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Maharashtra

MVA launches all-out attack on Centre over ‘Agnipath’

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The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi on Friday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre for its ‘Agnipath’ scheme which has triggered tension and inflammatory protests in many parts of the country.

As reports of anti-Agnipath agitations pour in from different states, the MVA allies’ sharp reactions ranged from “teasing the unemployed youth” to “BJP is anti-army” to “a Jumla-path” on the people of the country.

State Congress President Nana Patole said the BJP at the Centre has imposed yet another ‘mindless and arbitrary’ decision on the country like many others in the past.

“Only 4 years’ service in the armed forces under the cute name of ‘Agnipath’ means that the youth of the country face a bleak future. Then, these young boys and girls will again be rendered jobless. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a mockery of the people and deceiving the youth and the jobless of India,” said Patole.

Nationalist Congress Party chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said under the BJP rule, the country is witnessing its highest-ever unemployment ratio and the Centre is not serious about finding a long-term solution for the millions of jobless youth.

“The new Agnipath scheme envisages unemployed youths of the country to join the Indian Armed Forces for a short service tenure of four years, and then fails to safeguard the long-term service prospects of these hopeful young men and women. The scheme lacks imagination and direction, and this is evident from the massive protests that have erupted all over the country,” said Tapase.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande termed Agnipath as yet another instance of how the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ‘anti-army’ though our brave soldiers are always prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation.

“First there was the controversial policy of OROP which was opposed by the armed forces also, and now the Agnipath. Till now the youth could serve for 16 years and then if found physically fit, their tenure could be extended. But Agnipath will completely dilute it,” said Kayande.

Slamming the scheme, she said “the 56-inch chest is nothing but a hype of ‘Modi and BJP’, and now they are even acting against the interests of the courageous soldiers who secure our borders from enemies.”

“The Agnipath scheme is clearly an injustice on the young people who are the future of the country. We demand that this scheme should be immediately withdrawn,” demanded Kayande.

Tapase said while earlier Modi had promised ‘One Rank One Pension’, under Agnipath, there will be ‘No Rank, No Pension’ or even gratuity for the youth who take up the 4-year jobs in the armed forces.

“Under such a scenario, how and where will the youth learn new skills to get them proper jobs after leaving the armed forces, and even the private sector will not accept them with full pay scales and the dignity they deserve,” pointed out Tapase.

Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said that presently, there are 62,29,000 vacancies in the Central Government, out of which 2,55,000 are in the Indian Army.

“The decision to recruit only 46,000 of them was made with great fanfare. After six months training and then 3.5 years in the job, those opting will get barely Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 salary, no job security and no future provisions. The BJP government is gambling with the careers of our youths and Agnipath must be rolled back,” said Londhe.

The trio of Patole, Tapase and Kayande raised the question of “what happened to Modi’s tall promises of two crore jobs every year” made during the 2014 elections, and sought details of exactly how many work opportunities were created in the past 8 years of the BJP rule.

“It was nothing but an election gimmick and now even Agnipath is attracting massive protests by the disillusioned youth all over the country,” added Kayande.

“Our valiant soldiers do not care about their lives while guarding the borders of the country. They don’t concern themselves about any party or group and messing around with them is like ‘compromising’ with the nation’s security,” warned Patole.

Maharashtra

Mumbai road accident: Death toll climbs to 11, CM Fadnavis expresses grief

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Mumbai, April 13: The death toll in the road accident in Mumbai’s Kalyan has climbed to 11 after two people succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, officials said on Monday.

A dumper truck collided with a car in the Kalyan area of Mumbai on Monday, officials said. The accident took place around 11 a.m. on the Rayta Bridge along the Kalyan-Murbad road, authorities mentioned.

According to preliminary information, the car was travelling from Kalyan when it collided head-on with a mixer truck.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed grief over the incident and offered sympathies to the families of the deceased.

In a post on X, Fadnavis said, “The incident in which 11 people lost their lives in a horrific accident due to a collision between two vehicles near Kalyan on National Highway 61 is extremely tragic. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share in the grief of these families. We are in contact with the local administration.”

The police stated that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations, while the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Soon after the incident was reported, a team from the Titwala Police Station rushed to the spot and initiated rescue and relief operations.

Initial reports indicate that 12 passengers were travelling in the car at the time of the accident. Eight of the total passengers died on the spot, while one passed away at the hospital while receiving treatment. Locals rushed to the spot and tried to help the victims.

Later, two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

The vehicle was on its way to Murbad when the collision occurred near Rayta Bridge, close to Kalyan, according to the police.

Earlier, speaking to media, Thane Superintendent of Police D.S. Swami had confirmed nine casualties.

Titwala Deputy SP Anil Laad, speaking to the reporters, said, “The process of identifying the deceased is currently underway, while the injured are receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The police have registered a case, and the role of the concerned government departments in this incident will also be scrutinised.”

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. Preliminary information suggests that excessive speed or a loss of vehicle control may have been the cause of the mishap.

The collision also led to a massive traffic jam on the highway near the Rayta Bridge in the Titwala-Kalyan stretch, causing significant disruption to vehicular movement in the area, officials said.

Further details are awaited in the case.

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Crime

Ashok Kharat Sexual Exploitation Case: ED Searches 11 locations In Nashik, Shirdi & Pune Linked To Self-Styled Godman

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Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in connection with the Ashok Kharat case.

Searches were carried out at five places in Nashik, three in Shirdi, and three in Pune. The searches are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a widening probe into the self-styled godman recently uncovered a massive alleged financial network involving more than 130 bank accounts and transactions exceeding RS 63 crore, with fresh findings pointing towards possible administrative complicity.

The probe gathered pace earlier this month after a Mumbai-based hotelier was alerted by Ahilyanagar Police that over Rs 2.43 crore had been routed through four bank accounts opened in his and his wife’s names, accounts he claims he never authorised. The hotelier suspects that documents submitted to Kharat for a ‘darshan booking’ were misused to open these accounts without his knowledge.

“We approached him believing he was a spiritual healer,” the hotelier said, according to an Indian Express report, adding that neither he nor his family had any connection with the credit society where the accounts were created.

Investigators believe the case is part of a larger, organised operation. According to complaints and bank records examined during the probe, personal documents collected from followers, visitors, and even alleged victims were systematically used to open multiple bank accounts. These accounts were then allegedly used to route and circulate funds between 2021 and 2024.

Authorities have identified a consistent pattern in the modus operandi. Individuals visiting Kharat for spiritual consultations or predictions were asked to submit Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and photographs. These documents were then allegedly used to open bank accounts without consent, enabling large-scale financial transactions.

A large number of these accounts were reportedly opened under two cooperative credit societies, Jagdamba Cooperative Credit Society and Samata Nagari Sahakari Pat Sanstha, both linked to Kharat and his associates. Records show that Kharat served as chairman of the Jagdamba society until 2024, while the Samata society is associated with his co-accused Arvind Pandurang Bawke.

Investigators have traced over 100 suspect accounts to the Samata society and around 32 to Jagdamba. Further, Kharat has been listed as a nominee in at least 100 accounts, with his mobile number appearing across several of them, raising serious red flags.

The case, which initially began with allegations of sexual assault, cheating, extortion, and violations under anti-superstition laws, has now evolved into a major financial investigation. The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a money laundering case against Kharat.

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Maharashtra

Nine killed as dumper truck rams into car in Mumbai’s Kalyan

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Mumbai, April 13: At least nine people were killed, and two others sustained critical injuries after a dumper truck collided with a car in the Kalyan area of Mumbai on Monday, officials said.

The accident took place around 11 a.m. on the Rayta Bridge along the Kalyan-Murbad road, authorities mentioned.

According to preliminary information, the car was travelling from Kalyan when it collided head-on with a mixer truck.

The police stated that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations, while the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Soon after the incident was reported, a team from the Titwala Police Station rushed to the spot and initiated rescue and relief operations.

Initial reports indicate that 12 passengers were travelling in the car at the time of the accident. Eight of the total passengers died on the spot, while one passed away at the hospital while receiving treatment. Locals rushed to the spot and tried to help the victims.

The vehicle was on its way to Murbad when the collision occurred near Rayta Bridge, close to Kalyan, according to the police.

Speaking to Media, Thane Superintendent of Police D.S. Swami confirmed the casualties, saying, “So far, nine people have lost their lives. Two individuals are injured and remain in critical condition; they are currently undergoing treatment.”

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. Preliminary information suggests that excessive speed or a loss of vehicle control may have been the cause of the mishap.

The collision also led to a massive traffic jam on the highway near the Rayta Bridge in the Titwala-Kalyan stretch, causing significant disruption to vehicular movement in the area, officials said.

Further details are awaited in the case.

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