In a major breakthrough in the Bandra East murder case, Kherwadi Police on Friday arrested the prime accused within 60 hours of the crime. Mid-Day first reported the incident on April 13, when Abhinav Kumar was allegedly stabbed in the neck by an unidentified assailant at Kalpataru Sparkle in Bandra East. A case was subsequently registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act. Accused held while trying to flee The accused, identified as Niraj Kumar Vilas Chaudhary (31), was apprehended at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport while attempting to flee. He is currently in police custody. Love angle behind murder Police said the victim was in a relationship with a woman whose marriage had been arranged with the accused. Allegedly angered by her refusal to marry him, the accused, along with associates, tracked the victim in Bandra East and killed him. Chased across cities Considering the seriousness of the case, police formed two teams, which were sent to Nagpur and Kolkata. Investigators tracked the accused through technical surveillance, revealing he had changed trains multiple times while travelling from Mumbai to Kolkata. He was initially traced to Howrah Station but managed to evade arrest before attempting to flee to Delhi. He was eventually caught at the Kolkata airport with the help of airport authorities and later handed over to local police. Probe underway The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior officers from the Western Region. The accused remains in custody, and further investigation is underway.
17 April,2026 10:25 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentA man was seriously injured after a speeding biker crashes into his scooter in Mumbai's Bhandup, officials said, adding that the cops have launched a manhunt to nab the suspect. According to the police, a speeding motorcycle hit a scooter rider in Bhandup West and later allegedly fled the scene. The incident took place on Friday morning. The incident took place around 10 am near National School Road and Tank Road. The victim, 25-year-old Laxus Pathare, was riding his scooter when a high-speed motorcycle reportedly turning at speed collided with him. The impact threw him onto the road, causing serious injuries. Rider flees after crash According to the victim, the motorcycle rider also fell during the collision but got up and fled the spot instead of helping. Pathare said the entire incident happened within seconds and that the bike appeared suddenly before the crash. The motorcycle is believed to be a black and white KTM Duke, but the rider has not yet been identified. Injuries and Medical Treatment After the accident, Pathare initially felt pain but later went to a local hospital as his condition worsened. Doctors confirmed a fracture near his left wrist and said that surgery may be required depending on further assessment. Medical staff stated that the injury was consistent with trauma caused by a road accident. Police have registered an FIR under charges of rash and negligent driving and causing injury. Investigations are underway to trace the unidentified motorcyclist and establish the exact circumstances of the crash, said an official.
17 April,2026 06:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Vaishnavi ShettyThe police on Friday arrested a key accused in the Mumbai drug overdose case, taking the total number of arrests in case to eight so far. An another suspect was still on the run, said officials. Two MBA students had died due to suspected drug overdose while they attending a music concert in NESCO Centre at Goregaon. Key accused held According to the officials, the Vanrai Police have arrested absconding accused Subh Agarwal, who is suspected of supplying drugs linked to the incident. His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, sources said. Agarwal is expected to be produced before a court in Borivali on Friday, following which further probe would be followed. One suspect on the run Police officials stated that another accused, Ayush Sahitya, is still on the run. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.
