Chhatrapati Sambhainagar: A MCOCA court in Beed on Monday remanded Sudarshan Ghule, an accused in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, to the CID custody till January 31 allowing the police to investigate the digital data and seized mobile phones.

Ghule was produced in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court. Earlier, he was remanded in judicial custody on January 18.

Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9 allegedly for attempting to stop an extortion bid on an energy firm in Beed district. Police registered murder and extortion cases.

Seven persons were arrested in the murder case. Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde, was arrested in the extortion case.

The state government pleader told reporters that the court remanded Ghule to the CID custody till January 31.

“The stringent MCOCA was invoked against Ghule for further investigation. Police want to investigate digital data recovered in the crime. Police also want to check his mobile phone but it’s locked by a password,” the pleader told reporters.

A lawyer representing Ghule said police had already seized his mobile phones.

“The prosecution demanded a ten-day custody for Ghule but the court gave CID five days. The police want to inquire about digital evidence and mobile phone passwords even though phones were seized earlier,” he said.

Mumbai: Actress and environmental activist Dia Mirza has voiced her concern over the worsening air quality in Mumbai. Taking to her social media account on Monday (January 27), Dia urging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take immediate action. She also mentioned how air pollution can have a grave impact on on public health, especially children.

Tagging the official account of Maharashtra CM, Dia wrote on X, “Sir, @Dev_Fadnavis, the levels of #AirPollution in Mumbai and Maharashtra is continuing to cause irreversible damage to lungs and health of our children. I appeal to you as a mother to please address this matter with the empathy and urgency of a parent.”

Along with the note, the actress also shared a map of Mumbai which showed the AQIs of different locations.

Dia’s call to action comes as Mumbai faces a surge in air quality concerns, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently registering unhealthy levels in recent weeks. Citizens, health experts, and activists have raised alarms about the long-term consequences of air pollution, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

The actress, known for her environmental and wildlife advocacy, has often used her platform to campaign for sustainable practices and policies.

The CM has not reacted to Dia’s post yet.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Dia was last seen in Anubhav Sinha’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which released on an OTT platform. She played the role of Pari Walia, a journalist, in the series inspired by real-life events. Dia’s last theatrical release was Dhak Dhak which released in 2023. The film also starred Ratna Pathak Shah, Sanjana Sanghi and Fatima Sana Shaikh in the lead roles.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Leaders and workers of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday staged a protest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city over the fare hike announced by the Maharashtra State Transport Authority for buses.

The police detained at least 40 workers and leaders of the Sena (UBT) following the protest at the central bus stand, police said.

Last week, the transport authority approved a 14.95 per cent hike in MSRTC bus fares that came into effect on January 25.

Party workers led by the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council, Ambadas Danve, sat in protest at the exit point of the bus stand for 30 minutes, following which the police intervened and detained them, an official said.

He said that the agitators were later released from Kranti Chowk police station.

Talking to reporters, Danve said, “The bus fare hike is an injustice to people. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said he was unaware of the hike, which means there is a lack of coordination in the government. We will not end the agitation till they revoke the hike.”