Jalna, Aug 28: On the eve of his proposed indefinite hunger strike starting Monday, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra state government, warning that six crore Marathas could march to Mumbai in five phases if their key demands regarding Kunbi caste certificates are not met.

Speaking to the media in Antarwali Sarati on the final day of his ultimatum to the government, Jarange Patil targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Jarange Patil urged the Maratha community to “shake off their lethargy and passivity” and assemble in large numbers at Antarwali Sarati.

He specifically asked individuals whose Kunbi record entries were identified but who were denied certificates, those whose applications were rejected, and candidates awaiting job appointments despite selection to gather with their documents.

Clarifying the roadmap of the protest, Jarange Patil stated that while the agitation will start in Antarwali Sarati on August 29, it will shift directly to Mumbai – specifically targeting the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha – if the administration fails to act. Reaffirming his commitment, he declared that his fast unto death would continue unconditionally until concrete implementation occurs, urging the community to refrain from suicides and stand united behind the movement.

Addressing the sub-committee and government ministers, Jarange Patil levelled severe allegations regarding the handling of Maratha quota records. “Do not play with the lives of Maratha youth. While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis provided benefits initially, they are now responsible for undermining the progress of the community. Officials are actively attempting to diminish the verified 58 lakh Kunbi records that were previously made public.”

He further criticised Sub-Committee Chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, alleging a lack of administrative awareness regarding the ground reality of verification procedures, and warned ministers including Uday Samant, Shambhuraj Desai, and Chandrashekhar Bawankule against misleading the community.

Jarange Patil presented a clear set of charter demands to the Maharashtra government, insisting that senior administrative officers visit Antarwali Sarati to explain the explicit framework for certificate distribution.

He demanded the immediate issuance of valid Kunbi caste certificates to all 58 lakh identified record holders, with clear official protocols, release of Government Resolutions (GRs) incorporating the Satara, Kolhapur, Aundh, and Pune gazettes, immediate job appointments for families of individuals who lost their lives during the Maratha reservation agitation, establishment of an independent Maratha-Kunbi Ministry and immediate restoration and resumption of halted schemes under SARTHI (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute).

He also demanded the release of pending interest reimbursements under the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal and reinstatement and validation of four revoked caste certificates in the Marathwada region.

New Delhi, Aug 28: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confirmed the arrest of wanted accused Sagar Mehta in connection with the Rs 177 crore money laundering case linked to the alleged Torres Jewellers Ponzi scheme in Dubai.

Mehta’s lawyer approached the court seeking withdrawal of the proclamation proceedings initiated against him at the ED’s request. The court was informed that Mehta had been arrested on Thursday by Dubai authorities following the execution of a Red Corner Notice issued at the request of the Indian agency.

Mehta is a key accused in the case and is alleged to have played a role in collecting and transferring the proceeds of the alleged fraud. The ED informed the special PMLA court that he had been arrested after remaining on the run for several months.

The court had earlier issued non-bailable warrants against Mehta and three Ukrainian nationals — Olena Stoian, Oleksandr Zapichenko and Viktoria Kovalenko. According to investigators, Zapichenko and Stoian allegedly helped design the financial structure and money-laundering mechanisms of the scheme. They are also accused of arranging initial funds through illicit channels and facilitating the conversion of unaccounted money into apparently legitimate investments.

The Torres Jewellers case relates to allegations that the company operated a fraudulent investment scheme by marketing synthetic moissanite as precious gemstones and promising investors unusually high returns.

According to the prosecution, Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd (PHPL), which operated Torres Jewellers, allegedly attracted investors by offering lucrative returns and rewards. The company reportedly promised weekly returns of between 2 per cent and 9 per cent on investments in gold, silver, diamond jewellery and precious gemstones.

The ED has further alleged that investors were offered a 20 per cent “investment bonus” for bringing new participants into the scheme, creating a referral-based structure.

Investigators have alleged that the operation relied on misleading advertisements, attractive bonuses and unrealistic return promises to draw investors, characteristics commonly associated with Ponzi schemes.

The prosecution has alleged that Mehta was involved in the fraudulent operation but fled India on December 24, 2024. His arrest in Dubai is expected to be significant for the ongoing investigation into the alleged money-laundering network and the movement of funds linked to the case.

Amaravati, Aug 28: Seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh, who went missing at sea early this month, safely returned home on Friday, officials said.

The fishermen from Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, who had ventured into the sea for fishing on August 3 and subsequently went missing, reached Kakinada.

The fishermen, who were found safe near Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast on Wednesday, had a happy reunion with their families after 25 days.

Officials brought the fishermen back from West Bengal; MLA V. Kondababu, MLC Rajashekhar and district officials received the fishermen.

The fishermen set sail on a mechanised boat from Odalrevu fish landing point on August 3 but lost contact with their families four days later after they went deep-sea fishing off the Andhra coast in search of tuna.

The fishermen were scheduled to return on August 12, and as they did not come back, families became anxious and approached the authorities.

A massive search operation was launched in the Bay of Bengal for the missing fishermen.

On Tuesday, the search operation was intensified with the deployment of 15 Coast Guard vessels and four helicopters.

An extensive search operation was conducted in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Navy, and other relevant departments, with support from the Central government.

On Wednesday afternoon, local fishermen near the Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast found the boat with the missing fishermen on board.

They gave a cellphone to the missing fishermen, who spoke to their family members in Andhra Pradesh, confirming that they were safe.

The fishermen said that they were stranded at sea after the boat engine developed a technical snag.

The fishermen on board the missing boat were identified as Kopanathi Ramakrishna, Kollati Yesudasu, Palepu Santa Rao, Kollati Srinubabu, Karri Rambabu, Sangani Tatarao and Kataadi Satish Kumar.

The fishermen said they survived without food for more than three days in the sea before reaching the West Bengal coast.