BADLAPUR: In a significant development for Kulgaon-Badlapur, municipal council president Ruchita Rajendra Ghorpade has been unanimously elected as the president of the Maharashtra State Nagaradhyaksha Mahasangh, marking a proud moment for the city.The decision was taken at a meeting held at the headquarters of the All India Institute of Local Self-Government in Andheri (East), Mumbai. The meeting was convened by the institute’s president and Mahasangh working president Ranjit Chavan, along with secretary Laxmanrao Latke.The Mahasangh represents elected heads of 393 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra, including presidents, deputy presidents, and councillors. Established in 2008, the body plays a crucial role in advocating urban local body issues before the state government and strengthening grassroots governance.Ghorpade received unanimous support from municipal council presidents across the state, reflecting strong confidence in her leadership. Alongside her, Arun Dhote was elected vice-president. Tejashree Karanjule Patil and Mohan Gadge are among 20 members appointed to the executive committee.After her election, Ghorpade emphasized enhancing the powers of municipal council presidents, ensuring better financial assistance, and accelerating urban development. She also stressed improving governance, ensuring administrative accountability, and raising the overall quality of life for citizens.Notably, this is the first time in the Mahasangh’s 18-year history that Kulgaon-Badlapur has secured the top post. Ghorpade will serve a five-year term, marking a milestone for the city’s growing political significance.

KALYAN: A 40-year-old man has been arrested by Kalyan Taluka police for allegedly murdering his friend during a picnic outing near the Khadavli river and dumping the body in a secluded area, police said.The accused, identified as Yogesh Eknath Rane, was arrested and produced before a Kalyan court, which remanded him to police custody till May 2.According to investigators, the victim, identified as Raju Prabhulkar, had gone to the Khadavli river along with Rane on April 20. The spot is frequented by locals for bathing and summer picnics.Police said that after bathing, Rane had handed over his money to Prabhulkar for safekeeping while they washed their clothes. However, when Rane later asked for his money back, Prabhulkar allegedly refused and attempted to leave, leading to a heated argument between the two.In a fit of rage, Rane allegedly picked up a stone and repeatedly struck Prabhulkar on the head, killing him on the spot. To destroy evidence, he later transported the body and dumped it in a remote area within the limits of Ju village in Khadavli.The case came to light after locals spotted the body and alerted police. Kalyan Taluka police registered a murder case and launched an investigation. Mukesh Dhage, senior police inspector of Kalyan Taluka police station said, “Despite having no immediate leads, our team relied on CCTV footage and technical surveillance to trace the accused’s movements. Rane was eventually tracked to the Parel–Nagpada area in Mumbai, from where he was apprehended”.Police said the accused is a native of Waklghar in Shrivardhan taluka and has previous serious offences registered against him at Raigad’s Dighi coastal and Navghar police stations.Further investigation is underway.