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Maharashtra

Thackeray-Shinde groups’ tug-of-war for Shiv Sena Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park

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The historic Shivaji Park ground here has become the new bone of contention between the two rival Shiv Sena factions, both clamouring to hold the annual calendar event, the Dassehra Rally.

The Shiv Sena President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is facing competition from the rebel faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and even the Raj Thacekray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is toying with the idea of a rally at the Shivaji Park.

The annual mega-rally held on Vijaya Dashami or Dassehra Day each year is expected to be a litmus test on the Shiv Sena and the Shinde Group’s claims that it is the ‘real Shiv Sena’.

Both the factions have applied to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for permission to hold the public rally there on October 5.

Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, close to Thackeray has sought permission on behalf of the Shiv Sena, while Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar has submitted an application on behalf of the Shinde Group.

When asked about it, CM Shinde skirted a direct reply and said: “There is still time now… We are now celebrating Ganeshotsav and Anant Chaturdashi, then Navratri and Dassehra will come… How can I predict everything now? You will come to know in some more time.”

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar said while anybody has the right to hold their rally at Shivaji Park, he urged Shinde “to avoid a confrontationist approach” with the Opposition.

Shiv Sena’s fomer mayor Kishori Pednekar slammed the turncoats, claiming they are apparently suffering from a ‘Ghajini-syndrome’ – referring to the 2008 blockbuster starring Aamir Khan in which he suffers a rare type of amnesia.

“They are trying to erase history. They have forgotten it is the Shiv Sena which started the tradition and has been holding the annual Dassehra rallies at Shivaji Park from 1966. They are attempting to fuel a law-and-order situation,” said Pednekar agitatedly.

Hoping to cash in on the sentiments, MNS Spokesperson Sandip Deshpande said on Saturday that many party activists want Raj Thackeray to address the rally this year, but said the final call would come only from the party chieftain.

NCP’s Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said since they (Shinde Group) have power, they will try everything to get the Shivaji Park for their rally, and it is possible both (Thackeray and Shinde) may be allotted the venue for back-to-back rallies.

Shiv Sena’s Spokesperson Dr. Manisha Kayande, senior leader Ambadas Danve and others have slammed the Shinde Group for attempting to hijack the traditions initiated by the late Balasaheb Thaceray.

Founding the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966, Balasaheb Thackeray had held his maiden Dassehra Rally at Shivaji Park – also known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Cricket’ – and since then it became his signature event.

Since the past 55 years, it has remained an unbroken tradition – except twice, in 2006 owing to torrential rains and in 2009 as it clashed with the Assembly elections – and a ‘must attend’ for all Shiv Sainiks in the state.

After Balasaheb Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012, he was accorded a public funeral with his last rites performed in a corner of his favourite venue with several lakhs in attendance.

In 2020, the Dassehra rally was held online and in 2021, it was at the Shanmukhananda Hall, addressed by the former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but this time he has cracked the whip on the Shiv Sena to make full preparations at Shivaji Park — a stone’s throw away from Sena Bhavan, the party landmark headquarters since 1977.

Crime

Palghar News: Chemistry Teacher Arrested Under POCSO For Sexual Assaulting Teen Student In Nallasopara

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Palghar: Another shocking incident of a teacher sexually assaulting a teen student has come forward from Palghar. Authorities have taken a teacher into custody for supposedly assaulting a 16-year-old female student at a private tutoring centre in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, an official stated on Monday.

As per the victim’s report, the 42-year-old suspect, a Chemistry instructor at the coaching centre in the Nalla Sopara region, summoned her for an additional class on Saturday afternoon and took her to his office at the facility, where he purportedly assaulted her, the official stated, as reported by PTI.

The following day, the instructor tried to photograph the victim in class, but she evaded it, stated the official from Nalla Sopara police station. Her parents soon reached the class, seized the accused, and delivered him to the police. The victim claimed that the accused had previously made advances toward her as well, PTI reported.

According to the complaint, the suspect was apprehended on Sunday and charged under section 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intention to insult her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with clauses of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the police reported.

Another Incident

A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped multiple times by five individuals over three months in central Mumbai. Police arrested a 25-year-old man and detained four juveniles related to the case. The situation came to light when the girlfriend of one accused confronted the victim.

After her parents checked her phone and discovered videos and messages about the relationship, they reported the matter to the police. A case was filed against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

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Maharashtra

Vasai-Virar News: Three GRP Constables Suspended For Extorting ₹5,000 From Passenger

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Mumbai: The Government Railway Police (GRP) suspended three police personnel on August 1 on charges of extortion passenger at Vasai Road Railway Station on June 6.

About The Suspension

The suspended personnel, who were on duty at the station, allegedly extorted Rs.5,000 from a woman passenger. They had initially demanded Rs.15,000 as a penalty for merely standing and talking on the foot overbridge. The suspended constables have been identified as Milind Satav, Sachin Valve, and Kiran Aavle.

According to the suspension letter, on the evening of June 13, the victim, Ashwin Prabhu, and his female friend were standing and conversing on the Foot Overbridge (FOB) at Vasai Road station. Despite no misconduct or unlawful activity on their part, they were approached by constables Milind Satav and Sachin Valve. The constables allegedly seized Prabhu’s mobile phone and took both individuals to the railway police chawki (a room within the Vasai Road railway station premises used by the Railway Police).

There are no CCTV cameras installed inside this police chawki. While in illegal detention, the personnel allegedly demanded a penalty of Rs.15,000 for standing and talking on the Foot Overbridge. Eventually, constable Kiran Aavle facilitated an online payment of Rs.5,000 via a scanner belonging to a money transfer agent outside Vasai Road station. The amount was extorted without issuing any official receipt or citing any legal provision under which the penalty was being imposed.

Following a formal complaint filed by Ashwin Prabhu, a departmental inquiry was conducted by the GRP authorities. The investigation found the allegations credible. Consequently, the three GRP personnel posted at Vasai Road Railway Station were suspended, as per the suspension order dated August 1. There is a possibility that other passengers may also have been subjected to similar extortion, though such cases remain unreported.

Railway commuter organisations have demanded the immediate installation of CCTV cameras in every room used by GRP personnel at all railway stations and terminals under the Mumbai Division, whether officially sanctioned or informally arranged. They also urged Indian Railways to implement similar surveillance and accountability measures across stations nationwide to deter harassment and victimisation of passengers. Such preventive steps, they said, are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within law enforcement units operating in public transport systems.

Social Worker, Sameer Zaveri’s Statement

Sameer Zaveri, a train accident victim and social worker, stated, “Incidents indicate usual modus operandi involves taking passengers by railway police into rooms where no CCTV coverage exists, and extorting money under threats of criminal prosecution. Such incidents bring a grave disrepute to the police force and destroy public trust. To prevent this menace, urgent measures are needed. Mandatory use of body cameras by all police personnel on duty at railway stations. Immediate dismissal from service of police personnel found guilty of extortion as well as departmental action against those in supervisory roles for failure to do prevention of such incidents time and again occurred. The public deserves protection, not harassment. It is time for accountability and strict action.”

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Crime

Palghar Crime News: Nalasopara Tutor Assaulted By Parents After Alleged Molestation Of Minor Student

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Palghar: A tutor at the IITN Academy in Nalasopara West was allegedly beaten by angry parents after he was accused of repeatedly molesting a minor girl who was a student at the coaching center. The tutor, identified as Rahul Dubey, has been taken into custody by Nalasopara police.

According to reports, a minor student attending classes at the IITN Academy, located near the Hanuman temple, was allegedly subjected to repeated harassment by Dubey over the past several days. The girl reportedly resisted his advances multiple times but did not disclose the incidents to her parents out of fear.

The situation came to a head yesterday when the girl finally confided in her parents. Shortly after, the tutor allegedly sent all other students home, then tried to block the girl from leaving the classroom. The girl managed to escape and fled to safety. Her parents, enraged by the revelation, rushed to the academy and reportedly thrashed the accused tutor.

Dubey was subsequently handed over to the police, who have launched an investigation into the matter. The incident has caused a wave of outrage in the community and has once again highlighted concerns about student safety at coaching centers.

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