MUMBAI: A sessions court recently rejected the discharge plea of city mayor Ritu Tawde in a case involving the alleged assault of school teachers in 2016. The order paves the way for the accused to stand trial for offences including the use of criminal force to deter public servants from their duties. “The two teachers or victims have categorically named the above applicant to be the person who beat them by hands inside the school. Even other witnesses took the name of the applicant being assaulter on the date of incident. This is more than sufficient to frame charge against the applicant (Tawde),” judge YP Manathkar said. Tawde, BJP Corporator has been serving as mayor since Feb, 2026. The order was pronounced on March 12. The prosecution’s relates to an incident on July 29, 2016 at an Urdu medium municipal school in Shastri Nagar, Vakola, Santacruz (E). The dispute reportedly erupted following the sudden transfer of a teacher, Shahin Khan, to a different facility in BKC. It was alleged that Shahin was unhappy with the transfer. The seven accused of the crime including Tawde allegedly started a quarrel with the Headmistress and other teachers of the on the grounds Shahin was transferred despite suffering from cancer. According to the FIR filed by headmistress Sharifa Momin, the confrontation escalated when the accused used criminal force and slapped two male teachers, Mohd Yakub Rahid and Nadim Ahmed Shaikh.During the proceedings, the defence argued that Tawde’s presence at the site was merely coincidental and that her political status as a BJP corporator was being exploited for publicity. The advocate for the accused also pointed to a 13-day delay in registering the FIR, suggesting the allegations were an afterthought born of political vendetta. The defence further submitted that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences, specifically criminal intent or mens rea, were entirely absent from the record.The prosecution countered these claims by pointing to the statements of seven witnesses including eye witnesses. The prosecution argued that the two teachers who were physically assaulted had specifically named Tawde as the primary aggressor. The prosecution submitted that such conduct within an educational institution, where teachers are expected to set an example for students, must be viewed with the utmost seriousness.The judge observed that the court’s role at this stage is not to conduct a “mini-trial” or weigh evidence for a final conviction, but rather to determine if a prima facie case exists. “The Judge has the power to sift and weigh the evidence, but only for the limited purpose of finding out whether a prima facie case against the accused has been made out.” The judge further noted that the statements provided by the victims and other witnesses directly implicated the applicant. The order clarified that at the stage of framing charges, the court should not examine the reliability or probative value of the statements. “If two views are equally possible and the evidence gives rise to grave suspicion (but not just suspicion), the judge is fully justified in framing the charge,” the order noted.

Crude oil prices showed slight relaxation on Wednesday as tensions continue to boil in the Middle East. Brent crude climbed 3.2% to $103.42 a barrel before slipping $1.15, or 1.11%, to $102.27 a barrel, by 0108 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $1.54, or 1.6%, to $94.67. The gains initially marked oil’s second-highest close this year and followed increases in 11 of the past 13 trading sessions. The rise came after fresh attacks on key energy facilities, including Iran’s Majnoon oil field and a gas field in the United Arab Emirates, both of which suspended production. However, the price later eased after reports based on American Petroleum Institute data showing a rise in US crude inventories. Light crude futures rose 2.9% to $96.21 a barrel before easing.The disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments, has intensified concern over supply, sending ripples through stock and bond markets. Meanwhile, the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to escalate. Israel announced killing Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, following Tehran’s overnight attack that set a massive UAE gas field ablaze. Trump also threatened further strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, while reports indicate that Russia is supplying Iran with satellite imagery and drone technology.In the US, rising oil costs have hit consumers. AAA reported the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped to $3.79 on Tuesday, up from $2.98 before US and Israeli forces launched attacks on February 28. Despite America being a net oil exporter, it still relies on imports of heavier crude for coastal refineries. With Iran limiting tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz, disruptions persist. In response, the International Energy Agency has pledged to release 400 million barrels from member stockpiles, and the US will contribute 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.Watch: Tel Aviv devastated; Iran unleashes cluster fury to avenge Larijani; two dead In India, consumers are concerned over the LPG supply crunch. Oil marketing companies have tightened LPG booking norms as global energy disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict continue to affect fuel supply chains in India. Under the revised instructions, LPG distributors in the state were asked not to accept refill bookings from customers who did not order a cylinder for more than nine months unless they completed the mandatory KYC verification.In a press briefing a day earlier, Centre reassured the public that the supply of cooking gas continues without disruption and advised against making panic bookings. However, analysts have cautioned that these measures will only provide short-term relief, while seasonal demand and shifts to more expensive “summer blend” fuels could sustain pressure on prices.

After Hema Malini, Esha Deol has reacted to the Oscars skipping Dharmendra in the In Memoriam televised segment at the 98th Academy Awards. Fans of the actor thought he was snubbed; however, the veteran Hindi cinema legend was remembered along with 300 other members of the global film fraternity on the Oscars’ website. Now, amid the chatter, daughter Esha expressed her thoughts.

Esha Deol reacts to the Oscars 2026 skipping Dharmendra in the Memoriam segment

In conversation with Variety India, Esha Deol said, “I don’t think it would ever make a difference to Papa. His heart has always been far too big to worry about such things. For him, life was never about recognition or status—it was about love, kindness, and the place he held in people’s hearts.”