Engineering student commits suicide; NMC's Rs 14 crore rent collection stopped and more

A tragic incident has taken place in Nashik where an engineering student committed suicide in the hostel. The student, identified as Asmita Sanjay Patil (18), was found dead in her room on the third floor of the hostel. The reason behind the suicide is still unclear and the incident has created shock and concern among the local people.

On receiving this information, Adgaon police immediately rushed to the crime scene, took possession of the body and sent it for post-mortem. Asmita was in the second year of her engineering course. The police have launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances of her death.

NMC's rent collection of Rs 14 crore has been stopped

The Nashik Municipal Corporation's efforts to collect rent from property owners based on recalculated rates have come to a halt. A court ruling had allowed the municipality to collect rent as per the recalculated rates, but a state government circular now caps rent increases to a maximum of 7% of the owners' income. This has led to many owners refusing to pay rent as per the recalculated rates, halting the collection of Rs 140 crore.

There are 62 malls in six divisions of the civic body, which generate annual rental income of about Rs 52 crore. When former commissioner Tukaram Munde was in office, it was decided to calculate the rent as per the Ready Reckoner (property value index). However, the property owners challenged this in court and continued to pay only the basic rent, leaving them Rs 14 crore in arrears. While the court ruled in favour of the civic body, the state government later issued a circular to cap rent hikes, prompting the property owners to again refuse to pay the recalculated rent.

The tax department has sent a letter to the revenue department seeking clarity on the way forward, but a decision has been delayed allegedly due to political pressure. Meanwhile, BJP MPs in Nashik are allegedly opposing the recalculation of tax rates fearing a backlash from their constituents. This has contributed to the revenue department's hesitation to take a firm stance, further delaying the collection of rent arrears.

Biker killed in accident on overpass

A tragic accident claimed the life of a motorcyclist on the Mumbai-Agra flyover. The rider was hit by an unidentified vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. An accident was registered.

According to police reports, the victim, Sanket Baban Gadekar (27, Res. Nimon, Tal. Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar), was travelling on a two-wheeler (MH 17 BJ 0925) in the early hours of March 28. While he was travelling from Dwarka to Pathardi Phata, he was hit by an unidentified vehicle on the flyover near Splendor Hall. Sanket sustained severe injuries and was undergoing treatment for the last six months. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Monday (16) at Sopan Hospital.

Based on a complaint by Bhaurao Gadekar, an accident case has been registered at Ambad police station and further investigation is being carried out by Jamadar Sheikh.