Mumbai: Maharashtra’s transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar has begun a high-level probe into a multi-crore vehicle fitness certificate scam spanning at least nine major Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), including Andheri, Wadala, Thane and Vashi in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Preliminary findings suggest fitness certificates were issued to several commercial vehicles by bypassing mandatory norms, potentially allowing unroadworthy vehicles to operate across the state and posing a serious threat to public safety.Senior officials in the transport commissioner’s office told TOI that the probe has already brought 20 to 30 officials from various RTOs under scanner.Narvekar will examine the role of individual officers, the modus operandi adopted to circumvent regulations, and the financial extent of the alleged scam. After conducting a detailed scrutiny, the transport commissioner will submit a final report to the ministry in a month.The initial inquiry has found multiple violations of Rule 62(1) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, governing fitness certification for transport and commercial vehicles. Officials allegedly cleared vehicles despite the absence of mandatory safety and tracking equipment, while in several cases, certificates were issued by authorities that had no jurisdiction to do so.State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, “It is a serious issue and strict action will follow. No compromise will be made on public safety. Any official found guilty after the inquiry will face stringent action.”According to officials, fitness certificates that should have been issued by the original registering authority in Maharashtra were instead issued through transport offices in other states. “Some certificates were issued by unrelated transport authorities from outside Maharashtra, making their validity questionable,” said an official.Investigators also uncovered serious lapses in safety compliance. Several nationally permitted vehicles received fitness clearance without the mandatory Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs). In addition, some commercial vehicles, including buses, were cleared without installation of the mandatory speed-governing devices.The probe further revealed procedural irregularities in the issuance of Form 38A fitness certificates. Although RTOs are required to act within 15 days of issuance of Form 38A, some approvals were granted far beyond the stipulated period, raising suspicions of corruption and manipulation of the certification process.Irregularities have been detected in RTOs at Andheri, Wadala, Thane, Vashi, Panvel, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, among others, said sources.To plug loopholes, the transport department plans to introduce a uniform and stringent SOP for Automated Testing Stations across Maharashtra, including deployment of Motor Vehicle Inspectors at private facilities to strengthen oversight and accountability.Calling it one of the gravest irregularities to hit the transport department, a transport sector analyst said the scam goes far beyond procedural violations. “This directly concerns the safety of commuters and road users. Unfit vehicles can catch fire, suffer mechanical failures, trigger accidents and endanger pedestrians and motorists alike,” the analyst added.

Police said the trio committed the offences within three days of arriving in Mumbai. (AI-generated image)

MUMBAI: Three women from Madhya Pradesh were arrested in Andheri for allegedly carrying out two robberies within 48 hours, stealing Rs 75,500 in cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh, police said.The accused were identified as Sonam Baneri (37), Anmol Jagvir Singh Sisodia (27) and Shweta Sisodia (27), all residents of the same village in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district. Police said the trio committed the offences within three days of arriving in Mumbai.According to police, the women travelled to Mumbai every few months, stayed in lodges for a week to 15 days and targeted crowded markets. They allegedly shared the stolen property equally among themselves, while their husbands stayed back in the village to farm and look after their children.“It was learnt that they travelled to Mumbai every alternate months or four months, stayed in a lodge for a week to 15 days, targeted busy market places, and shared the booty equally among themselves. While their husbands do farming and took care of household chores and children,” a police officer said.Police said the trio dressed in soiled clothes and mingled with shoppers to avoid suspicion before distracting their targets and stealing their valuables.In the first incident on August 7, the women allegedly targeted Parijat Gawli (45), an Andheri resident, while she was shopping at Jagruti Sweets in Andheri Market. They allegedly stole a gold chain worth Rs 3 lakh from her purse.The following day, on August 8, the trio allegedly targeted Vasudevi Sitavadekar (31) at Manish Market in Andheri (West). Police said they distracted her and stole her purse containing Rs 75,500.“The trio’s arrest has helped us in solving two recent cases in which they have managed to rob Rs 3.75 lakhs in two days after their arrival in Mumbai. They wander around the city markets in soiled dress and appear normal before they steal with handiwork after distracting the victims’ attention,” a police officer of the DN Nagar police station said.The women were arrested after police received information through technical analysis of mobile numbers linked to the suspects. Investigators learnt that they were preparing to leave Mumbai for their native place with the stolen valuables.A police team tracked them to the Bandra railway station area, where they were detained with assistance from the Bandra Railway Police’s Women’s Wing. Police said they were staying at a lodge near Bandra railway station.Police recovered Rs 50,000 in cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh from the accused, linking the recoveries to the two robbery cases.DCP (West Zone-2) Mohit Garg supervised the investigation, while the team was led by ACP Shashikiran Kashid, senior inspector Sachin Gawas, inspector Sachin Khondre and sub-inspectors Sharad Khatmode and Gaurav Malusure, along with other personnel.Police said the three travelled in unreserved train compartments and allegedly relied on their appearance and crowded marketplaces to avoid suspicion.“This is the first time the trio have been caught. They claimed this is their first robbery, which we did not believe. They are professional thieves and work together in tandem, with one distracting the target while another steals. We have sought details from other police stations about similar robberies in which women thieves were involved and are examining old CCTV footage to establish whether the trio had been involved in such cases in the past,” a police officer said.Police are also seeking information about the three women from authorities in their native village in Madhya Pradesh.

Mumbai: With the possibility of El Niño conditions triggering extreme weather events, prolonged heat waves and a surge in electricity demand, Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Mahatransco) has launched a comprehensive statewide preparedness initiative aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply and maintaining grid stability.Acting on directions issued by the Union Ministry of Power, Mahatransco has rolled out a 12-point action plan across all transmission zones, mandating preventive measures, emergency readiness and continuous monitoring of critical transmission infrastructure. The initiative is designed to strengthen the resilience of Maharashtra’s power transmission network against weather-related disruptions and rising operational stress.A key focus of the action plan is preventive and condition-based maintenance of the state’s Extra High Voltage (EHV) network. Transmission lines, substations, transformers, reactors, circuit breakers, protection systems and allied equipment will undergo rigorous inspections and maintenance to minimise the risk of outages. Planned shutdowns are to be kept to the bare minimum during periods of peak electricity demand.Mahatransco has further ordered extensive thermovision scanning and hotspot detection of transmission lines, switchyards, transformers and busbars. Any abnormalities detected during inspections are to be rectified immediately to prevent equipment failures and ensure network reliability.To enhance emergency response capabilities, all zones have been directed to maintain adequate stocks of critical spares, including transformers, conductors, insulators, tower components and Emergency Restoration System (ERS) equipment. Patrolling of vulnerable transmission corridors will be intensified, particularly in areas where vegetation poses a risk of contact with transmission lines.The utility will also review the operational readiness of voltage management systems such as shunt reactors, capacitor banks and STATCOMs, while ensuring round-the-clock availability of emergency maintenance teams, vehicles, tools and safety equipment.In addition, Mahatransco will closely monitor weather forecasts and strengthen coordination with the Maharashtra State Load Despatch Centre, Regional Load Despatch Centres, generating stations and distribution utilities. The disaster management framework and cybersecurity protocols for SCADA, EMS and communication systems are also being reinforced.All Chief Engineers have been directed to personally oversee implementation of the preparedness measures and submit weekly progress reports. Any major equipment failure or grid disturbance must be reported immediately, along with details of restoration efforts undertaken.Under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Vikram Kumar, Director (Operations) Satish Chavan has instructed all field formations to remain on heightened alert and complete advance preparations to tackle any adverse impact arising from potential El Niño conditions.“The proactive initiative underscores Mahatransco’s commitment to maintaining a robust transmission network and ensuring reliable electricity supply across Maharashtra, even under challenging weather conditions and rising power demand,” said a senior official..

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday offered quick relief to Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which challenged the FDA move to stop the sale of some of its medicines.The FDA was only “displaying its powers”, said the high court bench of acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad.For Cadila, senior advocate Birendra Saraf said the issue at hand was a larger one, of use of brand extension by pharmaceutical companies, which was an industry-wide practice. The Ccentre had called for a public consultation on 6 July 2026 and even while it was on, the state Food and Drug Administration took coercive steps despite a valid manufacturing licence.The FDA in court then offered to revoke its orders against Cadila, issue show-cause notices, and grant it a hearing before passing a reasoned order. The regulator made the submission through government pleader Neha Bhide after the high court suggested that a hearing be given before any drastic action is taken. The high court accepted her statement and disposed of Cadila’s plea.Bhide submitted that the FDA “action was a preventive measure, not-high-handed action’’. She said it stemmed from a confusion over the medicines.“Be judicious,” the high court suggested to the widespread drive initiated by the FDA under its latest commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, to root out non-compliance of safety standards.“Once there is a valid licence, the prohibition of sale can be only by following the prescribed procedure of issuing show-cause and hearing the licence holder,’’ said Saraf, seeking a stay of the “arbitrary” stoppage order.Saraf said that without a hearing “prohibition of sale tantamounts to an illegal suspension or revocation of licence’’.The pharmaceutical major said it had already incurred large losses due to the sale ban in force for 20 days when the petition was filed. The company said its stocks worth Rs 2.4 crore was also seized statewide over alleged branding issues.The ACJ said the bench is not concerned with the company’s losses but with the lack of availability of a crucial drug to patients for effectively 32 days so far. The medicines are for stomach acid issues, including acid reflux, heartburn and stomach or intestinal ulcers.The ting chief justice orally reiterated its “using a sword to swat a mosquito” analogy and said the FDA appeared to “shoot first” before it makes enquiries. The high court warned of imposing costs as a number of cases of the department’s “drastic action” had come to its notice.“You (FDA) have the power to use a sword, but the problem is you are using it to kill a mosquito. The power has to be judiciously exercised. It has to be used properly. Even in the cases of hotels and restaurants, you shoot first and then ask questions,” the bench said.

Bombay high court allowed ILS Law college students to appear for exams due to attendance issues (File photo)

MUMBAI: In a huge relief to students of ILS Law college in Pune barred from appearing for their semester-end law exams in the academic year 2025-26 for attendance shortfall, Bombay high court on Monday permitted them to appear for the exams as a “strictly one-time measure’’.Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash relied on a recent July 21 Supreme Court order that permitted students as a one-time relief to appear for their examinations in the academic year 20-26.The HC clarified that its relief would apply to all similarly barred students of the college who had not filed petitions, as it said the SC order had carved out similar placed students as a “protected class’’.But the bench clarified its order was “confined to the academic session 2025–26’’.The HC said its order cannot be construed as diluting the attendance rules for any other academic session.“Students pursuing legal education shall continue to remain bound by the attendance requirements otherwise applicable to them,’’ the bench said.The HC order came in a batch of petitions filed by 41 students pursuing different years of the 3-year and 5-year law courses conducted at ILS, Pune affiliated to the Savitribai Phule Pune University.The University said their attendance was tween 46 to 54 % while minimum attendance was 75 %.The petitions said an earlier 70 % rule with 20 % additional waiver rule ought to apply to them and also cited a November 3 2025 Delhi HC order to argue their case.The Delhi HC directed that no student enrolled in a recognised law college in India should be detained or prevented from appearing for examinations or from pursuing academic progression solely on account of shortage of attendance.The SC then stayed the Delhi HC order, prospectively in May. But in July protected students across colleges against a lost academic year of 2025-26, with a one-time reprieve to appear for the final exam in that academic year when the Delhi HC order was passed.The SC order does not prescribe any minimum attendance for the protected class of last academic year student, HC noted.On Monday, disposing of the batch of petitions the Bombay HC clarified that the Delhi HC order did not bind it, but the July SC order did.Six different HCs had differed with Delhi HC.The Pune University and the law college argued that the SC order would apply only to final examination students of the 3 year and 5 year LLB courses.But disagreeing, the HC reasoned and the SC meant “concluding exam for that academic session’’ hence the petitioners who were students of first, second, third- or fourth-year stand included.The HC said, “A student studying in an earlier year who is prevented from appearing for the semester-end examination may equally lose the academic session and, consequently, be unable to progress to the succeeding academic year’’ if the apex court “ intended to protect only students in the final year or final semester of the law course, it could readily have said so,’’ the HC explained.The HC clarified it has not dealt with the controversy raised by the students of whether the maximum condonation of 20% contemplated under Ordinance 70 was required to operate upon the minimum attendance requirement of 70% prescribed under Rule 12 of the Legal Education Rules or upon the requirement of 75% prescribed under Ordinance 68.This issue is left open.The HC had earlier granted interim protection to the Petitioners who appeared for their examinations and confirmed the relief.The HC directed the university to conduct supplementary exams within 4 weeks for academic year 2025-26 for those who could not appear.

Investigators are looking into possible arson related to family conflicts, while the full scope of the fire’s impact remains to be ascertained (Representative image)

MUMBAI: The house in Vikhroli’s Parksite area where a father and his 14 year old son were stabbed to death by another brother over playing loud music, was gutted in a fire in early hours on Monday.Police found the house completely gutted. Clothes, household articles and other belongings were destroyed.The complainant said they could not ascertain any accidental cause for the fire and suspected that an unidentified person had deliberately set the house ablaze.The Parksite police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and whether it is connected to the earlier family dispute and double murder.The exact cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage are yet to be established.On August 6, Police arrested two brothers, Suraj Vishwakarma (33) and Surendra (36), along with Surendra’s wife, Priti Vishwakarma (35), for killing Sunil Vishwakarma and his 14 year old son Shlok.The unfaithful house has been locked since the murder.Complainant Vijayalakshmi Vishwakarma, 63, who is the mother of accused brother told police that she had been temporarily staying with her elder son Anil Vishwakarma in Nalasopara for the past 15-20 days.On August 6, a violent family dispute at the Vikhroli house had resulted in the deaths of her son Sunil Kalicharan Vishwakarma and his 14-year-old son Shlok.Sunil’s wife Anju and younger son Vivaan were also injured. Police had registered a case at Parksite police station in connection with the double murder.According to the fresh complaint, around 6.35 am on August 10, their neighbour Nandlal Yadav called Anil and informed him that the house was on fire.Vijayalakshmi and Anil rushed to Vikhroli and found the house completely gutted. Clothes, household articles and other belongings were destroyed.The family later learnt that smoke had reportedly been noticed coming from the house around 2 am and that the premises were engulfed in flames by around 5 am.The complainant said they could not ascertain any accidental cause for the fire and suspected that an unidentified person had deliberately set the house ablaze.The Parksite police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and whether it is connected to the earlier family dispute and double murder.The exact cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage are yet to be established.

In photo: Authorities are intensifying food safety inspections, preparations for the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival

MUMBAI: Food safety enforcement, preparations for Ganeshotsav and heightened security are among the key developments drawing attention in Mumbai. The city is entering an important phase ahead of the festival season, while authorities are also under pressure to address food hygiene and public safety. The combination of consumer concerns, cultural preparations and security measures is shaping Mumbai’s current news cycle.Food safety crackdown keeps eateries under scannerFood safety remains one of Mumbai’s strongest consumer-interest stories after inspections across Maharashtra found violations involving hygiene, storage, licensing and food handling. The enforcement drive has put restaurants and other food businesses under scrutiny, with authorities examining kitchens, storage areas and the condition of ingredients used by establishments.The action is part of a broader crackdown that has also extended to Bengaluru. In Mumbai, recent inspections have resulted in action against food establishments for sanitation problems, unsafe storage and other violations. The issue has resonance because consumers rarely see what happens behind a restaurant’s dining area, making regulatory inspections one of the few ways to test whether food businesses are maintaining basic safety standards.Ganeshotsav preparations gather paceWith Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, Mumbai’s preparations for Ganeshotsav are becoming another major city story. Authorities, Ganesh mandals and civic agencies are beginning to focus on arrangements involving idols, immersion, traffic management and public safety. A joint meeting to plan Ganeshotsav 2026 is scheduled as stakeholders prepare for the festival.The debate over plaster of paris and clay idols is also expected to remain prominent. While PoP remains popular because it is easier to mould and supports intricate designs, environmental concerns have kept pressure on organisers and idol makers to adopt alternatives. For Mumbai, the issue is not merely about religious tradition but also about waste, water pollution and how a densely populated city manages one of its biggest annual celebrations.Security remains a prioritySecurity is another issue attracting attention as Independence Day approaches and the city prepares for a busy festival period. Mumbai authorities are likely to maintain heightened vigilance around transport hubs, public places and major installations, particularly given the city’s history of security concerns.The three developments reflect three different sides of Mumbai at the moment: food safety affects consumers directly, Ganeshotsav preparations touch the city’s cultural identity and security measures affect everyday movement. Together, they provide a more useful snapshot of what is actually occupying Mumbai’s attention than a generic list of daily search trends.

Mumbai man and his wife were left traumatised after five men in an SUV, allegedly chased their vehicle.

MUMBAI: A fitness trainer and strategist from Mahim and his wife were left traumatised after five men in an SUV, allegedly armed with baseball and hockey sticks, chased their vehicle, intercepted it and assaulted him before damaging the car’s windows in a road-rage incident in Bandra on Saturday midnight, said police.Arjun Garewal, 39, was returning to his Mahim home with his wife, Bhakti, an HR director at a university, after dinner with his parents in Juhu when the incident occurred near Sahil Hotel on SV Road in Bandra (West).Bandra police have detained three accused — Anas K, 25, who works at a private firm, Bilal Shaikh, 30, the brother of a garment businessman and one other accused named Rajen. Police registered an FIR against them on Sunday under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assault and criminal intimidation. The three were later released after being served notices.Police said the incident began around 11.45pm on August 8 when an XUV700 allegedly came in front of Garewal’s SUV and obstructed his way.“The road rage began after the accused first overtook Garewal and kept driving slowly in front, not allowing him to move ahead. When Garewal managed to get past, they got annoyed, chased and attacked him and damaged his car. They got angry after the victim overtook their vehicle. They kicked, punched and abused him verbally and damaged the front, rear and driver’s-side windows of Garewal’s car,” a Bandra police officer said.Police said the assailants attacked Garewal with baseball and hockey sticks and damaged the windows of his vehicle while his wife was seated in the front. The group allegedly called a few more people who arrived on motorcycles and joined the verbal altercation and assault.Sub-inspector Mujaffar Sayyad and a police team reached the spot after Bhakti called the police helpline ‘100’. While several of the accused fled, police managed to detain two of them, an officer said.Garewal told TOI that the incident began after the accused repeatedly overtook his vehicle and then deliberately drove slowly in front of him.“My wife was terrified after the incident and took leave from work on Monday,” he said, adding,“When he tried to hit me, I stopped him with my hands after which the said person used a hockey stick to break the front, rear and driver’s-side windows of my car. They then got into their car and drove away from the spot,” said Garewal.Garewal noted down the SUV’s registration number, following which police contacted the accused. Police said further probe is underway.