The Mumbai Police have formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior woman police officer to investigate serious allegations against Anant Garje, the personal assistant (PA) to Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde, in his wife's suicide case, the officials said on Thursday. Pankaja Munde is Maharashtra's Animal Husbandry, Environment and Climate Change Minister. Garje was arrested last month for allegedly abetting the suicide of his 28-year-old wife, Dr Gauri Palve. Gauri was found dead at the couple’s rented Worli residence on November 23. Following a complaint from her father, Ashok Palve, the Worli Police had registered an FIR and arrested Garje the following day. He was produced before the court and remanded to police custody until November 2. He remains in judicial custody. Senior police officers said that the SIT will scrutinise all the digital evidence, including messages, call records and photographs exchanged between the couple. “We are awaiting the detailed post-mortem findings to ascertain the exact cause of death and rule out any foul play,” an officer said. According to the FIR, Gauri had confided in her father about frequent arguments with her husband since their marriage in February this year. On October 3, she allegedly sent him photographs on WhatsApp suggesting Garje was involved with another woman. When she confronted him, Garje allegedly threatened to harm himself and blame her for it. The complaint also names a few of Garje’s relatives who, according to the FIR, were aware of the alleged affair and had told Gauri that if she left him, they would get Garje remarried. The SIT will now re-examine all aspects of the case, including the role of the named relatives, and verify whether sustained harassment allegedly led Gauri to take the extreme step, officials said. Need help? below are suicide prevention helplines- Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm): 84229-84527 Connecting NGO (From 10 am to 8 pm): 9922004305/9922001122 Snehi (From 10 am to 10 pm): 9376804102 1 Life: 7893078930 Aasra: 9820466726
04 December,2025 09:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilMumbai Police conducted raids on as many as nine travel agency offices in the Nagpada area of the city after receiving inputs on overseas employment allegedly without proper government permission, officials said on Thursday. The raids were conducted jointly by Mumbai Crime Branch and Protector of Emigrants (POE) after receiving reports that several operators were also allegedly misleading people with false promises, they said. According to the officials, during the searches, cops recovered 238 Indian passports along with employment letters, logbooks, rubber stamps, visiting cards and various forms commonly used for overseas recruitment. All items have been seized for further investigation. The action followed a complaint from the POE office in Bandra, which reported that multiple travel agencies were operating as unauthorised recruitment agents. Officials said these operators had allegedly been collecting money from job-seekers and offering foreign placements without the necessary licence from the Ministry of External Affairs. A joint team of the Crime Branch and POE carried out the operation. An offence has been registered at Nagpada Police Station under Sections 318(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 10 and 24 of the Immigration Act, 1983. The investigation is ongoing to identify affected complainants and uncover the full extent of the suspected job-fraud racket.
04 December,2025 09:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilThe Mumbai Customs on Thursday said that it seized hydroponic weed, gold and foreign currency in different operations at the city airport. In an official statement, the Mumbai Customs said that while acting on spot profiling and APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) checks, the officials intercepted four passengers arriving from Bangkok on different flights. They recovered 8.682 kg of suspected NDPS (hydroponic weed) worth about Rs 8.68 crore. All four passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985. In another set of operations based on specific intelligence, officers seized 16.797 kg of suspected hydroponic weed valued at Rs 16.79 crore from five passengers, also arriving from Bangkok. They too were arrested under the NDPS Act. Apart from drug seizures, the Customs team detected three gold smuggling cases, recovering 744.28 grams of gold worth Rs 81.67 lakh from three passengers. In another case, officers seized 12,000 US dollars (120 notes of USD 100), equivalent to Rs 10.53 lakh, from one passenger attempting to transport foreign currency illegally. Mumbai Customs stated that these seizures reflect continued vigilance and strong enforcement at the international airport.
04 December,2025 07:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 25-year-old photographer from Ahmedabad was allegedly duped by a man in Mumbai who fled with his camera under the pretext of testing it at an electronics showroom. According to police, the victim, Tayyab Abdul Samad Ansari, a resident of Ahmedabad, had posted an advertisement on Facebook on November 26, stating that he wished to sell his camera. The next day, a person identifying himself as Amit contacted him via WhatsApp, expressing interest in purchasing the device. He called Ansari to Mumbai for the deal. On November 28, Ansari, accompanied by a friend, met the suspect at Borivali railway station. The accused claimed he worked at a well-known electronics store in Borivali East and took them there for the transaction. He allegedly asked the photographer to hand over the camera so he could “show it to the manager and collect the money.” Taking advantage of their trust, the accused went upstairs with the camera and did not return. When Ansari inquired with the employees, he was informed that the suspect was not a staffer and had only visited the showroom as a customer. Despite searching the premises, the accused could not be located. The stolen items include: Nikon camera body with battery – Rs. 85,000Viltrox lens – Rs. 16,300Total value: Rs. 1,01,300 Since the crime occurred in the jurisdiction of Kasturba Marg Police Station, Borivali East, the Borivali GRP registered the case and transferred a Zero-FIR to Kasturba Marg Police Station for further investigation, said an officer from Kasturba Marg Police Station.
04 December,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanPolice have seized the banned mephedrone drug valued at Rs 51 lakh from a Nigerian national in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. Based on a tip-off, the police conducted a raid on Tuesday at Pragati Nagar in the Nalasopara area, reported PTI. They apprehended Uba alias Noso Uba Chinoso Wisdom (30), a Nigerian national residing in the locality, and seized 255 gm of mephedrone (MD) valued at Rs 51,10,000 from his possession, a police release said, reported PTI. The accused was arrested and booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the police added. Couple held with heroin worth Rs 2 crore in Mumbai In another case, a couple was arrested for the alleged possession of heroin worth Rs 2 crore in the western suburbs of Mumbai, police said on Tuesday, reported PTI. Based on a tip-off, the anti-narcotics cell raided the accused couple's house near Rashtriya Udyan metro station in Borivali East on Monday, an official said, reported PTI. The team seized 511 gm of heroin, worth Rs 2 crore, from the premises, he said. The couple has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the official said, adding that a further probe is underway. 8 months on, man wanted in Rs 1 cr drug seizure case in Maharashtra held from Gujarat Meanwhile, a man wanted in connection with the seizure of a drug in Maharashtra's Palghar district eight months back has been arrested from Gujarat, police said on Thursday, reported PTI. The police seized 324 gm of heroin valued at Rs 1.06 crore in March from Bolinj area in Palghar and then arrested three persons, including a woman, while Azmat Arif Sheikh (25) absconded, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode told reporters, reported PTI. The Bolinj police had registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and launched a search for the absconding accused. Sheikh, a resident of Saidutt slum in Palghar's Virar area, frequently changed locations along the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, the official said, reported PTI. Acting on leads, the police finally apprehended Sheikh on November 25 from Bhilad in Gujarat's Valsad district, he said. (With inputs from PTI)
04 December,2025 10:56 AM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentThe Kasturba Marg Police have arrested a builder and his son for allegedly duping dozens of investors and homebuyers of several crores by promising flats that were never delivered. The accused, Ashok Jethwa (55) and his son Mihir Jethwa (35), were traced to a hotel in Ernakulam and brought to Mumbai by Zone 12’s special team on Tuesday. Police said over six criminal cases are registered against the duo at the Kasturba Marg Police Station alone, with additional FIRs at the Borivali and MHB police stations. The Jethwas allegedly posed as developers and lured buyers with fake permissions, fabricated documents and false assurances of timely possession. The cases at Kasturba Marg include:CR 177/25 (Rs 1.17 crore), CR 488/25 (Rs 1.51 crore), CR 351/25 (Rs 1.74 crore), CR 852/23 (MPID Act) (Rs 13.52 crore), CR 288/23 (Rs 75 lakh) and CR 108/23 (Rs 1.20 crore.At Borivali Police Station, CR 75/21, CR 464/24 (conditional bail granted) and CR 42/24 have been filed. At MHB Police Station, CR 356/23 is registered. One complainant, a 50-year-old businessman from Khar West, alleged that he was cheated of Rs 1.74 crore after booking three flats in a redevelopment project under Triveni Developers at Navkar Bhavan, Borivali East. He told police the Jethwas claimed the building plan was approved for 10 floors, that an application for three more floors had been submitted to the BMC, and that the project was RERA registered. They also promised possession by December 31, 2018. The complainant booked Flats 1301, 1302 and 1303, paying Rs 1,74,89,910 by RTGS and cheques between 2016 and 2018. A 24 per cent interest return was also assured in case of delay. But by December 2018, he found that construction had stopped after six floors, and the accused allegedly refused to return his money. Police said the Jethwas operated a 'systematic fraud,' collecting large sums from multiple buyers while abandoning the projects. Officers said the duo frequently evaded arrest by using fake Aadhaar cards and travelling under false identities across various states. Acting on a tip-off, the DCP’s special squad located the accused at a hotel in Ernakulam on Sunday night and detained them. Further investigation is underway, and more victims are expected to come forward.
04 December,2025 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 21-year-old woman faced a frightening ordeal in Dadar East late on Tuesday, when a man blocked her path, called her “didi”, and allegedly flashed a pornographic video on his phone before fleeing. Police arrested the accused, Ajay Kumar Puretorei, 20, within 48 hours. The woman, who had reached Dadar station around 11.40 pm after work, was walking towards Hindu Colony — an isolated, poorly lit stretch — when the man abruptly stopped in front of her and thrust his phone forward. Shocked, she shouted, and he immediately ran off. The woman rushed home, informed her family, and lodged a complaint at the Matunga police station. Police traced the accused through CCTV footage from nearby, eventually arresting him on Thursday for outraging modesty and displaying obscene material in public. His background is being verified. DCP (Zone 4) Ragasudha R confirmed the arrest and said the investigation is progressing.
04 December,2025 07:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilA nine-month investigation into a property dispute between two brothers has led the MHB Colony police to uncover a major financial scam involving multiple co-operative credit societies. Officers found that a father-son duo had issued cheques in the complainant’s name, but instead of being deposited into his bank account, the cheques were illegally withdrawn through a Nalasopara-based co-operative society. MHB Colony police have now named two co-operative bank operators as co-accused in a Rs 26 lakh fraud. The complainant, Nishit Nitin Mehta, 44, a chemical businessman from Borivli West, has accused his brother Vinod Mehta, who is currently out on bail, and Vinod’s son Jignesh, who is absconding. Police have also added two more accused: Nitin Rupareliya, 42, who runs a co-operative credit society, and Manish Rajpopat, 47, of Chembur, who operates another co-operative bank. How it began Nishit and his brother’s family had jointly purchased a shop in Borivli for about Rs 1 crore. After disputes, Nishit decided to exit the partnership in 2024 and transfer his share, for which he was to receive Rs 46 lakh. He says he was paid Rs 20 lakh and the remaining money never came. (From left) Jignesh Mehta, son of Vinod, who is currently absconding in the cheque fraud case, Vinod Mehta, accused brother who allegedly issued the fraudulent cheques and The Ghatkopar location linked to the cheque fraud network. Pics/By Special Arrangement “My brother and his son never gave me the money. Vinod claimed he had issued 14 cheques worth Rs 26 lakh and deposited them. When I checked with my bank, there was no such entry. I informed the MHB Colony police in February 2025. They recorded my statement but didn’t file an FIR, treating it as a family property dispute,” Nishit said. What the probe exposed A police officer said, “During nine months of inquiry, we found that all 14 cheques issued in Nishit’s name were illegally withdrawn through a Nalasopara co-operative society. We registered the FIR in September, initially without naming the co-operative banks.” Victim Nishit Mehta, who filed the complaint after discovering the Rs 26 lakh fraud The investigation revealed: >> Vinod and Jignesh issued 14 cheques to Nishit: twelve of R2 lakh and two of R1 lakh.>> The cheques were handed to Ghatkopar-based agent Manish Rajpopat, who also runs a co-operative bank.>> Rajpopat passed them to another agent, who then forwarded them to Nalasopara-based operator Nitin Rupareliya.>> Rupareliya allegedly withdrew the funds using documents belonging to the victim.>> Rupareliya deducted his commission and returned the balance to the agent.>> Rajpopat then deducted his own commission and passed the final amount back to Vinod and Jignesh.Police say this chain formed a structured fraudulent withdrawal network. FIR filed; accused summoned “We have registered an FIR against Vinod Mehta, his absconding son Jignesh, and the two co-operative bank operators, Rupareliya and Rajpopat. Notices have been issued to both operators to join the investigation,” an officer said. Senior Inspector Harish Gawli said, “In the long nine-month investigation by our officers, we found that two co-operative credit society banks are also involved. We also booked these banks and are now investigating the matter”
04 December,2025 06:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA 71-year-old Andheri resident and 17 other investors have accused two directors of Ranbir Real Estate & Developers LLP of cheating them of Rs 31.26 crore after promising them 18 per cent annual interest, paid quarterly, on their investment in a redevelopment project in Jogeshwari East. The Andheri police have registered a case against the directors, Jaikumar Gupta and Suyash, who is his son. The complainant, Mahesh Hakimchand Doshi, owns a pharmaceutical company in Vapi, Gujarat, according to the police. According to Doshi’s statement, in March 2021, when he was exploring long-term investment opportunities, his colleagues introduced him to Gupta, who was handling a redevelopment project in Sarvodaya Nagar, Meghwadi. The Andheri police have registered an FIR against Jaikumar Gupta and his son, Suyash, and their firm. Representation Pic/iStock A police officer said, “In 2021, the Guptas allegedly told Doshi they had been in the real estate and transport businesses for over two decades and were constructing three buildings, including one with 215 flats and six shops for original landowners at Jogeshwari East. But they required funds from investors to complete the project. Gupta also promised 18 per cent interest, to be paid every quarter.” “Between April 6, 2021 and 26 May 2023, Doshi, along with his son, daughter-in-law, wife, and several friends, transferred a total of Rs 8.26 crore into the firm’s bank account. The total principal amount collected from Doshi and others eventually reached Rs 31.26 crore,” a police officer said. According to the police, from 2021 to September 30, 2024, the Guptas reportedly paid quarterly interest, as promised. But after that, the payments abruptly stopped. When questioned, the directors allegedly claimed they were facing “financial problems” and issued cheques to the complainants — all of which bounced. Broken promise Doshi had told the police, “The Guptas assured investors the principal amount would be returned by January 2, 2025. However, despite repeated follow-ups, no money was returned. They kept saying they have strong connections and have been in the real estate business for decades. But they were only evading repayment.” Doshi alleges that the developers had no intention of refunding the principal or paying interest and systematically avoided communication after September 2024. A police officer said, “We have registered an FIR against Jaikumar Gupta and his son, Suyash, and their firm for allegedly cheating 18 people.”
04 December,2025 06:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said that its Mumbai Zonal officials carried out search operations on December 1, 2025 at 12 locations in Nandurbar, Mumbai and Barmer as part of an ongoing investigation in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches relate to alleged violations linked to the handling and distribution of foreign donations by the Jamia Ismalia Ishaatul Uloom (JIIU) Trust, Yemeni national Al-Khadami Khaled Ibrahim Saleh, and others, an official statement said. It said that during the searches, the ED seized Rs 9 lakh in cash, incriminating documents and digital devices. The investigation is based on an FIR, filed on February 11, 2025, and a charge sheet dated April 11, 2025 by Akkalkuwa Police Station in Nandurbar, the statement said. The FIR names Yemeni nationals Al-Khadami Khaled Ibrahim Saleh, his wife Khadega Ibrahim Kasim Al-Nasheri, and Ghulam Mohammad Randhera Vastanvi, the founder of JIIU, along with others. Vastanvi has since passed away, ED officials said. According to the ED, the Yemeni nationals were allegedly helped by co-accused individuals to illegally overstay in India after their visas expired. They were also reportedly assisted in obtaining fraudulent Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, birth certificates, and in opening bank accounts. The JIIU trust is accused of appointing Al-Khadami as a madrasa teacher to create a false image of foreign staffing, allegedly to attract more overseas donations. Preliminary findings under PMLA show that JIIU received approximately Rs 406 crore in foreign donations between 2014-15 and 2023-24 from countries including Kuwait, Botswana, the UK, Mauritius, Switzerland, Seychelles and Panama. The trust is suspected of diverting donated funds for non-approved purposes and of handling large amounts of cash in violation of statutory norms, officials said. The ED also found evidence suggesting misuse of “national research incentives for organisational self-funding”, as the trust had been receiving donations from other NGOs and charitable trusts. Earlier, on 15 July 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled JIIU’s FCRA registration, citing violations involving the movement of foreign funds to NGOs that were not registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, it said.
03 December,2025 10:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilIn a shocking incident, a 50-year-old Mumbai-based autorickshaw driver allegedly strangled his wife to death on Wednesday evening, on suspicion of her character, before walking to the police station to surrender. The incident occurred between 5 pm and 6 pm at Bhim Nagar in Gorai, Borivali West. The accused has been identified as Omraj Sargotta, while the deceased was his 48-year-old wife, Prachi. Police sources said the couple had been experiencing marital discord for a long time, and divorce proceedings were already underway. They frequently argued, and on Thursday, a heated dispute escalated, leading Sargotta to allegedly kill his wife inside their residence. After the crime, Sargotta reportedly went to the nearest police station and confessed. A police team immediately visited the spot and began the investigation. Borivali Police are probing the case and completing procedural formalities. Further details are awaited.
03 December,2025 07:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
