National

Munde Resigns; Opposition’s Calls for Murder Charges Unlikely to be Met

Published

11 months ago

March 4, 2025

Dhananjay Munde, Maharashtra’s Food & Civil Supplies Minister from the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, concluding a significant controversy surrounding the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a BJP sarpanch from Massajog village. This incident has haunted Fadnavis’s government since its formation.

According to sources, Munde’s resignation decision was made during a meeting on the evening of March 3, between Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the Devagiri bungalow.

Despite calls from opposition figures, including Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena and Sandeep Kshirsagar of NCP, demanding a revised chargesheet from the CID regarding Deshmukh’s murder, it seems unlikely that any new evidence would emerge regarding Munde, putting pressure on the investigation.

The hunt for Krishna Andhale, one of the main accused, remains fruitless after more than 80 days since the murder. NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad claimed in a media statement that Andhale is now deceased, further complicating the investigation. Political speculation suggests Munde’s resignation may have coincided with his efforts to obscure evidence linking him to the case.

A revised chargesheet is anticipated to focus strictly on existing evidence, and unless new information surfaces, Munde’s name may not be included. Nevertheless, the case remains open under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, allowing for further investigation concerning Andhale’s elusive whereabouts. A supplementary chargesheet could be filed should Andhale’s arrest occur.

Reacting to Munde’s resignation, anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania questioned why Chief Minister Fadnavis did not outright dismiss him, criticizing the perceived preferential treatment afforded to politicians involved in such serious cases. She expressed her frustration over the lack of sensitivity displayed by politicians regarding the tragic murder.

Pankaja Munde, BJP MLA and Minister for Environment and Climate Change, opined that Dhananjay Munde’s resignation was overdue, emphasizing the gravity of the situation for Deshmukh’s family.

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange and other groups deemed Munde’s resignation insufficient and contended that he should face murder charges. Aaditya Thackeray also called for the government’s dissolution, while Congress MLA Nana Patole accused the ruling BJP-led coalition of protecting those guilty of such allegations.

Adding to the somber narrative, Congress worker Saral Patel shared a purported report claiming that the accused filmed the crime and desecrated Deshmukh’s body. Patel further alleged that the alleged mastermind, Valmik Karad, has close ties with Dhananjay Munde.

In response to the recounted events, Jitendra Awhad articulated the lasting trauma inflicted on Deshmukh’s children, highlighting the injustice they face as they cope with this tragedy for the rest of their lives.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.