Page 34 - Maharashtra

Maha Legislative Council admits breach of privilege notice against Kamra

The Maharashtra legislative council has admitted a breach of privilege notice against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly insulting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has also been named in the notice. Maharashtra legislative council chairman Ram Shinde told PTI on Thursday he has accepted a privilege notice against Kunal Kamra over the 'traitor' jibe and had forwarded it to the Privileges Committee. The controversy stems from Kamra's recent show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a parody song targeting Eknath Shinde. The act prompted a backlash from Shiv Sena supporters, who vandalised the club and the hotel in which it is located on Sunday night. "I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by

Vaishnaw justifies police action against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday justified the summons issued to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for references to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asserting that it should be done if it is required by the law of the land. Kamra kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra by making caustic remarks against Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, in his show recorded at a studio in Mumbai a few days ago. Vaishnaw, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, was speaking at an interactive session at the Times Now Summit here. "If the law of the land requires it, it should be done," he said when asked if summoning of Kamra by the police was "too extreme" an action. Vaishnaw said while the Constitution granted citizens certain rights, they were accompanied by some safeguards. "We have to work within the framework of the Constitution as a society. Freedom of speech and expression is well laid out. Everybody respects it. The Constitution has also laid certain safegu

Lubrizol pumps nearly Rs 3,000 crore into India, eyes 2 times growth

Lubrizol, which has had a presence in India for nearly 60 years, is now establishing an innovation centre in Maharashtra

NBCC, MAHAPREIT sign ₹25,000 cr MoU for housing, urban projects

State-owned NBCC has signed an MoU with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd to jointly undertake housing and urban development projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in Maharashtra. In a statement on Wednesday, NBCC said it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd (MAHAPREIT). This collaboration aims to jointly undertake a wide range of consultancy, fee-based, EPC and redevelopment projects from concept to commissioning, it added. NBCC said it will be entering into redevelopment for the first time in Maharashtra after having great success in transforming the landscape of Delhi through this unique redevelopment model. Under this partnership, NBCC and MAHAPREIT will collaborate on key infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including cluster development projects in Thane Municipal Corporation, data centres, renewable energy initiatives, slum rehabilitation projects in the Mumbai

Breach of privilege notice filed against Kunal Kamra in Maharashtra council

A breach of privilege notice was moved against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in the Maharashtra legislative council on Wednesday over his parody song targeting deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP legislator Pravin Darekar moved the notice against the comedian as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. "Kunal Kamra performed a song containing personal and insulting references to deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," said Darekar, leader of the legislative council, presenting the motion. "Andhare supported the performance and used objectionable language, which amounts to contempt of the House," he further said. Both Kamra and Andhare disrespected the dignity of legislative institutions through their remarks, Darekar claimed. The notice will have to be approved by Council chairman Ram Shinde before it is presented to the privilege committee. If the committee approves it, the motion will be discussed in the House. In the state assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare

Maha govt has shelved proposal to levy 6% tax on high-end EVs: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced in the legislative council that the government won't implement its proposed 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above Rs 30 lakh. The announcement came while Fadnavis was responding to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab during a discussion in the Upper House on EVs and air pollution. Parab raised concerns over the proposed tax, saying it would go against the Centre's efforts to promote non-polluting EVs through various incentives. The Maharashtra government's proposal to levy a 6 per cent tax on EVs above Rs 30 lakh would be counter-productive and contradict the broader objective of encouraging clean mobility, Parab said. Fadnavis conceded and said the government has concluded that the tax won't generate significant revenue. It could send a wrong signal about our commitment to electric mobility. Therefore, the state government will not go ahead with the 6 per cent tax on high-end electric

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