A fire that broke out at multiple godowns in a commercial building in Mumbra, Thane, on Tuesday evening was completely extinguished by late night, civic officials said, adding that no injuries were reported. According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the fire was reported at around 6.06 pm at the Mech Company Compound near Mumbra Fire Station. The blaze affected two godowns located on the first and second floors of B Wing, a ground-plus-two-storey structure. Fire brigade teams, along with personnel from the Disaster Management Cell, Thane Disaster Response Force, Mumbra police, Torrent Power Company, and the civic encroachment department, rushed to the spot to control the fire. Firefighters deployed three fire engines, a jumbo tanker, two water tankers and a rescue vehicle, while additional private water tankers were arranged through the water supply department. Officials said the fire caused damage to Shop Nos. 96/97/98, housing an Asian Paints brush manufacturing unit and godown owned by Aman Murtija Hashmi and rented by Vasant Gaud, and Shop Nos. 98/99/100, a cardboard godown of Famous Packaging Company owned by Wasim Khan. The fire was brought under control and fully extinguished by around 11 pm, officials confirmed, adding that the situation is now stable and cooling operations have been completed. Tree falls on cars in Maharashtra's Thane; authorities clear road in two hours A large tree fell on three parked vehicles along Pokhran Road No. 02 near Cosmos Horizon Society in Shastri Nagar early on Tuesday, causing minor damage to the vehicles. The incident occurred around 09.50 AM near Bethany Hospital. No injuries were reported. Officers from the Vartak Nagar Police Station, along with Disaster Management Cell staff, Fire Department personnel, and Tree Authority workers, worked together to clear the fallen tree from the road. Vehicle details affected: Mahindra Bolero Pickup Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Maruti Suzuki Swift All vehicles sustained minor damage from the tree fall, but thankfully, there were no casualties. The road was cleared and reopened for traffic after approximately two hours of effort. Authorities have emphasised their preparedness to handle such incidents and ensure swift resolution, minimising disruptions to local traffic.
24 December,2025 09:15 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA gaur rescued with severe injuries in Kolhapur in 2023 has been successfully released back into the wild this month after nearly two years of intensive treatment and rehabilitation — an uncommon success in wildlife recovery. The animal was released into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) after being fitted with a radio collar to enable the Forest Department to monitor its movement, habitat use, and post-release behaviour. The gaur was rescued in September 2023 from Malkapur in Kolhapur district by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the Kolhapur forest department. Then, a very young fawn with an infant coat was found with its front left leg trapped in a drainage opening, resulting in a complex limb fracture. The animal was shifted to the Wildlife Treatment and Transit Centre (TTC) in Pune, where the fractured limb was stabilised immediately. It later underwent two orthopaedic surgeries. Given the complexity of the injury and nerve compression, the veterinary team sought guidance from noted neurosurgeon Dr Rajesh Paranis. Treatment was carried out by a team led by Dr Chetan Vanjari at RESQ CT. Forest officials said amputation was ruled out as it would result in permanent captivity, particularly given the steep and undulating terrain that gaurs naturally inhabit and navigate using all four limbs. During rehabilitation, the animal was housed in a large outdoor enclosure, introduced to native fodder and put through a structured physiotherapy programme to restore strength and mobility. Expert Speak Neha Panchamiya, founder and president of RESQ Charitable Trust, said, “For megaherbivores like the gaur, full use of all limbs is vital for survival in steep terrain. Despite severe fractures, our priority was to save the limb rather than amputate, preserving his future in the wild.” Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve said, "A gaur and a sambar deer have been fitted with radio collars and released back into the wild at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve as part of a scientific monitoring initiative by the Forest Department. The radio-collaring will allow officials and researchers to closely track their movements and daily activity patterns, helping generate crucial data on habitat use, home range, movement corridors and behavioural responses in a forested landscape. This information will aid in understanding how these key herbivore species utilise different habitats across seasons, their interaction with the ecosystem, and potential overlaps with human-dominated areas. The findings are expected to strengthen long-term conservation planning, improve habitat management, and support informed decision-making for wildlife protection in the Sahyadri landscape."
24 December,2025 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMassive fire broke out at a warehouse in a commercial building in Mumbra area of Thane district in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening, officials said, adding that the firefighting operations were underway. According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the blaze was reported at around 6:06 pm, at the Megh Company compound in Mumbra area of Thane. The fire engulfed the B Wing of the ground plus two-floor building, affecting a warehouse storing jute goods on the first and second floors. "The Regional Disaster Management Cell's Control Room received the alert from the Mumbra Fire Brigade. Officials, including disaster management officers and staff, rushed to the site with one utility vehicle, three fire trucks, two water tankers, and one rescue vehicle," said an official. Personnel from the Mumbra Fire Station, police staff from Mumbra Police Station, employees of Torrent Power, and the Mumbra ward anti-encroachment department were also present to assist in controlling the situation. So far no injuries have been reported in the incident, officials said. Precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the fire from spreading, they said. Tree falls on cars in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident on Tuesday, several vehicles were damaged after a large tree fell at the Pokhran Road No. 02 near Cosmos Horizon Society in Shastri Nagar, causing damage to the vehicles. The incident occurred around 09.50 am near Bethany Hospital. As many as three parked vehicles were damaged in the incident. However no injuries were reported in the incident, officials said. They said that officials from the Vartak Nagar Police Station, along with Disaster Management Cell staff, Fire Department personnel, and Tree Authority workers, worked together to clear the fallen tree from the road. Three vehicles including a Mahindra Bolero Pickup, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and a Maruti Suzuki Swift were damaged in the incident. All vehicles sustained minor damage from the tree fall, but thankfully, there were no casualties. The road was cleared and reopened for traffic after approximately two hours of effort. The officials said that their preparedness to handle such incidents and ensure swift resolution, minimising disruptions to local traffic.
24 December,2025 08:59 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAn illegal online betting case registered at Mumbai’s NM Joshi Marg police station has emerged as a crucial link in a wider Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into an alleged pan-India syndicate involved in ‘dabba trading’ — an illegal method of trading outside of official stock exchanges — and online betting operations spanning multiple cities, including Mumbai, the agency said. A prosecution complaint was filed on December 22 before a Special PMLA Court in Indore against the syndicate. The agency said its investigation, initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Indore Police, revealed an interconnection with an earlier FIR registered at NM Joshi Marg police station in Mumbai. The Mumbai case pertains to an illegal online betting racket, registered under Sections 419, 420, 465, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, provisions of the Maharashtra Gambling Prohibition Act, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The Mumbai Police have already filed a charge sheet in the said case. A building where ED conducted raids. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The ED said the Mumbai FIR proved significant in uncovering a larger, technologically manipulated ecosystem involving rigged trading platforms, unlawful betting websites, and a cross-border money laundering mechanism. According to the agency, clients were allegedly lured by being shown simulated trades and fabricated profits on platforms that had no links with recognised stock exchanges. The agency further stated that its probe revealed the use of manipulated MT5 servers (infrastructure that brokers use to manage client accounts, process trades, connect to liquidity, and provide market data for Forex, stocks, and other assets) to generate false trading outcomes, while parallel betting platforms allegedly operated clandestinely using anonymous user accounts, encrypted communication channels and cash-based settlements. The proceeds generated from these activities were allegedly layered through mule bank accounts and routed through offshore entities, including those based in Dubai. According to the ED, proceeds of crime amounting to '404.46 crore have been identified so far. The agency has provisionally attached assets worth '34.26 crore, comprising immovable properties, cash, precious metals, luxury watches, jewellery, and cryptocurrency holdings. Searches conducted during the investigation also led to the seizure of substantial cash, silver bars and gold. ED officials said the case underscores how illegal online betting operations can evolve into complex financial crimes involving fake trading platforms and international money laundering. Investigations are underway to identify additional beneficiaries and expand the money trail, the agency said. ED advisory to public >> Verify trading or investment platform is registered with SEBI; unregulated dabba trading applications do not provide legal protections and often lead to financial loss >> Remain cautious of platforms operating on privately controlled or unverified MT5 servers; such systems are usually designed to manipulate outcomes >> Avoid illegal betting websites as these expose users to legal consequences, misuse of personal, and financial data >> Never allow personal bank accounts to be used by others; mule accounts are frequently utilised for laundering proceeds of crime and the account holder becomes liable under PMLA. >> Any suspicious platform offering unrealistic returns, operating exclusively through encrypted messaging applications or soliciting deposits through unknown or unofficial channels should be reported to the nearest law enforcement or cybercrime authority
24 December,2025 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilAhead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, mid-day will bring you a ‘Know Your Ward’ update with details of Mumbai’s 227 electoral wards, across the 24 administrative wards. Each instalment will highlight ward-wise characteristics, challenges, issues that put the spotlight on developmental priorities, key landmarks, demographic patterns, and the political landscape of the ward. The population density of the area, natural boundaries such as the city coastline and rivers, or human-made boundaries such as nullahs and railway lines, determine boundaries of these wards. Each of Mumbai’s 24 administrative wards is home to a varied number of electoral wards. While some administrative wards, such as L ward in Kurla and the F-North ward in Matunga, comprise as many as 10 electoral wards, South Mumbai’s A and B wards have only three and two electoral wards, respectively. The first in the series are ‘A ward’ comprising wards 225, 226, and 227, and ‘Ward B’, comprising wards 223, and 224.
24 December,2025 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to formally announce their alliance for the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) poll on December 24. The Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, are likely to extend their tie-up for the Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, and Pune municipal corporations, too. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut said in a post on social media platform X that Uddhav and Raj will jointly address the media on Wednesday to announce their plans to contest the local body elections in alliance. Elections to the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations will be held on January 15, 2026, and counting of votes will be done on the next day. There has been no official word yet as to how the 227 municipal seats will be shared between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. However, leaders from both parties say the Sena (UBT) may contest around 135 wards, while the MNS could field candidates in about 80 wards. If the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP also joins the alliance, it is likely to be offered around 10 to 12 seats, or else these seats, too, will be divided among both parties. A senior Sena (UBT) leader, on the condition of anonymity, stated that besides Mumbai, Thackeray will announce the alliance pact for five to six other major municipal corporations, including Thane, which is said to be the bastion of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “Uddhav and Raj’s reunion is expected to consolidate Marathi votes and pose a serious challenge to the BJP and its ally, the Shinde Sena, in the city and other municipal corporations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” the leader added. Meanwhile, the BJP and Shinde are on the last leg of finalising the seat-sharing formula for the polls to the BMC and other municipal corporations. Both Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde are said to have had a closed-door meeting to sort out seat sharing for the Mahayuti. Both camps are confident of inking an alliance and formally announcing the same in two to three days. Questions about the future With the Congress staying out of the Thackeray-led alliance, questions are being raised about whether the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will extend their partnership beyond the Mumbai civic polls and fight the 2029 Maharashtra Assembly elections together. Sena (UBT) was part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with Congress and NCP-SP. While Pawar is likely to continue with the Thackeray cousins, Congress has announced it will go solo for the local polls as it cannot be part of any alliance with the MNS, which has been indulging in a tirade against non-Marathi-speaking people living in and around Mumbai.
24 December,2025 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA YouTube advertisement promising high returns on share trading and IPO investments allegedly led a 63-year-old retired banker to lose over Rs 1.35 crore in a well-planned cyber investment scam involving WhatsApp groups, a fake trading application and multiple bank accounts, police said. According to the complaint, the woman came across the ad in November and clicked on a link, after which she was added to a WhatsApp group posing as an investment community linked to a reputable broking firm. The group administrators claimed assured profits through call options, mutual funds and IPOs, citing the firm’s alleged participation in an international financial event. Police said members were promised weekly payouts of Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000 and daily returns of up to 10 per cent. To build trust, the victim was asked to download a trading app that showed immediate profits after an initial investment. Encouraged by the displayed gains, the complainant transferred large sums in multiple transactions to different bank accounts. The app later showed her balance rising to several crores. However, when she tried to withdraw the money, the operators allegedly demanded additional payments to unlock the funds or repay a purported loan credited to her account. After no withdrawals materialised, she realised the fraud and approached the cybercrime helpline in mid-December. Investigators believe fake digital dashboards were used to show inflated balances, a common tactic to lure victims into paying more. The money trail reveals transactions routed through several bank accounts, raising suspicions of mule accounts and a larger interstate syndicate. Officials said the use of a well-known brand name, professional language, and WhatsApp community hubs indicates a sophisticated operation rather than an isolated fraud. Senior Cyber Forensic Expert, Nishant Salunke, said, “The case shows a classic investment scam pattern, exploiting social media ads on YouTube to lure even financially literate victims. Fake trading apps and manipulated dashboards are designed to trigger psychological trust and greed. Early reporting and faster fund-freezing remain critical to recovery.” How to stay safe >> Never trust guaranteed returns – no genuine stock market, IPO, or mutual fund investment can promise fixed or daily profits>> Be cautious of ads on YouTube and social media offering quick wealth; scammers target emotions, not logic>> Avoid unsolicited WhatsApp investment groups>> Verify brokers on SEBI-registered platforms>> Do not download unknown trading apps shared via links or messages>> Never pay unlock fees, taxes, or loan clearances to withdraw your own money — this is a scam sign>> Check bank account names carefully; frequent account changes indicate fraud>> Report fraud immediately at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in
24 December,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilA 66-year-old woman, Jacinta D’Souza, tragically lost her life in a road accident allegedly caused by the cab driver who appeared drowsy while driving. Police said the incident occurred on Monday (December 21) when Jacinta, a resident of Vasai West, was travelling from Vasai to Wadala. She was on her way to meet her son, Edward D’Souza, 37. Edward, who is a ship captain, had recently returned to Mumbai to celebrate Christmas with his family. He had booked the cab for his mother at around 7.30 am on Monday morning. The cab met with an accident near Magathane Metro Station on the Western Express Highway in which the woman suffered fatal injuries, said police, adding that the driver, identified as Sunal Pal, was also injured. Deceased Jacinta D’Souza According to the police, before the accident, Jacinta reportedly called her son three times and informed him that the driver was not driving properly and seemed sleepy. In connection with the incident, the Kasturba Marg Police have registered an FIR against the cab driver and initiated an investigation. Speaking to mid-day, Edward said, “I had booked a cab for my mother for the long journey from Vasai to Wadala on December 21. During the journey, my mother called me several times and said that the cab driver appeared sleepy and was not driving properly.” “The cab driver had also taken a break during the journey to refill CNG before the accident. Even after that, my mother again called me and said the driver looked drowsy. I told my mother to keep talking to the driver so that he would stay alert. That was my last conversation with her.” “My mother suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to a local hospital, where she was declared dead during treatment,” Edward said. Expressing anguish, Edward added, “As a sailor, I know the importance of proper rest before operating any vehicle. My mother had even told the driver to stop and rest if he was feeling sleepy before continuing the journey. Cab companies must monitor their drivers and ensure they are not driving beyond permissible hours just to earn more money. I have lost my mother, but no one else should lose their loved one due to such negligence.”
24 December,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaFollowing parent complaints and objections raised by local authorities, a three-member committee has been constituted to probe allegations against Witty (International and World) School in Borivali. The panel, comprising two education inspectors and one sub-inspector, with clerical assistance, was formed on December 23 and has been asked to submit its report within seven days. The move comes amid allegations of fee irregularities levelled by parents. As mid-day reported on December 22, parents alleged that students in the same classroom were being charged different fees. They also claimed that the school imposed steep and arbitrary fee hikes when students moved from pre-primary to primary sections, with increases ranging from 40 per cent to 100 per cent. Following complaints, Borivali MLA Sanjay Upadhyay wrote to the Chief Minister, citing alleged violations of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Fees Regulation) Act, prompting the inquiry. “With the winter break beginning on December 24, the school will remain shut for nearly 10 days. We have not received any official update yet, and some parents have decided not to pay fees until there is clarity,” a parent of a pre-primary student told mid-day. An education department official said the committee may seek an extension to submit its report due to the ongoing school holidays.
24 December,2025 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarResidents of K East ward, comprising Andheri East, who have been witnessing a severe water shortage since work on the Mumbai Metro Red Line 7, claimed that a huge amount of potable water was wasted on the streets of PNT Colony on Sahar Road on Monday, blaming engineers and staff working on the project. On the one hand, the hydraulic department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently issued a circular announcing a 100 per cent water cut in several parts of the ward, citing the diversion of potable water for Metro 7 construction work, on the other hand, residents allege, large quantities of water continue to be wasted unchecked at the spot where re-kinking works of Metro 7 are underway. Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night “The two valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening as they wanted to pump water for the project. But the water from the tanks, which we use for drinking and other domestic purposes, started flowing out. This also led to water entering the houses of at least 20-25 families at night,” said Abhijit Ausarmol, a resident of Building C-25. Abhijit Ausarmol, resident, Building C-25, PNT Colony Locals claim that the irony of water being wasted while citizens are subjected to a total water cut reflects poor planning and a lack of coordination between civic departments. “The last time we faced a similar problem, we had requested the staff to inform us before starting work so that we could make alternative arrangements. However, even this time, no notice or circular reached us, stating that there would be a complete water cut. On top of this, they also wasted our stored water by opening both valves,” said Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony. Expensive error Adding to their daily costs, some families who were taken by shock on Tuesday due to the water cut had to call for emergency tankers to suffice their water needs by paying extra last-minute costs. “Most families do have water storage facilities. A few paid almost double the usual cost for tanker water. If we were taken into confidence and if our stored water was not wasted like this, we wouldn’t have faced such a burden,” said Ausarmol. The valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the NGO Watchdog Foundation, who has written a letter on behalf of the residents to the BMC on this issue, said, “Water can be seen supplied for Metro work, yet we witness water flowing onto roads for hours. Residents’ repeated complaints have fallen on deaf ears once again, as always. Now, they also have to deal with inundation, resulting in damage to their property. If the administration expects citizens to cooperate during water shortages, it must first ensure zero wastage and accountability at its own project sites. Such criminal wastage of potable water is a blot on our system.” Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony in Andheri East. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT In response to the letter written by the Watchdog Foundation, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has forwarded the complaint to the ward's assistant municipal commissioner, directing them to look into the matter. Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night The Metro work Work is on the Red Line Mumbai Metro L7A. A massive 2,440 mm water pipeline is coming directly in the way of the ramp next to the airport colony. The work on shifting the pipeline, considered by staff to be the last obstacle they are facing, is in progress and is expected to be completed soon. The 16.5-km-long Red Line 7 is operational between Dahisar and Andheri East, and work is on to extend it to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
24 December,2025 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarAfter years of studied silence and bitterness on the political stage, cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have decided to come together, putting aside old differences to fight in the name of Marathi pride and Maharashtra’s identity. The reunion is widely seen as a politically necessary move to stay relevant in the city and state’s quickly changing political landscape. Both of their parties are facing tough times. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has been weakened after the split led by Eknath Shinde, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been struggling to make an electoral comeback. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election approaching, leaders from both camps believe unity is the only way to avoid a split in the Marathi vote and regain lost ground. In fact, the upcoming BMC battle is seen as a do-or-die one for them. Key battleground The Sena (UBT) and MNS alliance is expected to put up a strong fight against BJP and its allies, particularly Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction. The ruling Mahayuti is keen to wrest control of the BMC, long considered the Thackerays’ strongest bastion. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at the inauguration of Air Corporation Employees Co-operative Bank near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in 2004. FILE PIC/ASHISH RANE Mumbai remains central to the politics of both cousins. For nearly 25 years, the Shiv Sena controlled the BMC, making the city the party’s political and financial backbone. Mumbai was also the core support base of the MNS, which drew much of its early strength from Marathi-speaking voters in Mumbai. Losing control of Mumbai has meant losing influence and organisational strength. With the civic polls nearing, both Uddhav and Raj see the city as the key battleground to revive their political fortunes. Exit, rise, and decline Raj quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, saying he was being sidelined, particularly by Uddhav and his close aides. A year later, he formed the MNS, reviving the “sons of the soil” agenda, the very plank on which his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966. The MNS made its electoral debut in the 2007 Mumbai civic poll, winning seven seats. It performed better in 2012, securing 27 seats, its best performance in the city. However, the party’s strength declined thereafter and in the 2017 election, it won only seven seats, six of which later shifted to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, when the Shiv Sena was still unified. The slide continued in the 2024 Assembly elections, where the MNS failed to win a single seat despite contesting over 110 of the 288 constituencies. Even Raj’s son, Amit, lost his debut poll from the Mahim Assembly constituency, finishing third. Scion’s woes Uddhav’s party also suffered major setbacks. In 2019, the Shiv Sena broke its long-time alliance with the BJP over the chief minister’s post. Uddhav later formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with the Congress and the then-undivided NCP and became chief minister. But in 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion that split the party, forcing Uddhav to step down. The impact was evident in 2024, when his faction won only 20 Assembly seats, down from over 55 in 2019. Common cause As both cousins struggled to regain relevance, the Mahayuti government’s move to introduce a three-language formula in schools, seen as a push for Hindi, changed the political mood. The Sena (UBT) and MNS strongly opposed the move, forced the withdrawal of the government resolution, and used the issue to bury their differences, coming together for what they called the cause and pride of Marathi and Maharashtra. Reacting to the development of cousins coming together, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “Mumbai is close to the heart of both Senas [MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT)], and now they are trying their best to retain their ground.”
24 December,2025 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
