Film actor to Political actor – Navneet Kaur Rana

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March 23, 2021

A small-time regional film actress Navneet Kaur Rana, who is most searched for her bold pictures on Google, had registered a case against unidentified people for circulating her obscene photos on WhatsApp and Facebook. Navneet has alleged that her photos have been shared by many on the social networking site without her permission.

The former NCP leader, whose husband Ravi Rana is an independent MLA from Amravati, has alleged that her obscene pictures have been uploaded by miscreants to tarnish her image. But none of them denied that the pictures are hers.

After a short hiatus from her film career, she married Ravi Rana, an independent MLA from Badnera district of Amravati, in 2011. Gradually she made her way into politics. She was elected as a Member of Parliament from Amravati, Maharashtra in the 2019 Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate.

Kaur was born and brought up in Mumbai. Her father was an army officer and her parents are of Punjab origin; she completed her studies up to 10th standard in Karthika High School. After finishing 12th class, she discontinued her education and began working as a model. She has also worked on a few music videos which are not famous.

Kaur made her debut in the feature film Darshan, a Kannada film. Then made an entry in Telugu with Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi (2004), Chetna (2005), Jagapathi (2005), Good Boy (2005), and Bhuma (2008) are some of her consequent releases. She may not have given a successful film or album but gained quite a lot of popularity for her bold looks.

She was a contestant in the Gemini TV reality show named Humma Humma. She starred in the Malayalam film, Love In Singapore, directed by Rafi Mecartin. In 2010, she acted in the Punjabi film Lad Gaya Pecha opposite Gurpreet Ghuggi. She tried her luck almost in all regional films but none of her films made super-duper hits at box offices.

After a short pause from her film career, on 3 February 2011, she married Ravi Rana. It has been reported that they got married along with 3720 couples in a mass ceremony where many leaders and very important persons, including the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan and Yog Guru Baba Ramdev remained present to bless the newly wedded couples belonging to various castes and religions.

She was a Nationalist Congress Party candidate for Lok Sabha Election 2014 and lost the election. In 2019, She was elected as MP from Amravati, Maharashtra constituency defeating Anandrao Adsul of Shivsena as an Independent candidate with the Support of the Indian National Congress and National Congress Party in Lok Sabha Elections.

After defeating veteran Shiv Sena leader and two-time Member of Parliament (MP) Anandrao Adsul in Amravati constituency, Navneet Kaur Rana came in news. Rana is the only candidate from among the alliance partners of the Congress and NCP who managed to emerge victorious in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Rana has joined the list of the film stars who have been elected to Parliament. She contested the election as a Yuva Swabhimani Paksha (YSP) candidate, a political outfit formed by her husband Ravi Rana. Ravi Rana is also an independent MLA from the Badnera Assembly seat, which is a part of the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency.

This was the second time Rana ran against Adsul. In 2014, she had fought as an NCP candidate but lost by over 1.37 lakh votes. This time, however, she defeated Adsul by 36,951 votes. This is significant considering that the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) had fielded Gunwant Deopare, who polled more than 65,000 votes.

Rana and her husband decided to remain with alliance partners of the Congress-NCP alliance. But after the 2014 state Assembly elections, Ravi Rana, who was elected as an independent candidate, had declared his support to Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

As she came in limelight, Social activist Jayant Wanjari had filed a petition in the Mulund court seeking that she be restrained from using her caste certificate to gain benefits of reservation, including for the Lok Sabha elections, as it was obtained on the basis of fake documents. The court ordered the police to register a first information report (FIR) and investigate the charge and whether the actress had obtained the certificate of scheduled caste according to the law.

Kaur Rana picked despite opposition within NCP. The nomination of actress Navneet Kaur Rana, as a candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party from the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency, surprised party leaders and activists. Many are opposed to her candidature as Ravi Rana had defeated the NCP’s candidate Sulabha Khodke, the wife of the party’s Amravati strongman Sanjay Khodke in the Assembly elections and later associated himself with the Congress.

Rana and her husband are associated with yoga guru Baba Ramdev and a former dance bar owner-turned-news channel baron, who may have pulled strings to get her selected. She and her husband frequently make sharp attacks on Shiv Sena leaders, that is the way of their political life.

MP Navneet Kaur Rana making the allegations to remain in limelight, says Arvind Sawant

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Afternoon Voice

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March 23, 2021

Navneet Kaur Rana Arvind Sawant — MP Navneet Kaur Rana making the allegations to remain in limelight, says Arvind Sawant 3

Shiv Sena parliamentarian Arvind Sawant told Afternoon Voice, “I am Shiv Sainik and I know how to behave with females. Why would I go and threaten Navneet Kaur Rana? What is the relevance? She has a habit of making serious allegations ever since Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power. But Shiv Sainiks always ignored her by maintaining a dignified distance. It is her futile attempt to remain in the news but hardly care.”

Amaravati’s independent MP Navneet Kaur Rana has alleged that Shiv Sena’s leader Arvind Sawant threatened her in the lobby of the Lok Sabha, warning her of being jailed for talking in the House against the Maharashtra government. Relying on her allegation, Sawant said that the lobby is so narrow and there were so many leaders from different political parties. How can I ever utter something like this to her? Meanwhile, in-house opposition was very aggressive by making attacks on Shiv Sena even our leaders exposed their claims, this routine of the house, leaving all other leaders why would one go to her? Is she not trying to grab attention?” Asked Sawant.

The Shiv Sena MP further alleged, “She is scared of getting exposed, our Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul and his son Abhijit Adsul caught Kaur in her false caste certificate case. Adsul also filed a complaint under 156 (3) to expose her. Anand Adsul has also exposed Navneet Rana’s husband Ravi Rana in bank fraud and the couple has links with a builder from Mumbai, Yusuf Lakdawala, who was arrested for a financial bungle of Rs. 50 crore.”

Anand Rao Adsul said, “Ravi Rana had secured a loan worth Rs. 12.5 crore from Punjab National Bank, Shivaji Park branch by mortgaging a government land at Survey No. 49/2E. Navneet’s election campaign is being funded with that money. Builder Lakdawala provided Rs. 80 lakh to the Rana’s and she should come out clear on the connection with this builder who has criminal antecedents, instead of answering the questions she is accusing Shiv Sena leaders every now and then.”

Meanwhile, Rana has informed Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla of receiving acid-attack threats through phone calls and on Shiv Sena letterheads. The Sindhudurg member has, however, denied the allegations and, instead, said he would “stand with” the woman member if anyone threatens her with bodily harm. She should submit the call records and letterheads for more clarity.

Her letter says that Sawant was angry over her raising the issue of the affairs in the Maharashtra government. According to her, he said, “I’ll see how you roam around in Maharashtra”, and “We will put you, too, behind bars.”

In the Lok Sabha, Rana had raised the matter of suspended Maharashtra cop Sachin Vaze, now arrested for his alleged involvement in the Mukesh Ambani bomb threat case and being probed for the related death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren. She had also demanded that the Maharashtra government headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray step down in the wake of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh’s corruption allegations.

Sawant, though, slammed her claims as “brutal lies” and instead accused her of being disrespectful and rude while talking in Parliament. If anything, he said, Rana is the one who keeps threatening everyone. I have never threatened anyone in my life… doing that to a woman is out of the question,” he asked in a video message responding to her allegation. “The House bars naming anyone from outside… but she does it and it goes on the record. Some people are skilled in twisting things and gaining publicity.”

Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant clearing his stand on the allegation put on him by MP Navneet Kaur Rana in the Lok Sabha

Param Bir Singh Vs Anil Deshmukh – The vendetta is visible

By

Vaidehi Taman

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March 22, 2021

param bir singh anil deshmukh — File Photo of Param Bir Singh and Anil Deshmukh | Image Courtesy: Agency

After former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh was transferred on a very humiliating note, he levelled serious allegations against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The fortune of the minister remains steady as opposition parties have called for his resignation but his government in alliance has stood firmly with him. These are just allegations but so far nothing is proven against the home minister.

Former CM of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis demanded Deshmukh’s resignation and called for an impartial probe to be conducted. On the other hand, all the supporting political parties and celebrities came in support of BJP and Devendra. MNS chief Raj Thackeray also demanded the resignation of Deshmukh in his scratching attack over said allegations.

Anil Deshmukh a five-time MLA has the uncanny knack of finding a berth in the state cabinet, irrespective of the party that comes to power in Maharashtra. The sole exception was in 2014 when the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP won the elections and assumed office, while Deshmukh was defeated in his pocket borough Katol by his nephew.

Anil Vasantrao Deshmukh has been a Member of 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, representing Katol (Vidhan Sabha constituency). He also served as the Minister of Food & Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs and Minister of Public Works Department in the Government of Maharashtra.

He also served as Minister of State for School Education, Information and Public Relations and Sports & Youth Affairs and Minister of State for Education and Culture in the Government of Maharashtra. Deshmukh served as chairman of Nagpur Zilla Parishad during the initial years of his political career.

He first got elected to Maharashtra state assembly in 1995 from Katol as an independent candidate. He represented that constituency until 2014. He served as Minister of state in the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government in 1995. His portfolios in that government included Education and Culture. He later joined the Nationalist Congress Party, a party formed in 1999.

When the NCP / Congress alliance came to power in Maharashtra in 1999, he initially served as Minister of State for School Education, Information and Public Relations, Sports & Youth Welfare. Later he was promoted as a Cabinet Minister in the state government. As a cabinet minister from 2001 to 2014, he was responsible for different government departments.

Deshmukh, the man from Katol is no stranger to controversies. In April 2020, he was targeted by a retired IAS officer and Chairman of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), Anand Kulkarni, who threatened to expose the minister.

In the current case, Deshmukh has denied the allegations saying the former Commissioner of Police is trying to `save himself’. The former Commissioner of Police, Param Bir Singh, has made false allegations in order to save himself as the involvement of Sachin Vaze in the Mukesh Ambani and Mansukh Hiren’s case is becoming clear from the investigation carried out so far and the threads are leading to Singh, the Home Minister has claimed.

Deshmukh shot to the limelight in October 2004 as minister of the Public Works Department (public undertakings) in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government. It was a period when the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation was building the ambitious Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Deshmukh was the prominent face during media interactions on the pioneering project but was dropped during the cabinet reshuffle in December 2008 in chief minister Ashok Chavan-led government before the Bandra-Worli Sea Link was inaugurated.

Vimal Mundhada replaced Deshmukh as Minister of Public Works Department, reportedly because he could not speed up projects. In October 2009, however, he made a re-entry into the cabinet as Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. So far he has no corruption cases to his credit. He was never a controversial person as in the recent past.

Even Param Bir Singh has many controversies to his credit. A desperate and impulsive police officer not only lost his own credibility but damaged the reputation of Mumbai police to a great extent. Param Bir Singh’s petition came almost simultaneously with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s press conference in New Delhi during which the veteran leader came out in support of Anil Deshmukh. Pawar said there was no question of removing Anil Deshmukh from the Home Minister’s chair. Probably this must have shaken Singh, because he is aware of his future in the Sachin Waze case.

Let’s assume Deshmukh is corrupt, but that does not give a clean chit to Vaze and Singh for their involvement in the Mansukh Hiren case. Vaze was arrested by the NIA, which is probing the recovery of an explosives-laden vehicle from outside the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani last month and also the alleged murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran, the purported owner of that SUV. When all this happened, Vaze was an investigative officer and Param Bir Singh was Mumbai CP. If at all Deshmukh is wrong but that is not enough to bail out Singh and Vaze for their sins.

Mumbai hoteliers demand probe against Sachin Vaze; suspect Param Bir Singh’s support to him

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Afternoon Voice

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March 22, 2021

Param Bir Singh Sachin Vaze — Mumbai hoteliers demand probe against Sachin Vaze; suspect Param Bir Singh’s support to him 6

Param Bir Singh has moved to Supreme Court submitting a detailed report on the various malpractices of HM Anil Deshmukh and demanding an investigation. The Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had been holding meetings in February 2021 at his residence with police officers including Sachin Vaze and Sanjay Patil, bypassing their seniors and gave them a target to collect Rs. 100 crores every month from various places.

Very senior members of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) have told Afternoon Voice that the infamous API Sachin Vaze had collected money two months before Anil Deshmukh made the supposed demands. Vaze used to call Hoteliers and collected money as soon as he was reinstated.

Maharashtra’s Vaze sage tittle-tattle, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh appealed to the Supreme Court to seek an impartial and fair investigation into the alleged malpractices of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

A reputed shop owner at Mumbai’s Crawford Market, who sells imported goods, said “Vaze had his office at the CIU office inside the compound of the HQ of Commissioner of Police. He would call businessmen from the Food and Beverage and convince them to shed some money every month. Businessmen used to pay because whenever there were raids from SSB officials he used to help us get out of other legal troubles.”

Param Bir Singh’s decision to approach the SC comes amid MVA leaders, including Sharad Pawar, refuting the extortion allegations levelled against the NCP leader. Senior advocate and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi will represent Param Bir Singh in the case.

92-year-old, former Indian police officer Julio Ribeiro said, “Param Bir Singh’s allegations that Home Minister Deshmukh had asked Sachin Vaze ‘to collect Rs 100 crores for him every month, is just ‘unavailable’. Ribeiro rather questioned the integrity of Singh and said when Singh learnt about this collection instructions; he should have gone straight to the Minister and told him that this is not their job. Param Bir’s claims and his letter to the Chief Minister after his transfer are of no use, he added.

In his petition, Param Bir Singh has informed about the various meetings chaired by Home Minister Anil Deshmukh towards the end of February with Crime Intelligence Unit’s (CIU) Sachin Vaze in the presence of his personal secretary.

A woman from Pila House said, “Vaze was cruel, his eyes were very scary and the officer had the ability to dominate people with his position”. We were at peace when he was thrown out of the department, but now he emerged more powerful and all that happened due to political patronage.” When asked is he the only officer who troubled Pila house ladies, she said there are many like him but they would not dare beyond the limit.”

While defecating Deshmukh, Sharad Pawar’s declared that Anil Deshmukh was quarantined from February 15 onwards is challengeable as the state Home Minister had held a press conference on the same day to offer a clarification on celebrity tweets on the issue of farmers’ protest, noting that he had ordered an inquiry into BJP’s IT cell and not on Bharat Ratna’s Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar.

A Bar Owner from Thane Gramin said “Vaze and his associates used to collect regular hafta, we used to be scared of him because he is an encounter specialist and we never know by denying him what fate we would have invited, he further said, “agar ye hafta nahi lega to khabri ko kahase paisa dega? ( if he doesn’t take hafta how will he pay his informers?).”

Shetty Anna (refused to give full name) owner of six Bars across Mumbai said, “We made a lot of complaints to our association, it’s not just Vaze but many police officers like him extort money, we pay to live and do business fearlessly. They exploit female bar workers in the name of investigations.”

“The atrocities never end here, they only raid the bar and they only release us by taking handsome money. All this cannot happen without the senior’s knowledge. The government must take hoteliers into confidence and order a probe against the department. What Parabir saheb is saying might be true but he playing innocent sounds tricky,” he added.

Former Thane police constable told us “Collecting Hafta is not new to Mumbai these officers have assets more than what they earn, they have a mass of properties, their lifestyle and so-called flashing around gets them in this vitiating cycle of bribe collection.”

Why was Singh quiet for so many days after (API) Sachin Vaze’s arrest?

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Vaidehi Taman

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March 21, 2021

param bir singh, param, deshmukh, anil, home minister anil, hm anil deshmukh, sachin vaze, vaze, cp, mumbai police, antilia, mukesh ambani — Why was Singh quiet for so many days after (API) Sachin Vaze’s arrest? 8

Given the fact that the allegations Param Bir Singh made against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh are very serious in nature. Has he surrendered to BJP and trying for image building? Or he is irked with the statements given by Anil Deshmukh to media, that there were serious lapses committed at Singh’s office, by the Mumbai Police and he in the investigation of the Antilia incident; Deshmukh said Singh’s serious lapses are not pardonable, and his transfer was not on administrative grounds.

Singh has held many important posts in the Maharashtra police. Before becoming DG-ACB, he had served as the Commissioner of Police at Thane. During his tenure as CP in Thane, he had arrested Iqbal Kaskar, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, in an extortion case. He had also busted a major drug cartel during his tenure in Thane. Singh had also served as the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) in the state. How come such an efficient cop failed under Maha Vikas Aghadi?

When Param Bir Singh was replaced with Sanjay Barve, Singh was Director-General of Police for Anti Corruption Bureau (DG-ACB). A number of officers, other than Param Bir Singh, were in the race to become Mumbai CP. They included Hemant Nagrale, Rashmi Shukla, Rajnish Seth, Bipin Bihari, and Sadanand Date; one can imagine why Singh was chosen among all these officers.

An officer, who stood by his oath as a Police Officer for 32 years was rummaged through so many attacks from politicians, media, and social media. Singh’s transfer was effected under section 22N (2) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951 with the reason that his transfer was demanded by administrative emergencies. The reason for his transfer was to ensure a free and fair investigation in the Antilia incident.

Well, Param Bir Singh was transferred to the Home Guard and then he made serious allegations but when he was Mumbai Police Commissioner, he never levelled such charges against the home minister. What has made him speak now and remain silent then? Why did he selectively pick Anil Deshmukh? Just because Shiv Sena defended him saying that his transfer does not make him a criminal, and alleged that a “particular lobby in Delhi” was upset with him as the TRP scam came to light during his tenure?

After realizing that he would be removed as the CP on March 17, a day earlier (March 16) Singh called ACP Sanjay Patil, asked him some questions, and got the answers he wanted. Even in Maharashtra, Vinod Rai tendencies are in administration. Congress alliance government didn’t come to know about Satyapal Singh. The letter clearly appears to be a postscript. Conversation being shown today should have happened a year ago. No sane person would do that after the Antelia case.

How did BJP level the same allegations of ransom earlier? If the SSR case can be registered in Patna, why can’t Mohan Delkar’s case be investigated in Mumbai where he committed suicide? As per CRPC investigation takes place where the incident took place. Do so-called SMS proofs appear to be manufactured for self-defense?

Well! Even if Singh’s allegations proven to be futile, are we not aware that the “Hafta” is collected in Mumbai right from small shopkeepers to Bollywood this is nothing new, be it any government ask any Mumbai restaurant and bar owners they will confirm the narrative. Most of the Mumbaikars are aware of it that Police are equally corrupt as politicians here.

To come clean, Param Bir Singh should reveal how much money he and his officers collected so far and gave it to the Home Minister until he was removed as CP. He should also swear and tell that his officers never collected any money for any other previous governments. Is he indicating the money counting machine that was found in Vaze’s car? What Singh is trying to say? Is this the first time Singh is facing such a situation?

Controversies are not new to Singh, then why is he in a hurry to bring the state home minister in a bad light? In 2009, Param Bir Singh was accused of falsely framing the co-owner of Provogue, Salil Chaturvedi in a drug case. However, later Chaturvedi was acquitted of the case. One of the most controversial tenures of Param Bir Singh was during his days he was the Additional Commissioner of Police (ATS). He was accused of severe torture by Sadhvi Pragya Singh.

Sadhvi Pragya had alleged that Khanvilkar, Param Bir Singh, and (late) Hemant Karkare – all men – tortured her. Never before or after Independence has a woman been tortured like she was.

Another accused and retired army officer Ramesh Upadhyay had also made similar charges against Singh saying he was tortured by Additional Commissioner of Police (ATS) Parambir Singh and Sukhwinder Singh in custody.

After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against these officers and their suspension on the charges that officers such as Param Bir Singh had failed to follow orders of the then police commissioner. The petitioner had claimed that the senior officers obeyed the orders, the terror situation would have been brought under control much earlier and many lives could have been saved.

₹100 Crore a Month; Anil Deshmukh to sue Param Bir Singh for defamation

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 21, 2021

anil deshmukh, mumbai police, police commissioner, param bir singh, sharad pawar, maharashtra, rs 100 crore, 100 crore, defamation — ₹100 Crore a Month; Anil Deshmukh to sue Param Bir Singh for defamation 10

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Maharashtra got in turbulence since Param Bir Singh, accused state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh of corruption and interference in police work. The unpredictable indictment prompted calls by the opposition for the resignation of Deshmukh who denied the charges and said he will take legal action against Singh for defamation.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh told Afternoon Voice, “Time will enlighten who is telling lies; I am taking legal opinion to counter this ongoing controversy. Singh who was transferred due to his inefficiency to handle law and order fears for his fate in the ongoing investigation in the Sachin Vaze case.”

Param Bir Singh in his letter said, “In and around mid-February and thereafter, the Home Minister had called Vaze to his official residence. At that time, one or two staff members of the Home Minister including his Personal Secretary, Palande, were also present.”

In his letter, Param Bir Singh further stated that Sachin Vaze, who was heading the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police was called by Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to his official residence Dyaneshwar several times in the last few months and repeatedly instructed to assist in the collection of funds for him.

For achieving the target, Deshmukh told Vaze that there are about 1,750 bars, restaurants, and other establishments in Mumbai and if a sum of Rs 2-3 lakhs each was collected from each of them, a monthly collection of Rs 40-50 crores was achievable.”

Deshmukh denied the charges and said that the allegations against him are “totally bogus and baseless”

Singh had told Thackeray in the ‘letter’ that Deshmukh had asked suspended cop Sachin Vaze, embroiled in the Antilia bomb scare case, to ‘collect’ Rs. 100 crore every month for him from bars, restaurants, and other establishments.

“The letter from Param Bir Singh was received at 4:37 pm today via a different email address, not his official one, and was without his signature. The new email address needs to be checked. The Home Ministry is trying to contact him for the same,” the Maharashtra CMO informed. “An unsigned letter in the name of Param Bir Singh, commandant general of Home Guards” was received on the official email ID of the chief minister’s secretariat in the afternoon, the Chief Minister’s Office said. The email ID from where the letter was sent was being verified and the state home department was trying to contact Singh, the statement said.

Reacting to Singh’s letter, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said, “These allegations are more explosive than those gelatin sticks. Chats were attached with that letter. It’s important evidence. The HM should resign now. If he does not, then Uddhav should. A court-monitored inquiry should happen. But, before that Deshmukh should resign. Why didn’t Uddhav act on time when, as per the letter, Param Bir told him earlier about all these things?”

While speaking over the allegations against Maharashtra home minister, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar said on Sunday that the allegation leveled against Deshmukh is “serious”.

He also said Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will take appropriate action into the allegations, and asked the administration to conduct an in-depth inquiry in connection with the case.

Sachin Vaze case: Raj Thackeray urges Centre to intervene to find out the truth; demands Deshmukh’s resignation

By

Web Team

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March 21, 2021

Raj Thackeray on Anil Deshmukh — MNS Cheif Raj Thackeray holds a press conference on Sunday at his residence. | Screengrab

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray sought the Centre’s intervention in unearthing the truth behind the explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence last month.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Thackeray alleged that the Maharashtra government was incapable of shedding light on several basic points in the case.

“The explosives case doesn’t revolve only around (former Mumbai police commissioner) Param Bir Singh and (suspended Mumbai police officer) Sachin Vaze. Police placing the explosives or being asked to do so is not a small thing,” he said.

The Centre should help in finding out the truth in the case. The basic issue of who placed the explosives-laden vehicle and on whose instructions, it was done needs to be found out, the MNS chief said.

“The basic issue should not be forgotten, otherwise, this case will go the same way as actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s (death) case,” he said.

Thackeray said it seems very unlikely that the vehicle with explosives was parked near Ambani’s house by Vaze without being asked to do so.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) last week arrested Vaze in connection with the case. He was later suspended by the government.

Former Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh, who was under flak over handling of the bomb scare episode, was transferred from the post on Wednesday. On Saturday, he wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore per month from bars and hotels.

Thackeray asked why there is no clarity yet from the state government as to why Param Bir Singh was shunted out.

“Was it because he is linked to the placing of the vehicle? And if Singh is involved, why didn’t the state government take action against him instead of just a transfer?” he asked.

Thackeray said the source of the Gelatine sticks in the vehicle has also not been revealed yet.

He said Mukesh Ambani and Uddhav Thackeray share an extremely warm relationship.

Thackeray also raised question marks over the threat letter found in the vehicle, saying, “Is it so easy to extort money from Ambani?”

“Will the police on their own dare to try to extort money from an industrialist, who shares very warm relations with the chief minister,” he asked.

He reiterated his demand for the resignation of Anil Deshmukh for ensuring a free and fair probe over the allegations against him.

Sanjay Raut says, the image of MVA govt has tainted after Param Bir Singh’s letter, Vaze case; asks allies to introspect

By

Web Team

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March 21, 2021

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena, Sena, Facebook, Galwan Valley, Face Off, China-India — Sanjay Raut says, the image of MVA govt has tainted after Param Bir Singh's letter, Vaze case; asks allies to introspect 13

Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut admitted that the allegations made by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, and the Sachin Vaze case have tainted the image of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state, and said all allies need to introspect if their feet are on the ground.

Talking to reporters, he also said that ”something needs to be rectified” and the ruling allies should come together to discuss how these stains can be washed off.

His statements come in the wake of Param Bir Singh’s letter sent on Saturday to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in which he has alleged that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect at least Rs 100 crore from city bars and hotels every month, a charge denied by the minister.

“Such allegations against the government or ministers are unfortunate and shocking. The contents (of Singh’s letter) are sensational,” he said.

“The veracity of the letter’s contents will be done by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and (NCP president) Sharad Pawar. The MVA government has completed a year-and-a-half now and all allies need to introspect if their feet are on the ground,” he said.

Raut said the police administration is the backbone of any government.

The backbone is symbol of pride and self-respect and the government should always strengthen it, he added.

“This government is doing well. But now something needs to be rectified and the MVA allies should get together to discuss how the stain can be washed off,” he said.

“I have to accept that these allegations and the Vaze case have tainted the image of the government… Uddhav Thackeray has always tried to keep the government’s image clean. What happens because government officials need to control at the right time,” the Shiv Sena MP added.

Raut said that Deshmukh himself has called for an investigation into the allegations against him.

“Even as the state investigative agencies are under Deshmukh, he has asked the chief minister to order a probe,” he said.

The Sena leader said he would try to meet Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Raut tweeted a two-line Hindi poem, of which one line says, “We are only in search of new paths”. When asked about what he meant by it, he only said, “You will know the meaning soon.”

AAP questions Aaditya Thackeray over the safety of Aarey

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 19, 2021

images 1582624904011 aaditya thackeray — Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray | Image Courtesy: Aaditya Thackeray/Instagram

In a scathing attack, the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday said they strongly condemned the Maharashtra government’s inaction and indifference, towards the string of successive fires at the Aarey forests. The fires seem conspicuous and raise several unanswered questions, such that sabotage, through arson cannot be ruled out.

Questioning the Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, AAP asked, “What he is doing? This is a gross dereliction of duty. What happened to all the tall claims to save Aarey? Is this a back door attempt to cheat Mumbaikars, and grab Aarey for the builders?”

Preeti Sharma Menon, AAP Mumbai leader said, “We demand a report from the Fire Department as to the number of fires in the last two months, how far the fires were from each other, whether the land on which the fires took place is part of any proposals submitted by builders, and why the Fire Department is not investigating any foul play.”

“This is a pattern. We first saw this in the case of Mumbai’s mangroves, where the mangroves were burnt down, the land was reclaimed, and then occupied. Post this, an attempt was made to pass off this occupied land as a non-forested area. Now this is happening with Aarey”, claimed AAP.

The Aam Aadmi Party has always been at the forefront of the fight to save Aarey. We will not tolerate the indifference of the Maharashtra government, as well as the BMC, which has been turning a blind eye to these fires. As per reports on the ground from locals, vested interests are involved in these fires – with a clear attempt of destroying the forest and encroaching the land, added Menon.

This comes following after several fire incidents were reported in Aarey earlier in this month. On March 6, there was a big fire in Aarey near Modern Bakery, which was put out by Mumbai Fire Brigade. Then in the same week, at least three major fires were reported from the area.

List of total fires which have been compiled by activists and residents on the ground

1. 18th March – Royal Palms, Imperial Palace Hotel slope

2. 18th March – Unit No. 32

3. 17th March – between aarey dairy and unit 16 school

4. 16th March – Unit No. 3

5. 15th March – Daytime fire Vihar Lake road

6. 14th March – Huge fire unit no.16 near Aarey Dairy.

7. 14th March – Smoke from unknown second sight

8. 13th March – Night big fire near Aarey Dairy CEO Bungalow. No attempt by CEO to contact fire brigade

9. 11th March – Unit 22, opposite metro shed in front of police camera

10. 7th March – Jambori Maidan and in front of Khadakpada

11. 6th March – Modern bakery, daytime

12. 5th March – Modern bakery, night

13. 5th March – Unit no. 1 Oshiwara river

14. 3rd March – Tapeshwar temple – in front of temple

15. 2nd March Night – In front of Khadakpada

16. 25th February – Bangoda /Filter Pada/Jambori Maidan

17. 21st February – Aarey Guest house Dongar. 2 fires; First in evening, Second at night.

18. 15th February – Royal Palms fire

19. 8th February – Tapeshwar temple at MMRCL transplantation plot by Hari Infra

20. 7th February – Tapeshwar temple at MMRCL transplantation plot by Hari Infra

21. Post fire, JCB work ongoing at the Raheja fire plot at Dindoshi hill

COVID-19: No Lockdown for Mumbai; Strict rules are implemented

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 19, 2021

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Maharashtra government has imposed new rules to curb COVID-19 transmission as cases continue to soar in the state. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra issued new guidelines, and urged people to follow COVID-19 protocols. Establishments have been asked to ensure social distancing and provide hand sanitizers at multiple locations. Auditoriums and theatres in Maharashtra are allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity. Concerned establishments must ensure the presence of enough manpower to enforce wearing of masks and maintaining social distances by all visitors all the time. Drama halls and auditoriums are not allowed to be used for any religious, social, political or cultural gatherings.

BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani also preferred the state government’s imposed rules over lockdown like situation. Kishori Pednekar, Mumbai mayor asked people not to violate imposed rules. She appealed to people to obey the government and BMC’s instructions and maintain safety.

State Minister Nawab Malik told Afternoon Voice, “So far no decision is taken regarding lockdown in Mumbai, but people must cooperate by following the rules and norms imposed by the state government, Or else, stern action would be taken against violators”.

Whereas Mumbai Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said, “Since COVID-19 cases are on the rise, the situation in Mumbai is not that bad, we are able to control the situation. I am personally visiting various medical centres to ensure the progress in vaccination drive”.

State health minister Rajesh Tope asserted that the lockdown is not a solution but the people need to be more responsible towards their acts. Every individual is asked to take responsibility for his/her family.

PM Modi also urged the nation on the need to take quick decisive steps. He told in his virtual speech, “We need to soon stop the emerging second peak of corona”. He also strongly emphasized on wearing a mask.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to conduct rapid antigen tests at all crowded public places such as malls, markets, shopping complexes, bus stations, and railway stations. A person will be allowed entry into such premises only if they test negative for COVID-19.

In the case of government/semi-government offices, the head of the office is given choice to take a decision regarding the staff attendance ensuring adherence to all COVID-19 protocols.

According to the order, the manufacturing sector can function at full capacity. However, it is advised that the workforce be reduced to ensure adequate social distancing on the production floor, the state government said. -For the purpose of maintaining social distancing, manufacturing units may be allowed to increase the working shifts as approved by the local authorities.

If any manufacturing firm is found to be violating the norms, apart from being penalized it shall also be asked to remain closed till the pandemic ends.

Maharashtra reported a single-day spike of 25,833 COVID-19 cases taking the tally to 2,396,340. The toll from the viral disease has gone up to 53,138. In light of the spurt in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai.