Maharashtra

Mumbai, Dec 8 (PTI) Two persons, including a suspended police constable, were arrested Saturday in connection with the killing of a diamond trader whose body was found in adjoining Raigad district, 10 days after he went missing, police said.

The trader, Rajeshwar Udani, a resident of Mahalaxmi Society in suburban Ghatkopar, had gone missing on November 28. The 57-year-old's decomposed body was found at Panvel in Raigad district Friday, police had said.

Police identified the duo as Sachin Pawar and Dinesh Pawar.

Thane/Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) A 30-year-old man was detained for allegedly attempting to slap Union minister Ramdas Athawale at a public event in Maharashtra's Thane district on Saturday night, police said.

The Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief was in Ambernath town to address a rally. Athawale had just got off the dais after delivering a speech on the Constitution when the incident happened at around 10.15 pm, a police officer said Sunday.

Pune, Dec 9 (PTI) Marathon enthusiasts from around the country congregated in the city to run in the maiden edition of Bajaj Allianz Pune Half Marathon (PHM), which saw participation from over 16,000 people from various walks of life.

The participants ran across three race categories: The Half Marathon (21 km), The 10 km Run and The Family Run (6 km).

Mumbai, Dec 6 (PTI) Two onion farmers from Maharashtra's Nashik district have allegedly committed suicide in the last two days, apparently due to indebtedness and low rates commanded by the bulb in markets, police said Sunday.

The deceased are identified as Tatyabhau Khairnar (44) and Manoj Dhondage (33) who hailed from Baglan taluka in the north Maharashtra district.

Akola (Maha), Dec 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said Friday that it is the ministers of the BJP-led state government who need the services of psychiatrists and not the debt-ridden farmers.

"Maharashtra's ministers need psychiatrists. Farmer suicides are rising because of the drought and debt burden.

Stop blaming farmers for the government's mismanagement," he said here, addressing a rally.

Pune (Maha), Dec 7 (PTI) A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped and strangled to death by an unidentified person at her house in Dhayari area off Sinhagad Road here, police said.

The incident took place on Thursday, they said.

Talking to PTI, Joint Commissioner of Police Shivaji Bodkhe said the deceased lived in a tenement with her family.

"The victim's brother came home from school in the afternoon on Thursday and found his sister lying unconscious.

Mumbai, Dec 7 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has told the Bombay High Court that it has ordered demolition of fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi's illegal bungalow built along the beach at Alibaug in adjoining Raigad district.

Government counsel advocate P B Kakade told a bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice M S Karnik on Thursday that it had served demolition notices to another 58 private properties in the area constructed in violation of the state's rules and coastal zone norms.

Mumbai, Dec 5 (PTI) Supporters of the Swabhiman Sanghatana, an NGO, and the BJP Wednesday clashed in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, police said.

At least 40 supporters of the NGO, led by MLA Nitesh Rane, son of former Chief Minister and current MP Narayan Rane, the BJP were booked for the clashes, they said.

The clashes took place in the morning at Kankavali town when two students, who are also Swabhiman Sanghatana supporters, were allegedly beaten up BJP supporters, said an official.

Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) The NCP has accused the BJP of allowing criminals into its fold leading to law and order problems in Maharashtra, a charge dismissed by the ruling party as "baseless".

Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) national spokesperson Nawab Malik claimed that members of underworld don Chhota Rajan's gang have become office-bearers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mumbai, Dec 1 (PTI) Civil Aviation Ministry announced Saturday it has started the registration process for drone operators in the country, to be done through a portal called 'Digital Sky'.

The government, in August, had put in place regulations for operations of remotely piloted aircraft, to come into effect from December 1.

Under these norms, drone users will be required to do one-time registration of their drones. They will also need to register the pilots of drones as well as their owners.