Three members of Bajrang Dal were injured after a violent clash broke out between two groups in Dindoshi East area of Mumbai, police said on Monday as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished 'unauthorised' homes, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Sunday night in the Dindoshi's Santosh Nagar area, causing tension in the locality. According to police, the clash began following a dispute over playing loud devotional music during a religious procession. The clash reportedly began after a dispute over playing loud devotional songs during the procession, which escalated into a large-scale brawl between the two groups. Weapons such as swords and iron rods were used in the confrontation, according to police. The argument quickly escalated into a large-scale fight, with weapons such as swords and iron rods reportedly used during the confrontation, according to the PTI. Three members of the Bajrang Dal, a right-wing outfit, sustained serious injuries in the clash and were undergoing treatment at Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital, they said, the news agency reported. The injured individuals were admitted to Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition was serious but stable. BMC demolition drive follows Following the incident, the BMC initiated demolition of houses allegedly belonging to some of the accused, stating that the structures were unauthorised, as per the PTI. Officials said the action was based on earlier complaints received by the civic body. Police action and arrests Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the violence. Cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to rioting, the news agency reported. Further investigation into the incident is underway. Heavy security deployed During the clash, the police quickly rushed to the spot and attempted to break the fight but when the crowd refused to disperse, police had to use mild force, during which a boy was seriously injured. Following the incident, police have set up a camp in the area. A large police presence remains in the area to maintain law and order. Officials said that the situation is currently under control.
06 April,2026 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against three persons for allegedly duping a woman from Maharashtra's Thane city of Rs 16.35 lakh on the pretext of securing admission for her daughter in a prestigious engineering college, police said on Monday. Based on a complaint, the Kapurbawdi police on April 2 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused, Tashin Khan (40), Saif Khan (42), and a woman identified as Shruti, an official said, the PTI reported. Newspaper ad led Thane woman to alleged fraudsters According to PTI, the official stated that the victim had approached the accused at their office in Kapurbawdi after coming across a newspaper advertisement in June last year regarding admissions to an engineering college in Mumbai. The trio allegedly promised to secure an engineering seat for her daughter, following which the complainant paid them Rs 16.35 lakh between June and November 2025, both in cash and through bank transfers. Fraudsters issued bogus payment proof to gain trust The accused also allegedly provided her with a forged fee receipt bearing a fake stamp and signature of the college. The fraud came to light in November 2025 after the complainant visited the college to collect her daughter’s identity card, the official said, the news agency reported. The trio have been booked under Sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. No arrests have been made so far, he added. Gang dupes man of Rs 30 lakh with promise of 'Herbal Liquor' dealership in Maharashtra's Thane, cops begin probe Police have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged last week after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. (With PTI inputs)
06 April,2026 11:33 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended a Mantralaya section officer for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 6.37 lakh to approve funds for developmental works, officials said, PTI reported. The accused, Vilas Lad, is a Class I officer posted at the state secretariat in south Mumbai, an official said on Sunday. The complainant had applied for a government grant to develop basic infrastructure facilities in his village on behalf of a village sarpanch. While following up on the proposal, he met Lad, who allegedly demanded Rs 6.37 lakh to approve the funds, the official said, the news agency reported. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the applicant approached the ACB in Mumbai and lodged a complaint. A verification conducted by the anti-graft agency on March 16 confirmed that Lad had demanded the bribe. The accused official was caught while allegedly accepting the bribe money in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the official said, adding that he was arrested after a case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is underway. Thane ST scrutiny panel officer held for taking Rs 2.5 lakh bribe Earlier in March, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a woman official from the Scheduled Tribes certificate scrutiny committee for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh from a man to clear files of his family members in Maharashtra's Thane city, an official said. The ACB caught Meenakshi N Unhale (46), the deputy director (Research) of the committee's Konkan Division (Class 1 officer), accepting a bribe from the complainant at her office in the Charai area in Thane on Friday, the official said. The Scheduled Tribes Certificate Scrutiny Committee (STCSC) verifies the genuineness of Scheduled Tribe certificates. Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB, Raigad-Alibag) Sarita Bhosale stated that Unhale had allegedly demanded Rs 2.5 lakh from the complainant to clear the caste verification files of his wife and daughter. Unwilling to pay the sum, he approached the ACB. The ACB's Raigad unit laid a trap and caught Unhale red-handed in her cabin while accepting the amount, she said. A case was registered against the accused officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a probe is underway, the official said. (With PTI inputs)
06 April,2026 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFive people have been detained following a clash between two groups in the Santosh Nagar market area in Malad East, Mumbai, news agency ANI reported, quoting the police. According to a statement from Dindoshi Police Station, a clash broke out between two groups in the Santosh Nagar area. Upon receiving information about the scuffle, Dindoshi Police officers arrived at the spot and attempted to control the crowd, ANI reported. "However, when the crowd refused to disperse, police had to use mild force, during which a boy was seriously injured. The situation is now under control. Following the incident, police have set up a camp in the area, leading to public outrage," the statement said. Dindoshi Police have detained five people and are currently interrogating them, ANI reported. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area following the incident. More details are awaited. Dispute over Rs 600 leaves nine with acid burn injuries in Malad A petty dispute over Rs 600 escalated into a horrifying incident in Pal Nagar, Kurar, Malad East on Wednesday afternoon, leaving eight to nine people injured with acid burns. A financial disagreement between a family dealing with imitation jewellery and a workshop owner spiralled out of control, leading to a heated argument. The situation worsened when a group barged into the plating workshop. During the chaos, the workshop owner picked up a container of acid used for polishing imitation jewellery and attempted to throw it at the other group. In the struggle that followed, acid spilt out of the container, injuring nearly everyone present with acid burns. Senior Police Inspector Umesh Patil confirmed that all those injured are receiving treatment, and an investigation is underway. Singh runs a plating workshop for imitation jewellery. The Kanojia family, who deal in imitation jewellery, used his services. During an online transaction of Rs 26,000, an amount of Rs 27,000 was mistakenly transferred. After deducting Rs 400 as labour charges, Rs 600 was to be returned, triggering the dispute. Sheetal Kanojia visited the workshop to demand the amount when the argument broke out. Later, her son, Mayur Kanojia, returned with friends, and the dispute turned violent. During the scuffle, acid spilt from the container, injuring everyone involved. Police have arrested three individuals—38-year-old workshop owner Samar Bahadur Singh, Hemant Rathod (20) and Nitin Dhobi (24). Cross FIRs have been registered against both groups, and while three accused have been arrested, further investigation is underway to identify others involved. (With ANI inputs)
06 April,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA life convict has been booked for allegedly assaulting and threatening a jail constable in Maharashtra’s Thane district after being denied an unauthorised meeting with his brother, police said on Sunday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on April 2, when the convict was being escorted back to prison following a court appearance. The accused, Avinash Jadhav, is currently serving a life sentence at Thane Central Jail, the news agency reported. According to police, he became enraged after a constable prevented his brother from approaching him inside the sessions court premises in Mumbai. The constable had reportedly stopped the brother from handing over an item and instructed him to maintain distance. Assault and threats Officials said that upon returning to the jail, Jadhav confronted the constable at the prison entrance. He allegedly assaulted the officer, shouted at jail staff, and issued threats, creating a disturbance and intimidating on-duty personnel. The victim, a 42-year-old constable, was supervising a group of undertrials and convicts at the time of the incident, as per the PTI. Case registered under BNS Police have registered a case against Jadhav under Section 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation into the matter is currently underway. Gang dupes Thane trader of Rs 30 lakh Meanwhile, in an another incident, police have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged on Friday after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 03:48 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolice have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged on Friday after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. Victim induced to invest Rs 30 Lakh The accused reportedly showcased sample packaging and images of herbal liquor products to gain the trader’s trust. They then persuaded him to invest money by promising dealership rights for the Thane region, as per the PTI. Believing their claims, the trader transferred Rs 30 lakh to the accused. However, no valid licence or dealership was ever provided. Threats and abuse The complainant further alleged that when he demanded clarification, the accused verbally abused and threatened him. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the accused. As of now, no arrests have been made, officials said. Maharashtra family duped of over Rs 1.66 crore with 'black magic' claims Meanwhile, in an another incident, a family from Thane district in Maharashtra was allegedly duped of more than Rs 1.66 crore by a man who exploited their fear of “black magic”, police said, reported the PTI. The suspect allegedly promised divine remedies through rituals and pilgrimages, officials said on Sunday. The Kasarvadavali police registered a first information report (FIR) on April 2 against the accused, Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in Mumbai, after the family claimed they were manipulated into paying him over two years, the news agency reported. According to police, the family's ordeal began in January 2024 when they met Shetty at an event. On learning about their financial difficulties, he convinced them that a relative had performed black magic to obstruct their progress, as per the PTI. To counter this, Shetty allegedly prescribed elaborate rituals and a mandatory pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred temples of Lord Shiva. He is said to have exploited minor mishaps in the family to manipulate them into making repeated payments. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 03:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in has awarded Rs 20.52 lakh in compensation to the family of a 74-year-old businessman who died in a car accident in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, reported the PTI. The fatal car crash took place in 2022. The victim who was identified as Ganesh Gopal Chaudhari had sustained severe injuries after a collision and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on the same day, the news agency reported. Tribunal holds driver responsible The accident occurred on November 22, 2022, when Chaudhari was travelling by car from Vikramgad towards Nashik. A speeding four-wheeler reportedly lost control on a bend in the ghat section and crashed into his vehicle, according to the PTI. The tribunal observed that the driver of the offending vehicle was driving at an excessive speed and failed to properly judge the turn, leading to the fatal collision. Compensation and liability Thane MACT member R V Mohite directed the vehicle owner and the insurer, Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd., to jointly and severally pay the compensation, as per the PTI. The tribunal also ordered that the amount should carry 9 per cent annual interest from the date the petition was filed. Income assessment and distribution The tribunal calculated the deceased’s annual income at Rs 5.9 lakh, based on his income tax returns, before arriving at the total compensation amount. Out of the awarded sum: - Rs 13.52 lakh will be paid to his wife - Rs 7 lakh will be given to his son The tribunal dismissed the insurance company’s argument that the driver did not possess a valid driving licence, holding it liable along with the vehicle owner, the news agency reported. MACT grants Rs 21.5 lakh compensation to kin of woman Meanwhile, in an another case, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs 21.5 lakh to the family of a 45-year-old woman run over by a speeding tempo in 2020, reported news agency PTI. The tribunal, presided over by K P Shrikhande, held the tempo driver solely responsible for the fatal accident, directing the vehicle owner and insurer to jointly and severally pay the compensation with a 9 per cent annual interest from December 9, 2020, when the claim was filed, till realisation, reported PTI. A copy of the order passed on March 30 was made available on Saturday. The accident occurred on August 30, 2020, on the Kalyan-Bhiwandi road near Kongaon when a speeding tempo hit the victim, Meera Kamlesh Singh, from behind while she was standing near a road divider, reported PTI. The victim succumbed to the grievous injuries sustained in the accident. The tribunal held that the vehicle was being driven in a rash and negligent manner. Quoting a Supreme Court ruling, the tribunal noted, "It is settled in law that once a chargesheet has been filed and the driver has been held negligent, no further evidence is required to establish negligence." The tribunal dismissed the insurer's contention regarding breach of policy conditions. Treating the deceased as a homemaker, the tribunal fixed a notional income of Rs 7,000 per month and calculated total compensation at Rs 21.5 lakh. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 02:47 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA family from Thane district in Maharashtra was allegedly duped of more than Rs 1.66 crore by a man who exploited their fear of “black magic”, police said, reported the PTI. The suspect allegedly promised divine remedies through rituals and pilgrimages, officials said on Sunday. The Kasarvadavali police registered a first information report (FIR) on April 2 against the accused, Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in Mumbai, after the family claimed they were manipulated into paying him over two years, the news agency reported. Elaborate rituals and pilgrimages According to police, the family's ordeal began in January 2024 when they met Shetty at an event. On learning about their financial difficulties, he convinced them that a relative had performed black magic to obstruct their progress, as per the PTI. To counter this, Shetty allegedly prescribed elaborate rituals and a mandatory pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred temples of Lord Shiva. He is said to have exploited minor mishaps in the family to manipulate them into making repeated payments. Large payments made over two years According to the PTI, the police stated that between February and April 2024, the family gave Shetty Rs 10 lakh in cash to buy ritual materials. From May 2024 to January 2026, they reportedly transferred around Rs 1.56 crore via online transactions to bank accounts held by Shetty and his mother. Shetty allegedly also claimed he required money for pending court cases, warning that if he were imprisoned, the rituals would remain incomplete and the family’s situation would never improve. The probe "The Kasarvadavali police district on April 2 registered a first information report (FIR) against Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in neighbouring Mumbai, based on the family's allegations that they were manipulated into paying the accused over a period of two years to "neutralise black magic" performed by a relative," an official said. While no arrest has been made so far, police have filed a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, along with provisions under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, the official added, the PTI reported. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 02:20 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPowai Police in Mumbai on Sunday said that it has arrested a suspect, accused of stealing LPG and recovered as many as 45 stolen gas cylinders and three motorcycles. According to the police, the accused was identified as Raj Chandrakant Kamble, 45, from Vartaknagar in Thane district of Maharashtra. He was allegedly involved in stealing LPG cylinders from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, police said. Mumbai and parts of country are reportedly facing LPG crisis at the moment due to the West Asia war. However, India is among one of the top countries to manage the import of the gas amid Iran's restrictions at the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for supply of oil and gas. The police said that a team of police officials conducted an operation and recovered a total of 45 stolen gas cylinders and three motorcycles which were allegedly used by the accused in thefts. The suspect had previously been previously involved in ten theft-related cases, highlighting his experience and audacity in committing crimes across the city. Two accomplices were also held for allegedly helping him sell the stolen gas cylinders, officials said, adding that further probe was underway. Investigation and arrest The arrest follows a meticulous investigation conducted by two special police teams set up under the guidance of the Powai Police Crime Detection Unit. Officials stated that the suspect used stolen motorcycles to commit multiple thefts. The recent operations coincided with growing public concern over gas cylinder security amidst heightened domestic tensions. List of cases linked to the suspect Police said that Kamble was allegedly also involved in at least six of the following cases registered: - Three case at Powai Police Station - One case at Shivaji Park Police Station - One case at Kamothe Police Station in Navi Mumbai - One case at Park Site Police Station The police operation Police said that the successful operation was overseen by senior officials including Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner Satya Narayan Chowdhary, and Deputy Commissioner Datta Nalawade. The arrest and recovery were carried out under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Sonawane and Police Inspector Sanjay Bandgar, with technical assistance provided by officials including Vishal Pisal. Senior police officials have praised the teams for their prompt action, which prevented further thefts in Mumbai and adjoining areas.
05 April,2026 01:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Asif RizviAn unsettling reality is emerging behind the mystery of missing premium smartphones. Despite being registered on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, many high-end devices are never recovered, with a new modus operandi that seems impenetrable. Selling parts for the win Experts reveal that earlier, thieves would sell stolen phones at throwaway prices. But the thieves have smartened up and instead of selling complete devices, stolen premium smartphones are now dismantled, and their individual components sold off. Today, smartphones are in every hand, and snatching it from the hand means easy money. Selling off parts is not only earning them higher profits, but has drastically reduced the possibility of the thieves being traced. Individual mobile phone parts are not traceable since the complete devices are linked to IMEI numbers. As a result, while low-cost phones are still being recovered through the CEIR system, expensive smartphones, especially iPhones, often vanish without a trace. What’s the cost? A ground investigation by Sunday mid-day found that the display (LCD/OLED) is the costliest, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of a phone’s total value. iPhone Pro 17(Approx. Rs 1.55 lakh)Display: Rs 50,000 – Rs 55,000 (black market) | Rs 67,000 (service centre)Motherboard: Rs 50,000Camera: Rs 4,000 – Rs 5,000Storage: Rs 8,000 – Rs 10,000*At the service centre, these parts are typically Rs 10,000 – Rs 15,000 costlier Samsung Fold Series(Approx. Rs 1.5 lakh)Black market resale: Rs 1.15 lakhInner Display: Rs 50,000 | Rs 62,000 (service centre)Outer Display: Rs 15,000 | Rs 18,500 (service centre)Camera/Lens: Rs 4,000 - Rs 5,000Body: Rs 22,000 – Rs 25,000 The price gap and the availability of “original” parts have led many consumers to prefer black-market purchases. Parts hard to trace Once dismantled, individual parts cannot be traced. No IMEI linkage remains; components are easily resold. The removal of key components like the CPU or motherboard makes a phone virtually untraceable. A single company alone facilitates transactions worth over Rs 50 lakh worth of second-hand and damaged phones using online platforms. Stolen phones are sent abroad, particularly to countries like China and other countries, where their IMEI numbers are altered. They are then reintroduced into India’s second-hand market. What can you do? >> Enable location tracking and keep it switched on at all times >> Activate “Find My Device” and ensure it is properly configured >> Use strong screen locks and biometric recognition>> Avoid keeping phones unattended in public places >> Act immediately if the phone is lost — do not delay What can the government do? >> Mandate eSIM support in all smartphones sold in India >> Encourage or require low-power Bluetooth tracking standards in Android devices >> Introduce regulations for secure shutdown mechanisms (password-protected power-off) Be smart with your phone Mobile phone theft has become increasingly common in urban areas, but many cases can be mitigated if both users and policymakers adopt smarter preventive measures. While law enforcement agencies do their part, there is often a critical delay between theft and recovery. It is during these first few minutes that the chances of retrieving a lost or stolen phone are the highest. Ankur Puranik, Cyber and Electronics Expert 1. Low-power Bluetooth tracking (even when switched off) One of the most effective technological solutions is low-power Bluetooth tracking, as Apple has implemented in its ecosystem. Even when a phone appears to be switched off, it can continue to emit a secure, low-energy Bluetooth signal. Nearby devices can detect this signal and anonymously relay the location to a central server. If widely implemented in Android devices, this feature could significantly improve recovery rates. 2. Mandatory eSIM Adoption The use of eSIM technology can play a crucial role in preventing the misuse of stolen phones. This makes it harder for thieves to disconnect the device from the network, allowing tracking systems to function for a longer duration. 3. Restricting power-off without authentication A simple yet powerful safeguard would be requiring a password, PIN, or biometric authentication before a phone can be switched off. Thieves power off devices immediately, cutting off tracking capabilities.
05 April,2026 08:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Bangur Nagar Police have arrested a serial molester with nothing to go on but his shadow on CCTV footage. The accused allegedly molested three women in a span of a couple of months, with the last incident occurring last week. “He targeted lone women while riding a motorcycle. As he passed by them, he would touch their chest or back and then flee,” an officer said. All incidents took place within the jurisdiction of Bangur Nagar police station. “We arrested the accused four days ago. He committed three crimes in the last couple of months in the jurisdiction of Bangur Nagar police,” said Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad. The suspect, police sources said, is a 25-year-old electrician who resides in Aarey Colony. “With no clear leads, we relied on minor clues like the accused’s shoes and his shadow captured in CCTV footage to track him down. He fled on a motorcycle after committing the crimes, but the vehicle’s number plate was not clearly visible in footage,” said an officer. The footage showed him heading to Aarey, so they focused investigations there. But once again, CCTV footage only shows his shadow. The police followed this shadow all the way to his neighbourhood, where they found his bike. They then watched the bike for eight hours, until he showed up, at which point they arrested him. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and one more similar offence under the jurisdiction of Samta Nagar police. “We are now probing further to determine if more cases are linked to the accused,” the officer added.
05 April,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
