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Shrinivas Deshpande

Articles by Shrinivas Deshpande

Shirdi admn seals three shops for overcharging devotees on pooja items

Shirdi Municipal Council along with Shirdi police sealed three shops in the temple town for selling pooja items at inflated prices to devotees visiting the revered Sai Baba Temple

Pune

Published on Mar 16, 2025 08:52 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

13 booked in Solapur for social media post on Aurangzeb

Thirteen individuals, including five minors, have been booked by Solapur rural police for posting social media statuses glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, officials said on Saturday

Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Thirteen individuals, including five minors, have been booked by Solapur rural police for posting social media statuses glorifying Aurangzeb, officials said on Saturday. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Mar 16, 2025 08:50 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Madhi village controversy: ‘Vendors who do not adhere to ‘Hindu rituals’ barred’

The revised version was passed a day before the month-long yatra began, its members told HT on Saturday

The yatra begins on Holi and concludes on Gudi Padwa, which falls on March 30 this year. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Mar 16, 2025 08:20 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Bajrang Dal, VHP threaten ‘karseva’ at Aurangzeb’s tomb

Amid repeated demands for the tomb’s removal, the district administration has increased security around the site.

Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have threatened to conduct ‘karseva’ (symbolic purification) if the government fails to take steps to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. (HT FILE)

Pune

Updated on Mar 16, 2025 05:07 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Significant dip in footfall at Aurangzeb’s tomb amid controversy

The grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, located in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad), has experienced a noticeable decline in visitor footfall

Pune

Updated on Mar 15, 2025 02:41 PM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Food for thought: Debate over Halal vs Malhar meat

While its proponents argue that the meat is hygienic and ethically sourced, critics see it as a politically motivated.

Launched by state fisheries and port development minister Nitish Rane earlier this week in Mumbai, the initiative has been positioned as an alternative to Halal certification. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 13, 2025 08:14 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Beed sarpanch murder: Pankaja Munde seeks action against BJP MLA Suresh Dhas

Suresh Dhas had questioned why Pankaja Munde had remained silent on the murder case until her cousin Dhananjay Munde was removed from the cabinet

Mumbai

Published on Mar 13, 2025 07:40 AM IST

BySurendra P Gangan, Shrinivas Deshpande

Malhar certification sparks debate over religion, commerce and politics in meat industry

Nitish Rane launched Malharcertification.com, an aggregator promoting meat sold by Hindu butchers, earlier this week.

Mumbai

Published on Mar 13, 2025 07:14 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Fintech firm staff, five others held for cyber fraud

The fraud was reported in January 2025, in which the victim lost ₹2,80,432 in an online investment fraud

According to the police, the accused used platforms such as Airpay, Instant Pay, Pay World, and Spice Money to create accounts to deposit money obtained through fraudulent means into these wallet accounts instead of direct bank transfers. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 12, 2025 06:30 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Tailor’s tag on shirt helps police crack murder case

On March 9, a decomposed body of a man, aged between 30 and 35, was found stuffed in a gunny bag on the Nira riverbed in Sarola village, Bhor, Pune district

The victim’s hands and legs were tied, and there were no identification documents or personal belongings on him, making it difficult for the police to establish his identity. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 12, 2025 06:12 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

18 booked for submitting fake residential documents for RTE admissions

The RTE Act mandates that 25% of the seats in private schools be reserved for underprivileged students

Upon discovering the discrepancies, the authorities reported the matter to the police leading to a case being registered at Bavdhan police station on Sunday. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 11, 2025 06:48 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande, Dheeraj Bengrut

Jejuri Khandoba Temple implements dress code for devotees

As per the new rule enforced by Shri Martand Dev Sansthan, Jejuri, devotees will be required to wear traditional Indian attire to enter the temple for darshan

The trust has made it clear that devotees will not be allowed inside the temple wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Mar 11, 2025 06:42 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

FIR against NCP (SP) workers for disrupting Pune Metro services; one suspended

The party later suspended Narendra Pawtekar, NCP (SP) Pune city deputy president, who led the protest, and an FIR has been filed against 10-12 workers, said officials

The protest was not related to metro but aimed at demanding better employment opportunities and action against corruption. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 10, 2025 07:02 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Satara police arrest journalist from Mumbai days after minister Gore accuses him of raking up old complaint

Satara police arrested journalist Tushar Kharat for extortion after a complaint by Minister Jaykumar Gore, who claims Kharat defamed him by reviving a 2017 case.

According to the police, Kharat was arrested from Mumbai following a complaint filed by Gore at the Dahiwadi police station in Satara district. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 10, 2025 06:58 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

A gangster’s horse, trapped in legal limbo

During the investigation into Shelke’s murder, the police found that Dabhade had been using horses to navigate the hilly terrain, making it difficult for authorities to track him down. His prized white-and-chocolate mare, valued at ₹5 lakh, was among the assets seized

While most of Dabhade’s assets, including vehicles, were disposed of following police seizure, the mare, housed at a cattle shelter in Maval, has been left in bureaucratic limbo with no resolution in sight. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 09, 2025 07:16 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Man in BMW urinates at Pune traffic signal, indulges in obscene act when confronted

The incident occurred around 7.30am at Shastrinagar Chowk when Gaurav Ahuja, one of the accused, stepped out of the vehicle that halted in the middle of the road, left its door open and began urinating on the road divider

When bystanders objected, he allegedly reacted with obscene gestures and reportedly masturbated before fleeing in the high-end car. (VIDEO GRAB)

Pune

Published on Mar 09, 2025 06:24 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Four arrested after violent clash at Khed industrial unit over company work

The incident occurred on February 28 at the gate of an international automobile company, where two groups clashed over work-related issues

The arrested individuals have been identified as Rushikesh Narayan Pawar (20), Prakash Vilas Wykar (27), Vishal Ashok Shinde (27), and Mayur Bhagat (28), all residents of Nimgaon. The arrests were made on March 1. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 09, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande, Abhay Khairnar

Husband, wife assaulted in koyta attack; three arrested, two minors detained

Police have arrested three accused—Mohan Gore (20) of Hingane Khurd, Karan Barge (19) of Koradwasti, and Sahil Pathan (19) of Sainagar—while two minors have been detained in connection with the attack

Angered by the intervention, the accused first attacked Nisha. When Ravishankar attempted to defend his wife, he was struck on the head with a koyta. The assailants then fled the scene. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pune

Published on Mar 09, 2025 06:14 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Police arrest suspect from UP in Dighi murder case

The accused, Abdul Malik (45) resident of Dudulgaon and originally hailing from Uttar Pradesh was arrested along with Jeba Amusahab Mulla (30), who is the wife of the deceased Amusahab Mulla (34)

On February 28, Dighi police recovered the body of Amusahab Mulla in the forest hill near Dudulgaon. (HT)

Pune

Published on Mar 06, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Wife, son murder man in Sangli to claim ₹1cr insurance, arrested

The victim had mounting debts of ₹50 lakh, including a home loan, and the family faced constant harassment from lenders. When the bank issued an auction notice, the wife and son pressured him to end his life for insurance money

The trio has been booked under Sections 103(1), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Mar 03, 2025 07:40 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter harassed in Jalgaon

The minister visited Muktainagar police station on Sunday to file a complaint. Police detained a 17-year-old minor and arrested Kiran Mali in this case and search for other accused is underway

It is unfortunate. If such things happen to an MP or Union minister’s daughter, imagine what common people have to go through, said Khadse. (HT FILE)

Pune

Published on Mar 03, 2025 07:24 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Pune bus rape: Court sends accused to police custody till Mar 12

Court on Friday sent 37-year-old man accused of raping woman inside an empty parked state transport bus at Swargate depot in Pune city to police custody till March 12

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 07:08 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

WhatsApp groups, Gram Suraksha Dal play key role in Gade’s arrest

Coordinated efforts of villagers from Gunat, facilitated through two WhatsApp groups and the proactive involvement of Gram Suraksha Dal, played a pivotal role in the arrest of bus rape accused

Dog squad search operation underway at a farm in Gunat village in Shirur Taluka on Thursday. Coordinated efforts of villagers from Gunat, facilitated through two WhatsApp groups and the proactive involvement of Gram Suraksha Dal, played a pivotal role in the arrest of bus rape accused. (HT)

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 07:02 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Pune bus rape: Accused attempted to end life, detained from Shirur, say police

Pune rape case: Accused Dattatray Gade attempted suicide before arrest; police launch safety audits post-incident. He faces police custody until March 12.

Accused arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a woman inside a parked state transport bus at Swargate terminus, being produced at a court, in Pune, Friday. Accused allegedly attempted suicide to evade arrest, police officials said. (PTI)

Pune

Published on Mar 01, 2025 06:52 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Pune bus rape accused arrested from Shirur: Police

Accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade (37), a history-sheeter, allegedly raped the woman inside an ST bus in the early hours of Tuesday

Pune

Updated on Feb 28, 2025 10:21 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Woman raped inside Shivshahi bus at Swargate stand, hunt on for suspect

26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary Shivshahi bus belonging to MSRTC at Swargate bus stand, police said on Wednesday

Pune

Published on Feb 27, 2025 06:20 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

26-yr-old woman raped in Shivshahi bus at Pune's Swargate depot

DCP Smartana Patil said the incident took place at Swargate bus depot in Pune at around 5am on Wednesday

The suspect told her to board a state transport corporation’s Shivshahi bus parked in the depot, followed her into the bus and raped her. (FILE PHOTO)

Pune

Updated on Feb 26, 2025 04:57 PM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Historian gets threat as film reignites age-old conflict

The background of the case pertains to the centuries-old conflict between Marathas and Brahmins over the history of Sambhaji Maharaj and whether Ganoji Shirke or some Brahmins helped the Mughals arrest him.

Mumbai

Published on Feb 26, 2025 08:44 AM IST

BySaurabha Kulshreshtha, Shrinivas Deshpande

Case filed against Prashant Koratkar for threatening historian Indrajit Sawant

The police said that Koratkar was booked for making statements capable of inciting communal tensions.

On Tuesday, Sawant shared on social media a six-minute, 30 second audio recording of a phone conversation between (a man named) Koratkar and himself. (HT PHOTO)

Pune

Published on Feb 26, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

Muslim traders barred from Madhi Yatra as villagers pass Gram Sabha resolution

The decision was reportedly made during a Gram Sabha meeting held on February 22, with villagers citing that Muslim traders do not follow Hindu rituals as the reason for the ban

Pune

Published on Feb 26, 2025 05:26 AM IST

ByShrinivas Deshpande

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Shrinivas Deshpande

Shirdi Municipal Council along with Shirdi police sealed three shops in the temple town for selling pooja items at inflated prices to devotees visiting the revered Sai Baba Temple

Thirteen individuals, including five minors, have been booked by Solapur rural police for posting social media statuses glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, officials said on Saturday

The revised version was passed a day before the month-long yatra began, its members told HT on Saturday

Amid repeated demands for the tomb’s removal, the district administration has increased security around the site.

The grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, located in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad), has experienced a noticeable decline in visitor footfall

While its proponents argue that the meat is hygienic and ethically sourced, critics see it as a politically motivated.

Suresh Dhas had questioned why Pankaja Munde had remained silent on the murder case until her cousin Dhananjay Munde was removed from the cabinet

Nitish Rane launched Malharcertification.com, an aggregator promoting meat sold by Hindu butchers, earlier this week.

The fraud was reported in January 2025, in which the victim lost ₹2,80,432 in an online investment fraud

On March 9, a decomposed body of a man, aged between 30 and 35, was found stuffed in a gunny bag on the Nira riverbed in Sarola village, Bhor, Pune district

The RTE Act mandates that 25% of the seats in private schools be reserved for underprivileged students

As per the new rule enforced by Shri Martand Dev Sansthan, Jejuri, devotees will be required to wear traditional Indian attire to enter the temple for darshan

The party later suspended Narendra Pawtekar, NCP (SP) Pune city deputy president, who led the protest, and an FIR has been filed against 10-12 workers, said officials

Satara police arrested journalist Tushar Kharat for extortion after a complaint by Minister Jaykumar Gore, who claims Kharat defamed him by reviving a 2017 case.

During the investigation into Shelke’s murder, the police found that Dabhade had been using horses to navigate the hilly terrain, making it difficult for authorities to track him down. His prized white-and-chocolate mare, valued at ₹5 lakh, was among the assets seized

The incident occurred around 7.30am at Shastrinagar Chowk when Gaurav Ahuja, one of the accused, stepped out of the vehicle that halted in the middle of the road, left its door open and began urinating on the road divider

The incident occurred on February 28 at the gate of an international automobile company, where two groups clashed over work-related issues

Police have arrested three accused—Mohan Gore (20) of Hingane Khurd, Karan Barge (19) of Koradwasti, and Sahil Pathan (19) of Sainagar—while two minors have been detained in connection with the attack

The accused, Abdul Malik (45) resident of Dudulgaon and originally hailing from Uttar Pradesh was arrested along with Jeba Amusahab Mulla (30), who is the wife of the deceased Amusahab Mulla (34)

The victim had mounting debts of ₹50 lakh, including a home loan, and the family faced constant harassment from lenders. When the bank issued an auction notice, the wife and son pressured him to end his life for insurance money

The minister visited Muktainagar police station on Sunday to file a complaint. Police detained a 17-year-old minor and arrested Kiran Mali in this case and search for other accused is underway

Court on Friday sent 37-year-old man accused of raping woman inside an empty parked state transport bus at Swargate depot in Pune city to police custody till March 12

Coordinated efforts of villagers from Gunat, facilitated through two WhatsApp groups and the proactive involvement of Gram Suraksha Dal, played a pivotal role in the arrest of bus rape accused

Pune rape case: Accused Dattatray Gade attempted suicide before arrest; police launch safety audits post-incident. He faces police custody until March 12.

Accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade (37), a history-sheeter, allegedly raped the woman inside an ST bus in the early hours of Tuesday

26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary Shivshahi bus belonging to MSRTC at Swargate bus stand, police said on Wednesday

DCP Smartana Patil said the incident took place at Swargate bus depot in Pune at around 5am on Wednesday

The background of the case pertains to the centuries-old conflict between Marathas and Brahmins over the history of Sambhaji Maharaj and whether Ganoji Shirke or some Brahmins helped the Mughals arrest him.

The police said that Koratkar was booked for making statements capable of inciting communal tensions.

The decision was reportedly made during a Gram Sabha meeting held on February 22, with villagers citing that Muslim traders do not follow Hindu rituals as the reason for the ban

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