Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently. In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state...

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Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently. In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state between 2021-2024. When asked for his reactions, Fadnavis told media-persons in Nagpur that he had not read the letter, but the issue raised is important and he would reply to it. Fadnavis stated that the NCRB has also provided the reasons why the kids go ‘missing’, how they return and the period, ranging from 3 days to 18 months. Dwelling on the sufficiency of the NCRB figures, he contended that they reflect only complaints formally registered by the police and thousands of cases may never be reported. On the ‘rescue, return and reunion’ of such missing children, he pointed to the sheer psychological trauma they may have suffered and sought to know how such child-lifter networks continued to thrive openly and blatantly. The MNS chief targeted what he claimed was the “state’s lack of proactive measures to identify and dismantle child-begging rackets” as many juveniles can be seen begging at railway stations, bus stands, traffic signals, often accompanied by adults with doubtful authenticity. “If some woman claims to be the child’s relative or guardian, should the government not order a thorough probe? Is it inappropriate to consider even a DNA test in suspicious cases,” Raj Thackeray demanded. Slamming the government and the Opposition, he lamented how both sides failed to prioritise such urgent social issues in the legislature where discussions centre around partisan sparring. The letter also mentions attempts by the Centre to coordinate with states on the ‘missing or trafficked children’, regretting how political upmanships and symbolic debates prevent meaningful action on the ground. The NCRB said that Maharashtra has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of ‘missing children’, particularly in urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Simultaneously, experts, child rights NGOs and activists have warned about trafficking networks that exploit poverty, migration and weak law enforcement and low convictions, despite official rescue missions or rehab efforts. In his appeal, Raj Thackeray called upon Fadnavis to take concrete, visible measures rather than discussions and conventions. “Maharashtra expects decisive steps from you, not speeches. Jai Maharashtra,” he signed off. In October 2023,Sharad Pawar red-flagged ‘missing girls-women’ This is the second major social cause by a political leader, two years after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar had red-flagged nearly 20,000 ‘missing women and girls’ from the state between Jan-May 2023. In the present instance, Raj Thackeray said that “behind the statistics lies a far more disturbing reality involving organised, inter-state gangs that kidnap children, physically abuse them and force them into begging rings”. “Little kids are assaulted, made to beg and shifted across states. Groups of children disappear suddenly, and the government appears unable, or unwilling, to grasp the seriousness of what is happening,” said Thackeray in a strong tone.

Snakebite murder exposed after three years

Dr. Abhilash Dawre
5 hours ago
3 min read

Congress woman leader killed in chilling plot by husband, four arrested

**Accused Rupesh Amberkar & Death Neerja Amberkar**

Badlapur: Maharashtra has been rocked by the shocking revelation that a Congress party woman office-bearer was brutally murdered through a planned snakebite, allegedly orchestrated by her own husband with the help of a snake rescuer. After remaining hidden for three years as an accidental death, the case has now been cracked by the police, leading to the arrest of four accused, including the husband.

According to police investigations, Neerja Amberkar, a Congress office-bearer from Badlapur, was killed in a premeditated conspiracy in which a poisonous snake was deliberately used as a murder weapon. Her husband, Rupesh Amberkar, initially reported her death as accidental. At the time, no suspicious circumstances were found at the scene, and the post-mortem report also did not raise strong doubts, resulting in the case being registered as an Accidental Death Report (ADR).

However, over time, technical evidence, witness statements, and confidential information raised serious suspicions about the nature of the death. Acting on new inputs received around six months ago, police reopened the case and began a detailed reinvestigation.

Husband Confesses

During the renewed probe, police questioned the deceased woman’s family members, relatives, and local residents. Investigators found the husband’s behavior, his financial and domestic disputes, and his links with a snake rescuer to be suspicious. Under sustained interrogation, Rupesh Amberkar confessed to the crime, revealing that he had arranged for a poisonous snake to be brought into the house and used to kill his wife.

As per police findings, a poisonous snake was procured from a snake rescuer and kept in the house for three to four days. On the day of the incident, Neerja Amberkar was told that a massage therapist had been called to relieve her leg pain. She was asked to lie face down on a mat in the hall.

Under the pretext of giving a massage, one accused held her leg, while the snake rescuer removed the snake from a gunny bag kept in the kitchen using a stick and handed it to another accomplice. Rupesh Amberkar allegedly sat on Neerja’s back to restrain her, after which the snake was made to bite her near the left ankle three times, leading to her death.

Case Reopened

Neerja Amberkar, who was the Congress Assembly President from Murmad constituency in Badlapur, was murdered three years ago. Police officials stated that while investigating another case around six months ago, they received confidential information suggesting that her death was not natural. In December, an accused in a separate attempted murder case was arrested, and during his interrogation, crucial information linking the snakebite death to murder came to light. This breakthrough confirmed that the earlier ADR was, in fact, a homicide.

Police have arrested four accused in the case

• Rupesh Satishchandra Amberkar (40) – Husband of the deceased

• Rishikesh Ramesh Chalke – Resident of Aptewadi, Badlapur

• Kunal Vishwanath Chaudhary (25) – Resident of MHADA Colony, Sadguru Bungalow, Badlapur

• Chetan Vijay Dudhane (36) – Snake rescuer, resident of Ganesh Nagar, Badlapur

All the accused have been produced before the court. Police have also indicated that the doctors who prepared the initial post-mortem report will be questioned, as there is suspicion that certain aspects were overlooked during the initial examination.

While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kale said that ADR No. 53/2022 was registered at Badlapur East Police Station following Neerja Amberkar’s death. As no objections or suspicions were raised at the time and the medical opinion suggested no foul play, the case was closed. “However, based on confidential information received recently indicating that the death was a murder and not natural, we have been working on this case for the last six months. Four accused have been arrested in connection with this crime,” he stated.

The sensational murder case, exposed after three years, has sent shockwaves through political circles and the local community. Police have confirmed that further investigation is underway, and more startling details may emerge in the coming days.