Mumbai: Talking about the ongoing Operation Tiger of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Samajwadi Party Mumbai/Maharashtra state president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi said, “Today’s public representatives, leaders, and workers are no longer guided by ideology, they have become greedy. Those who take the votes of the people and then change parties of their own accord, their positions should be declared null and void.” Abu Asim Azmi further said that if someone contests elections on behalf of a party, he is provided with the party’s flag, banner, symbol and money. Workers are working day and night to ensure the victory of their candidate. Those representatives are elected on the basis of the party’s ideology, and people agree with this ideology, so they vote for them. However, after victory, they rebel against the party. A law should be made that if a candidate joins another party after winning, his position should be declared null and void. Taking a dig at the BJP, he said that the BJP is trying to lure, intimidate and It misuses power to intimidate and bring them into its party. If they do not join, they are sent to jail like Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, but they were proven innocent. The BJP has tried to create a rift in other parties, which is why many parties have been split into two.

Mumbai: MRI machine should be restored in KEM. PET scan machine has been instructed to be modernized. All departments of the hospital should work together so that quality, prompt and effective healthcare facilities can be provided to the patients without any hindrance. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Dr. Vipin Sharma has directed that necessary measures should be implemented effectively to ensure that citizens get more efficient, convenient and timely medical services. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma today (June 18, 2026) reviewed the medical service facilities at Seth Gordhandas Sundar Das Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM). Deputy Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Uday, Director (Medical Education and Major Hospitals) Dr Shailesh Mohte, In-charge Dr Amita Athawale, Executive Health Officer Dr Daksha Shah were present in the meeting. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr Vipin Sharma initially conducted a detailed review of the Hospital Management and Information System (HMIS) operating in the hospital. It took information about patient registration, digital management of medical records, examination reports, medicine distribution, information about admitted patients and exchange of information between different departments. He said that effective use of the HMIS system is necessary to provide faster, more accurate and transparent services to the patients. In addition, after reviewing the difficulties faced by doctors and staff in implementing the system, technical aspects and effectiveness in service delivery, all departments of the hospital were directed to use this digital system in an integrated and effective manner. Dr. Sharma expressed his belief that this will help in making patient services more convenient, dynamic and citizen-centric. During the meeting, services like patient registration, online appointment, outpatient and inpatient management, laboratory reports, medicine distribution, payments and digital management of medical records are available on a single platform through the system. Emphasis was laid on the effective development of this system to make patient services faster, transparent and efficient. The Municipal Corporation has purchased four ‘MRI machines’ for medical facilities in 4 major hospitals through the Central Procurement Department. Out of which, KEM Dr. Vipin Sharma directed to review the construction work of MRI machine in the hospital and expedite the work.

KEM Hospital completes 100 years. Keeping its relevance in mind, Dr. Sharma, after conducting a comprehensive review with the nearby Tata Cancer Hospital, directed to submit a status report for upgrading the PET scan machine in the hospital and providing medical treatment facilities for cancer treatment.

Mumbai: In a major crackdown on organised international drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Mumbai Zonal Unit has successfully executed a restraining order against habitual drug trafficker Naveen Gurunath Chachakar under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The detention order was issued on May 15 by the Joint Secretary, PIT-NDPS Division, Department of Revenue, Government of India, and was implemented on June 16. As per the order, the detainee was shifted from Yerwada Central Jail, Pune, Maharashtra, to Pujhal Central Jail, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Naveen Gurunath Chachakar is a habitual drug offender who has been repeatedly involved in smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including cocaine, hydroponic ganja, cannabis gummies and LSD. He has been arrested on four occasions by various law enforcement agencies including the NCB and Navi Mumbai Police in connection with drug trafficking offences.

In 2021, after being implicated in an NCB Mumbai case involving commercial quantities of ganja and LSD, Chachakar fled India and subsequently established links with international drug suppliers, operating from several foreign jurisdictions including Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, UAE and the Republic of Vanuatu. Investigations have revealed that he continued to organise drug trafficking activities targeting India through international criminal networks.

In January 2025, a major seizure investigation by the NCB Mumbai led to the recovery of 11.540 kg of cocaine, along with hydroponic ganja and cannabis tablets. Investigations have shown that Chachakar, who was operating from Thailand, masterminded the purchase and supply of cocaine seized from the US. His involvement also came to light in another NCB case, which was investigated by Navi Mumbai Police in connection with the seizure of cocaine and the smuggling of hydroponic ganja in January 2025. Following the NCB’s request, an Interpol Red Notice was issued, following which Chachkar was extradited from Malaysia to India in May 2025 and arrested by NCB Mumbai.

Naveen Gurunath Chachkar was likely to indulge in drug trafficking again, posing a continuing threat to social/public order and was likely to commit further offences against the law. Therefore, it was necessary to intervene through preventive detention to ensure that he does not continue his illegal drug trafficking activities and to protect society from the threat posed by his continued criminal conduct.

The financial investigation conducted by the NCB resulted in the freezing of movable and immovable assets worth over Rs. 10 crore, suspected to have been acquired through drug trafficking. The action was later confirmed under the provisions of SAFEMA.

Recognizing his continued involvement in illegal drug trafficking and the seriousness of the threat posed to society by his activities, action was initiated under the PIT-NDPS Act. The present detention highlights the important role of the PIT-NDPS Act, 1988, as a deterrent legal mechanism designed to disable habitual and organised drug traffickers who continue to indulge in illegal trafficking activities despite repeated arrests and criminal legal proceedings. Unlike ordinary criminal proceedings, preventive detention under the PIT-NDPS Act serves as an effective means of disrupting and neutralising drug trafficking networks by preventing key criminals from continuing their illegal activities and influencing criminal groups.

This action reflects the NCB’s determination to leverage all available legal provisions including preventive detention, financial investigation and international cooperation to dismantle organised drug syndicates and save society from the menace of drugs. It also reinforces the unwavering commitment of the Government of India to fulfil the vision of “Nisha Mukt Bharat @ 2047”.

Citizens are encouraged to share information related to drug trafficking through MANAS (National Narcotics Helpline) – toll-free number 1933. The identity of informants is kept strictly confidential.