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Beed mosque blast accused face UAPA charges for gelatin-triggered explosion
The Maharashtra Police have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against two individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in a blast at a mosque in Beed district, ANI reports. The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of 30th March, took place inside a mosque located in Ardha Masla village in Georai tehsil, just days before Ramzan Eid celebrations were set to begin. Although no injuries were reported, the incident caused significant structural damage to the interior of the religious premises. The police arrested Vijay Rama Gavhane (22) and Sriram Ashok Sagde (24) in connection with the explosion. The duo has also been booked under the relevant sections of the Heavy Substances Act, as per ANI. Superintendent of Police (SP) Navneet Kanwat shared details of the sequence of events in a recorded statement. “We received a tip-off from the village sarpanch at around 4 am, following which our senior officers and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) reached the location. The preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had entered the mosque and triggered the blast using gelatin sticks. By 6 am, both suspects had been apprehended,” SP Kanwat stated, according to ANI. The act of targeting a religious place has sparked significant political and social reactions. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had earlier urged the state government to invoke the stringent UAPA law in this case. Speaking to ANI, AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan criticised the prevailing atmosphere of hatred. “Who encourages them? They are emboldened by the hate-filled speeches of BJP leaders. The government must apply strict UAPA laws, ensure the case is heard in a fast-track court, and hand down the harshest punishment possible. Those leaders who repeatedly spread communal poison must also be held accountable. Only then can such attacks be prevented in the future,” Pathan remarked, as per ANI. The police investigation remains ongoing, with officials confirming that the incident was a deliberate attempt to cause destruction using explosives. Authorities are now focusing on deeper motives and potential affiliations of the accused under the framework of anti-terror legislation. (With inputs from ANI)
06 April,2025 01:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Malegaon blast case: Judge transferred before verdict, families seek retention
The judge presiding over the long-standing 2008 Malegaon blast case has been transferred just as the trial was drawing to a close, prompting concern from victims’ families who have urged the Bombay High Court to reconsider the decision. According to PTI, Judge A K Lahoti, who was conducting the trial in the Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Mumbai, has been transferred to Nashik as part of the annual general transfer of district judges. The transfer order, issued by the registrar general of the Bombay High Court, will come into effect after the courts reopen from their summer break on 9 June. Judge Lahoti had recently instructed both the prosecution and defence to conclude their remaining arguments by 15 April, with the matter expected to be reserved for judgment the following day. The abrupt timing of his transfer has sparked apprehension among those closely following the case. A lawyer representing the families of the victims had earlier submitted a formal request to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Alok Aradhe, asking for Judge Lahoti to be retained in Mumbai until the verdict is delivered. The letter, dated 20 March, stated that the judge had been stationed in Mumbai since June 2022 and was due to complete three years at the posting, aligning with typical judicial tenures. “The victims are apprehensive that he may be transferred before the trial concludes,” the letter reads, further highlighting the emotional and legal implications of a possible change in judge at this crucial juncture. Judge Lahoti is reportedly the fifth special judge to preside over this particular trial since proceedings began. On 29 September 2008, six people were killed and over 100 injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, a town in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), before being handed over to the NIA in 2011. Seven accused, including Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, are being tried under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (With inputs from PTI)
06 April,2025 01:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra: 43 booked in Jalgaon over 'irregularities' in birth certificates
In a significant development, a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against 43 individuals in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, for their alleged involvement in fraudulent practices linked to the issuance of birth certificates by the Jalgaon Municipal Corporation. The incident has sparked concerns over the integrity of government processes and the potential misuse of such documents, according to PTI. As per PTI, the FIR outlines a pattern of irregularities in which birth certificates were issued with fabricated or unrelated residential addresses. In many cases, these certificates reportedly lacked essential documentation, such as hospital birth records or the requisite legal affidavits, as mandated under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act. The alleged scam came to light following persistent efforts by former BJP Member of Parliament, Kirit Somaiya, who has been vocal about the issue for several months. Somaiya had earlier raised alarms about bogus birth certificates being handed out in parts of Maharashtra, particularly to individuals suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas. He claimed that these certificates were being used as entry points into the Indian administrative framework by enabling access to critical identity documents. These fraudulent birth certificates, PTI reports, could potentially be misused to obtain government-issued documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter identity cards, thereby raising serious national security concerns. Somaiya, who welcomed the registration of the FIR, emphasised the need for greater transparency and stricter mechanisms to prevent such misuse. “There has to be accountability and constant oversight in how government systems handle sensitive documentation. Without this, such frauds will only continue to undermine public trust,” Somaiya stated, as per PTI. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of those named in the FIR, but investigations are ongoing to ascertain the extent of the network involved and whether any officials within the civic body colluded in the scam. This case has also reignited debates around the vulnerability of India's documentation and verification systems, particularly at the municipal level. The officials are now looking into ways to enhance the scrutiny and verification processes for issuing such foundational documents. The Jalgaon case is now being closely monitored at the state level, with potential ramifications for how municipal corporations across Maharashtra — and perhaps the country — will be required to handle documentation procedures going forward. (With inputs from PTI)
06 April,2025 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai
BREAKING
Ashwini Bidre murder case: Kurundkar held guilty of murder by Panvel court
The Panvel Sessions Court in Maharashtra on Saturday delivered its verdict on the Assistant Police Inspector (API) Ashwini Bidre murder case and held Police Inspector Abhay Kurundkar guilty of murder. The court also convicted co-accused-- Mahesh Phalnikar and Kundan Bhandari, under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing the disappearance of evidence. The fourth accused in the case, Raju Patil, was acquitted by the court. Special public prosecutor, Advocate Pradeep Gharat said, "The prime accused in the case, Abhay Kurundkar, has been found guilty of the murder where as Raju Patil has been acquitted in the case for lack of evidence. Two of the other accused has been found guilty of destruction of evidence." The Panvel Sessions Court on April 5, 2025, convicted Abhay Kurundkar for the murder of API Ashwini Bidre-Gore. Co-accused Mahesh Phalnikar and Kundan Bhandari were found guilty of destroying evidence, while Raju Patil was acquitted.Via: @aishooaraam VC: @journofaizan… pic.twitter.com/0HYJq3Y2za — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 5, 2025 Ashwini Bidre-Gore, who went missing in April 2016, was allegedly murdered by her colleague and partner, Senior Inspector Abhay Kurundkar, following a prolonged personal dispute. Bidre was in a relationship with Kurundkar, who had reportedly promised to marry her but later reneged. Earlier investigations had revealed that Kurundkar and his associates killed Ashwini and disposed of her body in Vasai Creek. Though no remains were ever recovered, police built a case using digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats indicating abuse and suspicious messages sent from Ashwini’s number after her disappearance. Despite several search attempts, Ashwini’s body was never found. However, circumstantial and digital evidence led to the charges. In March 2019, the Alibaug court had rejected Patil’s plea for discharge, citing GPS data and witness statements placing him with Kurundkar during the crucial time frame. At the time of the incident, Kurundkar was serving as the senior police inspector with the Thane Rural Police. The Panvel court is scheduled to pronounce the sentence for the convicted accused on April 11.
05 April,2025 04:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Maharashtra
Man held for raping, impregnating 13-year-old cancer patient
A man has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a 13-year-old cancer patient in Maharashtra's Thane district, the police said on Saturday, reported the PTI. The police said that the 29-year-old accused was apprehended from Bihar on Thursday. According to the police, the accused, who was from the same village as the girl's family in Bihar, had arranged for a rented accommodation for them in Badlapur two months ago and assisted in her treatment, as per the PTI. Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kale said that the man allegedly took advantage of the girl when she was alone at home, sexually assaulting her on three occasions, the news agency reported on Saturday. The girl was undergoing chemotherapy at a hospital in neighbouring Mumbai, and during a routine examination, she was found to be pregnant, he said, as per the PTI. Later, a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the official said. "The accused had arranged for the victim's family to stay in Badlapur and was helping with her treatment. During this time, he raped her and she got pregnant," senior police inspector Kiran Balwadkar said, reported the PTI. The arrested accused was produced before a court and has been remanded in judicial custody, and further investigations are underway. Meanwhile, in an another incident, the police on Saturday said that a 52-year-old man booked for raping and threatening a woman in Maharashtra's Thane city was arrested from a hotel in Nashik, reported news agency PTI. Based on a tip-off, the anti-extortion cell of the Thane police apprehended the accused, a resident of Dombivili, on Friday night. The accused has two cases registered against him, an official said, reported PTI. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav said the 19-year-old complainant alleged that the accused sexually assaulted her in the Davadi area of Dombivili on multiple occasions between February 16 and March 29, reported PTI. The woman claimed she met the accused through Instagram, and he lured her to his office with the promise of a job at the Mumbai airport. She alleged that the accused threatened her with a firearm, and said he would harm her parents and then raped her, the official said, reported PTI. (with PTI inputs)
