LOCAL NEWS

In Ringangaon village (Erandol taluka), Jalgaon district, the body of 13-year-old Tejas Gajanan Mahajan was found on the evening of Monday, June 16, 2025, with his throat slit — a discovery that shocked the local community. According to the police investigation, Tejas was involved in a brief altercation with a group of adults at the weekly market area after one of them accidentally bumped into him. The confrontation escalated, and one of the men stabbed him in the neck with a knife, fatally injuring him. The suspects then abandoned his body in nearby bushes. Two of the accused were arrested by police, while a third remained at large at the time of reporting. Tejas’s family expressed deep concern and distress, alleging the possibility of human sacrifice and demanding a thorough investigation. His father told authorities that CCTV footage showed a local labourer with the suspects before the incident and urged police to pursue all leads. The case has drawn attention in the region due to the violent nature of the crime and the family’s claims, and police continued to investigate to establish motive and complete the legal process.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Jalgaon district, the District Election Office has launched a certificate course for polling staff to professionally train them for election duties. The programme aims to enhance the efficiency, preparedness, and confidence of officials involved in conducting elections. The course combines online and offline training modules, including case-study assessments, mock drills, practical demonstrations, and viva-voce sessions. Participants learn about polling procedures, problem-solving during elections, and other operational aspects. To earn the certificate, candidates must score above 75% overall, ensuring they are fully prepared for real election scenarios. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to professionalizing election processes and strengthening democratic practices at the grassroots level, making Jalgaon the first district in Maharashtra to implement such structured training for polling staff.

In January 2025, a tragic accident occurred near Pachora in Jalgaon district involving the 12533 Pushpak Express. Panic broke out among passengers after a false alarm of fire on the train, prompting many to pull the emergency chain and jump off onto the tracks. Tragically, several passengers were struck by the Karnataka Express running on an adjacent track, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Among the victims, seven were reported to be from Nepal, adding to the international concern. In response, the Ministry of Railways formed a five-member committee to probe the incident. The committee’s task is to investigate the cause of the panic, assess whether safety protocols were followed, and identify lapses to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident highlights the need for stricter safety awareness and better emergency management on trains

In August 2025, a shocking and brutal incident occurred in Jamner town, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, when 21-year-old Suleman Rahim Khan Pathan was allegedly paraded and beaten to death by a group of men. The assault reportedly began in a local café where Suleman was sitting. Following an argument, the attackers dragged him out and continued the assault outside, in front of bystanders and villagers. Despite attempts by his family to intervene, the violence continued, leaving him critically injured. He was later taken to a hospital but was declared dead due to severe injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that 8 to 10 men were involved in the attack. The brutality of the assault, which included repeated beatings and public humiliation, caused widespread shock in the local community. The incident quickly drew attention on social media and in regional news, highlighting concerns about mob violence and law and order. Three days after the incident, the Jalgaon Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case thoroughly. The SIT is tasked with: As of the latest reports, eight accused individuals have been arrested, and the SIT is actively searching for any additional suspects. Authorities have assured that the investigation will be conducted meticulously to ensure justice for the victim and prevent such incidents in the future. The case has sparked outrage among the public and raised serious concerns about mob violence, community safety, and law enforcement effectiveness in the region. Community leaders and local authorities have appealed for calm while the investigation proceeds. This tragic incident emphasizes the need for strict legal action against mob violence and reinforces the importance of timely police intervention to protect citizens.

In May 2025, a 24‑year‑old tribal woman named Santabai Barela from a remote area in Vaijapur village, Jalgaon district, was compelled to deliver her baby on the side of a public road, an incident that raised serious concerns about emergency healthcare and ambulance availability in the region. According to local residents and video footage shared widely on social media, Santabai began experiencing intense labour pains on May 21, several days before her due date of May 25. Her husband, Viswanath, attempted to get her to the nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bormadhi village for medical assistance. However, the family said that no ambulance arrived despite repeated calls, forcing Viswanath to take her on his motorcycle toward the PHC. As their journey progressed and her pain worsened, Santabai was unable to reach the health centre. About 1.5 km from the PHC, she went into active labour and delivered her baby on the roadside. A short video from the scene shows Santabai being assisted in the delivery by two women — reportedly a midwife and an Aanganwadi worker — while others held a blanket to provide some privacy. District authorities, including the Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad, acknowledged the incident but offered slightly different details. Officials said that the midwife and Anganwadi worker were accompanying Santabai and helped deliver the child when her labour progressed quickly. Prasad added that local citizens informed the PHC about the situation, after which an ambulance was dispatched to take the mother and newborn to the health centre. Meanwhile, local political leader Pratibha Shinde (Congress) highlighted gaps in the public health system, asserting that the delivery had taken place on the road because no ambulance or timely medical help arrived for the tribal woman. Shinde said the incident exposed shortcomings in emergency healthcare coverage despite Jalgaon having several ministers in the state government. Following the uproar, authorities ordered an inquiry through the district health officer and civil surgeon to investigate the circumstances leading up to the roadside delivery and whether proper procedures were followed. Both the mother and her newborn were reported to be in good health after being taken to the health facility.