Mumbai residents experienced a calm and pleasant start to the day on Wednesday, with temperatures dipping to 20.3 degrees Celsius in the early morning hours. The city is expected to see clear skies and dry weather conditions, with comfortable mornings giving way to warmer afternoons. There are no forecasts of dense fog this week as visibility is likely to remain clear. According to the India Meteorological Department, generally pleasant weather conditions are set to prevail across the financial capital. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 17 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius. While the weather remained comfortable, deteriorating air quality emerged as a major concern, overshadowing the favourable morning conditions. The minimum temperature was recorded at 17.4 degrees Celsius in Santacruz, while Colaba reported a low of 20.8 degrees Celsius. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 103 in the early hours, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. AQI levels across Mumbai: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC): 105 Borivali East: 87 Andheri East: 95 Chembur: 110 Deonar: 113 Ghatkopar: 83 Kandivali West: 96 Kherwadi, Bandra East: 96 Officials continue to monitor air quality levels as residents are advised to take necessary precautions, especially those with respiratory conditions. Delhi's air quality improves, AQI recorded at 221 in 'Poor' category Meanwhile, the national capital witnessed a significant improvement in air quality on Thursday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 221 around 8 am. However, it remained in the 'poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Air quality improved sharply compared to Wednesday, when the AQI was over 300. Despite this improvement, a thin layer of smog persists in parts of the city, and overall air quality remains poor. In Anand Vihar, a thin layer of smog lingered, although visibility was relatively clear, with an AQI of 292, placing it in the 'poor' category. Additionally, a thin layer of smog engulfed areas around Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham and India Gate this morning. According to CPCB data, several areas in the capital, including Bawana (289), Chandni Chowk (255), Dwarka Sector 8 (222), and Patparganj (230), experienced improved air quality, though the levels still fell within the 'poor' category. DTU also recorded poor air quality, with an AQI of 249. However, some areas of the city had better air quality than others. For instance, Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 137, falling in the 'moderate' category, according to CPCB data. Mandir Marg (171), Najafgarh (137), and CRRI Mathura Road (162) also recorded similar results, entering the 'moderate' category.
25 December,2025 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Navi Mumbai International Airport commenced commercial flight operations on Thursday, marking a key milestone for India's civil aviation sector, while expanding air travel capacity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) began operations, with the first flight from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo, touching down on the runway at 8 am. The aircraft was accorded a ceremonial water cannon salute on arrival, a time-honoured aviation tradition marking NMIA's first commercial touchdown and departure, the airport operator said in a statement. The inaugural arrival was followed by the airport's first departure, an IndiGo flight 6E882 to Hyderabad at 08:40 am, completing NMIA's inaugural arrival and departure cycle, it said. On the first day, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and Star Air will operate domestic services, connecting the new facility to nine destinations across India. The airport will handle 15 scheduled departures on the first day, it said, adding that during the initial phase, the facility will operate for 12 hours -- between 8 am and 8 pm, with up to 24 scheduled daily departures to 13 destinations and the capability to manage up to 10 aircraft movements (arrivals and departures) per hour, it added. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8 this year. The first phase of the five-phased airport was built at Rs 19,650 crore. By the time all five phases of the airport are completed, it will be catering to 90 million passengers annually, along with dedicated cargo terminals and multimodal connectivity. The entire project is being developed in multiple phases under a special purpose vehicle, Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), in which the Adani Group has a 74 per cent stake, and the remaining 26 per cent is owned by CIDCO. From February next year, operations are planned to progressively scale up to round-the-clock services. 1,515 drones deck sky On Wednesday, a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 drones was organised to mark the airport's operational launch on the eve of the commencement of operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), according to a press release. The drones moved in seamless coordination, creating striking aerial formations such as 3D Lotus blooms, Lotus Design Interiors, Airport Logo, Green Airport, plane flying over Mumbai, rise of India, among others, all centred around the theme and splendour of the airport. The evening brought together innovation and artistry, transforming the night sky into a canvas of memorable and visually compelling displays. The press note stated that among the audience, the event saw especially-abled persons, young athletes and NMIA employees witness the occasion unfold live in front of them.
25 December,2025 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKids find their mumbai groove Children play with the iconic city signage at the Bandra Reclamation promenade. A splash of Mexican spirit in Bandra Different sizes of Cantarito in a clay jar. Pics courtesy/ The Little Easy Is there anything like too much of the spirited stuff? The Little Easy in Bandra answers firmly in the negative with its special three-litre Cantarito — a traditional Mexican cocktail often served authentically in a clay jar. Speaking to the founder of The Little Easy, Vishesh Shah (inset), said, “When I was in Jalisco, Mexico, I kept seeing locals and tourists drinking from clay jugs on the streets. When I tried it, it instantly clicked for me. Some of those Cantaritos were massive, going up to 35 litres. While we’ve kept it more practical here, our largest Cantarito is around three litres and almost has an entire bottle of Reposado tequila in it. It’s super refreshing as it has citrusy notes with huge portions of ice, which makes it perfect for brunch with a group of friends. Bringing Cantarito to India for the first time at The Little Easy felt like sharing a little piece of that experience I brought back from Mexico.” A cricketer a month! Illustrations of (left) Rahul Dravid and (right) Don Bradman. Pics/Special Arrangement THE festive season that coincides with the end of the year is also a time to get a move on in terms of procuring diaries and calendars. Our in-house cricket nut will now only go shopping for the former. That’s because caricaturist Austin Coutinho, has sent him an artistic cricket-themed wall calendar. Rahul Dravid is the first great to be featured because he turns 53 in January while a caricature of Sunil Gavaskar (born 10-07-1949) adorns the July sheet. Coutinho, we hear, has made a very limited amount of calendars and has prized them at Rs 650 each. Email him on auscoot1954@gmail.com for a copy. Ready to race? Dhruv Chavan leading the The Polo Cup 2024 race at Madras International Circuit in Chennai; (right) heading out for practice before the race. Pics courtesy/Dhruv Chavan This Lonavala-based gentleman, Dhruv Chavan (below), also known as BH Virtus, will be participating in the third round of Buzzing Hornet Motorsports of the Indian Touring Car (ITC) Championship at Chennai, scheduled from January 3 to 5. Reflecting on his journey, Chavan shared how he began training in 2021, which eventually led him to participate in his first motorsport race at Ajmera Indikarting in Wadala. Since then, he has been unstoppable — no pun intended. After winning the Polo Cup in Chennai in 2024, he is now excited to compete in the ITC Championship. He told this diarist, “This will be an extremely competitive phase for me, as many experienced drivers will be on the grid. This is also the first time I will be participating in the ITC category, which has far more variations compared to the Polo Cup.” A literary giant quietly takes his leave Varun Grover with Vinod Kumar Shukla (right) at the launch of his book, A Silent Place in Raipur, 2018. PIC courtesy/@Vidushak Any reader who has encountered the words of Vinod Kumar Shukla remembers the effect of tenderness they carry. The passing of the 88-year-old Jnanpith Awardee on Tuesday leaves, as writer Varun Grover calls it, ‘A Vinod Kumar Shukla-sized vacuum’ in Hindi literature’. Comparing the late author-poet to Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Grover said, “Even his [Shukla’s] prose is coloured by poetic thought. He wrote in simple, but beautiful language. He would jest self-deprecatingly, ‘I have the mind of a child’. But the imagery was filled with a longing for home, humanism that defined his works.”
25 December,2025 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayA scheduling error linked to a wrong date update and premature passenger alerts triggered widespread confusion and delays on the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor on Tuesday morning, leaving passengers stranded. The 11301/11302 Udyan Express runs between Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Bengaluru. According to officials, the Udyan Express was mistakenly rescheduled for December 24 instead of January 24, 2026, due to a data error. Although the mistake was corrected overnight, IRCTC SMS alerts had already been sent to passengers, triggering confusion at stations and on board. The reason for rescheduling in January is to facilitate non-interlocking (NI) work on the Daund Chord Line, officials said. As a contingency measure, passengers who missed the Udyan Express were allowed to board the Koyna Express up to Karjat, from where they were to be transferred to the Udyan. While the Udyan Express departs from CSMT at 8.10 am, the Koyna Express departs at 8.40 am from CSMT. For the convenience of passengers who missed the train, the Udyan Express was halted at Bhivpuri Road station. The passengers were then brought in the Koyna Express and made to board the missed train at Karjat. To enable this, the Udyan Express was looped at Bhivpuri Road station for nearly two hours. While operations were eventually normalised, the episode has once again highlighted how a single digital error and poor real-time communication led to the problem. SK Kumar, a commuter onboard the Udyan Express at Bhivpuri, not knowing about the communication fiasco and the error, said, “The train had been detained at Bhivpuri station for the past one and a half hours, probably for some VIP passenger. Local trains were flying past us, but our express was standing still. No clear announcement, only confusion.” Official Speak “The Udyan Express was mistakenly rescheduled for December 24 instead of January 24, 2026. After realisation, it was restored overnight. However, the messages to passengers sent through IRCTC resulted in this issue. The leftover passengers boarded the Koyna Express and deboarded at Karjat. The Udyan Express was moved from Bhivpuri to Karjat, where the passengers boarded the same,” a railway spokesperson said.
25 December,2025 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Bombay High Court on Wednesday stayed all “fraud” classification proceedings against Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications by a consortium of three banks, citing violations of mandatory Reserve Bank of India rules. Granting an interim relief to Ambani and his company by staying all present and future action by Indian Overseas Bank, IDBI Bank, and Bank of Baroda, Justice Milind Jadhav said that the banks’ move was based on a legally flawed forensic audit and violated the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) mandatory guidelines. The court refused to take on record a forensic audit report prepared by BDO LLP in October 2020, saying the report was “prima facie inconclusive” and could not be used as a basis for punitive action because it was not signed by a Chartered Accountant (CA) as required under the RBI’s 2024 Master Directions on fraud. The judge also pointed out that the BDO LLP had previously worked as a consultant for one of the lender banks, creating a “conflicting position” that undermined its independence as an auditor. The consequences of allowing the banks to declare the accounts of Ambani and his company as fraud are “virtually drastic and lead to disastrous consequences like being blacklisted, barred from new bank loans/credit for years, criminal FIR filing, reputation damage, impacting fundamental rights to financial access and civil death,” the high court said in its 116-page order. The HC also berated the banks for their “belated action”, describing it as a “classic case where the banks have woken up from their deep slumber”. The lenders sought to conduct a forensic audit in 2019 for transactions that occurred between 2013 and 2017, failing to adhere to the timelines prescribed by the RBI. “The RBI Master Directions are mandatory in nature, and they operate within a binding statutory framework requiring banks to engage auditors strictly in accordance with applicable law,” said the court order. Ambani had challenged show-cause notices issued by the Indian Overseas Bank, IDBI Bank, and Bank of Baroda, seeking to declare his and Reliance Communications’ accounts as fraud accounts. 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
