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Maharashtra

Govt informs Bombay HC, will issue fresh notices to encroachers over ‘gairan’ land

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay high court that it will issue fresh notices to alleged encroachers on government owned ‘gairan’ land (open land used for cattle grazing), giving them 30 days to show why they should be allowed to continue occupation of the land.

According to government data, there are approximately 2,22,153 illegal constructions on its ‘gairan’ land, totalling 4.52 lakh hectares, of which the approximate encroached area is 10,089 hectares, or 2.23 per cent.

The HC had taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of encroachments on such fodder land while dismissing another public interestlitigation (PIL) related to the issue in June 2022. In the earlier PIL, they had found that the petitioner had been pursuing a personal cause against a lawyer, cloaked as a PIL.


Government would give 30 days to the alleged encroachers to show that they were legally occupying the land

Advocate General Birendra Saraf submitted a draft notice before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne on Monday. Saraf said that the government would give 30 days to the alleged encroachers to show that they were legally occupying the land.

If they failed to reply in the stipulated time, then within 60 days thereafter, the government would take action as prescribed under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (MLRC).

As per earlier court directions, he also submitted a draft notice before the court. Amicus curiae (friend of the court), advocate Ashutosh Kulkarni, pointed out to the court that, in December 2022, the HC had asked the government to give details, indicating the basis for regularisation of some of these structures till July 2011.

Also, the court had asked the government to show the policy it had been following for removal of encroachment on ‘gairan’ land and submit a roadmap for the year. Kulkarni said that none of these had been done by the government.

However, Saraf said that they would be taking necessary steps as prescribed under the MLRC.

Justice Gangapurwala said that the persons should point out their rights to the government, which would help in deciding whether they were eligible for rehabilitation under any government scheme.

In December 2022, Bombay HC restrained the government from evicting and removing over two lakh illegal structures on ‘gairan’ land

An advocate for one of the persons pointed out to the court that the government has still not declared these lands as ‘gairan’ land. “First, these lands have to be declared gairan land and then the notices can be issued. Here, the government has directly issued notices,” said the advocate.

However, the court asked them to raise the point with the government in reply to the notices, as and when these would be issued. The HC has kept the matter for hearing in March.

The high court had, in December 2022, restrained the government from evicting and removing over two lakh illegal structures on ‘gairan’ land. The court had also directed the government to give a roadmap on what it proposed to do.

The government was also asked to give “a draft format of notice to be issued to the alleged encroachers of Gairan land, granting sufficient time to the noticees to establish their right to remain in occupation of such lands”. The government said the authorities had removed 24,513 encroachments from July 12, 2011, to September 15, 2022, while 12,652 encroachments had been regularised till July 12, 2011.

Maharashtra

Govandi is changing: Successful Talent of Govandi Festival filled with children’s artistic talents

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Govandi: With the aim of changing the negative image of Govandi, notorious for drug addiction and crime, and providing a bright future for the children here, the Abu Asim Azmi Foundation, led by local MLA Abu Asim Azmi, has taken a big step. The foundation recently successfully organized the “Talent of Govandi Festival”, which was going on for the past one month.

The festival organized various competitions related to education, sports, skills and talents. Thousands of children from Govandi, Mankhurd, and Shivaji Nagar enthusiastically participated in more than 17 competitions, including singing, dancing, drawing, speech, mehndi, recitation, naat, handicrafts, rangoli, carom, boxing, cricket, volleyball, badminton, karate and poetry. The children performed brilliantly by showcasing their talents and hard work. The new and hidden talents of Govandi were introduced not only locally but also internationally. On this occasion, those IAS officers who added to the glory of Govandi were also honored. MLA Abu Asim Azmi, motivational speakers Sir Awadh Ojha and Sana Khan, and social media influencer Faizo among other dignitaries were present at the event. All of them encouraged the children and gave them prizes. The main objective of the festival was to encourage children to stay away from drugs and choose a better life and make their future bright, through which the talents of the children of Govindi were introduced to the whole world.

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Maharashtra

Accused wanted in Madhya Pradesh murder arrested after 7 years from Dhoni

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Mumbai: Paidhoni Police Station has traced the accused who was absconding for 7 years in a murder case in Madhya Pradesh and handed him over to the Madhya Pradesh Police. 6 November
‎From Katni district of Madhya Pradesh, Police Sub-Inspector Rishabh Singh Baghel, Dilip Kaul of Barhi Police Station informed Paidhoni Police that a case has been registered under sections 302, 294, 323, 324, 506, 147, 148 of the Indian Penal Code at Barhi Police Station, Katni district, Madhya Pradesh. The accused in this case is wanted for the last 7 years and is still hiding in the limits of Paidhoni Police Station in Mumbai, help has been sought from the police to trace him. This was informed to Hon. After which the higher officers were informed about this and the above wanted accused was searched and he was detained from the footpath near Balgi Hotel, P.D. Melo Road, Masjid Bunder East, Mumbai. Later he was brought to the Paidhoni Police Station and interrogated regarding the crime. Since there was evidence of his involvement in the crime, the said accused was handed over to the police team at the above police station, district. Katni and they took him to the Barhi Police Station. Where further investigation is underway. The accused has been identified as Raja Ram Ramadhar Tiwari, 35 years old. With the cooperation of the Mumbai Police, the Madhya Pradesh Police solved the case and the wanted accused has been arrested on charges of murder.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Update: City Wakes Up To Clear Skies, Mild Breeze; Overall AQI Stays In Moderate Range At 78

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Mumbai: After weeks of unsettled weather and intermittent showers, the city finally woke up to clear skies and crisp air on Thursday, marking what appears to be the end of the monsoon season. For the past two days, no rainfall was recorded across Mumbai, signalling that the retreating monsoon clouds have made way for the onset of post-monsoon conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to experience clear skies through the day, with only a minimal chance of isolated light showers or thunderstorms in select pockets. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover around 33°C, while the minimum will settle near 23°C, conditions described as pleasant and comfortable for early November.

The recent spell of short but intense showers had not only brought temporary relief from humidity but also helped wash out accumulated pollutants, leading to an overall improvement in air quality. Prior to this, the withdrawal of monsoon winds had caused a spike in pollution levels due to stagnant air and increased vehicular emissions, resulting in a hazy skyline and reduced visibility.

Fresh data released by AQI.in on Thursday morning reflected this improvement. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 78, placing it in the moderate category. While the figure marks a slight dip from the good air quality recorded earlier in the week, it still represents a substantial improvement compared to the smog-filled conditions observed after monsoon withdrawal.

Residents across various parts of the city reported clearer skylines and visibly better air. Among the city’s monitoring stations, Wadala Truck Terminal recorded the highest AQI reading at 92, followed by Parel-Bhoiwada (90) and Mulund West (88). Santacruz East and Bhandup West both registered an AQI of 87, keeping them within the moderate range.

Cleaner air was observed in several western suburbs, where Kandivali East recorded an AQI of 45, falling in the good category. Malad West (59), Powai (62), Jogeshwari (65), and Borivali East (67) were all categorised as moderate, suggesting a consistent improvement across the city’s landscape.

As per AQI.in’s classification, an index between 0–50 is considered “Good,” 51–100 “Moderate,” 101–150 “Poor,” 151–200 “Unhealthy,” and anything above 200 is deemed “Severe” or “Hazardous.”

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