Following parent complaints and objections raised by local authorities, a three-member committee has been constituted to probe allegations against Witty (International and World) School in Borivali. The panel, comprising two education inspectors and one sub-inspector, with clerical assistance, was formed on December 23 and has been asked to submit its report within seven days. The move comes amid allegations of fee irregularities levelled by parents. As mid-day reported on December 22, parents alleged that students in the same classroom were being charged different fees. They also claimed that the school imposed steep and arbitrary fee hikes when students moved from pre-primary to primary sections, with increases ranging from 40 per cent to 100 per cent. Following complaints, Borivali MLA Sanjay Upadhyay wrote to the Chief Minister, citing alleged violations of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Fees Regulation) Act, prompting the inquiry. “With the winter break beginning on December 24, the school will remain shut for nearly 10 days. We have not received any official update yet, and some parents have decided not to pay fees until there is clarity,” a parent of a pre-primary student told mid-day. An education department official said the committee may seek an extension to submit its report due to the ongoing school holidays.
24 December,2025 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarResidents of K East ward, comprising Andheri East, who have been witnessing a severe water shortage since work on the Mumbai Metro Red Line 7, claimed that a huge amount of potable water was wasted on the streets of PNT Colony on Sahar Road on Monday, blaming engineers and staff working on the project. On the one hand, the hydraulic department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently issued a circular announcing a 100 per cent water cut in several parts of the ward, citing the diversion of potable water for Metro 7 construction work, on the other hand, residents allege, large quantities of water continue to be wasted unchecked at the spot where re-kinking works of Metro 7 are underway. Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night “The two valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening as they wanted to pump water for the project. But the water from the tanks, which we use for drinking and other domestic purposes, started flowing out. This also led to water entering the houses of at least 20-25 families at night,” said Abhijit Ausarmol, a resident of Building C-25. Abhijit Ausarmol, resident, Building C-25, PNT Colony Locals claim that the irony of water being wasted while citizens are subjected to a total water cut reflects poor planning and a lack of coordination between civic departments. “The last time we faced a similar problem, we had requested the staff to inform us before starting work so that we could make alternative arrangements. However, even this time, no notice or circular reached us, stating that there would be a complete water cut. On top of this, they also wasted our stored water by opening both valves,” said Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony. Expensive error Adding to their daily costs, some families who were taken by shock on Tuesday due to the water cut had to call for emergency tankers to suffice their water needs by paying extra last-minute costs. “Most families do have water storage facilities. A few paid almost double the usual cost for tanker water. If we were taken into confidence and if our stored water was not wasted like this, we wouldn’t have faced such a burden,” said Ausarmol. The valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the NGO Watchdog Foundation, who has written a letter on behalf of the residents to the BMC on this issue, said, “Water can be seen supplied for Metro work, yet we witness water flowing onto roads for hours. Residents’ repeated complaints have fallen on deaf ears once again, as always. Now, they also have to deal with inundation, resulting in damage to their property. If the administration expects citizens to cooperate during water shortages, it must first ensure zero wastage and accountability at its own project sites. Such criminal wastage of potable water is a blot on our system.” Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony in Andheri East. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT In response to the letter written by the Watchdog Foundation, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has forwarded the complaint to the ward's assistant municipal commissioner, directing them to look into the matter. Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night The Metro work Work is on the Red Line Mumbai Metro L7A. A massive 2,440 mm water pipeline is coming directly in the way of the ramp next to the airport colony. The work on shifting the pipeline, considered by staff to be the last obstacle they are facing, is in progress and is expected to be completed soon. The 16.5-km-long Red Line 7 is operational between Dahisar and Andheri East, and work is on to extend it to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
24 December,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarAfter years of studied silence and bitterness on the political stage, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have decided to come together, putting aside old differences to fight in the name of Marathi pride and Maharashtra’s identity. The reunion is widely seen as a politically necessary move to stay relevant in the city and state’s quickly changing political landscape. Both of their parties are facing tough times. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has been weakened after the split led by Eknath Shinde, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been struggling to make an electoral comeback. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election approaching, leaders from both camps believe unity is the only way to avoid a split in the Marathi vote and regain lost ground. In fact, the upcoming BMC battle is seen as a do-or-die one for them. Key battleground The Sena (UBT) and MNS alliance is expected to put up a strong fight against BJP and its allies, particularly Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction. The ruling Mahayuti is keen to wrest control of the BMC, long considered the Thackerays’ strongest bastion. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at the inauguration of Air Corporation Employees Co-operative Bank near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in 2004. FILE PIC/ASHISH RANE Mumbai remains central to the politics of both cousins. For nearly 25 years, the Shiv Sena controlled the BMC, making the city the party’s political and financial backbone. Mumbai was also the core support base of the MNS, which drew much of its early strength from Marathi-speaking voters in Mumbai. Losing control of Mumbai has meant losing influence and organisational strength. With the civic polls nearing, both Uddhav and Raj see the city as the key battleground to revive their political fortunes. Exit, rise, and decline Raj quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, saying he was being sidelined, particularly by Uddhav and his close aides. A year later, he formed the MNS, reviving the “sons of the soil” agenda, the very plank on which his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966. The MNS made its electoral debut in the 2007 Mumbai civic poll, winning seven seats. It performed better in 2012, securing 27 seats, its best performance in the city. However, the party’s strength declined thereafter and in the 2017 election, it won only seven seats, six of which later shifted to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, when the Shiv Sena was still unified. The slide continued in the 2024 Assembly elections, where the MNS failed to win a single seat despite contesting over 110 of the 288 constituencies. Even Raj’s son, Amit, lost his debut poll from the Mahim Assembly constituency, finishing third. Scion’s woes Uddhav’s party also suffered major setbacks. In 2019, the Shiv Sena broke its long-time alliance with the BJP over the chief minister’s post. Uddhav later formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with the Congress and the then-undivided NCP and became chief minister. But in 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion that split the party, forcing Uddhav to step down. The impact was evident in 2024, when his faction won only 20 Assembly seats, down from over 55 in 2019. Common cause As both cousins struggled to regain relevance, the Mahayuti government’s move to introduce a three-language formula in schools, seen as a push for Hindi, changed the political mood. The Sena (UBT) and MNS strongly opposed the move, forced the withdrawal of the government resolution, and used the issue to bury their differences, coming together for what they called the cause and pride of Marathi and Maharashtra. Reacting to the development of cousins coming together, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “Mumbai is close to the heart of both Senas [MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT)], and now they are trying their best to retain their ground.”
24 December,2025 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarIn a matter of 24 hours, the dream of an international airport in Navi Mumbai will be a reality for thousands of eager fliers. While Mumbaikars were excited about the opening of the spanking new facility, many expressed fears about mistakenly booking tickets for flights arriving at or departing from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), instead of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). However, one needn’t worry about this, as both airports have different codes, a clear indicator of which ticket one is booking. Airport codes When someone tries to book a flight ticket from any airport, next to the names of airports, a three-letter combination denoting them is provided. These airport codes are given by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For the CSMIA, the code is BOM, derived from the city’s former name, Bombay. And for NMIA, the code is NMI. The dazzling interiors of Navi Mumbai International Airport. PIC/By Special Arrangement Currently, many ticket aggregating websites display the departing and arriving destinations by city, and use the airport code to denote which airport the flight will be flying out of. So, passengers need to keep a close eye on the airport code while booking their tickets. Routes and ticket prices Flights from the Navi Mumbai International Airport will go to and arrive from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Nagpur. IndiGo is adding three more destinations — Coimbatore, Chennai, and Vadodara — before January 1. While all these are routes that are available to those opting to fly from CSMIA, the new facility will prove a boon for those living in proximity to NMIA. The sale of tickets for flights departing from and arriving at NMIA commenced on November 15, but a trend seen by many while booking their tickets from the Navi Mumbai Airport is the difference in prices from both airports to the same location. On December 25, IndiGo flights at NMIA in the first half of the day will have about a price difference of Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 compared to thpse flying from CSMIA, depending on the date and time the ticket was booked. The closer the date of flying, the higher the ticket prices. The main difference comes with the user development fees and the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax added per ticket. The UDF for NMIA is R732, and for BOM is Rs 207; the Rs 500 difference, along with the GST charges, according to the total fare, is what hikes the flight ticket prices from NMIA. Passenger Speak Avantika Biswas, Navi Mumbai resident and frequent flier“The airport will make my life a lot easier, as now I don’t need to leave two hours before the wait time begins. I would also have to take traffic en route to CSMIA into account every time,” Rajini Gadepalli, a flier from Hyderabad“I was worried that we might book the wrong ticket when flying to Navi Mumbai, but my relatives told me to look at the airport codes to avoid accidentally flying to CSMIA.” Airport timings For now, flights will be operated in a 12-hour window, from 8 am to 8 pm First arrival and departure 8 am for the first scheduled arrival 8.40 am for the first scheduled departure There will be 30 air traffic movements on December 25. The first arrival, scheduled for 8 am, is 6E 460 from Bengaluru, and the first departure is 6E 882, to Hyderabad, at 8.40 am Fliers’ single biggest concern Many Mumbaikars told mid-day they were worried they might book the wrong ticket, confusing the NMIA with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Fares passengers are likely to pay Prices vary based on destination, with Rs 5000 being the lowest one. The costliest ticket for a direct flight would set a flier back by Rs 14,000. IndiGo flights departing from NMIA could have a price difference of Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 compared to those flying from CSMIA, depending on the date and time of booking Prominent routes The airport will facilitate flights to and from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Nagpur. The airline IndiGo will add three more destinations — Coimbatore, Chennai, and Vadodara — before January 1 Airlines operating from airport IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and Star Air The solution The fear is baseless, as both airports have different three-letter codes that indicate which ticket one is booking. CSMIA’s is BOM while the new airport’s is NIA 30No of air traffic movements on Dec 25
24 December,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturBatting under blue skies A boy pulls a short pitched delivery during a friendly game on the Kelva beach in Palghar Stepping it up, Bandra-style Performers from ICMD. Pic courtesy/Christopher Dsouza The sixth edition of the annual Festival at The Steps at St Stephen’s Steps, Bandra is in full swing, awaiting its second day on December 27. The festival opened on December 20, and will continue every Saturday till February 7. “The second day includes artsy workshops, interactive sessions, and musical and dance performances,” Dhanashree Diwane, a member of the festival’s core team, revealed to this diarist. The first day witnessed a dance showcase by performers of The Institute of Classical and Modern Dance (ICMD), based in Khar. Diwane added, “Various youngsters will display their talents, including musicians Saloni Desouza and Sooraj Bishnoi, saxophonist Vir BK, and 12-year-old hula hooper Kashvi Pandey. Shormistha Mukherjee, author of the popular anthology on Bandra, Pudding, will also be present.” The highlight is the installation of a Christmas tree by platform Bombay Greenway. Singer Chris Rea drives home for Christmas Chris Rea performs at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2010. Pic Courtesy/Getty Images Driving Home for Christmas was his big hit, and he hit Elysian Fields in the festive season. Music lovers are saddened to hear about the recent passing of British singer Chris Rea at the age of 74 due to what his family described as a “short illness.” Rea, one with the deep voice and guitar skills that could light up a night, also came up with hits like The Road to Hell, Fool (If You Think It’s Over) and On The Beach. This diarist’s favourite Chris Rea track is the reflective Tell Me There’s a Heaven, a track about a conversation with his young daughter. Rea’s music lives on! Star power in Agripada Agripada residents set up the giant star. Pic/SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Twenty is plenty and the spirits are high. That is saying it literally, when talking about this star, which is 20-ft high and handmade. It has been crafted from tall bamboo poles, flex material and paper. Agripada resident Cyril Dara informed this diarist that a group started constructing this a week ago. “The idea is to spread hope, joy and peace. We procured tall bamboo poles, and the star came together.” The group strung it between two residential buildings in the Agripada neighbourhood. Like we say: Big cheer is here. Morning music Gaurav Mazumdar. Pic courtesy/Pancham Nishad Two decades is a long time, and Pancham Nishad founder Shashi Vyas will celebrate a landmark for one of his early ideas in the city’s classical concert circuit. “When we first started Pratahswar, it was to highlight the beauty and peace of morning raagas. Few people listened to it then,” he shared. This Sunday, the 136th concert of the edition, now in its 20th year, will witness Grammy Award-nominee sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar perform alongside tabla maestro Yashwant Vaishnav to continue the tradition. Return of the rebels Swadesi performs Amhi Kon in 2021. Pic courtesy/Swadesi We always wanted to do our own stuff,” revealed Tushar Adhav aka BamBoy of the Mumbai-rap crew, Swadesi. The group will revive their performance, Amhi Kon, to kick off a new set in 2026. Opening at antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel on January 4 alongside Yalgaar and Tappori’s Paradise, the crew will perform a revival of the set that first began in 2018. “Amhi Kon is a performance that brings together hip-hop, folk music and protest poetry. We started in 2018, and had performed it alongside poet Sheetal Sathe. But we were unable to do more performances since it’s an off-the-beat sound. Moreover, performing for listeners is always a different experience as compared to festivals,” he shared.
24 December,2025 07:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 24. Aries March 21 – April 20When plans are made so much in advance then they have more of a chance of falling through. Cosmic tip: Take care of health by having a nutritious diet, exercising as advised, getting enough sleep. TaurusApril 21 – May 20A relationship is like a soulmate connection which feels so right. Acknowledging the truth for what it is, is wise.Cosmic tip: Let go of situations causing stress. Look for the simplest way of resolving it. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Find newer methods to deal with issues that keep on emerging time and again. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Remember, challenges teach us about our greatest strengths. Cancer June 22 – July 23You may be a little stressed, but don’t use family as a scapegoat. A temporary transfer is very annoying. Cosmic tip: Don’t be emotionally closed as this deprives you of so much happiness. Leo July 24 - Aug 23A promotion or raise in salary is revealed. Singles meet someone new, and there’s instant, reciprocal attraction. Cosmic tip: Remember, faith can move mountains. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Happiness and contentment are revealed. Signing contracts here and abroad, a new business idea and a trip over land is also revealed. Cosmic tip: Stay away from what seems instinctively wrong. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Stay away from getting involved in tricky situations, though trying to help someone. Travel is slightly less for now. Fill life with what makes you happy.Cosmic tip: Stay away from confrontations. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some changes at work are unexpected and slightly annoying, but you have to follow rules. Do maintain a healthy diet.Cosmic tip: Be sure of you own mind, so words are clear and non-ambiguous. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22This karmic cycle is like a time warp, but at the same time a big learning experience. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Don’t get so weighed down by responsibilities that you are too distracted. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Not remaining hooked to the past is such a great move forward (you are done with reliving it again and again). Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Remember, life is good and gets better over time. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Be patient with a slow-moving situation, carrying on with other duties in the meanwhile. Cosmic tip: Be peaceful, reacting with love if stress and pressure increase for some reason. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Take one day at a time, having greater faith in God. What you know may have been important, but today it’s unimportant. Cosmic tip: Try to maintain a balance between thoughts, words and actions.
24 December,2025 02:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday announced its list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming BMC Elections 2026 and said that Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh are among those to visit Mumbai for campaigning. According to the list, apart from former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Mann and senior leader Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia and former Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain are among those who will campaign in Mumbai. Top AAP leaders to campaign in Mumbai According to the party, several national and state-level leaders will visit Mumbai to campaign for AAP candidates during the civic polls. The list also includes Atishi, Durgesh Pathak, Imran Hussain, Rakhi Bidlan, Amanatullah Khan and Dilip Pandey. Leaders from across the country on list The star campaigner list features leaders from different states and regions, highlighting the party’s effort to strengthen its presence in Mumbai. Prominent names include Saurabh Bharadwaj, Harpal Singh Cheema, Praveen Kumar Deshmukh, Vishesh Ravi, Preeti Sharma Menon, Venzy Vigas and Chaitra Vasava. Full list of star campaigners Other star campaigners named by the party include Prakash Jarwal, Kishore Mandhyan, Ruben Mascarenhas, Sunil Kukreja, Sumitra Shrivastava, Dr Santosh Karmarkar, Sunder Padmukh, Vijay Kshirsagar, Azeem Farooqui, Aditya Paul, Mahesh Chawda, Sudesh Patel, Ishudan Gadvi, Payal Patel, Pankaj Gupta, Ranga Rachure, Ajit Phatke Patil, Vijay Kumbhar, Mukund Kirdat, Devendra Wankhede and Sandeep Desai. Focus on BMC Elections 2026 AAP leaders said the party aims to take its governance model to Mumbai and focus on civic issues such as roads, water supply, cleanliness, education and healthcare during the campaign. The announcement marks the party’s formal campaign push ahead of the high-stakes BMC elections, which will decide the control of India’s richest municipal body. AAP to contest independently Meanwhile, last week on Friday, AAP had announced that it will contest the civic polls in Mumbai independently, fielding candidates in all 227 wards and ruling out any alliance with other political parties. The party said that the decision marks its formal entry into Mumbai’s civic politics and aims to provide an alternative to what it described as decades of misgovernance by established parties. Addressing the media, Preeti Sharma Menon, AAP Mumbai chief, said that despite Mumbai’s status as India’s Urbs Prima, civic governance had deteriorated sharply. “The BMC has an annual budget of Rs 74,447 crore, the largest in Asia. Mumbaikars pay the highest taxes in the country, yet receive poor-quality public services,” she said. BMC has become plagued by corruption Menon alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has become plagued by corruption and inefficiency. She pointed to the closure of BMC-run schools, declining educational standards, lack of functional primary healthcare centres, overburdened public hospitals, and the steady decline of BEST’s bus fleet. She also highlighted issues such as poor garbage management, shrinking green cover, rising pollution levels, and the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea.
24 December,2025 01:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to formally announce their alliance for the upcoming BMC Elections 2025 on Wednesday. The Mumbai civic elections will be held on January 15. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday, without sharing the details of alliance announcement, announced a joint press conference scheduled for December 24 at 12 noon at Hotel Blue Sea, Worli Sea Face in Mumbai. The announcement was shared on social media platform X by the MNS, along with pictures of party chiefs Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. #पत्रकारपरिषद #मुंबई #मराठी #महाराष्ट्र #MNSAdhikrut pic.twitter.com/k9WCLxQ8CW — MNS Adhikrut - मनसे अधिकृत (@mnsadhikrut) December 23, 2025 Social media hints fuel speculation Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also hinted at the announcement by sharing a throwback photograph of the Thackeray cousins from July 27, when Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray at his Bandra residence. The caption read simply: “Tomorrow at 12 o’clock.” Seat-sharing talks The expected alliance follows weeks of intense discussions between leaders of both parties to finalise seat-sharing arrangements for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Party leaders said the formal announcement was delayed as Raj Thackeray wanted seat-sharing talks to be completed before making the alliance official. Differences reportedly existed over seat allocation in areas such as Dadar, Mahim, Borivali, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Sewri. Focus beyond Mumbai While Mumbai remains the primary focus, the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is also expected to contest civic polls in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik and other cities. Municipal elections across 29 cities in Maharashtra will be held on January 15. उद्या १२ वाजता हॉटेल ब्लू सी वरळी pic.twitter.com/k2O590ftO4 — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) December 23, 2025 The alliance comes in the backdrop of poor performance by both parties in the 2024 Assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats, while the MNS failed to win a single seat. Efforts to reunite the estranged cousins began soon after. On July 5, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a public stage for the first time in nearly 20 years at a rally in Worli, celebrating the rollback of the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools. Past differences set aside Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 following differences with Uddhav Thackeray and formed the MNS. Relations between the two remained strained for years, but changing political realities appear to have pushed them towards unity.
23 December,2025 11:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court has ruled that preventing someone from feeding stray dogs in non-designated areas does not amount to an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reported the PTI. A bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil quashed a criminal case registered against a 42-year-old Pune resident who was accused of stopping a woman and her friends from feeding stray dogs at the entrance of a housing society, according to the PTI. The court held that such an act cannot be termed “wrongful restraint” or “voluntary obstruction” under the law. “Stopping a person from wrongly feeding stray dogs in a non-designated area cannot be considered restraint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” the bench observed. The judgment, delivered on December 18 and made available on Tuesday, clarified that preventing dog feeding on footpaths, society entry and exit points, and school bus stops does not constitute a criminal offence. Feeding allowed only at designated spots The court noted that the accused had merely informed the complainant that the location where the dogs were being fed was not a designated feeding area. Referring to Supreme Court rulings and the Animal Birth Control Rules, the High Court said feeding of stray dogs must be done only at designated locations, as prescribed under law. Safety of residents, not criminal intent The High Court observed that the alleged obstruction lacked any criminal intent and was aimed at ensuring the safety of children and residents of the housing society. The accused had raised concerns due to past incidents of dog bites and attacks within the premises. The court said such actions, taken in the interest of public safety, cannot be considered illegal. FIR filed after dispute in housing society According to the FIR registered at Hinjewadi police station in January, the complainant had gone to a residential society to feed stray dogs when the accused and other residents objected and allegedly stood in front of her car, preventing her from leaving. Seeking quashing of the FIR, the accused stated that there were over 40 stray dogs in the society and that residents had repeatedly faced safety issues due to dog attacks. The Bombay High Court accepted the argument and quashed the criminal proceedings. (with PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 10:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on civic authorities and the pollution control board, stating that while it was not opposed to development or ongoing construction in the city, it expected strict compliance with environmental norms to curb rising air pollution, reported the PTI. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that authorities had failed to enforce compliance and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take urgent and concrete measures to address the worsening air quality, according to the PTI. “We do not want construction or development to stop, but we want compliance. You have failed to ensure compliance,” the court remarked, warning that unless immediate and effective action was taken, the situation could soon spiral out of control, as per the PTI. “If things go out of hand, nothing will remain within your control,” the bench cautioned, the news agency reported. Top officials appear before HC bench Pursuant to the court’s directions issued on Monday, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and MPCB Secretary Devendra Singh appeared before the bench on Tuesday, reported the PTI. Urging officials to offer practical solutions, the court said, “Please come up with suggestions. This will not work otherwise. Apart from being officers, you are also citizens and have a fundamental duty.” Mumbai Air Quality Index issue in court The bench was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai. It also took serious note of the working conditions faced by labourers at construction sites. Emphasising that the right to life applies to all citizens, including the poor, the court questioned the MPCB on whether it had issued any health advisories for construction workers exposed to hazardous pollution levels. “You must issue advisories for project proponents so that workers’ health is protected. They are exposed to serious health risks. You do not care for the poor,” the bench observed. “At the very least, provide them with masks. This is basic common sense. The right to health is a fundamental right,” the court added, as per the PTI. The MPCB informed the court that it would present suggestions on the matter on Wednesday. Far more needed to be done In its order, the court noted that far more needed to be done by both the BMC and MPCB. The bench also questioned the civic chief on whether he personally conducted surprise inspections and whether action had been taken against violators. Senior counsel S U Kamdar, appearing for the civic body, responded in the affirmative and informed the court that since November, the BMC had issued 433 show-cause notices for non-compliance with pollution control guidelines and 148 stop-work notices, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 10:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway, while sharing Mumbai train updates, on Tuesday said that it will conduct special power blocks from midnight of December 24/25, 2025 to midnight of December 30/31, 2025 in the Panvel-Kalamboli section. An official statement said that during the power blocks, several works will be undertaken. The will include- - Removal of infringements in connection with the Panvel-Kalamboli Coaching Complex - Shifting of Point no 101B by 4.5 metres towards the Diva end at Panvel - Launching of FOB girder sets between platforms 5/6 and 7/8 at Panvel - Erection of steel columns and cross girders at Panvel "The block will cover Up and Down Mail lines, Loop lines, Karjat lines, Engine reversal lines, and Platforms 6 and 7 at Panvel station," officials said. Impact on trains Due to the power blocks, several trains will be regulated or rescheduled, the officials said. There will include the following- - Mangaluru Jn-CSMT Express (12134) – Regulated at Apta for 20–30 minutes daily - CSMT-Karmali Express (01151) – Regulated at Kalamboli for 1 hour 15 minutes on specific days; departure rescheduled to 03:00 hrs on 27/28 December - Karmali-CSMT Express (01152) – Regulated at Jite for 1 hour 15 minutes daily - LTT-Karmali Express (22115) – Rescheduled to 01:45 hrs on 25 December - Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (22655) – Regulated at Somatane for 50 minutes on 24/25 December - LTT-Madgaon Express (11099) – Multiple rescheduled departures between 25–28 December - Thiruvananthapuram-LTT Superfast Express (22114) – Regulated at Somatane for 1 hour 15 minutes on 25/26 December - Ernakulam-Pune Express (22149) – Regulated at Somatane for 1 hour 15 minutes on 26/27 & 30/31 December - Daund-Ajmer Superfast Express (09626) – Regulated at Mohpe for 30 minutes on 26/27 December - Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (22653) – Regulated at Somatane for 50 minutes on 27/28 December - Solapur-LTT Express (01435) – Regulated at Mohpe for 20 minutes on 30/31 December - Daund-Gwalior Express (22193) – Diverted via Karjat-Kalyan-Bhiwandi Road on 28/29 December; halt shifted from Panvel to Kalyan "Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow updates issued by the railway administration," the official statement said.
23 December,2025 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
