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Monday,21-July-2025
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Maharashtra

Sena Vs Sena Row: Both Factions Refuse To Relent As Final Verdict Is Likely To Be Announced Next Week

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Mumbai: The Shinde and Thackeray factions of Shiv Sena remained firm on their respective grounds of holding separate hearings and clubbing all the petitions regarding disqualification of MLAs, respectively, on Thursday even as counsel for both sides argued for around three hours before the Speaker of Maharashtra assembly Rahul Narwekar.

Three applications moved in this regard, too, were heard and final decision regarding clubbing the petitions is likely to come next week on October 20.

Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, MLC Anil Parab, MLA Ajay Chaudhari were present along with the counsel to represent Shiv Sena (UBT) during the hearing, while from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), advocate Anil Sakhare was present. The Thackeray faction fiercely argued in favour of clubbing the petitions. However, the Shinde faction had a counter argument for each of the points raised by the Thackeray faction.

“We have promised full cooperation in ensuring timely completion of the hearing. But we cannot accept the demand for clubbing the petitions, because all the petitions are different, the reasons cited by them too are different. Hence, we argued in favour of separate hearing on every petition,” Sakahre said.

“Every MLA has a right to be heard,” says Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Advocate Anil Sakhare

“Several reasons have been given for disqualification of MLAs. Not attending meetings, not abiding by the whip for election of speaker and not abiding by the whip while proving majority are the three primary reasons cited by them. But, all these things are different and hence we have been arguing for separate hearings on all the petitions. Every MLA has a right to be heard. If the petitions are clubbed, that right will be lost. That is another reason why each of the petitions needs to be heard separately,” Sakhare said. He added that he prayed for a speedy hearing and assured complete cooperation to Narwekar.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai, however, criticised the stand and said that delaying tactics are being engaged by pointless arguments on even small aspects of the law.

“They face disqualification and hence are delaying the decision. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said and added it appears as if the Supreme Court will have to be approached again. Shiv Sena (UBT) whip Sunil Prabhu said that the Speaker is expected to give a decision upholding the democratic principles.

Crime

Thane Crime Branch Seizes ₹1.69 Crore Worth MD Powder; Man Arrested While En Route To Mumbra

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The Thane Crime Branch Unit One has arrested a man for allegedly possessing over 1 kilogram of MD powder, valued at ₹1.69 crore, which he intended to sell in Mumbra. The accused has been identified as Mohanlal Joshi alias Sharma, a resident of Kudus village in Wada, Palghar.

According to officials, acting on a tip-off received on July 18, a team was deployed near the Mumbra bypass flyover bridge, where the suspect was expected to arrive. The man was intercepted in his car en route to Mumbra. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered and seized 1.209 kilograms of MD powder, with an estimated value of ₹1,69,26,000.

He was taken to the police station, and a case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

An investigating officer from Thane Crime Branch Unit One said they are currently probing the source of the contraband and its intended recipients. Efforts are also underway to determine how many others may be involved in the case. Further investigation is ongoing.

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Maharashtra

Air India Flight From Kochi Veers Off Runway While Landing At Mumbai Airport Amid Heavy Rains

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Mumbai: A major tragedy averted on Monday as Air India flight, AI2744, from Kochi veered off runway at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport amid heavy rains in the city. All passengers are reported to be safe.

As per Air India’s spokesperson, the flight experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft was taxied safely to the gate. All passengers and crew members deboarded the flight. The aircraft has been grounded for checks.

The hard landing reportedly caused damaged to the primary runway. Repair works are currently underway. Three tyres burst during the landing and the engine of the aircraft likely to have been damaged, Emergency teams were deployed to control the situation.

Visuals Of The Damaged Plane:

“An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion,” a spokesperson for CSMIA said, as quoted by the media house.

“All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages reported to the airport’s primary runway – 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 has been activated. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” the CSMIA spokesperson added.

Mumbai Rains:

Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, leading to traffic disruption, especially in western and central suburbs. Local train services were also affected due to heavy showers. Local trains on the harbour line were reportedly running 20-25 minutes late.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more rains in the city during the week as the monsoon activity intensified. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall and overcast skies are expected, along with occasional thunderstorms. The overall temperature will remain mild, although humidity levels may remain steady.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai HC Acquits All Convicted in 2006 Train Blasts Case; Death Sentences Overturned

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Mumbai | July 21, 2025 — In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai local train serial bomb blasts case, reversing the 2015 judgment of the MCOCA special court which had handed out death and life sentences.

The case (G.R. No. 05/2006, MCOCA Special Case No. 21/2006) pertains to the horrific series of bomb blasts that rocked the Western Railway suburban trains in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, killing over 180 people and injuring more than 800.

On September 30, 2015, the special MCOCA court had sentenced:

  • 5 accused to death,
  • 7 accused to life imprisonment,
  • while 1 accused was acquitted.

Following standard procedure, the death sentences were referred to the Bombay High Court for confirmation, and the convicted individuals filed appeals challenging their sentences.

A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice S. G. Chapalgaonkar heard the matter extensively from *July 2024, with final arguments concluding on *January 27, 2025.

On July 21, 2025, the High Court delivered its judgment:

  • Rejected the death reference,
  • Allowed the appeals of all convicted individuals,
  • Set aside the 2015 convictions and sentences passed by the MCOCA special court.

Representing the Government of India and the state of Maharashtra were Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Raja Thakare and Special Public Prosecutor Chimalkar, who argued for upholding the original verdict.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, has stated that it is currently analyzing the High Court’s detailed judgment. Consultations are underway with legal experts and special prosecutors to determine the next course of legal action, which may include an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The verdict has sparked significant public and legal interest, as it not only impacts one of the most devastating terror incidents in Mumbai’s history but also raises serious questions about the prosecution’s evidence and investigation.

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