A four-year-old boy was killed on Saturday evening when he was knocked down by a car in Wadala area of Mumbai, police said, reported the PTI. The boy was playing on a road in Wadala when the incident took place, a police official said. The driver was arrested in connection with the matter, the official said. The incident occurred near Ambedkar College when Bhushan Gole was reversing the car, an official said. The driver didn't flee the spot. He was taken to the police station, the official said. "Prima facie, the driver was not under the influence of alcohol," he added, as per the PTI. The driver was arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and further investigation is underway, the news agency reported. Bus driver ferrying 26 students to football event found drunk in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident, a bus driver ferrying 26 students to football event on Saturday was allegedly found under the influence of alcohol in Thane district of Maharashtra, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Friday near Subhash Chowk in Kalyan when the bus was travelling from Ulhasnagar in the district to Virar in neighbouring Palghar along with as many as 26 students onboard. The driver was caught by a traffic police officials in Thane's Kalyan area when the official suspected the driver being drunk and stopped the vehicle for checking. "Constable Suresh Patil noticed the bus was swerving despite the road being clear and the driver did not seem to be in complete control. He got the bus to stop and subjected driver Surendra Gautam to a breathalyser test, which returned out to be positive," Kalyan traffic police senior inspector Rajesh Shirsat said, as per the PTI. The traffic police official stopped the bus and later reported the matter to local police. "If Patil had not acted quickly, the bus could have met with an accident. The driver was fined and will face further action, while the bus has been seized and its owner notified. We arranged another bus for the students to reach Virar for the football tournament," Shirsat added.
21 December,2024 10:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA bus driver ferrying 26 students to football event was on Saturday found under the influence of alcohol in Thane district of Maharashtra, reported the PTI. The traffic policeman in Thane's Kalyan caught an alcoholic driver transporting 26 students to a football event, according to an official on Saturday, PTI reported. The incident occurred on Friday near Subhash Chowk, as the bus was travelling from Ulhasnagar in the district to Virar in neighbouring Palghar, according to an official. "Constable Suresh Patil noticed the bus was swerving despite the road being clear and the driver did not seem to be in complete control. He got the bus to stop and subjected driver Surendra Gautam to a breathalyser test, which returned positive," Kalyan traffic police senior inspector Rajesh Shirsat said. "If Patil had not acted quickly, the bus could have met with an accident. The driver was fined and will face further action, while the bus has been seized and its owner notified. We arranged another bus for the students to reach Virar for the football tournament," Shirsat added. Earlier this month, the driver and conductor of a bus ferrying 50 children for a school trip were allegedly found under the influence of alcohol in the western suburbs of Mumbai, the police said, reported the PTI. The Mumbai Traffic Police were conducting a surprise check in Andheri on morning of December 17, when they intercepted a bus and conducted checks on the driver and conductor of the bus, an official said. The bus was heading to Gorai for a school trip with students and teachers of a Sakinaka-based school, an official said. The traffic personnel noticed that the bus was being driven dangerously, and on questioning the driver, they found that both he and the conductor were drunk, he said, according to the PTI. The official said that the school had hired the bus for the trip. The bus driver and conductor were later handed over to Andheri Police Station for further action, he added, adding that the police is further probing the matter. In another incident, In another incident, a 24-year-old youth died in a drunken driving incident at Powai on November 24. The deceased and two of his friends were riding three up. The friends were also seriously injured in this incident and admitted to hospital. The deceased was identified as Krishna Patil who had gone for a ride near Powai lake with his two friends, Mohammed Khan, 24, and Nilesh Nishad, 22, and they decided to drink alcohol by the lakeside. Patil received a call from his brother who informed him that their grandmother was unwell and he needed to take her to Rajawadi Hospital. While rushing home he met with an accident. The complainant Mohammed Khan was also injured in the accident. (With inputs from PTI)
21 December,2024 05:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe private car of a government employee held for alleged attack on Marathi family in Kalyan was seized by Maharashtra transport authorities for sporting an amber beacon, an official said on Saturday, reported the PTI. The victim family was also allegedly subjected to community-based abuse in Kalyan area of Thane district in Maharashtra, according to the PTI. On December 18, Akhilesh Shukla (48), an employee with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, and several others had assaulted a family in their residential complex over a trivial argument. Viral videos of the incident led to an uproar in the Maharashtra legislature over insult to Marathi speaking people in the state. "Shukla was fined Rs 9,500 for using an amber light without authority. His vehicle did not have valid insurance or pollution under control (PUC) certification. It had a plate with Maharashtra government written on it as well," Deputy Regional Transport Officer Ashutosh Barkul said, as per the PTI. The vehicle was seized on Friday by an RTO team comprising Motor Vehicle Inspectors Rohit Pawar and Priyanka Taple, the official added. As per the FIR, Shukla along with his wife and others assaulted a couple who asked them to calm down during their argument with a woman over burning of incense.Shukla, his associates Sumit Jadhav (23) and Ranga alias Darshan Borade (22) were arrested on Friday, while police are on the lookout for eight others, the news agency reported on Saturday. A Maharashtra government employee is accused of attacking a Marathi-speaking family at Kalyan. The police have registered a case against the accused identified as Akhilesh Shukla (48), an employee of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), his wife Geeta (45) and others under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 189 (2) (3) and (5) (unlawful assembly) and others. According to police, the attack took place around 8.45 pm on December 18, and the accused as well as the victims live on the same floor of a building in Kalyan. As per the FIR, the victim saw Shukla quarrelling with one of their neighbours over lighting of an incense stick. The victim asked Shukla to maintain peace and not to abuse and insult the entire Marathi-speaking community. The accused couple got angry on hearing this and beat up the victim and his wife with the help of eight to ten others. They attacked the male victim using some sharp weapon, iron rod, pipes and wooden sticks, and inflicted wounds on his arms, legs and face. The accused also molested his wife and threatened the couple, it added. (with PTI inputs)
21 December,2024 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Tilak Nagar police have arrested the fourth accused in the alleged Somaiya Vidyavihar University admission racket, where at least 49 students seeking admission to Class 11 at SK Somaiya College, KJ Somaiya College, and SK Somaiya Vidyamandir School were found to have submitted forged documents. These documents, uploaded by the accused, also point to the involvement of two senior clerks employed at the colleges. The fourth accused played the role of “verifying” documents, a task assigned to him by the state education department as part of the FYJC admission process. According to Tilak Nagar police officials, the fourth accused has been identified as Pandit Ramesh Karanke, 42, a junior clerk at Hindi High School, a government-run institution near Ghatkopar railway station. Karanke was given an additional duty in the FYJC admission process because his school was selected as a centre to assist students with admissions. The previously arrested accused include Mahendra Vishnu Patil, 45, of SK Somaiya College, and Arjun Rathod, 43, of KJ Somaiya College—both of whom have been employed by the varsity for over two decades. Patil and Rathod allegedly manipulated the grades of low-scoring students and uploaded forged mark sheets and leaving certificates (LCs) to the government’s website. The third accused, Devendra Suryakanth Sadaye, 55, reportedly assisted the duo by filling out and uploading admission forms on behalf of students. Karanke’s role involved verifying documents uploaded to the admission portal. Rathod allegedly provided him with at least 17 forged student documents and instructed him to approve them. For each mark sheet and leaving certificate, Karanke charged Rs 10,000, earning a total of Rs 1.2 lakh for verifying 17 documents. A resident of Dombivli, Karanke was apprehended following a technical investigation into the digital activity of the first three accused. Police found that money had been transferred to Karanke’s account from Rathod’s bank account. Early on Friday morning, after extensive tracking, Karanke was arrested at his residence. He was produced in court later that afternoon and remanded to police custody until December 24. Police now plan to interrogate Karanke further and examine his digital records and phone call history to determine the extent of his involvement and the duration of his association with the other accused in the racket.
21 December,2024 12:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Badlapur East and West police, collectively, have managed to apprehend a 39-year-old notorious chain snatcher, who gave sleepless nights to the cops for over 45 days. More than 6 incidents of chain snatching were reported by women above the age of 40, and thanks to the accused’s detailed plan of action and swift execution, police kept looking after him with failed attempts. “Over 320 CCTV camera recordings were analyzed,” said Rajesh Gajjal, Police Inspector (Crime) at Badlapur East police station. He added, “Despite this extensive effort, we had no clear idea of his appearance. All we had was the silhouette of his body structure, the knowledge that he wore a cap, and the fact that he operated alone on a bike—unlike most chain snatchers who usually have accomplices.” Echoing this, Senior Police Inspector Kiran Balwadkar said, “For the past 45 days, every night at 9 pm, we were anxious about where he would strike next. Our team was spread across our jurisdiction, but after three incidents in the East, he shifted to the West, where he snatched three more gold chains.” The police team, including two crime PIs and other officers, consisted of over 13 personnel who relentlessly pursued the accused, especially during the night. The accused has been identified as 39-year-old Pravin Prabhakar Patil, a resident of Shelu in Karjat district. Known as PPP, Patil is unemployed and allegedly sought easy and quick money, according to the police. His first chain snatching occurred in Badlapur East, but it turned out to be a fake piece of jewellery. Although disappointed, he was fascinated by how quickly he managed to snatch the chain, which gave him the confidence to strike again, police officials revealed. His identity was difficult to determine because his cap covered his half face, he would be spotted wearing different jackets on the same night and would choose his crime spot in alleyways which are narrower and less likely to have CCTV cameras. “In one CCTV footage, he was wearing a red jacket, and on the same night, on another road, he was spotted in a dark blue jacket. This indicates that at some secluded spot, he changed his clothes to avoid being identified,” said Balwadkar. The breakthrough in the case came during a nakabandi when a constable on duty spotted a biker who resembled a PPP. Although the constable did not recognize him by face and was not certain it was him, their eye contact prompted PPP to immediately take a U-turn while displaying suspicious movements. The constable immediately alerted the entire team, who, in civilian clothing, began to track him from various directions. At a common point, PPP was surrounded by the officers and subsequently placed under arrest. What hampered the investigation? According to police officials, PPP’s meticulous planning and execution, combined with unclear and poor-quality CCTV footage that failed to capture his face or other identifying features, made the investigation challenging. The absence of CCTV cameras in several alleyways and the lack of streetlights on these roads further complicated matters, making it nearly impossible to find eyewitnesses.
21 December,2024 11:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA 42-year-old headmaster from a Vikhroli-based government school was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting and harassing a 13-year-old girl on the school premises. The incident came to light on Friday morning when a group of parents, including the minor’s parents, gathered outside the school to meet the authorities. While the school management allegedly refused to engage with them, the group confronted the accused headmaster. The situation quickly escalated, with the parents verbally and physically assaulting him before the Vikhroli police were notified. Speaking with mid-day, the minor’s aunt said, “We first approached the school authorities on December 16, and they assured us that strict action would be taken against the headmaster. However, two days later, nothing had been done. When we followed up on December 18, they told us nothing could be done. After waiting another day, we decided to take the matter to the police.” The aunt was the first person the girl confided in, revealing the horrifying incidents she endured at school on two separate occasions. According to the Vikhroli police, the girl’s statement was recorded on Friday evening as part of the FIR registration process. In her statement, which was accessed by mid-day, she said, “In July, he [the headmaster] made me and my classmates run around the ground wearing only our PT uniforms. On the same day, when I entered the classroom after the punishment, he said, ‘dekho, chand ka tukda aaya hai’. He then instructed me to sit alone on the last bench. He sat next to me and, while staring at my chest, made inappropriate comments.” The second incident occurred in August. She said, “I was standing outside the classroom when he came up from behind and started touching my back.” According to her aunt, the minor stopped attending school after August, which made her parents suspicious. However, she did not disclose the reason until they insisted, at which point she confided in her aunt. In her statement, the girl also mentioned that on December 15, one of her friends called to inform her that the headmaster frequently mentioned her name and had even asked her friends for her contact number. According to Vikhroli police, when they reached the school premises, the mob was assaulting the headmaster. “We safely rescued the accused and brought him to the police station. Statements of the minor, her aunt (the complainant), and her parents were recorded and an FIR has been registered under the charges of sexual assault and sexual harassment of the BNS and POCSO Act,” said a senior police officer privy to the investigation.
21 December,2024 10:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerIn yet another case of identity theft, a firm lost Rs 85 lakh after a scammer impersonated the owner of a company by using his image as a WhatsApp display picture and sending a message to the company’s accountant. Believing the message to be genuine, the accountant unknowingly fell victim to the scam and transferred R85 lakh to a bank account provided by the fraudster, assuming it was an order from the owner. A similar incident was recently reported to the Navi Mumbai Cyber Cell, where a consultancy firm was duped of Rs 1.30 crore using the same method. According to an FIR registered by the accountant of a private firm on November 25, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number stating: “I am Arjun Jolly, this is my new WhatsApp. Please save it.” The complaint states that the WhatsApp profile photo displayed Arjun Jolly’s image, leading the accountant to believe it was genuine. He saved the number and later received a call from the same number, but the caller was inaudible. Shortly after, the accountant received another message: “I’m in a meeting right now, and the network signal is weak.” The scammer then sent another message asking, “Are you in the company right now?” The accountant replied that he was out for a routine medical check-up but would return to the office by the afternoon. While on his way back, he received a call from the scammer posing as Arjun Jolly, who requested an urgent transfer of Rs 85 lakh to a bank account shared on WhatsApp. Since the accountant was not in the office, he instructed his junior to complete the transfer. After the transaction, the accountant sent an email to his boss regarding the transfer, only to receive a reply stating that no such request had been made. It was then that the accountant realised he had been duped in a cyber-fraud. A similar incident was reported earlier in December, where a scammer used the same method to target the chief financial officer of a consultancy firm. By impersonating the company director through a WhatsApp profile photo, the scammer succeeded in duping the firm of Rs 1.30 crore. “This type of fraud appears to be a new modus operandi adopted by scammers. They seem to study the internal operations of companies and use the photos of owners and directors on WhatsApp to impersonate them. Additionally, they procure details of accountants and other employees to target corporate firms,” an officer from the cyber cell explained.
21 December,2024 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanThe Samta Nagar Police in Mumbai have booked five people for allegedly duping a 35-year-old grocery shop owner of Rs 50 lakh under the pretext of doubling his money through black magic, the police said. The incident occurred on December 18, and the police are now investigating the matter, an official said. According to police sources, the complainant, who owns a grocery shop in Kandivli East in north Mumbai, was initially approached by a customer who visited his shop. During the interaction, the customer introduced the idea of someone capable of doubling money using black magic. Although the complainant was initially skeptical, the customer persisted and suggested a demonstration to prove the claim's legitimacy. Sources added that in October, the complainant was taken to a flat in Goregaon, where five individuals were present. As part of the demonstration, he was asked to place Rs 100 in a book and sit quietly. The accused performed a ritual involving “Puja”, mantras, and tricks, making it appear as though the money had doubled. It convinced the complainant of the scheme's authenticity. They said that the victim was tempted by the promise of quick wealth and arranged Rs 50 lakh of which Rs 30 lakh was from his business and Rs 20 lakh borrowed from relatives and friends. He contacted the accused to proceed with the idea to get quick money. Upon arriving at a designated location in Gavde Compound in Damunagar area of Kandivli, the complainant was instructed to turn off his mobile phone. Official sources further stated that the group, led by a "Baba," claimed that a special puja needed to be performed to double the money. During the ritual, they gave the complainant 'prasad' which was actually laced with intoxicating drugs and after consuming it, the complainant fell unconscious. Seizing the opportunity, the five accused fled with Rs 50 lakh on December, 18. The complainant regained consciousness in a hospital on December 19. Confused, he asked the nurse about his whereabouts and how he had arrived there. The nurse informed him that his relatives had brought him in. Realising that he had been duped, the complainant narrated the incident to his younger brother, who advised him to report the matter to the police, the police said. On the complaint, the Samta Nagar Police registered a case and are further investigating the matter. “We have launched an investigation to apprehend the culprits,” said an officer.
20 December,2024 11:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanAn another clerk was arrested on Friday in connection with the Mumbai admission racket, taking the total number of people held so far to four, a Mumbai Police official said on Friday, reported the PTI. The other three persons arrested for alleged involvement in the irregularities are also clerks at an institution, the official added. "Pandit Ramesh Karanke (42) was deputed at the admission guidance centre at Ghatkopar East. He was tasked with verifying documents of students. He is accused of authenticating forged marksheets of students sent by co-accused clerk Arjun Rathod," the official said, as per the PTI. Karanke was remanded in five-day police custody by a local court, the police official said, the news agency reported. Earlier, the Tilak Nagar Police in eastern suburbs of Mumbai had uncovered a college admission racket allegedly involving two senior clerks of a college, an official had said on Monday. As part of their duties during the admission process, undertaken by the School Education and Sports Department of the Maharashtra Government for the class 11 centralised online admission process 2024-25, the duo, allegedly using their fraudulent ideas, tweaked the merit percentage of low-scoring students and uploaded forged marksheet and leaving certificates (LC) to the government’s website, the police had earlier said. The third accused in the case, who assisted the first two accused in filing the admission forms that students are required to submit and upload on the government website after their results are announced, an official had said. “There are two forms students are supposed to fill and upload—one before their results and the other after. In the second form, students mention their scores, preferred colleges, etc. Sadaye helped the two clerks by providing forged marks and percentages to ensure the applications fit within the colleges' cut-off criteria,” said a police official. The matter first came to light on Monday during the admission process when the college administration noticed irregularities in the marks of some students. They reported the issue to the State Education Department, whose technical team flagged discrepancies in the authenticity of the documents uploaded on the website. The college management uncovered fraudulent activity in the admission procedure following an internal assessment and immediately alerted the Tilak Nagar Police that registered an FIR in the matter and investigations led to the arrest of the accused. (with PTI inputs)
20 December,2024 10:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai police has launched a probe after two motorcycle-borne men allegedly conducted a recce of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's bungalow in Bhandup area of the city on Friday, the officials said, reported the PTI. The incident took place around 9 am outside Sanjay Raut's 'Maitri' bungalow, an official said. "Two men came on a two-wheeler and stopped outside Sanjay Raut's bungalow for some time and left the place," he said, according to the PTI. A few persons waiting outside the bungalow spotted the two suspects and informed the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP's younger brother and local MLA Sunil Raut, he said, as per the PTI. Soon afterwards, the police were alerted. A team from the Kanjurmarg police station reached the bungalow and launched a probe, the official said. "Police are examining the footage from the CCTV cameras at the bungalow, which shows two suspects on a two-wheeler," he said. It is suspected that the duo conducted a recce. Hence, attempts to get information about them and their vehicle were on, he said. So far, no case has been registered in this connection, according to him. "If anything serious is found in the detailed inquiry, a case will be registered against the suspects," he said, the news agency reported on Friday. Sanjay Raut is known as a vocal critic of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed attacks on Marathi-speaking people have increased after the BJP won the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 and alleged that an environment was being created to drive them out of Mumbai and neighbouring areas. Talking to reporters, Sanjay Raut highlighted an incident at Kalyan in Thane district, where non-Marathi-speaking people allegedly attacked a Marathi-speaking family. He further dubbed the Maharashtra government as "inauspicious" over the death of 14 people in the collision between a navy craft and a passenger ferry. He alleged that dacoity and murders were taking place in villages and districts. "A conspiracy is being hatched to attack Marathi manoos. Kalyan was the start," he said. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed the BJP split the Shiv Sena, an "organisation of Marathi manoos", and weakened it so that the natives are treated like second-class citizens, and Mumbai and areas around it are given to non-Marathi-speaking builders and businessmen. "Attacks on Marathi manoos have increased after the state assembly polls. Attempts are being made to drive Marathi manoos out of Mumbai, and an environment is being created so that Marathi manoos don't live in Thane and Kalyan," he said. Hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Raut said those calling themselves the Shiv Sena, who are part of the government, are inept and not bothered about the Kalyan incident. "They (Shinde-led Shiv Sena) are desperate for power. The BJP's stand is to destroy the Marathi manoos," he said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
20 December,2024 07:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Maharashtra government employee accused of attacking a Marathi-speaking family at Kalyan in Thane district surrendered before police on Friday, a senior officer said, reported the PTI. Akhilesh Shukla (48), an employee of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), his wife Geeta (45) and others have been named in an FIR related to the alleged attack on the family, their neighbour, on December 18 after an argument. Akhilesh Shukla surrendered before the Khadakpada police, senior inspector Aamarnath Waghmode said, according to the PTI. "We will trace the other accused," said the police. Meanwhile, before surrendering, Shukla posted a video on social media in which he claimed his wife was beaten up by family members of the victims. The police have registered a case against Shukla and his wife Geeta (45) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 189 (2) (3) and (5) (unlawful assembly) and others. According to police, the attack took place around 8.45 pm on December 18, and the accused as well as the victims live on the same floor of a building in Kalyan. As per the FIR, the victim saw Shukla quarrelling with one of their neighbours over lighting of an incense stick. The victim asked Shukla to maintain peace and not to abuse and insult the entire Marathi-speaking community. The accused couple got angry on hearing this and beat up the victim and his wife with the help of eight to ten others. They attacked the male victim using some sharp weapon, iron rod, pipes and wooden sticks, and inflicted wounds on his arms, legs and face. The accused also molested his wife and threatened the couple, it added. Insult of Marathi people will not be tolerated: Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said that insult of Marathi people will not be tolerated in the state, reported the PTI. Action has been taken against the accused and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made an elaborate statement in the legislative council over the issue, he told reporters here. "Marathi 'asmita' (pride) will be protected and insult of Marathi people will not be tolerated," said the Shiv Sena president, adding that late Bal Thackeray had founded the party to protect the rights of Marathi people, the news agency reported. A case has been registered against a state government employee and his wife for allegedly attacking a Marathi family at Kalyan in Thane district over a dispute between neighbours. Asked about vandalising of the Mumbai Congress office by BJP youth wing workers on Thursday, Shinde, a former CM, said police will deal with those who take law into their hands. "In a democracy, no one has the right to indulge in vandalism," he added. Asked about disgruntlement of party colleagues Vijay Shivtare and Prakash Surve over non-inclusion in the new state cabinet, Shinde said they spoke out in anger earlier, but they were not sulking any longer. Pointing to them sitting next to him, he quoted Shivtare's statement that being called a trusted aide of Eknath Shinde was more important to him than getting any post. No one in the Shiv Sena was upset, Shinde averred, adding, "We will continue to work as a family." Earlier in the day, Shinde held a meeting with Shivtare, Prakash Surve and Narendra Bhondekar who were upset at not being included in the ministry. (with PTI inputs)
20 December,2024 07:23 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
