NEWS UPDATES
FRO Goa deported three Russian men on November 4 for overstaying their tourist visas. Two were convicted by a court, while one was lodged at a detention centre. Earlier, on November 2, a Kenyan woman was deported following her conviction in a forgery case. •
Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate, breaking into traditionally Republican strongholds including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. The victories are set to significantly constrain Donald Trump's political powers. Reacting to the results, Trump said he was “absolutely willing to accept those results” and would work with Democrats. • India is set to simplify visa application forms across all 22 categories, with the number of fields expected to be reduced by nearly 70%. The move will eliminate repetitive and redundant details, making applications more user-friendly and bringing India's visa process in line with global standards. The changes are likely to be implemented from next year. • The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, has announced the rationalisation of polling stations under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Photo Electoral Rolls, with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date. Five new polling booths have been created in North Goa, while one booth in South Goa has been merged with another. Following the exercise, Goa's total polling stations have increased from 1,731 to 1,735. • Maina Curtorim Police arrests tipper truck driver, Valentino Fernandes (48) for allegedly transporting illegally extracted river sand at Coriem, Curtorim; Police seized around 10 cubic metres of river sand worth Rs 25,000 and a tipper truck valued at Rs 20 lakh. The total seizure is estimated at Rs 20.25 lakh. • Porvorim Police have arrested 25-year-old Sumit Rajesh Ingole from Amravati, Maharashtra, in an alleged APK-based cyber fraud case in which a senior citizen was cheated of Rs 1.94 lakh; the victim was allegedly duped through a malicious APK file shared under the pretext of booking an online appointment at Goa Medical College. Further investigation is underway to identify other accused and trace the cyber fraud network. • Shocking overcrowding exposed in Mapusa; a bus travelling to Nepal was detained near Bodgeshwar Temple after 148 passengers were reportedly found crammed into a bus with a seating capacity of just 48; Passengers allegedly paid Rs 4,000 each, with 7–8 people sharing a single seat. • The Mapusa Fast Track Additional Sessions Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by 66-year-old businessman Rajesh Sawaikar in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving the Communidade of Serula. However, in a related application arising from the same FIR, the court granted anticipatory bail to co-accused Roshni Rajesh Sawaikar, observing that custodial interrogation was not necessary in her case. • Goa Government has filed its petition in the Supreme Court on ST political reservation challenging the High Court order. Separate petitions are also expected from the Central Government and the ST community: Ramesh Tawadkar tells Prudent •
Rihan Nazir Shaikh and Sohail Shaikh, accused of alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in a Rs 73 lakh fraud case involving a visually impaired 73-year-old man, were granted bail today by the JMFC Court, Margao. The complaint was lodged by Maria Inez Fernandes of Navelim with Margao Police.
FRO Goa deported three Russian men on November 4 for overstaying their tourist visas. Two were convicted by a court, while one was lodged at a detention centre. Earlier, on November 2, a Kenyan woman was deported following her conviction in a forgery case. •
Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate, breaking into traditionally Republican strongholds including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. The victories are set to significantly constrain Donald Trump's political powers. Reacting to the results, Trump said he was “absolutely willing to accept those results” and would work with Democrats. • India is set to simplify visa application forms across all 22 categories, with the number of fields expected to be reduced by nearly 70%. The move will eliminate repetitive and redundant details, making applications more user-friendly and bringing India's visa process in line with global standards. The changes are likely to be implemented from next year. • The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, has announced the rationalisation of polling stations under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Photo Electoral Rolls, with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date. Five new polling booths have been created in North Goa, while one booth in South Goa has been merged with another. Following the exercise, Goa's total polling stations have increased from 1,731 to 1,735. • Maina Curtorim Police arrests tipper truck driver, Valentino Fernandes (48) for allegedly transporting illegally extracted river sand at Coriem, Curtorim; Police seized around 10 cubic metres of river sand worth Rs 25,000 and a tipper truck valued at Rs 20 lakh. The total seizure is estimated at Rs 20.25 lakh. • Porvorim Police have arrested 25-year-old Sumit Rajesh Ingole from Amravati, Maharashtra, in an alleged APK-based cyber fraud case in which a senior citizen was cheated of Rs 1.94 lakh; the victim was allegedly duped through a malicious APK file shared under the pretext of booking an online appointment at Goa Medical College. Further investigation is underway to identify other accused and trace the cyber fraud network. • Shocking overcrowding exposed in Mapusa; a bus travelling to Nepal was detained near Bodgeshwar Temple after 148 passengers were reportedly found crammed into a bus with a seating capacity of just 48; Passengers allegedly paid Rs 4,000 each, with 7–8 people sharing a single seat. • The Mapusa Fast Track Additional Sessions Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by 66-year-old businessman Rajesh Sawaikar in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving the Communidade of Serula. However, in a related application arising from the same FIR, the court granted anticipatory bail to co-accused Roshni Rajesh Sawaikar, observing that custodial interrogation was not necessary in her case. • Goa Government has filed its petition in the Supreme Court on ST political reservation challenging the High Court order. Separate petitions are also expected from the Central Government and the ST community: Ramesh Tawadkar tells Prudent •
Rihan Nazir Shaikh and Sohail Shaikh, accused of alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in a Rs 73 lakh fraud case involving a visually impaired 73-year-old man, were granted bail today by the JMFC Court, Margao. The complaint was lodged by Maria Inez Fernandes of Navelim with Margao Police.