25 December,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Thackeray cousins exchanged sharp words as the political temperature rose ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The war of words began on the very first day (Wednesday) after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray officially announced their alliance, signalling the start of a high-stakes and bitter battle for Mumbai’s civic body. Responding to a media query, Raj Thackeray said the BJP should not lecture others on Hindutva. “There is a video on social media in which Fadnavis is heard saying, ‘Allah Hafiz’,” the MNS chief stated. Raj further warned that he has several such old videos in his possession and warned that whether these are made public or not would depend on how the BJP and its leaders level allegations in the future. Burying nearly two decades of political differences, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray came together on July 5 over the Hindi language row. Since then, the Thackeray cousins had been hinting at a possible tie-up in the name of Maharashtra’s pride and the Marathi identity. The speculation ended on December 24, when Raj and Uddhav officially announced their alliance for the polls to the BMC and other municipal corporations scheduled for January 15, 2026. However, leaders from both the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) did not disclose details about seat sharing, including how many seats each party would contest or which wards they would fight from. Referring to recent reports of rising cases of missing and kidnapped children, Raj made a sarcastic comment. “These days, gangs involved in kidnapping children are active. Two more gangs have been added to the list,” he said, indirectly referring to the BJP and the Shiv Sena, alleging they were “kidnapping” political workers. He added that the seat-sharing formula would be announced later. CM reacts Responding to Raj’s remarks, Fadnavis said he was born a Hindu and would remain one. “Like other leaders, I do not need to wear a saffron shawl to prove my Hindutva. I also do not change my views or opinions just to gain votes,” Fadnavis said, taking a swipe at Raj. Posters of MNS chief , wearing a saffron shawl, in which he was referred to as the new Hindutva leader in the changing political landscape of Maharashtra had gone viral. Responding to questions about the BJP and other Opposition parties accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS of coming together for political gain, Uddhav said the BJP should first introspect. “They should look into their own affairs. We have come together for the pride of the Marathi people and Maharashtra, and we will continue to stay together,” he said. Meanwhile, Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took digs at the reunion of the Thackeray cousins. Fadnavis stated that some news channels were telecasting visuals and reporting the reunion event as if it were Russia and Ukraine's leaders coming together for talks. “I feel that the Thackerays have come together for the sake of their survival. The reunion of the cousins and their parties will not have much impact on the upcoming municipal corporation polls and their outcome,” the CM opined. Deputy CM’s statement Echoing a similar view, Shinde said, “Everyone knows what the Thackeray cousins have said against each other. Now they have come together for their personal interests, not for the Marathi people or the development of the city.” Meanwhile, Uddhav said they had given up hopes of Congress joining hands with them for the civic polls. However, he clarified that they were still in talks with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP and a decision on whether it would be part of the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance would be cleared in a day or two. Besides, the Thackeray cousins and their party leaders, Raj’s wife and son, Sharmila and Amit; Uddhav’s wife and son, Aaditya and Rashmi; and the Thackeray cousins’ maternal uncle, Chandrakant Vaidya alias Chandu Mama, were also present at the Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs’ press conference. Uddhav Thackeray calls for unity in Marathi speakers Uddhav has urged Marathi speakers to stay alert and remain vigilant. On the lines of the ‘Batenge Toh Katenge’ (if we are divided, we will be destroyed) slogan used by the ruling Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, during the 2024 Assembly polls, Uddhav coined a similar slogan. “Chukal tar sampal (If Marathi people go wrong, you’ll be broken),” Uddhav said, referring to the BJP and their central leadership’s alleged plans to weaken Mumbai and Maharashtra. Uddhav also stated, “There are some Marathi people in the BJP who would like to support the fight for Marathi speakers. I would request them also to join the battle for the pride of Marathi.” Meanwhile, Raj stated that only a Marathi Manoos would become the mayor of Mumbai, and they would install their mayor in the BMC. Reacting to this, senior BJP leader and revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawakule said, “Aren’t we Marathi, too?” Hinting that the Marathi card would not make much impact as those contesting against Sena (UBT) and MNS would be from their community, he said, “Mumbai’s mayor will be Marathi only and from the Mahayuti.”
25 December,2025 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarFollowing mid day‘s report on severe dust and air pollution in Kurla posing health risks to residents, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued directions to the RMC (ready mix concrete) plant operator after finding non-compliance with pollution control guidelines. The board also ordered the forfeiture of the Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee submitted by the RMC operator. An MPCB official said, “Our inspection team visited the RMC plant in Kurla and observed non-compliance with prescribed pollution control norms. In view of these violations, we have ordered the forfeiture of the Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee submitted by the RMC operator. The operator has also been warned that any further violations will invite stricter regulatory action.” A December 15 mid-day report — Mumbai: Kurla residents raise alarm about polluting RMC plant — stated that Mumbai-based activist Godfrey Pimenta had complained to the MPCB and BMC, alleging that an RMC plant near a residential area in Kurla is generating excessive dust and air pollution. According to Pimenta, emissions from the plant pose a serious health risk to residents in the vicinity. On December 16, a mid-day report — MPCB to issue notice to polluting RMC plant in Kurla — informed that MPCB would be issuing a notice to the RMC plant blamed for causing dust and air pollution in Kurla. A senior MPCB officer had then told mid-day that officials inspected the site, found pollution violations, and sent a proposal to higher authorities for action. During the second week of December, a resident from Sunderbaug Lane, Kamani, in Kurla, recorded a video showing dust pollution allegedly caused by the plant and shared it with Pimenta. Acting on this evidence, Pimenta filed complaints with the MPCB, BMC, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Locals from the area had also told mid-day that the situation poses significant health risks, especially for children, senior citizens, and people with respiratory issues.
25 December,2025 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavAs mid-day continues with its ‘Know Your Wards’ series, we now focus on the ‘C’ and ‘D’ administrative wards, which present a stark contrast in terms of their demography, urban spaces and personality. Both wards border the Arabian Sea, forming a part of Mumbai’s western coastline. The C ward is among the most congested in the city, with narrow lanes, a large number of old buildings eligible for redevelopment, lack of parking space, and high commercial value due to the popular clothing and jewelry markets. While the ward largely consists of merchants and traders, it is home to some of the oldest privately owned buildings in the city. The electoral ward number 220 — comprising Kamathipura and Null Bazar — had witnessed a tie with two candidates garnering an equal number of votes in the 2017 BMC elections. BJP’s Atul Shah and Shiv Sena’s Surendra Bagalkar had bagged 5946 votes each. After consulting with the State Election Commission, then Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta stepped in and arranged for a lottery to be drawn by a school student to decide on the candidate. Shah’s name emerged victorious. The D ward, on the other hand, is considered a VIP ward in Mumbai being home to the governor of Maharashtra’s residence Raj Bhavan, and the official residences of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, and various leaders of the Maharashtra legislature. The ward is also home to the iconic Hanging Gardens in Malabar Hill, and yet another iconic open space fondly associated with India’s freedom struggle — the August Kranti Maidan, from where Mahatma Gandhi kick-started the Quit India Movement in 1942.
25 December,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSKalachowkie police have registered an FIR against a Navi Mumbai couple for allegedly cheating a cooperative bank of Rs 29.28 lakh by mortgaging the same flat to two banks using forged property documents. The case came to light nearly a decade after the loan was sanctioned. The accused allegedly secured a Rs 30 lakh home loan in 2014 by mortgaging a flat in Nerul. Verification later revealed that the title documents submitted were forged and nearly identical for both banks, suggesting deliberate deception. Police identified the accused as Sadanand Vishwanath Dhekne and his wife, Nalini Dhekne, residents of Worli, Mumbai. The couple reportedly used their jointly purchased Nerul flat to obtain loans from two cooperative banks. They first availed a Rs 28.50 lakh loan in September 2014 and later a Rs 30 lakh loan in December 2014. Repayments on the second loan allegedly stopped from April 2016, turning it non-performing. As of August 2016, Rs 29.28 lakh remained outstanding, prompting recovery action. The fraud surfaced in June 2025 when the Lalbaug branch initiated SARFAESI action to auction the flat, and discovered another bank had already initiated proceedings. Document verification showed alleged forgery, leading the bank to approach the police. SARFAESI proceedings Under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002, banks can recover dues from defaulting borrowers without court intervention. In this case, the SARFAESI action included issuing statutory notices, taking possession of the flat, and moving towards auction. The process was halted after the discovery of the double-loan fraud. Loan trail Sept 24, 2014: R28.50 lakh loan from Bank 1 in NM Joshi MargDec 15, 2014: R30 lakh loan sanctioned by Bank 2 in LalbaugApril 2016: Repayment stoppedAug 2016: R29.28 lakh outstandingJune 2025: Fraud detected during SARFAESI actionDec 23 2025: FIR registered
25 December,2025 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Navi Mumbai crime branch has rescued a Bangladeshi minor girl and six other women, including two Bangladeshi nationals, from a prostitution racket operating out of a hotel in Taloja MIDC. The raid was carried out at Hotel Navnath Inn, following a tip-off received on December 21 by Senior Police Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade. The informer alleged that the hotel management was facilitating prostitution by charging customers Rs 2000 and providing women kept in lodge rooms. To verify the information, police sent a decoy customer to the lodge. After a pre-arranged signal was received, the crime branch team conducted a raid and rescued the victims, who were allegedly being exploited for prostitution. Police arrested three accused — lodge owner Vasant Ganesh Shetty, lodge manager Girish Vitthal Shetty, and service boy Roshan Ramjit Yadav. Investigations revealed that the trio had allegedly conspired to procure and harbour the minor girl and the women. The service boy is accused of accepting money from customers and arranging illegal activities within the lodge. The operation was conducted by the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell under the directions of Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe and senior officials. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said police.
25 December,2025 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaAhead of the upcoming elections and New Year celebrations, Mumbai Police intensified action against illegal liquor sale and storage, seizing nearly 43,000 litres of illicit alcohol across the city in a single day. The special drive was carried out to prevent law-and-order issues and curb the illegal supply of liquor during the high-demand period. As part of the crackdown, police conducted raids at seven locations, including Nehru Nagar, Deonar, RCF, Mahim, and Shivaji Nagar, targeting stockpiles of country-made liquor meant for illegal sale. In one operation, the Crime Detection Team (CDT) of RCF police station booked a 72-year-old woman for allegedly selling country-made liquor without a licence near the Vashinaka bridge in Chembur on the night of December 23. Acting on specific information, police laid a trap and found her in possession of 77 bottles of GM Santra country liquor. She reportedly failed to produce any valid permit, following which the stock was seized and a case was registered under Section 65(e) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. In another raid conducted in the early hours of December 24, the Crime Detection Team of Nehru Nagar police station booked a 36-year-old man after seizing 52 bottles of GM Santra country liquor allegedly meant for illegal sale. The accused failed to produce any licence or permit. Police officers said most of the seized liquor during the citywide drive was country-made alcohol, illegally stocked for sale. “Such special drives will continue to ensure law and order and prevent the illegal sale of liquor,” a police officer said, adding that further legal action is underway against those involved. Heightened surveillance Separately, Mumbai Police have stepped up surveillance of known offenders ahead of the elections and New Year celebrations. Police have compiled lists of 2751 history-sheeters across the city as part of preventive measures. Police records show that 2308 accused involved in gold chain-snatching, 5557 absconding accused, 16,652 wanted persons, and 9253 criminals recently released from jail are currently under watch. In addition, 8398 accused involved in body offences and extortion cases, 906 externed criminals, and 1779 persons booked under the Arms Act have been identified. A separate list of 3015 history-sheeters involved in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases has also been prepared. Officials said regular checks and monitoring are being carried out to prevent any law-and-order issues. Manpower plan Meanwhile, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Mumbai Police have initiated steps to strengthen manpower at police stations across the city. Personnel who have completed more than five years of service in Local Arms (LA) units have been asked to apply for posting at police stations, if willing, according to an internal communication. Police officers said the move aims to ensure adequate deployment of experienced personnel during the election period, when law-and-order management, preventive action, and election-related responsibilities increase significantly. Eligible personnel have been asked to submit their applications within the prescribed timeframe.
25 December,2025 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilADVERTISEMENT
