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Journalism of Courage
Gawli pleads for closing case
MUMBAI, December 8: Underworld don Arun Gawli today filed an application before the TADA court for closing a 1991 case against him in which a sten gun was recovered at Dagdi Chawl.
In his application, which came up for hearing before designated TADA judge PK Chavare, Gawli asked for a speedy trial and for discharge in the case due to delays caused by the prosecution. The case will be heard on December 10.
Gawli and others were arrested in connection with the murder of the son of an advocate in 1991. During investigations, a sten gun was recovered at Dagdi Chawl, but since the weapon was not used in the crime, a separate chargesheet was filed and the case is pending.
Gawli was also acquitted in the Manoj Kulkarni murder case by the TADA court and the assault on Ashwin Naik at the sessions court in 1996. Gawli, who was also tried by the TADA court in the murder of MLA Ramesh More, had filed an application seeking transfer of the case to a regular sessionscourt.
Vedantic scholar in city
Vedantic scholar Swami Bodhananda, founder chairperson of the Sambodh Foundation in New Delhi, will arrive in Mumbai on December 10. He will give discourses on Self Unfoldment8217; at Prempuri Ashram, Babulnath Road, during December 12 and 19 between 6.30 and 8 pm.
Postal services stay disrupted
Postal services throughout the state continued to be disrupted as postmen affiliated to the National Federation of Postal Employees took their agitation into the second week.
Chief Postmaster General Maharashtra Circle D S Bhalchandra admitted that more than 75 per cent of services have been affected by the strike, but claimed that with the arrival of 1,300 home guards to sort out letters, the situation is likely to improve in the next few days.
The strike has crippled postal delivery in Mumbai to such an extent that over 20 lakh out of a total of 28 lakh articles remained undelivered. But the number of postmen reporting for duty has increased, claimedBhalchandra.
Fire at Lower Parel slum
A fire gutted three shops in a crowded slum at Lower Parel this morning. According to the fire brigade, the fire which broke out at 11.40 am, was extinguished by 12.55 pm with the help of eight fire engines and four tankers. No casualities have been reported.
Junior college teachers8217; strike
Following the failure of talks with the state government, junior college teachers have reiterated their resolve to strike work from December 10.The teachers had a meeting with state education minister Sudhir Joshi today.
According to the Maharashtra State Federation of Junior College Teachers8217; Organisations, representing about 35,000 teachers, the talks proved inconclusive. The federation has rejected the recommendations of the Sukhtankar Committee on the Fifth Pay Commission and has instead fielded its own suggestions.
WORSPA celebrates anniversary
The 28th anniversary of Welfare Organisation for Foad Safety and Prevention of Accidents is being heldon Wednesday, in which prizes and scholarships will be given to winners of various contests during the year.
The WORSPA trains persons in civil defence, rescue work, fire fighting, first aid to casualties and accident victims. This training is imparted by qualified instructors from St John Ambulance Brigade. Other activities include handling of gas, kerosene stoves, and gas cylinders by housewives and school students with the help of live demonstrations.
The WORSPA also provided public transport services with safety stickers and taxies plying on the Mumbai-Pune-Nasik and Surat routes first aid kits. With a view to promoting safe and accident free driving, cash awards are annually awarded to the senior most and junior most drivers having a minimal accident rate and to conductors in BEST buses for their good behaviour with the public. A rolling trophy is also given to the best bus depot among the 25 BEST depots in the city.
