Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a screening test on March 22, 2026, for 154 posts of Drug Inspector (Group B) under the Food and Drug Administration cadre across six examination centers in Maharashtra. A case was registered at the Cuffe Parade Police Station regarding the breach of the examination paper’s confidentiality and the unauthorized leaking of the question set for financial gain.

The Special Investigation Team of the Property Cell, Crime Branch, Mumbai, is investigating the matter. Based on a technical investigation, two candidates who obtained the question paper through illegal means have been arrested, along with two intermediaries.

The investigation revealed that copies of the question sets selected by experts were prepared in the MPSC’s confidential room and subsequently leaked illegally for financial gain. Previously, Under Secretary Abhijit Landge, Assistant Room Officers Vishweshwar Nakte and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Patil, intermediaries Amrit Patil and Lokesh (alias Gaurav) Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil had been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigation led to the arrest of candidates Sajid Sandhe (Sangli) and Vijay Kangar (Buldhana)—who had obtained question sets through illegal means—as well as Sandeep Khalte and Bhairunath Kadam (Navi Mumbai), who acted as intermediaries; they were arrested on September 22, 2026, by the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch’s Property Cell.
With this action, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 11.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadanand Rane and Police Inspector-in-Charge Mangesh Desai led the investigation, with police officers from the branch playing a pivotal role in the inquiry.

A high alert has been issued in Mumbai for the Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) on Anant Chaturdashi, and the police have asserted that robust security arrangements are in place. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), stated that necessary security measures have been finalized for the occasion. The deployment includes 6 Joint Commissioners, 9 Additional Commissioners, 38 DCPs, 66 ACPs, 3,100 officers, and over 18,000 personnel, alongside specialized units such as the Quick Response Team (QRT), Anti-Riot Squad, and Delta Force, as well as Home Guards. To enhance surveillance in crowded areas, the police have begun utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI); compared to last year, AI will be used to manage crowds and monitor Ganpati Mandals and immersion processions more effectively. Additionally, it is mandatory for Mandals to complete the immersion process within the scheduled timeframe.

Compliance with regulations regarding noise pollution and other guidelines is obligatory for everyone; the police will take action against any Mandal found violating these rules. Manoj Kumar Sharma noted that Mumbai has long been a target for terrorists, necessitating stringent security arrangements across the city. Watchtowers have been erected at immersion sites, and special surveillance will be maintained at major immersion locations, including the Lalbaug procession route. Manoj Kumar Sharma further stated that necessary instructions have been issued to the police to prevent chaos or stampede-like situations amidst the crowds during the Ganpati Visarjan; additionally, the police have requested the Ministry of Railways to maintain 24-hour railway services.

Mumbai’s traffic police are also fully prepared for the Ganpati Visarjan. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyanarayan Chaudhary stated that over 3,000 traffic police officers and personnel would be deployed on the roads, with orders to remain alert in congested areas. Cranes will be utilized to prevent traffic jams. During the immersion process, 84 roads in Mumbai have been closed, and 20 roads have been designated as one-way to ensure devotees face no inconvenience; furthermore, ‘no-parking’ zones have been identified, and parking arrangements have been made. Special measures have been implemented at locations including Juhu Chowpatty, Girgaon Chowpatty, and the Gateway of India, and five temporary control rooms have been set up for monitoring purposes.

Mumbai: Retired Justice RC Chavan has resigned from the Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code (UCC) draft committee, and a representative from the minority community should be appointed in his place. Rais Shaikh, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East, made this demand, stating that such a move would enhance the committee’s prestige and credibility. MLA Rais Shaikh has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding this matter. Speaking on this issue, MLA Rais Shaikh pointed out that the Maharashtra UCC Draft Committee was constituted in July under the leadership of retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai. The committee has a tenure of six months. Not a single representative from the minority community has been included in the committee. Consequently, the committee is viewed with suspicion, and Justice Chauhan’s resignation has further tarnished its credibility. A political agenda drives the BJP’s move to draft the UCC. The BJP-led ‘Mahayuti’ governments at both the central and state levels are pushing for the implementation of this law with an eye on the elections. This law poses a threat to the country’s cultural diversity. Furthermore, it would effectively abolish the personal laws governing divorce, inheritance, marriage, and adoption across various religions. MLA Shaikh stated that it is for these reasons that the minority community views the UCC with skepticism.
Through this UCC law, the BJP is attempting to impose the norms and regulations of the majority community. To dispel doubts regarding the proposed legislation and address objections raised against the draft committee, it is essential to include a representative from the minority community in the committee. MLA Shaikh asserted that the minority community and tribal populations would be severely affected by this law.