Attack on ex-minister Anil Deshmukh: Case against 4 unidentified persons for murder bid
Nagpur (PTI): Police have registered a case against four unidentified persons on charges of attempt to murder after NCP (SP) leader and former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was seriously injured in stone pelting at his car in Nagpur, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident took place at around 8 pm on Monday and Deshmukh was later admitted to a private hospital in Nagpur.
State NCP (SP) spokesperson Pravin Kunte claimed there was a "conspiracy" behind Deshmukh, who received injuries on his head and shoulder, and blamed the ruling BJP for the incident.
The party headed by Sharad Pawar has demanded a high-level probe into the incident, which occurred on the last day of campaigning for the Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled on November 20.
Deshmukh was returning to Katol after attending a meeting in Narkhed village. Some unidentified persons threw stones at his car near Belphata on Jalalkheda Road near Katol in Nagpur district.
The former minister, who received injuries during the attack, was immediately rushed to the Katol Civil Hospital, police said.
He was later admitted to a private hospital here.
Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Harssh Poddar on Tuesday said they have taken a serious cognisance of the incident and registered a case against four unidentified persons on charges of attempt to murder.
A forensic team has visited the incident spot to collect technical evidence, he said.
The deputy SP of Katol was investigating the case, he said, adding that senior police officials and the district collector have also visited the incident spot.
Poddar appealed to the people not to pay attention to any rumours.
Anil Deshmukh's son Salil Deshmukh is contesting from the Katol assembly constituency on the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) ticket against BJP's Charansingh Thakur.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, NCP (SP) spokesperson Kunte said the former minister suffered injuries on his head and shoulder and doctors have advised him bed rest.
Asked who was behind the attack, Kunte blamed it on the BJP and its leaders.
He alleged there was a "nexus" of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state home minister, BJP MLC Parinay Fuke and Katol nominee Thakur operating in the area.
There is no law and order in the state and a former home minister is attacked, Kunte said, claiming no police security was provided at Deshmukh's residence through the night.
He also raised questions over Fuke holding a press conference on Tuesday morning and claiming the attack on Anil Deshmukh was a "political stunt".
"It is not a stunt but a conspiracy against Anil Deshmukh," Kunte claimed.
Earlier, NCP (SP) spokesperson Vedprakash Arya on Monday sought a high-level inquiry into the incident and police protection for Deshmukh's family.
"Some people attacked Anil Deshmukh's car in Belfata Bhishnur in Katol, wherein Deshmukh received serious head injury. His treatment started in Katol but due to the serious injury, he was shifted to Nagpur for treatment," Arya said in a statement.
He claimed that their political opponents were staring at a crushing defeat and, therefore, resorted to such a cowardly attack.
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Delhi government flags air emergency asks PM Modi to authorize artificial rain
New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and authorize artificial rain to combat the severe air pollution engulfing the national capital. Calling it a "medical emergency," Rai stressed that artificial rain is the only immediate solution to address the worsening smog.
"Smog has blanketed North India, and artificial rain is necessary to clear the air. PM Modi should take responsibility and act immediately," Rai said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated to dangerous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a staggering 494 in the 'severe plus' category. Some air monitoring stations have even recorded readings of 500, the maximum measurable level. Despite the strict enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV, which imposes the toughest anti-pollution measures, the city's air remains hazardous.
Rai criticized Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav for not addressing the issue adequately, alleging that the latter had ignored multiple letters regarding artificial rain. "I have written to the Environment Minister in August, September, October, and today, but there has been no action. If the Central government cannot take steps, the Minister should resign," he said.
Rai called on PM Modi to instruct Yadav to convene a meeting on artificial rain, demanding either a concrete solution or approval for implementing the measure.
The Delhi government has already taken several steps to mitigate pollution. These include:
- Banning BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in the city.
- Prohibiting trucks and diesel buses from entering Delhi.
- Closing schools for certain grades.
- Staggering office timings to reduce peak traffic congestion.
Rai also stated that the government is considering implementing the odd-even vehicle scheme again and is evaluating the feasibility of a work-from-home policy for offices.
"We are doing everything within our capacity, but reducing vehicles on the roads will only be effective after the smog clears," he explained.
Rai’s appeal follows the Supreme Court's directive on Monday, which instructed authorities in Delhi-NCR not to lift GRAP Stage 4 pollution curbs even if AQI levels fall below 450. The court emphasized the need for continued measures until the air quality improves significantly.
