Maharashtra
Mumbai: 2016 Kurla Fire Incident Victims Being Discriminated Against In Compensation, Say Activists In Letter To Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: Activists have alleged that the victims of a tragic fire incident at Kurla’s Hotel City Kinara in 2016 are being discriminated for compensation by the Maharashtra government. After the state government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the kins of deceased victims of the recent Chembur slum fire, activists have written to the chief minister for similar compensation to the victims of Kurla fire.
In a devastating fire incident on the early Sunday morning, seven members of a family, including three children, lost their lives after a blaze engulfed a shop and its adjoining residential area in Chembur (E)’s Siddharth Colony. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had visited the location and announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and also assured a high-level investigation to identify the cause of the fire.
About The Incident
However, activists have alleged that the government has discriminated against the victims of a similar tragic fire incident in Kurla in 2016. In October 2016, seven college students and one elderly individual had lost their lives in a tragic fire at Hotel City Kinara in Kurla. Initially, no compensation was offered by the state government but after the Watchdog Foundation filed a complaint before the Lokayukta, the state government had issued a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh per person, following the Lokayukta’s directive.
On Monday, activists from the Watchdog Foundation wrote to CM Shinde requesting to address the discrepancy in compensation. The letter raised concern alleging that majority of the victim students were from minority communities and that may have influenced the unequal treatment in compensation.
“In the spirit of fairness and justice, we urge you to consider increasing the compensation provided to the families of the victims of the Hotel City Kinara fire, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of community or background, are treated with equal compassion and support in the face of such tragedies. We trust that your office will take swift and fair action,” said Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of Watchdog Foundation, in the letter.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti worshipped weapons on Dussehra Vijayadashmi

Mumbai: On the occasion of Dussehra, weapons and ammunition were worshipped at Mumbai Police today by Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. Devin Bharti was accompanied by Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Jaikumar, Additional Commissioner Vanita Sahu, DCP (Zone LV) Ragasudha R, DCP (LA-Naigaon) Anand Bhute and other senior officers. Weapons and ammunition were also worshipped at various police stations in Mumbai on Dussehra. In Mumbai city, the police had made strict security arrangements in view of Dussehra, along with which the police had also made arrangements for the immersion of Durga Devi. The Mumbai Police Commissioner has shared the pictures of the weapons worship on his X account after the weapons worship. The weapons worship ceremony was held in Naigaon. After the puja pot, the puja process was completed by placing flowers on the hands.
Crime
Mumbai: EOW Initiates Enquiry Into ₹325 Crore Shipping & Logistics Scam

Mumbai: A massive corporate fraud of over ₹325 crore has come to light in Mumbai’s shipping and logistics sector. Vishal Mehta, Director of Rushabh Sealink & Logistics Pvt. Ltd., has filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police, prompting a detailed Preliminary Enquiry.
According to sources, Mehta’s complaint accuses ALX Shipping Agencies India Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Allcargo Logistics Ltd.), Dubai-based Aladdin Express DMCC, and OEL Express India Pvt. Ltd. of orchestrating the fraud. The complaint alleges that these companies lured him into ship operations with promises of guaranteed profits. Initial transactions appeared genuine, but later, crores of rupees were siphoned off under the guise of new deals.
Major Scam Linked to Ships ‘Leela Mombasa’ and ‘XXH-2’ : The largest fraud is linked to shipments on Leela Mombasa and XXH-2. The Leela Mombasa was scheduled to dock at Nhava Sheva on August 1, 2025, but instead arrived late on August 13 and was diverted to Oman instead of Djibouti, carrying cargo worth ₹130 crore. Meanwhile, on August 26, Mehta was allegedly extorted for USD 1 million (approx. ₹8.3 crore).
The accused reportedly claimed they lacked funds to move the ships further. Despite payments, the vessels failed to reach on time. Leela Mombasa only arrived at Djibouti on September 15, while XXH-2 was diverted from Jeddah to Karachi and held for 10 days. Adding to the fraud, security cheques issued by ALX and OEL Express bounced—one due to insufficient funds and another due to signature mismatch.
As a result, goods worth over ₹290 crore remain under the accused’s control, causing heavy losses to exporters. Calling it a “well-planned corporate conspiracy,” Mehta alleged that both Indian and foreign company executives were involved. The complaint specifically names ALX Shipping Agencies India Pvt. Ltd., Allcargo Logistics Ltd., Aladdin Express DMCC, and OEL Express India Pvt. Ltd., along with senior representatives including Sandeep Bakshi, Ravi Jakhar, Vikas Khan, Ali Khan, Wing Kit Tsoi (Mr. Andy), Abdullah, and Mohammed Rizwan Sheikh.
“This is not just about one company but about the credibility of India’s shipping and logistics industry,” Mehta said. “We have provided all evidence to the authorities. The involvement of international firms like Aladdin Express DMCC and stakeholders such as Allcargo Logistics, Hutchison Port, and Vikas Khan shows the global scale of the scam. We trust EOW and regulatory agencies will conduct a fair and transparent investigation.”
EOW officials confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been registered. All individuals and companies named in the complaint have been summoned with documents to record their statements.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: Kandivali Developer Booked In ₹4.07 Crore Cheating Case

Mumbai: The Kandivali police have registered a case of cheating worth ₹4.07 crore against a local developer, identified as Jayant Mehta, a resident of Samajdeep building, Bata Showroom Lane, Kandivali (West)..
According to the complaint lodged by Dinesh Dayalal Vadodaria (74), a real estate agent, the accused allegedly duped him by showing redevelopment documents of 11 rooms located at Shivmahal Building, Danvibhavan Chawl, Mathuradas Road, Kandivali (West). The accused assured the complainant of profitable returns if he financed the project.
Believing these assurances, Vadodaria invested ₹2.89 crore in cash and ₹1.18 crore via cheque, totaling ₹4.07 crore. However, neither the redevelopment project materialized nor did the complainant receive any returns, leading to the registration of the case.
The alleged fraud occurred at Mathuradas Road, White Arch Building, Kandivali (West). Police have booked the accused under relevant sections of cheating and fraud. Further investigation is underway.
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