Latest news with #DevenBharti
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Deccan Herald
Drug manufacturing factory busted in Mysuru, 187.97 kg mephedrone worth Rs 390 crore seized
Mumbai: In a major intelligence-based crackdown against narcotics trade, the Mumbai Police has busted a mephedrone drug manufacturing racket by uncovering a clandestine factory hidden behind a garage in Karnataka's Mysuru and seized contraband to the tune of Rs 390 crore. Four accused have been arrested in connection with the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Saki Naka police station of Mumbai was able to make the drug bust in a closely coordinated effort with the Mysuru City police.'The successful seizure of Rs 390 crore worth Mephedrone from Mysuru is a significant milestone in our continued efforts to eliminate drugs from their very source,' Mumbai Police chief Deven Bharti said on Tuesday while congratulating the team that carried out the action was taken under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The team seized 187.97 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 381.96 crore from the factory. Earlier, in the same investigation, 4 kg of the drug valued at Rs 8.04 crore had been recovered from Kaman village, Vasai. The total seizure now stands at 192.53 kg of mephedrone, valued at an estimate of Rs 390 party probe: 'Blood report of ex-minister's son-in-law confirms consumption of liquor'.The raid also led to the recovery of various equipment and chemicals used in the drug production unit was a key supplier in Mumbai's MD racket, and was exposed due to a lead from a drug peddler in Vasai in the Palghar district. The investigation began in April, when a person attempting to sell mephedrone within the Saki Naka police station limits was the Saki Naka police arrested three people who were selling drugs in the Kaman area of Vasai police pieced together the network, on July 25, one of the key conduits, Salim Imtiaz Sheikh alias Salim Langda (45), a resident of Rahul Nagar, Bandra West, revealed during interrogation that he had sourced MD from Mysuru. Based on this input, a police team conducted a technical analysis and surveillance, eventually tracing the manufacturing unit near Mysuru.'A team was formed which was sent to Karnataka. They raided the factory situated behind a garage in the Ring Road area of Mysuru City and seized MD drugs, raw materials, chemicals, equipment and machines,' said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone X) Dutta Nalawade.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Religious structures are loudspeaker-free, claims police chief
MUMBAI: 'Mumbai has become free of loudspeakers on religious structures,' police commissioner Deven Bharti said on Saturday. Mumbai, India. Apr 30, 2025: Deven Bharti IPS officer of the 1994 batch took charge as Mumbai Police commissioner from outgoing police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar at Mumbai Police headquarters in Mumbai. Mumbai, 30, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Hindustan Times) While not naming any community, the police claimed that meetings and negotiations helped them convince community and political leaders, and the trustees of religious bodies, to remove loudspeakers from more than 1,500 structures, making the city 'loudspeaker-free'. They claimed the action was not aimed at any particular community and was in line with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive in March, saying that the guidelines of the centre and court must be strictly followed. The police clarified, however, that religious structures can have loudspeakers installed 'temporarily', during festivals, after taking permission from local police stations. Bharti's sweeping statement follows an order of the Bombay High Court in January, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers and public address systems violating noise pollution rules. A bench of Justice A S Gadkari and A C Chandak had said that loudspeakers are not integral to any religion, highlighting the health risks posed by noise pollution. It observed that denying permission for loudspeakers does not infringe anyone's rights. The bench was hearing a petition filed by two housing societies in Kurla, which had raised concerns over the noise pollution caused by loudspeakers at local mosques. They argued that the use of loudspeakers for religious activities, including the Islamic call to prayer (azaan), disrupts the peace and infringes the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, the Muslim community has complained that the police have not been following due process while taking down loudspeakers at masjids. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar met Muslim leaders and senior police officials, instructing the law enforcers to refrain from 'unlawful' actions. Pawar also urged BJP leader Kirit Somaiya to end his 'loudspeaker-free Mumbai campaign'.
NDTV
28-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Religious Sites In Mumbai Now "Loudspeaker-Free": Top Cop
Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday asserted that the city is now entirely free of directional loudspeakers after its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures. "All loudspeakers from religious structures have been removed. Mumbai is now loudspeaker-free from all religious structures," Bharti told PTI. The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community had not been singled out and stressed that the operation was conducted methodically, in line with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive for proper and non-arbitrary action. "We engaged in deliberations with community and religious leaders and also political party leaders and prevailed upon them," Bharti explained, highlighting the collaborative approach taken before implementing the measures. This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules. The high court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion. Commenting about the scale of the operation, the police chief said, "We have removed around 1,500 directional loudspeakers from religious structures across the city. The police will also ensure that such loudspeakers are not put up again." While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals. The high court, in its order, had noted that noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers. Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city, and obviously, there were persons of different religions in every part of the city, the court had said. The court order was passed on a petition by two housing associations from suburban Kurla - Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. - alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area. The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'Azaan,' disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Religious sites in Mumbai now 'loudspeaker-free', says police chief Deven Bharti
Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday asserted that the city is now entirely free of directional loudspeakers after its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures. "All loudspeakers from religious structures have been removed. Mumbai is now loudspeaker-free from all religious structures," Bharti told PTI. The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community had not been singled out and stressed that the operation was conducted methodically, in line with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive for proper and non-arbitrary action. "We engaged in deliberations with community and religious leaders and also political party leaders and prevailed upon them," Bharti explained, highlighting the collaborative approach taken before implementing the measures. This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules. Live Events The high court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion. Commenting about the scale of the operation, the police chief said, "We have removed around 1,500 directional loudspeakers from religious structures across the city. The police will also ensure that such loudspeakers are not put up again." While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals. The high court, in its order, had noted that noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers. Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city, and obviously, there were persons of different religions in every part of the city, the court had said. The court order was passed on a petition by two housing associations from suburban Kurla - Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. - alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area. The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'Azaan,' disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai Police clear ‘all directional loudspeakers' from religious structures across city
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday asserted that the city is now entirely free of directional loudspeakers after its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures. Police commissioner said that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals.(Unsplash/representational) "All loudspeakers from religious structures have been removed. Mumbai is now loudspeaker-free from all religious structures," Bharti told PTI. The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community had not been singled out and stressed that the operation was conducted methodically, in line with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive for proper and non-arbitrary action. "We engaged in deliberations with community and religious leaders and also political party leaders and prevailed upon them," Bharti explained, highlighting the collaborative approach taken before implementing the measures. This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules. The high court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion. Commenting about the scale of the operation, the police chief said, "We have removed around 1,500 directional loudspeakers from religious structures across the city. The police will also ensure that such loudspeakers are not put up again." While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals. The high court, in its order, had noted that noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers. Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city, and obviously, there were persons of different religions in every part of the city, the court had said. The court order was passed on a petition by two housing associations from suburban Kurla — Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. — alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area. The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'Azaan,' disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
