Politics
PAAS members level graft allegations against Hardik Patel, misuse of platform
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
Bandra Garib Nagar demolition drive: Case registered against account holder for spreading rumours on X account, accused of spreading religious hatred

Mumbai: Cyber Police has claimed to have registered a case against an X account holder for spreading rumours about demolition work in Mumbai’s Bandra Garib Nagar. According to details, a rumour was spread on an X account yesterday afternoon that there would be riots and violence during the demolition work in Bandra the next day as well. Cyber Bandra has registered a case and started an investigation after the X account holder is accused of spreading hatred and unrest between two communities. The police are investigating the matter further.
Mumbai Police has appealed to citizens not to share any controversial and objectionable content on social media. Action will be taken against those who spread misleading propaganda and baseless rumors on social media. Along with this, the police have also requested to be careful in using social media. The police have asked citizens not to spread unverified information on social media without any verification. If anyone publishes such content or spreads it on social media, action will be taken against him. After this action by Mumbai Police, monitoring has also been started on social media. A rumor was spread on X that the situation in Bandra once again deteriorated after Friday prayers and the police had resorted to lathicharge. The police have taken action on this and a case has been registered on this X account.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Three gangsters arrested for selling weapons, major operation by Crime Branch, who is investigating the criminal activities of the three

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Money Laundering Squad has claimed to have arrested three criminals who were coming to sell weapons in Mumbai. Mumbai Crime Branch received information that three people were going to sell weapons near the public toilet on P. D. Mello Road near St. George’s Hospital in Mumbai. On this basis, the Crime Branch laid a trap here and claimed to have arrested the three and recovered three country-made pistol magazines and 45 live cartridges from their possession. All three have criminal cases registered against them. A murder case is also registered against them. Along with this, it is being investigated where these three got this pistol from and to whom they were going to sell it. Which gang do they belong to and who was their target. Along with this, it is also being investigated whether these miscreants are related to Lawrence Bishnoi or any other gang. Mumbai Police has registered a case against them under the Arms Act and the Mumbai Police Act for illegal sale of weapons. The three have been identified as 24-year-old Ghola Arbaaz Jhalawar, 34-year-old Jashanpreet Mangal Singh and 24-year-old Sukhwinder. The police have started further investigation in this case. Accused number one Arbaaz Jhalawar and Sukhwinder are absconding in a murder case since 2022. In this case, the police have arrested the accused and started investigation. This information was given by DCP Detection Raj Tilak Roshan at a press conference here. He said that this action has been taken on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. Meanwhile, further investigation is underway in this matter.
Maharashtra
Attention Mumbaikar! Central Railways Announces 5-Hours Mega Block On Sunday May 24 – Check Details Here

Mumbai commuters travelling by suburban rail services this weekend may face disruptions as Central Railway has announced a mega block on Sunday, May 24, across suburban sections for maintenance and engineering works, while Western Railway will undertake a jumbo night block between Vasai Road and Virar for track and signalling maintenance.
According to Central Railway, mega blocks will be carried out on both the Main Line and Harbour Line suburban corridors on Sunday to undertake essential infrastructure maintenance and safety-related work.
On the Main Line, Up and Down slow lines between Matunga and Mulund stations will remain under block from 11.05 am to 3.55 pm.
Down slow services departing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai between 10.14 am and 3.32 pm will be diverted to the Down fast line between Matunga and Mulund stations, halting at Sion, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Bhandup and Mulund stations before rejoining the slow corridor. These trains are expected to arrive around 15 minutes behind schedule.
Similarly, Up slow line services departing Thane between 11.07 am and 3.51 pm will be diverted to the Up fast line between Mulund and Matunga stations with halts at Mulund, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Kurla and Sion before being redirected to the slow corridor.
During the block period, trains will not halt at Vidyavihar, Kanjurmarg and Nahur stations on both Up and Down lines.
Central Railway further stated that all Up and Down suburban services leaving or arriving at CSMT between 11 am and 5 pm are expected to reach destinations approximately 15 minutes behind schedule.
On the Harbour Line, Down Harbour services between CSMT and Chunabhatti/Bandra will remain suspended from 11.40 am to 4.40 pm, while Up Harbour services towards CSMT from Chunabhatti and Bandra will remain suspended from 11.10 am to 4.10 pm.
Down Harbour trains towards Vashi, Belapur and Panvel departing CSMT between 11.16 am and 4.47 pm will remain cancelled. Services towards Bandra and Goregaon departing CSMT between 10.48 am and 4.43 pm will also remain suspended.
Meanwhile, Up Harbour trains for CSMT departing Panvel, Belapur and Vashi between 9.53 am and 3.20 pm and services departing Goregaon and Bandra between 10.45 am and 5.13 pm will remain cancelled.
To minimise inconvenience, Central Railway said special services will operate between Panvel and Kurla Platform No. 8 at a frequency of 20 minutes during the block period.
Harbour line passengers will also be permitted to travel via Main Line and Western Railway services between 10 am and 6 pm during the mega block.
Meanwhile, Western Railway will undertake a jumbo block on the Up and Down Slow lines between Vasai Road and Virar stations during the intervening night of May 22 and 23 for maintenance of track, signalling and overhead equipment.
According to Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, the block was scheduled from 12.30 am to 4 am on May 23. During the block period, all Slow line trains were to operate on Fast lines between Vasai Road and Virar stations.
Railway officials said some suburban services would remain cancelled during the night block period and commuters were advised to check affected train details with station masters.
Western Railway has also clarified that there will be no daytime block on Sunday, May 24.
Railway authorities said the maintenance works are essential for infrastructure upkeep and passenger safety and requested commuters to cooperate during the temporary disruption.
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