A 53-year-old lawyer from Mulund was allegedly cheated of Rs 15 lakh in a property fraud after a Gujarat-based couple sold the same house to another buyer despite taking a hefty advance from him. According to Mulund police, the complainant was looking to purchase a house in Valsad, Gujarat, when he was introduced to accused Maulik Shah through a friend. Shah, along with his wife Manali Shah, offered to sell their property for Rs 25 lakh. After discussions, the deal was finalised and an MOU was signed in April 2021. The victim subsequently transferred Rs 20 lakh in multiple instalments via RTGS between April and August 2021. The accused allegedly cited reasons such as pending loan clearance and unavailability of original documents to delay the registration process. However, in December 2022, the victim discovered that the same property had already been sold to another buyer for Rs 45 lakh. When confronted, the accused admitted to selling the house and returned only Rs 5 lakh, assuring that the remaining amount would be paid later. Despite repeated follow-ups, the balance Rs 15 lakh was not returned. The FIR was registered on March 25, nearly three years after the alleged offence came to light in December 2022. “The delay in registering the FIR occurred as the accused kept giving assurances to the complainant about completing the transaction and later partially returned Rs 5 lakh, leading him to believe that the remaining amount would also be paid. However, when the accused failed to return the balance and it became clear that the property had been sold to another person, the complainant approached the police,” an officer from Mulund police station said. The two accused have been booked for cheating.
29 March,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA shocking tale of obsession, jealousy, and deceit has emerged from Dahisar, where a 40-year-old woman allegedly staged an elaborate conspiracy to defame her own lover and keep him away from another woman. According to information received, the complainant, a resident of Dahisar, approached the Dahisar Police in December with a disturbing allegation. She claimed that an anonymous letter had been found hanging on her door latch, containing defamatory remarks about her alleged relationship with a man from the same housing society, who is engaged in the imitation jewellery business. The letter, seemingly written by a woman, not only named both individuals, but also made derogatory comments about the man’s masculinity. Shocked and humiliated, the woman approached the police, claiming someone was trying to malign her reputation. FIR and early leads Taking the matter seriously, police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS, including 75, 78, 351(2), 352, 356, along with provisions of the IT Act, and launched an investigation. Interestingly, police sources revealed that even before this complaint was filed, a young man from the same society had approached the police alleging that objectionable messages about his mother were being circulated in the society’s WhatsApp group. The messages claimed that his mother was in a physical relationship with the same imitation jewellery businessman and even mentioned alleged hotel meetings. Despite being urged by police, the woman (the boy’s mother) refused to file a formal complaint at the time. Investigation takes a twist As investigators dug deeper, startling facts came to light. Police discovered that the complainant herself shared close relations with the businessman named in the anonymous letter. Call records indicated that the two were in frequent contact, often speaking for hours. Further probe revealed that the mobile number used to circulate defamatory messages in the WhatsApp group had been arranged by the complainant through her housemaid. Investigators now believe that driven by jealousy over the man’s growing closeness with another woman in the society, the complainant orchestrated the entire drama. From planting the anonymous letter to spreading defamatory messages, the aim was to tarnish his image and isolate him from others. Next course of action Police have summoned the other woman for recording her statement and are preparing to have it recorded before a magistrate to strengthen the case. Officials confirmed that they are building a strong prosecution against the complainant, who is now likely to face arrest for filing a false complaint, spreading defamatory content, and misleading authorities. “This appears to be a clear case of a self-orchestrated conspiracy driven by personal motives. We are following all legal procedures,” said a police officer.
29 March,2026 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanWhat began as a terrifying midnight “raid” on a Navi Mumbai family by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in February 2025 has culminated in a high-profile FIR against top officers of the agency. This comes nearly a year after the builder died by suicide, alleging that the officers put his family through weeks of harassment, followed by a chilling ultimatum to pay a staggering Rs 15 crore to have their children’s names “scrubbed” from a fabricated drug case. Deceased builder Gurunath Chinchkar’s wife, Dr Kiran Chinchkar, registered an FIR at the NRI Coastal police station at Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, on Friday. Three officers — including NCB Zonal Director Amit Ghawate — have been booked for abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the BNS. According to the FIR, the ordeal began on February 2, 2025, when a team of 15-20 men, allegedly led by NCB officer Akash Malik, stormed the Chinchkar residence. Without showing a search warrant, the team reportedly snatched the family members’ mobile phones and passports, and manhandled the domestic workers. The complaint alleges that the intimidation moved from the living room to NCB’s Zonal Office. There, Zonal Director Amit Ghawate allegedly told the family if they didn’t pay r15 crore, they would have to watch their sons rot in prison in a fake drug case. The FIR mentions that Senior PI Sandeep Nigde from Belapur joined the fray, allegedly visiting the victim’s office with a “criminal suspect” in tow to further humiliate and threaten Gurunath. On April 25, 2025, the pressure reached its breaking point. Gurunath, who had been hospitalised just days prior for stress-related hypertension, told his wife he had an early “NCB meeting.” Instead, he went to his office and ended his life with a firearm. A suicide note was found at the scene, which the police have now used as the primary basis for the FIR. Dr Kiran told this paper, “They didn’t just want money; they wanted to destroy our dignity. My husband was a broken man before he pulled the trigger.” Under Inspector Devendra Pol, the NRI Coastal Police are now scrutinising CCTV footage from the Chinchkar residence and the NCB office to verify the allegations of “marathon interrogation” sessions mentioned in the FIR. Sunday mid-day’s repeated attempts to contact NCB went unanswered till the time of going to press. Rs 15 cr Amount the officers allegedly demanded The allegations . Dr Chinchkar claims NCB team stormed their home at midnight without search warrant. NCB officers forced them to sign panchnamas (seizure documents) without providing copies . Officers kept the husband and wife in “illegal custody” until 9 pm on multiple occasions. The agents demanded Rs 15 crore to clear their sons’ names Officers booked NCB Zonal Director Amit Ghawate: Allegedly demanded r15 crore and threatened familyNCB Officer Akash Malik: Led the initial “unauthorised” raid and seizureSenior PI (Belapur police) Sandeep Nigde: Alleged verbal abuse and constant phone harassment
29 March,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghThe Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane district has granted a compensation of Rs 33.9 lakh to the family of a 40-year-old man killed in a motorcycle accident in 2021, reported news agency PTI. Tempo driver held solely responsible for crash Thane MACT member R V Mohite held the driver of a tempo, who crashed into the victim's motorcycle, solely responsible for the accident and ordered the owner and insurer of the vehicle to jointly and severally pay the compensation, along with the interest of 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the petition till realisation, reported PTI. A copy of the order passed on March 20 was made available on Friday. Fatal accident occurred on Kalyan-Murbad Road The victim, Hemant Krushnakant Vedpathak, an employee of a private firm, was killed in an accident on June 3, 2021, on the Kalyan-Murbad Road, reported PTI. The tribunal noted that Vedpathak was riding his motorcycle when a tempo driven in a rash and negligent manner dashed into the two-wheeler, causing fatal injuries to the victim. No contributory negligence by victim, says tribunal "The offending tempo came from the opposite direction at high speed, in a rash and negligent manner, left its lane and went towards the wrong side and dashed into the motorcycle of the deceased," it said. It held that the tempo driver was the person who had the last opportunity to avoid the accident, and pointed out that there was nothing on record to show any contributory act on the part of the deceased, reported PTI. Insurer liable; Rs 23.9 lakh to wife, Rs 10 lakh to daughter The tribunal also rejected the insurer's contention regarding breach of policy condition, stating, "From evidence on record, it is proved that the driver of the offending vehicle was holding a valid and effective driving licence as well as a valid fitness certificate and permit to ply the vehicle. There is no breach of the terms and conditions of the policy." Out of the total compensation of Rs 33.9 lakh, the tribunal awarded Rs 23.9 lakh to the victim's wife and Rs 10 lakh to his minor daughter, with a portion of the amount to be kept in fixed deposits as per directions. (With inputs from PTI)
28 March,2026 04:18 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against a tour operator from Maharashtra's Thane district for allegedly duping a woman of Rs 6.6 lakh with the promise of arranging travel bookings for her clients, police said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. The Ulhasnagar police have registered a first information report under section 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against one Akash Ahuja, an official said, reported PTI. According to police, the fraud occurred between November 2025 and January 2026 when the accused allegedly offered to book flight tickets and hotel accommodations for the complainant's clients for tours to Dubai and Goa. He allegedly collected Rs 6.6 lakh from the victim and later provided fabricated booking documents as proof of the arrangements, the official said, reported PTI. Upon verification, all the booking details were found to be fake. The complainant approached the police earlier this week, he said, adding that no arrest has been made in the case, and a probe is underway. Two held for cheating Thane businessman with promise of arranging investment In another case, two persons have been arrested for allegedly cheating a businessman of lakhs of rupees by promising to arrange a Rs 50 crore investment in his company, police said on Thursday, reported PTI. Vinod Yadav alias Baba Yadav and Dilip Mamtora, along with another person, allegedly provided a fake 'Angadiya' (courier) receipt and SWIFT documents for USD 28 lakh to the complainant to gain his trust, and took Rs 34.20 lakh from him between August 2025 and March 2026, reported PTI. But the complainant received no funds in his accounts. A case was registered at Kashigaon police station in Bhayander under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, and Yadav and Mamtora were arrested on Tuesday, officials said. Police have recovered Rs 34.20 lakh from the accused, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Madan Ballal, reported PTI. "Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused have cheated several other individuals using a similar modus operandi," he added. Further investigation is underway, officials said. (With inputs from PTI)
28 March,2026 03:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA major theft involving LPG cylinders has been reported in Mumbai’s Kandivali West, adding to concerns over cooking gas availability in the city. According to the Mumbai Police, unidentified individuals allegedly stole 27 cylinders from a delivery tempo parked in the Charkop area, reported news agency IANS. The incident took place during the intervening night of March 25 and 26, when the vehicle was stationed with cylinders scheduled for distribution the following day. Delivery tempo targeted during late hours Police officials said the accused broke into the parked tempo and stole a total of 27 cylinders, including five filled and 22 empty ones. The nature of the theft suggests that the perpetrators were aware of the vehicle’s contents and targeted it deliberately, reported IANS. The tempo had been parked overnight after completing scheduled deliveries, making it an easy target in a relatively less monitored area. Driver discovers theft the next morning The complainant, Nandkumar Ramraj Soni (35), a resident of Malad West, has been working as a delivery agent with Shriji Gas Service for the past seven years. Delivering LPG cylinders door-to-door is his primary source of livelihood, reported IANS. On March 25, Soni completed his routine delivery work and parked the tempo at around 11 p.m. in Charkop before returning home. When he came back at approximately 8 a.m. on March 26, he found the vehicle had been tampered with, reported IANS. The window glass was broken and the rear lock damaged. Upon checking, he realised that all the cylinders had been stolen. Case registered, CCTV footage under review After initially confirming with colleagues that the cylinders had not been moved, Soni approached the police and filed a complaint. A case has been registered at Charkop Police Station against unknown persons. Police officials said multiple teams have been deployed to investigate the case. CCTV footage from nearby locations has captured some suspicious individuals and vehicles, which are currently being analysed. Illegal distribution networks under investigation Investigators are also exploring the possibility that the stolen cylinders may have been diverted to illegal gas distribution channels or scrap markets. Individuals linked to such activities are being questioned as part of the probe, reported IANS. The total value of the stolen cylinders is estimated at around Rs 15,500. Officials stated that despite the relatively low monetary value, the incident is being treated seriously due to potential safety risks and its impact on supply chains. The police have said that the investigation is progressing on multiple fronts and expressed confidence that those responsible will be identified and apprehended soon. (With inputs from IANS)
28 March,2026 01:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA four-year-old boy was abducted and robbed of his gold earrings in Vikhroli East on March 24 between 11 am and 11.15 am. The child had stepped out alone with a Rs 10 note given by his mother to buy biscuits. His father works as a supervisor at an engineering company. The four-year-old stepped out of his Vikhroli residence with a Rs 10 note to buy biscuits from a nearby shops Two men roaming nearby noticed the boy and his gold studs, picked him up, and took him to a secluded spot near a nullah behind the street. There, they bit and pulled out the earrings, injuring his ear, and fled. Probe and arrest Police said the crime was unplanned. The accused, residents with no prior record, targeted the child randomly and did not try to hide. The family initially did not complain, assuming the earrings were of low value, but later approached the Vikhroli police. Two men, Mohammed Bashir and Ubed Salim Shaikh noticed the boy’s gold earrings, picked him up, and took him to a secluded spot near a nullah With no CCTV cameras in the immediate vicinity, the investigation relied heavily on the child’s statement. “The boy is very smart for his age. He clearly remembered details like their dressing style, physical features, the way they walked and spoke, and even the direction they came from and fled towards. This helped us greatly in tracing the accused,” police said. After escaping, the injured child told Vikhroli police exactly how the men looked, the way they walked and in which direction they went Acting on these inputs, police teams tracked down the suspects and detained them. The accused, identified as Mohammed Bashir alias Ubed Salim Shaikh, 25, and Arbaz Zahidali Pathan alias Allu, 24, were detained and later confessed to the crime. After escaping, the injured child told Vikhroli police exactly how the men looked, the way they walked and in which direction they went. Using his clues, police tracked down and arrested the two accused. Illustrations/Uday Mohite The stolen four-gram gold earrings worth Rs 50,000 were recovered. Both have been remanded to three days’ police custody. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Senior PI Suryakant Naikwadi, PI (Crime) Mahesh Jadhav, API Ganesh Rathod, and PSI Yogesh Chinchole.
28 March,2026 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerIn a major cybercrime crackdown, the Navi Mumbai police have arrested two men, including a leading securities firm employee, for allegedly duping a man of over Rs 65 lakh through a fake online gaming platform that promised lucrative returns. The accused have been identified as Vishal Ramratan Jaiswal, 26, an assistant manager with a leading securities firm, and Avesh Dharmendra Verma, 26, a resident of Jogeshwari. Both were arrested on March 24 by the Navi Mumbai Cyber Police. Several attempts made by the mid-day to contact the securities firm did not yield any response till press time. How scam worked The complainant was lured into investing on a platform called ‘SAT Sports’, which projected itself as a legitimate listed gaming company. He was encouraged to invest in online games like ‘Teen Patti’ and ‘Casino’, with fake profits displayed on the portal to build trust. Between January 2023 and February 2026, the complainant ended up losing Rs 65.16 lakh. Dubai link under probe “Initial investigations revealed that the accused were procuring SIM cards in India and activating them for associates based in Dubai. We suspect a larger international syndicate may be involved. We are probing the financial trail and foreign links,” said Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil of Navi Mumbai Cyber Police. Insider link probed Police sources said the involvement of a bank employee raises serious concerns about the misuse of financial systems. Authorities are now examining whether more insiders or facilitators are part of the racket. Report, don’t ignore! Police urge citizens to immediately report suspicious calls, messages, or platforms via the National Cybercrime Portal (1930), or www.cybercrime.gov.in, to prevent further losses and help track down fraud networks. Verify before investing Experts advise verifying the authenticity of platforms through official regulatory bodies and avoiding transfers to unknown accounts. Investors should cross-check company credentials, licences, and online reviews before committing money. Red flags you can’t afford to miss… >> Cybercrime officials have cautioned against platforms that promise unusually high returns with little or no risk. Such scams are often hidden behind polished websites, professional branding, and claims of international operations to appear credible. >> Fraudsters typically lure victims by showcasing fake profit dashboards, manipulated screenshots, and “successful” transaction histories. Many victims are initially allowed to withdraw small amounts to gain confidence before being pushed to invest larger sums. >> There are no shortcuts to guaranteed profits, so no financial institution or investment platform will assure such returns. Any scheme making such claims should be treated as a potential scam. March 24Day duo was arrested
28 March,2026 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghA Mumbai court on Friday acquitted seven accused, including five Haryana police personnel, in the alleged fake encounter of gangster Sandeep Gadoli in 2016, reported news agency PTI. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Kale ruled that the accused were not guilty of charges under Section 302 (murder) and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The detailed order is yet to be made publicly available, reported PTI. Encounter Took Place at Andheri Hotel in 2016 Gadoli was killed on February 7, 2016, in what was initially described as a police shootout at a hotel in Andheri East. He was a wanted criminal, facing more than 40 cases since 1999, and carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, reported PTI. However, the incident later came under scrutiny, with allegations emerging that the encounter was staged. Prosecution Alleged Planned Conspiracy Investigators had arrested eight individuals in connection with the case, including five police personnel, Gadoli’s associate Divya Pahuja, her mother, and rival gang leader Virendra Gujjar, reported PTI. The prosecution alleged that Gadoli had been lured to the hotel through Pahuja and was subsequently killed in a pre-planned operation. It claimed that Gujjar, who had a long-standing rivalry with Gadoli, conspired with the police officials to eliminate him. The accused police personnel included Pradyuman Yadav, Vikram Singh, Jitendra Yadav, Deepak Kakran, and Paramjeet Ahlawat, reported PTI. Evidence Presented but Court Finds No Proof During the trial, the prosecution relied on testimonies from 43 witnesses along with technical evidence such as CCTV footage, call records, and ballistic reports to establish a conspiracy. It argued that the accused used illegal firearms and fabricated evidence to justify the encounter. Despite these submissions, the court found insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted all the accused. Case Against Key Accused Abated Earlier The case against Divya Pahuja had already been abated following her death in 2024. She was murdered at a hotel in Haryana while out on bail in connection with the Gadoli case, reported PTI. This development had earlier impacted the proceedings, as she was considered a key link in the alleged conspiracy. Defence Claims Case Was Motivated Defence counsel, including advocates Vilas Naik and Vignesh Iyer, argued that the allegations against the accused were false and driven by pressure from Gadoli’s family. They maintained that members of the gangster’s family themselves faced serious criminal charges, including extortion and murder, and had influenced the case. With the acquittal, the long-running case has reached a significant legal conclusion, bringing closure to a matter that had remained under judicial scrutiny for nearly a decade. (With inputs from PTI)
27 March,2026 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that strict criminal action will be taken against those circulating obscene videos of women victims linked to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat on social media, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said more victims are coming forward in the case and additional FIRs are likely to be registered. The Chief Minister stated that all victims were being provided full protection, including safeguarding their identities. Kharat was arrested on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly over the past three years. During the investigation, authorities discovered several videos showing the exploitation of women. SIT probe underway A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government is currently probing at least six cases linked to Ashok Kharat, including allegations of rape, human sacrifice, and black magic. Two arrested, six booked in state Meanwhile, police in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district have arrested two persons, while six others have been booked in Nashik for allegedly circulating obscene videos of women victims linked to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat on social media, reported the PTI. Kharat was arrested on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly over the past three years. During the investigation, authorities uncovered several videos showing the exploitation of women. Officials said that some of these clips were later found circulating on platforms such as WhatsApp, prompting immediate action by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), as per the PTI. According to police, a resident of Kopargaon allegedly shared one such video on a WhatsApp group, which was then forwarded to others. Based on this, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Two accused have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace another individual involved in forwarding the content, police said. Six booked in Nashik Meanwhile, in a related development, six individuals have been booked in Nashik for circulating similar objectionable videos. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Ghughe warned that anyone sharing such content, including social media group administrators, would face strict legal action. Appeal from SIT IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute, who is leading the SIT probe, has urged the public, media, and social media users not to share or publish any videos of the victims. The SIT is currently investigating at least six cases linked to Kharat, including allegations of rape, human sacrifice, and black magic. (with PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Thane court has sentenced a 36-year-old woman to one year of simple imprisonment for assaulting an official of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) during a dispute over an electricity bill, reported PTI. In his judgment dated March 20, a copy of which was made available on Friday, Additional Sessions Judge (Thane) R S Bhakare also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on the convict, Jyotsna Mohan Pawar. The incident took place in January 2020 at the MSEDCL’s Diva office, when Pawar approached the office with a complaint about an “excess” electricity bill. Woman allegedly refuses to clear dues When assistant engineer Shashikant Udugade informed her that the meter linked to the bill was functioning correctly and asked her to pay the arrears, Pawar allegedly became enraged. She abused, pushed, and assaulted the official, the prosecution said, the news agency reported. Though Pawar claimed she was being falsely implicated to cover up alleged manhandling by the official himself, the court dismissed her arguments due to a lack of evidence. In the order, Judge Bhakare emphasised the need to protect public servants to ensure administrative efficiency. Public servants need safety for better efficiency, says Thane court “For better efficiency of public servants, they must have safety and security. Certainly, if public servants are provided a free and fair environment, their efficiency in carrying out public work will improve,” the court said, PTI reported. The court further observed that if the accused was not satisfied with the redressal provided, she should have approached higher authorities or taken legal recourse. While the accused had the right to seek redressal, she could not take the law into her own hands, the court said while sentencing Pawar to one year in jail. Cop injured after gang attacks him in Maharashtra's Thane, police slap MCOCA on suspects Earlier in March, police in Thane district of Maharashtra invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against four men accused of assaulting a local resident and injuring a police officer The case was registered on Monday in connection with an incident that occurred on March 1 in the Kalwa East area. According to police, the accused — Swapnil Madhvani, also known as Babu Kharkataya, and Sushil Kamble, alias Natya Bhai, along with their associates Bilal and Raju — allegedly attacked a man identified as Shafikul Sheikh, as per the PTI. An official from Kalwa police station said one of the accused reportedly brandished a knife in a public area, issuing threats and challenging anyone to lodge a complaint. When officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, one of them allegedly attacked a policeman and slashed his right thumb with a blade. The injured officer received medical attention, police confirmed. (With PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 12:56 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
