Wave riders This is why you need seatbelts! Revellers took a tumble into the Arabian Sea during a joyride in Santacruz. Thankfully, help was at hand Colours on the move A mural by Siddharth Gohil aka Khatra The walls will come alive in Malad this weekend. The 5th Edition of Wall Art India that kicked off on February 10 will witness four internationally recognised artists — Khatra (India), Kashink (France), Kesadi (France), Dey MKO (France) — travel across 15 Indian cities. The initiative, led by the Alliance Française network in India, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in India, and the Institut Français, will work on a project at St Mathew’s High School and Junior College in Malad West from February 14 to 17. “For this year, we are elated to welcome Khatra aka Siddharth Gohil, a famous artist from Gujarat who has transformed multiple walls, roads, and other places with his bold style. In Mumbai, he will be creating a compelling mural centred on the theme of women empowerment, using vibrant colours of the environment. A work created during the last edition. Pics Courtesy/Wall Art India We believe that through his vibrant work, this public space would be transformed into a canvas of resilience, reflection, and hope,” shared Laurent Vergain (above), executive director, Alliance Française de Bombay. Hang on, Gianmarco! Uday Deshpande; Gianmarco Soresi (on the rope) performs a routine. Pic Courtesy/@gianmarcosoresi American stand-up comic, Gianmarco Soresi chose an interesting way to prepare for the Mumbai opening of his Drama King Tour today. He made a trip to Shivaji Park on Wednesday morning; and no, it wasn’t to watch a cricket match, but for something else entirely — mallakhamb. “I will be honest; I had no idea who he was. He dropped in for a visit yesterday morning, and we were happy to have him participate,” admits Uday Deshpande, coach at Shree Samarth Vyayam Mandir at Shivaji Park. The Padma Shri Awardee was impressed with Soresi. “His ability was impressive, and he was also physically fit. We ran him through certain basic poses in rope mallakhamb, the overhang, Padmasana, and Shavasana. He did them quite well,” the coach told this diarist. Carlos Monteiro, the Dy Editor who loved his football Carlos Monteiro (right), 61, who passed away in Sydney on Tuesday following a heart ailment, worked in the first of our four office locations across Mumbai. While that reflects how long ago he served as Deputy Editor of Sunday mid-day in the early 1990s, it doesn’t take long to remember his exemplary work. Those were days when not all seniors were called Sirs, and Mr sounded archaic. To most of us, he was just Carlos, addressed with a lot of respect. To quote one of our colleagues assigned to do short profiles on the entire newsroom for our 15th anniversary issue in 1994, “a no-nonsense journalist with a penchant for piquant puns.” Apart from bringing out the Sunday paper with aplomb, Carlos was big on sports — especially football, but cricket too. The passion for Pele’s beautiful game took him to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa from where he reported for the newspaper. A few years after his Sunday mid-day stint, Carlos served as one of the high ranking editors of the Sydney Morning Herald website in Australia. He and his wife, Christine (also a former Sunday mid-day colleague) were regulars at cricket matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Let’s say he battled hard till the closing overs of his life.
12 February,2026 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayFlamingo numbers at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary are expected to rise over the next two weeks, experts told mid-day, easing concerns among tourists and birdwatchers. The increase is expected as birds begin arriving from Kutch in Gujarat, where drying water bodies typically trigger their movement towards Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Adesh Shivkar, a naturalist and the director of Nature India Tours, said that the flamingo migration to Mumbai does not follow a fixed calendar and is largely driven by food and water availability. “This year, the monsoon extended longer than usual across Gujarat, and water remained in many wetlands. This meant algae — the flamingos’ main food source — was available for a longer period, leaving the birds with no immediate reason to move,” he said. Shivkar added that as water levels in Gujarat recede due to rising temperatures and evaporation, visitors to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary can expect a fresh wave of arrivals. “Over the next two weeks, numbers are expected to increase significantly. Sudden spikes in sightings are normal and have been observed for decades. What has changed in recent years is public awareness, with more people tracking flamingos and social media amplifying every fluctuation. Earlier, such variations went largely unnoticed. The current trend is consistent with long-term patterns, and there is no cause for concern,” he said. Naturalist and birder Sachin Rane, founder of the Naturalist Foundation, who regularly visits the Bhandup Pumping Station and Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, told mid-day that flamingo flocks are fewer compared to February last year. “Flamingo arrivals in Mumbai have always fluctuated depending on rainfall patterns and food availability, so this year’s delayed arrival is not unusual. The extended monsoon and prolonged water availability in Gujarat meant the birds stayed back. As those wetlands dry up, they are now moving towards Mumbai,” Rane said. Spotting zones Every year, thousands of flamingos arrive in and around Mumbai, with Thane Creek, Airoli, Mahul, and Sewri emerging as major hotspots. Flamingo facts Since 1994, Thane Creek has attracted large numbers of flamingos. By November, these birds and their chicks usually settle on the mangrove-lined mudflats and stay until May. Most then migrate to Bhuj in Gujarat for breeding, leaving behind a small resident population. Nearly 90 per cent of the flamingos that visit the city are lesser flamingos, while the remaining are greater flamingos. Indian flamingos Of the six flamingo species found worldwide, two are seen in India — the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), the tallest species, and the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), the smallest. Greater flamingos are taller, with light pink bodies, black-tipped pale beaks, yellowish eyes and a distinctive S-shaped neck. Lesser flamingos are smaller, deeper pink in colour, with dark beaks, red eyes and a J-shaped neck.
12 February,2026 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA temporary mining licence issued for the extraction of soil, stone and murum in Manpada, Thane, has drawn objections from the Forest Department, which says the approval violates Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) norms around Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The Thane tehsildar granted the licence on December 20, 2025, permitting Siddharth Narayan Tangdi of Chitalsar Manpada to extract 500 brass of material across 7.38 hectares in Manpada village, Thane taluka. On December 23, 2025, SGNP the deputy director (North) wrote to the district collector objecting to the permission, stating that mining is a prohibited activity within the notified Eco Sensitive Zone. The letter warned that if excavation is carried out, the officer who granted the approval would be held personally responsible. In a February 6 letter, the deputy conservator of forests, Thane, sought immediate cancellation of the licence, stating it violates the 2016 Central Government Eco Sensitive Zone notification around SGNP. What the ESZ notification says >> The final Eco Sensitive Zone notification issued by the Central Government on December 5, 2016, classifies activities in the designated zone as prohibited, regulated or promoted. >> Mining is listed as a prohibited activity within the Eco Sensitive Area of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.>> The notification also identifies Survey No. 59/A/1/1 at Manpada, Thane, as forest land within the Eco Sensitive Zone. What is ESZ? Eco Sensitive Zones act as critical buffer areas, like a shock absorber for protected regions such as SGNP, which lies in the Western Ghats biogeographic zone and hosts endangered species. Mining and similar activities that cause pollution or habitat destruction are barred, with no exception for temporary permits. Monitoring committee structure As per the 2016 notification: >> The municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is the ex officio chairperson.>> The deputy conservator of forests, Thane, is the member secretary.>> The panel comprises 11 members from various departments, including the Sub Divisional Officer from the Revenue Department, Thane. Key details at a glance Licence issued: December 20, 2025Location: Manpada, Thane talukaArea: 7.38 hectaresQuantity permitted: 500 brassObjection raised: December 23, 2025Cancellation sought: February 6, 2026 What is 500 brass? Five hundred brass roughly translates to 90 to 200 truckloads, depending on the size of the vehicles used. Expert Speaks Rohit Joshi, environmentalistThis temporary mining licence for soil, stone, and murum extraction is a clear violation of ESZ norms around SGNP. The forest department’s objection is justified. Commercial mining, including stone quarrying, is explicitly listed as a prohibited activity. Concerns over BMC’s draft zonal master plan for SGNP’s 60 sq km ESZ, which proposes regulated development, already raise fears of fragmentation of forests, lakes and tribal lands. Approving this licence sets a dangerous precedent, prioritising short-term gains over Mumbai’s last major green cover. The licence must be revoked immediately, with stricter enforcement and public consultation to protect the ESZ.
12 February,2026 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMumbai’s newly elected Mayor Ritu Tawde, a BJP corporator, said removing illegal Bangladeshi hawkers from footpaths will be among her priorities, stating that public spaces must be reclaimed for tax-paying citizens, senior citizens and women. She said the issue will be raised in her first meeting with the civic administration, and officials will be directed to act against those operating without valid documents. Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi (third from left in right frame) at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters “We will create hawking and non-hawking zones across the city. There will be signage indicating non-hawking zones. Places will be found for hawkers who have valid papers. My letters have gone to the departments concerned to pay attention to the issue. Regarding the illegal Bangladeshi hawkers, I am going to ensure we take strict action against them,” she added. “The state government has been doing this work. We are visiting areas. When we ask for an ID card or an Aadhaar card, we realise that the cards are fake.” Tawde said an enquiry has begun in the N ward. “Officials have been notified, as most cases has been found in the area. Everything will be checked,” she added. Teen sawaal with the mayor After her first address to the 227-member general body, the mayor outlined her priorities, including footpaths, health infrastructure, and active field presence. She described Mumbai as cosmopolitan and inclusive, while identifying herself as a Marathi mayor. “My electoral ward, 132, has a demographic dominated by Gujarati-speaking citizens. Yet they came out in large numbers and voted for me, a Marathi-speaking woman. This has always been the spirit of Mumbai.” Mayor Ritu Tawde of BJP with Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi of Shiv Sena at the BMC. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI Do you have a 100-day plan like the chief minister?I will meet with all the officers concerned with the civic administration and take periodic reviews. Health and education are my top priorities. I want to ensure that the Rajawadi Hospital is upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility, and can be compared to AIIMS in Delhi. Safeguarding the issues of the Marathi manoos is also my priority. To restart Marathi schools that are closing down, we will rope in the CBSE Board as well. How will you work with a strong Opposition?The way they behaved in the House today [Wednesday] shows their sensitivity towards women. But instead of operating the House, they are more concerned about creating chaos. My topic was for Mumbai, and I expected them to listen calmly. But their focus was on how to stop the mayor from speaking. However, I completed my speech respectfully. Every ward is 40,000 to 60,000 people. Citizens have stood in line for four to five hours and elected them. Citizens have shown faith in elected representatives. The Opposition should consider how they want to be viewed by their electorate. As the mayor of Mumbai, I aim to ensure I preside over the house in a neutral way, without causing and tolerating commotion, respecting the Opposition and considering their views as well. What work will BMC undertake for monsoon preparedness?I have taken charge today; you will see that I am on the field tomorrow. Apart from my mayoral duties in the general body and in the BMC headquarters, I am committed to doing my duty as an elected representative of the people of my constituency. I want to focus on hospitals, conduct surprise visits and ensure all facilities are in place. Also, there are no footpaths in several parts of the suburbs, causing a lot of problems for senior citizens. This will remain another focus area. Focus areas >> N ward flagged for higher instances>> Document verification underway>> Signage for hawking and non-hawking zones planned
12 February,2026 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSResidents of Road No. 14, TPS 3, Bandra West, find themselves back in a construction zone. They are reliving the disruption of last year’s concreting exercise. Months after the stretch was rebuilt between December 2024 and May 2025, stormwater drains are once again being dug up and relaid, to correct earlier misalignment. Locals claim their previous complaints went unaddressed, and now, they are grappling with traffic chaos, missing footpaths, and fears of flooding. Residents speak Lack of intimationJacob D’Souza (name changed) “Last year, we informed the workers about the misalignment, but were told it could not be fixed. There was no major waterlogging, so we let it go. This year, without any prior notice, the drains were dug up again. We only found out after asking the workers.” Portion of the recently concreted stretch reopened “We leave for work in the morning and return to traffic chaos in the evening. The drain work started two to three days ago. We are glad the mistake is being corrected, but why were our earlier complaints ignored?” Resident Katrreena Sunnil Purswani Water stagnation fears D’Souza further said: “Water has stagnated in all three drains, including sewage and storm water drains, likely due to construction debris. Our building has faced flooding during heavy monsoon rains before. If this is not cleared, we could face the same situation again.” Missing footpaths Ongoing work on Road No. 14 as residents flag lack of prior intimation. PICS/SHADAB KHAN A member of the Advanced Locality Management group, requesting anonymity “Under the 2016 Pedestrian First policy and the 2023 Universal Footpath policy, footpaths are part of the transport system. But most of this road has no footpaths. We were told they would be built after the road work. That has not happened.” Access issuesKatrreena Sunnil PurswaNi, resident Construction debris and reopened drains along the Bandra West stretch undergoing corrective work “Slopes leading into buildings were broken during construction and have not been rebuilt. Because there was no prior notice, residents could not move their cars. Even now, taking vehicles out is difficult, so larger cars are parked on the road.” She added, “We just need prior intimation. The lack of it disrupts daily life.” What happened >> Concreting carried out: December 2024 to May 2025>> Residents noticed stormwater drains were misaligned and laid in the middle of the road>> Existing side drains were already clogged and unusable>> Complaints last year allegedly saw no corrective action>> This year, the contractor has taken up work on the remaining half of the road. Residents say the stormwater drains are being dug up and redone BMC response Bhushan Gagrani, additional municipal commissioner, said the improvement of 14th Road, Bandra West, from 30th Road to 33rd Road is being carried out through contractor M/s NCC Ltd.Work commenced: December 1, 2024Tentative completion: March 31, 2026Gagrani said lapses were found during execution and the contractor and Quality Monitoring Agency were penalised as per terms of contract. The stormwater drain rectification and remaining road work are being carried out by same contractor at no extra cost to the BMC.
12 February,2026 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturDo 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 February 12. Aries March 21 – April 20Several inevitable expenses have to be dealt with. The relationship with the spouse/partner is on an excellent plane. Keep it so.Cosmic tip: Enjoy looking forward to a happy event. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Professionally a good karmic cycle draws in plenty of work; though you remain even busier than usual. Cosmic tip: Don’t get involved in a relationship which is sometimes on and then disappears. GeminiMay 21 – June 21A perfect emotional and financial balance points to a calm and focused you. Two new assignments are signed surprisingly quickly. A friend invites you to dinner.Cosmic tip: Be tactful in uncomfortably awkward situations. Cancer June 22 – July 23Some decisions seem to need pruning according to changing circumstances. Be kind, but give truthful, practical advice.Cosmic tip: Continue being as independent as possible, revelling in this freedom with a responsible attitude. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Be reassuringly helpful towards friends, continuing to be there for them like always. Keep accounts in order.Cosmic tip: Simplify how you deal with a recurring issue, resolving it for some time at least. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Work through an assignment carefully. It was so easy to pinpoint your karmic soulmate, knowing it the moment you met. Cosmic tip: Achieve goals with hard work, not expecting just positive visualisation to work. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Side-step a professional plateau phase with careful planning and hard work. Don’t ignore a backache.Cosmic tip: Keep the heart compassionate and the mind practical as you navigate life. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Creative and unusual ideas are a part of being you, and this helps being a step ahead of others. A childhood friendship is revived.Cosmic tip: Keep the relationship with family loving and supportive. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22A friend who created a distance makes tentative enquiries about you. Life is suddenly going to become even busier.Cosmic tip: Be generous towards loved ones, enjoying this big-hearted feeling. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Sometimes there are no solutions for the moment, and what comes to mind is a compromise.Cosmic tip: Keep thoughts, feelings and behaviour absolutely above board and true. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Travel plans may have to be rescheduled as a particular flight of a specific airline is already booked. Love is karmic in origin. Cosmic tip: Backing off from a situation is best for now. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Sometimes it’s best to opt for safe decisions especially when it involves career/ business, and you don’t want to make any risky decision. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Have faith in your gut feeling.
12 February,2026 03:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseFive people were injured after a lift collapsed from the fourth floor of a residential building in Mumbai's Byculla on Wednesday night, officials said, adding that those injured in the incident were shifted to different hospitals. The incident took place at around 10.02 pm at Jay Krupa Tower at Ghodapdeo Cross Lane No. 1 in Byculla. According to initial information, the lift fell due to a cable failure in the G+18-storey building. The incident was reported to the control room, following which multiple agencies were mobilised. Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police, BEST, 108 Ambulance Services, and the local BMC ward staff reached the site to carry out rescue and relief operations. "A total of five people were injured in the incident and shifted to different hospitals for treatment," officials said. Injured rushed to hospital They said that those injured were shifted to different hospitals in the city. Three people were treated on an outpatient (OPD) basis at the JJ Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, according to hospital officials, said an official. They were identified as Kalpita Pawar (38), Yash Balvikar (24) and Usha Gupta (56). A woman was rushed to Balaji Hospital. She was identified as Jamuna Prasad Shivhare (50). She has been admitted and is said to be in stable condition, officials said. A woman, Shilpa More (54), was also taken to Jaslok Hospital. She was treated on an OPD basis and is reported to be stable, they said. Investigation underway The officials were investigating the exact cause of incident. Further details are awaited.
12 February,2026 12:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress on Wednesday traded sharp barbs over the political developments in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur civic body, after the Thackeray-led party backed the BJP in the mayoral election held a day earlier, according to the news agency PTI. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut blamed the Congress for the “mess”, saying it should be “ashamed” for failing to assume power in Chandrapur despite emerging as the single largest party. The Congress retaliated in similar language and demanded clarity from its ally. The crisis erupted after a surprise understanding between the Sena (UBT) and the BJP resulted in the election of a BJP mayor in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, dealing a blow to the Congress, which had the numbers to stake claim to the post. BJP’s Sangeeta Khandekar won the mayoral election by a single vote, defeating Congress candidate Vaishali Mahadule, with the Thackeray-led party extending support to the saffron party. Sena (UBT) corporator Prashant Danav was elected deputy mayor. The development raised serious questions over Opposition unity and the viability of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Chandrapur is one of the few municipal corporations where the Congress had emerged as the largest party and was poised to secure the mayor’s post. However, deep internal divisions between factions led by Vijay Wadettiwar and Pratibha Dhanorkar handed an opening to the BJP. Raut blames Congress for Chandrapur ‘mess’ Raut on Wednesday sought to blame the Congress for the “mess”. He said the Congress should be “ashamed” of not being able to assume power in Chandrapur despite emerging as the single largest party, adding that there was no point blaming his party for the political twist, reported PTI. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut said the decision by Sena (UBT) corporators to back the BJP in the mayoral polls was taken at the local level and not by the party leadership. While the BJP shares power with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP in the Mahayuti government in the state, the Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) and the Congress are constituents of the Opposition MVA. Raut said Uddhav Thackeray had given clear instructions to party functionaries in Chandrapur not to help the BJP in any way, even if that meant sitting in the Opposition. ‘Not a tie-up with BJP,’ clarifies Raut “Still, due to the Congress’s mess, local Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders made the decision. This does not mean we have joined hands with the BJP,” the Rajya Sabha member said, reported PTI. He said the Congress should be ashamed that, despite having the highest number of corporators, it could not secure power in Chandrapur. In the elections held for the 66-member civic body last month, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by the BJP with 23. The Sena (UBT) won six seats, the Bharatiya Shetkari Kamgar Paksh (Janvikas Sena) three, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) two, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Shiv Sena secured one seat each. Two Independents were also elected. “Who is responsible for this? This should be probed at the highest level. There is no point blaming the Shiv Sena (UBT),” Raut said, reported PTI. He further said the VBA and the AIMIM did not back the Congress in the mayoral polls because there was no unanimity within the party. Talking to PTI, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the Shiv Sena (UBT) should explain why it gave a free hand to its corporators to vote for the BJP. “Our corporators stayed united and did not cross-vote. If you had an issue with our infighting, you could have abstained or remained absent during the voting for the mayor’s post,” he said. Sapkal said the Congress was in touch with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership, which had assured that at no point would its corporators vote for the BJP. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe told PTI that the Shiv Sena (UBT) should be ashamed of itself, as it claims to oppose the BJP but supports it when it suits its political interests. (With PTI inputs)
11 February,2026 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra government on Wednesday said that it has approved the recruitment process for teaching posts in public universities under the Higher and Technical Education Department. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said a detailed procedure has been announced to ensure greater transparency in the selection process. Under the new system, the marks obtained by candidates during the recruitment process will be published on the respective university websites. This step aims to make the process more open and transparent, an official statement said. Patil said the decision would provide major relief to assistant professors working on an hourly, contractual and ad-hoc basis. Their teaching experience during this period will now be considered valid for eligibility. Many assistant professors who have worked for several years on temporary arrangements will benefit from this move, as their experience will be officially recognised, it said. Relaxation for humanities faculty The minister also announced partial relaxation in earlier rules requiring publications in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science for assistant professor posts in the Humanities stream, the statement said. Instead, book publications by Humanities faculty will also be considered for awarding marks. The government said this ensures equal opportunity while still maintaining academic excellence, it said. Revised marking system and rankings According to the statement, changes have also been made in the marking system based on institutional rankings such as NIRF, QS, and Times Higher Education. The revised policy aims to provide fair opportunities, particularly for candidates from rural areas. For assistant professor and professor posts, emphasis will be placed on teaching experience, research projects and research funding received from leading institutions, the official statement said. Focus on ICT and technical skills In line with the National Education Policy (NEP), the new recruitment process highlights the importance of teachers’ roles in modern learning methods. It further said that during the interviews, marks will be awarded based on ICT skills, advanced technical abilities and participation in co-curricular activities. The government has clarified the marking system to ensure a fair and structured selection process. The government resolution is available on the official Maharashtra government website.
11 February,2026 10:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA day after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) MLA Rohit Pawar raised questions about the Baramati air crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the father of flight attendant Pinky Mali has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, reported the PTI. Pinky Mali was among the five people who died in the crash on January 28. Speaking to PTI, Shivkumar Mali said both possibilities — accident and sabotage — must be examined. “Whether it was an accident or sabotage, both aspects should be investigated by the government,” he said. He added that the truth must come out and that his daughter should receive justice. He also said he found substance in the suspicions expressed by Rohit Pawar and NCP legislator Amol Mitkari, according to the PTI. Questions over last-minute changes Mali said his daughter was flying with Ajit Pawar for the fifth time when the crash occurred. Referring to media reports, he claimed that both the aircraft and the pilot were changed at the last minute. He urged investigating agencies to examine these developments carefully. He also questioned the explanation given by the private company that the pilot was replaced because the original pilot was stuck in traffic. “There is usually no heavy traffic on Mumbai roads around 6.30 am,” he said. He added that the tragedy might not have occurred if an experienced pilot had been flying the aircraft. Rohit Pawar seeks multi-agency probe On Tuesday, Rohit Pawar raised several questions about the sequence of events leading up to the crash. He alleged there were reasons to suspect sabotage and called for a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies. Family background Pinky Mali lived in Thane with her husband. According to her father, she had visited her parents in Prabhadevi, central Mumbai, on January 15 to cast her vote in the civic body elections. Investigations into the crash are ongoing. Rohit Pawar questions last-minute changes, suspects sabotage Rohit Pawar had on Tuesday questioned last-minute changes and suspected sabotage angle in Ajit Pawar's death. Rohit Pawar made a detailed presentation to address doubts surrounding the circumstances in the plane crash near Baramati last month. The late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in an airplane crash on January 28, 2026. Speaking at a press conference after the presentation, Rohit Pawar raised questions about last-minute changes in Ajit Pawar’s travel plans. Rohit Pawar said that his uncle Ajit Pawar was originally scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Pune on the evening of January 27, and his convoy was also ready. However, a meeting with a senior leader delayed him, leading to a change in plans and travel being shifted to the morning of January 28. Rohit Pawar said that Ajit Pawar was always cautious about flying and avoided unnecessary risks. Although he reached the airport on time, the flight departed late, he added. Rohit Pawar raises sabotage suspicions angle Rohit Pawar alleged that there were grounds to suspect sabotage in the air crash that killed his uncle. He demanded a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies, including international bodies. Notably, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has earlier ruled out any conspiracy and described the incident as an accident. Rohit Pawar said the Crime Investigation Department (CID) alone would not have sufficient authority to probe the case thoroughly. He called for an independent investigation involving agencies such as the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA), the UK-based Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), along with Indian agencies. He also raised concerns that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) functions under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which could limit the scope of an independent inquiry. लाईव्ह |📍मुंबई | पत्रकारांशी संवाद |🗓️10-02-2026 https://t.co/9XAKinUZZx — Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) February 10, 2026 (with PTI inputs)
11 February,2026 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday demolished 61 illegal structures along Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road in Mulund West, clearing nearly 1,100 square metres of encroached land near the railway station area. The anti-encroachment drive was carried out by the civic body’s T Ward under the supervision of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 6) Santoshkumar Dhonde and Assistant Municipal Commissioner Yogita Kolhe. Multiple departments under the ward office jointly participated in the operation. Four JCB machines, seven dumpers and other equipment were deployed to carry out the demolition. Around 70 civic officials and staff members, along with adequate police personnel, were present to maintain law and order during the exercise. Civic officials said the crackdown on unauthorised constructions will continue in the coming days as part of ongoing efforts to keep public spaces free of encroachments. Navi Mumbai civic body demolishes illegal buildings in Airoli Earlier last week, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) stepped up its crackdown on unauthorised constructions, carrying out a demolition drive in Airoli on the instructions of NMMC chief Dr Kailas Shinde. The drive was conducted under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner (Encroachment) Dr Kailas Gaikwad, with the encroachment department taking action against illegal structures raised without civic permissions in Sector 2, Airoli. Civic officials said unauthorised constructions were detected at two sites — SS-II/B-229 and SS-II/B-230 — allegedly developed by property owners Baban Babu Pawar and Premanand Prajapati, along with contractor Gufran Khan and architect Omkar Nirgude, without NMMC approval. The G Division office had earlier issued notices under Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, directing those concerned to remove the illegal constructions. However, as the notices were ignored and work continued, the civic body proceeded with the demolition. The partial demolition was carried out under the supervision of Nainesh S Badle, Assistant Commissioner and Division Officer, Airoli. Officials said a penalty of Rs 5,000 per structure was imposed, with a total of Rs 10,000 recovered as punitive charges. NMMC officials warned that strict action will continue against unauthorised constructions across the city and urged citizens to obtain proper permissions before undertaking any building activity.
11 February,2026 09:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
