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Maharashtra

Elphinstone Bridge Demolition: Last Hurdle Cleared As Haji Noorani Building To Be Razed From April 27, Making Way For Sewri–Worli Connector

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Mumbai: The demolition of the Haji Noorani building near the Elphinstone bridge in Prabhadevi, the final structure obstructing the Sewri–Worli Connector, will begin from April 27, making way for the double-decker structure, replacing the century-old bridge.

The announcement comes after authorities directed all 23 occupants to vacate by April 24. The building, which houses 17 residents and six shopkeepers, has been the last remaining barrier to completing crucial pillars for the 4.5-km connector project. The delay had stalled construction work being carried out by J Kumar Infraprojects, even as the project’s September deadline approaches.

The adjacent Laxmi Niwas building, also part of the alignment, had already begun demolition in late March. However, the Haji Noorani structure remained a challenge for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority due to rehabilitation-related issues.

Earlier this year, the MMRDA issued rehabilitation offers to 78 affected residents from both buildings, providing alternative housing through Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority in areas such as Dadar, Prabhadevi and Parel. Eligible residents were allotted 405 sq ft homes, with provisions for financial adjustments for larger units.

The process faced delays after six residents objected to earlier rehabilitation options in Byculla and Wadala, citing concerns over location and building conditions. This led authorities to identify additional housing and conduct a fresh lottery earlier this week, after which evacuation notices were issued.

Some residents have requested more time to arrange funds for larger replacement homes. Rohit Mayekar, who was allotted a 450 sq ft flat in Prabhadevi, said he has been asked to pay Rs 22 lakh for the additional area.

Officials, however, confirmed that demolition will proceed as scheduled, with limited flexibility on payment timelines. Meanwhile, three ground-floor occupants are yet to receive rehabilitation housing, as their eligibility under the cessed building norms remains under review.

The Sewri–Worli connector is a crucial east-west link that will integrate the Mumbai Coastal Road Project with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, majorly easing traffic movement across the city. Additionally, a double-decker bridge is planned at the site of the former Elphinstone Bridge, with separate decks for local traffic and connector movement, further enhancing connectivity in central Mumbai.

Maharashtra

Drug dealer arrested in Mumbai with 1.5 kg of charas (cannabis resin)

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On October 24, Crime Branch Unit 9 (Bandra West, Mumbai) intensified its crackdown on drug peddlers, resulting in the arrest of an individual involved in the sale of narcotics. The police had received information that the accused was selling charas (cannabis resin) and other intoxicating substances from his residence. Acting on this intelligence and following the guidance of senior officers, a team from Crime Branch Unit 9—accompanied by independent witnesses (panches)—raided the premises on October 24. During the operation, 1.505 kilograms of charas were seized in accordance with legal procedures; the estimated value of the contraband is 15 million rupees (1.5 crore INR) based on international market rates.

A case has been registered in connection with this incident under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. One individual, aged 40, has been arrested. Additionally, another person has been identified as a wanted suspect, and a search is currently underway to locate him.

This notable operation was carried out under the supervision of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nonath Dhole.

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Maharashtra

Lawrence Bishnoi gang shooters had practised shooting in the Aarey Colony forest before opening fire at Tiger Shroff’s residence.

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Following the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, an investigation has revealed that a businessman in Pune and a film star in Mumbai were on Lawrence Bishnoi’s target list. The gang’s objective is to instill fear among the film industry and the business community in order to extort money—specifically, to collect protection money or ransoms. The primary goal of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is not necessarily murder, but rather the creation of terror and fear within the film industry and among business circles.

Currently, 56 operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are incarcerated in various Mumbai jails; they have been linked to over 10 criminal incidents in Mumbai and Pune over the past 2–3 years. Targeting Bollywood is a key objective for the Lawrence gang, and they have been involved in conspiracies to target film actors specifically to spread fear and terror throughout the business community.

In the Tiger Shroff case, it has emerged that the shooters underwent firearms training in the Aarey Colony forest. A shepherd witnessed the shooters practicing and serves as an eyewitness; according to him, three to four individuals trained there, and he saw them firing weapons. New revelations continue to surface in the case involving Tiger Shroff, with the Crime Branch making significant progress in its investigation.

Weapons have also been recovered in connection with the matter. Furthermore, the interrogation of the shooters arrested by the police has led to the discovery of a link to Anil Pandit—a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—with whom the shooters were in contact.

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Maharashtra

Major action by Mumbai ANC: Drug peddlers arrested.

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On October 25, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai claimed to have arrested individuals—who were also wanted in a murder case—while they were in possession of narcotics. During a patrol near the main gate of Shri Krishna Complex, opposite the National Park in Borivali West, Mumbai, the Ghatkopar unit of the ANC apprehended three individuals who were allegedly selling ‘MD’ (Mephedrone). Upon searching them, 1.028 kilograms of Mephedrone was recovered. The police registered a case (Kasturba Marg Police Station, Case No. 728/2026) under Sections 8(c) read with 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985. During the subsequent interrogation, it was revealed that the arrested individuals were also involved in a murder case. They had brought the narcotics from Nalasopara with the intent of selling them at this location.

The arrested individuals include a 28-year-old man, another 28-year-old man, and a 39-year-old man. A total of 1.028 kilograms of Mephedrone was seized from the three suspects.

This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner Kant Upadhyay, and DCP Purnima Chougule-Shringi.

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