Maharashtra
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Congress Receives Over 1,400 Applications For 288 Seats After Strong Lok Sabha Showing

Mumbai: After an unexpectedly strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha election, the Congress has received more than 1,400 applications for 288 assembly seats. The highest number of applications have come from the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, indicating strong enthusiasm among Congress workers in those regions. Even members of the ruling party are interested in contesting the elections on Congress ticket.
The Congress emerged as the largest party after winning 13 of the 48 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP previously had a strong hold on Vidarbha and Marathwada, but the Congress secured the highest number of seats in the elections from these areas.
Congress state president Nana Patole stated that although many members are eager to contest the elections from the party, candidates will be finalised based on merit.
He said, “After the Lok Sabha results, there is increased enthusiasm among party workers for the upcoming assembly election. We are receiving thousands of applications from aspiring candidates, but we’ve made it clear that candidacy will be announced on merit. Prominent leaders from other parties are eager to join us. You will soon witness these developments.”
After 2014, the BJP gradually became the most powerful party in the Maharashtra assembly, while the number of seats held by the Congress declined. In 2014, the Congress won 42 seats, while in 2019, it won 44. The voting pattern in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls indicates that the Congress is leading in 90 assembly segments out of 288 constituencies.
In 2019, the Congress received only 476 applications, but that number has now more than tripled.
The Congress completed a survey of the 288 constituencies recently. At a recent MVA meeting, the party proposed to contest on 135 seats. Due to the increase in the number of interested candidates, the Congress is aiming to secure as many seats as possible. As discussed in the MVA meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) is interested in 22 of the 36 seats in Mumbai, while NCP (SP faction) is aiming for five to seven seats, sources said.
AICC screening committee chairman Madhu Sudan Mistry will be in Mumbai on August 28 and 29. He will meet with senior Maharashtra Congress leaders to discuss candidates for the assembly elections. He has the authority to finalise the candidates.
Crime
Major Twist In Baba Siddique Murder Case: Zeeshan Akhtar Was Recruited & Brainwashed By Bishnoi Gang Operative Akash Chauhan, Say Sources

Mumbai: In a major revelation in the high-profile murder case of NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Crime Branch sources have confirmed that Zeeshan Akhtar — currently detained in Canada — was not initially associated with the Bishnoi gang. He was allegedly recruited and brainwashed by Akash Chauhan, a key operative of the Bishnoi syndicate, at the behest of Anmol Bishnoi.
According to investigators, Zeeshan was previously affiliated with the rival Bambiha gang in Punjab and was considered a trusted hitman. Sources claim Akash Chauhan — currently lodged in Faridkot jail — played a crucial role in securing Zeeshan’s release from Jalandhar jail and persuaded him to join the Bishnoi gang with promises of lakhs in payment.
The turning point came after the Bishnoi syndicate decided to eliminate Baba Siddique. Acting on Anmol Bishnoi’s instructions from Patiala Jail, Akash Chauhan identified Zeeshan as a potential recruit. Chauhan then arranged for Zeeshan’s bail and, upon his release on June 7, Zeeshan met Chauhan directly.
It was during this meeting, sources said, that Zeeshan was convinced to take part in the murder plot. Under Chauhan’s instructions, Zeeshan recruited shooter Gurmel Singh and dispatched him to Mumbai. Zeeshan then contacted another wanted accused, Shubham Lonkar, to help orchestrate the plan.
Crime Branch officers are now preparing to designate Akash Chauhan as an accused in the case and initiate his transfer from Punjab to Mumbai for questioning. Officials confirmed that Chauhan has long-standing links with the Bishnoi syndicate and has played a role in several past contract killings.
Meanwhile, efforts to bring Zeeshan Akhtar back to India from Canada are actively underway, with Mumbai Crime Branch working closely with the CBI and international agencies. Investigators believe that Zeeshan’s interrogation could lead to more major revelations in the days to come.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Shocker: Cancer-Stricken Elderly Woman Dumped in Aarey Garbage Heap, Hospitals Initially Deny Care

Mumbai– In a distressing incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a frail elderly woman suffering from advanced skin cancer was discovered dumped in a garbage heap in Aarey Colony early on Saturday morning. The victim, later identified as Yashoda Gaikwad (approximately 60–70 years old), alleged that her own grandson had callously abandoned her among rotting waste.
A tip-off to the police control room led officers to Unit No. 32 road in Aarey Colony at around 8:30 am, where they found her lying helplessly in a pink nightdress and grey petticoat, her face marred by a festering ulcer typical of late-stage skin cancer.
Constable Rathod and Woman Police Constable Nikita Kolekar rushed her to *Jogeshwari Trauma Care, but she was turned away due to lack of resources. A subsequent attempt at *Cooper Hospital also failed, with hospital authorities advising police to find a better-equipped centre. It was only eight hours later, at around 5:30 pm, that Cooper Hospital finally admitted her after Senior Inspector Ravindra Patil intervened.
Medical Diagnosis & Current Condition
Dr. Sudhir Medhekar, Dean of Cooper Hospital, stated Ms. Gaikwad has an “ulceroproliferative growth” on her nose and cheek. Her vital signs—blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, and blood sugar—are now stable. The provisional diagnosis is basal cell carcinoma.
Upon regaining consciousness, Ms. Gaikwad reportedly told authorities: “My grandson left me here.” She also provided two addresses—one in *Malad, the other in *Kandivali. Mumbai police have circulated her photo to all stations and are reviewing CCTV from nearby lanes, though the garbage site itself lacks surveillance footage links.
Senior Inspector Patil appealed to the public:
This case has triggered widespread condemnation, highlighting not only familial neglect but also deficiencies in hospital response systems. An Aarey police officer remarked:
- The police are actively tracing Ms. Gaikwad’s grandson and other relatives.
- More CCTV reviews are ongoing in hopes of tracking her movement to Aarey.
- Legal action, including charges of abandonment and potential elder abuse, is under consideration.
This deeply unsettling incident serves as a wake-up call—with calls for systemic reform regarding eldercare, hospital triage protocols, and social responsibility. Our heartfelt wishes go out to Ms. Gaikwad, and we hope justice is served swiftly.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Horror: 10-Year-Old Girl Sexually Assaulted and Video Recorded; Mother’s Boyfriend and Girlfriend Arrested Under POCSO

Mumbai, June 23, 2025 — In a shocking and tragic incident, a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted with a screwdriver, and the horrific crime was recorded on video, police sources revealed. The suspects, believed to be the girl’s mother’s boyfriend and his girlfriend, have been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The incident came to light after the child’s family reported the abuse, prompting an investigation by Mumbai police. Authorities launched a raid and apprehended the accused, who are now in custody. The police have also recovered the video evidence, which has been handed over to forensic experts for forensic analysis.
According to police officials, the girl was subjected to sexual assault at a residential property in the city. The accused reportedly drugged and assaulted her, recording the act maliciously. The child’s family expressed their shock and distress over the incident, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.
The police have registered a case under multiple sections of the POCSO Act, including those related to sexual assault and recording videos of minors without consent. Further investigations are ongoing, and authorities have assured strict action against the accused.
This distressing case highlights the urgent need for awareness, vigilance, and protective measures for children in Mumbai and across India. Child rights organizations have called for enhanced safety protocols and emphasized the importance of reporting abuse immediately.
Mumbai police have urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity involving minors to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Mumbai Press remains committed to reporting on this case as it develops and advocating for the safety and rights of children everywhere.
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