India politics has witnessed the ‘Power’ of Sharad Pawar, he can help get one to power and he can also pull you out of power. Maharashtra politics revolves around him and he is definitely the one who makes or breaks it.
For instance, in Maharashtra, he allowed BJP to form government by revoking Presidential rule and within the next 24 hours, got MVA to power. Since then nothing is very smooth in state politics. The opposition has gone aggressive and the ruling party has differences within, Pawar the ringmaster is balancing it all on his terms. NCP’s Pawar is slowly attracting all congress leaders towards his party and on another hand Shiv Sena MP making scratching attacks on Congress leaders.
Amid crisis, Sanjay Raut called Anil Deshmukh an accidental home minister, claiming he got the post after senior NCP leaders like Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil refused the responsibility. Raut also stated that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra did not have damage control machinery as was seen after former Mumbai police Chief Param Bir Singh claimed that Deshmukh asked cops to collect Rs 100 crore a month.
The war of words between allies — Shiv Sena and Congress — in Maharashtra got somber after state Congress chief Nana Patole condemned Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut over his suggestion to make Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar the chief of United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
Shiv Sena played it well by dividing Congress for NCP by making harsh statements, whereas 18 congress corporators slipped to NCP in the recent past. The current state Congress president Nana Patole said, “Disciplinary action will be taken against 18 corporators of the party for defecting to the NCP. They would be expelled from the party and their corporatorship will be cancelled.”
The Congress shares power in Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party.
Despite the Congress being in power in Maharashtra as Maha Vikas Aghadi NCP is grabbing their leaders has not gone well with Congress. On the other hand, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is in negotiations with BJP. The Congress in Maharashtra is exploring the possibility of contesting the forthcoming elections in the state on its own.
With the BJP questioning Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s “silence” on various issues and asking the state Governor to seek a status report from the government, NCP leader Nawab Malik said the CM will speak at right time and that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has the support of more than 175 MLAs. The state Assembly has 288 MLAs. Malik’s reaction came after a BJP delegation met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and requested him to send a report on the current situation in the state to President Ram Nath Kovind.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s unwanted advice to make Sharad Pawar as UPA chief in place of Sonia Gandhi has not gone down well with his Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance members. He further stated that UPA needed reform and support from all the regional parties to take the BJP head-on.
To this, Congress Spokesperson, Sachin Sawant has commented that Shiv Sena is not a part of UPA, Sanjay Raut has no right to make any suggestions, as per a Lokmat report. He added that Shiv Sena first needs to be a part of UPA and then make demands or suggestions.
Congress leader Nana Patole questioned if Sanjay Raut is NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s spokesperson and suggested he should not comment on things he is not involved in. The Shiv Sena leader was also attacked by NCP’s Nawab Malik who questioned Sanjay Raut’s authority to make such comments.
Shiv Sena leaders making constant attacks on Congress and BJP digging the graves of Shiv Sena leaving NCP aside indicates new political equations.
Soon NCP supremo Sharad Pawar will campaign in West Bengal in support of Mamata Banerjee. He will be on a three-day visit to the state from April 1, to hold various rallies, press conferences and meet Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers at Trinamool Bhavan. West Bengal is likely to witness a triangular contest this time with TMC, Congress-Left alliance and BJP in the fray.
Sand artist Manas Sahoo creates a sand sculpture with a massage ‘Avoid Color Avoid Corona’ during Holi celebration, at a beach, in Puri. | Photo: Twitter/@SandArtistManas
One of the popular ancient Hindu festivals Holi, a festival of love, colours and joy has faded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration is dedicated to the eternal love of Radha and Krishna. It also signifies the triumph of good over malevolence. With the festive season around the corner and many places in India seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases, many states and cities have banned Holi celebrations to prevent crowds and increased risk of transmission.
While some places have banned public gatherings for the festival, which falls on March 29, others have also banned private and community celebrations. Municipal Corporations have also banned celebrations in resorts, hotels, open spaces and housing societies within the city limits. Strict action will be taken against violators of the order under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, it was stated.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has also directed that public celebration and gathering, congregation during upcoming festivals such as Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Navratri etc. will not be allowed in public places, including parks, markets, religious places. An order in this regard has been issued by Delhi Chief Secretary.
The decision has come hours after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, who is also chairperson of DDMA, held a review meeting on increasing Covid-19 cases in the national capital. The Haryana government has also banned public celebrations of the upcoming Holi festival in the wake of the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks. During the past few days, Haryana has been reporting over 800 new cases daily.
Chandigarh will also not see Holi celebrations as authorities have banned public gatherings for the festival even at clubs and hotels. In Gujarat, while Holi celebrations have been banned, Holika Dahan will be allowed with restriction on crowds.
In Uttar Pradesh, the state government has banned processions or gatherings in public spaces without prior permission. Those above 60 years of age, as well as those below 10 years, will not be allowed to attend these gatherings. Further, the Union government also asked states and union territories to consider imposing local restrictions in public observance of the upcoming festivals and limit or do away with mass gatherings for effective control of the pandemic.
Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and for many it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season.
It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of demon Holika) or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, Dhulandi.
Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival that has become popular among non-Hindus as well in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. In addition to India and Nepal, the festival is celebrated by Indian subcontinent diasporas in countries such as Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The frolic and fight with colours occur in the open streets, parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes come together to throw coloured powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks. In the evening, people dress up and visit friends and family
Holi was always my favourite festival. I used to play with as many people as possible and with as many dark colours as possible. I never discriminate whether a person, whom I am playing Holi, is my family member or outsider, friend or just acquaintance, Male or Female. But this year has forced me to keep distance, a good social distance for their protection and my safety.
Wishing you all dear readers a Happy Holi. Stay safe, and stay protected.
Amid the rise in the COVID-19 cases in the country, Holi in 2021 will be a low-key affair as the Centre has asked states and UTs to take adequate measures to arrest the surge of daily cases ahead of the festive season.
From March-end, a host of festivities are lined up, including Holi and Shab-e-Barat in March to Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri and Ram Navami in April. The outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which has over 59,000 new cases in India, is the biggest 1-day spike.
Krupal, a colour seller from Borivali market said, “This year we have a lot of shortage of China-made fancy water guns and sprinklers. In Mumbai alone, 20-25 Chinese toys importers every year bring about 5-lakh pieces of water pressure guns attached with small water tanks of 18 and 24 inches, and each costing about Rs 300-500. Currently, traders have no stock for this year and in the current situation. Meanwhile, BMC has also imposed strict rules; we are in financial crises due to almost no business.”
Vice-President of United Toys Association of Mumbai, Abdullah Sharif said, “The time is very crucial, people are out of a job, and vendors are out of business and above all no adequate supply, very tricky situation for small-time businessmen who deals with colours and toys. About 250 manufacturers, sellers, suppliers and traders of Holi colours, water guns and other such products across India are having survival issues.”
Shabad Alam, a plastic toys supplier told us, “Most toys reaching India are manufactured in Guangdong, a coastal province in South China, whereas the novel coronavirus’s epic centre is in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province, about 1000 kilometers away. India’s toy industry, worth about Rs 4,000 crore, is dominated by Chinese imports to the tune of 85 per cent. Of the Chinese toy exports, India accounts for only 5 per cent and the Indian manufacturers do not make innovative toys, the most preferred toys among children are water guns, water motor guns and different pichkaris.”
The Indian colour manufacturers, mostly in the small-scale sector and only a few hundreds, contribute only around 15 per cent of the Indian market. As against this, there are thousands of importers from China, including large-scale organised importers. This Holi would be colourless for many vendors and retailers. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) banned public, community and private festivities during Holi and Rangpanchami.
Though there will be no lockdown and restrictions on the interstate and intrastate transport, according to the order of the ministry of home affairs, district administrations will be responsible for containing the spread of the infection and local lockdown may be imposed for that purpose, the ministry of home affairs said.
Meanwhile, Afternoon Voice spoke to several people, from the film industry to the students, to an entrepreneur to employees, if they are okay with “No Holi this year?”
Here is what they had to say
Actress Sunayana Fozdar said, “Yes, I am completely fine with no Holi being celebrated this year. The main significance of Holi is that good triumphs over evil; which clearly translates into getting rid of evil. This year I hope we can conquer evil.”
“You know, thinking back to my college days, I have had some really special Holi memories. I have these four school friends, and we would spend each Holi at each one of our places. And since each one of us is from different cultural backgrounds, the way we celebrate Holi is different. So, Holi always held a very special meaning to me. But keeping in mind the current situation, no matter how much Holi can excite us, we should think of the bigger picture and a better future for us all! And that can only happen if we’re all careful, and abide by the COVID-19 safety regulations laid down by the government,” cited Donal Bisht who has worked in several TV serials.
Tanveer Singh Chaudhary, an engineering student from DJ Sanghvi College shared his view on the subject, “Holi seems incomplete without celebrating with our near and dear ones. This year I’d like to suggest everyone to have a “quarantined Holi” celebration. We could celebrate Holi with our immediate family and avoid the risk of covid. This would only keep us and our family safe. So, I urge everyone to celebrate with the same enthusiasm but alongside following the covid guidelines. I wish everyone a Happy and a Colourful Holi!”
Shreya Chaturvedi, Program Support Specialist at Amazon asserted, “Since childhood, I’ve never been too fond of Holi as the post effects need too much of effort (cleansing and all). On the contrary, looking at the current situation of the pandemic, I guess it would be better if I convince as many people as I can to avoid social gatherings and stay at home for their safety. We are already observing the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. People can just stay at home and celebrate the festival with family members. This is what I do every year and would suggest all to follow the same at least for this year for everyone’s safety and good health.”
Actress Nanda Yadav told Afternoon Voice, “Yes I am okay with no Holi this year as health is more important. The festival comes every year and this year can be an exception if that’s needed for our health.”
Actor-Model Ashleysha Yesugade said, “It’s absolutely okay for me to not celebrate Holi as safety comes first. Public gatherings should be avoided, to curb the spread of the deadliest virus. I will definitely miss Holi this year as no events are happening, but it’s completely fine.”
“I guess we all should follow the guidelines mentioned by the government to fight against COVID-19. And I am completely okay to not celebrate Holi as the cases are rising in Mumbai. I just want to urge people to celebrate this year’s Holi at home and protect their loved ones from the virus so that next year we can enjoy Holi to a great extent. Happy Holi everyone,” said actress Bidita Bag.
Rajat Tripathi, content head at Asia, Kuaishou shared his Holi plan with us and said, “Holi ko celebration ke bina imagine karna muskil hai (Imagining Holi without celebration is quite tough). Every year I and my friends used to visit each other to celebrate Holi. But due to coronavirus this year it won’t be possible. So, we are planning to have to class reunion on Holi through the zoom app!”
Actor Thakur Anoop Singh said, “Holi is definitely a beautiful festival, but while water-wastage becomes a legitimate problem every year, this year, the issue is even bigger, and that’s COVID. Since the cases of the virus are also multiplying by the day, I’d advise everyone to opt for a ‘Homli’ (Homely+Holi) Just how a lot of festivals were celebrated at home during the lockdown, the same has to be done with Holi. This Holi should be all about spending quality time with family!”
“No Holi this year makes me feel a bit upset, though nevertheless, we can enjoy this festival with mouth-watering Puran polis. Festivals go hand in hand with sweets. So, let’s celebrate this festival of Colours by enjoying mouth-watering Puran polis as it is also said “Holi re Holi purnachi poli”. Like I said festivals come and go every year. But the safety of us, as well as our surroundings, is also important. So, let’s celebrate this festival at home and protect ourselves so that next year we can pack our bags full of Holi colour, pichkaris and water bags”, said Akanksha Sanjay.
Rakesh Zala, an entrepreneur by profession told us, “Yes I am completely okay with the “No Holi” celebration as it is best, for now, keeping the current situation in mind. The COVID-19 cases in Mumbai are on surge so, it’s our responsibility to take precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus. Have a safe and colourful Holi.”
“In a backdrop of COVID-19, I’m okay to celebrate Holi without colours and public gathering. We still can celebrate Holi by wishing each other, making sweets, spending time with the family. Holi can also be celebrated with all this without going outside, without throwing colours on each other. We all must realise that it’s better to avoid social gatherings, should follow covid guidelines to curb this disease. We can still celebrate this next year and must care for one another, care for the elderly. Let’s not get sick and let’s not make others sick. Happy Holi everyone!” said Isha Sharma, Marketing Manager at Conscious Food.
Actor Yuvraj Singh said, “Yes looking at the coronavirus scenario it’s fine to avoid Holi, as we have to behave responsibly. People have been irresponsible towards COVID and have taken the pandemic carelessly due to which the spike has returned to Mumbai and few parts of India, it’s important to get rid of the pandemic this year at any cost.”
Tanya Mishra, Customer Success Manager at Webscale Networks said, “For several years we have been celebrating Holi but as we all know that since 2020 the very uncertain strain of coronavirus has struck overall in the world and people are fighting with this virus with all their will. The spread of the virus decreased a little last year in December however it is again taking a great rise in many parts of India, which is an alarming situation. I understand that festivals hold our religious sentiments and we celebrate them with all our heart. However, we must avoid playing Holi this year with a lot of mass gathering to help fight this virus quickly and so that we can be free of this virus as soon as possible.”
“Holi is a festival of colours, let us celebrate Holi in COVID-19 by colouring our souls with colours of brotherhood, unity love, peace forgiveness. Care for each other and help our loved ones safe and support the government by following the COVID-19 norms of wearing masks maintaining social distancing. Happy Holi everyone,” said social activist Archana Sharma.
Singer Savaniee Ravindrra said, “Considering the current situation I am absolutely okay with no Holi this year. I think this will be a wise and good decision to stay home, to stay safe and to celebrate the festival with your family and loved ones, instead of celebrating it publicly.”
Bhandup fire: Uddhav Thackeray says, "I apologise" to the kin of those who died; assure strict action against authorities 6
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the fire at Sunrise hospital in a Bhandup mall, which resulted in the death of 10 patients.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the mall, Thackeray apologised to the families of the victims and announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the kin of each deceased.
Thackeray said the fire did not break out in the hospital, but at some office or shop situated below it.
“10 people have died in the fire incident. This is a serious incident. Negligence of hospital management has come to light. We will register a case,” said Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale.
According to officials, the incident occurred in Sunrise Hospital in the Dreams Mall building in the Bhandup area shortly after Thursday midnight.
The hospital is located on the top floor of the four-storeyed mall building and there were 76 patients, most of them being treated for COVID-19 when the fire broke out.
The chief minister said the state government had last year allowed some hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients given the spread of the disease and they said that the facility in the Bhandup mall was one of them.
“The permission was to end on March 31. Unfortunately, the fire broke on the first floor of the mall and spread upwards,” he said.
The chief minister said that efforts were made to rescue all the patients admitted to the hospital. However, it took some time to evacuate those who were on ventilators.
“Unfortunately, they died,” he said.
“We wake up after such incidents take place and then a probe is carried out. This incident, too, will be investigated. Action will be taken as per law probe against whoever is at fault,” Thackeray added.
He said that in the recent past he had issued instructions to carry out structural and fire audits of COVID-19 care centres and field hospitals across the state.
“I had asked (the authorities) to ensure such incidents do not occur. Still, unfortunately, this has taken place.”
“…I express regret to those who have lost their kin in the incident,” he said in Marathi.
Speaking in Hindi, Thackeray later said, “I apologise to the kin of those who died in the incident.” The chief minister said that compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the next kin of each deceased.
Since Vaze reinstated to the department and that to the crime branch, he became overconfident. Arnab Goswami’s arrest made him a hero but that was not sufficient to become a super cop. He was craving publicity and sensation.
He created a plot; first checked in five-star hotels with fake name and identity, using the forged Aadhaar, with unique identification number 7825-2857-5822, Sachin Vaze stayed at Trident hotel at Nariman Point from February 16-20. Then took a vehicle from Mansukh Hiren to make him accused in his drama, but that backfired when Hiren went to the crime branch and made his complaint. Vaze had no other option than eliminating Hiren to prove the plot that he was one of the conspirators.
Surprisingly, the vehicle loaded with explosives had traveled 30 km—from Naupada in Thane city to Ambani’s residence on Carmichael Road, without being stopped. This exposed Mumbai’s defenselessness, raising questions of its alertness in keeping law and order.
All this could have been possible with the help of the government. Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), interrogated Vaze, the first investigation officer in this case, for close to 13 hours along with second investigation officer Nitin Alaknure, assistant commissioner of police. On March 14, a special court remanded Vaze to NIA custody till March 25.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Sachin Vaze, on the night of March 13 for planting an explosive-loaded Scorpio car outside the residence of Mukesh Ambani, on February 25. Soon after his arrest, state politics was on fire and the media went for the kill. There was a lot of pressure on agencies.
The team of NIA visited Trident hotel and conducted a search of the room where Sachin Vaze stayed. It is still not clear why Vaze used a fake ID and stayed at a hotel and who all he met him during his stay. Meanwhile, it is also shocking that the staff of Trident could not recognize Vaze, in spite of being in news every day.
The NIA officials have also taken the CCTV footage of the hotel and are going through it to track Sachin Vaze’s movements during his hotel stay. Just a day after Sachin Vaze checked-in to the hotel on February 16, the Scorpio belonging to Mansukh Hiren was allegedly stolen, and on February 25, it was found outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence with explosives in it.
Mansukh Hiren’s wife claimed that Sachin Vaze was behind her husband’s death. In her police complaint, Vimla Hiren claimed that her husband, an auto parts dealer had known Sachin Vaze for many years. The Hirens had the Scorpio for over three years.
She said that Sachin Vaze took the car from Mansukh Hiren in November 2020 for personal use but returned it on February 5, citing some issues with the car.
Her husband began using the car but it developed a mechanical fault on February 17 so he left it in Vikhroli and came back home. The next day, the car went missing and the Hirens filed a theft complaint with the police. Mansukh Hiren’s Scorpio car was never stolen. He reportedly handed over keys to the car to a CIU official on February 17, who then parked it at Sachin Vaze’s residence in Thane’s Saket colony. A week before the Ambani bomb scare incident, Sachin Vaze’s family left his Saket colony flat.
Three days before his death, Mansukh Hiren had written a letter accusing the police of harassment. A lawyer hired by Sachin Vaze reportedly wrote the letter for him. On March 4, Mansukh Hiren reportedly left home to meet a Crime Branch police officer called Tawde but never came back home.
On the night of March 4 when Mansukh Hiren went missing and was allegedly murdered, Sachin Vaze made sure that he didn’t make any calls or receive calls on his personal phone. To strengthen his defense, Vaze conducted searches at hotels till late at night on March 4 in Dongri of Mumbai.
Sachin Vaze had other accomplices too. According to Maharashtra ATS, a Gujarat-based cricket bookie Naresh Gore provided five SIM cards to suspended Mumbai Police constable Vinayak Shinde who was close to Sachin Vaze. Both Gore and Shinde have been arrested by Maharashtra ATS. Calls were reportedly made from these SIM cards to lure Mansukh Hiren out of his home on the day of his murder.
Shinde is also suspected to be involved in planting the threat letter near Mukesh Ambani’s residence.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh was transferred from his post on March 17 and Maharashtra DGP Hemant Nagrale took over his post. Param Bir Singh was sent to the Home Guards department.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 24) refused to entertain former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh’s petition for a CBI probe into his allegations of corruption against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
Meanwhile, the opposition thought the government may fall, but they failed. The new CP of Mumbai transferred many officers and cleaned the carpet.
Hope the motive in all this saga gets established soon.
Vinayak Shinde one of the convicted accused in the Mansukh Hiren murder case. | Image Courtesy: Social Media
Vinayak Shinde’s wife believes that her husband is falsely implicated in the case, as he never used to get involved much in anything since returned home on parole. Suspended constable Vinayak Shinde was a close confidant of Sachin Vaze. Shinde used to get handsomely paid by Vaze. Maharashtra ATS has claimed that Vinayak Shinde killed Mansukh Hiren at the behest of Sachin Vaze. Vinayak Shinde, a convicted constable was on parole in an encounter case.
In 2013, a Mumbai session’s court had awarded life sentences to 21 people, including 13 Mumbai Police personnel, for an encounter killing of a gangster named Lakkhan Bhaiyya (Ramnarayan Gupta) in 2006. Gupta was a member of the dreaded Chota Rajan gang. One of the policemen convicted was Vinayak Shinde, 55, a constable, who was released on parole last year in the state’s drive to decongest prisons during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to investigators of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad, Shinde took care of Vaze’s “illegal dealings in Thane and Kalwa area” and executed the murder of Hiren on Vaze’s behest.
Shinde was in Mumbai Crime Branch in the mid-2000s and had a good network in Mumbai as well as in Thane. “Shinde has a good network across Thane and also has connections with local goons,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
One of Shinde’s family members said that after he came out of parole, he would stay home. Shinde celebrated his birthday on March 11 with his family at his house. Shinde’s wife told Afternoon Voice, “He never used to go out much, he used to stay at home most of the time, from few days Sachin Vaze started calling him, many to implicate him falsely”.
The ATS on March 21 arrested two men, and bookie Naresh Gor in the murder of the 48-year-old Hiren. Sachin Vaze was the mastermind, but Shinde executed the murder of Hiren. Shinde had called Hiren to Ghodbunder Road on March 4.
Bookie Naresh Gore and Shinde were taken to the creek where Hiren’s body was found, and also conducted a search at a godown in the Majiwada area, believed to be of a firm owned by Vaze. The next day ATS took Shinde to his house in Kalwa, Vaze’s house in Saket, a car décor shop and a godown at Majiwada and Bhoomi World complex in Bhiwandi to trace Shinde’s entire movement on March 4 and 5.
NIA official’s team searched a room in the Trident hotel at Nariman Point where Vaze reportedly resided from February 16 to February 20. Vaze reportedly booked the hotel room with a forged Aadhar card using his photograph with a fictitious name.
Shinde made Hiren unconscious in the godown by administrating chloroform and later dumped him in the creek. A man from Gujarat allegedly supplied some SIM cards obtained based on bogus documents to co-accused Naresh Gore, a cricket bookie.
One of the SIM supplied by Gore was purportedly used by Shinde to stay in touch with the other accused in the case, said the official. Later on, the ATS team that has gone to Gujarat has also recovered 14 SIM cards.
Several senior ATS officials who are part of the investigating team including additional commissioner Shivdeep Lande, DCP Rajkumar Shinde and ACP Shripad Kale, senior police inspector Daya Nayak were in Thane for almost the entire day.
Vaze has been arrested under IPC sections 286 (negligent conduct concerning explosive substance) 465 (forgery), 473 (making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc with intent to commit forgery), 506(2) (punishment for criminal intimidation), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and relevant provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, the official said.
Shinde is one of the co-accused; along with bookie Naresh Gore and prime suspect Sachin Vaze, a suspended assistant inspector currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren.
Meanwhile, Sachin Vaze claimed he is being made a scapegoat in Mansukh Hiren’s death case.
The ongoing controversy and blame games have damaged the image of Mumbai police, Mumbai Police is considered to be one of the best forces in the country. They have handled many situations and cases that most of the country has not even faced. The constant underworld threat to terror attacks, Mumbai has seen its worst but stood back with double spirit just because its police boosted the morale of the people by handling every law-and-order situation with the utmost integrity.
Once upon a time, people from all classes used to join the force slowly it stopped. Gradually political interference kept on increasing, some cops joined hands with certain gangsters as well as they started taking money from them and above all huge corruption in traffic police compromised the image of Mumbai Police.
I don’t know who spread this rumour that we are second in the world after Scotland Yard. Corruption has killed us and to make matters worse IPS officer kept coming on deputation who had neither compassion for the city nor the knowledge about locals. Nevertheless, the fact remains Police are corrupt, criminal in uniform above all they are inclined to political masters.
The fact is all the government departments are corrupt to various extents. Ranking wise the police department is said to be at 16th rank. That means there are 15 more departments that are more corrupt than the police department. Corruption has always been the part and parcel of our way of life, the British rulers made it a fine Art and people like Lord MacAulay and Lord Wellesley are testimonies to that, the civil services and the Babudom wrapped in red tape made it easy for the government servants to seek Baksheesh and Mamool from the common man.
Police appointments and postings are always political and not merits. A good honest cop is considered to be a liability on the system and even the public starts hating him for upholding the law. Police officers are subservient to their corrupt political masters. They are not allowed to function with freedom earning a bad name for them.
Almost all junior-level police hiring is done on recommendations of politicians. The new hires then consider themselves answerable to the politician and not the system. Most recruits pay for getting into the police and are looking for a good return on investment. With power and guns in their hands, policemen at times think they are Gods. Courteous language and mannerisms are not something you can associate with the police.
Money flows like water to frame the case to suit the person with the biggest pile of cash on the negotiating table. The game changes based on the quote by the highest bidder. The guiding principle being: “I scratch your back and you scratch mine.” Once the investigation is complete, there are marathon sessions to judge the potential fallouts of the case on the personal and professional level of the concerned stakeholders. Higher the stakes, the higher the value assigned to the culprit.
Fixers work behind the scenes and manipulate the entire process: evidence gathering, forensics, witness manipulation, etc. Justice is an abstract concept for law enforcement agencies. The show must go on … In the end, everything boils down to the settlement.
The Maharashtra Police department has the most corruption complaints against it among 44 state government departments in the bribery list released for 2019 by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB). This is for the first time after 2013 that the department earned the dubious distinction of making it to the top of the bribery list. The corruption bureau has registered 194 cases against the police department and arrested 269 corrupt personnel. Additionally, the revenue department, in second place on the list, has 190 cases registered against its officials and employees and 259 individuals from the department have been arrested in these cases. Third on the list are local bodies – Panchayat Samitis with 90 cases; Maharashtra State Electric Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and municipalities with 47 cases each.
Who are not corrupt and who is not honest? Various factors such as the influence of political leaders, underworld threatening, senior officials, etc surface as hurdles to cross over in discharging duties by the law enforcing agencies. Putting blame straightway is not justice to their functioning!!! Instances of involvement of bigwigs in compromising investigations cannot be ruled out.
The life of a police person is very tough in India. If you talk of local police it’s miserable. They are not a simple person but being the shock absorber between the superiors and the foot soldier he or she is targeted from both sides. They hardly can enjoy social life unless posted at peaceful Thana. Taking care of their family is more difficult for them.
Now come to organisations like CBI here the life is somewhat comfortable but heavily loaded with work. The supervisor and courts make them work like a donkey for their comforts. They have to bear all the stress of investigating a crime and facing the courts as a rep of CBI. The leaves from work are difficult and work is more duplicate in nature. Indian police need reform and they should be kept away from political influences.
Police Brokers are active on every level of department reveal former cops 17
Amid the ongoing extortion allegations levelled against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh by the former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, many current and former police officers came vocal about their views on the current hullabaloo.
Sable, a former police constable told Afternoon Voice, “There are brokers in the department on every level. This is happening for ages and this is common practice in the entire Indian police service. From arranging leaves, duty timings, place of duty, posting we have brokers. Everything is possible with money or influence. You say cops are corrupt, yes they do corruption because they have to survive by paying their seniors, and it is a syndicate.”
Patil from the Satara police department said, “Sometimes police personnel’s stoop so low that they take hafta from eunuchs and sex workers those who manage their bread by selling their body. Needs knows no morality. Senior-level officers have glorified life, headlines, media, and much more. A constable remains a slave to the system and people.”
IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, the then Commissioner Intelligence Department had brought to the notice of the then Director-General of Police, who in turn had brought it to the knowledge of the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, about the mismanagements in postings/transfers by HM Anil Deshmukh based on a telephonic interception. She was shunted out rather than taking any firm action against Deshmukh.
Shukla had submitted her report on the involvement of an alleged network of ‘brokers’, particularly individuals with extensive political connections in arranging desired postings for police officers in exchange for massive monetary compensation.
Shukla had said in her report, “In order to authenticate these charges, the phone numbers of the individual allegedly involved in this dubious activity were placed under telephonic surveillance with due regard to the established process. The reasons for surveillance were to curtail the commitment of criminal offences and prevent a possible breach of trust.”
Retired Indian Police Service officer Dhanushkodi Sivanandhan served for six years in the Mumbai police Crime Branch in the 1990s. He is attributed to bringing the city back to normalcy when it was undergoing an underworld shoot-out phase.
Sivanandhan asserted, “One man’s illegal activity does not affect the Mumbai police at all. Sachin Vaze is not the Mumbai police (He is an individual who was working with the department). Vaze has committed a crime and a case has been registered by the National Investigation Agency, ATS is also working on it, let the case get investigated and resolved as soon as possible. One man went berserk or rogue, but that does not mean the Mumbai police should be ashamed of themselves.”
He further stated that “The Mumbai police consist of 50,000 people, one of whom has allegedly committed a crime, and a proper process of registering a crime has been done. And what one (individually) does will not affect the law and order and crime situation of Mumbai city. During my tenure it was different and there was no political interference.”
Dr Meeran Chadha Borwankar, who retired from the Indian Police Service in 2017 as Director-General of Police, was known for her straightforward approach towards corruption and political interference in policing decisions throughout her 36-year career as an IPS officer.
Borwankar said, “I have worked for five years as DCP in Mumbai; I’ve worked as JCP. Sensitive cases are given to very mature and experienced officers. I don’t think whatever is happening now is the routine. In such sensitive cases were being handled by an officer who has just come back to service after a long gap. I want to emphasize that political interference has always been there. It’s nothing new. We knew how to deal and these officers got compromised to pressure. See politicians can force you to reinstate Vaze, but then the kind of job you should give him was Param Bir Singh’s decision.”
“In this particular case, the National Investigation Agency has not touched the politicians nor am I aware of any direct political intrusion. So, my conclusion that there is political interference is based on media reports and the action taken by the government. Param Bir’s letter alleges that Vaze was being used directly by the home minister. I think an inquiry by a high court judge is the need of the hour,” she added.
Borwankar further said, “I hope this whole issue has brought the corruption by politicians and police nexus to the forefront for citizens. And that they will not forget, but insist on its logical conclusion as it directly affects them, from police response to a complainant, registering of an FIR to a professional investigation of criminal cases lodged by them.”
Commenting on Param Bir Singh’s allegations former Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Julio Ribeiro said, “When the Mumbai CP learned about this (about the 100-crore scandal), he should have gone straight to the Minister and told him that this is not our job. Param Bir’s claims and his letter to the Chief Minister after his transfer are of no use.”
Julio Ribeiro further stated, “So far the government has not officially approached me to investigate the matter, even if they approach, I am not available. My age will not permit me to take that stress.”
“Even if I could, I would not have investigated this matter, because of the low-level politics being played here. If the inquiry is against the home minister of Maharashtra, then Pawar should conduct the inquiry because he heads the ruling party. Why a retired police officer should be asked to do it,” the former Mumbai CP added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party escalated its attack on the Maharashtra Government in the wake of fresh accusations against the state’s Home Minister with former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis leading the charge. Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter, Fadnavis claimed the Maharashtra government did not act on an “incriminating” state intelligence department report containing audio intercepts of a “large scale corruption” in police transfers and postings.
The BJP leader said that he had “6.3 GB data” of the calls intercepted by then Commissioner of Intelligence Rashmi Shukla with due permissions, where names of several key police officers were discussed. He added that all these phone calls were recorded by Shukla with due permission from the state government but despite the submission of the report to the Chief Minister in August 2020, no action was taken.
The Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik rubbished the claims made by Fadnavis and called Rashmi Shukla a “BJP agent”.
Fadnavis, who also raked up the case of IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, said he has given the information regarding the “Maharashtra Police transfer racket”, to the Union Home Secretary in a sealed envelope. He said he demanded a CBI inquiry and has been assured “appropriate” action into the matter.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said defending Deshmukh has made a serious dent in the political credibility of senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar. “The only way he can restore his political credibility is by making Deshmukh resign,” Prasad said addressing a press conference in Delhi. He called the Maha Aghadi government a “Maha Vasooli” government.
Speaking about his experience a DCP rank police officer informed Afternoon Voice, “I am also a victim of these practices, be it any government, BJP or Maha Vikas Aghadi, political interference is unavoidable. Around 40 to 50 officers getting postings rewards, awards, it’s a big game.”
Another DCP from Nagpur told under the condition of anonymity, “The biggest problem with the police department is that they don’t have unions like any other administrative bodies. That is why there is hardly any unity amongst the police to raise their voice on such topics. Secondly, the department has been abided by the oath they take to serve the nation without thinking about themselves. Department having no union, no welfare, NGO’s or anyone to take care of their voices. Police lacking the confidence to speak for themselves.”
He further continued stating, “Mainly police department doesn’t have the authority to speak against any government or civic body. However, nowadays some cops are rebelling against the government. But In the end either they are losing their jobs or getting a transfer from the department or sent on punishment posts.”
Sanjay Bhide, the Owner Trans Asian Chamber of Commerce said, “Of course, there is a Racket in Postings in Police Department for a long duration. The key positions to earn below the table are always auctioned. This was restricted previously only within the Police Department. Customs, Sea Ports, Airports, Excise Department were considered as Lucrative Positions. So, the appointments were done by Senior Police Officers by taking hefty bribes.”
“About 50 years ago, the Politicians got the wind of making money for themselves. Thus, they took over the Postings and Transfers of Police Officers in their hands. They started using Police Force in their Elections in their favour to harass their opponents. Huge Money started getting transacted at every level. The Police Department is now divided into political lines, instead of remaining neutral and impartial,” Bhide further added.
AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon told Afternoon Voice, “I believe that there must be a posting racket. It is common knowledge for everybody that not only the Maharashtra government but every other government takes huge sums of money from top bureaucrats to small, to police to any other authority for posting. And now these rackets are getting exposed then what a one want. But the question that I want to ask here – “Was IPS Rashmi Shukla tapping phones with legal permission or she was doing it illegally. Because tapping the phone is an invasion of privacy and the act which was done by her is unconstitutional.”
Anil Galgali, an RTI activist said, “The racket is active in the police force. MLAs and party leaders bring officers of their choice to the local police station. At the senior level, party functionaries lobby for arbitrary officers. It is not new but starts with the prevailing policy. Officers who do not lobby are harassed. Disciplinary action should be taken against the officers who are being transferred by putting pressure. Also, action should under police service act and its service rules so that no one will make such a mistake in future.”
Police Constable Ghare from Dhule told Afternoon Voice, “Police department and politicians’ relation is like a spouse, they cannot do without each other. Politicians need cops to shield their illegal activities and for their survival and the cops need politicians for their wellbeing, promotions, and cravings. Many politicians use police from low rank to DCP, ACP level officers as per their whims and fancies, so there is nothing new and eventually, in this whole power saga the one that gets compromised is a lower rank officer, like me.”
While giving an example over this he further stated, “You must have seen the events like Umang, Police Welfare shows and others, we are invited there to have a leisure time and entertainment, but all our high-rank officers and their families occupy the front row seats and officers like me are guarding their vehicles or are on bandobast. So, entertainment is also subjected to high-ranking officers.”
“If you see the lower strata of police, they are all bleeding and they are not happy because their officers are not doing justice to them, and that’s how the police department is running, bigger the post greater the hypocrisy”, added Ghare.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting Finance Bill 2021 in the parliament.
In a bid to provide a level-playing field, the government has decided not to levy 2 per cent digital service tax if goods and services are sold through the Indian arm of foreign e-commerce players.
The amendment to Finance Bill 2021 clarifies that offshore e-commerce platforms don’t have to pay 2 per cent equalisation levy if they have a permanent establishment or they pay any income tax here.
However, foreign companies who are not paying any tax will have to pay.
The digital tax introduced in April 2020, applies only to non-resident companies with annual revenues in excess of Rs 2 crore and covers online sales of goods and services to Indians.
”Through the government amendment… I intend to clarify that this equalisation levy is not applicable on consideration for goods which are owned by Indian residents,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said why replying to a debate Finance Bill 2021 in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Pointing out that this government is in favour of digital transactions, she said, “We will never do anything to undermine it. But yet, equalisation levy is a tax which has been imposed to give level playing field between Indian businesses who pay tax in India and foreign e-commerce companies who do business in India but do not pay any income tax here.”
The equalisation levy became a contentious issue after the US termed it discriminatory against American firms.
Defending its stand, India had said that the objective of the levy is to provide greater clarity, certainty, and predictability in respect of characterisation of payments for digital services and consequent tax liabilities to all stakeholders, so as to minimise costs of compliance and administration as also tax disputes in these matters.
The equalisation levy is seen as an additional safeguard against BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) and loss of revenue in India due to activities of the e-commerce operators operating in the country. The concept of equalisation levy in India emerged as a result of the deliberations of the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, which crystallised in the BEPS Project report.
‘Quite serious’ matter says SC on Param Bir Singh’s plea, but asks him to approach HC for CBI probe 20
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said there is no doubt that the matter is “quite serious” but ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh should approach Bombay High Court seeking direction for an “impartial and fair” CBI probe into alleged corrupt malpractices of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
A bench of Justices Sanjya Kishan Kaul and R S Reddy granted liberty to Singh to approach the Bombay High Court with his grievances.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Singh, said they would file a petition in the high court today itself.
Singh, a 1988 batch IPS officer, has also sought quashing of the order transferring him from the post of Mumbai CP alleging it to be “arbitrary” and “illegal”. Singh had alleged that Deshmukh had set a Rs 100-crore collection target for the police every month.
