Mumbai: A tragic accident occurred at the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) office when a tree branch fell on Public Works Department (PWD) employee Anil Gore.

He was rushed to St. George Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Colaba Police are currently investigating the incident.

This development comes just days after a British broadcast engineer associated with the Indian Premier League (IPL) was found dead in his hotel room in Mumbai, triggering a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The deceased has been identified as Ian William Legnford, a British national who was part of the IPL’s broadcast team for the ongoing 2026 season. According to officials, Legnford had checked into the Trident Hotel on March 24 and was staying there for the duration of his professional assignment.

Police said Legnford was last seen alive after attending an IPL 2026 match at Wankhede Stadium, where he was present during the match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He had reportedly returned to his hotel room following the match.

Concerns were raised the following day when hotel staff were unable to establish contact with him. After multiple unanswered calls and no response from inside the room, the hotel authorities accessed the room using a master key. Upon entering, they found Legnford lying unresponsive on the floor.

A hotel doctor was immediately called to the scene and declared him dead. The incident was subsequently reported to the police.

Officials from Marine Drive Police Station have registered a case of accidental death (ADR) and initiated a detailed investigation. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, which remains unclear at this stage.

Police sources stated that no foul play has been suspected so far; however, all angles are being examined as part of standard procedure. Statements of hotel staff and individuals associated with the IPL broadcast unit are also expected to be recorded as part of the inquiry.

Thane, April 1: In a high-stakes operation, the Thane Crime Branch (Unit-3, Kalyan) has arrested a notorious 55-year-old history-sheeter and social media personality, Surendra Pandurang Patil, following the discovery of a massive arsenal of illegal weapons and counterfeit currency hidden in his luxury residence.

Acting on a confidential tip-off, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Sarjerao Patil conducted a strategic raid at Patil’s residence, Ekvira Bungalow, located in the Shri Dhanlakshmi Apartment complex in Dawdi, Dombivli (East).

The search revealed a sophisticated, secret compartment built into a wardrobe within a hidden bedroom, accessible through a concealed entry behind a shoe rack on the fifth-floor terrace. From this “mini-armory,” police recovered:

Firearms: 3 country-made pistols, 1 sixer revolver, and 2 air guns.
Ammunition: 405 live cartridges, 167 lead pellets, and 1 empty magazine.
Bladed Weapons: 2 sharp iron swords, 3 iron choppers (koytas), 1 sharp dagger, and 1 button knife.

Other Items: 2 iron rods, 2 mobile phones, and ₹3,52,000 in counterfeit Indian currency (both old and new denominations). The total value of the seized assets is estimated at approximately ₹12,21,000.

Surendra Pandurang Patil, a construction businessman by profession, has gained notoriety as an Instagram “Reel Star.” However, his digital fame masks a long-standing criminal history.

According to police records, Patil is a habitual offender with over a dozen cases registered against him at various stations, including Manpada, Kolshewadi, Dombivli, and Mahatma Phule Chowk.

His extensive criminal record includes charges for:
Attempted murder and grievous assault.
Arms Act violations.
Cheating, criminal intimidation, and trespassing.
Violations under the Maharashtra Police Act.

Mumbai: In a historic development, Ashwini Bhide has been appointed as the first woman Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the 160-plus-year history of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Following her appointment, political leaders across party lines took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend their congratulations and express optimism about her tenure at the helm of the civic body.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Bhide, highlighting the historic nature of her appointment. He noted that this marks the first time in the BMC’s long history that a woman has been appointed to the top administrative post. He also conveyed his best wishes, expressing confidence in her leadership for the city’s governance and development.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also lauded the appointment, describing it as a step towards capable and visionary leadership for the metropolis. Speaking about the felicitation ceremony held in honour of Bhide, which was attended by Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Tawde emphasised Bhide’s extensive administrative experience, disciplined work approach, and strong decision-making abilities. She expressed confidence that Bhide’s leadership would provide a new direction to Mumbai’s governance and accelerate the city’s development.

Tawde further underscored the need for transparent, citizen-centric administration in a global city like Mumbai. She said that under Bhide’s stewardship, key sectors such as infrastructure, cleanliness, transportation, and overall quality of life for citizens are expected to witness positive transformation. She also called for collective efforts to meet the expectations of Mumbaikars and to build a cleaner, more modern city.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also extended her wishes, noting the symbolic significance of the appointment. In her post, she remarked that Bhide’s elevation breaks a long-standing barrier in the civic body’s history. She further pointed out that Mumbai now has women occupying key leadership roles, including the Municipal Commissioner, the Mayor, and the Leader of Opposition, all of whom have demonstrated their capabilities in public life.

Bhide’s appointment has thus been widely welcomed, with leaders expressing hope that her tenure will usher in a new phase of efficient and inclusive urban governance for Mumbai.