A 60-year-old woman from Maharashtra’s Thane district has been arrested for allegedly murdering her daughter-in-law following a dispute over railway employment on compassionate grounds and gratuity money, police said on Saturday, reported the PTI. On New Year’s Day, police were alerted about a woman with severe head and facial injuries lying near the Waldhuni bridge in Kalyan. The victim was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Case initially registered as accidental death An Accidental Death Report (ADR) was initially registered at the Mahatma Phule Chowk police station, and the body was sent for post-mortem examination, officials said. According to the PTI, the case took a turn when Latabai Natha Gangurde, the victim’s mother-in-law, approached the police claiming that her daughter-in-law, Rupali Vilas Gangurde (35), had been missing since 8 am. She later identified Rupali as the woman found dead near the bridge. However, inconsistencies in her statement prompted a crime branch team, led by Inspector Vijay Naik, to question her further. Dispute over gratuity and railway job Police said Rupali’s husband Vilas Gangurde, a railway employee, died in September 2025. After his death, Rupali received Rs 9-10 lakh in gratuity, which Latabai allegedly demanded. A dispute also arose over Vilas’s railway job on compassionate grounds. Latabai reportedly wanted her 15-year-old grandson to be considered for the post, while Rupali had applied for the job herself, reported the PTI. Conspiracy and murder Investigators said Latabai allegedly conspired with her friend Jagdish Mahadev Mhatre (67) to kill Rupali. On the night before the body was found, the duo allegedly attacked Rupali with an iron rod, killing her on the spot, as per the PTI. After the murder, the accused allegedly cleaned bloodstains, changed the victim’s clothes, and dumped the body near the bridge to mislead investigators. Police crack case within 24 hours Kalyan Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Kalyanji Gete described the crime as premeditated and driven by greed. “This was a cold-blooded crime motivated by money and control over a government job. The accused tried to mislead the investigation by filing a missing person report for the woman they had murdered. Our team solved the case within 24 hours,” he said, the news agency reported. Latabai Gangurde and Jagdish Mhatre have been arrested on charges of murder and causing disappearance of evidence, police added. (with PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 11:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai court on Saturday remanded the driver of a BEST bus involved in a fatal accident to 14 days of judicial custody, after rejecting the police request for an extension of his custodial remand, reported the PTI. Police had sought an additional five days of police custody for Santosh Sawant (52), citing the need for follow-up sessions related to his psychological evaluation scheduled for 4 and 5 January. Fatal accident near Bhandup Railway Station The accident involving a BEST bus took place on the night of December 29, when an electric bus manufactured by Olectra Greentech, operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, rammed into pedestrians near Bhandup (West) suburban railway station. The crash resulted in four deaths and left 10 people injured, officials said. Charges against driver Sawant was arrested by Bhandup police soon after the incident under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for negligent driving. He was produced before a magistrate’s court in Mulund after completion of his initial period of police remand. Defence opposes further police remand According to the PTI, opposing the police plea, defence lawyer Satish Rane informed the court that all required medical examinations had already been completed. He argued that further police custody could not be granted solely on the grounds of escorting the accused for medical follow-ups, as per the PTI. Court’s observations Accepting the defence argument, the court ruled that police custody was not necessary and ordered that Sawant be sent to judicial custody instead, the news agency reported. The court stated that the police are free to take the accused for psychological follow-up evaluations from jail, if required, as per the PTI. Bus driver denies fault, blames handbrake lapse Meanwhile, the police officers investigating the Bhandup BEST bus mishap had earlier said that the arrested driver continued to deny responsibility during his interrogation over the past two days, claiming the accident occurred due to a lapse by the previous driver who allegedly left the handbrake engaged. However, police said that as per protocol, it was Sawant’s responsibility to conduct a mandatory pre-departure check of the vehicle before taking it on the road. “Regardless of what the previous driver may have done, the driver starting the shift is required to check the condition of the vehicle, including the handbrake,” a police inspector had earlier said. Previously, police had said that brake failure could be the reason for the crash. Police added that Sawant’s statement is being assessed alongside technical findings and CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the crash, which killed four pedestrians and injured others near Bhandup railway station on Monday night. (with PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Nahur-based woman lost Rs 3.86 lakh in a four-day online trading scam, police said. She was added to a Telegram group floated as a stock market