Launching a scathing attack on the Centre and the state government, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Wednesday cited visuals of megastar Amitabh Bachchan greeting fans from behind a bulletproof glass enclosure as evidence of a total breakdown in law and order under the current administration.

In a sharp editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the Thackray camp targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asserting that the state of public safety in the country has deteriorated to an alarming low.

The editorial noted that the 84-year-old cinematic icon — a national treasure with no political enmities — was forced to wave at his weekly fans outside his Juhu bungalow, Jalsa, enclosed within bulletproof glass following a recent threat perception.

Pointing to recent firing incidents near actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle and extortion demands served to bullion merchants in Nagpur, the editorial questioned why high-profile film personalities, business tycoons, and ordinary citizens are living under constant siege.

The Uddhav Thackeray camp questioned why criminal syndicates, particularly the Lawrence Bishnoi network, continue to operate with apparent impunity. It alleged that a Home Ministry decree preventing state police forces from taking Bishnoi into custody from Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail has effectively granted the jailed gangster an “invisible security blanket”.

Mocking the ruling leadership’s political rallies and claims of handling national security, the editorial asserted that an administration unable to protect its top citizens and dismantle basic criminal networks has lost its moral authority, and called for Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation.

“While the ruling leadership stages high-profile rallies under heavy police protection, ordinary citizens, builders, and film icons live in constant terror. How many citizens can the state furnish with specialised defence shields?” asked the editorial.

The editorial concluded by highlighting the stark contrast between the government’s boasts of political dominance and its failure to guarantee basic physical safety for prominent public figures and business owners across Maharashtra.

Delhi Police have arrested three accused persons in connection with a gold jewellery theft case in Karol Bagh and recovered the entire stolen jewellery weighing approximately 400 grams, worth around Rs 45 lakh, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the police, the accused executed the theft by impersonating traffic regulators and distracting the complainant before stealing the jewellery from a bag kept on his motorcycle.

The incident took place on November 1, when the complainant visited Mahalaxmi Jewellers (firm name: Swastik), located in Beadonpura, Karol Bagh, to collect gold ornaments weighing approximately 400 grams.

After collecting the jewellery at around 6 p.m., he kept it in a bag hanging behind his motorcycle and proceeded towards his office at Britannia Chowk. However, upon reaching his office, he discovered that the bag’s chain had been opened and the jewellery was missing. Subsequently, an e-FIR was registered at Karol Bagh police station, and an investigation was initiated.

Considering the seriousness of the case, a dedicated police team comprising SI Amit Yadav, ASI Jitender, Head Constable Avinash and Constable Hariom was formed under the supervision of the SHO, Karol Bagh, and the ACP, Karol Bagh.

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, which revealed that three persons had jointly executed the theft near the intersection of Bank Street and Beadonpura.

One of the accused posed as a traffic regulator and stopped the complainant’s motorcycle, while another allegedly opened the bag and removed the jewellery. The third accused provided cover and facilitated the theft.

Through extensive CCTV analysis, local intelligence and examination of criminal records, police identified two suspects.

Acting on specific intelligence, the team apprehended them from the Anand Parbat area on November 3. During interrogation, they disclosed the involvement of their third associate, who was subsequently arrested from the same area.

The arrested accused have been identified as Bharat (27), Kapil alias Rahul (33), both residents of Punjabi Basti, Anand Parbat, and Kavya Aryan Saini alias Bhanja (22), a resident of Than Singh Nagar, Anand Parbat.

During interrogation, the accused admitted their involvement in the theft. Police said they used to target crowded and congested areas, impersonating traffic regulators to avoid suspicion.

They would identify people carrying heavy bags and distract them while other members of the gang stealthily removed valuables, including cash, mobile phones and jewellery.

Police said the accused resorted to such activities to sustain their livelihood and fulfil their personal needs.

The entire stolen gold jewellery, weighing approximately 400 grams and valued at Rs 45 lakh, has been recovered.

Police further stated that Kapil alias Rahul is a Bad Character (BC) of Anand Parbat police station and has 14 previous criminal involvements, including cases related to murder, robbery, theft and the Arms Act.

Bharat is also a habitual offender with previous involvement in criminal cases, including murder and theft.

A woman conductor of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), who was critically injured after allegedly being pushed out of a moving bus during an altercation over fare and change, has died at a hospital in Hyderabad.

Gundla Pravalika (24) breathed her last at a private hospital late on Tuesday, where she had been undergoing treatment for 10 days.

The conductor, who was serving at Manuguru depot of TGSRTC in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, had suffered critical injuries after falling under the rear wheels of the bus near Mittagudem village on October 25.

A woman passenger, identified as Mounika, had allegedly pushed out Pravalika from the moving bus following an argument over ticket fare for the latter’s son and the return of change. As the passenger had handed over a Rs 100 note, the conductor had asked her to collect the remaining amount later as she did not have change. During a heated argument, the passenger allegedly pushed Pravalika out of the moving bus. She fell on the road, and the rear wheels ran over her right leg, crushing it. Her left leg also sustained serious injuries.

She was initially shifted to a hospital in Bhadrachalam and later brought to Hyderabad for advanced treatment.

Police took the accused passenger into custody and registered a case.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed grief over the death of the conductor. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to her family.

The Chief Minister assured the family that the government will stand by them and extend every possible assistance.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed shock and grief. The minister, who had called on the injured conductor a few days ago, conveyed his condolences to her family and assured them that the government and TGSRTC would stand by them. He also said strict action was being taken against those responsible for the incident.

The state government has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for the family of Pravalika. It also announced that the family will be allotted a house under the ‘Indiramma Indlu’ scheme. The deceased’s mother will also be provided with a government job.

Meanwhile, a bandh was observed by TGSRTC employees across the undivided Khammam district on Wednesday. Buses went off the roads following an appeal given by the Joint Action Committee of the employees.

TGSRC employees staged a protest at various places, demanding stringent punishment for the passenger responsible for the conductor’s death.