Latest news with #MBVV
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Slim, healthy' drug mules flying in on student visas: Cops
Vasai: "Slim and healthy" foreign nationals, especially from African countries Nigeria, Cameroon and Guinea, are being sent to India on student and tourist visas as drug mules, a police investigation has found. Only healthy ones make the cut because they have to swallow up to 35 capsules of cocaine in one go, said a source from Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police's (MBVV) crime branch. The source said the drug mules are put on 20-hour flights and forbidden from eating or drinking anything to prevent chances of the cocaine capsules rupturing in the body. After landing and successfully clearing customs, they rent a lodge and purge the capsules, from which the cocaine is retrieved and distributed through multiple ways, including being concealed in shoes and other objects and sent via courier services, said the source. "We have come across evidence that drug mules are being sent to India on student and tourist visas," said Madan Ballal, ACP, crime branch, MBVV police. The crime branch unearthed the drug traffickers' modus operandi after its unit-1 seized cocaine worth Rs 22 crore from a Mira Road resident's house in April. The interrogation of the suspect, Sabina Shaik (42), led police to a Nigerian national, Andy Ubabudike Onyinse (45), also from Mira Road, who was caught with around 2kg of cocaine. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hasta 8 meses de protección Seresto Encuéntralo Undo He revealed the involvement of a Cameroon national, Christabel Enjei (32), staying in Vasai, who was caught with around 400gm of cocaine. The Vasai raid led police to a fourth suspect Bangeoura Kingsley, who was already in the custody of Achole police station in Nalasopara in another case. Kingsley revealed the drug traffickers' modus operandi. Police are ascertaining how many drug mules were so far recruited in this manner.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
25-year-old man held for blackmailing woman, threatening acid attack after online break-up
MUMBAI: The Mira Bhayander–Vasai Virar (MBVV) Crime Branch has arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly blackmailing and threatening a woman who tried to end their online relationship. The accused not only uploaded her obscene photos on social media but also threatened to throw acid on her face if she did not stay in touch with him. According to Kashimira police in Mira-Bhayandar, the victim, a student from Jharkhand, had met the accused—identified as Imamul Haq Hasanul Hoda—on Facebook and Instagram six months ago. Hoda allegedly used fake credentials to befriend her, and during the course of their virtual relationship, obtained personal photos from her. In March, when the woman tried to cut off contact, Hoda allegedly began blackmailing her. After she blocked him, he posted the photos online and issued chilling threats, including acid attacks and murder. A case was initially registered at Doranda police station in Ranchi under IPC sections 354(D) (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as sections 66(C), 66(D), and 67 of the Information Technology Act. Crime branch officials said Hoda had gone into hiding after the FIR was filed, but continued harassing the woman through fake social media accounts. Technical surveillance initially traced him to Dharavi, but he later relocated to Mira Road. Acting on instructions from senior officers, a joint team from the Kashimira police station, Crime Branch Unit 1, and Doranda police zeroed in on the accused in Kashimira and arrested him on Thursday. The accused is being handed over to the Doranda police for further investigation.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Civic officials, bizmen, politicians under scanner for landgrab, illegal construction in Vasai-Virar
Mumbai: Several civic officials, businessmen and politicians are under the scanner for their role in facilitating large-scale landgrab and illegal construction in the Vasai-Virar area, courtesy two ongoing probes into the construction of 41 illegal buildings in Vasai East, on a 60-acre plot reserved for public projects. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police started investigating the matter in 2023, after the Achole police registered a first information report (FIR) as per directions of the Bombay high court. In September 2023, the EOW arrested former Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) corporator Sitaram Gupta. The former civic official and his associates fraudulently acquired the 60-acre plot in Agarwal Nagar in Vasai East and sold the land to various builders, the EOW found during its probe. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which recently launched a money laundering investigation into construction of the 41 buildings, last week conducted searches at 13 locations in Vasai-Virar and Hyderabad. The searches led to the seizure of ₹31 crore from the residence of the current VVCMC deputy director (town planning) YS Reddy, and ₹44 lakh from the house of Sitaram Gupta. According to ED sources, Gupta is one of the perpetrators of illegal constructions in Vasai-Virar. Long struggle The 60-acre plot in Agarwal Nagar includes 30 acres of land reserved for public projects, and another 30 acres owned by persons residing in New Zealand and Canada. When Ajay Sharma, caretaker of the privately-owned portion, visited the plot in 2008, he found construction was underway by a certain 'Prime Property Developers'. 'After I asked for documents and permissions for the construction work, (Sitaram) Gupta and his associates assaulted me near my home with swords,' Sharma, a resident of Vasai West, told Hindustan Times. In 2018, Sharma filed a public interest litigation regarding illegal construction on the 60-acre plot in the Bombay high court. The VVCMC acknowledged in 2020, in response to a Right to Information application filed by Sharma, that the construction was indeed illegal. In June 2023, the Achole police registered a first information report in the matter, following directions issued by the high court. The FIR was registered under sections 420, 447, 465, 467, 468, 471, 474 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. It was based on a complaint by Sharma, who alleged that in 2009, Sitaram Gupta and his brother Arun Gupta colluded with the land mafia to make bogus documents pertaining to the plot at the behest of underworld don Chhota Rajan. They then sold the land to various builders, paving the way for construction of the 41 unauthorised buildings, Sharma alleged. In September 2023, the case was transferred to EOW of MBVV police, which found that Gupta had also issued a bogus completion certificate for one of the buildings on behalf of Cidco (City and Industrial Development Corporation) and VVCMC. The former corporator and his alleged associate Vijay Tambat alias Vijay Salvi were arrested in September 2023. Court orders demolition In October 2024, the VVCMC told the Bombay high court that 30 acres in the 60-acre plot was reserved for a dumping ground and a sewage treatment plant. The court then ordered the civic body to demolish the 41 buildings on the plot. Seven structurally dangerous buildings were razed in November 2024, prompting the residents to approach the high court and then the Supreme Court for relief. The remaining buildings were demolished during a 22-day drive in January 2025, after the SC denied any relief to the residents. Over 2,000 families were left homeless due to the demolitions. A majority of them were factory workers, labourers, small business owners, and migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. While some have managed to rent shacks or rooms in nearby areas, most were forced to return to their native places, unable to afford alternative housing. ED launches probe Meanwhile, Dhananjay Gawde, a former Shiv Sena corporator, brought the matter to the attention of the ED. Gawde had, in the past, exposed several unauthorised constructions in Vasai-Virar by filing Right to Information applications. He was named as an accused in several cases registered on the basis of complaints by affected developers, officials and politicians and was arrested in 2021 after the Supreme Court denied him bail. 'I filed complaints with the ED keeping social interests in mind,' said Gawde, who was released from jail in 2023. 'Corrupt officials were trying to help builders by displacing common people, which I brought to the notice of the ED.' As reported by HT on March 18, the VVMC attempted to de-reserve the 60-acre plot and shift the sewage treatment plant to Gass village while demolition of the 41 buildings was underway. 'VVCMC deputy director (town planning) YS Reddy was the main person behind this attempt as he wanted to hand over the plot to developers once it was vacant,' said Gawde. The plan to shift the sewage treatment plant, however, was thwarted due to intense protests by Gaas residents. Subsequently, the ED registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) based on multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered by the Mira-Bhayandar police Commissionerate in connection with the construction of the 41 illegal buildings. Last week, the ED conducted searches at 13 locations in Vasai-Virar and Hyderabad, connected with builders who constructed the illegal structures. The searches resulted in seizure of cash and valuables worth ₹32.29 crore, including diamond-studded jewellery and bullion worth ₹23.25 crore and ₹9.04 crore in cash. Most of the cash and all the valuables were seized from the Hyderabad residence of VVCMC deputy director (town planning) YS Reddy. Another ₹44 lakh in cash was seized from the Nalasopara home of Sitaram Gupta – the money was hidden in a metal cupboard lying concealed behind a wooden door in the house. The ED suspects that several former VVCMC senior officials connived with a group of builders to facilitate the construction. 'We will summon those officials and other case accused for questioning soon,' a source in the ED told HT while the searches were underway.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Khaki & crime: Maharashtra police crack the whip; 5 policemen dismissed in 10 days
Cracking the whip on police personnel against whom offences have been registered by the department over the past few months, the Maharashtra police has dismissed five policemen over the past 10 days, while similar action against five others is under process. Confirming the development, a top police officer told The Indian Express, 'Of the 10 police personnel at various ranks, five have already been dismissed while the process of dismissal of five others is on…. The strict action was prompted by DGP Rashmi Shukla who wants to send a message to the force that cops breaking the law will not be tolerated.' On April 30, The Indian Express had reported about criminality creeping into Maharashtra police ranks following instances of arrests of policemen for their involvement in drug networks. An official said that one constable each from Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) and Navi Mumbai Police found involved in drug networks, two from Thane police found involved in selling call data to criminals and another from Beed were suspended under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution. The official said that the process of suspension of five others was in motion but refused to elaborate on the unit they were attached to. The official said that usually in cases where an offence is registered against government servants, they are suspended and a department inquiry is launched. During their suspension, these officials continue getting a certain percentage of their salary. 'The departmental inquiry drags on for a long time in such cases and some of these officers manage to get themselves reinstated. We wanted to send a message that wrongdoing will not be tolerated by those whose job is to prevent it,' a senior IPS officer said. The officer added that they have made use of Section 311(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution that allows for the dismissal of government employees without an inquiry. It states that a government servant can be dismissed without inquiry 'when an authority empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank is satisfied that for some reason, to be recorded by that authority in writing, it is not reasonably practical to hold such an inquiry'. The official added, 'It is possible that most of those dismissed may go to courts in appeal and try getting reinstated. However, at least for a few years, till the process is completed, they will not get any salary as against suspension where they are still paid without doing any work.' The officer added, 'While generally there is some hesitation by unit commanders to dismiss officers, it was made clear to them by the top brass that there cannot be any leeway and these cops have to be dismissed following which these decisions were taken.' Last month, two constables were arrested by Navi Mumbai police for allegedly helping a drug network involved in an international drug racket. Of the two constables, the one who was directly in touch with the accused was dismissed. A constable from MBVV arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly running a drug racket at his village in Latur was dismissed. Two constables from the Thane police arrested for allegedly supplying call data records of people to a person with criminal record were also dismissed. Another suspended officer from Beed police was dismissed after claiming that he had been given a contract to kill Walmik Karad, a key accused in the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Mira Bhayandar Whistleblower: Bombay HC grants police protection
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) commissionerate to provide immediate police protection to whistleblower Raju Shah , after his son also received a threat call allegedly from Karachi, Pakistan. Shah received the first threat call from Karachi, Pakistan, in the first week of Feb after he exposed the alleged scam of developing plots which are under the Enemy Property Act in Mira Bhayandar. He filed a police complaint which was registered as a non cognisable (NC) complaint. However, earlier this month he received a second threat call and filed another NC. Shah had approached the court seeking directions for a detailed investigation into the threat calls. Last week Shah's son, Kalpesh, while visiting his ailing mother-in-law, also received a threat call. Kalpesh filed a complaint as well which was taken down as a NC. The Bhayandar cops were directed by Mira Bhayandar Judicial Magistrate to investigate these complaints and also observed that there was a possibility of economic offence.
