Connect with us
Saturday,26-September-2026
Breaking News

General

Supreme Court allows OBC quota in Madhya Pradesh local body polls, directs poll notification in a week

Published

on

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed OBC quota in local body elections of Madhya Pradesh. A bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to notify local body elections in one week.

The top court order came on a plea by the Madhya Pradesh government seeking modification in the May 10 order, directing the SEC to notify the programme for local body polls within two weeks.

Speaking to advocate Shashank Ratnoo, representing the OBC petitioners, said he argued before the top court that OBCs should not suffer for the mistakes of the government. He added that the top court has allowed OBC reservation under 50 per cent ward wise and panchayat wise on all 23,000 upwards seats. The top court has directed the SEC to notify elections within 7 days.

On May 10, the Supreme Court had directed the Madhya Pradesh SEC to commence the poll programme for over 23,000 local bodies and issue notification within two weeks. The top court made it clear that until the state government completes the triple test formality, no reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) can be provisioned.

The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday submitted the second report of the OBC Commission during the hearing on its plea for modification of the May 10 order. The state government contended that the OBC Commission’s report is in relation to the percentage of local body wise reservation and argued that the court should rely on this report. Meanwhile, the government also requested the apex court to allow it to issue notification for the reservation for OBCs on its basis.

The government has presented the 2011 population figures for giving OBC reservation. According to this, the total number of OBCs is reported to be 51 per cent of the population. The government believes that if OBCs get reservation on this basis, then justice will be done to them. After hearing all the parties, the apex court had fixed the matter for Wednesday.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Successful seminar by All India Muslim Women to create awareness among Muslim women

Published

on

Mumbai: The All India Muslim Women’s Association organized a two-day seminar at the Saboo Siddik Musafir Khana in Mumbai to foster awareness among Muslim women and take significant steps toward their empowerment and self-reliance. During this gathering, women were apprised of matters concerning religion, worldly affairs, and current events. Addressing the assembly, Dr. Asma Zehra stated that the event was organized in response to the pressing need for awareness in these turbulent times; educational awareness, in particular, is crucial, so the seminar highlighted the true purpose and significance of education. The event saw the participation of female educators not only from Mumbai but also from across Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Dr. Zehra emphasized that education is what brings about awareness in our generations; thus, the seminar was held to enlighten young women and girls, familiarizing them with professional dynamics and societal roles. She noted that while the government attempts to marginalize minorities—pushing for new laws and the implementation of measures like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)—this very pressure has awakened the Muslim community. The government’s persistent targeting of Muslims has served to fully alert the community, making them vigilant and wary of every maneuver. The seminar aimed to promote education, foster self-reliance among women and girls, and raise awareness regarding women’s rights in society. Farid Shaikh, head of the Mumbai Peace Committee, played a leading role in this event. He stated that the objective of the seminar was to empower women and boost their morale; consequently, this two-day event was organized in Mumbai, drawing the participation of over 500 teachers, women from various fields, and prominent figures from across the country, ultimately proving to be a success.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Fear of demolition drive on slums from October 1

Published

on

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, addressing a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, demanded an immediate halt to the action against slum structures exceeding a height of 14 feet. He stated that this policy aims to target slum areas such as Mankhurd-Govandi, Malad-Malwani, Kurla, and Saki Naka. He questioned why action is being taken against these residents when they are eligible to vote. Azmi also demanded action against the officials responsible for allowing these unauthorized constructions. He remarked that such policies are formulated specifically to target slums—particularly those inhabited by minorities—and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately stop this move. He noted that the BMC’s directive regarding the 14-foot height limit has created uncertainty and distress among residents, raising concerns about potential law-and-order issues; therefore, he urged the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of these slums before taking any further action. Speaking about the Election Commission and the FIR, Azmi has branded the Election Commissioner himself a fraudster and a thief, stating that the manner in which irregularities and misappropriation took place has now become evident; consequently, he has demanded the Election Commissioner’s arrest. Additionally, Azmi has called for immediate relief to drought-stricken districts, a formal declaration of drought in Maharashtra, and urgent financial and necessary assistance for farmers. He noted that the UP elections are approaching and announced plans to launch a campaign in Mumbai for natives of North India, while also urging them to participate in the UP elections.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Property Cell and Crime Branch conduct major operation, four more arrested in MPSC Drug Inspector exam question paper leak case

Published

on

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a screening test on March 22, 2026, for 154 posts of Drug Inspector (Group B) under the Food and Drug Administration cadre across six examination centers in Maharashtra. A case was registered at the Cuffe Parade Police Station regarding the breach of the examination paper’s confidentiality and the unauthorized leaking of the question set for financial gain.

The Special Investigation Team of the Property Cell, Crime Branch, Mumbai, is investigating the matter. Based on a technical investigation, two candidates who obtained the question paper through illegal means have been arrested, along with two intermediaries.

The investigation revealed that copies of the question sets selected by experts were prepared in the MPSC’s confidential room and subsequently leaked illegally for financial gain. Previously, Under Secretary Abhijit Landge, Assistant Room Officers Vishweshwar Nakte and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Patil, intermediaries Amrit Patil and Lokesh (alias Gaurav) Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil had been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigation led to the arrest of candidates Sajid Sandhe (Sangli) and Vijay Kangar (Buldhana)—who had obtained question sets through illegal means—as well as Sandeep Khalte and Bhairunath Kadam (Navi Mumbai), who acted as intermediaries; they were arrested on September 22, 2026, by the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch’s Property Cell.
With this action, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 11.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadanand Rane and Police Inspector-in-Charge Mangesh Desai led the investigation, with police officers from the branch playing a pivotal role in the inquiry.

Continue Reading

Trending