Mumbai: Pune A dance performance based on a song based on the Naxalite Hidma Madvi at a cultural program organized on the occasion of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti has created a stir. Accordingly, the police have also registered a case, but after registering a case on the song and dance, the question is now common on social media whether it is legally correct to register a case on the basis of considering the song and dance as objectionable? The Vishrantwadi police have registered a case against both of them for the Hidma song.

Kiran Narayan Gomase (age 22, native of Dechli, Talahari, Gadchiroli district, currently residing in Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Government Hostel, Vishrantwadi) and Srinivas Hanumant Kumari (age 23, native of Jhanganur, Tal. Gachi, currently residing in the same Sarwand, Sarwand district) hostel) have been identified. The police said that both are pursuing BBA. According to the police, a cultural programme was organised on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 11 at Bharat Ratna Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Government Hostel Vishrantwadi. The programme featured a dance performance on a song based on Hidma Madhavi, who was associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) organisation and was also the commander of Battalion No. 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). The police have taken action on charges of spreading misleading information which threatens the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. A case has been registered in this regard under sections 197(1)(d) 353(1) and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A case has been registered at Vishrantwadi police station and Police Sub-Inspector Bhosale is investigating the matter further. This incident has created a stir in the city and sparked debate in academic and social circles as to whether a case was registered simply for dancing to a song, is this not against freedom of expression?

Mumbai: In a major breakthrough in the drug case linked to the deaths of two youths at a concert in NESCO Centre, police have arrested the main accused from Poladpur in Raigad district while he was allegedly attempting to flee towards Goa.

According to officials, the accused is suspected of distributing Ecstasy (MDMA) at the concert held on April 11, where two attendees died due to suspected drug overdose. He was intercepted and later handed over to the Vanrai Police for further investigation.

The arrest comes amid an ongoing crackdown on a suspected drug supply network operating around high-profile music events in Mumbai. A video released by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) showed the accused being escorted by police personnel following his detention.

Earlier, the Vanrai Police had arrested 21-year-old MBA student Shubh Agarwal from Kalyan, marking the eighth arrest in the case. Agarwal was produced before the Borivali Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which remanded him to police custody till April 20.

The case was registered after the deaths of Shreya Rai (24) and Bismaad Bhasin (28), both of whom are suspected to have consumed a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol. Another attendee, Seetal Salvi (25), remains under treatment at Bombay Hospital.

Cops have also flagged multiple violations at the event, including the concert allegedly continuing beyond the permitted time of 10 pm till around 12:30 am. Additionally, alcohol was reportedly served to individuals below the legal age of 25.

Police said several of the accused were regular attendees at events held at the NESCO Centre, indicating the possible existence of a broader drug distribution network targeting such gatherings.

So far, nine accused have been arrested in the case. Seven of them are scheduled to be produced in court today as the investigation continues.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday sought the state government’s stand on the shifting position taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) regarding land required for the expansion of a sewage treatment plant (STP) at Worli.

A bench of Justices MS Karnik and SM Modak directed the BMC to make a formal representation to the state government by April 20, seeking modification of the land requirement from 17,750 sq m to 27,700 sq m. The court said the state must place its response on record by April 27, the next date of hearing.

During the hearing, the court observed that public interest would outweigh competing claims and emphasised the need for clarity on the state’s position at the earliest.

“Once the state informs its decision, we will consider the matter. If the state says whatever has been done is correct, then nothing further remains,” the bench noted.

The issue pertains to a land parcel off Dr E Moses Road, originally reserved for the STP. While around 27,700 sq m was initially earmarked, the requirement was reduced to about 17,750 sq m in June 2024. The BMC has now proposed reverting to the original larger area, citing increased demand for sewage processing.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Worli Urban Development Project LLP (formerly Lokhandwala DB Realty LLP), which is redeveloping slum societies on the site.

The developer had approached the court following stop-work notices issued by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority over alleged unauthorised construction of transit camps.

BMC counsel informed the court that the revised proposal would be placed before the state shortly. Senior advocate Aspi Chinoy, appearing for the developer, alleged mala fides in the civic body’s changing stance, claiming delays were causing financial losses.