Thane: A tragic incident has shaken the city of Thane after a 17-year-old girl, who was set on fire by her friend four days ago, succumbed to her burn injuries on Sunday morning. The victim, who had sustained nearly 80 per cent burns, was undergoing treatment at KEM Hospital in Mumbai but could not survive despite doctors’ efforts.

According to the police, the accused, also 17, worked as a delivery boy, while the victim was employed as a compounder at a local dispensary. The two had known each other for several years and had lived in Chembur before both families moved to Balkum about a year ago. Police said the two were believed to have been close and were in frequent contact.

The incident took place when the girl was alone at home on Friday. The boy allegedly entered the house and, after an argument over a personal issue, poured an inflammable liquid on her and set her ablaze. Hearing her cries, neighbours rushed to help, and the accused himself took her to Thane Civil Hospital. She was later shifted to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for advanced care, where under treatment she lost her life on Tueday morning.

Senior Police Inspector Pravin Mane of Kapurbawdi police station confirmed that the accused was detained under charges of attempt to murder, which will now be converted to murder following the girl’s death. He was produced before the Juvenile Court in Thane and sent to a remand home.

Police sources revealed that the girl had earlier told relatives the boy had threatened her during a visit to Chembur for the Bhaubij festival. Authorities are now verifying this claim. Forensic experts are examining the flammable substance used in the attack, and officers are continuing their probe to determine the exact motive behind the crime.

Mumbai: Three days after Mumbai Police uncovered a massive mephedrone manufacturing unit in Nalasopara’s Pelhar area, the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police Commissioner on Monday suspended the senior inspector of Pelhar police station for failing to detect the illegal operation running almost under his nose.

Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik issued the suspension order against Senior Inspector Jitendra Vankoti, citing ‘inexcusable negligence’ in monitoring his jurisdiction. The order noted that the illegal factory was located barely 200–300 metres from the Pelhar police station. Despite its proximity, Vankoti claimed he was unaware of the activity, a response the department found unacceptable.

“The site of the above incident was 200 to 300 meters away from Pelhar police station, but during the interrogation, Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Vankoti has stated that he was unaware of the incident,” the order stated. It further mentioned that despite his subordinates being engaged in related intelligence and patrol duties, the inspector failed to ensure effective monitoring, obtain confidential information, or initiate timely action against illegal businesses.

The disciplinary action follows a major operation conducted by Mumbai Police’s Zone-6 Narcotics Cell in coordination with Tilak Nagar police, which raided the factory in the Rashid Compound area of Pelhar, Nalasopara (East) on October 25. During the raid, officers seized over 7 kilograms of mephedrone (MD) and precursor chemicals valued at around Rs 13.5 crore, along with raw materials worth another Rs 1 crore.

Five individuals, including the key manufacturer of the synthetic drug, were arrested. Among them is Sohail Abdul Saif Ali Khan, a former hawker from Mumbra who allegedly transitioned into large-scale drug production. Police said Khan operated multiple luxury vehicles, including a BMW, and had been running the illegal unit for nearly 10 months, producing around 50 kilograms of contraband every month.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-6, Chembur) Sameer Sheikh supervised the operation, which exposed an intricate network of distribution linked to Mumbai’s narcotics supply chain.

Mumbai: Offering a serene escape from Mumbai’s urban chaos, the Malabar Hill nature trail has blossomed into a monsoon hotspot for both Mumbaikars and tourists.

Between June and September, over 1.81 lakh visitors soaked in the beauty of the rains along the lush pathways. Since its inauguration in March, the trail has drawn nearly 2.98 lakh visitors, earning the BMC Rs 72 lakh in revenue.

Inspired by Singapore’s elevated forest walkways, the wooden walkway at Malabar Hill offers a unique nature experience. The 485-metre-long, 2.4-metre-wide trail winds through the lush Malabar Hill Forest, beginning near Kamala Nehru Park, providing a peaceful escape into greenery.

To ensure a pleasant visit, entry is limited to 200 people per one-hour slot, with fees of Rs 25 for Mumbaikars and Rs. 100 for foreign tourists. The walkway features sweeping views of the Arabian Sea, a dedicated birdwatching zone with a glass-bottom section, and a scenic viewing deck. The eco-friendly initiative quickly gained popularity, with slots often fully booked up to two weeks in advance.

The elevated walkway is open for visit from 5 am to 8 pm. According to data provided by the BMC, the Malabar Hill Nature Trail attracted a total of 2,91,836 visitors between March 30 and September 30, generating a revenue of Rs 72,98,950 for the civic body.

Visitor numbers were relatively lower in June compared to the summer vacation period. However, heavy rainfall did not deter nature enthusiasts from visiting the trail.

“In fact, during the Diwali holidays, large crowds flocked to enjoy the greenery, though some visitors were turned away due to the lack of advance bookings,” said an official.

Visitors in March to May – 1,10,327

Revenue- 27,95,450

June…45,515…11,49, 200

July….53,707…..13,65,700

August….48,254….11,25,025

September ….34,033…8,63,575