Maharashtra
Maharashtra: MVA, others seek probe into scribe’s ‘murder’, decry lawlessness
The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Bombay Union of Journalists and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties have demanded a probe into the ‘murder’ of Ratnagiri journalist Shashikant Warishe — who succumbed after being knocked down by a vehicle under suspicious circumstances — here on Wednesday.
Warishe, a crusading scribe working for ‘Mahanagri Times’ publication, met with an “accident” late on Monday and succumbed on Tuesday morning, sparking a furore in state media circles.
He had been writing a series of articles campaigning against the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery and petrochemicals mega-complex coming up with foreign collaboration, at Barsu, near the original location of Nanar.
It is alleged that Warishe was run down by a speeding vehicle of one Pandharinath Amberkar, who is a strong supporter of the refinery complex, ostensibly to teach him a lesson.
Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, Sena (UBT) national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari, BUJ’s Indra Kumar Jain and PUCL’s Mihir Desai and Lara Jesani have strongly condemned what they suspect is a ‘well-planned murder’ of the activist-journalist.
Londhe said that even since the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis came to power (in June 2022), attacks on the mediapersons doing their jobs are increasing in Maharashtra, undermining the independence of the fourth pillar of Democracy.
“The killing of a journalist like this is an atrocious attack on democracy and a blot on a progressive and tolerant state like Maharashtra. Law and order has deteriorated under the Shinde-Fadnavis regime. Ruling party MLAs fire guns openly, threaten to beat up people, assault officials, beat up principals, etc.,” said Londhe.
Tiwari said that it was indeed a grim scenario with the media being threatened in this manner with attacks for exposing the government or its policies and officials, and called for urgent steps from Fadnavis who holds the home portfolio.
Urgent for a speedy and fair probe, Desai and Jesani demanded compensation and security for Warishe’s family, and stopping all land acquisition work pertaining to the proposed refinery project till the locals’ views are taken into account.
Quoting local reports, Jain said that Warishe was dragged for over 100 metres under Amberkar’s vehicle before he fled the spot, leaving the journalist profusely bleeding on the Rajapur Highway.
“The incident came soon after Warishe had published Amberkar’s photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde and Fadnavis. Amberkar has been accused of land-grabbing and intimidating the locals or activists who are opposed to the refinery project,” said Jain.
On Tuesday, the All India Marathi Patrakar Sanghi, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, the Mantralay Ani Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh urged the government to take immediate action in the matter and ensure the most stringent punishment for the guilty.
Media organisations have also submitted a memorandum to the state government condemning the incident and ensuring an impartial probe into the ‘heinous killing’ of Warishe.
Maharashtra
Kidnapping of a businessman in Nagaland, ransom of 1.5 million 3 arrested, action of Mumbai Crime Branch, safe recovery of the businessman
Mumbai: Mumbai’s Vikhroli Police and Mumbai Crime Branch have claimed to have arrested three people on charges of extortion. A businessman was kidnapped and taken to Nagaland and a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore was demanded from him. The businessman is a resident of Badalpur police station area and has a land plotting business. That is why the three kidnapped the businessman and demanded a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore and threatened to kill him otherwise. Parallel investigation of the case was handed over to the Crime Branch and a team of Mumbai Crime Branch went to Nagaland and recovered the kidnapped businessman from there and arrested the three accused involved in it. This operation was carried out under the leadership of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Crime Lakshmi Gautam, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan and other senior officials.
Crime
Tahir Salim Dola extradited to India CBI successful return of accused involved in Sangli drug factory case
Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Tahir Salim Dola from UAE through INTERPOL. Tahir Salim Dola is wanted by Mumbai Police.
The International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU), CBI in collaboration with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE successfully extradited Tahir Salim Dola to India today on a wanted Red Corner Notice. Dola was brought to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai on Friday from Dubai via flight AI-984. The geolocation in UAE was a result of close liaison of CBI with NCB Abu Dhabi through INTERPOL. Tahir Salim Dola is wanted by Mumbai Police in FIR No. 67/2024 registered at Police Station Kurla for running a synthetic drug manufacturing factory in Sangli, Maharashtra. A total of 126.141 kg of Mephedrone (MD) drugs worth Rs 2.522 million were recovered and seized from the said factory linked to Tahir Salim Dola and others. During investigation of the case, it was revealed that accused Tahir Salim Dola was running a synthetic drug manufacturing factory from abroad. A Red Notice was issued to CBI by INTERPOL on 25 November 2024 on the request of Mumbai Police. NCB Abu Dhabi informed on 27 January 2025 that accused Tahir Salim Dola has been arrested in UAE. An extradition request has been sent to UAE by Mumbai Police through Ministry of Home Affairs. Red Notices published by INTERPOL are sent to all law enforcement agencies across the world to trace wanted criminals.
Maharashtra
Collective prayer at Sunni Bilal Mosque for the oppressed of Palestine and Gaza, Syed Moinuddin Ashraf appeals to the Islamic world for unity and awareness
Mumbai: Today on Friday, after Jumme ki Namaaz, a very impressive, spiritual and faith-driven mass prayer was organized at Sunni Masjid Bilal (Do Tanki). This special prayer was read by Hazrat Allama Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf Sahib, Sajjada Nashin Dargah-e-Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Samnani (Kachchochha Sharif) for the oppressed Muslims of Palestine, Gaza and the first Qibla of Masjid Al-Aqsa. This prayer gathering was attended by Haj Muhammad Saeed Noori (Head of Raza Academy), Hazrat Syed Nafees Ashraf, Qari Mushtaq Ahmad, Maulana Arif and other prominent scholars, Imams and social figures.
A large number of people were also present in the gathering, who expressed deep sorrow and anger at the atrocities being committed on the Palestinian people and the violation of the sanctity of Masjid Al-Aqsa. Allama Moin Ashraf said in his words: “Palestine is not just a territory but the heartbeat of the Muslim Ummah and Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first Qibla of Muslims. The atrocities happening in these places are hurting the heart of every Muslim. We have to fulfill our duty through prayer, unity, awareness and peaceful protest.” On this occasion, Al-Hajj Saeed Nouri addressed the international community and said: “If the human rights advocacy organizations and the United Nations remain silent today, this silence can lead to a major crisis tomorrow.
Raising voice against oppression is the true standard of humanity.” At the end of the gathering, a collective prayer was organized in which prayers were offered for Palestine, Gaza, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the oppressed Muslims of the whole world. Special prayers were offered for peace, security, unity of the Muslim Ummah and support for the oppressed. While this prayer gathering brought spiritual peace, a new wave of global solidarity and awareness spread among Muslims. People resolved to keep the Palestinian cause alive and raise their voice at all levels.
Kidnapping of a businessman in Nagaland, ransom of 1.5 million 3 arrested, action of Mumbai Crime Branch, safe recovery of the businessman
Air India says in process of completing one-time Boeing 787 safety checks
Odisha EPFO official arrested by CBI for Rs 10,000 bribe
Notorious criminal Angesh Kumar nabbed after encounter in Patna’s Khusrupur
Air India, IndiGo issue alerts as Iran airspace closure disrupts flight operations
Two arrested, three dead in Dahisar bloody clash
LSG’s Digvesh gets one game suspension, SRH batter Abhishek fined 25 pc of match fees for on-field altercation
Tom Cruise wants to make a Bollywood movie
Chadian national held at Mumbai airport with gold worth Rs 3.86 cr hidden in slippers
Accused of beating blind woman in disabled compartment of Mumbai local train arrested
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