The Times of India

Following a Bombay High Court reprimand for the delayed arrest of Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale, in connection with Mahad election violence, the state announced his surrender on Friday. Justice Madhav Jamdar criticized the perceived influence of politics in the case, stating the rule of law in Maharashtra is adversely affected.

Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale's son, Vikas, has surrendered to the Bombay High Court following a violent clash during Mahad Municipal Council elections. The court had previously criticized the state for failing to arrest Vikas and other accused, emphasizing the adverse impact on the rule of law.

Scammers are exploiting encrypted platforms like Signal for digital arrest scams. A Mumbai senior citizen lost Rs 16.5 lakh after being tricked into downloading Signal for a fake Delhi blasts case inquiry. Fraudsters, posing as police and NIA officials, threatened him with an arrest warrant and demanded financial assets for verification, ultimately blocking him after receiving the money.

The BJP is set to claim the Mumbai mayor's post after nearly four decades, with several women corporators in contention. This comes as the mayoral seat was reserved for a woman from the open category. The draw of lots also determined reservations for women across Maharashtra's municipal corporations, sparking some objections from the Shiv Sena (UBT).

A four-year-old girl was allegedly molested by her school van driver in Badlapur. The incident came to light when the child returned home late and distressed. Police have registered a case and arrested the driver, while enraged locals vandalized the school van.

Shiv Sena (UBT) alleges rigging in BMC mayor lottery, claiming ST category exclusion to prevent Uddhav Thackeray's party from securing the post. BJP minister denies allegations, stating the process followed legal procedures. The draw for 29 corporations revealed women mayors for 15 posts, with reservations for OBC, SC, and ST categories.

Maharashtra government and Supervity AI have signed an MoU to establish the world's first AI Global Capability Center (GCC) hub in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex. This next-generation center will focus on applied agentic AI research and innovation, enabling global enterprises to transition to AI-first operations powered by autonomous AI systems.

Congress contesting separately in BMC polls may have cost the Thackeray-led alliance at least 26 seats, with vote-splitting benefiting BJP-Shiv Sena. Data suggests BJP could have gained 20 seats and Shiv Sena 6 if opposition votes had transferred. This fragmentation highlights potential lost opportunities for the opposition.

Gangster Ravi Pujari was taken into custody by Mumbai's City Crime Branch in connection with a 2018 extortion case. He allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh from a choreographer and his wife over a film dispute. Pujari, facing 49 cases, was remanded to police custody until January 26.

Mumbai welcomes Friday with summery sunshine and comfortable temperatures. However, yesterday's poor air quality, with elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels, means a hazy backdrop persists, especially near busy roads. While the day promises clear skies and gentle breezes, caution is advised for sensitive individuals during peak traffic hours. The week ahead forecasts steady warmth and mostly sunny conditions.

Maharashtra's urban development department held its annual lottery, reserving mayoral posts in 29 municipal corporations. Nine of the 16 reserved seats are for women, ensuring representation for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and the General category. Key cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur will see women mayors from the General category, while others have specific caste-based reservations.

A recent suicide at IIT Kanpur highlights a severe mental health crisis in premier technical institutes, with the campus accounting for nearly 30% of IIT student deaths in two years. Alumni and faculty point to systemic failures, intense competition, and missed warning signs, urging accountability from the Union education ministry.

Five MNS corporators in Kalyan Dombivli have backed Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, allied with BJP, creating a political ripple. This move, aimed at ensuring stability, is a blow to Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), which had allied with MNS for civic polls. The development impacts the upcoming Mumbai mayoral race.

The Bombay High Court issued a notice on a petition by UK-based doctor Sangram Patil seeking to quash an FIR and look-out circular registered against him for alleged defamatory posts against the BJP. Patil was detained at Mumbai airport in January following a complaint by a BJP functionary.

Mumbai's BMC mayoral race is a high-stakes political battle for control of Asia's richest civic body, extending beyond the ceremonial post. A fractured 2026 election mandate has forced uneasy allies BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena into intense negotiations, with real power residing in key committees.

Mumbai's Mayor post is now reserved for a woman from the open category after a lottery conducted by the state Urban Development Department. The draw, attended by various political leaders, determines reserved positions for 29 Municipal Corporations across Maharashtra, ensuring representation by category and gender.