Maharashtra

Mumbai, Maharashtra: In a significant political development following the Mumbai civic elections, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday. The meeting, held at Shinde’s official residence ‘Nandanvan’, lasted for a considerable time and has sparked speculation in political circles across the state. Background of the Meeting During the recent Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections, MNS supported the faction of Shiv Sena led by Raj Thackeray’s cousin, Uddhav Thackeray. However, the alliance could not secure power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with support from the BJP, won 118 seats, surpassing the required 114-seat majority. First Face-to-Face After Elections...

Pune: In a terrifying incident in Bhigwan, Indapur taluka, Pune district, three men allegedly kidnapped a 21-year-old woman in front of her mother and brother on 17 February. The assailants reportedly sprayed red chili in the eyes of the mother and brother before forcibly taking the woman away. The young woman’s wedding was scheduled for 22 February, prompting outrage in the community and protests on the Pune-Solapur highway. According to the FIR lodged by the victim’s family, the incident occurred around 4 PM when two men, identified as Zaheer Haroon Sheikh and Ayaan Haroon Sheikh, intercepted the woman and her family near Anand Hotel while they were returning home. The accused allegedly assaulted the mother and brother by throwing chili into their eyes and then forcibly placed the wom...

Pune, Maharashtra: The controversy surrounding a statement comparing Tipu Sultan with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has prompted Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal to issue a formal apology. Sapkal had reportedly highlighted similarities between the 18th-century ruler of Mysore and the Maratha king, sparking political uproar across the state. Sapkal Clarifies His Intent Harshvardhan Sapkal stated that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. He claimed that the BJP had deliberately twisted his remarks, presenting them out of context. “If my statement has hurt followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I sincerely apologize. My intention was never to disrespect anyone’s sentiments,” Sapkal said. Opposition from Hindu Organizations The controversy initially began w...

Mumbai: The tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra’s former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is now being viewed with growing suspicion, as several developments have raised serious questions about whether the incident was merely an accident or part of a larger conspiracy. The crash occurred on January 28 in Baramati, when a Learjet 45 aircraft reportedly lost control during landing and crashed near the runway. Ajit Pawar and four others on board died in the accident. However, recent findings related to the aircraft’s black box have intensified doubts surrounding the case. Black Box Found Burnt, No Data Retrieved According to preliminary investigation updates, the aircraft’s black box was severely burnt, leaving investigators unable to retrieve any crucial flight d...

Mumbai, February 18, 2026: The Maharashtra government has revoked the 5% reservation previously granted to certain Muslim communities in government jobs and educational institutions. The decision was issued late Tuesday night by the Social Justice Department through an official government resolution (GR). Background and ImplementationThe 5% reservation had been provided to socially and educationally backward sections (SEBC) of the Muslim community for admissions in government and aided educational institutions, as well as recruitment in government and semi-government jobs. The decision to withdraw the quota aligns with court rulings and the legal position of policies dating back to 2014. The Muslim community constitutes approximately 11.5% of Maharashtra’s population. Earlier studies...

Pune, Maharashtra: While 60 is traditionally seen as the age of retirement, 65-year-old Mangala Awale is breaking stereotypes on the busy roads connecting Karad and Undale. Affectionately called “Mangala Aaji” by locals, she drives an auto-rickshaw every day, earning ₹500–700 daily and asserting her independence. Choosing Independence Over Dependence Mangala refused to let age or physical discomfort define her life. Widowed at a young age, she single-handedly raised four children, working tirelessly to provide them with education and stability. Today, her son works as a driver with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), while her daughters are married. Despite age-related health issues like diabetes, she wanted to remain financially independent and contribute to ho...

Mumbai, February 17, 2026: The Special MCOCA Court in Mumbai on Friday directed that alleged gangster Kumar Krishnan Pillai be sent back to Hong Kong. The court ruled that since he has been acquitted in the three specific cases for which he was originally extradited, no further trial can be initiated against him in India without the permission of the extraditing country. Special MCOCA Court Judge Satyanarayan R. Navandar noted in the order dated February 13 that the Supreme Court has clarified that in the absence of consent from the extraditing nation, the applicant cannot be prosecuted in India for any other pending cases. As a result, the prosecution has no option but to facilitate Pillai’s return to his home country. The court also pointed out that there is no record indicating that ...

Pune: The Indian Army has initiated proceedings to dismiss a special forces officer from Pune, Major Sharyf Bhonsle, who has been missing since 2014. According to reports, the officer was last seen in Spain and later in Norway during international adventure activities. Born in Pune, Major Bhonsle became notable not only for his valor in military operations but also for his sudden and mysterious disappearance in 2014. Despite repeated attempts, the army has been unable to locate him for over a decade, and formal dismissal procedures are now underway. After graduating from the NDA in 2009, Bhonsle was commissioned into the prestigious 2 Para (Special Forces) regiment in Bengaluru. This elite airborne unit is renowned for high-risk missions, anti-terror operations, and deployments in ch...

Thane (Maharashtra): A major accident was reported in Maharashtra’s Thane city early Tuesday morning after a concrete slab from the fifth floor of a residential building collapsed onto the flat below, leaving three people injured, one of them critically. The incident occurred at around 3:07 AM at the five-storey Nutan Neelam Apartment, located near Hanuman Temple in Shantinagar, Wagle Estate. The building is reportedly 35 years old. Slab From Flat No. 501 Collapsed According to officials, the slab from Room/Flat No. 501 on the fifth floor suddenly broke and crashed onto the fourth-floor flat, causing injuries to residents in both the upper and lower flats. The injured were identified as: Gajendra Prasad (60) – suffered a fracture in his right shoulder Prince Yadav (25) –...

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ordered an immediate suspension of minority educational institution certificates issued to at least 75 schools across the state, following reports that the approvals were granted within hours of the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar, who was also the head of the Minority Affairs Department, reportedly died in a plane crash on January 28. The sudden issuance of multiple minority status certificates soon after his death triggered political controversy, with opposition leaders demanding a thorough investigation. Confirming the decision, Fadnavis stated that directions have been issued to halt the approvals and initiate an inquiry into the matter. Sunetra Pawar Takes Charge, Calls Emergency Meeti...