Maharashtra
Maharashtra economy collapsed due to institutional corruption: Shiv Sena(UBT) in ‘Saamana’
Mumbai, July 15: In a blistering attack on the ruling dispensation, Shiv Sena(UBT) on Wednesday alleged that Maharashtra’s economy has completely collapsed due to unprecedented institutional corruption. Citing a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the editorial claimed that the ruling alliance orchestrated a “State Capture” by illegally siphoning off Rs 3,541 crore from the state exchequer through the Ladki Bahin Yojana to purchase votes ahead of the Assembly elections.
The party in an editorial in its mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, said the government initially launched the flagship welfare scheme — promising Rs 1,500 per month to women — with a total outlay of Rs 14,000 crore distributed to 2.43 crore beneficiaries. However, the subsequent CAG audit revealed that 92 lakh beneficiaries were completely bogus or ineligible. Among these discrepancies, “About 62 lakh individuals had not completed mandatory e-KYC verifications. Further, 29,000 men and 8,000 government employees were illegally enrolled and drew funds from the scheme,” said the editorial.
It further asserted that while the government has now unceremoniously dropped these 92 lakh ineligible names after winning the elections, the money was intentionally channelled into these accounts right before the Model Code of Conduct took effect to secure victory.
Drawing parallels to the post-Soviet collapse in Eastern Europe — where politicians and oligarchs colluded to control the state apparatus for personal gain — the Thackeray camp classified this scam as a textbook case of State Capture. “Spending Rs 3,541 crore from the public treasury to systematically purchase 30 to 35 lakh votes is not ordinary corruption. It is the outright purchasing of a state by manipulating laws, tenders, and public policies for political survival,” it noted.
The editorial sharply criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for crying foul and accusing the opposition of “defaming Maharashtra” whenever corruption is exposed. It noted that despite investigative reports exposing massive land scams linked to public figures, accountability remains completely absent.
The editorial has highlighted the stark double standard in how the state treats ordinary citizens versus political elites. It pointed out that while absconding businessmen like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and Lalit Modi fled the country after defaulting on bank loans, poor farmers face immediate property seizures, and citizens have their electricity disconnected for missing simple bill payments. Yet, a government overseeing a Rs 3,541 crore fraud continues to rule with absolute impunity.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has demanded full financial accountability, stating that the responsibility does not end with merely purging bogus names from the recipient list. “Recover the stolen funds directly from the personal assets of the then-Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, the entire cabinet, and the senior bureaucrats (including the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Women & Child Development Secretary) who cleared the illegal payouts. Freeze and auction their personal movable and immovable properties to return the plundered money to the taxpayers,” it said.
The editorial pointed out a grim assessment of Maharashtra’s fiscal health amid rising public debt and depleting borrowing credibility. It flagged reports from the World Bank indicating a sharp decline in Maharashtra’s per capita income compared to other states.
By prioritising electoral bribes over fundamental governance, the editorial stated that the rulers have deprived legitimate distressed groups, including struggling farmers, students, widows, the underprivileged, and the disabled, of vital state aid. The Thackeray camp warned that such blatant financial indiscipline would permanently shatter the public’s trust in welfare schemes and social governance.
Maharashtra
‘Save the Vote, Save the Nation’: Rahul Gandhi urges people to join INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march in the national capital, calling for public participation in the protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to gather at Connaught Place and march together towards Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition alliance is organising a major rally.
“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let’s march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM,” he posted.
The INDIA bloc has expressed optimism about public participation in the rally, asserting that the protest would witness “historic participation” extending beyond party workers.
Earlier in the day, while speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and said the opposition would continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner stepped down.
“They (the government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” he asserted.
Raut also reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being stopped from participating in the rally.
The INDIA bloc is organising the large-scale gathering at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The opposition alliance expects a major show of strength, as leaders from constituent parties, workers, and student groups have started to gather at the venue. The protest comes amid allegations by opposition parties of irregularities in the voter list revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally. Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with Delhi Police personnel, have been deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.
Delhi Police have also tightened security across the national capital. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office.
Bollywood
Tiger Shroff firing case: 12th accused sent to police custody till Nov 6

A Mumbai court on Saturday sent Amar, the 12th accused arrested from Haryana’s Sonipat in connection with the firing incident on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, to police custody till November 6.
On Thursday, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had sent 11 other accused arrested in connection with the firing on Shroff’s car to police custody till November 6.
The latest accused was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat.
Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Police had produced Amar before a court, which sent him to police custody until November 6.
According to officials, Amar is accused of having transferred money, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, online. The funds were reportedly used for various expenses, including the purchase of a motorcycle and booking hotel rooms linked to the case.
According to the preliminary investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.
Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.
The Mumbai Police are investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.
Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.
Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.
With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.
The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.
Maharashtra
36-year-old absconding accused arrested from Gujarat in Mumbai non-bailable warrant

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed the arrest of a wanted suspect, against whom a non-bailable warrant had been issued by the court in connection with a theft case. The 29-year-old complainant was en route to deliver diamonds, gold jewelry, and cash from his shop when, in front of the main entrance of the Panchratna Building, four unidentified individuals—acting in conspiracy—threatened him with a revolver and a knife. They injured him and forcibly stole the diamonds, jewelry, and cash, valued at approximately 2,048,964 rupees. A case was subsequently registered at the D.B. Marg Police Station. Following further investigation by Crime Branch Unit 2, a charge sheet was filed in court. The 59-year-old suspect involved in this crime had repeatedly failed to appear in court during the proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. The Crime Branch carried out this operation to execute the said warrant.
Acting on direct intelligence and technical analysis, the police team tracked down the 59-year-old suspect—who was a wanted individual subject to a non-bailable warrant—and took him into custody on October 30th in Gaonpur, Vadodara district, Gujarat. This operation was conducted under the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, with the involvement of Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Krishna Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Raj Tilak Roshan.
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