The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in a letter to party workers and well-wishers told them not to throng his residence Shivtirth at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, Dadar to wish him on his birthday on June 14, as he would be out of Mumbai with his family. Instead, he instructed party workers to celebrate his birthday by doing good work for the people, while assuring them that he would soon come to meet them. माझ्या तमाम महाराष्ट्र सैनिकांनो आणि हितचिंतकांनो, सस्नेह जय महाराष्ट्र ! pic.twitter.com/tNKyuHkCgm — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) June 11, 2025 "It is not possible to meet you on June 14, which is of course my birthday, because on this day I am going out of Mumbai with my family. The question may arise in your mind or others why I won't celebrate my birthday? Is there any special reason? But I sincerely tell you that there is actually no particular reason. Therefore, do not read too much into it. I will not be able to meet you on June 14," said Raj Thackeray in his letter to the party workers. He further said, "For the past several decades, you all have come from every corner of Maharashtra on my birthday. I don't get to talk to you that day, but seeing you and meeting many of you is energising. If I have earned anything in life, it is your immense love. And for this love, I have been indebted to you all my life and will continue to be so.” He added, “Together, let us strive to build a prosperous Maharashtra.” Raj Thackeray has been in headlines amid talks of an alliance with his estranged cousin brother Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) for the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Interestingly, Uddhav Thackeray, last week, said, “Whatever Maharashtra has in mind will happen.” Although he declined to divulge further details, Uddhav Thackeray added that he will not give any indication now but will give the news in a few days. “I told you in just one sentence, we are looking into all the nuances in this regard. Also, I will not just give you a message but direct news. There is no confusion in the minds of my Shiv Sainiks. Therefore, what I am saying is that rather than giving messages, we will give whatever news we want to give," said Uddhav Thackeray in his comment. Uddhav Thackeray’s statement came after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told reporters, “Perhaps there had been a phone call between the two (Raj and Uddhav) regarding an alliance.” (With inputs from Agencies)
12 June,2025 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Nana Patole ignited a fresh controversy on Thursday as he mocked the Operation Sindoor and compared it with a children's video game, thereby receiving flak not just from the BJP but across party lines. Patole, the former Maharashtra Congress chief, also broke ranks with the party's line as his mockery of the nation's braves questions the integrity of the armed forces and also the unprecedented operation that they undertook on May 6-7 to hit terror bases in Pakistan. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, reacting sharply to Patole's controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor, said that Congress leaders have a habit of insulting the Armed forces, and this statement again shows that 'Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath' (Congress is hands in gloves with Pakistan). "Does Congress think that the courage of our soldiers, the action taken against terrorism and the struggle to protect Mother India is also a game? Congress has maintained a low mentality, like asking for proof of surgical strikes. But today the country is aware. The country is seeing who is standing with the heroes and who is with Pakistan! India will never forgive your anti-national mentality. Your mind and brain have become corrupt,” he further wrote on X, condemning the disgusting remarks. BJP's Maharashtra unit also took to X to call out Patole and the Congress party and said that previous regimes sent love letters to Pakistan and hoped for 'Aman ki Asha', but the Modi government is teaching them 'Brahmos ki Bhasha'. Other parties, including NDA allies, were equally critical of Patole for belittling and trivialising the valour of the armed forces. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Malook Nagar said, "Nana Patole is doing exactly what the Uttar Pradesh Congress president did earlier before the military conflict. He mocked the Rafale jet, calling it a toy and tying lemon and green chillies to it. And it was with that same Rafale that we entered Pakistan and struck them. What Patole is saying is nonsense." JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar also lashed out at the Congress leader, stating that our Army punished the perpetrators in Pakistan, all-party delegation took the message to the world, but the Congress party continues to ignore everything, out of convenience. "They are questioning the courage and valour of security forces. Nation won't accept this," he said. Former Maha Congress chief found himself in line of fire over remarks, where he said, "The statement of the External Affairs Minister made it clear which places in Pakistan we were going to target. Then they removed their people from those places. This means that it was like a game that children play on computers. India had told Pakistan in advance which places they were going to attack." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 June,2025 02:14 PM IST | | IANSThe Indian Coast Guard, in conjunction with various other agencies, is diligently working around the clock to mitigate a significant fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503. This incident occurred earlier this week due to an explosion of a container while the vessel was en route to Mumbai from Colombo, off the coast of Kerala, according to news agency PTI. "Approximately 40 per cent of the fire has now been brought under control. The vessel remains afloat but is unmanned and is gradually drifting southeast in the Arabian Sea," as stated in updates provided by the Director General of Shipping, reported PTI. In a notable advancement, a team of salvage experts, alongside Coast Guard divers, successfully boarded the vessel. This group includes the Salvage Master, who is currently overseeing the situation from onboard. Authorities have indicated that efforts are now concentrated on maintaining the vessel's distance from the coast and fully extinguishing the fire. The firefighting operations, focusing on the forward cargo holds of the ship, are being directed by Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Samarth. These ships are employing foam and boundary cooling techniques to prevent the fire from escalating. "Hydrocarbon vapours have been observed by the salvage master, indicating possible heat transfer near fuel tanks. Continuous onboard assessments are being conducted to monitor any escalation," the DG Shipping said, reported PTI. At the same time, Rajdoot, Arnvesh, Abhinav, and ICGS 513 are carrying out search and rescue operations in the area. Of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. After an earlier attempt failed, a tow connection was successfully made between the cargo ship and the Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily, as well as a Coast Guard asset. This was achieved through joint efforts by the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) and ICG personnel. Authorities say there is still a risk due to hazardous cargo and hydrocarbon vapours near the fuel tanks. However, officials from the Directorate General of Shipping say stabilisation work is ongoing, and daily meetings are being held with all involved, including the Indian Navy, maritime agencies, and the ship's owners. The Coast Guard also flew in five team members, including three salvage experts and two rescue divers, to support the operation. Extra firefighting supplies, including more foam and dry chemical powder, are being sent in to assist the crew battling the blaze, officials said. (With PTI inputs)
12 June,2025 01:27 PM IST | Kerala/Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MNS head Raj Thackeray met at a hotel in Mumbai on Thursday morning, reported news agency PTI. The meeting comes amid speculation over rapprochement between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his politically estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Senior BJP leader Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray met at a five-star hotel in Bandra area in the morning, sources confirmed but declined to elaborate, reported PTI. When contacted, BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said the two leaders are good friends and may have met to discuss development issues related to the state, reported PTI. The Maharashtra government this week set in motion the process of holding the local body polls by issuing orders for ward delimitation for 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai. There has been speculation about a possible reconciliation between the Thackeray brothers ahead of the polls. The estranged Thackeray cousins sparked the buzz with their recent statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. While Raj Thackeray has said uniting in the interest of "Marathi manoos" (Marathi-speaking people) is not difficult, Uddhav Thackeray has insisted he is ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests are not entertained. Raj Thackeray extended support to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but his party contested the state assembly polls in November last year on its own. Ready to come for interests of Maharashtra, Marathi manoos, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said his party is ready to come together with anyone who will work to protect the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos. Aaditya Thackeray's statement comes amid the rapprochement buzz between the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Talking to reporters In Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of "swallowing" Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said injustice is being meted out to Maharashtra by the BJP. "We have been saying this consistently. We are ready to work with anyone, any party that is ready to work in the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos," he said, according to the PTI. "Our responsibility is to bring in change. Any party that is working to protect the interests of Maharashtra needs to come together and fight," he said on a question on an alliance between the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT), the news agency reported. (With inputs from PTI)
12 June,2025 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Thane district has kept 15 isolation beds ready at two civic hospitals to meet any urgency, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. Maharashtra reported 107 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the total of viral infections detected in the state so far this year to 1,700, as per the public health department, reported PTI. Two more deaths of Covid-19 patients also were recorded in the last couple of days, taking the toll since January to 21, an official release on Wednesday said. Of the new infections, 34 were recorded in Mumbai, one in Thane district, seven in Thane Municipal Corporation limits, five in Navi Mumbai, one in Kalyan Municipal Corporation, four in Pune district, 44 in Pune Municipal Corporation, seven in Pimpri Chinchwad, one in Sangli, two in Sangli Municipal Corporation and one in Nagpur Municipal Corporation, it said, reported PTI. As part of Covid-19 preparedness, 10 isolation beds have been kept ready at the Bai Rukmini Bai Hospital and five at the Shastri Nagar Hospital, and RT-PCR and antigen testing kits are available, KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal told reporters. "People should report symptoms promptly and not panic," he said. On monsoon preparedness, he said a 24x7 emergency control room is operational at the municipal headquarters, with deputy commissioner-level officers on night duty. Emergency rooms have also been activated in ward offices, with specially assigned multi-departmental teams. An NDRF team has already arrived to coordinate disaster response and awareness, the official said. Reaffirming the civic body's commitment to quality education, Goyal said the KDMC will launch five semi-English schools from the academic year 2025-26. "To ensure quality education, a guardian officer has been appointed for every municipal school," he added, reported PTI. The civic body also unveiled initiatives under the BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) method, introducing mural-based learning and improving school infrastructure, including repairs, furniture and timely distribution of books, uniforms and essentials. Under the "Nipun" programme, primary education will be prioritised, with digital quality monitoring through the Vinoba Bhave App and regular inspections by guardian officers, the civic body said. (With inputs from PTI)
12 June,2025 12:00 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentJust over two weeks ago, the city witnessed heavy rainfall, following which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officially declared the early onset of the monsoon in Maharashtra, including Mumbai. However, for the last week, the city has been experiencing a dry spell. Despite the initial downpour and widespread alerts, the rain has all but vanished, leaving residents puzzled and coping with constant fluctuations in humidity levels. According to the IMD, Mumbai’s forecast for Wednesday predicted “light to moderate rain/thundershowers”, but there was no sign of rain throughout the day. This absence of rain has caused humidity levels to fluctuate once again. As per IMD data, humidity levels in early May had touched 90 per cent, which dropped to around 60 per cent after the heavy rains that lashed the city on May 26. With no rain for the past week, humidity levels have once again climbed to approximately 75-80 per cent. This abrupt pause in rainfall and the frequent fluctuations in humidity, health experts say, are not just meteorological anomalies but also public health concerns. While cold, cough, flu, and vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria are common during the monsoon, doctors are now reporting a spike in allergies and other infections linked to these changes. Severe nasal allergies “When humidity increases, people tend to breathe heavily. This results in more germs being inhaled, especially if someone is spending more time outdoors than indoors. It leads to nasal tract irritation and allergies. People then blow their noses forcefully, which can potentially damage their eardrums or lungs. I've also seen a rise in sinusitis cases. Those already suffering from sinusitis are especially vulnerable as bacteria flourish with fluctuating humidity levels. This leads to severe headaches and disorientation,” explained Dr Sanjeev Mehta, pulmonologist at Lilavati Hospital. Sharing her experience, Meeta Dev, who suffers from minor asthma, said, “I had stopped using my pump in May because pollution and humidity levels had dropped. But after consulting my doctor, I discontinued it. I usually use it once a day since my asthma isn’t severe. However, last week I had difficulty breathing, and my doctor advised me to resume the pump twice daily for at least a month, as I had developed an allergy in my lungs.” Fatigue and body pains A senior doctor from one of the city’s civic hospitals noted a rise in complaints of body pain and mild fever. “Generally, when the monsoon begins, we see more cases of dengue and malaria, along with routine cough and cold. But in the last 15 days, we’ve seen more patients complaining of fatigue and severe body aches, especially joint pain. This can be attributed to the fluctuating humidity, which leads to increased sweating, especially among the working-class population,” the doctor explained. Fungal infections on the rise While fungal infections are typically associated with summer, the constant humidity changes make it harder for the body to adapt. “We’ve observed more cases of ringworm, especially in areas with excessive sweating, such as the skin folds. This is because blocked sweat glands lead to increased moisture and fungal growth. People prone to fungal infections should immediately change wet or sweaty clothes after reaching home or work,” said Dr Trupti Gilada, consultant infectious disease specialist at Saifee Hospital. Doctors advise caution As a preventive measure, doctors unanimously advise against self-medication during such transitional weather. “If the golden hour is missed, patients often require stronger medication later, which can have adverse effects on the body,” warned Dr Mehta. Instead, they recommend visiting a general physician at the first sign of health trouble during this delicate season.
