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Wednesday,12-August-2026
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Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Row Erupts As BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani Presides Over Mumbai Mayoral Election

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Mumbai: The mayoral election process was conducted by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in the BMC’s historic Committee Hall in his capacity as the state-appointed presiding officer. A confrontation quickly erupted over the appointment of BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani as the presiding officer.

Raising a point of order, Shiv Sena (UBT) group leader Kishori Pednekar objected to the commissioner presiding over the election. “We have many senior corporators, including Shraddha Jadhav, who has been elected for the seventh time. While all corporators will work for the city’s development, the commissioner should not have been placed on the dais as presiding officer, as per the rules,” she argued.

Gagrani responded by citing a recent state government resolution, which authorises commissioners to preside over the election of the mayor and deputy mayor at a special meeting of newly elected corporators. With the ruling clarifying the procedure, the Opposition’s challenge was effectively closed. Shiv Sena (UBT) chose not to field a candidate, following which Gagrani formally declared Tawde elected unopposed.

In a similar uncontested outcome, Ghadi was appointed deputy mayor. The House, however, remained restive. Congress corporators staged a protest over the city’s deteriorating air quality, entering the chamber wearing masks. Amid the din, Tawde proceeded with her maiden mayoral address, underscoring her intent to focus on civic issues despite the disruptions.

Tensions flared again when deputy mayor Ghadi rose to speak. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators tore up his prepared speech, raised slogans of “50 khoke ekdam okay,” and staged a walkout. Ghadi, once a member of the undivided Shiv Sena, had joined the Eknath Shinde-led faction after the party split, a move that continues to rankle the UBT camp and added to the day’s acrimony.

For the BJP, the moment carried historical resonance. Its first and only mayor before Tawde, Prabhakar Pai, held office in 1982–83. Four decades later, Tawde’s unopposed election marks not just a personal milestone but a watershed in Mumbai’s civic politics, with the BJP firmly staking its claim over the city’s most powerful municipal institution.

Maharashtra

37 unauthorized shops removed from footpaths in Vakola area, action taken by BMC ‘H East’ ward under ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to ensure that pedestrians can walk on the footpaths with ease. As part of this initiative, action was taken to remove 37 unauthorised shops obstructing the footpaths along Rajendra Kamble Marg in Vakola area yesterday (August 11, 2026). The operation was carried out by the ‘H East’ ward of BMC. As per the directions of the High Court and under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. BMC is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to clear the footpaths of unauthorised hawkers and encroachments, thus making them free from obstructions. In this backdrop, the footpaths along Rajendra Kamble Marg in Vakola were cleared during an operation led by Assistant Commissioner (H East Ward) Smt. Mr. Mridula Ande, Deputy Commissioner (Zone-3) under the guidance of Shri Vishwas Mote. During this drive, 37 unauthorized shops erected on footpaths were removed, and materials obstructing the walkways were seized.

The operation was carried out with the support of about 31 officers and staff members using 4 vehicles, 2 dumpers, 1 JCB and other machinery. Adequate police security was deployed during the drive.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation continues to implement measures to ensure the availability of accessible footpaths for pedestrians. Therefore, unauthorized constructions or placement of materials obstructing footpaths are prohibited. The Municipal Corporation administration has said that strict action will be taken if such incidents are found.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Maharashtra ATS takes action against MD vendors, MD worth Rs 9 crore seized, factory exposed, two foreign women and one person arrested

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has claimed to have seized MD worth Rs 9.4 crore during an operation in Bandra, Mumbai. A suspect was found in front of a tipper at Amber Hotel Bandra. When he was searched, 2050 grams of MD Mephedone was recovered from his possession, after which the Kala Chowki ATS has registered a case and started investigating him. The ATS has also arrested two foreign women suspected of this. During the progress of this operation, 2688 grams of Mephedone was seized from Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and two women were also arrested in this case. In this case, with the help of UP Police, the factory from which MD was purchased was also cracked down on and MD worth Rs 5 crore was seized. The police is taking further action in this case.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Gang involved in producing fake certificates and official documents exposed, documents and other items seized, 4 arrested, one accused absconding

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In the case of preparing fake documents under the guise of Aadhaar card centers in Mumbai, the police have arrested a total of 4 accused while conducting operations at two Aadhaar card centers. The police have also claimed to have seized fake documents and other items from both the Aadhaar centers. Mumbai Mumbai Police has claimed to have exposed a group that was preparing fake and bogus ration cards, PAN cards, school certificates, birth certificates and other government documents. Dahisar police received information that there is a group in Dahisar area that is preparing fake government documents under the name US Enterprise. After that, the police created a dummy customer and sent them to this group for the purpose of preparing documents. It prepared a fake birth certificate for the customer, after which the police have registered a case against this group, which includes cheating, preparing fake government documents and other provisions. The police seized 32 fake birth certificates, a certificate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel School, which was a simple certificate, along with seals and plain paper, seals from Paniyar College and other documents, two thumb fingerprint seals, Aadhaar card update machine scanner, fingerprint machine, web camera from the office. Along with this, the accused Suraj Kumar Ramchand Yadjo, a resident of Kandivali, and Upendra Kaptan Singh, 31, Bhayander, have been arrested, while Umesh Rajesh Yadav alias Sameer is still absconding in this case, whose search is on. This operation has been carried out by DCP Gajanan Raj Mane. Similarly, Dahisar police have taken action against a group that was preparing government documents including fake Aadhaar cards. In further development, the police have raided the Shivam Enterprise Aadhaar card center in Kandivali and seized 14 birth certificates, 7 fake residential documents, 26 SBI medical policies, fake citizenship certificates, along with CPU, printer, Aadhaar machine scanner from Shivam Enterprise Kandivali. In this case, the police have arrested Satyam Lalan Mishra, a resident of Kandivali, and Akash Bhagwan Patwa, 24, of Wadala. The police have arrested a total of four accused while conducting operations at two Aadhaar card centers.

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