A woman tarot card reader was allegedly extorted of Rs 2 lakh after being called to a bungalow in Aarey Colony under the pretext of conducting a fortune-reading session. According to police, a group of individuals called her to a location in the Aarey Colony area and introduced themselves as police officers and officials from the Crime Branch. They then threatened the woman with false allegations of involvement in drug trafficking and demanded money to avoid legal action, said police. Fearing arrest and harassment, the woman reportedly paid Rs 2 lakh to the impostors. Based on her complaint, Aarey police have registered a case of extortion and impersonation. One accused held, a search is on to trace others.
18 February,2026 12:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 24-year-old Malwani resident allegedly died by suicide on February 12, with his family accusing his wife, her relatives, and two associates of sustained harassment and abetment. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation. The deceased has been identified as Ajay Ramu Parmar, a resident of Ambedkar Chowk, Ambujwadi in Malwani, Malad. Family’s allegations Ajay’s mother, Sangeeta Parmar, claimed the couple was legally married and majors, but her daughter-in-law’s family continued to oppose the relationship. “My son and daughter-in-law were in love and married legally. But later, her family and others pressured her to return home,” she said. The family further alleged Ajay was threatened and pressured to end the marriage. Caste angle raised Ajay’s father alleged the marriage faced resistance because Ajay belonged to a lower caste while his wife came from a higher caste. “He was under tremendous pressure and depression. He was our only earning member,” said Ramu Parmar, demanding arrests in the case. Organisation reaction Mahendra Kale, Taluka President of Rashtriya Adivasi Manch Ekta, warned of protests if arrests are not made soon. “If police fail to act, we will launch an agitation, including a hunger strike,” he said. Accused named in complaint Wife: Khushbu ParmarAssociate: Anushka Chauhan, local political figureAssociate: Lalit Mishra, allegedly linked to a hardline Hindu organisationPolice said the probe is ongoing and all allegations are being verified. Marriage timeline Dec 22: Couple solemnises love marriage at Bandra court without parental consentDec 24: Police trace couple in Pune and bring them back to MumbaiLater: Wife returns to parental home following family pressureFeb 12: Ajay allegedly dies by suicide Case snapshot Name: Ajay Ramu Parmar, 24Area: Ambujwadi, MalwaniDate of death: February 12FIR registered: February 14Police station: Malwani Police Station Police response Senior Inspector Shailendra Nagar of Malwani Police Station confirmed: Case registered under relevant sections of lawStatements being recordedThreat allegations under examinationAll angles, including abetment to suicide, under probe“We are investigating the circumstances leading to the death,” he said.
18 February,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanAn NRI homemaker has accused a city-based developer of cheating her out of Rs 80 lakh by selling the same flat to another buyer after taking full payment. An FIR has been registered at the Oshiwara police station for cheating and criminal breach of trust. The complainant, Fazila Akil Mustri, 44, niece of fashion designer Riyaz Gangji, said she invested in a flat at the Royal Green SRA Residential Project in Marol, Andheri East, after making full payment between 2015 and 2016. Despite repeated follow-ups, she neither received possession nor a registered sale agreement. The issue resurfaced in December 2023 when the developer allegedly acknowledged receipt of the entire amount and assured possession, which did not materialise. Subsequent checks revealed that the flat had already been sold in 2019. After multiple failed assurances and a bounced cheque, the complainant approached the police. “I have also filed complaints in this regard with MahaRERA and other concerned departments,” said Gangji. Responding, the developer, Sameer Bhubhe, denied the allegations, claiming only Rs 55 lakh was received, possession of one flat was already given, and that the complainants must either pay the balance with a penalty or take back the amount paid. Case details >> Flat in Royal Green SRA Project, Marol>> Total amount paid: Rs 80 lakh>> Rs 45 lakh via bank transactions; Rs 35 lakh allegedly in cash>> Allotment letter dated April 13, 2016 What they said Police Speak>> FIR registered at the Oshiwara police station>> Notices to be issued to the accused and associates>> Investigation initiated Riyaz Gangji says>> Complaints also filed with MahaRERA and other authorities>> Builder promised a buyback but stopped responding>> Demands strict action to prevent similar frauds Accused>> Case registered against six persons, including developer Sameer Bhubhe Rs 35LAmount the complainant paid in cash
18 February,2026 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 22-year-old MBA student from Indore was arrested in Mumbai's Andheri area in connection with an alleged rape and murder case of a woman, officials said on Tuesday. The man was arrested last week by the Indore Police in Mumbai on charges of raping and murdering a 25-year-old woman in Indore. According to an officer from Indore Police, the accused, Piyush Dhamnodiya, an MBA student from Indore, allegedly strangled the 25-year-old woman to death following a quarrel between them and then fled to Mumbai. The incident took place on February 10 in his rented room situated in the Dwarkapuri area of Indore. The victim was also an MBA student at the same private college in Indore. According to statements from the accused’s neighbours received by the police, she used to visit him frequently at his house. “The accused and the victim were known to each other for the past some months,” said a police officer related to the case. A quarrel had occurred between the two Police stated that on the day of the murder, the quarrel occurred after the accused checked the victim’s phone and found chats in which she was speaking to other men, despite allegedly assuring him in the past that she would not do so. Indore Police, in collaboration with Mumbai Police, tracked down and arrested the accused near Andheri Police Station, a senior police officer said on Tuesday. Stayed in a hotel in Mumbai An Indore Police officer familiar with the matter said that after his arrest, the accused stated that upon arriving in Mumbai, he stayed in a hotel for a day and then travelled on local trains between Panvel and Andheri.
17 February,2026 10:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak MehtaA case has been registered against Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena corporator for allegedly manhandling forest department personnel and taking away a seized JCB machine during an anti-encroachment drive in Navi Mumbai, police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Monday afternoon at Ilthanpada, an area officially classified as reserved forest land. A team of forest officials had launched action against alleged unauthorised excavation and road construction within the forest boundary. According to an official, the forest team seized two JCB machines and detained the site supervisor at the location. Obstruction allegations While the officials were transporting the seized machines to their office, Shiv Sena corporator Mamit Chougule allegedly stopped them. He is accused of manhandling a forest worker and driving away with one of the JCB machines, according to the PTI. Based on a complaint filed by forest officials, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Chougule, his driver and the site supervisor under Section 221 (obstructing a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the news agency reported. Police said that no arrests have been made so far, and further investigation is underway. Leopard claws, canine teeth and sambar antlers seized in Junnar, two held Meanwhile, in an another incident, the Junnar Forest Division arrested two men for allegedly possessing and attempting to trade body parts of protected wildlife, including leopard claws and sambar antlers, officials said. The action followed a tip-off received on February 16, 2026, about wildlife contraband being transported near Manchar. A trap was set near Morade Foods Company, behind Jhatka Khanavali, where officials intercepted a white Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. During the search, the forest team seized approximately 3 kg of leopard claws, 3 leopard canine teeth and 4 sambar antlers, the officials said. The vehicle used in the offence was also confiscated. The arrested men were identified as Uday Shankar Surve, resident of Shirset, Shrivardhan, Raigad, and Nazim Karim Khan, resident of Vadvali, Shrivardhan, Raigad. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Sections 9, 39, 48(A), 51) at Manchar Forest Range (Offence No. WT-04/2026). Hunting, possession, transportation, and trade of protected wildlife species are serious offences, punishable with up to seven years in prison and fines, according to forest officials. (with PTI inputs)
17 February,2026 09:18 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 65-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death by her 15-year-old nephew and his friend after she scolded him over his television addiction in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Berhampur village in Vasai West on Sunday night. Police have detained the two minor boys in connection with the killing and further investigation is underway, an official said, reported PTI. The 65-year-old victim was found dead in her bungalow, where she lived alone, on Monday morning, Deputy Commissioner of Police Purnima Chowgule-Shringi said. She said investigations revealed that the woman had reprimanded her nephew, a school dropout, over his career path and addiction to television. Angered by the scolding, the teenager allegedly called his friend to the house. "The accused caught his aunt unawares and allegedly attacked her from behind with a wooden log and a bamboo stick. The woman died instantly due to the force of the assault," the official said, reported PTI. Minor boys attempted to hide body, escaped scene The boys allegedly attempted to hide the body under a bed but were unsuccessful and subsequently fled the scene, she said. The DCP said the murder came to light when the victim's daughter, unable to reach her by phone, sent her brother to check on her. He discovered the body lying on the floor. During the probe, police questioned the nephew, who allegedly confessed to the killing, she said, reported PTI. According to police, the minor had stolen from his aunt three months ago, following which she had deposited all her jewellery in a bank locker. A case of murder has been registered against the two boys, who have been sent to a remand home, the DCP added. Social media feud turns deadly in Beed; 23-year-old killed, two grievously injured A 23-year-old man was killed and two others were seriously injured in a knife attack allegedly triggered by a dispute over social media posts in Maharashtra’s Beed district, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday night at Ruinalkol village in Ashti tehsil. Two suspects, including a minor, have been detained in connection with the case, officials said, reported PTI. Deepak Nalkol died in the attack, while Balu Khodke and Shashikant Lambade are battling for their lives at a private hospital in Ahilyanagar district, according to officials. “When a palanquin procession of Lord Mahadev was underway on Monday night on the occasion of Mahashivratri, accused Nilesh Gujar (25) and a minor confronted the victims in front of a school. The confrontation stemmed from a long-standing grudge over provocative stories and status updates posted by them against each other on Instagram and WhatsApp,” an official said, reported PTI. During the heated argument, Gujar allegedly stabbed Nalkol in the back with a sharp knife. At the same time, the minor attacked Khodke and Lambade. Nalkol succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital, while the other two remain in critical condition, the official added. Following a complaint lodged by the deceased’s brother, Ashti police registered a case of murder and attempt to murder. The two accused have been taken into custody, Inspector Sharad Bhutekar of Ashti police station said. (With PTI inputs)
17 February,2026 08:19 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentThe Crime Branch of Mumbai Police on Monday arrested the main shooter, identified as Deepak Chandra, a resident of Agra, in connection with the shooting incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s house on February 1. In a multi-state operation, the Mumbai Police, along with the police of other states, also arrested six more accused, taking the total number of arrests to 12 people so far. While Chandra and five other accused were arrested in Haryana, one more accused was arrested in Uttar Pradesh. Police have identified the other arrested accused as Sonu Kumar, 20; Vishal Thakur, 19; Jatin Bhardwaj, 22; and Hritik Vinod Singh Yadav, 24. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty The cops are now tracing the main accused gangster, Shubham Lonkar, who claimed to be a gang member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and is also wanted in the Baba Siddiqui murder case. A police source said, “Chandra resides with his parents and sister in Agra. He came in contact with the Bishnoi gang members last year. Chandra doesn’t have any criminal records. He was unemployed for many years. He took training in firing from the other gang members.” During the investigation, the anti-extortion cell found that the main shooter was present near Shetty’s house along with the other arrested accused. Planned escape According to the police, after the firing, all the accused met at the Kalyan railway station, from where they escaped to Pune. Further investigations revealed that the accused, Bhardwaj, who is Chandra’s cousin, had given him Rs 1500 for travel expenses. After carrying out the firing, Chandra and Kumar fled to Agra, where they stayed at a factory in which accused Yadav works as a supervisor. Later, the duo travelled to Noida and stayed at Thakur’s residence. The accused persons had been on the run across various states for 16 days and were finally arrested in Haryana. Police custody Police said that following their arrest, all the accused were produced at sessions court, which remanded them to police custody till February 25. The weapon used in the offence is yet to be recovered, said police.
17 February,2026 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA 67-year-old homemaker from Malad was allegedly cheated of Rs 12 lakh in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, in which fraudsters posing as police and central agency officers kept her under constant virtual watch for six days. The trap Cyber police said the woman received a WhatsApp video call from a man claiming to be a Mumbai Police officer. Using a profile photo with a police logo, he alleged that a bank account opened in her name in Lucknow had been used to route '17 crore for terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir. She was told she had earned a 10 per cent commission and could face arrest and up to 10 years in jail. Fake documents, real fear To make the threat appear genuine, the accused sent forged Supreme Court orders, an arrest warrant and an RBI notice. She was warned that the case involved “national security” and told not to inform her family. Under ‘house arrest’ Police said the woman was told she was under house arrest, forced to stay on video calls and to report daily, saying, “I am safe.” “Whenever I panicked, he would calm me down and tell me to relax. I thought he was genuinely helping me. So I told him everything,” the woman said. Police added that the accused used fear to build trust. On day three, she was asked to break a '12 lakh FD and transfer the amount via RTGS to a Coimbatore account for “verification.” How it surfaced The fraud came to light after her daughter checked her phone and alerted the 1930 cyber helpline. An FIR has been registered. Cyber safety advisory >> Dial 1930 immediately to report cyber fraud>> Police never conduct “digital arrests” on WhatsApp>> No authority asks for a money transfer for verification>> Warrants are never sent via messaging apps
17 February,2026 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerDays after the Dindoshi police busted a fake government document racket and arrested two persons while also seizing 443 ration cards, a third arrest was made on Monday in which the police apprehended the owner of a government rationing shop in Andheri West’s Gilbert Hill area. The accused, Dineshkumar Premchand Kesarwani, 40, had allegedly obtained two ration cards from a person identified as Dayal. Larger scam unearthed Investigators say the probe has revealed evidence pointing to a much larger scam. According to officials, the fake ration cards were allegedly used to fraudulently avail benefits under various government welfare schemes, particularly medical treatment schemes. Police sources said verification of all seized fake ration cards is currently underway. Teams have visited multiple addresses listed on the cards. While some addresses were found to be non-existent, statements have been recorded from individuals traced at other locations, said sources. During questioning, several beneficiaries from the Malwani area in Malad allegedly admitted to using the fake ration cards to avail treatment in private hospitals under schemes such as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana, along with other government health initiatives. Most of the treatments included major procedures such as bypass heart surgery, angiography, knee replacement, and other serious medical interventions. Hospitals under scanner “During interrogation of a witnesses, we learned that teams operating in Mira Road and other parts of the city hospitals allegedly took money to create fake ration cards and helped beneficiaries avail scheme benefits using those cards. The agents operating from the hospital had charged Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 for arranging fake ration cards. Many beneficiaries give these charges cash as well as online transactions to the agents,” said an officer from Dindoshi police station. Several prominent private hospitals and agents have come under the scanner. Police sources indicated that this racket has been operating for several years, siphoning off crores of rupees from the government exchequer. Officials said the estimated loss is expected to rise further as the investigation progresses, and strict action will be taken against any hospital or individualfound complicit.
17 February,2026 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA seven-year-old boy residing in Bandra East fractured his arm while defending his mother and two teenage sisters from his late father’s brother and his family after the latter allegedly threw boiling water at them over a property dispute, on February 8. Sion hospital, where the family is convalescing. FILE PIC The child’s mother, 40, and her daughters sustained burn injuries in the attack and are undergoing treatment at Sion Hospital. The Nirmal Nagar police on Monday arrested two sisters in connection with the case and are on the lookout for their parents. On February 8 at 12.30 pm, the accused couple and their two daughters burst into the victims’ Bandra East residence, catching the seven-year-old boy’s mother and two daughters off guard. ILLUSTRATIONS/UDAY MOHITE The family The boy’s mother and father got married 20 years ago, but the latter succumbed to kidney stone-related complications last year. His widow was residing with her daughters, aged between 17 and 18 years, and son in a 1BHK flat. An argument then ensued, with the accused demanding that the victims vacate their home. This culminated in violence, with the accused assaulting the mother and daughters in a bid to get them to leave. Hearing their cries, the boy intervened, but his arm was fractured in the scuffle The accused The accused are the boy’s paternal uncle, his wife and their daughters, aged between 20 and 21 years. The Nirmal Nagar police arrested two daughters on Monday, and their parents are absconding. The seven-year-old boy who was brutally attacked by his father’s kin on February 8 (right) the boy’s mother, who sustained 25 per cent burn injuries, at Sion Hospital The strife After the husband’s death, the woman’s in-laws allegedly started harassing her, stating that their home should be handed over to them. Arguments turned violent many times, and the accused forcefully entered the house multiple times in a bid to evict its occupants. One of the child’s sisters, who received minor burn injuries to her face. Pics/By Special Arrangement The violence The boy’s mother sustained 25 per cent burn injuries, as per hospital officials. Her face, stomach, hands and left thigh were badly scalded. She will be shifted to Kasturba Hospital for further treatment. While one daughter received 7.5 per cent burn injuries to her head, hand, and wrist, the other received minor burn injuries to her face.
17 February,2026 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaAn Uttar Pradesh-based developer has alleged that a group of people have threatened him of dire consequences following an extortion bid at his under-construction site in Kandivali area of Mumbai. On his complaint, a case of alleged unlawful assembly, assault, and extortion has been registered after a serious incident at an under-construction site in the Charkop area of Kandivali West, officials said. The complainant, a 55-year-old businessman and developer, alleged that a group of individuals forcibly entered his construction premises. According to the complaint, the accused — said to be members of a state-level political party — allegedly forced open the iron gate after the security guard refused them entry. The guard was reportedly abused and physically assaulted during the incident, officials said. Rs 10 lakh demand and threats The group allegedly demanded Rs10 lakh from the complainant, warning that the factory would be shut down if the payment was not made. One of the accused is said to have spoken to the employer over the phone, claiming that the demand had been ongoing for six months. The accused allegedly suggested that scrap material be sold to arrange the money. CCTV cameras damaged Before leaving the site, the accused allegedly vandalised CCTV cameras and took away the DVR system. They also reportedly snatched a worker’s mobile phone, deleted video recordings of the incident, and later returned the device. Police investigation underway Police have registered a case based on the businessman’s complaint. The police are reviewing available CCTV footage and gathering further evidence to identify and arrest those involved. Further investigation is ongoing.
16 February,2026 09:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
