Supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday raised slogans during a roadshow by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra's Nashik city, prompting him to respond with an action indicating the bow-and arrow symbol, reported the PTI. The bow-and arrow, is also his party's symbol. CM Shinde was campaigning for Hemant Godse, his party's candidate from Nashik Lok Sabha constituency. Some supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) shouted slogans in support of their party's candidate, Parag Waje, and showed the party symbol 'flaming torch' when Shinde's roadshow passed Marathon Chowk, reported the PTI. The chief minister responded by making the action of shooting an arrow from a bow. The bow-and-arrow election symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena went to the CM Eknath Shinde group after the party split in 2022 as the Election Commission recognised his faction as the real Shiv Sena. Poll officials check CM Shinde's luggage in Nashik Meanwhile, the poll officials on Thursday checked the luggage of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on his arrival at a helipad in Maharashtra's Nashik, reported the PTI. The development comes days after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that CM Shinde carried bags stashed with cash in a helicopter, as per the PTI. The officials did not find anything objectionable in CM Shinde's bags, according to the PTI. "I carry this much luggage. It contains my clothes. I have brought bags even today," CM Eknath Shinde told reporters when asked about his bags being checked, the news agency reported on Thursday. CM Shinde was in Nashik to seek support for incumbent MP Hemant Godse who has been renominated by Shiv Sena for Lok Sabha elections 2024. He also took part in a motorcycle rally in the city. Sanjay Raut on Monday had alleged that CM Shinde carried bags stuffed with cash in a helicopter to Nashik. He had posted a video on X, showing Shinde alighting from a helicopter and some persons around him carrying large bags. "If they claim to have the support of the people, then why do they need money to entice voters," Sanjay Raut had asked during a media interaction. "The authorities have time to probe our helicopters, but no action is taken against these people," he had said. (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 10:54 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi Police on Thursday filed an FIR in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence and named his personal assistant Bibhav Kumar as an accused, officials said. The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to the offence of violence against women, they said. He has also been summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday over the matter. The FIR was registered after Maliwal's statement was recorded by a two-member team, led by Additional Commissioner of Police P S Kushwaha. It was at the Rajya Sabha member's residence in Central Delhi for nearly four and a half hours. Officials said the FIR has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to violence against a woman. The development comes two days after Maliwal went to the Civil Lines police station and alleged that a member of Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted" her at the CM's official residence. The case was registered after Maliwal filed a multiple-page complaint. In a post on X after the police team left her residence, Maliwal said she has recorded her statement with the Delhi Police on what happened with her and urged the BJP to not indulge in politics. "Hope appropriate action is taken. Whatever happened with me was extremely bad," said the MP. She also said, "The past days have been very difficult for me. I thank those who prayed. Those who tried to indulge in character assassination, said that I was doing it at the behest of the other party, God bless them too." According to sources, in her police complaint, Maliwal has named Kumar as the "main person" who allegedly assaulted her when she had gone to meet Kejriwal on Monday. The BJP attacked Kejriwal after he refused to comment on the Maliwal "assault" matter during a press conference in Lucknow. He was flanked by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh. Kejriwal avoided a question on the issue and it was fielded by Singh who said his party has already made its stand clear on the issue. On Tuesday, at a press conference in Delhi, Singh had accepted that Kumar had "misbehaved" with Maliwal. When Kejriwal was avoiding the question, Yadav took the microphone and said, "There are more important things than that". He then unfolded a piece of paper and said, "BJP people are not with anyone, it is a 'gang' that lodges false cases". Singh then took the microphone from the SP chief, and said the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer for atrocities against women during the party's rule. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed that Kejriwal is the main "criminal" in the complaint that his aide Kumar had physically attacked Maliwal at the chief minister's residence, as he cited the telephone call she had made to the Delhi Police to report the matter. "His (Kejriwal) silence speaks a lot. Out of jail, he is more a 'goonda' than a chief minister," he told reporters, noting that Kumar was seen with the chief minister in Lucknow. Stringent action should be taken against the accused in the case. Kumar, he noted, was photographed with Kejriwal during his visit to Lucknow. During the press conference in the Uttar Pradesh capital, Singh, who had met Maliwal at her residence on Wednesday, said, "The AAP is our family. Party has made its view clear." He also targeted the BJP government at the Centre by raising the issue of a Manipuri woman being paraded naked, the Prajwal Revanna sex scandal and Maliwal being "beaten up" by police during protests by wrestlers when she was the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief. "I want that BJP and PM should also answer on the issues I have kept before you. He (PM) should answer on the issue of Swati Maliwal, who was dragged and beaten when she went to seek justice for the female wrestlers. I just want to say don't play political games on the issues," he said. The NCW summoned Kumar after taking suo moto cognisance of a media post titled "Ex-DCW chief Swati Maliwal accuses Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary of assaulting her", where she claimed that she was brutally assaulted at the chief minister's residence by Kumar. In light of these accusations, the commission issued a notice, emphasising that failure to comply could result in further actions as deemed necessary by them. Reacting to the incident, the Congress said strict action should be taken against the person who was involved in the alleged assault on Maliwal. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are fighting the Lok Sabha elections under the banner of INDIA bloc in the national capital. Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak said the party's stand in the matter has been absolutely clear. "If any crime takes place against a woman, whoever is involved in the crime, whether he belongs to any political party or not, strictest action should be taken against him. (AAP MP) Sanjay Singh also said the same thing and the Congress also said the same," Nayak said. The Mahlia Morcha of the Delhi BJP also extended support to Maliwal, writing a letter to her saying the incident was a matter of honour of women in the country. The letter written by its president Richa Pandey Mishra, a former AAP leader, urged Maliwal to approach police to ensure that strict action be taken against the guilty. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 May,2024 10:44 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal on Thursday broke her silence over the alleged assault on her, saying she has recorded her statement with the Delhi Police and the BJP should not indulge in politics over the incident. Three days after the alleged incident at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, where his close aide Bibhav Kumar allegedly "assaulted" Maliwal, she said the past few days have been very difficult for her. "What happened to me was very bad. I have given my statement to the police on the incident that happened to me. I hope appropriate action will be taken. The past days have been very difficult for me. I thank those who prayed. Those who tried to indulge in character assassination, said that I was doing it at the behest of the other party, God bless them too," she said in a post on X in Hindi. She said crucial elections are going on now, and stressed that she is not important but the issues of the country are. "There is a special request to the BJP people not to do politics on this incident," she said in the same post. A two-member team of the Delhi Police recorded her statement Thursday at her residence in Central Delhi. According to an officer, Maliwal told police about the incident that happened at the chief minister's residence on Monday. The officer said with Maliwal's statement recorded, police might register an FIR in connection with the matter. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 May,2024 09:06 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Nationalist Congress Party NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has lost his confidence as people want political change this time, reported the PTI. Sharad Pawar also criticised the Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Praful Patel for placing a 'jiretop', the headgear that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to wear, on PM Modi's head, stating that it showed the former Union minister's "lachari" (slavish attitude), as per the PTI. Interacting with media persons Maharashtra's Nashik, Sharad Pawar said, "I visited many places to campaign during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024. People's mindset is towards (political) change now and PM Modi has lost his confidence due to it. There is a favourable condition for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state," the news agency reported on Thursday. Sharad Pawar criticised PM Modi for conducting a roadshow in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area on Wednesday. "PM Modi held the roadshow in a Gujarati-dominated area. When you are leading the nation, thinking about caste and religion is not appropriate. Conducting a roadshow in a city like Mumbai is not the right thing to do. People had to wait for hours. They suffered inconvenience due to it...Such complaints were received," the former Union minister said, according to the PTI. Ahead of the roadshow, Mumbai Metro rail services were suspended between Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar stations for security reasons. Police also closed some adjoining roads due to the roadshow and diverted traffic in view of the event. Talking about the 'jiretop' row, Sharad Pawar said, "Jiretop and Maharashtra have a history. There is a limit to 'lachari'. But it is good they said that they will take care in future," he said. A controversy erupted over Praful Patel's act of placing a jiretop on PM Modi's head before the latter filed his nomination in Varanasi. The act invited a lot of criticism from the opposition. On PM Modi calling Shiv Sena (UBT) a "fake Shiv Sena", Pawar said, "What is 'nakli' (fake) Shiv Sena? The real Shiv Sainiks are with Uddhav Thackeray." When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's absence from the election related events of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, including PM Modi's roadshow in Mumbai, he said, "Ajit Pawar is really ill." (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 07:19 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentA hoarding installed on the roadside suddenly collapsed on a stationary mini truck in Pimpri Chinchwad area of Maharashtra's Pune district on Thursday as a result of strong winds, police said, reported the PTI. Nobody was injured in the incident that occurred days after a giant hoarding collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, killing 16 persons and injuring 75 others. "A 30 x 30 feet hoarding erected on the margin of the road at Jai Ganesh Samrajya chowk in Moshi area collapsed around 4.30 pm. It fell on a stationary tempo truck and a couple of two-wheelers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as there was nobody inside or on the vehicles," an official from the Pimpri Chinchwad police said, according to the PTI. A crane was pressed into service to remove the crashed iron structure, he said. In the Mumbai incident that took place on Monday, a 120 x 120 feet hoarding fell on a petrol pump due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains, as per the PTI. Meanwhile, the death toll in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse on Thursday reached 16 after the bodies of a retired GM of Mumbai airport ATC and his wife were retrieved from the wreckage at the crash site. The rescue operation was called off on Thursday morning with no hopes of finding survivors three days after the tragedy, officials said, as per the PTI. A 120 feet x 120 feet billboard, which according to officials was illegally installed, collapsed on a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area of suburban Ghatkopar during a dust storm on Monday evening, killing 16 people and injuring 75 others. Former general manager (GM) of Mumbai ATC Manoj Chansoria (60) and his wife Anita (59) were missing since Monday evening when they left for Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh from the ATC guest house in western Mumbai in a car, as per the PTI. The bodies of a man and a woman were extricated from a car stuck underneath the collapsed hoarding shortly after midnight on Wednesday and the victims were later identified as Manoj Chansoria and his wife, they said. (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 07:06 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe poll officials on Thursday checked the luggage of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on his arrival at a helipad in Maharashtra's Nashik, reported the PTI. The development comes days after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that CM Shinde carried bags stashed with cash in a helicopter, as per the PTI. The officials did not find anything objectionable in CM Shinde's bags, according to the PTI. "I carry this much luggage. It contains my clothes. I have brought bags even today," CM Eknath Shinde told reporters when asked about his bags being checked, the news agency reported on Thursday. CM Shinde was in Nashik to seek support for incumbent MP Hemant Godse who has been renominated by Shiv Sena for Lok Sabha elections 2024. He also took part in a motorcycle rally in the city. Sanjay Raut on Monday had alleged that CM Shinde carried bags stuffed with cash in a helicopter to Nashik. He had posted a video on X, showing Shinde alighting from a helicopter and some persons around him carrying large bags. "If they claim to have the support of the people, then why do they need money to entice voters," Sanjay Raut had asked during a media interaction. "The authorities have time to probe our helicopters, but no action is taken against these people," he had said. After nothing suspicious was found in his bags on Thursday, CM Eknath Shinde also said, "Some people work secretly. Eknath Shinde works openly. Now, what went outside from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation standing committee will also come to the fore (referring to alleged corruption in BMC)," he added, the PTI reported. Meanwhile, members of Shiv Sena (UBT) shouted slogans and showed their party symbol 'flaming torch' at Marathon Chowk on Gangapur Road when CM Shinde's rally was passing through the area. CM Shinde responded by making a gesture of 'bow and arrow', the Shiv Sena's symbol. This prompted the authorities to step up security at the Sena (UBT) office in the Shalimar Chowk area to avoid a confrontation between the rival Senas when the rally passed from there. Nashik is among the 13 Lok Sabha seats that will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20, marking the conclusion of general elections in Maharashtra. Votes will be counted on June 4. (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 06:33 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentA BJP worker, identified as Abhijit Roy, was found dead in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Thursday, reported news agency PTI.. Further investigations are underway. The BJP alleged that he was killed by the "goons" backed by the state’s ruling TMC. The TMC has rejected the charge. The body of Abhijit Roy, the BJP's booth president in Jamna in Monteswar police station area, was found hanging near a farmhouse. The police said Roy had been missing since Wednesday night.. Roy had played a crucial role for the BJP when the area, which is a part of the Burdwan-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, went to the polls on May 13, party leaders said. "The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. We are investigating the case," a police officer said. Monteswar witnessed violence even on the day of the polling on Monday. BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh was heckled by TMC workers when he tried to visit a booth following allegations of rigging. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, "Abhijit Roy was receiving threats from TMC goons for the last few days. It is the TMC that has killed him. We want a thorough investigation and want the culprits to be punished." The TMC said that the allegations were baseless. "Police are investigating the case. Let the investigation be over. The BJP should not jump to conclusions," TMC leader Santanu Sen said. BJP workers also began a sit-in outside the Monteswar police station, demanding action against those behind the death. (With inputs from PTI)
16 May,2024 06:19 PM IST | Monteswar | mid-day online correspondentPDP candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency Waheed Para has been booked for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC), reported PTI. The candidate held a road show in south Kashmir's Pulwama in April, violating poll code, officials said on Thursday. The Srinagar constituency went to polls on May 13, registering about 38 per cent voter turnout which was the second highest in the past three decades. Para is among 24 candidates in the fray from the seat. As per officials, an FIR was registered against Para on May 8 under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code at Pulwama police station on the complaint lodged by nodal officer, MCC and additional deputy commissioner, Pulwama. The PDP leader is accused of holding a road show in the areas of Beighpora, Padgampora, Larkipora, Wankanpora, Goripora, Dangerpora, Jangalnad, Batapora, Dhawatoo, Khandaypora and Panzgam in Pulwama on April 27, without any permission from the authorities concerned. Quoting a report of senior superintendent of police, the complainant said the vehicle-bound rally of Para from PDP office to circular road via Rajpora Chowk, Murran and Peaks crossing was in violation of the MCC. The candidate violated the MCC despite requests from Pulwama police station SHO (station house officer) and duty magistrate, thereby jeopardizing his security and the security of other persons, the complainant said, adding the delayed response of the PDP district president over the violation was not satisfactory. Earlier this month, a notice by the J&K election department objecting to his statement asking youngsters to consider the general elections as a "referendum" was sent to Para. However, the PDP leader defended his remark, in his response on May 10, and said his statement that the "ensuing election is no less than a referendum" only points towards the importance of the poll. (With inputs from PTI)
16 May,2024 05:49 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe police have arrested five persons for allegedly kidnapping a businessman in Maharashtra's Akola district, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. According to the news agency, the businessman was bundled into a car by two to three persons near his scrap godown on May 13. After being informed about the kidnapping, the police launched a probe and even announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for credible information connected with the case, the official said. The accused freed the businessman, whom they had brought on an auto rickshaw, on Wednesday night. The crime branch officials who were tracking the auto subsequently arrested five persons for their alleged role in the kidnapping. They also recovered a car and two countrymade pistols from them, he said, the news agency reported on Thursday. District Superintendent of Police Bachchan Singh said the five kidnapped the businessman for easy money. They wanted to demand a ransom of Rs 1 crore, but could not get through to his family members, the SP said. "All have previous criminal history. Stringent preventive action will be taken in the matter," he added, as per the PTI. Posing as cops, six men barge into cafe owner's home, take away Rs 25 lakh; four held in Mumbai Meanwhile, in an another incident, as many as six men claiming to be from the crime branch entered a cafe owner's home in Mumbai's Sion area and allegedly took away Rs 25 lakh, an official said on Thursday. The police have arrested four of them, reported the PTI. The complainant, who runs a popular cafe in the city's Matunga area, told the police that six persons came to his house near the Sion hospital on Tuesday saying they were from the Mumbai crime branch. The men claimed that they were on election duty and had information that he had kept money for use in connection with the Lok Sabha polls, the official said citing the complaint. Mumbai will vote in the fifth phase of general elections on May 20. The hotelier told them that he had only Rs 25 lakh cash from his food business and it had nothing to do with the elections, the official said. However, the six accused took the money and left his home threatening to implicate him in a crime. The cafe owner then approached the Sion police station, prompting an investigation. During the probe, the police arrested four of the accused. Cops suspect the involvement of a retired police constable and personnel of the police motor transport department in the crime, the official added, as per the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 05:41 PM IST | Akola | mid-day online correspondentJharkhand minister Alamgir Alam, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, was remanded to the custody of the central agency for six days by a special PMLA court in Ranchi, lawyers said on Thursday. Alam was arrested in connection with its probe into a money laundering case on Wednesday. Alam's lawyer Kishlay Prasad said that his six-day remand will start on Friday adding that he is in judicial custody today. “There is no specific allegation against Alam. Everything is vague. Neither they are disclosing the name of the person who has taken money or who has taken proceeds of crime. There is no direct involvement of the minister. Cash was recovered from one Jahangir who has no link with Alamgir Alam,” Prasad said. Alam's counsel also cited the health condition of the 70-year-old minister in the court, while opposing the ED's remand plea. “He has been suffering from sleep apnea, due to which his oxygen level reduces during the night. Therefore, he needs oxygen support. Such support was even provided by the family of Alam during ED custody on Wednesday night. He is also a hypertension and diabetes patient,” Prasad said. “The court stated that the required medical aid will be provided during the remand period,” he said. Earlier in the day, the minister was produced before the PMLA court in Ranchi, amid tight security arrangements, an ED official said. The money laundering investigation is related to alleged irregularities and bribery in the state rural development department. The Congress leader was arrested after a six-hour grilling by the ED on Wednesday at the agency's office in Ranchi. He was also questioned by the federal agency on Tuesday for over nine hours and his statement was recorded. The state parliamentary affairs minister represents the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly. He came under the ED radar, following the recent arrest of his personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42). The central agency recovered more than Rs 32 crore in cash from a flat linked to them during a raid on May 6. (With inputs from PTI)
16 May,2024 05:14 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentIn a suspected case of food poisoning in Maharashtra's Nanded, at least 90 persons were admitted to different hospitals after consuming eatables during a temple feast, the police said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Wednesday evening at Naigaon area in Nanded district, an official said. "A feast was organised and food was served to devotees just outside a Shiva temple. They were given 'ambil' (porridge) and 'khir' (a sweet dish made from milk) to eat," he said, according to the PTI. But after having 'ambil', the devotees felt dizzy and started vomiting, he said. "Initially, some of them were rushed to a hospital. But towards late evening, there were more complaints of food poisoning. Till late night, a total of 90 people were admitted to various hospitals for treatment," he said, as per the PTI. The condition of all of them is stable and they are out of danger, the official added. Taking cognisance of the incident, a police team visited the spot and an inquiry is being conducted, he said. Seven Blind School students fell sick due to food poisoning Meanwhile, in an another incident, at least seven children fell sick due to food poisoning at the Victoria Memorial Blind School in Mumbai's Tardeo as reported at around 1 am on Tuesday. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), five among the seven children's age are above 12 years and two are below 12 years. The brief further said that five children are complaining vomiting and abdominal pain, whereas two others are suffering from fever. All the seven children are admitted to BMC's Nair Hospital and reported to be in "stable condition". In a separate incident in January 2023, thirty-six students in Sangli in Maharashtra fell ill due to suspected food poisoning, an official said. All of them were shifted to a hospital, where 35 were discharged post treatment, while one has been kept under observation, he said. The incident took place in Wanlesswadi High School after the children, from Classes V and VII, had rice and dal prepared at a central kitchen run by a self-help group, he said. (with PTI inputs)
16 May,2024 04:22 PM IST | Nanded | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
