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Tuesday,30-December-2025
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Graft case: Anil Deshmukh’s ED custody extended by 3 days

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A Special PMLA Court here on Friday extended by 3 days the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, nabbed 10 days ago in an alleged money-laundering case.

Strongly contesting the ED plea, Deshmukh’s lawyers Vikram Chaudhri and Aniket Nikam said that the former minister appeared before the ED voluntarily and even agreed to be in ED’s extended custody though he had been granted judicial custody last week.

Arguing before Special Judge H.S. Satbhai, they questioned why the chargesheet was filed without arresting dismissed cop Sachin Vaze, the prime accused, who played a key role but remains ‘accused’ only on paper.

Chaudhri and Nikam also asked why the former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh — currently untraceable — has not been summoned for probe to record his statement.

“The country is passing through a phase where chaos and anarchy prevail, and the judiciary is the only saviour… The idea is to tire out Deshmukh… The ED seeking further custody is proof that all is not fair and they are acting with malice,” Chaudhri said.

Making a plea for extending Deshmukh’s custody, ED Special Public Prosecutor Shriram Shirsat submitted it was needed since new facts have emerged in the case which need to be probed.

Further, he contended that Vaze, the accused in the same case, is currently in Mumbai Police custody till Saturday.

The ED would move a fresh plea seeking Vaze’s custody so that he could be confronted with Deshmukh, as the latter has been giving evasive replies.

Deshmukh who went for the ED probe on November 1, was arrested in the early hours of November 2 and has been in custody since then.

Last Sunday, the Bombay High Court had set aside the Special Court order granting Deshmukh judicial custody for 14 days and sent him back to the ED custody till November 12, and now extended till November 15.

The ED lodged the case against the senior Nationalist Congress Party leader based on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR arising out of Singh’s letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last March alleging that Deshmukh had ordered Vaze and others to ‘collect’ Rs 100 crore per month from Mumbai hoteliers.

It further alleged that Deshmukh had received Rs 4.70 crore bribe in cash between December 2020-February 2021 through Vaze, which he had launched through paper companies and his trust.

Crime

Bihar: Fear grips Revenue Dept after Dy CM’s crackdown

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Patna, Dec 30: A stir has been created in the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department following strict action initiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.

The situation has escalated to the extent that some officials, fearing action, have written to the Governor and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking intervention.

However, Vijay Kumar Sinha has categorically stated that he will not bow to any pressure.

Responding to the unrest and resentment among officials, the Deputy Chief Minister, on Tuesday, said that the government is working solely in the interest of the people and has no intention of hurting anyone.

“Our intentions are absolutely clear. The objective is to reform the Revenue and Land Reforms Department so that it serves the public better,” he said.

Referring to the Muzaffarpur land scam, Vijay Sinha said that agricultural land was illegally transferred with the connivance of officials.

He recalled that during his tenure as Agriculture Minister, he had ordered action against the Circle Officer (CO) involved and directed that an appeal be filed in court.

“I have now taken fresh cognisance of the matter as Revenue Minister, and those responsible for creating unnecessary disputes over undisputed government land will not be spared,” Sinha said.

On officials going on leave during public interaction programs of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department in districts, Vijay Sinha said, “Once systemic reforms are implemented, the welfare of everyone—including honest officials—will be ensured.”

After assuming charge of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Vijay Kumar Sinha is in action mode.

He has been taking meetings of the department district-wise and making decisions on the spot.

Responding to a question on Naxalism, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naxalism has been almost completely eradicated from the country.

He added that if governance under such leadership is ensured across all states, the menace of Naxalism and extremism would be eliminated.

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National News

Mumbai Road Accident: Three-Vehicle Collision On Coastal Road Injures Several; Traffic Disrupted

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Mumbai: A major accident occurred on the Coastal Road after a driver lost control of his vehicle, leading to a collision involving three cars. A Mercedes and two taxis were damaged in the crash.

According to information received, both the driver and passengers sustained injuries in the accident. The incident took place on the northbound carriageway of the Coastal Road.

In an accident on the Coastal Road Northbound, in front of the Naman Building, Worli; a Mercedes car collided with two taxis. The taxi driver sustained minor injuries while a passenger in the Mercedes car suffered a left shoulder injury and has been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital. The vehicles have been removed from the scene and traffic is now flowing smoothly.

Following the accident, traffic on the Coastal Road was disrupted for some time. Worli Police rushed to the spot and are conducting further investigation.

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Business

Sensex, Nifty end flat amid mixed sectoral cues

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Mumbai, Dec 30: Indian benchmark indices ended Tuesday’s session almost flat, but with a slight negative tone, as gains in PSU banks, metal and auto stocks were offset by selling pressure in IT, FMCG, realty and pharma shares.

The Sensex closed at 84,675.08, slipping 20.46 points or 0.02 per cent, while the Nifty settled marginally lower at 25,938.85, down 3.25 points or 0.01 per cent.

“The Nifty has also slipped below the 21 EMA, reinforcing the short-term downtrend. Immediate support is placed in the 25,850–25,870 zone,” market watchers stated.

“A decisive break below this level could intensify bearish sentiment, while resistance is placed at 26,000,” analysts mentioned.

Markets witnessed a cautious mood as investors balanced sector-specific buying against profit booking in select heavyweights.

On the Sensex, stocks such as Eternal, Infosys, Asian Paints, UltraTech Cement and Bajaj Finance ended among the top losers, weighing on the index.

On the other hand, M&M, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv and Axis Bank provided support and closed higher.

The broader market also saw mild weakness. The Nifty Midcap 100 index ended lower by 0.15 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined 0.28 per cent.

Sector-wise, real estate, IT and pharma stocks remained under pressure. The Nifty Realty index fell 0.84 per cent, while the Nifty IT and Pharma indices declined 0.74 per cent and 0.17 per cent, respectively.

In contrast, strong buying was seen in PSU bank, metal and auto stocks. The Nifty PSU Bank index jumped 1.69 per cent, the Nifty Metal index rose 2.03 per cent, and the Nifty Auto index gained 1.08 per cent.

Analysts said that the market ended the day on a flat note as investors preferred selective buying, with sectoral trends driving movement rather than broad-based participation.

“Fresh buying at lower levels, along with short covering in banking, auto, and metal stocks following the expiry of monthly derivative contracts, helped the Nifty recoup most of its intraday losses and close the session largely flat,” market watchers mentioned.

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