shot-button
Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Articles

Read Mumbai News

Maharashtra govt approves separate budget head for 'One Stop Centres' for women

Ahead of the Maharashtra Budget 2026, the state on Wednesday approved a separate budget head to cover the daily operational expenses of One Stop Centres (OSCs) established for women in distress under the Centre-sponsored Mission Shakti scheme, reported the PTI. The Maharashtra legislature’s Budget session is scheduled to begin on February 23. The newly created budget head will fund the routine management and day-to-day functioning of OSCs operating under the Sambal sub-scheme. These centres provide integrated support services such as psychological counselling, medical assistance, police support, temporary shelter and legal aid. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted funding for the centres’ ongoing operations. Earlier, an existing budget head was being used primarily for infrastructure-related expenses of OSCs. The government said a distinct accounting head was necessary to ensure that routine operational costs are met smoothly. The decision was announced through a government resolution (GR) issued by the Women and Child Development Department. Central funding and administrative oversight The approval falls under the Social Security and Welfare category and will be funded 100 per cent by the Centre. The Commissioner of Women and Child Development, Pune, has been appointed as the controlling authority for expenditure under the scheme. The accounts officer of the commissionerate will act as the drawing and disbursing officer. State to consider renaming Ladki Bahin scheme after Ajit Pawar Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government would consider a proposal to rename the Ladki Bahin welfare scheme after late Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar. The demand was raised on Tuesday by NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, who suggested that the government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides financial assistance to women, should be renamed in Pawar’s memory. Speaking to reporters in Haridwar, CM Fadnavis said, “There are several demands. We will sit together and decide how to proceed.” Ajit Pawar, a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, died along with four others in a plane crash at Baramati in Pune district on January 28. Mitkari said Pawar, fondly known as Ajitdada, enjoyed strong support among women across Maharashtra. “During his yatras, his wrists would be full of rakhis. Renaming the scheme as Ajitdadanchi Ladki Bahin Yojana would be a fitting tribute by the state government,” Mitkari said.

04 February,2026 09:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Traffic diversions were implemented under the supervision of the Highway Security Patrol team, officials said. PIC/ PTI

Traffic on Pune-Mumbai Expressway diverted after hazardous gas leak from tanker

The traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was diverted after a highly inflammable gas leak following an accident involving a tanker was reported along the route near Adoshi tunnel at the Borghat stretch, officials said. Considering the volatile nature of the gas, traffic on the Mumbai-bound corridor was stopped as a precautionary measure by the Highway Security Police. According to the officials, to manage and prevent congestion, authorities later opened one lane of the Pune-bound corridor for vehicles heading towards Mumbai around 7.30 pm, while vehicles travelling towards Pune were allowed to use the remaining two lanes after shifting the median barrier. Light vehicles heading towards Mumbai were diverted at km 42/400, near Magic Point, via the old Khopoli highway. Traffic diversions were implemented under the supervision of the Highway Security Patrol team, officials said. Volatile gas leak forces shutdown of Mumbai-bound corridor A chemical gas tanker heading from Pune to Mumbai overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway on Tuesday evening, forcing authorities to halt traffic for hours due to a hazardous gas leak. The accident occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday, near the Adoshi tunnel in the Borghat stretch. The officials said the tanker was carrying propylene gas, a highly inflammable substance. Following the mishap, the tanker sustained damage at three valve points, leading to gas leakage. Emergency services rushed to the spot After receiving alerts from patrolling teams, emergency response resources, including quick response vehicles, ambulances, fire-fighting equipment, Delta Force personnel and heavy machinery, were immediately deployed at the site. Additional fire tenders from Tata Steel and the Khopoli Municipal Council were also pressed into service. Gas tanker accident exposes lack of preparedness, says AIMTC former president Bal Malkit Singh, advisor and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), on Wednesday criticised authorities over the prolonged disruption caused by the gas tanker accident on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Singh said the incident, which has persisted for nearly 26 hours, exposed a lack of preparedness in handling such emergencies. “Normalcy has still not been restored, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and massive losses to the transport industry,” he said. He added that the movement of perishable goods, raw materials, and finished products has been badly affected, disrupting time-bound deliveries and resulting in substantial financial losses for industries. Transport operators and drivers are facing undue hardship, including financial losses due to prolonged detention of vehicles. “Despite paying heavy toll charges and multiple taxes, the transport fraternity continues to suffer due to inadequate infrastructure and poor emergency response mechanisms,” Singh said, urging the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and other concerned agencies to strengthen infrastructure and contingency planning to ensure such situations are handled efficiently in the future.

04 February,2026 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
People stuck for hours after massive traffic jam at Mumbai-Pune expressway. Pic/Special arrangement

Massive traffic jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway after gas tanker overturns

Mumbai-Pune Expressway during the early hours of Wednesday witnessed massive traffic congestion for more than seven hours after a chemical gas tanker overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala Ghat section on Tuesday evening. Massive traffic congestion at the expressway severely disrupts vehicular movement on one of Maharashtra’s busiest corridors. The prolonged traffic congestion left hundreds of commuters stranded for hours, triggering outrage on social media. Commuters who have been stuck in traffic since the last few hours, on social media platform X wrote, “Over 1 hour stuck in massive traffic on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. Tolls are collected efficiently. When will commuters get efficient roads?” Slamming the authorities, the commuters also asked, “We speak of a trillion dollar economy, but are we building trillion worthy infrastructure? Accountability matters. Who is addressing this?” Over 1 hour stuck in massive traffic on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. Tolls are collected efficientlywhen will commuters get efficient roads?We speak of a trillion dollar economy, but are we building trillion worthy infrastructure?Accountability matters. Who is addressing this?… pic.twitter.com/2EAzvaSpXf — Sweta Jain Patil (@Anuana10) February 4, 2026 While addressing the core reason behind the congestion at the Mumbai-Pune traffic congestion, the highway authorities said that a chemical gas tanker overturned near the Adoshi tunnel. The incident occurred around 5 pm on February 3 on the Mumbai-bound lane of the expressway.  Flammable gas leaks as tanker overturns near Adoshi tunnel The tanker reportedly overturned while passing through the ghat section, leading to leakage of flammable gas and raising serious safety concerns. Emergency response teams, including fire brigade personnel, highway traffic police and disaster management officials, rushed to the spot and launched operations on a war footing to contain the leak. The authorities said that efforts were underway late into the night to safely clear the tanker and restore normal traffic flow. However, they also mentioned that commuter safety remained the top priority as hazardous gas leakage posed significant risk in the hilly terrain. Further updates on traffic restoration and investigation into the cause of the accident are awaited. Gas tanker accident exposes lack of preparedness, says AIMTC former president Bal Malkit Singh, advisor and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), on Wednesday criticised authorities over the prolonged disruption caused by the gas tanker accident on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Singh said the incident, which has persisted for nearly 26 hours, exposed a lack of preparedness in handling such emergencies. “Normalcy has still not been restored, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and massive losses to the transport industry,” he said. He added that the movement of perishable goods, raw materials, and finished products has been badly affected, disrupting time-bound deliveries and resulting in substantial financial losses for industries. Transport operators and drivers are facing undue hardship, including financial losses due to prolonged detention of vehicles. “Despite paying heavy toll charges and multiple taxes, the transport fraternity continues to suffer due to inadequate infrastructure and poor emergency response mechanisms,” Singh said, urging the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and other concerned agencies to strengthen infrastructure and contingency planning to ensure such situations are handled efficiently in the future.

04 February,2026 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The interns have urged authorities to take immediate action. Pic/X

Mumbai medical interns allege filthy conditions at hostel; write to BMC

A group of Mumbai medical interns on Wednesday alleged filthy conditions at Nair Dental College hostel and wrote to BMC and Chief Minister's office on X, sharing pictures of unhygienic washrooms. The Association of State Medical Interns has raised concerns about the living conditions at the hostel and claimed that students have been allegedly forced to live amid unhygienic conditions for past eight days. In a post on X, the association said, “Is this how we treat the doctors who treat the public?” It described the hostel as being surrounded by overflowing garbage and having choked, filthy washrooms. In an official statement, the association said the hostel premises have not been cleaned for over a week, creating a serious health risk for students living in a medical institution. The association added that this was not an isolated incident, as similar situations have occurred in the past, often due to workers’ strikes. However, it claimed no effective action has been taken so far. Is this how we treat the doctors who treat the public? ​This is the current state of the * Nair Dental College Hostel*. We have been living in this filth for 8 DAYS.Overflowing garbage, Choked, filthy washroom, We Demand immediate Intervention @mybmc @CMOMaharashtra #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/3mJssWY1rZ — Association of State Medical Interns (@ASMIMaharashtra) February 4, 2026 Safety concerns raised Apart from sanitation issues, the interns also raised a major fire safety concern. They said the fire emergency refuge area on the 7th floor has been closed, despite being designed for use during emergencies. Blocking access to the refuge area, they said, violates safety norms and could have severe consequences in the event of a fire. Demands made to authorities The interns have urged authorities to take immediate action and listed several demands - - Restore sanitation and hygiene immediately - Ensure continuous cleaning and waste management, even during strikes - Reopen the fire refuge area and comply with fire safety regulations - Implement long-term measures to prevent recurrence At the time of publishing the story, the BMC and the CM's office were yet to acknowledge the associations complaint.

04 February,2026 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Sanjay Raut said Patel must act only in a manner acceptable to Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos. File Pic

Sanjay Raut targets Praful Patel, accuses him of being ‘closer to BJP than NCP’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on NCP working president Praful Patel, accusing him of being more aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than with his own party, reported the PTI. Raut said Patel must act only in a manner acceptable to Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos. Addressing reporters, Raut said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was founded and led by the Pawar family, not by Patel. “Praful Patel should do only what is acceptable to Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos. The NCP is a party of Pawars, not Patels. He is a bigger devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah than a leader of his own party,” Raut alleged, according to the PTI. He also claimed that NCP state president Sunil Tatkare was leaning towards the BJP. Remarks come amid NCP leadership uncertainty The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's comments came a day after Patel said he was not in the race for the post of NCP national president, which fell vacant following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic air crash last week. Praful Patel had also expressed displeasure over people not associated with the NCP commenting on decisions taken by the party after Ajit Pawar’s death, reported the PTI. However, opposition leaders have continued to target Patel, accusing him of harbouring ambitions to lead the party. BJP blamed for splits in NCP and Shiv Sena Sanjay aut further alleged that the BJP was responsible for engineering splits in both the original NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, and the Shiv Sena, established by Bal Thackeray, the news agency reported. Commenting on the Chandrapur mayoral elections, where no single party has secured a majority, Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has directed party corporators not to align with the BJP. In the 66-member Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by the BJP with 23 seats and Shiv Sena (UBT) with six seats. The BSP and Shiv Sena won one seat each. (with PTI inputs)

04 February,2026 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Youth Congress alleged that the Modi government has remained silent on key security issues and has “concealed” facts. Representational Pic

India-China Galwan standoff book: Mumbai Congress protests against Centre

Mumbai Youth Congress on Wednesday staged a protest, urging the Centre to clarify its stand on the 2020 India-China Galwan Valley standoff and to allow the immediate publication of a book - Four Stars of Destiny book - by former Army chief General Manoj Naravane. The demonstration, led by Mumbai Youth Congress president Zeenat Shabreen, was held outside the Congress office at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in South Mumbai, reported news agency PTI.  Slogans critical of the Modi government were raised during the agitation, with Youth Congress workers expressing anger over what they described as the Centre’s “failure” to address national security concerns. Modi govt silent on security issues: Youth Congress According to PTI, the Youth Congress alleged that the Modi government has remained silent on key security issues and has “concealed” facts related to the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh. A violent face-off between Indian and Chinese border troops in the Galwan Valley had resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. Shabreen questioned what Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “hiding” about the incident and demanded that the government provide clear answers to the nation on the China issue. Galwan clash: Govt delay led to soldiers’ sacrifice, claims Congress leader She also slammed the government for not allowing the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to speak in Parliament on the sensitive matter and for preventing him from quoting from Naravane’s unpublished memoir on the India-China standoff, reported PTI.  Claiming that the government failed to take timely decisions despite inputs from the armed forces, Shabreen said this lapse led to the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the Galwan clash. The Mumbai Youth Congress president demanded that responsibility be fixed and action taken against those responsible for the soldiers’ deaths. Stating that the sacrifice of the soldiers would not be allowed to go in vain, Shabreen said the Youth Congress would continue its agitation until the government responds to its demands, reported PTI.  Claims of restricted quotation in Parliament Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that he had been informed that he was not permitted to quote from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, despite its relevance to national security and parliamentary debate. Citing the contents of the memoir, Rahul Gandhi alleged that when Chinese tanks reached the Kailash Range, then Army Chief Gen Naravane sought urgent instructions from the political leadership. According to Gandhi, Naravane first contacted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh but received no immediate response. He then reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, but again did not receive clear instructions. “When he called again, the Defence Minister said he would ‘ask from the top’,” Gandhi claimed, the news agency reported. Gandhi further alleged that there was a standing order from the highest level that Indian forces should not open fire on Chinese troops without prior political clearance, even if they had entered Indian territory. He said the Army leadership wanted to respond militarily but was constrained by the lack of clear approval. PM passed responsibility to Army Chief: Rahul Gandhi Quoting what he described as the key line from the memoir, Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Modi ultimately conveyed the message: “Jo uchit samjho woh karo” (Do what you think is appropriate), as per the PTI. Gandhi interpreted this as the Prime Minister passing responsibility to the Army Chief rather than taking a firm decision himself. “He told the Army Chief, ‘You do whatever you want; this is beyond me,’” Gandhi alleged, citing the memoir, according to the PTI. (With PTI inputs)

04 February,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Officials said repeated appeals were made to defaulters through SMS alerts and seizure notices prior to the issuance of final notices. Representational pic

KDMC begins action against property tax defaulters; seals 236 premises

The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has stepped up enforcement against property tax defaulters, initiating the sealing of properties and disconnection of water supply as part of a special recovery drive. Property tax bills for the 2025–26 financial year have already been issued, the civic body said. To encourage advance payments, KDMC has announced a 5 per cent rebate for taxpayers who clear their dues by August 2025, while those paying between September and December 2025 will be eligible for a 4 per cent discount. Issued final notices Officials said repeated appeals were made to defaulters through SMS alerts and seizure notices prior to the issuance of final notices. However, in cases where property owners failed to respond, the civic body launched a special campaign involving the sealing of properties, attachment proceedings and disconnection of water connections. 236 properties sealed So far, 236 properties have been sealed, while 39 water connections have been disconnected due to non-payment of property tax. The corporation said the recovery process will be further intensified in the coming weeks. To facilitate payments, KDMC has provided an online payment facility on its official website and has kept civic utility centres open on all weekends and public holidays until March 31, 2026. Taxpayers opting for online payment will be eligible for a 2 per cent rebate. Appeal to citizens The Property Tax Department has appealed to citizens to clear outstanding dues immediately to avoid penalties of 2 per cent per month, disconnection of water supply, and attachment or seizure of property.

04 February,2026 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Rajya Sabha Congress member Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Pic/X @akhileshPdsingh

Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh flags AI misuse in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha Congress member Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the growing misuse of deepfakes and artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading misinformation and enabling cybercrime, urging the government to amend existing laws to tackle emerging digital threats. Speaking during Zero Hour in the Upper House, the Bihar-based MP warned that the unchecked use of AI technologies poses a grave risk to citizens, democratic institutions, and public trust. Entire World in Danger “Today, the entire world is in grave danger of the misuse of deepfake and artificial intelligence,” Singh said according to PTI. He noted that such technologies are being used to spread false information, impersonate individuals, influence public opinion, harass citizens, and weaken public confidence in democratic systems. According to Singh, deepfake tools/ or synthetic media capable of generating realistic audio, video and images —that realistically manipulate a person's likeness to make them appear to say or do things they never actually did have created unprecedented challenges for administrative, legal and governance frameworks. Highlighting the dangers, Singh said AI-driven manipulation threatens political identity, facilitates fraud and torture, and spreads large-scale misinformation. “The use of deepfakes on a global scale, the rapid theft of political identity, fraud, and the creation of social illusion is increasing rapidly,” he told the House. He added that the speed at which AI spreads false narratives makes it difficult for authorities to respond effectively. Though the technology has proved to have legitimate applications in entertainment, education and art, its rapid expansion in widespread misuse, particularly in harassment, fraud and political misinformation be it in India or globally cannot be ignored.  Global Examples of Deepfake Misuse Citing international incidents, Singh referred to a European Commission report that estimates over 90 percent of online content used in cybercrime will be based on deepfakes. He pointed out that during Slovakia’s 2023 presidential election, AI-generated fake audio in a candidate’s voice was broadcasted just before voting, raising concerns over electoral integrity. Singh also mentioned the 2024 US election, where voters were urged through deepfake technology not to vote for then-President Joe Biden, prompting a government investigation. Similarly, Taiwan reported deepfake activities linked to foreign elements during its elections, he said. "These events show that AI is very fast at spreading false information. Fraud is happening all over the world. Even in India, the old law needs to be changed," Singh said according to PTI. Referring to the Indian context, Singh stressed the need for urgent legal reforms. He emphasized that without updated legal safeguards, citizens and institutions remain vulnerable to large-scale digital manipulation. (With PTI inputs)

04 February,2026 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Currently, 803 ATVMs are operational across 88 stations. Representational pic

Over 1.97 lakh local commuters benefit from faster unreserved ticketing at CSMT

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) commuters have increasingly turned to the M-UTS (Mobile-Unreserved Ticketing System) Sahayak Scheme, the Central Railway stated in a press release. According to the Central Railway, 50,306 tickets were issued in January via M-UTS Sahayak Scheme to 72,569 passengers. Since the deployment of three M-UTS Sahayaks at Mumbai’s CSMT in November 2025, the initiative has helped over 1.97 lakh passengers secure unreserved tickets in just three months, highlighting the scheme’s impact in reducing queues and speeding up ticketing during peak hours. Under the scheme, trained M-UTS Sahayaks, equipped with mobile phones and Bluetooth-enabled printers, issue tickets near booking counters and in passenger circulation areas, providing commuters with greater accessibility, flexibility, and convenience. 803 ATVMs in Mumbai Division, 248 more to be installed for faster ticketing Alongside the M-UTS Sahayak Scheme, the Mumbai Division continues to strengthen its automated ticketing network, Central Railway stated. Currently, 803 automatic ticket-vending machines (ATVMs) are operational across 88 stations, with 248 new machines to be installed in the division, further enhancing ticketing efficiency for suburban travellers. Central Railway officials said the usage data reflects a growing preference for digital ticketing, with passengers benefiting from faster, hassle-free unreserved ticketing at CSMT.

04 February,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The victim, Shabnam Shaikh

Bandra woman loses Rs 23 lakh in online trading scam linked to fake endorsements

The successful acquisition of the ASIC Authorized Representative license represents a major achievement for ZBXCX and a powerful validation of its compliance-driven strategy. This milestone underscores the platform’s dedication to operating responsibly, transparently, and in full accordance with international regulatory standards. As the global financial industry continues to mature, ZBXCX remains firmly committed to building a secure, innovative, and compliant trading ecosystem. With ASIC authorization now in place, the platform is better equipped than ever to deliver high-quality financial services and to support the long-term success of its global user community. A 39-year-old woman, Shabnam Shaikh, resident of Bandra, reportedly lost approximately Rs 23 lakh after investing through an international trading website that turned out to be fraudulent, according to the FIR. Shaikh told the police she trusted the platform because it featured photographs of a prominent Bollywood actress and a well-known singer, creating the impression that they endorsed the website. Shaikh, who has been running an NGO for the past 20 years and resides on Pali Hill Road, recently registered an FIR against an unidentified individual for allegedly duping her through a trading account created on the FXONET website. She claimed in the complaint that she invested Rs 23 lakh in the platform, only to later discover it was fake. The BKC Cyber Police have registered the FIR and begun an investigation. Screenshot of the website showing the victim’s profits Speaking to mid-day, Shaikh said, “On April 25, I came across a post on X and clicked on the embedded URL. Shortly after, I received a phone call from a woman identifying herself as Shaha, who claimed to be a representative of FXONET. She asked me to visit FXONET.com and log in to the platform.” “After opening the account, I was contacted by two individuals, Raghav and Sagar, who advised me to invest $232. Within just two to three days, my investment had doubled. Encouraged by the returns, I decided to invest more. By May 6, I had contributed a total of R23,45,517. I was also able to withdraw R1,63,000,” Shaikh explained. However, when she attempted to withdraw additional funds, her request was denied. She reached out to the individuals who had earlier guided her but received no assistance. Shaikh said, “When I tried to withdraw my Rs 23 lakh, the system kept showing that the transaction was processed, but nothing happened. I contacted the helpline and spoke to Shasha, Sagar, Raghav, and Maya. They told me I had to invest another Rs 10 lakh to withdraw my existing funds. The platform showed that my total profit had reached 23,000 USD.” “I realised it was a scam and immediately reported it to the BKC cyber police station. I filed an FIR against the unknown individuals running the fake international trading website. I was misled by what appeared to be endorsements featuring well-known celebrities,” she added. Senior Inspector Dattaram Chavan of the cyber cell said, “We have registered an FIR against unknown persons involved in cyber fraud and allegedly cheating Shabnam Shaikh. We are investigating whether the website is genuine or fake. We are also working with banks to trace the transactions. We urge citizens not to click on suspicious links.” The FIR has been registered under various sections of the BNS. 

04 February,2026 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Breach of privilege notice issued against comedian Kunal Kamra. File pic

Maharashtra council panel summons Kunal Kamra over remarks against Eknath Shinde

The Maharashtra legislative council's privileges committee has summoned stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare for a hearing over their alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who is the chairperson of the privileges committee, while talking to the media on Wednesday, said that the notice was issued to Kamra and Andhare 15 days ago, as per PTI.  Prasad Lal also added that Kamra and Andhare have been asked to appear before the committee for a hearing at 2 pm on Thursday, January 5. The BJP MLC emphasised, "If they fail to turn up after two summons, the committee will decide on action against them." Earlier in March 2025, Kunal Kamra posted his video 'Naya Bharat', in which he sang a parody of Bholi Si Surat, a popular song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai. With this parody song, he allegedly targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him. Breach of privilege notice moved against Kamra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved the breach of privilege notice against Kamra and Andhare for "derogatory remarks" against Shiv Sena leader Shinde, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who has often courted controversy for his anti-establishment views, targeted Shinde in a song parody last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor without naming him. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Andhare had allegedly supported Kunal Kamra over his remark on the Deputy Chief Minister.  Kunal Kamra on his return as a comedian Although Kunal Kamra continued to engage with audiences through podcasts on his channel, he has not returned to stand-up since. He mentioned this in a statement shared on the social media platform Instagram earlier in December 2025.  While taking it to social media, Kamra addressed questions about the future of his stand-up career. He requested people not to ask about his return to the stage, saying he himself does not know when that will happen. He also highlighted the exhausting legal process involved before performing a stand-up act. Kamra, while posting a story on Instagram, wrote, “It’s a question I ask myself. The answer is, I don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore. Every venue, every show, permissions from authorities, conditional declarations of what I can say and what I can’t, and the court cases that follow the jokes eventually. There’s no road for wanting to do stand-up in the true sense. There are two options: say what is allowed and adjust to invisible rules and non-existent laws, or just wait and enjoy the waiting.” (With inputs from PTI)

04 February,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK