Mumbai: Anti-Narcotics Cell has claimed to have arrested a Bihari rickshaw driver-drug smuggler who was running a drug trafficking network in Mumbai. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) received information about a 31-year-old Bihari rickshaw driver that a drug smuggler from Mumbai was going to come here to buy and sell drugs, on the basis of which the ANC Worli unit laid a trap and arrested a suspect from Bandra. When he was searched, 10 kilograms of drugs worth Rs 10 crore were recovered from his possession. The above accused had come here to sell drugs in Mumbai. After his arrest, the ANC has become involved in tracing his associates and drug network. He also has three children and is a resident of Bihar, so the police are investigating every aspect related to his connection to Bihar and Mumbai. This operation has been carried out by ANC DCP Pranima Chogle on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

Pune, Aug 18: Two men were apprehended after police found stolen liquor from a shop in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar on Tuesday, officials said.

Six bottles of foreign liquor, valued at Rs 27,200, were recovered from the accused.

According to the officials, the youths were apprehended by a team from Yerwada police station near the GST office in Kalyani Nagar.

The investigators said that the accused have been identified as Rohan Ram Kamble (28) and Amit Mahadev Sitapure (27).

They also added that a case has been registered against both the accused under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

While patrolling the area on Tuesday, police personnel Sandeep Jaybhay received information that two suspicious-looking youths were standing near the GST office and might be in possession of stolen goods, the officials said.

Acting on this information, the police team arrived at the spot and intercepted the two youths. They failed to provide satisfactory answers during questioning. Upon searching the bag they were carrying, the police found six bottles of foreign liquor, the officials added.

The police took both individuals to the Yerwada police station for questioning, during which, according to the officials, the accused admitted that the liquor bottles had been stolen from the ‘Tonic Outlet’ shop in Kalyani Nagar.

According to the police, the recovered liquor is linked to a theft case registered at the Yerwada police station.

The officials said that Sub-Inspector Kishor Berad is conducting investigations into the matter to ascertain the nexus and see if the accused duo has been involved in similar incidents in the past.

Necessary legal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the case, the investigators said.

Mumbai, Aug 18: In a major consolidation of administrative authority, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been granted legal power to intervene in and override decisions taken by any cabinet minister in Maharashtra, provided it is done in the larger public interest.

The state government officially notified the Maharashtra Government Rules of Business, 2026, which explicitly outline the administrative powers and procedures for the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Secretary and departmental secretaries.

Published by the General Administration Department in the State Gazette under Article 166 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of India, the new framework supersedes all previous rules and procedures to streamline executive decision‑making across the state.

Under the newly notified framework, the Chief Minister holds explicit legal standing to alter, modify or overturn decisions made by any minister if deemed necessary for public welfare. Quasi‑judicial matters remain exempt.

Officials said the Chief Minister is legally required to record detailed reasons in writing for overturning a minister’s decision. The Chief Minister reserves the right to call for official documents, files or records from any department at any time, and respective ministers and departmental secretaries are legally bound to comply. Routine administrative work and primary responsibility of a department will continue to rest with the minister‑in‑charge.

Under Rule 13(5), the Chief Minister holds explicit authority to alter, modify or cancel decisions made by departmental ministers for the public good. Rule 2(c) formally defines a “case” to include digital notes, e‑documents and digital files processed within the state’s e‑Office system.

Rule 17(2) and Rule 39 mandate that no administrative department can issue orders involving financial implications, such as revenue abandonment, land grants, concessions or unbudgeted expenditure, without prior concurrence of the Finance Department. The Chief Secretary serves as the chief of civil services in the state and secretary to the Cabinet.

Under Rule 16(1), the Chief Secretary is mandated to advise the Chief Minister or Ministers if any proposed course of action violates statutory provisions or established policy. Departments are required to consult all affected ministries before making decisions. Any potential dispute or controversy involving the Government of India or other state governments must be reported to the Chief Minister and the Governor immediately.

The notification allows the state government to constitute Empowered Committees headed by the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary to decide on designated subjects. The newly issued rules came into force immediately upon their publication in the official gazette on August 14, 2026.

Officials said the notification has raised eyebrows across political corridors regarding how this move will impact coalition dynamics within the ruling Mahayuti government. Portfolios in the state cabinet are shared among key coalition partners, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Sunetra Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Analysts suggest that if CM Fadnavis exercises this authority to reverse decisions taken by ministers from allied parties, it could potentially trigger internal political friction or debates within the alliance.