Acting on inputs from the Special Branch (SB-2) of Mumbai Police, officials, along with the Kurar Police Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations in Malad East, leading to the arrest of a 48-year-old suspect allegedly involved in hawala and terror funding activities. Accused Identified, Multiple Identities Suspected The accused has been identified as Mohd. Islam Ismail Khan (48), who was allegedly operating under multiple identities. Police suspect his involvement in illegal financial networks with potential international links. Simultaneous Raids at Three Locations According to police sources, the operation was launched based on confidential inputs received from senior officials. Teams from SB-2, with assistance from Kurar Police, conducted simultaneous raids at three locations — a flat in Fatima Tower, a residence in Sugra Park, and an office at Pearl Oasis Tower in Pathanwadi. Cash, Foreign Currency and Fake Documents Seized During the searches, police recovered Rs 12.47 lakh in cash, along with Kuwaiti dinars, multiple mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and several passports suspected to be fake or fraudulently obtained. The total value of seized items is estimated at Rs 14.07 lakh. Fake Passports and Foreign Travel Under Scanner Investigators revealed that Khan allegedly procured fake Indian passports using forged documents and frequently travelled to Kuwait. Authorities suspect his involvement in hawala transactions, money laundering, and possible terror funding activities. Evidence Points to Larger Financial Network At one of the locations, officials also seized cancelled passports, counterfeit Indian currency notes, multiple identity documents, and international debit cards, indicating the possibility of a larger financial network. Further Investigation Underway Police sources stated that the accused failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the seized cash and documents. He has been taken to Kurar Police Station for further investigation and forensic examination. Officials confirmed that a case has been registered, and further probe is underway to establish possible links with international networks and terror financing channels.
09 April,2026 08:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA man was allegedly assaulted at a tea stall in Badlapur West of Thane district in Maharashtra after he complained of being served 'cold tea', police said on Thursday, adding that two people have been booked in connection with the matter, reported the PTI. According to the police, the victim was assaulted on Wednesday evening at Swami Samarth Chowk. The Badlapur West police said that the stall owner allegedly struck 54-year-old Madhukar Mhaskar with a teapot and poured hot tea on him, resulting in burn injuries. Police stated that the argument began when Mhaskar complained about the cold tea served to him and his uncle. The vendor allegedly disagreed, and the situation escalated. Mhaskar’s uncle was also reportedly hit during the incident, as per the PTI. Two booked, probe underway A case has been registered against the stall owner and one other individual. Police said that an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the full details of the incident. A video capturing the assault was circulated on social media. The police was reviewing the footage as part of the probe into the matter. Four booked for assaulting cop inside police station in Bhiwandi Meanwhile, in an another incident, a case was registered against four persons, including a woman, for allegedly assaulting an assistant sub-inspector inside a police station in Thane district, police said on Thursday. The incident occurred around 7.30 pm on April 6 at the Shantinagar Police Station in Bhiwandi when Assistant Sub-Inspector Arun Ganpat Gholap was on duty. According to police, Saeed Khan and a woman, identified as Simran, arrived at the police station in connection with a case. Khan allegedly created a disturbance and hit his head on a pillar in the police station premises, police said. “When ASI Gholap attempted to intervene, Simran bit his left hand and injured him, besides obstructing him in his official work,” an officer said, citing the complaint. Following the incident, the police registered a case. Apart from Saeed Khan and Simran, the FIR also names Jabbo Sayeed Khan and Mousim Sayeed Khan, who were present at the police station at the time, the officer said, adding that further investigation is underway. (With PTI inputs)
09 April,2026 06:06 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe MIDC Police in Mumbai have registered a case under the NDPS Act and arrested two persons for allegedly possessing 21.460 kilograms of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 5.35 lakh. A case has been registered under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(2), and 29 of NDPS Act, 1985, at MIDC Police Station. The offence took place around 12.30 am on Wednesday, and the FIR was registered at 2.56 am. The accused have been identified as Ranit Hemanto Aas (23) and Arijit Tapas Aas (26), both residents of Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon East. They were arrested at around 3.23 am on the same day. The complainant in the case is Gautam Gahininath Bade (40), a police hawaldar posted at MIDC Police Station. According to the police, Sub-Inspector Anandrao Kashid and his detection team were on patrol when they noticed two individuals carrying backpacks and a black bag near Bastiwala Compound on Mahakali Caves Road in Andheri East. Finding their behaviour suspicious, the team intercepted the duo. When questioned, they failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the contents of the bag. Duo remanded in police custody after medical examination Acting on suspicion, the police conducted a search in the presence of panch witnesses, during which 21.460 kg of ganja, including leaves, flowers and buds, was recovered from their possession. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth Rs 5.35 lakh. The accused were subsequently taken to the police station, where a case was registered based on the complainant’s statement. During interrogation, their involvement in the offence was established, following which they were formally arrested in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines. After undergoing medical examination, the accused have been lodged in police custody and will be produced before the court within the stipulated time for remand. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the accused’s criminal background and possible links. The operation was carried out by PSI Anandrao Kashid along with a team comprising officers Bade, Jadhav, Lokhande, Avghade, Shingane and Shinde. The investigation was conducted under the guidance of DCP (Zone 10) Datta Nalawade, ACP (Andheri Division) Gajanan Pawar, Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Wani and PI Kale.
09 April,2026 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against four persons, including a woman, for allegedly assaulting an assistant sub-inspector inside a police station in Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said on Thursday. The incident occurred around 7.30 pm on April 6 at the Shantinagar Police Station in Bhiwandi when Assistant Sub-Inspector Arun Ganpat Gholap was on duty. According to police, Saeed Khan and a woman, identified as Simran, arrived at the police station in connection with a case. Khan allegedly created a disturbance and hit his head on a pillar in the police station premises, police said. “When ASI Gholap attempted to intervene, Simran bit his left hand and injured him, besides obstructing him in his official work,” an officer said, citing the complaint. Following the incident, the police registered a first information report (FIR). Apart from Saeed Khan and Simran, the FIR also names Jabbo Sayeed Khan and Mousim Sayeed Khan, who were present at the police station at the time, the officer said, adding that further investigation is underway. Thane court acquits eight accused of attempting to murder cop in 2016 A court in Thane district of Maharashtra has acquitted eight men accused of attempting to murder a cop in 2016, citing the victim’s inability to identify the assailants and key prosecution witnesses turning hostile, PTI reported. In her judgment delivered on April 6, Additional Sessions Judge VL Bhosale granted the benefit of the doubt to the accused, observing that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. A copy of the order was made available on Wednesday. According to the prosecution, police constable Bhaskar Sonavane was assaulted with sticks and beer bottles outside a bar in the city’s Upvan area on April 21, 2016. As per the news agency, the attack allegedly stemmed from a dispute between the hotel management and a customer named Kamlesh, whose brother Arun reportedly led a group of 10-15 people to the spot. Sonavane, who was at the location to meet an informant, suffered a skull fracture and brain injuries in the assault, the court was told during the trial. According to PTI, the eight accused had been facing charges of attempted murder under the Indian Penal Code. The court noted that the constable was unable to identify any of the accused as the assailants, as the incident took place at night, and he lost consciousness after being struck on the head. (With PTI inputs)
09 April,2026 01:57 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police have arrested a 32-year-old tempo driver, Manoj Surendra Sharma, for allegedly stealing LPG cylinders and selling them at inflated prices amid an ongoing gas shortage. He was apprehended by the Charkop police from Nalasopara. According to police, Sharma stole 27 LPG cylinders from a parked tempo at Kaka Keni Chowk in Kandivli West between March 25 and 26. He then hid the cylinders at his residence and began selling them at premium rates to exploit the shortage. He had already sold 15 cylinders and was seeking buyers for the remaining stock. The case was cracked using CCTV footage, which captured a suspicious tempo later traced to the accused’s brother. Police Speak Police said Sharma has a long criminal record, with over 60 cases of robbery and house-breaking registered against him in the Thane and Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar, and 13 cases in Mumbai. The arrest A team led by DCP Sandeep Jadhav and ACP Nita Padvi carried out the arrest. “We have recovered 12 stolen cylinders and seized the tempo used in the crime,” said Senior Inspector Vinayak Chavhan. 12No of cylinders recovered by the police
09 April,2026 11:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanIN a coordinated, citywide crackdown, Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) seized drugs worth over Rs 10.14 crore and arrested 10 accused in 10 separate cases registered between April 1 and April 7. The special drive was carried out simultaneously by multiple ANC units, including Kandivali, Worli, Bandra, Azad Maidan and Ghatkopar, leading to the registration of 10 FIRs. Premium drugs A key highlight of the crackdown was the seizure of 7.69 kg of hydroponic ganja worth R7.69 crore, indicating a premium drug market catering to affluent users. Police said the consignment was recovered during an operation in Vile Parle East, pointing to the presence of high-value, possibly indoor-grown cannabis networks within the city. Wide network The operations spanned Wadala (BPT Road, Wadala TT), Andheri West (Veera Desai Road), Bandra East (Bharat Nagar), Vile Parle East, Mahim (railway station area), Malad, Nagpada, Goregaon West and Dharavi. “This spread indicates an interconnected supply chain cutting across traditional drug hubs and upscale neighbourhoods. While Nagpada and Mahim are known hotspots, areas like Andheri, Bandra and Vile Parle are upmarket belts,” an ANC official said. Case details In one case, the Worli unit nabbed an accused near BPT Road, Wadala, and seized 218 grams of Mephedrone (MD) worth R54.5 lakh. The Azad Maidan unit intercepted 20.7 kg of ganja at Wadala TT. The same unit later arrested another accused in Nagpada with 117 grams of MD worth R35.1 lakh. The Kandivli unit carried out multiple operations across Goregaon West, Dharavi, Andheri West and Mahim, seizing over 281 grams of MD in separate cases, indicating decentralised peddling networks. In Bandra East’s Bharat Nagar, the Bandra unit recovered 163 grams of MD worth R48.9 lakh, while the Ghatkopar unit seized 123 grams of MD worth R30.5 lakh from Malad. Micro modules Officials said the operation targeted multiple small peddling modules rather than a single cartel, with 10 separate cases involving individual accused. While those arrested appear to be street-level distributors or carriers, efforts are underway to trace larger supply chains and possible interstate links. “This operation is part of sustained efforts to make Mumbai drug-free. We will continue intelligence-based operations targeting both local peddlers and larger trafficking networks,” said DCP Navnath Dhavale, ANC, Mumbai Police. Accused held Noor Alam Salahuddin Sheikh, 30Mohammed Wasim Mohammed Saeed Khan, 29Anwar Hussain Chori, 49Mohammad Farhan Mohammad Rahim Khan, 32Imran Ayub Sheikh, 32Sameer Salim Sheikh alias Banti, 32Afsan Nasir Khan, 29Mohammad Faruk Khan, 32Alaz Siraj Bepari, 59 Total seizure 902 grams MD (Mephedrone) worth Rs 2.39 crore20.7 kg ganja worth Rs 6.21 lakh7.69 kg hydroponic ganja worth Rs 7.69 croreTotal haul: 29.292 kg valued at Rs 10,14,46,100.
09 April,2026 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerPolice have registered a case against three persons, including a woman, for allegedly cheating a 56-year-old retired man in Maharashtra's Thane of Rs 22 lakh by promising him a job in the railways, officials said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. Based on the complaint lodged by the man, a case was registered at the Kapurbawdi police station, they said. The alleged fraud took place between August 2024 and May 2025, during which the accused contacted the complainant through phone calls and personal visits at his residence, an official said, reported PTI. The accused have been identified as Dravid Laxman Walimba (22), Kaveri Naidu Jadhav (25) and Abhimanyu Singh (35), reported PTI. "They lured the complainant by promising to secure him a job in the Indian Railways and also assured him that his age would be adjusted to meet eligibility criteria," an officer from Kapurbawdi police station said, reported PTI. To gain his trust, the accused allegedly sent him a fake appointment letter bearing the logo of Indian Railways, police said. Believing the claims, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 22 lakh to the accused through online transactions and other money transfer modes over several months, reported PTI. However, the promised job never materialised, and the accused neither returned the money nor remained in contact, prompting the victim to approach the police. Charges of cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust have been slapped against the trio and efforts are on to trace and apprehend them. Real estate agent held for grabbing land, illegally selling it in Palghar In another case, a 48-year-old real estate agent has been arrested for allegedly grabbing and illegally selling another person's land in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said on Wednesday, reported PTI. Accused Surendra Pratap Singh, alias Randha, had allegedly taken possession of 210 'gunthas' (nearly 5.25 acres) belonging to the complainant in Rajavali village between 2020 and 2025, the official said, reported PTI. "Singh sold it to a builder without completing the agreed transaction with the landowner," said senior inspector Pramod Badakh of crime unit-IV of Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police, reported PTI. Subsequently, an unauthorised chawl was constructed on the land, and Singh sold the units, thereby cheating both the complainant and buyers, he said. "When the complainant approached the accused demanding payment for his land, he was abused and threatened with dire consequences, including death threats," the official said, reported PTI. A case was registered against Singh at Waliv police station on April 2, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections concerning cheating, criminal intimidation and assault, he said. Singh has been remanded in police custody till April 10, he said. Police said a background check showed that the accused faces at least 11 cases. Further investigation is underway, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
08 April,2026 10:22 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA late-night firing incident sent shockwaves through Airoli’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Niwasi Chawl, Sector 1, where an RTI activist was shot, receiving injuries to his neck, while another person, Sandeep Gawas, narrowly escaped unhurt. The incident took place at around 11.50 pm on Monday. According to police, the bike-borne attacker fired four rounds, leaving RTI activist Amit Maurya injured. Maurya was initially rushed to Indravati Hospital in Airoli and later shifted to Fortis Hospital in Mulund. Doctors successfully removed the bullet, and hospital sources confirmed that he is now out of danger, said police. The incident has raised serious questions over a possible targeted attack, even as Navi Mumbai police questioned around 14 suspects. Second target? Sandeep Gawas, Shiv Sena district president. Pic/Special Arrangement Mid-day’s ground report revealed a possible second target in the attack — Gawas, Shiv Sena district president. His mother, Asha Gawas, said, “Mera beta bhi target tha. Woh neeche baith gaya isliye bach gaya. Amit khada tha, isliye goli uske gale mein lag gayi [my son was also a target. He ducked down and was saved. Amit was standing, so the bullet grazed his neck].” RTI angle under scanner Confirming Maurya’s background, ACP Rahul Dhas said the victim is an RTI activist who may have filed applications related to illegal constructions in Airoli and Digha. Investigators are now closely examining his recent RTI filings, particularly those linked to unauthorised structures in the Rabale belt, to establish a motive behind the attack. RTI activist Amit Maurya. Pic/Special Arrangement CCTV clues, teams formed Rabale police, who reached the spot soon after the incident, recovered four empty cartridges and began scanning CCTV footage from the area that captured the assailant’s movement. Senior Police Inspector Balakrishna Sawant described the case as “sensitive” and said multiple teams are working on it. Police teams are probing various angles, including personal rivalry, political links, and RTI-related disclosures, said Sawant.
08 April,2026 08:23 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 33 properties worth nearly Rs 16.95 crore belonging to Hiren Ranjit Bhanu, his wife Gauri Hiren Bhanu, and other family members under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, reported the IANS. The attached assets include residential flats, commercial offices, agricultural land, bank balances, and fixed deposits. Officials said this move is part of an ongoing investigation into a massive Rs 122 crore embezzlement at the New India Co-operative Bank Limited (NICBL). The fraud The probe by the Mumbai Zonal Office of the ED was based on a FIR by Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Investigators found that Hitesh Pravinchandra Mehta, the then General Manager and Head of Accounts at NICBL, played a central role in siphoning off funds by manipulating accounting records and creating fake cash transfer entries between branches, according to the IANS. Mehta admitted to withdrawing funds over several years. The investigation revealed that he acted on instructions from Hiren Ranjit Bhanu, former Chairman and Vice-Chairman of NICBL, who controlled the bank’s operations through associates and family members. “The couple allegedly received proceeds of crime amounting to at least Rs 26 crore,” the ED said, reported IANS. Gauri Hiren Bhanu, who served as Acting Chairman and Vice-Chairman, was identified as a key beneficiary of the fraud. Diversion of funds abroad The investigation also uncovered that Hiren Ranjit Bhanu, with the help of some bank borrowers, acquired companies and business entities abroad without paying any sale consideration. Funds were routed through the accounts of these Indian borrowers who had taken substantial loans from NICBL. The Mumbai Police EOW has already filed charge sheets in the case. Non-bailable warrants and proclamation proceedings have been issued against Hiren and Gauri Bhanu, both of whom are currently abroad and not cooperating with the investigation. “Further investigation is underway to trace the diverted funds and identify all individuals and entities involved in this fraud, which has severely impacted the bank and its depositors,” an ED official said. Broader crackdown on cooperative bank frauds This attachment follows earlier ED actions including searches and seizures. Officials said the development highlights a continued crackdown on financial frauds in cooperative banks and laundering of proceeds through complex domestic and international channels. (With IANS Inputs)
08 April,2026 08:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out a special inspection drive across Mumbai and its suburbs to ensure the safety of milk supplied to residents, an official statement said. The operation focused on vehicles transporting milk into the city, with checks conducted at major toll points. According to an official statement, the teams were deployed at six key entry points, including Mulund (Anand Nagar), Mulund (LBS Road), Airoli, Mankhurd, Dahisar and Sewri. The drive was conducted overnight as part of a coordinated effort to monitor the quality of dairy products entering the city. Nearly 200 Samples Tested The statement said that the officials collected a total of 195 samples of milk during the operation and after testing - - 188 samples were found to meet safety standards - 6 samples were classified as substandard - 1 sample was found to be unsafe - 7 additional samples were taken for further enforcement action Large quantity of milk seized During the inspections, authorities seized a total of 11,080.5 litres of milk stock, the statement said. Substandard stock was sealed and sent back to the producers, while around 90 litres of unsafe milk was immediately destroyed to protect public health. The Food and Drug Administration said it remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue to conduct such drives regularly. Food Safety Commissioner Shridhar Dube Patil urged citizens to report any suspicious or unsafe food products to the department, it said. The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior officials, including Minister Narahari Zirwal, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, and other administrative authorities, the statement said.
08 April,2026 07:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA chilling bomb threat call sent security agencies into a brief tizzy on Tuesday morning - only to turn out to be a hoax made by a 46-year-old daily wage labourer from APMC. At around 11:54 am, the caller rang up the Beat Marshal system and claimed, “Main terrorist bol raha hoon… Mumbai mein bomb blast hone wala hai.” The vague but alarming threat triggered immediate alertness within the police machinery. Accused Traced Within Hours However, within hours, cops traced the call to Tufan Nurlal Sheikh, a labourer living in the APMC market area in Sector 19. Officials said the accused neither provided specific inputs nor had any actual plan, indicating a deliberate attempt to create panic. Constable Rajendra Prakash Tayde of the APMC police station filed a complaint, and the accused has been booked for issuing a fake terror threat and misleading law enforcement. Police Warn of Serious Consequences Police sources admitted that even vague terror calls cannot be ignored, forcing multiple units to activate protocols, which diverts manpower and resources. Officials warned that such hoax calls can have serious legal consequences and compromise response readiness during real emergencies.
08 April,2026 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghADVERTISEMENT
