BJP MLA Rajendra Patni (Express Photo)Mumbai News Highlights (February 23): BJP MLA Rajendra Patni has passed away in Mumbai today. He was 59. The former Shiv Sena leader had been ill for the past couple of years and was undergoing treatment.
Earlier today, it was announced that former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi passed away at the age of 86. Joshi, who had served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was admitted to the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai and had suffered a cardiac arrest. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Sharad Pawar expressed condolences at Joshi’s demise.
ICYMI: The principal, chief operation officer (COO) and another staffer of the Thane school whose students were molested by a bus attendant while heading to a picnic were sacked on Thursday following protests led by parents demanding the removal of the school management. Read here
Difficult for BJP to repeat its 2019 performance: Tharoor
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said it would be difficult for the Bharatiya Janata Party to repeat its electoral performance of 2019 as it has already peaked in many states, and there would be only a "downward slide" in the coming elections.
The `complacency' of the BJP is the opposition's strength, he claimed.
Tharoor was speaking at ABP Network's Ideas of India' Summit 3.0 on `Collaborative Federalism: View of the States'.
Participating in the session, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said the target for his party in the coming Lok Sabha polls was 370 seats.
"They seem to think it is already a done deal and it isn't," Tharoor said, adding that there was a great deal of skepticism about whether the BJP would be able to come anywhere close to what it was projecting.
"They peaked in 2019. We are going to see nothing but a downward slide. How much downhill that is going to be depends on how effective the opposition campaign is, which is just picking up," the Congress leader said. (PTI)
No disagreement in MVA on seat sharing, final decision soon: Congress leader Patole
There is no disagreement in the Maha Vikas Aghadi over seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said on Friday.
Discussions between the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar are underway and a final decision on the seats will be announced soon, Patole told reporters here.
"There are no disagreements or dispute on the issue of seat sharing among the MVA allies. It is the ruling Mahayuti which is in turmoil due to lack of coordination," he claimed.
Removing the BJP from power is the main aim of the MVA, he added.
There is no wave in Maharashtra in favour of the ruling alliance, which is seen only in advertisements, Patole said.
"The people of Maharashtra will show BJP and its allies their place in the coming elections," Patole asserted. (PTI)
Naresh Goyal's reports suggest malignancy, further testing needed: Medical Board
A medical board of the state-run J J Hospital here on Friday informed a special court that private medical reports of Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal suggest that he is suffering from "malignancy", but it needs to carry out further tests.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has arrested the businessman in a money laundering case, opposed his interim bail application on health grounds and suggested he could be treated at the city-based Tata Memorial Hospital.
Goyal, 74, moved the court on February 15, saying he required special treatment as tests conducted by private doctors showed that he had small tumors in his intestine.
M G Deshpande, judge for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases, then ordered setting up of a medical board by the J J Hospital to examine the reports.
During the hearing on Friday, the ED submitted that the board did not give any independent opinion, but categorically stated that it needed to carry out some tests which were not available at J J Hospital.
Goyal should not be granted bail but he could be treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital while remaining under police escort, the prosecuting agency said. (PTI)
Students molested inside bus: Maharashtra child rights panel holds meet to discuss incident
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) on Friday held a meeting in connection with the molestation of students of a Thane school by a bus attendant.
The incident took place on February 20 when students had gone to a mall in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai in a private bus.
MSCPCR chairperson Susieben Shah held a meeting with the school management, police officers investigating the case as well as representatives of the Education Department of Thane Municipal Corporation and Women and Child Welfare Department.
"Even if the contract for organizing a trip by the school is given to a private company, the entire responsibility rests with the school management. Therefore, an inquiry will be conducted to check what the school management did to fulfil its responsibility. The commission will also look into the need for the victims to get proper counselling," Shah said.
Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 53.1 cr for construction works in jails
The Maharashtra government on Friday sanctioned Rs 53.1 crore for construction works in different jails across the state.
As per a government resolution (GR) issued by the state home department, the government has sanctioned Rs 2.69 crore to build a special cell for transgender inmates in Thane jail.
Approvals have also been given for construction works at jails in Amravati, Yerawada, Sawantwadi, Gadchiroli open prison, and Ratnagiri special jail, it stated.
At least Rs 13.49 crore was sanctioned for constructing additional barracks to house 200 prisoners in Yeravada, while Rs. 10.82 crore has been granted building quarters for jail officials at the Amravati Central jail, the GR stated.
As of January, 22 transgender inmates were lodged in jails across the state, of which six are in Thane jail, an official said.
At least 40,485 prisoners are lodged in jails across the state, which can house only 26,377 inmates, he said. (PTI)
This is a battle ahead of us and we are ready for war: Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson of NCP- Sharadchandra Pawar
SP MLA demands quota for Muslims in Maharashtra
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanding a five per cent reservation for the Muslim community in government jobs and education in the state.
The MLA from Bhiwandi in Thane district shared a copy of the letter with the media on Friday.
Notably, the Maharashtra legislature earlier this week passed a law providing ten percent quota for the Maratha community.
The earlier Congress-NCP government had given five percent reservation to Muslims in education by issuing an ordinance, and the Bombay High Court too upheld it, but the ordinance was not converted into law, Shaikh said in the letter.
The demand was being made on the basis of economic and social backwardness of the community and around "50 sub-castes" in the community will benefit from reservation, he said. (PTI)
Navi Mumbai civic body submits draft development plan to govt
The draft development plan for the Navi Mumbai area, the first since the civic body was established 33 years ago, has been submitted to the Maharashtra government for approval, municipal administrator Rajesh Narvekar said on Friday.
The draft development plan was published on August 10, 2022, under Section 26(1) of the Maharashtra Regional Planning and Town Planning Act 1966 and more than 16,000 suggestions and objections were received, an official said.
"We formed a planning committee to address these concerns. The committee submitted its report to the NMMC administrator on February 16. Among the key changes proposed in the draft development plan is the optimization of reserved plots. The total number of reservations have been reduced from 625 to 537," the official said.
The draft plan lays emphasis on developing sports facilities, redevelopment of schools and buildings and reorganisation of public amenities, he said. (PTI)
Three arrested for burglaries in Navi Mumbai, Thane
Police on Friday claimed to have solved at least seven cases of house break-in in Navi Mumbai and Thane with the arrest of three men.
Allauddin Sayyed (26), Vishal Jadhav (24) and Suraj Tidke (24), the accused, traveled in stolen auto-rickshaws to commit crime at night and abandoned the vehicles afterwards, said a police official.
Sayeed is a driver by profession while the other two work as porters, he said.
They carried out at least seven burglaries in Vashi, Sanpada, Rabale, Naupada, Vartak Nagar and Wagle Estate areas, the official added.
Police tracked down the trio after analyzing CCTV footage and receiving a tip-off about their movements on Thursday. (PTI)
BJP has strategic alliance with NCP and an emotional one with Shiv Sena: Fadnavis
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that his party BJP has a strategic alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the state and an emotional tie-up with the Shiv Sena under CM Eknath Shinde.
Fadnavis was speaking here at ABP Network's event ‘Ideas of India' Summit 3.0 on ‘Collaborative Federalism: View of the States'.
Touching upon the dynamics of political arrangements in Maharashtra, Fadnavis, said, “We are in strategic alliance with NCP and have an emotional alliance with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.” He expressed confidence the Narendra Modi government at the Centre will get the third term. “The BJP does not face anti-incumbency. We don't need to target the opposition.”
About assembly elections, to be held in the state this year, Fadnavis said, “The alliance with NCP and Shiv Sena will continue in the upcoming elections. Eknath Shinde is our leader and we will fight the assembly elections under his leadership.” No matter how many parties join hands with the BJP, it is the saffron party's ideology that matters. “The alliance parties associate themselves with our ideology,” he added. (PTI)
The Surat-Bilimora section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train could be operational by July-August 2026: Vaishnaw
Speaking to media persons while inspecting the work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project in Mumbai, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Surat-Bilimora section on the 508-km-long corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad could be operational by July-August 2026. The other sections will be opened one after the other thereafter, he said.
A total of 12 stations have been planned for the project, which is being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
With high-speed connectivity, areas like Mumbai, Thane, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Anand and Ahmedabad will turn into a single economic zone and it will give them a "big economic boost", the railway minister asserted.
According to NHSRCL, the 21-km shaft, which will have India's first undersea tunnel, is coming up between BKC in Mumbai and Shilphata in neighbouring Thane district. It will be a single tube tunnel having Up and Down tracks. Work on the tunnel is underway at BKC, Vikhroli and Ghansoli. (PTI)
Bullet train project slowed down under Thackeray govt, we'll try to make up for it: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The country's first bullet train project would have seen much progress by now had the then Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra expedited permissions, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday, asserting that the high-speed line will usher in economic growth.
The bullet train corridor will have ‘limited stop' and ‘all stop' services. While the limited-stop trains will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours, the other service will take about 2 hours 45 minutes, the minister said.
“Had the (then) Uddhav Thackeray government given all the permissions faster, this project might have progressed much ahead by now,” Vaishnav said. He said as soon as the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis (Shiv Sena-BJP) government came to power in the state, permissions were given in 10 days. The railway minister said that the 284-km-long bullet train corridor viaduct is ready in Gujarat, where work has progressed speedily. It is now happening at the same speed in Maharashtra as well, he said.
High-speed rail projects should be seen from an economical standpoint and not as transport initiatives. With high-speed connectivity, areas like Mumbai, Thane, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Anand and Ahmedabad will turn into a single economic zone and it will give them a 'big economic boost', the railway minister asserted. (PTI)
Maharashtra government accords full state honours to former Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi
Five booked over investment frauds in Navi Mumbai
The Navi Mumbai police have registered a case against five persons for allegedly cheating several people after promising “unsustainable” returns on their investment, an official said on Friday.
The accused claimed that they belonged to a company named “SPVS” and asked the victims to indulge in “share trading” through them, the official said.
The accused promised to double the money in a year if a client invested Rs 1 lakh besides selling many other “attractive” schemes that the police said were “unsustainable”.
However, the investors did not get any returns even after paying huge sums, he said.
Acting on several complaints, the newly established Financial Intelligence Unit of the Navi Mumbai police registered a case against Sachin Dongre, Vikas Nikam, Bhagwan Kondalkar, Deepali Kondalkar, and Sagar Borate under the Indian Penal Code for cheating and the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act. (PTI)
President Droupadi Murmu condoles death of Manohar Joshi
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday condoled the death of former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi. Joshi (86), who also served as Lok Sabha Speaker, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday. "In his long public life, Shri Joshi endeared himself to people, earned admiration for his sharp wit and intellect and was loved by leaders cutting across party-line. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and followers," President Murmu wrote on X.
Bombay HC takes note of ‘makeshift’ arrangement to treat food poisoning patients in Buldhana, seeks Maharashtra govt’s affidavit
The Bombay High Court on Friday took note of the recent incident in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district where over 200 people, including children and women, who fell sick due to food poisoning had to be treated on streets outside hospital due to shortage of beds.
The court sought an affidavit from the government regarding the situation of administering saline solution from bottles hung on ropes to the patients who fell sick after consuming prasad at a religious event earlier this week.
Amicus curiae advocate Mohit Khanna mentioned the issue before a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif S Doctor, which was hearing suo motu PIL it had initiated on the deaths of patients at government hospitals in the Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts of Maharashtra last year. (Read more)
Maharashtra governor pays tribute to Manohar Joshi
Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais today paid tribute to ex-state CM Manohar Joshi who passed away earlier in the day.
'A dedicated party worker': Fadnavis mourns Rajendra Patni's passing
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed shock at BJP MLA Rajendra Patni's demise.
"Rajendra Patni, BJP MLA from Washim, was undergoing treatment for cancer for the last four years. His untimely demise is extremely shocking and painful for all of us in the BJP. Patni was a dedicated party worker and had a good understanding of all critical issues," he said.
"Even when he was hospitalised he kept working using his mobile to send SMS and follow up on ongoing works and problems voiced by people. His passing away is a huge loss to the BJP," he added.
Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekhar visited the hospital and met Patni's family members. The last rites will be done at Washim.
Maharashtra to set up specialised unit to address women’s helpline calls
In an attempt to ensure all distress calls from women are attended to, the Maharashtra government is establishing a specialised unit for women’s helpline number 181 that was set up in 2012 following the Delhi gang rape case but failed to take off.
The state Woman and Child Development (WCD) department will also analyse caller data to build a comprehensive data bank, enhancing responsiveness and support.
The state WCD has appointed 15 staff who are undergoing distress call training. Additionally, a separate helpline for reporting child-related crimes will be merged with a centralised Pune bureau. (Read more)
Rajendra Patni was an effective voice for the people, says PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi expressed condolences at Rajendra Patni's passing, terming him an "effective voice for the people."
"Pained by the passing away of @BJP4India MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly, Shri Rajendra Patni Ji. He was at the forefront of several community service initiatives and was an effective voice for the people. He played a commendable role in strengthening the Party as well. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he wrote on X.
BJP MLA Rajendra Patni dies at 59
BJP MLA Rajendra Patni has passed away in Mumbai today. He was 59.
Patni was a three-time MLA from Karanja in Washim district and had started his electoral career with the Shiv Sena by winning the 2004 elections on a Sena ticket. He subsequently joined the BJP and went on to win the Karanja seat on a BJP ticket in 2014. He was re-elected in 2019.
Patni had been ill for the past couple of years and was undergoing treatment.
PM Modi says 'pained' by Manohar Joshi's passing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to convey his condolences to Manohar Joshi's kin on his passing.
"Pained by the passing away of Shri Manohar Joshi Ji. He was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level," PM Modi wrote.
"As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the state’s progress. He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make our Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he added.
Thane school bus molestation: 3 staffers, including principal, sacked
The principal, chief operation officer (COO) and another staffer of the Thane school whose students were molested by a bus attendant while heading to a picnic were sacked on Thursday following protests led by parents demanding the removal of the school management.
On Wednesday, the school had formed an internal inquiry committee comprising all the senior members of the management and terminated the employment of the three teachers who had accompanied the children to the excursion, pending inquiry.
However, the aggrieved parents took to the street outside the school on Thursday, demanding more stringent action after an alleged lack of adequate response from the management. (Read more)
Watch | Well-wishers gather outside Manohar Joshi's residence
Well-wishers gathered outside Manohar Joshi's Mumbai residence today after news broke of his demise during the early hours at the Hinduja hospital.
Former Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi passes away
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi passed away early Friday, a day after being hospitalised following a cardiac arrest.
He had been admitted in the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, the private medical facility had said on Thursday.
In a statement, the hospital said Joshi (86), a former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and he is severely ill. “Manohar Joshi, Ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was admitted at PD Hinduja Hospital on 21st February 2024. He suffered a cardiac event and is severely ill. He is currently in the ICU under close observation and receiving best of medical care,” the statement said. (Read more)
Ramnath Goenka bust among 17 unveiled in Mumbai garden as city honours its illustrious
The busts of 17 eminent personalities who contributed to the development of Mumbai, including that of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, V D Savarkar, Lata Mangeshkar and Ramnath Goenka, founder of The Indian Express Group, were unveiled at Kilachand Garden in Girgaon Thursday.
BJP national president J P Nadda unveiled the statues, as part of honouring icons who contributed to the city’s progress. (Read more)
No place for Muslims in Congress, alleges MLA Zeeshan Siddique
MLA Zeeshan Siddique who was sacked as president of the Mumbai Youth Congress two days ago, alleged that Muslims have no place in the party.
Siddique, MLA from Vandre East, also claimed that the Congress had the worst communalism among all parties and he faced harassment because of his religion. "I won't say I will remain in the Congress, but I will discuss my political options with my supporters (first)," said Siddique whose father and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique recently quit the party and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
"I have been repeatedly saying that even though my father Baba Siddique joined the NCP, I will remain with the Congress, but still action was taken against me," Zeeshan said.
He bagged 90 percent votes in the election for the Mumbai Youth Congress president's post, and still the party took nine months to appoint him to the post, he said, adding, "I was harassed a lot because I am a Muslim." "Muslims have no place in the Congress. In Mumbai and Karnataka, two Muslim candidates won Youth wing elections but it took nearly a year for them to get the post in both cases," he said.
Vidarbha Shiv Sena (UBT) leader quits party, accuses colleagues of hatching conspiracies
A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader quit the party claiming her colleagues were hatching conspiracies against her.
In a letter to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shilpa Bodke, who is an office bearer of the party's east Vidarbha unit, also accused the leadership of using her as "tissue paper".
Some leaders are busy hatching conspiracies rather than working towards the party's expansion and more importance was being given to them, she claimed in the letter.
Just in
The Enforcement Directorate today carried out raids at the offices of Hiranandani builders in connection with foreign exchange violations.
Kala Ghoda area to be made ‘pedestrian-only’ with cobbled pathways
A Kala Ghoda exclusively for pedestrians. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is trying to make it a reality by charting plans to beautify five internal roads in the area by paving them with cobble stones and making them “pedestrian-only” pathways. Once the project is completed, vehicles will not be allowed on these streets.
Former BJP corporator from Colaba, Makarand Narwekar, who is instrumental in getting the project implemented, told The Indian Express, “The idea was to bring back the old world charm of the place. Once the project is complete, plan is to make these streets exclusive to pedestrians.”
Starting from the Rhythm House, five internal streets, including Forbes Street, Rope Walk lane, Saibaba road, Rutherfield Street and B Bharucha road, have been earmarked for the project. (Read more)
Will not air 'The Indrani Mukerjea Story' till next Thu: Netflix tells Bombay HC
The OTT platform Netflix has told the Bombay High Court that it will not air the documentary titled ‘The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth’ till next Thursday when the court will hear a plea by the CBI against the same.
The docu-series was to be released on Friday, February 23. Netflix said it will arrange a screening of the series for representatives of central agency and the judges. The court had said that it felt CBI should be given the opportunity to view the series to which Netflix said that it had no objection to it.
The HC had asked whether the witnesses who have featured in series have been examined by the special court in the ongoing trial in Sheena Bora murder case. The court is hearing the central agency's plea, which had approached the High Court after a special court on Tuesday rejected its plea seeking a stay on the airing of the documentary.
Look-out notice against Rhea Chakraborty, brother quashed
The Bombay High Court on Thursday quashed a Look-Out Circular (LOC) issued against actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik.
The duo were booked by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in an alleged drugs case in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
After molestation news, parents demand action from Thane-based pvt school
A day after police arrested a 27-year-old accused of molesting children at a Thane-based private school, parents gathered outside the school premises in large numbers demanding action from the school management.
The school has already terminated the employment of the three teachers who had accompanied the students on the excursion during the pendency of the inquiry. They have also formed an internal enquiry committee with all the senior members of the management.
54 detonators found at Kalyan railway station, investigation on
As many as 54 detonators were found abandoned in two boxes at Kalyan railway station on Wednesday following which the Government Railway Police (GRP) has launched a probe.
The police was alerted after train passengers found the boxes lying unattended on platform number 1 of Kalyan station on the Central Railway (CR) route.
The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) personnel and dog squad were immediately called to the spot. The BDDS team took the boxes into custody and found 54 detonators inside them. The local GRP were in the process of registering a case against unidentified persons. (Read more)
Resident doctors in Maharashtra to hold indefinite strike from today
Resident doctors in Maharashtra will go on indefinite strike from today demanding better hostel accommodation, a hike in stipend, and clearance of arrears. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors Central (MARD) strike is scheduled to begin at 5 pm today. Emergency services will remain operational to ensure the provision of essential medical care to the people during the strike.
"We, the Central MARD, had kept our faith in the government's words and called off our strike multiple times previously. Despite the distressing situation of resident doctors, the benefit of doubt was always given to the authority, and we entrusted them to do the right thing in timely manner to ensure the welfare of Resident doctors. However regardless of our innumerable pleas, it seems our genuine concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Having been pushed to the limit by the cruel disregard towards the resident doctor's legitimate demands, we, the Representative Body of the Resident doctors are left with no choice but to go on a pan-Maharashtra indefinite strike," said a letter from MARD, as per ANI.