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Did Arpita Mukherjee travel to Singapore with Partha Chatterjee in 2012? ED corroborates evidence

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Did Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee travel to Singapore together for a business summit in 2012? The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is piecing together evidence after several people reported that the two were seen together in Singapore to where Chatterjee had flown in his official capacity as minister to attend the ‘Beautiful Bengal’ summit that was meant to attract investment for the state of West Bengal.

This was barely a year after the Trinamool Congress stormed to power in the state.

“Yes, we have received certain inputs and are looking into the matter. This business summit was held during an alumni get-together of a renowned educational institution in Kolkata at Singapore. This has nothing to do with the institution. However, there were several people from the city present during the event and some have reported that they spotted Mukherjee with the minister during the trip. We are corroborating evidence,” an ED official said.

This information in the hands of the ED is significant as certain incriminating documents seized from Chatterjee’s residence and the upscale apartment of Mukherjee date back to recruitments through the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) of 2012. While some have claimed that Chatterjee, with full knowledge of the party’s top leadership, began recruiting non-qualified or under-qualified teachers in lieu of money since 2012, those close to the Trinamool maintain that all the unaccounted-for cash recovered from Mukherjee’s condo is post demonetisation, hence the racket doesn’t go so far back.

“There have been several clandestine land deals for nearly 10 years now. Several properties worth crores of rupees are now under our scanner. Money earned before demonetisation may have been invested in property. What was seized from the residence of Arpita Mukherjee may have been some of the earnings after new currency notes got circulated. We are sure that this is not something that happened over the last 3-4 years alone. Yes, a hue and cry by eligible candidates over the last two years did lead to this investigation. Those who suffered earlier may not have been aware that they had been cheated,” the official added.

Even a section of Trinamool leaders is now worried about the kind of brazenness being displayed by Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee. Ideally, people would have liked to see Chatterjee removed from his post as a cabinet minister after his arrest and remand to ED custody for 10 days. Instead of doing that, Mamata seems to be protecting her image.

“We are worried. This is the time of social and digital media and nearly every person sitting in a remote village has access to a smartphone. Many TET and SSB aspirants who were cheated are from the rural areas. We will be going in for the panchayat polls in 2023. Will Didi’s bravado suffice in convincing voters that she knew nothing for so many years? Then, why is she not sacking Chatterjee immediately instead of creating a martyr out of him? Today, there is no doubt in people’s minds that Chatterjee is corrupt. The party need not stand by him any longer,” a senior Trinamool leader said.

Opposition leaders like Sujan Chakraborty and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury maintain that Mamata can’t ditch Chatterjee just like that as he may spill the beans on other corrupt practices adopted by the West Bengal Government over the last decade. While Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, continues to Tweet video clips of Mamata addressing Mukherjee as if she knows her for long at public gatherings, Chowdhury has demanded Chatterjee’s removal from the Cabinet.

National News

Ameet Satam Appointed As Mumbai BJP President Ahead Of BMC Polls; CM Devendra Fadnavis, Ashish Shelar Extend Wishes

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Mumbai: In a key organisational reshuffle ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced the appointment of senior party legislator Ameet Satam as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mumbai unit. The decision comes just days after the civic body submitted its ward formation proposal to the Urban Development Department, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for control of Asia’s richest municipal corporation.

Who Is Ameet Satam?

Ameet Satam, 49, represents the Andheri West constituency and has been elected as MLA for three consecutive terms. Known for his aggressive stand on civic issues and his sharp criticism of the BMC’s functioning, Satam has emerged as one of the party’s prominent Mumbai voices. Before being elected to the Assembly, he had also served as a municipal corporator and has long been active in city politics. His persistent efforts led to the successful completion of Gokhale bridge reconstruction in Andheri.

BJP leader Ashish Shelar, who previously helmed the Mumbai unit, extended his congratulations on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shelar described Satam as a dedicated karyakarta connected to both Konkan roots and Mumbai’s pulse, adding that his appointment reflected the party’s recognition of his long-standing service.

Shelar also expressed gratitude to party leaders, colleagues, and Mumbaikars for supporting him during his nine-year tenure in various organisational responsibilities, noting that the period gave him energy to fight, a new identity, and direction in life.

CM Fadnavis Lauds Ashish Shelar, Extends Best Wishes To Ameet Satam

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Shelar’s leadership, crediting him for strengthening the party in Mumbai during the 2017 BMC elections and subsequent political battles. “Ashish Shelar handled the Mumbai division responsibly, achieving significant success for the party. Under his leadership, BJP proved itself as the number one party in the city,” Fadnavis said.

Speaking about the new appointment, Fadnavis described Satam as a studious, aggressive and imaginative leader with deep knowledge of Mumbai’s politics. “He has been elected three times as MLA, has served as corporator, and has held organisational responsibilities with dedication. We are confident that under his leadership, BJP will continue to maintain momentum in Mumbai. With the support of senior leaders, he will lead the party to ensure the return of Mahayuti’s power in the city,” the Chief Minister added, extending his best wishes.

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Maharashtra

Vasai-Virar News: Three GRP Constables Suspended For Extorting ₹5,000 From Passenger

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Mumbai: The Government Railway Police (GRP) suspended three police personnel on August 1 on charges of extortion passenger at Vasai Road Railway Station on June 6.

About The Suspension

The suspended personnel, who were on duty at the station, allegedly extorted Rs.5,000 from a woman passenger. They had initially demanded Rs.15,000 as a penalty for merely standing and talking on the foot overbridge. The suspended constables have been identified as Milind Satav, Sachin Valve, and Kiran Aavle.

According to the suspension letter, on the evening of June 13, the victim, Ashwin Prabhu, and his female friend were standing and conversing on the Foot Overbridge (FOB) at Vasai Road station. Despite no misconduct or unlawful activity on their part, they were approached by constables Milind Satav and Sachin Valve. The constables allegedly seized Prabhu’s mobile phone and took both individuals to the railway police chawki (a room within the Vasai Road railway station premises used by the Railway Police).

There are no CCTV cameras installed inside this police chawki. While in illegal detention, the personnel allegedly demanded a penalty of Rs.15,000 for standing and talking on the Foot Overbridge. Eventually, constable Kiran Aavle facilitated an online payment of Rs.5,000 via a scanner belonging to a money transfer agent outside Vasai Road station. The amount was extorted without issuing any official receipt or citing any legal provision under which the penalty was being imposed.

Following a formal complaint filed by Ashwin Prabhu, a departmental inquiry was conducted by the GRP authorities. The investigation found the allegations credible. Consequently, the three GRP personnel posted at Vasai Road Railway Station were suspended, as per the suspension order dated August 1. There is a possibility that other passengers may also have been subjected to similar extortion, though such cases remain unreported.

Railway commuter organisations have demanded the immediate installation of CCTV cameras in every room used by GRP personnel at all railway stations and terminals under the Mumbai Division, whether officially sanctioned or informally arranged. They also urged Indian Railways to implement similar surveillance and accountability measures across stations nationwide to deter harassment and victimisation of passengers. Such preventive steps, they said, are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within law enforcement units operating in public transport systems.

Social Worker, Sameer Zaveri’s Statement

Sameer Zaveri, a train accident victim and social worker, stated, “Incidents indicate usual modus operandi involves taking passengers by railway police into rooms where no CCTV coverage exists, and extorting money under threats of criminal prosecution. Such incidents bring a grave disrepute to the police force and destroy public trust. To prevent this menace, urgent measures are needed. Mandatory use of body cameras by all police personnel on duty at railway stations. Immediate dismissal from service of police personnel found guilty of extortion as well as departmental action against those in supervisory roles for failure to do prevention of such incidents time and again occurred. The public deserves protection, not harassment. It is time for accountability and strict action.”

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: City Sees 20mm Downpour In An Hour; Waterlogging Hits Sion, Eastern Express Highway, Traffic Crawls

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Mumbai: After a relatively subdued monsoon phase last week, Mumbai was lashed by heavy early morning showers on Monday, with several areas recording over 20 mm of rainfall in just an hour. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday, warning of heavy to very heavy spells in isolated parts of the city and suburbs.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) rainfall data, the city (CT) received an average of 12.41 mm, eastern suburbs (ES) 13.84 mm and western suburbs (WS) 18.04 mm of rain between 8 am on Sunday and 7 am on Monday.

Details On Heavy Rains In Early Morning Hours

The heaviest showers were concentrated between 6 am and 7 am on Monday. In the city region, B. Nadkarni Park Municipal School in Wadala logged 29 mm, Sewri Koliwada Municipal School recorded 25 mm and the Storm Water Drainage workshop in Dadar registered 24 mm. Several other locations, including Dharavi’s Kala Killa school (19 mm) and Worli Naka (16 mm), also reported heavy rainfall.

In the eastern suburbs, Mankhurd Fire Station saw 28 mm, while Shivaji Nagar Municipal School in Govandi and Nutan Vidya Mandir each recorded 24 mm. Chembur Fire Station and MPS Maharashtra Nagar in Mankhurd measured 23 mm, with other pockets like Ghatkopar’s Ramabai school (21 mm) also witnessing sharp showers.

The western suburbs too reported intense rain within the same period. The BKC Fire Station registered 26 mm, Pali Chimbai Municipal School in Bandra logged 23 mm, while Santacruz’s Nariyalwadi school and Bandra’s Supari Tank school both recorded 22 mm. Chakala Municipal School in Andheri saw 17 mm, while the HE ward reported 16 mm.

Waterlogging Reported In Sion

Despite the morning downpour, the city did not report widespread waterlogging or severe disruptions. However, minor waterlogging was reported in some areas such as Sion’s Gandhi Market and some patches on the Eastern Express Highway. Local train services continued to operate normally on both the Central and Western lines, though traffic movement slowed in a few low-lying areas during the morning rush hour.

The IMD said that while light to moderate showers will continue on Monday, intense spells are expected midweek as monsoon currents strengthen over the Konkan coast. Temperatures will remain in the range of 27–31 degrees Celsius, with high humidity levels making conditions uncomfortable.

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