investment platform, where members claiming to be trading mentors promised assured returns. The fraud began with small “trial trades” of Rs 120 and Rs 200, with fake profit screenshots shared to gain her trust. Encouraged by the apparent gains, she transferred larger sums between December 22 and 25, using multiple UPI IDs and bank accounts provided by the accused. When profits stopped reflecting and withdrawal requests went unanswered, she approached the police. Investigators have identified 11 bank accounts and UPI accounts allegedly used to siphon off the money. An FIR has been registered under the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions, and further investigation is underway. Money trail First stage (small transactions) Rs 93,700 Second stage Rs 1,93,130 Final stage (large transfer) Rs 1,00,000 Total amount lost: Rs 3,86,830 Accounts used: 11 bank and UPI accounts Police advisory . Do not trust trading tips or investment offers on Telegram, WhatsApp, or social media. Be wary of platforms promising assured or guaranteed profits. Verify whether a broker or trading platform is SEBI-registered. Never invest based on screenshots of profits or testimonials. Avoid transferring money to multiple or personal bank/UPI accounts. Report cyber fraud immediately to improve chances of recovery. Helpline: Dial 1930. Online complaint: cybercrime.gov.in
03 January,2026 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe North Cyber police have arrested a 25-year-old from Surat, Gujarat, allegedly linked to a cyber fraud gang that duped a Malad-based businessman of over Rs 21 lakh by sending him a malicious APK (Android Package Kit) file designed to appear as a traffic e-challan message on WhatsApp. The accused, Hardik Ashokbhai Borda, is a BCom student who was running an online business selling weighing machines. Police said he played a key role in a multi-layered cyber fraud racket that targeted victims by posing as the Regional Transport Office (RTO). How it all unfolded According to police, the complainant, a 42-year-old businessman residing in Malad East, had travelled to Gujarat in November 2025 to attend a wedding in the family. On November 17, while he was busy with wedding engagements, the businessman received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number containing a file named “RTO Challan”. Believing it to be a genuine traffic e-challan, he clicked on the file to verify the details. Unknowingly, he downloaded an APK file, which gave cyber fraudsters remote access to his mobile phone and banking applications. Within minutes, R11,33,880 and R10,39,326 were siphoned off from his and his wife’s bank accounts, respectively. Hardik Ashokbhai Borda, the arrested accused, into whose bank account some of the money had been transferred The businessman realised something was wrong on December 1, when he visited the bank to update his passbook and noticed suspicious withdrawals. Bank officials alerted him to a possible cyber fraud, following which he immediately approached the North Cyber police and also lodged a complaint on the Cyber Helpline 1930. Money trail and arrest Investigations revealed that a total of Rs 21.73 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn from the couple’s accounts through multiple rapid transactions on the same morning. Of this amount, around Rs 8.5 lakh was traced directly to Borda’s bank account. Police said Borda subsequently transferred the money further using a credit card, pushing the funds into the second layer of the fraud chain to evade detection. Based on technical analysis, bank transaction trails, and digital evidence, the North Cyber Police tracked Borda to Surat and placed him under arrest. “Initial investigation shows this was a well-planned, layered cyber fraud. The arrested accused acted as a key link in the money-laundering chain,” a senior cyber police officer said. “We are now tracing the second and third layers of the racket and do not rule out more arrests.” The cyber police have urged people to remain alert and never download APK files or click on suspicious links, even if they appear to be from official sources like the RTO, banks, or courier services. ExpertSpeak Ankur Puranik, a cyber expert, told mid-day, “An APK is basically an application file used to install apps on Android phones. Normally, when you download an app from the Google Play Store, it undergoes security checks. But when someone sends you an APK on WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, or email and asks you to install it, that app is not verified by Google. Such files can be dangerous as they carry malware. Once installed, they can quietly access your contacts, photos, messages, OTPs, microphone, camera, and even banking apps. Many times, the user himself gives permissions without realising it, and the app keeps running in the background.” According to the police, the accused was part of a multi-layered racket. Representation Pic/iStock How an APK file can empty your bank account What happens when you install an unverified APK? Step 1: Permission trapThe app asks for permissions like:. SMS access. Accessibility service. Screen overlay. Notification access. Storage access. Most users click “Allow All” without reading Step 2: OTP & message theft. SMS permission allows the app to read OTPs silently. Hackers get your banking OTP before you even see it. Notification access lets the app read bank alerts without opening SMS Step 3: Full phone controlWith accessibility permission, the app can:. See everything on your screen. Read what you type. Auto-click buttons. Open banking apps. Change transaction limits. Perform high-value transactions remotely. Your phone starts working for the hacker Step 4: PIN and password capture. Screen overlay creates invisible layers. When you type in a PIN or a password, it’s secretly recorded and data becomes visible to cyber criminals Step 5: Remote control. Advanced APKs connect to a command server. Hackers control your phone in real time. Victims realise only after the money is gone Warning signs. App asks for unnecessary permissions. Phone slows down or heats up. Unknown apps running in the background. Sudden bank transactions Safety tipsRight: Never install APK files from WhatsApp or SMSRight: Download apps only from Google Play Store/Apple App StoreRight: Keep “Install from Unknown Sources” OFFRight: Check app permissions regularlyRight: Uninstall apps asking for unnecessary accessRight: Keep phone software updatedRight: Use a trusted antivirus
03 January,2026 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanMumbai Police on Friday marked the 'Police Day' by organising a special event to return stolen and lost mobile phones to their rightful owners. A special event was held by the police under the guidance of Dr. Mohitkumar Garg, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-II, and in the presence of Dr. Abhinav Deshmukh, Additional Commissioner of Police, South Region, officials said. During the programme, cyber officers, crime detection teams, and the zonal cyber lab of various police stations in Zone-II worked tirelessly using technical analysis to trace and recover mobile phones. A total of 200 mobile phones, with an estimated value of Rs 40 lakh, were identified and returned to their owners, police said. Complainants express gratitude After receiving their devices, the complainants expressed sincere appreciation for the Mumbai Police’s efficiency and prompt service, officials said. On Police Day, Mumbai Police reaffirmed their commitment to citizen safety and effective complaint resolution, highlighting that with additional modern technology it has enhanced its ability for public service.
02 January,2026 09:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA shocking incident unfolded in Mumbai's Santacruz area on New Year's Day when a woman allegedly called her lover to her home and then attacked him with a knife, stabbing him in his private parts, reported news agency ANI. The victim has been identified as Joginder Mahto, reported ANI. In his statement to the police, the victim said that his girlfriend was married and that they had been in a relationship before her marriage. However, they had separated after she got married, reported ANI. Even after her marriage, the woman repeatedly called Joginder and asked him to meet her, but he refused, citing his children as the reason. However, on New Year's Day, the woman deliberately called her former lover to her house and then attacked him with a knife, stabbing him in his private parts. The victim managed to escape from the woman's house and went to the hospital for treatment. The hospital authorities informed the Mumbai police, who then went to the hospital and recorded the victim's statement, reported ANI. He told the police that his former girlfriend had called him to her house on New Year's Day and attacked him with a knife, stabbing him in his private parts. Police have registered a case, and an investigation is underway. Further details are awaited. Man stabbed to death in Delhi's Adarsh Nagar In another case, a 50-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death following a minor altercation in north Delhi's Adarsh Nagar area on January 1, police said on Friday, reported ANI. The deceased has been identified as Bihari Lal, son of Nakshe Lal, a resident of A-318, Lal Bagh, Azadpur. He was working as a tailor in Shastri Nagar, reported ANI. According to police, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of PS Adarsh Nagar, where a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) allegedly stabbed the victim during a verbal altercation. Police said the accused juvenile, a Class 9 school dropout, claimed that he acted in a fit of rage after being verbally abused by the deceased, reported ANI. Police further stated that an accomplice, a resident of D-Block, Azadpur, allegedly assaulted the victim by kicking him during the incident. The injured man was immediately shifted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial (BJRM) Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, reported ANI. The police have apprehended the juvenile accused, and the weapon of offence has been recovered from his possession. Efforts are currently underway to trace and arrest the second accused, reported ANI. A case has been registered vide FIR No. 02/26 under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at PS Adarsh Nagar. Further investigation into the matter is in progress, police added. (With inputs from ANI)
02 January,2026 10:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA cop from Maharashtra's Palghar district was booked for allegedly demanding Rs 50,000 from a citizen, while an official was held in Sindhudurg while accepting a bribe of Rs 22,000, ACB said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The accused cop, identified as assistant police inspector Sahebrao Shivaji Kachre, was posted at Gholwad police station in the district, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said in a release, reported PTI. A person filed a complaint with the ACB on December 9, alleging that Kachre promised not to arrest his brother-in-law, who was an accused in a case, if he greased his palm. "Kachre has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act after it was established that he demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 to refrain from arresting the complainant's relative and to remove his name from a case file," said the ACB release, reported PTI. The policeman will be arrested if needed, it said. Meanwhile, the ACB's Sindhudurg unit arrested an industry inspector while accepting a bribe of Rs 22,000 on Wednesday, officials said. Accused Pankaj Vitthal Shelke from the District Industries Centre in Oros had demanded the money to approve a proposal for a government subsidy concerning the purchase of a truck, reported PTI. Talathi caught taking Rs 2,500 bribe for issuance of income certificate In another case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday caught a talathi in Maharashtra's Latur district while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,500 in exchange of issuing an income certificate required to avail government pension schemes, officials said, reported PTI. The accused talathi, a revenue department official, has been identified as Kamalakar Vitthalrao Munde (52). He was posted at Gunjarga circle in Nilanga tehsil of Latur district, reported PTI. The complainant, a 38-year-old resident of Sonkhed village, had applied for an income certificate in the name of his mother. The certificate was required to avail benefits of the government's pension and other welfare schemes. The complainant alleged that Munde initially demanded Rs 5,000 for issuing the income certificate, but later negotiated down the amount to Rs 2,500. Based on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap on Thursday and caught Munde while he was accepting the bribe amount in the presence of witnesses at his private office. During personal search, the cash of Rs 2,500 and a mobile handset were recovered from him, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
02 January,2026 10:40 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA businessman from Maharashtra's Thane district was duped out of Rs 50 lakh allegedly by two persons who promised to supply cooking oil of a popular brand at reduced rates, an official said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The alleged fraud took place between August 2020 and May 2021, said the complainant, a resident of the Ambernath area. The accused persons have been identified as Pune residents Mukesh Pandey and Pallavi Raut, reported PTI. As per the FIR registered on December 31, the accused approached the businessman with an offer to supply cooking oil at rates lower than the prevailing market price. "They also assured him of substantial profits from the resale of the oil," the official said, reported PTI. Believing their assurances, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 50 lakh to the accused in several instalments. However, the promised consignment of cooking oil was never delivered, police said, reported PTI. "When the businessman later followed up for the supply or sought a refund, the accused allegedly avoided him and eventually became incommunicado. He then approached the police," the official added. Officials did not explain why the man filed the police complaint after so many years. Efforts are being made to trace Pandey and Raut, they said, reported PTI. Caretaker booked for swindling Rs 15 lakh from elderly man's bank account In another case, the police in Maharashtra's Thane district have registered a case against a caretaker for allegedly siphoning off nearly Rs 15 lakh from the bank account of an elderly man by misusing his mobile phone and digital banking facilities, an official said on Friday, reported PTI. The action against accused Rohan Rajbhar came on a complaint by the man's 33-year-old daughter, a resident of the Dombivli area, he said, reported PTI. "The complainant stated that the accused worked as a caretaker for her 69-year-old father between November and December 2025. During this period, Rajbhar allegedly gained access to her father's mobile phone and banking details and used them to steal money," the official said. According to the complaint, Rs 14,97,985 was fraudulently transferred to different bank accounts without the knowledge or consent of the senior citizen. The transactions came to light after the family checked his bank statements, reported PTI. A case has been registered at the Dombivli police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, the official said, adding that efforts are being made to verify the financial trail, identify beneficiary accounts and ascertain whether others were involved in the alleged fraud. (With inputs from PTI)
02 January,2026 10:08 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolice in Maharashtra's Thane district have registered a case against a caretaker for allegedly siphoning off nearly Rs 15 lakh from the bank account of an elderly man by misusing his mobile phone and digital banking facilities, an official said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The action against accused Rohan Rajbhar came on a complaint by the man's 33-year-old daughter, a resident of the Dombivli area, he said, reported PTI. "The complainant stated that the accused worked as a caretaker for her 69-year-old father between November and December 2025. During this period, Rajbhar allegedly gained access to her father's mobile phone and banking details and used them to steal money," the official said, reported PTI. According to the complaint, Rs 14,97,985 was fraudulently transferred to different bank accounts without the knowledge or consent of the senior citizen. The transactions came to light after the family checked his bank statements, reported PTI. A case has been registered at the Dombivli police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, the official said, adding that efforts are being made to verify the financial trail, identify beneficiary accounts and ascertain whether others were involved in the alleged fraud. Businessman cheated of Rs 50 lakh over cooking oil deal in Thane district In another case, a businessman from Maharashtra's Thane district was duped out of Rs 50 lakh allegedly by two persons who promised to supply cooking oil of a popular brand at reduced rates, an official said on Friday, reported PTI. The alleged fraud took place between August 2020 and May 2021, said the complainant, a resident of the Ambernath area. The accused persons have been identified as Pune residents Mukesh Pandey and Pallavi Raut, reported PTI. As per the FIR registered on December 31, the accused approached the businessman with an offer to supply cooking oil at rates lower than the prevailing market price. "They also assured him of substantial profits from the resale of the oil," the official said, reported PTI. Believing their assurances, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 50 lakh to the accused in several instalments. However, the promised consignment of cooking oil was never delivered, police said. "When the businessman later followed up for the supply or sought a refund, the accused allegedly avoided him and eventually became incommunicado. He then approached the police," the official added, reported PTI. Officials did not explain why the man filed the police complaint after so many years. Efforts are being made to trace Pandey and Raut, they said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
02 January,2026 09:59 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentOn the occasion of New Year’s Eve, a 25-year-old woman allegedly invited her lover and then attacked him with a knife in Santacruz East of Mumbai, officials said. She also allegedly attacked his private parts, leaving him seriously injured, they said. The Vakola police have registered an FIR against the woman who is currently absconding, police said, adding that a manhunt has been launched to nab the suspect. The victim has been identified as Joginder Lakhan Mahato (44), while the accused is Kanchandevi Rakesh Mahato (25). The accused is married and has two children, said an official. Police said that she was allegedly pressuring Joginder to marry her and leave his wife. Woman had been forcing the victim to leave wife and live with her According to the complaint, Joginder and Kanchandevi had been in a relationship for the past 6-7 years. Disputes reportedly arose when Kanchandevi began forcing Joginder to leave his wife and live with her, leading to frequent arguments. Due to the situation, Joginder went to his native village in Bihar in November 2025 and stopped communicating with her. Police said that during this period, Kanchandevi repeatedly called him and allegedly threatened him to return to Mumbai and marry her. Joginder returned to Mumbai on December 19 and met her again on December 24, during which he reportedly explained that both of them already had two children each. Attacked with a knife A police officer said, “In the early hours of January 1, 2026, around 1.30 am, while Joginder was returning home from work, Kanchandevi allegedly called him and invited him over on the occasion of the New Year. She was at home with her two minor children. The accused allegedly assaulted the victim and attacked him with a knife. Joginder managed to reach his home, after which his son rushed him to VN Desai Hospital, where he was admitted.” Speaking to mid-day, Senior Inspector Prakash Khandare said, “The accused, Kanchandevi, is absconding after the incident. The victim is undergoing treatment at the hospital. We are tracing the accused.”
01 January,2026 10:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday said that it busted a gold smuggling racket at Mumbai airport and seized 3.05 kilograms of smuggled gold. The gold was valued at Rs. 3.89 crore, officials said. DRI officers acted on specific intelligence suggesting that foreign-origin gold in wax form was being smuggled into India. The information indicated that the gold would be concealed either on a passenger or inside baggage arriving at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, on December 31, 2025. Based on this input, DRI officers kept surveillance at the airport. Gold hidden inside water tumbler An Indian national arriving from Bahrain was intercepted by DRI officers on December 31, 2025. During a detailed examination of his baggage, officers recovered twelve capsules containing gold dust in wax form. The capsules were cleverly concealed inside a water tumbler, showing a high level of planning to evade detection. 24-carat gold seized under customs act The recovered gold was found to be of 24-carat purity. The total net weight of the gold was 3.05 kg, and its market value was estimated at Rs. 3.89 crore. The gold was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the smuggling network. DRI reaffirms crackdown on smuggling The DRI stated that it continues to carry out intelligence-led operations to protect the country’s economic interests and curb illegal trade.
31 December,2025 09:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilADVERTISEMENT
