Maharashtra
Govt working to ensure uninterrupted energy supply; PM Modi says imports rose from 27 to 41 nations
New Delhi, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the government is working to ensure uninterrupted oil and gas supplies amid the conflict in West Asia, while emphasising that India has diversified its energy imports, unlike in previous instances, and will continue sourcing from wherever possible.
Initially, India imported energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG from 27 countries. Now, it imports energy from 41 countries.
The Prime Minister, addressing the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, spoke about the energy security concerns of the country, said, “A large quantity of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers — many essential items — come to India through the Hormuz Strait route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Hormuz Strait has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.”
PM Modi stated that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement and due to uncertainty in supply, the Centre has “prioritised domestic LPG consumers”.
“At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” he said.
Highlighting the steps taken by the BJP-led government in the Centre over the last decade towards energy security, the Prime Minister said, “In the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports. Previously, energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG were imported from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries.”
He further highlighted India’s strategic steps to ensure energy security amid the ongoing conflict.
In the last decade, he said that India has prioritised storage of crude oil for times of crisis and today, the country has a strategic petroleum reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes. He mentioned that the work is underway to create reserves of more than 64 lakh metric tonnes. The reserves held by Indian oil companies are separate, he added.
“In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has also increased significantly. The government is continuously in touch with suppliers from different countries, making efforts to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible. The Government of India is keeping a constant watch on Gulf and overseas shipping routes,” he said.
“Our endeavour is that ships carrying essential items like oil, gas, and fertilisers reach India safely. We are in constant communication with all our global partners to ensure that our maritime corridors remain safe. Due to such efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait have also arrived in India in recent days,” PM Modi added.
Maharashtra
Shiv Sena UBT Leader Mahesh Kotiyal Assaulted By Two Women In Front Of Cops In Navi Mumbai Turbhe

Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leader Mahesh Kotiyal was allegedly assaulted by two women on Friday within the premises of the Turbhe Police Station in Navi Mumbai. A video of the altercation has gone viral on the internet, which also shows cops intervening in the fight.
In a video that has surfaced on X, Kotiyal can be seen engaged in a physical altercation with two women. The individuals involved were also heard exchanging verbal abuses during the confrontation. A cop can be seen jumping into the fight to separate both parties and de-escalate the chaos.
The exact cause of the dispute remains unclear. However, videos of the incident have gained attention on social media, prompting discussions among political observers and local residents.
According to reports, the incident took place while Kotiyal was present at the police station in connection with an ongoing matter. The footage appears to show a heated argument escalating into a physical confrontation within the police station premises.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions regarding security arrangements and the circumstances that led to the clash inside the police station.
Authorities are expected to investigate the matter and take appropriate action based on their findings. Meanwhile, no official statement regarding the cause of the altercation has been issued so far.
In another disturbing story from Navi Mumbai, a 32-year-old man was arrested by the Ulwe Police for allegedly assaulting his elderly parents, subjecting them to continuous mental and physical harassment, and forcing them out of their home in Ulwe.
The accused, identified as Pramod Abhiman Shinde, was booked following a complaint lodged by his father, Abhiman Bhanudas Shinde (64), an autorickshaw driver residing in Unnati Society along with his wife, Chandani Shinde (62).
According to police, the accused is unemployed and has a criminal background. He had previously faced action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and was later externed from Raigad district. Despite the externment order, he allegedly continued to stay at the family residence in Ulwe.
“Instead of supporting his aged parents, the accused allegedly subjected them to repeated harassment and assaults. He would frequently demand money from them and allegedly threaten them whenever they opposed his behaviour,” an Ulwe police officer said.
Police said the elderly couple largely depended on the father’s earnings as an autorickshaw driver to manage household expenses and medical needs. Whenever his father asked him to take up employment and contribute to the family, the accused allegedly assaulted him.
Following the complaint, Ulwe Police registered a case and arrested the accused. Further investigation is underway.
Maharashtra
Bombay HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Scrap Trader In ₹3 Crore Cheating Case Linked To Weighing Machine Tampering

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted pre-arrest bail to a Tamil Nadu-based scrap trader accused of cheating a Pune sugar factory of nearly Rs 3 crore by allegedly tampering with weighing machines used to measure scrap material.
Justice Farhan Dubash, on Wednesday, granted pre-arrest protection to Surya Prakash, proprietor of Winmin Metals, while hearing his anticipatory bail plea in connection with an FIR registered at Daund Police Station.
According to the prosecution, Daund Sugar Pvt. Ltd. had awarded scrap disposal contracts to Winmin Metals. The company allegedly lifted scrap material from the factory between April and December 2025. Later, the factory suspected that the weighing scales had been manipulated, causing substantial financial losses.
The FIR alleges that electronic chips were secretly installed in weighing machines and operated through a remote device. This allegedly resulted in lower weights being displayed, enabling the accused to pay less than the actual value of the scrap material lifted from the factory.
The complainant claimed that the alleged fraud came to light after receiving information from another sugar mill in Satara, where a similar case had been registered against the applicant.
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution argued that three separate complaints involving a similar modus operandi had been filed against the applicant in Satara, Osmanabad and Pune districts. The State contended that custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the alleged conspiracy and recover evidence.
However, the defence argued that the allegations were based largely on information received from a third party and that no direct proof had been produced. It also pointed out that the applicant had already received interim protection in two similar cases and had cooperated with investigators.
While granting relief, the HC observed that the transactions were commercial in nature and that Winmin Metals had paid over Rs 1.22 crore to the factory under the contract. The court noted that no specific material had been placed on record to show why custodial interrogation was indispensable.
“Custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not warranted at this stage,” Justice Dubash said.
The court directed the applicant to cooperate with the investigation, appear before police as required, and refrain from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: 43-Year-Old Chief Officer Dies After Collapsing Inside Oil Tank During Cleaning Operation At Sea

Mumbai: A 43-year-old chief officer aboard an oil vessel died after collapsing inside an oil tank during a cleaning operation at sea, police said.
The deceased, Harsha Gopalan Rajan, a resident of Chennai, was working as the Chief Officer on the oil vessel Jag Aba. According to the Yellow Gate Police, the incident occurred on June 1 around 9.30am while the vessel was operating at sea.
Rajan had entered an oil tank in the vessel’s slop port area to supervise cleaning work when he reportedly felt dizzy and collapsed. Crew members immediately launched a rescue operation and pulled him out of the tank.
He was given first aid at the vessel’s onboard medical facility, but did not respond. The crew consulted company doctors through satellite communication, who informed them that Rajan showed no response and had no vital signs.
As the vessel was nearing Mumbai Port, the crew alerted the Yellow Gate Police. The vessel reached Bhaucha Dhakka on June 3, following which Rajan was taken to Sir J.J. Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) under Section 194 of the BNSS. No injuries or suspicious circumstances were found, and family members stated they had no suspicion regarding the death. Further investigation is underway.
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