Thane: The issue of missing children in Bhiwandi has escalated significantly, leading to heightened public concern. Over the past six months, 142 children, comprising 47 boys and 95 girls, have vanished from the area. In response, the Bhiwandi police have undertaken extensive investigations and successfully located 126 of these missing children, reuniting them with their families.

The increase in missing minors has created numerous challenges for local law enforcement. The police, faced with this alarming rise, registered kidnapping cases and employed technical tools and CCTV surveillance to assist in their search. Investigation findings suggest that many children left home for various reasons, including familial disputes, deceptive romantic promises, and academic pressure.

A significant number of the missing girls were reportedly lured into relationships, resulting in their abduction to other states. The police collaborated with other state forces to locate and rescue these individuals. Anecdotal evidence indicates that external pressures from parental expectations and romantic pursuits often contribute to children’s decisions to leave home. The Supreme Court’s directives to classify these incidents as kidnappings have led to a more accurate record of these cases, making the issue more visible.

The data shows a worrying trend, particularly in the months following school exam results, where children often flee due to academic disappointment or parental anger. The situation has prompted increased anxiety among parents, particularly in a densely populated city like Bhiwandi. Between January and June, 142 minors went missing, with 44 boys and 82 girls successfully traced; however, as of now, 16 children remain unaccounted for.

In Bhiwandi, police stations have established specialized teams to find missing minors, achieving a remarkable 90% success rate in investigations. Recovered children receive counseling before being reunited with families. Some investigations uncover physical abuse, leading to charges under the POCSO Act.

A recent case of a 14-year-old girl abducted in Narpoli emphasizes these issues, as her mother reported an unidentified suspect. Mental health professionals, like Dr. Vijay Teli, stress the importance of improved parent-child communication, especially amidst digital distractions. Parents are urged to engage more with their children to prevent disappearances and provide emotional support while guiding them through adolescent challenges.

Navi Mumbai: In Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the CBI has arrested Krishna Kumar, a senior Customs officer, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10.2 lakh. Kumar, who served as superintendent at Sahar Air Cargo, was apprehended after evading the CBI for about an hour. He reportedly had established a ‘rate card’ for clearing goods and, leveraging his connections with the R&I wing of the Customs, had been halting shipments until he received compensation.

After stalling a firm’s goods, Kumar sent an anonymous email demanding a bribe to release the shipments, claiming that most of the bribe would be shared with senior officials. Following his arrest, he was placed in CBI custody until 6 August for further investigation into the R&I wing’s involvement in the case.

The CBI’s investigation stemmed from complaints alleging that Kumar and other unnamed officers were soliciting bribes at a rate of Rs 10 per kilogram of imported goods, despite the legality of the cargo. One firm owner, pressured by Kumar, sought assistance from the CBI after his goods were deliberately withheld despite having all necessary documents.

The CBI set up a trap, recording conversations between 25 July and 1 August, revealing Kumar’s demands for bribes amounting to Rs 6 lakh for previously cleared goods and Rs 10 lakh for current imports. During this time, he stated that he would only retain Rs 20,000 from the bribe, with the remainder destined for his superiors.

On the day of the arrest, Kumar met the complainant outside his colony, accepted the bribe in his vehicle, and attempted to evade capture by speeding through the area. However, he grew suspicious, discarded a bag containing the money near a dustbin, and was subsequently apprehended by CBI officers, leading to a scene of public commotion. The investigation now focuses on Kumar and the involvement of other Customs officials in this bribery scheme.

Mumbai: A 40-year-old man has been arrested by Bandra Police for allegedly raping and impregnating his wife’s minor sister. His wife was also taken into custody for trying to hide the crime and for assisting in the minor’s delivery at home. The case came to light after the girl was admitted to the hospital.

According to the police, the teenage girl lived with her elder sister and brother-in-law in the same house. In her official statement, the minor alleged that her brother-in-law had raped her multiple times between March 2024 and July 2025. When she informed her elder sister about the pregnancy, she allegedly threatened her and did not allow her to seek help.

To cover up her husband’s crime, the elder sister did not let the minor girl visit a doctor or go out for any medical treatment. She conducted the girl’s delivery at home. However, when the girl’s condition worsened, she was rushed to Bhabha Hospital, where medical staff alerted the authorities, as reported.

A police official said, “After the minor’s condition stabilised, we recorded her statement. Based on her account, we booked her brother-in-law and her elder sister. Both were later arrested.” The victim and her baby are currently admitted to the hospital and are said to be in stable condition, according to police.

According to the report, the Bandra police have arrested the man and his wife under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape and issuing threats.

The police have also charged the victim’s elder sister with concealing information about the offence, causing the disappearance of evidence, and threatening the teenager. The victim gave birth to the baby at the hospital, and both are currently in stable condition.