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Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
7/11 blasts acquittal: Bombay HC disbelieved recovery of RDX on technical ground, Maharashtra Govt tells Supreme Court
The Maharashtra government has challenged a Bombay High Court judgment acquitting all 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case in the Supreme Court on grounds including that the recovery of RDX from an accused was disbelieved on a "hyper-technical ground" that the seized explosives were not sealed with a lac seal. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government rushed to the top court on July 22, a day after the high court acquitted all 12 accused, saying the prosecution utterly failed to prove the case against them and it was "hard to believe" that the accused had committed the crime. Earlier on Tuesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, on behalf of the state government, mentioned the plea before an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai and sought an urgent hearing. The court agreed to hear it on July 24. Seven blasts had ripped through Mumbai local trains at various locations on the western line on July 11, 2006, killing more than 180 persons and injuring several others. Nineteen years later, the Bombay High Court on Monday acquitted all 12 accused, saying the prosecution utterly failed to prove the case and it was "hard to believe theycommittedthe crime". The state government, in its appeal against the Bombay HC verdict, has raised several serious objections to the high court's order of acquittal. The plea asserts that due procedural safeguards under Section 23(2) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) were observed, including proper sanctioning by senior officers like prosecution witness (PW) no. 185 Anami Roy, news agency PTI reported. It said the high court overlooked the validity of these approvals despite no substantial contradiction in the prosecution's evidence. The plea has assailed the high court's rejection of the recovery of 500 grams of RDX from one of the accused on the ground that it lacked a lac seal. The plea has said that RDX, being highly inflammable, was not sealed for safety reasons and the recovery was duly sanctioned and documented. "That, the Hon'ble High Court has disbelieved the recovery of 500 gms of RDX from Accused No. 1 on a hyper-technical ground that the RDX which was seized was not sealed with a lac seal. It will be pertinent to note that the same was not sealed with a lac seal because RDX is an inflammable substance, according to the PTI report. "It is pertinent to note that the High Court records that the sanctioning authority for explosive substances has been examined by the prosecution. However, the Hon'ble High Court has not found any infirmities in the evidence of PW 26, who is the sanctioning authority under the Explosive Substances Act for seizure of RDX from Accused No. 1. Therefore, the High Court has erred in disbelieving the recovery of RDX from Accused No. 1," the plea has said. It has also disputed the high court's dismissal of the confession of an accused for lacking minute details, such as the date of arrival of the Pakistani co-conspirators in India, the description of the six Pakistanis and information like whether they had trained in terrorist camps. "The entire confessional statement has been disbelieved which is an unacceptable conclusion," the plea has said, adding that omissions regarding the identities and origins of the Pakistani co-conspirators do not invalidate the overall confession. The appeal also challenges the high court's disregard of the recovery of detonators and explosive granules from another accused, pointing out that these items cannot be easily procured or planted, and their evidentiary value should not have been dismissed over technicalities. The petition says the high court failed to address the validity of the convictions under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant provisions of the Explosive Substances Act. It says the high court ignored key findings and legal interpretations from previous landmark judgments. The plea addresses the defence's contention that the accused did not meet the definition of "continuing unlawful activity" under the MCOCA because earlier offences were punishable by less than three years. The plea cites Supreme Court precedents, saying the conspiracy and scale of the attack clearly fall under MCOCA provisions. Of the 12, five were sentenced to death and seven to life imprisonment by a special court. One of the death-row convicts died in 2021. More than 180 people were killed when seven blasts ripped through Mumbai local trains at various locations on the western line on July 11, 2006.
News18
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Won't Allow Compulsion…': Uddhav Thackeray Opposes 3-Language Policy In Maharashtra
Last Updated: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday asserted he would not accept any attempt by the Maharashtra government to implement a three-language policy in the state. Amid the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday asserted that will not allow Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to implement a three-language policy in the state. While speaking to reporters in Vidhan Bhavan premises on the last day of the monsoon session of the assembly, Thackeray said that his party is not against the Hindi language; however, he had accused a few groups of comparing Marathi people to terrorists and undermining Marathi identity. '…I stand by my sentiments. We don't oppose any language, but we won't allow compulsion for any language," he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the Hindi language controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, '…I stand by my sentiments. We don't oppose any language, but we won't allow compulsion for any language." — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2025 The former Chief Minister further took a veiled dig at the ruling BJP and accused the government of shifting industries and financial centres of Mumbai to Gujarat. 'We are not speaking 'todne ki bhasha' but Mumbai is gradually losing its significance. Who took the industries and financial centres of Mumbai to Gujarat? These people. So, nobody can separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. Jo bhi karega hum unke tukde karenge, I say this openly. But we won't let (anything happen to) Mumbai's significance. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, it is considered the financial capital of the country," he said. 'Its significance feels like an eyesore to some people. Where were they shifting the film industry to? Who was shifting it? I? Is that not the truth? Who took away the Diamond Market? Is that not the truth? A financial centre was going to be set up here, but who is giving bullet trains to Ahmedabad? People can see this openly. There is nothing more to add,' he added. Tarnished State's Image The Sena (UBT) chief also expressed his concern over the scuffle between supporters of two MLAs from BJP and NCP (SP) in the state assembly lobby on Thursday, maintaining the incident had tarnished Maharashtra's image. "The image of Maharashtra has gone down in the country after the incident." The opposition MLC hit out at the BJP-led Mahayuti government, noting the conduct of those in power was bringing shame to the dignity of the state. Asked about comparisons being drawn between Thursday's violent clash and lawlessness in other states, the Shiv Sena (UBT) president said, "I will not say that such scuffles are bringing UP-Bihar culture to Maharashtra. There are good people in those states as well. We should not malign the image of an entire state because of some bad elements." Uddhav Thackeray-Fadnavis Meet Thackeray's comments came a day after he and his son Aaditya Thackeray met the Chief Minister on Thursday. The three leaders held a 20-minute discussion in Fadnavis's ante-chamber, once again setting off political speculation. But, contrary to all the buzz surrounding shifting alliances and loyalties in state politics, they discussed the post of the opposition leader in the state assembly and the issue of alleged Hindi imposition via the three-language formula. Thackeray also handed over a compilation of news articles opposing the introduction of Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra, as he cited concerns of alleged linguistic imposition. Language Row In Maharashtra A string of violent incidents targeting non-Marathi speaking people have brought the state into limelight. Thackeray brothers– Shiv Sena (UBT's) Uddhav Thackeray and MNS' Raj Thackeray– have been targeting the BJP-led state government for trying to 'impose' Hindi in Maharashtra and migrants for not speaking Marathi. Last week, an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra's Palghar was thrashed in public, allegedly by the supporters of Uddhav Sena and Raj Thackeray's MNS over his refusal to speak Marathi. A video of the auto-rickshaw driver, a migrant, went viral, showing him arguing with another migrant from Uttar Pradesh, Bhavesh Padolia, at Virar station. He said in the video that he would only speak Hindi when he was asked why he was not speaking in Marathi. Earlier, MNS workers threw stones and vandalised the office of a businessman named Sushil Kedia, who had earlier issued an open dare to Raj Thackeray, stating that he would not be intimidated by MNS workers or be forced to learn Marathi under pressure. Earlier this month, a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road was assaulted after he allegedly refused to speak in Marathi. Earlier this month, the Thackeray cousins shared the stage for the first time in two decades at the Awaj Marathicha rally in Mumbai to celebrate the rollback of the controversial Hindi language policy in primary schools in Maharashtra. The language row erupted when the Maharashtra government issued an order in April to make Hindi as the compulsory third language for students in their primary classes. Amid backlash from regional parties, the NDA government amended its April 16 Government Resolution (GR) on June 17, changing Hindi from a compulsory to an optional subject. (With inputs from agencies) Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: July 18, 2025, 20:03 IST News politics 'Won't Allow Compulsion…': Uddhav Thackeray Opposes 3-Language Policy In Maharashtra Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra Govt renames Islampur to Ishwarpur
The Maharashtra Government declared the renaming of Islampur in Sangli district to Ishwarpur during the monsoon session's final day. This decision, prompted by a memorandum from the Hindutva organization Shiv Pratisthan, awaits central government approval. A Shiv Sena leader mentioned that the demand for this name change has been pending since 1986. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra Government on Friday announced that Islampur in Sangli district is being renamed as announcement was made in the state legislature on the last day of the monsoon decision was taken at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal told the legislative said the state government will send the cabinet decision to the Centre for move came after a Hindutva organization, Shiv Pratisthan , sent a memorandum to the Sangli collectorate demanding that Islampur's name be changed to Pratishtan is headed by Sambhaji Bhide whose supporters have said that they would not rest until the demand is met.A Shiv Sena leader from Islampur said that the demand for a change in name has been pending since 1986.
Deccan Herald
01-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
AI will be used more in farming sector, says Maharashtra minister Kokate
Earlier this year, the Devendra Fadnavis-led govt has cleared the MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029 —India's first comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy for agriculture.
The Print
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
With iPads for ministers & a dashboard for proposals, Maharashtra govt switches to e-cabinet
'Typically, proposals for every cabinet run into over 200 pages. We had to make 50-60 copies of these before every cabinet and circulate among the ministers. We have to print that and send these many copies in advance. The e-cabinet system makes it easier,' said a senior government official who wished to not be named. Besides reducing the use of paper, by doing away with bulky files, the e-cabinet system will also increase the secrecy of the cabinet in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, as all the relevant files will be at a single point on a dashboard and the access will be controlled. Mumbai: The Maharashtra government conducted its first paper-free e-cabinet meeting Tuesday, with all cabinet proposals uploaded on a digital dashboard, a venture that has cost the government Rs 1.03 crore. 'It also increases the government's control over information pertaining to the cabinet,' he added. The transition to an e-cabinet was part of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's 100-day programme. Also read: Shinde & Thackeray revive Shiv Sena's classic 'Marathi manus, sons of soil' pitch ahead of BMC polls iPad for all ministers To enable this shift to an e-cabinet, the Maharashtra government equipped all ministers with Apple iPads, magic keyboards, Apple pencils and Apple covers. The general administration department made sure that the models of the products were among the latest and not launched before 2024. The government purchased 50 pieces of each item from a company called Innovative Techhub, which was the only bidder to qualify the government's technical criteria, as per a government resolution by the general administration department that ThePrint has seen. Altogether, along with 18 percent Goods and Services Tax, the 50 iPads cost a total of Rs 81.37 lakh, the keyboards another Rs 16.23 lakh, the 50 Apple pencils cost Rs 5.69 lakh, while the 50 covers were purchased for Rs 59,000. 'An iPad is an extension of a smartphone. Everybody is savvy enough these days, plus ministers have personal staff, officers on special duties and secretaries to help them out if needed. Moreover, all the information on the dashboard is available in Marathi,' the above-mentioned official said. Prior to the first cabinet, the state general administration department had organised a training session for the secretaries of all departments. The first e-cabinet Officials said the first e-cabinet was more like a 'User Acceptance Testing' with ministers. Ministers were shown how the dashboard functions, how to log in, what the menu looks like, how information is uploaded, how documents are stored, who will have access to what and so on. 'It was more like training for ministers. The dashboard is like a cross between an email and a collaboration software,' the official said. Ministers were shown how the e-cabinet process mirrors the traditional process. Typically, before a proposal is put up before the cabinet, it first goes to relevant individuals for their comments. It is then sent for comments to the concerned departments. Most proposals are also sent to finance, planning and law and judiciary departments before finally landing on the chief secretary's desk. The chief secretary decides whether to put up the proposal before the cabinet. In the e-cabinet system, ministers can see a trail of what every individual and department has said on the proposal. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Why Ajit Pawar returned to cooperative politics, making a routine sugar mill poll a high-stakes battle
