A Level-I (minor) fire broke out at a studio in Malad on Thursday morning, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) informed. According to MFB, the incident was reported at 6.13 am in the Dana Pani Bular Studio near Yoga Aashram on the Madh Marve Road in Malad West. According to the latest update issued at 9.29 am, MFB said the fire was declared Level-I at 6.48 am and brought under control after nearly three hours of firefighting operations. It was fully extinguished at 9.12 am. No injuries were reported in the incident. Apart from MFB, the police, ambulance services, and civic ward staff were mobilised to the spot to assist in containment and safety operations. According to MFB, the fire was confined to electrical installations and materials stored within the premises. The affected items included wall papers, foam matrix, carpets, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheets, wooden furniture, perfumes, office furniture, office records, shooting equipment, air-condition (AC) units and bamboo, spread across an estimated 3,000 square feet area in five–six galas in a ground-plus-one structure. Firefighting operations were carried out by four fire engines, three jumbo tankers, one all-weather tower tender (AWTT), an ambulance, an assistant divisional fire officer (ADFO), two senior station officers and two station officers. Further details are awaited. Fire breaks out at Goregaon decoration shop in Motilal Nagar A Level-I fire that broke out at a decoration materials shop in Goregaon West, Mumbai, on Thursday morning was successfully extinguished, with no injuries reported, officials said. The blaze was reported around 9.25 am at Nidhi Decorator, located in Motilal Nagar No 2, opposite D-Mart. Officials further stated that the fire was confined to decoration materials stored at the premises. 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. A coordinated response helped contain the fire quickly, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. The fire was completely extinguished at 11.08 am. 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.
17 April,2026 10:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe last group of six families from Haaji Noorani building, one of two structures slated for demolition to make way for the connector that replaces Parel’s 112-year-old Elphinstone bridge, have finally been allotted new homes following a delayed rehabilitation process. The final lottery, conducted late Wednesday evening at the MMRDA office, saw the last six families receive housing allocations, finally ending the rehabilitation process. The fifth floor of D-Abero Building where Manish Shirodkar was allotted Flat No. 504, which doesn’t exist. Pic/By Special Arrangement However, this has still not ended the problems of these residents. From being given a one-week deadline to arrange for money and to get all their belongings shifted to the allocated homes, to discrepancies in the allotted houses, the residents are frustrated with the treatment given to them. Authorities speak Shivaji Davbhat, addition collector‘We do have extra vacant flats. So the problem of Flat No. 504 will be resolved easily. We will also ensure that the lift in D-Abero will be repaired in a couple of days so that the families can move in quickly. It is MHADA’S responsibility to maintain the building and all its facilities’ Residents’ voices Manish Shirodkar ‘I was allotted Flat No. 504 of D-Abero Building. However, such a flat does not exist. The building’s numbering system includes units such as 003, 103, and 203 and continues in that pattern up to 703. There are only three flats on each floor, with no provision for a 504. When I informed MMRDA, I was assured another vacant flat. Officials also need to provide proper legal documents of these allotted houses, as these are our permanent addresses. Apart from allotment letters, none of the 23 project-affected families of has received any legal documents’ Suhas Badade ‘Though we are happy that our struggle ended with good houses, giving us just one week to arrange money and shift to a house on the higher floors of a building where the lift is non-functional is inhuman. Because the last few of us kept fighting for our rights, others, who had received good houses earlier, got almost three months to make arrangements. This process wouldn’t have been delayed if the authorities had made arrangements during the blueprint stage itself. Now, just because they have a deadline, they cannot expect us to rush’ Break-up of allotted houses FiveNo of families accommodated in Priyadarshini Building, Prabhadevi EightNo of families accommodated in D-Abero Building, Prabhadevi FourNo of families accommodated in EON Building, Prabhadevi TwoNo of families accommodated in Sapphire Building, Jacob Circle TwoNo of families accommodated in Shimpoli, Borivali OneNo of family accommodated in Loksatta Building, Lalbaug
17 April,2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarOften referred to as “floating gold” and prized in the luxury perfume industry, ambergris — a rare substance formed in the digestive system of the sperm whale — was at the centre of a forest department crackdown at Tungarphata near Virar recently. Four people were arrested trying to sell close to 2 kg of the substance, also known as sperm whale vomit. Ambergris seized from the accused Sources told mid-day that the prime accused in the case is currently lodged in jail in connection with another offence. The forest department is likely to approach the court seeking permission to question him as part of the ongoing investigation. Preliminary investigation suggests that the seized item is ambergris. The substance will be sent for laboratory tests for a scientific examination. Official Speak Prashant Deshmukh, range forest officer‘Acting on a tip-off about an attempt to sell ambergris on April 13, our team posed as prospective buyers and laid a trap near Tungarphata. When the suspects arrived, they were caught red-handed with the contraband. Rajesh Jaywant Patil, Mahesh Motiram Vaishnav, Anant Keshav Gaikwad, and Sunil Vaishwekar have been arrested and booked under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation is underway to ascertain where they procured the ambergris.’ Did you know? Ambergris, a dull grey waxy substance that’s created in the intestines of the sperm whale, is sought-after across the world since it is used as a fixative that stabilises the scent of perfumes to make them last longer, and in the manufacture of aphrodisiac products. This has often led wildlife conservationists to demand a ban on the sale of perfumes that use it. The now-dying sperm whale species consumes cephalods like squid and cuttlefish in large quantities. The indigestible portions are usually ejected from the body as intestinal slurry. Appeal to citizens The forest department has appealed to citizens to immediately report any information about illegal trade in wildlife and related items. About sperm whale The sperm whale, or cachalot, is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the genus Physeter, and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. Weighing 14,000-41,000 kg, the sperm whale is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In India, possession, transport, or sale of ambergris is illegal.
17 April,2026 08:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavAround 900 teachers staged a city-wide protest on Thursday, raising multiple concerns with the education department. Demonstrations were held at the offices of education inspectors across the city, where teachers voiced grievances over long-pending issues. A key concern was the halted salaries of surplus teachers. Many from government and aided schools have been left without postings after several institutions shut down due to low student enrolment, affecting their livelihoods. The protesting teachers, affiliated with the Shikshak Sena, demanded strict disciplinary action against the education secretary for the ongoing crisis. Other issues highlighted included pending arrears, additional responsibilities as booth-level officers, and the burden of organising student headcounts during examination periods. Official statement “The teachers have been forced to bear the brunt of the laxity of the education department, which is why this protest took place. We were here to express our anger against an administration that has disregarded numerous issues within the education department. The head of our group, JM Abhyankar, has also shared our demands with the education secretary” said Hitendra Chaudhari, district president of Maharashtra Rajya Shikshak Sena. April 16Day of the protest
17 April,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAn uneven and elevated footpath outside DN Nagar metro station in Andheri West is posing a safety risk to commuters, with residents and auto drivers reporting frequent trips and near-falls, particularly among the elderly. The problem is located at the base of the station’s entry/exit point opposite Bank of Baroda, a key drop-off spot for passengers arriving from Bandra and nearby areas. At a glance Location: DN Nagar metro station, Andheri WestProblem: Uneven, high footpath without slopeAdditional hazard: Exposed, rusted metal fence edgesMost affected: Elderly pedestrians, daily commutersAlternative access: Available on other sides with a proper slope The high, uneven step without a slope at DN Nagar Metro entry point makes access difficult, especially for the elderly. Pics/Atul Kamble Civic response awaited mid-day contacted the K West ward office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for a response on why the footpath has not been levelled, but no reply came till the time of going to press. What the issue is The stretch lacks a proper slope and instead has a high, uneven step, making it difficult for pedestrians to access the footpath.A section of the metal fence at the spot has also been cut to allow easier movement, but sharp, protruding edges remain exposed. Commuters speak Kamal Siddiqui, a commuter who flagged the issue, said the design creates a serious hazard. “This issue presents a significant safety concern for pedestrians, particularly the elderly, due to the need to traverse the roadway to access the opposite side,” he said. He also pointed to the exposed metal. “The removed portion of the fence has left sharp edges which may cause injury to pedestrians walking close to it,” Siddiqui added. On-ground reality An auto driver, who requested anonymity, said assisting elderly passengers has become routine.“Other drivers and I have helped elderly men and women multiple times while they were trying to get onto the footpath,” he said. “I now stop on the other side of the Metro entry because that one has a slope, which this one does not.” A spot check by mid-day confirmed that... >> The junction-side footpath lacks a ramp or slope>> Other entry points around the station have accessible slopes>> The uneven step is isolated to this particular stretchThe driver also raised concerns about the condition of the fence.“The fence is rusted due to constant exposure to weather. If someone gets cut, there is a risk of infection. These issues need to be fixed urgently,” he said.
17 April,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturThree’s company A young cyclist sporting a bright red helmet leads his friends on the rocky cemented walkway along Dadar beach To Russia, with love Vanraj Shastri (right) Ganesh Murali Iyer. PIC COURTESY/ARTISTE’s INSTAGRAM While President Vladimir Putin confirmed his attendance at the upcoming BRICS Summit in India yesterday, Chembur has already sent its finest to Moscow. Mridangam artiste Ganesh Murali Iyer is all set to get feet tapping at the BRICS Melody festival in Russia’s Ulyanovsk and Moscow next week. Travelling with the Sangam Ensemble featuring Vanraj Shastri, Shantanu Mayee, Hrishikesh Majumdar, and Ninad Adhikari, the percussionist revealed a special presentation of raag Jhinjhoti and Keeravani is in the plans. “BRICS is a huge stage. We’re focusing on presenting Indian classical music in its purest form. I’m looking forward to meeting and collaborating with artistes from the diverse member countries, and learning from them,” he shared with us. Silver screen dreams Manoj Bajpayee and Jitarth Patil. PICS COURTESY/JITARTH PATIL Manoj Bajpayee is every bit the amiable Family Man off-screen, this diarist learnt. Nineteen-year-old Jitarth Patil, an aspiring neurodivergent actor looked back fondly upon his nearly 20 days shooting for Bajpayee’s next, Last Man in Tower. “Manoj sir, Divya [Dutta] ma’am and the whole crew went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable,” Patil recalled. Jitarth Patil (left) during a previous stage performance in Versova The Juhu resident is set to debut as Dutta’s son in the Rana Daggubati production, which is an adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s book by the same name. The young actor learned the ropes at Andheri-based theatre group Raaashaa, which works closely with artistes with Down Syndrome and those on the autism spectrum. “I love being on the stage, but it is just one of my many hobbies. I spend most of my time baking and cooking. Working on the movie was one of the most memorable phases of my life. I can’t wait for you to see it,” he told this diarist. We’re sure this baker’s performance will take the cake. Oh, Soho cool! A view of the rooftop space at the new Tokyo venue. PIC COURTESY/SOHO HOUSE If you’re one of the lucky few who can flaunt a Soho House membership in this city, you might want to look to the Orient for your next big soiree. After taking Maximum City by storm with the launch of its first Mumbai outpost in Juhu in 2019, the members-only club has opened its first ever outpost in Tokyo’s Aoyama District. This diarist learnt that the new space set across 75,000 sq ft offers a direct view of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower from its rooftop. The long journey to Japan might just be worth it for the age-old Japanese art forms dotting its rooms, a luxury wellbeing centre, and craft cocktails that will help you forget the price tag on the annual membership, starting at 2,90,000 Yen. Canvas of memories Pinky Moonlight by Prachi Sharma. PICs COURTESY/TVASTRA BY PRACHI A father’s bid to etch his late daughter’s name in the world of art manifested in the form of a unique exhibition of canvases at Eve, Santacruz yesterday. “Over nearly 18 years, our daughter Prachi made more than 200 pieces of art, using every medium and feeling, and every emotion she could find. In 2022, destiny took her physically away from us, but it couldn’t take what she left behind,” shared Sumit Sharma. Sumit Sharma In addition to the exhibition, her parents have been conducting art initiatives across BMC schools to celebrate their daughter. “Prachi taught us that creativity can change a child’s whole world. She will live on in the work of every artist who finds their voice through our efforts,” Sharma shared with this diarist. To view Prachi’s artworks, log on to tvastrabyprachi.org.
