Mumbai: Volunteers from an NGO rescued Jyotsna Begum (55) after they found her in a disturbed state at Bandra’s Carter Road, where she nervously asked people to guide her to the house of actor Salman Khan. Begum travelled from Assam to Mumbai to meet the Hindi film actor because she had read somewhere that “Salman Khan helps his needy fans”.Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL) founder pastor K M Philip said volunteers noticed her while carrying out their annual monsoon rescue drive for homeless destitutes. “We observed how Begum was asking for Khan’s address at Bandra, as she was certain that he would help her financially. After coming to Mumbai from Assam, she became disoriented and hence lost her way in the city,” Philip said.During the counselling sessions at SEAL Ashram, Begum, who lives near Guwahati, had told the social workers that her family is living in poverty, and that she has to take care of her children on her own.“Her only ray of hope was Khan, since she had read a news article that he had financially helped a poor person. However, despite not having any contacts in Mumbai, she set forth on her solo journey, with hardly any money, and she only knew Khan lives somewhere in Bandra,” said a social activist.“We medically treated Begum at our shelter home until she was fully stable. Later, she was reunited with her family in Assam,” Philip said. Begum was among 51 destitutes rescued from the streets during the monsoon drive and taken to the Panvel-based SEAL Ashram for further care. Of the 51 rescued persons, 12 were reunited with their families, including Begum.SEAL chief patron and former vice chairperson of state minorities commission Abraham Mathai said, “State govt must also give a helping hand to enable such NGOs to do such works of compassion”.Philip said the NGO was trying to build a hospital at its Panvel campus to treat rescued patients more efficiently.“Sometimes, private hospitals do not attend to our extreme rescue cases, where there are live maggots seen in their wounds or if they suffer from dangerous diseases like TB, among others,” he said,He also added that the hospital plan can also help other poor villagers in the surrounding areas.

Mumbai: Two teenage collegians — part of a group of four that had ventured to a quarry in Dahisar East for a swim — drowned on Saturday morning. Locals pointed out that casualties are reported at the location during rainy season every year as visitors could find it difficult to ascertain the depth of rain water accumulating in the quarrying pits.The two deceased — Om Singh, 19, and Piyush Gupta, 18, — were FYBCom students at a Kandivli-based college. The duo, along with two of their classmates, reportedly skipped college on Saturday to head for Shaikh Khadaan compound, which is located uphill close to Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s boundary. Police said one of the youngsters had been to the location before and led the group.“Initially, a group of 12 collegians had planned the outing, but most of them dropped out later. The outing was planned a couple of days ago,” said a relative of one of the boys. The quartet met at a mall in Dahisar East and began the ascent. A family member said one of the youngsters had sent photos of the location over Snapchat to his friends around 8.20am.Police said the group did not know how to swim. They entered one of the quarrying pits which is estimated to be filled with rain water between 15 to 20 feet. Singh and Gupta ventured further. When they had difficulty breathing, their classmates, who were closer to the edge, tried to pull them out by throwing in their college bags. But they were unsuccessful. One of the survivors called up the police control room. Dahisar police officers and fire brigade personnel rushed to the location. After a search, Singh and Gupta were brought out around 10.20am and moved to the Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.Singh, an only child, lived in Santacruz with his family. Gupta, who is survived by his mother and three brothers, resided at Charkop. His father passed away a few years ago. Family members of both the boys said the local administration should put up cautionary signboards at the location and barricade it as it is dangerous.

Mumbai: In a major setback to Mumbai police, the designated Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act court has directed the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to re-register an FIR in a complaint of cheating, which the police closed as a civil dispute.Judge Vikram Jagdale directed the police to register a fresh FIR against Ranbir Real Estate and Developers LLP and its partners Jaikumar Gajanand Gupta and Suyash Jaikumar Gupta, holding that a prima facie case was made out under Sections 3 and 4 of the MPID Act that speaks about fraudulent default and attachment of properties.The court was hearing a miscellaneous application filed by complainant businessman Mahesh Doshi against the closure report.According to his complaint, the accused, through Chirag Shah of Aditi Construction, induced Doshi and his family members in March 2021 to invest money for the redevelopment of a property at Jogeshwari East, promising returns of 18% per annum payable quarterly along with repayment of the principal amount. Acting on the assurance, Doshi and his family invested around Rs 7.65 crore.The court noted that the accused initially paid quarterly interest till June 30, 2024, but subsequently defaulted on both interest and repayment of the principal.The complainant alleged that as of Jan 1, 2025, the outstanding amount due to him, including principal and interest, stood at Rs 8.47 crore. He further claimed that the accused had defaulted on payments to several other investors.The complainant argued that the transactions constituted “deposits” under the MPID Act as the money was accepted with a promise to repay the principal along with assured returns. It was also contended that failure to repay attracts Sections 3 and 4 of the Act.The prosecution opposed the plea, contending that the matter was contractual in nature and that a memorandum of understanding executed between the parties showed a civil dispute.Rejecting the state’s contention, the court relied on the Supreme Court’s recent judgement in Alka Agrawal and Others versus State of Maharashtra.The court held that the definition of “deposit” under the MPID Act has a wide ambit and includes money accepted with a promise of repayment and returns, irrespective of the nomenclature of the transaction.The court observed that the applicant and his family members had advanced substantial sums based on assurances of repayment with 18% annual interest, which the accused had initially honoured the commitment by making part payments towards interest, but later defaulted in repaying both the principal and the promised returns.

The Vidyavihar flyover, connecting Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg and Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg, has two carriageways with a total of four lanes.

Mumbai: Work on the Vidyavihar flyover will be completed by August 31, while work on both arms of the Mankhurd Maharashtra Nagar flyover is expected to be completed by May 31, 2027. BMC Additional Commissioner Abhijit Bangar directed officials to complete both bridge projects within the stipulated timelines by deploying additional manpower and machinery.The Vidyavihar flyover, connecting Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg and Ramchandra Chemburkar Marg, has two carriageways with a total of four lanes. Of the 650-metre-long flyover, a 100-metre stretch is being constructed over the railway tracks, along with a 220-metre approach road on the eastern side and a 330-metre approach road on the western side. The project also includes a connecting access from the flyover to the foot overbridge at Vidyavihar railway station. As part of the allied works, railway ticket counters on both sides, the station master’s office, and staircases connected to the foot overbridge have been reconstructed. The staircase on the railway side is also being linked to the adjoining road.Bangar, who inspected the flyover works, directed civic officials to plan traffic arrangements on the eastern and western approach roads in coordination with officials from N Ward, the Gardens Department and the Traffic Police. He instructed officials to ensure proper planning with regard to establishments, footpaths and trees on both sides of the bridge that could obstruct traffic, and to ensure that traffic congestion does not occur on the approach roads during peak hours.According to civic officials, around 80% of the work on the flyover has been completed. While installation of anti-crash barriers and streetlights is underway, the launching of girders over two spans, deck sheeting and deck slab works are pending and will be completed, subject to rainfall conditions.“The flyover is expected to provide relief to commuters travelling between the eastern and western suburbs. It will also ease the traffic burden on the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road,” said Bangar.Regarding the Mankhurd Maharashtra Nagar flyover project, Bangar directed officials to complete work on both arms by May 31, 2027, by deploying additional manpower and machinery.Heavy traffic congestion is routinely witnessed at the Maharashtra Nagar T-junction in Mankhurd during morning and evening peak hours. As a result, local residents as well as motorists travelling between Mumbai and Vashi face delays. Traffic congestion is also experienced on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd corridor in both directions. To address this, the BMC has undertaken the construction of two separate flyover arms. Arm-1 will provide a direct connection towards Vashi from the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd flyover, while Arm-2 will provide a direct connection towards Ghatkopar from the Mankhurd flyover on the Sion-Panvel Highway.

Mumbai: Bombay high court declined to transfer investigation into the Jan 2016 death of a kho kho player who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle on Ghodbunder Road, Thane.“Having closely examined the entire record, we record our deep sympathy for the petitioner. In our view, it is plainly a case of an accidental death,’’ said Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata on Tuesday. They found “no merits” in the petition by Babasaheb Hardas, the father of Kartik (13), a class eight student. Kartik was part of the Under 14 team from Ahmednagar that was in Thane for a tournament.On Feb 1, 2016, Kapurbawdi police station registered an FIR for rash and negligent driving against an unknown motorist. Hardas’ advocate Ashish Gaikwad said Kartik lost his life due to the acts of trainer Sunil Chavan and others. Hardas had requested the authorities to register an offence of murder against them. Since no action was taken, he approached the HC seeking probe transfer to the assistant commissioner of police or any other competent authority.Prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik said the car that caused the accident could not be traced. The judges said the record indicated that Kartik was a meritorious student and a certificate holder of kho kho at the State level from various authorities. On Jan 31, 2016, Chavan took all his students to a mall. While returning Kartik was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road. Panchnama and post mortem report stated his death was due to head injury. Statements of nine other students and witnesses reiterated the same facts.In the verdict, the judges said allegations levelled by Hardas are “wholly unfounded.” They found “neither motive, nor intent nor any mala fides attributable” either to Chavan or the other students to suggest any role in causing Kartik’s death. Each fellow student clearly stated they were holding hands while attempting to cross the road standing on the divider. Unfortunately Kartik accidentally stepped down on the road and was struck by a speeding vehicle. “We find no reason to attribute blame either to the fellow students or the trainer in respect of this unfortunate episode. We are of the view that this was an unfortunate tragic accidental death and nothing more,’’ the judges concluded. Moreover in Dec 2017 a magistrate had accepted the probe conclusion report.

The injured included a 33-year-old doctor who suffered a pelvic fracture and was later shifted to a hospital in Dombivli.

Mumbai: The DN Nagar police have arrested the bus driver for rash and negligent driving in Andheri on Friday, in which three persons were injured and 14 vehicles damaged. He was released after being served a notice.The injured included a 33-year-old doctor who suffered a pelvic fracture and was later shifted to a hospital in Dombivli. Police said the exact cause of the crash is yet to be established, and reports from BEST and Regional Transport Office (RTO) inspection teams were awaited.While the driver claimed it was a ‘brake failure’, this has reignited concerns over the maintenance and safety of the undertaking’s outsourced fleet. The incident has prompted BEST committee members to demand a comprehensive safety audit of all 2,551 wet-lease buses operating in the city. They argued that buses with defective braking or steering systems should never be allowed on roads.Committee member Ajay Singh said concerns over maintenance had been flagged repeatedly. During a recent depot inspection, members found a recurring pattern of air-pressure leaks in braking systems. According to figures cited by Singh, 89 buses reported brake-related defects in April, 91 in May, and 49 more in the first half of June.Shiv Sena (UBT) member Nitin Nandgaonkar sought accountability from officials responsible for vehicle inspections. “Every time an accident occurs, the driver is blamed. But no one asks why a defective bus was allowed to leave the depot,” he said, demanding action against contractors operating unsafe vehicles.Friday’s incident was similar to previous crashes in Kurla, Bhandup and Dadar where the driver had reportedly lost control of the bus before dashing into other vehicles and pedestrians. The bus, operating on the Millat Nagar-Andheri Bus Station route, reportedly went out of control while taking a right turn from Caesar Road to SV Road near the Andheri subway. It then rammed into 14 vehicles, including a tempo, four cars and nine autorickshaws, causing extensive damage.Amid mounting concerns, panel members have proposed deploying BEST’s 125 in-house technicians on a paid basis to maintain the wet-lease fleet. The members added that stronger inspections and timely repairs are essential to prevent accidents and restore passenger confidence in the city’s bus network.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar created a stir in political circles on Saturday by saying that if CM Devendra Fadnavis was “promoted” as Union minister in Delhi, BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule would become the next CM. They did not claim Fadnavis was moving to Delhi but said there was “a possibility.” Rohit, however, added that Dy CM Eknath Shinde’s weight too had increased in Delhi, and the state and top BJP netas were backing him.Reacting to the speculation, CM Fadnavis said, “I just went to Delhi the day before yesterday.”Raut said, “If Fadnavis goes to the Centre, the state’s leadership will go to Chandrashekhar Bawankule. You might think I will name someone else, but the picture I see is of Bawankule as the right leader from Vidarbha. He is someone who communicates with everyone, takes care of everyone. Eknath Shinde will not become the CM again, not at all. (BJP minister) Girish Mahajan’s record is very bad.”Claiming that Fadnavis himself would recommend Bawankule, who currently holds the revenue portfolio, Raut also said that Fadnavis should become the prime minister before 2029.Rohit Pawar said, “If the leaders of the BJP decide to give an important post at the Centre to Fadnavis, then in Maharashtra, Chandrashekhar Bawankule can get a chance (to be CM). A BJP minister with a small portfolio may also get a big responsibility in Maharashtra in the coming future, even the post of chief minister. But, on the other hand, Eknath Shinde should not be underestimated. We can all see that Shinde has increased his own strength a lot. Even in Delhi, top BJP netas are giving him strength.”Raut said, “We will be happy if Fadnavis becomes PM before 2029, as a Marathi manoos, we wish him well. Uddhav Thackeray has also wished him well.” He added that the BJP would not have its govt after 2029, so “Fadnavis should do whatever he wants to do before 2029.”Bawankule represents the Kamthi assembly constituency in Nagpur and is widely recognized as one of the prominent OBC faces of BJP in the state.

Navi Mumbai: In two fatal accidents in the jurisdiction of Panvel City police station on Friday, an 18-year-old teenage boy riding a bike with his 20-year-old sister riding pillion was killed by a speeding container trailer on Panvel-JNPT Road around 12 noon. An FIR was registered and the container driver was detained.Another hit-and-run fatal accident occurred on the Goa Highway near Palaspe junction, Panvel, around 8 pm, wherein a private travels bus mowed down a 26-year-old pedestrian while he was crossing the highway to reach a roadside eatery. The bus driver sped without securing medical attention for the severely injured youth, who was declared brought dead at Panvel sub-district hospital. Panvel City police registered an FIR against the unidentified driver of the private luxury bus.Bala Kumbhar, senior inspector of Panvel City police station, said, “In the fatal accident on Panvel-JNPT Road, the deceased siblings were identified as Prashu Bhardwaj Singh, and his elder sister Vanshika Bhardwaj Singh, both residing at India Bulls residential complex in Kon village, Panvel taluka. They were heading towards Ulwe when the fatal accident occurred. The trailer hit the bike when the biker came from behind and overtook from the left side. The bike skidded on the road and the siblings were run over by the trailer, crushing both of them to death. The accused trailer driver, identified as Rajiv Kumar Vijayshankar, who hails from UP, was detained. After registering an FIR against him under relevant BNS and Motor Vehicle Act sections for rash and negligent driving causing death, he was released after servicing a notice under BNSS provision.”DCP Rahul Khade said, “The fatal accident was so severe that the flesh of the siblings was smeared on the ground and the cops had to scrape the ground to collect the scattered flesh for sending their bodies to Panvel sub-district hospital. The police commissioner Milind Bharambe, while passing by the accident spot during an inspection visit for the container vehicles traffic congestion problem on the Uran Road, halted to take stock of the situation.“Kumbhar further informed, “In the fatal hit-and-run incident of a private luxury bus mowing down a pedestrian youth near Khandoba dhaba, the deceased was identified as Pawan Kumar Premchand Saroj, a resident of Antop Hill, Wadala, Mumbai. The accused unidentified driver of the Gujarat RTO-passing bus, whose registration number was noted down by some eyewitnesses and provided to the police, will be detained after contacting the bus owner. Apart from BNS sections for rash and negligent driving causing death and an act endangering life or personal safety of others, we have invoked Motor Vehicle Act sections for driving dangerously on a public way and escaping from the accident spot by neither providing medical help to the severely injured youth nor informing the police about the accident.”