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Body of newborn found in dustbin at Mumbai Airport
The body of a newborn was found inside a dustbin in the washroom of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday night. Police suspect that a pregnant woman delivered a stillborn in the washroom, abandoned the infant, and fled the scene. Authorities have identified the woman using CCTV footage and discovered that she had boarded a flight from Mumbai Airport to Ranchi later that night. The infant's body has been sent for post-mortem, and officials are awaiting the report. According to a police officer, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Tuesday when the woman entered the airport washroom. It is believed that she delivered a stillborn boy inside the washroom, placed his body in a dustbin, and fled the scene without informing anyone. Around 1.30 am on Wednesday, a cleaning staff member discovered the infant's body in the dustbin and immediately alerted the police following which he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. A police officer said, "We examined the CCTV footage and found that the woman boarded a flight to Ranchi around 2 am after the incident. A team has been dispatched to Ranchi to trace the mother. The doctors suspect that the woman was nine months pregnant." Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manish Kalwaniya of Zone 8, confirming the incident, said, "We have registered an FIR (first information report) against the unknown woman under the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) 2024 sections 91 and 94. Efforts are ongoing to identify the woman who abandoned her newborn in the airport washroom." Mumbai cops are waiting for the post-mortem report to ascertain if the baby boy was killed or if he was stillborn.
26 March,2025 08:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Surat man arrested for killing four-year-old boy in Mumbai
The Mumbai Police on Wednesday arrested a man from Surat in Gujarat for allegedly killing a four-year-old boy from the family of pavement dwellers in Mumbai last week, an officer said. The murder was committed around 3 am on March 22 when the family was sleeping on the roadside in the Iraniwadi locality of Kandivali (West), he said. During the interrogation of the accused, Akshay Ashok Garud, 25, it came to light that he knew the child's family and was taking care of the boy for the past three years, the Kandivali Police officer said. On the day of the incident, the accused was giving a bath to the boy when he suddenly relieved himself. Incensed by it, the accused allegedly hit on the child's head with his hand and he fell to the ground, he said. Garud then got scared and fled the spot. His image was captured in the CCTV footage of the area and six teams were formed by the police to nab him, the official said. The police examined the footage of more then 200 CCTVs and subsequently nabbed the accused from Surat, he said. Initially, the police believed the boy was strangulated to death, but medical reports confirmed he died due to a head injury, the official said. The child's family had found him lying motionless on a road in the area at around 4 am on Saturday. They took him to a hospital where he was declared dead before admission. After the incident, the Kandivali Police registered a case of murder against the then unidentified person and launched a search for the culprit, the officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
26 March,2025 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
Truck owner booked for calling Mumbai cops ‘thieves’ in viral video
A truck owner, frustrated over receiving an online challan, has landed in legal trouble after making a video of his argument with a traffic constable go viral on social media. A truck owner, frustrated over an online challan, is facing legal trouble after making a video of his argument with a traffic constable go viral on social media. The incident took place in Kandivali East on March 24, when the truck, operating without a cleaner, was issued a… pic.twitter.com/kaztFAasyB — Mid Day (@mid_day) March 26, 2025 According to police sources, the incident occurred in Kandivali East on March 24 when the truck, being driven without a cleaner, was issued a challan. The truck owner, identified as Yashwant Bandgar, got into a heated argument with the issuing constable, Vikas Pol, who is attached to the Samta Nagar Traffic Division. Bandgar recorded the incident and later posted the video on Facebook, referring to the police as "Kandivali thieves" and urging people to make the video go viral. Upon discovering the post, Constable Pol lodged a formal complaint at Samta Nagar Police Station. Following an inquiry, the police registered a case against Bandgar under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including: Section 3 of the Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922 – for attempting to cause disaffection against the police force or inducing officers to withhold services. Section 356(2) of BNS – for defamation through the publication of false statements. "The matter is now under investigation, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings," said an officer from Samta Nagar Police Station.
26 March,2025 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Kunal Kamra Row: Mumbai Police to issue second summon today after rejecting plea
In a fresh development in the ongoing controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Mumbai Police have denied his request for an extension to appear before authorities. Kamra had sought a week's time, but his appeal was rejected. According to ANI, Kamra’s lawyer personally submitted the appeal and the response at Khar Police Station. However, the authorities have declined his request for additional time. The Khar Police are set to issue a second summons to Kamra today under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Earlier, the Mumbai Police had summoned Kamra, instructing him to appear before the investigating officer on Tuesday. The case was initially registered by the MIDC Police, before being transferred to Khar Police for further investigation. AS PER ANI, Kamra sparked a political uproar with his controversial ‘gaddar’ (traitor) joke, which was allegedly directed at Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. His remarks during a stand-up performance led to strong reactions from political circles, with multiple leaders condemning his statements and demanding legal action. ANI REPORTS that Kamra responded to the backlash by releasing a new video on Tuesday, in which he ridiculed Shiv Sena workers for vandalising The Habitat, a well-known comedy venue in Mumbai where he had previously performed. The attack on the comedy club was carried out in protest against his remarks. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addressed the controversy, stating that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had already spoken on behalf of the government. “Our CM has said that action will be taken as per the law,” Pawar noted. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a firm stance on Kamra’s remarks about Eknath Shinde while speaking in the state Assembly on Monday. He emphasised that while humour and satire are appreciated, the government would not tolerate misuse of freedom of expression that borders on “tyranny.” “We welcome political satire and humour, but we do not accept freedom of expression when it leads to tyranny,” the Chief Minister asserted. He also dismissed Kamra’s performance as “low-quality” comedy. Fadnavis further criticised Kamra’s approach, stating, “This individual makes controversial statements about the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, and now Eknath Shinde, all in an attempt to gain notoriety. People will ultimately decide whether Eknath Shinde is a traitor or a selfish person.” (With inputs from ANI)
26 March,2025 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai
Maharashtra man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder after robbery in 2017
A court in Maharashtra’s Thane district has sentenced a 31-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of a woman following a robbery that took place eight years ago. According to PTI, Additional Sessions Judge Mangala A Mote, presiding over the Kalyan court, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, convicting Mukesh Ganpat Nimse, a resident of Kharivali village in Shahapur taluka. Along with the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the accused. As per PTI reports, the judge ordered that Rs 19,000 of the fine be awarded as compensation to the victim’s family, while Rs 1,000 would be credited to the state to cover prosecution costs. The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Kadambini Khandagale, informed the court that the crime took place on 9 August 2017. The accused robbed Sandhya Ganesh Nimse, the wife of a carpenter, of her gold jewellery and subsequently murdered her on agricultural land in Kharivali village. During the trial, the advocate representing the accused pleaded for a lesser sentence, arguing that the case did not fall under the “rarest of rare” category, which is typically required for the death penalty. However, the court rejected this plea. As per PTI, the judge stated that although the case does not meet the criteria for capital punishment, the accused committed a grave crime driven by greed for ornaments. The nature of the offence, the court noted, warranted strict punishment. PTI reports that the prosecution successfully proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Over the course of the trial, a total of 13 prosecution witnesses were examined to establish the guilt of the accused. After considering all evidence and arguments presented, the court concluded that Mukesh Ganpat Nimse was guilty of murder and robbery, thereby sentencing him to life imprisonment. In a similar case a court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of a man in 2016, reported news agency PTI. Additional sessions judge A N Sirsikar convicted the accused, Ajay Lalbahaddur Vishwakarma, of the charges under section 302 (murder) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment and a five-year rigorous imprisonment term, reported PTI. The sentences will run concurrently, the court ordered. The court, however, acquitted Sanjay Firatlal Goutam, a co-accused in the case, citing lack of conclusive evidence against him. A copy of the order passed on Thursday was made available on Saturday. Additional public prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale informed the court that on July 27, 2016, the victim, Jay Prajapati, went missing after informing his father that he was at Bhayandar railway station, reported PTI. She said messages were sent from Prajapati's mobile phone, demanding Rs 15 lakh for his release. However, despite efforts by his family and the police, the victim could not be traced, and his body was