Latest news with #RevatiMohite-Dere
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
IDBI Bank agrees to deposit over Rs 75 lakh shares in NRI woman' account over 2019 demat fraud
After a nudge by the Bombay High Court, the IDBI Bank has assured the HC that it will procure and deposit 31,690 of her shares of Wipro India Ltd worth over Rs 75 lakh into the account of an NRI woman, who lost the shares as they were transferred from her demat account without her sanction in 2019. The bank said it will procure the same amount of shares and deposit them in the woman's newly opened demat account. The court also asked Cuffe Parade police to continue the probe against complicit bank officials. A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale on April 30 passed an order on the plea of the 48-year-old woman, originally from Mulund. The HC had earlier pulled up Mumbai police for 'shameful delay' in action on the woman's complaint and had also asked the IDBI Bank to repay the amount to her. The petitioner was issued shares in lieu of her years of service till 2005 and had opened a demat account with IDBI in 2004, with the shares' value as per the 2019 statement being Rs 75.99 lakh. But she later come to know a person gained illegal access to her demat account and sold large amounts of her shares. On April 15, Mumbai police informed the HC that the Cuffe Parade police station registered the FIR against the bank and its officials for offence of forgery among others and the FIR was transferred to property cell, CID, Mumbai. The bench had also pulled up IDBI Capital Markets and Securities Ltd for not showing seriousness in the case and taking no action against the concerned employee. On Wednesday, advocate Mayur Khandeparkar for IDBI Bank submitted its affidavit, which stated that the bank will take necessary steps to procure 31,690 shares of Wipro India within three weeks and the same will be deposited in her newly opened demat account with the bank. The IDBI Bank said after crediting the shares in her demat account, it will inform the police and the said shares will be kept under freeze. The bank said the freeze would be lifted on completion of the investigation by police and as per HC directions. 'We make it clear that IDBI Bank is depositing the said shares without prejudice to their rights and contentions and the petitioner is accepting the deposits of the same without prejudice to her rights and contentions,' the HC noted.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Indian Express
Badlapur ‘encounter': How Bombay HC compelled state govt to register FIR, slammed police delays
Over seven months after the accused arrested in the Badlapur sexual assault case was shot dead while being transported in a police vehicle, the Maharashtra Police, after being repeatedly slammed by the Bombay High Court for inaction, said on Wednesday that it would register an FIR by May 3. A look at the developments that led to the decision: What is the custodial death case? The alleged sexual assault on two four-year-old kindergarten students took place on August 12 and 13 at the washroom of their school in Badlapur in Thane district. The custodial death incident dates back to September 23 last year, when a 23-year-old, who was arrested in the case, was shot while he was in police custody. The police had claimed to have shot the accused in self-defence, alleging that after one of his hands was freed so he could drink water, he snatched one of their guns and opened fire. The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was tasked to probe the custodial death and took over from the Thane Police. The state government also appointed a judicial commission headed by a former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to investigate the 'encounter' claims. What did the Bombay High Court question? On September 24 last year, the father of the deceased approached the Bombay High Court seeking an SIT probe into the alleged 'fake encounter' of his son and sought registration of an FIR against the police officers. The next day, a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj K Chavan (retired on February 21) picked holes in the 'retaliatory firing' claim by the police and said 'this cannot be termed as an encounter' and the same 'could have been avoided'. On October 3 last year, the high court ordered an expedited magisterial inquiry into the custodial death inquiry under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). In November and December last year, the bench slammed the state CID for discrepancies and shortcomings and said that it was a 'matter of concern' how the probe team could take it 'so lightly'. What did the magistrate's inquiry report find? Months after the Bombay High Court raised several questions over the police's claims, on January 20, it was informed that, as per the magistrate's inquiry report dated January 17, five police officers, including a police driver, were 'responsible for the custodial death'. The officers were identified as Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Shinde (Thane Crime Branch), Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More, Head Constables Abhijeet More and Harish Tawade, and driver Satish Ramnath Khatal with constable rank. In the Accidental Death Report (ADR), the magistrate Ashok R Shendge found that there were 'no fingerprints' on the pistol and 'no gunshot residues were found on handwash, handcuffs and clothes of the deceased'. It stated that the use of force by the police was not justified and found that police personnel were in such a position that they could easily handle the situation. Citing Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports, the magistrate observed that the 'false encounter' allegations made by parents of the deceased 'found substance'. How did the HC insist that CID lodge an FIR against the police officers? On January 20, the high court directed the Maharashtra government's CID to register an FIR against the police officers indicted as per the findings of the magistrate and begin further proceedings as per law. Next month, the high court again questioned why the state had not registered an FIR. The bench said it would not close the case despite the parents of the deceased showing reluctance to pursue the plea due to personal difficulties. It appointed senior advocate Manjula Rao as amicus curiae to assist it in the matter. Why did the government show reluctance? On being repeatedly questioned over non-registration of FIR against the concerned police officers, the Maharashtra government, through senior advocate Amit Desai, appointed as special public prosecutor, had argued that its CID was probing the custodial death in an 'independent' manner and it will decide on the outcome after the probe concludes. Desai had claimed that the magisterial inquiry that went beyond its scope cannot be the basis of an FIR, while the CID was already examining all angles in the matter. What did HC rule in its verdict? The high court, through its April 7 judgment, directed the Maharashtra Police to set up an SIT supervised by Joint Commissioner of Police Lakhmi Gautam to probe the custodial death. It observed that 'the refusal to investigate a crime erodes public faith in justice and allows perpetrators to go unpunished'. It had directed that the police should follow the principles laid down by the Supreme Court earlier, including registration of a FIR, and 'ensure that the case, which prima facie discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, is taken to its logical end'. How state was compelled to act On April 25, nearly 20 days after its verdict, the high court rapped the state CID for failing to transfer investigation papers to the Joint CP within two days of the verdict and not registering the FIR. The court termed it a 'brazen violation' of its directives and warned the CID of initiating contempt proceedings for not complying with its orders. After the high court rap, the state CID Chief Prashant Burde said the case papers will be handed over forthwith On April 30, the high court questioned the state's claim that an FIR can be registered only after going through the magistrate's enquiry documents or if aggrieved parents of the deceased had come forward to file a complaint. The high court said there was no need to do so as the cognisable offence was disclosed as per its verdict and warned of contempt proceedings against the SIT. An hour later, the state lawyer informed the high court that an FIR will be filed by May 3 at the instance of the Crime Branch officer who will act as complainant in the case.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Bombay HC asks state govt to put police and prison manuals online for social awareness
The Bombay High Court recently directed the state government to consider publishing police and prison manuals on its official websites and said it was important to put out such critical information for the public at large and relatives of the inmates. The HC was hearing a plea seeking implementation of the Central state's 2022 advisory for terminally ill and the Maharashtra Prisons (Review of Sentences) Rules. The HC said that social media should be used for propagating information about prison manuals and the public had a right to know what is in the prison manual. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale was hearing plea by one Arun Bhelke alias Rajan alias Aditya Patil from Pune who was arrested by the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in September 2014 along his wife Kanchan Nanaware alias Bhoomi alias Sonali Patil, an alleged Maoist operative. After developing terminal-illness, Nanaware's bail plea was rejected by sessions court, however the HC later referred her to a medical board that recommended heart and lung transplant. However, she died in custody in 2021. Representing Bhelke, senior advocate Gayatri Singh submitted that the documents related to important provisions concerning prison healthcare are not available online and they remain inaccessible to inmates. The HC raised concerns over health facilities in Maharashtra's jails and sought to know how many medical practitioners are there in jails across state and what the vacancies of doctors were , whether they were qualified and what medicine supply is available and if adequate ambulances are made accessible for inmates. Advocate Vijay Hiremath also submitted that even the police manual is not available to the public at large and must be made available on the website. The Court also indicated that it would constitute a committee to review provisions in police and prisons manuals. Additional Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde told the HC that she would take instructions from the concerned department and respond to the court's queries during the next hearing on April 28.
United News of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Sunil Kakade appointed Chief Engineer of Pune Circle of MSEDCL
More News Holding area at Pune Railway Station to manage summer rush 26 Apr 2025 | 12:15 AM Pune, Apr 25 (UNI) In view of the ongoing summer holiday season and the surge in passenger traffic, Pune Division, Central Railway, under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Kumar Verma, has set up a holding area at platform No. of the Pune Railway Station, an official said on Friday. see more.. HC raps Maha police for failing to shift Badlapur death case to SIT 25 Apr 2025 | 11:18 PM Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) The Bombay Court on Friday rapped the Maharashtra Police for failing to transfer the probe into the custodial death of the Badlapur sexual assault accused to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the judiciary, A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr Neela Gokhalem which was hearing the petition, said the act of not transferring the case despite clear orders amounts to criminal contempt of court. see more.. Strict action against Pak citizens overstaying in Maharashtra: CM 25 Apr 2025 | 10:59 PM Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Following the central government's suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced strict action would be taken against those who violate the 48-hour deadline to leave India. see more.. How come BJP leaders are not ashamed to hold felicitation ceremonies while the country is in mourning: Congress' Londhe 25 Apr 2025 | 8:51 PM Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Coming down heavily on the BJP, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe has asked why the BJP leaders and ministers are holding felicitation ceremonies when the entire country is mourning the deaths of the 26 people killed by terrorists in Pahalgam. see more..
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
Badlapur accused ‘encounter': Bombay HC pulls up state for failing to register FIR against cops, directs CID to handover probe documents to SIT
Terming it as 'brazen violation' of the court directives, the Bombay High Court on Friday slammed the state government for failing to transfer the probe papers related to custodial death of the accused in Badlapur sexual assault case to the SIT and not registering an FIR, despite nearly 20 days since the high court's April 7 order. After a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale warned the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of initiating contempt proceedings for not complying with its orders, Maharashtra CID chief and Additional Director General of Police (Addl DGP) Prashant Burde said to the court that the case papers will be handed over forthwith, which the court accepted. A 23-year-old janitor, arrested in August 2024 for the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur in Thane district, was shot dead while he was being transported in a police vehicle on September 23 last year. The HC said the documents related to the accidental death report (ADR) of the magistrate shall be handed over on Friday by Superintendent of Police Prashant Waghunde of CID, an investigating officer (IO) to the Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police, who was directed to supervise the Special Investigation Team (SIT), so as to enable the SIT to undertake the probe. The magistrate's ADR submitted to the high court in January found that five police officers, including a police driver, were responsible for the death of the accused. The magistrate had said in the report that he 'found substance' in the 'false encounter' allegations made by the parents of the deceased. On April 7, the high court passed a judgment on a plea by the father of the accused and formed an SIT to be supervised by Additional Joint Commissioner of Police Lakhmi Gautam and to be headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police. It had directed it to probe the death by following principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari case, which includes mandatory registration of an FIR. It had directed the CID to hand over the case papers within two days. Earlier this week, The Indian Express reported that despite the HC order, neither the SIT had been constituted nor an FIR registered. On Friday, during the pre-lunch session, the bench said it came to know that the state has not complied with its orders as the HC registry received a letter from a state-appointed judicial commission headed by the retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court seeking copies of the ADR. Expressing displeasure, the judges orally remarked, 'You may have filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court (challenging HC order) on April 9. As on date, there is no stay order from HC. It means our order still holds the ground. Rule of law should be followed…Or else, we will be constrained to issue contempt of court notice.' Justice Gokhale orally remarked, 'First and foremost, this should not have happened. On your own, the investigation agency should have registered an FIR earlier. But it did not. Now you have not followed our order. What prevents you from transferring papers? Had you been so aggrieved, sought urgent hearing before SC, which was not done. This is the case where the criminal contempt proceedings have to be issued today itself. We are appalled. This is a brazen violation of our order. ' Justice Mohite-Dere questioned, 'Is there any sanctity to our orders or not? What is the problem in handing over papers from one unit of police to another?'. In the post lunch session, Gautam said he had constituted his team of officers who will be a part of the SIT and was awaiting papers from the CID. Public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar, representing the state government, submitted that CID was under the impression that the Supreme Court proceedings on its SLP would get influenced if it had handed over the papers. The HC bench termed the justification 'preposterous.' Senior advocate Manjula Rao, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, said it was clear that the authorities wanted to protect the persons involved in the case and giving them concessions will send a wrong message to the public. After Waghunde told the bench that he had been instructed by higher authorities not to hand over papers, the high court said it did not intend to make him a 'scapegoat' but as an investigating officer, he was bound to follow HC order. The bench then asked CID chief to appear before it through virtual mode, who appeared for a few minutes and said the papers will be handed over 'right away'. The court adjourned the matter to April 30 for compliance.
