Maharashtra
Hard to believe widow raped many times at knifepoint in crowded area: Bombay HC
The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench has quashed a FIR and charge sheet against a rape accused, stating it is “difficult to believe that a widow with 2 children in a populated residential locality was forcefully raped several times”.
A division bench of Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Abhay Waghwase gave relief to the accused, Siddhodhan N. Kurule, 33, of Parbhani, in the complaint lodged against him by the woman, who lost her husband in March 2017.
The victim claimed that on July 13, 2017, when she was at home with her kids, the accused entered her house on the pretext of drinking water, brandished a knife and threatened to kill her and the kids, and then, had forcible sex with her.
She said that Kurule would come drunk, demand money from her, and upon her refusal, took away her ornaments for mortgage, raped her on multiple occasions, and also assaulted her.
After nearly six months, she claimed to be fed up with this, complained to her parents and later lodged the case at the Nava Mondha Police Station.
Kurule’s lawyer, senior advocate Rajendra S. Deshmukh submitted that the FIR was belated, false and full of baseless allegation, the complainant was a widow with 2 kids living in a thickly populated locality and the duo had known each other since long.
He said that the jeweller’s statements showed that the ornaments were mortgaged at her instance, and her parents lived separately and were ignorant of the alleged incidents as she never visited them and they did not come to see her.
Additional Public Prosecutor M.M. Nerlikar argued that the victim was raped multiple times and knifepoint and the accused had forcibly taken away her jewellery.
The victim’s lawyer P. N. Kalani argued on similar lines and pointed out that the investigation was completed, the charge sheet was filed and hence, Kurule must face trial.
However, the bench noted that the FIR was filed after six months by the widow, and in her supplementary statement, she had stated how Kurule used to regularly visit her home and even help her out at times, she had allowed him to operate her ATM card, and there was room to “presume that there was a long-standing association” between them.
“We are of the considered opinion that apart from inordinate delay lodging FIR, the allegation of rape levelled against the applicant (Kurule) does not inspire confidence. In fact there was long-standing acquaintance between (them). It is difficult to accept that a widow with two children residing in a thickly-populated residential locality could be forcibly raped not once but on several occasions,” it said.
Quashing the FIR, the judges said that “whatever sexual encounters took place between (them) apparently seemed to be consensual one, therefore making (Kurule) face trial with such allegations would render him not only hardship but great injustice”.
Education
Don’t entertain hate-filled demands of burqa ban, SP MLA Rais Shaikh writes CM and Dy CMs, Edu Minister
Mumbai: A day after BJP Minister Nitesh Rane demanded a ban on the burqa in schools during exams, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, urging them not to entertain such regressive demands, which target only the Muslim community and could deprive Muslim students of their education.
In his letter to Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar and Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Shaikh stated that for Muslims, wearing the burqa or headscarf is an act of worship. “The Preamble to the Constitution guarantees an individual’s liberty of faith and worship. Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion,” said Rais Shaikh, SP MLA.
Shaikh further argued that the demand to ban the burqa or headscarf in schools under the guise of exam regulations is nothing but an interference with religion. “This demand is unconstitutional and will not withstand any legal scrutiny. It targets the Muslim community at large, aiming to deprive minority students of their education. Entertaining such demands would only increase polarisation in the education sector,” Shaikh added.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives such as Ladki Bahin, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and women empowerment, Shaikh said, “While the government launches multiple initiatives to empower women, it now needs to walk the talk and not bow down to such hate-filled demands. This is an attempt to create an atmosphere of hate and fear.”
Shaikh further urged students and their parents not to panic and to focus on their studies for the upcoming exams. “This government will be responsible for jeopardising the careers of millions of students if it gives credence to such hate-filled demands,” he added.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Traffic Advisory For India Vs England 5th T20I Match At Wankhede Stadium On Feb 2; Check Details
Mumbai, 30 January 2025: The Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Traffic (Mumbai) has issued a temporary notification to manage traffic movement during the 5th T20I cricket match between India and England at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, February 2. The traffic arrangements will be in place from 12:00 hrs to 23:55 hrs to ensure smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion.
Key Traffic Arrangements:
1. No Parking Facility at Wankhede Stadium
Spectators are advised to use public transport, including trains and local transport, as no parking facilities will be available at the stadium and in the vicinity.
2. Parking Restrictions:
Vehicles will not be allowed to park on the following roads:
C Road (North side) from its junction at N.S. Road up to “E” Road.
D Road from N.S. Road junction up to “E” Road.
E Road from “P” Road junction up to “C” Road.
F Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.
G Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.
N.S. Road (South and North Bound) from Mafatlal Bath Signal to Air India Junction.
Veer Nariman Road (South and North Bound) from Churchgate Junction to Sundarmal Junction.
Note: Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be subject to e-challan and towing.
3. Changes in Routine Traffic Pattern:
D Road will be one-way (from West to East) for vehicular traffic from its junction at N.S. Road (Marine Drive) towards “E” Road.
E Road will be one-way (South Bound) for all types of vehicular traffic from the junction at D Road towards the junction at C Road.
4. Instructions for Spectators for Easier Access to the Stadium:
Gate 01, 02 & 07 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards D Road.
Gate 04 & 05A Ticket Holders: Alight at Marine Lines Station and walk towards F Road.
Gate 03 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards N.S. Road Footpath.
All spectators coming via N.S. Road (Marine Drive) should use the footpath and not walk on the road.
Spectators arriving by car must alight at designated drop points marked on N.S. Road.
To avoid inconvenience, the Mumbai Traffic Police urges spectators to use public transport and follow the designated walking routes to access the stadium. The temporary traffic restrictions and diversions are aimed at ensuring a smooth traffic flow and preventing congestion in the surrounding areas.
The advisory has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and will be strictly enforced on match day. For real-time traffic updates, commuters can follow @MTPTrafficUpdates on social media or contact the Mumbai Traffic Police helpline.
Education
Maharashtra LLB CET 2025 Marking Scheme Revised: Total Marks Reduced To 120 For 3-Year & 5-Year Law Courses
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Law Common Entrance Test (LLB CET) 2025 marking structure has undergone an important change. The total marks have now been reduced from 150 to 120 marks for both 3-year and 5-year law courses by the CET Cell, effective for the 2025-26 academic session, as part of the government amendment to the policy of State Common Entrance Examination.
The total marks for the exam are adjusted; the test time still remains 120 minutes. Nothing has been done to alter the syllabus and topic weightage. The same examination is taken online in English and Marathi languages.
3-year LLB CET 2025
For the 3-year LLB CET 2025, the examination pattern is divided into four major sections. Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning consist of 24 questions, and General Knowledge with Current Affairs carries 32 questions. The section of Logical and Analytical Reasoning consists of 24 questions, and that of English is 40. Each question has one mark; therefore, a total of 120 marks carry this examination pattern.
5-year LLB CET 2025
This 5-year LLB CET 2025 has a different distribution over five sections. It comprises 32 questions in Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning, 24 questions in General Knowledge with Current Affairs, and 32 questions in Logical and Analytical Reasoning. The English section comprises 24 questions, while there is an additional Basic Mathematics section of 8 questions. Like the 3-year program, every question carries one mark, adding up to 120 marks.
Both modes have multiple-choice questions with options to choose between four. Negative marking is absent for wrong attempts. The length of the exam remains two hours, and this is an online test.
For this, students should change their strategy of preparing. For up-to-date details and notifications from the examination centre, candidates may log on regularly to the website of CET.
-
Crime2 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra4 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra4 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra4 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News4 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime4 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra3 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News4 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface