Mumbai, Apr 2 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS.

BOM17 DEF-WASIA-NAVY CHIEF **** Hormuz Strait disruptions have caused huge economic impact in region: Navy chief Mumbai: The Strait of Hormuz disruptions have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region, Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Tripathi said on Thursday amid the war in West Asia. **** BOM9 CG-HC-MURDER-LD JOGI **** Amit Jogi convicted in 2003 murder case of NCP leader; HC orders surrender in 3 weeks Bilaspur: Nearly 23 years after the murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi, the Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday convicted former CM Ajit Jogi’s son Amit Jogi in the case, and directed him to surrender within three weeks, the CBI’s counsel said. **** BOM15 MH-NCP-PARTH **** Allegations against Praful Patel, Tatkare ‘unfounded, speculative’: Parth Pawar Mumbai: Amid allegations that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare tried to take over the NCP after the death of then Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his son Parth Pawar on Thursday said that the reports targeting the two senior leaders were “baseless and speculative”.

BOM16 MP-HC-MLA **** MP: HC orders case against BJP MLA for contacting its judge over illegal mining case Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday directed that a criminal contempt case be registered against BJP MLA and mining baron Sanjay Pathak for trying to contact its judge regarding an alleged illegal mining issue. **** BOM10 MP-HC-BHOJSHALA **** MP HC to begin regular hearing in Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute case from Apr 6 Indore: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday said it will begin regular hearing from April 6 in cases related to the religious character of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar. **** BOM6 MH-HC-MUSLIM QUOTA **** HC seeks Maharashtra govt’s response to plea against move to cancel 5 pc Muslim quota Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to respond to a petition challenging its decision to cancel five per cent reservation in education and jobs for the Muslim community. **** BOM12 MH-COURT-KHARAT-CUSTODY **** ‘Godman’ Kharat sent to 7-day police custody by Nashik court in second rape case Nashik: A court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Thursday remanded self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to seven-day police custody in a second rape case where he is accused of sexually exploiting a woman on multiple occasions since 2020 under the guise of religious rituals. **** BOM2 GJ-TREMOR **** 3.4 magnitude tremor hits Gujarat’s Navsari; no casualty Ahmedabad: A 3.4 magnitude tremor hit south Gujarat’s Navsari district on Thursday morning, the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) said. **** BOM11 GJ-FLIGHT **** Ahmedabad-Colombo direct flights from May 15, travel time to drop to 3 hours Ahmedabad: Sri Lanka’s private airline FitsAir will launch direct flights between Ahmedabad and Colombo from May 15, offering a three-times-a-week service that is expected to significantly cut travel time and boost tourist flow from Gujarat to the island nation. **** BOM3 MH-SECURITY GUARD-SUICIDE ****Man dies by suicide in Maharashtra after poisoning 3 children over domestic stress Mumbai: A 34-year-old man working as a security guard allegedly poisoned his three minor children before committing suicide in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, police said on Thursday. **** PTI RSY