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Mandaviya reviews preparedness of states against Covid

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 In view of recent Covid surge across many countries, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday virtually reviewed the public health preparedness for management of Covid-19 and Covid-19 vaccination progress with States Health Ministers.

Health Minister referred to the message of Prime Minister from the high level review meeting held yesterday and advised States to be on the alert and keep all preparedness for Covid-19 management.

“Centre and States need to work in tandem and in a collaborative spirit as was done during the previous surges for Covid-19 prevention and management,” Mandaviya told the state health ministers.

Union Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar and Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog were also present in the virtual meeting.

Mandaviya urged the states to strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country.

Focus is to be given to health facility-based sentinel surveillance; pan-respiratory virus surveillance; community-based surveillance; and sewage/ wastewater surveillance.

Mandaviya said that irrespective of the new Covid variants, ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy for Covid management.

This would facilitate undertaking of appropriate public health measures, he said.

States/UTs were also requested to expeditiously increase the rate of testing from the current rate of 79 tests per million, as on week ending December 22. They were further advised to increase the share of RT-PCR in tests.

The Health Minister advised the states/UTs to ramp up vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the elderly and vulnerable population group.

He cautioned against spreading of misinformation by ensuring dissemination of factually correct information in a timely manner.

In view of the upcoming festive season, he stressed on the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

Mandaviya requested the state health ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all infrastructure and ensure there is adequate stock of essential medicines.

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy; Manik Saha, Chief Minister and Health Minister, Tripura; Manoj Sinha, Lt. Governor, Jammu & Kashmir; Parsadi Lal Meena, Health Minister (Rajasthan); Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Minister (Uttarakhand); Keshab Mahanta, Health Minister (Assam); K Sudhakar, Health Minister (Karnataka); Banna Gupta, Health Minister (Jharkhand); Prabhuram Choudhury, Health Minister (Madhya Pradesh); S Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Health Minister (Punjab); TS Singh Deo, Health Minister (Chhattisgarh); Sapam Ranjan Singh, Health Minister (Manipur); Anil Vij, Health Minister (Haryana); Thiru Ma Subramanian, Health Minister (Tamil Nadu); Vidadala Rajini, Health Minister (Andhra Pradesh); Veena George, Health Minister (Kerala); Chandrima Bhattacharya, Health Minister (West Bengal) and Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister (Delhi) joined the high-level review meeting here on Friday.

Maharashtra

Case filed against 4 people including Congress leader Vartak for cheating by posing as CBI officer

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Mumbai: The Kasturba Marg police on Friday registered an FIR against four people, including Maharashtra Congress’s environment cell state president Sameer Vartak, who are accused of allegedly forcibly entering the Borivali residence of builder Anil Gupta on September 2, 2024 by posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers and advising a ‘raid’.

The CBI has registered a case against four people, including a Congress worker, for conducting raids at the builder’s house. After the case was registered, the Congress has sacked Sameer Vartak from his post. Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal has resigned. The CBI has registered a case against four people, including a Congress worker, for conducting raids at the builder’s house. Vartak, who heads the environment cell of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, is accused of raiding the builder’s house along with three unidentified people posing as CBI officers after receiving a complaint and trying to extort money from him.

Gupta, 51, who owns a Vasai-based construction firm and is active in the Vasai-Virar area, lives in Kushal Heritage Building in Borivali East. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had searched his premises in connection with a land grabbing case related to the construction of 41 unauthorised buildings in Aggarwal Nagar, Vasai East. In his police complaint, Gupta said that on September 2, 2024, two men went to his house and claimed to be CBI officers, saying they were investigating a complaint filed against him by Vartak. They asked him to come down for questioning. When Gupta refused and asked for a copy of the complaint, the men called Vartak, who was allegedly waiting outside the building. Soon after, Vartak and another man who claimed to be a CBI officer arrived there. Gupta alleged that the group of four men threatened to arrest him and demanded a financial “settlement” to settle the case.

Gupta refused, saying he would cooperate with any legal investigation. The men then left, warning him that he would be summoned to the CBI office. Gupta approached the CBI headquarters in Delhi to confirm the claim and was told that no such complaint had been filed by Vartak. On November 19, the CBI wrote a letter to the Maharashtra Director General of Police, requesting him to take action against those involved. Gupta then approached the Kasturba Marg police with a formal complaint and CCTV footage from his residence to identify the accused. The police have registered a case under sections 3(5) (common intention), 204 (cheating by impersonating a public servant), 205 (forgery of official symbols) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Naya Sangh (BNS).

Senior police inspector Jiraj Ranavare said, “We conducted a preliminary inquiry and confirmed that these people were not CBI officials. We are confirming the identity of the three people who were with Vartak.” Vartak has denied the allegations. I was called to the spot by some people who introduced themselves as CBI officers. I had filed a complaint against Gupta and was just cooperating. It seems this is part of political vendetta, I am ready to face any investigation.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Shocker: Cancer-Stricken Elderly Woman Dumped in Aarey Garbage Heap, Hospitals Initially Deny Care

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Mumbai– In a distressing incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a frail elderly woman suffering from advanced skin cancer was discovered dumped in a garbage heap in Aarey Colony early on Saturday morning. The victim, later identified as Yashoda Gaikwad (approximately 60–70 years old), alleged that her own grandson had callously abandoned her among rotting waste.

A tip-off to the police control room led officers to Unit No. 32 road in Aarey Colony at around 8:30 am, where they found her lying helplessly in a pink nightdress and grey petticoat, her face marred by a festering ulcer typical of late-stage skin cancer.

Constable Rathod and Woman Police Constable Nikita Kolekar rushed her to *Jogeshwari Trauma Care, but she was turned away due to lack of resources. A subsequent attempt at *Cooper Hospital also failed, with hospital authorities advising police to find a better-equipped centre. It was only eight hours later, at around 5:30 pm, that Cooper Hospital finally admitted her after Senior Inspector Ravindra Patil intervened.

Medical Diagnosis & Current Condition

Dr. Sudhir Medhekar, Dean of Cooper Hospital, stated Ms. Gaikwad has an “ulceroproliferative growth” on her nose and cheek. Her vital signs—blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, and blood sugar—are now stable. The provisional diagnosis is basal cell carcinoma.

Upon regaining consciousness, Ms. Gaikwad reportedly told authorities: “My grandson left me here.” She also provided two addresses—one in *Malad, the other in *Kandivali. Mumbai police have circulated her photo to all stations and are reviewing CCTV from nearby lanes, though the garbage site itself lacks surveillance footage links.
Senior Inspector Patil appealed to the public:

This case has triggered widespread condemnation, highlighting not only familial neglect but also deficiencies in hospital response systems. An Aarey police officer remarked:

  • The police are actively tracing Ms. Gaikwad’s grandson and other relatives.
  • More CCTV reviews are ongoing in hopes of tracking her movement to Aarey.
  • Legal action, including charges of abandonment and potential elder abuse, is under consideration.

This deeply unsettling incident serves as a wake-up call—with calls for systemic reform regarding eldercare, hospital triage protocols, and social responsibility. Our heartfelt wishes go out to Ms. Gaikwad, and we hope justice is served swiftly.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Horror: 10-Year-Old Girl Sexually Assaulted and Video Recorded; Mother’s Boyfriend and Girlfriend Arrested Under POCSO

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Mumbai, June 23, 2025 — In a shocking and tragic incident, a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted with a screwdriver, and the horrific crime was recorded on video, police sources revealed. The suspects, believed to be the girl’s mother’s boyfriend and his girlfriend, have been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The incident came to light after the child’s family reported the abuse, prompting an investigation by Mumbai police. Authorities launched a raid and apprehended the accused, who are now in custody. The police have also recovered the video evidence, which has been handed over to forensic experts for forensic analysis.

According to police officials, the girl was subjected to sexual assault at a residential property in the city. The accused reportedly drugged and assaulted her, recording the act maliciously. The child’s family expressed their shock and distress over the incident, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.

The police have registered a case under multiple sections of the POCSO Act, including those related to sexual assault and recording videos of minors without consent. Further investigations are ongoing, and authorities have assured strict action against the accused.

This distressing case highlights the urgent need for awareness, vigilance, and protective measures for children in Mumbai and across India. Child rights organizations have called for enhanced safety protocols and emphasized the importance of reporting abuse immediately.

Mumbai police have urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity involving minors to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Mumbai Press remains committed to reporting on this case as it develops and advocating for the safety and rights of children everywhere.

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