Maharashtra Cybercrime police have launched action against alleged illegal bike taxi services across the state, after a complaint from the office of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Notices were sent to mobile app store platforms to remove applications facilitating unauthorised operations. The notice cites Maharashtra Cyber’s goal of preventing widespread use while protecting public safety and enforcing legal compliance. The notice references Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, warning app stores of potential liability if they fail to act.
Ulhasnagar Police in Maharashtra have arrested two men after a viral video allegedly showed a woman being beaten, stripped semi-naked, hair chopped off, and paraded with garlands of slippers. Ulhasnagar ACP Shailesh Kale said the violence grew out of a temple-entry dispute between two families from the same community. A case has been registered against seven people under multiple sections, with two already detained.
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Tata Trusts’ May 16 board meeting has been deferred after Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner Amogh S. Kaloti ordered the trusts to wait for an inspector’s report amid governance complaints. The case centers on the composition of Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and how new limits under Section 30A(2) of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act apply to lifetime trustees. Three life trustees at SRTT reportedly exceed the intended ceiling, while Tata Trusts says it is reviewing regulatory directions.
Senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil accused the Maharashtra government of telling farmers it lacks funds while continuing “unnecessary” projects. He said pending farmer demands remain stalled despite the state’s mounting debt. Patil raised alarm for Konkan mango, cashew, and onion growers who are facing unseasonal rain and market prices below the Minimum Support Price, leaving them struggling to secure fair returns. His remarks followed police detentions during a Mumbai protest demanding action on farmers’ issues.
The NIA has asked a special court to cancel the bail of activists Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. The agency alleges they violated bail conditions by attending a Mumbai Press Club event on January 19, despite restrictions including not speaking to the media and not leaving Mumbai without permission. The court has sought responses from both accused and will hear the matter on May 22. The case stems from speeches at a 2017 Pune conclave followed by violence near Koregaon Bhima.
Maharashtra has issued a new 29-page SOP making Marathi mandatory in all revenue department quasi-judicial hearings and in the orders issued there. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said officials must hold hearings at least twice a week, preferably Tuesdays and Fridays, while adjournments will be permitted only once for valid reasons. Interim and final decisions must be uploaded to the e-QJ Court system with digital signatures, with speaking orders due within eight weeks and decisions requiring hearing both parties.
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Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner Amogh S. Kaloti has ordered Tata Trusts to defer a scheduled board meeting as an inquiry begins into alleged violations of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act. The probe targets the composition of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust board under Section 30A(2), which caps perpetual trustees, after complaints were filed. Under Section 36A, future meetings are barred until an inspector’s report is submitted, following court observations and an inspector inquiry still awaiting results.
The CBI is actively investigating alleged NEET (UG) paper leaks, conducting fresh questioning in Latur, Maharashtra. Investigators visited and questioned Shivraj Motegaonkar, director of Renukai Chemistry Classes, at his residence in Omkar Residency, with a 28-member team currently camping in the city. Earlier, the agency detained a retired chemistry faculty member tied to the paper-setting committee. The NEET (UG) 2026 exam on May 3 was cancelled on May 12. Police inquiry began after a complaint alleging 42 mock test questions matched NEET.
Maharashtra has reduced VAT on aviation turbine fuel to 7% from 18% for a limited period ending November 14, offering short-term relief to Indian airlines battling expensive jet fuel. The move targets a major cost driver, since fuel can make up 35–40% of airline spending. With Mumbai handling about 15% of air traffic, the cut should improve the airport’s competitiveness versus Delhi’s 25% VAT. Airlines now want broader tax reforms, including bringing ATF under GST.
Renowned Maharashtra psychiatrist, author and social activist Dr Anand Nadkarni died on Friday at 67 after a prolonged illness, sources from the Institute for Psychological Health (IPH) said. Founded by Nadkarni in 1990 in Thane, IPH aimed to destigmatise mental illness and make psychological care understandable beyond hospitals. He also co-founded the Muktangan de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Pune, wrote more than 25 books in Marathi, and worked across theatre, music and films.
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Maharashtra has signed an MoU with AM Intelligence Labs for a proposed Rs 1.14 lakh crore investment to build an Integrated Green Data Centre Park and an AI Compute Hub in the Mumbai region. The plan, backed by the state’s IT Policy 2023 and Green Data Centre Park Policy 2024, is designed to run entirely on renewable energy. Officials expect around 8,000 direct jobs plus additional roles, with construction and operations covering high-tech careers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Vidhan Bhavan on a motorcycle as part of new austerity steps to cut fuel consumption. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation. The state government is also reviewing official vehicle usage, with reports of canceled foreign tours, while minister Nitesh Rane walked to Mantralaya.
The Election Commission of India has announced a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra, with Booth Level Officers set to visit nearly 9.86 crore voters’ homes for verification. Political parties will support the process to improve accuracy. The exercise includes training, house-to-house checks, and the publication of draft and final electoral rolls to keep voter lists updated.
Maharashtra has told the Bombay High Court that it is proposing a posthumous Padma Vibhushan for wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India’s first individual Olympic medal winner. The state will also submit a fresh proposal for the Padma Awards 2027. The court is hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Jadhav’s son’s foundation.
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Union minister Nitin Gadkari said major works on the Pandharpur pilgrimage route are almost complete, with nearly 80% finished. Remaining stretches are expected to be completed in four to six months. Dedicated lanes for warkaris and Foot Over Bridges are planned to improve safety, as large projects like the Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg move toward completion.
A four-year-old boy in Pandhari, Beed, Maharashtra, was critically injured after being mauled by a pack of six stray dogs on Wednesday evening. Reports say the child suffered deep lacerations and puncture wounds across several spots, and the assault was recorded on nearby CCTV, triggering widespread outrage and calls for swift action.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the logo for the Nashik Kumbh Mela, calling it a “grand and divine” event. He said the state is working closely with akharas and religious leaders to ensure smooth arrangements for the spiritual congregation, which returns every 12 years.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has written to the state cyber crime department asking for an immediate shutdown of app-based bike taxi services by Ola, Uber and Rapido. He alleges they operate without permissions and warn of action under the IT Act and Motor Vehicles Act, citing safety gaps like weak driver verification, insurance and emergency systems, plus a fatal incident last February.
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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will travel by bus instead of a large VIP convoy during his upcoming Maharashtra inspection tour, trimming his convoy size by half. The step is intended to reduce fuel consumption, ease traffic, and limit public inconvenience, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity and energy-conservation push. Officials say it’s meant to lead by example as global energy concerns grow.
A private coaching institute in Latur, Maharashtra is under investigation after allegations that its NEET-UG mock test shared 42 of 45 questions with the actual exam, including a striking 93% chemistry match. Authorities say the close similarity has raised suspicions of access to leaked materials. The probe will examine the institute’s question sourcing, records, and student materials.
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