Former Deputy Mayor of Mumbai and sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Corporator from Ward No 98, Alka Kerkar, passed away on Saturday after a brief illness. She was 74 years old. Kerkar breathed her last on Saturday evening at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. She was among the prominent names considered for the post of Mumbai Mayor, but her candidature was later dropped from the race. Senior BJP leader and MLA Ashish Shelar expressed deep grief over her passing through a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Former Deputy Mayor and Ward No. 98 Corporator Alkatai Kerkar following a brief illness. A 3rd-term corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, she shared an exceptional rapport with the people of her constituency. A retired teacher, she led a simple life, devoted to her party and upheld the highest standards of integrity, never allowing corruption or unauthorized practices to take root. Widely admired for her dedication and tireless service, she worked relentlessly for the welfare of citizens and set a benchmark for fellow corporators and political workers. Her unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of ordinary people makes her loss deeply felt in the Vandre West constituency. For over three decades, we have dedicated ourselves to serving the people of Vandre West Assembly constituency and advancing the work of the BJP. Today, I have lost one of the most important pillars of that journey. Her passing is a profound loss and has plunged our entire Vandre West community into deep grief. Heartfelt condolences to her family. Om Shanti.” Deeply saddened by the passing of Former Deputy Mayor and Ward No. 98 Corporator Alkatai Kerkar following a brief illness. A 3rd-term corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, she shared an exceptional rapport with the people of her constituency.A retired teacher,… pic.twitter.com/nuJuaxW79i — Adv. Ashish Shelar - ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) March 21, 2026 Alka Kerkar was a three-term corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and was known for her simplicity, integrity and close connect with the people of her ward.
21 March,2026 11:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThree people travelling on a motorcycle were killed when their two-wheeler was hit by another vehicle on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Saturday, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police. The accident occurred at Waghoba Khind in the Dhekale area, under the jurisdiction of Manor Police Station. The impact was so severe that all three riders died on the spot. The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene, the officer added. “The bodies have been shifted to Manor Rural Hospital for post-mortem. The victims are yet to be identified,” the officer said. A case has been registered, and police are examining CCTV footage from nearby toll booths to trace the vehicle involved in the crash, PTI reported. Four-vehicle pile-up causes traffic jam on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Palghar Traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway was disrupted for several hours on Saturday following a four-vehicle pile-up in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, police said. The accident, which involved a container truck, a tempo, and two cars, occurred around noon in the Sasupada area of Vasai. All vehicles were heavily damaged, but no injuries were reported, PTI reported, quoting officers. The crash brought traffic to a standstill, with long queues stretching for several kilometres. Local residents were the first to respond, helping manage the situation until emergency services arrived. “We are using cranes to remove the damaged vehicles,” a police officer said. Truck carrying oxygen cylinders overturns on Bhiwandi-Wada Road in Thane; driver seriously injured A truck transporting oxygen cylinders overturned on the Bhiwandi-Wada road in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Saturday, leaving the driver seriously injured, PTI reported, quoting the police. The accident occurred near Dugad Phata when the vehicle lost balance while navigating a patch riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces caused by incomplete concretisation work, a local police officer said. The truck veered off the road and flipped over. “The driver sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital,” the officer added. The oxygen cylinders remained intact. Local residents noted that the stretch has seen a rise in accidents due to the poor condition of the road. (With PTI inputs)
21 March,2026 11:06 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentA minor fire broke out at Bouncing Bunny, a popular indoor play zone in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, on Saturday evening. While the incident caused brief panic among visitors, no injuries were reported as the premises were quickly evacuated. The blaze was reported around 7.15 pm. Given the nature of the establishment, which often hosts young children and families, emergency services were placed on high alert. Swift response by CIDCO fire brigade A team of firefighters from Kharghar Fire Station, under the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), responded promptly and reached the spot within 10 minutes of receiving the distress call. Three fire tenders were deployed at the site. Following a two-hour operation, the fire was completely doused and cooling operations were carried out. The evacuation was carried out swiftly by staff and first responders. Official statement Pravin Bodake, deputy chief fire officer of CIDCO, Kharghar, confirmed that the situation was brought under control before it could escalate. “It was a minor fire. As soon as smoke was detected, all the children and patrons inside the play zone were safely moved out. Our teams managed to contain the fire within two hours,” Bodake said. Bouncing Bunny is a well-known indoor play centre in the area, located near the ISKCON Temple. While the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, preliminary observations suggest a possible short circuit. Authorities will conduct a safety audit of the premises to ensure all fire prevention norms are followed before the facility reopens.
21 March,2026 10:42 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | A CorrespondentCentral Railway will operate a 10-hour special traffic and power block on Mumbai suburban sections between the Mulund–Thane and Diva–Dombivli lines from midnight to 10 am on Sunday, March 22, to facilitate platform extension works at Thane and Dombivli stations for accommodating 15-coach trains. According to a press release issued by Central Railway on Saturday, the block will be carried out on the UP and DOWN Slow lines between Mulund–Thane and Diva–Dombivli, impacting Mumbai local as well as mail and express services. The suburban services will remain cancelled intermittently during the block period. Several DOWN Slow services from Parel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) between late Saturday night and Sunday morning will be diverted on the Fast line at Mulund and later re-diverted to the Slow line at Thane. These trains will also skip halts at Kopar and Thakurli stations after being diverted via Diva. Similarly, UP Slow services departing Kalyan between late Saturday night and Sunday morning will be diverted on the Fast line and will not halt at Thakurli and Kopar stations. They will be re-diverted between Diva and Thane, and further between Thane and Mulund. During the block period, fast trains in both directions will make additional halts at Kalva, Mumbra, and Diva stations. All local train services between Mulund–Thane and Diva–Kalyan will remain suspended during the block window. Additionally, all services originating from or terminating at Dombivali will remain cancelled on Sunday. Mail and express trains will also be affected. DOWN trains departing CSMT or Dadar will be diverted via the fifth line between Vidyavihar/Thane and Kalyan, while UP trains heading towards CSMT/Dadar will be diverted via the sixth line between Kalyan and Thane/Vidyavihar. The railway administration said the block is essential for infrastructure upgrades and passenger safety, and has appealed to commuters to bear with the inconvenience. Block on Trans-Harbour line: Services to remain suspended between Thane and Vashi/Nerul Central Railway will operate a mega block on its Trans-Harbour line between Thane and Vashi/Nerul stations on Sunday, March 22, to carry out engineering and maintenance works. According to an official statement, the block will be in place on both UP and DOWN lines from 11.10 am to 4.10 pm. During this period, train services on the Trans-Harbour line will remain suspended between Thane and Vashi/Nerul stations. Several services will also be cancelled due to the block. The DOWN line services for Vashi, Nerul, and Panvel departing from Thane between 10.35 am and 4.07 pm will remain cancelled. Similarly, the UP line services for Thane departing from Panvel, Nerul, and Vashi between 10.25 am and 4.09 pm will be cancelled. Railway authorities said the maintenance block is essential for infrastructure upkeep and ensuring passenger safety. Passengers have been requested to bear with the inconvenience caused due to the temporary disruption. The press release was issued by Dr Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer, Central Railway.
21 March,2026 08:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress Member of Parliament (MP) Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said the resignation of Maharashtra State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar will not bring closure to the Ashok Kharat case, and demanded a comprehensive probe into all those allegedly associated with the self-styled godman arrested for rape, news agency PTI reported. Chakankar, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, stepped down from her post on Friday amid criticism over her alleged links with Kharat. “Mere resignation will not bring closure to the case, and a thorough probe against all those allegedly linked to Kharat is necessary,” said Gaikwad, who is also the Mumbai Congress chief. She said names of certain ministers and officials have surfaced in connection with Kharat and sought strict action against anyone who may have attempted to shield him. Gaikwad also demanded that the names of ministers who visited Kharat be made public. Alleging that Chakankar failed in her responsibilities as head of the women’s commission, Gaikwad said she had instead “added to the difficulties” of the alleged victims, and claimed that the resignation came only after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked her to step down. The Congress leader further alleged that several women had fallen victim to Kharat’s activities, facing both sexual and financial exploitation. She said that despite the existence of anti-superstition laws in Maharashtra, such crimes continue due to political patronage. Kharat held in rape case; Gaikwad flags “serious” issue, seeks probe into powerful links Kharat, who headed a temple trust in Sinnar, claimed to be an astrologer and allegedly performed rituals for followers. He was arrested earlier this week by the Nashik Police after a woman accused him of repeatedly raping her over two years by threatening her. Describing the situation as “serious and concerning”, Gaikwad said it was unfortunate that superstitious practices continue in a progressive state with a legacy of reformers such as Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar. She also recalled the work of slain anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar in combating blind faith. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case, Gaikwad said justice for the victims would be ensured only if action is taken against those in positions of power who were allegedly linked to Kharat. (With PTI inputs)
21 March,2026 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA day after Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar resigned over her association with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat held for rape, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said "fraud disciples" who follow "fraud godmen" should also face action, reported news agency PTI. Addressing a news conference, Thackeray referred to the Kharat case and wondered about the level to which Maharashtra will be taken. Pointing out to the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act 2013, Thackeray said, "If those who are following the law are going to follow such fraud godmen then their fraud disciples who are seen in politics should also face action," reported PTI. Thackeray said feckless people resort to visiting people like Kharat. The Shiv Sena (UBT) head also attacked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the latter should open a "blanket department" to cover up the wrongdoings of his ministers, reported PTI. Kharat, who had several political leaders visit him over the years, was arrested in Nashik on Wednesday for allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman for three years. Under fire from the opposition, Chakankar resigned as the state women's panel on Friday. Issue won't end with Chakankar's resignation, all those linked to Kharat must be probed: Gaikwad Meanwhile, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said the resignation of Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar will not bring closure to the Ashok Kharat case, and sought a probe against everyone associated with the self-styled godman arrested for an alleged rape, reported PTI. "Mere resignation will not bring closure to the case, and a thorough probe against all those allegedly linked to Kharat is necessary," said Gaikwad, the Mumbai Congress chief, in a statement, reported PTI. Names of some ministers and officials have surfaced in connection with Kharat, she said, demanding strict action against anyone who may have tried to shield him. She also sought to know the names of the ministers who visited Kharat. Chakankar failed in her duties as head of the women's commission, and instead "added to the difficulties" of Kharat's alleged victims, said Gaikwad, adding that she resigned only when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked her to, reported PTI. Several women had fallen victim to Kharat's alleged activities, facing sexual and financial exploitation, the Congress leader claimed. Despite anti-superstition laws being in place in Maharashtra, such crimes take place due to political patronage, she added, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
21 March,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a landmark step for wildlife conservation, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR), in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), on Friday released five endangered Slender-billed Vultures into a newly constructed soft-release aviary at Biswanath, Assam. This initiative marks the first-ever release of captive-bred Slender-billed Vultures in India. It also marks a major step by the Assam Forest Department towards rebuilding the dwindling population of the critically endangered species in the wild. The five vultures were brought from the Rani breeding centre in Assam, which was established in 2007 and has successfully bred 56 Slender-billed Vultures so far. Experts say that the centre has now reached a stage where 5 to 10 birds can be released annually. Additionally, BNHS has bred over 60 vultures at its Haryana facility, which will further support future releases. Vultures kept in soft-release aviary in Assam After being shifted to Biswanath, the birds have been placed in a soft-release aviary at Tewaripal village, where they will undergo acclimatisation for a few months before being released into the wild. Experts noted that five of the vultures have been fitted with solar-powered tracking tags, while all have been ringed for identification, enabling authorities to monitor their movement and survival. The event was witnessed by various forest officials, BNHS staff, and residents of Tewaripal Village, marking a historic moment in India’s conservation journey. It was attended by several key conservation figures, including BNHS President Praveen Pardeshi, Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Gupta, BNHS Director Kishor Rithe, KTR Field Director Sonali Ghosh, Nameri Tiger Reserve Field Director Pirai, BNHS Centre Manager Sachin Ranade, and Biswanath DFO Ritupaban Borah. Speaking at the event, Pardeshi lauded the Assam Forest Department and KTR administration for their efforts in reviving the species and emphasised the importance of involving local communities in conservation initiatives. Gupta further highlighted that the project could also boost eco-tourism in the region, creating livelihood opportunities for local youth. Dr Ghosh reiterated their commitment to conserving lesser-known species. She further emphasised that while wild populations of the Slender-billed Vulture breed in Kaziranga, the release of captive-bred birds is expected to significantly strengthen their numbers.
21 March,2026 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA day after Rupali Chakankar resigned as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women over her alleged links with a rape-accused self-styled godman, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday said the resignation alone was insufficient and demanded a comprehensive probe into the case, reported news agency PTI. Demand for wider investigation Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar called for action not just against Chakankar but also against “big fish” allegedly associated with the accused, Ashok Kharat, reported PTI. “The resignation has been given, but action must also be taken against those who are influential and connected to the case,” he said. Allegations of attempts to shield influential persons Wadettiwar alleged that there were efforts to shield powerful individuals linked to Kharat and claimed that pressure was being exerted on the police during the investigation, reported PTI. He said the scale of the case and the alleged connections pointed to the possibility of a larger network that needed to be exposed. Calls for scrutiny of call records The Congress leader demanded that call detail records (CDRs) of all individuals in contact with Kharat, including ministers and close associates, be examined to establish the extent of connections, reported PTI. “Given the wealth and patronage enjoyed by Kharat, there appears to be an attempt to protect certain individuals,” he alleged. Concerns over Chakankar’s role Wadettiwar said Chakankar, as head of the state women’s commission, was expected to safeguard the dignity and rights of women, and her alleged association with the accused raised serious concerns, reported PTI. Chakankar resigned on Friday following criticism from opposition parties over her reported links with Kharat. Background of the case Kharat, a self-proclaimed godman who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer, was arrested in Nashik earlier this week for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman over a period of three years. He is known to have had interactions with several political figures in the past. Political criticism of state government Wadettiwar also criticised the state government, accusing it of failing to address key public issues and allowing superstition-driven practices to flourish, reported PTI. Remarks on political developments in Satara Commenting on recent political developments in Satara, where the BJP secured key Zilla Parishad posts, Wadettiwar alleged internal discord within the ruling alliance, claiming that leaders aligned with certain factions faced sabotage despite lacking a clear majority. The Congress leader reiterated the need for a transparent and thorough investigation to ensure accountability in the case. (With inputs from PTI)
21 March,2026 02:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Saturday said she has forwarded the resignation of Rupali Chakankar, who stepped down as the chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action, reported news agency PTI. Chakankar on Friday tendered her resignation after facing flak from the opposition parties over her association with rape-accused 'godman' Ashok Kharat. Chakankar, who is also the NCP women's wing chief, submitted the resignation letter to Sunetra Pawar on Friday. Prior to that, Chakankar met CM Fadnavis, who asked her to resign, sources told PTI. In a statement, Sunetra Pawar said Chakankar decided to step down in view of the prevailing situation and the ongoing inquiry into the arrest of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, reported PTI. "Chakankar has tendered her resignation considering the current circumstances and the investigation underway. To ensure that the probe is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, I have forwarded her resignation to the Chief Minister for further process," Pawar said, reported PTI. Chakankar had been appointed to the post on October 15, 2024. Earlier this week, opposition leaders sought to corner the BJP-led government by highlighting Chankankar's links with the accused. Kharat, who had several political leaders visit him over the years, was arrested in Nashik on Wednesday for allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman for three years. Kharat, who claims to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and is known as "captain", was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by the 35-year-old woman. The victim complained that he called her to his office claiming that his predictions pointed to "threats" to her husband's life, gave her sedative-laced drinks, and raped her on multiple occasions between November 2022 and December 2025. Chakankar's resignation not enough, thorough probe and action against 'big fish' needed: Congress leader Meanwhile, a day after Rupali Chakankar quit as Maharashtra women's commission chief over her links with a rape-accused 'godman', Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday said her resignation alone was not enough and demanded action against the "big fish" associated with the accused, reported PTI. Talking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar said Chakankar's resignation alone was not enough, and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the entire episode, including the alleged links of ministers and other individuals. "The resignation has been given, but action must also be taken against the big fish involved. There are efforts to suppress the Kharat case, and there is pressure on the police during the probe," he claimed, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
21 March,2026 01:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder of a fellow labourer following a drunken brawl nine years ago, reported news agency PTI. In the order passed on March 18, Additional Sessions Judge R S Bhakare convicted Ashok Laljitkumar Chaurasiya (39) and his elder brother Kamleshkumar (53) under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sentenced them, reported PTI. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on each convict. The incident had occurred on the night of May 20, 2017 in a garden in Mira Road area, where the accused, the deceased Rajendra alias Rajan Meshram and another person named Biru Netam were consuming liquor, reported PTI. The prosecution said an argument began when Biru demanded more liquor from Ashok. This led to a scuffle, during which the accused duo repeatedly assaulted Rajendra on the head with a log of wood. While Rajendra succumbed to his injuries, Biru was also injured in the attack, reported PTI. The court relied on circumstantial evidence, medical reports, and forensic findings, as the informant and the injured witness could not be traced for testimony during the trial. The court said, "The probable cause of death was head injury (unnatural)...the injuries mentioned in the PM report are possible by wooden log . These injuries are sufficient to cause death." It added that the accused did not give any explanation about the blood stains found on their clothes. The accused had also sustained injuries, but failed to give an explanation about how they were injured. Hence, the prosecution has proven the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt, the court concluded. Illegal sand mining racket busted in Thane, machinery of Rs 90 lakh destroyed Meanwhile, authorities in Maharashtra's Thane district have carried out a crackdown against illegal sand mining in Bhiwandi taluka and destroyed various equipment, including barges, collectively valued at around Rs 90 lakh, officials said on Saturday, reported PTI. The revenue department carried out the operation in Kevani creek area on Friday based on a tip-off, an official release said. "The revenue department took major action against the mafia involved in illegal sand mining in the Kevani Sand Port area. In this operation, property worth about Rs 80 to 90 lakh was destroyed," it said, reported PTI. During the operation, led by District Collector Shrikrishna Panchal, authorities destroyed five suction units and eight barges allegedly used in extraction of sand. The equipment was burnt and the barges were sunk in the creek, resulting in heavy financial losses to those involved in illegal activities, it added, reported PTI. The mafia had created 12 large storage tanks along the creek to stock illegally extracted sand. These tanks were demolished using three backhoe loader machines, the release said. Authorities said the land used for storing the sand falls under the 'reserved forest' category. (With inputs from PTI)
21 March,2026 01:15 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentMainly clear sky in city and suburbs. According to the IMD Mumbai, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 20.1 degrees Celsius at Santacruz on Saturday, with no rainfall reported at either location, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the Sameer App, the city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 65 on Saturday, indicating satisfactory air quality. Across Mumbai, AQI levels were recorded as follows: Bandra Kurla Complex at 82, Borivali East at 62, Byculla at 77, Andheri East at 81, Colaba at 64, Deonar at 96, Ghatkopar at 86, and Kandivali East at 36. Delhi wakes to fog, chilly winds as temperature dips below normal Delhi woke up to a shroud of fog on Saturday, with the minimum temperature dipping to 13 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal, as chilly winds swept across the city. On Friday, Delhi had recorded a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. At 8 am on Saturday, the air quality index (AQI) stood at 94, in the ‘satisfactory’ category. Owing to rainfall, air quality improved significantly on Friday, with an AQI of 93, marking the first ‘satisfactory’ air day in about five months in the national capital. The last such instance was on October 9, 2025, when the AQI was recorded at 99. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, air quality is likely to remain in the ‘moderate’ category from Saturday to March 23. As per CPCB standards, an AQI of 0–50 is considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the maximum temperature on Saturday is likely to settle around 27 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the morning, unlike Friday, when the city received 7 mm of precipitation. Delhi’s average rainfall for March stands at 16.2 mm, making it the wettest March since 2023, when the average was 50.4 mm. Forecasts suggest that very light rain may return on Monday, with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning due to an active western disturbance. The Safdarjung station recorded a maximum temperature of 21.7 degrees Celsius on Friday, which was 9.6 degrees below normal—the coldest March day since March 8, 2020, when the mercury dropped to 21.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature on Friday was 16 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal. (With PTI inputs)
21 March,2026 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
