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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Mumbai cops refuse Rohit Pawar's demand for FIR

Mumbai: In a high-octane showdown on Wednesday, Mumbai Police refused NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar’s demand to lodge an FIR against the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd (VSRVPL) over the January 28 Baramati plane crash that killed former deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Rohit Pawar went to Marine Drive police station with party MLC Amol Mitkari and others to file the complaint. What followed was a full-fledged confrontation, as the police officers refused to file an FIR....

Mumbai cops refuse Rohit Pawar's demand for FIR

Mumbai: In a high-octane showdown on Wednesday, Mumbai Police refused NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar’s demand to lodge an FIR against the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd (VSRVPL) over the January 28 Baramati plane crash that killed former deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Rohit Pawar went to Marine Drive police station with party MLC Amol Mitkari and others to file the complaint. What followed was a full-fledged confrontation, as the police officers refused to file an FIR. ‘Pressure from above’ A bitter Rohit Pawar, political heavyweight from the state’s powerful political clan, later told reporters that the police flatly refused to file the complaint following a verbal duel between him and Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Munde. Pawar accused the police of succumbing to ‘pressure from above’ as they denied him the right to lodge an FIR. “Yesterday, the DGCA issued a notice saying action has been taken against VSRVPL. But the move has been aimed at only five of the 25-aircraft fleet. This is a cognisable offence under the new BNS Act. Everyone has the right to file an FIR,” said a livid Rohit Pawar. Recounting the drama preceding the refusal, Rohit Pawar said that a junior police officer initially claimed an FIR could not be filed, but when the MLA’s legal team, led by Advocate Pranjal A, explained the relevant provisions, a laptop was brought in and the police started recording the statement. Midway through the process, a senior officer intervened and halted it, angering Rohit Pawar. “The DCP said, ‘Do whatever you want, go wherever you want, speak to whoever you want… we will not file an FIR.’ Whose call did he receive?” demanded Rohit Pawar, hinting at external interference. “It is our constitutional right to register an FIR. Who has snatched it away? If (the late) deputy CM of the state does not get justice, what should the common man expect?” said Pawar. Alleging ‘selective justice’, the NCP leader said that when a Congress worker removes his shirt at a New Delhi event, an FIR is filed, then why can’t the same be done in a case concerning Ajit Pawar’s death. Rohit Pawar declared that on the morning of February 26, he would approach the Baramati Police to lodge a complaint and an FIR, but if they don’t cooperate, then he would approach the local court. Ground VSRVPL fleet entirely: Rohit Pawar Rohit Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), sharpened his offensive on Wednesday and demanded that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ground the full fleet of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. The company owned the plane that crashed and killed former deputy CM Ajit Pawar on January 28. Calling the DGCA’s decision on Tuesday ‘grossly inadequate’ and ‘deeply suspicious’, Pawar wondered why the aviation watchdog chose to ground just four aircraft for non-compliance and maintenance gaps while the others remained in service. “The action is surprising. If there are such irregularities in the procedures, then why ground only four aircraft… What about the remaining 20-plus planes?” Rohit Pawar asked. Besides the Bombardier Learjet 40-45 series, the VSRVPL fleet comprises Beechcraft, Pilatus and Embraer Legacy aircraft, and Rohit Pawar termed the DGCA decision an ‘eyewash’, demanding that all these flying machines must be grounded forthwith as ‘safety cannot be selective’. “Nobody can prevent us from probing whether the Baramati crash was an accident or sabotage,” said Rohit Pawar.

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

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