Maharashtra
Maharashtra awaits SC nod for bullock cart race

The Maharashtra government is awaiting a nod from the Supreme Court for an almost 400-year-old tradition of bullock cart race that was banned by the Bombay High Court.
Called ‘Shankarpaat’, the bullock cart race is a traditional attraction at the fairs in villages across Maharashtra.
It starts soon after the Ganesh festival and continues right through the remaining Kharif, the entire rabi season and ends around April, ahead of summer.
It is not just popular because of the crowds it attracts, but it gives a push to the local economy wherever the events are held coinciding with fairs. This is a popular sport among the farming community.
Similar bullock cart races are held in Karnataka too, especially the areas that are adjoining Maharashtra.
There have been obvious comparisons with Jallikattu, another traditional sport from Tamil Nadu related to bullocks.
The Nagaraja case had resulted in the Supreme Court banning all such bull-related sports. While in Jallikattu, the men are directly in contact with the bullock, pouncing on the running bull, holding it by the hump and using other means to tame it, in Shankarpaat or the bullock cart race, a pair of bulls or a single bull will race along with the cart with the farmer holding the reins and goading the animal.
In April 2017, the state government passed an act that regularised the sport of Shankarpaat.
A PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court, which put a ban on the bullock cart races.
After the ban, the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court, which referred the matter to a five-judge bench.
This year, possibly as an antidote to the lockdown induced lull, there have been multiple attempts in Maharashtra where local farmers have resorted to organising such bullock cart races.
On Sunday, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar accompanied by the state’s Animal Husbandry Commissioner Shailesh Kende met Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and the Maharashtra government’s counsels on the issue.
Patil told IANS: “We are hoping that the Supreme Court will be hearing our case on Tuesday.”
Kedar was supposed to attend the hearing, which was originally expected on Monday, but rushed back to Mumbai for a meeting.
“This is a topic very close to the hearts of hundreds and thousands of farmers in Maharashtra. It also impacts the rural economy,” Kedar said before leaving for Maharashtra.
Bharatiya Bailgada Sanghatana representative Ramkrishna Takalkar, who also accompanied the government delegation, said: “We farmers look after our bullocks just like our family members. There is no torture or cruelty involved with the animal during the bullock cart races, it is a misinformation campaign by animal lovers. The bullocks are fed regularly. What would we get by torturing the animal?”
Takalkar focussed on the economic aspects of the bullock cart races in Maharashtra.
“If there are no race events at the local village fairs, the farmers have valid question to ask: why should we continue to have these bulls?”
He had an even more pertinent question: “On the one hand, you allow horse races and on the other, you ban bullock cart races? Why the partiality?”
Maharashtra
Mumbai School Teacher Arrested Under POSCO Act For Sexually Assaulting Minor Student Multiple Times Over One Year

Mumbai: A horrifying case has come forward from a well-known Mumbai school where a 40-year-old English teacher from a renowned Mumbai school was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student multiple times over a year.
The attacks began after the teacher developed an attraction to the boy while organising dance groups for the school’s annual function in December 2023. Initial advances made in January 2024 were rebuffed by the student, prompting the teacher to enlist a friend to persuade him, claiming such relationships were common. Following this, the teacher picked the boy up, took him to a secluded location, and assaulted him.
According to a report by media, in the ensuing weeks, the teacher provided the student with anti-anxiety medication and arranged outings to luxury hotels, where they had several sexual encounters, often intoxicating him beforehand. The teacher’s arrest has shocked the school community.
The student’s behavioral changes raised concerns with his family, but they decided against reporting the incidents, hoping it would resolve on its own as he neared graduation. After leaving school earlier this year, the student fell into depression, and the situation escalated when the teacher attempted to contact him through the domestic staff. This prompted the family to file a complaint with the police.
Authorities have charged the teacher with penetrative sexual assault and related offenses under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. The case underscores serious issues concerning student abuse within educational institutions. The teacher has been remanded in police custody until Wednesday, as investigations continue into this disturbing incident involving a minor.
Similar Incident
In another incident a mathematics teacher in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing 24 girl students in classes VIII to X last week. Complaints to the principal led to the teacher’s suspension and subsequent police custody. The Director of School Education initiated an inquiry due to the seriousness of the situation, tasking the Deputy Director of Elementary Education with gathering information promptly. The teacher now faces charges under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO provisions, reflecting the education department’s urgency in addressing these allegations.
Maharashtra
High Court Issues Notice to Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Over Mosque Loudspeaker Dispute

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today issued a notice to Mumbai police authorities and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regarding a petition filed by five mosques challenging what they term as arbitrary actions involving the removal of loudspeakers and the non-renewal of their licenses.
The petition raises concerns over the recent enforcement actions carried out by police officials, which the mosques allege are unauthorized and infringe upon their religious rights. The petitioners argue that the actions lack proper authority and transparency, leading to undue hardship and disruption of religious activities.
The High Court has directed the police to submit an affidavit along with relevant records concerning the actions taken against these mosques by the next hearing scheduled for July 9, 2025. The court’s directive aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the actions undertaken by law enforcement agencies.
Senior Advocate Yusuf Moochala appeared for the petitioners, effectively representing their interests. Among the legal representatives was Advocate Mubin Solkar, who was highlighted for his advocacy in the proceedings. Other junior counsel also participated in the hearing, emphasizing the case’s importance and the need for clear directives in matters involving religious practices and civil authority.
This case underscores the ongoing tension between law enforcement and religious communities regarding the use of loudspeakers and other religious paraphernalia. The court’s upcoming order will be closely watched by various stakeholders, emphasizing the delicate balance between public regulation and religious freedom.
As the legal process continues, the petitioners hope for a resolution that respects their religious rights while adhering to necessary regulations. The next hearing on July 9 will likely provide further clarity on the measures to be taken by authorities.
Maharashtra
Navi Mumbai Shocker: Woman Abandons 15-Day-Old Baby With Commuters On CSMT–Panvel Local At Seawoods Station; Police Launch Search

Navi Mumbai: On Monday afternoon, a woman abandoned her 15-day-old baby with a commuter in a CSMT-Panvel local train, fleeing under the pretext of being unable to get down with her luggage. The incident occurred at Seawoods railway station on the Harbour line. Vashi Railway Police have registered a case against the unidentified woman and have launched a search to trace her.
Divya Naidu (19), a Mumbai resident, boarded the local train from CSMT to Juinagar around 11 am along with her friend Bhoomika Mane. Around 12 pm, as the train passed Sanpada station, the two friends moved towards the door to get down at Juinagar. In the same compartment, there was an unknown woman aged between 30 to 35, seated with three bags and holding a baby.
The woman told Naidu and Mane that she would be getting off at Seawoods station but due to her luggage, she would not be able to get down with the baby on her own. She requested their help to accompany her till Seawoods.
Wanting to help, they both agreed and got off at Seawoods with the baby. However, to their shock, the woman did not get down and remained on the train, looking at them as it moved ahead. Hoping she would return, the two young women waited at the station for a long time, but when the woman did not come back, they took the baby to Mane’s house in Juinagar and took care of it.
Later, acting on the advice of their family members, they approached Vashi Railway Police and reported the incident.
Based on their complaint, a case has been registered under Section 93 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the unknown woman for abandoning the infant. Senior Police Inspector Kiran Undre of Vashi Railway Police Station confirmed the registration of the case and said that CCTV footage is being reviewed to identify and trace the woman.
The baby has been admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit for observation. Inspector Undre also appealed to the public to come forward with any information about the woman who abandoned the baby. “As per the footage, the lady got down at Khandeshwar and we are investigating further,” Undre said.
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