Thane: The Thane Crime Branch has arrested two persons for allegedly possessing 15.9kg MD (mephedrone), a psychotropic substance, with the intent to sell it in the city. The accused – Tanvir Ahmad Ansari, 23, and Mahesh Desai, 35, residents of Mumbra and Ulhasnagar – were intercepted after a nakabandi on August 9 at Ranjnoli Naka on the Bhiwandi-Kalyan bypass road.

Cops Seize ₹31 Crore MD in Back-to-Back Car Interceptions

The police first stopped a car driven by Tanvir and, upon inspection, recovered 11.763kg MD. Soon after, another car driven by Mahesh was intercepted, and officials recovered 4.161kg MD powder from him; the total value of the contraband is Rs31.84 crore. Their cars and phones were seized by the police.

Preliminary interrogation revealed Tanvir is already named in three FIRs, including drug-related charges, at Mumbra, Daighar, and Byculla police stations. Mahesh, confessed to four prior offences, including cases under the NDPS Act and MCOCA at Ajara Police station in Kolhapur.

In a high-stakes simulation designed to test the city’s preparedness against terror threats, a full-scale mock drill was conducted at Mumbai Central Railway Station on Tuesday morning. The operation, staged just days ahead of Independence Day, aimed to evaluate the coordination and response capabilities of multiple security agencies in the event of a terrorist attack.

Initial Response and Intel Gathering

The drill commenced at approximately 11:29 am with a distress scenario: a Head Constable received intel about two armed terrorists holding a passenger hostage inside the General Hall of the bustling terminus. The suspects were believed to be concealed in the AC waiting room on the first floor.

Rapid Mobilisation of Security Forces

Responding swiftly, Senior Police Inspector Hemraj Kumbhar, along with a team of officers and Railway Protection Force (RPF) Inspector Nahar Singh, arrived on the scene. Acting in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Commissioner of Police (Railways), the team immediately informed the Mumbai Railway Control Room at 11:35 am and called in reinforcements.

Establishing Security Perimeter and Deployment

Within minutes, the area was cordoned off, with all entry and exit points to the General Hall sealed. Armed officers, including units from the Dog Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and the Quick Response Team (QRT), were deployed strategically across the site. The Riot Control Unit and Railway Protection Force assisted in establishing a security perimeter.

Threat Neutralisation Operation

At around 12:15pm, QRT commandos launched a meticulous room-to-room search operation to neutralize the simulated threat. Post-operation, BDDS teams from Ghatkopar HQ, accompanied by dog squads and RPF K9 units, combed through critical areas including the booking office, parcel area, and both waiting rooms to ensure the area was secure.

Exercise Concludes Successfully

The exercise concluded by 1:05 pm, successfully testing the readiness and coordination of Mumbai’s emergency services.

Manpower and Teams Involved

More than 50 personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP) were involved in the operation, including one Senior Police Inspector, two Police Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors, and 22 officers. The BDDS team, comprising four staff and one dog squad, played a crucial role, as did 15 RPF personnel—including one Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors—from Mumbai Central.

Supporting Units and Medical Preparedness

Also participating were 11 QRT commandos, a Riot Control Team of 11 personnel, and four members from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) based in Kala Chowki. An ambulance team was on standby for any medical emergencies.

Authorities Praise Proactive Security Measures

Authorities hailed the drill as a success, underscoring Mumbai’s proactive approach to national security and its commitment to public safety ahead of India’s 79th Independence Day.

Kolsewadi Police have arrested two individuals, including a woman, for allegedly beating a four-year-old girl to death after she had two potty accidents within an hour. The accused have been identified as Prathmesh Kambri (23) and his wife, Aprana Prathmesh Kambri, both residents of Bhivpuri in Karjat, Raigad district.

Kidnapping Complaint Filed Against Accused

According to police, a kidnapping complaint was lodged on October 6, 2024, at Kolsewadi Police Station by Jyoti Satpute. She alleged that her four-year-old niece had been kidnapped by the accused, who are her father’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Confession Reveals Cause of Death

The suspects were brought in for questioning, during which they reportedly confessed that Prathmesh had beaten the child to death due to her having two potty accidents within an hour. Following the murder, the couple allegedly wrapped the body in a gunny bag, covered it with a mattress, and dumped it in an isolated area.

Arrest Made Following Police Tip-Off

Based on a tip-off, police laid a trap and apprehended the accused on August 11 in Chinchwali village, Bhivpuri. They were produced before a court and remanded in police custody for further investigation.

Police Statement on the Investigation

DCP Atul Zende (Kalyan division) said, “The couple had been absconding since the FIR was lodged. They had stopped using their mobile phones, making it difficult to trace them. Acting on a tip-off, we arrested them. During the preliminary investigation, we learned that they had brought the child to their home in August to care for her. We have added murder charges to the FIR.”

Family Background and Custody Details

Police also confirmed that the girl’s father has been in jail for the past year in connection with a theft case in Ulhasnagar. After his arrest, he had sent his daughter to stay with his sister-in-law in Bhivpuri. When the complainant was unable to reach the Kambri couple despite a personal visit, she filed a kidnapping complaint.