Mumbai: Mumbai’s political circles were left stunned on Thursday after senior Shinde camp leader Ramdas Kadam made an explosive allegation during the faction’s Dussehra rally at NESCO Centre in Goregaon. While much attention was on the speeches of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray at their respective rallies, it was Kadam who stole the spotlight with a sensational claim linked to the death of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Kadam alleged that after Balasaheb’s death in 2012, his body was kept at Matoshree for two days to take fingerprints. The senior leader went a step further by questioning the circumstances of Balasaheb’s final days and his will. “Why was Balasaheb’s body kept for two days? What was happening inside? People said handprints were taken, for what purpose? When was his will prepared and who signed it? All these details must come out,” Kadam demanded.

Speaking to the media after the rally, Kadam reiterated the claim, saying, “Balasaheb’s death took place two days earlier, but his body was kept inside Matoshree for taking hand impressions. This is what the doctors who treated him had told me. Even inside Matoshree, people were discussing it.”

When asked who gave him the information, Kadam responded, “I was told directly by Dr Parker, who was treating Balasaheb at that time. There was talk at Matoshree too. This is just the beginning, a lot more will come out if they keep targeting us. If my son is attacked politically, I will reveal everything step by step.”

Kadam further accused Uddhav Thackeray of acting out of vengeance and targeting his son, Yogesh Kadam. “You are asking for my son’s resignation, singling him out. I spent 55 years at Matoshree. I know how many times you packed your bags to leave. We built Shiv Sena, not Uddhav Thackeray,” he said, adding, “This is revenge politics.”

His comments have sparked sharp debate in political circles, with many describing them as the most sensational claim made in recent years regarding Balasaheb’s death. While the Shinde camp remained silent on Kadam’s remarks, the Uddhav-led Sena UBT is expected to respond strongly in the coming days.

New Delhi, Oct 3: In a swift rescue operation, Delhi Police on Friday successfully rescued a 7-year-old boy kidnapped from the national capital and taken to Haryana.

According to the press release issued by Vikaspuri Police Station, the child was abducted by a man identified as Ajay Verma, a former live-in partner of the boy’s mother, who allegedly used the child as leverage to force her to return to him.

The dramatic incident unfolded on September 28, when the mother filed a complaint at Vikaspuri Police Station, reporting that her son hadn’t returned home from school the previous day. She suspected Ajay Verma, a resident of Hansi, Haryana, with whom she once shared a live-in relationship, of having kidnapped the boy. The motive soon became chillingly clear: Verma was attempting to blackmail the complainant into resuming their relationship.

Under the overall supervision of Garima Tiwari, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tilak Nagar, a dedicated team was formed under Inspector Rajveer Singh, SHO Vikaspuri, and led by Inspector Deepak Dahiya, with SI Sandeep Yadav spearheading the investigation. An FIR (No. 349/25 under sections 137(2)/140 BNS) was swiftly registered.

Acting with urgency, the team combed through CCTV footage around the school and identified two individuals abducting the child on a motorcycle. Despite Verma repeatedly switching off his mobile phone to evade detection, the police team employed advanced surveillance techniques and social media tracking to follow his digital trail.

After intensive efforts, a breakthrough came when Verma’s associate, Ajay (a resident of Vikaspuri), was traced. It was discovered that Verma had contacted him via Instagram to arrange a pistol. His interrogation led police to a farmhouse in Hansi, Haryana, where Verma was hiding with the kidnapped child and two other associates.

A sub-team that had already been deployed in Hansi for three days sprang into action and rescued the child unharmed. The accused, including Verma, were arrested on-site. Simultaneously, Ajay (from Delhi) was nabbed, and a country-made pistol was recovered from his residence, leading to a separate case under the Arms Act.

The four accused arrested are: Ajay Verma, 24, the main accused, a graduate, who is a mobile repair technician in Hansi, with no previous criminal history.

Another accused, Amit, 18, a tent worker from Hisar, provided shelter to Verma post-kidnapping.

Sachin, 20, a factory worker, gave shelter to the accused; he has a previous Arms Act case registered against him.

Ajay (Delhi), 20, a sweeper, drove the kidnappers to Hansi on his bike and returned alone.

Police revealed that Verma had become obsessively possessive during his past relationship with the complainant. After she left him due to his abusive and suspicious behaviour, he hatched a plan to kidnap her son and pressure her into returning. Threat messages sent to the mother suggested he might harm the child if she didn’t comply.

In a commendable operation that spanned Delhi and Haryana, the Delhi Police cracked the case within days, rescued the child safely, and dismantled what appeared to be a nascent kidnapping syndicate. The recovery of an illegal weapon and the arrest of all accused have sent a strong message to criminal elements.

A team, which was already present in Hansi for three days, was sent to the location, and Ajay Verma was located in the farm of District Hansi with the kidnapped child and two of his associates. The child was rescued unharmed, and the accused were placed under arrest.

The successful recovery of the kidnapped child within a short span, coupled with the arrest of all conspirators and the seizure of an illegal weapon, has not only restored the faith of the community in the police force but also delivered a strong message against anti-social elements.

Mumbai: The Malad police have arrested singer Vipul Chheda, 37, for allegedly cheating a jeweller of Rs 5.41 lakh. Absconding for a month, Vipul was caught on September 25.

The singer, who runs Dharma Associates, bought a diamond bracelet from Saisiddhi Jewellers in Borivali West through marketing assistant Rima Chheda, who earns commissions by referring customers. On April 22, Vipul asked Rima to bring the bracelets near Malad’s Bata showroom. He bought one bracelet and issued a cheque, which bounced. He neither paid nor returned the bracelet.