05 April,2025 04:26 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Ulhasnagar man held for driving wife to suicide
The police on Saturday said that a 33-year-old man has been arrested from Ulhasnagar in Thane district for allegedly abetting his 25-year-old wife to suicide for not delivering a male child, reported news agency PTI. The accused, Vishal Gavai, had a love marriage with Darshana. Their relations soured after the Ulhasnagar man started demanding money from his wife's parents. Darshana's harassment worsened after she delivered two daughters. She allegedly hanged herself from the ceiling of her residence in Ulhasnagar on April 1, the FIR stated, reported PTI. The Ulhasnagar man was arrested under sections 108 (Abetment of suicide), 80 (Dowry death), 115(2) (Voluntarily causing hurt), and 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a police official said. Teen commits suicide in Thane district after father takes away mobile phone A 16-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his house in Maharashtra's Thane district after his father forbade him from playing games on his mobile phone and took away the device, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The incident occurred at a chawl in Newali village in Ambernath town on Thursday, an official said, reported PTI. He said Aman Sahu, a Class 10 student, allegedly hanged himself from the ceiling at his house while his family members were away, reported PTI. According to police, the teen's parents wanted him to focus on his studies and had enrolled him in extra classes. The boy was addicted to a game on the mobile phone, and they decided to restrict the usage and took away the device, they said, reported PTI. The boy took the extreme step as he was upset about losing access to the phone, police said. Senior inspector Anil Jagtap said an accidental death report was registered at Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar. 20-year-old woman ends life in Dadar A 20-year-old woman allegedly ended her life by jumping off a 14-storey building in Dadar area in Mumbai, police said on Wednesday, reported PTI. Zana Sethia, a third-year B Com student, allegedly jumped off the terrace of Techno Heights building in Hindu Colony on Tuesday evening, an official said, reported PTI. She lived with her parents on the eighth floor of the same building, he said. On Tuesday evening Sethia and two of her friends who visited her frequently went to the terrace, and suddenly she jumped off before the other two could do anything, the official said. She was declared dead on arrival at hospital, reported PTI. No suicide note was found but the police found her diary where she had given a hint about suicidal thoughts, the official said, reported PTI. According to her friends, she was suffering from depression after a failed love affair. An 'accidental death report' was registered at Matunga police station and a probe was underway. (With inputs from PTI)
05 April,2025 02:43 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra: Man wanted in two rape cases nabbed from Nashik
The police on Saturday said that a 52-year-old man booked for raping and threatening a woman in Maharashtra's Thane city was arrested from a hotel in Nashik, reported news agency PTI. Based on a tip-off, the anti-extortion cell of the Thane police apprehended the accused, a resident of Dombivili, on Friday night. The accused has two cases registered against him, an official said, reported PTI. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav said the 19-year-old complainant alleged that the accused sexually assaulted her in the Davadi area of Dombivili on multiple occasions between February 16 and March 29, reported PTI. The woman claimed she met the accused through Instagram, and he lured her to his office with the promise of a job at the Mumbai airport. She alleged that the accused threatened her with a firearm, and said he would harm her parents and then raped her, the official said, reported PTI. She further alleged that he threatened to release explicit audio and video recordings of their encounters on social media, he said. The Manpada police registered an FIR against the man under sections 64 (rape), 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as relevant sections of the Arms Act, and he was booked in another rape case at Tilak Nagar police station. The accused had been on the run after the cases were registered, the official said, adding that further probe is underway. Man sentenced to 20 years RI for raping 13-year-old neighbour in Thane A special court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old neighbour in 2021. Special judge D S Deshmukh on Thursday found the accused, a resident of Kalwa, guilty of charges under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Judge Deshmukh sentenced the accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on him. Special public prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale informed the court that on the afternoon of August 17, 2021, the girl was playing outside her house when the accused gagged her, dragged her into his house and raped her after threatening her. Eight prosecution witnesses, including the girl and her mother, were examined during the trial. Hiwrale said the judge has directed that the fine money, if recovered, be paid to the girl as compensation and referred the case to the DLSA for payment of appropriate compensation. (With inputs from PTI)
05 April,2025 02:04 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai: Food firm loses Rs 14 lakh to fake airline contract
A Mumbai-based businessman allegedly fell prey to a sophisticated man-in-the-middle (MITM) cyber fraud, losing approximately Rs 14 lakh to a fake airline contract renewal scheme. The complainant, who owns a food production company, was contacted via email by someone posing as an Emirates representative and was asked to pay a “mandatory registration refundable deposit” of $16,200. This particular incident of fraud took place in February. According to the complainant, their food production company provides catering services to various airlines and is a well-known name in both the wholesale and retail sweets business. The complainant, who is the company’s director, approached the police in the last week of March. Speaking extensively with mid-day, he detailed how the scheme unfolded. “We were an old supplier to Emirates in Dubai, UAE. The scamster posed as an Emirates Flight Catering employee and sent us documents for vendor registration, along with a request for a refundable fee to supply sweets and snacks to the company. Since we are old suppliers to them, we shared our company details for registration. However, in the first week of March, we discovered that the employee we had been communicating with—Abdullah Mansoor—did not exist,” said the complainant, adding that the alleged fraudster had impersonated F Masoor from the procurement department. “Nobody would be able to tell the difference between the real and the fake. Even my employees and I, who have dealt with the real F Masoor, couldn't detect that we were dealing with an impersonator,” he added. As per the vendor registration policy, the victim’s company was asked to $16,200 as a 100 per cent refundable vendor registration fee to be eligible for tenders and supply requirements. During the course of the ‘deal,’ the scamster provided all the necessary documents, including terms of trade, a vendor agreement printed on The Emirates Group letterhead, and an official-looking Emirates stamp with a legitimate address. Believing the documents to be authentic, the victim’s company transferred the money through an internal bank transfer via SWIFT—a global banking system used for secure cross-border and interbank transactions. After receiving the money, the scamster demanded an additional payment of AED 300,000. However, the complainant refused to comply. The fraud came to light when the complainant contacted an Emirates Flight Catering representative, only to learn that no employee named Abdullah Mansoor existed in their team. The representative also revealed that similar fraud cases had occurred in Dubai, using the same modus operandi. Along with the Mumbai police’s cyber cell, the complainant and his team coordinated with the Dubai Police and Interpol to seek clarity and assistance. “We had multiple communications with the banks, the police, and Interpol, and the cyber police here stood strongly with us, swiftly assisting at every step,” said the complainant. He added, “We were cheated as the international transfer was processed through the bank via SWIFT to an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which we later discovered, through the bank, belonged to a person named Bibek Kumar Loniya. However, there were no funds left in the account, as the money we sent had already been withdrawn. Our bank and the police have informed Emirates NBD Bank about the fraud, and they have marked a lien on the account.” The victim’s complaint was registered as a First Information Report (FIR) on March 28, and the Mumbai police’s cyber cell has launched a formal investigation. “This is a case of MITM/MIM attacks, wherein hackers intercept and manipulate communication between legitimate parties. Business owners are advised to verify contract-related emails through official channels and exercise caution when processing large payments,” said a police official. Rs 69lakhAddl. amount fraudster tried to extract from victim What is an MITM attack? A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is a form of cybercrime wherein an attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties, making them believe they are directly interacting with each other. This type of attack is especially common in email-based financial transactions, where fraudsters manipulate payment details to redirect funds into their own accounts. The attacker can access and alter the data and also inject malicious code. Recent MITM incidents in Mumbai December 2024: Cyber fraudsters compromised the email accounts of two senior executives at an Andheri-based chemical manufacturing company. By impersonating them, the fraudsters instructed an Egypt-based client to transfer $153,600 (approximately R1.33 crore) to a fraudulent bank account. March 2024: A Tardeo-based school fell prey to an MITM attack after a fraudster, masquerading as a contractor, sent emails requesting payment for a cafeteria project. Unaware of the scam, the school transferred Rs 87.3 lakh to a bogus account. Fortunately, due to timely intervention by the cyber police, the fraudulent bank account was frozen, leading to the recovery of Rs 82.6 lakh.
05 April,2025 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Mumbai cops say Saif's attacker could flee to Bangladesh if granted bail
The Bandra Police in Mumbai have filed their reply before the sessions court, opposing the bail application of Shariful Islam, who was arrested for allegedly breaking into Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s residence and attacking him with a knife. In their submission, the police argued that Islam, a Bangladeshi national, and could flee to Bangladesh if granted bail. They detailed the findings of their investigation, stating that forensic experts recovered Islam’s left-hand fingerprints from Khan’s residence. However, the police did not specify whether these fingerprints were collected before or after Islam’s arrest. CCTV footage from the night of the incident reportedly showed the accused entering the sixth-floor staircase of Khan’s building, Satguru Sharan, at 1.37 am and leaving at 2.33 am on January 16. The police also stated that crucial evidence has been seized, including fragments of the knife recovered from Khan’s body, blood-stained clothes belonging to the actor and the injured individuals—Eliyama Phillips, Geeta alias Lekhi Tamang, and Hari alias Himalal Nepane, who is the actor's driver. Their blood samples were sent to Kalina Forensic Lab for analysis, and the report has been received. Investigators examined Islam’s mobile call detail records (CDR), subscriber details (SDR), and tower location data. Statements from key witnesses injured in the attack have also been recorded. As part of the forensic investigation, CCTV footage from before and after the crime was analysed through facial recognition technology, which confirmed a match with the accused, the police said. Additionally, forensic tests established that the knife fragments found at the crime scene and in Khan’s body belonged to the same weapon, directly linking it to the attack. Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Next hearing scheduled for April 9 Further investigation into the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case revealed that Islam regularly sent money from India to his family in Bangladesh. Opposing his bail, Bandra Police told the court that Islam had committed a serious offense and could repeat such crimes if released. They also expressed concerns that he might not appear for court proceedings if he is released on bail. The next hearing on the bail plea is scheduled for April 9. Meanwhile, Islam's lawyer, Advocate Sangram Jadhav, said, “The police’s reply lacks clarity, and we are confident that my client will be granted bail as the case against him is baseless."
04 April,2025 11:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
32-year-old arrested for house-breaking, theft cases in Mumbai's Mulund area
The Mulund Police in Mumbai have arrested a 32-year-old man, Rajesh Rajbhar, for his alleged involvement in several house-breaking and theft cases. The police have recovered gold worth Rs 14 lakh and 2 kg of silver from the accused. According to the police, the matter came to light on March 17 when a resident approached the Mulund Police, reporting that valuables had gone missing from his house. “We received a complaint from a resident of a high-rise building. Both he and his neighbour stated that valuables from their homes had been stolen during their absence,” a police officer told mid-day.com. Following the complaints, the police formed teams under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7) Vijay Sagar and Senior Inspector Abhay Joshi. “During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused had a history of involvement in various theft cases. Using technical investigations and human intelligence, we apprehended him on March 30 in the Mumbra area,” said Assistant Inspector Sudhir Karande. The police added that Rajbhar had arrived in the city on March 13 from Varanasi and was allegedly involved in five house-breaking incidents in Mumbai since then. Rajbhar has been booked under Section 331 (punishment for trespassing or house-breaking) and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
04 April,2025 09:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva Agashe
Mumbai Police seize illegal e-cigarettes worth Rs 22.55 lakh; three people held
In a major crackdown on the illegal e-cigarette trade, the JJ Marg Police in Mumbai have allegedly seized a stockpile of government-banned e-cigarettes worth Rs 22.55 lakh and arrested three individuals involved in the racket. The raid was conducted on March 29 on Arif Mansuri & Sons located in Bara Imam Road (Chor Bazaar) in the Don Taki area of south Mumbai. According to the police, the Crime Detection Unit, led by Sub-inspector Prashant Nerkar, acted on a tip-off and raided Arif Mansoori & Sons. During the operation, the police personnel confiscated IGET Star brand e-cigarettes, which are banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. Following the seizure, a first information report (FIR) was registered in the case, leading to the arrest of Nasir Husain Khan, 52; Faran Ismail Mansoori, 32, and Kazim Kamran Khan, 25. The accused have been remanded in judicial custody, and further investigations are underway to identify the other individuals linked to the supply chain.
04 April,2025 09:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer