The Ambernath Police in Thane district of Maharashtra have detained a woman in connection with the death of a newborn girl, whose body was found in a high-rise building's duct, the police said on Thursday. The shocking discovery came to light after a local politician informed the police about the incident. According to the police, the newborn's lifeless body was discovered at the Shankar Heights building. The baby was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival, an official said. Following the incident, the police registered an FIR and sent the body for postmortem. In the course of their investigation, the have detained one woman suspect and are continuing to probe the case, said a police official.
21 November,2024 04:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the Maharashtra cash-for-votes case-linked money laundering investigation after he was intercepted at the Ahmedabad international airport, official sources said, reported the PTI. According to the news agency, Nagani Akram Mohammad Shafi was first detained by immigration authorities at the airport in neighbouring Gujarat on the basis of a lookout circular (LOC) issued by the ED. He was "trying to flee" to Dubai, they said. The man has been arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. ED conducted searches in poll-bound Maharashtra and Gujarat last week in the case registered against a Malegaon-based trader, Siraj Ahmed Harun Meman, who allegedly misused bank accounts of various people to carry out transactions worth more than Rs 100 crore. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya had flagged these transactions calling it a case of "vote jihad scam" wherein cash was allegedly given to voters in exchange for their votes in the assembly polls. Polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly was held on Wednesday, as per the PTI. The money laundering case stems from a November 7 Malegaon Police FIR filed against Meman, who runs a tea and cold drinks agency, and some of his associates. The complainant in the case is a Malegaon-based man named Jayes Lotan Misal whose bank account was allegedly misused for illegal transactions, triggering speculation that the accounts were used for routing election funds. Shafi, according to the sources, was among those persons on whose instructions Meman opened over a dozen bank accounts in the Nashik Merchant Cooperative Bank and also allegedly transferred funds worth Rs 14 crore through hawala. Follow Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 LIVE Updates here It is alleged that Meman took KYC details (PAN, Aadhaar etc.) of about a dozen people to open bank accounts and told them that he wanted to start a corn business and hence needed to take money from farmers. The accused allegedly opened two more accounts taking KYC documents from his friends. These 14 accounts were opened between September and October this year, according to the sources. The ED has found debit and credit entries worth more than Rs 100 crore in each of these accounts and more than 2,500 transactions and around 170 bank branches spread across states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha and West Bengal are under the scanner of the ED as funds have either been deposited or withdrawn from these accounts, according to the sources, the news agency reported on Wednesday. The agency suspects that the accused may have been using these 'mule' accounts to divert and route funds for some people and companies for money laundering and hawala trade by misusing the banking credentials of common people. The angle of misuse of accounts for electoral malpractice is also being looked into by the ED, the sources said. However, no such inputs have been gathered so far, they said. (with PTI inputs)
20 November,2024 07:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOne of the most sophisticated burglars, known for targeting the residences of the rich and influential, has been arrested along with his accomplices by the Borivli police. Fifty-three-year-old Mohammed Salim Mohammed Habib Qureshi, alias Munna Qureshi, has a long history of high-profile thefts, including stealing over Rs 1 crore from underworld don Chhota Rajan’s residence and Rs 7 crore from an MLA’s house in Rajasthan. In his latest heist, Qureshi targeted a businessman’s residence in Borivli West, stealing gold ornaments and valuables worth Rs 29 lakh from a flat in the Silvergold building, located behind Zariwala Laboratory. The homeowner, who was abroad with his family, was alerted about the burglary after being informed that his house door was open, and the lock was broken. A relative confirmed the incident and reported it to the Borivli police, who registered a case. The investigation, led by PSI Rajesh Kadam and Indrajeet Patil under the supervision of Senior Inspector Maloji Shinde and Inspector Pradeep Kale, revealed CCTV footage of Qureshi entering the building premises in a Honda Civic car with an accomplice. When the car’s registered owner in Hyderabad was contacted, it emerged that the car had been resold, prompting the police to suspect the burglar hailed from another state. Qureshi’s image was circulated across police stations, leading to his identification by Powai police based on a previous arrest in a burglary case. (From left) Mohammed Salim Mohammed Habib Qureshi aka Munna; his associates Akbar Ali Shaikh and Israr Ahmad Abdul Salam Qureshi Using call records and surveillance tools, the Borivli police tracked Qureshi’s movements. On Sunday, his location was traced to Atal Setu Marg en route to Hyderabad. Alerting toll plazas along the route, the police, with local support, intercepted and arrested him at the Khalapur toll plaza. According to the police, Qureshi targeted only affluent households, carefully selecting upscale residential societies. His modus operandi involved entering buildings in a car, scouting floors to evaluate the financial status of residents based on their doors, and breaking into homes once a target was identified. During interrogation, Qureshi admitted to the Borivli burglary and disclosed the involvement of his associates, Israr Ahmad Abdul Salam Qureshi, 48, from Ghaziabad and Akbar Ali Shaikh alias Baba, 40, from Wadala. After the thefts, Qureshi handed the stolen valuables to Israr, who, with Akbar’s help, sold them to jewellers. Police are now working to recover the stolen items and identify the jewellers involved. Qureshi is a habitual offender with over 200 cases registered against him in Pune, Telangana, Rajasthan, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Notably, he burgled Chhota Rajan’s Chembur residence in 2001 but fled Mumbai after his accomplice Santosh was killed by Rajan’s gang. He later settled in Hyderabad, continuing his criminal activities. He also confessed to stealing Rs 7 crore in a burglary at an MLA’s house in Rajasthan. “I can’t stop stealing. I never harass poor people; I only steal from millionaires and the rich,” Qureshi reportedly said during interrogation. The accused, who has three wives and children living in Telangana, often involved his family in his crimes. His brother-in-law is also suspected of participating in several burglaries. Qureshi and his associates have been remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing their investigation to recover stolen valuables and identify jewellers who purchased the stolen goods, an officer said.
20 November,2024 10:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanTwo people were detained in the Dhobi Talao area of south Mumbai for allegedly distributing slips featuring the name, photo, and booth details of BJP candidate Rahul Narvekar ahead of the polling day for Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, Mumbai Police said on Tuesday. The distribution of these slips, which include polling center information and the candidate's image, has raised concerns about a possible violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing election period. According to Mumbai Police sources, the duo were found distributing the pamphlets in a public area following which the Azad Maidan Police Station rushed to the spot. The police confirmed that no money or financial inducements were found in the possession of the detained suspects. The incident comes hours after the authorities in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Tuesday said that a police team comprising senior officials recovered around Rs 9.93 lakh and some incriminating documents from the hotel where some BJP activists were allegedly distributing money. The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur alleged cash-for-votes allegations against the BJP. Thakur alleged that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde was distributing money to voters in Palghar on the eve of the Maharashtra polls, however the BJP has denied the allegations. Hitendra Thakur had claimed Vinod Tawde had come to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters, and he was at a hotel, as per the PTI. A video on social media showed BVA workers confronting Vinod Tawde outside the hotel. District collector and election officer Govind Bodke said the election department received complaints from BVA activists that some BJP workers were distributing cash at a hotel in Virar. Following this, the returning officer of Nalasopara and a police team, along with the joint police commissioner and two deputy police commissioners, searched the hotel and recovered Rs 9.93 lakh cash and some incriminating documents, the official said. The collector, in a recorded message, confirmed that cases were registered for offences, including possession of cash, violation of the model code of conduct, and holding illegal press conferences, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 10:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanA Mumbai court on Tuesday extended till November 23 the police custody of Shivkumar Gautam, the alleged main shooter arrested in Baba Siddique murder case, reported the PTI. The police sought further remand of Gautam, saying he was allegedly not cooperating with the probe, and the weapon used in the shooting has not been recovered as yet. The Mumbai crime branch, in a joint operation with Uttar Pradesh's special task force (STF), apprehended the 20-year-old shooter and four others from Uttar Pradesh on November 10. According to the PTI, the four others---Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava and Akhilendra Pratap Singh, were arrested for allegedly sheltering Gautam and helping him flee to Nepal. All the accused were produced before additional chief judicial magistrate Vinod Patil at the end of their previous remand on Tuesday. The court extended Gautam's police custody till November 23, while the other accused were sent to 14-day judicial custody. Meanwhile, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol has been detained in California, US. The Mumbai Crime Branch had earlier this month filed an application before the special MCOCA court seeking his extradition in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence, for which Anmol and his brother are named as key conspirators. Earlier, official channels had confirmed his location in the US, and agencies have now been informed of his detention in California. While the Mumbai Crime Branch now awaits confirmation from sister agencies about his detention, intelligence sources have verified that Anmol has been held. Anmol, a key member of the Bishnoi gang, has been operating from abroad. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him, and earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) added his name to its most-wanted list, announcing a Rs 10 lakh reward for any information leading to his arrest. He is also wanted in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, for allegedly supplying weapons used in the killing. Former Maharashtra minister and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique (66) was shot dead by three assailants outside his son MLA Zeeshan Siddique's office building in Bandra East on October 12. He sustained two bullet injuries on his chest and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he passed away. (with PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 06:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Tulinj police station in Maharashtra registered two separate FIRs concerning the alleged illegal distribution of cash to influence voters in the Nalasopara constituency, the officials said on Tuesday. The Virar cash-for-vote case came to light after a massive cash recovery of Rs. 9.53 lakh from a hotel, where BJP leaders are accused of allegedly attempting to bribe the voters. According to the officials, the first FIR has been filed against BJP candidate Rajan Naik, who is contesting from Nalasopara constituency. Breaking News:A clash between BJP and BVA erupted in Nalasopara over money distribution allegations. BJP leaders Vinod Tawde and Rajan Naik, along with BVA candidate Kshitij Thakur, confronted each other at Vivant Hotel, Virar East. Electoral officials and local police are on… pic.twitter.com/hoLfQTSyFs — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 19, 2024 The complaint alleges that Naik, along with other party leaders, was involved in a scheme to distribute cash to voters in exchange for support during the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. According to police sources, the cash was recovered from a room at Vivanta Hotel, which is located in close proximity to the Nalasopara constituency. The money was allegedly meant to be distributed among voters to secure their votes for Naik and the BJP in the elections. DCP Pournima Chougule-Shringi confirmed that a team was dispatched to the hotel after receiving a tip-off regarding the incident and the FIRs has been registered following the incident. Two FIRs have been filed at Tulinj police station over the illegal cash recovery and voter bribery in Nalasopara. The first FIR is against BJP candidate Rajan Naik, with a second FIR being processed. A total of Rs. 9.53 lakh in cash was seized from Vivanta hotel, where BJP… pic.twitter.com/xSYa0k8xIB — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 19, 2024 The investigation is ongoing, and the second FIR is in the process of being registered, with more individuals likely to be named in connection with the cash distribution scheme, said an official. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde on Tuesday reacted to the money distribution allegations against him ahead of the voting for Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 and said that the Election Commission (EC) should conduct an impartial investigation. According to the ANI, Vinod Tawde said, "I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." Explaining the matter Tawde said, "A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made...I went there to tell them about it. The workers of the party (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the entire party knows me...Still, I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." The allegations have sparked a political storm ahead of the November 20 polls. A purported video of a face-off between Tawde and Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leaders and workers has surfaced on social media.
19 November,2024 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaThe brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol has been detained in California, US. The Mumbai Crime Branch had earlier this month filed an application before the special MCOCA court seeking his extradition in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence, for which Anmol and his brother are named as key conspirators. Earlier, official channels had confirmed his location in the US, and agencies have now been informed of his detention in California. While the Mumbai Crime Branch now awaits confirmation from sister agencies about his detention, intelligence sources have verified that Anmol has been held. Anmol, a key member of the Bishnoi gang, has been operating from abroad. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him, and earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) added his name to its most-wanted list, announcing a R10 lakh reward for any information leading to his arrest. He is also wanted in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, for allegedly supplying weapons used in the killing. In addition to these charges, Anmol faces over two dozen criminal cases in India, which include the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence in April. The incident led to the arrest of six members of the Bishnoi gang, with Anmol and his brother named in the charge sheet. His gang also took responsibility for the firing outside singer AP Dhillon’s residence in Canada over his collaboration with Salman Khan in a music video. Anmol’s name also surfaced during the investigation of the Baba Siddique murder case, wherein he allegedly directed the shooters via Snapchat. The Mumbai Crime Branch has declared him a wanted accused in the Siddique case. Rs 10 LNIA reward amount for information on Anmol
19 November,2024 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanJailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s younger brother, Anmol, wanted in connection with the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique and a shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence, has been detained in the United States, news agency PTI stated quoting Mumbai Police sources said on Monday. Anmol, who was believed to have been residing in Canada and frequently travelling to the US, is Bishnoi's younger brother. Bishnoi is accused of running a global criminal syndicate despite being in jail. Around 25 people have been arrested so far in the Baba Siddique murder probe. On Sunday, two accused, Salman Vohra and Akashdeep Singh, were remanded in police custody till November 21 by Mumbai’s Killa Court (Esplanade Court). Vohra is accused of financing the murder, while Akashdeep Singh is believed to have communicated with other individuals involved in the crime. Speaking to ANI, Advocate Shila Gupta, representing Vohra, said: “He has been accused of financing the murder. He was brought here after being arrested in Uttar Pradesh.” Singh's lawyer, Advocate Shaikah Faizan, said his client was brought to Mumbai from the Punjab border. "The alleged role of both the accused is different. Along with Pappu Singh, they allegedly communicated with each other via a device and passed messages. The other accused is alleged to be financially supporting others. I cannot provide more details as they have just been presented in court, and today was their first remand,” Faizan said. NCP leader was murdered on Oct 12 in Bandra The investigation into the Baba Siddique murder case has also led to the detention of Shiva Kumar, who is the main shooter. Kumar, along with four other suspects, was arrested by a joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Mumbai Crime Branch on November 10, in the Nanpara area of Bahraich. The accused were remanded in police custody till Tuesday. NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants on October 12 near his legislator son Zeeshan's office in Mumbai’s Nirmal Nagar. The gang led by Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the murder. According to the information received from a senior officer, the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that after the murder of Baba Siddiqui, a big leader of Pune was also on the radar of the Bishnoi gang. According to ANI, on November 16, sources revealed that Shubham Lonkar, a key mastermind and a wanted accused in the Baba Siddique case, had allegedly planned to kill Aftab Poonawala, the accused in the infamous Shraddha Walker murder case. Sources further claimed that Lonkar, reportedly linked to the Bishnoi gang, had been plotting to kill Poonawala for over a month in 2022. The plan allegedly involved targeting Poonawala during a hearing at Delhi’s Saket Court. Poonawala is currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail No 4 in Delhi. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
18 November,2024 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolice have seized the banned gutka valued at Rs 58.68 lakh from a tempo and arrested its driver in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. Acting on a tip, the police raided a premises at the ration office compound in Bhiwandi area on Saturday afternoon. They found the tempo with gutka of various brands stocked in it, the official from Nizampura police station said. The 35-year-old tempo driver was arrested and after his questioning, the police came to know about three others involved in the illegal gutka trade, he said, adding that efforts were on to nab them, reported PTI. A case was registered against the accused under the FDA regulations and other legal provisions, the police said. A probe was on to ascertain the sourced of the contraband and to whom it was meant to be sold, they added. Gutka valued at over Rs 32 lakh seized; one held Earlier this month, the police have seized gutka valued at over Rs 32 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane district and arrested one of the four persons transporting the banned substance, reported news agency PTI. Acting on inputs, police intercepted two tempos near the Soma Nagar locality of Bhiwandi on November 7 morning. The vehicles were loaded with cartons of gutka, the official said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported news agency PTI. Gutka, which contains tobacco and other harmful products and can cause cancer, is banned in Maharashtra. While police were carrying out an inspection, three persons, including the driver of one of the tempos, escaped from the spot. Police arrested the driver of the other tampo and identified him as Ankit Rajendra Pal (26), the official said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. The seized gutka is worth over Rs 32 lakh, said Assistant Inspector S B Mahale of Bhoiwada police station, adding that a probe is underway to ascertain the source of the consignment and its intended destination. Two held with banned gutka, tobacco products of Rs 9 lakh In September, the police arrested two persons after seizing banned gutka and tobacco products valued at Rs 9.04 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported news agency PTI. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Kalyan Crime Branch unit conducted a raid at a shop in the Shil-Phata area. The team seized the contraband stock, which included various brands of gutka and tobacco products intended for sale and distribution, a police spokesperson said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. Two persons, both aged 29 and residents of Mumbra and Shil-Phata area, were arrested after the raid, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
18 November,2024 12:58 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolice have registered a case against an investment firm owner in Maharashtra's Thane district for allegedly cheating two persons of Rs 1.39 crore by luring them to invest money in share market for better returns, an official said on Monday, reported news agency PTI. The victims invested Rs 1.64 crore through his company in two years till June 2024, hoping to get good returns, the official from Mumbra police station said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. However, the accused did not invest the money in the share market and instead misappropriated it. He later refunded only Rs 24.9 lakh to the victims, who subsequently filed a police complaint, the official said while sharing an update on the Thane crime, reported PTI. The police on Sunday registered an FIR against the investment firm owner under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by businessman) of the Indian Penal Code, he added. Eight held for porting phone numbers without KYC for online cheating Eight persons were arrested for allegedly porting mobile phone numbers without Know Your Customer documents and providing them to cyber fraudsters to create Whatsapp groups for online cheating, a police official said on November 14, reported PTI. The arrests were made by the cyber police station of Mumbai crime branch, he added. The arrested persons include employees of two leading mobile phone service providers and shop owners, the official added. "These Whatsapp groups were used to lure people into bogus share investments and trade. The eight-member gang has sold at least 3,000 numbers in this illegal way. The fraudsters have cheated people of several crore rupees. The probe began after a man lodged a complaint that he was cheated of Rs 51.33 lakh between May 14 and June 28 this year," he said, reported PTI. "Our probe found that his number was added to a Whatsapp group with the help of a SIM card that was ported illegally using UPC code," he added. (With inputs from PTI)
18 November,2024 11:59 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Santacruz police have arrested a man for allegedly abducting and killing a nine-year-old boy. The incident took place on the evening of Chhath Puja. Police said the accused, identified as Maheshwar Mukhiya, 31, a garment shop worker, abducted the boy on the evening of the festival from near his residence in Santacruz West and strangled him to death. He later put the body in a sack and dumped it on the roof of a garment factory in Santacruz and fled to Bihar. Police sources have said that the man confessed to wanting to sexually assault the child which is why he lured him. Police said the nine-year-old went missing on November 7, adding that a missing person report was filed on November 8 when the boy’s parents approached them with their complaint. The boy’s decomposed body was found on November 11 by the police following complaints of a foul smell. After the body was found, it was sent for post-mortem and a murder case was registered in this regard. Under the guidance of the deputy commissioner of police, Dixit Gedam, zone 8, a team was formed to nab the accused. The police said that they scrutinised the CCTV footage from the area, which showed the accused leaving the premises suspiciously carrying a sack. Further enquiry into the incident revealed that the accused had fled to his native village Madhubani in Bihar, on the night of the incident. Following this, a a team of cops travelled to Bihar. After several hours of surveillance, they apprehended Maheshwar from Madhubani on Saturday and brought him back to Mumbai. Maheshwar told the police that he had tried to sexually assault the boy but had to kill him when he started screaming. He was produced in the court on Sunday, where he was remanded in police custody for further investigation.
18 November,2024 10:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
