As Maharashtra grapples with a growing diesel shortage in several districts, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday assured onion farmers that the state government remains sensitive to their concerns. He announced that the onion purchase price has been increased to Rs 15 and said discussions with the Central Government are underway to find a permanent solution to the issue.

Addressing the media, Fadnavis said diesel demand across Maharashtra has risen sharply, leading to shortage like conditions in some areas despite increased supply compared to last year. He stated that diesel demand in the state has gone up by 52 percent overall.

According to the Chief Minister, Akola alone recorded a 154 percent rise in diesel consumption. More than 70 percent growth in demand has also been reported from districts including Sambhajinagar, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gondia and Hingoli. He maintained that supply has been increased accordingly in these regions.

Fadnavis also indicated that authorities are examining the possibility of hoarding and diversion of fuel meant for commercial use. “If there is talk of shortage despite increasing supply, then it is necessary to find out the reasons behind it,” he said.

Speaking about the onion crisis, the Chief Minister said the state government had increased the onion procurement price from Rs 3.50 to Rs 15. He added that large scale procurement has already begun and that discussions with the Central Government are ongoing.

Fadnavis informed that a meeting with the Centre will be held on May 27 to discuss long term measures for onion farmers.

Responding to the agitation in Nashik and criticism from opposition leaders, Fadnavis said protests were expected from opposition parties. Taking a swipe at critics, he remarked, “Those who do not get tears in their eyes even after cutting onions are shedding tears.”

He also criticised MP Praniti Shinde, saying first time MPs should speak with greater maturity while addressing public issues.

Mumbai: In a four-year-old cyber fraud case wherein a city-based police officer lost ₹2.99 lakh after a call regarding PAN and Aadhaar card updates, the metropolitan magistrate court, Girgaon, has acquitted the accused from Jharkhand.

The court held that the mere receipt of funds suspected to be proceeds of cybercrime is insufficient to establish guilt without additional credible evidence.

It noted that the complainant, Priyanka Pawar transferred the money after providing an OTP, which does not constitute a criminal offence by the recipient, Manoj Kisku, 23. While the court observed that the man cannot be held criminally liable, it noted that civil liability may exist.

Pawar lodged a complaint with the South Cyber police station, claiming that on February 26, 2022, she received a call from an individual posing as a bank representative. The caller instructed her to update her PAN and Aadhaar details via a link. Upon clicking the link, ₹99,986 was transferred from her account. She later provided an OTP, leading to further debits totalling ₹2.99 lakh.

The investigation identified that the mobile number belonged to Rauf Ansari, while the funds were credited to the account of Kisku, a resident of Jamua, Jharkhand.

The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish a criminal conspiracy or a direct connection between Kisku and Ansari, noting that the mobile number used for communication was registered in Ansari’s name, yet Ansari had not been arrested. “It appears that the investigating officer had not arrested Ansari. Besides, the prosecution had not adduced direct or any circumstantial evidence on record, which could reflect that there was criminal conspiracy of the accused with Ansari,” the court stated.

Riyadh, May 26: As millions of pilgrims assemble at Saudi Arabia’s Arafat on Tuesday for the core ritual of Haj, all Indian pilgrims had reached the holy site comfortably and in a timely manner to take part in the prayers.

Extending his wishes to all those performing Haj, Indian Ambassador to the Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, said, “Today is the day of Arafat. It is the most important day of the core Haj, where the entire pilgrimage moves from the tent city of Mina to Arafat and spends the day here in Arafat in prayer before they move to their next destination of Muzdalifah after the sunset.”

“All Indian pilgrims have moved from Mina to Arafat in a timely manner, in a very comfortable manner, and they are all now accommodated in their tents in Arafat. We had moved pilgrims by both the buses and the trains. Almost fifty per cent of our pilgrims use the trains, and the rest of them use the buses to move. And everyone is now in Arafat and dedicating themselves to the prayers,” he added.

According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Ambassador Khan, Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Suri, and the entire Indian Haj mission are present in Arafat and serving the Indian pilgrims.

Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, conveyed his heartfelt greetings and prayers, expressing hope that the sacred journey would reinforce the values of compassion, harmony and unity.

“On the very solemn occasion of Haj pilgrims assembling at the sacred plains of Arafat for the core rituals of Hajj 2026, I convey my heartfelt greetings & prayers to all the Hajis. May this sacred journey further strengthen the values of compassion, harmony & unity among all humanity,” Rijiju posted on X.

On Sunday, Ambassador Khan met Rahim Khan, Karnataka’s Minister for Municipal Administration and Haj in Mecca, briefing him on the preparedness ahead of the Haj period. Consul General Fahad Suri was also present in the meeting.

Earlier on Saturday, Khan visited Mecca and met with a number of pilgrims, listening to their concerns and feedback on the various Haj arrangements.

“He reviewed preparations with the consul general, coordinators, and other staff and visited branch offices and clinics where he interacted with the medical teams. He also assessed readiness for the core Haj period and the movement of pilgrims to the tent city of Mina,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted on X.

Over 1.5 million people have arrived in Mecca for the annual Haj pilgrimage, which this year takes place amid hopes for an end to the war in West Asia.