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A Thane court has sentenced a senior citizen to three years of rigorous imprisonment for molesting minor girls in a housing complex. 
Special Judge Ruby U. Malvankar convicted the accused, Pratapmal Hansraj Kothari, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).&nbsp;
The court&rsquo;s order, dated October 1, was made available on Saturday.
According to Special Public Prosecutor Varsha Chandane, Kothari had molested a 12-year-old girl who was visiting the complex during her Diwali vacation in 2020.&nbsp;
The victim informed her mother, following which a case was registered.&nbsp;
During the investigation, police discovered that the septuagenarian had similarly molested another child in the same locality.
The court relied on the consistent testimonies of the victims and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, to establish his guilt.
In its order, the court observed, &ldquo;From the facts and circumstances as well as the evidence before the court, it appears that the accused was habitually committing such offences against children in society. His earlier acts went unnoticed, and this incident brought his misconduct to light.&rdquo;
The court further stated that by acting inappropriately with children&mdash;especially young girls&mdash;the accused had lost the respect generally accorded to elders and did not deserve any undue sympathy.
Kothari was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹5,000 for each of the two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.&nbsp;
The court also directed that the fine amount be paid to the victim as compensation , and referred the case to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for determining additional compensation to the victim.
&nbsp;

Thane court building exterior with justice emblem

Thane court sentences 70-year-old man to 3 years in jail for molesting two minor girls

Thane Court Jails Senior Citizen For Molestation

An attempt to marry off a 16-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Thane district on Wednesday was foiled due to the timely intervention by the authorities, officials said on Wednesday.&nbsp;
The minor girl was to get married to a 24-year-old man, a resident of Solapur.
The authorities swung into action after the Child Welfare Department office in Pune received an anonymous call and they stopped the marriage ceremony in the Ulhasnagar area from Thane district.
Thane district Child Welfare Officer Ramkrishna Reddy said, "The child welfare committee officials, after getting a timely alert, rushed to the venue where family members from both sides and guests had assembled for the wedding ceremony."
After they halted the ceremony, the officers met the parents of the minor girl and the man.
During the questioning, it was revealed that the girl's father was seriously ill and therefore the family wanted to get her married at the earliest, the official said.&nbsp;
A case has been registered against the groom, his and the girl's parents, the priest who was conducting the ceremony and others under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, he said, adding that the girl now has been lodged at a remand home.
According to the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), child marriage not only deprives children of their childhood and infringes upon their rights to education, health, and protection, but also has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities,&nbsp;
Despite a decrease in the prevalence of child marriage, it remains unacceptably prevalent, it said.
It said: "The girls, married off when they are minors, face obstacles in education, financial independence, and community participation, facing increased risks of domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, and complications from early childbirth. Though child marriage impacts both genders, girls are disproportionately affected"
&mdash;IANS

Case has been filed against groom & bride's parents (File Photo)

A 16-year-old minor girl was to get married to 24-year-old boy as her father was ill & wanted her to get married

Cops Foil Child Marriage of Teen in Thane

An innocuous incident of lighting incense (dhoop) led to a huge brawl rekindling the &lsquo;Marathi versus Migrants&rsquo; disquiet in a posh housing complex in Kalyan town of Thane, the home district of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.&nbsp; 
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night when a north Indian member of the Ajmera Heights Society in Yogidham abused some Marathi families. He allegedly summoned over a dozen outsiders who brutally assaulted them with iron rods, pipes and sticks, injuring at least 3 persons.
The clash occurred between the families of Akhilesh Shukla who claimed to be an employee at the Mantralaya (Secretariat) and boasted of high connections, and the Kalvikate family, on Friday morning. Angry members of the cosmopolitan society staged a sit-in protest in the building compound demanding immediate action against Shukla and others involved in the attack.
After the argument over lighting the incense sticks, Shukla abused Lata Balkrishna Kalvikate, 56, even as other neighbours, including Dheeraj Deshmukh and his sibling Abhijit Deshmukh, joined to support her.
&ldquo;All of you Marathis are filthy people. You eat fish and mutton&hellip; You fit in slums and are unworthy to live in such buildings,&rdquo; screamed Shukla, as other society members took strong umbrage.
When Deshmukh and his brother Abhijit intervened, Shukla turned and shouted at them that Marathi people sweep in front of him, and &ldquo;if I call up the Chief Minister&rsquo;s Office, I will show you all your Marathi pride&rdquo;. He threatened to &lsquo;rape&rsquo; Abhijit&rsquo;s wife Monali and his wife Geeta Shukla exhorted their (outsider) supporters &lsquo;not to spare anyone, including women or children and seniors&rsquo;.
The stunned society members told media persons that even Shukla&rsquo;s wife Geeta also pulled the hair and assaulted some of the other women and &ldquo;there&rsquo;s an atmosphere of fear in the area&rdquo;.
Earlier on Wednesday-Thursday night, Shukla&rsquo;s supporters hammered at least three persons, including Abhijit Deshmukh and Dheeraj Deshmukh. Though they were treated at a local hospital, Abhijit Deshmukh has been shifted to a government hospital in Mumbai due to his serious injuries.
Later, upon Dheeraj Deshmukh&rsquo;s police complaint, Shukla was called to the Khadakpada police station, but locals alleged that &ldquo;he was given VIP treatment&rdquo; by the cops and no action was taken including lodging an FIR.
As videos of the fracas went viral on Thursday, the police finally lodged a formal complaint against the Shukla couple and 10 others, but none of them have been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and others raked up the matter, slamming the government for the collapse of law and order in the state, and demanded strong action against the culprits.
Congress&rsquo; Vijay Wadettiwar, SS (UBT)&rsquo;s Aaditya Thackeray, Leader of Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve, Sanjay Raut, NCP (SP)&rsquo;s Dr Jitendra Awhad and an MNS Kalyan leader flayed the MahaYuti regime, protesting that now some persons are raising objections on peoples&rsquo; dietary habits or their attire.
As the issue snowballed, state Shiv Sena Minister Shambhuraj Desai said that he would apprise Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the matter and assured that appropriate action will be taken.
&mdash;IANS

