Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that several ministers and senior officials of the ruling Mahayuti government are involved in a honey trap scandal. On Thursday, Patole presented a pen drive as purported evidence in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, claiming it contained sensitive information exposing the scandal.

Speaking in the Assembly, Patole said, “More than 72 senior officials and some ministers have fallen victim to honey traps. Sensitive information is being extracted and handed over to anti-social elements. Some officials have even been blackmailed to the extent of contemplating suicide. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the government refuses to make even a basic statement on the matter.”

He further claimed that cities like Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai have become centers of these honey trap operations. “I don’t intend to tarnish anyone’s image, but the government is not taking this seriously. Important government documents are being leaked through these traps, and I urge the Speaker to issue directions,” Patole added.

The issue was echoed in the Legislative Council as well, where Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve reiterated the claims. Danve stated that information had emerged indicating the involvement of political leaders and senior officials in honey traps. He warned that such incidents posed a threat to administrative secrecy and the law and order situation in the state.

“During the Pahalgam attack, individuals involved in similar activities were caught by the central government. It is feared that confidential administrative information and key files have been leaked through these traps. Police have already begun inquiries in Thane and Nashik. This matter must be taken seriously from the standpoint of state security,” Danve said.

He also emphasized the possibility that some individuals might have gained administrative advantages through blackmail, urging the government to clarify its position and investigate the matter thoroughly.

On Wednesday, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns about the impact of the scandal on Nashik’s image. “It is unfortunate that Nashik, a city of rich heritage, is being associated with such cases. What kind of political culture are we promoting? People are stooping to shocking levels of immorality just to make money,” Awhad remarked.

While the state government has yet to make a formal statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged the issue, stating that the government has taken note of the matter.

Mumbai: A ground-plus-two-storey residential structure collapsed early Friday morning in Mumbai’s Bandra East area, leaving at least 12 people injured, including two in critical condition. The incident occurred at 5:56 am at Chawl No. 37 in Bharat Nagar, near Namaj Committee Masjid in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area.

The structure, identified as Chawl No. 37, was a ground-plus-three-storey residential building, PTI reported. The collapse triggered an immediate response from multiple agencies. A large-scale rescue operation is currently underway, with eight fire engines, rescue vans and ambulances deployed to the site. Visuals of the locality have surfaced on the internet showing authorities engaged in relief operations.

Massive Rescue Operation Launched By Several Agencies

Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Public Works Department (PWD), and even emergency personnel from private conglomerate Adani have joined hands in the rescue efforts. Local building staff are also assisting in the search-and-rescue operation.

Details On The Injured Ones

Medical Superintendent Dr. Vinod Khade from Bhabha Hospital confirmed that 12 people had been admitted following the collapse. Of them, Rehana Ansari (65) and Mohammad Ansari (68) suffered approximately 50 percent burn injuries and are in critical condition. Both have been shifted to KEM Hospital for advanced medical care.

The remaining ten victims are reported to be in stable condition and are undergoing treatment at Bhabha Hospital. They include Mohammad Lareb Irfan (8), Mustafa Ibrahim Sayyed (57), Shabana Mustafa Sayyed (42), Noori Irfan Khan (35), Mohammad Irfan Khan (50), Abdul Rehman Irfan Khan (22), Alfiya Mustafa Sayyed (18), Aliya Mustaq Sayyed (16), Jaffar Jamal Khan (approximately 80), and Sharmin Shaikh (32).

No Info On Cause Behind Structural Collapse

The cause of the collapse has yet to be officially determined. However, incidents of structural failure are not uncommon in Mumbai during the monsoon season, particularly among ageing buildings that suffer from poor maintenance and weather-related stress.

Mumbai: In connection with the assault incident that occurred inside Vidhan Bhavan, Marine Drive Police have registered a case and arrested two individuals late at night.

According to the police, Nitin Deshmukh and Rishikesh Takale were taken into custody in connection with the altercation. Both were subjected to a medical examination the same night. Further investigation into the matter is underway.

BJP, NCP (SP) Supporters Clash Inside Maharashtra Assembly

Supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad clashed inside the premises of Maharashtra’s Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday. The confrontation occurred in the ground-floor lobby of the state legislature, sparking political outrage and raising serious concerns over security within one of Maharashtra’s most important institutions.

According to sources, the clash began with a verbal spat that escalated into physical aggression, forcing security personnel to intervene. One individual from each camp was detained at the scene. Videos of the scuffle quickly went viral on social media, drawing public attention and criticism over the collapse of decorum within the legislative complex.

Jitendra Awhad-Gopichand Padalkar Clash

The altercation came a day after a heated exchange between the two MLAs outside Vidhan Bhavan. On Wednesday, Awhad accused Padalkar of deliberately slamming a car door into him while exiting the vehicle, leading to a tense argument. That confrontation, too, was caught on video and widely shared online. Padalkar had remained silent on the matter until Thursday’s incident.

CM Fadnavis Orders Stern Action

Reacting strongly to the violence, Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Fighting within Vidhan Bhavan is absolutely unacceptable. This is an institution governed by the Assembly Speaker and the Council Chairperson. I have asked them to take strict action. Such behaviour damages the dignity of our democratic institutions.”

Jitendra Awhad, speaking to reporters after the incident, voiced grave concern about his safety. “If elected representatives aren’t safe even inside Vidhan Bhavan, what message are we sending? I was simply stepping out for some air when their people tried to attack me,” he claimed.

Earlier in the day, Awhad had posted on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that he had received threats from Padalkar’s supporters and feared for his life. The messages reportedly warned him not to ‘mess with Gopi Saheb,’ believed to be a reference to Gopichand Padalkar and threatened to either shoot him or run him over.

Gopichand Padalkar, when approached for comment, distanced himself from the episode. “I don’t know anything about what happened. You can ask him (Awhad); he’s inside. I don’t even know the people involved,” he told the media.