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URL: https://indianexpress.com/profile/author/vallabh-ozarkar/

⇱ Read All The Stories Written by Vallabh Ozarkar.


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Vallabh Ozarkar

Introduction

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness....Read More

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness.

Expertise & Authority
  • Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau.

  • Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai.

  • Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including:

    • Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles.

    • Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability).

    • Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development.

    • Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments.

Experience
  • Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting.

  • Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism.

  • Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra.

He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh

Articles by Vallabh Ozarkar

👁 Kharat being produced in court on Sunday. Express photo by Yatish Bhanu

The afterlife of a crime: How leaked videos of sexual assault are silencing Nashik ‘godman’ Kharat’s victims a second timeSign In to read

Mar 30, 2026 07:30 IST

As videos circulate faster than police can remove them, victims fear exposure — even within their...

Mon, Mar 30, 2026
👁 Ashok Kharat

Kharat remand extended, SIT digs into coded contacts, possible accomplices

Mar 29, 2026 23:34 IST

The prosecution said a forensic clone of his phone had been secured, but its detailed analysis was...

Sun, Mar 29, 2026
👁 Screenshot 2026-03-29 at 12.55.36 AM

From ‘Hong Kong return’ to ‘Captain’: How belief, fear and access built ‘godman’ KharatSubscriber Only

Mar 29, 2026 06:56 IST

From waiting rooms at a Nashik office to tightly controlled rituals, Vallabh Ozarkar traces how...

Mon, Mar 30, 2026
👁 ashok-kharat_20260322223112_20260324205017.jpg

2 fresh FIRs against Nashik ‘godman’ Kharat for cheating, sexual assault; total cases rise to 10

Mar 28, 2026 15:14 IST

A 39-year-old cloth trader from Ahilyanagar district alleged that Ashok Kharat duped him of Rs 2.62...

Sat, Mar 28, 2026
👁 Nashik-4col

‘We were only watching’: In Mirgaon, the village that hosted Nashik ‘godman’ Kharat’s temple, silence gives way to anger and a demand to bar himSubscriber Only

Mar 27, 2026 07:00 IST

"On Saturdays and Sundays, there would be vehicles lined up, cars constantly coming in," said...

Fri, Mar 27, 2026
👁 mumbai police

Two held for circulating obscene videos of survivors in Nashik ‘godman’ case; 1 absconding

Mar 26, 2026 21:50 IST

The action follows the detection of explicit videos of survivors in the case being circulated on...

Thu, Mar 26, 2026
👁 AI IMAGE FOR NASHIK STORY

‘Death fear’, ‘avatar puja’ and foreign ‘ritual’ trips: Probe into Nashik ‘godman’ Kharat widens

Mar 26, 2026 15:39 IST

Investigators are now examining whether self-styled godman Ashokkumar Kharat used a similar modus...

Thu, Mar 26, 2026
👁 ashok-kharat_20260322223112_20260324205017.jpg

Nashik ‘godman’ now also under scanner for possible human sacrifice; police cite weapon, animal use, occult practices in court

Mar 25, 2026 07:00 IST

Kharat denies black magic, says he is hearing claims about snakes and such acts for the first...

Wed, Mar 25, 2026
👁 ashok-kharat_20260322223112.jpg

Nashik godman Kharat sexual assault case: Hidden camera, pregnant woman’s assault and a whistleblower staffer — how the scandal unravelled

Mar 23, 2026 07:00 IST

The complainant, who worked in Kharat's office for years, turned whistleblower after a woman he...

Mon, Mar 23, 2026
👁 Logo_0540b7

Haryana man gets life term for harassing, pushing woman to death off speeding train

Mar 21, 2026 09:34 IST

Haryana train murder case sees court awarding life term to man for molesting a woman and pushing...

Sun, Mar 22, 2026
👁 IMG-20260320-WA0707

Nashik ‘godman’ case widens: SIT recovers 100+ videos, seizes cash, weapon from Kharat’s premises

Mar 21, 2026 07:30 IST

Accused, self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, i in police custody; videos under scrutiny for blackmail...

Sat, Mar 21, 2026
👁 xr:d:DAGAS9RZ_xM:18,j:2528067839350006328,t:24032306

Is all well within Mahayuti? Zilla Parishad polls reveal local unease as Sena gets left outSubscriber Only

Mar 20, 2026 16:19 IST

From Parbhani to Satara, disputes between the BJP and Shiv Sena over posts and alliances raise...

Fri, Mar 27, 2026
👁 banana

48 CSC operators under lens: 27,416 bogus crop insurance claims without crop; 5 FIRs filed in Jalgaon

Mar 19, 2026 21:45 IST

Over 71,000 irregular applications; govt saves Rs 250 crore payout using satellite...

Thu, Mar 19, 2026
👁 building file photo

Mumbai gets fully online property mutation system; no office visits needed: Bawankule

Mar 19, 2026 19:35 IST

The system covers as many as 45 categories of property mutations under a single interface,...

Thu, Mar 19, 2026
👁 Photo (16)

27,416 bogus crop insurance claims without crop; 5 FIRs filed in Jalgaon, 48 CSC operators under lens

Mar 19, 2026 15:09 IST

Over 71,000 irregular applications; Rs 293 crore claims tied to Rs 748 crore exposure; govt saves...

Thu, Mar 19, 2026
👁 Uddhav

Why Uddhav Sena broke ranks with Congress, NCP(SP) to back Maharashtra anti-conversion BillSubscriber Only

Mar 18, 2026 20:56 IST

While Sena (UBT) maintains that its position is in sync with its consistent ideological stand,...

Wed, Mar 18, 2026
👁 PAP

Addl Chief Secy-level probe into Malad PAP project; Mayur Nagar SRA review in 15 days

Mar 18, 2026 19:51 IST

Shaikh alleged that nearly Rs 1,000 crore had been committed in the...

Wed, Mar 18, 2026
👁 m-Budget-2col_20260316194518.jpg

Maharashtra anti-conversion Bill passed; Shiv Sena (UBT) backs govt, Congress-NCP oppose

Mar 17, 2026 07:00 IST

While the ruling Mahayuti backed the anti-conversion law, Shiv Sena (UBT) broke ranks with MVA...

Tue, Mar 17, 2026
👁 owaisi_20260209102530_20260316052443.jpg

‘Worst than the worst’: Owaisi slams Maharashtra’s anti-conversion Bill over ‘brainwashing’ clause and suo motu police powers

Mar 16, 2026 10:55 IST

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the proposed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, a...

Mon, Mar 16, 2026
👁 mumbai police

‘Brainwashing through education’ listed as unlawful conversion; Maharashtra Bill allows police action without formal complaintSubscriber Only

Mar 15, 2026 07:03 IST

The draft law tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Friday says that not just those carrying out...

Sun, Mar 15, 2026
👁 Mumbai

864 rehab flats in Naigaon BDD project to be handed over tomorrow

Mar 14, 2026 20:45 IST

423 units earmarked for serving and retired police personnel and their...

Sat, Mar 14, 2026
👁 Rais Shaikh

‘Introduced to target minorities’: Maharashtra anti-conversion Bill should be sent to joint panel of legislature, says SP MLA Rais Shaikh

Mar 14, 2026 18:02 IST

MLA Rais Shaikh said the Dharma Swatantrya Bill should not be passed without discussion and...

Sat, Mar 14, 2026
👁 MVA (2)

Opposition flags misuse concerns as Maharashtra govt introduces Dharma Swatantra Bill in Assembly

Mar 14, 2026 10:38 IST

Maharashtra Dharma Swatantra Bill introduced in the Assembly aims to curb forced religious...

Sat, Mar 14, 2026
👁 fadnavis-2cols

Maharashtra anti-conversion Bill says child of ‘unlawful’ conversion marriage will belong to mother’s original religion

Mar 14, 2026 06:22 IST

It allows complaints by parents, siblings or other relatives of the convert, mandates 60-day prior...

Sat, Mar 14, 2026
👁 e rickshaw

Maharashtra to mandate permits for e rickshaws, e bikes used for passenger transport

Mar 13, 2026 21:55 IST

Earlier, electric rickshaws did not require separate permits; however, with their rising numbers...

Fri, Mar 13, 2026
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