17 June,2026 06:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister and committee chairman Ashish Shelar. File pic
The cabinet sub-committee has decided to recommend the withdrawal of 44 cases registered during religious, political, and social agitations in Maharashtra, Cultural Affairs, Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Minister and committee Chairman Ashish Shelar said on Wednesday.
The committee met at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by the principal secretary of the law and judiciary department, the director of prosecution, home department officials, and senior police officers from across the state.
Shelar said that at an earlier meeting, the committee had recommended the withdrawal of 77 cases. At Wednesday's meeting, it recommended the withdrawal of 44 additional cases. Out of 133 applications received by the committee, decisions were taken in favour of withdrawing cases against 44 applicants.
The minister clarified that offences involving crimes against women, serious criminal cases, personal disputes and civil matters cannot be considered for withdrawal under the government's policy. Consequently, requests to withdraw such cases were rejected.
Of the 133 applications received, 14 have been recommended for reconsideration and will be placed before regional committees headed by Deputy Commissioners of Police.
In 35 cases, some matters had already been disposed of, while 32 cases fell outside the committee's jurisdiction. Only eight cases remain pending for consideration.
Shelar said that social activists, political party workers, protesters and participants in ideological movements had often been booked unnecessarily, and it was the government's responsibility to free them from such unwarranted legal proceedings.
The cases recommended for withdrawal include those related to Ganeshotsav, Navratri celebrations, Dahi Handi events, social programmes, cow protection agitations, and labour movements, among others.
Earlier in June, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to adopt advanced healthcare technologies and undertake comprehensive reforms to modernise the city's public health system.
The Maharashtra minister asserted that quality healthcare for Mumbaikars should remain the civic body's top priority.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the functioning and modernisation of the BMC's Public Health Department at Sahyadri Guest House, Shelar said that the civic body must review its existing healthcare processes, identify gaps, and submit a detailed roadmap for improving efficiency and service delivery.
Shelar, while highlighting the improvements needed to be done in Mumbai's healthcare infrastructure, said, "We are committed to providing quality healthcare to Mumbaikars. The BMC should examine its administrative processes related to healthcare, identify necessary reforms, and adopt advanced medical technologies to make the system more efficient and contemporary."
