Connect with us
Wednesday,28-May-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Kapil Sibal says Governor BS Koshiyari at fault in toppling Thackeray government

Published

on

New Delhi: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Thursday asserted that then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had no constitutional power to topple the elected government and install Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister in July last year.

Continuing his arguments against the Governor that he began on Wednesday, told a 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Jutice D Y Chandrachud said the group led by Shinde was still in Shiv Sena and as such Thackeray continued to have the majority to remain saddle.

By asking Thackeray to prove his majority, he said the government had recognised the split in the Shiv Sena which is not allowed under the Tenth Schedule. Responding to a series of questions by the Bench, Sibal said the governor can not satisfy after an elected government is in saddle.

Sibal fights for Thackeray

Sibal said the rival Shinde group could have voted against the Thackeray government defying the whip or the rival BJP could have brought a no-confidence motion, but none of these steps were taken.

The Bench, which also comprised Justices M R Shah, Hima Kohli, Krishna Murari and P S Narasimha, was intrigued at Sibal accusing the governor of becoming a party to the conspiracy of the rival group and wanted the court to summon documents from the Raj Bhawan to show that the governor did not make the calculations to satisfy that Thackeray has lost the majority.

‘Governor was exposed’

He also questioned the notice sent by the rebel group from Assam appointing a new whip. He said the governor was exposed, once he invited Shinde to take the oath as the chief minister.

Another senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Thackeray, sought reversal of the court’s rejection of his plea on June 29 against the governor’s order for confidence vote. He sought status quo ante on June 30 and let then deputy speaker decide the disqualification of the rebels.

Both insisted on referring the matter to a 7-judge Bench since the case clashes with a 2016 judgment by the 5-judge Bench in the case of Nabam Rebia verdict having the same issue of whether an Assembly Speaker facing removal notice can handle the disqualifications.

Maharashtra

Mumbai BMC issues directions to Municipal Commissioner Gagrani to deal with flood situation

Published

on

Mumbai: In view of the situation created by the continuous and heavy rains in Mumbai for two days, Municipal Commissioner and Administrative Manager Bhushan Gagrani today reviewed the monsoon works of the Municipal Corporation. At that time, he gave various instructions to the officers. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, all the concerned Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and concerned officers were present in the meeting held at the Municipal Corporation headquarters.

Municipal Commissioner Gagrani said that this year the monsoon arrived in Mumbai fifteen days earlier than every year. It is a fact that the works of the Municipal Corporation have been affected to some extent due to the heavy rains in the beginning. Especially, the work of removing silt from drains has been hampered. However, to ensure that the pace of monsoon works is not slowed down under any circumstances, appropriate amendments should be made in the previous planning and necessary changes should be made. The Municipal Commissioner said that the work of desilting rivers and canals should be completed in the next eight to ten days.

This year, a total of 414 pumping sets have been planned to be installed in low-lying and very low-lying areas as well as in all possible places where water can accumulate during heavy rains. Accordingly, it should be ensured that the process of installation of pumping sets (pump sets) is completed at all places. The process of setting up and operating the pumping system should be completed in the next 24 hours. To check that the system is working smoothly, it should be properly tested. Follow-up should be done in coordination at the necessary levels to complete the entire process. The contractors have been given letters of expediency to acquire 10 sets of mobile pumps mounted on vehicles on lease. These sets will be available within eight days. Gagrani also said that this system can be used in case of emergency.

He further said that utmost care should be taken that rainwater does not accumulate in extremely low-lying and low-lying areas. If water accumulates due to heavy rain, efforts should be made to ensure its early drainage. The new places where rainwater has accumulated, the Assistant Commissioner of the concerned administrative department and the Deputy Commissioner of the circle should inspect these places. The reasons for the formation of such new places should be found. Gagrani advised that the steps to be taken at these places should be decided and the problem of water accumulation should be resolved.

Flood control gates should be installed in timely and proper manner at relief centers like Haji Ali, Lovegrove, Britannia etc. They should be opened and closed every two hours and the Emergency Management Room should be informed that they are in good condition. The remaining work of concreting the roads should be completed at an accelerated pace. The incomplete roads should be completed permanently and made traffic-ready. In addition, road blocks (barricades) and other materials should be removed from the roads within 24 hours and transported to the warehouses. It should be ensured that vehicles do not obstruct the roads in any way. Similarly, the work of felling trees should be completed on time, etc., Municipal Commissioner Gagrani directed.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport motorcycle and car collide, video of rider riding on bonnet goes viral, traffic police action, case registered against accused

Published

on

Mumbai: After a collision between a car and a motorcycle near Mumbai Airport, a car driver put a motorcyclist on the bonnet of the car, endangering his life, after which the police have registered a case on the complaint of the motorcyclist and started an investigation.

After the collision between the car and the motorcycle, the local crowd stopped the car and during this, an argument broke out between the motorcyclist and the car driver and suddenly the car driver ran over the motorcyclist and put him on the bonnet and drove the car. After this video went viral, the police registered a case and released the accused after giving a notice. The police have started an investigation in this matter. Regarding the incident, the Airport Police Station Mumbai has registered an offence 61/2025 under sections 281,125,1126(2),115(2),352 BNS r/w sec 184 mvact. A case has been registered against the accused Bhim Prasad Giani Mahto, aged 24, resident of Vartak Nagar and a notice has been issued to him.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Cyclone Shakti Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rain and Rough Seas Along East Coast

Published

on

Mumbai, May 28, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for the eastern coast of India, as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. If it forms, the cyclone will be named ‘Shakti’.

According to the IMD, the depression currently lies over the central Bay of Bengal and is moving in a northwesterly direction. It is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by the evening of May 29, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Wind speeds could reach 75–85 km/h, with gusts up to 95 km/h. Coastal regions have been warned of rough seas and the possibility of localized flooding.

In preparation for the potential cyclone, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been placed on high alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and coastal villages are being kept under close watch for any signs of distress.

Impact on West Bengal and Maharashtra

The weather system may also influence conditions in West Bengal, with heavy rainfall expected in southern districts, including Kolkata, over the next few days. The monsoon may advance into North Bengal by Friday, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the cyclone is unlikely to have a direct impact but may cause light to moderate showers, with a possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated spots. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

Public Advisory:

  • Stay tuned to updates from the IMD and local authorities.
  • Avoid travel to coastal areas until further notice.
  • In case of emergency, contact the National Disaster Helpline at 1070.

Continue Reading

Trending