Navi Mumbai: Three Navi Mumbai residents were duped of collectively Rs 26.59 lakh in an MGL bill update scam after they downloaded the malicious ‘Apk file’ sent to them by scamsters under the pretext of updating their MGL pending bill.The scamsters hacked their mobile data and, gaining remote access to their mobile, they carried out fraudulent transactions by debiting the amount from their bank accounts. Two victims are senior citizens. One of them is a retired govt official residing in New Panvel and the other is a businessman residing in Ulwe. The third victim is a 34-year-old man, a teacher by profession residing in Panvel. As they lodged online complaints on NCCRP, three separate FIRs were registered on Monday at Ulwe, Khandeshwar and Panvel City police stations on Wednesday.The 63-year-old businessman from Ulwe was duped of Rs 13.37 lakh on July 12. The scamster posing as an MGL employee called on his mobile and told him that his MGL supply would be disconnected due to his pending bill. When he claimed that he had paid the bill, he was sent an Apk file for paying Rs 10 to update his bill. As he downloaded the Apk file and opened the link, his mobile was hacked and the scamster debited Rs 13.37 lakh from his bank account. On Wednesday, an FIR at Ulwe police station was registered under BNS sections for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property and cheating by personation along with the IT Act.API Anil Rajure of Ulwe, probing the cybercrime case, said, “The senior citizen had not disabled the ‘Auto download’ option on his WhatsApp. Hence, when the scamster sent him the Apk file, it got auto-downloaded and when he clicked on it, he became a victim of cyber fraud. Hence, citizens need to dial ##002# universal code to instantly disable all types of call and message forwarding on mobile to prevent getting scammed.“Another senior citizen aged 63 years, who is a retired govt official residing in Khanda Colony, New Panvel, was duped of Rs 7.25 lakh on July 12 by a scamster posing as MGL staff, who sent him an Apk file on WhatsApp for downloading it for paying Rs 12 as MGL service charges. As he followed the instructions, he got scammed. After he lodged a complaint on NCCRP, an FIR was registered at Khandeshwar police station against the unidentified accused under BNS sections for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property and criminal breach of trust along with the IT Act.The third victim, a 34-year-old man who is a teacher residing in Panvel, was duped of Rs 5.97 lakh. The incident occurred on May 16 when he received an Apk file on WhatsApp from an unknown number for updating MGL bill payment. As he downloaded the file, the scamster hacked his mobile data and carried out fraudulent transactions by debiting the amount from his bank account.PSI Abhay Kadam of Panvel city police station said, “The victim teacher lodged a complaint on NCCRP after about one week of the incident, when the portal team conducted a preliminary investigation and transferred the case to Panvel city police station. Despite repeatedly calling the complainant to the police station for recording his statement for registering an FIR, he came after two months on Wednesday. Accordingly, an FIR under BNS section for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property and the IT Act was registered against the unidentified accused who sent him the malicious Apk file.“

Mumbai: A single egg now costs Rs 10. The wholesale price of eggs rose to a record high of Rs 780 per 100 pieces in the city on Wednesday. Retail rates shot to Rs 110-120 per dozen citywide, including Andheri West, Pali Hill, Bandra and Nagpada.Retail prices of eggs had risen to Rs 96-110 per dozen in Jan at a time when the wholesale rate was Rs 710 per 100 pieces. Now at Rs 780, retailers are wary of raising rates correspondingly high lest buyers stop consumption.“The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), which determines rates, pegged the price at Rs 780 per 100, which is a record,” said Altaf Ahmed Khan of Ahmed Eggs Merchant, Bandra. “Wholesalers are selling for Rs 8 apiece, which works out to Rs 96 per dozen, while retailers in Bandra are charging Rs 10 per egg or Rs 120 a dozen. Shops in Jogeshwari are charging Rs 9 per piece or Rs 108 a dozen. Prices are driven by high demand, particularly because the fasting season of Shravan is coming up, the high cost of maize and corn feed for chicken, as well as soaring transportation costs.”On Thursday in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, the price of eggs was Rs 110 per dozen, while retailers in Nagpada were charging Rs 108-120, said Mustafa Kheriwala of Eggs Corner.Abdul Rahim of House of Eggs Mahim said, “The recent heavy rain across northern India boosted demand for eggs. As a result, stock was being diverted there. At present, shops in Bandra are selling for Rs 120. Although the wholesale rate is Rs 94 per dozen, I am still charging only Rs 99 in retail, foregoing all profit. I feel embarrassed to peg the price in three digits (at Rs 100) since it is a psychological barrier that pushes buyers away. But if a single egg breaks, it costs me a loss of Rs 8.” Rahim said consumers are buying six eggs where they earlier purchased a dozen. “Eggs are a basic source of protein for poor families,” he said. “We expect rates to reduce soon.”India’s retail food inflation climbed to 5.3% in June 2026, marking the highest level since Jan 2025.

Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao chaired a meeting with members of the citizens’ group Wake Up Thanekar and representatives of Amazon Data Services India to discuss objections to the proposed data centre at Balkum on Thursday

Thane: Thane municipal commissioner Saurabh Rao on Thursday referred residents’ objections to the proposed Amazon data centre at Balkum to the state govt, saying the issue was beyond the corporation’s jurisdiction, members of citizens’ group Wake Up Thanekar said after a meeting with the civic chief.The meeting at the TMC headquarters was attended by members of the residents’ group and representatives of Amazon Data Services India, which is developing the centre on a 53-acre plot. The project, estimated to be worth around Rs 47,000 crore, is expected to be among the largest and first data centre facilities in the Metropolitan Region.According to the group, Amazon officials gave a detailed presentation but failed to satisfactorily address key technical and environmental concerns.“Our main question was why such a large data centre is being built in the middle of a densely populated residential area,” said activist Dayanand Nene. “We sought answers on issues such as heat generation, noise from nearly 190 diesel generator sets, exhaust emissions and other environmental impacts, but did not get satisfactory responses.”The group also claimed the company could not clearly explain the project’s water requirement or safety measures for storing the large quantities of diesel needed to operate the backup generators, raising concerns over potential risks to nearby residential areas.It is learnt that while Amazon maintained that it had obtained all statutory approvals for the project, there was no consensus emerging following which Rao said the issue was beyond the civic body’s jurisdiction.“The commissioner informed us the matter would be referred to the state and assured of a meeting with the Principal Secretary (Industries),” Nene said.The project has drawn opposition from residents and political parties, who questioned its location as the site is surrounded by eight housing complexes, five schools and three hospitals within a one-kilometre radius. The group argued that globally large data centres were typically located away from residential areas because of concerns over noise, emissions and other environmental impacts.Commissioner Rao’s response was awaited at the time of going to press.

The establishment has been around since 1916

Mumbai: Another iconic establishment, Parsi Dairy Farm at Marine Lines, had its license suspended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following an inspection that revealed severe hygiene violations. These included the lack of a raw milk reception dock, fungal growth on walls, storage of raw materials directly on the floor, and pest and rodent infestations.The establishment has been around since 1916. A spokesperson for Parsi Dairy Farm told TOI, “The company is in the process of complying with certain procedural technical observations of the FSSAI.”FDA action follows the recent license suspensions of ice-cream parlour K Rustom, as well as the Shalimar and Noor Mohammadi restaurants.The crackdown on Parsi Dairy Farm is part of the FDA’s broader campaign against substandard dairy products. Across the state, officials have seized 2,317 litres of milk, 30 liters of refined edible oil used for adulteration, and 6,849.25kg of dairy products, with a combined value exceeding Rs 45 lakh.In Mumbai, authorities took action against two vendors caught tampering with milk pouches: 822 pouches (558 litres) worth Rs 39,503 were seized and destroyed. The Kandivali Crime Branch assisted in the operation, and an FIR was registered against vendors Krishna Lingampalli and Ravi Patikaka.Additionally, FDA officials said Sufi Dairy in Govandi was found storing 1,683 litres of loose pasteurized buffalo milk in stainless steel tanks and plastic bags, in violation of mandates requiring such products to be sold in tamper-evident, sealed packaging. The stock, valued at over Rs 1 lakh, was seized and destroyed.In Mulund, Agarwal Enterprises had 61.25 kg of food products, specifically diced cheese blend, barfi, and loose paneer, worth Rs 19,759 seized due to the absence of batch numbers and expiration dates, as well as suspicions that the ‘paneer’ was actually a cheese analogue. Samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.Officials said that the public can now use the AI-based grievance portal (complaints.mahafda.in) to report violations, on which the FDA will take action.Meanwhile, the drugs department seized Rs 10.94 lakh worth of unlabelled toilet soap from JK Soap Bazar in Jogeshwari after discovering the products lacked mandatory manufacturing and safety information. The establishment was storing and selling the soap without labels indicating the batch or lot number, manufacturing date, ‘use before’ date, manufacturing license number, or the manufacturer’s name and address. FDA officials said as these products fall under the cosmetics category, their sale without such vital details is a clear violation of regulations.

A new NITI Aayog report recommends faster approvals and simpler rules to speed up hotel projects and tourism growth (AI-generated image used for representational purposes)

MUMBAI: Setting up a hotel in India takes 36 to 48 months from approval to commissioning, up to three times longer than the 12 to 18 months required in competing ASEAN countries, creating a bottleneck that is limiting room supply, driving up project costs and ultimately making travel more expensive for tourists, according to a new NITI Aayog report released on Wednesday.Prepared jointly with the Union ministry of tourism, the report, Unlocking Growth in Tourism and Hospitality Sector, recommends a series of non-financial regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating investment in hotels, restaurants, transport and tourism infrastructure while improving India’s competitiveness as a global destination.The Atithi Foundation provided research and drafting support for the report.Among its key recommendations are scrapping project-stage approvals by the ministry of tourism for hotels, replacing multiple permissions with a single Health Trade Licence and a single liquor licence for hotels operating several restaurants within the same premises, doing away with the separate Eating House Licence, extending the validity of liquor licences and FSSAI registrations, and expanding digital single-window clearances.The report also proposes liberalising construction norms by increasing permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR), easing ground coverage, parking and minimum road-width requirements, and raising high-rise thresholds so that hotel projects can be completed faster and at lower cost.The study notes that India currently has only about 2 lakh branded hotel rooms, accounting for less than 8% of the country’s estimated lodging capacity of 24.8 lakh rooms.Although investor interest remains strong, prolonged approvals and regulatory complexity delay projects and increase financing costs, reducing the pace of capacity creation.For Maharashtra, the recommendations assume significance as the state seeks to expand tourism beyond Mumbai into destinations such as the Konkan coast, Tadoba, Mahabaleshwar, Ajanta-Ellora, Nashik and Sindhudurg.Industry experts said regulatory reforms must be accompanied by destination-level planning and infrastructure upgrades.“Tourism has significant potential to drive growth because every additional visitor creates demand for hotels, transport, restaurants, retail, guides and local experiences, generating employment, attracting private investment and strengthening local economies,” said Hemant Joshi, CEO of Atithi Foundation.However, he said attractions alone were not enough.“Strong destinations also need seamless connectivity, quality accommodation, clean public spaces and reliable civic services. Maharashtra illustrates this gap clearly. Tarkarli remains difficult to reach, Tadoba lacks global visibility, while Mahabaleshwar continues to grapple with congestion, parking shortages and waste management pressures.”Joshi said the next phase of tourism growth should focus on increasing the value generated from every visitor rather than merely boosting footfalls.“Destination-specific plans supported by professionally governed destination management organisations can improve coordination, attract investment and encourage longer stays, higher visitor spending and stronger economic outcomes.”The report says India’s tourism sector contributed Rs 15.73 lakh crore, or 5.22% of GDP, in 2023-24 and supported 84.6 million jobs, while domestic tourism reached a record 2.9 billion visits in 2024.Yet, despite its rich natural and cultural assets, India attracts less than 1.5% of global international tourist arrivals, indicating that regulatory and infrastructure bottlenecks continue to constrain its tourism potential.The report concludes that improving ease of doing business through simpler regulations, faster approvals and coordinated destination development can accelerate investment, expand tourism infrastructure and help India move towards its long-term goal of becoming a globally competitive tourism destination.

Kalyan: Days after a fatal stabbing over a seat dispute in a Mumbai local train shocked commuters, another altercation over a seat turned violent late on Wednesday, leaving three passengers injured. The Govt Railway Police (GRP) registered cross-complaints against both groups and launched an investigation.The Dombivli GRP stated the incident took place in a suburban train travelling from CST towards Ambernath.Pritesh Kanojia, 21, a resident of Titwala who works for a private company in Mumbai, boarded the train at Ghatkopar and was headed to Kalyan, from where he planned to change trains for Titwala.Police said by the time the train reached Diva, it became relatively empty and Kanojia lay down on a seat and fell asleep. Soon after, Raju Waghe, 19, and Sahil Khandare, 19, both residents of Dombivli and employed at a garage, boarded the train to travel to Kalyan.According to police, the duo woke up Kanojia and objected to him sleeping on the seat, triggering an argument that quickly escalated into a physical fight. During the scuffle, Waghe, who was allegedly wearing a kada (bracelet), struck Kanojia on the head, causing injuries.Recounting the incident, Kanojia alleged that after assaulting him, one of the accused told the other that they had “beaten him enough” and should leave. “I caught hold of one of their collars, after which they allegedly tried to push me out of the train at Thakurli. When the train stopped at Thakurli station, four to five men entered the coach and assaulted both of them,” Kanojia said.When all three reached Kalyan railway station, the GRP intervened and shifted them to Rukminibai Hospital. Considering the nature of their injuries, they later were referred to Sion Hospital in Mumbai, where they are undergoing treatment.Initially, Dombivli GRP registered an FIR based on Kanojia’s complaint against Waghe and Khandare. However, after recording statements and examining the sequence of events, police also registered a countercase based on Waghe and Khandare’s complaint.“Preliminary investigation suggests that after Kanojia was assaulted, a few persons believed to be known to him allegedly attacked Waghe and Khandare. Both sides sustained injuries, and therefore cross-cases have been registered. The exact sequence of events and the identity of those who assaulted the two accused need to be verified,” said Balasaheb Thorat, senior police inspector, Dombivli GRP.Police said all three injured persons will be arrested after they are discharged from hospital. Investigators also are probing whether the men who allegedly assaulted Waghe and Khandare were actually known to Kanojia or were fellow passengers who intervened after witnessing the incident.Officials added that the train was not overcrowded at the time of the incident, making the violent confrontation over a seat particularly avoidable. The investigation is underway.

Mumbai City collector suspended The Ghetto Restaurant and Bar’s liquor license for 15 days.

MUMBAI: In a major crackdown on violations by commercial establishments in South Mumbai, the office of the collector (state excise), Mumbai City, has suspended the FL-3 liquor licence of the popular ‘The Ghetto Restaurant and Bar’ located at Mahalaxmi for a period of 15 days.The suspension order, issued by Mumbai City collector Anchal Goyal, comes in the wake of a surprise inspection that revealed stark discrepancies in liquor stock, unauthorised structural alterations to the licensed premises, and disturbances caused by crowds outside the venue.

Surprise raid exposes violations

According to the official order, a surprise inspection was conducted on March 4, 2026, by the deputy inspector of state excise (C-2 Division, Mumbai City) at the establishment, situated at Building No. 30, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mahalaxmi.During the raid, the authorities observed multiple glaring irregularities:

Public nuisance and neighborhood complaints

Following the initial raid, multiple subsequent special inspections were carried out by various excise teams, including the flying squad and the C-Division team, between May and June 2026 after receiving repetitive complaints against the establishment.The subsequent investigation reports highlighted severe civic and public order issues surrounding the restobar:

The legal action

The excise department noted that changing the layout of a licensed premises without prior official permission is a critical hazard that risks public safety and potential loss of life in case of fire or any other disaster.While the licensee submitted a written clarification on April 25, 2026, admitting to the procedural lapses and pleading for a lenient fine instead of harsh action, the Collector rejected the plea given the gravity and repetition of the offences.“The establishment has blatantly violated Rule 57(1)(a), 53(1), and 58 of the Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, alongside FL-3 licence conditions 6(b) and 9,” the order stated.Invoking powers under Sections 54 and 56 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, collector Anchal Goyal ordered the immediate suspension of the establishment’s business operations for 15 days.The state excise C-Division inspector has been directed to strictly enforce the shutdown and submit a compliance report immediately.