Launching a scathing attack on Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik on Thursday dubbed the officer as 'bogus' and asserted that once 'proof' against him is out, he can not remain in government service for even one day.
For some, he's a bully and probable 'blackmailer' who targeted the rich and famous, especially in Bollywood, for fame, and allegedly, ransom. For others, he's finally the one brave narc who decided to do his job, no matter how powerful his quarry, observes Shekhar Gupta.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has asked Maharashtra's chief secretary and director general of police, Mumbai police commissioner and the Union home secretary to appear before it on January 31 for an in-person hearing on former Narcotics Control Bureau zonal director Sameer Wankhede's 'harassment' complaint.
Was it a lack of confidence about whether he would perform in England that influenced his decision? asks K R Nayar.
The former South Africa wicket-keeping star was at the helm in MI when Pandya took over from Rohit and had first-hand access to the all-rounder as he dealt with the public backlash.
Cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar received yet another tribute in their native Mumbai when the Sunil Gavaskar Box and Dilip Vengsarkar Stand were inaugurated at the city's Wankhede stadium.
The team has won 10 out of their 24 matches while losing 14.
Lucknow Super Giants mentor Zaheer Khan believes Rishabh Pant needs to find his form with the bat to help the team bounce back from a poor run of scores in the IPL.
With figures of 0/29 in four overs, Jasprit Bumrah was the most economical on a tough night for the Mumbai Indians bowlers.
'A stage that seems big -- but it's (the) one that's familiar -- so we banked on him being comfortable with his surroundings and he certainly looked all that. It was an impressive debut.'
'Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed.'
With an impressive blend of composure and aggression, Iyer has been a standout performer in the 50-over format, particularly against the Blackcaps.
The NCB and Wankhede had earlier in the day filed two separate affidavits before the special court against the allegations of extortion attempt levelled against them.
Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar has painted a grim picture of Rohit Sharma's current form, saying "things are slipping away" from the senior batter who has reached a point in his career where he has to "push himself every morning".
Jaffer appreciated Ashwani's skill-set, as someone capable of bowling close to 140 kmph, having a great bouncer and yorker.
Chawla lauded Hardik's sharp tactical awareness, which played a pivotal role in MI's emphatic 8-wicket triumph, helping them bounce back after two consecutive defeats.
Mumbai Indians' newcomer Ashwani Kumar made history on his IPL debut, becoming the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in a maiden IPL appearance.
The Bombay high court on Monday quashed and set aside the order of a single bench of the HC that had refused to restrain Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik from making public statements against the Narcotics Control Bureau's zonal director Sameer Wankhede and his family.
Mumbai Indians bowled out Kolkata Knight Riders for a paltry 116 runs in their latest IPL encounter, winning the match by eight wickets.
The pani puri vendor is drawing attention with exclusive deals, including a lifetime unlimited pani puri offer for Rs 99,000 and a Rs 21,000 reward for anyone who can eat 151 pani puris in one sitting.
Many of the residents staying near the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai want the matches in the upcoming IPL to be shifted out of the venue fearing crowds could worsen the COVID-19 situation in the area, a report in the Times of India said on Wednesday.
Wankhede filed a petition and sought an urgent hearing, saying he feared arrest by police over allegations of extortion against him in the case related to alleged drug bust on a cruise ship involving actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan khan.
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the five-time IPL winners are struggling and said the team will not hesitate to bring in new faces ahead of experienced players if the next two matches do not go as planned.
Malik also alleged that Rajput's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty was implicated in a 'fake case' by the NCB.
Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday told the Bombay high court that the defamation suit filed against him by Dhyandev Wankhede, father of Narcotics Control Bureau zonal director Sameer Wankhede, was only an attempt to cover-up the 'illegalities' committed by the IRS officer and claimed none of his statements against them was false.
Malik's lawyer Jagvijay Singh Gandhi said that Wankhede's cousin Sanjay Wankhede had filed a complaint at a special court in Washim, seeking registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the Nationalist Congress Party leader.
The IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad was relegated to the sidelines as cricket fans at the Wankhede stadium used the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Mumbai's darling son Sachin Tendulkar, who turned 45 on Tuesday.
In 23 First Class matches, Sangwan has 77 wickets at an average of 19.9. With three five wicket hauls against his name, his best figures if 6 for 33 came against Mumbai.
Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on Thursday accused NCB's zonal director Sameer Wankhede and his family of obtaining two separate certificates of his mother following her death in 2015, each mentioning her as Muslim and Hindu.
Rishi Sunak, who seems to be on an extended holiday in India -- we spotted the former UK PM at the Jaipur Lit Fest and at the fourth T20I at the Wankhede late January -- was at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's name may be etched in the annals of Mumbai's Wankhede stadium forever.
While Sachin Tendulkar's 2013 farewell became a national pilgrimage, a vibrant celebration befitting a cricketing deity, the exits of many other Indian icons this century have been quieter journeys into the twilight.
'It was astonishing that DRS was unavailable due to a power cut. It's such a big league that a generator can be used. Whatever software there was, that could have been run with power generated through backup.'
'You need a 400-run season from Rohit Sharma. 15s and 20s converted into 40s and 60s.'
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, both struggling in the Indian Premier League, will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they face each other on Friday.
India's group match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday will be the first ICC Champions Trophy between the two teams in 25 years.
'I had performed the 'nikah' of Sameer Wankhede and Shabana Qureshi. Her father had approached me to perform the marriage in the Lokhandwala complex area of Mumbai. The groom's name was Sameer Dawood Wankhede who married Shabana Qureshi'
Analysts estimate that Pushpa 2 (in all languages) will become the fastest film to cross the Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) mark.
Devdutt Padikkal, the young Indian batter, spoke about the challenges of constantly shifting teams in the IPL, saying it delayed his growth as a cricketer.
Mumbai Indians' fast bowler Ashwani Kumar, who took four wickets on his IPL debut, has been praised by teammate Ryan Rickelton for his pace and ability to swing the new ball.
