Mumbai, Nov 3 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS.

BOM13 MH-VOTERS LIST-UDDHAV

Local body polls post-voters list clean-up, says Uddhav; refutes appeasement politics charge Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said local body polls in Maharashtra must be held only after the electoral rolls are cleaned up.

BOM10 MH-PIGEONS-MONK-LD PROTEST

Jain monk stages protest against closure of Dadar Kabutarkhana in Mumbai Mumbai: Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay began a protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, opposing the civic body's decision to shut down the Dadar Kabutarkhana, a site where the community members have traditionally fed pigeons.

BOM9 MH-FARMERS-UDDHAV

Fadnavis govt 'mocking farmers' with announcement of loan waiver call by June 30: Uddhav Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was mocking flood and rain-hit farmers by announcing the state government would decide on loan waiver before June 30 next year.

BOM12 MH-NCP-MEETINGS

Ajit Pawar takes stock of NCP's preparedness for local body polls Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP head Ajit Pawar on Monday held meetings with the district and block committees of his party in Mumbai as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation and prepare for the upcoming local body polls.

BOM15 MH-MCOCA-DRUGS-CHARGESHEET

Chargesheet filed in first drug case registered in Maharashtra under amended MCOCA Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Mumbai police has filed a chargesheet in the first case it had registered against a drug syndicate under the amended Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), an official said on Monday.

BOM14 MH-DOCTOR-SUICIDE-SULE

Supriya Sule meets kin of doctor who died by suicide, assures support Beed (Maharashtra): NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule on Monday met the family members of a woman doctor who allegedly died by suicide in Maharashtra's Satara district, assuring them of full support in their fight for justice.

BOM6 MH-OPPN-MINISTER

Thackerays indulging in appeasement, conspiring to pressure election staff: Minister Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Monday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS head Raj Thackeray of engaging in appeasement politics and conspiring to pressure government staff ahead of the local body polls in the state.

BES4 MP-MADRASAS-VIJAYVARGIYA

Day after FICN recovery from Imam's room in MP's Khandwa, Vijayvargiya targets madrasas Indore: Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday alleged that many madrasas had transformed from "centres of faith to centres of conspiracy", and said the state government must enact stricter rules for their management.

BOM11 GJ-CRI-WOM-DIAMOND

Surat industrialist announces diamond, solar panel gifts for women's World Cup winners Surat: Surat-based industrialist and Rajya Sabha member Govind Dholakia has announced a reward of diamond jewellery and solar panels for the Indian women's cricket team, which won the World Cup by defeating South Africa.

BOM7 MH-GST-FRAUD

Cyber police unearth Rs 75.48 crore GST fraud; probe underway Thane: The Thane cyber police have registered a case against a Mumbai resident and his associates for allegedly committing a Rs 75.48 crore GST fraud by misusing the credentials of a laptop sales service professional, officials said on Monday.

PTI RSY

GST fraud investigation uncovers alleged credential misuse, prompting criminal probe and tracing of organised tax evasion networks. Thane cyber police registered a criminal case into an alleged cyber enabled GST fraud involving misuse of a laptop sales service professional's credentials to wrongfully claim input tax credits; the probe aims to identify the network, digital methods, and attendant tax and criminal liabilities. Separately, Mumbai's Anti Narcotics Cell has filed the first chargesheet under the amended MCOCA against a drug syndicate, invoking the amended organised crime provisions for prosecution and enhanced statutory measures.