Page 28 - Maharashtra

Kunal Kamra gets notice over anti-Shinde remarks; seeks 1 week to appear

The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with a case filed for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, officials said on Tuesday. Kamra has been asked to appear before the Khar police in connection with the case registered against him, an official said. "We have issued an initial notice to Kamra as a probe has been started into the case against him," the official said without giving more details. While the official did not disclose when Kamra, accused of making defamatory remarks against Shinde, has been summoned, sources said the comic has sought one week's time to appear before police. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shiv Sena leader Shinde's political career in his show. Kamra had performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the 1997 film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," apparently referring to Shinde as a "gaddar"

5 foreign universities to open campuses in Navi Mumbai: CM Fadnavis

Five foreign universities have evinced interest to set up a campus in the satellite city of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. These include three from the US, which is among the top 50 in the world, and one each from Australia and the UK, the chief minister said while speaking at a USIBC event here. The state is yet to sign a formal memorandum of understanding with the universities as they can enter into such an agreement only after getting a nod from the University Grants Commission, he added. The state is following up with UGC on the matter, and the universities will come up on an education city coming up in an urban settlement coming up across the harbour touted as the "Third Mumbai", he said. Fadnavis said Maharashtra is carving out dedicated zones with shared infrastructure in the new city dedicated to certain activities, like education, innovation, data centres, medical centres, sports etc. The new city will be three times bigger th

Battle of Panipat symbol of Marathas' valour; will build memorial: Fadnavis

The third battle of Panipat was a symbol of the bravery of Marathas and not the defeat, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the state assembly on Tuesday. Replying to a debate on the 'Last Week Motion' initiated by the opposition, Fadnavis said the state government is building a 'Shiv Smarak' (memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in Agra. Land is also being acquired for building a memorial in Panipat (Haryana), where the third battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and (Afghan ruler) Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761, he said. To this, opposition NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad asked why a memorial is being built in Panipat where Abdali defeated the Marathas. "Panipat is not a symbol of our bravery or our defeat. It will remind me of defeat. It was between Ahmad Shah Abdali and (Maratha general) Sadashivrao Bhau. There is no memorial of defeat in the world," Awhad said. Fadnavis then said, "The battle of Panipat is a symbol of Marathas' bravery and not ...

IPL betting happening under Mumbai Police protection, claims Ambadas Danve

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council, Ambadas Danve, on Tuesday alleged that certain individuals are involved in betting on IPL cricket matches and Mumbai police were shielding them. Speaking in the Upper House, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said he would submit a pen drive containing details of several conversations and betting operations to the council chairman. He claimed, "I have a pen drive that contains phone call details of an application called 'Lotus 24' used for betting on cricket matches. Mehul Jain, Kamlesh Jain, and Hiren Jain have connections with Pakistani cricket players. It also involves senior police officers of the Mumbai police. The betting activities are taking place under the protection of Mumbai police." Raising concerns about crime statistics, he claimed 7,82,960 incidents were reported in 2024, according to the state police department. He alleged that the Maharashtra government had deliberately withheld crime reports for 2022-23 and ...

Mumbai Police issue notice to Kamra for 'derogatory' remarks against Shinde

The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with a case for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, officials said on Tuesday. Kamra has been asked to appear before the Khar police here in connection with the case registered against him, an official said. "We have issued an initial notice to Kamra as a probe has been started into the case against him," the official said without giving more details. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shiv Sena leader Shinde's political career in his show. Kamra had performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," apparently referring to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor). He also made jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena and NCP splits. On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's

BJP-Sena alliance in 2014 broke over dispute on 4 Assembly seats: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said ties between the BJP and the then-undivided Shiv Sena broke for the first time in 2014 as the latter insisted on contesting 151 assembly seats in the state polls against the offer of 147 seats. Fadnavis was speaking at an event to felicitate Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur here on Monday night. Mathur was BJP's Maharashtra in-charge in 2014. Fadnavis said the BJP had then planned to contest 127 seats and was willing to offer 147 seats to the Shiv Sena (for elections to the 288-member state assembly). "We gave the Shiv Sena an ultimatum to contest 147 seats, and we decided to contest 127 seats, even as we believed would win more than 200 seats. The Shiv Sena would have the chief minister's post, while the BJP would have its deputy CM," the BJP leader said. "We were told that the 'yuvaraj' had announced to contest 151 seats, and they were not willing to back down on that number," Fadnavis added without taking any name. Fadnavi

Demolition act of 'revenge' by Nagpur civic body: Brother of riots accused

The brother of Yusuf Sheikh, an accused in the March 17 communal violence in Nagpur, on Monday alleged the civic body started demolition of a portion of their house despite the family having all sanctions and possessing documents for the building. Ayaz Sheikh claimed the house of his brother was built legally and termed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) action to demolish its balcony, on the ground that it was "unauthorised", as an act of revenge. The demolition was stayed after the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court intervened following pleas by Yusuf Sheikh and Fahim Khan, an alleged mastermind behind the communal violence. While the two-storey residence of Khan was flattened by civic authorities who claimed it was constructed illegally, the house of Yusuf Sheikh in the Mahal Gate area was spared after the HC intervened and stayed the bulldozer action. After the demolition was stopped, Ayaz Sheikh, while speaking to the media, alleged the NMC action was undertaken with an

Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise for Shinde remark: 'I don't fear this mob'

I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down, said Kunal Kamra on his Eknath Shinde remark

Comedian Kamra booked for comments on Shinde; 12 held for ransacking venue

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said no one should violate the law and the Constitution and must keep a check on what they say

India's Got Latent row: Samay Raina records statement with Maha cyber cell

Maharashtra Cyber on Monday recorded the statement of comedian Samay Raina in a case registered over objectionable remarks on his YouTube show, an official said. Maharashtra Cyber, a cyber and information security division, is probing the case registered against podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia and others after he triggered a massive uproar with his crass remarks about parents and sex on Raina's web show India's Got Latent. The agency had summoned Raina several times to record his statement in connection with the case, the official said. He said Raina, who recently returned from abroad, appeared before the probe agency at its headquarters in Mhape and recorded his statement. The comedian reached the office in the afternoon, recorded his statement for more than five hours, and left the premises at 6.45, the official said. He said the agency had earlier recorded statements of Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Makhija and others. Raina got into trouble after Allahbadia's re

Beer consumption in Maharashtra on a slow recovery amid high taxation

The industry says that taxation on beer in the state has made it more expensive than other alcoholic beverages

SC seeks Maharashtra body's reply on contempt plea over property razing

The Supreme Court on Monday directed a Maharashtra authority to respond to a man's plea for initiating contempt action against it after he and his family members were booked by police and his properties were rased for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during a cricket match. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih issued the notice and posted the hearing after four weeks. The petitioner, who hails from Sindhudurg district in the state, has claimed his house and shop were demolished on February 24 following an FIR against him, his wife and his 14-year-old son for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match, which India won the previous day. The plea, filed by Kitabulla Hamidulla Khan, sought directions for initiating contempt proceedings against the chief officer and administrator of the Malvan Municipal Council arguing the action was in violation of the apex court's November 13, 2024 verdict on demolition of properties.

SC seeks Maha authority's reply on contempt plea over property demolition

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Maharashtra authority on a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings for demolition of a house and shop in Sindhudurg district over alleged anti-India slogan during a cricket match. The petitioner has claimed the demolition was conducted by the authorities after a frivolous compliant was filed about alleged raising of an anti-India slogan during a cricket match between India and Pakistan during the Champions Trophy held last month. "Issue notice," a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said. The bench said the plea would be heard after four weeks. The plea has alleged violation of the apex court's November 13, 2024 verdict on demolition of properties. The verdict had laid down pan-India guidelines and barred demolition of properties without a prior showcause notice and 15 days' time to the aggrieved party to respond.

Civic authorities demolish house of Nagpur violence key accused Fahim Khan

Amid heavy police security, civic authorities on Monday morning demolished a two-storey house of Nagpur violence key accused Fahim Khan over unauthorised construction, officials said. Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), has been booked for sedition. He is among the over 100 persons arrested for the violence in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on March 17. A few days back, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Khan, citing various lapses and lack of the building plan approval (for his house), sources said. At around 10.30 am on Monday, three JCB machines of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation started demolishing the house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area here, amid heavy security and drone surveillance in the entire area. The area where the demolition work was being done was completely barricaded. The house, registered in the name of Khan's mother, was located on a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (Lease) and the lease ended in 2020, a

Prohibitory orders in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar from Mar 25 to Apr 8

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city in view of the agitations against Aurangzeb's tomb and to maintain law and order during the upcoming festivals, officials said on Monday. Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar has imposed the prohibitory orders, to be in force from March 25 to April 8, an official said. Notably, several right-wing organisations have been demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located at Khultabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The police order mentioned the upcoming events like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's death anniversary (March 29), Gudi Padva festival (March 30), Eid, Jhulelal Jayanti (March 31) and Ram Navami (April 6). There is also a probability that right-wing outfits may hold an agitation against Aurangzeb's tomb, and various communities may also organise protests, it said. Hence, to maintain law and order, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city under

Maharashtra budget to boost real estate with infra focus: CREDAI-MCHI

Realtors' body CREDAI-MCHI has said the Maharashtra government's budget will give a significant boost to real estate sector because of huge allocation for infrastructure development and focus on affordable housing. CREDAI-MCHI, which is part of CREDAI, represents real estate developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). On March 10, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, tabled the state budget in the legislative assembly and announced a new industrial policy, focussing on Rs 40 lakh crore investment and generation of 50 lakh jobs. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is being developed as a growth hub, and it will have a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047, Pawar said as he announced a third airport in the metropolis near the Vadhvan port in the neighbouring Palghar district. CREDAI-MCHI President Domnic Romell said, "The Maharashtra state budget lays a strong foundation for economic growth through strategic investments in infrastructure and ..

Highlights: CBI files closure report in actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case

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Nagpur violence: Rioters to pay cost of the damage, says Maharashtra CM

The cost of properties damaged during Nagpur violence will be recovered from rioters and the failure to pay up would lead to the seizure and selling of their properties, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said 104 rioters have been identified after analysing videos and footage from CCTV cameras so far and action has been taken against 92 people, including 12 minors, as per the law. Fadnavis said the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be impacted due to the violence that occurred on Monday in central Nagpur areas. "The cost of properties damaged during Nagpur violence will be recovered from rioters and the failure to pay up would lead to the seizure and selling of their properties to recover losses. "Strict action will be taken against rioters who attacked police personnel. My government will not rest until elements who attacked the police are found out and dealt with sternly," said Fadnavis, w

Karnataka observes 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada groups today

A 12-hour statewide bandh called by the pro-Kannada groups to protest the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi began in Karnataka on Saturday morning amid tight security. In several parts of the state, the pro-kannada groups took to the streets staging protests and they appealed to the shopkeepers to cooperate and extend their support for the cause. But most of the shops were open as usual. In Bengaluru, the activists gathered at the Mysore Bank circle and raised slogans holding placards. Some activists staged a demonstration at the BMTC and KSRTC bus stand at Majestic in the state capital. The protestors appealed to the bus drivers and conductors to support the call for Bandh. As their agitation intensified, police took them under preventive custody. In Mysuru, some pro-Kannada activists staged a sit-in protest by blocking buses at the suburban bus stand. They staged a dharna near the exit gate to block buses heading to Beng

Nagpur violence: 14 more held, 105 arrested so far; 3 new FIRs registered

At least 14 more persons have been arrested in connection with the violence in Nagpur earlier this week, taking the total number of arrests to 105, a senior police official has said. According to the police, 14 persons, including 10 juveniles, were nabbed on Friday. The official said three more FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident. Large-scale stone pelting and arson were reported in several parts of Nagpur on March 17 over rumours that a "chadar" with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, which is in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. "Fourteen accused were arrested from different parts of the city in connection with the riots. Three more FIRs have been registered related to the riots," Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singhal said. He said the decision to lift the curfew from some parts of the city would be made after a high-level review ...