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Maharashtra

Malik becomes first serving Maha minister to be held for money laundering, sent to 8-day ED custody

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A special PMLA court in Mumbai on Wednesday remanded Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik to eight-day ED custody till March 3, nearly 15 hours after his pre-dawn dramatic detention, interrogation and arrest in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of a tainted land deal.

Malik was produced by the Enforement Directorate (ED) before the special court eight hours after his detention and arrest on Wednesday evening, following which a furious legal battle ensued for his 14-day remand with the defence team opposing the same.

The development gave a massive jolt to the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government as Malik became the first sitting Cabinet minister to be arrested, sending tremors in the political circles.

After a series of meetings with top leaders of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, it was decided that irrespective of the court orders, Malik would not be compelled to resign as the Minority Affairs Minister.

On Wednesday afternoon, ED Assistant Director Niraj Kumar said in his arrest order that the agency had “reason to believe” that Malik “has been found guilty of an offence punishable under the provisions of PMLA,” and accordingly placed him under arrest at 2.45 pm.

Shortly after the formal arrest, Malik was whisked away by an ED team to a government hospital for a medical check-up from where he was taken to the designated special PMLA court.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh represented the ED while senior counsel Amit Desai appeared on Malik’s behalf, as the minister’s colleagues, political activists and relatives reached the court.

While he was escorted out of the ED office by the CISF, police and ED staff, a grinning Malik in a white kurta-pyjama was seen raising a fist in the air, and declaring: “Jhookenge Nahin, Ladenge Aur Jeetenge” (Will not succumb, will fight and win) to his supporters as he was made to sit in a vehicle.

The fast-paced developments started with an ED team along with a CISF team knocking at Malik’s home at around 4.30 am and taking him away a couple of hours later for questioning in the 17-year-old Kurla land deal case having a mafia taint, with an alleged money-laundering angle emerging from it.

The ED had deployed teams of the CISF and Mumbai Police for the operation even as a large number of NCP workers staged a noisy protest outside the agency’s office since morning to protest against the detention of Malik.

Malik, 62, became the first sitting minister and the second senior NCP leader in the MVA government to be arrested by the ED. Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was arrested by the ED on November 2, 2021 in alleged corruption and money-laundering cases.

Malik’s arrest triggered hectic political activity with NCP President Sharad Pawar rushing to meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal Balasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan and others in an urgent meeting held on Wednesday evening.

The MVA partners and top leaders like Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Majeed Memon, Chhagan Bhujbal, Vidya Chavan, Sanjay Raut, Kishore Tiwari, Nana Patole, Chavan, Naseem Khan, and others slammed the ED for the action against Malik, saying they would not be “cowed down” by the vendetta politics and targetting of opponents, and “silencing” them by letting loose central probe agencies on them.

Simultaneously, the opposition BJP sharpened its swords and intensified efforts to bring down the MVA government before its declared deadline of March 10.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis termed the matter as “extremely serious” since the land worth crores of rupees was allegedly grabbed at a throwaway price with persons linked to absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, colluding with enemies of the country, and the proceeds were laundered for terror funding and anti-national activities.

BJP state President Chandrakant Patil demanded that since Malik has been arrested, he should quit, as also all other ministers facing various allegations should resign from the Cabinet immediately, failing which the BJP would launch an agitation on the streets.

The MVA leaders announced a sit-in at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near Mantralaya at Nariman Point on Thursday morning, besides announcing statewide protests against Malik’s arrests, highlighting how the central probe agencies are being misused to topple the Maharashtra government and other states ruled by the Opposition parties.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Water Supply Disrupted in Several Areas After Major Pipeline Leak on Dr. E. Moses Road

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Mumbai, May 7, 2026: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reported a major leak in a 1650 mm diameter main water pipeline located on Dr. E. Moses Road, near Famous Studio. The leakage was detected late on Wednesday night (May 6), prompting immediate repair work on a war footing by the Water Works (Maintenance/City) Department.

Due to the scale and complexity of the repair operation, water supply has been completely shut down in parts of D, E, and G/South wards on Thursday, May 7, 2026. In some areas, water supply will be available at reduced pressure.

According to the civic body, the affected areas include:

D Ward:
Lamington Road, M.S. Ali Road, J. Boman Behram Marg, R.S. Nimkar Marg, Shuklaji Street, Grant Road (East), Balram Street, Dr. D.B. Marg, Pathhe Bapurao Marg, and the entire Mumbai Central area will face a complete water shutdown.

Thakurdwar, M.K. Road, R.R. Road, J.S.S. Road, and Khadilkar Road will receive water at low pressure.

Girgaum Road, Hughes Road, Babulnath Road, and Chowpatty Road will also experience low-pressure supply.

M.P. Mills Compound, B.B. Nakashe Marg, Tardeo, Ambedkar Nagar Colony, and Keshavrao Khadye Road (South) will have no water supply.

E Ward:
K.K. Marg, B.J. Marg, Sane Guruji Marg, and Kasturba Hospital area will face a complete shutdown.

Maulana Azad Road, Delisle Road, Dr. Anandrao Nair Road, Meghraj Sethi Marg, Maratha Mandir Road, Mohammad Shaheed Marg, Kamathipura (lanes 1 to 14), Chandramani Buddha Vihar Road, Agripada area, and Dr. Anandrao Nair Hospital will also experience a complete disruption.

G/South Ward:
J.R. Bori Cha Marg, Sane Guruji Marg, and Dhobighat areas will have no water supply.

The BMC has appealed to residents in the affected areas to use water judiciously and cooperate with the administration during this period.

Civic officials stated that efforts are underway to complete the repairs at the earliest and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.

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Maharashtra

To avoid heat, oral rehydration powder and drinking water should be provided at posts for sanitation workers, the Municipal Commissioner has directed.

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Mumbai: Steps should be taken to protect employees from heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems caused by heat. In addition, in view of the effects of increasing heat, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has instructed that proper arrangements should be made for Oral Rehydration Powder (ORS) and drinking water at posts for sanitation workers working in the field. However, employees of various departments working in the field should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat. In such a situation, Bhide has also appealed to perform their duties by prioritizing health and safety.

In view of the increasing heat in Mumbai, the Municipal Corporation administration is taking various steps for the citizens. Arrangements have been made for the treatment of heatstroke patients in the hospitals of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Also, awareness is being created among the citizens about the steps taken to prevent heatstroke. In this context, Ashwini Bhide has instructed the administration to take various steps for the sanitation workers working in the field.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the employees of the Municipal Corporation are performing their duties even in various adverse conditions. Around 40,000 sanitation workers are working day and night to maintain cleanliness in Mumbai. However, the current rising temperature can cause heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems. In such a situation, proper arrangements should be made for ORS powder and drinking water at all posts of the Solid Waste Management Department for the sanitation workers working in the field. Bhide has also directed that regular monitoring should be kept in this regard.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Fire incidents increase in summer, citizens urged not to burn garbage and other waste in public places during summer

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Mumbai: The rising temperatures in the summer months are likely to lead to an increase in fire incidents due to short circuits, overloading and other reasons like stress on the electrical system in homes, offices and commercial establishments. Therefore, the Mumbai Fire Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has appealed to the people of Mumbai to follow the rules and take precautionary measures. Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi have directed the Mumbai Fire Department to be alert and equipped for fire prevention measures.

The temperature is rising in Mumbai city. The heat is being felt intensely. Fans, air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators and other electrical appliances are being used in large quantities in homes, offices and commercial complexes. Due to which there is a possibility of an increase in fire incidents. Apart from this, factors like hot and dry environment, improper storage of flammable materials, burning of garbage and gas emission can also increase the risk of fire. Keeping this in mind, the Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to the citizens to be vigilant and take necessary precautions. Citizens should regularly check the electrical wires, switchboards and plug points in the house and building and ensure their connections. It is also important to avoid overloading by connecting multiple appliances to a single plug point. Safe and standard electrical connections should be used while using appliances like air conditioners, coolers, etc. Do not burn garbage, dry leaves of trees, vines or other flammable objects in the house or surroundings. LPG gas cylinders and gas pipes should be inspected regularly by the concerned experts. The Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to ensure that the fire extinguishing systems in every building, house and residential/non-residential premises are in good condition. Stairs and emergency exits of buildings and commercial complexes should be kept clean. So that citizens can safely exit in case of any incident. Along with this, their vehicles should be parked in the designated places. In case of an unfortunate incident of fire, sufficient space should be kept free for the free and smooth movement of fire brigade vehicles. In case of any fire, do not panic and immediately contact the Mumbai Fire Department on 101 or 022-23001390, 022-23001393, Chief Fire Officer Shri. Ravindra Ambolgekar has appealed.

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