A 59-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly preparing fake documents to facilitate the illegal sale of a Navi Mumbai plot reserved for public use by CIDCO, police said on Friday, the PTI reported. Police stated that the plot, located in the Koparkhairane area, had been reserved by the planning agency City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for public services and utilities. However, forged documents were allegedly created for the land, after which it was illegally sold, and construction activities were reportedly carried out on the site. Following a complaint, police launched an investigation and found that Prabhakar Atmaram Mhatre, a resident of Nerul village in Navi Mumbai, had allegedly fabricated the documents and facilitated the illegal sale of the CIDCO plot. He was taken into custody on Wednesday, an official said, PTI reported. Further investigation into the case is underway, the official added. Dream home turns nightmare as Mumbai Police crack fake flat racket Earlier in January, what seemed like a dream opportunity to buy “affordable flats” turned into a nightmare for many homebuyers, after Malad Police uncovered a well-organised property fraud racket that lured victims with under-construction apartments at unusually low prices. The police have arrested five accused in the case, while the alleged mastermind is absconding. The accused allegedly used popular real estate portals such as Housing.com, NoBroker, and social media platforms to post attractive advertisements offering flats worth around Rs 1 crore for just Rs 60–70 lakh. According to police, the gang’s biggest strength was the authenticity of its paperwork. Investigations revealed that one of the accused illegally procured flat-related documents from the registrar’s office, digitally replaced the real owner’s photograph with his own, and posed as the legitimate flat owner. “The documents appeared absolutely genuine. Once the buyer paid the advance amount, the accused would disappear,” a police officer said. In one such case, a 31-year-old complainant, Navaldev Narayan Rajput, a resident of Malad East, was allegedly cheated of Rs 30 lakh. The accused showed him Flat No. 1301 at Shubhashree Orchard, Zakaria Road, Malad West, claiming it belonged to one Poptlal. The deal took place between November 4 and December 23, 2025, and an FIR was registered on December 29, 2025. The case has been registered at Malad Police Station (CR No. 943/2025) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including provisions related to cheating, forgery, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, and misappropriation. (With PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 02:24 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentTwo suspects, including a man and his girlfriend, was held for allegedly murdering a man in north Mumbai and transporting his body to Chiplun in Maharashtra’s Konkan region for disposal. The investigation was launched after the remains of one Ejaz Qureshi—who was reportedly killed in Malad in November last year—were discovered on Tuesday, officials said, reported the PTI. The police recovered charred remains in a mango orchard in Awatewadi village of Rampur area in Chiplun, including bones, a ring, and an iron rod lodged in the victim’s leg. According to the PTI, within 24 hours of the discovery, authorities identified Vishal Khoddekar and his girlfriend Jannatunisa Khan as suspects. Khoddekar allegedly confessed to assaulting Qureshi during a financial dispute, resulting in his death. The conflict reportedly arose after Khan rented a property from Qureshi, paid a high deposit, and later demanded her money back. Attempt to destroy evidence According to the police, Khoddekar later returned to Chiplun upon discovering the exposed body and set it on fire using diesel in an attempt to destroy evidence. Both Khoddekar and Khan have been remanded in police custody for six days while the investigation continues. Mumbai Police nabs man accused in attempt to murder case after 45 years Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 72-year-old man was arrested from Sangli after being on the run for 45 years in an attempt to murder case registered in Mumbai, a police official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The Trombay police station official identified the accused as Popat Govind Vaydande, who was held from Ambegaon in Kadegaon taluka. The attempt to murder case registered in 1981 was recently reopened after a court sought a search report and directed absconder Vaydande to appear before it, the official said. "Our subsequent probe found he was externed from Mumbai in 1981. A tip off led police to Shenoli in Satara, where he once lived with a woman. This 74-year-old woman was found living in a hut under a railway bridge in Shenoli. She had left Vyadande due to the latter's alcoholism. Her daughter told police he might be in Sangli," the official said, according to the PTI. Vaydande was arrested from a field, and his identity was confirmed through a voter's ID card, the official added. (with PTI inputs)
03 April,2026 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA petty dispute over Rs 600 escalated into a horrifying incident in Pal Nagar, Kurar, Malad East on Wednesday afternoon, leaving eight to nine people injured with acid burns. What transpired A financial disagreement between a family dealing with imitation jewellery and a workshop owner spiralled out of control, leading to a heated argument. The situation worsened when a group barged into the plating workshop. Workshop owner Samar Bahadur Singh During the chaos, the workshop owner picked up a container of acid used for polishing imitation jewellery and attempted to throw it at the other group. In the struggle that followed, acid spilt out of the container, injuring nearly everyone present with acid burns. Senior Police Inspector Umesh Patil confirmed that all those injured are receiving treatment, and an investigation is underway. Background of dispute Singh runs a plating workshop for imitation jewellery. The Kanojia family, who deal in imitation jewellery, used his services. During an online transaction of Rs 26,000, an amount of Rs 27,000 was mistakenly transferred. After deducting Rs 400 as labour charges, Rs 600 was to be returned, triggering the dispute. How it escalated Sheetal Kanojia visited the workshop to demand the amount when the argument broke out. Later, her son, Mayur Kanojia, returned with friends, and the dispute turned violent. During the scuffle, acid spilt from the container, injuring everyone involved. Police arrest three Samar Bahadur Singh, 38 (workshop owner)Hemant Rathod, 20Nitin Dhobi, 24 Police action >> Cross FIRs registered against both groups>> Three accused arrested, more under investigation>> Injured admitted to hospitals; condition reported stable
03 April,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA courier operator and his UP-based associate allegedly ran a coordinated racket targeting gold traders by misusing the Value Payable Post (VPP) system, cheating victims of jewellery worth over Rs 70 lakh, police said. The LT Marg police on Wednesday arrested Daya Shankar Sharma, 39, a resident of Kalbadevi, who worked with a courier firm before starting New Bright Courier in Kalbadevi. His associate, Avdhesh alias Avinash Goldy — a jeweller based in UP — is on the run. Police said Sharma used his job at the courier firm to build contacts among jewellers and later targeted them. A police official said, “They first gained the trust of jewellers by completing small deals or making partial payments. Then they got them to send large gold parcels and avoided paying the full amount, taking the gold and cutting off contact.” VPP system The police said the accused exploited the Value Payable Post (VPP) system. In VPP system the courier hands over the goods only after collecting payment from the buyer and remitting it to the sender; no payment, no delivery. “The courier deliberately delivered parcels without collecting full payment to build confidence,” an officer said. Case 1 A 36-year-old wholesale gold trader operating from Sheikh Memon Street, was approached by Sharma, who introduced Goldy as a genuine buyer. Goldy first placed a small order of gold and made prompt payment. He then placed a larger order, following which the victim sent 217.56 gm of gold through Sharma’s courier. Payment was never made, and a cheque later issued by the accused bounced. Case 2 A 46-year-old jeweller from Nalasopara, alleged that he was cheated after being introduced to Goldy through Sharma. He sent 714.5 gm of gold jewellery via the same courier under VPP system. The accused were to pay in gold equivalent before delivery. However, while the accused initially returned 225 gm of gold and transferred R11 lakh via RTGS, followed by R1 lakh later, they failed to return the remaining 322.15 gm of gold worth Rs 31.57 lakh. Case 3 On April 1, police received a written complaint from a Zaveri Bazaar-based jeweller alleging a similar modus operandi by the same accused. A preliminary inquiry is underway, and a complaint is likely to be converted into an FIR. Courier’s role in scam The police said Sharma played a crucial role by leveraging trust built over years with jewellers and acting as the link between victims and the UP-based trader. “He specifically targeted his old clients and assured them safe transactions. In some cases, victims had clearly instructed that parcels be handed over only after payment, yet the accused bypassed this,” an officer said. ThreeNo of complaints so far against accused duo More victims fearedWith three victims having come forward so far, the police suspect more traders may have been cheated using the same method and have urged victims to approach them. Manhunt onWhile Sharma has been arrested, teams are working to trace Goldy in Uttar Pradesh. Police are also probing whether the duo targeted traders outside Mumbai
03 April,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerOne person was killed and two others injured after a man allegedly opened fire on a group of men he accused of teasing a woman he considered his sister in Maharashtra's Thane on Thursday, police said, reported the PTI. The shooting occurred at approximately 11:30 am at Bismillah Chawl in the Kailas Nagar area of Mumbra. Authorities stated that the accused, 51-year-old Jayan Shivanandan Nair, confronted the trio—identified as Abdul Hasan Sheikh, Akbar Abdul Sheikh, and Sameer Ahmed Sheikh—over their alleged misconduct toward the woman, according to the PTI. Senior inspector Anil Shinde of Mumbra police station explained that a heated argument quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Nair reportedly drew a revolver and fired at the three men before fleeing the scene. Casualties and arrest All three victims were transported to Kalsekar Hospital in Mumbra, police said. Akbar Sheikh succumbed to his injuries during treatment, while the other two remain hospitalised, as per the PTI. Police later apprehended Nair and recovered the revolver used in the incident. A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder and attempted murder, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Authorities are investigating the exact sequence of events leading to the shooting and tracing the source of the firearm used. Police confirmed that the probe is ongoing. Man held for firing outside hotel over ID proof dispute in UP's Saharanpur Meanwhile, in an another incident, a man was arrested for allegedly opening fire outside a hotel after a row over being asked to provide proof of identity in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, an officer said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The incident occurred on March 29 at a hotel along the highway under the jurisdiction of the Deoband police station. A group of individuals arrived at the hotel and requested a room, but when the staff asked them to present their identity documents, they refused and allegedly engaged in an argument with the employees, police said, according to the PTI. Circle Officer Deoband Abhitesh Singh told PTI that the accused not only assaulted the hotel staff and hurled insults but also fired shots outside the hotel, causing panic among those present, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
02 April,2026 03:54 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Thane Police in Maharashtra have booked a butcher for allegedly violating 'meat ban' order on Mahavir Jayanti 2026, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. According to the police, a case was registered against a 36-year-old butcher for allegedly violating a meat sale ban imposed on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. The suspect, a resident of Bhoiwada in the Bhiwandi area of Thane district, is alleged to have kept his shop open and continued selling meat products on Tuesday in defiance of official restrictions in place for the festival, police said, as per the PTI. Violation detected during police patrol According to an officer from the Narpoli Police Station, a patrolling team discovered the shop allegedly operating despite the ban. The suspect was found allegedly flouting the prohibitory order by continuing business activities, the news agency reported. An FIR has been registered against the individual under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to knowingly disobeying lawful orders issued by public servants. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing, as per the PTI. Itanagar civic body directs hotels to remove meat references from signboards Meanwhile, the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) has instructed all hotels and restaurants in the city to remove references to specific animal meats from their trade licence names and signboards, citing concerns related to public decency and prevailing sensitivities, reported the PTI. In a recent directive, IMC Joint Commissioner Datum Gadi stated that several establishments had been obtaining trade licences with names explicitly mentioning animal meats such as pork, chicken, beef and mutton. The civic body described such naming practices as “inappropriate” and not in line with norms concerning animal welfare and public sentiment. Invoking powers under the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 2019, the IMC has directed that all existing trade licences bearing such names must be revised to adopt more general and suitable business titles, according to the PTI. No new licences with meat references The civic authority also clarified that it will no longer issue new trade licences that include references to specific animal meats. Hotel and restaurant owners have been asked to update their signboards and promotional materials accordingly, the news agency reported. The order mandates compliance within 10 days from the date of issuance. The IMC has warned that failure to follow the directive will result in action under relevant laws and municipal byelaws. (with PTI inputs)
02 April,2026 12:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBeacon-style lights and ‘Police’ stickers have been removed from two sports utility vehicles in filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s private convoy after this newspaper brought the matter to light, following allegations that the automobiles were being made to resemble official police cars, raising concerns about potential misuse of authority. Responding to the controversy, Shetty’s spokesperson told mid-day, “Following the unfortunate firing incident at Rohit Shetty’s residence [on February 1], the police promptly implemented heightened security measures, protecting both his home and film sets. During the initial phase, police identification stickers were placed on certain vehicles as part of these arrangements, which have now been removed.” Shetty remains under police security, with two personnel watching over him, as the matter remains under active surveillance. “We sincerely thank the Mumbai Police for their unwavering support and cooperation during this difficult time,” the spokesperson said. Rohit Shetty, filmmaker. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE Sources in the know said that police personnel with weapons and security guards, often in plain clothes, used to occupy both SUVs. They were reportedly dressed like private security or bouncers, as uniforms could possibly deter people from approaching during public appearances. On-duty personnel accompanying the director will now don police uniform. Case details The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that two SUVs, were being used as part of his convoy, allegedly fitted with police-style lights and marked ‘Police’, despite being privately owned vehicles (registered with the name of Rohit Shetty as per RTO records). The SUVs were reportedly manned by private security guards. No reply by cops This reporter again contacted senior Mumbai Police officials concerned seeking what action was taken in this case, but received no response till press time. The pictures show embellishments which were later removed. Pics/Nimesh Dave (Before) and By Special Arrangement (After) Activist Speak Anil Galgali, Activist told mid-day ‘I have written a letter to the Mumbai police commissioner and the joint commissioner of police (traffic), seeking action against Rohit Shetty. This is a very serious matter, as displaying ‘Police’ on private vehicles and using beacon lights or sirens is strictly prohibited and punishable under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Amendment 2019). Such acts mislead citizens, undermine the authority of the police system, and can potentially create law and order issues. Strict action must be taken, as has been done in similar cases in the past.’
02 April,2026 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanFilmmaker Rohit Shetty is under scrutiny over splashing the word ‘Police’ and fitting police-style lights on at least two of his private cars, both Indian-made sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Shetty, 52, has directed some of the Hindi movie industry’s biggest hits of the past two decades, including the Singham trilogy, Chennai Express, and the Golmaal franchise, the fifth of which is currently being shot in the city. Both these acts are illegal and subject to punishment under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, as amended in 2019. No vehicles apart from those belonging to law enforcement are allowed to use these. Rohit Shetty’s convoy with the police sticker and other embellishments passes through an area in Mumbai for a shoot last week. Pic/Nimesh Dave mid-day has photographs of both the SUVs, and traffic officials confirmed that they belong to Shetty. Vehicle details as listed with the RTO. Pic/By Special Arrangement Police officials told mid-day on condition of anonymity that Shetty had not received the level of police security he had sought. One officer said, “His request is still under consideration.” No response from police mid-day reached out repeatedly to the top brass of Mumbai Police including Commissioner Deven Bharti; Joint Commissioners Satyanarayan Choudhary (Law & Order) and Anil Kumbhare (Traffic); a senior official from the Security and Protection department of the DCP of Operations; and the Mumbai Police public relations officer (PRO). No one responded until 10.30 pm on Tuesday, the time of this newspaper going to print. Filmmaker's spokesperson issues statement However, by Wednesday afternoon, Shetty’s Spokesperson issued an official statement, stating that the stickers have now been “discontinued”. The statement read: “Following the firing incident at Rohit Shetty’s residence, the police had implemented heightened security measures and provided protection. Identification stickers were placed during the initial phase which have now been discontinued. At present, Rohit Shetty continues to remain under police security, with two personnel deployed for his safety, as the matter remains under active surveillance. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Mumbai Police for their steadfast support and cooperation during this challenging period.” The well-regarded filmmaker and television show host was at the receiving end of extortion threats earlier this year, and a firing incident was reported outside his residence in the early hours of February 1. According to the police, the Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the February 1 shooting as well. A couple of weeks after the firing incident, Shetty wrote to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti asking for enhanced protection for himself and for the cast and crew of his upcoming movie Golmaal 5, which is currently being shot in Mumbai. The movie’s actors include Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shreyas Talpade, Arshad Warsi, and Tusshar Kapoor. Rohit Shetty’s convoy passes through a suburban area in Mumbai for a shoot last week. Pics/Nimesh Dave Legal implications A senior traffic officer said: “Writing ‘POLICE’ on private vehicles or using police lights is illegal. Only official police vehicles are permitted.” Records accessed by officers of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) reveal that both SUVs in question are registered in Shetty’s own name, not the police department. A senior RTO official said, “Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as amended in 2019, displaying a “Police” sticker, logo, or board on a private vehicle is a punishable offence under Section 177. This section serves as the general provision for punishing traffic violations where a specific penalty is not stipulated elsewhere.” An RTO inspector told mid-day, “Whenever such cases are brought to our notice, we alert the local police.” Activist responds Right to Information Act activist Anil Galgali who has exposed civic officials using police sirens told mid-day that the use of “POLICE” markings, unauthorised name plates, and illegal flashing lights are all serious violations of the law, and “a matter of grave public concern.” He said, “Such actions create a false impression of authority, mislead citizens, and undermine law enforcement agencies’ credibility.” He demanded that an FIR be registered against Shetty. “A high-level inquiry must be initiated to ascertain under whose permission, negligence, or possible complicity such misuse has been allowed. Clear and strict guidelines must also be issued,” Galgali said.
01 April,2026 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA stray dog was allegedly beaten to death at a housing society in Maharashtra's Thane district, prompting police to register a case against unidentified persons, officials said on Wednesday. According to PTI, the incident occurred at Bhoirwadi in Kalyan on Sunday night. Videos circulating on social media showed people walking with sticks in the residential area. The canine was later found dead in the society’s parking lot with signs of a struggle, an official from Khadakpada police station said. Complaint lodged by local feeder A local animal feeder lodged a complaint following the incident. Representatives of the Plants and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) also took up the matter with the police, PTI reported. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against unidentified persons on Monday under relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the official said. Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the culprits, he added. The incident comes just days after a separate case was filed against a resident of the same society. On March 27, a 43-year-old woman, an animal lover, alleged that the resident threatened to poison stray dogs following a dog-bite incident involving a minor. A case of criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered against him. Stray dog beaten to death in Jogeshwari West, Mumbai Police book duo In a similar incident earlier in January this year, two unidentified men allegedly beat a stray dog to death and dumped its body into a drain near Ajit Glass Garden in Jogeshwari West on Saturday. The Oshiwara police have registered an FIR and launched a manhunt to trace the accused. According to the police, the incident occurred around 4.15 pm when the duo allegedly assaulted a brown stray dog with bamboo sticks before throwing the grievously injured animal into a drain nearby. The dog reportedly stopped moving shortly after. Local residents, alerted by the commotion, reached the spot and rushed the dog to a nearby veterinary clinic, but doctors declared it dead during examination. Subsequently, a complaint was filed by Kumari Gunjan Shankar Ram Jaiswal, 18, a resident of the area. Gunjan told the police that she and her sister Lali witnessed the brutal assault. “One man was wearing a black T-shirt and the other a white shirt. They repeatedly struck the dog with bamboo sticks. The dog was badly injured before they threw it into the drain,” Gunjan stated. Gunjan told police that while she does not know the accused by name, she can identify them. She has demanded strict legal action against the two men.The statement was recorded at Oshiwara police station and verified by Assistant Police Inspector Dharmaji Dokhare. The police confirmed that a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway. According to locals, the dog was gentle-natured and posed no threat. The alleged motive behind the killing was that the dog “barked” and disturbed a few residents. Witnesses claimed that the accused attacked the dog while it was sleeping, striking its head repeatedly with sticks until it died. (With PTI inputs)
01 April,2026 11:30 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentIn a crackdown, the Daulat Nagar Police arrested two persons and seized 119 grams of MD (mephedrone) worth approximately Rs 5.95 lakh from Andheri West late on March 29. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Police Inspectors Avinash Derade and Sachin Khondre raided a room in a chawl near Usmaniya Dairy in Andheri West around 1.30 am. During the raid, 52-year-old Rehmatulla Jafar Khan and Arshad Razzaq Khan (31), both residents of the locality, were found in possession of the contraband and were arrested on the spot. Police have also booked an absconding accused, Arbaaz Muzammil Khan alias Nanu, for allegedly supplying the drugs. A case has been registered under Sections 8(c), 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985, at Daulat Nagar Police Station. The seized MD has an estimated market value of Rs 5.95 lakh. Further investigation is underway. Mumbai Police seize 37 kg ganja in Malwani, three arrested Mumbai Police on Tuesday seized 37 kilograms of ganja and arrested three individuals in Malwani during a late-night operation, officials said on Tuesday. The operation was carried out by the Malvani Police Station. The officials further registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. As per the police officials, the incident occurred around 3:00 am on March 31, when a surveillance team was patrolling near the Poonam Rose Nursery on Marve Road in Mumbai. During the patrolling, the officers noticed suspicious movement in the area and conducted a search, leading to the recovery of 37 kg of ganja allegedly meant for sale. The officials, while further asserting about the seizure, said that the seized contraband is estimated to be worth approximately Rs 18.5 lakh in the illegal market. Following the operation, the police have arrested three accused: Lavkush Phulchand Verma (28), Ankit Kumar Mansingh (24), and Situ Ramkumar Verma (24). The officials further said that all three accused are currently residing in Bhiwandi but are originally from Pratapgarh. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Nagarkar and on the directions of Sandeep Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 11). Further investigation is underway to trace the source and supply network of the seized narcotics, police added.
31 March,2026 10:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA British national who was a broadcast engineer, associated with the BCCI was found dead at a hotel in south Mumbai, the police said, adding that so far nothing suspicious has been found. According to the police, the 76-year-old British citizen was identified as Jan William Langford. He was found unconscious at the hotel in Mumbai on the morning of March 30, 2026. Langford, a broadcast engineer associated with BCCI and IPL, was immediately taken to Bombay Hospital, where he was declared dead, a senior Mumbai Police official said. Investigation A post-mortem examination has been conducted. An official said that nothing suspicious was found at the scene. The case has been registered as Unnatural Death at the Marine Drive Police Station. Further enquiries are ongoing. DCP Zone 1, Dr Pravin Mundhe, said that the investigation is underway. BCCI express condolences The IPL Governing Council and all stakeholders involved express their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Mr. Ian Williams Langford, a dedicated broadcast engineer, who was an integral part of our broadcast operations. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends back home. The IPL is committed to providing all necessary support and assistance to Mr. Langford’s family during this incredibly difficult time. The health, safety and overall security of every member involved in the smooth functioning of the IPL continues to remain of utmost importance.
31 March,2026 05:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerADVERTISEMENT
