Mumbai: Several locations in Mumbai, including Vidhan Bhavan, Bombay Stock Exchange and High Court, received a bomb threat via email today, March 12, leading to an immediate security response. Notably, the date of the bomb threat also coincides with the anniversary of the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, reviving memories of the devastating serial explosions that shook the financial capital more than three decades ago.

On the unfateful day, the first blast had exploded at 1:30 pm in the basement of the Bombay Stock Exchange building, killing about 50 people and injuring many more, after which a series of bombs exploded at various locations across the city, including the Air India Building, the Centaur Hotel, and the Zaveri Bazaar.

The blasts resulted in the deaths of 257 people, with over 700 injured. Many of the victims were innocent civilians, including women and children. The investigation revealed that the blasts were masterminded by Dawood Ibrahim, a notorious underworld don with ties to international terrorist organisations, to take revenge on the Indian government over the destruction of the Babri Masjid. The main perpetrator of the blasts was identified as Tiger Memon, a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim. Memon had planned and executed the blasts with the help of a network of accomplices.

Threatening emails were also received at the BSE, Vidhan Bhawan, and the Bombay High Court this morning. The threat mail warned CM Fadnavis to move a motion supporting a Khalistan referendum and condemn the Centre. If demands were not met, it threatened a missile attack. Apart from Vidhan Bhavan, similar threats were reportedly sent to banks, courts and the metro system.

Following the alert, teams from the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and police personnel rushed to the Vidhan Bhavan complex and began thorough inspections of the premises. Security has also been heightened at several other prominent locations mentioned in the email. CM Fadnavis also arrived at Vidhan Bhavan despite the threat to bomb Vidhan Bhavan. His arrival at Vidhan Bhavan came as the Maharashtra Budget session was underway.

Mumbai: Maharashtra has taken strict action against drug trafficking, registering cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in 14 cases so far, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council during Question Hour.

The minister said the state government is following a “zero tolerance” policy against narcotics and organised drug networks.

The issue was raised by MLC Shashikant Shinde, while members Satej Patil, Anil Parab and Pravin Darekar asked supplementary questions.

Kadam said the government has established an Anti-Narcotic Task Force to curb the growing drug menace in the state. The task force is responsible for taking action against drug-related crimes and identifying the entire supply chain behind narcotics trafficking.

He added that strict action is being taken not only against the main accused in drug rackets but also against those who provide direct or indirect assistance. Authorities are also targeting the supply chain of narcotics, including those supplying raw materials for drug production, and taking action under MCOCA where necessary.

Referring to a recent case in Jawali taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra, India, the minister said 11 accused have been arrested and booked under MCOCA in connection with a drug manufacturing racket.

Investigations have revealed that in some instances drugs were being produced secretly in closed factories or sheds in rural areas. As a result, police and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) have launched joint inspections of such premises.

Kadam said the police machinery has also been put on high alert in rural areas to prevent illegal drug production and trafficking.

Mumbai: The Navghar police have registered a case against three individuals for allegedly cheating two people of around Rs30 lakh on the pretext of securing an MBBS admission under the management quota at a private medical college.

The accused have been identified as Laxman Bhosale, his wife Pranjali Bhosale, and Ketan Dattatraya Khajindar. According to the police, the trio allegedly took Rs10 lakh from a complainant by promising admission to his nephew at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune, but failed to deliver on the promise.

As per the FIR, the complainant, Pankaj Popatrao Bhosale, 42, a hotel businessman from Kinei village in Koregaon taluka of Satara district, lodged the complaint after his nephew Sharadul lost two academic years due to the alleged fraud.

Police said Sharadul, the son of Pankaj’s cousin Omprakash Bhosale, had passed Class 12 (Science) in 2024 and appeared for the NEET examination. However, after scoring low marks, the family decided to try for admission through the management quota.

Through a mutual acquaintance, Ketan Khajindar from Dehere in Ahmednagar introduced the complainant to Laxman Bhosale. The latter allegedly claimed that his wife, Pranjali Bhosale, worked as an education officer with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and could help secure admission.

Khajindar reportedly took Pankaj Bhosale to Laxman Bhosale’s residence in Hari Om Nagar, Mulund East, where Pranjali allegedly stated that the total cost for an MBBS seat at the Pune-based college would be Rs1.20 crore and demanded an advance payment of Rs10 lakh.

According to the FIR, Omprakash Bhosale transferred a total of Rs10 lakh to Pranjali Bhosale’s bank account from his account at the Bank of Maharashtra between June 22, 2024 and December 5, 2024.

Police said Pranjali reportedly called the complainant, his brother and the student to the medical college in Pimpri-Chinchwad but never appeared in person. She allegedly told them that she was in Delhi and would complete the admission process after returning. However, the admission was never secured and the money was not returned.

The complainant also alleged that when he threatened to approach the police in July 2025, a person identifying himself as advocate Ashish called him and requested him not to file an FIR, assuring that the money would be recovered. Another person, identified as Ali Shaikh from Viman Nagar in Pune, also reportedly called and made similar assurances.

During the course of inquiry, the complainant also learnt that another person, Suraj Sharan Pardeshi, had allegedly been cheated of Rs20 lakh by the same accused.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case of cheating amounting to Rs30 lakh under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and further investigation is underway.