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Actor abduction case dominates Thrikkakara bypoll

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With just a week left for the crucial bypoll to Kerala’s Thrikkakara Assembly constituency, the 2017 actress abduction case has taken a center stage pushing back the K-Rail issue which dominated the campaigning till now.

On Monday, the assault victim sought Kerala High Court’s intervention following speculations that the case might be swept under the carpet. She also accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of helping the accused actor Dileep and his aides.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan alleged that some CPI-M leaders were playing games to bail out the guilty.

Accusing the CPI-M leaders of playing double game, Congress candidate Uma Thomas said their talks about concern for women’s safety was nothing but a “sham”.

“I remember P.T.Thomas (her husband and two time Congress legislator from Thrikkakara who passed away in December last year) telling me that in all likelihood this case will not reach anywhere and eventually swept under the carpet. I am sure every voter in my constituency is keenly following the sudden turn of events in this case and this will be in their minds,” said Uma.

As per the Congress, after the crime, when the victim reached actor, producer, director Lal’s house, Thomas also rushed there and consoled the actress. Police was called in leading to the arrest of the accused who harassed her in a moving car which went around the city. Later, Dileep, who is the eighth accused and now out on bail, was also arrested.

Recently, at her first public function after the incident, the survivor was a surprise ‘chief guest’ for the distribution of the Kerala State Film awards where Vijayan was also present.

The social media went ga-ga over the incident showering praises on the Vijayan government for bringing the victim to the forefront.

But now after her petition, while the Congress-led UDF is raking it up, the CPI-M top brass appears to have gone defensive.

Responding to it, E.P.Jayarajan, the Left convenor manning the by-election, slammed the Congress.

“The Congress-led UDF is known for raking up dirty allegations during election time. Everyone knows which political party is helping whom,” said Jayarajan, adding that no one has a doubt on the position of the Left towards women’s issues.

State Law Minister P.Rajeev, another livewire at the election campaign, tried to downplay the fears raised by the victim.

“I am yet to ascertain the facts as to why she did this. Moreover, with the case being sub judice, one cannot comment in detail,” said Rajeev.

In her petition, the survivor alleged that there was a massive political intervention when the Crime Branch team is set to submit its final report on May 30 for further investigation.

She expressed deep concern that though Dileep was arrested in 2017, but things now appear to have turned topsy-turvy. Since she has no other way of getting justice, she is approaching the High Court.

The woman suffered a jolt last month when the chief of the Crime Branch DGP S.Sreejith was moved out and replaced with a new officer. The move has been attributed to Vijayan’s new political advisor P. Sasi.

Crime

Mumbai: Mulund Gym Owner, Trainer Booked For Cheating 205 Members Of ₹20 Lakh After Sudden Shutdown

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Mumbai: Police registered a case against the owner and a trainer of a gym in Mulund East for allegedly cheating over 200 members by abruptly shutting down the facility after collecting annual subscription fees amounting to more than Rs 20 lakh. The case came to light after several members complained that the gym closed without notice and their money was not refunded.

According to police officials, the accused have been identified as Swapnil Nigot, the owner, and Salokhe, a trainer who was managing the facility. The duo allegedly collected approximately Rs 20.05 lakh from 205 members before shutting down Flexfit Gymnasium, located near Hanuman Chowk in Mulund East.

Police stated Nigot had rented the premises and started Flexfit Gymnasium in February 2024. A few months later, in July 2024, the gym’s operations were handed over to Salokhe, who began managing day-to-day activities. The accused allegedly attracted customers by offering heavily discounted annual membership plans, assuring them of long-term access to the facility.

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Nilesh Nandre (53), one of the gym’s members. In his statement to the police, Nandre said he visited Flexfit Gymnasium in May 2025 while searching for a fitness centre in the area. During his visit, he met Salokhe, who offered him an annual membership for Rs 10,000, which appeared to be a lucrative deal compared to prevailing market rates.

After enrolling, Nandre recommended the gym and its discounted scheme to several of his friends and acquaintances. Many of them also signed up for annual memberships and paid the required fees. The members were able to use the gym facilities for around two months without any issues.

However, on August 9, members were suddenly informed that the gym would be temporarily shut. The management reportedly told them that there was a dispute with the property owner and assured them that the issue would be resolved within two to three days. Despite these assurances, the situation did not improve.

The accused had failed to pay the rent for the premises, following which the landlord locked the gym, leading to its abrupt closure, confirmed police. When members repeatedly contacted the management seeking refunds of their subscription amounts, they allegedly received no response.

With no refunds forthcoming and the gym remaining shut, Nandre approached the police, prompting an investigation. Based on preliminary findings, a case has been registered against Nigot and Salokhe under Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to the report. Further investigation is underway.

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Crime

Delhi Police intensify search for YouTuber Salman in Turkman Gate stone-pelting case

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New Delhi, Jan 8: Delhi Police on Thursday intensified its search for YouTuber Salman in connection with the violence that erupted during the Municipal Corporation’s demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area.

According to police sources, Salman allegedly attempted to disrupt peace by using social media platforms. He is accused of calling upon locals to gather at the site during the demolition drive.

The investigation has also revealed that some influential people in the area allegedly incited residents to assemble through their respective WhatsApp groups. Police said their objective was to create unrest and obstruct the work of the administration and law enforcement agencies during the operation.

Meanwhile, an anti-encroachment drive is underway near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque at Turkman Gate. Debris is being cleared from the site, and peace is being maintained in the area. Security forces are deployed to ensure order during the operation.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Police said they have identified 30 people involved in the violence that erupted during the municipal corporation’s demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area. The identification was made on the basis of CCTV footage, body-worn camera recordings of police personnel, and several viral videos from the area.

Police officials said a summons will soon be sent to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi to join the investigation, as he was allegedly present at the site before the violence broke out.

According to Delhi Police, senior officials had requested the MP to stay away from the immediate vicinity, but he continued to remain near the area before the incident.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have till now arrested five people in connection with the stone pelting incident during the demolition drive near the mosque. Several police teams have been formed, and raids are being conducted to take the identified individuals into custody.

The copy of FIR, accessed by Media, documented the sequence of events, right from barricading of the encroached land to provocative slogans by locals and then hurling of stones at the policemen, even as the latter tried to explain to them that the demolition drive was limited to illegal constructions and freeing of illegally occupied government land.

According to the FIR, the unrest occurred at 12.40 a.m. when the policemen started barricading the area. A group of 30-35 people gathered at the spot and started shouting slogans, hindering cops from blockading the area.

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Crime

Mumbai Crime: Oshiwara Police Arrest Habitual Thief, Recover Stolen Valuables Worth ₹1.26 Crore

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Mumbai: The Oshiwara Police have arrested a habitual offender involved in a major housebreaking case and successfully recovered stolen property worth ₹1,26,10,450.

According to police officials, between 11:00 pm on December 29, 2025, and 7:30 am on December 30, 2025, an unidentified person gained entry through the bathroom window of a bungalow (No. 15, Magnum Tower, Bank Road, 2nd Cross Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri West). The accused broke into the complainant’s cupboard and stole a safe containing gold, diamond and silver ornaments along with cash altogether valued at approximately ₹1,37,20,000.

Based on the complaint, Oshiwara Police registered an FIR  on December 30, 2025, under sections 331(4) and 305(A) of BNS. Following the registration of the case, the Senior Police Inspector, Crime Detection Officer and the police team visited the crime scene and conducted a detailed inspection.

Even without knowing the suspect’s residence, officers skillfully gathered intelligence. Sub-Inspector Vikas Kadam and his team laid a trap in the locality where the accused was suspected to be hiding and kept watch for two days. The suspect finally appeared, and on January 3, 2026, the team detained him for interrogation.

During questioning, the accused confessed that he had kept the stolen valuables at his residence and some with a jeweller. Acting promptly, the police recovered stolen diamond, gold and silver ornaments valued at ₹1,26,10,450.

Further investigation revealed that the arrested accused has a criminal history with 14 previous cases registered against him. Police officials also stated that more cases from Oshiwara Police Station and other police jurisdictions are likely to be detected during further interrogation.

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