A 19-year-old MBBS student lost her iPhone 16 outside Sion Hospital, but what made the case tricky was this: she never saw the thief. On February 27, around 12.40 pm, she had stepped into a stationery shop near Gate No. 7 on Bhau Daji Road after lunch with friends. Within minutes, her device, kept in her pocket, vanished. With no accused, no description, and a crowded public location, the case began as a blind investigation by the Sion police. (From left to right) PSI Kiran Bhosle and API Dattaray Khade travel by train from Mumbai to West Bengal. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT But it wasn’t an isolated theft. Four days earlier, a 26-year-old doctor at Nair Hospital had reported an almost identical incident. Around 9.45 am, while walking through the OPD building passage, her iPhone 16, kept in her apron pocket, was stolen without her noticing. The Agripada police had begun a parallel probe. Sensing a pattern, Zone IV of the Mumbai Police, under the direction of Deputy Commissioner of Police Ragasudha R, formed a special team to crack the case. The investigation As police officers scanned multiple CCTV camera feeds, tracking suspicious movement rather than the act itself, a trail began to emerge — one that led them to Andheri. There, at a small lodge, police identified the suspects’ hideout and pieced together their movements. The cops learnt that the accused had flown into Mumbai from West Bengal days before the theft at Nair Hospital, stayed at the lodge, executed the thefts, and exited the city just as swiftly, via the connecting flights from Mumbai to Siliguri and then Kolkata. Members of the police team who cracked the case The strike The team, led by Senior Police Inspector Anant Salunke of Sion police station, along with Crime PI Sanjay Jagtap and officers including PSI Kiran Bhosle, API Dattaray Khade and PSI Atul Thombare, launched a coordinated technical and field probe. PSI Bhosle, who spent nearly 10 days in West Bengal tracking the accused, said, “There were more than three of them” In West Bengal Based on technical leads, the police team first traced the trail to Asansol, then Kolkata, and eventually to Kaliachak, a community development block in West Bengal’s Malda district. “The notoriety of Kaliachak is that illegal activities take place there openly,” said Crime PI Sanjay Jagtap. “One of the main hubs is a ‘chor bazaar’ for high-end mobile phones, where stolen devices are sold.” But the probe revealed a deeper network. “To our surprise, the stolen phones were not just sold within the village. They were being routed to the Indo-Bangladesh border, close to Kaliachak,” Jagtap added. Gruelling hunt The police team faced harsh conditions while operating in Malda. Continuous showers and poor public transport made movement difficult. There were days when officers were on the ground for hours, carrying out recce and human intelligence gathering, surviving on minimal food and sleep. At one point, members of the team remained awake for over four days as they tracked the accused across locations. The detention After days of surveillance and a cat-and-mouse chase, the police team managed to detain one accused, Tipu Sultan, 34, who was the “phone lifter”. “It’s a well-coordinated operation,” said PSI Bhosle. “There are handlers, instructors, recce men, and pickpockets who execute the theft on the ground. Sultan is the one who stole the phones, while his brother, Salman Shaikh, was the handler. The latter is absconding.” The search is on for other gang members. The ‘business model’ of gang According to the police, the gang would spend around Rs 14,000 to Rs 16,000 on flight tickets to reach Mumbai, and another Rs 5000 or more on lodge stays. “They specifically targeted high-end mobile phones, typically priced between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, which were later sold near the Indo-Bangladesh border,” an officer said. Timeline Feb 23 Theft at Nair HospitalFeb 27 Theft at Sion HospitalMarch 1 Accused leave Mumbai with lootMarch 9 Police team reaches West Bengal following technical analysisMarch 16 Accused Tipu Sultan is traced and arrestedMarch 17 One team returns to Mumbai with the accused on transit remandMarch 20 Remaining officers, including PSI Kiran Bhosle, return after continuing the probe
23 March,2026 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA thief who allegedly stole jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh from an Andheri East home last year was nabbed after he tried to strike the same house again last month. According to the complainant and MIDC police, the accused was employed as a domestic helper at another flat in the same building, giving him easy access to the premises. Investigators allege that the accused, Parshuram Mandal, 43, first targeted the home after noticing accumulated flower deliveries. Following this, police believe Mandal gained entry on two instances using a key that he may have either cloned from a spare left with Mandal’s employer or had chanced upon. “Mandal feigned innocence to evade suspicion. He has even deceived the court this way to get bail,” alleged a police officer. The investigation Investigators stated that after the first incident, they suspected women domestic helpers were the culprits, but after examining footage from a Wi-Fi camera installed in the flat following the initial theft, they arrested Mandal and requested the court twice to remand him in police custody. Following this, during a crime scene recreation, the accused failed to justify his actions and confessed to the crime. “We have recovered the stolen items from the jeweller to whom the accused had sold them after the theft,” stated a police inspector from the MIDC police station. Case overview >> First theft occurred between December 3 and December 6, 2025>> The thief entered without breaking in, stole valuables and got out, leaving all things as they were, which delayed the complainant’s realisation of the theft>> FIR was registered on January 12, 2026>> Complainant installed a Wi-Fi camera before leaving the city>> The family received a human entry warning when they were out of town and notified the MIDC police>> The intruder, who didn’t steal anything, was identified through camera footage, traced, and nabbed on February 6 Modus operandi >> He didn’t steal from his employer>> Instead, he used his access to the building premises to recce other flats>> He would gain information about residents’ schedules and travel plans before setting his target Accused snapshot Name: Parshuram MandalAge: 43Occupation: Domestic help House theft complaints registered against him:>> 2011 (Goregaon) >> 2015 (Bandra) Jan 12Day FIR was registered
23 March,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak MehtaA truck carrying oxygen cylinders overturned on the Bhiwandi-Wada Road in Thane district in Maharashtra on Saturday, leaving the driver seriously injured, police said, reported the PTI. The accident occurred near Dugad Phata. According to police, the vehicle lost balance while passing through a stretch affected by potholes and uneven surfaces due to incomplete road concretisation work. The truck veered off the road before overturning, an official said. “The driver sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital,” the official added. No other injuries were reported in the incident. Cylinders remain safe Despite the impact, the oxygen cylinders being transported remained intact, preventing any further risk. Residents said accidents have become more frequent on this stretch due to its poor condition, with unfinished roadwork and potholes posing a serious hazard to motorists. Three killed in hit-and-run on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Meanwhile, in an another incident, three persons travelling on a motorcycle were killed when their two-wheeler was hit by another vehicle on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Saturday, police said, reported the PTI. The accident took place at Waghoba Khind in the Dhekale area under the jurisdiction of Manor police station, an official said. A vehicle hit a two-wheeler carrying three individuals. The impact was so severe that all three riders died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle sped away, he said. "The bodies have been shifted to the Manor Rural Hospital for post-mortem. The victims are yet to be identified," the official said, according to the PTI. A case has been registered, and efforts are being made to identify the other vehicle involved in the crash, he said. "The police are also scanning CCTV footage from nearby toll booths to track down the driver who fled the spot," the official added. Traffic jam on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway In an another incident, traffic on the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway was thrown out of gear for several hours on Saturday following a major pile-up involving four vehicles in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said, reported the PTI. The accident, which involved a container truck, a tempo, and two cars, took place around noon in the Sasupada area of Vasai. The vehicles crashed into each other and sustained significant damage, but no one was reported injured, said a police official. (with PTI inputs)
22 March,2026 02:05 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized walkie-talkie sets and second-hand hard disk drives (HDDs) collectively valued at Rs 9.25 crore at Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, officials said, reported the PTI. They said that 11,060 prohibited walkie-talkie sets and second-hand hard disk drives were seized during an operation. The owners of two Mumbai-based firms involved in the imports — a father and son — have been arrested under the Customs Act for bringing in the goods without the required permissions. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials recovered Baofeng BF-888S walkie-talkies worth Rs 2.50 crore and second-hand HDDs valued at Rs 6.75 crore, according to the PTI. The prohibited items were hidden among miscellaneous electronic goods worth Rs 21 crore. Entire consignment seized Officials said that the full consignment, valued at Rs 30.25 crore and shipped from China in eight containers, was seized due to misdeclaration, as per the PTI. The walkie-talkies have been blacklisted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as they operate beyond permitted frequencies and can be used for unauthorised communication, posing potential national security risks, the news agency reported. Such devices require specific licences for import and use. E-waste import restrictions Second-hand HDDs are classified as e-waste and cannot be imported without prior approval from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), officials added, the news agency reported. Mumbai Police seize Rs 16 lakh fake Apple accessories in Ghatkopar Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has seized a large quantity of counterfeit mobile accessories in Ghatkopar, officials said. According to the police, during a raid, authorities seized fake products worth approximately Rs 16.33 lakh and filed cases against six shopkeepers allegedly involved in the operation. The crackdown followed intelligence reports that several shops in Ghatkopar East were selling fake Apple accessories as original items. Police teams focused on the Patel Chowk and Niloyog Mall areas, where these products were reportedly being sold openly. To ensure swift action, police formed six separate teams and conducted simultaneous raids across different locations. This prevented the accused from escaping and allowed authorities to recover a large quantity of counterfeit goods. The seized items included mobile chargers, adapters, USB cables, mobile covers, back panels, earphones, Air-Pods, and batteries. Officials noted that the products closely resembled genuine Apple accessories, making it difficult for customers to distinguish between real and fake items. The six accused have been booked under Sections 51 and 63 of the Copyright Act. The seized goods have been sealed and sent for further examination, while police continue to investigate and track other individuals linked to the racket. Officials emphasised that similar drives against counterfeit products will continue across Mumbai to protect consumers and curb the illegal sale of fake branded goods. (With PTI and IANS Inputs)
22 March,2026 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Colaba police have arrested an absconding accused who had been on the run for 28 years in connection with a major armed robbery case registered at Colaba police station. The accused, Mukesh Shivraj Sanghi, 58, was wanted in a 1999 robbery at the office of SKP Financer in Colaba, South Mumbai. An FIR had been registered under Sections 397, 395, 411, 414, and 452 of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act. As per the sources, three people were involved in the crime, but only Sanghi has been arrested so far. According to police officials, Sanghi, along with his accomplices, had barged into the finance company’s office and, at gunpoint and using sharp weapons, looted R25.96 lakh before fleeing. He remained absconding since then and was later declared a proclaimed offender by the 34th Sessions Court in Mumbai for failing to appear for trial. Investigations revealed that Sanghi had vacated his residence years ago, making it difficult to trace him. His involvement in another case registered in Satara led police to suspect he had moved to Hyderabad.
22 March,2026 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Ruchita ShahIn a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with the Mumbai Crime Branch on Saturday arrested a 23-year-old accused from Agra in connection with the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Juhu. The accused, Pradeep Sharma alias Golu, had been absconding since the February 1 incident, allegedly carried out at the behest of the notorious Shubham Lonkar gang to create panic and assert dominance. Firing incident aimed at creating panic According to police, unidentified shooters opened fire outside Shetty Tower in Juhu on the night of February 1, targeting the filmmaker’s residence. “The attack was meant to send a strong message to the film industry, businessmen, and the public,” officials said. Joint operation leads to arrest Acting on technical inputs and surveillance, the Mumbai Police sought assistance from the UP STF. A joint team tracked Sharma to Mahavir Nagar in Agra, where he was arrested on Saturday after attempting to evade capture. Social media influence and gang links During interrogation, Sharma told police he was influenced by the gang’s posts on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. He was allegedly encouraged by his associate Shivam Dubey to get involved. Investigations further revealed that co-accused, including Vishnu Kushwaha and Deepak, played key roles, with Deepak allegedly carrying out the firing after travelling to Mumbai. Further investigation underway Police said several accused were arrested earlier in February, while Sharma had been on the run. He has now been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further legal action. A case was registered by the Mumbai Crime Branch under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, and Maharashtra Police Act.
21 March,2026 07:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA 29-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death by her husband in Mumbai’s Wadala area following a dispute over his alcohol consumption, police said on Saturday, reported news agency IANS. The accused, identified as Mahesh Narayan Wad, was arrested after initially fleeing the scene, reported IANS. Brutal assault leads to woman’s death The victim, Kavita Mahesh Wad, was allegedly assaulted by her husband using kicks and punches during an argument at their residence in Ganesh Nagar near a local temple in Wadala, reported IANS. Police said the accused also threw a mobile phone at her, causing serious injuries. She was later rushed to KEM Hospital, where she died during treatment. Delay in medical aid worsened condition Authorities said the victim did not receive immediate medical attention, which may have contributed to the severity of her condition, reported IANS. Kavita reportedly lost consciousness at home before being taken to the hospital. Post-mortem reveals severe injuries The post-mortem examination found multiple injuries on her body, including black-and-blue marks, indicating sustained physical assault, reported IANS. Case registered, accused arrested A case of murder has been registered against the accused at Wadala Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following the complaint, police formed two teams to trace the accused, who had gone into hiding. He was later arrested from a relative’s residence, reported IANS. Complaint filed by victim’s brother The complaint was lodged by Kavita’s brother, Shubham Ramesh Lodi, a resident of Navi Mumbai. Police said the couple had frequent disputes, allegedly due to the accused’s alcohol addiction. Investigation underway Officials said further investigation is in progress to establish all circumstances surrounding the incident, reported IANS. The case has once again highlighted concerns over domestic violence and the need for timely intervention in such disputes. Labourer held for stabbing to death man in Badlapur fish market In another case, a labourer was arrested in the early hours of Friday for allegedly murdering a man in a fish market in Badlapur East in Thane district, a police official said. Dhirajkumar Babulal Baiga (35) stabbed to death Subodh Kumar (in his late 30s) at around 8pm on Thursday, he added. Baiga was arrested some hours later at 2am, the Badlapur East police station official said. The motive of the crime is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding Baiga is being interrogated. (With inputs from IANS)
21 March,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAuthorities in Maharashtra's Thane district have carried out a crackdown against illegal sand mining in Bhiwandi taluka and destroyed various equipment, including barges, collectively valued at around Rs 90 lakh, officials said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. The revenue department carried out the operation in Kevani creek area on Friday based on a tip-off, an official release said. "The revenue department took major action against the mafia involved in illegal sand mining in the Kevani Sand Port area. In this operation, property worth about Rs 80 to 90 lakh was destroyed," it said, reported PTI. During the operation, led by District Collector Shrikrishna Panchal, authorities destroyed five suction units and eight barges allegedly used in extraction of sand. The equipment was burnt and the barges were sunk in the creek, resulting in heavy financial losses to those involved in illegal activities, it added, reported PTI. The mafia had created 12 large storage tanks along the creek to stock illegally extracted sand. These tanks were demolished using three backhoe loader machines, the release said. Authorities said the land used for storing the sand falls under the 'reserved forest' category. "Since the activity was being carried out on reserved forest land, strict action will also be taken by the forest department and the Mangrove Conservation Unit," it said, reported PTI. Personnel from Bhiwandi Rural police station were deployed during the operation to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, the release added, reported PTI. The district administration said it has intensified its campaign against illegal sand mining in recent months, with multiple cases registered and equipment seized in earlier drives. Labourer held for stabbing to death man in Badlapur fish market In another case, a labourer was arrested in the early hours of Friday for allegedly murdering a man in a fish market in Badlapur East in Thane district, a police official said, reported PTI. Dhirajkumar Babulal Baiga (35) stabbed to death Subodh Kumar (in his late 30s) at around 8pm on Thursday, he added, reported PTI. Baiga was arrested some hours later at 2am, the Badlapur East police station official said. The motive of the crime is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding Baiga is being interrogated. (With inputs from PTI)
21 March,2026 01:25 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentWhat began as a harmless Facebook friendship turned into a chilling spiral of manipulation, sexual exploitation, blackmail and financial ruin for a 36-year-old woman — pushing her to the brink of suicide. Over more than a year, the accused, posing as an astrologer, allegedly gained her trust, exploited her, and siphoned off nearly Rs 33 lakh, including loans and gold. The ordeal ended only when a two-line message to her husband triggered a race against time that ultimately saved her life. 1. A casual FB conversation slowly turned into control, as a man posing as an astrologer gained her trust by revealing personal details and positioning himself as someone who ‘understood’ her life better than anyone else 2. Meetings that started innocently at a café soon escalated to isolated outings, where emotional manipulation blurred boundaries, leaving her vulnerable to exploitation she did not see coming 3. The turning point came when intimacy was weaponised, secretly recorded and turned into a tool of fear, trapping her in a cycle of silence, coercion and repeated abuse 4. Over months, threats replaced trust as she was forced to part with nearly R33 lakh, take loans, and hand over gold, each payment buying temporary relief but tightening the grip of blackmail 5. Crushed by guilt and relentless pressure, she reached her breaking point, sending a final message to her husband, believing escape from life was the only way out 6. Reading between the lines, her husband sensed the danger instantly, choosing calm over panic as he kept her engaged, speaking to her continuously while racing against time to reach her 7. When he finally stood at the door and opened his arms, it broke the silence she had been living in, and she collapsed into him, recounting a year of fear, manipulation, and suffering Illustrations/Uday Mohite 8. What followed was not just healing but action, as the couple approached the police together, leading to a case being registered and the arrest of the accused, bringing an end to the deception that had nearly cost her life. The case at a glance Victim: 36-year-old womanAccused: Man posing as astrologerPlatform: FacebookDuration: Over 1 yearMoney lost: Rs 33 lakhOther losses: 8 tolas goldCrimes alleged: Sexual assault, blackmail, extortion, cheating How the trap unfolded . Fake identity builds emotional trust. Personal details used to convince and control. Meetings escalate from café to beach to lodge. Sexual assault was allegedly recorded secretly. Video used for repeated blackmail and exploitation The breaking point Overwhelmed by fear and guilt, the woman decided to end her life. Before doing so, she sent a message to her husband: “I am not worthy of you… I cannot face you… I am leaving, never to return.” Stayed on call for 1 hour and 45 minutes . Reassured her repeatedly. Reached home just in time. “I told her she is my life… she ran into my arms and told me everything”
21 March,2026 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Mumbai Press Club received a threat email claiming that poison gas bombs have been planted. While the email was received on Thursday, it was opened on Friday, triggering a thorough search of the building by security agencies. According to officials, the email was sent by a person named Neeraja Ajmal Khan, who claimed that “42 small poison gas bombs have been installed in Mumbai Press Club, and they will explode.” Officials search for the planted ‘gas bomb’ inside the Club premises On Friday, Press Club secretary Mayuresh Ganapatye reported the matter to Azad Maidan Police Station. DCP Zone I, Pravin Munde, was also informed. Following the complaint, teams from the Azad Maidan Police, along with the Cyber Cell, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, and Dog Squad, arrived at the club premises. However, no suspicious object was found during the search. ThursdayDay the email was received 3000+No. of members in the Mumbai Press Club ‘Will not be intimidated’ The Mumbai Press Club said in a statement that it “strongly condemns this malicious and alarming threat”. “The Club has always upheld and promoted liberal, secular, and democratic values and has consistently stood against all forms of extremism and violence. With a membership of over 3000 journalists, the Mumbai Press Club will not be intimidated by such threats and remains committed to its principles,” it stated. What was in the email? The threat email made political claims in the message and stated that the bombs were planted with the help of Maoists and Pakistani secret cells.Excerpts from email . We, the Muslims of Coimbatore, have learned a harsh truth: [Stalin] Udhayanidhi’s [Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu] cunning family used us as a mere vote bank and punished us in the name of protecting us. . Leaders who supported DMK in the last election have now been arrested under ‘UAPA’ by the same Udhayanidhi whom we had supported. . With the help of Naxalites and secret cells linked to Pakistan in Coimbatore, we only had enough resources to blow up three to four buildings. We never imagined we would have to use them, because we were confident you would help us expose the DMK government. We thought at least other states like Madhya Pradesh weren’t under the DMK’s thrall. . You too are living off Udhayanidhi’s money. Therefore, we’ve used the bomb resources at your Press Club office. . Intent is to cause property damage; please evacuate everyone safely. . Signed by ‘Long live the Naxalite Jihad Committee!’
21 March,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentTWO minor boys allegedly strangled their 15-year-old co-worker with a handkerchief on March 17 in a room at Ganesh Nagar, Andheri West, suspecting he had complained about them to their employer, Mumbai Police said. The duo reportedly slept beside the body and later called the victim’s father, claiming the boy was not waking up. The case was first registered as an accidental death report (ADR) by DN Nagar Police, but a post-mortem at Cooper Hospital confirmed death due to strangulation, with visible neck injuries. During sustained interrogation, the minors allegedly confessed, saying they were angered by the victim’s complaints about their laziness to the restaurant owner. All three boys, from the same village and age group, worked together at a restaurant in Andheri. Accused sent to Dongri Child Observation Home, investigation on Based on a complaint by the victim’s father, Mohammed Afsar Farid Sheikh, 41, a labourer, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused have been apprehended and sent to the Dongri Child Observation Home. A police officer told mid-day.com, "No CCTV footage was available from the spot.” Further investigation is underway.
20 March,2026 10:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
