The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles department has initiated the process of revoking the driving licence of the bus driver involved in the December 9 Kurla BEST bus accident, which left nine persons dead and around 40 injured, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Wadala, which has jurisdiction over the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, has issued a show cause notice to bus driver Sanjay More as part of the process to revoke the licence, they added, as per the PTI. Deputy Regional Transport Officer Pallavi Kothawade confirmed the development and said the process of cancelling More's licence started earlier this week. "We issued a show cause notice to More on Monday. Further action will be taken under Motor Vehicles Act based on his reply to the notice," Kothawade told PTI. Wadala RTO regional transport officer Ravi Gaikwad did not respond to queries on the issue. Meanwhile, other officials said Mumbai police had written to Wadala RTO seeking revoking of More's licence due to the severity of the accident. An electric bus wet-leased by the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking had rammed into several vehicles on the night of December 9 in Kurla, killing nine and injuring more than 40 persons. Several vehicles were totalled in the incident. More will not be able to drive any vehicle once his licence, which he has held for the past 23 years, is revoked, the officials said. More was employed by a third-party agency that supplies drivers to EVEY TRANS, a subsidiary of electric bus manufacturer Olectra. He had been driving mini-buses of BEST's wet lease operators for the last four years and was deployed to the drive the 12-metre e-bus, the kind that was involved in the accident, from December this year after he joined the new company, officials said. As per RTO records, More's transport category licence, initially valid for light motor vehicles like tempos and taxis, was issued on July 5, 1990 and on August 8, 1991 he got a heavy vehicle licence required to drive trucks and buses. More also has a driver's badge, which is mandatory for driving public service vehicles, including buses in the fleets of BEST and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). This badge was issued to him by the RTO on December 18, 1999, records showed, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
19 December,2024 05:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Thane businessman has been booked for allegedly cheating a supplier from Rajasthan of Rs 56 lakh, an official said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. In his complaint to the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police, the 40-year-old supplier of steel plates said he had good business relations with the accused, who had promptly paid for all transactions between 2014 and 2017, reported PTI. But the accused did not pay for the steel plates worth about Rs 56 lakh supplied in 2019-20, said the supplier from Jodhpur. The supplier also alleged that the Thane businessman threatened him with dire consequences when he demanded the money, reported PTI. The Thane businessman has been booked for cheating and criminal intimidation, the official said. The complainant did not explain why he approached the police late, which is a subject of the ongoing investigation, he said. Three held for duping elderly woman of Rs 2.85 cr with promise of good share market returns Three persons were arrested by the cyber police station of Mumbai Crime Branch for allegedly duping a woman of Rs 2.85 crore by promising attractive returns on share market investments, an official said on Monday, reported PTI. Sheshnath alias Ganesh Shatrughna Pandey (47), Satish Punamia (47) and Rahul Bachchan (37) were held from Diu-Daman, Gujarat and Mumbai, the official added, reported PTI. "They have 130 cases registered against their names across the country, including Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar. They have at least 70 bank accounts. The three arrested accused and associates also allowed use of these accounts on commission basis to park money obtained from online cheating," he said. "The elderly woman received a message on Whatsapp about share market investments. They sent her a link of their website's homepage on which she used get trend and market information. They duped her of Rs 2.85 crore with this modus operandi. The three have been remanded in police custody till December 17," the official informed. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 01:56 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday said that a revenue official from Maharashtra's Thane district has been arrested for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 to update some land records, reported news agency PTI. Accused Santosh Mahadeo Patil works as an assistant at the tehsildar's office in Kalyan, the ACB said in a release. According to the anti-graft agency, the complainant had approached Patil to get his name recorded against a piece of land that he recently bought. He also completed the necessary formalities. However, Patil demanded Rs 40,000 to update the records, claiming that he would keep half of the amount and the remaining Rs 20,000 would go to the tehsildar, reported PTI. After being alerted by the complainant, ACB laid a trap and caught Patil red-handed after he accepted the money on Wednesday evening, the release said, adding he has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Thane businessman booked for cheating supplier of Rs 56 lakh A businessman from Maharashtra's Thane district has been booked for allegedly cheating a supplier from Rajasthan of Rs 56 lakh, an official said on Thursday. In his complaint to the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police, the 40-year-old supplier of steel plates said he had good business relations with the accused, who had promptly paid for all transactions between 2014 and 2017. But the accused did not pay for the steel plates worth about Rs 56 lakh supplied in 2019-20, said the supplier from Jodhpur. The supplier also alleged that the businessman threatened him with dire consequences when he demanded the money. The businessman has been booked for cheating and criminal intimidation, the official said. The complainant did not explain why he approached the police late, which is a subject of the ongoing investigation, he said. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 01:48 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Tilak Nagar police have arrested two senior clerks from Somaiya Vidyavihar University who allegedly forged documents for at least 49 students seeking admission to Std XI at SK Somaiya College, KJ Somaiya College and SK Somaiya Vidyamandir School. The accused—Mahendra Vishnu Patil, 45, of SK Somaiya College and Arjun Rathod, 43, of KJ Somaiya College—have been employed by the varsity for over two decades, according to the police. While carrying out their duties during the admission process, Patil and Rathod allegedly tweaked the grades of low-scoring students and uploaded forged marksheets and leaving certificates (LCs) to the government’s website. Another accused, Devendra Suryakanth Sadaye, 55, allegedly assisted the duo in filing admission forms that students are required to submit and upload on the government website after their results are announced. “There are two forms students are supposed to fill up and upload—one before their results are declared and the other after. In the second form, students mention their scores, preferred colleges, etc. Sadaye helped the clerks by forging marks and percentages to ensure the applications fit within the colleges’ cut-off criteria,” said a police official. The matter first came to light two months ago during the admission process when the college administration noticed irregularities in some students’ marks. They reported the issue to the State Education Department, whose technical team flagged discrepancies in the authenticity of the documents uploaded on the website. An internal assessment by the scrutiny committee subsequently uncovered fraudulent activity in the admission process. Following this, Dr Kishan H Pawar, principal of KJ Somaiya College and the complainant in the case registered at Tilak Nagar police station, summoned all the parents and students whose names were linked to forged documents via email on October 15. During the scrutiny process, the documents submitted on Somaiya College’s website and those on the state government’s website were flagged as “Fake Marksheet Confirmed Case with Eligibility Check,” stated the FIR. The FIR further mentions that students who scored below 60 per cent in Std 10 had forged documents reflecting scores of over 90 per cent. ‘Process cost Rs 1 lakh’ While some parents appeared before the college authorities to explain themselves, they revealed the names of those involved in the fraud—Patil and Rathod—along with unidentified individuals referred to as Kamlesh Bhai, Jitu Bhai and Babu Bhai, who had been in constant contact with the parents, either outside the college campus or via phone calls. The police have launched a manhunt to look for the unknown accused. A parent told mid-day that after she and her son completed the form submission formalities, they were approached by a group of four to five men outside the college campus, including Patil. “They asked if we wanted admission through the management quota. When I informed them about my son’s percentage, Patil assured me it could be ‘managed’ but would cost some money. I trusted him because he said I would only need to pay once the admission was secured. I did as instructed, forwarding any OTPs we received to him,” she said, adding that the rate for the entire process was set at R1 lakh. A police officer said, “When Form 2 is verified by the admission portal and the college’s website, a registered parent’s number receives an OTP, which must be submitted to lock the form and complete the submission for further processing. In this college, the two accused were responsible for managing this activity instead of the parents.” The officer added, “The motive was financial gain, as the clerks charged no less than a lakh per student. What must also be considered is the parents’ willingness to participate in this scheme, driven by their desire to secure admissions for their children in prestigious colleges.” As per information received from the police, all the students whose documents turned out to be forged are from non-state boards as state board students only need to enter their seat numbers in the admission form after which the system automatically pulls up their marks, which is not the case with non-state board applicants who have to fill a variety of details like marks. ‘Zero tolerance for fraud’ The spokesperson of the Somaiya Trust stated that the institute authorities registered the FIR on Monday and that the irregularities were during a routine review. “We had approached the police after anomalies were identified in specific admission documents during our routine verification process. Once the discrepancies were confirmed, we promptly notified the authorities and contacted the police. With the Directorate of Education's guidance and support, we annulled the fraudulent admissions.” “Somaiya Vidyavihar maintains a zero-tolerance stance on fraudulent activities and assures everyone that these actions were carried out in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Directorate of Education to safeguard the integrity of the admission process,” the institution's spokesperson stated. All three have been booked for multiple offences, including cheating, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
19 December,2024 12:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Malwani Police in Mumbai have arrested a 42-year-old masseur for allegedly sexually assaulting a Spanish national. The accused also took inappropriate photos and videos of the 45-year-old complainant and her Indian female friend in Madh Island, the police said. According to police sources, the complainant arrived in India last month and had recently traveled from Bangalore to Mumbai. On Monday, she contacted the masseur via a social media platform. The accused, a massage therapist catering to both men and women, visited the house of the complainant's friend in Madh Island on Tuesday. While massaging her friend, he allegedly touched her inappropriately, though she dismissed the act as accidental. He then proceeded to massage the complainant and reportedly engaged in a similar behaviour with her. The complainant also suspected that the accused had taken photos and videos of her during the massage. When confronted, he gave evasive responses and refused to hand over his mobile phone. The complainant then called the Malwani Police, who arrived at the scene immediately. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case and arrested the masseur. His mobile phone was confiscated, said an officer from the Malwani Police Station. The accused was presented before the Borivali Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Wednesday and has been remanded in police custody until Friday, the officer added.
19 December,2024 01:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Malad Police in Mumbai have arrested two people for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts. According to the police, the accused would conduct reconnaissance of homes during the day and break into them at night to steal mobile phones in order to make quick money. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Saeed Siraj Sheikh, 26, and Imtiaz Usman Memon, 46. The case came to light on November 13, when a Malad resident reported a theft at his home. The complainant stated that he had left his door open for a friend who was returning late from work and went to sleep. After he had fallen asleep, an unknown person entered the room and stole three mobile phones. The resident, Mukesh Gahlot, approached the Malad Police, who registered a case against the unknown suspect. A team led by Senior Inspector Vijaykumar Panhale, along with Inspector Sanjay Bedwal, Assistant Inspector Deepak Raiwade, and other officers, began the investigation. The CCTV footage from the area led the police to Sheikh. According to the police, he confessed to the theft during interrogation. It is also reported that he has a criminal record. He revealed that he would conduct reconnaissance of homes during the day and target those with open doors at night. Sheikh admitted to handing over the stolen mobile phones to Memon for resale. Further investigation uncovered that the duo had stolen and sold 23 mobile phones, which the police have since recovered.
19 December,2024 12:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe customs department has seized hydroponic weed (cannabis), worth Rs 5.56 crore, concealed in food packets in a passenger's baggage at the international airport in Mumbai, an official said on Wednesday. According to news agency PTI, the customs personnel, based on specific intelligence, laid a trap at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai, in the early hours of Tuesday and intercepted the passenger. During a search of his baggage, the personnel found 5.56 kg of hydroponic weed concealed inside food packets kept in the baggage, PTI reported. After interrogation, the accused was arrested and charged under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, reported PTI. Hydroponic is a soilless method of growing cannabis using water as the primary medium. Typically, hydroponic weed is grown indoors in a fully controlled environment and is considered as potent as cocaine. Rs 35-lakh heroin seized; two from Assam arrested in Tamil Nadu The Prohibition Enforcement Wing Police in Erode, Tamil Nadu, seized heroin worth Rs 35 lakh from two people on Wednesday, PTI reported. According to the police, based on a tip-off, a team conducted a raid at the two-wheeler parking lot of the Erode Railway Junction. They spotted the two accused, later identified as natives of Assam, walking with a bag. On checking, they found 50 grams of heroin, worth Rs 35 lakh, hidden in the bag, PTI reported. Upon questioning, the duo, aged 29 and 30, revealed that they had smuggled the contraband from Assam to sell it for a higher profit in Erode. The police registered a case following which the duo was arrested. In a similar operation on Tuesday evening, the Prohibition Enforcement Wing Police Police seized three kilogrammes of ganja near Erode Railway Station and arrested a man hailing from Odisha. Indian Coast Guard seizes 20-kg drugs from Tamil Nadu's Mandapam The Indian Coast Guard seized contraband marijuana weighing more than 20 kg from Tamil Nadu's Mandapam, ANI reported. "Swiftly reacting to international input about drug trafficking from local agencies, the Indian Coast Guard, Mandapam, launched its Hovercraft for anti-narco ops on Indo-SL IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line)," a press release stated. The ACV (Air Cushion Vehicle) detected 10 abandoned packets of the drug from an island near IMBL. The contraband has been handed over to the Customs Department, Rameshwaram, for further action, ICG added. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
18 December,2024 08:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn official on Wednesday said that the police have registered a case against a Thane spa owner in Maharashtra's Thane district for allegedly raping a 25-year-old employee under the pretext of marrying her, reported news agency PTI. The accused, who operated the Thane spa in Airoli area, committed on multiple occasions over the last nine months. He allegedly raped the woman at her residence in Thane city after promising to marry her and to give her a salary hike, the official from Naupada police station said, reported PTI. He also beat her up and threatened her with dire consequences when she refused to give in to his wishes, the official said. Based on the woman's complaint, the police on Monday registered the case against the Thane spa owner under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 64 (rape), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 351(2)(criminal intimidation). A probe was on into the case, the police added. Rs 7 cr gold ornaments stolen from Thane shop; hunt on for 2 culprits Two unidentified persons allegedly stole 6.5 kg of gold ornaments valued at nearly Rs 7 crore from a jewellery shop in Maharashtra's Thane city, police said on Wednesday, reported PTI. The heist took place between 1.30 am and 4 am on Tuesday at the shop located near the Thane railway station, they said. The thieves first broke a lock of the staircase door leading to the first floor of the establishment and then forced open the shop's shutter, granting them access to the jewellery displayed inside, the Naupada police said, reported PTI. There was absence of conventional security measures within the store. Unlike standard practices where jewellers secure valuable ornaments in safes overnight, the valuables was openly displayed, making it easier for the thieves to complete the heist in a short span of time, an official said. "This unusual lapse in security facilitated the robbers in the swift theft," the official said on condition of anonymity, reported PTI. The Naupada police have registered a case under relevant provisions against the unidentified culprits. Multiple investigation teams have been deployed to trace the culprits and recover the stolen gold. The authorities were also examining CCTV footage of the area, questioning locals, and analysing forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators, the police said. "Our teams are gathering evidence and pursuing all possible leads to resolve this sophisticated robbery," the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2024 01:27 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe police on Wednesday said that two unidentified persons allegedly stole 6.5 kg of gold ornaments valued at nearly Rs 7 crore from a Thane jewellery shop, reported news agency PTI. They said the heist took place between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Tuesday at the Thane jewellery shop, located near the Thane railway station. The thieves first broke a lock of the staircase door leading to the first floor of the establishment and then forced open the Thane jewellery shop's shutter, granting them access to the jewellery displayed inside, the Naupada police said, reported PTI. There was an absence of conventional security measures within the store. Unlike standard practices where jewellers secure valuable ornaments in safes overnight, the valuables were openly displayed, making it easier for the thieves to complete the heist in a short span of time, an official said, reported PTI. "This unusual lapse in security facilitated the robbers in the swift theft," the official said, reported PTI. The Naupada police have registered a case under relevant provisions against the unidentified culprits. Multiple investigation teams have been deployed to trace the culprits and recover the stolen gold. The authorities were also examining CCTV footage of the area, questioning locals, and analysing forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators, the police said, reported PTI. "Our teams are gathering evidence and pursuing all possible leads to resolve this sophisticated robbery," the official said, reported PTI. Two held for theft of gold biscuits worth Rs 25 lakh in Thane district Two persons have been arrested in connection with the theft of gold biscuits worth Rs 25 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on December 14. The police on Thursday arrested the accused, Sunil Ninwa Patil (56) from Bhadgaon, Jalgaon district and his accomplice Ramanand Chhotelal Yadav (46) from Thane for the theft that occurred last month, an official said, reported PTI. On November 26, the duo allegedly targeted the victim, a resident of Nalasopara (east), who was carrying 375.18 gm of gold biscuits in his bag. The official said the victim was proceeding towards Bhayander railway station when the accused snatched his bag and fled in an autorickshaw, reported PTI. The police team examined the CCTV footage from the area and tracked the suspects through mobile data analysis, he said, adding that gold biscuits worth Rs 20.1 lakh were recovered from the duo. (With inputs from PTI)
18 December,2024 10:37 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) on Tuesday said that the officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai made a major breakthrough in anti-narcotics operations. The officials said that a team of AIU seized around 5.565 kilograms of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 5.56 crore. The seizure was made on the night of December 16-17 based on profiling and specific intelligence inputs, the officials said. The passenger, arriving from Bangkok, was intercepted at the airport, leading to the recovery of the contraband, the said. The weed was cleverly concealed within food packets in the passenger’s baggage using plastic materials, the AIU said. The passenger has been arrested under the NDPS Act of 1985, and further investigation is underway.
17 December,2024 10:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanIn a shocking incident, a naked man barged in a Mumbai AC local train at Ghatkopar station on Tuesday, triggering panic among commuters. The person, completely naked, boarded the train near the women's section and commutes forced the train halt at the station till he was deboarded. Some of the passengers also shot a video of the incident. A team of ticket checkers forced him out of the train. A team of officials is examining CCTV footage to check on the movements of the man. An official said that the Government Railway Police (GRP) on Tuesday registered an offence against unidentified person under section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that deals with obscene acts and songs in public places and section 162 of the Indian Railway Act that deals with the entry of men into places reserved for women on trains.
17 December,2024 10:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
