Mumbai: The Special PMLA Court has refused to discharge Andheri resident Elcy Rodrigues, an alleged close aide of Gilbert Baptist, in a Rs 225-crore money laundering case linked to the Malaika Multistate Credit Co-operative Society (MMCCS).

Baptist is accused of cheating 12,372 depositors in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Rodrigues was a director of Malaika Appliances Pvt Ltd (MAPL) with a 10.18% stake. She also served as treasurer of MMCCS for a period before being appointed its secretary.

The prosecution alleged that despite having only a 10th-grade education, she was made an office-bearer and paid a salary of Rs 85,000 per month without performing any effective work or possessing technical expertise.

Public Prosecutor Arvind Aghav contended that Baptist assisted her in acquiring three properties worth Rs 1.65 crore in her name. The prosecution claimed she received approximately Rs 78.15 lakh through various entities run by Baptist.

In her defence, Rodrigues claimed she had been falsely implicated and that there was no mens rea (guilty mind) on her part.

The court, however, noted that, according to the Enforcement Directorate, the applicant is a direct beneficiary of the proceeds of crime.

Describing the matter as a serious economic offence affecting the socio-economic condition of society, the court stated that the defence’s arguments cannot be considered at this stage.

Mumbai: Senior IAS officer Vivek L. Bhimanwar on Wednesday took oath as the Chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), assuming charge of the state’s premier recruitment authority. The oath of office was administered by Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated Bhimanwar on his appointment, expressing confidence in his leadership at a time when the commission is handling multiple large-scale recruitment processes.

With this appointment, Bhimanwar takes charge of the constitutional body responsible for conducting competitive examinations and selecting candidates for Group A and Group B posts across various state government departments. The MPSC plays a critical role in ensuring a steady supply of qualified officers to the Maharashtra administration.

An officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 2009 batch, Maharashtra cadre, Vivek L. Bhimanwar brings with him extensive administrative experience. Born on February 24, 1966, Bhimanwar holds degrees in LL.B. and M.Sc., reflecting a strong academic background alongside his bureaucratic career. He has previously served as the Transport Commissioner in the Government of Maharashtra, among other key assignments.

Bhimanwar is expected to focus on improving transparency, efficiency and timeliness in recruitment processes. Addressing delays in examination cycles, expediting result declarations and strengthening institutional reforms are likely to be among his immediate priorities.

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission is responsible for staffing crucial departments such as revenue, police, public works, education and finance. Any delays or inefficiencies in its functioning have a direct impact on governance and service delivery across the state. In recent years, aspirants have repeatedly raised concerns over examination schedules and prolonged recruitment timelines.

Reports citing sources indicated that Bhimanwar will assume charge with immediate effect and begin reviewing pending recruitment cycles in the coming months. His tenure is expected to bring administrative clarity and procedural streamlining to the commission’s operations.

The appointment is being seen as important, with the state government hoping that Bhimanwar’s experience and administrative acumen will help restore confidence among aspirants and ensure smoother functioning of Maharashtra’s top recruitment body.

Mumbai: After wrapping up a packed schedule of official engagements, French President Emmanuel Macron took time to experience Mumbai up close, making an unscheduled late-night visit to the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Tuesday.

President Macron arrived at the iconic railway station around 10 pm, accompanied by his wife. The couple was seen leisurely walking through the premises, taking in the Gothic architectural details of the heritage structure, which is among the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Commuters present at the station appeared pleasantly surprised to see the French President casually strolling through the bustling transport hub.

The visit came after a day of high-level bilateral engagements, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted President Macron in Mumbai for extensive discussions aimed at deepening India–France cooperation. The talks focused on key areas including defence, advanced technology, trade, clean energy and global strategic collaboration.

A major highlight of the meetings was the joint inauguration of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 at the Gateway of India, an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between startups, researchers, industry leaders and academic institutions in both countries. The leaders also discussed cooperation in defence manufacturing, civil nuclear energy, space exploration, climate action, clean energy solutions and artificial intelligence.

Earlier, President Macron paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, reiterating France’s solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism. His three-day visit is expected to result in further progress on trade, strategic partnerships and defence and aerospace initiatives.

Meanwhile, hours after his arrival in Mumbai, President Macron surprised locals once again by stepping out for a morning jog along the city’s iconic Marine Drive. Dressed in a navy blue athletic T-shirt, black shorts and running shoes, the French leader blended into the morning crowd as he jogged at a brisk pace, with security personnel maintaining a discreet presence.

According to a senior police official, the President began his run shortly after 10.30 am. Adequate police deployment was in place along the route to ensure security. The jog started from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel near the Gateway of India and continued via Maharshi Karve Marg, passing Churchgate station, Oval Ground and Regal Chowk, before looping back towards the hotel via Marine Drive near the Coastal Road.

Videos of President Macron’s morning exercise quickly went viral on social media, with onlookers capturing the moment on their smartphones. The informal interactions and unscheduled public appearances added a human touch to an otherwise tightly choreographed diplomatic visit, drawing appreciation from Mumbaikars and social media users alike.