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Maharashtra

Nothing but Sachin Waze’s statement to show corruption case against Anil Deshmukh: Bombay High Court

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2 years ago

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The Bombay High Court has granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in an alleged corruption case observing that prima facie, there is nothing but the statement of dismissed cop Sachin Vaze – whose tenure as a Police Officer has been “controversial” – to show that money was collected from bar owners at the NCP leader’s behest.

The court has also considered his age, 73 years, and ailments, some of which are classified as “de-generative”.

Justice MS Karnik, in a detailed 16-page judgement which was uploaded late last night, granted bail to Deshmukh in the corruption case registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on furnishing surety of Rs 1 lakh. He has been directed to cooperate with the investigation.

However, the former minister will not be let out immediately as, following a request from the CBI, the said the bail order will be effective after 10 days.

The court noted that as per the prosecution chargesheet, its case is “mainly based on Sachin Waze’s statement”, who has been granted pardon after turned approver. “The question of the reliability of Mr. Sachin Waze’s version is a matter for trial,” observed Justice Karnik, adding: “It is a matter of record that Sachin Waze was suspended for 16 years.”

Waze had claimed that Deshmukh had promised to reinstate him in police service. Post reinstatement, Waze claimed to collect money from bar owners and deliver it to Kundan Shinde, Deshmukh’s former aide, as instructed by Deshmukh. According to Waze, Deshmukh instructed him to collect Rs.3 lakhs each from 1750 Orchestra Bars/Pubs/establishments in Mumbai totalling Rs.40 to Rs.50 crores approximately.

However, the court took note of the ACP Sanjay Patil’s statement, which were pointed out by Deshmukh’s lawyers – senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari and advocate Aniket Nikam. Patil had said that Waze informed him that he is collecting the money for ‘No.1’, and when Patil asked Waze as to who is ‘No.1’, he was informed that it is ‘CP, Mumbai’. CP at the relevant time was Param Bir Singh.

“The statements as they stand, even without testing its veracity, which is a subject matter of trial, creates some doubt as to whose behest the money was collected,” remarked justice Karnik. “I may hasten to add that these are very prima facie observations limited to considering this application for bail.

The court further remarked that “It is a matter of record that Sachin Waze was suspended for 16 years” and that his tenure “as a Police Officer has been controversial”. Waze was arrested for his alleged role in Antilia bomb scare case and murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. “He is allegedly involved in extortion cases, fake encounter case, etc,” noted HC.

“Except for Mr. Sachin Waze, none of the statements recorded indicate that it was under the instructions of the applicant that the money was to be collected. It is for the trial Court to look for corroboration in material particulars for relying on the statement of Sachin Waze, the approver,” the court averred.

The HC also factored his old age and that he is suffering from multiple ailments, some of which are classified as de-generative.

Justice Karnik observed that while granting him bail in ED case, the HC had remarked: “In the light of the materials on record, it would be audacious to observe that the applicant is not a sick person”.

Deshmukh was arrested in November 2021 by the ED in a money laundering case. In April 2022, the CBI arrested him in a corruption case. He is presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road Jain in Mumbai.

The CBI has filed chargesheet on June 2, 2022, with respect to the issue of corruption, the basis being collecting/extorting monies from restaurants and bar owners.However, the two other facets of corruption – the transfers and postings within the police and influencing investigations – are still under investigation. The chargesheet is yet to be filed by the CBI on these aspects.

“Therefore, there is no question of the trial concluding any time soon in the near future. The CBI may proceed with the investigation but not at the cost of continued incarceration of the applicant,” added HC.

Deshmukh is no longer the Home Minister and therefore, there is no question of his influencing the investigation

Also, relying on bail order in ED case, Justice KArnik said that Deshmukh “appears to have roots in society and the possibility of fleeing away from justice seems remote”.

Maximum punishment, if found guilty, is seven years. Also, there are no criminal antecedents reported against him. Having regard to the totality of the circumstances, in my opinion, the applicant can be released on bail.

Release on bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one or more sureties in the like amount.

Report to the office of the CBI on every Tuesday, between 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon for one month from the date of his release. Thereafter, he shall report to the office of the CBI on every alternate Tuesday, between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon, for the next three months.

To remain within the area of Greater Mumbai till the trial is concluded and shall not leave the area without permission of the competent Court.

Surrender his passport to the trial Court, if not already surrendered.

Not make any inducement directly or indirectly, threat or promise to tamper with witnesses.

Not tamper with evidence.

Co-operate with the expeditious disposal of the trial.

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Education

Don’t entertain hate-filled demands of burqa ban, SP MLA Rais Shaikh writes CM and Dy CMs, Edu Minister

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3 hours ago

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January 30, 2025

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Mumbai: A day after BJP Minister Nitesh Rane demanded a ban on the burqa in schools during exams, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, urging them not to entertain such regressive demands, which target only the Muslim community and could deprive Muslim students of their education.

In his letter to Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar and Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Shaikh stated that for Muslims, wearing the burqa or headscarf is an act of worship. “The Preamble to the Constitution guarantees an individual’s liberty of faith and worship. Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion,” said Rais Shaikh, SP MLA.

Shaikh further argued that the demand to ban the burqa or headscarf in schools under the guise of exam regulations is nothing but an interference with religion. “This demand is unconstitutional and will not withstand any legal scrutiny. It targets the Muslim community at large, aiming to deprive minority students of their education. Entertaining such demands would only increase polarisation in the education sector,” Shaikh added.

Highlighting the government’s initiatives such as Ladki Bahin, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and women empowerment, Shaikh said, “While the government launches multiple initiatives to empower women, it now needs to walk the talk and not bow down to such hate-filled demands. This is an attempt to create an atmosphere of hate and fear.”

Shaikh further urged students and their parents not to panic and to focus on their studies for the upcoming exams. “This government will be responsible for jeopardising the careers of millions of students if it gives credence to such hate-filled demands,” he added.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Traffic Advisory For India Vs England 5th T20I Match At Wankhede Stadium On Feb 2; Check Details

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4 hours ago

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January 30, 2025

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Mumbai, 30 January 2025: The Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Traffic (Mumbai) has issued a temporary notification to manage traffic movement during the 5th T20I cricket match between India and England at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, February 2. The traffic arrangements will be in place from 12:00 hrs to 23:55 hrs to ensure smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion.

Key Traffic Arrangements:

1. No Parking Facility at Wankhede Stadium

Spectators are advised to use public transport, including trains and local transport, as no parking facilities will be available at the stadium and in the vicinity.

2. Parking Restrictions:

Vehicles will not be allowed to park on the following roads:

C Road (North side) from its junction at N.S. Road up to “E” Road.

D Road from N.S. Road junction up to “E” Road.

E Road from “P” Road junction up to “C” Road.

F Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.

G Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.

N.S. Road (South and North Bound) from Mafatlal Bath Signal to Air India Junction.

Veer Nariman Road (South and North Bound) from Churchgate Junction to Sundarmal Junction.

Note: Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be subject to e-challan and towing.

3. Changes in Routine Traffic Pattern:

D Road will be one-way (from West to East) for vehicular traffic from its junction at N.S. Road (Marine Drive) towards “E” Road.

E Road will be one-way (South Bound) for all types of vehicular traffic from the junction at D Road towards the junction at C Road.

4. Instructions for Spectators for Easier Access to the Stadium:

Gate 01, 02 & 07 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards D Road.

Gate 04 & 05A Ticket Holders: Alight at Marine Lines Station and walk towards F Road.

Gate 03 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards N.S. Road Footpath.

All spectators coming via N.S. Road (Marine Drive) should use the footpath and not walk on the road.

Spectators arriving by car must alight at designated drop points marked on N.S. Road.

To avoid inconvenience, the Mumbai Traffic Police urges spectators to use public transport and follow the designated walking routes to access the stadium. The temporary traffic restrictions and diversions are aimed at ensuring a smooth traffic flow and preventing congestion in the surrounding areas.

The advisory has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and will be strictly enforced on match day. For real-time traffic updates, commuters can follow @MTPTrafficUpdates on social media or contact the Mumbai Traffic Police helpline.

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Education

Maharashtra LLB CET 2025 Marking Scheme Revised: Total Marks Reduced To 120 For 3-Year & 5-Year Law Courses

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4 hours ago

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January 30, 2025

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Law Common Entrance Test (LLB CET) 2025 marking structure has undergone an important change. The total marks have now been reduced from 150 to 120 marks for both 3-year and 5-year law courses by the CET Cell, effective for the 2025-26 academic session, as part of the government amendment to the policy of State Common Entrance Examination.

Direct Link of the notice

The total marks for the exam are adjusted; the test time still remains 120 minutes. Nothing has been done to alter the syllabus and topic weightage. The same examination is taken online in English and Marathi languages.

3-year LLB CET 2025

For the 3-year LLB CET 2025, the examination pattern is divided into four major sections. Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning consist of 24 questions, and General Knowledge with Current Affairs carries 32 questions. The section of Logical and Analytical Reasoning consists of 24 questions, and that of English is 40. Each question has one mark; therefore, a total of 120 marks carry this examination pattern.

5-year LLB CET 2025

This 5-year LLB CET 2025 has a different distribution over five sections. It comprises 32 questions in Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning, 24 questions in General Knowledge with Current Affairs, and 32 questions in Logical and Analytical Reasoning.  The English section comprises 24 questions, while there is an additional Basic Mathematics section of 8 questions. Like the 3-year program, every question carries one mark, adding up to 120 marks.

Both modes have multiple-choice questions with options to choose between four. Negative marking is absent for wrong attempts. The length of the exam remains two hours, and this is an online test.

For this, students should change their strategy of preparing. For up-to-date details and notifications from the examination centre, candidates may log on regularly to the website of CET.

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