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PAAS members level graft allegations against Hardik Patel, misuse of platform

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Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener and former Gujarat Congress working president, Hardik Patel is under attack from his one time associates and fan followers. They have also accused him of indulging in corruption. Hardik is not reachable for comment.

The latest allegation has been made by Hardik Patel’s one time associate Bhavesh Somani from Bhavnagar, who said that he had hurled ‘Chappal’ on Hardik Patel’s instruction on the then Union Minister of State Mansukh Mandaviya.

Somani has also levelled serious allegations of corruption against Hardik Patel. He said that Hardik took Rs 23 lakh bribe to give ticket for the Gariyadhar assembly constituency election in 2017. “Rs 10 lakh cash was delivered to his father Bharatbhai at his Ahmedabad flat and the rest was paid through Angadia services in two instalments,” Somani said.

Hardik Patel is tight-lipped on the issue. When IANS contacted him over phone and through text message, he did not respond.

While Hardik is cornered with various allegations, his one time associate Vandana Patel has come out in his support. She has appealed Patidars and PAAS workers to stop making allegations against Hardik Patel in public. She cited the unwritten rule of the tribal community, where no one makes allegations against their leaders if they switch sides. She said Ashwin Kotawal and Keval Joshiyara joined BJP, but the tribal community did not criticise them.

“These allegations can’t be termed baseless,” said Rajendrasinh Gohil, president of the Bhavnagar District Congress Committee. Gohil said, “I know Bhavesh Somani was one of the trustworthy and confidant of Hardik Patel in Bhavnagar. I have heard about him demanding money to organise Hardik’s public meeting in Bhavnagar district, in the run up to the elections. Gariadhar Congress candidate Paresh Kheni was a party worker as well as the PAAS worker too.”

People will question and make such allegations, argues Dhanji Patidar, PAAS worker from Unava in the Mehsana district, and said, “why is Hardik Patel not disclosing his family’s annual income before and after he headed PAAS movement. What is his source of income? Does he do a job anywhere? Does he have investment in any industry? How is he meeting his expenses and living a lavish lifestyle?”

“Once a Patidar leader joins politics, such allegations will keep cropping up,” said Varun Patel, PAAS convener and now BJP leader, on specific corruption allegations against Hardik Patel. He said, “It is difficult to either call it baseless or true, but one thing is sure, where there is a smoke, there is a fire.”

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Tragedy: 4 Killed, 2 Critical After Speeding Vehicle Runs Over 6 During Morning Walk In Gadchiroli

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Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): In a tragic road accident early this morning, six young men out for a morning walk near Katli village in Gadchiroli district were hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle on Thursday morning. The accident occurred between 5 and 6 am on the Armori-Gadchiroli highway.

Two of the youths died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the district general hospital. The remaining two are in critical condition and have been airlifted to Nagpur for further treatment.

Enraged Villagers Block Highway

The incident has sparked massive outrage among locals. In protest, residents reportedly blocked the highway, leading to a major traffic jam on the Armori-Gadchiroli route. Large crowds from nearby villages including Katli, Sakhra and Porla gathered at the accident site. The Gadchiroli police arrived immediately at the scene and initiated relief efforts. Disturbing videos from the accident site and the hospital have surfaced on the internet.

According to reports, the six youths had gone for their routine morning exercise near the Katli bridge when a vehicle traveling from Armori to Gadchiroli veered off course and ran them over. The victims were identified as Pinku Namdev Bhoyar (14) and Tanmay Balaji Mankar (16), both residents of Katli, who died instantly.

Dishant Duryadhan Meshram and Tushar Rajendra Marbate were declared dead at the district hospital. The two critically injured, Kshitij Tulnidas Meshram and Aditya Dhananjay Kohapte, were first treated locally before being shifted to Nagpur by helicopter.

Maharashtra CM Expresses Sorrow, Announces Aid For Victims’ Families

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post shared by the official handle of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, he described the deaths as extremely unfortunate and painful. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the state government stands by them in their time of grief.

The Chief Minister announced financial aid of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased victim. He also stated that the state will bear the full medical expenses of the injured youths, including airlifting them to Nagpur for specialised treatment. An investigation into the identity of the vehicle and the driver responsible is currently underway.

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Crime

Drug Racket Used Shirt Photo As Code To Move ₹434 Crore Worth Of Mephedrone From Mysuru To Mumbai

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Mumbai: A startling detail has emerged in the investigation of the Rs434 crore drug lab busted in Mysuru, Karnataka—the accused allegedly used a coded method involving shirt photos to facilitate the transport of MD drugs to Mumbai. The Sakinaka police revealed that the operation was divided between two independent groups: one focused on manufacturing the drugs and the other handling distribution. In a calculated move to ensure anonymity and minimise risk, members of each group were kept unaware of their counterparts’ identities.

The contraband was distributed across various locations using a network of street-level dealers. The entire transportation route operated on the ground—no air or rail travel was involved. This ensured lower surveillance risks and easier movement across states.

A police officer stated, “When an individual went to collect the drugs, he did not share his contact number or name. A middleman sent the drug collector’s shirt photo to the manufacturer. The drug collector and manufacturer never exchanged names or contact details. The delivery was made solely based on the shirt photo.”

According to the police, once the MD (Mephedrone) drugs were produced at the Mysuru unit, a courier from there would travel by bus to Bengaluru. Simultaneously, a member of the Mumbai syndicate would also arrive in Bengaluru. To confirm identity, the Mumbai operative would send a photo of his shirt via WhatsApp. The courier, after matching the shirt pattern, would transfer the consignment. The Mumbai gang member would then return to the city with the narcotics—again by road.

The police suspect that this busted lab is part of a much broader international network, possibly linked to organised crime syndicates. As the investigation widens, authorities believe further arrests and connections may emerge in the coming days.

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Maharashtra

‘Maharashtra May Offer Free Cancer Vaccines To Economically Weaker Sections,’ Says Minister Aditi Tatkare

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Mumbai: Women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare has announced that the Maharashtra government, under the Mahayuti alliance, is actively considering providing free cancer vaccines to economically weaker sections of society. The move comes in the backdrop of a growing emphasis on women’s health and cancer prevention in the state. Speaking at the event, Tatkare highlighted the importance of early prevention and awareness.

“Cancer often shows no early symptoms and is usually detected at a late stage. It’s crucial for girls and women, especially in rural areas, to be educated about this. The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine requires all three doses to be effective, skipping any one dose can render the protection ineffective,” she said. Marking the birthday of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the NCP Yuvati Congress launched a campaign titled “From Awareness to Empowerment.”

As part of this initiative, a free HPV vaccination camp was organised on Wednesday at the Women Development Corporation Hall in Mumbai. Minister Narhari Zirwal stressed the need for such health drives in rural areas. Sports minister Manikrao Kokate said preventive health care is key to avoiding serious illnesses like cancer.

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