A senior official of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education’s Mumbai Divisional Board in Vashi was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a bribe on Tuesday. The complainant, an electrical contractor, had been awarded a one-year contract for the maintenance and repair of office electrical equipment at the board’s Vashi office in Navi Mumbai, effective from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. Contract Details and Billing Dispute Under the agreement, the contractor was to be paid Rs. 26,400 per month along with 18 per cent GST, taking the total monthly payment to Rs. 31,152. A formal work order had been issued accordingly. The contractor submitted monthly tax invoices of Rs. 31,152 for the period between November 2025 and February 2026 to the divisional board office in Vashi for approval and payment processing. Allegations of Bribe Demand According to the complaint, Rajendra Manik Ahire, Divisional Head (Class I officer), allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 22,176—approximately seven per cent of the total bill amount of Rs. 3,16,800—for clearing the dues. The demand was reportedly made through Manohar Laxman Pawar, the Bhandar Branch Head. Following this, the contractor approached the ACB’s Navi Mumbai unit and filed a formal complaint on March 25, 2026. Verification Confirms Demand During a verification exercise conducted by the ACB on April 6, 2026, officials confirmed that Ahire had demanded a reduced bribe amount of Rs. 20,000. Investigators also found that Pawar had allegedly abetted and encouraged the demand. ACB Trap Operation and Arrest Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap on April 7, 2026. During the operation, Ahire allegedly accepted Rs. 20,000 from the complainant inside his office cabin. He was immediately apprehended by the trap team at around 1 pm and taken into custody. Case to Be Registered Under Prevention of Corruption Act Officials said the trap panchnama process is currently underway. A case is being registered against both Ahire and Pawar under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
07 April,2026 09:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarPanic spread in the Nitin Company signal-Green Road area in Maharashtra’s Thane after a man allegedly went on a vandalism spree, damaging multiple vehicles during the early hours of Tuesday. According to initial reports of the television (TV) news broadcasting channel 'ABP Mazha', around 10-12 cars were targeted, with several vehicles suffering heavy damage, including shattered windows. The incident also caused fear among motorists in the busy stretch. Eyewitnesses said the accused, identified as Mathew Piru, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He reportedly began attacking parked vehicles without provocation, the TV channel reported. Local residents, along with the police, intervened and managed to detain the accused, who was later handed over to the Navpada police station. Visuals from the spot showed multiple cars with broken windows and significant damage. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact sequence of events and the extent of damage caused. Further details are awaited as the police are investigating the incident. Minor run over by dumper in Kandivali West's Charkop, locals block the road in protest Tension gripped the Charkop area in Kandivali West on Tuesday after a tragic road accident claimed the life of a girl, triggering protests and a road blockade by enraged locals demanding strict action against those responsible. According to initial information, the incident occurred around an hour ago when the minor, said to be a student of a BMC school, was crossing the road with her friends after school hours. During the crossing, a dumper allegedly ran over the child, crushing her head and killing her on the spot. Eyewitnesses said the accident was so severe that the girl died instantly, leaving passersby and residents in shock. Soon after the incident, angry locals gathered at the spot and blocked the road, demanding immediate action against the accused driver. Heavy police deployment has been made at the scene to control the situation, which remains tense, with the crowd reportedly becoming unruly. Police officials are currently trying to pacify the protesters and restore normalcy. Further details are awaited.
07 April,2026 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 21-year-old tea vendor from Surat has been arrested for allegedly acting as a conduit in a cyber fraud network, using his bank account to route stolen money. North Cyber Police said the accused, Sachin Manojbhai Modanwa, allowed fraudsters to use his account transfer funds. Fraud trail The case surfaced during a probe into a '41 lakh investment fraud targeting a 60-year-old Borivli West resident. Lured via social media with promises of high returns, he transferred money across multiple accounts. Investigation revealed '2 lakh was routed to Modanwa’s account. The victim was contacted on Facebook and later over WhatsApp by a woman posing as an investment advisor. Representation pic/istock Arrest Using KYC and transaction details, police tracked and arrested Modanwa in Surat. Investigations revealed that he runs a tea stall in the city and allegedly allowed cyber fraudsters to use his bank account in exchange for monetary benefits. He was produced before a court on April 3 and has been remanded to police custody. Probe on Police suspect a larger interstate racket using mule accounts. Efforts are on to trace the masterminds and recover the money. Victim targeted The victim was contacted on Facebook and later over WhatsApp by a woman posing as an investment advisor. He was added to a WhatsApp group named “S18-Value Growth Circle”, where multiple fake users posted success stories to build trust. He was then convinced to download a fraudulent trading app and invest money over several weeks. When he later attempted to withdraw his funds, he was asked to pay an additional R83 lakh, raising suspicion. Realising the scam, he approached the cyber helpline and the police.
07 April,2026 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThree members of Bajrang Dal were injured after a violent clash broke out between two groups in Dindoshi East area of Mumbai, police said on Monday as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished 'unauthorised' homes, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Sunday night in the Dindoshi's Santosh Nagar area, causing tension in the locality. According to police, the clash began following a dispute over playing loud devotional music during a religious procession. The clash reportedly began after a dispute over playing loud devotional songs during the procession, which escalated into a large-scale brawl between the two groups. Weapons such as swords and iron rods were used in the confrontation, according to police. The argument quickly escalated into a large-scale fight, with weapons such as swords and iron rods reportedly used during the confrontation, according to the PTI. Three members of the Bajrang Dal, a right-wing outfit, sustained serious injuries in the clash and were undergoing treatment at Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital, they said, the news agency reported. The injured individuals were admitted to Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition was serious but stable. BMC demolition drive follows Following the incident, the BMC initiated demolition of houses allegedly belonging to some of the accused, stating that the structures were unauthorised, as per the PTI. Officials said the action was based on earlier complaints received by the civic body. Police action and arrests Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the violence. Cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to rioting, the news agency reported. Further investigation into the incident is underway. Heavy security deployed During the clash, the police quickly rushed to the spot and attempted to break the fight but when the crowd refused to disperse, police had to use mild force, during which a boy was seriously injured. Following the incident, police have set up a camp in the area. A large police presence remains in the area to maintain law and order. Officials said that the situation is currently under control.
06 April,2026 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against three persons for allegedly duping a woman from Maharashtra's Thane city of Rs 16.35 lakh on the pretext of securing admission for her daughter in a prestigious engineering college, police said on Monday. Based on a complaint, the Kapurbawdi police on April 2 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused, Tashin Khan (40), Saif Khan (42), and a woman identified as Shruti, an official said, the PTI reported. Newspaper ad led Thane woman to alleged fraudsters According to PTI, the official stated that the victim had approached the accused at their office in Kapurbawdi after coming across a newspaper advertisement in June last year regarding admissions to an engineering college in Mumbai. The trio allegedly promised to secure an engineering seat for her daughter, following which the complainant paid them Rs 16.35 lakh between June and November 2025, both in cash and through bank transfers. Fraudsters issued bogus payment proof to gain trust The accused also allegedly provided her with a forged fee receipt bearing a fake stamp and signature of the college. The fraud came to light in November 2025 after the complainant visited the college to collect her daughter’s identity card, the official said, the news agency reported. The trio have been booked under Sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. No arrests have been made so far, he added. Gang dupes man of Rs 30 lakh with promise of 'Herbal Liquor' dealership in Maharashtra's Thane, cops begin probe Police have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged last week after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. (With PTI inputs)
06 April,2026 11:33 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended a Mantralaya section officer for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 6.37 lakh to approve funds for developmental works, officials said, PTI reported. The accused, Vilas Lad, is a Class I officer posted at the state secretariat in south Mumbai, an official said on Sunday. The complainant had applied for a government grant to develop basic infrastructure facilities in his village on behalf of a village sarpanch. While following up on the proposal, he met Lad, who allegedly demanded Rs 6.37 lakh to approve the funds, the official said, the news agency reported. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the applicant approached the ACB in Mumbai and lodged a complaint. A verification conducted by the anti-graft agency on March 16 confirmed that Lad had demanded the bribe. The accused official was caught while allegedly accepting the bribe money in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the official said, adding that he was arrested after a case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is underway. Thane ST scrutiny panel officer held for taking Rs 2.5 lakh bribe Earlier in March, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a woman official from the Scheduled Tribes certificate scrutiny committee for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh from a man to clear files of his family members in Maharashtra's Thane city, an official said. The ACB caught Meenakshi N Unhale (46), the deputy director (Research) of the committee's Konkan Division (Class 1 officer), accepting a bribe from the complainant at her office in the Charai area in Thane on Friday, the official said. The Scheduled Tribes Certificate Scrutiny Committee (STCSC) verifies the genuineness of Scheduled Tribe certificates. Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB, Raigad-Alibag) Sarita Bhosale stated that Unhale had allegedly demanded Rs 2.5 lakh from the complainant to clear the caste verification files of his wife and daughter. Unwilling to pay the sum, he approached the ACB. The ACB's Raigad unit laid a trap and caught Unhale red-handed in her cabin while accepting the amount, she said. A case was registered against the accused officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a probe is underway, the official said. (With PTI inputs)
06 April,2026 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFive people have been detained following a clash between two groups in the Santosh Nagar market area in Malad East, Mumbai, news agency ANI reported, quoting the police. According to a statement from Dindoshi Police Station, a clash broke out between two groups in the Santosh Nagar area. Upon receiving information about the scuffle, Dindoshi Police officers arrived at the spot and attempted to control the crowd, ANI reported. "However, when the crowd refused to disperse, police had to use mild force, during which a boy was seriously injured. The situation is now under control. Following the incident, police have set up a camp in the area, leading to public outrage," the statement said. Dindoshi Police have detained five people and are currently interrogating them, ANI reported. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area following the incident. More details are awaited. Dispute over Rs 600 leaves nine with acid burn injuries in Malad A petty dispute over Rs 600 escalated into a horrifying incident in Pal Nagar, Kurar, Malad East on Wednesday afternoon, leaving eight to nine people injured with acid burns. A financial disagreement between a family dealing with imitation jewellery and a workshop owner spiralled out of control, leading to a heated argument. The situation worsened when a group barged into the plating workshop. During the chaos, the workshop owner picked up a container of acid used for polishing imitation jewellery and attempted to throw it at the other group. In the struggle that followed, acid spilt out of the container, injuring nearly everyone present with acid burns. Senior Police Inspector Umesh Patil confirmed that all those injured are receiving treatment, and an investigation is underway. Singh runs a plating workshop for imitation jewellery. The Kanojia family, who deal in imitation jewellery, used his services. During an online transaction of Rs 26,000, an amount of Rs 27,000 was mistakenly transferred. After deducting Rs 400 as labour charges, Rs 600 was to be returned, triggering the dispute. Sheetal Kanojia visited the workshop to demand the amount when the argument broke out. Later, her son, Mayur Kanojia, returned with friends, and the dispute turned violent. During the scuffle, acid spilt from the container, injuring everyone involved. Police have arrested three individuals—38-year-old workshop owner Samar Bahadur Singh, Hemant Rathod (20) and Nitin Dhobi (24). Cross FIRs have been registered against both groups, and while three accused have been arrested, further investigation is underway to identify others involved. (With ANI inputs)
06 April,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA life convict has been booked for allegedly assaulting and threatening a jail constable in Maharashtra’s Thane district after being denied an unauthorised meeting with his brother, police said on Sunday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on April 2, when the convict was being escorted back to prison following a court appearance. The accused, Avinash Jadhav, is currently serving a life sentence at Thane Central Jail, the news agency reported. According to police, he became enraged after a constable prevented his brother from approaching him inside the sessions court premises in Mumbai. The constable had reportedly stopped the brother from handing over an item and instructed him to maintain distance. Assault and threats Officials said that upon returning to the jail, Jadhav confronted the constable at the prison entrance. He allegedly assaulted the officer, shouted at jail staff, and issued threats, creating a disturbance and intimidating on-duty personnel. The victim, a 42-year-old constable, was supervising a group of undertrials and convicts at the time of the incident, as per the PTI. Case registered under BNS Police have registered a case against Jadhav under Section 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation into the matter is currently underway. Gang dupes Thane trader of Rs 30 lakh Meanwhile, in an another incident, police have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged on Friday after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 03:48 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolice have registered a case against five individuals for allegedly cheating a trader from Thane district in Maharashtra, of Rs 30 lakh under the pretext of offering a dealership for herbal liquor products, reported the PTI. According to officials, the complaint was lodged on Friday after the trader claimed he had been duped by the accused, who promised him exclusive distributorship rights. The accused — identified as Pawan Dashrath Hagavane, Sharad Rambhau Gaikwad, and Mahendra Piraji Khilare, along with two others — allegedly approached the complainant between February and July 2021, according to the PTI. Police said the group presented forged documents, including a letter purportedly signed by the CEO of a company named Herbal Distilleries Pvt Ltd, complete with a fake seal. They claimed to be authorised representatives and members of the company’s board of directors, police said. Victim induced to invest Rs 30 Lakh The accused reportedly showcased sample packaging and images of herbal liquor products to gain the trader’s trust. They then persuaded him to invest money by promising dealership rights for the Thane region, as per the PTI. Believing their claims, the trader transferred Rs 30 lakh to the accused. However, no valid licence or dealership was ever provided. Threats and abuse The complainant further alleged that when he demanded clarification, the accused verbally abused and threatened him. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to trace the accused. As of now, no arrests have been made, officials said. Maharashtra family duped of over Rs 1.66 crore with 'black magic' claims Meanwhile, in an another incident, a family from Thane district in Maharashtra was allegedly duped of more than Rs 1.66 crore by a man who exploited their fear of “black magic”, police said, reported the PTI. The suspect allegedly promised divine remedies through rituals and pilgrimages, officials said on Sunday. The Kasarvadavali police registered a first information report (FIR) on April 2 against the accused, Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in Mumbai, after the family claimed they were manipulated into paying him over two years, the news agency reported. According to police, the family's ordeal began in January 2024 when they met Shetty at an event. On learning about their financial difficulties, he convinced them that a relative had performed black magic to obstruct their progress, as per the PTI. To counter this, Shetty allegedly prescribed elaborate rituals and a mandatory pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred temples of Lord Shiva. He is said to have exploited minor mishaps in the family to manipulate them into making repeated payments. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 03:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in has awarded Rs 20.52 lakh in compensation to the family of a 74-year-old businessman who died in a car accident in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, reported the PTI. The fatal car crash took place in 2022. The victim who was identified as Ganesh Gopal Chaudhari had sustained severe injuries after a collision and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on the same day, the news agency reported. Tribunal holds driver responsible The accident occurred on November 22, 2022, when Chaudhari was travelling by car from Vikramgad towards Nashik. A speeding four-wheeler reportedly lost control on a bend in the ghat section and crashed into his vehicle, according to the PTI. The tribunal observed that the driver of the offending vehicle was driving at an excessive speed and failed to properly judge the turn, leading to the fatal collision. Compensation and liability Thane MACT member R V Mohite directed the vehicle owner and the insurer, Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd., to jointly and severally pay the compensation, as per the PTI. The tribunal also ordered that the amount should carry 9 per cent annual interest from the date the petition was filed. Income assessment and distribution The tribunal calculated the deceased’s annual income at Rs 5.9 lakh, based on his income tax returns, before arriving at the total compensation amount. Out of the awarded sum: - Rs 13.52 lakh will be paid to his wife - Rs 7 lakh will be given to his son The tribunal dismissed the insurance company’s argument that the driver did not possess a valid driving licence, holding it liable along with the vehicle owner, the news agency reported. MACT grants Rs 21.5 lakh compensation to kin of woman Meanwhile, in an another case, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs 21.5 lakh to the family of a 45-year-old woman run over by a speeding tempo in 2020, reported news agency PTI. The tribunal, presided over by K P Shrikhande, held the tempo driver solely responsible for the fatal accident, directing the vehicle owner and insurer to jointly and severally pay the compensation with a 9 per cent annual interest from December 9, 2020, when the claim was filed, till realisation, reported PTI. A copy of the order passed on March 30 was made available on Saturday. The accident occurred on August 30, 2020, on the Kalyan-Bhiwandi road near Kongaon when a speeding tempo hit the victim, Meera Kamlesh Singh, from behind while she was standing near a road divider, reported PTI. The victim succumbed to the grievous injuries sustained in the accident. The tribunal held that the vehicle was being driven in a rash and negligent manner. Quoting a Supreme Court ruling, the tribunal noted, "It is settled in law that once a chargesheet has been filed and the driver has been held negligent, no further evidence is required to establish negligence." The tribunal dismissed the insurer's contention regarding breach of policy conditions. Treating the deceased as a homemaker, the tribunal fixed a notional income of Rs 7,000 per month and calculated total compensation at Rs 21.5 lakh. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 02:47 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA family from Thane district in Maharashtra was allegedly duped of more than Rs 1.66 crore by a man who exploited their fear of “black magic”, police said, reported the PTI. The suspect allegedly promised divine remedies through rituals and pilgrimages, officials said on Sunday. The Kasarvadavali police registered a first information report (FIR) on April 2 against the accused, Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in Mumbai, after the family claimed they were manipulated into paying him over two years, the news agency reported. Elaborate rituals and pilgrimages According to police, the family's ordeal began in January 2024 when they met Shetty at an event. On learning about their financial difficulties, he convinced them that a relative had performed black magic to obstruct their progress, as per the PTI. To counter this, Shetty allegedly prescribed elaborate rituals and a mandatory pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred temples of Lord Shiva. He is said to have exploited minor mishaps in the family to manipulate them into making repeated payments. Large payments made over two years According to the PTI, the police stated that between February and April 2024, the family gave Shetty Rs 10 lakh in cash to buy ritual materials. From May 2024 to January 2026, they reportedly transferred around Rs 1.56 crore via online transactions to bank accounts held by Shetty and his mother. Shetty allegedly also claimed he required money for pending court cases, warning that if he were imprisoned, the rituals would remain incomplete and the family’s situation would never improve. The probe "The Kasarvadavali police district on April 2 registered a first information report (FIR) against Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in neighbouring Mumbai, based on the family's allegations that they were manipulated into paying the accused over a period of two years to "neutralise black magic" performed by a relative," an official said. While no arrest has been made so far, police have filed a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, along with provisions under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, the official added, the PTI reported. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2026 02:20 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
