Mauris Noronha shot dead a prominent leader of Shiv Sena UBT, Abhishek Ghosalkar, on a Facebook live yesterday. The two have been at loggerheads for quite some time and were reportedly burying the hatchet during the video.

Popularly known as Mauris ‘Bhai’, Noronha was a poker player who had gained a positive reputation for assisting thousands of underprivileged individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had recently returned to Mumbai from Los Angeles. His intention to contest the upcoming corporator elections took a hit when the son of a prominent Shiv Sena UBT leader, Abhishek Ghosalkar, opposed his candidacy.

The situation further intensified as a case of rape was registered against Noronha, leading to his arrest. Suspecting that Abhishek Ghosalkar was behind the legal troubles he faced, Noronho allegedly came up with a plan and shot Ghosalkar multiple times before taking his own life.

A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Noronha’s office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder.

Abhishek Ghosalkar (right) had gone to Mauris Noronha’s office to talk and resolve their differences

Two FIRs have been registered in the case, one for murder and the other for suicide. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police has taken over the investigation into this tragic incident.

Mumbai police have arrested one person after Ghosalkar  was shot and killed on camera. The person arrested, Mehul Parikh, was also reportedly at the site when the shootings took place.

During the live, Noronha gets up to greet Mehul Parikh. Shortly after this, the shootings occur. The police are investigating whether Mr Parikh played any role or had prior knowledge of the shooting.

The murder of Mr Ghosalkar comes days after a BJP MLA was caught on camera firing at a leader of the Eknath Shinde faction, Mahesh Gaikwad.

Aaditya Thackeray, former state minister and the son of Uddhav Thackeray, said that Maharashtra is earning a bad name due to such incidents.

“Now I have received information that bullets have been fired on Abhishek Ghosalkar… How many days should we bear it? Maharashtra is not only getting defamed by this, people are also feeling scared. The most important thing is that the industry will not come to Maharashtra, such a situation has arisen in the state,” Mr Thackeray said.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan made headlines this week for a jibe at Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament. Apologising to all the members of the House during her farewell speech, Ms Bachchan said that she is short-tempered but did not mean to hurt anyone.

“People often ask me why I get angry. That’s my nature, I can’t change myself. If I don’t like or agree with something, I lose my cool,” Ms Bachchan said.

“If I behaved inappropriately with any of you, or got personal, I apologise,” she added.

Fondly remembering the contribution of retiring members from the Rajya Sabha, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the wisdom shared by them would be greatly missed and their departure would leave a void.

“The retirement of our esteemed colleagues will undoubtedly leave a void. It is often said that ‘every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning’,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mr Dhankhar’s remark on a Congress leader over the skipping of a question prompted a strong retort from Jaya Bachchan, who said that the members would have understood if the issue was explained to them and that they are “not schoolchildren”. She also said that the MPs should be treated with respect.

Seeking to defuse the situation a little later, Mr Dhankhar said he had indicated that question number 18, which had been skipped, would be taken up after the reply to question number 19 was complete.

“It will be taken up in a composed manner (and) try to find a way out. Jaya Bachchan ji is a very senior member and if she has a sentiment, then it is bound to be serious with me,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, and scientist Dr MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. 

Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is known to be the man who heralded the economic liberalisation of India. Mr Charan Singh, a champion of workers and farmers’ rights, briefly served as the prime minister in 1979. Dr Swaminathan, a renowned scientist, is known as the architect of India’s green revolution. 

“Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” the PM wrote on X.

“As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth.”

Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.

As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as… pic.twitter.com/lihdk2BzDU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024

“It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honor is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers,” the PM announced.

“Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He also stood firm against the Emergency. His dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency is inspiring to the entire nation,” PM Modi wrote in a separate post. 

हमारी सरकार का यह सौभाग्य है कि देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चौधरी चरण सिंह जी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित किया जा रहा है। यह सम्मान देश के लिए उनके अतुलनीय योगदान को समर्पित है। उन्होंने किसानों के अधिकार और उनके कल्याण के लिए अपना पूरा जीवन समर्पित कर दिया था। उत्तर प्रदेश के… pic.twitter.com/gB5LhaRkIv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024

“It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture. We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs,” the PM added. 

It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in… pic.twitter.com/OyxFxPeQjZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024

The government had earlier announced the country’s highest civilian honour for BJP veteran LK Advani and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.

Mr Narasimha Rao’s career included roles as an agriculturist, advocate, and a prominent political figure. Serving in various capacities, such as Minister of Law and Information, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, Rao demonstrated a keen interest in diverse fields. He also had a stint as India’s External Affairs minister. 

Mr Narasimha Rao is widely credited with initiating pivotal economic reforms and appointing Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister during a challenging economic period. His six-time parliamentary tenure concluded with his death at the age of 83 in 2004.

Mr Charan Singh, India’s fifth prime minister, was not only an Indian politician but also a freedom fighter, aligning himself with Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle against British rule. Hee founded the Lokdal party in 1980 and s often hailed as the “Champion of India’s peasants”.

Dr Swaminathan made extraordinary contributions to Indian agriculture, earning him the title “Father of Economic Ecology.” As a global leader of the Green Revolution, Mr Swaminathan played a key role in introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, saving India from famine-like conditions in the 1960s.