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Two youths found semi-nude on bus in Navi Mumbai, booked
The Kamothe Police in Navi Mumbai have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two youths who were found semi-nude on a bus. The police took cognisance of a video that went viral on Tuesday and filed the case. “The two individuals appeared to be semi-nude and were engaged in an indecent act," a police personnel said. According to the police, the incident might have taken place on April 18. “An unknown person had filmed the act. Hence, an FIR had been registered. We are investigating the matter further,” the police said.
22 April,2025 09:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva Agashe
Two arrested for stealing sports bikes, using them in illegal racing
The Waliv Police in Palghar have arrested two individuals involved in stealing sports bikes and using them for illegal racing on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. The police have also recovered seven stolen bikes from the accused. The accused have been identified as Sahil alias Bappi Sahid Ali Shaikh, 20, and 22-year-old cab driver, Arshan alias Arshu Jakir Saudagar, both residents of Malwani in Mumbai's Malad area. During the investigation, the police discovered that Shaikh and Saudagar were actively participating in bike races on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. To take part in these races, they resorted to stealing sports bikes. "On April 9, a victim parked his Pulsar bike in Vasai (East). When he returned from work in the evening, he found the bike missing. The victim immediately reported the theft to the Waliv Police and an FIR (first information report) was registered," a police officer said. Following the complaint, the police launched an investigation and noticed a surge in similar bike thefts in the area over the past few days. Officers examined footage from over 300 CCTV cameras and eventually traced the accused to Malwani. Seven stolen bikes were recovered from the duo. The police also discovered that the accused were wanted in several other bike theft cases registered at police stations in Waliv, Tulinj, Powai, Bhandup, Dahisar, Deonar, and Malwani. The accused have purportedly confessed that they were stealing bikes solely for the purpose of participating in illegal races on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
22 April,2025 08:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Palghar
Cops nab man on the run for 21 years after killing wife, raping stepdaughter
The Palghar Police in Maharashtra have nabbed a man who had been on the run for 21 years after allegedly killing his wife and raping his stepdaughter in the year 2004, reported the PTI. The suspect was held from Dharavi slum in Mumbai, the officials said on Tuesday. He was found to have concealed his identity to evade arrest, they said. "The accused, who is now 56 years old, was residing in Virar with his then 40-year-old wife and his stepdaughter," Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Madan Ballal said during a press conference, according to the PTI. "At that time, he repeatedly raped his stepdaughter and impregnated her. When his wife confronted him and refused to stay with him, he lost his temper. Between May 19 and 20, 2004, the accused assaulted his wife by punching her and hitting her with a footwear. He lifted her and banged her on the floor, which led to her death," he said, the news agency reported. Based on the complaint filed by the stepdaughter, a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape) and 504 (intentional insult) was registered against him, the police said on Tuesday. After committing the crime, the accused had fled from the spot and could not be traced all these years, he said, adding that the police earlier carried out extensive searches for the accused in the Dharavi slum colony in Mumbai, but these efforts did not yield any results," the PTI reported. Investigation into this crime was subsequently taken over by the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police's Crime Unit-II led by inspector Samir Ahirrao. "The team pursued several leads, revisited the crime scene and met the complainant and witnesses and obtained an old photograph of the accused along with details of his previous employment. Initial inquiries brought to light that he had worked as a truck driver in Virar," he added. The police collected and verified the details of all truck drivers operating in Virar during that period, he said. "The investigation finally brought to light that the accused had been living under a concealed identity, moving between Hyderabad, Gujarat and various other locations before finally settling in Mumbai's Dharavi," the official said. With the 21-year-old photograph of the accused, the police teams carried out a thorough search in Dharavi to trace him. "The police received a tip-off that a man resembling the accused was residing in the Badi Vasti area of Dharavi Main Road and was known as Idli alias Parvez. He was then tracked down and apprehended on Monday," he said. (with PTI inputs)
22 April,2025 07:41 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
Ashwini Bidre murder case: Nine years later, API’s killer gets life term
The Panvel Sessions Court on Monday sentenced former Police Inspector Abhay Tukaram Kurundkar to life imprisonment in the murder of Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bidre, bringing closure to a case that shocked Maharashtra’s law enforcement circles. Bidre, who went missing under mysterious circumstances in 2016, was later confirmed to have been murdered. The court held that Kurundkar, with whom Bidre had been in a personal relationship, killed her and disposed of her body with the help of his ‘associates’, who are co-accused in the case. The motive, as revealed during the investigation, was rooted in betrayal—Kurundkar had allegedly promised to marry Bidre but failed to honour his commitment, which led to her pressurising him. Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bidre, who was murdered by Abhay Tukaram Kurundkar (right) Abhay Tukaram Kurundkar, the prime accused (left) in police custody. Pic/By special Arrangement Kurundkar’s driver, Kundan Bhandari, and a close friend, Mahesh Phalnikar, were sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment each under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code for their roles in destroying evidence. The court also imposed fines of Rs 25,000 on each of them. A fourth accused, Raju Patil, was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Judge K G Paldewar referred to the case as the ‘rarest-of-the-rare case’, given its “cruel and inhuman” nature, linked to the accused. It noted that the murder was not a spontaneous crime but a premeditated one. He acknowledged that Bidre’s family, her father and daughter, were the ‘true victims’ in this crime as they lost their loved one due to the brutal actions of a colleague. Bidre’s body was never recovered. The court said this fact made the offence “more serious,” as the deliberate disposal of the body was aimed at erasing any trace of the crime. The judgment also noted that the accused had abused their positions as police officers, which further intensified the gravity of their actions. “The accused, being in a responsible post as a police officer, instead of protecting a lady police officer (sic)… committed a heinous crime,” the court observed. The verdict came after a prolonged seven-year trial that saw delays, numerous witness testimonies, and forensic analysis. The prosecution’s case hinged on circumstantial evidence, including call detail records and the testimony of those close to Bidre and Kurundkar. The court criticised the police for their “passive behaviour” in connection with the case. This included delays in registering the murder case and hampering the investigation in its preliminary stages, which were crucial to collect important evidence. The court demanded disciplinary action against police officers who were part of the investigating team. Dubious distinction Given that the primary accused in the case was a police officer, the court raised serious concerns about the integrity of the police department. Despite being under suspension in connection with the murder case, Kurundkar was awarded the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017. “The award was given to him on Republic Day, and he was arrested on December 7 the same year, while serving as an inspector with the Thane Rural Police,” said an official involved with the murder case. Judge Paldewar recommended that the authorities concerned conduct an inquiry into the awarding of the medal and examine the officers who approved his nomination. “The accused was already suspended in a serious criminal case—the murder of a colleague who was also a police officer—yet he was conferred such a prestigious honour,” the court observed. Case background On April 11, 2016, Bidre was last seen leaving her office in Thane. Three days later, her brother-in-law received a WhatsApp message from her number, claiming she had travelled to North India for mental health treatment. Investigators, however, found discrepancies in the message’s language, raising suspicions about Kurundkar, with whom Bidre was in a relationship. Police investigations revealed that Kurundkar had promised to marry Bidre, but their relationship was strained by frequent arguments and alleged abuse. In one message, Bidre accused him of causing her personal loss. Further probe suggested that, frustrated by her demands, Kurundkar allegedly murdered Bidre and sought help from his associates to dispose of her body. Phalnikar initially confessed they dismembered her body, placed the remains in gunny bags with iron weights, and dumped them in Vasai Creek—though he later retracted his statement. In March 2019, Patil sought discharge from the case at the Alibaug court, but his plea was rejected based on GPS data and witness statements placing him with Kurundkar at the time of the crime. Despite search operations worth over R20 lakh, police failed to recover any remains. The charge sheet was based largely on circumstantial, technical, digital and witness evidence.
22 April,2025 01:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Thane court acquits six booked under MCOCA in 2017 robbery case
A court in Thane district has acquitted six persons booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a 2017 robbery case, citing insufficient evidence, reported news agency PTI. The accused were booked under the MCOCA and the Indian Penal Code for stealing cigarettes worth Rs 91 lakh from a godown in Navi Mumbai. A copy of the order dated April 16 was made available on Monday. The court has acquitted Mukesh Mohan Chaudhari @ Raju Rathod (43), Surendra Aslaramji Chaudhari (30), Champalal Chogaram Verma (35), Ratanlal Nagaram Dangi (38), Suresh Hariram Chaudhari (35), and Tejas Champalal Unecha (43), all residents of Pune district, reported PTI. According to the prosecution, the robbery took place on the night of July 29, 2017, at a godown and cigarette distribution centre in the APMC Market area of Navi Mumbai. A police complaint was lodged, and the accused were arrested and charged based on recovered cigarette cartons and fingerprint evidence. A case was registered under sections 457 (house-breaking by night), 380 (theft), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, and relevant provisions of the MCOCA. Special MCOCA judge Amit M Shete noted several critical lapses in the investigation. He noted that the trial was based on circumstantial evidence, and the prosecution and witnesses failed to establish each chain of circumstances, reported PTI. Though the prosecution had invoked the MCOCA citing past criminal cases against the accused, the court clarified that since the accused are given the benefit of the doubt for the offence punishable under the IPC, they are required to be acquitted for the offence punishable under the MCOCA. (With inputs from PTI)
22 April,2025 01:12 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Two women booked for duping businessman of Rs 77 lakh in Navi Mumbai
The Navi Mumbai police have registered a case against two women for allegedly cheating a 34-year-old businessman of Rs 77 lakh, an official said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. The police on Sunday registered a case against the duo from Uran under sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code, an official from the Nhava Sheva police station said, reported PTI. He said the fraud took place between October 2023 and April 2025. The official said the accused duo allegedly lured the complainant into investing in the garment business, promising high returns, and made him shell out Rs 77 lakh, reported PTI. When the women did not pay him the returns or give him back the original investment, the complainant realised he had been duped and approached the police, he said, adding that a probe is underway. Three doctors booked for siphoning off Rs 4.75 lakh from CM's Medical Assistance Fund A case has been registered against three doctors for allegedly obtaining Rs 4.75 lakh from the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund by forging documents and patient records at a hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district, officials said, reported PTI. In a statement on Saturday evening, the CM's office called the alleged crime deeply disturbing, saying the fund is meant to support the treatment of underprivileged patients. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Economic Offences Wing has taken over the probe into the case, it said. The case was registered on April 17 under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 471 (use of forged documents as genuine) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code for the fraud that took place between May and July 2023, an official from the Khadakpada police station said on Saturday. The CM's office said the accused, Dr Anudurg Dhone (45), Dr Pradeep Bapu Patil (41) and Dr Ishwar Pawar, allegedly fabricated admission and treatment records for 13 non-existent patients at Ganpati Multi-Speciality Hospital in Ambivili, Mohane, reported PTI. Fake documents, including records of surgeries and treatment, were submitted to claim Rs 4.75 lakh from the CM's Medical Assistance Fund, the release said. The fraud came to light on July 11, 2023, when irregularities were noticed in two major cases in which Rs 3.7 lakh was sanctioned for the treatment of "Arvind Solkhi" for a brain ailment and Rs 3.1 lakh for "Bhagwan Bhadane" for similar treatment, the CM's Office said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
22 April,2025 12:49 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Two men from Gujarat held by Mumbai Police with charas worth Rs 10 cr
In a major anti-narcotics operation on April 19, 2025, the Anti-Narcotics Unit of Chunabhatti Police Station, in coordination with Zone 6’s special team, seized charas valued at approximately Rs 10 crore and arrested two individuals linked to the illicit trade. The operation began when the police team, while on patrol, noticed a man acting suspiciously. Upon detaining him, he was identified as Raheem Majid Shaikh, 30, a resident of Dungri Link Road, Taluka Valsad, Gujarat. A search of Shaikh led to the recovery of approximately 1.907 kg of charas, with an estimated street value of Rs 1.9 crore. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused intended to sell the narcotics in Mumbai. A case has been registered against him under Sections 8(c) and 20(b)(2)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Chunabhatti Police Station. Further investigation, conducted with the assistance of the local police in Gujarat's Valsad district, led to the arrest of a second accused — Nitin Shantilal Tandel, 32, a resident of Nanibagal, near Radhakrishna Mandir in Dungri, Taluka Valsad. From Tandel’s possession, police recovered 8.146 kg of high-grade Afghan charas, which had been concealed and stored for sale. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth Rs 8.10 crore in the illegal market. In total, 10.053 kg of charas worth approximately Rs 10 crore has been confiscated in this case. Both accused are currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and network behind the narcotics operation. Cocaine valued at over Rs 22 crore seized in Thane; three held In another incident, the police have seized nearly 15 kg of cocaine, valued at over Rs 22 crore, in Maharashtra's Thane district and arrested three persons, including two foreign nationals, an official said on April 17, reported PTI. Acting on a tip, the Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police on April 15 arrested a woman, identified as Shabina Nazeer Shaikh (42), and recovered 11.8 kg of cocaine, valued at Rs 17.74 crore, from her, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Madan Ballal, reported PTI. "The first arrest led us deeper into the supply chain," ACP Ballal said. (With inputs from PTI)
22 April,2025 12:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma
Disgruntled security guard booked for hoax death threat against Tiger Shroff
The Khar police have booked a disgruntled employee of a private security agency for raising a false alarm about a supposed murder plot targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. The accused has been identified as 35-year-old Manish Kumar Sujinder Singh, a native of Punjab, according to police. A senior Mumbai Police officer told Mid-Day that Singh called the Mumbai Police Control Room on Monday and alleged that two senior employees of a private security agency were plotting to kill Tiger Shroff for a contract of Rs 2 lakh. “During the call, Singh went as far as claiming that he had personally supplied the weapons and handed over Rs 2 lakh to the alleged contract killers,” the officer said. Following the alarming call, security agencies were immediately put on high alert. However, a swift and thorough investigation revealed that the information provided by Singh was completely false and baseless. “As a result, an FIR has been registered against Singh under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 212, 217, and 353(2),” the officer added. When asked about the motive behind the false claim, the officer said, “Our investigation indicates that Singh fabricated the story to settle personal scores with the two senior security professionals he had named in the call.” No arrest has been made yet, but officials confirmed that Singh will soon be served a legal notice. This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar hoax threat involving actor Salman Khan, which had also prompted an immediate police response.
22 April,2025 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma
Thane: Mother-son duo booked in rape, assault case in Kalwa
The police on Tuesday said that a case has been registered against a mother-son duo for alleged rape and assault on a 36-year-old woman in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported news agency PTI. Based on a complaint, the Kalwa police on Sunday registered a first information report under sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc.), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, an official said, reported PTI. He said the alleged crime took place between June 6, 2023 and February 2025. The complainant has alleged that the accused man, a resident of Kalwa, befriended her on social media and lured her into a physical relationship with the promise of marriage. The accused, who was already married, allegedly raped the woman on multiple occasions with his mother's knowledge, the official said, reported PTI. He said later, the victim saw photographs of other women on the accused's mobile phone and confronted him, and he assaulted her. The police are probing into the allegations, and no arrests have been made so far. Man sexually assaults four-year-old girl on pretext of giving cold water; held In another incident, a 55-year-old man was arrested on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl under the pretext of giving her chilled water to drink in Borivali area of Mumbai, police said, reported PTI. According to police, the accused, Ram Lalit Yadav, threatened the girl with dire consequences after committing the crime in his shanty on Sunday afternoon, reported PTI. A police official said the parents of the girl were worried about her changed behaviour as she stopped talking and looked scared. "After she narrated her ordeal, the parents approached MHB police station and lodged an FIR against Yadav," the official said, reported PTI. Yadav was arrested under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Further investigation is underway, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
22 April,2025 11:13 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan receives email threat; probe underway
Former Bandra East legislator Zeeshan Siddique has received a threat via email from an unidentified individual. A complaint has been filed with the Mumbai Police in this regard. Confirming the development, Mumbai Police said, "A threat email has been received by ex-MLA Shri Zeeshan Baba Siddique. Bandra Police Station is in the process of registering FIR." According to sources, the sender of the email has demanded Rs 10 crore from Zeeshan Siddique. The sender stated that while what happened to Zeeshan’s father was unfortunate, the same would happen to him if he failed to arrange the money or informed the police. Zeeshan has received nearly three emails from a person identified as Dilshad, who has used an image of a gun and six bullets as his email display picture. The third email was received on Monday, Mumbai Police sources said. On October 12, Zeeshan's father and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was shot dead. Both Zeeshan and Baba Siddique were at their Bandra (East) office discussing the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Zeeshan parked his car directly in front of the office and went inside, while Baba parked his car a few hundred metres away. After the meeting, Zeeshan left moments before Baba, who was then attacked at close range by the shooters. Two bullets struck his chest, and he succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital. Mumbai Police have arrested 26 people in Baba Siddique's murder. Earlier this month, the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch submitted a 4,590-page detailed charge sheet against the 26 accused as well as the three wanted suspects in the murder case
21 April,2025 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Four held for killing man near Digha railway station in Thane
As many as four persons have been arrested for allegedly murdering a 28-year-old man over a monetary dispute in Thane, a railway police official said on Monday, reported the PTI. The incident took place in the intervening night of April 18 and 19, Thane railway police station senior inspector Archana Dusane said. "Arjun Sharma (28) and his 17-year-old nephew Ashish Sharma were attacked by Guddu Pal (40) and 5-6 of his accomplices at the parking lot outside Digha railway station. The accused used deadly weapons, wooden sticks, and bamboo poles to attack the victims. Arjun Sharma died," Dusane said, according to the PTI. "On the complaint of Ashish Sharma, a case was registered. Preliminary probe revealed the murder was over a monetary dispute between the victim's family and the accused. Four persons, including Guddu Pal, have been arrested, while a juvenile has been detained," she said. Man kidnaps, murders Bhiwandi powerloom owner Meanwhile, in an another incident, a man was arrested from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly kidnapping and murdering a powerloom owner in Bhiwandi in Thane district of Maharashtra, a police official said on Monday, the PTI reported. The body of Farakh Ikhlaq Ahmed Sheikh (52) was found in a creek near Karivali village on April 17, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav told reporters. After the recovery of the body a police team was formed which began investigations into the matter and identified a suspect who had reached his native place in Uttar Pradesh after killing the powerloom owner. "A Crime Branch team under senior inspector Janardhan Sonawane held Rajkumar Rajendra Ram (21) from Korakat in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur. He has said he was working in a powerloom and knew the deceased. He has claimed the deceased used to demand sexual favours from him.," the DCP said, as per the PTI. "Distressed by this, Ram allegedly plotted and executed the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Farakh Sheikh. His body was dumped in a creek," the DCP said. The police is verifying the claims made by the accused and further investigating the matter, the officials said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
21 April,2025 09:15 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent