A 34-year-old regional transport officer (RTO) officer from the Kurla division was allegedly assaulted by an unknown individual on Wednesday. The accused also snatched the officer's mobile phone before fleeing the scene. According to police sources, assistant inspector Amol Sapkal was patrolling in Kurla along with senior RTO officials to take action against motorists violating the law. Around 1 pm, he intercepted a tempo on LBS Road near Hari Masjid. The vehicle was found to be overloaded beyond its permitted capacity. Before initiating any action, he took the license of the driver, identified as Dev Raju Kunchikorve. Sapkal decided to verify the weight and instructed the driver to take the vehicle to a weighing machine (weight kata). However, the accused allegedly refused to comply and made a call to an anonymous person to complaint about the officer's actions. In response to the driver’s call, an individual promptly arrived on a bike and began arguing with the RTO officer. When the officer attempted to take a photo of the vehicle on his mobile phone, the accused snatched the device from his hand and smashed it to the ground. The officer then tried to use a challan machine to take a photo, but the accused attempted to snatch it as well. Sapkal, however, managed to hand the challan machine to his associate. The situation escalated further as the accused allegedly assaulted the officer and fled the scene, taking Sapkal's broken mobile phone with him. The officer later approached Kurla Police and filed a complaint. Based on his report, the police have registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and are actively searching for the accused, an officer from Kurla Police Station said.
11 December,2024 10:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Manikpur Police in Palghar district of Maharashtra busted a notorious interstate gang involved in assaulting citizens under the pretext of asking for directions, snatching gold ornaments, and fleeing on motorcycles. Two gang members have been arrested, and during police interrogation, they confessed to committing three crimes. The police have seized stolen items worth Rs 1,09,280 from cases registered at Valiv and Manikpur police stations in Vasai. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Pournima Chougule-Shringi of Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate Zone 2, the arrested suspects have more than eight criminal cases registered against them in various police stations across Gujarat and Mumbai. Both the accused have been identified as Kanubhai alias Kanhaiya Ramabhai Solanki (45), a resident of Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, and Mohammad Sharif Farid Khan (55), a resident of Poman Sastikar Pada in Vasai. Solanki has serious criminal cases registered against him at Khadia, Paldi, Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad, Umra in Surat, and Himmatnagar City and Bayad in Sabarkantha. Khan also has criminal cases registered at Bandra in Mumbai and Umra in Surat. Both the accused have confessed to crimes registered at Valiv, Manikpur, and Mahatma Phule Chowk police stations in Kalyan.
11 December,2024 07:43 PM IST | Palghar | Diwakar SharmaDays after horrific Kurla BEST bus crash that killed seven people and injured 42, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply And Transport (BEST) bus in south Mumbai, the police said on Wednesday. According to the police, the incident took place at the Bhatia Baug Junction near hotel Shivala in CST area at around 4.30 pm. The victim, a man, aged around 60-year-old was hit by a biker due to which the victim fell and came under back wheel of a BEST bus. An official said, a pedestrian was killed after a BEST bus moving on the Walchand Hirachand Marg in the CST area of south Mumbai ran over him. He said that the bus, operating on route A-26, with the registration number MH 03 EC 0174, was proceeding from Anushakti Nagar towards Electric House at approximately 3:25 pm, about an hour later at around 4:30 pm, the pedestrian came under the vehicle and was run over, resulting in an immediate fatality at the spot where the accident took place. The bus driver was identified as Dnyandev Namdeo Jagdale was detained by the MRA Marg police for further investigations. The deceased is yet to be identified, sources said. FIR was being is registered in MRA Marg police station and further investigation is being done to find the biker involved in the incident, an official said, adding that the deceased is yet to be identified, the police said. Further details will be updated.
11 December,2024 07:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShocking visuals of minutes before the horrific Kurla BEST bus crash took place on Monday night has been accessed by mid-day. The CCTV footage from the BEST bus in the Kurla crash reveals terrifying moments inside the vehicle. In the CCTV footage of inside the BEST bus and the spot where the accident took place shows panicking commuters inside the bus figuring out why the bus was on a rampage. Moreover, the conductor of the bus who can bee seen busy issuing the tickets to the passengers shocked to see the driver rashly driving and crashing into whatever was on the way of the BEST bus. Moments later, panicked passengers, some of them elderly are seen attempting to save their lives as they witnessed the uncontrollable speeding bus going on dashing people and vehicles coming its way. Exclusive: CCTV footage from the BEST bus in the Kurla crash reveals terrifying moments inside the vehicle and on the street during the incident.By: @ShirishVaktania#KurlaBusAccident #Kurla #kurlaaccident #Kurla #Mumbai #BusAccident #MumbaiPolice https://t.co/W958N7KJMl pic.twitter.com/ickDtFbyXT — Mid Day (@mid_day) December 11, 2024 Minutes later, as the bus halted, the passengers present in the BEST bus can be seen rushing outside the bus and trying to understand what happened. The police investigations into the horrific Kurla bus accident has revealed that the bus driver identified as Sanjay More, 54, began operating the electric BEST bus just days before the crash took place. More's alleged negligence has left caused has killed 7, injured 42, police sources said on Tuesday. Following the incident, More was initially detained by the Kurla police and was later placed under arrest. He has been booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. More was produced before a Mumbai court on Tuesday that remanded him in police custody till December 21. The police, while seeking More's police custody on Tuesday, told the court that the he drove the bus in a 'negligent manner'. The police investigations revealed that More had previously operated BEST mini-buses and other regular buses. However, he did not have much experience operating electric buses. He started driving an electric BEST bus on December 1 and had only been running the electric buses on the Kurla-Andheri route for nine days. The bus he was allegedly driving hit several vehicles and pedestrians around 9.30 pm in the crowded Kurla (West) locality. In one of the CCTV footage, people lying on the road while vehicles being damaged can bee seen as the BEST bus continues to move at speed. The police has recovered several CCTV footage of the incident and are further probing the matter, sources said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia)
11 December,2024 05:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mumbai on Wednesday sentenced three Bangladeshi nationals to five years in prison for illegally entering India and possessing counterfeit documents, reported news agency PTI. The convicted individuals, Mohammed Habibur Rehman Habib alias Raj Jesub Mandal, Hannan Anwar Hussain Khan alias Hannan Baburali Gazi and Mohd Azarali Subhanallah alias Raja Jesub Mandal, were each fined Rs 2,000 by the NIA special court in Mumbai, as per an official statement from the agency. The case dates back to March 2018, when the Pune Police registered a first information report (FIR) following intelligence reports regarding several Bangladeshi nationals residing in Pune without valid documentation, PTI stated. The investigation revealed that the accused were reportedly involved in assisting members of the Ansar Bangla Team (ABT), a front organisation linked to the designated terrorist group Al Qaida. According to PTI, following thorough investigations, the NIA filed a charge sheet against the three accused on September 7, 2018. They faced multiple charges under various laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Foreigners Act. The three were sentenced under section 14 of the Foreigners Act (for overstaying in India without valid documentation), section 471 of IPC (for using forged documents as genuine), and section 120-B of IPC (for conspiracy related to document forgery), stated PTI. Mumbai: Two Bangladeshi nationals held in Kandivali The Samta Nagar Police on December 7 arrested two Bangladeshi nationals who had allegedly illegally crossed the border and were residing in the Kandivali area of Mumbai, an officer said. According to the police, the accused entered India by evading border security and had been living in Kandivali, sustaining themselves through daily wage work. Acting on a tip-off, the Samta Nagar police detained the duo near Sandeep Hotel on Akurli Road, in Kandivali (East). The accused were identified as Robiyul Mohammed Moazzam Husain Alam, 24, and Mohammed Ridoy Hussain Miyan, 25. During the search, mobile phones with active SIM cards were recovered from their possession. Upon investigation, the police identified the accused as residents of Bildora in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh. The two have been charged under various sections of the Foreigners Act and the police are conducting further inquiries. (With inputs from PTI)
11 December,2024 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActing on specific intelligence, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, uncovered a syndicate involving airport staff employed at the food court of the international airport in smuggling gold. The racket allegedly involved retrieving gold from international transit passengers and delivering it outside the airport. DRI officials maintained surveillance at the airport and intercepted two consignments of smuggled gold during delivery. Three airport staff members and three receivers were apprehended. During the operation, 24 oval-shaped balls of gold dust in wax form were found concealed in eight pouches. Upon examination, 12.5 kilograms of gold, valued at Rs 9.95 crore, was recovered and seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. All six individuals, including the airport staff, were arrested. Officials stated that this operation has dismantled a significant gold smuggling syndicate. This seizure is part of a larger crackdown, as DRI Mumbai has seized a total of approximately 36 kilograms of smuggled gold over the last two days, delivering a substantial blow to smuggling operations in the region.
