Amid rising demand for LPG cylinders and the introduction of an OTP-based delivery system, the cyber cell of Mumbai Police has warned citizens about a potential online fraud targeting gas consumers. A cyber officer from Kandivali Police Station said fraudsters may exploit the new booking and delivery verification process by sending malicious APK files from unknown numbers. These files may falsely appear to be from gas providers such as Mahanagar Gas Limited or HP Gas. Officials said that if users download or open such APK files, their mobile phones could be compromised, allowing cyber criminals to gain access to personal or financial information. The police have advised citizens not to download or open APK files received from unknown numbers. They clarified that gas companies do not send such files to customers. Authorities also noted that LPG deliveries under the new system are confirmed only through an OTP sent via SMS to the customer’s registered mobile number after a booking is made. Police have urged residents to remain cautious and report suspicious messages or links to the cyber cell to prevent fraud.
15 March,2026 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentA Travelling Ticket Inspector (TTI) of Central Railway has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark in ticket-checking earnings for the financial year 2025-26, becoming the first official in the Mumbai Division to achieve the milestone. Mohammed Shams Chand, a TTI from the Open Detail Batch in the Mumbai Division, recorded ticket-checking earnings of Rs 1,00,38,505 after detecting 11,483 cases between April 1, 2025 and March 15, 2026, Central Railway said on Sunday. Railway officials said his performance has helped curb ticketless travel and prevented significant revenue loss to the national transporter. The achievement has also set a benchmark within the ticket-checking fraternity. Meanwhile, Central Railway has urged passengers to travel only with valid tickets purchased through authorised vendors, station booking counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), or the official website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Passengers can also book tickets using the Rail One mobile application. Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel, the railway administration said it remains committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and dignified journey for passengers.
15 March,2026 04:56 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentA Lok Adalat in Maharashtra's Thane has awarded Rs 1 crore in compensation to the family of a man who died in a road accident in 2024, officials said, reported the PTI. The settlement was finalised during a Lok Adalat session aimed at resolving disputes through mutual agreement. The compensation cheque was handed over to the claimants on Saturday by S B Agrawal, the Principal District Judge. The victim, Anand Rajan Nadar, was working as an assistant manager (security) in a private company. The accident occurred on September 25, 2024 when he was travelling on a motorcycle from his residence in Thane to his workplace in Padgha. According to officials, a speeding tempo emerging from a petrol pump collided with his motorcycle. Nadar sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Bhiwandi, where doctors declared him dead, as per the PTI. Family filed claim petition Nadar had joined the company in April 2024 and was earning an annual salary of around Rs 11 lakh, according to the claim petition. Following the accident, his wife and parents approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, seeking compensation from the tempo owner and the vehicle’s insurance company, according to the PTI. Settlement reached through conciliation During the Lok Adalat proceedings, both parties agreed to settle the dispute amicably with the insurer of the tempo. Lawyers representing the claimants and the insurance company confirmed that the settlement was reached through mutual consent, allowing the case to be resolved quickly without prolonged litigation, the news agency reported. About Lok Adalat A Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in India that helps resolve legal disputes through conciliation and compromise. Such forums aim to provide speedy and cost-effective justice, settling cases that are either pending in courts or at a pre-litigation stage. Thane MACT awards Rs 18.96 lakh compensation in accident case Meanwhile, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane has awarded a compensation of Rs 18.96 lakh to the family of a 38-year-old man killed in an accident on the Mumbai-Pune Highway in 2020, reported news agency PTI. Thane MACT member K P Shrikhande directed the owner of the car involved in the crash and its insurer, TATA AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., to pay the compensation jointly and severally with an interest of 9 per cent per annum from February 28, 2023, until the realisation of the amount to the deceased man's wife and minor son, reported PTI. A copy of the order passed on Thursday was made available on Saturday. According to the petition, the victim, Bandu Barku Andre, a milk vendor, was riding his bicycle on the night of January 31, 2020, when a speeding car crashed into him near Naigaon in Maval. Andre sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at a local hospital. While the insurance company contested the claim, alleging that the deceased was riding negligently in the middle of the road, the Thane MACT rejected this defence, citing that there was no evidence for it, reported PTI. The total compensation of Rs 18.96 lakh includes loss of dependency, future prospects, and conventional heads such as loss of estate, funeral expenses, and loss of consortium, reported PTI. Thane MACT orders Rs 38.7 lakh compensation to kin of father-son killed in road accident In another case, the Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of Rs 38.74 lakh to the family of a father-son duo killed in a road accident in 2020, reported PTI. Thane MACT member RV Mohite on Tuesday passed two separate orders of compensation for the death of the man and his son. The incident occurred near a petrol pump in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, on September 6, 2020, when Jayshankar Jangiram Yadav (54) was riding a motorcycle with his 25-year-old son, Aashutosh, as a pillion rider. A speeding truck swerved into the wrong lane and dashed into their two-wheeler, reported PTI. Both succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The Thane MACT granted a compensation of Rs 23,45,000. Though he was not yet employed, the tribunal considered his educational qualifications, including a Master's in Computer Application, while deciding on the amount. (With inputs from PTI)
15 March,2026 04:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the announcement of the poll schedule for four states including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal. Raut alleged that the poll body functions as an “extended branch” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported the ANI. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut said that he had little faith in the independence of the poll body. Raut made the comments ahead of the expected announcement of Assembly election dates in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, according to the ANI. He sarcastically remarked that the Election Commission’s press conference might as well be held at the BJP office, suggesting that the Commission works in favour of the ruling party. “We do not trust this Election Commission. These are people who work for the BJP,” Sanjay Raut said during the interaction with reporters, as per the ANI. ECI set to announce poll schedule Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has scheduled a press conference at 4 pm to announce the election timetable for the states heading to polls. Assembly elections are due in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, as well as Puducherry, whose legislative terms are nearing completion. Preparations for elections underway The Commission has already conducted a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in these states and the Union Territory, with the final voter lists now published. Earlier this month, Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, visited West Bengal to review poll preparedness, the news agency reported. They also visited other states where Assembly elections are due to assess readiness for the electoral process. Central observers appointed According to the Commission, Central Observers have been appointed to assist with the conduct of elections. These observers have been designated under the powers granted by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Representation of the People Act, 1951. Their role includes overseeing the management of the election process at the ground level and ensuring that polls are conducted in a free and fair manner. (with ANI inputs)
15 March,2026 03:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai on Sunday morning woke up to a hazy morning. The city witnesses clear skies with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting temperatures likely to touch 33 degrees Celsius on March 15. After the hazy start, the weather is expected to remain largely pleasant across Mumbai. Meteorologists predict mainly clear skies throughout the day, providing stable weather conditions for residents. Such conditions are typical during this time of the year when humidity remains moderate and skies stay largely cloud-free. The maximum temperature in Mumbai is expected to be around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle at approximately 23 degrees Celsius. The weather is likely to remain warm during the afternoon hours, though mornings and late evenings may feel relatively comfortable. AQI in Mumbai Despite the rising heat, Mumbai’s air quality has improved significantly over the past 24 hours. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was on Sunday recorded 'Satisfactory' at 10:05 pm and stood at 93. A health impact message stated, "Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people." AQI recorded in parts of the city Bandra Kurla Complex: 97 (Satisfactory) Borivali East: 30 (Satisfactory) Byculla: 97 (Satisfactory) Malad West: 111 (Moderate) Chembur: 92 (Satisfactory) Colaba: 108 (Moderate) Meanwhile, the air quality was recorded as 'Satisfactory' in Thane which reported an AQI at 96 on Sunday morning. In Kalyan AQI was recorded at 100, and in Navi Mumbai at 94 both were in 'Satisfactory' categories. Akola records high temperatures as Vidarbha remains hot The India Meteorological Department’s reported dry weather conditions across the Vidarbha region, with no rainfall recorded during the latest observation period. According to the weather bulletin, the highest maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Akola on Saturday, making it the hottest district in Vidarbha. Meanwhile, the lowest minimum temperature of 17.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Washim. Thunderstorms, rain and gusty winds likely in parts of Maharashtra from March 17-20 Earlier this week, the weather department had predicted that parts of Maharashtra were likely to witness stormy weather accompanied by rain and thunderstorms from March 17 to March 20. Cautioning about the unexpected weather conditions, authorities have asserted that they may turn cloudy during the afternoon hours in many districts, increasing the likelihood of rain, lightning, and gusty winds. The weather pattern is expected to affect regions of the state, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, and parts of Central Maharashtra. As per the officials, overcast skies may lead to intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms in these regions. Experts also cautioned that we cannot rule out the possibility of lightning strikes and strong winds during this period.
