Mumbai: (By Kamar Ansari) In a major reshuffle within the Maharashtra Police, senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, whose life inspired the Bollywood film 12th Fail, has been appointed as the new Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Mumbai.

Sharma, a 2005-batch IPS officer, has previously served as DCP Zone-1 and Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) in Mumbai. He has also served with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). His appointment is being seen as a significant move in strengthening Mumbai’s law and order administration.

In another key transfer, Anil Kumbhare, who was serving as Joint CP (Traffic), has been appointed as the new Joint Commissioner of Police of the Crime Branch, Mumbai.

Senior IPS officer Rajesh Pradhan of the 2003 batch will now head the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Mumbai.

Meanwhile, 2004-batch IPS officer Sussairaj Jayakumar, who was serving as Joint CP (Administration), Mumbai, has been appointed as the new Special Inspector General of Force-1, Maharashtra. Jayakumar has earlier served in Mumbai Police as DCP, Additional CP and Joint CP, and began his policing career as ASP in Malegaon.

Another senior officer, Satya Narayan Chaudhary, who was serving as Joint CP (Law and Order), has now been transferred as Joint CP (Traffic), Mumbai.

Additionally, 2004-batch IPS officer Pravin Padwal, who was serving as IG (Training), has been appointed as Inspector General of Police, Nashik Range.

The reshuffle is considered an important administrative move aimed at strengthening policing, crime control, traffic management and internal administration across Mumbai and Maharashtra Police departments.

Vasai, May 15: In a shocking incident on Wednesday evening, a 21-year-old woman was the victim of a life-threatening knife attack near the Vasai Fort area. The attack, reportedly fuelled by a dispute over a friendship, has left the young woman seriously injured and undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The Vasai police have registered a case of attempted murder against the accused.

The victim has been identified as Answita Donald Patil (21). The incident took place around 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday near the Datta Mandir Road area, adjacent to the historic Vasai Fort.

According to police reports, the accused, Sanchit Dominic Bala (23), allegedly harboured deep resentment regarding Answita’s friendship with another youth, Rohit Kapi.

Sanchit intercepted Answita while she was in the fort vicinity. Following a heated confrontation, the accused allegedly threatened her before slashing her neck with a knife in a fit of rage. The victim sustained severe injuries and was rushed to hospital by locals.

The brutal nature of the attack in a popular public spot has sent shockwaves throughout the locality. Following the assault, the accused fled the scene.

Upon receiving information, the Vasai police immediately formed investigation teams to track him down.

“We have registered a case under the relevant sections for attempted murder. Our teams were dispatched immediately to apprehend the suspect,” stated a police official involved in the case.

The police are currently recording statements from witnesses and checking CCTV footage from the surrounding area to strengthen the case. Answita remains under medical supervision, and her condition is being closely monitored.

A fire broke out at Annex Mall in Mumbai’s Borivali East area on Friday afternoon, triggering panic among shoppers and locals in the busy commercial neighbourhood near the Western Express Highway.

According to officials, the incident was reported at around 2.03 pm, following which teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot and immediately began firefighting operations.

The blaze reportedly erupted inside a hotel located on the first floor of the shopping complex situated in Siddhartha Nagar. Within minutes, thick smoke was seen billowing from a section of the building, prompting concern among visitors and nearby residents.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade declared it a Level I fire at around 2.07 pm. Multiple fire engines and emergency response teams were deployed to prevent the flames from spreading further inside the mall premises.

Police personnel and ward officials also reached the location to assist with crowd management and ensure safety around the area.

The incident led to traffic congestion near the Western Express Highway stretch adjoining the mall as emergency vehicles occupied a part of the road during the operation.

Shoppers and staff members were seen rushing out of the complex after the fire alarm and smoke created panic inside the premises. However, officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties had been reported till the latest update.

Authorities said the exact cause of the fire remains unclear at present. A detailed inspection is expected to be carried out once the blaze is completely brought under control.

Officials stated that further details regarding the extent of damage and the source of the fire would be known after the investigation.