Crime
Enforcement Directorate attaches property worth several crores in PACL India case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that it has attached properties worth several crores of rupees belonging to some companies in connection with a money laundering case against PACL India Ltd.
While the attached immovable assets are in the form of land ad-measuring 3,39,984.2 square metres worth Rs 185 crore, the movable assets amounting to Rs 7,51,78,480 are in the form of bank balances of some companies.
The attached companies are DDPL Global Infrastructure Private Ltd (DDPL), Unicorn Infraprojects and Estates Private Ltd (Unicorn) and Brightview Projects and Estates Private Ltd.
A senior ED official said that PACL collected money from the public under different schemes for allotting plots in different parts of the country or giving an option to take back their expected tentative value of land in lieu of the allotted plot under the scheme on maturity.
PACL was in the real estate business and sale of agricultural land through their agents and local office. Getting double benefit by creating easy equity for procurement of land and later taking the benefit on the appreciation of land prices, it had collected amounts running into several crores from investors all over India.
The ED has learnt in the investigation that Directors of PACL siphoned off amounts received from investors and utilised the same for personal gains by investing in various entities.
Investigation also revealed that PACL transferred Rs 101 crore (being investors’ money) in Dhanashree Developers Private Ltd, out of which Rs 26 crore were transferred to DDPL Global Infrastructure Private Ltd.
Further, PACL transferred Rs 2,285.79 crore to Prateek Kumar who invested Rs 94.61 crore in DDPL and Unicorn. It also transferred Rs 110.95 crore in Systematix Venture Capital Trust through its 25 front companies, which was invested in DDPL and Unicorn in form of OFCD and equity.
With the funds received from PACL through various channels, DDPL and Unicorn purchased land parcels at village Tiwri of Vasai in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. DDPL and Unicorn entered into various agreements with different entities for sale of FSI and construction of residential cum commercial projects, from which the two entities generated huge profits.
“Investigation by ED also revealed that the shareholding of DDPL and Unicorn was changed frequently in order to legitimise the funds received from PACL and to ensure that the assets are not taken over and given to investors. The scheme has been cleverly designed to obscure the actual beneficiary of the land and shares to avoid investigation by government agencies. The shareholders of DDPL and Unicorn viz. Hemant Patil and Dharmesh P Shah have claim over these assets without ever actually investing any substantial funds in the companies,” said the official.
Investigation with regard to tracing the remaining Proceeds of Crime is in progress.
Crime
Nashik TCS harassment case: Police issue summons to AIMIM’s Mateen Patel

Nashik, May 25: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik Police has issued a summons to Mateen Patel, AIMIM corporator from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, in connection with the high-profile harassment case involving the Nashik BPO unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), officials said on Monday.
Mateen Patel has been summoned for questioning under Section 35(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (BNSS) to investigate certain facts related to the case and regarding his alleged assistance to the accused, Nida Khan.
Further investigation into the case is currently underway, officials stated.
Earlier, on May 22, the Nashik Police filed a 1,500-page chargesheet against the accused in the case. A total of nine FIRs were registered against the accused.
Of these, a chargesheet has currently been filed in only one case.
An official statement issued by the team of Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik revealed that the SIT — which is probing the allegations — has uncovered evidence regarding the forced religious conversion of the victim, an act that has caused offence to religious sentiments.
The police have also seized original documents used by the accused to alter the victim’s name and identity.
Furthermore, digital and technical evidence has been retrieved in the form of WhatsApp chat screenshots obtained from the mobile phones of both the victim and the accused.
The chargesheet names Danish Ejaz Shaikh, Tausif Bilal Attar, Nida Ejaz Khan, and AIMIM leader Mateen Patel as the accused.
Consequently, none of them has been granted bail.
The 1,500-page primary chargesheet was filed before the Additional Sessions and Special Court situated at Nashik Road, under Sections 61(2), 64, 68, 69, 46, 75, 319C(8), 299, 238, 249, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(1)(w)(ii), 3(2)(v), 3(1)(s), and 3(1)(k) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
This marks the first charge sheet to be filed following the investigation into allegations of rape and causing offence to religious sentiments, which were originally registered at the Deolali Police Station in Nashik. Also, there are eight other FIRs registered by TCS employees at the Mumbai Naka Police Station.
The case gained widespread attention after details of alleged systematic harassment at the workplace surfaced, triggering outrage across Maharashtra.
Police officials have assured that the probe is being conducted thoroughly to ensure justice. The filing of the detailed charge sheet is being seen as a crucial milestone that could pave the way for the trial to commence in the near future.
Crime
‘He Snatched My Phone When I Called 100’: Woman Recounts Terrifying Mumbai Auto Ride Near Airport

A social media post detailing an alleged confrontation with an autorickshaw driver near Mumbai Airport has triggered concern among commuters and renewed discussions around passenger safety in the city.
The incident was shared on Sunday by an X user, who described her experience after exiting Terminal 2 of Mumbai Airport. According to her post, the auto driver allegedly refused to operate the vehicle by meter and later became aggressive during the journey.
The woman claimed that matters escalated near Sahar Cargo Signal, where the driver allegedly threatened her. She further alleged that he snatched her mobile phone when she attempted to dial the emergency helpline number 100.
In her post, she stated that she had noted down the autorickshaw registration number and tagged Mumbai Police, Mumbai Traffic Police and the Commissioner of Police while seeking action.
Responding to the complaint on X, Mumbai Police acknowledged the incident and assured that the matter had been forwarded to the concerned department.
“Thanks for bringing this to our notice. Sahar Traffic Division has been informed about this,” the official handle replied.
The woman later responded to the police message, expressing hope that strict action would be taken against the driver.
“Thank you. I am hoping strict action is taken against such people,” she wrote.
The post quickly drew reactions from several social media users, many of whom expressed frustration over repeated complaints involving autorickshaw drivers in Mumbai.
One user commented that such incidents continue because some drivers allegedly feel they can escape consequences easily. Another advised the complainant to file a Right to Information application with the Sahar Traffic Division to seek updates on the case.
A third user alleged that corruption and bribery weaken public trust in enforcement systems and embolden offenders.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns regarding commuter safety, refusal by some drivers to use meters and the need for stricter enforcement against misconduct involving public transport operators in Mumbai.
Crime
Panvel Man Murdered Near Mosque Over Alleged Extramarital Affair Dispute

Navi Mumbai: Panvel City Police have arrested two persons for allegedly murdering a 44-year-old man in the Patel Mohalla area of Panvel following a dispute linked to an alleged extramarital affair, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Salim Anwar Shaikh (44), a resident of Patel Mohalla. According to the police, the accused attacked Shaikh with a sharp weapon and assaulted him over previous enmity on Saturday night near a mosque in the locality.
During the attack, the main accused, Shahnawaz Altaf Shaikh, allegedly stabbed Salim four to five times in the back and also inflicted serious head injuries. The other accused, identified as Salim Khamu Shaikh and Altaf Shaikh, allegedly assaulted him with kicks and punches before fleeing the spot.
Shaikh was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Sunday morning.
Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly involved in an extramarital relationship with a woman from the same area. He had reportedly started living with his wife again over the past few days, which allegedly led to tensions between the parties.
Initially, Panvel City Police had registered a case of attempt to murder, but sections related to murder were later added after the victim’s death.
According to investigators, the attack was allegedly carried out due to previous rivalry and anger over the victim’s alleged inappropriate behaviour towards relatives of the woman involved. Police said the woman’s husband, son and their associate were involved in the crime.
A murder case has been registered against three accused, of whom two have been arrested so far. Further investigation is being conducted by Police Sub-Inspector Sanjay Aspadwar.
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