Thane: Tehsildar cracks down on illegal mining, action against 108 entities

Official ordered FIRs against 108 developers and recovery of outstanding penalties of nearly Rs 118 crore/ File pic

In a crackdown on illegal mining, the Thane tehsildar on Monday ordered FIRs against 108 developers, contractors and landowners and the recovery of outstanding penalties of nearly Rs 118 crore from them.

As reported by news agency PTI, the order was issued on February 5 following the non-payment of fines previously issued under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to the entities across Thane and Navi Mumbai for unauthorised minor mineral excavation, the officials asserted.

As per the order, "Now, the administration is invoking provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which allows for criminal prosecution. Circle officers have been given a deadline of Monday to report on the status of these FIRs," reported PTI.

Furthermore, the officials also added, "The administration has begun marking these outstanding amounts on the 7/12 land extracts (a crucial document for any landowner) of the accused to prevent any property transactions until the dues are cleared," reported PTI.

Police book 16 in Rs 6.49 crore fraud involving Mumbai manufacturing firm

In a different incident, the Kalachowki police have registered an FIR in a Rs 6.49 crore financial fraud case, booking 16 persons for alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy in connection with a Mumbai-based manufacturing company.

As reported, once the funds were credited, the money was allegedly syphoned off to personal and third-party accounts.

The case centres on the alleged misuse of financial authority and forged documentation to raise unauthorised loans by the accused over more than a year. According to the complaint filed by a director of the company, a senior employee entrusted with complete control over the firm's financial operations allegedly abused her position of trust.

Police said that between August 2024 and September 2025, multiple unauthorised loans were allegedly raised from private money lenders and non-banking finance entities without the knowledge or consent of the company's directors. Once the funds were credited, the money was allegedly syphoned off to personal and third-party accounts.

The alleged fraud came to light after a finance company approached the firm seeking repayment. No arrests have been made so far, and the accused are yet to be examined.

(With inputs from PTI)