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Maharashtra

Supreme Court dismisses PIL seeking direction to designate BMC as sole planning authority for Mumbai

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New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the Urban Development Department of Maharashtra government to designate BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) as the sole and centralised planning and sanctioning authority for the city of Mumbai.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked the petitioner, Earth, a non-government organisation, to approach the Bombay High Court.

Sensing the disclination of the apex court to entertain the plea, the petitioner’s counsel sought liberty to withdraw the PIL. Ultimately, the matter was dismissed as withdrawn by the apex court.

The PIL said that Section 40 of the Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, which empowers the state government to appoint a Special Planning Authority (SPA) for notified areas, was enacted before the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, effective June 1993.

“This amendment introduced Part IXA, titled ‘The Municipalities’ (Articles 243P to 243ZG along with Twelfth Schedule), establishing the framework for the constitution, composition, and responsibilities of Municipalities. However, Section 40 was not amended to explicitly define the roles, powers, and functions of a SPA concerning matters outlined in Schedule XII,” the plea added.

Despite this lack of clarity, the Urban Development Department proceeded to appoint multiple SPAs, which diluted the planning and sanctioning powers of BMC, contented the petition, adding that “this ambiguity has adversely affected BMC’s ability to address key issues in Schedule XII, including urban planning, land use regulation, building construction, road and bridge maintenance, and slum improvement”.

The PIL, filed through advocate Dilip Annasaheb Taur, said that the approach has hindered urban development and limited citizens’ access to amenities due to a lack of transparency and consistency in the approval processes of the SPAs, the transfer of public amenities, and the execution of the 18 responsibilities outlined in the Schedule XII.

“The insufficient transparency in transferring amenities to the BMC obstructs effective urban planning and negatively impacts residents, depriving them of essential services and facilities,” it said.

The BMC established under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888 (MMC Act), serves as both the governing civic body and the planning authority for Mumbai in accordance with the MRTP Act, 1966.

The petition said that the existence of multiple planning authorities (without a clear delineation of duties) has led to certain operational inefficiencies, and the planning and sanctioning process of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is laced with “major deficiencies”.

Maharashtra

22.23 Kg Ganja Worth ₹4.43 Lakh Seized In Trombay; Two Arrested In Major Drug Bust

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Mumbai: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Trombay Police arrested two individuals and seized over 22 kilograms of ganja worth Rs 4.43 lakh. The operation targeted a drug supply chain spanning from Odisha to Mumbai. The Mumbai Police shared the information via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

According to police officials, one of the arrested accused is a supplier from Odisha. At the same time, the second individual was responsible for transporting the narcotics and distributing them. The duo was nabbed following a well-coordinated surveillance operation led by the Trombay Police Station team.

During the bust, police seized 22.23 kg of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 4,43,000. The arrests were made by the Trombay police, and the Mumbai Police shared details on their official X handle, including images of the accused. The individuals arrested have been charged under the relevant sections of the law.

In another significant operation named ‘Operation Prahar’ in Navi Mumbai. The police arrested seven drug peddlers and seized ganja valued at Rs 40 lakh during simultaneous raids at 48 locations throughout the city.

Sr Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade, from Anti Narcotics Unit (ANU), mentioned, “The coordinated action, carried out in the early hours of May 23, led to the seizure of approximately 20.7 kg of ganja and cash from the residences of the accused. Some peddlers had even buried the contraband in hidden pits inside their homes, which were discovered by the raiding teams.”

The operation was initiated following directives from Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Joint CP Sanjay Yenpure, and Additional CP (Crime) Deepak Sakore, as part of the ongoing effort to create a drug-free Navi Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra ATS action: Pakistani spy arrested

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has claimed to have arrested a person who was in contact with a PIO for spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Investigation has revealed that the suspect was in contact with the PIO on Facebook since November 2024. Between November 2024 and March 2025, he sent pictures of restricted and important establishments of the Government of India through WhatsApp. In this case, the ATS has also identified two of his contacts with whom he was in contact. In this case, the ATS has registered a case against three people. The suspect was in contact with two Pakistani people. What kind of intelligence information of India did he give and pictures of which places did he send? This is also being investigated. A case has been registered against the accused for giving intelligence information and taking pictures of places of the Government of India and spying and the Pakistani spy has been arrested. Earlier, the ATS had arrested a PIO spy. In this case too, the ATS has registered a case for giving sensitive information. A case was registered and now the ATS has arrested a person in the PIO case.

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Maharashtra

Goats continue to arrive in Deonar Mandi on Eid-ul-Adha, BMC and Deonar administration claim to have completed all preparations, online permits for sacrifice

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Mumbai: Goats have started arriving at the Deonar slaughterhouse for Eid-ul-Adha. Due to heavy rains, the crowd in the market is less. The Deonar administration has claimed to have completed all the preparations for Eid-ul-Adha. A fee of Rs 195 is being charged from traders per goat, but there is no fee for buyers. Deonar slaughterhouse general manager Kaleem Pasha Pathan said that complete arrangements have been made for the sacrifice in Deonar, along with all the arrangements including the goat shed.

Deonar slaughterhouse is under 24-hour CCTV surveillance. Along with goats, there is a buffalo market here and the purchase of buffaloes has also increased. Last year, due to the increase in goat prices, the purchase of buffaloes was also high, so this year too, the buffalo and goat market has been decorated. He said that all kinds of facilities are available in the market, including medical examination of goats and animals, along with other necessary arrangements including stalls have been made for buyers. Eid-ul-Adha buffaloes are sacrificed in Dewiyar from June 7 to June 9 and the sacrificers are informed about the schedule after booking tokens and slots, along with which online permits for sacrifice are also provided at housing societies and other places. Kaleem Pathan said that fencing and sheds have been arranged for the protection of sacrificial animals, along with roads have also been prepared so that buyers do not face any kind of trouble during the rains.

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