Mumbai: The special TADA court, conducting the trial against the third set of accused allegedly involved in 1993 blast case, has refused to discard, the confession statements of the accused, who were prosecuted in the first set of trial.

The prosecution had recorded confession statement of around 34 accused, which turned out to be crucial evidence to prove conspiracy charges, in the first phase of trial. Based on the confession statements which were corroborated with other evidence, the special court had in 2007, convicted around 100 accused.

The accused, who were subsequently arrested, which included gangster Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, had also questioned use of these confession statement as evidence in the trial against them. The court then had discarded their objection. Hence, the accused now have raised the issue before the Supreme Court in their appeals against conviction.

Pending, the issue, the accused, who are now before the court in the third set of right, have also raised the same issue. The defence has claimed that the statements cannot be used against them as the accused whose statements are sought to be used, are not being prosecuted with them.

It has been condended that confession statements of the accused can only be used of if those accused are also prosecuted along with the other accused against whom the statements are used. Since, the accused were prosecuted in previous trial, and are not jointly tried with the present set of the accused, it cannot be used now.

The Special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, (TADA) judge V D Kedar, decided to reject the objection observing that that the previous judge in second phase of the trial has already dealt with the same issues and “ruled that confessions of co-accused recorded in first part of the trial would be used against co-accused in subsequent part of the trial”.

The court also noted that the same issue is now raised by the second set of the accused, in the appeal filed before the Supreme court and it is still pending.

Those facing trial now are Farooq Mansoori-alias Farooq Takla, Ahmed Lambu, Munaf Halari, Abu Bakar, Sohaib Qureshi, Sayeed Qureshi and Yusuf Batka.

As per the prosecution Mansoori had allegedly facilitated the lodging and transport of four foot soldiers, who were recruited for the blasts before being sent to Pakistan for training. While, Lambu, Bakar, Qureshi, Batka had attended training for bomb making and also use of weapons. Meanwhile, Halari allegedly purchased the scooter allegedly used in the blasts.

New Delhi, Sep 13: In a significant development, Adani Power Ltd (APL) has signed a 25-year power supply agreement with Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd (BSPGCL) to supply 2,400 megawatt (MW) of power to the state, the Adani Group’s firm said on Saturday.

Under the agreement, the India’s largest private sector thermal power generator would supply the proposed power from a greenfield ultra super critical plant to be set up at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

The development came after a Letter of Award (LoA) by BSPGCL to APL, on behalf of North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) in August.

Adani Power won the project by offering the lowest supply rate at Rs 6.075 per kWh.

“The company is planning to invest approximately $3 billion to build the new plant (800 MW X 3) and its supporting infrastructure under the Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model,” the APL informed.

The coal linkage for the power plant has been allocated under the SHAKTI Policy of the government of India.

During the construction phase, the project will generate around 10,000 to 12,000 direct and indirect employment. Once it becomes operational, it will employ 3,000 people.

APL aims to commission the plant in 60 months.

Earlier, in a first-of-its-kind adoption of the greenshoe option in a thermal power tender in India, APL was awarded a total of 1,600 MW capacity by MP Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL).

The company received a LoA from MPPMCL, awarding 800 MW additional capacity under the ‘Greenshoe Option’.

Both units (800MW x 2) in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, will be commissioned within 60 months of the appointed date.

APL said that it will invest around Rs 21,000 crore towards setting up the plant and related infrastructure.

The project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment of 9,000-10,000 during the construction phase, and 2,000 once in operation.

Mumbai: Western Railway’s Mumbai Central Division has achieved a remarkable milestone in ticket checking performance during the current financial year. The division has not only surpassed previous records but also registered the highest-ever earnings in ticket checking between April to August 2025, as compared to any corresponding period of earlier years.

In recognition of their dedication and outstanding service, Pankaj Singh Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Central Division felicitated 36 ticket checking staff members for their exceptional performance.

According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the division has earned over ₹40 crore from ticket checking till August 2025, as against ₹31 crore during the same period last year, reflecting an impressive growth of almost 30%.

During the period from April to August 2025, almost 4.50 lakh ticketless travellers were apprehended. This outstanding achievement is the result of the sustained efforts of the ticket checking staff.

During the period, the highest individual revenue earners among the ticket checking staff were C.K. Sinha, Dy. Chief Ticket Inspector, Udhna, who collected almost ₹45 lakh, and Deepak S. Sapkale, Dy. Chief Ticket Inspector, Surat, who garnered more than ₹35 lakh. Their exemplary performance has set a benchmark for others in the division.

Yet another unique highlight of Mumbai Central Division’s performance has been the contribution by the Special Ladies Ticket Checking Squad. This squad consists of two teams comprising of 10 members each. Between April to August 2025, the squad detected more than 38,400 cases and generated revenue of around ₹109 lakh.

Amongst the women staff, Sheetal Sakru, Dy. Chief Ticket Inspector, Mumbai Central, emerged as the top performer with collection of almost ₹7 lakh as penalty. This showcases the efficiency, commitment and dedication of the women’s squad.

The remarkable efforts of the ticket checking staff promotes passenger discipline and strengthens Western Railway’s image as a responsible and efficient organisation.