Withdraw FCRA Bill or send it to JPC: Supriya Sule | Mumbai News

Withdraw FCRA Bill or send it to JPC: Supriya Sule

MUMBAI: The Centre should withdraw the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussion among all political parties instead of rushing it through Parliament, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) working president and MP Supriya Sule said on Friday.Sule also said all eight Lok Sabha MPs of her party would seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise issues concerning Maharashtra and development works in their constituencies.“The Prime Minister is not the Prime Minister of one party but of the entire country. As elected representatives, it is our right to raise issues concerning our constituencies and Maharashtra with him,” she said while speaking to reporters.Opposing the FCRA Bill in its present form, Sule said, “The government should withdraw the Bill. If it does not want to withdraw it, it should refer it to a JPC, where leaders of all parties can sit together and discuss it in detail.”She also questioned the blanket suspicion surrounding foreign funding. “If money is coming from abroad for drugs or terrorist activities, action must certainly be taken. But if foreign funds are being received for educating poor children or for polio vaccines, how can it be called ‘dirty money’? It is not right to always look at foreign funding with suspicion,” she said.

Demand for SIT probe into Jantar Mantar protest

Sule also demanded an inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET examination and the action taken against protesters during the agitation at Jantar Mantar.“The truth about how the protest was suppressed by closing the doors of Parliament and using tear gas must come out. There should be a transparent SIT investigation into the entire episode,” she said.

‘Concessions announced when elections approach’

Criticising the government over its stand on loan waivers, Sule said she was shocked by what she termed the government’s insensitivity towards farmers.“Look at the timing of the Ladki Bahin scheme and the loan waiver decisions. When elections approach, the government announces concessions with both hands, but once the elections are over, it becomes reluctant. Why are complicated rules and conditions imposed when it comes to waiving loans of farmers who have remained loyal to the country? Yet, when there are paper leaks, the government seems to remember no rules,” she said.

‘Do not try to suppress youth’

Sule said the educated youth of the country were not afraid of agencies such as the CBI or ED.“Today’s educated and young generation is not afraid of the CBI or ED. They are not asking for any big contracts. They are merely demanding their rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” she said.Sule also thanked RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for praising the younger generation and describing them as ‘honest’.“If the BJP listens to the certificate given by Bhagwat to the youth, I would be even happier. If the government continues trying to suppress the voice of these young people, they will soon give the government a ‘Quit India’ warning,” she said.

Rs 2.6cr theft at MLC deputy chairperson Sachin Ahir’s residence: Crime branch recover Rs 96 lakh worth of jewellery, cash & an SUV | Mumbai News

Rs 2.6cr theft at MLC deputy chairperson Sachin Ahir’s residence: Crime branch recover Rs 96 lakh worth of jewellery, cash & an SUV

Mumbai: The city crime branch has recovered gold, diamond-studded jewellery, silverware, cash and an SUV collectively valued at around Rs 96 lakh in connection with the theft of valuables worth Rs 2.65 crore from the Worli residence of Maharashtra Legislative Council deputy chairperson Sachin Ahir.Crime Branch Unit 3 last month arrested four persons, including three domestic workers and another man allegedly involved in disposing of the stolen valuables.Pravin Solanki, one of the employees who had been working with the family for nearly 24 years, was the first to be arrested and interrogations led to the arrest of three others–Satish Kumar Pawan Mistry (26) and Amit Kumar Rambachchanprasad Yadav (26), both from Giridih in Jharkhand, and Surajkumar Sriramchandra Gautam (21), from Basti in Uttar Pradesh.During Solanki’s custodial interrogation, police recovered a 100-gram Valcambi Suisse gold bar valued at Rs 15 lakh and another yellow-metal bullion weighing 224.89 grams and valued at Rs 29.69 lakh. The total recovery from Solanki was estimated at Rs 44.69 lakh. Solanki, who appears to be the key accused, had taken the major portion of the theft.Police subsequently travelled to the native places of the accused with the assistance of local police and recovered jewellery and other valuables.“From Satish Kumar, we recovered gold earrings, ornaments, a chain and ring, a wristwatch and a Mahindra Thar bearing registration number JH-02-BX-1816 which he had bought with the proceeds of the crime. We recovered from him goods worth Rs 25 lakh,’’ said a police source. From Amit Kumar, police recovered two pairs of gold bangles, gold ornaments and rings, another gold item and Rs 1.75 lakh in cash, with the total value estimated at Rs 26.44 lakh. From Surajkumar, police recovered copper utensils and Rs 19,000 in cash, collectively valued at around Rs 23,200. The combined value of the recoveries from the four accused has been estimated at Rs 94.77 lakh.Ahir’s family alleged that the stolen property included a 100-gram gold biscuit, diamond-studded gold bangles, diamond-studded bands and rings, diamond necklaces, silverware and cash. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at Rs 2.65 crore.

Mumbai Police Arrest Man in Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Senior Citizen | Mumbai News

Mumbai Police Arrest Man in Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Senior Citizen

Mumbai: A 28-year-old man was arrested by Dahisar Police in connection with a digital arrest scam where a senior citizen had been duped of Rs 4.5 lakh.The 71-year-old complainant lives in Dahisar East. Between July 2 and July 3, a caller contacted the complainant, claiming to be senior police inspector Rajesh Mishra. He scared the complainant that a money laundering case had been registered against him and he would face arrest. The complainant was then told that he was being put under digital detention and would be watched online all the time. The scammer asked for the complainant’s bank details and balances, and defrauded him into transferring Rs 4.5 lakh.After a case was registered by the Dahisar police, a team led by DCP Gajanan Rajmane started investigating. Police found that the scammed money had been transferred into the current account of a business enterprise called Mahakal. The email address linked to the bank account was being operated by the accused, Dheeraj Kumar Prajapati. The accused is a resident of Kamathipura. Police made the arrest after verifying that he had withdrawn the money.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation rolls out mega Ganesh Festival Plan: 5,220 additional buses to Konkan | Mumbai News

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation rolls out mega Ganesh Festival Plan: 5,220 additional buses to Konkan

Mumbai: As Konkan natives living in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and adjoining areas prepare to head home for the much-awaited Gauri-Ganpati celebrations, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Friday unveiled an extensive transport plan to cater to the festive rush. The state-run transport undertaking will operate 5,220 additional bus services on various Konkan routes between Sept 7 and Sept 25, an official announced.MSRTC will begin accepting group bookings from Aug 10 for groups of at least 40 passengers. Under the group reservation scheme, women and senior citizens will continue to receive a 50% fare concession, while beneficiaries of the Amrit Senior Citizen Scheme will be entitled to free travel. The additional buses will operate from major bus depots across the Mumbai, Thane and Palghar divisions from Sept 7 onwards.To ensure seamless operations during the festival period, senior officials will supervise round-the-clock services at major bus stations and bus stops. MSRTC will also deploy mobile maintenance and repair teams at strategic locations along key Konkan highways to promptly address any vehicle-related issues.

16-year-old leaves MP home, travels to Mumbai seeking role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah show | Mumbai News

16-year-old leaves MP home, travels to Mumbai seeking role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah show
Police said the minor wanted to act in the popular TV show, ‘Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma.’ (File Photo)

MUMBAI: A 16-year-old boy from Madhya Pradesh left home on the pretext of going to school and changed multiple trains to travel to Mumbai in pursuit of his acting dream.Police said the minor wanted to act in the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.Aarey Police have informed his parents about his whereabouts and are keeping him safe at the police station until his father reaches the city.The boy hails from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. On August 6, he left home on the pretext of going to school.Instead, he went to Chhindwara Junction railway station and boarded a superfast train to Maharashtra.Around 6 pm, he got off at Nagpur and boarded another long-distance train, which brought him to Mumbai on August 7 at around 9.30 am.The boy then took a local train to Goregaon. After getting off at Goregaon East railway station, he walked to Film City. He was roaming alone in Film City when someone noticed him and informed the police.A team from Aarey Police Station reached Film City and brought him to the police station. During questioning, the police obtained his father’s phone number from him.When contacted, his father said the family had been searching for him and were worried about his safety. He added that he would reach Mumbai at the earliest and take his son home.Fortunately, the boy was found safe and unharmed by the police.

13-year-old sexually assaulted by teen; FIR filed against 2 in Mahim | Mumbai News

13-year-old sexually assaulted by teen; FIR filed against 2 in Mahim

Mumbai: The Mahim police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a 13-year-old boy alleged that a 16-year-old teenager forcibly took him to a secluded location in Mahim, assaulted him sexually and threatened him with consequences if he disclosed the incident.According to the complaint, the incident took place on June 18 at around 7 am near a school in Mahim West. The complainant alleged that the 16-year-old accused (also a minor) chased him, forcibly made him sit on his motorcycle and took him to a location where goats were kept.The boy further alleged that the accused and his unidentified friend tied his hands and gagged him. After the friend left, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the minor and attempted to force further sexual acts. The complainant resisted and raised an alarm, following which he was allegedly assaulted.The boy also told police that the accused threatened to edit his photographs and circulate objectionable images on social media. The complainant said he was threatened with being defamed and blamed if he disclosed the incident.Mahim police have registered an FIR against the two boys under relevant provisions of the BNS and Sections 4, 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act. Both the accused are being treated as children in conflict with law.The minor was examined at Bhabha Hospital. Police said the delay in reporting the incident was explained by the complainant. An investigation is underway to identify the second accused and establish the sequence of events. Police are also examining the alleged social media threats and other evidence in the case.

Abetment of suicide case filed against two women from Mumbai after law graduate jumps to death from Bandra highrise | Mumbai News

Abetment of suicide case filed against two women from Mumbai after law graduate jumps to death from Bandra highrise

Mumbai: Kherwadi police have registered a case of abetment of suicide against two women after a 24-year-old law graduate jumped to his death from his 13th-floor apartment in Bandra East recently. Police said the two women were threatening to frame him in a police case which had resulted in the man getting severely stressed out.According to the police, the deceased youth lived with his parents and younger brother at Bandra East. He used to work as a law clerk with a judge earlier but was currently working from home. His mother noticed that he was looking stressed for the past few days. On Aug 6, she received a phone call from two of his friends. They informed her that the youth was in a relationship with a woman while they were studying in Bangalore. Later, the relationship soured and the woman and her older sister began to threaten him.The mother of the deceased youth then confronted him and he admitted that he was being threatened and was stressed out. She also received a text on her younger son’s phone from one of the accused, threatening to lodge a police complaint. While she was speaking to her son’s friend on the phone, he locked himself in his bedroom and jumped from the 13th-floor window. When his mother couldn’t get him to open the door, she asked the driver to get duplicate door keys made. But the driver informed her that a large crowd had gathered below their building and the youth had jumped from the window. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.Subsequently, his mother approached Kherwadi Police and an FIR was registered against the two women.

FIR in Mumbai against 2 men for running 22 mule bank accounts, involvement in 42 cyber scams | Mumbai News

FIR in Mumbai against 2 men for running 22 mule bank accounts, involvement in 42 cyber scams
A person examining bank documents can be seen. (AI-generated image used for representational purpose)

MUMBAI: Khar Police have registered an FIR against two men for allegedly operating 22 mule bank accounts through which at least 42 cyber frauds were perpetrated across the country. Police said Rs 7.42 crore was collectively defrauded in these cases. One of the accused has been arrested.Khar Police were investigating a task fraud when they stumbled upon the larger racket involving mule bank accounts. The task fraud complaint was filed in February by an airline ground staffer who was duped of Rs 4.07 lakh.The woman told police that she received a message from one Riya Sanvi on February 6 offering a part-time job with no joining fee. She was asked to take screenshots of products on Amazon and send them in return for a promised commission, and was later asked to join a Telegram group.Another accused subsequently contacted her through the group and asked her to make investments to be assigned more tasks. The complainant eventually paid Rs 4.07 lakh but did not receive any commission.While investigating the case, the Khar police team was led to Pune, where they found that a flat in the Chakan area had been used to register mule bank accounts.Police identified the accused as Avinash Kharat and his associate Vikas Bhujbal. Kharat allegedly operated 13 mule accounts, while Bhujbal ran nine. Some accounts were operated in their own names, while others were opened in the names of other individuals.Police said the 22 bank accounts were used in 42 cyber scams across the country, with the total amount defrauded estimated at Rs 7.42 crore.The case was solved under the supervision of DCP Mohit Garg and senior inspector Santosh Kate.

Law grad jumps to death from 13th floor in Mumbai after women ‘threatened’ to frame him in police case | Mumbai News

Law grad jumps to death from 13th floor in Mumbai after women ‘threatened’ to frame him in police case
A 24-year-old law graduate died after jumping from his apartment (AI image used for representational purpose only)

MUMBAI: Kherwadi Police have registered a case of abetment of suicide against two women after a 24-year-old law grad jumped to his death from his 13th floor apartment in Bandra East recently.Police said the two women were threatening to frame him in a police case which had resulted in the young man getting severely stressed out.According to the police, the deceased youth lived with his parents and younger brother at Bandra East. He used to work as a law clerk with a judge earlier but was currently working from home.His mother noticed that he was looking stressed for the past few days. On Aug 6, she received a phone call from two of his friends. They informed her that the youth was in a relationship with a woman while they were studying in Bangalore.Later, the relationship soured and the woman and her older sister began to threaten him.The mother of the deceased youth then confronted him and he admitted that he was being threatened and was stressed out.She also received a text on her younger son’s phone from one of the accused, threatening to lodge a police complaint. While she was speaking to her son’s friend over the phone, he locked himself in his bedroom and jumped off the 13th floor window.When his mother couldn’t get him to open the door, she asked the driver to get duplicate door keys made. But the driver informed her that a large crowd had gathered below their building and the youth had jumped off the window. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.Subsequently, his mother approached the Kherwadi Police and an FIR was registered against the two women.

‘Rude wake-up call’: Shashi Tharoor on CJP protests, says Gen Z will be largest voting bloc in 2029 | Mumbai News

‘Rude wake-up call’: Shashi Tharoor on CJP protests, says Gen Z will be largest voting bloc in 2029
Tharoor said young people are an increasingly significant segment of the population and will form the largest single voting bloc in the 2029 elections.

MUMBAI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said politicians must listen to young people and engage with them, arguing that Gen Z and Gen Alpha will play an increasingly important role in Indian politics and elections.Speaking about his interaction with young protesters, Tharoor said he went to Jantar Mantar during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests simply to listen to their concerns and did not deliver a speech.“I believe that in politics, you must listen to people and engage with them. Ultimately, politics is about the good of the country,” Tharoor said.He noted that young people would constitute a significant section of the electorate, adding that they would form the “largest single voting bloc” in the 2029 elections.“And young people are now an increasingly significant segment of our population. As I pointed out, they will be the largest single voting bloc in 2029. It is also in our political interest to listen to what they care about and what they want. So, I am very much inclined to talk to them,” Tharoor said.“Even at Jantar Mantar, I went there only to listen. I did not give any speech at Jantar Mantar; I was simply listening to what they had to say. We have to listen. That is a very important message for all politicians, ” Tharoor told PTI.Shashi Tharoor said the ruling party had received a “rude wake-up call” following the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, recent political developments and bypoll results.Speaking about the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks, Tharoor said the CJP protests had demonstrated the growing influence of young voters and their concerns.He pointed to the CJP protests, the resignation of a minister and the passage of a bill, saying these developments showed the political impact of the movement.Tharoor also cited recent bypoll results, including Prashant Kishor’s victory in a BJP stronghold that the party had held for more than three decades. He also referred to the Congress retaining the Datia seat in Madhya Pradesh.“These are both Hindi heartland states,” Tharoor said, adding that the results indicated that the political landscape could be changing.Looking ahead to the upcoming electoral cycle, Tharoor said the Congress could have a strong opportunity in states going to polls next March.“I believe there is a good chance. We fortunately have in our system these different elections at different times. Already next March there’ll be a few states coming into play where the Congress can be very much capable of winning those states,” he said.(With agency inputs)