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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Elections 2024: Speculation Swirl Over Which Alliance Benefits From Poll Delay; BJP Says, ‘Opposition Scared,’ Congress Terms Govt ‘Reckless’

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Maharashtra Elections 2024: Speculation Swirl Over Which Alliance Benefits From Poll Delay; BJP Says, 'Opposition Scared,' Congress Terms Govt 'Reckless'

Pune: When the Election Commission (ECI) announced the dates for elections in some states, it became evident that the polls in Maharashtra would not take place before Diwali. The panel announced the dates for Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir, and said the schedule for Maharashtra and Jharkhand would be announced later. Since then, speculation has swirled over which party would benefit from this delay.

Holding the polls in Maharashtra will be a challenge in terms of getting the election staff ready and putting in place security arrangements. The ECI made it clear that the election was being planned taking into consideration the weather (monsoon conditions), the long festive season (Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Diwali) and other factors.

Opposition parties have alleged that the postponement was designed so the ruling party could benefit from recently announced schemes such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana. They have claimed that the government is going to take much longer than initially anticipated to roll out the schemes. The administration wants to deposit at least three installments into the accounts of women and farmers before the election is held, they have said.

Congress Says, ‘People Will Not Forget Actions Of Reckless Govt’

Congress chief state spokesperson Atul Londhe-Patil told that no matter how much the election is delayed, the people will not “forget” the actions of this “reckless government”. “It is really shocking the way things are happening. Incidents such as the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue show how reckless this government is”, he said.

“Whether the election is held two months from now or later, it will not make any difference. The people will vote the Mahayuti government out of power,” he said.

BJP Says, ‘Opposition Is Scared’

Asked if the delay will affect the poll results, BJP spokesperson Ajit Chavan said: “People are happy with the Ladki Bahin Yojana and other schemes that our government has rolled out. The opposition is scared about its prospects. Whether the elections take place now or later, the people are with us.”

Spokespersons might toe the party line, but equations on the ground are constantly changing. The Mahayuti might benefit from the newly announced schemes, but clashes between the alliance partners over seat sharing, and disputes between party leaders and aspirants over various constituencies are increasing. That means the more the delay, the more the chances of people rebelling against the ruling alliance. To make it worse, the past few days have seen a number of incidents that reflect badly on the government, like the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Konkan region. Will these incidents damage the ruling party, or will they fade from public memory? Only time will tell.

Maharashtra

Case filed against 4 people including Congress leader Vartak for cheating by posing as CBI officer

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police has registered a case against Congress leader Sameer Vartak and three others for calling builder Anil Gupta and conducting a fake CBI raid. Kasturba Marg police in Borivali East has registered a case against Congress leader Sameer Vartak and four others for conducting a fake Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid at the residence of builder Anil Gupta in Borivali. Four people, including a Congress worker, have been booked by the CBI for conducting raids at the builder’s house. After the case was registered, Congress has sacked Sameer Vartak from his post. Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal has resigned. Four people, including a Congress worker, have been booked by the CBI for conducting raids at the builder’s house. Vartak, who heads the environment wing of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, is accused of raiding the builder’s house along with three unidentified people posing as CBI officers after receiving a complaint and trying to extort money from him. Gupta, 51, who owns a Vasai-based construction firm and is active in the Vasai-Virar area, lives in Kushal Heritage Building in Borivali East. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had searched his premises in connection with a land grabbing case related to the construction of 41 unauthorised buildings in Aggarwal Nagar, Vasai East. In his police complaint, Gupta said that on September 2, 2024, two men went to his house and claimed to be CBI officers, saying they were investigating a complaint filed against him by Vartak. They asked him to come down for questioning. When Gupta refused and asked for a copy of the complaint, the men called Vartak, who was allegedly waiting outside the building. Soon after, Vartak and another man who claimed to be a CBI officer arrived there. Gupta alleged that the group of four men threatened to arrest him and demanded a financial “settlement” to settle the case. Gupta refused, saying he would cooperate with any legal investigation. The men then left, warning him that he would be summoned to the CBI office. Gupta approached the CBI headquarters in Delhi to confirm the claim and was told that no such complaint had been filed by Vartak. On November 19, the CBI wrote a letter to the Maharashtra Director General of Police, requesting him to take action against those involved. Gupta then approached the Kasturba Marg police with a formal complaint and CCTV footage from his residence to identify the accused. The police have registered a case under sections 3(5) (common intention), 204 (cheating by impersonating a public servant), 205 (forgery of official symbols) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Naya Sangh (BNS). Senior police inspector Jiraj Ranavare said, “We conducted a preliminary inquiry and confirmed that these people were not CBI officials. We are confirming the identity of the three people who were with Vartak.” Vartak has denied the allegations. I was called to the spot by some people who introduced themselves as CBI officers. I had filed a complaint against Gupta and was just cooperating. It seems this is part of political vendetta, I am ready to face any investigation.

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Crime

Major Twist In Baba Siddique Murder Case: Zeeshan Akhtar Was Recruited & Brainwashed By Bishnoi Gang Operative Akash Chauhan, Say Sources

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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.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Shocker: Cancer-Stricken Elderly Woman Dumped in Aarey Garbage Heap, Hospitals Initially Deny Care

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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.

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