Maharashtra
SC shields ex-IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar from arrest
New Delhi, Jan 15: In an interim order passed on Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed that no coercive action be taken against sacked Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly submitted false OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates and fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limits provided for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by faking her identity.
Issuing notice on Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and S.C. Sharma asked the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to file its reply in the matter by February 14.
In the meantime, Justice Nagarathna-led Bench granted protection to Puja Khedkar from arrest.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Khedkar’s pre-arrest bail petition and vacated its earlier order shielding her from arrest.
In its judgment delivered on December 15, 2024, a bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh opined that prima facie, a strong case was made out against Khedkar, adding that custodial interrogation of a person accused of an offence of such nature is required to unearth the facts.
Justice Singh-led Bench, on November 28, 2024, reserved its decision on her anticipatory bail plea after hearing both sides. It was then clarified that till the judgment is delivered, the interim relief granted earlier on August 12 shielding Khedkar from arrest will continue.
Before this, a court here had turned down her anticipatory bail plea and asked the investigating agency to find out if anyone from inside the UPSC had helped Khedkar. Widening the scope of the probe, Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala had asked Delhi Police to investigate if other people recommended by the UPSC have availed quota benefits without entitlement.
The Centre, on September 7, 2024, sacked Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, a month after the UPSC cancelled her selection in government service.
Khedkar has been found guilty of faking and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits. After cancelling her selection, the UPSC also barred her for life from taking the entrance exam after finding her guilty of faking her identity to take the exam multiple times.
In a status report submitted to the Delhi High Court, the city Police had contended that former Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Khedkar had submitted two separate disability certificates for her UPSC exam. The disability certificates dated 2018 and 2021 citing ‘multiple disabilities’ were purportedly issued by the Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital for her UPSC attempts made in 2022 and 2023. However, as per Delhi Police’s status report, the hospital authorities had denied that the certificates claiming ‘multiple disabilities’ were issued to her by them.
It was found that Khedkar availed relaxed criteria for OBC candidates and persons with disabilities.
It then came to light that her father, a former Maharashtra government officer, had property to the tune of Rs 40 crore and that she did not qualify for the non-creamy layer OBC quota.
he UPSC had said that its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) “could not detect her number of attempts primarily because she changed not only her name but also her parents’ names”.
Maharashtra
To avoid heat, oral rehydration powder and drinking water should be provided at posts for sanitation workers, the Municipal Commissioner has directed.

Mumbai: Steps should be taken to protect employees from heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems caused by heat. In addition, in view of the effects of increasing heat, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has instructed that proper arrangements should be made for Oral Rehydration Powder (ORS) and drinking water at posts for sanitation workers working in the field. However, employees of various departments working in the field should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat. In such a situation, Bhide has also appealed to perform their duties by prioritizing health and safety.
In view of the increasing heat in Mumbai, the Municipal Corporation administration is taking various steps for the citizens. Arrangements have been made for the treatment of heatstroke patients in the hospitals of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Also, awareness is being created among the citizens about the steps taken to prevent heatstroke. In this context, Ashwini Bhide has instructed the administration to take various steps for the sanitation workers working in the field.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the employees of the Municipal Corporation are performing their duties even in various adverse conditions. Around 40,000 sanitation workers are working day and night to maintain cleanliness in Mumbai. However, the current rising temperature can cause heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems. In such a situation, proper arrangements should be made for ORS powder and drinking water at all posts of the Solid Waste Management Department for the sanitation workers working in the field. Bhide has also directed that regular monitoring should be kept in this regard.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Fire incidents increase in summer, citizens urged not to burn garbage and other waste in public places during summer

Mumbai: The rising temperatures in the summer months are likely to lead to an increase in fire incidents due to short circuits, overloading and other reasons like stress on the electrical system in homes, offices and commercial establishments. Therefore, the Mumbai Fire Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has appealed to the people of Mumbai to follow the rules and take precautionary measures. Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi have directed the Mumbai Fire Department to be alert and equipped for fire prevention measures.
The temperature is rising in Mumbai city. The heat is being felt intensely. Fans, air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators and other electrical appliances are being used in large quantities in homes, offices and commercial complexes. Due to which there is a possibility of an increase in fire incidents. Apart from this, factors like hot and dry environment, improper storage of flammable materials, burning of garbage and gas emission can also increase the risk of fire. Keeping this in mind, the Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to the citizens to be vigilant and take necessary precautions. Citizens should regularly check the electrical wires, switchboards and plug points in the house and building and ensure their connections. It is also important to avoid overloading by connecting multiple appliances to a single plug point. Safe and standard electrical connections should be used while using appliances like air conditioners, coolers, etc. Do not burn garbage, dry leaves of trees, vines or other flammable objects in the house or surroundings. LPG gas cylinders and gas pipes should be inspected regularly by the concerned experts. The Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to ensure that the fire extinguishing systems in every building, house and residential/non-residential premises are in good condition. Stairs and emergency exits of buildings and commercial complexes should be kept clean. So that citizens can safely exit in case of any incident. Along with this, their vehicles should be parked in the designated places. In case of an unfortunate incident of fire, sufficient space should be kept free for the free and smooth movement of fire brigade vehicles. In case of any fire, do not panic and immediately contact the Mumbai Fire Department on 101 or 022-23001390, 022-23001393, Chief Fire Officer Shri. Ravindra Ambolgekar has appealed.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Four members of the same family died due to delayed treatment after eating watermelon, FDA report on watermelon poisoning

Mumbai: A sensational conclusion has been reached after the mysterious death of a couple and their two daughters due to eating watermelon in Mumbai’s Dhoni. After their health deteriorated, there was a delay and hesitation in their treatment at JJ Hospital, due to which their condition worsened further. Due to lack of timely treatment, four members of the same family died. After the deaths due to eating watermelon, now the sale of watermelon in Mumbai has decreased, along with this, watermelon has completely disappeared from many feasts. JJ Hospital had also started a data entry in this case. All four were admitted to the hospital after complaining of stomach pain. All four were complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. It is said that they were admitted to the hospital late after their condition deteriorated. The forensic investigation also suspects poisoning. The police have formally registered a case of accidental death in this case. On April 25, the family ate biryani and then died due to eating watermelon, but the initial investigation did not clarify this. The FDA’s investigation has made it clear that the watermelon was not contaminated with any toxic substance. Apart from this, the FDA and other agencies are now investigating from the angle of food safety.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
