Mumbai / Ramesh Autade

National President of the Ambedkari Republican Front, Narayan Bagde, has criticized several leaders of the Republican movement, alleging that their obsession with enjoying the benefits of power has weakened the party and caused significant damage to the Ambedkarite movement.

Speaking to the media, Bagde said that young activist Abhijit Dipke has demonstrated true Ambedkarite spirit and made a sincere effort to strengthen the movement once again. He remarked that arrogant and self-serving leaders within the Republican fold should take a lesson from Dipke’s work and commitment.

Bagde alleged that instead of focusing on strengthening the Republican movement, many leaders pursued their personal political interests, resulting in the decline of the party and the weakening of the larger Ambedkarite cause.

Responding to a question about the Cockroach Janata Party, Bagde said that, for the first time in India's history, young people from different castes, communities and religions are coming together beyond social divisions and taking to the streets solely on the principles of Indian identity and the Constitution of India. He described this development as a positive and hopeful sign for the country.

He further stated that many Ambedkarite leaders have failed to fulfill the responsibility of building the egalitarian and democratic India envisioned by the makers of the Constitution. According to him, the time has come for such leaders to stop their “political shopkeeping” and engage in serious self-reflection.

Bagde expressed confidence that the growing unity among the country's youth around constitutional values is an encouraging trend that will further strengthen Indian democracy. He said the increasing commitment of young people to constitutional and democratic ideals offers hope for the future of the nation.

"Young activist Abhijit Dipke has shown the true spirit of the Ambedkarite movement. Republican leaders who have weakened the movement for personal gain should learn from his dedication and commitment."
— Narayan Bagde, National President, Ambedkari Republican Front.

Social media influencer Ori has been issued a summons by the Mumbai Police. In connection with the ₹252-crore drug trafficking case, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has called him for questioning on 20 November 2025.

According to officials, Ori has been asked to appear before the Ghatkopar Unit of the ANC at 10 AM tomorrow. The summons has brought him into the spotlight as the investigation deepens.

Key Arrest in the Case

In this case, Mumbai Police earlier arrested Mohammad Salim Mohammad Suhail Shaikh. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he had been organizing drug-fueled parties both in India and abroad, and supplying narcotics there. Based on these revelations, Ori has now been summoned for questioning.

Names of Celebrities Linked to the Drug Case

The accused claimed that he had previously organized drug parties in India and overseas involving several celebrities including:

• Nora Fatehi

• Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddhanth Kapoor

• Zeeshan Siddiqui

• Ori (Orhan)

• Abbas-Mustan

• Loka

• And several others

He further admitted to personally participating in these parties and supplying drugs to these and other individuals. Police are currently verifying these claims, and further questioning is underway.

Who is Ori?

Ori is a well-known social media influencer, frequently seen with Bollywood celebrities and at high-profile events. His massive fan following and visible presence in the entertainment circle have made him a prominent figure online.

Nora Fatehi Issues Clarification

After her name surfaced in the drug case, actress Nora Fatehi issued a statement on Instagram clarifying her stance.

She wrote:

“For your information, I do not attend parties. I am constantly working. I have no personal life. I do not associate myself with such people. If I get time off, I prefer staying at my home in Dubai or spending time with my close friends. I think I am an easy target. But I will not allow this to happen again.”

“People are tarnishing my name…” – Nora

Nora further added:

“People tried to destroy me, they lied, but nothing worked. When people were trying to tarnish my name, I stayed quiet. But now, keep my photos and name away from things that I am not associated with. This can cost you heavily.”

With this, Nora has firmly denied any involvement in the case.

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Palghar, Correspondent

In a major political development in Dahanu taluka, Kashinath Choudhary — an accused in the 2020 Palghar sadhu lynching case and a former senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with more than 4,000 supporters.

Choudhary’s induction into the BJP has sparked sharp criticism from the opposition, which has questioned whether the party has abandoned the moral stand it once took regarding the incident.

On 16 April 2020, two sadhus and their driver were travelling by car when they were beaten to death by a mob in Palghar. At the time, Choudhary was an NCP leader and a member of the Palghar Zilla Parishad.

The BJP had strongly attacked the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government over the lynching and had also accused Choudhary of being a key conspirator in the case. However, the same Choudhary has now been welcomed into the party.

Although Choudhary’s entry is expected to strengthen the BJP’s organisational presence in the region, it has triggered internal discomfort and widespread criticism — not only from opposition parties but also from within the BJP ranks.

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MUMBAI, NOV 9.  NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar today demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged land scam in Pune, stating that the inquiry should be conducted impartially — even if the accused are related to political leaders — and that those found guilty must face strict punishment.

The controversy revolves around a 40-acre land parcel in Mundhwa-Koregaon Park, purchased by a media company for around ₹300 crore, whereas the actual market value of the property is estimated at ₹1,800 crore. The land was reportedly meant for developing an IT Park and Data Centre, and the Directorate of Industries had granted a concession allowing a stamp duty of just ₹500. The Sub-Registrar has since declared the transaction invalid.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar, has been linked to the case, though MP Supriya Sule earlier defended him, saying Parth could not have engaged in any wrongdoing. Reacting to her remarks, Rohit Pawar said that Sule’s comments were “emotional” and reiterated the need for a deep and transparent investigation.

Rohit Pawar also alleged that BJP leaders are using the issue to target Ajit Pawar, adding that after the municipal elections, the BJP may turn its focus toward Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. He further claimed that land scams have increased in Maharashtra since Devendra Fadnavis became Chief Minister.

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Mumbai: Correspondent

 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the suspension of the tehsildar and sub-registrar in connection with the alleged Pune land scam involving Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Fadnavis assured that a detailed investigation would be conducted and strict action taken if irregularities are found.

The case pertains to land in Pune’s Koregaon Park, valued at around ₹1,800 crore, which was allegedly purchased for just ₹300 crore by a company associated with Parth Pawar. Reports claim that the registration of the land was done by paying only ₹500 in stamp duty, after the transaction was given special concessions.

Fadnavis stated that all relevant documents have been sought and the matter will be probed thoroughly. “No one will be shielded in this case. Wherever irregularities are found, stern action will follow,” he asserted.

Rahul Gandhi’s Press Meet a “Lavangi Firecracker”, Not a Hydrogen Bomb

Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent press conference over alleged vote manipulation, Fadnavis mocked Gandhi’s claims, calling them a “lavangi firecracker, not a hydrogen bomb.” He said that TV news teams who visited the locations cited by Gandhi found the voters present there, and accused Gandhi of showing morphed images during the press briefing.

Rahul Gandhi Following the Agenda of Foreign Forces: Fadnavis

Fadnavis further alleged that Rahul Gandhi is “walking the path of foreign powers” that seek to destabilize India’s democracy. “By questioning the armed forces, undermining constitutional institutions, and spreading distrust against government bodies, Gandhi is echoing the agenda of anti-India elements. This is deeply unfortunate,” Fadnavis said.

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Mumbai : In view of the rising threat of viral diseases, the Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of the Maharashtra Institute of Virology (MIV), modeled on the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The state’s Public Health Department has sanctioned ₹60 crore for the proposed institute, which will focus on research, testing, and control of viral infections.

The NIV, set up in 1952 under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has been at the forefront of studying viral and infectious diseases. However, with the increasing workload and emerging viral threats such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and GBA virus, the need for a separate state-level institute was strongly felt.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maharashtra faced significant delays in testing and diagnosis due to heavy reliance on the NIV. To address these challenges, the Deputy Director of the State Public Health Laboratory in Pune proposed setting up an independent virology institute.

The new MIV will be equipped with modern laboratory infrastructure, advanced testing facilities, and trained scientific manpower. Officials say the institute will strengthen Maharashtra’s capacity for early detection, research, and prevention of viral outbreaks across the state.

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Mumbai: According to sources in the Mumbai Police, Minister Deepak Kesarkar may soon face an inquiry in connection with the student hostage and Rohit Arya encounter case.

Reports suggest that while police were negotiating with Rohit Arya — who had taken 17 students hostage inside a studio — attempts were made to contact Minister Kesarkar regarding Arya’s alleged dues from government projects. It remains unclear whether the minister refused to speak with Arya or whether he could not be reached, and this aspect is now under police scrutiny.

Arya had previously claimed that the government owed him crores of rupees for work completed and had even gone on a hunger strike over the issue. When his demands were not met, he resorted to taking the students hostage. Police efforts to secure their release eventually led to Arya’s encounter death.

Authorities are now expected to question Minister Kesarkar to determine his role — if any — in the failed negotiation process that preceded the encounter.

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Mumbai, Agency

In a sweeping shift toward citizen-friendly governance, Maharashtra has embarked on an ambitious legal reform drive aimed at removing the threat of jail time for minor administrative and procedural lapses. 

The state’s latest decriminalisation push signals its intention to move away from punitive regulation and toward a compliance-centric approach, a model designed to build trust between the state and its citizens while accelerating economic activity. 

For decades, entrepreneurs, small traders, professionals and even ordinary citizens have lived with the fear that technical mistakes — a clerical error in a form, a delay in renewing a licence, or a missing compliance certificate — could lead to criminal prosecution. In a state with complex regulatory architecture spanning employment law to healthcare licensing and tax filings, such penalties have often been seen as excessive and counterproductive. 
The new framework flips that model. Minor lapses, unless driven by fraud or harmful intent, will now be met with fines or administrative warnings rather than imprisonment. The principle, officials say, is simple: encourage correction, not criminalisation. 

This reform wave spans seven key state laws covering labour relations, taxation, healthcare, professional licensing and commercial establishment regulations. Among them are the Maharashtra Industrial Relations Act and Shops and Establishments Act — statutes that directly affect thousands of businesses and employees across the state. 

Departments ranging from Labour and Revenue to Finance, Medical Education and Public Health form the backbone of this overhaul, reflecting the government’s intention to reduce friction across core sectors of governance. 

Recognising that piecemeal reform would not suffice, the state partnered with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, one of India’s most respected legal think-tanks. Vidhi has reviewed 31 state laws to date, recommending changes or decriminalisation in the majority of them. This evidence-backed process has allowed Maharashtra to systematically identify outdated or disproportionate punitive provisions. 

The move by the stat government aligns with India’s broader regulatory reset. The Centre’s Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, had already decriminalised provisions across 42 union laws. A national Deregulation Cell has since been working with states to follow suit, and Maharashtra’s move places it squarely at the front of this reform wave. 

The December 2024 Chief Secretaries’ Conference had pressed states to remove unnecessary criminal provisions. Maharashtra’s response — converting prison terms into monetary penalties and administrative remedies — stands as one of the most comprehensive state-level actions yet. 

Senior officials say the reform is rooted in the belief that law-abiding citizens and businesses should not fear the state’s punitive machinery for harmless errors. The shift also mirrors modern governance thinking: excess criminalisation clogs courts, discourages enterprise, and breeds administrative anxiety. 

If effectively implemented, the initiative could streamline litigation, ease the burden on lower courts, and give businesses greater confidence to operate without fear of inadvertent paperwork mistakes being treated as criminal offences. 

The reforms will now be operationalised through the Maharashtra Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025, which received cabinet approval on November 4. The ordinance amends seven state laws and is expected to come into force shortly. 

As Maharashtra positions itself as a modern administrative state, this decision marks an important ideological stance — one where trust replaces threat, compliance takes precedence over punishment, and even the smallest entrepreneur is offered room to correct mistakes without fear of jail.

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