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Mumbai software engineer duped of Rs 12.5L by cyber crooks posing as astrologers
A 24-year-old software engineer working at a private firm in BKC fell victim to a Rs 12.21 lakh online astrology scam while seeking solutions to personal problems. Cybercriminals lured him through a fraudulent astrology app, promising life-changing rituals and extorting money under false pretenses. According to the complaint, the victim downloaded an astrology app in January to learn about his future. Facing personal difficulties, he connected with someone on the app who advised him to perform a puja for stability in life. Initially quoted Rs 6,300, he agreed after a week and was introduced to a so-called ‘Maharaj.’ Upon making the first payment, he was informed that the amount covered only consultation fees, with additional charges required for the actual ritual. The fraudsters continued demanding money, claiming the puja was incomplete. When the victim hesitated, they threatened that stopping midway could endanger his life. As the scam escalated, the fraudsters claimed that three sadhus’ lives were at risk due to his incomplete puja, pressuring him into further payments. Terrified, he transferred a total of Rs 12.21 lakh via online transactions and credit cards. Suspecting fraud, he confided in a friend, who urged him to report the matter. Following his complaint, the Cyber Police registered a case and launched an investigation into the scam.
25 March,2025 10:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Disha Salian's father names Aaditya, other big names in fresh complaint
A written complaint was filed against Aaditya Thackeray and others for their alleged involvement in the gang rape and murder of Satish Salian’s daughter on March 25, 2025. Satish Salian, father of the victim Disha Salian, filed a written complaint with the Mumbai Police Commissioner, requesting the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and others for their alleged involvement in the gang rape and murder of his daughter in 2020. Satish Salian's lawyer Nilesh Ojha informed that Joint Commissioner of Police has accepted the complaint filed against Aaditya Thackeray, former Commissioner of Police Parambir Singh, Officer Sachin Vaze and actor Aditya Pancholi. "Today, we have filed a written complaint to the CP office and the JCP Crime accepted it and this complaint is the FIR now. The accused are Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea, Suraj Pancholi and his bodyguard, Parambir Singh, Sachin Vaze, and Rhea Chakraborty are all accused in this FIR. Parambir Singh was the main mastermind for the coverup in this case. He did a press conference and fabricated lies to save Aaditya Thackeray. All the details are in the FIR. NCB's investigation paper proves that Aaditya Thackeray was involved in a drug business, that detail has been mentioned in this FIR," the lawyer informed, reported ANI. Ojha further alleged that Parambir Singh was the “main mastermind” behind the cover-up of the case in 2020. Lawyer Ojha has also charged Aaditya Thackeray of being involved in a drug cartel. "Aaditya Thackeray is the main accused in this gangrape and murder case. Uddhav Thackeray is the main accused of misuse of power for the coverup... Aaditya Thackeray is found in the drug cartel and this is in the official records of NCB. We have also mentioned this in the complaint... Today, we will also release some pictures in support of this," he additionally stated, reported ANI. Earlier, Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court requesting a probe into his daughter's death and requesting the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray, among others. Disha was found dead on June 8, 2020, days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra, Mumbai. This development follows reports of the CBI submitting a closure report on the 2020 death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. According to sources, the report was filed in a Mumbai court nearly five years after his death. Sushant, 34, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020, which created a huge controversy, with the investigation later being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. His postmortem report stated the cause of death was asphyxia. The post-mortem was conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital. (With inputs from ANI)
25 March,2025 06:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Accountant booked for allegedly embezzling Rs 17.65 lakh from Thane hospital
A woman accountant has been booked for allegedly misappropriating Rs 17.65 lakh from the funds of a hospital in Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said on Tuesday. According to PTI reports, the accused was responsible for handling payments from patients, including fees for medical procedures and operations. However, instead of depositing the funds into the hospital's accounts, she allegedly diverted the money for her personal use. The alleged financial misconduct took place over a period of one year, from January to December 2023, while she was employed at the hospital as an accountant. The discrepancies were uncovered during an internal audit conducted by the hospital management. As per PTI, the audit revealed significant irregularities in financial transactions, prompting the hospital authorities to lodge a police complaint. In a separate incident, Thane police registered a case after a 38-year-old electrician from Badlapur East alleged that he was cheated of Rs 20 lakh by a man who promised to assist him in setting up a hospital. According to PTI reports, the