Latest news with #Shek
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- The Hindu
Six people from West Bengal deported by Delhi Police
Members of two different families, one from Murarai village and another from Paikar village, in West Bengal's Birbhum district have alleged that six family members including two women and two minors, were detained by Delhi Police and later 'pushed' into Bangladesh because they were suspected of being 'illegal' Bangladeshis. Both families have written to the Delhi Police seeking a response and said that they shall approach the courts. In one letter, Bhodu Shek has alleged that Danish Sekh, his wife Sunali Khatun, and their minor son Sabir Shek were deported by the K N Katju Marg police station that falls under Delhi's Rohini police district on June 26. According to Shek, his daughter and son-in-law went to Delhi on May 5 and were detained on June 18 by officers from the K N Katju Marg police station (Rohini). 'For the verification process we submitted voter cards, Aadhaar cards, and land deeds to the local police, but they did not release them,' said Khatun's cousin Roshni Bibi, who was also her neighbour in the capital. She added that at the time, the family of three was detained; the police did not take the daughter since she was living with her aunt, away from Shek's residence. Thorough interrogation Speaking to The Hindu, DCP (Rohini) said that these three 'Bangladeshis had no valid documents and had admitted that they were Bangladeshis, only then were they sent back.' He added that the family in question was from Bagerhat and that they have been sent back to Bangladesh. 'They were deported along with many Bangladeshis, on June 26 by a flight from Delhi after obtaining deportation orders from the FRRO,' said the DCP A similar letter was written by Anjela Bibi from Murari, Birbhum, who wrote to the Delhi Police about her family members: Sweety Bibi, her elder son Kurban Sheikh, and minor son Iman Dewan. Bibi, Sweety's mother-in-law, alleged that the family of three hailing from Murarai, who were living in Delhi and working as waste pickers, were detained on June 18, along with the other three people from Birbhum. 'The two families lived in Rohini as neighbours and were waste pickers,' she said adding that her neighbours in Birbhum told her that her daughter-in-law and grandsons had been detained and later deported on June 26. The six people were detained from Bengali Basti in Rohini's sector 26, and according to a Delhi Police general diary, both the families allegedly told the police that they were from Bagerhat, Bangladesh, following which they were handed over to the FRRO. The two families told The Hindu that they will be approaching the court over the 'illegal' deportation.
HKFP
19-06-2025
- HKFP
AI surveillance cameras helped prosecute 6 people for monkey feeding, Hong Kong gov't says
Hong Kong authorities used evidence from AI surveillance cameras installed last year to prosecute six people for monkey feeding, a government conservation officer has said. Security cameras installed at the car park at Kam Shan Country Park, known as 'Monkey Hill' for being one of the main areas where wild monkeys live, can detect interactions between humans and the animals, Senior Fauna Conservation Officer Shek Chung-tong said on RTHK on Thursday. The AI surveillance system sends notifications to officers at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) when it detects that humans and wild monkeys are in close proximity. Shek explained that wild monkeys normally would not approach humans unless someone was feeding them. Depending on their location, officers can arrive at the site in as little as five minutes after receiving a notification. Since the installation last year, the AFCD has successfully prosecuted six people for monkey feeding thanks to the AI cameras, Shek said. Three other cases are still under investigation. Since the maximum penalty for feeding wild animals was raised last August – along with the introduction of a HK$5,000 fixed penalty – the monkey feeding situation has 'greatly improved,' he said. 'Overall, there has been a rather significant improvement in illegal monkey feeding over the years,' Shek said in Cantonese. According to the AFCD's website, there are around 2,000 wild monkeys in Hong Kong found in areas including the Kam Shan, Lion Rock, and Shing Mun Country Parks. The AFCD said the wild monkey population had 'increased dramatically' over the years due to human feeding. Some monkeys have become 'fearless' and would snatch plastic bags from visitors in search of food, the department's website reads. Shek said on Thursday that the AFCD is considering installing AI surveillance system at another car park in Kam Shan Country Park later this year and expanding the functions to detect wild boar feeding. He added that the department may also set up mobile monitoring systems at locations where feeding of feral pigeons is rampant.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Work on at synagogue despite notice: Plaint to civic chief
Mumbai: The standoff over "illegal repair work" at the Magen David Jewish synagogue in Byculla continues despite the stop work notice issued by BMC. Complainant Moshe Shek who has been pursuing the alleged illegal restoration of the heritage structure met BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Thursday. Shek, himself a Jew, revisited the synagogue on June 6 and found that labourers were continuing "heavy repair work" behind closed doors despite lack of requisite permissions. Police were called to the site. Synagogue trust chairperson Solomon Sopher said no violations were being committed and that everything was in consonance with the law. "Propping work is on to safeguard schoolchildren who are only about 50ft away. No additional repair work is undertaken until the necessary permission is obtained." Arun Chavan, designated officer from BMC's E ward, said the trust has appointed an architect and a structural consultant. "We have been informed that scaffolding made of mild steel has been erected to support the ceiling. As approvals can take time, it is necessary to have temporary support to ensure the ceiling does not collapse." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo He said the architect confirmed that the ceiling is wooden and requires support to avoid any structural failure. "We shared photos of the structure and the scaffolding with the complainant, but he remained unconvinced." Shek told TOI, "Community members informed me that a lot of civil work was happening behind closed doors even after the notice was issued. I called BMC, which denied any such work taking place. On June 6, my team shot videos of labourers with gas cutting machines, welding irons all working... I met the building and factories officer on June 11, seeking the permission letters granted. Thereafter, I met Gagrani, who promised to monitor the matter. I also approached the civic heritage department." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BMC orders to stop ‘unauthorised' repair works at 170-year-old heritage synagogue in Mumbai's Byculla
Magen David Synagogue – the 170-year-old historical structure of the Jewish community in in South Mumbai – has come under controversy after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a stop work notice claiming that the trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair work without seeking due approval. BMC claimed that the trustees initiated an allegedly 'unauthorised' repair work of the structure. The BMC has told The Indian Express, that they have sought a report from the trustees as the civic officials have not granted any permission to carry out the work in the heritage structure. 'The trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair works and we have issued them a stop work notice. We did not receive any application from them seeking NOC before going ahead with the repair works. For the time being, they have been asked to submit a report to us by providing the plans of repair works, and all the documents that are with them. After we go through the documents, the next course of action will be decided by us,' an official said. Located in the densely populated Byculla that houses a substantial population of the members from the Baghdadi Jew community, the synagogue symbolizes their diverse heritage and features distinctive architecture, including a blue facade, large frontal columns, and towering clock tower. The synagogue's interiors also feature bright blue paints, fluorescent lights, and a double-height sanctuary with a gallery. The Synagogue is a grade 2B heritage structure and the state government's law states that the managers of these properties will have to acquire a consent letter from the BMC before carrying out repair works in any of these structures. The repair works started last week and the issue was promptly highlighted by restaurateur Moshe Shek. 'I received messages from our community members from abroad who asked me to check the issue. They had received photos and videos of the building being demolished and had shared the same with me. Following this, I visited the Synagogue on May 18 and was shocked to see that the entire structure was largely pulled down,' Shek told The Indian Express. He said that at present, the columns and pillars of the property stands completely damaged with the main-staircases being entirely removed. 'I asked one of the workers who was present there about who is executing the work, but the worker ran away. Later the trustees came, they manhandled me and stopped me from taking any photographs and videos,' he added. Shek said that the next day he wrote a letter to Mumbai's municipal commissioner and visited the local civic ward office to lodge a complaint. He also filed a complaint at the police station about the trustees manhandling him, following which the authorities prompted into action with BMC issuing a 'stop-work' notice. 'I had grown up in this locality and all my ceremonies had happened in this synagogue. Therefore, it is absolutely appalling to see the structure being pulled out in such an unprofessional manner without informing the community members,' Shek said. Meanwhile, Solomon Sopher, chairperson of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust that manages the Synagogue, refuted the allegations saying that they have carried out only the basic waterproofing works so as to make it ready for restoration work. 'The structure was not at all razed in the manner like how the complainant has described. The synagogue is 170 years old. Keeping in mind the old age and heritage value of the property a decision was made for restoring the project. We were awaiting the necessary permission from the authorities and decided to do some basic waterproofing work to prevent seepage during the rains since monsoon is just 10 days away. At the same time we were hopeful that the permissions would arrive, following which the planned work would be taken up accordingly,' Sopher told The Indian Express. Speaking to the Indian Express, Samajwadi Party MLA and former corporator from Byculla Rais Shaikh said, 'This event needs to be scrutinised by the highest of the civic administration level. Earlier also I had received complaints that the Synagogue was being leased out for social events like marriage due to which the sewer lines were getting choked due to improper usage. These things need to be looked into thoroughly by the administration,'
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Restaurateur fights to protect synagogue from bulldozer
MUMBAI: Chef Moshe Shek on Sunday stepped in to save one of Mumbai's oldest synagogues from bulldozers and alleged emergency repairs that lacked permission and had gone horribly wrong. Describing the incident as very disturbing, Shek wrote to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Monday, calling for immediate action against the alleged illegal activity at the Magen David Synagogue in Byculla, a Grade 2A heritage site belonging to the Baghdadi Jewish community. 'This synagogue… has been a vital part of my life, and many other prominent Jews who once lived in Byculla but are now settled abroad.' For Shek, this battle is deeply personal. Raised in the street next to the synagogue, he was a part of very fabric of the city's Jewish community, and went on to become a pioneering restaurateur in Mumbai. On Sunday, Shek says he was shocked to find portions of the synagogue's interior being bulldozed, including large supporting pillars and the women's gallery. The labour contractor present fled when confronted. When Shek left, he was allegedly assaulted by the synagogue's trustees and the workers, who also tried to snatch his phone to delete footage he had recorded. The situation escalated, prompting the on-site police to escort Shek to the police station, where his statement was recorded. In his letter to Gagrani, Shek also raised concerns about the alleged misuse of a nearby children's school playground, which the synagogue trust is believed to have converted into a paved wedding venue without legal, civic or other permissions. 'I sincerely urge you to use your authority to halt these illegal activities and take legal action against those responsible,' he said. Solomon Sopher, chairperson of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust, which administers the synagogue, has issued a strong rebuttal. Sopher told HT that the Magen David Synagogue was built 170 years ago, and had recently exhibited signs of structural deterioration. The trust had engaged noted conservation architect Abha Narain Lambha – whose firm had restored the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue in Kala Ghoda in 2019 – to prepare a restoration plan. According to Lambha's proposal, such a plan would cost ₹9.7 crore, a sum the trust could ill-afford. Due to challenges in securing external funding, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the absence of FCRA (permission for foreign remittances), the trust opted to undertake basic emergency repairs, Sopher said. These included strengthening beams and columns, and preventing water seepage ahead of the monsoon. This interim work, overseen by an architect, a structural engineer and a contractor, was funded by the trust, he added. During these repairs, a deteriorating wooden beam collapsed along with a portion of a balcony, highlighting the fragile state of the synagogue's ageing wooden structure, Sopher said. He denied all accusations made by Shek, particularly the claim that the synagogue or its adjoining land is being considered for sale. Sopher reiterated the trust's commitment to restoring the Magen David Synagogue to its original splendour and resuming full religious services. Until then, all weekday and Shabbath services are being conducted at the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue. 'We will not be misled by false propaganda by parties with hidden agendas,' Sopher remarked. 'They assaulted me and are now trying to shift blame. I had no reason to attack anyone,' Shek told HT, referring to Sopher's allegations that Shek had allegedly forced entry into the synagogue and assaulted two staff members, and obstructed the management team. 'The police have seen footage clearly showing them assaulting me, even in front of officers.' He added, 'They lack the necessary permissions and used a quote from a well-known architect without hiring her. Now, they plan to use cheap labour and misuse trust funds to cover the costs.' Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah told HT that in 2021, her firm was paid ₹2 lakh to prepare a preliminary assessment report to support fundraising efforts. 'Our report identified the building as a Grade 2A heritage structure, which means that any intervention requires prior heritage permissions. We also estimated that around ₹9 crore would be needed to complete the restoration. 'Over the past four years, we were never given any formal appointment to begin work or take on the project. We were told repeatedly that there were no funds available. Now, Sopher has appointed a contractor without consulting me, and he is solely responsible for that decision. I would never have allowed any roof repairs without thorough due diligence and the necessary clearances from the heritage committee. Even temporary works require proper permissions,' she added. Lambah said she was appalled at the damage to the synagogue. 'It's like visiting a doctor for a consultation and, four years later, deciding to perform your own surgery from a quack just to save money,' she added. Acting on Shek's complaint, the BMC's building and factories department of C Ward visited the synagogue on Tuesday and pasted a stop-work notice as they had received no permissions or plans for any alterations to the structure.
