Caretaker arrested in Bhiwandi building collapse case, hunt on for builder’s partner | Mumbai News

Caretaker arrested in Bhiwandi building collapse case, hunt on for builder’s partner
The 13-year-old Kohinoor Apartment’s B-wing, which had been served a dangerous building notice, partially collapsed while repair work was underway on July 30 evening

Bhiwandi: Police on Sunday arrested the caretaker of Kohinoor Apartment in Bhiwandi in connection with the building collapse that claimed 10 lives, saying he had allegedly initiated repair work without mandatory civic permission after collecting money from flat owners on the builder’s instructions.The arrested accused, Amritlal Nishad (49), who is also a resident of the building, was produced before a holiday court, which remanded him in police custody till August 5.Police are on the hunt for another person, Danish, who was also allegedly involved in the construction of the building with builder Bilal Khan as partner.Senior inspector Vikram Mohite of Bhoiwada police station said the investigation has revealed that after Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) declared the building dangerous, Khan allegedly instructed Nishad to arrange repairs. Acting on those directions, Nishad collected between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 from each flat owner and engaged contractor Ashok Paswan to undertake the repairs without obtaining permission from the civic body.Police had earlier registered an FIR against Khan and Paswan under the relevant provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Paswan died in the collapse, while the builder is currently abroad. Police said further action against Khan will be taken once he returns to India.According to investigators, the 13-year-old Kohinoor Apartment consists of two wings with 48 flats and four shops in each wing. B-wing, which had been served a dangerous building notice, partially collapsed while repair work was underway on July 30 evening. Police said workers noticed cracks in a pillar during the day, following which repair work was intensified. A portion of the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several labourers and residents beneath the debris.Investigators are also examining whether poor construction quality contributed to the tragedy. Police suspect the building deteriorated unusually quickly for a structure barely 13 years old, raising questions over the quality of material used during construction and whether structural norms for a load-bearing building were followed.Meanwhile, civic authorities faced stiff resistance on Sunday when they attempted to demolish the A-wing of the building after issuing evacuation notices. Residents, who have been living outside their homes since the collapse, prevented the demolition, demanding rehabilitation before any action is taken.Residents said they should first be allowed to remove their belongings and sought a detailed panchnama of every flat to safeguard their ownership rights during the future redevelopment. They also demanded that the civic administration provide temporary accommodation, arguing that many families had invested their life’s savings to buy homes in the building and could not afford to lose both their property and shelter overnight.BNCMC has temporarily deferred the demolition as discussions with residents continue.

Justice Oka Questions Planning Process Behind Thane’s Infra Boom | Mumbai News

Justice Oka Questions Planning Process Behind Thane’s Infra Boom
Wooden gavel on wooden table, on background

Thane: Former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S. Oka made a scathing remark on urban planning in Thane, questioning why basic infrastructure projects are being passed off as “development” and suggesting that several mega projects underway may lack legal sanction.Speaking at a public event, Sunday evening, Justice Oka said flyovers, bridges, highways and high-rise buildings cannot, by themselves, be regarded as markers of development. “Real development lies in affordable housing, accessible healthcare, quality education, efficient public transport and environmental protection,” he said.Invoking the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, Oka said every city is required to prepare a statutory Development Plan (DP) through its planning authority—in Thane’s case, the municipal corporation.“The DP is meant to identify transport infrastructure, including roads, railways and waterways. Yet projects such as SATIS, the Ring Metro and several other major works do not appear to be part of the city’s Development Plan. If that is so, their execution is illegal,” he said.He reminded citizens that the Constitution guarantees them the right to object to government-sponsored projects. “People must realise that the city belongs to them, not to elected representatives,” Justice Oka said.The former SC judge also took aim at large-scale infrastructure projects that entail the felling of mature trees and destruction of mangroves, while referring to the Coastal Road. He said statutory bodies, including municipal tree authorities, are expected to protect the environment rather than function as “rubber stamps.” Oka also questioned the practice of compensatory afforestation where decades-old trees were replaced with saplings elsewhere.

Cat thrown from 12th floor, candlelight protest at Ambernath | Mumbai News

Cat thrown from 12th floor, candlelight protest at Ambernath
Cat thrown from 12th floor of Ambernath building

Navi Mumbai: A candlelight vigil was held by animal lovers at Ambernath on Sunday evening to protest the recent animal cruelty case in which a cat was thrown down from the 12th floor of Royal Flora Phase-2 tower.While the Shivaji Nagar police station has lodged an FIR against a local resident, Raju Salunke, under sections of BNS and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, he has not yet been arrested.Animal activist, Angelina Kurup, told TOI: “We are holding this candlelight vigil because the accused man (Salunke) has not been arrested despite submitting an incriminating CCTV footage of the animal cruelty. We want justice for this cat.”The family members of the accused had earlier pleaded that he is a “senior citizen and mentally ill”.However, animal lovers have asserted that the accused person had intentionally walked towards the cat resting on the parapet wall of 12th floor, and pushed it down from that great height. They added that Salunke was earlier working for the Ulhasnagar Municipal Council (UMC), so it is doubtful if he is mentally unsound.“The CCTV footage of July 25 clearly shows how the old man killed the cat.The locals have informed that he disliked the presence of cats outside his 12th floor flat. Hence, action must be taken on him,” said activist Vijay Rangare of Rakshak animal rights group.While the local police is further legally proceeding in this matter, various animal rights groups have expressed concern on rising cases of animal cruelty involving cats, dogs.

Light to moderate rain likely in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar through Thursday; Raigad may witness heavy spells: IMD | Mumbai News

Light to moderate rain likely in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar through Thursday; Raigad may witness heavy spells: IMD
According to the IMD’s district forecast issued on Sunday afternoon, Mumbai is likely to receive light to moderate rain on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Mumbai: Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar is likely to witness light to moderate rainfall through Thursday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a steady spell of showers over the next four days. The probability of rainfall has been classified as “very likely” on each day, while neighbouring Raigad is expected to see heavier spells on Monday before rainfall intensity eases.According to the IMD’s district forecast issued on Sunday afternoon, Mumbai is likely to receive light to moderate rain on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. No heavy rainfall has been forecast for the city during this period.Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Thane is also expected to receive light to moderate rain from Monday through Thursday, while Palghar is forecast to witness similar rainfall activity on all four days. Both districts have a “very likely” probability of rainfall throughout the forecast period.Raigad is expected to see the more intense rainfall activity in the region at the start of the week, with heavy rainfall at isolated places forecast on Monday. The district is also likely to receive heavy rain at isolated places on Tuesday, before the forecast shifts to moderate rain on Wednesday and Thursday.Meanwhile, coastal and eastern parts of Maharashtra may expect the most rain till Aug 8, while the rest of the state will experience varying monsoon activity, according to the IMD forecast.Continuous rain is predicted to cover almost the entire Konkan and Goa region throughout the week. In Madhya Maharashtra, showers will be light and spread out during the same period.Towards the eastern parts, Vidarbha will witness heavy, widespread rain at the start and end of the week, with lighter, scattered showers in the middle days and thunderstorms early in the timeframe; rain in Marathwada will remain light and patchy across the week, with brief thunderstorms during initial days, as per IMD officials.(With inputs from Pune)

Rs 18cr donation theft at Siddhivinayak every year: Raj Thackeray | Mumbai News

Rs 18cr donation theft at Siddhivinayak every year: Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: Amid the Ram temple donations theft row, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that donations of Rs 18 crore were being siphoned off every year from Siddhivinayak temple.The temple is headed by former Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar and is run by a trust with state govt appointees.At an MNS gathering on Saturday, Thackeray read out a letter reportedly from the temple’s trustees to deputy CM Eknath Shinde requesting a high-level inquiry into the alleged theft.“…Some employees were caught stealing money from the temple’s donation box. Before these employees were caught, the amount in the donation box every Wednesday was within Rs 50 lakh. However, after they were caught, the amount in the donation box reached around Rs 1.5 crore in the last three weeks. This means that earlier, some amount was going missing from the total money deposited in the donation box every week. Due to this, the temple was losing about Rs 18 crore every year, and we strongly suspect that the threads of this are at the senior level. We, the board of trustees, expect you to take serious note of this entire matter and investigate it at the senior level,” he said quoting from the letter.Sarvankar did not respond to Thackeray’s allegations.Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut backed Thackeray’s allegation, saying donations thefts have increased since the temple’s reins went into the hands of those close to Shinde. “All temples in the country are witnessing thefts and they are under the control of BJP.”

