A newborn baby girl was found dead in a pile of garbage in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Thursday, the PTI reported. The mortal remains of the infant were discovered on the morning of April 14 by a powerloom worker, who immediately alerted the authorities, officials said. Infant sent for post-mortem "The police rushed to the spot and sent the remains of the infant to a government hospital for post-mortem and further medical procedures," an officer said, the news agency reported. Case registered under BNS Based on a complaint filed by the powerloom worker, a case was registered against unidentified persons under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the intentional concealment of a child's birth by secretly disposing of the body. Police probe underway The police are currently scanning records of recent births at nearby hospitals and checking CCTV footage in the vicinity to identify those responsible, the official added. 8-year-old boy dies after falling and drowning in an uncovered construction pit Earlier in March, an eight-year-old boy lost his life after falling into a water-filled construction pit in Malad East, police said. The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday by Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, where the child was taken. According to police, the incident took place around 8 pm on March 21 at Chagan Patel Chawl in Ambewadi, Kurar Village. The boy, identified as Divyansh Rajesh Mourya, had reportedly entered the site to retrieve a ball when he accidentally fell into a pit filled with water. The excavation work was being carried out by a private contractor. Personnel from the Mumbai Police rescued the child and rushed him to the hospital in Kandivali. However, he was declared dead on arrival by the attending medical officer. Officials from Kurar Village Police Station have registered the incident, and further investigation is underway. The victim's father, Rajesh Mourya, said, "We realised that my son was missing around 8 pm. I, along with my family and friends, searched for him across the neighbourhood multiple times. Knowing that this risky pit is there, I had checked the pit also, but due to the lack of light there, I couldn't see him the first time." He further added, "I finally found the body around 3 am at the pit. I just sat there, holding his lifeless body in my arms. My friends took him to the hospital, where they said that he died 2 hours ago. He wouldn't have lost his life if the pit had been properly covered and the building's and chawls' border had been fenced."
16 April,2026 04:13 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA tribunal in Maharashtra’s Thane district has awarded Rs 86.62 lakh in compensation to a 29-year-old man who suffered life-altering injuries and 90 per cent functional disability in a 2021 road accident. Tribunal holds truck owner, insurer liable According to PTI, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) member R V Mohite, in his judgment, held the owner of the truck and Iffco-Tokio General Insurance Company Ltd jointly and severally liable to pay the amount, along with 9 per cent interest per annum, to the claimant, Kunal Naresh Tandel. The tribunal delivered the ruling on April 9, and a copy of the order was made available on Thursday. Accident details Appearing for the claimant, his counsel, Sachin Mane, told the tribunal that the accident occurred on August 12, 2021, when Tandel, then a 24-year-old engineering student, was riding his motorcycle on the Vasai-Navapur Road in Thane district. A speeding truck rammed into him from behind, causing crushing injuries to his abdomen and legs. Mane represented the claimant, while advocates Abhimanyu Yadav and K V Poojari appeared for the truck owner and the insurance company, respectively. 90 per cent functional disability assessed While assessing the severity of Tandel's injuries, the tribunal made several significant observations regarding the victim's future. "The working capacity of the claimant has been reduced beyond the extent of disability assessed. Therefore, his functional disability is assessed at 90 per cent," the tribunal noted, the news agency reported. Medical findings and long-term impact Referring to the medical testimony of Dr Narendra Nana Nikam, who treated the victim, the tribunal observed: "The claimant suffered crushing injuries to the lower leg, abdomen, and lower back. Such injuries may lead to future complications such as instability, pain, difficulty in walking, soft tissue damage, disfigurement, and functional impairment." As per PTI, the MACT further highlighted the impact on the young man's personal life, stating, "The claimant underwent multiple surgeries at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai." Compensation breakdown According to the tribunal, the total award of Rs 86.62 lakh includes Rs 29.16 lakh for loss of income, Rs 11.66 lakh for future prospects, and Rs 10 lakh towards future medical expenses. It also awarded Rs 3 lakh for "loss of marriage prospects" and Rs 5 lakh for "cosmetic and structural disfigurement." Deposit and disbursement directions The tribunal directed that out of the total compensation, Rs 20 lakh be placed in a fixed deposit, with the remaining amount transferred to the claimant's bank account. (With PTI inputs)
16 April,2026 03:32 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentProtesting 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 03:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a yellow alert as for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and parts of Maharashtra, predicting hot weather and heatwave conditions in parts of state as the temperatures in some districts of state reached above 40 degrees Celsius. According to a weather bulletin, the IMD stated that hot and humid conditions were very likely at isolated pockets in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg on April 16. The IMD predicted that parts of Maharashtra including Dhule, Jalgaon, Nashik, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, and Hingoli, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Wardha were very likely to witness heatwave conditions on Thursday. "Heatwave conditions likely at isolated places," the weather alert for parts of state stated. A similar alert has been issued by the IMD for Friday, April 17 for some parts of Maharashtra, signalling that several districts in state were likely to witness hot weather conditions for next couple of days. Temperature in parts of state IMD predicts heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of south Madhya Maharashtra on April 16 and 17. A yellow alert has been issued for several districts with warnings of heatwave conditions in parts of South Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada. According to the Nagpur Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Vidarbha is at present witnessing high temperatures. It predicted that in Nagpur, the maximum temperature was on Thursday likely to reach 44 degrees Celsius whereas the minimum temperature was likely to touch 22 degrees Celsius. The RMC predicted that maximum temperatures in districts including Wardha, Akola and Amravati was likely to reach 45 degrees Celsius. Other parts, including Washim, Gadhciroli, Chandrapur and Bhandara was expected to witness maximum temperatures at 43 degrees Celsius on April 16. Weather in Mumbai According to the IMD, Mumbai was likely to experience clear skies, with hot and humid conditions expected to prevail in isolated pockets of the suburbs, and the temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degree Celsius on April 16. Mumbai have been reeling in hot weather conditions from past several weeks. Hot weather advisory According to the weather department below are the expected impacts from heatwave conditions and hot and humid weather. - Vulnerable people may take necessary precaution. - It is advised to take precautionary measures for hot weather while going outside during peak hours of the day. - Heat cramp, heat rash likely during peak hours of the day. Action suggested: - Avoid prolonged heat exposure. - Stay hydrated. Drink sufficient water even if not feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration. - Wear light weight, light colored, loose, cotton clothes. - Cover your head: use a wet cloth, hat or umbrella while going out during peak hours. - Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours. - Schedule strenuous jobs to cooler times of the day. - Increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities. - Recognise the signs of heat stroke, heat rash or heat cramps such as weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating and seizures. If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor/ hospital immediately. - Farmers are advised to continue irrigation activities.
16 April,2026 02:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule for biennial elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The elections will be conducted by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to fill seats of members retiring in May 2026. A total of nine members of the Council are set to retire on May 13, 2026. These include prominent leaders such as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with Sanjay Kenekar, Neelam Gorhe, Sandeep Joshi, Dadarao Keche, Amol Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Rathod and Shashikant Shinde. For these nine seats, the election will be carried out by MLAs of the state assembly, which has a strength of 288 members. Polling to be held in May According to the announced schedule, the election process will begin with the issue of notification on April 23, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 30, while scrutiny will take place on May 2. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until May 4. Polling is scheduled for May 12, 2026 between 9 am and 4 pm, followed by counting of votes on the same day at 5 pm. The entire election process is expected to be completed by May 13, 2026. By-elections also announced In addition to the biennial elections, the Election Commission has also announced two separate by-elections to Legislative Councils in different states. These include one seat in Maharashtra and another in Bihar. The Maharashtra seat became vacant following the resignation of Pradnya Rajeev Satav, while the Bihar seat was vacated after Mangal Pandey was elected to the state Legislative Assembly. Schedule for Bye-elections The by-elections will follow the same schedule as the biennial polls. Voting will take place on May 12, 2026, with counting later that day. The process will conclude by May 13, 2026.
16 April,2026 01:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA Level-I fire that broke out at a decoration materials shop in Goregaon (West) on Thursday morning was successfully extinguished, with no injuries reported, officials said. According to the officials, the blaze was reported at around 9:25 am at Nidhi Decorator, located in Motilal Nagar No. 2, opposite D-Mart. Officials further asserted that the fire was confined to decoration materials stored at the premises. A fire broke out at a famous decoration materials unit in Goregaon West's Bangur Nagar area around 9.30 am today. The blaze that was confined to the premises was quickly brought under control. No injuries were reported in the Level I incident. Authorities confirmed that metro… pic.twitter.com/F3CyuW8MGJ — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 16, 2026 They further asserted that the fire was extinguished; officials confirmed that the fire was completely extinguished at 11:08 am. As soon as the fire was reported, firefighters rushed to the spot along with multiple agencies, including local police, 108 ambulance personnel, and ward staff. Moreover, a coordinated response helped contain the fire quickly, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Level-1 fire declared The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) classified the incident as a Level-1 fire at 9:37 am, indicating a minor fire situation. By 9:40 am, officials confirmed that the situation was under control. Authorities said no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and further investigation is underway. Residents in the vicinity reported brief panic as smoke was seen billowing from the shop, but timely intervention by emergency responders ensured the situation was brought under control without escalation. Mumbai: Fire breaks out in a garment godown at Sakinaka; no injuries reported A fire broke out in a garment godown in the Sakinaka area of Andheri (East) on Wednesday evening, prompting a swift response from civic and emergency agencies. Fire reported in evening hours According to officials, the incident was reported at around 6:02 pm by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). The fire occurred at a garment godown located in Sethia Nagar on the 90-feet road, near Gulshan Hotel in Sakinaka. Fire confined to godown structure Authorities stated that the blaze was confined to a ground-plus-two (G+2) structure housing the garment godown. Firefighters reached the spot soon after receiving the alert and immediately initiated firefighting operations to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to adjoining structures. Apart from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, personnel from the police, the concerned electricity distribution company, and BMC ward staff were also mobilised to assist in the operation and ensure safety in the surrounding area.
16 April,2026 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai city and its suburbs are likely to experience clear skies, with hot and humid conditions expected to prevail in isolated pockets of the suburbs, and the temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, according to the Centre's SAMEER app, Mumbai recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 76 at 9 am, placing it in the ‘satisfactory’ category. At this level, minor breathing discomfort may be experienced by sensitive individuals. Deonar recorded an AQI of 138, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Other areas such as Chakala (120) and Ghatkopar (101) also indicated moderate air quality levels while Bandra-Kurla Complex (82), Borivali East (54), Colaba (67), Bandra East (72), Mazgaon (85), Navy Nagar (87), and Sion (84) remained within the satisfactory range. Meanwhile, Kandivali East recorded clean air with an AQI of 36, which falls under the ‘good’ category. No rainfall is expected in the immediate forecast, with wind patterns likely to remain light, keeping weather conditions stable without major fluctuations, while air quality is expected to stay within the satisfactory to moderate range; both Colaba and Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 24.0 degree Celsius with no rainfall, according to IMD Mumbai. Vidarbha records high temperatures, dry weather prevails The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra is experiencing intense heat, with maximum temperatures across most cities crossing 42 degree Celsius. Akola recorded the highest maximum temperature at 44.2 degree Celsius, followed closely by Amravati at 44.0 degree Celsius and Wardha at 43.9 degree Celsius. Nagpur also remained extremely hot at 43.4 degree Celsius. Minimum temperatures across the region ranged between around 21.8 degree Celsius and 26.4 degree Celsius, with Yavatmal recording the highest minimum temperature at 26.4 degree Celsius, indicating warm nights as well. Most locations have recorded a positive departure in maximum temperatures, ranging between +1.7 degree Celsius and +4.6 degree Celsius, suggesting temperatures are significantly above normal for this time of year. Buldana showed the highest departure at +4.6 degree Celsius. Humidity levels in the region remain relatively low to moderate. The lowest humidity was recorded in Nagpur at 28 percent, while Bhandara recorded the highest at 78 percent. There has been no rainfall reported across the Vidarbha region in the past 24 hours, indicating dry weather conditions. Overall, Vidarbha continues to reel under severe heatwave-like conditions, with above-normal temperatures, low humidity in several areas, and no rainfall, contributing to persistently hot and dry weather.
16 April,2026 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentA 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 10:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA 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 10:57 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 10:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavOpposition 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 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
-1776315292224_d.png "Overall, weather conditions are expected to stay stable with no major fluctuations. Representational pic")
