The court refused to extend the benefit of probation

Mumbai: A special court on Tuesday acquitted absconding accused Dharmendrasing Choudhary, alias Dharmesh, in the murder of Neeta Naik, wife of alleged gangster Ashwin Naik, after finding that the prosecution failed to prove any link between the alleged conspiracy and him. Neeta, a BMC corporator, was gunned down outside her Chinchpokli residence in 2000, allegedly at the behest of Naik, who was lodged at Delhi’s Tihar Jail then. Naik, who was alleged to have ordered the murder after suspecting his wife’s character and upset over monetary disputes and another accused, Kishore Rajput, had already been acquitted in an earlier trial in 2009. Three others had been found guilty.Under section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) the court can proceed with trials in absentia of an absconding accused. “There is no evidence to show that he procured or facilitated the procurement of the firearms used in the offence, harboured the assailants, participated in the conspiracy, or otherwise rendered any assistance in the execution of the crime,” Special Judge Satyanarayan R Navander said.According to the prosecution, unknown assailants entered the residence around 12.30 pm and opened fire. Her daughter found Neeta injured and informed the neighbour, who rushed to the flat and helped shift her to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The prosecution alleged that Choudhary was part of the conspiracy, helped provide arms and ammunition, and facilitated the travel and stay of the assailants in Delhi and other places.The present trial was conducted in Choudhary’s absence after the court noted that he had remained absconding since the incident and could not be arrested despite warrants and efforts by the authorities.After examining the evidence recorded in earlier connected proceedings, the court held that the homicidal death of Neeta Naik was proved.The court found that the evidence of the complainant and several panch witnesses established the incident, seizure of articles and other formal aspects, but did not connect Choudhary with the crime. The court also noted that witnesses examined to prove motive against Ashwin Naik either did not support the prosecution or spoke only about circumstances relating to Ashwin Naik and Neeta Naik.“There is no evidence to show that he procured or facilitated the procurement of the firearms used in the offence, harboured the assailants, participated in the conspiracy, or otherwise rendered any assistance in the execution of the crime,” the judge said.The court observed that none of the prosecution witnesses referred to Choudhary’s involvement. Acquitting him under MCOCA charges, the judge said, “Equally, there is no evidence to prove that he was a member of the organised crime syndicate allegedly headed by accused …Ashwin Naik or that he had acted in furtherance of the activities of such syndicate.”The court said the standard of proof remains unchanged even in a trial conducted in the absence of an absconding accused.

A govt press release said an auxiliary grant scheme is being implemented under the Women and Child Development Department

Mumbai: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal doubling the financial assistance provided for the rehabilitation of released female juvenile prisoners to Rs 50,000. The hike came two years after the govt increased the financial assistance to Rs 25,000 in 2024. The amount was increased on the directions of the Bombay High Court, said women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare.The assistance provided by the women and child welfare dept is available to juveniles who have been found innocent by the courts. It is provided to those serving sentences under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958.The grant-in-aid scheme has been operational in the state for over three decades and helps released convicts get self-employed. Initially, the payout was Rs 1,000, which was increased to Rs 25,000 in 2024, and now it will be Rs 50,000. Between 2009-10 and 2021-22, 1,015 juveniles benefited from this scheme. In the last three years, approximately 162 juveniles have been released and around 155 have benefited from this scheme.A govt press release said an auxiliary grant scheme is being implemented under the women and child development department to enable prisoners released after serving many years in prison to set up businesses to earn a living in society. Under this scheme, an auxiliary grant of Rs 25,000 is given to released prisoners and probationers sentenced under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958. This grant has been increased to Rs 50,000. Along with this, it has been decided to include prisoners who have been acquitted but were imprisoned for at least one year in this scheme, stated the press release. For the current financial year, the govt has budgeted Rs 44 lakh for the scheme.Several prisoners who are released after long years of incarceration are unable to resume their previous form of employment or find new employment due to social stigma and are thus unable to earn a living. By the time the juveniles are released from prison, they have crossed the age of 40. Through this scheme, prisoners can get Rs 50,000 on submitting a proposal to the district probation officer under the Women and Child Development department. The prisoner is expected to submit a proposal on a business they want to start along with other requisite documents.The state govt also runs a Swadhar Griha Scheme for women prisoners wherein the women and child welfare dept provides food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance. Under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, wives of prisoners also received a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500.

Political posters line the footpath leading to Mantralaya on Tuesday

Mumbai: Just over two years after a giant billboard collapsed in Ghatkopar, claiming 17 lives, two smaller crashes in Thane—a banner falling on a passing bike on Monday and a hoarding dropping bang in the middle of a busy road amid strong winds last week—have put the spotlight back on the persisting threat from such illegal displays.Data shows the magnitude of the menace: BMC alone removed nearly 1 lakh unauthorised posters and banners last year, of which 42% were political displays.On Tuesday, two FIRs were filed based on Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) complaint, one against an unidentified person under Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act over the collapse of a large illegal banner celebrating a neta’s birthday from a foot overbridge on a passing bike on Eastern Express Highway on Monday, and the other against an advertising agency and its structural engineer over a cantilever hoarding’s crash on Pokhran Road 2 in Vartak Nagar on July 6. The crackdown came after deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s directive against hoardings and structures across Thane that do not meet safety and stability norms.While the banner was allegedly put up by an activist linked to Shiv Pratap Sena outfit, reportedly affiliated with Shiv Sena, the hoarding was installed under TMC’s junction beautification scheme. The advertising agency had submitted a structural stability certificate dated June 6. Officials said the structure’s fall within a month has raised concerns about possible negligence and whether the certification was reliable.Political hoardings continue to dominate public spaces across Mumbai. Data from BMC shows that from Jan-May 2026, it removed 20,799 unauthorised posters and banners, including 9,954 political, 6,777 religious and 4,068 commercial. Police complaints were filed in 155 cases, but FIRs were registered in only two. In 2025, BMC removed 99,015 illegal displays—41,533 political, 39,731 religious and 17,751 commercial—and filed 912 police complaints. Sixty FIRs were filed during the year.Marine Drive resident Mahendra Hemdev political banners often mushroom during VIP visits. “A strong sea breeze along the promenade can make loosely tied banners dangerous. BMC must ensure they are removed promptly before they fall on passing vehicles or pedestrians.”Anil Kate, superintendent of licences, BMC, said the drive against such displays has been continuous, with ward officials instructed to immediately remove illegal or loosely hanging banners and verify stability certificates of authorised hoardings through regular inspections.Churchgate resident Ashwin Nagpal alleged poor enforcement, saying illegal banners keep coming back at prominent locations despite regular civic drives. “The administration needs to respond immediately because these banners can become hazardous for residents as well as tourists, especially during windy and rainy conditions,” he said.Civic activist Nayana Kathpalia said the problem cannot be tackled through enforcement alone. “Political leaders should direct their party workers not to put up illegal banners. If the message comes from the leadership, workers are more likely to comply.”