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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

Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar Meets Muslim Leaders & Senior Police Officials Over Mosque Loudspeaker Controversy In Mumbai

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Wednesday chaired a crucial meeting at the Sahyadri Guest House to address growing concerns over the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by State Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and several prominent Muslim leaders and MLAs, including Nawab Malik, Zeeshan Siddique, Abu Azmi, Waris Pathan, Sana Malik, Jallal Uddin and Siddharth Kamble.

The delegation expressed alarm over what they claim is police overreach in removing mosque loudspeakers, allegedly under pressure from a campaign launched by a former BJP MP. The leaders argued that the issue of Azaan is not new and has existed peacefully for generations. “Someone, some Somaiya, has created pressure in Mumbai. Because of one person, Muslims are being harassed,” said Samajwadi Party’s state president Abu Azmi after the meeting. “All sides were heard, and both the Commissioner and the DGP were present,” he said.

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also echoed the sentiment, stating that the delegation included Muslim legislators, social workers, and community representatives. “We raised the issue of police forcibly removing loudspeakers from mosques and issuing notices without due process. This is creating unnecessary tension in the city,” Pathan said.

Muslim organisations from South Mumbai had earlier met with Pawar and submitted their concerns. They alleged that police were harassing mosque committees despite their compliance with High Court-decided permissible noise levels between 45 and 56 decibels. “There is no court order to remove loudspeakers outright,” the organisations pointed out. Action should be taken only if a violation is proven, such as issuing a notice or cancelling a licence. But instead, police are dismantling systems without proper verification, demanded the organisations.

The controversy is said to have intensified following visits by a BJP leader to areas like Govandi, where he reportedly pressured local police to act against mosques using loudspeakers. Muslim leaders have demanded a fair and transparent resolution to prevent communal disharmony and urged the government to issue clear directives to law enforcement based on legal parameters, not political pressure.

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Maharashtra

Case filed against 4 people including Congress leader Vartak for cheating by posing as CBI officer

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Mumbai: The Kasturba Marg police on Friday registered an FIR against four people, including Maharashtra Congress’s environment cell state president Sameer Vartak, who are accused of allegedly forcibly entering the Borivali residence of builder Anil Gupta on September 2, 2024 by posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers and advising a ‘raid’.

The CBI has registered a case against four people, including a Congress worker, for conducting raids at the builder’s house. After the case was registered, the Congress has sacked Sameer Vartak from his post. Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal has resigned. The CBI has registered a case against four people, including a Congress worker, for conducting raids at the builder’s house. Vartak, who heads the environment cell of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, is accused of raiding the builder’s house along with three unidentified people posing as CBI officers after receiving a complaint and trying to extort money from him.

Gupta, 51, who owns a Vasai-based construction firm and is active in the Vasai-Virar area, lives in Kushal Heritage Building in Borivali East. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had searched his premises in connection with a land grabbing case related to the construction of 41 unauthorised buildings in Aggarwal Nagar, Vasai East. In his police complaint, Gupta said that on September 2, 2024, two men went to his house and claimed to be CBI officers, saying they were investigating a complaint filed against him by Vartak. They asked him to come down for questioning. When Gupta refused and asked for a copy of the complaint, the men called Vartak, who was allegedly waiting outside the building. Soon after, Vartak and another man who claimed to be a CBI officer arrived there. Gupta alleged that the group of four men threatened to arrest him and demanded a financial “settlement” to settle the case.

Gupta refused, saying he would cooperate with any legal investigation. The men then left, warning him that he would be summoned to the CBI office. Gupta approached the CBI headquarters in Delhi to confirm the claim and was told that no such complaint had been filed by Vartak. On November 19, the CBI wrote a letter to the Maharashtra Director General of Police, requesting him to take action against those involved. Gupta then approached the Kasturba Marg police with a formal complaint and CCTV footage from his residence to identify the accused. The police have registered a case under sections 3(5) (common intention), 204 (cheating by impersonating a public servant), 205 (forgery of official symbols) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Naya Sangh (BNS).

Senior police inspector Jiraj Ranavare said, “We conducted a preliminary inquiry and confirmed that these people were not CBI officials. We are confirming the identity of the three people who were with Vartak.” Vartak has denied the allegations. I was called to the spot by some people who introduced themselves as CBI officers. I had filed a complaint against Gupta and was just cooperating. It seems this is part of political vendetta, I am ready to face any investigation.

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Crime

Major Twist In Baba Siddique Murder Case: Zeeshan Akhtar Was Recruited & Brainwashed By Bishnoi Gang Operative Akash Chauhan, Say Sources

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Mumbai: In a major revelation in the high-profile murder case of NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Crime Branch sources have confirmed that Zeeshan Akhtar — currently detained in Canada — was not initially associated with the Bishnoi gang. He was allegedly recruited and brainwashed by Akash Chauhan, a key operative of the Bishnoi syndicate, at the behest of Anmol Bishnoi.

According to investigators, Zeeshan was previously affiliated with the rival Bambiha gang in Punjab and was considered a trusted hitman. Sources claim Akash Chauhan — currently lodged in Faridkot jail — played a crucial role in securing Zeeshan’s release from Jalandhar jail and persuaded him to join the Bishnoi gang with promises of lakhs in payment.

The turning point came after the Bishnoi syndicate decided to eliminate Baba Siddique. Acting on Anmol Bishnoi’s instructions from Patiala Jail, Akash Chauhan identified Zeeshan as a potential recruit. Chauhan then arranged for Zeeshan’s bail and, upon his release on June 7, Zeeshan met Chauhan directly.

It was during this meeting, sources said, that Zeeshan was convinced to take part in the murder plot. Under Chauhan’s instructions, Zeeshan recruited shooter Gurmel Singh and dispatched him to Mumbai. Zeeshan then contacted another wanted accused, Shubham Lonkar, to help orchestrate the plan.

Crime Branch officers are now preparing to designate Akash Chauhan as an accused in the case and initiate his transfer from Punjab to Mumbai for questioning. Officials confirmed that Chauhan has long-standing links with the Bishnoi syndicate and has played a role in several past contract killings.

Meanwhile, efforts to bring Zeeshan Akhtar back to India from Canada are actively underway, with Mumbai Crime Branch working closely with the CBI and international agencies. Investigators believe that Zeeshan’s interrogation could lead to more major revelations in the days to come.

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