QUICKREADS

Two arrested for killing cab driver
Police arrested two men from Sector 22 in Palam Vihar on Tuesday for allegedly stabbing and strangling a cab driver in Faridabad's Pali on July 15, said officials on Thursday. An aide of the two arrested suspects, who was involved in the crime, is still on the run, said police. They dumped Pal's body at a forest area in Pali, which was recovered by police on July 18.

Pune civic body begins issuing notices to citizens to install water meters
Pune Municipal Corporation begins issuing notices to property owners, mandating water meter installation under the 24x7 water supply scheme. Those who don't comply risk water supply stoppage. The civic body will provide free meters, expecting citizens to maintain them.

Sion Hospital to increase bone marrow transplant facility’s capacity from 2 beds to 8
Sion Hospital plans to expand its bone marrow transplant facility from 2 to 8 beds, increasing annual transplants from 24 to 100. This will improve cancer care for children, particularly from low-income areas, by reducing wait times and providing affordable treatment.

Cops launch manhunt for husband after woman’s body found stuffed in bed trunk in Goregaon
Police hunt for 65-year-old Pratap Baskoti after discovering his murdered wife Ragini's decomposing body in their bed trunk. Suspected domestic dispute led to fatal violence, with the accused fleeing after hiding the body and discarding phones.

Maha demands 50% share of divisible tax pool
Maharashtra demands 50% share of divisible tax pool from current 41%, presenting memorandum to Finance Commission. Seeks special grants for Mumbai Metropolitan Region, river linking, infrastructure, and judicial modernization, emphasizing performance-based fund allocation.

Foreign-based gangster’s aide held with 3 pistols
Anti-gangster task force arrests Harjinder Singh, associate of foreign-based gangster Rajesh Kumar, at Kharar bus stand. Three pistols recovered. Suspect linked to armed attack and receiving cross-border instructions for potential high-profile crime.

4 killed, 15 injured in ST bus-trailer collision
A trailer-bus collision in Navi Mumbai killed 4 and injured 15. The accident occurred on a ghat route when the trailer, driven by a novice driver using Google Maps, lost control and struck the bus head-on.

Academics concerned about decline in arts stream results, enrolments
Arts stream in Maharashtra faces declining performance and enrolment, with pass rates dropping from 90.66% in 2020 to 80.52% in 2025. Students increasingly prefer Science, citing limited career prospects and outdated Arts curriculum. Urban colleges are attempting innovative programs to attract more students.

Pawar’s remarks spark reunion buzz; Sule firm about staying with Oppn
Sharad Pawar hints at potential NCP faction reunion, with some party members wanting to reconcile with Ajit Pawar's group. Supriya Sule remains firm about staying with the Opposition, while nephew Rohit Pawar welcomes potential rapprochement ahead of local polls.

Centre, state oppose Abu Salem’s plea for early release
The Centre and Maharashtra government oppose Abu Salem's plea for early release, arguing he has only served 19.5 years of his 25-year sentence for the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. They propose his release dates range from 2030 to 2046.

Two arrested with 10kg heroin, ₹1-lakh drug money in Amritsar
Punjab Police arrested two drug operatives linked to international smuggler Jassa, seizing 10kg heroin and ₹1 lakh in cash. This is the third module busted by counter-intelligence in Amritsar within ten days, targeting a wanted narcotics network.

Brokerage firm staffer arrested for duping customer of ₹1.58 cr
A former Motilal Oswal Financial Services employee was arrested for fraudulently siphoning ₹1.58 crore from a senior citizen's demat account by changing account details and forging her signature, and transferring shares to his bank account.

Clash over credit delays ₹165-cr skill centre project in Pune’s Baner
Political rivalry between deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde is delaying the ₹165-crore skill development centre in Pune's Baner. PMC has requested CM Devendra Fadnavis to intervene and lay the foundation stone amid credit disputes.

2008 Malegaon blast case: Special NIA court likely to give judgment on July 31
Special NIA court set to deliver verdict on July 31 in 2008 Malegaon blast case, involving seven accused including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur. The bomb killed six and injured 101 in a Muslim-majority area, with trial concluding after examining 323 witnesses.

50,000 to 60,000 illegal school buses in Maha, transport min warns RTOs
Transport minister warns of 50,000-60,000 illegal school buses in Maharashtra, giving owners three months to register. Emphasis on student safety, with potential action against RTO officials if unauthorized buses continue operating after the deadline.

HC orders survey of alleged encroachments on IIT Bombay land
High court orders survey of alleged land encroachments around IIT Bombay after a PIL revealed unauthorized occupation by contractors. Collector to investigate claims, ensure police protection, and remove illegal structures if encroachment is confirmed.