A special court here on Thursday extended till August 8 the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case. While extending the custody, the court noted that the ED has made "remarkable progress" in the investigation. The central agency had arrested Raut on Sunday midnight in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra 'Chawl' (old row tenement) in suburban Goregaon and related financial property transactions involving his wife and alleged associates. On Monday, the court had remanded him in the ED custody till August 4. At the end of his initial remand, the probe agency produced Raut before special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court judge M G Deshpande. It sought extension of his custody for further probe into the matter. After hearing both the sides, the court extended the custody till August 8. The ED had earlier told the court that Raut and his family received "proceeds of crime" … [Read more...] about Money laundering case: Court extends Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s ED custody till August 8
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BJP pulling strings in Maharashtra, claims Shiv Sena on Y-plus security to rebel MLAs
Shiv Sena MLA With the Centre providing Y-plus security to Maharashtra’s rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, the party on June 27 claimed it was now evident that the BJP was "pulling the strings" amid the current political turmoil in the state. An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' likened the rebel Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde to "big bulls", and alleged that they have been "sold" for Rs 50 crore. The Centre on Sunday extended Y-plus security cover of CRPF commandos to at least 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, officials earlier said. Those who were provided the security cover include Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane, Prakas Surve and 10 others. Their families living in Maharashtra will also be secured, the officials had said. About four to five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos, in shifts, will be securing each MLA once they are in Maharashtra, they added. The editorial in 'Saamana' said, "Finally, the BJP has been unmasked. They were … [Read more...] about BJP pulling strings in Maharashtra, claims Shiv Sena on Y-plus security to rebel MLAs
Maharashtra political tussle: Shiv Sena ready for both street & legal fight, says Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said his party is ready for a "street fight and a legal battle", ahead of the crucial hearing in the Supreme Court against the disqualification notice issued by the Maharashtra Assembly's deputy speaker to rebel party MLAs. On his remarks made on Sunday that 40 bodies will come from Assam and will be sent directly to the morgue for postmortem, in a reference to the rebel MLAs, Raut said he was speaking about the "dead conscience" of the legislators and that they are "living corpses" now. "I have not done anything to hurt anyone's feelings. I have only stated the fact that your (rebel MLAs) conscience is dead and you are a living corpse," the Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson told reporters. "This is a legal fight and a street fight. It will take place and the party is ready for it," Raut added. Rebel MLA Shinde on Sunday moved the Supreme Court against the disqualification notice issued by the deputy speaker to him and 15 other rebel … [Read more...] about Maharashtra political tussle: Shiv Sena ready for both street & legal fight, says Sanjay Raut
SC commences hearing on pleas of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, asks why they didn’t move HC
Supreme Court The Supreme Court on June 27 commenced hearing on the pleas of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, led by minister Eknath Shinde, against the disqualification notice issued by the deputy speaker to them and asked why they did not move the Bombay High Court in the matter. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala was told by senior advocate N K Kaul, who appeared for the rebel MLAs, that the Uddhav Thackeray group is in the minority of the legislative party and has been subverting the state machinery. Kaul said that atmosphere is not conducive for these MLAs in Bombay as they have been threatened. He cited the apex court verdict in the Nabam Rebia case of Arunachal Pradesh and said the deputy speaker is not competent to proceed with the disqualification of MLAs when a plea for his own removal is pending. Kaul said 39 MLAs are together against the minority group. Maharashtra Shiv Sena MLA and minister Eknath Shinde have moved the apex court against the … [Read more...] about SC commences hearing on pleas of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, asks why they didn’t move HC
Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to fly to a neighbouring state of Maharashtra from Guwahati on June 30: Sources
Representative Image Dissident Shiv Sena MLAs and a group of independent legislators, led by Eknath Shinde, who have been camping at a hotel here since June 22, will leave for a neighbouring state of Maharashtra later on Wednesday, official sources said. A chartered flight will depart from the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati in the afternoon with the MLAs, they said. "It will leave around 3 pm from Guwahati," the sources told PTI. Asked about the destination, they said it is likely to be a neighbouring state" of Maharashtra. Three air-conditioned Assam State Transport Corporation have reached the Radisson Blu hotel to carry the legislators to the airport, the sources added. Earlier in the day, Shinde had told reporters outside Kamakhya temple here that he will return to Mumbai on Thursday to "complete necessary formalities". Close (With PTI inputs) … [Read more...] about Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to fly to a neighbouring state of Maharashtra from Guwahati on June 30: Sources
SC to hear at 5 pm Shiv Sena’s plea challenging Governor’s direction to Uddhav Thackeray govt to face floor test
Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear at 5 pm the plea of Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu challenging the Maharashtra Governor's direction to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to take floor test in the Assembly on Thursday. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala took note of submissions of senior advocate A M Singhvi that an urgent hearing was needed in view of the decision taken by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari asking the MVA government to prove majority at 11 am on Thursday. "We will keep at 5 pm. Please make sure that paper books are supplied by 3 pm to parties concerned," the bench said. Singhvi said the floor test cannot include names which are "stigmatised". Earlier, the apex court on June 27 had kept in abeyance the disqualification proceedings against rebel Shiv Sena MLAs before the Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly till July 11, and also sought responses from the state government and others … [Read more...] about SC to hear at 5 pm Shiv Sena’s plea challenging Governor’s direction to Uddhav Thackeray govt to face floor test
Maharashtra crisis: Sena leaders step up attack on rebels; Sharad Pawar in huddle with MVA leaders
NCP chief Sharad Pawar (Image- PTI) The power tussle between Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena dissident Eknath Shinde became intense on Sunday with Sena leaders, led by Sanjay Raut, launching an acerbic attack on the rebels while NCP chief Sharad Pawar held closed-door meetings with MVA leaders. On the second day in a row, Shiv Sena cadres staged protests against the dissidents in various parts of the state, including Mumbai and Pune. State minister Aaditya Thackeray, son of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, and Sena chief spokesman Sanjay Raut addressed party cadres in suburban Dahisar to drum up support for the beleaguered party leadership and slammed the Shinde camp. Sharad Pawar met leaders of NCP, Congress ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan, and Shiv Sena’s Anil Parab and Anil Desai to discuss the political fallout of the six-day-old rebellion. Striking an aggressive note, Raut said the present crisis was an opportunity to … [Read more...] about Maharashtra crisis: Sena leaders step up attack on rebels; Sharad Pawar in huddle with MVA leaders
Maharashtra crisis: MVA govt will last two to three days, says Union minister Raosaheb Danve
Image Credits: ANI Union minister Raosaheb Danve on Sunday said the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, racked by rebellion in main constituent Shiv Sena, will last ”two to three days”. Speaking at the inaugural function of an agriculture department building here in the presence of state NCP minister Rajesh Tope, the BJP leader said the MVA should complete remaining development works at the earliest as ”we (BJP) will be in opposition only for two to three days”. ”Time is running out. This government will last for two to three days. The BJP has nothing to do with this rebellion. Shiv Sena rebels have resentment towards Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as development funds were diverted by NCP and Congress,” the Union Minister of State for Railway, Coal and Mines said. Queried on the possibility of the Eknath Shinde-led group merging with the BJP, Danve, himself a former state unit chief, said there was no such proposal and if one comes then the senior leadership … [Read more...] about Maharashtra crisis: MVA govt will last two to three days, says Union minister Raosaheb Danve
Rebel MLAs have monstrous ambitions, party doors shut for them, says Aaditya Thackeray; asks them to contest polls again
Aaditya Thackeray (Image: Twitter/@AUThackeray) Slamming the dissident Shiv Sena MLAs for having ”monstrous ambitions,” minister Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said even if all the party legislators turn rebels, victory will always be of the party. Addressing the Sena workers in Mumbai for the second consecutive day, he also said that doors of the state and party are closed for the rebels MLAs. ”Contest elections again, we will ensure you are defeated,” the 30-year-old son of Sena president and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said. Without naming the BJP, he said he felt ashamed that a party, which is in power at the Centre and Assam, have taken the MLAs from another ruling party from a different state and kept them in the north eastern state that is reeling under floods. The rebels were taken to Guwahati as ”prisoners”. About 12 to 14 MLAs are still in touch with us, Thackeray said. ”When these MLAs come to the state assembly, they should have the guts to see in our eyes … [Read more...] about Rebel MLAs have monstrous ambitions, party doors shut for them, says Aaditya Thackeray; asks them to contest polls again
Uddhav Thackeray asked Eknath Shinde whether he wants to be CM in May, claims son Aaditya
File image of Aaditya Thackeray (Image- [email protected]) Shiv Sena minister Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday claimed that over a month ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had asked party leader Eknath Shinde whether he wants to become the chief minister, although the latter had sidestepped the issue then. Aaditya, who is the son of Sena president and chief minister Thackeray, made this revelation while addressing party workers in Mumbai. Eknath Shinde, a senior Sena minister and prominent leader from Thane district, last week rebelled against the party. Majority of Sena MLAs have sided with him and all of them are currently camping in Guwahati. Their move has pushed the Sena-led government to the brink of collapse. "On May 20, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had called Eknath Shinde to 'Varsha' (CM's official residence) and asked whether he wants to become the chief minister. However, he had sidestepped the issue then. But a month later, on June 20, whatever … [Read more...] about Uddhav Thackeray asked Eknath Shinde whether he wants to be CM in May, claims son Aaditya