Maharashtra
Skeletons peep out of Maharashtra CM’s ‘mini-cabinet’, 75% ministers face criminal cases

The 18-member ‘mini-cabinet’ expansion of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have thrown up many facts, including 75 per cent of the total 20 ‘crorepati’ ministers have criminal cases lodged against them.
According to a study conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a total of 15 ministers have declared criminal cases, including seven from the Shinde Group Shiv Sena and eight from the BJP, in the ‘gents only cabinet’.
Of these, 65 per cent — or 13 ministers — including seven from Shinde Group and six from the BJP have serious criminal cases filed against them.
Of the 20 crorepatis, BJP’s Mangal Prabhat Lodha, a reputed builder, is the richest among the ministers with assets worth Rs 441.65 crore and liabilities of Rs 283.36 crore.
Though a ‘crorepati’, the poorest in the lot is also BJP’s Sandipanrao A. Bhumre with assets of Rs 2.92 crore in his name.
The average assets of the ministers’ whose poll affidavits were analysed by ADR comes to Rs 47 crore — comprising the BJP’s Rs 58 crore and Shinde Group’s Rs 36 crore.
On the academic front, two ministers (or 10 per cent) have declared their educational track record as SSC pass, six (30 per cent) as HSC pass, 11 ministers (55 per cent) are higher qualified with degrees, and only one Dr. Suresh Khade of the BJP holds a doctorate from a university in Sri Lanka.
As far as the age group is concerned, 16 ministers (80 per cent) fall in the upper echelons aged between 51-70, and four (20 per cent) are between 41-50, said the ADR’s Maharashtra Election Watch, coordinated by Ajit Ranade, Sharad Kumar and Satish Khot.
CM Shinde carried out his much-awaited cabinet expansion on Tuesday, inducting 18 ministers, including three allegedly ‘tainted’. No women MLA could find a place in the cabinet and so could not the Independents and smaller parties.
Crime
New India Cooperative Bank: Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta Received ₹1.5 Crore Loan Remission, Reveals EOW Probe

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta received a loan remission by New India Cooperative Bank. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is looking into Hiren Bhanu, the former chairman of the bank, for allegedly approving loans in return for bribes, as per reports.
The investigation has revealed that the actress benefitted from a remission on her loan. The police said that on January 7, 2011, a loan of Rs. 18 crore was sanctioned to actress Preity Zinta. The loan was declared a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2013. The amount was later settled at Rs. 10.74 crore, and a remission of Rs. 1.55 crore was granted to her. The amount was paid on April 5, 2014, according to a report by Media quoting an EOW officer.
In February, the Kerala Congress unit alleged that the bank had waived off a Rs 18 crore loan in exchange for Preity Zinta’s support for the BJP. In response, Zinta clarified that she had an overdraft facility with the bank over 12 years ago, which was fully repaid more than a decade ago. She stated that her account had been closed since then, refuting any claims that she benefited from the bank’s financial issues.
While replying to the post of the Congress Kerala, Actress stated “No I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name & images. For the record a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK – over 10 years ago. Hope this clarifies and helps so there are no misunderstandings in the future.”
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) officer mentioned that they are reviewing the documents from the bank as part of their investigation.
Crime
Kunal Kamra petitions Madras HC for transit anticipatory bail in controversial remarks case

New Delhi, March 28: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is facing multiple criminal cases over the “traitor” jibe towards Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Friday petitioned the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail.
Kamra’s plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Justice Sunder Mohan, who assured to examine the matter later in the day.
Mumbai’s MIDC police station on Monday registered a Zero FIR against Kamra for cracking an allegedly objectionable joke during a stand-up comedy show.
The Khar Police booked Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.
They also detained 20 Sena activists. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, Dixit Gedam said two offences have been registered at Khar police station.
One is against Kamra for derogatory comments, while the other is against people who vandalised the Unicontinental hotel where the shoot of Kamra’s comedy show took place.
He further added that the investigation is underway. Shiv Sena has condemned the “distasteful and defamatory” remarks made by Kamra during his recent performance at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where he performed a parody song targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Police have already booked Kamra under section 356(2) (defamation) of the BNS.
The Mumbai Police had served two summons to Kamra, who has not yet appeared to give his statement.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday accepted a privilege notice against Kamra and forwarded it to the Privileges Committee.
“I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by the committee,” said Upper House Chairman Ram Shinde.
Maharashtra
Protest by tying black bands in mosques against Waqf Bill

Mumbai: On the appeal of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Muslims in Mumbai city tied black bands and protested against the Waqf Bill on Jummatul Vida. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has demanded the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2024. Along with this, Namazis offered Namaz by tying black bands in all the mosques of Mumbai city. Mumbai Police has made tight security arrangements for Jummatul Vida.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had appealed to the Muslims to offer Jummatul Vida Namaz by tying black bands in protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. Muslims have protested on the appeal of the Waqf Board. Muslims protested against the appeal of the Muslim Personal Law Board against the conspiracy of the government to deprive Muslims of their monasteries, mosques and charitable institutions by passing the Waqf Bill.
Jummatul Vida was celebrated as Yaumul Quds along with the protest against the Waqf Bill. Prayers were offered in mosques for the oppressed Palestinians. Special prayers were also offered in mosques for the protection of Waqf properties. Khutba of Alvida, Alvida, Mahe Ramzan was read.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had also issued strict security arrangements and orders in view of Jummatul Vida. Police had issued an alert in view of Jummatul Vida and Gudi Padwa, which is why Jummatul Vida was completed peacefully.
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