11 December,2024 02:23 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanAn official on Wednesday said that the police have registered a case against a scrap dealer for allegedly duping a supplier of nearly Rs 1 crore in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported news agency PTI. The dealer used to purchase scrap material from the victim who stored it at a godown in Bhayander area. Between April 1, 2022 and April 29, 2024, the dealer purchased scrap material of Rs 6.30 crore but paid the supplier Rs 5.31 crore, the official from Navghar police station said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. When the supplier asked for the balance payment, the dealer refused and later became unreachable, he said. Based on the supplier's complaint, the police on Monday registered an FIR against the dealer relevant legal provisions for cheating and other charges, he said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. Couple duped of Rs 80 lakh on promise of getting payments bank's franchisees; 3 booked Police have registered a case against three persons for allegedly duping a couple in Maharashtra's Thane district of Rs 80 lakh by promising to get authorisation to open franchisees of a payments bank, officials said, reported PTI. The incident occurred between August 2022 and April 2023, and an FIR in this connection was registered on Thursday, they said. The accused have been identified as Kalpit Ashokbhai Soni (46), Kunjalsingh Vikramsing Solanki (33), both from Gujarat, and Surendrakumar Kishorelal Sharma (40) from Rajasthan, the police said, reported PTI. "The accused trio contacted a 46-year-old businesswoman, who along with her husband was assured that they would be granted authorisation to open franchisees of a payments bank," an official of Kasarvadavli police station said. "Between August 2022 and April 2023, the accused offered the businesswoman and her husband franchise opportunities in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. They promised that they would secure them the gold loan franchisee/master franchisee and cash management schemes. The couple believed them and transferred Rs 80 lakh to the accused in instalments to their bank accounts," he said, reported PTI. But despite paying money to them, the victims neither got their money back nor received the authorisation for franchisees of a payments bank. After the couple realised that they had been duped, they lodged a complaint, the official said, reported PTI. The accused trio was booked on the charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery, criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal conspiracy and common intention. (With inputs from PTI)
11 December,2024 12:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday continued grilling actress Gehana Vashisht in connection with the pornography case involving Raj Kundra and others. Vashisht is currently under the agency's scanner in its money laundering probe linked to the making and distribution of pornography. Sources said that the ED is scrutinising whether the payments Vashisht received were part of a larger money-laundering operation orchestrated through the alleged pornography racket. Vashisht, who was questioned for seven hours on Monday, returned to the ED office for further interrogation on Tuesday. On the second day of her interrogation, Gehna was questioned for nearly six hours, during which the officials continued recording her statement as well and asked her to appear again when required. Speaking to the press after the interrogation, Gehna said that the ED officials are yet to retrieve data from her mobile and that is why she was being summoned again and again. The ED is investigating payments made to her by Kenrin Limited, a London-based company owned by Kundra’s brother-in-law, Pradeep Bakshi, who is a wanted accused in the case. Vashisht allegedly received multiple payments from Kenrin Limited for pornographic films shot in India and transferred to London, where they were allegedly uploaded on various platforms. However, Vashisht has maintained her stance that the films she worked on were erotica, not pornography. She said the ED’s questioning revolved around her financial transactions and her connections with Kundra and Kenrin Limited. Vashisht was previously arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch in February 2021. During that time, she spent over three months in jail. Recently, in November, ED raided multiple locations associated with Kundra in connection with the money laundering case tied to the alleged production and distribution of pornographic and adult content. The ED’s investigation focuses on the alleged use of the "Hotshots" app, which was reportedly operated by Armsprime Media Pvt Ltd, a company founded by Kundra. WhatsApp chats retrieved from Kundra’s phone allegedly revealed discussions about financial transactions and plans to sell adult films for $1.2 million. Questions asked by the ED: Do you know Raj Kundra?How do you know Raj Kundra?How many films have you made for HotShots?How much were you paid per film?Was Raj Kundra the owner of HotShots?How many times have you met Raj Kundra?How do you know Umesh Kamat? (Kamat was the MD of HotShots.)How much money have you earned from HotShots?Through whom did you meet Umesh Kamat?
11 December,2024 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanAs many as twenty mobile phones, valued at approximately Rs 8.5 lakh, were stolen during the concert of renowned DJ Boris Brejcha's Sunburn Arena Concert, held on Monday at the Nesco Center in Goregaon East, the police officials said on Tuesday. Two separate FIRs have been registered at Vanrai police station in connection with the matter and the police is investigating the matter, an official said. According to police sources, the Sunburn Arena concert featuring world-famous DJ Boris Brejcha took place yesterday in Hall No. 4 of the Nesco Center. Over 1,200 fans attended the event to enjoy the DJ's electrifying performance. While most attendees relished the experience, some were disheartened to discover their mobile phones had gone missing. Investigations revealed that pickpockets had infiltrated the crowd, taking advantage of the fans’ distraction to steal mobile phones from their pockets before fleeing the scene, the police said. “Two separate FIRs were filed in the matter. One FIR has around 9 complainants (Rs 3,05,000), while the other has 11 complainants (Rs 4,45,000). Most of the stolen mobile phones were iPhones, valuing approximately valued at Rs 8.5 lakh," said an official. "We have filed a case under the relevant sections of the BNS against the unknown accused. The process of identifying and tracking down the accused is underway with the help of CCTV,” said an officer from Vanrai police station.
10 December,2024 09:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned actor Gehana Vashisht for at least 6 hours on the second consecutive day, sources said. The central agency probing the pornography case linked to money laundering had earlier on Monday quizzed Gehna for nearly seven hours at the ED's Mumbai office. Gehna was allowed to leave on Tuesday but has been asked to appear again as and when required, official sources said. The officials are still in the process of retrieving certain mobile data and require further clarity regarding her involvement, sources further added. On Monday, the ED officials had interrogated Gehna about films, financial transactions, and whether money laundering was involved in the process, they said. Speaking to the press, Gehana Vashisht had on Monday said, “There are big names involved in this case, but they are not being called for questioning. I am being targeted. However, I will fully cooperate with the investigation. I am ready to provide any documents or evidence the officials require.” Gehana also revealed that she worked for Raj Kundra’s company, creating films for which she was paid Rs 33 lakh. She confirmed sharing this information with the investigating officials. “The questioning was about my links with Raj Kundra and the London-based company Kenrin Limited. I have answered all the questions and am being asked to appear again tomorrow (Dec 10),” Gehna Vashisht said while speaking with mid-day on Monday evening.
10 December,2024 08:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanIn a major crackdown, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU) on Tuesday said that it has busted a gold smuggling racket and seized gold and items worth Rs 19.6 crore. The DRI said that it uncovered a gold extraction and refining facility used for melting smuggled gold. It said that acting on specific intelligence, the DRI conducted searches at three related locations, resulting in the recovery of 23.92 kg of gold in bar and melted form, along with foreign-marked gold, 37 kg of silver, and Rs 5.4 lakh in cash. The officials said that the mastermind behind the syndicate was arrested after statements were recorded from workers and helpers found at the premises. The seized gold is suspected to have been smuggled, as the mastermind could not provide any legitimate source or documentation for the gold. The total value of the seized goods, including cash, is estimated at Rs 19.6 crore, the officials said.
10 December,2024 07:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanADVERTISEMENT
