Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has claimed to have seized ‘hydro-ganja’ (a potent, hydroponically-grown variety of cannabis) during an operation in the Dongri area of ​​Mumbai. Two individuals involved in the trafficking of this substance have also been arrested. According to details, on October 28, during an operation in the Dongri area, ANC personnel spotted two individuals moving about, each carrying a blue plastic bag. Upon questioning them regarding the suspicious items, it was discovered that the first suspect was in possession of 1.823 kg of hydro-ganja, while the second suspect held 1.749 kg—amounting to a total seizure of 3.563 kg. The value of this haul in the international market is estimated to exceed 10 million rupees (one crore). This operation was carried out under the supervision of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay, and DCP (ANC) Poornima Chougule-Shringi. A case has been registered against the accused under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. The ANC has initiated a stringent crackdown on drug traffickers, with ongoing raids and search operations.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde announced today (October 28, 2026) that officers and employees of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation will receive a bonus of 33,000 rupees for Diwali 2026. To ensure that the Municipal Corporation’s staff can celebrate the festival of Diwali with joy, Mayor Ritu Tawde has directed the administration to disburse an ex-gratia grant of 33,000 rupees, to be paid alongside their regular salary for the month of November. A meeting regarding the provision of this ex-gratia grant for Diwali 2026 was held today (October 28, 2026) at the Mayor’s Hall. Attendees included Deputy Mayor Sanjay Gadi, Leader of the Opposition Kishori Pednekar, Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar, Indian National Congress Group Leader Ashraf Azmi, AIMIM Group Leader Vijay Obale, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Group Leader Yashwant Kaledar. Also present were Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde, Education Committee Chairperson Rajeshri Sharwadkar, Joint Commissioner (Finance) Devidas Kshirsagar, Deputy Commissioner (General Administration) Kishor Gandhi, and office-bearers from the coordination committee representing the Municipal workers’ and employees’ unions. Mayor Ritu Tawde stated that a drought-like situation has emerged in the state due to low rainfall this year. Against this backdrop, the Government of Maharashtra has declared a drought—in accordance with established criteria—across 300 talukas in the state and has initiated various measures. Taking the overall situation in the state into account, the coordination committee—comprising municipal corporation group leaders, officials, the municipal administration, and employee unions—has unanimously decided to provide a ‘Diwali grant’ (ex-gratia payment). Officers and employees will receive this Diwali grant of 33,000 rupees, in addition to their regular salary.

Counting of votes for the five Maharashtra Legislative Council Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies continued on Wednesday. Out of the five contested seats, official declarations have come in for two, yielding victories for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).

In Pune Teachers’ Constituency, the BJP nominee Kaustubh Gawade has won after defeating the Congress party’s sitting legislator and nominee Jayant Asgaonkar, and Sachin Sanap, an Independent candidate supported by Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. With this win, Gawade has delivered a major boost to the Mahayuti coalition.

BJP had made the Pune Teachers’ Constituency poll a prestige as the election strategy was implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The party had fielded senior ministers, including Chandrakant Patil and a couple of legislators, during campaigning.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Marathwada) Graduates’ Constituency, NCP(SP) nominee Dr Pratapsingh Patil defeated the NCP/Mahayuti candidate Satish Chavan, who was a three-term legislator from the same seat. In addition, Raviraj Sable (Independent) and Dilip Ghuge (Shiv Sena – UBT) also lost.

Dr Pratapsingh Patil maintained a strong preference vote lead throughout counting rounds to secure the seat for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.

NCP(SP)’s top leadership, including working president and MP Supriya Sule, former Minister Jayant Patil, state chief Shashikant Shinde, accompanied by Congress leaders, had held a series of meetings and rallies. Incidentally, Shiv Sena legislator and former Minister Abdul Sattar defied party line and supported Dr Pratapsingh Patil. Further, he also received support from disgruntled leaders of the Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena(UBT).

Counting was underway for the remaining three seats due to the preferential voting system, elimination rounds, and quota calculations.

In Nagpur Graduates’ seat, BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale holds a steady lead over incumbent Congress candidate Abhijeet Wanjari. With elimination rounds progressing, the distribution of second-preference votes will finalise the victory quota.

In Pune Graduates’ seat, the battle remains intense between Smita Jadhav (BJP) and Harshada Jadhav (NCP-SP), with second-preference counting underway.

In Amravati Teachers’ constituency, a multi-cornered contest persists among Kiran Sarnaik (Shiv Sena), Aditi Pohare (Congress), Sangita Shinde (BJP rebel) and Dattatray Lahane (Shiv Sena UBT) as officials process preference tallies.

Final official updates for Nagpur, Pune Graduates, and Amravati are expected once the second-preference elimination rounds reach the required victory quotas.