Cops at sealed buildings, marshals to ensure masks in Mumbai as Covid cases rise

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a release that no one would be allowed to enter these sealed buildings and people who come to provide various services would also be stopped.

Singer-social media influencer booked for rape on wife’s complaint

Bollywood singer and social media influencer Danish Mirza alias Alfaaz has been booked by the Oshiwara Police for allegedly sexually assaulting and harassing his wife over the past four years. An FIR has been lodged and the police are trying to trace Alfaaz, who has over 21 lakh followers on Instagram. He has featured in playback singing for the movie ‘The Journey of Karma’ and his latest music video was co-featuring Daisy Shah.

Bar Council suspends lawyer’s license for wearing band in public

The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa has suspended lawyer Gunratan Sadavarte's practice license for two years for misconduct. The complaint stated that Sadavarte wore a black coat with band at a MSRTC employees' strike, making "obnoxious" statements which led to protestors committing suicide. The Bombay High Court refused to interfere in the disciplinary proceedings and held that Sadavarte could not be given special treatment.

Belapur to Gateway: Response to water taxis hits rough waters

Maharashtra Maritime Board has scheduled a meeting with boating operators to discuss ways to make the Belapur-Gateway water taxi service more popular. The 200-seater boat sees an average of 20-odd passengers, due to high fares and efficient local train services. The route to Mandwa is, however, seeing over 100-odd bookings on weekends.

No pre-arrest bail for 3 women named in baby selling case

The Sessions Court rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of three women accused of stealing and selling a two-month-old girl from the pavement outside St Xavier School in Sion. The accused allegedly hatched a conspiracy to sell the infant for ?3 lakh and acted as agents in the deal. The Court said the offence was serious and the applicants' roles were prominent in committing it.

Darshan Solanki suicide: Family meets VBA chief, seeks help in filing FIR

The family of Darshan Solanki, a chemical engineering student from IIT-Bombay who died by suicide, met Prakash Ambedkar of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi to seek help in filing an FIR alleging caste discrimination. Solanki's family wants to file an FIR as per their demand, and Ambedkar has requested the joint commissioner of police to help them. The SIT has recovered a suicide note from Solanki's hostel room, and the IIT-Bombay director has offered to support the SIT. Former MP and vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai Bhalchandra Mungekar has requested the SIT to respect the family's decision and help them file an FIR.

3 ex-employees fraudulently sell firm’s 2,634 mobiles worth ₹3.30 crore

Three ex-employees of a Malad-based firm were arrested for allegedly selling 2,634 expensive android phones worth ?3.30 crore and pocketing the sale proceeds. The accused had replaced repairable phones with dead phones and claimed that the handsets received were completely damaged. The fraud took place between 2020 and 2023.

Baghel: Rahul’s voice is nation’s,will not be gagged

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel praised Rahul Gandhi for becoming the voice of the people of the nation and said no one would be able to suppress it. He referred to the recent disqualification of Gandhi in Lok Sabha and accused the BJP of diverting attention from questions about the Adani group. Baghel also asked why the BJP government at the Centre refrained from conducting the caste census.

Relocation of Govandi biomedical waste plant delayed again

The relocation of the biomedical waste incinerator from Govandi to Khalapur, Raigad has been delayed again due to lack of environment clearance and opposition from Khalapur residents. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had said the plant is expected to be commissioned at its alternative location by 2023, but data shows that air pollution from the plant is within permissible limits.

Position CSR as a career opportunity for youth: Asim Arun

Minister of state for social welfare Asim Arun inaugurated the 10th edition of CII Northern Region Conference on CSR, stressing the need for long-term collaboration between governments and corporations to achieve holistic growth. He highlighted the importance of sustainability and transparency in CSR, and emphasised the need to position CSR as a career opportunity. Harish Aggarwal, chairman of CII NR Regional Committee, suggested that governments curate projects and invite industry to partner in it instead of contributing financially.

State to bring ordinance to form MAITRI-empowered committee

Maharashtra government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to protect the powers of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) after withdrawing the MAITRI Bill 2022 due to differences over jurisdiction of agencies. A cabinet meeting was held to amend the bill and the MIDC will remain the nodal agency in its areas while the committee will have the final say in the rest of the state.

DTCP demolition drive in three unauthorised colonies in Sec 48

On Tuesday, the DTCP enforcement wing demolished seven plinths and a 800m boundary wall in three unauthorised colonies in Tikri village, Sector 48, being developed illegally without permission. Residents are warned to refrain from investing in such colonies as criminal proceedings will be initiated against colonisers. The department is also planning to inspect all sectors designated as open areas and release a list of illegal colonies.

Hathras case:Akhilesh slams U.P. govt for challenging HC order on relief to family

Akhilesh Yadav slammed the UP govt. for challenging a HC order to relocate and provide employment to the family of the Hathras woman found dead after alleged rape. SC dismissed the plea, expressing surprise over the state's appeal against the HC order. Yadav said their "harassment" was like "mental rape".

Over 125 UPSRTC officials may get pensionary benefits after HC order

After years of correspondence and legal battle, more than 125 UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) officials appointed before 1998 may finally get pensionary benefits. The Allahabad High Court has asked the UPSRTC to decide the pension issue on merit before April 11, and has imposed the cost with regard to the petitioners on the UPSRTC Managing Director. A government order from 1972 provides that these personnel should be entitled to pensionary benefits.

Flights from Ayodhya int’l airport by 2023 end: CM Yogi

CM Yogi Adityanath announced that the international airport at Ayodhya will become operational by the end of the year. He also unveiled a statue of former MLC Late Dr YD Singh and inaugurated the new building of the AD Academy. He laid the foundation stone of the new Gorakhpur township and announced the setting up of an agriculture university in Kushinagar. He is on a three-day visit to the Purvanchal region to cover the districts of Basti, Gorakhpur, and Kushinagar.

EPS named AIADMK general secy after HC rejects pleas by rivals

Madras High Court rejected pleas filed by O Panneerselvam and 3 others against Edappadi K Palaniswami's (EPS) election as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary. Following the verdict, EPS thanked party cadres and announced a new membership drive. OPS camp moved a larger bench against the single bench's verdict, which will be heard on Wednesday. Celebrations broke out at the party headquarters after the court verdict.