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Maharashtra

Modi documentary row: This is what US said on IT raids at BBC offices in Delhi, Mumbai

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The United States of America made statement on the Income Tax department’s raids at the British Broadcasting Company’s offices in Mumbai and Delhi.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told media that the US is aware of the survey operation conducted by I-T officials at the BBC offices but cannot offer a judgement.

“We are aware of the search of the BBC offices in Delhi by Indian tax authorities. I would need to refer you to Indian authorities for the details of this search. Beyond this discrete action, what I’ll say more broadly is the general point that I’ve consistently made in this context, but in a universal context as well,” Price told reporters.

During his interaction with media, he further said free press is crucial for democracies and their strengthening. “We support the importance of a free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world. It has strengthened this democracy here in this country. It has strengthened India’s democracy,” Price asserted.

Price, addressing a question on whether India’s IT department action went against the spirit of democracy, said that they were “not in a position to offer a judgement,” even though they are aware of the “facts of these searches”.


I-T sleuths searches BBC’s offices

The IT sleuths, on February 14, searched the UK-based broadcaster’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai. The Income Tax officials said the operation was part of a tax evasion investigation.

Action after BBC’s documentary on 2002 riots

The action came weeks after the broadcaster’s two-part documentary on 2002 Gujarat riots and India was first aired. The External Affairs Ministry had accused BBC of engaging in ‘anti-India’ propaganda.

Maharashtra

Winter rains expected in the state, alert issued in three districts

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Mumbai: The weather in the state is constantly changing. Now after the severe cold, the Indian Meteorological Department has given a major warning of direct rain. The state is currently facing favorable weather for rain.

The state has been experiencing cold and temperature in the last few days. The mercury is continuously falling. Pune is experiencing severe cold, Punekar is facing pink cold due to the drop in temperature. Not only Pune, many parts of the state are experiencing severe cold and cold winds are blowing from the north. North India is experiencing severe cold and the mercury is likely to fall further in the next few days. However, the cold has decreased slightly since yesterday. The mercury is falling in the districts of Mumbai, Nagpur, Akola, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Beed, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Ahlia Nagar, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ayutthaya. The mercury in Dhule fell to 7.5 Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department has now issued a big warning.

Although the cold is being felt at the moment, the cold has decreased in some areas compared to the last two or three days. Not only this, the weather is also cloudy. Currently, the environment is favorable for rain in the state. The Indian Meteorological Department has also issued a rain warning in some districts. Rain warnings have been issued in Kolhapur, Sangli and Sindhudurg districts.

The mercury is below 10 degrees in some places. On Friday, the lowest temperature in the state was recorded in Dhule. The temperature was recorded in Dhule at 7.5 degrees. The temperature was recorded in Parbhani at 8.9. The temperature was recorded in Nafad at 8 degrees Celsius. The mercury dropped to 11 degrees in Pune, Ahlia Nagar and Mahabaleshwar. Today, the weather is favorable for rain in some cities of the state. There will be light to moderate rain in Kolhapur, Sangli and Sindhudurg.

The mercury has dropped below 10 degrees in Pune. Due to which there is a heavy fog in the air. To avoid the cold, Ganpati Bappa is traditionally dressed in a woolen sweater and ear caps at Saras Bagh in Pune. This sweater is given to Ganpati Bappa with the pleasant feeling that Ganpati Bappa is also feeling the cold. Every winter, whenever the cold increases, Ganpati Bappa is given a sweater.

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Maharashtra

Disturbance at Kalyan Ideal College over offering Bajrang Dal prayers, students pressured to apologize with Jai Shri Ram slogan, tension remains under control

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Mumbai: Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal were in a frenzy over prayers at Ideal College in Kalyan, adjoining Mumbai. Its mischief increased so much that it forced the students to apologize. This extremist group intimidated the students and forced them to apologize in front of the statue of Shivaji Maharaj and the southern extremist was seen raising the slogan of Jai Shri Ram with hooliganism. This video is viral on social media, but so far the police has not taken any concrete action on this issue. Controversy arose over offering prayers at Ideal College in Kalyan area. The students apologized, while the college administration has promised action.

According to initial details, the controversy escalated after a video of some students of the pharmacy department of Ideal College offering prayers on the college campus went viral on social media. As soon as the news of this was received, workers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal reached the college and lodged a protest with the administration. Meanwhile, the local police also reached the college after the commotion and reviewed the situation but no case has been registered in this matter.

According to the college administration, some students were offering prayers in an empty classroom for a few minutes. Someone shared the incident on social media. After the video went viral, some organizations protested and demanded action against the students involved.

The police reached the college and brought the situation under control. However, the college administration requested the police that since the matter is related to the academic campus, it should be resolved at the college level. Respecting the administration’s request, the police handled the situation peacefully.

The college administration then summoned the concerned students. The students admitted that they had offered prayers but they had no intention of inciting any controversy or inflaming religious sentiments. To avoid any misunderstanding, the students apologized to the administration and the staff present there.
The college administration said that discipline and rules are essential in educational institutions. Such religious activities are not in accordance with the rules of the institution and strict vigil will be maintained to ensure that no student repeats such incidents in future. He also assured that necessary action will be taken against the students involved.

The college campus is under complete control after the incident and the police have withdrawn from the spot after a short period of surveillance.

Currently, the police administration has handled the matter peacefully, while the college has also taken cognizance of the matter internally. However, no statement has been issued by anyone yet.

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Maharashtra

Charkop Firing Case: Four More Arrested In Attempt On Real Estate Agent Freddy D’Lima; Total Accused Now Five

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Mumbai: In the Charkop firing case where 42-year-old real estate agent and social worker Freddy D’Lima was targeted, the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested four more accused on Friday.

The arrested men have been identified as Rajesh Chauhan (42), resident of Kandivali; Subhash Mohite (44), resident of Virar; Mangesh Choudhary (40), resident of Pune; and Krishna Singh (25), resident of Thane.

The arrests were made by Unit 11, under the leadership of Unit 6’s PI Bharat Ghone, following the directive of DCP Vishal Thakur. All four were traced and detained from Kolhapur before being brought to Mumbai for interrogation.

With these arrests, the total number of accused in the case has reached five. On Thursday, Charkop Police had arrested 35-year-old Munna Sheikh, alias Guddu, a bar and restaurant manager, for his alleged involvement in planning the attack.

During investigation, police found that Guddu had a financial dispute with D’Lima. Officers suspect that Guddu may have hired shooters to eliminate D’Lima.

An officer revealed that both Guddu and D’Lima live in the same housing society but were involved in redevelopment deals with different builders. The project was reportedly valued at around ₹4 crore, which may have caused prolonged tension between the two.

It is suspected that this dispute may have driven Guddu to plan the firing attack, although police have not officially confirmed this motive. Guddu has been remanded to police custody till November 27. The Charkop Police continue to probe the case.

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