Mumbai: In a shocking incident, the Customs Department arrested an Indian passenger at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday after finding 61 rare wild animals hidden inside his luggage. The passenger had arrived from Bangkok, officials confirmed.

According to Customs officials, the man’s behaviour appeared suspicious, prompting a detailed luggage check. To their surprise, they discovered several live wild animals packed inside. All 61 animals were immediately rescued and handed over to the Rescue Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAW) for treatment and care.

Officials said the seized animals included several endangered species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Among them were black and white tegus, cuscus, central bearded dragons, and Honduran milk snakes. The animals are now being nursed back to health and will be sent to their countries of origin.

The Wildlife Crime Control Cell has been informed, and an investigation is underway to find out how the animals were obtained and what their intended purpose was. The arrested passenger faces charges under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

RAW Director Pawan Sharma said Thailand has become a hub for wildlife trafficking because it is home to many exotic animal species, and the trade of such animals is legal there. He added that direct and affordable flights from Bangkok make it easier for smugglers to attempt bringing such wildlife into India.

Wildlife trafficking is considered a serious crime in India. It involves capturing, selling, or transporting wild animals and birds illegally across borders. These animals are often kept hidden in cramped spaces, leading to severe suffering and, in many cases, death.

Mumbai: The DB Marg Police have arrested Channa Begum Shaikh alias Roja (38), a woman accused in a 2013 case registered under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Roja had been absconding for the past 12 years.

The Sessions Court had recently issued a standing non-bailable warrant against Roja, directing the DB Marg Police to trace and arrest her. Acting on confidential information, the police learned she was working at a cosmetic shop in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.

A team led by PSI Azeem Shaikh conducted technical surveillance, traced her mobile number, analyzed CDR records, and identified her frequent contacts. Based on the findings, the DB Marg Police, with local police assistance, tracked and apprehended Roja from her workplace.

During questioning, Roja admitted to evading court appearances since 2013. Following Supreme Court guidelines, she was formally arrested and produced before the Kadapa court, which granted a five-day transit remand. She will be presented before the Sessions Court in Mumbai on October 11 for further remand proceedings.

The operation was carried out by the Wanted Fugitive Tracking Unit under the Girgum Division of Zone 2, Mumbai Police. Authorities commended the team’s persistence in capturing a fugitive who evaded law for over a decade.

Mumbai: A shocking incident has come to light from Worli, where a 48-year-old man was beaten to death by two brothers following a minor dispute between neighbours. The deceased has been identified as Hussain Mohammad Umar Shaikh, while the accused have been named as Yogesh Dheever (43) and Sameer Dheever (40).

According to the Worli Police, the incident occurred on the evening of October 10. Earlier that morning, Hussain had allegedly assaulted Yogesh’s daughter, which enraged the brothers. Later that evening, in a fit of anger, they confronted Hussain and attacked him.

Hussain lived in BDD Chawl No. 15 in Worli and worked as a mixer-grinder repairman. The accused, Yogesh, is employed as a ward boy at a reputed hospital, while his brother Sameer resides nearby in Chawl No. 14.

The argument between the two sides quickly escalated into a violent altercation. Both brothers severely assaulted Hussain, causing him to collapse and lose consciousness. His brother, Hasan Shaikh, along with neighbours, rushed him to Nair Hospital, where doctors declared him dead before admission.

Based on a complaint filed by Hasan Shaikh, the Worli Police registered an FIR under sections 103(1), 115(2), 117(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police arrested both accused — Yogesh and Sameer Dheever and produced them before the court, which remanded them to police custody till October 14.

A senior police officer from Worli Police Station stated that the incident stemmed from a personal dispute. Preliminary investigations suggest that the assault was triggered by sudden provocation, and further investigation is underway.