Crime
I-PAC raid row: SC defers hearing on ED’s plea claiming interference by Mamata Banerjee
New Delhi, Feb 10: The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to February 18 the hearing on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the Central agency’s recent search operations at the office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain in Kolkata.
The Bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Sandeep Mehta deferred the matter following a request for adjournment due to the ill health of senior advocate Kapil Sibal.
During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, informed the apex court that he had been apprised about Sibal’s inability to appear. “I can’t oppose on this ground. If it can be kept on 18th February,” the Centre’s second-highest law officer submitted.
Acceding to the request, the Justice Mishra-led Bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 18.
The ED has approached the top court seeking directions for the registration of FIRs against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state Director General of Police (DGP), and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, alleging obstruction of lawful duties during the federal agency’s simultaneous search operations.
In her counter affidavit, Chief Minister Banerjee has denied all allegations of interference and obstruction, asserting that her limited presence at the premises was solely to retrieve confidential and proprietary data belonging to her party, the Trinamool Congress (AITC).
According to the affidavit, Banerjee visited Pratik Jain’s residence at Loudon Street and I-PAC’s office in Bidhannagar on January 8, after receiving information that sensitive political data of the Trinamool was being accessed during the searches.
She maintained that the data was “vitally linked to the AITC’s strategy for the upcoming Legislative Assembly election”.
The affidavit stated that when she reached the premises, she “politely requested the officials of the Enforcement Directorate to be allowed to retrieve the party’s data and the devices they were stored in and files containing prints of the same”.
It further claimed that “the officers of the Enforcement Directorate present there at that time did not object to this request and permitted her to retrieve some of these devices and physical files”.
“After she had done so, the Answering Respondent (CM Banerjee) left the premises so as not to inconvenience the officials of the Enforcement Directorate in any way,” the counter affidavit said, adding that the ED’s own panchnamas record that the searches continued thereafter and were conducted “peacefully and in an orderly manner”.
CM Banerjee has also argued that neither the Trinamool nor its officials are accused in the alleged coal scam, and therefore, the ED could not claim any right over the party’s proprietary data.
The counter affidavit has further accused the ED of acting with mala fide intent, alleging that the searches were carried out in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and after a prolonged period of inaction.
It has questioned the timing of the operations, claiming they coincided with I-PAC possessing “critical documents”, including a proposed list of candidates for the upcoming polls.
Alleging violations of statutory safeguards under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the affidavit has also pointed out that the ED failed to produce any audio or video recording of the searches.
This, it claimed, raises a “strong presumption” that the searches were clandestine and aimed at accessing confidential political data.
Earlier, on January 15, the Supreme Court had stayed the FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officials in connection with the searches and had also directed preservation of CCTV footage and other digital storage devices containing recordings of the searched premises as well as the surrounding areas.
Crime
Thane Crime Branch Busts Chain And Mobile Snatching Racket, Solves 16 Cases Across Region

Thane, Feb 14: In a significant crackdown on street crimes, the Thane Crime Branch has successfully apprehended two suspects involved in a series of chain and mobile snatching incidents. The operation has led to the resolution of at least 16 pending cases across several jurisdictions, including Thane, Bhiwandi, and Pune.
Acting on a tip-off and technical surveillance, a special team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Amarsingh Jadhav initiated a targeted drive against rising street robberies. The investigation led to the arrest of two key suspects:
Ravindra Dhanaji Bhosle (24): Arrested on February 4, 2026, in the Kalyan-Bhiwandi area. Following his interrogation, police recovered 45 grams of gold jewellery valued at approximately ₹3.20 lakh. Bhosle has been linked to 13 cases of chain snatching spanning Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Karjat Railway, and Pune.
Dinesh Pandurang Chator: Arrested for his involvement in mobile snatching. His apprehension led to the recovery of 21 high-end mobile phones and jewellery, with a total estimated value of ₹8.55 lakh.
The suspects reportedly targeted victims in crowded areas and transit points. DCP Jadhav informed the press that the team utilised a combination of CCTV footage analysis and confidential informant networks to track the duo’s movements.
“This operation is a result of a coordinated effort by our special team. We have successfully recovered stolen property worth over ₹11 lakh and cleared 16 FIRs across multiple police stations,” stated DCP Jadhav.
In a significant breakthrough for regional security, the Thane Crime Branch has successfully resolved 16 cases of chain and mobile snatching. The extensive investigation spanned multiple jurisdictions, including Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Pune, and Karjat.
This coordinated effort led to the recovery of key assets, including 45 grams of gold and 21 mobile phones, with a total estimated recovery value of approximately ₹11.75 lakh. Following this success, the Thane Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
Meanwhile, further investigations are currently underway to determine if the apprehended suspects are part of a larger organised criminal syndicate or are linked to additional unsolved cases across the region.
Crime
Filmy-Style Crackdown In Kalyan: Pune’s ‘Most Wanted’ Nabbed After High Drama In Irani Basti

Kalyan, Feb 14: In a dramatic late-night operation reminiscent of a film sequence, a joint police team arrested a Pune-based ‘most wanted’ accused from the densely populated Irani Basti area of Kalyan, triggering tense scenes and commotion in the locality.
The operation was carried out jointly by Unit 2 of the Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch and officers from Khadakpada Police Station following specific intelligence inputs.
Acting on credible information that the accused, identified as Mohammad Qamar Irani, was hiding in his native locality in Kalyan after absconding in connection with a serious offence registered in Pune, the crime branch team rushed to the city and coordinated with local police for a swift operation.
Police sources said a strategic cordon was laid around the house in Irani Basti to prevent any escape. However, as soon as the team approached the premises, chaos erupted.
Family members of the accused allegedly attempted to obstruct the arrest. In particular, women relatives reportedly came forward in an attempt to block the police action, leading to a brief but tense stand-off.
Despite resistance, officers maintained restraint and handled the situation tactfully to avoid escalation. After a short confrontation, the accused was successfully taken into custody without any major untoward incident. He was later brought to Khadakpada Police Station for further legal formalities before being handed over to the Pune team.
Officials said the accused has a long criminal record and had been on the run for several days. His arrest is being viewed as a significant breakthrough for the Pune police, who had intensified efforts to track him down.
The swift coordination between the Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch and Khadakpada Police Station has drawn appreciation within the department, as the operation culminated in the capture of a key accused who had managed to evade law enforcement until now. Further investigation is underway.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: Dindoshi Police Arrest History-Sheeter For Cheating SRA Agent Of ₹57 Lakh Using Fake Police Influence Claims

Mumbai: The Dindoshi police on Thursday arrested a notorious history-sheeter for allegedly duping an SRA liaisoning agent of Rs 57 lakh since August 2025. The accused, Munaf Abdul Rehman Lambe alias Baba Khan, 45, has been named in 10 extortion and cheating cases registered across Mumbai, the police said.
A police officer said that Khan allegedly fleeced the complainant, Shailesh Santosh, 51, on the pretext of helping him in a case lodged against the latter at the Bandra police station. The officer said the accused contacted Santosh in August 2025, called him to a hotel in Goregaon East and boasted about his “contacts” in the police.
From then onwards till February 9, 2026, Khan took cash, expensive phones and watches worth over Rs 2.4 lakh, totally amounting to Rs 57 lakh.
It was further alleged that when asked to fulfil his promise, Khan threatened to implicate Santosh in false cases and even issued death threats, which prompted him to approach the police.
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