Nagpur

Ex-Dy Dir Vaishali Jamdar arrested

  Staff Reporter :  Cops searching for Satish Mendhe, ex-Dy Director (Education), as his name also surfaced during investigations   The police crackdown in the bogus teachers recruitment scam continues, with another maj..

Rs 155 cr fraud now at Rs 800 cr Scam grows fivefold as new fake firms surface

  Staff Reporter The financial scandal that originally appeared to involve Rs 155 crore has now ballooned into a Rs 800 crore scam, as ongoing investigations by the Crime Branch expose deeper layers of fraudulent transactions facilitated th..

Butibori flyover to open for vehicular traffic from today

  Staff Reporter : Butibori flyover is finally going to reopen for vehicular traffic from Saturday onwards, five months after it was closed in aftermath of damage to the bridge’s piers. M/s TNT Infra said it is going to submit the rep..

4 Naxals killed in encounter with cops in Gadchiroli

   Gadchiroli Correspondent :  AS MANY as 4 hardcore Maoists were neutralised in exchange of fire with Gadchiroli Police on the banks of river Indrawati near village Kawande in Bhamragad taluka on Friday morning, informed SP Nilotpal i..

ED conducts simultaneous raids on jeweller, bizman

  Business Reporter A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted simultaneous raids at four to five locations in the city against a jeweller - Purushottam Kawle and a businessman Shailesh Lakhotia. The ED officers raided K..

Pardi’s puzzling ramp: NHAI’s ‘marvel’ or a monument of mismanagement?

  By Sagar Mohod : NHAI constructed a ramp adjoining regular flyover that ends up creating dangerous situation post merger of traffic  By Sagar Mohod AMONG the massive number of public works on in the city, some constructions s..

SC rules Zudpi jungle land as forest

Bringing curtains down on the protracted dispute surrounding the status of Zudpi jungle lands in Eastern Vidarbha region, Supreme Court (SC), on Thursday, averred, they will be considered as Forest land. Similarly, the apex court limited utilisation of Zudpi jungle land for compulsory afforestation, stating — The same will be permitted on request by Chief Secretary that there is no other waste land available for the same. Another important aspect of the judgement is, the apex court outlawed any diversion ..

Modernised Itwari Rly Stn dedicated to nation

In a major infrastructure boost in Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, virtually inaugurated the modernised Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Itwari Railway Station on Thursday. Government of India upgraded 103 railway stations across 86 districts in 18 states and Union Territories under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and Itwari Railway Station was also in the list. Among the list of 103 railway stations, 15 are in Maharashtra and three stations are in Nagpur division, including ..

‘Indigenous defence manufacturing needs more exposure for Atmanirbhar Bharat’

“To achieve the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat and to enhance our combat strength, it is necessary to promote indigenous defence manufacturing. For this, the private defence companies like Solar Group will play a major role,” said Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) while interacting with media on Thursday. Dr Kamat was in the city to inaugurate Pyrotechnic Composition and Delay Element manufacturing facility in Solar Industries...

Incomplete cement road causing hardships to citizens

Residents of South-West Nagpur have raised serious concern regarding the prolonged delay in the completion of the cement road stretching from Pratap Nagar to Somalwar High School, Khamla. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, citizens have expressed frustration over the hardships faced, particularly, by the senior citizens, pedestrians, and two-wheeler riders, due to the partially constructed road. While onside of the road, from Dutt Medical Stores to Baba Saoji, is reportedly ..

Shalarth ID scam: Cops net Board’s Divisional President

IN a sensational twist to Shalarth ID scam, Cyber Police, on Thursday, arrested Chintaman Wanjari, Divisional President, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Education. According to police, Wanjari was involved in the scam while serving as Education Officer, Primary, in School Education Department, when the alleged appointment of unqualified persons in various schools had allegedly taken place. The case is making sensation across the State and even the Opposition is targeting the State ..

PM dedicates refurbished railway stations to public

With an aim to improve the train travel experience of people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, inaugurated 103 redeveloped railway stations across the country under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These 103 stations included those at Chanda Fort in Chandrapur district, the Amgaon station in Gondia district as well as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Railway Station in Nagpur. The Chanda Fort Railway Station was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Modi virtually The event was broadcast ..

Sitabuldi parking facility starts

Taking serious cognisance of the news reports published in ‘The Hitavada’ Cityline regarding non-functioning of Sitabuldi parking plaza and continuance of hawkers’ menace on Sitabuldi main road, the civic administration swung into action and ensured the parking plaza gets functional on Wednesday. The officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and police reached Sitabuldi to curb the menace of hawkers. Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari instructed the officers to keep the premises of ..

PM Modi to inaugurate modernised Itwari Railway Station virtually today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the newly redeveloped Itwari railway station on Thursday at 9.30 am through video conference. The station has been renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Itwari Junction. Along with this, he will also inaugurate four other upgraded stations in the South East Central Railway (SECR) Nagpur division – Daswani, Dongargarh, Chanda Fort, and Amgaon. These changes are part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a Central Government project to improve railway stations ..

Bhavan’s student Saanidhya selected for ISRO’s Young Scientist Programme

Saanidhya Borkar, a student of Class X Bhavan's B.P. Vidya Mandir, Koradi, Nagpur, brought laurels not only to the school but to the entire city. Saanidhya has been selected for the YUVIKA 2025 Young Scientist Program organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Department of Space (DOS). There were 4 lakh applications of which only 350 students got selected across the country, and 12 students from Maharashtra were selected with Saanidhya Borkar being the only one to get selected from ..

City’s youth embrace creative workshops to unplug from digital space

In an age of digital burnout, a trend of creative workshops is quietly growing across the city, with more youth choosing tactile, art-based experiences over digital scrolling. Many of these workshops are hosted during weekends in cafes or artist studios, with a room full of young people, college students, early professionals, and groups of friends gathered not just to sip coffee but to learn the art of pottery, ceramic art, painting, perfume making, and more. Some participants of these workshops shared ..

‘Sun Halo, an indication of extreme weather activity’

Citizens in Nagpur, on Wednesday, witnessed a rare celestial phenomenon early afternoon. The optical phenomenon called ‘Lunar or Sun Halo’, a bright rainbow-coloured ring around the Sun, was also witnessed in neighbouring districts like Chandrapur, Gondia and Wardha. According to Prof Suresh Chopane, a Chandrapur-based Astronomy expert, “A rare optic phenomenon, the ‘Sun Halo’ or ‘22 degree halo’ appears like a rainbow encircling the sun or moon at a radius of approximately 22 degrees. It occurs due ..

Rs 155 crore scam Shahu ‘rented’ bank accounts to Tanna for on-line gaming and cricket betting

The Rs 155 crore financial scam that has rattled the city took a new turn on Wednesday as the Crime Branch officials unearthed a direct link between the prime accused Santosh alias Bunty Rampal Shahu and an on-line gaming racket. Investigators have traced the use of ‘rented’ bank accounts for illegal on-line gaming and betting operations run by a suspect named Govind Tanna of Wardhaman Nagar. According to Crime Branch officials, Shahu acquired 10 bank accounts from residents of the Mominpura area, ..

Shalarth ID scam Sadar cops arrest key player

In a major breakthrough in the Shalarth ID scam linked to bogus teachers’ recruitment in the Education Department, Sadar Police arrested one of the prime accused, on Wednesday. The accused, Laxman Upasrao Mangham (47), a resident of Dabha, was working as a clerk in the office of the Deputy Director (Education) at the time of the scam. Mangham, who had access to the login ID and password of the Shalarth system — a digital platform for salary and service management — allegedly approved multiple fake ..

NHAI to start load testing at Butibori flyover from today

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has started pre-opening tests of the Butibori flyover. The steps are in run up to reopening of the bridge on National Highway no 44 for traffic movement. Load testing of the flyover will commence on Wednesday, officials said. On Tuesday, the contractor, under watchful eyes of officials, conducted temperature and heat test post completion of repair and rehabilitation of the damaged section of the flyover. About 14 pier structures were reconstructed to strengthen ..

Crime Branch raids Bunty Shahu’s office; unearths large-scale money laundering

In the Rs 155 crore financial scam, the Crime Branch on Tuesday raided the office of prime accused Santosh alias Bunty Rampal Shahu and unearthed a racket of bogus companies, hawala operations and large-scale money laundering. The raid was conducted at Shahu’s premises in the Small Factory Area, situated just behind his residence, from where he was operating a fake firm named ‘Sakshi Foods’. During the raid, police seized crucial evidence, including bank passbooks, investment records and documents ..

Pakistan phone numbers found linked to Kerala student activist arrested under UAPA

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a potentially serious international link in the ongoing investigation against Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a Kerala-based student-activist who was recently arrested for allegedly waging war against India. According to ATS officials, during the course of the interrogation, Sydeek was found to have been in contact with six Pakistan-based phone numbers. This revelation has triggered a deeper probe by the squad to ascertain the identities and backgrounds of the persons ..

GROUND REALITY Neglected playgrounds now serve as parking lots

Once vibrant and buzzing with the sound of children playing, five key playgrounds in the city have now turned into neglected spaces, many of them unofficial parking lots. The Laxmi Nagar ground, Yeshwant Nagar playground, Ram Nagar playground, Shankar Nagar playground, and Madhav Nagar playground are all currently facing various levels of neglect and misuse, raising concerns among residents about the lack of recreational spaces for children and families. Laxmi Nagar playground This ground has been ..

On his Nagpur visit, Dr Narlikar had questioned politics in education

 The then Vice-Chancellor of RTMNU Dr Siddharthvinayak Kane felicitating Dr Jayant Narlikar with a memento during 102nd Convocation ceremony of RTMNU, held on August 29, 2015 in city. (File pic: Satish Raut)  Staff Reporter : The demi..

NMC’s plan for UPSC, MPSC training centre still in limbo despite budget allocations

The increasing population in the city has meant that quality employment opportunity are far and few between. This has resulted in more and more students turning towards the government jobs for their livelihood. Realising the requirement, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had approved establishment of dedicated training centres for UPSC and MPSC exams in the city. Sadly, the training centres are yet to see the light of the day. A long-standing proposal by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) ..

Maharashtra Bari (Barai) Samaj organised a musical and dance drama on Shri Ram on Tuesday at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Hall

  Maharashtra Bari (Barai) Samaj organised a musical and dance drama on Shri Ram on Tuesday at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Hall. The drama was directed and conceptualised by Shrikant Dhabadgaonkar. (Pic by Anil Futane)  ..

5 women Maoists arrested in G’roli

Five women Maoists, who were actively involved in many violent activities against the security forces, have been arrested by the Gadchiroli Police Force and CRPF on Tuesday. They have been taken into custody for further legal action as there is no concrete evidence regarding the age of the other two Maoists. Due to the effective action, the Gadchiroli Police Force has succeeded in arresting a total of 103 Maoists since January 2022. On the basis of confidential information that 50 to 60 Maoists had ..

A rare hidden gem of Nagpur

HE HAD the bright intellect of an engineer and the throbbing heart of an artist. He was an accomplished engineer, painter, published poet and author who was also deeply immersed in spirituality, sports and photography. In life, he kept his amazing versatility to himself; never showing off, never seeking accolades. But the inspiring story of Rashid Hamza needs to be told, at least now that he’s no more. Born and brought up in Mahdi Bagh in Nagpur, Rashid was a top-notch professional – a mechanical ..

Sitabuldi shopkeepers get respite, Traffic cops notify parking spaces

Sitabuldi shopkeepers and people heaved a sigh of relief as Traffic Police issued a notification regarding vehicle parking. Now people can park vehicles as notified by traffic cops. Taking cognisance of problems being faced by people, Nagpur Municipal Corporation had taken steps last week and removed the encroachments on the road. Immediately, Traffic Police Department got into action and enforced parking rules. As per new parking rules on Sitabuldi main road, two-wheelers shall be parked on the left ..

From black to white Police unravel hawala and black money web in Rs 155 crore scam

The investigation into the massive Rs 155 crore financial fraud busted in Lakadganj area has taken a deeper turn as the police uncovered evidence of black money whitening and hawala transactions allegedly operated through bogus companies. According to officials, the accused had routed black money from local businesses and converted it into “white” through fraudulent billing and financial manipulation. Through the modus-operendi, the accused have laundered thousands of crores of rupees. As per the ..

SC stays High Court order allowing Garuda Parks to challenge stop work notice

The Supreme Court of India has stayed the Bombay High Court’s order that allowed Garuda Amusement Parks Pvt Ltd to seek a personal hearing before the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) regarding the revocation of a ‘Stop Work Order’ issued in June 2023. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta admitted a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by residents Vyankatrao Chaudhary, Ashok Dongre and Bharat Jawade, who challenged the legality of the Nagpur Bench of the ..

CP constitutes SIT to probe teachers’ recruitment scam

Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal has ordered a reshuffling of in-charge of MIDC and Ambazari Police Station and Second Police Inspectors, Sitabuldi and Gittikhadan Police Station. As part of the changes, Police Inspector Mahesh Chavan, who was serving as the in-charge of MIDC Police Station, has been transferred to the Special Branch. In his place, Second Police Inspector Gokul Mahajan of Jaripatka Police Station has been appointed as the new in-charge of MIDC Police Station...

MPCB waives off BGs and 12% interest for all defence establishments in State

Considering the national security and importance, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has exempted defence establishments in the State from submitting Bank Guarantees (BGs) and 12% interest as a penalty for non-submission of BGs within the stipulated time. MPCB issues Combined Consents under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution), Act, 1981; and Authorisation under Rule 6 of the Hazardous and Other Wastes ..

....and the speechless got a home

On the bustling outskirts of Nagpur, just off Mankapur Ring Road, lies a quiet sanctuary where lives are not just saved, they are cherished. It is here that entrepreneur-turned-animal rescuer Smita Mire has built a world of compassion, care, and second chances. Her shelter, Save Speechless Organisation, has become a haven for dogs that society has cast aside: the paralysed, the injured, the abandoned, and the forgotten dogs. Smita’s journey into the world of animal rescue was not planned. It began ..

Patriotic display Grand Tiranga Yatra taken out in Nagpur, Khaparkheda

“India ranks among the top five armed forces globally. The world has accepted that we have the best defence capabilities. Our defence capacity is five times greater than Pakistan’s,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted. He was speaking to mediapersons at Khaparkheda on Sunday. The Chief Minister said every Indian stands firmly behind the armed forces jawans and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This yatra is not for any one political party but is a show of unity in support of the nation, ..

‘Basoli a manifestation of divine perfection’

“Basoli is a manifestation of divine perfection present in two lakh Basolikar children,” said Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Pro-Chancellor, DMIMS, while speaking at the concluding ceremony of the golden jubilee celebration of Basoli group. The programme was held at Bal Jagat auditorium, Laxmi Nagar on Sunday. Basoli group celebrated the golden jubilee year with various workshops, art exhibitions, and seminars on theme of ‘Basolichi Nilai’ that brought together generations of Basoli group together. Bhagwan ..

Imaginary firms, tangible fortunes Crime Branch cracks Rs 155 cr fraud racket

In a case that reads like the plot of a crime thriller, a massive fraud worth Rs 155 crore has come to light in Lakadganj area. Eight fraudlent businessmen have been booked by the police for setting up fake companies using the names of common people brought in from other states. One such victim, Biswajit Sudhanshu Roy from West Bengal, thought he had come to Nagpur for a job - but instead, he found himself trapped in a shocking web of financial crime. Roy (39), a resident of Hooghly, West Bengal, ..

ATS scanning Sydeek’s dark web activity

A preliminary scan of the digital devices belonging to Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a Kerala-based student activist, has revealed that he was active on the dark web, where he was allegedly making inflammatory comments and posting his ideas. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) will send the digital devices to the cyber-forensic laboratory for a more in-depth investigation. Meanwhile, Sydeek was produced in court as his police custody (PCR) ended on Sunday. The court extended his police custody by two more days. ..

Prisoner escapes from GMC&H during treatment

A prisoner escaped from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) during treatment. The escaped prisoner has been identified as Harsh Mahendra Ramteke (23), a resident of Khapri and a native of Tiroda. According to police, Harsh is reportedly addicted to drugs and involved in burglary and theft. He has six cases registered against him at Rana Pratap Nagar Police Station and one at Wathoda Police Station. He was recently arrested in a theft case and sent to jail under judicial custody. Last Friday, ..

World Museum Day was celebrated on Sunday. The city was no exception. The Central Museum at Civil Lines witnessed large number of footfalls

Not only the ‘Wagh Nak’, but the Shivaji Maharaj era of swords, spears, bow and arrow, axe and importantly, the ‘Rajshastra’ declared ‘Dandapatta’ also were the cynosure of visitors’ eyes. The Curator of Central Museum Mayuresh Khadke and Assistant Curator Vinayak Nitthulkar made efforts to make the day memorable...

Those in power showing brazen apathy to upkeep of city

Apropos ‘Of the Issue of Leadership’ of Footloose in Nagpur in two parts (May 8 & May 15). Mr Phanshikar has nailed it by questioning the utter lack of good leadership in the redevelopment of Nagpur, despite a Union Minister and some State ministers being residents of the city. Their brazen apathy towards the upkeep of Nagpur, and their equally brazen disregard for public sentiment, probably stems from the high power and status they enjoy. This reaffirms the notion that contemporary politicians simply ..

50 years of Basoli: Intense, immense energy!

the energy in the place is electric ! -- capable of engulfing even the most disinterested (or morose) into its corona ! Children mill around all excited -- animatedly talking about their drawing sheets and brushes and paints and ideas ! Be careful -- you may just trip over when an eight-year-old suddenly rises from his sprawl on the floor bent over his painting! In thick of this feverish artistic activity is a sage-like man -- tall and lean and handsome in his own way -- acting like the patron saint ..

JANATA DARBAR CM accepts 1,051 complaints from citizens

About 1,051 complaints were personally accepted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis during his Janata Darbar at Hyderabad House in Civil Lines, on Saturday. The complaints from citizens varied from construction of roads to demanding release of fellowship amount for researchers. The programme started with distribution of title deeds to 21 residents from seven slums. Soon after, the Chief Minister started receiving the complaints from the citizens that include people from all age-groups. In one of the ..

Sydeek visited Nagpur two to three times

Before his recent arrest, Kerala-based student activist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek had reportedly visited Nagpur two to three times, according to police sources. His presence in the city, however, went undetected by enforcement agencies at the time. Sources from police informed that Sydeek had long been under surveillance of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Anti-Naxal Operations (ANO). A dossier had been prepared over the years based on his alleged extremist leanings. Despite this, his earlier visits to ..

Stones pelted at Ahmedabad-Howrah Express near Kamptee

IN a suspected case of arson, miscreants pelted stones at Ahmedabad-Howrah Superfast Express on Saturday evening. The incident occurred between Kalamna and Kamptee stations. Travellers said, stones were hurled at two air conditioned bogies of Howrah-bound train. Window pane of B-2 bogie got damaged due to the impact of the stone, while the window of other coach had minor cracks. None of the passengers inside the affected coaches were injured. Soon after the incident, the travellers informed the TTE ..

FIR against Pushpa Sathidar over alleged inflammatory remarks

Sitabuldi Police have registered an FIR against Pushpa Sathidar, wife of late activist Veera Sathidar and others for allegedly making incendiary remarks and disturbing national harmony during a memorial programme held at a hall near Jhansi Rani Chowk on May 13. The complaint, lodged by Dattatraya Shirke (51), accuses the organisers and speakers of using provocative language that could incite unrest. The programme, organised by the Veera Sathidar Smriti Samanvay Samiti in collaboration with the left-leaning ..

Headache! It was brain tumour;GMCH docs cure 15-year-old boy

A 15-year-old boy of Aashram School was brought to medical casualty by a teacher during midnight in a very bad condition. He had headache, vomiting prior to loss of consciousness as narrated by his teacher. Patient was immediately attended to by the medical team and patient was advised CT Head. The CT scan revealed he had a tumour. The docs at GMCH conducted a very complicated procedure where the risk of his disability or even death was involved. The procedure gave him a new lease of life. The CT ..

Kerala scribe Rejaz Sydeek has links with Hizbul Mujahideen, JKLF: Police

The City Police have alleged that Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek was in contact with members of banned terrorist organisations Hizbul Mujahideen and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Sydeek, who was arrested in Nagpur on May 8, is currently under investigation for allegedly “waging war against the Government” and has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While forensic examination of the material seized from his Ernakulam residence in Kerala on May 11 is still underway, ..

Godowns on rooftops in wholesale market are hazardous in fire-fighting operations

As space is most precious in wholesale markets of city, big traders are now concentrating on rooftops of buildings to carry out alterations for creating storage space. The development, though an off shoot of necessity, is now proving troublesome for Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), especially for the Fire and Emergency Department in the event of fire. The small alleys, and no space between buildings have already made task for the fire fighters difficult. And now, the creation of enclosure with ..

‘Collection make connection’ exhibition organised at Raman Science Centre a as a part of International Museum Day celebration

‘Collection make connection’ exhibition organised at Raman Science Centre a as a part of International Museum Day celebration..