Latest news with #NationalistCongressParty
India Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Today
Court seeks Ajit Pawar's party leader's reply in Anjali Damania defamation case
A Magistrate court in Mumbai has directed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - Ajit Pawar faction's spokesperson Suraj Chavan to file a response in a criminal defamation case filed against him by activist and whistleblower Anjali case, filed before the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate court, stems from remarks allegedly made by Chavan during a televised debate, which Damania claims were defamatory and intended to tarnish her to Damania's complaint, the comments followed her criticism of Ajit Pawar's 'pink campaign' — an outreach initiative targeting women voters ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Damania had posted her views on social media, which reportedly triggered backlash from NCP supporters. In response, Chavan made statements on a news channel that Damania alleges were false, baseless, and intended to discredit her public image and past activism. The complaint also asserts that Chavan's remarks were widely circulated on social media, exacerbating the damage to her reputation and standing in public has sought action under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to criminal defamation, and has urged the court to take cognisance of the offence and initiate appropriate legal proceedings. She has also requested that the police be directed to investigate the matter and collect relevant has to file a reply by September 8.- Ends
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supriya Sule alleges ‘₹4,800-crore scam' in Ladki Bahin Yojana
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) accused the Maharashtra government of committing a '₹4,800-crore scam' in the Mukhyamantri Maajhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged irregularities. Her allegations come two days after the Maharashtra government announced a temporary suspension of ₹1,500 monthly aid to 26.34 lakh beneficiaries following a verification drive that reportedly revealed the presence of thousands of ineligible beneficiaries, including 14,000 men, on the list. State Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare had said that the eligibility of the suspended beneficiaries would be verified by their respective District Collectors. Ms. Sule questioned the process through which the government had verified and identified the beneficiaries. 'The government rejects, on the smallest of pretexts, applications of people trying to access health, education, and crop insurance schemes. How did the system allow men to receive cash payments through direct benefit transfers?' she said. Pinning the blame regarding the 'irregularities' on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the Baramati MP said, 'Men must take the responsibility. I won't accuse Tatkare as the decision was passed by the State Cabinet unanimously.' The Ladki Bahin scheme was launched in August 2024 ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election held later that year in November. The scheme was considered one of the reasons for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's victory in the poll. However, after the election, the government started a scrutiny of the beneficiaries to weed out illegal beneficiaries. 'If the matter is not investigated, then we will raise the demand for a probe in Parliament,' the NCP (SP) leader told mediapersonsin New Delhi.
NDTV
15 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Supriya Sule Alleges Rs 4,800 Crore Fraud In Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Scheme
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule has accused the Maharashtra government of a Rs 4,800 crore fraud in its flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin welfare scheme and demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Reports suggest over 14,000 male beneficiaries wrongly availed benefits from a scheme intended solely for economically weaker women, Ms Sule told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, questioning how verification failures went unnoticed despite Aadhaar and bank details being mandatory to apply for the scheme. "An SIT probe must be initiated," she demanded, calling on the state government to produce a white paper, conduct a full audit, and ensure a transparent investigation of the alleged scam. Ms Sule said the scheme reportedly enrolled 2.38 crore women, of which 26 lakh (about 10%) were declared ineligible after the state Assembly elections. Yet, male applicants were not filtered out during this initial processing. "How did money meant for sisters land in men's accounts?" she asked, rejecting any laxity in the digital system used for registrations. She also drew contrasts with other welfare processes, stating, "Student forms were rejected for a few low marks, multiple checks are in place. Then how did this system fail in the Ladki Bahin scheme?" Ms Sule also accused the state government of failing to uphold even the sanctity of familial bonds, claiming that the sister-brother relationship was betrayed in the flawed execution of the scheme. She also made clear that she would not single out Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare or any specific minister, but insisted that those accountable for implementing the scheme, including the Cabinet and Deputy Chief Minister, take responsibility for the alleged scandal. "If the government fails to respond adequately, I will raise the issue in Parliament and press the centre to demand an inquiry," she said. The issue has given a political momentum to the Opposition in the state. With allegations from leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, pressure is building for greater accountability from the ruling Mahayuti coalition. The state government has already suspended benefits for around 26.34 lakh allegedly ineligible beneficiaries, including men and government employees, after cross-checks revealed misuse. Funds will be recovered from any male beneficiaries found to have unlawfully benefited, the government has said.
India Today
16 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Evidence shows Walmik Karad is member of crime syndicate: Maharashtra court
A special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in Beed has rejected a discharge application filed by Walmik Baburao Karad, the prime accused in a case involving extortion and murder liked to a company called Avaada Energy Private Limited in Kaij district of Beed, court observed that there is prima facie evidence to show that the accused is a member of a crime a close aide of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Dhananjay Munde, was booked under MCOCA for the murder of a village head, Santosh Deshmukh. Karad had sought his discharge under Section 250 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), contending that he was falsely implicated due to a political vendetta. He denied playing any role in a crime syndicate and challenged the legality of the prior approval and sanction under public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who is now a Rajya Sabha member, submitted that the sanction for MCOCA was taken as per judge V.H. Patwadkar noted that Karad and his co-accused had allegedly demanded rupees 2 crore from Avaada Energy and had threatened to halt their operations in the area if their demands were not Deshmukh tried to intervene in the matter, he was allegedly abducted and killed on December 9, 2024. Witness statements and electronic evidence reportedly linked Karad to the court observed that 20 cases were registered against Karad, and 7 of those were within the past decade. The judge said, "This prima facie shows that Karad is involved in continuing unlawful activities."Indicating a pattern of continuing unlawful activity, the court further held that there was prima facie material, including scientific, digital, and forensic evidence, to proceed with charges under numerous sections of the law."Validity of prior permission or sanction shall not be doubted at this juncture. Thus, the statements of witnesses, material, technical, digital, scientific and forensic evidence prima facie reveal that the offence was committed by Karad and co-accused persons as a result of non-fulfillment of the demand of the ransom by the company, obstruction by Deshmukh, followed by conspiracy, abduction and elimination of deceased," the judge also ruled that the scope for discharge at this stage was limited and that sufficient grounds existed to proceed with the trial, thereby rejecting Karad's plea while adding, "The applicant appears to have been a member of the organised crime syndicate and was involved in continuing unlawful activities."- EndsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Maharashtra
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM's generosity that he showed faith in Oppn to lead global delegations: Supriya Sule
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was his 'generosity (badappan)' that he showed faith in Opposition leaders to lead the delegations that went to different countries after Operation Sindoor to highlight the country's fight against terror. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor on Monday, Sule said, 'When we got a call from Kiren Rijiju, he said to me on the phone that Supriya, you will have to give 10 days for the country… yeh mananiya Pradhan Mantri ji ka badappan tha ki hum saare oppositions ko unhone lead karne ka jo vishwas dikhaya hai, yahi ek sashakt loktantra hai (It was the generosity of the Prime Minister that he showed faith in the opposition to lead the delegations; this is the strong democracy),' Sule said. Sule also said she does not have narrow thinking like BJP MP Tejashvi Surya as she believes 'jo achcha hai, woh achcha hi hai'. Sule said that leaders may have political differences, but when the question is about the nation, that comes first, followed by the state, the party and then the family. Sule highlighted that the Congress, in an all-party meeting, was the first to say that it and all opposition parties stand with the Narendra Modi government in every decision, including the war with Pakistan.