later discovered wrapped in a motorcycle cover in the mangroves. The prosecution said the forensic investigation and digital evidence linked Vishwakarma to the crime. At least 16 prosecution witnesses, including the victim's kin and medical officers, were examined during the trial, she said. The court noted that key prosecution witnesses testified after a six-year delay, leading to some discrepancies, reported PTI. However, judge Sirsikar observed that minor inconsistencies should not undermine the credibility of the evidence. The court ruled that while the prosecution failed to prove the ransom demand and the involvement of the second accused, it successfully established that Vishwakarma had a motive to kill Prajapati due to personal enmity. He highlighted that the discovery of the deceased's body at the instance of the accused and the extra-judicial confession before a witness played a crucial role in securing the conviction, reported PTI. The judge, in his order, ruled that the case did not fall under the 'rarest of rare' category warranting capital punishment. The court acquitted the co-accused, Sanjay Firatlal Goutam, stating that his mere presence at railway stations captured in CCTV footage was insufficient to establish his role in the crime. (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2025 11:00 AM IST | Mumbai
Thane woman loses Rs 15 lakh in work-from-home scam; police launch probe
A 37-year-old woman from Maharashtra’s Thane district has allegedly fallen victim to a fraudulent work-from-home scheme, losing a sum of Rs 15.14 lakh to a group of scammers, including a woman, PTI reports. The incident took place between February and July last year, according to police officials. AS PER PTI, the fraudsters contacted the victim, a resident of Dombivli town, through online platforms and lured her with promises of lucrative earnings in exchange for completing simple tasks remotely. To carry out the deception, they instructed her to use the Telegram application, where they assigned various online activities as part of the so-called job opportunity. Police officials from Manpada police station revealed that the scammers gradually gained the victim’s trust, convincing her to transfer substantial sums of money over multiple transactions. In total, she ended up paying Rs 15,14,460 to the fraudsters, expecting a return on her investment as well as the promised earnings. However, once the payments were made, the accused ceased communication and failed to deliver any remuneration or refund her money. When the woman realised that she had been duped, she approached the authorities and lodged a formal complaint. Based on her account, the Manpada police registered an FIR against three individuals involved in the fraudulent operation. AS PER PTI, the case has been filed under relevant sections of the law, though no arrests have been made as yet. Further investigation has revealed that at least five more individuals may have been deceived using the same modus operandi, and authorities are probing the extent of the scam. In a similar incident of deception earlier this year, a 48-year-old hotelier from Thane has allegedly been defrauded of Rs 13 lakh by a man posing as an excise department official, who falsely promised to secure a liquor sale license for his establishment, police said. According to PTI reports, the accused approached the victim, who runs a hotel in the Kalwa area of Thane, in January last year. Claiming to be an employee of the Maharashtra state excise department in Nashik, he assured the hotelier that he could procure the necessary permit for him in exchange for a fee. Believing the offer to be genuine, the hotelier paid the accused Rs 13 lakh over multiple transactions. However, despite repeated assurances, the victim never received the promised liquor permit. As months passed and the accused failed to deliver on his commitment, the hotelier grew suspicious. Upon confronting the alleged fraudster and demanding a refund, he received evasive responses. Realising that he had been deceived, he approached the Kalwa police station and lodged a complaint. (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2025 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai
Thane businessman cheated of Rs 22 lakh in fraudulent Rs 10 crore loan promise
A businessman from Thane has allegedly been defrauded of Rs 22 lakh by a fraudster who promised to secure him a loan of Rs 10 crore, police confirmed on Wednesday. According to PTI reports, the accused approached the 50-year-old trader, a resident of Ambernath in Thane district, between March and July last year, offering assistance in obtaining a high-value loan. The police have not disclosed the nature of the trader’s business or the reason behind his need for the loan. AS PER PTI, the fraudster convinced the victim that he had the necessary connections and expertise to facilitate the loan approval. Under the guise of processing fees, commission charges, and other procedural expenses, the accused allegedly extracted a total sum of Rs 22,07,180 from the businessman over multiple transactions. The victim, trusting the accused’s claims, transferred the amount but later realised that the documents provided for the loan process were fraudulent. Upon further verification, it became evident that the accused had no legitimate means to secure the promised loan. When the businessman confronted him, he neither received the sanctioned loan nor was he refunded the money he had paid. A police official stated, "The accused managed to gain the victim's confidence by presenting false assurances and fabricated documents. Such financial fraud cases have been on the rise, and we urge citizens to verify the credibility of lenders before making any payments." In a similar incident of deception earlier this year, a 75-year-old man in Dombivli was allegedly duped of Rs 30,000 by an unidentified individual who made away with the cash in a public area, according to PTI reports. The incident took place in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official stated. As per police sources, the elderly victim had withdrawn Rs 30,000 from a local bank and was on his way home when the accused approached him. According to the police, the fraudster told the elderly man that his shirt had gotten dirty and advised him to clean it. Unaware of the scam, the senior citizen proceeded to remove his shirt, placing his bag beside him. Taking advantage of the distraction, the accused quickly grabbed the bag and fled with the money. A case has been registered under section 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Law enforcement officials are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify and apprehend the suspect. In an another shocking case of fraud, police in Maharashtra's Palghar district have arrested a man who allegedly posed as a Delhi Crime Branch officer and defrauded several women under the pretext of marriage, PTI reports. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Himanshu Yogeshbahi Panchal, was arrested on Tuesday from his hometown in Ahmedabad following an extensive investigation led by Valiv police. According to the authorities, Panchal befriended women through a matrimonial website, pretending to be an officer from the cyber security cell of Delhi Police's crime branch. He allegedly built trust, promised marriage, and then proceeded to exploit the victims financially and emotionally. One of the victims, who filed the complaint leading to his arrest, alleged that Panchal took her to various hotels and lodges where he sexually assaulted her multiple times under false promises of marriage. Adding to his deception, he even gifted her a fake diamond. (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2025 10:04 AM IST | Mumbai
Man booked for attempt to murder relatives over property dispute in Thane
A case has been registered against a 36-year-old man for allegedly attempting to murder three of his relatives over an ongoing property dispute in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official confirmed on Wednesday. According to PTI reports, the shocking incident took place on March 23 in Bhiwandi, where the accused allegedly launched a violent attack on a 19-year-old man, his sister, and their mother. The official from Shanti Nagar police station stated that the suspect used a grinding stone as a weapon to assault the victims within their home. The three victims sustained severe injuries to their faces and heads and are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, AS PER PTI. Medical officials have not disclosed further details about their condition, but sources indicate that they remain under close observation. Following a formal complaint lodged by one of the injured individuals, the police registered an FIR against the accused on Monday. AS PER PTI, the case has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 109 (attempt to murder), Section 118(2) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), Section 118(1), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace). In a separate but equally shocking case of 2024 a 33-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his uncle and aunt in Mumbai's Bandra area following a heated argument over property. The accused, identified as Habibur and Sana Khan, reportedly assaulted their nephew, Kamran Fayaz Khan, with a bamboo stick, leading to his death. According to Mumbai Police, the accused and the victim lived together in a joint family and had frequent disputes regarding a piece of property in Bandra West, near Gaiety Galaxy Theatre. The deceased’s body was sent for post-mortem, and police gathered statements from family members and neighbours to establish the full sequence of events. Locals immediately informed the police, who rushed to the scene and arrested the accused. Senior Inspector Sachin Rane of Bandra police station confirmed the arrests, stating, "The couple is currently in police custody. The deceased was employed at a paan shop nearby. We have launched a detailed investigation into the case." (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2025 09:58 AM IST | Mumbai
MNS workers slap supermarket staffer in Mumbai for not speaking Marathi
A supermarket employee in Mumbai was allegedly slapped by members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for refusing to converse in Marathi, as per PTI. The incident took place on Tuesday at a D-Mart store in Versova, Andheri (West), and has since gained widespread attention on social media. According to PTI reports, the controversy erupted after a video surfaced online, showing the store employee refusing to speak in Marathi. In the footage, he is heard telling a customer, “I will not speak in Marathi, I will speak only in Hindi. Do what you want to do.” The statement quickly drew the ire of MNS workers, who have long advocated for the promotion of Marathi language and culture in Maharashtra. Upon learning about the remarks made by the employee, a group of MNS workers, led by the party’s Versova unit president Sandesh Desai, reportedly stormed into the supermarket and confronted the staff member. As per PTI, a heated argument ensued, following which the employee was allegedly slapped. A video capturing the moment of the assault has also surfaced on social media, further fuelling the debate around language politics in the state. MNS, a party founded by Raj Thackeray, has been known for its aggressive stance on the use of Marathi in Maharashtra, particularly in the service and commercial sectors. The party has, in the past, issued warnings to businesses and corporate establishments, demanding that Marathi be prioritised in customer interactions. This is not the first time MNS workers have been involved in an assault over Marathi language enforcement. In 2022 a restaurant manager in Navi Mumbai was allegedly slapped by MNS workers after he refused to play Marathi songs immediately upon request. The latest altercation took place at Taste of Punjab, a restaurant in Satra Plaza, Vashi, near APMC police station. An IT company was hosting a party when the host requested Marathi songs. The restaurant manager, Akash Jethmalani, informed them that Marathi songs were scheduled to be played in a designated slot later in the event. However, dissatisfied with the response, someone from the party contacted MNS workers. Shortly after, MNS Vashi chief Sagar Vichare arrived at the restaurant with party workers and demanded the immediate playback of Marathi songs. When Jethmalani reiterated the restaurant's policy, Vichare and one of his associates allegedly slapped him. Restaurant staff intervened and pulled Jethmalani back inside, after which he filed a police complaint at the APMC police station. (With inputs from PTI)
26 March,2025 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai
Mumbai software engineer duped of Rs 12.5L by cyber crooks posing as astrologers
A 24-year-old software engineer working at a private firm in BKC fell victim to a Rs 12.21 lakh online astrology scam while seeking solutions to personal problems. Cybercriminals lured him through a fraudulent astrology app, promising life-changing rituals and extorting money under false pretenses. According to the complaint, the victim downloaded an astrology app in January to learn about his future. Facing personal difficulties, he connected with someone on the app who advised him to perform a puja for stability in life. Initially quoted Rs 6,300, he agreed after a week and was introduced to a so-called ‘Maharaj.’ Upon making the first payment, he was informed that the amount covered only consultation fees, with additional charges required for the actual ritual. The fraudsters continued demanding money, claiming the puja was incomplete. When the victim hesitated, they threatened that stopping midway could endanger his life. As the scam escalated, the fraudsters claimed that three sadhus’ lives were at risk due to his incomplete puja, pressuring him into further payments. Terrified, he transferred a total of Rs 12.21 lakh via online transactions and credit cards. Suspecting fraud, he confided in a friend, who urged him to report the matter. Following his complaint, the Cyber Police registered a case and launched an investigation into the scam.
25 March,2025 10:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Disha Salian's father names Aaditya, other big names in fresh complaint
A written complaint was filed against Aaditya Thackeray and others for their alleged involvement in the gang rape and murder of Satish Salian’s daughter on March 25, 2025. Satish Salian, father of the victim Disha Salian, filed a written complaint with the Mumbai Police Commissioner, requesting the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and others for their alleged involvement in the gang rape and murder of his daughter in 2020. Satish Salian's lawyer Nilesh Ojha informed that Joint Commissioner of Police has accepted the complaint filed against Aaditya Thackeray, former Commissioner of Police Parambir Singh, Officer Sachin Vaze and actor Aditya Pancholi. "Today, we have filed a written complaint to the CP office and the JCP Crime accepted it and this complaint is the FIR now. The accused are Aaditya Thackeray, Dino Morea, Suraj Pancholi and his bodyguard, Parambir Singh, Sachin Vaze, and Rhea Chakraborty are all accused in this FIR. Parambir Singh was the main mastermind for the coverup in this case. He did a press conference and fabricated lies to save Aaditya Thackeray. All the details are in the FIR. NCB's investigation paper proves that Aaditya Thackeray was involved in a drug business, that detail has been mentioned in this FIR," the lawyer informed, reported ANI. Ojha further alleged that Parambir Singh was the “main mastermind” behind the cover-up of the case in 2020. Lawyer Ojha has also charged Aaditya Thackeray of being involved in a drug cartel. "Aaditya Thackeray is the main accused in this gangrape and murder case. Uddhav Thackeray is the main accused of misuse of power for the coverup... Aaditya Thackeray is found in the drug cartel and this is in the official records of NCB. We have also mentioned this in the complaint... Today, we will also release some pictures in support of this," he additionally stated, reported ANI. Earlier, Satish Salian approached the Bombay High Court requesting a probe into his daughter's death and requesting the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray, among others. Disha was found dead on June 8, 2020, days before actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra, Mumbai. This development follows reports of the CBI submitting a closure report on the 2020 death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. According to sources, the report was filed in a Mumbai court nearly five years after his death. Sushant, 34, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020, which created a huge controversy, with the investigation later being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. His postmortem report stated the cause of death was asphyxia. The post-mortem was conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital. (With inputs from ANI)
25 March,2025 06:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent