Mumbai: Marathi is not mandatory for permits and licenses for rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra. Every state has its own language. It should be mandatory. But before that, if Marathi is to be made mandatory, then first schools should be opened to teach Marathi and teach Marathi to those who are not proficient in it. Every country speaks its own language, so where will the national language Hindi be spoken? Every state in this country has its own language, like Marathi in Maharashtra, Malayalam in Kerala, Assamese in Assam, but there is no need to force anyone to speak any language. If you want to learn Marathi, give them books, give them classes, don’t force them. Unemployment is common in the country. If someone comes to Mumbai and Maharashtra from another state, he has the right to earn a living. However, it is not right to impose the condition of only Marathi being mandatory. It is also necessary to provide employment opportunities. If Marathi has mandatory status in the state, then classes should be given to teach this language. Politics should not be done in the name of Marathi. This also tarnishes the image of the state because violence has been committed against the residents who do not know Marathi many times. Therefore, such situations should not be created and to prevent such a situation from arising, the state language should be taught to them and then they should be provided with licenses and permits.

Mumbai: the fraudster Ashok Kharat case is very famous across the state. The victim had filed a complaint of violence against a Nashik fraudster Ashok Kharat. Based on this complaint, the police registered a case against him and arrested him. During this time, his exploits are coming to light one by one. This has created a big stir. Till now, several cases of mistreatment and cheating of women have been registered against him. An SIT has been appointed in this case, and the SIT is also investigating him. Now a big breakthrough has been made in this case. In this case, the problems of Rupali Chakankar’s sister Pratibha Chakankar have increased. Shirdi police has sent a notice to Pratibha Chakankar. Shirdi police has issued a notice to Pratibha Chakankar today in the case of fraudster Ashok Kharat. A case of money laundering has been registered in Shirdi against fraudster Ashok Kharat. While the investigation of this case was going on, the police got shocking information. There are several accounts in Samata Patsantha, which are in the names of different people, but the nominee himself is Ashok Kharat. Transactions worth crores of rupees have been made through these accounts. Pratibha Chakankar and her son also have four accounts in Samata Patsantha. The work of taking the statements of all these account holders is in progress. So far, 33 account holders have recorded their statements in this case. Pratibha Chakankar will now have to appear at the Shirdi police station to give her statement. The Shirdi police has sent notices by post to two addresses of Pratibha Chakankar. The notice says that she should be present to record her statement in the next five days. Therefore, now Pratibha Chakankar will have to appear at the Shirdi police station to record her statement. Meanwhile, the emergence of a photo with Ashok Kharat has also increased the problems of some leaders in the state.

Mumbai: In a significant development, the Indian Army has cleared the way for Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier, a major turning point in its most complex and protracted legal case. The decision comes weeks after the Armed Forces Tribunal intervened to stay his scheduled retirement on March 31, 2026, allowing a review of his pending promotion case. The move follows a 17-year journey that saw the officer honourably acquitted and reinstated in the system after being accused in a high-profile blast case.

Career has been on hold since his 2008 arrest.
Purohit’s career progression had been effectively frozen since 2008 following his arrest in connection with the Malegaon blast case. Although he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2017 and later reinstated to active service, his seniority and promotion prospects remained mired in legal uncertainty for years. The turning point came on July 31, 2025, when a special NIA court in Maharashtra acquitted Purohit of all charges, citing lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. He was promoted to the rank of full colonel in September 2025, restoring a portion of his career progression.

Tribunal intervenes in retirement stay petition
On March 16, 2026, a bench headed by Justice Rajendra Menon ruled that Purohit had a prima facie case for consideration of perks and promotion at par with his juniors.

The tribunal ordered that his retirement be put on hold until his legal complaint regarding the promotion is resolved, and his service is effectively kept active. Sources say the army’s approval for his promotion to brigadier recognises the days he lost during his imprisonment and trial. Had his career not been disrupted, officers in his mid-career would already have been colonels in senior leadership. Some observers say he could have risen to the rank of major general through normal means.