Two of the injured persons after the brawl

Tussle between neighbours at posh housing society in Pune; no complaint lodged yet

Thane: ‘Marathi v/s Migrant’ Brawl Leaves 3 Hurt

Thane: In Bhiwandi of Thane district of Maharashtra, news of stone pelting during Ganapati visaran has come to light. During Ganapati Visharan, some people pelted stones on the idol of Lord Ganesha kept near the Hindustani Masjid in the area, due to which the idol broke. After this people started commotion at the place. The police took action in this case and arrested many people. According to sources, the mob caught a youth and beat him up and handed him over to the police. Regarding the broken statue, people were demanding that the statue will not be dismantled until the police nabs all the stone pelters. As soon as the incident came to know, some more people of the congregation reached there and started chanting Jai Shri Ram. Seeing the situation worsening, DCP and ACP reached the spot with heavy police force. Regarding this matter, the Additional Commissioner of Thane said that the Mohalla Committee and the police used to welcome the Ganesha congregation by building a mandap outside the Hindustani Masjid located on the Vanjarpatti Naka of Bhiwandi city. This has been done here traditionally every year for years. It began peacefully. At around 12 o'clock in the night, devotees were taking the idol from Ghughat town to Kamwari river for immersion. As the Ganesha idol was passing by the Vanjarpatti Naka, there was stone pelting, due to which the idol broke. After this, a brawl broke out between the youths of both the communities. He further said that the police officer present there dispersed the crowd that had gathered for the dissolution. Now the situation is under control. A case has been registered against all those involved in such activity and further action has been taken. The people of Bhiwandi are appealed to maintain a peaceful atmosphere here. Do not pay attention to any rumour. If anyone gets any information, inform the police immediately. No one should spread wrong message regarding this matter. Some people have been detained at the spot. The case is being investigated. --IANS

થાણે: મહારાષ્ટ્રના થાણે જિલ્લાના ભિવંડીમાં ગણપતિ વિસર્જન દરમિયાન પથ્થરમારો થયાના સમાચાર સામે આવ્યા છે. ગણપતિ વિસર્જન દરમિયાન આ વિસ્તારની હિન્દુસ્તાની મસ્જિદ પાસે રાખવામાં આવેલી ભગવાન ગણેશની મૂર્તિ પર કેટલાક લોકોએ પથ્થરમારો કર્યો હતો, જેના કારણે મૂર્તિ તૂટી ગઈ હતી. આ પછી લોકોએ સ્થળ પર હંગામો શરૂ કર્યો. પોલીસે આ કેસમાં કાર્યવાહી કરી અનેક લોકોની ધરપકડ કરી હતી.
સૂત્રોના જણાવ્યા અનુસાર ટોળાએ એક યુવકને પકડીને માર માર્યો હતો અને તેને પોલીસને હવાલે કર્યો હતો. તુટેલી પ્રતિમા અંગે લોકો માંગ કરી રહ્યા હતા કે જ્યાં સુધી પોલીસ તમામ પથ્થરબાજોને નહીં પકડે ત્યાં સુધી પ્રતિમાનું વિસર્જન કરવામાં આવશે નહીં. ઘટનાની જાણ થતાં જ મંડળના કેટલાક વધુ લોકો ત્યાં પહોંચી ગયા અને જય શ્રી રામના નારા લગાવવા લાગ્યા. સ્થિતિ વણસતી જોઈ DCP અને ACP ભારે પોલીસ ફોર્સ સાથે ઘટનાસ્થળે પહોંચી ગયા હતા.
આ મામલાને લઈને થાણેના એડિશનલ કમિશનર એ કહ્યું કે, મોહલ્લા કમિટી અને પોલીસ ભિવંડી શહેરના વંજારપટ્ટી નાકા પર સ્થિત હિન્દુસ્તાની મસ્જિદની બહાર મંડપ બનાવીને ગણેશ મંડળનું સ્વાગત કરતી હતી. અહીં વર્ષોથી પરંપરાગત રીતે દર વર્ષે આવું થતું આવ્યું છે. તે શાંતિપૂર્ણ રીતે શરૂ થયું. રાત્રે લગભગ 12 વાગે ભક્તો મૂર્તિ વિસર્જન માટે ઘુઘાટ નગરથી કમવારી નદીમાં લઈ જઈ રહ્યા હતા. ગણેશ મૂર્તિ વણજરપટ્ટી નાકા પાસેથી પસાર થઈ રહી હતી ત્યારે પથ્થરમારો થયો હતો, જેના કારણે મૂર્તિ તૂટી ગઈ હતી. આ પછી બંને સમુદાયના યુવાનો વચ્ચે બોલાચાલી થઈ હતી.&nbsp;
તેમણે વધુમાં કહ્યું કે, ત્યાં હાજર પોલીસ અધિકારીએ વિસર્જન માટે એકત્ર થયેલી ભીડને વિખેરી નાખી. હાલ સ્થિતિ કાબુમાં છે. આવી પ્રવૃતિમાં સંડોવાયેલા તમામ સામે ગુનો નોંધી આગળની કાર્યવાહી હાથ ધરી છે. ભિવંડીના લોકોને અહીં શાંતિપૂર્ણ વાતાવરણ જાળવવાની અપીલ છે. કોઈપણ પ્રકારની અફવા પર ધ્યાન ન આપો. જો કોઈને કોઈ માહિતી મળે તો તાત્કાલિક પોલીસને જાણ કરવી. આ બાબતે કોઈએ ખોટો સંદેશો ન ફેલાવવો જોઈએ. સ્થળ પર કેટલાક લોકોની અટકાયત કરવામાં આવી છે. કેસની તપાસ ચાલી રહી છે.
--IANS

Stone pelting during Ganesh Visharan in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra

પોલીસ અનેક લોકો સામે ગુનો નોંધી, ધરપકડ કરી

મહારાષ્ટ્રના ભિવંડીમાં ગણેશ વિસર્જન દરમિયાન પથ્થરમારો

ठाणे: महाराष्ट्र के ठाणे जिले के भिवंडी में गणपति विसर्जन के दौरान पथराव की खबर सामने आई है. गणपति विसर्जन के दौरान इलाके के हिंदुस्तानी मस्जिद के पास रखी भगवान गणेश की मूर्ति पर कुछ लोगों ने पथराव कर दिया, जिससे मूर्ति टूट गई. इसके बाद लोगों ने वहां हंगामा शुरू कर दिया. पुलिस ने इस मामले में कार्रवाई करते हुए कई लोगों को गिरफ्तार किया है. सूत्रों के मुताबिक भीड़ ने एक युवक को पकड़ लिया और उसकी पिटाई कर पुलिस को सौंप दिया. टूटी हुई प्रतिमा को लेकर लोगों की मांग थी कि जब तक पुलिस सभी पत्थरबाजों को नहीं पकड़ लेती, तब तक प्रतिमा नहीं तोड़ी जायेगी. घटना की जानकारी होते ही मंडली के कुछ और लोग वहां पहुंच गए और जय श्री राम के नारे लगाने लगे. हालात बिगड़ते देख डीसीपी और एसीपी भारी पुलिस बल के साथ मौके पर पहुंचे। इस मामले को लेकर ठाणे के अतिरिक्त आयुक्त ने कहा कि भिवंडी शहर के वंजारपट्टी नाका पर स्थित हिंदुस्तानी मस्जिद के बाहर मंडप बनाकर मोहल्ला समिति और पुलिस गणेश मंडली का स्वागत करती थी. ऐसा यहां वर्षों से परंपरागत रूप से हर साल किया जाता रहा है। इसकी शुरुआत शांतिपूर्वक हुई. रात करीब 12 बजे श्रद्धालु प्रतिमा को विसर्जन के लिए घूघाट कस्बे से कामवारी नदी ले जा रहे थे। जब गणेश प्रतिमा वंजारपट्टी नाका के पास से गुजर रही थी तो पथराव हो गया, जिससे प्रतिमा टूट गयी. इसके बाद दोनों समुदाय के युवकों के बीच मारपीट हो गयी. उन्होंने आगे कहा कि वहां मौजूद पुलिस अधिकारी ने विघटन के लिए इकट्ठा हुई भीड़ को तितर-बितर कर दिया. अब स्थिति नियंत्रण में है. ऐसी गतिविधि में शामिल सभी लोगों के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कर लिया गया है और आगे की कार्रवाई की गयी है. भिवंडी के लोगों से अपील है कि वे यहां शांतिपूर्ण माहौल बनाए रखें. किसी भी अफवाह पर ध्यान न दें. अगर किसी को कोई जानकारी मिले तो तुरंत पुलिस को सूचित करें। इस मामले को लेकर किसी को भी गलत संदेश नहीं फैलाना चाहिए.' मौके से कुछ लोगों को हिरासत में लिया गया है. मामले की जांच की जा रही है। --आईएएनएस

पुलिस ने कई लोगों के खिलाफ अपराध दर्ज कर उन्हें गिरफ्तार कर लिया है

महाराष्ट्र के भिवंडी में गणेश विसर्जन के दौरान पत्थरबाजी

The police registered a crime against many people and arrested them

Thane: A gas leak was reported at a chemical company in Ambarnath&rsquo;s Morivali MIDC late on Thursday night, causing widespread panic among nearby residents.&nbsp;
Following the incident, residents of Morivali MIDC and surrounding areas complained of eye irritation, difficulty in breathing and throat discomfort.&nbsp;
After receiving information about the incident, the fire brigade team reached the spot and began an investigation.
Due to the gas leakage, a haze fell upon the whole area. The incident is said to have occurred at around 11.15 pm during a routine venting operation.&nbsp;
However, according to a bureau report, the regional officer of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in Kalyan did not personally inspect the gas leak site, but instead, sent a driver. This has led to public outrage and demands for strict action against the MPCB official for negligence.
Incidentally, this is the second gas leak incident reported since 2021. Around 28 residents complained of difficulty in breathing after a gas leak from a MIDC factory and were hospitalized.&nbsp;
The MIDC area houses numerous chemical factories that have frequently been reported for air and water pollution. Residents have long been calling for stricter measures to be taken against these companies, urging the MPCB to enforce regulations and prevent such incidents in the future.
 &mdash;IANS

થાણે: ગુરુવારે મોડી રાત્રે અંબરનાથના મોરીવલી MIDCમાં એક કેમિકલ કંપનીમાં ગેસ લીકની જાણ થઈ હતી, જેના કારણે આસપાસના રહેવાસીઓમાં ગભરાટ ફેલાયો હતો.
આ ઘટના બાદ, મોરીવલી MIDC અને આસપાસના વિસ્તારોના રહેવાસીઓએ આંખમાં બળતરા, શ્વાસ લેવામાં તકલીફ અને ગળામાં તકલીફની ફરિયાદ કરી હતી.
ઘટનાની જાણ થતાં ફાયર બ્રિગેડની ટીમ ઘટનાસ્થળે પહોંચી હતી અને તપાસ શરૂ કરી હતી.
ગેસ લીકેજને કારણે સમગ્ર વિસ્તારમાં ધુમ્મસ છવાઈ ગયું હતું. આ ઘટના રાત્રીના 11.15 વાગ્યે નિયમિત વેન્ટિંગ ઓપરેશન દરમિયાન બની હોવાનું કહેવાય છે.
જો કે, બ્યુરોના અહેવાલ મુજબ, કલ્યાણમાં મહારાષ્ટ્ર પ્રદૂષણ નિયંત્રણ બોર્ડ (MPCB) ના પ્રાદેશિક અધિકારીએ વ્યક્તિગત રીતે ગેસ લીક ​​સ્થળનું નિરીક્ષણ કર્યું ન હતું, પરંતુ તેના બદલે, એક ડ્રાઇવરને મોકલ્યો હતો. જેના કારણે લોકોમાં આક્રોશ જોવા મળી રહ્યો છે અને બેદરકારી બદલ MPCBના અધિકારી સામે કડક કાર્યવાહીની માંગણી કરવામાં આવી છે.
આકસ્મિક રીતે, 2021 પછી આ બીજી ગેસ લીકની ઘટના છે. લગભગ 28 રહેવાસીઓએ MIDC ફેક્ટરીમાંથી ગેસ લીક ​​થયા બાદ શ્વાસ લેવામાં તકલીફની ફરિયાદ કરી હતી અને તેમને હોસ્પિટલમાં દાખલ કરવામાં આવ્યા હતા.
MIDC વિસ્તારમાં અસંખ્ય રાસાયણિક કારખાનાઓ આવેલા છે જે હવા અને પાણીના પ્રદૂષણ માટે વારંવાર નોંધાયા છે. રહેવાસીઓ લાંબા સમયથી આ કંપનીઓ સામે કડક પગલાં લેવાની માંગ કરી રહ્યા છે, એમપીસીબીને નિયમો લાગુ કરવા અને ભવિષ્યમાં આવી ઘટનાઓ અટકાવવા વિનંતી કરે છે.
 &mdash;IANS

Commuters had a tough time maneuvering roads due to low visibility

શ્વાસ લેવામાં તકલીફ, આંખમાં બળતરા અને ગળામાં તકલીફની ઘણી ફરિયાદો

MIDC કેમિકલ ફેક્ટરીમાં ગેસ લીક ​​થવાથી રહીશોમાં ગભરાટ ફેલાયો છે

ठाणे: अंबरनाथ के मोरीवली एमआईडीसी में गुरुवार देर रात एक रासायनिक कंपनी में गैस रिसाव की सूचना मिली, जिससे आसपास के निवासियों में दहशत फैल गई। घटना के बाद, मोरीवली एमआईडीसी और आसपास के इलाकों के निवासियों ने आंखों में जलन, सांस लेने में दिक्कत और गले में दिक्कत की शिकायत की। घटना की जानकारी मिलने के बाद फायर ब्रिगेड की टीम मौके पर पहुंची और जांच शुरू की. गैस रिसाव के कारण पूरा इलाका कोहरे से ढका हुआ था. बताया जा रहा है कि यह घटना नियमित वेंटिंग ऑपरेशन के दौरान रात 11.15 बजे हुई। हालाँकि, ब्यूरो की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, कल्याण में महाराष्ट्र प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (एमपीसीबी) के क्षेत्रीय अधिकारी ने व्यक्तिगत रूप से गैस रिसाव स्थल का निरीक्षण नहीं किया, बल्कि एक ड्राइवर को भेजा। जिससे लोगों में आक्रोश है और लापरवाही बरतने वाले एमपीसीबी के अधिकारी के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की मांग की गई है. संयोग से, 2021 के बाद से यह दूसरी गैस रिसाव घटना है। एमआईडीसी फैक्ट्री से गैस रिसाव के बाद कम से कम 28 निवासियों ने सांस लेने में दिक्कत की शिकायत की और उन्हें अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया गया। एमआईडीसी क्षेत्र कई रासायनिक कारखानों का घर है जिनकी वायु और जल प्रदूषण के लिए बार-बार रिपोर्ट की गई है। निवासी लंबे समय से इन कंपनियों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की मांग कर रहे हैं और एमपीसीबी से नियमों को लागू करने और भविष्य में ऐसी घटनाओं को रोकने का आग्रह कर रहे हैं।
 &mdash;IANS

कई लोग सांस लेने में कठिनाई, आंखों में जलन और गले में खराश की शिकायत करते हैं

एमआईडीसी केमिकल फैक्ट्री में गैस रिसाव से निवासियों में दहशत फैल गई है

Many complained of difficulty in breathing, eye irritation and throat discomfort

Gas leak at MIDC chemical factory leaves residents in panic

Gujarat Congress Internal Dispute: The countdown to the 2027 Gujarat Assembly election has already begun. The 2029 Lok Sabha election is not far away either. The Congress high command is making claims of a change of power in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi is talking about rebuilding the Gujarat Congress from the ground up. There is talk of removing the &lsquo;lame horses&rsquo; and putting the &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; on the field. But looking at the current state of the Gujarat Congress, one question cannot be avoided: before entering the race, will the Congress even be able to get its own team to stand in one line? Before declaring war against the BJP, the Congress is caught in a political battle within its own house. The question is bitter, but necessary: if a party cannot create unity within its own organisation, how does it expect to take on the BJP&rsquo;s formidable organisational machinery in Gujarat?
Leaders Changed, But Why Didn&rsquo;t the Problem? Keeping the 2027 Assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections in mind, the Congress has begun making changes to its Gujarat organisation. The high command wanted to remove the old and inactive structure and bring forward leaders with the ability to fight elections. But when a party repeatedly needs to change its state in-charge, the question becomes bigger than the capability of the individual holding the post. Mukul Wasnik was replaced by Randeep Singh Surjewala as Gujarat Congress in-charge. With the new in-charge came expectations of a new direction, a new strategy and greater discipline within the organisation. Yet, barely had Surjewala taken charge when a controversy erupted within Banaskantha Congress over the organisational structure. That is where the Congress&rsquo;s real trouble begins.
A Symptom of Congress&rsquo;s Organisational Illness Banaskantha is not an ordinary constituency. It is the only Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat that the Congress won in the 2024 general election. That makes it the biggest symbol of political hope for the Congress in Gujarat. So when differences emerge over organisational posts and responsibilities in precisely this constituency, when questions are raised over decisions taken by the state leadership, and when the district organisation itself becomes a subject of controversy, this cannot simply be dismissed as a &lsquo;local dispute&rsquo;. It is a symptom of the Congress&rsquo;s organisational illness. And if this illness continues until 2027, the BJP will be the direct beneficiary. The Congress needs to understand one basic reality: elections are not won through posters, press conferences and speeches by big leaders. Elections are won at the booth. The BJP&rsquo;s organisational machinery is active right down to the booth level. To challenge it, the Congress needs a strong network of workers, clearly defined responsibilities and a united district-level organisation. But here, the very formation of the district organisation is becoming a source of controversy. So where exactly will the Congress find the strength to challenge the BJP at the booth level?
&lsquo;Race Horses&rsquo; or Obstacles in Each Other&rsquo;s Way? Rahul Gandhi talks about identifying the &lsquo;lame horses&rsquo; in Gujarat and bringing the &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; to the forefront. It sounds attractive. But politics does not work that way. Simply choosing good horses does not guarantee victory in a race. The horses must run together rather than pull each other down. The direction of the race must be clear. And the coaching staff cannot be fighting among themselves. Only then can a team win. The Gujarat Congress&rsquo;s problem may not simply be about &lsquo;which leader should be promoted&rsquo;. The real problem is whether the leaders who are brought forward will actually work together. Mukul Wasnik is gone. Randeep Singh Surjewala has arrived. The state in-charge has changed. But if factionalism remains unchanged, internal power struggles remain unchanged, coordination between the district and state organisations remains weak, and organisational decisions themselves continue to trigger controversy, then what exactly is the Congress talking about when it talks of change? Changing faces will not change the Congress&rsquo;s fortunes. Its working style must change. Leadership accountability must be fixed. Factionalism must be brought under control. And above all, the party worker must be given confidence that the Congress is genuinely one team. Because if the Congress wants to fight the BJP, it must first stop its own leaders from fighting each other.
When Will the Political Infighting Within Gujarat Congress End? The biggest illusion for the Congress in the 2027 election would be to assume that public anger against the BJP will automatically translate into Congress votes. Politics does not work that simply. Reaching voters requires sustained ground-level work. It requires a booth-level organisation. It requires coordination among local leaders. It requires worker morale. And above all, it requires leadership running in one direction until election day. If even one of these five links is weak, the entire electoral calculation can collapse. For the Congress, this is no longer the time for experiments. It is the time for decisions. How many state in-charges will be changed? How many meetings will be held? How many times will the organisational structure be reshuffled? The question is no longer who the next Gujarat Congress in-charge will be. The real question is: when will the political infighting within the Gujarat Congress finally end? If every new in-charge is going to inherit the same old disputes, factionalism and internal resentment, then how can a new Congress emerge simply because a new face has arrived?
Will &lsquo;Race Horses&rsquo; Remain Just Another Political Slogan? If the Congress wants to win Gujarat, it must first win within its own organisation. It must win the trust of its workers. It must win the confidence of its district organisations. It must bring its leaders onto one platform. Otherwise, the Congress will lose its internal battle before its fight against the BJP has even begun. And then the talk of &lsquo;race horses&rsquo; will remain nothing more than another political slogan. The Congress has very little time left in the race for power in 2027. If it wants to take on the BJP, it must first stop its own leaders from fighting each other. Because power in Gujarat will not be won through statements from the Gandhi family. It will be won through organisational strength on the ground. The final question is simple: Is the Congress preparing to defeat the BJP, or is it still calculating whom it needs to defeat inside its own house? Want to win Gujarat? Then first, win the Gujarat Congress.

Congress has set its sights on defeating the BJP in Gujarat. But there’s a bigger battle brewing inside its own house.

Congress Wants to Defeat BJP in Gujarat, But Who Will Save Congress From Itself?

Gujarat High Court Launches Study Circle for Advocates: In a major initiative to strengthen the professional skills and legal knowledge of young advocates, the High Court of Gujarat, in collaboration with the Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA), has announced the launch of a Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop) for Advocates Practicing before the High Court of Gujarat with up to 10 years of practice. The programme will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal Announces Study Circle The initiative was announced by Gujarat High Court Chief Justice and Patron-in-Chief of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, Justice Sunita Agarwal, after the Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the High Court Lawns on August 15. The announcement was made in the presence of Justice Bhargav D. Karia, Judge of the Gujarat High Court and President of GSJA, members of the Board of Governors of GSJA, other High Court judges, Senior Advocates and members of the Bar.
Focus on Legal Education and Professional Skills The new Study Circle is being introduced as a continuous legal learning and professional development programme for young members of the Bar. The initiative aims to enhance advocates&rsquo; understanding of legal principles, legal research, drafting and advocacy skills through direct interaction with Senior Advocates and subject experts. The programme is also expected to strengthen academic engagement between the Bench and the Bar and provide advocates with an opportunity to discuss important and evolving legal issues.
Justice Sunita Agarwal Highlights Importance of Continuous Learning Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal highlighted the indispensable role of advocates in the administration of justice. She emphasized that continuous legal education has become increasingly important in an era of rapidly evolving jurisprudence. The Chief Justice also stressed that effective advocacy and strong legal research are essential components of a robust justice delivery system. She appreciated the efforts of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy in conceptualizing and developing the Study Circle programme.
Three Key Legal Modules in First Phase The first phase of the Study Circle will feature three major academic modules covering important areas of High Court practice. Module I will focus on the expanding contours of maintainability in writ jurisdiction under Article 226, an important area of constitutional and administrative law practice. Module II will cover the basic principles of Administrative Law and Second Appeals under Section 100 of the CPC, with particular emphasis on the Doctrine of Substantial Question of Law. Module III will focus on Criminal Law Jurisdiction, particularly the inherent powers of High Courts under Section 482 of the CrPC and Section 528 of the BNSS, including their scope, limitations and principles of judicial discipline.
Study Circle to Be Held Fortnightly The Study Circle is proposed to be conducted on a fortnightly basis, providing advocates with regular opportunities for legal learning and professional interaction. Future sessions will cover a wide range of subjects, including Constitutional Law, Writ Jurisdiction, Arbitration and Conciliation Law, Commercial Law, Public Interest Litigation, Service Law, Taxation Law, Admiralty Jurisdiction, Legal Ethics and Drafting Skills. The programme will also address contemporary legal issues that are particularly relevant to advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court.
Registration to Begin Soon Registration for the Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop Series) for Advocates Practicing in the High Court of Gujarat &ndash; Series of Academic Modules 2026 will begin shortly through the official website of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy. The programme is specifically intended for advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court who have up to 10 years of professional practice.
Registration Fee The registration fee for the Study Circle has been fixed at ₹100 per programme, which will be paid by each participating advocate. The workshops will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad. Advocates attending the workshops will also receive Certificates of Participation.
Major Step Towards Strengthening Justice Delivery The Gujarat High Court and Gujarat State Judicial Academy's new Study Circle is being viewed as a significant step towards professional excellence and development of the legal fraternity. By bringing young advocates, Senior Advocates and legal experts together for regular academic discussions, the initiative aims to improve legal knowledge, research and advocacy skills while strengthening the Bench-Bar relationship. The broader objective is to contribute towards a more effective and efficient justice delivery system in Gujarat.

Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

A chilling video of the accused in the Indore MBA student murder case has sparked outrage after he was seen smiling and appearing unconcerned when questioned about the crime.
The accused, Piyush Dhanotia, was arrested for allegedly raping and murdering his 25-year-old classmate in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Police said he strangled the woman on February 10 inside his rented accommodation and later locked the room before fleeing. Her partially decomposed body was discovered days later after residents complained of a foul smell.
However, what has intensified public anger is the accused&rsquo;s demeanour. In a video that surfaced online, Dhanotia is seen smiling when reporters ask him why he committed the crime. When pressed for answers, he responded dismissively, saying that what had happened had already happened and that he would speak at the right time. Throughout the interaction, he showed no visible sign of regret.
Police officials said he admitted during interrogation that he forced the woman into sexual acts and killed her when she resisted, though he has reportedly changed his version multiple times. Investigators are also examining allegations that he circulated objectionable videos of the victim in their college WhatsApp group.
The victim&rsquo;s father has accused the accused of blackmailing his daughter with obscene images and attempting to extort money.
As the investigation continues, the accused&rsquo;s apparent lack of remorse captured on camera has become a focal point of the case, drawing sharp reactions both online and offline.
&nbsp;

Video shows MBA student murder accused laughing amid probe

Indore Murder Accused Smiles on Camera

Galgotias University has landed in controversy after showcasing a robotic dog at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 that was widely believed to be developed by its students. The robot, however, was later identified as a commercially available product made by Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics.
The backlash began after a video from the summit went viral, in which a university professor introduced the robot dog, named &ldquo;Orion,&rdquo; and referred to it as being developed at the institution&rsquo;s Centre of Excellence. Social media users were quick to point out that the machine closely resembled Unitree&rsquo;s quadruped robots, which are already available globally for research and industrial use.
Unitree is known for manufacturing advanced four-legged robots designed for tasks such as inspection, obstacle navigation and research applications. Its products are often compared to models developed by global robotics players.
Following the uproar, the Greater Noida-based university issued a clarification stating that it never claimed to have built the robot. It maintained that the robodog was purchased as part of its AI investment initiatives and is being used as a research and learning tool for students. Another faculty member present at the summit reiterated that the display had been misinterpreted and that there was no attempt to conceal the original manufacturer&rsquo;s branding.
Despite the clarification, sources familiar with the developments said the university was asked to vacate its pavilion at the summit amid mounting criticism. The institution, however, denied receiving any formal directive from the organisers or the ministry.
Notably, the robotic dog was removed from display shortly after the controversy escalated online.

Robodog row sparks backlash at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Galgotias Asked to Exit AI Summit

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra, who passed away recently. The actor shared the news with an emotional message on social media. His wife, Kiara Advani, has now also paid a heartfelt tribute to her father-in-law.
On Wednesday, Kiara took to Instagram to share pictures from her wedding reception, where she and Sidharth were seen smiling alongside his parents. In a deeply personal note, she remembered Sunil Malhotra as a warm, generous, and steady presence in the family. She reflected on how he welcomed her with open arms and unconditional love, describing his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Kiara wrote that his stories, laughter, and quiet strength would remain with her forever. She added that his legacy of integrity and gentleness lives on through his children and grandchildren. Concluding her message, she expressed that he would always be loved and remembered.
The couple is currently in Delhi with their family during this difficult period. Members of the film industry extended their condolences online. Jacqueline Fernandez offered prayers, while Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra shared messages of support.
On the professional front, Sidharth will next appear in Vvan: Force of The Forest, directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Mishra and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia and is slated for release later this year.
Kiara, meanwhile, awaits the release of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film features Yash, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles. The film is expected to release on March 19, alongside Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar.

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra lost his life in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi&rsquo;s Dwarka, the father of the 17-year-old accused has expressed regret over the incident, stating that his family is &ldquo;deeply grief-stricken.&rdquo; He also confirmed that the Scorpio SUV involved in the accident is part of his commercial transport business.
The crash occurred around 11:50 am on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11, Dwarka. According to police, the SUV rammed into a Yamaha R15 motorcycle, killing Sahil on the spot. The vehicle then struck a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.
Post-mortem findings revealed that Sahil sustained a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, and an elbow injury due to the high-impact collision.
The minor driver was detained at the scene and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving, negligence causing death, and endangering life. He was later presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. On February 10, he was granted interim bail to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered a separate case against the boy&rsquo;s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds guardians or vehicle owners accountable when a minor commits a traffic offence.
Speaking to the media after being questioned, the father said he was not in the city at the time of the accident and was unaware that his son had taken the vehicle. He stated that the family has cooperated with investigators and provided all necessary documents.
Sahil&rsquo;s mother alleged that her son was killed by a &ldquo;reckless teen&rdquo; just minutes away from his workplace. The 23-year-old, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had plans to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom later this year.

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday set aside a March 2025 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that had ruled that grabbing a minor girl&rsquo;s breasts and dragging her under a culvert did not amount to an attempt to rape. The apex court termed the ruling a &ldquo;patently erroneous&rdquo; application of criminal law principles.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, held that the high court had incorrectly reduced the charges from attempt to rape under Section 376 read with Section 511 of the IPC and Section 18 of the POCSO Act to lesser offences. The court restored the original summons issued by the Special POCSO Court in Kasganj, clarifying that its observations were prima facie and would not influence the trial&rsquo;s outcome.
Rejecting the high court&rsquo;s reasoning that the accused had merely &ldquo;prepared&rdquo; to commit rape, the Supreme Court reiterated the settled distinction between preparation and attempt, noting that an attempt begins when intent moves into execution. Based on the allegations, including forcibly taking the minor on a motorcycle, dragging her near a culvert, and fleeing only after she screamed, the Bench held that a prima facie case of attempt to rape was clearly made out.
The proceedings were initiated suo motu after senior advocate Shobha Gupta raised concerns over the high court&rsquo;s reasoning. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the controversial observations and later the entire judgment.
Beyond correcting the legal error, the court addressed a broader concern about insensitivity in judicial handling of sexual offence cases. It requested the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal to constitute a five-member expert committee to frame guidelines aimed at fostering compassion and sensitivity in courts, especially in cases involving minors and vulnerable victims.
The committee, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Aniruddha Bose, has been directed to submit a report within three months. The guidelines are to be drafted in simple, accessible language and tailored to Indian realities to ensure they are understandable to victims and laypersons alike.

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s merchandise imports from Russia plunged by over 40% in January 2026, falling to about $2.86 billion from $4.81 billion a year earlier, official trade figures show, largely reflecting a steep reduction in crude oil purchases.
Crude oil typically accounts for roughly 80% of India&rsquo;s imports from Russia, and estimates suggest purchases of Russian crude last month were significantly lower than in previous years. Other goods imported from Russia include coal, fertilisers, iron, pulses, and precious stones, but these have not offset the slump in oil imports. The downturn in oil imports intensified after mid-2025, following punitive tariffs levied by the United States on Indian goods connected to purchases of Russian oil and ongoing diplomatic pressure. India&rsquo;s refiners, including some major private and state firms, have substantially reduced or halted buying Russian crude as they explore alternative sources.
In early February 2026, Washington eased the additional tariff on Indian products after New Delhi signalled a commitment to &ldquo;stop directly or indirectly importing&rdquo; Russian oil and to increase purchases of energy products from the United States, as well as broadening ties in global energy markets.
Analysts expect the shift in crude sourcing to continue, with Indian refiners eyeing other suppliers, including Middle Eastern and Venezuelan grades, as part of broader diversification strategies.

January sees 40% fall in Russia merchandise imports amid crude cutbacks

India’s Russia Imports Drop Sharply

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Annamayya district for allegedly abducting and murdering a seven-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Madanapalle town.
The child had been playing outside her home on Sunday evening when she went missing, sparking panic among her family and local residents. A missing complaint was filed the following morning, prompting an intensive search operation led by district police.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from across the town, which reportedly showed the suspect, a neighbour living opposite the victim&rsquo;s house, taking the child into his residence. Acting on this lead, police searched the house on Tuesday morning.
During the inspection, officers discovered the girl&rsquo;s body concealed inside a water storage drum within the premises. The accused was present at the house at the time and was immediately taken into custody.
Preliminary findings suggest the child was killed inside the residence on Sunday night, and her body was hidden thereafter. Authorities are probing whether sexual assault occurred before the murder, with confirmation pending post-mortem and forensic examination results.
Following the discovery, tensions escalated in the area. Residents and family members staged a protest on the Madanapalle highway, briefly preventing police from shifting the body to the government hospital for autopsy and demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Police have stated that all possible angles, including prior allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the suspect, are being examined as the investigation continues.

Child’s body found in drum; protest erupts in Madanapalle town

7-Year-Old Killed, Neighbour Arrested

The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened regional tensions. While both sides indicated forward movement in discussions, parallel military developments have added complexity to the fragile engagement.
Reports suggest the US has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 advanced fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-22 and F-16 jets, were reportedly repositioned to the region within a 24-hour window. The deployment follows Washington&rsquo;s decision to send a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to Middle Eastern waters, underscoring its strategic posture.
Despite the show of force, the Geneva discussions were described as substantive and focused. Iranian officials signalled that preliminary understandings were reached on broad guiding principles that could shape a future agreement. However, they cautioned that drafting and finalising any deal would take time.
On the American side, officials maintained that the talks unfolded largely as anticipated. Washington&rsquo;s core objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position repeatedly emphasised by senior US leadership.
Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted. Iran temporarily restricted navigation in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during a naval drill, highlighting the waterway&rsquo;s vulnerability. Additionally, US leaders suggested that differences remain over key conditions laid out by President Donald Trump.
As diplomacy continues, both nations appear to be balancing dialogue with deterrence, leaving the broader geopolitical landscape uncertain.

Second Geneva round shows progress as military moves raise stakes

Thane News