Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the Mira Road stabbing incident a suspected case of ‘self-radicalisation,’ stating that preliminary investigations indicate the accused acted with an intent to target members of the Hindu community in the name of ‘jihad.’ The case, which has shocked Maharashtra, is currently being jointly probed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency.

Speaking on the incident, Fadnavis said the accused, Zaib Zubair Ansari, had been living in the United States and had recently returned to India. “This appears to be a case of self-radicalisation. Some books and incriminating material were recovered from his residence. The investigation will not be limited to the accused alone but will also examine individuals or networks behind his radicalisation,” he said, assuring full cooperation from the state government.

The attack took place around 4 am on Monday near Asmita Grand Mansion in Mira Road East, behind Wockhardt Hospital. According to police, two security guards, Rajkumar Mishra and Subrato Ramesh Sen, were on duty when Ansari approached them, initially asking for directions to a nearby mosque. He left briefly before returning and allegedly initiating a violent confrontation.

Ansari first questioned one of the guards about his religion before attacking him with a knife. He then entered the security cabin and allegedly asked the second guard to recite the ‘Kalma’. When the guard was unable to comply, Ansari reportedly assaulted him as well, leaving both men seriously injured.

The victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Mishra is currently admitted at Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road, while Sen also received medical attention. Officials said both are in serious but stable condition.

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.