Politics
OBC quota: Supreme Court asks Madhya Pradesh poll body to notify order to conduct civic polls in 2 weeks
With the Supreme Court on Tuesday directing the states to follow the triple test it laid down in 2021 for reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBC) in local body elections, both the BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh have supported the apex court’s decision ahead of the state Assembly polls scheduled in 2023.
The triple test involves the appointment of panels, gathering empirical data quantifying the extent and backwardness local body-wise, and ensuring the reservation does not exceed the 50 per cent ceiling.
The apex court in its judgement directed the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission to issue a notification regarding panchayat elections within two weeks.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in his response said the state government will file a review petition against the SC order to hold panchayat elections as well as on OBC reservation.
“We are yet to study the judgement in detail but we will file a review petition hoping that the panchayat elections are held with OBC reservation,” Chouhan added while responding to mediapersons on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court’s order came in response to a petition regarding 23,000 unfilled panchayat seats in Madhya Pradesh. The seats remained vacant as the state could not fulfil the triple test.
Earlier in December 2021, the apex court had directed the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission to re-notify OBC seats in local bodies as general seats and then conduct elections.
Both the BJP and the Congress levelled allegations against each other over the OBC reservation issue, however, both the parties had reached a unanimous consensus not to conduct polls without OBC reservation in the state.
A unanimous resolution in this regard was passed by the state Assembly in December 2021.
A bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, A.S. Oka, and C.T. Ravikumar took serious exception to the vacant 321 urban bodies and nearly 23,260 panchayat seats in Madhya Pradesh.
The bench said such conduct is “bordering on the breakdown of the rule of law”.
The court directed the poll watchdog to notify the elections within two weeks.
It made it clear that neither delimitation nor triple test compliance can delay the filling up of the vacant seats.
The court said the seats must be represented by elected representatives after every five years as per the constitutional requirement.
The bench said the triple test formula laid down in a judgment in March 2021 will be applicable to elections on all local bodies across the country and is binding on all states and state Election Commissions.
Opposition Congress leader Arun Yadav said his party was apprehensive over the gross negligence of the BJP-led state government towards the OBCs.
He added that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief, Mohan Bhagwat has spoken about “ending reservation” and accused the state government of depriving OBCs of their due rights.
Maharashtra
Admissions sought for Junior KG to Grade 4 in Govind BMC ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’

Mumbai: The Education Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started an English medium school named ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’ in a newly constructed building at Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Mumbai (04W), Govind 04, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Mumbai (04W).
The school follows the Maharashtra State Board curriculum and will conduct classes from Junior KG to Grade 4. It is worth noting that priority admission will be given to students currently studying in unauthorized schools in Govind and surrounding areas. Due to the limited number of seats, the BMC Education Department appeals to as many parents as possible to avail this facility.
Interested parents should contact the following address for admission: Address: 1st Floor, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Govind (West), Mumbai – 400 043.
Maharashtra
Action taken by Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘F-South’ and ‘H-East’ wards, 15 shops removed in Dadar and Santa Cruz areas

Mumbai: Municipal Corporation is taking strict action as part of its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, which aims to remove obstructions from footpaths and make them walkable for pedestrians. Under this initiative, 15 unauthorised shops and 15 unauthorised hawkers obstructing footpaths in Dadar area (from ‘F-South’ ward) and Santacruz area (from ‘H-East’ ward) were removed today (August 13, 2026).
As per the directions of the High Court, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Led by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalawangire, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments, thus ensuring obstacle-free footpaths.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-2) Prashant Sapkale and led by Assistant Commissioner (F-South Ward), the drive was carried out in Dadar (East) area by the ‘F-South’ ward. During this drive, 04 unauthorized shops, 12 temporary tarpaulin sheds, 06 unauthorized platforms (cut*) and 15 hawkers obstructing the footpath along Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Dadar (East) were removed.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-3) Vishwas Mote and led by Assistant Commissioner (H-East), Mrudula Ende, ‘H-East’ ward today conducted an encroachment removal drive in Santa Cruz (East) area. The drive included demolition of six unauthorized shops located along roads 6, 7 and 11 in TPS-3 area as well as five unauthorized shops located on the footpath along Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Marg. The operation also included a food van. The drive has cleared about 500 meters of sidewalk space, making it easier for pedestrians to walk. Meanwhile, the municipal corporation is taking various steps to ensure clean and accessible sidewalks for pedestrians. As a result, the administration has warned against unauthorized construction or placing any material on the sidewalks that obstruct them. Strict action will be taken if such violations are observed.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Murder sparks sensation after dispute over hotel bill payment, police launch major operation, solves murder mystery within 24 hours, two arrested accused confess

A sensational incident of murder of a youth took place in a hotel in Mumbai after a dispute over payment of the bill, after which tension spread here, while the police have succeeded in arresting the accused within 24 hours. On the night of August 11, a man was severely beaten near the Salman Hotel in the limits of Goregaon police station. Aziz Muhammad Atiq Khan, 30, was admitted to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The police have started an inquiry into the murder. The victim’s brother told the police that Aziz Khan asked the owner of Salman Hotel, Danish Khan, to pay the hotel bill to two people. During this, both of them argued with the victim and said that we don’t know what you have to do with this. We will see about you … Then they both attacked the victim and hit Aziz Khan on the head with a wooden box, due to which he was seriously injured and the doctors declared him dead during treatment. The police have registered a case of murder and started searching for the accused. Six teams were formed to arrest the accused. After receiving a tip-off, the police arrested the accused and they have confessed to the crime. The accused have been identified as Ajay Mani Upadhyay, 39, and Vikas Devaraj Paswan, 32, an office boy. Within 24 hours, the police have solved the mystery of the murder and succeeded in arresting the accused. This operation was carried out by DCP Parshottam Karad on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.
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