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Maharashtra: MVA, others seek probe into scribe’s ‘murder’, decry lawlessness

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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

Vande Mataram is a must, some people are self-proclaimed patriots, Uddhav Thackeray

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Mumbai: Before the local body and BMC elections in Mumbai Maharashtra and in the context of vote theft, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray once again took a dig at the Election Commission while addressing a press conference and said that the Election Commission has tried to show that every house has 40 to 50 voters registered, therefore, it is necessary to verify the Election Commission list and to check the Election Commission list, centers will now be set up in Shiv Sena branches for correcting the Election Commission list. Uddhav Thackeray said that the youth who have completed the age of 18 should get their names registered with the Election Commission. He said that an investigation should be conducted in every house to see if anyone’s name is listed in the Election Commission list without permission. Uddhav Thackeray called the Election Commission list itself suspect and said that there has been rigging and irregularities in the voter list, therefore the opposition is protesting against the issue of vote theft. Uddhav Thackeray made Vande Mataram mandatory. Criticizing the BJP for declaring it as a state, he said that people are being misled to divert their minds from the issues and such issues are being brought up. These people are actually self-proclaimed patriots and we need to be careful with them. He said that people should remain vigilant and try to correct the errors in the voter list.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Shortlists Seven Senior IPS Officers for Next DGP Post

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By Kamar Ansari | Mumbai Press News

Mumbai: Maharashtra is set for a major leadership change in its police force, as the tenure of the current Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, ends on December 31. In preparation for the transition, the state Home Department has shortlisted seven senior IPS officers and sent the names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for approval. The UPSC will select three names from the list, after which the state government will appoint one of them as the next DGP.

According to officials familiar with the development, the shortlisted names include officers from various key security and policing verticals in the state.

The officers shortlisted are:
Sadanand Date, Director General of the National Investigation Agency;
Sanjay Verma, DGP Legal and Technical;
Ritesh Kumar, Commandant General of Home Guards;
Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, DGP Anti-Corruption Bureau;
Archana Tyagi, Director General of the State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation;
Sanjeev Kumar, Director of Civil Defence;
Prashant Burde, DG Government Railway Police.

Among them, Sadanand Date is considered the senior-most officer and a strong contender for the role. He is due to retire in December 2026, making him eligible for a full two-year term if appointed. Date is highly respected for his service record, including his heroic actions during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks where he confronted terrorists with limited resources and prevented heavy civilian casualties.

However, his appointment depends on the central government’s approval since he is currently serving as the chief of NIA. Sources indicate that the state government has not yet formally requested his release from the central posting, which may become a factor in the final decision.

The appointment process will move forward once the UPSC finalizes three names for the government to choose from. The state is expected to announce the next DGP before Rashmi Shukla’s retirement to ensure seamless policing leadership.

Rashmi Shukla, who has led the Maharashtra Police during an eventful tenure, will retire on December 31, bringing an end to a long and distinguished service career.

Mumbai Press News Kamar Ansari will continue to follow the developments closely and bring timely updates on the selection of Maharashtra’s next top police officer.

By Kamar Ansari
Mumbai Press News

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Maharashtra

Ameer Sunni Dawat-e-Islami Maulana Mohammad. Shakir Noori is once again included in the list of the 500 most influential Muslims of the year 2026.

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Mumbai: November 1 – Maulana Muhammad Shakir Noori, Ameer of Sunni Dawat-e-Islami, who has played a prominent role in the fields of education, social and welfare services, and religious and religious leadership, and under whose management the annual gathering held at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, is one of the largest Sunni gatherings in the world, has been included in the list of 500 most influential Muslims in the world. This list consists of those personalities who are playing a prominent role in the Muslim world with a spirit of positive change, leadership, influence and service. This list is compiled under the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center, Oman (Jordan) and is published every year in collaboration with the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University (USA). In a statement issued on Friday, Sunni Dawat-e-Islami said that Maulana Noori’s tireless efforts in promoting educational and social services and welfare works have earned him this honor at the global level.

The statement said that Maulana Shakir Noori, who leads one of India’s largest Sunni organizations, has impacted thousands of lives through education, women’s empowerment, youth guidance and anti-drug campaigns. This award is not only a recognition of Maulana Noori’s services but also reflects the positive and constructive identity of Indian Muslims at the global level. Sunni Dawat-e-Islami is a non-political religious organization headquartered in Mumbai. Every year around December, this organization organizes a three-day grand gathering that includes religious speeches, speeches on contemporary issues, and educational guidance for students.

About three hundred thousand people participate in this gathering annually. About 50 educational institutions are established under the organization, in which more than 7,000 students are studying. Maulana Noori has authored more than 40 books that have been published in different languages. He has started several welfare projects, including empowering Muslim youth and women through education, providing food and clothing to the poor, guiding the weaker sections, reforming the youth, and campaigns against drugs and intoxicants. On this joyful occasion, congratulations are being offered by scholars, preachers, and concerned people, and Hazrat Ameer Sunni Dawat-e-Islami is praying for his health and long life.

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