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Maharashtra

Mumbai High Court Raps Govt, Police For Demolition, Violence Inside Vishalgadh Fort

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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court rapped the Maharashtra government and the police on Friday for demolition of alleged “illegal encroachments” around the Vishalgadh Fort in Kolhapur and the alleged violence on July 14.  The high court directed the senior inspector of the Shahuwadi Police station to remain present before it on July 29 to inform about the action taken by the police against those involved in the violence. 

The judges also warned that it would “come down heavily on authorities” if any residential or commercial structure was demolished in the Vishalgadh area from Friday. State advocate PP Kakade, on instructions from an officer, assured the bench that, as per the State government’s circular, no residential premises in the Vishalgad Fort area shall be demolished during the rainy season, whether they are petitioners or otherwise.

Asking for the police officer in-charge of the local police station, the bench asked Kakade to ask the officer to remain present on the next date of hearing. “Who is in charge of the law and order situation in Vishalgad? We would like the senior inspector of the said police station to come before us,” a bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla said. 

The court also said it was recording Kakade’s assurance that no further demolition would take place in monsoon. “We record your statement that you will not demolish till September, and if the same is breached, we will not hesitate to send the officer behind bars. We make it clear that if we find any structure demolished from today, commercial or household, we will come down heavily on your officers/ authorities,” the judges added. 

The HC was hearing a petition by some of the residents of Shahuwadi Taluka in Kolhapur urging the court to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a former high court judge, to probe into the alleged violence by right-wing activists. Advocate for the petitioners Satish Talekar, showed a video to the court of the alleged violence  and the law and order situation at the Fort premises. 

Questions over law and order

“Where is the law and order? These are not your (state police) officers, right? So who are these men? Are you not responsible for maintaining law and order in the State? We want to know if any FIR is lodged in this matter,” the judges asked. The court then directed the senior police inspector to remain present in the court on July 29 and inform regarding the action taken against the persons in the video. 

Talekar has sought an urgent hearing alleging that “the right-wing activist led by Maratha Royal and former member of Rajya Sabha, Sambhaji Raje Chatrapati gathered at the base of Vishalgad Fort knowing fully well that prohibitory orders were issued by the Tehsildar, Shahuwadi”. They claimed the district administration had deployed police at the base of Fort to prevent ‘right-wing’ activists from going to Vishalgad so that Muslim residents and their properties would be protected.

Prohibitory orders violated?

Despite prohibitory orders proclaimed by the tehsildar of Shahuwadi, the police allowed at least 100 protesters to climb the fort leading to “an atmosphere of chaos and lawlessness prevailed in the village for almost two hours”, the plea alleged. The petitioners also sought to amend their earlier petition, filed in 2023, against the notices issued by the State Archaeology Department directing seven people to demolish their structures within the Vishalgad Fort area. They contended that the 300 acre Vishalgad Fort precinct was declared a protected monument only in 1999 while petitioners have been residing there since decades

They had sought stay on the demolition of the houses, shops or any other structures, including the Hazrat Peer Malik Rehan Dargah at Vishalgad. The HC, in February 2023, stayed the notices and directed no coercive or demolition action against the said petitioners. 

Crime

Thane Crime Branch Seizes ₹1.69 Crore Worth MD Powder; Man Arrested While En Route To Mumbra

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The Thane Crime Branch Unit One has arrested a man for allegedly possessing over 1 kilogram of MD powder, valued at ₹1.69 crore, which he intended to sell in Mumbra. The accused has been identified as Mohanlal Joshi alias Sharma, a resident of Kudus village in Wada, Palghar.

According to officials, acting on a tip-off received on July 18, a team was deployed near the Mumbra bypass flyover bridge, where the suspect was expected to arrive. The man was intercepted in his car en route to Mumbra. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered and seized 1.209 kilograms of MD powder, with an estimated value of ₹1,69,26,000.

He was taken to the police station, and a case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

An investigating officer from Thane Crime Branch Unit One said they are currently probing the source of the contraband and its intended recipients. Efforts are also underway to determine how many others may be involved in the case. Further investigation is ongoing.

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Maharashtra

Air India Flight From Kochi Veers Off Runway While Landing At Mumbai Airport Amid Heavy Rains

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Mumbai: A major tragedy averted on Monday as Air India flight, AI2744, from Kochi veered off runway at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport amid heavy rains in the city. All passengers are reported to be safe.

As per Air India’s spokesperson, the flight experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft was taxied safely to the gate. All passengers and crew members deboarded the flight. The aircraft has been grounded for checks.

The hard landing reportedly caused damaged to the primary runway. Repair works are currently underway. Three tyres burst during the landing and the engine of the aircraft likely to have been damaged, Emergency teams were deployed to control the situation.

Visuals Of The Damaged Plane:

“An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion,” a spokesperson for CSMIA said, as quoted by the media house.

“All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages reported to the airport’s primary runway – 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 has been activated. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” the CSMIA spokesperson added.

Mumbai Rains:

Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, leading to traffic disruption, especially in western and central suburbs. Local train services were also affected due to heavy showers. Local trains on the harbour line were reportedly running 20-25 minutes late.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more rains in the city during the week as the monsoon activity intensified. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall and overcast skies are expected, along with occasional thunderstorms. The overall temperature will remain mild, although humidity levels may remain steady.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai HC Acquits All Convicted in 2006 Train Blasts Case; Death Sentences Overturned

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Mumbai | July 21, 2025 — In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai local train serial bomb blasts case, reversing the 2015 judgment of the MCOCA special court which had handed out death and life sentences.

The case (G.R. No. 05/2006, MCOCA Special Case No. 21/2006) pertains to the horrific series of bomb blasts that rocked the Western Railway suburban trains in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, killing over 180 people and injuring more than 800.

On September 30, 2015, the special MCOCA court had sentenced:

  • 5 accused to death,
  • 7 accused to life imprisonment,
  • while 1 accused was acquitted.

Following standard procedure, the death sentences were referred to the Bombay High Court for confirmation, and the convicted individuals filed appeals challenging their sentences.

A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice S. G. Chapalgaonkar heard the matter extensively from *July 2024, with final arguments concluding on *January 27, 2025.

On July 21, 2025, the High Court delivered its judgment:

  • Rejected the death reference,
  • Allowed the appeals of all convicted individuals,
  • Set aside the 2015 convictions and sentences passed by the MCOCA special court.

Representing the Government of India and the state of Maharashtra were Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Raja Thakare and Special Public Prosecutor Chimalkar, who argued for upholding the original verdict.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, has stated that it is currently analyzing the High Court’s detailed judgment. Consultations are underway with legal experts and special prosecutors to determine the next course of legal action, which may include an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The verdict has sparked significant public and legal interest, as it not only impacts one of the most devastating terror incidents in Mumbai’s history but also raises serious questions about the prosecution’s evidence and investigation.

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