17 April,2026 08:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a yellow warning for several districts across Maharashtra. As per the weather agency, Latur, Nashik, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Satara may experience light spells of rain and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds during the early hours of Friday. The warning issued at 7:00 am on Friday further asserted that unprecedented weather conditions across several districts of Maharashtra are likely to prevail for three hours. Along with light to moderate spells of rain, the weather department has also predicted gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 km/h in these regions. Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions, especially while travelling or engaging in outdoor activities, due to the risk posed by lightning and strong winds. A yellow warning indicates the need for people to stay alert and be updated on weather conditions. The IMD continues to monitor the situation and has advised citizens to follow official updates for any changes in weather conditions. While the state has been experiencing heatwave conditions for the last few weeks, the spell of rain over the weekend may make the conditions a bit cooler. Vidarbha remains the worst-hit region amid the heatwave Vidarbha remained the worst-affected region, with multiple cities consistently staying above 43 degrees Celsius. Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra also experienced severe heat, while the Mumbai and Konkan coast remained relatively cooler at 31.5 to 33.6 degrees Celsius but suffered from high humidity levels of 65 to 80 per cent, making conditions far more uncomfortable. Nashik records lowest minimum temperature While the entire state experienced extreme heat over the last few days, Nashik recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at just 16.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday. How Maharashtra is facing three different heat patterns Maharashtra is currently experiencing three distinct types of heat depending on the region. Vidarbha: Worst affected by extreme dry heat Vidarbha was by far the worst affected. The region recorded the most extreme temperatures in the state, with Akola and Amravati both touching 44.2 degrees Celsius, the highest in Maharashtra and the entire country so far this year. Wardha followed closely at 44.0 degrees Celsius, while Chandrapur, Washim, Nagpur and Yavatmal all remained above 43 degrees Celsius. The heat remained dry, with very low humidity and no rainfall recorded anywhere in the region. Marathwada: Severe but slightly lower heat Marathwada also faced severe heat, though slightly less intense than Vidarbha. Parbhani was the hottest at 42.0 degrees Celsius, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar at 41.4 degrees Celsius and Udgir at 40.4 degrees Celsius. The weather remained dry with low humidity levels and zero rainfall. Mumbai, Konkan and Pune: Humid but relatively cooler In sharp contrast, Mumbai and the Konkan region (including Pune) remained comparatively cooler. Mumbai (Colaba) recorded 33.6 degrees Celsius, while Santacruz stood at 33.1 degrees Celsius. Coastal stations such as Alibag, Ratnagiri and Dahanu stayed between 31.5 and 33.1 degrees Celsius. However, high humidity levels of 65 to 80 per cent made conditions more oppressive. Pune recorded 39.7 degrees Celsius, hot but lower than interior districts, with low humidity and clear skies.
17 April,2026 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai and areas such as Thane and Palghar are likely to experience a longer summer and a weaker monsoon this year. However, owing to the El Nino effect, the heat intensity will be much lower in comparison to the interior parts of Maharashtra, if the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is to be believed. According to information from the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Mumbai, El Nino is likely to cause below-normal rains this season, and can lead to hotter weather, not just during the monsoon days, but during the summer months until May 2026. However, officials said that coastal regions will feel a much muted impact of heat waves due to El Nino in comparison to interior Maharashtra, due to high humidity dissipated by winds from the sea. Pedestrians try to keep cool in Andheri on Thursday afternoon. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE A senior IMD official said, “El Nino can lead to a boost in temperatures, an increase in the possibility of extreme heat events, and humidity. However, in Mumbai, after around 1 pm, wind patterns get stronger, as is the case across Maharashtra’s coastal areas. This dissipates the feelings of hot and humid weather. The interior parts of the state are likely to feel heat with greater intensity.” What is El Nino? The official explained that El Nino and La Nina are climate patterns occurring in the Pacific Ocean. While El Nino leads to warmer waters in the Pacific, its impact felt in India includes warmer climates and a weaker southwest monsoon. La Nina, on the contrary, can lead to cooler temperatures, longer winter months, and unpredictable winter rain in parts of India. These events are cyclical and can occur every three to five years, the official said. Graphic/Sanil Dhawde Mumbai impact Hot weather is experienced with much more intensity during El Nino events. While this is possible for Mumbai, being a coastal city, the impact is not felt as strongly as in the interior parts of Maharashtra, the official said. Summer in the city Mumbai recorded maximum temperatures of 40 degrees C on March 10, the highest in five years since 2021. In 2025, Mumbai recorded its highest temperature, 39.2 degrees C, in March. “Heat is felt with more intensity this year. Also, if monsoons are weaker, atmospheric temperature will collect slowly, leading to a feeling of very hot and humid days,” a senior official said. Expert Speak Pradeep Awate, former surveillance officer, Maharashtra health services, said, “Heat is felt in greater intensity between noon and 3 pm. While advisories are in place for those who primarily work outdoors, it is important to note the impact of heatwaves on social events that many of us attend on a routine basis, such as weddings and religious gatherings. Everyone is exposed to heat events, so we cannot stress enough that everyone needs to take care.” Weather alert Yellow alert for April 16 and 17:Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Mumbai, Nashik, Jalgaon, Sangli, Solapur, Sambhajinagar, JalnaYellow alert for April 16: Dhule Max temperatures on Thursday Solapur: 43.4°CParbhani: 42°CJalgaon: 41.5°CSatara: 41.2°CBaramati: 40.5°CUdgir in Latur: 40.4°CKolhapur: 38.1°CNashik: 37.5°CPune: 39.7°CThane: 36.6°C City sizzles Santacruz 33.1Colaba 33.6
17 April,2026 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSSitting at the edge of the Thal Ghat near Kasara, a small but significant piece of the rail jigsaw puzzle is finally in readiness, filling the critical gap, easing train operations, and adding some relief to the Kalyan-Kasara belt commuters. A new 13.53-km third line between Kasara and Khardi is set to be electrified on May 12, following which the train operations will begin after statutory clearances from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). This line will be useful to segregate the suburban and mail express trains at the crucial Kasara point. The third line between Kalyan and Kasara spans approximately 67 km, with the partial Asangaon-Kasara section covering roughly 35 km in phase one, of which a 13.53-km stretch is now at the completion stage. The project is being built at a cost of Rs 792.89 crore. The overall project, which is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) expansion initiative, is aimed at decongesting one of the busiest suburban corridors and enhancing both local and long-distance train movements. The third line As per the official project note, a total of 147 local trains, 71 long-distance trains, and about 20 freight trains run on the existing two lines every day. All these trains compete with the suburban trains for slots, as the passenger load of Titwala, Asangaon, and Kasara is growing phenomenally, which makes it a very congested route. The third line will take away some of the load on these two lines significantly. What would it do? Officials said the section has been prioritised due to its high passenger traffic and frequent service disruptions arising from mixed suburban and long-distance train operations on just two tracks. Once operational, the third line will significantly ease congestion, reduce delays, and allow more frequent suburban services during peak hours. “Right now there is no space for any train to enter the suburban system. This new line will add some relief that it will allow trains to enter the system even as they wait,” an official said. Voices Lata Argade, president, Suburban Railway Passengers’ Federation‘The addition of this third line will only benefit when it comes to Kalyan. These shorter patches are of no real use. The government needs to play an active role in all this since land acquisition issues pertain to numerous state bodies. I have written to the chief minister’s office to appoint a nodal officer to attend to all the issues pertaining to the state bodies so work can be expedited.’ Rajesh Ghanghav, president, K3 Rail Passenger Association‘The work was sanctioned in the budget of 2011, and work started in 2016. I had broken the inaugural coconut of this project. The work is at an advanced stage and will be completed in 2026 for sure. It will help us get additional trains for Kasara for sure.’
17 April,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarCyber fraudsters have found a new way to enter city households — cooking gas connections. In the past week alone, nearly a dozen cases of fraud targeting Piped Natural Gas (PNG) consumers have been reported. Police said such cases are now being registered almost daily across Mumbai, indicating a rapidly growing and organised cybercrime trend. The fraud specifically targets users of Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL), particularly those accustomed to digital payments. Officials said the victims include professionals, senior citizens, and corporate employees. “Even educated users are getting trapped because the communication appears legitimate and urgent,” an officer added. Modus operandi >> Target receives calls or WhatsApp messages claiming a nominal pending bill amount (usually R10-R12), and is warned of immediate disconnection>> Fraudsters often cite global developments such as tensions between Iran and the US, suggesting a possible gas shortage>> Target is then sent an APK file under the pretext of a “bill update”>> Once installed, the malware gives criminals access to OTPs, banking credentials, and even remote control of the device, enabling rapid fund transfers within minutes MGL advisory Mahanagar Gas Ltd has issued a public advisory warning customers against fake messages and APK-based fraud. The company clarified that it does not ask users to download any application or share banking details for bill payments, and urged consumers to verify any such communication through official channels. Police advisory >> Do not download APK files or click on links from unknown sources>> Use only official apps or websites for bill payments>> Never share OTPs, bank details, or allow remote access to your device>> Utility companies do not threaten immediate disconnection over minor dues>> Victims can report cyber fraud by calling ‘1930’ or lodging a complaint on the national cyber-crime portal Case 1In a case registered at Tardeo police station, a 54-year-old private employee was cheated of Rs 2.4 lakh after being told that Rs 13 was pending on his gas bill. The accused, posing as an MGL official, sent an APK file and siphoned off money through multiple transactions after gaining access to his phone. Case 2The Byculla police station registered a case after a 32-year-old woman lost over Rs 4.2 lakh. She received a WhatsApp message warning that her gas connection would be disconnected the same day and was asked to download an app titled ‘Mahanagar Gas Bill Update’. After entering her net banking details to pay Rs 13, multiple unauthorised transactions were carried out from her account. Case 3A 73-year-old retired government officer from Mulund lost R3.77 lakh after receiving a similar message about an unpaid gas bill. He was made to download an APK file and enter his debit card details, following which multiple transactions were executed within hours. Case 4In Navi Mumbai, two victims were duped of a total R15 lakh. Fraudsters posing as MGL officials sent APK files after claiming bill discrepancies, gaining remote access to victims’ phones and siphoning off funds.
17 April,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe investigation into the deadly drug overdose at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon has widened, with the arrest of a seventh accused, Vineet Gerelani, 22, exposing what police believe could be a well-organised narcotics network operating at high-profile music events across the city. The Vanrai police arrested Gerelani from the Kalyan-Ulhasnagar belt on Wednesday, identifying him as a key intermediary in the drug supply chain. According to investigators, Gerelani supplied Ecstasy pills to accused Anand Patel, 24, who subsequently distributed the drugs among students at the concert and other events. Police probing the case uncovered crucial digital and financial evidence linking the accused to a larger network. According to the police, call detail records (CDRs) confirmed frequent contact between the arrested accused and absconding suppliers, Ayush Sahitya and Shubh Agarwal. WhatsApp chats and deleted group conversations revealed drug procurement and payment details, while Snapchat transactions indicated bulk drug deals and distribution to multiple individuals. Advocates Surendra Landge and Azad Gupta, appearing for Anand Patel (accused no. 6) and Gerelani, argued before the court that both individuals were arrested solely based on mobile phone conversations and chat records. They further contended that no drugs were recovered from either of the accused, questioning the grounds of their arrest. Police custody extended Meanwhile, on Thursday, all seven accused were produced before the Borivali metropolitan magistrate court, which extended police custody of accused no. 1 to 6, and granted fresh custody for Gerelani, till April 18. Main suppliers on the run >> Sahitya and Agarwal were at the concert venue on the night of April 11>> They were in touch with arrested accused before and during the event>> Gerelani was in direct financial and communication contact with them During interrogation... >> Accused number 5 (a student) admitted receiving Ecstasy pills from Patel>> Patel confessed to sourcing the drugs from Sahitya>> Investigators found that 20 pills were supplied in one instance alone Students’ statements Around 25 students had attended the concert on April 11. Two died after a suspected drug overdose, while a female student remains hospitalised, in stable condition. So far, the Vanrai police have recorded the statements of 17 students who attended the event, though granting them temporary relief to appear for exams. Two of the accused also sat for an exam after obtaining permission from the court.
17 April,2026 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
