Mumbai: The special court for the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), hearing the cases against incarcerated gangster Chhota Rajan, has refused to grant him bail in a 2005 case of recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. The court noted that the trial would be over in a few months, and at this juncture, his request cannot be considered.

As per the prosecution, Rajan and his close aide Bharat Nepali had imported a container consisting of 27 drums of grease from Bangkok, and one of them was found to conceal 34 revolvers, three pistols, a silencer, and 1,283 live cartridges. This came to light with the arrest of Nepali’s henchman Mukund Patel, who on May 21, 2005, was found with a revolver with two live rounds in the vicinity of Lata Bar and restaurant near Kandivali (W) railway station.

During interrogation about the source, he had revealed it was part of the consignment ordered by Rajan and Nepali. Later, Patel guided the investigating team to the Nhava Sheva Port, where the drum with the weapons was. It was revealed that the consign – ment had reached Mumbai on May 18, 2005, and the same was also cleared by Customs officers.

While seeking bail, Rajan’s lawyer contended that he had been falsely implicated and that he had already suffered incarceration of nearly 10 years after his arrest in the case in November 2015. The plea was opposed by the prosecution on the ground that there is enough evidence against Rajan. He contended that the officer who had interrogated Rajan had identified his voice in an intercepted audio recorded in September 2005.

Dhule, Maharashtra: The case of recovery of crores of rupees in cash from room number 102 of the government rest house in the district has created a stir in political circles. In this case, the police have registered a case against three people including Kishor Patil, personal assistant (PA) of Panchayat Raj Samiti President Arjun Khotkar.

According to sources, the police raided the government rest house located in the heart of Dhule city on the basis of secret information.

During the search, a huge amount of cash was recovered from room number 102, the estimated value of which is being told in crores. The police suspect that this amount was brought for political use or illegal transactions before the municipal elections.

On the basis of the investigation so far, the police have registered a case under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act against Kishor Patil, considered close to Arjun Khotkar, and two other persons – whose identity has been kept confidential for the time being.

Giving information to the media, Dhule Superintendent of Police said, “The matter is being investigated in depth. The legal validity of the recovered amount, its source and what it was going to be used for – is being investigated. The interrogation of the accused is going on and if needed, other people will also be brought under the ambit of interrogation.” Meanwhile, this matter has created a stir in the political corridors. The opposition has lodged a strong protest calling it a case of “black money” of the ruling party. At the same time, no official response has come from Arjun Khotkar so far. Further action: At present, the police have seized the cash and the process of sending it for forensic investigation has been started. The interrogation of accused Kishore Patil and two other persons is going on. The police is also trying to find out on whose instructions and for what purpose this cash was brought to the rest house.

Mumbai, May 30, 2025: In a significant administrative move, the Mumbai Police Establishment Board has ordered the transfer of several Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), following a meeting held on April 30, 2025. The reshuffle aims to enhance operational efficiency and streamline law enforcement across the city.

Part A: Internal Transfers within Mumbai Police

1. Krishna Kant Upadhyay, previously in charge of Headquarters-1, has been transferred to serve as DCP, Zone 3.
2. Dattakishan Salgar, who was with the Prohibition and Narcotics Branch, will now head Zone 10.
3. Mahesh Bhanushali Chimte, earlier in charge of Protection, has been posted to Zone 11.
4. Narayana Dakhale, who was posted in Zone 6, will now lead the Special Crime Branch.
5. Vijaykant Namdev Samar, transferred from Zone 7, has been appointed as Port Police DCP.
6. Prashant Ashokdas Pardeshi, previously responsible for Mantralaya Security, has been posted to Traffic (South).
7. Ninit Gokhale will now serve in the Special Force Unit (Anti-Naxal Operation).
8. Vikas Kavade, from Zone 9, has been transferred to Special Branch-2.
9. Purushottam Ramrao Kale, formerly with Crime Branch-1, is now posted to the Andheri Crime Branch.
10. Salim Bh. Gulate, previously in Zone 10, will now serve as DCP (Crime Branch, General).

Part B: Transfers from Outside Mumbai to Mumbai

1. Sameer Arshad Shaikh, Police Officer from Satara (transferred on 23/04/2025), has been posted as DCP, Zone 6.
2. Rakesh Aol, Police Officer from Akola (transferred on 26/04/2025), has been posted as DCP, Zone 7.
3. Raj Tilak Roshan, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Maharashtra State, Mumbai (transferred on 27/04/2025), has been posted to the Disclosure Department.

All newly appointed officers have been instructed to take charge immediately and confirm their joining with the Senior Administration Office (PS-3). This major reshuffle is expected to bring fresh leadership to crucial zones and departments within Mumbai Police and is seen as a step toward strengthening the city’s law and order mechanisms.