12 June,2025 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe flooding of railway tracks during the monsoon months in Mumbai could be a thing of the past, as a network-wide comprehensive master plan is being developed, keeping in mind the city’s geography, to tackle waterlogging decisively. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), as first revealed to mid-day, has initiated this study on flood assessment and mitigation measures. This involves exploring the Japanese model of underground holding ponds, such as 70-metre-tall underground floodwater cathedrals that comprise Tokyo’s Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (MAOUDC), an engineering marvel completed in 2006 after 13 years of construction. Such flood ponds could store water during high tide, preventing waterlogging once and for all. mid-day had first highlighted the issue in a front-page report in its April 3, 2025, edition. A severely waterlogged Curry Road railway station on June 16, 2013. File Pic/Atul Kamble Why flooding occurs The geographical location of Mumbai is such that it is flanked by the Arabian Sea and the Thane Creek. The western and eastern side suburban rail networks are located along the periphery, thus causing rainwater to pass through outlets below railway tracks before entering the sea or creek. Blockages and silting of the railway’s bridges and culverts have considerably reduced their ability to drain water. Plastic, garbage, and other litter find their way into these waterways. Though annual exercise of cleaning of cross drains is undertaken before the monsoon season, it is not feasible at all times due to site constraints. The constraints The drainage network of Mumbai is about a century old, with a design suitable for optimum drainage at rainfall up to 25 mm per hour at low tide. Thus, any rainfall of higher intensity for a prolonged duration or rainfall coinciding with high tide eventually results in water stagnating, affecting train operations. A total of 2400 mm of rainfall is recorded on an average during the monsoon period from June to September, out of which about 1400 mm is recorded only during June and July. High rainfall, measuring about 300 mm a day, is quite common, with a high likelihood of rainfall exceeding the threshold limit of 25 mm per hour at high tide on several occasions during the monsoon season. The study The researchers plan to study suitable flood-control measures as well as stormwater drains, railway bridges, culverts, sewerage disposal systems, pumping systems, cross sections/gradients of existing drainage systems, locations of litter and debris along railway tracks, as well as carry out a detailed topographic survey, drone survey and flooding simulations. Besides identifying deficiencies in the existing drainage system based on flooding simulations, the study proposes to prepare potential solutions on works needed to improve the drainage for increasing flow capacity of existing cross drains/providing new culverts, assessment of pumping arrangements, design of sewerage connections and feasibility for raising level of existing tracks. “One of the key mitigation measures proposed in an IIT Bombay pilot study is also the construction of an underground regulating reservoir, similar to those implemented in Tokyo, Japan. But with a cautionary note to look at all possibilities and suggest if there is a better solution that is proven anywhere else in the world,” an official said. Geographical issues “As Mumbai is affected by tidal water being close to the seashore, if there is heavy rain during high tide, rainwater gets accumulated above the tide level. If underground reservoirs or bypasses are constructed, they can be used as holding ponds/regulatory water reservoirs or flood diversion, and stored floodwater will be pumped out at low tide or diverted to low-risk areas. The study will identify and suggest open spaces owned by Indian Railways, the state government or BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] in the adjoining areas of flood-prone locations for the construction of underground regulating reservoirs and study the potential of an underground bypass and propose the alignment and other technical details,” he added. The study also includes a risk management and emergency action plan till permanent measures are put in place. Expert Speak Jagdeep DesaiArchitect, academician, founder trustee and chairperson of Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai ‘The principle is fine. Excavating such large tanks means a huge quantity of earth and mud will be dug up. Where will this be dumped? Plus, a lot of construction is required, which is time-consuming and expensive. How will collected rainwater be removed before the next deluge? Instead, maybe create hundreds or thousands of appropriately planned, deep discharge pits, which will allow water to permeate into the ground and will also revive groundwater. We need to consider our monsoon rain quantity and intensity.’ AV Shenoy, Member, Mumbai Vikas Samiti and Mumbai Mobility Forum ‘BMC has already implemented it successfully at King’s Circle and Hindmata. Railways should take up this work as it is clear that Metros have not been successful in reducing the load of suburban railways’ Flooding locations on WR and CR lines that have been listed for study Western Railway 1 Churchgate - Marine Lines2 Grant Road South end local line3 Charni Road - Mumbai Central4 Elphinstone Road - Dadar5 Dadar - Mahim6 Mahim - Bandra Harbour line7 Bandra - Khar8 Andheri Yard north end9 Andheri - Jogeshwari Harbour line10 Jogeshwari Terminus (Nestle siding)11 Goregaon Yard east side12 Goregaon - Malad13 Malad - Kandivli14 Borivli yard15 Naigaon - Vasai16 Vasai-Nalasopara17 Nalasopara - Virar Central Railway 1 Dockyard- Cotton Green 3/19 - 4/02 Sewri-Wadala 8/10 - 8/303 Wadala-Ravli 9/18 - 9/204 GTB Nagar- Chunabhatti (including station platform) 13/2 - 13/45 CSMT - Masjid 0/800 - 1/1006 CSMT - Masjid 1/8 - 1/207 Sandhurst Road - Byculla, including Mazagaon yard 2/0 - 2/48 Sandhurst Road- Byculla 2/16 - 2/209 Mazgaon - Byculla 3/16 – 3/2010 Byculla yard 4/7 - 5/011 Chinchpokli - Currey Road 5/16 - 6/112 Currey Road - Parel 7/9 - 7/1313 Parel-Dadar 8/1 - 8/414 Matunga workshop 9/20 - 10/1515 Matunga - Sion12/5 - 13/016 Matunga - Sion 13/6 - 13/817 Sion - Kurla 14/0 - 15/018 Kurla - Trombay 15/0 - 16/0419 Sion - Kurla 15/100 - 15/40020 Trombay yard 19/05 - 19/1921 Kurla - Vidyavihar (including Kurla carshed) 16/4 - 17/022 LTT yard 16/900 - 17/20023 Vidyavihar - Ghatkopar 17/600 - 17/90024 Ghatkopar - Vikhroli 19/800 - 20/20025 Vikhroli - Kanjurmarg 23/7 - 24/726 Kanjurmarg - Bhandup 25/5 - 25/727 Kanjur Marg - Bhandup 26/5 - 26/828 Nanepada culvert and Mulund platform 1 29/5 - 30/129 Mulund - Thane (including Thane Station) 32/8 - 33/1230 Kalwa station 35/6 - 36/131 Kalwa - Mumbra 37/7 - 37/1032 Airoli- Thane 38/23 - 38/2533 Rabale - Airoli 41/11 - 41/1334 Ghansoli 43/32 - 43/3435 Turbhe yard 47/600 - 47/80036 Dombivli - Thakurli 48/30 - 48/3237 Kurla -Tilak Nagar 16/0 - 16/238 Chembur - Govandi 17/5 - 17/8 39 Mankhurd - Vashi 21/3 - 21/8
12 June,2025 11:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarShiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday said the struggle to save Dharavi is a fight for Mumbai and Maharashtra, reported news agency PTI. Addressing party workers at the slum sprawl which is being redeveloped, Aaditya Thackeray said his great-grandfather Keshav aka Prabhodhankar Thackeray, and grandfather Bal Thackeray fought for a Samyukta (united) Maharashtra. Aaditya Thackeray said he and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray are fighting for today's Mumbai and Maharashtra. "The struggle for Dharavi is not just Dharavi alone. It is a fight for Mumbai and Maharashtra," the Worli MLA said, reported PTI. The former Maharashtra minister accused the BJP of lying that the Dharavi Redevelopment tender was floated when Uddhav Thackeray was the chief minister. Had the then Uddhav Thackeray-led government redeveloped Dharavi, it would have only been for its residents, he added, reported PTI. The multi-billion Dharavi Redevelopment Project is being executed by the Adani group. He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved a master plan (for the project). How many people were seated next to Fadnavis when the master plan was approved, he asked. Aaditya Thackeray claimed the master plan states that people residing in Dharavi till 2000 will be eligible for rehabilitation within Dharavi, while the rest will be shifted to Kurla, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Vikhroli and the Deonar dumping ground. Drawing a parallel to the redevelopment of BDD chawls in Worli, Wadala, and N M Joshi Marg, Aaditya said everyone has been made eligible for these projects executed by MHADA. Each resident has been given a 500 sq ft house. "Similar development should take place in Dharavi. The benefit should be given to the government and not the Adani Group," the Sena (UBT) leader said, reported PTI. He said all residents of Dharavi should be made eligible so that they can be rehabilitated at the same place and get a 500 sq ft house. He said the government should explain how kumbharwadas (a colony of potters), koliwadas (a colony of fishermen), and micro industries will be rehabilitated. "They (the BJP) are trying to swallow Mumbai," he added, reported PTI. He claimed the BJP would try to create a wedge in Dharavi, but that (plan) should not be allowed to succeed. Earlier this month, the state government gave nod to the revised terms and conditions for the 8.5-hectare plot of Mother Dairy plot meant to be used for rehabilitating ineligible slum dwellers under which amenities like a school, hospital, and a shopping complex will be built there. A statement by the Chief Minister's Office said under the Dharavi Redevelopment project, 8.5 lakh families have to be rehabilitated. Of 8.5 lakh families, five lakh families are eligible to be rehabilitated in Dharavi. There is a need for additional land to rehabilitate additional 3.5 lakh families. One of the land parcels for rehabilitating these 3.5 lakh families is the Kurla's Mother Dairy project. (With inputs from PTI)
12 June,2025 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRepublican Party of India (A) chief and Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale criticised Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for rejecting the demands made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar over the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede that claimed 11 lives, and said that it was not right since Congress has made similar demands during the Mahakumbh stampede, reported news agency ANI. "Congress has made similar demands earlier. Mallikarjun Kharge is not right in saying that it is not right to demand the CM's resignation," Athawale told ANI. Reiterating the BJP's demand for Siddaramaiah's resignation, he said that it was the job of the Opposition to demand resignation in such incidents. He added that the Opposition parties in Karnataka were demanding CM Siddaramaiah's resignation for similar reasons Congress asked for the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the wake of the Mahakumbh stampede, reported ANI. "After the Mahakumbh stampede, Congress demands UP CM's resignation. It is the job of the Opposition to demand resignations. Just like them, we are also demanding the resignation (of CM Siddaramaiah). There was a need to manage the crowd, but they did not succeed in doing so, which resulted in the deaths of many. This is why the Chief Minister should resign," Athawale said, reported ANI. On Wednesday, Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP's demand for his resignation over the Bengaluru stampede, accusing the party of "doing politics in everything." Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned why BJP had not demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath when a stampede occurred during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year. "40-50 people died in a stampede at Kumbh Mela. Did they demand the Chief Minister's resignation then? A bridge collapsed on the day of the inauguration, and 140 people died. Did they demand the Prime Minister's resignation then?" CM Siddaramaiah asked while talking to reporters here. "The BJP has a habit of misleading people by telling lies and demanding resignations. The BJP does politics in everything," he said, reported ANI. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team was officially felicitated by the Karnataka government on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha (State Assembly) on June 4, before the stampede incident occurred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following the Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives and left many injured, the Karnataka government on June 5 suspended top police officials at the Cubbon Park Police Station and formed a one-man commission under a retired High Court Judge to probe the incident. (With inputs from ANI)
12 June,2025 10:30 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Borivli Cyber Police have arrested two brothers from Andheri for allegedly duping a Borivli-based businesswoman of Rs 28,547 under the pretext of offering a child modelling contract for her daughter. The accused have been identified as Jaikishan Singh, 31, and Bhagatsingh Singh, 29, both residents of Andheri. They had circulated a fake modelling advertisement on Instagram while impersonating casting agents. The scam According to police sources, the 35-year-old victim, a homemaker from Satyanagar, Borivli West, came across a reel on Instagram promoting child modelling opportunities. Upon contacting the number mentioned, she was approached by Jaikishan Singh, who posed as a casting coordinator and told her that her 10-year-old daughter had been selected for a photoshoot. The fraud began on March 26, when the victim was asked to pay an entry fee of Rs 2500. Over the next few days, she was tricked into making multiple payments. On March 27, she was asked to pay Rs 3000 and Rs 2298 for clothing and then on March 28, she made another transaction of Rs 4500 for studio shoot charges. Later demands included Rs 3500 for refund processing, Rs 2500 for a cancelled “premium shoot”, and Rs 4000 for additional clothing. Despite repeated assurances, the photoshoot never took place. The accused even promised a refund to be processed on April 19 and provided a fake address at Film City, Goregaon. When the victim visited the location with her family on the scheduled date, there was no shoot. Realising she had been duped, she lodged a complaint with the Borivli police the same day. Under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite (Zone XI), Senior Inspector Maloji Shinde, Crime PI Millind Nagpure, and Cyber In-charge PSI Kalyan Patil initiated an investigation. The team traced the accused to Andheri and arrested the brothers. Criminal background During interrogation, police discovered that Jaikishan Singh has a serious criminal history, including multiple cases of cheating, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act violations, and a 2023 murder case. He was released on bail. His younger brother, Bhagat Singh, also has four criminal cases, including cheating and NDPS Act violations. Police said Jaikishan had studied up to Std XII and had worked at a BPO in Malad. He is also known to be addicted to alcohol. “It was Jaikishan who had posted the fake modelling advertisement on Instagram, which the complainant came across. That’s how she fell victim,” said a police officer from Borivli police station. Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act and have been remanded to police custody. Police are verifying their digital and financial records and suspect the duo may have cheated several others using similar tactics.
12 June,2025 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe city and its suburbs are expected to experience a generally cloudy sky throughout the day, with thunderstorms likely to be accompanied by light to moderate rain and gusty winds, according to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the weather forecast, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will experience light to moderate rain initially, but the intensity is likely to increase by the weekend, with potential for heavy rainfall at isolated locations. A yellow alert has been declared in these regions for the next three days, starting Thursday. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 28 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 33 degrees Celsius and a low of 27.8 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. Tidal activity in Mumbai will see a high tide at 12:56 PM today, reaching 4.31 metres. The next high tide is expected at 12:40 AM on June 13, measuring 3.67 metres. A low tide is anticipated at 7:01 PM today at 1.99 metres, followed by another at 6:27 AM on June 13, dropping to 0.65 metres. Rainfall data recorded between 8:00 AM on June 11 and 8:00 AM on June 12 shows that the city recorded 0.36 mm of rain. The eastern suburbs received 1.56 mm, while the western suburbs recorded 1.26 mm. As the monsoon gradually approaches, the city may witness an increase in rainfall activity over the coming days. The IMD said that quantitatively, the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of +-4 per cent, indicating that above-normal rainfall is most likely over the country as a whole during the monsoon season (June to September), 2025. "The southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September, 2025) rainfall is most likely to be above normal over Central India and South Peninsular India (>106% of LPA), normal over Northwest India (92-108% of LPA) and below normal over Northeast India (<94% of LPA)," the IMD said in a press release. The southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ) consisting of most of the rainfed agriculture areas in the country is most likely to be above normal (>106% of LPA). During June to September 2025, normal to above normal rainfall is very likely over most parts of the country except some areas of Northwest and East India, and many areas of Northeast India where below normal rainfall is very likely.
12 June,2025 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
