Mumbai News Highlights: CM Eknath Shinde performs Ganesh puja at govt residence

Noting that society doesn't like rifts in families, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he had already admitted his mistake, an apparent reference to the electoral contest between his wife Sunetra and cousin Supriya Sule in recent Lok Sabha polls.

Notably, this is the second time in less than a month that Pawar publicly admitted that he had made a mistake by fielding his wife against Sule and noted politics shouldn't enter the home.

The "admission" of mistake came against the backdrop of poor performance by the NCP, one of the constituents of the Mahayuti alliance, in its maiden general elections after the split in the undivided party.

Addressing the Jansamman rally organised by NCP in Gadchiroli city on Friday, Pawar tried to discourage party leader and state minister Dharmarao Baba Aatram's daughter Bhagyashri from crossing over to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).

Speculation is going around about a potential contest between Bhagyashri and her father in the upcoming assembly elections.

"Nobody loves a daughter more than her father. Despite giving her away in marriage in Belgaum, he (Aatram) stood by her in Gadchiroli and made her the president of Zilla Parishad. Now you (Bhagyashri) are set to fight against your own father. Is this right?" he asked the gathering. (PTI)

A minor fire broke out in the electrical duct in a 16-storey residential building in Kurla (East) area here on Saturday afternoon but no one was injured in the incident, officials said.

The flames were doused within half-an-hour.

The fire started in the duct on the fourth floor of Savera Heights in Nehru Nagar around 2.30 pm, said a release issued by the civic body.

Fire brigade vehicles reached the spot immediately, it said, adding that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. (PTI)

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said that his Republican Party of India (A) will encourage investors to set up their units in Nagaland, which has huge potential for development.

Addressing a press conference at Chumoukedima, Athawale, the minsiter of state for social justice and empowerment, said investments in the northeastern will address the unemployment issue.

The minister, who hails from Maharashtra, said he has invited Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, to meet with the business community there.

Athawale asked the officials from the social welfare department to look into the pending issues of a composite regional centre at Dimapur, a de-addiction centre for women and boys and district disability rehabilitation centres in Dimapur, Mon and Tuensang.

He also highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, altogether 3 lakh accounts have been opened in Nagaland and Rs 122.21 crore was sanctioned. (PTI)

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday said it has frozen bank deposits, mutual funds and other financial investments worth more than Rs 9 crore as part of a money laundering probe against some former employees of a Pune-based subsidiary of a German firm who allegedly diverted company funds to the tune of crores of rupees.

Searches were undertaken at six locations in Pune, Maharashtra and Delhi-NCR on September 4, the central agency said in a statement.

The premises of the former employees and some vendors who worked "hand in gloves" with them were raided, according to the ED.

The money laundering case stems from a Pune Police (Chakan police station) FIR based on a complaint made by the MD of HUF India Pvt Ltd., a subsidiary of German-based company HUF Halswerk & Furst GMBH & Co. KG, that is engaged in the production of electronic remote-control systems for four-wheeled vehicles.

The company had an annual turnover ranging from Rs 100 crore to Rs 300 crore.

It was alleged in the complaint that between the years 2010-2020, ex-employees of HUF India Pvt. Ltd. collectively "diverted" company funds to the tune of Rs 139 crore for their personal financial gain by withholding information from the parent company in Germany by "manipulating" and "misusing" purchase orders, creating false invoices, using HUF fake stamps to generate Goods Receipts Notes (GRNs). (PTI)

The AIMIM has given a proposal to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for an alliance but will move on its own if the opposition bloc doesn't respond by September 9, party leader Imtiaz Jaleel said on Saturday.

Jaleel said they are keen on contesting from a handful of seats where the Hyderabad-headquartered All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has strong influence.

Jaleel told reporters in Nagpur that they feel that the BJP-led Mahayuti, also comprising Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and NCP headed by Ajit Pawar, should not form the government in Maharashtra.

Despite a mismatch in the ideologies of AIMIM and Shiv Sena (UBT), Jaleel said they are ready to align with the MVA out of “political compulsions” and in the interest of farmers and the people of the state.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will likely be held in a month or two.

Jaleel said they have had some talks with the leaders of MVA – Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) – over AIMIM's proposal to fight on seats where the party is strong. (PTI)

Police in Maharashtra's Palghar district have registered a case against a security guard of a housing society for allegedly beating a stray dog to death, a police official said on Saturday.

The Nalla Sopara police have booked the accused Pankaj Singh under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 325 concerning the maiming or killing of animals and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the official said.

Under BNS section 325, the punishment for such an offence can be imprisonment for up to five years, a fine, or both.

The alleged crime was committed on August 26 but came to light after an animal lover alerted the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Notices have been issued to the accused and the agency that had recruited him to appear before the police, the official said, adding that further investigation was underway (PTI)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official residence in south Mumbai as the 10-day festival dedicated to the elephant-headed god began with pomp.

Shinde along with his wife and MP son Shrikant Shinde conducted a 'puja' at Varsha, the CM's official residence.

Talking to reporters later, the chief minister said he prayed to Lord Ganesh, known as the god of wisdom and prosperity, for the well-being of the state.

He said the state has received good rains this year and hoped it will bring prosperity to the farmers.

"In some parts, there has been excess rainfall which has led to crop loss," Shinde said, stressing that the government will firmly stand behind the farmers.

Shinde listed out his government's various schemes aimed at the welfare of women and farmers in the state.

Maharashtra ranks first in the state in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) and has 52 per cent share, he added.

State Governor C P Radhakrishnan performed 'aarti' of Lord Ganesh at his official residence 'Jal Bhushan' in Raj Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official 'Sagar' bungalow, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray conducted a puja at his residence 'Shivtirth'.

Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said police are maintaining vigil and taking all kinds of precautions for security during the festival.

Taking a dig at the opposition, the former chief minister said everyone should be blessed with good sense. (PTI)

Photo from Tejukaya Pandal in Mumbai. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

A Ganesh mandal in Mumbai has recreated a 52-foot replica of Vivekananda Rock Memorial located at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and dedicated to spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, as part of the Ganesh festival that began on Saturday.

Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has made this replica for public viewing.

This mandal is known for recreating exact replicas of prominent places of worship.

Last year, it had recreated the replica of Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple. Prior to that, replicas of Kedarnath temple, Lord Vitthal temple in Maharashtra, Pashupatinath temple and Sai Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi, temple of Goa's Shri Mangesh were recreated.

"This year, the mandal has recreated the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Special lamps have been brought from Hyderabad will be an attraction for the youngsters," said Mumbai BJP president and MLA Ashish Shelar, who is the chief advisor of this mandal.

The mandal is celebrating its 29th year this year.

"The mandal is housed in Bandra Reclamation and inhabitants from different castes and religions participate and celebrate every festival with the same excitement and enthusiasm. Every year, many dignitaries from the fields of films, sports, politics and social sector visit this mandal to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesh, making it one of the most prominent mandals," Shelar said. (PTI)

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan performed the puja and aarti of Lord Ganesh on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi at the Governor's Residence 'Jal Bhushan' in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. Family members of the Governor, officers, and staff of Raj Bhavan joined the aarti.

(Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says "There is no need to ask anything from Lord Ganpati. One should worship Lord Ganpati with a pure heart and install his idol with devotion. The Ganesh Utsav has begun in Maharashtra, which everyone was eagerly waiting for. I extend my best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi,"

(PTI)

One person died and another person was severely injured after a speeding car hit two workers, Mumbai police confirmed on Saturday.

Two workers of Mulund Cha Raja Ganpati Mandal were hit by a speeding car on Friday early morning at 4 AM, leading to one person dying and another person being in critical condition. The incident happened on the second day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The police are investigating the matter According to the police, Navghar police has registered a case and are searching for the driver.

"Two workers of Mulund Cha Raja Ganpati Mandal were hit by a speeding car, one died and one is in critical condition. The incident happened at 4:00 am. Police have registered a case and are searching for the car driver," said a statement by Mumbai Police.

(With ANI inputs)

Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan performed the Ganesh puja and aarti at his residence, 'Jal Bhushan,' in Raj Bhavan on Saturday to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. The Governor was joined by his family, as well as officers and staff from Raj Bhavan.

Those present at the Aarti included Principal Secretary to the Governor, Pravin Darade, Joint Secretary Shweta Singhal, and Comptroller of the Governor's Household, Jitendra Wagh. The aarti was part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the Governor's residence.

Earlier, on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to Indians worldwide. "On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," she said. The President highlighted the festival's role in promoting harmony and called on citizens to work for a peaceful and prosperous India.

(With ANI inputs)

Lalbaugcha Raja’s mandal is the biggest, most revered and oldest in Mumbai. It attracts an average of 1.5 million devotees each day, with the crowds swelling on weekends, during Gauri puja, and on immersion day. The mandal, known as the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug, was founded in 1928 and has since become an integral part of Mumbai’s cultural fabric.

Read our detailed article here.

A man and his wife consumed phenyl in Naigaon police station in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday during a meeting in connection with a money lending matter, an official said.

Mohan Gole (54) had lent money to one Subhash Utekar and the latter had paid some part but was allegedly dilly-dallying on the remaining amount, the official said.

"After Gole started pressuring Utekar for repayment, the latter had complained to top police authorities. In response, Gole filed a complaint against him on Wednesday. We called Gole, his wife and Utekar for a hearing. During the meeting, the Gole couple consumed phenyl to end their lives. It may have been done to avoid being booked under the Money Lending Act. The couple is hospitalised," he said.

It looks like a stunt by the couple but all angles are being probed, Naigaon police station inspector Ramesh Bhame said. (PTI)

Mumbai's civic body has asked people to be on guard against stingray and jellyfish bites during Ganesh festival idol immersions.

The 10-day long festival, during which hundreds of big idols are immersed in the Arabian sea, is set to begin on Saturday.

Harmful fish that can bite Ganesh devotees during immersion have been found in large numbers in 'trial netting' conducted by Maharashtra government's Fisheries Department, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation release said.

The trail netting were done off the coast at Girgaon and Dadar and fish like Dhomi, Kolambi, Shingti, Blue Jelly Fish, Ghoda Masa, Chhote Ravas etc were found along with jellyfish and stingrays, it said.

Citizens should take precaution during Ganapati immersion, the BMC release said.

Immersions take place at regular intervals during the 10-day festival period, but the maximum, including the large 'sarvajanik' idols, will take place on September 17. (PTI)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said 52 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that came into the country in the first quarter of this fiscal headed towards the state.

"Between April and June this year, India received Rs 1,34,959 crore as FDI. Of this, Maharashtra secured Rs 70,795 crore, or 52.46 per cent. This amount surpasses the combined FDI received by several states, including Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan," Fadnavis told reporters.

Karnataka got FDI of Rs 19,059 and stood in second place, followed by Rs 10,788 crore for Delhi, Rs 9,023 crore for Telangana, Rs 8,508 crore for Gujarat, Rs 8,325 crore for Tamil Nadu, Rs 5,818 crore for Haryana, Rs 370 crore for Uttar Pradesh and Rs 311 crore for Rajasthan.

"From 2014 to 2019, during our tenure, Maharashtra got Rs 3,62,161 crore in Foreign Direct Investment. Over the past two years, the state has secured an additional Rs 3,14,318 crore in investments. While the initial figures for the first quarter of the current financial year are promising, we anticipate further growth once the data for the second quarter is released," the senior BJP leader asserted. (PTI)

The first solar energy project of 3 KW under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0 (MSKVY 2.0) in Maharashtra to provide power supply to farmers was activated on Thursday at Dhondalgaon village of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

As many as 1,753 farmers will get daytime power supply from the project, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) said in a statement.

Solar projects of 9200 MW capacity will be developed under the project, the release said.

The Dhondalgaon project is spread over 13 acres of public land, about 3 km from the electricity substation of MSEDCL.

The project was developed and activated within four and a half months of power purchase agreement, the release said.

Farmers in Dhondalgaon, Nalegaon, Amanatpurwadi and Sanjarpurwadi will benefit from the project, it added. (PTI)

Mumbai-Frankfurt Vistara flight was diverted to Turkey due to security concerns today. "Vistara flight UK 27 operating from Mumbai to Frankfurt on 06 September 2024 has been diverted to Turkey due to a security concern that was noted by our crew while onboard. The aircraft has safely landed at the Erzurum Airport. As per protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately alerted and we are fully cooperating with the security agencies to complete the mandatory security checks. At Vistara, the safety and security of our customers, crew, and aircraft remain our highest priority," notified Vistara Spokesperson informing about the incident.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the state's three ruling parties - BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP - will together decide the Mahayuti's chief ministerial face, and asserted that there is no confusion in the ruling alliance over the issue.

He said the Mahayuti alliance will face the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Fadnavis was speaking to reporters in Nagpur on the sidelines of a programme.

Replying to a query on whether the CM face in Maharashtra will be decided before or after the elections, he said, "There is no reason to create unnecessary confusion. In Mahayuti, CM Eknath Shinde is the head of the government and we are going to polls under his leadership." The former chief minister said he does not have the right to decide the chief ministerial face.

"BJP's parliamentary board and leaders of two other ruling parties - CM Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP - will together take a decision on this matter. Only they can decide whether to do it (choose the CM candidate) now or later. I don't have a right to speak about it. But there is no confusion," Fadnavis said. (PTI)

The Maharashtra government has given approval to four high technology mega projects, which entail a cumulative investment of Rs 1.17 lakh crore and with a potential of creating 29,000 jobs, in Marathwada, Vidarbha, Pune and Panvel near Mumbai.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet sub committee of the industries department on Thursday evening, officials said.

The projects would result in investment in sectors like semiconductors and electric vehicle manufacturing, a statement from the chief minister's office (CMO) said on Friday, adding it would help Maharashtra get the identity of a leader state in the EV sector.

These projects would help develop a strong local supply chain and give major boost to technical innovation, research and development, CM Shinde said.

"It would help micro-small and medium industry stakeholders and also enable the local labour force to get training and skill development opportunities, which would raise employability and the skill bar needed for upcoming technologies," he said. (PTI)

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed his sensitivity by apologising for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg district, but "arrogant" people will not understand it.

He was replying to a reporter's question at the airport here about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comment that those who make mistakes apologise.

"I think it shows Modi ji's sensitivity that he apologised over this matter, but those who are arrogant will never understand it," he said.

Rahul Gandhi's arrogance could be seen in his speech at Sangli a day before, the BJP leader further said.

The prime minister, during his recent visit to Maharashtra, apologised over the collapse of the statue at Rajkot fort. The statue collapsed less than nine months after he had inaugurated it, setting off a huge political row in the state ahead of assembly elections. (PTI)

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday said unseating the Eknath Shinde government in the upcoming assembly polls was more important for the Maha Vikas Aghadi than discussing who will be the opposition alliance's chief ministerial face.

Talking to PTI, Patole said there is tremendous unrest among all sections of the people against the state government and they want the Congress to come back to power.

"We are fighting to protect the ideology of Maharashtra. Our aim is to defeat the Eknath Shinde government and not fight for the CM post," Patole emphasised.

"People want the Congress to return to power. We have our presence in every region. Congress is in the DNA of Maharashtra even though the party has seen several ups and downs in the state," Patole said.

He said seat sharing talks in the MVA, which comprises the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), will begin after Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, which commences on Saturday. (PTI)

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea challenging the Bombay High Court's order which had disposed of a petition seeking directions to provide drinking water and other facilities to cricket players during practice or unofficial matches on public grounds in Mumbai.

"What kind of a PIL (public interest litigation) is this? Cricketers will take care if they are not provided toilets. Why an advocate should be bothered about it," a bench of Justices A S Oka and A G Masih observed.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by a lawyer, who had challenged the high court's June last year order disposing of his petition.

In his PIL filed before the high court, he had sought directions to the Mumbai Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide drinking water and other facilities to players during practice or unofficial matches on public grounds.

"Look at the photographs which you have annexed. Playing in these conditions, these grounds in Mumbai have given greatest cricketers," the apex court observed.

The bench also asked the petitioner whether he was predominantly a cricketer or a lawyer. (PTI)

Fissures have emerged in Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti over the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' with a Shiv Sena minister raising objection against ally NCP and its president Ajit Pawar for "omitting" Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's name from advertisements and promotional material of the scheme.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, state Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai, who belongs to the Shiv Sena led by CM Shinde, expressed disappointment over the Deputy CM Pawar virtually "hijacking" the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, which offers a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women in the state.

He said not using the full name of the scheme during his (Pawar's) public outreach programmes was not as per the protocol.

"The scheme has 'Chief Minister' in its name, and removing it from the scheme is inappropriate. It should not have been done," Desai alleged.

"It is a state government scheme and he (Pawar) should have taken everyone along," the Excise Minister said.

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections likely to be held in November, Ajit Pawar, who is also the state Finance Minister, last month launched his party's 'Jan Sanman Yatra', a public outreach programme. Its narrative is focused on the benefits of the financial assistance provided under the Ladki Bahin and other schemes. (PTI)

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Friday hit out at the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government for a "complete breakdown" of the law and order situation, and demanded imposition of President's rule in the state.

Talking to PTI Videos, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly said more than 200 incidents of violence have been reported in the state of late.

"Law and order is just for namesake. The home department is a complete failure. Those in charge are totally immersed in politics and have left people in the lurch," he charged.

"President's rule should be imposed in the state by dismissing this government," Wadettiwar said.

Replying to questions, he described as "shocking" the incident in Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra, where two children died due to lack of medical facilities. (PTI)

The Bombay High Court allowed a plea by Tejasvee Ghosalkar, widow of former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, seeking transfer of the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It directed the Zonal director of CBI to appoint an IPS cadre officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police to oversee the probe. The bench observed that all angles in the case are not investigated and such lapses cannot be allowed.

Abhishek (41), the son of former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead in Borivli in suburban Mumbai on February 8 this year during a social media live, allegedly by his old political rival Mauris Noronha (47), who later died by suicide.

The new Reay Road bridge, the first cable-stayed bridge in Mumbai after the Bandra Worli Sea Link, will become operational in November.

The new bridge is set to be a state-of-the-art structure with four vehicular lanes and is being constructed along the lines of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The new Reay Road bridge will be 220 metres long and will have a separate footpath to ensure smooth pedestrian movement. The newly constructed structure will also have an aesthetic outlook along with selfie points that are being created at two ends of the bridge.

PTI

ANI

Jaydeep Apte, the sculptor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan which had collapsed, was remanded in police custody till September 10, police said yesterday.

Apte, who was arrested on Wednesday night Apte from outside his Kalyan residence by the Thane police and handed over to Sindhudurg police, had been missing since August 26 when the 35-feet iconic statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan collapsed leading to a huge outrage.

An officer said, “He was taken to Sindhudurg last night and was produced before the local court which remanded him in police custody till September 10.”

A 34-year-old man has been arrested by the DB Marg police in Mumbai for allegedly stalking and sexually assaulting a 28-year-old teacher at Girgaon Chowpatty. The accused, who owns a food stall at the Chowpatty, is said to have been following the woman for over a month. Early on Tuesday, the man reportedly removed his clothes and groped her while she was on her morning walk.

The accused, identified as Arvind Kumar Tanuprasad, hails from Bhind district in Madhya Pradesh and runs a pav bhaji stall at Girgaon Chowpatty. He resides nearby.

The victim, a resident of South Mumbai, works as a teacher and frequently visits Girgaon Chowpatty for her morning walks. According to her statement to the police, the accused had been following her for the past one month.

While IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' in Mumbai, the city woke up to a major fire incident in Lower Parel.

Take a closer look, as The Indian Express' Ganesh Shirsekar captures the fire extinguishing operations.