Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police continues to uncover shocking details in the ₹122 crore scam at New India Cooperative Bank. The latest investigation has revealed that the main accused, Hitesh Mehta, illegally disbursed bank funds as high-interest loans to depositors during the Covid-19 period in 2020.

According to EOW sources, many small traders suffered severe financial losses during the pandemic and were in urgent need of funds. Exploiting their vulnerability, Mehta provided them loans worth crores at exorbitant interest rates, bypassing legal banking procedures.

The EOW is now investigating the exact number of traders who received these unauthorized loans and the total amount disbursed. A senior EOW official stated that Mehta, a commerce graduate, joined the bank in 1987 and was later promoted to General Manager and Chief Accountant in 2002. He was set to retire in October this year, but his massive fraud was exposed beforehand.

Sources reveal that an EOW team will soon visit the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to meet with senior officials. The purpose of the meeting is to understand why the RBI conducted a sudden inspection at the bank on February 12 and what triggered the surprise audit.

Additionally, EOW officials will seek a detailed report from the RBI and question why no action was taken earlier, despite financial irregularities occurring since 2019. The investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected in the coming days.

Gadag (Karnataka), March 14: At least seven school girls had to be hospitalised after a gang of miscreants threw chemical colour on them while celebrating Holi in Lakshmeshwar town of Gadag district of Karnataka on Friday.

According to preliminary information, four of the seven school girls are in critical condition. They are complaining of breathing problems and chest pain. They have been shifted to Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), while the remaining girls are being treated at the local government hospital in Lakshmeshwar.

The incident has sparked outrage among the people and the parents of the victims have rushed to the hospital. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police have started searching for the gang of miscreants.

According to the police, the school girls were waiting for the bus to go to school to take the exam at the bus stand near Suvarnagiri Tanda in Lakshmeshwar town.

Sources said a gang of miscreants came on bikes, stopped near the bus stand and started throwing colours on them. Meanwhile, the school bus arrived and the girls boarded it. The miscreants followed the bus on bikes and entered the bus and specifically targeted seven schoolgirls and poured chemical colours on them.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the chemical colours thrown by the miscreants contained cow dung, eggs, phenol and colour mixed together. The girls unknowingly swallowed some amount of the mixture, causing them to experience breathing problems and other symptoms.

The students fell sick and were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The scenes at the hospital were heartbreaking, with the girls suffering from breathing problems and severe chest pain. Senior police officials rushed to the hospital and assured the parents that strict action would be taken against the culprits.

The accused managed to escape on bikes and the police are gathering information from locals and other passengers on the school bus to nab them. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. The authorities are yet to issue any official statement on the matter.

Beed (Maharashtra): The recent brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Parli taluka, Beed district, has left the region shaken. The gruesome killing has tarnished Parli’s reputation, triggering concerns about law and order in the area. In an effort to restore the town’s image and uplift the community’s morale, Global Vikas Trust (GVT) has organized a marathon on March 19, led by fitness icon Milind Soman and GVT head Mayank Gandhi.

The murder of Santosh Deshmukh shocked residents, with reports indicating that he was brutally attacked due to political and local disputes. His death sparked tension in the region, prompting authorities to heighten security measures. The Beed Superintendent of Police and the Collector have been actively monitoring the situation to maintain law and order.

To counteract the negativity surrounding the incident, GVT, an organization that has been working on rural transformation in the area for several years, decided to take action. The upcoming marathon aims to bring positivity, unity and hope back to the people of Parli.

Milind Soman, known for promoting fitness and social causes, has specially flown in for the event to inspire Parli’s youth. A few thousand young participants will join the run alongside Milind Soman, the Beed SP, the Beed Collector and other dignitaries. The marathon will conclude at Krishikul, a rural education and development center.

Event To Boost Morale Among Residents

The event is expected to not only boost morale but also reinforce the message that Parli is a place of growth and unity, not violence and crime. With high-profile participation and enthusiastic youth engagement, the marathon aims to shift focus from the tragedy to the spirit of resilience and transformation.

Authorities are ensuring tight security arrangements for the event, considering the recent tensions in the area. The marathon is being seen as an important step toward restoring normalcy and confidence in Parli’s future.