complainant stated that the accused approached him in 2021 with a proposal to establish a hospital, citing the urgency of enhancing medical infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The accused allegedly assured him that a loan of ₹25 crore would be secured from a trust for the project. On the pretext of processing fees, the suspect collected Rs 20 lakh from the victim, who even sold his flat to raise the money. However, when the promised loan never materialised and the accused failed to return the amount, the victim approached the police. The suspect has been booked for cheating, and further investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, in yet another incident of financial fraud in Thane, a computer technician from Dombivli township lost Rs 17.33 lakh in an online 'task' scam. According to PTI reports, fraudsters lured the victim into believing he could earn quick money by rating online tasks and investing in bitcoins. The victim was approached via social media and enticed with offers of significant returns. Over a period from December 8, 2023, to January 9, 2024, he invested Rs 17.33 lakh in the scheme. Initially, he received small payments to gain his trust, but soon his investment was blocked, and he failed to receive any returns. The so-called "online task fraud" is a growing cyber scam in which victims are tricked into performing small tasks such as liking videos, then gradually persuaded to invest money for bigger returns. A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act, and further investigations are in progress. (With inputs from PTI)
25 March,2025 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai
Mumbai teacher booked for allegedly caning Class 5 student in school
A case has been registered against a woman teacher in Mumbai for allegedly thrashing an 11-year-old student of Class 5 with a cane at a school in Chembur, causing injuries to the child, police confirmed on Tuesday. According to PTI, the incident took place on March 21, when the teacher allegedly struck the girl multiple times on her wrist, back, and waist, reportedly as punishment for talking in class. However, the student’s family has refuted the claim, asserting that she was merely looking behind and was not engaged in any conversation. The complaint was lodged by the girl’s father, who approached the police after noticing the injuries sustained by his daughter. As per PTI, he stated that his child had suffered physical distress due to the severe punishment meted out to her. This is not the only case of alleged physical assault on students in schools. Similar incidents have been reported in Maharashtra’s Thane district earlier this year, raising concerns about the treatment of students by educators. In one such case, a dance teacher at a private school in Thane city’s Kapurbawdi area was booked for allegedly hitting a six-year-old girl with a metal scale. According to PTI reports, the incident took place on January 15 during a dance practice session for the school’s annual function. The 32-year-old teacher reportedly questioned the child about her absence from school the previous day and, during the session, allegedly struck her with a steel scale. Following a complaint by the victim’s mother, the Kapurbawdi Police registered an FIR against the teacher under the Juvenile Justice Act, and an inquiry is currently in progress. Another case was reported in Thane’s Bhiwandi area, where an 11-year-old boy was allegedly slapped by his teacher inside the classroom on January 13. As per PTI reports, the accused teacher, identified as Saif Iqbal Ansari, allegedly hit the child after he approached a classmate to retrieve a book. The matter came to light when the boy’s parents lodged a formal complaint with the police. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Ansari on January 17 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing hurt, along with provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. (With inputs from PTI)
25 March,2025 02:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL betting scam: Mumbai police accused of shielding bookies, claims Danve
The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, has alleged that illegal betting on IPL cricket matches is taking place under the protection of the Mumbai Police. Speaking in the Upper House on Tuesday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed that several individuals were involved in large-scale betting operations, with law enforcement officers turning a blind eye to these activities. Danve further stated that he possessed a pen drive containing details of various conversations and betting-related transactions, which he intended to submit to the council chairman. “I have a pen drive that includes phone call records linked to an application called ‘Lotus 24,’ which is used for betting on cricket matches. Names such as Mehul Jain, Kamlesh Jain, and Hiren Jain have surfaced, and they are allegedly connected with Pakistani cricketers. Senior officers from the Mumbai Police are also involved in this racket,” he alleged. The opposition leader also raised concerns regarding the state’s crime statistics, claiming that a staggering 7,82,960 criminal incidents had been reported in 2024 alone, according to data from the Maharashtra police department. He went on to allege that the government had deliberately withheld crime reports for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. Highlighting the rise in crimes against women, Danve stated, “Last year, Maharashtra recorded 7,982 cases of rape and 16,200 cases of molestation. This year, we are witnessing 22 rapes and 45 molestation cases daily. Why has this behaviour become so rampant?” He further asserted that crime rates were soaring because the government was reluctant to prosecute offenders. Danve also shed light on the state’s prison conditions, claiming that Maharashtra’s jails, which have a capacity of 27,000 inmates, are currently holding 43,000 prisoners, resulting in severe overcrowding. Additionally, he pointed to the rising number of financial fraud cases, revealing that the state had recorded financial scams amounting to Rs 51,000 crore in 2024 alone. He questioned the government on what measures were being taken to curb such fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, in a similar case reported earlier this year, three workers tragically lost their lives due to electrocution while cleaning a water tank in Ambernath, Thane district. The workers identified as Gulshan Mandal, Rajan Mandal, and Shaligram Kumar Mandal were reportedly exposed to an electric current that passed through the water due to a running motor. According to officials, the incident occurred when a person monitoring the motor inadvertently switched it on while the workers were still inside the tank. The Titwala police are currently investigating the matter. Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Thakur stated, “We have initially registered an accidental death report, and further investigations are underway. Should we find any evidence of negligence, a case will be filed accordingly.” The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem at the Government Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar and will subsequently be handed over to their families. (With inputs from PTI)
25 March,2025 01:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Teen worker electrocuted while cleaning water tank in Thane, contractor arrested
Police have arrested a contractor in connection with the tragic death of a 16-year-old boy, who suffered a fatal electric shock while cleaning a water tank at a housing complex in Thane city, Maharashtra, an official confirmed on Tuesday. According to PTI reports, the 40-year-old contractor had been hired by a housing society located on Ghodbunder Road to undertake the cleaning of its water tanks. However, in a case of apparent negligence, the contractor assigned the hazardous task to the minor without equipping him with any necessary safety gear, officials said. The incident occurred on March 22, when the teenager was engaged in the cleaning process. As per police accounts, the boy inadvertently came into contact with an electric source, leading to an instantaneous fatal shock. He succumbed to the injury on the spot, a police official from the Kasarwadavli police station informed PTI. Upon receiving information about the tragic incident, law enforcement personnel rushed to the site. The boy's body was subsequently sent to a government hospital for a post-mortem examination. Initially, the authorities recorded the case as an accidental death. However, following a thorough investigation, the police established negligence on the part of the contractor, holding him responsible for the minor's untimely demise, the official stated. PTI reports that the contractor was taken into custody on Monday. A case was registered against him under section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). This tragic case follows a similar incident of 2024 in Ambernath, Thane district, where three workers lost their lives while cleaning a water tank. The accident occurred in Jambhul village near Ambernath when an electric motor, installed for pumping out water, discharged an electric current into the tank. The unsuspecting workers inside the tank were electrocuted and died on the spot. According to police, the deceased were identified as Gulshan Mandal, Rajan Mandal, and Shaligram Kumar Mandal—all migrant workers from Bihar who had recently moved to the city for work. Their bodies were taken to Ulhasnagar Central Hospital for post-mortem. A colleague who had brought them to Maharashtra revealed that the trio had been seeking employment opportunities when tragedy struck. (With inputs from PTI)
25 March,2025 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BREAKING
Kunal Kamra row: Shiv Sena functionary, 11 others get bail
Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others, arrested by the Mumbai Police for allegedly ransacking the show venue at Khar where comedian Kunal Kamra's show was held, were on Monday granted bail, the officials said on Monday, according to the PTI. Police had earlier on Monday arrested Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue at a Mumbai hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra made the controversial 'traitor' jibe against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Hours later, a magistrate's court granted bail to all of them. During his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental hotel in Khar area, Kamra had referred to Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, as a "traitor" and went on to sing a parody of him, as per the PTI. A video of the show was posted online. Enraged over the comments, Shiv Sena workers led by Rahul Kanal ransacked the venue of Kunal Kamra's show on Sunday, as per the PTI. The Khar police have identified 19 people and named them in the FIR filed in connection with the incident. Also, 15 to 20 persons involved in the ransacking of the venue remain unidentified. Police arrested 12 people, including Rahul Kanal -- all affiliated to the Shinde-led Sena -- earlier in the day and produced them before the magistrate's court in Bandra. The court remanded the accused to 14-day judicial custody following which they applied for bail. The magistrate allowed their plea and released them on a cash bond of Rs 15,000, reported the PTI. According to the police, Kunal Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the 1997 movie 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' to mock Shinde over his 2022 rebellion against then-Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Dixit Gedam said two separate offences were registered at the Khar police station -- one against Kamra over his comments and the other against vandals. "It is not about taking any law in your hands. It is purely about your self-respect. When it comes to elders or respectable citizens of the country when your elders are targeted, you will target someone of that mentality, Rahul Kanal told reporters before his arrest, according to the PTI. "Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai. Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style," the Shiv Sena functionary warned Kamra, as per the PTI. Rahul Kanal said that they had told the owner (of Habitat set) that there had been six FIRs against the place (over hosting controversial shows), the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
24 March,2025 09:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BREAKING
India's got latent row: Samay Raina appears before Maharashtra Cyber
Comedian Samay Raina on Monday appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber in Navi Mumbai weeks after being summoned by the officials in connection with the India’s Got Talent case, the officials said. The officials said that his statement was scheduled to be recorded on Monday. "Samay Raina left the Maharashtra Cyber office after his statement was recorded for nearly six hours," said an official. Earlier, the Maharashtra Cyber had turned down Samay Raina's request to record his statement via video conferencing and has summoned him to appear before it. The Maharashtra Cyber is a cyber and information security division which has been investigating the India’s Got Talent case. Comedian Samay Raina was seen stepping out of the Maharashtra Cyber Cell in Navi Mumbai after recording his statement for nearly six hours.Via: @journofaizan #SamayRaina #IndiasGotLatent #CyberCell #Mumbai #MumbaiNews #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/sZymFqiq9U — Mid Day (@mid_day) March 24, 2025 The Maharashtra Cyber and the Mumbai Police are investigating Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remarks on Samay Raina's YouTube show, which sparked an obscenity case. The show, India's Got Latent, became the focus after Allahbadia made crude comments about parents. It had earlier registered an FIR in the matter over Samay Raina's YouTube show, India's got latent. The Maharashtra Cyber officials had earlier stated that it has summoned at least 50 persons to record their statements in connection with the case. They also include those who participated in the show. Last month, the Maharashtra Cyber officials had questioned YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani for around five hours in connection with India's Got Latent row, officials had earlier said. The duo had appeared separately at the Cyber headquarters in Navi Mumbai after skipping previous summons issued by the agency. Further details will be updated.
24 March,2025 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Kunal Kamra row: Why should he apologize? asks Aaditya
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray likened Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP's threat to standup artiste Kunal Kamra with the Taliban after his remarks during a show in Mumbai triggered a massive row on Monday. "Yesterday, I saw Kunal Kamra's clip, after the protest, after the vandalism. The question arises when did Eknath Shinde's workers decide that he is a traitor and a thief? Because he has not taken anyone's name, he must have been talking about someone. Why did they get hurt? Will the Chief Minister stop the hooliganism he is doing? The whole country, the whole world knows who the traitor and the thief is," Aaditya Thackeray stated, reported ANI. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray says, "...Why should Kunal Kamra apologize? If this traitor and thief is Eknath Shinde, then Kunal Kamra must apologize. But Eknath Shinde should first answer whether he is a traitor or a thief."He further says, "On January… pic.twitter.com/dnu7ardrpY — ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025 "Many times Kunal Kamra has talked about us, about so many people, about Modi sahab as well, but no one reacted like this. The Chief Minister said that those who committed vandalism in Nagpur will be made to compensate for the loss. Will those who vandalized the venue yesterday be made to compensate for the loss? The CM should open his eyes and see who is undermining him. Is it the opposition or his friends?" Aaditya Thackeray said. Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether an international concert would be held after the vandalisation of Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show was filmed. "The words thief and traitor have been spoken in the poem. When did the gang of thieves decide that it is Eknath Shinde? His MP has compared him to a snake. Will the international concert be held after this vandalism? activists have proven that Eknath Shinde is a thief and a traitor," Thackeray said. "I condemn Mhaske; they should not have compared him to a snake. For the first time, it is seen that MPs are threatening, just like the Taliban used to threaten. We are talking about law and order. Who is underlining the Home Department?" he said. Further criticising Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said, "The Chief Minister should open his eyes and see who is underlining him." Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday threw his weight behind stand-up artist Kunal Kamra amid the controversy over his remarks, asserting that Kamra's statements were truthful and reflective of public sentiment, as per ANI. Further Thackeray clarified that calling someone a 'gaddar' was not an attack on anyone. "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone. Kunal Kamra has said the truth; he has expressed what people feel," Thackeray said while addressing mediapersons. Defending Kunal Kamra's freedom of expression, Thackeray stated, "He has said the truth, so there is no question of infringement of freedom of expression. Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and make others hear it too." Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Kunal Kamra's remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stating that such acts can't be justified as "freedom of speech," reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
24 March,2025 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai: 71-year-old woman loses Rs 2.15 lakh to cyber fraud
A 71-year-old woman lost Rs 2.15 lakh after she tried to reach out to a repair service through Google search and contacted the number she found. The incident took place on March 19 when the victim, a resident of Lokhandwala, tried to contact a repair service after her sandwich maker machine had broken down. According to the police, the fraudster first asked the victim to pay ₹5 via Google Pay as a service fee, however, as the victim faced difficulties in procedures, the accused asked to share the mobile screen, pretending to assist her. Taking advantage of the shared access, the fraudster gained full control over the device and changed the screen lock. “As soon as the victim granted screen access, the fraudster transferred ₹2.15 lakh from her bank account through multiple transactions. He then changed the phone’s lock PIN and switched off the device, leaving the victim unable to access her phone,” said an officer from Oshiwara police station. Shocked and extremely worried, the victim informed her son, who tried to restart the phone but was unable to do so as its lock PIN was changed. The son then called the bank and blocked the account, preventing further loss, and reported the fraud to the cyber police. A case was registered at the Oshiwara police station based on the complaint filed by the victim. “On the complaint of the woman, we have registered a case under sections 319(2) and 318(4) of BNS and sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the IT Act. Further investigation is underway,” said the officer.
23 March,2025 09:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Bank employee held for embezzling over Rs 2 crore; 5 colleagues absconding
The MIDC police have arrested an employee of a private limited bank for allegedly embezzling more than R2.05 crore through fraudulent transactions. Meanwhile, several other bank employees suspected of involvement in the scam are absconding, and a search operation is underway to track them down. According to police sources, the arrested bank employee has been identified as Sagar Mohan Mishra, who worked as a UPI reconciliation officer at the bank’s branch in Andheri. Mishra was apprehended by the MIDC police team in Andheri on Saturday and was produced before the Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday for remand. Five other bank employees have been identified as key players in the fraud: Rishabh Yadav and Ajay Yadav, who were involved with UPI reconciliation—which deals with verifying and matching UPI transaction data from various sources— Shyamsundar Chauhan from the bank’s partner acquiring unit and Siddhesh Patnaik and Vikky Shinde from the UPI dispute unit. The bank had five major accounts, and at least fifteen employees, including the five accused, were authorised to access these accounts. These employees were responsible for transferring funds as per operational requirements. “Between April 3, 2023, and November 4, 2024, the accused allegedly colluded to fraudulently transfer R2.05 crore from certain bank accounts into third-party accounts without authorisation. When discrepancies were detected, an internal inquiry was conducted, which exposed the involvement of the accused. The bank then lodged an FIR at MIDC police station in January,” said an officer. Investigators revealed that Patnaik, the alleged mastermind used the login credentials of Shinde to transfer funds from the bank’s accounts into the personal accounts of five other bank employees and their relatives. “Once the money was transferred, Patnaik and his accomplices withdrew the cash and distributed it among themselves. Ajay Yadav received R7.17 lakh, Rishabh Yadav R7.36 lakh and Chauhan R1.77 lakh,” an officer said. The arrested accused, Mishra, allegedly demanded R29 lakh from Patnaik in exchange for keeping silent about the fraudulent activities. According to the police, to conceal the trail of fraudulent transactions, Mishra helped Patnaik create a “cell” of bank accounts using the identities of his close friends and relatives. Patnaik then transferred the money into these accounts, making it difficult to trace. Probe underway "We are intensifying efforts to track down Patnaik and other absconding accused. Further investigations are on to identify additional beneficiaries and accomplices involved in the fraud," said another police officer.
23 March,2025 08:56 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan