General
Mumbai News: Red Flag Over Coastal Security As Boats Operate Without Identity

Mumbai: The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (AMMKS) has raised serious concerns over a threat to coastal security due to several boats operating without names, numbers and vessel registration certificates (VRC). In a letter dated July 17 to state home minister Devendra Fadnavis, president of AMMKS Devendra Damodar Tandel has pointed out several lacunae in the coastal security system which could be exploited by rogue elements from enemy countries.
The fishermen’s body also expressed worries over replication of a 26/11 like episode, wherein terrorists had taken a sea-route to reach the shores of Mumbai to launch the attacks due to the illegally operating boats, especially in the coastal waters of Karanja near Uran in Raigad, under the guise of fishing activities during the monsoon ban period.
Apparently, such boats which operate sans VRCs issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board are illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU), nowhere reflecting in government and police records.
Unsupervised activities
Tandel said that apart from depleting the marine livestock due to fishing during monsoons, their major point of concern is the threat to security. He said, “Besides, the presence of our nuclear facility and oil rigs also become vulnerable due to such unsupervised activities taking place in a close range. The government should immediately form a co-ordination committee comprising members from all related agencies and representatives from fishing community pockets which will fix responsibilities and eliminate any chance of chinks in the security system.”
Tandel has also sought installation of CCTV cameras at jetties to keep a close watch on suspicious landings. There are around 18,000 registered fishing vessels including 6,000 small boats in the state.
VMS In Limbo
In the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks, the government had mooted the idea of satellite-based Vehicle Monitoring Systems (VMS) in small fishing boats to track their movement. However, despite pilot studies the project remains stuck in a limbo. At present, the fishermen who venture into deep sea fishing largely rely on GPS-enable devices and distress alert transmitter (DAT) systems to get assistance in case of fire, capsizing of boats, and sudden sickness to crew members at the shortest possible time.
Fisheries Dept’s Promise
In a recent meeting with members of the local fishing community, the fisheries department commissioner had assured deployment of drones equipped with high definition cameras to keep an eye on illegal fishing activities. He had also directed officials to permanently cancel licenses of violators, and also act against unregistered operators by crushing the fishing vessels beyond repairs. However, fishermen claim that action is still awaited.
Crime
CBI Registers Corruption Case against Former Deputy GM of Ordnance Factory, Nagpur

Nagpur, August 25, 2025 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a corruption case against the then Deputy General Manager of Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ), Nagpur, along with a Nagpur-based private company, its proprietor, and other unidentified public servants and private individuals.
According to the complaint, the former Dy. GM allegedly set up a proprietorship firm while serving in office and manipulated tender conditions to award contracts to his own firm. The firm is reported to have submitted forged and false experience certificates to secure these tenders.
Investigators also revealed that the accused official was involved in multiple financial and banking transactions with the private firm using accounts held by him and his family members.
Following the registration of the case on August 25, 2025, the CBI carried out searches at four locations, including the office and residences linked to the accused. The operation led to the recovery of incriminating documents, digital records, and other material evidence.
The probe is ongoing, and authorities are scrutinizing the recovered evidence to trace the full extent of the alleged corruption and financial irregularities.
General
Punjab Floods: Over 1000 Villages Across Several Districts Affected; Educational Institutes Closed Till Sep 3 – Latest Developments

