National News
Raj Thackeray flags rise in child abductions in Maharashtra, calls for action by CM Fadnavis
Nagpur, Dec 13: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday expressed serious concern over the rising incidents of child abduction and missing children in Maharashtra, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take concrete and immediate action.
In a post on X, Thackeray cited National Crime Records Bureau data to underline the scale of the problem.
“According to NCRB data, even if we look at recent years, this rate has increased by nearly 30 per cent from 2021 to 2024. Interstate gangs have emerged that abduct young children and then force them into labour or push them into begging on the streets. These gangs are brazenly abducting very young children, and it is unclear what exactly the government is doing about it,” he said.
Thackeray said mere statistics offered little reassurance to families. “We in Maharashtra do not want a government response along the lines of, ‘So many cases of child abduction have been registered, and X per cent of those children have been traced and safely returned to their families.’ Fundamentally, the figures reported by the NCRB only show how many parents have filed complaints with the police. But do even a few thousand such complaints actually reach the police in the first place?” he asked.
He also raised concerns about the long-term impact on rescued children. “Even if a child is somehow rescued and returned, what about the trauma inflicted on their minds during that time? More importantly, how are these child-abducting gangs allowed to operate at all, and how do they carry out their activities so boldly and without fear?” Thackeray said.
Questioning the government’s resolve, the MNS chief asked whether there was any urgency to deal with the issue. “When we see young children begging on the streets, at railway stations, or at bus stands, who are they? Are the adults begging alongside them really their parents? Should the government not issue orders for investigations or, if necessary, even conduct DNA tests?” he asked.
The MNS chief further said that in the state today, young children and girls were being abducted and land in Maharashtra was being usurped, and asked whether these issues should not be discussed in the legislature with the administration compelled to take unanimous steps.
Referring to the winter session of the Assembly, he criticised what he described as a lack of seriousness. “Is the winter session only meant to clear supplementary demands to cover up faulty budget estimates? Very often, ministers are absent when answers are required. It almost feels unreasonable to expect discussions on issues like missing children or abducted girls. But this is what Maharashtra expects,” he said.
Thackeray also suggested a coordinated national approach. “Ideally, the central government should discuss this with all states and form task forces. But it does not appear likely that a central government busy with heated debates over ‘Vande Mataram’ will hear the anguish of mothers,” he said.
Addressing Fadnavis directly, he added, “As the Chief Minister and Home Minister of the state, we expect you not only to facilitate a discussion on this during the session but also to take concrete action.”
Crime
Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.
According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.
Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.
During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.
According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.
The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.
Crime
Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.
The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.
According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.
She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.
Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.
Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.
The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.
Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.
Crime
Ram Mandir, Badrinath Temple thefts: Seers urge for strict rules to maintain faith of devotees

Haridwar, July 8: Amid the controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and Badrinath’s Shri Badrinath Temple, Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Jain monk Acharya Lokesh Muni on Wednesday urged for the implementation of strict rules so that such allegations are not repeated.
Speaking to media, Swami Chidanand Saraswati cautioned against the spread of rumours which “hurt people’s religious sentiments”.
“I would like to say that no one should spread such rumours. If there has been any mistake, there are proper channels to address it. People should go and discuss the matter through the appropriate means instead of coming directly to the media and misleading the public,” he said.
The Parmarth Niketan President added: “If rules are broken, they can be formed again but once faith is broken, it is very difficult to restore. It is a good step that the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi immediately constituted an inquiry committee. I have also come to know that the committee’s secretary Pramod Nautiya has been dismissed. This is a fast action taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government.”
Swami Chidanand Saraswati also urged for implementation of strict rules for temples, terming it “mandatory to sustain the faith of devotees”.
“SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) should be made and followed so that people are able to maintain their faith on temples,” he said.
Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni said that where there are large institutions, such incidents can happen but “it cannot be allowed to continue”.
“Our country has laws, the Constitution, and a proper system of governance. Wherever such an incident occurs at any place of faith, it should not be tolerated. Proper arrangements must be made to prevent such incidents, and if one has occurred, the stolen property or money should also be recovered and strict action should be taken against those guilty,” he told media.
The Jain spiritual leader also said: “Measures should be taken that such incidents are never repeated. Lord Ram is the soul of this country, so if thefts take place at the Ram Temple, it hurts the sentiments of devotees.”
Lokesh Muni expressed confidence that the stolen donations from Ram Temple will be recovered, guilty will be punished and that the government along with the Temple Trust will take measures to prevent repetition of such acts.
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