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Maharashtra

Maharashtra political crisis: SC reserves Shiv Sena case to decide on referring to larger 7-Judge Bench

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uddhav shinde

New Delhi: A 5-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, on Thursday reserved its verdict on the Maharashtra political crisis triggered by split in the Shiv Sena in June last year on whether to refer it to a larger 7-judge Bench in the context of 2016 Nagam Rebia verdict on powers of Assembly speaker to handle disqualification pleas.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for former CM Uddhav Thackeray, wanted a larger Bench to decide since the Rebia verdict was also by a 5-judge Bench.

The Bench sat beyond the break up to 1.45 pm to hear submissions from the senior lawyers appearing from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and ex-CM Thackeray.

Heard counel from parties. Arguments addressed on the question of Nabam Rebia being referred to a larger bench. Orders reserved,” the CJI said on behalf of the Bench comprising Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha.

Nabam Rebia case of Arunachal Pradesh

In 2016, a five-judge constitution bench, while deciding the Nabam Rebia case of Arunachal Pradesh, had held that the assembly speaker cannot proceed with a plea for disqualification of MLAs if a prior notice seeking removal of the speaker is pending decision in the House.

The judgement had come to the rescue of the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde, now the chief minister of Maharashtra. The Thackeray faction had sought their disqualification noting that a prior notice seeking removal of the Deputy Speaker was pending in the House.

In the instant case, the Shinde group had sought removal of deputy speaker Narhari Zirwar, having an allegiance to Thackeray group, ahd asserted that he cannot disqualify anybody when a notice for his removal is pending.

‘Manipulation in legislature’

Sibal pleaded with the court not to allow toppling of the elected governments the way Shinde group did as it is a fundamental principle of democracy. He said what was done in Maharashtra was manipulation in the legislature, stressing that “it will happen and it has already happened.”

He said even if a thumping majority of say 40 out of 50 revolt, they can be disqualified by the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. Only the merger of the defectors with another party can save them from disqualification.

He and Singhvi ridiculed the Shinde group quoting the Nabam Rebia ruling in their notice against then deputy speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, but their senior lawyers Harish Salve, N K Kaul and Mahesh Jethmalani now oppose a larger bench to vet the Rebia ruling. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra governor, also opposed reference to a 7-judge bench as it will delay the finality.


How Shinde became Maharashtra CM

They argued that Thackeray was asked by the Governor to prove his majority on June 30, but he resigned a day earlier and that led to Shinde becoming the Chief Minister. Sibal said the Shinde group rushed a notice to then deputy speaker to paralyse him.

He ridiculed the lawyers of Shinde group claiming that the issue is only academic, but the fact is that it has elected a new Speaker who cannot be removed now by the Thackeray group.

Sibal also indirectly hinted how then Justice Arun Mishra heard the defection case of Rajasthan against the Congress government almost on daily basis while putting off the Goa case for two years since the Congress MLAs had merged into the BJP to help it form the government.

Maharashtra

22.23 Kg Ganja Worth ₹4.43 Lakh Seized In Trombay; Two Arrested In Major Drug Bust

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Mumbai: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Trombay Police arrested two individuals and seized over 22 kilograms of ganja worth Rs 4.43 lakh. The operation targeted a drug supply chain spanning from Odisha to Mumbai. The Mumbai Police shared the information via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

According to police officials, one of the arrested accused is a supplier from Odisha. At the same time, the second individual was responsible for transporting the narcotics and distributing them. The duo was nabbed following a well-coordinated surveillance operation led by the Trombay Police Station team.

During the bust, police seized 22.23 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 4,43,000. The arrests were made by the Trombay police, and the Mumbai Police shared details on their official X handle, including images of the accused. The individuals arrested have been charged under the relevant sections of the law.

In another significant operation named ‘Operation Prahar’ in Navi Mumbai. The police arrested seven drug peddlers and seized ganja valued at Rs 40 lakh during simultaneous raids at 48 locations throughout the city.

Sr Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade, from Anti Narcotics Unit (ANU), mentioned, “The coordinated action, carried out in the early hours of May 23, led to the seizure of approximately 20.7 kg of ganja and cash from the residences of the accused. Some peddlers had even buried the contraband in hidden pits inside their homes, which were discovered by the raiding teams.”

The operation was initiated following directives from Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Joint CP Sanjay Yenpure, and Additional CP (Crime) Deepak Sakore, as part of the ongoing effort to create a drug-free Navi Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra ATS action: Pakistani spy arrested

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has claimed to have arrested a person who was in contact with a PIO for spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Investigation has revealed that the suspect was in contact with the PIO on Facebook since November 2024. Between November 2024 and March 2025, he sent pictures of restricted and important establishments of the Government of India through WhatsApp. In this case, the ATS has also identified two of his contacts with whom he was in contact. In this case, the ATS has registered a case against three people. The suspect was in contact with two Pakistani people. What kind of intelligence information of India did he give and pictures of which places did he send? This is also being investigated. A case has been registered against the accused for giving intelligence information and taking pictures of places of the Government of India and spying and the Pakistani spy has been arrested. Earlier, the ATS had arrested a PIO spy. In this case too, the ATS has registered a case for giving sensitive information. A case was registered and now the ATS has arrested a person in the PIO case.

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Maharashtra

Goats continue to arrive in Deonar Mandi on Eid-ul-Adha, BMC and Deonar administration claim to have completed all preparations, online permits for sacrifice

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Mumbai: Goats have started arriving at the Deonar slaughterhouse for Eid-ul-Adha. Due to heavy rains, the crowd in the market is less. The Deonar administration has claimed to have completed all the preparations for Eid-ul-Adha. A fee of Rs 195 is being charged from traders per goat, but there is no fee for buyers. Deonar slaughterhouse general manager Kaleem Pasha Pathan said that complete arrangements have been made for the sacrifice in Deonar, along with all the arrangements including the goat shed.

Deonar slaughterhouse is under 24-hour CCTV surveillance. Along with goats, there is a buffalo market here and the purchase of buffaloes has also increased. Last year, due to the increase in goat prices, the purchase of buffaloes was also high, so this year too, the buffalo and goat market has been decorated. He said that all kinds of facilities are available in the market, including medical examination of goats and animals, along with other necessary arrangements including stalls have been made for buyers. Eid-ul-Adha buffaloes are sacrificed in Dewiyar from June 7 to June 9 and the sacrificers are informed about the schedule after booking tokens and slots, along with which online permits for sacrifice are also provided at housing societies and other places. Kaleem Pathan said that fencing and sheds have been arranged for the protection of sacrificial animals, along with roads have also been prepared so that buyers do not face any kind of trouble during the rains.

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