General
Supreme Court puts sedition law on hold, no new FIRs to be lodged till review is complete
The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged the Centre and state governments to refrain from registering any FIRs invoking sedition provision, Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, till review of the law by the Centre is complete.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said till the review of the sedition provision by the Centre is complete, the governments should not use the sedition provision.
In an interim order, the bench said no new FIRs should be lodged under the sedition provision and those already in jail can approach courts for relief.
The Centre proposed issuing an advisory to the state governments that only a police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) — who may record in writing the reasons for a case involving sedition provision (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code) — as it cannot prevent police from registering a cognizable offence under sedition provision.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted that the government proposes that a police officer of the level of SP or above should decide, for now, on whether a sedition charge should be filed in future FIRs. He added that as the government reviews the sedition law, pending sedition cases can be reviewed, and the courts can decide on the bail application of those under Section 124A IPC, expeditiously.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, contended that Section 124A has become prima facie unconstitutional and the apex court must stay application of the sedition provision, till the Centre reviews the provision.
Mehta submitted that as far as pending cases are concerned, gravity of each case is not known, maybe there is a terror angle, and also the pending cases are before judicial forum. “We need to trust the courts,” he added.
Justice Kant told Sibal, “What is this argument…Can it be struck down today?” The bench added that it is looking for an answer who can be an impartial authority, in the view of Centre’s proposal, and asked Sibal what an arrangement in the interregnum can be done.
On Tuesday, the top court had sought the Centre’s response on pending and future cases registered under the sedition law.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in its affidavit said the Prime Minister of India has been cognizant of various views expressed on the subject and has also periodically, in various forums, expressed his clear and unequivocal views in favour of protection of civil liberties, respect for human rights and giving to the constitutionally cherished freedoms to the people of the country.
The home ministry added that the Prime Minister has repeatedly said that one of India’s strengths is the diverse thought streams that beautifully flourish in the country. The ministry said the Prime Minister believes that at a time when the nation is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Independence), as a nation it is essential to work harder to shed colonial baggage that passed its utility, which includes outdated colonial laws and practices.
“The Government of India, being fully cognizant of various views being expressed on the subject of sedition and also having considered the concerns of civil liberties and human rights, while committed to maintain and protect the sovereignty and integrity of this nation, has decided to re-examine and re-consider the provisions of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which can only be done before the competent forum,” said the affidavit.
Maharashtra
Crackdown on illegal street vendors in Andheri, Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-Waste’ department takes action, citizens are relieved

Mumbai: Around 200 unauthorised hawkers and additional structures on footpaths in Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) area of Andheri (West) in Mumbai were evicted by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-West’ department yesterday (January 29, 2026). The operation, as per the instructions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (K-West Division) Chakrapani Ale. Unauthorised additional structures were found on footpaths connecting Swami Vivekananda Marg and Gulmohar Marg in Andheri (West) and on Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) adjacent to the entrance of Dr. No. Cooper Hospital. It was also observed that unauthorised hawkers have set up shops in this area. It was creating obstacles for ambulances bringing patients to Cooper Hospital in case of emergency and for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths.
In this context, an eviction drive was launched by the ‘K-West’ administrative department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Under this, around 200 unauthorized hawkers and unauthorized additional structures established on the footpaths in this area were evicted.
The eviction was carried out with the help of 04 encroachment removal vehicles, 03 JCBs and other equipment. During this operation, an adequate police force including 100 officers and employees of the Municipal Corporation were deployed. Local representatives and citizens are expressing satisfaction over this action. The Municipal Corporation administration has made it clear that regular evictions against unauthorized structures will continue in the future.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Target to complete all works of Vidya Vihar Flyover by June 25, 2026, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Project) inspects site

Mumbai: A flyover is being constructed by the Municipal Corporation at Vidya Vihar railway station, connecting the east and west sides of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘N’ zone. The entire work of the project is targeted to be completed by June 25, 2026. However, all work on the eastern side of the bridge will be completed by February 28, 2026. The process of removing the affected residential and commercial structures and re-aligning the road on the western side of the bridge should be completed immediately. Keeping in mind the monsoon, all the necessary work on the bridge should be planned to be completed before May 31, 2026. After this, efforts should be made to complete the surfacing and finishing works and open the bridge for traffic by June 25, 2026, Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said (Projects) A flyover passing over the tracks of Vidya Vihar railway station, within the limits of the ‘N’ zone of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, is being constructed by the Bridge Department of the Municipal Corporation to connect Ram Chandra Chemburkar Marg in the east and Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in the west with the Ghatkopar area. The flyover project also includes a main bridge of about 100 meters in length that passes over the railway tracks. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar visited the project site today (January 29, 2026) and inspected it. During the inspection, he gave necessary instructions to the concerned agencies.
The flyover, which connects Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg and Ram Chandra Chemburkar Marg, has a total of two lanes. The 650-metre-long project includes a 100-metre bridge over the railway tracks, while a 220-metre approach road is being constructed on the eastern side and a 330-metre approach road on the western side. The flyover is also providing a connecting road to the footpaths of Vidya Vihar railway station. Along with this, the railway ticket counter, station master’s office and the stairs on both sides have also been reconstructed. The pedestrian path is being connected to the by-road through stairs within the railway limits. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar said that the work on the eastern side of the flyover is currently in the final stage. All the work, including the completion of the concrete path on the eastern side and surfacing of the entire bridge, will be completed by February 28, 2026. For this, a detailed and phased planning of the work should be done. So far, the construction of six pillars on the western side has been completed. The construction of the remaining four pillars, bridge span, normal road etc. is pending. Traffic diversion during these works is a major challenge. Therefore, the road work on both sides of the bridge will be completed first to provide more space for traffic while the work is in progress. After this, the remaining works of the bridge will include removal of affected residential and commercial structures and realignment of the road. After the completion of both these processes, the flyover works will gain significant momentum. Keeping in view the upcoming monsoon, all the major essential works of the flyover should be completed by May 31, 2026, followed by surfacing and other final works. In any case, the flyover should be completed and opened for traffic by June 25, 2026.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Ajit Pawar’s plane crash investigation handed over to central agency, inquiry started after state government’s recommendation, agency in possession of black box

Mumbai: The investigation into the plane crash of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (Ajit Pawar Baramati plane crash) will now be conducted by a central agency. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has started an investigation into the accident and after receiving its report, it will be sent to the state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Union Aviation Minister Kanjrapu Ram Mohan Naidu requesting an investigation into the accident. After this, the Union Minister gave this information in a letter written to the Chief Minister.
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has started an investigation. The black box of the aircraft has been seized. An investigation has been started as per the Aircraft Accident and Incident Rules. This will be done in a transparent and time-bound manner.
All the technical records, operational details, facts available at the accident site are being investigated. The Ministry has taken note of our request to control such incidents in future and steps will be taken in this regard as soon as the investigation report comes. The cooperation of the Maharashtra government in this investigation will also be valuable for us. The local administration will help in this. We will also give this complete investigation report to the state government.
A very senior leader like Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash. Along with him, 4 others have also lost their lives in it. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had demanded that the exact reasons for this accident should be investigated. He also demanded in the letter that immediate steps be taken to ensure that such accidents do not happen in the future.
Ajit Pawar’s last rites
The last rites of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were performed in a mournful atmosphere in Baramati. Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati yesterday. After which the entire state is in mourning. Ajit Pawar’s last rites were performed at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground in Baramati in the presence of lakhs of fans, supporters and leaders of all parties.
The untimely death of Ajit Pawar has shocked the entire state. Senior leaders of all parties including senior leader Sharad Pawar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, MNS President Raj Thackeray and others were present at the Vidya Pratishthan. Amidst the slogans of Ajit Dada Amar Rahe, Partha Pawar and Jay Pawar performed the last rites of Dada with tearful eyes. It seems that Dada’s departure has created a big void in the politics of the state.
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