Mumbai: A fire broke out on April 28 at Ekta Nagar near Hancock Bridge in Mumbai’s Mazgaon. Visuals showed a large crowd gathering as thick black smoke billowed into the air. The fire was confined to ground-plus structures and partially to two-storey structures, comprising around 7 to 8 hutments in the area.

As information about the fire was received, the BMC Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, BEST, 108 ambulance services, and BMC ward staff reached the spot. According to preliminary information, the incident took place at 11 am and was declared Level I (minor fire) by the BMC MFB. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in the incident, however, the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Meanwhile, in another recent fire incident, a fire broke out at a scrap yard along Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road in the Kurla scrap area of Mandala in Mankhurd. Fortunately, no injury was reported in the incident.

In Thane, a cat was killed, and household property was gutted after a fire broke out in a house. The blaze erupted in a room on the first floor of a two-storey chawl in the Shastri Nagar area around 10:43 a.m. While a woman who was in the room at the time escaped unhurt, her pet cat died on the spot.

Whereas in Govandi, at least 8-10 vehicles were gutted in a fire that broke out at an illegal parking site near the Ghatkopar–Mankhurd Link Road in Mumbai. The vehicles, reportedly old and lying unused at the site for a long time, were quickly engulfed in flames. Preliminary investigation suggested that a possible CNG cylinder blast must have triggered the fire.

Kolhapur: A disturbing case of alleged sexual exploitation and blackmail has come to light in the Pulachi Shiroli area of Hatkanangale tehsil in the Kolhapur District of Maharashtra, where a 22-year-old man has been arrested for targeting multiple young women.

The accused, Shahid Sameer Sanadi, was arrested after a 20-year-old woman filed a complaint at Rajarampuri Police Station (under the Kolhapur District Police Force) on Sunday night. He was later handed over to Hatkanangale police station and produced before a court, which remanded him to four days of police custody.

According to police, the accused befriended young women aged between 18 and 22 through social media. He allegedly lured them into relationships, assaulted them, and filmed obscene videos. These videos were then used to threaten and blackmail the victims.

Officials believe that more than 15 women may have been targeted in a similar manner. Victims are suspected to be from Shiroli, Hupari, Hatkanangale, and nearby villages.

Police said the accused would call the women to lodges in Shiroli and Kolhapur, where he allegedly committed the crimes and recorded the acts. Investigators also found that some of the videos were shared with others.

A friend of the accused, identified as Shahrukh Desai, is currently absconding. Police suspect he may also have access to videos of several victims. A search is underway to trace him.

The case initially appeared to be an isolated complaint. However, as the investigation progressed, officials uncovered a wider pattern. This has raised concerns that more people could be involved. Police are now probing the possibility of a larger network.

Senior officers are closely monitoring the case. Additional Superintendent of Police Annasaheb Jadhav visited the police station and reviewed the investigation. Authorities have appealed to other possible victims to come forward. They have assured that identities will be kept confidential.

The incident has triggered strong reactions in the area. In protest, local groups have called for a bandh in Shiroli. Several organisations have also demanded strict action and a thorough probe.

The case has drawn attention as similar incidents involving video blackmail have recently been reported in other parts of Maharashtra, including Amravati and Nashik. Police say they are taking the matter seriously and are working to identify all those involved.

After the murderous attack on a security guard at 4 am in the limits of Mira Road Nayanagar police station in Mumbai, now an attempt has been made to give the attack the form of jihad. The police have started an investigation after arresting Zeb Zubair Ansari, 31, in this case. When the accused was taken into custody, a sensational conclusion was reached and the police have now started investigating his connection with extremist organizations. Since this matter is very serious, the case of attempt to murder has been handed over to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). In this case, the ATS will also investigate the terrorist connection. The fanatical youth first attacked one guard and then seriously injured the other in the attack, which has spread sensation and tension in Mira Road. After this matter, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has now called it Nayanagar Jihad and said that a Muslim youth attacked two Hindus just because they refused to recite the Kalima. On April 27, at around 4.00 am, an unidentified youth of 30 years old, entered the Grand Mason Building. He inquired about the mosque from the on-duty watchman, Mr. Subroto Sen (age 31), who was a Hindu, and then attacked him with a knife. The victim tried to flee from the spot. The accused chased him and targeted another watchman, Rajkumar Mishra, who, upon realizing that Rajkumar Mishra was in Sen’s cabin, brutally attacked him. He attacked him with a knife on the left side of the abdomen. After the incident, the victim, Subroto Sen, was brought to the police station after first aid and an FIR has been registered. Apart from this, Rajkumar Mishra was admitted to Wockhardt Hospital and underwent surgery.

Senior Police Inspector of Naya Nagar and his team immediately reached the spot, traced the CCTV footage and reached the house of the accused. The accused, Zeb Zubair Ansari, aged 31, was found in Flat A-304, Asmita Regency, Naya Nagar. The location of the accident is 200 meters away. He has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Initial investigation has revealed that the accused, Zeb Ansari, is a single resident of the flat. His parents are in the US. He lived in the US with his parents from 2000 to 2020. He has completed his graduation from the US. He was returned to India due to the expiry of his work permit. He was living in Vashi, Kurla for a few months and settled in Naya Nagar in 2022. He was born in Kurla. His father is a driver in the US. He had brought his family with him in 2020. There are 3 copies of the Quran in his flat. A note was found near the laptop on the table. It mentions ‘lone wolf’ attacks and Islamic State. 2 phones were also found there. Initially, this appears to be a ‘lone wolf’ attack by a radical youth. Further investigations are underway into the links and involvement of ISIS and similar organisations. His flat is being secured and all evidence, including digital forensics, has been properly collected. Along with this, tight security has been deployed at the building to maintain law and order and the police have also been instructed to be vigilant to maintain law and order.