The Khar police registered an FIR against actor Sharad Kapoor for allegedly molesting a 28-year-old girl at his production house in Khar West. The Khar police have started an investigation into this matter. Kapoor is a resident of Khar and runs his production house office in the same society. The victim alleged that the accused promised her a role and had called her in for an audition. A police officer said, “The victim met Kapoor through Facebook. She sent a message to him and Kapoor asked her to come meet her. He also shared his location. Three days ago, the victim visited Kapoor’s office. Allegedly, no one else was present in the office at the time.” The victim alleged that Kapoor touched her inappropriately and molested her. She said she immediately left the place and informed Khar police and registered the FIR. A police officer said, “We are checking the facts. We have not arrested anyone in this case yet.”
01 December,2024 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA 43-year-old man has been arrested for stalking a 20-year-old woman near a demolition site in Nalasopara, where hundreds of families have been left homeless after the civic body razed their unauthorised residential buildings. The accused, identified as Ulfat Gaffar Shaikh, had been soliciting sexual favours from the woman, who had just come back from Nalasopara railway station along with her elder sister and grandmother on Friday evening. This incident has left those displaced from the demolition worried for the safety of other women there. The homeless residents are from the seven out of 41 unauthorised residential buildings that were razed last week by Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation following a court order. A total of 53 families have been living on the road and are yet to be rehabilitated by the state government. Local sources told mid-day that Shaikh had been stalking the woman. “It was around 7.30 pm on Friday when the girl was alone near Agarwal Gate number 1 which is in the close proximity to the demolition site where hundreds of homeless families are residing on the road. It was a dark stretch where a man had been stalking the woman and had been demanding sexual favours in exchange of Rs 5,000,” said the source. “The visibly terrified woman sought help and people at the site rushed to her support. He was caught at the spot and thrashed badly,” the source added. “The woman narrated her ordeal and we recorded her statement to register a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 78 (stalking) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and arrested the man identified as Ulfat Gaffar Shaikh. He is a resident of Nalasopara East,” said Pournima Chougule-Shringi, the zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police. No immediate details were found if the woman is one among the homeless families who have been forced to live on the streets post the demolition drive by the local municipal corporation. “We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to ensuring the safety of women,” said the DCP Pournima Chougule-Shringi, “Our police personnel have been conducting night patrolling in the area to ensure safety and security of people.”
01 December,2024 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaThe Mumbai West Region Police registered cases against 689 people for rash driving, overspeeding, and performing stunts on bikes at Bandra Reclamation on the Western Express Highway, late on Friday night. The cops also seized around 165 bikes and registered 40 first information reports (FIR) against rash drivers. Most of the FIRs were registered by the Khar and Bandra police. According to the police, they received several complaints of rash driving, racing and motorists performing stunts between Bandra Reclamation area and Kherwadi. In June, the police seized 34 vehicles and arrested 52 people for rash driving and performing stunts on bike between Bandra Reclamation and Kherwadi. In April, around 48 bikes were seized and 82 people were arrested for the same offences on Western Express Highway. Speaking to mid-day, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dikshit Gedam of Zone 9 said, "On Friday night, we deployed heavy bandobast on Western Express Highway near Bandra Reclamation and charged 689 people. We also registered 40 FIRs and seized 162 bikes."
30 November,2024 10:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Mumbai Crime Branch is actively investigating a high-profile murder case, initially registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station as CR No. 589/2024 and later re-registered as DCB CID CR No. 86/2024. The case involves multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 103(1), 109, 125, and 3(5), along with provisions of the Arms Act (Sections 3, 5, 25, and 27) and the Maharashtra Police Act (Sections 37 and 135). This investigation pertains to the murder of Baba Siddique. So far, 26 accused have been arrested in connection with the case. However, three individuals—Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar, Zishan Mohammad Akhtar, and Anmol Bishnoi—remain at large and are being actively pursued by law enforcement. In a significant development, the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA), have been invoked in the case as of today. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to uncover details surrounding the incident.
30 November,2024 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaA 17-year-old juvenile escaped from police custody while being taken for a medical examination in Maharashtra's Thane district, authorities reported on Saturday. The incident took place when the juvenile, who had been placed under police detention, was escorted by officers to a hospital for an ossification test, ordered by the Juvenile Justice Board to confirm his age. The test, which is commonly used to estimate the age of minors, was conducted at a medical facility in Bhiwandi, a town in Thane district. After the test was completed on Thursday, the juvenile managed to slip away from the police team assigned to watch over him, despite being under custody for a legal matter. According to police sources, an FIR has been lodged under Section 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the resistance or obstruction of a person’s lawful apprehension. The police are now actively searching for the juvenile, with authorities in Bhiwandi leading the effort. The escape has raised concerns regarding the security arrangements made by the police while transporting juveniles for medical examinations. The juvenile was reportedly detained in connection with an ongoing case, but no further details on the nature of his offence have been released at this stage. Authorities are continuing their investigation and are hopeful that the juvenile will be recaptured shortly. They have also assured that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. As per PTI reports, this is not the first time that a juvenile has managed to escape police custody, highlighting ongoing challenges in the handling of underage offenders. However, police sources have emphasised that all efforts are being made to ensure the juvenile's swift re-arrest and that further updates will be shared as the situation unfolds. This incident has brought attention to the procedural aspects of juvenile justice and the need for better safeguards during medical transfers. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to the juvenile’s whereabouts. (With inputs from PTI)
30 November,2024 12:27 PM IST | MumbaiA 20-year-old man has been apprehended for allegedly exposing himself to women in a housing society in Thane district, Maharashtra, police reported on Saturday. The incident, which came to light through CCTV footage, occurred in October, but the arrest was made on Friday in the Gaibinagar locality of Bhiwandi town. According to police officials, the accused has been booked under section 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and section 319 (house trespass and housebreaking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by one of the victims, as per PTI reports. Elaborating on the incident, the police stated that the accused trespassed onto the terrace of the housing society, where he engaged in indecent behaviour by flashing and masturbating. Residents became aware of the matter only after reviewing CCTV footage from the premises, which recorded the act. The footage was examined recently, leading to the identification of the perpetrator and prompting the filing of the complaint. “After reviewing the CCTV footage, the complainant came forward to report the incident, which had initially gone unnoticed. This evidence proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the accused,” a police official said. The arrest was carried out swiftly after a detailed investigation. Officers from the local police station in Bhiwandi tracked the accused to his residence in the Gaibinagar area. Police are also exploring whether the accused was involved in similar incidents elsewhere. The incident has raised concerns among residents of the housing society, particularly regarding security lapses. Several residents have reportedly requested additional safety measures, including better surveillance and restricted access to common areas like terraces. The accused is currently in police custody, and further inquiries are ongoing. The authorities are working to gather additional evidence and statements to ensure a watertight case. This arrest underscores the importance of vigilance and timely reporting of such incidents. Police have urged citizens to come forward with any information that may help in investigating cases of harassment or indecent behaviour. The matter highlights the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety and dignity of women in residential areas, as well as a reminder of the importance of community cooperation in addressing such issues. PTI reports that the police are committed to taking strong action in cases that violate the safety and modesty of women, reaffirming the state's zero-tolerance stance against such offences. (With inputs from PTI)
30 November,2024 12:15 PM IST | MumbaiIn the latest case of digital arrest and online exploitation, a 26-year-old Borivli-based woman was forced to transfer Rs 1.78 lakh to a fraudster posing as a CBI officer from Delhi. The fraudster told the woman that he was carrying out an investigation into a money laundering case and also recorded a nude video of her, claiming that it was part of the body verification process. He then started to threaten to make the video viral on social media. According to police sources, the complainant resides in Borivli and works with a private company in Andheri. She received several calls on her mobile number and upon answering, the fraudster introduced himself as a CBI officer from Delhi. Later, citing privacy concerns for the investigation, the fraudster compelled the woman to book a hotel room. The woman complied out of fear. The fraudster then made a video call, showing information about a person named Naresh and linking him to money laundering activities. Gradually, the fraudster extracted the woman’s bank details and withdrew '1.78 lakh from her account. However, the harassment didn't stop there. Claiming that a “body verification” was required as part of the investigation, the fraudster manipulated her into undressing during a video call. He recorded the call and later threatened to make the video viral on social media. Following the incident, the woman fell into a depressed state and didn’t speak of the incident to anyone. However, after repeated threats from the fraudster she spoke about it with her relatives who suggested filing a complaint. She reported the incident to the Andheri police on Friday and a case was registered under various sections of BNS and IT Act. The police have begun investigations. “We have seen many cases of digital arrest fraud but this is probably the first case of making a nude video of a woman in the name of investigations. Cyber police are repeatedly informing people not to entertain unknown calls. No agency across the country conducts a digital inquiry of any case in this manner. If someone claims to be doing this, it should be considered a scam and immediately a complaint should be filed on the cyber helpline number by calling 1930. The incident can also be reported at the nearest police station,” said an officer from Andheri police. '1.78lAmount illegally transferred from woman’s account
30 November,2024 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Kurar police have dismantled a human trafficking racket that lured young women with promises of acting opportunities in the film industry, only to exploit them sexually. Among the six arrested are two women pimps—a mother-daughter duo—and individuals including a film production company owner, a hotelier, and a furniture businessman. False promises According to the police, the victim, an 18-year-old resident of Malad East, was approached by Sunita Rankhambe, a family acquaintance who often visited her home. Rankhambe convinced the victim’s mother that her daughter could secure acting roles, citing her own daughter’s alleged success in the industry. Interested in pursuing an acting career, the victim agreed. In June, she was taken to Titwala, where she met Rankhambe’s daughter, Soni Waghmare, who claimed that representatives from a production house would meet her. At Titwala station, she was introduced to Sameer Ali alias Aijaz Shaikh, the owner of a film production company, who offered her a chance to work on an upcoming project. Ali took the victim to Karjat under the pretence of a film shoot but instead confined her to a flat in the Eco Green Complex. Claiming the shoot was delayed, he locked her in the apartment. Later that evening, Ali returned with hotelier Aamir Ali Jedha. The victim alleges she was given a spiked drink, after which she lost consciousness. When she regained awareness, she found herself unclothed and in severe pain, with Aamir Ali lying beside her. Confronting Sameer Ali, she was shown a video of the assault and threatened with its release if she spoke out. Months of captivity The victim was held captive for nearly 25 days in Karjat, during which she was allegedly raped multiple times by Sameer Ali, his assistant Jafar Khan, and other men, including businessman Nazmuddin Tinwala. She also disclosed that Rankhambe’s daughter, Soni, was actively involved in the trafficking network. Over the next four months, the victim was taken to locations such as Goa and Hyderabad under the guise of work opportunities. She was sexually exploited throughout this period. Eventually, the victim escaped and returned to Mumbai, where she confided in her brother. With the assistance of Shyam Jhalke, founder of the NGO Bahujan Injustice Atrocity Eradication Action Committee, she filed a complaint at the Kurar police station. Arrests and investigation The police arrested Sunita Rankhambe and her daughter Soni in October and subsequently apprehended the remaining suspects. The accused include Sunita Rankhambe, 48 – Pimp and family acquaintance of the victim; Soni Waghmare, 31—Rankhambe’s daughter and accomplice; Sameer Ali alias Aijaz Shaikh, 37—owner of the production company; Jafar Khan, 51—Sameer’s assistant; Aamir Ali Jetha, 63—a hotelier from Bandra; and Nazmuddin Tinwala—a furniture businessman from Karjat. “Under the guidance of DCP Smita Patil (Zone XII) and Senior Inspector Janardan Parbkar, our team, led by Inspector Sandeep Karvekar and API Pankaj Wankhede, carried out the investigation and arrests,” an officer said. The case has been registered under relevant sections for human trafficking, rape, and other offences. The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to ensure justice for the victim. 25No. of days victim was confined to a room
30 November,2024 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe BEST undertaking has plans to scrap 510 of its old buses and replace them with electric ones costing R679 crore in total during the next financial year. Of the new vehicles, 273 will be single-decker and 237 midi buses. By March 31, 2026, BEST aims to have a 10,182-strong fleet of 3,337 self-owned buses and 6,845 leased. However, there is no road map on how this will be achieved as the present administration lacks a concrete plan. The interim budget seems to be tabled just to complete technicalities, and the final budget will be presented alongside the BMC’s 2025-26 budget. The budget has declared a total cumulative liability of over Rs 9,286 crore, for both transport and electricity supply divisions of the BEST. In 2024-25, the undertaking had planned to procure 2,000 electric buses for Rs 2,573 crore but has been unable to make its mark. The self-owned bus fleet has been declining and has come down to 1,000 buses. ‘Wait for improved tech’ The BEST has 2,978 buses, of which 1,684 have been procured on a rent basis while the remaining is owned by the undertaking. In a memorandum of understanding signed by the trade union and the then-municipal commissioner in 2019, the undertaking was expected to maintain a fleet of 3,337 self-owned buses for which it sought R3,400 crore from the BMC. The BEST has demanded R2,812 crore from the BMC. From 2019 to date, the civic body has given around Rs 8,592 crore to the BEST. For this financial year, the BMC made a provision of Rs 800 crore for the undertaking, out of which R600 crore has been handed out. Transport expert Ashok Datar said the BEST must follow certain basic practices to come out of the red. “For the next two years, they should stop buying electric buses which cost R1.60 crore each as their performance is not satisfactory and they don’t offer the desired mileage per charge. I believe better technology will make electric buses cheaper. In the meantime, why not buy more CNG buses, which are readily available at R55 lakh, a third of the price? We can also consider Eicher buses, the most popular among private operators, which are available at R40 lakh each,” he suggested. Delayed budget release Straying from its decades-old practice, the BEST undertaking on Thursday was unable to release budget documents to the media on the day of the budget despite instructions from the BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar. Asked about the budget, Sudas Sawant, public relations department head of BEST, said he was unable to process it and released details a day later. Sources said the public relations department had been without a head for nearly a year or so. Former opposition leader of BMC Ravi Raja, said, “The BEST budget is a public document. It should be published on the website when it is submitted to the BEST committee itself. The BMC put out its budget on its website, so why does the BEST want to hide its documents?”
30 November,2024 08:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe police arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly molesting three minor girls inside the premises of a reputed international school in Bhandup. Meanwhile, the family of one of the girls has demanded that strict action also be taken against the school for lapses and failure to cooperate after the alleged incident came to light. According to the police, the incident had occurred on November 27, near the school’s basement. “The accused had molested three minor girls near the staircase of the basement of the school. We have registered a case under POCSO and are investigating further,” the police said. The accused is a lift mechanic and had entered the school premises to carry out the maintenance of the lift. He isn’t an employee of the school. “There is no lift in the basement of the school. However, he was present there while the girls were in the basement for yoga classes. CCTV footage of the staircase near the basement shows that one of the girls has been touched inappropriately. Based on the footage and statement of one of the victim’s mother, an FIR has been registered and the accused arrested on the day of the incident,” the police said. Meanwhile, a relative of one of the girls alleged that the school had not cooperated. “After the incident, the girl informed the teacher that the accused had molested her. However, the teacher turned a blind eye and even told one of the victims not to tell anyone what had happened. But one of the girls told her parent about the ordeal. When we went to the school after that, they did not cooperate and didn’t provide the CCTV footage,” said the relative on condition of anonymity. According to the relative, the school authorities tried to convince the girls not to talk about the incident. “Now they have asked us to give a written letter that states the school has cooperated,” the relative added. Mushtaq Shaikh, education officer, North Zone, confirmed that the school principal and administration were uncooperative during the inspection. “As soon as the issue came to light, I immediately assigned two of our officials to visit the school, and I personally visited as well. However, the school principal was not at all cooperative. The purpose of the visit was to verify whether the school had implemented the necessary safety measures, whether mandatory student safety protocols were being followed and to check if the mandatory Sakhi-Savitri committee had been established. We have requested CCTV footage from the school and also visited the local police station to get a copy of the FIR. Following this, our officials will submit their report and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.” The accused is a resident of Diva. He is originally from Odisha and has no past criminal record. “The incident occurred on November 27 near the school’s basement. Three minor girls were molested near the staircase of the basement and the accused was caught there. We have registered a case under POCSO and are investigating further,” said Senior PI Dattatray Khandagle, Bhandup police.
30 November,2024 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheActor Fallon Guliwala, 40, who is also the wife of Big Boss contestant Ajaz Khan, has been arrested by the customs department in a drugs case, an officer said on Friday. Customs officials raided her residence in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai on Thursday and seized 130 grams of marijuana, he added. On October 8, the customs had arrested a peon working at Khan's office for allegedly ordering 100 grams of mephedrone from abroad through a courier service. During the investigation, Guliwala's role came to light, the customs officer said. Further probe was underway, he added. Khan was also arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in 2021 in an alleged drug case and released on bail later. He contested the recently held Maharashtra Assembly Elections from Versova in Mumbai but lost, managing to get only 155 votes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
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