Vasai, May 15: In a shocking incident on Wednesday evening, a 21-year-old woman was the victim of a life-threatening knife attack near the Vasai Fort area. The attack, reportedly fuelled by a dispute over a friendship, has left the young woman seriously injured and undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The Vasai police have registered a case of attempted murder against the accused.

The victim has been identified as Answita Donald Patil (21). The incident took place around 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday near the Datta Mandir Road area, adjacent to the historic Vasai Fort.

According to police reports, the accused, Sanchit Dominic Bala (23), allegedly harboured deep resentment regarding Answita’s friendship with another youth, Rohit Kapi.

Sanchit intercepted Answita while she was in the fort vicinity. Following a heated confrontation, the accused allegedly threatened her before slashing her neck with a knife in a fit of rage. The victim sustained severe injuries and was rushed to hospital by locals.

The brutal nature of the attack in a popular public spot has sent shockwaves throughout the locality. Following the assault, the accused fled the scene.

Upon receiving information, the Vasai police immediately formed investigation teams to track him down.

“We have registered a case under the relevant sections for attempted murder. Our teams were dispatched immediately to apprehend the suspect,” stated a police official involved in the case.

The police are currently recording statements from witnesses and checking CCTV footage from the surrounding area to strengthen the case. Answita remains under medical supervision, and her condition is being closely monitored.

A fire broke out at Annex Mall in Mumbai’s Borivali East area on Friday afternoon, triggering panic among shoppers and locals in the busy commercial neighbourhood near the Western Express Highway.

According to officials, the incident was reported at around 2.03 pm, following which teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot and immediately began firefighting operations.

The blaze reportedly erupted inside a hotel located on the first floor of the shopping complex situated in Siddhartha Nagar. Within minutes, thick smoke was seen billowing from a section of the building, prompting concern among visitors and nearby residents.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade declared it a Level I fire at around 2.07 pm. Multiple fire engines and emergency response teams were deployed to prevent the flames from spreading further inside the mall premises.

Police personnel and ward officials also reached the location to assist with crowd management and ensure safety around the area.

The incident led to traffic congestion near the Western Express Highway stretch adjoining the mall as emergency vehicles occupied a part of the road during the operation.

Shoppers and staff members were seen rushing out of the complex after the fire alarm and smoke created panic inside the premises. However, officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties had been reported till the latest update.

Authorities said the exact cause of the fire remains unclear at present. A detailed inspection is expected to be carried out once the blaze is completely brought under control.

Officials stated that further details regarding the extent of damage and the source of the fire would be known after the investigation.

Mumbai: A day after the Election Commission announced the Comprehensive Audit of Voter Lists (SIR) in Maharashtra, Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East Raees Sheikh has urged Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders to form a state-level task force to monitor the process and take steps to ensure that the incident of voter exclusion in West Bengal does not repeat itself. The SIR process led to the defeat of the Trinamool Congress in Bengal.

In a letter to Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal, Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) state president Shashi Kant Shinde, MLA Raees Sheikh said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi should constitute a task force to guide voters, train Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and coordinate with the Election Commission. The SIR process in Bihar and West Bengal has resulted in the exclusion of a large number of voters, especially voters from tribal, Dalit, minority and weaker sections. 68 lakh voters in Bihar and 91 lakh voters in West Bengal have been excluded in this process. Maharashtra may face a similar situation if opposition parties do not take timely action. “In the recent West Bengal assembly elections, BJP won 95 seats while Trinamool Congress won 51 seats in constituencies where 25,000 voters were excluded during the SIR process, leading to TMC’s defeat,” MLA Raees Sheikh claimed. He added that under the SIR initiative, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit voters’ homes between June 30 and July 29. “Voters will need help in completing the necessary documents, understanding the new voter registration process and the objection registration process. Booth Level Officers (BLAs) of all the allied parties and coordinating with the state Chief Electoral Officer and the Central Election Commission. Maha Vikas Aghadi must take immediate steps in this regard. Otherwise we will not be able to stop the ruling party’s vote rigging. The proposed state-level task force should include representatives of all allies in the alliance.”