National News
BMC Elections 2026: 167 Nominations Found Invalid; Total Candidates 2,231
Mumbai: A total of 2,516 nominations submitted for 227 seats for the BMC elections, including all party candidates and independents. Out of the total 167 nominations were found invalid, and rejected on technical grounds. The total number of candidates comes to 2,231, as some have filled forms for more than one ward.
As the deadline for nominations submission ended on December 30, the election department scrutinized the forms and affidavits on December 31, and the final list of nominations was published.
The last date for withdrawal of nominations is Friday, January 2, 2026 from 11 am to 3 pm. Thereafter, election symbols will be distributed to the valid candidates from 11 am on Saturday, January 3. The voting for all 227 seats for BMC elections will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted on January 16.
The election department has appointed 23 Returning Officers (RO) for 26 administrative wards. The nomination process began on December 23, and as per the data from the state election commission and BMC, a total of 11,392 forms were distributed by the ROs, of which 2,516 were submitted.
The ROs office which got highest number of candidates nomination for the BMC elections include: M East ward RO with 182 nominations, M East+M West wards (Mankhurd, Govandi, Chembur East) with 164 nominations, A+B+E wards (Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Byculla) with 150 nominations, G North (Dadar, Mahim) with 137, K West (Andheri, Jogeshwari, Vile Parle West) with 133, H East (Bandra, Juhu, Sanatcruz East) and S ward (Bhandup, Kanjurmarg) with 125 each and N ward (Ghatkopar, Vikhroli) with 123.
The lowest number of candidate nominations has been submitted for R Central (Borivali) with 51, C+D wards (Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Malabar Hill) with 58 and R North (Dahisar) with 60 nominations.
The wards with highest number of nominations were found invalid include: S ward (Bhandup) with 34, M East + M West (Mankhurd, Govandi, Chembur East) with 23, R South (Kandivali) with and 16 and K West (Andheri, Jogeshwari, Vile Parle West) with 11 nomination forms rejections.
All the political parties saw defections and discontent among their workers due to the denial of ticket or loss of seat under the seat-sharing formulas. They have time till January 2 to tackle the rebellion in their ranks.
Crime
Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.
According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.
Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.
The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.
Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.
During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.
Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.
The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.
Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.
Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.
Crime
Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.
According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.
Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.
During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.
According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.
The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.
Crime
Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.
The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.
According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.
She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.
Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.
Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.
The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.
Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.
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