Police have arrested a woman and detained a juvenile girl in connection with the death of an unidentified man following an altercation in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred on Sunday in Bhiwandi town after a quarrel broke out between the man, aged around 40, and the two accused over some issue, assistant police inspector Jayshree Anawane said, reported PTI. The accused -- an 18-year-old woman and the juvenile aged 17 -- allegedly pushed the man down from the slab of a police chowkie located at Dhamankar Naka, the official said, reported PTI. The man fell and sustained grievous injuries. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment, where he died after a few hours, she said. The police initially registered an FIR on charges of quarrel and causing serious injuries, but after the man's death, it was converted to a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official said. Further investigation into the case was underway. Young man found dead under suspicious circumstances, cops register murder case In another case, the police registered a case of murder against an unidentified person after an 18-year-old youth was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Prabhadevi area of Mumbai, an official said on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Anshu Verma, a resident of Kamgar Nagar. According to police, serious injury marks were later found on his face and neck, reported PTI. On Saturday night, Verma was found lying unconscious near the gate of Kamgar Nagar in an intoxicated condition. He was taken to his room, which was visited by his employer, Akshay Patil, police said, reported PTI. According to police, no visible injury marks were initially noticed, and there were no signs of any untoward incident. However, when Verma didn't wake up in the early hours of Sunday, he was rushed to KEM Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. During the postmortem examination, doctors found deep assault injuries on his face and prominent reddish pressure marks on the neck, indicating possible strangulation. In his complaint, Patil alleged that after he left the room, an unknown person may have entered the premises and brutally assaulted Verma before strangling him to death, reported PTI. Based on the complaint, Dadar police have registered a case of murder against an unidentified accused. CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas is being examined, reported PTI. Police said the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the final post-mortem report is received. (With inputs from PTI)
03 February,2026 12:23 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAmid a rise in the detention of illegal foreign nationals by the Mumbai Police, a new state-of-the-art detention centre is coming up in the bustling Bhoiwada area of Dadar East. Proposed by the Mumbai Police, approved by the Maharashtra government, and being constructed by the public works department, the facility is located a stone’s throw away from the Bhoiwada court and police station. The primary purpose of the detention centre is to house foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas, until arrangements for their repatriation are made. Currently, in the absence of a dedicated detention centre, the responsibility of housing detained foreign nationals rests with the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) of the respective police stations. “Since they are neither criminals nor accused persons, they cannot be kept in police lock-ups or judicial custody. Once they are produced before a court, the process of deportation begins, which often takes months and, in some cases, years. Until then, they are released with instructions not to leave the police station’s jurisdiction or the city. However, this system is unreliable. Many attempt to abscond at the first opportunity,” a police officer said. Echoing these concerns, another officer said, “This is why the detention centre is crucial. Instead of overcrowding police stations, detainees will have a designated space to stay. However, for years, there has been little to no progress on the project.” Police officers describe the current arrangement as challenging, citing security and custody concerns. They clarified that the proposed detention centre will be different from a prison, with plans for recreational areas, basic amenities and a children’s play zone. Once completed, it is expected to house a large number of detainees. Mumbai Police officials also said that the number of detained Bangladeshi nationals has risen significantly, and in the absence of a functional detention centre, the police face difficulties in holding them securely until their deportation. Reason for delay A senior Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) official explained the delay in the detention centre becoming operational. “Once a foreign national is detained, they are produced before a court. If the person has committed a criminal offence, they are remanded in police custody. In most cases, however, they are detainees and not accused. The court sends them to a detention centre, where they remain until the deportation process is completed. Since detainees are technically under judicial custody, police personnel cannot be deployed there. As per law, the centre requires staff from the social welfare or justice departments, not the police. This need for a large number of such personnel is one of the key reasons for the delay,” the official said. Despite the need, there is still no clarity on when the detention centre will be made operational. Crackdown intensifying Mumbai Police data show a steady rise in action against illegal foreign nationals, particularly Bangladeshi nationals. In 2025, around 1000 Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Mumbai. In 2024, nearly 300 were detained, with about 160 deported. The numbers in 2023 were considerably lower, running into double digits, highlighting the sharp escalation in recent enforcement drives. Police personnel booked for stealing In a rare development during the recent crackdown on illegal immigration, an FIR was registered against police personnel attached to the RCF police station in Chembur following allegations of misconduct during an anti-infiltration operation. Four Anti-Terrorism Cell personnel were arrested and later suspended after a complaint alleged that cash and gold jewellery were taken during a raid on a woman suspected to be a Bangladeshi national. The complaint was filed by a social activist on the woman’s behalf, and the case is currently under investigation.
03 February,2026 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerKandivali police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly duping ATM users by swapping their cards and withdrawing money from other accounts. The accused, identified as Syed Kalamuddin Khan, a tours and travels driver from Sakinaka, Andheri East, was detained at Mumbai airport on January 30 following a police tip-off. Police recovered Rs 6900 cash from his possession. According to the police, Khan would visit ATM centres in a WagonR car wearing a helmet to hide his identity. On the pretext of helping, he would exchange their ATM cards and later withdraw cash from other machines. Investigations revealed multiple similar cases linked to him across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and other districts. According to the police, the latest incident occurred on January 13 between 12.35 pm and 12.55 pm at a Bank of Baroda ATM on SV Road, Kandivali West. The complainant, while setting his ATM PIN, was distracted, allowing the accused to swap the card. Khan later withdrew Rs 50,000, resulting in a loss. Based on the complaint, Kandivali police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) the same day. Under the guidance of Senior Inspector Karan Sonkawade a team led by PSI Nitin Satam, along with Police Personnel Pravin Jopale, Rajendra Gautam, Swapnil Jogalpure, Sudhir Nadkar, and Pravin Waghmare. The crime detection team of Dadar police station, led by Assistant Police Inspector Ram Sagade, provided special assistance in the case. “During the investigation, a police team reached the accused’s residence in Sakinaka, but the house was found locked. For three days, police personnel in plain clothes kept the place under surveillance. During this period, an informer tipped them off that the accused had gone to his native village in Uttar Pradesh and was returning to Mumbai by a flight from Varanasi. After obtaining the flight details, the police team was present at the airport and apprehended the accused as soon as he arrived”, said an officer from Kandivali police station. The accused has been remanded to police custody till Feb 2, 2026.
03 February,2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Mumbai Anti-Extortion Cell has arrested four persons from Pune in connection with the firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Juhu. Police have also seized the two-wheeler used in the crime. Investigators have established that the arrested accused were in contact with Shubham Lonkar, a resident of Akola and an alleged member of the Bishnoi gang, who police say masterminded the firing. Lonkar later claimed responsibility for the attack through social media posts. CCTV footage shows the suspected shooter walking towards Shetty Tower moments before opening fire. Pic/By Special Arrangement He is also one of the accused in the Baba Siddique murder case. Police said one of the arrested accused, Swapnil Bandu Sakat, was in direct contact with Lonkar and actively involved in planning the incident. Accused arrested >> Swapnil Bandu Sakat, 23, unemployed, resident of Vadgaon, Pune. Police say he was in regular contact with Lonkar and helped plan the firing. >> Samarth Shivsharan Pomaji, 19, a college student and resident of Gulmohar Society, Dhayari, Pune. He allegedly helped arrange money to purchase weapons and the two-wheeler. >> Siddharth Deepak Yenpure, 19, a delivery executive and resident of Amrapali Society, Dhayari Phata, Pune. He allegedly helped collect funds and arrange the two-wheeler. The entrance gate of Shetty Tower in Juhu, where five rounds were fired around midnight on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde >> Aditya Dnyaneshwar Gayaki, 19, a salesman and resident of Karve Nagar, Pune. Police say he purchased the two-wheeler for '30,000 and handed it over to the shooter. A fifth accused, the shooter, is still absconding. Police teams are conducting searches to trace him. What happened at the spot According to police, Rohit Shetty returned to his residence at Shetty Tower, Juhu, around 10 pm on Saturday. At around 12.45 am, he was on the seventh floor having dinner with his family. Two bodyguards and two police personnel were present as part of his security detail. Shubham Lonkar. Pic/By Special Arrangement CCTV footage showed a man standing outside the building. Security personnel initially mistook the sound of gunshots for firecrackers. However, footage later revealed the man carrying a pistol. Juhu police were alerted immediately, but the shooter fled on a two-wheeler. Police said the accused reached the Tulip Star Hotel junction, where a police nakabandi was in place. He took a U-turn, rode towards Juhu Church, abandoned the vehicle there, and escaped in an autorickshaw. How trail led to Pune During the investigation, police recovered the abandoned two-wheeler near Juhu Church. Details of the vehicle were shared with the Pune Crime Branch, which traced the original owner. The owner told police he had sold the vehicle for Rs 30,000 to Aditya Gayaki. Police said bank transaction records show that all four accused contributed money for purchasing the vehicle and arranging arms for the shooter. A police officer said the modus operandi was similar to the earlier firing incident outside actor Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments, in which the Bishnoi gang had also claimed responsibility. “Shubham Lonkar is the main conspirator in this case,” the officer said. Who is Shubham Lonkar? Shubham Lonkar is a resident of Akola who later shifted to Pune. Police said he was initially involved in farming and dairy-related work in Akola before allegedly entering arms supply networks. He was arrested by Akola police in January 2024 in a weapons supply case and later released on bail. Lonkar was also named as an accused in the Baba Siddique murder case in October 2024 and was suspected in the earlier firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence. Police said Lonkar had expressed a desire to join the Indian Army but failed to clear the examination. Investigators claim he later came in contact with Bishnoi gang members in Rajasthan and became associated with the gang. Lonkar and the shooter remain absconding. Further investigation is ongoing.
03 February,2026 07:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA baby girl was found abandoned inside a plastic bag in the refuge area of a high-rise residential apartment at Khar West. She was saved due to the prompt action by the Nirbhaya Squad of Khar police station, which rescued and admitted her to the Bhabha Hospital in ICU for treatment. The newborn was found in the refuge area of Om Nirman society located on 13th Road in Khar West. The baby was delivered seven months premature. The police complaint was filed by Sheetal Satish Mengde, a Nirbhaya officer attached to Khar police station. The distress call regarding the baby was received around 10.30 am on Friday, informing the police that a newborn baby girl had been found in plastic bag in the refuge area between 14th and 15th floors of Om Nirman building. “We rushed to the spot and upon finding the baby girl alive, rushed her to Bhabha Hospital,” a police officer said. During the investigation, the police found that a maid working in the society delivered the baby and had abandoned her in the refuge area. “When we checked CCTV footage of the society, we found a maid carrying the plastic bag in which the baby girl was packed. She abandoned the baby and left,” Assistant Police Inspector Santosh Kanse, the investigation officer, told mid-day. “When we interrogated the maid, we found that that she is unmarried and had affair with a man in the area. She got pregnant but didn’t have any knowledge of it for three months. She didn't inform anyone about it and started wearing loose clothes instead. On Friday morning, she started experiencing labour pains and delivered the baby at her home,” Kanse said. The API explained that she was afraid of the repercussions and decided to abandon the baby in the residential society. “The baby is out of danger. The 20-year-old mother is from Chhattisgarh and works as a maid in a society,” he said.
03 February,2026 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaMumbai Police on Monday said that it has arrested a notorious fraudster from the city airport for allegedly swapping ATM cards and cheating people. The accused had been allegedly cheating people at ATM centres by swapping their cards while pretending to offer help, an official said, adding that the arrest was made by the Kandivali Police. The police said that the accused used a WagonR car to visit ATM centres and wore a helmet to hide his identity. On the pretext of assisting customers, he would cleverly exchange their ATM cards and later withdraw money from other ATMs. Investigations revealed that several similar cases have been registered against him in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and other districts and states. The arrested man has been identified as Syed Kalamuddin Khan (35), a tours and travels driver and a resident of Yadav Mistry Chawl, Khairani Road, Sakinaka, Andheri East. Police recovered Rs 6,900 in cash from his possession. Incident at Kandivali ATM According to police, the incident took place on 13 January 2026 between 12.35 pm and 12.55 pm at a Bank of Baroda ATM on S.V. Road, Kandivali West. The complainant was setting the PIN for his ATM card when the accused distracted him and secretly swapped the card. The accused later withdrew Rs 50,000 from another ATM, causing financial loss to the victim. Suspect booked Based on the complaint, Kandivali Police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on the same day. During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the ATM and nearby government and private establishments. This helped them identify the accused and verify his criminal background. Police then kept watch on his movements. Acting on a tip-off from a confidential informant, the accused was detained from Mumbai Airport in the early hours of 30 January. Three-day surveillance led to arrest A police team visited the accused’s residence in Sakinaka but found it locked. Officers in plain clothes kept the house under surveillance for three days. During this period, police received information that the accused had travelled to his native village in Uttar Pradesh and was returning to Mumbai on a flight from Varanasi. The police team tracked the flight details and arrested him as soon as he landed, an officer said. Investigations underway The action was taken under the guidance of Senior Inspector Karan Sonkawade. The team was led by PSI Nitin Satam, along with police personnel Pravin Jopale, Rajendra Gautam, Swapnil Jogalpure, Sudhir Nadkar, and Pravin Waghmare. Special assistance was provided by the Crime Detection Team of Dadar Police Station, led by API Ram Sagade. The accused has been remanded to police custody till February 2, 2026. Further investigation is underway to find out whether he was involved in similar ATM fraud cases in other places.
02 February,2026 11:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanShubham Lonkar, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, has been declared a wanted suspect in the firing case at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Mumbai’s Juhu area, a police official said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. At around 12:45 am on Sunday, five shots were reportedly fired at Rohit Shetty’s nine-storey home, with one bullet hitting the glass of the building’s gym. Lonkar is also wanted in connection with the October 2024 murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was shot dead in Bandra East. According to police, Lonkar allegedly claimed responsibility for the firing incident in a social media post, reported PTI. A police official said the firing was carried out with the intention of killing the filmmaker, who was in his residence on the seventh floor of Shetty Tower, located on Road Number 10 at Mehmood Chowk. A case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Maharashtra Police Act, and Arms Act for attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and other offences has been registered at Juhu police station. The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has also initiated a probe. Four people have been arrested so far. Firing at Rohit Shetty's house Meanwhile, the accused who allegedly fired the five rounds at the filmmaker's home remain at large, and multiple teams have been formed to apprehend him and his associates, the official added. According to PTI, the arrested accused have been identified as Swapnil Bandu Sakat (23), Samarth Pomani (19), Siddharth Yenpure (19), and Aditya Gayki (19), all residents of Vadgaon, Dhayri, and Karve Road areas in Pune. These four are accused of providing the scooter used in the crime and offering logistical support. Sakat is unemployed, Pomani is a college student, while Yenpure and Gayki work as delivery boys for app-based services. One of the four has a prior case registered against him. "The weapon used is of good quality. The scooter was found abandoned near Kings Hotel on St. Joseph Church Road, Vile Parle West," the official said, reported PTI. The complainant in the case is a 31-year-old security guard deployed at Shetty's residence. Typically, the building is guarded by three private personnel and two police officers assigned to the filmmaker's security, the complaint mentioned. According to the complaint, two security guards were monitoring CCTV screens while one police officer was having his meal on the sixth floor when the complainant heard a sound resembling firecrackers. Upon checking the CCTV, he spotted a man wearing a black jacket and white pants, carrying a pistol-like weapon and firing, the official said, quoting the complaint. "After firing five rounds, the accused fled on a scooter. Five empty cartridges were recovered from the spot. Mobile phones of the four arrested accused have been seized. Investigations are also underway to trace the weapon's origin and how the shooter obtained it," he added, reported PTI. Police are also probing aspects such as funding for the crime and whether the accused carried out prior reconnaissance of the filmmaker's building. (With PTI inputs)
02 February,2026 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police on Monday said that certain social media handles were allegedly misrepresenting data and spreading rumours about cases of missing and kidnapped children in the city. The police categorically denied the claims and said that such posts may create unnecessary public panic and that the officials were in process of taking action against such misleading posts. In an official statement, Mumbai Police said that action is being taken, including the registration of FIRs, against individuals who are deliberately spreading false information on social media platforms. According to the online claims, the social media posts have claimed that the disappearance of minor children has become a serious crisis in Mumbai. The social media posts alleged that 12 minor children went missing within 36 hours from the jurisdictions of seven police stations, and that eight of them were girls. However the claims have been denied by Mumbai cops. The posts further claimed that FIRs were registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on suspicion of kidnapping, based on complaints filed by parents and guardians. "The registration of FIR against persons indulging in mischief and creating panic in society by deliberate false representation of data with respect to kidnapping of children is under process," a senior Mumbai Police official said on Monday. Certain social media handles are misrepresenting data and indulging in rumour-mongering regarding cases of missing and kidnapped children. We categorically deny these claims.Action, including the registration of FIRs against those deliberately spreading false information and… — मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) February 2, 2026 Social media posts suggested trafficking networks The social media posts also suggested that the alleged incidents pointed to the presence of organised child trafficking networks operating in Mumbai. However, Mumbai Police said these claims are false and misleading, and urged citizens not to believe or forward unverified information. The police stressed that such rumours can cause fear among the public and divert resources from genuine cases. Mumbai Police on Monday said that certain social media handles were allegedly misrepresenting data and spreading rumours about cases of missing and kidnapped children in the city. The police categorically denied the claims and said that such posts may create unnecessary public… pic.twitter.com/6qmxqyPhcJ — Mid Day (@mid_day) February 2, 2026 Appeal Sources said that the officials have appealed to citizens to verify information through official sources and to avoid sharing unconfirmed posts. In a social media post on its official X handle, Mumbai Police wrote, "Certain social media handles are misrepresenting data and indulging in rumour-mongering regarding cases of missing and kidnapped children. We categorically deny these claims. Action, including the registration of FIRs against those deliberately spreading false information and creating public panic, is under process."
02 February,2026 07:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday said that strict action against vehicle owners whose illegal parking obstructs fire-fighting and rescue operations in Mumbai. In such cases, a First Information Report (FIR) will be registered against the concerned vehicle owner. According to an official statement, the BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has issued clear instructions in this regard, stressing the need for effective and timely emergency response. The decision was taken after discussions at the commissioner’s office and official orders have now been issued. The BMC said that it has been repeatedly observed that unauthorised parking along roads creates major obstacles for Mumbai Fire Brigade vehicles while responding to fires and other emergencies. Fire engines, rescue vehicles, advanced equipment and trained personnel are required to reach disaster sites quickly. However, illegally parked vehicles often delay access, making rescue operations difficult and increasing the risk of loss of life and property. The civic body has termed the issue extremely serious, as even a short delay during emergencies can have severe consequences. FIR to be registered after completion of rescue work The BMC has stated that if, during a fire or disaster, loss of life, injuries or major property damage occurs and it is found that illegal parking caused delays in fire or rescue operations, strict action will follow. In such cases, after the emergency operation is fully completed, the fire officer or staff on duty will - - Take photographs of the obstructing vehicle - Record the vehicle registration number - File a direct FIR at the concerned police station with senior approval "The aim is to deter illegal parking, create public awareness and ensure faster emergency response," official said. Citizens’ complaints to be forwarded to cops The BMC further said that it has also prepared a system to handle complaints from citizens regarding illegal parking. If residents report unauthorised parking that affects emergency movement, the Mumbai Fire Brigade will forward the complaint to the concerned police station, traffic police department and the relevant ward office. The complainant will also be informed about the action taken, said Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar.
02 February,2026 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA man arrested in connection with a theft case managed to escape from police custody at a station in Maharashtra’s Thane district, officials said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred at Navghar police station on Sunday morning. The accused, identified as Abdul Wajidli Maniyar, a resident of Azad Nagar in the Bhayander area, had been taken into custody late Saturday night for his alleged involvement in a house theft in the Navghar locality, reported PTI. According to police, Maniyar fled from the lock-up around 9.19 am while routine cleaning work was being carried out inside the police station premises. A search operation has been launched to trace the absconding accused, officials said. Police have also begun an internal inquiry to determine how the escape took place and to examine whether there was any negligence or lapse in security arrangements, reported PTI. 18 laptops stolen from courier firm's godown in Thane; cops launch probe In another case, as many as 18 laptops valued at Rs 12.6 lakh have allegedly been stolen from a courier company's godown in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Monday, reported PTI. A consignment of laptops had been handed over to the courier company for delivery to Chennai and Bengaluru and kept at its warehouse in the Bhiwandi area, reported PTI. Some persons allegedly broke open the sealed computer boxes and removed the laptops between September 11 and 25 last year. To conceal the theft, the boxes were refilled with dummy material, an official from Narpoli police station said. The theft came to light after the consignment failed to reach the intended destinations and the boxes were later checked, he said. "On verification, it was found that 18 laptops valued at Rs 12,61,730 were missing," the official said, reported PTI. Based on a complaint by the warehouse manager, the police registered an FIR on January 30 against unidentified persons under relevant legal provisions. "We are examining the role of the courier company staff involved in handling the shipment and checking transport and delivery records," the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
02 February,2026 12:02 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Ghatkopar police have booked a man for allegedly posing as an Indian Navy officer and duping a family of Rs 2.01 lakh on the pretext of offering jobs to two daughters, officials said. A case has been registered against Vinod Vishnu Gaikwad following a complaint by a 40-year-old woman who works as a bus conductor with the BEST. Police said the accused approached the woman in early June 2025, claiming he was facilitating “offline recruitment” and promised clerical/office posts for her daughters. The job offers were allegedly made to the complainant’s daughters, aged 18 and 19. To build credibility, he allegedly showed what appeared to be official identity cards and appointment letters and spoke of formalities linked to recruitment. The complainant told police the accused then began demanding money citing various reasons, including medical certificates, uniforms, security deposits, hostel fees, and training material. In June last year, the family allegedly made UPI transactions of Rs 2,01,400 to accounts shared by the accused. Suspicion arose when promised joining dates were repeatedly postponed, and the accused stopped responding to calls. The complainant realised she had been cheated after independently verifying the claims and approached the police.
02 February,2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerADVERTISEMENT
