Pune, Aug 26: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized suspected narcotic drugs valued at approximately Rs 3.41 crore and arrested a woman passenger at Pune Railway Junction in an intelligence-led operation.

Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI’s Pune Regional Unit, under the Mumbai Zonal Unit, intercepted an Indian woman passenger during the early hours of August 25. The passenger had travelled from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and was passing through Pune.

Following surveillance based on the intelligence input, DRI officers identified and intercepted the passenger at the railway junction. A detailed search of her baggage led to the recovery of 2,532 grams (gross weight) of a white/yellow-coloured crystalline substance suspected to be amphetamine. Officers also recovered 878 grams (gross weight) of tablets in different colours, suspected to contain 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

The total value of the seized substances has been estimated at approximately Rs 3.41 crore.

The suspected narcotic drugs were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The passenger was subsequently arrested, and further investigation is underway to determine the source of the drugs, their intended destination and other possible links in the trafficking network.

The seizure highlights the DRI’s continued focus on intelligence-based enforcement against the illicit smuggling and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, said officials.

According to officials, the operation also reinforces efforts to curb the illegal supply of drugs and support the Government’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, aimed at protecting public health and combating drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

Further investigation is underway, and more details may emerge.

MUMBAI, August 25, 2026: Legislative participation among Mumbai’s elected representatives has witnessed a sharp decline, with total questions raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly dropping by 72% compared to the 12th Assembly, according to the ‘Mumbai MLA Report Card 2026’ released by Praja Foundation.

The report evaluated the performance of 33 Mumbai MLAs across the Winter 2024 and Monsoon 2025 sessions based on session attendance, participation, quality of questions raised, and overall constitutional duties. Out of 33 MLAs, only three scored above 80%, with Indian National Congress representatives securing all top three positions.
Top Performing MLAs

Rank 1: Amin Patel (Congress) — Score: 82.89

Rank 2: Aslam Shaikh (Congress) — Score: 80.58

Rank 3: Jyoti Gaikwad (Congress) — Score: 80.30

Key Report Findings

Plunge in Legislative Inquiries: MLAs asked only 2,213 questions in the 15th Assembly (Winter 2024 – Monsoon 2025), down significantly from 7,955 questions in the 12th Assembly (Winter 2009 – Monsoon 2010).

Decline in Question Quality: The quality score of questions asked dropped from an average of 50% in the 12th Assembly to 33% in the 15th Assembly.

Fewer Working Days: In its first year, the 15th Assembly met for only 40 working days, compared to 47 days in the 12th Assembly and 50 days in the 13th Assembly.

Stagnant Overall Scores: The overall average performance score of legislators fell from 61 in the 12th Assembly to 54 in the 14th Assembly, before slightly recovering to 55 in the 15th Assembly.

Aging Representatives: The average age of Mumbai MLAs has progressively increased over time, moving from 52 years (12th Assembly) and 51 years (13th Assembly) to 53 years (14th Assembly) and now 57 years in the 15th Assembly.

Concerns Over Democratic Accountability
Addressing the findings, Milind Mhaske, CEO of Praja Foundation, stated that performance metrics reflect whether citizens’ concerns are reaching the house floor. While top performers demonstrated strong engagement, the overall stagnating scores highlight significant gaps in representation.

Asif Khan, Manager at Praja Foundation, warned that shorter session durations and fewer quality questions deprive citizens of a critical mechanism to hold the government accountable.

Police have claimed to have arrested a fanatic youth who threw eggs during a Ganpati procession in Mazgaon, Mumbai. On the night of August 23, a procession of the Raja of Mazgaon was taken out in Mumbai. During this time, a youth who was going to the same building for egg delivery was disturbed by the dust and smoke of crackers during the procession and in anger he threw an egg at the Ganpati idol, after which the situation became tense. However, the police identified the accused with the help of CCTV and he was arrested today. He has been identified as Danish Sher Khan, 22. The police traced the accused within 36 hours. Now the situation is tense, but peace has been restored. Just before Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the police arrested the anti-social Danish and started the investigation. In the initial investigation, the police have found that the accused had committed this act in anger. The accused was carrying an online order. Meanwhile, due to the crowd in the procession with him, his eyes were hurt by the smoke and dust of the crackers, which caused him to lose his temper. The egg I had brought for delivery was thrown at the Ganpati procession, after which the situation became tense and the police resolved the matter. This action was taken by DCP Jayant Meena on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.