17 April,2026 02:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Thane Police in Maharashtra have registered a case against a company, its directors for allegedly duping investors and have launched a high-level probe into the matter, officials said, reported the PTI. According to the police, the alleged fraud exceeds Rs 4.31 crore. The company and its directors reportedly deceived investors through multiple financial schemes. The suspected scam is believed to have taken place over several years, the news agency reported. Investment scam The officials said that the accused lured investors between 2017 and 2022 by promoting schemes that promised unusually high returns. After collecting substantial sums for investors, they allegedly failed to repay both the assured profits and the original invested amounts upon maturity, as per the PTI. One complainant has reported a personal loss of Rs 24.82 lakh. The officials estimate that the total fraud amount, involving multiple investors, stands at approximately Rs 4.31 crore. Legal action under MPID Act According to the PTI, the case has been registered under the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act (MPID) following a complaint filed on April 13. Officials said that a detailed probe is underway to trace the funds and identify the full extent of the alleged fraud. ‘Swindler’ dupes 500 women of Rs 2 crore in romance scam, held Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 35-year-old man who allegedly duped over 500 women across the country of more than Rs 2 crore by using fake social media or dating app profiles was held by the Delhi Police, officials said, reported the PTI. According to the officials, the man allegedly posed as a doctor, lawyer, film producer, model and businessman to dupe the women. He reportedly lured women with emotional stories and promises of marriage just to later dupe them. The accused, Anand Kumar, was arrested by a team of southwest cyber police for allegedly running an organised network of romance scams, honey-trapping and online blackmail targeting women through dating and matrimonial platforms, DCP (Southwest) Amit Goel said, as per the PTI. Further investigations in the matter was ongoing, said the official. (with PTI inputs)
17 April,2026 02:18 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentUnder the cover of darkness, when Kandivali East’s roadside fruit stalls fell silent, a thief, identified as Ravi Chaurasia, a Mira Road resident, would move in — not just to steal, but to stock his own business. For months, crates of the freshest and most expensive fruits vanished overnight, only to reappear 10 km away in Mira Road, where the accused allegedly sold them in plain sight from his own stall — until a trail of complaints by multiple local vendors and one auto-rickshaw led police straight to him. The accused, Ravi Chaurasia, seen on CCTV during one of the alleged late-night fruit thefts in Kandivali East Modus operandi Police said Chaurasia would target roadside stalls late at night, break them open, and steal large quantities of high-value fruits.>> Theft carried out during late-night hours>> Expensive fruits picked>> Stock transported using an auto-rickshaw>> Goods sold the next day Approaching the stall: The accused, Ravi Chaurasia, is seen walking towards a fruit stall in Kandivali East during the alleged late-night theft; (centre) Attempting entry: The accused is seen trying to open the fruit stall The confession During interrogation, Chaurasia told police he transported the stolen fruits in his friend’s auto-rickshaw to Mira Road, where he set up a stall and sold them for profit. How the case unfolded One of the complainants, a fruit vendor from Ramnagar in Kandivali East, reported a theft on the night of March 31, 2026.>> Stock worth Rs 12,000 was stolen from a handcart parked outside a jewellery shop>> The fruits were covered and secured overnight>> The entire stock was found missing the next morning>> Police said a similar theft had taken place earlier in the same area, where fruits worth nearly Rs 72,000 were stolen Leaving the spot: The accused is seen walking away from the fruit stall after the alleged theft, as captured on CCTV From driver to repeat offender Investigators found that Chaurasia previously worked as an auto-rickshaw driver before starting a Chinese food stall in Mira Road.It was during this time that he came into contact with another individual involved in fruit theft.>> Initially sourced stolen fruits from a contact>> Began selling them for profit>> Later started committing thefts himself>> Police said Chaurasia conducted late-night reconnaissance in an auto-rickshaw along with an accomplice, who is currently absconding, before targeting stalls. Police action >> A team led by API Yogesh Raut tracked the accused by identifying the auto-rickshaw used in the crimes.>> The vehicle became the key lead, helping police trace Chaurasia through CCTV footage and local inputs.>> He has since confessed to the offences, police said. Court proceedings >> Chaurasia was produced before a local court, which remanded him to two days of police custody.>> Further investigation is underway to trace his accomplice and assess the full scale of the thefts.
17 April,2026 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanNESCO on Thursday issued an official statement in response to the ongoing investigation into the alleged drug overdose deaths at a concert held at its Goregaon venue, expressing condolences to the victims’ families while firmly denying any negligence. “Our heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and we sincerely hope for the recovery of the individual currently undergoing treatment,” a spokesperson for NESCO said. The company emphasised that the safety and well-being of visitors remain its top priority and stated that it is fully cooperating with investigating authorities. “We are extending our full cooperation to the investigating authorities and are providing all necessary assistance to support a comprehensive and timely inquiry,” the spokesperson added. Compliance with regulations, strict anti-drug policy highlighted NESCO maintained that it has consistently adhered to all applicable laws and regulatory requirements governing events hosted at its venue. “We have, at all times, complied with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and prescribed protocols governing events hosted at our venue. Adequate arrangements, including necessary safety and security measures, were put in place for the event in line with such requirements,” the statement said. Reiterating its stance against illegal activities, the company said it follows a strict zero-tolerance policy towards drugs. “NESCO maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards the possession, use or distribution of illegal substances within its premises. All attendees are subject to clearly defined entry conditions, event terms, and on-ground protocols, which expressly prohibit such conduct and place responsibility for compliance on individuals,” the spokesperson stated. Company denies negligence, backs staff The company categorically denied any lapse on its part or that of its employees in connection with the incident. “We wish to state unequivocally that there has been no lapse or negligence on the part of NESCO or its employees in relation to this incident. Our employees, Mr Sunny Vinod Jain and Mr Balakrishnan Balaram, have discharged their responsibilities in accordance with established procedures and without any wrongdoing,” the statement read. NESCO expressed confidence that the ongoing probe would corroborate its position. “As the matter is currently under investigation, we will refrain from further comments at this stage. We remain committed to cooperating with the authorities and ensuring that all events hosted at our venue meet the highest standards of safety and compliance,” it added. Drug overdose deaths: Police suspect large-scale supply racket at concert In a parallel development, Mumbai Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly supplying drugs at the same concert where two MBA students died due to suspected overdose. According to police, the accused, identified as Vinit Gerelani, is a student of a prominent south Mumbai college. With his arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to seven. A Borivali court has remanded him in police custody till April 18.
16 April,2026 11:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Vanrai Police have arrested one more accused in connection with the deaths of two persons due to a suspected drug overdose at a live concert in Mumbai, taking the total number of arrests in the case to seven, news agency IANS reported, quoting officers. Police said the seventh accused is allegedly linked to a larger syndicate involved in the supply of narcotics. He was taken into custody late at night and will be produced before a court. Authorities are continuing the search for the main accused, believed to be the key figure behind the distribution of drugs at large-scale events such as concerts and parties. Investigators said fresh details are emerging as the probe progresses into the deaths of two students who allegedly consumed drugs during a music concert held at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon. The investigation has revealed that drug consumption was not limited to before the event, but continued during the live concert as well. Police found that narcotics were transported from Kalyan to Mumbai through couriers, including porters, who then facilitated distribution among students. According to officials, a consignment of MDMA, commonly known as yellow pills, ecstasy or Molly, was supplied a day before the event on April 10. Mumbai NESCO concert tragedy: Students bought four MDMA pills for Rs 6,400 Police have also identified two arrested accused, Anand Patel and Pratik Pandey, as key figures in what they described as a major drug supply network operating in Mumbai. Both know each other and have allegedly been involved in such activities for several years. Investigators said Patel supplied MDMA before the concert, while Pandey handled its distribution among students. Police have also named another accused, Vinod Jain, who was reportedly aware that attendees were carrying drugs into the venue but allegedly allowed entry regardless. The students who died had reportedly purchased four MDMA pills for Rs 6,400, officers said. The investigation further found that drugs were delivered to Pandey at his hostel in the Charni Road area, from where he later distributed them among his circle. According to police, Pandey, a first-year MBA student, had easy access to fellow students, which enabled him to distribute narcotics without raising suspicion. He had reportedly been staying in a hostel in Mumbai, though both he and Patel are originally from Kalyan. Officers said Patel had earlier supplied drugs to the same group on previous occasions as well. Some of the students had allegedly attended events in areas such as Bandra Kurla Complex in October 2025, where drug consumption was also reported. Police further stated that Pandey gave four MDMA pills to the two deceased persons in exchange for Rs 6,400 and distributed the remaining pills to other members of the group. In her statement to police, a female student who is undergoing treatment said she had consumed a yellow MDMA pill during the concert. She recalled that after taking the substance, everyone was dancing, but she had no memory of the events that followed. Multiple police teams are continuing to investigate the case, with efforts underway to trace the wider network involved in the supply and distribution of drugs linked to the incident. (With IANS inputs)
16 April,2026 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a sophisticated heist that proves even the state’s high-security headquarters is not immune to cybercrime, a 55-year-old section officer at Mantralaya was swindled of Rs 1.11 lakh. The scam unfolded not in a dark alley, but through a series of persistent phone calls and a malicious WhatsApp link sent to her while she was at her desk. The Rs 73 bait The ordeal began on March 27 for Madhura Manoj Tatkare, who works in the Housing Department at Mantralaya. While attending to her official duties, she received a call from a man identifying himself as “Shashikant Verma” from Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL). The caller claimed that her gas connection was on the verge of being disconnected due to an unpaid bill. When Tatkare checked a file sent to her via WhatsApp titled “MGL GAS BILL Update.apk”, she noticed the amount mentioned was just Rs 73. Despite her protests that her connection was new and that she had not yet received any bill, the caller insisted that the digital update was mandatory to avoid disconnection. The digital siphon The trap turned out to be a classic malware scam. Under pressure from the caller, Tatkare followed instructions to navigate her phone settings and entered her consumer ID and debit card details into the fake application. The app appeared to be “loading,” masking the backend theft occurring in real time while she was still on the call. She realised something was wrong only after reaching her residence in Lalbaug. Upon checking her ICICI Bank account, she discovered that the supposed “MGL bill” had resulted in a massive financial loss. Within just seven minutes - between 4:53 pm and 5:00 pm - three transactions of Rs 82,906, Rs 25,004, and Rs 3,500 were carried out, wiping her account almost entirely and leaving a balance of just Rs 224. The Gujarat trail The Marine Drive Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and personation, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. Speaking to Mid-Day about the progress of the investigation, Investigating Officer Arpanna Vhatkar from Marine Drive Police Station said, “This is a case of cyber fraud. So far, we have not obtained any concrete leads. Our team will also be sent to Gujarat to trace the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.” Police have booked the unidentified holders of mobile numbers 8837046645 and 9029298275 and are currently tracking the digital trail of the stolen funds.
16 April,2026 10:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghMumbai Police arrested a 37-year-old man, a gym trainer turned 'godman' after locals in Malad complaint of performing occult rituals, officials said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Ridham Panchal, was taken into custody by Dindoshi Police following complaints against him. From gym trainer to 'divine healer' According to the police, Panchal had reportedly been working as a gym trainer before claiming that he possessed divine powers. He allegedly told people that he could solve personal and family problems, remove evil spirits and control negative events through “divine energy”. The police said that Panchal claimed to be possessed by “Bhairav Dev” and conducted late-night rituals and exorcisms. He allegedly asked followers to bring unusual items such as goat liver, black cloth, sesame seeds, cremation ashes, lemons, liquor and cigarettes. Some of these items were reportedly consumed, while others were disposed of in public places. Fear and intimidation among locals Police said the accused created fear in the locality by warning residents of serious consequences if they did not follow his instructions. During a public ritual event earlier this month, he allegedly claimed divine possession and performed exorcisms. When questioned, he is said to have threatened locals with harm. Residents file complaint Interestingly, none of the people who visited Panchal for help filed complaints. Instead, more than 60 locals came together to oppose his activities. They accused him of promoting superstition, disturbing public peace and spreading fear. A written complaint was submitted, prompting police action. Officials said they have received photographs and video footage of the rituals as part of the investigation. The complaint also stated that Panchal had been making such claims for nearly two years. The arrest Following the complaint, Dindoshi Police arrested Panchal and produced him before a local court that remanded him to police custody until April 19. Further investigation was ongoing, said an official.
16 April,2026 07:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Thursday approached the police and demanded that the techno music duo 999999999, also known as 9x9, must also be probed in connection with the suspected Mumbai drug overdose case that led to the death of two MBA students during a concert at NESCO earlier this month. The party has also urged authorities not to allow the artists to leave the country until the investigation is completed. An MNS delegation led by Milind Ghag met the Additional Commissioner of Police (North Region) to press their demands. The party’s student wing, led by Amit Thackeray, stated that it believes the performers should be questioned to determine whether they had any role in the incident. MNS leaders expressed concern that the members of the duo might leave India before the investigation is complete. They said the artists should be allowed to leave only if they are found to have no connection with the case after questioning. Suggestions for future events The delegation also suggested stricter measures for future events. These include mandatory CCTV coverage at concert venues and deployment of police personnel in plain clothes to monitor activities and prevent illegal acts. The case The duo had performed in Mumbai as part of their ‘Acid Storm’ tour, attracting a large crowd. However, the event turned controversial after two youths allegedly died due to a drug overdose during the concert held on April 11. The case is being investigated by Vanrai Police Station. Officials suspect that drugs were transported from Kalyan to Mumbai through courier services and distributed a day before the event. The officials believe the substances were consumed both before and during the concert. Arrests So far, seven people, including an event organiser, have been arrested in connection with the case. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network involved.
16 April,2026 07:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarPolice have seized more than 130 filled and empty LPG cylinders stored illegally at a godown inside a mall in Maharashtra's Thane city, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The cylinders were seized on Wednesday. Based on a tip-off, the police raided the premises and seized a total of 138 gas cylinders, of which 85 which were empty. The collective value of the cylinders of different gas companies is around Rs 4.48 lakh, senior inspector Sunil Warude of the Chitalsar police station said, reported PTI. A case was registered under various sections of the Essential Commodities Act and the Liquified Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order against the accused, identified as Attaullah Khan, he said, reported PTI. Thane woman loses Rs 54,000 in helicopter ride scam In another incident, a 34-year-old woman from Maharashtra's Thane was allegedly cheated of Rs 54,000 while trying to book a helicopter service for Kedarnath and Badrinath, police said on Thursday, reported PTI. The woman told the police that she was recently searching for Kedarnath tour services when she received an Instagram message offering rides to the famous shrines. Upon contacting the number mentioned in the message, the complainant was approached by a person who asked her to pay 50 per cent of the total amount as an advance, reported PTI. The woman then transferred Rs 54,000 to a Bank of Baroda account under the name "Himalaya Tour" based in Dehradun, police said. However, after receiving the money, the person neither confirmed the booking nor refunded the amount, reported PTI. A case has been registered based on the woman's complaint, and a probe is underway, the official said. Forest officials arrested in Thane over Rs 25,000 bribe Meanwhile, two forest department officials have been arrested in Maharashtra's Thane district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 to issue an NOC for a petrol pump, the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) said on Thursday, reported PTI. The accused have been identified as forester Vilas Shivaji Sanap and forest guard Rekha Gaikwad, both stationed at the forest department office in Kunda, Mamnoli, under Kalyan taluka, it said, reported PTI. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB) Anil Jaykar, the complainant had received a sanction to open a new petrol pump and required a mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) from the forest department, reported PTI. When he applied for the certificate, Sanap allegedly demanded Rs 50,000 to process the request. Following negotiations, the bribe amount was reduced to Rs 25,000. After being alerted, the ACB laid a trap at the forest office on Wednesday and caught Gaikwad while accepting the bribe amount on behalf of the forester. Sanap and Gaikwad have been arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a probe is underway, the official said. (With inputs from PTI)
16 April,2026 06:24 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
