Kalyan: In a deeply alarming incident that has raised serious concerns over commuter safety on Mumbai’s suburban rail network, a 3-metre-long iron rod fell into a moving local train on the Kasara route during ongoing hill protection work, leading to the death of a passenger and injuries to another.

The incident occurred on April 22 between Khardi and Umbermali stations where protective netting work was underway along the hillside adjacent to the tracks. Authorities confirmed that railway officials have since been suspended while a criminal case has been registered against the contractor’s workers for alleged negligence.

The deceased has been identified as Eknath Thomre a resident of Mokhada in Palghar district, who was employed at a private company in Vashind. According to reports, Thomre was returning home with a friend and had boarded the Kasara-bound local train from Platform No. 1 at Vashind station at approximately 3:58 PM.

At around 4:35 PM, as the train was passing through the affected stretch, workers engaged in installing safety nets reportedly lost control of an iron rod measuring nearly three metres. The rod fell directly into the coach, striking Thomre on the head and eye, leaving him critically injured. Another passenger sustained injuries to the leg.

Following the incident, the train was briefly halted for inspection by the guard before resuming its journey. Upon arrival at Kasara station, Thomre was rushed to Shahapur sub-district hospital with the help of his friend and railway police. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later shifted to private hospitals in Dombivli and Thane, and subsequently admitted to KEM Hospital in Mumbai.

Despite medical efforts, Thomre succumbed to his injuries on April 27.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s brother, the Asangaon Railway Police have registered a case against the contractor’s workers under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertains to causing death by negligence.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage among daily commuters, with many questioning the lack of adequate safety protocols during maintenance work on active railway lines. The railway administration’s response suspending concerned officials has done little to quell public concern, as demands grow louder for stricter oversight and accountability in infrastructure projects carried out near operational tracks.

Mumbai: A huge cache of cocaine has been seized in the country’s financial capital Navi Mumbai. The Narcotics Control Bureau team acted on a tip-off. 349 kg of cocaine was seized. The estimated market value of the cocaine seized by the NCB is Rs 1775 crore. Where did such a huge cache of drugs come from? Who brought it? Where was it going? This is the subject of investigation. The NCB team is also shocked by the seizure of such a huge cache of cocaine. The NCB has claimed to have exposed an international drug racket with the seizure of cocaine. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated the NCB for this operation.

Amit Shah has posted about this success of the NCB on X. He has expressed his determination to continue strict action against drug trafficking. He wrote on X that the NCB carried out a major operation in Navi Mumbai. 349 kg of high-grade cocaine was seized, the international market value of which is Rs 1745 crore. The operation is an example of the agency’s bottom-up approach. He said the government is committed to rooting out drug peddlers.

Arrested from Padmavati Royals Society

Earlier, the Mumbai Police had arrested a former bar dancer in a major operation against drug trafficking. The police seized 5,000 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets from the accused, worth about Rs 6 crore. The arrested woman has been identified as Ashwini Pal. The accused woman is based in Pune. She could be a key link in a major drug racket spread across Mumbai and Maharashtra. The police arrested Ashwini from Padmavati Royals Society in Tatwala. During the raid, the police seized five mobile phones and eight SIM cards. Initial investigations have revealed that Ashwini entered the drug business after her husband went to jail.

200 tablets were recovered from her
According to the information given by the police, Ashwini came to Mumbai in 2012 and started working in a dance bar. Over time, she started supplying drugs at parties. Gradually, her network spread to other cities in Maharashtra including Mumbai, especially college-going kids were on her radar. She used to charge Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for a pill. In this case, the police had arrested two accused, Irfan Ansari and Sufyan, from Sakinaka area. 200 pills were recovered from them. Based on the information given by them, the police
International drug racket busted in Navi Mumbai, NCB seizes Rs 1,745 crore.

As per the directions of the Union Home Minister to break the financial backbone of Mumbai drug smugglers, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has achieved a major breakthrough. The competent authority and administrator in Mumbai under SAFEMA and NDPS Act have confirmed the freezing/attachment of several properties. These properties include 5 bank accounts, 1 immovable property, cash, jewellery, and 2 vehicles, totaling Rs 3,78,24,124. These properties belong to Danish M and his key accomplice, Hina S, an accused in a major drug smuggling case. The case pertains to the seizure of 502 grams of Mephedrone from a carrier named Nitin Ji in Pune on November 18, 2025. Subsequent operations led to the recovery of 839 grams of Mephedrone from the house of Hina S, and his accomplice, M.Z. Sheikh, was also arrested in September 2025. Danish M and Hina S later changed locations and absconded. However, based on close surveillance and intelligence, he was identified at a resort in Goa, from where he was arrested in October 2025. Furthermore, another key associate Sheikh alias Danish Pappi, who was working as a drug distributor in Byculla, Dongri and Nagpada, was arrested on 25 April 2026 while entering Mumbai. The NCB is committed to completely dismantle the drug trafficking network through seizures, arrests, financial investigations and legal action under a comprehensive, 360-degree investigative strategy. Further investigation of the case is underway, and other financial links are also being probed. This action reflects the full commitment of the NCB to dismantle drug trafficking networks and seize their illicit assets. NCB is dedicated to creating awareness along with strict law enforcement in line with the vision of the Government of India of a “Drug-Free India”. NCB has appealed to the citizens to cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking. Anyone can share information related to drug trafficking on MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline (Toll-Free No.: 1933). The identity of the informant will be kept confidential.