Seven months after a 22-year-old employee at a call centre filed a rape complaint against her 25-year-old colleague at the Oshiwara police station, the police have concluded that the allegations were false and contradictory. A B-summary report has been filed and the case will now be closed. The plaintiff had said that after she rejected his marriage proposal, he drugged her and raped her at her house on July 18, 2025. A senior Oshiwara police officer said, “Investigation has revealed clear evidence that the allegations are false. At the time and date of the alleged assault, the accused was at a pub inside a BKC hotel. CCTV footage and mobile records confirm this.” When these findings were placed before the court, the judge observed that appropriate action should be taken against the complainant if the case was found to be false.
08 February,2026 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Maharashtra Board has appointed a total of 16 counsellors who have been resolving panicked and anxious queries ahead of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and State Secondary Certificate( SSC) boards, the former beginning from February 10, while the latter examinations start 10 days later (February 20). The incoming calls include questions like , “What if I forget my answers?” “What if I don’t score well?” “Will they allow me inside if I’m 10 minutes late to the centre?” “Why should I even bother attempting the rest of the exam if my first test was so bad?” Ahead of the exams, these trained teacher-counsellors untangle the academic and logistical doubts of students across Mumbai, which includes Thane, Raigad, and Palghar. This is a full-time job as most teachers remain available for 7,01,362 students, over the phone or a WhatsApp call throughout the day. The calls, though, don’t include just students but often their even more anxious guardians. “The calls come in intervals. During the elections, we had many parents call to ask whether the exams would be postponed owing to the polls,” said Mahendra Patil, a Wadala-based teacher who has been a board exam counsellor since 2009. But the next few days will be the really tough ones, “Now, as the exams start, the trend will pick up again, and we will have last-minute callers on making it to exam centres on time, anxiety, and nervousness,” adds Patil. Most calls are by students anxious about bad scores or reaching the exam centre late. file pic for representation When Sunday mid-day tested out the helpline numbers to see if the counsellors were as accessible as we were being told, most counsellors were indeed available, and not just that, but prompt and ready to resolve queries. Those counsellors who might be busy at the school where they work, called back within a few minutes — a reminder about how most of us have a picture of incompetence when it comes to government-run schools, as well as educators. As it usually happens, counsellors say that several calls they receive are the result of the rumour mill churning out false information and half-knowledge. Misinformation during these times is the devil’s playground, it seems, as students are affected by the scourge of social media, parents of WhatsApp messages, one of the biggest trigger points is messages and posts about leaked examination papers, and another all-time favourite is the eternal fear of the ‘changed timetable’. Guardians and students in these cases are advised to follow only official Maharashtra Board communication. Patil has two insights since the counsellors began manning the cell phone lines: “There are three kinds of students who call us the most,” he says. First is the one who scored badly in their preliminary examinations, the ones who are usually too hard on themselves with a set score that they must achieve and, finally, those who have always had examination jitters. “A few years ago, I had a student who refused to take the rest of his examinations because he felt that he hadn’t performed well during his math exam. We talked him down and convinced the student to still take his shot, and he turned out to be the school topper that year. He is an engineer now. We don’t want students to pull out their hair over a single exam (preliminary), but do their best to make the most out of the year,” Patil added. In her 15 years of experience as a counsellor with the State Board, Pratibha Kesarkar feels that oftentimes the child is calm and collected, the guardian of that student, though, might be the one spiralling out with worry. In such cases, they are counselled and asked not to put undue pressure on their children since it directly affects the mental and physical health of the students. “Students end up with acidity, stomach problems, and other physical aches, which have manifested as a result of stress and late nights. We ask students to look after their health, take breaks with calming music, give their eyes rest, and keep calm before the exam, but it’s just as important for parents to stay calm for their children,” she says. Rajendra Ahire, chairman, Mumbai Divisional Board, says... “It is crucial not to believe in any social media rumours. Only follow the official board timetable, and do not follow any unauthorised posts. Read the instructions in your answer booklet carefully and do not draw any symbols, motifs, or anything that can reveal your identity.” Sunday mid-day test calls exam counsellors anonymously Example 1Speaker: My child has been nervous and has had trouble studying for the exams. Can we reach out to you?Counsellor 1: Yes. You can also send your child’s past scores, preliminary scores, scholarship scores, and other records over WhatsApp so we can guide him with more context. Example 1Speaker: If we face commute problems on exam day, who do we reach out to?Counsellor 1: We can resolve all exam-related queries for you, but any other doubts will be passed on to the administrative teams if you would like to share them.. Dr Dayal Mirchandani, psychiatrist, director of Behavioural Science Network Students“Pupils should not cut down on their sleep. If they sleep well, they are less anxious, and their memory serves them better.Practising relaxation exercises a few times a day helps students keep their composure.A lot of learning is unconscious, so if you have revised enough, it will come back to you. Keep glancing through your revision notes.” For parents“It’s crucial not to compare your child’s progress with their peers’. Stop asking the child about the exam which is already done and allow them to move to the next one. Remind your child that there are several options that determine their future, like entrance tests and different courses.” Maharashtra Board Counsellor Details Total number of counsellors: 16 phone lines Counsellors who will be present at the Mumbai Division Office: 2 Region-wise allocation Mumbai North 2Mumbai Suburban 2Mumbai West 3Palghar 2Raigad 2Thane 2 Helplines to call81049392609702008053
08 February,2026 08:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe Kalachowki police have registered an FIR in a Rs 6.49 crore financial fraud case, booking 16 persons for alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy in connection with a Mumbai-based manufacturing company. The case centres on the alleged misuse of financial authority and forged documentation to raise unauthorised loans by the accused over more than a year. According to the complaint filed by a director of the company, a senior employee entrusted with complete control over the firm’s financial operations allegedly abused her position of trust. Police said that between August 2024 and September 2025, multiple unauthorised loans were allegedly raised from private money lenders and non-banking finance entities without the knowledge or consent of the company’s directors. Once the funds were credited, the money was allegedly siphoned off to personal and third-party accounts. The alleged fraud came to light after a finance company approached the firm seeking repayment. No arrests have been made so far, and the accused are yet to be examined.
08 February,2026 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Kurar Police detained a Bangladeshi national after receiving confidential inputs about his movement within the Malad East area. According to police sources, on February 2, 5 and 6, officer Rafiq Mujawar attached to Kurar police station along with the Anti-Terror Cell (ATC) team while patrolling within the limits of Kurar Police Station, received information about illegal Bangladeshi nationals from a reliable informant. The information said that a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India would be visiting areas such as Humera Park Garden, Tuba Hotel and Sahil Hotel in Pathanwadi, Kurargaon, Malad East. Acting swiftly, the police team laid a trap at the identified locations and successfully apprehended the suspect, without giving him an opportunity to flee. He was taken into custody and brought to Kurar Police Station for further interrogation. During questioning, the accused initially gave evasive replies regarding his identity and citizenship. However, sustained interrogation led to the revelation of details of other Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing illegally in India, especially in the city. The Kurar police caught four Bangladeshi nationals, Tuhinur Joynal Sardar, 30, who runs a chicken shop; Mohd. Abdul Momin Mohd. Latif Sardar, 52, businessman; Nazrul Islam Shore Ali Biswas, 41, scrap metal trader; Mohd. Imamul Haq Mohd. Taibur Rahman, 46, businessman. During the investigation, police recovered Bangladeshi documents from the detained accused, including a Permanent Residency Certificate, Citizenship Certificate, and Bangladesh National Identity Card, confirming his foreign nationality. Police officials stated that all the above-mentioned individuals have been confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens residing illegally in India. Following due legal procedure, action is being initiated after obtaining a Restriction Order for their deportation to Bangladesh.
08 February,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanScroll break A shopkeeper keeps himself entertained on his phone in Dadar. As the city melts The climate film is directed by Tej Sisodia This diarist is especially tired of the rising AQI and pollution levels in the city. But we say this sitting in an air-conditioned room with an air purifier. Climate change is not the equaliser you may think it is. That’s exactly the point of It’s Only 47 degrees Celsius, a short film written and directed by Tej Sisodia that explores climate inequality through its character, traffic constable Laxman Chaubey, living in Mumbai, and pushed to a breaking point by extreme heat. Producer and CEO of Civic Studios Anushka Shah says, “As Civic Studios we came onboard to produce this film because of its stark reminder that heat doesn’t affect the rich and the poor equally.” The film received high praise at its screening at Redbulb Studios, Andheri West this Wednesday. Actor Naseeruddin Shah, who was a producer on the film, said, “It is made out of such honest concern and conviction.” Art, poetry, and healing Kalpana and Sanjana Shah with artwork from their book It has been an eventful few months for mother-daughter duo, Kalpana and Sanjana Shah, who are founder and creative director, respectively, at Tao Art Gallery. Months after celebrating the Worli gallery’s 25th anniversary, the pair have now launched their own coffee table book, Circa Full Circle (Penguin Random House India), blending their individual art forms. Combining Kalpana’s signature knife-work acrylic art with Sanjana’s poetry, the book marks a powerful collaboration between two artistes who independently turned to creativity to heal from a shared personal crisis — the death of husband and father Pankaj Shah in the 26/11 terror attack. “We began our independent journeys quietly after we lost Pankaj Shah, a beloved husband and father in 2008,” says Sanjana, “Grief can be very empowering when channelled in the right ways. For mom it was her art and for me it was my writing.” Kalpana adds, “The journey merged when we realised that we were grappling with the same themes through our respective creative expressions. This book is a very personal one. It is poetry and art combined, but fundamentally it is philosophy. The philosophy of healing and of doing it together.” Mumbai to Mitte Saagar Gupta Well, here’s a little Berlinale whisper doing the rounds: Indian filmmaker and curator Saagar Gupta — yes, the force behind the KASHISH Pride Film Festival — is packing his critical eye and queer sensibility for Berlin. He’s been invited to sit on the Teddy Awards Jury at the Berlinale 2026, which just happens to be the Teddy’s 40th anniversary year (no pressure, darling). Reacting to this honour Gupta said, “The Teddy has long been at the forefront of celebrating queer cinema with courage, rigour, and global relevance. To engage with stories from across cultures at such a pivotal platform is an honour and a responsibility.” This is the first time an LGBTQIA+ voice from South Asia will be part of the Teddy jury. From Mumbai to Mitte — queer cinema just got a deliciously desi seat at the table. Don’t be bowled by this googly! A screenshot of the unofficial National Cricket Academy website Wannabe cricket coaches be warned. DO NOT log in to a website called nationalcricketsacademy.com (don’t miss the ‘s’ before ‘academy’) in the belief that you can enrol for a coaching course at the National Cricket Academy. Yes, the Bengaluru-based, BCCI body conducts various cricket courses, but applications have to be made via the state associations. For example, a Mumbai person needs to approach the Mumbai Cricket Association. mid-day was informed recently by a local cricketer wanting to be a coach, that he remitted '3150 for a course through a supposed National Cricket Academy website. The player with coaching ambitions only found something fishy when the amount was credited to an individual and not the NCA. On making enquiries, an influential person at the NCA told us that the NCA doesn’t even have a website! Hope no one else gets bowled by this googly. Kerala, framed and presented to the world Lenscape Kerala, the travelling photography exhibition, will land in Mumbai soon, bringing 100 photographs that move far beyond the postcard view of God’s Own Country. Uma Nair Curated by art historian and author Uma Nair, the exhibition brings together 10 leading photographers from across India, each sent into Kerala’s landscapes with a simple brief: observe closely. The result is a layered portrait of the state, its temples and palaces, backwaters and coastlines, wildlife and festivals, food, faith, and everyday life. “I wanted them to realise that Kerala is a land of a cherished heritage and has within a cultural and historic fabric of architectural as well as sculptural lineage,” says Nair. “When we speak of heritage, it’s not just what is past, it’s also the present,” she says. The show threads together very different visual languages. Manoj Arora’s architectural studies sit alongside Kounteya Sinha’s evocative Theyyam imagery. Shivang Mehta’s nocturnal wildlife photographs add another layer altogether. “The challenge was to find a thread of continuity that holds the idea of historicity,” Nair explains. An initiative by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, the exhibition has already travelled across cities and will continue till March. In Mumbai, it will make a stop at the Jehangir Art Gallery from February 12 to 14.
08 February,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDThree weeks after the BMC elections concluded on January 16, the Mahayuti alliance on Saturday nominated BJP’s Ritu Tawde as its mayoral candidate. It also registered Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Ghadi for the position of deputy mayor. Given the strength of the alliance — comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and RPI-A — in the general body of the BMC, both candidates are likely to be elected unopposed. The mayoral elections are slated to be held at the BMC headquarters on February 11. Tawde’s nominations have put an end to speculations about who will occupy the top legislative position in India’s richest municipal corporation. She was a front-runner for the position, while the BJP remained adamant it would install its own mayor in Mumbai as a representative of the Marathi-speaking community. The mayoral election is being followed keenly for multiple reasons. For one, this is the first time in 25 years that a non-Shiv Sena representative is set to take office. Also, the city will finally get a mayor more than three years after the office fell vacant in March 2022. A numbers game Mahayuti’s candidate, Ritu Tawde, has the numbers on her side. Her own party, BJP, emerged as the largest party in BMC, with 89 elected representatives. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 29 seats, giving Mahayuti a simple majority of 118 elected representatives in the 227-member general body. In the opposition, Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65 seats, while its ally MNS secured six. Who is Ritu Tawde? Ritu Tawde, aged 49, is a two-time corporator from Ghatkopar. >> She was elected from ward 132, with 19,810 votes. >> She faced off Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Kranti Suresh Mohite in a squared fight (with only two candidates) in her ward and scored a winning margin of 16,465 votes. >> She was earlier chairman of BMC’s education committee, and a member of the standing committee Other important posts in the House Leader of opposition: Rumoured to be Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former mayor, Kishori Pednekar Leader of the house: Tipped to be group leader of BJP and party whip, Ganesh Khankar Feb 11Date on which the Mumbai mayoral elections will be held
08 February,2026 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Ask for help when you need it, and don’t get into the mindset of having to do everything yourself. Make well thought-out financial decisions.Career tip: Let go of any regrets about the past which may have been caused by a misunderstanding. Be willing to forgive and forget. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Being organised would be essential if you have more than usual work to deal with. Understand any new investment before putting your money in.Career tip: Clarity about what you want to achieve is the first step towards your goals. Have a plan in place rather than going with the flow. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Jumping to what could be a wrong conclusion could cause unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding. A positive time for property matters.Career tip: Finding a balance between your professional and personal life will be easier once you are clear about your priorities and the changes you are willing to make. CancerJune 21 – July 22Handle any stuck or slow moving situation with patience. Those dealing with a competitive situation at work need to handle it in a shrewd manner.Career tip: Follow your intuition, as well as any guidance from someone you trust. You will know what to do when you need to make any decisions. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Those working in a team should avoid getting into ego issues. Singles who have just started dating someone should take things slowly.Career tip: Be honest with yourself whenever you face challenging situations. Focus on your goals and not on your fears. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Make letting go of the past a conscious decision without overthinking the situation. Avoid juggling between investments unnecessarily, and do careful research.Career tip: Acknowledge the progress you have made so far. Make time for self care, and do something you enjoy just for the fun of it. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Use any information or advantage you have in the right manner. Singles who have met someone new should not overshare personal details.Career tip: Look at one aspect of your life that you would like to change and let go of blocks that are stopping you. You are more than your habits. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Handle any extra work promptly without compromising on quality. Take a little extra care of your health and make sure you get enough sleep.Career tip: Focus one step at a time while working towards your goals and let go of any fears about the future. Life is a process not a destination. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Any challenging situation needs to be handled clearly without getting emotional — do what is right and fair, especially towards any other person involved.Career tip: Giving in to distractions or negative thinking will only slow down any progress you have made. Focus on what is necessary and important. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Focus on your goals and don’t allow yourself to get distracted by what is happening around you. Avoid taking on any loan you don’t really need.Career tip: Make time for a creative hobby you enjoy. Remember that you do not have to be perfect at it — just enjoy the process. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Try and avoid getting into unnecessary arguments that have no value. This is a positive time for self employed businesspersons who want to expand their business.Career tip: Look beyond the challenges and focus on the positives. Pay attention to what you want rather than your fears and blocks. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Think before speaking while interacting with seniors. Those with high blood pressure or heart issues need to take a little extra care of themselves.Career tip: Clarity about what you want should be the first step in defining any goals. Be clear about what you need to do and the changes you need to make.
08 February,2026 03:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseMumbai Police on Saturday recovered a cash-filled bag belonging to a wedding-goer that was accidentally left in an autorickshaw in Borivali. Earlier in the day, sixty-year-old Vishwas Samant approached the police after he had left the bag, containing Rs 2.86 lakh, in an autorickshaw while travelling in Borivali West. According to the police, Samant had reached Borivali on Friday to attend his nephew’s wedding. After the ceremony, which took place at Mayur Tower on Chandavarkar Road in Borivali West, he took an autorickshaw to reach his hotel in Shimpoli. During the journey, the bag containing the cash was inadvertently left inside the vehicle. Borivali Police recover bag within hours after complaint Following his complaint, the crime detection team initiated a swift investigation. With the help of CCTV footage, Assistant Sub-Inspector Bahiram and Police Constable Khedkar traced the autorickshaw and identified its registration number. The autorickshaw driver was subsequently brought to the police station and questioned. During the inquiry, the bag containing Rs 2.86 lakh was recovered from the vehicle. Senior Inspector Madhusudan Nayak of Borivali Police Station handed over the cash-filled bag to the complainant on the same day, bringing a swift and satisfactory conclusion to the incident.
07 February,2026 10:33 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA six-year-old girl’s body was found in a water tank near Khan Compound in Shilphata, Diva, on Saturday morning, the Thane civic body’s disaster management cell informed. At 8.41 am, the cell received a call regarding the discovery of a girl’s body in a water tank at Ashna Heights near Khan Compound. The girl has been identified as Fehjan Ahmed Khan. After receiving the call, Shil Fire Station personnel, along with Diva Police rushed to the spot. The fire brigade personnel recovered the body, which was then transported under police supervision to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, Thane, for further investigation. 12-year-old boy dies by suicide in Thane A 12-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide in Thane city, Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police on Saturday. The incident took place on Tuesday at a housing complex in the Wagle Estate area. According to officers, residents rushed the boy to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. “We have registered a case of accidental death (ADR). No suicide note was found at the scene, and the motive is yet to be determined,” an officer from the Wagle Estate Police division said. The police are examining CCTV footage from the complex and checking the boy’s mobile phone and other devices for any signs of distress. Man kills wife at Thane home, attempts to destroy evidence to evade police action; held Police have arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his wife to death at their home in Thane city of Maharashtra, and attempting to destroy evidence by cleaning the crime scene, officials said on Thursday. According to the new agency PTI, the incident took place around 9:30 pm on February 3 in the Mumbra area. The accused, Dinesh Ramesh Vyas, attacked his wife Meena with a sharp weapon in the drawing room of their house, inflicting grievous injuries that proved fatal, senior inspector Anil Shinde of Mumbra police station said. “After committing the crime, he tried to wash away the bloodstains with water in an attempt to destroy evidence,” Shinde added, reported news agency PTI. The accused has been taken into police custody for further investigation. (With PTI inputs)
07 February,2026 09:14 PM IST | ThaneMumbai’s suburban railway network, the lifeline for millions of daily commuters, is poised for a major transformation with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) initiating a competitive bidding process for 238 state-of-the-art Vande Metro Air-Conditioned electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets. The new fleet will include 2,856 next-generation coaches under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-3 and 3-A. Unlike conventional train procurements, the project comes with a 35-year comprehensive maintenance framework, signalling a long-term commitment to passenger safety, comfort, and operational reliability. MRVC in a press release issued on Saturday said the move aims to ensure sustained benefits for millions of Mumbaikars for decades. The Vande Metro coaches are designed to redefine suburban travel. Walk-through trains with wider inter-car gangways will allow better crowd distribution, while roof-mounted and underslung equipment will maximise usable standing and seating space. Ergonomic modular cushioned seating will include dedicated spaces for persons with disabilities and wheelchair users, and larger windows will enhance visibility of stations and surroundings. Passenger health and comfort are a priority. Advanced HVAC systems with high-efficiency filtration will reduce viruses and bacteria, while automatic air regulation will adapt to passenger load. Safety features include automatic sliding doors with obstacle detection, smoke and fire alarms, CCTV, Passenger Emergency Alarm (PEA), Emergency Talk Back (ETB) systems, and external sidewall cameras for monitoring boarding and deboarding. High-visibility LED displays will indicate destination, rake length, and Fast or Slow service. The coaches are engineered for Mumbai’s high-density network and coastal climate, with top speeds of 130 kmph, regenerative braking, corrosion-resistant anti-saline coatings, flood-resilient underframes, and silent saloon designs. A digital passenger ecosystem will include USB charging ports, infotainment, Wi-Fi, dynamic route maps, and real-time Passenger Information Systems. Vande Metro set to modernise Mumbai’s suburban travel under 'Make in India' initiative The project will see fleet expansion and infrastructure support, including 12- and 15-car rake configurations, provisions for 18-car rakes, and two new mega maintenance depots at Bhivpuri in Karjat (Central Railway) and Vangaon in Palghar (Western Railway). Prototype rakes are expected within 2.5 years of contract award, with full delivery over four to six years. Aligned with the Government of India’s 'Make in India' initiative, the Vande Metro suburban project marks a shift from short-term capacity additions to a life-cycle-based, performance-driven modernisation of Mumbai’s rail network. Once operational, these next-generation trains are expected to transform the daily commuting experience, combining global standards, reliability, and comfort for millions of city residents.
07 February,2026 07:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA transgender self-help group supported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recorded sales worth Rs 90,000 at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, the civic body said on Friday. The ‘Umang’ self-help group, set up by the civic body’s planning department, sold handcrafted items including jewellery, jute bags and decorative products during the three-day event. Formed in February 2024 in the K-West Ward (Andheri West, Versova, and Jogeshwari West), the group was started by Yogi Rani along with nine others to provide livelihood opportunities to transgender persons. The Mumbai civic body had provided the group with an initial grant of Rs 10,000 and training support. Kala Ghoda Festival: Stall allotted by BMC draws steady footfall, records Rs 90,000 in sales According to civic officials, the group was allotted a stall at the festival on the initiative of planning department director Prachi Jambhekar. The stall received a steady response from visitors, with sales touching Rs 90,000 during the festival. Speaking about the experience, Yogi Rani said the platform helped the group reach a wider audience. “Selling our products at such a festival gives us confidence and helps us earn with dignity,” she said. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is known for showcasing emerging artists and craftspeople. Civic officials said similar platforms would continue to be provided to self-help groups to help them access larger markets.
07 February,2026 03:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSADVERTISEMENT
