Don't let us beg, allow live concerts: Musician to Maharashtra govt
Aurangabad: A musician out of work due to the coronavirus-induced restrictions has appealed to the Maharashtra government to allow artists to hold live concerts and shows to sustain their livelihood.
Amar Wankhede, who used to earn his living by playing synthesizer in orchestra shows, stood in a market place in Aurangabad city for 12 hours on Saturday carrying a placard with the message: 'Don't let us beg, save artist, save art'.
Since the lockdown came into force, live concerts and musical performances are prohibited across the state.
As Wankhede is left with no other means of earning, he came out on a road in Cannought area here to make people understand the plight of artists like him.
"Live shows and musical events are not being held since the past seven months. Many people are dependent on this profession for their bread and butter," he told PTI.
"We don't want any incentives or aid from the government. We only need permission to resume our work," the artist said.
Wankhede said he also came to know that an artist from Pune committed suicide 10 to 15 days ago.
"The government is chalking out standard operating procedures (SOP) to resume activities in many sectors. We will also follow the norms and take all care if we are allowed to resume our work," he said.
Wankhede also appealed to people to run a online campaign for saving artists like him.
"We expect to get permission to resume work from next month, otherwise will have to agitate for our demands," Wankhede said.
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Mumbai police arrest actor Sahil Khan in Mahadev betting app case
Mumbai, Apr 28: The Mumbai cyber cell's SIT on Sunday arrested actor Sahil Khan in connection with the Mahadev betting app case, a police official here said.
The actor was apprehended from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh on Saturday after the Bombay High Court rejected his pre-arrest bail plea, he said.
He was subsequently brought to Mumbai and placed under arrest, the official said.
Khan was recently questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed in connection with the case.
The actor, known for films like ‘Style’ and ‘Excuse Me’, has become a fitness expert.
The Mumbai police had earlier arrested one person in connection with the case, the official said.
Khan is the second person to be arrested by the city police in the case, he said.
The SIT has been conducting a probe into the alleged illegal transactions between certain financial and real estate firms in the state and the promoters of the controversial Mahadev betting app.
The size of the scam is about Rs 15,000 crore, as per the first information report (FIR) registered by the Matunga police here in the case.
An investigation is underway against Khan and 31 other individuals. The probe involves examining their bank accounts, mobile phones, laptops, and all technical equipment, according to the police.
While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating money laundering angle in the Mahadev betting app case, Mumbai police have registered a separate case against 32 persons.
Notably, Chhattisgarh’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on April 24 said it has arrested two persons - from New Delhi and Goa - in connection with the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involved senior politicians and bureaucrats from that state.
The ED has separately arrested nine persons so far as part of its probe in the money laundering-linked case.
#WATCH | Actor Sahil Khan brought to Mumbai from Chhattisgarh. He has been arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch's SIT in connection with the Mahadev Betting App case.
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2024
“I believe in the judiciary of the country, " he says pic.twitter.com/HirOzizuXb
#WATCH | Mahadev Betting App case | Mumbai: Actor Sahil Khan's lawyer Mujahid Ansari says, "They wanted a remand to investigate. They had produced their ground in the Session Court and the High Court that there are 2000 SIM cards and 1700 bank accounts... The court has sent him… pic.twitter.com/rsJNeZ5VMo
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2024
