A 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 KhanCyber fraudsters posing as CBI officers allegedly duped a 42-year-old man from Maharashtra's Thane district of Rs 71.1 lakh after threatening to implicate him in a false case of harassment, police said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. According to the police, the victim, a resident of Dombivli, received a call in the first week of March from an unidentified person claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), reported PTI. "The caller told the complainant that he had sent abusive messages to women and that a case was registered against him at Ghatkopar police station, and that the CBI was probing the matter," an officer said. Subsequently, the two accused, posing as CBI officers, contacted the victim, alleging that his bank transactions indicated fraudulent activities. "The duo claimed that multiple agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), would investigate the case. They also sent forged documents, purportedly from the Supreme Court, to make their claims appear genuine," the officer added, reported PTI. He said that the accused demanded money in phases from the complainant to settle the case, assuring that the amount would be refunded. The victim shelled out Rs 71.1 lakh through online transactions, he said. The fraud came to light after the victim shared details of the transactions with his wife, who questioned the accused and verified the documents sent to them. On finding discrepancies, the family realised they had been cheated, reported PTI. A case of cheating was registered earlier this week at the Tilak Nagar police station under relevant provisions of the IT Act, and a probe is underway, the official said. Beed man duped of Rs 23.42 lakh in 'digital arrest' fraud; three held In another case, three persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.42 lakh by threatening him with 'digital arrest' in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The police recently arrested the accused, Prasann Ajay Kasat (31), his wife, Swati (26), and their aide, Sanket Deepak Beldar (22), from Jalgaon in connection with the fraud, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the trio allegedly posed as police officials and threatened to place the victim, Suryakant Munde, a resident of Parli Vaijnath, under digital arrest to extort money from him, reported PTI. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters duped the victim of Rs 23.42 lakh and diverted the money to their bank accounts, they said. The police traced the accused based on technical analysis, seized Rs 3 lakh cash from them and froze their bank accounts, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of their gang involved in the racket. (With inputs from PTI)
04 April,2026 05:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentBanned gutkha and tobacco products worth Rs 6.6 lakh were seized from a tempo abandoned on the roadside in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Saturday, PTI reported. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police found the tempo abandoned in the jurisdiction of the Navghar police station on March 31. Banned gutkha, pan masala, and flavoured tobacco products worth Rs 6.6 lakh were seized from the vehicle, the police added, noting that a case has been registered against the unidentified driver and owner of the tempo under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Mumbai Police seize banned gutkha worth over Rs 2 crore in Mulund, 10 arrested In a similar incident in January, the Mumbai Police seized banned gutkha and flavoured pan masala products worth over Rs 2 crore from Mulund, arresting 10 persons in connection with the illegal trade, officials said. Tip-off leads police to stockpile near Mulund toll plaza Acting on confidential information, the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7) received inputs that government-banned products were being transported in small vehicles and stored on vacant land near the old toll plaza close to the Paroli toll plaza in Mulund East. Following the tip-off, a team from Mulund Police Station conducted a raid at the identified location at around 6 am on January 8 under senior officers’ guidance. 14 vehicles seized, 10 persons detained During the operation, police seized 14 vehicles — including three Eicher trucks, 10 other vehicles and a car — and detained 10 persons allegedly involved in the illegal transportation and storage of banned products. A substantial stock of gutkha, chewing tobacco and flavoured pan masala of various brands was recovered from the seized vehicles. Seizure valued at over Rs 2.01 crore Officials said the banned products were valued at Rs 80,55,620, while the seized vehicles were estimated to be worth Rs 1,20,75,000, taking the total seizure value to Rs 2,01,30,620. The accused have been booked at Vikhroli Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Two accused identified, probe underway Among those arrested are Adil Abubakar Sheikh (37) and Siraj Unullah Siddique (30). Further investigation into the supply chain and network is ongoing. Senior police officials commended the Mulund Police team for executing the operation under the supervision of officers from the eastern region.
04 April,2026 12:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe leopard killing case took a dramatic turn on Thursday with two key accused — Anil Dhawade and Harshad Chandar Jadhav — surrendering before forest officials hours after their arrest. Their disclosures triggered a late-night crackdown, leading to two more being picked. This takes the total number of accused in custody to six. They were produced in court and remanded to the forest department’s custody till April 4. Anil Dhavde and Harshad Chandar Jadhav, the key accused arrested on Thursday Key confession Sources said the duo, residents from the periphery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), have revealed crucial details during questioning. “They may have carried out the actual killing” an official said. Preliminary inquiries indicate all six accused are from settlements along the park’s periphery and encroached forest pockets, though individual roles are still being verified. Dinish Pagora and Santosh Ghoshe, the duo arrested based on statements by the key accused Probe expands Forest officials will conduct a detailed spot panchnama inside the park today, recreating the crime scene with the accused at the exact location of the killing. Investigators are also tracing where the remaining body parts were disposed of. Sources said more arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses.
04 April,2026 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA former BMC corporator from Chembur has been booked nearly two decades later for allegedly contesting and winning a civic election from a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved seat using a fake caste certificate, in a case that has resurfaced after years of inaction. According to Chembur police, an FIR was registered on Thursday against Ramesh Suresh Kamble, 55. Police allege that Kamble fraudulently obtained a caste certificate in 1998, claiming he belonged to the Hindu Mahar community, and used it to contest the 2002 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election from Ward 192, a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste, on a Congress ticket. How case came to light The issue first came to light when the runner-up candidate, Rajendra Waman Waghmare approached the Caste Scrutiny Committee at Konkan Bhavan in CBD Belapur. Kamble challenged the decision in court, but both the Bombay High Court and later the Supreme Court upheld the committee’s findings, ruling the certificate to be bogus. Despite these findings, no criminal case was registered at the time. System wakes up Police said the present FIR has been filed based on Salunke’s complaint, which cites the earlier findings and court orders. The case was initially registered as a zero FIR at Belapur police station before being transferred to Chembur, which has jurisdiction over Ward 192, where the election documents were submitted. Kamble has now been booked under multiple sections of the IPC, including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and using forged documents as genuine. In a letter to the additional commissioner of police (East Region), Salunke alleged that despite clear findings, Chembur police had failed to initiate proceedings earlier. She termed police response “mechanical” and raised concerns over the probe, seeking that the investigation be transferred to the Crime Branch. Key numbers 20 years Delay before criminal case 4721 votes Votes secured by Kamble 3252 votes Votes secured by runner-up 4+ years Time served as corporator 1 seat SC-reserved ward allegedly secured with fake claim 1998 Caste certificate allegedly obtained 2002 Contests and wins BMC election (ward 192) 2005 (Nov) Caste scrutiny committee declares certificate invalid 2006 Term as corporator ends HC + SC Uphold certificate as bogus 2026 FIR finally registered
04 April,2026 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerADVERTISEMENT
