Connect with us
Wednesday,20-August-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

No relief from Delhi HC to Uddhav on plea against party name, symbol freeze 

Published

on

The Delhi High Court has refused to stay its single judge order, which dismissed a plea filed by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray against the Election Commission’s decision to freeze his Shiv Sena’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, held: “There shall be no stay on the proceedings before the Election Commission of India. Therefore, the Election Commission of India is free to proceed with the adjudication of the dispute pending before it.”

“It is needless to state that the Election Commission of India will proceed in accordance with the procedure followed by the Commission while adjudicating a petition under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968,” it added.

The HC had, on December 15, reserved its order on the same matter.

Thackeray had approached the High Court on December 13 against its single-judge bench order rejecting his plea against Election Commission’s decision to freeze Shiv Sena’s name and symbol.

On November 15, Justice Sanjeev Narula had dismissed Thackeray’s petition holding that there was no interdiction by the Supreme Court regarding the proceedings to be conducted by the EC.

The EC had directed both Thackeray and Eknath Shinde to restrain from using the same name or symbol till the official recognition is finally decided on October 8.

They were alloted different symbols for the recent Andheri East bypoll.

Thackeray had appealed that EC had assumed that there are two factions of Shiv Sena party while passing the freezing order.

Moreover, he had claimed that it cannot be said that there are two factions in the party as he remains “rightfully elected President”, which was admitted even by Shinde.

“The observation of the Ld. Single Judge that both the appellant and the respondent No. 2 claim to be the President of the original Shiv Sena party is factually incorrect, as the respondent No. 2 in para 3 of his para 15 petition filed before respondent No. 1 himself states that the appellant herein is, and continues to be the Shivsena Pramukh (President/Pramukh) of the Shiv Sena political party,” the appeal stated.

He had stated that the EC has exercised its jurisdiction without taking note of the disqualification proceedings pending before the top court against Shinde.

“Single-judge failed to appreciate that the question of disqualification of Respondent No. 2 (Shinde) is still pending adjudication before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the action of Respondent No 1 (ECI) is premised on an underlying assumption that the Hon’ble Supreme Court will decide in favour of Respondent No. 2,” he had said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Water Stock Rises To Over 95% As Heavy Rainfall Batters City

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai’s water stock has climbed closer to full capacity after incessant rainfall over the past 24 hours, ensuring a comfortable buffer for the city’s water needs. According to the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the seven lakes supplying water to the metropolis recorded a combined stock of 13.76 lakh million litres (ML) as of 6 am on Wednesday, August 20. This amounts to nearly 95.12 per cent of their total capacity of 14.47 lakh ML.

The civic data shows that between 8.30 am on Tuesday and 6 am on Wednesday, the Bhandup Complex, which houses most of Mumbai’s water treatment facilities, received 246 mm of rainfall, taking its cumulative seasonal tally to 2,235 mm. All seven lakes, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna, reported major inflows.

Details On Water Stock In All Lakes

Bhatsa, the largest contributor to Mumbai’s water supply, holds 7.1 lakh ML of stock, which is 99.6 per cent of its capacity. Tulsi and Vihar, two smaller lakes located within city limits, are also brimming, with storage levels at 98.3 and 99.6 per cent, respectively. Tulsi Lake began overflowing on August 16, while Vihar Lake started overflowing on August 18.

Tansa and Modak Sagar have already touched the 100 per cent mark. Tansa began overflowing on July 23, while Modak Sagar started overflowing on August 9. The Middle Vaitarna lake, which had been lagging earlier this month, has also improved significantly and is now at 96.9 per cent of live storage.

Upper Vaitarna, another key lake, is at 91.8 per cent of its storage. Releases from the lake, which were ongoing until early August, were stopped on August 7 after levels stabilised.

This sharp rise in lake levels comes on the back of heavy showers across Mumbai and its catchment areas since the beginning of the week. On Tuesday alone, several suburbs recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall.

The BMC, however, maintained that while the immediate threat of water cuts has been averted, judicious use of water remains essential as the monsoon season progresses.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Tata Power Discom Ensures Uninterrupted Electricity Supply To 8 Lakh Consumers Amid Flooding

Published

on

Mumbai: As Mumbai reels under relentless monsoon rains, Tata Power Mumbai Discom stands resilient, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to around 8 lakh consumers across the city.

Amid waterlogging and a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department, the Company’s frontline Employees have been working tirelessly to maintain power infrastructure and swiftly address any disruptions.

Equipped with safety gear and supported by strategically deployed Quick Response Teams, Tata Power’s Employees have been on round-the-clock duty across flood-prone zones.

Substations have been fortified with de-watering pumps, rescue boats, and life jackets to tackle emergencies. Preventive maintenance, earth leakage tests at feeder pillars, and elevated installations in low-lying areas have helped mitigate risks and ensure public safety.

Despite the challenges posed by submerged streets and disrupted transport, Tata Power’s Disaster Management Cell remains fully operational, coordinating efforts to restore services swiftly wherever needed.

The Company’s commitment to a Zero Harm Culture ensures that safety remains paramount for both workers and consumers.

This monsoon, Tata Power Mumbai Discom salutes its linemen—the unsung heroes—whose dedication and courage continue to light up homes, hospitals, and essential services across the city.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Bombay HC Works Half Day Amid Red Alert, Allows Staff To Leave By 1 pm

Published

on

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday functioned only till 12.30 pm due to incessant rains in the city. The normal working hours for the HC are from 11am to 5pm.

Red Alert Issued by IMD

The notice was issued after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai and adjoining districts on Tuesday.

Heavy rains battered Mumbai on Tuesday, affecting road and rail traffic and leading to the closure of government offices.

Court Notice on Shortened Hours

The high court, in a notice issued in the morning, said due to heavy rains and bad weather forecast as well as difficulties for advocates and staff members in commuting, all courts will function only till 12.30pm.

“All the officials / staff members are permitted to leave the office by 1pm,” the notice said. A day after rains pounded the city, heavy showers continued on Tuesday as well, severely affecting the city’s normal life.

Lawyers Argue Online, Matters Adjourned

Many lawyers appeared through video conference facility to argue their cases before the high court on Monday and Tuesday. Even as many lawyers were unable to appear either physically or online, the high court did not pass any adverse orders and adjourned the matter for hearing next week.

As the courts were unable to hear all the matters listed for hearing on Tuesday, the courts extended interim reliefs granted, if any, while adjourning the matters.

Continue Reading

Trending