Wednesday, March 25

Maharashtra

Sharad Pawar Discharged from Pune Hospital; Supriya Sule Backs His Return to Rajya Sabha
Maharashtra, State

Sharad Pawar Discharged from Pune Hospital; Supriya Sule Backs His Return to Rajya Sabha

Mumbai/Pune/Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has been discharged from a Pune hospital, marking a key moment ahead of Maharashtra’s upcoming seven Rajya Sabha elections. Upon his return to Baramati, Pawar’s daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule indicated strong support for his potential re-entry into the upper house. Speaking to the media in Delhi, Sule said, “Our cooperative members and party office bearers wish for Pawar Saheb to contest the Rajya Sabha elections. Everyone believes he should continue his decades-long service to the people.” She emphasized that Pawar himself has urged colleagues to put aside differences and work for the nation’s welfare. Sharad Pawar’s Unbeaten Political RecordBorn on 22 February 1967, Pawar was first elected to the Maharashtra A...
Clash Over Malegaon Namaz Sparks Political Debate in Maharashtra
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Clash Over Malegaon Namaz Sparks Political Debate in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The recent incident of Muslims offering Namaz at a government office in Malegaon has stirred political tensions in Maharashtra, especially during the ongoing budget session. State Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane criticized the act, asserting that “India is a Hindu nation” and questioning the purpose of those involved. He asked, “Were these people elected for the development of Malegaon or to pursue jihad? There are plenty of mosques—why are they praying here?” Rane warned that action would be taken against such incidents. Reacting to Rane’s remarks, SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi strongly countered, stating that there are no terrorist activities in any madrassas in India. He suggested that CCTVs could be installed for verification and offered, “You can stay in a madrassa, have meal...
Rohit Pawar Demands FIR Against DGCA and VSR Airlines Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Rohit Pawar Demands FIR Against DGCA and VSR Airlines Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

Mumbai: Maharashtra legislator Rohit Pawar, from Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, has taken an aggressive stand following the plane crash that claimed the life of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. On Wednesday, amid the Maharashtra Budget session, Rohit Pawar visited the Marine Drive police station demanding that an FIR be registered against the private charter airline VSR and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Rohit Pawar’s demand comes at a time when the DGCA has grounded four Learjet aircraft operated by VSR. He was accompanied by NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, and both reportedly engaged in a heated discussion with police over the delay in action, questioning why authorities have not proceeded despite apparent evidence surrounding Ajit Pawar’s tragic accident. The crash o...
AI-Assisted Cheating Exposed in Gadchiroli: Officials Shocked as ChatGPT Used During HSC Exams
Maharashtra, State

AI-Assisted Cheating Exposed in Gadchiroli: Officials Shocked as ChatGPT Used During HSC Exams

Nagpur/Gadchiroli: In a startling revelation from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, a district historically known for Maoist activity and developmental challenges, authorities have uncovered a high-tech cheating racket during the recent Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams. The racket reportedly used ChatGPT to generate answers for subjects including Political Science, Chemistry, and Physics. Discovery During Exams Sources from the Education Department revealed that the racket was exposed on February 18 at a center in Chamorshi, just minutes before the exam concluded. Under the supervision of District Council CEO Suhas Gade, a raid revealed answer sheets prepared using AI. While collecting the distributed papers, officials noticed peon Suraj Keljarkar suspiciously entering the exam hal...
DGCA Grounds Four VSR Ventures Aircraft Following Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Maharashtra, State

DGCA Grounds Four VSR Ventures Aircraft Following Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

Pune: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered the grounding of four aircraft from VSR Ventures Private Limited following a special safety audit, a month after a fatal crash claimed the lives of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The crash occurred on January 28 near Baramati, when a Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures went down. In response, the DGCA conducted a thorough safety audit, uncovering multiple violations in maintenance protocols, flight operations, and airworthiness standards. Aircraft Grounded Pending Rectification Based on the audit findings, the DGCA has directed VSR Ventures to ground four Learjet 40/45 aircraft—registration numbers VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI—until corrective measures are im...
Maharashtra Mourns Loss of Veteran Leader Ajit Pawar: Fadnavis, Shinde, Uddhav Recall His Legacy
Maharashtra, State

Maharashtra Mourns Loss of Veteran Leader Ajit Pawar: Fadnavis, Shinde, Uddhav Recall His Legacy

Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the first day of Maharashtra’s budget session, the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was remembered with deep emotion by political leaders across the spectrum. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and former CM Uddhav Thackeray paid tribute to Pawar’s enduring legacy, highlighting his contributions to the state’s governance and development. Fadnavis Remembers a “Dear Friend” CM Devendra Fadnavis described Pawar as a leader with the potential to have become the state’s most capable Chief Minister. Speaking in the Assembly, Fadnavis said, “Ajit and I share the same birthday. He was eleven years my senior and, in many ways, a grandfatherly figure to me. Maharashtra could have had the most competent CM in him, but destiny had other plans....
Celebrating 60 Years of Public Service: Sharad Pawar’s Daughter and Daughter-in-Law Share Rare Old Photograph
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Celebrating 60 Years of Public Service: Sharad Pawar’s Daughter and Daughter-in-Law Share Rare Old Photograph

Mumbai, February 24, 2026: At the age of 85, Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), continues to remain active in public life despite recent health concerns. Pawar was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune due to dehydration. This comes shortly after he completed 60 years in parliamentary and public service. On this milestone, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, shared a rare old photograph from his early political journey. Honouring a Six-Decade Legacy Sunetra Pawar posted the photograph on February 22, writing:"Respected Sharad Pawar Saheb completes a historic milestone of sixty years in public and parliamentary life. Starting his journey in 1967, he continues with the same energy and dedication. From the M...
Tragic Incident in Pune Spa: Woman Dies, Manager Injured After Police Raid
Maharashtra, State

Tragic Incident in Pune Spa: Woman Dies, Manager Injured After Police Raid

Pune, February 24, 2026: A shocking incident unfolded in Pune's Viman Nagar area when a woman and the manager of a local spa reportedly jumped from a building window during a police raid. The woman succumbed to her injuries, while the manager sustained serious injuries. Authorities are investigating the case. According to police sources, the incident occurred at Roots Spa around 3:30 PM. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team raided the spa, prompting panic among the staff and clients. In the ensuing chaos, the woman and the spa manager allegedly attempted to escape by jumping from a first-floor window. The woman sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead. The spa manager, identified as Hussain Sheikh, also suffered severe injuries ...
Emotional Condolence Motion in Maharashtra Assembly: CM Fadnavis Remembers Ajit Pawar as ‘Dear Friend’
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Emotional Condolence Motion in Maharashtra Assembly: CM Fadnavis Remembers Ajit Pawar as ‘Dear Friend’

Mumbai: On the opening day of the Maharashtra Assembly Budget Session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, moving the House with an emotional condolence motion. Fadnavis described Ajit Pawar as a mentor, close friend, and visionary leader, recalling their personal and professional bond that spanned over a decade. Addressing the Assembly, CM Fadnavis said, “I never imagined I would have to move a condolence motion for Ajit Dada. This is an incredibly emotional moment for me. Ajit Dada was more than a colleague—he was a partner in public life. His absence leaves a void in Maharashtra politics that cannot be filled.” Fadnavis highlighted Pawar’s dedication, discipline, and decision-making skills. “If Ajit Dada were stil...
Tragedy at Maharashtra Police Recruitment: Young Aspirant Dies During 1600-Meter Run in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Maharashtra, State

Tragedy at Maharashtra Police Recruitment: Young Aspirant Dies During 1600-Meter Run in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra: A young man tragically lost his life during the ongoing police recruitment physical test in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The incident occurred at the Rural Superintendent of Police Office grounds on Saturday morning, sending shockwaves through the aspiring candidates and police administration. Details of the Incident The deceased has been identified as Sangram Dhondiram Shinde, a 23-year-old resident of Sangli district, who had come to participate in the recruitment process with dreams of serving in the police force and supporting his family. The 1600-meter run commenced at around 8:15 a.m., and Sangram began enthusiastically. However, after covering some distance, he suddenly collapsed on the running track. The medical team present at the ven...