15 March,2026 12:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out early Sunday morning at a wedding stage in an open venue in Diva area of Thane district in Maharashtra, officials said, adding that no injuries were reported in the incident. According to information received by the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the incident occurred at around 4:47 am at the wedding open lawn, located opposite Sahara City in the Mannat Compound on Khardi Road. The fire reportedly started on the stage area of the wedding lawn, which covers approximately 2,400 square feet. After receiving the alert from the Shil Fire Station, firefighters rushed to the spot with one rescue vehicle and one fire engine. Officers and personnel of the fire brigade worked swiftly to contain the blaze. The officials quickly rushed to the spot and prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the venue. Fire brought under control Officials said the fire was completely extinguished by around 5 am, bringing the situation under control within a short time. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, and authorities confirmed that there were no casualties at the site. Fire breaks out at residential tower in Borivali West, no injuries reported Meanwhile, in an another incident on Saturday, a blaze was reported in the air-conditioning duct of a residential building in MHB colony of Borivali West during the early hours of March 14. The blaze prompted a response from multiple emergency agencies. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in the incident so far, officials said. Furthermore, the blaze was extinguished at 11:50 am on Saturday. As per the official statement from the authorities, the incident occurred at Prathamesh Tower, a ground-plus-eight-storey building located in the MHB Colony area. The fire was reported at 10:55 am to the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Soon after receiving the information, fire officials rushed to the spot. MFB declared it a Level-I fire at around 10:46 am, indicating a minor blaze that was brought under control with prompt action. Authorities said the fire originated in the AC duct of the building, which led to smoke in parts of the structure. Firefighters were quickly dispatched to the site to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the building.
15 March,2026 11:59 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentBangladeshi students, who love to call Mumbai their home, continue to look forward to building their future and hope that the diplomatic strains between the two countries will soon improve. Their hope flickers amid news of suspended tourist visas and evident manifestos against illegal Bangladeshi migrants. We speak to these students about the challenges they faced in 2025. Ananya Raha, who has made Mumbai his home since the last 17-months, says for her, things are in fact looking better. “I am doing my Master’s in English Literature at a university in Mumbai, and my academics and personal life have still been smooth sailing,” he says. Raha had left her homeland in the early days of the unrest, “My scholarships and visas were already spoken for. While the tensions in the country were definitely a matter of concern, I never felt them creep into my life in Mumbai. Out of all the places I have lived, Kerala, Delhi, and West Bengal, this felt the most like home,” he said while talking to Sunday mid-day. Utsha Sarket loves how Indian academics include the international perspective; (right) Shajib Kumar Das says that news coverage of his country on sometimes lacks nuance Raha never experienced any discrimination but the room does quiten when his nationality is mentioned. “Some students get slightly uncomfortable, but that too is very rare, and most importantly, it hasn’t impacted my academics,” he says. Students, though look for few essential factors when deciding to move — safety, diversity, liberal outlook, and social life. “I love how Hinduism is practised in Mumbai, then back home. Also, staying in the financial capital of the country works best for my career,” said Shajib Kumar Das, who arrived in Mumbai only seven months ago to pursue MCom. To live in a city that is a pot of cultures was essential for Das. “I am here to experience diversity and different opportunities,” he said. Das’s only grouse? The representation of his country in news coverage. “At times Bangladeshi residents do see civil unrest and even safety issues, however, I have realised that it is not really shown in right light by the Indian media. At times, there isn’t enough context in the coverage,” he adds. Ties eased and the ice thawed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman, the newly elected Bangladesh Prime Minister from the BNP. The immediate effect was the reopening of Visa offices; students relay that things are getting better. “If the leaders accept each other, the citizens do too. However, while studying, we are always more than our nationality, we are good students and much more,” said Das. For many, the syllabus was the key factor. One of them is Utsha Sarket, who studies at Mumbai University’s sociology department and says that what he learnt during his Master’s in Mumbai varies from what he studied back home. “There we focused more on the social dynamics within Bangladeshi society from an international perspective. Here, my course also has an international aspect, but I have been introduced to multiple Indian perspectives on Indian society. I can relate to various aspects and have been learning about concepts such as caste, gender,” he adds. Hitesh Sharma Edupeer ‘The world in general, has been experiencing a largely political climate. It’s crucial that the students are comfortable with it before travelling. When it comes to India, we can still be attracting many more students from Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and even countries from the West, since we already have a robust education culture and we can bring in a larger diversity and a bigger influx of international students’
15 March,2026 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAn 18-year-old youth has been detained by Pune (Shivajinagar) police for allegedly running a fake board examination question paper leak racket on Telegram and duping students by promising access to SSC and HSC question papers in advance. The accused, identified as Chaitanya Vinod Shende, a resident of Jatpura in Chandrapur, had created a Telegram group titled “Maharashtra State Board 2026 Papers”. On the group, he claimed that he could provide PDF copies of upcoming Maharashtra State Board examination question papers. According to police, Shende allegedly fixed the rate of the question papers at Rs 600. He shared a QR code with interested students and asked them to transfer the money through UPI transactions. The fraud came to light after a complaint was registered at the Shivajinagar police station. During the technical investigation, the police established contact with Telegram through email correspondence to trace the account details linked to the group. The police officials informed that payments were being routed through UPI IDs including chaitanya03@fam and another ID linked to PhonePe. After verification police confirmed that the account used to receive the money was registered in Shende’s name. Police said the accused used a clever trick to convince students that he had access to leaked papers. He would upload a PDF file in the Telegram group beforehand and keep it password-protected. After the actual exam was conducted the next day, he would edit the same file and insert the real question paper into it. Since the original upload timestamp remained unchanged, it created the impression that the paper had been uploaded before the exam. The action was carried out under the guidance of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Rajesh Bansode, Deputy Commissioner Rishikesh Rawale and Assistant Commissioner Chandrakant Bhosale. The operation was executed by Senior Police Inspector Girishkumar Dighavkar and his team from Shivajinagar police station. Rs 600Rate the victims were charged Modus operandi? Shende would upload a PDF file in the Telegram group beforehand and keep it password-protected. After the actual exam was conducted the next day, he would edit the same file and insert the real question paper into it. Since the original upload timestamp remained unchanged, it created the impression that the paper had been uploaded before the exam.
15 March,2026 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalCheer squad Parents cheer during a MSSA boys U-8 final between Campion School and Jamnabai Narsee International School at Azad Maidan Renuka Shahane’s Looped finds a spot at MAMI Independent Renuka Shahane Renuka Shahane’s award-winning animated short Loop Line will screen in Mumbai on March 18 at PVR Lido, Juhu, as part of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image’s Independent Programme. The film arrives after a successful run at international festivals, including the Dharamshala International Film Festival and the New York Indian Film Festival. Stills from Loop Line Set in Mumbai, the hand-drawn animated short follows a middle-aged housewife trapped in a loop of domestic chores and a controlling husband. Her brief escapes come through vivid fantasies until a sexist remark from her husband’s friends pushes her imagination toward a darker rebellion. For Shahane, the screening marks a rare moment for adult animation to find a wider audience in India. “MAMI Independent is a huge platform for independent producers and filmmakers to showcase their films, which otherwise can be seen only at film festivals,” she says. “I think filmmakers are hungry to show their films to an audience keen to see films that might not be conventional or commercially viable.” The film’s animation was created by Paperboat Design Studios, founded by Soumitra Ranade, Mayank Patel and Aashish Mall. Actors Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar and Anand Alkunte performed the characters during previsualisation, shaping the final animation. Shahane hopes the film lingers with viewers long after the screening. “I always feel that films should either make you feel or think differently about something that you had a different perspective or experience of.” Mighty mom crowdfunds short film Mishael Martina Cardoza Mishael Martina Cardoza became a mother back in 2022, at the peak of her career. She had to take a break from her job as an Assistant Director in films, where she worked with directors like Anurag Basu, and Nitish Tiwari. Now with a toddler at home, she wants to get back to her passion and is crowdfunding a short film aptly named, Maternity Break. “The budget is around R5 lakhs. The short will look at postpartum depression and the emotional realities of motherhood. It will highlight how a woman’s choices are different for every mother, and why these decisions deserve empathy, not judgment,” she says. You can connect with Cardoza on Instagram at @martina_motherhood. Trueman Leeds the India praise gang Yashvant Cha and Fred Trueman Yashvant Chad, a famous Mumbai-based cricket scorer, called us after enjoying a recent piece published in mid-day on two fast bowling greats with contrasting personalities — Fred Trueman and Jasprit Bumrah. While the late Englishman was not coy to come up with utterances that showed how great a bowler he was, the Indian, who has excelled across formats, is as modest as they come. Chad’s call to us was not about what Trueman said about himself when they met after the Leeds Test of 1986, India’s first Test victory at the Yorkshire venue. Trueman (Test cricket’s first 300-wicket man), in fact, praised the Indians for beating David Gower’s team and winning the series with one Test to go. “Trueman said he couldn’t just believe that an Indian side could beat England in three and a half days with medium pacers in their ranks,” Chad told us. Skipper Kapil Dev and his 1983 World Cup teammates S Madan Lal, and Roger Binny formed India’s pace bowling attack. Of course, we should also mention that Dilip Vengsarkar helped himself to his second hundred of the series. Sindhi stories take stage at NGMA Nikhil Katara Pahinjo Kirdaar, a one-hour performance of seven monologues written and directed by Nikhil Katara, was staged by the Sindhi Saaz Foundation at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. Performed on March 14, the production brought theatre artists Barkha Fatnani, Deesh Mariwala, Monica Mahendru and Nishank Verma. The four stepped into a series of deeply personal monologues rooted in Sindhi culture and lived experience. The performance explored themes that resonate across generations of the community, and about migration, language, family and the Sindhi heritage. For Katara, presenting the show at NGMA added much significance to the stories. “It feels truly special. These are simple yet powerful stories of a community that deserve to be told,” he says. “Bringing Pahinjo Kirdaar to NGMA is meaningful because it helps people reconnect with their roots and remember where they come from.” The director hopes the performance continues to find new audiences beyond this staging.
15 March,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDAfter concerns were raised over the raised road level along the stretch between the ISKCON temple and Juhu Church during ongoing road works, the BMC has begun corrective measures to address residents’ fears of worsening waterlogging. Last week, mid-day had highlighted how the newly laid road surface had been elevated significantly. “The increased road height compared to the entrances of nearby buildings could have resulted in water flowing into residential compounds and commercial establishments, worsening the already-existing problem of waterlogging that we have been facing every monsoon,” said Paul Creado, a resident. Following the report and subsequent complaints from residents, BMC officials inspected the site and acknowledged the issue. “Civic authorities have now started digging deeper to reduce the road level. Officials said they will ensure that the road height aligns more closely with the entrances of buildings,” resident Allan Coutinho said. Assistant ward officer Chakrapani Alle stated that the road will be regraded to maintain a proper slope and improve drainage flow toward stormwater systems. “The aim is to prevent rainwater from stagnating and reduce the risk of flooding in the area during heavy showers,” he said. Residents have welcomed the swift response. “We tried to approach the authorities, but they would simply give us technical jargon. But after the paper took up the matter, they actually began digging,” said Creado.
15 March,2026 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarA father-son duo was injured in an encounter with a leopard near Kurar village, located adjacent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on Saturday morning. The injured were rushed to Shatabdi Hospital and are currently stable. After the incident, the big cat hid in a trench. RFO Niket Shinde, along with SGNP team and the NGO WWA, prepared a plan and SGNP veterinary officer Dr Nikhil Bangar successfully darted the animal in less than an hour. The leopard was then shifted to the park’s rescue centre. Chandu Kharpade suffered a head injury while his son’s hand was hurt A source from the forest department said, “The leopard has been taken to SGNP rescue center for medical examination. It is an old female leopard with one of its canines broken.” Forest department officials are expected to visit the area to assess the situation and sensitise residents about precautions in leopard-prone areas. With inputs by Ritika Gondhalekar Doctorspeak The on-duty medical officer at Shatabdi Hospital, Kandivali, said, “The father has suffered a head injury, while a finger on the son’s right hand is injured. We will run some tests to be sure neither have any major issues. Otherwise, both are stable and conscious.” What happened? According to villagers, the injured, Chandu Bhimji Kharpade and his son Umesh Kharpade, had gone to fetch water from a well near their hamlet between 5.30 am and 6 am. “A woman from their house who had gone ahead first spotted the leopard and began shouting for help. The father and son ran towards her and tried to drive away the leopard that was sitting in the bushes. The animal might have got scared and ended up attacking them,” said a relative of the injured.
15 March,2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
