A retired civic worker was allegedly beaten to death following a parking dispute near Dadar TT in central Mumbai on Sunday night, with Matunga police arresting two men in connection with the case. Police said that after retirement, Narottam Waghela, 63, had taken up the role of managing the parking spot, and was known to aggressively shoo away vehicle drivers. In some cases, he would allegedly deflate the tyres of vehicles parked despite his objections. The deceased, Naresh alias Narottam Waghela, 63, a retired BMC garbage collector, had been working as a standee at a small informal parking spot near the Dadar TT flyover, where he would sit near his scooty and keep watch on the roadside space, often confronting motorists who attempted to park there. Illustratoins/Uday Mohite The Matunga police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault and murder. The accused duo have been booked and remanded to police custody, while further investigations are underway. Background of Waghelas Waghela had consumed alcohol before the incident. His wife told police that he was a habitual drinker and would often consume alcohol before sitting at the spot. Savita works as a domestic help. She and Narottam lived in Pratiksha Nagar in Sion, but their home was demolished. Narottam Waghela. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT They moved to a chawl in Dadar, but were evicted as they couldn’t pay rent. For the past few weeks, they lived under the Dadar TT bridge. Savita said they managed their livelihood with the payment she got from doing household work and Waghela’s pension. Wife witnessed assault According to Savita, Waghela’s wife, who was standing near the spot, the duo allegedly slapped her husband during the confrontation. “They hit him, and he fell to the ground,” 45-year-old Savita said. Savita Waghela points to the spot where her husband was assaulted. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI “They dragged my husband from under the bridge to the other side of the road near the bus stop and then assaulted him again, knocking him to the ground. They even placed a knee on his chest while punching him by grabbing his shirt. Then they fled. I tried to wake up my husband, but he became unresponsive.” Died due to injuries Waghlela was rushed to KEM Hospital by Savita and bystanders, where he was declared dead on arrival. Post-mortem findings confirmed that he died due to head injuries sustained during the assault, said senior police officers. Savita Waghela at the spot where Narottam objected to the car being parked. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI Night of the murder Around 9.30 pm on April 12, a car arrived at the spot with driver Shanawaz Shaikh and car owner Sahil Ghadge, who were attempting to park briefly. “They had come from Pune to Mumbai, and wanted to take a short break, hence wanted to park,” said a police officer. “However, Waghela objected and began shouting at them, leading to an argument that quickly escalated.” Police officers added that after being slapped, Waghela fell. The accused then grabbed his shirt and shoved him back and forth, causing his head to repeatedly hit the road.
16 April,2026 08:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerProtesting against a recent increase in rental charges for the use of theatres run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where Marathi plays are staged and cultural programmes are held, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) has demanded that the civic body reverse its move. Voicing concerns of producers and organisers, Amey Ghole, Sena group leader in the civic body, wrote a letter to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide in this regard. The BMC increases the rent by 10 per cent annually. On April 1, 2026, the rent payable by those organising shows was increased by Rs 3000 to Rs 4000. The issue was also raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad (All India Marathi Theatres Council), which pointed out that this could lead to venues passing on the cost to customers, proving a threat to the survival of regional performance art and theatre. Expert Speak Raju Patodkar, Actor and writer‘Already, there is hardly any audience for Marathi plays. The target audience may or may not be able to afford expensive tickets. Even Rs 500 for a ticket is considered a huge amount. However, organisers have to bear different kinds of expenses, such as air-conditioning costs, to compete with other cinema houses. Rent varies depending on prime time show bookings, seating capacity, and whether or not it’s the weekend. Unlike earlier times, when shows would run for 25 weeks at a stretch, demand is low. Now, pulling off 25 shows is considered a huge success. In such times, it is necessary to ease the financial burden on organisers’ Voice of concern Amey Ghole, Shiv Sena leader‘It is crucial for the survival of Marathi theatre and performance art that rent should be rationalised. I have voiced the concerns of various organisers and written to the administration’ Popular theatres >> Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi>> Shri Shivaji Mandir in Dadar>> Yashwant Natya Mandir in Matunga West>> Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha in Vashi Rs 150 to Rs 500General price range of a Marathi play ticket
16 April,2026 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, on Wednesday, while addressing a gathering in Mumbai, hailed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ initiative. The CM highlighted that India cannot achieve the status of a developed nation unless women secure a 50 per cent share in the country’s development. Fadnavis further underlined the importance of equal participation of men and women across sectors. Speaking at the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ Women’s Conference organised by the Nari Shakti Vichar Manch, Fadnavis said the recently passed women's reservation framework reflects a strong political will led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the move would significantly enhance women’s representation in the Parliament and state legislatures, ushering in transformative political, social, and economic changes. CM Fadnavis hails 'Nari Shakti Vandan' A day after PM Modi addressed the gathering on the same initiative, Fadnavis also highlighted that the number of women Members of Parliament could rise from the current 73 to nearly 273 by 2029. He further said that this initiative will play a major role in enhancing inclusive governance. Fadnavis further urged citizens to unite in support of the initiative, describing it as a “historic step” towards gender equality. The Maharashtra CM also referenced earlier attempts to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill, including efforts during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, which failed due to a lack of consensus. He added, “The current progress was made possible due to decisive leadership at the Centre.” Fadnavis expresses concerns over the census and delimitation Addressing concerns over the census and delimitation, the Chief Minister clarified that the bill is based on the 2011 Census. He also asserted, “The 2021 census exercise was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and assured that the delimitation process would soon begin.” The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, MLAs Manisha Chaudhary, Chitra Wagh and Amit Satam, along with Vice-Chancellor of SNDT University Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo. Celebrities such as actress Raveena Tandon, actor Prajakta Mali, singer Vaishali Samant and designer Archana Kochhar were also present. Fadnavis on Maharashtra’s women development initiative Highlighting the significance of this initiative in the state, the BJP leader also highlighted Maharashtra’s progress in women’s empowerment. He noted that women now hold several top administrative positions, including the state’s first female Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner. He also pointed out that women’s representation in local self-governing bodies has reached 55 per cent. While hailing the state’s step towards women's equality, Fadnavis acknowledged past challenges such as the ‘Sarpanch-Pati’ trend but said women leaders are now increasingly elected on merit and performing effectively. Citing academic excellence, he referred to an event in Nagpur where female students secured six of eight gold medals at AIIMS, underscoring women’s achievements across sectors. Women achievers from various fields were felicitated during the event. In a symbolic gesture of support for the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ initiative, Fadnavis and other dignitaries gave a missed call to a designated number and signed a commemorative plaque, reaffirming their commitment to advancing women’s leadership in India.
16 April,2026 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced its Std X results on Wednesday — much earlier than the norm — mid-day saw several success stories spring up from schools run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This year, for the first time, students from a total of 11 of 18 BMC-run CBSE schools sat for the board examinations, as opposed to one last year. With these 10 new schools entering the picture, the civic schools clocked a pass percentage of 92.80 per cent. Of the 339 students who took the exam, 35 secured more than 90 per cent. Arya Lamne, a student of Mumbai Public School (MPS) CBSE Mithagar S Division Mulund, stood first among her peers, scoring 97.80 per cent. Saurabh Yadav, a student of MPS CBSE Punamnagar K East Division, Andheri, secured second place with 97.20 per cent, and Kaustubh Tripathi, a student of MPS CBSE Rajawadi N Division Ghatkopar, stood third with 97 per cent. Four out of 11 schools have achieved 100 per cent results. Other success stories Kaustubh Tripathi, Thane resident, who scored 97%While Kaustubh Tripathi secured 97 per cent overall, he scored a perfect 100 in Marathi. Having only moved to Maharashtra a year before the Std 10 exam, the student had very little time to master the new language. “While the Marathi script is similar to that of Hindi, I had to catch up on the grammar and nuances of the languages. Having Marathi-speaking friends was my biggest help,” he said. Using YouTube and course books, the student is now a fluent Marathi speaker. Bharat Teli, Mulund resident, who scored 67%In Mulund East, another BMC student secured 67 per cent, all while helping his father run an ice-cream stand. Bharat Teli, 16, would typically start his day by helping his father prepare ice cream. The student would then head to school, go to tuition classes, and then join his father at the stall again. “I would wait around from 10 pm to 1 am, and then the next day would start again. I am happy with my results, and I hope to study Commerce and start my own business soon,” he told mid-day. Janvi Nirmal, Jogeshwari resident, who scored 62.4%In Jogeshwari, Janvi Nirmal, who was diagnosed with spina bifida, a locomotor disability, at birth, scored 62.4 per cent. The student, who used a wheelchair throughout her schooling years, would travel by auto to her exam centre in Malad. “My mother would accompany me and wait outside till I finished my papers. My school and my centre remained accessible to me throughout.” Studying at MPS Pratiksha Nagar, the student would often play basketball to clear her mind ahead of the exams. Topper’s tale Aarya Lamne, who scored 97.80%‘I expected to score above 90 per cent. Though my percentage was unexpected, I knew I deserved these marks because I had put in all the work throughout the year’ Significant stats Pune Region (which Mumbai comes under)>> Pass percentage - 96.66% - 7th rank>> Girls' pass percentage - 97.35%>> Boys' pass percentage - 96.1 %>> Nationwide pass percentage - 93.70% 97.80%Percentage scored by civic schools’ topper
16 April,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe investigation into the brutal murder of 25-year-old security guard Abhinav Kumar Chaudhary near the MHADA office in Kherwadi, on Monday, April 13, has taken a fresh turn, with police confirming that the two unidentified accused boarded a train to Kolkata soon after the crime. The Kherwadi police are scanning CCTV footage along with a crucial mobile video that shows the accused fleeing in an autorickshaw, as teams work to trace their route and establish their identities. Family waits Even as the manhunt continues, Chaudhary’s body remains at LTMG (Sion) Hospital morgue despite the post-mortem being completed, as no immediate blood relative has yet arrived from Bihar to claim it. Sources said the victim’s father is physically disabled, his mother is elderly, and his younger brother is just 14. While his brother-in-law is ready to take custody of the body, police have insisted on a blood relative completing formalities. The minor brother is now on his way and will claim the body along with him. Maneesh Kalwaniya, DCP, Zone VIII, told mid-day, “The police are working to track the accused and are confident of making arrests soon.”
16 April,2026 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghReal estate experts have raised concerns over the effectiveness of the newly introduced electronic Transferable Development Rights (e-TDR) system implemented by the BMC from April 15, stating that its success will depend entirely on robust implementation and regulatory safeguards. While the digital platform has significantly reduced paperwork and enabled online transactions, including integration with banking and record-keeping systems, experts caution that it may still fall short in ensuring complete transparency in its current form and say the system remains vulnerable to risks such as incorrect data entries and off-platform transactions, undermining the objective of digitisation. Experts stated that while the e-TDR system marks a progressive step towards the digitisation of urban planning transactions, its success will ultimately depend on legal robustness, technological integrity, and administrative discipline. They said the goal must be to transition from a discretionary regime to a transparent, rule-based governance structure, ensuring that the “Rule of Law” prevails over the “Rule of Men.” Personal experience with land acquisition Advocate Godfrey Pimenta shared that he himself faced land acquisition for the Marol Naka Metro station and road widening project, giving him firsthand insight into the hardships of affected landowners. Support for new systemHe welcomed the e-TDR initiative, calling it a “welcome and progressive reform” to improve compensation processes for acquired private land. Issues with earlier processHe pointed out that the previous system was “complex and cumbersome,” requiring multiple compliances and causing delays, uncertainty, and hardship for landowners. Benefits of digital integrationHe noted that the e-TDR platform brings multiple departments onto a single digital system, improving coordination and enabling faster, more efficient processing of TDR entitlements. Caution on implementationPimenta, warned that while the system has strong potential, poor execution could make it “another ‘white elephant,” stressing the need for proper oversight and data integrity. What is TDR? Granted to landowners when land is acquired for public projects by the govt, TDRs compensate owners with tradable development rights instead of cash which can be used or sold in market, but the system has long been criticised for opacity. Issues with the earlier TDR framework >> Lack of uniform valuation>> Discretionary approvals>> Informal brokerage practices>> Fragmented documentation systems>> These issues often led to disputes, pricing distortions, and unequal access to development rights. Expert Speak Shreeprasad Parab, Advocate and expert directorMaharashtra State Cooperative Housing Federation, termed the introduction of the e-TDR platform a major reform in urban planning mechanisms, replacing a historically opaque system. “Transparency is not merely administrative reform but a legal necessity,” he said. Solutions proposed by the federation Government-backed digital registry Parab recommends a fully secure, centralised digital registry with unique identification for each TDR unit, ensuring traceability and authenticity at every stage. This should include secure audit trails, mandatory disclosure norms, and real-time transaction verification Inclusion of affected zones For land parcels impacted by restrictions such as funnel zones, coastal regulation zone limits, and reserved planning areas. He proposes a compensatory TDR allocation mechanism to ensure fair treatment of landowners whose development potential is restricted in public interest. This approach, he states, aligns with the principle that public welfare is the supreme law, while balancing it with private property rights. Government-backed digital registry Parab recommends a fully secure, centralised digital registry with unique identification for each TDR unit, ensuring traceability and authenticity at every stage. This should include secure audit trails, mandatory disclosure norms, and real-time transaction verification Legal strengthening and enforcement mechanism To make the system effective and enforceable, he recommends:>> Statutory recognition of digital TDR certificates>> Mandatory registration of all transactions on the e-platform>> Strict penalties for off-platform dealings>> Regular audits and compliance checks>> Public dashboards for transparency>> Strong grievance redressal systems Single-window clearance system To ensure efficiency, Parab stresses the need for a fully integrated single-window system for approvals. He suggests end-to-end digital processing, seamless inter-department coordination, and time-bound approvals (ideally within 30 minutes for standard transactions). He warns that delays in approval processes undermine substantive rights.
16 April,2026 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonNearly a month after a Bonnet macaque was critically injured by an arrow in Thane’s Yeoor Range, the case remains unsolved, with no significant leads so far. Forest officials have now decided to send the recovered arrows for forensic analysis in coordination with the police, even as the reward for information has been doubled to Rs 50,000. How is the investigation going? Dr Priti Sathe performs surgery. Pics/By Special Arrangement >> Arrows to be sent for forensic examination>> Fingerprints to be extracted and matched with suspects>> Process being conducted in coordination with local police At a glance Incident: Monkey shot with an arrowLocation: Yeoor Range, Thane (near SGNP eco-sensitive zone)Weapon: Professional archery bow suspectedReward: Increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000Status: No accused identified yet
16 April,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA 76-year-old woman from Vikhroli East has approached police alleging sustained harassment, neglect, and being denied entry into her home by her daughter-in-law after her son’s death in November 2023. Family dispute The complainant said she lived with her elder son’s family at their Tagore Nagar residence, where tensions escalated following his death. She alleged her daughter-in-law demanded a share in the property, frequently picked fights, and verbally abused her. Speaking to mid-day, the woman further claimed she was neglected and denied necessities. “She would not give me food on time. My daughters, who stay nearby, had to take care of me. Sometimes they would take me with them because I couldn’t stay there,” she said. Neglect claims The situation reached a breaking point in March while the woman’s younger son was away from Mumbai. Tensions had already mounted in January when her daughter-in-law allegedly destroyed the CCTV cameras installed for her protection. “My younger son had put cameras so I would be safe, but on January 1, she broke them,” the woman alleged. Recalling the subsequent harassment, she added, “She kept telling me to leave the house; I was scared and had to go to my daughter’s place.” When she attempted to return on March 24, she was reportedly threatened and barred from entering. Police action Following failed mediation, Vikhroli police registered an FIR under Section 24 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, along with Sections 115(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigating officer PSI Mira Madhavrao More confirmed, “Based on the complainant’s statement, we have registered an FIR under relevant sections. The matter is currently under investigation.” Officials added that statements of all parties concerned will be recorded as part of the probe. No arrests have been made so far.
16 April,2026 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Vaishnavi ShettyThe discovery of a dead Indian marsh crocodile near Vihar Lake, close to the SGNP, has raised concerns. A resident first spotted the carcass on April 5 and alerted forest authorities, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding its death. The villager, requesting anonymity, said “The condition in which the crocodile was found raised serious concerns, and I hope a proper probe will determine the cause of death.” Officials respond Range Forest Officer Pradip Chavan sent a team on Sunday afternoon to verify the information. Officials found that the crocodile had died outside SGNP limits, in an area under the Mumbai territorial range of the Thane forest department. Natural death Senior veterinarian Dr Shailesh Pethe, along with SARRP INDIA volunteers and Thane forest officials, visited the site on April 6. Dr Pethe said, “Prima facie, the death appeared natural, with no foul play suspected. A post-mortem was conducted, and the remains were disposed of as per protocol.”
16 April,2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA Bandra court on April 15 remanded a 42-year-old IT professional, Jaikumar Kishore Bidichandani, to judicial custody after five days of police custody in a case filed by a 29-year-old woman at Mahim police station. He is accused of creating fake profiles in her name on pornographic websites and misusing her personal and business details. Serious charges Police have booked him under Sections 67 and 67(A) of the IT Act, along with charges of sexual harassment, stalking, outraging modesty, and defamation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Case history This is the fourth time Bidichandani has been arrested in cases involving the same complainant. Advocate Joshua Abhay Patnigere, representing the woman, told the court that “the accused has repeatedly created fake profiles in her name, as well as those of her business and family members, uploading them on pornographic platforms along with personal details like mobile numbers.” Adv. Patnigere argued that the accused has followed a consistent pattern and that custodial interrogation is warranted to recover concealed evidence. The court had then remanded the accused to police custody. Harassment trail The accused met her at a Bandra satsang and began harassing her after she rejected him. Despite earlier arrest and bail, she again received obscene emails, prompting fresh investigation.
16 April,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghOpposition ally backs rival NCP faction in Baramati, signalling rare unity beyond political divide, as NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday, April 15, began a three-day campaign in the constituency in support of his late uncle Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, the Mahayuti alliance candidate from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, for the upcoming by-election. Family priority Baramati, considered a stronghold of the Pawars, has witnessed intense political activity since the by-election was announced. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has firmly maintained that it would not contest the seat. Also, Rohit’s active campaigning for the rival faction’s candidate is seen as an attempt to maintain the family’s cordial relationship and influence in the constituency. Three-day tour Sharad Pawar led NCP spokesperson, Sunil Mane, stated that Rohit Pawar will tour several parts of the constituency over the next three days, holding public meetings and interacting with local voters to drum up support for Sunetra Pawar. “Ajit Pawar played a key role in the development of Baramti. Post the death of Ajit Dada, Sunetra Tai is contesting from the constituency. It is time to support her to complete the vision of late Ajit Pawar,” Mane added. Party split In 2023, Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar engineered a split in the party and joined the Mahayuti alliance. Now, Rohit, participating in the campaign, has drawn attention as it reflects a rare crossover between two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which have been at odds since the party split. Poll schedule The by-elections were necessitated following the deaths of Ajit Pawar, who represented Baramati, and Shivajirao Kardile, the sitting BJP MLA from Rahuri. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting for both constituencies will be held on April 23, while the counting of votes is set for May 4. April 15Day the campaign began
16 April,2026 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
