As Maharashtra grapples with a growing diesel shortage in several districts, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday assured onion farmers that the state government remains sensitive to their concerns. He announced that the onion purchase price has been increased to Rs 15 and said discussions with the Central Government are underway to find a permanent solution to the issue.

Addressing the media, Fadnavis said diesel demand across Maharashtra has risen sharply, leading to shortage like conditions in some areas despite increased supply compared to last year. He stated that diesel demand in the state has gone up by 52 percent overall.

According to the Chief Minister, Akola alone recorded a 154 percent rise in diesel consumption. More than 70 percent growth in demand has also been reported from districts including Sambhajinagar, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gondia and Hingoli. He maintained that supply has been increased accordingly in these regions.

Fadnavis also indicated that authorities are examining the possibility of hoarding and diversion of fuel meant for commercial use. “If there is talk of shortage despite increasing supply, then it is necessary to find out the reasons behind it,” he said.

Speaking about the onion crisis, the Chief Minister said the state government had increased the onion procurement price from Rs 3.50 to Rs 15. He added that large scale procurement has already begun and that discussions with the Central Government are ongoing.

Fadnavis informed that a meeting with the Centre will be held on May 27 to discuss long term measures for onion farmers.

Responding to the agitation in Nashik and criticism from opposition leaders, Fadnavis said protests were expected from opposition parties. Taking a swipe at critics, he remarked, “Those who do not get tears in their eyes even after cutting onions are shedding tears.”

He also criticised MP Praniti Shinde, saying first time MPs should speak with greater maturity while addressing public issues.

Mumbai: In a four-year-old cyber fraud case wherein a city-based police officer lost ₹2.99 lakh after a call regarding PAN and Aadhaar card updates, the metropolitan magistrate court, Girgaon, has acquitted the accused from Jharkhand.

The court held that the mere receipt of funds suspected to be proceeds of cybercrime is insufficient to establish guilt without additional credible evidence.

It noted that the complainant, Priyanka Pawar transferred the money after providing an OTP, which does not constitute a criminal offence by the recipient, Manoj Kisku, 23. While the court observed that the man cannot be held criminally liable, it noted that civil liability may exist.

Pawar lodged a complaint with the South Cyber police station, claiming that on February 26, 2022, she received a call from an individual posing as a bank representative. The caller instructed her to update her PAN and Aadhaar details via a link. Upon clicking the link, ₹99,986 was transferred from her account. She later provided an OTP, leading to further debits totalling ₹2.99 lakh.

The investigation identified that the mobile number belonged to Rauf Ansari, while the funds were credited to the account of Kisku, a resident of Jamua, Jharkhand.

The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish a criminal conspiracy or a direct connection between Kisku and Ansari, noting that the mobile number used for communication was registered in Ansari’s name, yet Ansari had not been arrested. “It appears that the investigating officer had not arrested Ansari. Besides, the prosecution had not adduced direct or any circumstantial evidence on record, which could reflect that there was criminal conspiracy of the accused with Ansari,” the court stated.

Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police on Monday registered a fresh case of alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy against former directors and officials of companies linked to the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG).

According to police officials, the accused allegedly obtained a bank loan of ₹150 crore and later diverted the funds for purposes other than those for which the loan was sanctioned, eventually defaulting on repayment. This is the second FIR registered following a complaint filed by Axis Bank against companies associated with the ADAG group.

An EOW source said the latest case was registered at Cuffe Parade Police Station on the complaint of Prakash Prabhakar Rao, Vice-President of Axis Bank. Rao had earlier lodged another FIR in March this year against several ADAG-linked firms and their directors on similar allegations.

The FIR names the then whole-time director of Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL), former directors of beneficiary companies within the ADAG group, and other concerned company officials.

Police officers said the alleged offence took place between January 2010 and November 2019. Investigators suspect that the accused, in connivance with former directors of the company, entered into a criminal conspiracy to defraud the complainant bank and cause wrongful financial loss.

According to police sources, the accused allegedly submitted forged documents, furnished false financial information, and made misleading disclosures regarding the financial condition of RHFL to secure the loans. The funds were then allegedly diverted to accounts of other affiliated group companies.

Officials further said that the EOW is examining the financial trail and the role of various company officials in the alleged diversion of funds. Earlier, on March 12 this year, the EOW had registered another case on similar grounds against companies linked to the Anil Ambani group.