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Wednesday,11-November-2026
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Maharashtra

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut sent to ED custody till Thursday (Ld)

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A special court here on Monday sent Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to the custody of Enforcement Directorate for 3 days, till Thursday, in a money laundering case arising out of the Patra Chawl land scam.

Special PMLA court judge M.G. Deshpande pronounced the order as Raut was produced before it, hours after he was arrested by the ED here early this morning.

While ED’s special counsel Hiten Venegaonkar sought 8 days custody, Raut’s lawyer, senior counsel Ashok Mundargi opposed it on various grounds including the health problems of his client who was a cardiac patient.

Venegaonkar argued that Raut was not cooperating with the investigations and hence his custodial interrogation was necessary and the agency wanted to probe other aspects of the Patra Chawl scam and related issues.

He contended that co-accused Pravin Raut was merely a front-man and all deals pertaining to the Patra Chawl scam were perpetrated by Sanjay Raut.

Opposing the ED’s contentions, Mundargi said that Raut’s arrest was politically motivated and pleaded for minimum custody for his client.

“He is a patient, suffering from heart-related issues and has undergone surgery, and all medical papers pertaining to this have been submitted to the court,” he said.

Venegaonkar claimed that Pravin Raut has received Rs 112 crore from HDIL in which Rs 1.6 crore was transferred to Sanjay Raut, which needs to be probed.

He also argued that Pravin Raut acted as the front-man of Sanjay Raut even in the purchase of lands in Alibaug, and Raigad, and the duo were close to each other and went on several foreign tours, etc.

The ED further alleged that Raut had threatened one of the witnesses (a woman), appeared once for probe and skipped two other summonses, and he was not cooperating with the investigators.

In response, Mundargi said that the allegations listed in the remand application are vague and stem from a political vendetta as the case dates back to 2018 but is being raised now owing to the changed political scenario.

On the ED’s contentions of non-cooperation, Mundargi said Raut had already informed the ED that he was involved in elections, he was in New Delhi, and not running away from the probe as he was attending Parliament.

After hearing both sides, Special Judge Deshpande turned down the ED’s plea for 8 days custody, and noted that custody till August 4 would be sufficient.

“I am of the opinion that such a long custody of 8 days is not warranted… I am of the opinion that accused (Raut) is remanded to ED custody up to August 4 that will suffice for investigations,” he said.

Taking cognisance of Raut’s heart disease and his surgery, the court said that during custody, he may be given some rest instead of interrogating him till late night.

It has also allowed Raut to meet his legal team in the mornings and the ED will not interrogate him after 10 p.m. in view of his health status.

The ED is probing alleged money-laundering that was detected in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl by HDIL subsidiary, Guru Ashish Constructions Pvt Ltd.

While Pravin Raut, an ex-Director in the Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, was arrested earlier, the ED also attached his properties and assets belonging to Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha, valued at over Rs 11 crore, in April.

On July 1, the ED had summoned and questioned Sanjay Raut for over 10 hours and then called him again on three occasions, but he had sought time till August 7.

The ED raided Raut’s Bhandup bungalow at dawn on July 31, and he was questioned for over nine hours.

Later, he was taken under detention to the agency offices where he was again grilled for over 7 hours before he was placed under arrest.

Maharashtra

Two men arrested for forcibly pulling a woman’s gold chain and fleeing in Kandivali, a case of theft registered against both

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On October 6, in the jurisdiction of the Kandivali Police Station, an elderly woman was walking home from the market. Under the pretext of helping her cross the road, unidentified thieves followed her close to her home; while she was seated, they forcibly snatched the gold chain from her neck and fled. Based on the complainant’s statement, the Kandivali Police registered a case (Case No. 1450/2026) under Section 309(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The stolen item was an antique gold chain, weighing approximately 17 grams and valued at Rs. 2,00,000.

Under the guidance of the DCP (Zone 2), the Kandivali Police formed three teams to track down the suspects. The officers and personnel conducted a technical investigation at the crime scene and the surrounding area. During this process, the Kandivali Police team learned that a case of motorcycle theft had been registered at the Kasturba Marg Police Station (Case No. 760/2026, under Section 303(2) of the BNS). A police team was subsequently formed at the Kasturba Marg Police Station to investigate that case as well.

Following this, four separate teams from the Kandivali and Kasturba Marg Police Stations—utilizing technical investigation methods and information from informants—identified the suspects wanted in connection with these crimes. On November 9, information was received that the wanted suspects were expected to arrive in the vicinity of Dadar Railway Station that night. Acting on the aforementioned information, police set a trap at Dadar Railway Station and, following a skillful investigation, took both suspects into custody. The suspects are Pramod Prabhakar Jatar (43, unemployed, residing at Room No. 07, 4th Floor, Sunshine Garden, Nalasopara East, Palghar District) and Mohammad Shahid Alauddin Khan (47, a tempo driver, residing at Azad Nagar, Gate No. 08, Ambojwadi, Malwani, Malad, Mumbai). Further interrogation regarding the crime revealed their involvement, leading to their formal arrest. During the investigation, police recovered a gold chain (weighing approximately 17 grams, valued at Rs. 2,00,000) that had been forcibly stolen, as well as the motorcycle used to commit the crime—a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen from the jurisdiction of the Kasturba Marg Police Station.
The investigation teams from the Kandivali and Kasturba Marg Police Stations demonstrated commendable performance; through tireless effort and professional skill—from the initial registration of the case to its resolution—they have fostered a sense of security among the public and enhanced the image of the Mumbai Police.

This operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Shashi Kumar Meena, and DCP Sandeep Ghuge.

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Crime

‘Conspiracy, not accident’: NCP on Ajit Pawar death

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Amid ongoing political allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the plane crash involving late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief National Spokesperson Umesh Patil on Wednesday made a sensational statement.

Patil claimed that it is his “gut feeling” that Ajitdada’s death was not merely an accident, but a suspected conspiracy. He also clarified that Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, and Jay Pawar are actively pursuing this matter.

Earlier, senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam had directly demanded an inquiry into NCP Maharashtra President and MP Sunil Tatkare over Ajit Pawar’s plane crash, levelling serious allegations against him.

While NCP leaders were responding to these allegations, Umesh Patil’s expression of doubt regarding the tragedy has once again given a new political turn to the case.

Expressing suspicion over Ajit Pawar’s plane crash, Patil said, “Based on my close association and observations of various things, and considering the sequence of events during the tragedy and the potential reasons behind it, I feel that this was not an accident, but a conspiracy.”

He added that appropriate follow-up is underway on the right platform, with Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, and Jay Pawar also making efforts in this regard.

Speaking on the investigation into the plane crash, Patil noted that the incident involves multiple technical aspects and stated that it would not be appropriate to comment further until the reports from relevant investigative agencies are released.

Following Ramdas Kadam’s allegations, Patil’s raising of suspicions regarding the crash is likely to heat the political atmosphere in the state once again.

Meanwhile, NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar announced that he will address a major press conference in Mumbai on November 14 or 15 to unveil crucial findings regarding the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The statement comes amidst heightened political tension and allegations of foul play following the crash of the VSR Ventures Learjet 45 near Baramati Airport on January 28, 2026.

Calling his scheduled November 14/15 press conference his “most important presentation,” Rohit Pawar stated that he plans to present key evidence, phone records, and technical observations surrounding the final moments of the flight.

He reiterated that a large segment of the public in Maharashtra suspects the crash was not a mere accident, but a potential case of foul play.

He criticised the state government and investigating agencies for moving at a “saintly pace” and failing to register a formal FIR to resolve growing public suspicion.

Responding to a question about the allegations made by senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam against NCP state president Sunil Tatkare in connection with the plane crash, Rohit Pawar reacted to these allegations.

“I have not heard what Ramdas Kadam has accused. But some people called and told me that Ramdas Kadam has linked Sunil Tatkare’s name to Ajit Pawar’s accident. My only opinion is that the investigation into Ajit Pawar’s accident is not being done in the way it should be,” he alleged.

“We suspect that Ajit Pawar’s accident was a case of sabotage. But the people in power are not dispelling that suspicion,” he said.

He added that the investigation is not going in the right direction, adding that the investigation of Ajit Dada is going on at a snail’s pace.

“We are also starting to have doubts about the investigation. The people in power are deliberately not investigating properly. Still, let Diwali happen once. On November 14 or 15, I will give my last and most important presentation of many days in Mumbai. The revelations I am going to make in that regard will definitely be surprising for you,” he said.

He further added that every person in Maharashtra has doubts about Ajit Pawar’s accident.

Saying that 90 per cent of people suspect that Ajit’s accident was not an accident but a hit-and-run, he added, “We also have the same opinion.”

He said that if an FIR is not filed in this case in a state like Maharashtra, then the ruling party is saving the person responsible for Ajit’s accident.

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Maharashtra

Kurla: Police alert after Vinod Pawar shot at Halaupal, personal enmity suspected. Additional Commissioner and DCP also at the scene, investigation underway.

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Panic gripped the McDwala Compound in the Halavpul area of ​​Kurla, Mumbai, when unidentified assailants opened fire on Vinod Pawar. The attack, carried out by unknown assailants—identified as his rivals—occurred at 12:40 PM, leaving Vinod severely injured. He was admitted to the nearby Bhabha Hospital, where his condition is reported to be critical. The assailants did not target Vinod alone; they also fired shots into the ground. Following the incident, the police registered a case and launched an investigation. DCP Ganesh Shinde and Additional Commissioner of Police (East Region) Dhananjay Kulkarni inspected the crime scene, and a forensic team has been called in to assist with the investigation. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the shooting was the result of an old enmity involving Vinod Pawar; the police are now examining every aspect of the case. DCP Ganesh Shinde stated that the incident took place within the jurisdiction of the V.B. Nagar Police Station at 12:40 PM, where 40-year-old Vinod Ellappa Pawar was fired upon by his rivals due to a long-standing feud. The injured Vinod Pawar has been admitted to a nearby hospital. Police sources stated that a shooting incident had occurred here previously as well, and now a second such incident has taken place; consequently, the police have issued an alert. The matter is being investigated from every angle. DCP Ganesh Shinde has begun questioning individuals in the area, including eyewitnesses. Since the incident took place in broad daylight, evidence—including CCTV footage and other relevant documentation—has been collected.

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