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Pune: Bombay High Court Grants Bail To NCP Corporator Laxmi Andekar

· Free Press Journal

Pune: In a major development in the Ayush Komkar murder case, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Laxmi Andekar, who was arrested under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for her alleged involvement in the case.

Andekar had been lodged in jail for several months and had repeatedly approached the Pune Sessions Court and the High Court seeking bail. She has now received relief from the Bombay High Court.

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Notably, Andekar contested the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections while in jail and emerged victorious. Her victory had attracted attention as she was facing serious allegations in a high-profile murder case. The decision of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction to field candidates facing murder allegations had also drawn criticism at the time.

Ayush Komkar, 18, was murdered in September 2025 in Pune. According to the police investigation, attackers allegedly ambushed him in a parking area, opened fire and repeatedly attacked him with a koyta (sickle), resulting in his death on the spot.

The murder was allegedly carried out to avenge the killing of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar, who was shot dead in Nana Peth on Sept 1, 2024. Ayush was Vanraj's nephew. His father was allegedly involved in Vanraj's murder, which led to the subsequent revenge attack.

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Police arrested Bandoo Andekar, the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy, along with his sister-in-law Laxmi Andekar, daughter-in-law Sonali Andekar and nine other suspects, taking the total number of arrests to 12.

Both Laxmi and Sonali Andekar contested the PMC elections from jail on tickets given by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction and secured victories.

With the High Court granting bail to Laxmi Andekar, the development marks a significant turn in the high-profile murder case. However, the trial is yet to conclude.

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Russell Brand Is Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault

· NY Times

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Las Vegas Raiders playoff hopes depend on the defense

· Yahoo Sports

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders offense is putting up numbers. At the midway point of the season, the Raiders currently sit at 9th in the conference standings. With a 4-4 overall record, ranking second in total points and sixth in points per game, the Raiders can be in the playoff mix, but the defense must get better fast.

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Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard must find a way to evolve or open his playbook. His Raiders defense ranks 31st in points allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed, 30th in passing yards, 24th in passing yards per game and 30th in total yards.

Ugly stretch

Over the last five weeks of the season, the Raiders are allowing an average of 35.2 points per game. Four out of the five games they were been beaten by: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl runner-ups New England PatriotsBecoming the 85’ Bears or the 00’ Ravens isn’t necessary or likely to happen. Getting opponents scoring down to 25 points per game will provide the proper offset to the offense’s production. Making winning much more obtainable consistently. The Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams. The good news is they were able to fly into New York and win a shootout against the Jets. 

However, the defense has put some ugly football on film and in a copycat league, they have been exposed over and over again. Surrendering 822 yards rushing during that stretch and nearly 164.4 yards per game. The seven rushing touchdowns allowed aren’t horrible, considering the yardage given. 

Defending the pass has been an issue at the line of scrimmage and the back end of the defense alike. In the last five games, the defense has produced eight sacks and 26 hits on the quarterback. A far cry from the Hellhounds, which started the season with 10 sacks in three games.

Turnovers are supposed to come in bunches, and they most certainly did at the beginning of the season. Since week 3, however, the Raiders defense has only produced two forced fumbles and recoveries and three interceptions.

Things to build on

It hasn’t all been bad; there are definitely things the team can hang their hats on. Raiders’ defense has amassed 18 sacks and 36 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles this season. Should they be able to improve on being T-2nd in turnover margin +5, T-6th in interceptions (6), T-1st In Fumbles (12), with their 13 total takeaways being 3rd best in the league, they can offset the tremendous amount of yards being given up. 

Not allowing drives to extend remains the biggest opportunity to make a difference. The Raiders are 21st in 3rd down conversion (41.7%), 20th in 4th down conversion (57.1%), 5th most in defensive penalties, 6th most in penalty yards and T-4th in first downs by penalty.

Maxx Crosby ranks 3rd in the league in pressures (26), but his 3.0 sacks this year are average. Although Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye also have 3.0 sacks each, their pressure production of 10 and 9, respectively, leaves more to be desired.

What needs to happen

Playing less soft zone coverage and running more twists and stunts against basic fronts will help a bunch. Simplify things for the young defensive backs; allow them to make their mistakes and learn. Resume attacking aggressively. This personnel group is much better at attacking than they are at waiting for something to happen. Good things happened when Leonard pressed issues. 

Becoming the 85’ Bears or the 00’ Ravens isn’t necessary or likely to happen. Getting opponents scoring down to 25 points per game will provide the proper offset to the offense’s production. Making winning much more obtainable consistently. Lining up the Raiders to be able to capitalize on their offensive success and make a run at a wildcard berth in the second half of the season.

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