Navi Mumbai: The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in Ward Committee ‘D’, demolishing several unauthorised furniture shops near Simran Motors in New Panvel on Monday.

Acting on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale, the civic body’s encroachment department used a JCB machine to remove the illegal structures and seized furniture and other materials from the site.

The action is part of an ongoing campaign against encroachments across all four ward committees within the PMC jurisdiction. Additional Municipal Commissioner Maheshkumar Meghmale has directed officials to intensify action against illegal constructions and roadside encroachments, civic officials said.

“Encroachments on public spaces will not be tolerated. Strict action is being undertaken across all ward committees to ensure roads, footpaths and public areas remain free from unauthorised structures,” a PMC official said.

Assistant Commissioner and Ward Officer Rupali Mane supervised the operation along with Ward Superintendent Rajesh Dongre. The demolition drive was carried out with the assistance of the encroachment squad and security personnel.

“The drive in New Panvel is part of a larger effort to maintain civic order and remove unauthorised commercial establishments operating on public land,” the official added.

PMC officials said similar anti-encroachment operations will continue in different parts of the municipal area in the coming weeks.

Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a 38-year-old man was allegedly attacked and stabbed to death in the Mankhurd area by three men.

the deceased, identified as Vilas Hiwale, was attacked after he reportedly shone a torch at a group of people sitting in the dark. The accused have been identified as Rajesh Londhe, Siddharth Londhe, and Sagar Kapsikar.

Vilas was taken to Sion Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Mankhurd Police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the three accused, who are currently absconding. Police said the accused have a criminal history, and further investigation is underway. Currently, it is unclear whether shining a torch was the actual cause of the stabbing or whether an altercation that followed led to the death of the 38-year-old man.

Meanwhile, in another shocking incidents, the body of the four-year-old boy was discovered in an open drain in the Neelkamal Naka area. Though it was assumed to be a case of accidental drowning, during the initial spot assessment, the police noticed suspicious elements, prompting them to change the direction of their investigation. However, it was found that the toddler’s mother’s paramour murdered the child and threw his body into a drain to stage it as an accident.

In Mira Bhayandar, a boy was found murdered inside the lavatory of Shanti Shopping Centre in Mira Road, with the body reportedly discovered in a mutilated condition. According to information from media, the body was found inside the bathroom of the commercial complex, after which the police were alerted. In Powai, a four-year-old boy was allegedly killed by his father for repeatedly crying for milk. The Powai police arrested the accused, identified as Rajesh Singh (26), on charges of murder.

Mumbai: In a breakthrough, a 44-year-old man was arrested days after molesting a 17-year-old girl inside a Metro lift at Dhanukarwadi Station in Kandivali.

The accused, identified as Doni Sarkar, had fled the city following the incident. He was caught by the team of Kandivali Police from the Gitanjali Express, which was heading to West Bengal’s Howrah Junction.

the accused was nabbed when the train halted at the Raipur Junction in Chhattisgarh, who was reportedly fleeing to his hometown in West Bengal.

The incident took place on May 29 at around 11.50 am, when the girl was allegedly molested inside a lift at the Dahanukarwadi Metro station on the Yellow Line. According to an HT report, the accused was already present inside the lift, and after seeing the girl entering the lift alone, he allegedly molested her as the doors shut by touching her inappropriately.

Terrified by the incident, the girl had first approached the metro staff for help and then later approached the police station, after which a case was registered.

The incident was also confirmed by the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) officials, who assured to provide all possible help to the police in the case. Additionally, the officials had also handed the CCTV footage to the police.

Meanwhile, in another recent case, a case under POSCO has been registered against a 40-year-old man who has been allegedly accused of showing pornographic films and molesting a 13-year-old boy in Mumbai’s Agripada area. The shocking incident took place at the Classic Tower residential society located in the Agripada locality. The matter came to light after the traumatised minor confided in his family members about the ordeal, and a case was registered.

Earlier in May, a case of alleged molestation was registered against a BMC officer after a woman employee accused him of misbehaving with her inside the civic body headquarters.