Chandigarh: Heavy rains have lashed Punjab over the past few days, causing floods in several parts of the state. Thousands of acres of agricultural land are damaged. while several houses were washed away in floods.
On Monday, Ludhiana recorded the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday.
Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm).
– Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers and regional rivulets have swollen due to incessant rainfall in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
– Over 1,000 villages have been affected across several districts of the state.
– Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar districts.
– The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), and the Border Security Force (BSF) are assisting local administration and the Punjab Police in rescue and relief operations.
– Over 11,000 people have been rescued so far from nine flood-hit districts, including Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, and Amritsar, reported Akashvani, citing sources
– The Punjab government on Monday announced the closure of all colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes till September 3.
“Due to continuous heavy rainfall across Punjab since last night, all colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes will also remain closed till 3rd September 2025 with immediate effect. The responsibility for the well-being of students residing in hostels lies with the respective administrations. Everyone is requested to strictly follow the guidelines issued by local authorities,” Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said in his X post.
– The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall over several districts on Monday.
– According to the IMD’s Nowcast, heavy rainfall is very likely in several districts of Punjab, including Patiala, Anandpur Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, and Ludhiana.
– Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday spoke to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and took stock of the flood situation.
– During the telephonic conversations, the governor and the chief minister briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation and the steps taken by the administration for the rescue and relief of the people affected. He assured them of all possible help to deal with the flood, officials said.
– A rain alert has also been issued for several districts of Haryana, including Ambala and Panchkula.
General
Thane Tragedy: Environmentalist-Lawyer Sarita Khanchandani Dies By Suicide In Ulhasnagar, Family Alleges Harassment By Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader

Thane: In connection with the death of environmentalist-activist-lawyer Sarita Khanchandani, who allegedly died by suicide on Thursday after jumping from the seventh floor of Roma Building where she lived in Ulhasnagar, her husband Purshottam Khanchandani has leveled serious allegations against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and his associate accusing them of harassing his wife and trying to implicate her in a fabricated case.
He claimed that the harassment drove her to suicide and demanded that the case be probed by a senior officer under judicial supervision.
Purshottam, along with other family members, addressed a press conference to present his side of the story. He said Sarita had been helping Jiya Goplani, a woman whose domestic case she was handling. After being ousted by her in-laws, Goplani had no shelter, and Sarita allowed her to live in one of her homes for six years, providing food and support.
Although the court awarded Goplani a monthly maintenance of Rs 15,000, Sarita eventually asked her to vacate the house. Goplani assured her that she was looking for a house in Badlapur and would leave within two months.
According to Purshottam, on Wednesday, Goplani called Sarita claiming she was unwell. When Sarita went to meet her around 11:45 p.m., she found nearly 20 people present. Purshottam alleged that this was a conspiracy to trap Sarita, and a video of the incident later surfaced on the social media.
Although the police were called to the spot, both Sarita and Goplani told officers they had no complaints, after which Sarita returned home.
However, Purshottam alleged that later the same night, Goplani, along with a politician and others, went to the police station and registered a case against Sarita. Shocked by the development, Sarita went to the police station on Thursday but later returned home and jumped to her death from the terrace.
He also accused the Vithalwadi police station of facilitating the conspiracy to falsely implicate her. He clarified that Goplani was not a tenant but was staying at their residence purely on humanitarian grounds.
Purshottam linked the incident to an earlier dispute, alleging that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and his associate had encroached upon a government toilet block. Sarita had filed a petition in the High Court against the encroachment, after which the Shiv Sena Shakha on the premises was shut down and the property handed back to the municipal corporation.
In response to Purshottam’s allegations, Jiya Gopalani refused all allegations and stated that she was his wife’s tenant and that Sarita forced her to work according to her instructions; otherwise, she would not fight her domestic case in court.
“On Wednesday, Sarita came to my home because I was not picking up her call. Sarita arrived at my home and assaulted me badly, after which I visited the police station and filed a case against her.”
DCP Sachin Gore of Ulhasnagar said “Based on Jiya Goplani’s complaint, we filed a case of trespass and assault against Sarita. In Sarita’s suicide matter, no note was found. So far, we have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) . We will record the statements of witnesses. Further investigation is underway, and if anyone’s role emerges, action will take accordingly.”
Sarita Khanchandani, a practicing lawyer, was known for her environmental activism and had played a significant role in getting DJs banned in Maharashtra.
She also ran the Heerali Foundation, an organization dedicated to cleaning up the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers that flow through Ulhasnagar. She was a prominent figure in pollution activism in the city, petitioning police to act against violators and raising awareness of environmental issues affecting the rivers.
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