Ulhasnagar: Bringing relief to a grieving family and an outraged city, the Ulhasnagar police have arrested the prime accused, Vicky Kothankar, in connection with the brutal assault on Ranjit Gaikwad, which ultimately claimed the victim’s life after a ten-day battle in hospital.

The inhuman attack had taken place around Sambhaji Chowk in Camp-4, Ulhasnagar, and had shaken the city due to its sheer brutality and the fact that it unfolded in full public view. The arrest was made from the Vitthalwadi bus depot area, sending a strong message against violent crime, police officials said.

According to the police, Ranjit Gaikwad, a resident of Veer Tanaji Nagar, was walking with his wife and children on the evening of the incident when he was intercepted by Vicky Kothankar and an accomplice. After a brief argument, the accused allegedly struck Gaikwad on the head with an iron rod, delivering a powerful blow that caused him to collapse on the road, bleeding profusely.

The brutal assault occurred in front of Gaikwad’s wife and minor children, triggering panic in the area. Locals rushed the grievously injured man to a private hospital, from where he was later shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai due to his critical condition.

Despite intensive treatment for ten days, doctors were unable to save him, and Gaikwad succumbed to his injuries at around 4 am on Sunday, following which the case was converted into murder.

Following the incident, the police launched an intensive manhunt for the accused. Acting on specific intelligence, a special crime investigation team comprising Ramdas Misal, Dilip Chavan, Ganesh Rathod and Sagar More laid a trap and arrested Vicky Kothankar from the Vitthalwadi bus depot area.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore, Senior Police Inspector Ashok Koli of Vitthalwadi, and Police Inspector (Crime) Chandrahari Godse.

Addressing the media on Monday evening, DCP Amol Koli revealed that the arrested accused has a criminal history, with previous serious offences, including cases related to violent crime, registered against him. Police are currently conducting a search for the absconding accomplice, while also probing the exact motive behind the attack.

The daylight brutality of the assault and the fact that it was witnessed by the victim’s family have created an atmosphere of fear among residents. Citizens have demanded strict and exemplary action against the accused and his associates to deter such violent crimes.

The murder of Ranjit Gaikwad has once again highlighted the growing concern over street violence and repeat offenders in Ulhasnagar, with locals urging the police administration to intensify preventive measures.

Jaipur, Dec 16: In a series of frequent bomb threats being received in Rajasthan, Neem Ka Thana railway station in Sikar district received a bomb threat on late Monday night, triggering panic and an immediate security response. However, after an extensive search operation, no suspicious object or explosive was found, bringing relief to officials and the public alike.

According to information received, the threat was conveyed through an unknown phone call and message, following which the administration swung into action. Teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Neem Ka Thana police cordoned off the railway station and launched a thorough search operation. A dog squad was also pressed into service to scan the premises. After hours of intensive checking, security agencies confirmed that no bomb or suspicious material was found at the railway station.

Despite this, the sudden deployment of security forces and checks created an atmosphere of fear among commuters and local residents.

Authorities have now begun an investigation to trace the origin of the threat call and message, with intelligence agencies actively searching for those responsible.

Officials said strict action will be taken against anyone found spreading panic through such hoax threats.

Notably, Rajasthan has witnessed a spate of bomb threats over the past month, targeting key government and public institutions.

Threatening emails and messages have earlier been received by the Rajasthan High Court, Ajmer Dargah Sharif, Ajmer Collectorate, Kota Collectorate, and most recently, the Hanumangarh Collectorate on Monday morning. In several cases, buildings were evacuated and security checks carried out, though no explosives were found at any location.

These repeated threats have even led to the postponement of court proceedings at the Rajasthan High Court on multiple occasions. The administration has reiterated that all such threats are being taken seriously, security arrangements have been strengthened statewide, and investigations are ongoing to curb the misuse of threats aimed at disturbing public order.

New Delhi, Dec 16: Congress said that the BJP-led government has been exposed and that “the truth has prevailed” as a Delhi court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) prosecution complaint in the alleged National Herald money laundering case.

In a major relief to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court held that the complaint filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was not maintainable.

Apart from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the federal anti-money laundering agency had arrayed Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited and as proposed accused in the case.

Taking to X, Congress said, “Truth has prevailed. The malafide and illegality of the Modi govt stands fully exposed. Proceedings of ED against the Congress leadership – Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, in the Young Indian case, have been found completely illegal and malafide by the Honourable Court.”

Hitting out at the BJP-led Centre, Congress said, “The court has ruled that the ED case is without jurisdiction, it has no FIR without which there is no case. This politically motivated prosecution by the Modi government over the last decade of the principal opposition party stands exposed before the people of India.”

The party said that there is no case of money laundering, no proceeds of crime and no movement of property, calling the allegations “baseless charges that have been a part of a political witch hunt, propaganda, reputation assassination and campaign which stands defeated today.”

“Congress party and our leadership are committed to fighting for truth and for rights of every Indian — we cannot, and will not ever be intimidated — because we fight for the truth,” it added.

The high-profile case pertains to allegations that top Congress functionaries conspired to wrongfully acquire control of assets exceeding Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald newspaper, by paying a nominal amount of Rs 50 lakh through Young Indian — a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority stakeholders.

Earlier, on November 29, the Rouse Avenue Court had deferred the pronouncement of its decision after reserving orders on November 7, noting that further scrutiny of transaction documents, alleged rent receipts and fund flow patterns was required before determining whether the prosecution complaint met the statutory threshold for cognisance under the PMLA.

The ED had argued that the case involved a “serious economic offence” and alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to form Young Indian to usurp AJL’s properties for a nominal sum, primarily to benefit the top Congress leadership.

It had also claimed that several senior Congress leaders were involved in “fake transactions”, including the issuance of fraudulent advance rent payments supported by fabricated rent receipts.

The Congress leadership, however, has consistently denied the allegations, terming the money laundering case as “really strange” and “unprecedented”.

The controversy over the National Herald’s assets came into focus in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in a trial court, alleging that Congress leaders had engaged in cheating and breach of trust in the process of acquiring AJL.