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Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Plea Seeks Fair Distribution Of Water For Nashik And Ahmednagar Residents

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A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking fair distribution of water for residents of Maharashtra’s Nashik and Ahmednagar districts, which rely on water from the upstream dam groups of Mula, Pravara, Gangapur, Godavari Darna, and Palkhed on the Godavari River.

The PIL filed by Late Rajabhau Tugar Sahakari Upsa Sinchan Sanstha Maryadit, a co-operative society which works in the field of promoting irrigation, has sought quashing of the order issued by the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) on October 30. The order mandates the release of 8.603 thousand million cubic feet of water from five upstream dam groups to the Jayakwadi dam. This dam provides water to areas around the drought-prone Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in the Marathwada region.

The PIL contends: “If water is released as per the impugned order, then the districts of Nashik and Ahmednagar will certainly face grave water shortage even for drinking purposes.”

GMIDC issues water release order without committee’s report

On July 26 this year, a Government Resolution (GR) was issued by the state’s Water Resources Department forming a committee to reassess water distribution requirements and prepare appropriate directive principles. Without waiting for the committee report, the GMIDC issued its water release order in the meantime in October.

“In the absence of the report from such a committee, the recommendations by the impugned order dated 30 October 2023 have been made which are contrary to law,” the PIL states. 

Further, the upstream group of dams received only 52% of the average rainfall this year, leading to a considerable reduction in the water level in the region’s wells. This aspect, according to the petitioner, needed to be considered while deciding on the distribution of water to the Jayakwadi Dam, the plea highlights. 

On September 19, 2014, a committee was formed Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) pursuant to HC directive to formulate a scheme in respect of equitable distribution of water. It also specified that the said guiding principles be reviewed each year and a report thereon be made to MWRRA. The PIL contends that the same has not been done in the case at hand.

The State Government has failed to comply with the statutory requirement and also its statutory duty of calling for a Committee Report and acting only in accordance with the Committee Report, the plea alleges.  

Crime

Tiger Shroff firing case: Bishnoi gang seeking to challenge Dawood’s dominance in Mumbai, say cops

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The Mumbai Crime Branch, investigating the attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, has reportedly uncovered details suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was attempting to establish its dominance in Mumbai by challenging the long-standing influence and fear associated with Dawood Ibrahim and the D-Company.

According to the Mumbai Police’s investigation, the gang’s alleged objective behind its continued activities in Mumbai was to establish a one-sided dominance in the city. Police sources said the gang was seeking to create an atmosphere of fear reminiscent of the underworld’s influence in Mumbai during the 1990s.

A senior Mumbai Police official said the gang intended to recreate the kind of terror once associated with the underworld, when a single phone call could send businessmen, builders and film personalities into a state of panic.

The Crime Branch believes that establishing such dominance could enable the gang to expand its alleged extortion network and demand large sums of money from builders and members of the Bollywood industry.

Police have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the firing at Tiger Shroff’s car. During the investigation, the Crime Branch reportedly recovered several sensitive audio clips in which alleged underworld figures are mentioned.

The audio recordings are currently undergoing forensic examination as investigators attempt to establish the extent of the gang’s network and identify those allegedly involved in planning and executing criminal activities.

Investigating agencies believe that the Bishnoi gang was attempting to gain greater control over Mumbai’s criminal network by directly challenging the city’s traditional underworld syndicates.

The police have launched a crackdown as part of efforts to dismantle the alleged network and prevent further criminal activities. Investigators are also examining the recovered evidence to determine whether the firing incident was part of a broader strategy to spread fear and establish the gang’s presence in Mumbai.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

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Crime

Mumbai horror: 15-year-old girl gang-raped in Powai area; 6 held

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A 15-year-old minor girl was brutally gang-raped in Mumbai Powai area by six men, officials said on Saturday, adding that all accused have been arrested within 24 hours of the incident.

“Within just 24 hours of receiving the victim’s complaint, Mumbai Police teams conducted raids at various locations and apprehended all the accused,” officials said.

According to the police, the incident took place between October 27 and 28.

The main accused, along with four of his associates, lured the minor to an open, deserted plot located behind a bakery shop on Saki Vihar Road, where the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, officials said in a statement.

Following the incident, the perpetrators threatened the victim, warning her that if she reported the matter to the police or her family, they would circulate her photographs on social media.

“In a separate, related incident, another accused intercepted the victim near a pipeline in Powai, where he molested and sexually harassed her,” officials said.

After facing the brutal assault, on the morning of October 29, the traumatised victim, with the help of her family, reached the Powai Police Station and recounted the ordeal, according to the officials.

“Recognising the gravity of the situation, the police immediately registered an FIR under Sections 64(1) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, charges under Sections 4, 8, and 12 of the POCSO Act have been invoked,” police said.

According to the investigators, none of the six arrested individuals has a prior criminal record.

Meanwhile, the victim has been sent to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for a medical examination.

“A thorough investigation into the case is currently underway under the supervision of senior police personnel,” officials said.

Further details are awaited.

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Maharashtra

Akhilesh Yadav is fighting to save the country and protect the Constitution: Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has congratulated SP President Akhilesh Yadav for his struggle to protect the nation and the Constitution. He stated that Akhilesh Yadav has the capacity to save the country, and the nation’s 1.4 billion citizens should recognize his efforts. Abu Asim Azmi emphasized that a strong alliance is essential to eradicate communalism and hatred from the country. He further added that the distribution of seats within such an alliance should be based on the strength of a party’s grassroots workers and its ability to secure the highest number of votes. Highlighting the political significance of Uttar Pradesh, he remarked that the path to Delhi runs through the state; therefore, a robust alliance must be formed to secure power in Uttar Pradesh and, in turn, halt those who propagate hatred.

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