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation identifies 34 ‘highly dangerous’ buildings, appeals to residents to vacate immediately | Mumbai News

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation identifies 34 ‘highly dangerous’ buildings, appeals to residents to vacate immediately
The NMMC move comes after building collapse incidents in various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including the Bhiwandi building crash on July 30

Navi Mumbai: Following the recent building collapse incidents in various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) released a list of 34 ‘highly dangerous’ structures under its jurisdiction and asked occupiers to vacate them immediately. Of the 34 ‘highly dangerous’ buildings, Turbe ward had the highest number with 15 such structures.According to the NMMC, the owners, occupiers and residents of these buildings were informed that they have received written instructions and notices under the govt circular dated November 11, 2015, issued by the Urban Development Department.The NMMC notice stated that since it was dangerous to use the buildings, there was a possibility of collapse, causing loss of life and financial loss. It added that the residential or commercial use of these buildings/structures should be stopped immediately and the buildings/structures should be demolished immediately without delay, otherwise the occupants would be solely responsible for damage caused by any collapse.NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde said, “A public appeal was made through newspapers from time to time that the electricity and water connection of buildings in the C-1 category (highly dangerous) would be disconnected.”Shinde added that the NMMC would not be responsible for any damage caused to the occupants in the buildings declared unsafe for habitation.

TV actress files domestic violence complaint against husband, in-laws | Mumbai News

TV actress files domestic violence complaint against husband, in-laws

Mumbai: Goregaon police lodged an FIR last week against TV actress Aditi Sharma’s husband, mother-in-law and sister-in-law for her alleged assault, verbal abuse and mental harassment as well as taking away her jewellery.Police said they were probing the case and were yet to make any arrest.Sharma (29) is known for her roles in TV shows such as ‘Apollena—Sapno Ki Unchi Udaan’, ‘Rabb Se Hai Dua’ and ‘Kaleerein’.The FIR invokes Sections 3(5) (common intention), 316(2) (breach of trust), 352 (intentional insults), and 85 (cruelty committed by a husband or his relatives against a married woman) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the husband, Abhineet Kaushik (36), mother-in-law Urmila (65), and sister-in-law Keerti (29).In her complaint, Sharma said she befriended Kaushik in 2021 and they married in Nov 2024. After the marriage, she said, Kaushik began picking on her over her outfits and fighting over minor domestic issues. “He would not give me money for household expenses. On the contrary, he used to take money from me,” she said.Sharma alleged that the strife escalated to verbal abuses in Jan 2025 after he accused her of having an extramarital relationship. She said she was subjected to frequent taunts, which caused her immense mental distress.The actress said after their fights got more intense, Urmila and Keerti were asked to intervene. “She said instead of resolving their disputes, they kept taunting her, causing her mental distress. She complained that her in-laws took her wedding jewellery—two gold chains, four gold rings, a diamond ring, a gold mangalsutra and two gold bangles. After that, her husband started checking her phone and suspecting her fidelity,” said a police officer.Assistant inspector Amita Marathe is probing the case.

BJP, Shiv Sena trade defections in Kalyan-Dombivli, exposing fresh cracks in alliance | Mumbai News

BJP, Shiv Sena trade defections in Kalyan-Dombivli, exposing fresh cracks in alliance

Kalyan: The uneasy relationship between alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli region appeared to deteriorate further on Sunday, with both parties inducting each other’s local functionaries in a tit-for-tat political battle despite an earlier understanding to refrain from poaching workers.The uneasy relationship between alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli region appeared to deteriorate further on Sunday, with both parties inducting each other’s local functionaries in a tit-for-tat political battle despite an earlier understanding to refrain from poaching workers.The latest round of defections comes days after Shiv Sena inducted several BJP office-bearers in the presence of district president Gopal Landge, MLA Rajesh More and corporator Mahesh Gaikwad. The move triggered a sharp reaction from BJP leaders, who accused Shiv Sena of violating the “alliance dharma” agreed upon by the two parties after differences surfaced during the KDMC election.Following the Shiv Sena inductions on Friday, BJP district president Nandu Parab warned that the party would respond by welcoming Shiv Sena workers into its fold. “If they induct one of our workers, we will induct four of theirs,”Parab said, alleging that Shiv Sena breached the understanding reached by the leadership of both parties.Shiv Sena leaders, however, rejected the allegation. Corporator Mahesh Gaikwad claimed that BJP first inducted around 10 Shiv Sena workers, prompting his party to retaliate by enrolling nearly 100 BJP workers.The political sparring intensified over the weekend. On Saturday, BJP corporator Dipesh Mhatre accused Shiv Sena of breaking coalition discipline and warned that the party would be taught a “lesson”. On the same day, several women office-bearers and workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) joined the BJP in the presence of Parab and Mhatre, a move seen as a setback for the Raj Thackeray-led party in Dombivli.On Sunday, BJP escalated the confrontation by inducting several Shiv Sena workers from Kalyan East, the same area from where Shiv Sena recently enrolled BJP functionaries.Speaking after the induction programme, Parab said the BJP merely responded to Shiv Sena’sactions. “Despite an understanding between the two alliance partners, Shiv Sena inducted our workers. We have now given them a reply. BJP is a party that gives justice to its workers, and that is why people continue to join us,” he said.Referring to the number of inductions, Parab remarked that while the BJP may move “at the pace of a tortoise”, it ultimately wins the race.The latest exchange of defections is expected to deepen friction between the two ruling allies at the grassroots level, even as the state leadership has remained silent on the growing local rivalry ahead of the civic elections.

Powai and Chandivli residents sound alarm over development pressure | Mumbai News

Powai and Chandivli residents sound alarm over development pressure
The projects cited at the Sunday meeting included the proposed Global Capability Centre, the MMRDA-SRA project for families affected by the Mithi River rehabilitation, the demolition or redevelopment of Citipark, Haiko and Rodas and proposed development of new buildings

Mumbai: Residents of Powai and Chandivli gathered on Sunday to protest what they described as an uncoordinated development push that could overwhelm the area’s roads, pavements, green spaces and civic infrastructure.The projects cited at the meeting included the proposed Global Capability Centre, the MMRDA-SRA project for families affected by the Mithi River rehabilitation, the demolition or redevelopment of Citipark, Haiko and Rodas and proposed development of new buildings.Every additional tower, office complex, rehabilitation building and redevelopment scheme empties into the same roads, the same air, the same drainage network and the same shrinking public realm, said environmentalist Debi Goenka. The price, he added, would be paid in traffic, construction dust, noise, felled trees, occupied pavements, encroached green spaces and overstretched civic infrastructure.At the centre of the meeting was a blunt question: how much more can Powai take?Kanaya Pursnani urged residents to “wake up”, warning that footpaths, recreational grounds and other public amenities were being treated not as civic assets, but as reservoirs of floor space index (FSI) and transferable development rights (TDR).Ashwini Tulzapurkar said repeated letters to the authorities had gone unanswered and suggested that residents consider filing a public interest litigation. She also alleged that violations across Hiranandani’s sectors were being allowed to benefit from additional FSI or TDR.Pamela Cheema, chairperson of Powai ALM, said the entire Powai-Chandivli corridor would be badly affected by the increased pressure on roads, pedestrian movement, air quality and civic services.Rajan Khanna, one of the area’s oldest residents, recalled the difficulty of a resident moving her ailing father through inaccessible and obstructed routes. He said residents were confronting a powerful network involving the landowner, MMRDA, BMC and private commercial interests, including Brookfield.Khanna also questioned why a Global Capability Centre and related commercial development should be concentrated in an already congested locality when alternative land was available elsewhere.Resident Anoop Khanna said the pavement near Citipark had remained obstructed for nearly seven months despite complaints. He alleged that even a staircase had been blocked and announced that residents would hold a fast outside Brookfield. “Development cannot be at the cost of the peace of the area,” he said.Sripad Tambe called for public protest, saying residents could no longer rely only on letters and representations.The residents demanded restoration of pavements and access routes, disclosure of all FSI and TDR permissions, a cumulative environmental and traffic impact study, public consultation before major approvals and coordinated action by BMC, MMRDA, traffic police and elected representatives.

BEST bus driver booked for running over stray dog | Mumbai News

BEST bus driver booked for running over stray dog
TOI Lucknow Photo – By Manoj Chhabra

Mumbai: A BEST bus driver has been booked after a stray dog was allegedly run over by a BEST bus at Wadala Workshop Bus Stop on Thursday, following which the animal died while being taken for treatment.According to the complaint filed by Trupti Shashikant Kale, 38, a private-sector employee and animal lover, the incident occurred around 8.40 pm on July 30 near Workshop Gate No. 4 on Tilak Road, Wadala.Kale told police that she was travelling home from work on her two-wheeler when she noticed a white male dog lying injured under the left rear wheel of BEST bus. The dog had suffered a severe injury to its left leg and was bleeding profusely.Kale, along with two passers-by identified as Jaydev Thorve, and Harshad Ranjit Halder, pulled the dog from beneath the bus. They allegedly informed the driver, Sachin Jangam, 44, that the bus had hit the dog and requested his assistance in taking the animal to a hospital. Jangam told them that he would need permission from the BEST control room before taking the dog out of the bus. Kale and the two men subsequently contacted animal welfare organisations but could not immediately arrange assistance.The complainant alleged that they repeatedly requested that the driver help transport the injured dog, but no assistance was provided for approximately 45 minutes. The trio eventually took the dog to the animal hospital on Dr S.S. Road, Parel, on Halder’s two-wheeler. Doctors examined the animal and declared it dead.Kale subsequently approached Matunga police and lodged a complaint, alleging that the BEST driver had driven carelessly and caused the death of the stray dog without providing it medical assistance. Police have registered a case and are conducting further investigation.