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The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Mumbai, arrested the head of Shivaji Nagar Police Station in Govandi on Tuesday night after catching him red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. The amount was part of a Rs 2.5 lakh bribe reportedly demanded by the officer from a school trustee seeking police assistance in a legal matter. Senior Police Inspector Bapurao Madhukar Deshmukh (57) was apprehended by ACB officials during a trap operation following a complaint from a 41-year-old trustee of a school in Mumbai. The complainant had earlier approached the Shivaji Nagar police and the Charity Commissioner’s office after a group of individuals forcibly broke the lock and entered the school premises on August 15, 2024. According to the ACB officials, Deshmukh had allegedly demanded Rs 3 lakh to prevent the unauthorised individuals from re-entering the premises and to provide police protection until the Charity Commissioner issued a final order. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reportedly settled at Rs 2.5 lakh, with the officer allegedly agreeing to accept the first installment of Rs 1 lakh. The ACB laid a trap and arrested Deshmukh as he accepted the money. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. According to police sources, Deshmukh was supposed to get retired this year. He will be produced in the court by ACB today (Wednesday).
14 May,2025 11:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA 63-year-old retiree from Sewri, Vijay Mhatre, allegedly lost Rs 6.5 lakh — his life savings —after misplacing his mobile phone during a routine grocery run at the Dadar market. When he later checked his bank account, he was left with just Rs 276, with the remaining amount siphoned off through unauthorised transactions. Mhatre, a resident of BDD Chawl, went to the daily vegetable and fruit market near Veer Kotwal Udyan in Dadar West in the morning of May 1. He told mid-day, “I don’t really remember if I dropped my phone or forgot it somewhere. But when I realised it was missing, I panicked — though I had the sense to rush to my SIM card operator’s gallery for assistance. Unfortunately, their server was down, so my SIM card couldn’t be blocked.” The senior citizen then rushed to his SIM card provider and asked the staff to block his number, but unfortunately, their server seemed to be down, further confusing Mhatre After returning home, Mhatre informed his family and had to immediately leave for Alibaug to attend his maternal aunt’s funeral. “I thought I’d follow up about the phone later. While in Alibaug, I needed some emergency cash and went to a local bank to withdraw money. That’s when I was told my account balance was Rs 276. That account had over Rs 1.5 lakh. When I checked my other bank account — where my pension gets deposited — that too had been wiped clean. It had over R5.5 lakh,” said Mhatre. The matter was initially registered at Shivaji Park police station, but was later transferred to RAK Marg police station after it was determined that the incident likely occurred within their jurisdiction. “The phone that I lost was a new one gifted by my son. I don’t even have UPI or banking apps installed. I’ve never done online transactions — I only use ATMs or visit the bank directly. So I don’t understand how money could be withdrawn from my account,” Mhatre said.“What’s more shocking is how the bank allowed such huge transfers without any alert or approval from me. Meanwhile, the police suspect that the transactions were carried out by fraudsters who may have downloaded UPI apps onto the victim’s phone. Mhatre was told by the bank staff that all he had in his accounts was Rs 276. Shocked, he bombarded the bank staff with questions but received no answers PoliceSpeak “They likely created a new profile in the victim’s name, linked it to his bank account using the phone number. Since they set up the profile themselves, they would have had access to the password. We are also working with the bank to trace the accounts to which the money was transferred through multiple transactions,” said a police officer. R Ragasudha, deputy commissioner of police, Zone IV, said such cases are becoming increasingly common. “To prevent such incidents, citizens must block their bank accounts immediately if a phone containing a SIM card is lost. Also, avoid storing passwords on notepad apps.”
14 May,2025 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Vasai couple who allegedly stripped and brutally assaulted their 43-year-old Kandivli-based relative — and filmed the attack on April 5, which later went viral among family members — have finally been arrested by the Waliv police after being on the run for over a month. The victim’s husband had filed the FIR on April 9.The accused had gone into hiding immediately after the crime. In a bid to avoid arrest, they first approached the sessions court for anticipatory bail and, after rejection, moved the Bombay High Court. However, both pleas were dismissed. According to police sources, the high court observed the seriousness of the charges and photographs submitted by the prosecution, which showed the accused woman assaulting the complainant. The court said that, considering the conduct of the applicant, granting anticipatory bail could result in tampering with evidence or intimidation of the victim and witnesses. It concluded that the bail application had no merit and rejected it outright. The victim’s husband called the assault “inhuman,” stating, “This is not the act of a human being, but a beast. And even after absconding, they had the audacity to send messages through relatives, pressuring us to withdraw the case.” A close family member expressed anguish over the delay in the arrest. “The police claimed they had no clue about their whereabouts, yet the accused were sending messages via family members asking for a compromise,” the relative said. Lawyer’s statement Advocate Abhijit Mandre, representing the victim, called the accused couple’s actions “heinous and against humanity.” He said, “Disrobing a woman, recording the violence, and circulating the video is a violation of every norm of a civilised society. They deserve the strictest punishment under the law.” PoliceSpeak Senior Inspector Dilip Ghuge of Waliv Police Station confirmed the arrest to mid-day and said the accused will be produced in court today (Tuesday).When asked where the couple had been hiding and where they were arrested, Ghuge declined to comment, stating, “We are conducting further investigation.” April 5Day the incident occurred
14 May,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Tuesday revealed that the accused in the Mithi River desilting scam arranged foreign trips for BMC officials and their families as kickbacks in exchange for favourable treatment in awarding desilting contracts, an official said. The accused were produced in court on Tuesday and have been remanded to judicial custody. According to the EOW’s remand application, the arrested accused include Ketan Kadam, a middleman and director of Woder India LLP, and Jayesh Joshi of Virgo Specialities Pvt. Ltd., a firm that allegedly supplied equipment such as silt-pusher machines to various contractors involved in the desilting work. EOW sources revealed that the investigation has found Kadam sponsored international travel — including flights and hotel stays — for BMC Assistant Engineer Prashant Ramgude. “It has come to light that trips to Singapore and Dubai were arranged by accused Kadam for the BMC engineer, who is now accused and wanted in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam,” an EOW officer stated. According to the remand application, the accused, Ramgude, made a day trip to Singapore with his family, and the hotel-- InterContinental Singapore--was booked by Kadam. Similarly, during a trip to Dubai, the hotel arrangements were also made by Kadam. The details of these bookings have been retrieved from Kadam. The EOW has also stated that the investigation has revealed a woman working at a beauty parlour who is believed to be very close to Ramgude. They suspect that Ramgude may be accepting bribes through her, and this angle is currently being investigated. Dr Yusuf Iqbal and Adv. Zain Shroff from YNA Legal LLP appeared for accused Jay Joshi in the Mithi River desilting matter and argued before the court that he is an independent investor and infra-equipment provider who legally imported and owns the machines. These were leased to various contractors as per private agreements, without any direct payment or contractual engagement with MCGM. These machines were not leased to MCGM. There is no financial gain or wrongful benefit to Joshi from MCGM or anybody else. As per the allegations, the actual tender beneficiaries — the contractors — and the officials who are allegedly responsible for the tender irregularities remain untouched and not even investigated. “Our client, who is a third-party private vendor who supplied machines on rent, is being made a scapegoat and dragged into this alleged scam when he is not even remotely associated with MCGM. Thus, his continued detention is wholly unwarranted,” Adv. Shroff said. Hearing the arguments, the court rejected the prosecution’s application for further police custody and granted judicial custody. The FIR alleges that all accused acted in collusion to defraud the BMC of Rs 65 crore and further investigations are underway.
13 May,2025 11:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA 22-year-old man was detained by the Colaba Police in Mumbai on Monday for flying a drone without police permission near the Taj Hotel in south Mumbai, an official said. The man is a native of Andhra Pradesh, police said. The drone was first spotted by the Quick Response Team (QRT) while they were on patrol duty. Upon spotting it, the team traced the signal to a vehicle parked near a jetty close to the Gateway of India. Inside the vehicle was the man operating the drone with a remote controller. He was flying the drone in the Taj Hotel area, unaware that it is a sensitive zone designated by the Mumbai Police for security reasons. He was allegedly unaware that special permission was required to fly drones in the area, officials said. His drone—a grey DJI Air 3S—and its remote controller, valued at around Rs 70,000, were seized by the police. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared Mumbai a ‘Red Zone’, completely prohibiting the operation of drones in the city. The restriction, which will remain in force till June 3, includes all types of drones and similar equipment such as remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, hang gliders, and hot air balloons.
13 May,2025 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerMumbai Police on Tuesday said that it has issued a preventive order, prohibiting flying of drones or any other aerial activities. Earlier, the Powai Police registered an FIR against a 23-year-old cinematographer for flying a drone in the area. The cinematographer was booked by the Powai police on Sunday night. According to the Mumbai Police, the order was issued as part of the safety measure for the citizens. It prohibits the use of drones in the city. The order, issued on May 3, bans drone activity from May 5 to June 3. It states the prohibition of the use of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, hot air balloons, and all similar aerial activities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declared Mumbai a red zone for flying drones. The Mumbai Police have requested citizens not to use drones and warned that anyone found doing so will be booked. The police requested the citizens to report drone usage by calling the police helpline at 100 or 112 if they witness anyone violating the ban.
13 May,2025 07:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaMumbai Police are on high alert following an email threat warning of potential bomb blasts in the city within the next 48 hours. The email was sent to the official address of the Maharashtra control room by a sender named 'Mamta Borse', on Monday. According to a police officer, the email read: “A major explosion could happen any time, at any place. Please do not ignore this warning.” Though the email lacked specific details regarding the timing or location of the bomb threat, security agencies are treating it with utmost seriousness. Sensitive locations—including railway stations, religious places, and government buildings—have been put on high alert. Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) have been deployed and are actively conducting checks at these high-risk spots along with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Meanwhile, the Railway Police have launched separate anti-sabotage operations across station premises to ensure commuter safety. The Cyber Police are currently leading the investigation into the origin and authenticity of the email. Efforts are underway to trace the sender and determine whether the threat is credible or a hoax. The police have urged citizens to remain calm, stay alert, and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
13 May,2025 01:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe police on Tuesday said that a 66-year-old murder accused, who had been on the run for 15 years, has been arrested from Maharashtra's Palghar district, reported news agency PTI. Based on a tip-off, the police apprehended the accused, Santosh Dehu Kurhade, from Wada last week, Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural), Dr D S Swami said, reported PTI. He said Kurhade was wanted in connection with the murder of Suresh Ravji Wagh, who was beaten to death on June 5, 2009, reported PTI. Kurhade and two other accused had allegedly attacked the victim over a dispute, the SP said. The official said an FIR was registered against the accused under sections 302 (murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons/means), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code. He said Kurhade had been on the run since the day of the crime, while the other two accused in the case were arrested earlier. Two absconding accused arrested from Hyderabad for killing teacher in Maharashtra Police in Maharashtra's Latur have arrested two absconding accused from Hyderabad in connection with the murder of a teacher here last month, taking the total count of arrests in the case to nine, officials said on Monday, reported PTI. Following their arrest on Friday, the duo -- Azhar Mohammad and Gajendra Sarwade -- a local court remanded them in police custody till May 13, police sub-inspector Ajay Patil said, reported PTI. The operation was carried out by a police team from the Kasarshirshi police station in Nilanga tehsil. On 26, when the incident took place, an altercation broke out over the celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary. During a violent clash, the victim teacher -- Guruling Hasure -- suffered serious injuries and later died, reported PTI. A case was against nine persons, including Mohammad and Sarwade. While seven of the nine accused were arrested, the duo was on the run. However, the police received a tip-off that they were hiding in Hyderabad. Accordingly, a team was sent there and the duo was nabbed. (With inputs from PTI)
13 May,2025 01:44 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA major theft was narrowly averted in Kandivli late Friday night after a burglar broke into a home and escaped with imitation jewellery, leaving behind real gold ornaments worth lakhs. The thief mistook the fake jewellery for the real deal, while the genuine ornaments were securely stored in boxes. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the society. The victim, Tushar Ramesh Dharod, 44, resides in the Shafalya building on Kasturba Cross Road, Kandivli West. According to sources, the same suspect attempted break-ins at three to four homes in the vicinity. While he managed to steal gold jewellery worth R6 lakh from a neighbouring society, he left the Dharod household without taking a single real ornament. Saphalya Society on Kasturba Cross Road, Kandivli West, where the Dharod family lives on the second floor. Pics/Shirish Vaktania Speaking to mid-day, Dharod said, “Around 2 am on Friday, I was asleep in the bedroom along with my wife Jinal and our 14-year-old son Dhanish. My mother, Hemlata, was sleeping in the hall. I had not locked the grill on the hall window. The intruder, whose face was covered, climbed up to our second-floor flat using a cable wire and entered through the window.” “He entered our bedroom and opened the cupboard. My wife had stored all our gold jewellery inside boxes in the locker, but had left the imitation jewellery out in the open. The thief assumed the fake pieces were real and took all, along with a carry bag. He didn’t even touch the boxes containing the real ornaments. Thanks to that, we were able to save jewellery worth lakhs,” Dharod said. He added, “The thief stole around 12 sets of imitation jewellery—including pearl necklaces, rings, and earrings—all of which were fake. My wife had purchased them to match outfits for upcoming family functions. The intruder also took my son’s smartwatch, which cost just R500, but ignored a more expensive one placed next to it. It seems he didn’t know the difference between real and fake items.” (From left) Jinal Dharod, Hemlata Dharod, and Tushar Dharod Dharod said they alerted the Kandivli police, who registered an FIR. “We gave our statement for the FIR after informing them about the incident and also mentioned the theft in the neighbouring society,” he said. The Kandivli police have filed an FIR against the unidentified accused, who allegedly targeted multiple homes and managed to steal valuables worth R6 lakh—including gold ornaments and cash—from another society nearby. A police officer said, “We are scanning CCTV footage from the area and working to identify and track down the accused.”
13 May,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA drone crash in Powai caused panic late Sunday night after locals heard a loud noise and saw the device plummet from the sky. Residents immediately alerted the Powai police. Officers rushed to the spot and were surprised to discover that a 23-year-old cinematographer had been testing the drone to check if it was functioning properly. Police booked him and launched an investigation. Drone usage in India remains restricted following the tensions at the border between India and Pakistan. Ankith Rajendra Thakur, 23, a cinematographer residing at Stanza Living's Lake Bloom building in Solaris, Tunga Village, Powai, had moved to Mumbai from Hyderabad just one-and-a-half months ago for work. He told mid-day that he had used the drone exclusively for creating Instagram reels during outstation shoots. “I’m a cinematographer and moved to Mumbai for work just over a month ago. This drone costs around R1 lakh abroad and is even more expensive here. It was a gift from my relatives. It weighs 250 grammes and can fly up to 1 kilometre high. Since its fan was damaged, I had sent it for repairs. Around 11.30 pm on Sunday, it was delivered to my home. I went down to the society compound with a friend to check if it was working,” Thakur said. “It flew properly at first, but after reaching about 60 metres, it suddenly dropped. The crash was loud, and people gathered. The police arrived soon after, detained me, seized the drone, and took me to Powai police station, where an FIR was filed. I explained everything, and once they realised I was just testing it, they let me go. Still, I was treated like a criminal. I admit it was a mistake to fly the drone, I had no intention of causing panic,” he added. “I only use this drone for filming reels at outstation shoots. I’ve never flown it locally. I just wanted to check if it was functioning properly after spending Rs 3000 on repairs,” Thakur said. Drone flying in India is restricted due to heightened national security concerns following the escalations at the border. A police officer explained, “The Pakistani army flew drones across the border, prompting Indian forces to restrict such activity. So, when locals spotted the drone in Powai, it caused alarm. The fact that it happened around midnight only made things worse.” The complainant, requesting anonymity, said, “Around midnight on Sunday, I was walking with friends when we saw flashing lights in the sky and suspected something serious. We feared it might be an attack, especially given the tense atmosphere post-ceasefire. Seconds later, the drone crashed with a loud noise. I immediately called the police, who responded quickly and detained two people. In such sensitive times, no one should be flying drones.” Senior Inspector Jitendra Sonawane of Powai police station told mid-day, “We have registered an FIR against the drone owner, Ankith Thakur, for allegedly flying a drone in the area. We are verifying his documents and investigating where he purchased the drone and why he was flying it. A notice has been issued. He was detained and later released with a warning.”
13 May,2025 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania | Rajesh GuptaIn a significant crackdown on digital offences targeting religious sentiments, Maharashtra Cyber has registered a criminal case against individuals accused of circulating obscene and offensive content depicting revered Hindu deities. The case has been filed under Sections 196, 294, and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, read with Sections 67 and 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The objectionable material—including manipulated images and explicit videos—was widely circulated across social media platforms such as X and Facebook, as well as on online marketplaces and pornographic websites. “Following technical analysis of fake social media profiles, one accused, a 39-year-old Bachelor of Commerce graduate currently pursuing Chartered Accountancy, was arrested from Indore, Madhya Pradesh,” Maharashtra Cyber said. The arrested individual has been remanded to police custody until May 13, as investigations continue. According to officials, the accused operated a fake X account used to post obscene and deliberately provocative content, allegedly intended to incite communal disharmony and hurt religious sentiments. Authorities have seized the accused’s mobile phone. A subsequent digital forensic analysis led to the identification of six additional X accounts involved in similar offences. These accounts, suspected to be working in coordination, were also found circulating objectionable content targeting Hindu deities. With the total number of interconnected accounts now at seven, Maharashtra Cyber has intensified efforts to trace the identities of others operating fake profiles across digital platforms. In a statement, the department reiterated its commitment to protecting digital spaces from abuse that targets religious beliefs, spreads obscenity, or disrupts public harmony. Maharashtra Cyber emphasised its zero-tolerance approach to any online activity that defames religions or communities, assuring that strict legal action would be taken against offenders.
13 May,2025 06:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanADVERTISEMENT
