Mumbai: A sessions court has convicted Guljar alias Chand Shaikh, a resident of Antop Hill, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after he stabbed Imtiaz alias Raju, who was trying to intervene and resolve a scuffle. The victim succumbed to multiple stab injuries.

The court held that since there was no intention to kill, charges of murder cannot be invoked. It observed, “the act of the accused does not fall under section 302 IPC, as the intention to cause death is not established beyond reasonable doubt. However, the accused had the knowledge that their act was likely to cause death.”

Shaikh has been sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, while his siblings Fatima, Sadam, Arif and their mother Sabira have been awarded three years’ rigorous imprisonment each for the same offence.

The case, registered with Ghatkopar police in 2015 by the deceased’s brother Abdul Khan, stemmed from an extramarital affair between Jafar Kadar Ali Sayyad and Fatima. On March 12, 2015, a quarrel erupted; Fatima’s brothers assaulted Jafar, Fatima threw chilli powder, and when Imtiaz tried to pacify the situation, Chand stabbed him. Days earlier, on March 8, 2015, Chand had threatened Jafar and Imtiaz.

Relying on eyewitness testimonies, the court convicted the family but ruled out murder charges.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday paid floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial, Hutatma Smarak, on the occasion of Maharashtra State Martyrs’ Memorial Day.

On this occasion, State Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, State Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and other leaders also paid homage to the martyrs.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that the government had made every possible effort for development over the past three and a half years.

“Today is a day to pay homage to the martyrs….Because of their sacrifice, we are able to see this day. Mumbai became a part of Maharashtra. That is why we are making every effort for the development of Maharashtra. We are improving basic infrastructure and facilities. Over the past three and a half years, we have been making every possible effort for development,” the DyCM said.

Maharashtra State Martyrs Memorial Day is celebrated on November 21 every year, as 106 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the creation of the state are remembered at the Flora Fountain Martyrs’ Memorial (Hutatma Smarak) in Mumbai.

Earlier on November 16, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis laid the foundation stone for the XSIO Industrial and Logistics Park in the Vadgaon area along the Samruddhi Mahamarg.

CM Fadnavis revealed that the state government is working on creating a dedicated access road from the Samruddhi Highway to the port, with the map already approved.

Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said, “Vadhavan Port is among the world’s leading ports. We are creating a dedicated access road from the Samruddhi Highway to the port. Its map has already been approved. Once this port is connected, both logistics parks and industries in the region will benefit greatly. We have formulated a logistics policy for Maharashtra. Those who have land or infrastructure and can set up various types of facilities will now succeed in this new ecosystem.”

Stating that the state government has brought a logistics policy that is adequate for industries and is trying to reduce logistics rates by providing better communication facilities in the industry sector, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that Nagpur city will gain momentum towards becoming the logistics hub of the country through XSIO.

Mumbai: The Vakola police have registered an FIR against the principal of a Santacruz school for allegedly slapping a 15-year-old Class 10 student around 25 times and even punching him once for his “indisciplined behaviour”. The accused, Joshua De Souza, is the principal of St Mary’s High School and Junior College in Kalina, Santacruz East. He even brazenly told the teen’s family to file an offence against him, claiming he was a lawyer and would fight the case, as per the FIR. The police said that they have issued a notice to the principal.

The student, a Kurla West resident, said that the alleged incident took place between 4pm and 9pm on November 13 when the school had organised a Children’s Day party. The teen recounted that at the party, De Souza asked him to sit with a teacher, saying “You behave in an indisciplined manner. Whenever your parents are called, you never come with them, but you have come for the party.”

The student said that the principal then asked him to call his parents, however, his mother could not come as she could not get an auto, said the FIR, adding that his father runs a garment shop. The teen claimed that an enraged De Souza told his mother that she could have simply walked to the school. He allegedly warned the parents to meet him else the child won’t be allowed to leave.

As per the FIR, De Souza then took the boy to his cabin and yelled, “What do you think of yourself?”. Out of nowhere, he launched a slapping spree and assaulted the victim 20 to 25 times on cheeks and neck and also punched him once in the stomach, alleged the FIR. Subsequently, the accused called his father, saying they could file a case against him. The victim claimed that De Souza then told him to leave, else he would thrash him again.

He later narrated his ordeal to his mother and his cousin, who took him to Bhabha Hospital, and met De Souza on November 17. He apparently conceded that he slapped the boy out of anger, assured them he would never hit him again and requested them not to file a police complaint. The cousin sought the CCTV footage, which showed De Souza raising his hand, however, the footage did not clearly capture the assault.

The incident has created a stir in the local community. “The principal spent the whole day in the police station,” said a Kalina resident. He later obtained bail. Another local community demanded his sacking, saying the child’s medical report shows injuries.

A case has been filed under sections 75 (cruelty to a child by a person having charge or control) and 82 (corporal punishment in child care institutions) of the Juvenile Justice Act along with relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhit.