A Mumbai court on Friday acquitted seven accused, including five Haryana police personnel, in the alleged fake encounter of gangster Sandeep Gadoli in 2016, reported news agency PTI. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Kale ruled that the accused were not guilty of charges under Section 302 (murder) and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The detailed order is yet to be made publicly available, reported PTI. Encounter Took Place at Andheri Hotel in 2016 Gadoli was killed on February 7, 2016, in what was initially described as a police shootout at a hotel in Andheri East. He was a wanted criminal, facing more than 40 cases since 1999, and carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, reported PTI. However, the incident later came under scrutiny, with allegations emerging that the encounter was staged. Prosecution Alleged Planned Conspiracy Investigators had arrested eight individuals in connection with the case, including five police personnel, Gadoli’s associate Divya Pahuja, her mother, and rival gang leader Virendra Gujjar, reported PTI. The prosecution alleged that Gadoli had been lured to the hotel through Pahuja and was subsequently killed in a pre-planned operation. It claimed that Gujjar, who had a long-standing rivalry with Gadoli, conspired with the police officials to eliminate him. The accused police personnel included Pradyuman Yadav, Vikram Singh, Jitendra Yadav, Deepak Kakran, and Paramjeet Ahlawat, reported PTI. Evidence Presented but Court Finds No Proof During the trial, the prosecution relied on testimonies from 43 witnesses along with technical evidence such as CCTV footage, call records, and ballistic reports to establish a conspiracy. It argued that the accused used illegal firearms and fabricated evidence to justify the encounter. Despite these submissions, the court found insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted all the accused. Case Against Key Accused Abated Earlier The case against Divya Pahuja had already been abated following her death in 2024. She was murdered at a hotel in Haryana while out on bail in connection with the Gadoli case, reported PTI. This development had earlier impacted the proceedings, as she was considered a key link in the alleged conspiracy. Defence Claims Case Was Motivated Defence counsel, including advocates Vilas Naik and Vignesh Iyer, argued that the allegations against the accused were false and driven by pressure from Gadoli’s family. They maintained that members of the gangster’s family themselves faced serious criminal charges, including extortion and murder, and had influenced the case. With the acquittal, the long-running case has reached a significant legal conclusion, bringing closure to a matter that had remained under judicial scrutiny for nearly a decade. (With inputs from PTI)
27 March,2026 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that strict criminal action will be taken against those circulating obscene videos of women victims linked to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat on social media, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said more victims are coming forward in the case and additional FIRs are likely to be registered. The Chief Minister stated that all victims were being provided full protection, including safeguarding their identities. Kharat was arrested on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly over the past three years. During the investigation, authorities discovered several videos showing the exploitation of women. SIT probe underway A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government is currently probing at least six cases linked to Ashok Kharat, including allegations of rape, human sacrifice, and black magic. Two arrested, six booked in state Meanwhile, police in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district have arrested two persons, while six others have been booked in Nashik for allegedly circulating obscene videos of women victims linked to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat on social media, reported the PTI. Kharat was arrested on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly over the past three years. During the investigation, authorities uncovered several videos showing the exploitation of women. Officials said that some of these clips were later found circulating on platforms such as WhatsApp, prompting immediate action by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), as per the PTI. According to police, a resident of Kopargaon allegedly shared one such video on a WhatsApp group, which was then forwarded to others. Based on this, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Two accused have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace another individual involved in forwarding the content, police said. Six booked in Nashik Meanwhile, in a related development, six individuals have been booked in Nashik for circulating similar objectionable videos. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Ghughe warned that anyone sharing such content, including social media group administrators, would face strict legal action. Appeal from SIT IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute, who is leading the SIT probe, has urged the public, media, and social media users not to share or publish any videos of the victims. The SIT is currently investigating at least six cases linked to Kharat, including allegations of rape, human sacrifice, and black magic. (with PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Thane court has sentenced a 36-year-old woman to one year of simple imprisonment for assaulting an official of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) during a dispute over an electricity bill, reported PTI. In his judgment dated March 20, a copy of which was made available on Friday, Additional Sessions Judge (Thane) R S Bhakare also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on the convict, Jyotsna Mohan Pawar. The incident took place in January 2020 at the MSEDCL’s Diva office, when Pawar approached the office with a complaint about an “excess” electricity bill. Woman allegedly refuses to clear dues When assistant engineer Shashikant Udugade informed her that the meter linked to the bill was functioning correctly and asked her to pay the arrears, Pawar allegedly became enraged. She abused, pushed, and assaulted the official, the prosecution said, the news agency reported. Though Pawar claimed she was being falsely implicated to cover up alleged manhandling by the official himself, the court dismissed her arguments due to a lack of evidence. In the order, Judge Bhakare emphasised the need to protect public servants to ensure administrative efficiency. Public servants need safety for better efficiency, says Thane court “For better efficiency of public servants, they must have safety and security. Certainly, if public servants are provided a free and fair environment, their efficiency in carrying out public work will improve,” the court said, PTI reported. The court further observed that if the accused was not satisfied with the redressal provided, she should have approached higher authorities or taken legal recourse. While the accused had the right to seek redressal, she could not take the law into her own hands, the court said while sentencing Pawar to one year in jail. Cop injured after gang attacks him in Maharashtra's Thane, police slap MCOCA on suspects Earlier in March, police in Thane district of Maharashtra invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against four men accused of assaulting a local resident and injuring a police officer The case was registered on Monday in connection with an incident that occurred on March 1 in the Kalwa East area. According to police, the accused — Swapnil Madhvani, also known as Babu Kharkataya, and Sushil Kamble, alias Natya Bhai, along with their associates Bilal and Raju — allegedly attacked a man identified as Shafikul Sheikh, as per the PTI. An official from Kalwa police station said one of the accused reportedly brandished a knife in a public area, issuing threats and challenging anyone to lodge a complaint. When officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, one of them allegedly attacked a policeman and slashed his right thumb with a blade. The injured officer received medical attention, police confirmed. (With PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 12:56 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA 28-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Thane district was arrested on Friday for allegedly molesting minor girls, police said. The accused, who lives in Titwala area, is alleged to have inappropriately touched a 13-year-old girl on Thursday. The locals in the vicinity have alleged similar acts by the suspect in the past, the PTI reported. According to police, the girl informed her parents about the incident. When they discussed the matter with neighbours, some local residents also alleged that the accused had molested another child in the same area a few days earlier. The families of the minors then approached the Kalyan Taluka police station, following which a case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, an official said, the news agency reported. The man has been arrested, and a probe is underway, he added. After Ashok Kharat's arrest, woman files complaint against Palghar self-proclaimed godman, alleges rape The recent arrest of Ashok Kharat reportedly gave courage to a woman to file a complaint against a self-styled godman in Maharashtra's Palghar district, reported the PTI. She alleged that the self-proclaimed godman had allegedly raped her. He has been booked for allegedly raping the 35-year-old woman after posing as an incarnation of a deity, police said on Friday, as per PTI. The woman gathered the courage to file a complaint following the recent arrest of former Merchant Navy officer and self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Nashik, an official said, according to the PTI. The police said that the woman first came into contact with the accused through Facebook in 2023. In December that year, he visited the woman in Pune and allegedly deceived her by claiming he was an incarnation of Mahadev and that she was his “Parvati,” as per the FIR. As per the news agency, the complainant alleged that the accused took her to a lodge in Pune’s Manjari area, where he administered a numbing substance before raping her. He also allegedly took photographs of her without her knowledge during the assault. Helpline Numbers Child Helpline: 1098Women Helpline: 1091 (With PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 12:32 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe son of Dombivli school trustee was booked by the police for allegedly sending obscene messages and demanding sexual favours from a woman teacher, officials said, reported the PTI. Following the complaint, the police detained a 31-year-old man for harassing the teacher at the English-medium school in Dombivli area of Thane district in Maharashtra. According to the police, an FIR was registered against the accused at the Manpada Police Station. According to the police, the accused is the son of a trustee associated with the school. He allegedly sent inappropriate messages and video clips to the teacher and repeatedly demanded sexual favours, the news agency reported. Despite the victim blocking and ignoring him, the harassment is said to have continued. Issue escalates with political intervention The situation intensified when the teacher approached members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for support, according to the PTI. On Thursday morning, a group of MNS activists reached the school in the Sagav area, raising slogans and demanding strict action against the accused. Tense situation at school Tension prevailed at the school for over an hour as activists and locals gathered on the premises. Some members reportedly attempted to confront the accused before police intervened, reported the PTI. A police team arrived promptly and managed to bring the situation under control. Trustee responds The accused’s father, a retired professor and trustee of the school, stated that the law should take its course if his son is found guilty. Police said the accused has been detained for questioning, and statements are being recorded. Authorities are also examining digital evidence related to the alleged messages and videos, the news agency reported. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing. Man held for molesting girls in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 28-year-old man from Maharashtra's Thane district has been arrested for allegedly molesting girls, police said on Friday.The accused, a resident of the Titwala area, allegedly inappropriately touched a 13-year-old girl on Thursday, reported the PTI. The girl informed her parents about the incident. When they were discussing the matter with neighbours, some local residents also alleged that the accused had molested another child in the same area a few days ago, according to the police. The families of the minors then approached the Kalyan taluka police station, following which a case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the official said. The man has been arrested and a probe is underway, he added, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
27 March,2026 12:26 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday set aside the conviction and death sentence of a man in a 2017 rape and murder case, ordering a fresh trial after finding that he was not given proper legal representation during the earlier proceedings, reported the PTI. A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Sandesh Patil said that while the crime was "horrific and grave"and the 7-year-old victim's family was still waiting for justice, the accused could not be denied his "fundamental right to a fair trial," as reported by PTI. Lack of legal representation The court noted that the accused was not represented by a lawyer at crucial stages of the trial. From the framing of charges to the examination of key witnesses, he had no legal assistance. The accused had informed the trial court that he could not afford a lawyer and requested legal aid, but no counsel was provided. This, the High Court said, amounted to a clear violation of his fundamental rights. The judges observed that denying legal aid to someone entitled to it led to a “miscarriage of justice.” The bench also criticised the special POCSO court in Nashik for rushing through the trial. While acknowledging that the case was serious and required speedy handling, the court said this could not come at the cost of fairness. “Expediting a trial is important, but not at the expense of the principles of a fair trial,” the court remarked as reported by PTI. Fresh trial to be completed within 10 months The High Court has now sent the case back to the lower court for a retrial. It directed that all necessary precautions be taken to ensure that the proceedings are fair to both the prosecution and the accused. The court also instructed that the new trial be completed within ten months. Background of the case According to the prosecution, the incident took place in April 2017. The accused allegedly asked the seven-year-old girl to buy tobacco for him and chocolates for herself. When she later went to his house, he allegedly raped and killed her. In May 2019, a Nashik court convicted the man and sentenced him to death for murder under the Indian Penal Code, along with life imprisonment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. While granting relief to the accused, the High Court also acknowledged the long wait for justice faced by the victim’s family. The judges noted that due to the flawed trial, justice had been delayed for nearly nine years. “This is a case where till today justice was not given to the victim and her family,” the court observe as per PTI. The ruling highlights the importance of due process, emphasising that even in the most serious cases, the right to a fair trial remains fundamental. (With PTI Inputs)
27 March,2026 12:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 21-year-old man was arrested within 24 hours after he allegedly attempted to attack a 16-year-old girl with a sickle inside her college premises in Mulund on Wednesday morning, police said on Friday. According to the police, the accused, Ashish Gautam Bansode, and the victim were previously acquainted. On March 25 at around 9 am, Bansode reached the girl’s college in Mulund and confronted her. Police said the accused approached the girl from behind, grabbed her by the neck and questioned her for not speaking to him. He then attempted to assault her with an iron sickle (koyta), allegedly with intent to kill. A male friend of the victim intervened to protect her during the attack. In the process, he sustained injuries after the sickle struck the back of his neck. His timely intervention is believed to have prevented a more serious assault on the girl. Threats and public panic The accused also allegedly threatened to kill the victim and verbally abused her loudly, creating panic and fear among students and others present on the college premises. Based on the complaint filed by the minor victim, the Mumbai Police registered an FIR for stalking and attempt to murder under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. The accused was arrested within 24 hours, and the weapon used in the crime was recovered. Criminal bcckground Police revealed that Bansode allegedly has prior criminal antecedents, including cases registered at Badlapur police station under the NDPS Act and other offences earlier this year. The accused is currently in police custody, said an official.
27 March,2026 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Charkop police have busted a major racket that allegedly duped hundreds of people across Maharashtra under the pretext of securing loans through NABARD schemes for small-scale businesses. While one accused has been arrested, the mastermind remains at large. The case came to light after a victim was cheated of Rs 5 lakh with a promise of setting up a dairy farm under a scheme. Following a complaint, an investigation was launched and Shrikant Gavde, 37, a resident of Charkop, was arrested on March 17. Role of accused Shrikant Gavde was previously employed as a manager in a multinational bank but later came in contact with the absconding mastermind, identified as Anmol Thakre. Officials believe the Gavde is merely a middleman, and several such agents may be active across different districts. Cases across Maharashtra The accused not only operated in Mumbai but also carried out similar frauds in various districts in the state. Over the past five years, they allegedly cheated hundreds of people. Police have so far recovered around 280 files during the investigation, indicating fraud of over R40 lakh. The mastermind Anmol Thakre, the alleged mastermind behind the fraud, posed as a government employee and lured agents like Gavde by offering commissions. They would promise loans ranging from R25 lakh to R5 crore and demand an advance commission of around 10 per cent. Gavde would collect the money in his bank account, withdraw it in cash, and hand it over to Thakre. What are the schemes under NABARD? The NABARD scheme offers loan options to support rural development and agricultural projects The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is India's apex development financial institution. The NABARD scheme offers various loan options to support rural development and agricultural projects. These loans cater to farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and infrastructure development. Modus operandi The accused targeted people seeking loans for small-scale businesses such as dairy farms, poultry, and other ventures. They promised to secure government-subsidised loans under NABARD schemes and collected documents from victims. To gain trust, the accused would initiate fake registration processes for required licenses and approvals in the victims’ names. However, police said that not a single victim has reported receiving any loan. Investigation underway Police have written to the government departments concerned seeking verification of the claims. Preliminary findings suggest that no loans were ever sanctioned to the victims. Out of the 280 files recovered, 95 are currently in police possession, while Gavde has informed investigators that the remaining files were handed over to Thakre.
27 March,2026 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanIt began with a boyfriend praising another woman’s hair, but the compliment led to suspicion. In Versova, that suspicion turned into violence when a 21-year-old woman, believing her classmate was close to her boyfriend, allegedly went to the victim’s house with two friends, cut her hair, filmed it and threatened to post the video online. The incident took place around 12.30 am on March 25, nearly 18 days after an earlier confrontation where the accused had checked the victim’s phone but found nothing. A criminal case has been registered and being investigated by Versova police. A compliment that didn’t stay small In a college setting where all three knew each other, a casual compliment began to carry weight. The boyfriend repeatedly praised the victim’s long hair, something the accused, his 21-year-old girlfriend, began to notice and resent. What may have seemed harmless to one became a point of suspicion for another, slowly turning admiration into doubt. Suspicion turns into confrontation Days after checking the victim’s phone and finding nothing, the doubt did not settle. On March 25, past midnight, the accused arrived at the victim’s Versova home with two friends. What followed was not a conversation, but an escalation, an argument driven less by evidence and more by a belief that something was being hidden. When insecurity turns violent In the early hours, the confrontation crossed into violence. The accused allegedly dragged the victim out, cut her hair and had the act recorded by her friends, reducing a personal insecurity into a public act of humiliation. A compliment had spiralled into control, and control into a crime now registered at Versova police station The case at a glance Victim 21-year-old college studentAccused 21-year-old classmate, in a relationship since last yearTrigger boyfriend repeatedly complimenting the victim’s hairMarch 7 Phone checked, no evidence foundMarch 25 Haircut, video recorded, threats issuedThree accused involved Victim’s statement victim, ‘If someone likes my hair, what can I do? She is a psycho and doesn’t trust her boyfriend and fights with him regularly. I want her in jail.’ Expert view Dr Harish Shetty, psychiatrist, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital‘Intense jealousy, when mixed with possessiveness, can lead to emotional hijacking. A small trigger can escalate into violence when reasoning breaks down.’ FIR registeredThe victim approached the Versova police, who registered a case under: BNS 329(3), 329(4) 351(2), 3(5)
27 March,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Dinesh VaktaniaPolice have arrested a man for allegedly stabbing to death his 30-year-old friend after a dispute in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred around 10.30 pm on Tuesday at Jijai Nagar in the Moregaon area under Tulinj police station limits. According to the police, the accused, Pintu Thakur, and his friend Shubham Tiwari were consuming liquor when an argument broke out between them over a minor issue, reported PTI. "The accused attacked the victim with a sharp weapon, inflicting injuries on his head and neck. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead," an official from Tulinj police station said, reported PTI. Following the incident, the accused fled the spot. The police launched a search operation and arrested him from Nalasopara on Wednesday afternoon, the official said. "The accused was apprehended within hours of the crime. A case has been registered against him under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway," he said. Man held for killing neighbour in Thane In anotehr case, the police have arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly bludgeoning his neighbour to death in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Tuesday, reported PTI. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the Ulhasnagar area, they said, adding the motive behind the killing was not yet clear. According to police, the accused and the victim were residents of the same locality, reported PTI. The main accused, identified as Pappy alias Shubham Arjun Patil, along with an unidentified accomplice, intercepted the victim, Pravin Ashik Varma (28), near Birla Gate and allegedly killed him by using stones and bricks, an official from Ulhasnagar police station said, reported PTI. The victim's brother later lodged a complaint, based on which an FIR was registered under sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said, reported PTI. "After being alerted, a police team rushed to the spot and sent the body to a government hospital for a postmortem. We have arrested Patil and are currently searching for the second suspect involved in the crime," the official said. (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2026 01:07 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentIn a joint operation by Mumbai Police and the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), two Ugandan women were taken into custody on Tuesday for residing in India without valid documents, reported the IANS. The women have been identified as Nakayondo Rose, 37, and Kemigisa Proscovia, 26. According to officials, both women had been living in Mumbai’s Kalina area for several years but did not possess valid visas or the legal paperwork required to stay in the country. Police acted after receiving intelligence that the duo had been overstaying for an extended period. During the raid, the women were detained, and further questioning revealed they had continued to stay in India even after their permitted stay had expired. Legal proceedings under the Foreigners Act have now been initiated, and deportation formalities are underway in coordination with the concerned embassy and government departments, according to the IANS. Part of a wider national crackdown Authorities said this arrest is part of a broader effort by Indian police to track and deport foreign nationals residing illegally. Intelligence teams regularly monitor, verify and investigate suspected cases of overstaying, officials added. Earlier this month, on March 6, five Nigerian nationals found to be living illegally in Delhi were deported as part of a similar operation led by Delhi Police. In February, six Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Goa after being caught living without valid travel documents. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Goa, along with the Border Security Force (BSF), handled their deportation in a coordinated effort, the news agency reported. Large-scale operations in Mumbai Mumbai police have also conducted other operations against illegal immigrants. On February 25, Versova Police arrested 25 Bangladeshi nationals in Andheri West’s Yari Road area. Among those detained were 21 transgender persons, two women and two men. Authorities said most of them had entered India illegally several years ago, often via Kolkata, before traveling through Delhi and Gujarat to reach Mumbai. Police stressed that illegal overstaying adds pressure on local resources and infrastructure and strict enforcement of immigration laws is necessary to maintain law and order. (With IANS Inputs)
26 March,2026 11:15 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1774345145610_d.png "Bombay High Court. File Pic")
-1774502215203_d.png "Mumbai raids target foreign nationals living without documents. Representational Image")