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Maharashtra

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray: Locals don’t want Barsu refinery

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We oppose the projects because people wanted us to do so, Uddhav Thackeray clarifies his party’s stand on the Barsu-Solgaon refinery project.

While clarifying his party’s stand on the proposed refinery at Barsu-Solgaon in Ratnagiri district, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that his party opposed projects because “the local people didn’t want the projects and wanted to oppose them”.

“Our policy was to put forth all the sides of the project before the people and let them decide the fate of the project, I feel that the same policy should continue,” Thackeray asked while explaining his stand and appealed to the government to let people know about the employment potential and do away with their doubts.

“I’m asked about our party’s stand on Nanar and Barsu-Solgaon (refinery) and I tell them that people’s stand is our stand. At a program in Rajapur local people came to me for support to their agitation against the Nanar project and I lent them the support,” Thackeray said while explaining his stand. He was speaking at the 55th Foundation Day ceremony of Shiv Sena’s labor union the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi.

Thackeray justifies flip-flop on site of refinery project

While justifying his flip-flop the on Barsu-Solgaon site for the refinery project, Thackeray said, “We opposed the Nanar site for the project, That time we were told that the project would be pollution-free and would bring in jobs. Then came the proposal for Barsu. Hence, I wrote the letter. But, now I see that people there are being subjected to pressure. Why do you need to use pressure if the project is for the people’s good,” Thackeray asked.

Thackeray also dared the present dispensation in the state saying that “revenge will be taken for the way in which his government was ousted.”

Opposed label of being ‘anti-development’

He also opposed being labeled “anti-development”. “Projects worth Rs2 lakh crore of investment were to come to Maharashtra when we were ruling it. Why would they come if we were anti-development,” he asked. Thackeray also criticised the current dispensation in power for not being able to protect those industries which have come to Maharashtra.

“I heard that the industries minister and the DyCM had signed an MoU with a Taiwanese company for Rs2,300 crore of investment. That was a shoe company and that too, I heard, has left Maharashtra for Tamil Nadu,” Thackeray said, adding that what else is expected when those who don’t even deserve to shine shoes have started ruling the state.

Thackeray also criticised the Union government over its attempt to influence the judiciary. “Now they even want to appoint judges. If they are successful in that, who would we look at for justice,” he asked.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Tragedy: Couple Fatally Run Over By Dumper In Bhayandar As 2-Wheeler Skids While Overtaking; Disturbing CCTV Footage Surfaces

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Mumbai: A tragic road accident in Bhayandar, a few kilometres away from Mumbai, on Thursday claimed the lives of a couple after their two-wheeler skidded and they fell in front of a dumper while overtaking it. The husband died instantly, while his wife succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. A CCTV footage of the deadly crash has surfaced on the internet.

The deceased were identified as Nilesh Mali, 54, and his wife Manju, 50, residents of Uttan. According to police, the couple was travelling to Mira Road when the incident occurred on the Bhayandar West stretch towards Mira Road, near the Radhaswamy Satsang area. Nilesh attempted to overtake the dumper from the left side when he lost control, causing the two-wheeler to skid. Both fell onto the road directly in front of the heavy vehicle, which ran over them.

CCTV Captures Exact Moments Of Deadly Accident

Disturbing CCTV footage of the accident has surfaced online, showing the two-wheeler edging ahead of the dumper before losing balance. Within seconds, the couple was crushed under the vehicle’s wheels. In the video, onlookers can be seen rushing to help, with some urging the driver to reverse in a desperate attempt to free the victims. Manju was seen writhing in pain before she lost consciousness.

Passersby immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the spot shortly after. Locals detained the dumper driver and handed him over to the authorities. Nilesh sustained fatal head injuries and was declared dead at the scene. Manju, despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, could not survive the severe trauma.

Overtaking Led To Fatal Accident, Say Cops

A police officer stated that poor balance during the overtaking manoeuvre was the primary cause of the incident. “The two-wheeler skidded when Nilesh tried to overtake from the left. Both fell in front of the dumper, leading to the fatal runover,” the officer said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The police have booked the dumper driver under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The driver’s statement is being recorded and his vehicle has been seized for inspection.

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Maharashtra

Malegaon Blast Case Acquitted Accused Sudhakar Chaturvedi Offers ‘₹2 Lakh Reward’ To Anyone Who Slaps Maharashtra Ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan

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Mumbai: The political row over the 2008 Malegaon blast verdict escalated further on Thursday, August 7, when Sudhakar Chaturvedi, one of the seven accused acquitted in the case, made a provocative statement during a press conference. Chaturvedi, who was cleared of all charges along with BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, said, “Prithviraj is himself a Sanatani. I will give a reward of Rs 2 lakh to anyone who dares to slap Prithviraj Chavan.”

His remarks were aimed at former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, whose recent comments following the verdict have stirred controversy. The special NIA court, in its judgment, stated that there was no reliable and cogent evidence to convict the accused. The Malegaon blast of September 29, 2008, near a mosque, killed six people and injured 101, and the case dragged on for nearly 17 years before the final acquittal.

Prithviraj Chavan’s Controversial Remarks

After the court’s decision, Chavan urged people to stop using the term saffron terrorism, suggesting instead ‘Hindu fundamentalist’ or ‘Hindu terrorism’ to describe such acts. He explained that saffron holds deep cultural and religious meaning, representing the flag of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Warkari sect and saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar.

Shiv Sena Protests Outside Congress Office Over Ex-Maha CM Prithviraj Chavan’s Controversial Remarks

However, his alternative terminology triggered backlash from right-wing groups and BJP allies, who accused him of maligning Hindu identity. On August 2, Shiv Sena workers staged a protest outside the Congress office in Mumbai’s Prabhadevi, demanding an apology. They alleged that the Congress frequently targeted Hindu sentiments under the banner of secularism.

Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that “no Hindu can ever be a terrorist,” Chavan pointed to history, stating, “The first terrorist act in independent India was carried out by Nathuram Godse. What was his religion? Terrorism has no religion. This is BJP’s mindset, linking or delinking terrorism based on religious identity.”

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Crime

Mumbai Customs Seizes ₹3.72 Crore Gold Dust, Hydroponic Weed In Two Separate Cases At CSMI Airport

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Mumbai: During the duty of 07.08.2025, the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, made a significant seizure of contrabands at the CSMI airport. The operation resulted in the seizure of 0.947 Kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) valued at approximately ₹0.94 crores, gold dust weighing 3.02Kg valued at Rs. 2.78 crores, across 02 cases.

02 persons were arrested.

Highlights of the cases:

Case 1: (07.08.2025)

24 Kt gold dust in wax (06 pcs) having net weight 3020 grams valued at Rs. 2.78 crores was recovered from an airlines staff. The gold was found concealed inside innerwear in specially designed belt. The airlines staff was arrested under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.

Case 2: (07.08.2025)

A passenger who had arrived from Bangkok to Mumbai was intercepted and the contraband i.e. 947 grams Approximately valued at Rs.0.94 crore of greenish coloured in lumps form purported to be Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) was recovered. The said recovered contraband was concealed in vacuum sealed plastic packets kept inside trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 person was arrested under the provision of NDPS Act, 1985.

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