Crime
CBI Probe Flags Senior Maharashtra Cops’ Alleged Links To Shell Firms In Fake Call-Centre Case
Mumbai: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into fake call-centre fraud has unearthed an alleged nexus between two senior Maharashtra police officers and a pool of more than 10 shell entities allegedly used to route and layer proceeds of international cyber fraud operations. Investigators are examining what they describe as a structured financial network designed to legitimise illicit funds generated through fake call-centre activities operating from Igatpuri and other parts of Maharashtra.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, an Inspector General of Police (IGP)-rank officer is under intense scrutiny in the said probe.The officer’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Ashok Kharat case too, where he was identified as allegedly providing protection to the self-styled godman to shield him from legal action.
In the Igatpuri fake call-centre case, the officer is being probed for allegedly extending protection arrangements extended to illegal call-centre operations. Officials said that he is believed to be among the alleged beneficiaries of proceeds generated through international cyber fraud networks
A serving police commissioner posted in another district is also being examined for alleged links to the same network.
Investigation findings indicate that the IG-rank officer and his associate police commissioner are allegedly connected to more than 10 shell entities, including Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and private companies. While these firms are registered across sectors such as real estate, hospitality, and consultancy, officials said many appear to have no legitimate commercial activity. According to the officials they were created primarily to “clean” illicit cash generated through illegal operations of the fake call center.Officials further suspect that the Shell firms network may also have been used by the senior police officials for proceeds linked to extortion, political liaisoning, case settlements, and collection of protection money (“hafta”)
When confronted, the IG-rank officer admitted to setting up companies in the names of family members but claimed the ventures “did not work out.” However, when confronted with documents related to the shell firms, including alleged fake addresses and high turnover figures, the officer declined to comment further, stating he would consult legal counsel. He stated that he had not yet received formal summons from the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Officials said the shell entities are linked to family members of the senior police officer, including his wife, daughter, and son, as well as close associates. Some individuals from bureaucratic and politically influential families are also alleged to be listed as partners in certain shell firms. Officials said the agency is also analysing the operational mechanisms of the networks, including the manner in which collections were coordinated and funds were transferred across the state.
A detailed review of corporate filings has reportedly revealed a complex and interlinked network of firms, most of which were incorporated over the past four years.
According to agency sources, the entities being examined include firms providing financial consultancy, real estate & infra, hospitality, retail, fuel and chemicals.
A detailed analysis of the Registrar of Companies (RoC) records indicated the repeated appearance of a small cluster of designated partners across multiple firms operating in diverse sectors. While these entities claim to function in distinct industries, investigators have flagged several ‘red flag’ indicators, including overlapping ownership patterns, shared registered addresses, and interconnected corporate structures.
Officials said the preference for the LLP structure is a key aspect under examination. LLPs offer flexibility in capital contribution, profit-sharing, and disclosure requirements compared to traditional private companies.Investigators believe these features may have been leveraged to facilitate the movement and layering of funds across multiple sector-specific corporate vehicles, while maintaining a fragmented corporate trail.
CBI sources said the probe is gaining momentum, with investigators closely tracking financial records, corporate filings, and transaction trails to map the scale and structure of the suspected network.While no formal charges have been filed so far, the allegations remain under detailed examination.
Crime
NESCO drug overdose case: Vanrai Police arrest 14th accused, twin brother of alleged mastermind Mahesh Khemlani

Mumbai, July 11: The Vanrai Police have arrested the 14th accused in the high-profile NESCO drug overdose case, taking into custody Nitesh alias ‘Nick’ Khemlani, the twin brother of alleged mastermind Mahesh alias ‘Mark’ Khemlani.
According to police, Nitesh Khemlani was arrested following an investigation into the suspected financial network linked to the drug case. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody until July 13 for further questioning and investigation.
The arrest comes as part of the ongoing probe into the drug-related incident reported at the NESCO area in Goregaon, Mumbai. Police are examining the alleged drug syndicate’s operations, including its financial transactions and links among the accused persons.
The Vanrai Police said that during the investigation, suspicious financial transactions between Nitesh Khemlani and some of the accused already arrested in the case came to light. Based on these findings, police took him into custody for further investigation.
Investigators are now questioning Nitesh Khemlani to trace the alleged financial network behind the drug operation, identify possible sources of funding and uncover further links connected to the case.
The arrest marks the 14th in the case, with police continuing their probe into the wider network involved in the alleged drug supply and distribution chain.
The NESCO drug overdose case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of multiple accused and the alleged links to a wider drug network. Police officials have said that further arrests and revelations may emerge as the investigation progresses.
The Vanrai Police are focusing on establishing the complete chain of events, including the movement of funds, connections between accused persons and the possible role of other individuals associated with the case.
Crime
12-year-old boy dies after part of neighbour’s house collapses, falls on family in Thane

Mumbai, July 11: A 12-year-old boy lost his life while two of his family members were injured after a section of a neighbouring building collapsed and fell on their house in Maharashtra’s Thane district, officials said.
The incident took place at around 3:35 p.m. on Friday at Madras Chawl in Azad Nagar, Brahmand, prompting an immediate rescue operation by local authorities and emergency services.
Officials said the affected building was a ground-plus-one-storey structure estimated to be around 25 to 30 years old. Preliminary findings indicate that a portion of the building’s gallery suddenly gave way and crashed onto an adjoining house where members of a family were asleep.
According to NDTV, the deceased has been identified as 12-year-old Jaykumar Jaiswal. He suffered critical injuries in the collapse and was rushed to the Civil Hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Two other family members, Urmila Jaiswal, 35, and Vinit Jaiswal, 9, sustained head injuries in the incident. Both were admitted to Titan Hospital in Manpada, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Their condition is being closely monitored.
Following the collapse, authorities evacuated three neighbouring houses in Madras Chawl as a precautionary measure to prevent any further casualties. Officials said structural inspections and debris-clearing operations are being carried out jointly by the Majiwada Ward Committee, the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Encroachment Department to assess the safety of nearby structures.
Emergency response teams reached the site shortly after receiving information about the collapse. The rescue operation involved two fire engines, a rescue vehicle, a disaster management utility vehicle, and an ambulance. Authorities ensured that the affected area was secured while search and clearance work continued.
The incident comes just days after another fatal house collapse in Mumbai amid heavy rainfall. On July 7, six people were killed and one person was injured after a neighbouring structure collapsed onto their home in Janata Nagar, Mankhurd. The victims belonged to the family of Akhtar Jahan and her husband, labourer Moinuddin Wajid Ali Shah.
According to local residents, the family had become increasingly concerned over the deteriorating condition of the adjoining building and had planned to relocate on Sunday. However, before they could move, the weakened structure collapsed during the spell of heavy rain, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
Crime
Mumbai Police arrests two more in Rs 50.74 crore MD drug case

Mumbai, July 11: The Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), Kandivali Unit on Saturday arrested two more accused in connection with a major commercial MD drug case, taking the total number of arrests in the case to six.
During the operation, police also seized 210 kg of liquid 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, a regulated precursor chemical used in the manufacture of MD (Mephedrone), as the investigation into the drug syndicate continues.
According to police, the arrests were made in connection with C.R. No. 54/2026, registered under Sections 8(c), 22(c), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, linked to Agripada Police Station C.R. No. 253/2026.
The two arrested accused, aged 32 and 27, are residents of Pydhuni in Mumbai. They were taken into custody at around 4:30 a.m. on July 11 following an Intelligence-based operation conducted by the ANC.
Officials said that acting on credible information received on July 10, the Kandivali Unit laid a trap in the Wadi Bunder area after learning that liquid MD was likely to be supplied there. During the operation, the police intercepted the two suspects and recovered 210 kg of liquid 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, a controlled precursor chemical commonly used in the illegal production of MD drugs.
The latest seizure is linked to an earlier operation in which the ANC had recovered 14 kg of MD and liquid MD valued at over Rs 50.74 crore. With the arrest of the two accused, the total number of people arrested in the case has now increased to six.
Investigators suspect that an organised MD drug syndicate is operating in Mumbai, with possible links extending to other states. Police are now probing the supply chain, financial transactions, and the network behind the procurement and distribution of the precursor chemicals and narcotics.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
Earlier, on June 27, the Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell had conducted another major anti-drug operation in Goregaon, seizing 750 grams of heroin worth approximately ₹3.75 crore. One accused, identified as Subhan Imran Gada, was arrested during that operation.
Police said the Kandivali Unit had acted on specific Intelligence regarding a drug supplier operating in Goregaon. During the raid, officers recovered the heroin from the accused and arrested him. Investigators are now examining the source of the seized narcotics and whether the case has links to an interstate or international drug trafficking network. The accused was subsequently produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody for further investigation.
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