Business tycoon Raj Kundra, who had been at the centre of a controversy surrounding allegations of pornography production, has finally spoken out after remaining silent for three years. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kundra addressed the matter, particularly emphasising the impact it had on his family. Kundra, who had refrained from commenting on the controversy during intense media scrutiny, explained that his silence had been a personal choice until the situation began affecting his loved ones. "Silence is bliss," Kundra began, acknowledging his previous reluctance to speak out. However, he added, "When it comes to family and when family members are involved, I feel I should come out and speak. When I stay quiet, people think I'm hiding something, and people should realise the truth." #WATCH | Mumbai | On ED provisionally attached properties belonging to Raj Kundra and his wife and actor Shilpa Shetty, Businessman Raj Kundra says "In the attachment order it is clearly written that we have no evidence of any funds going to Raj Kundra. There was a crypto king… pic.twitter.com/acLdyCxapb — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 Denying the allegations of his involvement in pornography, Kundra clarified that his role had been limited to providing technological services to his brother-in-law’s company, which hosted an app featuring bold but non-pornographic content in the UK. "I have not been part of any pornography, any production, or anything to do with porn at all. When the allegations surfaced, it was very hurtful. There were no facts or evidence, and that’s why bail was granted," he said. Kundra also stressed his position as a technology provider for the app, which catered to a mature audience with A-rated films but clarified that the content was not pornographic. He reiterated that media claims regarding his involvement in running the apps were incorrect. "I am involved in providing software technology, nothing more. Let anyone come forward who says they have worked with me or been a part of any of my movies," he stated. Maintaining his innocence, Kundra expressed unwavering confidence in the judicial process. "I have full faith in the judiciary," he said, adding, "If I'm guilty, charge me; if I'm not, discharge me." Reflecting on his three-year legal battle, he recalled the 63 days he spent in detention following his arrest by Mumbai police, noting the emotional strain it placed on him and his family. "Being away from my family and fighting in court was difficult, but I am confident I will win this case because I know I didn't do anything wrong," Kundra affirmed. The businessman also hinted at business rivalries playing a role in the controversy, claiming that an individual had confronted him during his time in police custody, suggesting a personal vendetta behind the allegations. He revealed that he had written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), providing details of those he believed were responsible for orchestrating the plot against him. While withholding the names of those involved, he expressed hope that justice would eventually prevail. "Karma will be served. Justice will be served," he concluded. (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2024 10:24 AM IST | MumbaiRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasised the importance of humility and selflessness in one’s actions, warning that unchecked ego can lead a person into a metaphorical hole. Speaking at the silver jubilee celebration of Bharat Vikas Parishad's Viklang Kendra in Pune on Monday, Bhagwat urged the audience to keep ego in check in order to live a life of meaningful service to society. According to Bhagwat, true selfless service is rooted in identifying enduring happiness and satisfaction, which in turn nurtures the willingness to help others. He pointed out that while there is a growing perception of negativity in society, there are, in fact, far more positive and noble activities taking place, often overlooked. "For every negative aspect, there are 40 times more good and noble services happening in the community," he said. He called for a collective effort to highlight these positive contributions, stressing that service is essential for fostering trust in society. Bhagwat drew from the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahansa to explain his point about ego. According to Ramakrishna, every individual harbours two versions of 'I': one is raw and unrefined, while the other is ripened and mature. Bhagwat urged individuals to hold on to the ripened 'I' and keep the raw 'I'—representing ego—at bay. He cautioned that leading life with unchecked ego can lead to personal downfall, as it blinds a person to the selfless pursuit of societal welfare. The RSS chief also highlighted the significance of empowering all segments of society to ensure India’s holistic development. Bhagwat asserted that the nation’s progress does not solely depend on acts of service but on making citizens capable of contributing to its development. It is these capable citizens, he remarked, who are the driving force behind national progress. Bhagwat praised the work of Bharat Vikas Parishad’s Viklang Kendra for assisting specially abled individuals. The Kendra provides essential aids such as modular legs, callipers, and artificial limbs to help people lead more independent lives. While the RSS has been credited for many positive initiatives in society, Bhagwat was quick to recognise the volunteers who are the true force behind these efforts.
17 December,2024 10:15 AM IST | MumbaiMumbai experienced a notable dip in temperature on Monday, December 16, as the mercury plunged to 15°C, a decrease from 16°C recorded the previous day. This marks a six-degree drop in the minimum temperature compared to Saturday's reading of 20.1°C, signalling the arrival of cooler weather in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 15°C at the Santacruz observatory, while Colaba saw a slightly higher 17°C. The temperature in Colaba was 1.3°C below the usual norm for this time of year. Daytime temperatures in the city were also lower, with Santacruz recording a high of 34.8°C and Colaba reaching 34°C, both of which were 2 to 2.5°C below the expected levels. Looking ahead, the IMD has forecasted that minimum temperatures are likely to rise in the coming days. The weather department predicts that by Tuesday, December 17, the minimum temperature could increase to 15°C, with a further rise expected to 18°C by Wednesday, December 18. Tuesday is expected to bring a sunny day to Mumbai, with clear skies across the city and its suburbs. However, Wednesday could see hazy conditions in the morning, particularly in the suburbs, with clearer skies anticipated later in the day. The IMD also mentioned that some parts of the city could experience fog or mist in the morning, followed by a mainly clear sky as the day progresses. For now, the weather is a pleasant break from the typically warm conditions Mumbai usually experiences during December, as residents embrace the cool air. The latest readings from the observatories also indicated that relative humidity (RH) remains high in the region. The Santacruz station recorded 85% RH, while the Colaba station had 78%. Despite the cool temperatures, rainfall remains minimal, with no significant rainfall recorded in the city for Monday. Mumbai residents can expect clearer skies and slightly warmer temperatures in the days ahead, as the weather shifts to a more typical December pattern.
17 December,2024 10:10 AM IST | MumbaiDeputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that the portfolios would be allocated to the newly-appointed ministers in the state soon. He also assured that the government would soon release the compensation for crop losses suffered by the state farmers due to heavy rains, according to the PTI. Talking to reporters at the airport in Nagpur, Fadnavis congratulated Chandrashekhar Bawankule on his appointment as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Maharashtra unit president. "Portfolios will be allocated to the new ministers soon," he said in response to a query, PTI reported. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expanded his two-member ministry on Tuesday, 41 days after taking oath as the CM. He inducted 18 ministers - nine each from his rebel Shiv Sena group and the BJP. With this, the strength of Maharashtra ministry has now gone up to 20, less than half the maximum allowed strength of 43. Shinde was sworn in as the chief minister on June 30, when Fadnavis took oath as deputy CM. The deputy chief minister said the crop loss compensation announced by the government for farmers will be distributed soon and added that the area of crop damages is still increasing. "The compensation will soon be released after calculating losses from all these affected areas," he said, as per the PTI. The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to double the amount of compensation which the farmers affected by the excessive rains in July are entitled to get. "As per the current NDRF (National Disaster Response Fund) norms, a farmer receives Rs 6,800 per hectare as compensation. We have decided to double the amount," CM Shinde had told reporters after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Talking about Bawankule, Fadnavis said he has been a very staunch worker of the BJP, who rose from the lower rungs and went on to hold various important positions in the organisation. "Bawankule performed very well in all the responsibilities given to him by the party," the deputy CM said. (With PTI inputs)
17 December,2024 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a distressing incident in Thane, Maharashtra, a four-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by an unidentified person on Sunday evening. The incident took place in the Kalyan Phata area, according to police officials. The boy was reportedly abducted from near his home, and his family, upon noticing his disappearance, began an immediate search for him but was unable to locate him. The family approached the local Shil-Daighar police station on Monday to file a report. As per the police official, a case of kidnapping was registered under section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to kidnapping. "The family had made attempts to search for the boy on their own, but as they were unsuccessful, they reached out to the police authorities on Monday," said the official from Shil-Daighar police station. He did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident but assured that all possible efforts were being made to trace the child and locate the person responsible for the abduction. Following the registration of the case, the police launched a search operation, scouring the surrounding areas and conducting inquiries with local residents. The police have also been using available resources to monitor security footage and collect information that could lead to the identification of the suspect. Earlier this year The Thane police, through a collaborative effort with a hospital in Thane, and the Madhya Pradesh police, reunited a 17-year-old specially-abled boy from Ujjain, with his family, officials said. Police said that the boy, who had been missing for nearly three years, from his home in MP, was reportedly found wandering barefoot and in tattered clothes on the streets in Thane in August 2022. The case came to light after a local resident alerted the Child Welfare Commission (CWC) about a ‘homeless’ boy under Thane’s Kasarvadavli police jurisdiction. The CWC took custody of the boy and told the police to trace his origins. Initially identified under a different name, the boy was placed in a children’s home. However, during a medical evaluation, he exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions, prompting authorities to transfer him to the Thane Mental Hospital.
17 December,2024 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha members, instructing them to remain present in the House on Tuesday as the bill for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is scheduled for introduction. According to PTI, the whip was issued by Shrirang Barne, the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, who emphasised the importance of attending the session as “some very important issue/legislative business” is expected to be discussed and passed. The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is a key ally of the BJP. PTI reports that the bill, titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, often referred to as the “one nation, one election” bill, will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Following its introduction, Meghwal will seek the permission of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further deliberation and consultations. The joint parliamentary panel will be formed on a pro-rata basis, ensuring representation based on the strength of various parties in both Houses. As per PTI, the BJP, being the largest party, is likely to secure the chairmanship of the committee in addition to nominating several of its members. The proposed bill is a significant step towards the central government's vision of synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. PTI reports that the Union Cabinet had recently approved the decision to move forward with simultaneous polls, while choosing not to include local body elections in the current proposal. Additionally, the Union Law Minister will introduce another piece of legislation – The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill aims to streamline and align the electoral processes in the Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The concept of “one nation, one election” has been a subject of much debate and discussion across the political spectrum. Proponents of the measure argue that simultaneous elections will reduce the financial burden and administrative challenges caused by frequent polls. However, opponents have raised concerns regarding its impact on federalism and regional political dynamics. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2024 09:03 AM IST | MumbaiIn a story reminiscent of the film ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, where actor Salman Khan’s character reunites a lost girl with her family across borders, Pakistani imam and YouTuber Waliullah Maroof undertook a similar mission. Maroof successfully reunited Hamida Banu—an Indian woman trafficked to Pakistan 24 years ago—with her family in India. Maroof, 29, the imam of a mosque in Karachi’s Manghopir, discovered Hamida’s story through social media. Driven to help, he began a quest to trace her family. His efforts gained momentum when a report in mid-day brought the case to the attention of the Indian government. On Monday afternoon, her long-lost children and family members, who had been awaiting her return for over two decades, embraced her with tears and open arms near the Wagah border. Maroof has made it his mission since 2018 to help those trafficked to Pakistan return to their countries. He has assisted nearly 100 individuals, inspired by his mother’s encouragement to help reunite a Bangladeshi woman with his family. Waliullah Maroof, YouTuber and imam in Karachi Speaking with mid-day, Maroof said, “One day, while browsing social media on my phone, my mother scolded me saying I was wasting my time. She suggested that I should instead help the Bangladeshi woman in our neighbourhood. That marked the beginning of my journey to reunite trafficked individuals with their families—a mission that continues to this day. Over time, I managed to trace the families of many Bangladeshi women and helped reunite them. Hamida was the only Indian woman I helped reconnect with family.” According to Maroof, Hamida Banu visited his home and narrated her story. He recorded an 11-minute video of her and posted it on his YouTube channel and on Facebook, urging viewers to help locate her family. “In July 2022,I connected with Khalfan Shaikh, an Indian YouTuber, who identified Hamida Banu’s family,” he said. Subsequently, the Indian Embassy in Pakistan contacted Maroof and Hamida Banu was taken to the embassy, where officials questioned her to verify her identity. On November 25, 2023, Maroof received another call from the embassy, confirming her Indian citizenship had been verified and arrangements were being made to facilitate her return to India. On Monday, the two travelled from Karachi to Lahore by flight. From there, they journeyed to the Wagah border by road, where Hamida was handed over to Indian authorities and finally sent back to her homeland. Hamida Banu after crossing over to India “It was a profoundly emotional moment, marking the end of Hamida’s long and harrowing journey. The embassy covered the cost of flight tickets from Karachi to Lahore. I purchased some essentials for Hamida using our funds to ensure she had what she needed for the journey. Following protocol, we were escorted from Lahore airport to the Wagah border, where Hamida Banu crossed over into India and was reunited with her family,” Maroof said. Maroof said that Hamida Banu recounted that there were five women trafficked with her. Three of them were young and were sold by the traffickers. Hamida, being older, was left behind in a hut while the human traffickers fled. “After Hamida, I found another woman named Shahnaz, originally from Bangalore, residing in the Pak Colony area of Karachi. I was able to locate Shahnaz’s family and even spoke to her daughters. However, the challenge lies in proving her Indian citizenship. When Shahnaz was trafficked to Pakistan, her children were very young, and they did not have any documents to establish her identity as an Indian. Despite this, Shahnaz belongs to India, and I am committed to finding a way to help her return,” Maroof said. Family never gave up “We had given up hope but never believed she was no longer alive,” said Shahida, Hamida Banu’s sister, told mid-day. “We didn’t know where she was, but we prayed for her safety. May Allah bless Maroof who found her and reunited us.” Indian officers at the border process Banu’s documents “We did everything possible to bring her back to India. mid-day also helped us immensely by taking our message to the government. Today, after 24 years, we finally have her back. Our parents passed away when I was a child, and it was Hamida who raised me and cared for me like a mother”. Apart from meeting Banu near the border, the family did not get a chance to talk much as Indian officials completed formalities.
17 December,2024 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA Preliminary finding based on submissions by wet-lease contractors has revealed that the BEST undertaking does not have any training standard operating procedures (SoPs) for electric vehicles like that of standard, mechanical buses, a senior official told mid-day. The BEST undertaking has been receiving inputs from the six wet-lease operators over the weekend. “Usually, BEST trains drivers to operate manual buses for four weeks, but there is no prescribed training process for automatic and electric buses,” the official said. BEST officials said no concrete rules have been made yet for the training of drivers of automatic and electric buses compared to those of manual buses. Due to this, there are no set rules and the investigation revealed that the driver involved in the recent accident at Kurla was given three days of training, one of the key reasons why drivers are unable to operate these buses properly, which increases the chances of accidents. Kurla mishap toll rises The toll in the December 3 BEST bus accident in Kurla West rose to eight on Monday after an injured victim, Fazlu Rehman, 52, succumbed to his injuries at 5.30 am at Sion Hospital. Ganesh Gawade, DCP, Zone V, meanwhile, told mid-day that the police had received reports from the RTO and the BEST. “The reports state that there was no mechanical fault with the bus. We are investigating the matter.” 52Age of Kurla victim who died on Monday
17 December,2024 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarFor the convenience of passengers boarding local trains from Bhayandar station, the Western Railway (WR) took a decision to convert the morning 8 am existing 12-car non-AC regular local train to a 15-car, boosting capacity by 33 per cent. Political protests had erupted at Bhayandar station on December 2 after the 8.24 am non-AC Bhayandar local was converted to AC local. WR officials said there has been huge demand for AC local trains, and there had been significant crowding for the AC train from Bhayandar due to which the 8:24 am non-AC local train was converted to AC. The WR from November 27 increased the number of AC local services over the Mumbai Suburban section, replacing existing non-AC services. The 8.24 am regular Bhayandar local was heavily patronised by those wanting to reach Churchgate by 10 am. To compensate for this and to accommodate the crowd, the WR decided to convert a local train before the 8.24 am AC local into a 15-car to increase its carrying capacity. "For the convenience of passengers, WR will be operating train number 90208 fast local (15-car) at 8 am between Bhayandar and Churchgate, with effect from December 16, 2024. The train will return at 9.09 am fast from Churchgate to Nalasopara," a WR spokesperson said.
17 December,2024 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMumbai's minimum temperature plummeted to 14 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, recording a sharp drop in the last 48 hours. After witnessing a significant drop in its minimum temperature by four degrees Celsius within 24 hours on Sunday and by six degrees in 48 hours, meteorologists now anticipate a sharp decline in temperatures to continue across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, in the coming days. This sudden change, described by many as "unexpected," has already started to take effect from Monday morning. Two schoolkids of St Joseph High School in Wadala wear beanies as they wait for their school bus in Sion. Pic/Atul Kamble As per the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Santacruz observatory, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 16.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which is 2.2 degrees below the seasonal average, which dropped further to 14 degrees Celsius on Monday. On Saturday, December 14, the nighttime temperature was recorded at 20.1 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal by 1.6 degrees. Weather experts have indicated that the city’s nighttime temperatures are expected to remain below average during the first half of this week. “We had predicted a dip in minimum temperature hovering around 18-16 degrees Celsius. However, such a sharp drop was unexpected due to the incoming northerly winds. There is a possibility of temperatures increasing again after December 18 due to the influence of easterly winds. For now, the overall temperature drop can be attributed to a shift in the prevailing weather patterns,” said Sushma Nair, scientist at IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre Mumbai. "The anticyclone we mentioned on Monday persisted and extended into Madhya Maharashtra now, resulting in low temperatures. Surely current low temperatures were not expected," said climatologist Rajesh Kapadia of Vagaries of Weather, a private weather blog. Explaining the weather system and the dip in temperature, meteorologists at Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting agency, said, "Snowfall over the Himalayas is crucial for the onset of winter in the region. As the western disturbance passed, cold winds from the snow-covered mountains began to sweep across the Northwest and parts of Central India, leading to a sharp decline in temperatures. Currently, temperatures have dropped significantly over many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). While Mumbai recorded a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, other areas in Maharashtra also experienced low temperatures. Some of the areas that recorded minimum temperature below seven degrees include Ahilyanagar: 5.5 degrees Celsius, Pusad (Yavatmal): 5.6 degrees Celsius, Mohol (Solapur): 6 degrees Celsius, NDA (Pune): 6.1 degrees Celsius, Pabal (Shirur): 6.2 degrees Celsius, and Shahada (Nandurbar): 6.4 degrees Celsius. Apart from this, other areas with lower temperatures include Talegaon (Pune) at 8.3 degrees Celsius, Rajgurunagar (Pune) at 8.5 degrees Celsius, Baramati at seven degrees Celsius, and Daund at 7.3 degrees Celsius.
17 December,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghA safety lapse was observed on Singapore Airlines flight SQ424 on December 11 as the aircraft, bound for Mumbai, took off with what appeared to be a crack in the structure. Flight passengers had also pointed out the issue to the crew as it was about to take off from Singapore, however, the flight anyway departed after being cleared by an airline staff member. Aviation experts believe that this could have turned out to be a major catastrophic incident if the fuselage had burst open. Passengers point out leakage Passengers on board pointed out to the crew about water seeping in the aircraft from a point. Speaking to mid-day, Siddhesh Vartak, a passenger, said, “On the evening of the flight, heavy rain in Singapore caused water to drip continuously inside the aircraft. Several seats were wet, and tissues were used as a temporary solution. This made many passengers, including myself, extremely uncomfortable and raised serious concerns about safety. To our surprise, the cabin crew instructed passengers to sit on the drenched seats, cover themselves with blankets, and proceed to watch the safety video. This approach was highly inappropriate and dismissive of passenger well-being.” He added, “My primary concern is that proceeding with the flight under such conditions posed a significant safety risk. Increased air pressure or other in-flight complications could have resulted in an emergency situation. A more prudent and safety-conscious decision would have been to delay the flight or rebook passengers on a subsequent one.” Sharing a video of the incident, Vartak added, “Safety must always take precedence over scheduling. Although we landed safely in Mumbai, the experience has left me deeply concerned about the airline’s commitment to passenger safety. When some passengers voiced their discomfort, they were met with an unprofessional response from the crew.” Vartak further disclosed, “An airline official was called in to check the leakage issue. I am not sure if he was an engineer or a technician, but he cleared the aircraft for the flight.” Following the incident, Vartak had also lodged an official complaint with the Singapore Airlines as well as the civil aviation ministry. Airline admits leakage in flight After the issue was raised by the passengers, Singapore Airlines admitted that there was a leakage in their flight SQ424 on December 11, which was due to the seepage of rainwater. In its official statement sent to mid-day replying to a WhatsApp query sent by mid-day, the airline said, “On 11 December 2024, following a heavy downpour in Singapore, water seeped into an Airbus A380 operating Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ424 from Singapore to Mumbai and on to 20 Economy Class seats in the aircraft. The water seepage stopped shortly after takeoff. To mitigate the situation, the affected 20 seats were covered with plastic sheets prior to boarding, and our cabin crew provided the necessary assistance to the affected customers during the flight, including changing the seat cushion covers, pillows, and blankets. SIA sincerely apologises to the 20 affected customers. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.” ExpertSpeak Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a seasoned aviator and aviation expert, told mid-day, “Any flight that is potentially not safe for passengers is grounded, and then work starts on the aircraft. If the cabin had been depressurised, an emergency landing would have been needed as the pressure in the cabin would have dropped drastically and in a matter of seconds. This, again, depends on the size of the hole or the crack in the aircraft that was allowing water to seep in.” A senior investigator at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) told mid-day, “This indeed has multiple factors at play. No doubt that the water was pouring into the aircraft, but it needs to be investigated whether the crack or hole through which the water was seeping was directly on the fuselage of the aircraft or some other place from where the water seeped in and then made its way to the cabin. It is also a fact that if the crack or hole was directly on the fuselage, there was a possibility that the cabin might have burst open due to the pressure difference between the low air pressure at high altitudes and high air pressure in the cabin.” He added, “Luckily no such catastrophe happened on this flight, and the aircraft reached Mumbai safely considering the flight path. There is a section where the aircraft has to travel over the ocean, which we call the oceanic transfer. During this phase, there is no land kilometres away from the aircraft. If any fuselage burst would have happened during this phase, the aircraft would have had to make an emergency landing in the ocean and wait for a rescue mission to reach them.” Dec 11Day of the incident
17 December,2024 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariADVERTISEMENT
