Mumbai: A violent confrontation between two groups erupted in South Mumbai’s Nagpada area late Thursday night, leaving several people injured and sparking a massive police response. Authorities have confirmed that one individual remains in critical condition following the brawl, which has once again put the spotlight on the volatile security situation in the densely populated area.

According to the Mumbai Police, the altercation broke out between two local groups over a financial dispute that escalated rapidly. What reportedly began as a verbal spat soon turned into a physical battle.

A video of the clash has surfaced on the internet shows the exact moments of the violent situation. Two men can be seen lying on the road, probably unconsious after participating in the brawl. Five to six other men can be seen weilding rods and sticks engaged in a fight, in full public view.

The violence resulted in five to six individuals sustaining serious injuries. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Medical officials confirmed this morning that while most are stable, one victim is currently in critical condition and is battling for life in the intensive care unit.

The Nagpada Police arrived at the scene shortly after the violence peaked to disperse the crowd and restore order. Heavy police deployment remained in the area throughout the night to prevent any retaliatory attacks or further communal or localised tension.

In a swift crackdown following the incident, the Mumbai Police have detained 13 individuals suspected of involvement in the clash. The police have officially registered a case against the accused parties under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 109 and Section 191.

As of Friday morning, the situation in Nagpada is reported to be under control, though an uneasy calm prevails. Security has been beefed up at key intersections, and patrolling has been intensified.

Mumbai: The Sahar Police on January 28 arrested a taxi driver for allegedly defrauding an American national of Rs 18,000 for a taxi ride of just 400 metres.

The accused has been identified as Yashraj Yadav alias Papuu (50). The police have seized the vehicle, and the accused is currently in judicial custody. Two accused were involved in the crime. One is Yadav, while his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, is absconding.

The case came to light after a social media post by the American national, Argentina Ariano, went viral. In her post, she alleged that she was scammed by a taxi driver shortly after arriving in Mumbai.

According to the police, the victim had arrived in India for work. The incident took place on January 12 at around midnight after she landed at the Mumbai International Airport.

She alleged that the taxi driver charged her Rs 18,000 for a trip to a hotel located barely 400 metres away. Yadav allegedly took the woman on a 20-minute drive in Andheri (East), returned to the same locality, dropped her at the hotel and collected the fare.

Nearly 15 days later, on January 26, she posted about the incident on social media. In her post, she wrote: “Landed in Mumbai recently, took a taxi to the Hilton Hotel. The driver and another man first took us to an unknown location, charged us $200 (Rs 18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel, which was only 400 metres away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405.” She tagged Mumbai Police and the Traffic Police and used the hashtag #scam.

Responding to the post, Mumbai Police replied, “We have followed you. Please share your contact details in DM.” Following this, the Sahar Police initiated an inquiry.

During the investigation, police found that there are three Hilton hotels near the airport and identified the exact hotel where the American national had stayed. However, within 12 to 13 hours of the incident, she had checked out of the hotel and left the country. She checked out the next day and went to Pune, from where, after completing her tour, she returned to the US.

Manoj Chalake, Senior Police Inspector of Sahar Police Station, said, “We are trying to get the victim’s statement via video call or email. She did not inform the hotel staff about the incident. We have repeatedly informed people to communicate with the hotel or the local authority if a tourist suspects that a cabbie is fleecing them.”

The police contacted her and requested her to file a formal complaint. Although she responded with “Okay”, she did not lodge any complaint.

The Sahar Police then registered a suo motu case on January 28 against an unknown taxi driver under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a search operation.

Using the taxi number mentioned in the post, police traced the accused, Yadav, who resides in Sahar Village and is a permit taxi driver. The vehicle, a white Toyota Etios, has been seized. The vehicle is registered under the S.M.S. Tours and Travels company. Police said they would send his details to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for cancellation of his licence.

A police officer said two persons were involved in the crime — Yadav and his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, around 50 years old. Yadav allegedly negotiated the fare with the foreign national and then called Shaikh, who arrived with the car. Both allegedly cheated the tourist.

Shaikh later took the money from Yadav and fled to Uttar Pradesh. Police records show that several cheating cases have been registered against Shaikh at various police stations. Yadav, however, has no prior criminal record.

Manoj Chalake added, “We have seized the car. The cash could not be recovered as the other accused took the money and fled. We are searching for him. We will soon call the company owner for a statement.”

He further said that the police do not have much information about the foreign national, as she has not provided details about the purpose of her visit or other relevant information.

The Metropolitan Magistrate Court initially remanded Yadav to one day of police custody and later sent him to judicial custody.

Hyderabad, Jan 29: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao has condemned SIT notice to party president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the phone tapping case and termed it as a ‘clear example of the most heinous politics of vendetta’.

Rama Rao alleged that the notice to K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is an attempt by the Telangana government to cover up its failures and divert public attention from administrative shortcomings.

Rama Rao took to ‘X’ to react strongly to the notice issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to his father and BRS chief KCR.

“This is not an investigation. This is revenge. This is not justice. This is political malice,” he said.

Calling KCR a great leader, Rama Rao said he fought for statehood to Telangana with an unwavering resolve, risking his life, and ultimately achieved the goal.

Rama Rao said KCR is the leader, who through his ten-year rule, showcased Telangana to the world.

“He is a great visionary who nurtured all sections of society, treated the state like a newborn child, and led Telangana on the path of development with schemes like the irrigation revolution, Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, and Dalit Bandhu,” wrote the BRS Working President.

“Such a leader is now being targeted by the incompetent Congress government, which came to power on the foundation of false promises and reckless assurances. Within a year of coming to power, this government has betrayed the people and completely failed in implementing its promises,” he added.

Stating that KCR is a leader who resides in the hearts of the people of Telangana, Rama Rao said that the Congress government cannot erase the history of Telangana with notices and threats.

“If you insult the Telangana movement and the self-respect of Telangana, the people themselves will teach you a fitting lesson. We will stand by the people and continue the fight against this unjust rule as the voice of the people. The history of Telangana will not be written by investigations but by the verdict of the people,” said Rama Rao.

The SIT on Thursday issued a notice to KCR, directing him to make himself available for questioning at 3 p.m. on Friday (January 30).

The case relates to alleged tapping of phones of several political opponents, businessmen, journalists and even judges under the previous BRS government.

The SIT earlier questioned BRS leaders and former ministers Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao and former MP J. Santosh Rao.