appears subservient to an unfeeling administration, citizens are left with no refuge for justice. Despite its grim assessment of state institutions, the editorial highlighted one positive outcome — members of the legal fraternity at the Supreme Court openly declared their solidarity with the demonstrating students.

Lawyers gathered on the Supreme Court premises to register their protest by reading aloud the Preamble of the Constitution.

The editorial concluded with a call to action, reinforcing that even as state machinery fails, the citizens of India will remain steadfast in protecting their constitutional heritage.

Maharashtra

Bollywood in the Crosshairs After Firing at Tiger Shroff; Legal Action Initiated Against Bishnoi Gang, Three Shooters Arrested

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Mumbai: The Crime Branch has claimed to have solved the case involving a shooting incident targeting Tiger Shroff in the Juhu area of ​​Mumbai. Addressing a press conference, Mumbai Crime Branch DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle carried out the shooting. The Crime Branch received information that, following the incident, the shooters abandoned their Pulsar motorcycle at Andheri station and traveled by train toward Kota. The Crime Branch alerted the Kota police, who subsequently arrested three suspects. The police have now taken all three individuals into custody. Additionally, Anil Pandit had circulated a post online referencing the ‘Bishnoi gang,’ a matter that is currently under police investigation. Regarding the targeting of Bollywood figures by the Bishnoi gang, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan noted that action has been taken against the group—including in the earlier case involving the shooting incident at Salman Khan’s residence. In the current case, the Crime Branch has registered a case under charges of attempted murder and the Arms Act. Legal proceedings are also underway concerning the Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi gang, with efforts being made to secure the custody of Lawrence Bishnoi. The DCP explained that comprehensive information was provided to the Kota police, as Crime Branch teams had been actively pursuing the shooters. To date, no weapons have been recovered from the suspects. Authorities are currently verifying a post circulating on social media to determine whether it originated from the Bishnoi gang, and action is being taken against those involved. The suspects spent 10 to 15 minutes surveying the scene before carrying out the shooting. One of the suspects, 22-year-old Ritik (alias Roshan), has completed his education up to the 12th grade. None of the three suspects are minors; therefore, they will all be held in custody for further interrogation. Five rounds were fired. Prior to this incident, no complaints regarding threats against Tiger Shroff had been received; the police are investigating every aspect of the case and have already begun questioning the three suspects while they remain in custody. The three individuals—Ritik (alias Roshan), Rehan Rashiduddin, and Paul Singh—have been arrested. Rehan, who previously worked as a ‘Rapido’ (ride-hailing) driver in Mumbai, eventually became a shooter. The suspects were apprehended from the general compartment of a train; they were attempting to flee toward Delhi and Nepal. DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that, in light of their involvement in past shooting incidents and their ties to the Bishnoi gang, the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) has been invoked against these shooters.

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Maharashtra

E-Office System Implemented in Mumbai Municipal Corporation; 14,000 Users to Be Integrated in Phases to Make Administration More Transparent and Efficient

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Mumbai – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implementing an ‘E-Office’ system to make its administrative operations more dynamic, transparent, and efficient through the effective use of modern technology. This system will facilitate the digitalization of various administrative processes, including the management of official files, correspondence, and the processing of proposals. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide stated that the system will be rolled out across the entire corporation in a phased manner, encompassing approximately 14,000 users. This initiative is expected to reduce paper consumption and render the decision-making process smoother, faster, and more transparent.

On October 17, 2026, a monthly review meeting involving various BMC departments was held at the ‘Command and Control Centre’ in Worli. During the meeting, preparations for the implementation of the ‘E-Office’ system—including technical infrastructure, training requirements, and administrative planning—were reviewed. Ashwini Bhide addressed the meeting in this regard.

The meeting was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. M. Devender Singh, and Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner’s Office) Prashant Gaikwad. Additionally, all Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and heads of various departments were also present.

Digitalization of Administrative Affairs via ‘e-Office’
Providing information about the ‘e-Office’ system, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide explained that ‘e-Office’ is an office management system developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). In accordance with a government resolution issued by the Government of Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the implementation of this system. The ‘e-Office’ system will enable the execution of administrative tasks digitally, thereby reducing reliance on paper-based files. Processes such as recording notes (note sheets), drafting documents, submitting proposals, and granting approvals can now be completed online, following a defined workflow. Consequently, this will not only accelerate the pace of work but also ensure transparency and accountability within administrative procedures.

Managing File Movement and Monitoring Pending Matters
The ‘e-Office’ system facilitates the creation and management of electronic files, as well as their routing to the relevant officers or departments. It allows for the systematic recording of inward and outward correspondence, the integration of scanned documents into the system, and the tracking of subsequent actions taken. Furthermore, the system enables the approval of notes, drafts, and orders through the use of digital signatures. Furthermore, it enables the monitoring of file movement, pending cases, decisions taken, and official correspondence. The ability to save and archive electronic records—along with the existence of a centralized repository for documents—makes information management highly organized and efficient. Phased Onboarding of 14,000 Users.

The implementation of the e-Office system across the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take place in phases. This process will involve approximately 14,000 users, with specific roles and responsibilities defined at every level to ensure the effective use of the system. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide stated that a circular has been issued regarding the re-implementation of the e-Office system and its effective application in administrative affairs.

Focus on Training, Technical Facilities, and Digital Signatures
To ensure the effective implementation of the e-Office system, the Information Technology Department will conduct ‘Train-the-Trainer’ sessions for nodal officers. A central help desk will be established to resolve any technical issues that may arise during the use of the system. Additionally, a core team—led by the heads of the respective departments—will be formed to oversee the implementation process.
Emphasis is being placed on providing the necessary computing facilities and technical infrastructure, as well as ensuring that the relevant officers and staff receive appropriate training. Ms. Bhade stated that ‘Digital Signature Certificates’ (DSC) have been provided to the officers authorized to sign documents. She further explained that the effective implementation of the ‘e-Office’ system will promote digital operations within the BMC administration. This will expedite office tasks, reduce paper usage, and make the decision-making process more transparent and accountable.

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Maharashtra

‘Should face same punishment as adults’: Abu Azmi demands lowering of age of juvenile offenders to 14

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Samajwadi Party (SP) Maharashtra President and MLA, Abu Asim Azmi, on Monday demanded that the age threshold for treating an accused as a minor be lowered, arguing that juveniles aged 15 or 16 should face the same punishment as adults if they commit murder.

Speaking to media, Azmi said, “First and foremost, my demand is that the age threshold for a minor be lowered from 17 years to 14 years. At 15 or 16, young people have ‘hot blood’; they fear no one and are capable of doing anything. This age limit should be reduced to 12, 13 or 14 years. If they commit murder, they should face the same punishment as anyone else.”

Reacting to the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, Azmi criticised Mumbai’s law and order situation, alleging that several incidents of murder and violence had taken place without receiving adequate public attention.

“First Baba Siddique, now Tiger Shroff, and it doesn’t end there. Many other murders have occurred previously as well. However, since those victims were not prominent or famous figures, their cases haven’t been highlighted. Murders are rampant in Mumbai. In Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, people are being murdered over the most trivial matters. The law and order situation is in a dire state,” he said.

Azmi also criticised the Maharashtra government, alleging that it was focussing its efforts on targeting Muslims rather than addressing law and order concerns.

“I want to tell Chief Minister Fadnavis that this government is focussing all its energy on humiliating Muslims. I ask, why don’t such murders happen in Singapore? Why does no one dare to commit such acts there? Why are there no murders in Arab countries? And if a murder does occur, how quickly is a verdict reached? Just look back at the pages of history,” he said.

He added that people in Mumbai were living in constant fear and said it was shameful for the government when individuals openly claimed responsibility for such crimes.

The firing incident took place on Sunday at around 7 p.m. when Tiger Shroff was returning by car from a football ground in Mumbai’s Juhu area.

According to police, the assailants fired at the vehicle with a pistol, injuring the driver. Another person present at the scene was also hit by a bullet.

A Mumbai Police official said Shroff managed to lean forward when the shots were fired, helping him avoid a direct hit. However, he sustained an injury from a fragment of shattered glass.

Police are investigating the motive behind the attack, tracing the weapon used in the shooting and determining whether other individuals were involved.

In a major development in the case, Kota City Police in Rajasthan apprehended three suspects, including a minor, at Kota railway station in connection with the firing incident on the Bollywood star.

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