Connect with us
Friday,28-March-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Government moves HC against MAT orders regarding transgenders applying for police department

Published

on

 The Maharashtra government moved the Bombay High Court on Monday, challenging an order passed by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal directing it to create a provision for transgenders in the application form for posts under the home department.

The petition was mentioned before a division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Abhay Ahuja, seeking an urgent hearing to stay the tribunal order.

The bench said it would hear the matter on November 30. A transgender person, Arya Pujari, who aspired to be a police constable, had approached the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT).

After an advertisement was issued for the recruitment of police constables, Pujari applied online. However, in the application, only two genders were mentioned—male and female—and no third gender was mentioned, because of which Pujari could not fill out the online form.

The MAT on November 14 directed the state government to create a third option for transgender people after the two options of male and female, in the application form for all recruitment under the home department.

The tribunal had also said the government should fix criteria for physical standards and tests for transgender people.

The government claimed in its petition that it was “extremely difficult” to implement the tribunal’s direction as the state government has not yet framed any policy regarding special provisions for the recruitment of transgenders.

“The acceptance of the forms has already been scheduled for September 11, and November 30,” it added.

The petition sought for the HC to quash the tribunal’s order as it was illegal and against the law. It said the tribunal failed to consider that the process was a “herculean task and a lengthy process.”

In its order, the tribunal had directed the government to make necessary changes to its advertisement and display the same on its website by November 23.

On November 25, the MAT extended the deadline for accepting transgender forms until December 8 after being informed by Chief Presenting Officer SP Manchekar, representing the state, that the government was still in the process of developing a policy for the employment of transgender people in public positions.

Crime

New India Cooperative Bank: Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta Received ₹1.5 Crore Loan Remission, Reveals EOW Probe

Published

on

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta received a loan remission by New India Cooperative Bank. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is looking into Hiren Bhanu, the former chairman of the bank, for allegedly approving loans in return for bribes, as per reports.

The investigation has revealed that the actress benefitted from a remission on her loan. The police said that on January 7, 2011, a loan of Rs. 18 crore was sanctioned to actress Preity Zinta. The loan was declared a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2013. The amount was later settled at Rs. 10.74 crore, and a remission of Rs. 1.55 crore was granted to her. The amount was paid on April 5, 2014, according to a report by Media quoting an EOW officer.

In February, the Kerala Congress unit alleged that the bank had waived off a Rs 18 crore loan in exchange for Preity Zinta’s support for the BJP. In response, Zinta clarified that she had an overdraft facility with the bank over 12 years ago, which was fully repaid more than a decade ago. She stated that her account had been closed since then, refuting any claims that she benefited from the bank’s financial issues.

While replying to the post of the Congress Kerala, Actress stated “No I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name & images. For the record a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK – over 10 years ago. Hope this clarifies and helps so there are no misunderstandings in the future.”

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) officer mentioned that they are reviewing the documents from the bank as part of their investigation.

Continue Reading

Crime

Kunal Kamra petitions Madras HC for transit anticipatory bail in controversial remarks case

Published

on

New Delhi, March 28: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is facing multiple criminal cases over the “traitor” jibe towards Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Friday petitioned the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail.

Kamra’s plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Justice Sunder Mohan, who assured to examine the matter later in the day.

Mumbai’s MIDC police station on Monday registered a Zero FIR against Kamra for cracking an allegedly objectionable joke during a stand-up comedy show.

The Khar Police booked Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.

They also detained 20 Sena activists. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, Dixit Gedam said two offences have been registered at Khar police station.

One is against Kamra for derogatory comments, while the other is against people who vandalised the Unicontinental hotel where the shoot of Kamra’s comedy show took place.

He further added that the investigation is underway. Shiv Sena has condemned the “distasteful and defamatory” remarks made by Kamra during his recent performance at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where he performed a parody song targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Police have already booked Kamra under section 356(2) (defamation) of the BNS.

The Mumbai Police had served two summons to Kamra, who has not yet appeared to give his statement.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday accepted a privilege notice against Kamra and forwarded it to the Privileges Committee.

“I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by the committee,” said Upper House Chairman Ram Shinde.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Protest by tying black bands in mosques against Waqf Bill

Published

on

Mumbai: On the appeal of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Muslims in Mumbai city tied black bands and protested against the Waqf Bill on Jummatul Vida. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has demanded the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2024. Along with this, Namazis offered Namaz by tying black bands in all the mosques of Mumbai city. Mumbai Police has made tight security arrangements for Jummatul Vida.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had appealed to the Muslims to offer Jummatul Vida Namaz by tying black bands in protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. Muslims have protested on the appeal of the Waqf Board. Muslims protested against the appeal of the Muslim Personal Law Board against the conspiracy of the government to deprive Muslims of their monasteries, mosques and charitable institutions by passing the Waqf Bill.

Jummatul Vida was celebrated as Yaumul Quds along with the protest against the Waqf Bill. Prayers were offered in mosques for the oppressed Palestinians. Special prayers were also offered in mosques for the protection of Waqf properties. Khutba of Alvida, Alvida, Mahe Ramzan was read.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had also issued strict security arrangements and orders in view of Jummatul Vida. Police had issued an alert in view of Jummatul Vida and Gudi Padwa, which is why Jummatul Vida was completed peacefully.

Continue Reading

Trending